#they’re both so young and I want them to be bestest friends forever

[khazadspoon]

A little something, maybe gen maybe slash, between Rowdy and Jesús because I suddenly had them on my mind this morning.

———

“Jesús?”

He shifted on the bedroll, head turning on the saddle beneath it as he craned his neck to glance at his companion for the last couple of days.

“Yes, señor Rowdy?”

Rowdy was a shadow in the midnight gloom, just a sliver of moon and a few stubborn stars poking through the layer of cloud in the sky. “You ain’t going to ever just call me a rowdy, are you…” It wasn’t a question. Jesús smiled to himself and shook his head, hoping Rowdy saw it. “Guess it’s alright. But, ‘soos, why d’you stick around? You’ve got enough to help your ma out now, and she’s doing well, you could go home and- and settle down, y’know?”

He thought for a moment, taking in the curious tone of Rowdy’s voice and the huddled form of him under the blankets. It was a chilly night and they had set their rolls close to fight off the chill as best they could.

“Because I like it out here,” he answered after a long pause. “Wide open spaces, beautiful skies, horses that listen to me… it’s peaceful. A man can forget himself here and still keep what makes him himself.”

It was Rowdy’s turn to pause. He turned on his side, pale cheeks and bright eyes the only part of him not tucked under blankets or his hat. Jesús turned on his side as well and propped himself up on one elbow.

For all his attitude, all the times señor Favor had chewed him out for impulsive actions and angry words, Rowdy did a lot of thinking. He spent long hours on his horse with a contemplative look on his handsome features, often visiting the remuda just to talk to the horses about things he didn’t talk to the other drovers about. Jesús did his best not to pry, finding something to do to keep distance, but he heard snatches of worry and almost philosophical musings on the state of the world.

“Do you…” Rowdy paused, swallowed thickly, scratched at his cheek in the way he always did when he was nervous. “D’you think you’ll stay out here forever?”

Jesús smiled and watched as it caught on Rowdy’s face too. “Not forever. A while, yes, because I am young and there is a lot of life to be lived. Things to see, people to meet, perhaps even a love or two to have and lose.”

That got a chuckle as he knew it would. “Think I’ve had more than my fair share of that…” another scratch of his cheek. “I ain’t got much to go home to. Ma gets on fine without me, no sweetheart to worry about. I guess… it never felt like home after the war. It didn’t fit. Or maybe I just didn’t fit it. I came back like some lost child looking for family in a stranger.”

He shuffled closer, dragging his saddle so they could lean close like boys on a camping trip. Their knees bumped through their blankets. “The world is a strange place, señor Rowdy, and God works in many strange ways. Sometimes the places we are born and the people we are born as aren’t the ones we are meant to die in or as. I think that’s is what drives men to be vaqueros. We are nudged out of the door and onto the plains and prairies to find ourselves.”

Rowdy smiled softly at him, tucking the blanket under his chin. “You sure are a romantic, Jesús.”

He shrugged and smiled back, fingers idly plucking at the edge of Rowdy’s blanket. “I’m a lot of things.”

“All of them good,” Rowdy said lowly, the words almost a breath. “C’mon, we should at least try and get some sleep. No use trying to buy horses if we can’t see ‘em straight.”

Jesús let go of Rowdy’s blanket and shuffled the blankets back up around himself. “Goodnight, señor Rowdy.”

“G’night, ‘soos.”

[howlingday]

jaune's from a family of raiders

well not quite he's from a culture that puts a lot of stock in capturing and ransoming off their friends and neighbors from other tribes. think of it like a combat sport only some times you're also stealing cattle and horses.

he's a prince of the high king

well again it's more complicated the kingdoms are like city states they don't exactly legislate or collect taxes all the way out into the wilds. but they do send huntsmen to protect the area and then tax the huntsmen.

jaune's dad just happened to be a huntsman who didn't pay taxes because the area his family had lived in for generations also happened to be outside the control of vale. and lots of people wanna live near the huntsmen who can keep them safe. so he has a position of respect among all the tribes. and jaune is his son

he's also required to have a harem

this one is interesting because it's one of those cultural things that seems weird from the outside but makes more sense when you look at it. men are hard to keep alive without a hospital. even with aura. women are part of a protected group like children and so take less risks in life. leading to there being a ton more women than men. and since technology isn't quite to the level of the kingdoms proper,

well more hands to help maintain a house isn't bad right?

but most of all jaune is a man who only wants to do right by his family, whether that be those from the past, or the woman, or women, that he loves.

and this part needs no further clarification

tldr: au where jaune's part of a tribal community and brings his lover or lovers home to meet the family. how does that go for everyone?

P.S: also sorry for the flowery ask, i felt inspired by something

Ooh, do tell the inspiration!

"Unhand me, you brute!" Jaune sighed as the girl in white screeched and squirmed behind him. "Do you know who I am?! When my family hears of this, they will hang you for this! Do you hear me?"

Jaune kept his focus on the road ahead as he gripped the reigns of Valorie, his mare, glancing left and right occasionally to avoid an ambush. His family might have a hold on the territory, but with his father growing in age, so, too, did that grip loosen. A rival tribe or rogue patrol from the kingdoms would easily snatch up an easy target like the lone swordsman and his latest bride.

"Could you at least tell me where we're going?"

"Home." Jaune answered, not looking back.

"Oh, yes, of course! How could I not know? And where exactly is your home?"

"Just up ahead."

"Uh huh, I see, and what are you going to do once you're home?"

Jaune let out a long sigh as he stretched his shoulders a bit. "Well, drop you off with the others, then have you judged, if there's enough time."

"Judged?" Weiss raised an eyebrow. "Judged for what?"

"Wife material." Weiss blushed and her jaw dropped. "Can you cook; can you clean; are you good with children; can you have children; do you have any family illnesses?" He shrugged. "Routine wedding discussions."

"W-Wedding?!" Ah, and just like that, the shrieking began anew. "You savage! You brute! I refuse to be treated like some stock taken to auction, about to be sold to some pervert noble!"

"You're not being sold to a noble." Jaune smiled and looked back. "Just me." Before she could begin again, Jaune let out a sigh of relief. "Finally, we're home."

It may have only been about a week since Jaune had left, but it felt like forever since his departure from the lands of Arcadia. The valleys and hills were as green and lush as ever, and the summer winds carried the calming scent of flowers across it all. He passed the growing crops, where he saw his sisters, their wives, and some of his own watering and tending to them. They waved to him, and he returned one to them.

"Welcome home, Miss Weiss." The girl marveled at the beauty. She had only heard of such places from her studies in the manor, but to see it in person was something else. Before she could admire it more, however, the mare stopped, jostling her from her focus.

Jaune slid down, then pulled Weiss down as well, carrying her bridal style. He then set her onto her own feet and untied the binds on her wrists and ankles. She lifted her leg, then kicked his shin. He yelped in pain.

"That was for the kidnapping!" She shouted.

"Yeesh! Just a kick?" Weiss turned to see a lilac-eyed blonde woman in fieldwork garments smiling at her. "When he dropped me off, they had to get his old man to get me off of him." She looked past Weiss to Jaune. "You going soft on me, or just your taste in women?"

"And who are you?" Weiss spat. "One of his whores?"

Yang laughed and placed a sweaty, mud-encrusted paw on her delicate shoulder. It felt warm at first, then hot as her grip became tight, and her eyes red. "I dare you to say that again."

"Yang, stop it!" Weiss and Yang looked to the younger girl running from inside the house. She was a brunette with red tips and silver eyes, and she wore a red apron that she had to roll up to her shins. She futilely tugged on the blonde woman's arm. "Jaune told you not to hurt anyone else!"

She let go, making the girl yelp as she was lifted with her arm. "Aw, c'mon, Rubes, we were just playing!" She then looked to Weiss, her eyes lilac once more. "Ain't that right, Ice Queen?"

"Ice Queen?!" Weiss balked.

"Yang, cut it out, please." Jaune sighed.

"Fine, fine!" Yang turned around, lowering her arm. The smaller girl let go as she walked away. "Besides, the crops won't grow themselves. I'll go be a good workhorse." She stopped to look back and winked. "I expect my carrot tonight, though, sweetheart~."

"Play nice and we'll see." Jaune responded with a smile. With that, Yang chuckled and resumed walking, swaying her hips for a few more yards before jogging back to the field. He looked to the younger girl and smiled. "And how have you been, Ruby?"

She sighed. "Do you mean after you left, or after you came back?"

"Both."

"After you left, I missed you. It was your mom's birthday, but I couldn't afford a present, so I took on her chores for the week, but I didn't expect her chores included chimney cleaning, so now I have soot so far up my nose, I'm still sneezing black. Then I had to tend to the chickens, but they're so vicious, and I swear they can smell weakness, because the rooster jumped me at least six times. Then Zwei needed a bath, but he somehow tricked me into the tub, so I smell like wet dog a little bit. And then I had to bake her cake all on my own, but there were eggshells in it and it came out both burnt and raw somehow, and I just- Argh!" Ruby collapsed into Jaune's torso. "I really missed you."

Jaune held her and kissed the crown of her head. "I missed you, too, Ruby." He stepped back and held a hand outward towards Weiss. "Ruby Rose-Arc, this is Weiss Schnee. She's going to be my newest bride." He looked to Weiss. "Weiss Schnee, this is Ruby Rose-Arc, my second wife. She and Yang will help prepare you for judging."

"It's so nice to meet you!" Ruby swooped in, snatching the other woman's hands in hers. Her smile was wide and bright. "It'll be nice to have another short girl in our home!"

"No!" Weiss yanked her hands away. "I refuse! When my father hears of this, he'll-"

"Oh, that reminds me!" Jaune walked to Valorie and reached into her saddlebag. Weiss grumbled as she watched him pull out a small, burlap sack. "Here, Ruby. This was part of the dowry, but I want you to have it."

Ruby opened the sack and squealed in delight. "Dust crystals!" She hugged the new woman tightly. "You are the bestest bestie a bestie could ever have!"

"What the-?! Where did you get those?!" Weiss shrieked.

"From your father." Ruby ran inside with her new sack. "In exchange for marrying you, we'll allow him to trade through our lands."

"My father would never-!" Jaune gave her a curious look. "I mean, not to one of his own-!" Her voice grew softer. "I thought..."

"Listen," Jaune placed a hand on her shoulder, "if you don't want to marry me, I understand. Most of the others didn't want to, either. But if you give it a few days, you might learn to love it here. You won't go hungry, you'll be well protected, and I promise you'll be loved every day."

"I just... I didn't think I would be treated like this. By my own family."

"I know." Jaune removed his hand. "Would it be okay if I hugged you?"

"I-"

"JAUNEY!" The two saw a young woman bull rush towards Jaune, carrying a dead boar high above her head. Jaune extended his arms out and caught her, spinning in place at least a dozen times. Blood sprayed around, including onto Weiss and the other two as they embraced. When they stopped, Jaune set her down, giving her a butterfly kiss with his nose to hers. "You're home!"

Jaune chuckled. "Yup!" He peered around her and looked to Weiss. "And I brought back someone new."

Nora turned around and gasped as she looked at Weiss. "Oh! My! Dust! You are so small!" She looked to Jaune and waggled her brow. "Be careful you don't break her!" She then laughed. "I'd shake your hand, but, uh, I'm a little busy. I'm Nora Valkyrie-Arc, Jaune's fourth wife."

"Weiss Schnee." Blood dripped from her hair. "And I was just about to leave."

"Aw! Already?! We were gonna make pancakes tomorrow!"

"I was going to make pancakes, Nora." Weiss turned to the male voice and saw a slim man in the doorway, wearing both an apron and a blank expression. "Just like I do every morning for you."

"Renny!" Nora cheered before tossing the trophy to him. "This is my first husband, Lie-Valkyrie Ren!"

Despite his slim figure, the man held the heavy beast with seemingly no trouble. "A pleasure to meet you." He nodded, before turning to head inside.

"Is he also your husband?" Weiss asked. Jaune chuckled nervously. This was going to be a long day, but they both already knew that.

[ibelieveinharrystyles]

Chapter Nine: He’s A Rockstar

Forever? Masterlist

7th April 2017 “Big day today!” Roman welcomes Ashley as she entered the offices, armed with a box of donuts and a fruit platter, her attempt at making Harry and his team feel welcome. She knew he would be getting the VIP treatment at Radio 1 seeing as Harry was so close to Nick, so she wanted to make sure he felt equally as comfortable at Capital.

“Tell me about it,” she sighed, “Harry was texting me all of last night, worrying about what people will think, but you and I both know how loyal his fans are, he could release a nursery rhyme fused with rap, and he’d probably somehow go to number one.”

“That actually isn’t a bad idea.” Roman chuckled, “Anyway, what time is Harold getting here?” 

“Well he’s on the show at 8:30, so just before that I guess.” Ashley explained.

“Good morning you are listening to the Capital Breakfast show that was Shape of You by Ed Sheeran.” Roman said into his microphone.

“Now today is a very special day in music history, because we have got solo artist Harry Styles in the studio,” Ashley told the listeners, gaining an applause from the staff in the studio.

“Hello, thank you for having me,” Harry said softly.

“We’re going to play the track in a minute, but I have to ask you, how does it feel being a solo artist?” Roman asked him.

“It’s weird, but in a good way, I’m excited for you all to hear it, well Ash heard it last week, when she bought Daisy over.” Harry told him.

“And what did you think of it Ash?” Roman asked.

“She cried when I played it, I think they were happy tears, and Daisy, my harshest critic liked it enough not to fall asleep during it.” Harry explained.

“That’s great, well would you like to do the honours of introducing it Harry?” Roman enquired.

“You’re listening to my new single Sign of the Times on Capital.” Harry soothed into the microphone. Ashley sat quietly as the first few lines began to play, “You aren’t going to cry again are you Ash?” Harry got up, wandering over to where she was sat to give her a quick embrace.

“It’s incredible H, congrats man.” Roman gave him a tight hug, patting him on the back.

“Hiya Jean, how’s she been?” Ashley asked, entering the house of her childminder.

“An absolute angel as always, she’s going to break hearts one day.” Jean led her through to the living room where Daisy was playing with two girls around the age of four years old, “she loves playing with these two, and they love playing with her, we also made some cupcakes today, these are Daisy’s.” Jean handed her a pink tupperware box filled with four cupcakes decorated with piles of sprinkles and smarties.

“They’re lovely thank you, I think I’m going to have to grab her and go today, we’re going to my friend’s for dinner tonight.” Ashley explained.

“Of course I understand, I’ll go and get her for you.” Jean bought back Daisy who was babbling away about her toy zebra, a new obsession of hers. 

“Hello little monkey, have you been a good girl for Jean?” she whispered, taking her daughter and bouncing her on her hip, “We’re going to see uncle Harry, you like that don’t you poppet? Thank you again Jean, I’ll see you on Monday, have a good weekend.” Ashley said as she strapped Daisy into the buggy.

“You too love.”

After a stressful ordeal getting herself and Daisy ready for dinner at Harry’s, Ashley finally arrived at his North London home, Daisy in one arm babbling away, she rang the doorbell which was quickly answered by Harry who was wearing the same black shirt from earlier, with some jazzier yellow trousers. “Hello you two! Come on in,” He welcomed them over the threshold into the hallway that Ashley had always found intimidating, “How are you?” 

“We’re good, but I won’t lie, getting this little madam dressed was stressful,” Ashley told him as she tickled  her under the chin.

“I like the pink of her dress, it matches the album cover,” Harry said smugly, pulling faces at Daisy who was clearly having a great time.

“No one’s seen the album cover yet Harry.” Ashley sighed.

“Yeah but it’s great for my natural narcissistic self,” Harry noticed Ashley struggling to take her coat off, “Do you want me to take her?” He asked, before Ashley handed her over, “Shall we go get your mummy a drink Princess Daisy?” Harry asked her as he carried her into the kitchen, Daisy babbling away to Harry, who Ashley had pretty much concluded was her favourite person. Ashley joined them in the kitchen where several people she recognised stood mingling, Lou, his hairstylist, was chatting with Gemma, Anne, Nick Grimshaw and Harry Lambert, people Ashley had met a handful of times. Jeff, Harry’s manager was talking to several people she assumed were from the record label. “Hiya love how are you?” Lou greeted her with a kind hug.

“Not bad, getting Daisy out of the house was a whole mission, I’m sure you know what I mean Lou.”

“Trust me, wait until she’s talking, she’ll want full control of her wardrobe choices.” Lou told her.

“How are things on the dark side Ash?” Nick asked, putting his arm around her shoulder.

“Bright and breezy, Roman sends his love,” The rivalry between Radio 1 and Capital went back years, both radio stations strived to be the number one station for young people, both had succeeded at various points in radio history.

Ashley glanced over at Harry who was holding Daisy whilst talking to his band, “Are you sure Daisy isn’t his?” Nick whispered, loud enough for Lou to hear.

“Positive, we haven’t even kissed Nick.” Ashley assured him.

Before Nick could question her anymore Harry shushed everyone to make a speech, Daisy sat comfortably in his arms, “Firstly, I would like to say thank you all for coming tonight, it means a lot to have my favourite people in one room, I am extremely grateful for you all, I’d like to thank Jeff and the label for all your support with the record, and of course my band for being wonderful people, Lou and Harry for keeping me looking half presentable. And of course mum and Gem, they say it takes a great woman to raise a great man, but in fact it took two, and I love you very much,” Ashley glanced over at Anne who was wiping tears from her cheeks, “And finally my bestest friend of all time, Ash, I feel like the luckiest man that I get to call you my best friend, we’ve grown up together, experiencing life together, and although our lives have taken very different paths, they seem to be running side by side, with the addition of this gorgeous little lady.” 

“To Harry!” Nick cried, raising his glass in the air, everyone following his action.

The party had died down, pretty much everyone had left, except Gemma, Anne, Nick and Ashley who sat sprawled out on the large sofas in Harry’s front living room. Harry entered the room, passing around a bowl of crisps, admiring Daisy who had fallen asleep in Ashley’s arms, “I think we’re going to have to head home soon Haz.” Ashley whispered, “I’d rather get the tube before all the drunks get on it.”

“I’ll drive you if you like,” Harry offered.

“There are two flaws in that H, you’ve had several glasses of wine and champagne, and I don’t have Daisy’s car seat, we’ll be fine on the tube.”

“I’ll call you a cab.” Harry had always been quite protective of Ashley, but ever since Daisy was born he had been even more so.

“I promise we’ll be fine on the tube, if you are really that worried you can walk us to the station.”

And so he did, the pair strolled through the dimly lit streets of North London, Harry insisted on pushing Daisy’s buggy, Ashley held onto Harry’s arm, the warm fabric of his trench coat brushing against her cheek, “It meant a lot to me that you were there today love, both of you.” Harry told her, looking down at her with a gentle smile.

“I was so proud of you today Haz, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, Daisy adores you, you know that don’t you?” Ashley told him.

“I was proud of you too, seeing you at work for the first time, I can see why they gave you the job.”

“They gave me the job because I’m best friends with Harry Styles.” Ashley sighed.

“I don’t believe that, you were so at home in there Ash, you’ve found your thing.” Harry assured her as they approached the almost empty tube station.

“This is us.” Ashley whispered, taking Daisy’s buggy from Harry.

“Text me when you get home.” Harry instructed her, holding her close to his chest, not wanting to ever let go.

12th May 2017

“Hello rockstar.” Ashley said as Harry opened his front door to see his best friend stood on the doorstep, a big grin on both their faces, she had come straight from work to see him, knowing he would be anxious with all the interviews and meetings regarding the album. Jean being the angel she was had agreed to look after Daisy for the whole day, which made Ashley’s life a whole lot easier.

“So did you listen to it then?” Harry asked her as he led her through to the kitchen, taking two mugs from the cupboard and placing them on the counter before turning on the kettle.

“I did.” Ashley knew that holding off on telling Harry what she thought of his album was sure to make him squirm, as important the opinions of the label and critics were, Harry only ever seemed to care about what Ashley thought.

“And did you like it?” He asked.

“I cried, again.” she sighed.

“At which song?” He asked.

“All of it, the whole way through, my eyes were puffy when I got to work I think Roman thought something was wrong.”

“So which was your favourite song?”

“Now that is a tough one,” Ashley replied as he handed her the cup of tea, “I’m going to have to say sweet creature,” 

“Good.” Harry smiled.

“The thing is I’ve known you for twelve years, and I can tell who pretty much all the songs are about.”

“Is that right?” Harry smirked, raising his eyebrows.

“Two Ghosts, well that's obviously Taylor, Only Angel is clearly about Kendall,” she told him, “One thing I did want to ask you was, you didn’t write Kiwi about me did you? You know, the whole I’m having your baby, it's none of your business thing.”

“No, that one’s fictional,” Harry assured her, before she could question him any further they were interrupted by a knock at the door, Harry disappeared to answer and a minute or so later returned with Jeff, “You’re worrying me Jeff, its not like you to arrive without warning.”

“It’s probably just as well you’re here Ashley, this involves you somewhat,” Jeff explained, “We should probably sit down,” He led them over to Harry’s large dining table, “The press have put two and two together and made twenty five.”

“Jeff what are you on about?” Harry asked, clearly baffled by Jeff’s spontaneous visit.

Jeff pulled out his laptop, opening it to reveal an article titled ‘SHE’S HAVING HIS BABY AND IT IS HIS BUSINESS’, under the heading there were pictures of Harry and Ashley from the release date of Sign of the Times, pictures of Harry pushing Daisy’s buggy whilst Ashley held onto his arm, and pictures of them hugging at the station, as the article continued there were pictures of Harry and Ashley going way back, they were insinuating that Harry’s public relationships had all been an elaborate cover up for his real relationship with Ashley, “So they think Harry is Daisy’s real dad?” Ashley whispered.

“It looks that way,” Jeff sighed “And for legal reasons I need to know whether she is Harry’s daughter or not.”

“Harry is not Daisy’s father, for fuck sake her father may as well have been a sperm donor, because thats how little involvement he has had in he life.”

“Do you need me to make a statement?” Harry asked.

“They’ll probably want a comment from you eventually, this will all blow over eventually, but Ashley you might find in the next few weeks that you get heightened press attention, butt don’t say anything to them they could use against you, and if they do anything to harm you or Daisy in any way tell Harry, and he can tell our legal team who will have that resolved for you.”

“Are you alright?” Harry asked Ashley as she stared out of his living room window, Jeff had gone and it was just the two of them left in the house.

“You would tell me wouldn’t you? If you had written a song about me?” Ashley asked, Harry shuffled on his feet, looking down at the floor, not wanting to engage in eye contact with Ashley, “What is it?” she asked him bluntly, she knew full well when Harry was hiding something.

“I haven’t been completely honest, there is a song on there about you.” Harry muttered, “when you said Sweet Creature was your favourite, I said good, because I wrote it for you.” Ashley stood in silence, not really knowing what to think, “You think that’s weird don’t you? I’m sorry, I should’ve asked if it was okay before I released it.”

“I don’t think it’s weird, I think it’s lovely, in a weird kind of way.” She assured him.

“A weird kind of lovely?”

“Exactly.”

[swanqueeneverafter]

What Dreams May Come, Pt.38

Playground. Past. (A young King Richard and Gareth make their way onto a playground.) Gareth: "Make way for your king Richard, swine!” King Richard: “Thanks, Gareth. Hi, everyone. I'd like to swing now. (Gareth pushes a boy off the swing and Richard takes his place:) Look, Gareth, no hands!” Gareth: “Very impressive, My King. (To the other children:) Isn't your king impressive?” (The children clap, then watch as Richard attempts to make a castle from dry sand.) King Richard: “Ta-da!” Gareth: “Your king made a sand castle. Praise him!” Boy: “Greatest castle ever, My King.” Girl: “You're my hero, My King.” Menken: “Would you like me to write you a theme song, My King?” Gareth: “Shut up, Menken. Applause!” (The children applaud once again.) King Richard: “Enough! They cheer because I'm king and because they're scared, not because of anything I do.” Gareth: “Your king had a realization. Cheer his realization!” King Richard: “I'm no hero. I'm a phony.” (Young King Richard climbs the steps to the slide:) ♪ Will my day ever come? ♪ ♪ Will my moment arrive? ♪ ♪ Will I ever be more than just some poor, fat loser? ♪ (Slides down the slide:) ♪ Do I ever become the hero? ♪ ♪ Will I wed the girl I love? ♪ ♪ Am I going to get to touch her boobs? ♪ Richard: (Appears beside the swings:) “I'm not telling you. You're a child.” King Richard: “What? Who are you?” Richard: “I'm you... In the future.” King Richard: “Cool.” Richard: (The younger Richard pulls him along:) “Oh, God.” Inside The Castle. King Richard: ♪ Will I be a good king? ♪ Richard: ♪ Not really ♪ King Richard: (Sits on the throne:) ♪ Loved by all that I rule? ♪ Richard: (Takes the crown off his head:) ♪ Nope, sorry ♪ King Richard: (Stands, picks up a sword:) ♪ Do I stand up and fight for truth and right and good? ♪ Richard: ♪ Let's see now ♪ ♪ No, no, no ♪ (Grabs the sword.) King Richard: ♪ Will I go on some grand adventures ♪ Richard: ♪ Well... ♪ King Richard: ♪ With my closest, bestest chum? ♪ Richard: ♪ Not exactly ♪ King Richard: ♪ When will that day come? ♪ Richard: (To himself in realisation:) “It's never gonna come, is it?” King Richard: (Sits on a nearby bench:) ♪ Is it hopeless? ♪ Richard: (Sits beside him:) ♪ Am I useless? ♪ Both: ♪ Are we doomed to be completely lame? ♪

(Richard runs to stand on the opposite bench.) Richard: ♪ Will my star ever rise? ♪ ♪ Will my life ever change? ♪ ♪ Am I destined to be achievement-free forever? ♪ (Steps down:) ♪ I don't need all my dreams to happen ♪ ♪ Or a bunch ♪ ♪ Or even some ♪ (Sits on the throne:) ♪ Will my day ♪ ♪ Ever come? ♪ (Coming back to his surroundings, Richard finds himself in the castle kitchens with Regina and Henry staring at him.) Richard: “What? I'm singing a duet with my inner child. Oh, like I give a monkey's butt what you think.” (He leaves.) Regina: "Anyway..." Henry: (Laughs:) "Yeah. (Shakes his head:) So, Emma kicked Facilier's ass pretty good, huh?" Regina: (Chuckles:) "Oh yeah. I'm no doctor, but I think it's safe to say she's cured." Henry: "And Facilier, where is he now?" Regina: "Oh, who knows, hopefully he ran back to the Underworld and took a dive into the River of Lost Souls. But enough about us. I want to hear more about you, about your story. It appears it's been... interesting?”

Henry: (Exhales sharply, Chuckling:) “Yeah. Yeah, I guess. Although, dragging my family and friends into a battle for our freedom isn’t exactly the stuff of dreams.” Regina: “More like a nightmare.” Henry: (Nods:) “I mean, I know it sounds selfish but, it’d be one thing if after we somehow win the day, I’d get the girl, you know? (Sighs:) Guess I’ll just have to enjoy my time with Ella while it lasts.” (Just as Regina is about to reach out a consoling hand to Henry, a small bottle appears on the table between them.) Regina: “What the...?” Henry: (Grabbing it:) “It’s a message in a bottle. (Opens the bottle, pulls out the note and reads:) It’s from Hook! He’s asking for help. We have to go save him.” Regina: “No, Henry-” Henry: “Back in our world I sent Hook a message like this. What if he had just ignored it, huh?” Regina: (Standing:) “Henry we have to fight the battle of our lives tomorrow. Besides, Maleficent is already searching for him and she was pretty clear about not wanting our help.” Henry: “But what if she can’t find him? (Holds up the note:) If we act fast we can put a locator spell on this parchment and use it to find Hook. We’ll be back in no time.” Regina: “I don’t like this, Henry. This could just as easily be another trap.” Henry: “We can’t just do nothing. Please, Mom. We have to try.” The Battlefield. (The Valencian army stands ready to fight, with Gareth and Madelena sat astride their horses, leading them.) Gareth: "Ah, it's almost time. I can't thank you enough for this, I love a good battle." Queen Madelena: "You're welcome, Gareth. Who knows, we might just be able to give this one a d'doozy of an ending." (Madelena's eyes flash red, which Gareth notices.) Gareth: "What just happened?" Queen Madelena: "What?" (Her eyes return to normal.) Gareth: "I thought..." Queen Madelena: (Panicking:) "Oh, look, a squirrel!"

Enchanted Forest. Docks. (Emma, Regina and Henry step out of a portal in the search for Hook.) Regina: "All right, let's get this over with quickly. We find the pirate, save his ass and get back to the castle before anyone notices we're gone." Henry: "That's fine but if we want this over fast, we'll have to split up." Regina: "No, we need to stick together." Henry: "We don't have time to argue. (To Emma:) Mom, you know I'm right." (Before Emma can say anything, Henry takes off, running down an alleyway looking for Hook.) Emma: (Sighs:) "Come on, let's go." A Short Time Later. (Walking together down a darkened street, Emma and Regina continue their search.) Regina: "Hook?!" Emma: "Killian?!" (Hearing groans from up ahead, they spot a figure slumped against a barrel.) Emma: (Running over to him:) "Hook? Hold on, we've got you." Regina: "What happened?" Hook: "Morpheus' guards. I took down two of them... but the third... gave me this. (He moves his hand to reveal a bloody wound. Breathing heavy:) It's too late for me, Swan." Emma: (Shakes her head:) "There's hope. Stay with us. (Holds out her hand:) All you need to do is believe." Regina: (Cautiously:) "Careful, Emma." Emma: (To Hook:) "Hey, just look at me and believe." (Emma begins using her powers to heal Hook. The white light shines over the wound and works its magic.)

Hook: (Gasps:) "Thank you, Savior." (Hook begins laughing, before a burst of energy knocks Emma backwards.) Regina: "Emma! Are you all right." Emma: (Sitting up:) "No." (Regina looks back towards Hook, to find the pirate now standing. A moment later, he reveals his true identity: Gothel.) Gothel: "A pleasure as always, ladies." Emma: "It was a trap. Henry-" Gothel: (Cutting in:) "...Is in my possession now. And thanks to your healing hands, I've taken your magic as well." (Emma tries to use her magic on Gothel, but finds she’s unable.) Regina: (Stepping forward:) "I've got this." Gothel: "Care to find out if your magic alone is enough to defeat me, Regina? Meet me at the circle of stones and we'll see who's magic is more powerful." (Gothel disappears in a cloud of smoke.) Regina: (Fuming:) "Now do you see why I don't like Hook? It's for reasons like this!" Underworld. Underground Cavern. (Following the golden flower, which floats in front of them, Hook and Maleficent are lead toward a large, ancient set of scales.) Maleficent: "Now how in the world was that flower supposed to lead us here without my locator spell?" Hook: "Nicely done, love." Maleficent: (Looking down at the inscription on the scales:) "The instructions couldn't be in English?“ Hook: (Reads it with ease:) "Only a heart filled with true love can pass." Maleficent: (Looks at him in surprise:) “I’m impressed.” Hook: “You'd be surprised what they teach you in the Royal Navy. The only question is, what the bloody hell does it mean?” Maleficent: “I think I know. I think we have to weigh your heart to see if your love is true. (Looks at Hook:) What?” Hook: “Morpheus pretty much called me cold and self-centered. Obviously he wants me to go through this test so I can prove him right.” Maleficent: “So if you fail...” Hook: “I’ll stay down here forever.” Maleficent: “That won’t happen.” Hook: “Mal, are you saying that what we share is...” (Suddenly, Maleficent thrusts her hand into Hook’s chest, pulling out his heart.) Maleficent: “Well, we're about to find out.”

Dream World. Battlefield. (As the cobbled-together army consisting of members of the united realms stand staring at the vastly larger Valencian army, their leaders huddle together.) Tiana: "So it comes down to this. Merida and Lancelot's armies never arrived, leaving us hideously outnumbered. The Charmings, Ella and Zelena have gone to search for Emma and Regina who have gone missing, yet again. Which means we no longer have magic on our side." Aladdin: "Wow. No magic. (Looks out at the Valencians:) There's certainly a lot of them." Will: "Kinda makes you wish you had a magic lamp, eh?" Richard: "Yeah, as a former king who once led armies into battle, I must officially say we are knee-deep in poopie-ka-ka." Tiana: "Thanks, Richard. That's helpful." Richard: "No problem." Will: "Actually, I think I've come up with a plan that could turn this whole thing in our favor." Tiana: "Well, tell us what it is, Will.” Will: “We beat them to the punch. We kill ourselves before they kill us. It's sure to ruin their morale. If only I were alive to see the looks on their faces.” Jasmine: “Enough of this. (Slugging Will in the gut, she uses his back to step on as she mounts a horse, riding it to stand in front of their army:) Good people of the United Realms, it is true the Valencians have three to our every one. And you are right to worry. Because how can so few of us dig the graves of so many of them?!” (The army cheers.) Aladdin: “She twisted it.” Jasmine: “If you want to leave, leave now. I will not mind, for it will leave more glory for the rest of us!” (Army cheers again.) Will: (Getting to his feet:) “She twisted it again!” Jasmine: “Arise, all of you! Today, we fight! Pots shall be broken, pans shall be splintered! Whisks shall be... Actually, let's not use whisks. It'll be a sore day, a red day, but a day for victory! (Army cheering as Jasmine rides her horse up and down the line:) Victory! Stand strong! Stand strong! Stand strong and fight!” Richard: (Inspired:) “Let's make this sacrifice worth it.″ Jasmine: (Rides a short distance away from the army, to herself:) “Oy. We are completely screwed.” Over With The Valencians. (Gareth & Madelena are now joined by Lord Morpheus as Gareth addresses the troops.) Gareth: "All right men, we've waited long enough. It's time for war!" (The troops cheer.) Morpheus: “Yes. War indeed. Shall we retire to the royal viewing area? It's up the hill a pace, safe from the fighting. And they've got cookies.” Queen Madelena: “Oh! Yes, please.” (Laughs.) Gareth: “Hold on a minute. What... What do you mean, viewing area? I thought we were gonna fight!” Queen Madelena: “I know, but Lord Morpheus had that cool skybox made, and we are king and queen, (Her eyes glow red:) which means technically we should...” Gareth: “Your eyes are doing that thing again.” (Madelena quickly checks with Morpheus who shakes his head.) Queen Madelena: (Turning back to Gareth:) “What? Don't be crazy.” Morpheus: “I didn't see anything.” Queen Madelena: “No, they're not. (Urges her horse forward:) Let's go.” Elsewhere... (Cresting the top of a hill, Mulan and Ruby stand in awe at the two armies prepared for battle.) Mulan: “Oh, I haven't been in a proper battle in a long time." Ruby: (Flatly:) “Yeah. This is gonna be super fun.” Mulan: (Laughs:) “You're gonna be fine.” Ruby: “Oh, totally. I know. I'm feeling great and confident. I-I'm just worried about Xena. I mean, clearly the woman has suicidal tendencies. Is that really the sort of woman we want to lead us?” Mulan: “A woman who would lay down her life for the greater good? That’s exactly the kind of leader we need. As for the suicidal thoughts, I think Gabrielle knocked all of those out of her.” Ruby: (Winces:) “Yeah, that fight was pretty ugly.” Mulan: “That wasn’t a fight, it was a mauling. Xena stood there and took it all though, you have to admire that.” Ruby: “And the making out afterwards was pretty damn hot.” Mulan: (Smiles:) “You can say that again.” Ruby: (Glances back down the hill:) “Do you think we should separate them? I mean we don’t need them expending all their energies on-” Mulan: “I think we can let them work things out for a little longer. Unless you want a chakram thrown at your head.” Ruby: “Mm. Good point.”

[agent00n0]

All Hail the Rat Prince

It was a beautiful night. The weather was finally breaking and the wind blowing in from the ocean was starting to have the tang of spring to it.

Charborg had managed to drag Sput out of the house with him. The two of them needed to get out. Winter may have been mild this year, but being cooped up with so many people for so long had both of them jumping at the chance to walk in the warmth and the quiet for just a little while.

It also gave Char the chance to return to the sea for a bit. Despite living here for years, the siren still wasn't used to the climate and the harsh cold of the winter seas was dangerous to him. He's been waiting forever for the chance to swim freely again. The others have done their best to make sure that he's not too restless, but that doesn't always work out. There have been a few times he was so agitated from being stuck in the house and on two legs that he sang them all away. This is normally fine, but during his most recent fit, he forgot Sput was hanging around and the guilt hit him so hard when he saw blood dripping from his dear friend's ears and nose.

This little walk is also his way of making it up to his best buddy. They haven’t had the chance to really hang out one on one in months, so a little quality time and some fresh air will do both of them a lot of good.

At least it would if both of them weren’t the biggest trouble magnets of the group.

As they’re walking on the path that will eventually take them to the beach, they both stop as they hear the sound of growling. Charborg turns away to scan the area behind him, but then a blur catches the corner of his eye and the next thing he knows, Sput’s not in his line of sight anymore.

“Char! Charborg, help! Get this crazy guy off of me!” Sput's laid out on the ground after having been tackled by what felt like a bull. Now he's got some guy with red hair pinning him down as he tries to get a bite out of him. Sput's doing okay keeping him away from his vulnerable bits, but those fangs still have his heart racing. Even just a little nick would be disastrous.

“I've got you. I'm coming Sput!” Charborg’s there as fast as he can be, shoving at the guy trying to eat his squishy human friend. “Hey. Hey, buddy, I'm guessing you're new here, but you can't do this! That's my best friend and me and a lot of not so nice people will be very mad if you eat him, so I need you to get out of here!”

Charborg's able to get one really good shove in on the guy, knocking him off of Sput and sending him rolling away. Not knowing what else to do, Char steps over Sput so he can put himself between his friend and this crazy guy.

The guy looks absolutely pissed and is hissing at both of them, his eyes red in the low light and his fangs on full display. Underneath the anger and the threatening display, Charborg can see the hunger that is seated deep behind the guy’s eyes. He’s seen it before, having watched Criken deal with starving vampires, and he can see that this one hasn’t had a meal in a while. He can’t really blame him for wanting to chow down on Sput, but that’s not going to happen if Char can help it. The only problem is that he's not confident that he can get them both out of this alive on his own. “Hey, Sput, you good, buddy? Uh, give our pal Criken a call, yeah? Tell him we have an issue related to his neck of the graveyard.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Once I can breathe again, Char.” Sput wheezes still dazed from being tackled like he was running from the cops.

Charborg turns back to their new friend. He looks like he’s planning something now, looking between the two of them with this bit of clarity that actually scares Charborg a little. If this guy can still make plans while he’s starving like this then he’s really, really dangerous.

“Hey, pal, listen to me. Don’t do anything you’re gonna regret in the morning, okay? We’ve got someone on the way who’s going to help you out. Get a nice meal in you so you don’t have to dig into my friend Sput here like a breakfast bar. Sounds good, right?” Charborg reaches out carefully, crouching down to make himself as small as possible. Starving vampires are close enough to scared animals he figures. He just has to be as non-threatening as possible.

Next thing he knows, icy fingers of death are gripping his arm and there’s pain and this guy has his teeth sunk into his wrist like a turkey leg at the renaissance fair.

“Hey!” Charborg gasps as the guy pulls away quickly, coughing and sputtering in disgust. “You can’t just go around biting people.”

“Ugh. Why do you taste like a tide pool?!”

“That’s why you shouldn’t be munching on whoever you want without asking!” Char’s arm is bleeding and it hurts like hell, but at least this guy’s talking now. He just has to make sure he doesn’t try to go after Sput again. Since he’s practically sitting on top of his friend, he can hear that he finally got ahold of Criken and their all-knowing vampire friend should be getting to them soon. Charborg just has to keep this other vamp busy until then.

“So, uh, what's your name, buddy?” He asks, trying to sound casual. This guy can probably hear how fast his heart is racing though.

“People tend to call me Tomato.”

“Aw. That's a nice name. I'm Charborg and this is my bestest buddy Sput. No eating him.”

“Whatever,” Tomato groans and Charborg watches as all the fight drains out of him. Char relaxes as he watches Tomato slump to the ground and rub his face with a sigh. “Hey, listen, I'm not usually like this. I'm just going through some shit right now and you guys were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“Uh, no hard feelings. I guess.” Charborg shrugs. “You didn’t do much harm. Just scared the shit out of us.”

Tomato doesn’t say anything, instead staring off to the side, looking like he’s listening for something. How quiet he’s being makes Charborg even more uneasy. “So, uh, what brings you to our part of town?”

“Hey, not to be a dick, but can you not talk to me right now?” Tomato snaps. “It’s taking everything in me to not just rip the two of you to shreds. Just get out of here.”

“Uh... okay.” Charborg feels a little sheepish now. “We’re not going anywhere though. Our friend is going to be here soon and he’ll make sure you’re taken care of. He’s kind of a pro at helping people like us out of sticky situations.”

“Like us? What the hell do you have to do with me?” Tomato growls.

“Whoa. Easy there. Uh, I mean, probably not much, but I am a siren if that means anything to you. Not super impressive, but I can definitely relate to being out of your element.”

The scoff that Tomato gives him isn’t very reassuring, but at least he isn’t trying to devour either of them for dinner anymore

~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s only when Criken finally shows up that Charborg feels comfortable taking his eyes off of Tomato. As soon as he can focus on something else, he turns to Sput looking him over for any injuries. “You okay, buddy?”

“I’m fine. I’ll probably just have some nasty bruises tomorrow and nothing happened to set me off, so I’m good. You, though...you’re still bleeding, dude.” Sput’s giving Char nervous glances but knows his system’s reactions enough to not try to touch him. Even just a little of his blood or Tomato’s saliva ending up on his hands will leave him with a rash or hives for a week. Neither of them wants that because Sput going through a reaction is never fun.

“I’ll be okay,” Char says when he finally catches Sput’s eye. “I’m pretty hardy. I can take a bit of a beating.”

“Listen. You’re my friend - I want you to know that - but out of all the creatures and people I know, you’re the last one I would describe as “hardy”.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Criken’s finally got Tomato to stand and he’s led him to a bench by the edge of the bridge. He has Tomato sit and seats himself a bit too close as he hands over one of the blood bags he brought from home.

“So, tell me why you’re here and obviously starving,” Criken says after Tomato gulps down half the blood bag.

“Why should I? Why do you give a fuck?” Tomato growls deep in his chest, his eyes flashing red again in the dim light.

“Easy now. I care because there’s something obviously wrong and that something has affected my friends. You’re young and coven-less and without a steady food source, so let me help you and then you can go on your merry way.” Criken doesn’t have to growl to be threatening - his whole aura oozes that he’s too old to be trifled with - and Tomato quickly quiets down, straightening up under Criken’s gaze.

The rest of the blood pack is gulped down as Tomato stalls for time. Criken’s not wrong about him starving, but he’s not going to admit that this jerk’s right.

“Coven-less. Ha! I don't know about you, but I've been just fine on my own. Plus, a mug like this isn't very good for making friends.” Tomato turns to snarl at him and Criken can finally get a good look. There are thick, black, cracked lines running up his neck and across his face. Something like that would make it impossible for him to hide in plain sight.

“Nosferatu…”

“You got it, man. I'd been doing good, staying out of sight in the sewers and making it on my own. I was doing just fine. Ten years of just fine. Then someone got word that I was sulking around and my nest got raided last week. So now I'm here.” Tomato shrugs, but takes a long drink from the second blood bag. The red of his eyes is fading to brown and he's getting some color to him, no longer resembling a sheet of paper.

“Now you’re here causing trouble in my territory.” Criken corrects him.

“Listen, man, I don’t really care what you’ve laid claim to. I was just passing through to find a quick snack and somewhere else to hole up. Not my fault ‘your territory’ is pretty much picked clean. There aren’t even any fucking rats around and I’m not going to just eat some random person’s pet. Contrary to my appearance, I’m not a monster.”

Tomato’s self-deprecating laugh makes Criken’s still heart ache for him. “Hey, that’s more than obvious. You’re better than you think you are and your control is incredible. Anyone else would have had my friends drained dry before I got here.”

“Doesn’t mean I could stop myself from taking a bite out of your one buddy. Sorry for that, by the way.”

“Lucky for you, he’s the one who will recover. If it was Sput, Char would have sung you into traffic by now.” Criken gives a humorless chuckle.

A cold shiver runs through Tomato at the thought of that. He’s never met a siren before, but he’s heard tales of what they’re capable of. Having his body and will be controlled by someone else? It makes him sick to his stomach.

“I’ll be sure never to piss him off.” Tomato finally says, trying to keep a brave air.

“Please do. Since you’ll be staying with us for a bit.”

“Excuse me? Are you holding me hostage?” Tomato’s suddenly on his feet, ready to bolt out of there.

“Whoa. Whoa. Back up a bit. I’m not holding you hostage. I’m offering you a place to stay until you figure everything out. There are a couple of spare rooms in my place. It’ll be better for you than wandering the streets causing problems for me and my family. Trust me. You need all the help you can get.” Criken gives him the softest look he’s capable of, trying to show this skittish vampire that he can be trusted, as he holds out his hand for him to take.

~~~~~~~~~

Tomato’s stiff as he sits at the kitchen table. He shouldn’t find it so funny, but Criken can’t help but be amused by how tense the other vampire is. The sounds of the other residents of the house moving around have him constantly looking around and Tomato’s face crinkles in a particular way every time he catches a hint of a new scent. He’s in very unfamiliar territory and Criken wants to make sure he remembers that. He’s taking a risk bringing this strange vampire to his coven, but he knows that they can defend themselves if need be. Wants to make sure Tomato knows that they’re close-knit and dangerous when needed.

“As long as you can behave, you’re welcome to stay here until you recover. The other vampires in the house and I have forged a lot of connections over the years and I’m sure we can find somewhere safe for you.

“Thanks, but no thanks. If it’s still alright, I’m okay with laying low here for a little while - I can pay you back for the board and blood if you can get me to a computer with an internet connection - but I need to find a new home on my own. I’m very particular about where I’m shacking up and I’m not one for covens, dude.”

As he speaks, Criken takes this opportunity to really get a good look at Tomato in the warm light of the kitchen. He has the ethereal qualities that most other vampires have: his cheeks flushed pink with his meal, his brown eyes bright and almost entrancing in the light, and the structure of his face made to be more perfect than any human’s could ever be. These traits make the curse of his sire even more jarring. The black that runs across his face like the spider webbing cracks of a shattered mirror and the too big fangs that poke out even as he sits there scowling is only enhanced by the red hair he was lucky to have and the glasses that have to be purely cosmetic. Criken can’t take his eyes off of him. Most of the other creatures he’s met are the kind who can easily hide in plain sight, but not Tomato, and Criken wants to know so much more about him.

“I don’t mind if you hang around for a little while, obviously, but you’ll have to meet the rest of the family first. Some of them can be a little territorial and I don’t want anyone upset that I brought a stray home.” Criken laughs again, his grin wide to show off his fangs.

As if on cue, the echoing sounds of yips and howls come drifting in from where the kitchen window was left open for some fresh air. Tomato gives Criken a wary, wide-eyed look as he hunches up in his chair.

“Just don’t make any sudden movements, okay?”

That’s all Criken has the chance to say before the kitchen door bursts open and three bodies come piling in. They’re loud and falling all over each other as they seem to be at the end of some kind of race. There’s a general air of contentment and family amongst these half dressed, messy men but Tomato can feel the instant that vanishes as they catch sight of him. They freeze and the next thing Tomato sees is three huge wolves gathered around Criken protectively and growling at him loud enough for him to feel it in his chest.

An amused chuckle leaves Criken as he reaches out to sink his fingers into the pitch black fur of the wolf pressed closest to him. “Easy there guys. This is Tomato. I brought him here because he needs our help.”

The small, blonde wolf is the first to shift back to being human, but he still looks just as pissed as before. “You can’t keep bringing strangers home, Criken. We’re not a rescue sanctuary.”

“Aw, that's not fair, Bed. If I remember right you brought Buck home. So you were the last one to pick up a stray.”

“Don’t drag Buck into this. We live on his land, so it’s only fair that he’s pack. I didn’t just pick him up in the middle of nowhere, because I have a weird need to baby everyone.” A deep growl rumbles in Bed’s throat, echoed by Strippin and Boon.

“Knock that off.” Criken smacks Bed’s chest, cutting his growl short.

“Hey, listen. I can just go. Just give me your info and I can pay you back for the blood.” Tomato chimes in.

“No. No. You’re staying.”

“Yeah. Get the fuck out of our house.”

Criken and Bed both turn to glare at each other as the other wolves start to stalk closer to Tomato. They’re bickering loudly with each other as the massive canines pad silently across the scuffed linoleum. Tomato glances around, knowing that there’s no way he can outrun two wolves and that he’s too weak right now to fight them off. He’s contemplating jumping up on the table to escape them when a calming melody cuts through the air. All the tension bleeds from Tomato’s body as he looks for the source of it. He sees the guy with the soft voice from the pier standing in the doorway; the sweet song coming from him. The wolves had moved quickly and are now curled up at his feet and even Criken and the other wolf have quieted down, both of them watching him intently.

The song is cut off abruptly and Tomato feels this intense need to hear more wash over him. Words are unfortunately the next thing to leave Charborg’s mouth, though. “Now that I have your attention, just what on earth is going on here? I just went to drop Sput off and I come home to y’all sounding like I just walked into the local pound covered in bacon grease. Also, glad to see you’re looking better, Tomato.”

“Criken's trying to bring some stranger into the house,” Bed's the first to chime in, his teeth bared.

“Yeah. I know that. I'm the one who found him. Jeez, get with the program, Bed.” Charborg rolls his eyes and pats the other wolves on the head. Now that things have calmed down, they shift back to being humans and Tomato can get a good look at both of them as they crowd around Charborg.

“You smell like blood. Are you okay?” The one with long, dark hair and a beard to match asks as he gently cradles Charborg’s arm to inspect the bite mark Tomato left behind.

“It’s fine. Just a little accident. It’ll heal up.”

Charborg is trying to brush him off, but the other guy with brown hair huddles in closer.  “No. No. Let us see. Who hurt you, man? We'll take care of it. You know that.”

Charborg’s eyes flicker over Tomato for the barest second and he noticeably winces, hoping the wolves didn’t see. They caught it, though, just like they catch everything else, and Tomato has them growling at him again.

“What did you do?” The shorter of the two growls, his clenched teeth on full display.

“Hey. Hey! It was an accident. Wrong place at the wrong time sort of thing for all of us.” Tomato puts his hands up, tired of being snarled at and feeling like he's going to be attacked at any second.

“Boon, knock it off.” Charborg swats at the back of his head, making Boon huff. “There was a bit of a disagreement earlier, but Tomato’s harmless. Like that one really pissed off Care Bear, but with pointy teeth.”

“Sure. Sure. You say that, but look at you.” Boon insists.

“Hey. Look. I’m never taking a bite out of him again,” Tomato cuts in. “Your friend tastes like if I tried to snack on the leftovers from the docks. I’ll just stick to animals and blood bags.”

Boon rolls his eyes and stays close to Charborg. “Yeah. That’s real reassuring, man.”

“It should be,” Criken says as he saunters over to them, Bed hot on his heels and still seething. “Taste is very important to vampires. We won’t even consider drinking from sources we don’t like if we have a choice. Tomato’s situation with Charborg was life or death and, for as long as he stays here, won’t be an issue again.”

“We’re not even talking this over? You’re just deciding this is okay?” Strippin asks, concern filling his face more than anger.

“Don’t be like this. I know it’s sudden, but Tomato really needs our help. You didn’t see him earlier. It was bad. Really bad. The kind of bad that you’re all usually fine helping with.” Criken does his best to explain. “What’s gotten into all of you tonight?”

“This is different, Criken.” Strippin insists. “Cheeky? Whoops? Gmart? They were all just far from home and we stumbled upon them and offered a helping hand. This guy? What did you call him? Tomato? He attacked one of ours and you’re saying it’s fine for him to stay here? He even smells dangerous, Criken. There’s something wrong about him.”

Tomato curls in on himself in his seat. He’d much rather bolt, but both exits out of the kitchen are blocked by werewolves who really don’t like him. So he’s stuck listening to them talk about him like he isn’t there. Like he has been for the past who knows how long.

“That’s because he’s not like me or Bree or Zyke.” Criken sighs and runs his hands through his hair. “I wanted to explain this all tomorrow when everyone was together, but you guys just can’t give me that.”

“Nope. Now spill, man. We might have all day and night to argue, but you’re burning moonlight.” Boon snorts.

“Fine. Tomato is a different kind of vampire. A very special kind of vampire that I didn’t know was even around anymore. He’s what we call Nosferatu and he’s essentially cursed. Even more cursed than regular vampires.” Criken gives a long sigh, his expression mournful. “The first of his kind was vain beyond anything else, so the creator of all vampires cursed him to be hideous. Don’t take offense to this, Tomato, but everything about the Nosferatu is meant to be appalling. Of course, he smells wrong to wolves. He’s supposed to and that’s all the more reason that we need to help him. Anyone else might not be as nice.”

“Shit, man. I didn’t even know most of that. I’ve never even met anyone else like me. I’ve talked to a few others online. We have our own network, but no one really knows why we are the way we are.” Tomato is quieter than before, trying to keep the attention off of himself even though all eyes are already on him.

“I figured as much. I’ve heard that your sires are known for abandoning their charges as soon as they’re sure they’ve turned. So no one explains anything to you. Then you all have the tendency to hide away and not talk to anyone. The only reason I know any of this is because I’m old and I’ve had the time to really learn.”

“So, if the first guy knew he was cursed, why would he even bother trying to make more vampires like him if he was just going to spread the curse?” Boon asks, his whole body perked with curiosity.

“He didn’t know it would spread and, once he found out, he stopped turning anyone. His charge did not though. For some vampires, the need to make more is an unstoppable compulsion. You can reign it in, but eventually the need to create wins out.”

“Fuck, dude. That’s…” A shudder runs through Boon and the other two wolves look just as uncomfortable.

“Another one of our many curses.” Criken sighs again.

As Criken is brooding, Bed, Strippin, and Boon huddle together to talk over what they just learned. Tomato drinks moodily from the mug of blood he was given ages ago, even though it’s cold by now. He’s so lost in thought that he doesn’t notice when Charborg comes to sit with him.

“Hey. I was serious about you looking better, buddy.” Char gives him a genuine smile that eases Tomato’s tensions just a little. “You were in a rough spot back there and I’m glad we could help. The others might not seem like it, but they’ll warm up to you soon. They’re territorial and having someone new show up this close to the full moon really has them on edge. Give them a couple days and then they’ll be more willing to open up. They’re like, ya know, those flowers that only bloom when the moon’s out, but then the opposite of that.”

“Yeah. I'm sure they're exactly like that.” Tomato huffs into his mug.

“I promise that none of them will hurt you. They’re all raised fur and growls. Our resident wolves have seen too much bloodshed to be willing to spill it on our kitchen floor like nothing.” Criken’s suddenly sitting down with them, his own mug of blood clutched in his hands. “They’re more upset at me than you, but you’re new so it’s easier for them to take their anger out on you. I’m sorry for that, Tomato. Once the moon passes, they’ll calm down more and then we can have a real talk.”

Right on cue, the wolves break away from their huddle to look the three sitting at the table over. “We’ve made a decision,” Bed finally says. “We’ll let Tomato stay, but if he steps out of line or hurts anyone, you have to answer to Bree.”

“Of course.” Criken gives him a tight smile. “This isn’t my first rodeo, Bed. I know how it goes: Bree’s house, Bree’s rules.”

“I was just checking, Criken. Bree’s been gone with Trevor and Zyke for a while and it’s starting to seem like you’re forgetting that you weren’t the one left in charge.”

“I’m not in charge, Bed. You’re not either the last time I checked.”

“Pft. I know that.” Bed snorts and rolls his eyes. “So it sounds like you’re going to have a long talk with Lawlman tomorrow about what you did.”

“I’ll talk to him. Don’t you worry about it, Bed.” Criken turns away from the wolf and holds his hand out to Tomato. “Come on. The sun will be coming up soon and neither of us has the strength to still be up when that happens.”

Tomato sighs, but gets up, giving a nod of solidarity to Charborg before skirting around the wolves to follow Criken.

They pass through a living area that's dark, but smells often-used and then Criken’s guiding him up first one flight of stairs and then another. He's led down a fairly short hallway and then the door at the very end is pushed open. He's greeted by a room that bare of anything save a made bed, a nightstand, heavy blackout curtains on the window, and a dresser. It's not dusty but it's obvious that no one uses this room.

“Here you are. The bathroom is two doors down on your right. Feel free to use whatever you find in there. My room is right next door if you need anything.”

“Yeah. Thanks, Criken. You didn't need to do any of this and I'm sorry that I pissed your friends off.” Tomato awkwardly scratches at the back of his neck, way out of his element.

“Like I said, it's no trouble. Just be prepared to officially meet everyone tomorrow evening.” Criken gives a low laugh and then he's out the door. “Sweet dreams, Tomato.”

[isweartoerenimnotjaeger]

Omg can you describe some headcanons in which Allen finds out he’s completely gay? How he deals with it, how he says it to Cross and his friends, to Tyki?

Headcanons in which Allen finds out he’s gay:

Ooo I love this ask! First of all…I haven’t introduced Tykiin my story yet (gahhh! Sorry Tyki!). I did introduce Road, Devit, and Jasderoin passing though since they’re all on the school’s dance team in my drabbles.I do plan on introducing him…I just haven’t found the right time to do so. Probablywhen Allen goes over to Road’s house sometime? At a dance competition? This isgoing to be long so please read under the cut. Also this is not a Tyki x Allen related thing (just a NOTP of mine but since there has been discourse lately, I’d thought I should say it because I don’t want hateful anons on it. I’d rather keep a safe distance from the discourse since shit is sort of hitting the fan in my life and I don’t have energy to deal with any part of that discourse right now.)

So, first, how does Allen figure out he’s gay?

In the beginning he thought Link was pretty when he firstmet him, but he never really thought about Link in that way. I mean, in mystory he starts out at age 8. All he cares about is ‘wow this wonderful,beautiful stranger is giving me food and he likes my voice!? Let’s be bestfriends!’. Later on, Allen found himself pining over male band members at theconcerts Cross would take him to, or the bands he would introduce him to overthe years. He had a major boy crush over Adam Lambert, Keith Murray from We Arethe Scientists, Alex Turner from Artic Monkeys, Andy Black from Black VeilBrides (Also could go under Andy Sixx), to name a few. Kellin Quinn fromSleeping With Sirens was also a favorite of his. That’s only to name a fewthough haha, his heart still belongs heavily to Adam Lambert, though Andy Blackcomes in close second. (Andy Black and Kellin Quinn are my person projectionsonto Allen lol. No regrets!)

Allen would also pine over the boys he’d see in musicals(there was a time he was heavily into Zac Efron because his eyes, oh my god hiseyes!). Chris Pine was pretty hot. He played Prince Charming in Into the Woods.Sadly…I am not too hardcore into musicals (but I will be because I will do sofor Allen and my drabbles. Also, my friends who shun me because I don’t seemusicals).

Allen isn’t too bothered with it though. He’s still fairlyyoung and he doesn’t quite know that his interests are heading in thatdirection. He has an inkling, but he’s not bothered by it until he begins tofan boy at school about the guys he’s seen in concert or actors that he hascome across over the years. The kids begin to call him gay, fag, or give himweird looks because ‘Why are you that excited over a guy? What about the big breastedactresses?’ Allen writes it off that he’s just being a fan boy over theirsinging and acting, it wasn’t like he was pining after them or whatever. Hejust loved them for their talent…and they just happened to look sexy. That’sit. That’s all.

It didn’t hit full force until he got to see Tyki, Road’suncle, for the first time. (And before ya’ll get on my ass about this. No, Idon’t ship Tyki and Allen nor do I send hate on it. But Tyki is a sexy dude andI can totally see little Allen being all “Oh wow this guy is a super model! Ohgod I’m gay!”) Allen just stares up at Tyki all open mouthed and in awe because“Oh my god this is the sexiest man alive.” He ends up running away from Tykibecause he’s scared, embarrassed, and he’s having a major boy crush moment.

During all this, Cross figures out indirectly because hetried to introduce Allen to female vocalists that were smoking hot, actors, youname it, but the kid didn’t show as much enthusiasm as he did with men. Thatwasn’t to say he was disinterested in them. If they were talented and had abeautiful singing voice, he loved them. There was a difference between his fanboying over men and fan boying over women though. Cross also gets inklings ofit through the way Allen dresses and how he liked to play in make-up. That wasn’tto say it was something that said, “oh my god my son is gay”, I mean the kidwas good with make-up. He could be good with it and be totally straight. That’swhy they were only ‘inklings’. He kept his concerns to himself though andstayed open-minded.

(I headcanon Cross to be very open-minded. He was rebelliousas a kid and even now, he ran with society’s outcasts, the people that peopleturned their noses up at. He learned to be open minded because of the people heran. He also learned it through his annoyance at other people thinking he was abad kid because he couldn’t sit all nice and still in a desk and spit outinformation like a computer. I will write a drabble more on Cross’s backstorylater).

First person Allen tells that he is gay to? Jeryy. Jeryyworks at the school cafeteria and he’s become like a second or third mom toAllen. (Second or third because I have an OC secretary at the school who knowsCross well and became good friends with him when he was a teen). Jeryy is Allen’sabsolute safe space/comfort space. Jeryy provides food, advice, and a listeningear. Allen didn’t feel nervous at all.

Going to his list of friends though. Oof. Out of everyone,Lenalee, Alma, Kanda, Link, Lavi, his dance team members, Allen chose Kanda. Iknow crazy right? Well, he tells Kanda because Kanda can keep a secret. IfAllen ever had a serious problem, Kanda had his back. They may bicker and fightbut in the end they are there for each other. Kanda was also the type to beblunt and he can usually keep his cool…usually if the situation is seriousenough. Allen was scared shitless to tell him because he didn’t want his headto be sliced off or something because he was gross or something. He tells Kandaat his house in his little ‘sensory room’ that Tiedoll made for his boys. Kandais all “So what? That’s it? I thought someone died or something.”

Kanda is not the typeto blab to someone else, like Alma is (mostly when he gets too excited. Hedoesn’t mean to poor dear. He ends up being last.). Lenalee, she’s trustworthybut it’s her damn brother Allen can’t trust! He didn’t want Komui to overhearit. She becomes next when Allen can find a good spot to tell her. He didn’tfeel quite as nervous as he was with Kanda, but he still was. He was mostlynervous about Komui somehow hearing and telling people (seems like wheneverLenalee is in trouble or if there was a boy around, Komui somehow poofed intoexistence right there to defend his dear Lenalee!). I don’t headcanon Komui asbeing someone who gossiped over something as serious as this, this is purelyjust Allen’s worried thinking. Lenalee was all tearful and happy that he toldher.

Lavi is next. Lavi is hurt he wasn’t the first one told(even though, like Cross, he had a pretty good idea), but he gets over it. Hefigures out that it’s only because Allen was afraid of losing him as his ‘mostbestest best best friend’ in the whole world. Allen was dreadfully nervousbecause Lavi was his first friend he made since Mana’s death and he couldn’tbear the thought of not being friends with him anymore. Lavi is in tears whenAllen tells him, both out of hurt, but also more hurt that Allen would everthink that they wouldn’t be friends anymore. I mean they were ‘bestest bestbest friends’ and those kinds of friends didn’t break up over something likethis! Like bro, if you killed someone and needed to hide the body, I would hidethe body with you, no questions asked! Bro, I’ll get our alibis lines up, fakei.d’s, anything bro!

Link and the dance team? They knew. Oh, they fucking knewit. Link probably knew it before anyone else ever but was not ‘openly admittedto’ until after the whole friend group. Allen was blabbering about his boycrushes and his worries over being gay to Link for forever. Link became Allen’s‘hitting board’ for his thought processes and Link usually stayed silentallowing him to blabber to himself. He’d chime in with a piece of informationhere and there. He knew Allen was battling with himself over whether or not hewas gay. Allen didn’t settle on being gay and openly admitting it to him untilafter Alma was told and the other team members. Link didn’t react to Allenbeing gay until he admitted it officially to Link. Link’s reaction was morealong the lines of “I’m happy that you are no longer conflicted anymore. Thanksfor officially telling me, shall I make some tea?” Everyone else on the danceteam was all “Well jee, that’s not a shock. Congratulations on finally comingto terms with it, we’ve waited eons. We still love you.” Alma was all “OH MYGOD ALLEN I’M SO HAPPY THAT YOU TOLD ME I SUPPORT YOU 100% OH MY GOOOODD!”complete with tears and glomping.

To Tyki? Lol. Tyki knew the moment the kid laid eyes on himthat he was a flaming gay. It was awkward as fuck for Allen to tell Tyki “Ohhey, by the way I’m gay. So, you can tell Sheril that so he can stop being allsuspicious with me around his daughter. Fyi, you were my sexual awakening.”Tyki is all “Yeah I knew the first time I met you. I am the reason for manypeople’s sexual awakenings. Glad I could help.”

Road’s reaction is all “Awwhhh…and I was seriously hoping wecould be married. Oh well, Lenalee is looking pretty cute. Maybe she’ll marryme.”

Devit and Jasdero are all “So does that mean we can make gayjokes towards you now and it won’t be considered insulting?”

Cross was dead last. Anita came before Cross and even then,Allen was beyond nervous. He thought he was going to die. Cross was at work andAllen was brushing through her hair like he does a lot. He’s been putting offtelling them, thinking it would be better to keep his mouth shut until he was18 and out of the house. His friends kept telling him that he should reallytell them soon. They were going to find out eventually. I mean what if hedecided to date a boy from school? So, Allen paused and just blurted it out. Hedidn’t really notice he said it until it was out in the open. He was about torun and hide until Anita hugged him and was all “Oh honey I knew it a long timeago but thank you for telling me. I’ll always love you no matter what. Did youtell your father?”

So yeah, Cross was dead last. Allen just couldn’t approachhim with it. When he thought about it and how he’d react (which was usually badin his thoughts) he’d start crying. Cross knew something was off with the weekleading up to it. Allen was more withdrawn from him than usual, he didn’t eatas much as he usually does. Finally, Anita had enough and so did Cross. Anitadecided she’d give Allen a little push and urged Cross into going to a prideparade and taking Allen with him.

“Why do I have to do that? I mean the kid should know I’mnot going to judge him for it. I never judged him for wanting to wear dressesor playing in make-up.”

“You always wonderedif Allen was gay, so why don’t you take him to the parade? You know some of thepeople going there. If he sees that you’re supportive of the community then hemight open up more. There’s a difference between saying your accepting andactually showing you are.”

So Cross takes Allen to the pride parade. Allen is sonervous he refuses to eat, he’s already super suspicious because ‘why the helldid Cross take me here’? His nervousness slightly dissipates when he sees Crossinteract with some of the LGBTQ+ members, a lot of them were past friends hegot acquainted with in his youth. He was still nervous though because ‘he mayaccept people who are different but he might not accept me because I hit closerto home’ (this is an issue I struggle with myself when it comes to my dad whois supportive of my gay cousin…but may not be supportive of his own daughterbeing bi). So, they wander around, talk to people, etc. Allen is heavily withdrawnthrough the whole thing and that is a huge red flag for Cross that somethingwas wrong. He also didn’t want to push Allen into it though. It was hard to seehim struggle through the whole day though. Finally, Allen couldn’t take thenervousness anymore. He was getting light-headed and exhausted from not eatingall day because he’s so nervous. So, they’re just sitting there, alone,watching the sunset, and Allen’s bottom lip begins to tremble.

He begins to cry because he wants to say it but it’s so hardbecause he’s afraid Cross was going to yell at him or kick him out.

“Kid. Just tell me what’s up.” Cross said, tired of Allenstruggling with himself and making himself sick because of it.

“Dad…I’m gay…” Allen choked out, openly sobbing.

Cross hummed, thinking over his words a little bit beforeblurting out, “Hi gay I’m Dad.”

It was the most unnerving, stupidest things that Cross hasever said (he usually does not do dad jokes) but the kid was so nervous andshit, he thought he needed to say something stupid to dissipate the heaviness.

“W-What?” Allen asked, confused and thinking that Crossthought he was joking.

“That’s what was eating at you this whole time? For a second,I thought you got ahold of drugs and didn’t think to share with me. Unless youare on drugs, in which case I will beat your ass.”

“So, you’re not mad…?”

“Fuck no. Why should I be mad? I could think of many otherthings to be pissed about like the fact you still didn’t clean your room like Itold you to. Well okay, I am a little mad because now I have to change the sextalk to you a little bit. I’m also pissed you were worried sick over this thewhole damn time. Jesus, why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Cuz I thought you were going to kick me out…”

“I could think of a better reason to kick you out than overbeing gay. God with all the shit I’ve done over the years the one who should bekicked from the house is probably me,” Cross said, ruffling up Allen’s hair, “Nowcome on, you didn’t eat all day and Anita will burn me alive if she finds out.”

Cross also got Allen a flag to hang in his room

[reinamycloud]

J2 Fic Recs

I listed a few old J2 fic faves for a community I’m part of and figured I might as well share it here, too. Most of these are terribly well-known, fyi, since it’s a bit of a starter kit. :)

NON-AU:

The Courtship of Jensen's Co-Star by qblackheart [112K, E] 

Summary: Somewhere in the time between a handshake and a hug, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki went from being reel-life brothers to real-life best friends, and complete strangers to cosmic soul mates, no rhyme or reason to it that either of them could ever see. Jared was everything Jensen was not: friendly, funny, and full of life; one in six-point-whatever billion the Earth’s population currently stood at. Life was awesome. Work was amazing. Everything was fine until Jared kissed Jensen. Everything was peachy until Jensen fell in love. With desperate times unexpectedly calling for desperate measures, Jensen called Chad Michael Murray for relationship advice – because being in love led to temporary insanity obviously – so it really didn't surprise him that he couldn’t seem to win when it came to wooing Jared. Still, Pisces must’ve been in a really good place in the night sky or something because suddenly, right smack dab in the middle of the miserable courtship of his co-star, Jensen discovered that maybe loving Jared was all he needed to do to win his heart. And luckily for Jensen, loving Jared was also the one thing he did best.

The Play-Nice Proviso by qblackheart [70K, E] 

Summary: When Jensen Ackles first met Jared Padalecki, it was most definitely not love at first sight. It wasn’t even like at first sight. In fact, Jensen hated him, and he had a few good reasons as to why. So what if his new co-star was oblivious to his one-sided warfare? Jensen could deal. Apart from when he couldn’t. So when it came down to picking between Padalecki and his peace of mind, the choice seemed clear. Except for the fact that The Network had his balls in a vice, leaving him stuck with Supernatural, stuck with his idiot co-star, and worst of all, stuck with a ‘Play Nice’ Proviso added to his contract. Well, he could play nice. He would play so nice that the world was going to think that he and Jared Padalecki were the bestest friends in the history of best friends. It was unfortunate then that no one had ever told Jensen what happened when an immovable object met an irresistible force; no one had ever thought to mention that there was a thin line between hate and love; and nothing, absolutely nothing, could have possibly prepared him for Playing Nice with Jared Padalecki.

Mirror 'Verse by Felisblanco [45K, M] 

Summary: They keep calling him beautiful. Pretty. “Come on. Look this way. Give us a smile, Jensen.” He smiles and blinks against the flashes, fighting the urge to lower his eyes, to hide the blush burning under layers of makeup. Sweat runs down his back, his hands tremble. He’s not pretty, not beautiful. He’s small and weak and pathetic and one day they’re all gonna figure it out. One day… [Note: Jensen suffers from an eating disorder]

Puzzle 'Verse by Felisblanco [30K, T] 

Summary: As they start filming and working together, Jared realizes Danneel’s prediction was right. He and Jensen do hit it off. Sure Jensen is quirky and sometimes (okay, a lot of times) uncomfortably direct to the point of being rude. But once Jared figures out Jensen isn’t actually mean as much as he’s just a little clueless (and mostly unconcerned) about the rules of social interactions, it stops bothering him. [Note: Jensen has Asperger's]

AU:

As This Sunset Turns to Morning by mournthewicked/alovething [86K, E] (podfic)

Summary: Jensen spends his life hiding who he is from the family that would never accept him if they knew. When he’s uprooted in the middle of his senior year and suddenly becomes the new kid, his carefully placed mask begins to slip. Especially when he meets Jared – a loud, outspoken spectacle of a boy that fights for everything Jensen was taught to stand against. Jared has no problem going after what he wants, and now it’s just a matter of Jensen letting himself do the same.

Gunpoint by Felisblanco [137K, E] 

Summary: Jensen got his childhood stolen away from him when he was ten years old. Along with his memory, his voice and every emotion that wasn’t fear, hatred or anger. Question is, can Jared help him get any of it back? And more importantly, does Jensen really want him to? [Note: Jensen has PTSD]

One Small Step by sandymg [37K, T] (podfic)

Summary: Jared has had a secret crush for months. But it’s not like publishing genius and gay activist Jensen Ackles is going to notice the tall, weird guy pushing the mail cart. So when Jared’s best friend and Jensen’s assistant, Sandy, tells him that Jensen is getting married in one month to a fellow activist -- something about being the first gay couple to get married in the state -- Jared knows some things just aren't meant to be. And now Sandy is insisting that Jared help her plan the wedding. She thinks it’s a good idea. Jared thinks she’s nuts. Because the only thing this could lead to is heartbreak. Right? [Note: Jared has Asperger's]

True Colors by Munibunny [32K, M] (podfic)

Summary: Jared is a mentally challenged young man with a very special gift. Jensen is an executive with nothing in his life but work. They meet by accident and discover a connection that defies explanation.

Lost and Found by Mediaville [47K, E]

Summary: Jensen Ackles is a shy, overweight songwriter whose body issues have prevented him from forming any real personal connections, and at thirty, he’s still unsure of his sexuality, and still a virgin. But when he signs up for an experimental obesity research program, he meets Jared Padalecki, a stunningly sexy fitness guru who slowly but surely changes Jensen’s life.

A Beautiful Beast by Anyothergirl415 [29K, E] 

Summary: Burdened by his past, Jensen Ackles isn’t entirely certain how to act when he’s approached by the homeless man that’s been stalking the book store he works in. He learns pretty quickly, however, that like himself, this man is not at all like he might seem.

Our Parts Are Slightly Used by kelleigh [50K, E] 

Summary: After three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Jared has come home to Texas, working a steady job as a security guard and trying to patch himself back together. His dreams are less than kind, but he copes for the sake of those who never made it back. Jared's not expecting to meet someone like Jensen Ackles - a Dallas businessman with confidence and charisma in spades. They connect over coffee breaks and high-spirited basketball games with Jared's vet buddies, and what begins as friendship quickly deepens into a defining romance. Although Jared's willing to share his physical scars with Jensen, the burden of hiding his emotional wounds weighs heavily on both of them. As Jensen scrambles to put a name to his boyfriend's symptoms, Jared struggles each and every day, and neither of them sees the storm on the horizon until it's too late.

In Becoming Who We Are by Eliza Jane [82K, E] (podfic)

Summary: Fresh out of school with a degree from the University of Washington, Jensen meets and falls for Jeff Morgan. He may not know what he wants to do with his life, but for the first time since leaving Texas, he feels like things are coming together. Jeff seems like the perfect guy, right up until it all falls apart.

Hearthstone by Molly [42K, M] 

Summary: Jensen lives alone in the small town where he grew up, dividing his time between the bookstore he runs (with no customers), the bar he half-owns (but doesn't run) and the big, expensive dream house (that he bought with money he doesn't know what to do with). He lives quietly at the edge of the circle of friends he went to school with, and avoids everybody else -- until the new guy in town crashes a bike in front of Jensen's store and wedges himself into Jensen's world.

Over here at the side of your life by Fleshflutter [13K, E] 

Summary: Jared is a hooker, Jensen is his workaholic best friend.

Stretch Right Up And Touch The Sky by felisblanco [47K, E] 

Summary: Jared’s life changed forever the day Jensen transferred to his school two years ago. It must have been destiny that brought them together because Jensen was without a doubt meant to be his forever soulmate and the love of his life. Too bad Jensen had no idea Jared even existed.

Reinventing Love by mournthewicked/alovething [202K, E]

Summary: Coming out to your best friend isn’t easy. But then again, neither is falling in love with him.

[neyla9]

The Demons’ Kingdom Part 1

Ao3 Version

”Fine! Then I’ll get your sister to do it! She has more upper body strength than you anyway!” Dipper ignored his great-uncle’s yells, continuing to walk away from the shack that his grunkle called a house, and towards the woods surrounding the sleepy little town.

 Dipper and his twin sister, Mabel, had been sent by their parents to spend summer with their great-uncle Stan. Their parents had asked Stan to set the two ten year olds to work, hoping it would teach the children some responsibility, as well as give them some life experience. However, Dipper was sure that his grunkle hated him; the old man always seemed to single out Dipper for the hardest jobs, and today, the young boy had decided that enough was enough, and left the house without telling, or even knowing, when he would be back.

 Dipper heard the old church bell chiming, signaling that it was now eleven am. He must have been close to the church, since he could almost feel the vibrations of the bell’s tolls.

 Feeling emotionally exhausted from his fight with Grunkle Stan, Dipper lied down in the shade of a boulder; the soft grass beneath his body and the distant sound of a waterfall lulling him to sleep.

  In, what felt like, a short while later, Dipper awoke, feeling as if someone was watching him. He opened his eyes, and was greeted by two amber eyes, staring directly into his own. Dipper screamed and backed away, hitting the back of his head on the boulder behind him.

 “Sorry,” a voice from above him said. Dipper looked up and saw who the voice, as well as the eyes, had belonged to; a young boy, who seemed to be about Dipper’s age, was sitting on the boulder. The boy had dark skin and blond hair; he wore shabby clothes like Dipper, and didn’t have any shoes on his dirty feet. “I didn’t mean to scare ya,” the boy continued and climbed down from the rock. “I just don’t see many new faces ‘round here.”

 “It’s alright,” Dipper assured the boy, wincing a little from the lingering pain of hitting the back of his head on a giant rock. “So, you’re a local then?”

 “Yup!” the boy said proudly. “My family has lived here for generations!”

 “Nice to meet you,” Dipper responded and stretched out his right hand, the boy seemed to recoil slightly from the outstretched limb. “Uh, my name is Dipper. My sister and I are visiting the town for the summer.”

 “Oh,” the boy, somewhat reluctantly, took Dipper’s hand, pausing for a moment before shaking it. “You can call me Bill!” As soon as Dipper let go of Bill’s hand, the boy returned to his previous good mood.

 “Do you live nearby?” Dipper asked.

 “Yes!” Bill responded excitedly. “Me and my family’s home is through this portal! But the portal looks like a waterfall!”

 Dipper was taken aback by that. He frowned for a moment, but decided that Bill must be playing some kind of game.

 “Really? What’s your house like?” Dipper continued asking.

 “It’s not a house!” Bill laughed. “It’s a castle! After all, I’m the prince of Gravity Falls.”

 “Oh, I didn’t know that,” Dipper laughed along. “Well, I’m actually a prince too.”

 “No way!” Bill gasped in amazement.

 “No, it’s true,” Dipper explained. “I live in a castle too, but from the outside, it looks like an old shack.”

 “I’m surprised, to be honest,” Bill suddenly got really close to Dipper, staring once again into his eyes. “You have a very powerful soul; most royals don’t have that, since they’re too spoiled.”

 “Uh, thanks?” Dipper said awkwardly and backed away from Bill once more.

 “Hey, let’s go play!” Bill grabbed Dipper by the arm, and dragged him further into the woods.

 They played tag, hide-and-seek, climbed trees, and ate some fruit and berries for lunch. Dipper didn’t know for how long they played, but in the back of his mind, he found it somewhat odd that he hadn’t yet heard the chiming of the church bells.

 By the end of a game, where the boys had rolled down a grassy hill, Bill and Dipper had sat down at the foot of the hill.

 “Dipper, you’re my best friend, okay?” Bill whispered as if he was sharing some kind of secret.

 “Okay, then you’re my best friend too,” Dipper simply replied.

 “Noooo…” Bill groaned. “You don’t get it; you’re my very, bestest friend ever! I can feel that.”

 “I don’t really know what you’re feeling,” Dipper frowned. “But, thanks?”

 Bill’s face suddenly turned very serious.

 “I need to go home soon,” he said. “I’m actually not allowed to be out of the castle yet; not old enough.”

 “So I’m never gonna see you again?” Dipper asked, his voice somewhat sad at the thought of losing his newest friend.

 Bill looked down at his hands, and then looked up at Dipper, a look of determination in his amber eyes.

 “Dipper, do you wanna get married?!” Bill nearly shouted.

 “What?” Dipper gave the other boy a confused look.

 “See, if we got married, you could stay with me in my castle, and we wouldn’t have to say goodbye!” Bill explained, a wide grin beginning to form on his face. “Then we could play together forever!”

 Dipper assumed that the other boy was still playing around; after all, they were both much too young to get married.

 “Alright, sure,” Dipper nodded and gave Bill a small smile.

 “Yes!” Bill exclaimed. He stuck his hand into his back pocket and fished out a ring; the ring itself were made from, what looked like, entwined roots, with a yellow, marquise cut stone in it. It wouldn’t surprise Dipper if Bill had made that ring himself, but Dipper did wonder where Bill had gotten the stone from.

 “Oh, it looks a little too big for me,” Dipper noted.

 “Not it’s not!” Bill insisted and slipped the ring on Dipper’s left ring finger. Dipper was surprised at how perfectly it fit. He looked at the yellow stone and noted that it had a black streak on it, reminding Dipper of a cat’s eye. Maybe the rock was a form of tiger’s eye stone?

 “So are we married now?” Dipper asked.

 “Nah, just engaged,” Bill rose to his feet and took Dipper’s hand in his own. “Come! I’ll show you my home!”

 Dipper let Bill drag him through the woods, along a stream, and towards a roaring waterfall. However, after Bill had led him to a dark tunnel behind the waterfall, Dipper hesitated.

 “Wait, are you sure this is safe?” he asked nervously.

 “Of course!” Bill reassured him. “My family lives on just the other side! Come on!”

 With more determination than before, Bill proceeded to drag Dipper through the tunnel.

 “Bill,” Dipper whispered, standing as close to Bill as he could. “I’m scared.”

 “Don’t be,” Bill told him. “There’s nothing here that can hurt you, as long as I’m here.”

 Dipper didn’t find that very assuring. After all, what could a small child do if there was a cave-in? Dipper’s worries were soon forgotten, however, when the tunnel was lit up by hundreds of shining gemstones embedded in the floor and walls.

 “It’s beautiful,” Dipper gasped in amazement.

 “We’re getting close now,” Bill told his companion. “Hold on tight!”

 “Why?” that question had barely left Dipper’s mouth, before the floor under them collapsed, and they were plunged into darkness.

 Soon, the vertical descend became a sharp angled slide that slowly turned an obtuse angle, and finally, they came to a stop on a flat, smooth surface.

 Dipper looked at his new surroundings; he seemed to be in some kind of hall, with floor and walls made from onyx. Along the walls hung torches, burning a blue fire, as well as a giant chandelier made from yellow crystals. The most concerning part, however, was that the hall was filled with people, dressed in fine clothes, who were all staring at him with disgust.

 “Mom! I’m home!” Bill called out, clearly unconcerned with previous events.

 “Cipher!” a young woman, wearing an elegant celeste blue gown, and decorated in expensive jewelry, step forth and grabbed Bill by the arm. “Where have you been? And what are you wearing?! And why did you bring a human with you?!”

 “Mom…” Bill groaned in whiny tone. “I was just out playing in the woods, and I found this human, and I wanna keep him, so we’re getting married!”

 “Cipher, you can’t just bring humans into our world,” the woman’s tone had gotten gentler after Bill’s explanation. “They don’t belong here, and besides-“

 “But we made a deal!” Bill insisted. “I gave him that ring, and he wears it now!”

 “Are you sure about this?” the woman asked. “If you go through with this, the two of you will be spending eternity together.”

 “What?” Dipper exclaimed, finally getting over his shock.

 “Yes, mom,” Bill nodded. “He’s the one; I know it. He told me he’s a prince, but he has a really strong soul, and I want it!”

 “Can someone please explain to me what’s going on?” Dipper asked, feeling somewhat helpless.

 “It’s like I told you; we’re getting married, and you’re staying with me,” Bill explained.

 “But… Bill, you aren’t human, are you?” Dipper asked carefully.

 “Nope, I’m a demon!” Bill shrugged. “I didn’t really try to hide it, but I guess I never mentioned it. But that’s not a problem… right?” Bill’s expression turned more sorrowful, most likely at the prospect of Dipper rejecting him.

 “I guess not, but,” Dipper tried to think of a way to explain this misunderstanding, to get out of this whole thing. “I… I thought we were just playing a game… I didn’t-“ Dipper paused; Bill’s expression had turned downright heartbroken, whereas Bill’s (Cipher’s?) mother glared at Dipper with murderous intent. Dipper realized that if Bill had been telling the truth, that meant that he was currently surrounded by Bill’s subjects, while he was in the middle of breaking off his engagement with their prince. “I’m… not actually a prince,” Dipper laughed awkwardly, trying to relieve some of the tension that had taken over the room. “Like I said, I thought we were playing around, so… I’m sorry? But I mean, hey, you’re a demon prince, I’m a human peasant; I completely understand why you don’t wanna marry me anymore.”

 “I don’t care about you being a prince!” Bill laughed, embraced Dipper and began swinging him around. “I still love you! I still want your soul!”

 “Uh, yeah, about that,” Dipper pried himself out of Bill’s arm. “What do you mean, exactly, when you say you want my soul?”

 “When a human marries a demon, they create one of the most ancient contracts in this world,” Bill explained. “You give me your soul to keep, essential trusting your life in my hands, and I give you my heart, a demon’s only vulnerability. And since I have already done that, we only need to prepare for the wedding ceremony, where you hand over your soul to me, and along with that, your mortality, and then we’ll spend the rest of eternity together!”

 “Oh, wow,” Dipper remarked, fear and anxiety starting to creep into his mind. “That’s uh… Are you sure you want to marry me? I mean, we’re both really young, and we barely know each other…”

 “But I’ve seen your soul, and you’ve seen my heart,” Bill explained, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “There’s no reason for us to wait; it was fate that we met!”

 “Oh, okay,” Dipper gulped and nodded his head, still wary of accidently upsetting Bill again. “So, uh, we’re going to plan the wedding, huh? That’s probably gonna take a while… Maybe I should swing back to my house, and explain everything to my family, maybe invite them to the wedding?”

 “Of course not!” Bill giggled. “The wedding will happen today! And besides, your family can’t enter here; it’s only for demons!”

 Dipper was about to protest that he wasn’t a demon, but bit his tongue, and just gave a stiff nod.

  The first thing that had to be done was decided on food. Bill’s mother showed the two boys the kitchen, where two wispy, shadow-like creatures were waiting.

 “Now, what should we have for the reception?” Bill’s mother pondered.

 “Uh,” Dipper swallowed nervously. “Sometimes, on special occasions, my mom would cook this porridge made from rice.”

 “Porridge?” Bill’s mother scoffed. “My dear boy, around here we have a more refined taste.”

 “Can’t we have that anyway, mom?” Bill asked. “I’ve never had porridge before. Oh! And can we also have that curry dish? I think Dipper would like it!”

 “Alright,” Bill’s mother sighed. “And let’s also have the pheasant roast, and some fruit on the side; pomegranates, grapes, and plums.”

 The shadow creatures, having heard the woman’s orders, immediately began their work.

 “I’ll take care of decorations,” Bill’s mother announced to the boys. “You two go and get your clothes fitted.”

 “Thanks mom!” Bill laughed and grabbed Dipper’s arm, pulling him out of the kitchen.

 “Bill, why did your mother call you ‘Cipher’?” Dipper asked while the two were running down a long hallway.

 “Because that’s my name!” Bill giggled.

 “But you said you were named Bill,” Dipper argued.

 “I told you to call me Bill,” the demon boy corrected his human fiancée. “A demon’s power lies in their name, so we can’t say our name.”

 “Oh,” Dipper thought for a moment before he asked again; “Why were you so scared of taking my hand at first?”

 “A handshake is a way to seal a deal,” Bill explained. “And being a young demon, I could very easily get tricked by a human. That’s why I’m not allowed outside. We’re here!” Bill yelled in delight as he stopped in front of a big door. “You go in there, and the Shades will help you get fitted into your new clothes. I’ll come and get you once I’ve gotten dressed!”

 And before Dipper had the chance to protest, the little demon had taken off. Dipper turned the door, a worried frown marring his face, and entered the room. Inside the room were two more of those shadow-creatures.

 “Uh, hi,” Dipper greeted them nervously. “I- I’m here to, uh, get my wedding clothes, I guess?”

 The Shades didn’t respond. The one closest to Dipper floated across the floor, closed the door behind the human boy, and led him by the arm to the center of the room. Meanwhile, the other Shade had moved to a closet, where it pulled out rolls of white fabric. The first Shade conjured up a measuring tape, and began to take Dipper’s measurements, while the other began to work on the fabric using a sewing machine.

 Once the general shape of the attire had been made, the Shades began to add some details; sewing pearls on the neckline and hem, adding ruffles and lace. They then showed Dipper the final product; a white sleeveless ball gown.

 “I’m not wearing that,” Dipper said, shaking his head slightly. The Shades ignored him and brought the dress to him. As soon as it touched his body, it seemed to just melt in place, his own clothes disappearing completely. The Shades then gave him two long, white gloves, and the same happened, where they just seemed to appear on him. “I don’t like this one bit!” Dipper shouted angrily. “I don’t want to wear this! I hate it!”

 “You do?” Dipper turned around and saw that Bill had entered the room, a heartbroken expression on his face. “I think it’s pretty… It looks pretty on you.” Behind Bill stood his mom, who was currently glaring daggers at Dipper. The human thought for a moment, that he could even feel the Shades glare at him behind his back.

 “Oh, Bill,” Dipper tried to think of a way to salvage the situation, and hopefully not get killed. “I just… You know, I’m feeling stressed about the wedding, and I just want everything to be perfect.”

 “Really?” Bill asked, letting out an almost pathetic sniffle.

 “Of course,” Dipper assured him. “I, um, can’t wait for the wedding…”

 “That’s great!” Bill said, his previous happy mood having returned. Bill’s mother was still glaring at Dipper, but at least she didn’t look like she wanted to skin him alive anymore. “So, what do ya think about my clothes?” Bill then asked.

 Dipper hadn’t noticed Bill’s change in attire, even though the change was obvious; the previously dirty and ragged clothes had been replaced by a black tuxedo, a white undershirt, and black shoes. Dipper thought Bill looked somewhat cute in his new outfit, mostly because the formal clothes didn’t match Bill’s active and playful personality.

 “Well boys, everything’s been prepared now, so it’s time to move on to the wedding,” Bill’s mother announced. “Follow me.” She turned around and walked away, the two boys following her close.

 “A-already?” Dipper asked.

 “Yes, we need to hurry,” Bill responded, a joyous spring in his step.

 “Why? Why do we need to hurry?” Dipper asked, anxiety and fear returning to his mind.

 Bill didn’t answer, he just continued forward.

 They all arrived in a great hall, filled with more demons and Shades, all eyes on them.

 As Bill led Dipper down the hall to a podium, where Bill’s mother already stood, Dipper could hear the mumbling and whispering as everyone stared at him.

 Bill stopped in front of the podium, Dipper stopping beside him, and Bill’s mother handed him a necklace with a see-through gemstone attached.

 “Dipper,” Bill said, smiling brightly as he did so. “I have already handed you my heart,” he stretched his hand, still holding the necklace, towards Dipper. “Now, will you give me your soul?”

 Dipper’s gaze nervously flickered from Bill, to the necklace, to Bill’s mother, and then the crowd. He was scared of saying no, but he was even more frightened of what would happen if he said yes.

 “… N-no,” Dipper finally said. He heard gasps from the crowd, and a strangled noise from Bill who now had a heartbroken expression on his face. “I’m sorry! This was all just a big misunderstanding. I can’t marry you. I can’t stay here!”

 “… We made a deal,” Bill sobbed.

 “Like I said, it was a misunderstanding,” Dipper stretched out his hand, wanting to comfort Bill, but his hand was grabbed and violently pulled away by Bill’s mother.

 “You are not allowed to touch him, you filth!” she roared.

 “… We made a deal,” Bill’s voice was now devoid of any emotion and his face had turned blank as he stared at Dipper.

 Dipper turned his eyes to the crowd, all of who were walking towards him, looking very angry. Dipper’s gaze went back to Bill when he felt someone grab him, only to realize it was Bill, who now had an expression of pure rage on his face.

 “WE MADE A DEAL!!!” Bill shouted.

 Just as Dipper was beginning to fear he would never make it out of this alive, he felt the ground and walls shake slightly.

 Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing, looking up in silent confusion, as the vibrations grew stronger, and were soon accompanied by a sound. It started out faint, but soon grew strong, as the unmistakable sound of the church bells rung through the hall.

 “… We made a deal…” Dipper heard Bill’s voice say, quiet and broken, before he opened his eyes and found himself back in the forest under the boulder.

 The church bells were ringing, signaling that it was now twelve in the noon, meaning that only an hour had passed from when Dipper fell asleep.

 Dipper shot up from the ground, looking down at what he was wearing. He calmed down once he realized that he was still in his normal, everyday clothes, and not the wedding dress.

 Throwing a last look to the forest, Dipper began wandering home, chalking it all up to just an odd dream.

  Once he got back home to his grunkle’s shack, everything seemed to go back to normal. He did his chores with no complaint and was pleasantly tired when nighttime came.

 He and his sister were in their room, ready to go to bed, when his sister’s eyes caught something.

 “What’s that on your hand?” she asked. Dipper looked to where his sister’s gaze went, and his eyes widened at what he saw; the ring, the ring that Bill had given him in his dream! Why did he still have the ring?! Had it been there since he woke up and he hadn’t noticed? “It’s really pretty!” Mabel remarked cheerfully. “Where did you get it?”

 “I… I don’t know,” Dipper shook his in fear and confusion, and immediately tried to remove the ring, but it was stuck. No matter how much he pulled, he could not get the ring off his finger.

 “Is it stuck?” Mabel asked. “We can find some way to remove it tomorrow.” And with that, his sister went to sleep, unaware of the terror that had now taken over Dipper.

 The thought of falling asleep was far gone now, replaced with a haunting and all-consuming fear.

 Dipper didn’t shut an eye that night; he was much too afraid of who would greet him when he fell asleep…

[k-g-r-d]

Probably the first time I’ll be writing after ages. After watching a clip, it hit me that our parents are never getting any younger, for as we grow old, they grow old as well. They’re not the same parents we had when we were kids, they don’t have the strength that they used to have after doing their jobs, and finding extra ways to have money to support the family. When I was growing up we didn’t have a lot, we were just getting enough to get by for the day. I always thought that my parents hated me since everything that I ever wanted was never given to me, every time I ask for something my parents would always say no. I never realized that our situation back then was hard, I’ve always thought of myself and not my parents. 

I always thought that my parents never wanted to give me everything that I want, I have never thought that they have never lacked in giving me the things that I need. We can all agree that there’s a big difference between the things that we need and the things that we want. And me being a selfish kid growing up, always thought that the things I wanted, were the things the I needed. Boy, was I wrong. 

Despite everything that I’ve been through with my parents, I never really got to bond with them, they never really got to connect that much with me. Well, except for my mom, who is my bestest friend in the world. My parents been through a lot. And as I grow up, I got to realize everything that happened to them. Every bad thing, and every good thing that happened to them. 

Going back to the topic that our parents are never getting any younger, it’s true. I just never realized it until now. I never realized that my parents were getting sick often and had to go to the hospital more often. I always thought that they’d be young and healthy for a very long time. I always took for granted everything they did for me. I always thought that being a rebel was the way that I would get their attention. When it wasn’t just their attention that I’ve been longing for, it was their approval of the things that I did, that I was longing for. I’ve always wanted them to acknowledge me as their son. I’ve always wanted to make them proud. But it always felt like nothing that I ever did was enough for them. 

Moving past that, no matter what happens, I’ll always be proud of my parents. Despite their shortcomings as parents, I will forever remember the things that they taught me. It’s true that at some point I wanted different parents since I was a hard kid to deal with, and their ways were not really kid friendly. But I know that whatever they did, I’m sure they did it for a reason. Please don’t take your parents for granted, you may have numerous parental figures around you, but you will always have 1 set of parents that loves you the most.

To mom and dad, I’m sorry that for the past years that I’ve been a burden to you. I probably still am, since I’m still in college and couldn’t graduate. I’m sorry if I’m not the son that you wanted me to be. I’m sorry if I always fight with you. There are a lot of things that I’m sorry for. God knows how sorry I am that I cannot make you proud and such things. But always know that no matter what happens, I love you both so much. I maybe agnostic, but I’ll pray to any God out there for your safety and for your health cause you mean the world to me, and I can’t even begin to imagine what will happen to me if I lose anyone of you. I love you and I’m truly sorry for everything. I promise to be a better parent or just a better person than I was a before in the near future, and I hope that you will still be there to guide me all throughout the entire process.