#there’s probably even somewhere out there a Tory who knows how to make a proper Yorkshire pudding

[loki-zen]

Tumblr glitched and I can’t find the post again, but apparently it isn’t just British people. I just saw a post insisting that lefties all had bread baking and quick pickles on the go while tradwifes are in their expensive kitchens washing chicken with bleach.

It’s like these guys are obsessed for some reason with the notion that people they don’t like or don’t agree with must suck at cooking.

To these American wokeposters, I promise you that right now in your own country, someone neither of us agrees with one iota is doing something amazing with 12-hour barbecued meat.

[seafleece]

beau’s asleep.

she sleeps heavy, for a monk. for an ex-pos-i-tor, or maybe it’s exactly how an expositor sleeps. tired of paying attention to everything, intent on taking in nothing, on being dead to the loud, bright world for just a little while. jester doesn’t really have anything to compare it to— doesn’t want anything to compare it to.

she doesn’t really remember when beau started taking her hair down to bed.

and, you know, it probably started the same way things start between people. blamed on other circumstances, the first time— probably she’d just finished washing blood out of it, or something— and just. never quite changed back. it’s separate, at first, and then the break in routine becomes the routine. becomes meaningful, in secret, until missing it would mean missing a whole lot more, too.

more like she braids beau’s hair sometimes, when they’re staying somewhere that has good washtubs or, dare to dream, proper bathrooms— beau likes baths, that’s something no one else knows, never passes up the chance to wash off the grime of travel. she’ll come back to the room looking pleased and sleepy, like a cat, and she’ll sit at the foot of the bed while jester brushes out her hair all silky and braids it loose.

more like she sometimes steals beau’s hair ribbons and ties them on her horn so she gets to be the one to put it back up in the morning, and beau pretends to be mad about it but never really is. because she could just wait until jester is asleep and steal it back, but she doesn’t, because beau sleeps heavy.

beau sleeps like she’s not afraid jester will look at her with her hair down and fanning out over the pillows. which she does, sometimes.

it’s not the first time beau sleeps with her hair down that jester starts writing questions, but it’s the first time jester notices she always does it.

so the first question she writes down is about that, but after a while it sort of just answers itself.

other ones aren’t so easy.

—

why do you like yasha?

why are you only nice to me?

what’s kissing a girl like?

do you want to have kids someday?

you said you thought of nicodranas when obann tried to charm you. what does that mean?

you said you didn’t want to hurt me. why don’t you think you leaving would hurt me?

—

have you ever loved anyone else?

maybe it’s because i only had momma and the traveler for so long— and bluud, i guess— but i have never really loved someone like this before, you know?

did you love tori? it’s cool if you did, i promise i’m not jealous. maybe it’s better if you did, if you had practice— you have to learn stuff while you’re loving someone, i had to learn that, too. it takes a while to figure out why you feel that weird heavy thing in your chest all the time, even when they’re not around. like swallowing a magnet or something. i’ve never swallowed a magnet before, caleb says it’s really dangerous and could rip a big hole in your stomach, but i think that’s what it would feel like.

maybe you knew all that stuff before me, because you had practice. i’m sorry it took me so long, but i get it now. i wish i knew right away, that that’s what you meant on the boat. or did you not know you meant it then, either?

veth says you told her a while ago, and that you sounded really sad. i’m sorry you had to be so sad about it. i keep thinking about you being sad all that time and wishing i could go back and tell you it was going to get better. i guess that’s what love is though, huh? wishing you could undo the stuff that hurts somebody even if doesn’t make sense, because you just don’t want them to hurt at all.

i guess i wanted to write this because i want you to know that someone loves you like that, you know? i hope someone loved you like that before, at least once. there’s stuff i don’t know about that happened to you, so i can’t wish it didn’t happen yet, but if someone loved you then, then they probably wished for it. but maybe you can just tell me, if you want to. i’ll always want you to.

i dreamed about nicodranas again. i know you want us all to be together after this and we will be, i promise, but i dreamed that it was just us in the house on the beach—and nugget, of course. it was night and all the windows were open so everything smelled like the ocean, and you had your hair down. that’s how i knew it was just us, because your hair was down. i used to wonder why it was only me who saw you like that, but i get it now. there’s stuff about yourself you only want to give to certain people. i’m glad you want to give that to me.

i hope i’m brave enough to tell you all this. maybe i won’t be, but at least it’ll be here for you to maybe read, if i’m too scared. momma wrote a lot of letters to dad while he was away and she never sent any of them anywhere, not even now that she knows where he is, but maybe i’ll be different. i always wished for someone like dad was to momma, but i think you’re better. it just took me a little while to realize.

beau’s asleep.

she says something into the pillow and the arm she has slung into jester’s lap curls, tries to pull her closer, but jester’s sitting up against the headboard.

after a moment, the eye jester can see opens, casts a glance up at her. she can only see half of beau’s face but the smile that curls onto it is plain, sunny.

“— drawing?”

“what?” she smooths a strand of hair from beau’s face, lingers to wind it around her finger and tug softly.

beau turns to look at her fully, blinking slow and lazy like a cat. her arm tightens across jester’s lap again.

“what’re you drawing?”

her voice is like crumpled paper, thin and raspy.

“oh,” and she looks down at the page, her cramped handwriting. “nothing, just writing a letter.” her free hand releases the strand of hair to curl along beau’s cheek, and she turns into it, eyes closed.

“mm. who’s it for?”

“you. i’ve been working on it for awhile. i just finished.”

“can i read it?”

beau’s eyes open, a facsimile of alertness, but her eyelids do that funny flutter she knows means she’s trying not to fall asleep again.

“in the morning,” jester says, heart skipping, and she closes the book with a soft snap. “go back to sleep.”

when beau’s arm tries to curl again she lets it, lets herself be pulled against beau’s side and stay there. she thinks about the end of a story, she thinks about a house in nicodranas, on a cliff, footprints in the sand, and then she falls asleep.

[forkanna]

[AO3 LINK]

The restaurant they ended up going to wasn't in Dell Valley. Anna wasn't sure if it was because it was a nicer restaurant that the ones her town offered, or because Elsa wanted to go somewhere they wouldn't be recognised. Or, it may even have been a combination of both. Either way, she wasn't going to complain.

They were seated by a window with a view over the garden behind the restaurant, which also had tables but it was a bit chilly to dine outdoors. Elsa ordered a single glass of white wine, and asked for white grape juice in a similar glass for Anna.

"We can pretend, at least," she whispered once the waiter had left. Then she sat back and picked up the menu. "Hmm… linguine?"

"Mom, I'm not a little kid; I can just get a soda."

"But I wanted you to have something similar so we can toast each other. I just don't want to go to jail when they ask to see your ID for ordering us both wine. Besides…" a slight smirk, "who is 'Mom'?"

Anna rolled her eyes, though she was smiling. "You're right, Elsa. Sorry. Not playing my part."

Their drinks were brought soon after, and they ordered. Anna got spaghetti because she was too distracted by the whole situation to think of anything specific and panicked when asked, and Elsa did end up ordering linguine. They also got an order of breadsticks, and a platter of stuffed portobello caps to share.

"Where did you even find this place?" Anna asked.

"Oh, a client took me to lunch here once. I think he was hoping to close a deal of another kind, but I wasn't interested, and he was still a gentleman so the evening wasn't a total loss."

Anna looked aghast. "Elsa!" she cried, though still low enough not to carry to another table. There was a grin on her face as she continued, obviously joking, "I'm offended – do you take all the 'never gonna happen' dates here?"

"Please," Elsa snorted. "Just the one. Plus, the food is quite good – I've been saving this place for a special occasion. Even Kristoff's never been here."

Perhaps the intention was to continue joking, but Anna found that she couldn't. Not when Elsa was – unintentionally or not – being so sweet. She hadn't even told her husband about this place. Aside from a lunch date that happened who-knows-how-long ago, Elsa hadn't brought anyone else here, either. Just Anna. The very thought filled her up with bubbly warmth, and she was grateful when the breadsticks arrived because it saved her from saying something stupid.

Though it also meant that a silence grew between them as they nibbled on the sticks. It wasn't entirely comfortable, but Anna wasn't quite sure how to break it. This wasn't a date – Elsa had made that clear with her "I can't take you on a date". The thought was a little souring, despite it being in the best interests of them both.

However, just when she was about to make up an excuse to hide in the bathroom, Elsa raised her glass. "Ahem."

"Hmm? Oh!" This was the first time Anna had been expected to take part in any kind of official toast, so she didn't catch on right away. In her haste to pick up her wine glass, she almost knocked it over, but caught it in time.

"Oh, Tori." The tone was fond and affectionate. Elsa's eyes were only for her. "I know this is more difficult than we wish it were. But I'm happy you're back in my life. And that we can begin moving forward together."

Clinking her glass with her mother's, she beamed and whispered, "Me, too." They drank deeply before she asked, "You're really sure we have to go back to 'familial only' after tonight? Not trying to be a butt, just like, it seems like it's gonna be hard."

"Yes. Like I said, I'm not comfortable parenting you and dating you at the same time. And since I can't stop parenting you for another few months, we have to sacrifice the other thing." But she was still smiling. Which was explained when she added, "For the time being."

Anna felt giddy. Dating! Elsa was completely willing to give it – give them – a go. Even if they had to restrain themselves for a while, at least it wasn't a hard 'no'. She had something to hold onto.

They both made the effort to enjoy the night, and each other's company. It was all relatively chaste, too – even if Elsa's reaction to Anna's foot accidentally nudging her seemed a bit extreme. But they could do things like that with no expectations of it going further. Anna was unsure if she would ever be able to fully accept that, but that was okay. It didn't matter what kind of relationship they had, or how far they were willing to go, because it was always going to be infinitely better than what Anna had in her old life.

And she still had Punz. Throughout it all, perhaps the most surprising thing was that, not only did she still have Punz, but she also loved her as much as she ever had. More, actually, if she were entirely honest. Her heart ached for her girlfriend in the same way it ached for Elsa, and that… wasn't a bad thing. Just new.

On their way home, Elsa smiled over at her. "I hope this was as fun for you as it was for me. Probably not, but…"

"Elsa, it was great," Anna told her right away. "Honest. I don't want you to ever think I don't like just hanging out with you! It's… I get frustrated, because now I like you in a different way and we have to… y'know, conceal that."

"I know. But we can, and we will for a while yet." Biting her lip as they got back into Dell Valley proper, she was silent for a moment or two. Then she said, "You're the most important person on the planet to me. I know, I know, you're supposed to love all your children equally, but I don't. Because you're the only one I love two ways."

Snorting, Anna joked, "That's probably for the best."

"I agree. I can scarcely handle how our relationship has changed since you came back from your trip; I don't want to think about anything more."

Still, Anna glowed with pride at being the most important person to Elsa. She snuggled down into her seat and looked out the window, watching the scenery move past. "We should do something tomorrow morning," she said. Elsa lifted an eyebrow in question, and Anna felt compelled to shrug. "I mean, I get a day, right? But I didn't see you until after school so it's been less than a day…"

Elsa smiled. "I technically said a night, not a day."

Anna shrugged again. "Okay, how about… you owe me for making me worry?" she tried. It wasn't true – the mere fact that Elsa had come back more than made up for the fact that she left in the first place. Anna tried to tell her this with her tone, and the small smile, but Elsa seemed oblivious to both.

When her mother pulled up to a red light, she actually let out a sigh. It was a sad sound that had Anna's ears pricking up because Elsa should never be sad. Not because of Anna.

"Elsa…?" she asked softly, lips wrapping around the word. Elsa turned to her, and though she smiled, it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"You're completely right, An- Tori. I owe you. We can keep this up into tomorrow if that's what you like."

The words sounded so stiff and formal that they actually cut Anna a little bit. Which was silly and not fair, but they certainly did make it sound like Elsa wasn't really that into what they were doing. Which was a total lie.

God. She had no right being this sensitive. None at all.

"Nah, I was just kidding," Anna lied. And the lie felt even worse, so she followed up with, "Well, I wasn't, but… you said one night, and I shouldn't be a brat about it."

"I already said I don't mind."

Now Anna felt like a bitch. Elsa kept telling her over and over that she wasn't comfortable with them doing anything besides being mother and daughter for now; she liked it, sure, but those weren't the same thing. And now she was guilting her into extending a night that was already probably making Elsa as nauseated as it did happy.

"Just sleep with me tonight," she compromised. "N-not in the sexy way; I mean, I want to sleep next to you, wake up with you. Not just because we fell asleep on accident, either. A-and then we can say we had eight-ish more hours, and… call it done? Is that okay?"

Elsa turned to glance at her, a little surprised. As it turned out, not by the words as much as by Anna's tone. Her smile turned quite watery, but she didn't reply right away. It wasn't until they passed through another green light that she did.

"Despite all this, sometimes you can still surprise me with how much you've grown up."

Instantly feeling less grown up because of that phrase, Anna blushed and smiled down at the floorboard, heart beating a little faster. It was the kind of tenderness she had always wanted from her mother. This moment was no longer about Elsa and Tori, even if the night was.

"Can you say something for me? It's dumb, but…"

"What?"

"Just… 'I'm proud of my gay daughter'. Please?"

Elsa let out a light chuckle – but it cut off rather abruptly. And was quiet for a moment. She waited until she had pulled up at a stop sign to turn fully and look at her.

"I'm so proud of everything about my beautiful, courageous, intelligent, lesbian daughter. And that's the God's honest truth."

Tears started immediately, and Anna felt silly for not realising they would. She had been waiting so many years to hear those words, and hadn't really convinced herself that she didn't care anymore.

Elsa pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek and the side of her head over and over, not letting go until someone honked for them to move. It took her a few seconds to let go, and by that stage the car had driven around them. Luckily it was so late, there was barely anyone else on the roads and they could afford to take a little more time.

Never before had Anna felt so completely… beloved. Accepted. She tried to wipe her eyes without it being obvious to Elsa, but she doubted that she succeeded. It didn't really matter.

Once they trundled in through the front door, and before Anna could even speak, Elsa had bundled her up again in a tight hug. It was what she needed. The sexual stuff and teasing was nice – the complimenting and the yearning. But this?

She needed this. Was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. There truly was something to be said about just… being held. That skin-to-skin contact that came with no expectations or potential for a 'further'. And as Anna was held, she came to another realisation: now that she was in this moment, she didn't want it to change. Earlier she may have had something else on her mind other than just 'sleeping' next to Elsa, but now, her whole body just craved comfort and reassurance.

She just wanted her mother.

"Mom…" she sighed. Elsa didn't comment on the name. Instead, she just sighed and buried her face in Anna's hair.

"My baby girl…"

They took their time getting ready for bed, but did it together. Her mother never left her side as they took each other's makeup off, got into a nightgown and PJs, brushed teeth. It was a weird middle ground between mother-and-daughter bonding, and coupley behaviour; they shared private smiles about briefly seeing each other's bodies, but didn't pursue anything. Then they were curled up in Anna's bed.

"You sure you don't want to move to your room?" Anna asked her softly as they snuggled in.

"Not at all. That room is where your father and I sleep, and I think he would appreciate me keeping it separate from where you and I sleep."

"Makes sense."

Yawning, Elsa nuzzled her neck. It took her a moment to whisper, "I've had so many dreams about this…"

"You have?" She felt the nod, and her cheeks bunched with a satisfied smile. "Oh… wow, it's… you know, sometimes I forget that for me, this is a new crush, but for you it's a love that's been burning for…"

"Right. Thirty years."

"Sorry, Mom… I really am sorry this happened. And like, that I let it hap-"

"Shhhhh." Anna calmed, snuggling closer and trying to release her hangups, her anxiousness. "Just rest. We both love each other, and we both did our best. And we'll keep doing our best. That's… all that matters."

"It's all that matters…" Anna echoed. It wasn't until this moment that she realised how truly tired she was. Snuggled next to Elsa, she was asleep within ten minutes. Elsa was asleep within five.

~ o ~

Elsa had never been more grateful for it to be a weekday. Granted, it was a Friday, but it still meant Anna had school and she had errands.

They had awoken almost at the same time. Much to her relief – and Anna's dismay – there had been no sleepy groping or half-awake make-out sessions. Both had very much felt the pull, but at the same time… the night was over. And Elsa was a woman of her word and Anna respected her enough to even try.

Instead they had a pleasant breakfast of fruit and yoghurt before Anna got dressed for school. Elsa didn't bother getting changed – she had nowhere to be this early in the morning.

"See ya, Mom," Anna said, placing a tender, but chaste, kiss on her cheek. Then she headed out the door. Elsa remained in that spot until the sound of the truck vanished down the street.

"Right… I can't put this off any longer."

Elsa took her time getting ready, taking a longer shower than usual. Letting her mind be distracted. She still had the day off, given that she had taken the time to deal with the situation regarding Anna. Now that she was back in 2015, she felt no compulsion to resume daily life.

In fact… she had a question regarding the whole situation. One better put toward an old friend.

Before lunch, she was at Doc Pabbie's home, knocking on his door. At first, he didn't seem to be home, until she wrote a note and began to stick it to the front door. At that instant, it was jerked open.

"Ah, right on time. If you could just add the current time to the note you were writing?"

Blinking at him for a moment, she almost asked why… but then shook her head. She had long ago learned to simply do as Doc asked unless it felt like a step too far. This was a minor matter, and she was only too happy to add the time to her note.

"Thank you." Taking it at once, he put it by the phone and turned to her. "For myself to find in three days. It's much easier to check in with this present day timeline at spaced-out intervals, then backtrack to the moments in time that I was needed. What might I do for you?"

"Ah. Well… I've been mulling this over. The situation; we've discussed it before."

"Between you and your daughter? Yes, yes. My own hubris is to blame, I'm afraid." With a sigh, he turned in the general direction of the kitchen. "Yoohoo?"

"No, thank you. But I'll take a glass of water if you don't mind." Nodding to her, he swept off to the kitchen for his chocolate drink and she followed, having no need to linger. "It's about the time machine. Would you be willing to… loan it to me again?"

Emmett didn't look nearly as surprised as she thought he should. He just turned to her as he opened the fridge, blinking slowly at her.

"And may I ask why you need it?"

Elsa understood his need to ask – he wasn't doing it to be nosy. This was his baby; his greatest invention. She had been lucky that he let her borrow it the first time. Moreover, he had impressed upon her only too well the dangers of time travel before he let her venture forward, promising not to visit the past.

Despite this, she didn't answer straight away, and Doc sighed, "Mrs McFly-"

"Elsa, please."

He looked at her, then turned back to the fridge to pull out two bottles: one Yoohoo, and one of supermarket brand water. "Elsa, yes. Well, Elsa, I would be willing to loan it to you again. I've observed no marked disruptions of the timeline after your last venture. However, forgive me, but I am allowed to be concerned with what your plans are for whatever time you find yourself in."

The scientist was right, as usual. It was no surprise. When he held out her bottle, she took it gladly because it meant she could take a few moments to drink, gathering her thoughts. He didn't seem to notice – if he did, he kept his mouth shut about it.

"It's hard to talk about," she tried at first. "I'm sure you understand…"

Instead of nodding or agreeing, though, Doc's eyebrows furrowed. "I'm not sure I do," he said. "Surely everything you have is right here now, anyway? Wasn't that the purpose of your last visit?"

"Well… physically, yes. I have everything I ever needed. Or wanted. But… there's something else that only time can give us: me."

"I'm afraid that if you want to go back and interfere with-"

"Not back!" she hastily reassured him with a gentle, nervous little laugh. "No no, I have no interest in further interfering with the past. Too worried about ruining the good things about the present. Here's what I was thinking…"

Elsa spoke for several minutes, laying out her hypothesis and her proposed strategy. It was quite a lot for either of them to take in; Elsa herself had half-convinced herself not to bring this up because it sounded insane. By the time she was finished, they had returned to the living room and the Yoohoo was gone, as well as half of the water bottle. Doc's expression moved through several stages, some of which included sharp interest.

"Well… first of all, the procedure itself is one that I had been considering," he told her after her words had come to their end, and he had a minute or two to digest. "But the rest… I will have to give it some thought. After all, in a way, this is thwarting the natural laws for personal gain. On the other hand, I'm not sure how much water my viewpoint holds when you likely wouldn't need this if the natural laws hadn't already been fractured by our young Anna."

"Did you have to say 'young'?" she sighed, rubbing her temples. Then she shrugged helplessly. "Alright. Take all the time you need. For now, I mostly wanted your thoughts on if it's doable, and if it would work without hurting anyone… and to ask whether or not the machine itself could handle that."

"Ah, yes, absolutely it can. Now that it has the Mr Fusion unit to generate its nuclear reactions, all it will require is ordinary gasoline and routine maintenance; no further plutonium necessary. But while I'm considering, I would urge you to do the same; this will mean a huge change within your life. One that I will not be able to undo once you've finished it; that would run far too high a chance of creating an irreparable paradox."

Nodding her understanding of his warnings, she pushed to stand. "Thank you. For listening, even if you don't decide in my favour. I'll… be talking it over with her, and Kristoff, too, but I didn't want to offer unless it was possible."

"Ah!" he said, holding up an index finger to punctuate the word as he also stood and reached to guide her arm toward the door with the other hand. In some ways, he was still a bit old-fashioned; a product of the time period he grew up in, she supposed. "A wise precaution. You're quite sharp, and I've truly enjoyed our chats over the years."

"As have I. To be honest, I'm surprised you're not a cousin or uncle of some kind to me; you feel like family."

"Hmm, destinies that are intrinsically linked? Could be that, could be any number of factors. Something else to ponder." Then he gave her shoulders a brief pat as she readied to leave. "Give Anna my best. She's still welcome to stop by, of course; anytime. Though I have been sidetracked of late."

"Of course. Take care, and… thank you."

He gave a genuine smile and a tip of his head. "You're quite welcome." With that, Elsa took her leave.

So. Her plan was possible – and, not only that, but it was also entirely doable. She had to bite her lip to stop a wide grin from bursting forth, at least while she was in public. As soon as she slid into her car, she found she couldn't contain it any longer. Even her heart swelled, more than in recent weeks – and that was saying something

Of course, she had to talk to Anna about it. And Jennifer, too. After giving it more thought because now that she knew she could enact her plan, she also knew that she had to fully consider the consequences. Doc had said this decision was final, which meant that everyone had to be really sure it was for the best. Elsa already knew what she wanted; after all, aside from the five or six years halfway through, this was something she had been wanting for three decades.

Thirty years was a long time to carry a torch for someone who had vanished. She was one of the lucky few to get a second chance. No way she would be wasting that.

                                           To Be Continued…

[idonthaveanyurlideas]

So A Monk And A Druid Meet In A Kiln And Get Together...

and i went and wrote a fic about the monk getting kinda existential the morning after

You can also see the fic below the read more (:

Beau woke up not to sunlight streaming in through the windows or the sound of battle interrupting them in the middle of the night, but to the sound of slow, even breathing in her ear. There were warm, freckled arms wrapped around her waist, a body pressed up against her back, cheek resting against the back of her head.

Her legs were interlocked with Reani’s and a blanket tangled up around them, leaving most of her upper body uncovered but more or less trapping the rest of her in the bed, not that she was quite ready to leave yet.

It was dark, dull early morning light filtering through a tiny window on the wall above the bed, a chill breeze blowing in with it. But between the remnants of alcohol that had mostly burned through her system and the warmth of the woman behind her, she wasn’t cold. She was, however, sore. And nursing a headache.

Not quite feeling up to moving yet, Beau closed her eyes, thoughts drifting aimlessly to the previous night. She curled in a little tighter into Reani’s embrace, pulling up the blanket a little higher and trying to remember if they’d done anything she should regret. After a few moments of trying to sift through vaguely hazy memories, she decided she hadn’t.

She considered getting up and dressed and out before Reani got up, but based on how tightly she was cuddling her waist, attempting it was probably a surefire way to just wake her up. Usually, she’d try to risk it anyway, preferring a quick exit to potentially getting trapped in some awkward morning after situation. But this morning she didn’t. Instead, she settled down, enjoying the time in a relatively comfortable bed with a definitely attractive woman, which was sometimes hard to come by in her life these days.

It could have been seconds, minutes or an hour before Reani began to shift behind her, instinctively seeming to cuddle into Beau as she woke up, one of her arms simultaneously loosening to drag up to her face, hand brushing up Beau’s arms as she did. Her hands were not entirely soft, but nowhere near as calloused or marred as Beau’s, each touch trailing a lingering warmth on her skin.

Beau wondered if it was the angel blood that gave Reani that ever-present warmth, the same way that Jester’s skin was naturally cold no matter how many blankets she layered on or hours she spent lazing in the sun.

Reani began to shift some more, her arm resting back over Beau’s waist but not hugging as tightly, her body moving and shuffling until her temple rested just beneath Beau’s ears, her lips brushing her bare shoulders.

They stayed like that in silence for a few moments, echoing some of the fuzzy moments just before they’d fallen asleep when Reani’s drowsy voice broke the air, soft and whispered.

“Beau? You awake?”

Beau mumbled an answer, cracking open one eye to see the glow of Reani’s halo in the corner of her vision.

“Cool,” Reani murmured, barely sounding alert. “Did you sleep okay?”

“Sure did.” Beau was near-certain that her own voice was barely audible or intelligible but Reani seemed to understand, humming in respond and nodding a little, her hair tickling into Beau’s neck. “You?”

“Yeah.” They lapsed into silence against after that, Reani removing her arm again to stretch out, unwrapping her legs from Beau’s, but it wasn’t necessarily a bad silence. Just a gentle one.

After a few more moments of lying together, Reani sat up, brushing her hair through with her fingers and tucking loose strands behind her ears to keep up some measure of neatness until she could properly take care of it later. She scanned the room before spotting her clothes somewhere on the other side and audibly sighed, before dropping back down onto the bed and tugging the blanket up to her chin.

“You not getting up?” Beau rolled over to face the aasimar, tucking one arm under her head.

“Not yet. It’s nice to just lie in bed, you know?” Reani was looking up at the ceiling with a soft smile on her face, before glancing in Beau’s direction. “Unless you wanna get up or something, I don’t mind.”

“Nah, I get it…” Beau absentmindedly grabbed another corner of the blanket and pulled it up just below her armpit, running a hand through her hair and wondering where she’d dropped her ribbon. “Just been a while since either me or the other person has stayed for more than two minutes.”

“I think it’s one of the best parts.” Reani paused for a moment, before adding, “You know, besides the actual sex.”

The corner of Beau’s mouth quirked upwards, dropping her hand so that it held the back of her neck, letting her thumb rub circles into the rough fuzz of her undercut. Reani giggled to herself for a moment, before continuing on.

“It’s just so nice when you get to wake up in the morning and there’s someone next to you and they hug you and kiss you and you know they’re gonna still be there the next morning too.” Reani’s voice faded as she kept talking, her smile growing momentarily wistful.

Beau let her gaze fall to Reani’s shoulder, distantly focusing on the golden freckles that dotted her skin rather than the memories of the time she did have someone who would stay in the morning rather than leave before she could wake up. It had been a long time since then. “Yeah. It’s nice.”

Another silence fell over them, this one a bit heavier than the last, but only lasting for less than ten seconds before Reani pulled herself up into a sitting position again, rustling the sheets and stretching her arms out a little too wide to seem entirely natural, yawning. Beau took the hint and climbed out of bed herself, picking her clothes up from the floor and getting dressed, Reani doing the same.

Beau was a lot quicker at getting dressed than Reani was, throwing her winter cloak on without properly doing it up. She located her hair ribbon just under the bed and began running her fingers through her hair to brush it through, glancing at Reani putting on her slightly more complicated outfit every now and then, and then looking at the door. This would be a perfectly normal time to take her leave as well. But she didn’t.

Instead, she leaned against the wall and took far more care in doing up her hair than she usually would, making sure each strand was securely pulled up, the ribbon tied tight. Her mind kept jumping back to what Reani had said before, and then again to years ago, long before the Mighty Nein and not so long before the Cobalt Soul.

Tori had never been very good at waking up early. She’d always ask for Beau to stay just a little while longer, help her brush her hair or get her clothes on. Beau, young and in love — and it was funny to think that she’d been that way once, properly in love for longer than a few weeks with someone who loved her back — had never taken much convincing. Her parents had never cared enough to notice she’d been gone at all.

This was different now, but it was just a few shades closer to those memories to make her wonder when she’d stopped missing those kinds of mornings. These days she had something almost similar, with Jester whenever they roomed together, with the Mighty Nein on nights where they all slept clumped together in Caleb’s hut. But a morning tinged with the remnants of lingering romance was something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Even Keg had tried to leave pretty quickly, not that Beau had minded. That was just how it worked sometimes, and that was how it had worked for Beau ever since she’d left Tori behind, and sometimes it was just what Beau needed.

Reani straightened up after doing up her boots with a self-satisfied huff, patting down her hair before smiling at Beau. “Do you know what they do for breakfast? Do you think they’d let me help?”

Pushing off the wall, Beau shrugged and followed Reani through the door. “I dunno. I hear gnomes can be particular with their food, but I’m sure they’d make an exception for someone as pretty as you.” Her coy smile widened at Reani’s giggles, chuckling when the aasimar’s face flushed.

They ran into a couple of the others on their way to the proper forge part of the kiln to check on the sword, dodging or wiggling their eyebrows at the pointed smile or thinly veiled questions about their night that we’re shot their way. They had started making out with like half the gang watching them, so it probably wasn’t hard for them to connect the dots, knowing her.

It had been so long she’d almost forgotten what it felt like to wake up next to someone who’d stay with her for a while. Now that she’d had a taste of it, a part of her wondered when she’d get to feel it again, and with who.

[67-chevy-baby]

Obedience

Ship - Single!Jared x Single!Misha x Actor!OFC

Rating - 18+ Only!!!! 

Tags - Language, unprotected sex!, SMUT, light BDSM, bondage, rough sex, voyeurism, threesome (no Mishalecki), Misha is a total Dom in this btw…, oral (male and female receiving), spanking (with hands and a whip), hair pulling, fingering (female receiving), squirting, oh and also fluff! :)

Word Count - 3811 (Not even remotely sorry)

Beta - The amazing @kittenofdoomage :)

Written for - @holyfuckloueh

Being a guest star on a TV show was stressful. Kary had only been acting for two and a half years, so it still amazed her that she landed a spot on such a long-running series. Supernatural had a huge fan-base, and she’d be lying if she said she hadn’t heard of it. Watching the actual show was another story. She had meant to sit down and crank out the available seasons on Netflix, she really did, but her schedule was just too booked.

If she had known how drop-dead gorgeous the cast members were she probably would have canceled some plans and watched it sooner. She swore they were all hand carved by Michelangelo himself. Kary followed one of the PAs, Stephanie she thought her name was, into the Bunker’s kitchen. Even though her part wasn’t meant to be re-occurring, she still loved getting the tour of the place.

Just as she was about to get the rundown of what a day was like on set, Jared walked into the room sporting gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt. Kary couldn’t help but stare as he stood talking to one of the producers. Her mouth watered at the way his pants hung low on his hips, and how his arm muscles seemed to almost burst through the sleeves of his shirt. Her mind drifted off to thought after dirty thought of him fucking her repeatedly against the nearest hard surface. Stephanie followed her gaze and chuckled.

“So, you like Jared hm?”

Kary blushed furiously and prayed to whoever was listening that Jared nor the producer had heard the comment.

“Yeah … I mean he’s umm … really tall.”

Steph giggled and took her arm, pulling her towards the two men.

“C’mon, let me introduce you. Jared always likes to meet the guest stars. Well, all the boys do, but Jared especially does.”

Karyne could feel her heart thudding hard against her chest as Stephanie approached them. It looked like they were reading over part of the script, but she couldn’t be sure since they were whispering. Jared turned and smiled at both of them once they got in their line of sight. He looked down at her warmly and extended his hand toward her.

“Well hi there! You must be the new guest star. Karyne is it?”

Kary took his hand in hers and admired how his fingers almost completely covered her smaller ones. His skin was warm and calloused, and she couldn’t stop the image of him pressing three of his thick digits into her aching pussy flashing through her mind. She bit her lip to stop a moan and didn’t miss how his eyes traveled down to her mouth.

“Yes I’m Karyne, but uhh everyone just calls me Kary. It’s umm … very nice to meet you, Jared.”

She took her hand back and nervously played with the hem of her shirt feeling his eyes on her. Even though she didn’t think he was meaning to, he really emanated dominance. Jared looked her up and down quickly before turning his attention to another crew member whom she hadn’t noticed until now.

“Hey Jare, they need you in hair and makeup. We start shooting in forty-five minutes.”

Kary watched as he gave her a little smirk and a wave before heading off down the hallway. Stephanie led her to the costume trailer so she could get fitted for her proper demon attire. She would be playing one of Crowley’s minions who had information on his whereabouts. Her character would get kidnapped by the Winchesters and get tortured for said info. If she was being honest, it’s the torture she was most excited for. She’d heard stories from her friends of how sexy Sam and Dean were when they were the least bit authoritative.

Soon she was sporting her character’s edgy outfit and was being led to the threshold of the Bunker’s cellar. Kary was fitted into some black skinny jeans that hugged her waist perfectly. The red tank top showed a smidgen of her midriff and accentuated her cleavage nicely. A pair of black stilettos and her hair falling in loose curls down her shoulders completed her look.  Neither of the boys were there yet, but they couldn’t be far behind. The anticipation of acting out this scene with them, especially Jared, was making her heart race.

A few moments later another crew member, who she could only assume worked somewhere in the prop department, strode in the small area carrying a thick coil of rope. The woman laid it on the lone desk and motioned for Kary to sit. Once she was seated, a couple other people came in to remove the everything but her and the wooden chair.

“Hello Kary, my name is Tori, have you ever been tied to a chair before?”

If she wasn’t so nervous, she would have laughed because damn what an introduction that was. Instead, she shook her head and held her arms out in front of her.

“It’s nice to meet you, Tori. No, I haven’t been, but I’m assuming you want me like this?”

Tori giggle and walked behind her and uncoiled the rope.

“Actually sweetie, I need you to put both wrists thru the openings in the back of the chair. I’m gonna tie your wrists back here instead. The rope will be kinda snug, but I don’t want you to be nervous. All you gotta do is say something and we will cut you free alright? Oh, and another thing, the boys can kinda be … what’s the word I’m looking for? … Intimidating, yes intimidating when it comes to torture scenes. If you need a break, don’t be afraid to let them know okay? They are hypersensitive to guest stars’ needs, and no one will blame you if you need to take a breather.”

Kary was glad everyone was so kind and approachable. This was probably one of the best sets she’s ever worked on. Just as Tori was securing the final knot on her restraints, Jensen, Jared, and Misha all walked in sporting their usual attire. They were all laughing about something but stopped when they noticed Kary sitting in the center of the Devil’s Trap.

She felt so exposed as they all stared at her. Jensen and Misha walked towards her, while Jared stayed rooted to the spot. Both men approached her and squatted down to her level, their smiles calming her overactive nerves.

“Hi, there sweetheart! It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Jensen, and this is Misha. You’re Kary, right? Jared told us he already got the pleasure of meeting you.”

She fixed her gaze on Jared who was blushing slightly. Turning her attention back to the two other leads in front of her, she gave them each a kind smile.

“It’s very nice to meet you both. I’d uh … I’d shake your hand, but I’m kinda tied up.”

Misha chuckled and patted her lightly on the thigh.

“With that sense of humor, you’ll fit right in!”

Just as she was about to come up with a witty reply, the director walked into the room with a clipboard.

“Okay, everyone, let’s get started shall we? We’ve only got Kary for a day, so let’s be on our best behavior today boys.”

Jensen and Jared both snickered while Misha rolled his eyes. They all took their places and took a minute to get into character. Kary closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before opening them again. She tested her bonds to set the scene and felt how they dug into the sensitive skin of her wrists.

Once action was called, Kary could definitely see a change in the boys’ demeanor. It was as if they were completely different people. Jensen approached her, his eyes dark with menace, and pulled a knife from one of his pockets. He circled the chair, the thud of his boots hitting the concrete like a slow metronome. Finally, he stopped and knelt down so his face was mere inches from her own. The knife rested against her chest, the hard plastic pressing into her sternum forcefully. Even though the knife looked very real, it was most certainly nothing of the sort. It even retracted into the hilt when it stabbed someone so it looked all the more real on screen.

“Now, listen here you bitch, my patience is running thin. Just tell me where Crowley is, and I won’t drag it out.”

Kary smiled maliciously and let out a guttural laugh.

“You Winchesters always think you can just bully the information out of us. Well, I’ve got news for you pathetic lumberjacks, you might as well kill me now because none of you are worth my time.”

Jensen took the knife and sliced open a particular spot in Kary’s outfit. It didn’t look like much now, but on screen, it would glow and sizzle for added effect. She squirmed and screamed, letting her breath become heavy before replaying through gritted teeth.

“Is that all you got? Guess I better go tell the other demons that Sam, Dean, and their pet angel are going soft.”

Jared’s upper lip curled into a snarl, and Kary felt herself become wet at the sight. She was sure her panties were ruined, but she didn’t break character. The taller of the three walked around to her backside, while Misha came up to Jensen’s flank. Kary focused on his chrome angel blade that suddenly appeared from his trench coat sleeve and tried to break her restraints again to make it look like she was now nervous.

She felt someone grab her hair and yank her head back to expose the delicate skin of her neck to Castiel’s blade. Jared leaned down until his mouth was right next to her ear, and it took all of her self control to stay in her demonic character.

“You gonna talk now or are we gonna have to force you? ‘Cause, believe me, my brother, Cas, and I aren’t the least bit scared of a lowlife demon like you.”

Kary bit her lip right as the director shouted cut. Tori came in to cut her free while the boys commended her on the scene. Apparently, that take was enough, because she was told she could go get changed out of her character’s clothes.

Once she was back in the guest trailer, she stripped off her clothes and folded them neatly on the dresser. She didn’t need to shower since she took one just that morning, but she did need to cool off after shooting. Jared’s power over her was almost too much. Plus, it had been a long time since she was touched by another person sexually.

Kary grabbed a hair tie from her wrist and twisted her hair up in it before stepping into the shower. The cool liquid soothed the aching need she felt, but it didn’t cure it. Jared did more things to her with just a look than any other man had ever done.

Once she was cooled off she wrapped a white fluffy towel around herself and stepped out into the bedroom. This is when she started to notice things that confused her. Little things like a pair of men’s shoes, a t-shirt, and then suddenly it hit her. She wasn’t in the guest trailer at all.

Fear coursed through her when she heard the trailer door open. She had nowhere to go, so she just stood there holding the towel closer to her naked body. She wasn’t prepared for the shocked look Jared gave her when he rounded the corner to his bedroom. He stared at her momentarily before taking a step closer to her shaking form.

“Kary? What … what are you doing?”

Karyne felt her lower lip begin to quiver, her eyes filling with tears of shame as he slowly got closer and closer to her. Once he was in front of her, she let a single tear fall. He watched as it cascaded down her cheek, wanting desperately to wipe it away but decided against it so he didn’t spook her.

“I … I’m sorry I didn’t … I thought …”

She felt strong arms envelop her in a hug, his fingertips sliding over her exposed shoulder blades lightly. Kary looked up at him and sighed when the pad of his thumb wiped her tear away. Jared never thought she looked more beautiful than in this moment. Her raw vulnerability struck a chord in him, and he slowly leaned in toward her lips.

The moment he kissed her, Kary felt like a grand finale of fireworks exploded inside her. She wrapped her arms around Jared’s neck and allowed him to carry her towards his queen size bed. He broke the kiss long enough to drop her down onto the mattress. Tearing his shirt quickly over his head and fumbling with his belt shouldn’t be sexy, but Kary was literally panting at the sight. Finally, Jared was standing bare before her, his hardness jutting out in front of him proudly.

He climbed on the bed supporting himself on his knees taking a moment to allow his eyes to travel over her body.

“You’re so fucking beautiful Kary. Wanted this since the moment I met you.”

Jared pulled her up so her nipples were pressed firmly against his chest, bringing them to hardened peaks. He began to roughly kiss her, pulling her hair like he did during the scene they shot earlier so he could kiss and suck at her pulse point. Kary cried out when he bit lightly at her neck and ground her pussy against the thickness of his cock.

He growled seductively and flipped them so she was on top of him. Jared motioned for her to turn around, and she looked at him confused.

“Wanna taste you, Kary. Wanna feel you cum on my face baby.”

She almost came by his words alone. No one had ever done this with her before. She’d barely done anything with a man before and had only slept with another person once. It wasn’t very enjoyable for her, so she never really tried to find anyone else. It hadn’t occurred to her that maybe the person she’d had relations with before had been doing it wrong. Kary got into position, placing each one of her knees parallel to Jared’s pectoral muscles. He greedily pulled her down and started relentlessly lapping at her soaked cunt. His strong arms held her in place as she writhed above him, crying out his name.

“Jar-Jared! Ahh! Fuck I-I’m close!!”

Kary was so caught up in the moment that she didn’t notice Misha standing in the bedroom’s threshold. For a moment, his jaw dropped at the sight before him, but he quickly felt himself hardening in his jeans. He began teasing his thickening cock through the denim, admiring how erotic the scene was before him. Misha continued to watch as Kary came undone on Jared’s mouth alone, her orgasm ripped through her like a current causing her to thrash and shake seductively.

“Fu-fuck!! JARED!!! Oh, shi-ahhh!!”

Kary climbed off Jared’s face and squealed when she was met with Misha’s lust blown eyes. Jared just smirked, clearly proud of himself for making the other man so worked up. He didn’t seem to be embarrassed at all, almost like he liked the thrill of getting caught.  

M-Misha?! What are you doing??”

His blue eyes darkened with want as he looked her up and down like she was prey.

“I could ask you the same thing Karyne, but right now I have something else in mind. Why don’t you be a good girl for Jared and I and kneel on the bed.”

Kary felt the familiar heat reignite in her abdomen as she climbed on the soft comforter, her knees spread slightly. Misha discarded his clothes slowly and pumped his cock a few times before standing in front of her. A bead of precum leaked out of the head, and she instinctively licked her lips.

“Be a good girl for us, and you’ll get rewarded sweetheart. Gotta do what we say though. Think you can do that?”

Kary nodded and looked up at Misha through her long lashes. Immediately she felt the sting of Jared’s hand land across her ass. She yelped, letting the lingering burn arouse her even more.

“I think Misha was waiting on an appropriate answer darlin’. How about you acknowledge him properly?”

Kary bit her lip and stuttered out what she hoped was the right answer.

“Y-Yes, sir.”

Misha groaned deeply and closed his eyes.

“Mmm good girl. Now open that pretty mouth of yours for me. I’ve wanted those perfect lips wrapped around me all afternoon.”

Soon they built up a rhythm. Misha fucked her mouth, while Jared teased her aching cunt with his tongue and fingers. He’d work her up to the point where she was about to tip over the edge but stopped right before she could. Kary pulled off Misha’s dick with an obscene pop to catch her breath. Before she could she felt two of his nimble fingers lift her chin up and saw his disapproving eyes.

“Oh sweetie, I didn’t tell you to stop did I? I think Jared’s gonna have to show you what happens when you disobey us.”

She whimpered when the tendrils of what had to be a whip slid over the curve of her ass. A second later, a loud crack filled the room as it blistered her skin. The impact of it sent a shockwave of heat straight to her core, her folds becoming slicker with need by the second.

“Pl-please … I’ll be a good girl sir. Please f-fuck me…”

Misha smirked and looked at Jared as he absentmindedly stroked his thick length.

“What do you think Jare? Should we give her what she needs? She has been pretty good.”

Jared ran his fingers over the pink welt that was now becoming visible on the flesh of her ass and licked his lips.

“I thought you’d never ask. Didn’t know how much longer I could wait.”

Misha chuckled and pushed Kary down onto the bed, admiring how her breasts bounced invitingly. He crawled over her and placed a loving kiss to her lips.

“I think you can wait a little longer, Jared. Seeing as you’ve already made her cum once, I think it’s my turn. Why don’t you go sit in that chair over there, and let me show you how it’s done.”

Kary thought for sure that he would argue with the other man, but surprisingly he didn’t protest at all. She watched as he took a seat and almost immediately begin running his hand over his sizable member. Her attention quickly reverted back to Misha as she felt his lips start to leave a trail of open-mouthed kisses down her body. He looked up into her eyes, marveling at her little whimpers and pleas from just his lips.

“Oh god… please …need to feel you…”

Misha settled himself between her legs and lined himself up before pushing into her tight heat. Kary’s back arched off the bed as he thrust into her relentlessly, not giving her time to adjust to his size. Her screams reverberated off the trailer’s walls, her hands gripping the sheets to stay grounded, as she felt herself close to the edge.

“Mish-ahhhh! Oh right there… I’m gonna… gon-ah!!”

Misha snarled, positioning himself so he was hitting her sweet spot over and over.

“C’mon sweetheart, cum for me. Fuck! Cum all over my cock baby!”

His words were like a switch, sending her into pure bliss. Her walls contracted around his cock almost making Misha lose his load, but he had other plans. He didn’t want to cum just yet. As soon as he pulled out of her Jared was on the bed. Kary squealed as he picked her up effortlessly and placed her on all fours. He leaned down over her shoulder and spoke praises in her ear.

“You did so good darlin’. Took Misha’s cock like a champ, but now you’re gonna take both of us. Gonna take both of our loads like a good girl.”

Misha kneeled in front of her while Jared lined up behind her. He slid inside her eager cunt ever so slowly making Kary feel every inch of him. Her breath was ragged, her eyes shut tight at the sensation. Once he was fully seated, she felt the tip of Misha’s dick press against her mouth. She opened on command and took as much of him as she could. Both men groaned at began a steady rhythm.

Kary felt so full, her eyes watering as Misha assaulted her mouth over and over again. The burn in her throat making her all the more stimulated. Jared’s hips began to stutter, and sweat dripped onto her body.

“Kary.. oh fuck… not gonna last… c’mon baby cum with me.”

Misha gripped her hair to hold her still as he guided his cock into her hot mouth, his own orgasm just around the corner. Jared pistoned into her bundle of nerves at a brutal pace, and suddenly felt Kary start to shake. Her cries became louder as he felt her walls contract around him. Just as he felt the first ropes of cum shoot into her, he felt another sensation. Kary’s own juices spilled out coating his cock and legs just as Misha spilled himself down her awaiting throat.

She was too tired to move, the feeling of euphoria still resonating at what just happened. Misha scooped her up as Jared pulled back the covers. Kary was laid down gently, the soft material soothing against her skin. Both men laid down on either side of her, relishing in the skin-on-skin warmth.

Even though her role on the show wasn’t meant to be long-lasting, Kary knew that being between these two men wasn’t just a one-time thing. The past few years had their ups and downs, but now she felt like she had something to live for. Jared and Misha were her missing link, and she drifted off to sleep knowing that she’d never be alone again.

[rpchive]

Seventieth Encounter-- Overgrowth

ARE YOU READY FOR THE ALFHEIM?!

The next morning, Tori is groaning in his sleep, eventually ending in him accidentally rolling out of bed and trying to push himself back off the floor only for the projection of his arm to give way, causing him to fall right back on his side. Letting out a sigh, he just lies there for a moment. "Great." Collin turns his body horizontally across the bed and crosses his arms under his chin, resting on the edge of the bed looking down at him. Collin: You alright down there? alienrabitt: Yeah, just...need a hand, I guess. Collin: Well you're in luck, I still have those at least. Collin slides out of bed and snaps on his prosthetic, then steps around the bed and helps pull Tori up onto his feet.

“arm and a leg joke.txt”

As his arm reforms in its light form, Tori quietly thanks Collin for his help, but can't bring himself to make eye contact. Collin: Hey, what's wrong? It's nothing to be self-conscious about. It's already making its way back to normal, even if it can't really support weight right now. alienrabitt: I mean it's there, but it's not? It can hold stuff, but any pressure to it just makes it burst away. And on top of that, everything that just happened in Kujaar, ugh...he just instantly took me out of the picture; I couldn't help anybody, let alone myself... Collin: Well yeah, he kinda sorta yanked your soul out as step one. As far as opening moves go, it was a pretty solid choice honestly. alienrabitt: It was a miserable choice; he wasn't just holding it. I'm just lucky the room broke and distanced me from my body; if he'd put that thing back, I would've hurt everybody there... Collin: Maybe, but we would've figured out a way to break you out of it. Wouldn't be the first time I've had to fight you because someone messed with you, after all. alienrabitt: I guess...I just hate that this happened. Demo's gonna be the one to catch all the heat from it too, I just know it... Collin: I'm not so sure about that. This is different from the arm thing. Nine specifically wanted to get Xentrilis out front and center for whatever they wanted out of him. Everything that happened back there was all him. alienrabitt: I mean, that's true, but...I don't know. Demo didn't really have any say in him coming back with her or not when she got a body; he just kinda...did. And she did try to stop him with the arm thing; it's...weird. I mean, she wanted to help and she wanted to get the chip out; it wasn't her fault he took that to 11. Collin: I guess that makes sense. Still, if I understood Firefly correctly, isn't Xentrilis gone anyways? Sorta makes the whole issue moot if that's the case. alienrabitt: Yeah, he is. I'm just worried about her; with a history like that, even if people don't blame her, she's still gonna feel like it was her fault. Collin: You might be right, but that's just something she'll have to work through. Plus she's not entirely alone; it seems like Nydins and Fawkes are sticking up for her at the very least, and I'm willing to... give her a pass, I guess? alienrabitt: Yeah. I hope she pulls through... Pausing for a moment, Tori looks from his arm to Collin's. "...But you got hurt again." Collin: What, these things? He glances down at his arms, examining the faint scar lines where the claws slashed them. "C'mon, you and I both know I've lived through worse. I'm willing to bet the scars will be gone in another day to boot. Besides, those injuries gave Sanglied a shortcut to the front row, which sorta worked out because they had a much better idea of how to beat a dragon than I did." alienrabitt: ...Wait, who? Collin: Oh, right, you weren't there for that. The god of Blood Magic showed up and fought Xentrilis along with Firefly at the end of that whole mess. They were the one to take over when I, uh, started losing control of the situation. alienrabitt: Aw man, I missed out...! Well, whatever; I'm sure I'll see them again someday, especially in our line of work. Guess we didn't make too good of a first impression, huh? Collin: Eh, I think they were too busy trying to show off and kick a dragon's ass to really care about who else was doing what. If anything they were just bummed out that they had to leave so soon. I was kinda needed at the time to put your amulet back to normal. alienrabitt: Honestly, I really hate that this thing has rules and regulations. I mean, it's a piece of jewelry...why do I have to be a part of it...? Kinda wish I'd actually managed to thread Phoenix together back there just so I could've asked her why I was like this...

I really wish you would’ve met Phoenix! I’m sure between the two of us we’ll find a way to introduce all the Mothers and Others though. probably won’t let them all physically exist again, unfortunately...

Collin: Unfortunately I only have one set of gods, and they're not dragons. Some aren't quite as human-ish, but no dragons. Oh, sorry, got on a tangent. Maybe if we're ever back there, we can figure something out? I'm not sure Nine would let us do something like that though.. alienrabitt: It'd be worth a shot. They kinda owe us for forcing Demo to let Xentrilis out anyway... Collin: Still, we should probably give Kujaar some time to put itself back together. He might not have been there for long, but that dragon did a fair number on the place. alienrabitt: Yeah, that's fair... Collin: So, coming back to the arm thing real quick, do you know how much longer until it's totally back to normal? alienrabitt: No idea. I guess burning magic doesn't help; but I don't really wanna pull anything in if I can help it. Collin: That's fair. Hopefully it won't be too much longer; a glowing arm of light is hardly inconspicuous, huh? alienrabitt: Yeaaaah, I can't really help that though. Collin: At least you've got a built-in flashlight for now? alienrabitt: Well, more out than in right now... Collin: Hey, look at it this way: When we finally come across something that costs an arm and a leg, we'll have already made the down payment for it! Tori loudly snorts, covering their mouth with their light hand. "God, yeah..." Collin: Oh my God did you just snort? That's adorable; you're adorable.

shut up...

alienrabitt: ...Ffh! Whatever. Shouldn't we be checking on everyone else now? Collin leans down slightly and steals a kiss from Tori. "Probably, yeah. Shall we, cute stuff?" Heading out into the console room, the pair can see Firefly excitedly talking with Nydins and Silky. Firefly: ...Look, I'm just saying that I may have got this figured out! I just need a really big, empty place to put everything; like a field or something. Can't we go to Barbell's place? Surely he could make better use of a functional Alfheim portal than just wherever we can land with enough room...! Nydins: But we can't just drop in on someone unexpectedly...though I guess Collin could send him a letter, but I feel like it would still be short notice... Firefly: Are you kidding me?! Do you really think somebody like him would turn something like this down on short notice?! Collin: Did I hear something about an Alfheim portal just now? Firefly: I've been working on this for so long; I think I've figured out a proper setup and I've got just enough backlog to try it out; I just need to set things up somewhere so I can try it! Collin: I'm sure Barbell has a place you could- His eyes flash green suddenly, and he winces slightly as he puts a hand to the side of his head. "Ow, take it easy, will you? It gives me a headache when you do that so suddenly, sheesh..." Firefly: ...Ah, I'm sorry! I guess she's probably just as excited as I am about this, huh? Collin: Heh, that's an understatement. Here, you know what? Let me just... Collin vanishes in a flash of green light, and Tellus practically leaps out from the light and grabs Firefly by the shoulders. Tellus: You've done it? And so soon? I was expecting to be waiting at least a couple of decades, or at least a few years if I was lucky! Oh you're such an amazing little bug! Tellus squishes Firefly's cheeks at this, pushing them around in tiny circles. Silky sort of gurgles a bit in shock and Nydins is gripping the edge of the console in an attempt to steady herself. Letting out a quiet grunt, Firefly gently grabs Tellus' arms.

Silky fucking stress gurgles

"C-can you not do that, please?" Letting go immediately, Tellus takes a couple of steps back from Firefly. Tellus: Oops, sorry! I got a little carried away, huh? Oh, right! Collin was supposed to write a letter! Here, I can handle that. She reaches inside her tunic and pulls out Collin's magic mirror and lets it hover in the air next to her. A thin tree branch seems to sprout from her exposed shoulder, a single black petal dangling from its tip. She then casually takes the branch from her shoulder and pulls the petal off of it, causing the branch to unfurl into a single sheet of paper. Tellus then begins to write in what can only be described as a literal "flowery" script using the petal, replacing the dots of the I's and periods with tiny cartoon flowers and plant-like motifs that creep into the shapes of certain letters. She then stamps the letter with the remainder of the petal, rolls it up, and slides it through the mirror. Nydins: Wh-who are you?! What the heck was that?! Tellus: Oh! Sorry, I forgot there were new people in the room! I have many names, but the others I've met here seem to have chosen Tellus as my name for now. I'm the goddess of Botania, and a member of the pantheon that Collin channels. It's a pleasure to meet you! She makes a small curtsy and beams a smile at the two unknown people in the room.

I guess I don’t care if Collin can channel panthers; just as long as he doesn’t channel the buff KH cheetah...

Silky: So...so he can just do that now? Tellus: To an extent, yes. Of course, we both have to want to switch places in order for one of us to come here; neither of us can force the other. Our powers are also still limited by how much mana Collin currently has in his body, although we can make better use of any amount that he has better than he can. Silky: I...don't totally understand that, but at least this isn't bad? Still a little weird, though, but I'm guessing this doesn't happen often if it surprised Nydins... Nydins: ...Oh, oh right, I need to change the coordinates! She turns around and messes with the console briefly before stepping away. "...But you're absolutely right; I've never seen this before." Tellus scratches the back of her head, seeming slightly embarrassed. "Yes, well, usually we only do this when our abilities are needed, or if we need to directly communicate with someone. That's why Sanglied came to fight the dragon, and why Precantaro came out to seal up that meteor." Silky: Oh, is that what happened? Wish I could've seen it; that eldritch abomination ruined more lives than I'd like to count. Glad somebody could handle that thing finally... Tellus: It wasn't much of a challenge for him. It's not the first time he's had to seal something away, after all. Ah, but I probably shouldn't talk about that, especially right now. That's his business after all. Silky: N-not much of a--?! Face turning a bit red, Silky averts the gaze of all three of her eyes, inhaling deeply. "...Of course. I suppose such things wouldn't matter much to a god..." Tellus: Well, it was already sealed to some degree. Don't take it too hard, little one. You're strong in your own ways, too! Mortal beings are the normal masters of this world, after all. We simply have to... step in from time to time. Think of it like asking a parent for help! Silky: ...It's not that someone did it; it's that it seems trivial. It ate an entire planet; it started a massive war that trapped an entire star system's population in a mere five sectors...getting rid of it may have been easy for somebody like you, but the struggles we went through, and the lives we had to lead to escape it before someone like you came into our lives absolutely were not. Though I guess you're only shrugging off the creature... A look of shock crosses her face, and her eyes start to water slightly. "O-of course I wouldn't shrug off your world! Lives are precious and irreplaceable, and their experiences are impossible to replicate! How could I look at their faces and say that they were negligible?"

bro don’t make a goddess cry!!

also, kinda off topic, but my hc voice for Tellus is Tink tbh

Firefly: Er, Silky, could you maybe go get Fawkes and start getting the mana ready to be moved? Those tanks are pretty big and heavy, so they'll need someone strong to move them... Silky: ...Yeah, sure. Brushing an armored hand through her fins, Silky sighs finally before heading off into the IT. Nydins: Wow, I am so sorry she got upset like that...usually she's not so touchy about things... Tellus: It's alright. I shouldn't have been so casual about that. It's been a long while since I've interacted with mortals, so I guess I'm a little out of practice... Um, how many tanks need to be moved? Perhaps I could help move them? Firefly: Seven, I believe. Maybe eight now... Tellus: Oh, well let me help! It'll go faster if more people are moving them! Without waiting for a response, she turns and darts off for Firefly's room. After a couple of minutes, she returns to the console room walking sideways through the doorway, a tank held at both of her sides by her arms. Fawkes follows her in shortly afterward, a single tank being supported in his grip. Fawkes: Did I... miss something? Silky also returns with a tank as the IT lands. "More of Collin's...magic shenanigans, apparently." She calls back to him as she leaves for another trip. "Tellus! Nice to meet you!" Fawkes: Ah, that explains it. He follows her out to grab another tank as well. As Silky goes back for the last tank, Tori and Firefly head out of the IT to meet with Barbell. The pair find themselves at the foot of the stairs leading up to the head of the golem, still in its new resting position. However, it appears that Barbell has been busy since the group left, as the stairs now move like an escalator with one half going up and the other half going down, and bordered by railings of smooth stone. Barbell is already standing at the top of the escalator, still looking confusedly at the letter in his hands. Relana is also with him, although she seems preoccupied dropping small devices over the railing that are apparently different designs to try and slow the device's descent. Shrugging, Tori steps onto the escalating half with Firefly, humming quietly as he waits to reach the top. As they near the top, Barbell looks up from his letter to acknowledge the pair, gazing at them from behind a shiny new pair of goggles still framed in brass but significantly less worn in appearance. Barbell: Ah, good to see you! Can you tell me who wrote this letter? They signed it with a flower petal and I'm not sure what that's supposed to signify... alienrabitt: Oh, Tellus did! She's still in the IT right now; we need to get all the mana tanks out here still. Barbell: Ah, so is she a new recruit? alienrabitt: Uhh...sort of? As if on cue, Tellus steps out of the IT holding two tanks of mana. Flowers grow where her feet touch the earth, and she gently sets the tanks down before returning for more. Barbell, meanwhile, frantically adjusts his goggles as soon as Tellus steps out, only stopping when she disappears from view again. Barbell: Was... that...? alienrabitt: Um...yep, that was her alright. Barbell: But she was overlayed over... alienrabitt: Yeah, you can thank Bethesda or whatever for that.

Zimbabwe

Barbell: Who- Nevermind, this is far more interesting than I ever thought it would be. I mean, I knew Collin was extremely different after that infusion, but I never could have imagined something like this was possible! This is incredible! And on top of this, you want to crack open a portal to Alfheim?

I’m happy for you and all but fuck it also set off my bpd like goddamn crazy and I feel super fucking bad about that tbh

like I didn’t wanna drive Tellus off because I wanted her to be happy but she was there the whole fucking log and it just pissed me off after a point but I didn’t wanna say it ‘cause IC it wouldn’t have made any sense and tbh I still don’t know why I reacted that way but fuck

Firefly: Yes I do! I've been working on this for so long, there's absolutely no way this could fail! Barbell: Gods, those two are going to kill me when they find out what we're about to do. I'd invite them but they're on vacation right now... alienrabitt: Oh, your friends from before? Barbell: Yes, one of my friends from years back and his husband are Botania experts. The Alfheim portal has been sort of a pet project of theirs, but it hasn't had much traction, and they usually spend their time seeing the world right now anyways.

everyone associated with plants is gay

alienrabitt: Well this is one part of the world they're gonna wanna see up close, then! Let's give 'em a reason to come home, eh? Barbell: Sounds like a plan to me! I've already got Bug preparing a spot in his greenhouse, so hopefully you should have enough room there. alienrabitt: Is that really gonna be big enough...? Barbell raises an eyebrow. "You haven't seen Bug's greenhouse yet, have you?" alienrabitt: Nnnope, none of us have. Barbell chuckles in a mock evil tone as the last tanks are unloaded. Barbell: Alright, looks like they're done down there. Shall we get things set up?Firefly: Absolutely! The sooner, the better. Barbell: Good to hear! Relana, you almost done? Relana: Yeah, I just have this last one! She picks up a small box with a spiral-shaped propeller sticking out of the top. She drops it over the railing, and a loud smash is heard only a couple of seconds later. "... I'm gonna say that was a backup control test." They begin moving the tanks up the escalator and into the house proper, and then Barbell leads them to a solid wooden door with a planter built into its center, and a smaller golem-sized door installed at the bottom. Pulling the door open, he leads them into a large greenhouse structure with a large fish pond serving as a centerpiece. Patches of various mana-producing flowers fill several garden patches along the left side along with various contraptions that provide them the means to make mana, and a series of wooden boxes pass the mana to a large central network of mana pools beyond the pond. On the right side in a seperate set of gardens are many different strange flowers, although most of them seem to be inactive at the moment. At the back of the greenhouse is a large clear area, roughly forty square feet in size, and a wire-screen door on the far right side of the back wall. Bug is frantically sweeping the area with a golem sized broom as the group enters. Firefly: Oh, this looks perfect! Hopefully I can fit everything here. Hearing her voice, Bug perks up and looks in their direction for a moment before tossing the broom aside and scurrying across the greenhouse toward her. Bug: Miss Firefly! Miss Firefly! Is it true that you're gonna make a portal to the Alp-pine in my room?

no, because I dated Muffet

Firefly: If things go smoothly, yes! Absolutely. Barbell: Then let's not waste any time! Tell us what we need to do! The setup is roughly 5 times the size of an average portal; all extra components scaled to proportion to accommodate the size difference. With a larger number of pools and pylons surrounding the portal itself, Firefly readies her wand, bracing herself as she attempts to open the portal. Though the portal itself brightens significantly, allowing a clear view of the opposite side, this only manages to maintain itself for a few moments before the portal weakens to it's average state. Frustrated, Firefly pulls out her notes and looks them over, mumbling quietly to herself about how this should absolutely be working. Tellus drops her illusion, although Collin's eyes are still green and his voice still sounds like hers. "Do we not have enough mana? Could we make the frame stronger? Or maybe we need to build more pylons?" Firefly: No, no, this should work; our end is absolutely stable enough; I just... Stepping up to the portal, Tori shoves their lost arm through, and the portal immediately strengthens back to the Alfheim's visibility. "No, you're right, it works. It's them that can't handle it. I could fix it, but I can't just stand here..." Demo: You're also right. It's the atmosphere, I think; without a mirrored setup, this portal's only strong on one side. If you can't extend this to them, you'll never get through. So do your thing, Hermes; you're still the only one who can do anything for anyone. You say that like I have absolutely any idea as to how to 'do my thing.' This sort of power's still pretty new to me... Demo: Ugh; the reason you pull in so much weird magic is 'cause that's what you're supposed to do; the discharge from you overloading would stabilize the opposite side. Literally suck it up. alienrabitt: That much mana? Are you kidding me? I'd blow this place out! Fawkes: If I'm following Demo right, I think you're supposed to channel that blow-out through the portal, which should open up the other side. alienrabitt: ...Man, you're really trusting me with this, huh? No pressure. Stepping into the portal, Tori pulls in the mana from all of Firefly's pools, forcing him into his Hermes form. As his amulet begins to rise up, the portal strengthens significantly, and upon the discharge of his magic, it strengthens to a solid glow, shattering many of the further pylons in the process. Tori, however, does not exit his Hermes state, and remains floating in the center of the portal, staring unblinkingly. Barbell: That's... unnerving. Is he alright? Demo: Well, he's alive. You wanted the portal open, right? Better hurry up; he can't keep them stable on his own forever. Barbell: Quick, you kids go! We'll catch the next trip! Tellus, not waiting for anyone, quickly charges through the portal. Firefly hurries through as well, dragging Demo along with her. Demo: Ow, hey, watch it!! Firefly: Like hell I'll be gentle with you after you didn't tell us about that! Fawkes quickly chases after them. The opposite side seems to be on the opposite side of a forest that seems to be the only visible distance between the portal and some sort of walled kingdom; though the state of the kingdom is rather obscured. Aside from the various flowers and plants around them, there is little more than the distant chirping of birds to keep them company. Demo: Hey, if you're so upset about not having him here, I could get him on this side real quick. Fawkes: What happens to the portal if you do that? Demo: Oh, it'd be fine; trust me. Fawkes: Well, I'm sure Collin would appreciate Tori not being like... that. Summoning up the Candy Cane, Demo hauls Tori's human form out of his Hermes form like she's using a stage hook and this is all just one big bit. This version of Tori, however, has the odd symbol on his shirt rather than his usual star, and his eyes are a brilliant blue color. alienrabitt: Whoa, hey, whoa, whoa, what the hell did you just do?! Demo: Hey, it wouldn't be fun without you, right? alienrabitt: Me??? Me??? What the hell do you think you're doing?! Don't you know how risky this is for me?! Demo: Hey, we would've needed you later anyway; quit making such a big deal out of it. You're wasting your own time freaking out right now, y'know... Fawkes: I'm confused, what makes this risky? alienrabitt: ...I'm--... Demo: Shhh, let's not spoil the surprise just yet, alright? To the town, to the town~... Fawkes: I'm not sure this is a good secret to keep... Excitedly dragging Tori into the forest, Demo shrugs. "Not for you to know! Regardless, it felt pretty good."

what’s this deadpool bullshit

Tellus, still presenting as Collin and seemingly oblivious to everything, is facing upward toward the sky, eyes closed and arms slightly extended out to the sides. Fawkes: You might want to slow down for a moment, Demo... Stopping for a moment, Demo glances back. "What now?" Fawkes: I think Tellus is a little lost. Um... Fawkes steps forward and gently taps her on the shoulder. "You still with us?" Tellus jumps at the sudden contact and turns around, blinking several times. Tellus: S-sorry! I just... I got caught off guard. The air smells just like it used to all that time ago... Firefly: I understand. I miss being home too sometimes. I can't even imagine how this must feel for you. I just wish we had more time... Tellus: R-right, sorry. After you... The group heads into the forest, reuniting with Demo and the half of Tori. alienrabitt: Why aren't you telling them what you did just then? You know they're gonna find out eventually... Demo: Maybe, maybe not. They both do and don't know you, after all. As long as you can do what we need, it doesn't matter who or what you are. Fawkes: Demo... Demo: What? It's the truth... Fawkes: We're in uncharted territory here. Do we really need more unknown variables?

Tellus didn’t tell anyone who she actually was either so honestly fuck you?

Demo: ...If you really need to know, I'm...a little like Tori, a little bit not. He's capable of opening up dimensions and stuff; he's basically a door and key kind of thing; but when my old stuff got mixed into that, I sort of became a door and key for something a little less practical. So if you really need to know, I can tell you, but since you're such a super smart robot, maybe you'll figure it out yourself! A red ">:(" appears on Fawkes' visor, but he doesn't continue the conversation. Grinning, Demo stretches, beginning to put her arm around Tori's shoulders only for Tori to duck, grab her by the arm, flip her onto her back, and continue walking away without her. Coughing, Demo pushes herself off the ground. "Wh-what was that for?!" alienrabitt: Don't touch me. Don't think I don't know you. Anyway, keep up; you're wasting your time complaining like that. Face equally as red as her outfit, Demo quickly gets back up and follows after everybody as they reach the edge of the city. Though the stone walls are rather thick and high, there are no visible gates, nor guards around the exterior of the city. The city itself does seem to have inhabitants, however, several of which are currently making their way to their homes or other parts of the city. Tellus: It seems like they've been rather busy all this time. I hope they didn't forget how to make doors... Entering the city, it doesn't take long for the group to draw attention. They do, however, get mixed reactions; several people wind up hiding; quite a few more attempt to crowd at a curious, yet cautious distance; and a handful of them rush off as fast as their feet will allow them towards a large castle at the center of the city. Fawkes: Well, I don't see any torches or pitchforks yet. One of the townsfolk pipes up from the middle of the crowd: "Travelers! You...seem unfamiliar to these parts. Might we ask what brings you here?" Fawkes elbows Firefly gently. "You want to tell 'em, portal maker?" Firefly: We...we're not from the Alfheim; but we came here to open a portal that could allow passage to and from the Alfheim. This raises an even bigger discussion and sends an entire flock of people rushing excitedly to the castle. Fawkes: I feel like we're about to be in very high demand in a few minutes. At this point a small group starts to make its way out of the castle, though only one of them is actually running towards the crowd. Urgently, this short, pudgy-looking fellow shoves his way through to the front, looking up at the group as he begins to speak: "The king's entire family decided to come speak with you in person immediately; I advised him against such a sudden decision, but he absolutely insisted." Tellus, now using Collin's voice, pipes up. "A royal family?" ???: Well, sort of self-appointed. We got a bit bored a few thousand years ago, nobody really  had the effort to tell them no, and they just wanted to build things, so we just let them keep doing what they were doing. Eventually they built up all these walls and a castle all by themselves... Tellus: For what purpose? Are there monsters that need to be kept at bay? ???: No, no, they just...really liked building. I guess it was to house that big setup in the courtroom; truth is, the king's been trying to make a way out of here since before I was even born. Don't think he took the portals weakening too well...not to say he harbors any ill intentions; he's just a bit desperate; I'm sure he'll be relieved to see you all. Tellus: I see. I suppose that's understandable. There are still people on the other side that are trying to get to here as well, you know. ???: Oh, good! Well, we would love to see them too. The family arrives, rapidly parting the crowd to meet with the smaller group personally. Among them is a tall, elderly looking elf; a slightly younger looking queen at his side; and some significantly younger looking children, both looking to be in totally different age groups. As the younger daughter peeks from behind her big brother's leg, the father addresses the group: "So you've come to open the portal both ways, eh?" Fawkes: That's the idea. We've got one way down, at least. King: Well then, let's open up the other one! He starts making his way back to the castle, his pudgy adviser rushing after his long strides. The group follows behind the royal entourage, and Tellus pipes up after a few moments. Tellus: So this is your kingdom, then? King: Well, my family built it, but I wouldn't call it a proper kingdom, let alone mine. I don't own or govern these people; they live their own lives as they choose. Really we just have the biggest house; everyone just sort of likes us because we build everything for fun. Fawkes: So it's more like a very well-designed neighborhood than a kingdom? King: Yes, I suppose so! We just have a very good reputation is all; generosity and hospitality go a long way. Tellus: Is anyone "in charge", then? King: Well, yes and no. If problems arise, people generally come to us. We don't always have the answers, but we're always more than happy to try to help. The better your reputation is, the more people will come to you for help and advice, so we just try to stay in good favor and do what we can. I'd say we both are and aren't some sort of leaders. Fawkes: But for the most part, your priority has been creating your own portal to the other world, correct? King: Our priority has been finding any sort of answers we could get. The castle we live in is divided into even thirds of living quarters; archives; and a very large setup in an attempt to repair the bridge between us and the other dimensions. It's one thing to feel like you're alone, but it's an entirely different feeling to understand that you're actually just closed off from everyone else. Tellus: I suppose it would be... But perhaps we can help finally open the way for you! King: Yes, hopefully so! If you managed to open a way in, surely you can do the same in reverse. Fawkes: If I may be honest, I'm surprised that a universe so infused with magic would have difficulties making something like a portal. /The group arrives in the area the king has designated his setup to be built in; multiple large, crystalline pylons dot the room in a handful of locations around a central fountain of mana that seems to run a current around the entire room in an intricate patterns along the floor, up the walls, and even across the entire ceiling. The larger pylons have smaller pylons orbiting them, with even smaller fragments orbiting those. In the back of the room is the massive, empty frame of a portal made of an opalescent sort of wood that faintly shifts colors in the light seemingly all on its own. King: Oh, we have a portal built, we just haven't been able to make it work.

Tellus: It's... beautiful. How could something so massive and intricate not work? King: A question I've been asking myself for far too long... Fawkes: So what actually happens when you try to open it? Nothing? King: Well, it opens up for a brief while, but it can't seem to link to any singular location. One person volunteered to to through many years ago; they were never seen or heard from again, unfortunately. After that, we never tried to send anyone or anything through again. Tellus: I'm so sorry to hear that. So the problem is how to stabilize the portal to one desired place, then? King: Precisely! If we could do that, we could certainly bridge the gap. Fawkes turns to face the others. "Any ideas, then?" Demo: Well, Tori could just do what he did the first time again; though maybe he won't need as much mana this time... alienrabitt: Oh no, I wouldn't, and you're right, I can fix this, but I wouldn't do that for you if anyone's life depended on it. You want me to help these people, you hike your ass all the way back to the other portal and you take yourself home, then I'll do it. Demo: Hey, that might close halfway between here and there; why take that risk when you're right here right now? alienrabitt: You severely underestimate just how well I know my own limits. Either that, or you literally have no idea who I am anymore regardless of which me is actually standing in front of you. Fawkes: I'm... very confused by all of this. Demo: Look, can you just...do your job? I didn't pull you over here to beat me up and yell at me... alienrabitt: My job is to keep people like you away from people like this; you take your broke-ass powers and your broke-ass stick and you go back through that broke-ass portal and stay with everyone else. Demo: What, do you expect me to hurt somebody? What could I possibly do here and now? You realize I'm not actually trying to do anything bad, right? Tellus: That's enough, both of you. I'm not sure what this argument is about, but it's not solving the problem at hand.

the weird cocktail of emotions I had towards answering that made things difficult tbh

Firefly: Tori, please just open the portal. If the other one closes, we won't have a way back home... alienrabitt: ...Yeah, I know...can you just stand outside or something? I'm sick of you staring at me with that stupid grin on your face. Demo: ...Fine, suit yourself. Giving an exaggerated shrug, Demo leaves the room as the second Tori steps into the portal frame. Taking a deep breath, this Tori begins the process themself, causing every single pylon; fragment; and even the mana currents to light up as the portal stirs to life. Though the connection remains unstable initially, the shifting interior slowly seems to narrow down its destinations to a select few, slowing down progressively until they become distinguishably visible as three separate locations. One seems to be a city of some sort; one seems to be the greenhouse; and the third seems to be some kind of ruined castle grounds. Eventually this too stabilizes into the singular, proper location, and the second Tori steps out of the portal, shaking their head as they clasp their hands over one of their eyes. Fawkes: Are you alright? alienrabitt: Uh, yeah...don't worry about it. Anyway, there you go...sorry about the wait. Tellus: So if I'm seeing this right, the portal should be taking us to... She steps forward and passes through the portal. And she properly exits to Bug's greenhouse! Barbell: Oh, Collin! Back so soon? Switching back to her own voice for a moment, Tellus responds. "N-not quite, although you might have some company soon!" She then ducks back through the portal. The king stands at a loss for words for quite a while before abruptly pulling Firefly and Tori into a large hug, openly weeping as he thanks them profusely. Still desperately trying to cover their eye, the second Tori nervously welcomes the king while Firefly desperately attempts to keep him from crushing her bug half, gently patting him on the back. Tellus: Well, the portal works alright, but how do we control the destination if Tori was the one to get it open? We can't just have him on portal duty forever... alienrabitt: It's...more about the direction of mana; cutting off or adding channels would change the destination of this portal. Tellus: So the flow of mana drives the portal... It seems almost obvious when you put it that way. Firefly: S-sir, as happy as I am for you, I'm afraid you really need to let go; we still need to get back to the other portal we opened up... Letting the pair go, the king wipes the tears away from his eyes, laughing gently. "Yes, yes, I suppose you should. Still, we cannot thank you enough; if you need absolutely anything we can provide, feel free to come back at any time. You and your friends will always be welcome here."

you now have an entire dimension’s worth of mana at your disposal

Tellus: Of course! I'm sure we'll visit again sometime. Just be nice to the people on the other side of that portal. They're friends of ours, and they're probably not expecting an entire city of elves to come knocking at their door juuust yet! Leaving the castle, the second Tori is followed off into the woods by Demo and Firefly. Fawkes and Tellus quickly follow after the pair. As they reach the forest, Fawkes turns to Tellus before speaking up. Fawkes: Tellus, I can't help but wonder about something. Why did you hide yourself as Collin when we came here? Tellus: Oh, well... it's rather embarrassing, if I'm being honest. Firefly: So would you rather keep it a secret? Tellus: No, it's just... Truth be told, I wasn't sure how the elves were going to feel about me after all this time, if they even remembered me at all. Part of me was afraid they might... despise me for leaving them the way I did. Demo: Yeah, well, now not only do they not know if you're around to any degree, but they're probably never actually gonna find you if you keep hiding; even if they were actually looking for you, there's no way they would've known they didn't even have to leave to find you. I mean, if they remembered you, they would've been worried about such a good person, right? Unless you actually did something bad~...? Tellus: No, never! I just... wasn't certain what Alfheim would be like after being gone for so long. Besides, they're finally reunited with the Overworld. I think that's enough excitement for one day. Reaching the second portal, the second Tori turns to face the group, still covering one of their eyes. "Um, hey, I really don't know why all of you followed me here, but like...can you leave? I don't really wanna talk to any of you guys." Fawkes: ... I'm sorry? alienrabitt: I don't want to talk to any of you people, so can you just...go? I want to talk to this Tori before I leave, and since Collin's apparently been bodyjacked by...whoever the hell that is, he's really the only person here I want to talk to, so...yeah... Tellus: Oh, um, of course, let me just... Collin's eyes return to their normal color, and he shakes his head for a second before speaking. Collin: Okay, right, this whole business. He punctuates his words by flailing one hand in both Toris' directions. "Anyone want to finally fill me in on what the hell is going on here?" Demo: Well, we needed two Toris, so I just...got another one! Collin: ... Okay, sure. And why has this Tori been acting so differently? Did you just yank out some part of his personality? Also, why has he been covering his eye after the portal thing? alienrabitt: It's because I'm--...ugh, you're really gonna make me say this in front of everybody?? Look, this portal is gonna close; can you guys just go through? Please? Collin: Alright fine, but I'm expecting some answers on the other side. With that, Collin and Fawkes step through the portal. Firefly and Demo exit the portal, and moments later, both Toris come out as well. Karumet: ...So am I seeing double, or...? Returning to his human form, Tori's arm is now an odd mix of green and yellow magic as he glances over at the second Tori, immediately backing away in confusion.

YOU FUCKING DIDN’T

"Wh-who the hell are you?!" 2ri: Um...you, but from a different...timeline? Reality? Dimension? Something like that... Collin: ... What. Demo: See, this is what I meant by my powers being a weirder version of Tori's! While he can open physical doors and gateways to other locations, I can open...different kinds of doors. Collin: Well shit that's one way to put it! What're we supposed to do about this?! 2ri: Hey, don't worry about it! I can go back when I have to, okay? Don't worry about me... Collin: Well what about Tori's arm? It's two different colors now that there are two Toris here. Isn't that an issue? 2ri: I'm pretty sure that's 'cause of all the mana he just sucked up, actually... Collin: Ah, I suppose that makes sense... alienrabitt: So...why are you sticking around? I'm pretty sure none of this stuff is, well...relevant to you? 2ri: It's not; look, I'm not gonna interrupt your...whatever, I just wanna talk with you two when you're done. Just for a little bit, then I'll leave you alone. Barbell: Sorry to interrupt, but I should probably get things ready for visitors. Are you all staying as well? Nydins: Actually, I think we need to meet back up with Asra soon... Barbell: Who? Nydins: Asra Nox; she's been working on a way to get Silky out of her armor for a while now. Barbell: Oh, excellent! I hope everything goes well for you, then! Silky: You and me both. Sorry we couldn't stay longer! Barbell: That's alright. I think I'm about to have plenty of company not long from now, after all. With that, the group starts heading back for the IT. Fawkes: So we're going back to see Asra again? Nydins: Yeah, we are. She just sent me a message saying 'bring the fish' a while ago, so I'm...assuming she meant Silky... Collin: Either that or she just really wanted seafood. Nydins: Yeah, well, despite the vending machine look, I don't think we'll be delivering takeout any time soon, haha...! Collin: Are there even seafood vending machines? I thought they were just for soda. Nydins: Well, soda and chips, but no actual seafood to my knowledge. There might be some in Japan that would have dried fish or something though. I'm really not sure. Collin: Well, I'm heading back to the room for a bit. Let me know when we land. The two Toris join Collin in their room. Collin: So, you wanted to talk about something? 2ri: Yeah, I...I just wanted to know how things were between you two, first of all. Collin: Oh, uh, fine I guess? I mean we're dating, in case that's any different from your side. 2ri: Yes and no. Um, how about we both ask questions? You about me, me about you two. I'm guessing you want answers, anyway? Collin: You're not wrong there. I guess my immediate question is, "why are you holding your eye like that?" 2ri: Oh! Uh... They finally put their arm down, revealing three small, aqua, circuit-like markings beneath their left eye. "These are...sort of a pretty big tell." Collin: Woah, that's... alienrabitt: What...happened to you? 2ri: I uh...well, long story short, Demo happened, so the person I was bodyguarding stabbed my eye out and I may have gotten thrown out a window? I've been like this ever since. My shirt can't go back to normal; my eye's like this; you don't even want to know what happened to my real form.... Collin: I feel like this just raises more questions, but I guess it's your turn now? 2ri: Right; what happened to your Daedalus? alienrabitt: Oh, he's absolutely dead as a doornail. Collin: Yeah, I sorta put an end to him during our last serious trip to Aperture. He'd gone full-tilt off the rails by that point. 2ri: Good. Glad to hear it. I mean, I'm not glad anyone had to die, but I'm glad he didn't--...I'm glad he can't hurt anyone anymore. Collin: Yeah, not a chance. Tori, do you have a question? alienrabitt: Why are you worried about the two of us so badly? 2ri: ...Do you want the honest answer, or do you want the nice one? Collin: Man, that's a loaded question if I've ever seen one. alienrabitt: Did... something happen? You don't have to say what, just...say what you're comfortable with. 2ri: ...I don't really...want to. I just want to make sure nobody makes the same mistakes that I did. I never thought I'd be able to come home again, so if this was my only chance to help, I wanted to take it immediately. Collin: I guess that's fair? Are you gonna be alright? 2ri: I have to be. I just...miss being here so much. I'm sorry for bothering you guys; I know what was happening back there was very important to you all... Collin: Don't worry about it, it's fine. 2ri: I'm really sorry if I wound up upsetting...whoever that was back there. I just really didn't understand what was happening, and I really needed to get away from Demo... Collin: I think the whole situation was a bit much for her, even without you. 2ri: That's...fair, I guess. Um, one more question...maybe my last. If something...did wind up separating you both, and you only had vague memories of everything that caused it to happen, but no idea where either person was once you remembered who you were...would you let them go? Collin: Geez, why not ask something a little more complicated... I'm not sure? I mean, I guess I'd try to look further into it at first, but it depends on a lot of factors. I mean, what do I remember about the situation or the people? How feasible is it to undo what happened or patch things up? 2ri: You can't fix it. You just know that it happened, and now you're alone, and you have no idea if anybody else is still here or even how they are now, just that you might be the only person left out of everybody you knew, and that you would eventually remember everything you did together even if you never found anyone else... Collin: Christ... Well, I'd... just have to make a new plan, right? If you can't go back, then all you can do is go forward. Make a new life that would make them proud if they could ever learn about it. 2ri: ...Yeah. That makes sense. You're probably right. Collin: It kinda makes me think of when I left Aperture, in a way. I had left behind everything I'd ever known, and I knew I sure as hell couldn't go back. I just had to keep pushing on, hoping that I'd figure something out or come across something that would give me some direction. 2ri: Finding a direction is easy; it's following it that's a little harder...um, did you have anything else you wanted to ask me? Collin: I think I'm starting to piece things together, honestly. Tori? alienrabitt: Just one, I guess. When Demo pulled you out, she could've pulled any version of me from absolutely anywhere; why were you the first in line? 2ri: ...Like I said; I miss being home. Maybe she could've pulled any Tori; but honestly? I feel like I might want this more than even you do. Trust me, no matter how hard things are for you, literally nothing will be harder than not being able to have a life like this after knowing you lived it. alienrabitt: Okay, I lied; two questions: are you always this serious? Honestly... 2ri's face turns red as they avert their gaze. "Well...um...when you point it out like that; fuck..."

also in case you were wondering yeah we were co-con when we wrote this and 2ri wrote for himself

well, really we kinda see-sawed front so we couldn’t tell what the other person was gonna write tbh?

I always wanted to rp with everyone else anyway so yeah. consider it like a celebrity guest

Collin: Don't worry about us, or whatever happened in your past. Just take care of yourself, alright? 2ri: Yeah, you guys too. With that, he vanishes, warping the space around him briefly until it's like he wasn't even there to begin with. Collin: That was... heavy. alienrabitt: That was painful; and honestly, a little bit awkward. If Demo ever decides to go fishing other mes out of time and space, maybe she should lose his number... Collin: That's a little harsh, don't you think? I think being here hurt him more than it hurt us... alienrabitt: I guess? I really don't know how he feels besides 'incredibly depressed and alone.' Part of me wanted to know what happened, but a lot of me was terrified to ask... Collin: I wasn't really eager to find out either, honestly... alienrabitt: Well, whatever happened to him, I...guess it's okay if he comes back. Maybe not so unexpectedly next time, though...but only if he loosens up; jeez!! I feel like I just walked out of a funeral... Collin: I'm pretty sure GLaDOS had a better sense of humor about her, honestly. alienrabitt: M-maybe he just hasn't talked about this kind of thing to anybody before...? Collin: That could be the case, yeah. There is a brief knocking at their door before Rio opens it slightly. "Um, sorry if I'm interrupting anything, but we've landed!" Collin: You're good, Rio. Man, I didn't even get to sit down for a second, sheesh... alienrabitt: Well, I'd happily carry you if I were capable, if that's any consolation. Collin: Pff, my legs don't hurt that bad. One of them doesn't hurt at all, actually! alienrabitt: Hahaha, c'mon! We should probably get out there. Collin: Alright alright, I'm goin'.

next time we write about Silky and...some other stuff!

[ramirei]

when the naïve grow

adrien is still too naïve. adrinette / slight ninoalya / wordcount: 13,631 notes: plot ideas come to me when i’m either sleeping or about to sleep. this was the latter. i should probably upload this somewhere else since it’s pretty long...

“Adrien… I like you.”

Adrien blinks, scratching the back of his neck, unsure of what to do as Marinette casts her eyes downwards and presses her lips together, a dusty rose pink decorating her cheeks. He notices her glance up at him every few seconds, looking up, averting her eyes, then looking up again multiple times, carefully gauging his reaction as she anxiously waits for his reply. They’re in an empty classroom at school, the buzzing bustle of students as they stream out of the school entrance for lunch filtering in through the closed door, and stand in a corner that provides them a little bit of privacy from windows looking out into the hallway.

Adrien casts a long, hard look at Marinette, his eyebrows furrowing together as he takes in a deep breath. Marinette is a close friend, one of his first, in fact, and he knows that he can’t lie to her, “I’m sorry, Marinette, but I can’t return your feelings.”

 &

 Let’s backtrack to a few weeks ago when it happened.

Ladybug held the purple Miraculous in her hands. Chat Noir had pinned Hawkmoth, or now the former owner of the “villain called Hawkmoth,” to the ground. Their breaths are heavy, audible and trembling, as they stare at each other in disbelief. The bright light shines into the room through the single oval window sitting above them and, behind its thick frames, is a clear, blue sky. They have defeated Hawkmoth.

Moments later, Hawkmoth is restrained by the authorities. Hounded by reporters, authorities, and curious citizens alike outside Hawkmoth’s base, Ladybug and Chat Noir push through their final interviews before making their way to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Their secret spot, unreachable by the average citizen, where they sit, side by side, dangling their legs over its edge as they watch the people of France. It’s a familiar sight; from this height, the people below them are as tiny as ants clamoring to go through their days with hopes that an Akuma will not disturb it.

Chat Noir is the first to speak, “We’ve made hiss-tory, m’lady.”

Ladybug stares at the Miraculous in her hand, its purple hue a stark contrast against the red of her suit, “Yeah…”

“This is fur real, I don’t know how to be feline…”

She narrows her eyes at Chat, “That’s too much, even for you, Chaton.”

He grins, not even a little bit perturbed, “Why, thank you, m’lady, glad to know my puns are apurrciated.”

She groans and holds her head in her hands. Her expression is unreadable from Chat’s perspective. A few moments later, she asks, “What are we going to do now?” Her voice is but a whisper, so quiet that it would have been carried off by the wind had it not been for Chat’s sharp ears, courtesy of the suit’s power.

Chat Noir looks back over the cityscape, “The Miraculous needs to be returned. I’m certain your Kwami should know what to do best, m’lady.”

Ladybug nods, “We also can’t be sure that Paris is completely safe now. We should keep doing patrols, just in case.”

He smiles, “I will do as you say,” he then pauses, contemplating a thought that had weighed on his mind since the moment their victory had set in, causing Ladybug to glance at him in curiosity, “Now that this is over… will I be able to know who you are?”

She blinks. Then, she looks away, staring at her dangling legs in thought before standing up. She smiles at Chat before swinging her yo-yo out, “We’ll see, Chaton.”

 &

 That night when he joins Ladybug on their patrol, her melancholic expression does not go unnoticed. Her eyes are downcast, the sparkle lost in her eyes, and they are rimmed with a redness that he is unfamiliar with on her. Her bottom lip juts out slightly in a small pout as she presses her lips together. Guilt claws at him as he wonders if this is what he had done to Marinette the other day.

He treads carefully on the topic and asks her, “Is there something wrong, m’lady?”

She looks up at him and smiles, but Chat Noir knows best that that is nothing but a fake smile, “Don’t worry, Chat, there’s nothing wrong.”

She immediately begins to swing across the city with Chat Noir following right behind her. He stares as her flying form as he thinks that he doesn’t believe her one bit, but he knows better than to push her in places where he shouldn’t be prying. Their personal lives have been off-limits for a large majority of their partnership and whether that would change in the future is something that he had decided he would leave entirely up to her.

He looks down at the city below him, a beautiful display of lights in between pockets of darkness. It somehow makes the normal bustle of city life so much more magical than it seems. Even without the costume, he finds the night view breathtaking. The bright lights remind him of a happier time when the hallways of the place he calls home weren’t so empty and weren’t so cold. The lights beneath him now emit a warm glow that caresses his body, enveloping him in a tender embrace, as it pushes him forward through each difficult step in his life. It may have been strange for him to think this way, but perhaps it’s the cat in him that finds the night comforting.

“Chat Noir!”

Ladybug’s yell breaks him out of his reverie but it’s a moment too late as he stumbles over the edge of a roof and loses his balance. Ladybug quickly lands and swings her yo-yo out towards him, wrapping the wires around him and pulling him up to the safety of the roof with a practiced hand and speed.

“Purr-fect reflexes, m’lady.” He compliments her as he wiggles out of her yo-yo. He looks up when she doesn’t reply and sees her distracted expression, “Ladybug?”

It takes her several seconds before she replies, “The city’s been quiet since we defeated Hawkmoth. I don’t think we need to do patrols anymore.”

His ears perk up in surprise, “What do you mean by that? I mean, what you are saying is the truth, but –”

“I’ve been talking with my Kwami… now that there are no more Akumas, there’s no need for us to continue being Miraculous users. We’d need to return out Miraculouses to Master Fu, too.”

Chat purses his lips together, “My Kwami missed talking about some details…” and inwardly groans at Plagg. He studies her expression and the tinge of hesitation in her eyes doesn’t go unnoticed, “Are you sure about this?”

She looks at him and he can see her eyes moving over his face as if studying the details of her model before taking pen to paper. He thinks to himself that this small detail reminds him a little of Marinette. It’s then that the guilt claws harder at him. He tries to shake the thought away. He’ll have to think about her later.

Ladybug sighs and finally speaks, “The city no longer needs us, Chaton. I would love to continue being Ladybug and Chat Noir but…” her voice trembles as she takes in a deep breath, “I don’t know if I can do this anymore.”

Chat Noir’s eyes widen, “Ladybug?” He reaches a hand out to hers, but she smoothly moves it out of his grasp.

She only smiles at him, “I think this is goodbye, Chat. It was rough being heroes, but it was fun. You were, no, you are a great partner. The best I could ever ask for.”

He inhales sharply, “M’lady, please, tell me who you are…!”

Ladybug sadly shakes her head, her eyes becoming glossy, “I’m sorry. I really am.”

“Ladybug!”

In a flash, she’s gone.

 The next day, Adrien walks into school exhausted. His eyes are dark from lack of sleep the night before and his movements, although his posture is straight and as proper as it can ever be, shows signs of fatigue. Natalie had not pried into the reason why this morning, only reminding him to take care of himself and not cause trouble for the photoshoot that is scheduled for later that day.

He sighs and walks into his classroom and sees Alya and Marinette already in their seats, “Good morning, Alya. Marinette.”

“Morning, Adrien. Yikes, you look worse for wear today. Lots of work recently?” Alya greets him, but doesn’t miss her friend’s off-beat rhythm.

“Yeah, something like that.”

“…”

Alya and Adrien both look at Marinette, who stays silent. Her eyes are slightly red and puffy, which causes him to frown slightly. He recalls last night and Ladybug’s own red eyes. The only difference is that he’s the reason behind Marinette’s red eyes.

“C’mon, girl, you have to at least say morning to Adrien,” Alya gentle pats Marinette’s back. She takes a quick glance at Adrien out of the corner of her eyes.

“…Good morning.” Marinette finally squeaks out before she pulls her notebook from her bag. She begins to busy herself with sketching, now completely blocking out all outside interference.

Alya looks at Adrien and only shakes her head. He turns to face forward in his seat and bites his lip, biting so hard that he almost bites through the skin. He manages to stop himself when the thought of his photoshoot later that day crosses his mind. It doesn’t look like today is going to be any different.

Marinette has been ignoring him since yesterday.

Yesterday, Adrien was confused. No, perhaps that was an excuse. She had confessed to him and he had rejected her. It was as simple as that. However, even though he’s experienced his own fair share of confessions from fans and other girls he’s encountered in the industry, Marinette is different. She’s a close friend of his and he didn’t want to lose her. He is flattered, really, that Marinette likes him; after all, if there is someone that is his friend for who is he and not what he was born into, Marinette would be one of them. And he really is sorry that he couldn’t return her feelings. He loves Ladybug far too much for him to see anyone else. But he treasures his friendship with Marinette more than anything else and had told her that he still wanted to remain friends.

Perhaps that was naïve of him. Perhaps that was his first mistake.

He had been homeschooled all his life until the day he was allowed, albeit a little forcefully on his part, to attend collège. He didn’t have any friends. He had gone through a whole new slew of experiences by having Nino, Marinette, and Alya as friends and he was learning things every day. He learned that Nino wants to be a DJ and had a slight crush on Alya after a certain Animan incident. He learned that Alya is as dedicated to her craft of being a self-learned reporter as any professional reporter would ever be. And he had learned that Marinette has a vast amount of creativity and imagination, immortalized in her designs and creations that would prepare for the larger, terrifying world of the fashion industry. But perhaps he is still far too inexperienced.

Now, Marinette isn’t talking to him.

He had talked to Alya yesterday when she and Nino were taken aback by Marinette’s new attitude towards him. Alya had dragged him away after school behind a building to speak privately and spoke in hurried, hushed whispers, “Look, I already know what happened between the two of you yesterday. I had expected her to act a little differently around you today, but I wasn’t expecting that.”

Adrien had taken a deep breath, gripping the strap of his bag, “Is she okay?”

Alya shook her head, “She told me that she’s fine, but now I’m not too sure. Mari, she…” Alya paused, unsure of how to word what she was trying to say next, “Mari said that she’s going to keep her distance from you.”

“…What?” Adrien managed to squeeze out, the grip on his strap faltering as it nearly slipped off his shoulder.

“I know that the four of us are a group. We’re an amazing group of friends. But I don’t think you understand how fragile Marinette actually is. It took her a lot of courage to get to where she is now; don’t you remember how she used to stutter all the time around you? But she doesn’t do that anymore, right? But, with one word from you, her fragile state has shifted completely. She’s strong, she really is, but that’s how human beings are. Sometimes we just can’t be strong against everything and I, not to sound mean, really, I’m trying to give you advice, but I don’t think you understand that about people and relationships yet.”

Adrien had averted his gaze, muttering, “That really was mean,” he paused, then continued, “I wanted us to remain friends…”

“Did you say that to her?”

“…Yes.”

Alya sighed, “That isn’t really something you should be saying to a girl you just rejected,” She pursed her lips together and said, “I’ll try see what I can do. We’ve become such good friends that it’d be a shame for this to happen after all we’ve done together. But I can’t promise anything.”

Adrien nodded, both ashamed and grateful, “Thank you, Alya.”

She grinned, “Don’t mention it.”

Which brings them to their situation today.

By the time Adrien has broken out of his reverie, the bell has rung and Nino is slipping into the seat next to him. Nino peers behind them at the girls and whispers, “Still the same today?”

Adrien only closes his eyes and nods in affirmative.

Nino adjusts his headphones sitting on his neck, “Bummer.”

Throughout class, Marinette and Adrien are silent. It’s nothing out of the ordinary; after all, silence during class isn’t so strange. During Literature, their teacher gives them free time to discuss the themes behind the current novel the class is studying amongst themselves and, out of sheer habit, Adrien and Nino both turn to the girls behind them before realizing what they’ve done a moment later. They look at each other, then look up at Alya and Marinette. Alya shuffles her papers and looks over at Marinette as she, too, waits for Marinette to say something.

This doesn’t escape Marinette’s eyes. Finally, she exhales, audible and long, and murmurs, “Let’s get this over with.”

Adrien, Nino, and Alya all sit in disbelief at the uncaring tone in her voice. There is not a stutter in her words; though she no longer stuttered as badly as she did before around Adrien, it hadn’t meant that the stutters wouldn’t rear its head every now and then. It’s the first time that they’ve heard her voice so monotone and drained of energy. This, too, does not go unnoticed by their classmates near them. Chloe nearly snarls at Marinette, but is pulled back by Sabrina, who would rather she not cause another scene in class, no Akumas or not, and the others are thankful to her for that.

It doesn’t mean that their lunch period isn’t fair game.

Just as Marinette and Alya stand from their seats to make their way out of the classroom for lunch, Chloe nearly slams her hands on their table and shoots a menacing glare at Marinette. Alya retaliates instantly and almost snarls back, but is interrupted by the queen bee getting in a word first. “Just look at you, you think you’re so great, don’t you? Adrien had no choice but to become friends with you and what do you repay his kindness with?”

Marinette sighs and attempts to move past Chloe, “It’s none of your business, Chloe. Can you move?”

That only makes Chloe’s temper flare and she places a neatly manicured hand on her hip, “How dare you! You think you have a chance with Adrien with that obnoxious attitude of yours?”

Adrien, who had not moved since Chloe began shouting, reaches a hand out in warning, “Chloe…”

“I bet he rejected you. Is that it? Is that why you’re acting like you’re all that matters? Oh, boo hoo.” Everyone in the classroom freezes and even Sabrina realizes that Chloe has gone too far. Many of them are too stunned to point out how hypocritical and ironic her statements are.

Marinette has tried to maintain a cool composure against Chloe’s words, but she flinches at the word “rejection.” She glances briefly back at Adrien and their eyes lock, but only for a mere millisecond.

This does not escape Chloe’s eyes. She laughs and proceeds to loudly announce for all to hear, “Oh, so that is it! Oh, poor little Marinette, our poor class president, rejected by Adrien because she thought she had a chance! Look at yourself! Adrien, no, we, are far superior than you are!”

Sabrina shrinks back from Chloe’s nearly maniacal laughter and drops her gaze to the ground, unknowing of what to do. Alya is in shock for a second before she is scrambling to make her way around Marinette to Chloe. Adrien starts walking towards them.

However, they are all stopped by Marinette’s voice, “Fine. You win. It doesn’t matter anymore. I won’t be talking to Adrien again, are you happy?” Her voice is quiet but firm.

Chloe smirks and says, “As it should’ve been in the beginning.”

Marinette immediately shuffles her way out of the room without looking at anyone. Alya is quick to follow her disappearing figure, but not before she exchanges glances with Adrien and Nino. She raises a hand and signals to them, letting them know that she’ll text them later. Their remaining classmates nearly rush out of the room as they break out from their frozen spell, running as if they were prisoners being released from a dungeon.

“Poor Marinette.”

“Chloe is a bitch.”

“That was not cool.”

“I hope she’s okay.”

Adrien hears his classmates’ comments as they leave and he turns to look at Chloe, furious, “That was low, even for you.”

Chloe shrugs, motioning a dainty finger to Sabrina to fetch her bag, “She should know her place. We are people of cali –”

“STOP.” Adrien says, his voice echoing in the now nearly empty classroom. There is now no one in the room besides Adrien, Nino, Chloe, and Sabrina. Both Chloe and Sabrina involuntarily flinch from Adrien’s volume. He looks hard at Chloe, his eyes narrowing, “I’m disappointed in you.” He turns and walks out the door, leaving Nino confused as he glances back and forth between Adrien and Chloe before following him out the door without questions.

Chloe watches as Adrien’s figure disappears out the door, looking off to the side when she no longer sees him. Her lips tremble and she murmurs, “No, I am.”

 Adrien rushes down the stairs, and it almost feels like forever as the students of the school move about back and forth for their lunch period, and makes his way through the school building to the exit. His eyes travel back and forth as he tries to look for Marinette’s figure, picking at the back of his mind to recall what she usually wears that would make her stand out in a crowd; would it be her pink pants? The polka-dotted details of her clothes? Her blue-black hair in its customary pigtail hairstyle? But he finds that her figure is already long gone and nowhere to be seen. He only sees the Agreste car in front of the school as Gorilla stands tall over its roof.

His gaze flickers to the bakery across the street, his eyes moving from the entrance of the bakery, customers filtering in and out of the door, some with bags in hand, the brand of the bakery proudly printed on each bag, and it moves up to the top floor of the building where he knows Marinette’s room is situated. He contemplates walking across the street to visit the bakery momentarily, but sadly shakes his head at the thought. Even if he were to go to the bakery now, would Marinette even see him? It would only be unfair to her to visit her, not only because he felt like what happened in the classroom earlier was his fault, but also because he didn’t feel like he had the right to do so.

Nino looks at him, eyebrows slanted and a sad frown on his face, and says, “I don’t know what to say, Adrien. What Chloe said was wrong on so many levels, but you and I know Marinette. Can only hope that she doesn’t let this get her down.”

Adrien’s eyes are downcast as he sighs, his hand gripping the strap of his bag tightly. He feels a small pat against his chest in his shirt pocket and silently says his thanks to Plagg’s attempt at comforting him. “Yeah…” He looks back at Gorilla, then back at Nino, “I have to go. I’ll see you after lunch.”

Nino places a hand on Adrien’s shoulder and gives a reassuring smile, “I’ll see you.”

Adrien reluctantly moves away from Nino’s hand and walks to the car, a dejected slump in his shoulders, and pauses a moment for Gorilla to open the door before he slips inside the car. He leans back and closes his eyes, the humming of the car as they drive back home filling the silence, and hopes for the best.

 &

 When the class returns from lunch period, everyone can feel a charged tension in the air, but no one dares to say anything. Marinette is silent and only scribbles down notes in her notebook. She sketches random lines every now and then, but nothing concrete. This is unusual for Marinette, Alya notices, when her sketches are usually brimming full of new fashion ideas and designs, but she, too, chooses to stay silent.

The day ends with nothing ever having changed.

The next day is the same as well. Adrien comes to school late due to a morning shoot, a miracle, really, that he can get through the shoot at all with all his worries on his mind, but he manages to fake a few smiles and the photographer and staff coo at his cool, thoughtful expression when he absentmindedly loses himself in his thoughts. He rushes up the steps to their classroom right before lunch period ends and sees his usual seatmates back in their seats.

“Hey, guys,” He greets them.

“Hey Adrien!” Both Nino and Alya greet with smiles.

There is a pause and Adrien’s gaze meets Marinette’s, who quickly looks away and murmurs a, “Hi,” if only for courtesy’s sake.

Adrien’s lips tighten into a thin line and nearly nibbles on his lips when he feels a painful squeeze somewhere in his chest, slightly different from what he’s experienced from the claws of guilt, but stops himself from drawing blood. He sits in his seat, silent, only rubbing a hand vacantly on the aching part of his chest and wonders if he ate something bad earlier. He pushes that thought aside and attempts to focus on class.

When the day comes to an end, Marinette gets up from her seat without a word and leaves.

Adrien takes a deep breath and exhales, looking at both Nino and Alya, “I’m going to talk to her.”

Alya rubs her arms, “Are you sure?”

“…No, but I can’t know until I try.”

Nino nods, “Good luck, dude.”

Adrien runs out the door, chasing after Marinette’s disappearing figure. Right as she’s just out the door and walking down the steps, he calls out her name, “Marinette!”

She stops for a moment, pausing as if Lady Wifi had thrown a pause button on her, then slowly turns her head, “Yes?”

He immediately says, “Can we talk? Please?”

Marinette looks down, her eyes darting back and forth repeatedly as if she’s trying to formulate a way out, before she resigns herself and replies, “Okay.”

Adrien smiles, grateful. He runs to Gorilla, telling him to give them ten, no, five minutes, and returns to Marinette as they relocate to a more secluded part of the school. When they’re finally standing face to face, alone, however, Adrien fumbles with his hands as he tries to plan what to say. Marinette stands with her arms crossed, holding the other by the elbow, like she’s shielding herself, bracing herself, for what may come. That image causes Adrien’s eyebrows to furrow and his chest to twist in pain. It hurts to see Marinette so timid, almost as if she’s scared of him.

“I…” he starts, awkward and fumbling, “I’m so sorry for what Chloe said to you yesterday. It was horrible of her and I’m sorry I let it happen.”

Marinette finally looks up at him and frowns, “…No, what Chloe said wasn’t your fault,” then her grip on her arms tighten, “She was right. It’s my fault.”

“What?” Adrien looks at her with wide eyes, flabbergasted, “None of this is your fault! It’s all mine! I know I can’t accept your feelings, but I only wanted to stay friends and I –”

Marinette begins to laugh and Adrien’s words die in his throat. It isn’t a laugh that he’s used to hearing from Marinette, her laughs light and bright like the stark white wings of a dove, but instead is one that is drained and tired, one that is dark and ironic. She tells him, “Friends? Why are you so cruel? To expect me to be friends with you as if nothing has happened? I can’t, I just can’t do it.” Tears begin to flow from her eyes. Adrien nearly takes a step forward, “It was better when we weren’t friends, when I admired you from afar as a model that I liked, like any other fangirl in the world. The, maybe, I wouldn’t hurt this much. Maybe, then, I wouldn’t have it in my head that I had a chance. Oh, it was so stupid of me, wasn’t it? To think that plain old Marinette had a chance? It’s all but my own fault. But, let’s say it’s yours, too, like you want me to say. What do you want to do? Try to make it up to me for rejecting me? But you can’t do it, can you? I know you, Adrien. You may be good at pretending in front of the camera, but you can’t pretend in front of me.” Her tears are falling now, down, down, down her flushed cheeks. “That would be just too cruel.” She murmurs.

Adrien has nothing to say, stunned, because he knows Marinette is right. Now that he knows about Marinette’s feelings, he can’t pretend that nothing has changed. And he knows that there’s nothing he can do to help her because dating her without any feelings, if only to keep her by his side, would be unfair to her. It’d be unfair to both because he’s still in love with Ladybug. Just like she said, it would be too cruel. He wouldn’t be able to do it.

“I… I’m sorry,” he carefully says, then continues, “You aren’t stupid, Marinette. You’re not plain, you’re so, so much more than that. You’re a wonderful person and I’m sure that –”

“That what? Another guy will come swooping along to be my prince charming?” Adrien winces because she says his words exactly and, judging by her tone, he realizes that she isn’t taking it nicely, “If I’m so wonderful, can you tell me why?”

“What?” Adrien stupidly asks and he nearly hits himself for it.

“Is there a reason why you rejected me?”

Adrien stares for a long time at her face and sees the tears that have dried on her cheeks and the new, fresh tears that are still falling. He is near desperate when he says, “I, this is going to sound stupid, but I’m in love with Ladybug.”

The silence stretches between them for long, long time. Adrien takes in her shock, her wide eyes and parted lips, and hopes that, maybe, this is a good sign of something being fixed and th-

“Of course,” she drawls out, low and sarcastic, “Of course it had to be her.” The frown on Marinette’s face never leaves and she angrily wipes at her eyes but the tears just keep on falling, “I’m sorry, Adrien.”

Marinette turns around and runs from him, her figure becoming further and further away before she disappears around a corner. Adrien’s whole body feels numb.

This is his second mistake.

He is far, far too naïve.

 &

 Marinette takes an absence the next day and, then, after that, she never speaks to Adrien again.

He watches as the days and weeks go by that Marinette is a shell of the person she was. She is quiet, she is obedient, and she does her job as the class president well. But she is missing the invigorating energy that brought life to their class. Although she still stands tall, her words lack their usual self-confidence and the life in her voice at the end of her sentences is gone, with her smiles no longer having a light behind them. The mood in the classroom changes and everyone takes notice of it. Many blame Chloe for it but only a small portion realize that Adrien is the cause.

It’s stifling.

“Adrien, it’s been months.” Plagg drawls at him at home in between chewing his piece of camembert.

“What has?” Adrien asks, unamused.

Plagg rolls his eyes and begins to float in front of him, “You’re such a drama queen. We haven’t transformed in months. You have to return the ring to Master Fu.”

Adrien looks at the ring on his finger and twists it from side to side, “Do you think Ladybug has already returned her Miraculous?”

Plagg goes back to his camembert and swallows the rest in one bite, “I don’t sense her anymore, so she probably has.”

It suddenly clicks in Adrien’s mind, “Wait, you can sense a Miraculous user?”

“Well, duh.”

“Then why haven’t you told me who she is!”

“Are ya stupid? Didn’t she obviously not want you to know? Besides, it’s more fun this way,” Plagg points out matter-of-factly.

Adrien gapes at Plagg and groans, “I can’t believe you.”

“Try your luck with Master Fu. Maybe he’ll tell you. Or, y’know, as a last gift of my misfortune, you’ll luck out,” Plagg teases. He then turns serious, “Will you be okay?”

Adrien looks Plagg, a sad smile on his face, “With what?”

Plagg stares at Adrien and shakes his head, “No, it’s nothing.”

A few days before his graduation, Adrien visits Master Fu. This is Adrien’s first visit to the shop and, through Plagg’s instructions, he finds himself in front of Master Fu for the first time.

“I have been waiting for you,” Master Fu tells him when Adrien enters.

Adrien walks into the room and stares at Master Fu, surprised. “Hello… You know me?”

Master Fu smiles, “Of course. You have done an excellent job in protecting Paris from Hawkmoth and reclaiming the moth Miraculous.”

Adrien murmurs, “I wouldn’t say that… Ladybug did much more than I did.”

“Ah, but while Ladybug does in fact have the powers to restore, restoration cannot exist without its opposite. Yin cannot exist without Yang. As Ladybug cannot exist with Chat Noir.”

At this, Adrien smiles, but his smile soon relaxes, “Has… Ladybug already come here? To return her Miraculous?”

Master Fu turns and gazes at the chest which Adrien guesses contains the Miraculouses, “Yes, she has. She returned the earrings quite a while ago.”

Adrien opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again, “Would… you be able to tell me who she is?”

Master Fu looks at Adrien sympathetically, “That, my child, I cannot do.” He closes his eyes and nods slowly, “But rest assured, your destinies are intertwined. The two of you shall meet again when the fates have deemed it fit.”

Adrien sadly smiles but nods in acceptance. He takes out the ring from his bag, encased in the original box he found it in, and gives it to Master Fu. His hand hovers over the box for a few moments, hesitant, but retracts his hand as Master Fu places the ring in the chest with the rest of the Miraculouses.

“Thank you, Plagg.” Adrien whispers.

It feels like a huge part of him has been left behind in the shop when he leaves. Adrien looks back at the building as he recalls all his adventures as Chat Noir and how it brought him to meet someone who would become very dear to him. When he thinks of Ladybug now, however, he finds that he doesn’t feel a sense of longing. His memories of her feel like someone he used to know long ago, someone who changed him and would never be forgotten, but he no longer feels a pull towards her.

He vigorously shakes his head, mussing his hair in a way that leaves it halfway in between the messy style of “Chat Noir” and the prim style of “Adrien,” and walks away.

 Adrien and Marinette graduate from collège maintaining their distance. Marinette, Alya, and Nino move onto the same lycée. Gabriel at first contemplates returning Adrien to home schooling, but, due to Adrien’s pleas to continue public schooling, decides to allow him to move onto lycée, albeit, unfortunately, a different lycée from his friends.

“You need to expand your horizons and become acquainted with a variety of people,” is what his father tells him.

Adrien knows better to realize that this is an excuse. He knows his father’s opinions on his classmates and the fact that he believes they are of a much lower class than the Agreste family. The exceptions to that belief had been few such as Chloe, for her status as the mayor’s daughter, and Marinette, for her inspiring designs and ever expanding creativity. Adrien wonders whether they are better off separated.

In the end, he leaves their broken friendship broken.

When he starts lycée with a new set of classmates, he feels, well, strange. There are no familiar faces in the crowds of his fellow schoolmates and the friendship and warmth he felt from those he spent his younger years with no longer encompass him. The absence of Plagg makes this feeling so much stronger. Being Chat Noir had almost been like a trademark period of his collège years and, now, as a lycée student, he feels like there’s something missing.

Adrien continues to talk to Nino and Alya. They share messages, pictures, and videos and, sometimes, Adrien feels jealous to see that they’re still able to spend so much time together. He hangs out with Nino and sometimes this includes Alya as well on the odd weekend, but his modeling career grows busier as he grows older. His modeling career changes from one of boyish charm to sharp, clean angles and it’s times like these when he wonders if he wants to continue modeling in fashion, whether he’s doing it for himself or is he doing it because his father tells him to; does it even make him happy to see his son wearing his designs? He tries to remember what he used to enjoy in collège and the occasional chemistry or literature assignment crosses his mind, but nothing exactly concrete sticks to him.

Sometimes, he sees Marinette in photos from Nino and Alya. Marinette’s name finds its way into conversations as they talk about what they’ve been up to or what their plans are for the rest of the week and he feels a mix of emotions when he sees her image change. She has always been a pretty girl and as they grow older, he realizes, that she’s becoming even prettier. The baby fat in her cheeks have slowly begun to disappear and her hair, no longer in their signature pigtails, now hang freely against her shoulders, her ebony hair framing her features. He occasionally sees her with her hair up in a bun, a hairstyle that she used to frequent, Nino tells him, and Adrien finds it cute. Sometimes, he thinks about the day they talked, the day he made her cry, and runs the scene through his mind again and again as he tries to find, nitpicking through everything that he said, what he’s done wrong and where he stepped on the hidden landmine that exploded in his face. He remembers the tears glistening down her pink cheeks and, he’s a little ashamed to admit this, but he finds she’s even prettier when she’s crying. But, eventually, that emotion soon replaces itself with guilt and a painful squeeze in his chest that he finds harder and harder to breathe through.

When he’s in his second year of lycée, he finds names for those emotions.

It happens on a day after a long photoshoot as he collapses into his soft bed. He checks his phone and sees a message from Nino. Attached to the message is a photo of the three of them – Alya, Nino, and Marinette in that order – from earlier that day when they hung out after school. Alya and Nino have bright smiles on their faces, big and toothy, but what catches Adrien’s eyes is the smile on Marinette’s face. Hers is soft and gentle, a slight, open mouthed smile with a lift in the corners; it’s a smile that reminds him of the old days in collège where her smiles were never far and few. There’s a light in her eyes and a hand in her hair as its blown behind her in the wind. He imagines her hair flying freely and dancing and the image makes him smile.

His heart beats faster and his ears and face flush a bright pink. The beating becomes louder by the second in his ears. When was the last time that Adrien saw Marinette smile like this? Adrien is tempted to message Nino back and ask if something good happened to Marinette recently when, suddenly, the feeling in his stomach plummets and he feels a gut-wrenching pain. He knows this feeling. This is guilt. This is shame. This is regret.

It’s then that he realizes it.

Why had he been so set on keeping Marinette as a friend by his side? Was it because she was one of his first friends? Why, even now, nearly two years later, does he still think about her? He could have told Nino and Alya ages ago to stop sending him pictures with Marinette in them, but he never did. He just lets them. He wants to see pictures of her. He wants to see how she’s doing in life. Why is it that he no longer thinks about Ladybug and all he can think about is Marinette?

He thinks back to the times when he had gone over to her house as they battled against each other in video games and the smile on her face as she gave him her good luck bracelet. The bracelet is something that he keeps till this day as his own good luck charm. He thinks about the time when her hat had won the school competition and he was happy to see the smile and excitement on her face even though he would have allergies for days to come. He thinks about the time when they were filming a movie for an assignment in class and they nearly kissed.

He had liked her all this time and he had been in denial. Ladybug had been his reason and his support back then. She was a girl that he admired and fell in love with at first sight and at the time he couldn’t think about anyone else but her. He was so convinced that she was the love of his life that he pushed away any budding feelings he felt for the clumsy, kind girl that sat behind him in class. He had been so blinded by his supposed love for Ladybug that he didn’t want to let anyone replace her.

He feels like a fool.

All the movies and cartoons and dramas in the world could never prepare him for this. Sure, he couldn’t deny that at the time of their fight, his feelings were still jumbled because Ladybug had decided to break off all connections with him right before the whole ordeal, but this was never what he wanted to happen between them. He loved and cherished Ladybug as a friend, a best friend even, but she is still a faceless identity in his mind. Marinette was someone that was open to accepting all parts of him and they had learned more and more about each other along the way. Would that have ever been a possibility with Ladybug?

Adrien shakes his head and snatches his phone off the bed. He opens his contact log, which isn’t very long in the first place, only filled with important contacts in the industry, his father, and a few friends, and clicks on Alya’s name.

“Hey, Adrien! What’s up? Don’t get a call from a super model that often,” Alya teases.

Adrien rolls his eyes at Alya’s comment, “Hey to you, too, Alya. Well, no time for that, though. Look I know this might be asking for much but…”

“But…?” Alya presses.

“Do you think Marinette will see me?”

There’s silence on the other end and one could mistake the line to be dead if it weren’t for Alya’s steady breathing, “Adrien. I love you, you’re my friend, but I also love Marinette even more than I do you. And I don’t think Marinette is ready to see you, yet.” Adrien swallows his breath and lets Alya continue, “If Marinette ever feels like she’s ready to see you again, then I’d be more than happy to plan a hangout.”

Adrien can tell that this is hard for Alya to tell him, but he knows how loyal she is to her best friend, “No, I understand…”

“I’m sorry, Adrien, but I’ll always be on Marinette’s side first and foremost.”

“It’s okay, Alya. Thanks for telling me.” He tells her, trying to hide the dejectedness in his voice.

He can almost see her reassuring smile, “Let’s hang out soon, okay? Nino is dying to see his best friend.”

Adrien chuckles, “Yeah, let’s do that. Goodbye, Alya.”

“Goodbye, Adrien.”

 The first time he sees her, he sees the striking resemblance immediately. Her round eyes, her heart-shaped face, and her button nose. Her hair is a dark black, lacking a subtle blue that he misses, and reaches her shoulders. She’s a year ahead of him and he sees her sitting down one day on a bench outside of school during lunch period.

He introduces himself to her and it isn’t long before they begin dating. The pain in his chest eases when he’s with her as he’s reminded of a girl no longer by his side. Although her features are similar, her personality is completely different. She’s loud and an extrovert and she always feels the need to pull Adrien out into the crowd and out of his comfort zone. Adrien enjoys the change for a while because of his own reserved personality, but he soon realizes that she’s too much for him. He knows in the back of his mind that he’s only dating her because of her familiar features and it isn’t long before he’s the one that tells her that it’s over and in the next minute there’s a nasty red on his cheek.

Natalie takes one look at the mark and shakes her head, reminding him once again to keep his work and father in mind, but Adrien doesn’t miss the small smile on her face as she murmurs, “Boys are always like this.”

At the beginning of his last year of lycée, when he’s confident in his choice in série S, driven by his love of physics, he meets a girl who is cheerful and kind and caring. He feels the pain in his chest disappear when she appears. She is a beautiful girl who brings Adrien lunch and takes him out to delicious spots to eat, spoiling him so much with her kindness that he almost becomes too content with it, and he’s nearly been with her for a year when she pulls him aside on a day before their graduation.

“Adrien, you’re in love with someone else, aren’t you?”

“…What?” He looks at her, surprised.

She smiles sadly at him, “I can tell. You try to hide and, and trust me, you’re good at it, but it’s not hard to see that you’re thinking about someone else when you look at me.”

“You know that’s not it.�� He whispers, but it only sounds like an excuse.

She shakes her head, “Then tell me, Adrien, why do you always look so sad when you see bakeries? Why do you always smile so sadly whenever I ask you about collège? You always talk so happily about your friends Nino and Alya, but there’s always that other person that you leave unnamed.”

“I…” Adrien looks away and rubs the back of his neck, “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you that.”

“But I’m right, aren’t I?”

“…Yeah, I’m sorry.”

“Are we similar?”

Adrien looks up at her and lowers his arms, “She’s as bright and generous as you are. But she’s also very different from you. At least, from how I remember her.”

She looks up at him, a questioning look in her eyes, “You haven’t seen her?”

“I haven’t seen her since collège. We… well, I haven’t had a chance to see her since.” Adrien says, stopping himself from saying more.

“Well,” she smiles, her eyebrows furrowed, “I think I should let you go.”

“Huh?” Adrien looks confused and blinks at her, “How did this conversation go into that direction?”

She laughs and says, “I don’t think I can continue going out with you if you’re in love with someone else, Adrien. That’s basic logic. Though, I guess with all the fiction you have in your head, you might be getting it all mixed up, huh?”

Adrien says, almost offended, “You have to be kitten me, that’s the best part!”

She laughs again, “Again with the puns. But I’m serious, Adrien. I want you to find your happiness and I want to find happiness, too. It’s a bit disappointing that it won’t be with us, but I don’t regret this past year.”

Adrien sadly smiles, “You’re too good for me.”

She turns around and leaves, saying, “Of course.”

 &

 “Adrien, um, dude, not to jump to conclusions or anything, but aren’t all your ex-girlfriends kinda like Marinette?” Nino asks him when Adrien is over at his apartment one day.

Adrien nearly drops the cup he’s drinking from, but catches himself just in time, “W-What makes you say that?” He asks, scratching the back of his neck.

Nino stares at Adrien suspiciously and eyes his scratching hand, “…Well, first of all, that girl you started dating in our second year of lycée? She looked near identical to Mari and, ah don’t you interrupt me,” Nino interjects when he sees Adrien open his mouth. Adrien immediately closes it and thinks to himself that Nino has been influenced too much by Alya, “If it weren’t for the fact that she’s not, well, Asian, her features are almost the same as Mari’s! Dark hair, round features, you name it!”

“…Nino, Marinette isn’t the only girl with dark hair or round features.”

“Well, obviously,” Nino rolls his eyes, voice dripping in sarcasm, “But that’s not the only thing. The girl from the last year of lycée? You’d be lying if you said she didn’t remind you of Marinette. Like I know she has a whole bunch of other points about her that made them different, but do you know anyone else as good-hearted as Marinette? When you told me about your ex, she reminded me so much of Marinette, no joke.”

Adrien sips his cup, only to find that its empty. He pretends to sip anyway, averting his eyes and crossing his free arm across his body, “Really?”

Nino notes Adrien’s body language and grins. He knows that he’s winning. He continues, “And don’t get me started on the girl you’re dating now.”

Adrien snaps his head back at Nino, alarmed, “W-What about her?”

“No need to look so shocked, dude. I’m just pointing out the facts.”

“You need to stop hanging around Alya.”

“Hard to do that when she’s my girlfriend.” Adrien only narrows his eyes at Nino. Nino takes this as his cue to continue, “Anyway, Lucy, was it? She’s like that opposite side of Mari. Outgoing, confident, happy to help? At least, from your descriptions of her since you won’t let me meet her.”

Adrien frowns and sits down next to Nino, “It’s not that I’m not letting you meet her, we’ve just been busy.”

“Right.” Nino replies. Then, as if a lightbulb in his head had been lit, his eyes widen and he straightens his posture, “Didn’t you used to have a crush on Ladybug?”

“Where is this coming from!?” Adrien nearly yelps in surprise at hearing a name he hasn’t heard spoken in years.

“Man, this is so nostalgic. But, I thought of her just now when I was trying to remember what Lucy is like. She, and I guess Marinette, too, is kinda like Ladybug, huh?”

Adrien pauses in thought and mutters, “Well, I guess…”

Nino then smiles sympathetically, “It’s been over 6 years, Adrien. Is it still on your mind?”

Adrien meets Nino’s eyes, eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed together into a tight line, and thinks of how they’ve changed. They’re in their twenties now; Adrien nearly out of university with a degree in physics, still working as a fashion model on the side much to the chagrin of his father, but he’s put his foot down and he’s sticking to it, and Nino is working steady jobs as a music DJ and radio host. His eyes wander around the interior of Nino’s small studio apartment where he lives alone after moving out from his parents’ almost a year ago. He thinks about the friends he misses; Alya in university for media studies, who he sees every now and then when she isn’t chasing new news stories for her busy internship, and Marinette, who, according to his faithful sources, is the hardest to get a hold of due to her busy schedule interning and launching her own fashion brand after graduating from fashion school early. Adrien ponders for a short second on the fact that he hasn’t run into her during his modeling jobs, but pushes the thought aside to being the fact that life can’t be that full of conveniences.

He looks back at Nino, who is sitting, waiting patiently for Adrien’s answer as he drinks his already too cold coffee, and sighs, finally admitting, “It is. It’s been on my mind nearly every day since.” He knows that there is no reason to hide from Nino.

Nino frowns, “It’s been on all our minds. That… completely changed the dynamic of our group. You, though, my man, it’s obvious you’re still really affected by it,” He coughs, “Judging by the girls you’ve been dating.”

Adrien sighs, letting the last comment slide, and moves over to the couch and rests his back against it, “Is it really that obvious?”

Nino narrows his eyes, “Dude. What’ve we been talking about for the past twenty minutes?”

“Fine, fine. Yes, I unintentionally end up dating girls that are like Marinette. Satisfied?”

Nino grins, “Very.” He then gulps down the rest of his coffee and collapses next to Adrien on the couch, “So, tell me, does that mean you’re, y’know, in love with her?”

Adrien looks down at his hands, “I know that I have no right to… after doing that to her, but I guess I didn’t realize it until it did happen.”

Nino pats Adrien on the back, “Dude, back then your social skills weren’t exactly that great, but hey, you still got great friends.”

Adrien glares at Nino, “Hey!”

He chuckles and teases, “You know it’s true. But, hey, more than 6 years in the oh-so-scary real world and I gotta say that it’d be a little sad if your social skills haven’t improved.”

“Why am I even friends with you.”

“Don’t lie, you love me. Our friendship was meant to be.”

Adrien groans, “Right.” He squeezes his hand in the other, “I like my girlfriend. I really do. But I know that I’m doing something wrong to her. My ex from the end of lycée even called me out on it.”

Nino whistles, “You got caught?”

“You’re making it sound like it’s something dirty. No, she said she could tell that I was in love with someone else and not her…”

Nino brings both arms behind his head and leans his weight onto them, “Well, there’s only one way to remedy your ‘sickness’ and that’s to see Marinette.”

“You don’t think I’ve tried? I called Alya about that before and asked if I could see Marinette but…”

“Was a failure, huh?”

“Yeah… she said she’d only allow it if Marinette feels like she’s ready for it… so I can only wait.”

Nino watches his friend, noting the melancholic expression on his face and the tension in his body. He then abruptly wraps his arm around Adrien’s head and shouts, “Well then, how about some games to cheer up our lonely little model?”

Adrien laughs, “Thanks, Nino.”

“Don’t mention it.”

 &

 Adrien looks at himself in the mirror and watches as the makeup artist pats powder on his face with a fluffy brush. As his makeup artist continues to put more makeup on his face, his features magically become sharper and the rough texture of his skin becomes smoother and more blurred. He becomes so entranced by the process that he doesn’t notice the fashion coordinators passing by the door followed by the clang of the clothes rack.

“Okay, Adrien, you’re done.” The makeup artist says with finality as he pats Adrien’s face one last time with a brush.”

“Thanks, Louis.” Adrien stands from his seat, ready in his first outfit, and makes his way to the studio. He winces when he enters, the bright lights set up around the camera momentarily blinding him, but before long he sees the staff walking back and forth busily in clarity.

It’s only for a second, but it’s enough for his entire world to completely slow down.

He sees a blur of dark blue pass by him. He snaps his head to follow her figure as she walks to the clothes rack and rifles through the clothes to set up the following outfit changes. Her hair is tied into a loose side ponytail pulled over her shoulder. Her attire is simple and efficient; a loose peter pan collared top tucked into black ankle-length pants.

His feet begin to move on their own and, before he can even stop himself, his voice comes out in a near gasp, “Marinette.”

She turns to look over her shoulder. He sees her body tense for a moment, but she soon relaxes, “Hello, Adrien.”

His brain is struggling to catch up, “H-Hello.”

She turns fully towards him and holds out her hand, “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? How have you been?”

Adrien looks at her hand, confused, but reciprocates the gesture, shaking her hand with his, “It has been. Since collège, right?” It’s a stupid question to ask; of course, he remembers, “I’ve… been well. How about you?”

She smiles and says, “That’s good to hear. I’ve been good as well. I’m here today as an additional assistant for the Hermès photoshoot for my internship.”

“O-Oh, I see.” He says, scratching his head as he did so, “I’ve heard some things here and there from Nino and Alya.”

“Ah,” she mumbles before looking away, “Right.”

Adrien stiffens, realizing that he’s made a mistake. Just as he’s about to open his mouth to say something, correct himself, the photographer’s voice echoes loudly in the room.

“Okay, everyone, let’s get started! Adrien, darling, come here.”

Adrien turns, taking a quick glance at the photographer, before looking back at Marinette briefly, then turning fully away, “Yes, coming.” He goes into professional mode, betraying his own feelings but listening to his mind, and walks away to get into position on set.

He pulls at his suit jacket and adjusts it, minding the two layers he’s wearing underneath – a cashmere cardigan over a red long-sleeved dress shirt – and his gaze steadily shifts back to where he can see Marinette standing, her back facing him as she talks to the head coordinator, as his makeup artist does some last-minute fixes on his makeup. The outfit is entirely too warm with the warmth of the studio lights all on him, but he feels his body temperature rise as he takes in the image of Marinette as a young adult in person for the first time.

“Okay, Adrien, do your thing!” The photographer calls out. Adrien immediately snaps his gaze back to the camera and poses, changing his poses slightly as the camera snaps and the lights flash.

What is Marinette thinking right now? Is she feeling the same way he is after seeing each other for the first time in over half a decade? Did she know that he was going to be the model in this shoot? Did she still choose to attend this shoot knowing that?

“Adrien, darling, don’t give me that daydreamer look! Give me something fiercer!” The photographer barks out.

Adrien jumps slightly in surprise. He immediately attempts to block out his thoughts, pushing aside any distractions, and focuses his attention on the camera in front of him. Soon, his mind goes blank as he refocuses all his energy into the photoshoot; this isn’t the time to be unprofessional. He decides to push back the issue with Marinette for now and time goes by fast as he goes through two outfit changes.

His final outfit is a clean-cut black suit with a turtleneck in the same color. He stands on set and adjusts the sleeves of his turtleneck, unaware as someone walks up to him with his suit jacket. He looks up and stiffens when he realizes that Marinette is standing in front of him with the jacket open.

“Excuse me,” she says and begins to slip the jacket on one sleeve at a time. Adrien extends his arms out on cue. She pats down his back and moves in front of him to button the jacket.

Adrien silently looks down at Marinette as she buttons his jacket. It’s as if time has slowed to a trickle and he can almost hear the second-hand ticking with slow, long pauses in his head. He feels his body begin to heat up and beads of sweat begin to form underneath his outfit. She says nothing, only the sound of her quiet breathing filling his ears indicating that she’s really, truly, there, as her fingers move deftly. What feels like minutes is over in mere seconds as she takes one last look over his entire outfit to spot any creases or flipped seams.

He opens his mouth to speak, but she turns and walks away before he can. This time, the makeup artist walks up to him and dusts him with another thin layer of powder. He sneaks glances at Marinette. He sees her talk with her superior before jotting down some notes and then leaving the room.

He looks down for a moment and thinks, was this only a coincidence?

 &

 Adrien nuzzles his face into his comforter and sighs. He repeats this process multiple times before pressing the home button on his phone and staring at the screen.

It’s been a few days since the photoshoot and he hasn’t heard anything, from anyone, since. He sent a brief message to Nino that he saw Marinette at the photoshoot and his reply was, “It’s your chance!” but he hasn’t taken action since. He could try to call Alya, but the thought of it reminded him of that day years ago when she told him that she couldn’t do it unless Marinette acted first. So, he decided, that all he could do is wait.

He steadily rises from his bed and drags himself to his computer to distract himself. He opens his email inbox and clicks on his newest unread email.

It’s an invitation to a research study from a university classmate for one of their classes and attached are various documents as well as a collection of data recorded thus far. He opens and begins to examine each of them in hopes that it will stop his thoughts from wandering.

It does work and Adrien spends a few hours just staring at the computer screen, jotting down notes as he goes to compile later into a document for when he’s able to visit the research site itself, and he doesn’t notice his phone make a short, high pitched ping! behind him. It isn’t until several pings later that his ringtone begins to fill the silence of his room and he snaps his head to look over his shoulder at the culprit.

He quickly walks to his phone and checks the name on the screen.

Alya.

He immediately picks it up, “Hey, Alya.”

“Adrien! I’ve got some great news!” Alya’s vibrant voice exclaims, “You better free up this day, no, you have to.”

Adrien cautiously asks, “Sure, but what’s up?”

He can almost see Alya roll her eyes, “Adrien, don’t pretend that you don’t know. Mari told me that she assisted at one of your photoshoots! She didn’t really feel that bad from it so I managed to convince her that we should hang out with the four of us for old time’s sake.”

Adrien’s mouth instantly widens into a smile, “Of course, I will. You’re amazing, Alya.”

“You can repay me by not messing things up this time. It already took you, what, 7 years to get here?”

He frowns, “Alya, please.”

Alya laughs, Hey, I’ve heard it all from Nino. I think you got some ‘splaining to do later.”

Adrien groans, “Nino…”

“Don’t get too upset at him, Adrien. We all just want to help.”

“I now, but dude, Nino needs to learn to stop telling you everything. Or was it your reporting skills that did him in?”

“Oh, it was more than that.”

It takes Adrien a second to process it, “Oh, gross! Stop right there.”

Alya is nearly out of breath from her uncontrollable laughter, “Hahaha, don’t underestimate me!” She then calms down and pauses, suddenly growing quiet, “Were you really going to wait forever until she decided to see you again?”

“…I don’t know. I might have.”

“Adrien…”

He sits down on his bed and quietly says, “it’s okay. It was originally all my fault, anyway…”

“Don’t say that. We were all young. You couldn’t have known any better.”

Adrien laughs, “I still don’t think I know much. 7 years is a long time, but I’m not sure if I’ve actually changed or not.”

He can almost see her grin from the other side of the phone, “Well, now’s your chance to show how you’ve grown up.”

“If I’ve grown up,” he corrects her.

“Details, details.” She nearly groans. Both grow quiet and there are several moments of silence between them as Adrien falls into deep thought. It isn’t until Alya speaks up once again that he’s broken out of his reverie, “So, what’s the plan, Agreste?”

Adrien smiles, “Well…”

 &

 Adrien arrives outside the café Alya and Nino chose and is the first there judging by the lack of familiar faces. He looks at his watch and sees that he’s over ten minutes early. He looks around the outside of the café and, seeing as there is no sight of his friends, he hangs his hand and brings out his phone to pass the time. He hears several people passing by saying his name in whispers, but no one dares to approach him. These reactions are no longer foreign to him, given how many years he’s been in the industry, but the fact that he hates signing autographs is something that has remained unchanged, so he is a little thankful when they choose not to approach him.

He scrolls through his social media apps, pulling down the app window to refresh and watches the little loading wheel swirl even though he knows nothing will change from the last time he checked five minutes ago. He sighs. Only five minutes have passed.

“Hi.”

Adrien blinks and lifts his eyes from his phone. He almost opens his mouth to say an excuse that he can’t take any requests right now, but stops. Marinette is standing before him with both hands grasped on the strap of her shoulder bag. Their eyes meet and they both stand there, blinking and staring at each other, before Adrien finally realizes that he hasn’t replied to her.

“Hi,” He smiles and nearly can’t hide his relieved expression, “Nice seeing you again.”

She responds with her own smile and tucks a loose hair behind her ear, “Yeah. Alya and Nino aren’t here yet?”

Adrien shakes his head, “I’m the first one here, as you can see. They’ll probably be here soon.”

She nods, “Right.” She walks towards him and stands to his left. She doesn’t look at him, instead opting to gaze at the people walking in and out of the café to her left. He glances to his right and peeks at her from the corner of his eyes every now and then.

The silence between them continues for several minutes as they wait for the couple to come.

He licks his lips. He opens his mouth, pauses, then closes it. He repeats this multiple times, but his voice doesn’t come out.

“Mari! Adrien!” Alya calls out to them and waves, her hands linked with Nino’s.

“Yo, Adrien. Mari.” Nino greets wearing a hat and headphone around his neck like always.

Adrien had once asked Nino if he ever grew tired of headphones or if he ever found them a bother with them always being around his neck. Nino only shrugged and said, “I’ve always had them. They’ve kinda become a part of me so I treat ‘em like another limb or something.”

“Alya, Nino, you take forever like always,” Marinette pouts and cocks her head, placing a hand on her hip.

Alya laughs, “Girl, we’re right on time. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”

Adrien and Nino both puff in laughter. Marinette glares at both which only makes all of them laugh harder. She rolls her eyes and walks to the entrance of the café.

“C’mon guys, let’s go.”

Adrien, Nino, and Alya all look at each other, nodding, then follow Marinette without a word. It takes but five minutes before they’re seated outside at a quaint table; clockwise, they sit in this order: Nino, Adrien, Marinette, and then Alya.

“It’s been such a long time since all four of us have hung out!” Alya exclaims after they order their food, “We gotta take a selfie later.”

Nino leans his chin on his hand, “It’s been about 7 years, hasn’t it?”

Marinette hums, “Yeah... it really has been a long time.”

“It really surprised me the other day when you were assisting at my photoshoot, Marinette.”

“I heard about that,” Nino says, “How was it working on set? Alya told me you were working with Hermès?”

“Yeah!” Marinette’s eyes light up, excited. Adrien hiccups and feels his heartbeat quicken, “It’s not my first time helping on set, but it was my first time with such a high-class brand! Everything they did was very professional and the clothes were designed and sewn beautifully. You can tell that their clothes get the upmost attention during the production process and, oh my god, even though their clothes line isn’t that big compared to their leather goods and their other stuff, the care that goes into them…!” She stops, eyes wide, and looks back and forth between all her friends, “Oh my god, I’m so sorry, I just went and kept blathering…”

“Girl, it’s alright. We want to know more,” Alya assures her and grins, “I’m so happy you’re walking towards your dream!”

“It’s great to see how far you’ve come,” Adrien comments, “I remember when you made that feather hat for my dad’s contest in collège. Though that gave me allergies for days. You can say it was… unbearable.”

Marinette immediately turns her head away and snorts, attempting to suppress her laughter, while Nino and Alya both simultaneously groan. “Since when do you do puns?” Marinette asks in between giggles.

“Since purr-ever,” Adrien adds with a wink and Alya almost slams the table. She’s thwarted when their food arrives at their table.

“Okay, if there’s one thing you were better off missing out on, it was this.” Nino says with a shake of his head, “He likes puns way more than you think he would.”

“An unfortunate part of him when he’s so handsome,” Adrien sighs with a hand on her cheek for drama.

“I’m just punny, admit it.”

“Please make it stop!” Nino says, “Eat your food, Adrien.”

Adrien pouts and relents, “Fine, then.” He rips a piece off his croissant and pops it into his mouth before taking a sip of his juice.

Marinette laughs and picks up her scone almost bashfully, a pink dusting her cheeks, “I don’t mind. I didn’t know that about you, Adrien.”

His eyes instantly light up at being called by name, “Quite unfurrtunate, that you were not there to see my great rise as the king of puns.”

Marinette almost spits into her coffee, “I don’t mind, but please not while I’m drinking my coffee. Hot coffee.”

He smiles sheepishly, “Sorry.”

Alya grins a toothy smile with her wine in hand, “Now ain’t this a great sight?”

“Babe, why’re you drinking wine during the day?”

She sloshes the wine once, twice, in its glass before taking a sip, “This is something to celebrate! The four of us, reunited after nearly a decade!”

“Geez, we still met up. Just…” Nino trails off, glancing at Marinette, “Only Adrien and Marinette haven’t seen each other in a while.”

Silence envelops their table as all of them wait for Marinette’s response. Adrien sips his juice and looks away. Alya bites into her brioche and silently huffs through her nose. She looks at Marinette straight in the eye and raises a brow while jutting her head slightly forward.

Marinette places both hands around her coffee cup, “I know. I feel like it was due in part to my immaturity back then. I’m really sorry about that, Adrien.”

Adrien stares at her in shock and quickly starts, “I…”

“Can we please,” Marinette interrupts him and briefly pauses, “not talk about it?”

That effectively shuts Adrien’s mouth. Alya and Nino share a look, their eyebrows furrowed in worry, and both fiddle with their remaining food in thought.

Seconds later, Alya opens her mouth, “Marinette…”

“Alya, don’t. Please.” Marinette lets out a deep breath through her nostrils and looks at Nino, “So, when are you going to propose to Alya?” She effectively pushes aside the topic.

Nino gulps and darts a look at Alya before looking back at Marinette, “Mari! Don’t start giving her ideas. We’re only in our early twenties, y’know?”

Marinette grins, “Never too early for you two lovebirds. Remember that time in the zoo?”

Nino begins to splutter, “Dude!”

Their conversation during the remaining stay at the café is bright and fun, but there is a distant atmosphere about it. The subject about what separated the foursome is not brought up again and their ambience as they talk mimics what they were once like during collège. They stay even after their food is cleared away and their drinks all gone.

When they exit the café, their stay has already lasted several hours. Alya clings to Nino as he wraps an arm around her waist to steady her as she jumps around in high spirits.

“Babe, take me home.” She demands.

“Home? Sure.”

“No, I mean take me home.” She rolls her eyes and says it again, this time emphasizing her words.

Nino glances at Adrien and Marinette, “Not in front of them, Babe. I already get enough complaints from Mr. Model over there.”

Adrien smiles sympathetically, “You guys can go ahead and leave. Alya looks like she’s ready to collapse.”

Alya pouts, “So not. Marinette!” She nearly yells, causing Marinette to jump.

“Y-Yeah?” She squeaks.

“Get Adrien to walk you home or else.”

“What, Alya, you know I…”

“Or else, Mari.”

Adrien turns to look down at Marinette and smiles, “It’s fine, I can walk you.”

Alya and Nino then turn to leave, with Alya shouting “have fun!” as her parting words to them. For several seconds, Adrien and Marinette awkwardly stand next to each other. Adrien stuffs his hands into his pants pocket while Marinette fidgets with her fingers.

“Well, shall we?” He asks.

Marinette nods. They head off towards one of the Seine’s many pedestrian bridges. It’s the same one they used to cross when they were in collège and this fact doesn’t go unmissed by either of them. The waning sun colors the bridge and the Seine river with a warm, orangey light as they walk side by side in silence. The loose strands in Marinette’s hair flies in the wind, disrupting what was once a perfect bun on her head.

When they are nearly halfway across the bridge, Adrien suddenly stops. It takes Marinette a moment before she realizes that he has and she turns to look at him, “Adrien?”

“I want to talk about what happened between us.”

Marinette’s expression turns exasperated in an instant, “Adrien, I said I didn’t want to talk about it. We’re fine now, aren’t we?”

“No, we’re not. I just want to say that…”

“Look, it was because I was immature. That’s all there was to it and I let my feelings and anxiety get the best of me back then.”

“Marinette, that’s not right. It was all my fault and you know it.”

“Don’t say that! It’s not your fault!”

“It is and it took me too long to figure out why and I’m so sorry…”

Her hands are balling into fists as she yells at him, “Why do you keep insisting on talking about it!?”

“Marinette, I love you!” Adrien confesses without thinking. He looks at her, wide-eyed, just as surprised as she is.

“What?” Her eyebrows knit together in confusion, “What the fuck are you saying?”

“I love you,” He repeats, this time with more confidence, more certainty.

“You don’t know what you’re saying,” She tells him and turns her back to him.

His hand shoots out to grab hers before she can even begin to walk away, “No, I was naïve back then and I didn’t realize that I was hurting you and I also didn’t realize that I had been suppressing my own feelings back then. I’ve regretted it ever since.”

“Huh? That’s funny because I distinctly remember you rejecting me and saying that you were in love with someone else.”

“I was! Or I thought I was. I was so distraught because Ladybug had stopped talking to me and I…”

Marinette looks at Adrien, this time confused for a different reason altogether, “What do you mean Ladybug stopped talking to you? Why would she even talk to you?”

It hurts even more when she says it so matter-of-factly, but Adrien swallows and reasons that it’s because she doesn’t know. He frustratingly runs his hand through his hair, “It doesn’t matter that much anymore since it was so long ago but… remember Chat Noir?” Marinette slowly nods, “I was Chat Noir.”

He can feel Marinette freeze under his hold. He experiments and releases his hold on her hand and she doesn’t move. She only stares at him, wide-eyed.

“I was Chat Noir and we defeated Hawkmoth and I thought everything was going well until Ladybug dropped a bomb and said that she’d never talk or meet with me again. I was so confused and hurt when it happened that I wasn’t thinking and handled the situation with you poorly… but the entire thing made me realize that I already hadn’t been fully in love with Ladybug for a long time then. I liked you but ignored my feelings because I kept telling myself that I was in love with Ladybug. Once Ladybug, well, disappeared from my life, things became a lot clearer and I realized my feelings when it was already too late. But it’s been over 7 years and I’m still stuck on you and I love you, even now.”

Marinette is silent the entire time Adrien is talking.

A little unsettled, Adrien takes a deep breath and continues, “I convinced myself that I was moving on and went out with other girls but I’ve unconsciously been dating girls that are like you. Because it eases the pain. I know that it was my own self-gratification and I got told off by my ex because she realized it and Nino just had to go and notice it, too.”

“You were him…” Marinette murmurs, “You’re Chat Noir.”

Adrien blinks, “Yes, I was…?”

“And you were in love with Ladybug…”

“Yeah?”

“Then you say you’re in love with me…”

“Yeah…”

There is no hesitation in her voice when she says, “I was Ladybug.”

“Yeah… w-wait, what?” Adrien says, “What did you just say?”

Marinette straightens her stance and looks him squarely in the eye and repeats, “I was Ladybug.”

The wind picks up, blowing their hair wilding in their faces. Adrien stares at Marinette, mouth agape and dumbfounded, as he attempts to process her words. Marinette keeps her eyes on Adrien’s, shivering as the wind blows cool air against her skin. There is no one else on the bridge except for them. Only the sound of the river below and the wind fill the silence.

Marinette furrows her eyebrows when Adrien is still silent, “Adrien?”

“Hahaha!” Adrien suddenly bursts into laughter. He doubles over with both hands on his stomach as tears form in his eyes, “I see now! It’s been you all along!”

Marinette puffs her cheeks and pouts, “What’s so funny about me being Ladybug?” She looks away, “I knew it. I should have never told you, Chat.” She pauses and touches her mouth with her fingers.

Adrien shakes his head, quieting his laughter, “No, no, this is great. I’ve been in love with you the whole time. Ladybug and Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Two personalities but one girl. This is purr-fect.”

Marinette’s face colors a dusty rose, “Geez, no wonder you’re full of puns.” She pushes her chin into the palm of her hand and looks away, hugging her body with the other.

“I love you, Marinette.”

Marinette sighs, a little moved, “I don’t know what to do with you.” She murmurs, “I don’t know why I’m still stuck on you, either.”

Adrien grins and leans against the railing on the bridge next to her, “I know we have a lot of catching up to do. I love both sides of you and that will never change.”

This time, Marinette’s entire face heats up as she blushes a bright red. She pouts and leans against the railing as well, “We wasted 7 years because of this…”

Adrien looks down at his feet and sadly smiles, “It was painful, you know, when I realized my mistake. And I had no other way of fixing things because Alya told me that you weren’t ready.” Marinette says nothing, only clasping her hands together, “But Nino and Alya would show me photos of you guys together and it made me really happy to see you happy again even though I couldn’t see you.”

Marinette murmurs, “It was really difficult. I had thought it was just a crush, but I was way more in love with you than I thought I was. It wasn’t until I threw myself into designing and when I started winning competitions that I started feeling happy again. Taking days off to help with baking at my parents’ bakery helped, too.”

Adrien says, wincing, “That day that we separated after our patrol… was that my fault then? Your eyes had been so red then.”

Marinette chuckles lightly, “Yeah, it was, Mr. Agreste. I cried my eyes out.”

Adrien doesn’t lift his head, “I’m sorry.”

Marinette looks at him, “I feel like… it was also due my insecurities back then. I always compared myself, ‘Marinette,’ to Ladybug. She was always so much more confident, so much more courageous than I was…”

“I don’t think that’s true. But… I do understand what you mean. I used to use Chat Noir as an escape; an easy way to vent and be myself if you will.”

Marinette laughs, “I can sort of imagine it.”

“I… love both sides of you. Marinette is Ladybug. And Ladybug is Marinette. They’re both you.”

Marinette smiles, a peaceful expression on her face, “I forgive you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.” Marinette pauses and says, “I actually accepted the offer to help out at your photoshoot on purpose.”

Adrien’s eyes light up at this, “Really?”

She nods, “I wanted to see if I could handle seeing you again. I had missed you so much…”

Adrien hovers his hand over Marinette’s and cautiously takes her hand in his. He observes her reaction and is happy when he feels her fingers wrap around his.

It’s then that it hits him, “Shit.”

“What?”

“I haven’t broken up with my girlfriend.”

Marinette looks at him, mouth agape, and separates their hands. She begins to walk away, “I can’t believe you, Agreste!”

He immediately walks after her, “My lady!”

She rolls her eyes and smiles, whispering into the wind, “I couldn’t forget about you, either.”

[courage-a-word-of-justice]

Grimms Notes 1 | Spec Ops Asuka 1 - 2 | Boogiepop 3 | Price of Smiles 2 - 3 | Kaguya-sama 1 | Mob Psycho II 2 | Morose Mononokean II 2 - 3 | Shield Hero 2 | My Roommate is a Cat 2 | Girly Air Force 1

Grimms Notes 1

Somehow, from the opening shot having an easy-to-draw-and-animate non-very-threatening monster, I can tell this is a game adaption.

…Likwise, when I have complaints about the birds in the OP being CG, you know this is an anime.

I think this “handing down the role of Red Riding Hood” thing is interesting. However, the humour Tao was going for at the time…was so not me.

I think all Tao said was that it was dangerous (in the audio). I think the subber was trying to insert a Zelda meme…what an evil agenda…(partially joking)

“…scary black thing…” – Do you mean the monster? If you mean the wolf monster and not the other clawed creature from the beginning of the episode, then that’s not black. That’s purple.

I think Brain’s Base is trying to make Red look creepy with her dead ahead stare, but…as much as I don’t like a fisheye lens, we could really use some right now.

Okayyyyyyyyyy…I knew anime could make anything a weapon, but a bookmark? That’s stretching credulity a bit. How is that badass??? C’mon, even healing was – kinda – badass in Merc Storia because it had a purpose. A bookmark is just used for keeping your place in a book. Unless it’s one of those metal ones that falls out of books all the time, they don’t hurt flies.

Seriously, doesn’t Goliath get defeated by David??? In better news, I thought Tao was vaguely hot, but Robin Hood…ooh…

I have no idea why Alice’s weapon is a sword, btw.

Waitttttt…wuh? “I’ll show you how to be a real lady”???? *eyes of skepticism* At least the other ones make sense and aren’t as gendered – but notably Cinderella is a healer when they could’ve done something cooler, like the Little Mermaid or something (to tie into siren mythology).

Obviously Evil Villain is Obvious. Nothing new to see here.

Well…that was mildly unsatisfying…

Spec Ops Asuka 1

For some reason, I call Magical Girl Special Operations Asuka “Spec Ops Asuka”. Well, at least it makes sense…*shrugs*

Karambit. Surprisingly, it’s a weapon I’ve never heard of before…

Exposition dumps have never been this clunky before! Oof!

Whiskey Charlie? Like…WC? Toilet??? (I’m not sure everyone will get that joke, but okay.)

I’d probably translate the episode title to “Comeback of the Magical Girl”. It starts with a relative clause, so it should be that way in English too.

The ol’ transfer student cliché. *sigh* Anime, anime, anime…why you do dis to me? Not that I mind it, I wouldn’t be so deep if I weren’t…

What’s the name of Nozo-chan’s friend again???

“Franz on the Waves” seems to be a play on “Kafka on the Shore”.

Le sigh…I get the feeling this was written by a dude to satisfy male fantasies by pretending to use girl power as a symbol.

Seriously though, if you thought Sailor Moon was bad at keeping identities…Asuka has it worse. I mean, Rapture Asuka = Asuka Ootori. It’s really obvious in English…

A thug man with a metal hand drinking tea from a tiny cup…now there’s a real source of humour!

(Trigger warning: prostitution discussion) - “…whoring yourself out.” – Err…that’s definitely not what I expected to see in an anime like this. I haven’t shied away from Shield Hero, but this I did a really big double take on for all the wrong reasons. Even with Sayoko to hold Nozo-chan back, I still think Nozo’s being really, really insensitive here.

Okay…the rules of long hair state you must pull your hair out from towels. They missed a good opportunity to do that shoujo sparkle thing with that, y’know, even if to create mood whiplash.

There is something to be said about bystander effect here, I think, and how people award proactivity rather than being passive...especially with magical girls and those other kinds of people who act as “heroes” during times of crisis.

Oh, of course, terrorism. Because we want our magical girls political now…*le sigh*

“Live your life for the sake of those who died.” – This reminds me of the situation with cian-aemilian all over again. I’m pretty sure I’ve said something of a similar nature in the past due to it. Update: my exact quote was “…what can the living do but keep those who have gone in their memory?”

…and of course, people who watch magical girls from afar use drones, because that’s going to outdate this show in a good 10 – 20 years. *le sigh*

Well, colour me impressed. I was about to jump ship due to the shoddy quality, but I think that quote at the end felt like a dig at me personally in the best (yet worst) way possible.  I did laugh a tonne at how stupid the gore looked, though, which might be a problem…

Boogiepop 3

Is it just me, or has Echoes cleaned up now enough to be kinda…hot?

Waittttt…which of them is “Niitoki-kun”? Sorry, I just don’t think I’m 100% comprehending all the names being flung about here. Update: Niitoki is the class prez gal.

Somehow I knew he was going to stab Echoes with the pen, but I was still slightly surprised to see it happen.

Hmm…that episode was a lot more impressive than the last two. Things actually made sense, now that we know the background of them,

Price of Smiles 2

I see 2D mechs. They may be stationary, but I’m still impressed…they’re basically a dying breed these days.

Why do these mechs have shields, anyway?

I like how the twins poked fun at Joshua’s “passion and will” thing.

Oh no…judging from their reaction…did Joshua die???

End of episode segment…keep watching.

Kaguya-sama 1

This is my final premiere…so I’d better make this count. I read somewhere the narrator was overpowering and read the first volume of manga, but otherwise that’s all I know about this.

I think that shot that replays in the OP is part of one chapter of the manga.

Tori…Tottori…geddit? Oh, never mind.

20th Century Fox, much?

The weed was a good touch. I don’t remember that being in the manga. (No, I’m not talking about that weed…which you can smoke…)

“Who’s Hayasaka?” you ask. Good question. Even I didn’t know, so I had to ask Google. Hayasaka…is Kaguya’s valet! If you know that, then you can laugh about it!

If you want a sausage octopus, just go ask your team of chefs for one, Kaguya!

Mob Psycho II 2

I’m pretty sure Ura Sunday is where Mob Psycho is serialised…

Is this the real Junji Ito adaption (LOL)?

Mononokean II 2

Why is Ashiya good at finding metal objects anyway? (If there is an explanation…) It’s only metal items and not anything else, right?

So the Justice is this frumpy purple-haired dude? I think I outgrew this kind of dude once I got over Urushihara…

There are CGI tadpoles, but they’re kinda hard to see against the 2D background…

Come to think of it, Abeno may be the master of the Mononokean, but it seems he reports directly to the Legislator. Is there a guy/youkai like that for the Justice (and presumably the other dude) as well?

Moja falling into the water was too adorable!

Oh great (LOL), the Legislator is basically baiting Abeno with “that’s not water!” from Grand Blue…

I just realised Abeno’s so big in comparison to Ashiya…n-not that I mind of course…(lel)

Aoi? Who dat? Update: Oh yeah…that guy (?) was the first master of the Mononokean. Sorry, I may have watched the 1st series twice, but that was at the start of 2017.

Shield Hero 2

“…is diseased and has a mental disorder.” – Well, I thought it honestly couldn’t get any worse, between slavery and rape accusations. It just did. Again, I don’t condone this stuff, but a story’s a story, no matter how depraved.

Seeing a story about the pits of despair naturally means you can see people get better – I think that’s why we need to have both stories that are light and fluffy + dark and dreary.

I see Naofumi keeps a Balloon (<- how I’ll refer to balloon monsters from now on) at his side all the time now, LOL. By the way, when he bought that ball, I honestly thought he was going to offer Raphtalia a Balloon instead of getting her a proper ball…

Update: Not sure if Naofumi’s inability to taste stuff is because of the betrayal or because of the fact he changed worlds…or maybe even something else?

My Roommate is a Cat 2

I see Bliss wallpaper...either someone has good taste in default wallpapers or a very outdated computer!

Is it alright to feed cats bread…? I’ve never fed a cat.

They say pets are like their owners, huh? Subaru is very much like the cat.

Wait, why are all the pets that are out and about do-Update: Forget I asked. There are some cats outside as well…

I’ve never seen a Japanese word processor with genkouyooshi to type into vertically, come to think of it.

Talking to cats is fine and dandy, I think, assuming they understand you as well. Anyways, I think Subaru got the name “Haru” from “sunny” (hare).

Ah! Kitty too cute!...I wish that could be a review, but sadly…it can’t be.

Post-credits segment…keep going.

Oh, that post-credits segment was so good, even if it did need some explaining to an audience that only knows English!

Update: I read the character bios from the official site, and turns out Haru is a girl.

Girly Air Force 1

I’ve seen mixed opinions about this (as in, read too many impressions on it and they don’t neatly go one way or another), so I’m taking the plunge while I still have time to.

You can tell your protagonist is great when the first word he says is “S***!”

EGG? “Defective girl”? I know I’m watching something with a lot of context here…but seriously, this was definitely made for dudes. Jusssssssssssst saying.

See? What did I say? After your first kiss, it’s only a matter of time before-erhem. I’ll stop ranting now.

So…what languages does Minghua know, exactly?

Wait, so what was Kei doing in China? Better question! (sings in a teasing voice “Eloping, eloping, Kei was eloping!”)

As much as I think free tuition is a good thing…I’m with Minghua. Don’t go risking your life when you just escaped for your life not too long ago.

*sigh* Kei, Kei, Kei…what do you think you’re doing?

…and I LOL. I LOL so hard at how they tossed Kei into the boot but laid down Minghua like a baby.

But seriously, why the name “Daughter”???

Egao no Daika 3

I found and heard Huey! I can leave this show if I wanted to now…

The fact people are red or blue, and sometimes you can’t tell which is which, is powerful colour symbolism.

Spec Ops Asuka 2

Well…that (perception magic) explains one of my questions from last time.

I kep thinking that Sayako is the sort of girl who would become a magical girl…in the traditional sense.

Pigeon fight! The fight I never knew I needed…kind of.

I’ve watched enough anime to know the new transfer student is Kurumi…geez.

Mononokean II 3

For some reason, I didn’t realise this until most of the episode had gone…but Egen is a tengu, right?

Make sure you watch closely for the “like him [Ashiya]” bit…it’s funny when you find out.

I find it the most surprising that Abeno is calling himself an idiot…hmm.

[isaacsapphire]

Yeeeah, I think I have written previously about how I've had great bread from Anarchists, Royalists, Christian Dominionists, and so on. Their ideological positions might not be compatible or good, but they can all work a good dough and I'd be lying to say otherwise.

Tumblr glitched and I can’t find the post again, but apparently it isn’t just British people. I just saw a post insisting that lefties all had bread baking and quick pickles on the go while tradwifes are in their expensive kitchens washing chicken with bleach.

It’s like these guys are obsessed for some reason with the notion that people they don’t like or don’t agree with must suck at cooking.

To these American wokeposters, I promise you that right now in your own country, someone neither of us agrees with one iota is doing something amazing with 12-hour barbecued meat.