#there was a scene of kat staring out the window when the war ended and I was like “oml i have to write this shit down”

[everything-is-as-it-was]

Watched all quiet on the western front (Im Westen Nicht Neues) and uhhhh my hand slipped so now I have a Dan and Phil coming home from War AU I have no idea what to do with ahah

[resslington-is-my-otp]

This essay is sponsored by the essays on gay subtext in Tarantino movies. The beauty of the subtext is being there, adding another layer to the characters’ dynamics.

Red and Ressler’s relationship in s9

“She wanted a life with you.”

These words have stuck with me (some of my mutuals now may have fun imagining my facial expression at that moment), and got me thinking.

The curiosity of "how can I fit this into that and come satisfied on another end" got the best of me.

That scene between Red and Ress. It was everything—even if I'm not agreeing with the "Ressler has been in love with Liz all this time" idea—I had expected it to be. The vocabulary was somewhat less colorful and lacked weight, but the most important things these two have said with their eyes. These two have invented the nonverbal communication.

But, being a picky little shit I am, I'm not sure if it's in Ressler's character to deliver that kind of speech. Honestly, I'd watch him punch Red or point his gun at him (no, not that gun, a real one). This blame-shifting isn't gonna make it easier, and it just feels so... Hypocritical. And I absolutely hate that shit, in any form or shape. It stinks of Ressler trying to whitewash himself. Which is so bleh and ugh. Plus, we've already had a character who'd keep telling how everything was Red's fault (and, to an extent, it was, I don't deny it).

The bitter truth is that Red, Ress, and Liz have fucked up—Liz and her own choices can't also be disregared. I do agree that without Red she would've lived a more or less happy life. But hey, can you bet your money no one from her mom's or dad's past would learn who she really is and come looking for her? Red, just like Liz when digging Kat's, has dug some skeletons out of the closet. He had good intentions, but, as we all know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Yet, my point is, it's everyone's fault. Choices and consequences. And neither of them—Red, Don, Liz—was ready (maybe, Red, since he is the most mature of them all, knows the real price of those choices; that's why he tries to hard to protect Liz from making them but she makes them anyway) when those consequences of their choices had bitten them in the ass.

I have always thought that Red possesses an uncanny resemblance to Dorian Gray. Of course, Dorian had spilled his wish accidentally, but Red—he had sealed the pact with a metaphorical devil in exchange of power knowingly. He might have not realized at that time the cost but he was hungry for power, so "all is good and fair at war".

“She wanted a life with you.” Notice the voice play here, how Red accentuates the “you”, and then hold his gaze on Ressler. He never averts his eyes. Why would he do that if this phrase was meant to cheer Ress up or to honor Liz's memory? And why wouldn't he have said that he's sorry? Or just turn from Ressler and stare into the sky in the window, tearing up?

And boy, do I have quite a theory on that.

Red's facial expression, teary eyes, and the way he utters those words scream to me “regret”.

Regret for how it has turned out (for him and for Donald), for his own choices, miscalculations, mistakes... Ressler first seems confused, and only a moment after it hits him, the meaning behind the words. You can see a glimpse of realization in his eyes, teary as well.

To me, it's not just about Liz or whatever she might have planned or not to have with Ressler. As far as I'm concerned, there could have been another way of delivering this knowledge to Ressler through Red's lips.

This scene isn't about Ressler, it's about Red. It's about him coping with what pain he's caused and what he took—from Ressler. And from Liz too. But mostly, it's all about him, his ego. The old man is such a egotistical bastard, but hey, that's why we love him. Do we though?

Now, I'm not sure if Liz has ever disclosed her intimate desire to build a new life with Ressler (I can put aside my disbelief and question the mere why would she talk about this with the person she has spent what, three seasons and change trying to kill/put in a jail/reveal his secret?), but even if she had...

I have no doubt that the way Red had been acting—choosing Liz to run the empire, keeping her by his side for protection—is a testament of how much he loves her (any shipping or non-shipping goggles are welcome).

And yet—it’s egoistic of him—she's grown enough to be on her own, and he's having her on a leash. Yeah, yeah, the leash is quite loose, but still it's a leash. I'm not saying she doesn't have her own head to make decisions but she isn't completely free either.

But Ressler? He is something else.

Remember how Red jokes about Ress being bent but not quite bent? I think this is what makes all the difference. Yes, the writers made Ressler a fool for fEeLs or whatever, but if we just forget that and look at Ressler not as a simp but like his usual self, it makes sense. Red can't prevent him from digging the things (Liz also couldn't) about Katarina. He can't order him not to—which is ironical given the fact that all his life Ressler has been taking orders.

Red is basically a nobody to him, not a figure of authority. I do think a part of Ress respects him, in a way, and is grateful for what he did for him over the years, but that's it—as much as I love my headcanons, there are times I need to take into account a character's personality. An unedited, untouched by anyone, raw core.

Ressler has always been a hound. A truth seeker. A dog on a scent, if you please. A wild card. Truth matters to him a great deal (he puts it first, even the love of his life will come second)—even if it has disastrous consequences.

His inner conflict has always been there. It lacked resolution, lacked depth, but alright.

He's an idealist who exists in a imperfect world, where the cobwebs of half-truths are glorified. No one is interested in doing the right thing (maybe except the victims of the cases he investigates)—even the system he has been relying so much on, has proved to be rotten to the core. And he's forced to put up with it every single day. In a way, his job has been a way of asserting the right order—the truth will prevail, no matter what. And it does, to a certain degree.

Everything is peachy until Red is in the picture. Forget surrendering—Ressler has been hunting for him most of his career. For Ress, Red is the embodiment of how far the deceit and lies can take you.

Ressler doesn't realize at first that unlike others, Red is perfectly aware of the price he's paying. I'm not sure he realizes it even after “The sins should be buried” either. It's a very delicate matter, and, Ressler, fortunately or not, isn't a delicate man, but a man of blunt force, sharp judgement, and action.

I'm not saying he's an emotionless steel and a complete dumbass. I'm just saying, he's not gonna pick the undertones and nuances with his rational thinkbox. Subconsciously—probably.

However, when he tries to analyze (which is pointless, but hey, it's Ressler for ya, he's gonna try dissecting even the chemistry of attraction), when he lets himself to feel—it messes him up. So he figures better shut it, keep on a lock, and never open.

If we juxtapose Liz and Ressler approaching the truth hunt, we'll see that while Liz is led by personal motives—to find truth for her own self-comfort, Ressler's looking for the truth because “honesty is the best policy.” Except when it's not.

Better bitter truth than sweet lies.

And Red, being a bastard and a pathological liar he is, also can be brutally honest.

Did you ever notice that while Red can deceive Ressler-an-Agent, he never actually lies to Ressler-a-human-being? Especially when it comes to personal things? Involving loss or grief? Or any kind of emotional hurricane? Ressler has never believed Red, and he's right not to, but Red has always been honest with him.

Just like he's brutally honest with him now, “She wanted a life with you.”

It's a devastating, crushing statement, and it's not meant to console Ressler. It's meant to hurt. Red wants Ressler to hurt again because he himself is still in pain too (even if he wears a mask of “I've found my inner peace”).

Honesty is the best policy, huh?

Red has never stopped hurting (I don't believe in what the show is trying to sell us)—and he 100% blames himself not only for failing Liz and not being honest with her (he genuinely believed he was protecting her—again, a self-confidence and a selfish move), but also failing to stop Ressler from assisting Liz. He overlooked the coup d'etat plotting right under his nose.

...Or he refused to believe in it?

And,—subconsciously or not—he wants to rub the salt into Ressler's wound, opening it up again to bleed.

Is it cruel?

Yes.

Is it messed up?

Hell yeah it is.

But it's perfectly justifiable on Red’s end. An eye for an eye. Just as Red has failed Liz, Ressler has failed her too—where was his head when he needed to bring her in? Certainly not on his shoulders.

So Red is doing what any hurt human being would do—he projects his own suffering onto Ressler. He isn't blaming him directly, voicing it. Doesn't need to—Liz’s demise is hanging over them like a guillotine blade.

Don't tell me you've perceived Reddington as a crusader for the greater good and the savior of the day.

“I’m a violent man.” Violence isn't just physical, it can be emotional. Red’s business is based on dealing with all kinds of people. He knows exactly where to hit to cause the damage, to play on people's shame and guilt.

Their interaction with Ressler is the exchange on the most visceral level between the two men who are strikingly different by their nature and yet ridiculously similar in everything else.

And yet, once again—

why would Red be so cruel to Ressler? Knowing—like no other—what this man has been through?

Red never had been so cruel to him after Audrey died. In fact, he had been more than understanding and caring to Ressler at the time than he is now.

So why such a change?

An infamous 8x4 comes to mind.

“Boy, she played you.”

Forget for a moment Red is taunting Donald. Look beyond the words, beyond the meaning.

Red is hiding his hurt pride behind the irony.

He’s hurt by Ressler aligning against him with somebody else.

Red, has never actually played against him—against Ressler-a-human-being. Screw the FBI, but Red has never did something which would have consequences for Ressler personally.

The way Red taunts Ressler about the “matters of the heart”—Raymond is borderline hysterical, laughing in Ressler’s face. When watching it first time, I found that odd because Red may be mean to Ress but he’s never cruel. And that felt so personal—the way Red phrases it, and his tone, his voice, laughing…

And then—Eureka!—it’s a classic case of defensive mechanism.

Red’s right—Liz has used Ress. It looks like Red’s talking more to himself, “Boy, she played you.” She used him first, played him like a fiddle, hit all the weak spots. And she also has played Red too.

Red is amused—not by Liz, not by unsuspecting Don, but at the hilariousness of the situation. And at himself—for not being able to predict it. Or ignoring it? I assume, his respect for Donald has died a little at that time. And yet, I'm guessing he perfectly understood why Don has fallen into the trap.

If you listen long enough to “with you” phrase like I did, you'll notice subtle jealousy in it. Just a bit—encapsulated within “you”. Spader is a master at subtleties.

Just a sting of jealousy.

Red is jealous because Liz wanted not to be in his world (yet because of the circumstances and her own choices as well, she was sucked her right back in to) but to exist separately from him (think about parents-child separation, think about a possessive lover-lover separation). And maybe it wouldn't have hurt so much if she *allegedly* chose someone else.

A short trip to s5 arc with Henry Prescott.

Can we establish that Ressler has chosen someone else behind Red’s back? And yes, I did say “chose”. Ressler could've surrendered but he cowardly kept doing and hating on himself. What they had going on with Henry is another story for another day.

And Red, although being aware of it for some time (problematic content alert), has decided to watch how far it can go? It never say right with me because...he watched him doing all kinds of things, things Ressler’s nature wasn’t meant to do, and Ressler had probably was in constant physical pain and spent puking his guts out in the bathroom. It's mental—to watch someone suffer, have the means to stop it but not using them just because you have the luxury of waiting for how it all plays out. And when Red felt that enough is enough, he chooses the most horrible way to show Ressler what happens to people who hurt him personally. I'd say, it was a lesson for Ress too.

The way of killing Henry was so damn personal—Red was jealous and hurt by Don not turning to him for help when he had explicitly offered it. Cue legendary “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.” Only this time, Ressler had actually refused and royally fucked up his life.

Now, back to our plane and Red and his own matters of the heart.

My working theory is, this wouldn't hurt so much if this was another man.

But it's Donald.

Donald whom Reddington has repeatedly called his friend. Donald whom Red has helped more than once. Donald, who assists Liz in her search and, whether he wants it or not, is indirectly putting the bullet into that gun that would take her life.

A friend’s betrayal may be even more poisonous than husband/wife infidelity. It hurts more because after Dembe, Donald is the second person Red has ever considered a close friend. He genuinely admires the man.

But Ressler has betrayed him. “Value loyalty above all else.” Ressler is only loyal to his own moral compass—just like Red is, but Red has forgotten that.

“You must be slipping.”

“I must be.”

Let this sink in—Ressler is the only living soul to stay alive after betraying Red. And not once, mind you. Red would've already shot somebody be it another.

I'm loving Ressler’s confused look after Red falls silent—because Donald has no idea how lucky he is to even breathe.

The way Red's gaze lingers over Donald’s face now makes so much sense.

...What if all this time Red has been developing certain feels he wasn’t supposed to have for Ressler?

Think about it—why a guy like him should care about some mediocre agent? Why help to avenge someone Don loved? Deliver him head in a box? Protect his career? Protect him? And not really ask him of something in return?

Rather, ask him to be his friend? Considering him his friend??

Notice that Red never asks Ressler to bend the rules for him, Red (he has means to twist them any way he wants, he doesn't need Ressler, so, in a way, Ress gets to keep his integrity intact, and Red knows how much Ress values it)—instead, he always asks him to do everything what he thinks it right and do it as legally as possible, so he'd not compromise himself. The only thing he ever asks of him is the benefit of the doubt.

Ressler also thinks that by saving his life at that hospital they’re even but Red has never told him Don’s in his debt. He saved Ressler back in Anslo just because he could. He had no reason to. But he did anyway.

Donald is perfectly aware that Red “gives to get” only. But somehow that pattern breaks with him. What reasons does Red have—except one and obvious—to constantly pull Ressler out of trouble?

Red wore Don’s mentor’s coat, a father’s, a friend’s one. But he never got anything from Ressler beyond blunt honesty, occasional half-stifled gratitude, and old-fashioned sincerity.

Think about it.

Red messing with Liz’s head, the quest, the hunt for truth… Yes, he was shielding her from consequences (and failed). And we've established his possessiveness over her. The kind one when you try to keep something you have (not necessarily want to) to fill the void—because you can’t have something you actually want.

He never meant her to die but he certainly was testing her limits. We can’t run from the fact that as much as he cherished and loved her, she was an instrument to him. And not only her—everyone around him has a weakness to exploit.

He learns the hard way that Liz didn’t have what it took to become what he wanted her to be.

And if we twist the whole thing, and put it into a wringer, we’ll see that Liz is a surrogate for Red.

He loves her, indeed, he owns her, tests her, hopes she could take his place, but, in fact, it’s not her he actually has on her mind. He may not realize it or give it much thought. But I'm sure he keeps going back to it, and something else keeps crawling back into his weary mind.

Saudade.

Something that could’ve happened but didn’t. Couldn’t happen because it was never meant to.

Someone Raymond could've had. Someone who could've been his friend. Or more than a friend.

But was never meant to.

//

Sorry for ruining your dash, the app doesn't have spoiler button. If you got here, congratz :D

[ka-writes]

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Notes: I am posting every week now.. :/ <3 also sorry it’s shorter than usual, I did it within a day instead of a full week.

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Incase you missed:

Chapter 1:

Chapter 8:

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Inspired by:

Humans are Space Velociraptors

By:FreshRoses_InMyGarden_NeedTheRain

Some kids come from storks, others come from crashed spaceships

By: mmmajora

Home Again, Home Again

By: teeth_eater

All works can be found on Ao3

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Ao3 link:

Other fic:

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Warning: cussing, lots of pain, panic attack, mentions of blood.

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Chapter 9: Lost.

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What the fuck just happened?!

That was the only question racing through Tommy’s mind.

One moment he was finally drifting into a peaceful sleep, the next one of the crew members was getting him and Tubbo up and ushered them out of the ship. Now they were on an unknown planet attempting to gain any energy possible.

Once he finally blinked his tired eyes open, he looked at the surrounding terrain. They were in the middle of a field at night. Stars were the only thing lighting their patch of land. Soft flowers and grass flowed easily with the small chilly breeze. A forest was to their left, an ocean to their right. Both leaving conflicting peaceful aromas mixed with flowers and a crisp breeze. Behind them were huge cliffs blocking and hope of going that way. Leaving the only option to head to a town that lay ahead of them.

After he surveyed the environment he turned to his partner, who was currently sitting on the ground, presumably to read the land through the plants.

That was an interesting ability to find out. One night he found the droneling sitting next to a small plant, Dream had left, talking about what the others were doing. If Tubbo was connected to a plant his senses were tripled and he was even able to echolocate if other plants were connected to the one he was using. His eyesight was very poor in the dark leaving the crew to have to make night vision goggles, making him look even more like a bee. Sadly that was left on the ship along with the rest of their gear. All of which was Dream’s and only his.

“From what I am seeing there is a village ahead.” Tubbo gestured towards the plain in front of them.

“Affirmative.”

“We head there then. I will either have to crawl or hold on to you.”

“It would be better if I led you. You wouldn’t look as stupid then.” Tommy playfully responded, receiving a small sting from his counterpart’s nail. “I am just joking! You look stupid either way.” A hoofed foot kicked Tommy’s shin, and with that they headed towards the warm glow.

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“Dammit George!” Sapnap yelled into the pitiful night, which still felt like day in the busy port city.

“Language! And yes I am very mad at his actions too.” Bad added, which was unnecessary but only furthered the other’s rage.

The blazeling started fuming. His eyes turned into orange embers and smoke escaped out of his mouth, which only furthered as his fangs doubled in size revealing a glowing orange at the back of his throat.

The other shook his head and pulled the other into a tight hug. It was as if all pent up rage vanished, leaving only hurt and betrayal in his mind.

After a few hours of sitting at the end of the dock looking into the vastness of space, the pair got up and looked for new job opportunities, hoping to find at least one.

They wandered from place to place, before finally landing in a small bakery.

Even after four months of living a relatively normal life they felt lost within its seams.

Eventually Bad found a partner and became head manager of the small bakery, finally weaving himself into the domestic lifestyle.

As for Sapnap?

He was lost. Guilty, hurt, and cold to the world. He pondered on the thought of what he could’ve done differently so he wasn’t just discarded when his ex-best friend claimed to not need him.

His endless drifting led him to a casino. He met his fiancés who turned from fury to concern quickly after they noticed his disheveled appearance.

Only after the trio was reunited for three months did he let down his wall. It took two more months to confess to everything.

Surprisingly, they didn’t leave him to be lost again. They helped weave his story back into society, and he was found.

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“George…. Not Found.” A computer voice rang through the cabin for the twentieth time.

The captain pressed the code again, switching it mindlessly to another planet. His patience no longer there.

“George…. Not Found.” The captain’s hand punched the monitor, “ERROR” static filled the cabin and blood tainted the deathly clean smell.

He mindlessly walked through the halls and switched on a small illusion box and watched the ISF news for the hundredth time. Hoping that there was an update on the human’s whereabouts. And for the hundredth time no news was reported.

——————

They finally made it to the edge of the town. Slipping down a small alley they scanned the area.

Odd.. why weren’t the signs written in common? That was a law everywhere, it made it so much easier for people to understand the purpose of shops.

The lamps also seemed dated, and the buildings were a different kind of structure than what most towns used.

There were also strange illusions, they only moved within the confinement of the screen.

Tubbo turned to the human who stood shell shocked.

He turned his head to what his partner was staring at.

It was a human.

What the hell??

Tubbo started falling in on himself. His brain became a static escape. Tommy turned to the now panicking droneling.

The other human noticed the commotion.

They started walking towards the pair, which only led Tubbo into a more panicked mindset.

After a minute the world spun to a stop and he woke up in an unknown room, a human sitting beside him anxious beyond belief.

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They certainly weren’t expecting to find two teenage starlings panicking in an alleyway, on their nightly walk.

It started off wonderfully. The night was crisp and the colony was flourishing.

No one knew of the colony’s whereabouts and even few knew it existed.

Eret the monarch of the first non Earthian colony. It was full of refugees, most of which being humans, few having other heritage.

He usually took a patrol every night. Checking in on new colonists and shops. Reviewing stock supplies, and any suggestions from the colonists.

Most of the time nothing happened. But this time two starlings that have been circling the news for sometime wandered into an alley, luckily they were found by none other than the monarch of this land.

He was stressed to say the least. They were supposed to be under the care of two of the most well known ships on this side of the galaxy. Both of which had declared war on eachother.

On one end if he took them to the Dream Team ship, he would most likely be unscathed when it came to confrontation from the ISF. Yet they would know of the location of the colony and probably would attack him sooner or later.

On the other end, he would be handing off two starlings to the biggest pirates in the galaxy. Meaning they would have no obligation to keep the colony a secret if it benefited them.

She made the decision to talk to the two in the morning, when all of them are less lost when it comes to plans.

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The news struck all of the crew in the heart.

Two starlings were reported missing. Both said to be returned to the Dream Team ship.

None of them knew whether to be ecstatic or terrified.

Either one. The pair had figured out a way to escape, or two they were dead. Both are plausible when it comes to what Dream could’ve done.

Either way, tears streamed down all of their faces for the first time in months.

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There was one thing Tommy was sure of.

They were lost, within the vastness of space and had barely any hope to return Tubbo home.

Instead of taking the time to sleep, he voted to sit by the window and watch the town end nightly activities and start on morning routines.

He was tired, sure. But for the past six months he couldn’t find it in him to sleep. When he did it was dreamless and empty. Furious voices yelling at him for things he had done in both present and past. It was unbearably lonely and more often than not he got lost within the confines of his mind.

So instead he sat by a window, resting his head in his arms and staring at the people moving past shops and such. He matched stories with faces and entertained the idea that many of them had much worse lives than him. Or that they had better lives than he had ever known.

There was a pang in his chest, as he watched siblings walk through the streets carefree and happy.

His tears fell silently as he stared at the scenes.

He told many stories to himself that night.

He got no sleep.

And the galaxy’s pain crashed down on him.

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Chapter 9-End

Words: 1497

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Everyone be lost.

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Remember to go take care of yourself! Also likes are appreciated but reblogs are better!!

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Chapter 10:

[misssophiachase]

I'm so excited about the Jodice cons coming up this year, I felt the need to write a little FF based on them (kill me if it's more than 10 parts) leading up to June. 

Synopsis: Actors Candice Accola and Joseph Morgan don't like each other at first but being forced to act together means they can't avoid the simmering attraction developing behind the scenes. Fast forward 8 years and they're due to appear in two fan conventions but given all the baggage and unresolved issues things aren't going to run as smoothly as organisers would hope.

Give Me Love

Part 1: Hello

“They say that time's supposed to heal you...But I ain't done much healing.”

June - 2019 - Los Angeles CA

What exactly do you say to the person who can see straight through you?

That was Candice's biggest challenge ahead of Bloody Night Con in seven days, not that she was counting. She hadn't seen Joseph in eighteen months and although he continued to plague her thoughts, at least she didn't have to actually converse with him. Talk about awkward if she did.

Hello and how are you didn't seem to cut it after all they'd been through together and apart the past eight years.

It was a cool, grey afternoon in Los Angeles, Candice was stretched out in the love seat by her window nursing a cup of herbal tea. In fact, it was French Earl Grey, something Joseph had introduced into her diet all those years ago. Something she couldn't quite let go of yet. If any ex-boyfriend had given or introduced her to anything it would find itself in the closest garbage bin straight after the break-up.

With him it was different.

The Chelsea FC jersey he gifted her still hung in the wardrobe (even though she supported Arsenal just to annoy him), his first edition copy of Great Expectations and the sketches he did while they holidayed in Saint Barts were housed in the den and the remnants of Acqua Di Gio hidden away in the bathroom cabinet. 

Most people would put that down to forgetfulness. After all, you can't be expected to remember everything left over during a break-up. But Candice knew every single item and where they were, she just didn't want to part with them. Hence why Joseph Morgan was scattered all throughout her apartment to this day, not that she advertised the fact for obvious reasons.

She fingered the silver, antique locket around her neck. It was the last remaining piece of him and she liked to wear it close to her heart when she was alone. Not all the time but in moments of reflection. They were picnicking in Tuscany, their May birthdays only a few weeks apart, soaking up the wine, pasta and sunshine during a break in filming. He'd plucked the gift from what seemed like thin air, housed in a white box with a royal, blue ribbon. Her favourite colour.

The locket's exterior was flawless but the best was yet to come. She could still remember how he laid her against his chest as the sun set over the hills and told her the story of his grandparents who were split apart during the war and how they came back to each other again stronger and even more in love. The fact he'd placed their faded, black and white picture next to theirs in the locket was enough to cause a few tears and a thank you that lasted quite a few subsequent days in their hotel room.

He never asked for it back and Candice was glad he didn't. Maybe it was selfish but it just meant too much to return.

She picked up her phone, scrolling through her social media feed as she did so often. Candice knew that looking at her twitter feed was never a good idea. If she wanted a reminder of her relationship with Joseph it was plastered across her timeline on a daily basis. Granted the photos were either scenes they shared from the shows or creative fan edits but they all stirred the same feelings inside.

Candice didn't want to but she missed him. Still. She was happy his latest directorial foray into film had been such a success. If there was something Candice knew it was how good he was at directing people, she'd been one of his star performers in the bedroom after all.

Looking back, Candice would never forget the first time they met at the Craft Services table on set. It was season two of The Vampire Diaries and his character was cast as the big bad and from what Candice knew they wouldn't really have any scenes together but it didn't stop her from thinking he was all sorts of cute with that accent and those dimples.

February - 2011 - Atlanta, GA

"Did the new guy smirk at you?" Candice asked Kat earnestly.

They were in wardrobe after lunch break and she couldn't stop thinking about the way Joseph had been looking at her while they spoke. They'd just met so she thought it was strange, not to mention a little rude. Just because he had a gorgeous accent and lips the colour of deep crimson didn't give him the right to think he was God's greatest gift. Although Ian was an exact and nauseating replica of that, so why should she be surprised?

"I think he has a name, Candice." Kat mumbled from the corner where she was changing her top behind the makeshift screen.

"That's not the point."

"What do you mean smirk? He's always been perfectly polite and professional with me. What did he say anyway?"

"Wished me good afternoon and then I asked him how he's finding everything on set given he's just come onboard." They'd been shooting for the better part of the morning and the hungry hordes had made their way to the craft services table absolutely famished. Her eyes were firmly focused on the sushi, Candice was pretty certain she could have finished the entire plate on her own.

"Sounds pretty inoffensive, maybe that's just the way he smiles at people, did you ever think that?" Kat asked, finally emerging from changing her clothes for the next scene and looking at her curiously.

"You didn't see it, Kat," she sighed. "It was almost like..."

"He was trying not to laugh?"

"Excuse me?" Kat let out a giggle, moving closer and wiping her face with a tissue she'd swiped from the nearby table. "What are you doing?"

"You, uh, have some rice on your cheek," she smiled, knowingly.

"What?" She asked rubbing her face, slightly mortified.

"Seems like someone was trying to hide that fact and obviously it took the form of a smirk." Candice went from completely embarrassed to annoyed in seconds. How dare he do that?

"The least he could have done was say something rather than embarrass me like that in front of the cast and crew," she muttered.

"You just met the guy, he probably thought it wasn't polite to call you out about food on your face. It doesn't make for the easiest first conversation."

"Yet instead he was secretly laughing at me," she growled. "You know, I'm just happy that we don't have any scenes together because I'm not sure I could stand that smirk and those dimples from such a close proximity."

"Sounds like someone was paying an awful lot of attention to someone's dimples," she grinned. Candice didn't respond just busied herself for the next scene.

From then Candice made it her mission to steer clear of the new guy, until it became almost impossible to avoid him. That's what you got for being on a hit TV show and having to do publicity together. And there was no bigger publicity opportunity than the annual Comic Con in San Diego.

July - 2011 - San Diego, CA

This wasn't her first Comic Con, so it was going to be easy right? But apparently the powers above in the network decided to invite him along for the first time. Candice was generally very welcoming but she still wasn't quite sure what to think of their newest cast member.

Given he was pretty much the most evil character to hit the Vampire Diaries in its entire run so far, no one was expecting such a frenzied reception. Turns out a lot of the girls there seemed to have a thing for the bad guy. Candice really should have known.

She found herself looking across at Joseph at the signing table, his dark, blonde hair curled over his ears and that grey, fitted t-shirt highlighting his toned chest. He didn't scrub up too badly and it seemed like the screaming legions of female fans wholeheartedly agreed. Ever since their first meeting all those months ago they'd barely had any interaction, mainly because they didn't share any scenes.

After the craziness of 5000 screaming fans at the panel earlier in the day and a never ending number of interviews it was time for the after party, an opportunity to let loose and really enjoy themselves. Given they were all staying in the same hotel it seemed normal that they made their way together however for some reason it was just him and her crossing the street while surrounded by screaming photographers.

Candice was trying not to stare at just how adorable he looked in that suit while making sure her strapless, aqua dress was still in place as they walked brusquely to avoid the cameras. If there was one thing she knew about Joseph from their day at Comic Con it was just how overwhelmed he seemed to be around the press. For Candice it was actually refreshing given how arrogant some actors could be. Maybe she'd misjudged him?

One of the photographers got too close, knocking her slightly and Joseph reached forward without thinking. His hand grazed her lower back and Candice felt herself shiver slightly. "Are you okay, love?"

"Um, yeah, thanks," she mumbled, her gaze cast downwards. "It's uh just a little cold." She cursed inwardly thinking what a lame excuse it was. The one thing Candice knew without a doubt was that 90 degrees on a Summer night in San Diego wasn't in the least bit cold and she was sure he was aware of that fact.

"If I had a jacket I'd give it to you," he promised choosing to ignore her lie, steering her towards their destination. Maybe it wasn't the best look given the press would misconstrue anything but right now she didn't give a damn, it felt far too good having his hand on her back.

"Nice to see chivalry isn't completely dead," she smirked, and by his expression he couldn't miss the sarcastic tone in her voice.

"Is there something I'm missing?" Joseph murmured, trying to avoid the inquisitive stares of the reporters loitering close by. "You realise I'm a gentleman, right?"

"A gentleman who doesn't tell a girl she has rice stuck to her cheek?"

"I didn't want to be rude," he insisted, his cheeks colouring slightly with embarrassment. She'd never admit it aloud but it was pretty cute.

"Trust me, Morgan, a girl needs to know these things even if she barely knows you."

"Noted, Accola," he grinned.

"Um, we're here," she said, gesturing towards the hotel where the party was being held. "You can let go of me now." As soon as Candice said it she regretted it as he lifted his hand from her lower back. She gave him a thankful smile and breezed into the party like the professional actress she was. But she'd be lying if she couldn't still feel the residual heat on her back.

October - 2011 - Atlanta, GA

"Social media is going to go nuts," Candice murmured, laying herself out on the bed. "You know if it's anything like the response from you putting your hand on my back at Comic Con in July."

"I was only trying to protect you," he replied, flashing her one of his winning smiles.

They were currently at the Forbes house ready to film their second ever scene together. Candice would be lying if it wasn't a big moment for her. She'd always been able to hide her attraction for him because they didn't share any scenes, well until now that was. Now she had to be in close proximity and in a bed of all things. She wasn't quite sure what the writers were getting at given she'd been so hot and heavy with Michael's character Tyler lately.

"Funnily enough I didn't need protection and we both know that," she smirked. "I really should have known Klaus would order Tyler to bite me only to ride in on his horse and save the day."

"I think you've misjudged Klaus, he really can be a nice guy," he offered, winking in her direction. "Speaking of which, I better go wrangle my horse in anticipation."

Candice would be lying if she didn't think he was cute. She'd been so quick to write him off as one of your typical, egotistical actors she came across daily (not naming any names of course) but he had this adorable wit that she couldn't quite resist. Ever since he'd placed his hand on her back in July she'd been a little distracted by those lips and those damn dimples too.

Candice was an actor first and foremost and the scene played out exactly as planned but she couldn't deny just how good it felt to have his body pressed up against hers in bed as she pretended to drink from his wrist. His chest seemed so much more toned than she'd imagined and the smell of his spicy aftershave was definitely causing a few foreign feelings to take over. It was all done in one take, unheard of but Candice knew their underlying chemistry had definitely played its part in creating such a perfect scene.

"Don't worry I'm not counting," he smiled rising from the bed, as the crew moved away in preparedness for the next scene.

"I'm sorry?"

"You know the number of times I've saved you."

"Oh p-uh-lease," she groaned, rolling her eyes as she did. Candice was finding it more and more difficult not to act on her burgeoning feelings for him and she secretly hoped they got more time to spend with each other on set as an excuse.

TBC...On FF HERE

Fun Real Life Fact: Joseph first saw Candice at the craft services table with rice on her face

[zophora]

Halo

Pairing: Tom Holland x Neutral reader

Word Count: 2.1k

A/N: Kat killed me with that moodboard of lazy mornings with Tom so this fic is sort of based off it. Her blog is @loserparker and this is also not really based off the song “Halo” by Beyonce (Tom is Bold)

Warning: Mentioning a bit of that scene (you know what I’m talking about) from Infinity War. So be careful if you haven’t seen it! Also, just a bit of sadness at the end.

The formatting is fucking up :)

Masterlist

~Hit me like a ray of sun, Burning through my darkest night, You're the only one that I want, Think I'm addicted to your light~

Slowly opening your eyes, you glanced around the room. Bright yellow light was streaming in through the cracks of the blinds. The bed was a mess of blankets and pillows thrown everywhere. To your right laid Tom.

His body was wrapped tightly in the comforter with his head on the pillow. You could hear his shallow breathing as he slept peacefully. And in this moment, you swear you could see your whole life flash before your eyes. And you knew, yes, it sounded cliche, but you couldn’t help it.

You saw Tom proposing, knowing him it would probably be something extra, somehow more extra than he usually is. You laughed quietly to yourself. You saw yourself walking down the aisle, your family and friends standing and smiling at you and Tom, standing at the altar with the biggest smile on his face you had ever seen him have and tears in his eyes. You saw your kids running around the house that you two had bought together with Tom chasing after them pretending he was Spider-Man chasing his little villains. You saw your children all grown up and you and Tom growing old together, reminiscing about the years you spent with each other falling in love over and over again.

“I can feel you staring at me,” Tom said snapping you out of your thoughts. He opened his eyes and smiled at you.

“Caught red-handed. But can you really blame me? I’m staring at art,” you said jokingly, smiling back at him.

“Really? Well, come give this piece of art a kiss,” he said with a smirk.

“Augh, you’re so annoying” but you leaned in and gave him a kiss anyways.

“So, what are we doing today? I don’t have work and you don’t have filming today….”

You took one look at each other and said in unison “lazy day”

See, this is why we are so perfect together. We both love doing nothing and I couldn’t ask for a better person to do nothing with.

“We have to make our ‘special lazy day lunch’ first,” Tom said.

You laughed and said “of course”

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

This isn’t the first time you and Tom have had a chance to do nothing all day. This happened whenever the two of you were actually home at the same time, which didn’t happen that often, but when it did, you two would have the most amazing day.

Now, your definition of ‘lazy day’ was just a bit different. Instead of laying in the bed all day sleeping and waking up, bored out of your mind, or just staring at your phone, you and Tom made it fun.

On those days, you usually woke up whenever your body decided to wake you up. Sometimes you woke up first and sometimes Tom woke up first. When Tom woke up first, he would go to the kitchen and fix breakfast for the both of you if it was still morning. The only reason you woke up was because you didn’t feel the warmth of his body next to yours. Wandering into the kitchen, you would always find a mess and Tom trying to frantically make pancakes or waffles before you woke up. Unfortunately, you always woke up before he could make it back to bed.

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

“Tommy, can you take out the Belgian waffle maker and the bacon?”

It was a little past 12 and Tom wanted lunch, but you wanted breakfast, so you two decided on brunch. You came to a resolution of Belgian waffles, bacon, mini sandwiches, fruit, and croissants (of course). It took about a half hour to make everything and after getting all your food together, you headed back to bed.

You took out a blanket from the linen closet and laid it out on the floor. Tom put out all the plates of food and your drinks and grabbed some pillows from the bed. It was a cute little indoor picnic.

“So how was your sleep?” You asked Tom as you two sat on the blanket and started eating.

“Pretty good until you woke me up with your staring,” he said with a sly grin.

“Hey! My staring definitely did not wake you up!”

“I’m just kidding, love. My sleep was great. I was having the most amazing dream where we had an amazing weekend getaway to Italy.”

“That sounds romantic, we should definitely do that sometime. Talk about the perfect place to go with the love of my life,” you said staring at him with only love in your eyes.

“It doesn’t matter where we go to me, as long as I’m there with you.”

You and Tom had a long conversation of the perfect trip to Italy, finished your food, and cleaned up the picnic, moving onto the next “lazy day” activity.

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

“Alright, so I’m thinking that I want a rematch from last week…..”

“I have no idea what you are talking about, Y/N,” he said blinking his eyes knowing full well what you were talking about.

“Don’t play stupid with me, Stanley. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Tom looked at you intently and then opened his eyes wide, pretending to finally realize what you are talking about, “Ohhhhh you mean that dance battle we had??”

“Yes Tom, and as I recall, there was one part where you cheated which caused you to win the whole thing and I want a rematch.”

“You can have your rematch, but for the record, I definitely did not cheat, I’m just a really good dancer”

“Sure Thomas”

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

Last week, you and Tom had come home from a premiere and were still pretty energized considering the buzz of flashing cameras and the fun you had at the after party. So to try to get rid of some of that energy, you guys decided to have a dance off playing Just Dance 2014.

As you went through the different songs, you would win some and Tom would win some. When you got to your last song, which was Jason Derulo’s “The Other Side,” Tom managed to somehow cheat. You two were tied for wins and this song would have determined the champion of Just Dance 2014.

Well, right before you guys danced, Tom went into the other room and got on the phone with someone. You didn’t think it was important at the time, but looking back you realized what he did.

Sometime near the end of the song, you and Tom were neck and neck when someone suddenly burst through the front door and started calling out, “HELLO HELLO ANYONE HOOOMEEE?!?”

You, of course, got distracted and your moves started getting sloppy until you got so far behind in points that you just decided to give up.

The person who came in the room was obviously HARRISON.

“TOM YOU FREAKING CHEATED”

“I have no idea what you are talking about!”

“YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT! WHY IS HARRISON HERE?”

Harrison looked dumbfounded and said, “Whatever could you mean?” Placing his hand over his heart, “Honestly, I was just stopping by to say hello and see what you guys were up to. Apparently, I stepped in the middle of something…..”

“Oh don’t play dumb with me Haz. I know that you are in cahoots with Mr. Cheater over there trying hard not to laugh.”

“Y/N I swear, I won fair and square,” Tom said trying to suppress a smile.

“Yeah whatever man. I’m tired, but I definitely want a rematch.”

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

You made sure all the doors were locked and that Harrison was nowhere near where you and Tom lived. Luckily, he was out of town with some friends. Tom set up Just Dance 2014 and picked the Jason Derulo song.

“You sure you want this rematch? Are you ready to lose again?”

“Are you ready to take this hit to your ego, Stanley?”

You danced your heart out and Tom did too. In the end, with no distractions, you came out victorious.

“HA I KNEW IT!! DON’T TRY TO TELL ME ANYTHING”

You felt slightly bad because Tom did look seriously surprised. Like he knew that you were a pretty decent dancer, but considering ‘The Other Side’ was one of the hardest songs in the game, he thought he had a fighting chance. Boy, was he wrong.

“Alright, I’ll admit when I’m wrong. You are the rightful champion of Just Dance 2014. Do you want a scepter with that crown?”

“Actually, yeah. I would freaking love that. Now you can treat me like royalty for the rest of the day”

Tom just smiled and bowed.

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

“As I was saying, I just think that you know, Marvel didn’t have to hurt us like that. And especially you! What the hell was that???”

You and Tom had been going back and forth about Avengers Infinity War. It was now dark outside and after you had won your little competition, Tom ordered a pizza. You were now laying in bed staring at the ceiling with a pizza box between the two of you.

“Well, I don’t really know. Those lines just kinda came to me. It was completely improve. I mean, I just repeated the same thing, not really a big deal,” he said with a little shrug of his shoulders.

You gasped and hit him, “What do you mean not a big deal?? That scene made Marvel fans around the world freaking cry.”

“Yeah I guess. I don’t know. There was so much going on, that I was like, I’ll do something and just hope people think it’s good enough.”

Your body shot up, sitting straight in the bed staring at Tom. The moonlight was coming in through the cracks of your blinds and the light was lighting up Tom’s face. You could see the subtle movements in his eyes as they darted back in forth between your face and the wall, like he was afraid of something. His eyes looked as though they desperately wanted to let out tears. The smile that he had a couple of minutes ago, now faded, with no trace of it ever being there.

“Tom? What’s wrong?” He didn’t respond, but sat up and stared out the window instead.

You wrapped your arms around him from behind and put your chin on his shoulder.

“Baby, you can tell me anything. Don’t ever feel like you have to hide something from me….”

“I just… I have so much to live up to. I’m constantly surrounded by people that have made a name for themselves in this crazy town. And I have to somehow prove to all of them, my parents, my siblings, my friends, those people that bullied me when I was younger, and everyone else that I’m good enough. And on top of that, I have to keep up this image of myself. I mean, It’s not like I’m faking anything in front of the cameras, but to act a certain way all the time is just draining.”

As you looked at Tom, you saw a few tears fall from his eyes. You stood up off the bed in crouched down in front of him, took his hands in your hands and looked up at him.

“Tommy, look at me.” It took him a minute to meet your eyes.

“Okay well, first of all, you do not have to prove yourself to anyone. Everyone knows just how hard you are working. You’re working so hard that sometimes, I barely get to see you because you are off filming or promoting a movie.”

Tom interrupted you and said, “And I completely forgot about that. I’m not even around the person I’m dating. How could I be so selfish?”

“Tom. You. Are. Not. Selfish. It is one hundred percent okay because I love you and I know that you are trying to build your career. That just means that the moments that we have together are very important because of the little time we have. It means that when you are around, I cherish that time even more because when you aren’t here, I think back on those moments and you know what? I don’t cry, I smile. I smile because I love you too much to ever get in the way of what you love to do because I know that we will always have these moments and I always have something to look forward to in my life, you coming back home to me.”

“How did I ever get someone as amazing as you?”

“You were patient enough to wait for someone that was perfect for you. Now it’s my turn to do the same. I’ll wait for as long as you need me to. As long as one day you put a ring on my finger,” you said cracking a smile.

Tom let out a little laugh and said, “you can definitely count on that, love”

\\Tags: @hollandbaby @dearcindymoon @sarsmusings @patron-saintof-sluts @pickachurose @tomhoellandb @bangtanscope @heroholland @wtfholland @onewrogue @purepeterparker @stephie-senpai @beautifullydisconnected @babykaykay2000 @tomsfireheart

[talesfromtheepireofficial-blog]

Avatar: Tales from the Empire, Book 1, Chapter 1

Avatar: Tales from the Empire

 Book 1: Service

Chapter 1: The Frontier

 By Talesofficial

 Kasei

Fire, Air, Water, Earth

[Images of Kasei, Fong, Kat, and Diqu bending their respective Elements are shown.]

46 Years ago, Avatar Korra brought balance to the world be reopening the spirit gates between our realm, and the Spirit World. 30 years past, and a new threat arose, the person calling themselves “The Concordate”

[Scenes of the Prosperity under Korra shown, children playing with spirits, many spirit powered machines, only to become over shadowed by a hooded figure with glowing red eyes blazing from underneath the hood itself]

Avatar Korra fought the Concordate, but even the Avatar could not compete with the Leader of the “Restorationists.” Using Spirit Bending to close the Spirit Portals again, The Concordate quickly forced the rest of the world’s nations to bend the knee to their new empire. However, a new resistance has risen up, and we can only hope they defeat the enemy

[Shots of a fight between Korra and the Hooded figure, ending with the Hooded figure standing over Korra’s body and the world, before zooming in on an image of another hooded figure, only wearing Earth Kingdom robes, overlooking the ruins of republic city, before panning up to the AVATAR title.]

 Scene 1

[We open on a shot of a small earth kingdom farm in a forest of large pine tree’s. The door to the farm house opens to reveal KASEI(17), A fire nation looking girl wearing Earth Kingdom clothes]

Sozi(Kasei’s Mother)

[From inside]

Kasei, watch yourself on the road, your father has seen many wanderer’s on the road and I don’t want you getting hurt.

Kasei

Mother, what is the worst that could happen? No one is going to bother me on the mile to town and if they do I can scare them off with some bending

Sozi

I’m just a bit worried. People moving through these parts usually means the Empire is up to no good again.

Kasei

Mother, I’ll be fine. What’s the worst the Empire could do? Conscript me?

[KASEI laughs to herself as she walks away from the farm house, a basket in her hand. Pulling off of the path to her house, she begins to walk down the main road and past a group of refugees, many of them burned. KASEI looks at them briefly like she wants to help, before continuing on her way. Various shots of Kasei walking down the path, with someone watching her from the woods. Suddenly dropping her basket and sending a jet of flames into the woods, she begins to yell]

Kasei

Who’s there?!

[LING WEI, or LING(16), an Earth Kingdom teenager wearing rougher clothes and a blue headband steps out of the woods, his hands in the air. He has mid length brown hair and brown eyes, with darker skin, suggesting he is from the more southern sections of the former Earth Kingdom, near the desert]

Ling

Whoa there! I didn’t mean any harm, I was just making sure you weren’t Empire. I don’t want any trouble, so can you agree to cool it?

[KASEI lowers her hands, turning her head inquistevly at LING. KASEI’s amber eyes narrow. She brushes her mid-long black hair in a fire nation style off of her face.]

Kasei

Why would you be so on edge about the Empire, They are never around these parts except for the occasional Tax Collector.

Ling

That may have been true, but they put Changshi to the torch this morning and have been riding around the farms questioning people. I just got out of there when the fire started. Rumour has it that there were some rebels hiding around these parts.

[KASEI drops her arms completely now, and glances at the rest of the woods. Looking back at Ling, she picks up her basket]

Kasei

Do you have a place to stay?

Ling

Nope, I was going to head down road to Ruin. I still have a small place in the slums. Still though, it’s not safe to stay in the city for too long.

Kasei

Ruin is two weeks walking from here! Are you really going the whole way?

Ling

It’s not that bad. At least I’m not going to Ba Sing Se or Omashu. Last time I visited those parts there was no work and the Empire controlled everything. I prefer it out here on the frontier.

Kasei

Hey, if it’s going to be that long, why don’t you come have dinner with my family. My father is catching Rabbats and my mom said that she found some noodles in our store room. It should be a real feast.

[LING looks away in a comedic manner, stroking his chin in a style like SOKKA.]

Ling

I could hardly take food from your family, especially in these times

Kasei

Oh-

Ling

-But I accept! Which way do we go?

[Fade to a shot of KASEI and LING nearing her farmhouse, the sun is setting by now and the two are talking and laughing]

SCENE TWO

Ling

So what’s up with that old Fire Nation style you got going on? Most people I meet on the frontier are Earth Kingdom or Water Tribe. Most Fire Nation folks live back in the Islands.

Kasei

Oh, my great-grandmother was from the Fire Nation. She fled here after the Fire war ended and she was scared what the locals would do to her garrison when they found out the war had ended.

Ling

Jeez, does anyone know besides your family?

Kasei

Well yeah, otherwise I wouldn’t be wearing the headband. My grandmother had to use firebending to defend herself when she was younger and because the Republic had taken over by then, the neighbors actually were quite accepting, even fascinated by Firebending.

Ling

Huh, good for them. Hey, at least you know where you are from!

Kasei

Don’t you?

Ling

No, I was raised by an Air Charity in Omashu until I was five. That’s when I ran away for the first time. I made a name for myself on the streets until I fell in with some bad people and had to run. And I’ve pretty much been running ever since.

Kasei

Do you even know how old you are? Or are you just guessing that you were five?

Ling

No, the Charitables (Note: Airbenders who now serve the public under the empire running Hospitals and Orphanages) thought I was around 6 monthes old when they found me. I just consider my birthday the summer solstice to make it easy for me. I’m around 16 and ½ by that reckoning. Just older than the Empire.

Kasei

I’m sorry for you-

[The sound of large animals and steam engines cuts her off as dust gathers in the distance]

Ling

Off the road! Now!

[LING quickly dives into a bush, quickly followed by Kasei. A large band of soldiers wearing a black and white uniform similar to that of the old Republic City Police Force with capes rolls down the path. It’s leader suddenly raises his hand, signaling for them to stop.]

[CAPTAIN LON(30), dismounts his Tiger-horse, and begins to walk around where LING and KASEI stood a few moments before. He pulls a hood off of his head to reveal Airbender Tatoos.]

Lon(to Himself)

I could have sworn I saw someone here…

[LON stares into the woods near where KASEI and LING are hidden, before getting back on his mount and gesturing for the squad to move forward again, before turning onto the road that leads to KASEI’s house]

 Kasei

That’s my house!

[KASEI sprints back onto the road and towards the path to her farm]

Ling

No wait!

[LING tries to grab Kasei and hold her back, but fails and ends up sprinting after her.]

 [The pair arrive at the farm as several soldiers lead KASEI’s parents out in chains. Her mother SOZI looks very much like an older version of KASEI, wearing Earth Kingdom clothes and a hairstyle like TY LEE. Her father, Lokai, is wearing clothes are more tattered like LING’s and he appears to be Earth Kingdom in origin.]

Lon

Where are the rebels, we know you are hiding them around here somewhere.

Lokai

Even if I knew do you think I would tell you. This is the frontier and I’m a freeman, not some peasant back in the empire.

[LING pulls KASEI into a nearby bush as more soldiers arrive from the nearby woods]

Ling(Whispering)

Do you want to be caught? Lay low and watch.

[Shouting is suddenly heard within the house. Bursts of fire, water and earth are suddenly ejected from the windows. The scuffle continues for a bit as LON watches. Eventually, five men in blue uniforms resembling those of the old Earth Empire are lead out of the house and forced to kneel next to LOKAI and SOZI.]

LON

Well, well, well, what have we here. Haboruing not only rebels, but White Lotis as well? Both of those are executable offenses.

Lokai

Do your worst traitor.

[SOZI notices KASEI and LING hiding in the bushes. She mouthes a single word, “Run”]

Lon

Very Well, Furnaces ready lads!

Ling

Kasei we have to go!

[He grabs KASEI by the collar and begins struggling to pull her away, even as she protests. LOKAI bows his head as tow of the rebels begin to beg for their lives. SOZI mouthes “Goodbye” to KASEI.]

Lon

On my command, Three

[LING continues to pull KASEI away. A soldiers notices them and begins to walk over]

Lon

Two

[KASEI gives in and gets up to go with Ling, the pair begin to run into the woods. The soldier gestures to a few more of his comrades.]

Lon

One, fire at will

[The soldiers put on helmets and masks as several of the wagons they have been towing cover the farm with an ocean of fire. The soldier who noticed LING and KASEI walks over to LON, who then breaks off into the woods with several soldiers on mounts]

 Scene 3

[The soldiers are chasing KASEI and LING through the woods as the burning farm illuminates the forest. LON catches up with KASEI and grabs her by the neck, lifting her off the ground]

 Lon

Well, what have we here? A little Firebender running from the empi-

[LON is suddenly interrupted by a pillar of earth suddenly impacting with the back of his head. KASEI drops to the ground, looking in shock at LING, who is in a sloppy Earthbending pose.]

Kasei

Since when are you an Earthbender?

Ling(Looking at his hands)

Just now apparently, let’s go!

[The two run off deeper into the woods. Fade to them waking up the next morning apparently in the middle of nowhere.]

KASEI(Grogilly)

Where are we

Ling(yawning)

I’d say on the slopes of that mountain near your house. Mt Yangtai. If it is, I know a place where we can lay low.

[KASEI suddenly grows somber and quiet as she remembers the advice of the previous night. LING moves over to comfort her]

Ling

Hey, I know what your going through

Kasei

YOU HAVE NO IDEA. YOU NEVER EVEN MET YOUR FAMILY. HOW COULD YOU HAVE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST IDEA

Ling

I never met my parents. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a family. Now before I continue telling you my plan to keep us safe, we need a mutual trust ok?

Kasei

MUTUAL TRUST, WHAT DOES TRUST HAVE TO DO WITH THIS?

  Ling

I need trust because this is a common but secret escape tactic back in the Empire itself.

Kasei

OH YOU CAN TRUST ME, YOU BETTER IF YOU WANN SATY UNBURNED FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

[Ling appears to grow nervous and starts rubbing the back of his head]

Ling

Ok, ok, calm down. There’s a temple and a town on the other side of the hill. It currently serves as a training ground for new soldiers in the Frontier Garrison. We join up and lay low for a while until this crazy Airbender that is chasing us decides to move onto juicier areas.

Kasei(calming down now)

Your plan is to hide as soldiers… while being hunted by soldiers?

Ling

Yeah, it sounds dumb but it actually works. Besides, do you have any better ideas?

Kasei(Now looking downtrodden again)

Admittedly no. Fine then, we’ll try your idea. It’s not going to end well though.

Ling

Don’t worry, It’ll work. I’m like a good luck charm. I mean look, I became an Earthbender right when I needed it!

Kasei

You probably already had the ability, you just never used it

Ling

Did not

[Pan up to credits fade as the pair walk towards a distant town, bickering to each other before breaking out laughing]

Sorry about this being in script format. It’s been sitting on my computer for a while and I haven’t had the chance to change it to proper paragraphs. The rest of the chapters will be though, so don’t worry. I’m going to try and upload once a week, criticism is always welcome, as well as questions as a lot of stuff might not be explained in the story straight away.