#then i did a show largely based on pirates myself | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

captmickey · 3 years ago

Text

Save A Founder, a Three Adventurers fanfic

Based on The Three Adventures and the Founder Threepwood AU, a what-if scenario if Link went to save Guybrush...

Can be read here on AO3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He snuck into the mansion in the dead of night after recognizing the monkey sigil on the outside. It took him some time as he found himself running around the massive buildings, avoiding any colonists or guards and getting confused where he was, but eventually he found what he was looking for. Admittedly, in comparison to the other mansions, it was not nearly as massive, but it was still large. He surveyed the building, trying to find an opening (since he figured going through the front door of the bullet-ridden and slightly burnt and collapsing building was going to warrant him a bullet or an arrow between his eyes) when he found a weak spot in the form of a window loosely open. Looking around to be sure no one was watching, Link grabbed the ledge and swiftly leaped inside the building, ducking from sight and counting to ten before moving forward.

The interior was fine, sans the broken vases, glass and discarded blades, but Link’s hands kept twitching, kept itching for the hilt of the sword as he tried listening carefully to his surroundings. He made it this far without being spotted and frankly had zero intent on being caught now.

Quietly moving, Link made his way to what he could only hope was Guybrush’s office based mainly on the papers strewn about the room. One paper in particular, one that did not look to have been cast aside, laid still at the desk. Curiosity got the best of him as the Hylian stepped closer, picking up the parchment with a letter of a meeting, signed with a sigil of an arm and a cutlass. He skimmed through it once, twice, three times before he heard a click from behind.

“You have five seconds to step away before I put a bullet in you.” An angry and tired British voice threatened.

Recognizing who it was, Link dropped the parchment and raised his arms up, showing no ill will. “Elaine?” He tried to turn his head but felt the nuzzle of the gun pressed up against the back of his head.

“Don’t move.” She hissed.

Link nodded, not wanting to press his luck exactly. “If you need me to prove it’s myself, I’ll be more than happy to oblige.”

A pause of silence lingered in the room “Right… turn around. Slowly.”

Once more, he nodded and turned around, his arms still up. He had to refrain from gasping as it had been far too long since he last saw her. The exhaustion in the form of bags under her eyes were obvious as that familiar light was gone, streaks of grey littered her red hair that was pulled in a loose bun. But more than anything, the one thing that grabbed Link’s attention was the anger that replaced the kindness he was so familiar with. But for a brief moment, for a sliver of a second, it came back as she barely lowered her gun.

“Link…?”

“Hi.” He gave a sheepish wave.

“What…” she clicked the safety back into place and stepped back, looking to be debating if this was real or not, “what in the seven hells are you doing here? More… more importantly, how are you here?”

“I followed some clues after thinking like a pirate and found this place. Was a fun challenge though.” Link tried to joke, to make light, but when he saw she wasn’t budging just cleared his throat. “Um, can I lower my arms now?”

She permitted with a nod, pocketing her weapon.

Doing as such, Link continued. “The truth is, I was looking for you all. Graham and I got worried when we hadn’t heard back from Guybrush and I decided to go find the man myself. Asked around and heard about a supposed Paradise, which then had me going across the globe as I followed the clues and, well, here I am.”

Elaine stared at him. “You came to rescue him?”

“Well, more like finding so I can yell at–” Link froze. “Wait. Rescue? Where’s Van Winslow? What’s going on?”

“I was on my way to rescue Guybrush… Winslow is on the ship ready to sail out.” Her eyes lowered, looking at the parchment on the floor with the arm and cutlass insignia. “We don’t have much time… but if you’re here to help, then I think we have a chance at saving him. Here’s what happened…”

—-

He hid in the foliage as the guards walked by, his fingers twitching ready to reach for the hilt of his blade should they look his way. Instead, he slowly exhaled, relieved that they marched on by, unaware of his presence as they continued to talk about a topic he was clearly unaware of, and made his way towards the largest mansion sitting at the top of the hill.

Link went over his loose idea of a plan in his head once more, trying to make sure he got what he wanted to do down pat that his body didn’t need to do more than to go off muscle memory: Get in, get Guybrush, get out. Simple, clean, and hopefully effective. This was the best case scenario of a plan should the room be empty and with no guards, because it would mean it would be a quiet and easy escape and if he was even more lucky, caught the pirate before anything more severe were to happen.

In the worst case…

He shivered. He didn’t want to think of the worst case scenario. If spotting that letter at Guybrush’s mansion, if anything Elaine told him and overhearing those guards in the kitchen were any indication, these poor Founders were about to meet an untimely demise. And one of them, to Link’s horror, was Guybrush.

No, he couldn’t let that happen. He refused to let that happen. The Hylian made two promises before he set off on his solo adventure. One was to find and rescue the missing prince, Alexander. The other was to bring back his friend. And while the former was proving to be more challenging than he initially thought (there were barely any clues or sightings of the young prince), finding Guybrush proved to be shockingly easier. And who knows, if he was extremely lucky, perhaps Alexander was on this island as well… but deep down he knew it was too much of a longshot, otherwise the pirate would have been back at Daventry, prince in hand.

But that was assuming the best case scenario.

Link shook his head and continued his trek through the hidden path, trying to get his thoughts quiet so as to focus on his surroundings. —- He hopped down from the window and quickly rushed to hide behind a pillar, hoping none of the guards spotted his entrance. He was thankful that they were, for the most part, oblivious to their surroundings as they continued to stay put… they were pirates through and through, he guessed as they talked about a pile of gold waiting for them. Guess you could never take the pirate out of the guard, he thought, keeping a close eye on them and waiting for them to move. If he had to guess where he was, and based on the guards standing there, he was only a room away from entering the dining hall. Where Guybrush was. He was so close that all he wanted to do was kick the door down and make his way in, but he knew that was a reckless plan. He had to be smart and patient about this.

However, when he realized that the two guards were not going to budge, he frowned and tried to think of a new way to the main dining hall.

Think, Link, think. He looked around the hallway, trying to see if there was perhaps another entrance in. He didn’t have the luxury of just standing around and wondering about a new plan, especially when he smelled something foul not too far away and heard muffled voices, slowly rising, slowly fading.

The clock was ticking and he needed to get moving, especially when the plan was under a fairly tight schedule. He dug into his bag, trying to see if he had anything that could help when he felt the hard exterior of the deku nut and pulled it out. The small seed was an effective weapon, as when it was tossed and the shell cracked, it released a blinding light, temporarily stunning the enemy and giving the throw a brief window to run in or attack. The drawback was that if the thrower didn’t cover their eyes, they could be stunned as well.

Link looked to the hallways at the bored but alert guards, rubbing his thumb on the seed’s shell. He could stun them, knock them out and run in. Or he could toss it and draw their attention away.

Both terrible plans as there were too many factors that could go against Link. But he furrowed his brow and gripped the seed.

It was going to have to do.

—-

Link slammed the door open, hand on the hilt of his blade as he was ready to strike when he saw the grand dining room. The equally grand table was littered with the bodies of other pirates, none of them moving, none of them reacting. But at the end of the table, reclined back, was the pirate that had the Hylian's heart drop.

He was barely breathing, his lips having turned into a slight shade of blue. ‘Corpse’ was the word that popped front and center as he watched Guybrush’s chest barely move, straining to get any air in.

Link knew that time was of the essence, that he couldn’t just sit and stare as Guybrush’s life was rapidly slipping away right before him and reached into his bag to pull out the small vial containing an antidote. It was a small amount compared to the chalices that laid about on the table. If the quantity of the poison was drunk compared to the vial, the antidote was not enough to heal his friend entirely, but it would be just enough to bring him back from the edge of death. And that’s what he needed. He needed Guybrush conscious enough to carry out back to the hidden ship.

Looking around to make sure that the room was truly safe from any guards, Link uncorked the vial and gently moved his hand behind Guybrush’s head. It was terrifying how heavy it was starting to feel but he pushed aside those bubbling worries and swiftly placed it against the pirate’s lips, tilting his head slowly so that he could properly drink it and not accidentally choke. The last thing he wanted to do was accidentally speed up Guybrush’s end by having him choke on the antidote while being poisoned from the inside out.

“C’mon…” Link muttered to himself, hoping that the effects would kick in sooner rather than later, he knew that potions and the such in Hyrule and Daventry were rather potent, more powerful than in most places but even still, it was never a guarantee it would work. He could only hope that whatever it was that was keeping an eye on Guybrush decided to be merciful to him instead of insisting on being cruel. Even hoping that the Goddesses were watching over and would offer their aid. With the vial emptied, Link tossed it to the side and carefully made sure that not a single drop was spilled or spat out, keeping his eyes on the pirate and listening to anything irregular pass his raspy breathing. He decided to count to ten before thinking of maybe pumping his chest, maybe to help expedite the antidote, but for now decided on holding Guybrush’s hand, giving it a small squeeze. “C’mon Guybrush, wake up…” he began pleading, “you can’t go down like this. Not here. C’mon…”

The sounds of heavy breathing slowly came to a crawl and Link felt his heart drop, rationale and faith went out the window as franticness took over the Hylian.

“No, no no no, c’mon!” Link pushed his hands over Guybrush’s chest. “You can’t go, not now, not when we’re so close to going home!” He began pushing his hands. “We can’t lose you too, get up!” He hated the sound of how terrified his own voice sounded, but the thought of losing his friend struck something fierce in his heart. “Get up… get up!” He knew the antidote was a fifty-fifty chance, he knew that the amount he had was probably not enough compared to the chalice, he knew finding Guybrush before the meeting was an absolute long shot, yet he could not let go of the off-chance that the pirate would make it, that against all odds Guybrush would beat Death yet again.

Link was chosen by the Goddesses, he was fated to be the Chosen Hero who would protect the people, act as the sword and shield for Hylia. He was told time and time again how his destiny was a selfless one, yet it was befriending the pirate that made him reconsider that blindly following what he was told wasn’t always everything. That sometimes it was perfectly fine to be selfish. And right now, at this very instance, Link so selfishly wanted Guybrush back. Ever since the end of their last adventure, Link found himself missing the pirate. He missed his quips, his sarcastic responses to serious situations, the way that he found some way to alleviate the crushing weight of everything using either his words or lending a shoulder. He did not want to say goodbye to that, not if he had the chance to save him. He refused to say goodbye.

He kept pushing, kept pleading, kept blinking back the burning sting in his eyes as Guybrush remained still. “Get up… wake up… please just wake up…!” Link begged, giving one final and powerful push against the pirate’s chest.

The Hylian fell back on the ground, startled as Guybrush let out a loud gasp before coughing violently, gripping onto the armrest of his chair as he kept hacking. Link blinked once, twice, before getting up quickly and grabbing onto Guybrush who still looked horribly frail. He moved his hand on Guybrush’s back, slamming as hard as he could against his spine as if the pirate was choking a good handful of times before Guybrush leaned over and let out whatever was in his system. It reeked and it took a lot out of the Hylian to not gag, but the sense of hope that had his body shake overpowered the disgust.

Guybrush leaned back against his chair, gasping for air as he tried to blink his eyes into focus while Link grabbed from his pouch a canteen filled with water, moving himself to help the pirate drink. He didn’t take a lot, in fact he spat it back out to the ground, but the pirate looked over at him, his eyes still distant and glazed over. It took him a minute, like he was trying to piece the name with the face before squinting his eyes. “...Link?”

There wasn’t any time for any of their usual wake up banter, not like how it was done in the past, but there was just enough time for Link to wrap his arms around Guybrush and hold him tight, unable to stop himself from shaking. “Y-yeah, yeah it’s me. It’s me.” He kept reassuring, his distant demeanor vanishing at the sound of hearing the pirate’s voice again after so long. “It’s me.” He rested his face in the crook of the pirate’s neck, ignoring the fact that he was at a table filled with dead pirates, former colleagues of Guybrush, relishing the fact that his friend was back and felt arms around him holding him fairly close, though not nearly as tight as his own hug.

“I don’t…” Guybrush struggled with his words, seeming to gasp for air. “Elaine…?”

Link pulled from the hug, as much as it pained him. “She’s fine. So is Winslow. I’ll explain everything but we need to leave.”

Guybrush looked at him confused with what he was saying and looked at the table before him. His eyes widened as he was able to put together quickly what had happened. “A… Avery… he–” Guybrush stopped and began coughing once more, leaning forward with each heavy cough. “Poison… he tried to…” Guybrush rasped.

He also tore down homes from what Link saw on his way here, but that was something the Hylian kept to himself, instead helping the pirate sit back up. “We can talk about it later, but we really need to move… Can you walk?” That was a dumb question, he thought, of course he can’t. He can barely speak, what makes him think he could walk? But he supposed that was just muscle memory that kicked in to ask. He saw Guybrush try to move himself, to try and stand, but quickly fell back into his seat, looking more like a puppet without its strings from the way his lanky arms flailed against the armrest. The pirate shook his head.

Tired blue eyes looked at him, the fog was still covering his sight, but at least he looked to recognize Link. “I can’t…” he tried speaking, “can’t leave…”

No… no no no, he came too far to give up now. Link frowned and bent down. “Yes you can, I’ll help. C’mon.”

He moved an arm around Guybrush’s waist while moving his other arm around Link’s shoulder. His ear twitched for the sounds of distant voices and footsteps, his stomach twisted in a fierce knot at the idea of fighting. It was easier to face the guards alone, he could take them down one by one with ease. It was significantly harder when he had a barely conscious pirate leaning their entire weight against him and unable to fend for himself. Guybrush, however, let out a tired and pained groan as Link tried to lift him, his legs truly not cooperating but the pirate wasn’t fighting back against the assistance either.

“Stop…” Guybrush moaned. “Link… stop…!”

“No can do, we need to go.” Link argued. He frowned when he felt Guybrush weakly tug away, trying to go back to that accursed seat. “Wha– we don’t have time–!”

“Move…!” With all of his strength, Guybrush shoved Link aside as the sound of a gun fired off, barely grazing the Hylian’s face as the bullet penetrated the wall in the back.

In that moment, in that instant, Link knew he was caught. The worst case scenario was in effect. Quickly turning around, Link looked at the bulking pirate with the smoking gun pointed his way. He could hear Guybrush’s raspy breath quickening while the pirate before him took another step closer with a hand on his hilt. Link, in turn, gripped the handle of his own blade, ready to draw it out.

The two locked eyes, staring each other down in silence. Link contemplated the various methods he could do against this potential foe: negotiation was out the window as the pirate fired at him, so all that was left was to render the man unconscious or to strike him down, then and there. Behind him, he heard Guybrush trying to sit up but failing.

“A… Avery… Avery, stop…” Guybrush weakly pleaded.

Link’s heart dropped to his stomach. Before him was none other than the monster of Libertalia Elaine had mentioned earlier. The one who tricked and encaptured pirates from all over with the grand delusion of a utopia. The one that, as he sees it, tried to kill his friend. “Henry Avery…” Link hissed under his breath.

“Aye, that’s me.” The pirate responded, almost proud. “The real question is…” he pulled back the safety, “who are you? And why are you reviving the dead?”

Something began bubbling in Link’s chest, it was more than determination or obligation… it was something else, something raw. The more he looked at Avery’s demeanor, the way he threw his weight around, the more Link wanted to see this titan fall. The word, shortly after, began to flash in his mind what that bubbling feeling was: Rage.

Staying silent, Link drew his blade and fell into position, anger burning in his eyes as he stared the pirate down. He was leaving Libertalia, and he was leaving with Guybrush. Alive. Whether this monster liked it or not.

And the only way to do that was to aim the gun at himself, away from Guybrush.

Link reached for a plate on the table and tossed it at Avery who predictably shot it, watching it shatter into a thousand pieces. And that made the gun unusable as it was out of bullets. He charged at the pirate, his sword ready and struck the pirate, quickly blocking as Avery drew out his own blade and swung it at him. The two swung a few more times but each hit was met with another block, another hard spark. He knew Guybrush to be one of the best fighters he had the honor of sparring with, but he had no idea that Avery would be just as capable as with each strike, the pirate would block.

Eventually realizing the striking strongly was not getting him anywhere, Link shifted himself to try and swing from below upward, which was enough to have Avery stumble backwards, startled for a brief moment before swinging the butt of the gun into Link’s head hard enough to fall on the floor and see the room spinning. It definitely did not help when he felt a sharp blow to his face that came in the form of Henry Avery’s boot. He hardly had time to block the incoming pistol, let alone kick, but he was still conscious enough to scream at himself to get up, to grip his sword and strike.

Tossing the gun to the side, he saw Avery pull out a second pistol, hearing the telltale click of the safety. He watched in horror as the pirate aimed it at Guybrush, who could still barely move, point blank. The room was a spinning whirlwind and all he wanted to do was close his eyes, but he knew if he did that, if he hesitated for another second, neither of them would be leaving alive.

Link stumbled himself into standing up, trying to push down the growing nausea he was feeling, and let instinct take over. And that instinct screamed to protect Guybrush at all costs.

He charged as fast as he could towards Avery, tackling the pirate off kilter and grabbing his arm, aiming it upward and forcing him to fire his gun to the ceiling.

“You pathetic excuse of a brat!” Avery shouted, backhanding the Hylian off of him and to the ground, he aimed his gun at him and clicked the safety off. “See you in hell.”

The Hylian glared bitterly, when suddenly he heard a voice break through.

“You first.”

The sound of another gun firing off rang the room, the shot having forced the pistol out of Avery’s hand and clatter to the floor. Avery gripped his wrist, cursing a storm as Link turned his head and saw in the entry Elaine standing there, a smoking gun in one hand and a cutlass in the other.

“Elaine!” He gasped and stood up, the room still spinning but at least there was help.

“Get your sword!” She ordered, her eyes not once moving from the pirate.

“What, no chance for mercy?” Avery mocked, his sword aimed at her. “Isn’t that the idiotic ideology your husband kept spewing?”

“From the looks of it in this room, to give you that would be an insult to the ten here.” She hissed. “No, the only way you’re leaving this room is as a corpse.”

Link tried to push himself to grab his sword, tried moving away from being in the cross center of their weapons. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Guybrush moving his arm, reaching for something but the massive seat made it impossible for Link to see what he was grabbing.

“I always knew that you were what made him weak. He would have been the greatest pirate were it not for you.”

“You would have killed him regardless of me as you have so easily slayed your brethren so spare me your meaningless words and your breath and perish like the vermin you are.”

“I would have given them Paradise had they not betrayed me.” He snarled.

“How dare you speak more lies over their corpses.” She threatened.

“You know what you are, woman? You’re just like your pathetic husband. A nothing. A nobody. A leeching, lying, manipulative, thieving whor–” Avery stopped and let out a loud scream and Link looked over, noticing the knife that was plunged into the pirate’s back.

For a moment, for a sliver of a second, the look in Guybrush’s eyes was not the usual rational one he was so familiar with… instead it was replaced with something raw. Something feral. And it scared him to his very core.

“For God and Liberty, you bastard…!” Guybrush said, his words sounding almost hollow.

With one hand, Avery struck the hilt of the blade against Guybrush to get the pirate off of him, rendering the blond unconscious in his seat as he tried gripping his wound. “You bastard…! You thieving traitorous bastard!” He raised his sword and aimed it at the unconscious pirate.

Time slowed down as Link grabbed his sword, charging as fast as he could towards Avery and barely able to deflect the attack against his friend.

“You stay out of this, you unholy abomination!” Avery hissed. “You have nothing to do with this land!”

“I don’t, but I won’t stand by idly and watch.” Link raised his blade, standing between Guybrush and Avery. “I’m ending this.”

Before Avery could speak, before he could retort, Link charged and began striking at Avery, some strikes landing, some deflected, but the more he fought, the more he pushed the pirate away from Guybrush. The two kept going, blow after blow, until sparks were all that could be seen with each strike. He wanted to end this, to finish this once and for all, but for Avery to match his every hit and with the room spiraling, it was proving to be impossible.

The Goddesses must have shown their love as soon Elaine came charging in with her own sword, helping Link fight against Avery. Each strike was being met into the monster more and more, deeper and deeper. It looked closer to that of a dance with the way the two of them moved around Avery in a whirlwind of blades until finally, eventually, they both struck him down from the front and from the back. He collapsed to let out a choked garble… his venomous words caught in his dying throat as he looked over at them. Link’s ear twitched as he heard a gun click, turning over and saw Guybrush gripping the table, barely standing and brandishing Avery’s abandoned pistol in his hand. He shouldn’t be moving, he shouldn’t be able to, but Link could only watch as Guybrush, who had hatred in his eyes, aimed the gun at Avery.

“Send… the Founders my regards…” Guybrush condemned.

“Traitorous thief.” Avery spat.

The room rang loudly as Guybrush pulled the trigger and the once leader of the Founder fell to the ground, lifeless. Link couldn’t help but jump… he grew to hate the sounds of gunfire, but he looked and saw Guybrush back in the seat, the smoking gun barely held in his hand. He made a run for the pirate with Elaine by his side, noticing his head lolling to the side.

Link gently shook the blond. “H-hey, you still with us?”

He let out a tired groan, but opened his eyes to look at the two. Guybrush barely shrugged before closing his eyes again.

“Guybrush?” Elaine brushed back a strand of his hair, taking the gun out of his hand. “Link, what happened?”

“Avery poisoned him. I-I gave him an antidote but it’s not enough. He needs help. Proper help.” Link looked at her. “Help me carry him.” He sheathed his sword, scooping his arms once more to help the pirate up again.

“Right, up we go.” She moved her arms, helping the pirate finally stand.

He hated seeing how Guybrush’s head hung low, but even the small grunts and moans was enough for the Hylian to know that he was still here. Still alive.

The three of them began to move, with Elaine and Link doing most of the walking as Guybrush was just barely able to lift his feet up. They walked past the corpse of Henry Avery, stopping for a moment to look at the lifeless look in his eyes…

“For God and Liberty.” Elaine spat.

Link’s ears twitched as he heard the sounds of footsteps and distant voices, looking at Elaine. “They’re coming–”

“Don’t worry, this way. I cleared the path for us.” She said, guiding them out of the forsaken mansion. “Winslow is waiting for us.”

—-

Link sat at the steps by the throne, his gaze being at the floor thinking of everything that had happened. It was all a blur on how he got from Thomas Tew’s mansion to Graham’s castle honestly. But he knew that if it weren’t for Elaine helping clear the path, weren’t for the fact that Winslow made sure any of Tew’s or Avery’s men were gunned down and away from the ship, weren’t for the fact that Graham swung the doors to his castle wide open simply because Daventry was closer than Hyrule… he would have seen an end alongside Guybrush right then and there in Libertalia.

But even with knowing all that, whether or not his antidote fully worked was still an enigma. Guybrush was breathing on the journey here, true, but he did not wake once. And that worried him… worried Elaine.

If only he was faster or arrived sooner, maybe he could have prevented the pirate from ever drinking from the chalice– no. Stop. He rubbed his face, trying to stop thinking about the what ifs. It didn’t help anyone, especially himself.

The door opened and Link looked up, spotting the now king of Daventry walk over to him, rubbing his eyes. Link immediately stood up, ready to rush over.

“H-how is he? Is he okay? Is–”

“Guybrush is fine… don’t worry. Did you reach out to Zelda?” Graham then asked, putting a hand on the Hylian and sitting him back down on the steps and joining him.

“I– yeah, I did. She should get word soon that I’m here.” Link shook his head.

“Okay, that’s good.” The king nodded. “You um… haven’t been sleeping.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you’ve been up since you came back.”

“No I…” Link saw Graham raise a brow at him. “Well, maybe, but so has Elaine and Winslow.”

“Eh… not true.” Graham shrugged. “They’re finally asleep. Granted, in the same room where Guybrush is, but they looked to be at ease once they realized he’ll be alright.” He paused. “Physically, anyways.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Link, what happened back there? Elaine started talking about it but she keeps stopping… and I don’t want to push her on the subject. Not when it’s raw. But I need–” he put a hand on his arm, “I want to know what happened.”

Link ran a hand through his hair, taking a breath. “You said he’s okay? He’s going to be fine? You’re certain?”

“Yes. The doctors gave him the proper medicine and herbs after what you and Elaine explained and he should be fine after some proper sleep. They’re going to keep a close eye on him and see if there are any changes with him, but for now… for now he’s fine.” He gave a small smile. “I have Kyle and Larry on guard to let me know when he’s awake so we can go see him together.”

Link stared at him for a moment before looking away. “Remember how I said that something was wrong with the last letter Guybrush sent? Turns out I was right. I should have gone right after that letter, and thankfully, I was lucky to have found him as it happened.” If Graham was this calm, this rational, then perhaps Guybrush was truly okay. And if so… it never hurt to share, he figured. Besides, he distinctly recalled Guybrush critiquing him in the past that his storytelling was terrible since he never started from the beginning. He took a breath. “It started when I heard of pirates talking about Paradise…”

He wasn’t sure how long he was telling the tale, but Graham never stopped him once. His attention was undivided which made the Hylian feel guilty since he was keeping the king’s attention away from the kingdom… away from the search for his own missing son. But he would be lying if he didn’t admit that telling the story, getting it off of his chest, felt good.

“After that… we rushed our way to Winslow, we looked at the map and found Daventry to be closer than Hyrule. Which, again, thank you for taking us… taking them in like that.”

Graham looked taken aback. “Like I was going to close the door on you all. I’ve said before in the past that the doors to Daventry are always welcome. To both you and Guybrush.”

Just then, the door opened and Larry rushed in, taking a breath.

“Larry? What’s wrong?” Graham asked, on guard and bracing himself.

“Sire– Graham, he’s awake. Guybrush is awake and talking… Mrs. Threepwood is asking for the two of you.”

The two looked at one another for a moment, taking in the news. But quickly with no hesitations, the two stood up, and without having to talk, without having to plan, the two ran out of the throne room to where Guybrush was residing.

They had a lot to catch up on.

#mickey writes #the three adventurers #founder threepwood au

10 notes · View notes

bring-it-all-down · 3 years ago

Text

When thinking about Eleanor Guthrie, I am continuously reminded of Audre Lorde’s essay, “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master’s House,” which she gave at a 1984 NYU conference on feminism. She notes in this essay that, though she was asked to be part of this conference, she is speaking on a largely white panel and to a largely white audience of liberal, feminist academic women. As a critique of white feminist academia, she states:

Those of us who stand outside the circle of this society's definition of acceptable women; those of us who have been forged in the crucibles of difference -- those of us who are poor, who are lesbians, who are Black, who are older -- know that survival is not an academic skill. It is learning how to take our differences and make them strengths. For the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change. And this fact is only threatening to those women who still define the master's house as their only source of support.

This quotation, I think, perfectly summarizes Eleanor’s role in Black Sails.

The show immediately makes clear to us that Eleanor is different from the typical notion of “woman” that existed at the time, differentiating herself in terms of both gender presentation and sexuality. Her clothing occupies a space between masculine and feminine, matching her approach to wielding power. Because she is a woman, she has to constantly worry about men taking her power seriously, and she uses whatever tools she possesses to hang on to this power. When appropriate, she wields this authority in the same way as a man would: she reminds pirates time and again that she controls their economic security, and should they cross her, she has the power to cut them off entirely.

Because of her womanness, though, this assertion of power is not enough. It would fall apart if she didn’t continuously reinforce it with her sexuality. Indeed, it is only through getting Charles Vane to fall in love with her and thereby betray his mentor and father figure, Edward Teach, that Eleanor is able to obtain power in the first place. She returns to this trick time and again: whenever she is in trouble, she has sex with Vane to convince him to give her what she wants. He is the necessary male authority cementing her power. She eventually comes to do the same thing with Woodes Rogers, though she actually claims to love him.

The problem with Eleanor is that, in order for her authority to exist, she must in some way tether herself to the established order of civilization. Thus, the end for this type of authority is always subservience to society. There is always a time limit to this power, and it will always result in becoming the wife of the governor, in donning the dress and manners of civilization and in thereby allowing that initial level of authority to be worn away until it does not exist anymore.

Tied to this problem is that Eleanor only wants power for power’s sake. She wants to control Nassau because she thinks she is owed it due to being the daughter of its governor. In other words, she wants to be exactly like the male authority figures of England, only a woman; she constantly worries about her father’s return because he will supplant her rule, but she rests heavily on her last name as her claim to rule in the first place. There are no principles behind her rule, no greater efforts to advance women as a whole. It is an entirely selfish venture inspired by the very customs of civilization she believes from which she exists separately.

Her claim to authority, then, rests solely on her whiteness. She fails time and again to understand that assimilation is not liberation. She fails to liberate Max, the woman she supposedly loves, because leaving Nassau behind would cut her off from her power. In season 4, when she and Max reflect on that moment in season 1, Eleanor tells her, “I was so close to saying yes…[but] I had put so much of myself into this place, in that moment, I honestly didn't know where I ended and it began. There may be ways of severing oneself in that way...sacrificing one part to save the other. But in that moment...I honestly couldn't find something sharp enough to make the cut” (4.04). When Max asks her what would have been enough, she doesn’t answer, because nothing would have been enough to make that cut. For Eleanor, whatever relationships she has will always be secondary to her quest for power, and so she constantly justifies the harm she causes others, particularly the Black people to whom she is closest, on the basis of her quest for power being good and right.

This fact is made clearer in Eleanor’s conversation with Flint while he is imprisoned. After he tells her that Madi and the Maroon Queen are alive, Eleanor becomes angry over the fact that Mr. Scott would hide this knowledge from her. She says that the power she obtained was always done so “with a man behind me doing his damnedest to bend it all to his benefit. My father, Scott, Charles, you. So many goddamn men here. Too many goddamn men here” (4.05). To her, Mr. Scott is just like every other man, exerting his patriarchal control over her. There is no acknowledgement on her part that she and her family had enslaved him and thus he did not owe her any sort of allegiance or trust.

By the time Madi confronts her with the truth–– “My father didn't mistrust Flint. My father mistrusted all of you”––it is too late for Eleanor (4.06). For her entire life, she has obsessed over the fact that her womanness differentiated her from everyone around her and has not once stopped to think about how her whiteness supersedes all of those gender-based differences. She has staked her claim to authority on the perpetuation of the white supremacist system: using her last name, tying her control of Nassau to the continuation of its plantations, betraying everyone who questioned her claim to authority, sacrificing Max and Mr. Scott and Madi whenever doing so suited her.

Thus, the very thing she attempted to prevent––a second Rosario Raid––is what ends up killing her. Through her efforts to attach her legitimacy to the white supremacist, cisheteropatriarchy that is civilization, she sows the seeds of her own destruction, as well as the destruction of those she supposedly cares for. Her use of her master’s tools results only in building yet another house for her master while leaving everyone else homeless.

#black sails #eleanor guthrie #white feminism will never save you #Madi and Eleanor being mirrors of each other is so fascinating for endless reasons #One such reason is that Madi intentionally doesn't have a last name while Eleanor clings to hers until she marries Woodes Rogers

78 notes · View notes

captainkurosolaire · 3 years ago

Text

Things I Like RP Partners to Know

I like to be called: Captain, Kuro, Zach, Degenerate, w/e. I'm typically not nerved by really anything, mostly chill. (Went in-depth and tagged below cut)

One thing you should know about me: I really just write for passion anymore, I don't care about this whole Post+ stuff, it won't play a factor in me. Tumblr has really everything that allows me to write and further myself. However, it ever goes away, even if becomes Myspace 2.0, I'll probably still maintain writing here off and on in spurts. --Now if they shut-down, I might convert over somewhere that's identical, cause Twitter couldn't handle my girth. I'm mildly autistic and suffer from a few other conflicting health aliments, writing is my obsessiveness and remedy. Used to be gaming, but I became less of a gamer, and replaced it more for writing cause It's a place where I can contain and throw all my thought's to usage. My mind overlaps with so much thing's at once, I get side-tracked, misplacement, my concentration shifts horribly, before I know it, I haven't slept for twenty-four hours or more. Lot of stuff is just me being redundant by fault. Or I become overwhelmed with a story ideas, that impulsively takes me, but majority of my best thing's are sudden. Not the one's that are ever planned. But I don't live to make excuses never care to be defined, by one thing, or person. I don't aim to attain much of anything in life but be a better me, until my end. And by analyzing your mind, you can do or achieve a lot I've discovered. So I repetitively no matter what jog down my WIP's and unleash, or my errors, I put them all on badges displays, then I go back and repeat until I show progress. That's how I have to learn. But passion is a candle, so when it burn's out I lose a lot of what I learned, it's natural after that to be discouraged, but instead, for me, that gets me going again. Cause mean's I can come at thing's with a whole new mental perspective and different flow, then compare, and again, adapt and improve. One thing you should know about RPing with my character(s): Everything is a factor and story with me. Losses, they matter. My character originally was highly killable almost every session, but advanced due to the actions of others, because of them, he found the value of his own life, and that's how I like to do my characters. Even the win's my character gets from stories, will most likely have a 'bad ending' occasionally or result into something new sprouting from it eventually, however that doesn't define at-all how permanently it effects them. But seasonally they go through their struggle. Life for real, is up and down's, these are the component's I factor in. Realistically, sure we fall. We never truly decline unless we allow it. Our character's philosophies, their mental judgement, dislikes, etc, all these thing's become ingrained they decide how much they want too fight and live, they step to improve or sometimes stumble under roadblocks, but not truly devolve. So the more people he interacts with or meets and encounters in RP, they are factors, they're meaningful to meet again, or live, their short teachings are insightful. No matter how small or large or incomplete stories went or passed-by. I created a character who was filled in by others initially. Even one-shot smuts, they're important experiences. Lot more to appreciate when your character learns on their own how to surpass their weaknesses and suffering organically. Still do RP with others but typically I do collaborations, or pre-established or short things, or Discord, one-shot in-game stuff, screenshot things that can convey RP. Want to build this Crew as their own functioning characters, not so much minor throwaways, but shippable, and highly in-depth. Essentially building an optional anime for my partner's, one-day. Long-term with me right now just isn't something I'd ever ask or expect from me. I'm too jumbled and a mess. But it's not a never, I do have two people who are among all my stuff and involved. I'd include anyone in my stories too if they wanted partaken. First language: Gibberish / English. Age range: under 13 | 14–17 | 18–22 | 23–25 | 26–29 | 30+ | 40+ | 70+ Am I okay with NSFW?: yes |

no | some nsfw I came solely off that, my reputation, was known as 'That ERP guy' on Balmung OG day's, I'm one of the degen's from that era. But character's evolve and adapt as do their people, they become more, but maintain their origins to degree. Those perspective's and things learned from NSFW are very paramount to a lot of SFW too. My favorite/most common thing to RP is: angst | fluff | smut | crack | action | plots | AUs are fine | Violence | Darker themes | I dunno. * I'm pretty open-ended in all things. It's all fascinating for me to attempt at improving. Reason finally pulled the trigger and made a diverse Crew for Captain was give off different interactions and also more reason's to write beyond my usual trends. I'll tackle eventually every genre... now doesn't mean I'll excel in those fields more than my specialties, but I'll do it. Canon Character RP Friendly?: yes | no | depends * I stick with the sandbox but I'll stretch out all the space and limits of it. Building skyscrapers and UFO's with that sand, just happens that this Universe has magic, science, alchemy, holograms, all-around unlimited absurd possibilities, more than even D&D, which makes this game the best to RP within. When comes to interacting with anything Canon base, It'll always dwarf me though. Most likely I'll write my own legit WoL's, thinking of making an 'antagonist' one, but more 'protagonist too' (maybe hunk viera male?) I like making construed lines between characters, that's really complex, it's avidly up to a reader to decide who's in the right or wrong or if they're rooting for the villain or good-guy. I see most lore characters as Celebrities which my character would be rightfully cultured in, and they're untouchable, least for my characters. To me the source of what, who, or with you're writing is what determines a lot. But yeah RPing with anything Canon related, I switch to being a just minor gnat. And there's going to be a lot of consequences, that come if there's anything that does effect something that matters in the Universe. Just cause my pirate is causing havoc and having fun for now, doesn't mean law's don't catch-up or something else doesn't. Cause and effect always. RP blog: does contain ooc posts | doesn’t contain ooc posts | occasionally contains ooc* I would do more OOC if did asks, or inbox related things and was wanted, but outside occasional updates, I stick to my role. That's just write stories and screenshots and practice everything. I'm thankful for anyone who does enjoy anything I share or supports me, It's what brings me back faster and I do always think of you too when I want to get better, it's uplifting and inspiring, alongside boosting. If I do bring any motivation to anything, I do. Then that's the best payment I could get. I like seeing others thrive, or soar higher than me, and unleash their creativity. Tagged by:@spotofmummery (Thank ye my treasured friend!) Tagging anyone/everyone: @roguestly @scholarlybreadbun @under-the-blood-moonlight @lettersnorth @violet-warder @lukawarrioroflight @eligos-venator @corpse-dancer @silvernsteel @silvertail-ffxiv @roxinova @lavender-hemlock @fracturedfantasia @zhauric @fair-fae @avwalya @yuki-yukichan @crow-iv @cadrenebula @spellsandtales @casualcatte @seascrapes @mishivymendi @thorcat @aqueerfishtheyis @ljoturyalre @seabound-dragoon @scornedjustice @laylahcousland @layla-grey @moonstruck-ffxiv @snow-covered-moon (Apologies if missed anyone. If there's more who'd like to be tagged again on all these type of things, let me know.)

#Thanks for the tag!#answered #memes answered #mun picture just optional you can use muse btw #I just haven't gone inform in longtime #Or done these #Prompts

26 notes · View notes

missallsundayyy · 3 years ago

Note

Could you write a fanfic where Robin is weak and getting kidnapped by the marines, and then Law saves her? It would be so coooool 😍

CLICK ONE OF THE 2 SONGS WHILE GIVING THIS A READ, these are the two songs that inspired me to write this!

ps! this story was heavily inspired by this song,

You vs Them// Jhene Aiko

Lights Out// Chris Brown

Trafalgar Law’s crew has never seen their captain this enraged ever. He was livid and he was literally emitting a dark aura. “What do you mean she was taken???!” he shouted at his crew.

“The strawhats entrusted her into my care, OUR care! If they do so much as harm even a strand of hair on her head I will cast their limbs across the sea.” Law growled and commanded his crew to the marine base, where of course they were ready for him.

They had a soldier following Robin and the Heart Pirates for the past month and today was the perfect opportunity for them to get their hands on the last survivor of Ohara. The world government was dead set on eliminating Nico Robin at all cost and hasn’t stopped ever since Enies Lobby and her being with Trafalgar Law was the perfect chance for them...or so they thought.

What the soldiers didn’t see behind closed doors was the relationship between the archeologist with the surgeon of death.

Law had fallen helplessly in love with the raven haired beauty, she was strong, confident, smart, witty, gorgeous and they had a connection that could not be vanquished. She was everything he needed and he would be damned if he couldn’t protect the woman that he loves. Now that he was all grown and strong he will never let what happened to Cora-san happen to Robin. He couldn't bear to think what would happen if he were to lose her that way. He would lose his goddamn mind. His fist was balled up looking at the horizon ahead

“Wait for me love”

TIME SKIP

“Is this extra violence necessary?”

“What are you talking about! This is the devil child, she has the power to end the world and not to mention a member of the Strawhat pirates. No one will care if a pirate scum like her dies!”

“Well- if..you say so” the hesitant soldier replied.

“Make sure she doesn't escape and get no food and keep sedating her with this” a second Navy soldier scowled, passing the suit filled with the syringe. He walked over to the chained strawhat and brought his large hands and cupped her face roughly and painfully emitting a muffled cry from her.

“Your crew won't be here to save you like in Enies Lobby, they have their hands tight with the admirals right now. Prepare to meet your fate in the afterlife soon Nico Robin” He spat at her and walked away laughing leaving the weak and injured historian lying on the cold floor of the warship prison.

Robin's tears were ready to spill from both the corner of her eyes but she held it in, she had full confidence in her lover and knew that he would come for her. She remembered the moment where the surgeon of death showed his interest for her and even in this shit hole a smile crept onto her face because she knew when he came, everyone would be dead before they could even take a step forward.

Girl, I know you're down for playing

I know you're listening to what I'm saying

“You really hate me that much huh” tattooed hands caressed the outline body shape of the devil child. Their naked bodies were tangled in between the sheets of the Captain of the Heart Pirates.

“I don't and won't get attached to anyone.”

“Yet you’re in my room every night, yearning for me”

“For your touch”

“Oh?” he mused

“Our crews are allied together and I rather not bother looking”

“Zoro-ya is available,” he said monotonously. The historian laugued, a genuine one. “There are no lovers amongst the Strawhats, they are all family to me” she finished and faced Law.

His fingers danced on her skin and moved towards her jaw and slid to her cheeks.

“You’re so beautiful” He said with awe, her beauty got him dumbfounded everytime. Not only outside but inside, she was a divine woman in his eyes.

“You say that everytime” she smiled.

“He has the same look as I do when I catch myself looking at you” he pointed the swordsman out.

“Does it matter?”

“I do need to know who I’m competing against” he smirked, diving his face to her neck, peppering kisses down her throat.

“You’re in love with me” she sighed into his kisses, running her hands along his back while he savoured her.

“Yes. It doesn’t matter if you don’t return my affections because you’re the only woman I want” he said and lied down in the valley of her large bust.

“ I’m not the only woman in this world, the sea is vast and you can easily get any woman you want” she countered.

“It's the wanting you, never getting you, keeps me wanting you” he smiled peeking up to look at her face.

“Thousands of people will be coming after me”

“Don't worry, I’m the strongest.” he said grinning at her.

Do you know what would happen

If I ever lose you?

Then my heart would just stop beating

And my mind would just stop thinking

And my strengths would turn to weakness

You know

That I cannot see tomorrow

If you're not in my tomorrow

“HOW THE FUCK DID TRAFALGAR LAW FIND US! MEN! READY THE CANONS AND SHOOT THAT DAMN SUBMARINE DOWN”

“WE LOST SIGHT OF THEM, HE’S GONE!”

“WHAT THE FUC-”

“ROOM”

In a matter of seconds everyone on the ship was instantly sliced open and the enraged captain showed himself carrying the weakened archeologist.

“How did you find us you damn fucking pirate! I should have killed that bitch when I had the chance!”

“You made a few big mistakes.” he stalked towards the soldier responsible for hurting Robin and he was the only one Law spared just so he could take his time torturing him.

“One, you didn’t stop to think that I have her vivre card so finding you was amusingly funny. Secondly, you underestimated me and lastly you hurt the woman I love.” his face dark, he never felt anger like this after Doflamingo.

“You're that in love with me, their bodies looks like minced meat” Robin called softly.

“I'll part oceans when it comes to you my love” he smiled softly towards her.

"I love you, you have my heart forever" she whispered to him with the most gentle smile and he didn't think he could fall harder that he already did.

"I already know that" he grinned giving her lips a peck while walking back to his submarine.

#lawbin #onepiece #law x robin #trafalgar law #nico robin #mugiwara #straw hat pirates

38 notes · View notes

thedisneyfanartdidntdie · 2 years ago

Text

Premieres V. Finales

It was the world-wide premiere of the Final chapter to the Pirates Versus Privates trilogy. Anticipation of audiences was at an all-time high, as the last film ended on a sharp cliff-hanger when Private Minerva was stabbed by Mirage and her bloody threat against Captain Mickey haunted everyone invested in the story - including me.

Though Mickey was not in any imminent danger - at least, until the next time he magically got himself into more trouble - this particular bit of the beautiful story he and Dixie had written really unsettled me. As much as there were fictional characters and fictional worlds, there was also real emotion and real weight behind the words he said and the story-bits he enacted. This segment of the plot hurts me because, despite how stubborn and aggravating Private Minerva was, her Captain was enraged and devastated by the presumption of his love's death, and still loved her more than anything and never gave up on her.. Just like Mickey still loves me "more than anything in the world" and continues to be patient with me despite my emotional confusion and chaos.

My incredible boyfriend and co-star sat beside me in the large theater, his hand gently holding mine like he did during the other two premieres we went to, though this time our hands held each other openly, not needing to shyly brush our hands against each other hoping a hint was received. Looking at him, he watched the large screen, and his jaw clenched as the movie opened with a violent recap of how Mirage had brutally stabbed Private Minnie through the back with a sword. The scene still bothered him; I remember how nervous he was as me and Mir filmed it, how he had looked over anxiously asking if I was ok or if she had hit me with the prop sword too hard, and I remember how pale his face got when all that blood-colored corn syrup gushed out of me.

I squeezed his hand. He glanced at me and after a moment he smiled and squeezed my hand back. I felt my lips stretch into an upward crescent. He just does the littlest things to make my heart sing. We resumed watching the screen, but in all honesty my mind was anywhere but on the marvelous cinematography. It took us 2 years to bring this masterpiece together; 7 months of screenwriting and script proofing, 10 months of shooting parts 1 and 2, 2 months of editing and finalizing the script of the final installment, then 5 months to film the finale, which was the longest of the 3 films - roughly 3 hours long based off of 13 chapters that Mickey and Dixie wrote.

Yet in those 2 years, it felt like a lifetime's worth of love's trials and triumphs had glowed and sparkled between he and I. I've kinda come to the realization that falling in love with him is simply inevitable, and I wasn't complaining - he made me so happy, so elated and free and light and joyous, and he made me feel so special and treasured. Abandoning him all those years ago had been such a heartbreaking mistake, and yet we put in the work and commitment. The space by his side was still reserved for me - me and only me.

I'm not entirely sure why I did it; yeah I had convinced myself it was necessary, but really, it was just devastating. My own fear of abandonment and rejection had made me so insecure in our relationship, and my dirt-low self esteem had made me run; he would find better, he deserved better, I'm not worth forgiving, I'm not worth patience - that's what had been constantly clouding my 18 year-old brain. I self-sabotaged the relationship and broke his heart - literally, evident in that pivotal conversation we had after scripting chapter 4. The trauma of my past - my abandoning father, followed by adopted parents who abandoned me and Mortimer once he was 18 - had interfered with the best thing to ever happen to me.

But he understood. He set boundaries and respected mine. He saw me in a way no one else did. He loved every single piece of me and hugged me tight enough to bring all of my broken parts back together. He showed me what I only knew deep-down inside. He encouraged my own strength and together we were invincible. He helped me heal, he encouraged me to grow, and he continued to see in me what I never saw in myself until it was too late - authentic beauty. Even now his admiration towards me still blows my mind. Not to mention all of his wonderful attributes outside of me; clever, funny, sensitive, unashamedly loving others and making a positive difference in the world. Sure he had his flaws - he struggled with a hero complex and guilt-based trauma response, he could be inadvertently selfish when he meant selfless intentions, he tended to find himself in mischief and meddling. But he wasn't trying to be perfect, he was something better - authentic, genuine. And he always came back trying to set things right. He never peaked - he despised the thought of doing so. He was so.. just so.. mind blowing-ly beautiful in soul, heart, mind, and body it was hard to believe he wasn't just a sweet fantasy.

And through the duration of this project, we just couldn't help ourselves. We fell in love, despite my unwanted intrusive thoughts and naive notions of all things related to love. He took everything I thought I knew about everything and flipped it upside down, showing glitter in even the darkest of shadows. How he does it I'll never fathom. He's just so compassionate, so sweet, yet so complex, so beautifully full of depth and passion. He's just so wonderful, so sincere, so beautiful and wholesome - it made me want to cry. And better yet, he was mine.

Like Private Minerva, the temptation to distrust and overthink everything had plagued so much of my perspective, but Mickey had more than proven himself and his feelings. Every little and big thing he did was an act of love. How could a mouse be so full of love - and why so much of that catered to me exclusively? He's trying to help me see it. Maybe I'll never see it fully, but I guess it's the same way he doesn't fully see what I do when I look at him, either.

Why did he and our relationship have to be so wonderful? The person I loved the most, loved me the most back. It should've made me happy, should've removed every negative thought haunting my mind, but it wasn't as simple and clean as I would've expected. Somehow loving him so much and him loving me back twice as much just made my heart ache. I had tried to rationalize real love wasn't as fairy-tale like as the stories made it seem so as to lower my expectations and spare my heart, yet he made every moment with him feel like a fairytale dream come true. How did he do that?

These thoughts and the deeply unhinging emotions searing in my heart were becoming too intense to set aside. I tried to refocus on the movie screen. We were watching Captain Mickey storm after his crew-mates after a soiled moment with the Private. I remember the intensity of his eyes in the filming of that scene, and I remember losing concentration and wondering if that intensity was genuine towards me or a hyper-realism of his character. I had never asked, though long after "cut" was called he had continue to look at me in that way off set. I remember how badly I had wished to forget about the movie and just kiss him then and there, make out with him to make up for all the previous times we were interrupted - both off and on screen. The temptation to pull him on top of me, to give in and tell him 'yes, yes I do love you - with all my heart!' - to lock his lips and never let go, share every beautiful little secret hiding away in our hearts and our private thoughts. But we couldn't, and didn't have much of a chance to do it later, either - what with all the llama drama with Walt's secrets and the trouble with magic.

Until now...

Right now, everyone we cared for was safely in this movie theater. Donald and Daisy would be married next Sunday. Oswald was back to our world and could figure out this magic/Walt business alongside his brother. Pete was reunited with his family in Wasteland, and Peg-Leg Pete was trouble for another day. Our friends were here, safe and happy, amazed by the movie magic they didn't realize they were capable of until this film premiered on screen.

Imminent dangers were worlds away for the moment, and my beloved could spare himself internalized torment now that his previous wrongs were amended. He could finally be at peace; Oswald was alive and well adjusted to the world of which he once belonged, Mickey could feel less ashamed being considered a hero by Ortensia, magic was back in California, he fulfilled his promise to return Pete to his family, and I'm by his hide - our secret deal still sacred and his heart in safe keeping.

So why not now? Why not make now the moment we've always wanted and had always been denied. Now was the prime time. Right this very second was one of the few times I didn't feel the urgent need to fret about out unforeseeable future. The song Mickey wrote for Chapter 32 replayed on loop in my head, and the passionate lyrics moved my heart too powerfully to ignore.

I looked at Mickey, then whispered softly in his ear. "Follow me," I implored. He looked at me curiously with his eyebrows quirked as I slowly stood, not wanting to catch too much attention. I kept his hand firmly grasped and gently tugged him up. He followed me quickly and quietly. I faced him before slowly turning around as I led him to the back of the theater towards the sound booth. He followed close behind me. With the movie playing on full blast and the booth sound-proofed, no one would hear us, no one would interrupt - and no one would need to.

I slowly opened the door, and thankfully no one was back here. The movie reel played on a self-spinning machine. The room was almost just as I remembered it when Mickey and I worked in this same movie theater at 16 years old; though a couch had been added, the room still had both the coffee and popcorn machines, and the bean bag chairs were replaced with newer models but still placed conveniently so that workers could watch the movie along with the audience from the projection window. When we entered, Mickey closed the door behind him and locked it, not wanting to be disturbed either. I glanced around. It was dark, but the glow-in-the-dark star decals still lined the walls and glowed softly, and the projection window provided some light from the film. I didn't move to turn on the lights, and neither did Mickey. I remember years ago in this room with him and sometimes other work friends; we had seen Hunchback, Aladdin, Titanic, and several other cult classic films this way. I remember sharing popcorn with Mickey, and the way my heart would skip when we would occasionally tap hands in the salted buttery bag.

I felt eyes on me and turned to see Mickey watching me, a smirk on his lips. He started to chuckle. "I almost forgot about this room back here," he said, memories entering his peripheral vision. "I would always get so excited whenever we were scheduled to work together."

I couldn't help but giggle. "Yeah, me too." I shook my head in amazement. "To think we'd be on the other side of this room on the big screen so soon," I mused incredulously.

Mickey slowed stepped closer to me. "Oh no, I had no doubts," he mused. "I knew you'd make it big, was just a matter of time."

I chucked. "Somehow I knew I wasn't gonna do it without you." I glanced at the floor humbly for a moment. "I don't think I could ever chase a dream without you in it."

He was less than an arm's length apart. We watched each other and his smirk was contagious. I felt my lips widen. His eyes continued to sparkle, dusts of glitter sparkling in his glowing blue irises - the most colorful I've seen them in a very long time. The gray and dull had been dramatically erased, the returned glittery blue glowing brighter and brighter every day. I got lost in his eyes and saw his pupils form into long hearts, something I only noticed when he looked at me. The hearts were the most defined I had ever seen them, unmistakable and shining like black diamonds. I felt my eyes sting for a moment, still aghast by just how much he loved me - it was indismissable now, shining so brightly in his eyes it wouldn't have been any more obvious if a giant neon sign flashed "Mickey Loves Minnie" over his head.

He stepped closer to me and the stinging in my eyes got harsher. I asked what I had always wanted the answer to - I had always been scared that questioning it before would scare him and his feelings away.

"Why do you love me?" Tears started to roll down my cheeks and his thumbs gently brushed them away, He cupped my face in his hands, and I had my hands over his, brushing the backs of his palms with my thumbs.

"You know there's more than one answer to that," he chided softly. I swallowed to keep myself from full-on sobbing. He settled on one answer for the moment. "You enchant me, Minnie."

It wasn't what I was expecting. I thought a compassionate "girl boss" pep talk would come out, as it normally was his response whenever I hinted at the inquiry. This made my breath stop and my heart skip for several seconds.

He smiled warmer, his lips curling like cursive lines and his eyes glossing over. "You are the most extraordinary person I've ever met. You have so many wonderful traits and yet no one carries them the way you do."

It was getting harder to suppress the sobs.

"You have such an enchanting heart and your attitude keeps me spellbound. Your beauty within your soul and within your eyes is unlike any beauty I've ever seen before."

He was close, very close, and his hands strengthened slightly around my face, begging me to listen to him and believe him. He pulled me close and whispered directly in my ear.

"You have deeply, completely, and utterly bewitched me, Minerva."

He whispered more breathlessly now, my hands urging him closer.

"I don't ever want this spell to break... I will always love you," and I felt his heart racing as the vein in his neck jumped against my cheek.

My breathing was shallow and my face was hot, and the pure ecstasy of this confession almost made me dizzy. I stood there blinking for a moment, trying not to faint. Neither of us moved. The mood was intensely passionate and Mickey's heavy breathing was warm on my ear.

I pulled back and cupped his face with my hands. His eyes were glistening and the skin around his nose was pink. I searched his eyes, trying to decide which truth to tell him first. I focused on the most withheld one.

"I love you too, Mickey," I murmured, trying not to get even more emotional. The chains and brick walls keeping me from embracing this fairytale lost the last of their foundation and crumbled, exposing me to beckon and accept all of his glorious love and the magic impossible of our relationship. "And you really do bring happy endings... You're my happily ever after." I saw the relief in his eyes; relieved to know his goals to bringing a happy ending to everyone were not made in vain, and that he too could live happily ever after at no expense to anyone else.

"It's not a happy 'end,' Minnie." He said as tears threatened to overtake him. "This is only the beginning to a beautiful forever."

My heart sang more and by now had surely leapt out of my chest. The beloved song Mickey had written for 'the scene' was playing on the projector now, and I surrendered to my emotions.

With the flurry of a dozen fairies taking flight, I pulled him close and enraptured his lips in the most passionate kiss I could physically muster. It was the first kiss between our most genuine selves; not Turtledove and Captain, but Mickey and Minnie. He returned the passion, our bodies swaying as the powerful urge nearly toppled us over. When I finally felt like the lack of oxygen was gonna make me black out, we pulled back. We leaned our foreheads together and admired each other through lidded eyes, our lips gasping.

I swallowed, not wanting to waste the moment on tears of emotion when I could be giving kisses of passion. "You make me believe in forever," and I know we both mutually knew the sentiment had a deeper understanding.

Mickey smiled wide and a single relieved and joyous tear rolled down his cheek, but before it was too acknowledged we enraptured each other in another kiss. And then another.

In Mickey's novel, he had described the first mutual kiss between Captain and Private as "glorious." In this, it seemed "glorious" was not a strong enough word. Sensational, heavenly, incredible, beautiful - it didn't seem like just one word could describe it best, just like it didn't seem like just one kiss was enough to satisfy both of our suppressed desires.

Before long Mickey lifted me from the ground and I held him close, our lips not stopping, our hearts not slowing. He slowly spun me in s gentle circle, physically surged with joy and desperate passion. I kicked my feet up slightly behind me, this the perfect description of a fantasy foot-popping kiss. Mickey eased me back down and we broke away from the make out session briefly.

The passion was too intense and I needed to hold more of him than just his face and his lips. I broke the kissing and led him to the couch then gently pushed him to sit on it, I climbed over his lap, pulling my gown up to my thighs so my legs could hold him. We were breathless, and Mickey's normally pale muzzle was turning pink. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck and leaned down to resume the passionate kisses, which he eagerly returned. His strong arms embraced me and he warmly rubbed his hands along my back and behind my shoulders and through my hair. The insane pleasure was stirring a strong desire I had been suppressing for far too long, and a place below my stomach ached.

The satisfying 'smooch' sounds of our lips moving quickened my heartbeat and delightful shivers slid throughout my body. After several moments, Mickey tried to interject between kisses.

"Min," he breathlessly whispered as we tilted our heads at alternating angles, but I went in for more kisses and he didn't object. We smooched some more. "Min," he tried again, just as breathless. I liked hearing him say my name - the nickname only he out of everyone in my entire life called me by. We kissed more.

"Minnie," he said more firmly, his hands holding my face and pulling me back a bit. It felt I was a kid going ham on a life-sized lollipop and he just interrupted my indulgence.

We looked at each other, hair slightly roughed, faces pink and mouths drooling. Our breaths echoed each other.

He studied my face. "What are you doing to me," he said rather than asked incredulously, breathless and looking slightly astonished.

I searched his face, and saw that he did not intend to reject me, but only wanted to know my intentions. I remembered the scene on my adopted brother's ship, when Captain Mickey had attempted to display his love for Private Minnie by using physical affections. My skin had felt so hot, his caressing hands had been so warm under my dress, his kisses on my neck had almost made me break character and moan.

I kept eye contact with him as I held his hands and slowly dragged them up my legs, under my dress and to my behind. Mickey's eyes widened a little, but a spark I saw flutter in his eyes during the same scene I referenced now was burning, and the spark was steadily becoming a passionate flame. His hands were lovingly firm on me, not denying what I so clearly desired. He gently squeezed my behind and my breath hitched. I had never enjoyed being so out of breath before. He slowly traced one hand up under my dress between my shoulder blades, and gently pulled me closer for more.

Our lips reintroduced ourselves and a moan escaped from my throat before I even registered it leaving. I felt his heart against my breast and it was drumming very quickly. We were so breathless we took shallow breaths through our noses as we kissed and kissed again. I began to unbutton the top of his suit shirt and broke away to start kissing his jawline as I did so. Mickey's breathing was shaky, and as I kissed his jawline he continued caressing me under my dress, making sure to give tantalizing attention my rear. My underwear started to feel bothersome, longing to feel his full hand on bare cheeks.

I switched to the left jawline and worked my way down to his neck where I began to intermingle sucking with my kisses. I felt him take a sharp inhale of air as I began doing so. I maneuvered my lips to his Adam's apple and he bit down on his tongue, perhaps to stifle a moan. I kissed further down to the top of his shirt, a mere taste of his sculptured chest. My hands pressed on him on either side of the line of buttons, desperately wanting to pop open the shirt in its entirety. I dragged my lips back up to his and resumed kissing him. The kisses felt hotter, and I started to feel just a bit of sweat build between my skin and his hands.

I took a breath for a moment, keeping my eyes closed and pressing my nose to Mickey's. His breath tickled my face and every fiber in my being felt flickers of flames. Slowly, I opened my eyes and his lidded eyes gazed at me. He slowed the running of his hands under my dress until he completely stopped, resting his palms above my buttox and near my hips. Even in a heat of passion, he remained a gentleman, not wanting to go any further than I did. But I wasn't done.

"What do you want from me?" he asked, still breathless and his face the pinkest I've ever seen it yet. The question wasn't hostile but it was cautious, not wanting to overstep any boundaries. I smiled at the sincerity. I rubbed the front of his chest before moving his hair back away from his right ear so he didn't mishear what I was about to say.

I leaned in and whispered directly into his round ear. "Make love to me," I asked, my breathing still elevated.

He didn't say anything at first, and after a second he slowly left a sweet kiss on my shoulder. He waited a moment, then left another kiss on my shoulder, then another, and another. I didn't move, I didn't want his trail of kisses to skirt avenues. He kissed my shoulder and crossed my collarbone then got to my neck. I gasped at this, the pleasure shooting a jolt up my spine. His hands moved to my thighs as he kissed my neck, then his kisses began leaving hickeys. I moaned softly, trying not to get too loud just yet but I couldn't help the arousal.

He continued tasting my neck and I gripped my fingers in his hair to keep his head there. He slowly steadied his grip on my thighs then carried me with him, keeping my embrace around his torso. It was getting harder to breathe again. He continued to kiss me as he slowly walked forward. I started to moan and squeak, struggling to suppress it for much longer. He tilted me backwards and my excitement reached an all-time high expecting to hit the over-sized bean bag chair before he loved me silly, but when my back was laid down I looked up and realized we were in my New York City apartment. No one was here, the lights were off, the regular hum of the the nighttime city buzzed softly outside my bedroom window. Mickey kissed my neck once more before pulling back.

"I wished we were where you're most comfortable," he explained with a shy smirk and even pinker cheeks. My heart swelled and my face heated even more as a pleased grin stretched over my lips.

"You're such a sweetheart," I cooed, stroking his face with the back of one hand. I faintly heard the precious song Mickey wrote that I couldn't get out of my head.

"What wish made that happen?" I asked. Mickey smiled bigger.

"I wished you heard my heart," he spoke softly.

Ridiculous sobs of joy erupted out of me and I threw my arms around his neck and nuzzled my face in his neck. He held me close and my sobs mixed with giggles. I looked up at him.

"I love you so much Mickey Mouse," I cried. He laughed softly. "Good, because I happen to love you too, Minnie Mouse."

The name was not normal in this life; males passed their last names to their wives and children. In this life, I was not "Minnie Mouse" - I was "Minnie Smalls." He either slipped the name in remembrance of a past we didn't experience, or with the intention to suggest a future matrimony. The conversation from months prior came to the forefront of my memory, and this reassured me of his desired visions from back then.

We looked at each other and his eyes said it was the latter of these two explanations that motivated the slip. It made me very happy. But the happiness did not diminish my want for him.

I pushed myself up from the bed slowly. Mickey straightened up, a knee still on the bed. I pulled up close on my knees, my thighs around his knee. He had began to slip his hands out from under my dress but I clutched them where they were and kept them there at my hips. He smirked, curious what I would do next. I kept eye contact with him, and slowly pulled my dress off over my head. He kept his hands where I wanted them. When my dress was off, I was only in my matching mesh underwear and pasties for my breasts - the thin-strapped dress didn't have enough support for my girls on its own. His face was another shade of strawberry and his eyes glazed over with something thirsty, a deep hungry look that made me shiver.

I attempted being seductive and wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body close to his. His muscular thigh rubbed a sweet spot between my legs as I approached him and I sputtered, looking down for a moment with my face at his shoulder. I felt the red take over my face and I craved more of that stroking sensation. Mickey held me closer as my body quivered from the rub, one hand at the small of my back, the other on my side. He lustfully sighed at the incident, knowing I was turned on - extremely turned on. He pressed his lips to the side of my head as I recovered.

I finally met his face and our heat intensified. We kissed deeply, his tongue dancing on mine and it made me moan. The kisses were becoming hotter and quicker, our lips locking and re-locking more frequently. My fingers fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.

I sighed exasperatedly and pulled away. We worked together to quickly undo the buttons and toss his shirt to the floor. He held me closer and we resumed making out. I ran my hands along his rippling muscles, his nipples hard and the crevices of his strength making me hotter. His hand at my side slid up to grope my breast. I sighed into his nose as we resumed kisses. Now both of his hands were focused on my breasts and the pasties. I pulled away from his mouth for him to better nudge the pasties off.

With them off we held each other closer as we kissed, or bare chests and nipples rubbing against each other. I couldn't help moaning, and Mickey's breathing notably became more labored. His hands gently squeezed my boobs closer to him and he fondled me. His thumb would occasionally brush against a nipple and I'd sputter, shivering slightly and gasping into his mouth with a little squeak. He moved his kisses from my lips to my neck and kissed down to my shoulder, then my chest, then he moved his hand from my breast and gripped my hip. My nether region was becoming more sensitive. He began kissing my boob and started licking, sucking, teasing me as his mouth drew a ring around my nipple.

The moans were much louder and much harder to control now. He sucked on my nipple now and I took a sharp intake of air through my teeth. I rested on his knee and his frog-leg muscles sat perfectly under my feminine parts, making me sigh again. He gripped me tighter as he took taste tests on my boobs, alternating between one and the other. I started to slightly sway my pelvis, his knee stroking my clitoris and my vagina in all the right places. My moans erupted and I didn't want to stop.

He breathed hard against my breasts and I gripped his shoulders as I advanced my swaying pelvis to a gentle grind. My eyes rolled to the back of my head as one of Mickey's hands gripped my hair and the other guided my hip through the grind. I might just cum now like this, but I didn't want to orgasm without him inside me, so I stopped.

"Mitchel," I asked, breathless and my eyes clamped shut. He gave my nipple one last lick, then brought his face up to meet mine. His breath was as restless as mine. I rested my head against his shoulder before opening my eyes. My want for him was driving me crazy, and I saw the same spiking flames reflected in Mickey's eyes. My crotch was stimulated and I wanted him - no, I needed him. And I needed him right now.

"I want you to have sex with me," I begged breathlessly. I leaned my face into his, sharing the same breath. "I need you inside me."

"Oh I want inside you," he said intensely. His lustful gaze made me sweat. "My body's aching for you babe."

He kissed the right side of my neck. "You taste like candy," he purred. "And I have a sweet tooth."

The sultry talk mixed with his bedroom eyes were beginning to elicit a wetness between my legs. He moved slow, kissing me all over, holding me close. My heart was beating so loud I thought it might make the walls shudder. The music he had playing continued, many of the songs slow romantic ballads.

"I love you Minnie," he murmured, making his way from my waist back up to my face. His face was pink as a raspberry and his eyes were intense. "I love you more than you'll ever know," he said, looking straight into my eyes and a wet shine passing through his momentarily. That look choked me up and I cuddled him, holding his face a mere breath from mine. His song began playing again.

"I love you too Mickey," I said. "I love you more than anything," and a tear rolled down my cheek, which his finger quickly caught.

He kissed my temple tenderly. We held each other tightly for a few moments, and I savored his heart beating against my chest.

"I like feeling your heart beat on my skin," I said softly. "I love knowing you're safe and with me."

He gently led one of my hands to his chest over his heart. "You're my favorite reason to keep it beating," he spoke softly.

It was so sweet and so sincere my entire body curled even tighter around him and I took a deep breath to keep from crying. My instincts made me jump to kiss his shoulder.

"I have too much love for you to keep it bottled up inside me any longer," I lamented. "Make love to me Mickey," I pleaded.

He slowly traced a finger from the base of my tail to the nape of my neck around to under my chin, and titled my head upwards. We gazed into each other's eyes for several moments, his tail wrapped around us and twisted with mine. I was sure the tips of our tails were forming a heart shape.

"I've loved you for so long," he murmured. "I have so much love to give you yet."

My breathing jumped knowing what would soon follow. "Then don't hold back from me Mickey," I commanded. "Give me all that you have. Give it all to me baby." I moved my hands to his belt and unfastened it, then slowly unzipped his crotch without breaking eye contact. "And don't ever let me go," I said softer than I intended.

"Never," he replied, just like he had while filming. "I'll never let you go, not ever again," he added solemnly. My heart ached.

We kissed deeply, then when we pulled apart we shared a look, and understood what wasn't said out loud. Within moments, I was leaning backwards and pulling him on top of me. My back hit the mattress, then he pulled back to remove his pants. I couldn't stop staring, watching him as I propped myself up slightly on my elbows. I felt like I was about to explode. The space between my legs flushed and I felt a different more intense kind of heat. Mickey gazed at me with such awe and desire I would've fainted were I standing up.

He moved close and kissed my toes, then my ankle, then trailed kisses up my leg towards my groin before moving to the other leg and repeating the action. It felt like the air in the room was evaporating. All I could breathe was excitement and inevitable ecstasy. He regained eye contact as he started his lips at my chest and kissed down my tummy, his hands holding my hips firmly. I watched him and bit down on my finger to keep from shrieking in pleasure. I felt his lips smile on me as he continued kissing me. His song replayed, louder now, and it encased this moment of bliss.

Mickey slowed his kisses for a moment at my underwear line, watched my response, then continued kissing downward. I couldn't help the moan now, erupting loudly and making me throw my head back with my eyes closed for a moment. He continued kissing my virgin place and I continued gasping, starting to tremble slightly as I watched him. His eyes never left mine, and he moved a hand to hold my free one. I grasped it tightly, my other hand now gripping the bed comforter underneath me. He then licked up once and another moan shot out of me again, I was starting to feel dizzy with desire and pleasure, enjoying this immensely. He licked up again, eliciting another gasping moan from me, then came back up, his whole face visible again. The pink on his face was less intense again, but it was still there, looking like he was in much bliss similar to mine but also more sober on the love-drunkenness than I at the moment.

He looked at me with a look I hadn't seen too often on him and it was only making me closer to fainting. His eyes were starry, and his smile was one of contentment. His slightly bent eyebrows suggested he was relaxed, but taking in every detail of this moment, like a very deep thought was sailing in the back of his mind. I couldn't help but gaze at him, and I was feeling more and more lightheaded.

"May I?" He asked softly, gently resting his chin just above my panty line. I was too close to ecstasy to speak so I merely nodded.

He smiled, and used his free hand to gingerly trace down my side to where my panties were. I'm feeling so close to fainting, feeling like a fangirl about to be proposed to by her favorite rockstar. But I wouldn't actually faint - no way I'm blacking out during this of all things. His fingers gently tugged at the underwear hem, but needing both hands to slide them down, he started to free my hand he was holding. I squeezed his hand to keep it from leaving.

"Use your teeth," I asked quickly. It may or may not have been a fantasy I've had of him before.

He grinned widely, and gripped my hand back. His free hand caressed my thigh, and we held eye contact as he returned his mouth to my crotch. It felt so pleasurably difficult to breathe. He gave me a soft kiss, then gently gripped the the mesh fabric between his teeth. I inhaled sharply. He smiled around the garment, then gazed at me as he pulled the garment down and off. I had to close my eyes for a moment, a lusty gasp escaping me and my back arching. As I watched him, my sexual cravings for him increased ten fold. His face disappeared as he dragged my panties down and off my feet, but he never let go of my hand or stopped caressing my thigh. I swallowed hard, sweating slightly and suddenly feeling glued to the spot - not that I wanted to leave, obviously.

The panties lid off my left foot and now we were both completely naked. The spot below my tummy began swirling again, feeling so so enjoyable. Mickey returned his chin to my abdomen, watching me sputter. I didn't mind it though.

"See how good you make me feel?" I asked rhetorically before gulping for air. "See how breathless you've got me," I said between erotic breaths. He grinned, and again he wore that look I hadn't seen on him before. He brought his face up to kiss the hand he was clasping. He returned his chin to my lower half.

"I love you," he whispered, his face one of pure bliss. I glanced away and put a hand to my heart, about ready to swoon. He seemed to gather that because I soon heard him chuckling softly.

"Hey you'd be swooning too, mister," I playfully teased.

That look returned. "I already am," he said while his starry eyes scrolled over all of me.

God my frail little heart just had to get with a romantic, huh? I half-moaned half-sighed, not sure how much more sweetness I could take.

We gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, the room dark but the moonlight outside providing soft rays of light enough for us to see each other. After a while, Mickey smiled, then trailed unapologetic kisses down into me. It instantly sent a shot of pleasure up my spine. My back flexed and my body started trembling. his kisses were soft, then his lips entered my most intimate folds, and I cried out, my face as hot as the sun. He kissed, then he licked, then he devoured me, not doing anything too suddenly but gradually working up his intensity.

I moaned and gasped, my hands now gripping his hair to keep his head in place. As he continued, physical pleasures mixed heavily with my emotional and mental pleasures, and I felt myself float closer and closer to Venus. Then his tongue and his lips sent me over the edge, and Venus burned me with the fire of pure ecstasy, then I most wonderfully came crashing back down to earth. My hands were tightly gripping the blanket under us by the time my high slowed down. Sweat collected in a few spots and my heart beat so loudly I wondered if Mickey heard it too.

"Mickey.. Mickey.." I heard myself saying without realizing I had begun to. After a few more slurps, Mickey brought himself up to my tummy and rested his chin on a hand while I pressed above my body, his muzzle pinker now and his smile huge and genuine. I couldn't hold back another second.

"Get over here," I said breathlessly, and I captured his lips as I pulled him up on top of me. He moaned softly as he followed my lead. We were making out hotly, passionately, and we were holding each other close, desperate to not keep even a spec of air between us. We ran our hands over each other, wanting to claim and love and show affection to every inch of the other. We were breathing intensely, stifling moans, and we began to roll around in the bed, our desire for each other insatiable.

We were near suffocation when we finally pulled our lips apart and we gasped hotly in each other's face. His bedroom eyes were at maximum intensity, as I'm sure mine were too. My eyelids were heavy but I wasn't tired. It's like I just wanted my eyes open enough to see him and nothing else needed to be taking space from him in my peripheral vision. His pelvis was almost completely laid on top of mine. Our hands were intertwined above my head. It was a beautiful sensation unlike any other I had ever experienced. Even my kinky fantasies of him came nowhere near the real thing.

"Minnie," he breathed, his face pink and heart racing above my chest.

My body ached for him and I was losing control. "Mickey," I almost whined. I lifted my thighs and wrapped my legs around his hips. He took a deep shaky breath.

"Don't hold back from me," I pleaded. I squeezed his fingers locked between my own.

"Never," he promised breathlessly. His eyes were glowing an intensity I've never seen before, it's like I was staring into blue sapphires that held millions of beautiful galaxies in them.

He slowly stood up, and he lifted me up after him. We folded the comforter over, smoothed down the bedsheets, and when I stood up on my knees on the bed we held each other close and gazed into each other's eyes, savoring every second of what certainly wouldn't be the last night of intimacy between us.

My best friend turned lover, my lover encompassing a best friend. My soulmate, my partner, my other half, my prince, my hero, my everything.

" Love me, love me, love me, baby please love me," I sang softly - the song he had written about me during our hiatus. He grinned. "With all my heart," he said sweetly. We giggled for a moment. Then we gave each other that look, and I laid down, and he followed me, never letting go.

5 notes · View notes

airi-p4 · 3 years ago

Text

Miraculous escape - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 |

I wasn’t planning to post this yet, but it’s Lukadrien June and today prompt is ‘escape’ and, even if it’s only Lukadrien friendship (bc it’s Lukanette & Adrigami endgame), it fit so well that I couldn’t stop myself from posting this. Chapter 1 and the final chapter have been finished for months, but I don’t know when I’m going to continue with the rest...

This fic is based / inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Some like it hot’ film.

Thank you @alittleshycat for the header and wanted posters pic! ( I hope you’re doing well... I miss you... 🥺💙 )

Thank you @brickercupmasterx3 for proofreading! 💙

Summary:

Luka helps Adrien escape from his prison-like house and his strict father but Gabriel Agreste is not planning to let them go away easily. They become fugitives and ask Juleka for help, who offers them a very unconventional escape plan: joining a girl band/orchestra to flee the country.

Easier said than done, especially when they find something unexpected in that band: the two most beautiful women they've ever seen.

Warning: includes art

AO3

_________________________

Chapter 1: Fugitives

"My father is going to kill me."

"Your father is going to kill us."

One carrying a guitar on his back, and the other a piano keyboard case on his hand, two musicians were being chased by multiple cars around Paris. Turning corners, going up and downstairs, hiding behind trash containers and cars, the chase seemed far from an end anytime soon. Panting for air, the pair continued running after they turned the corner, just in time not to be seen- a close call. The loud sirens never seemed to stop, coming from all directions.

"I can't believe I finally escaped from home!", the young blond man exclaimed excitedly. "Thanks, Luka. I wouldn't have made it without your help. You're a real friend."

"Don't mention it, Adrien. That's what friends are for, right?", the blue haired man laughed and patted his back. "It would have been perfect if we hadn't broken half of your father's statue collection while escaping your bodyguards, though. Now he's gonna kill us for sure. We can't let them catch us!"

"We need to run away from Paris. And fast! My father is the devil itself! You don't want to know..."

"I don't!"

Jumping down a wall, and turning another corner, the two friends hid in the back of a funeral car and waited until the police sirens got further away. They had been scolded for being disrespectful with the dead, but it was worth it: they were safe- at least for now.

"We need to leave the city and find a place to stay. Knowing your father, he must have all stations, roads and airports under his control." Luka said, stopping Adrien from crossing the street to firstly check their surroundings.

"How are we going to do it? Our car became 'inoperative' during the chase and our friends and family must be monitored!"

Adrien's panic made Luka grab his shoulders to reassure him of their plans.

"No, look. They know you, but they don't know much about me. Not many people know I have a sister who lives here, in Paris."

"You do?"

"Yes. We need to make it to her apartment and then we’ll figure out how to proceed. Are you ready to run again?"

"More than ready. I'm excited!" Adrien grinned back at Luka, feeling an adrenaline rush.

"Let's go!"

__________________

When Juleka opened the door of her apartment, she wasn't expecting to meet her dumbass older brother and Adrien Agreste, the young man who had been on the news non-stop for the last two hours. She raised one eyebrow and Luka knew she was looking for a reason not to shut the door on their faces.

"Juleka! We need your help! We have to get out of the city. Could you lend us your car?"

"What the heck is wrong with you!? It's been two years and that's all you have to say? What kind of trouble are you involved in now? This flower boy has been in the news for hours! They are even offering a reward for whoever finds him! And one for you! A dead or alive one in your case! They're saying you kidnapped him! So you better have a good explanation or I'm kicking you out."

"I do, I do! Listen: remember dad? I know you were little, but do you remember what being trapped is? That's this man's, Adrien's, everyday life for you. I couldn't bear to see my friend like that anymore so I offered to help him escape" Juleka's eyebrow sank deeper towards her nose, meaning Luka knew that wasn't good news. "I had to help him get his freedom! Can you believe he has never had a burger? Or been to a drive through? He can't even drive a car! He literally crashed my car at a streetlight after mistaking the gas and brake pedals! Have some compassion and help us escape Paris. Please?" he finished, pleadingly.

Juleka's eyes moved to analyze Adrien before answering: blond rich guy, well dressed and innocent looking. The way he was trying to figure out her front door and how his green eyes curiously examined his surroundings made him look like a playful cat, and Juleka had no doubt that he was as dumb, or probably dumber, than her older brother. Which meant Jukeka wanted them out, but also that she couldn't refuse to help- otherwise they would surely not make it out alive.

"Fine. What do you need?" She resigned.

"A car or anything that takes us away from Paris! No, better! Out of the country!"

Adrien was still examining Juleka's old and untidy room when she noticed his eyes paused on a paper on the table. She knew that paper: a girl band/orchestra called "Miraculous" was looking to recruit experienced musicians to perform around Italy for three weeks. Suddenly, she knew what to do.

"Join that girl band, the one in the pamphlet", Juleka suggested, pointing at said paper.

"What? A girl band? We're men, Jules! We can't join a girl band!"

"Luka is right!" Adrien quickly agreed.

"No, it can be done. I'm good with makeup and I'm tall enough for my clothes to fit Adrien. We can use some of Mom's clothes for you. ‘Old style’. Oh, and I have some wigs too.” Juleka continued. "Can this blondie play any instrument?"

"Well, yes. He's a pianist," Luka answered.

"Perfect! I'll find a way for you to cover for the pianist and the guitarist of the band: Chloe and Lila. Nobody likes them anyway, and the band members probably don't even remember their faces well, since they joined recently. Nobody will miss them. And it's perfect that you're blond, just like Chloe. I have the perfect wig for you"

Juleka disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a pair of scissors, two wigs and a box of makeup- oh, and wax. The two male friends could feel cold sweat down their backs.

"Wow, you have such a pretty face!" Juleka exclaimed, taking a closer look at Adrien's facial features. "I'll cut your bangs a bit so they don't show under your wig. Luka: do yourself a favor and go shave meanwhile."

"Are you serious about this, Jules?" Luka asked, moving towards the bathroom sink.

"Of course I am", she glared confidently at him. "Do you want to flee the country or not? I'm getting you out, but you need to trust me."

"Is this really necessary…?" Adrien asked in a trembling voice, seeing how Juleka's scissors were close to his eyes as she was cutting his long bangs.

"It definitely is! The band orchestra is leaving midday tomorrow and we have a lot to do!" Juleka ordered. "I can't wait to wax those hairy legs of yours" she murmured. Adrien could only gasp in fear.

When Juleka finished, she was proud of her results. The disguises were perfect: a long blond wig on Adrien, tied as a long braid, his big green eyes standing out with the mascara on his lashes, and he had pink colored cheeks and cherry lips. His face and hair were perfectly complemented by a white dress to his knees and a short jacket over his shoulders, covering his strong forearms. He also used some pads to simulate not very large breasts. The final touch was a pair of elegant high-heels with diamond looking glass studs on them. He looked beautiful, prettier than many women. So pretty the Couffaine siblings blushed a little at the sight.

As for Luka… well, he was tall, big and manly, and with sharp features: definitely not easy to pass him as a woman. But Juleka was almost a professional and she did an incredible job. He had his hair cut short so his blue hair didn't show under the long dark haired wig - good for covering his wide muscular back. He was advised to wear a hat and sunglasses most of the time, but he was also wearing lots of makeup. Using a full palette of skin tones, Juleka managed to hide his strong jawline and make his cheekbones, chin and nose look smaller and rounder. He wore black eyeshadow and mascara, brownish red lipstick and natural blush. He looked like an unfeminine lady but that could pass as genetics, right? People would maybe look away, but they would understand. As for his clothes: he wore a long wide purple dress tied with a belt and some brown pirate-like high boots (the only ones that would fit him because they belonged to himself). The bottom half of his outfit was complemented by a grey knit poncho. His fake breasts were bigger than Adrien's and he wore a wine red scarf to cover his neck- especially his pronounced adam's apple. He looked… pretty good, considering the base product. And that alone was an amazing accomplishment.

"You're perfect. Ready to go. I've packed a pair of party dresses too. You'll need them for your performances" Juleka said, admiring her amazing work. "Oh, and just so you know. I'm also part of the band, so I'm coming too."

Later that night, just before sunrise, Juleka sneaked to Chloe and Lila's apartment to steal their accreditations and sent them fake cards about the train being delayed so they wouldn't appear at the last moment and ruin everything. Juleka smirked victoriously for having at last taken her revenge on the two women she hated the most.

___________________________________________

After nervously passing the first frontier of the train station- the ticket man, Luka and Adrien, who were disguised as women, moved towards the platform, happy for not having been recognized after the first control. Adrien had trouble walking in heels, so Luka lent him his arm to help him keep his balance.

"Remember: your name is Chloe now, and my name is Lila", Luka reminded his friend as they walked towards the train platform.

"I don't like those names", Adrien complained.

"I don't like them either, but it’s better that we don't stand out". Luka sighed.

Grabbing their baggage and instruments, the two men approached the train car written on the ticket. They were stopped before they could get on the train- just next to one of their 'wanted' posters. The two men didn't notice it, but Juleka did and rushed them to get on the train fast.

"Hey, who are you?" Asked a middle aged woman, the one in charge of the band, they assumed. "I've never seen you before. Are you new?"

"I- I'm Adri- My name is Noirette”, Adrien said, receiving equally surprised and annoyed glares from both Luka and Juleka. Before Luka could speak, Adrien continued. “And she's Lucia. We're the new pianist and guitarist of the band".

‘What. the. heck?’ Luka couldn’t believe his friend as he stared at him in annoyance and shock. His high pitched voice acting was hurting Luka's ears too. 'We're dead', he thought.

The middle aged woman showed orchestra at Adrien’s words: she clearly didn’t like last minute changes. Scanning them under her glasses, she questioned them again. "What happened to Miss Chloe Bourgeois and Miss Lila Rossi?"

While the two men were taking too much to come up with an excuse, Juleka, who was sick of their bad acting, stepped into the conversation.

"The talent agency sent them somewhere else. These two are here to fill in for them."

Still unconvinced, she raised her glasses. "Hmmm... you know them, Juleka?"

"They come from the same talent agency as me", Luka’s sister confidently said.

"Hmmm... that should be enough then..." It seemed like she was convinced at last and the two men could finally breathe. “I'm the band's director. You can call me Madam Mendeleiev. And that man over there is Mister Damocles, the manager. You can introduce yourselves later. Go to your seats now.” Before they could take a first step, the middle aged woman stopped them again and called for someone. "Yves! Come here and carry these ladies’ instruments to the train! Be useful for once!"

Luka and Adrien exchanged looks when a young blond man approached them quickly. "Yes, Madam!" He shouted, approaching the disguised men to get their instruments. He stopped in front of them, intensely staring at Luka’s pupils before trying to complete his job.

"Oh. Hello, there. XY at your service! Can I help you, beautiful? Fancy a drink sometime?" He raised his eyebrows twice, shamelessly flirting.

Luka's face went white in disgust. Juleka's chuckle and Adrien's big eyes made him snap out of it.

"Oh, Just carry this, thank you!" Luka answered, annoyed, as he shoved his and Adrien’s instruments and suitcases into XY’s arms, making the blond man lose balance from the pile of weight on his arms. “And take good care of them because they’re… fragile”

"A- As you wish, beauti- Ah!…" He stumbled, losing his balance and almost falling down. “But later that drink-”

"Yves!! Stop the crap and do your job!" Mendeleiev scolded him.

"Yes, Madam!" He straightened his back. "See you around", he winked at Luka before leaving, having trouble walking properly. The guitarist could feel shivers all over his body, while Juleka snorted, having real trouble trying to hold her laugh in.

"C'mon, hurry up!" Juleka pressured them, adding in a whisper "you better not expose yourselves before leaving."

"Thank you for saving us, Juleka." Luka whispered to her ear while getting on the train.

"You better stop acting stupid if you don't want to get caught!" Her response showed her annoyance and the men gulped in response.

The seats were arranged in pairs, so the two fugitives could sit together and relax a bit. They were also grateful for the lack of contact needed with the rest of the band.

The ‘Miraculous band’ was a dancing orchestra. Similar to a big band, but with vocals, a spectacular stage and completely fine for all ages to enjoy. In this case, its main particularity was how it was formed only by women. The band formation included: a rhythmic section (electric bass, electric guitar, drums and electronic piano), a wind section (saxophones, trumpets and trombones) and two singers. Many of the members were usually multi-disciplined in those bands, which meant they could play more than one instrument, just like Luka with the Lyre. Some of the side instruments were the violin, the flute, the maracas or the tambourine. Another particularity of these kinds of bands was the big range of styles in their repertoire: from rock and popular national or international hits to swings, waltz, salsa- anything that could be danced to.

If it weren't for the all girls' rule, Adrien and Luka wouldn't have minded joining them for real. But they had something more important to think about now- running for their lives.

"Is everyone here?", Mendeleiev asked, standing at the train car passage.

"Marinette and Kagami are not here yet, Madam" A dark skinned, red haired lady pointed out.

"Those two again… if they weren't so talented and popular I would have fired them already!"

"There they come!' A small blond short-haired lady screamed, startling Juleka in the process. "Sorry! I didn't want to startle you. My name is Rose" she introduced herself.

"Juleka…" and that's all she could say as she lost herself in that petit woman's eyes.

"What do you play?", the little woman innocently asked. "I play the trombone!"

"The electric bass…" she answered, hiding her blush. ‘Cute, sweet and with lungs of steel?’ Juleka gulped. ‘I’m screwed’.

"Finally!" Madam Mendeleiev said, as the ladies arrived, panting from their run there. "You're late! Go to your seats quickly!"

The two ladies who got in the train, bowed their heads in apology for their tardiness, as they walked to the empty seats of the back of the car. And when their faces looked up for a moment, it was the exact moment Adrien and Luka reached heaven. Their eyes couldn't stop staring at the most beautiful ladies they had ever seen, following them with their eyes and faces as they passed just beside them, moving to sit a few rows to the back. They couldn't take their eyes off them until Juleka called for their attention, warning for their discretion. But it was too late: the boys had lovestruck grins on their faces that didn't plan to go away anytime soon.

The two ladies had black hair and asian features. The short haired one was taller, had brown eyes and wore a beautiful white blazer with a red skirt. She looked elegant and confident, while the other woman looked cute, clumsy and innocent, and was shorter. She had blue eyes and dressed in a pink coat. Her hair was long and tied in two curly twin-tails. Their beauty stood out even more when they were together.

When the train started moving, Madam Mendeleiev gave the girl band some instructions- something Luka and Adrien would ask Juleka what it was about later. Later, Rose suggested an introduction game for the new members after the explanation had ended. The ladies excitedly agreed.

"I start!" said the same blond girl. "My name is Rose Lavillant and I play the trombone! I studied at a conservatoire in Paris for 3 years before joining this band recently. I like pink and unicorns and my favorite food is strawberry shortcake. Nice to meet you!"

After a round of applause, Rose signaled Juleka to continue, and she passively proceeded. "I'm Juleka. Bassist. Nice to meet you"

Next to continue was the red-haired woman from earlier, Alya, flautist and trumpeter; the drummer, Mylene; another trumpeter, Alix; and one of the saxophonists, Sabrina. It was Adrien's turn next.

"Hello!" He started, with his high-pitched voice. "My name is Ad-" he paused for a second at Juleka's deathly glare, gulping once before continuing. "My name is Noirette. I play the piano! I'm from Paris Classical School and I'm very pleased to meet you all!" He squealed, moving his arms along.

Adrien's excitement for freedom and new experiences was contagious to the rest of the ladies who energetically (almost hysterically) responded "Nice to meet you too, Noirette!".

It was Luka's turn next. He gulped, nervous, and with his fake high pitched voice and under Juleka's death stare, he started.

"Hi... My name is Lu- Lucia". 'I'm killing Adrien for giving me that name' he thought. "I play the guitar. Nice to meet you"

With their introductions over, Juleka finally relaxed. The rest of the ladies' introductions followed but, to be honest, neither Luka nor Adrien were listening: they were just patiently waiting to know more about the ladies that captivated their hearts. Their turn finally arrived, and the short haired one started:

"Hello. My name is Kagami. I sing and play the violin. I've been in the band for a few weeks. My favorite color is red and my favorite food is katsudon. Nice to meet you" a silence followed Kagami's introduction, so she called for her partner's attention with her elbow. "Marinette, your turn!"

"Oh-! Sorry… I was distracted… He-ello… My name is Ma- Ma- Marinette! I'm a singer but I can also play side instruments like the tambourine, the maracas or the castanets. I've been in this band for a few weeks and I studied in Paris Music School. My favorite color is pink and my favorite food is macarons. It's nice to meet you-", she ended with a nervous high-pitched voice.

Luka and Adrien exchanged excited lovestruck grins: the ladies' names and voices were just as beautiful as their faces. They were going to enjoy their outing with the band better than they could have expected.

______________________________

When the car got loud from the ladies chit-chat, Luka and Adrien found their moment of peace to share their thoughts.

“Luka, did you see that?” Adrien started, signaling at the end of the car, towards the singers of the band.

“Yes…I saw.” Luka answered, with a lovestruck grin on his face.

“That beautiful face…”, Adrien continued.

“Sweet voice…”, Luka added.

“Asian features…”, their mumbles continued.

“Dazzling eyes…”

“Dark shiny silky hair…”

The two men reacted at their exchanged words and looked at each other, surprised and nervous. Adrien gulped, worried.

“Wait- who are you talking about?”

“Who are YOU talking about?” Luka threw his question back at him, slightly aggressively.

“That girl, Kagami, of course!” Adrien exclaimed as if it was the most obvious response.

“Oh, that's good. I was talking about Marinette.” Luka sighed and showed him a relieved smile.

“Oh...” Adrien blinked, sighing and smiling in relief too. “I'm glad we weren't talking about the same girl. I wouldn't have liked to steal a girl from you.”

“What makes you think I wouldn't win her over you?”, Luka confidently grinned.

“Oh- anyway- It's better this way.”

The two men laughed together, trying not to be too loud for their manly voices to destroy their cover-ups.

“Will you help me with Kagami?” Adrien asked his friend.

“Only if you help me with Marinette.” said Luka, offering him a handshake he excitedly returned.

“Count on it, my friend!”

#my fic #fic: miraculous escape #lukanette fic #adrigami fic #my art #airipyon #airip4 #lukadrien friendship #endgame lukanette #sorry for the ugly art #It's OLD and I cringe #but you get the overall idea I guess?#silly comedy #This idea was from last year OMG #Idk when I'm going to continue it but I hope I will...#I'm super slow to finish my WIPs...

34 notes · View notes

ayuuria · 4 years ago

Text

Yashahime Translation: Animedia Magazine March 2021 Issue

Please do not repost this translation without my consent! This includes screenshots of any type and amount. If you wish to share this translation, simply link to this post.

For more information regarding the use of my translations, click here.

Tis the Season of Love ♪,

Get That Person’s Heart! (let’s get it)

The flower blooming Spring is the season of (new) meetings. Look around for an instant and before you know it, the distance between “that person” and “that person” has gotten smaller. Will love be born from there? Picking up the relationship that people are curious about.

Even though they’re at the height of adolescence, the three Yashahimes slay demons all the time. Within that, recently there’s a gentleman that has quickly approached Towa. His name is Riku. He seems to be known among demons and is a suspicious unidentifiable person, but his manners are exceptional in any case! Whether it’s because Towa let’s her guard down at his friendly attitude, they seem to enjoy their conversations whenever they meet. It seems Riku has a motive but putting that aside, it appears that he’s taken a liking to Towa herself. While still not knowing whether he’s a friend or enemy, at some point, a relationship that’s not quite love (?) has sprouted between them. This time, we had Matsumoto Sara, the voice actress for Towa, talk about Riku and, going with the theme of Spring, had her choose flower images for the Yashahimes and Riku based on “Flower Language”.

The handsome young man with an ulterior motive, Riku

Self-proclaimed “pirate come ashore”. A young man of many mysteries who covets the rainbow pearls the three Yashahimes possess. He also knows a lot about the circumstances surrounding the birth of Towa and the others.

The honest girl who is still inexperienced in love, Towa

Sesshōmaru’s daughter and Setsuna’s elder twin sister. She treasures Setsuna, who was raised separately from her, more than anyone else. On the night of the new moon, she loses her demonic powers and her hair turns black.

Setsuna

Towa’s younger twin sister. Due to having her sleep stolen by the Dream Butterfly, she is unable to sleep. While she does not have any memories of her early childhood, she has gradually become able to let her guard down around Towa.

Spring Breeze Interview, The Voice Actress for Higurashi Towa: Matsumoto Sara

Moroha

Inuyasha and Kagome’s daughter. Separated from her parents soon after being born, she was raised by the wolf demon tribe. When she puts rouge on her lips, she becomes “Beniyasha, the Destroyer of Lands” and goes on a rampage.

— With the development thus far, which episode left a big impression on you?

What left the biggest impression on me was episode 14 which was the episode that showed the truth behind the forest fire that separated Towa and Setsuna. I always to keep an objective point of view while acting but at that time, I was truly angry from the bottom of my heart. Whether for better or for worse, Towa’s emotions came into me.

Also, the depiction of Towa and Setsuna when they were born in episode 15 left an impression on me as well. Since it’s Sesshōmaru, I thought he would be rough with the babies but surprisingly, he firmly and carefully held them, so I was relieved (laughs).

— Being Towa’s father, what do you think of Sesshōmaru’s actions?

Without really saying too much, even though there are not enough words, I end up just suddenly saying what I’m really curious about. However, I think Sesshōmaru himself acts on his intentions while not caring about what others around him think. I also didn’t know what the future development was, so as the role of the daughter I thought “Please give more hints”.

— How did you feel seeing the figure of Towa fighting up to this point?

When Towa’s life completely changed by jumping from the modern era to the feudal era, I worried if Towa would be able to cope but I was surprised at how adaptable she was. There’s the fact that she’s still in puberty so her sensitivity is like a sponge, or rather her ability to absorb things is amazing, I think. Also, having Setsuna nearby is big. There may be times where she’s uneasy but her strong sense of duty and justice to “protect Setsuna” is what I feel drives her. She’s the type to immediately take action if there’s something she has to do, so I think her current environment is a good fit.

— Alright then, what are some highlights going forward?

There’s an episode where you will learn Setsuna’s childhood and how she lived after she was separated from Towa. In episode 13, it talked about how Monk Miroku sealed Setsuna’s demonic powers, so this flashback episode of the past will connect to that. After episode 20, the fragments scattered throughout the story thus far will gradually come together as one, so there’s a lot of information packed in that you can’t miss. I think viewers have been in suspense following the mystery (of the story) so please look forward to the final stage of the development.

Will the Scheming Man’s Approach Work on the Dense Princess!?

Towa & Riku Affinity Investigation

I’m weak against boys like Riku, so if someone continuously came to me saying “I’m interested in you”, it would make my heart beat fast (laughs). Riku moves understanding that mentality and I think he’s good at setting up the mood when approaching Towa. I think right now based on where he stands, he makes spur of the moment decisions on how to act. He’s mysterious but he smiles periodically and even though he’s vague, he has a maternal appeal… He’s a very charming and sly character (Matsumoto)

By the way! If Riku were in the modern era, what sort of occupation would he be suitable for?

He’s a sweet talker, so the first thing that comes to mind is a swindler (laughs). There was a scene where he showed a magic technique so I think work in the entertainment field would also fit Riku. He also seems suitable to be an actor. He’s got natural talent and can turn into any person. Then conversely, I think strict jobs would also suit him. If he were a schoolteacher, I have a feeling he would be popular with the students. (Matsumoto)

The Part of Riku that Makes One Swoon: He completely reeks of danger.

Riku’s mysteriousness is appealing. He also met Kagome before she gave birth to Moroha, but he looked the same as he does now.

The Part of Towa that Makes One Swoon: She tries her hardest and is pure cuteness!

Losing her demonic powers on the “Night of the New Moon”, Towa becomes worried about Setsuna. Different from usual, she shows the weak side of a regular girl.

Try! Heart Pounding Flower & Date Plan

What flower comes to mind for Towa, Setsuna, Moroha, and Riku?

Setsuna is the Evening Primrose

Setsuna is an evening primrose which in flower language means “Silent Affection”. The evening primrose goes unnoticed and quietly blooms at night. Having her sleep stolen by the Dream Butterfly, I think it overlaps with the figure of Setsuna being the only one awake after everyone else has fallen asleep for the night. (Matsumoto)

Towa is the Lily

Towa is a lily which in flower language means “Pure”. While watching reality change before her eyes, I think the word “pure” fits Towa perfectly as she acts with a pure sense of justice and duty. That sense of not being tainted by anything is also like a lily. (Matsumoto)

Moroha is the Statice

Moroha is a statice which in flower language means “Endless Memories”. Born as Inuyasha and Kagome’s child, I think Moroha’s existence is blessed. The things Moroha inherited from her parents are within her as “endless memories”. That’s what I imagined. (Matsumoto)

Riku is the Anemone

Riku is a purple anemone which in flower language means “I will believe in you as I wait”. Riku will affectionately call Zero “Elder Sister” (translators: I believe the context is the same word that maiko (apprentice Geisha) use to address their superiors (full-fledged Geishas)) and he seems to have strong feelings for Kirinmaru in his own way, so I matched (the flower) to that image. (Matsumoto)

If you were to gift Towa, Setsuna, Moroha, and Riku flowers?

I think a small bouquet would suit Towa and Riku and they would genuinely be delighted. I think Towa would give you a wink as a thank you. I want to give Setsuna a large bouquet. She would probably turn her face away slightly, embarrassed. Instead of a bouquet for Moroha, I want to take her to a flower field myself. I think she would enjoy the scenery while saying “This won’t make any money.” (Matsumoto)

If you were to take Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha out in the Spring?

My impression is that the warm spring weather would suit the three of them. If in the feudal era, I think they would enjoy cherry blossom viewing. Ideally, it would be great if their parents were there with them too. If in the modern era, I’d have to say I want them to do some kind of team activity. I want to see something like Towa dressing up Setsuna, going shopping together, and eating delicious food. (Matsumoto)

I want their (the three Yashahimes) hearts to become closer while loving the cherry blossoms!

Illustration Description

Whether it was to let Towa know that there was a butterfly on her shoulder, Riku amiably calls out to her. It feels as though Towa’s encounter with Riku wasn’t all bad?

#hanyou no yashahime #yashahime: princess half-demon #translation #Yashahime

119 notes · View notes

atths--twice · 3 years ago

Link

Chapter Five

December 1923

It took nearly a month to secure the preparations needed to leave Cairo and begin the journey down the Nile.

If he had not seen much of Dana before, he now saw her nearly every day.

She brought books from work, shared information she had been gathering for years, showed him maps she had copied and shared where she believed the temple of Kha’ari was located and why.

“There are big areas devoted to the more well known gods and goddesses: Luxor, Karnak… but I don’t think it’s near them. I just feel as though it’s near the Kharga Oasis,” she told him, as he walked her home after dinner at the hotel.

“The names are similar,” Fox agreed.

“True, but it’s more than similar names.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think… and, I know how it will sound, but I think that the other temples were erected in places where it may have been hard to be happy at times, but…” She paused and shook her head with a heavy sigh. “I think it’s harder to be sad in a beautiful place. To feel the weight of your heart breaking, while the day is beautiful and others around you are happy. I think a temple near an oasis, near that beauty, for a goddess of pain and suffering… that would be the perfect location. Showing that there is that beauty in the world, even when we believe it’s not possible.”

Fox stared at her, thinking of the people who may have come to the temple, leaving their offerings of thankfulness, finally able to see the beauty in the day around them, their hearts beginning to repair. He smiled and nodded, believing she had to be right, her deductions far too reasonable.

“I think that makes perfect sense,” he said softly and she smiled.

_______________________

The Lady of the Nile, was a large beautiful ship in which Fox had procured two rooms to carry them to their destination. When they had arrived that morning, Dana had stopped and stared at it and then at him.

“Our journey will take three weeks. We may as well spend it in comfort,” he had said and while she had seemed hesitant, she entered the ship with him.

The ship was even more beautiful once they were being led to their rooms. The rich colors, tapestries, and details all added to the grandeur of it. Dana kept looking all over and shaking her head, telling him how beautiful she found it.

Her room was first and when they stepped inside, she gasped. The room held a small bed, wardrobe, nightstand, oil and globe lamps. There was a sitting area with a small sofa, a table in front of it, and a sink with a chest below it.

Shelves with brackets were above the bed and along the walls to hold objects and keep them from falling. A round window, above a small bookshelf which held a decent amount of books, opened to look out onto the water. Sheer curtains hung around the bed and a large rug covered the floor.

“This room is nicer than my flat,” Dana said softly to him as she looked around, her trunk set down by the porter.

Fox smiled at her before excusing himself and continuing onto his own room. It was similar to hers, though the colors were a bit darker and instead of the small sofa, it had two comfortable looking chairs.

He unpacked his trunk, hanging up his clothes and looking around with a grin and a nod. It was all really happening.

He walked around the room, touching the books in the bookcase, the oil lamps, the curtains around the bed. With another nod, he left the room and walked to the dining room, requesting a table for dinner on the deck at sunset.

When he left, he walked back to Dana‘s room and knocked on her door. She answered, though she did not open the door fully, staying slightly hidden behind it.

“I’ve made reservations for dinner,” he said. “But I was wondering if you would like to take a tour of the ship with me.”

“Oh… yes, I would like that very much. Can I meet you in a few minutes?”

“Of course,” he agreed with a nod. “Fifteen minutes? In the main lobby?”

“Yes,” she agreed, smiling and nodding as she closed the door.

He left and walked to the bar, looking at the alcohol displayed and ordered two glasses of champagne. As it arrived, so did Dana, in a dress he had never seen before, and his heart stopped before it began to beat rapidly. Her hair was up and she looked beautiful, though slightly nervous.

“You look beautiful,” he said as she reached him.

“Thank you,” she answered with a blush on her cheeks. “My mother sent me this dress, just in case I had an occasion to wear it. I’ve had it for nearly two years and never worn it before tonight. I feel a bit unlike myself, but thought it was the right time to make use of it.”

“Indeed,” he said with a smile, the dark blue of the dress making her eyes bluer, if it were possible. “Here.” He handed her one of the glasses, clinking it with his own.

“Cheers,” she said quietly and he nodded as they took a sip. Extending his arm, she accepted it, as they turned from the bar and made their way up the stairs.

They walked around the ship, discovering the luxuries it afforded: a dining room smoking lounge for the men, a library, a salon with chairs and sofas filling the room, the gleaming windows letting in the late afternoon sun.

The deck of the ship was even better with the view of the sunset, the water, and the other small boats sailing beside them, their masts filled by the breeze.

He glanced at Dana, the loose strands of hair blowing across her face, and he smiled. Her eyes were shining and her lips curling up as she waved to him sailing past them. Under any other circumstance, he would have seen the romance of the situation. Truth be told, he was hard pressed not to see it, as the setting sun created a romantic atmosphere all its own, but he pushed those feelings aside.

“This is a beautiful ship. Far more than I was expecting,” she said and took a last drink of her champagne, the glass now empty.

“What were you expecting?” he asked, taking her glass and then draining his own.

“I… I don’t really know,” she said, leaning her arms on the railing and twirling a strand of hair, at the base of her neck, around her fingers. “I’ve… It's been a long time since I’ve been around such luxuries. My income at the museum is not large and what money I am sent from my mother, it’s not much either, and not always absolute.” He frowned and she smiled slightly. “My father didn’t want me to leave and threatened there would be no financial help from him if I did.”

“That’s…” He paused, not knowing what to say, and not wanting to insult a man he did not know.

“Not exactly the kindest, no, but it’s been cleared up. Letters and distance work wonders, you know.” She smiled at him and he frowned again. “He was worried about me on my own, and didn't want me so far from home.” She bit her bottom lip and looked away with a sigh, the wind blowing her hair across her face.

“But you know what I think?” she asked as she turned to look at him again. “Although he never says, his own letters generally short, and only a postscript added to my mother’s, I think the money is from him, but he won’t admit it. Stubbornness and not wanting to appear too soft, he will continue the charade.” Fox laughed softly and she smiled.

“My mother similarly did not want me to leave. But… after the pain and uncertainty the war caused her, I can understand.”

“Were you… shot? Your leg…” She glanced down and back up at him. “Please don’t feel you have to discuss it if you don’t-”

“No,” he interrupted, not wanting her to feel she had imposed upon him. “I wasn’t shot in my leg. I was stabbed and it became infected before I could get proper medical health. I had to spend some time in hospital correcting the mistake. I didn’t think I would go back to the front line after that, but they cleared me to return. My mothers letters were filled with her worry and anger over that decision.”

“I can understand how she feels,” Dana said quietly, her eyes downcast, fingers stroking her locket.

He felt the conversation was becoming too morose and so he suggested they continue walking and heading to dinner. She agreed and they moved on, him carrying the glasses and giving them to a server who had passed by.

Dinner was delicious, their conversation easy, but he could not help but feel something was different. She smiled and laughed, but the happiness did not quite reach her eyes.

After the meal was finished, she politely excused herself to return to her room, claiming she was tired and could do with an early night.

“Of course,” he responded with a nod, and she walked away.

Not wanting to be held within the walls of his own room just yet, he strolled around the ship again. On his second trip, he stopped at the library where he spent some time perusing the titles. Taking a book back to his room, he was determined to read as much as possible before falling asleep.

__________________

The days they spent together were different from the seemingly endless ones of planning and discussions. Then they worked tirelessly, walking to and from the library, the hotel, and her flat.

Now, they had time to relax, sleep later, lounge about if they so chose, which they did as it was a very welcome change.

They ate every meal together, learning more about one another.

She had grown up in Maryland and was the youngest of three siblings; her youngest brother dying in infancy.

Her brother, Bill, had fought in the war, coming home wounded in one eye. He handled it well, saying he could live his life with one eye as well as two. His fiancée, Adelaide, had not cared, thankful he had returned to her alive, and his children, of which he had two rambunctious boys, thought of him as a pirate.

Her sister, Melissa, was married to a very kind and quiet man, Joshua, who doted on her every need. They had three children and last she had heard, would soon be adding another.

“They are all the sweetest children, my sister's children more so, always sending me drawings and little notes. I love them all, miss them of course, but…” A hand at her throat drew his attention, but no story was forthcoming and he was left wondering about the mystery of the locket.

He told her of his life, a sometimes lonesome one without a sibling, wishing he had a playmate, but happy with his parents. His mother especially was loving and attentive and he had never lacked for anything.

“But it’s not made you as some,” Dana said and he frowned in confusion. “I mean that some people become demanding and rude, carrying their wealth as though it puts them above others. You don’t do that. You have wealth, as was obvious when I first met you, but you don’t flaunt it. It’s a part of you, but not something you think or worry about.”

“That may be the kindest way to tell someone they are a rich snob that I’ve ever heard,” he teased and she laughed, looking out at the water as they sat at a table, enjoying a drink.

Other than the discussion the first day on the ship, the war was a topic they avoided and also how she had come to be in Egypt. It hung between them, something he would not have minded discussing, but one which she obviously did not, so their conversation mostly revolved around the journey and their destination.

The ship made many stops, allowing for touring the temples. For Fox, they saw nearly enough to make it all worthwhile, even without discovering anything on their own, but knew it was not the same for Dana. Her commentary of the day as they returned to the ship and had dinner, her eyes shining, he knew she was thinking of the excitement of their own hopeful discoveries.

Luxor, Karnak and Hathor, each place was more impressive than the last. The sheer magnitude of them was daunting enough, but the details in the artwork kept him standing in one place and sketching for longer than anticipated, only stopping when Dana joined him after touring places he had missed, his attention focused on sights before him.

There were people offering their expertise as a guide, but they declined them. Dana shared everything she knew, which was quite a bit, explaining what they saw with a passion the other guides lacked. He loved listening to her speak on subjects of which she knew, her tone animated and her hands moving quickly, pointing them out with a smile, his interest piquing with every word.

They went to the Valley of the Kings, where a large crowd waited to see the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Fox felt nervous as they made their way to the front of the queue, terrified he would react the same way he had at the pyramids. It would be twice as horrifying if it were to happen in front of Dana.

As the next couple walked forward, he took a deep breath. Thinking of the fact that it had been a while since he’d had any type of an attack of panic, he felt his heart start to race.

“Fox? Are you ready?” Dana asked, breaking into his thoughts and gesturing toward the tomb.

He took a deep breath and felt the panic begin to rise, when suddenly she touched his forearm and stared into his eyes. As she did, he felt a calm wash over him, his breathing returning to normal.

“Yes,” he said, letting out his breath and swallowing down his worries. “Yes, I’m ready.” She smiled and took a step forward and he followed; down the steps and into the tomb.

_______________________

December 25, 1923

Off the ship and now staying at a hotel in Luxor, Fox dressed for dinner, tying his tie before he put on his jacket and walked out of the room.

Tomorrow would begin their day of preparation. They would be meeting with the men who would be joining them on their expedition. Food would be acquired, tools, clothes, tents, and any other items they would need.

Fox was excited, but also nervous, hoping they would truly find what they imagined was somewhere out in the middle of the desert. Tonight though, he and Dana were having dinner and celebrating the holiday.

Nearly a month on a ship, he was glad to be in a place which sat on solid ground. The ship had been large and comfortable, the river calm, but he still preferred to be on dry land.

Down the stairs, he stood waiting in the main lounge area for Dana. She did not keep him waiting long and when he saw her coming down the stairs, he drew in a deep breath.

Wearing the same dark blue dress as she had their first night on the ship. Her hair was up, though in a slightly different style, and his let out his breath when she reached him. He smiled, unable to take his eyes off of her.

“You’ve managed to make that dress even more beautiful the second time. You quite literally took my breath away.” He smiled again and she looked down, her cheeks pink, before raising her eyes to his and smiling.

“Thank you. You look very nice too,” she said and he nodded as he extended his arm to her. She took it and they walked into the dining room.

The room was large, with a dance floor in the middle, and tables around the edges, covered with white tablecloths. Candles lit around the room and sitting on the tables, gave it an inviting feeling.

“It’s beautiful in here,” Dana said, the orchestra in the corner beginning to play softly as they sat down.

“It is,” Fox agreed, looking around and smiling. “I think what I like best though, is that we aren’t on a moving ship. This room, being stationary, makes me very happy.” Dana laughed, picking up the menu from beside her plate.

Their food orders were given and as the waiter left them, he looked at the orchestra, his foot tapping the floor beneath the tablecloth. Turning his head, he looked back at Dana who smiled at him.

“I want to thank you, Dana,” he said quietly and she seemed surprised at his words. He drew a breath, about to speak, when the waiter arrived with a bottle of wine, filling their glasses. “A toast. To the journey on which we are about to embark, all we have seen, and to one another.” She raised her glass and tapped it to his, her eyes shining.

God, she’s beautiful, he thought, the dress and style of her hair accentuating her beauty.

When they had eaten, and the dishes cleared away, they rose to leave. Her eyes followed the dancing couples as they glided past, smiling and laughing.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked and she shook her head, clasping her hands in front of her. “A walk around the grounds of the hotel perhaps?” She smiled in agreement and they began to walk.

“Fox,” she said softly, her eyes on his. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the last few weeks. I’ve lived here for over three years and I have not had the opportunity to travel as we have done. I knew it was there, but the cost was beyond my means. Here I was in a place I had wanted to visit most of my life and I was stuck in one place.” She smiled at him, reaching for his arm and slipping her hand into the crook of it. “I never imagined I would be here, on the brink of doing what I set out to accomplish.” She stopped walking and held tight to his arm, forcing him to also stop. Staring at him, she smiled again.

“Thank you, Fox.”

“It has been my pleasure,” he whispered with a slight nod. “I have enjoyed the past few weeks as well. Immensely.” Placing his other hand over hers, he squeezed gently.

“And now I must express my appreciation. Thank you,” he said quietly and she shook her head. “No. I do thank you. If it was not you who answered my first letter, I would not have been as intrigued to come here. To not only see all that we have, but to meet and thank the person behind the pen. I’m so glad it was you. Thank you, Miss Scully.”

She blinked her eyes rapidly, though he could see the tears shining in them. He squeezed her hand again, let go and took a handkerchief from his pocket, handing it to her as they began to resume walking.

The music from the dining room could be heard through the open windows as they walked past and he stopped. Turning his face to her, he raised his eyebrows, asking silently if she would like to dance. She nodded and he took back his handkerchief, placing it into his pocket.

Holding out a hand, she took it and he pulled her close, waiting to feel the rhythm of the music.

“I’m not always good with the quicker steps, but I’ll try my best,” he confessed and she smiled.

“I’m not a great dancer myself. Please don’t feel worried,” she whispered. He smiled with a nod, his leg the furthest thing from his mind as he held her in his arms and they twirled, her laughter ringing through the air.

They stumbled only a couple of times, both apologizing and then laughing harder, but they kept dancing until the music stopped, with applause following.

Catching their breath, he looked at her and without thinking if it was the right thing to do, he leaned forward and kissed her softly, surprising both of them. He began to pull back, his apology already forming in his mind, when her grip tightened and she kissed him.

As quickly as it began, it stopped. She pushed away from him, her eyes wide.

“I… I’m sorry,” she breathed, a hand going to the locket at her throat. “I…” She shook her head and stepped back, walking away quickly.

“Dana… Please don’t leave,” he called after her, but she kept walking and he did not chase after her, knowing it was not what she wanted nor what he should do.

The music began to play again, happy and festive, the diners applauding, laughter echoing through the windows. He felt no such joy, only worry and confusion. Less than a minute ago he had been happy, and now he stood alone, the memory of her kiss still lingering on his lips.

#The X-Files #XF Fiction #Alternate Universe #Historical AU #Egypt #Getting To Know Each Other #Beginning Of The Journey #New Relationship

11 notes · View notes