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theteasetwrites · 2 years ago

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Merciless Beauty

Chapter 1: Your Eyes Slay Me Suddenly

❧ Pairing: Knight Daryl Dixon x Princess Reader ❧ Era: Medieval fantasy AU ❧ Pronouns: she/her ❧ Warnings: mentions of blood/gore and violence ❧ Word Count: 5.3k

❧ Before You Read...

❧ Glossary

❧ In This Chapter: Duke Richard of House Grimes and his knight, Sir Daryl, arrive at King Ezekiel's court, though they do not know why they've been invited. Meanwhile, things are not well in the kingdom of Alexandria as a new threat begins to terrorize its citizens. Despite this, the princess dreams of seeing the world outside the castle walls by which she is imprisoned. She meets someone who she thinks might be able to help.

❧ A/N: Well, here it is. The first part of this weird ass thing I'm writing. I realize that this is super cringey but do I care? Well, a little, but you know what, I am having so much fun writing this and learning about medieval stuff so I am happy with it. I will link a "Before You Read..." page so that you guys can get a little more background info about what I'm trying to do here. I know this is kind of a weird AU and stuff so I have some disclaimers in that link. I've also included a link to the Merciless Beauty Glossary, which lists definitions for some of the terminology I will be using throughout the series. I recommend having that document open as you read as you can use it to quickly refer to in case you come across a word you are not familiar with.

Beyond gentle slopes of overgrown emerald pastures rose tall, imposing battlements of limestone, with tiny silhouettes of guards poking out of each crenel. From this distance, they looked hardly menacing, but the king’s guards were diligent, and their prowess in battle was not to be underestimated.

The duke raised the blue flag of Alexandria, signaling to the guards that they were no threat. In response, a guard reached over the wall to wave the same flag.

“They see us,” remarked the duke, pulling on the reins of his golden horse. “Here.” He handed back the worn piece of cerulean fabric to the knight who rode by his side. “Strange customs, but I don’t blame them.”

They moved upon their horses in a dignified trot, the knight’s ebony friesian stallion trained to mirror the movements of the steward’s palomino steed.

“They should be afraid,” said the knight. “The world is a dangerous place. Can’t believe they’ve held out this long.”

The duke flashed him a knowing look, that almost seemed to curl into an amused crack of the lips. “Sir Daryl,” he said, “I’ve always admired your optimism.”

The knight adjusted his feet in the heavy iron stirrups. He’d never quite get used to his lord’s jests. “Sorry,” he spoke simply. A man of few words, Richard always said.

“It’s all right, but you’d be advised to put on a cheerful face for the king. Joviality goes a long way with his type.”

“His type?”

“Unlike you, my friend, King Ezekiel is known for his… good humor.”

Daryl scoffed from the corner of his crooked smirk. “Thanks… What does the king want with you, anyway?”

Richard’s brows knit together in another amused expression of faux offense. “You think I’m not able to acquire a king’s favor? Careful, knight, you’re a free man now, but you could be downgraded to villein if necessary.”

Of course, the serious knight knew that such a threat was meant in good humor. Ten years of loyal servitude to the duke was more than enough reassurance.

The men continued onward, their horses plodding through moors that seemed to stretch on forever. The castle couldn’t come closer for Sir Daryl. He was dreading it, the pomp and circumstance of it all. But then, he knew that when he became a knight. It wasn’t the typical story, in fact. He wasn’t of any kind of good birth, his parents being poor and rather unsuccessful merchants in some other kingdom he’d purposefully forgotten the name of.

No, he wasn’t a nobleman’s son or a squire. He’d earned his title almost reluctantly, through his triumphs and battle prowess in the First War. That is, the war that preceded the Scourge.

A knight’s duty was to protect a lord, of course. He’d managed a position as the protector of Duke Richard’s land, just outside of Alexandria. In exchange for his protection, the knight had a place to live, and not a bad place at all. It was better than any decrepit wooden shack he’d lived in before, and, as far as nobility went, the duke was not a bad man. In fact, he was a good man, and that was hard to come by in times like these.

“But it’s odd,” Richard continued, “I don’t know what the king wants with me. I know he wants me to join his court, but I’ve heard he hasn’t invited anyone to court in ten years, since it broke out.” It, of course, was always understood as a reference to the plague that killed ordinary men with a gruesome fever, then brought them back as snarling, rotting walking dead men that feasted on the flesh of those who were unlucky enough to still be alive.

No one knew where it came from, but many thought the curse was nothing short of the wrath of God Himself. It was the only explanation in a world completely devoid of comfort. Though the idea that a supposedly benevolent god bestowing such a pestilence upon his so-called beloved children was hardly comforting. In these times, people took what they could get.

“Maybe he just wants your wonderful company,” Daryl replied, sure to speak with a sarcastic lilt to his gruff voice.

“No, no,” Richard said. “It doesn’t make sense. Ezekiel and I have only spoken a few times… You know, there’s a princess.”

Oh, yes, everyone knew of the princess, of course, though no one had seen her in years. The gatehouse of that castle hadn’t opened in ten years. No one had come in, and no one had gone out. Until now, of course.

“There’s always a princess,” Daryl huffed. “What does that have to do with anythin’?”

“Well, she’s got to be a woman now… I’m sure the king is looking to wed her to someone.”

Daryl flashed a suspicious glance at the curly-haired man, who returned the look with a steady shake of his head.

“You think he wants you to court her?”

“I don’t know, but if what they say is true, the princess is the most beautiful woman in Alexandria. Some say beyond Alexandria, too.”

It was odd for a man of Richard’s age and status to be unmarried. His wife had died six years ago in childbirth, along with the child. It wasn’t an uncommon occurrence, but it was a great tragedy in the duke’s life. The knight couldn’t see him remarrying at all after that, but if the king was going to offer his daughter to him, he would be a fool not to accept.

“Women with that kind of beauty are hard to come by,” continued Richard. “And royal, too. Hell, the princess is the king’s only child. That means… I could become king when he dies.”

“Gettin’ ahead of yourself,” chided Daryl. “We’re not even at the gatehouse yet.”

“Welcome, my friends!”

The king extended his arms wide, about as wide as the grin upon his countenance. He crossed the great hall, the steps of his pointed poulaines echoing off the grand high ceilings. The king’s hand clasped jovially upon the duke’s shoulder, but the gesture quickly turned into a hearty embrace.

“It’s good to see you,” said the king. “It’s been too long, Richard.”

“It has.”

The duke raised his eyes to gaze upon the magnificence of the hall. Though the exterior of the castle may have appeared quite imposing, the great hall was warm, welcoming, even. Elaborate arrangements of strong wooden arches upheld the roof, complete with intricately designed corbels to support them. Draped from the high stone walls were long blue banners bearing the royal family’s crest, no doubt made from the finest threads. Tapestries depicting mythical creatures and romantic scenes of knights going to battle or courting ladies were on full display, too. The hall was illuminated by the gilded light of what seemed to be a hundred or so candles, some upon sconces, others upon tables and in iron chain chandeliers. The pungent aroma of honey and elderflower tickled at the uninitiated noses of the two travelers, and, sure enough, in the king’s hand was a fine pewter goblet, which no doubt must’ve been brimming with a particularly pungent, sweet smelling mead.

“Come!” exclaimed the king. “Have a drink! This is cause for celebration.”

The loud bravado in the king’s voice must’ve alerted the court as finely dressed nobles began to pour in from the arches and the upstairs landing. As the duke and his knight followed the king to his banquet table, just in front of his imposing bronze throne, the court gathered in greater globs. Murmurs began to permeate the great hall, and the knight could just feel an army of eyes laid upon him and his lord. It wasn’t a feeling he reveled in.

“We’ve already had our feast,” said the king, sitting himself comfortably at the head of the long wooden table. “But I can have a servant bring you something. Only the finest dining here.”

“We’ve already eaten. Just a drink is fine for now, your majesty,” said the duke. As he sat, the loyal knight followed.

Daryl felt bear, having been made rid of his greatsword and his cloak by the guards at the entrance to the keep. There were few places outside of his home that he felt safe enough without either.

“Ah, libations!” exclaimed the emphatic king. He held his goblet high for emphasis. “This is the finest mead in Alexandria and her surrounding kingdoms. It comes from a monastery, I’ve been told. They raise bees there, isn’t that fantastic?”

The knight and the duke exchanged a glance. They had no idea what to make of the king. He was so full of merry, the likes of which they hadn’t seen in years. Perhaps it was the mead, but Richard knew the man was jovial. Still, it was a kind of shock.

The servants arrived with intricately detailed pewter pitchers full of the honey wine, filling their goblets to the brim. The excesses of wealth and royalty were foreign to the knight. Duke Richard was wealthy, yes, but not like this.

“So,” spoke the king, “I trust your journey through my kingdom was pleasant? No dead ones crossed your path?”

“Not at all,” said Richard. “Your kingdom is quite safe, it seems. Those tall walls will keep anything out.”

“Hm, yes,” agreed Ezekiel. “But you can never be too careful. No one’s left the castle in ten years, I’m sure you know. It’s better to be safe.”

That reminded the duke. He intended to ask why the king had invited him to court, but before he could speak again, the boisterous king looked to Sir Daryl with an enthusiastic curiosity.

“This is your knight?”

“Yes, this is Sir Daryl.”

The king settled back in his chair, stroking the gray corkscrew hairs upon his noble chin. “Ah, I’ve heard of your gallantry in battle, how you earned your title. My father knighted you, didn’t he?”

Daryl looked to his steward, wordlessly asking for permission to speak. Richard nodded. “Yes, your majesty,” spoke the knight. His voice was raspier than usual, having been silent for so long since arriving at the castle. After all, what could a knight possibly have to say? His only duty was to protect his lord, as a vassal. He was of lower rank than Richard, and, though he never much cared for the details of hierarchy, it was in his best interest to know his place.

“How grand! Well, gentlemen, I do hope you find this court to be a fount of merriment in these dark times.” He gestured to the surrounding great hall, and the people who watched with bated breath as they clung to the monarch’s every word. “Everyone has been so eager to meet you. This is a momentous occasion. A toast!” The king stood to his feet, raising his goblet high. Others followed suit, of course, as the two newcomers sat overwhelmed at the king’s table. “To Duke Richard and his knight, the first additions to court in a decade of strife.”

“Huzzah!”

With a long drink of his mead, the king met the duke with wide eyes, then removed the cup in a near panic, though it was a jolly panic. “I almost forgot! How could I forget? My daughter, (Y/N). Elizabeth! Fetch my daughter!”

“Yes, your majesty.” The mousy young maid with flaxen hair frantically ascended the staircase with great haste.

Richard straightened in his seat, clearing his throat. The knight could tell he was nervous, but he couldn’t understand why. A princess was hardly anything to be nervous about. It was the king the duke needed to impress, he thought.

“Minstrels!” the king exclaimed, gesturing towards the troupe of musicians across the great hall. There were three, each dressed in colorful garb and feathered caps. One held a lute, the other, a flute, and the third, a tambour. “Play something for the princess’s entrance. Something… delicate, but dignified, like her.”

“Yes, your majesty!” one of the minstrels replied.

Yes, your majesty, seemed a rather common phrase around here.

Then, from atop the stairs appeared a young woman.

You heard the musicians begin to play their little tune—a soft, simple tune that seemed to evolve with each step you took. Each step was calculated and precise, partly because that was how you were trained to walk, and partly because you were careful not to trip over your gown. Your father had instructed you to wear your best clothes the last few days, though you weren’t sure why. You’d heard of a duke coming to court, but it was hardly of any interest to you. Why should you care? Why should you welcome an outsider when you haven’t been able to leave this dusty old castle in years?

“That must be the duke,” whispered Margaret. She followed your every move, as a lady-in-waiting was supposed to.

“He’s handsome,” Michonne whispered back.

You shushed the ladies out of the corner of your mouth. They were much too excited for their own good, much more excited than you.

At the base of the staircase, your father held his hand out to you, beaming at your beauty. Tonight, you wore your favorite champagne-colored surcote, made from a heavy silk, with long, flowing sleeves that split at the elbow to reveal the pure white lace-front gown. The décolletage was modest, but deep enough to reveal just the beginning of your cleavage, formed by the tight lacing that held your chest in place. It wasn’t quite in vogue these days, but then again, nothing was in vogue these days.

As you took his hand, you realized that the duke and his knight were standing for you. Of course they were, but their new faces caught you off guard. You knew everyone in court so well, it was strange to see two strangers standing for you.

Your father lifted his hand, in turn raising your arm to show you off like a prized mare. With knitted brows and a quivering lip, you flashed him a confused expression. He’d never introduced you like this before, but then again, he never introduced you to anyone before.

“Gentlemen,” he said, turning his attention to the duke and his knight. “I present to you my daughter, (Y/N), Crown Princess of Alexandria.”

The men each bent over to bow before you, and you took in their appearance with great interest. It wasn’t often you had new faces to study.

The duke was well-dressed, wearing a damask scarlet doublet that must’ve cost a fortune, with tight-fitting wool hose to accentuate his lean legs. It would be remiss not to note how handsome he was, with a head of lush curls and a short, well-trimmed beard to frame his salmon-colored lips. If it weren’t for his title and his clothing, you could tell the man was a noble just by looking at the shape of his nose, aquiline and strong. Yes, he was handsome.

But just beyond his shoulder, your eyes were pulled like magnets to the knight. His clothes were more muted, but made from a fine material. A plain black wool tabard draped over his broad shoulders, his waist cinched with a fine leather belt, strapped to which was a lone misericorde, the dagger which you knew from your studies to be what knights used to deliver the final death blow to an enemy. The sharp tip sent a shiver down your spine as you wondered briefly if he’d ever had to use it.

Though his coloring was similar to the duke, both having hair of brown and eyes of blue, their similarities ended there. The knight had a much more tired face, world-weary. It was difficult to see clearly, given the shadows created by the long wavy locks of hair shrouding his visage, but he appeared to have a reddened scar trailing from his brow to his cheek, crossing over his left eye.

From what you could see, he looked nothing like any man you’d seen before. He was weather-worn and hardened by the world, at least, that’s how he looked. He must’ve seen such terrible things, you thought. In the fine lines of his face, you could begin to make out an image of the world outside. Here was a man who must’ve known its ins and outs like the back of his hand, must’ve been so brave to have survived this long outside the walls, fighting the Dead.

Though your face was softened by curiosity, the knight’s was stoic and cold. He seemed somehow both distant and alert, aware of his surroundings despite his reluctance to be surrounded by them. The duke’s kind face was much more welcoming, but, for a moment, you were held hostage by the knight’s narrowed, serious gaze.

“Your highness,” said the duke. “I am Duke Richard of House Grimes.” He turned to gesture towards the knight. “And this is my knight, Sir Daryl.”

A curious name for a curious face, you thought. Still, you tried to maintain your focus on the nobleman.

“It is an honor to meet you, milord,” you replied. “The court has been anticipating your arrival.” Though I haven’t. “Oh, these are my ladies-in-waiting, Lady Margaret and Lady Michonne.”

You brought the ladies forth, each of them curtseying before the duke. It gave you a moment to look upon the knight again.

“Pleasure,” the duke said to your ladies. “And… may I say, princess, you’re just as radiant as they say.”

You looked wide-eyed at the king, who smiled bigger than he had in years. The blush that blossomed upon your cheeks was not one of flattery, necessarily, but slight embarrassment. “Oh… They speak of me?”

“Yes. Common people often praise your beauty. Many would sell their land or their livestock for the chance just to get a glimpse of you. I must admit, it would be worth it.”

A whirlpool of emotions formed in your belly, mostly confusion. You’d never been complimented quite like this before. “Well… Thank you, milord. That’s very kind of you to say.” Swallowing hard, you turned to your father, who seemingly expected you to return with an equal compliment. “Father, I’m going to retire to my chambers for the evening.” You turned back to face the duke. “Goodnight, Richard. I hope your stay in court is pleasant.”

Your father’s smile faded with your announcement, but he nodded as he tried to offset his disappointment. “Of course, my dear. Goodnight.”

At length, you sat before your vanity to remove your jewels while Elizabeth prepared your bed as usual. She hummed to herself the same little tune the musicians had played earlier for your grand entrance to meet the duke. Removing your translucent veil, you got to work undoing the circles of elaborate braids and removing the genuine pearls laced throughout when a rapping came at the door of your chamber.

“My dear, it’s me,” said your father. “May I come in?”

Oh, for pity's sake.

You turned on your stool to gesture towards Elizabeth. “Let him in,” you said. “I can undress myself tonight. Goodnight, Beth.”

The young girl nodded before opening the door for the king. He thanked her as she left, while you straightened up to no doubt receive a tongue lashing for your less than friendly reception of the newcomers.

“(Y/N),” he sighed, sitting at the foot of your bed as he adjusted his gold trimmed velvet robe. “My dear… I must say I am a bit disappointed that you didn’t sit and speak with the duke tonight.”

“Well, father, I… It’s hard to be excited about these new guests when I myself haven’t been outside the castle since I was a girl. And now, all of a sudden, you’re letting in some nobleman and his knight? Why?”

To the king, it was obvious, but to you, it was totally unclear. There was much about the world you still didn’t know, and though you were knowledgeable, on account of your royal tutoring, you were still naïve in many ways.

Your father stood as he sighed, piecing a long, gray-black dread lock behind his ear. “Well, I was hoping…” He shook his head, then crossed over to you, taking your hands in his as he looked at you with that adventurous sparkle in his eyes. “You liked Richard, didn’t you? He was charming?”

You were caught off guard by the question, but you shrugged and nodded with a half-smile. “Why, yes. He’s charming.”

“And handsome?”

“Well… Of course. He’s very handsome, any woman would think so.”

“So…”

“Father, are you… trying to ask me if I want to court the duke?”

“Yes,” he laughed in relief that you caught on without him having to explain. “Richard is a good man, one of the best nobles left. He’s wealthy, too. Though I was always hoping for a political marriage for you, as long as the man is at least a noble and a suitable husband, I think this kind of match would be good for you. In fact, we could move Richard here, that way you never have to leave the castle, and—”

“Father!” you exclaimed, shocked by how excited he was at this idea without even hearing your thoughts, of which you had many. “I’m not ready to marry!”

“But you’re twenty-six, my dear.”

Standing to your feet, you shook your head and pulled out the remaining braids in your hair. “I’m just not ready. The duke is… He’s perfect, but I’m not interested. I can’t explain it, it’s just not a match.”

“But you’ve hardly spoken to him!”

You didn’t need to speak to him to know, you just knew. It was impossible to explain. All you knew was that it wouldn’t work, and that marriage was simply not in your near future. You had other priorities, other… curiosities. Love was not one of them, except in your fairytales and love poems. You had a hard time believing love could be any better than that.

“Father, please. I’ve told you how I felt, and I’m sorry if you brought this man here just for me, but I can’t force myself to try with someone who doesn’t interest me in that way.”

He crossed the room with a soft step, his face morphing into an understanding smile. “I know, darling. I’m sorry to have upset you. I would never force you into a marriage that didn’t please you, I just… I just want you to marry a good man. Well, so long as he’s a noble, at least.”

Your father was never a traditional king, but he still insisted on some things, and one of them was that you would marry well. Well meaning high status. Some things were sacred.

“But if the duke isn’t to your liking,” he continued, “I won’t force it.”

“Thank you, father. That means a great deal to me.”

“Good.” His hand cradled the back of your head to bring you forward, allowing him to bestow a fatherly kiss upon your forehead. “Someday, you will make a great queen. A better ruler than me, I am sure.”

“Father,” you laughed. “You are a great ruler. The people love you. Everyone loves you. That’s what matters.”

“My sweet girl,” he said, now holding your cheeks to admire your pretty, delicate features. You were truly a princess through and through. “You’re the most precious jewel in my crown.” An old phrase he’d said to you since you were a little girl. The man was so sentimental, a trait you admired greatly. “I bid you goodnight.”

As he headed back towards the door, you began to think freely, with your mind returning to the knight beside Richard. Daryl, you recalled his name. You’d never heard a name like that, nor seen a face like that.

“Father?” you called out to him just before he could leave.

“Yes, my dear?”

Looking down, you toyed with the fine silk fabric of your surcote, prefering to study the rich champagne color than to face your father as you asked, “Tell me about Richard’s knight.”

The king’s brows furrowed, his head tilting to the side in a display of curiosity and confusion. “The knight? Sir… Daryl, I believe?”

“Mhm,” you mumbled, still nervously rubbing the garment between your fingers. To clarify, you lifted your gaze to your father. “Well, I mean… I was just curious. You know how I have a fascination with knights and things of that sort.”

The king shook his head with a warm, deep chuckle. “Oh, daughter. Well, I don’t know much of him, other than that he is brave, loyal… He was knighted by your grandfather, you know. Just a few years before he passed.”

“And he is of noble birth, like Richard?”

“No, no,” he replied. “Not at all. His parents were lower gentry. He earned his title in battle, a rare feat for a knight, as you know.”

Indeed, most knights were born to nobility, becoming pageboys before the age of ten, then promoting to squire in their youth. After years of studying under an established knight, the squire would then undergo the dubbing ceremony. He’d learn the code of chivalry, and he’d pledge allegiance to a lord, offering military services in exchange for a fief, or land. It seemed that Sir Daryl must’ve met many of these requirements, but he certainly wasn’t a noble.

“That’s quite interesting,” you said. “I knew he seemed different. Well, goodnight, father.”

“Goodnight, my sweet.”

When the candlelight was extinguished, and the only sound left in the dead of night was that of the crickets chirping and the toads ribbeting, you were left in solitude with your thoughts. These thoughts were not new, of course. They were visions of the outside world, beyond the castle walls and the walls of the kingdom. They hung somewhere between consciousness and dream, but your thoughts were intentional, purposeful. You thought of the trees, the flowers, the little streams. You thought of the deer and the birds and the butterflies, every beautiful thing you hadn’t seen since the Scourge began. That plague had taken everything from you, your mother, your freedom, your peace of mind.

Others had it much worse, of course, and you knew that, but that didn’t ease your heartache. There were many nights you cried yourself to sleep, hoping your father couldn’t hear, for he did what he did for good reason—he was terrified of losing you, his only child.

But tonight, you didn’t cry at all. In fact, there was a strange sense of hope nestled in your heart, something you hadn’t felt in so many years. At first, you couldn’t put your finger on it, but as your head and your heart began to work together, you realized—it was the knight.

Not only was the knight a new addition to the court, but he was brave, a fighter. He would surely help you escape.

Escape was something you’d thought of before, but now, it seemed within reach. Of course, you wouldn’t leave forever, just a day. Just a day outside the walls, breathing in the fresh air, feeling the soft grass underfoot. There wasn’t anyone else. The guards all pledged such strong allegiance to the king, they would surely inform him of your plans if you asked. The others weren’t skilled in combat, couldn’t keep you safe. No, the only solution was the knight. He would help you. Surely, he would help you.

In your alone time, you often walked the corridors of the keep, as there wasn’t much else to do when you weren’t occupied by your books or your needlepoint. Today was no different, though the court was still excitable over the arrival of the duke last night.

You tried to ignore that, instead keeping yourself in your thoughts as you wandered aimlessly, until your father’s panicked voice resounded from inside his cabinet, adjacent to his bedchamber. What you made out were the words, “How could this happen?!”

Curiosity overcame you, your boredom having been relentless. You looked around the corridor for a moment, ensuring no passersby would see you. The guards were at the other end of the hall, facing away from you. If you were quiet, no one would see you pressing your ear to the ornate wooden door.

“Constable,” your father huffed, “are you quite sure?”

“Yes, your majesty,” spoke Lord Constable Aaron. “There have been reports of mysterious cloaked knights extorting citizens throughout the kingdom. They demand crops, livestock, women… They threaten murder if they don’t get their way, my liege. We had some isolated incidents in the past, but this past month, they’ve been happening more frequently.”

“And you didn’t think it of import to tell the king?” questioned Lord Chancellor Gerald. “There hasn’t been crime like this in Alexandria since we closed our gates.”

“I didn’t want to worry his majesty with incidents of petty crime,” responded the constable. “But now… Well, a boy has been killed.”

“What?!” your father exclaimed. “Who?”

“Thomas Webb, son of the innkeeper, James. He was only sixteen… I’ve been told it was…”

The constable trailed off, his voice becoming shaky as he spoke.

“Speak, Aaron,” demanded the king.

The constable cleared his throat, then lowered his voice. You pressed your ear harder against the wood of the door, so much so that you feared a splinter.

“Apologies, milord… It—it was a gruesome death, the likes of which we haven’t seen in Alexandria since the Dead breached our walls. But this wasn’t a dead man, it was a knight in black armor, their leader. We could hardly identify the boy, his head was… Well, your majesty, his head was obliterated.”

A small gasp escaped your lips, your hand quickly reaching up to catch it before it alerted the guards.

“By God,” uttered the chancellor. “What kind of knight are we dealing with?”

“A knight wouldn’t commit a crime like that,” spoke an at first unfamiliar voice, but you quickly identified it as that of the duke. “No, not any kind of true knight. A dishonored one, maybe.”

“It’s of no concern to me what this man’s status is,” said the king. “All I care about is protecting my people. Constable, I need strengthened security across the kingdom, especially in the merchant district. Something tells me these marauders are targeting the middle and lower classes. I also want tighter security at the outer curtain. No one should be entering or leaving the kingdom without my permission, and if they’re entering clandestinely, there must be a blind spot or a chink in our armor. If the living can get in, the Dead can, too. Get it sorted. There will be no more of this… obliterating in my kingdom, understand?”

“Absolutely, your majesty. We’ll double up our defenses. This won’t happen again… Oh, and… There is one more thing.”

“What is it?” asked the king. “I have very little time for idle conversation today, constable.”

“Yes, yes, of course, your majesty, but… Well, this is quite important. The knight in black armor left a message with one of our guards, just before he… chopped off his arm.”

Your lips trembled with fear. How could a man do such a thing? And this man was in your kingdom, hurting your people. It was horrifying. That poor guard, you thought. That poor boy… Oh, that poor, poor boy.

“Good lord!” huffed the king. “All right, what is it?”

The constable cleared his throat as you heard a crinkling of paper. “Your majesty,” the constable read from the letter, “let this be a first warning, an introduction of sorts. My name is Sir Negan of House Smith, my people are the Saviors. If you cooperate with me, there will be no more bloodshed, but if you go against me, I will plunder and pillage this pretty kingdom until the streets are soaked red. I ask, or demand, rather, for one thing: your daughter.”

Thanks for reading! Likes, reblogs, and/or comments are always appreciated!

Series Masterlist Next Chapter ➳

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thelampisaflashlight · 2 years ago

Text

The ghouls, but I reveal how I actually headcanon them personality wise. Below the cut.

Aether: Plays at being timid/submissive, but uses it to provoke bigger/wilder responses, because he likes seeing people go absolutely bonkers when he flips the switch and goes ham himself.

He enjoys instigating things and then letting the other person take over, because it’s that much more entertaining when he starts taking control again.

It’s like a cat showing its belly.

You were never in control of the situation.

An absolute nightmare when paired up with Swiss during trips to bars, because neither of them are playing around with the macho meathead bullshit.

Dewdrop: Fairly subdued overall, but he’s easily stirred up/teased into doing some crazy ass shit.

Definitely loves chaos and all it brings, though he’s not opposed to the idea of softness and a quiet day to himself.

More of a “Just because I’m alone doesn’t mean I’m lonely.” type which often gets misread as him being aloof/cold for not always enjoying having company.

The friend who gives you a heartfelt pep talk, but calls you a little bitch (affectionate) at the end of it.

Side hug kinda guy.

Multi/Swiss: Buys fancy mixed drinks with his dinner and enjoys them without joking about it in that, “Aw, couldn’t they have given it to me in a different glass?” kind of way.

Not afraid to be vibrant and colorful in the way he acts or speaks, and encourages his friends to do the same and appreciate the good things in life without feeling a need to hide it.

Will make people argue in circles for hours if they try to give him a hard time.

“Yes, but if that were true, this-”

He’s quite proud of it.

Rain: He’s a sweetheart, and genuinely quite sweet, but he will also do the weirdest shit knowing no one will believe it was him who did it.

Never anything malicious though.

Unless you count biting.

Because I feel like Rain is the biter here, not any worse than Dewdrop, but he’s the type who waits until he sees an opening that will maximize reactions with minimal effort.

In short; “I would very much like to make you scream.”

Mountain: The guy who keeps you safe at a metal show by standing behind you the whole time like an ominous obelisk of a man.

Resting bitch face to the max until he’s leaning down and asking if you’re gonna finish the rest of your donut and let’s out a slow, “Yoooo...” when you let him have it.

I cannot emphasize enough the slowness of the yo.

Would let you sleep in his bed... without him in it.

Teamed up with Rain, you are 1000% in for the weirdest adventures, and you’ll never be able to recreate the experience with anyone else.

Cumulus: An absolute sweetie, who could probably bench every member of the band with ease.

She’s the person who asks if she can try picking you up, and then proceeds to do so both emotionally and physically.

Lifts Cirrus all the time because she can.

Shows affection through hugs, kisses, and headbutts.

Mildly concussed?

Good.

Cirrus: Confident in who she is, and straightforward with how she thinks and feels, although she can often be a bit too blunt.

Joins Aether and Swiss in getting rude people to talk themselves into a corner in the best/worst way possible.

Has “You’re in her DMs, but I’m living in her head rent free.” energy and she knows it.

Sunshine: Gives off a playful and innocent air, but with an edge that indicates that that’s definitely not always the case.

Doesn’t play games when it comes to the safety of herself or her friends, and can go from joking around to deadly serious at the drop of a hat.

I don’t know why, but I can see her getting into a bar fight alongside the others if they saw someone being a dickhead, and would wear any bruises she gets from it as a badge of honor.

Has a solid punch, but you really have to look out for her legs, because she kicks like a horse and will knock your ass across the room.

#Lamp rambles #shitghosting #nameless ghouls #ghost band #ghost bc #the band ghost #ghost band headcanons #nameless ghoul headcanons

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ravenbloodshot · 2 years ago

Text

How Enhypen view each other (PT.3)

Jungwon (pov)

Jay

Positive traits: (these two are just co-workers) fast paced, good taste in food/fashion, calm and quiet, can blend in easily, not overly talkative, fun to talk to, knows how to live in the moment, independent, okay with being by himself

Negative traits: greedy(food wise), stubborn, aggressive, out of shape, rude, bad temper, too intense, always ready to fight, not adaptable (doesn't like change/spontaneity), boring, not agreeable

Jake

Heads up:Jungwon views Jake and Jay similarly. He just likes Jake, not so much Jay.

Positive traits: passionate, fights for what he believes in, go getter, (these two are close), takes care of his responsibilities, possessive (I'm not sure why Jungwon likes this), protective of loved ones, adaptable, adventurous

Negative traits: Too fast paced, bad clothing style (bad hygiene), can be too aggressive and head strong, impulsive, hard to talk to, impatient, bad with time, doesn't properly heal himself (like he could injury himself badly , but insist the next day he's fine and can work), over confident

Heesung

Positive traits: Good fashion(styles himself well), smells good, predictable, beautiful eyes, 'heart like a horse', jungwon likes when he's drunk, intuitive, eccentric and creative, open minded, curious, artistic, adventurous, imaginative, other- wordly, leadership qualities, honorable, more powerful/influential than he's aware

Negative traits: too imaginative, up in lala land a lot, childish, petty, bad at arguing his points, gives up too easily, too soft(sees him as feminine but not in a good way), holds himself back, unstable, bad with money, runs from his problems

Sunghoon

Okay. so......the energy here is very interesting. These two don't communicate with each other (its not exactly hostile energy but its not comfortable either between the two of them). Sorta of like Sunghoon never truly tries to get to know Jungwon so Jungwon opts out of trying to get to know Sunghoon (but he secretly wishes to find out more about the guy)

Positive traits: (these two are just co-workers) perceptive, soft skin, smells good, small face, independent, nice voice, intuitive, mysterious, finds him to be very handsome (very), lucky and fortunate, secretive, risk taker, smart, wealthy

Negative traits: mysterious, closed off, secretive, Protective of his real personality/identity(only a selective few gets to experience the true Sunghoon and jungwon isn't one of them), beautiful and model-like(Jungwon's energy seems to be a bit jealous so I'll stop here)

Honestly this is my first time feeling this strange vibe for two idols in a long time, how Jungwon views Sunghoon is quite weird(I may do a separate reading on this, it really peaked my curiosity)

Niki

Positive traits: Looks soft but is really tough, surprising and unpredictable, garners attention easily, nice and slim body, Flexible, charismatic, easy to get along with (they're close), easy to vibe with

Negative traits: sensitive (anger wise), too perceptive, reads others almost too well, lazy, doesn't help out around the dorms as much as others, Shares others secrets that he doesn't deem as serious secrets, holds on to his past, doesn't like to share his culture with the others

Sunoo

Positive traits: ditches toxic people/habits, not afraid to walk away from situations not working out for him, small/cute, active, talkative, fun to chat and gossip with, exciting, has an exciting personal life and dating life, dates interesting people

Negative traits: self esteem issues, unrealistic expectations, blinded by his own emotions/thoughts often, gets into toxic relationships, fast paced, too active and reactive, moves on too quickly, impatient, self centered

Sunoo (pov)

Jay

Positive traits: His gut feeling is right a lot of the times, not afraid to call out hypocrisy/ stupidity, beautiful voice, (something on Jay's body is small that he likes), learns his lesson, stops toxic patterns, admirable, gentleman, knows when to let go

Negative traits: too intense, not fun to talk to, doesn't like to gossip, keeps unruly hair(may not shave enough), preachy, thinks he's too good to do certain things, standoffish, cynical, pessimistic about finding true love, doesn't party (even though he gets invited to A LOT of them)

Jake

Positive traits: Head strong, go getter, stubborn, decisive, manly, aggressive, intense, fiery, feisty, spontaneous, adventurous, all action no talk, constantly improving and changing himself (stays in the studio longer than others)

Negative traits: not sensitive and caring enough, not sweet or gentle, bad with small talk, doesn't know how to network with people he doesn't like, player, too sexual, sleeps with too many women, non committal

Heesung

Positive traits: (Sunoo likes him a lot), leadership qualities, responsible, caring of others (silently), manly, does what he has to even when he doesn't want to, wakes up easily(even when its super early), calm, fatherly, good style and good hygiene, overcomes his obstacles

Negative traits: passive-aggressive (or just plain aggressive at times), too emotion driven or in the moment motivated, sneaky, sly, non committal even though he wants commitment, scary when upset (especially his eyes), doesn't believe in marriage

Sunghoon

Positive traits: (Sunoo and Jungwon talk about him not in a good or bad way) Star power, eccentric, beautiful, doesn't disclose his secrets, mysterious, protective of his energy/space, unpredictable, independent, doesn't need to be in a relationship, lets love come to him, has a loving family dynamic

Negative traits: Impassive, detached, cold but cute, Doesn't appreciate his family as much as he should (or just doesn't realize how loving they are compared to other member's families), over works himself, too giving with money, doesn't have good stamina nor thought out plans

Niki

Positive traits: hard worker, loyal, serious about getting his job done, reliable, independent, knows what he wants

Negative traits: pushes people away, lashes out on others, aggressive, rude, blunt and sarcastic, has a nasty attitude (moody teenager vibe), hard to relate to and get along with

Jungwon

Positive traits: loyal, hard worker, cute, enjoys nature, environmentalist, good memory, takes good selfies, good performer

Negative traits: TOO perceptive and analytical, stalker, aggressive, when upset spits fire in his speech, curses like a sailor, verbally aggressive, so serious about planning for marriage but doesn't date enough, cold and can hits a persons deepest insecurity when upset

#kpop readings #kpop #kpop tarot #sunghoon enhypen #jay enhypen #sunoo enhypen #heesung enhypen #jake enhypen #jungwon enhypen #enhypen #enhypen tarot #niki enhypen

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cookinguptales · 2 years ago

Note

It's been bugging me for a while and I love your meta and all your thoughts, so I wanted to get your opinion on this.

Why do you think Nandor is so repressed? Or so in denial about Guillermo? I understand Guillermo and his motivations (well not so much this season but I can still make sense of them) but why is Nandor this way? I want to study him like a bug and go inside his brain

I, too, feel the feminine urge to put Nandor in a jar and shake him. I've had a couple days to think about this now, so here are my thoughts. There... are a lot of them, fair warning.

At first, I thought this was a loss response. He lost all 37 of his wives and their children in one fell swoop, and that seems to be something that has affected him strongly. And, y'know, I still think that's part of it. I think that after losing everything he had, the idea of trying again and making new relationships scares him. Having someone to love is having someone to lose, and Nandor is so afraid of loss.

But then, y'know, I thought about the actual relationships he had with his wives, and I think a lot of what affects him now affected him then, too. It's a little hard to tell because most of the information we have from him is several centuries removed from the actual events, but it does seem like he probably never loved any of them with his whole soul. He said he didn't love all of them, and that's by his own admission. He didn't fight to keep any of them when they all left, and none tried to stay with him despite his vampirism. And he was pretty clearly leaving them alone for long periods while he went on his campaigns.

I think it's kind of telling that of all the creatures for his ghost to remember and miss, it wasn't any of his wives, it wasn't any of his men. It was... a horse. So I think we can probably say that he had a hard time creating serious human relationships even when he was alive.

I think... I've talked about this before and I'll probably talk about it again, but I do think that Nandor's got an almost pathological sense of dissatisfaction. He's never actually satisfied with anything in his life and he's always chasing after the next big thing. But I think that's because he's afraid of the intimacy that comes from working at a relationship. It's easier to chase the idea of a relationship than build one with the people who are already close to you.

If you think about it, all of Nandor's serious love interests have never really demanded vulnerability from him. Even Gail, his longest-term relationship to date, was a fairly surface-level love story. She didn't expect much from him; he was just a guy for her to have some fun with every few years. The things they knew about each other were also very surface level. Like in the grand scheme of things, who cares if she likes yogurt and Bob Seger if you can't figure out her actual basic character motivations? It's important to remember little details about your SO, but Nandor was missing the forest for the trees.

So when he was alive and now that he's dead, we still have the same Nandor. A man who was constantly conquering new lands instead of cultivating the country he already had. (And immediately letting it fall to shit without even noticing once he was turned.) A man who had 37 wives, but not one who would stay with him once things got hairy. A man who was very happy to pursue new love interests, but very hesitant about actually giving them any real part of himself.

Nandor is a man who is all about acquisition, but he doesn't know what to do with things once he's got them. He loves the thrill of the chase, but the aching and terrifying vulnerability that comes after that is anathema to him. He's simply not willing to put in the work. He likes the fun part, the conquering, the fighting, the hunt. But actually opening up and cultivating a real relationship? Letting them see the awkward, weak parts of him? Trusting them to love him anyway?

He hates that.

I'm thinking back to season 1, y'know? When Guillermo got hurt? He told him that he was his friend, but then immediately felt too vulnerable and walked it back. That's Nandor. Letting people see the soft, unexplored emotions inside of him is too much for him. It makes him feel fundamentally unsafe the way a battlefield never has. Even he doesn't like examining those emotions too closely.

(And let's be real... a horse isn't going to ask you about your feelings.)

So then we have Guillermo. Guillermo, whom he cannot hypnotize into forgetting his awkward, embarrassing moments. Guillermo, who has slowly learned him over the years, both inside and out. Guillermo, who has seen him at his worst and still loves him. Guillermo, who knows him.

Nandor has a kind of intimacy with Guillermo that I'm not sure he's ever had with any other living soul, and I think that scares him. I think it thrills him, yes! I think that's sort of what was actually happening in that familiar fights episode. He senses this strange bond with Guillermo and wants to strengthen it and test it and wallow around in it. He can tell on a fundamental level that there is something important and good and fun there.

But he also refuses to examine it. He refuses to name it. He refuses to let Guillermo that last little step into his heart. To put it into the show's metaphorical terms, Guillermo has managed to break into Nandor's secret basement treasure room despite his best efforts, but Nandor still batted Guillermo's hands away when he tried to examine the treasure.

He still can't even force himself to admit that he likes those rainy Sunday movie nights with Guillermo or that Guillermo is his best friend. (Though Guillermo now seems to understand the things that Nandor cannot say, in these situations.) I think admitting to himself that he's in love with him is just far too much for him. I think admitting that he loves, truly loves, Guillermo would be admitting that he's never felt anything like this before. I think it would be admitting that he's never let anyone in this deep.

And most of all, I think that would be giving Guillermo the power to hurt him like no one has ever managed to do. Not his 37 wives, not his dead children, not Gail. No one. Because if he lets Guillermo see all the most intimate parts of him and Guillermo doesn't like what he sees... that would break him, I think. If Nandor finally allowed himself to really try with a relationship and still got rejected... well, let's just say that it would hurt a lot worse than Gail's rejection of the shallow version of himself that he allowed her to see.

I think that the real root of Nandor's issues is a fear of vulnerability, loss of control, and rejection. He won't let himself fully feel his feelings because he can't control where they'll go. We're talking about a literal former warlord over here. He likes to control things and he likes to feel powerful. The fact that he can't control his own emotions is troubling to him, and the fact that he can't control his relationships with others is even more so.

So he at least controls what he gives them of himself. What he allows himself to internally acknowledge. He still keeps some parts of him segmented off and secreted away. Because it's a way to protect himself and protect that sense of control. If he never allows himself to become fully vulnerable with a person, he can retain control. If he never allows anyone to fully know him, then they cannot reject the most fundamental parts of him that he never allowed them to see.

It is, I'm afraid, one of those mortifying ordeal of being known things.

We're starting to see him loosening up, though. He was willing to give up control of the Council. Control of the household. Control of his life to Guillermo. He's willing to be something other than the leader at all times. And he's starting to let go of those emotions he's kept on such a tight tether for all these years.

I keep coming back to s3, y'know? When he said, "I have no one to share my dreams or my fears with." That's what Nandor really wants here. He wants someone he can finally free himself around. He doesn't want someone that's willing to let him confide in them -- he wants someone that he can bear to confide in. He wants someone who he can trust with those parts of him like he's never trusted anyone before. He wants someone who he can tell his most secret desires to without fear of judgment or reprisal. He wants someone who he can talk to about being afraid without feeling like he's lost a fundamental part of himself when doing so.

And then in 4.06 that's exactly what we saw. We see Nandor truly opening up, truly allowing himself to be vulnerable with someone on his wedding night. But not his wife. It was Guillermo, when Nandor finally allowed himself to give Guillermo something real and true and scared. To admit how he was really feeling right in that moment. The vulnerability we saw in his eyes for just a moment was heartbreaking.

He's still completely repressed and completely in denial. The fact that he went through with the marriage in the first place is evidence of that. He still ended up choosing yet another shallow, empty relationship that would place no real demands on him. But I don't think he's going to be able to ignore what he really wants for much longer. I think realizing what a massive cock-up this wedding was is the beginning of the end for him.

I think Nandor's going to hit a breaking point soon, and it may very well come when he realizes (or at least believes) that Guillermo no longer wants him. He's finally found that person that he's willing and able to give everything to... and that person might just reject it.

For now, anyway.

Ah... love... I feel you, Nandor, it sucks...

#replies #wwdits #wwdits meta #nandermo #wwdits s4 spoilers

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countrymusiclover · 3 years ago

Text

4 - Falling for a Vamp

(Gif not mine. Belongs to respectful owner)

Part 5

Princess more than a Nickname

@the-big-bad-klaus @alanaangie24

Brooke bursts into my chambers pacing back in forth in a panic. Her dress swaying as she did so. I sit at the foot of my bed about to go meet Nik by our favorite tree near the river a little ways from the castle. "I can't believe. I actually did that. God why did I do that?" Raising my eyebrows I have no clue what she is talking about. She's normally not this paranoid about things so it must be something serious. "Brooke, care to tell me what's making you go crazy?" Finally she spun on her feet facing me and blurting out. "I kissed one of the Mikealson siblings!" I jumped up on my feet taking her hands in mine trying to calm her down before the whole castle hears her. "Which one, was he good, or was it Rebekah?" I listed off questions with a grin on my face.

"Do you remember the guy that Nik was talking to after your dance. Well apparently that was...Elijah. I never thought I could be with a Lord..." She runs her hands through her hair going back to pacing. I shake my head trying not to squeal like we're children again. "What am I saying he doesn't feel the same way. He didn't really kiss me back. I'm a handmaiden and he's a Lord it would never work." I grab her by her shoulders holding her still so she would stop freaking out. "Brookie, did he kiss you back. If he did then that means he feels the same way. So go to him. Go to him Brooke." She starts to rebuttal but she stopped seeing a serious look on my face.

Brooke hugs me then picked up the ends of her dress running out of my room. I shake my head grabbing my cloak drapping it over my shoulders. Nik and I haven't kissed yet because I haven't ever had my first so I'm nervous that he won't feel the same. Walking down the hallways I slipped through the horse stables to reach the tree. Nik leans against it arms crossed over his chest with that typical smirk. "I must say you look more beautiful under moonlight, princess." I stopped walking being a few steps away from him as my cheeks turn red. "So what do you want to tell me?" I asked tucking hair behind my ear seeing him slowly walk to me, making us much closer then we were when we danced. "You said earlier that you wouldn't be afraid if vampires did exist....would that still be true if I told you I was....was one."

Klaus's POV

I slump down in one of the living room chairs running my hands down my face. Bonnie must be lying. Y/n was a originally human when we met. There's no way she's supernatural or no way she used to be before we met. Foosteps came down the stairs for me to notice it's Elijah. He sits in one of the side chairs while I'm on the couch. "The Bennett Witch told me about Y/n-" I cut him off resting my chin on my hands intertwined together. "It's not possible Elijah. She can't have magic in her blood..." He leans back resting his fingers to his lips releasing a deep breath. "We need to concern ourselves with more than how she is going to be powerful, brother. She'll be in transition if I do recall correctly. And she will remember everything...even what happened to Brooke." I can see some tears in his eyes at mentioning her name. I wasn't blind to the affection my brother had formed for Brooke Tames, Y/n's handmaiden.

Elijah's POV

"Elijah!" I spun around on my feet hearing Brooke's voice entering the horse stables. We weren't allowed to be seen together. And she had mentioned that she loved horses. "Miss Tames, I thought you would enjoy this spot." I greet her with a smile before she runs up throwing her arms around my neck pressing her lips to mine. I gasped stumbling backwards taken back by her actions. I didn't plan on getting close with anyone in this kingdom. Rebekah was off flirting with every man she could. Kol didn't care how much suspicion he caused and Niklaus had sweeped a princess off her feet. So I have to be the responsible one if we are to keep hiding from our father. "I think I'm falling for you..." She mumbled against my lips where I kiss her back not caring for one second the risk. "I'm starting to love you too, Brooke's." I never dreamed holding her in my arms for a second would in danger the rest of her mortal life.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

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imeminemp3 · 2 years ago

Text

im sure dreams has been analysed to death but ill list my favourite parts:

- margarets dream seems so boring and heteronormative and sexist and it IS but um well im living in a world where she's a lesbian so it has LAYERS. surface level oh she has a beau and he goes off to war suddenly and then he and some other soldiers end up needing her care end of story but when you filter it thru her being a lesbian..... it's the comphet, of course, and the fact that her true calling (the army) is the central theme other than the man, is so telling. like babygirl. the war ripped this guy away and then you had to do your job and yeah it ends on this cool shot of her staring past the camera covered in a blood stained wedding dress, but it's not in a way that recalls horror tropes it's in a way that recalls her white scrubs and it represents the fact that the army and being a nurse is her life. one could frame this as a Realisation moment for her. she doesn't need some guy she doesn't need to be a bride she has a job she loves and is good at and no matter how much she will try to be a bride it will always seep back into her life. anyway that's all for that

- obviously beej dancing with peg..... um hello.... the way that they dance into OR and when potter needs him, he immediately turns away from her and focuses on the job, leaving her to leave back to this fantasy world while he doesn't spare a backwards glimpse.... well. you know. he loves her but she represents an ideal for him, an ideal that can't in reality come between him and his responsibilities

- mulcahy falling asleep during that guys boring confession and the way the words become jumbled as he falls asleep. love that. his dream to me feels quite surface level but im sure if i tried i could delve into it. ok well mulcahys dream is about how he strives to be a great priest but he's just surrounded by so much gore and terribleness... the crucified jesus turning into a crucified soldier during his sermon... also everyone showing up at his sermon is like. a blissful dream for him cause um nobody ever shows up

- charles' dream.... he's usually a serious type guy so seeing him perform magic tricks in an effort to save the patient really hits. not only is it a reflection of feeling silly and incompetent, it's also a reflection of the way he views himself as a wizard at his craft, and now it's falling flat because all he can do is these silly little tricks

- and of course hawks dream..... giving himself away, piece by piece, until he is left alone without both his arms, things he needs for his work... and the vibes of feeling incompetent, stupid because he slept thru a lesson..... he gives and he gives and he gives so much..... also the fact that charles is just sitting there the whole time til he was needed was just um well it was kind of funny lol

sorry well it turns out i did analyse it so oh well! obviously honourable mention to klinger and potters dreams - potter yearning for home, his horse, his childhood, and klinger as you can see is still afraid to die.......

#dreams #mash #s8e22 #hawkeye #diary #mash 4077 #best care anywhere

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panjakes · 3 years ago

Text

Under the oak tree

Parings:JeonghanxReader

Summary: You meet Jeonghan under the oak tree outside your kingdom

You were a just an average girl who lived in a kingdom. You and one of the kingdoms knights had some how crossed paths. It was a chilly day and you just wanted to be away from your family.

“Yn!” Your father shouts as you step outside your family home

“Yes father?” You ask

“Do not go outside the wall” he says

“I won’t” you say

“I’m serious Yn! Don’t go outside the wall again!” He shouts

“Okay I said I won’t” you said rushing off because he could speak again

You went to the stables first visiting the horses your father owned. There were three. Misty,Chi, and Kansas.

“Morning guys how are you?” You ask the three. The all negh in response

“Aw I missed you too” you say patting chi’s head

You get them water and brush their mane’s and head out to your favorite spot

The Oak Tree

“Yn! How are you?!”

You look up seeing one of the knights. You give a smile and wave

“Oh I’m fine Minhyuk and you?” You ask

“As fine as I can be…where ya off to?” He asks

“To pick flowers for Nahla you know she’s likes them” you say smiling

“Ah yes pick the pretty pink ones for her” he says smiling

“I will” you say as he opens the gate

You rush out before anybody could recognize you. You and minhyuk were friends and he wouldn’t sell you out to your father. Your father was a retired knight. Back in his day he was in his prime. Everyone showed him the upmost respect. Since he he was retired he worked in the palace while your mother was the village baker.People came from miles around just to taste her delicious treats.

You were the middle child of three. Your brother Taichic worked in the blacksmith shop while you and your six year old sister freely roamed the village. You liked to all yourself an adventurer. Or maybe an explorer. You grew up in the village and explored every inch of it. You knew it like the back of your hand. That’s why you adventured outside the village.

Your father had caught you plenty of times which resulted in scoldings. Very hash scoldings. But it didn’t stop you from leaving.

Once you got to the oak tree you spun around collapsing on the ground around the soft grass surrounded by pink clematis sunflowers, lilies and lilacs. You turn head smelling the lilac. You smile at the smell and the atmosphere. Peaceful and beautiful.

You get up and start picking the flowers for Nahla. She was to afraid to go outside the walls. Your father had striken fear into her mind and heart. She never even went near the gate. But you didn’t mind picking flowers for her you had nothing better to do.

After picking your flowers you sit down and decided to watch the sunset. The sunset was so calming you fell asleep against the oak tree.

Mean while knights from the opposite kingdom were passing by on their horses. Jeonghan noticed your figure on the tree.

“ you guys keep going I’ll catch up” he says

“Are you sure?” S.coups, the head knight asks

“Yeah I’ll catch up” he says riding over to the oak tree. Even though you were sleep you heard him coming and you placed your hand on the knife on your grater. When jeonghan reached you he got off the horse and checked your figure for wounds from afar.

You quickly swoop up from your sleep state knife in hand.

“Woah woah Ms. calm down.I’m am not the enemy. I’m am knight jeonghan from Asgardia. I just wanted to know if you were okay” jeonghan says showing both his hands. You look him over and noticed the symbol on his armor. He was telling the truth.

“Yn. I must be going” you say grabbing your flower basket and walk off

“Wait. It’s late” jeonghan says walking in front of you not wanting to grab you to avoid another knife to the face

“Exactly why I must be on my way” you say

“Where are you going? I can escort you there” he says making you stop and sigh

“I’m fine thank you Knight jeonghan” you say walking off again only for jeonghan to stop you again

“It wouldn’t sit right with me if I left you out here…so please allow me to take you home.” He says holding out his hand. You stare at his hand then him before sighing

“If it helps you sleep at night fine…I’m from the ustawi kingdom” you say getting onto the horse by yourself

“Isn’t that a coincidence…I was heading that direction” jeonghan says smirking

“Oh my” you say rolling your eyes.

The whole ride back to your kingdom was filled with jeonghan trying to make small talk and you responding with dry one worded answers.

“State your business!”

“Minhyuk it’s me!” You say poking your head from behind jeonghan

Minhyuk signals for Kihyun to open the gate. Once the gate was open jeonghan goes in. Once he stops the horse you hop off

“Yn! Do you have any idea how late it is?” Minhyuk asks coming down from his post

“Yes I know but-“ you start but he cuts you off

“Your father has been looking for you” he says

“Shit!” You say

Minhyuk looks up at jeonghan who was getting off his horse

“Thank you for bringing her home safely” Minhyuk says bowing

“No problem” jeonghan says bowing himself

“YNNNNNNN!”

You look behind you seeing your father rushing over to you. You turn back to jeonghan handing him a oak leaf

“Gotta run thank you knight jeonghan” you say before running off

“YN!!! Don’t run from me!” Your father says running after you

Jeonghan looks at the oak leaf and smile

You Yn, we’re an interesting woman.

#ambw #ambw fic #black girls are beautiful #black reader #black reader insert #kpop #kpop poc #x black reader #x black!reader #kpop imagines #seventeen jeonghan #seventeen #seventeen ambw

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allthingsarmin · 4 years ago

Note

Hello there, so I haven't seen a lot of your works but for what I've seen I really like it! I was wondering how would be Armin's reaction to an s/o who's even more skilled at manipulating people than he is?

Thanks and have a lovely day!

Thank you for the request! I’m sorry this took me a while to write (I came down with a horrible cold), but I hope you’re having a lovely day as well!

GN!Reader

_____________________________________________________

ᵔᴥᵔ Armin values your intelligence. Whether or not you believe you’re smart, he appreciates your insight, open-mindedness, awareness, understanding, and things alike, so he is obviously very impressed that you’re able to read people well and have them right where you want them, listening to the controlling words that smoothly roll off of your tongue and manipulating them with that seemingly innocent glimmer in your eye.

ᵔᴥᵔ Though Armin knows you’re intelligent, he thinks your manipulation works well only because you’re so cute.

ᵔᴥᵔ Look at you, so cute, right? Your mature stature, seemingly friendly nature, wide smile, kind eyes, and a soft voice you only use on others you’re manipulating. It’s enough to fool anyone as it hides your sly nature.

ᵔᴥᵔ And he’s honestly fine with you manipulating playing little jokes on your friends… like when you convinced Mikasa to give you her last piece of bread because you were just feeling so faint, your bones so feeble after you fell off and got trampled by your horse on the last mission. Of course, Mikasa can’t ignore the sadness in your eyes, the way you grab your head and say that you feel so lightheaded, the way you limp up to her to start a conversation, so obviously, she can’t deny you her last piece.

ᵔᴥᵔ Armin watches the whole situation take place and is just bewildered because how did you get someone as quiet and rigid as Mikasa to give you her last piece of food? It never worked when he did it, and he is demanding that you give him some tips.

ᵔᴥᵔ Armin also likes to have a little fun with your skills, and occasionally, you guys will tag-team a manipulation situation to have some laughs.

ᵔᴥᵔ Prepare for trouble and make it double:

ᵔᴥᵔ One time, you tried to convince Sasha that she was technically a cannibal because potatoes alarmingly share so much DNA with humans.

ᵔᴥᵔ “Sasha, look, I didn’t really want to have to tell you this, but you’re behavior is really concerning me,” you said with raised brows and a hushed tone. “The way you’re obsessed with potatoes… don’t you know that potatoes and humans share similar DNA? You’re like a cannibal. It’s frightening!” you exclaimed, shuddering and shaking your head.

ᵔᴥᵔ Sasha erupts with laughter, her mouth full of food. “Yeah right,” she snickers.

ᵔᴥᵔ Armin chimes in. “Y/n is serious, Sasha. That’s why we don’t talk with you as much anymore… I mean, we even call you the potato titan…” he trails off. And there it is. The final button has been pushed as you both walk away, giving disturbed looks to Sasha and exchanging wide grins with one another in secret, interlocking hands. For a while, neither of you saw Sasha eat a potato.

ᵔᴥᵔ Everyone views you two as a power couple. Unbelievably compelling, heroes of humanity, a force to be reckoned with, people who do what they need to and always succeed with the best possible outcome. No one doubts you two, and threats should fear you. You each can’t deny what an honor it is being with one another and working together, especially Armin who is in awe of your fervor and strength, who blushes at your beauty, and whose heart still skips a beat when you grab his hand - (but you do this because you know it makes him feel mushy on the inside). It’s funny, really, the intense atmosphere you bring to the branch, but on the inside, you two are softies who are taking up responsibilities and doing what you are lethally and dangerously good at.

ᵔᴥᵔ You wouldn’t consider yourself to be a “bad person,” but you can’t deny the fact that you love being a little smarter and more manipulative than Armin Arlert because that means you always have him under you - under your control right at the tips of your fingers. Not in a bad way of course… you just love the way that he would do anything for you, that he does whatever you ask, and makes time for you always. And of course you would do anything for him, but can’t you imagine all the things you could make him do for you or to you? Making him only want you and need you? Making him suffocate himself inside your warmth, him being so strong yet so dependent on you?

ᵔᴥᵔ Armin is maybe a tad bit jealous that you can manipulate quicker, easier, and better, but he knows he is better at strategy than you, and he is just lucky that 1. someone can take some pressure off of him. 2. is in the presence of someone so smart, witty… someone that he can learn from, gain knowledge and experience from, and someone that he can have intelligent conversations with, exchange clever jokes with, etc.

ᵔᴥᵔ However, he is a little concerned:

ᵔᴥᵔ Though Armin is strategic, powerful, and extremely useful, he is a gentleman who just happened to get caught up in a terribly hard situation. He had to put his values, dreams, and humanity aside in order to protect others, in order to manipulate enemies… This was very hard for him to do, so he is a bit concerned how you find it so easy to just ‘turn on’ your manipulation mode and are able to control people’s actions so easily and without guilt. Of course he knows you wouldn’t do anything bad, but it frightens him a little that you're this good.

ᵔᴥᵔ Armin also deals with a lot of self-doubt after being bullied and being viewed as weak and useless amongst other things, continuously having to prove himself to others who constantly overlooked his worth. He knows his worth now; he knows he is smart and cunning… but with you being so dangerously clever - a whole other level above him - he can’t deny that he is self-conscious, that he sometimes quivers out of fear and anxiety when he is in your presence. You are so good at what you do - a natural. It’s so easy for you, and he worries that he will have to yet again prove himself to others since you're the "person to go to" now.

ᵔᴥᵔ Armin trusts you - of course he does - but with feeling so weak in your presence, he can’t deny he is a little scared of you using your power over him. What if you’re just using him? As a joke? For personal gain? To get information? These thoughts run through his mind as his heart fills with insecurity.

ᵔᴥᵔ However, Armin is smart too, and he knows that someone who is a better manipulator than he is wouldn’t share their weaknesses with him, wouldn’t share their hilariously embarrassing stories with him, or their fears, dreams, doubts. He trusts your reassurances because even though you’re a master manipulator, he knows who you really are. He knows that when you’re hungry, you become agitated by the slightest sounds because your head hurts so badly, or when you’re anxious, you tend to bite the skin on your lips. He knows that your legs get shaky when you have to tend to the horses at night because you’re secretly afraid of the dark, and he knows how hard it is for you to suppress your laughter when talking to Captain Levi because he is just a little shorter than you. Armin knows you’re a badass - a devious and scheming one at that - and yeah, he can’t deny that you’re the most powerful person he’s met - but when you two are cuddling together in his small bed at night, candles lit, breathing softly, he knows it’s the real you because you’re the one who goes to him for reassurance.

ᵔᴥᵔ You’re both clinging softly to one another, Armin resting his chin on top of your head and giving you forehead kisses while you’re buried into his warm, muscular chest, taking in the distant noises of his heart beats.

“Do you think I convinced him to kill the rest of his team?” you asked, concerned.

“Of course you did, baby, didn’t you see the look on his face?” He reassures you, blue eyes lighting up, and laughing that you’d even ask a stupid question like that. Of course you convinced him… because that’s what you always do.

“Haha, yeah you’re right. He did look pretty pathetic,” you both erupt into hearty laughter. You rest easy, feeling accomplished knowing that you held back a dangerous threat yet again… and Armin takes a deep breath, feeling proud of his robust, intelligent, and manipulative partner, feeling lucky as he gets to sleep beside one of the most powerful minds in the world.

#armin arlert #armin x reader #aot x reader #aot

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mfs-research-institute · 3 years ago

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I know this is not the case, I mean until this point the information we have got from the series is that Alder may be responsible for the surge of the spree but not directly. Yet isn't it a little bit fucked up that in someway Alder ( or the witches in general) needs the spree and the caramilla to justify their existence, like if they don't exist, if there is not a tangible enemy, witches are not necessary and sometimes I think that Alder plays a major game manipulating the perception of these enemies with the purpose to keep the army necessary, cause civilians are the true and biggest enemy of witches and maybe ALders the only one who knows exactly what happens when civilians turn against witches.

Oooof this is a loaded question! Let's see what people are thinking:

-----

Dan on our Discord: My first instinct is that isn't that the basic vibe of all major conflicts? Both in the MFS Universe and our own timeline? Armies only exist to 'protect' nations from other countries and vice versa, which only in turn creates more conflict in its own fucked, self-sufficient cycle.

@Jalehh: Yes, Alder and her actions in Liberia (forcing dodgers to conscript, them resisting, Alder deploying Sgt. Nicte Batan's new work and making surrendered people kill themselves) seem directly responsible for the formation of the Spree to me.

It also seems like America in this 'verse still has colonies (the showrunner called the conflict in Liberia a colonial war) and is a major player in world politics with India and China being at different stages of rivalry. Even if there aren't open wars among nations, and no asymmetrical conflicts like with the Spree, a well-maintained military will help to secure a powerful position on the world stage... plus you never know who wants to be the next bully on the world stage. Si vis pacem, para bellum. Pretty sure there would be enough to do for witches... even if it's 'just' training exercises or civil aid works done by the military or some 'good' old gunboat diplomacy.

Of course, it would be nice to prepare for peace and maybe transform the witch army into a peace or technical relief corps. But, being the Army/Armed Forces seems to have given at least some witches quite some power - Alder and Petra Bellweather come to mind and with the past they had (Burning Times) - and anti-witch sentiments still very widely accepted, I understand why they would be afraid to give that up. Plus, witches in the army are organized and no longer scattered all over the land... which makes them a bigger target, but also allows for a strength and unity that would otherwise be lost.

@baby-horse: Same coin but different side - I wonder if the civilians want to keep the army around, purely because it puts (almost) all the witches in one spot; easily handled. I think it's mutually beneficial, but not necessarily for the obvious reasons.

That kind of answers the question as to why the civilians don't just abolish forced constriction for witches, since they're so upset about their 'daughters' being taken. Because the obvious answer to "not our daughters" is to just get rid of that law. But once you do that, then witches would be in the community, which is Bad News.

I guess the question of 'what happens when the world discovers they no longer need witches' is being answered this season. Spoiler alert = it's not good for witches.

@crazyintheeast: Personally, I was wondering about a different direction. If civilians would actually be in favor of witches. We know little about the general attitude of people. Yes of course there is the Camarilla and we know of others bigots like the guy who got into Tally's face. But we have also seen another side. The man who proudly gave Tally his ticket, the women who came to Raelle for healing and were extremely grateful, the large parades in honor of witches. Even with the protest against them I felt that only some of them were actual bigots while the others merely hated the army and didn't want their daughters enslaves.

I would find it really interesting if a significant portion of the civilian populace is actually in favor of witch liberation. Some out of moral principle because they oppose slavery but also many out of purely practical reasons. Imagine if instead of being limited to the military they had Fixers in every hospital who could save countless lives. We already know that witches assist in disaster areas but they could do even more if allowed. Witches actually being a part of society instead of being isolated in the military could be something that many want.

But also, I was left with the impression that China and not Spree are the main adversary and not all nations are in The Hague. I am not exactly sure, but I always saw Spree as merely assisting local witches in various countries rather than leading themselves. Similar to how CIA would train various guerrilla fighters and try to destabilize countries.

But I could actually see a full-blown civil war emerging. The current situation in the MFS strongly reminds of the historic situation of the Ottoman Empire where their slave army had become so powerful that they had serious influence on all rulers. And when new technology emerged the Sultan used the new tactics to attack his salve army and eliminate it.

Although, considering the existence of the Hague, this may even grow into a World War if Wade is removed from Alder’s influence and Silver becomes president. Maybe he’ll try to use the Camarilla and other troops to eliminate US witches? And without nukes to go full MAD this could be a massive war that has been building for a long time.

-----

Thank you for the ask! As always, if you would like to join the conversations on our Discord, please shoot us a DM for an invite!

#sarah alder #nicte batan #VP Silver #motherland fort salem #motherland: fort salem #mfs theories #mfsri nerds answer #mfsri #mfs research institute

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kaylorrehabcenter · 4 years ago

Text

Rating Every Song on Fearless Based on How Gay it is

Hello friends! I still have a few song analyses in the pipeline (and one on Lover the album) but today in honor of Fearless (Taylor’s Edition) being announced and Love Story being released in a few hours I thought I’d do something fun to celebrate!

And you know what? Fuck my usual disclaimer, I am the word of god here. Try and change my mind about any of these. I dare you. (I kid I kid this isn’t that serious and you’re free to disagree <3)

1. Fearless 15/10

Everything about this song is so fucking gay oh my god. This isn’t a fruit, this is a whole ass edible arrangement. As a small rural town Gay (my hometown has a population of less that 4,000 and where I’m living now has a population of 2,500) this uh. Hits.

“And I don't know how it gets better than this/You take my hand and drag me head first, fearless”

Y’ALL

The idea of falling in love with someone who makes you less afraid of your homophobic small town…….it’s getting to me.

“My hands shake, I'm not usually this way but/You pull me in and I'm a little more brave/It's the first kiss, it's flawless, really something/It's fearless”

This is making me emotional, I'll be honest. I see so much of my friends and my experience in high school in this song.

This quote I found on genius is from when the album was released on BMR’s website.

“When I wrote ‘Fearless,’ I wasn’t dating anyone. I wasn’t even in the beginning stages of dating anybody. I really was all by myself out on tour and I got this idea for a song about the best first date. I think sometimes when you’re writing love songs, you don’t write them about what you’re going through at the moment, you write about what you wish you had. So, this song is about the best first date I haven’t had yet.”

This just screams baby Tay writing gay folklore to me, about the gay stories she wish she had. Notice how there are no pronouns in this song??? Fruity I’m telling you.

All that to say. I’m crying because the linear note says “I loved you before I met you” and I want to go listen to Long Story Short and cry now.

2. Fifteen 1/10

Objectively pretty straight as she’s singing about her and Abigail’s dating boys in HS. And Taylor got with a senior guy. Good for her I suppose.

Unless he was one of the shitty ones in which case.

“This is life before you know who you're gonna be”

This however, is a cute line and the whole song makes me warm and nostalgic. You can also hear her crying after the line “and Abigail gave everything she had to a boy who changed his mind” which makes me emo and I’m sure will take on new depth after Abigail’s divorce and hurt me even more.

Other highlights that make me sob include.

“When all you wanted was to be wanted/Wish you could go back and tell yourself what you know now/Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday/But I realized some bigger dreams of mine”

Bigger dreams of hers indeed :’)

(Also how can you say she’s a gold star lesbian when this song exists. She was obviously dating boys in high school and even if you think she’s a lesbian. Comp het is a hell of a drug kids.)

3. Love Story 8/10

Tried to change the ending indeed.

This is THE Taylor Swift song, and maybe it’s the nostalgia talking but damn I still love it. Written because she wanted to change the ending of Romeo and Juliet (how anyone likes RandJ enough to want to rewrite I have no clue.) and/or because her parents didn’t approve of a guy she was seeing. (according to genius, it would’ve been too early for Joe J so it could possibly be Boys Like Girls frontman, his image did clash with hers and they did release some cute songs together. However if you want my take it’s probably folklore about Emily, take for what you will)

This song has very oft gay vibes with the ‘They don’t approve of our love angle!’ but uses male pronouns so points redacted for that. HOWEVER this is a very early use of ~the male perspective~ in Taylor’s songs and for that it deserves all the love.

“ So I sneak out to the garden to see you/We keep quiet, 'cause we're dead if they knew/So close your eyes/Escape this town for a little while”

More rural town angst!!!

Nothing gets me more than rural town angst.

“Romeo, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel/This love is difficult, but it's real”

Originally the lyric was “this love is different”. Granted I do not remember the source, i’s just lore implanted into my brain, but make of that what you will.

“"Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone/I love you, and that's all I really know/I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress/It's a love story, baby, just say "Yes"”

Marry me Juliet from the male perspective :)

Also worth noting. This is Karlie’s (and Kim K’s lmao) favorite Taylor song which. While basic as hell. Makes this cover sad as hell to this former Kaylor. (thanks @swiftgron-get-married for the tears <3)

Also not to make this about a man AGAIN but the secret message is “Some day I’ll find this” AND SHE DID IM CRYING.

4. Hey Stephen 1/10

The one thing Camilla Cabello and I have in common is loving this song, so I have to live with that for the rest of my life.

This song is very painfully straight.

How can you think this woman is a gold star lesbian.

The only noteworthy thing is that this is one of the few songs she confirms who it’s about. The secret message is “Love and Theft” which is the name of a country music duo who went on to open her Fearless tour. Which, does make me side eye this song a little bit.

Still a cute song.

“Hey Stephen, boy, you might have me believing/I don't always have to be alone”

5. White Horse 1/10

Oh look. It’s track five.

You know maybe this is just me being a bitch but in my ranking of track fives this is. Pretty low. Maybe on the bottom.

Like I don’t have a lot to say about it.

She’s going through it over a guy. He was a cheating dickweazel.

“'Cause I'm not your princess, this ain't a fairytale/I'm gonna find someone someday/Who might actually treat me well”

“Try and catch me now, oh/It's too late/To catch me now”

These lines hit though!!

And she found Joe!! Who treats her well!!!! And she isn’t the princess, she’s the prince who dropped her sword and knocked on her door!!! But this time if they come for them she’s ready!!!

Yes I will make every song about Long Story Short <3

6. You Belong With Me 5/10

Ah yes. The other THE Taylor Swift song.

You know. If I went to a high school with a cheerleading squad. And I had a crush on a cheerleader. I would blast this song. So for that it gets a 5/10. Otherwise. Fairly straight and fairly iconic.

7. Breathe 8/10

Well. We know this one is about a woman. (Emily Poe for those not in the know. Ha. A rhyme!) That alone has an 8/10. And it’s the first time she has a featured artist so bonus points for that!

It was nominated for a Grammy and it fucking lost to Jason Mraz. When’s the last time you thought about Jason Mraz.

I will not have Kaylor feels on a fucking Fearless song but damn is it VERY easy.

“Never a clean break, no one here to save me/You're the only thing I know like the back of my hand”

“It's 2 A.M, feeling like I just lost a friend/Hope you know it's not easy, easy for me”

Also this bridge? Goes off. HIGHLY underrated.

8. Tell Me Why 3/10

You know. Maybe this album isn’t as gay as I once thought.

This song does bop though, not as good as her other angry songs on this album. But I can vibe with this you know. Why are you being an asshole mysterious man.

“You could write a book on how to ruin someone's perfect day”

This has to be one of baby Tay’s best burns. Damn.

“Why do you have to make me feel small/So you can feel whole inside?/Why do you have to put down my dreams/So you're the only thing on my mind?”

Men ain’t shit kids. However, bonus points for the shade.

9. You’re not Sorry 1/10

Ok, ok. Maybe this was a foolish endeavor.

Because yet again we have a very straight song. A good song. That was on Taylor’s episode of CSI. But oh dear. Very straight. Gets a measly one point. We started this post off so very very gay but damn. We seem to be nearing the end on a very straight note.

10. The Way I Loved You 20/10

Hey Remember what I said about this album being very straight.

WELL THAT WAS A LIE.

Is this a comphet album or am I projecting.

This is one of my favorite baby gay Taylor songs. Her masterful use of pronouns (he is sensible! And so incredible! And all my single friends are jealous! But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain, when it was two am and I was cursing your name!) makes the other person she’s singing about completely vague, while we know she isn’t happy with whichever guy she’s dating.

Mayhaps an early reaction to PRomances?

Either way this song is so good, truly an underrated gay gem I mean. Look at it.

“Breaking down and coming undone/It's a roller coaster kind of rush/And I never knew I could feel that much/And that's the way I loved you”

AND THE BRIDGE. Do all of her gay songs just have kickass bridges?

“He can't see the smile I'm faking/And my heart's not breaking/'Cause I'm not feeling anything at all/And you were wild and crazy/Just so frustrating/Intoxicating, complicated/Got away by some mistake and now…”

Damn. I’m imaging this with 2020 vocals and fucking ascending.

Also please watch the live performance of it from the Fearless tour. It’s such a damn shame this got cut from the movie and some woman in the front row is wearing a cowboy hat. Everyone is holding up those cameras everyone had to have before smartphones. Taylor is being endearing. It’s a good time.

11. Forever and Always 6/10

Bonus points for the ~drama~ of it all. Added last minute to the album? The iconic throwing of the chair in live performances?? All of it very dramatique and for that we stan.

Still pretty straight.

Also Joe Jonas responded to the song and why do I find his response so damn funny. “It’s part of being a musician, I guess. You write songs about each other.”

This is another song where the idea of Taylor’s grown up vocals on this is………..whew

12. The Best Day 0/10

This gets zero points because it’s about her literal mom.

Still makes me cry.

God bless Andrea Swift indeed

13. Change 13/10

We start the official tracklist with a gay song. We end it with a gay song.

We will ignore that it was originally written for Scott and BMR and instead induct it into the hall of gay pride anthems, as it should be.

“We're getting stronger now, finding things they never found/They might be bigger but we're faster and never scared/You can walk away, say we don't need this/But there's something in your eyes says we can beat this”

“This revolution, the time will come/For us to finally win/And we'll sing hallelujah, we'll sing hallelujah”

The music video is cringe though lol

14. Jump then Fall 10/10

This song is gay because I choose it to be. <3

Like. Picture baby Taylor writing this song and playing it on her guitar to a girl she has a crush on telling her that she’ll protect her and they’ll be safe and in love and happy together. Gah, maybe I’m ~projecting~ but this sweet ass song always gets me and is EASILY in my top five Taylor songs. Super underrated and hecking cute.

“We're on the phone and without a warning/I realize your laugh is the best sound/I have ever heard”

Like. Look at this shit.

“I watch you talk, you didn't notice/I hear the words but all I can think is/We should be together”

Tell me this is about the first time you get a crush on a girl and she’s your best friend and she’s amazing and beautiful and you realize you kinda want to kiss her and you hope she wants to kiss you too.

“I had time to think it oh, over/And all I can say is come closer/Take a deep breath and jump then fall into me”

And she’s the Romeo who's going to protect her!!!!! She’s the knight in shining armor in this song and I love that for her??

“The bottom's gonna drop out from under our feet/I'll catch you, I'll catch you/When people say things that bring you to your knees/I'll catch you/The time is gonna come when you're so mad you could cry/But I'll hold you through the night until you smile”

I won’t divulge into full on analysis here because. This is what this post is about but PLEASE listen to this song more. It’s such a gay little gem.

15. Untouchable 9/10

How does she make a cover sound gay.

It sounds so gay.

“You got to come on, come on, say that we'll be together/Come on, come on, little taste of heaven”

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

16. Forever and Always Piano Version 1/10

This song gets 1/10 because I don’t like it. There. I said it.

17. Come in With the Rain 3/10

I can see why this is a bonus track. It doesn’t hit me as much as the other songs on the album.

But damn if I don’t want to scream sing this one driving down a high way.

18. Superstar 7/10

You can’t tell me this song is about a man. I simply won’t entertain the idea.

You cannot prove to me that this song is about a man. There is not a male pronoun in sight.

>:)

19. The Other Side of the Door 6/10

Is this song about having a fight about being in the closet? Probably not. Will my gay little brain make it about that? Yep!

And that, funky little queer pals, is my gay rating of every Fearless song. Like and subscribe, #t3atmidnight

#long post //#fearless the album #gaylor #what do i tag this for it to show up for peope??#gay rating

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thememestho · 3 years ago

Text

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ 911 fox sentence meme

enjoy this overly extra sentence meme series. episode 2.08 (part 17 of ?)

Nobody's gonna force you to do anything. We're just gonna talk.

The problem is, after 30 years of marriage, I can't get 30 seconds of attention from my husband!

Yeah, some lady up there thought social media wasn't, like, social enough, and so she's blowing up her marriage in real time.

We found your man. He's on his way.

I don't want to hurt anybody.

I just can't handle being ignored anymore.

He's talking to her?

Yeah, that's either gonna go well or... the other thing.

You think that you have something... something special, you know? She's the one. So you wait. And then, at some point, it hits you: you're alone.

And then-and then you realize... "You know what? It's over." You just need to face it and move on.

I don't know why this is happening. We don't even fight.

I'm pretty sure that's why this is happening.

You look right through me. Y-You don't even notice me.

Then we can spend the rest of our lives together, and I can show you how much I love you.

You don't even know who I am anymore. I mean... I don't even know.

How the hell am I supposed to know? She's your wife.

Maybe you're right. Maybe it is over.

Oh my God. That song. He remembered.

I see the girl who used to sneak out to the beach bonfires and listen to The Psychedelic Furs and The Cure.

I see the girl who once drank nine shots of Jager and woke up without a hangover!

You are really mashing those potatoes.

Just relax. Everything's gonna be fine.

We'll have a nice evening. Good food. Pleasant conversation.

Well, I'd rather be spending it with just us.

Thanks a lot, ____. I love you, too.

I just feel bad that you're spending your night off dealing with our family drama.

Well, didn't you reschedule this three times so I could be here to act as a human shield?

Just give him a chance.

I'm so glad to be here. Thank you for having me.

The world looks so different now that I'm single again.

Happy to help. Even though I did initially think you were just coming over to watch the game.

Are you afraid to get back on the horse?

I would never have noticed that blonde over there, licking the salted rim of her margarita glass while she maintains strong, intimate eye contact.

Yeah, that sounds awful.

Uh, you invited my sister?

Sorry I'm late. I don't know why I get on the freeway. I always regret it.

Because you are an eternal optimist, that's why.

Are you hungry?

Oh, yeah, should we get that thing we got last time?

Well, she did manage not to kill anyone.

A candlelight dinner is a romantic gesture, not a hostage situation 40 feet in the air.

You have to admire her creativity, if nothing else. And she did get her happy ending, sort of.

You're the only one who gets the big picture.

Ooh, would you like some more wine?

The lady said real heroes don't drink pale ale.

I see ______'s got a girlfriend.

I was in a pretty serious relationship, uh, but that's over now, I guess.

I'm actually even thinking about... dipping my toe back into the dating game.

I'm just trying to be responsible and well-behaved.

I just thought I'd stopped being that guy.

Men are the worst, right?

You're asking the wrong girl.

I really like her, you know, and not just 'cause she's a redhead, but now if I do want to call and, you know, ask her out, she's gonna think I'm only after one thing.

You are only after one thing. Jerk.

We'd feel a lot better if you got checked out.

You've already been a hero once today, _____. Don't push your luck.

You thought I was being heroic?

A bit stupid, but heroic.

Kind of like having you around.

Long day?

It's strange to hope for boring, but... we do.

_______. Did you come here to apologize?

I just don't want you to feel used or-or taken advantage of.

And I'm the one who sent you the drink, remember?

Sorry, stud, I got to run.

Another car drifted into their lane, the driver tried to avoid getting hit, car went off the road.

Damn, the tree's folded right into the car.

You really think this is gonna work?

Well, that was some divine inspiration.

Hey, even the big guy's a sucker for a love story.

What if you get caught? She could get fired.

Thank you for that.

Anytime, roomie!

You made me hot mustard.

I just can't anymore, with the whole sad face every time they forget it, so...

Anyway, uh, why so much food?

Buffet Fridays. It's the one day we indulge your sister's complete inability to choose what she's in the mood for.

Yeah, so we order everything.

And, because of your sister's hatred for leftovers, I don't have to buy groceries.

Let's go back to you stealing a hook and ladder for a hookup.

It's your fault. You know, you always told me to go after what I wanted. Be confident. Girls aren't scary.

Don't you have impulse control?

All I'm saying is she's beautiful, she's cool. And then she left me standing in a parking lot.

We're not dating, okay?

That's crazy. We're... Friends who hang out.

You're always talking or texting each other. You sing karaoke together. You do Buffridays, you finish each other's sentences. Guys, come on, you're a couple.

To all our many adventures. And the many yet to come.

Shall we add... another memory to the collection?

It's a beautiful day.

For the posterity of online narcissism.

He can't go. He's my heart, my everything.

I guess I can only hope to find something that good.

You don't find it, son. You make it.

Yes, uh, _____ is fine. Uh, he's an idiot, but he's fine.

My life is a work in progress. It's a mess. I wouldn't expect anyone to want to take that on.

I just didn't want you to feel pressured, that I was pushing you to something that you're not ready for.

You never pushed.

I'm not worried about your life before. I mean, I hate that it happened, but... that would never scare me off.

Good. 'Cause my calendar's... wide open.

What's the occasion?

Well, we've both been so busy, I thought... we should spend a nice evening at home, just the two of us.

You are definitely a keeper.

Yeah. Well, after the earthquake and almost dying twice... It makes you reevaluate a few things. So, back to my roots.

I wasn't sure if you were gonna show. You seemed a little hesitant on the phone.

Oh, is that the way you remember it?

Wow, maybe I should have called him.

We fall in and out of love.

Some relationships can seem easy from the start... and others can be faced with tremendous obstacles.

We root for love to conquer all, but we also root for a comeback.

So maybe the greatest love stories aren't the ones that end in tragedies. Maybe they're the ones that start with a second chance.

#rp meme #rp ask meme #rp prompts #rp sentence meme #inbox prompts

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the-wisteria-house · 4 years ago

Text

Beifong reader

"Hello everyone." President Riko begins "Today we are all here to celebrate the founding of The United Republic-"

Your attention is drawn away from the speech to your mother, who looks nervous. "Hey."You elbow her arm lightly."What's up."

"The Avatar's going to be here to day. I'm afraid she'll cause trouble."She shrugs.

You could tell she was lying. You may be a tween, but you're not stupid. "You should have more faith in her."you then continue"Yes she can be impulsive and ignorant. But she'll grow out of it at some point. She's a good person."

Your attention shifts back to the president when you don't a response.

"Everyone will be paired up with someone with a different nationality or bending. Listen for your name, and the name of your partner." They start to list off pairs. After a few minutes you hear your name.

"(Y/N) Beifong, and Jinora of the Air Nomads."

"Alright bye."You say once you spot a girl in orange.If you would have looked at your mother. You would have seen the panic cross her face.

Lin begins to eternally panic. 'Why didn't I think about this? I knew this was a bad idea-'

"I didn't know you and your sister where back in contact."Her thoughts are interrupted by Tenzin.

"We're not."Lin raises an eyebrow before it clicks. He didn't think you were her's. "Oh, then who's-"

"She's mine."The woman interrupts.

"I just thought- because-well you-umm. Never mind..."The monk stammers awkwardly.

With you and Jinora

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

"I didn't know Lin had a daughter."Jinora looks to the slightly taller girl.

"Yeah,I get that a lot."You laugh ignoring the slight sting of hurt.

"So how old are you?"

"I'm 13, how about you?"

"I just turned 11."You nodded to show you were listening.

"Cool. What do you wanna do first?"

The girl thinks for a moment. "How about we do each others training?"

This confuses you.

"What do you mean? Like for me to drill you like an earth bender, and for me to do you're training?"

"Yes exactly! Well of course excluding the bending part."she gets excited

"I don't know.....do you really want to be trained like an earth blender?"you question

"Yes, it's the opposite of air. I might learn something new."

You chuckle 'She's serious.' "Okay...."

"Let's go fine our parents and let them know what's up."

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

"I haven't seen you in ages!" Katara smiles at Lin.

"Katara, how have you been?" Lin smiles back at the older woman.

"Oh,hey Lin!"Kya greets.

"Hey,Kya."she waves to her old pro-bending partner.

But before they could get to deep into conversation. TZwo young girls come running up to them."Hey,Dad can (Y/N), and I go to air temple Island? I want to show her the meditation spots, and the quart yard."Jinora asks excitment evident in her voice.

"I don't see why not."Tenzin responds.

"Hey Chief, can I go check out air temple Island with Jinora?"Katara raises a brow in confusion. Why were you asking Lin?

"Chief?" Kya questions.

Lin realizes she never introduced you to everyone. "Oh, this is (Y/N), my daughter."she gestures to you.

"Hello."You wave to the adults. Wanting to get out of there emedenty.

"Hey why don't you run me through those drills?"Jinora saves you.

"Alright, are you sure though? Let me warn you. These aren't for the sensitive. I can go easy on you if you want?"You bargen.

"No,don't go easy on me I want to learn the right way!"She incestsis stubbornly.

You laugh "Sue it yourself. You have the stubbornness, that's got sure."

"This should be interesting."Katara sips her tea.

"This is the horse stance."You demonstrate. She copies,but her mussels are to loose.

You walk up to her. "Brace yourself."You warn before pushing her slightly.

You demonstrate again

"Tighten your muscles. Be firm,face it head-on."

After an hour of teaching. Jinora wanted to take things up a notch. "This is cool but I want more of a challenge."she describes. "Okay sure."You pull out a blind fold which confuses the air bender. "What's that for?"You ignore Jinora and put it on. "Do everything I just taught you."You say sternly.

An hour or so later

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

"No,no no! Keep your knee's high Twinkle Toes!"you say still blind fold. "I can barely since you you're like a dancer something."

Katara pauses and looks at her daughter. "Did she just call Jinora-"

"Twinkle Toes?"Lin laughs "Yes,yes she did."

"So Lin,what are some of (Y/N)'s interest?"Katara makes conversation."She's a major history buff and always has her nose in a book when she's not earth bending." Lin chuckles. Katara joins in. "I remember when Aang and your mother were there age. She'd run him around the same way. Well she was alittle apologetic." The old woman reminisced.

Lin didn't respond. You did remind her of her mother sometimes. With you witty responds and smile. Though she didn't see it much only when you spoke about earth bending or your new favorite book.

The metal bender it snapped out of her thoughts "Who's the father?" Bumi asks before earning a hard snake on the back of the head from Kya.

"Now Bumi,you shouldn't you pry. It's non of our business." Katara scolds.

Lin shifts "No,it's fine. He was a guy who I worked with here and there. He was nice, just didn't work out." Lin technically didn't lie, but didn't tell the full truth.

"Why'd you keep her a secret?"Pema Pipes up. Lin only laughs. "She never was a secret. She's just is a quiet kid. Avoids the lime light."She smiles."Well except when it comes to earth bending or combat. She's very can become very competitive."

Before to long you two girls made your way to air temple Island.

It's been a few months since you meet Jinora. You currently where on the air ship helping fine new air benders, and to protect Korra with your mother. Though mainly that was her job.

"Hey (N/N)! Look what I found!"Jinora runs up the ramp of the air ship. Causing you to smile."What is it?" You asked the younger girl.

"It's a pamphlet for a fortune teller!"

"Ah, cool."

"Can you come with me?"She pleads."It'll be fun!"

"I don't believe in that stuff." You wave dismissively.

"I really want to go."She smiles. You glare but then your smile seeps through.

"Fine I guess it won't hurt anything. Come on."

You both make your way off the ship. After briefly telling your parents you're going into town to explore.

"I wonder what my fortune will be?" The metal bender smiles. "Jinora dear.Thake what they say with a grain of salt. It's a shame." She nods.

"It may be. I wanna see for my self if there's truth behind it."

The benders pause in front of a medium sized tent. "This is the place?"

"Yeah, come on."She grabs your hand.

"Welcome,welcome. How can I help you?" A old woman with long gray hair asks in a raspy voice.

"Hello, we're here to get our fortunes." The air bender response.

"I see. Why don't you and your sister follow me."The gray woman walks behind a large tapestry.

"We're not-"You begin to correct her before Jinora interrupts."Come on!"

"What do you see?"Jinora stairs intently at the woman reading her palm. "You will live a long life. All of your children will be powerful benders. Oh I'm getting something else." The woman closes her eyes. "Someone you know they will push you away. You mustn't give up on them." She ends.

"Do you know who?"Jinora pushes.

"No, they did not say."You roll your eyes at the old woman.

"It's your turn miss.(Y/N)." The woman looks to you.

"I never told you my name." Your eyebrows cress in suspicion.

"I know."

You sit down in front of her.

"Let me see your hand." You reluctantly place your hand into her's.

"Your mother isn't around much. Your father has been absent all your life. You have mastered multiple sub forms of earth bending,sand bending, metalbending,and seismic sensing."Your shocked to say the least. "Okay, what else?"

She frowns "You marry a fire bender, one you never expected to fall for. You'll search for the truth of your origins, and get more than you asked for." This left you confused. "What do you mean?"

"I'm only the messager. I don't know anything else."

The metal bender stands."Thank you for your time."

You walk out the tent Jinora tailing after you.

"That was...strange."She says awkwardly.

"Eh, she could be lying. Why don't we go get some thing to eat?"

"Yeah,sounds good to me." Jinora agrees not wanting to push things.

Sorry I know that was bad...I only briefly looked over everything. So there might be some spelling errors. I hope you guys enjoyed. Feel free to leave request, or to ask questions.

#mako x reader #jinora x kai #jinora #toph beifong #lin beifong's daughter #lin beifong #suyin beifong #tenzin #tenzin x lin #tenzin x pema #meelo #the legend of korra #loki fanfic #katara #commander bumi

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rookie-ramsey · 4 years ago

Text

First Pet Shenanigans (Zaid x Ines)

Description: Gabriella gets a pet rabbit. Zaid is slightly terrified of it.

Word Count: 1,593

Rating: PG

Preview: When he turned around, the rabbit stood in the doorway. It held perfectly still aside from the twitching of its nose. Then, without warning, Oscar took a single, almost intimidating hop towards him. At least mildly horrified, Zaid subconsciously took a step back.

Not long after her fifth birthday, Gabriella started asking her parents for a pet.

They had Ines’s cat, but the lazy cat would much rather sleep than play with the toys Gabriella tried to entertain her with.

At first, they hesitated. They both worked full time, and Gabriella was still young. But eventually Gabriella and Ines’s shared enthusiasm for all things warm and fuzzy won, and Zaid gave in.

They ruled out a puppy for now, since a puppy would require more training. Of all the other animals on the planet, surely Gabriella could think of something fluffy that didn’t require someone to be home every day for the first few months.

“You can have a pet if it’s something that won’t be as hard to take care of,” Zaid granted, expecting her to suggest something simple, like a cat of her own.

Gabriella’s response was immediate. “A duck.”

“Well… a duck might not be happy living inside all the time. And they like to live with other ducks, so it might get lonely,” Ines explained.

“Oh.” Gabriella furrowed her brow in thought. “A mini horse. Daddy can build it a barn.”

Zaid rolled his eyes. “Yes. I’ll do that with my extensive knowledge of barn construction. I’ll get right on that.”

Gabriella rolled her eyes in a perfect imitation of him. “I was joking. Can I have a rabbit?’

At that suggestion, Ines looked thoughtful. “Hmm.. I think a rabbit would be okay.”

“Okay!” Delighted, Gabriella flung her arms around them and squeezed tight before she shoved a somewhat concerningly sticky iPad into Zaid’s hands. “Let’s find a rabbit store. We’ll go get my rabbit tomorrow.”

Zaid made a face and set aside the sticky device. “We still need to talk about it. We’ll let you know later. We both have to work tomorrow.”

Gabriella shrugged, unfazed. “Call Dr. Naveen and tell him it’s a really, really big emergency. Say it’s the biggest emergency ever and you can’t go to work!”

“Somehow I don’t think that would be the best choice.”

Huffing, Gabriella took her iPad and climbed onto the couch. “Can I still look at pictures of rabbits?”

“You can do that.” Ines helped her get started and watched as the five-year-old scrolled through Google images of rabbits. “They’re so fluffy…”

It was in that moment Zaid knew they’d have a rabbit by the end of the week.

XXXXX

The day Ines took Gabriella to pick out her rabbit, Zaid fully expected them to come home with a cage containing a perfectly normal, small rabbit.

His first mistake was daring to make such a bold assumption.

Instead, Gabriella walked into the house with a leash clutched tightly in her hand. At the end of the leash was a harness, and in the harness was the biggest fucking rabbit Zaid had ever laid eyes on.

“What the… how… why is that rabbit the size of a shopping mall Easter bunny?”

“He’s a Flemish giant,” Ines explained. “We started out looking at the smaller ones, but then Gabriella saw him and fell in love with him.”

Recovering from his shock, Zaid stared at the oversized rabbit. “I thought we said her pet can’t be bigger than her.”

“I’m bigger than him!” Gabriella helped her rabbit stand on his hind legs. His head came to her chest, but his big ears just barely passed the top of her head. She peered between his ears and grinned. “I named him Oscar!”

“Like Oscar the Grouch?”

“Yeah!”

“Why do I feel alarmed?”

“He’s not actually grouchy at all. He was the most affectionate rabbit they had. The employees at the rescue center even said that these rabbits usually have a milder temperament than smaller breeds,” Ines informed him, reaching down to rub the rabbit’s big head.

“He’s just… massive. Terrifyingly so.”

“He weighs nineteen pounds.”

“He wants to explore.” Gabriella unhooked his leash. Oscar paused for a moment before he took off, bounding down the hallway. Gabriella chased after him.

“Does he really have to be walked like a dog?”

Ines shook her head. “No. He’s already litter box trained. We stopped at PetSmart and bought everything he needs.”

“What does a rabbit that size eat?”

“Regular rabbit food. Pellets, cabbage, carrots. Stuff like that. Just a lot more of it.”

Oscar hopped back into the living room. He stopped when he almost ran into the cat and froze in his tracks. Mittens hissed at him. Offended, Oscar cowered back from the cat that was half his size.

“We got him a habitat to stay in while we’re not home. You and Baz can put it together.”

Gabriella knelt next to Oscar and patted his furry head. He pressed his nose into her palm and sniffed. “I think he wants food.”

“We’ll bring his stuff inside so you can feed him. Make sure he doesn’t get into anything,” Ines instructed. She and Zaid brought in their purchases from the pet store.

Oscar watched in what looked like fascination as they opened the giant bag of rabbit pellets. Gabriella filled his bowl with it and sat back to watch as he nibbled hungrily on the food.

After a few minutes, Oscar left the food bowl to finish investigating the house. Gabriella followed him to keep him out of trouble.

They were getting dinner started when Zaid heard light footsteps entering the kitchen.

When he turned around, the rabbit stood in the doorway. It held perfectly still aside from the twitching of its nose. Then, without warning, Oscar took a single, almost intimidating hop towards him. At least mildly horrified, Zaid subconsciously took a step back.

“He’s not gonna hurt you!” To prove her point, Gabriella flopped onto the floor. Oscar climbed on top of her, practically burying her beneath his fluff. “See? You can’t be scared of your own grand bunny!”

“My what now?”

“He’s my rabbit, so that means he’s like my kid and you and Mommy are his grandparents,” Gabriella explained, her expression serious. “Rabbits are just like fuzzy babies.”

“Those two things aren’t exactly comparable.”

Gabriella shook her head. “Well, I said they are, so… there. I’m not gonna argue about it.”

Ines tried to stifle a laugh. “Zaid, I think you just lost the argument. Oscar’s officially our grandchild.”

Oscar sniffed Gabriella, twitching his nose several times before laying his big head on her shoulder. He didn’t budge until a minute later when the door opened and Baz walked in.

“Oh no! My niece turned into a rabbit!”

Gabriella rolled out from under Oscar. “Nuh uh!”

Baz let out a sigh and pretended to wipe sweat from his forehead. “Whew. I was worried. Who’s this big guy?”

“Oscar! Daddy’s scared of him!”

Baz grinned. “Oh, he is? Tell me all about it.”

“Excuse me?” Zaid frowned.

“He gets scared every time Oscar looks at him,” Gabriella explained, grinning mischievously. “But I tried telling him Oscar’s his grand bunny and he’s not supposed to be afraid of him.”

“Of course not. Well, that and the fact that he’s just a harmless ball of fluff that no grown adult should be afraid of.” Amused, Baz knelt down and patted Oscar. “If he’s your mom and dad’s grandchild, does that make him my grand-nephew?’

“Yep!” Gabriella laughed and found Oscar’s leash. “Can we take Oscar outside to play?”

Ined nodded. “Just make sure you keep him on his leash.”

“Okay.” Grabbing Baz’s hand, Gabriella steered him toward the door so they could take Oscar outside. “Tell me more stuff Daddy’s scared of.”

By night time, Oscar seemed to have made himself at home. He occupied the end of the couch, content and comfortable while Zaid and Ines watched a movie and Gabriella colored at the coffee table.

Without warning, Oscar crawled across the cushions and sprawled across Zaid’s lap. He sharply rammed his head into Zaid’s hand.

Gabriella giggled. “He wants you to pet him.”

Tentatively, Zaid patted the rabbit’s head. Oscar sat upright, looking him directly in the eye. “I can’t tell if he’s thanking me or plotting my death.”

Gabriella sighed and rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t kill people. He’s not that smart.”

Ines snapped a picture, much to Zaid’s chagrin. “He looks so comfortable.”

“Well, good for him, I guess.”

“You look adorable.” Grinning, Ines leaned over and kissed him. “Okay, Gab, time for bed. Go pick out a book and we’ll be in there soon to read to you.”

Gabriella groaned and tried not to yawn. She held her eyes open and sat up straighter. “I’m not sleepy. See?”

“I see. I also saw you falling asleep a minute ago. C’mon.”

Sighing in defeat, Gabriella patted Oscar. “Come on, Oscar. You’re gonna sleep in my bed.”

At her beckoning, Oscar hopped off of Zaid’s lap and trailed after her. Zaid and Ines soon followed to read to Gabriella. Oscar was stretched comfortably across the foot of her bed and watched as Gabriella handed her parents a book.

“Oscar wants to hear about Peter Rabbit,” she insisted, only to fall asleep by the third page of the story. Wide awake, Oscar hopped off the bed and followed Zaid and Ines to the living room.

The second Zaid sat down, Oscar plopped into his lap.

“I think he likes you.”

Zaid sighed when Oscar looked up at him, staring at him with wide eyes and refusing to budge. “I’m still getting mixed signals.”

“He probably just knows you’re a softie.”

“How did I give him that impression?”

Ines shrugged, grinning. “Animals notice stuff like that.”

Tags. part 1

@princess-geek / @lapisreviewsstuff / @silverlitskies / @paulfwesley / @dr-brianna-casey-valentine / @junehiratas / @choicesstanblog / @trappedinfandoms / @justanotherrookie / @bellcat2010 / @desmaranj / @lion-ess24 / @nooruleman / @caseyvalentineramsey / @xee-na / @edith-eggs1 / @oofchoices / @schnitzelbutterfingers / @tefigranger / @jlynn12273 / @laceandlula / @crazy-loca-blog / @somegdchoices / @sanchita012 / @forthebrokenheartedthings / @lilyvalentine / @parkerattano / @drramseysownsme / @misswhit12 / @drethanfreakingramsey / @juneiswriting / @macy-ray85 / @swimmingauthordreamerbonk / @myusualnerdyself / @siaramsey / @takemyopenheart / @queencarb

#open heart #zaid x ines #zaid mirani x ines delarosa #zaid mirani #ines delarosa

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undertalethingems · 5 years ago

Text

Bark at the Moon Chapter 18: Another Truth

Or read on my Ao3>

Rating, Setting: Gen, Pre-canon

Chapter Warnings: None

Chapter Summary: Undyne suggests visiting Asgore to see if he can recall anything about the brothers’ past--but they need Alphys’ insight, and she’s late to the meeting...

"I apologize for failing my duties, sir," Undyne said, voice amplified by her helmet. She stood stiffly at attention, braced for whatever Asgore would say next. He was kind, and her mentor, but she'd abandoned her responsibilities. "I put a personal matter before my oath to protect all monster kind, and I accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate."

Asgore furrowed his brows, perplexed. "This is about the 'beast' incident, right? The rogue monster that turned out to be your friends?"

"Yes. I spent some time afterwards to search for them, to exclusion of all my other work."

Asgore sat back in his throne, stroking his beard. "You still had the rest of the guard on duty, correct? And you found them in the end... So, it all worked out, didn't it?"

Undyne sighed. "Sir... you really are a big softy."

"Well, I can hardly lose my best captain!" Asgore said with a smile. "Your dedication is something to aspire to--I hate to think what may have happened had you given up on your friends, and I'm sure they're happier for it as well. You did the right thing."

"Thank you, your majesty," Undyne replied, bowing her head. "Um, with that out of the way... I was wondering if I could ask you something."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Well..." Undyne started, then glanced around the room before stepping forward and continuing in a lower voice. "It turns out... the brothers are beasts because of something an old Royal Scientist did. We've--Alphys and I--have been wondering if there's anything you'd know about it."

Asgore blinked, then dipped his head as he thought. "No, I... I don't recall anything of the sort. Perhaps, if I met them, it would jog some memories."

Undyne grinned. "I think we can arrange that. Any particular time?"

Asgore thought. "Well, I am not up to much today... Perhaps after your patrol?"

"That should be fine. I think Alphys will want to come too, if that's alright."

"Of course! If she's helping with this conundrum, I think it's all the better," Asgore agreed. "If it's decided, then I shall see you later!"

"Yes sir, I'll let everyone know. And... thank you."

"Of course, captain. I'd have done the same thing."

Undyne nodded, then saluted before marching from the throne room. She should have known Asgore was too forgiving to hold her search-and-rescue stint against her. She'd been working harder than ever, trying to make up for her shortcoming--even sorting through old paperwork she usually got someone else to do. But... if it made no difference to Asgore, maybe she could lighten up on the extra patrols and have time for her friends again. With Sans and Papyrus not needing her help anymore, it'd been a few weeks since she'd seen them--and the last time she'd talked to Alphys had been during one of her shifts, and she'd had to cut her off. It sucked, and she was looking forward to having a social life again. The moment her patrol was over for the day, she pulled out her phone.

"Alphys, hey! Listen, I know it's short notice, but the king wants to meet with us--you, me, and the bros to discuss what's up with them."

"Uhhh what, y-you mean, like right now? H-how short-notice is this?" Alphys stammered on the other end, and Undyne regretted putting her on the spot.

"Er, yeah. I mean, I'm sure Asgore wouldn't mind waiting a bit--I have to tell the brothers too, and then we all gotta head to the castle... so, maybe in half an hour?"

"I was about to--w-well, I guess I don't have to do that now--um, so should I bring the files on what we know so far?"

"That might be a good idea. Asgore said he doesn't remember anything about it," Undyne replied. "Which is odd, but I guess so is everything else about this."

"Y-yeah... okay, let me get some things together, and I'll meet you guys there!"

"Great! I know we'll get to the bottom of this--alright, see you soon!"

Undyne hung up, then dialed a different number. "Hi Papyrus! Are you guys busy?"

"Undyne! An excellent choice in calling me--what can I help you with?" he replied, and she chuckled.

"Actually, I think we're gonna be helping you--Asgore wants to see you guys, and figure out if he can remember anything about... uh, what happened to you. He's ready to see us now, so head on up to the castle--Alphys is coming too, and we're all gonna meet there in about twenty minutes."

"Wowie! King Fluffybuns himself! Alright, I'll wrangle Sans and see you guys there!"

"Okay, see you in a bit."

With her calls made, Undyne set off for home to get out of her armor, then for New Home. ...Wow, Asgore was really bad at names. But, it didn't matter--he was a great leader otherwise, and he was going to help them figure out how the mess with the skeleton brothers had ever started. She marched toward the castle purposefully, wondering what they might discuss. The castle soon loomed overhead, and she grinned as she saw the brothers waiting just outside.

"Hey guys! Looks like you made good time."

"It's hard not to when your brother decides he's done enough walking for the day," Papyrus replied with a huff, glaring down at his brother, who chuckled.

"listen, i've had enough action for a lifetime bro. think i'm gonna slack off even more."

"Sans! That! Is almost a fair point, but I think even you know you can become too lazy! So I won't allow it!"

"fine, fine. think of it as me saving my energy for important stuff then."

Papyrus snorted, then turned back to Undyne. "Well, the main thing is that we're all here. Right?"

Undyne glanced around--she hadn't spotted Alphys. "I think so--Alphys must have gone inside already. Shall we?"

"We shall!" Papyrus declared, leading the way in.

Asgore was waiting for them in his throne room, perking up from tending flowers when they entered. "Ah, howdy everyone! I was just finishing up a little gardening. I hope you're all well--once Doctor Alphys arrives, we'll get started."

Undyne frowned. "She's not here yet?"

Asgore pursed his lips as he shook his head. "No, I assumed you'd all be arriving together. She's not with you?"

"No..." Undyne trailed, "but, maybe she's just running a little late. It was pretty short notice, and she said she had to get some stuff together..."

"Well, let's wait for her then. I don't believe there's any rush," Asgore said, turning back to the flowers, picking off dead stems and sprinkling water as he puttered along. "Let me know if you would like tea. It would not take long to make at all, and I always find it comforting when discussing... serious matters."

"That is an excellent idea," Papyrus replied, glancing to his brother. "It would be lovely to sit and tell this tale around the fireplace while we all drink flavored leaf water together!"

Undyne noticed that neither of the brothers--but particularly Sans--had stepped far into the throne room. Sans looked tense, and Papyrus was casting concerned glances... Oh. Golden flowers...

"Yeah, I could go for some too," she agreed, and Asgore smiled and set his watering can down.

"Wonderful! Go sit anywhere you like, I'll start the water boiling."

The trio headed back through the hall up to Asgore's home while he brought up the rear. Undyne picked a spot at the table, and the brothers followed her lead as best they could--most chairs weren't exactly made to accommodate dragon-horse-lizard things. But they managed to get settled, and Undyne noted they looked more relaxed now that they weren't surrounded by flowers. Only a few more minutes passed, and Asgore carried out a small tray with the steaming kettle and five dainty teacups. He gave one to each of them, leaving the fifth empty.

"I do hope Alphys arrives soon," he said, finally taking his seat. "It has been a little while since I spoke to her... But she seems to be very busy with her experiments, and I do not want to impose."

"Yeah... I'll text her and see what's up," Undyne said, pulling out her phone and sending a brief message, then sipped her tea. Asgore was always really good at getting it to just the right temperature.

"So," Asgore began, "are you boys... doing alright? I do not know the full story yet, but, Undyne told me a little... It sounds very frightening to go through something like that."

"We're doing much better now!" Papyrus replied brightly, perking up. "It was scary at first just because we didn't know what to do... and while we still don't know what to do, we're not afraid of people hunting us down anymore!"

Asgore blinked. "Er, yes, that's good to hear. I'll do my best to help you. How are things in Snowdin? I do not get out there very often."

Papyrus happily began filling him in; after listening for a while, Sans turned to her.

"nothing from alph yet?"

"No... that's weird, she's usually pretty quick. It's like her phone is glued to her hand some days," Undyne joked. "She hates phone calls, but, maybe I should try that next. Hold on."

She dialed, and listened to it ring--it picked up. "Hey, Alphys! I--"

The call dropped. Or had been hung up. Either way, it had cut off without a word, and Undyne frowned before dialing again. This time it rang and rang until finally going to voicemail, and Undyne left a message. "Hey Alphys! We're all waiting for you at Asgore's place--is everything okay? Call me back soon."

"We will give her a little more time," Asgore said, refreshing everyone's tea. "Perhaps something came up."

So they waited. Sans dozed off with his head resting on the table while Papyrus and Asgore got into a discussion about puzzle history; Undyne found herself checking her phone every few minutes, but the result was always the same: no new messages. An hour after their meeting was supposed to begin, she stood.

"I'm going to check on her."

"Do you believe something's wrong?" Asgore questioned, looking worried, and Undyne grimaced.

"She's never taken this long to reply to a message... Even if she just got distracted, I wanna check up on her."

"Very well. Brothers, you can stay here if you like..."

Papyrus rose as well. "I'll go too! Between the two of us, we're sure to find her!"

"ok bro. i'll stay here. as long as asgore doesn't mind me monopolizing the spot in front of the fire."

"Oh, I don't mind. I was going to do a little tidying, if that's alright."

"guess it's settled."

"Okay. See you guys later then," Undyne said, then headed for the door with Papyrus in tow. She broke into a jog, heading for the elevator that would take them right to the Core's upper entrance, and they'd reach the lab from there. Papyrus kept pace easily, and occasionally sniffed the ground to see if Alphys had come this way--but he'd found nothing yet.

They made it to the lab, with neither incident nor finding Alphys--it was like she hadn't left at all. Undyne exchanged a look with Papyrus, then stepped forward. The door slid open, and she cautiously entered. The lights were still on...

"Alphys? Hello? It's me and Papyrus, we came to check up on you... Uh, 'me' being Undyne of course..."

Only her own voice echoed. Undyne frowned, and headed further in. Papyrus put his nose to work, sweeping along the floor to find the freshest trail, which led him to the door marked with a bathroom sign.

"She's, in there," he said, stopping just short of it.

"The bathroom...?"

His tail twitched. "It's. There's one down there, yes."

"Down... Papyrus? I know you said you were... born here, but... what are you talking about?"

He stared at the door. "This floor is just the nice part of the lab. There's a lot more floors down below. She must be on. One of those."

She noted how stiff he looked, and grunted. "Well, we have to find her. If she got in trouble somehow... Well, I'd want someone to come looking for me. I know you don't like it here, but... I won't let anything happen to you either. Come on."

She stepped forward again, but the door didn't open this time. She tried again, waved at it, but nothing happened. It was locked. Well, that wasn't about to stop her--she took a few paces back, then leapt at the door from a running start, landing a flying kick directly in the center. The metal buckled and folded back under her assault, revealing a short hallway leading to an elevator. She landed on her feet, and turned to see a very startled Papyrus looking back at her.

"...I'll fix it later. Let's go find Alphys."

He took a deep breath, then followed her into the elevator. "Maybe she'll keep it as a testament to your frightening muscles, Undyne."

Undyne snorted. "Maybe. Now, which floor do you think we should try first? Start from the top and work our way down?'

"If she's in trouble like you think, that could take too long! Let's see..." Papyrus stepped closer to the control panel and narrowed his eyes. "A-ha! ... I have no way of knowing either."

"You could probably smell her though, right? We just need to find which floor has the strongest scent," Undyne suggested, and he perked up.

"Of course! Down we go!" He pressed the first button--but nothing happened. "Hmm. That wasn't as timely as I hoped."

He tried again, then the next one, and the next--but got the same result.

"Do any of these work?!" Undyne groused, and ran her hand down the side of the panel Papyrus hadn't tried. The elevator shuddered--and finally moved. "Hey! I got it!"

"Good job! Hopefully that's the only floor of this horrible place we'll have to check!"

Undyne gave a bittersweet smile. "Yeah."

The elevator finally slowed to a stop and the door slid open. They stepped out into a dimly lit hall, and Papyrus sniffed.

"Huh. I don't think this floor looks familiar, actually. The good news is, Alphys is definitely here. But..."

"But what?" Undyne asked warily.

"I can smell... Oh, it's probably just the smell of science! Come on, she must be close!"

Undyne watched him bound ahead, noting he looked tense again. He probably just didn't like being down here, but... She summoned a spear just in case, and followed the sound of his footsteps as they clicked on the tile floor. It was eerie in these halls... nothing like the bright, airy lab she knew. Did Alphys really work in a place like this? It didn't seem like her.

But maybe it was like they guy she'd replaced.

She quickened her pace to jog beside Papyrus as he did the sleuthing, and they swept through the darkened passages together. They passed a heavy blast door, and through a room full of beds; Undyne wondered at them--Alphys was always talking about robotics and computers, and didn't have assistants... But Papyrus skirted them, heading for the next doorway.

They were traversing a long straight hallway when a fluid, pale gray mass burst from the floor. Papyrus screeched, backpedaling straight into Undyne and knocking the wind out of her as she tumbled to the floor. She struggled to get up--then realized Papyrus was now standing over her protectively even as he rattled with fear. He hissed, a deep threatening sound Undyne had never heard from him, and the strange mass quivered--but didn't move. Papyrus planted his feet and inhaled, light gathering in his jaws before firing a beam of magic straight into the thing's center--and then it split into three.

Or was it in three places at once?

Undyne scrambled up, panting as she tried to get a read on her opponents. They were unlike any monster she'd ever seen, a slimy heap of tendrils and faces and--a glowing eyelight met her gaze, and she suddenly realized there was a pit in her stomach. Actually, this thing looked too familiar now--

It made a horrible electronic screech, and Papyrus yelped. He fired another beam, and Undyne snapped out of her horror. However horrible she thought this thing was, it was even more distressing to her friend. She readied her spear, selected the same entity Papyrus had attacked--and yelled.

Its health bar was broken.

Whatever damage Papyrus had dealt had only increased this thing's vitality--it had broken the readout. They couldn't hurt it. If they couldn't figure out how to spare it, it could...

"Papyrus! I know this is weird coming from me, but, we can't fight these things!"

It was the entities' turn. They attacked together--or perhaps only one of them did--filling the bounds of the board with strange smiling faces. Undyne did her best to dodge them, only to look over and see Papyrus curled up, unmoving, and quaking with fear. Not good. As soon as it was their turn again--he fled the battle. Undyne looked from him to the other, grit her teeth, and followed suit.

"Papyrus!"

She came to a crossroads, and decided to keep going straight, hoping it was what Papyrus had done and that he hadn't slipped. Something about whatever that thing was had made him react instinctively--she'd never known him to lose control in battle like that. Bringing him along was starting to seem like a really bad idea.

"Papyrus?" she called again, slowing down as she entered another room. The walls were lined with fans, which circulated fresh air in. But that wasn't what caught her eye--a pair of orange lights shone at her from the end of the hall, and below the hum of the fans, she could hear bones rattling. Papyrus was curled up at the far wall, and he whimpered as she slowly approached.

"Hey punk, I'm here. I won't let that thing touch you again. C'mere."

She knelt, and was nearly knocked over as he barreled into her. She adjusted her footing to support him better, and she waited until his shivering had calmed down to speak again.

"Do... Can you explain anything about what that was?"

He shuddered again, and opened his jaws to speak; at first, only a dry rasp came out, but he cleared his throat and tried again. "I... it..."

"It's okay, take your time."

He panted, then shut his eyes and took a few deep breaths. "They.. Th-they were... I could have been that."

Undyne flinched. "What?!"

"I could smell it--bone, but wrong--all wrong. Th-their voice--their voices--almost, a-almost..."

She rubbed his back, and he shuddered again.

"I--I'm sorry I panicked, Undyne. I know you expect better of me. They just brought back... bad memories."

"Hey, shh, it's fine. Those things freaked me out too. We came down here to find Alphys, not fight... that. Are you sure she's past... where those things were?"

He heaved a tremulous sigh. "The scent trail was really strong..."

"I was afraid of that..." Undyne said, then her expression hardened. "If they hurt her, I'll... Stay here. I'll go on ahead."

"I... N-no, I should come with. I was just surprised earlier, it's fine!" Papyrus said, standing.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea..."

"If it's too much, I'll just run away again. It's fine! Alphys needs us!!"

Undyne sighed. "Okay. Stay close."

They left the ventilation room behind, with Undyne leading this time. Spear at the ready, she walked slowly, watching for signs of movement and ears straining for the slightest sound. They passed the junction and kept going--it wouldn't be long before they arrived at the spot they'd been attacked at again.

It was so quiet she almost didn't catch it--but far ahead, there was a shuffling sound. She held out her arm, and they stopped to listen. It kept coming--a steady, quiet slap-slap on the tile far ahead. Footsteps... Undyne inhaled, and relaxed as it dawned on her.

"Alphys?"

"A-ah... Undyne..." Her voice sounded weak, and Undyne let her spear dissolve as she ran forward.

"Are you okay?! Are you hurt?! Papyrus and I ran into this crazy--thing, and it--"

"Amalgamate," Alphys interrupted. "You met an amalgamate."

"Wh..."

"Follow me... there's... There's some people you should meet..."

Alphys began shuffling back the way she came, and Undyne and Papyrus exchanged looks. She seemed... downtrodden. Undyne frowned, and followed her down the hall, still on edge should the amalgamate return. The hallway finally opened into another room, and Undyne heard Papyrus stumble to a stop behind her--she couldn't blame him, considering there was a huge machine hanging in the middle of the room, its red outer shell shaped... not too differently from his own skull. It gave Undyne that pit in her stomach again, but Alphys had slipped into a small side room.

"Papyrus, come on. This one's a machine, it can't hurt you."

"... Smells like... more bad memories," he uttered, shivering as he scratched at a spot on his arm. But she put her hand on his shoulder, and they headed into the side room together.

Alphys was surrounded by the white shifting beings. Undyne yelled, summoning an array of spears--but Alphys had leapt, balancing on the back of a couch with arms raised. At least, she balanced briefly--not built for acrobatics, her tail wasn't enough to counterbalance her outstretched arms, and she pitched forward with a squeak. Undyne dispelled her spears and lunged, catching the little lizard just in time.

"Alphys, what the hell is going on?! What--what are these?!"

"I-it's the amalgamates, th-they're friendly! Don't worry!" Alphys quickly explained, and Undyne set her down.

"One of them attacked us--"

"It's not here," Papyrus spoke up, and she turned to him before scanning the room. There was a vaguely dog-shaped mass, a heap of teeth and muscles, a spindly birdlike thing, and what looked like a snowdrake at first but... did it have... vegetoids for eyes? Undyne grimaced. But Papyrus was right--the creature that had attacked them wasn't here.

"O-oh, you must have met the memoryheads," Alphys explained. "th-they come and go a lot... I'm sure they didn't mean to hurt you."

"They scared Papyrus," Undyne replied. "Why are you here? What's going on?"

Alphys shrank, claws fidgeting as she cast her eyes to the ground. "I... I... I don't think I should help..."

"Why not? You're a great scientist--"

"She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this." "She made us like this."

Undyne flinched at the cacophony of voices--the toothy creature had spoken. Alphys looked like she wanted to disappear. The thin bird spoke next, three voices at once.

"She tried her best"

"She wanted to help."

"Ribbit..."

"Sno... wy..." the snowdrake said weakly in the corner.

"I'm... I'm sorry. I... I didn't want anyone to find out about this--what happened here," Alphys continued. "I made a horrible mistake, and ruined these people's lives, and lied--lied to you, to everyone... so... You should just. Forget about me..."

"What?!" Undyne uttered; she was still trying to sort out just what had happened down here, and she was no good at emotional stuff. But she'd have to try--she hated the look on Alphys' face. It was the same one she'd worn just before they'd first met. She sighed, and relaxed. "Look Alphys, I don't know what's going on here, but, I don't care--I'm just glad you're okay! We were worried something horrible had happened to you!"

Alphys looked up blearily. "Really?"

"Yes! You're our friend!" Papyrus spoke up cheerfully, and Alphys managed a weak smile.

"W-well... If you hear what I did... you won't want to be."

Undyne dropped to her knees and cupped Alphys cheeks in her hands. "Alphys. You're SMART, you're PASSIONATE, you've figured stuff out in hours what I never could in a million years. No matter what you did, I'm GLAD you're here, working to help monsters even if you don't always know what's gonna work. We'll figure out what to do--together."

"You mean it?" Alphys said, somewhat muffled and clearly turning pink under Undyne's hands.

"Of COURSE I do! That's what we're gonna do for the bros, right? You think this only applies to them?"

"W-well... I-I... didn't think... I..." She trailed, then placed her hands over Undyne's. "Th-thank you, Undyne. I'm... I'm really, really glad you guys came here. Other wise, I might have... W-well. I wouldn't have helped anyone that way. I came down here because I thought I'd made up my mind to do the right thing, but... I started thinking about it and... couldn't... couldn't bear the thought of losing... losing your friendship. But..."

She sniffled, but shut her eyes, focused. "After Sans and Papyrus told us what happened to them, I knew I needed to come clean about the amalgamates if I wasn't going to be a huge hypocrite. I... I have to tell Asgore that the experiment failed. I have to... I have to let these guys go home to their families. I've been so afraid of the consequences, but... I don't want to be like the Royal Scientist who came before me."

"You can't! You're not a skeleton!" Papyrus offered helpfully, and Alphys snorted.

"N-no, that's true. But I mean, like him in the 'bad scientist' way. I kept what had happened a secret from everyone..."

"Hey, I'm just proud you're willing to own up to your mistakes," Undyne said, pulling her into a hug. "I'm sure everyone will understand... once you explain it."

"Y-yeah... I... I wanted to do that when we met up with Asgore tonight, but, it was such short notice... I chickened out."

"Well, lucky for you we're here to un-chicken you," Papyrus said, seeming much perkier now. "You know old King Fluffy, he's a softy about everything! And, I'm sure all your melty friends will be happy to return home--I know the feeling and everyone will be so happy to see them again!"

Alphys smiled, a bit more genuine now. "I-I think, as long as you guys are there, I can explain everything. But... o-okay. H-hold on a sec."

She drew back, and turned to the amalgamates. "O-kay guys... As you all just heard... I'm finally going to tell the king what happened, and then, your families. I think you should wait here just a little longer, but, you'll... you go home soon. Th... Thank you for... for waiting so long. I hope you can forgive me. But it's time this was over."

The snowdrake shuffled from the corner, leaving a trail of sludge. "S..... no.... wy....?"

"Yes. Mrs. Snowdrake, you'll see your son soon," Alphys said, looking like she might cry. "You just--just wait a little longer, please."

"We'll watch some movies." "We'll watch some movies." "We'll watch some movies." "We'll watch some movies." "We'll watch some movies." "We'll watch some movies." "We'll watch some movies." "We'll watch some movies." "We'll watch some movies."

The doglike amalgamate wagged its excitement indicator.

"Have courage."

"Ribbit ribbit."

"You finally got it."

"Th-thanks guys. I... I'll be back soon, I promise" Alphys said, then turned to her friends. "Okay. Let's go."

The journey back upstairs was much less tense, and it wasn't long before they were finally in open air and on their way back to Asgore's castle. Undyne kept a reassuring hand on Alphys' shoulder, and she tried not to steal too many glances at her; she'd have to do this again when they were just... hanging out. Yeah. That'd be nice...

"So Alphys, if I have deduced things correctly, you created the amalgamates," Papyrus began, "on accident of course, but, I have to ask... where did you get skeletons!?"

"Wh-what?"

"Papyrus..."

"I'm just wondering, because, um, if there are other skeletons and my brother and I never knew about them... um..."

"O-oh, uh... no, I didn't have any skeletons in my test group," Alphys explained, scratching her head. "Why do you ask?"

"W-well, it's just, um... the amalgamate Undyne and I fought, was... skeletons... sort of..."

Alphys' brow furrowed. "Th... how's that possible?"

"I was hoping you knew." Papyrus said, grin tight. "It's not important! Let's meet back up with Sans and the king! They must be wondering where we are!"

Undyne watched him trot ahead, then spoke in a low voice. "It really freaked him out, enough that he slipped, just a little. When I met back up with him and we talked... he said it was something he could've become. That they smelled like bone, but... all wrong."

Alphys studied him as she thought. "I... I can't be sure, but if that's true... It's only a hypothesis, but, that means the memoryheads aren't from my experiments."

"They're from his."

"Y-yeah."

"Alphys... I'm really glad you want to help them. You're a good person, you know?"

She wilted a little. "I... I'm trying to take your word for it."

Undyne squeezed her shoulder, and they continued on. The guards at the castle gate saluted her as they entered, and then it was a matter of making it back to Asgore's house. The king welcomed them in, giving them each a hug as he explained how worried he'd been. Sans was not so concerned--he was blinking awake after napping in front of the fire all evening, and slowly shuffled to join everyone else at the table as they settled in.

Undyne sat next to Alphys, and squeezed her hand as she took a deep breath--and began explaining her experiment and how it had all gone wrong. Asgore listened, eyes wide--then glistening as he listened to her struggles, and Alphys found her other hand engulfed by his as he leaned across the table, moved to tears.

"Oh Doctor Alphys, I had no idea! You should have said something, oh--there there, it is alright, we will get it all sorted out. I'm very glad everyone is alright, even if it didn't turn out like we'd hoped."

"S-so... you're not... mad that I failed? And lied about it for so long?" Alphys asked timidly, and he sat back with a heavy sigh.

"I do wish you'd told me how things were going, but... to be honest, I know how you feel. I do not want war or power, but... The people need hope, and I promised them freedom. I do not feel I can go back on my war declaration when that is what has given everyone something to work for. It is.. difficult to do the right thing... especially when so many people are counting on you."

Alphys blinked, rubbing at her own eyes. "Th... Thank you, Asgore. Everyone should be able to go back home... I can only hope their families will take it as well as you did."

Asgore smiled. "Alphys, though they may be changed, they did not Fall Down thanks to you. I think everyone should be very happy about that."

"Y-yeah. I guess... I guess I g-got too caught up in thinking about it as a failure, and not recognizing the small bit of good that came out of it," Alphys surmised, and Asgore patted her shoulder gently.

"That is how you keep moving forward, my dear. Speaking of moving forward... if that is the full story there... I think it's time we discussed the brothers' predicament. Here, I will make us fresh tea."

He got up, and Undyne squeezed Alphys in a side-hug.

"See? We told you it'd be okay."

"Y-yeah. I... Thanks again. For being there for me."

Undyne caught the looks the brothers exchanged with one another, but they said nothing so neither would she. "Of course, Alphys. Anytime."

Asgore returned with more tea, and spoke as he poured and passed a cup to everyone. "Now then, with a nice fresh cup, tell me this other story, about the beast of Snowdin and how it wasn't really a beast but two nice young men with a strange ability."

Between the four of them, they relayed the different parts of the story. Asgore tried to stay resolute, but on hearing how the brothers had separated, struggled with powerful instincts, and reunited, his eyes were glistening again. Once they got through explaining their origin, the dam had burst once more, and he dabbed at his eyes with a lavender kerchief. He managed to listen to the rest without openly sobbing, but had to take a few deep breaths to steady himself once they'd finished. He rose, and knelt. The brothers turned to face him, and he cupped their heads in his hands.

"Sans, Papyrus... I am so, so sorry that you both have suffered so much, seemingly from my orders to find some way to gain an advantage over the humans. I do not remember this former scientist, but had I known what he was doing--creating living things and using them as tools--I would not have allowed it. I hope you can forgive me."

"It's okay," Papyrus spoke up, raising his head from Asgore's palm to place a paw on it. "No one knew about it, even the people who worked for him."

"you shouldn't blame yourself for the actions of someone else who took advantage of your trust. it was their choice to do that, not yours. that said... maybe you should keep in better touch with your scientists going forward," Sans added, glancing over at Alphys, who nodded in agreement.

"I'll admit, science has never been my strong point..." Asgore replied, drawing back and scratching his beard in embarrassment. "I'm afraid it all just goes over my head, so, I've had to trust what my scientists say... Perhaps I am a fool..."

"In my opinion, it takes a special kind of jerk to do what Gaster did," Undyne spoke up. "Alphys didn't want anyone mad at her--she already had your permission for the experiment. Gaster... he took your orders and twisted them into meaning he could do whatever he wanted, and kept exactly what he was doing from you the whole time."

Asgore nodded gravely. "Indeed. I wish I could help you boys more, as you had hoped, but..."

"s'ok, it's good enough to know you wouldn't be down with the whole 'living weapon' thing."

"No... though war makes us do terrible things... creating life and treating it so callously is inexcusable. If there is anything I can do for you two, please let me know. Alphys, seeing as the Determination experiment is over... you have my permission to work on whatever project strikes you as most promising. If that is helping the brothers, that is quite alright."

"Th-thank you, sir."

"Fantastic! This will be Alphys' most important assignment yet, because the assignment is me!" Papyrus beamed, tail lashing with excitement. "And my brother too of course, but, he's not going to be joining the Royal Guard when all this is over."

"Hey, you still gotta get through me," Undyne laughed. "Let's work on getting you back to your old self, then we can talk about recruitment."

"Oh fine," Papyrus sighed. "But, it's still happening."

Asgore chuckled. "I'm sure. Well my friends, I do not know if it has been a pleasant evening, so to speak... but I'm very glad you came and told me all this. May we all be able to move forward more wisely, and you have luck with your efforts."

"I-I think I'm going to find out what I can from the old labs. There seem to be sections I've n-never seen... M-maybe I can salvage data from the old drives, and have some numbers to compare to the brother's current states--maybe even... maybe even figure out how Gaster was able to do this at all. A monster's body is tied to their soul, so for a monster to be able to change their body... A-anyway, I need data. S-so, that's where I'll start."

"I cannot begin to fathom what that entails, but... I can only trust that you know what to do," Asgore said, giving a small smile.

"W-well, I'll do my best to summarize the reports once I have something," Alphys said, and he patted her head.

"Alright my friends, it is getting late and I am afraid I must retire for the evening. Please take care, and let me know how it goes."

"You can count on us," Undyne said, saluting him, and the others nodded.

"Good. I will see you soon."

They finally left, and Alphys sighed with audible relief. "I was soooo worried you guys, oh my god. B-but! It worked out! I d-don't have to hide anything anymore! W-which means--! Undyne, I--"

"Yeah?"

Alphys trembled, slowly turning red again. "I--I--I have a new anime I wanna show you! We can, u-um, see it later, if you want."

"Cool! Does it have fighting in it this time?"

"U-uh, n-no, b-but--it has--a g-girl--who's good? At fighting?? B-but also... maybe... k-kissing..."

Undyne furrowed her brow. "Huh. Well, I'm sure it'll be great. We can watch that after I help you get the amalgamates home, okay?"

"O-oh, you... really want to help with that?"

"Sure! The guard knows where everyone lives, so we can help escort everyone. But, not tonight. I gotta agree with Asgore, it's pretty late."

"It's early if you don't sleep!" Papyrus offered.

"and if you do," Sans added, and Papyrus swatted at him--a move he dodged easily. "anyway, me and my bro are headed home. let us know when you wanna do science stuff, alph."

"O-of course! Like I said, I want to see what I can find out from the labs first, and I'll contact you when I have more information."

"A brilliant plan Dr. Alphys! We'll talk again soon, and finally find the solution to this most persistent of problematic happenstances. Goodnight!"

In a blink, they were gone.

Alphys shook her head. "Not gonna lie, I wanna look into how he does that t-too..."

Undyne snorted. "Guess you better add it to your project list. Here, I'll walk you to the lab."

"Oh... th-thank you."

They spent the rest of the walk back talking about anything that came to mind; anime, science, a new song Undyne had been working on. It was a nice way to finish out the evening after a long day at work, and then feeling like something awful had happened to someone Undyne cared about so much. If only she could find the right words to say, finally write a letter that could express all the feelings she had for Alphys... but this was nice enough. It seemed like Alphys really liked hanging out with her, and even if she didn't feel the same way, Undyne was glad she knew her.

She was looking forward to seeing her more.

#undertalethingem writes #gaster blaster au #bark at the moon fic #papyrus (undertale)#sans (undertale)#Undyne (undertale)#asgore (undertale)#alphys (undertale)#amalgamates #aaaah glad to finally update this again! ^^#don't know when the next will be out unfortunately ^^;

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