#they stopped around the age of 5-6 (guess why) | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

jazzyoranges · 1 year ago

Text

Harleys in Hawaii

Tara Carpenter x fem!reader

Summary: you’re Tara’s older girlfriend

Words: 4.5k

A/n: listen to harleys in hawaii

Warnings: i didn’t feel like editing or spell checking sorry bout that 💀, age gap (Tara is 22/23, you’re 27), drinking, kissing, fade to black sex, R is implied to dress more masculine, also Scream 6 doesn’t exist cause Anika is alive 😇

Tara has gone through 3 girlfriends and 5 boyfriends in the span of 5 months. Currently, she’s having an intervention on how and why. Well, the core four’s version of an intervention at least

“Dude, you have to teach me how to get a girlfriend” Chad begs, and Mindy laughs

“Why am I even here? You guys suck at interventions. If anything, this is the opposite of one”

This time, her sister chimes in. “We’re here because you’ve been going through partners like pairs of clothes. Why are you dating all these people?”

“I don’t know!” Tara groans “In the beginning it’s to be fun dating someone, but after a week it feels like a chore”

“Wow, never knew you of all people would have the same mindset of a frat boy” This earns Mindy a slap on her shoulder from Anika, who was cuddled into her

“Shut up Mindy.” the younger Carpenter spits out

“So you date people and drop them ‘cause they don’t give you the thrill of being in a relationship?” Chad says and everyone in the room goes silent. Momentarily, he stops throwing his tennis ball up in the air

“…Did I say something wrong?”

“Never knew you could be smart, Chad”

“Sometimes I wish we weren’t related.”

“Is that it, Tara?” Sam asks “You just want the thrill of dating?”

“When you put it that way, I guess? I dunno, I haven’t really met anyone exciting. You’d think there’d be fun people in New York”

“You just haven’t met the right person, Tara. I’m sure there’s someone for you, you just suck at looking”

“Oh, really? Where am I supposed to look, then?”

“I dunno, definitely not where you’re looking right now” Mindy shrugs, and Tara sighs at how helpful her friends are

—

You meet you coworker’s sister when her and her friends decide to have a study session at the small coffee shop you and Sam work at. You and the older Carpenter instantly clicked as friends. Sam knew you knew about the Woodsboro killings, but you knew not to trust the media entirely. After a few weeks of talking to her, you didn’t understand how Sam could be accused of such disgusting things

Your friendship solidified when you ‘accidentally’ spilled an ice cream sundae on some girl who was being mean to her. Of course you were fired the next day, but Sam left with you, opting to work at a smaller coffee shop run by a nice old man and his lovely wife

Sam considered you a good friend, and she trusted you with being around her sister. Luckily the old couple who ran the shop were kind and trusting, and let Sam’s sister and friends use the coffee shop after hours for late-night studying. It was maybe about 6:30pm when the shop officially closed, and the study session started. Sam insisted she stay by herself, but you didn’t want her to be lonely while watching her kids friends study

Personally, you thought it was far too late to study, but you also hadn’t been to school in 3 years. Soft music was playing while the group studied and you and Sam cleaned up the shop here and there

Tara tried to focus on her work, she really did. After a few glances in your direction and many “sorry, what did you say?”’s later, Mindy finally decided to comment on Tara’s behavior. I mean, could she really be mad? You were breathtaking. Your shirt hugged your arms and torso just the right way, you hand a very pretty face, most of all, you were-

“Alright, what’s up with you? You’ve been distracted this entire time”

“I’m not distracted, I’m listening” Tara lied straight through her teeth, and Mindy just looked at her in suspicion

“You’ve seemed out of it this entire study session, you okay?” Anika reached to rub Tara’s shoulder

“Uh, y-yeah” Tara turned around in her seat looking for you. When she saw you were either in the break room or the bathroom, Tara leaned in closer to the group and so did her friends

“Sam’s friend is really hot.”

“Understandable” Chad nods

“Definitely ask her out”

“Like hell I am, Mindy!” Tara whisper-shouts

You’re about to leave for the night. Gathering your jacket, helmet, and keys from your locker, you barely make it out of the break room before one of Sam’s friends calls you over

“Hey, Sam’s coworker! Are you good at algebra?

“A little above average, why do you ask? You walk over to the booth they’re studying at. You miss the glare the brunette gives to her friend

Mindy motions to Tara “My friend over here is having a little trouble, and we’re all not really good at explaining. Could you help her?”

“Also,” the twin points at each of her friends “Anika, Chad, Tara, and I’m Mindy”

You pull up a chair to sit next to Tara “Y/N, nice to meet all of you. Sam says lots of good things”

“Likewise, Sam told us about what you did for her. We all appreciate it” Anika smiles

“Those girls were assholes,” you shrug “they deserved it.” Now focusing on Tara, you met her eyes while the rest of the group fell into discussion

“So, what exactly do you need help with?”

Tara tries to listen to what you’re saying, but everything is going in one ear and out the other with your proximity to her. You make simple small talk with Tara, and she notes how the corners of your eyes crinkle when you laugh. The brunette learns you’re about the same age as her sister, you have a second job as a mechanic, and you owned a motorcycle (in which her interest was immediately peaked).

A few hours of conversation and studying later, the group decides they’re finished. They pile into Sam’s car to be dropped off at their respective apartments. Unfortunately due to a little clutter, there isn’t enough room for Tara in the car (which is surprising since she’s incredibly small, but you decide to hold your tongue this time)

“Cmon, guys, can’t you make some room?” the brunette groans

“You could ride with Y/n,” Sam suggests “I trust her to get you home”

“Yeah, I got an extra helmet in my locker, I’ll go get it” You jog back to the shop, and you’re back a minute later with a helmet in one hand, and a hoodie in the other. Your hoodie, Tara thinks

“Here, it gets cold. Is this your first time?”

“Yeah, I’ve never been on a motorcycle before…” Tara says nervously, and she has to stop herself from taking a big whiff of your hoodie around her

“No worries! If you get scared just squeeze my thigh and I’ll pull over, okay? Also, make sure to hold on tight” You put the helmet on Tara, inspecting her to make sure it’s on correctly

“Geez, it feels like I’m an astronaut” Tara laughs, flipping up the visor

“Doesn’t it? I always feel like a bobble head or something when I’m in it” You teach Tara how to get on, and soon enough you’re on the road following Sam’s car

Tara’s arms were snugly wrapped around your torso, and she was absolutely having the time of her life. The helmet she was wearing smelled like you and it was absolutely intoxicating. Not to mention how your hoodie sat comfortably on her body — almost like it was meant for her to wear. Deciding to be bold, Tara decides to hug you tighter

When you two eventually stop at a stoplight, you hold out a thumbs up, questioning if Tara is comfortable. The brunette responds with a thumbs up of her own, and the slow circles she’s making with her thumb under your shirt that leave a trail of goosebumps behind

First Sam stops at Mindy and Anika’s, then Chads. Since there’s more room in the car Tara doesn’t actually need to stay with you, but she’s practically glued to your back. The brunette decides to be greedy and hold on

A few minutes later, you two reach Tara and Sam’s apartment complex. When you come to a stop the younger Carpenter gets off first, and you follow after

“So, how was your first time on a motorcycle? Scary?”

“Honestly? Not really. I trust you won’t crash, or else Sam’ll get real mad at you” Taking off her helmet, you get the pleasure of seeing Tara smile again. She starts to take off your hoodie, but you stop her before she does

“Keep it, I already have a bunch of other hoodies and jackets at my place”

“Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t be saying it if I wasn’t sure, Carpenter”

“You’re an ass” Tara rolls her eyes and playfully hits your arm

“Nice meeting you and your friends, by the way. I’ll see you guys around” After you wave bye and hop back on your motorcycle Tara watches you leave, pulling your hoodie closer to her body

—

Study sessions at the coffee shop after closing time became more and more regular. Sometimes it’s just Sam closing up, and other times it’s just you. Tara still regrets telling the group about her very tiny minuscule crush on you, since you’re now used as blackmail to get Tara to go anywhere

“Wanna go to the movies?”

“Sorry, I have to finish an essay”

“Y/n’s gonna be there” Mindy says in a sing-song tone

“Fuck you.” Tara groans before grabbing her jacket, fully expecting to be invited for a motorcycle ride from you

At first Tara only saw you during study sessions at the coffee shop. It was the same story almost every time. There wouldn’t be enough room in Sam’s car, you’d drive Tara home, and if she was lucky you’d stop at a 7 Eleven for slushees and a snack

When Sam invites you to a game night with the group, you happily accept the invitation. With a bottle of wine in your left hand, you make some final adjustments to your outfit before knocking. Smoothing out your shirt, you hear a familiar voice behind the door

“So, are you gonna stand there or are you going to knock?” The younger Carpenter teases, and she can practically hear you roll your eyes when you scoff

“I was making myself presentable” You shrug, hearing the click of the door as Tara opens it

“Whatever,” The shorter girl laughs “You’re kinda early so you can wait on the couch or something” She takes the bottle of wine from your hands, setting down on a table

“Geez, don’t people have manners nowadays? I thought it was a given to arrive early”

“I think that’s just you being old”

“You’re mean.” Tara’s face collides with a pillow as she turns around and the brunette can faintly hear you say ‘headshot!’ in an excited voice

“Me? Mean? You just assaulted me!”

“You’ll live. Mario Kart?” You wave a second controller in her direction with the game already booted up, and Tara takes her seat next to you on the floor

The next few minutes are spent casually trash-talking each other. When you get particularly close to winning Tara shoves you to the floor, causing you to lose. A smug grin adorns her face when you throw another pillow at her

“Stop throwing pillows at me!” Tara laughs

“You quite literally shoved me to the floor ‘cause you’re not as good as me”

“Shut up, you’ve have more experience”

“Are you calling me old again?” You say in a dramatic tone, and the door rings a whole 20 minutes after the rest of the group is supposed to show up. Sam lets them in, and you wave hello. Mindy gives Tara a look you don’t recognize, but Chad quickly challenges you to another game of Mario Kart

The twin tried his best, he really did. He took the shortcuts, chose the best character, and even optimized his power-ups. But alas, his efforts were rendered useless as you casually mopped the floor with his ass. The scoreboard with your name at the top is enough for Chad to groan in defeat

“Dude, how are you so good?”

“I guess I just have more experience”

“So you can say it but I can’t?” You end up sticking your tongue out at Tara like a child

“Whatever. You guys got any other games?”

“We have Uno” Sam suggests

Oh how foolish she was.

Arguing, wine, and lots of popcorn later, you’re currently in a battle for 4th place with Tara. Fifteen minutes after Chad won 3rd, both of you insisted a 4th place winner. When you put down a plus four twice in a row, the group only groans

“Please are you two almost done?”

“It’s Uno. How about we play another game?” Chad pleads

“Absolutely not. I refuse to lose to a girl that’s basically half my height.”

“Half your height!? You’ll probably be balding by 30!”

“You take that back!” You slam a hand against the table, and your friends can’t tell if they should intervene or watch the argument play out. They choose the latter

Shallow insults are exchanged between you two and the rest of the group finally understands both of you aren’t serious. They decide to leave you two to pick up some pizza, and you’re far too busy arguing how you’re not going to go bald at 30. Really, whose idea was it to give the most competitive people copious amounts of wine?

Eventually your arguing dies down, leaving you both giggling like middle school kids when they see their crush. The absurdity of the situation paired with the wine you both drank made a very fun combo

“Sorry I said you’d bald by 30” Tara leans onto your shoulder and you lay your head atop hers

“It’s okay. Sorry I said you were half my height… even if it’s true” You smile and Tara hits your arm while suppressing a grin

“You mind if I sleep here tonight? Pretty sure I can’t drive my baby in this state”

“Your baby?”

“My motorcycle. Her name is Elizabeth” You nudge her shoulder

“You named your motorcycle?

“It’s how you create attachment, Tara. You name everything so you care more about it”

“God, you’re a weirdo.” The younger Carpenter leans into you even further

“You never answered my question”

“Hmm… I think Sam wouldn’t mind”

“But would you mind?”

“No, you’re my friend”

A comfortable silence passes between you two. Tara, half asleep on your shoulder; and you, trying to formulate a plan to get Tara in her bed. The only good idea you’ve thought of is carrying her, so that’s what you decide to do

Tara makes a sound then holds onto your shirt as you scoop her up from the couch. There’s a feeling in her stomach she can’t quite place when your arms wrap around her. You’re warm, and Tara only wants to get closer to your body heat

“Tara, honey, where’s your room?” You whisper. The pet name accidentally slips, and you hope the younger girl doesn’t notice.

Oh but she does

Tara notices and opts to bury her head in you chest, pointing in the direction of her room. She can feel her face warm up immediately

You open up the door all the way with your foot, and lay Tara down in her bed. You’re about to leave to probably sleep on the couch, but you feel a hand around your wrist and Tara mumble something sleepily

“You alright, Tar?” You bend down

“Please stay… don’t go.” The younger Carpenter whispers, and you wouldn’t be able to hear her if not your close proximity

“I’ll be in the living room, don’t worry. I don’t drink and drive”

“No, I mean stay here.”

“You… You want me to stay in your room?”

Tara nods.

“I- I don’t know, Tara.” You were hesitant to accept her invitation.

“I won’t be far, I promise”

“I don’t care you’re older than me.”

“W-What?”

“Please, you make me so happy. People my age are so dull…” Tara takes your hand in her own, playing with your fingers

“You don’t mean that, Tar. You’re drunk and tired. How about you get some sleep, hm?” You say in the softest voice you can manage, pushing away the thoughts of how badly you just want to hold Tara in your arms again

“Y/n…” Something in you shifts when the brunette says your name in her sleep-drunk state. You notice the pleading look in her eyes, and it’s difficult to imagine saying no to her

“I can’t say no to you.” You sigh, taking off your jacket before getting in bed. Tara immediately curls up against your chest like it’s the most natural thing ever and you wrap your arms around her waist like it’s second nature

“Thank you. I really like you, Y/n”

“If you end up regretting this I’ll pretend like nothing’s happened if you want”

“No!” Both you and Tara are surprised by her tone

“I- I mean no. I promise I won’t regret this. Regret… you.” She says in a smaller voice

“Do you like me too?” Tara looks up at you with hope in her eyes and your heart melts at the sight

“I don’t know, Tara. Part of me thinks this is wrong, and the other part just wants to spend time with you.”

“Ever since… Amber, you’ve helped me move on” This was the most Tara has opened up about her late girlfriend. Of course the group told you a few tiny things about her here and there, but you hadn’t heard from Tara straight up. You knew this was a very hard and difficult subject even as time continued to pas

“You don’t need to feel like you have to tell me about her, Tara. How about we sleep? You’ll have a clearer mind tomorrow�� Pressing a kiss against her forehead, your girlfriend(?) smiles

“…can I wear your shirt?”

“I’m right here, you know”

“I wanna be closer to you”

“Go actually get ready for bed, Tara. I know you don’t wanna sleep with makeup on” The brunette gets up to leave but decides to double back and give you a kiss on the cheek, leaving you a subtle lipstick mark

You hate how she makes you all giddy like a teenager in love.

Getting up to ask Tara if she has an oversized hoodie you could sleep in, you’re caught in the hallway by Sam. You only notice how bad it looks you’re walking out Tara’s room with messy hair, ruffled clothes, and a noticeable kiss on your cheek. You’re quick to wipe it off and smooth out your hair a second later

“Sam, it’s not what it looks like.” You say quickly

“I dunno, it really looks like you’re fucking my sister”

“I-It’s not like that! She- I uh-“

“Listen, I don’t mind you’re dating my sister. Would’ve wished you told me, though”

“That’s the thing! I have no idea what we are” You look behind to look for Tara before turning back to Sam

“She said she really liked me, but then she’s also drunk, but then she also kissed me. What if she doesn’t actually mean it? What if she regrets this? What if-” You’re talking quickly and about to start pacing around before Sam grounds you by holding onto your shoulders

“I trust you, Y/n. You’re my friend. I trust you’ll take good care of my sister”

The older Carpenter gives you a quick hug before leaving to her own room, leaving you staring at nothing as the door to the bathroom clicks open

“Y/n? You alright?” Tara pulls you into a hug, shoving her face in your neck

“Y-Yeah, do you have a hoodie I could sleep in?”

“Mmm… I think I have one in your size” The shorter girl leads you to her closet. A few seconds of searching lands you a hoodie with an album cover you don’t recognize. Tara notices your confusion

“Tyler the creator”

“Is he any good?”

“Well duh, I wouldn’t have him on a hoodie if he wasn’t”

“Okay smart ass, no need to be mean” You feign annoyance and the brunette can only roll her eyes and drag you into bed for the second time this night

Both of you get into position again. Tara’s arms securely wrapped around your torso, and your arms that bring her closer to your neck. You decide it isn’t so bad you’re in love with Tara Carpenter

—

You and Sam meet the rest of the group at their college. The lovely older couple that ran the coffee shop insisted you two spent time with Tara. They may as well be your parents with how much they treat you and Sam like their own kin. With the rest of the day to spoil Tara, you happily jump onto her with open arms while spewing a slew of praises and compliments

Your girlfriend should probably be embarrassed at how loud your affection is, but it’s New York. Who really cares? When you’re done being yourself, Sam also gives Tara a bear hug

“So, what’re the plans, birthday girl?” Mindy asks

“Honestly? I just wanna spend time with you guys”

“How disgustingly cute. I think that’s a great idea, babe”

“Are you kidding?” Chad speaks up “The last time we all spent time together, you two were fighting for 4th place in Uno. Fourth place!”

“I think you’re being over dramatic, bud”

“You looked like you were about to flip the fucking table when Tara made you draw 12 cards”

“Like I said, stacking is a curse that makes me angry”

“I gotta agree with Chad, here” Sam chimes in “You almost killed Tara because of Jenga”

“It’s not my fault your little sister is a pathological liar and a gaslighter!” The younger Carpenter rolls her eyes

“You’re awfully childish for someone that’s so old” Your girlfriend laughs, making you look away, embarrassed

“It’s not my fault I’m competitive!”

“So, where do you wanna eat out, Tara?” Anika asks “I’ve been starving practically all day”

“Hooters.” The brunette answers almost immediately

—

“So, birthday girl, what’s it like being 23?”

“A lot like being 22”

“Noting different?”

“Well, this is the first year you’re here to celebrate with me” Tara turns on her side to face you “I guess that’s pretty special”

You copy her actions, now looking at your girlfriend

“Oh yeah? What’s so special about me being here?”

“Please, you really don’t need a bigger ego”

“Aw you’re no fun”

“I’m plenty fun, babe” Tara reaches down to the hem of your shirt, feeling the skin right above your pants

“Mhm, and what type of fun?”

“You’re such a tease.” Your girlfriend rolls her eyes. Both of you are inching closer to each other to close the gap. You blink for half a second, and Tara straddles your lap with a hungry look in her eyes and a smile that highlights her cute dimples

Diving into you, Tara kisses you with fervor and lust. Her kisses are sloppy, but you don’t really care. Currently, the only thing in your mind is Tara’s name on repeat. Both of your clothes are off in only a matter of seconds due to the brunette’s growing eagerness of wanting your fingers inside of her

“A-Are you sure about this?” You mumble in between kisses and pecks

“Absolutely positive, baby.” Your girlfriend’s ever growing wetness smears on the skin of your exposed thigh, making you sigh in delight

“If you don’t want to keep going, just tell me and I’ll-“

“Y/n.” Your head snaps up at the brunette saying your name

“I want this. I want all of you. Drill it into your pretty brain, yeah?” Tara makes an act of lightly drilling her finger into the side of your head, making you laugh

When you kiss Tara for a second time it feels different. Her lips taste sweeter and all you want to do is give her the entire world. Unfortunately you’re only mortal, so you opt to give her a few lot of mind blowing orgasms instead

—

“So, what’re your plans for the break?”

“We were actually planning a road trip to the beach this weekend to celebrate, and you’re coming”

“No room for debate, huh?” You laugh, swinging an arm over her shoulders “I’ll have to bring my truck, though. Elizabeth is 100% going”

“Sometimes I think you like her more than me”

“You may be my girlfriend, but Elizabeth is my first love” This earns you a punch to the arm via Tara. Although it doesn’t hurt much, you feign a wounded expression and place the back of your hand to your forehead

“Woe is I, for my girlfriend no longer loves me…”

“You’ll be okay” Tara rolls her eyes

“Kiss it better?”

—

“Please can we have a ride without our helmets?”

“Sam wouldn’t forgive me if we crashed and you weren’t wearing a helmet”

“Please, baby?” Tara uses her best puppy eyes, and she knows they’re working when you look away to resist her charm

“The sunset is beautiful, the back roads are empty, and I want to spend our last moments here on the beach. Don’t you want to see the view, baby?”

You sigh, looking away. This girl was going to be the death of you.

“Well after such a confession, I don’t think I’m able to say anything other than yes” Tara kisses you on the tip of your nose, making it scrunch up just how she liked it

“This is gonna be so aesthetic, babe”

“…Aesthetic?”

“You’re not that old, love”

Before getting on, you take two spare sunglasses from your leather jacket pocket and hold them out for Tara

“Aviator or round?”

“You take the Aviators, I want you to look like one of those guys from Top Gun” Tara takes the sunglasses out of your hand to place them on your face

“Geez, I look more like a biker than a motorcyclist now”

“There’s a difference?”

“I’ll teach you one day. Cmon, the sun’s setting already”

Tara truly believes she’s made it to heaven while you drive. Arms around your waist, the salty breeze, and not to mention the beautiful setting sun. This is what she’s always been craving

Exhilarated is how she’d describe being around you. The simplest touches sent shivers down her spine. The tiniest glances made Tara’s heart giddy with joy. How couldn’t she fall for you? Picture-perfect is what you were. Not boring, not simple, not easy. You were… you

With sand in you hair from previous beach endeavors and a smile wide enough your girlfriend can see just from looking at the back of your head, Tara can’t image herself anywhere but with you

#jenna ortega x reader #tara carpenter x reader #jenna ortega #scream #tara carpenter #scream 6 #tara carpenter scream #chad meeks martin #mindy meeks martin #sam carpenter #anika kayoko

2K notes · View notes

o3o-lapd-o3o · 3 months ago

Text

DINNER IS (finally) SERVED

3000ish words later and part 8 is here! hope you guys enjoy!

(p.s my headcanons explainations are in the tags if you're curious)

(p.p.s credit also goes to @rin-solo for the first headcanon )

the post/thread that started this whole au

there's a masterlist now!

*odysseus is making his way to the dining hall, while athena and poseidon are following behind*

poseidon: *looking around at the decorations/tapestry dotted around*

poseidon: *see’s a tapestry of what looks to be a very much younger odysseus in full king & armour attire*

poseidon: *stops walking, and turns to look at the actual odysseus in front of him, then back at the tapestry*

poseidon: *to odysseus with a sardonic tone* do your weavers like making you look like a boy, or was that a decision you made to make yourself look younger?

odysseus: *pauses his walking to see what poseidon is talking about*

athena: *also pauses and turns to poseidon*

odysseus: *sees the tapestry in question*

odysseus: *sighs* of course you point that one out

athena: *who knew odysseus before he was king*

athena: *glaring at poseidon* uncle, you shouldn’t make assumptions, especially when you don’t know the facts

odysseus: *pats athena on the shoulder as he passes her*

odysseus: it’s fine athena

odysseus: *next to poseidon and looking up at the tapestry* if you must know, that is actually the age i was.

poseidon: *not believing him* yeah right, you couldn’t be older than fifteen in this

odysseus: *turns to him with a sharp look* you’re correct, i was fifteen

poseidon: *slightly wary of odysseus’ mood* so… you became king at fifteen? isn’t that a little bit young for a mortal to rule a kingdom?

odysseus: *turns back to the tapestry* i was already the king, i was actually crowned when i was thirteen

poseidon: *shocked and confused* why would a child be given a kingdom to run?

odysseus: *looks down with a sad smile, at the memory of his father telling him about him losing his mind, and how sorry he was to place such a huge responsibility on his young son’s shoulders*

odysseus: well, i had no choice, but i would do it again if i had to…

odysseus: *turns to athena* besides, i had athena to help guide me

athena: *smiles with a nod at odysseus*

odysseus: *starts walking in the direction of the dining hall again* anyway…enough of that, can we please just make our way to the dining hall now

*they all continue making their way down the hall*

poseidon: *notices a stain on the floor tiles not far in front of them*

poseidon: *points* i think your servants missed a spot

athena & odysseus: *both look to where he’s pointing*

athena: *chuckles to herself in knowing*

odysseus: *smirks*

poseidon: *sees both their expressions, and is confused*

odysseus: oh that..oh don’t worry it’s clean

odysseus: *shrugs* it’s just so hard to get bloodstains out of white titles

poseidon: *wide eyed* blood?

odysseus: yeah.. not long after i finished with you, i arrived back on my island to find my palace overrun with 108…mutts… all vying for my wife’s hand.

odysseus: *waving his hand like it was a simple issue* so i made sure to deal with them all myself… unfortunately one of them left a stain.

odysseus: -oh look we’ve made it

odysseus: hope we haven’t kept them too long

poseidon: *shocked at all the new odysseus lore he’s unlocked*

athena: *laughing at poseidon’s expression*

odysseus: *opening the door* come on let’s head in

poseidon: *shakes away the shock*

odysseus: *to poseidon* i guess it’s time to introduce you to my wife

*they all walk through the doorway into the dining hall*

*there penelope and telemachus both stand not too far from the dining table; which has quite the feast laid out, and from the steam coming off of it, it had not long be put there*

odysseus: *heads over to his son & wife*

odysseus: *looks at poseidon* poseidon, you’ve met my son telemachus before.

telemachus: *can barely keep in his excitement*

telemachus: hi- i mean good evening lord poseidon, i’m so happ- grateful you accepted my father's invitation for dinner.

telemachus: *puts his arm on his chest, and leans forward in a bow of respect* i hope you enjoy the evening.

odysseus: *narrows his eyes at poseidon, silently threatening him to not be rude to his son*

telemachus: *looks back up at poseidon, smile on his face*

poseidon: *quickly nods his head in greeting to telemachus* good evening prince, your father tells me that this was all your idea

telemachus: *raises a hand to nervously scratch under his chin* um… yes i guess it was

poseidon: well then, thank you for the idea to invite me.

telemachus: *hand leaves his chin and a big smile breaks out* well of course! you are my father’s friend after all!

poseidon: *eye twitches before he quickly composes himself*

poseidon: yes… friend.

odysseus: *coughs* yes and now that you’ve both reacquainted yourselves again… telemachus why don’t you go speak with athena for a moment

telemachus: sure!

*telemachus makes his way to athena, and they start talking amongst themselves*

odysseus: *puts his arm around penelope’s waist* now, please let me introduce you to my wife; the queen of ithaca, penelope.

penelope: *doesn’t bow like telemachus, but nods in greeting* welcome to our palace lord poseidon

poseidon: *nods back* thank you for having me queen penelope

penelope: *smiles but her eyes have a certain glint to them*

penelope: my husband has told me all about your part in his journey home to us

poseidon: *totally not panicking a little* uh-

penelope: *glint leaves her eyes, but her smile remains*

penelope: -and also how you have helped out on his and my son’s fishing trips lately.

penelope: of course, i would also like thank you for taking the time to attend tonight

poseidon: sure… no problem?

odysseus: great, everyone has met everyone!

odysseus: *to everyone* now, shall we sit down and eat the lovely feast the cooks have made us, before it gets cold?

odysseus: *moves to pull out one of the chairs at the head of the table for penelope as he normally does, when he notices that, there is only one chair instead of two*

odysseus: *looks up at the table and sees a piece of parchment with ‘mother’ written on it*

odysseus: huh?

telemachus: *makes his way over to his father* oh! there’s a different than usual seating plan for tonight! i’ve put everyone's names where they should sit.

odysseus: *smiles at telemachus* oh ok, sure!

odysseus: well, i guess i should look for mine then, hey?

telemachus: yes, and please everyone else too!

*everyone makes their way to the table to see where they’re sitting (even though three of them already know)*

odysseus: *sees the parchment with ‘father’ on it*

odysseus: *expecting to have either athena or telemachus next to him*

odysseus: *watches as athena stands in front of the seat opposite him*

odysseus: *thinks it’s weird to put athena & poseidon together, but thinks telemachus has done is as they are uncle & niece*

odysseus: *then sees telemachus stood in front of the seat next to athena*

odysseus: wait-

poseidon: *sees his name and heads towards it, only to look up and see odysseus standing in front of the seat next to him*

poseidon: wait-

poseidon & odysseus: *both look at each other in horror that they're stuck next to each other all evening*

telemachus: *not noticing the looks of doom on their faces* isn’t this great? it’s a family dinner, so what better than friends sitting together?

telemachus: *turning to penelope* sorry you’re by yourself at the head of the table though mother

penelope: *smiles and waves her hand* i don’t mind

penelope: anyway, let's sit and eat!

*everyone but odysseus and poseidon sit down. both who have a death grip on the back of their seats*

penelope: *clears her throat* odysseus, lord poseidon… would you both please sit down.

odysseus: *snaps out of his staring at poseidon*

odysseus: uh sure…

odysseus: *sits down and look back to poseidon, nodding his head at poseidon’s seat in the motion for him to also sit down*

poseidon: *still doesn’t sit*

odysseus: *a millisecond of a flash of red eyes*

poseidon: *sits*

odysseus: *internally to himself* oh this is gonna be a long evening

odysseus: *to everyone* ok, everyone dig in!

odysseus: *to poseidon* can you get what you want for yourself, mighty sea god? or do you need a mortal’s help?

poseidon: *grabbing a lamb chop off a platter and tearing into it savagely in defiance*

odysseus: *rolls his eyes at poseidon, but goes to place a filet of fish on his plate*

*everyone has been eating and talking*

poseidon: *looks at penelope (who is talking to telemachus & athena) and then looks at odysseus*

poseidon: *thinking and then looks back to penelope*

odysseus: *to poseidon* is there a reason you keep looking at my wife?

poseidon: *jumps at little at being caught looking*

poseidon: *turns to odysseus* oh do not worry yourself, i have no interest in your wife

odysseus: *unimpressed* why do you keep looking at her then?

poseidon: im..curious

odysseus: *narrowing his eyes* about?

poseidon: normally you mortal men choose women younger than them for their wives… yet clearly your wife is; from my estimates… about a decade older than you

poseidon: *now with his hand under his chin, leaning on the table*

poseidon: do you perhaps…prefer older women odysseus?

odysseus: *hands tighten in grip around his cutlery*

poseidon: *notices odysseus hasn’t responded yet*

poseidon: i’m right aren’t -

odysseus: no.

odysseus: *his eyes may not be red, but are clearly full of anger*

poseidon: *eyes widen in worry* whoa whoa! no need to get angry, it’s just a simple observation…. anyone if they pay attention can see the age difference

poseidon: *moves his hand to flick his hair back over his shoulder* it’s not a bad thing

odysseus: *takes a breath in to calm down and then slowly releases it*

odysseus: we are- were the same age… physically at least

poseidon: *confused* i don’t follow

odysseus: *looks at poseidon* during the 10 years it took for me to get home… i found myself stuck on a goddess’ island for 7 of them…

poseidon: ok…

odysseus: *closes his eyes* caly- the goddess had full control over everything on the island… her magic influenced everything… including a mortal's ability to age.

poseidon: so you didn’t-

odysseus: -age? yeah

odysseus: *sighs and opens his eyes* when i realised i wasn’t… i- i-

odysseus: lets just say i didn’t handle it well

poseidon: *blinks at this new information* oh

odysseus: yep ‘oh’ indeed…

odysseus: *looks back at poseidon*

odysseus: didn’t you think it was odd that i looked exactly the same when we met again, almost 10 years after our first meeting?

poseidon: in my defence… i was angry and trying to kill you, i wasn’t really paying attention to how you looked

odysseus: *rolls his eyes* i guess that's true

telemachus: uh lord poseidon? may i ask you a question?

poseidon: *happy to not continue his conversation with odysseus*

poseidon: *to telemachus* ask away prince of ithaca

telemachus: is it true that you gave achilles his horses balius & xanthus?

poseidon: *amazed at telemachus’ knowledge*

poseidon: not directly… but yes i am the reason he came to acquire them. you see i gave them to his father peleus, as a wedding gift for his wife thetis…

*poseidon continues to tell the tale, and odysseus speaks with athena and penelope while more time passes*

*the meal is continuing smoothly as can be*

poseidon: *notices that odysseus has only been eating the fish. not touching a single bit of pork, beef or lamb that's also on the table*

poseidon: *who has continuously eaten all meats available*

poseidon: *to odysseus* is there something i should know about the meat?

odysseus: huh?

poseidon: *points at the selection of meat in question* what's wrong with the meat? you’ve only touched the fish.

poseidon: if i hadn’t seen the others eat it, i’d worry you’d asked your cooks to poison it or something.

odysseus: *raised eyebrow* poison won’t hurt you though?

odysseus: *pointing a fork at him* also, why do you care about my eating habits?

poseidon: *frowning at the fork* i don’t, i’m just-

odysseus: curious? poseidon, i thought you were the god of the sea, not curiosity…

poseidon: *huffs* forget it-

odysseus: i can’t

poseidon: *now his eyebrow is raised* you…can’t?

odysseus: *now using the fork to push the food on his plate around* i can’t stomach eating lamb, pork or beef anymore

poseidon: *forever confused by odysseus* uh why?

odysseus: *gives poseidon a ‘do i really have to explain everything?’ look*

poseidon: *just stares*

odysseus: *once again sighing because of poseidon* well i thought you’d understand lamb… after the whole sheep incident with… your son.

odysseus: then after i escaped you with the wind bag-

poseidon: *rolls his eyes at the memory*

odysseus: we wound up on the sorceress circe’s island… where she turned my men to pigs.

odysseus: i managed to convince her to turn them back, but it now feels weird to eat pork

odysseus: as for beef, short story is my men ignored my warnings and killed the sacred cattle of the sun god… so yeah beef is a no go for me also.

poseidon: *wondering how one mortal managed to interact with so many gods on a journey to get home*

poseidon: *laughs at odysseus* and you’re letting that affect your eating habits? i expected you to be stronger than that odysseus

odysseus: *narrows his eyes at poseidon* oh just like how you let my handling of your trident, affect you into doing as i say?

poseidon: *now glaring back*

poseidon: *turns away from odysseus* whatever, more meat for me

*dinner continues, with telemachus asking poseidon more questions. poseidon loving the interest in him and telelmachus’ knowledge, answers the all the questions with surprising enthusiasm*

*eventually what was once a giant feast of food has nearly been cleared from the table, thanks to having two gods eating most of it*

telemachus: have you enjoyed yourself so far lord poseidon?

telemachus: *smiling* it’s been really fascinating and fun to learn so much more about you

poseidon: *almost letting a small smile appear on his face in return*

poseidon: *instead just nods* yes, it certainly has been an interesting & knowledgeable evening

telemachus: what about the seating, was it a good idea to put you with my father?

poseidon: *wants to answer no, but feels a kick from under the table. clearly from odysseus*

poseidon: yes, you came up with an ok-

odysseus: *gives another kick*

poseidon: -great idea

telemachus: *laughs in happiness*

telemachus: oh but i can’t take all the credit

odysseus: *raises an eyebrow in curiosity*

athena: *who is sipping wine next to him*

athena: *slightly chokes* wai-

odysseus: *suspicious* son, you must make sure to tell us who else to thank for this

telemachus: *not understanding the bombshell he’s about to drop* oh athena actually came up with the idea!

athena: *suddenly nervous with the two very intense stares directed at her*

athena: w-well it was just a suggestion really…

telemachus: no ‘thena! remember you said as it’s a family dinner, friends should sit with friends!

odysseus: *to athena with the fakest smile* oh athena, how considerate!

penelope: *who has been quiet this whole exchange*

telemachus: *as if he hasn’t already unknowingly thrown one person to the wolves* but i of course had to run it by mother first, as she was helping me with all the planning!

penelope: *eyes have totally not widened*

telemachus: she said it was a great idea!

odysseus: *now to penelope* oh my dear wife, a great idea eh?

poseidon: *just chugs back his cup of wine at the revelations*

*after a awkward moment (at least for 4 of them) they continue on finishing the meal*

*eventually the food is finished and the dinner has come to an end, everyone has moved away from the dinner table and are now sitting on cushion chairs or standing around them talking amongst themselves*

poseidon: *looking out the window seeing just how dark the night sky now is*

poseidon: well this has been a lovely evening, but it is getting late and i have been away from the sea for as long as i can.

poseidon: *turning to penelope and nodding his head in actual respect* queen penelope, thank you for your hosting

poseidon: *without nodding at them* athena, odysseus… good night.

*before poseidon can turn to bid telemachus good night, the prince runs out the room*

telemachus: *yelling before he leaves the room* please lord poseidon, wait a moment! i forgot something!

poseidon: *turns to look at odysseus in confusion*

odysseus: *just shrugs also confused*

poseidon: *turns back to the door, telemachus long gone* uh sure.

*not long later telemachus runs back into the room dishevelled but holding something in his hand*

telemachus: *walks up to poseidon*

telemachus: *bows and holds out something covered in a silk cloth to him*

poseidon: uh-

telemachus: it’s a gift! i’m not expecting anything in return, and i’m sure you have better things… but i saw it and thought you’d like it

poseidon: *blinks, but takes the gift from telemachus’ hands*

poseidon: *carefully unties the silk cloth*

poseidon: *breathes in sharply*

telemachus: *not sure if that's a good or bad reaction* uh if you don’t like it that's fin-

poseidon: *holds his hand to stop telemachus*

poseidon: prince of ithac-

telemachus: telemachus- sorry for interrupting. please my lord, call me telemachus

poseidon: …telemachus. thank you, this is a very thoughtful gift.

poseidon: i will cherish it.

penelope & odysseus: *curious over what's got the god of the seas ‘cherishing’ something*

athena: *small smile as she knows*

*penelope & odysseus move closer to poseidon who is still staring down at his gift. once close enough they can see in his hand is a a handcrafted glass/crystal hippocampus*

*poseidon ended up wrapping it back in the silk cloth, and placing it in his chiton. He then thanked telemachus again and bid him good night & farewell. odysseus offered to walk back to the cove with him, but poseidon waved him off and told him to stay with his family*

#poseidon: *returned home back to his palace*#poseidon: *once again looking at the gift this time with a small smile on his face*#amphitrite: *looking at poseidon* whatcha got there?#poseidon: *stuffs telemachus’ gift into his chiton* uh… uh…MOLY?!#amphitrite: *raised eyebrow* the king of ithaca… odysseus gave you…moly?#poseidon: this isn't from odysse- *cough* i mean; no… he didn't #poseidon: it's from his son.#amphitrite: *now both eyebrows raised in disbelief* the prince gave you moly?#poseidon: *panicking as he's the god of the seas not of lies*#poseidon: well they're descended from hermes… he practically hands out this stuff as you know…#amphitrite: uh huh... what ever you say husband #okay headcanon 1 - calypso said 'under my spell we're stuck in paradise' & to me this made me think well if she controls everything #then surely a goddess' magic can have other consequences like stopping a mortal aging. or extremely slowly aging.#once poor odysseus realises he wasn't getting older but his son and wife would be...he broke fearing he'd outlive them #calypso obvs doesn't also want the love of her life getting old/dying on her too #also credit to @rin-solo for this head canon too!#headcanon 2 - it actually happened while i was eating a burger. i thought man i'd struggle to eat any meat after all what ody went through #and so thats how that came to be! i believe he will eat goat/rabbit/chicken etc. but fish is easier with y'know ithaca being a island #so telemachus' gift has been revealed! i thought a hippocampus would be better that just a sea creature or horse. why not both?#also there will be a part 9...ody's revenge/punishment for athena and penelope's seating plan #but i need a small break after this monstrosity #odysseus epic #poseidon epic #telemachus epic #penelope epic the musical #epic the musical #epic: the musical #friends in higher places au?#nonsense thoughts

162 notes · View notes

hivemuthur · 1 month ago

Text

The Game of Teaching Body - Ch. 6.

viktorxfemale!reader mature! (for now, I will mark later chapters as explicit when the time comes)

AU university, AU modern era, slow burn, frenemies to lovers, teasing, pinning, banter, eventual romance and therefore smut, Viktor is simultaneously a menace and needs a hug, TA Viktor

Ch.1. | Ch.2. | Ch.3. | Ch.4. | Ch.5. | Ch.7. | Ch.8. | Ch.9. | Ch.10. | Ch.11. | Ch.12.

word count: 5K

tag: #the game of teaching body

summary: ok, so my notes on AO3 reminded me how actually this fic crawled into my brain and it was with Drugs in Our Body. So, what should happen after this chapter is whatever happens in DiOB - it serves as somewhat floating chapter. The story can be read without it, but there might be some gaps in the next and future chapters, as I reference it briefly. So, it's ch.6. -> DiOB -> ch.7. I hope that makes sense, I don't know who I think I am, doing this kind of stuff.

Cross-posted on AO3 + POV3rd Person Version

—

“A C?” you gasped as you opened your paper, the glaring red C screaming at your incompetence. How could this happen? You’d worked on it for an entire week. You turned the paper around, desperate for any explanation, but all you found was Heimerdinger’s poetic scrawl: ‘Not entirely botched but needs more work. Seek and you shall find, Y/N. You can give me a fix-up if you want a higher grade.’

“Don’t worry, I got a D,” Sue sighed, her arms falling to her sides, the paper crumpled in one hand. She hadn’t put in nearly as much effort, spending most of the week hanging out with Alice and doing what she smugly referred to as “girl stuff.”

“Yes, but I put in about a month’s worth of research for this,” you muttered, the frustration spilling out before you could stop it. You caught Sue’s glare and quickly backtracked. “I’m not saying you didn’t! I just… I don’t understand.”

“Well, he says you can fix it. He didn’t say that on mine, look,” Sue said, holding up the crumpled paper. The note read: ‘Not bad. Could be better. Pay more attention to details next time. H.’

“You could ask Viktor for help?” Sue offered faintly; her eyebrows raised. You inhaled sharply, preparing to unleash a tirade of insults about why that was the absolute last thing you would ever do. But before you could, Sue hastily amended, “Or Jayce! He has office hours in the afternoon, or so I’ve heard.”

“I… guess you’re right,” you said, letting out the breath you’d been holding. Seeing Viktor in class was already more than enough to deal with. He acted as if nothing had happened, which only made you more furious. That anger had sharpened even further when Angus had texted to ask you out for coffee, leaving your stomach tied in knots as you agreed.

You met him at a cosy pub near campus, the same one you used to frequent with Hale, Sue, Jayce, Mel, and, well… Viktor—though only because he was coerced, not because you wanted him there. Angus asked you question after question, and you found it surprisingly easy to talk to him. You told him funny stories about your parents being new age freaks, about how much you loved your mum’s Polish cooking, and how your dad had kept you in a strict yoga routine since you were six, grooming you to take over his practice.

You admitted how you’d chosen genetics instead, a quiet rebellion against your mum’s recall healing teachings—only to discover there was some truth to them, realising that everything in the universe was connected.

Angus was fascinated. He told you about his three brothers, who’d gone into law and programming, and how he was the family’s scapegoat. He spoke warmly about his close bond with his mum and his dream of running a facility to help kids overcome trauma through theatre and dance.

You praised him for it, but when he misread your words as an invitation and leaned in to kiss you, you froze. He stopped, eyebrows raised, waiting for you to explain. All you could manage was a clumsy explanation that you’d had a wonderful time, but it made you realise you needed to sort out your own issues first.

He laughed, a soft, knowing sound. “I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be straightforward,” he said lightly.

He seemed like the kind of guy who could easily find someone else, but the thought still left your heart aching. And somehow, it was all Viktor’s fault.

The way he never asked about any of those things. The way he only asked where you were from to wind you up.

You braced yourself through the day, slogging through classes and lectures with the weight of that damned paper gnawing at you. By the time the sky turned dark, you found yourself reluctantly heading back to the science lab, resolved to ask Jayce for help. It felt strange to ask him instead of Viktor—like you were dodging some inescapable fate.

Jayce had always been approachable, quick to befriend the “fresh meat.” If there were any rules about student-TA relationships, he seemed to ignore them with a confidence that made you smile. Viktor, on the other hand… well, he was a different beast entirely.

Stuffing a banana into your mouth as you walked, you caught a glimpse of your reflection in one of the school’s tall windows. Not great, but not tragic either. The real issue was the way your face—mid-chewing—gave away just how much crying you’d been doing. It was painfully obvious, even to you.

You barged into the TA’s office without a second thought. “Hey, Jayce, do you have some time to take a look at this?” you asked, your focus entirely on digging through your bag, where the cursed paper had been unceremoniously shoved earlier.

But when you looked up, you froze.

The person at the desk wasn’t Jayce. It was Viktor.

He glanced up at you, eyebrows raised in surprise at your abrupt entrance. And there it was—already forming—the smirk you hated so much. Before he could unleash one of his insufferable remarks, you scrambled to backtrack.

“Shit, sorry. I thought it was Jayce’s hours. I’ll come back some other time,” you blurted, already halfway out the door.

“Please, don’t be ridiculous,” he said, standing up too quickly, his hand wobbling on his cane. You saw it but decided not to step in to help. “I can take a look.”

His voice carried a careful edge, and you hesitated. You didn’t trust him—not after the last time. He had crossed a line, and you’d felt the sting of it for days. He knew it too. He saw it in the way your body tensed every time he leaned over your workbench in class to offer advice, advice you now refused to take. He saw it now, in the faint swelling of your face, the traces of tears you hadn’t managed to hide.

He knew it had been wrong the moment you stormed out of his office that day, leaving him slumped in his chair with a quiet “Shit,” slipping from his mouth.

Now, as you lingered in the doorway, Viktor saw a chance to make amends. He wasn’t going to let it slip through his fingers.

You eyed him suspiciously before finally handing over the paper, reluctant and still keeping your distance. Viktor perched himself on the edge of the desk, flipping through your work, his sharp eyes scanning for Heimerdinger’s signature wisdom.

“Ah, right. He can’t be bothered to write more than this,” Viktor huffed, reading the vague ‘Seek and you shall find.’

“Thankfully, I made notes for you on this one,” he said, glancing up to meet your eyes. There was a genuine effort in his grin that made you uneasy.

“Wasn’t it supposed to be Jayce’s hours?” you asked, crossing your arms as you watched him pull a set of notes from his bag. Why would he make notes for you in advance? It didn’t add up. Was this some elaborate act to stage a redemption arc for himself?

“Why? Has your focus shifted already?” Viktor’s retort slipped out before he could stop it. The playful edge in his voice made your spine straighten, ready to snap back with a sharp response. But before you could, he quickly softened his tone.

“He’s sick,” Viktor said, his gaze steady, almost remorseful. “I’m covering for him.”

You didn’t know whether to believe him, but the vulnerability in his tone threw you off balance. For once, it seemed like Viktor wasn’t trying to wind you up—or at least, not entirely.

You didn’t say anything at first, but you leaned in closer, your gaze falling to the notes Viktor had spread out on the desk. That familiar scent of his—body wash, something clean and sharp, mingled with freshly washed wool—drifted to you. It was oddly comforting, though you couldn’t quite figure out why it felt so… intimate.

He tapped a finger on the first section of your paper, pointing to where you had rushed to conclusions, skipping the part where you should have explained how you’d arrived at your findings. “You’ve got solid results,” he said, his voice low and patient, “but Heimerdinger’s mark was his way of telling you that your argument is missing a crucial part. You skipped over how you proved your hypothesis—how you got to the results you did.”

You nodded, following his finger as he guided you through the mistakes you hadn’t even noticed before. His advice was precise, practical, and, oddly enough, warm. It wasn’t just about correcting your errors—it was the care he was taking with you. He wasn’t simply telling you what was wrong; he was showing you how to fix it, step by step, as though it actually mattered to him.

“This part here,” Viktor continued, tapping another section, “it’s the hardest part for most students. The construction of the paper—the logic of it. That’s what gets people. You didn’t make any mistakes in your research or results. It’s just the way you laid everything out. This is the part most academics struggle with. It just takes practice.”

You swallowed, warmth rushing through your chest. You couldn’t tell if it was the unexpected kindness or the fact that he was taking the time to explain everything so thoroughly, but something inside you shifted. Your shoulders relaxed, and the tension you’d been carrying eased, just a little.

For a moment, you let your guard down. You allowed yourself to actually listen, to trust in what he was saying. But as his steady, warm tone settled over you, a flicker of confusion took hold. Was this real? Was he being this careful with you because he cared? Or were you just imagining it, reading too much into the moment?

Your mind raced, a swirl of emotions and doubts tumbling over one another. It had only been a few days since that… moment. You weren’t sure if you were holding on to the idea of it or if Viktor’s actions now were a sign that something had shifted between you.

You glanced at him. His focus was entirely on your paper, his expression neutral. But something in his eyes made your heart beat just a little faster. Was he really this warm, or was it just the warmth of the moment? You couldn’t tell.

“How is your hand?” he asked suddenly, pulling you out of your thoughts. His gaze drifted to the small bandage covering the alkaline burn from the other day. The question seemed to slip out unbidden, and you weren’t sure if you appreciated the reminder.

You blinked, thrown back to that moment by the sink: his voice sharp and cutting, his dark eyes boring into you, his fingers pressing gently against your wrist as his mouth asked, “Why are you not wearing gloves?”

Your pulse quickened as you quickly tugged your sleeve over the bandage, concealing the mark. “It’s fine,” you said, taking a step back.

He spoke your name softly, his hand darting out to stop you. This time, his movement wasn’t hesitant, wasn’t unsure, as it had been before. His fingers closed around your wrist—not roughly, but firmly enough that you couldn’t slip away.

He turned your hand palm-up and carefully began peeling the bandage away. The gentleness of the motion disarmed you, and you stood frozen, watching as his sharp eyes inspected the wound beneath.

You winced at the gesture, and Viktor presumed it was painful, though your face twisted more because here he was, exposing you once again. “Don’t be such a baby,” he chuckled.

“I could say the same to you,” you muttered under your breath. Viktor only shot you a glance, laced with a knowing smile.

“It’s looking good. Let it air out once in a while,” he said. This would be the moment to release your hand, but he couldn’t help himself; he held it for a little while longer. He was about to mention how you could always count on him for help with essays and long-term homework, just to cement the quiet truce between you. But you beat him to it.

“You don’t know the first thing about me.” It blurted out before you could stop it. It just shot out of your mouth like an overworked spring.

Viktor was taken aback. His mouth hung open for a moment as he processed your words. What exactly did you mean by that? It was a challenge you threw without thinking. But he could take it. The silence between you stretched, and when you started to retreat your hand, about to mutter an apology, he spoke, hesitantly.

“I… I know you’re half-Polish,” he said, offering a sheepish smile, as if apologizing for how he’d gathered this information. You shot him a glare, but Viktor wasn’t deterred.

“I also know you’re into genetics.” Your sigh was almost audible. These were the things most people knew about you by now. But he wasn’t finished.

“I know that you know Hamilton by heart.” You raised an eyebrow, but he pressed on.

“I know you don’t abandon your friends when they need you. I know you’re ambitious, smart, and funny. I know you laugh at silly, dry chemistry jokes. I know you chew on your pencil when you’re focused.” Your breath hitched slightly, but you stayed silent.

“I know…” he hesitated, his voice softening, “how warm your hands are when you get… excited.” He knew so much more about you but was too afraid to say it. He knew the feeling of your fingers on his scalp as you pulled him closer into a kiss. He knew the taste of your tongue and the sound of little gasps you made when he touched you. He memorized it all and replayed it over and over again in his mind.

You swallowed hard, feeling a strange mix of warmth and nerves twirling inside you. You didn’t speak, just looked at him, and Viktor, not certain about the effect of his confession, refused to meet your gaze. His touch on your hand was tender now, softer than before.

He cleared his throat, finally asking, “So… what do you know about me?” You blinked, thrown off by the question. You answered quickly, not thinking too much about it.

“I know you’re Czech… and that you’re a sad fart.”

Viktor couldn’t help but laugh at that, the sound light and unexpected in the air between you. You felt the tension lift, just a little, as you shared this strange, awkward moment. He released your hand and leaned back against the desk, looking at you with a raised eyebrow, his voice carrying a mix of humour and something more sincere.

“Well, it seems that we need to work on that. I’m so much more than a sad fart. I’m also a stiff, meticulous bastard, I’ll remind you.” He pointed a joking finger in your direction as you rolled your eyes.

“What do you have in mind, then?” you asked, your tone still guarded but tinged with curiosity.

“A… ceasefire?” Viktor suggested, his smile lingering, though his gaze softened slightly. “At least for now.”

Your lips twitched into a half-smile. “As long as you promise not to shoot me in the back.”

Viktor chuckled softly under his breath. “I might have a history of unsportsmanlike conduct, but perhaps we could… start over? Unless, of course, Angus…”

You raised an eyebrow at that, feeling a grin tug at the corners of your mouth. “Oh, you wish I told you,” you teased, your tone a playful challenge rather than an outright denial. “But yes, a ceasefire and a do-over I can accept. No dirty moves, Viktor.”

He leaned in ever so slightly, his voice still playful but with an edge of something deeper. “I solemnly swear.” He held up a hand in mock sincerity before smirking. “No dirty moves… this time.”

His gaze lingered on you, the teasing glint still present, but there was an undercurrent of something else in his tone. He wasn’t making it clear—what exactly were the two of you trying again? Was it just the tentative friendship, the awkward truce formed after your bickering? Or was it something more?

You couldn’t shake the feeling that he might be pushing for something beyond the ceasefire, though he wasn’t saying it outright. Perhaps it was just your imagination, overthinking again, but the uncertainty made you uneasy. You wanted to keep your distance, to hold the upper hand, but something in Viktor’s manner made you hesitate.

Your fingers brushed the edge of your notebook, a telltale sign of your nerves as you glanced up at him. “You’re really not going to elaborate, are you?” you asked, giving him a look that was equal parts challenge and curiosity.

Viktor shrugged, his expression a mix of amusement and caution. “What’s to elaborate? We’re starting over. That’s enough for now, isn’t it?”

You bit your lip, refusing to let him see how much his words made your pulse quicken. Instead, you smirked, masking the flutter of emotions beneath a calm exterior. “As long as you don’t get any funny ideas.”

His gaze softened slightly, though the teasing glint in his eyes remained. “No funny ideas. For now, anyway.” He straightened, placing his hands back on the desk, but the space between you still felt charged and unfinished.

***

To seal the deal, both you and Viktor made an equal effort to keep things neutral—meeting among friends, in public spaces, testing the waters of this truce. One such occasion found you at the pub with the usual group of six, an outing entirely orchestrated by Viktor.

He and Jayce weren’t exactly studying; instead, they were buried in notes, trying to distil their findings into a polished research summary for Heimerdinger. Across the table, Mel and Hale were prepping for their theatre history exam, their discussions frequently devolving into competitive banter as they lobbed historical facts at each other in an effort to outdo one another.

Sue, ever diligent, was rewriting her entire textbook into her notebook as if the act itself would cement the knowledge in her brain. Meanwhile, you were seated cross-legged on the floor, quietly working on your genetics paper, tuning out the chatter as best you could.

The group was a collage of concentration and lively exchanges when you simultaneously let out a yawn and your stomach grumbled loudly, the sound cutting through the general din of the pub.

Viktor’s eyebrows shot up, and he glanced at you over the rim of his notes, his tone wry as he spoke. “Feels like there is more than one need to address here.”

You shifted uncomfortably, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. You quickly moved a hand over your belly as if to stifle the sound. “Uh, I don’t suppose they have sandwiches here?”

“They do!” Jayce chimed in enthusiastically, leaning forward with sudden interest. Food always seemed to pull his attention from whatever he was working on. “And not the worst ones, either.”

Viktor exhaled with a knowing sigh; his expression lightly amused. “Eh, they are… not bad,” he conceded. His tone softened, and he leaned slightly forward, tilting his head in your direction. “What say you?”

You hesitated for only a second before Viktor began rising from his seat. He moved with a kind of deliberate precision, setting his notes neatly onto the side table. You noticed how his gaze briefly flicked to Jayce’s writing, his lips twitching in approval before returning his focus to you.

“Uh, sure,” you said, already scrambling up from the floor. Your papers lay abandoned dangerously close to the pub’s cozy fireplace, but you didn’t notice. Instead, as you rose, you wobbled awkwardly, your leg prickling with the unmistakable sensation of pins and needles. You grabbed onto Hale’s shoulder for balance. “Sorry, my leg fell asleep.”

Viktor smirked, his hand resting lightly on the head of his cane as he stood. “Are you trying to copy me?”

You grinned despite yourself. “Totally. Can I borrow that?” You reached out toward his cane, your eyes glinting with playful defiance.

Viktor raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening as he straightened his posture slightly. “You can try,” he said, holding the cane a fraction tighter as if to make a point. “But I warn you, it comes with certain… responsibilities.”

“Oh, I bet it does,” you quipped, brushing past him toward the bar. “I can see myself torturing students with such a vigilant symbol of authority,” you added, throwing him a smirk over your shoulder.

Viktor followed, limping slightly but keeping pace with you, his expression caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation as he shook his head.

Behind you, Jayce called out, “Grab me something too!” but neither you nor Viktor paid him any mind.

Hale sighed deeply, finally turning his head away from Mel, who had been poised to deliver another historical fact to outdo him. Instead, his gaze followed you and Viktor as you approached the bar.

“That,” Hale said, his voice low and contemplative, his eyes fixed on you and Viktor as you waited for your coffees at the counter, “will either be beautiful or tragic. Or both.”

“I’m sorry, what are we looking at?” Sue asked, peering over her notebook.

“Our dear friends poking at each other’s hearts,” Hale replied with theatrical solemnity, folding his arms dramatically.

Jayce let out a loud laugh, shaking his head. “Get out, Hale. Viktor would never.”

“Oh, he already did. Just… look at them,” Hale insisted, gesturing subtly in your direction.

Mel perked up, abandoning her train of thought on Renaissance theatre entirely. “Alright, that’s way more interesting than theatre history. Show me what you’re seeing.”

“Alright, kids,” Hale said, sitting up straighter and adopting the tone of a sage sharing forbidden wisdom. “I will share my magic with you, just this once. Look at Viktor. He’s already deep in. See how he’s leaning toward her? I bet he’s saying everything as quiet as possible, so she has to get closer.”

Four heads turned toward the bar, studying the scene unfolding by the counter. Sure enough, your head lingered close to Viktor’s mouth, your neck stretching slightly as though he were, indeed, telling you a quiet joke meant only for you to hear.

“Or,” Jayce countered, raising an eyebrow, “it’s loud in here, and he’s favouring the good leg.”

“Quiet, unbeliever,” Hale dismissed him with a dramatic wave of his hand. “Now, pay attention. Look at his hand. It’s hovering over her, see? He touches her every so often—nothing dramatic, just enough to remind her he’s there.”

The group watched as Viktor’s hand brushed your arm, subtle but deliberate, before retreating again.

“And now,” Hale continued, lowering his voice for effect, “he’s going to make her look. Watch how he gestures toward the bar—something he said, no doubt very clever—and there it is. She’s looking at his hand.” Your gaze flicked down to Viktor’s hand as he emphasized his point, your expression a mix of amusement and concentration.

“Now, notice her,” Hale said, leaning forward conspiratorially. “She’s holding back, but she’s doing that thing she does when she likes someone. See how she doesn’t look directly at him when he talks? Instead, she leans toward him, like she’s pulled by a magnet.”

Right on cue, you tilted your head slightly toward Viktor, though your eyes remained fixed elsewhere.

“And now,” Hale declared with a triumphant grin, “he’ll look away, and she’ll steal a glance. Ah! There it is.” He pointed as your gaze darted to Viktor’s face the moment his attention shifted elsewhere.

“And what is she looking at, you ask?” Hale continued, his tone dripping with faux gravity. “She’s checking if he’s comfortable with her. Or, in Viktor’s case, if he’s in pain. Watch her eyes.”

Sure enough, your gaze swept over Viktor’s posture, subtly assessing the way his body shifted against the cane.

“And now, for the dramatic finale,” Hale announced, holding up a hand as if to quiet an invisible audience. “He will pass her the first cup of coffee, and she will take it from his hand. That way, they’ll touch—skin on skin. And…”

The group collectively held their breath, eyes fixed on the bar. Viktor handed you a cup, your fingers brushing briefly.

“She’ll look at him and make a joke,” Hale continued confidently, “and—yes, there it is.”

You said something with a wry smile, your eyes glinting, and Viktor’s laugh followed—a soft, genuine sound that made his shoulders relax.

“And now,” Hale finished with a flourish, “he’s shoving four sugar packets into his coffee while she’s not looking. I guess that’s just Viktor being gross.”

Sue stifled a laugh, Mel smirked, and Jayce shook his head in disbelief.

“And this,” Hale said, leaning back triumphantly, “ladies, gentlemen, and beautiful creatures, is the cautious love that we are lucky enough to witness blooming before our very eyes.”

“With your voiceover, it feels like spying on someone having sex, Hale,” Mel quipped, arching an eyebrow.

“Exciting, isn’t it?” Hale replied, completely unfazed, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. Reading people was his superpower, and he had seen through Viktor the first day they all met in the very pub that was now their place of refuge. You, he knew by heart.

“Man, you are frightening,” Jayce whispered loudly. “Watching this careful study, well… maybe you’re right, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up,” he added, glancing toward the bar. He hurriedly returned to his notes, mindful that you and Viktor would be back any second and shouldn’t know what had just transpired. Feeling the weight of three questioning stares, he sighed and elaborated, “Viktor does more of… guest performances rather than full seasons, if you catch my meaning.”

“Oh, let him try a guest performance with my darling girl, and I will shove his cane up his—” Hale’s expression shifted instantly from threatening to sickeningly sweet as he noticed you eyeing him from the distance. “Did you get what your heart desired, my love?”

“I suppose. What are you guys talking about?” you asked, your gaze sweeping suspiciously over the group before landing briefly on Viktor. You sent him a silent question, but he didn’t seem to notice, too absorbed in his meticulous effort to sweeten his coffee.

“Nothing… Renaissance theatre history… lip gloss,” came a broken chorus of voices in response.

Your eyebrows shot even higher on your forehead. “Uh… as you wish, weirdos,” you dismissed, focusing on your sandwich instead.

The group fell into a brief silence, the kind that crackled with unspoken thoughts, pens scribbling, papers being shuffled around. Jayce kept glancing toward Viktor one time too many, his eyebrows furrowing as if he were trying to decode something. Viktor’s patience snapped first.

“What?” Viktor asked, irritation colouring his tone. “Do I have something on my face?”

Jayce blinked, startled. “Huh? No, just… never mind,” he muttered, hurriedly returning to his notes. Was it possible for his friend to have a thing with you and never mention it?

Before the awkward moment could deepen, Sue suddenly jolted upright as if struck by lightning. “Shit! I need to pack!” she exclaimed, shoving her notebook into her bag with alarming speed. She leaned over to you, kissed your forehead dramatically, and declared, “Don’t do anything stupid while I’m away.”

You rolled your eyes, chewing on your sandwich. “No promises.”

Sue hesitated for a split second, her gaze flickering briefly toward Viktor before snapping back to you. “Or do,” she added with a sly grin, winking.

You snorted, shaking your head. “Have a nice weekend, Sue.”

“You too!” Sue called over her shoulder, already halfway out the door.

Once she was gone, Jayce tilted his head curiously. “Where’s she off to?”

You swallowed your bite and shrugged. “Spending the weekend with her dad. Family bonding time, you know how it is.”

Viktor, who had been stirring his coffee in a slow, thoughtful rhythm, glanced at you. “So, you are alone for the entire weekend?”

You met his gaze, an eyebrow arching. “That’s right. Why? Got something in mind?”

Viktor’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smirk, but all he said was, “Maybe.”

You tilted your head, your eyes narrowing playfully. “Careful, Viktor. As a wise man once said, too much love can kill you.”

Jayce, who had been sipping his drink, choked on a laugh, sputtering as he tried to regain his composure. Viktor’s brows knitted together in confusion for a moment. He rested his chin on his hand, mulling it over until realization dawned. He straightened, looking at you with mild disbelief.

“Wait,” he said slowly, his voice laced with both amusement and incredulity. “Did you just quote Meatloaf at me?”

You grinned wickedly, your eyes glinting with mischief. “What can I say? I have range.”

Jayce laughed again, shaking his head. “I can’t decide if that’s impressive or completely unhinged.”

“Unhinged,” Viktor replied flatly, though the corners of his mouth twitched in betrayal of a suppressed smile.

You raised your sandwich in a mock toast. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Of course you would,” Viktor muttered, taking a long sip of his now overly sweetened coffee.

But as if taking your cautionary tale seriously, Viktor didn’t reach out to you at all on Friday evening or Saturday. You had half-expected a witty text or some excuse to drop by, but your phone remained stubbornly silent.

You told yourself you didn’t care. If Viktor wanted to brood or busy himself with his mysterious projects, that was his problem, not yours. You weren’t going to waste your weekend waiting for him to decide otherwise. So, when you overheard someone in the dorm hall mentioning a party on the third floor that evening, you figured it was better than wallowing in boredom.

#viktor arcane #viktor x reader #viktor fanfic #viktor x reader smut #viktor x f!reader #arcane #viktor smut #arcane fanfic #my writing #ao3 #ao3 fanfic #viktor x oc #viktor nation #the game of teaching body

100 notes · View notes

stubz · 11 months ago

Text

Pollix lazed on the beanbag in the reading area. The passing sun shining just so perfectly on the young tighalax. He rolled onto his stomach and kneaded the carpet below when he spotted something or rather someone.

Nova. The ship Captain's daughter and fellow tighalax is currently stalking something.

'It's like watching a newborn cub walking for the first time. She'd be the runt of any tighalax pack in the galaxy.'

Pollix really had nothing against the smaller cub but he just couldn't help himself from teasing and poking fun at her every now and then.

'She's 6 moons older than me but half my size! She's like one of those stuffies we have in the toy bin.' he giggled to himself.

Intrigued by what she was doing he looks to see what her target is.

His ears perk as does his posture.

Kim. One of their human caretakers/teachers. Currently cleaning up some blocks on the ground. Completely unaware of the small feline-like creature.

She pounces. The prey is caught. Sent tumbling to it's side, shrieking with laughter.

A successful hunt shrieks Athea also watching the "hunt".

'A successful hunt? Pfft, I get that they're comrades but how could Athea call that a hunt?' for Nova's hunt was something to be expected of when one was a fresh cub. To celebrate a hunt like this when you were 7 summers old? Unheard of.

But runts do take longer since they're often too weak for some summers to do this type of thing, he concluded.

Still, at their age they should be hunting prey that's much bigger than Kim. Something around Max's size.

"Pollix! I caught Kim, did you see?"

"I saw...you were very quiet. But remember to use what's around you. Like you could have hide behind the bookshelf to get even closer."

"Oh. That's so smart! Thanks Pollix, I'm going to practice on Kim again."

"Mmmm." he curled back onto the bean bag.

"Not impressed?"

"Your blocking the sun Athea," he whined looking up at the orc. "But no not really. I mean Kim is strong I guess but she's a human."

"What. Humans are strong, sometimes stronger than other apex species like us." Pollix scoffs

"Yeah but I knocked her down like a million times when we wrestled! So Nova's probably going to be able to knock her over at least once, or maybe Kim just let her." he finished as an afterthought.

"...Okay so maybe she let Nova knock her over but what if she also let you knock her over?"

The cub puffs his fur and flicks his tail around angrily.

"Nu-uh."

"Yu-huh."

"No. I knocked her over because I'm stronger than her!"

"And so did Nova. So I guess Nova is also strong." she stares at him.

The young orc straightens to her full height while keeping her gaze with the tighalax cub. Who in return get's up and rises to his full height as well.

Standing at 5 feet tall both are easily larger than most other youngling species their age. Only 5 inches shy of their teacher Kim.

Only at the age 6.

"Why don't you try to tackle her?"

Startled they stop sizing each other up and turn to the human who managed sneak up on them.

Jasper. A human child their age. Almost a foot smaller than them.

"I do it all the time. It's fun and I get to see how strong I am by how much I can make Kim move!" he exclaims, "One time I managed to make her take a step."

"That could work."

"Huh?"

"If you can tackle Kim then I'll apologize and take it back. If you can't then that means that Nova is strong too."

"Alright. But I'm doing it the proper way. Not when she's crouched down. That'd be too easy."

"Whatever."

'A real hunter should rely on their strength and instincts. Not just hiding and sneak attacks.'

He stalks towards Kim who's standing in the middle of the room doing a head count.

He picks up the pace. Her back is still to him.

He's broken into a run now. Normally he should wait till he's closer but he's just trying to tackle her so it's fine. She hears him.

He's at full speed and mere seconds away. Athea will be saying sorry to him very soon. She turns sideways and widens her feet.

He lunges. She's smiling.

To Athea and everyone else watching it was like watching a bouncy ball hit a wall. The cub made impact only to bounce off the human onto the floor.

"OH SHOOT!" Kim picks him and sets him on his back paws. "Are you okay? I'm sorry I didn't think you'd bounce like that."

"..." could she always pick him up that easily?

"You look okay, Pollix are you hurt anywhere?" he shakes his head.

"Well that's good. Sorry about that buddy," she chuckles. "I thought since your a lot bigger than Jasper and Nova that you'd be fine. Here, let me go get you a starburst for the great effort."

"Wow Pollix! You made her actually get ready for it. I never did that. You really are strong." exclaims Nova. Eyes sparkling with awe.

"I, I just bounced off her. Like a bug."

"Yep." Athea pats her friend on the shoulder.

"...Nova you did a great job with your hunt. It was awesome."

"Aw, thanks Pol."

"I wonder if I could tackle her? I am heavier than you."

"Yeah you are pretty fat."

"Fat so I can crush you."

"You two are weird friends." sighs Nova.

#a kid at work likes to try and tackle me and is happy that my ankle is healed cause now she can tackle me again #but a couple of months ago she came to tackle me and I decided to actually brace for impact #wide stance shoulders braced #she comes zooming in #BAM #bounces off me #we had a laugh about it #the adventures of kim and max running a space child centre #humans are space orcs #humans are space oddities

215 notes · View notes

ladykailitha · 4 months ago

Text

Around the World Part 7

I know I said that Nanny would be out this week, but I just finished this and am really wanting to get it out as soon as possible and that includes the epilogue.

But if I time it right, this series and Hellfire will end the same week and I'll be able to return to some kind of normal schedule instead of pumping these out on a fucking grinder.

That said, I probably won't do a Christmas story with the way things are right now. But we'll see the closer we get to the holiday.

In this we get the proper Jack the Ripper tour and the author has opinions, okay! Steve draws attention to himself at the Paris Opera house. Murray is a bit too knowing. And of course as @val-from-lawrence guessed, visited the Catacombs!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

They had done the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral during the day and got ready for the Bauman Experience as Murray called it. They all had a flashlight and went to go meet him where they had the night before.

They caught him dealing with some obnoxious tourists.

“Oh thank god!” the Karen cried. “An American. Could you please explain to this woman that we only have dollars to pay with. She has to take it!”

Murray blinked at her for a moment. “Well that is quite the cock up, you absolute muppet. Are you dead from the neck up? British pound sterling is the brass here, you silly cow!”

The woman’s head reared back in shock, clutching her chest. “I beg your pardon!”

“To make it perfectly clear,” Murray said leaning forward into her space. “You fucked up, you moron. Are you really that stupid? Dollars aren’t the currency here, the British pound is. Just like you can’t use the pound anywhere but here, you can’t use the dollar anywhere but America so why don’t you go to an ATM or bank and get it exchanged. Or and here’s the really neat part about living in the age of technology, use or credit or debit card and your bank does the conversion for you.”

When she started sputtering angrily, Murray waved her off. “Now, shoo! I’ve got actual paying customers waiting for me.”

Murray turned to the four of them with a smiled. “Well, hello! Welcome. Now that things are dark and therefore sufficiently spooky, let’s take you on a proper tour of Jack’s slaying grounds.”

He went through the different murders until he got to the double murders of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes.

“Now,” he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, “Miss Stride is usually considered his third victim and that he was interrupted, moving on to Miss Eddowes. But I think Stride was a copycat. The person only knew the bodies were mutilated, but not how. So for me, I don’t count her in the confirmed kills.”

Robin nodded sagely. “I don’t either. There was far too little evidence to prove he had been frightened off, because otherwise Eddowes would have been more brutal than it was. He would have been angry he couldn’t finish with Stride. You would have expected her to look like what Mary Kelly’s body looked like, not cool and calm.”

Murray smiled up at her. He turned to Eddie. “I really like her. She’s clever.”

Robin blushed and ducked her head.

A short time later, just as they were wrapping up the Kelly murder, Murray stopped. He looked at a pair of older teenagers and then back at the group.

Chrissy picked up on it first. “You thinking what, I’m thinking, Mur?”

Murray turned to her and cocked his head to the side, considering. He nodded and Chrissy pursed her lips.

Steve caught on just as quick. “Eds, baby. I think those boys may have guessed who you are, love.”

Robin and Eddie shared a concerned glance.

“Fuck,” Eddie huffed. “I liked this jacket.”

Robin grabbed it from him and gave him her jacket. “Mine doesn’t look as fancy,” she explained pulling his jacket on. “Just like Boston, peeps!”

Murray tilted his head to the side and did a quick Google search. “Or... if you’d like, my car is literally around the corner.”

The four of them stopped swapping clothes and looked up at him.

“That’s easier,” Steve said. “Who’s all for easier?”

The other three raised their hands and they followed Murray to his car. Robin sat up front while Steve and Chrissy covered Eddie between them.

“Drop me off at the hotel,” Steve said, tapping on Murray’s shoulder. “I’ll check us out and then meet you at Shakespeare’s Head.”

Murray looked behind him and grinned. “Smart thinking.”

Eddie had changed into a trucker hat and a puffy hunting vest over sturdy blue jeans and thick work boots.

“Kids and their cameras these day,” Murray huffed, sliding a pint of beer over at Steve as he sat down between Robin and Chrissy. “So what’s the story with loverboy here?” he asked Eddie, cocking his head to indicate Steve.

“He’s not out,” Eddie said dryly. “His parents are complete assholes who could and would make things very difficult for him if he was.”

“Nothing says asshole parents,” Murray said with a nod, “quite like those that have the money to make you miserable.”

Steve snorted. “You’ve got that right. But I’m more than equipped to make it work.” He half shrugged. “I’ve been doing it for almost a year.”

Murray’s went wide and he gave an opened mouthed smile. “Have you really? I would have never guessed. Good job! ”

“How did you spot the kids, by the way?” Robin asked around her fruity cocktail.

“Oh,” Murray said, ducking his head a bit. “You’re walking around a small group of people at night in a bad area of London. Whitechapel isn’t as bad as it was in Jackie’s time, but it’s still not a good neighborhood. You have to keep an eye out for people, but especially older teens wishing to knock you over for a bit of loose change.”

Steve cleared his throat and ducked his head. “I am about to ask the most bougie question imaginable. And you can tell me to go to hell if I’m out of line here.”

Murray’s eyebrows went up and he leaned back in his chair. “Wha’cha got, kid?”

Steve licked his lower lip as he tried to word this in a way that wasn’t instantly offensive. “How entrenched are you in this job?”

“Not very,” he replied with a shrug. “I’m just moving through the world enjoying myself and taking jobs that would be fun. I’ve got more than enough money. Why?”

“We were talking in our group chat,” Chrissy explained taking over from a very embarrassed Steve, “and we thought we’d offer you a job as main look out and part time driver for when we’re in Europe. You really saved Eddie today and we could really use someone like you with us.”

Murray glared at her. “You sure I wouldn’t cramp your little foursome you’ve got going on here’s style?” He made a little circling motion with his hand to indicate all of them.

Robin shook her head. “It’ll make it harder for people to recognize a quartet if it suddenly became a quintet. Plus, we’d pay for your room and board. None of us are skint, believe you me.”

“We’ll be staying in haunted hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts,” Eddie added. “But we won’t force you to join us. We can put you up in a nice place nearby and we join back up whenever we go out.”

Murray eyed them suspiciously until Steve slid over an envelope. He picked it up and pulled out a check. His eyes went wide. “That’s quite the pretty penny.”

“That’s half,” Robin huffed, crossing her arms and throwing herself against the back of the chair. “You’ll get the other half once we leave Europe for Asia.”

“All that for a month’s worth of driving you four around and making sure fans and paparazzi don’t find Eddie here?” Murray asked. “Have you gone crazy?”

Eddie shook his head. “We just want a romantic tour of the spooky places of Europe. I hate the thought Steve getting caught up in something just because I’m recognized everywhere I go and he isn’t.”

Murray licked his lips slowly as his eyes narrowed. “That’s not how that’s usually said.”

Steve frowned and tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean? How is what said?”

Robin put her hand on his elbow as he bristled slightly at his tone.

“Usually people will say ‘famous and they’re not’,” Murray said thoughtfully, “he said ‘recognized’. Meaning Stevie here is famous too, but not in a way people would recognize him on the street. What is a famous painter or some shit?”

She cocked her to the side and said dryly, “If I told you that, I’d have to kill you.”

Murray laughed. Just full on cackled. “Have I mentioned how much I like her? Because I really like her.”

Eddie leaned forward to put his elbows on the table. “So what do you say, Murray?” he asked tilting his head to the side. “You want to work for me again?”

Murray slipped the check into his coat pocket and stuck out his hand. “I think you’ve got yourself a deal.”

Their first stop on the Continent was Paris and the catacombs. Eddie was still trying to figure out how Robin did that one. It had been closed to the public for years.

Robin just smirked and said, “Well we aren’t the public.”

Steve was also sure they didn’t open it up to anyone who opened their wallet, either, but wisely stayed silent. Plus he was having fun watching Chrissy and Robin run circles around Murray in terms of sheer knowledge.

“Um...Stevie?” Eddie murmured so the trio couldn’t hear him. “Can I hold your hand? It’s getting a little creepy in here.”

Steve held out his hand, the one that had the little guitar on the inner wrist. Eddie looked down at the offered hand with a fond smile. He took the offered hand and their tattoos matched up. Eddie felt braver with every step knowing that Steve would always be there to hold his hand through the darkness.

Chrissy looked back at them and grinned at their clasped hands. She sped up her walk just a little, forcing Murray and Robin to speed up to match her pace, leaving the two love birds the privacy they so richly deserved.

Once they were out in the sunlight and among the city once again, Eddie refused to let go of Steve’s hand.

Steve looked at their joined hands and then back at Eddie. Eddie gave him his brightest smile and Steve was smitten. Even more so than before. He just loved him so much.

They toured the Paris Opera house and Eddie pulled out a cape and mask.

“Sing for me my angel of music!” he said to Chrissy.

She burst out laughing. “My name may be Christine, but I really don’t think they’d want me shattering the glass.”

Eddie turned to Robin who waved her arms in front of her. “No way! I sing like a frog in heat!”

“No.” Was all Murray said.

Steve raised an eyebrow and Eddie grinned.

“Sing!” Eddie crowed.

Steve took a deep breath and belted out that high note, held it perfectly and then took a bow.

Murray blinked and slow smile spread over his features. “You’re in one of those bands with the masks aren’t you? Like Sleep Token or The Fallen, huh? That’s Eddie here said recognized and not famous. Good on you.”

They all shared looks of concern.

“I’m not going to tell anyone,” Murray huffed, holding up his hands in surrender. “And I’m certainly not even going to try and guess which band it is.” He pulled out his phone and messed around on it for a while.

During which they all watched with ever increasing dread. The silence seemed to stretch out on and on.

Then Chrissy’s phone pinged. Everyone jumped as she scrambled for her phone. She opened it up and blinked a moment.

“You signed a blanket statement NDA?” she asked handing her phone to Robin. “Why?”

Murray licked his lips and crossed his arms over his chest. “Did it suck when Corroded Coffin pulled out of my management causing a shit ton of other people pulling out, too? Sure. But that’s the nature of the business. One that I had been in for over twenty years. I took it as a sign from the universe to retire and enjoy my life. Unlike the CC boys pulling out on Nancy Wheeler because she about to do some pretty shady shit. And I say that having been part of a business that used to be built on shady ass shit.”

Chrissy coughed and looked away to hide her smile.

“I’m guessing Steve’s band is why Corroded Coffin went nuclear on her in the first place?”

Steve looked over at Eddie and then nodded. “She was an ex-girlfriend and she tried to hold that over my head to get me to work with her.”

Murray let out a long and low whistle. “Shady doesn’t even begin to cover that shit. The void would be fucking closer. Shit.”

Robin handed back Chrissy her phone. “How did you get an NDA that fast anyway?”

“Oh that?” Murray asked with a huff of laughter. “I have a bunch of basic contracts and shit in my Google docs. Things can move fast in this business and it’s a good idea to keep a few on hand. Back in the old days we kept them in our briefcases that we carted around. This is sooo much easier.”

“Smart.”

Murray grinned back at her. He turned to Steve. “Come on, show us what that classical vocal training can really do.”

Steve blushed and began warming up his vocals as Robin grinned.

“You may think you’ve heard Steve sing,” she crowed, “but you’ve ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Then Steve really opened up and began to sing. There was a deepness to his voice that didn’t have anything to do with his range. He was clearly a tenor, but the rich quality to his voice just elevated it somehow.

“Rigoletto,” Murray said nodding appreciatively. “Well done.” He clapped slowly, but it wasn’t mocking. “Your parents must have been livid when you didn’t go into opera.”

Steve snorted. “About as angry as when they found out I was bisexual. They know what I am but if I go public with it...”

“They’ll make your life a nightmare?” he asked. Steve nodded. “I feel for you, kid.”

He looked around and grimaced. “I thick it’s time we make like Opera Ghost and scram. That performance of Steve’s here, is getting more attention than I thought it would.”

They looked around and sure enough there were people pointing at Steve.

“I’m not sure what the Venn diagram of opera and metal fans,” Chrissy said, “but I’m betting it’s not two separate circles.”

“Yeaahhh,” Eddie said with a wince.

He grabbed Steve’s hand and they ran for the doors. Murray and the girls hot on their heels.

Part 8 Part 9

Tag List: CLOSED

1- @mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 @a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @val-from-lawrence

3- @goodolefashionedloverboi @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @irregular-child @blondie1006

4- @yikes-a-bee @bookworm0690 @anne-bennett-cosplayer @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten

5- @genderless-spoon @y4r3luv @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt

6- @disrespectedgoatman @dawners @thespaceantwhowrites @tinyplanet95 @garden-of-gay

7- @iamthehybrid @croatoan-like-its-hot @papergrenade @cryptid-system @counting-dollars-counting-stars

8- @ravenfrog @w1ll0wtr33 @child-of-cthulhu @kultiras @dreamercec

9- @machete-inventory-manager @useless-nb-bisexual @stripey82 @dotdot-wierdlife @kal-ology

10- @sadisticaltarts @urkadop @chameleonhair @clockworkballerina

#my writing #stranger things #steddie #ladykailtiha writes #rockstar au #rockstar steve harrington #rockstar eddie munson

64 notes · View notes

whyse7vn · 2 years ago

Text

BABY FEVER -

[ ot7 x reader ]

TAEHYUNG -

tae: have my cubs

y/n: STOP TALKING TO ME NOW

tae: i want 8

y/n: i’ve actually never been so srs in my life

let’s break up

like fr

i’m over this relationship i’m over you

tae: i can settle for 5 if it’s too much

y/n: let’s settle for a break up

tae: our little family 🥺

y/n: i would rather shoot myself

tae: why?

y/n: WHY?

are you really asking my why rn?

tae: yeah??

y/n: “have my cubs”

tae: i can’t get pregnant what is wrong with you

someone didn’t go to school 😭😭

y/n: who in their right mind says shit like that

tae: me??

y/n: stop talking to me

tae: babe

i’m being for real

y/n: i know

and i’m scared

tae: don’t be scared

i’ll protect you

and the kids

real alpha i am

y/n: stop

tae: are you getting emotional?

omg are you pregnant rn?????

hormones and that stuff?

is that what you wanted to say this whole time??

were you trying to hide it from me??

ur so cute >.<

y/n: i’m blocking you now

tae: we are gonna get through this together

do you think we need a bigger house?

y/n: genuinely are you ok in the head?

tae: ofc wtf??

i know ur not because of the pregnancy

but it’s okay

you don’t need to stress at all

i’ll think for the both of us

the love of ur life taetae be the sane one for the next 6 months

y/n: there is so much to unpack there

tae: omg have you been clothes shopping without me >.<

y/n: i am perfectly fine

you and sane don’t belong in the same sentence

never call yourself taetae again

and it’s 9 months not 6 you fucking idiot

tae: what is ur actual problem??

don’t swear around my child you’ll poison their mind

and i think i know more about babies than you do so just leave everything to me ok?

y/n: again i would rather shoot myself

tae: if you die i’ll protect the baby

y/n: there is no baby

tae: are you not ready to be a mother or something?

i swear we can do this babe

y/n: are you actually listening to me??

tae: ofc i am??

y/n: …

tae: i’m omw home btw can’t wait to see you both!!!!!!!

y/n: it’s like you only take in the information you want to hear

tae: i love you too

y/n: or maybe you just can’t read

tae: <333333333

YOONGI -

yoongi: no

y/n: i don’t like when you read my mind like that

yoongi: no

y/n: i’m gonna ask anyways

yoongi: no

y/n: let’s have a baby 😁🙏🏽

yoongi: no

y/n: if we don’t have a baby now ur gonna be an old dad

ur gonna die before our baby turns 10

we don’t want that do we?

think of all the precious memories you’ll miss

yoongi: i’m fine with that

y/n: are you really?

yoongi: …

y/n: let’s have a baby rn

yoongi: but that’s so much work

y/n: #inittogether

our little baby made out of our love for each other

isn’t that sososoos cute yoongi 🥺

yoongi: i guess

y/n: so we’re having a baby?

yoongi: go away

y/n: ur not saying no

i’m taking this as a yes

i continue to win in this life

yoongi: what if you die before me

and i’m left with a baby?

y/n: the old thing really got to you huh?

yoongi: no i’m just saying you might die first

y/n: there is no way i’m dying first

ur literally 30

yoongi: and???

y/n: like jin is ur age mate that’s saying aLOT

yoongi: ur pissing me off

y/n: okay old bitch

yoongi: you expect me to have children with you after you bully me??

y/n: pls put me in ur will

i’m in jin’s yk?

yoongi: why are you in jin’s will?

y/n: why? mad ur not?

yoongi: how do you know i’m not

in his will?

matter of fact why tf does he have a will??

y/n: aren’t you an inquisitive one

yoongi: saying big words doesn’t make you look smart

y/n: jin knows it’s almost his time

you better start writing yours

yoongi: leaving everything to holly

y/n: i’ll literally cook holly

yoongi: what is wrong with you

y/n: i am not with child rn

that’s what’s wrong

yoongi: that sounded gross

never say that again

y/n: i’ve come to the conclusion that ur my biggest enemy

yoongi: i’m glad you know

y/n: ur dying

yoongi: ur next

y/n: don’t ever say that

i’m literally in my prime

yoongi: ur prime?

couldn’t tell

y/n: find someone else to carry your children

i can no longer stand the idea of mini yous running around

yoongi: ok :(

y/n: ??

don’t frown at me

you brought this on urself

yoongi: 😔

y/n: you bitch

yoongi: come make a baby with me 😄

NAMJOON -

y/n: let’s have a child

namjoon: ok

y/n: i lied

namjoon: oh

y/n: what is wrong with you

namjoon: what is wrong with you?

y/n: did adding a question mark make you feel better bitch??

namjoon: very

y/n: this is why i lie to you

namjoon: that’s not nice

y/n: ur literally a nasty little gaslighter

namjoon: i’m not?

y/n: you are?

namjoon: if anything ur the gaslighter

y/n: fake claims i’ll sue

namjoon: you tell me you want to have children and then you tell me ur lying or you never said that

y/n: what is ur actual issue i’ve never said i want kids??

if you want kids ig we can talk about it but i’ve literally never brought that up

namjoon: see?

y/n: i see very clearly actually 20/20 vision the eye people told me

namjoon: you wear glasses?

y/n: occasionally

like what is ur issue?

ur so obsessed with me it’s not right

namjoon: ig i’m a little obsessed

y/n: it’s really not right

wait…

don’t you fucking wear glasses

what is ur issue four eyes???

namjoon: i do

i’ve never claimed to have 20/20 vision

y/n: ur blind as hell

namjoon: maybe i don’t want to have kids with you

they fr won’t be able to see anything

y/n: HOW DARE YOU SAY YOI DONT WANT KIDS WITH ME

YOURE SICK IN TBE HEAD

namjoon: put ur glasses on

ur spelling stuff wrong

y/n: it’s my charm

namjoon: not wearing ur glasses?

y/n: we need to go on a break

namjoon: how can we go on a break when we have kids to take care of?

y/n: and you say ur not a gaslighter?

what if i was a weak woman and fell for ur sick lies

namjoon: we would have kids by now

y/n: ur messed up

that’s so messed up

namjoon: shoot me

y/n: don’t say stuff like that

cuz i will

then you’ll be mad

and dead

namjoon: what are you bothering me for?

y/n: can i not just message my bf like omg?

namjoon: you miss me or something?

y/n: not anymore

namjoon: cute

y/n: fuck ur cute

namjoon: accepting a compliment won’t kill you yk?

y/n: stop communicating with me

namjoon: you messaged me first?

y/n: no i didn’t

namjoon: whatever

y/n: omg don’t speak to me like you hate me i’ll kms

namjoon: so kids?

y/n: idk what ur on about tbh

namjoon: fine

y/n: fine

namjoon: fine?

y/n: fine?

namjoon: idk what you want from me

y/n: children

namjoon: you stop communicating with me

y/n: wow

namjoon: yeah

y/n: ur a LOSER

SEOKJIN -

jin: it’s time we reproduce

y/n: no

jin: no?

this would be a blessing to many

y/n: ok??

jin: ok?

i’ll just kms then

if you hate me just say that

y/n: i hate you

jin: what is ur problem???

y/n: what’s urs??

you told me to say it

jin: i said if you hate me

y/n: ???

jin: oh my god

leave me alone

y/n: oh my god by gidle

jin: you have to stop speaking to hobi

y/n: why :(

jin: ur starting to talk like him

and it’s gross

the mother of my children a hoseok clone??

no thank you

y/n: what children??

jin: you need to keep up

we are having kids

y/n: but you said mother of your children

like as in you have kids rn

and last time i checked i never gave birth

who is this other woman seokjin???

jin: ew why would you say my full name like that

y/n: why would you cheat on me?

jin: bored?

y/n: all men are the same

jin: i am like no other man

y/n: true you dumb as hell

jin: now ur talking shit

y/n: maybe the shit talks you

jin: what

y/n: what

jin: can we make babies pls

y/n: ew

you actually make me wanna throw up

jin: wtf

this is why i don’t talk to you

y/n: you talk to me everyday?

in fact you loose ur mind if you don’t talk to me for more than 2 hours

jin: you literally have no proof

once again ur talking SHIT

y/n: don’t raise ur voice at me tf

jin: see you would be such a good mother

that’s such a parent thing to say

lowkey got me feeling a little hot and bothered rn 🙈

i’m sorry

you might need to put me in my place again mommy 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙉🙉🙉

y/n: what the fuck

jin: you’re not into it???

y/n: how can you go from talking about children to sex?

jin: don’t say that makes me sound like a perv

y/n: you are a perv

jin: no i’m not

ur just lame

like you need to have sex to have children

i was just helping start the process

y/n: you’ve got like a screw loose or something

jin: stop speaking to me in riddles

or don’t

i do love a smart girl 😉

y/n: stop speaking to me like a bitch in heat

jin: people lame nowadays

by people i mean you

y/n: cry about it

jin: i just might

y/n: good

JUNGKOOK -

y/n: do you want to have a baby?

jk: doesn’t giving birth hurt?

y/n: so?

jk: i don’t want you to get hurt

y/n: life is pain

jk: i’ll give birth

y/n: that’s not how it works

jk: pls let me do it

y/n: ok

jk: thank you

y/n: ur welcome

jk: do you think i’ll look good pregnant?

y/n: idk

jk: will you still love me when i get big?

y/n: i might leave you if you get pregnant

jk: wtf?

y/n: it might creep me out

jk: why wtf

y/n: i don’t want to imagine you pregnant

jk: but our baby ☹️

y/n: i would rather never have kids than see you pregnant

jk: wow

you think i would be that ugly

y/n: i’m sorry

jk: are you?

y/n: ummm

jk: ok then

y/n: we can always adopt

jk: but that’s not my baby

y/n: legally they would be

jk: we won’t have the same spit

y/n: the same spit?

jk: yk like our insides won’t be the same

y/n: ur dna?

jk: yeah my dna

y/n: ur not supposed to have the exact same dna as ur baby anyways

jk: okay but it’s like a mix of us

and a adopted one would have no mix at all

y/n: so what do you want to do?

jk: give birth

y/n: i really don’t think it’s possible babe

jk: i will do it

y/n: sure

jk: why don’t you believe in me?

y/n: i do

jk: act like it

y/n: wooo?

jk: not good enough

y/n: sorry i’m tired

jk: ok?

y/n: fuck you?

jk: i’m about to have a baby and ur talking to me like that?

y/n: i’ll believe it when i see it

jk: so you fr don’t believe in me?

y/n: yeah

not one bit of belief in me

jk: crazy how people switch up

when you want to come back into me and MY babies lives we won’t let you

y/n: i’m crying

honestly

jk: i’m glad

y/n: i’m actually not

i don’t care at all

and that’s the truth

jk: so you just lie for fun

y/n: pretty much

jk: wow

ur crazy

y/n: 4 u

jk: waittt why am i blushing rn 😖

are you in love with me be honest?

y/n: idk…

jk: oh

y/n: embarrassing…

ur just a fuck buddy tbh

jk: for 8 years i’ve been a fuck buddy?

y/n: yur

jk: are you lying to me?

y/n: i could be

jk: i could be pregnant rn

y/n: are you?

jk: no

but i could be

y/n: are you lying to me?

jk: yeah :(

y/n: it’s okay

jk: is it really??

y/n: you don’t want me to answer that

JIMIN -

y/n: i’ve been getting congratulation texts all day today

jimin: omg people are so crazy wtf 😭?

y/n: i’m fr so confused

did we win an award i didn’t know about or something??

jimin: maybe idk lol

y/n: would it be rude if i asked what tf they’re talking about?

jimin: unbelievably rude

don’t do it

i’m for real

y/n: but i wanna know

jimin: just accept the congrats and go

y/n: do you know something i don’t?

jimin: wtf no?

y/n. ur lying

jimin: i’m not

y/n: jimin

jimin: love of my life

apple of my eye

babe

y/n: tell me

jimin: omg i LOVE that song

tell me tell me ttttell me

y/n: now

jimin: sorry idk what ur talking about

hello??

babe?

where did you go?

come back

talk to me

y/n: YOU TOLD PEOPLE I WAS PREGNANT???

jimin: I TOLD YOU NOT TO ASK

WAHT IS WRONG WITH YOU???

y/n: WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT

jimin: i’m preparing people for the future

y/n: ??????????

i’m NOT pregnant

jimin: you will be when i’m done with you ;)

y/n: wtf is wrong with you

jimin: a lot

y/n: i can tell

jimin: do you think i’m ugly be honest

y/n: right now yes

jimin: so you think i’m pretty other times 🥺🥺🥺

let’s have a baby

y/n: no

jimin: okay wtf

why not

y/n: ur literally about to be shipped off

you want to leave me with a baby??

jimin: why would you say that

now i’m upset

i’ll take the baby with me

y/n: …

jimin: no?

y/n: no

jimin: fine

our baby would be lowkey ugly anyways

y/n: excuse me?

jimin: problem?

y/n: why would our baby be ugly??

jimin: i mean…

y/n: you mean????

jimin: ur gonna have to just prove me wrong babe

y/n: ur not funny

jimin: did i make a joke???

y/n: you are the joke

jimin: i actually am not the joke

i never joke

super serious guy park jimin is

super shy too

new jeans core >.<

y/n: i’m done with you

HOSEOK -

y/n: baby?

hobi: me?

y/n: no like an actual baby

hobi: ur having one?

congrats!!!!!

y/n: no??

i’m not having one

hobi: oh

i’m sorry for ur loss

y/n: there was no loss

hobi: oh

was there a gain?

y/n: do you want there to be?

hobi: depends on the gain

y/n: the gain would be a baby

hobi: yikesss

that’s a pretty lame gain

why would i want you to have a baby?

y/n: um because you love me?

hobi: i wouldn’t be the father

i don’t see the point

y/n: ???

why wouldn’t you be the father?

hobi: i thought you were asking me if you could have a baby with someone else

y/n: what?

hobi: what?

i’m confused

y/n: I’M confused

hobi: why are we confused??

y/n: why would i ask you if i could have a baby with someone else???

hobi: feminism?

tho i do think it would be more of a feminist move if you didn’t ask me

ur spirt was in the right place tho

i’m sure the women will forgive you

y/n: what?

hobi: was i wrong??

y/n: what do you think?

hobi: it’s not my place to decide for a strong woman like urself

y/n: get a grip

hobi: grip gotten

y/n: is this ur way of dodging my baby proposal?

hobi: a baby what?

that sounds wrong

tf is a baby doing proposing???

ur a baby like drink milk or something

y/n: are you drunk??

hobi: nooooooooooooooooooooooooo

y/n: so ur tipsy?

hobi: tipsy topsy who cares

y/n: i do

i’m trying to ask you if you want to have a baby with me oh my god

hobi: omg do you love me or something???

that’s so crazy

y/n: bye have fun drinking

hobi: drinking heals me

y/n: that’s concerning

hobi: will i be a good dad

y/n: i’m sure you will

hobi: or will i kill myself due to the stress

y/n: oh

hobi: let’s find out babe

i’m ready

y/n: that did not sound like ready talk to me

we can talk about this tomorrow

hobi: if we think about it what can a baby do that i can’t???

y/n: keep me company

hobi: i do that all the time

do you hate me

if you hate me say 1

if you hate me and want me dead in a ditch by saturday night say 7

y/n: where are you right now?

hobi: jin’s house

i think

y/n: you think?

anyways

that’s the point

i’m all alone a baby would never leave me to go drink with jin

hobi: jin would be dead by the time our baby was born

he’s old

dojn’t tell him i said that

he might kick me out

i would be so upset

like this :cccccccccccc

and this 😭😭😭😪😓😓😓😰😰😨😨

WOAHHH THIJS DRINK HITTING OH MY GOD BABE WOW

FEELS LIKE I JUST DID COKE

OH MY GOF

not that i’ve done cokr befr don’t be scared of me babe

y/n: wow okay!

hobi: babies can’t even dance to dynamite i don’t see why you would want that in ur life

and i totally can dance to dynamite

sO i win

y/n: you are so right babe you go and have fun with jin!

hobi: see ur just so silly

and btw i realllly donnt do coke i swear it

y/n: 7

hobi: OH MY GIF I KNEW ITT

519 notes · View notes

miss0atae · 6 months ago

Text

Random Thoughts about The On1y One (EP 6) : Attachment, No regrets and live life to the fullest.

I knew they would feel at odds after the episode 5. Of course, Wang was hurt by Tian’s decision to live in the school accommodation. He was just starting to feel close to him and suddenly he discovered that Tian may leave. So, like any people who have already felt the harsh truth of being left alone, he tried to distance himself from Tian. It was a way for him to protect his heart, but Tian wasn’t fooled by his acts. He knew early on that Wang wasn’t acting like before. Relationships can be tough, especially if you have a lingering fear that the people you care about the most will leave you. Wang already lost his mother at a young age and his father is never really around him. He already know what it is to see people you love leaving him. So, before getting to attached to Tian, he prefers to treat him as a stranger: being polite, stop sharing his feelings and trying to give back anything gave to him so there would be no debt between them. I was afraid this drift between them would be last the entire episode, but thankfully Tian is really good at reading Wang’s mood and understanding him. He felt something was wrong and he reacted strongly against it. We’re so used to see him being calm and reserved that when he rejected Wang’s action of distancing himself from him, it was really shocking. He raised his voice and everyone (Wang and us) knew instantly he would not accept it.

Tian may be the one who is more reserved, but he is also the one who is more ready to say what he feels. I feel like Wang could have said to Tian about how hurt he was about his decision to leave the house because it made him think Tian didn't want to be around him… but he didn't because he is not used to do it. Both of them are lonely souls who found a connection, but they both deal differently with attachment. I feel like Wang tends to overthink things and doesn't take the time to talk it out with other, while Tian feels wary and find it hard to be close to others. However, I feel like Tian found in Wang a kindred soul and he got attached to him faster than it could be expected. They found in each other something they were looking for. There are dialogues in this story, but the real communication is usually non-verbal between them. It about how close they physically are to one another (it's not a coincidence that they are next to each other in the class), or the small gestures (Tian giving food and drinks to Wang) and mostly it's about how they look at each other. There is non verbal intentionally communication, but you can also read so much from their non-verbal unintentionally communication. For example, Tian is always looking at the door and expecting Wang. This door is shown to emphasize the short separation they experienced. When they are again talking to each other, they both comes in the room of the other.

This episode was also giving so many realizations to Wang. From him understanding that he doesn't have to plan his whole life because otherwise he wouldn't fully enjoy his youth, to him accepting not all efforts are in vain. It's really his luck that he is now surrounded by many people who want good things for him (Tian, his teachers, his best friend, Mr. Ding…). When you're in a competitive school and having such high goals, it can be easy to get lost. Life is not just studying to be at the top and aiming at the best rewards. It can be scary because you can feel like planning everything will make it easier, but when you stick to the plan, you may miss something else. I guess that's why I don't mind that the story is set in a school. It's not just about making the main characters be students. As a student they are supposed to learn. However, they are not just learning about school subject, but also about what they want to be. They are growing emotionally and they are also learning about one another. There are so many ways of learning. It is fitting the story.

I’m now truly attached to this story and these characters so I can’t wait to see what is going to happen to them.

#taiwanese bl #taiwanese series #bl drama #bl series #the on1y one #the on1y one the series #episode 6 #tian x wang #jiang tian x sheng wang #I like the slow passing of this series can you believe it

63 notes · View notes

riveramorylunar · 1 year ago

Text

Pairings: Nemuri Kayama x Blind Reader

Warnings: just pure fluff, height difference, age difference (Reader's 20 and Nemuri's 28)

Pet Names/Nicknames: Darling, sweetheart & Nemmie

Word Count: 3,040

Nemuri Kayama was a well-known Pro Hero, also known as the R-Rated Hero, Midnight. With her dark purple hair and striking blue eyes, she would often catch the attention of those around her. She was taller than most of the female Pro-heroes at 6 feet tall. She exuded confidence and strength, making her a fan favorite among the citizens of Japan. She was the number 5 hero but worked as a teacher at U.A. high. Despite her fame and success, there was one thing that Nemuri longed for, love.... She had been in several relationships before, but none of them seemed to work out. She was starting to lose hope of ever finding true love.

Y/N, a 20 year old girl, who has been blind since birth. She lived in a world where quirks were the norm. But for her it was all just darkness. She was able to control the element Earth and it's sub elements like metal, lava and seismic sense as her quirk. Seismic sense was the ability to detect vibrations from the ground. She had learned to deal with her disability even if some people thought it was weird. She had also learned how to use her quirk to help her. Due to her blindness when she was in her hero outfit she would always wear a blindfold.

Y/N was a huge fan of Nemuri even if she couldn't see her. Y/N always listened to Midnight's interviews on the TV. Every time she heard the woman's voice on the TV she'd smile. She knew just by her voice that she was a beautiful soul. So when she got the opportunity to join a tour at U.A. High she immediately took that offer. Although she wasn't able to see with her eyes she could feel with her hands and feet. That's why Y/N never wears shoes because it keeps her from using her Seismic sense.

She was standing in front of U.A. High the next day waiting for the other people who were joining the tour when she heard a loud voice. "You're Y/N correct" a man said and Y/N nodded before holding her hand out. She felt the man's hand grab her's before shaking it. "Pleasure to meet the Blind Bandit I'm All Might by the way" the man said and Y/N's eyes widened in shock.

"REALLY" Y/N shouted and All Might nodded before laughing. "Yes that's me" he said and Y/N smiled before letting go of his hand. "You're an amazing hero especially with a disability like yours" All Might said and Y/N giggles softly. "I mean my quirk helps me get around and thank you. It's nice to hear it coming from a hero who I look up to" Y/N said before she heard footsteps coming up behind her meaning the rest of the tour group is here. "Keep working hard Y/N" All Might whispered out before greeting the others.

Y/N followed the others but stayed behind a bit running her hands along the walls of the high school. All Might stops in front of a shut door. "This is the teachers lounge" he says before the door to the teacher's lounge opens. "Oh All might who are these people" a female voice said and Y/N stopped walking immediately as she recognized the voice from all the interviews she has listened to. "Oh Kayama these few are taking a tour of the school. Did you forget that was today?" All Might asked and Nemuri let out an angelic laugh. "Guess I did.... You don't mind if I tag along do you. There's nothing to do" Nemuri sighed out and Y/N heard All laugh. "Of course not Kayama" All Might said before walking again and the others followed except for Y/N who was just standing there causing Nemuri to look over at her.

"Oh who might you be" Nemuri asked as she walked up to Y/N. "Oh um it's uh Y/N" she said and Nemuri smiled before holding her hand out. "It's a pleasure to meet a cute girl like you the names Nemuri Kayama or better known as Midnight the R- Rated Hero." She said realizing that Y/N isn't shaking her hand before tilting her head to the side. She just smiles before putting her hand down. "So Y/N tell me are you a Hero" Nemuri asked as she began walking beside Y/N. "Yeah I just became one. I'm the hero Blind Bandit" Y/N said and Nemuri's eyes widened in shock before she looked over to see Y/N's eyes were white. "Oh!! You're her" Nemuri shouted out and Y/N nodded. "Well damn for a new Hero you've made a good impression so far. You're gonna be an amazing hero that kids look up to if they haven't already" Nemuri said causing Y/N to blush slightly. "Oh thanks, you're not too bad yourself. I mean you're one of the top heroes after all" Y/N says rambling on and Nemuri laughs at Y/N's rambling and blushing face.

"Come on I'll give you a better tour. You don't want to hear Toshinori keep talking about the history of how this building was built do you" Nemuri whispered out and Y/N giggled. "How will you make the tour better" Y/N said and Nemuri let out a chuckle before smirking. Well I can show you all the secret rooms this school has and even the best spots to look at the scenery" Nemuri said and Y/N thought of you. "Secret Rooms" Y/N asks and Nemuri stopped. "Yes I mean I need to get away from the students and teachers sometimes plus they're amazing" Nemuri said and Y/M hummed. "Okay count me in" Y/N said and Nemuri grinned in excitement. "Perfect come along" Nemuri said before taking Y/N's hand causing Y/N to blush.

Y/N followed Nemuri through the halls of the school as Nemuri showed her all of the secret places that she has found over the past years. "I hope you don't mind me asking but um if you're the number 5 hero why are you teaching at a school instead of going out in the field and fighting villains" Y/N asked as the two sat down in the cafeteria to grab a quick snack from lunch rush. "Well my quirk doesn't really give me much to fight with it only makes people fall asleep" Nemuri said as she took a bite of her food. "That would actually be a total advantage. If there's like a whole group of villains you could easily take them all out by making them pass out" Y/N said and Nemuri let out a hum. "I guess you're right never really thought of that" Nemuri sighed out before she looked at Y/N.

Nemuri was admiring Y/N's features especially her white eyes, freckles and her piercings. "You know you're really beautiful Y/N" Nemuri said and Y/N gulped down her food before choking as she blushed. "T-thanks.... So are you" Y/N muttered out after taking a sip of water. "How do you know, you can't see me" Nemuri says as she continues to watch Y/N. Y/N turned her head to look at Nemuri before smiling. "I don't have to see you to know that you have a beautiful and kind soul" Y/N says and Nemuri blushes slightly at that. "Well aren't you a charmer" Nemuri muttered out as she looked away and Y/N smiled. "I'm just stating the truth" Y/N said and Nemuri looked back at her and smiled softly.

As the two sat there Nemuri got a great idea. "So you know how Valentine's Day is coming up right" Nemuri asked and Y/N nodded her head. "Would you like to be my date for the Valentine's U.A. high party" Nemuri Kayama asked and Y/N's eyes widened in shock before she felt her face heat up. "Oh um w-why me" Y/N questioned and Nemuri giggled before smiling as she placed her hand on top of Y/N's. "Because I think you're absolutely adorable and I also want to get to know you more and like you said to me it's not about how beautiful someone is it's about their kind soul and personality, and I want to know more about your kind soul and personality along with what your favorite things are" Nemuri said and saw Y/N's face turn even more red causing her to smirk. "So what do you say Y/N" Nemuri said as she continued to look at Y/N. "Um sure I guess I'll go with you" Y/N muttered out and Nemuri smirked before squeezing Y/N's hand. "Perfect you won't regret it" Nemuri said before bringing Y/N's hand up to her lips and kissing it causing Y/N to blush even more.

"Should we go finish the tour" Nemuri said before standing up before Y/N nodded and stood up as well. As she turned around she almost tripped over the chair next to her and Nemuri caught her before giggling m "Careful darling, you okay" Nemuri said and Y/N nodded. "Y-yeah sometimes I forget to turn my quirk back on after sitting down and I sometimes run into things or almost trip over things when I stand back up" Y/N said as she smiled in embarrassment. "No need to be embarrassed sweetheart" Nemuri said while touching Y/N's shoulder while smiling.

Y/N was standing in front of U.A. High waiting nervously as she tugged on her tie while waiting for Nemuri to show up when someone stopped beside her. “You look amazing Y/N” Hizashi said before continuing. “Trying to impress a certain dark purple haired woman,” Hizashi teased,causing Y/N’s face to flush. “Oh Hizashi stop teasing her” Y/N heard Nemuri say before she smiled. “Well don't you look gorgeous darling but your tie is a little messed up” Nemuri said before stepping forward and grabbing Y/N’s tie before fixing it. Nemuri was wearing a dark long red dress that had a slit up to her thigh. After Nemuri fixed the tie she tugged on it a little causing a squeak to come out of Y/N’s lips before she saw Y/N’s face heat up. Nemuri chuckled before pulling away. “Shall we go in Darling” Nemuri said and Y/N nodded. Nemuri interlocked her arm with Y/N’s before heading to the school as Hizashi followed behind them.

Nemuri and Y/N entered the school and the students greeted them. Some stared at the two with widened eyes and opened mouths as the two walked by. Although Nemuri was enjoying the attention she only liked one person's attention and that's Y/N even though they just met a month ago. “I can feel their stares” Y/N muttered out and Nemuri giggled softly. “Well of course you can, they're staring at you because you look absolutely stunning in that suit, plus you wear it better than them” Nemuri said, causing Y/N’s face to flush. Nemuri let out a low chuckle before wrapping her arm around Y/N’s waist and pulling her closer.

The two walked into the huge gym and Nemuri greeted some of the other teachers while introducing Y/N to them. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you Y/N, Kayama would not stop talking about you for the past month” Higari said, teasing Nemuri causing both her's and Y/N’s face to flush. “Oh Y/N dear it's nice to see you again” Chiyo said and Y/N smiled. “I would say it's nice to see you again as well Recovery girl but you know I can't see” Y/N said causing Chiyo to laugh before smiling. “Oh dear you always know how to make me laugh let's catch up shall we, you need to tell me all about your little adventure around the world” Chiyo said before grabbing River's hand and dragging her away from Nemuri who just stared dumbfounded. “Looks like the old lady took your date” Hizashi said and Shota slapped him while Nemuri glared at him.

Nemuri watched Y/N and Recovery Girl from across the gym as she sipped on her glass of wine. Nemuri couldn't keep her eyes off of Y/N. Her laugh, her smile, her eyes and her overall beauty. Nemuri was captivated by all of it. Nemuri was still a bit hesitant because this was the first time she actually felt this type of way about someone and she didn't want to ruin it by going too fast. “Kayama, what are you thinking about” someone asked, causing Nemuri to snap out of it before looking over to her two best friends Hizashi and Shouta. “Oh nothing really, don't worry about it” Nemuri said and the two looked at each other before looking back at Nemuri. Hizashi wrapped his arm around Nemuri's shoulder and leaned in. “We know you're lying, come on, is it about Y/N” Hizashi said and Nemuri frowned. Shota titled his head before looking over towards Recovery girl and Y/N. “You're in love with her aren't you” Shota asked and Nemuri's eyes widened in shock as her face flushes. Hizashi smirked at that before squeezing Nemuri's shoulder. “You are” Hizashi shouted and Nemuri glared at him. “Shut up damn it” Nemuri scolded him and he rolled his eyes before letting go of her.

“Seriously though Kayama tell us the truth” Shota said as he leaned against the table. Nemuri sighed before she looked back over to where Y/N was smiling softly at whatever Recovery girl was saying. “Yeah I do, but it's only been a month since we've known each other” Nemuri said before drinking the rest of her wine. “So what it's love at first sight then, there's nothing wrong about that” Hizashi said and Shota rolled his eyes. “I don't think she's worried about that Hizashi” Shota said and Hizashi looked at him. “She's clearly nervous” Shota said and Nemuri gave him a death glare. “I am not” Nemuri growled out causing Shota to smirk. “Then go ask her to dance with you” Shota challenged and Nemuri huffed.

Nemuri made her way across the gym and over to Recovery Girl and Y/N. She stopped and smiled at Recovery Girl. “Sorry to interrupt you two but I'm stealing my date back* Nemuri said before grabbing Y/N’s hand and dragging her to the middle of the gym where others were dancing. “Nemuri what's going on” Y/N said and Nemuri stopped before turning around and looking down at Y/N. “Would you dance with me” Nemuri asked and Y/N frowned. “Nemmie I'm blind remember” Y/N said and Nemuri rolled her eyes before yanking Y/N forward and wrapping one of her arms around her waist. “Oh I remember” Nemuri said before grabbing Y/N’s hand with her free hand. “So what if you're blind, just let me guide you through the dance, I promise to go slow and not let you trip” Nemuri said and Y/N sighed before nodding her head. “Alright I trust you” Y/N said, causing Nemuri to smile widely. “Thank you darling” Nemuri said.

Nemuri had guided Y/N through the dance and the music. Y/N followed every dance step Nemuri was doing with her quirk. “See you're doing an amazing job, you don't need to see to dance sweetheart” Nemuri said as she spun Y/N around before pulling her back against her. “And you're also a really good dancer better than everyone else here” Nemuri continued as she whispered into Y/N’s ear causing Y/N to blush.

“Come on let's get some fresh air” Nemuri whispered to Y/N before grabbing her hand and leading Y/N out of the packed gym and through the halls of the school before outside. After the two stepped out the spring air hit them and Y/N shivered slightly. Nemuri sat down on the steps and helped Y/N sit down as well. “I wish you could see the sky, it's really beautiful tonight” Nemuri said and Y/N smiled as she tilted her head back slightly. “I bet it is but I know for a fact it's not as beautiful as you are” Y/N muttered out before her face flushed slightly. Nemuri blushed slightly as she looked away from Y/N. The two stayed silent for a couple minutes until Y/N spoke up. “Why did you choose me as your date to the Valentine's Party” Y/N asked and Nemuri looked over at her.

Nemuri sighed before stroking her hair through her long dark purple hair. “I guess I should just tell you now” Nemuri said and Y/N tilted her head. “Tell me what” Y/N asked and she heard Nemuri sigh, causing her to reach out to grab Nemuri's hand. “I like you Y/N….. wait no no I don't like you I love you” Nemuri blurted out and Y/N’s eyes widened in shock as her face flushed again but more this time. “W-what “ Y/N stuttered out and Nemuri leaned in closer and cupped Y/N’s face. “I love you Y/N, I've loved you since we first met. I've never felt this way about anyone but you're different in a good way of course. Just something about you had drawn me towards you and I can't seem to get you out of my head” Nemuri admitted and Y/N was shocked causing her to stay quiet. “You don't have to say anything back I just wanted to get it out” Nemuri said before Y/N snapped out of her shock before smiling softly. “I love you too Nemmie” Y/N said and Nemuri let out a sigh of relief. “C-can I kiss you” Nemuri asked and Y/N nodded her head. “Yes” Y/N said and Nemuri leaned in and closed the gap between them and kissing her.

Taglist: @livin4theeradicator, @gaylorvader

#nemuri kayama x reader #midnight x reader #Nemuri Kayama #Midnight #mha midnight #nemmie my beloved midnight💜☄️#BNHA #MHA

136 notes · View notes

ssinnerplazahotel · 6 months ago

Text

╭──────────.★..─╮

*Chapter Fifteen*

╰─..★.──────────╯

WC: 5k

Warning: 18+, age gap, smut, fluff, toxic elvis, manipulation, drug use, it’s the 50s/60s, painful-difficult-devastating-life-changing-extraordinary love

Pairing: elvis x black reader

Disclaimer: full of inaccuracies, inaccurate timeline, inaccurate depictions of Graceland, historically inaccurate themes and items

Masterlist: Prologue, Ch. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

finale pt. 2

“They want you for the cover of Harper’s Bazaar.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you.”

“Why?”

“Because they think you’re ‘extraordinarily beautiful,’” He said, quoting the request directly. “‘Otherworldly.’

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Well, I happen to agree that you’re out of this world.”

He smiled as you sat down in his lap, hugging his neck as you glanced over the letter. You thought about the offer for a moment.

“You don’t have to think about it too much,” Elvis said when he noticed your contemplation. “I’ll tell them you don’t want to do it.”

“Will you do it with me?”

“They didn’t ask me, dirty bird, they asked you.”

You laughed. “I know but…we do everything together.”

You knew if Elvis was on the cover they’d hardly spare you a glance. Doing it alone opened up the floor for criticism—criticism you no longer had the tolerance for. Though the hit pieces you saw were few and far between (Elvis made sure of that) you knew there was another level of hate out there.

“It should be all about you,” He said. “You have a few months to make up your mind.”

“They may not want me in a few months.”

“Why’s that?”

You shrugged dismissively. “I might be pregnant.”

You felt him tense beneath you. “You think?”

“I don’t know,” You said. “I’m late but…I’ve been late before.”

“They said there was a chance~”

“I don’t want to get excited. I don’t even want to think about it.”

“That mindset won’t get you far.”

“And being optimistic will?”

You stood up before he could respond, taking the lighter from the corner of his desk. He watched you wordlessly as you took a cigarette from its case and lit it.

“How late?”

“Don’t start with the questions, E.”

He stood with a sigh, dropping the pen that he had been fidgeting with. “Well, let me know when you start giving a fuck.”

You faced him. “You’re upset?”

“No.” You stopped him from leaving. “Birdie, I don’t care if you don’t.”

“I care,” You said. “I’m just scared.”

“If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, then that’s just it.”

“You don’t understand.”

“I do understand.”

“Do you know what a miscarriage feels like?”

He retracted, but he was still upset. “I don’t see the point in trying if we’re gonna ignore it when it happens.”

“I’m not ignoring it,” You said. “I don’t want to get my hopes up.”

“Well.” He walked past you. “I guess we’ll see.”

The months slipped by agonizingly slow. It was a miserable day every day you woke up still pregnant. It wasn’t that you hoped for another miscarriage, you just hated the anticipation of it all. It was hard to even acknowledge the fact.

You were measuring small, even towards the end of term. The doctors told you it was due to stress. It wasn’t the baby that was stressing you out however.

“I can’t believe I’m the one telling you that we need to get some things in order around here,” Elvis said, forcing you out of bed. “That sucker’s gonna pop out any day now, honey. They told us that weeks ago.”

“It’s fine,” You complained. “I’m sure someone will have the room ready overnight if you ask them.”

“This ain’t the inn, birdie,” He said. “You don’t just put it together in one day. Shouldn’t you have some kind of maternal instinct by now?”

You weren’t prepared to have a baby, let alone be a mother. You feared that you’d mess it up, like you mess up everything else.

“Come help me put this thing together,” Elvis said, returning to his passion project for that afternoon—the baby’s bassinet.

“Put it together in the nursery,” You said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “It doesn’t make sense to do it here.”

“She’s not sleeping alone in a nursery,” He said. “You gotta keep her close the first few months at least. Unless you want a psychopath on our hands.”

“You read too much.”

“You don’t read enough.”

“Down the hall isn’t close enough?”

“Don’t be cruel.”

You watched him as he intently read the instructions word for word—ordering you around as he did so.

“A should snap into D,” He said, pointing the pieces out to you. “And B into C.”

“What?”

“A and D, B and C.”

“That’s so stupid.”

“Let me do it.”

It felt like everything was happening to you. You were nothing more than a variable in this equation and life was insistent on working you out.

“Just breathe for a second~”

“Is it happening?”

“Calm down~”

“Is it really happening?”

“Birdie, relax.”

You couldn’t, how could you? You were in labor, actual labor. Elvis had kept his wits about him when you told him but that didn’t stop you from succumbing to the feeling of impending doom that you had been trying to outrun for the past eight and a half months.

“Get off the phone, E,” You said, rushing him along. “We need to get there before they really start. I can’t handle it.”

“I’m coming,” He said, trying to keep his frustration at bay. “Go get dressed, you can’t go out like that.”

“I’m going to have a baby.”

“Go change,” He insisted. “You could use the distraction while I get this together.”

“Please hurry,” You said, going to find something decent to wear. “I don’t want to feel anything. I can’t take it, I already told you~”

“I know, darlin,” He said halfheartedly. “We’re practically already there.”

You were fully in labor when you arrived at the hospital and barely in time for the epidural. But, after twelve and a half hours, you were welcoming your first daughter into the world.

It was a moment that already felt surreal in your head but even more so as you watched it all play out in front of you. It was painless—as painless as it could be—and you were happy. At least that’s what you kept telling yourself. In reality, you had no idea what you were feeling.

“Birdie?”

“Hm?”

“Her name.”

Your eyes met Elvis’s as you held your daughter. He looked down at the both of you with such admiration.

“Are you asking me what it should be?”

“No, I’m telling you.”

“Birdie’s no name for a baby, E.”

“It could be.”

You looked down at the child in your arms, her eyes squeezed shut and her hands balled into tiny fists. “How about…Lark?”

“…I like it.” Elvis kissed your temple before leaning his head against yours and looking down at his daughter. “Y’know…we’re gonna have to tell the press soon.”

“Yeah, I know,” You responded. “I’m sure they’ll be thrilled.”

“It’s no rush.”

“Of course it is. They’re probably camped outside waiting.”

You turned your head when he didn’t respond, finding a telling expression on his face. “E…they are not camped outside waiting.”

“I don’t know how they found out~”

“Why would you say anything about telling them if they already know?” Your shift in tone startled the sleeping newborn in your arms, causing her to fuss. “Oh god, take her please~”

“Hey, it’s okay.” You weren’t sure if he was consoling you or the baby as he took her and stood from the bed. “It’s okay, hunna.”

You stared in the direction of the window, unable to see out but still picturing the press crowded around the building.

“What are they saying?” You asked, looking at him. “I know you’ve heard something so don’t lie to me.”

“It doesn’t matter,” He said in a hushed tone, walking the baby over to the crib that the hospital provided. “It’s just a shock, really. Most of the reactions are good.”

You didn’t believe him but you didn’t argue. You were too tired to go back and forth any longer.

After a restless night, you were awoken by Elvis saying that you were being discharged.

“Liz is here.”

“Why?”

“We have to go through the press to get out of here.”

“Is there really no other way?”

“They want to see us.”

You went through hair and makeup, nursing Lark along the way. You handed her off quickly after she was fed.

“Doesn’t hurt to hold her sometimes, bert,” Elvis said.

“Please don’t start calling me that,” You complained tensely as Liz zipped the back of your dress. You could hardly breathe in the stiff fabric.

“You don’t like it?” He laughed.

“No,” You exclaimed. “How do you get ‘bert’ from ‘birdie?’”

“D’You hear it, Lizzie?” He asked.

Liz shrugged and muttered something about hearing where he’d gotten it from.

“I can’t hear it,” You said. “I also can’t breathe.”

“You definitely don’t look like you had a baby twenty-four hours ago,” Liz said, adding the final touches. “They’ll love it.”

You enjoyed your brief interactions with Liz. She wasn’t talkative—by nature or per Elvis’s request you didn’t know. She finished up and left.

“What’s wrong?” Elvis asked when she was gone, laying the baby down.

“I don’t want them to see me,” You confessed. “I don’t want anyone to see me.”

“Why?” He wondered. “You’re beautiful.”

Your eyes threatened to roll at the compliment. You didn’t feel beautiful. You felt sore and tired—all but beautiful.

“It’ll be quick,” Elvis said. “Like tearin off a bandaid.”

The nurses insisted that you be wheeled to the car but you politely declined. You could make it walking.

Lark was carried out in her car seat first, heavily protected on all sides before you and Elvis casually strolled out of the building. It was pure chaos outside but you tuned everything out. When you finally made it to the car Elvis let you in before following suit. It was quick, like he promised.

“Andrea?”

You were shocked to see her waiting for you in the foyer when you arrived back at Graceland. She stopped you before you grew excited.

“I came back for the baby.”

You smiled despite her cold demeanor. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Her expression softened when Elvis entered with the car seat in tow. He sighed as he shut the front door.

“You came,” He stated.

“For the baby,” Andrea clarified again, kneeling down to peek at her in the carrier. “What’s her name?”

“Lark,” You responded. “Like the bird.”

“You named her after a bird?” Andrea asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s sentimental.” You shrugged. “You don’t like it?”

“I think it’s a beautiful name.”

Your head snapped instantly in the direction of Dawn’s voice. She stood off to the side watching the interaction unfold.

“Aunt Dawn,” You said delightfully. “You made it.”

“I promised I would,” She said, opening her arms and wrapping you in her familiar embrace. “I had to see this to believe it.”

You felt small in her arms, like the child you once were. “I’m glad you’re here.”

She rubbed your back as she held you. “I’m here.”

“Let’s get you to bed, little bit,” Elvis said, cutting your embrace short. “Doctor’s orders.”

Things were different around the house with the baby and Andrea. Dawn stayed for a few days but ultimately returned to her house a few minutes up the road.

You promised to bring Lark over as often as you could, and you meant it. You aimed to go over every other weekend, but that changed into whenever Elvis could make the trip. He hated for you to visit Dawn on your own. You hadn’t paid it any mind until she brought it up one evening.

“It’s like he’s afraid to leave you alone with me,” She complained. “I’m your aunt. I practically raised you.”

“It’s not like that, Aunt Dawn,” You said as you buckled Lark into her seat. “He hates for me to travel alone. That’s all. There are crazy people out there.”

“He hates for you to do anything alone. It’s concerning.”

“No, it’s sweet. And he really enjoys our visits.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t do this.”

“I hardly recognize you. You look exhausted.”

“That’s because I am exhausted.”

“Andrea and Joel seem to think~”

“Are you really going to let Joel and Andrea ruin our day? They’re the reason he hardly lets me come over anyway. Have they turned you against him too?”

“My worry for you has nothing to do with my feelings about him.”

“Don’t believe anything they say, it’s all made up.”

“Why would they make these things up?”

“Because they don’t want to see us together.”

Elvis appeared from the house then, carrying Lark’s missing pacifier.

“Where was it, baby?” You asked, ignoring the disconcerted expression on Dawn’s face.

“Under the couch,” He said. “The drive back would’ve been hell without it.”

“You two be careful,” Dawn said. “It’s getting dark soon.”

“We will be,” You said, stepping forward and hugging her. “Don’t worry about me. Please, I’m okay.”

“See you, Dawny,” Elvis said, hugging her briefly as well. “I’ll bring them by again soon.”

“I look forward to it.” She watched the two of you climb into the car and waved as you left.

“What’s got her so worried about you?”

“Hm?”

“Dawn. You told her not to worry?”

You shrugged dismissively. “She’s always like that.”

He hummed, unsatisfied with your response. “Did you say something in particular to get her like that?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“I don’t know…she said I looked tired.”

Andrea was there to scoop up Lark the minute you got back. She claimed to not trust the two of you alone with her. She meant it as a joke but a part of you couldn’t help but think she was serious.

“I was about to take her upstairs,” You said. “She needs to get changed and fed.”

“I can do it,” Andrea offered as she bounced Lark in her arms. “I don’t mind.”

“That’s alright~”

“Let her do it,” Elvis said. “We’re gonna be down here anyway.”

“I was going to,” You said as he took the diaper bag from your shoulder and handed it off to Andrea. “It’ll only take a second.”

“I don’t mind,” Andrea insisted. “Go relax. I’m on baby duty.”

“Come on, bert,” Elvis said, laughing at the nickname as he guided you away.

You watched Andrea carefully climb the stairs until she was out of your view.

The scene downstairs was too chaotic and you would’ve preferred to be anywhere else. Elvis kept a heavy arm around your shoulders as you sat silently by his side amongst the group.

Despite your presence, there were still numerous women who had taken the same mundane interest in him as the hundreds (thousands, or even millions) who came before them. You couldn’t blame them, or the way they stared shamelessly—he was too beautiful to only steal a glance.

What they wanted from him was surface level, they craved his body, but his mind and soul were yours—some crude part of you wanted them to know that. You felt invisible next to him as their eyes locked on his every move.

“What?” Elvis asked when he noticed you shifting closer.

“I want to go upstairs,” You said, giving him a look and hoping he’d understand. You placed a suggestive hand on his thigh to further express your point. “Please.”

“Don’t, birdie, come on,” He scolded, moving your hand from his thigh.

“I need you,” You said. “Don’t you want me?”

His jaw twitched. “Why are you being like that in front of all these people?”

“They like watching so much, I figured we’d put on a show.”

“What?”

“A show, y’know…”

His eyes narrowed as he processed what you were saying.

“I want them to know that you’re mine,” You confessed.

“And the only way to prove that is to…?”

“Show them.”

“How?” He laughed.

“Kiss me,” You insisted. “Touch me.”

“You’re crazy,” He muttered under his breath. “I don’t know how I put up with you.”

His words hurt but in some sort of satisfying way.

He kissed your cheek and his deep voice vibrated in your ear when he whispered, “Go upstairs.”

You stood, trying not to pout as you left the room. You stopped by Lark’s nursery on your way by and you saw Andrea but you didn't make your presence known as you watched them. She was so good with her.

Elvis came up the stairs as you stood there and you immediately went to the bedroom without a word. You shut the door behind yourself, making him open it moments later.

“What? You have a problem with me?” He asked, slamming the door.

You faced him—crossing your arms.

“How can I help that they were looking at us?”

“They were looking at you, not me.”

“D’you know who I was looking at? You.”

“Do they know that?”

“Who cares what they know?”

“I do.”

“So, what, you want me to fuck you in a room full of people?”

You pushed him away when he stepped closer but even with all your strength he didn’t budge. You struggled against him when he grabbed your wrists, trying to pull away. His grip tightened and he forced you into a rough kiss. As much as you wanted to deny him you gave in quickly.

He made you straddle him when he sat on the edge of the bed, assisting your movements with a tight grip on your waist and making you grind your core against the bulge forming in his pants.

“You’re gonna finish what you were trying to start out there,” He said. “Do you understand?”

You aren’t sure what came over you in that moment, but you brought your right hand up and struck his cheek in one swift motion. He seemed as shocked by the action as you were, his head cocked to the side—frozen for a moment before acting suddenly.

He stood and shoved you onto your back, wrapping a hand around your neck.

You nodded in encouragement. “Hit me back.”

He kissed you, there was a gentleness lingering behind his touch that you wanted him to let go of. “Don’t be brutal.”

“I want it.”

“You want me to hit you?”

“Yes.”

He examined your expression for a moment before pulling away. You waited as he sat back on his heels and silently removed his shirt.

“Take off your dress,” He finally said, waiting expectantly.

You smiled and shook your head ‘no.’ He was on you immediately, forcing you onto your front before unzipping the back of your dress. He stripped you, leaving you in only your heels and panties.

“On your back,” He demanded.

You turned over but immediately lifted your foot, using the pointed end of your heel to keep him from coming closer. He grabbed your ankle and ripped the shoe from your foot before wrestling the other off.

He forced himself between your legs. You tried to push him away but he pinned your hands beside your head—he wasn’t letting up but you could feel his frustration building.

You forced a heavy moan and arched your back, playing up your pleasure and becoming pliant. He released your wrists and you put your arms around his shoulders—you let him kiss you fully before grabbing a fistful of his hair and pulling. You tugged harshly and he groaned.

“Don’t do that,” He said through clenched teeth. “Fucking let go.”

“Make me,” You challenged. “Hit me.”

“What’s that do for you?”

“It makes me feel like yours.”

You closed your eyes as he kissed you, releasing your grip on his hair.

“You are mine,” He muttered against your lips. “I don’t have to hit you to prove that, do I?”

“No,” You agreed, trying not to let your excitement show as he grabbed your jaw and made you look at him.

“You’re my girl?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what that means?”

Your eyes widened when his ring and middle fingers suddenly pushed past your lips, forcing your tongue down. You gagged and tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let you. The rings on his fingers clanked uncomfortably against your teeth but you couldn’t avoid them.

“It means—” His face was close to yours. “—that you hold yourself together when other girls make you jealous, you don’t fall apart and turn into a desperate nag.” He only pulled away after you choked, his fingers covered in your saliva. “You should know that by now, birdie. You’re actin like an amateur.”

You hardly had a second to breathe before he was forcing you onto your back.

“You’re always asking why I never use your mouth and you can’t even handle two fingers. It’s fucking adorable.” His words must’ve had the effect he wanted them to, because he laughed when you started struggling again. “You’re just a little girl. You don’t know the first thing about what you’re getting into when you ask me to do shit like this to you.”

“You’d rather fuck one of them?”

“I probably would’ve if it weren’t for your bad attitude.”

You fought harder but he held you down under half his body weight.

“You don’t like that?” He asked knowingly, grunting as he thrusted his touch-starved erection against your core.

“No, I don’t fucking like that,” You spat. “You’re an asshole.”

“Your mouth.” He tutted, disapprovingly.

“Fuck you.”

“Say it again.”

“Fuck y~”

You were stunned by the slap that crossed your face. It didn’t hurt but it stung in an addicting way and made you throb with desperation.

“That’s what you want?” He asked, you could hear the panic reserved in his tone. He was checking in.

“Yes,” You reassured him.

“When did you get like this?” He muttered, sitting up and instructing you to remove his belt. “Come on. It’s the least you can do after being such a mean little thing.”

You sat up with him to unbuckle the belt. He took your face in his hands and kissed you, still unable to resist your lips.

“Say you love me,” He demanded, breaking the kiss. “Fucking say it.”

“I love you,” You said. “I love you, I love you, I love you~”

“Alright, shut up,” He interrupted. “You’re gonna get yourself off, d’you think you can do that?”

You followed him as he sat back against the headboard, letting him force you to straddle him. You brought your hand up in an attempt to land your revenge, but he caught your wrist before you could connect.

“Don’t try it again.” He tore your underwear from around your waist, ruining them. “Take my rings off.”

You reached for his hand and he pulled it out of your reach.

“Uh, uh,” He hummed. “Use your mouth.”

You hesitate but parted your lips anyway. He swore as you used your mouth to remove each ring, leaving his fingers glistening with your saliva.

“Last one,” He said as you spit another ring into his right palm and took his left ring finger in your mouth. He hissed as the wedding band slipped from his finger and into your mouth. He stopped you from spitting it out. “Keep it in your mouth. Don’t swallow it.”

You wanted to protest but focused your attention instead on not letting the ring slip down your throat. He kissed your chest as his wet fingers glided through your slick folds.

With his left hand occupied and his right arm wrapped around your back, you had a clear opportunity to land another sharp slap across his cheek.

He released an involuntary gasp upon contact, clenching his jaw and sighing through his nose.

“Spit,” He demanded, holding his left hand out for the ring. You let fall out of your mouth along with the pool of saliva that had collected.

He tossed the ring aside and leaned forward until you laid flat against the bed. He forced his fingers into you, curling them deep.

“It’s not enough that I married you, and gave you my child,” He said through labored breathing. “You want me to use you in a room full of people to prove a point.”

“People you would’ve had the luxury of screwing if I were nicer.”

“You know I say that kind of shit to piss you off.”

You released an accented moan as he slammed his fingers harshly into you, cutting your rebuttal short.

His hand found your throat again and applied more pressure. Your eyes widened in shock when your breathing was interrupted and you struggled to push him off.

“What?” He stopped moving. “Too soft? Harder?”

He waited another second and let go.

“Harder,” You gasped.

“Really?” His thrusts became longer and deeper—making your legs tremble as he reached that spot that made your toes curl. “But you’re crying, mama.”

He knew as well as you did that the tears in your eyes had nothing to do with you crying and everything to do with him choking you moments before. But he’d use the tears as a testimony to your pain if it made you appear frail.

“Do you want me to stop?” He asked, knowing the answer.

You wanted to tell him to keep going, but it was too much. The last thing you wanted to do was prove him right by affirming your sensitivity. Rather than appear weak, you opted for silence.

“Okay,” He whispered, kissing your lips gently. “I’ll take care of you, darlin, don’t worry.”

He sat up and silently motioned ‘come here’ with both hands—his lids heavy and his pupils blown with lust. You forced yourself to sit up, figuring it best to agree. He wrapped his arms around your torso, expecting you to wrap your legs around his waist.

“Stay,” He whispered. “What’re you gonna do?”

“…Stay.” You shivered when he entered you, relaxing into his hold and completely relinquishing your senses.

“Good girl…see? You can be a sweet girl.”

You couldn’t feel anything outside of him. You couldn’t see, hear, smell, or taste anything…only him.

“You walk around like you have so much to prove,” He said, his voice low in your ear. “I don’t know why.”

You couldn’t respond, you couldn’t form any words as that familiar knot started to form in the pit of your stomach.

“It’s like you’re jealous of a couple of strangers,” He continued, rocking his hips upward to thrust inside of you. “Do you want me to treat you like them? Like I don’t know you—like I don’t love you?”

The world fell away and for a moment you were just a body made up of electricity and burning pleasure. Your eyes rolled and you trembled. He kept going.

“Do you want me fuck you like a stranger?” He muttered, you couldn’t tell if he was talking to you anymore.

“Please,” You whispered, encouraging him. “…fuck me like a stranger.”

His hips stuttered and he came instantly, bursting inside of you like a teenager. You felt the warmth of his release pooling inside of you and seeping between your thighs.

You climbed out of his lap, leaving no time for either of you to come down or catch your breath. You tried to turn away—too woozy to get up—but he grabbed you by the arm and made you face him. You wouldn’t look at him, so he gripped your jaw.

“I love you,” He panted. “I…love you. That’s the difference. That makes all the difference.”

You met his eyes. “That makes everything okay?”

“No,” He admitted. “It doesn’t.”

You couldn’t read his expression—his lids were heavy with post-orgasmic bliss. He was still coming down from his high, not speaking for himself but from his pleasure.

“I’m sorry,” He muttered, nuzzling the crook of your neck.

You hugged him back, closing your eyes and allowing yourself to revel in his apology while he was sorry—because you knew he wouldn’t be for long.

He pulled away from the embrace after a few minutes. “Say it back.”

You smiled, you almost thought he hadn’t noticed. “I love you too.”

He smiled, content.

“You should get back out there,” You said. “Seemed like the night was just getting started.”

“I’m not finished with you just yet,” He said, smirking suggestively. “You’ve awoken something inside of me.”

“Oh no,” You said sarcastically, laughing as his hands shamefully roamed your body. “What have I done?”

“Where’s Lark?”

“With Andrea still.”

“Perfect.”

You squeaked in surprise when he rolled onto his back and pulled you onto his lap.

“Tell me what to do."

You paused. "What do you mean?"

His fingernails grazed your bare thighs as he smiled timidly. "I want you to order me around. Make me do things I wouldn’t usually do.”

You would grow to accept that there would be no final retribution or day of reckoning. No fight, no agreement, no threat, no reconciliation.

Those things didn’t matter when it came to the two of you. At the end of it all—good, bad, ugly and indifferent—you two would remain. It was an undisputed truth…wherever you went, you went together.

You could be opposites, or just alike, it’d make no difference. He could be like the sea. Open, free, abundant in what he could give. Charitable, but indulgent. Hazardous, but certain. You could be like the desert. Brutal, unforthcoming, full of life in some areas but destitute in others. Fertile, but not nurturing. Guarded, but unprotected. You could have been all those things and one simple fact would remain.

Wherever there was Elvis Presley, so too was his baby birdie.

—fin.

#elvis presley #elvis imagine #austin butler #elvis smut #black reader #elvis fluff #elvis presely smut #elvis x black reader #elvis x you #the bikeriders #60s elvis

27 notes · View notes

onim5 · 5 months ago

Text

Isekai Au

Chapter 6: Idk

Portgas D. Ace x Female Reader

Warnings: None

-----------------------------------

Ace had been to a lot of different stuff the past few days. Restaurants, bath house, cinema, but the absolute worst part was the fact you had bought him not one, not two, but around forty-three gifts and such. He didn't even know what to do with most! He had his own roller skates all of sudden, and ice skates! When Ace came, he had nothing, and now he owned more than he ever had. And every time he tries to tell you no, you already bought it! Ace sighed, looking at the three bags he now had. Sure, for the majority of time, you were off working. But the moment you got back, boy, you had something new for him. And every time, you use the same excuse.

"I'm on vacation. And I can't let you ruin it by stopping me from going." And then you had forced him to come with! And who has vacation and work at the same time?

"Ace, are you ready to go to the airport?" You called out. Ace grumbled but took his bags and yours to the elevator, apparently.

"Do you have airplanes in your world?" You asked curiously. Ace thought for a while.

"We don't have anything called that," Ace confirms as he places the bags in a car that has one more name, a taxi. We soon came to the airport and, let's just say Ace got nervous.

"How is that gigantic thing gonna fly?" Ace asks while pointing at the plane. He feels how a lot a strange unsure feeling settles in him.

"If it didn't fly, we wouldn't be here." You answered, patting him on the shoulder. Then you continued walking, and Ace followed. Inside the building, it was huge, really huge. You two put your bags on a moving thing and then got checked for something. Luckily though, both passed. He unsurely sat on foot on the moving stairs. And then stood unsure on it.

"I guess you guys don't have escalators?" You comment as you walk off the step. Ace practically jumped over, too scared to touch the end line.

"No, we don't." Ace grumbled.

Ace and you waited, doing rock, paper, scissors, and other stuff. Then, it was time to get into the big thing. Ace follows closely behind you.

"Don't do anything dirty on the plane." The flight attendant comments as you two walked past. Ace blush makes a little bigger distance between you. It was the billionth time someone thought you two were dating. The worst part is that Ace can't even blame them! If he saw a man and a woman around the same age, he also assumed that. Especially if the man is following around like a lost puppy. Ace sighs at that thought. He really feels like one.

Settling down in the plane, Ace gets the window spot, and you are in the middle. A young, handsome man sits down next to you and a weird feeling places in Ace's chest.

"Hello, the name's Jason Bacon." The man introduced with a wink. Though that wink had definitely different meanings to you and Ace.

"I'm Y/n L/n, and this is my boyfriend Portgas D. Ace." I said, gesturing to Ace. He looked away to hide his shock and flustered state. Why did you say that?!

"Dosen't seem like he has much interest in you." Jason comments leaning closer to you. Ace snaps his head in Jason's direction. Jason sees the glare Ace gives him and leans as far away from you as possible.

There must be a different way to ask someone to start dating here. Ace thinks. Does that mean I have a girlfriend! Ace leans back on his seat and accidentally places his hand in yours. He is just about to remove it when the plane starts, so instead, he takes hold of your hand. Ace looks out the window and watches it move. He can feel how the plane lifts and how he gets pressed into his seat. You give his hand a light squeeze in reasurment and smile.

Good thing I told Jason that Ace and I are together. He seems to be a kind of creep. You think, looking into Ace warm and nice hand. Ace is quite good at pretending.

------------------------

If you have any questions, just ask. 😊

End of chapter 6

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Masterlist

#isekai portgas d ace #onepiece isekai au #isekai au #isekai #one piece #portgas d. ace #one piece x reader #fire fist ace #portgas #portgas d ace #portgas d ace x reader #portgas d ace x y/n #onepiece #one piece ace #onim5

28 notes · View notes

thereal-true-ogilvie · 2 years ago

Text

hello everyone welcome to i talk about benrey for a minute here

as someone who’s watched the entirety of hlvrai at least 6 times, the full vods at least 3, and the cast commentary hovering somewhere around 10, i consider myself to be pretty well-versed in the series. i also kin benrey. this is probably important to my perception of him.

the series is about self-aware AI. its in the title! so it seems obvious enough to me that Benrey was programmed to be the final boss. he was SUPPOSED to be a silly character that antagonizes the protag and throws off the group dynamic, and then it’s a big reveal and you get to beat up this guy that was mean to you!

but he doesnt wanna. hes self aware.

Of all the characters, i think Bubby and Tommy are the most “powerful” in that they were able to break their characters the most. Tommy is a bit of a wild card because he doesn’t usually act like an AI. I view him as the “character you’re supposed to protect” in the party, but somewhere along the way he, too, became self-aware and figured out how to handle his own. I think that’s where the age thing comes in. He was programmed to be a 5-year-old that you’re trying to get out of this dangerous facility! but he didn’t want to be a 5-year-old, he’s smarter than that, he’s capable! so he changed it. Him being the son of Gman also probably helped with him being able to just do that.

I take Bubby and Dr. Coomer as both being tutorial characters. Dr. Coomer is a bit broken, but he still does his best to teach you about things. I think he’s the tutorial NPC that goes “watch out for [x]” and “we can use ropes to cross big pits!” and “we should call them Peeper Puppies!” while Bubby was supposed to be the “here’s how you shoot a gun”

Like, Dr. Coomer does the knowledge about the world, and Bubby does the action. for the video game. And Bubby is supposed to be kinda cold to you, because the action-tutorial NPCs tend to be. Like “what you cant even hold your own? tch, guess ill have to teach you.” But Bubby doesn’t do that. He doesn’t WANT to play the game, he wants to go back home. He liked it before the game was switched on. So he doesn’t teach Gordon shit and just tries to speedrun so the player will leave and he can go back home.

one little scene that stood out to me so much was when the crew is sitting around in a circle with the pigeons. not outside, the other scene with them sitting in a circle and there’s pigeons. why are there 2 of those.

anyways, Benrey is just staring at this pigeon behind Gordon, and singing to it, calmly. And then there’s a loud beep that sounds like the vox, and definitely doesnt come from Benrey. and he suddenly gets up and shoots the pigeon. That reads SO HARD like he was being too soft with the game world, so it pushed him to do something evil randomly. Like a little villain reboot.

Almost everything he does to antagonize Gordon can be read as genuine confusion. He kills random NPCs because he knows theyre not important, and that they can’t feel anything, and that they’ll only slow the team’s progress. And what makes Gordon so mad at him is how often Benrey says Gordon shouldnt be allowed in here. I take that as a similar stance to Bubby. Benrey doesn’t want to be the villain. He doesn’t want the player to progress and make him. That gets more obvious the closer we get to the end, and most people tend to notice it in the last scenes before Xen, where he’s suggesting they go all the way back, and basically begging the player to stop here, at least for a little while.

its really sad, honestly. but i take the cast commentary bits as canon. Which makes it adorable when Benrey comes back into the movie theatre with Gordon and we get

“I wonder what will happen. I bet you know what happens!”

“I win!!!”

He did win. He got to get past being the final boss. He got to join the epilogue. I think, he probably wasn’t supposed to be able to. But these guys broke the game enough that he could. Isn’t that sweet? Isn’t that a nice ending for him? I think he deserves it.

Wayne says he acts like “he isn’t aware unless he’s being spoken to” and I think that fits really well. Like, sometimes his actions are coded into his behavior, so he does them without realizing. And then the player interacting with him (which is the premise of the self-awareness) forces him to actually look at what he did, and sometimes he has no idea how to explain it. Leading to his “huh?”

listen to me. are you listening. i need you to hear this. i need more people to understand benrey. and how much i love him. hes trapped in the narrative, doomed by it to be the villain. but he doesn’t want to be. he clearly cares about the crew in his own silly goofy way. he doesn’t want to fight them. i wrote down everything he said in the finale, and he only says 5 outright malicious lines, all of which are directly after an unnatural pause, like he’s being rebooted again. Some important lines: “I knew this was gonna happen,”

“Stop shooting at me, I have to shoot back, I don’t wanna do that,”

“I didn’t have a big plan, I was supposed to be nice, but you forced me to be BAD so I’m gonna be BAD… friend.” the small, quiet “friend” there gets me every time. even after everything, even after his nature is revealed, he wants to believe theyre still friends.

“Don’t go in there, please… I don’t like that room." The amount of times he sounds so genuinely sad when asking them to stop, or even just saying “bro..” like he’s mourning the friendship they could’ve had. The amount of times he sounds genuinely pained when he’s glitching out and stretching across the screen.

And his last words, said childishly of course, but,

“This isn’t fair.”

#god i love character analysis #benrey #hlvrai #dr coomer #bubby #tommy coolatta

250 notes · View notes

aebi12 · 8 months ago

Text

"Resentment" - Chapter 12 [AemondxRhaena]

Summary

He is the cause of her sufferings. He took her dragon, her betrothed, and her father. Now, he will also take away her future by having to marry him.

With so much history and bad blood between Rhaena and Aemond, their forced union has everything to fail, except that the proximity will make them discover that perhaps they have more in common than it seems.

AU - the Greens win the war.

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11

Masterlist of my other works.

Tags: enemies to lovers, romance, angst, drama, eventual smut, hurt/comfort

Please remember that english is not my first language, so I'm sorry for the mistakes...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It was during that darkness that the Others first appeared. They were cold things, dead things, who hated iron and fire and sunlight, and every creature with warm blood in their veins. They devastated villages, cities and kingdoms. They defeated heroes and armies. They were innumerable, always on the backs of white and dead horses, at the head of hosts of corpses. Not all the swords of men could stop their advance, nor did the maidens or the breast babies awaken their compassion. They hunted the girls through the frozen forests and fed the flesh of human children to their dead servants.”

The sudden sound of the door closing makes her gasp, and close the book. Heart pounding in her chest, Rhaena directs her gaze to the other end of the room.

“Rhaena! Why are you still in bed?” Marianne's voice is full of impatience. The lady frowns when she comes close to her friend, and observes her tired and haggard expression, “Are you feeling ill?”

“I was reading,” Rhaena shakes her head.

“Did you spend all night reading?” she asks astonished

“Not all night,” Rhaena blushes, “I slept for a few hours.”

Marianne sighs and closes her eyes for a few moments. “It is an important day, you should have gotten dressed by now.”

“Surely we still have a few hours before I have to…”

“No, no more reading for today,” Marianne walks around the bed until she reaches the book, quickly taking it in her hands as she guesses Rhaena’s intentions to continue with her favorite pastime, “Honestly, how interesting can this be? Boring fiction about the North”

“Not at all!” Rhaena is quick to say, “It is quite fascinating, actually, reading about the terrible winter that descended upon the entire continent. Did you know that the Others rode spiders the size of horses? They were death itself."

“Stop it, I have no desire for horror stories,” Marianne shudders.

“Oh no, Marianne, let me tell you about what I read, who else am I going to share all this new information with?”

“Prince Aemond, of course,” Marianne places the book on one of the tables, “Since he so kindly lent you the book, he might as well hear your opinions on it.”

Rhaena sighs and her gaze drifts once more to the worn cover of the book. Could it be that her cousin enjoyed the stories as much as she did? Was that the reason the book seemed so aged? Or was it just another copy already worn out by the passing of the years?

“Don't you want to know more about winter?”

“The only thing I know about winter is that it is cold, bad for crops and commerce. And, luckily it is not upon us yet,” Marianne approaches the bed, removes the covers from Rhaena's body and extends her hand towards her, “Otherwise the merchants of Lys would not have been able to bring this.”

The lady shows Rhaena a couple of small glass bottles.

"What are they?" she asks, curious, examining the content

“Face and lip powder,” she replies with a smile.

Rhaena's smile widens as well as she climbs out of bed. “You look beautiful today, by the way,” she says after really taking in the appearance of her friend, who is wearing a yellow, almost ocher dress, with delicate details of seashells, the emblem of her house, which accentuates her delicate figure. Her hair, loose in soft waves, falls to her back, framing her heart-shaped face. “Looking to impress someone?”

“You know who I'd like to impress isn't here,” Marianne responds in a discouraged voice, “But my uncle Tyland wants me to take the opportunity to meet future suitors.”

“Surely you already know all the courtiers who live here?” Rhaena takes off her nightgown and puts her hair in a high bun.

“Well…” Marianne interrupts her respond to give instructions to the maids who fill the bathtub, “Some of the guests to your wedding have already arrived at the Fortress and will attend the banquet.”

“Oh, I did not know that,” her stomach twists at the thought of the wedding. Rhaena steps into the tub, rejoicing in the hot water, which calms her immediately.

“Yes, maybe we will meet someone interesting today.”

"Maybe"

Rhaena quickly carves her body with the sponge while her friend prepares the dress, jewelry and shoes she will wear at the banquet with the help of the maids.

“You should have slept a little more, you look too tired,” Marianne says disapprovingly after Rhaena has already gotten out of the bathtub, inspecting the dark circles on her friend's face.

“Relax, Anne, I do not need to look especially put together today. I am already betrothed, remember?”

“Still,” the lady shrugs, “Come on, help Lady Rhaena get dressed,” she instructs the servants, who quickly place Rhaena inside the dress, their deft fingers buttoning the back buttons, “I would know it would fit you perfectly”

Rhaena walks to the bedroom mirror and observes her figure, “It is tighter than what I usually wear,” she comments as she moves from side to side.

“Nonsense, it looks perfect on you,” her friend repeats.

Rhaena offers her a smile, “Thank you, Marianne, I just hope it is discreet enough for the ceremony. The neckline is much more revealing than the ones I wore all week during the festival.”

“Right, I didn't particularly think about that,” Marianne observes her friend, “We could try putting down a muslin or…”

“No, no, it is too pretty a dress to add anything out of place,” Rhaena denies, taking in once again her slim figure accentuated by the cut of the dress. The color, subtle and feminine, looks wonderful on her skin tone.

"Sure?" When Rhaena nods, Marianne continues, “Well, you will need an appropriate necklace.”

“I'll use the one Aemond bought for me.”

“The butterfly one? But it is…”

"Simple?"

"Yes"

Rhaena takes the necklace from her dresser, “It will be a sign of goodwill, in my opinion, that I wear something he gave me since I will not be wearing one of the dresses he sent for me”

“I guess you are right,” Marianne agrees, “Your hair then…”

Her friend spends the next few minutes skillfully braiding her hair and applying the Lys powder, which gives a pinkish touch to her cheeks and lips. Pleased with the result, Rhaena applies her rose perfume and links arms with Marianne.

"Ready?"

“Excited,” Marianne nods, “You know how much I enjoy dancing.”

“As do I,” Rhaena giggles, “And I have a feeling we are going to have a pleasant time today.”

***

Aemond plays with the hem of his doublet as he watches Rhaena and her lady-in-waiting advance slowly, laughing carelessly and unaware of his presence waiting for them at the end of the corridor.

When they finally notice the prince, it is almost funny how their expressions and postures change.

“Good morning, my prince,” it is Rhaena's lady who greets him, bowing appropriately.

“Lady Westerling,” he replies, nodding.

His greeting seems to astonish the young woman, who stares at him for several seconds before exchanging a look with her lady. Aemond raises his eyebrows in her direction, not understanding the reaction.

“Cousin,” Rhaena offers him a kind smile, “I thought we'd meet at the party.”

“I figured the most appropriate thing would be to arrive together, after all and as you reminded me yesterday, we are the guests of honor.”

“I guess you are right,” she admits, her smile widening.

“I'll see you inside,” the Westerling girl says to Rhaena, who takes her hand and squeezes it goodbye. She bows to the prince again and strides toward the double doors at the entrance to the hall.

“Your lady-in-waiting seemed a little…” Aemond leaves the idea hanging.

“I think she was just amazed that you remembered her name.”

“I am able to remember the names of the members of the court,” he replies coldly. If he was honest, he didn't remember the girl's name, but the seashells embroidered on her dress had been enough of a clue for him to remember her house.

“I never said otherwise”

Their gazes meet and Aemond stares at the violet tone of her eyes for a few moments before looking away to her cousin's outfit.

“That's not one of the dresses I sent you,” he comments disapprovingly.

"No, it is not. This is a gift from Marianne, beautiful, don't you think?”

"Hmm"

Aemond thinks he sees the beginnings of a smile on Rhaena's face, but he just turns his back on her and starts walking towards the hall.

The guards bow to both of them and announce their arrival as they open the double doors. Rhaena's perfume invades him once again due to her closeness, and Aemond is tempted to glance at her out of the corner of his eye, but she has positioned herself to his left, so he finds nothing but darkness.

The hall, one of the many in the Red Keep, looks splendidly decorated. Emblems of the Faith, House Targaryen and House Blackwood hang from the high ceilings. An altar to the Mother, decorated with numerous natural flowers, stands out in the center of the place. There is also a small stage on the other side of the room with several chairs in front of it. Aemond frowns, but follows Rhaena to the high table, where the High Septon and old lady Blackwood are standing, but before they get there, Rhaena's hand on his forearm stops their progress.

"What is it?" He asks quietly turning to her.

“Be kind,” she responds in a whisper.

Their eyes meet once again. She looks apprehensive, as if she's afraid of what he might say or do in front of the hosts. He finds her concern annoying and even insulting, but when Rhaena presses her gentle touch on his forearm and takes a step toward him, her scent enveloping him once more, the impulse to respond with a sarcastic comment suddenly fades away.

“Please,” she insists in a tone so low that he practically has to read her lips.

His gaze stays on her lips for a few seconds, finding them small and soft-looking. Were they perhaps…? Aemond stops his train of thought and tilts his head, removing his arm from Rhaena's grasp.

“If you insist,” he finally answers after clearing his throat.

She seems content with his response and starts walking again.

“Lady Blackwood!” She greets with a bright smile, “High Septon,” Rhaena nods to both of them.

“Lady Rhaena, Prince Aemond”

The old woman's hard gaze lingers on him for a moment before she bows.

“My lady,” he responds with a solemn voice and nodding his head respectfully.

“I appreciate the presence of both of you on this special occasion,” says the woman, “It is my hope that you enjoy this small ceremony.”

Aemond purses his lips and suppresses a snort of annoyance. He detests false modesty. The woman had clearly gone to great lengths with the preparations of every detail.

“Everything looks magnificent,” Rhaena smiles, “I am sure you'll be a wonderful hostess today, if your tea parties are any indication.”

They both laugh and the High Septon laughs with them. Beside him, Rhaena subtly bumps her foot against Aemond's.

“It is an honor for us to be here, Lady Blackwood,” he says finally.

The old woman smiles, half pleased and half arrogant. Aemond restrains his desire to roll his good eye at her.

“Please, my prince, Lady Rhaena, join us at the table of honor.”

Aemond walks after his cousin and sits at the table, relieved to not be next to the old woman or the High Septon. He couldn't feign goodwill all morning towards the former and he'd had enough of the latter all week.

Beside him, Rhaena chats with Lady Blackwood, but he does not listen to the conversation, his eye examining the place in detail.

“My prince,” Tyland Lannister greets him and takes the seat next to him, “What a pleasant surprise to have you here.”

“Lord Lannister,” Aemond nods.

Tyland smirks. Aemond turns to him, “I did not know you enjoyed these kinds of events.”

“Certainly not as much as my brother did,” he admits, “But we all have our responsibilities, as you well know.”

"Indeed"

They both talk for a few minutes about the last meeting of the privy council until the High Septon, who is now standing next to the Mother's altar, breaks the conversation, beginning the last ritual of the Festival.

Silence hangs over the room, the music that was playing softly in the background stops and everyone seems attentive to the religious man's words. Aemond glances over the guests, recognizing most of them as members of the kingdom's most prominent houses. A group of dark-haired women sitting at the end of the table to his right catch his attention. Surely, they couldn't be...

The applause of the guests brings him out of his observation and Aemond notices Rhaena standing next to him, and looking at him briefly. He imitates her action and follows her until they reach the Mother's altar.

“And now,” the High Septon seems more excited than the prince has ever seen him in his life, “It is time to adorn the kind Mother in her best finery and take her to the Sept, from where she will continue to watch over us and bless us with her mercy, until it is turn to worship her again."

They stand on either side of the statue and Aemond watches a page-boy hold a crystal box from which Rhaena takes out a golden cloak, clearly exquisitely crafted.

The music is heard again, the court singing the main hymn of the Mother. Aemond sings inertly along with them, his voice barely above a whisper, his eye focused on Rhaena and her task. Noticing her small hands as they place the cloak on the stone back of the statue, delicately securing it with the gold clasp and skillfully arranging the folds. When it seems to be finished, her fingers caress the edge of the cloak from top to bottom, as if feeling the softness of the fabric and the embroidery. Aemond is unable to look away, enthralled with the almost mechanical gesture of Rhaena's hand, with her pleased expression and the soft smile on her face.

“It is your turn, my prince.”

The High Septon gives him an encouraging smile and Aemond begins to say the prayer to the Mother. The words are so engraved in his mind that he recites them without problems, his gaze still fixed on his betrothed, who looks away from the Mother and looks at him too, with a neutral expression that is difficult for him to read.

When Aemond finishes, the page-boy hands him a parchment with special requests which Aemond reads in his most solemn voice.

“What an honor for all of us that the Crown has participated in this ritual!” the High Septon finally says, “May the Mother be generous to Lady Rhaena and the prince and grant them prosperity in their union. Now, all united with Faith in the seven, we raise our prayers to the kind Mother, knowing that she listens to us and grants what we need.”

The High Septon invites all those present to approach the statue and bow before the end of the ceremony. As the attendants advance in an orderly line, the old man urges Rhaena and Aemond to touch the Mother's mantle and offer their petitions.

“Remember that she will listen to you with special attention for having dressed her,” he tells them with a fatherly smile.

Aemond does not respond, just looks at the statue and frowns, not believing the man's words. Perhaps there had been a time when he had believed in the gods, but the war had changed his perspective on many issues, including the Faith. He was not going to ask for anything because he knew he would not get an answer.

In front of him, Rhaena touches the hem of the cloak again, her gaze fixed on the statue, her expression half curious and half ironic. When her gaze drifts back to Aemond, she raises her eyebrow in his direction and gives him a small smile. Aemond can't help but remember her words from the previous afternoon.

Maybe I’ll ask to be a young widow.

Was she also thinking about that? Would she have dared to make such a request? The prince feels the sudden urge to ask her, but he only holds back a smile and looks away.

When the line of ladies and lords finally ends, servants of the faith dressed in brown robes appear to carry the Mother's altar on litters to the sept. The statue is bid farewell to the Fortress amid applause and songs.

And Aemond feels a weight lift from his shoulders. The damned Festival was finally over. He had fulfilled his duty and could consider his participation a resounding success. Surely his mother would be pleased with his performance all week.

Rhaena's sigh brings him back to the reality of the party. The music changes to a much livelier one, and Lady Blackwood takes the floor, thanking and inviting everyone to enjoy and dance.

“Rhaena!”

The Westerling girl approaches them and links her arm with his betrothed.

“Marianne, finally,” Rhaena's voice sounds relieved.

“You have no idea who is here,” the lady's voice cuts off as she notices Aemond's gaze, her face turning red.

Rhaena looks at her curiously before turning to him, “Cousin. I would tell you that it is our duty to dance since we are the guests of honor, but since you have made your position clear about dancing, I will not insist on it.”

“Am I supposed to thank you for that?”

She laughs and rolls her eyes, “If you'll excuse me, I'll go greet the other guests.”

Without waiting for him to give his approval, Rhaena takes the arm of her friend and they get lost among the guests who have already taken the dance floor.

With a growl of dissatisfaction Aemond returns to the table, where Tyland Lannister joins him a few moments later. The conversation flows between them and the prince enjoys a glass of wine while his good eye scans the crowd from time to time looking for his cousin. It is not difficult for him to find her, and every time he does, she is surrounded by ladies and lords with whom she converses animatedly.

“I am sorry if I am keeping you here, my prince,” says Lord Tyland, “Perhaps you would prefer to be with your betrothed.”

Aemond turns his gaze to the man, feeling irritated by the comment, “I am right where I want to be, Lord Tyland.”

Lannister nods thoughtfully, “Have you already come to terms with the idea that Lady Rhaena will be your wife?”

“Mmm,” he makes a noise. He knows that the man is in no way trying to mortify him. He has known Lord Lannister since he was a child and is one of his greatest allies. He was loyal to Aegon's cause during the war and much of the kingdom's treasure was saved thanks to him. Still, he finds himself tempted to tell him to remember his place because of his bold question.

“I am sorry if I overstepped with my words,” the man seems to have guessed the course of his thoughts, “I simply thought it appropriate to emphasize that Lady Rhaena can be an important ally of the Crown.”

“Yes, I've heard that,” he responds almost with a growl.

Lannister does not give up. “Look at her, my prince,” the man points with his glass to the center of the dance floor, where Rhaena is dancing with a knight of House Whent, “Everyone likes her, they seem to want to please her and seek her approval.”

Aemond doesn't respond, just watches his cousin take the knight's hand and walk around him, smile wide and face clearly rosy.

“Did you know that Lady Blackwood is a Tully by birth?”

"Was she?"

“Now you are here, at her party, and this could be the beginning of a path of more… friendly relations between the Crown and the Riverlands”

“My brother Daeron has already managed to reaffirm our authority with the Tullys”

“Perhaps, and I hope his intervention has a lasting effect, but it doesn't hurt to cultivate this new connection with such an influential lady.”

Aemond's irritation grows. Rhaena had told him practically the same thing, as had his mother. He was a prince, he didn't need anyone's approval, everyone should rather seek his. Of course, he holds regards for the most noble and important houses, but their representatives, with few exceptions, were so boring or idiotic that he gave up maintaining any relationship with them.

And not to mention the ladies. Most of them seemed to shy away from his presence as they found him too intimidating. Or that's what he preferred to think. Sometimes it was better to convince himself of such reasoning rather than to face their curious or pitiful looks when they noticed the patch and the scar.

Vhagar. He has Vhagar. And he doesn't need anyone else.

“Lady Rhaena can be very useful. Your great-grandmother, Queen Alysanne, understood well the importance of sweetening the ears of certain relevant people in the kingdom. She and the old king found the charisma they possessed very advantageous because they knew that they could not conquer everything with fire and blood."

“Thank you, Lord Tyland, I know the history of my house well,” he replies coldly.

Lannister sips from his wine glass and nods, “Take advantage of what Lady Rhaena can give you, my prince. More than just heirs, benefit from her popularity and use it to help the Crown further cement its power. It is the smartest thing you can do, after all, why are marriages if not beneficial?”

Aemond ponders his words as he drinks from his cup. He must admit that Lannister's last point is valid. Their future union, like all of the noble houses of the kingdom, is one of convenience. He might as well use Rhaena to his liking. Use the… what had she called it? Social influence? Entirely for his convenience.

As his gaze searches for Rhaena again, his eye falls upon the dark-haired women. This time, however, he manages to see their faces without problem. A lump forms in his throat as he recognizes them, “What are they doing here?”

Lannister follows the direction of his gaze, “They are invited to your wedding, my prince.”

Aemond snorts indignantly, “Did you think it was appropriate to invite my former betrothed and her sisters to my wedding?”

Tyland has the grace to look uncomfortable and shift in his chair, “They are the queen's sisters, their father is the lord of the Stormlands, it would have been rude not to.”

Aemond empties his wine glass, his gaze turning away from the women. Their presence in the Fortress is already beginning to make him uncomfortable. Seeing Floris Baratheon was surely going to bring up the issue of the broken betrothal again, the disgrace he had caused by breaking his word and starting a relationship with the witch of Harrenhall. His hands clench into fists. The rumors would certainly start again. If they had ever stopped.

“Perhaps it would be prudent to converse with the Lady Floris and offer your apology, my prince.”

Prudent. Yes of course. Aemond makes a disdainful little noise, but deep down he knows that Lannister is right. And he knows his mother will probably ask him to do the same.

“Maybe later,” he replies simply.

Lannister does not insist because the music stops and Lady Blackwood speaks again, inviting everyone present to offer their donations to the Faith.

Several of the guests, most of them men who are heads of their houses, instruct their servants to leave valuable-looking chests on a long table placed on the other side of the room.

“Lady Blackwood chose the right moment to stop the music,” says Rhaena, who has returned to the table and sits next to him, grimacing, “These shoes are not comfortable at all.”

“Was there a need to dance with half the attendees?” he asks coldly

His voice amazes her, but Rhaena shakes her head, “I like to dance,” she responds simply before picking up a glass of wine and taking a few sips.

Aemond watches her out of the corner of his eye. Her heated cheeks, her heavy breathing and the droplets of sweat beading her forehead. The prince suddenly wonders if his skin feels warmer than usual to the touch.

“You are a great dancer, Lady Rhaena,” Tyland says.

“Thank you, Lord Lannister,” she smiles kindly at him.

“Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go offer my contribution to the Faith.”

The Master of Coin leaves them and Aemond shifts in his chair, moving a little closer to Rhaena, “You did not mention this part when you told me about the party.”

“I guess I forgot,” she shrugs, but giggles and then shakes her head, as if to clear her mind.

Aemond can't help but ask, “What is it?”

Rhaena bites her lip for a moment, “I just remembered something Marianne's aunt told her and she repeated to me,” Aemond looks at her expectantly, “Basically that this is just a show for the court to clear their conscience by offering money to the Faith in exchange for forgiveness”

“If so, the court has many sins to atone for,” he responds, looking at the long line of gifts.

“Oh you have no idea,” she repeats with another giggle.

Aemond raises an eyebrow in her direction, and Rhaena bites her lip again, as if debating whether to continue or not. At last her resolve gives way, and she moves closer to her cousin, speaking softly, “Lady Rosby, for example.”

“What about her?”

“Her dress is much looser than the ones she usually wears, they say she hides a growing belly under it, and that is why she and Lord Manderly's son had to rush the wedding.”

"That would be…"

“And Lord Fossoway,” she doesn't let him finish, “The entire Court whispers about his shameful behavior and his fondness for the establishments on the Street of Silk. And there is also Lord Grafton's youngest son, who has been squandering his fortune on gambling and dog fighting.”

“How do you know all this?”

“People tell me these things,” she responds matter-of-factly with a shrug.

Aemond remembers Lord Tyland's words from a few minutes ago. Maybe it is a good idea to use his cousin and all the knowledge she is clearly accumulating.

“We should contribute too,” he says after a few seconds, pointing to the table full of presents.

“Yes, probably so,” she admits.

“Take care to find something appropriate to offer to the Faith. I will let you search the royal treasury for something worthy of our family.”

His words have the desired effect on Rhaena, who at first seems amazed, but then clearly pleased with the task he gives her. Aemond congratulates himself internally. Putting his cousin's skills to work, subtly directing them toward appropriate and convenient causes, would surely be simple.

“Will you really let me take care of such matter?”

“If it's a lot of work and you're not willing…”

“No, no, I'll be happy to do it,” she is quick to respond, “Thank you, cousin.”

Her smile widens and her violet eyes shine with contained emotion. Aemond feels his heart skip a beat when she gently squeezes his hand for just a few seconds.

Lady Blackwood interrupts the moment by announcing that the performance of some famous puppeteers is about to begin. The guests then disperse, some heading towards the stage Aemond had noticed upon entering the hall, and others remaining in small groups as they chat.

“We should go, the show will start soon,” Rhaena tells him.

“Not exactly my kind of fun.”

“You cannot sit here for the entire party, cousin, it doesn't reflect well on the guests of honor,” she responds, standing up, “Come, they come from the free cities, I assure you they are better than the ones they have here.”

Aemond ends up accepting. Besides, Tyland Lannister still hasn't returned and he doesn't feel like talking to anyone else.

***

A renewed round of laughter and applause echoes through the room.

Rhaena also joins in the cheers for the comedians. Beside her, Aemond remains almost stoic. She gets the impression that he hasn't enjoyed the show too much.

And why would you care if such is the case? She wonders as the men come out from backstage and greet the attendees.

It is been a splendid afternoon. She has danced and laughed as much as she hoped to since she found out about the party. She has met new lords of Westeros, new ladies who would perhaps become future friends, and has shared slightly snide comments with Marianne about potential suitors and various ladies' dress choices.

“We should go listen to the bard that Lady Blackwood hired,” proposes her friend, who walks beside her.

“Will you come with us, cousin?” she turns to Aemond. He grimaces in her direction and Rhaena smiles, “Yeah, I figured as much.”

Aemond simply nods in their direction and she watches him return to the table, where he joins the conversation with Tyland Lannister and Lord Hayford.

Rhaena links her arm with Marianne and they go in the direction of where a group, mostly women, has gathered to listen to the bard.

“Lady Rhaena”

The voice of a tall young woman with very black hair and deep blue eyes stops her. Rhaena offers her a kind smile as they walk towards her.

“Lady Baratheon,” she greets.

“It is an honor to finally meet you, cousin,” the young woman offers a sideways smile, “I hope I can call you that, considering we share ancestors.”

“Of course,” Rhaena nods and continues, “This is Marianne Westerling, my friend and lady-in-waiting.”

“My pleasure, Lady Westerling. I am Floris Baratheon.”

“Lady Floris,” Marianne greets, “I thought I saw your sisters here as well.”

“Indeed,” Floris steps away for a few moments and returns with two other young women with similar features, “These are Cassandra and Maris, my older sisters.”

After the usual pleasantries, Rhaena doesn't know what to say. She is usually very good in social situations, but something in the look of the Baratheon girls does not offer her much confidence, “Cousins, I would like…”

“I am sorry, Lady Rhaena, we should have started our conversation by congratulating you,” it is Floris who speaks again.

“Congratulating me?”

“For your wedding to Prince Aemond,” Maris responds.

“Oh, yeah, of course,” Rhaena nods, “Thank you.”

“I assume you are aware that he was betrothed to me at the beginning of the war,” Floris rests her blue eyes on Rhaena’s.

“I heard it, yes.”

“He made quite an impression when he arrived at Storm's End offering our father a betrothal.”

“I imagine so,” she responds, trying to sound curt. She doesn't know where this conversation is going.

“Of course, being four of us, he had a difficult choice before him,” Floris takes a step towards Rhaena, openly examining her figure from head to toe, “He kissed the four of us and choose me.”

"What?" Her question sounds like a gasp.

“Prince Aemond kissed the four of us on the lips,” Floris repeats, her eyes shining with malice, “My kiss clearly stood out above my sisters' because I was the chosen one.”

Rhaena does not know what to say. What is she supposed to answer? She is under the impression that the Baratheon girls are only seeking to torment her with their words. But she could not care less. What difference does it make if Aemond has kissed them all?

Despite saying that to herself, a bitter feeling runs through her body and her gaze wanders to the main table for a moment.

“You clearly didn't stand out too much if the prince ended up breaking the betrothal.”

It is Marianne who responds, squeezing Rhaena’s hand affectionately.

“That is not what happened!” Floris hisses.

“Cousins,” Rhaena cuts in, clearing her throat, “I am glad you could come in time for my wedding. “It will be a pleasure for the prince and for me to have you all here with us.” Her eyes land on Floris's.

“We came to see our sister,” Maris replies.

“But perhaps I will take the opportunity to reminisce about old times with the prince,” Floris smiles wryly, “After what I heard about him, I will surely be able to visit him tonight in his chambers and…”

“Enough, Floris,” Cassandra interrupts, “I am sorry, Lady Rhaena, excuse my sisters' impertinence.”

“Don't worry, Lady Cassandra, now, if you'll excuse me.”

Rhaena walks with Marianne until they make their way through the crowd and listens to the bard, although she cannot concentrate on the man's songs.

"Are you okay?" Her friend asks quietly, looking at her with concern.

“Yes, of course, why wouldn’t I be?” Her voice sounds squeaky, so she clears her throat.

“Those Baratheon girls were very rude,” Marianne snorts.

“They are just…”

Rhaena doesn't finish. She doesn't know what to say. What did Floris feel? Jealousy? Rage? Disappointment?

“I know, they shouldn't have talked to you like that anyway, they clearly don't know their place,” anger is clear in her friend's voice.

“It is okay, it does not matter,” she assures her, “Let's forget their words, they just said stupid things.”

But said is easier than done, and even though she tries to enjoy the bard's art, her mind keeps repeating the words of Floris Baratheon. Was it true that Aemond had kissed them? Contrary to her will, the image of the Baratheon sisters standing next to the prince, waiting to be kissed, appears in her mind. A shiver runs through her body and, angrily, Rhaena directs her gaze to the sisters, who are whispering across the room.

“Let’s just go, we should eat something,” Marianne tells her a while later.

Rhaena nods and they say goodbye near the high table. Sighing, she walks over to her seat and helps herself to pies and fruit dipped in honey, grateful that Aemond pays no attention to her and continues conversing with the other council members.

More harshly than she should, Rhaena spears a piece of fig and puts it in her mouth. Although it tastes good, she does not particularly enjoy the flavor, but instead eats mechanically until her appetite it’s settled.

"What is the matter?"

Aemond's voice takes her by surprise. Rhaena turns to him, who looks at her with a frown.

“Do not know what you mean”

“Did the bard perform so poorly that you are suddenly in a bad mood?”

Rhaena bites her tongue to avoid responding with a curse. And to avoid asking what she really wants to know. Was it true that he had kissed them all? Thinking about his kiss, her eyes drift helplessly to Aemond's lips. Long, thin lips, what would his lips taste like? The thought surprises her and she looks away from his face, drinking from her glass of wine and trying to push those thoughts from her mind.

Fucking Floris Baratheon, she thinks to herself.

Fortunately, the music resumes and Rhaena excuses herself to go dancing. It doesn't take long for her to find a dance partner, so she tries to focus only on the beat of the music, although she feels her cousin's gaze on her at times, watching her as is his habit.

The songs follow each other in a cheerful rhythm and she continues dancing and jumping, although her movements are rather mechanical, her good spirits from a while ago spoiled. Rhaena excuses herself and heads to the side of the dance floor, suddenly feeling dizzy and fanning herself with her hand, internally cursing her tight corset.

On the other side Marianne catches her attention and questions her with her gaze, so Rhaena makes an appeasing gesture with her hand, not wanting her friend to stop dancing with Ser Simon Dondarrion, the handsome knight who seems very fond of Marianne.

“May I, Lady Rhaena?”

The presence of Lord Tarly, who extends his hand toward her, is unexpected. Rhaena, still not having fully caught her breath, considers rejecting the man, but in the end gives up.

“With pleasure, my lord.”

The man smiles good-naturedly and guides her back to the dance floor, “What do you think of King's Landing so far, Lady Rhaena?”

“The city has a particular charm”

Lord Tarly widens his smile, “Yes, I agree, although the lands of the Reach are, in my opinion, the most beautiful in all of Westeros.”

Lord Tarly, who is not exactly an old man, but who does have a fairly prominent belly, moves slowly, so Rhaena keeps up with him and tries to calm herself while breathing slowly.

“I do not doubt it, my lord, although I could not say that I’ve been in that part of the realm.”

“You should visit us, my lady, it would be an honor to welcome you to Horn Hill.”

“Perhaps once my dragon is bigger, I will ride on her back and take upon your word, Lord Tarly.”

“You would do well, the Reach is your ally,” he replies, “You have many friends in our lands.” The man fixes his brown eyes on her and Rhaena has the impression that his words hide a greater meaning. “We loyal men do not forget that the iron throne belonged to Queen Rhaenyra and her offspring.”

A lump forms in Rhaena's throat, who just studies the man intently.

“Fear not, Lady Rhaena, as I told you, we are loyal to…”

“The crown belongs to my cousin,” she cuts him off, trying to measure her words, “Aegon is king and I am to marry Prince Aemond in a few days.”

“A true disgrace, if I may,” he replies, “Your father, Prince Daemon, would never have permitted such an affront to his daughter.”

“My father is dead, my lord. The war is over"

The man stares at her again before speaking, “As I told you, Lady Rhaena, the throne belongs to the offspring of Rhaenyra Targaryen.”

The girl wants to reply, she wants to tell him that such offspring does not exist, that her brothers are all dead... but she prefers to remain silent.

“Fear not,” Lord Tarly repeats, “Lady Jeyne is a good friend and ally. We are watching over you, don't forget it.”

Rhaena is grateful for the song to end and she gives a quick bow before turning her back on the man.

Her head begins to pound as hard as her heart as she makes her way through the guests. Her hands, suddenly drenched in cold sweat, are almost shaking. What had the man implied? What did he intend to achieve with his words? Was this perhaps a game played by the dowager queen to test her loyalty? Rhaena looks around her, but no one seems to pay her much attention. Not even Aemond, who continues conversing with Lord Lannister.

Her words sounded too much like Lady Jeyne's, a small voice inside her whispers.

She had not wanted to think more about her conversation with the Lady of the Vale before she left the Eyrie, Rhaena did not want to know more about wars or confrontations. She just wanted peace. She did not want…

“Cousin, wait, please.”

Cassandra Baratheon grabs her arm, stopping her.

“Lady Cassandra, please, I do not wish to continue our conversation from earlier,” her voice sounds harsher than she intended, but she does not care.

“Please allow me to apologize on behalf of my sisters,” insists the young woman, “The way they expressed themselves was embarrassing.”

“Even so, you let them expand as they pleased for a long time before shutting them up.”

“Excuse me, Lady Rhaena, I know I was wrong,” she admits.

Rhaena taps her foot on the floor, eager to get out of the conversation, “Very well, you need not say more, Lady Cassandra, I will forget your sisters' impertinence.”

“I would like to assure you that we have no intention of tormenting you, we came here not only for your wedding,” Cassandra seems not to notice Rhaena's unwillingness to continue talking, “But also to see our sister Ellyn. We have been very concerned about her health”

Her words manage to calm her down a little. She had not considered the young queen into the picture, “Of course, it is understandable. I hope that Queen Ellyn continues to improve, surely your presence here will speed up her recovery."

“This is what we hope for, Lady Rhaena.”

There is a moment of silence between the two. Rhaena nods and prepares to leave, when she speaks again.

“And furthermore, I assure you that I will keep a close eye on Floris. She won't dare visit the prince at all. My sister likes to talk, but she wouldn't dare disgrace our father's name in such a way."

Perfect, Rhaena thinks, just what she needed. Cassandra Baratheon reminding her of such an unpleasant comment.

“Or disgrace you, at the same time. It is punishment enough, I believe, having to marry the prince."

"I beg your pardon?" Rhaena can't believe her ears

“Don't get me wrong, cousin, I don't mean to offend you. I only verbalize what the majority in the kingdom think. Prince Aemond is hardly a good choice for a husband, a vow-breaker as well as a kinslayer.”

Rhaena knows that well, but at hearing the words from Cassandra Baratheon's mouth, it is not sympathy that is born inside her, rather suspicion and anger.

“You shouldn't say such things about the prince,” she replies.

She seems oblivious to her comment, “Plus there is the matter of his appearance. I know it wasn't her fault because he was just a child,” Cassandra smiles at her and Rhaena is able to notice the malice in her expression, “But that grotesque scar deforms his face. And that eyepatch is in such bad taste,” the girl shudders, “A shame that a beauty like you is wasted on Aemond Targaryen.”

For the second time that afternoon, Rhaena doesn't know what to say. She is not entirely convinced that she heard correctly the words that came out of her cousin's mouth.

“I see that you are as malicious as your sisters,” she finally says, her voice hard because of the displeasure she feels inside her, “Be careful, Lady Cassandra, control your tongue or you will end up facing the consequences.”

The Baratheon girl's expression falters for a few moments and Rhaena feels a hint of discomfort, but she simply glares at her before striding in the opposite direction.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

@ammo23 @qyburnsghost @niocel @ithoughtulikedme @avidreader73 @jenmakeusin10 @morninglia @missing-loki @soyotelol (let me know if you want to be tagged)

Read on AO3

#aemond targaryen #aemond one eye #ao3fic #aemond kinslayer #prince aemond #resentment #rhaena targaryen #rhaena of pentos #drama #angst #romance #house targaryen #enemies to friends to lovers

25 notes · View notes

astr0-philia · 9 months ago

Text

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟟: 𝕊𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕒 𝕗𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕪 🧚

Prolouge 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Some memes for the start of the chapter:

[Third Person]:

'I want to kill myself'

[Y/n] was nothing but tired of the absolute shit happening in her life right now. First, she was cornered by soldiers, pulled into a mirror by a wrinkly grandma's hand, and then somehow ended up in a coffin. Met some handsome boys, burnt a statue, and then somehow made a chandelier fall from the sky. Like wtf.

Now she was on the way to get a fucking crystal from a mine, not even knowing the possibility of it even being there. Also making things worse she is stuck with 2 braindead idiots (Except Yuu) and a talking cat. Someone save her-

At the moment all 5 of them were walking down the hall. Deuce, being the most enthusiastic of the 5 about the search speed-walked ahead of them to reach the mirror room faster.

'Why do we always have to go to the mirror room?' thought [Y/n] as she grumbled out loud in annoyance.

"How much longer juice? We've been walking for ages!" exclaimed Ace getting frustrated at the amount of time they were taking to reach the mirror. "It feels like we walked for a whole 20 minutes dude! How much longer?"

They had only walked for 5 minutes.

"My name is Deuce dumbass! Not juice! DEUCE, Deuce!" Deuce yelled at Ace from the front of the group. Anyone who heard his voice could hear the irritation in it. "Anyway, yes about a minute or so."

"Ace that exaggeration was unneeded." Yuu groaned with tiredness.

Guess all the running and cleaning the campus shit drained out all of Yuu's energy.....I feel sorry for him. Other than that Grim looked like he just lost a lottery. He was in [Y/n]'s arms murmuring and grumbling words that she couldn't hear. He was probably mumbling about how he didn't want to get expelled or something, but that didn't matter right now.

As they hurried forward, they finally reached the mirror room with huffs and puffs. They were so fucking tired.

"Hey, which one's the mirror that takes us to the dwarf's mine?" asked Yuu, exhausted.

Deuce huffed in annoyance, "That one, idiot!" He pointed at the mirror. "Now let's go before we get too late and get expelled!" he said as he rushed forward to the mirror in front of them, and the rest followed behind him.

He ran into the mirror looking feisty and Ace followed behind him with a look of tiredness. The mirror shined a bright white light the moment they entered the mirror, and within seconds they were gone.

"...Did you see what I just saw...?" Yuu said clearly miffed at the thought of entering a bright, shining, and suspicious-looking mirror.

'I know it's so weird...'

"It's the normal way of transportation I guess...? You gotta get used to it Yuu." [Y/n] reassured him as she patted his back.

As [Y/n] slid her hand back from Yuu, she walked forward, going closer to the mirror.

Turning back she looked at Yuu. "Well....see you on the other side!" She quickly turned around and touched the mirror. The mirror started to ripple, it pulled her in as a big flash of light blinded her. The small ripples then turned into a somewhat type of wave. [Y/n] closed her eyes as the waves took over her.

'Ahhhh shit. What the fuck is happening.'

*PLOP*

"UHHuuhuhuhhhhh-" an unflattering noise suddenly slipped through [Y/n]'s mouth as she fell straight on to a hard surface, face front.

'I wish I fell on Yuu's chest again it was so soft-'

"HEY! What are you doing on the floor, get the hell up!" Ace mocked [y/n] as she groaned in pain.

"Dude.....I just fell...." answered [y/n] with pain while sitting on the floor. "You could also at least try to be a gentleman and pick up from the floor too." She sweetly stated, smiling innocently, changing her tone drastically.

Ace could see the mischief in her eyes as she spoke, he tried to ignore her but the glint in her eyes attracted him to her like a metal to a magnet. He couldn't stop himself. So there he was awkwardly stuttering his mouth off. "U-uh i mean s-sure....."

Then like the gentleman [y/n] wanted him to act like, Ace held her hands and pulled her up from the floor, flushing the moment their hands touched.

'Heh. Can't believe he actually listened to me

The moment she had stood up from her fall with Ace's help, another thud was heard near them.

"God......What is with these mirrors and their bright shining lights....." Yuu muttered, rubbing his nose in pain.

"Myah- Get off me! You're squishing the great Grim!" exclaimed Grim from underneath Yuu. The only thing we could see was his tail straining as he struggled under Yuu's weight.

Deuce suddenly appeared out of nowhere and forcefully pulled Yuu up with strength [Y/n] didn't know he had. Yuu squeaked in surprise and Grim sighed in relief as the weight above him disappeared.

"Hey! You could've been a little gentle Deuce." winced Yuu rubbing his arm on where Deuce had inflicted pressure on.

Deuce pretending not to hear Yuu's complaint went on to the front of the group and pointed to the direction of the mine and pointed at it "We better get there fast. We're already behind schedule!"

The group sighed in union as they were all fed up with Deuce's enthusiasm. Deuce, but ignored their sighs and went forward.

"So this is the dwarf's mine.....long ago this place used to be filled with beautiful magic stones, but I guess not anymore....." whispered Deuce under his breath but loud enough for the rest to hear.

"The atmosphere here is so eerie!" Exclaimed Yuu, but quickly closed his mouth when his loud voice started to echo throughout the forest.

"Urghh......It feels like if I took a single step forward something would appear and take me away." Said Grim with a trembling voice as he cowered in slight fear in Yuu's arms still quite dizzy from the chandelier incident.

Suddenly a gasp was heard from Ace, as he excitedly pointed toward something in the middle of the forest, with bright eyes. "Look, I can see a house. Let's see what the people there have to say!" Hearing Ace's words the group ran towards the house in a hurry to get any help from the house in the middle of the forest.

As they finally reached the house, [Y/n] took a deep breath as she looked at the house. The house had vines growing over it, the paved stones that lead in to the house were cracked, and the windows were shattered.

There was no way anyone was living inside that house.

"Hellooo? Is anybody home...?" Deuce quietly asked as he carefully knocked on the door. There was no answer. "Helloooo? Is anyone in there?" He tried again much more loudly than before trying to get attention from anyone inside the cottage.

"Must be empty." Said Ace.

"It looks like it's been abandoned," spoke Deuce deflated at the discovery.

'I thought it was obvious......💀'

[Y/n] followed by Yuu both went inside searching for anything or anyone inside the house. But then-

"BLEGH-"

"Ew, what the hell is this??"

"Bwah! I got a spider web on my face! Ptchoo! Ptchoo!"

[Y/n], Yuu and Grim were caught in something sticky.

[Y/n] brought her hand up to her face to feel the web caught on her face. She felt something move on her forehead so she quickly went to grab it. Grabbing the moving thing on her forehead, her face went deathly pale as she moved her hand to the front of her face. Her eyes couldn't process what she saw.

"ah-........" She stared at what was in her hand in shock. "AHHHHHHHH-" She screamed at the top of her lungs trying to fling the thing in her hands in a hurry. Her eyes were blown wide and she started jumping up and down in fear.

It was a spider.

"What happened-" Yuu asked but was cut off by [y/n] screaming her lungs out. "GET THIS EIGHT-LEGGED THING OFF OF ME" She screeched trying even harder by contorting her hands in every different direction but the little shit still wouldn't get off.

Ace and Deuce hearing [y/n]'s screams quickly came to the room the 3 were in to see what was going on.

"WHO GOT KILLED"

"WHAT IS HAPPENING?"

Yuu of course being the sane one in the whole situation tried to calm the situation. "Ace! Deuce! Hold [y/n], I will get the spider off of her!" Ace and Deuce, noticing the chaos ensuing in the cottage, listened to Yuu's words and went to grab on to [y/n]'s flailing arms.

"LET ME GO YOU MONKEYS!" Screamed [y/n] trying to get out of their arms, but they wouldn't budge.

Yuu then quickly got fed up with the situation and went close to the trio and plucked out the spider from somewhere in [Y/n]'s hair. [Y/n] seeing that the spider was removed from her, sighed in relief and melted onto the a-deuce duo's arms with relief.

"Geez [y/n], why'd you have to get worked up over something so small?" questioned Grim from next to her feet, curious about why the girl had put on a big fit for a spider in her hair.

"Woah, look at that the wall looks so clean in that room let's go there!" said [y/n] quickly running in to the room. They all sweat-dropped at her behavior but nevertheless followed her into the next room.

The room they entered was dusty as hell. There were more cobwebs and spiders in this room than all the rooms combined in this house. However, one thing [Y/n] noticed was that every single furniture in this room was at least half its original size.

"Look how tiny these desks and chairs are. Did children live here?" Ace looking around counted the chairs one by one as Deuce, Grim, and [y/n] walked around and looked at the furniture in the room. "One, two, three.........seven! There are seven chairs!" exclaimed Ace in triumph after he finished counting the chairs.

"Great Job Ace, as if we all couldn't see that," said Yuu in boredness.

"Hey don't be mean Yuu!" exclaimed [y/n] at his rude comment.

"Yeah, Yuu! I'm just helping 'cause Grim probably doesn't know how to count anyway!" Ace countered back trying to get back at the accusation.

"Is this the universe's way of telling us that we have no way out of this situation?" [Y/n] muttered nonchalantly to the group.

"No! We have to go forward!" Begged Deuce.

"Bro shut up for once...." Yuu said tiredly.

"Hey guys back to the situation! Since there is no one here let's quickly go to the mine to get the magic stone!" Deuce quickly butted in once again.

"Ugh- we're going dude, why are you making such a deal out of it?" Ace spoke annoyed at the blue-haired boy's antiques. Moving forward to the entrance once more, he looked back at them. "We better get to the mine fast you guys, as much as I don't like Deuce's whining we seriously need to find that magic stone. Let me tell you, I don't wanna get my ass expelled. So chop chop!"

"When was Ace this smart?" Yuu spoke in awe of the bullshit smartass shit Ace spat out for the first time.

'Since now I guess.' Thought [Y/n] as she also looked forward at Ace eyes widened in disbelief.

The five of them stood in front of the mine looking straight into a void of darkness. It was cold, and there was wind blowing from the cave, making them all shiver in fear. There were sounds of water droplets falling in the cave that resounded throughout it. The atmosphere was eerie and no one moved a muscle as they stared at the cave and waited for one of them to move forward.

'Damn maybe getting expelled isn't such a bad idea right now....' Thought [y/n] as she hugged her body with her hands to conserve any heat that was left in her body.

"You wanna go inside THERE? It's pitch black!" spoke Grim as he started to shake in fear at the thought of going inside the cold and dark mine. He jumped off of [y/n]'s arms and hid behind Yuu's legs in an attempt to hide himself. "I-I mean neither do I but do we have a choice...?" Yuu asked nervously as if he tread on thin ice as he spoke to the group in a low voice.

"What, are you scared of the dark? Pathetic." Ace mocked the two from the side, earning glares from both Yuu and Grim. "Babies! Hah-" Ace said, trying to tease them even more.

"Ace, I don't think now is the right time for that." [y/n] spoke up, frowning at Ace's outburst.

"Myah?! I am not scared at all! I was just kidding!" Exclaimed Grim countering back angrily to Ace the accusation. "Just watch me! I'll take the lead and follow me." Grim said, pointing at Ace, before huffing and puffing to the front of the group to lead them into the cave.

If you looked closer at Grim you could see the slight tremble he had as he walked in front of the group. The rest of the group followed behind Grim. [Y/n] thought that the moment that they entered they would be greeted by a plentiful amount of magic stones waiting to be collected. But her dreams were shattered as the moment they walked in the only thing they saw were the ragged walls of the mine and plain and old stones.

Right. Stones

Left. Stones.

Down. Stones

Up. Stones

Wasn't there anything in this mine that wasn't stones?! To say the least, the group of teenagers and cat were losing hope but suddenly-

"Huh?! Hold up I see something in the distance over there!" exclaimed Deuce in glee as he tried to focus on a silhouette of something in the distance. Ace, impatient as ever, started to push Deuce back and forth in annoyance as he couldn't see anything. "Hey tell us what's out there! I can't see shit!"

"Me neither Deuce tell us what you see!" Yuu joined in as he himself got curious at the mention of a silhouette in the dark.

"Ah! I see it too." Y/n said.

"Myah! Tell me, henchman, what do you see!?"

"Ah- I....I....I see....." Deuce muttered as the silhouette started moving forward towards them. The silhouette then turned into 2 silhouettes and then 3! What was going on?

Then [Y/n] felt a chill run through her spine, it was telling her to run away but as the figures kept on coming closer. Her body couldn't help but freeze in fear, as she helplessly looked towards the figures moving closer. Then-

"MYAH! I-IT'S GHOSTS!" Screamed Grim in terror as the silhouettes of the figures were now replaced with a transparent shine, as they floated in the air. As much as [y/n] wanted to admire their beauty, she just wasn't in the right mind right now so.....

"AHH WHAT IS THAT-"

"GHOSTS?"

"Dude what's with ghosts being like everywhere here 💀" (An:- Yuu I know ghosts live in ramshackle but not now-)

"He he he he he he! So many visitors! The first group in the past 100 years!" giggled Ghost 1.

"Do make yourselves at home... You can stay forever!" exclaimed another ghost making grabby hands towards them.

"New souls! Which one do I want to eat?" questioned the third ghost to god knows who, but the group knew one thing; no one was getting their souls eaten by ghosts today.

"AHHHHHHH ACE, DEUCE, YUU, GRIM RUNNNNNNNN" [Y/n] screamed, so then hearing the girl's scream the boys flipped their heads towards the girl in a hurry to see what was wrong, but the only thing they saw was a cloud of dust left by [Y/n].

"Where did she go?!" Exclaimed Deuce scared for the safety of [y/n] as he glanced around the cave for her, as well as trying to avoid the ghosts in the air firing spells at them.

"She probably went to the entrance of the cave, she's going to be fine!" Ace shouted out as he shot another one of his spells at the ghosts.

"God....I hope she safe..." muttered Yuu as he hid behind Deuce and Ace making them do the dirty work.

The thing is they didn't quite notice that [y/n] was running in the opposite direction of the entrance. She was running towards the core of the cave.

'What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck-'

[Y/n] was running like her life depended on it. She was panicking and she was panicking bad. The only thought that went through her head was the ghosts that were in this cave, that were trying to steal their souls, and that were chasing them through the deep passages of the cave. Her feet were aching and she couldn't even open her eyes to see what was ahead of her, her veins were filled with adrenaline and the voice in her head was telling her to keep running. So she did.

'God I shouldn't have worn the heels that were in the box today!'

That's right people she was wearing heels, and those three-inch black heels were doing no good to her running. She was tripping, stumbling, and running. Her heels were clacking on the floor hard and her adrenaline started to wear off. She was huffing and puffing but still, she forced too herself to run as the giggles of the ghosts resonated throughout the cave.

Then she heard another voice resonate throughout the cave. "...iiivvv... ...oooouuu..." and then it spoke again "...neeevvvaaa... ...iiivvv... ...ooouuu..." The voice kept on going for the next 5 minutes. She was scared, so scared.

Scared.

"AUGH-" [Y/n] screamed out loud as she then tripped on her heels falling to the floor. Tears sprang to her eyes as the pain of the fall caught up to her senses. Her adrenaline was gone, her knees were bleeding, and she looked like a mess. This is not what a princess should look like.

[Y/n] glared bitterly at the ground, gritting her teeth at the thought of herself looking so unpresentable right now. Her fingers scraped the floor leaving marks, she gripped her hands tight, so tight that small crescents formed on her hands allowing blood to escape from them. [Y/n] quickly got up, wincing as the scrapes of her arms and legs started to sting even more with the action.

"Ughh......Ah, I must look so disgusting right now...."

She wiped her tears off, looking around and she didn't see anyone around her. Hadn't they all run together towards the exit of the cave? Fear started to creep back to her again, did they accidentally go in the other direction and go inside the cave?! She couldn't believe it!

She then looked around to search for the entrance of the cave that she had thought she had run to. Key word 'thought'.

Finally, all the fear in her settled into her body like a raging wave. It wasn't them who had run into the cave, but her! How could she be stupid?

'I can't believe I'm so dumb. I can't believe I could be so stupid. How come I, a princess, made such a stupid mistake? I am not worthy of the crown. I should have just died with my family in the castle. Why was I the one that survived? I should have just died then and there-'

Then a shiny glimmer of something shone from the corner of the cave caught her eye. It was small yet it shined like a spark of hope in the center of a dark abyss.

It was a magic stone.

[Y/n] wasting no time scrambled up to her feet and started to limp toward the stone quickly. She knelt down once again ignoring the pain she felt in her knees, and grabbed the stone immediately, bringing it to her chest.

[Y/n] sighed in shock as she fervently brought the stone to her face in a hurry, to check if she had seen right. To her joy there it was, the stone shone at the palm of her hands lighting up the area near her face. She was so happy.

"Ahhhhhh.....I am so happy right now!" exclaimed [y/n] in happiness as she stared at the shining rock in her hand.

[Meanwhile with the boys]:

The boys had finally given up fighting the ghosts and had started running to god knows where trying to avoid the ghosts. As if the world had jinxed them, they had run into more ghosts.

"More ghost?! How many more of these shits are there in this cave???" ace squealed as he jumped to avoid getting knocked over by a ghost.

"If we stop to fight, we'll never get anywhere. Let's just keep moving." Deuce reassured Ace trying to keep, but deep inside he was panicking too.

"You guys, the only thing we should worry about right now is that [Y/n]'s disappeared to go knows where and we still haven't gotten the magic stone yet!" exclaimed Yuu, getting tired of their banter. catching the boys off guard, their eyes widened at his exclamation. Ace was the first to recover from it.

"Sure, but don't act like we voted you team leader." Ace retorted at Yuu. "Also the only reason we're here is because of that stupid stunt Deuce pulled!" blurted out Ace turning his head to glare at Deuce maliciously.

Deuce looking offended retorted back angrily. "Oh? I'm pretty sure this all started because you tried to shirk your window-cleaning punishment!"

'AHHHHHH BRO JUST SHUT UPPP' Screamed Yuu in his thoughts as he was getting more annoyed by the second.

As if the current situation was important the boys kept on arguing with each other back and forth. "So, we're bringing up ancient history now? Then if you wanna get down to brass tacks, this all started when Furball torched that statue!" Ace shouted pointing his hand at Grim, bringing him into the fight.

Grim offended by the accusation, opened his mouth to speak but Yuu put a hand on his mouth, to shut him up.

"Guys! We're in real hot water, remember?! If we don't come back with a mage stone by morning, we're all being expelled!" Yuu exclaimed trying to stop the shouting from going on. The fight was useless and insignificant, and he wasn't letting anything get in the way of getting the job done.

"Yeah, which is why we don't need you ordering the rest of us around. It gets old real fast." Retorted Ace one more time, trying to get in the last insult at Deuce.

"Enough Ace, calm down."

"Sure Yuu, sure"

Then a voice from the distance resounded through the cave. It was gruff and deep, like an old witch's voice but a pitch lower. It was coming from the depths of the cave.

"...iiivvv... ...oooouuu..."

"Huhh?!??" They all exclaimed.

"...neeevvvaaa... ...iiivvv... ...ooouuu..." It spoke once again.

Ace was hiding behind deuce and Decue was hiding behind Yuu. then there was Grim he was curled up in Yuu's arms trying to hide from whatever was inside the cave.

'Great...hide behind the defenseless person I guess.....' thought Yuu sweat-dropping at them, but at the same time was trembling with fear. The voice kept coming closer and closer until they could hear the voice crisp and clear.

"Stooonesss... Stooonesss aaare miiiiine!" Its voice grew louder, seemingly with rage, and then finally the figure of the figure's voice came into the group of four's view.

The figure was huge, so huge that it looked like it needed to slouch down so that it wouldn't hit the ceiling of the cave. Its head was made of a cracked glass globe, that oozed out some type of black liquid, which was neverending, It held a pick axe in its left hand, and an old-fashioned light in the right. Its body was built with the same black goo that oozed out from its head. It was terrifying.

"What is that?!" Shout out Deuce in shock as he took some steps back in fear, looking at the creature in front of him. He wasn't quite sure if the scene in front of him was a dream or real.

"Myah!? No one said there would be any monsters! I would rather get expelled than fight that thing!" screamed Grim out loud as he jumped out from Yuu's arms and on to the floor trying to flee from the monster.

Then Ace's eyes lit up with some type of realization, he turned back to the group in a hurry. "That thing's super creepy! But didn't it just say something about "stones"?!" Deuce's face shone with happiness as Ace said that.

"Stooonesss... ...nevvva give stooonesss...!" muttered the monster out loud so everybody could hear.

"So there ARE still magestones here!" Deuce stated in glee looking at the monster with careful eyes.

"MYAH......I know I am the greatest magician in the world but I can't defeat THAT thing!" Exclaimed Grim as the monster swung down its arm that wielded its arm to the ground.

"OMG- Guys we need to do something now." Screamed Yuu as he by a single hair dodged the monster's hand. He hid behind a rock on the edge so it wouldn't notice him.

"Huh? OMG WHAT IS THAT UGLY LOOKING THING!???" A familiar voice rang through the cave. They all went silent, as they turned their heads to the person who shouted. It was no other than-

"[Y/N]!!!!!" They all screamed in synchronization as they stared at the girl in shock.

The girl awkwardly waved her hand "....Hi...?"

*A While Ago*

[Y/n] just sat there looking at the stone again, and again and again, until she got tired of staring at it. Was this the 1,000,000 thaumarks mage stone Crowley was so mad about? Sure didn't seem like it.

'God I can't believe I went through all that for this stone....' [Y/n] sighed at the thought running her hand through her hair. She was so fucking annoyed.

Then a shrill scream rang through the cave. Then another and another one and another one. It startled [y/n] to the core.

As if on instinct her body shot up from the floor in great speed, but she soon tumbled to the wall of the cave, losing the feeling of her lags. Heh.....her legs must have fallen asleep badly if that had happened.

She limped toward the direction of the voices holding the wall of the cave, to keep herself centered. The voices grew louder and louder until she was so close that she could feel the vibrations of their shouts from that direction. Then finally she could hear their voice properly.

"MYAH......I know I am the greatest magician in the world but I can't defeat THAT thing!"

'Omg, are they-'

"OMG- Guys we need to do something now."

'-who I think they are?'

There they were, Ace, Deuce, Yuu, and Grim all in the clutch. Though it looked like they hadn't noticed her yet, they were screaming at something at the corner of the cave. She turned her head to look at what they were looking at-

"Huh? OMG WHAT IS THAT UGLY LOOKING THING!???" She screamed out loud catching sight of the horrendous-looking monster in the corner. All their heads had turned to her, staring at her in shock.

'What is that?'

The moment she saw them catch sight of her they screamed her name out loud "[Y/N]!!!!!".

[Y/n] shocked at their loud shouts, waved her hand in reply with a cautious yet nervous- "....Hi....?"

*Back to the present*

The monster as if annoyed with their greetings flung his fist to the ground making a cloud of dust around everyone. Making everyone go in to a state of panic and disarray. "Begone! Begone! Begooone!" It screamed at them.

"Hey guys can you hear me?!" [Y/n] shouted out loud trying to get everyone's attention in the midst of the dust cloud.

"Yeah! *cough* We can hear *cough* you!" Yuu called out from the other side of the cave. "Where are you [y/n]?! We can't see anything!"

"I'm over here just follow the sound of my voice guys! I know the way out here!"

"Rrroooarrrgh!" The monster sounded agitated and angry so the longer they stayed here the more enraged it would become. So they need to get out of here fast. So she waited for Yuu and the others to follow her voice and come to her, as she kept shouting out loud to guide them. She was getting nervous as she couldn't hear their voices anymore, it was as if they had disappeared.

"Grrraaawrrr!" Once again even more agitated than before it roared out loud, bringing its pick axe down again.

"Come on guys quick, please-" [Y/n] desperately called out into the cloud of dust once again.

No sound came out so she stood there defeated, tears about to spring from her eyes. Then-

"PWAH- The Great Grim's eyes are not doing good!" A body emerged from the cloud of dust, as it finally settled down to the ground. It was Grim, and right behind him were the 3 boys.

"Guys-"

"We need to book it, and fast! That thing's gonna pound us into tuna paste!" Grim ignoring her quickly ran ahead of [y/n] going for the exit of the cave, with Ace and Deuce following him. Yuu being the most considerate had grabbed [Y/n]'s hand and dragged her towards the exit of the cave as well.

"GRRRAAAWRRR!" The monster roared one last time before the group once again returned to underneath the shine of the moonlight. They were finally back in the forest.

*Huff Huff Huff Huff*

Everyone was huffing and puffing like they were about to blow a whole brick of house down. It was not good. Grim and [Y/n] had fallen to the ground to sit in their misery and tiredness. Deuce was on his knees hands together and looking up to the sky, and it looked like he was reciting some kind of prayer. Ace and Yuu put their hands on their knees gasping for breath. Everybody was tired.

"*Hah**Hah**hah* This should be far enough I think you guys" Gasped out Grim speaking in a strained voice trying to get as much air as he could in to his nostrils.

Ace looking up brought a figure up into the air, as if signaling everyone to stop. "Let's just give up and go home. I'll happily take the expulsion if it means never having to fight that thing again." Ace spoke in a very chill tone as if the expulsion didn't matter to him one bit. This made Deuce erupt with anger as soon as he heard those words.

"What the fuck Ace all that for nothing?! I'd rather die than get expelled from Night Raven! How can you give up when the stone is in there somewhere!"

"Well???? We didn't see it did we?!"

[Y/n] knowing this was her time to shine, raised her hand gaining everyone's attention. "Uh-uhm...I think I have the stone with me..."

"Really?! Are you super duper sure? Are you serious??" Deuce's face basically shone with glee as he stuck his face in to [Y/n]'s and grasping her hands in a tight grip.

"U-uhh yeah I have it right here.....could you please let go of my hand?" Deuce reacted immediately dropping his grip on her and letting her search her pockets for the stone.

As she rummaged her pockets for the stone, everyone stared at her eagerly waiting for her to pull out the stone.

'Where is the stone....'

She couldn't find it. She couldn't find it at all! Where was it?! In a moment of panic, she hurriedly checked every single pocket that was on her. Her skirt pocket, shirt pocket, and jacket pocket. It was nowhere to be found. Then it hit her.

She must've dropped it in the cave! While they were running away from the monster the stone must've slipped out of her pocket, when Yuu had jerked her towards the entrance of the cave! Her face was filled with horror.

Her horror-filled face looked up to the boys, and with the foreboding silence, she once again spoke breaking it.

"I dropped it...." she whispered.

"What did you say [Y/n]? Where's the stone?"

"IdroppeditinthecaveandIaamverysorry!"

"You did.....WHAT?!" Deuce's voice rose up so loud that everyone around him flinched at the sound of his, [Y/n] getting the worst of it.

"I am ver-"

"I can't believe you could be so fucking stupid! You had the opportunity to get the mage stone and you ruined it. How dumb and clumsy can you be [Y/n]?! You had one chance! ONE CHANCE!"

"Hey, Deuce watch your tone," Yuu spoke slowly getting in between [Y/n] and Deuce trying to de-escalate the situation but it was too late for that.

"NO! LET ME SPEAK!" Deuce screamed shoving Yuu aside making him fall. "You know because of you [Y/n] we have to go back in to the cave just to get the ONE STONE YOU DROPPED! I can't believe you could do this [Y/n]. You're so useless, I hope you get expelled."

"DEUCE! CUT IT OUT!" Ace being [Y/n]'s knight in shining armor, pushed Deuce on to the floor snapping him out of his daze.

Grim running over to [Y/n] tugged on her leg to get her attention. "Hey, are you okay henchman?" He asked trying to make sure she was alright, but the only response he got was a choked sob from her and a small and fickle tear drop falling onto his face.

That's when everything went quiet.

Deuce stared from his position on the ground horrified at seeing the girl cry. Ace and Deuce ran over to tend to the girl leaving Deuce behind in his misery, and Grim.....oh ho ho ho Grim was fuming mad.

"DEUCE JUST CUT IT OUT! WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?!" Grim screamed at Deuce with much vigour in his voice berating the boy on the floor. Deuce had his head down in shame, how could he scream at a girl like that? That was the exact question running through everyone's heads at the moment.

"I am so sorry [Y/n] I didn't mean it!"

"YOU DIDN'T MEAN IT?! YOU'RE THE REASON WHY [Y/N] IS CRYING RIGHT NOW."

"Yeah, Deuce How could you do that...." Yuu joined in.

Deuce hurriedly got up to his feet and went in front of [Y/n] and knelt down on his knee's outting his head on the floor. "I AM SO VERY SORRY [Y/N], PLEASE PUNISH ME SO THAT YOU WON'T CRY ANYMORE."

"Then let's go." The girl replied quietly before wiping her tears.

"Huh?"

"I said then let's go. We need to get the stone. Until unless we don't get that stone I won't be forgiving you at all Deuce." Her eye's were filled with forgiveness but whoever looked in to her eyes for too long could see the slight resentment glowing in her eyes.

"Thank you [Y/n], I won't disappoint you!" Deuce gasped bowing down once more, then getting up from the floor.

*Sigh*

The rest looking from the sidelines sighed in tiredness. How long will it take for them to get the stone?

"So who's got a plan...?" asked Ace nervously raising a finger up. Everyone groaned at the idea of making a plan.

"Are you sure this plan is going to work?" Ace asked nervously looking back at the inside of the cave where the monster was waiting for them.

"H-hey uh-uh, you big ugly monster! I'm over here!" Screamed Grim to the monster inside the cave. The monster as soon as hearing Grim's voice had come out of grim's direction dashing to him.

"Grrraaawrrr! BEGOOOOONE!"

"A-ah Come over here you retarded looking miner!" Yuu shouted getting the monster to come his way.

"I'm going in you guys keep on distracting him!" [Y/n] shouted before dashing in to the cave once more.

"ON IT" They all screamed in synchronization, trying to divert the monster's attention from [Y/n].

She was running to the spot where she had first crossed paths with the monster. The paths were narrow but with her memory, she knew what she was doing.

The moment she reached the place she had met the monster, she dropped down to her knees searching for the stone in every corner of the cave's floor. She knew it was impossible but she still had to try. Then in the corner of her eye once again she saw the familiar glow of the stone shining in the middle of the floor. There it was!

'Ahhh! I can't believe I found it again!' Tears of joy sprung from [Y/n]'s eyes as she grasped the familiar stone back to her chest. She then quickly stood up putting the stone in her jacket pocket making sure to zip it up. She dashed to the entrance of the gate.

The moment she reached the entrance of the gate she cried out to her her friends. "Hey guys I found the stone-"

Then bang.

Ace, Deuce, Yuu, and Grim looked in horror as the monster they had been fighting flung [Y/n] across the field and into a tree with great force.

"[Y/N]!"

"HENCHMAN ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"

The boy's shouted out for her but were interrupted by the monster once again as it swung its pix axe towards them.

[Y/n] gasped as she hit the tree with great force recoiling and making herself into an egg. It was painful. So painful! She just wanted to end it right then at there. It would be no surprise if some of her ribs were broken. It hurt so much!

Tears were flowing down her face again. Why was she such a crybaby, why was she so useless? Maybe Deuce was actually right maybe she really was nothing. She watched as the boys protected her from the monster and its attacks. she was so pathetic.

"I....just want to protect......my friends....." As her eyes closed, a bright light surrounded her catching everyone's attention.

The bright light covered her body, healing all the cuts and bruises that were littered on her skin, even her clothes had been repaired to their original state.

"Roarrghhhhhh" The monster hissed as if the light shining at it was burning it.

As it covered her body something started to sprout from her back. A burst of sparkle erupted from her back. The thing they saw on her back were a pair of big [f/c] colored wings with [s/f/c] colored highlights. As the light died own the girl was placed back on the floor, she slowly opened her eyes meeting everyone's shocked gazes.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"[Y/n]......YOU HAVE WINGS?" Ace screeched pointing at the pair of wings behind her back in shock.

"I do-"

"Begooone! BEGOOOOOOONE!" The monster once again growled swinging its light towards Ace and Deuce, but lucky enough they had ducked down before anything bad had happened to them.

[Y/n] stared at her wings in shock, she could not fully process what had just happened. She raised her hand to touch her wings but before she could touch her wings, a big ball of light left her hands hitting the monster in the head. "HUH???"

Deuce looking at [y/n] grinned maniacally as she laughed in joy. "Good job [Y/n] now that we have you we can defeat this monster!"

"We're counting on you!" Yuu encouraged her too.

"Ok let's do this! One extra-large gust of wind, comin' up!" A gust of wind blew straight to the monster knocking it down.

"Some magic voodoo light ball power tooo!" [Y/n] screamed.

"With a side of Grim's blazin'-hot fire! MYAAAH!"

The monster then stood unaffected by the attacks the two of them had made so Deuce decided to do his part as well.

"Just stay calm, aim carefully... and pull out the biggest, heaviest thing I can think of...Get 'em, cauldron!"

'Ah-again with the cauldron....'

*BANG*

The cauldron had fallen on top of the monster crushing it underneath.

"That monster got smashed flat by a falling cauldron, just like Ace did Yuu!" Grim laughed in glee as he pointed to the monster crushed underneath the cauldron.

"Gee.....Thanks for the great reminder Grim...." Ace groaned.

"[Y/n]! I can't believe you have magic- and look at those wings!" Yuu squealed delightedly as he came closer to inspect the girl. "And your injuries seemed to have magically disappeared too!"

"Yeah! That was so cool [Y/n]!" Deuce also came up to look at the girl.

"Thank you guys-"

"St.....onnnneee......." Then the voice they hoped not to hear speak again. "MYYY STOOOOOOONE!"

"AHHHH IT STILL ALIVE!!!" Grim screamed as he saw the monster move, he was the closest to the monster and had gotten the biggest scare of his life.

"Are you kiddin' me?! It's still coming! It pushed off all that weight!" complained Ace as the monster, toppling the cauldron above itself, standing up again.

"But we've weakened it! If we strike now..." Yuu staggered back seeing it stand up.

"I'll do it." [Y/n] said looking at her hands.

"MYAH?! What?"

"If I gather enough of the light energy I have I think I can beat it so go and distract it again." said [y/n] confidently said she started accumulating the bright light in her hands. So the boys listened to her they were going to protect the girl until she was ready for her final blow.

2 minutes later a big ball of light had formed in [y/n]'s hands. "GUY'S IM READY NOW MOVE!" She screamed at them holding the big ball of light in the air.

"Roger that!" Yuu said moving away the others from the way.

"Woah it's so big!"

"Myah! The Great Grim is impressed!"

"Goodness gracious dude, what with girls nowadays...."

The monster then turned to look at where the source of light was coming from.

"HEY YOU BOG UGLY MONSTER! TAKEEEEE THIISSSSSS!!!" [Y/n] screamed as she threw the big ball of light right towards the crack on the monster's head. A big crack resounded through the forest as the light engulfed it whole. everyone closed their eyes tight shut.

"GRRRAAAWRRR!" The monster screamed one more time in a distorted voice before it left and went back to the depths of the cave leaving a trail of black goo behind it.

"Is it... over?"

"Ahhhhhh we did ittttt!!!!!" Ace rejoiced jumping up and down again and again.

Everyone at the moment was all smiles and giggles, at the revelation that they had got the mage stone and had at the same time defeated a monster all together by themselves!

Then suddenly Grim started to sniff the air around him, before he bent down to smell the ground. He kept going forward until he found a black stone on the floor.

" What IS this? It smells amazing!"

"Hey Grim I think You should put that down-" Yuu tried to warn him but then Grim did the unthinkable.

*Chomp*

'Oh god, he ate the motherfu*king rock....'

"That... was AMAZING!"

"HAHHH???" Ace and Deuce screeched out loud at Grim.

"Ok ok enough with the drama we need to get this mage stone to Headmaster Crowley, if you guys don't want to get expelled." [Y/n] said annoyed. holding up the mage stone in her hands. "-And we also have to tell him about these." She said pointing at her [f/c] wings.

"Okay let's go everyone." Yuu went ahead of the group leading them to the school.

'Hahhhhhh........I can't believe I turned out to be a magic fairy princess today.....'

To be continued

Authors Note:

I hoped you guys like the chapter. I am very sorry for my very very VERY late update. I just had tests com,ing up and I didn't want to fail them! So I really had to study!.

#twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland x reader #twst grim #x reader #enma yuuken #various x reader #crowley #deuce spade #ace trappola

31 notes · View notes

irisopranta · 3 months ago

Text

The Girl from Gridania Chapter 7: The Scions

Part 7 of Iris’s origin story. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Or Ao3 Word Count: 2,295

A sharp gasp escaped her lips. Her eyes shot opened. It took a moment for her vision to adjust to where she is now. Last she remembered she was in the middle of nowhere being attacked by a primal. Now, however, she found herself in a bed in a room. The stone facing of the walls around her were unfamiliar to her. She looked over her body, seeing a few bandages around her arm. She notices that she was in a white robe, confused to what happened to her dress.

As she looked around, the door to the room swung open. In came in a lalafellin woman with a tray of various items. A cloth, a vessel of water, and soap. She seemed cheerful enough humming a song and hadn’t noticed that Iris was up and about. She set the tray on the end table that was next to the bed. The humming continued as she dipped the cloth in the water before applying the soap to the cloth. Turning to Iris, she opened her eyes and noticed that she was awake.

“Oh sorry.” The Lalafellin shocked and panicked, dropped everything she had in hand. She turned away to head out of the door.

“Wait!” Iris yelped. This seemed to make her stop from going completely out for the room. She turned back to Iris. “What’s going on? What happened? Where am I?” She barraged the lalafell. She continues “And who are you?”

The lalafell sighed. “I guess it would be natural for you to be confused, but let’s take it slow. My name is Tataru Taru.” She gave Iris a bit of a bow with her introduction. “As for everything else I feel that I must bring my boss here to answer your other questions.” She started to head out of the door once again shouting “I’ll be back.”

Iris, now alone in the room that she was resting for however long now. The silence was starting to drive her mad. A moment later, Tataru came back with a woman just as pink as her.

A highlander? She thought as she looked over the new face before her. Her blond hair was all tied up with braids. Her skin was dark, most likely from being from all sun exposal. Maybe she is an Ala Mhigan?

“Hello there!” She greeted. “I am Minfillia. The leader for my fair group, The Scions of the Seventh Dawn. A group of adventurers looking to bring the next Astral age upon us.” Her voice was calming. Much to Iris amazement that she could be a leader of any sort of organization. Minfillia continued on “You might be wondering why you might be here. You see, We believe you might possibly have the echo.”

“The…Echo?” Iris’ face twisted for a moment. Never have she heard of this echo and to hear that might have it. What is she even going on about.

As her mind wondered off, The Antecedent nodded “Aye the echo, a gift blessed to those from the Mother Crystal.” She let Iris process what she had said before continuing “A gift that protect anyone from any tempering from the Eikons. The fact that you went up against Ifrit without getting tempered tells me that you hold such a power. Tell me, have you had any visions?”

“Visions? Yes actually. Very recently in fact. I have been seeing on top of my normal headaches and dizziness.” The Antecedent nodded, though she seemed unsurprised. It was as though she expected her response. “Wait, is this all related somehow?” She asked her.

“Aye, and I have a very important question for you. Would you join us? For we have a need for your power.”

Iris was aghast. She was neither a fighter or an adventurer. Why would she be asked to join, to fight. She hummed at the thought knowing that she couldn’t handle the frontlines like her brother.

“If you are unsure, why don’t you go around and ask those who are around?” Minfillia mentioned. “I’ll have Taturu fetch your clothes. We took the liberty to get them cleaned whiled you rested.” Iris looked at the lalafell that greeted her earlier. Without saying a word she gave Iris a bow as she left to fetch her clothes.

After getting her clothes back on she left the room that she was in. Exploring the space that she now found herself in. At least it seemed like she was still in Thanalan. The stone faced halls lead her to what seemed like a mess hall. She scanned through the room to see who to talk to her. She spotted a red headed man in the corner, looking over a bow. His left eye was covered with an eye patch, which confused her as to why he would have a bow.

“Hey!” she approached him. He looked up from his bow to spot the elezen. He grunted then placed his bow beside him, leaning against the wall. His magenta eye were focused on her, waiting for Iris to continue. “Hey, yeah, well.” She stuttered out as she tries to find the words she whats to say to him. He just continue to stare at her with his arms now crossed over his chest. Iris cleared her throat a bit “Yeah, Sorry to bother you but I need to ask you a few things.”

The nervousness was definitely coming out of her voice as his stone cold look he was giving her wasn’t making it better. “So this whole scions business. What exactly do you do as an adventurer here?”

The adventurer scuffed at her question as though he was annoyed at her. “’Aye, why would you want to ‘now lass? Looking at ye, I can tell you wouldn’t last a day as a Scion.” He looked beyond her. “Oy, Liavinne, I got your bow fixed.” He called out to signal to another elezen woman. She came over, ignoring Iris in the process. The two continued to walk away from Iris.

The dejection hurt Iris. He wasn’t wrong, she knows she shouldn’t be here. She found a seat from the pillar that she was standing next too. She closed her eyes, thinking what now.

Should I even bother? It doesn’t seem like I would fit in and what use would they have for a seamstress.

“A gil for your thoughts?” A deep bass voice called breaking her thoughts. She had turned to the man that just spoke up. He seemed quite young considering that this is an adventuring hall. His bronzed skin was only broken up with a white tattoo X that ran across his face. His blonde hair covered most of his forehead. More noticeably, The man was quite built. Another highlander she thought. Then again, being in Thanalan, she isn’t too shocked based on the information from any of her Thanalanian customers.

“Oh, I’m not quite sure. I just don’t think I really shouldn’t be here. I really should tell Minfilla that I don’t belong here.” She throw her hands in the air before getting up.

“I wouldn’t think that.” He blurted out before she walked away. Iris stopped in her tracks. He continued “Take me for example. I just joined myself. Only been her for two weeks so far. I’m sure if you join you can learn to become one.”

She’d turned back to him. “But you at least had some skilled before coming here right? I’m nothing like that. I’m no adventurer to begin with. I only know a bit of conjury and that is only to help my father out with healing those in need.”

“Oh Conjury, I don’t know a lick of that myself. Come sit, let’s talk a bit more.” He pointed at the chair that was next to him. She sat down “My name is Arenvald. With the mention conjury and being new here, I take it you’re Iris that Thancred had spoke of?” Iris nodded as he continues “I had a feeling. The man that you were talking with was Clive. He can be a bit rough around the edges but a good man.” Arenvald then pointed to the woman that Clive had called over. “And that is Liavinne. I don’t know too much about her, she just joined a day or two now.”

A loud cheer erupted near the entrance of the mess hall. The two turn their attention to there. Seeing both an elezen done in mage clothing and a roedangyn in full on knight’s armor. The crowd that was around them exclaimed “They done it again, Coultenet and Hoary did it again.”

“Ah those two. Hoary Bolder and Coultenet Dailebaure. They have been here for a long time. Probably the longest anyone here outside the founding members. Good folk they are, and definitely someone to have your back when in a fight. One day I hope to be like that.” Arenvald waxed on. Iris can see the appeal that he may have, after all she would figure that an adventurer would love to have the heroics attached to them.

“Say Arenvald, why did you become an adventurer?” She inquired.

He looked on to Iris and gave her a smile. “That’s quite easy, I want to save people. I want to make sure no one would have the life I had growing up.” Arenvald sighs “To find out that I have a gift that help me do that and a group that aligns with my goals and wanting my gift in return is pretty great.”

“I guess that would be wonderful.” Arenvald is a young man but he seems like he knows what he wants in life. “Wait, you mention a gift?”

Arenvald nodded “Aye, the Echo. I heard you also have it. It’s quite useful.” He chuckled.

“So what exactly is it?” She figured he would be able to tell her how he lives with the echo at least.

Arenvald hummed. “Well It’s not too bad. It helps me feel how other’s feel. And talk to animals. I will say though, I heard it’s different for each person.”

“Different?”

Arenvald shrugged. “I don’t know too much on the details, that seems to be Minfillia’s deal. You could possible ask her.”

Iris nodded. “Thank you for the time Arenvald. You have been truly been helpful.” She got up from her seat. “I think I need to talk the Antecedent.” She left the mess hall and started to look for the lalafell that was taking care of her. If she recalled, she was the receptionist of the organization so she figured to check the front desk where ever that may be.

Tataru was at the front desk, as she is normally, organizing the books that were scattered about. Iris approached from the stairs leading up to her. “Tataru, was it?” Iris spoke out. The lalafell jumped, not realizing that their guest had come to visit her. The book that was in her hand had fallen to the floor.

Tataru, sighed and picked up the book. “Yes, I am. I take it you need me?”

Iris nodded. “I think I have sorted out my thoughts. Though I do have a question for you.”

“For me?”

“Why did you join the Scions?”

Tataru paused for a moment. “Why would you want to know that info? I’m just a simple receptionist.”

“That’s exactly why I want to know. I’m not quite the adventurer like the others. I’m just a seamstress after all.”

The lalafell hummed a bit more. “Well.” She paused for a moment. “My family lost a lot of gil back in the day. So much so that I had to take up being Lapidary’s apprentice. It just so happened that I got to meet a certain miner. Minfillia was her name. Became good friends with her. And then one day she told me that she had plans. Plans to make a better Eorzea. And she wanted me to join her to help make it happen.”

“So you been here since the beginning?” Tataru nodded to the Elezen. Iris continued on. “And Minfillia wasn’t an adventurer at all either?”

“If you want you could hear more from Minfillia.”

Iris couldn’t help but think that the scions weren’t all adventurers and most likely they would have the answers see seeks with her echo. “I guess I should.” Tataru nodded and led Iris to the Antecedent.

“Minfilla, our guest wants to speak with you.” Minifilla turn to the two that are in her door way, giving them a nod to enter. Upon entering the Antecedent’s office, Iris had noted that a broken staff was on her wall. She stared onwards curious as to what it’s purpose was.

“I would like to welcome you again, Iris was it?” Minifilla words snapping Iris out of her trance.

“Yes.” Iris cleared her throat to regain control of her thoughts.

Minifilla nodded before she continued on. “Had you the chance to talk to the other adventurers then?”

“I have and to be honest I not sure if I would be the greatest adventurer in your ranks. Though hearing about what the echo can do I may do something and possibly get an answer for it.” Iris looked on to Minfillia, hoping to get a cue as to what she is thinking. She continued. “I'm neither a fighter nor adventurer, just your run-of-the mill seamstress. However, if I can aid those we can yet save then I will.” Again, looking to Minfillia to see what she had say only to be greeted with a smile.

“Of course, we need someone like you in our ranks. The echo is truly a gift that only a few have.” Minfilia moved around her desk. “Let me call everyone in to introduce you’ll work with.”

#oc: iris opranta #writings #flower of hope #the girl from gridania #ffxiv

12 notes · View notes