#this is the only reason I tolerate my godmother

[yellingatmountains]

So this is my godmothers recipe that I think she got from a magazine a couple decades ago???

Anyway. This thing became the only reason I went to see her after she decided to support the disdainful cheeto baby handed criminal. And it was the one recipe I grabbed from her before she moved to the south.

Take somewhat equal amounts of Brie and Cream Cheese (preferably slightly greater amount of Brie) and cut into chunks and toss onto a baking dish.

Add dried cranberries, and salted and deshelled pistachios on top of and around the cheeses.

Sprinkle on a semi-generous amount of Herb De Provence.

Toss under broiler until things get a touch melty and everything is warmed through.

Serve in dish with crackers or toasted baguette.

If you have some leftover Brie from your fancy cheese party or whatever you should put it on toast with some strawberry preserves.

[lisbeth-kk]

May prompts

Today's prompt is awkward.

The Luckiest Girl in the World (chapter 5)

Summary: Rosie's youngest godmother takes her shopping, but Sherlock is persistent in choosing the shop. The occasion is too important to leave it to Primark to bring out something tolerable.

Five Years Old

Molly took me shopping for THE dress, but Papa decided the shop.

“It’s too important,” he argued when Molly told him he was being silly for making her take me to Harrod’s, but he didn’t budge.

“She’s only five, Sherlock. Besides, do you know how much it’ll cost?” Molly tried to reason with him.

It turned out that it wasn’t only Dad who could be stubborn, so Harrod’s it was. 

I felt like a princess in that dress we picked. According to the woman at Harrod’s the colour was tea green. Tiny white daisies were spread over the skirt. It felt almost weightless to wear and the skirt stood out in a perfect circle when I twirled quickly. We also bought white shoes and a matching hairband. 

***

“Why is everybody crying?” I whispered to my grandfather. “Papa is only saying nice things about Dad.”

Dad and Papa had married hours earlier, and in-between dishes, there were speeches to be held apparently. It was rather tedious, though I liked listening to Papa and Dad pledging their love for each other. That being said, I already knew this, so it was most likely for the guests benefit they had to repeat it. And Papa hated repeating himself… 

I know better now, obviously, and I totally understand why people were crying. Both Dad and Papa seemed to have forgotten about their guests, and focused on the other man entirely when they spoke about how they met etc. Papa seeked me out and urged me to stand on my chair when he spoke about me though. I ran over to hug him when he lost his voice.

“My precious girl,” he whispered when he knelt in front of me and held me tight.

I tear up every time I think about that moment, not to mention when I see it on tape.

***

Papa wrote a waltz for Dad, and when he played the violin, I danced around the floor in Dad’s arms. When Papa lowered his bow, the quintet started playing the waltz again, and then Dad and Papa danced. Greg Lestrade offered to dance with me like Dad had done, but I wanted to watch my parents. 

When I looked over at my uncle, I saw that he followed every dance move, and his eyes were slightly soft. I even thought I spotted some moisture, but that might have been the light.

***

I fell asleep on my uncle’s lap, but I woke when Dad and Papa came to kiss me goodbye.

“You be a good girl, and listen to Molly and Nana while we’re away, sweetheart,” Dad said sternly, but the stars in his eyes, softened the lecture.

“No experiments in my absence, Watson,” Papa said mock serious. 

Before he stood, he held me tight, breathed me in and whispered with a quiver in his voice: “I’ll miss you, my heart.” 

The awkward moments that had been avoided up until now, at least to my knowledge, started when Greg came over to see the newlyweds off. His pronunciation was a bit slurred at that point, and both uncle Myc, Dad and Papa shushed him when he wished them a fabulous six holiday.

His description puzzled me. I thought Dad and Papa were going on something called ahoneymoon. How the number six fit into that, I couldn’t fathom. Were they to visit six different places, or…

“You will figure it out in due course,” uncle Myc said with a blushing face. “Now, shall we dance one last time before I bring you and Nana home? It seems like a certain major needs some urgent rescuing.”

I looked over at the dance floor where Nana was showing off her dance skills, clinging to Dad’s old friend. He was sweating quite profusely in his uniform, and his eyes looked slightly panicked.

“Nana has a good time,” I pondered. “Papa says she was a bur... burlesque dancer when she was young. Is that burl…”

Uncle’s blush deepened and he cut me off by clearing his throat and muttering something about reminding his brother to watch his mouth around little girls.

Also available on AO3

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[ravenssh1t]

Midnight Kisses - X.T.

telekenesis!reader, Wednesday’s twin!reader, gn!reader, mindreader!reader (lmao), fluffy, SFW

AN: hey beautiful people! this is my first fic that im acc publishing so please be kind. that being said i am always open to constructive criticism. if you enjoy this, please let me know, and if you’d like me to write more, or for other characters, just drop me a message or an ask! I will write for a whole plethora of characters so just let me know which characters and maybe a small prompt if you so desire!! i hope you enjoy!! <333

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I looked over at my alarm clock. The bright red number glared 00:34 back at me. I'd only been at Nevermore for a week or so, and already it was a torturous experience. The glares from Barclay and her minions, the rumours, everyone walking on eggshells around Wednesday and I. It's a miracle neither of us had pulled another 'piranha incident'. There was one thing that never seemed to care about the rumours though. Well, one person. Xavier Thorpe. 

Wednesday had met him before.  His godmother's funeral. Allegedly, she saved his life, which is rather unlike my dear sister. However, in the long run it's been rather helpful.

Since starting at Nevermore, I had only really become close to two people. If you could even call it close. Our new roommate, Enid. And Wednesday's old acquaintance, Xavier. 

Right now, I need a distraction. From the thoughts that clouded my mind and prevented the graceful release of sleep from my grasp. Enid, Wednesday and Thing were all asleep. I decided to head down to Xavier's dorm. Since Rowan was expelled (killed, left, whatever) I've ended up in Xavier's room a few times. Once for stalking purposes, once for homework, once for... well I'm not entirely sure how to define it. But I know that he's what I need right now. 

I crept out of the window, and distracted the housemaster with an illusion of a hamster that I know he loves. I crept up the stairs and knocked on Xavier's door. No answer. I knock again and poke my head in and softly say "Thorpe? You in here?" Nothing again. He must be in his art shed. 

The brisk walk through the grounds was not unwelcome. It gave me quiet. I saw the lights on in Xavier's shed and picked up my pace a little. Something about that man makes me feel a weird tingling in my stomach. It's a new unfeeling. But not unpleasant. 

He doesn't answer when I knock, but I can hear the not-so-delicate sound of Deftones playing through decrepit doors, so I doubt he heard me. I decide to just walk in, and he's got his back towards the door, so I just take a seat on one of the stools and watch him paint. Something about him seems to draw me in. I can't help but admire the way his hair looks in a messy bun with the front strands poking out. The way his tall stature towers over his canvas. His masterful hands sweep the paint in particular ways just to fit his liking. 

I accidentally knock over a plastic cup full of multicoloured paint brushes and he jumps and turns around swiftly and catches me and says “Jesus Christ, Y/N! Do you make a living out of scaring this shit out of people?” and I smirk and say “No, but that is the goal.” He scoffs at my retort and saunters over to me while he asks “What’s wrong?” 

“Who said there’s anything wrong?” I ask slightly bitterly albeit unintentionally.

“Drop the tough guy facade, we both know that Wednesday and Enid are asleep, so you found me. Now, what’s wrong?” Damn. He read me like a small children’s book. 

“I couldn’t sleep. Needed a distraction. For some reason my brain seems to find your company tolerable.” 

He decides to ignore the last statement and instead questions “Do you want to see my new painting?” 

“If I must.” 

We walk over to one of his canvases and he spins it round. It’s me. Well, my hand. My hand in the middle of culminating an illusion with my powers. The deep crimsons and maroons contrast against the vibrant scarlet just like they do in real life. He even got the rings I wear down to a T. 

It’s incredibly rare that I am rendered speechless. But alas, here I am. My mouth ever so slightly agape, mind void of all language. Just pure astonishment. He breaks me out of my trance by saying “Sorry. I know it’s a bit creepy. I can get rid of it if you want-”

“Xavier,” I interject. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”

He smiles at this and the tip of his nose and his cheeks turn a distinct rose-tinted pink. He lifts his hand over the portrait and animates the picture. It moves exactly as mine do. The astonishment I first felt came sweeping back over me like a tidal wave. “Thank you, Xavier. This is amazing.” 

“Amazing enough for a hug?” He questions boldly. 

“Fine.” My reluctance is entirely feigned because the one thing I need right now is a hug. He practically jogs over to me in excitement and wraps his long arms around me tightly. My head sits just at the nave of his chest and it feels like the final two puzzle pieces finally slotted together. “You can hug back, you know?” He (not so) subtly hints as his chin rests on the top of my head. “I know.” I grumble back stubbornly. I hesitantly wrap my arms around him. Oddly comforting. Something in me tells me this is exactly where I’m meant to be at this moment. I don’t notice myself relaxing into the embrace and tucking my head impossibly closer to his chest, but he does. “We can do this more often if you need it.” 

“I may just take you up on that, Thorpe.” We stay there for a few seconds longer, then he lets go, and I do too. I wander back over to the desk and take a seat on the oak plank. He follows me and leans over me to ‘grab a paintbrush’ or so he says. He gently places his hand on my hip as he does, and I feel my face flush bright pink. He catches this and says “Am I that good?” 

“You wish you had that effect on me, Thorpe.” 

“Oh, I know I do, Addams.”

“How’s that then?” I query, genuinely hoping he is completely oblivious to the way I feel about him. 

“You’re a dick to pretty much everyone here. But with me? You had a soft spot almost immediately. You blush every single time I touch you. You watch me paint for hours on end while pretending that you’re doing homework because you don’t want me to notice that you’re staring at me. It’s obvious!” He chuckles out the last statement with the cockiest smirk on his smug, beautiful face. 

“Well, what about you Mr Loner who can’t seem to want to spend enough time with me? You touch me every chance you get. You painted a picture of my hand for God’s sake!” It’s possible I may have gotten slightly defensive. 

“Y/N. I never said it was a bad thing.” He etched ever so much closer to me until he was only two inches away from my face. He placed his strong hands on my delicate shoulders and gazed into my eyes. “Can I kiss you?” Speechless once again. I try to force out something, anything coherent, but I just stammer silently. “Ok, answer me this,” He notices my nerves. “Do you want to kiss me?” 

‘Yes! Yes, Xavier Thorpe! Of course I want to kiss you! It’s my dream, my livelihood, my reason for being alive!’ is what I want to say. No. What I want to scream from the rooftops. But all that comes out is a hushed and hesitant “Yes.” 

He puts his long pointer finger under my chin and lifts my head towards his face so I have no choice but to stare into his beautiful green eyes once again. “Speak up, sweetheart.” If he wasn’t standing in between my legs right now, I would be forcing them closed. “Yes, you dick.” I force out, it comes out slightly louder than I expected, but the excitement is evident in my voice. “Then can I kiss you?” 

“Yes.” I assert firmly this time. 

His hands move down to my hips, and he squeezes them gently. He leans down and pecks me on the cheek, then the lips. Feeling unsatisfied, a sudden overwhelming confidence regains control of me. I wrap my hands around the back of his neck and suggest that “If you’re going to kiss me, you should at least do it properly.” He smirks again. God, he loves doing that. If it wasn’t so attractive I might just complain about it. “Like this?” He asks, grasping my hips harder this time and before I know it, our lips collide again. This time, it’s not as soft and fast-lived. It’s passionate, deep. If I thought the hug felt like two puzzle pieces fitting together, this is ,oh, so much better. Our lips move together in perfect harmony. My hand moves up into his hair, and I tug it gently, which covets a deep groan from the bottom of his throat into my mouth. I had never heard such a beautiful noise in my life. 

He pulled away softly. “Yeah. Like that.” I mutter breathlessly. 

“Thought so. Let’s go back to my dorm.” Yet another bold move from him. 

“I’m not that easy, Thorpe.” 

“No, idiot. You’re staying in my dorm tonight. You’ll sleep better.” 

That makes me smile. “Okay,” I accept. “but I expect more kisses.” 

“You read my mind, Y/N.” Oh, the irony.

[innerpalaces]

The Life of a Cannon Fodder Mother-in-Law - 31

Chapter 31: The Deceived Mother-in-Law 31

Since Cheng Rumeng fell ill, the most common thing she did everyday was to go to the toilet. In the past two days, her condition worsened and she couldn't even get up. She had to have the maid serve by her bedside. Aside from eating, drinking, and taking medicine, she was unable to do anything except rest. With the pain in her body, it was her limit to be able to take time out to think about who the murderer was. How could she still have the energy to look for evidence?

"There is no one else except you." Zhao Zhenyan shook her finger: "Godmother, if you want to slander me at will, my parents will not agree. If you can't produce evidence, don't talk nonsense." She leaned closer: "You can't produce any evidence, however I have proof that you caused my miscarriage and poisoned me." She smiled: "Speaking of this, I have to thank my mother-in-law."

Cheng Rumeng immediately understood that the "mother-in-law" she was referring to was Liu Huixin. In the past few days, she had too many things on her mind, but she couldn't find the culprit for various reasons. Hearing this, she was furious: "She really has bad intentions." Zhao Zhenyan deliberately angered her: "Mother can't let us go, she means well."

Cheng Rumeng: "..."

She mocked: "That woman Liu Huixin isn't a good person. You should not trust her." "If don't trust her, should I trust you?" Zhao Zhenyan said sarcastically, "At least she hasn't harmed me, but you can even kill your own grandson. You are not worthy of being a human being. It must have been eight lifetime's worth of bad luck for my husband to have a biological mother like you. I believe that if everyone could choose their own birth, my husband would not be willing to be born from your belly." These words are really hurtful. Cheng Rumeng's heart ached. "I also want to have a large dowry and be respected by my husband's family..." Cheng Rumeng almost screamed: "If I had parents like her, I wouldn't be despised by you." Zhao Zhenyan fell silent. Cheng Rumeng was right. From the beginning, Zhao Zhenyan did look down on this mother-in-law. It was precisely because that contempt was unconsciously revealed that Cheng Rumeng harmed her child. However, Zhao Zhenyan didn't feel that she had done much wrong. As an elder, she should have been tolerant of the younger generation's ignorance. She didn't want to say anything more, so she turned around and left: "You can take care of yourself." Cheng Rumeng looked at her departing back and shouted: "I want the antidote, otherwise, before I die, I will make my son hate you." Zhao Zhenyan had no reaction and disappeared out of the yard without looking back. On the other side, after half a month, Xu Kui finally came back from out of town. After entering the house, he immediately called for the steward. "Is there any news from Madam?" In the past half month, he had thought a lot. If things were as his mother had said and Cai Miao is just waiting for him to apologize and does not really want to separate from him, then there will definitely be some movement during this period of time. But if there wasn't, it meant she really had given up on him.

The steward was about to report the matter, and nodded hurriedly: "Yes." Xu Kui was overjoyed, thinking that after bringing her back this time, no one would bully her again. At worst, the two of them would move out and start their own business. It would be a little difficult, but no one would look down on her. Just as he was thinking this, he saw the steward look anxious and say: "Boss Liu's has already spread word that the daughter in her family wants to get married, and spent a lot of money to invite matchmakers from all over the city. They started looking at candidates yesterday..."

Xu Kui didn't hear a word of what he said next, and only felt a buzzing in his head, as if someone had slapped him hard. After a long while, he was still in a daze. He asked in a lost voice, "Looking at candidates?" "Yes." The steward couldn't bear to look at his face, so he lowered his head and said, "Boss Liu  said they don't care about family background, the only requirement is that the husband's family must have a good character and can't let her daughter suffer any grievances." Xu Kui had been rushing all the way home, but he didn't feel tired when arrived just now. However, now he suddenly felt sore all over, and his legs were so weak that he couldn't stand at all. He sank down into a chair, drank a cup of tasteless tea, got up, and went to the inner room to change clothes, and then headed to the main courtyard to find his mother. He said seriously, "Mom, I'm going to ask Cai Miao to come back."

At first, Madam Xu really thought that her daughter-in-law would not actually divorce her son. After all, the feelings between the couple were sincere, and the criticism towards a divorced woman was not something that everyone could bear. Besides, both mother and daughter were divorced. Most people would not go so far.

Who knew they were really determined... To be honest, when she heard that Liu Huixin was making arrangements to find her daughter another marriage, she was also stunned for a moment. At that time, she began to worry about how to explain it to her son. Now, seeing her son in a state of despair, she felt bad.

In fact, she knew in her heart that it was not that she had no chance to get her daughter-in-law back. After all, the young couple originally had a good relationship, and it was because of her and her eldest daughter-in-law that they had come to this. If mother-in-law and daughter-in-law lowered themselves and begged for forgiveness, it would still be possible to save the marriage. But she didn't think the Xu family was worse than Liu Huixin. Logically speaking, Liu Huixin should be the one begging to reconcile. In short, she didn't want to put her pride down. "A'Kui, with Cai Miao's temperament, it will be very tiring for you to spend your whole life with her. There is no need for a real man to have such a wife. After this storm is over, I will help you choose a better one."

Xu Kui's eyes widened: "Mom, Cai Miao left after being wronged. How could you say such a thing?" Madam Xu was a little embarrassed: "I didn't want things to develop to where they are now. They were the ones determined to divorce and who will not look back. You two are not destined to be together, so you shouldn't force it." "But we were destined to marry each other." Xu Kui never thought about marrying someone else, and he couldn't accept his mother's arrangement. In his excitement, his voice was quite loud. Jiang Miaoning, who was standing nearby, had a look of disapproval: "Third brother, mother is an elder. Even if you are upset, you can't shout." "It's none of your business." Xu Kui was actually like a firecracker, which would ignite at any time.  Especially towards Jiang Miaoning, the culprit, he was even more rude: "Cai Miao and I were a loving couple, but you, a troublemaker, made this happen. How could you have the nerve to teach me a lesson?"

Jiang Miaoning: "..." After being struck speechless for a moment, she said angrily: "They say an elder sister-in-law is like a mother. I don't expect you to respect me like a mother, but at least you can't curse me! Mother, deal with him!" Madam Xu sighed. "A'Kui, the matter has already turned out like this. No matter how noisy you are, it will not help. It will only make outsiders laugh. That's it. I want to see what kind of good family she can find for Qi Cai Miao!" Jiang Miaoning put her hand on her lips and chuckled: "Mom, I heard that Boss Liu plans to find a live-in son-in-law for her daughter." (t/n: The exact term is "zhuifu" or "zhuixu", which refers a man who marries into his wife's family, as opposed to the other way around. This was usually done if the wife's family was of higher social rank/affluence than the husband's family and the wife was an only child and, therefore, the only one who could carry on her natal family's name and bloodline.) Madam Xu hadn't heard about this yet, and her face was suddenly full of surprise: "A live-in son-in-law?" "Yes." Jiang Miaoning glanced at Xu Kui: "Third brother, if you are willing to marry into the Liu family, maybe you still have a chance..." Xu Kui saw the sarcasm in her eyes, stamped his feet in anger, and simply walked away. He didn't get into the carriage, and just walked quickly along the street, unable to calm down at all. When he came back to his senses, he found himself standing outside the courtyard where the Liu mother and daughter lived. Liu Yuniang was just on her way back home and caught a glimpse of him, so she stopped the carriage, opened the curtain, and asked, "Xu Kui, are you here to find Cai Miao to go to the Yamen and retrieve the marriage certificate?" Xu Kui: "..." He came to reconcile! "Mother-in-law, I've wronged Cai Miao..." Liu Yuniang raised her hand to stop him: "There's no need to talk nonsense, I don't want to hear it. It's getting dark and it's already a bit late today. Early tomorrow morning, I will ask Cai Miao to wait for you outside the Yamen." After saying that, she entered the house without waiting for Xu Kui's reaction. Xu Kui opened his mouth but saw the carriage disappearing inside the mansion's gate, so he had no choice but to swallow back his words begging to reconcile. It is said that one's feelings will be three points stronger after meeting each other. No matter what, just meet the person first and then talk. Xu Kui tossed and turned all night and couldn't sleep, so he went to wait outside the Yamen at dawn. Liu Yuniang knew that he was not willing to give in, and she also understood his feelings. However, many things in this world cannot be solved with only feelings. Xu Kui was too weak in front of his family, and he was not a good husband to Qi Cai Miao.

Xu Kui was afraid that he would not be able to get his wife back, and Liu Yuniang was afraid that Qi Cai Miao would really be too soft-hearted. When she heard the sound of rain outside at dawn, her expression turned thoughtful and she sent someone to the Xu family to inform Madam Xu that they were going to the Yamen to retrieve the marriage certificate. Madam Xu actually didn't oppose her son's desire to get Qi Cai Miao back. However, Liu Huixin specially sent someone to inform her, which showed her attitude of not allowing the two to reconcile. She was also a bit arrogant, so she stood up immediately and went directly to the Yamen. Liu Yuniang was afraid of complications arising, so she also followed. A group of people met outside the Yamen. Xu Kui was soaked all over. When Madam Xu saw it, she looked unhappy: "It's raining, and there is water everywhere. Let's go in quickly." After Xu Kui saw Qi Cai Miao, there was no one else in his eyes. He took two steps forward anxiously: "Madam, I went out of town a few days ago. It's not that I deliberately didn't come to see you..." Qi Cai Miao turned away, unwilling to look at him. In Liu Yuniang's opinion, she must still be a little bit reluctant, otherwise, she would be calm. She immediately took two steps forward and said: "Cai Miao, it's raining so heavily. He obviously has a carriage, but he insists on being outside in the rain. He clearly has a brain problem!"

If he is not mentally ill, he is deliberately pretending to be pitiful. As for the purpose of pretending to be pitiful, it was to make Cai Miao change her mind. Qi Cai Miao reacted and was immediately furious. This man was scheming against her again! He wanted her to give in again! Even if she wanted to divorce, he still didn't ask his family to apologize, but instead tried to arouse her pity to get her to forgive him. In front of him, she would always be the one who had to retreat. Why?

"Xu Kui, you've been out in the rain and will catch a cold soon. Your mother is right, let's go in quickly. Anyway... we have already signed the divorce letter. We are no longer husband and wife, so there's no need to delay."

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[faith-trustpixiedust]

random Descendants headcanons that have been in my brain for so long but I've never really talked about:

Evie can speak a variety of languages; her mother taught her that as a princess she must be able to communicate with anyone.

Gaston has a handful of daughters that he doesn't accept as his own kids. Also, the Gaston twins are Gil's half brothers. (In one fic, the twins' mom is Mother Gothel and Gil's is an OC who was a metalsmith for Hook's crew but that's not really a HC as much as just a world building thing.)

Hans has a son named Hamlet. Hamlet is a Danish prince, Hans is a prince in a movie based off of a Danish fairytale. It makes me laugh.

CJ Hook is a flirt. I have no explanation but she is and it stresses Harriet and Harry out.

Lonnie keeps swords with her at every formal occasion. She was ready to throw down with Maleficent at the coronation and Uma at cotillion if she hadn't been stopped.

Mal explained their plan to steal the wand to Ben after his coronation. He didn't know how to feel at first, but ultimately forgave her and was glad she was honest with him.

Doug also apologized for stalking Evie in D1 and for accusing her of cheating in D2.

In general, people apologize for things they did wrong. Also they all go to therapy. (Chad, however, doesn't properly apologize for things and is overall insufferable, but in an endearing way.)

Chad is a firstborn child and was the only boy for a while, which is why he's Like That™.

Fairy Godmother is the godmother of all of Cinderella's children.

The descendants of anyone who was once under a sleeping spell have some sort of side effect from it. Audrey has night terrors and almost always wakes up with the sun, no matter what time she went to sleep the night before.

Many people that were spelled by villains have problems with fertility, which is why we see people like Philip and sleeping spelled Aurora and Belle and beast cursed Adam with only one child each.

Seaside (Eric's kingdom) makes the best saltwater taffee. I have absolutely no proof behind this but came up with it in like, 2016 and have believed it ever since.

Agrabah loves any reason for a celebration, there's many festivals that occur throughout the year (inspired by the harvest festival in the live action Aladdin)

Persephone visited Hades in the fall and winter after he was put on the Isle, but stopped after the first few years. Enter Maleficent, seeking a political marriage to help enforce her position of queen of the Isle...

Anastasia and the Baker were in a similar situation, except he decided to permanently live on the Isle to be with her 7ish years in.

Most of Anastasia's kids are named after some sort of historical political figure. Anthony for Mark Antony + various OCs. She did this in order to try to get back on Lady Tremaine's good size.

Drizella, on the other hand, had absolutely no rhyme or reason in choosing her kids' names except for the fact that they all start with D.

Evie loves to bake. Everyone in Auradon was very hesitant to try her sweets at first, what with the love spell cookies Ben had and the fact that the daughter of the Evil Queen was offering them apple tarts.

Jane loves anything pumpkin flavored, especially pumpkin spice lattes.

Jay is the first of the core four to learn to drive, and the only one to have his license in D2. Even after the others learn to drive, he still loves taking them places (and they don't complain).

Mal has a high tolerance for spicy food. She once eats an extremely hot pepper on a dare and Audrey tries to prove she's just as good as Mal, she can do the same thing. It does not end well for her.

Carlos connects with the non Isle part of the de Vil family after being encouraged to do so by Roger and Anita. He's cautious at first, but grows to love them.

Lumiere, Plumette/Babette/Fifi/whatever you call her, and Mrs. Potts have all technically retired from their work in the castle, although they do help manage the next generation of maître'ds/maids/housekeepers in Adam's castle. Cogsworth stubbornly holds on to his role as majordomo until Ben becomes king. After the coronation, Chip takes over his role.

Additionally, Mrs. Potts now works in the kitchen at Auradon Prep and is a maternal figure to many of the students there.

The castle's staff were there when the four VKs were first welcomed to Auradon, even though Belle and Adam couldn't make it.

When Uma mentions having coconuts in D3, she ate them in Montuni (Moana's kingdom). Moana meets her but doesn't realize she's the Uma, and they both bond over their shared love for the ocean.

The core four are assigned "punishments" of community service after trying to overthrow the country. Mal is tasked with painting murals around the capital, Jay is assistant coach to a local little league tourney team, Carlos volunteers at an animal shelter, and Evie works in a chemistry lab. Ben feels so wonderfully evil for sneakily connecting them with mentors without them knowing it.

[melodyalanaroster]

Everything You Are Is Everything I Need

Warning: The last paragraph is slightly NSFW!

The café was filled to the brim with people. Verity had aided Nathaniel in a case that brought down a drug trafficker that was using his art deals as a front and everyone was celebrating a case closed. It had almost threatened the future of the café until Verity explained to Alana that she knew something was up with Dan when Alana had told her that she didn’t like him. Alana was annoyed with her godmother that she had gone against her judgement, but was impressed that she had her finances locked up tight and didn’t actually sign anything with Dan. Several family members were present to support Verity. Including, Lynne, Nate, Sam, Ken, Severina, Viktor and Agatha. Even a bunch of their friends had shown up. It had been requested that Alana wear something sweet but elegant to the party, so she decided to wear the black dress, black wrap, black flats, moon choker and blue belt that she wore when she graduated Anteros Academy. It was a simple outfit that she felt comfortable in but was elegant enough to wear to a party. She wasn’t sure why a party with all of their friends and a good amount of the family was being held over something so simple, but, she assumed it was just one of Verity’s whims. Nathaniel was in his work outfit, having just come back from the station and not having time to change clothes.

“I don’t see why everyone is here for a simple case closing.” Alana sighed as she walked around with Nathaniel. “You know how your aunt is. You’ve been saying it yourself that she’s happy to act on her freedom since her divorce.” He grinned. “Come on Mels! Its a party!” Sam cheered as she walked up and hugged her. “It just celebrates a case closed! Why did you and mom have to come home for that?” Alana inquired. “We’ve been wanting to come home for a bit anyway. And this gave us an excuse.” Lynne beamed. “Okay...” Alana rolled her eyes. Eric arrived to the party and Nathaniel instantly walked over to him. “Still can’t stand him?” Severina asked as she walked up to her. “Not really. He’s still annoying... But, he is one of Nath’s best friends, so I tolerate him.” Alana replied. “Yeah, but, at least he’s the one friend that didn’t make a pass at you.” Severina commented. “Armin only did it in High School before he knew about Nath and me. Cass did it before he and Nath became friends. They haven’t done it since then... And Eric knows about my animosity towards him.” Alana explained as she looked around. “This is weird of Verity to do something like this...” Viktor commented. “Oh posh! Leave my mom alone and let her live her best life!” Severina laughed. Alana noticed Castiel and the rest of Crowstorm had gotten to the party. “I’m gonna go greet Cass.” She told Severina. “Okay, don’t forget to mingle with everyone! You’ve gotta stay social!” Severina cooed. “And while you’re doing that, I’m gonna hang out with Eric, Ken and Armin.” Nathaniel smiled as he walked off.

“Enjoying the party?” Alana asked as she walked up to the group. “Its not bad.” Leopoldine smiled as they turned to her. “Looks like your godmother went all out.” Castiel laughed. “Yeah, her reasoning is ridiculous! She helped Nathaniel close a big case and brought down Dan Aberny...” She laughed. Castiel cocked his head, curiously. “Come on, Alana. You went on a two year traveling bender with Nathaniel with the official excuse of graduating college.” He smirked. “That was different and you know it.” Alana scoffed. “So? Alana? Is Nina here?” Gabin asked before Castiel had a chance to respond. “Yeah, I think so... I know she’s supposed to be serving. Why? Are you FINALLY going to make a move on her?” She chuckled. Gabin blushed and ran off without saying a word. “That boy is so in love.” Alana laughed. “It seems everyone is...” Leo sighed, wistfully. “Everyone? Don’t tell me Cass has finally decided to fulfill Amber’s greatest fantasy.” Alana inquired. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Castiel asked, slightly annoyed. “It means I know you’ve been talking since she got out of rehab and you blush every time you get off the phone with her. Does Nathaniel know you’ve fallen out of love with me and in love with his twin sister?” Alana sneered. “You’re insane.” Castiel huffed as he walked off. “He’s in denial.” Leo sighed. “YUP. He has been since this started.” Alana sighed. She looked at Leo. It was easy to tell that she wasn’t over Zach. “Look, I know its cliché but I know you’ll find the one you’re supposed to be with. You’ve just gotta weed through the assholes to find the person who is worth your time.” She tried to be cheery as she put her hand on Leo shoulder. “Thanks Alana.” Leo smiled.

Alana walked over to Rayan, who was by himself. “So? You make your decision?” She asked. “Yes. As much as Anteros has hurt me, I feel like it would be for the worse if I left. So, I’m staying.” Rayan did his best to look strong. Alana put her hand on his arm. “I’ve been telling you this the entire time, and I’m going to say it again... But, you can’t let this knock you down and crush you. Get back up, fight back, and stand victorious.” She smiled. “Not everyone is a fighter like you.” Rayan grinned. “Everyone is a fighter when they have to be. You fought back, proved your innocence, and now you must hold your head high.” Alana stated. “And you? What do you feel about all this?” Rayan asked. “Are you asking for my professional opinion, or my thoughts as your friend?” Alana inquired. “Your opinion as my friend.” Rayan smiled. “I’m glad you’re doing better. I hope Priya continues her walk on the path to redemption. Frankly, I hope Renata enjoys the shit she’s gotten herself in. And Miss Paltry really needs a reality check.” Alana sighed. “I’m still surprised you didn’t tear Priya down like you did Renata.” Rayan commented. “Maybe I’m too soft... It was obvious that she was blinded by the possibility of a young woman getting hurt, and by Renata’s influence. I wanted to rip her to shreds for what she did to you, and for breaking several rules of her trade... But, I couldn’t. I didn’t have the malice in me to hurt her.” Alana replied. “Even in rage, you still show a form of kindness.” Rayan smiled.

Alana then came across Hyun and Dambi. “This party is amazing!” Hyun cheered. “Your sweets are doing really well tonight!” Alana mused. “Thank you! I’ve gotten a bunch of inquiries from Ms. Mekina’s friends!” Hyun beamed. “Hey, Lady Melody?” Dambi asked. “Dambi, I’ve told you repeatedly to just call me Alana.” Alana grinned. “Well, Alana... I just wanted to thank you. I owe your godmother a lot, but you still let me practice in your shop and I’m extremely grateful for that.” Dambi smiled as she hugged her. “It was no trouble at all! In fact, it was quite fun!” Alana laughed. “I’ll never understand it... But gaming makes my sister happy and she can apparently make money off it.” Hyun sighed. “Everyone has their little niche. It was always the best decision to let her chase her dream, just as it was for you to do the same. Even if you two had failed, what would have mattered would be the fact that you both tried. You did, and not only did you succeed, you’re both happier than when you started.” Alana mused. Tears came to Hyun’s eyes. “You know Alana? I hope, one day, I find someone like you.” He blurted out. “Preferably someone who doesn’t have the amount of baggage that I have.” Alana chuckled. “Everyone has baggage. What matters is how we deal with it.” He smiled. “That’s true... But, I genuinely think that you deserve a love who doesn’t need a therapist... Who has had a happy life and can live the simple life that you live.” She grinned as she walked off.

Yael, Chani, Kim, Violette and Yeleen were sat around a table, talking. “Hey guys.” Alana smiled. “Look who it is! You got away from your shop for the night?” Yeleen asked, cheerfully. “Yeah. I wasn’t gonna miss a party like this.” Alana chuckled. “I didn’t realize Verity did things like this. I had heard she was a bit unpredictable on her own, but this is different.” Yael commented. “Yeah, my godmother is like that... You’ve just gotta get used to it.” Alana nodded. “Alana, would you like to sit with us?” Chani asked. “Apparently I’ve been told that I need to mingle with people... So, I can’t stay here for long.” She shrugged. “Awe.” Chani replied. “And you two? How are you fairing?” Alana asked Kim and Violette. “I’m getting better. It helps that she’s keeping me sane.” Kim blushed. “And I’m getting stronger. I’ve got one heck of a trainer!” Violette cheered. “The two of you are a beautiful couple. I’m glad you got together!” Alana mused. Yeleen took a sip of her drink. “I’m glad we got to know each other! This is a fun group of friends.” She chirped. “Artistic friends. We may have different tastes, but that makes it more interesting!” Chani praised. “Here here!” Yael approved. “I’m always happy to see you guys!” Alana beamed.

After walking around and talking to several more people, Alana found herself feeling a bit tired. She quickly located a comfy chair and sat down. “Are you okay, sweetie?” Nathaniel asked as he walked up to her. “I’m just a little tired. Everyone wants to talk to me about idle things... Its not my event, so I’m not sure why they aren’t swarming you or Verity.” She sighed. He looked at her and sighed as his face became serious. “Its because this event is actually about us.” He quietly replied. “What?” She asked, curiously. “I’ve been wanting to do this for at least three years... And, I know how much you love your family... So, I thought it would be best to surround you with the people you love while I do this...” He began. Suddenly, the music turned romantic. “Born on the wrong side of the ocean... With all the tides against you...” the song played. Nathaniel got down on one knee, and held her hands. “I didn’t know that when you and your sister walked into the Student Counsel Room at Sweet Amouris, my life would change forever. I didn’t know that I even could fall in love like this. I had no idea that you would save me... From my father, from my loneliness, from myself... I never knew that I was even worthy of something so pure, fiery, and wonderful. But, here you are, the only woman who could ever make me feel whole. No matter what trials we’ve been met with, with you at my side, I’ve been able to meet them all head on. You’re one of the most intelligent, kind, fun, artistic, beautiful and loving people I have ever met... And I am happy and proud to know that every day, you choose me... Even when I wouldn’t choose myself. You’ve given me everything without me having to ask... Now, I would like to ask something of you...” He continued as his voice wavered and filled with love. Nathaniel pulled a small black box out of his back pocket, opened it, and revealed a simple silver ring with a heart shaped diamond. “I would like for you to make me the happiest man on Earth... So, Melody Alana Roster, will you marry me?” He inquired as he did his best to maintain his composure.

Alana looked at the ring, then at Nathaniel, waves of shock and love hitting her all at once. This was the event she had been dreaming about for years. The event that she had been longing for for so long. There was only one answer that she knew she could give him. Yes. She had wanted to marry him and be his wife for years and he was finally presenting her with the opportunity. Her mind went to the first time she thought of being his wife... Dancing in his arms in the Sweet Amoris gym at prom... She could see the memory of her first dream of walking down the aisle to meet him and say her vows. The memory then morphed into the aristocratic gala when she introduced him to her best friends. She remembered the dream that she couldn’t get her mind off of as he took her onto the dancefloor and they made the jaws of every guest drop to the floor. During that dance, she envisioned herself in a white dress as they enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife. Before she could even gather a formal, lengthy, answer for him, her mouth was already moving. “Yes!” She blurted out. Tears came to his eyes. “Really?” He bubbled. “Yes! Nathaniel! Yes! I’ve wanted to marry you for years!” She mused. A couple of tears streamed down his face as he took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. As tears came to her eyes, she realized that she had no idea what she wanted to do first... Hold him, kiss him, burst into tears or just melt. “I love you Nathaniel. I can’t wait to be your wife!” She cried as she threw herself into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “I love you too, my sweet, Melody.” He cooed.

“I knew she’d say yes!” Severina cheered as people began to look in their direction. “I got the picture of him proposing!” Sam remarked. “Wait, that’s what this was for?” Rayan asked. “That idiot... I didn’t expect him to do it like this.” Castiel laughed. “Congrats you two!” Eric grinned. “My best friends getting married... I knew they’d end up together!” Armin cooed. “Oh my god! This was an engagement party!” Dambi blurted out. “Wait! If I had known, I would have made the sweets a little more romantic!” Hyun added. “Our little Melody is finally marrying the man of her dreams!” Lynne cried as Nate wrapped his arms around her. “Yeah, she is.” He happily muttered. “Took you long enough!” Ken jokingly scoffed. “I’m so proud of you two!” Verity called. “I didn’t think you had it in you to do it like this!” Kim laughed. “Its so sweet!” Violette smiled. Nathaniel and Alana looked at the crowd, their smiles radiating love throughout the café. “Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming. As most of you know, I’ve wanted to do this for several years now. In fact, I was willing to do this when we graduated college. But, at that time, I was not fully prepared to go through with it. I’ve thought of a million ways to do it. But, I came down to the best idea of having our friends and family surround us during one of our most important moments. With her mother’s blessing, I have asked this magnificent woman to let me be her husband. And she has accepted!” Nathaniel announced. “We’re engaged!” Alana blurted out. Cheers erupted from the crowd as Alana held up her ring finger. “This will be a marvelous wedding! Congratulations you two!” Agatha called.

When the night wound down and people had left the café, Lynne approached the two of them. “Mom.” Alana cried as she hugged her. “My baby!” Lynne bubbled. “Come on Lynne. We need to let them have the rest of the night to themselves.” Nate cooed as he walked up behind them. “Please! Let me know when you want to start planning the wedding! The engagement can be as long as you want! Okay?” Lynne urged. “We can start discussing that next week. For now, I think we need a couple of days to just enjoy ourselves.” Alana beamed. “Come on sweetheart, let’s go.” Nate insisted. He began leading Lynne out of the café. “Thank you for this!” Nathaniel called. “Oh, sweetie! You’re family! Now its official!” Lynne called back. “This was a resounding success! Even with Viktor’s brooding!” Lynne could be heard cheering as their footsteps became farther and farther away. Nathaniel looked at Alana. “Let’s go home.” He sweetly suggested.

The master suite of Death’s Domain resounded with the sounds of romantic music and ecstatic pleasure. As Nathaniel poured every ounce of love and passion that he had into making love to Alana, the couple couldn’t help but be excited over a major feeling... That this was only the beginning. They had been through so much hardship and pain, but it was finally paying off. He would finally have the woman of his dreams as his wife, and she would have the man of her dreams as her husband. Alana cried out in pleasure, screaming for him to not stop his thrusting. The pressure and heat of their pleasure continued to rise and build until neither of them could handle it anymore. As they screamed, moaned and rode the waves of their climax, the phrase “I love you.” and it’s various forms were the only words that could be spoken. After the couple had gotten cleaned up, Nathaniel carried her back to bed. “I love you so much Nathaniel. I really can’t wait to be your wife.” She yawned. He tucked her in and kissed her head. “And I can’t wait to be your husband, my wonderful, miraculous, Melody.” He cooed as he joined her. Just before she completely slipped into her dreams, he had one final thing to say to her. He lovingly whispered the words into her ear. “I’m yours, for eternity.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The title of this chapter, as well as the lyrics that are mentioned during the proposal come from the song “Everything I Need” by Skylar Grey. This song has been mentioned several times throughout the story. It first appeared in Aquaman Date and has been a bit of a staple for Nathaniel’s and Alana’s relationship. When I first heard the song, I instantly thought of them. I could see Alana singing it to Nathaniel... Especially in University...

I did turn the party for Episode 15 into an engagement party. I thought it would be better that way. It kind of shows that a bit of the “Roster Clan mentality” has rubbed off on Nathaniel.

Yes, I did use his last line from Episode 15.

The time difference between the end of this chapter and the first section of Two Hearts Joined In Matrimony is about a week.

[ailuronymy]

do you think every disabled character in wc is handled poorly? i understand theres def some cases of ableism but at the same time when i hear ppl say that its usually bc the disabled cat wasnt able to become a warrior due to their disability. and i feel like ppl forget, that not everyone irl CAN do what they want after they become disabled. ex. someone wants to be an athlete, but their legs have to be amputated. a cat like briarlight esp i feel is p realistic and could be a source of comfort

Hello there, thank you for writing in. I’m going to reply to this question with a series of questions I think are a bit more useful, given what you’re trying to ask me. I hope that’ll clarify what is a deeply complex, multilayered issue. 

Do I think Erin Hunter handles anything in the series “well”? Not really. I don’t have a high opinion of the work of the collective and, broadly speaking, I think every right note they play, metaphorically speaking, is an instance of chance rather than effort, skill, or intention. Stopped clocks are right twice a day, mediocre writers will sometimes do something cool by accident, similar principle. That’s not to say Erin Hunter hasn’t ever done anything on purpose--just that overall the underlying drive of the series isn’t so much quality as it is quantity, and speed of production, and it shows. 

Do I think Erin Hunter puts any significant research into how they portray disability? No. I do not think it is a priority for this series. They’re not trying to make a meaningful work of literature, or capture a realistic experience of disability, or tell especially impactful or thoughtful stories, or even make a particularly good or coherent fantasy world. Warriors is a specifically commercial product that was commissioned by HarperCollins to appeal to a particular demographic of drama-loving, cat-loving kids. It’s not really trying to do anything but sell books, because it’s a business, so the text in many ways reflects that. They’re not going for disability representation, in my opinion. They’re including disability in many cases as a plot-point or an obstacle. 

Do I think this means that people can’t connect to these characters and narratives in meaningful ways? No. Often I say that a work is completed only when it is read. Before that point, it doesn’t have a meaning: a reader finishes the work through the act of reading, and interpretation, and filling in the spaces and resonance of the story with their own values and experiences. When people talk about subjectivity, this is what they are talking about. What this means in the context of disabled characters in Warriors is that these characters and their stories can be multiple, conflicting, even mutually exclusive things at the same time, to different people, for different reasons. 

Do I think characters have to be “good” to be significant to someone? No. I think genuinely “bad” (i.e., not researched or poorly researched, cliche, thoughtlessly written, problematic, etc. etc.) characters can be deeply meaningful, and often are. Ditto above: for many people, and especially marginalised or stigmatised people, reading is almost always an act of translation, wherein the person is reading against the creative work of the dominant culture in a way that the author likely didn’t intend or didn’t even imagine. There’s a long documented history of this in queer culture, but it’s true for just about everyone who is rarely (or unfairly) represented in media. Disabled people often have to read deeply imperfect works of fiction featuring disability and reinterpret them in the process--whether to relate to a kind of disability they don’t experience themselves but which is the closest they’re offered to something familiar, or to turn positive and meaningful what is intended as narrative punishment, or simply to create what’s commonly called headcanon about “non-disabled” characters who echo their personal experiences. 

Do I think everyone has to agree? Extremely no. As I said before, people will actually always disagree, because all people have different needs and different experiences. What can be interpreted as empowering to one person might be very othering and painful for another. There is no “right” answer, because, again, that is how subjectivity works. This is especially true because marginalised communities are often many different kinds of people with different lives and needs brought together over a trait or traits they share due to the need for solidarity as protection and power--but only in a broad sense. It’s why there is often intracommunity fighting over representation: there isn’t enough, there’s only scraps, and so each person’s personal interpretation can feel threatening to people whose needs are different. You can see examples of this especially when it comes to arguments over character sexuality: a queer female character might be interpreted as bisexual by bisexual people who relate to her and want her to be, while being interpreted as lesbian by lesbians who also relate to her and want her to be like them. Who is correct? Often these different interpretations based on different needs are presented as if one interpretation is theft from the other, when in fact the situation is indicative of the huge dearth of options for queer people. It becomes increasingly more intense when it comes to “canon” representations, because of the long history of having to read against the grain I mentioned above: there’s novelty and, for some people, validation in “canon” certainty. And again, all of this is also true for disabled people and other stigmatised groups. 

Do I think this is a problem? Not exactly. It is what it is. It is the expected effect of the circumstances. Enforced scarcity creates both the need for community organising and solidarity and the oppressive pressure to prioritise one’s self first and leave everyone else in the dust (or else it might happen to you). The system will always pit suppressed people against each other constantly, because it actively benefits from intracommunity fighting. Who needs enemies when you have friends like these, and so on. A solution is absolutely for everyone in community to hold space for these different needs and values, and to uplift and support despite these differences, but it’s not anyone’s fault for feeling threatened or upset when you don’t have much and feel like the thing that you do have is being taken away. It’s a normal, if not really helpful, human response. But until people learn and internalised that the media is multifaceted and able to be many things at once, without any of those things being untrue or impacting your truth of the text, then there will be fighting. 

Do I think my opinion on disability on Warriors is all that important? No, not really. I can relate to some characters in some moment through that translation, but my opinion on, say, Jayfeather is nowhere near as worthy of consideration than that of someone who is blind. I don’t have that experience and it’s not something I can bring meaningful thinking about, really. That’s true for all these characters. If you want to learn about disability, prioritise reading work about disabled rights and activism that is done by disabled people, and literary criticism from disabled people. And as I mentioned above, remember that community isn’t a monolith: it’s a survival tactic, that brings together many different people with disparate experiences of the world. So research widely. 

Finally--do I think there’s only one kind of disabled narrative worth telling? No. For some people, a disabled character achieving a specific, ability-focused dream is a good story. For other people, a story that acknowledges and deals with the realities, and limitations, of disability is a good story. The same person might want both of those stories at different times, depending on their mood. That’s okay. Sometimes there’s power and delight in a fantasy of overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles and defying all expectations. Sometimes there’s value and catharsis in a narrative that delves into the challenges and grief and oppression experienced because of disability. There’s no one truth. 

To round all this off, I’m going to give my favourite example of this, which is Cinderella. I think it’s a great and useful tool, since for many it’s familiar and it’s very simple. Not much happens. In the story, she is bullied and tormented, until a fairy godmother gifts her over several nights with the opportunity to go to a royal ball, where she dances with a prince. The prince eventually is able to find Cinderella, due to a shoe left behind, and they are married. In some versions, the family that mistreated her are killed. In others, they’re forgiven. 

Some people hate the story of Cinderella, because she is seen as passive. She tolerates the bullying and never fights back. She does every chore she’s told. She is given an opportunity by a fairy godmother, and she doesn’t help herself go to the ball. She runs from the prince and he does the work to find her again. Eventually, she’s married and the prince, presumably, keeps her in happiness and comfort for the rest of her life. 

For some, this story is infuriating, because Cinderella doesn’t “save herself”: she is largely saved by external forces. She is seen as a quintessential damsel-in-distress, and especially for people who have been bullied, infantalised, or made to feel less capable or weak, that can be a real point of personal pain and discomfort. 

However, for some others, Cinderella is a figure of strength, because she is able to endure such hostile environments and terrible people and never gives up her gentle nature or her hope. She never becomes cruel, or bitter. She is brave in daring to go outside her tiny, trapped world, and she is brave to let the prince find her. She doesn’t have to fight or struggle to earn her reward of happiness and prove her worth, because she was always deserving of love and kindness. The prince recognises at once, narratively speaking, her goodness and virtue, and stops at nothing to deliver her a better life. 

Depending on the version, the wicked family disfigure themselves for their own greed--or are punished, which for some is a revenge fantasy; or Cinderella forgives them and once again shows her tenacious kindness, which for others is a different revenge fantasy. 

The point? Cinderella is the same character in the same story, but these are almost unrecognisable readings when you put them side-by-side. Which one is right? Which one is better? In my opinion, those are the wrong questions. I hope this (long, sorry) reply is a set of more useful ones. 

[divineslcyer]

Belphegor hurls another knife at the window of her room, the silver moon high in the darkened sky. This must be an attempt at being romantic, except he won't deign to pick rocks off the ground for it. Fortunately the castle exterior is fortified against projectiles, or the glass panes would be shattered by now.

@belacedia --- A romantic(?) overture

Mishil was irritated, but then, when in the mansion of her godfathers, she was never in a good mood. She'd been tolerant to the cruelty of her godmother and her children--all grown and with mouths as vicious and poisonous as hers. Her godfather may have loved her, but the rest of his family didn't agree with the sentiment.

It was a gilded cage, that no one beyond herself knew of the dangers. She'd been summoned back out of familial courtesy--which was laughable. There was a funeral to the grandmother who'd been around since she first arrived.

Nonna Adita. A stern woman, but... Mishil had survived in part, because of her. There'd be a party in a few days, Beatrice had once more tossed down her previous dresses to Mishil's room in mock charity. They'd proven excellent in slashing apart with a knife. Much of her room looked more like a massacre---she'd only calmed when she came across an old trinket. A necklace, with a delicate rose hanging to a cross. It was old, slightly worn but even still it was beautiful to Mishil. The details intricate, and in the light it still glinted silver.

'You are my little desert rose. Mi bella roza.' Adita smoothed a hand over her small head, hearing her sniffle. 'My spiteful daughter-in-law has come for you again hm? Envious woman... All because you look like your maman but remember, roses like you don't thrive with water but with heat and hardship. You will have your due carina...' Yes.. She would indeed get hers. She cinched the pendant around her neck, tucking it beneath her blouse.

That was when she heard the sound--a clink, sharp but not so loud as to alert the guards. Who’d tap at her window? She blinked and moved to the source, unlocking her window just as a knife whizzed into the air. She caught the blade deftly, recognizing it’s shape immediately. Belphegor?

She spotted him on the ground, standing near the base of the tree and squinted. ❝ Bel?❞ He grinned, and in a few swift movements, hopped up from the tree and slipped into the bedroom. He snickered, ❝ Looks like the prince has arrived on time to rescue the principessa.❞ She threw her arms around him, sighing in relief when he circled his arms around her. Burrowing her nose against his collar, she murmured, ❝ And who says romance is dead, huh? Though you took your time.❞ 

He propped his chin over her head, eyeing the tattered room and slashed gowns. ❝ Looks like a crime scene--but there’s no blood. You getting soft?❞ She bit his shoulder in warning, satisfied by his yelp. ❝ Rude. Here I am, rescuing you too.❞

❝ I don’t want a simple massacre for revenge Bel.❞ She answered simply, her gaze sharpening on the door of her room. ❝ I want my revenge to be much more brutal and lasting. Terrifying and haunting--I want to etch it into their souls so that even after death, they remember me. They will remember me.❞ He kissed her brow, nose skimming hers. ❝ I want to see this revenge of yours. The depths of that rage you have--it’s almost as scary as the boss sometimes.❞

Oh her rage was near limitless--that was the irony of her flame-element and her disarmingly normal appearance. It’s what made her an ideal spy at times, being deceptive and disciplined. It was rare, but oh when she allowed herself to relish the burning heat of her rage---she became brutal and unyielding. As her dear Adita told her once before, ❝ Bel... Do you know of desert roses? They thrive best in heat and hardships...❞ 

❝ Oh? You’d also thrive in blood then.❞ He remarked, and she chuckled. ❝ A dangerous flower.❞ He leaned against the window sill, linking his arms around her waist. ❝ I knew I liked you for a reason--now, do you want to leave or not? ❞ 

She tilted her chin up, kissing him and easing her arms around his neck. ❝ Lets get the hell out of here Romeo.❞ Her grandmother had raised her to be stronger then this--there was no need for her to be present for the funeral. She’d said her goodbyes already, and now... Nothing was left to hold her back. She felt Bel’s hands sweep under her back and her legs, and with a flip and a laugh, they slipped out the window into the night.

[quillandink333]

Scarlet Carnations ~ Part II

BotW Link X Zelda ~ Detective AU

Rating: T

Word Count: 2.7k

WARNINGS: death, murder, loss, trauma, blood and gore, terrorism, organized crime, self-harm

Summary: Inspector Zelda Hyrule, assisted by the faithful Constable Link Fyori, is infamous for cracking the most confounding of cases in a town dominated by crime. Her latest assignment is to solve the murder of her own godmother, Impa Sheikah, the late CEO of Sheikah Tech. Incorporated, while staying under the radar of the dreaded Yiga organization.

Part I • Part II • Part III • Part IV • Part V • Part VI • Part VII • Epilogue • Masterlist

By day two of our investigation, there wasn’t much left to look into other than the gardens. We’d already searched the rest of the house and found nothing of note. On that groggy morning, however, as soon as I stepped out into the gardens, I spotted something out of the corner of my eye that struck me as abnormal.

“Link, come here.” My comrade stood to attention and came to stand beside me, on the footpath lining the sides of the zen garden. “See that?”

He followed my finger to what had caught my eye: the big footprint right in the middle of the pattern etched in the sand. His eyes widened.

A grin spread its way across my face. “What say we try getting a closer look?”

This, unfortunately, was easier said than done. Leaving our own prints behind would be tantamount to the destruction of evidence. So in order to reach the spot where the footprint was located, we would have to hop across the stones scattered throughout the zen garden. And to say that the sandals one was given when visiting the Sheikah estate and was expected to wear at all times were unsuited for this endeavour would be a gross understatement.

“Honestly...” I huffed, searching in vain for the next best place to put my toe. “There’s a footpath for a reason.” This earned a chuckle from Link, who was still two or three rocks behind me, but seemed to be struggling to only a fraction of the extent that I was.

With my attention elsewhere, I made the mistake of stepping on a stone that was barely even the size of my heel. Inevitably, my foot started to slip, and I began teetering back and forth like a broken pendulum.

“Eep!”

Just when I shut my eyes in preparation to fall, I was caught and held steady at the waist by my assistant.

My breath caught in my throat. He was leaning over me, his front curved flush against the arch of my back and his gloved hands pressed flat into my abdomen, and here I was, graceful as a swan, arms sticking out at odd angles and legs spread three feet apart.

“Are you alright?”

His smooth, demure voice in my ear startled me out of my sudden paralysis. “Yes!” I squeaked, then cleared my throat and brought my outstretched foot back in. “Yes, quite. Thank you.”

His arms left my waist, and he straightened up, putting as much distance between himself and me as there was left on the perch we shared.

“I suppose this is close enough.” I smoothed out my capelet coat before crouching down toward the sand-covered ground, careful not to let anything trail in it. Before proceeding, I breathed a deep, mind-clearing sigh. “Let’s see what we have here.”

If this had been wet sand, I would’ve had a much easier time identifying the sole responsible for this vandalism. But unfortunately, this sand was dry, so all there was to go off of was the size of the prints.

“My guess is, some oaf thought it would be quicker to cut across the zen garden via these stones like we’ve been doing, but ended up with his or her foot in the sand at some point or another.”

“So...do you think this could be a clue?” he inquired with sweet naïvety.

“Well...” I crossed my arms over my chest. “If this is in fact our culprit’s doing, then that would point to this crime being a spur of the moment, which would blatantly contradict all the things we’ve seen so far, or haven’t seen, rather.”

“You mean the security footage?”

I muttered my bitter answer through gritted teeth. “That’s one example.”

The rest of the gardens offered even fewer leads. There were no unusual disturbances in the flora, and nothing was found lying at the bottom of the koi pond. The walls surrounding the place were no higher than the walls of the main building, but they were still too high and too flat for the average person to climb over. Either way, we found no signs of such activity. We’d quite literally left no stone unturned, but to no avail.

I let out what must have been at least my twentieth sigh since our arrival. “Alright then. I suppose it’s time we start questioning some witnesses.”

“Zelda, listen to me.”

I was in the living room in the midst of an interview with Paya. Link was standing on the opposite end of the room, going over his notes. I’d asked him as politely as I could to refrain from listening in on our conversation as she’d started bringing up some sensitive topics of which it was best for him to stay out.

“You can’t let your own personal feelings interfere with your judgement,” she whispered. “You’re a detective, aren’t you? You should know this.”

“It’s been seven years,” I hissed back, “and he spent five of them in an asylum because he was an amnesiac and he hadn’t any idea who he was. He himself, Paya, let alone me.” I took a moment to try and collect myself before continuing. “I’ve told you this before. And yet you somehow suspect that I still feel the same way about him as I did when we were teenagers?”

She shook her head at me in a patronizing manner like the goody two-shoes she always had been. “You may be able to hide it from him, but not from me. I know because...well, I feel the same.” The nerve of this girl was unbelievable. Had she no shame at all? “In any case, you can’t ignore the evidence, no matter what you or I feel toward him.”

She’d finally pushed me to my limit. This was the person who’d been stalking Link from afar since the start of this entire case. I could no longer sit here and tolerate her utterly guiltless accusation of him despite her creepy obsession.

“Just who do you think you are?!” I snapped, standing up and lifting her out of her chair by the collar. “I’ll have you know I’m the one running this investigation, thank you very much.”

“But Zelda, I—”

“Enough!” She shrank back. “You’ve no right making me out like an amateur!”

I could’ve sworn I saw Link jump out of the corner of my eye just then. But when I turned around, he still had his nose buried in his notebook.

Either way, the raging fire within me had died; I released my grip on my “sister,” who crumpled into her chair like a withering lily petal. Slumping back into my own seat, I let out a weary sigh. “So you’re sure Auntie Impa was asleep in her bedroom when you turned in for the night. Correct?”

She nodded curtly. “Yes.”

“And your basis for this was...what, again?”

She sat up straight with her perfect posture. “Well, she always goes to sleep at nine o’clock, and I hadn’t seen her since supper.”

“Right...” I massaged the bridge of my nose with my first and second fingers. “So you didn’t actually see her sleeping. She could have been awake in her room for all you knew.”

“I suppose so...”

“Splendid. And you can’t think of any household members, or anyone at all, who might’ve had a reason to kill her?” Like the Yiga, for example? I added silently.

“No.”

I shut my notebook, slipping my pen into my pocket. “Thank you for your time.”

At this point, I was starting to lose hope. There was only one other matter that it had even occurred to me to look into, and even then, I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to do so. So one could imagine my pleasant surprise when my object of interest was found unharmed in Auntie Impa’s study.

“So this was her own personal Sheikah Slate...” I marvelled, peering into the miniature safe in her desk at the item in question.

“That it was,” replied Auntie Purah. “She supposedly had it made for work purposes. You know, keeping track of finances and marketing and all those hum-drum tasks she was in charge of.” She rolled her eyes. “But I’m quite sure she used it for other, undisclosed means as well.”

“That’s what I’m hoping...” I confessed. “You said earlier—and I ask this with all due respect, of course—but you said you didn’t know of any dark secrets she was keeping? Any skeletons in the closet that might’ve provided a motive for this murder?”

She shook her head in dismay. “No, I’m afraid not. She was always terribly secretive, even with me.”

“Ah... That’s alright, Auntie,” I sympathized.

“But when your mother was still around—oh my goodness! Constantly, those two would whisper in each other’s ears about who-knows-what, ever since they were old enough to speak, I tell you.”

“Is that so?” I humoured her as she spiralled into a speech about the days of her youth. Since the Slate had been kept in her study in a one-of-a-kind safe made specially for this house, it was reasonable to assume there would be no strange fingerprints on it. Nevertheless, I dusted for them anyway, and sure enough, the only ones on it belonged to its late owner. “So, what’s the trick to gaining access to it?” I too owned a device similar to this one, courtesy of my connections with the company as an adopted part of the family that ran it, but because they were still so rare and invaluable, I typically left it at home and didn’t often have the chance to make use of it. As such, I wasn’t nearly as familiar with its mechanics as I ought to have been.

“Well, one of the Slate’s features, which happens to be one of my favourites, actually,” she boasted, “is that it lets the user create a lock that’s entirely unique from one on any other Slate. There is practically no limit to the number of ways one can keep their information protected.” I listened with immense interest, knowing the technology she spoke of was entirely out of my intellectual grasp, but being fascinated all the same. “It seems my sister simply opted for a riddle, though,” she lamented as she activated the device. “Pity. I was looking forward to showing you what the system is capable of.”

“You can still show me!” I fervently insisted. “I’d love to see how it works. Do you have your Slate with you?”

“Oh, yes, I do!” she chirped, reaching into her dress pocket. “This is going to knock your socks off, young lady.”

But before I could lean in for a better view, a hand on my shoulder stopped me. I turned my head and met eyes with Link, who glanced insinuatingly at the thing we’d come here to investigate.

“Oh.” I stifled a chuckle. “Right. Let’s see this riddle, then.”

“Ah, yes,” she laughed along with me. “My apologies, Zeldie. I do so get carried away at times.”

“Believe me, Auntie, you’re no worse than I am,” I contested, picking up the Slate sitting on the desk.

The screen displayed an empty text box with a typewriting keyboard below it and a question above it that read the following: “I observe the world as I hide in a cage. In my youth, I am weak, but I gain strength with age. I both give life and take it away. When one tries to pluck me, I make them my prey. What am I?”

Until now, I’d thought myself to be quite skilled at solving riddles. I’d even used to make them up in my school days for sport. But as I reread the words written on the Slate over and over again, I couldn’t think of a single answer that made the least bit of sense. “When one tries to pluck me...” and, “...as I hide in a cage,” were what kept throwing me off. It seemed no two statements could have been more unrelated. Even the few things I came up with that I deemed worth a try were denied. Even when Link and Auntie Purah tried, nothing worked.

Soon enough, I was taken completely off-guard when the question vanished, and in its place appeared the words, “This Sheikah Slate has been disabled. Try again in 1 hour.”

I slammed the damned thing down and threw my hands in the air. “Are you bloody joking?!” I stood hunched over the desk, shaking with frustration. “Five guesses? That’s all we get, really?”

“Maybe it’s something no one but her could ever know,” Auntie Purah pondered. “I could picture her pulling something like that.”

In that moment, it felt as though my heart were too tired to go on beating. “If that’s the case, then...” I held my head in my palms, nails scraping into my scalp. “Then we have no hope of ever figuring it out. Do we?” The longer I stared at the words on the screen, the deeper I fell into their endless, dark abyss. This had been my last hope of finding any sort of lead on this case. If this riddle truly was impossible, I was doomed.

“Now, now. No need to fret, dear.” I raised my head, realizing I’d begun to hyperventilate. “I’ll take it with me on my next trip to the lab. I’m sure Robbie and I will be able to crack into it once we put our heads together.”

“Okay...” I counted to ten in my head while Link stroked my shoulder in quiet consolation. I gave him an appreciative glance, then turned my attention back to my auntie. “Shall I trust you not to let anyone get their hands on it until then?”

“You can count on me, Zeldie,” she winked. I could only hope she would take my request seriously.

It was well into the small hours of the night now, after I’d returned home, and I was still awake as could be, staring endlessly at my bedroom ceiling with wide eyes. There were so many things weighing on my mind all at once, it was difficult to differentiate between them.

At the centre of it all, though, was the memory of something that had occurred earlier that afternoon, when my partner and I had been reviewing the results of the investigation in my office. The things he’d said to me then wouldn’t stop replaying themselves again and again in the theatre of my mind.

“Umm... Zelda?”

I’d looked up at him from across our shared desk, more than a little surprised to hear him call me by my first name. “Yes?”

“I just—” The unsure look in his eyes had created an air of tension thicker than a miasma. He’d begun glancing around the room, gnawing at his lip. “I-I just...”

“Is something the matter?” I’d prompted.

He’d shaken his head then, shifting in his seat. “No, no. I just...wanted to thank you.”

I’d raised my eyebrows at him. “Whatever for?”

His gaze had fallen to his hands resting on the desk. “For getting me out of...that place you found me in.”

My chest had tightened at those words. He’d never uttered anything so personal and so heartfelt to me during all the months that had passed. After all this time, what could possibly have urged him to say this now?

“You did that, even though I didn’t have the slightest notion of who you were,” he’d continued, making my heart twist and writhe within the confines of my ribcage. Then, steeling himself and meeting my eyes with his, “I just wanted you to know that, even with my affliction, I’ll never forget that day.”

Those words still rang in my ears even now, after the several hours that had gone by. They tormented me. I was the only one who had a shred of faith in him—in his innocence. And yet, if I couldn’t figure out a way to prove that someone else had used the police-issued revolver bearing Link’s ID code to commit the murder, then all my efforts to free him would go down the drain, and he’d be locked away for good, if not unthinkably worse.

[virgil-is-a-cutie]

Bio!Mom Max Black Headcanons

Two Broke Girls x MLB crossover

Based on this

When Caroline's movie about her life story was starting production Caroline finally had the courage to tell Max how she felt

The two dated for 4 months before Max decided they should marry

Mostly because she's known Caroline for so long that she literally knows she wants her as her wife

They were going to elope but Caroline told her dad which ended with Max being told by Martin he wanted his princess to be properly married

Sophie helped with the wedding not caring about the price

Caroline and Max got married at the prison where Martin was in so that Martin can give away Caroline and watch her get married

Of course, the news and paparazzi got wind of it and so much to Max's annoyance, the wedding was live streamed

They decided to just add the other's last name instead of one taking the other's

Caroline wore this with her hair in small side braid

Max wore this with her hair in a bun with a few curls framing her face.

Earl walked Max down the "isle"

Martin fought the urge to cry seeing his only daughter get married

He was glad that it was Max really

After a year of being married Caroline quietly mumbled as they cuddled

"Do you think about having kids?"

After a bit of talking they decided to use a sperm donor although, her twin cousin Darcy was able to get Bruce Banner to use both Max and Caroline eggs and the sperm donor to make the baby

Caroline was the one to carry the baby

A month before the baby was born their business boomed because of Caroline's movie and they eventually had a good business

They have a baby girl who they name Marinette Cathy Channing-Black

She had Caroline's eyes and Max's hair

Of course, Sophie wants to be the godmother, but Max puts her foot down that it would most likely be her cousin

Much to Caroline's shock Tony Stark is their daughter's godfather

Pepper is her godmother

As Marinette grows up she likes to watch her mom bake

She learns Korean from her uncle Han

Earl babysits whenever her moms are busy

Earl is her grandpa who she and Max consider him her dad

The cupcake business rises and they're very successful

Caroline is glad they finally left the crappy apartment

Caroline eventually is told by her father that she has an uncle who lives in Paris

It's Gabriel Agreste

Caroline is an Agreste in her mother's side really

And that he's the half sibling of Audrey Bourgeois

Audrey made Andre take her last name

Basically making her a Bourgeois through her father

This is when Mari is 13 years old and they decide to expand the cupcake business to Paris, France

Marinette is both excited and annoyed to move mostly because she won't be around to annoy uncle Tony or any of the Avengers

Marinette was almost the spitting image of her mother Max from her pale complexion to her hair, but she had Caroline's eyes and physic

When they get to Paris Caroline sets a meeting with both Gabriel and Audrey

Of course the two are shocked at the news that they're related through marriage

The reason being because Caroline's mom is Gabriel's sister and Martin is Audrey's older half brother

Making both of them Marinette's great uncle/aunt

And basically making two certain blondes her cousins

As well a certain cousin of said one of the blondes

Marinette is a mix of both her moms

She's sweet but very sarcastic and just...kinda like Max

The small Channing-Black family live in a decent comfortable home, not too flashy

Audrey brings Chloé over and Chloé is shocked to hear she has relative, she's somewhat excited

And Chloé is just...shocked to find out she's related to Adrien, her Adrikins before smiling widely

Chloé actually isn't a bully, she acts like it in school to see how far the stupid teacher would let it go and after she's mean to the ones she was she informs the person on what she was doing so as they don't feel bad

Surprisingly it's a lot and she's getting annoyed that Ms. Bustier won't at least do shit

On the first day of school when the Akuma strikes, much to her surprise Chloé freezes and pees herself before shielding herself behind Mari

"This sounds oddly familiar," the ravenette says giggling before scowling, "hey!"

The akuma strikes before Chloé has a chance to introduce her cousins because Adrien couldn't make it

Mari doesn't get the ladybug miraculous bc she just moved

Doesn't stop Master Fu from giving her the Cat Miraculous

She names herself Chat de Ruelle, Alley Cat

She doesn't keep it a secret from her moms who instantly tells Tony who comes whenever he can to help her train

Her outfit as Chat is similar to Lady Noir but her curls are in a messy bun and her mask covers her whole face except her mouth

It also has body armor and spikes on her wrists, tail, and elbows

She got Caroline's clumsiness but mostly that she has things fall on her or anything really but shes's not overly clumsy

On the second day of school she meets Adrien and she and Chloé practically ambush him and tell him that they're related

This makes Adrien happy but is somewhat confused before Mari informs him on how so

Mari is basically done with Ms. Bustier on the first day, complains to her moms who basically storm into the classroom to give her a piece of their mind

Does not help that Chloé turned in the evidence to the school board

Ms. Bustier quits before being informed she is not allowed to teach at all anymore

Adrien does become friends with Nino but not with Alya since Mari sits behind Chloé and Sabrina

Mari only becomes friends with Nathaniel and Nino

As the 3 cousins hang out she basically takes them wherever and causes trouble to the delight of her mom Max and to Caroline's concern

Caroline, Max, and Amilie basically threaten Gabriel to treat Adrien better

Although, Caroline and Max instantly adopt him

Max, Mari's mom, told Adrien that he reminded her of those two Amish boys who stayed with them for a week at the apartment

Chestnut came too by the way

Adrien doesn't flirt with Chat while he is Mister Bug because they're bffs

Max's cupcake shop is outside the school because Caroline wanted Mari to go to Dupont

Alya and Lila Salt

Alya is never told by Mari what her last name is, she usually doesn't pay attention to anyone else's name once her name is called but Mari has told her cousins and friend when addressing her to go by Black

So to the rest of the class she's known as Marinette Black

So she of course doesn't get an interview with Mister Bug because Chat told him not to because she doesn't trust the girl, she screams of wanting to be famous no matter what

Alya doesn't care for cupcakes the audacity

When Lila comes around she speaks about being a family friend of the Channing family

Bad luck for her is that Max and Caroline came to drop of Marinette at school much to her embarrassment

And Max basically ripped the Rossi girl a new one not caring who watched

Alya is shocked to see THE Caroline Channing at school

"How do you know Caroline Channing and Max Black? The great cupcake bakers?!" she screeches to Mari

"I'd like it if you don't speak to our daughter that way Ms. Césaire, please? We don't tolerate harassment from tabloid reporters," Caroline says gently while Max eyes the glasses wearing girl

"D...daughter?" Alya stutters before glaring at Marinette who rolls her eyes

"You're looking at me as if I killed your dog, they're my moms. My whole name is Marinette Cathy Channing-Black."

Everyone in the class sort of new because they always went to the cupcake shop after school

Lila does try her shit but Mari shrugs her off

Lila tries to hang off of Adrien but both Caroline and Max shut that shit down and tell Gabriel to get a restraining order on the Rossi girl as well a threat of lawsuit

Might make more and make this Maribat really idk yet

Tag list: @luciferge @zebrabaker @fantasyfandommaiden @unmaskedagain @queenmj10 @limetchenart @ascending-donotdisturb

[lokitrashfan]

ADDICTED

Warnings: A lot of Angst, death and suicide mentions, Sexual assault, addictions. Maybe a tiny bit of fluff if you squint your eyes.

Summary: Reader has a rough life, Loki hates you for your relationship with Frigga and tortures you. A spiral of drinking, sadness and depression until Loki saves you from a horrible man. 

Pairings: Loki x reader

Words: 2755

A/N: I had an idea about jealous Loki, but once I started writing it turned out super sad. I really want to know if you like it. If you see any grammar mistakes please tell me!!

Your mom was almost like Frigga's sister. They grew up together, raised by witches. When Frigga became Queen of Asgard, she wanted your mother by her side. She was her best friend. When your mother got pregnant the first person to know it was Frigga.  Even before your father knew it. 

Your father died fighting for Odin against the Jotuns before you were born. Actually you were born four months after Odin brought a baby to Asgard. 

Even with a new son to take care of, Frigga was with your mother when she gave birth. Your mother was scared as her health was fragile after giving birth, and Frigga offered her to move with you to the palace so she could have help raising you and the best healers in Asgard to attend her. 

Frigga became your godmother, she liked helping your mother, she helped her teaching you magic and manners. She also liked being around you as she always had wanted a girl, but she only had two little troublemakers. 

As you grew up, you continued learning with your mother, she was a good teacher, but she became more and more fragile, so you started learning alongside the princes. 

Thor was always happy to see you, he was friendly and knew his mother loved you dearly, so he was very kind to you. Loki on the other side was horribly jealous of you and the attention you received from Frigga. He thought that you had no right to be with his mother. 

You were intelligent and liked reading and learning. Astronomy was your favourite. The only thing you were falling behind was in magic. Your mother wasn’t in good shape to teach you anymore. She had given you the basics, now you had to learn and improve by yourself. Practise and books.

Days before you celebrated your thirteen birthday, your mother died. From that day you became angrier. You were angry for losing your mother, for her health problems… You were angry to Odin and his battles, to the healers that hadn’t helped your mother enough, to Thor for being too friendly and happy, and to Loki for being an idiot to you and always degrading you. 

The only one you felt comfortable with was Frigga. She was the only one that seemed to understand your sorrow. She became like a mother to you. Not just because she was responsible of you, now that your family was gone, but also because she took care of your education. Scolding you when you misbehaved or didn’t attend to class. 

She tried to teach you magic, but Loki could not tolerate it. So she counted on you learning by yourself. 

Centuries passed and you became more and more distanced from Frigga. In front of her you were a perfect young Lady, studious, intelligent, educated, and strong. But tryed to be as far as you could from her.

At 15, you were invited to your first royal ball. Frigga got you a beautiful yellow dress. It was her dress, and she had it tailored for you. It was a beautiful long silk dress. It flowed around you every time you moved. 

At the ball, Frigga told you that you had become a beautiful young woman, and that your mother would be very proud of you. That made you feel embarrassed, knowing how you were trying to distance yourself from her.

The palace was full of people you didn't know, it was a little bit suffocating as you were almost always alone. After the feast you escaped and went to the library before going to your chambers. 

Loki was there as he wasn’t a fan of balls, either. 

“Souldn’t you be with the nobles, trying to win their favours?” he said, you couldn’t tell if that was really what he thought or if he just wanted to insult you.

“Loki… I’m not in the mood for your insults” You were tired and a bit sad, thinking of all the things your mother missed about your life. 

“That is my mothers’ dress. You steal now too?” He was being a jerk and he knew it. 

“She gifted it to me. She thinks it is suitable for a young lady” That would hurt him. He was really jealous of his mother thinking you were perfect. 

“Maybe she said that, but on you it doesn’t look good. Young lady… sure, more like young whore. Maybe if you move your ass enough you can find some stupid noble to pay for your services and then you can stop using my mother.” He was really angry. Some other day you would just ignore it, but today he went too far. You loved Frigga too and it angered you that he said that you were using her.

“You are just jealous that your mother finds in me better that you could never be. It’s you who doesn’t deserve to be her son.” That was a low hit and you knew it, but maybe it was what he needed to leave you alone. 

“Sorry for you” he said, enraged “She is only sorry for you. Even your mother would be ashamed of what you have became. She should have aborted, then she would still be alive. You were the end of her”.

That was too much. It was cruel and he knew it. He had respect for your mother and would never insult her, but this was all about you being not enough for anybody. Those words made you leave the library without thinking it twice. A fire had been roaring on your inside since your mother died, but now it was burning you from inside. It was consuming. You felt pain in your heart. You knew that Loki only said those things to hurt you and make you angry, but this time he went too far. He said exactly what you had been thinking for years. 

From that moment the fire never exhausted. It was always burning, making you feel worthless. You entered a spiral of sorrow and pain.

The words Loki said that night became burned in your brain for years. The only relieve you found was when you were intoxicated. And you started drinking a lot. 

Thor and you distanced after your first ball, he was too happy and optimistic for you. Loki seemed to regret what he said to you for a moment, but then he saw how distant you and Frigga had became that he didn’t say a word. 

Years passed and you went from a intelligent young lady to a hot mess. You hid everything wrong to Frigga, even if she could tell something was wrong with you, she didn’t know everything that passed through your mind. You stoped talking to her, only talking when needed.

At 25 you were a total mess. You drank too much alone in your room. Everynight. At royal balls you had too many drinks. You went to parties and flirted with everybody just to feel a little loved. 

You were depressed and suicidal. The only reason you hadn’t killed yourself yet was fear. You weren’t brave enough to end your life. And that made you feel even worse.

Tonight you had been invited to another royal ball. Frigga still wanted to take care of you. And wanted you to be part of her world. Now that you had grown up you looked just like your mother, and she wasn’t ready to let you go. 

You found the invitation in your chambers next to a beautiful deep green dress. She had wrote the invitation herself. She really wanted you there. You hadn’t went to the last five parties she had invited you. But this time you would attend. Something inside you didn’t want to disappoint Frigga again.

The dress fit you perfectly. The satin reflected the light beautifully. It had gold chains in the back that dropped at different levels. It was backless so it accentuated your curves. You put your hair in soft waves, and finished your makeup with bold red lips. 

The ball was full of people, all nobles, a lot from different realms. You wanted to stay sober tonight, but it was hard. There was alcohol everywhere. 

“Y/N!” Thor said approaching you. “It’s been a long time since the last time you came to a ball” He seemed genuinely happy that you were there. He was with Lady Sif and Volstagg. 

“I felt like socialising today” you said jokingly.

“I’m happy you are here. You have to try the mead, it is delicious” He offered me a cup from a nearby table. 

You just smiled and took the cup from his hand. He continued talking to his friends trying to include you, but you didn’t even listen to him. Five minutes after you walked away.  You still had the mead, so you took a sip, it couldn’t hurt. 

After three more cups you started to feel tipsy. You tried to get as far as you could from the alcohol.

Frigga looked at you from the other side of the room, she was happy that you had appeared and that you looked sober. She knew about your drinking problem, but keep it secret while trying to keep the alcohol as far of you as she could. You saw her staring at you and she smiled. It felt good to see her like this. Loki saw it and his jealousy came again. 

The next thing you saw was him coming to you.

“Beautiful dress” He said “My mother really wanted you here” He was different, something about the way he talked to you. He was more gentle. “She really loves you. Just try to not hurt her”. In that moment you realised he knew something.  Frigga had told him your secret. 

“Thank you Loki. I would never do anything to hurt or disappoint your mother. She is always really kind with me” You felt weird. You and Loki had never had a cordial talk like this. 

You walked away and felt his eyes on you.

What you didn’t know is that Frigga had asked Loki to keep an eye on you for the evening. 

Hours passed and you drank two cups of wine. You were halfway to being drunk. You really tried but it was difficult. 

You felt a looking you. You had never seen him before. The way he looked to you creeped you out. You moved and his eyes followed you. He came directly towards you and put his hand in your ass. 

“I didn’t know whores could come to the balls” He said to your ear. “You can come with me to the garden and suck my dick.” He grabbed my ass and tried to kiss me. 

“Get off, I not a whore you idiot”.

“Don’t you talk to me like this whore”. He was angry and clearly drunk. He grabbed my arm and tried to drag me outside. He was stronger than me and in a moment we were outside. He was hurting me. 

He grabbed my dress and and tried to pull it off. “Come on bitch, I don’t like waiting”

He broke the dress exposing my breasts. I tried to get away but he was stronger. I was scared of what he was going to do with me. 

Suddenly somebody grabbed him and threw him to the floor. The man dragged me with him. you were in shock. Loki punched him two times and left him bleeding on the floor before carrying me inside. 

He carried me carefully to his room. Tears were running down my face as I realised what had just happened. I was holding the dress to keep myself covered, but it was totally destroyed. Loki lent me some of his clothes to change in. He seemed really angry. My knees were bleeding a little from the fall, but what hurt me was thinking that I deserved it. I acted like a whore and now somebody thought I was one. 

I cried as Loki took care of my knees. 

“I’m sorry, I deserved it” I said in between sobs. 

“No, you didn’t” He said “You didn’t deserve anything of what happened to you” He was angry. Really angry. “This is my fault, Frigga asked me to take care of you months ago and I failed her.” 

“What?” you were full of questions with no answer.

“Y/N, I’m really sorry for what I said years ago. I was jealous of your relationship with my mother. You were the daughter she never had. I was angry and took it on you” he was sad and angry. “I was stupid and reckless. And I feel like this is my fault. You started drinking after that night”

“It was not your fault, you just said out loud what I had been thinking for years, and you were right. I’m not enough for Frigga, I was not enough for my mother. it is my fault that she is dead. I should have never been born. I’m not even brave enough to kill myself”

You had never been so sincere to anybody ever. But right now you were at your lowest point, you didn’t care anymore. You just wanted to get it off your chest. 

“Y/N… How long had you been feeling like this? You need help.” He looked really worried. But maybe it was only because of Frigga. “I could help you… If you want of course. I know that I have been horrible to you, but since you stopped talking to me, I started to regret every word I had ever said to you. I even missed you. I missed seeing you around. I saw you only from the distance, I saw how you were hurting, and I could have helped you, but I wasn’t worthy of your time. How could I look you in the eyes when I had been so mean? Now I can only beg for forgiveness.” 

You saw in his eyes that he was really sorry. The way he spoke reminded you of Frigga. And you couldn’t say no to that eyes. He looked so innocent. How could you be mad if he had just saved you?

“Loki… I- I’m not mad at you… I’m mad at myself. I failed everyone.” Tears were falling of your eyes. He held your hands softly. You started to shake. “I just wanted to be better, but failed. My family is dead because of me.”

He hugged you tightly. He held you close until you calmed. You were in his bed and before you knew it you were falling asleep. He covered you with a blanked and left your side.

“No.. please, I don’t want to be alone” You reached for him. You just wanted to someone to hold you. 

“Okay, I’ll stay with you for as long as you want. I will stay by your side and protect you. I will help you to get better. I promise” He kissed the top of your head. 

“I thought you hated me, I thought you could not see me…”

“I never really hated you, I was just jealous as I said before. Four years ago I discovered myself longing for you, but still ashamed of my behaviour with you. I have feelings for you. I don’t know what it is, but I feel something… When I saw that man attacking you I lost my mind. I felt responsible, I should have been with you. I should have been better for you”

“Loki… I don’t know what to say, I’m so confused.” 

“Don’t say anything, just sleep. I will be here in the morning, I promise”

You closed your eyes and thought of what had happened, the man attacking you, Loki saving you, taking care of you and confessing he felt something for you. The way he treated you tonight made you think that maybe he was a different man. He was attractive too, you could not deny it. But you didn’t know if you were ready to feel something for him, or for anyone really. You were fucked up. 

“I will be there love, I will be your friend if you want.” He was talking to you thinking you were totally asleep “I will wait for you until you are ready. I will always love you”

That night you slept better than ever.

[nadziejastar]

Can you think of other characters besides Riku, Terra and Isa who might have a 'Shadow self' and 'supressed feelings'?

“Master Eraqus, you see, is so afraid of darkness that he, too, has succumbed—not to darkness, but to light. It shines so brightly, he forgets that light begets darkness.”

It’s sad how underdeveloped a lot of the characters are. Fortunately, we’re gonna get Dark Road pretty soon, which will flesh out Xehanort and Eraqus a lot. I think Eraqus had a very strong Shadow Self and a lot of suppressed feelings. He was so afraid of darkness, it caused him to turn on his own pupils and miss vital warning signs that Terra needed support.

*Sigh*, it was so much better when I had no heart. When I didn’t have to worry about things like liking someone.

Becoming fond of something is painful. That’s why those feelings were taken advantage of.

Larxene definitely had a strong Shadow Self. Unfortunately, she didn’t get much backstory during the Xehanort Saga. But obviously, her issue had to do with love. Larxene wanted love, but she was suppressing that desire. She pushed people away and acted cold to protect herself, like Elsa. She had been hurt in the past.

Namine was originally thought of as Kairi’s Shadow Self. I think Namine was supposed to be the manifestation of Kairi’s suppressed feelings. Kairi was left alone at the end of KH1 while Sora went on other adventures. She felt useless and forgotten about by everyone. Her two childhood friends were gone. She was lonely. Of course, since Kairi is a Princess of Heart, even her Shadow Self is still really pure-hearted and bright.  

Are you really worthy of being a Keyblade Master?

Obviously Aqua developed a strong Shadow Self after being in the Realm of Darkness.

Is there any point in continuing this fight?

Her Shadow Self voiced all her fears.

You'll never see the Realm of Light again.

And all her doubts.

Just let go of everything and fade into the darkness.

She felt hopelessness and despair.

No one can save you. And no one wants to.

She didn’t even think anyone wanted to save her.

Your bonds of friendship only tie you down.

My favorite of Shadow Aqua’s lines has to be this one. All of her other ones are pretty much what you’d expect. But this one sounds so out-of-character for her. She’d never EVER say that out loud. It was definitely a suppressed feeling.

Only your heart is hollow enough to be a demon's.

But part of here DID feel like her bonds only brought her down. And she felt guilty for feeling that way.

Ansem the Wise had a strong Shadow Self. DiZ was nothing but a persona to hide his shame. He convinced himself that he was acting as a servant of the world when deep down, he knew he wasn’t. Of course, Ansem the Wise didn’t get fully developed, either. I’m sure there was a story there in KH0.5 where it would show his whole backstory, how he got banished, how he became DiZ, and how he came to be remorseful enough to put his data inside of Sora’s heart while he was asleep.

Sora is...complicated. Too complicated, which is probably why it didn’t really go anywhere.

The figure at the center of the room glanced up at him, and Roxas flinched at being caught staring. But though the hood kept the wearer’s eyes hidden, Roxas could see a smile. Something was so familiar about it, but he couldn’t think of where he would have seen it before. There were so many things he couldn’t remember about these last seven days. It hadn’t scared him before—but now it did a little.

When Xion was born she looked up at Roxas with a creepy smile. I think Xion was born of Sora’s Replica/Shadow Self, who also had a creepy smile. Xion wasn’t a unique character any more than Riku Replica was. She was a Sora Replica. Riku Replica is Riku’s Shadow Self. Xion is Sora’s Shadow Self. Xion can even wield a Keyblade from the Dark Realm (Two Keys).

Roxas was also the bright one, while Xion was the more “dark” and pessimistic one. Roxas was optimistic and didn’t worry or think too deeply about stuff. He always thought Xion could come back to the organization and everything would be fine. He was pretty simple, like Sora. Xion was the moody angsty one who questioned her existence all the time. She felt like a burden on Axel and especially Roxas. Roxas always helped her out. And at the end, she was sucking his power from him. She felt like she didn’t deserve to exist.

Once Roxas absorbed Xion, that’s when he became the angsty person everyone remembers from KH2. Before that, he was pure and bright, like Ventus. It was only after Xion disappeared that he became so “dark” and angry.

Like Namine, Roxas was originally meant to just be Sora’s Shadow Self, nothing more. But he evolved into his own unique character with his own heart (Ventus). I think Nomura originally wanted to use the connection between Sora and Ventus to develop both Ven’s and Sora’s darker sides, but he never really got the chance. KH3′s story was a mess and Xion and Vanitas really didn’t amount to much other than being needlessly convoluted. Vanitas didn’t have any depth at all. But he was supposed to be Ven’s darkness as well as the shadow that Sora cast.

Ventus is Sora’s darkness. Sora’s powerful light was the reason why his heart was a prison to him.

Roxas: I hate you so much...

DiZ: You should share some of that hatred with Sora. He's far too nice for his own good.

Roxas: No! My heart belongs to me!

His heart couldn’t wake up because Sora’s light was casting too large of a shadow on him. Sora’s light only fueled his anger and pain and pushed him further into the darkness.

Sora was supposed to do something to awaken the darkness in him in order to wake Roxas/Ventus up, but of course that subplot went absolutely nowhere.

“But why would you advise me not to fight darkness with light?”

The Fairy Godmother replied, gentle but admonishing. “Strong rays of sun create dark shadows. Sadly, Lady Tremaine and both her daughters are jealous of Cinderella’s charm and beauty, qualities that appear to you as ‘light.’ Jealousy is darkness. Light and dark go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.”

I think the idea was that when someone is in a lot of pain, you can’t truly connect with their heart just by being “light”. You need to be able to meet them where they are---in the darkness. 

Riku didn’t preach to Dark Aqua about letting go of her misery and despair. He could empathize with how she felt because he had his own darkness. And I think THAT’S what Sora needed in order to be the real hero. His light wasn’t enough. He needed to enhance his darkness in order to really be empathetic and wake Ventus up. But that never really happened.

Perhaps it’s why Nomura said he cannot empathize with Sora and he relates more to dark characters like Xehanort. Sora was too bright for him in the end. It’s why he wouldn’t have made a good Seeker of Darkness.

Nomura probably relates to Riku more. The closer Riku got to Sora’s light, the greater his shadow became.

“You’re talking like I’m some kind of creature of the darkness.”

But it was true that he’d turned away from the light.

No—not from the light exactly. From Sora.

Because Sora shone too brightly… And then, he became the hero of light, and I gave myself over to the darkness.

Like Roxas/Ventus, Riku couldn’t tolerate Sora’s strong light because it fueled the darkness inside him. Being around someone so overwhelmingly bright and positive made him feel bad about himself and he became jealous.

“And Aqua and Ventus, their lights shine too bright. It is only natural that they cast shadows on your heart.”

Master Xehanort pointed at Terra’s chest.

The light within Aqua and Ven—created the darkness in me…?

Xehanort probably felt that way about Eraqus, too. I’m sure he had a very strong Shadow Self and was projecting that onto Terra. Ventus and Aqua were too bright and they only fueled Terra’s shadow. Of course, Aqua and Ventus had their own darkness. Aqua threw herself into darkness for Terra. And I think Ventus’s time as Roxas (Sora’s Shadow) was supposed to give him enough development and darkness to truly understand Terra’s pain, so he could be able to properly connect with him and bring him back to the light using the power of waking.

It seemed like you didn't need me either. Yes, I thought that I didn't need you with me anymore. That's why I sacrificed myself to that man. If you didn't need me, then I no longer held meaning.

The greater the light, the darker the shadow. Riku and Terra felt like they were overshadowed by their friends. I think they had a similar idea for Lea and Isa, only a bit different. Riku was jealous of Sora in an envious way. I think Isa was jealous of Lea in a possessive way. And this is why I don’t think Lea would have made a good Seeker of Darkness. He was meant to be the bright one, like Sora. It was part of his character. He did gain a lot of darkness over the course of the story, to make him empathetic enough to reach Isa. But he was a Guardian of Light at his core. 

I think Isa felt the same way Xion did. He felt like he was nothing without Lea and had nothing to offer him. He was just a drain on him. Lea was the light, the Sun. Isa was the Moon, the darkness. The Moon can’t create its own light. It is dependent on the Sun and simply reflects its light. And I think that’s how Isa felt about Lea. Lea was the source of his light. He was so happy, positive, outgoing, and cheerful. But Isa felt like he had nothing to offer him. And that’s why Saix became so irrationally jealous when Axel became close to Roxas and Xion.

[mediocrereviews]

The Hustle Review

I watched The Hustle on Netflix while gorked on prescription painkillers and still half in a fever-dream.

Let me set the stage; I'd been sick for three weeks, and the third week I'd been sent to the ER for a severe case of strep throat that was absolutely ravaging my body. I hadn't eaten in days. I was severely dehydrated, because I couldn't keep even a single sip of water down. I was urinating blood, sneezing blood, coughing up blood. Blood was coming out of places it had no legal or moral right to be coming out of. The ER doctor told me I was clinically starving, as well as so dehydrated I had to sit in a plastic chair in a packed waiting room while they inserted drip after drip into me. They sent me home after a day or so, with a plastic baggie full of opiates and antibiotics. 

About a week later I was much better, and had regained a significant portion of humanity, and I went back to work. While sitting in my desk in work, a sudden strange pain struck my right abdomen, a pain I still haven't quite been able to describe, but the closest I've come is that it was like I accidentally ate a butterfly, like a hapless pug, and that butterfly swiftly mutated into a carnivorous worm that burrowed through my abdomen to a small little hiding place just under my ribcage where he made himself a little home, happily chewing up whatever surrounded him. I called the doctor who sent me, for the third time that month (and in my life) to the ER. I waited for four days for them to tell me there was something seriously wrong with my gallbladder, and it was probably triggered by the starvation period my body had went into during my war with strep. I was in so much pain, I couldn't move without moaning out loud, an uncomfortable experience both for the other people in the ER waiting room, and myself. I couldn't sleep because I couldn't lie down. The only position I could hold was sitting bolt upright with my legs pretzeled. For four days I slept sitting upright, holding my pillow lengthways with my face buried in it. I've heard it said that gallbladder pain is worse that childbirth, and that it's unusual for it to last more than a day or two. Mine lasted four days, easing off only when I took one of the series of huge suppository painkillers and jammed it up my ass, while thanking God aloud for modern medicine. In just four weeks, my health was destroyed, I'd spent more money that I could afford on the hospital, doctors, medication, and I'd missed so much work I was legitimately worried about losing my job.

This movie was the worst thing that happened to me that month. My pain relieved significantly by the good doctors, at home in my own bed, tucked up with a water bottle but no stuffed animal, I swear, ok, he's a parrot and it counted as a comfort animal at that point. I flipped through Netflix, still feverish, and profoundly stoned, and I needed something to watch that wouldn't take up too much mental energy. Previously, I'd watched Triple Frontier five times, for no reason other than the fact that in my high, fever-dream state I found looking at Garrett Hedlund's gentle face extremely, almost worryingly, soothing. That's how vulnerable and open I was, merely looking at the strangely sweet, kindly face of Garrett Hedlund was profoundly relaxing. I have never thought of him before my own personal Health War, and I haven't thought of him since, but through one of the hardest periods of my life, Garrett Hedlund's giant face and soft, musical voice were there for me. I needed something like that to soothe me, something else, and I saw a hustler movie with Anne Hathaway (who I adore) and Rebel Wilson (who I tolerate) and thought "Excellent. Perfect viewing for me; a high person."

I don't have good opinions. Some people are born with perfect pitch, some are born able to capture the elegant arch of a loved one's cheek in charcoal, some can cartwheel. I was born with the ability to know that if I liked a book or movie, it was almost certainly derided by every reviewer and critic in the world. I love all the Saw movies. I hated Catcher in the Rye. This movie gifted me with the ability, Fairy Godmother-like, to agree with every reviewer in the world simultaneously. It's not the worst movie ever made, because even the worst movie is the best at something, it has succeeded in being awful. The Hustle succeeds at nothing. It is dry, cold, empty, if it were a physical touch it would be the papery stroke of a despised great-aunt pinching your cheek. In a sense it was incredible to witness. It's somehow impressive that every single joke in a movie falls flat, that the characters remain nothing more than cardboard cutouts of prototypes. I'm half-convinced that the writers and director were in cahoots, and it's a masterful prank, designed to force viewers to question the very fabric of their reality. While writing this review, I worried that I had taken an unnecessarily harsh view towards it due to having had a terrible personal month. So I forced myself, stone cold sober, and healthy, to rewatch it.

I think it's best viewed on prescription painkillers.

RATING: worse than strep throat 

[hitchell-mope]

(First film. After “rewrite the stars”. On the isle. Maleficent saw the whole thing)

Jafar: she’s failing

Maleficent: no she is not. She is just

Grimhilde: a teenager. A lovesick. Hormonal. Useless teenager. Y

Maleficent: would the both of you like to be throwing up thorns for the next decade?

(Jafar and Grimhilde shut up)

Maleficent: as I was saying. My daughter is not failing. She is just. Stuck. Like when the infant evaded My detection for sixteen years

Jafar: yes. Yes. If I recall correctly that was because your little runty minions had no idea that children grow

(Grimhilde shrieks in laughter. Maleficent’s eyes glow bright emerald green and the evil queen is being throttled by vines. The shorter woman’s eyes glow a bright sapphire blue and a torrent of glass heads towards the dark fairy who cuts the flow and turns it to sand. Jafar looks on bored out of his skull)

Jafar: ladies ladies. Knock it off. And we ARE right Maleficent. The child is failing. I believe it has something to do with that freckled child

Maleficent: no. He and your son and the carrot and the stick.

Grimhilde: and my daughter

Maleficent: is superfluous to the equation.

Jafar: the child is weak.

Maleficent (ruefully): just like her father

Grimhilde: her father

Maleficent: is a fool. And a traitor. That bastard left me alone with nothing but an energy drain to make up for it

Grimhilde: I remember. I was the midwife

Maleficent: All you did was catch the egg when it popped out.

Grimhilde: then you banished me. And didn’t rescind it until eight years later. I had no one to help me through 72 hours of

Jafar: biniemat allah. Would you both stifle. It’s disgusting talking about woman’s things in polite society

Maleficent: vous salir bâtard. Just because you created you spawn so immaculately with magic doesn’t mean you are the only one who ever gave birth

Jafar: why am I even here. I am a man. I shouldn’t be taking orders from a green skinned heathen

Maleficent: and that is exactly the reason why you lost the fight

Jafar: I lost because you cheated. Which is typical down to the letter with your kind

Grimhilde: halte den Mund, halt den Rand, Halt die Klappe. Du willst meine Tochter heiraten. Du bekommst kein Mitspracherecht

Jafar: I am a sultan

Grimhilde: abgesetzt

Maleficent: as I was saying before personal grievances entered the matter. They have not failed. Mal knows what will happen if they do

Grimhilde: ab mit ihren Köpfen

Jafar: iqtew ru'usihim

Maleficent: enlevez leur têtes

(In Auradon. Mal bursts into her and Evie’s room close to tears)

Mal: something just happened. Something. I know know if it’s good or bad but it’s something and that something terrifies me

(Evie’s clutching her desk. She looks white as a sheet. She looks like she’s about to throw up)

Evie (barely above a whisker): go. Now. Go. Please

Mal (stubbornly): my room as well. And I wanna talk.

Evie: I SAID GO!!!!

(The glass in the vanity mirror explodes and heads for Mal’s face intending to cut her to ribbons. Mal turns it to sand before it can reach her)

Mal: you know better than to do that indigo

(The windows broken by a twisted vine that wraps itself around Evie. This is when Jay comes in and disappears both the sand and vines leaving the girls still looking ready to kill each other)

Jay: ok what the fuck. You were getting along so well. Honestly this is sort of preferable. But why. What happened this time to set you into melee mode?

(The sisters rotten screech and rant over each other until jay manages to shush them both)

Jay: right. Mal first

Mal: I think I almost kissed the prince

(Evie sits down. Jay’s jaw hits the floor)

Mal: well the pair of you needn’t look so surprised

Evie: I told him. No. Not the time. You kissed him or he kissed you

Mal: myeh-myeh

Evie: what now?

Jay: I think you broke her brain. What happened after Carlos and me left?

Mal: Evie yelled at Lonnie cause of chad I thought Ben had black blood went mothery on him almost planted one on his unfairly cute face next thing you know Nasira’s you’re aunt and I’m throttling my sister with thorn vines

(The other two blink)

Evie: I can explain. That idiotic commoner told me

Jay: yeah yeah don’t care. Lonnie’s a good friend Chad’s an ass go for Doug. Now when you say “planted one”. Do you mean romcom or kids cartoon

Mal: there’s a difference?

Jay: hells yeah there’s a difference. Kids cartoons a short and pg. Romcoms. Are not.

Mal: the-the-the-then rom...com?

(Jay cheers loudly and punches the air. Then stops)

Jay: wait. When you say “almost”?

Mal: I stopped myself. We may or may not have danced. Then I ran out of there

Jay: oh good god it’s like a sitcom

Mal: nothing about this is funny. I. Cannot. Get sucked in

Jay: why?

Mal: because

Evie: oh my god. You’re scared. The big. Bad dragons daughter. Is scared. Of a pretty face

Jay (sending danger): ohhhh kay. Why don’t we just take a breather

Mal: I’d much rather bash a water jug over her head.

Evie: can we talk about me now?

Jay (long suffering sigh): fine. What did Lonnie say.

Evie: same thing Doug and Ben said. That Chad’s a user. That he’ll dump me when he’s bored. But she’s lying

Jay: I don’t think she was. And I don’t think you thought she was lying either

Evie: she has to be.

Mal: she wasn’t and you know it. We can read minds, remember?

Evie: yeah but

Jay (kindly) Mal (not so kindly): Lonnie wasn’t lying

(Evie goes into the bathroom to cry)

(Meanwhile, Audrey’s pacing the floor of fairy godmothers office mad as all hell)

Audrey: it’s disgusting the way those backwards circus freaks leech off him. He’s too nice to say it but I can tell he’s annoyed by them. And who wouldn’t be. Those things are barely with a first look. We should all just dump them back where they (there’s a knock at the door) OH WHAT?!?!

Doug: fairy godmother asked to see me before curfew. Something about my report card?

Fairy Godmother (glad for an excuse to be rid of Audrey for at least a couple of moments): yes! Yes. Last semesters report card. It got lost just before the break and I recovered it today. I thought we could video chat your father

Doug: sure

Fairy Godmother (under her her breath): oh thank goodness. (Regular volume) Audrey I’m so sorry dear. Well have to continue this chat tomorrow

Audrey: I’m not done

Fairy Godmother: well I am. I’m sorry dear but you have got to stop this smear campaign against Mal and her friends. It’s not nice. It’s not healthy. And it will not end well for you

Audrey: I don’t care. I’m not gonna rest until Ben sees they’re heinous villains. I’m not going to rest until that damned pixie that witch that unmanacled djinn and that freckled face fa

Fairy Godmother and Doug (absolutely incensed): AUDREY!!!!

Audrey (genuinely ignorant of what she said): what

Fairy Godmother: we do not use those words here. We have a zero tolerance policy for those types of slurs

Audrey: what slurs. It’s what they are. It’s technical terms.

Fairy Godmother: you do not use those words if you wish to continue to attend this school. Doug. I am so sorry. A rather urgent matter Amiga’s materialised. I hope we can continue this tomorrow. Audrey I’m calling your parents. You have break lunch and after school detention for the next month until family day. I am going to call your parents and give them a detailed rundown of your horrible behaviour

Audrey: my parents are in Malta until the 24 hours before family day. They’re coming down for the event. Grammy’s available

Fairy Godmother (visibly deflating): ah. You still have detention. And are required to apologise to Mal Jay Carlos and Evie for your frankly despicable actions

(Audrey pompously turns on her heel and leaves. Bumping into Ben in the doorway. He looks shocked and terrified)

Audrey: oh hey benny boo. So I was thinking when this madness is over we could

Ben (robotically): I uh I I need to speak to Doug

Doug: um fairy godmother. I need to help Ben. Training for my future employment and all that

Fairy Godmother (absolutely no idea of what’s happening): of course

Doug: c’mon Ben

(He leads the prince the back to his bedroom. Where Ben promptly starts hyperventilating)

Ben: I can’t. I can’t beli. She. How. How could she. I can’t tell them not now.

Doug: breathe. You’ll be ok

Ben: she’s wrong. She has to be wrong. Nobody’s fully rotten to the core. Are they?

Doug: buddy she doesn’t care. All she knows is that now they’re here. She’s not important anymore. And she’s doing what ever she can to make herself feel important again. And she doesn’t care who she hurts to get it

Ben: but she wouldn’t cross a line

Doug: when we were six she got her nanny fired because she said and I quote “nanny Mavis didn’t tell the tooth fairy about my incisors”. And she’s the one who locked you and Jane in the wardrobe when we were eleven

Ben (face in his hands): oh god we were in there for two hours. We had to get our braces rewired. A whole week of school spent in a hospital bed

Doug (sarcastically): sure. That’s what’s wrong with the situation she put you in. Not the fact she’s a jealous cow

Ben: anyway. Enough about me. What’s up with you

Doug: nothing. Need to show my dad last semesters report but otherwise peachy keen. Why do you ask

Ben: because I see your face whenever Evie mentions Chad

Doug: she chose chad. There’s nothing I can do even if I wanted to. Which I don’t. Can’t change her mind.

Ben: yeah. But you’re still upset.

Doug: This isn’t about me. This is about Evie. And chad. And the fact he is going to emotionally destroy her and they shouldn’t happen to anyone.

Ben (smiling knowingly): you love her

Doug: I’m sorry who has the hots for the daughter of Maleficent?

Ben: guilty as charged. But still.

Doug and Ben: we cant make them fall for us

Ben: I think Mal might like me though

Doug: lemme gues. The pen thing almost led to the inevitable kiss. Then she ran. Am I right?

Ben: yes. And how many people know about the pen thing?

Doug: well Lonnie managed to keep four people quiet that I know about. So probably everyone in our grade barring Mal and her friends

Ben: not what I had in mind for my first scandal but it could be worse I suppose

Doug (incredulous): you’re PLANNING your scandals?

Ben: I’m almost sixteen. I’m going to be king. People can be very unkind. So I may as well try to rein in some measure of control over what gets out

Doug (smiling sadly): if anyone ever tries to take that light from your eyes Lonnie and I are gonna beat their asses to death

Ben: please don’t. Nobody should ever get hurt because of me

Doug: well. Lonnie could give saint Spinelli a run for her money when she gets going. And I’ve been known to bite. But I won’t seeing as you asked so nicely. I cannot vouch for Lonnie though

Ben: of course.

Doug: you’ve still got some er (he rubs his bottom lip)

Ben: oh! Eh heh heh (he wipes his mouth)

(Back at the sisters room. Carlos has wandered in half asleep and confused)

Carps (yawning in Jay’s spare tourney jersey): whassapening?

Evie: you’ve got a new papa

Carlos: huh

Mal: don’t confuse him indigo. I almost kissed Ben C

Carlos: wha?

Jay: we can talk about it tomorrow.

Carlos (pouting): I woke up and you were gone

Jay: I’m sorry buddy. They were fighting

Carlos (rounding on the other two): you know not to fight after I’m asleep

Mal: I’m so sorry C. It will never happen again.

Jay (scooping Carlos up): c’mon buddy. Let’s get you back to sleep

Carlos: leave again I’ll turn into a boa constrictor

Jay (chuckling): I don’t doubt that

(Jay carries him out of the room)

Evie: sit down. This time we have

Mal: no. Nope. Absolutely not. No girl talk

Evie: too late! You wanna hold him

Mal: I swear. If you quote shrek at me

Evie: ok. Ok. Seriously though. How do you feel?

Mal: rotten. And not in a good way

Evie: why

Mal: look at Ben. Then look at me

Evie: well Ben does have fashion sense

(Mal kicks Evie out of the chair)

Evie: great. Now I have your boot print in my kidney

Mal: well Carlos wanted us to be closer as sisters

Evie: well yay him. Anyway. If you like him

(In the princes bedroom)

Ben: why don’t you just go and tell her

Doug: because

(Girls room)

Evie: because why?

(Ben’s room)

Doug: because

Ben and Evie (in split screen): because why

Doug and Mal: because I’m not god enough

(The friends look at them in sympathy)

Doug and Mal: it’s. It’s not how it’s done.

Doug: I am not

Mal: the one he

Mal and Doug: needs

Mal: and I wasn’t raised for it.

Ben: you know you can talk to me right?

Doug: yeah I know

(Girls room)

Evie: then talk to me

(This is when “heart attacks” happens)

[ladyginoza]

I'm so angry at the so called experts in my province that are supposed to know how to deal with autistic children and to help parents by giving them tools that will help to make their children into functional independent adults since they don't.

The tools and information they provide to parents are complete joke and they don't work. They just make everything worst and it's no mystery as to why there are so many non functional autistic people in this province. It's unbelievable and it's all to blame by our dear so called autistic experts that pretty much know shit.

What do they recommend parents when their child throws a tantrum? Let him/her have her tantrum and leave the child be. (Which makes no sense and simply teaches the child that they can get away with anything as long as they through a tantrum)

What do they recommend parents when their child throws a fit and doesn't want to bathe/shower? Do nothing. Once they find themselves to be too dirty they will shower/bathe of their own free will (Which is bullshit cause if you let them decide on bathing/showering they will never do it)

What do they recommend parents when their child refuses to brush their teeth? They will lecture the parent for not providing cute little brushes and providing the child with baby toothpaste instead. (There is a reason why adults don't use baby toothpaste and that is because they don't help to protect your teeth from cavities. It's simply to start babies to get used to the toothpaste in their mind and to get them used to spitting it out. It serves no other purposes so what experts are telling parents are pretty much rotting autistic children's teeth but I guess it's okay since baby teeth falls out and new ones grow in right? Well it actually forms a habit and at age 12 the child still won't want to brush their teeth. My sister is a good example of that.)

What do experts recommend parents when their child obsess about things? The recommend parents to indulge in what their kids are obsessed about. (That is in no way healthy when it comes to the point the child refuses to do anything else or refuses to be interested in anything else other than what they are obsessing about at the time.)

What do experts recommend parents when their child follows them around and are pretty much possessive of the parent to the point that the child constantly harasses the parent to do what they want them to do such as the parent playing a little game on their tablet to unwind and the child always wants to interfere? They recommend to tolerate the child and allow the child to follow the parent like a dog even though the child does nothing that a child should do and the parent should allow the child to interfere in whatever they are doing. (That is such a terrible recommendation. Parents have the right to play little games to unwind and they have the right to personal space.

What do experts recommend parents when their child grows an interest in drawing for example? They recommend parents to constantly praise their child for what they created and to compliment how great their art is and to sit with them when they are creating. (I agree to praise a child when they do something since it is good for their mental development. However, there is a limit. For example, I wouldn't compliment a drawing if it is terrible but of course you wouldn't tell anyone what they created is bad but that it is good and they should keep practicing. Why? Well we live in the real world and what will happen if you constantly compliment something that is not that great well the other children surely will and what do you think will happen? Yeah, it won't end well. What experts are basically telling parents is to sugar coat everything which is a terrible idea. I don't believe in sugar coating, it never ends well.

What do experts recommend parents to do when they ask their child to do a simple chore and the child refuses and throws a tantrum? Nothing. That's right nothing and to do it yourself. (Like seriously? How is allowing a child to throw a tantrum so they don't have to do their chore supposed to help them become functioning independent adults? It doesn't. What do you think will happen when they get a job and their boss asks them to do something they don't want to do? They'll throw a tantrum and they'll get fired that's what will happen.

I understand that yes autistic children can't be treated exactly the same as other children but there should be a limit. I've often assisted in meetings with my mother since I'm also my sister's godmother and there was one meeting where experts would tell us that we should never give consequences to my sister. Like that is just bonkers.

My mother did what she thought was best and followed the so called experts' advises almost like a religion. 12 years later and you have one of the laziest manipulative child. They made everything worst. My sister does nothing and when I say nothing I do mean nothing. She's 12 and refuses to load the dishwasher, doesn't clean up after herself so we know exactly where she ate or know what she did. She doesn't pass the vacuum. My mom put her foot down and in order to get her to do simple chores like do her bed and empty the dishwasher she has to threaten my sister by taking something away. It's the only way she'll do it if she fears she'll lose something which is usually her DS.

My sister has a thing where she likes to hit animals. She used to hit the cats or try to hurt them. Even my dog was often a punching bag until Maya started to lose patience and now growls at her and she also growls at my sister if she is rough towards the cats. We told her if Maya bites her due to her behavior, we won't punish Maya. It will be her that gets punished and surprise she hasn't mishandled any of the cats of Maya since we told her it would her that gets punished and not the other way around like the experts kept on saying XD

And hear this. When the so called experts would hold meetings with us, my sister was always around. We had to have her in the room with us as they would tell us how we should act and such. They claimed that since my sister is autistic that she wouldn't focus on what we talked about. Well surprise! Last year in school after she smacked her teacher aid in the face with a hockey stick and she was being scolded for it. Want to know what she replied to her teacher aid? She replied, ''It's okay what I did, I'm not normal.''. She literally uses her disability as an excuse to badly behave. Again to make sure she doesn't do it again, with my mother's approval, the school threatened my sister if she dared to hit anyone every again than whoever she hit will hit her back the exact same way. She never hit anyone again afterwards because she doesn't like it when others treat her the exact same way she treats them.

 And don't get me started with table matters. Experts again told my parents to ignore it but now she's 12 and eats like a pig and other kids make fun of her for it. If you give her a full plate, she will eat it in less than 10 minutes and her mouth will be so full to the point she can't even close it. It's maddening and my parents have been trying to stop her from eating like that ever since she was 5 and it only continues to get worst. Last week she put a whole hotdog in her mouth without biting it.

My sister is 12 and you can bet your ass we can't take our eyes off her. At this point she doesn't read or write because she doesn't want to. She finds it hard so she doesn't want to do it. Her hygiene is terrible and we have to force her to shower but does a poor job unless she wants something. She refuses to learn anything new. At this point, if she doesn't break, once she hits 18, she'll be placed into a manor. It's to that point how non functional she is. So yeah she can't, no wait doesn't want to read a 3 word sentence.

Fucking experts who don't know shit.

Okay I'm done venting

[sasuhinasno1fan]

Inviting my crushes home for Christmas

@theshibacat, I’m your gifter for the @shklance-exchange. One of the mods know you personally and they gave me your Instagram since you don’t really use your Tumblr and I saw that you liked Percy Jackson, so I should at least sprinkle a bit of one of the best series in this. I hope you enjoy and happy holidays.

“You are coming home aren’t you mijo?”

Lance controlled the urge to roll his eyes. He loved his mother, he really did, but she needed to stop assuming that he willingly wanted to stay at Camp Half-Blood. The only reason he was even there instead of school was because his goddess mother, Aphrodite had pissed someone off in Olympus and decided to take it out on him. He knew Poseidon had to also be involved because there weren’t many creatures that went looking for half-bloods out of spite, screaming about the child of Poseidon and Aphrodite would pay. He was gonna have to have a talk with his uncle the next time he visited Camp.

“Mama, I swear, I’ll be taking the Fates Taxi home.”

“I don’t trust them. Don’t they all share an eye?”

Lance sighed, “they might share an eye, but they can actually drive. I mean, they are in charge of my life. I doubt ending it in a car crash they were responsible for is how they’d want to go.”

“Alright. Is anyone else at Camp?”

“I mean, a few of the Roman kids are here and…” Lance looks from the Iris rainbow he was using to talk to his mom in front of the Aphrodite Cabin down to where Cabin 13 stood. There was one demigod who was living there, and he was one of the reasons Lance’s heart would flutter.

“Oh, sweetheart, is he there? You should invite him and that other boy home.”

“What? Mom, no! Are you insane? You want me to bring my two crushes home, to you guys, where I’m bound to be embarrassed and never come back to camp again, let alone face them?”

“Oh sweetheart, it won’t be that bad.”

“Um, I was there when Veronica brought her girlfriend. Do you really think I’ll subject them to that?” Lance demanded to know.

“I’ll tell Luis to behave. Come on sweetie, I want to meet these guys. I can put in a good word.”

“Mom, no. Absolutely not.” He loved his family, but he was not ready for the utter embarrassment he was going to feel if they met his crushes.

One of which who was walking down the hill.

“I gotta go. Love you mom, bye!” Not even waiting for a response, Lance kicked the handle for the water he was using to make his rainbow off, so the stream of light died, and the rainbow faded. Just in time too, because Shiro, the demigod son of Bellona came up to him.

“Hi Shiro.” Lance said, trying not to look guilty.

“Lance, hi. Busy?” Shiro asked, pushing his white fringe away from his sweaty face. Lance guessed he had been training with the Ares kids again, if the sweat soaked purple shirt was anything to go by.

“Not really. I was just calling my mom. She’s really excited to have me home now that the issue with those monsters got dealt with.”

“I’m sure your mother is happy with your godmother, making you stay here longer.” Shiro joked.

“Yeah. Unfortunately, Aphrodite’s been known for some nasty curses and such so I told my mom to lay off.”

“Usually a good idea. Godly moms are about 10 times worse than dads. Trust me, I know.”

“I’m sure having the goddess of war as your mom makes thing really interesting.” Lance teased, patting himself on the back when Shiro laughed.

“Can’t argue with that. You enjoy your time home in case I don’t see you before you leave.”

“Are you going home too?”

Shiro shook his head, looking a bit embarrassed. “Um, my step-mom’s still a bit upset from when I took off to Camp Jupiter earlier to avoid telling my dad I didn’t want to go to the college he choose for me. She told me I’d have to come tell him eventually, but I wanted to keep away from his anger for a bit longer. I’ve already missed a whole semester and I’m not sure who wants to kill me more. Probably my step-mom for leaving her to deal with my dad for so long.”

“So…you’re gonna be here?”

Shiro nodded. “It’s ok. A few of the other college demigods are coming here for break and not all the Camp Jupiter kids are heading back soon so I won’t be alone.”

Lance could hear his mother’s words resounding in his head. Lance should have just stuck to his word, saved himself from any embarrassment but Lance was a weak man. “Um, if you wanted, you could come over to my place. I mean, it’s me, my family and any other member of our family tree not out on their own vacation. It’ll be a little crowded and loud but at least you won’t be here alone.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”

Lance shook his head, his smile welcoming, “it’ll be fine. My mom’ll dote on you and everything.”

“Well, I guess if it’s ok with your family, I’d love to.”

Lance could melt with the smile Shiro gave him. how could one man be so perfect? Well, there was someone else Lance thought was just as perfect but only when he wasn’t being an ass.

“Cool. I’m leaving tomorrow after breakfast for Miami, so pack your warm clothes.”

“I will. Thanks Lance. You didn’t have to do this.” Shiro said.

“I wanted to. No one should be alone on Christmas.”

They shared one last smile before Shiro left to go take a shower and Lance needed a moment to slow his heartbeat. He had done exactly what he told his mother he wouldn’t do but he couldn’t help it. Shiro would be at the camp just to avoid his parents. Granted he couldn’t do it forever but no one wanted to deal with family drama during the holidays. It just…didn’t seem right for Shiro to be at the Camp by himself. Besides, it would only be one of his crushes, so it wouldn’t be horrible.

At least, that’s what Lance thought.

He’d been packing his bag, making sure everything was there when he heard an all too familiar sound of dirt being dug. He flew from his bed and ran outside, wishing he’d grabbed his bow as well because a certain hellhound was digging up the flowers in front of the Aphrodite Cabin, again.

“Bad hellhound! Kosmo, get away from the flowers!” the black and blue furred hellhound looked ashamed with his dirt covered snout and paws. “Bad hellhound! You know better! You had better-”

He didn’t get a change to finish his order as Kosmo disappeared into the shadow of the Cabin, leaving Lance with ruined flowers and a need to nag a certain owner. He took the treck over to Cabin 13, the oobsidian walls looming over him, but he wasn’t scared.

“Keith! Open the door! Your dog was digging up our flowers again.” Lance swore he’d be even more ticked off if it was anyone else’s animal companion but somehow because it was Keith, his anger would dim. Only some though; Lance still had to replant all the flowers.

The door opened revealing the Hades child, who looked ticked off Lance was pounding at his door with the age old excuse.

“What?”

“I love Kosmo, I really do, but you need to control him. Romelle isn’t going to be happy when she comes back and sees the mess he made.”

“I can’t constantly keep an eye on him.”

Lance frowned and opened his mouth to say something but stopped. Something about Keith was different. Having the allure of his godly mother, Lance had gotten good at reading people and he could tell something was bothering Keith. For one, he had snapped that Kosmo didn’t do anything wrong like he usually would when the Aphrodite kids would come to complain about Kosmo. He also seemed a bit more reserved than usual just from his body language. Plus, his usual frown seemed more pronounced than usual.

“Are you ok? You seem…off.”

“I’m fine.”

Lance raised an eyebrow. Plus, his ability to read people pretty well, his actual ability of emotion reading from Aphrodite told him Keith was lying.

“Keith, seriously, what’s wrong?”

Keith was pretty silent before he let out a huff. “My mom isn’t gonna be here for Christmas.”

“Your mom?”

“You’ve heard of her right? She’s a demigod too, daughter of Ares and is part of the demigod group that protects younger demigods who can’t come to Camp yet.” Lance nodded. The Blade of Mamora they were called, after a rare weapon of Ares according to stories. “She got called on a mission and couldn’t get out of it, so I’ll be here over the holidays since I’m in no mood to spend it with my dad or Persephone.”

“I thought Persephone liked you?” Lanced asked.

“Only cause my mom found her during the summer after I was claimed and told her she wanted nothing to do with Hades. She tolerates me at most. We didn’t really get to spend a ton of time together this past summer because of the quest I got called on. I feel like I’ve been here long enough.”

Lance bit his lip. Shiro was one of his crushes and Keith was the other. Keith and Shiro were already really close and as much as Keith would push his buttons, when he was actually being nice to Lance, he felt good about it. He’d been secretly crushing on them both and slowly was trying to make his feelings known. The fact that Keith was really upset with his mom not being able to be with him, it pulled at his heartstrings. It seemed Lance wouldn’t be able to keep the promise he made to himself, of not having his crushes anywhere near his family.

“Um, you don’t have to say yes but…I’m going home for Christmas tomorrow and Shiro’s avoiding his parents, so I offered for him to come with. If you want, you can come to. I’ve got a huge family and I know you’re not the best with large groups but at least you won’t be alone.”

“You don’t have to pity me.”

“I’m not.” Lance quickly said. “It’s just…I get it. Thanks to my godly mom and my dear uncle I came here instead of being able to go see my mom after school every day. I get it, wanting to be with your parents. My mom will totally dote on you. Who knows, she might even try and talk with whoever is in charge of the Blade just to get your mom here. I want you to come, if you want to.”

Keith looked slightly uncomfortable, but he nodded slowly, giving Lance a shy smile. “Sure. If you’re sure it’s ok, I’ll come. Thanks Lance. I’ll talk to Persephone and see if she doesn’t have anything to deter Kosmo away from the flowers next time.”

“No problem. We’re leaving after breakfast tomorrow, so I’ll see you then?”

“Sure. Thanks, again.”

“No problem.” Except now he had to figure out a way to keep his family away from his crushes with any blackmail they’d have on him.

“I thought you weren’t planning on bringing them here.” Rachel whispered as she followed Lance, staring at the two dark haired demigods who were playing with their niece and nephew.

“I wasn’t but after I got off the phone, well rainbow, with mom, I found out Shiro’s been avoiding his dad because he doesn’t want to go to the school he wants, and Keith’s mom is on a mission and won’t be around for Christmas. You can’t tell me that if you found out the person you like was gonna be sad over the holidays, you wouldn’t try and make it better.” Lance defended.

“Of course, I would. I just didn’t think you’d bring them to blackmail central. The whole family is here Lance, they’re gonna say something. You know mama doesn’t keep her mouth shut.”

“Trust me, I know. But what choice do I have?”

“Leave the country and never come back?”

Lance rolled his eyes at his sister. “Bit hard to do with a godly mother like Aphrodite.”

“Fair point but hey, compared to what’ll happen? Paradise.”

“Tio! Hurry up!” Nadia called from where she sat on top of Shiro’s shoulders. Why was is it the sight of good looking guys with kids made Lance melt?

The pier near their house was having their annual Christmas festival and Marco’s kids begged Shiro and Keith to take them, hence why they were all there now.

Sylvio was holding tight to Keith’s hand but he grabbed onto Lance once he moved closer. “Tio, you’re gonna win something for me, again right?”

“Of course, though is that the only reason you like me? Because I can win you toys?” Lance teased, Sylvio sticking his tongue out at his uncle.

“Swing me!” he demanded, tugging on Keith and Lance’s hands.

“Swing?” Keith asked confused.

“He wants us to pick him up by his hands, so he can swing.” Lance explained, laughing a bit at how utterly confused Keith seemed to look. “Just pull you hand up on 3 ok? 1, 2,3!” Sylvio went up, laughing as he came down, begging for it again.

“So what games do you win? You don’t charmspeak anyone do you?” Keith asked.

“Keith, don’t automatically assume every Venus kid has charmspeak.” Shiro said from in front of them.

“It’s Aphrodite and last time I didn’t, one of his siblings sent me walking straight into the lake.”

“Oh yeah, that was funny.” Lance laughed. “That was also Allura, head of the Hunters of Artemis. You had insulted her.”

“She insulted Kosmo first, they tried to attack them.”

“Yeah, a hellhound. No offense to the big goof, but you can’t really blame them. Your dad isn’t exactly the nicest. It was really funny watching you stomp away soaking wet after Allura apologized.”

Keith pouted, looking away, causing Lance and Shiro to laugh at him.

“Why is Keith pouting?” Nadia asked.

“Because he’s mad.” Lance answered.

“Didn’t you tell abuela that you thought-” Nadia started but was stopped when Rachel put her hand over her mouth and pulled her off Shiro’s shoulders.

“Nadi, why don’t you, me and your brother go get something to eat for your Tio so he has tons of energy to win you toys?”

“But?” Nadia started.

“You can get cotton candy.” She tempted.

“I wanna go!” Sylvio said, pulling away from Keith to go over to his aunt.

“Alright. Let’s go. We’ll meet you guys at the ornament tent mom goes to ok?” Rachel said, already shepherding the kids away.

“That was strange. Is everything ok?” Shiro asked.

“Oh yeah, totally fine. Hey, let’s go check out the gift tents. Maybe we can find some things for your family.” Lance said, trying to control his emotions. Naida almost said something. No doubt from overhearing when he’d call Keith cute on the rare occasions he’d pout. Gods, if she said anything about when Shiro smile, he’d just about die.

“I want to get something for your mom. She’s been very kind to let us stay over.” Shiro said.

“Oh, you don’t have to.”

“I want to. It’s the least I can do to repay her.”

“Me too.” Keith jumped in. “She’s been really nice. If you don’t my asking, how’d she react when she found out you were a demigod, or did she always know?”

“Well, for one, I don’t have charmspeak, but Aphrodite kids always have his allure right, that bring people to them. I guess mine was pretty high as a kid cause I’d get followed around a lot. It was pretty concerning, especially with a large family like mine, they got pretty worried. My dad finally admitted that he cheated on my mom with Aphrodite when my brother Marco, had to body slam some guy from shoving me in the back of his car. Still don’t know if that was my allure or if that guy was just a general creep but by that time, we needed answers. I remember I got really scared my mom would hate me when she found out I wasn’t hers, but she was more pissed off at my dad. She told me how she was the one who raised me the whole time without any help from Aphrodite, so how could she not be my mom?”

“That must have really meant a lot.” Shiro said.

“It did. It could have gone so much worse, but it didn’t.”

“All the more reason to get your mom something right?” Keith pointed out.

Lance sighed. He couldn’t argue with that. “My mom does love anything with peonies.”

“Peonies it is.”

As they walked by tents designated for gifts when Shiro asked a dreaded question.

“What was Nadia trying to point out earlier?”

“What do you mean?” Lance asked as they stopped by a jewellery stand.

“When she was saying you thought something. She said it right after you pointed out Keith pouting.”

“Oh, uh, nothing important. It doesn’t matter.”

“You’re lying.” Shiro said, pointing at Lance’s face.

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. Bellona kids know how to read an opponent’s.”

“I could cream you in an archery competition.” Lance said, trying to get Shiro away from asking about his niece nearly revealing his massive crush on the two.

“Which is why I’m not stupid enough to challenge you to one and you know what I mean. You can read emotions and I can read body language.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I’m curious. You’re not one to keep secrets.” Keith said.

Gods, the two did not give up.

“Ok fine, she heard me tell my mom I thought someone’s pout was cute ok?”

“You have a crush on someone?” Keith asked.

“Someones.” At this rate, Lance wouldn’t have to worry about his family outing him. It’d be himself.

“Anyone we know?” Shiro curiously asked.

“Maybe.” Lance said starting to walk forward.

“Is it Nyma?” Keith quickly followed.

“The girl with the Ares boyfriend? Do I look like I’m insane?”

“Allura?”

“She’s the head of the Hunter of Artemis, they don’t date.”

“Hunk?”

Lance turned and look frustrated with Keith’s questions. “He’s dating Shay. Why the hell does it matter?”

Keith just crossed his arms and pouted some more.

“Sorry, it’s just, we’re a little curious.” Shiro said.

“It’s fine. It’s just embarrassing. I’m not at all ready to tell them how I feel and the last thing I want is my family saying anything.”

“You’re allowed to wait till you’re ready. Think we can at least know where these people are? Maybe we can keep an eye out.”

He should say no, but Shiro was understanding. If he did figure it out, he knew Shiro wouldn’t poke and prod him. Keith might but if anyone could stop him, it was Shiro.

“It’s two guys.”

“Ok. Anything else?”

“One is from Camp Half-Blood and the other is from Camp Jupiter.” Lance conveniently looked away for that admittance.

“And?” Keith asked, almost begging to know.

“One of the is a child of war.” He wasn’t going to make it too easy.

“Child of war and from either Camp Jupiter or Half-Blood?” Lance nodded. “Can’t you tell us anything else?” Keith begged.

“Come on Keith. Take it easy. He’ll tell us when he’s ready.” Lance didn’t know why, but he felt like there was a double meaning in the statement.

“Fine.” Again, with the pouting. The Child of Hades was trying to send him to an early grave.

“Presents, for my mom. Let’s go before all the good gifts get sold.”

Shiro was the first to find his gift. He found a pair of rose gold hair sticks with peonies painted on them. He started then going into a lecture on why they made good defence weapons, which scared the vendor into giving him a discount, so he could leave.

“I got these at such a bargain, I wonder why he lowered the price so much.”

“Gee, I wonder.” Lance said sarcastically.

“And they tell us the Ares kids are wild childs. What does Bellona teach her kids?” Keith whispered to Lance.

“I don’t think I want to know.”

Keith was able to find his gift in the form of a pressed flower shadowbox.

“My mom loves these.” Lance said once Keith picked one up. They didn’t have peonies, but he thought the hydrangeas were a good choice.

“So, does my mom. She looks like she can kick your ass but give her a bouquet of flowers and she melts. It’s a little strange.”

“Sounds almost like you, except we just have to give you Kosmo.” Lance teased.

Keith stuck his tongue out at Lance, causing Shiro to laugh at them.

Rachel found them easily after Lance won his nephew his first gift.

“I didn’t have enough hands to get drinks too, so we can go get them.”

“It’s ok. Keith and I’ll get them. You guys stay here.” Shiro offered, not allowing either of the siblings to deny him.

Once Lance saw the crowd swallow them, he turned to his sister. “so, I might have said something to them.”

Rachel looked surprised. “did you tell them?”

“No, well kinda. I told them I had crushes on someone and then Keith wouldn’t stop asking all these questions so said one of the guys I like was a child of war, which is Shiro.”

“What about Keith?”

“Well I couldn’t exactly say the other guy I liked was a child of death. There’s only Keith.” Lance reminded.

“Well technically isn’t Hades just the lord of the underworld, not the God of Death?”

“The actual god of death doesn’t have kids. It wouldn’t have worked. It’s just, Shiro stopped Keith from bugging me more about it, saying I’ll tell them when I’m ready and, I don’t know. It felt like he was trying to say something.”

“Maybe he knows and is telling you to take your time.”

“I doubt that.”

“How do they have this much energy?” Keith asked as Nadia and Sylvio climbed on Shiro’s back, not on moments after they woke up from their naps.

“Be very happy you have no siblings Keith. Though, they are good for endurance training.” Lance joked.

“Lanceito?”

“Si mama?”

“I think I might have left one of the dish towels on your bed. I drop off your laundry before coming down to the kitchen. Can you go check please?”

“Si. Hey kids, why don’t you ask Keith to lift you up?” Lance threw in before running upstairs leaving Keith to deal with the kids running straight at him.

He quickly went up to the third floor and opened the door to his room. In the pile of folded clothes, he spotted a red towel that belonged in the kitchen. Picking it up, he almost didn’t see the wrapped package on his desk. Lance dropped the towel on the desk and picked up the package. It was light. He knew it wasn’t from family because his grandmother didn’t allow any presents to be placed anywhere else but the Christmas tree. He pulled off the wrapping paper, eyes widening at a blue wrap and a seashell pin attached to it. Lance remembered seeing them at the fair. He’d been staring at them while Shiro had been picking his gift before getting distracted by the unwanted lesson on defence. He picked up the card tucked into one of the folds.

“I might have been pushy, but Shiro is right. Take your time and tell us when you’re ready. Those guys you like, aren’t going anywhere.” Lance read, the card signed by both Keith and Shiro. He felt his face getting very hot. They knew. They had to. But they weren’t pushing. Lance knew he still wasn’t ready to go up to them and say something and that, was fine. It was fine. If he went downstairs, they wouldn’t say anything, not until Lance did.

So, he did go back downstairs, with the wrap around his neck like a scarf, the pin on the side and handed the towel to his mother.

“Oh sweetie, where did you get that?”

“Um,” Lance looked over his shoulder and saw Keith and Shiro looking at him, both giving him a smile before turning back to the kids. “It was a gift.”

So, Lance wasn’t ready yet, but he knew they’d be there when he was.