#the plus sides of only starting DA last year meant i had to wait NO time for da4. the downsides are im still not done w da3 comics lolll

[stealingpotatoes]

i can't wait til i finish the inquisition playthru comics to draw her, so everyone meet mine and @highladyofdusk's Rook, Rookwir Aldwir (+ timeskip inq'isita!!) !!!

(commission info // tip jar!)

[ne0sgotmyback]

Fake dating II part 2 II Lucas Wong

pairing: Lucas Wong x reader

Masterlist I previous chapter I next chapter I

This is a small series about Lucas being your fake boyfriend for a high school reunion, but he turns out to be so much more after all.

I’m here

Is the text you get from Yukhei at exactly 3 o’clock, the time the two of you would meet. But you are running late once again. After your coffee with Ten you did absuletly nothing, until you had only one hour left before Yukhei would be here. This meant that in one hour you needed to shower, decide on your clothes, do your make up and your hair. Normally this would take about an hour and a half.

I’m not ready yet! So sorry, you can come up. Here is my apartment number: 214. If you just ring the bell when you are here, I will open the door. Once again, I’m so sorry!

You quickly message him back. Continuing your make-up, you see that Yukhei has read your text, which meant he was probably on his way to your apartment. That is when you realized, you invited him over to your apartment, which is messy due to you being late. You start to panick, but before you can actually go into full panic mode, you hear the doorbell. He is already here. You walk towards the door and open it.

‘Hello, I’m so sorry. I thought I would be fine today. I’m almost finished though, so you we can leave in a bit. Please come in if you want a seat. Don’t need to take your shoes of, I won’t take that long.’ You quickly say and walk back to your bedroom. Putting on your last bit of make-up. Putting your jewelry in your bag and grabbing your shoes. You walk back to the living room. ‘Just need to put on my shoes and then we can go.’ You say and you see Yukhei still standing at the door. You look at him with question in your eyes.

‘You said you would be ready soon. So I didn’t want to make a mess of your apartment. That’s why I decided to stay here.’ He explains and holds out his hand. You gladly take it after putting on your second shoe.

‘thank you’ you say and quickly grab a blazer before the two of you leave your apartment.

You and Yukhei arrive at the high school around a quarter to 4. A bit later than most people, but not too late. Before you can excited the car on your own, Yukhei sprints to your side and opens the door for you. You give him a soft smile, thanking him for being so kind. After closing the door behind you, he puts his arm around your waist. You are surprised by his action, but then you realize the two of you got to act like a couple.

‘This is okay right?’ he then whispers in your ear. You breath is stuck in your throat, so you just nod as an answer. ‘Shall we go then?’ he continues and the two of you walk to the entrance of the building. Arriving at the entrance you see a few directions to the basketball court. You take yukhei’s hand of your waist to hold his hand instead. Guiding him towards the reunion. As you enter the basketball court your eyes scan the crowd looking for Ten. What you fail to realize is that everyone is looking at the two of you. That is until Yukhei squeezes your hand. ‘Ehm, why are they all looking at us?’ he then asks confused.

‘I don’t know.’ You answer him, but deep down you do know. They would never expect you to end up with someone like Lucas. You didn’t either, but you also know you didn’t really end up with him since this is all fake.

‘Let’s go, I found Ten. It would be weird if we just stayed here any longer.’ Yukhei says and pulls you towards Ten, since the two of you are still holding hands. After following Yukhei your eyes also find Ten and Da-Hee.

‘Hello! y/n you look stunning!’ Da-hee enthusiastically greets you. She gives you a hug, at the same time Yukhei and Ten greet each other also giving a hug, only a bit more manly. They do a bro hug kind of thing, which you still don’t understand. Ten then starts introducing Yukhei to Da-hee.

‘So baby, this is Lucas my coworker and y/n boyfriend, for now’ whispering the last two words she looks at you confused. You give her a look meaning you will explain later. ‘Lucas, this is my girlfriend Da-hee. As you know she is also my dance partner.’ Ten tells Yukhei. And you notice you’re the only one calling him Yukhei instead of Lucas. You should ask him about that. With that thought music starts playing and someone walks up the little stage in the front of the room. The official reunion starts now, first the old principal tells us how happy she is to see this reunion happening. Then the current principal talks a bit about the importance of this reunion and then the rest of the event is explained. It seemed that there was a system designed to get everyone back in touch with eachtother. Everyone got a number and a letter as they can see on the board behind the current principal. First everyone needs to find the right table, each seat had a combination of a number and a letter.

‘Which combination are we looking for?’ Yukhei asks after the explanation. Scanning the room with his eyes.

‘Combination 9G, do you see it somewhere?’ You answer his question. Yukhei scans the room again and then nods. He grabs your hand again and pulls you into the direction of the table. You just follow him, accepting that he found the combination already. After dodging a few tables the two of you end up at a table rather close to the stage. Your eyes scan the table number and you see that you two ended up at the right table, number 9G. ‘Thank you’ you quietly mumble to Yukhei.

‘No problem, two people see more than one.’ He answers and grabs a seat and pulls it backwards. You expect him to go sit on it. That is until you notice his hand presenting the seat to you. You nod as a thank you and sit down on the seat. Yukhei grabs the seat next to you and also sits down. Now the two of you just need to wait on the rest of your table. You can see Ten sitting down somewhere far from the stage. Still nervous about who will join the table, you start fumbling around with the ring on your hand. ‘Hey, it’s gonna be okay. Don’t stress.’ Yukhei tells you and grabs your hand, stopping you from playing with the ring.

‘Thanks,’ you murmur back to Yukhei. That is when you see someone walk towards the table. As the person comes closer you recognize him as Kun, he was a popular basketball player in Ten’s year. Which got you wondering why he is at this reunion. Ten is only here because Da-hee is the same age as you, so he is here as plus one. Kun on the other hand wouldn’t have any reason to be here, as it looks like he is here alone. Deep in your train of thought you don’t realize that Ji-su enters his side, you remember her all to well. She was on of the girls who hurt you during your high school period.

‘hello, how are you guys?’ Kun ask politely as he and Ji-su sit down in front of you and Yukhei.

‘Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Lucas, and we are good. How are you guys?’ Yukhei introduces himself and answering Kun’s question. You almost didn’t notice he introduced himself as Lucas instead of Yukhei, which reminded you about your burning question of his name.

‘We are good as well, are you guys the only ones here yet.’ Kun then asks while looking at you. You just nod, still staring at Ji-su.

‘What is it y/n? Cat got your tong? Or are you admiring how good I look today.’ Ji-su smirked while filling her glass with water. You looked away, not knowing what to answer.

‘I think she just spaced out. She has been working a lot lately, because of how busy it is. So I think she still working in her head.’ Yukhei protects you from her. Ji-su doesn’t know what to answer and just shrugs her shoulders. Meanwhile Yukhei grabs ahold of your hand again, caressing it with hopes of calming down your nerves. In the meantime 5 other people have sat down at the round table. Next to you sat Shotaro, Jeno with his girlfriend Mia and then Kun and Ji-su. Then a empty chair and then followed by Yeji and her boyfriend Soobin, next to Soobin sat Yukhei. Because of the empty chair it looked someone was late, because everyone else seemed to have found their table. ‘Hello everyone, I’m Lucas. This is y/n. I was wondering what all of you do for a living. Since I don’t know any of you.’ Yukhei happily asks to get to know them better. You just sit still watching everyone answer his question, you notice him once again using Lucas to introduce himself. When it’s Soobin’s turn to answer the question someone else walks down to your table. When you look up, you see it’s Ji-ae. As if life just hated you, your worst memories come flooding back and you can barely hold in your tears.

‘Hey everyone, how are you doing? Hope you guys are enjoying this reunion I organized as head of the school.’ Ji-ae beams proudly while sitting down. Since it was Soobin his turn to answer Yukhei’s question as well, everyone looks at him eagerly. While he answers you feel Ji-ae’s eyes stare at you. You turn to Yukhei with the hope of him somehow sensing how uncomfortable you feel. The unexpected happens and he looks at you with question in his eyes. ‘y/n where are you working right now? I heard you had a hard time getting a job?’ Ji-ae belittles you and you feel like your old self again, not worthy of any friends or family. You also feel your tears and anger coming up, so without a warning or an answer you walk out of the room, looking for a toilet. Soon after finding the toilet you let the tears escape, since your anger has already subsided a bit.

‘y/n!’ you hear someone scream your name. ‘where are you?’ you hear again. ‘y/n! Please I want to help!’ But you don’t recognize the voice until the third time of screaming your name ‘y/n, please!’

[barbasbodaciousbeard]

If You Love Someone, Let Them Go: Part 7

Summary: Since starting with SVU, Sonny hadn’t kept much terribly close to the chest. The squad knew about his family, growing up on Staten Island, the classes at Fordam. What was hidden was why he didn’t date. Sonny Carisi was also separated from his childhood sweetheart, a separation neither ever took to divorce. They had the same haunts. They’d grown up neighbors. Their paths crossed every few months, and divorce talks would turn into reminiscing would turn into a night spent together, sometimes sex sometimes just talking until the early morning. It always ended with one of them waking up alone however. How will that change when the squad finds out?

Pairings: Sonny Carisi x Original Character

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

May 2015

“Dominick, where’s the box with my shoes?” Victoria called, stepping over the piles in the apartment they’d consolidated into over the last month and a half. Both their leases were ending, so they decided to go ahead and overlap their leases with a new place for a month. They needed to start fresh, and neither of them wanted to do that in the solitary spaces they’d inhabited without the other. She was nervous now, however, because Olivia had extended Carisi’s invitation to celebrate Noah’s adoption to her as well. It struck her that she was the only SVU spouse, so it might just be the group that spent every day and lots of long nights together and her, someone suddenly thrust into their world. That meant she was exceptionally nervous as she got ready; meeting them on their turf felt more serious than being at Bella’s wedding. Everyone had dispersed within hours there.

“Kitchen counter. Got mixed up for the pots and pans in our room somehow,” he called, and she could tell he was brushing his teeth. She stepped over the not yet assembled shelves she’d gotten, digging each chunky heel from the cardboard box. The wedding heels had been hard on her because the brides wanted stilettos. These she could walk in all day, and she liked reaching Sonny’s shoulder. She went to the bathroom, leaning on the door frame as she watched him style his hair, the tip of his tongue between his front teeth. He caught her eye on the mirror, and his mouth shifted to a grin as he shot her a wink.

“Lookin’ hot, Mrs. Carisi.”

“Why thank you,” she grinned, striking a playful pose. “You look pretty hot yourself.”

“You just like these shirts on me.”

“And your ass in those khakis.” 

She felt triumphant as his cheeks turned pink, grabbing her purse and fixing her lipstick. Soon enough, they were knocking on Olivia’s door, and Sonny pressed a kiss by her ear. 

“You’ll be fine,” he whispered, straightening up as Olivia opened the door.

“Carisi, Victoria, come on in,” she smiled, and Victoria couldn’t help but grin at the sight of the little boy on her hip, putting the gift bag on the counter. 

“It’s so great to see you again. We brought a present for you two. Wine for mama and a toy for Noah.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s a celebration,” she smiled, and Sonny watched fondly as Victoria made faces at Noah, who squealed with delight. 

“Carisi,” Barba nodded, scotch in hand as the detective opened a beer. “Things seem to be good?”

“Yeah. We’re unpacking the new place.”

“I’m sure it’s a delight.”

“Tor’s back home. Of course it is.”

“Can I give you one piece of advice, if you still want to be an attorney?”

“If you’re going to say ‘don’t’ again-”

“I’m feeling sentimental on this, the celebration of Noah’s adoption.”

“Go on then.”

“You’ve expressed an interest in the DA’s office. Prosecution. It’s all the pain from SVU, plus you have to be the bad guy and demand proof. You’ve hated my guts more than a few times, no?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t fuck up again. You’ll need that anchor. I have had two opportunities. One ended up with the friend. The other I drove away trying to keep secrets and seem tough.”

“Liv rat me out?”

“On accident at the wedding. But only because she knew I’d understand. Being able to talk to her will be what keeps you sane during some of those trials.”

“You know, cousin Tony is a real good listener and seemed real into you.”

“He is quite the listener and is quite into me. Now, shut up before you ruin my good mood.”

“There’s the Barba I’m used to.” A roll of the attorney’s eyes told him whatever sentimentality he was going to be at the receiving end of was over, and Sonny felt confident that when he asked to shadow him later, Barba wouldn’t be as put out as he pretended. When he looked back to Olivia, Victoria was chatting happily with a glass of wine in hand. He was excited he still got to make an introduction between Fin and Victoria. It was nice to be able to say This is my wife, Victoria without having to eventually explain they didn’t live together. When he heard a knock, he moved to her side, anticipating his entrance. Once he’d greeted Olivia and Noah, Sonny was pleased with the look on his face. As the detective who’d been there the longest, Sonny found himself caring what Fin thought, and Fin seemed to be forming his opinion.

“Fin! I want ya t’meet my wife, Victoria,” he said happily, arm slung over her shoulder. She extended a hand, which Fin shook gladly.

“It’s nice to meet you! I’ve heard so much!”

“Nice to meet you too. Your husband ain’t shut up about you in weeks. Once he started-”

“He’s pretty sappy?”

“So you been putting up with him a decade?”

“I mean technically my whole life. We grew up next door to each other.”

“I hear I gotta come to a bakery in Brooklyn now.”

“Oh yeah. You got any favorites? Tell me, and I’ll send a preview with Dom next week.”

“I’m pretty traditional.”

“You want brownies, cookies, or cake?”

“Cookies.”

“Deal. Sonny’ll have you a batch Monday.”

“I like her, Carisi,” Fin said, clapping a hand on the younger detective’s shoulder before going to get his drink and greet Barba.

“It’s not fair. You can make cookies and everyone instantly likes you.”

“You seen your goofy grin? You don’t even have to talk to be likable.”

She was rewarded with a kiss to the temple and the aforementioned grin. Soon enough, Amaro and Rollins were there, and Barba poured the pricey champagne he’d brought to toast. Everyone finally got comfortable after that, Sonny settled on the arm of the couch beside Victoria, and Noah was teetering around the coffee table. Victoria was happy to babble to him, and he could see she felt proud when Noah decided to climb onto her lap. God, she was going to be a good mom if they ever stabilized. Couples therapy would start soon. They’d always said when he finished school, and that would actually be happening the next year. Maybe if they were doing well they could have their own baby. All of his sisters were pregnant or already had kids, and fatherhood had been Sonny’s dream.

 As Noah leaned into Victoria, he looked up at Sonny, who was happy to wave down at him. It seemed Lucy liked getting a break to talk to the adults, and he could see the look on Olivia’s face watching Noah. She liked seeing the boy bond with the family she’d made through work. He probably owed a lot of the growth that got him Victoria back to her. The squad was a family with Olivia as their matriarch, and he’d felt safe enough to verbalize his feelings in the first days with her team, when he still had the moustache Victoria had recently informed him really was awful when he tried to defend it. 

“I can take him if you need me to, Victoria. He’s out,” she said from her spot beside Barba. 

“It’s fine. He’s so cuddly.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah. Long as Sonny doesn’t mind getting me a glass of wine.”

“On it, doll,” he grinned, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Victoria had always loved when their nieces fell asleep on her like this when they were babies. Mia had been the first one, and they took to each other quickly, even if Victoria had been the neighbor kid at the time. They hadn’t broached kids again, and frankly she was afraid of the prospect, but she’d wanted to have kids with Sonny since they got married. Logically, she knew they had to wait until the time was right. Originally, that was just when he finished school, but now they had to play it by ear again. Either way, she was going to savor the smell of baby as Noah slept with his cheek pressed against her shoulder. She wasn’t as good at the play as Sonny was; every child he encountered bonded with him easily, something that had to be helpful in his job. Victoria was good at cuddling and nurturing though. When the first members of the team trickled out, she settled Noah in his mother’s arms and gave her the best hug she could. 

“Thanks for including me. I’m so happy for you, Olivia.”

“Thanks for coming. Noah loves you. Mind being added to the babysitter list?”

“I am honored.” Sonny led her out, hand on the small of her back and a crooked smile plastered across his face. Everyone loved her, like he knew they would. How could someone not? It was near dinner, so without checking, he led the way to a sushi bar near Olivia’s. As he guided her in, she looked up at him with her brow furrowed.

“Dinner date?” He was proud to see her cheeks turn pink.

“I’d like that. You been spoiling me lately.”

“I just been acting like I should. You been pretty damn good to me too.”

“Wanna get saki?”

“Are trying to get me drunk?”

“You only have to go in tomorrow if there’s an emergency.”

“Saki it is.” 

“I was thinking I might plan us a trip in November.”

“Yeah? Could be fun.”

“Any place you wanna go? You’ll be who we’re celebrating.”

“Oh?” he asked, brow lifted as he smiled at her. 

“Dirty thirty.” 

“Dirty thirty? Really Tor?”

“It’ll be fun.”

“I was thinking about New Orleans next year. Could be fun near the holidays instead. Do something bigger for our anniversary.”

“I like the way you think. Plus, July is hot as hell. I’ll tell you the dates when I know.”

“I can’t wait. I’m glad we’ll be together over the holidays.”

“I’m glad we’ll be together on our anniversary. We missed two.”

“One,” he said, puzzled before he winced. “Wait no, you’re right. I was being a bad husband.”

“Nah, you weren’t doing well,” she assured him, hand on his thigh. 

“Ninth, we’re staying here. Tenth, we’re going big.”

“Deal. I love you, Tor.”

“And I love you.”

“You were real good with Noah.”

“He’s such a cuddly boy.”

“I told Lieu I gotta hang out with him sometimes. The girl gene runs real strong with the Carisis. Four nieces, no nephews? And then non Carisi niece on her way from Rollins.”

“Only two have been born. Mom thought I was going to be a boy.”

“True. Fingers crossed. Or maybe we’ll have a boy.”

“Dom-”

“I ain’t saying tomorrow. I’m just saying therapy is going good, we’re doing good, couples therapy is soon, and I bet we have a kid in before I’m forty.” She laughed, kissing him softly. “I think it’ll be sooner than that. Maybe in like three?”

“Even better. I can’t wait to feel our baby kick one day. Know they’re there. It’ll happen when we’re ready. Not a minute sooner. God’s got a plan.” 

“We just gotta be careful, okay? I want to try to not get pregnant for a while.”

“I know, Tor.”

“Don’t get testy. I wanna make sure we’re ready.”

“I know. Just- seeing you with Noah and Jessie? Set off the ‘I want kids’ bell stronger than last time.”

“Me too. Every time I see you hold the kids.”

“We gotta baby sit more to tide me over.”

“I got a feeling I’ll be getting calls from Liv. You make that clear to Amanda. Then soon enough? Gina’s almost due. Then Bella.”

“True,” he smiled softly. “If we wait they get to be the only Carisi baby that year. Even more attention.”

“You’ll spoil them rotten.”

“That’s my job.”

“We get the day tomorrow, unless somethin’ happens.”

“We do. I gotta go to the bakery for a couple hours at least to help train the newest hire. Margy picked good, but they’re taking weekends for me.”

“I’m really excited about that. I think it’ll be good now that it’s an option.”

“Me too. We both get to be in case of emergency for the most part.”

“Yeah. Liv will rotate all of us taking a Saturday.”

“I guess I’ll just have to find somebody’s baby to play with,” she teased, poking his side and he grinned. 

“Y’know, I think we ought to start practicin’ when we go home, doll.”

“Read my mind, Sonny.”

Tag List: @cycat4077​ @fear-less-write-more​

[crazyglitterpirate]

Regrets - Fred Weasley

It's my sixth year at Hogwarts. After what happened last year I really didn't expect things to get better but still Umbridge really? what a pain in the arse. but one thing that came out of it was the DA. what a suggestion from ginny may I add. everyone was a little shocked I joined since my parents openly spoke out again Dumbledore but they weren't here last year, they didn't see what we all saw. It meant I lost a lot of friends as I started hanging around with other DA members, even if no one else knows that what we were. Luna and Ginny were there when I had a screaming match with them when they said I was ditching them. I felt alone and rejected. but Ginny had told the others so I was always welcomed to sit at the Gryffindors table. I became close friends with the twins, they would distract me with all their products and I was really amazed at them. those two are a lot smarter than they let on. DA was good cause I would usually group with them.

One night at a DA meeting.

"ahh" I huff and sit on the floor " there no use I'm never going to get the charm right"

We were all practising a different charm and I for the life of me could get it, plus I was having a bad week, with me already on three detentions this week already.

"come on soph," George said as he sits down next to me while Fred is towing over me.

"yeah you'll get it you just can't give up," Fred said. He gives me a look of concern as we stare at each other without breaking our eye contact.

"what's wrong?"  He asked me, I could hear the concern in his voice. At this point, George had left and given us some space. "has someone said something again."

"no" I look away, well look at anything other than him, I didn't want him to know how nervous he made me. "just having a bad week"

"Well then let's make it better," he says and grabs my hand to pull me up with ease. I swear my heart started beating faster.

So I have a little crush on a certain redhead twin, I mean he's kind and funny, way smarter than you think and is extremely loyal to his family how could I not. but then there's me, sad weak little Sophie who can't even do this stupid charm, why would he ever see me as anything else. god, I'm so sick of people looking at me like I'm going to break.

"Okay, whatever Weasley" and with that, we continued with the meeting.

One week later.

As I was walking to the court lard I was my friends, well old friends. they were all laughing and being happy and it annoyed me, I didn't do anything wrong in the first place.

"Hey soph you okay" a small voice came from behind me but instantly recognised it."

"Yeah, I'm fine Fred, just looking for a spot to sit and read." I smile back but he gives me that look, you know the 'are you sure' look.

"I am fine" I huff "now can we sit"

"it okay if your not, you were friends for a long time"

"Fred I--"

"No, you can't keep pretending it not getting to you, it clearly is"

"and if you want I would be happy you try new products on them" "and George too, of course, we will be like your bodyguards around them" he ended with a smile.

Now I know he wasn't trying to be sweet and i know he didn't mean to make me feel small and weak but he did and without giving him a minute to say anything else I stood up and started shouting at him.

" FRED, WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP, I TOLD YOU I WAS FINE ARE YOU DEAF OR SOMETHING, THE ONLY PERSON BOTHERING ME RIGHT NOW IS YOU. I AM NOT SOME WEAK LITTLE GIRL WHO NEEDS YOUR PROTECTION, I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF. AND I'M SO SICK OF BEING MADE TO FEEL LIKE ONE. I CAME OUT HERE TO READ IN PEACE NOT FOR YOU TO DIG INTO THINGS WHICH BTW I NEVER WANTED YOU OR GEORGE INVOLVED IN SO PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF MERLIN LEAVE ME ALONE."

I go to storm off but before I'm out of earshot I hear him say 'guess I won't bother you again I didn't mean it it was just a build-up which unfortunately Fred got the full bast of.

Regret i felt regret

Thursday that week, Fred hadn't made eye contact with me at all and would only say hi if I was in a group of our mutual friends. I was walking back from the library since I now had way more free time. I didn't hang out with the twins anymore I wouldn't even group up with them at DA meetings either, so I found myself reading and studying. walking through the halls I hear running and laughter a certain laugh I would be able to recognize a mile away and with that, all my emotions came at once and I found myself siding down the side of the wall crying not too loud but loud enough to get someone attention.

"soph?" George, it was George.

"Hey, hey come here it alright" he grabs me and just holds me "Shhh" he turned to look at me wiping away any tears that have fallen "what happens, are you okay, did you have detention"

I shake my head "no" I take some breaths " I just feel so alone, I feel like I've lost everyone my old friends and Now you and Fred."

"first of all you haven't lost me," he says and nudges me.

"and second aren't you the one who told him to stay away " he raises an eyebrow at me

"I know, I felt really bad after I did it, George, he just wouldn't shut up and be making me feel worse. God, why can't he just understand sometimes I don't want to talk about it."

"it's not that I don't want to talk to you two about it I just do better handling that stuff on my own, it's what I know, every time I try and say sorry he walks away or just flat out ignores me. Do you know how much that hurts it's like I'm not even there? I care about you guys so much and now I feel like I've fucked it up cause I lost it once. "

"like I understand if he doesn't want to be my friend anymore I really do, but ..... I just - I wish he would just acknowledge my apology. "

George just sits there comforting me ensuring me that he would come around. What we didn't know was Fred was around the corner and heard everything.

FREDS POV

We had just finished a prank and were running George being ahead of me while laughing we could hear someone crying, we both stopped and continued walking to where it was coming from. before I turned the corner I hear George say her name and my heart sunk.

"soph?"

I heard the whole conversation and a mass of regret and guilt came over me. I had never thought about it from her point of view well, to be honest, I never let her explain I guess I let my ego get in the way. I mean now I'm hearing it I should have respected her boundaries and her personal space and I shouldn't have ignored her I just felt so hurt that she didn't want me to comfort her, all I wanted to do was make her happy and avoid her crying but instead I've caused it. I am going to make this right, I need to!

I hear them get up and start walking George was offering to walk her to her house but she said it was okay and with that George was next to me in less than a minute. He waited till she was out of earshot before finally saying something.

"You're an idiot, an absolute git Fred"

"I know," I said

"well how are you going to fix it"

"I don't know"

I had planned a lot of things to apologize to sophie, but I chicken out every time. I almost did one day but then I fucked it up again by shouting things at her. hurtful mean things, I made her cry AGAIN this time it was her avoiding me, guess now I know how she felt, karma right? God, I tried talking to her but before I knew it I was flying out of the school with George without making things right.  she saw me and turned away.

Regret was all that I could think.

Sophies POV

I was sitting at lunch with luna, we tend to sit with the Gryffindors. George always engaged in conversation with me which was comforting but Fred still didn't speak to me, But I swear I saw him attempt to say something to me but stop himself every time.

It was the day of the big match Slytherin vs Gryffindors, I of course wore red and gold. and I decide to go with luna to wish everyone good luck. George instantly pulled me in for the biggest bone crusting hug ever.

"Okay I can't breathe" I get out "what trying to kill me or something" I laughed

I didn't even notice Fred had come next to us

"so what do you think? reckon I'd make a good gryffindork"

"I think you suit it, what do you think George?" Fred, he had actually said something to me, well George but at me.

i just looked over and smiled at him.

"Yeah Fred defo a Gryffindor at heart"

"right C'mon," Angelia said

"well that's my queue to go, good luck boys" I waved them off and linked my arms with luna

"let go get some seats this will be good"

I had deiced I would talk to him after an official apology for shouting at him. but then the fight happened not that I'm complaining I hate Malfoy too. The 3 of them were sent to Umbridge so ginny let me in the common room. George came in first and marched right to his dorm then harry who just sat on the couch and then Fred he looked around for a while then i rose to speak to him to see if he was okay.

"Hey Fred," I said while putting my hand on his arm, but he quickly moved

"what are you even doing here? You are not a Gryffindor you're not really in the DA properly just aspie for Umbridge!"

"Fred I-"

"What noting to shout at me for, why don't you go back to your friends and death eater family huh! I- "

"FRED enough it's not sophies fault."

I felt tears roll down my cheeks as I looked around embarrassed and hurt. and I ran out of that common room as fast as could"

I could pick up ginny shouting at him and someone calling my name but I kept running. I didn't go back to the DA after that and I sat back at my house table alone. ginny, luna and George checked up on me but I just waved them off saying I had too much work to do. i avoided fred. sometimes he'd call my name but I would only walk away faster.  until I was in class I heard a sound bang followed by shouting like everyone else I left to see and I was the twins on the brooms. Fred made eye contact with me almost pleading to follow but I didn't I turned and went to the library.

I didn't know they were leaving. or I would have listened i thought we had more time.

once again I was met with an old friend

regret

[efrmellifer]

Devoir

Etien’s entire face screwed up as the linkpearl’s distinctive chime greeted her ear.

“Do you remember when I used to complain about sleeping in sand? I’d sleep in sand if it meant I got to lie down and stay down. Hmm, Aymeric? Aymeric?” She pawed at the empty spot of mattress next to her. “Oh for the love of the Fury.”

At last, she remembered what had woken her, and opened the line. “Yes?” She was silent, eyes bouncing between spots on the wall across from her as she listened to the voice on the other end.

“Yes. I’ll be there.” The line closed, and Etien sighed. “Well, I knew it was going to end eventually.”

She rose from bed then, coming first to Landric’s cradle, cooing to him as she laid a hand on his stomach. “Oh, little man, you’ve been so quiet. Picking up Estinien’s stoicism already, is that it?”

Bundling him against her chest in one arm, she laid the other hand on Betula. “Betula,” she sang. When the bright green eyes popped open, Etien smiled. “Good morning, sweet pea.”

It was easier now, to trundle the twins up and into her arms to begin the morning’s tasks. First, their change, then cooking—to start with, food for herself, then a lunch for Aymeric.

It was the best way to ensure he ate, stopping by the Congregation and handing the box over.

Plus, the cooking gave her a chance to slot one or the other of the children into a sling across her body and let them nurse.

It usually worked pretty well, that one of them was full and asleep again by the time she was changing between what she was cooking, so she just eased them out and into a little crib in the corner, then got the other to eat while she kept at it on the stove.

The whole process for carrying them with her outside the home was more ridiculous-looking, even when it made just as much sense.

They slept side by side against her chest in a specially-designed carrier, draped under a fur-lined cloak so she could keep them and herself warm when she entered the chilly air of Ishgard.

She almost wished she'd been raising them in the Black Shroud, but then that would cause her to have dark, depressing wonderings about a life that could have been.

So no. She preferred keeping Betula and Landric draped in furs to stay warm, because that meant she was here, safe and warm and happy. And so, so loved.

She walked slowly, so as not to jostle and wake the babies, and made her way down the steps to Foundation that were just outside the manor’s door. Of course, it was a longer walk through the Brume, then, but she hoped the rhythm of her footsteps and her low hum kept her children soothed as she traversed the stones of their home.

“You’re going to visit your Da,” she whispered, “won’t that be fun?”

Etien was such a fixture in the Congregation now (and really, hadn’t she been for four years?) that she was waved directly to the door that led to Aymeric’s office, and let in right away, barring anything especially severe going on within beforehand.

So when the door clicked shut behind her, Aymeric looked up, and seeing that she wasn’t in distress, turned back to his work for a moment to complete his thought.

“Ah, the whole family came along,” he noted when he saw the thick drape over Etien.

“Well, not quite. In a funny twist, I was about to tell you—I think we’re going to need Estinien. Which means, Tataru’s been scouring for him extra-hard, and despite my not saying a peep about where he’s been, she’s about to hit Ishgardian permafrost pay-dirt.”

Aymeric rested his chin on his hand, chuckling. “After he tried so hard.”

“They found him once, they threatened that they would do it again. The Scions are people of their word, unfortunately.”

“Their? Not our?”

Etien shrugged, unbuttoning the shoulder of the cloak, but letting it hang on her still. “Am I a Scion?”

“You look like today you’re playing the role of Culinarian,” Aymeric remarked, gesturing to the parcel in her hand, its binding string clutched tight in her middle finger.

“Oh, this? I wanted to make sure you ate. In any event, the Scions are coming for hide and hair of the Azure Dragoon Emeritus, and I’m… needed at the Rising Stones. So I’m taking Betula and Landric to Toto and the Aldynns’ for the day. I figure you can pick them up tonight, if I’m not back?”

“Of course, my dearest.”

She smiled, laying down the box, then left Aymeric’s office.

It was with a heart just slightly heavy that Etien handed the infants over, but the care with which Toto took them eased the burden slightly.

Etien had known this day was coming, but now that it was here… she was just glad that she had family that would be able to help her with it. Maybe the yoke was only on her shoulders, but at least someone else was able to man the plow, metaphorically speaking.

She kissed Betula’s forehead, then Landric’s. “Be good for Aunt Toto,” she told them, “and then for your Da.” She looked up from them then. “Thank you, Toto. I… wish it wasn’t like this.”

They shared a look, and then Etien left, the points of her teeth sinking into her lip so she didn’t start crying.

She stood in front of the mirror as she dressed, watching as if it were someone else pulling up her tights and fastening the garters—Estinien had never commented, but look, now she wore garters—doing up the busks on her corset, buckling her belt. She smiled as she settled the crown of preserved flowers on her head—magicked to give her additional protection—and it was only halfway forced. She was happy to be wearing her battle gear again, and she had always felt a sense of pride in what she had long been calling “her colors.” The weren’t the Ishgardian colors of which Nanamo had spoken, which had been a Fortemps knight’s armor. They weren’t an Adder uniform, a Temple Knight’s regalia. They were the clothing of Etien Mellifer, Hydaelyn’s Champion and Scion of the Seventh Dawn. She guessed.

Warrior of Light, Bringer of Darkness. Amatrix et Bellatrix.

She took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders back as she settled her new bow between them.

It was a quick journey by aether between Ishgard and the Ala Mhigan Quarter, and it hadn’t left her enough time to reason when she entered the Alliance Meeting that it was, in fact, the Alliance. All of them.

“G’raha, sit across from the Lord Commander, would you?” Thancred asked.

Etien snorted, sitting to G’raha’s right, scooting in close to the table and then sighing when she realized that no matter how far she stretched her legs under it, the toe of her boot wouldn’t come into contact with Aymeric’s sabatons.

She already knew that, but the disappointment washed over her anew every time she tried.

Instead, she crossed her arms and sat back, batting her eyelashes at him.

“Not this time, either?” he asked her.

“Never,” she replied, deflating. “But that’s okay, I can always be the one to bring the tea around.” She winked, and Y’shtola snapped to get her attention.

With a huff, she leaned on the table, looking toward Urianger.

Aymeric hung around afterward, close to but not quite shadowing Etien while she talked to the other Scions.

Their greetings to her were remarkably understated, considering it had been months since they’d last seen her, but he tried not to be offended on her behalf. She was all business, stood with a hip cocked as they talked about what to do next, now that Lunar Bahamut had wreaked havoc in Ala Mhigo and now was doing much the same with the dragons of Meracydia.

He tipped his head in curiosity as Etien leaned into the gesture of answering her linkpearl, stepping back to get out of her way as she walked toward him, until she reached out with her free hand and took hold of his coat, holding him still.

He laid an arm around her back as she rested against him racked with… snickering? She covered her mouth as the corners of her eyes crinkled, and then she sobered up, letting go of Aymeric’s coat and responding to Tataru.

“Yes, if you just caught wind of him headed that way, then we’ll have to get there before he can set off again. Thank you for the update.”

Aymeric’s eyebrows rose as he finally met Etien’s eyes.

Estinien, she mouthed, “they’ve found him, apparently. Heading to Ishgard.”

“Wasn’t he just—?”

She shushed him. “We know that.”

They turned toward each other to hide the laughter that pealed through them.

Alphinaud came to their sides just as they’d collected themselves again, instructing Etien to tell Tataru to send the Bonanza to Ishgard, in case they had to chase down Estinien.

Silly little Scions. If only they knew how to properly convince him.

Then again, they couldn’t ask so nicely as she could, could they?

Still, Alphinaud was already walking off, ready to go, so Etien sighed. She turned back to Aymeric. “I go in search of our third half. I imagine I’ll beat you to Ishgard, and be run off my feet, so…” She looked around, her ears tipping back to hear if anyone important was behind her before she stepped closer to Aymeric. Her tail flicked back and forth once, twice, before she pounced to press a kiss to his lips, taking him utterly by surprise. “I’ll see you later, darling,” she said when her heels had hit the stones again.

And with the glimmer of aether as she finished her incantation, she was gone.

_

Etien shook her head as she entered the Congregation again.

“Hello, Lucia,” she said said with a tired exhale. “Have you seen Estinien?”

“We were not aware he had returned to Ishgard,” she replied. “But as I expect you remember, he is wont to come and go as he pleases.”

“Oh, none know it better than I, save one,” Etien remarked, already heading back to the door. “Thank you anyroad.”

That left the others a little time to find him while she went to the airship landing, at least.

So she was surprised to find them all waiting there already.

“Did you find him?”

Alisaie was the first to admit that none of them had had any luck.

When G’raha commented that he expected more excitement for the return of the Azure Dragoon, Etien bit her lip to stay silent.

Eventually she got out a noncommittal “these are odd times.”

The sound of footsteps, marked with a familiar jingle of armor saved her from having to elaborate, so she looked up, already smiling up at him.

She was so happy to see him. Even if it hadn’t been as long for her as it was others.

Her eyes were slowly widening as some mix of the Coerthan air and shock froze her in place as she watched him attempt to ruffle Alisaie’s hair, telling her that it had been too long… Alphinaud.

Oh no.

She didn’t even have time to form her rebuttal to the idea that she had been teaching “Alphinaud” to be strong and silent, she was so busy trying to make sure she would stay rooted to her spot when Alisaie went more explosive than Magitek cannons.

Etien’s eyes were starting to freeze around the edges from how wide open they were.

But she blinked and gave a sheepish smile when Estinien turned to her, asking pointedly for an explanation.

Alisaie stepped closer, watching Etien as she gazed at Estinien and Alphinaud talking.

“Maybe he sees them—Estinien and Arenvald—as the brothers he never had,” Etien replied to Alisaie’s story about how Alphinaud refused to make friends with other boys.

“It hasn’t been easy being his sister,” Alisaie huffed.

Etien hummed. “Hmm. Aye, but it’s never easy being a sibling, is it?”

_

On the airship to Azys Lla, they stayed in small clusters; Alphinaud, Alisaie, and G’raha all stood together toward the back, while Etien and Estinien stood side by side nearer to the bow, the wind lifting the ends of their hair as they went.

“Are they...easy to tell apart?” Estinien whispered, leaning down to speak directly into Etien’s swiveling ear, so he could be heard over the wind.

She laughed aloud then, the sound carrying all the way to the stern.

“I think they are, but I’ve spent far more time with them. With bothof them. If nothing else, you have their earrings to go by. Or weapons, on the battlefield. If the Leveilleur you’re looking at has a sword, it’s Alisaie. And she’ll use it on you if you don’t get it right.”

Estinien chuckled. “I shall defer to your extensive experience and will not try it for myself.”

Azys Lla wasn’t far off now, so they grew somber again, preparing for what they had to do there.

_

It would be hard for Etien’s heart to soften further toward the First Brood orEstinien, but when he said that he felt at least somewhat responsible for Tiamat’s welfare, seeing as Nidhogg was part of him… she did feel something shift for the gentler.

She wished he’d done the same as he talked to her, but that just wouldn’t be Estinien, would it?

No matter. They learned of the Bahamut that came before his calamitous return, and Tiamat wasn’t tempered anymore.

There was—and Etien figured that she shouldn’t have been surprised, at this stage in the game—more to be done. More for her to do.

To Paglth’an they went, by way of Ul’dah.

_

When Aymeric had heard that the Scion contingent had indeed tracked down Estinien, and that they had gone from Azys Lla to Ul’dah, he wanted to breathe a sigh of relief. But he knew what that meant. Worse, he was moments from heading the same way himself.

He too had offered his apologies to Toto, and told his children to be good for their aunt.

But now, it was time to clear a path for the Warrior of Light and her helpers.

He offered his prayers to Halone for guidance, and set out, Lucia at his side.

_

There was hardly time to sight-see, when she was fighting Magitekand Meracydian dragons, but Etien remembered this had once been home to a dear friend of hers. Like the verdant beauty of Alder Springs did to Etien, these fields may have evoked a heart-aching nostalgia. So she tried to tread lightly as she ran headlong into fulfilling her duty. Stopping the havoc being wreaked on these lands, eliminating the threat of Lunar Bahamut.

When she thought about it, there was a poetic tragedy to the places he had laid waste to so far, to the sorrow it must have left, but she put it out of her mind. That wasn’t her song to sing.

She winced, her attempts to walk softly abated without her say-so when she’d skidded to a stop in shock.

She hadn’t expected to see himhere. But she was a woman now, with obligations past just seeingthe morrow, and at least one of the three of them needed to make it out of there. So she simply gasped, rather than calling out.

It was safer that way.

Maybe Aymeric wouldn’t even know she was here.

But that wasn’t to be. They simply knew these things, it seemed. It had been the same in Ghimlyt. They had found each other then, too.

He stayed close, not so close that he would get in Etien’s way (she did have such an odd dance with her bow, when she was really lost to it), but near enough to her that he had managed to keep her safe, to distract the imperial soldier that had been bearing down on her too fast for her to run from.

And when they, and Estinien, and their comrades had cleared the area, Aymeric turned to tend to the wounded on the edges of the pathway.

“Go!” He’d called to Etien, seeing her pause out of the corner of his eye. “I will see them to safety. You’re needed elsewhere.”

He heard her come to her knees next to him more than he saw it, though he felt it just as quickly, when her hand came to rest on his arm.

“If anything happens to you or Estinien,” she began, swallowing. He could see her heart thudding just under her necklace, the pendants leaping with every beat. “If anything happens, Fandaniel won’t need to wait for Zenos to kill him.”

She stood up, her boots crunching in the sand and shrapnel around them, and started running after Thancred.

Ever dutiful, even when her body cried out otherwise. He sighed, hoisting the injured soldier up, arm over his shoulders.

It wasn’t him, him or Estinien, that she needed to worry about. He watched her, bright blue and bronze in the twilight, growing smaller the further she got away from him.

Growing smaller as she went to where was needed… away from where he needed her.

[spnreactions]

15x16: Drag Me Away (From You)

The time has come!! 

Let’s get some questions answered and see some young Sam and Dean! I’m pumped! 

Oof. I can tell this episode is still gonna be pretty plot heavy just based on this “then” alone. 

AHHHH my baby crying again. :’( :’( :’( :’( 

Okay quick side note on Cas’s reaction to what Jack tells him: I read something from Matt Cohen that said he just kept the camera rolling for unusually long takes during that scene to see what Misha would do with what Jack was saying, and that, in the process, he totally saw a touch of Misha’s fatherly side when it comes to his own kids. I completely agree, and that is a hardcore acting point for Misha and a definite directing point for Matt. 

YEAH CAS! TELL US! 

UGH! Since it’s a MOTW, we have to wait and watch someone die in the first five minutes before we get resolution. Gosh darnat. 

Also this is a very interesting music choice? XD 

My Mom: “Doctor’s orders.” Do you think that means his shrink told him to go there? 

Oof. “Long time ago.” Suspicious. 

Nice cinematography. Cool shot of this hallway. 

I’m gonna take a wild guess here and say that something happened in that room forever ago that traumatized him. 

Wow. That is a swanky hotel room. (My mom and I said basically the same thing at the same time. XD)

Whiskey. Great start. 

Ope. Music changed. Dude’s gonna die. 

Hey, for future reference, if you’re trying to convince yourself it wasn’t real, it was probably real. 

UMMMMM

LOOKS PRETTY REAL TO ME TRAVIS!!! 

Wait a second...that’s one of the kids from the promo videos?? Isn’t that young him? As a...ghost? 

I’D SAY THAT’S PRETTY REAL TRAVIS!!! 

Jesus...

Okay finally! Resolution. 

Ummmm...this doesn’t look like resolution!!! 

Dude did not slit his own throat, but okay then. 

Ummm...you have a lot to do?? 

Oh da**it...THIS AGAIN??! REALLY DEAN??!! DIDN’T WE LEARN FROM THIS BACK IN SEASON 9?? (No, of course we didn’t, because these two never learn anything.) 

LIAR!! 

Wait wait wait. Can we talk about the fact that Sam’s first thought was that Cas left because he and Dean got into a fight? *cough cough* The Destiel is real *cough cough*. XD XD XD 

SAM YELLING AT HIM FOR TEXTING AND DRIVING OH MY GOD I’M DEAD!!! 

ALSO THAT TEXT FROM CAS HOLY FRICK!!! “Did you tell Sam yet?” I’M LAUGHING SO HARD RIGHT NOW!!!! 

Because the thing is, I can totally imagine Cas just SAYING that, knowing full well that Dean probably didn’t tell Sam, and I read that text with so much sass and scolding in it and I’m dying laughing oh my god. 

And no, of course he didn’t, because WE DON’T GET TO KNOW WHAT IT IS! 

But also...if Dean hasn’t told Sam yet, this is making me think that Cas didn’t tell him about the Empty, but rather about what Jack told him...which means I was wrong. 

Unless I wasn’t. But if it was about the Empty, why wouldn’t Dean tell Sam? 

Although, actually, if it is about Jack, WHY wouldn’t Dean tell Sam? 

DEAN JUST TELL YOUR BROTHER SO WE CAN HEAR WHAT THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION WAS GOSH DARNAT!!! 

Also tell your brother because we should know by now that lying doesn’t get us anywhere. 

Anyways. Moving on. 

God that texting and driving interaction. XD XD 

Ooh! Nice transition! 

When do I get the backstory?? I want the flashbacks! If this is our last flashback episode, I want to revel in it gosh darnat! 

OH WAIT HERE IT IS!! 

LITTLE SAM AND LITTLE DEAN AHHHH!!! 

DEAN’S WEARING THE SAMULET OH MY GOD!!! 

I know it’s, like, not a surprise, but it’s BEEN SO LONG since we’ve seen him wearing it!! It’s SOOO good to see it back!! It’s such a subtle little detail, but man it’s a good one. 

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.” XD XD EVEN AS A KID, SAM HAD SO MUCH SASS OMG!! XD XD 

BROTHERS! XD XD 

The way that actor just said victory was SOOO Dean omg. The casting on this show is INCREDIBLE. This kid is already ROCKING the Dean personality and he’s only been on screen for two minutes. 

Young Sam’s actor is nailing it too, for the record. ESPECIALLY with that sass. 

...ouch. That was rude Dean. 

Very Dean (at least at that time), but still rude. 

That music. Yikes. 

DUDE THAT’S THE SAME SOUNDTRACK USED IN SWAN SONG DURING CHUCK’S NARRATION OH MY GOD!! THEY 100% DID THAT ON PURPOSE BECAUSE SAM’S TALKING ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE AND IT ALL CONNECTS BACK TO WHERE THIS STORY STARTED AND IT’S OUR LAST FLASHBACK EPISODE AND OH MY GOD I LOVE THE SUBTLETIES OF THIS SHOW!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 

This small scene is so poetic wow. Between the music, and Sam setting down the college book to pull out his hunting gear...just...wow. Well done Supernatural. Well done. 

THERE’S FLANNEL IN THAT BAG! It really is a Winchester trait! 

...dude WHAT? I wanna be able to do that. 

YEP! YOUNG TRAVIS! 

Okay so...a monster who imitates their victims...as their younger selves? That...Sam and Dean have fought before? I’m just gonna let them tell me lol. 

Dean has always been suave with the ladies. XD 

Do...do kids of cleaning crew people usually stay in the hotels that their parents work in? Cause I didn’t know that was a thing, but okay. XD 

HA! Yeah, these two were 100% a thing, even if it was a small thing. 

Alright, I like her. She’s fun. 

OOH! Nice transition into older Caitlin, with young Caitlin echoing in the background. 

Okay something about those hugs just made me “awww” out loud. I don’t know if it’s because we haven’t seen them hug anyone in a while or what, but that just felt so sweet. <3 

I would be too, girl. :( 

WHAT DID HAPPEN?! (I know they’ll tell us, but I’m impatient.) 

Oof. See, in most cases, I am all for immersion therapy, because I think it can be useful, but when it’s a monster we’re talking about, that is a hard pass. 

Also my mom just said “ha! Called it.” about the shrink thing. She is significantly better at predicting things in this show then I am...sometimes anyways. XD 

Wow. I loved their reactions with that. Dean knew, probably because he was older, but Sam seem confused. Plus, that change in music was great. It was just the right amount of dramatic. 

She needs you to hunt it. 

WHY DO YOU THINK, SAM?! 

WHO IS “SHE”??!! Someone please tell me. The suspense is killing me. XD XD 

Awww...poor Travis. 

Ummmmm....

JESUS CHRIST!! HOLY FREAKING...

My mom and I both just screamed! AGH! WHAT THE FRICK IS THAT??!! 

Yeah this episode is definitely digging into this show’s horror roots. 

“You okay, kid?” is one of the most Dean lines to ever Dean. 

Yeah okay I can understand how that could be traumatizing enough for him to need therapy. 

Yeah that’s what they all say. 

I mean, I believe you, because I saw it, but...

EVEN AS KIDS, SAM AND DEAN GAVE EACH OTHER THEIR LITTLE NODS I LOVE THEM!!! <3 <3 <3 

The talk--simplified. 

THE FAMILY BUSINESS! <3 <3 

Also Sam not being old enough to be included in the hunting business yet, but old enough to know about it is a big oof. 

Sam backing up his big bro. <3 

Watching young Dean try to ask questions in order to figure out the hunt  is great, because you can tell he’s super inexperienced compared to now in the way he says it, but also that he definitely knows what he’s doing and I love it. 

Oh. Maybe that nod is just a general sibling thing, because Caitlin and Travis just did it lol. It’s still the best when Sam and Dean do it though. XD <3 

Huh. Yeah, I’d call that pretty weird. 

That was a great shot. Down the line like that. I’m really digging this half of the season’s cinematography. 

THAT WAS SUCH A GREAT TRANSITION OH MY GOD! And it just proves how well that young Dean actor (Paxton Singleton) is doing, because young Dean and older Dean’s expressions matched EXACTLY. <3 

Dean do you just not want to admit that you might have not actually killed it? 

Oh. That makes more sense. The lore doesn’t line up. Okay. 

...okay maybe it’s also him being a little overconfident. 

NICE TRANSITION AGAIN! 

I KNEW THAT PROMO PHOTO WAS OF ALL OF THE KIDS HUNTING! 

Welp. That’s it then. 

“Got a knife, got a gun. I’m good.” That is so Dean, and also so dumb. 

“Dad wouldn’t like this.” “Dad’s not here.” Haha I love them. XD <3 

Awww...Dean still protecting his little bro. <3 

Goonies reference. XD 

He does not got this. Calling it now. 

Dean don’t get hurt. 

Either Sam or Caitlin is gonna show up. Calling it. 

Probably Caitlin, ‘cause Sam still listened to him at that age lol. 

YEP. 

Also the way he pointed that gun at her omg. Have I mentioned that Paxton Singleton is doing an AMAZING job as Dean? Because WOW. 

Ha! Yeah these two totally had a thing. A small thing, but a thing. 

Ha! Okay, I like her sass. She’s cool. 

My mom is not digging the high-pitched tone that’s attached to this music lol. 

Yeah okay this episode is scaring me (in the best way lol). I’m loving it! We haven’t seen a horror-based episode in a while. It’s good to have one. 

Awww...little bros bonding. 

“Whatever it is, my brother will kill it.” He’s always had so much faith in him. <3 <3 <3 

Although...the fact that they’re showing us the two boys back at the motel pretty much tells me that the monster isn’t where Dean and Caitlin are, but where Sam and Travis are. So...that’s great. 

Ha! Too true. 

Nice shot with the flashlight and the cobwebs. 

Okay, now your optimism and chattiness is a little unnecessary, girl. Dean’s scared because he knows what could be out there. So shush. 

But also I like your sass. XD 

Oh...frick. What’s under there? It looks like the stuff from the kids. 

YUUUUP. Called it. The monster is with them. Friiiiick. Sam still knows...how to hunt, right? He can handle this, right? 

Remains? Mangled bodies? Something like that I bet. 

Wow. Dean you hid that panic REALLY well. He really has been burying his emotions for years. No wonder he’s so good at it. 

FRIIIIICK. 

FRICK FRICK FRICK!! 

*screams* *jumps* 

Yep. Horror based episode. Lots of jump scares. But it’s AWESOME. 

...okay, that young Sam actor (Christian Michael Cooper) has been doing really well, but that “Travis!” shout was really bad acting...

FRICK! DO SOMETHING SAM! 

Dude I LOVE how that just went down. Sam rescuing Travis even if it meant putting himself in harm’s way and Dean immediately coming to his rescue. It’s very characteristic of them. 

Oh...so it has...fingers. That can be cut off. Which means it isn’t a ghost like I thought it was all this time. 

Also great shot with the slicing off of the fingers. 

Nice Dean! 

Sam holding a protective arm in front of Travis I love it. 

Oh frick. It’s the ring. That’s why she’s back. (And hey! We know who the she is now! Still don’t know what she is, but we’ve seen her.) 

Wait a second...wasn’t Travis wearing a ring on his necklace? Could it be the same ring? 

That’s...that’s weird though. Why would he have kept a ring from the most traumatic moment of his life? 

I love that Caitlin’s a hugger and runs to her brother. 

That look that Sam and Dena share there is awesome. 

OOH! GREAT TRANSITION AGAIN! 

Dean, why on EARTH would that have been Sam? 

Okay yeah, so this monster is manifesting itself as younger versions of its victims. 

Hey Dean, just a thought, but I’m feeling like your instinct that it wasn’t back is the wrong instinct. 

OOOOOF. 

Ummm...excuse me? 

HEEEEEEEY HOLD ON!!! 

WHERE IS SAM??!! 

SAMUEL WINCHESTER COME SAVE YOUR BROTHER!!! 

DEAN STOP!!!! 

DEAN!!!! 

OH THANK GOD! 

HOLY FRICK THAT WAS TOO CLOSE!! 

Wait..what? The knife...wasn’t even...real? And Sam didn’t see the monster at all...does this thing make you hallucinate? Cause that’s terrifying. 

Yeah no DUH. 

My Mom: Well, there’s only one of it, and it can’t imitate them both, so as long as they stay together, they should be fine, right?  Me: Yes, theoretically, but when do they ever actually stay together?  My Mom: True. 

Ummm...our visual just cut out? All we’re seeing is the CW logo. We can hear it though. 

Oh shoot it’s starting again. Hopefully this fixes itself soon. At least we can still hear it? 

Feelings/hunches are valid, Caitlin. Especially with this kind of thing. 

Dean that’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself. I can hear you blaming yourself. 

Oh good. Visual’s back. Phew. I was getting nervous. 

“She’s scary.” Me too girl. XD 

She 100% plays with people. 

“Lore?” XD That’s hilarious. I’ve gotten so used to them saying it that it doesn’t even occur to me as a weird thing, but that’s a good point that normal people wouldn’t understand what he means. XD 

Ope. That’s what he saw. 

Yikes...though gotta admit, that was a little less gruesome than I was expecting it to be. Still sad and scary though. 

Awww Dean. :( :( :( :( :( :( 

God he really has been shoving feelings down all his life. That’s super not healthy, Dean. 

Awww...poor Dean! :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( 

“We used to keep a lot of secrets from each other.” USED TO? Sam where have you been for the last fifteen years? XD XD 

Or is he just referring to this season? Because in that case, that’s a good point. There hasn’t been a lot of lying this season. Well, excluding the fact that Dean is hiding whatever Cas said to him from Sam....

Welp. I can already see that parallel...so you better come clean, Dean! 

“Cause I know my brother’s gonna ask”. 

HA! Me too, server lady. 

BILLIE! JESUS! 

“Working a case? Now?” HA! I said the same thing! 

...hoh boy. That’s not good. They’ve spent so much time talking about how close he is to being done, but now he’s actually done. That’s...super not good. 

Yeah no Billie. We’re not doing that. 

So it WAS about Jack! GOOD! Then they’ll all know and they can all stop it! (So Dean tell your brother already.) 

YES! Dean is upset about it!! That’s a good sign! Screw you and your plan, Billie!! 

HEY!! HOLD ON A SECOND BILLIE! Are you telling me, that you’re the one who put that thought into Jack’s head?? WTF??!! SCREW YOU!!! THAT IS SO NOT OKAY!!! HOW DARE YOU!!! I don’t care HOW badly you want Chuck dead! That manipulation was NOT the way to go!!! I didn’t hate you, but now I do. Now I really really do. Screw you. We’ll find another way. 

Yes. You were wrong. 

...Dean you better tell her she was wrong. 

HA! 

Gotta be honest, I can’t believe we’re still having the conversation about Sam and Dean being normal--especially Sam. I mean, I can believe it, because it makes sense, but at this point, it’s just so hilarious to me. Like, “yeah no, that ship sailed a LONG time ago. Sorry girl, but there’s no way Sam’s getting out of it now.” XD XD 

Awww... :( :( 

Ummm...say what now? 

SERIOUSLY Billie??!! SERIOUSLY??!! You’re just gonna...set up our beloved kid to be a bomb and then walk on out?? Wow. Yeah okay I’m really mad at you now, I don’t care if you brought Jack back. Not if this was the endgame. Screw you. 

“One Messenger of God’s Destruction right here.” XD XD 

YES we have a problem! TELL HER WE HAVE A PROBLEM!! 

DEAN!!! 

GOD DA**IT DEAN!!! It is not worth sacrificing your SON!! DIDN’T WE ALREADY GO THROUGH THIS??!! WHATEVER HAPPENED TO NOT LETTING ANYONE KILL HIM??!! TO THAT BIRTHDAY PARTY??!! WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FORGIVENESS?? TO FAMILY!! HE IS YOUR SON GOSH DARNAT!! ACT LIKE IT!!! 

Jesus Christ. This show is making it harder and harder for Dean to be my second favorite character...

He better not let it happen in the end. It better be like what happened with Season 14. No matter how mad he is, he can’t lose Jack. It better stay that way, or I’m gonna be super pissed at him all over again, just like in 14x19. 

YOU HEAR ME DEAN?! STOP IT!! DON’T BE AN IDIOT!! 

HA! Billie saw RIGHT THROUGH YOU Dean. 

Welp. Now I know why Dean hasn’t told Sam. Because Sam is not gonna like it. 

You know what Billie? Screw you. Shut the f**k up. 

He doesn’t have his house in order. There’s conflict there, and it’s not gonna happen. Shut up, Billie. 

Please Dean. Please help me out here. Don’t let your son die. :( :( :( :( :( :( 

Wait wait...Baba Yaga? As in...that witch that that security friend dude Kurt is so afraid of in Ant-Man and the Wasp? (Look at me, mixing my fandoms. XD)

So that’s a yes then. 

I CALLED IT! I KNEW IT WAS THE RING! (I mean, they kind of made it obvious, but still.) 

Oh friiiiick. That’s why she disappeared for a while, but then came back...in time to kill him. 

...she’s gonna go get the ring. She must have it. 

But also TAKE SAM WITH YOU CAITLIN! ARE YOU AN IDIOT?! 

Ummm....

...where’s the ring? 

FRICK! 

I TOLD YOU TO TAKE SAM WITH YOU!! 

She dead. 

SAM! 

FRIIIIICK! 

Oof. 

My Mom: NO! Don’t split up!  Me: I told you! They never learn.  My Mom: They really don’t. 

Alright, let’s take bets. Who’s gonna get attacked? Sam, or Dean? 

Ope. Looks like it might be Sam. 

CALL YOUR BROTHER FIRST GOSH DARNAT! Seriously. You two are the worst. 

Oh! Never mind. XD XD 

My mom just burst out laughing. XD XD XD 

Okay yeah, that was a good comedy reveal. XD XD XD 

So...it’ll be Dean then. 

Better find your bro quick, Sam. 

Oof. The vending machine. Original attack. Must be close. 

Dean don’t roll your eyes and act like you never watch (or do) that kind of thing. XD XD 

“I’ve seen this movie before.” PROMO! CALLING IT! 

YES! I was right! XD XD 

I love him. 

Okay, so I’m mad at him for the Jack thing, but I still love him okay? He’s just too great. XD <3 <3 

DEAN DON’T GO IN ALONE ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! 

You literally saw it coming. 

YEP! EXACTLY! 

Okay wait what??

...that’s not what I was expecting. 

Wait...hallucinations, right? So that must be what this is. 

But...I think he found her nest. 

Oh yep. Definitely a hallucination. 

One of my favorite things about this show is that any time Sam or Dean has a bad vision/hallucination/nightmare caused by a monster, the other brother is always dead in it. Like, it makes perfect sense for their relationship, and as sad and scary as it is, it works beautifully. 

Wow. Yeah I can totally believe that that gave Dean nightmares for the longest time just on that acting alone. Now Dean was terrified even re-living it a little bit. :( 

Oof. 

Ummm...you know what she is, but CAN YOU KILL HER? 

...welp. Guns don’t work. What’s Plan B, Dean?? 

EEP! 

That feels very Pennywise yikes. 

HURRY SAM!! 

SEE?! THIS is why you shouldn’t split up! 

Welp, at least their fighting is loud. 

Yep. Hallucination. 

Oh. Caitlin isn’t dead. That’s good. 

Sam to the rescue. 

YES DEAN! 

WOW! Now THAT was awesome. The way he smashed that ring, and the shot--it was all beautiful. 

WHOA! Green fire. That was cool. 

Okay. I liked that monster, and how it went down. Very cool. 

Ha! 

“You tell the truth more because you know that lies...they don’t make anything better.” My Mom: I have never, ever heard anyone say that about getting older. XD 

Yeah I’m with her on this one. Not a great line, but it was definitely in there intentionally to make Dean feel guilty about not telling Sam the truth about Jack. Which means...he’s going to tell him, RIGHT?! 

Awww! A sweet little hug again! 

THAT TRANSITION!! 

I knew she was holding a business card in that promo photo! 

...oof. 

Yep. Dean’s definitely gonna tell Sam. They showed that scene of him lying to Sam as a kid about the bodies, and they keep talking about how he’s changed. He is definitely going to tell Sam before this episode ends. ...and I bet it’s not gonna go well. 

“That I handled it.” XD <3 

“WITH A LITTLE HELP!” <3 <3 <3 <3 

AWWW DEAN!!! Still being a supportive bro!! 

“We do make a good team, right?” “Yeah, we do.” I’M SERIOUSLY ABOUT TO CRY OH MY GOD!!! :’( :’( <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

Awww...we don’t actually get to see a version of young John. Just an arm from a stand-in lol. 

Nice shot of Sam, though. 

AWESOME transition. 

Ope. Here it comes. 

OOOF!! Dean you better say something, or Cas will! 

THERE WE GO!! FINALLY!! 

Oooooh...this is gonna be rough. 

Ummm....okay. Good start. 

THERE YA GO! 

Well...okay then. Just...come out with it I guess. 

Dean...doesn’t sound happy about that. And he doesn’t seem to be handling it well. I really really really really REALLY hope he doesn’t let it happen. I’m gonna be really upset if he does. 

Ope. Here it comes. 

Uh-oh...Sam is mad. 

Oh FRICK. Wrong answer, Dean. 

Dean I’m with Sam on this one. 

Oh god...this fight. :’( :’( 

DEAN!!! 

NOOOOO NO NOOOOOOO!!!! 

Oh my god...the way Sam just yelled at him. :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( 

That was even worse than I thought it was gonna be holy frick....

“Just drive.” :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( 

...well....

God. That was a TERRIBLE ending, Jesus Christ. All the bonding and family teamwork that’s been happening this season just went out the window with that fight.:’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( 

I‘ve always loved Dean, obviously, but Jesus Christ dude. Ugh. This better resolve itself. :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( 

GOD! Could SPN please STOP with the emotionally charged endings that are hurting my heart! Because this was a DANG GOOD EPISODE, and then they just HAD to do that!! :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( :’( 

Welp...my heart hurts, but review here we come. 

I really really loved this episode. I mentioned it already, but I’m really glad we got to see some of Supernatural’s elements of horror in this episode. It was genuinely terrifying at several points in time, and we haven’t had an episode like that in a while. 

Also, as I often do, I loved the flashback scenes, and all the subtleties that came with it. One of my favorite things about flashback episodes is getting to see just how close Sam and Dean have always been, and I really love seeing them at different times in their life with how their relationship has changed over the years and how it compares to how they are now. It’s nice to see how much they’ve grown, but also how much about their relationship has stayed the same in the sense of that they still love and care for each other and have such a strong bond. It’s a beautiful thing, and this episode conveyed that really well. 

Paxton. Singleton. Oh my god. What. An. Actor. I don’t know if he watched episode after episode of this show before being in this episode, but WOW did he NAIL Dean Winchester. I pointed out several specific instances in my reactions, but seriously, his interpretation of Dean was incredible. I was totally able to believe that that was a younger version of Dean, easily. It was amazing. This show’s casting team will always impress me. 

All of that said....let’s address that ending. 

Holy frick. God that hurt. First of all, as if I haven’t made this clear enough, I really really need Dean to acknowledge that he loves Jack and can’t lose him so that we don’t lose my precious baby, okay? That’s a thing that definitely needs to happen. 

Second of all, I do not at all blame Sam for the way he reacted. In fact, I’m actually really impressed with how upset he got, because it plays so much into what’s been going on this season and what’s bound to come. 

At the end of Season 14, our team was divided. Between Dean and Cas’s fight over Mary’s death, Sam and Dean locking Jack in the box, and then Sam and Dean fighting over Dean wanting to kill Jack, our boys were a mess. Then, Jack was dead, and Sam and Dean and Cas were grieving, which meant taking things out on each other and being angry and distraught. But within the first several episodes of Season 15, they started to latch onto each other again, and they stayed that way and only progressed further. For the majority of this season, we have seen them bonding and being a family again. We’ve barely seen them fight, and the only exception to that was Dean and Cas’s tension with each other. However, once they made up in 15x09, everything changed. That’s when the OG team was really back. And then when Jack came back, everyone was together again. They were all starting to learn to be a family and work together to take down their enemy. And, I already analyzed this, but after Last Holiday (15x14), even Dean and Jack’s tension was released, to a degree. Sam and Dean and Jack got to bond, and it felt like everyone was ready to take on the enemy together. And then SPN hit us with this. 

With Jack and Cas’s emotional turmoil--Jack feeling like the only way to ever have Sam and Dean forgive him was for him to sacrifice herself. Cue the divide between Cas and Jack. 

And then this. Dean hiding something from Sam again. After everything they’ve been through this season, after trusting each other more than anything, learning to communicate with each other again, and having each other’s backs every step of the way with no secrets...Dean hid something. And it tore them apart.

Our team is broken again, and right when we need them to be together the most. 

And as much as it hurts my heart and made me break into tears and scares the heck out of me for what’s to come, it makes perfect sense, and it’s beautiful. 

Because the next episode is called “Unity”. And that’s exactly the opposite of what we have right now, but the hope and the thought is that, when it comes down to it, they’re still a family, and they all still love each other, and they’re all going to be there for each other, and they’re not gonna let anyone go down without the rest of their family’s support. 

At least, that’s what I’m hoping. 

And maybe I’m over-analyzing. Maybe I’m being too optimistic or hopeful for my boi Jack’s future. But honestly, I feel like I’m right, because I feel like this is exactly what the writers are going for. And I’m excited to see it. 

So, obviously, I loved that episode. It had horror, it had great representation of Sam and Dean’s brotherly relationship, it had flashbacks (our last ones :’( :’( :’( :’( ), and, at the very end, it had some very intense feels. But it was a great set-up, and beautifully done, and I absolutely loved it. 

My Rating: 10/10

[lycorogue]

Perfect Doesn’t Need to be Perfect: Chapter 2

I miss these early chapters. They were easy. They were small. They were still relatively light-hearted. Then chapter 5 happened and I’ve completely lost this project down an angsty rabbit hole. 0.o I’ll try to get that sorted out in the next couple of days.

In the meantime, enjoy one of the short, fluffy chapters.

**Contains Spoilers for Taurus Pixie’s story Twelve Days of Chatmas**

Summary: Chat Noir has run into a long streak of poor luck, all in an attempt to give Ladybug the perfect Christmas gift. Little does he know, his first try was already perfect in Ladybug’s eyes. Now it’s her turn to try to navigate around Chat Noir’s failed attempts in her own pursuit to find something equally fantastic for him. **A Switched-POV Unofficial Companion Story to Twelve Days of Chatmas by @thetauruspixie​**

Rating: General Audience

Chapter Word Count: 1733

Story Total Word Count: 37,973

Status: chapter 2 of 12; complete

**For reals, if you haven’t read Twelve Days of Chatmas yet, read that first so my story doesn’t spoil anything for you. It’s cool. This story will still be here when you get back. ;) **

See below for chapter 2, or find this story over on AO3, on FFN, or on DA. 

CHAPTER 2:

The little pear tree sculpture was worse off than Marinette gave it credit, but it wasn't completely irreparable. She had taken stock of the damage the night before, and made a point of picking up the necessary supplies after school. Now it was time to get to work.

Too much of the foam base was chipped away when the card stock truck was ripped out of it, so she started off with replacing that. Then she carefully bent the trunk back so it was flat. The bad bend left a scarring crease in the base of the trunk, bit it actually looked good. Most trees had some sort of scarring in their bark. Using tracing paper to make a pattern, Marinette cut out two slightly smaller versions of Chat Noir's trunk from more card stock. Doubling up her own tree trunks, she glued them to the back of Chat Noir's to reinforce it. Finally, she made it 3D by adding a support branch of roots off the back. Resting the tree on her desk, it stood perfectly straight on it's own; no foam required.

Confident it was now sturdy enough for the weight of the filled in branches, Marinette got to work on fixing everything else. Using a decorative hole punch, she created a small confetti pile of green almond-shaped leaves out of construction paper. She then laid them out on parchment paper, and sprayed them down with adhesive before taking a deep breath.

“He's lucky I like him.” Through gritted teeth she started shaking the green glitter onto the sticky green leaves. She kept it as close to the project as she could, and she tried to stop once the leaves were properly coated without having too much excess. With any luck, she'd only find glitter for the next week or so.

As the leaves dried she got to work on reinforcing the partridge so its chubby little head wouldn't bend forward from the weight of the wooden beak and note.

The note. Forgetting what she was doing, Marinette gently pushed the clothespin open and released the torn note from the bird's grip. Folded over, the little note was barely larger than a postage stamp. Carefully opening it, Marinette was greeted by tiny but elegant writing; far fancier than she imagined Chat Noir's handwriting to be.

“Wishing the most amazing girl in the world the greatest of Christmases,” Marinette read the note aloud to Tikki. It was signed with a little heart drawn with red ink, and a paw print colored in with green ink. Giggling a little to herself, Marinette tore off two small strips of tape and patched up the tear running through the center of the message. She then tore off one more piece of tape. Flipping through to the next blank page of her diary, she taped the note to the bottom corner. A smile stretched across her face as she rested her palm against Chat Noir's tiny Christmas card.

After taking a beat, she closed up her diary and locked it away in its box. Rolling her shoulders, Marinette got back to work on firming up the partridge and touching up the coloring Chat Noir had done on the bird.

She let all the components dry while she had dinner, but instantly went back to work once she was done. First up was carefully gluing the leaves into place. Her new ones weren't nearly as drenched in glitter, and the shade of glitter was slightly lighter, but the two-toned leaves added a nice dimension to the piece.

She took a homework break while the leaves dried completely, then it was back to work to add on the pears and – she couldn't believe she followed through with it – the heart decorations. She managed to tuck the corners of the pears and hearts between some of the leaves to add more depth to the tree and make the fruit and ornaments look like they were actually nestled inside the tree branches.

As she waited for the tree to dry one last time so she could add the bird back onto its perch, Marinette started up a list; instantly and a bit frustratingly crossing off each item the moment she wrote it down.

She needed to come up with the perfect gift for Chat Noir. He seemed so hurt about his present, and he had put so much pressure on himself to get her the perfect thing that she couldn't fall short in doing the same. He was more precious to her than he realized, and this was her chance to make sure he knew that. She was stumped on what to do though.

Scarves, hats, mittens, shirts, vests, necklaces, earrings, pins; everything Marinette came up with wouldn't work. She was a fashion designer; her default gift for everyone was a piece of clothing or an accessory. None of it was a good idea. Her silly kitty would most likely be too excited about her gifting him something to remember to not wear it as a civilian. Then she could possibly run into him, and see him wearing the gift she made for Chat Noir, and then she'd know his identity, and-

She shook her head to try to get out of the spiral. Even if he was disciplined enough to not wear anything she gifted him while in his civilian form, it wasn't like he could really wear any of it while powered up either. Which meant, either he had to wear it alone in his house and nowhere else, or he'd never use it. That wouldn't work at all.

Blanket? Marinette tapped on the word, circling it a couple of times. That could be the best option for her. People rarely take blankets out of their rooms anyway, so he could use it without her seeing. Plus, it was always comforting to just curl up under a warm and semi-heavy blanket during chilly winter nights. Was it special enough for him, though? Would she have time to make him one? What design should she use for the blanket? Something not too obvious, in case he wanted to use the blanket in communal rooms in his home.

Looking out her window, Marinette knew she needed inspiration. It was time to go to her well.

“Tikki, spots on!”

Less than ten minutes later, Ladybug landed atop an apartment building just four blocks away from the Eiffel Tower. It wasn't the Trocadéro, but unfortunately the park was swarming with tourists this time of year, and she just needed some time to sit and think. It wasn't the same view that usually amazed her no matter how often she saw it, but the Seine still sparkled under the lights of Paris to her left, and the Eiffel Tower still spired before her on the other side of the river.

The sun was sinking below the horizon past the Eiffel Tower, and it cast a purple and deep magenta glow within the overcast sky. Curling up into a ball, Ladybug sat on the roof with her knees pressed against her chest and her chin resting between them. The lights running up the Eiffel Tower turned on in the twilight, and the whole of Paris joined suit. The yellows, blues, oranges, and Christmas reds and greens created a sea of lights below her. It was calming, welcoming, and inspiring.

Warmed by how serene her city looked, Ladybug uncurled. Dangling her legs over the ledge of the roof, she leaned back and admired the Eiffel Tower as it sliced through the cotton candy clouds.

The clouds are kind of blanketing the sky. Could I make something that looks like Paris on a winter's night for Chat Noir? She hummed softly as she pondered how she'd be able to execute something like that. She really fell into the zone as she meditated to the arrhythmic clicking of her swinging feet gently tapping against the side of the building. She could do a gradient fabric, and a quilted stitch so there were pockets of fill to mimic clouds. She could even purposefully avoid a symmetric square quilted look, instead pocketing the fill within a quilt of cloud shapes.

A duet of cooing pulled her attention from her designing. The flapping of wings grew louder, and two pigeons flew straight for her. She flinched and leaned slightly out of the way as they buzzed past her, close enough for her to notice their orange turtle-shell patterned wings and brown-gray bodies. Whatever they were, they weren't regular pigeons. A moment later, she registered that both birds had something gripped within their toes. One was carrying a trio of red roses. Its partner had a handmade card wrinkling slightly in its grip.

Homing pigeons? That didn't quite feel right to Ladybug either, but the duo seemed to be on a mission, so she mentally wished them save travels and hoped they found who they were looking for.

It seemed weird though. Even with Mr. Ramier in Paris, Ladybug didn't recall ever seeing anyone use homing pigeons before. She scanned the rooftops, trying to see who might have released the birds.

Nothing. There was no one on the rooftops nearby. No one on balconies. At first Ladybug was just curious as to who is using the skilled but archaic method of communication, especially with regards to sending what looked like a very romantic Christmas gift. However, after spying not a single soul in the area, it became an intriguing mystery she was itching to uncover.

She wandered her rooftop to try to get a better view, but there were still no clues anywhere. It was like the birds simply appeared. After a couple minutes, Ladybug decided that was a good enough explanation for her. They appeared from nowhere, and vanished to the horizon. They were an enigmatic package carrying a sweet gift for someone. A beautiful mystery of life not meant to be solved.

With a satisfied shrug, Ladybug headed back home, her head filled with fantasies of Adrien sending the pair of birds to her, and the card being a love letter. She giggled at the elation she'd feel if that were true, as well as the insanity of such a thing happening.

Imagine, Adrien Agreste sending Marinette Dupain-Cheng a pair of birds holding a Christmas gift and a declaration of love. A girl could dream.

Thank you for reading. Read Next Chapter

Read from the beginning: Chapter 1

Please let me know if you want me to add you to the tag list.

@discoveringmiraculouswriters

[beerecordings]

How Did JJ get out of mirror? Did Dark think something when meeting the other septic egos?If the idea of JJ and Wilford fighting in war together is also there how would he have acted different?If we throw in the idea of it always being the DA in a date with markiplier and a heist with markiplier how would some things might been with JJ?Abe if he met JJ again or the other skeptic egos? I am sorry if I'm bothering with all this and if you dont want to answer or come with ideas to all or any its ok

no, sounds great, thanks! hey you guys know I love nothing better thannnn

AU CONJURING

plus this idea of JJ as the DA is super fun hahaha

okay so we’ve got to bring the other egos in here somewhere right? So how did he get out of the mirror? Got to be Marvin. I bet Jameson’s mirror has long since been taken out of that old mansion and, after a long string of owners reporting that it was haunted and frantically selling it, it’s fallen into the hands of magicians, but not necessarily the good kind. Marvin finds the mirror after defeating an enemy who was using his magic for dark shit that was hurting people and he confiscates all the magic stuff he has… including this strange, ghostly mirror… the other magician believed there was some sort of spirit or demon inside and he was trying to find a way to use the power, but Marvin’s just like “aw, man, something’s stuck in there :( I gotta find a way to get this poor thing out, it’s probably been years…”

It takes a lot of research to find a spell that will work. the trap that keeps JJ contained is very powerful, still tethered to the power of the mansion spirit. but during the time that Marvin is trying to figure it out, he starts to get glimpses of the shadowy figure on the other side of the mirror… until finally, he sees Jameson himself

At first, Jameson is just this silent, emotionless figure, staring at Marvin from within the mirror, his eyes peeping out like he’s peering in from a doorway, so Marvin can only see his face and his hands gripping the side of the mirror before he draws away again. Marvin keeps going “hey, wait!” and jumping up to talk to him, but then Jameson vanishes back into nothingness. he’s too used to being trapped, too used to scared people and scary magicians, so he hides most of the time. but as Marvin continues to speak soothingly to him and work on finding the right spell in the same room as him, Jameson starts to show himself.

one day he finally even waves a hello and Marvin jumps up so excited he knocks over all his magic candles and nearly sets the house on fire, which actually makes Jamie giggle. Marvin is delighted!!! slowly, shyly, Jameson starts to speak to him in sign, and Marvin starts getting to know him! before long, he invites Jackie in to say hello, and then Chase, and then finally their resident magic-doubter, Hen. within the week, they’re all working their tails off to find a way to get Jameson out of the mirror.

yes!!!! oh finally an old spell from Japan for just this sort of occasion!! it took lot of translating but they’re going to try it out! and then boom - Jamie’s out

but he’s not quite….. the same as he was.

Human beings aren’t meant to be kept like that - more spirit than physical, intersected into magic and glass, filled up with a dark brand of magic for decades on end. Jameson seems to flicker like a mirage sometimes, and sometimes, it is impossible to touch him - he is ghostly and pale, intangible. he seems to have strange powers to do with time and transportation, but they have yet to figure out the extent, and Jameson fears that the magic he took on may be corrupt and black magic, which could hurt himself or others…

but for the time being, they just do their best to figure it out, cause he’s also really weak when he comes out of the mirror!! it’s been so long since he’s had a physical form and he’s also mentally scarred from that long in a mirror, even though time doesn’t work quite the same way in there. Henrik is like “i diagnose you with what the fuck??? so just sleep a lot and we’ll feed you so much food and I’ll give you some supplements and things, maybe some oxygen if you start to feel really bad, and everybody will take turns entertaining you and talking with you and we’ll get you back in tip top shape soon. you are like smoke more than human now but this will not stop me from looking after you, old man!!!”

(they all make old man jokes constantly when they find out how old he is. Jameson is starting to like these guys)

Dark’s first thought when meeting the egos would probably be “ugh Mark’s Irish friend looks a lot like…….. him….” and Mark’s like “who what are you talking about” and Dark goes “NOTHINGGGG IDIOT MAN DON’T U SPEAK TO MEEEEE” and Mark’s like “okay normal day just don’t fuck with Jack you asshole” and Dark whispers under his breath “I’ll do as I please” and Mark goes “what was that?” and Dark goes “NOTHING UGH” so yeah

but then Jameson actually shows up

Dark:

no hahaha he keeps his calm cool facade up but internally he is shaken to his core. how can he be here? how could this have happened? and meanwhile Jameson took one look at him and froze stiff behind his brothers, his breath caught in his throat, and he barely has the strength to reach out and grab Jackie’s sleeve. this is enough to alert all of them to the fact that something is wrong, and Jackie is instantly boxing him off from Dark, warning him back, keeping Jameson behind him. Jamie’s his little brother now, he’s not letting anything happen to his old man!!! but it turns out he doesn’t need to protect him - JJ flickers into a mirage and then vanishes, teleported away… they’ll find him sitting in his broken old mirror back home, hugging his legs to his chest, exhausted.

if we wanted to explain JJ as the Y/N in stuff like Date and Heist, that’s possible with teleportation and explained by Jameson’s need to get to the bottom of everything and understand what the hell is going on. so of course he lets that old snake invite him out - he’ll even dress up all suave and tell his friends he doesn’t know when he’ll be back. he’ll do whatever he has to to understand. and for some reason, Mark doesn’t even seem to realize anything is wrong. he just treats JJ like his old friend again. part of JJ is grateful for that… he can’t deny that he misses him and Mark and Dames being friends like they used to, even if Mark drew away from them in the last few months. Dark is pissed he plays along with his games, but Jameson doesn’t trust Dark, not for a second. “YOU’RE the one who trapped me!” scream his hands, and he resists the urge to attack him, more scared of Dark than he’s willing to admit. “Mark might be the cause of all this but he isn’t the one who stabbed me in the back and left me to rot in there!”

Dark stings from it. his anger at Jameson grows.

but Wilford?

oh, Jameson’s heart is full for the poor thing. as much as he’s unsure how Mark and Dark are still around, Wilford is the one who makes NO sense to him. he doesn’t know how he’s still alive - has to assume it’s the house’s magic somehow still sustaining him after that one dark night he sat guarding their body while the spirit world tried to devour everything within the house. if they were old war buddies, Wilford doesn’t remember, he just knows Jameson is… someone. Jameson, meanwhile, tries his best to treat him kindly, entertain him and be sweet to him. he’s not afraid of Wilford at all - he’s pretty sure he couldn’t be shot if he wanted to, given the weird mirage powers…

and Abe, well, he’s pretty much accepted the weirdness, right? he doesn’t understand and he never will, just like Wilford said. he’s probably just delighted to see his old partner!!!! he scoops Jamie up into a big hug and invites him out to get a drink sometime. Jameson hopes he’s pretty happy now, but he tries to keep Abe out of his own investigations….

Mark: what’s going on with your guy and mine?

Jack, downing another whiskey: that one’s not mine

Jameson, waving: :D

Mark: WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE’S NOT YOURS

Jack: HE JUST SHOWED UP OKAY -

[entering-mymind]

The Mandalorians - Season 2 Chapter 1

If you have not read my Season 1 of my Mandalorian fanfic I would highly recommend that first, would love to hear feedback! I do not own these characters, just having fun!

Season 1 Chapter 1 https://entering-mymind.tumblr.com/post/190778426753/the-mandalorians

Osa’s “Date of Existence” should have been special, celebrated until the night’s end, but instead other matters had to be addressed and questions would be finally answered.

Din entered the coordinates into the Crest while Osa navigated the route making sure their jump to lightspeed would have no interferences, plus she was always on the look out for any possible tails.

Osa gave the clear as the Crest made the jump heading to the planet Din believed he would never return to, let alone bring Osa back to; Tolarian.

Their journey didn’t take long and as they came out of hyperspace right directly in front of them was a large, grey planet that seemed dormant and vacant of all life. There was no operator coming over the Crest’s comms in order to guide them to a hanger. Actually there was no spaceport to harbor arriving ships because the planet had been owned by the Empire who kept the planet off astrological charts. Only certain scum and villainy knew about the planet and what it was truly meant for, Tolarian was used for something more as Din found that out years ago.

He let the Crest hover for a moment glaring back at Osa waiting for her approval. With a nervous breath Osa nodded her head giving her father the go ahead. Causally Din flew the ship to the approximate coordinates he could remember Anara giving him fifteen years prior, but the journey wasn’t smooth like before.

The atmosphere had gotten thicker, creating no clear visual with their decent while the ship’s consoles (which would guide them) began malfunctioning.

“My screen went black Papi,” Osa informed in a panic.

Din hoped he could somehow reboot the Crests system, but nothing seemed to be working because of so much interference, “Hold on, we’re flying in blind.”

Din kept his hands firmly on the wheel focusing with all his might when the child started making gibberish noises trying to get anyone’s attention. Osa realized her father needed full concentration so she picked the little one up when the two telepathically connected.

Instantly Osa understood what the child was trying to say, since he couldn’t convey words himself, as she became his voice. Like a shock to her system Osa could see what he saw and immediately yelled at her father, “Pull up, now!”

Never doubting her judgment Din complied and diverted from colliding into a mountain.

“Fly straight,” Osa instructed as the thick smog wasn’t clearing up the further they descended, “Veer to the left and make a hard dive downwards,” it was as if Osa could see where the Crest was heading, she just had to guide her father, “There,” she pointed when a dismal city was finally in view.

Memories from the past crept their way forward within Din’s mind but nothing appeared the same. Din put the Crest down just on the outskirts of what was left of the city. Buildings had been demolished, there was no sign of any life forms while an eerie sound of stillness filtered through the air.

Din attempted to get the controls working again but something was preventing the function. Giving up he powered down the Crest and instructed Osa to gear up. The three made their way to the lower deck where Din checked his weapons because a Mandalorian always anticipated a battle, when Osa strapped the child onto her back in the new harness she constructed.

Satisfied with all the artillery he was packing, Din lowered the platform but his daughter wasn’t by his side. He glared back seeing the stunned little girl he thought he helped break through. Without thought Din ran to her hoping she wasn’t about to have an episode but she was more frozen by terror.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Osa honestly said.

“You don’t have to, I can go and find out what I can,” he encouraged.

“I’m not living up to the Mandalorian title very well,” she said lowering her head.

“Osa, everyone embodies the role in their own way, there is no set path because you mold it on how it fits you,” Din declared, “Fear only exists if we allow it, but you have every right to be frightened. I tried to take those nightmares away, envelop you with compassion, but I can only do so much Osa, it is up to you to conquer those fears,” Din placed his hands on her shoulders when she peered up and the two glared at one another through their visors.

“Thank you Papi, you are my strength,” Osa said in honesty.

“And you are my everything, Mi Pequeno,” he replied grazing the side of her helmet with his thumb, “Ready to tackle this together?” Din held out his hand and without hesitation Osa took it.

“With you, we can achieve anything,” when the three made their way out of the Crest to uncover more then what they bargained for.

                                                      *   *   *

The air felt thick, while the grey fog kept visibility hindered. Din and Osa stayed close attempting to use their heat sensor setting within their helmet to help lead the way, but everything had gone cold on the planet.

“Where do we even start?” Osa questioned.

“At the building where you were given to me,” Din informed trying to remember his exact route from before but nothing was the same, “Can you sense anything?” Din looked to Osa for guidance.

“I’m trying not to,” she honestly said.

“Fair enough,” he ventured deep into his subconscious trying to resurface any familiar surroundings.

Din decided to head inwards hoping for anything to jump out at him when something finally did. The insignia of the Rebels was painted on a crumbled wall, if the Rebels were here then they would have focused on taking down the laboratory Osa had been kept in.

In hope Din followed the debris and low and behold he was back in the same alley he had waited down fifteen years ago, but it was more of an open walkway now due to the surrounding buildings being destroyed.

“Stay close,” Din said out of habit.

“Wasn’t planning on venturing off,” Osa stated with a shaky voice.

The hole Anara blew open seemed to have been repaired because new destruction carved itself into the bricks. They walked through the newly developed entrance and carefully walked over uneven terrain due to debris covering the actual surface.

Upon entry the room was dark, only the dim natural lighting filtered through the cracks of the structure, painting unique streaks on the cold surfaces. Din and Osa ventured further when suddenly Din heard a soft whimper come from his daughter. He turned and saw her hunched over, hands on her knees, concentrating not to give in. The child cooed in sorrow like it was experiencing his own nightmares.

“Hey,” Din rushed to them, “Look at me, hear me Mi Pequeno,” he hoped he was reaching her while he stroked the child’s quivering ear.

“I’m okay Papi, we’re okay, it’s just the way the energy given off from this place, how I can see past events play out in this very room,” she tried to explain.

“You don’t have to put yourself through this, you have nothing to prove,” Din reassured her, “I took you away before.”

“No, there are answers here,” Osa glared past her father and pointed, “There.”

They walked over to a circular console with a hologram viewer directly in the center so any viewer could have a gander.

“Let’s hope this still functions,” Din said noticing the partial destruction to the unit.

He began flicking and pushing buttons, performing the standard protocol with any computer unit, the tricky part would be how to navigate the system and hope it wasn’t encrypted or erased, but to his surprise there appeared to be no tampering with. It seemed everyone associated with this building just abandoned it when the Rebels arrived.

Unsure on where to start Din began opening any file and following the bread crumbs of clues, in the mits of his search he opened a folder when several images of all different species of children came up on the screen, but over the image (typed in bold red letters) was one word: Failed. A sudden wave of emotion inflicted Osa knowing these children’s outcomes.

“Why? Why did they have to die and I didn’t?” Osa questioned.

“Don’t do this, you are entitled to your life, you cannot have survivors guilt. I could be doing the exact same by the loss of members from our covert, instead we must honor the fallen, live on so then they live on as well. These children’s stories will be eternal because of your survival because of his survival,” Din pointed to the child, “You have every right to be alive Osa.”

All she could do was nod her head in agreement while staying quiet, memorizing her fellow captives faces. Quickly Din began searching in other files when he stumbled upon one titled “Priority” but had only vague information. A headshot came up of a green creature while a list displayed itself of speculated facts accompanied by video clips of the individual in action.

“Papi that looks like,” Osa started.

“I know,” Din replied looking at the child.

“But older, who is this Yoda?” Osa questioned when she began reading, out loud, the file’s contents, “Name: Yoda, could be a first or last name. Gender: Male. Status: Jedi Master. Is Jedi another term for the ancient sorcerers the older Mandalorians compared me to?” Osa asked her father.

“I assume so,” Din replied remembering the Armorer using this terminology.

“Species: Unknown. Ya da ya da ya da, ugh this information is useless,” Osa was becoming frustrated believing all of her answers would be awaiting her in a nice package, “Why is there hardly anything on this Yoda?” Osa clicked on some of the footage showcasing the Jedi Master’s skills with a lightsaber when the child became excited.

“Do you think the little one recognizes him?” Din questioned.

“No, he thinks that’s him on the screen, wait,” Osa pondered, “Could it be?”

“What?”

“This footage was taken during the Clone Wars, could he be Yoda?” Osa pointed to the child who seemed to be mesmerized by the green figure who looked just like him but older.

“How?” Din asked hoping his daughter would indulge him.

“Wasn’t that the whole reason of the Clone Wars, was for cloning, what if he is a clone of Yoda? We have been to all areas of the galaxy and this is the second time in my life where I have seen his kind. What if his species was going extinct, why lose that kind of power?”

“Or someone else wanted that power,” Din began searching through other files when one called “Yaddle” surfaced but there was nothing in the file except for the word “Deceased.” Din continued on when he came across one about life expectancy, “It seems this little one can live for a very long time, about 800 years give or take,” Din read, “And has the highest midichlorian count among any Jedi, but most important can live on through the Force.”

“The Force? What’s that?”

“I can only assume it is a reference for your abilities,” Din speculated when he clicked on another file showcasing a dozen children with Osa in the mix.

“Hey that’s me, where are you?” she asked.

“In a file called Midichlorian Infusion,” Din clicked on Osa’s image when her file appeared.

“Name: Test Subject 25. Parents: Donors – Anara Xcee (part Changeling) partnered with Silent D (warrior),” Osa stopped reading due to a small chuckle she heard escape from her father, “What’s so funny, that you were put down as a warrior?” Osa laughed to herself.

“No, the silent D, Anara always goofed with me when we were teenagers about my last name. She said ‘what is the purpose of the D being there if it isn’t going to get pronounced in Djarin?’ Hence forth she would call me silent D,” Din reminisced.

“Oh you crazy teenagers,” Osa loved making her father squeamish and he only displayed it when talking about her mother.

Din quickly went back to over looking his daughter’s file when nothing appeared to be helping.

“Inquisitorius Program, what do you think that meant?” Osa pointed out on her file for future occupation, but Din kept quiet only hearing rumors about a select group who were governed to Lord Vader, “We’re getting no where,” Osa complained when Din looked closer.

“Not entirely,” he hovered over Subject 25 infused by Test subject “Y.” Hesitant Din clicked and was brought to several videos and a very small file about the child. Osa’s focus was so intent she didn’t even see her father delete the footage.

“Hey, what are you doing there could be valuable information,” Osa shrieked hungry for any intel.

“No there wouldn’t be, those videos only showcase torture, something I can’t bare to witness because I saw the repercussions,” Din referred to the terrifying night Osa fell ill and if not for Wildaldro’s father Din would have lost Osa.

“Papi,” her voice almost broke when she placed her helmet on his pauldron.

“Alright let’s see what the Empire has on this little guy,” Din stated when Osa straightened and the child’s ears pricked up.

“Do you hear that clinging?” Osa asked half turning around when suddenly a wire lassoed around her body, constraining her and the child, and then finally whipping them backwards.

An escaped scream exited Osa’s mouth as she fought to get free while being dragged across the floor like an untamed beast. Din immediately pulled out his Vibroblade and ran after the two but got slowed down by blaster fire. His beskar armor held up with each blow, but Din was propelled backwards inching him farther and farther away from his children.

Trying to take matters into her own hands, Osa attempted to use her abilities and propel anything loose towards the perpetrator, but the assailant was one step ahead and sent a huge electro shock down the wire and into her and the child’s bodies. Immediate pain surged through their frames instantly knocking them unconscious.

Now that the captives became dead weight this gave Din an opportunity to make his move. Din wished he had his jetpack on so he could reach them easier when instead he ran full force towards the enemy who (to his surprise) was another Mandalorian, but one he was not familiar with nor whom was apart of his clan. Mandalorian or not Din would protect his kin with his life and leapt into battle.

The two were well matched as Din could tell his foe had been in plenty of fights before due to the wear on the green and white armor. Din would add more scraps to the enemies Beskar but had, somehow, become bested.

The assailant threw, what appeared to be an orb filled with a liquid, when Din dodged the item but it bounced off the ground, ricocheted and magnetized itself to Din’s thigh guard. Instantly the orb erupted releasing a deadly toxin when the acid ate straight through Din’s Beskar.

In fear of losing his leg, Din drastically attempted to unclasp his thigh guard but the straps had become soldered together, practically sealing his fate. Din could smell and feel the acid eat its way towards his skin as there was only one venom he knew of that could penetrate Beskar and it came from the Sarlacc, but the erosion would take days where this was happening in seconds.

Somehow this Mandalorian collected Sarlacc venom and advanced it. Din had to think quickly in order to save his appendage and his abducted children when suddenly a female Mandalorian, in blue and white armor, entered the scuffle. She hovered in midair by jetpack while sending blaster fire towards the rouge Mandalorian.

In haste he threw another Sarlacc bomb her way, but she seemed to be prepared and released a hand full of powder dissolving the hazards orb. Hearing Din’s flustered cries, she landed by Din and threw a hand full of the powder on his leg to seize the acids chemical reaction. She pulled out a small laser and burned through the singed straps releasing Din.

Once he had become freed, Din immediately detached the Beskar but upon removal ripped a huge hole in his pants exposing redden skin. Luckily he only suffered minor burns instead of losing his leg.

“Damn, he got away,” the woman exclaimed in anger, running towards the entrance Din and Osa used earlier, pointing her blaster ready to end the rouge Mandalorian’s life.

Without thought Din went to Osa and the child identifying their status of injury, “Mi Pequeno can you hear me?” Din cut through the wire, releasing them from the bond.

No immediate response, he lowered his helmet hearing his daughter’s breath while he rubbed his hand gently over the child’s head. In unison Din received a groggy groan from the both of them. A sigh of relief washed over him knowing they were alive.

“Who are you, friend or foe, who was the other Mandalorian, and why have I never seen either of you before?” Din questioned almost in anger.

“I could ask you the same questions except I am aware of who the imposter is. No one steals Mandalorian armor and wears it without being sworn in to a Creed,” she spat, “And which clan have you sworn your allegiance to?”

“Which clan? There is only one, Clan Saxon,” Din informed.

“So the rumors are true, huh and he still believes he is the leader of the Mandalorians,” she said with acid on her tongue.

“If you’re talking about Tiber Saxon his leadership was short lived. The clan was inherited by his kin,” Din stated.

“I presume Starling Saxon took control?”

“She did, but in the efforts of keeping us safe and hidden she lost her life as did so many others,” Din lowered his head out of respect.

“And now?”

“Hard to tell, the leadership was between Ivee Saxon and Paz Vizla, but since she donned the role of Armorer Ivee out ranked Paz.”

“I have searched across the entire galaxy hoping to find any remaining Mandalorians but none were ever found until now, until a bounty was placed on both your helmets,” she pulled her blaster.

“Hey we’re not the enemy,” Din spoke with his hands up in defense.

“No, then why did the Creed vanish? Mandalorians aren’t frightened children who hide from the enemy, we are fighters until our end,” she spoke in pride.

“Starling wanted the Creed to live on so we took to the sewers on Nevarro where she only allowed two above at a time. We would live in secrecy so our numbers could grow once again instead of being hunted down and being eradicated, but even she couldn’t prevent that,” Din said saddened remembering the pile of armor back at the covert.  

“How many are even left?” her voice almost sounded shaky.

“Hard to tell, we have become scattered again.”

“And is this the reason why you both are out here, trying to escape from the bounty placed on both of your helmets?” she questioned.

“No, a scuffle broke out between the Guild and I, resulting in the bounty but has now been resolved,” Din informed.

“It’s not the Guild who placed the bounty, a new order issued it, someone under the command of Moff Gideon,” she corrected.

“So is this your true intentions on why you helped us, in order to obtain us and collect your reward?” Din slowly reached for his blaster ready to battle again.

“If I was looking for a quick score I wouldn’t turn in someone from my own Creed.”

“But you were willing to end that other Mandalorians life?”

“Do not declare him as a Mandalorian, Boba Fett brings dishonor to our heritage, he is not apart of the Creed and shall not wear our armor. One way or another I will end him.”

“Then what do you want with us?”

“It is time for the Mandalorians to come out of hiding, you will help me find my people as we will unite once again,” she commanded.

“Who are you?”

Din was shocked and surprised by the woman removing her helmet as she revealed soft angular features, yellow greenish eyes, and red hair, “My name is Bo Katan, rightful ruler of Mandalore.”

[zankivich]

Neighbors: Shawn x Plus Size Reader Chapter 12

a/n: hi friends. I really liked writing this chapter. Idk I wanted to explore some themes that aren’t sunshines and rainbows. But I also wanted to explore what communication looks like and what a healthy relationship can look like. I’m trying to figure out what this relationship would genuinely look like through long distance. How do you make it work? How do you create a healthy dynamic with your partner? 

Warnings: smut, little angsty with some fighting.

*Shawn’s point of view*

The first time they get in a fight post actually being in a relationship is pretty terrible. It’s the worst because they’re not physically together. Instead they’re thousands of miles away from each other. At least after the fact. After the grammys, he goes home for a few more weeks before it’s time to start preparing for tour. And in that time they’re fine. They go out with their friends. They watch netflix when she comes home from work. They go to art museums and taking really sappy selfies in front of the artwork. They make love constantly. Usually the second she walks into the door. And it’s the best it’s ever been. It’s the best they’ve ever been. So good in fact that it never occurs to him that anything could go wrong. What could possibly go wrong?

They’re in the bedroom going through his closet as he packs again, only this time he’s feeling a little giddy because they’re packing to leave together. They’re supposed to be leaving together.

“I got you something.” He murmured moving to the section of his closet that he’d kept it hidden in.

“Shawn, you have got to stop buying me things.” She whined. “I’m gonna run out of places to put them.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re so incredibly dramatic. I barely buy you anything, and you know it. If every time I wanted to get you something and you didn’t turn down my undying, unwavering love for you, maybe then we could talk.”

“Yes, I’m the dramatic one in this relationship. As long as we’re on the same page.”

Despite the fact that his girlfriend was mean to him, he still brought out her present. It was a suitcase. A tommy hilfiger suitcase to be more specific. It was sleek and pretty, and he was buying one for himself anyway, so why not get matching ones? He even stuck a bow on it, like a good ass boyfriend should. So, when he rolled it out in front of her and did a sort of ta-da moment, only for her face to fall, excuse him for being a little taken aback.

He peered down at his gift.

“It uh--it’s for our trip. I thought that it might be cute for us to have matching suitcases.” He sighed. “Maybe not?”

“No. It uh--it’s really sweet, baby; thank you.”

“But?”

She winced. “But uh...I’m not coming with you to London.”

“What?”

She scooted along to the edge of the bed reaching out for his hands, but he kept them perched on his hips.

“I just… I’ve been thinking about it, and I think it might be good for us, if I stay here.”

“What does that mean? Why would being away from each other be good for us?” He asked. “And when exactly were you gonna tell me you weren’t coming, y/n?”

“Well, we’ve been more or less together every single day since we became friends, Shawn. When you’re not at work we’re either in my apartment, or yours, or at one of our favorite restaurants. Or watching movies.”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize you were suffering in silence this whole time. I kind of thought my girlfriend might want to hang out with me. My mistake.”

She sighed. “You’re getting defensive. Can you just try to listen to me for a second, please?”

“To be fair, you’re telling me you don’t want to be around me anymore. This is literally coming out of nowhere, y/n.”

“Look, fucking relax for a minute. I’m not saying I don’t want to be around you. I am saying I just need to take a step back for a second. I need to refocus myself. It’s got nothing to do with you.”

He could feel his face heating up, and he really didn’t have any idea how he was going to calm down. In all of the time they’d been at home she had never said anything. And it wasn’t like he was refusing to leave her apartment. She would always come home from work and knock on his door. She called him during lunch to complain about someone who sucked at her job. She loved cuddling for hours on end in bed and talking about the most random shit. It wasn’t just that he was angry, which quite frankly that was certainly part of it. It was that if he could go weeks and weeks on end thinking that they were okay, that they were better than okay, while she was feeling something completely different? What the hell did that say about him?

He took a deep breath his hands twitching anxiously at his sides. He hadn’t felt so far away from her in such a long time.

“S--so what is it then? Is it a break? Are we taking a break?”

“No! No, that is not what I’m saying, Shawn. Jesus.” She paused and took another deep breath. “I’m saying that I’m gonna be in Toronto. You’re gonna be in London. We’re still together. We’re still everything that we’ve been this whole entire time. I’m just not going to London with you. This is an opportunity for you to go do rehearsals, to be with your friends, to have a good time. This is not a death sentence.”

“What else could it possibly be? I’m gonna be away for the majority of the fucking year and now you pull this? Now all of a sudden, you want space? I’ve done this before, y/n. I’m not stupid. I know what this is!”

They’ve both got pretty out there personality types. His was a little more reserved, but once he got there in terms of emotion, he was  usually there for a minute. And she fed off the energy of those around her. So, when he raises his voice it’s like an instant response from her. And all of a sudden they’re having this blow up argument that neither of them saw coming.

“What the fuck are you even talking about right now?! You’re not being rational, Shawn! This is absolutely ridiculous. It’s like I’m speaking to a crazy person!”

“I’m not fucking crazy! This is about the grammys isn’t it? And the carpet and the photos. And how you looked. You can’t handle it, and now you’re scared, and now you’re just trying to let me down easy! I’m not some soft baby. I’m a grown ass man, and you can be honest with me!”

“What the hell do you mean, ‘how I looked’? What was wrong with how I looked?”

“I don’t know y/n, what the hell was wrong with how you looked?! I mean you’re so confident no one can touch you one second, and the next you're staring at Miley on the carpet like a lost puppy just because of her physical appearance. I am doing everything that I can to make things easier for you, but there’s only so much that I can do.”

There’s a moment in every argument where the entire tone shifts. Where it’s no longer just throwing loud words at one another. A point of no return, where you’ve been hurt and so you lash out, and you say the wrong thing. It’s that point where you’re no longer yelling to make yourself feel better, you’re yelling to hurt that person. Even if you don’t recognize it in that moment. And the second that she pauses, her eyes widening in shock, he knows that this thing just got worse. That they’re not gonna fix this tonight.

“You’ve got a hell of a lot of nerve.” She hissed immediately climbing out of his bed. “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but I don’t do relationships with people who don’t respect me. It is not my fault you’re so fucking insecure about how everyone views you and what everyone thinks about you. Not everything is layered in double meaning. I just wanted to stay the fuck home. Which is where I’ll be going tonight, because I can actually not even stand to look at you right now.”

“Wait. Wait--fuck! Don’t leave.”

“No! Go fuck yourself.”

She shoves past him and slams his bedroom door shut. A few moments later he can hear the door to his apartment give a similar slam. Just like that he’s alone with this ugly thing inside of him. It’s anger and fear and hurt and sadness. And the one person in the world who had consistently been around to fix it is suddenly gone. Just like that.

***

He woke up the next day in a terrible mood. His back hurt. He’d grown so use to wrapping his body around the softness that was his girlfriend, that a night apart was hell on his sleep cycle. The wake up call from Andrew telling him to get his ass to the airport, surely didn’t help things. He rushed to pull all of his clothes together into a new bag, because his tommy hilfiger suitcase no longer had the same feel. On his way out of the door, he peered over at her door. Since she wasn’t going anymore this was usually time she went to work. He couldn’t forget the hurt in her eyes when he’d said what he said last night. And he’d never forgive himself if he left without apologizing.

He knocked gently, biting his lip anxiously as he waited for her. It only took maybe forty-five seconds for him to figure out that she knew he was on the other side, and that she had zero intentions of answering.

“Babe,” He sighed knocking again. “y/n, please open the door.”

Silence.

“I...I know I fucked up, okay? I know that I hurt you. And I’m so sorry. I--I never meant to disrespect you. I just was hurt and I lashed out, and I just--fuck. Fuck, baby please open the door.”

He stays outside her door much longer than he has time for. He calls her and can hear her press ignore on his phone call, before turning her phone off all together. It’s not until the driver who was taking him to the airport called to tell him he had to leave, or he’d miss his flight, that he can find the will to move away from the door. Leaving is the hardest thing he’s ever done. And knowing that he couldn’t take it back, wasn’t gonna be able to fix it left him with his heart sad and hurting on his sleeve.

Brian’s in the car already waiting on him, and he’s got nothing to offer his best friend except for a shitty mood and a complete inability to hold a conversation as he tries desperately to text his girlfriend. It’s an absolute shit show. Go tour.

***

People quickly start to notice that he’s not happy. He’s not sure what gives it away, because he’s been trying like to hell to keep a smile on his face, but if the worried glances of Andrew, Cez, and Brian simultaneously hovering over him as he sits by himself between rehearsals are anything to go off of, clearly he’s doing it wrong. But, he was a little preoccupied trying to craft another text message to his girlfriend who seemed to hate his guts.

Meanwhile huddled in the corner, his team was trying to figure out what the hell to do with him.

“Brian, you flew with him here, what the hell’s been going on?” Andrew asked peering over as he moped quite pathetically.

“At first I thought it was because he just hadn’t slept much the night before, but then y/n wasn’t there to go to the airport with us, so I’m assuming it has something to do with that.” Brian explained.

“Shawn’s never this down for this long though.” Cez interrupted. “You really think he’s this broken up over her not being here?”

“Who the hell knows anymore?” Andrew sighed. “Sometime’s the kid is ready to bite my head off if I suggest they take different cars to and from the hotel. He’s protective as all get out over her.”

Brian snorted. “We went to a bar in Toronto a couple weeks ago, and they literally sat in the booth sharing a pitcher of long island with two straws and then making out until they ditched us to go hook up in a bathroom I think. Dude’s completely head over heels. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Tell us about it.” The rest of them said in unison.

“Does anyone know why y/n didn’t end up coming?” Andrew asked.

When even Brian shrugged, he figured it was time for his tour dad persona to make a re--appearance because apparently Shawn wasn’t talking to anyone about what was going on in his head.

He waited until their meeting that they had two times a day: one to go over everything for the day, and another to talk about the rest of the week/tomorrow. It’s always the only time where it’s just him and Shawn and it seems like the best way to go about things. When they sit down and Shawn’s leg is bouncing, and he keeps eyeing his phone on the table, and crossing and uncrossing his arms, Andrew couldn’t help but wonder if his client had ever been subtle a day in his life.

“Hey, so I figured we could skip the usual meeting and do something a little different today.”

Shawn shrugged. “Yea? How come?”

“I don’t know. I guess I thought there might be something you wanted to talk about, get off your chest maybe?”

“Oh Andrew, no. Please, don’t do the tour dad bit!” He immediately groaned. “I’m not sixteen anymore.”

“I know you’re not, bud. I do. It doesn’t mean you have to handle the entire world on your shoulders without ever asking for help, though.”

“I know that. I--I always reach out when I need it, don’t I?” He mumbled picking at nothing on his jeans.

“Usually you do. But, we’ve been in london for about a week now. I don’t like to pry at all, but you had me arrange for housing accomodations separate from the rest of us only to show up here and room with Brian in his hotel room. I also can’t help but notice that y/n isn’t here. And that except for when we’re running rehearsals or meeting fans, you’re not really here either. From the looks of it you’re not talking to anyone about it. So, yea, I’m a little concerned. I think we all are. But, it’s only because we care about you.”

Shawn seems to sink even lower into the couch, his shoulders slumping in on themselves. He wipes a hand over his mouth and then went to playing with his helix piercing with one hand while the other tangled up in his swallow necklace. Finding something physically to touch, always made him feel a little less anxious.

“Fine. We had a fight.” He sniffed. “Our first fight, actually.”

“Okay. That’s rough. What happened?”

He immediately groaned and covered his face with his hands.

“I’m a piece of shit, that’s what happened.”

“Do you wanna unpack that a little more for me?”

“It’s just like male fragile fucking ego right? Like I’m so insecure in myself and I don’t want to be alone, and you telling me that you don’t want to be with me in this moment, must mean that you don’t want to be with me at all. And I’m freaking out right? Because maybe it never made sense for you to want me in the first place.”

He’d been thinking about it a lot obviously.

“She just...she didn’t want to come to London with me.” He sighed completely deflated and defeated. “She said we’ve been spending all of our time together...and we have but I--I don’t want anything else when I’m with her. There was one day we were lying in bed all day. Like we genuinely never got out of bed except to like pee or grab snacks so that we could get back into the bed. I missed the gym for the first time in four months. But, it was the happiest I’d been in so long. And then you and I keep having these fights about me being too into her and not being focused...and then she tells me twelve hours before the flight that we need space apart, because we’ve spent every second together but like, I’m gonna be gone for the year. And I can’t help but be so fucking terrified that she’s not gonna want me anymore. That it won’t be worth it. That I’m not worth it.”

“Hey. Hey, you know that’s not true.”

He chuckled sadly. “I couldn’t convince my girlfriend to come to london for free and spend time with me, Andrew. She’d rather be at work.”

He’s sitting there so clearly hurting and running over the situation again and again in his head. Andrew hadn’t seen him like this over a woman maybe ever, and his willingness to find fault in himself was as startling as it was concerning.

“I really don’t think that’s it. I’m sure that it feels that way, and I get why it’s hard for you, I mean none of this is exactly the usual way of going about things. And maybe it’s your normal, and maybe you know exactly what things should be like, but just because it’s your normal doesn’t mean it’s her’s yet ya know? Did you ever actually sit down and talk to her about how she felt about your being away for so long?”

He shook his head softly. “N--No. Not exactly.”

“And we’ve talked about it before, she likes to internalize things right?”

“Yea. She does.”

“So maybe this is her way of doing that. Instead of talking to you about how much she misses you, she’s isolating herself instead cause it’s what she knows. I’m not sure what was said during your fight obviously, but I think it might do you both a little good to try and see things from the other’s perspective.”

So. Great. Andrew’s a genius, and he’s the dumbest fucker alive. There’s a shock.

“Fuck….Well she’s not answering my phone calls, texts, emails, instagram dms, or facetime requests. So, that’s gonna be a bit of a stretch there, but your suggestion sounds wonderful.”

They sat in silence for a minute, Shawn still glum and upset while Andrew stared on in empathy.

“Do you wanna fly back to her?”

Shawn’s head shot up at that. “Excuse me?”

“I know you think I’m out to get you and ruin all your fun sometimes, but I do actually care about your happiness and wellbeing. We’ve got just under a month to prepare. If you don’t mind taking the hit then neither do I. I’d rather have you at home and come back happy then sit here and be miserable.”

“A--Are you sure? Andrew, my whole job is to be here right now. To get ready for this live show.”

“Yes. But if this is what you need to do in order to do that then tell me, and I’ll the book the flight myself.”

It’s a total catch twenty-two. He wanted to apologize, needed to make things better between the two of them. But, she wasn’t answering his messages. And if he flew back maybe it would be helpful, but what if it wasn’t? What if it made her hate him even more because he hadn’t done the one fucking thing she asked of him--to stay away? And on the other end, if he didn’t go back, if he didn’t make things right, would the damage to their relationship be fixable thousands of miles apart?

“I just need a day. A day to check in, and talk to her and I’ll come right back I swear. This isn’t gonna be like this forever, Andrew, I promise.” He sighed.

“It’s fine. Let’s just get you the flight picked out as soon as we can okay?”

“Okay. Okay, thank you.”

“No problem. It’s what I’m here for.”

***

*y/n’s point of view*

You were standing at your desk, shoes off, hair pulled down, and a headache the size of vancouver. You hadn’t been sleeping well. You hadn’t been working well. There was tension swelling up in your shoulders and neck, which tended to happen when you felt like you were suffocating under the weight of the world. And that’s exactly how you felt.

Not returning Shawn’s calls was incredibly difficult. You missed the sound of his voice, and the feel of his hands on your hips, and the tickle of his hair on your neck. But, everytime the phone rang and you even thought about responding, you heard the words he said to you that night play back into your head. He had made you feel like a burden, had taken your genuine concerns and fears and held them completely against you. And so had you, you weren’t immature enough to think that you hadn’t. You knew you both were hurting. You just...felt a little more stubborn at first. And then as the first week of being a part was coming to an end, and the red hot anger had begun to cool, you didn’t know how to end the fight. It was your first one ever afterall.

You were standing there so wrapped up in your own thoughts that you didn’t even notice when you started searching for plane tickets, until you found one that left at eleven o'clock that night. You peered up at the clock on your wall to see that it was already a little after seven. Your boss would kill you if she found out…

“Hey, are you still fucking sitting at work?” Stu’s loud ass voice entered the room, as his face came up on the screen of your phone. “Sis, we have got to find you some better coping mechanisms.”

“Thank you Oprah, now can we get back to why I actually called you, or would you like to comment on the bags under my eyes too?”

He sighed. “Well I do have a cream for that, but please continue.”

“I need you to talk me out of buying a plane ticket tonight.”

“A plane ticket? Where to?”

You bit your lip anxiously. “To London?”

“To London?! You mean to see Shawn and stop being a little whiny, stressed out asshole. You called me, your best friend, to talk you out of the healthiest decision I’ve heard from you in weeks? I think not!”

You simply needed to get better friends.

“Shit.” You groaned mouse rolling over the button that would secure the purchase. “What if he doesn’t want to see me? We had a really bad fight Stu.”

“That man has been calling you twenty times a day. He emailed me for Christ’s sake. All he wants is to see you. Go to him please?”

“But--But what about work? I’m overseen by Gina now, if she found out I flew to London in the middle of the week?”

“She’d probably pay for the flight herself if she saw how stressed out you’ve been.” Stu snorted. “Look it’s Wednesday. We’ve already had our cross-collaboration meeting for the week. You’re allowed to take off Fridays as it. What’s one more day, if it means you come back happier?”

Perhaps that’s why you called all along. Stu had a way of clearing your mind. He was persuasive as fuck, and it usually got you into trouble, but you couldn’t help but trust him with your life.

“Fuck. Okay I’m gonna do it.”

“THANK GOD! Go get your mans!”

It’s complete and utter mayhem after that point. There’s the running home to shove things into a suitcase. You couldn’t even plan your outfits around what you might do as was usually your go to, because there was always the option that your boyfriend was gonna kick you out onto the streets. You did sneak into his apartment with the key he’d given you for when he wasn’t home to find your gift still sitting sadly at the foot of his bed. It seemed like a nice enough peace offering on your behalf. You were just hopeful that he wouldn’t hate you.

***

The place that Shawn had the both of you stay was maybe the cutest place in the world. It was a tiny cottage nestled away from the chaos of the city. You knew it was a thirty minute drive from the hotel where the rest of the crew was staying, and that that had been purposeful. When you went to check-in you were slightly nervous that it would be under Shawn’s name, and that they would think you were just a crazed fan. But, sure enough Andrew had listed you on the reservation. He really did think of everything.

Inside the cottage, everything was completely untouched. It was all hardwood and soft everything else with blankets and pillows galore. There was a fireplace and a breakfast nook, and a kitchen that you never would have had time to use. It looked like a little oasis. Like maybe you could have forgotten about everything here together. You imagined Shawn planning everything to a tea. He would’ve wanted to take you sightseeing, would’ve insisted on the two of you driving to the cottage separate from everyone else so that it felt like going home. He always thought of things like that. He always wanted you to be happy over everything else, and you guess you had kind of trampled all over that and spat it into his hand.

It only takes two walkthroughs of the cottage for you to figure out that Shawn hadn’t slept here at all. His toiletries were missing from the bathroom. His humidifier wasn’t by the bed. You couldn’t even smell him in the sheets. You plopped down gently on the bed and pulled your phone out to three new missed calls from Shawn. You’d wanted it to be a surprise but you figured now was as good as any. If he was at another hotel, you’d have to talk to him to find out anyway.

“Hello?” You murmured gently into the phone as he picked up on the first ring.

“Y/n? H--Hi! Hi. Uh...wow I’m sorry, I didn’t think you were gonna pick up.”

“Yea. Sorry for ghosting, I just...I don’t know actually. I don’t know.”

He swallowed. “It’s okay.”

“Not really though.”

“Listen, are you still at work right now?”

“No. I’m not.”

Shawn sighed. “Okay well uh... where are you?”

“I’m sitting on a bed in the cottage that you got us. I guess I kinda thought you might be here, but maybe rehearsals are still going on?”

“Excuse me?”

You winced. “I came to London. To like apologize, and to try and fix things.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake.”

You close your eyes ready for him to start laying in on you for being the worst girlfriend ever. And then he starts to laugh. And you’re not sure whether to be offended or scared.

“What the hell is so funny?” You muttered.

“You’re not gonna believe this but I’m in Canada. In front of your apartment door to be more precise.”

“What?!”

“Yea. Andrew gave me the greenlight to fly home and try and fix things. Apparently I’ve been a bit of a dick lately.”

You collapsed back on the bed and brought your arm up to cover your face.

“We are genuinely idiots.”

“Little bit.” He chuckled. “But uh--this is the first time I’ve talked to you in a week and I have to say I really missed the sound of your voice.”

“Yea. I really missed yours too.” You whispered. “Shawn, I’m s--”

“No, stop. Don’t say anything until we’re together. I’m gonna get on the first flight back, and I’ll come to you okay? Let’s just, let’s save it all for in person.”

You smiled a little bit. “Okay. I guess I can do that.”

“I love you more than anything okay? And I’ll see you soon.”

“I love you too.”

You hung up the phone before peering aimlessly around the room. What the hell was a girl to do for her first time in a different country without anyone to show her around?

***

*Third point of view*

Shawn felt way too large in the tiny cottage. His shoulders barely cleared the door and then he tripped into the dark room, his luggage and feet getting twisted together. What a shit show. Two back to back flights with 5 hours of time difference between the two places was more than hell on his body but what was he to do when his girlfriend needed him?

The fireplace was lit and his girlfriend was wrapped up cozily in a blanket, dead asleep in her chair. He thought that she might love a place like this, but he couldn’t have imagined just how right she might look nestled softly into this image before him. She was perfect.

He reached gently for her as a means to not startle her, his heart swelling dramatically when her nose scrunched as she yawned and stretched herself awake.

“Shawn?” She mumbled sleepily. “You’re here?”

He dropped to his knees in front of her, hands moving everywhere to touch her.

“I’m here, baby. I’m right here.”

She runs her fingers through his hair having missed the touch of him. He practically purrs beneath her. They really sucked at being apart. And being mad at each other while they were apart? They were downright awful at that one.

He hugs her waist from where’s she sitting and she bends over to grab at as much at him as she can. They both are emotional and tired and so a few tears at this point is nothing because suddenly their other half is there to wipe them away. It’s the most healing thing in the world to both of them.

“Are you tired? We can talk in the morning.” She murmured rubbing soothingly at his cheeks as the final tears dried away.

He shook his head. “I’ve been thinking about this moment all week. I wanna talk now, if that’s okay with you?”

“Sure.” She breathed.

Shawn tugged at y/n’s hands bringing them both to the dining room table. In some ways it’s good that they have the cottage. It acts as a neutral space for the both of them, the memories of Shawn’s bedroom a couple thousand miles away impossible to taint the moment. They sit at the table facing each other and immediately link fingers. It’s their first fight, but even a first fight comes with a first makeup, a first chance to learn and grow from the hurt.

“I’d like to start, if that’s okay?” He asked waiting for her to give the okay before he continued speaking. “I know that I overreacted. It didn’t feel that way at the time. It felt like...it felt like every fear I’ve ever had about our relationships coming true right in front of me. And those weeks together before that were so indescribably perfect that I just never saw it coming. You never gave me any sort of indication that you were unhappy, or that you needed space. I’m not going to pretend like I would’ve taken it any better. I mean I--I don’t know, honestly, but I think it would have helped a lot.”

“Yea, I . . . I was trying not to hurt you. Which, sounds ridiculous given the fight we ended up having but...I should have told you. I should have told you the second I knew. The thing is, I wanted to come, Shawn; I did. I just, after the grammys, and after the hanging out with your friends, and going on dates every day of the week, and the sex four times a day I got...lonely?”

“Lonely?”

She sighed and tugged frustratingly at her hair as she tried to reorganize her thoughts. It looked like it hurt, so he reached for her hands again to let her steady them on his.

“Hey, it’s okay. I just want to understand. Help me understand.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before letting her lips move.

“It’s like, I was going to bed every night in your arms, but I couldn’t help but remember that for the rest of the year we weren’t gonna be together. And my body couldn’t register anything else. It felt like my soul was clinging to you or something--I’m sorry that sounds so sappy. I mean that my body just wanted to be with you but it knew that you were gonna leave. And the buildup of that was killing me. It hurt. It hurt worse than anything. And I just thought that the only way I was gonna be able to live through it was to get ahead of the pain. It was selfish. I know that but, I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Talk to me. You can always talk to me, and we can work through this shit together. You’re not in this alone. I’m right there with you. And the thought of being without you is absolutely terrifying. It kills me. There’s no one else in the world I can talk to about that, but you. You have to trust me.”

“I do. I do trust you. I promise that’s not what it was about. I didn’t want you wasting any time worrying about me. It--it’s not like it was gonna fix anything. This is where we’re at Shawn.”

“It doesn’t have to be so pessimistic. This is my fault, I should have taken more time to talk to you about it. I should have...I should have done more. I’m sorry.”

“What more could you have possibly done?” She chuckled dryly.

“We can sit down and schedule out the whole year. When you’re gonna visit. When my breaks are, and when I can come home to you. We can pencil in face time dates. It’s not gonna be the same. I know that but...it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, right? We can make it work if we’re both willing. Are you--are you willing?”

She squeezed down on his fingers making him feel more deeply rooted to the ground. His heart was hammering beneath his sternum. And she knew it was his greatest fear, so she did everything in her power to reassure him.

“Yes. I promise I am. I don’t want to be without you, so I’ll take anything I can get.”

He frowned at that knowing that all he wanted was to give her the world. The thought of her settling made his chest feel tight. But, they were just finally getting over their argument, so he lets it settle deep in the back of his mind for now.

“I need to apologize for the rest of what I said that night.” He mumbled.

She shook her head. “It’s fine.”

“It’s so far from fine, it’s not even funny y/n. Don’t ever try and give me an out like that. You were right. I--I disrespected you, and the bare minimum you deserve is an apology.”

She nods softly at the fire in his eyes and holds tighter onto his hand as he attempts to explain.

“It...It’s hard to find security in something when I don’t have control over it. When I’m away from home for so long and I can’t lie with you when you’re having a bad day, or rub your back when you’re cramping, it makes me feel unworthy of calling you mine. And that--that’s on me. That’s my own shit, and that doesn’t mean I get to lash out and say hurtful things to you. You deserve so much more than that. I’m deeply and truly sorry that I hurt you. I love you so much, and I’m never going to do that to you again. Okay? I swear to you.”

“Okay. Okay, I forgive you.” She whispers. “As long as you forgive me. I should never use your anxiety or your mental health against you. That’s totally fucking uncalled for. I’ll never do it again.”

“I forgive you.” He whispered affectionately back. “I love you, so much. Can I kiss you now?”

“Yes. Of course you can.”

He knows that there's not an ounce of anger left in his body when she kisses him, because surely anger couldn’t feel this soft. He loves her and he loves the feel of her arms on his shoulders and the hum of her vocal chords when he sucks her bottom lip into his mouth. But even if the anger has melted, there’s still a bit of a struggle there for him, a struggle to be understood and to be heard. And he didn’t want to leave this moment without it.

“I just...I’m scared okay?” He admits softly as she holds him close. “I know I’ve never said it before but, you terrify me.”

She frowns softly at him fingers twirling aimlessly in his curls.

“In what way?”

“In all of them.” he chuckled before peering seriously into her eyes. “I’ve never been in love like this before. I’ve never felt so out of control of my feelings and my emotions before. I’m afraid that one day someone’s gonna say the wrong thing. We’ll be out in public and they’ll say something to upset us, or an interviewer will ask a question they shouldn’t on air, or someone might get you in trouble at work. And I’m afraid that one day you’re gonna look around and ask yourself what the hell do you get out of us. I just feel like I love you more than anything and I guess it just hurts that I come with all this baggage. I can’t help but think one day it might not be enough to keep you with me.”

Her eyebrows knitted together and she stared at him with those big ole eyes like she could see all of him, like she was the only one who saw all of him.

“How come you’ve never told me that before?”

“I think I might have been afraid to speak into existence. So, I figured if I just did everything in my being to make things perfect, you might forget that I’m a singer with about forty five million people worth of baggage, if my instagram is anything to go off of.”

She giggled and his heart squeezed delicately in his chest.

“I don’t think I could quite manage to forget that.” She murmured. “Shawn, you can’t try and do it all on your own. You can’t try to hide them from me as much as it might seem nice at first. It’s unsustainable, and you already work too hard to add the impossible to your plate. I knew what I was getting myself into. It’s hard. We both know that but...I love you. And I love you enough for it to be hard. Let that be enough.”

“I’m trying.” He whispered softly. “You’re more than enough. You’re more than I could have ever asked for you, you know that?”

“I love you.” She murmured and kissed his forehead.

“I love you too.”

Making up is a very emotionally draining thing, especially when one is mature enough to admit their own wrong doings in the situation. So, after a lot of kissing and hugging, they each make their way to bed. Y/n reached for Shawn immediately pulling his body on top of hers until they were intrinsically intertwined together. Shawn pressed his face against her neck kissing and humming nibbling at the skin. They don’t speak much, just enjoy each other’s company. And for the night, that’s all that matters.

*y/n’s point of view*

Your phone going off is what wakes you up. You were nestled into Shawn’s arms and the thought of leaving that warmth was incredibly offensive. You reached hazardly for the phone only to see that it was Stu. This meant that either someone was dying or he was about to completely waste your time. There was no inbetween with him.

“How dare you not tell me!” Stu screamed.

Completely waste your time it was.

Shawn began to stir and whined softly at the prospect of you not being fully in his arms. He quickly readjusted his weight to be more firmly pressed against you, and then kissed stubbornly at your jaw.

“Babe, come back to bed.”

“Shh.” You murmured as the two men in your life nagged you. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

“I am looking at your boyfriend giving me ‘come suck me off eyes’ and I have never been so offended in my whole gay ass life!

Your mind immediately went to the worse thinking that somehow a nude or something had leaked, and so you sat straight up in bed, Shawn flailing helplessly to the side.

“What the fuck? What is it?!”

“Woops. I can see now that you truly have no idea what I’m talking about in which case this may be a little disconcerting. Your boyfriend is the new face of calvin klein and baby is serving more than face! He is serving ‘bend me over in the middle of the grocery story’ . Which leads me to my next question, how have we never talked about his dick before? Brian and I have questions.”

“What in the absolute hell is going on?” Shawn groaned now fully up and awake.

You rolled your eyes. “It sounds like you may have done an underwear ad and neglected to tell your GIRLFRIEND. And now my very gay best friend is calling me at the crack ass of dawn in toronto to complain about me not telling him.”

“Shit. Did that go out today?”

“Are you two about to start fighting again? We hate it when mom and dad fight.”

“Goodbye Stu! I will talk to you later.”

You tossed your phone off to the side peering over at your groggy boyfriend with messy curls and red patchy cheeks to match. His cuteness almost made you forget about how annoyed you were at the prospect of him forgetting to mention such incredibly important information. Almost.

He smiled dopely. “Sorry?”

“We’re in a fight again.”

“No! No more fighting please.” He whined quickly tackling you down to the sheets.

You squealed and giggled as he placed playful kisses over any part of your skin he could find.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it. I was a little nervous about it. I will show you every picture if you want. It’s just me in my underwear, which to be fair you can see that anytime you want.”

You hummed softly wrapping your legs tightly around his hips.

“Anytime?” You murmured. “You saying you’d model for me if I asked?”

“No, that was not at all what I was saying! You don’t want me to model for you. I’d be horrible.”

“I think you would do just fine. I think you’re sexy and beautiful and wonderful, and I can’t imagine a reason why you shouldn’t project that out into the world.”

He brought his head out of the crook of your neck and peered down at you with wide and honest eyes. His thumb caressed gently at your cheek and it kind of made you melt.

“The wild thing is when you say shit like that I really believe it.” He mumbled. “You’re sort of perfect, you know that?”

“Yes. Yes I do. You’re perfect too.” You reminded him softly.

He captured your lips quickly in a kiss that had your whole body thrumming beneath him. His fingers pulled at the hair tie of your bun, quickly getting lost in the strands. You had no idea what time it was, where Shawn needed to be or when, and it suddenly didn’t seem to matter. You needed this moment, needed to feel each other a new after all the bullshit of the last week.

“Haven’t felt you in so long.” Shawn whispered letting his hands map your body so intimately it brought goosebumps to your skin. “Need to touch you. Need to taste you. Please?”

“Y--Yes. God, yes.”

He shoves the blankets away leaving you exposed as he tugs at your t-shirt and bra until your body is laid out for his eyes to feed on. And it’s kind of wild how he can make you feel worshipped and like his own personal prey all at once. Because his eyes are so loving, so giving in the way that he kisses at the bulge of skin where your hip and stomach meet because your tummy isn’t flat. But there’s a heat there too when he takes a nipple into his mouth, teeth sharp and purposeful in the way they make your back arch. It doesn’t matter to you either way. You’d give yourself to him endlessly. And he seems willing to take you up on the offer.

When he tugs at your underwear and sits back on his knees with a cocky ass smirk on his lips, the confidence coming off this man in waves you are struck with a realization. A very important one.

“Wait, I need to suck your dick.”

His eyes widened, persona faltering slightly.

“Huh?”

“You’re so hot right now I really need to have your dick in my mouth.”

“Shit. Well I kind of had my heart set on eating you out.”

He grabbed at the meat of your thigh to drive his point home. This only solidified your dick sucking need though.

“Well I guess we’re gonna have to sixty-nine it, then.”

“Fine, but only if you’re on top. Kinda want your ass on my face anyway.”

It was your turn for your eyes to widen. How dare he just say some wild ass shit like that.

When in London try out new sex positions, or something like that.

Shawn rid of himself of his boxers and quickly tugged at your hips until you were straddling his body from the opposite direction. His fingers melded to the curve of your ass and something happened that truly neither of you could have expected. Shawn, in all of his fascination with your ass all of a sudden let his hand come down with some movement against you. It wasn’t a slap, but it was enough to jolt your body entirely. Who would’ve thought you’d like your ass slapped? Certainly not you.

“Wait, could you...could you do that again?” You murmured peering down at him between your legs.

“Do what?”

You bit your lip. “Smack my ass.”

“Oh... Yea.” He raises his hand and comes down more firmly on your right cheek with that palm of his that’s too big for its own good. “Like that?”

Your back arches involuntarily and you slid down further on the bed, ass poised in the air as a moan passes your lips.

“Fuck, baby.” He whined. “You look so good right now.”

Your thighs squeezed together and he moved to push at your knees with his elbow, spreading you all the more for him.

“Need you on my face.” He whispered. “Give it to me.”

And then he pulled you right where he needed you to go to lick into you fully and deeply. It is by far the most intoxicating thing you’ve ever felt. They don’t tell you how difficult it is to focus on sucking a dick when your boyfriend’s eating your pussy like it’s the last coke in the desert. Porn really could have prepared you better for life in a host of different ways.

Eventually when you get used to your heart pounding you reach between his legs to guide his hard on between your lips. It’s takes a second to get used to angle, but once you find your rhythm it’s kind of magical. His thighs tense and his hips buck up as you let the flat of your tongue coat him perfectly. Your fingers wrap delicately around the shaft as your mouth focuses exclusively on the head, lips tight and wet with every pull.

“Fuck!” Shawn whined collapsing back against the sheets. “You have no idea how good that feels.”

His hand comes down on you again, but you can tell he’s in a sex fueled haze, because it’s much sharper than normal Shawn would’ve ever allowed himself to give. It drives you absolutely wild. You moan and then he moans and you’re both just a mess of sweaty limbs and near orgasms. He slips two fingers into you and something about the angle has him pressing right where you could ever possibly need him. Your hips begin to pulse and rotate and you have to pull off of his dick because the sounds coming out of your mouth are unruly.

“Fuck! Oh my god!” You gasped. “Deeper. Deeper, please.”

He slaps your ass again and shifts his fingers against a spot inside of you that makes your eyes roll back in your head as your orgasm rips through your body. There’s a squelching sound as Shawn’s fingers plunge you into at the same time that you begin to squirt all over his chest. It’s so overwhelming that your vision cuts out and you collapse is a wet, sticky heap.

“Jesus Christ. Look at you.” He mumbled thumb still flicking at your overstimulated clit.

You wiggle out of his grasp, tired, and in desperate need to get your boyfriend off. Because equality.

You straddled his hips one hand directing his hard on inside of you while the other worked to get your hair out of your face.

“You’re amazing.” He huffed into the air as you rode him fast and dirty into the mattress. “So fucking amazing.”

His hands on your hips made you feel like you were on fire. It was so good. And maybe it was because of the fight, maybe it was just not seeing each other for so long, but whatever it was you were bringing each other somewhere completely new. A high that had yet to been reached for the two of you. It was magic. It was hot and sensual. It was...about to be interrupted.

You were leaning over his body hips slapping roughly against his when a knock rang out on the door. Shawn reached impulsively for your hips to keep you moving on top of him.

“Don’t stop. They’ll go away.”

They did not go away. They simply knocked again.

“Goddammit.” He huffed looking over towards the door. “We don’t need any towels! Thank you!”

His voice was raw and it was clearly up a higher octave than he usually spoke, so you couldn’t help but giggle as your hips moved.

“It’s Brian and Connor jackass! Andrew sent us to get you. You’re not answering your phone!”

“You have got to be kidding me.” You sighed.

“Go away! I’ll be there in an hour!”

“...Are you two banging in there?!”

“Brian I am going to kill you! Get out of here!”

“Shit, bro I think they’re actually banging.”

“Can we try and stay focused here?” You whined leaning your hand back on his thigh and giving a gentle rock of your hips.

He leaned up on his arm, the other coming to wrap gingerly around your waist.

“What you just wanna keep going?”

“I’ve had my orgasm already here, I’m simply wanting to reciprocate. It’s up to you.”

His eyes raked over your body once more before looking over hesitantly at the door. Then, before you could even realize what was happening, he was bucking upwards with his hips to get you to lie back on the bed. He immediately fell back between your thighs and settled on a rhythm that must be doing wonderful things for him if the sounds from his lips was anything to go off of.

“You feel so fucking good.” He grunted grinding against you in tight circles. “God I love you so much.”

“Show me.” You hummed teeth grazing his ear. “Show me how much.”

There’s a slight squeak in the bed as it rattles on its posts, and you can’t help but tighten your thighs around his hips in a desperate attempt to stave off this feeling he seems to be able to give you in abundance. His hands on your neck as his lips dominated your mouth. Those fucking hips that could create magic with every snap against the back of your thighs. How could he always make it feel so good? You thought you might never understand it.

“I’m gonna cum.” He whined biting down hard on your lips. “Fuck, I’m gonna cum.”

Your fingers turned to fists in his hair and you moved roughly at your hips to meet every one of his thrusts.

“Cum for me.” You whispered.

He thrust once, twice, three times, and then a fourth final lunge that had your bodies locking together in the most intimate way imaginable. When he filled you infinitely, his breath painting your sweaty neck, you fell in love all over again. He was everything in that moment. Everything.

Taglist: @kitykatnumber @lou-and-me​ @ourlittleshawnie @mutuallynotmutual @wanderingmendes @peacedolantwins2 @chels-nyc @@illloveyouforever1​ @justbeingoceana @grittyisathot @hayyitsfayy​ @claredolphinbear24​  @september-lace @grittyathot @literallyshawn @mchutchmendes @liliane106 @trappedinfairytales

[idk-mlb-is-reals-cute44]

MLB secret Santa fic for @clockworkgalaxies ! It wouldn’t all fit in one post, so... Part 2 to come! (Sorry it’s late!!!)

~••~

Marinette clenched her fists. Her nails drew blood.

Deep breaths, deep breaths, she chanted, chocking down tears in favor of a false smile.

She really didn’t have any reason to cry. It was a plot. A political strategy. It would hardly last a year if everything went to plan.

But yet, it was all Marinette could do to stifle a sob as she stood in front of Alya and Adrien.

“Congratulations,” she said, “On your engagement.”

~••~

Being a ladies’ maid was worlds away from working in the kitchens. The position was usually meant for a woman of noble birth, or at least someone on the upside of things.

Dirt-poor kitchen’s hands usually didn’t really fit the bill. But Marinette was Alya’s best friend, and Alya has insisted. Plus, it didn’t hurt that she was one of the four people who were in on the secret.

The fact that the future princess herself was a former kitchen’s hand as well (or so everyone believed) lessened the scandal of the whole affair. (No one knew that Alya was as rich as a duchess, and trained to kill.)

“Take this,” Alya said, “And this. And this.”

Three knives of varying sizes.

“What am I supposed to do with these?” Marinette asked, “I’m not a fighter.”

“I know,” Alya said, but it’s best to be prepared. Plus, you should probably learn to fight.”

“You’re gonna teach me?” Marinette raised an eyebrow.

“Are you doubting me?” Alya laughed.

“Last year? You tried to teach me how to do a cartwheel?”

“It is not my fault that you tumbled into the pig pen.”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Your tea, Miss Cesaire?”

“That’s so weird,” Marinette whispered as Alya opened the door, “Servents. Waiting on us!”

The butler handed over the tray.

“I also come bearing a message,” the butler said. “Your presence is requested at dinner in an hour. In the agreat Hall. King Gabriel suggests you wear the blue dress?”

“Can Marinette come as well?”

The butler gave Marinette a once over.

“I suppose,” he said, as if it pained him.

The door closed, and Marinette exploded.

“You can’t bring me!”

“Why not?”

“I’m a kitchen girl!”

“I am too.”

“Doesn’t count,” Marinette crossed her arms, “You’re, like, and Assassin or whatever. You can deal with royals. I’ll just royally embarrass myself.”

“Technically, right now I’m employed as a secret royal guard,” Alya corrected, “And you’re a dear. Everyone will love you, I promise.”

“I almost started crying this morning,” she tried again, “I can’t sit at the same table as Prince Adrien!”

“But how else you seduce him and steal him away from me?” Alya asked, batting her eyes.

Marinette turned red.

“Shut up!” she laughed/shrieked, throwing the nearest decorative pillow (of which there were too many) and Alya.

It missed.

By a foot.

“I’ll make an Assassin of you yet!” Alya declared. “Now, forwards! Next mission: my closet.”

~••~

The first conundrum that Marinette faced was figuring out which blue dress—Alya had twenty—the king had meant.

Marinette has often been praised with and eye for fashion, but she doubted it could match up to kind Gabriel’s famously specific taste.

When the dress was picked, Marinette has to figure out how to do Alya’s hair. Which, it turned out, she was atrocious at. Alya ended up doing her own hair, and then Marinette’s.

The most challenging part of the whole affair, though, were the heels Alya had insisted upon. (“If I have to walk in these torture devices, my best friend does too.”)

Marinette was infamously the clumsiest servant in the whole castle, which didn’t bode well for her chances of surviving the night without cracking her skull open.

When they finally made it down to the Great Hall, all eyes were on Alya. Marinette really didn’t mind, because it meant no one noticed when the lady in waiting behind her tripped on her own feet.

Alya And Marinette day at the right end of the table, within shouting distance of the royal family, but far enough away that Marinette wasn’t terrible afraid of vomiting from nerves (although the chance was till there).

Sitting on Marinette’s side (other that Alya) was a young man with shockingly blue hair (the dying of which must’ve cost a pretty penny). Everyone was dressed in lush fabrics and sparkling jewelry, which made Marinette’s love of designing sing, but which also made her feel terribly out of place.

No one was looking at her, though. She supposed she wasn’t influential enough to care about—which was probably a blessing in disguise. She had no idea how to engage in courtly conversation.

The king clapped twice, and the conversation dwindled to a whisper as the food was brought out.

It was terribly strange to be served by the same girl you used to wash laundry alongside, and shared a cot with 4 years ago.

“Thank you, Rose,” Marinette whispered. Rose smiled and patted her shoulder as she walked past.

“Hang in there,” Rose whispered.

Dinner thy night was not one thing, but five.

There were two different soups, a honey-glazed pig, lamb cooked with lemon and rosemary, and some sort of grilled fish. Marinette was used to making dishes like these, but not to being on the receiving end of them. Kitchen workers for stale-ish oatmeal for dinner, and sometimes the leftovers if they were lucky.

Marinette’s stomachs rumbled and her mouth watered.

The food seemed to be self serve, so she put a little of everything in her plate and was about to dig in when she notices there were four different spoons, two different forks and theee utensils of which the function was a mystery.

She elbowed Alya.

“Which fork?” She whispered.

“Second to the left for the meat, first for the fish, and the middle right spoon is for soup.”

“Thank you.”

The rest of the dinner went by in a blue, half spent staring at Pronce Adrien, and half spend trying not to spill food into her lap.”

By the time they ended up back in Alya’s room, it was far later than Aroneyte had though— the sky was terribly dark, the only light supplied by the moon. (Marinette set about to lighting some candles, which seemed the sort of thing a ladies’ maid should do.)

What a day.

~••~

Marinette woke up sprawled on the couch in Alya’s new room, totally disorientated.

“Today is our first day of secret battle training!” Alya announced, somehow already up and dressed, with a voice too chipper for the hour it was.

Rising early was a necessity for a servant. That didn’t mean Marinette had to do it with any cheer or poise.

“I will murder you and place a curse on your family line,” she mumbled sleepily.

“It’s cute that you think you can to that,” Alya said, “Now get up! Up! We’re going into the forest to teach you how to use a sword.”

“Do you actually have a death wish?” Marinette asked, pushing herself to a seat and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “I’m clumsy enough as it is. I might accidentally commit homicide if given weapons.”

“Up up up!” Alya chanted, grabbing the poor girl’s hands and pulling her off the coach, “Well make a proper royal guard if you yet!”

Marinette blearily stumbled into a simple dress, combed the kinks out of her hair to pull it into a ponytail( and splashed her face with water—which did nothing to wake her up.

“Curse in your firstborn,” Marinette mumbles as they walked down the many (many) stairs to the ground floor.

Marinette was used to traversing the castle by way of the cramped servants’ stairways and halls. It was jarring to hear her expensive brand new riding boots click against the marble of the main staircase, the float from room to room out in the open like someone to be admired, instead of someone to be hidden away until they were needed.

It was, frankly, the most intimidating experience Marinette had ever had—even more so than the time the infamously strict head cook had almost fired her for dropping the kicthen’s best soup pot and breaking the handle.

She and Alya had hardly stepped foot into the grassy palace grounds when Marinette was bowled over.

There was a lot of squeaking and flailing involved. (Weren’t ladies-in-waiting supposed to be graceful? Marinette quickly dismissed the though. Such a feat would be impossible for her to accomplish.)

She laid flat in her back, dazed and most likely a little bruised.

“Marinette!” Alya called our in concern.

“Oh jeez,” the man who had run into her said, sounding frantic as he crouched next to her, “I’m so terribly sorry, Miss!”

Marinette blinked and shook her head, coming back to her sciences. Blonde, she vaguely registered. Her eyes narrowed.

“You better be!” She knowcked away the hand he’d offered and got to her feet herself, “Why, the nerve—”

She chocked in her next words, finally realizing who she was talking to.

“Prince Adrien!” she squeaked (actually squeaked! How embarrassing!) and turned red. After that she had a hard time forming words—just stood there, mouth opening and closing soundlessly as her blush her to furiously mortifying levels.

“My friend accepts your apology,” Alya jumped in, brushing clumps of dirt from her best friend’s back and grass from her hair, “Although I must wonder, whatever is my fiancé doing, running around the grounds sweeping maidens off their feet?”

(She laughed at her own joke and winked and the prince.)

Adrien joined the club of People With Terribly Warm Faces and sheepishly held up the ball in this hand.

“I really am very, very sorry. I was playing football and not watching where I was going—are you alright?” He directed this question at Marinette, who made a sound like a fish out of water.

“Perfectly fine,” she gasped out, “No trouble at all, your Highness.”

Another man jogged up, with sweat-slicked skin, obviously the prince’s partner in sport.

“Sorry to interrupt,” the man said, “But you’re needed.”

He pointed back at another blond-haired beauty, decidedly much less exerted and much more impatient, tapping her foot aggressively.

The prince made a face, but his blinding smile returned as he gave the two girls one last look.

“You’re sure you’re alright?” he checked, one last time.

“Just dandy,” Marinette said.

Adrien nodded, and then started to jog away, but not before asking, “What did you say your name was?”

Marinette beamed.

“I didn’t. Marinette—Lady Marinette, at your service, Your Highness.”

“Marinette,” he said, “Hopedully next time we meet in better terms. Goodbye, and to you as well, Alya.”

And then he was off.

Marinette let out a dreamy sigh.

“We talked! He knows my name!”

Alya laughed.

“Nothing like crashing into your dear heart to wake you up in the morning, aye? Now, let’s be off! To the stables—and to the forest.”

Marinette groaned, good mood forgotten.

“Must we?” she tried.

“Yes,” Alya said, linking their arms and dragging Marinette along, “We really, really must. No getting out of this one!”

~••~

Marinette had seven bruises by the time they returned home—three from falling off her horse (twice) and the remaining four from hitting herself with her own (fake, thankfully) sword.

Alya had been immediately summoned to see the seamstress as soon as they set foot on palace grounds, leaving Marinette to find her own was to Alya’s room.

The sky was just beginning to darken, the air was crisp, and the bigs chirped okeasantly from the bushes. But the lovely afternoon’s calm was shattered by the sound of heavy sobs, coming from behind the biggest oak tree in the yard.

Marinette followed the sound, and behind the massive trunk found—

“Mylene?”

The girl in question hiccuped, trying to dry away her tears. Obviously startled to have been found, and embarrassed.

“M-Marinette? What’re you doing here?”

“Shhhh, shhh, it’s okay,” Marinette said, “Cry it all out.

She plopped next to Mylene on the grass, wrapping her arms around the girl’s shoulders. The two had often times sat together durning meals, although Marinette wasn’t quite sure if they were close enough for this.

Mylene returned the embrace, and cried in full force into Marinette’s shoulder—so, it seemed they were.

“What’s wrong?” Marinette questioned gently.

“Ivan,” Mylene said, sniffling, “I-I think he wants to break up with me.”

“Whatever would he want to do that? Mylene, he loves you.”

The couple were inseparable—always holding hands, giggling together. Whenever possible, they did their chores together, or side by side.

“He’s been distant lately. A-and, I think he’s got the eye for Sabrina.”

Marinette pulled back to look into her eyes s

“I promise you, he’s not,” she assured, “Really. Ivan would never do that to you. He cares for you like no one else I’ve ever seen.”

Mylene nodded, taking deep breaths.

“Y-you’re probably right.”

Marinette smiles.

“Do you want me to walk you back to our r—I mean, your rooms?”

Mylene shook her head.

“No,” she said quietly, “I think I’d like to be alone for a bit.”

Marinette gave her one last squeeze, and then left her in the company of the wind and the softly shaking branches.

Mylene’s weak smile and damp cheeks haunted her during he long walk up to Alya’s room.

Was something really going on with Ivan? She hoped not. They’d always been so adorable together.

A gasp was stolen from her lips as she stepped into the room.

On the table, a wrapped parcel, with a letter sitting on top of it addressed to—why, addressed to Marinette!

Lady Marinette,

A gift, to make up for this morning.

-Prince Adrien

In the parcel was a lovely set of hair ribbons, more colorful and nicer than anything Marinette had ever been given before. (Even her new ladies’ maid gowns were drab in comparison to their stunning red color and glittering gold detail.)

She fell back in the bed, kicking her feet up in fleeS he’d remembered her!

Alya came in, eyebrow raised.

“What’s all this about?”

Marinette shoves the letter in her face, shrieking in joy.

“Girl!” Alya screamed, “He totally likes you!”

Marinette his her red face in her hands, giggling erratically,

“He likes you, likes you, likes you!” Alya chanted in a sing-song voice.

All thoughts of Mylene were forgotten.

~••~

The breakfast of the next morning was an awful affair.

Not the food, that is. Marinette knew the head cook, and she worked tirelessly and dogilentlg. Even if the food was wildly over salted, Marinette would be impressed, because the only was she would let that slide in her Mitch’s was if she was half-dying and terribly delirious, and to be able to make food at all in that state would be quite a remarkable feat.

No, it wasn’t the food that made the breakfast so terrible, but the stares.

The effect had been quite dulled at dinner, because the night was new and it was dark, plus most people were at least a little bit tipsy from the wine. At breakfast, though, the first one Marinette had attended, her presence was starkly obtrusive in the bright morning light and sobrierity. A (former) kitchen’s hand, sitting at the table of the king!

No one said anything rude (to her face). But, the stares! The morning small talk was punctuated with gossipy whispers, subtly pointy fingers, and a growing sense of not-right-ness.

What is she doing here?

No one said it—they were too “well bred”— but Marinette itches for the meal to be over, although the eggs were fluffy and delightful.

Alya day to her right, laughing at something Marinette had missed whole overananlyzing the way she was chewing (was it proper enough?), dressed rather fashionably in a blue chiffon dress with darling lace details. (Which Marinette has picked out. Not to brag or anything.)

Marinette subtly (hopefully) elbowed her.

“Hmm?”

“Is it just me, or is everyone staring at me?” Marinette whispered.

“Don’t get a big head,” Alya teased.

“Not what I meant.”

Alya did a quick look around the room.

“Yes,” she sighed, “Everyone’s looking at you. But you know what they say: all press is good press.”

“What?”

“Never mind,” Alya elbowed Marinette back, “Just don’t worry about it too much. I know how you get. Really, everyone is going to love you.”

Marinette was skeptical, and it must have come across because Alya laughed (quietly) and shook her head, as if to say, “What am I going to do about her?”

Suddenly Marinette let out a squeak.

What a beautiful shade of green.

“What?”

“Prince Adrien looked at me!” Marinette said, perhaps too loudly if the eye rolls of most sitting near them had anything to say about it.

Alya snorted.

“Seriously, go talk to him,” Alya urged, “After breakfast. Do it!”

“N-no,” Marinette said, “Too embarrassing. Way too nerve-wracking. No way.”

“Suit yourself,” Alya said, shoving half a bread roll in her mouth.

~••~

“I might actually burst into tears,” Marinette said, “And if I don’t, then I’m sweating through the fabric of this dress—it’ll be ruined. I might do both. Alyaaaaaaaaa!”

“Chill!” Alya responded, “I’m the one about t be introduced as future queen, why are you nervous?”

Marinette’s answer was a series of frantic hand gestures.

“Eloquent,” Alya laughed. “Look, you don’t even have to say anything. You just have to stand next to me and look trustworthy while Adrien officially tells everyone I could easily ruin their livelihoods if I wanted—that is, we’re engaged.”

“How do you look trustworthy?” Marinette asked, “is crying trustworthy?”

“You’re not gonna cry, I promise, and—Woah!” Alya yelled as the carriage bumped over a large rock in the path.

It was just the two of them in the carriage, with everyone else either riding in the carriage behind them of riding on horseback.

Marinette hadn’t eaten much at lunch, due to the then-impending freakout that was now full-blown. Her stomachs was out for revenge as jr rumbled hungrily in protest of the lost meal.

“On the bright side,” Alya said, “Your parents bakery is a five minute walk from where we’re giving the whole speech-thing. You could visit them after. And maybe they’ll be in the crowd!”

“Don’t talk about the bakery,” Marinette moaned, “I’m actually starving.”

“You’re not actually starving Marine—”

“I am,” she interrupted, “I’m dying. I feel faint. Maybe I just shouldn’t go on stage.”

Alya laughed.

“No getting out of this one, friend-o,” she said, “I need moral support.”

“Fine,” Marinette relented, “I’ll do it for you. I still might start crying, though.”

The carriage jolted to a stop.

“We’re here,” the coachman announced.

“Finally!” Alya cried, practically leaping out the carriage door.

Marinette heard deep laughter.

“Free at last,” Prince Adrien agreed, greeting Alya.

Marinette took theee deep breaths (stay calm stay calm stay calm) before making to exit, trying to be graceful until she all but tumbled out. Which she would have been more miffed about if she hadn’t also accidentally catapulted herself into Adrien’s arms.

“Hi...” she said dreamily. (Which really means she sounded totally out of it and half asleep or delirious.)

Adrien continued to be dreamy until he say her back on her feet, patted her shoulders twice, and turned to Alya to say, with little to no enthusiasm, “We’ll be on in 15 minutes. Be ready.”

“I don’t think he could sound less excited if he tried,” Marinette said to Alya as they watched him (briskly) walk away, “Shpuld I be glad he’s not so taken with you or offended in your behalf?”

Alya shrugged.

“Business is business,” Alya declared, “I’m here to keep him safe. He doesn’t have to be excited about it.”

Marinette smolders

“Well,” she said, trying to brush out the wrinkles in her crumpled skirt, “At leafy I’ve found one upside to my clumsiness!”

“Seducing young men?” Alya teased.

Marinette blushes furiously.

“Don’t-Don’t say it like that!”

“Alright,” Alya relented, “Lets go find whereever we need to be to sit and look pretty while they try to convince everyone we’re harmless.

“Hey, I’m harmless!” Marinette protested as Alta dragged her down the road to where a crowd was gathered outside the village, “You’re the one who sleeps with four knives in her skirt!”

“Five,” Alya winked, “And don’t be so sure. I think you’re getting pretty good at assassin training.”

“Five knives,” Marinette whispered incredulously to herself as they reached the head of the royal guard—or so Marinette assumed, from the way everyone seemed to listen when he spoke.

“I recognize you,” Alya said, “You we’re playing ball with the prince.”

“And I recognize you,” the man said. “You’re the prince’s fiancé. Name’s Nino.”

He held out a hand.

“Alya,” she said as she shook it, “Although I’m sure you’ve heard.”

Nino looked questioningly towards Marinette.

“You can call me Marinette?” she said, trying to sound tough and cool (but most likely coming off as the opposite).

“Nice to meet you both,” Nino said.

“You as well,” Alya said, and smiled.

Marinette knee that smile! Alya’s “I’m definitely flirting with you” smile.

Marinette tried very hard to hide her evil gleeful grin.

“We came to ask where we need to be,” Alya forged on.

No, no! Marinette silently chanted, Strike up a conversation! Get ‘em, girl!

But instead, Nino directed them to a small, secluded tent to wait.

The walk over included lots of elbowing, and whispered, giggling teasing (and quite a lot of scoffing and “Am not!”s from Alya).

By the time they arrived at the tent it was practically time to go on. Alya reminded Marinette (again) that they’d probably not have to do anything besides wave at the crowd. (“But what if I trip and fall on my face or sprain my wrist while waving or-”)

And then the royal trumpeters we’re playing (what a job) and King Gabriel was walking into a hastily co stricter stage, followed by Adrien, Alya, Marinette, and then Nino was what seemed to be hundreds of guards.

The king started speaking (“Thank you all for coming out today...and the Prince, as you may have heard..of course, you’ll love her...”) but Marinette was more caught up in trying not to look panicked in front of the crowd that she nearly jumped out of her skin when he turned and looked her way.

Or rather, Alya’s.

“Here is the girl herself!” King Gabriel announced, “Future Princess Alya Cesaire!”

Marinette couldn’t help feel his smile looked fake. Something about how his teeth looked clenched and how you could see how he forced his eyebrows upwards as if he was projecting happiness rather than feeling it—

Marinette’s mental commentary was cut short when she noticed the prince, who had lagged behind at the back of the stage. Staring at her, open mouthed—and then subsequently realized she’d been talking out loud. (Although not quite loud enough for the audience to hear, thank the gods.)

She clapped both hands to her mouth, a panicked noise bubbling up from somewhere as she watched the prince watch her, practically paralyzed in fear.

The prince blinked in surprise, slowly composing himself (read: picking his jaw up from where he dropped it on the floor). He cleared his throat.

“You really believe that?” he slowly asked, turning to watch the crowd and speaking out of the corner if his mouth all sneaky-like.

“Your Highness, please forgive me,” Marinette said, copying him, “I spoke out of turn. It’s not my place to have an opinion on the king—or his smiles.”

“Sure, sure, not your place,” Adrien said, “But... do you believe it?”

Marinette sucked in a breath and held it. Speaking out against the king like this was treason. Treason!

But... there was no one else in earshot of their quiet tone. And Marinette refused to believe that someone with such gorgeous hair would ever send her to the dungeon.

So she let out her held breath and said, “I haven’t seen much of the king. Hardly know him enough to form a true opinion. But yes... I believe it.”

“Wow,” was all the prince said.

One second passed. Two.

“You’re not gonna get me arrested, are you?” Marinette finally said, all fast and panicked, “Because I swear I’m loyal to the kingdom, really, I would never—“

[thebestofallworlds]

Detention

Fandom: Harry Potter

Pairing: George Weasley x reader

Y/N= your name

Y/H= your house

F/F= favourite flower

Y/P= Your patronus

I am a part of Dumbledore’s Army. I believe Harry. You-Know-Who was back and I wanted to know how to fight if something were to go down. Plus that Umbridge bitch wasn’t teaching us anything. I was about to go into my N.E.W.Ts and wasn’t learning anything about the dark arts or how to protect myself. So I turned to Harry. 

When I over heard Hermione saying that there was going to be a secret meeting, I was all for it. If Hermione is saying that stuff, it’s got to be serious. So I signed up, thought it’d be fun, learn a few defensive spells here and there. Plus there was a certain ginger twin that I had a slight crush on, that I knew would sign up. It’s against the rules, so of course him and his brother would sign up.

So it’s now after the Christmas holidays. I decided to stay at the castle because my parents were going out of the country and I didn’t want to spend Christmas by myself in a lonely and quiet house. It was nice, I just spent a lot of time in the common room of Y/H reading books. It was nice to have a common room all to myself, just watching the snow fall outside of the castle, drinking hot chocolate by the warm fire. 

Christmas Da was really nice as well. Mum and Dad sent me some really nice presents. But there was a present from a secret admirer which confused me. It was a beautiful silver necklace with a pendant of F/F on it. I mean, I’d like to know who sent it but that will just be a question for another day.

Anyway, as I said it was now after Christmas and Hogwarts was alive again with students rushing through the corridors trying to make it to their classes on time. I just groan, I wish that I didn’t have to go to class, with Umbridge on her rampage the only thing I looked forward to now was Dumbledore’s Army meeting, which we have our first one later tonight. 

It’s also getting super risky. She’s like hired Draco Malfoy and his followers to be in her Inquisitorial Squad. This mainly meant that they now had permission to follow us everyone which was becoming really annoying. And she continues to make educational decrees which is ruining my year at Hogwarts. I hate her, and I know I’m not the only one.

I somehow make it through the day of classes. McGonagall seemed more on edge than usual, and Snape was just a dick in Potions. I make it back to my common room and go up to my dorm room to just sit and read and relax before going to the DA meeting. I’m excited to see everyone because it’s been a while since everyone seemed to leave Hogwarts for Christmas. The only two people I saw today were the Weasley twins, Fred and George, because we have some of the same classes together. 

As I make my way over to my bed I see a bouquet of my F/F lying on my pillow and in front of it a little note. Not gonna lie, it’s kind of getting creepy because I don’t know who’s giving me these gifts. It’s a nice gesture but if I just knew who it was it wouldn’t be so creepy. I touch the necklace that’s around my neck, I’ve been wearing it since Christmas and I would really like to know who gave it to me. After the initial shock I found a vase in one of the cupboards, filled it with waters and put the flowers in the vase, on my bed side table. 

Then I read the note.

Can’t wait to see you tonight at the meetings. I have to talk to you. Hope you enjoy the flowers

G xx

G? who the hell is G. I just let this thought go to the back of my head as I put the note in one of my pockets. I grab my book which is now next the vase of flowers and begin to read to pass the time before the DA meeting

After reading for a while I realise that it’s time for our DA meeting, which I’m super excited for. I feel as though I’ve actually made some really good friends during these meetings and we’re all learning the same things and our skills are getting better together. It’s just really nice for all of us to feel the same level of accomplishment as everyone else.

I find Luna at the end of the corridor and give her a small nod, as if questioning if she was ready and if there was anyone there watching us. She just motioned me to come closer to her, so I make my way quietly over to her and cautiously look around. When we’re both certain that no one is watching we run to the Room of Requirements, where our meetings are being held. Once in the room I look around to see everyone’s faces. The room is full of chatter as everyone is catching up on their Christmas Holidays as I just smile looking around the room. 

I hear my name being called and I turn around and see Hermione waving me over. I make my way across the room and give her a big hug. She’s like my little sister and I’ve really missed her over the holidays.

“That’s such a pretty necklace Y/N, did your mum and dad get it for you for Christmas?” Hermione asks as she observes my necklace.

“No, I don’t know who got it for me, but it’s just beautiful. I really wish I knew who did get it for me. I’d like to thank them for the gift.” I say. Hermione just nods and she goes on to tell me how her Christmas was. Out of the corner of my eye I see George Weasley, whose a few feet to the right of me talking with Fred and Neville, looking at me with a cute little boyish smile. It makes my heart flutter and I can feel my cheeks slowly burning up. I shift my attention back to Hermione before Harry calls for our attention, about to start the meeting. 

Patronuses. Today Harry is teaching us how to produce a patronus. Everyone is getting there, but I’m only getting little wisps of white coming out of my wand.

“Keep trying Y/N, you’ve almost got it. Think of a happier memory” Harry says walking past me checking on everyone else. I just huff and nod my head. It’s getting a little frustrating that I can’t produce a proper patronus. I try again, thinking of a specific Christmas with my parents when I opened a present that I had been asking for forever. Again all I got was little wisps. I feel someone brush my shoulder and I look up to George Weasley. He grabs my wand and holds it up a little higher.

“Come on Y/N, I know you can do it,” He says and I think again to another time. This time it’s when I got my Hogwarts letter. A stronger wisp came out of my wand but still not a proper patronus. I just huff and look down, feeling really angry with myself that I can’t do it.

George just chuckles and then leans down and whispers in my ear, “ya know, you could always think of me. By the way, that’s a beautiful necklace, the person that got it for you must be a tall ginger with a great interest in you,” and with that he walks away giving me a wink in the process. I just stand there stunned. So I do exactly what he says. I think of all the times we’ve been together, watching him from a far as he plays pranks on everyone, us during the meetings, me using stupefy during one of our duels making me the winning.

“Expecto Patronum” and suddenly there’s a glow of blue and Y/P comes out of your wand and makes its way around the room with everyone else’s patronus. I just stare wide eyed and look at George and I think he understands because he gives me a small smile, wink and a nod. 

Suddenly the room begins to shake, and stupid Umbridge explodes it open. Long story short, bloody Cho Chang ratted us out and now we all have detention because according to the stupid educational decrees she forbade the existence of any student organisation not approved by the High Inquisitor. 

A few days later and I was fed up with stupid detention. My hand burned. “I must not break rules” was scared into the back of my hand and I hate it. After this last session I hurried out of the great hall and ran to the Astronomy tower where I know no one will be because they’re too scared of being caught. Once I’ve reach there I just break down and cry. It’s been so hard these past few days. Dumbledore is gone, Umbridge is now headmistress and is going out of her way to make all of our lives hell. 

I’m so focused in my own thoughts that I don’t even hear foot steps making their way towards me. It’s only when I feel something brush against my shoulders that I jump. I look up and see George Weasley, a sad smile on his face looking at me. I try to wipe my eyes but every-time I do they just seem to get even wetter. George gets down to my level and wraps his arms around and I just cry into his shirt as he rubs my back and whispers soothing words into my ear until I calm down. He then grabs my scared hand and kisses it sweetly.

“The pain stops after a while, I’ve had so many detentions with that toad that mine don’t even hurt any more,” he says and I let out a teary laugh. He reaches up and wipes the last remaining tears that were falling down my cheeks.

“You sent me the necklace and the flowers didn’t you?” I ask and he just chuckles and nods his head.

“Sure did, I heard you one day telling Luna about your favourite flower, and I had developed quite the crush on you a few years ago but wasn’t quite sure on how to tell you. And Fred and Lee are exactly helpful, and I didn’t want to ask mum. So I bought the necklace for you for Christmas, which looks gorgeous on you by the way, and I was planning to tell you everything the other day, but Umbridge just had to ruin everything. What I guess I’m trying to say is that I really like you Y/N, like really, really like you. You don’t have to feel the same way but I just wanted to tell you before anything happened,” I just smile and look straight at him, wrap my hands around his neck and put my lips on his lips. His are soft and move perfectly with mine. I’m the first to break the kiss and I gasp for air. Then we both laugh, but like a proper laugh, one that hasn’t been heard since Umbridge started working here at Hogwarts and the fear of You-Know-Who’s rise to power began. 

“Now Y/N, would you like to go on a date with me, tomorrow, the Three Broomsticks?” George asks me, looking hopeful.

“On one condition,”

“Which is?”

“That I’m not a test subject for you and your brother’s Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes products,”

“Done.”

[heartavenged]

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT AVENGERS ENDGAME

SPOILERS.

Based on the amazing post by @saieras (21 things I loved about endgame), anything pushed by blockquotes (the little line on the left), and some of the titles, come directly from said post --DISCLAIMER -- and means I agree completely.

1. THE FIRST 20 MINUTES

Expectations? Chuck them out the window. They weren’t kidding when they said all promotional material came from the first 20 mins!!! I loved how they got right into the thick of things, cameras blazing, completely no nonsense. And CAROL omg. Also I did NOT expect Thanos’ death to be, Just Like That.

CAROL, again.

2. THE TIME JUMP

Very, very smart move. I liked everything about the time jump. It lets us view the event with a lens of a world shattered, a world that has had the chance to come to its senses and reel from the catastrophe.

3. TONY CONFRONTS STEVE

I have firmly been Team Iron Man since Civil War, and Tony is my favourite character (I am not okay), so suffice to say that I loved how, even weakened with malnourishment, he got in Steve’s face, and everything he said.

4. THE LANGS

Just. Every joke he made. Fantastic.But also I did not expect to shed my first tear at his and Cassie’s reunion. That was great.

5. DOMESTIC TONY

Tony and Morgan. Such a real, cute father-daughter relationship. ‘Mommy send me to rescue you’ and ‘Love you three thousand’ filled my heart with joy.

6. INTERN

Tony and Peter’s photo (...)  AND THAT PHOTO WAS HIS. In HIS HOUSE. FRAMED. I REALLY wish we got more but that moment was very powerful. Still, I was unsatisfied. I wanted Tony to cry. I wanted Morgan to also know about Peter. Basically I want more canonical proof of Irondad Spiderson. Like, listen, this is the one loss that haunts Tony to this day. Peter’s death was the kind of pain that made Tony terrified of going again, for fear of losing Morgan

7. THE NYC SCENE

ALL of it. From Tony the security guard, to him talking shit about his own deodorant, to him giving himself a cardiac arrest to cause a diversion and being like this is fine, nothing to see here. And Hulk vs stairs. And STEEB. OMG STEEB. “Hail Hydra.“ “I’ve got visuals on Loki.” “I can do this all da–“ “Yeah. I know. I know.“

“Bucky… Is… ALIVE“

And butt jokes. So many Steve buttjokes. I don’t ship stony, but that is the closest y’all will get to a stony suggestive scene.

ALSO LOKI just yeeting himself outta there. That’s ma boi!

8. FRIGGA AND THOR

Nuff said. Mama Frigga is the best.

9. TONY AND HOWARD

It’s really great how adorable Tony was throughout this scene. And… while Howard was NOT redeemed, it’s nice to know he did love his son. And it’s great that Tony got some closure.

10. PEGGY AND STEVE

Out of the Big Three’s scenes with their “significant past people”, this one was the least impactful for me, as they didn’t even talk, BUT in retrospect it set the scene for later perfectly.

Also because I don’t much care for Steve.

11. GAMORA

This is GREAT and showcases her character very well, who she really is despite who Thanos raised her to be.

True, the minute she realizes Thanos’ plan is to wipe out half the universe, she is so clearly appalled (I don’t think she really knew what he planned for after he gathered all stones), and immediately starts to reconsider her position on the whole thing.

12. CLINT AND NATASHA

Their friendship was on full display during this film. Their scenes. And how it was all platonic. The entire audience knew, as soon as they landed on Vormir, that one of them wasn’t going to make it.

- I knew it would be Natasha , though, Clint and his family, and Natasha and her whole “I need redemption, I’m still trying to be a better person” -

Back to the Vormir scene: it was amazing, and heartbreaking, the lengths they were willing to go to make sure they were the sacrifice, like, how they were willing to injure if it meant the other were alive at the end. Clint and Natasha were never my favourites (except around Avengers), but I will forever applaud Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner for their outstanding performance.

13. THE BIG THREE FIGHT THANOS

Thor’s lightning and Tony’s Iron Man tech combining to kick purple ass, all of three of them holding the titan back while the others tried to crawl out of the rubble. Still, the “big three fight” was mainly focused on Steve, in my opinion.

Like previously stated, I’m not a greeeat Steve fan, but even I have to admit that Mjölnir zapping to his hand at that precise moment was awesome. I cheered right along with everyone else. Which also justifies Thor grabbing it along from the past and possibly, maybe, most likely, leaving his past-self without it?

Anyways, cue tears at each shard of the shield.

14. THE ENTRANCE OF THE HEROES

If I was crying before, the moment that Sam hails Steve, and Shuri, Okoye and T’Challa walk through that first portal I was outright sobbing.

Words don’t do justice to the emotion I felt at seeing ALL my heroes assemble for the last time. At each new face I cried harder. They didn’t forget anyone and that made me so fucking happy. 

I felt as if I could climb into the screen and fight alongside them, I felt powerful enough and fired up enough to do it too. And that’s the magic of that scene, thank you cast and crew. Thank you MARVEL for the incredible build up, I thought it was worth it.

15. PETER AND TONY

How Peter goes straight for Tony and cute rambling mode is already turned on, but Tony can’t even speak, and just falls into the hug in a parallel of their “hug” in Infinity War.

“Oh, this is nice!”

The moment is essencial since Peter, and not really any of the other tens of trillions* that vanished in the snap, is the reason Tony embarks in the time travel venture, even when it could’ve cost him so much. So it validates his choice, besides his being, you know, a true hero.

16. CAROL’S ENTRANCE

I missed her in this movie. I mean, I thought she would be in almost every shot, but maybe that was just because I think she’s fantastic. Her entrance, tho.

“What are they shooting at?” “Something just entered the atmosphere”

And then blast! Singlehandedly destroying the mothership (Thanos’ looks so fucking offended and we can see any conviction of victory waning from his expression), and kicking some ass. Way to establish dominance early on girl!

I mean, I played with the idea of Infinity-War-Thor being equal to Carol, (and maybe, maybe, he could’ve come a close) but now? She’s so clearly in another level... No words except: goddess.

17. PETER IN THE BATTLE + CAROL

Instant kill mode

So proud of him. The way he flips in, and is instantly like Woah this is a Big Fight!!

“Hey Peter Parker. Got something for me?”

CAROL. CArol listen. You are his mom now. That’s how it works with that damn kid. (...) It be like that sometimes.

I don’t think Carol would ever be around enough for anything close to parental relationship (plus, May is Peter’s mom), but that boy will worship the hero-shit out of Captain Marvel.

18. MARVEL’S HEROINES

If my crying had eased a bit from the general assemble moment, I fucking cracked again here. They are so tough, and powerful, and beautiful.

As a woman, it was so damn empowering and important to see all of them up there, together, each with their own background and their own strengths. I love how we had all kinds of women - warriors, mothers, princesses, generals, wives, captains, businesswomen, scientists, girlfriends, assasins, friends, witches - and all of them fighters.

I also can’t wait for the gifset and the final still - it’s gonna be my background for about everything.

Also RESCUE. OMG. PEPP. And the battlefield fighting side by side with Tony.

19. TONY’S SEND OFF

His death. I was glad Pepper was the last one there, to tell him it’s okay, they’ll be fine, he can let go.

AND PETER. Peter was there, trying to talk to him, sobbing and breaking down. This is what I wanted, going in, if Tony were to die. And this is what I got. You just know this is going to haunt him in FFH.

And Tony himself. His immense sacrifice, the moment he knew what he had to do, the moment Strange held up that finger. One way. UGH.

Of course I knew Natasha wouldn’d be the only one to die, but damn, I’m still feeling the hole his amazing fictional character left/ is going to leave in my life. Literally the only one (Peter was of course safe with Far From Home around the corner) I didn’t want to die. I loved him before my heart was inflated with Stark-family feels.

The lake house was so peaceful and I loved how it showed that after all his trouble, his PTSD, Tony had found a home and a family (even if somethings haunted him).

The picture, and how devastated Peter is can only mean that between Homecoming and Infinity War they grew closer, which had always been what I wanted. But I wanted to see it! Fanfiction will have to continued to lull my pain, I guess.

Speaking of fanfiction, Harley being at the funeral is all the proof my little fanheart needs to claim they’ve not only been in contact through the years, but had a mentor/parental relationship as well.

The question for me now is: how well do the boys know each other?

20. AND FINALLY, TONY. RDJ.

Thank you. Beyond all words, Thank you.

This has been one hell of a ride.

FOREVER IRON MAN

[mybeautifuldecay]

Private Tutor. Chapter Fourteen: He Was In The Course Of Running Away From His Previous Life.

I’ve finally done a MASTER LIST for Private Tutor if you need to catch up <3 

As with every chapter in this story, here’s to @gotham-ruaidh my OL sister in so many ways. 

With her applications finally complete, Claire had taken to reordering the shelves in the medical section of the library over and over again until Ellen had succumbed to her extreme need for structure, and had left her alone with the books and a couple of dirty dusters. She’d already been accepted onto the foundation course; Joe had informed her only moments after she’d submitted the paperwork. But the Bachelor of Science medical course at the university was a little more complex. Too excited to wait until October to apply, Joe, Jamie and Claire had sat together until the long UCAS form had been successfully finished, paid for and the ‘send’ button clicked. Joe had then emailed his colleagues up at the university and that had been that.

“Would ye like a cup of tea, lass?” Ellen asked as Laoghaire hovered behind her, empty kettle in hand.

Claire had the libraries schematic for this particular section and she’d been singly working on ensuring that she stuck to it whilst making the ordering more effective. Anything to keep her mind and hands busy. The staff at The Mitchell, Ellen aside, had started taking bets on how long it would take before she tired and simply fell asleep on the large bean bags in the children's section.

“Claire?” Ellen reiterated, touching her lightly on the arm. “Tea?”

“Oh, sorry,” she said, one book in each hand as she turned towards Ellen, “I’m fine thanks.”

“I think ye need a break. I’m going to make everyone else one, will ye have a cup, Claire?” Laoghaire said kindly.

“Come on lass, Laoghaire’s right. Plus, yer taking our jobs from us, aye? If ye dinna have some tea wi’ us, we’ll think ye haven’t actually applied for a medical degree at all and have, instead, become dedicated to becoming a library hobbit.”

The joke broke Claire’s anxious organising and she laughed before nodding. “Sorry,” she sighed, placing the books on the closest table as she scratched her forehead, “I’m not trying to oust you all, I promise. It’s just being at home at the moment-”

“Sucks?” Laoghaire added, a shy smile breaking out across her face. Over the course of the last few weeks, Claire’s hours at the library had increased so much that both Geillis and Laoghaire now knew most of the story as to how she had come to be here - including Frank’s audacious affair. She had, however, decided to gloss over her growing affections for Jamie though she was sure they already had some clues about her feelings for him.

“Yes, I think sucks is a good descriptor.” She chuckled. “And I’d love a cup of tea, thank you.”

“Can I confess something to ye, Claire?” Ellen asked once Laoghaire had wandered off to put the kettle on for them all.

Claire allowed her smile to widen as she looked at Ellen’s abnormally shy demeanor. “Of course, should I be sitting?” She jested, leaning against the table to her left.

“Nah,” Ellen returned, “it isna that bad. I thought ye might have figured it out before this, but I’m no’ sure so I thought it was about time to tell ye. I’m Jamie’s mother. We’ve spoken, just me and him, nobody else, about ye...a lot.”

“Oh.” Claire said, dumfounded. She had noticed something in the early days, but as the whirlwind had swept her up, the debris of her past life colliding with Jamie and her newfound love of medicine, she’d become less perceptive. “So you know...about us?” She whispered as all of the pieces to the puzzle started to slot into place.

“Aye. But he didna tell me, I figured it out. When I asked him, outright ye ken, he told me what it was between the two of you. I dinna ken whether he’s told you an awful lot about us, his da and I, but when it was clear ye still didna know who I was. I thought I should tell ye.”

“I knew you looked familiar, the first time I saw Jamie after I’d met you something twigged in the back of my mind but I never put two and two together.”

“Ye’ve a lot going on, Claire, dinna worry about that. But there’s another reason I’m telling ye this now.”

Silence fell over them as Laoghaire returned with a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits for the pair. Placing them on the small table, she turned and scarpered away as fast as she’d appeared leaving the women alone once more.

“I come from a family similar to your own. I know what money looks like, what obligation looks like.”

“Your marriage was arranged?” Claire asked, shocked.

“Aye, but no’ my marriage to Brian Fraser.”

“You eloped?” Her voice was getting higher pitched as she realised the story Ellen was about to tell her, the main points of it at least.

“I know the archaic Scottish clan system was wiped out after the battle of Culloden, but, much like the English aristocracy, it continued despite that. My father was a powerful laird, he had all of our partners lined up -me and my brothers- since we were verra young. When I was sixteen he introduced me to Malcolm Grant, we had a rather large party at Leoch, where I grew up. Da invited a lot of the surrounding families. I spent the whole time trying to hide from Mal. He was lovely, dinna get me wrong, strong and bonnie looking fer a lad, but I didna love him.”

“What happened?” Claire returned, her attention captured by Ellen’s colourful storytelling. “How did you end up with Brian?”

“He was there that night. Him and the Frasers, his mam and da, they owned the land adjoining my da’s. I was actually hiding in a small cupboard.”

Claire snorted, some of the tea she’d just supped dribbling messily from her mouth as she wiped her lips. “A cupboard?”

“I was sixteen, lass,” Ellen quipped, laughing at Claire’s wide eyed stare, “and in a blind panic about being wed to a near-stranger. I waited until it all went quiet afore sneaking out of the house completely. We had a lovely garden at the time wi’ a large well manicured maze. I hid in the centre of it, certain that none of the guests would venture this far in the dark.”

“But they did? Brian did?” Claire said, interrupting as her excitement piqued.

Ellen giggled, a wee childish sound that warmed Claire’s heart. “Aye, he did. He saw me leave, he was the only one who even noticed me. It was love at first sight.”

“But you were sixteen, surely you weren’t due to be married until you were older?”

“Oh aye but that didn’t mean that Brian didna find any excuse to come around in the next couple of years. He bartered his way in by tutoring me through my Advanced Highers. In turn, I bodged my English exams so that mam and da thought I needed the help. To cut a long story short, just as my finals came up I got pregnant. We ran off to Gretna as soon as I kent. It was the best decision we’ve ever made.”

“I assume your parents were less than impressed.”

“That’s an understatement,” Ellen chuckled, “Brian’s da, though, he looked after us. He saw that we didna want for anything and he doted on Willie when he was born nine months later. That’s the only regret I have, and it isna because of my actions, but my brothers’ stubbornness.”

“How many brothers do you have?” Claire enquired.

“Two. Collum is the older Mackenzie, Dougal the younger. I was the middle child. The only errant one. I havena seen any of them since Brian and I wed, but that’s their decision and I would never turn them away should they ever want to reconcile wi’ us.”

“They didn’t even contact you when Willie was sick?” Claire exclaimed, her hand reaching out to hold Ellen’s as the two women smiled sadly at one another.

“No. They knew, Brian was adamant that they should, but their rigidity remained solid even as my son was dying.”

“I’m sorry, Ellen.”

“Don’t be. That’s no’ the point I was trying to make. What I’m trying to say, no’ so eloquently aye, is that no matter the hand yer dealt, you can always change yer fate. I did, when I marrit Brian and not Malcolm.”

“I suppose Jamie did too, when he came here instead of taking over Lallybroch.”

“Aye, yer right.” Ellen said, cocking her head to the side as she took Claire’s hand in her own and held on tight. “After Willie...died...we were all raw, as ye can imagine but Jamie idolised him. He gained a birthright but one he didna want without his brother. When he came to Glasgow he was in the course of running away from his previous life. He was aimless and lost. But Willie was there, looking out for him as he had done when he was alive. He met some of the doctors who’d cared for Willie during his treatment and he enrolled to university within months and was accepted. He forged his own path, as ye can, Claire.”

“Joe said something to me,” she said playing with the biscuit crumbs on the freshly emptied plate, “just as I was leaving his office. I hadn’t even thought about it that way until he mentioned it, but he said that powerful men don’t like to be upstaged. It was only later I figured out what he meant. He was talking about Frank and I, about our marriage. When we first met he said one of the things that attracted him to me was my wit and intelligence. He liked that I wasn’t the meek and obedient type, but then, after we were married, things changed. He was always the professor with the prestigious career. Joe was right, I think,” she sighed, “it wasn’t just because he wanted to start a family, I think he was worried that I’d do well as a doctor, he saw what it meant to me and how hard I was willing to work to make it happen, and he saw a future where I made more of a headway in my career than he might in his and he put a stop to it before it began.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time, Claire.” Ellen replied in solidarity, rubbing her arm gently as Claire let her head fall forwards slightly, her shoulders rising and falling as she shrugged off the disappointment. “Money talks, aye? I ken it better than ye know. My da, as ye now ken, and Frank’s da arena too far removed.”

With her story over, Ellen pulled Claire into a fierce hug, kissing her cheek as she let her go and stood back once more. “Whatever happens now, lass, I just want you to know that I’m always here for you. Ye have the inner strength to make yer own choices, you started wi’ that application form, but how it continues is down to you. I ken love when I see it and I’ve been watching ye and Jamie fall quietly for one another from my desk since ye arrived here. It was like watching myself all those years ago, rare and captivating.”

“He’s special,” Claire muttered, “I didn’t know until recently just how special and once Frank crushed my hopes of getting a quick divorce my heart broke. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I thought I’d finally found a way to free myself.”

“Nothing worth having in this world comes easy, Claire. Screw obligation and screw Frank. I dinna ken the man, but I know what makes the lad and I dinna care whether that’s too forward. He cares way too much for his fragile ego than you. He probably started off as attentive and doting, but circumstance often casts its oppressive shadow over those traits, deconstructing everything positive and replacing the man ye marrit wi’ a stranger. The fact that he cheated on ye wi’ a student and then tried to brush it off as an average occurrence proves as much.”

Taking a break from her soliloquy, Ellen gathered up the empty cups and plates, stacking them on the tray methodically. It was clear that she didn’t want to actively influence Claire but she was biased. She loved Jamie and watching him (and Claire) pine after one another made her feel powerless -  a feeling she hadn’t experienced since Willie got sick.

Seeing the sorrow fall across Ellen’s face, Claire swallowed back the huge lump that had been forming in her throat throughout their conversation.

“I’m not giving up, Ellen, not yet.” She whispered, renewed hope fueling her.

“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.” Ellen mumbled, quoting ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ as she winked at Claire, taking the dirty crockery and leaving her to process the mass of information she’d given her.

“I won’t,” she breathed, a myriad of Romeo and Juliet-esque scenarios running through her head as quiet surrounded her once more.

[timeoutforthee]

Like It or Not (Chapter 2)

Chapter 1

Read it on AO3

Summary: Logan, Patton, Roman, and Virgil are all struggling in their recovery. Their doctors, Thomas Sanders and Emile Picani think they can help each other out.

Aka Group Therapy AU

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of Eating Disorders and self-deprecating thoughts

Taglist: @itsausernamenotafobsong, @sea-blue-child, @iaminmultiplefandoms, @princeanxious, @uwillbeefoundtonight, @zaidiashipper, @arandompasserby, @levyredfox3 @echomist13

(Thank you guys so much I’m so excited people like this!!! Also, I know there’s a tagging glitch going around, so if you want to be untagged, just let me know!)

“I’m here for group therapy!” Patton chirps. His hands are shoved into his pockets, so no one can tell how badly they’re shaking.

The secretary says, “Of course, sweetie,” then pauses, “You’re about fifteen minutes early, though.”

“I just wanted to be the first one here!” So they don’t all turn and look at me when I go in. “So I can be the first to say hi to everyone!”

The woman smiles. “Well, the room isn’t being used, so you can go ahead and head back, sweetheart. It’s room number 203.”

“Thanks!” he says, turning down the hallway and throwing a wave over his shoulder.

There’s no one else there, just as he hoped. There’s a desk with a half circle of chairs around it.  and he chooses a random one to sit in. Only then, alone in the room, does he allow his smile to slip off his face as he slumps down in his chair.

Why? Why? Why couldn’t he have said no, this one time?

Because you’re weak. Do you really think they’ll want to be friends with you?

“Nope,” he says, out loud, “No, we’re not doing this, not now.”

Dr. Sanders had told him the previous week that they did, indeed, have enough interest to start the group. He had mentioned there would only be four, but it was enough. Patton actually relaxed at that. Less intimidation. And even though he had lied about his enthusiasm, he meant it when he said that he was always up to make new friends.

Any friends, any friends at all, please-

He looked up as he heard footsteps coming down the hallway and sat up a little straighter because slouching made rolls-

“Hey!” he greeted, smiling at the other patient who just walked in.

The guy turned to him, and he perked up even more, “Hey! We have the same glasses!”

“It would appear that way, yes,” the guy said, adjusting the frames in question, “Hello, my name is Logan.”

“Patton!” he narrows his eyes slightly, “Do I know you from somewhere?”

“It’s possible we go to school together, assuming we live close to this facility,” Logan says, stiffly, “I’ve been told I tend to blend in, so I doubt you would have noticed me, though.”

“Aw, I’m sure that’s not true!”

Logan shrugs, “It’s not an attack on my character, simply an observation. I don’t participate in any clubs or sports, have very few friends. School is, after all, a place of learning and I intend to use it for that purpose,” he paused, “Though I guess I do help out the librarian from time to time during lunch-”

“That’s it!” Patton cries, suddenly, “Mrs. Barber! I eat lunch in the library sometimes,” he frowns, “Wait, don’t you always wear a tie?”

He glances down at his black polo, “I, uh, I thought I might appear more approachable without it.” Even though he feels a like a little piece of him is missing.

“I’m sure no one will care,” he says as Logan takes a seat across from him. He hums noncommittally in response.

It’s only then that Patton allows himself to observe him closer, taking in smaller details that others probably don’t notice. Like the fact Logan’s watch hangs off his wrist, just a little bit, or the fact that his polo isn’t quite tight enough. Staring at him, Patton becomes even more aware of the way his thighs squish together in the chair.

Before he can go down that road any farther, he hears “Da dadada da…”

It takes him a second to place it as the tune goes on, then he remembers. Spongebob Squarepants.

“Tch!” a hand appears in the doorway.

Logan looks at him, completely lost. Patton shrugs. He’s had a few other therapists, before Thomas, but he’s pretty sure he’s never had this one. That’s confirmed a little later, when at a very dramatic part of the song he leans his head in, hair flopping to one side.

Wait, Logan thinks, Is his hair pink?

Song completed, he walks in, nonchalantly, and sits in the chair behind the desk, which is in between Patton and Logan.

“New patients, do you how do?”

“...what.”

“My name is Dr. Picani,” the therapist starts, not deterred, “We’re still waiting on two others, but I asked you two to come in a little earlier, since we haven’t formally met.”

“Hold on, I thought Dr. Sanders was leading these sessions,” Logan said.

“Ehhhh, we’ve been discussing who’d be the best fit, considering you two are patients of Thomas’s and the other two are mine. So, since this group was my idea, I figured we’d try this first, but Thomas will be here next week. You guys just let us know which makes you feel more comfortable. Speaking of comfort,” he pulls the chair from behind the desk to the front of it, so the chairs are a complete circle. He then pulls out a small figure and places on his desk.

“Hey, it’s Garnet!”

“Yeah!” Dr. Picani cries, “And Amethyst,” he pulls out another, “And Pearl!” and a third.

Logan is confused. Those are not gemstones, they are pastel women.

“I thought, since they’re such good friends, they’d inspire you guys a bit, plus this office is just so dull!”

“But I thought there were four of us?” Logan says.

“There are!”

“There are four of them, too,” Patton giggles.

Logan furrows his eyebrows, and looks at the desk again. He can definitely count to three. He is going to have to talk to Dr. Sanders about this.

“I’m heeeeere!” a voice sings, and a third guy steps into the office, his arms up in a ridiculous pose, “Roman Prince, at your service!”

“Hi Roman!” Dr. Picani says, “Have a seat.” He does, right next to Patton, “We can do the rest of the introductions when our fourth gets here.”

The fourth is exactly two minutes late, which Logan knows because he’s checked his watch every 30 seconds since the meeting was supposed to start. He’s about to say something when a hooded figure slinks into the meeting.

“Well, it’s about time!” Roman says, and his voice booms, “What took you so long?”

The fourth guy doesn’t say anything, instead sitting next to Logan and stretching his legs out in front of him. He tips his head back and closes his eyes.

“Hey, Sunshine, I’m talking to you!”

“Now, now,” Patton says, and Logan is shocked by how much he sounds like a dad, “Sometimes things happen. Right, kiddo?” It’s directed at the fourth member, but he doesn’t move.

“Awesome!” Dr. Picani says, pulling out his notebook, “Now that everyone’s here, we can begin. But, Virgil?” his voice gets a little louder at the end. The fourth-Virgil-opens one of his eyes and turns to him, “It might help if you take your headphones out.”

Virgil lets out a long sigh, but reaches up and pop two small earbuds out. He wraps them around his iPod before shoving it back into his pocket.

“Thank you! Now, you all know what you’re here for,” the four exchange weary looks, “For recovery and for support. This is a very safe, welcoming space. Now, what’s your favorite cartoon?”

There’s silence.

“What?” Logan asks.

“It’s the first session, guys! You have to be at least a little comfortable with each other before we can expect you to open up to each other.”

Logan presses his fingers to the bridge of his nose. Oh, yes, he definitely needed to talk to Dr. Sanders about this. This is not going to work.

“I do not watch cartoons-”

“I like Spongebob!” Patton says, “But, like, classic, good Spongebob. The newer ones have gone a liiiittle downhill.”

“Steven Universe,” Roman replies, “It truly has the most epic of battles. Though Ducktales has some very fascinating adventures. Oh! And Avatar: The Last Airbender!”

They turn to Virgil. He shrugs.

“I don’t watch cartoons, either.”

Logan watches Dr. Picani take some notes, and wonders what exactly could be so telling about cartoons.

Meanwhile, with his notepad safely angled away from his patients, he wrote “Virgil is a liar liar pants on fire because he said he doesn’t watch cartoons even though last week he had some very interesting things to say about Lapis Lazuli, his favorite character.”

“Neat! What about music?” He says, leaning forward.

“Well, I listen to the Steven Universe soundtrack, some musicals-ooh! Especially the Spongebob Musical-and the Campfire Song song on repeat.”

“Campfire song song?” Logan asks.

“Do you not listen to music either, specs?” Roman asks him.

Logan tries not to glare. We are approachable and we are making friends, he reminds himself.

“No, I do not,” his voice is still clipped, “If I need to listen to something for some reason, it’s usually a podcast.”

“Evanescence,” Virgil says and Roman scoffs, “What?”

“Could you be more stereotypical?”

“Sure,” he says before Dr. Picani can step in, “I could’ve said My Chemical Romance.”

“They’re your second favorite, I’m sure.”

“Third, actually. Under Fall Out Boy,” Roman scoffs again and Virgil glares, “What do you listen to then? High School Musical?”

Roman opens his mouth, but Patton cuts him off, “Hey! That’s where I know you from! You played Troy Bolton last year!”

Virgil smirks, and Roman rushes to say, “Or-or-or, you could know me from football our Freshmen year.”

“Wasn’t that our worst season?” Logan asks, “Also, you were definitely Troy. You were also the Prince in Cinderella.”

“So, Roman enjoys Theater,” Dr. Picani says, cutting off any arguing, “What do you guys do for fun?”

“Oh! I’m on the yearbook committee!” Patton says.

“Puzzles, and other activities that don’t involve other people, such as reading.”

“I’m learning guitar.”

“Hey! I can play ukulele!” Patton says.

“Oooh,” Virgil says, sarcastically, “We can be jam buds.”

His eyes grow wide just as Roman’s and Patton’s light up in recognition

“Hey, was that a reference-?”

“Next question, Emile,” Virgil cuts Patton off.

Dr. Picani finishes writing BUSTED! before saying, “Favorite characters? I need some ideas for figurines to bring in next time.”

Logan ponders a moment, then says “I suppose Baymax would be satisfactory.”

“Yeah!” Dr. Picani cheers, writing it down.

“Any prince of any disney movie, but especially Flynn Rider,” Roman says.

“Uh-ooh-uh, how about Tigger? Or Winnie the Pooh?”

“Stitch,” Virgil says, and the other three turn to him, “What? I can’t be a fan of Disney, too?”

“It just appears like you would reject everything pure and sweet in the world,” Roman says.

“Pure and sweet? Are we watching the same movies? Because they can get dark,” Virgil says.

“Wha-? Dr. Picani, are you hearing this, he is disgracing Disney!”

“Yeah, I wanna see where this is going,” his therapist says, leaning forward.

“Besides the obvious, like the metaphors for racism in Zootopia, or the abuse in-”

“I know, I know, everyone says Beauty and The Beast is about Stockholm Syndrome, but it’s really about a love that transcends outward appearance. Even the most beastly, hairy-” he stops when he notices Patton’s apprehensive stare and Logan’s side eye, “Okay, not the best example, but-”

“Actually, I was going to say the parental abuse in Tangled, but very good point. Even movies that aren’t supposed to have those themes do”

“Mmm, not really the best example, Stockholm Syndrome doesn’t exist, at least not in the way the media portrays it,” Dr. Picani points out, “Also, even if it was, Belle doesn’t present any of the symptoms.”

“Fine,” Virgil says, “We can still point out the lack of consent in older stories. The implication that you can get what you want by lying and deceiving people in Aladdin.”

“Oh, come on, he came clean in the end!”

“Yeah, after lying and deceiving-”

Were….were they really doing this? During therapy? Logan looked at Patton, who looked just as confused. Dr. Picani just looked entertained, though.

“Face it, Princey, your tales as old as time just aren’t as magical as you think they are.”

“How dare you!” Roman cries, “Also I am not Princey. I am Roman Prince.”

“Your last name is Prince? Oh, that is rich.”

“Oh, shoot,” Dr. Picani said, looking up from his notebook, “I completely forgot. Names. Those would be a good start. But, Roman Prince,” he takes a deep breath, “serious Picani ACTIVATE!” Logan and Patton jump slightly, “So, why don’t you tell us why you’re here and what you’re hoping to get out of this?”

“I, uh,” For the first time all session, Roman seems unsure, “I have...an eating disorder,” he winces, that’s what the group was for of course he did, “And I, I want to get better?” Nailed it.

He looked around, waiting for some sort of ridicule, but no one says anything. Not even Virgil.

Dr. Picani nods, and looks at Virgil.

“I’m Virgil McCloud, and I’m just generally a mess,” he pauses, “I’m here so I don’t hurt Emile’s feelings.”

“I’ll take it,” Dr. Picani looks at Logan.

“I am Logan Crofter, I’ve been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, and I’m here because my current therapist thought it would be beneficial for me.”

“And I’m Patton! Patton Hart! I...uh...I have bulimia, and I,” his voice suddenly drops to a whisper, “I just don’t want to be lonely anymore.”

He feels everyone’s eyes on him, and hunches in on himself self-consciously, wrapping his arms around his stomach.

So, Logan thinks, Someone else feels this way, too. He glances at Roman and Virgil and can see the same realization going across their faces. Patton was clearly the bravest of the four of them...objectively.

Out of the corner of his eye, Patton can see Dr. Picani nod, sympathetically, “Thank you for sharing that, Patton. I’m sure the other three feel similarly,” he closes his notebook, “Perhaps next time you all can dive into that with Dr. Sanders.”

[themusicenthusiast]

Thursday, April 18th, 2019 - Snow Patrol Doesn’t Give In to Technical Difficulties, Overcoming to Satisfy Dallas Fans at the Kickoff Show of the North American Leg of the Wildness Tour

Photos by Jordan Buford Photography The lengthy drought was finally coming to end for the residents of North Texas who were Snow Patrol fans. The headline tour the UK-based indie-rock/alt-rock outfit is currently in the midst of was precipitated by the release of Wildness (out via Polydor Records) nearly a year ago – Snow Patrol’s first new album in nearly seven full years. There was also the tour they did supporting Ed Sheeran’s North American tour last fall, though that provided their fans with but a meager taste of what they craved after Snow Patrol’s years long absence from the Lone Star State. That was all set to change on this Thursday night, the band finally bringing the Wildness Tour to North America – about half of the twenty-one dates already sold-out – with Dallas serving as the launching point for the trek. South Side Ballroom was hosting what was poised to be a spectacular night, the band having already toured extensively around  various parts of the world -- most recently South America -- ensuring they were in prime touring shape, while the break they got afforded them what was surely some much needed rest, allowing them to be in peak form for this next round of shows. While not sold-out, fans packed into the venue in droves, those lucky enough to arrive early getting treated to a delightful set from Ryan McMullan, while the trio that was We are Scientists put on an intense show, being thorough in warming up the sizable audience for whatever the band of the hour had prepared. What was interesting about the audience was how relatively diverse the makeup of it was. There were those who had likely been fans since Snow Patrol’s work became so acclaimed, circa the early to mid-2000s, while others in attendance had probably just been born around that time or shortly before. The single constant among the throng was how elated they all were to finally see Snow Patrol (again), their adoration for the group spilling over.

Several false starts excited the spectators that much more, the lights dimming a handful of times as the stage hands got everything in place, resulting in ample cheers and applause before disappointment set in as the lights illuminated everything once more. Then, at 9:38, it was officially on; a snowflake filling the screen at the back of the stage as drummer Jonny Quinn, bassist Paul Wilson, multi-instrumentalist Johnny McDaid and guitarist Nathan Connolly made their way on stage. Gary Lightbody completed things, the most boisterous fanfare having been saved for the frontman and guitarist who portrayed himself as being rather effervescent, kindly smiling and waving at everyone as he greeted them. It would have made sense that Wildness would be put on full display, allowing fans to experience much of that record in the live environment. However, after so many years away, most fans probably could have cared less about that, instead preferring to hear many of the classics they had missed so. Well aware of that, Snow Patrol opted for the more familiar for their first string of songs, beginning with “Take Back the City”. It was a striking opener on many fronts. For starters, taking the lyrics out of context, it felt like an appropriate welcome for them and to everyone. “I love this city tonight. I love this city always…” One got the sense that they had every intention of leaving their mark on the city; and it also highlighted the superb harmonies the band is capable of. On acoustic guitar duty for the moment, McDaid chimed in along with Connolly and Wilson, the three of them not only providing the backing vocals but also bolstering what Lightbody was doing as he paced around the stage, belting out a few of the lines in an incredibly impassioned manner.

Immediately electrifying, it was evident that Snow Patrol meant business. With that opening number one could feel the magic and compelling nature this music has, the past ten plus years since the release of A Hundred Million Suns having done nothing to diminish it; the intimate rapport with the audience being felt right away. Snow Patrol was there to entertain and deliver a memorable experience for all that had turned out, and they certainly got off on the right foot. That said, the first half of their set was plagued by some technical difficulties. It became more noticeable as they moved along; Lightbody spending a few moments fiddling with some of his equipment in hopes that it just required a simple fix, but to no avail. They handled it like the seasoned veterans they are, though, not even calling attention to it for a while, while the frontman never missed a beat, basically just shrugging it off and going about things as normal.

Prominent as the keys were during “Crack the Shutters”, that spellbinding love song boasted a robust rhythm section, Wilson really grooving to it as he strode around stage right, his movements seemingly calculative, as if he were waiting for the most opportune moment to strike. Indeed, he did as the track approached each crescendo. Upon finishing it Lightbody extended an official greeting to everyone, and also offered some insight to his appearance. Those closest to the stage had probably noticed he was lacking some shoes, instead just going barefoot. “…I’ve been wearing the same shoes for a year…” he remarked, adding that he wound up trashing them after they wrapped their South American tour. The lack of footwear seemed extra enjoyable to him. “Empress” was the first of a decent handful of cuts to be performed from Wildness; and given that it came after some older material, it was nice to see how it stacked up against those past works. This newest release is comprised of some of the most solid songs that Snow Patrol has produced, and even if there was a year’s long gap between albums, their signature sound wasn’t affected. “Empress” alone possesses that stellar indie-rock vibe that has proven to be a hallmark of the bands’ work, while also offering up a healthy serving of rock ‘n’ roll through the steady, pummeling percussion and the roaring guitars, both of which feel bolder than ever. That was particularly true when hearing that one live, the majestic scope of it being enthralling, while it simultaneously provided everyone with some serious rock.

If there was one positive to the trouble they were experiencing on stage, it was that it allowed Lightbody to conduct himself in a more natural manner, his affable demeanor leading one to appreciate the musician even more. He was handed a new guitar after that aforementioned song, laughing after having a quick chat with the tech that brought it to him. “So, I asked our guitar tech if this guitar was working, and he said, ‘You’ll find out in a minute’.” Even if he was dissatisfied with what was happening, he never seemed irritated by it, the quintet just going with the flow and taking things as they were. “This is a very appropriate song for this moment,” Lightbody quipped. “Don't give in. Don't you dare quit so easy…” he crooned as “Don't Give In” got underway, that more restrained number definitely taking on new meaning with the then current circumstances.

It didn’t go off without a hitch either, and again Lightbody just laughed it off. “This is the first night of the tour. Can you sense it?!” he asked afterwards, grinning and chuckling. He said it perfectly though when he stated that everybody was in it together, and that was, indeed, the shared mentality. “Open Your Eyes” capitalized on that. That cinematic masterpiece earned the strongest reaction from the spectators up to that point, especially as it hit its striking final minutes. Motioning with his hands, soon raising his arms into the air, Lightbody silently implored everyone to just let the music course through them and give themselves wholly to the song. They did, most of the crowd echoing along to that final refrain. A few minutes later Lightbody provided some backstory to this leg of the tour, noting they had been scheduled to fly into Dallas from Los Angeles the previous day, though bad weather had delayed that. “Bullshit!” one fan bellowed to that remark, referring to the severe weather that had been forecasted though never came to fruition. “There were, like, four hundred and fifty flights cancelled from LA…” the singer responded. “I was trying desperately to get here…” he added, joking that he was even considering one of Leonardo da Vinci's Flying Machines as a mode of transportation to Dallas. That daylong delay had resulted in them missing soundcheck for this show, Lightbody admitting that was the cause of so many of the problems they were having, owning that reason rather than passing things off on it.

Again, it shed light on who he really is and made him all the more likable. Pointing out a guy closer to the front, he declared it his job for the night to make the stone-faced gentleman smile. “You were dragged here?” Lightbody said as he briefly conversed with the man, realizing his job had just become that much more challenging. So, he did the only thing he could do: he dedicated the next song to the man. “I’m a time traveler from the future, and I met you and this song is about you,” he joked, using that as a segue into “Life on Earth”. Another song orchestrated on a grand scale, it allowed the spectators to fully appreciate the intricacies of Snow Patrol’s music. That was noticeable at every turn this night and it allowed the music to be so much more breathtaking, the way that Connolly, Wilson, McDaid and Quinn so artfully alternated between the more serene moments and the absolute precision they required to cutting loose and demonstrating the full extent of their musical prowess and how dynamic they can be.

That marked the end of the first half of their set, and before carrying on Lightbody swapped out some of his equipment, seeming assured that would remedy the issues and promising the next bit was “going to be great.” The difference was noticeable and immediate. The next number sounded so much clearer; every note, beat and word more pronounced, leading to an all-around lusher sound. It was Snow Patrol in all their glory; and while nothing had sounded bad up to then, it was evident that they firing on all cylinders at that point, eager and ready to make up for everything that they thought they had been lacking thus far. Seizing upon that newfound momentum, they even bridged a couple of the songs into the following one, further empowering themselves. Quinn and Wilson unleashed their full might on “Shut Your Eyes”, the rhythm section sounding surprisingly dominant on that one. Subtle as it was, one could even feel those sonorous notes shaking them; while “Heal Me” stood out as the most pleasantly surprising song of the night. It was self-described as being Lightbody’s favorite new song to perform live, he and his bandmates putting an exceptional amount of gusto into it. The recording itself is great, serving as another perfect example of how well Snow Patrol produces cinematic sounding pieces of work, but live it transcended that. That was present, though all the instruments sounded fiercer, a little rawer than what was captured in the studio, transforming “Heal Me” into a roaring beast that left everyone awed.

The best had been saved for last, those mesmerizing chords that begin “Chasing Cars” eliciting some deafening fanfare that was only outdone when the final line came around and was abruptly ceded to the crowd who didn’t miss a beat in collectively singing, “…Would you lie with me and just forget the world?” That song alone reinforced the staying power that music has, “Chasing Cars” being a song that everyone has surely heard before, even if they weren’t entirely sure who was responsible for it. It has aged exceptionally well over the last dozen plus years, still being a definitive piece of indie-rock (and a timeless one at that), the lyrics epitomizing just what an intimate and honest song should be; Lightbody’s emotional investment in his delivery of those words being unquestionable. “Take care of yourselves; we’ll see you again,” the singer stated as they moved along to the closing track of their 79-minute long set, which concluded in an exuberant fashion; the spectators getting to participate one more time as they sang and clapped along.

A few patrons took their leave at that point, no doubt wanting to beat the masses in getting out of the parking lot, which can be hectic to say the least. However, most were steadfast, certain that an encore was coming and eager to get the most out of this experience. While Snow Patrol did adhere to the routine that the encore has become, Lightbody didn’t hesitate to poke fun at it. Upon returning he joked about how typical an encore was of the arts and entertainment industry, laughing that the performers just go backstage and are like, “…Please, please like us!” he said in an exaggerated and desperate tone. Elaborating further, he even seemed keen on the idea on just playing every song in one setting, though acknowledged people would still wonder why there was no encore, so it’s better to just keep up the charade. McDaid was the only other member accompanying him for the first song of the 9-minute encore; the words “What if this is all the love you ever get?” filling the screen behind them.

The most bare-bones song of the night, it enraptured the audience in a way they hadn’t been at any other point. “What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get?” was another brilliant example of one of their songs transcending itself in the live environment, those lyrics that challenge one to reevaluate any relationship they’re in, to not take it for granted and embrace every aspect of it being exceptionally potent. A truly special moment, it was a pleasure to hear what is one of the best offerings from Wildness live; Connolly, Wilson and Quinn rounding things out for one last enchanting love song that felt like the perfect ending to their relatively brief but incredibly memorable time in Dallas. It may not have been the cleanest show of Snow Patrol’s career, but it was an awesome one nonetheless. You can’t fault a band for any technical difficulties that may occur, so all that is just beside the point. What isn’t beside the point is how resilient the five of them remained in the face of the obstacles that were suddenly thrown their way. I know I touched on that earlier, but it was still insightful to see how they handled it and wonderful that they didn’t let it affect them by getting flustered or upset. You just had to love them even more after witnessing that; and nothing ever sounded terrible out in the crowd.

The well curated set -- one comprised of some of the most stellar material they’ve churned out over their career -- they had planned helped in guaranteeing that everyone was transfixed with what they were playing, the overall structure of it having an excellent ebb and flow that took the listener on an emotional journey. It hit most if not all of the highlights and spanned a respectable amount of time, and while Snow Patrol made the wait fans had to endure well worth it, concertgoers leaving happy and content, it still seemed to pass too quickly, everyone already hungry for more. Hopefully they won’t have to wait as long between the next tour of North America. A significant voice in the indie-rock world for the better part of a couple decades now, Snow Patrol has managed to retain the high-profile spot they managed to position themselves in, and this performance just reinforced why they are still all too worthy of it. Some of the new stuff they played came across as being instant classics of theirs, while the smash hits and old favorites they had lined up were as marvelous now as they were upon first hearing them. Maybe even more so. It’s rare to find music that is capable of continuously impressing like that and that just speaks to how skilled this collective of musicians is when it comes to penning genuine, emotive music that connects with everyone. Something that resonates with the listener at their very core, and because of that, Snow Patrol evoked the quintessential concert experience this night, one where every soul in the building was unified by that music, feeling like they were part of something much bigger, even if it was for but a moment. This leg of Snow Patrol’s tour will run through May 21st, when it concludes at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA. Other notable stops include a performance at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. on April 26th; New York, NY’s Terminal 5 on April 30th; The Riviera Theatre in Chicago, IL on May 7th; and The Joint at Hard Rock in Las Vegas, NV on May 18th. A complete list of their tour schedule and additional info for each show can be found HERE; and be sure to check out Wildness in iTUNES or GOOGLE PLAY. Set List: 1) “Take Back the City” 2) “Chocolate” 3) “Crack the Shutters” 4) “Empress” 5) “Don't Give In” 6) “Open Your Eyes” 7) “Run” 8) “Life on Earth” 9) “Make This Go On Forever” 10) “Shut Your Eyes” 11) “Called Out in the Dark” 12) “Heal Me” 13) “Chasing Cars” 14) “You're All I Have” Encore 15) “What If This Is All the Love You Ever Get?” 16) “Just Say Yes” Note: ”The Lightning Strike (What If This Storm Ends?)” appeared on the set list though was not performed.