#tommy? who would just be like why don’t you spread a rumor that she has chlamydia?

[heavencasteel420]

I think I have this figured out. I have also thrown Steve into the middle of these complicated family dynamics to be like “hey, Jonathan, we barely know each other and have had one (1) positive interaction. You seem like a good audience for me to waffle about my relationship with your friend’s friend who does not like you.”

I really need to think about where I want Jonathan and Joyce to be, emotionally, at the end of this chapter.

[nburkhardt]

Somebody Loves You, You Got A Friend (part 2)

(Part one)

It’s been nearly a week since everything was flipped and he’s no longer “King Steve”, no longer friends with Tommy and Carol, them jumping ship when Billy rolled into town.

Without a girlfriend or friends, he’s a little lonely right now.

Calling the number on the matchbox is easy, especially when it’s only his mom and him in the house today, so he grabs hold of the phone and dials it.

“Munson Residence, if this is Hagen again, I’m gonna hang up” a smooth voice floods his ear and he’s so glad his mom is working outside, because the sharp intake of breath would’ve had her eavesdropping immediately.

“Uh, hi, it’s- it’s Steve, Steve Harrington” he stumbles over his words, “you- left your-“

He’s interrupted by a chuckle, “I’m surprised you even called, Harrington.”

“Why would you give me your number if you didn’t think I’d call?”

“Considering you were sobbing like crazy, dude. I’m surprised you even got home, I realized after I should’ve driven you home. But, I didn’t think you’d like being seen with the resident freak”

Frowning, he looks out the window to spy on his mom, she’s too busy with her flowers. “Truthfully? I don’t give a shit who I’m seen with. I don’t know if you’ve heard but I’m on the bottom of the totem pole”

A snort, then continued laughter is filling his ear and he’s smiling like an idiot. Clearly, he’s been in the wrong crowd since school started. Because that laugh? He would absolutely kill to hear it every day of his life.

“Aren’t you a surprise, your highness. How about this, you come over and we’ll do a trail run. Sound good?”

He nodded, like an idiot. A smile growing on his face and he only knows this because his mom is inside and laughing at him. Scowling at her, he forces himself to talk, “sounds great, I’ll be there”

Eddie responds with a ‘see you soon’ as he hangs up and Steve just scowls at his mom as she walks up to him, “aren’t you adorable when you’re flustered”

Groaning, “I’m not flustered! I’m- anyway! I’m going to a friends place”

She laughs again, kissed his forehead and went on her way to shower. “Have a good time and remember to be safe!”

Throwing his head back with a groan, he went on his way to his own room to get properly dressed yelling out an ‘I love you and be home later’ to her as he walks out the door and into the unknown.

The test run, as it turns out was an amazing time. Despite running in different circles, having nearly nothing in common, they get along so well, it’s almost scary. Eddie’s all metal and nerdy, while he’s all pop and sports.

Truly the odd couple.

———

Rumors at school immediately spread wild and fast.

Not that he cared, actually, he and Eddie make it a game. Who can hear the wildest one, so far, Eddie’s heard that Steve is buying his friendship. Which, rude.

Steve will freely admit, he’s never had this much fun in years. His mom even admitted this is the happiest she’s seen him in a while and she’s happy to see it. (His dad is, of course, disappointed to hear about the lack of Hagen friendship. But doesn’t say anything else, thankfully.)

After only a week, he decided to introduce his mom to Eddie and eventually it’ll be a mistake with the two teaming up against him. But after the dinner, he’s unfortunately embarrassed by his mom talking and showing baby Steve to his new friend.

If he’s being honest, which he tends to be, he hopes Eddie is more than a friend someday.

And once Eddie is heading home, his mom corners him and he can see the twinkle in her eye. “That boy, is an absolute delight! A way better fit than Nancy, sweetie.”

Has Steve mentioned how much he loves his mother? Because truly, if anyone understood him, it’s her.

They don’t say anything more, because really, they don’t need too. They’re comfortable right now and life is so much better when they’re happy.

—

Ending it there for now :) again, this story is mostly slice of life with honestly no real plot to it. It was originally just a fun story I was writing for myself because at the time it was alllll I wanted and there wasn’t many fics with the exact thing I wanted. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it!

Any questions or if you see any mistakes let me know!! If you wanna be added to the tag list, I can do that ☺️

Taglist: @spectrum-spectre @itsfreakingbats @mysticcrownshipper @artiststarme @thereindeerlady @justforthedead89 @ronniescontinuum @freyaforestafay @littlewildflowerkitten @zerokrox-blog @callme-keys @maya-custodios-dionach @rajumat @yellowdevilkitten @munsonfamilyband @steddierthings

[zodiyack]

Some Good in Our Lives

Pairing: Thomas Shelby x Female!Reader

Warnings: Jealousy, angst

Words: 975

Key: Italic + small font = thoughts, italic + small font + bold = narration (Thomas narrating)

Summary: Wherein a brother's jealousy causes more than one heart to break, as well as two very important people in his life to be angry with him and the woman he loves to leave his life.

Note: Saw this prompt/challenge on tiktok and decided to give a go at it! The original prompt is at the end if you'd like to try! Also, sorry if Tommy seems a little out of character, although I said I wanted to try my go at this prompt, the key-word is try. (And I’m finishing that last request)

Masterlist | Peaky Blinders Masterlist | Cillian Murphy Masterlist

Taglist: @matth1w, @redspaceace-writes, @fandom-puff, @darling-i-read-it, @simonsbluee, @captivatedbycillianmurphy, @jenepleurepasbaby, @sebastianstanslefteyebrow, @stuckysslag, @psychkunox, @i-love-superhero, @marquelapage​, @peakyxtommy​, @stydia-4-ever, @babylooneytoonz​

'Deep down, I knew they didn't deserve it.' Please just leave

'Ridiculous.' Tommy thought, smoke pooling from his lips as he flicked the cigarette between his fingers and watched as the cheery woman greeted the other men in the bar. 'Those pigs don't deserve her smiles.' Then she made her way to the open door of the private booth belonging to the Shelbys.

"Good evening John, Arthur, Tommy."

"What's so good 'bout it?"

She turned back to Tommy, brows furrowed, "Pardon?"

"I said, what's so good about this evening? Bunch of drunk men and an annoying little girl who doesn't seem to take a hint."

His brothers looked down, avoiding the tension straining the room the best they could. However, they couldn't help but listen to the exchange taking place before them.

"I'm not a little girl, Thomas. I'm a woman. A woman who deserves respect at that." She spoke bluntly, eyes dropping into a glare. "If you'd rather me stop simply being nice to you, than that's on you." She turned back to the two sitting quietly. "It was nice to see you, gentlemen. I apologize for the inconvenience you were cursed with."

Arthur chuckled, "What inconvenience might that be, Y/n?"

"Of having him as a brother."

With that, she turned and walked right out, making sure to slam the door behind her. Unbeknownst to Y/n, and Tommy's brothers, Tommy smiled a bit. 'That'a girl.'

His actions weren't genuine, not that she knew that. He appreciated her greeting him every day, but his jealous side couldn't help but get the better of him.

She was an innocent woman as well, and everyone knew that the Shelby boys weren't great company for those of clean mind. He'd always said that she was too good for this world, but never once would he admit his feelings aloud.

His brothers flirted too much for comfort, the men in the garrison as well. He didn't want her hanging around them. Tommy didn't care if it was fair or not, nor did he care if people thought it was cruel.

He loved her too much to do anything else.

"Why're you so mean to her?" Arthur asked. He looked ahead at the woman in question, Y/n laughing with Ada as they drank.

Tommy followed his brother's eyes, "Why do you ask?"

"You like her, don't you Tom?" he chuckled.

"What makes you say that?"

"Many things...Pol thinks you do. Pol's always right."

'I’d never been more frustrated with that woman and her great skill to see through me. I’d looked up to her most my life, and I know she was just doing what was good for me, Arthur too, but I was an idiot.'

“Pol also has no place in this.”

“You can say that Tom, but I side with her on this one.” He shook his head and continued to drink peacefully.

Thomas became tormented with thoughts of the simple conversation. Things he knew to be false, such as Arthur chasing Y/n’s affection, came to mind and made him grow an even deeper shade of red...figuratively that is. The blinder was skilled in keeping a blank facade.

After he’d decided that he’d had just about enough with the trouble his mind was causing him, he stood up and walked to the women he and Arthur had been watching.

“Y/n.”

She paused, laughter falling quiet, and turned, the joy on her face suddenly dropping. Tommy would be a liar if he were to say that his heart didn’t ache at her response, but he is also far too stubborn to openly admit such.

“Leave.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said leave, Y/n. The pub is no place for silly little girls. You too Ada, you best be off as well.”

“You’re just as much in charge of me as you are of her,” Ada scoffed.

“I didn’t ask whether I was in charge of you or not. I told you to leave.”

The pub slowly began to grow quiet as more and more people started to stare at the event unfolding in front of them. “I’ll do no such thing, Thomas.” Y/n crossed her arms.

“Did I ask if you would?”

“Did I ask if you asked?”

He rolled his eyes, “I’m tired of your childishness-”  bar.

’I tried to plead, “Please, just go home, this isn’t a safe place”...but I was fool who persistently chose to use cruelty over simply saying those three daunting words.' 

“And I’m tired of you treating me like a child.” Y/n nodded.

“Then why don’t you grow up and act like a damn woman?” His words were, just as he’d said, childish and his argument was weak. However, Y/n had been yelled at by the man she once looked to with great admiration far too much tonight.

Gasps sounded throughout the room, Tommy clenched his jaw, and Y/n stood her ground with knitted brows. They stood like that for a moment or two, neither making a move until Y/n looked around. She looked back to Arthur and gave him a sorry nod before turning and leaving the bar quietly.

The pub never once returned to rowdiness that night.

"Where's Y/n?"

Arthur lifted his head, eyes darting back and forth. "You didn't hear?" Thomas shook his head, causing Arthur to sigh. He felt great sympathy for his brother but he also felt somewhat angry with him.

"She had it, really Tom. Broke her good, that you did." A weak chuckle left his mouth, attempting to hide the true sadness visible on his features.

"Not just that, Tom, but you pushed her past the edge. She moved to America, said to tell you she's sorry for being such an inconvenience." John rose from his seat, anger in his eyes, "Had to go an' ruin some good in our lives didn't you?"

All he could do was take a seat and look down in shame. He did this. He was the cause of her leaving, and he knew it. As he lit a cigarette, he thought to himself. Not only did he hurt his brothers, but he hurt her.

'Deep down, I knew they didn't deserve it.'

I suck at conflict lmao

Write a short story or make a short film with a narrator and have the beginning of the story start with them saying "deep down, I knew they didn't deserve it." and the narrator is like jealous of another character because something good happens to them and then the narrator does something- ruins their life, spreads nasty rumors about them, something like that, but at the end, the same line is said. "Deep down, I knew they didn't deserve it."

The first time, it's said with jealousy, the second, it's an admission of guilt.

[frankiekatt]

Could you do a Thomas Hewitt with a insecure female reader who always wears clothes (hoodies, sweaters, etc) that cover her whole body 24/7, even on the most hottest days. And refuses to remove anything even if NSFW events occur. Would Thomas be annoyed by it and how can he convince her to change. (Sorry if this sounds like a weird request, I totally understand if you don't want to do it :)

You got it! I actually used to be like this and still am sometimes, so this was really nice to write. I hope you enjoy it!

TW: Implied murder, slight NSFW

Thomas Hewitt With An S/O Who Wears Long Sleeves 24/7

He feels you.

Thomas knows what it's like to not feel comfortable in his own skin, so there is absolutely no judgement coming from him.

He does, however, think you have nothing to be ashamed of.

You’re the most beautiful thing Thomas has ever seen and he wishes you knew that!!

Working around the Hewitt household in long sleeves can become very uncomfortable very fast – everyone in the house is expected to pull their weight, which means you have a variety of tasks to complete each day. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, gardening, luring victims to the house, fixing up the house, it all makes your body temperature rise rapidly.

Thomas is usually down in the basement during the day, so he doesn’t get to see the way you stumble around the house, trying your best to do your chores despite suffering a semi-heatstroke.

Luda Mae is the one who spots you sweating and panting while pulling weeds from the garden. It's no shock to her. You are wearing an oversized sweater while working under the Texas sun, but it does confuse her why you aren’t changing into something breezier. She doesn’t ask you why you wear what you wear, not wanting to pry, but she does worry about you, so she makes it a point to frequently bring you glasses of ice water to try and cool you down.

It gets to a point where Luda Mae cannot stand seeing you almost pass out each day with sweat dripping down your forehead, so she tells Thomas.

Once Thomas hears this, he becomes extremely worried about you. You were suffering each day and he never knew.

He goes upstairs after hearing this from Luda Mae and finds you in the kitchen scrubbing the counters. You were wearing a large hoodie, just like always, but now that Thomas knows your usual attire has been causing you discomfort, he decides to confront you about it.

You try to tell him that you just like to dress this way, that this is just your style, but he’s not buying it. He can tell you’re miserable in these clothes, that you’re hiding something from him.

He let’s it go for the time being since you both have to get back to your chores, but he plans on revisiting the matter later that evening.

When that evening does come around, Thomas finds you in the living room sitting on the couch, sipping ice water from a tall glass. He’s a bit hesitant to ask you about your clothes again, not wanting to upset you or make you feel uneasy, but he knows this is an important matter and he feels it’s his duty to help you.

So, he timidly approaches you, his nervous expression hidden behind his leather mask. You beam up at him once he’s standing in front of you. “Hey, Tommy! I missed you today!” you reach up to him, wanting to hug him close to you, which he accepts eagerly, wrapping his arms around you gently. You can tell something is off with how stiff he is; he’s usually so relaxed when around you, but now he seems to not want to be in your presence.

“Is something wrong, Tommy?” He lets out a quiet sigh before letting you go.

‘Why are you wearing that,’ he signs.

His questioning makes you look down at your feet. “I already told you, this is just how I like to dress.”

‘That’s not true. It’s too hot to be wearing that, I know it makes you feel sick to work in those clothes. I want to help you.”

You wished he would just drop the subject. Yes, he was right. Working around and outside the house in these warm clothes during the Summer season in Texas does take a huge toll on you. You’re constantly burning up, sweating, feeling fatigued and like you could hit the floor at any moment. But you prefer to endure all of this instead of bearing any part of your body besides your face.

“I just...I feel more comfortable with myself wearing this. That’s all.”

“Why?”

Your face burns at a million degrees from embarrassment. “Because I’m ugly, Thomas! I hate the way my body looks, okay? I don't want anyone to see my body, especially you.”

With that said, you got up from the couch and retreated to your room that you shared with Thomas.

Thomas could feel his heart breaking apart as those words left your mouth, as you walked away from him in shame. You thought of yourself as ugly? You? How could anyone possibly see you as anything less than stunning?

Thomas followed you to the room the two of you shared and found you laying on your side on the rickety bed in the middle of the room. He could see your shoulders shaking as you cried silently. Now it felt like someone had ripped his broken heart out of his chest and devoured it right in front of him. He hated to see you cry.

He ran over to your side of the bed and bent down on the floor in front of you. “Sweetie, please don’t cry! Please don’t be sad! You’re so beautiful and I love you so much,” he signed frantically.

“No I’m not,” you argued. “I’m so ugly and if you see my whole body you won’t want to be with me!”

There had never been a time where Thomas thought of you as any less than perfect, but right now he thought you were insanely absurd. He was the ugly one, he thought. He was the one who was afraid you would leave him if you saw him without his mask. He could never leave you - you were the best thing that ever happened to him. And that’s exactly what he told you.

You felt hurt that your boyfriend thought of himself that way. You knew he was beautiful underneath his mask, no matter what. It dawned on you that Thomas probably felt the same way knowing you thought of yourself as ugly too.

“Thomas, no. I know I haven’t seen you without your mask yet, but I just know that you’re so, so handsome. Please don’t think of yourself that way. I...I know that that’s what you want to say to me too.”

Thomas nodded, eyes filled with sadness. “Why won’t you believe me?”

It was hard to talk about. It made you feel embarrassed and small and ridiculous. “Tommy, when I was younger, just starting high school, I had my first boyfriend.”

Thomas was already shifting uncomfortably. He didn’t like hearing about another man getting to love you the way he does.

“There was this one night, my boyfriend and I decided to be more intimate, and…” your cheeks were on fire at this point, “And he didn’t like what he saw. The next day at school, he avoided me. A week after that, he was dating one of the school’s cheerleaders. And not long after that, they started spreading rumors about me. Mean, nasty rumors that got around pretty fast.”

Thomas hadn’t noticed, but tears began to leak out of his eyes at your story.

“I felt disgusted with myself. I never wanted anyone to see any part of me, so I covered myself up. And I just...never stopped, I guess.”

Thomas raised his hands slowly to begin signing to you. “They were liars and bullies. You are so pretty. The loveliest angel I’ve ever met. Please believe me! I would never lie to you. I just want to see you, all of you. But most importantly I want you to be comfortable with yourself.”

You didn’t reply, but you let Thomas’ hands run down from your shoulders to your wrists.

“Can I touch you?” he asked.

You wanted him to. You and Thomas had had sex before, a couple of times, but you had never taken your shirt off, and he had never taken his mask off. You wanted Thomas to love every part of you, even if you didn’t love yourself. You wanted to believe him when he said you were beautiful. You wanted him to believe he was beautiful.

“I’ll let you see me, if you let me see your face.”

Thomas stiffened. He had always dreaded this moment. He never wanted to show you his face if he could get away with it, but he knew one day he would have to. And he knew if he ever wanted to help you, to make you believe him, he would have to show you the same trust you were trying to show him.

So as the two of you lied yourselves bare to each other, kissing every part of each other’s bodies, whispering sweet words between trembling limbs and pounding hearts, you both began to believe that maybe the other was right. Maybe the two of you weren’t ugly monsters.

The two of you were beautiful together.

[findingjoynweirdstuff]

Dream SMP Recap (February 13/2021) - Ranboo and the Crimson

As Captain Puffy and the Eggpire race to gain Technoblade’s favor, Ranboo finds himself caught in the middle of a conflict once more. Ranboo has his own encounter with the Crimson and makes new plans for the future.

Is history doomed to repeat itself?

---

VOD Links:

Foolish Gamers

Captain Puffy

Technoblade

Ranboo

---

- Technoblade logs in. He’s confused by the changes at his home, including the fence and the foxes.

- Puffy logs on. She has a gift for Ranboo. She wants to get him a replacement pet.

- Ranboo shows Techno his renovations and also his bed duplication skills.

- Techno shows Ranboo the incredible Note that Puffy left. This changes everything.

- Techno reads Tommy’s letter. Right as he reads “we could all die tomorrow,” they spot Badboyhalo in corrupted form staring right at them in the distance. They run into the cabin to hide.

- Ranboo disappears into the void of logging out to avoid killing Steve.

- Bad meets Techno at the door. Bad’s heard rumors that Techno’s received correspondence. Techno shows him the Note.

- Bad mentions the Egg. He suggests they go on a roadtrip to see this new landmark.

- Techno brings Steve with him.

- Captain Puffy goes down into the Egg Room.

- She takes a trip up to the surface to explore around and see just how much the Vines have covered everything.

- Techno and Bad pass the prison, but Techno doesn’t know what it is.

- Bad suggests they take a look at L’manhole. He knows Techno’s not the biggest fan of governments. They stare down into the crater. 

- Puffy goes back into the Egg Room. She thinks Bad might have intercepted her note somehow, but she doesn’t think Techno will fall for it.

- Bad suspects they’re being followed. This berry bush wasn’t here earlier, was it?

- Puffy hides in the Egg Room with a plan to interrupt the conversation at the perfect moment.

- Bad brings Techno to the Egg, and Techno hears its whispers.

- Apparently the Egg is an influencer and has its own Instagram and TikTok account. In fact, it just uploaded its first TikTok.

- Techno hears the Egg’s voice again.

“You’re familiar...Do I know you...?”

- Puffy interrupts. Bad explains to Techno that the Egg has an objective. He tries to argue that Techno’s not a fan of governments, and the Egg can help him achieve his goals.

- Techno asks if the Eggpire is a government. Bad tries to explain himself. It’s not very effective.

“Quick question. If it’s an Egg...what’s gonna hatch out of it?”

- Bad says that isn’t important. He says the Egg can help Techno achieve anything he wants.

“I already do achieve everything I want.”

- Is there nothing that Techno could possibly want that the Egg could help him get?

- Techno says he hears a lot of voices already. The Egg is just another one.

The Egg speaks again as Bad threatens Techno. 

“I will defeat you.”

- Bad finds Ranboo in the water pool. Bad asks if Ranboo hears anything.

The Egg shouts harshly.

“I hate you...HATCH ME.”

- Bad tries to tempt Ranboo to the Egg as Techno tries to tempt him away with carrots.

The Egg whispers.

“Tell me what you want, Technoblade. I will give it you.”

- Bad takes Ranboo, Techno and Puffy to the Meeting Room. Bad says the Egg made Techno a very good offer. Anything he wants. His heart’s desire.

The Egg has only one goal. It wants everything. It will let Techno keep his things as long as Techno loves it in return.

- Not only can the Egg let them keep their things, but it can give them more things. Techno says, though, that he’s one of the wealthiest people on the server and doesn’t need anything more.

“What about you, Ranboo? What do you want?”

“To not be involved, honestly.”

“Well...the Egg wants you to be involved, Ranboo. I’d go so far as to say the Egg needs you, Ranboo.”

- Bad points out Techno wouldn’t want anything to happen to Ranboo, would he? Techno points out that Bad is out-numbered.

- Bad pearls out of the room as a fight breaks out. In the chaos, Ranboo falls down into the hole.

- Techno throws down a trident. Ranboo’s overwhelmed, he says he’s started hearing things. They throw him pearls and he pearls out.

- Ranboo only has a throwing trident. Techno tells him to throw it at Bad and Ranboo says “I...can’t.”

- Ranboo says the Egg told him something. 

- They head back to the Nether but Steve falls and they have to rescue him. As they do so, Ranboo asks Techno about something. Who are the voices he hears, exactly?

Techno tells him that instead of one voice, he just hears a whole crowd of them.

- Ranboo confesses that he hears Dream’s voice. Whereas Techno’s voices can give helpful tips, Ranboo says his voice tells him bad things. Whenever Techno sees him walking around acting differently, that’s his Enderwalk state. 

And the Dream voice tells Ranboo things he did. It’s the link between those two states.

- Puffy hopes that she can defeat the Egg with Techno’s help and gets two pet sheep -- Ramboo and Lamboo -- for Ranboo.

- Ranboo finds the gift Puffy left for him later, though only Ramboo made it.

- Ranboo heads to the Dream SMP mainland and explores around, seeing the growth of the Vines.

- Ranboo goes back to the Egg with the goal of confirming that he heard nothing. Should he destroy it? What would happen if he destroys it? What would happen to everyone under its control? Would they...die?

- Ranboo destroys that it would be better to just keep things the way they are, and goes to leave.

The Crimson whispers.

“Traitor.”

“What did you just call me? Say it again. What did you just call me? You do know that that’s...you know that’s not true. Say it again. Say it again, I dare you.”

The Crimson whispers.

“Traitor.”

“No, that’s not true. No, that’s not true. How dare you call me that."

The Crimson replies.

“You helped Dream.”

“No, I’m not, are you kidding me?! ...This is just like the Dream voice! This isn’t...this isn’t real, no. Right? The Egg voice isn’t real, I don’t think...right?”

“Waterfall” from Undertale starts playing.

“You’re just trying to make me believe something that isn’t true at all, right?...Say it again. Say it again.”

“Traitor.”

“To who? To what? Why do you only say these vague responses? Why do you say these vague things, just tell me. Why, how...just tell me. ‘Cause obviously you know something that I don’t, right?”

“Traitor.”

“Don’t you dare. Say that one more time and see what happens!”

He holds the hoe.

“I could destroy you right now! ... I’m not the one that relies on a group of other people to get you to spread, alright? I’m not the one that relies on others. I don’t do that. I don’t like relying on others. Because whenever I rely on others, they hurt me. So I’m not doing it again."

The Crimson shouts.

“Don’t trust anyone.”

“Why? What do you mean? Wait, what do you mean? Why? Why? I know that, I don’t do that already, I don’t...I know that I don’t do that already, I...okay. Um...I already don’t do that, why are you restating that fact?”

“I will find a way to get rid of you. I could get rid of you right now, but I don’t know the effects it’ll have on other people. Because I don’t trust people...but no one deserves to die, here.”

- Ranboo insists that he’s going to be the person who gets rid of the Egg. Somehow.

The Crimson speaks. Ranboo pauses.

“Don’t trust yourself.”

“How did you know? How did you know about that, there’s no way...You know that I can’t even trust myself. There’s no way you could’ve...no way you could’ve known about that at all, right?”

- Ranboo takes the gamble. Even if Bad gets hurt...He breaks parts of it but they hurt him. He can’t damage it or it’ll kill him.

As he walks away, the Crimson whispers.

“Traitor...”

“Shut up...please.”

- He exits the Egg Room.

“Why does it still sting?”

- Ranboo heads back through the Nether.

“I feel a little...better, now that I’m really far away from it.”

- He can only deal with one voice that tells him what to do right now.

- Foolish asks if Ranboo likes the Egg. Ranboo says ‘eh.’

- He makes a plan on his house wall.

---

“Find way to not get hurt.”

“Find a way to stop conflict.”

“Figure out a way to be happy.”

“Figure out why the same things keep happening.”

“Figure out how to stop them from happening.”

“How to stop them from happening again.”

“Find my friends again.”

“Make peace.”

He skips a spot.

“Also get some food.”

---

- Ranboo goes on a monologue, this time with a new plan.

- He decides that he wants to get involved now, because sitting idly by didn’t solve anything. He wants to be a mediator instead, take more of a role this time. Take more control, create a court system to solve problems in.

“So that means that...we could all be a big happy family again.”

---

Upcoming Events:

- Jack Manifold wants to meet with Technoblade

- Many visits with Dream

- Sam’s lore stream

[mariaiscrafting]

You know, what think I like when you are critical of a content creator is that you know how to separate a fact from especulation, unlike a blog out there that took especulation as facts.

Example, that night when we were critical of Karl, or any instance you have discussed about him, a lot of anons were saying that he gave them clout chaser vibes to them, and despite your opinion, you expressed that those were only especulation and not the truth, and to keep that in mind. That's good critical thinking.

But this blog had some similar anons, saying that he only is friends with the Feral Boys gro clout- In fact, they said the Feral Boys were only in it to benefit from clout and money. And they took it as a truth. I know you instance on them is neutral, but come one, they are friends. All of them. Karl isn't friends with them for clout. Like today Karl was playing golf with salad gang plus Sapnap and George at first and then Quackity and Dream joined bc they had spared time and it all devolved into typical chaos (Poor Corpse and Tina and Brook, had to endure those children lol/lh /j). Like, the stream wasn't planned with the 5/5 yet they joined, missing Karl and just having fun.

Idk, I guess that blog's superiority (They were a SBI focused blog) just irritated me. It's as if they were putting both groups at each other as if those streamers aren't friends or close. They were singing prayers of one while shunning the other based from especulation. Criticissism is fine, in fact recommended to be critical of your interests, but taking rumors as facts to base your crit is yikes. It's as if I wanted to crit SBI and base it only of "Philza hanging only with people younger than him is kinda weird ngl.." or "Sbi doesn't care about Tommy cuz he joined late" like that dumb Tumblr post did or some fuckers in Twitter imply.

The main reason I take so much care to separate speculation from evidence-backed theories and confirmed truths is because I feel like that separation is what distinguishes us from mcyttwt the most. One of the main reasons for mcyttwt's toxicity, imo - for its relentless cancelling of everyone, for its bandwagon campaigns - is that people oftentimes criticize and defend based on their personal feelings rather than rationale or evidence.

For example, I complain a lot about Dream stans on here, but you know the reason I didn't stop watching Dream directly after the cheating scandal broke loose, even though I thought he cheated? Because of mcytblr Dream stans. Mcytblr Dream stans engaged with me in discussion, both publicly and in DMs, about the cheating scandal, and even those who eventually came to the conclusion that Dream didn't cheat accepted the facts and statistics they were given and kept a healthy skepticism throughout the process. On Twitter, Dream stans were defending him before he even made a video following up to the mods' initial accusations because they felt that Dream wasn't the kind of guy to lie or cheat. They were replying to screenshots of statistical analyses from subreddits and to articles from mathematicians and staticians with extremely reactionary responses because of that feeling, which they believed in so adamantly, they had accepted it as fact. The thing is, to believe that Dream didn't cheat in the face of all the statistical and rhetorical evidence to the contrary is, in itself, speculative. Usually we think of speculation as a baseless theory that something is a positive truth- that is to say, that something did happen. But speculation also applies to those theories of someone not having done something, when the opposite has been nearly proven to be true.

For this same reason, I chose not to ignore the anti-technotwt threads with screenshots of Techno's old tweets in them. For me to have simply ignored these screenshots and continued supposing that Techno never expressed bigoted beliefs and/or currently doesn't would have been speculative on my part, and to boot, blatantly wrong, given the evidence to the contrary.

People in this fandom, and in all RPF/RPF-adjacent fandoms need to understand that almost everything they believe about the CCs they watch is speculative, at least to some extent, because of the nature of the content they make. Even if someone, in your opinion, displays evidence of some aspect of their personality - whether that be some form of bigoted, sweet, rude, clout-chasing, or anything else - because of the extremely one-sided nature of sharing one's life through a screen, that theory of ours will almost alwyas only ever be speculation, not a solid conclusion that can be drawn. We will never know these people's true intentions behind something shared to us via the Internet.

That vagueness leads to virtually every viewer creating a different theory in our heads about the CCs we watch, and we can't treat those theories as facts, especially not when sharing them with the rest of a fandom. I'm not a very big blog, but I consider even over 50 followers to be way too many people to spread a theory too, without at least clarifying that what I'm posting is speculation. If I have evidence, I like to list it or, if I can, provide sources; but otherwise, I take care to qualify most things with phrases or disclaimers that will clue followers into the speculative nature of whatever it is I'm saying. This is because theories and "feelings" can blaze through a fandom like wildfire, especially somewhere like Twitter, where so many things are word-of-mouth or based on summary due to character limitation.

You know why mcyttwt was cancelling Andi? Only a handful of original Tweeters under the cancel Andi hashtags actually knew what clips or tweets to criticize her for, or tried to elaborate on that criticism. But because every other mcyttwt user was getting bombarded by their mutuals hate-posting about Andi on their TLs, the "negative feeling" towards Andi grew and grew, even if most people didn't even know what they were supposed to feel negative about, exactly. Our judgement works on a quick trigger on the Internet because of the amount of information we're receiving, and so, even a single bad word against someone you don't have too strong of an opinion on can fundamentally alter your perception of them, usually subconsciously. If the first thing you see about Andi, who you've only seen on a couple LOH's or a couple Punz streams before then, is a tweet along the lines of, "disappointed in Andi for her homophobia and joking about suicide," despite you having no context, you will most likely be pushed to the negative side of her. Thus begins the cycle of hatred, building up and up, leading to you searching for more and more criticism about Andi, whether speculative or not, until you solidly and genuinely believe she is a Horrible Person. It all starts with the vaguest fucking feeling, because that's all speculation has to go off of, and it snowballs into a fucking wildfire across an entire fandom. I'm not about to be another person to let feelings snowball and spread like that.

Now, I don't know what exact blog you're referring to, but as an adamant SBI enthusiast, let me flip the argument many SBI stans have for their speculation upon the genuity of Karl's friendship with the Feral Bois, onto SBI. What do we have to go off of for the genuity of SBI's friendship, anyways? Our perceived brother dynamic between Tommy and Wilbur could very well just be Tommy capitalizing on Wilbur's brand and continuing the charade until now because it's been profitable. Maybe Techno only continues to associate with SBI because he knows how much his fanbase likes headcanon'ing about SBI, so he puts up with streams with them so he can continue to feed his fanbase with dynamics he knows they're obsessed with. Maybe Phil would rather play MC with people his age, and actually dislikes that he's friends with a teenager, but sticks around because he profitted so much off of Dream SMP and SBI-related content. And what could any SBI stan have to argue with me on any of these theories? Just because SBI laughs around each other and seems fond of each other doesn't mean they're actually like that behind the cameras. They so seldomly stream or make videos together anymore, anyways, so maybe they've grown tired of keeping up the dynamic.

Everything I said could be interpreted as utter bullshit, and that's because it fucking is. I don't actually know what Techno wants to do with his life, or how Wilbur and Tommy actually feel about each other, or who Phil wants to fucking befriend. The same goes for Feral Boys. There's nothing wrong with stating your theories or speculation, but to treat them as fact or not at least qualify such posts with the fact that this is all based on your bias and opinion, and no substantive evidence, is irresponsible. Just because you feel like one or more of the Feral Boys is "clout-chasing" doesn't mean you have the right to tout that feeling as truth. I feel a lot of things about a lot of CCs, both negative and positive, but no matter how strong my feelings, unless they have substantive evidence backing them up, I have no right to treat them as facts with my followers.

[bird-in-a-cage]

Frenulum

Apparently, according to Suzie Carmichel, Billy Hargrove had a dick piercing.

Steve had overheard it at a party, when he was busy in the kitchen making up a drink concoction that was mostly hard liquor and very little mixer. Usually he just ignored gossip, especially at parties where everyone is in a constant state of being somewhat drunk and because he had been the subject of a lot of gossip himself in the past, but that one. That one small line, half slurred over the kitchen sink and a now empty bottle of malibu, made Steve’s ears burn. Made his mind run a million miles an hour, self control long gone a few cups ago with whatever drink Tommy had given him when he’d first arrived. 

Tommy’s jungle juice was lethal but it got the job done. Fast.

With his own strange mixture Steve wandered through the party, brushing past bodies in different stages of sweat and sobriety, all bumping to the music that was loud enough to rattle the family photos on the walls, until he found the man in question outside in the yard. Sucking on a cigarette and nodding his head from side to side at the echo of the music. He had his own cup filled with god knows what, the leather jacket he came in long lost somewhere inside. Someone else was probably wearing it like a trophy.

Lucky them. 

Steve stood on the back porch, a little higher up from where Billy was stood in the grass nearby by himself, and pointed a finger with the hand that was holding his cup at the back of that dirty blonde mullet.

“You! I’ve heard a rumor about you.”

Billy just turned his head, eyebrow cocked, eyes glassy like blue marbles. They were both as gone as each other. Maybe Tommy had given them the same warm welcome even though it wasn’t his party. At least Steve didn’t think it was. He’d lost track of who’s house this was and on what street about an hour ago. Billy hummed around the cigarette between his lips as Steve made his way down so they were standing shoulder to shoulder.

“Suzie Carmichel knows your secret...”

Billy blinked heavily and stared at Steve. A curious expressional mix of confusion and I don’t care crossed his face at the same time.

“Who the fuck is Suzie Carmichel?” he spoke around a nearly burnt filter.

“You know. Suzie Carmichel. Big hair. Has that bag. Horses.” Steve explained with his hands, mimicking her blown out perm she always had. It was huge. Like a blonde cloud made of hairspray and hope. He couldn’t believe Billy didn’t know who she was. Everyone knew who Suzie Carmichel was. It was Suzie Carmichel. Billy just continued to stare blankly, took a swig of his drink in the silence before Steve waved his hands again to move onto the next subject, the more important one in his mind. “Did it hurt?”

“Wha’? This conversation? Yeah it’s pretty painful, pretty boy,” Billy grinned, flicking the spent filter towards a covered up trampoline pushed up next to the flowerbed. Probably to stop drunk party guests trying to bounce on it and hurting themselves.

“No! It. Did IT hurt?” Steve didn’t imagine it was a pleasant thing to get done. In the half hour it had taken to find Billy in kind of a small house it was pretty much all he could think about the entire time. A whole barrage of questions. What did it look like? Did it hurt? Why?  

Billy blinked again and sighed, glanced a look down at his cup as he rolled the dark liquid around inside, clearly contemplating a top up. “One last chance amigo and I’m headin’ back inside...”

Steve sighed frustrated. He didn’t want to actually have to say it in case it wasn’t true and then he looked insane, thinking about Billy Hargrove’s dick. Not that it would be the first time he’d thought about it but still, Steve didn’t need to admit it out loud if he didn’t need too. He squeezed his eyes shut and let the drink warm in his veins talk for him.

“Did it hurt getting your dick pierced?”

Billy’s grin was wild and hot when Steve opened his eyes again. The same look he got during a particularly rough basketball game, where everyone else playing was just prey waiting to be caught. It made Steve’s blood feel impossibly tropical, especially when Billy leaned closer, muttered into the shell of his ear deep and sultry. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Yes. Steve would like to know, that was the point in asking. But Billy was gone before Steve could follow up, disappeared back inside the house alive with the whole senior year. Steve felt abandoned in the backyard, answerless and alone. That had neither been a confirmation or denial and it just made the thoughts in Steve’s head worse and harder to hold onto. Especially in his inebriated state. No. He was finding out the real answer to this tonight even if it killed him.

Which if he was wrong, probably would.

The music changed from one synth track to another. Eurythmics making themselves known. Making the walls shake. Making bodies bump and grind. Making it harder for Steve to get through. A riptide of hormones. But Billy was nowhere to be found. Wasn’t downstairs anywhere either in the kitchen, or the makeshift dance floor of the living room that had spilled over into the dining room adjacent. Wasn’t in the basement getting high with whatever terrible weed was getting passed around the few stoner kids. And as far as Steve knew he wasn’t upstairs occupying one of the few bedrooms that seemed to be permanently engaged. Someone probably would have bragged by now. He tended to hear that type of gossip now he wasn’t in the highest levels of Hawinks hierarchy anymore. There may as well have been a ticket system in the hall with couples waiting to find one to use, so he might have at least seen. 

Whomever's house this was had better air the place out in the morning.

Steve didn’t want to seem desperate. But he was. He was also several cups of whatever was going deep and needed to piss pretty badly.

In his own defence, the bathroom door wasn’t locked when he pushed it open and saw Billy standing over the bowl finishing up, shaking out the last few drops. Steve would have been pretty mortified usually but Billy just glanced back and laughed before looking down at himself again.

“Didn’t realise you wanted to know that bad Harrin’ton,” he chuckled. “Should’a been clearer in askin'.”

“I’m not,” Steve lied. He couldn’t help but stare a little at Billy holding himself. Holding the answer to a million new questions. “You didn’t lock the door.”

“Maybe that was on purpose...” Billy rolled his head on his shoulder and smirked something wicked. Steve felt warmth pool in his gut that had nothing to do with the alcohol but had everything to do with those lips and darkening eyes. “You wanna see then? Since ya’ found me.”

Steve made sure to lock the door behind him when Billy cocked his head, beaconing him over. He leant back against the smooth tiled wall, still holding his cock and okay it was bigger somehow than Steve remembered. He’d only seen it in the showers though. And he wasn’t really looking. More a haphazard glance in the wrong direction than anything else when temporarily blinded by shampoo. Steve stepped closer in the small bathroom, eyes dragged down as Billy just lifted his cock up like it was no big deal to show off like this. To show off a three rung ladder of small black balls, clearly attached to bars, living either side of his shaft just under the head.

Seeing it made all common sense leave Steve’s head immediately. He’d never seen anything like it before. At least Suzie Carmichel wasn’t lying.

“Did-did it…?” Steve couldn’t get the end of his sentence out, just mesmerized by what was in front of him. Unable to take his eyes off it. Maybe sober it would have been a lot more awkward but here, in the cramped bathroom, there was nowhere else Steve wanted to be. Even if it did smell like piss and too much cologne and some weird floral perfume from coming from somewhere.

“Hurt? Yeah,” Billy chuckled, moving his hand so his thick fingers caught a little on the piercings, rolling them with his knuckles. It was impossible to ignore the way his cock twitched in his hand. It was impossible to ignore how Steve felt his mouth water. He blinked, trying to shake that thought away somehow but impulse was in control, no longer burdened by sense and a public filter. “Worth it though. Feels good.”

“Yeah?”

Billy nodded in that self satisfied way, just stroking himself now in a drunken haze. And Steve couldn’t stop watching as he got hard, somehow got thicker. It was nice to know Hargrove didn’t suffer from whiskey dick. Steve set his half empty cup on the edge of the sink and let curiosity take over, reaching across the short gap to brush his knuckles over one set of metal. They felt cool against his skin. Billy muttered out a shit at the small touch, so Steve did it again with his fingertips this time, rolling the smooth metal and brushing against the hot velvet of Billy’s cock, now completely hard as he let go and let Steve take over. He wrapped his hand around and gave a few tentative strokes, noting how the piercings felt against his palm, how he could feel the connecting bars if he squeezed a little, being careful not to drag or twist too hard. Whatever Steve was doing was clearly working, Billy’s eyes were hooded and heavy, his head rolled back against the white tile of the wall.

"Knew you had pretty hands for a reason," he muttered breathless, filled with lust, starting to rock his hips into Steve’s fist.

Steve couldn't help but chuckle a little, changing his grip again to roll his palm over the head that was quickly getting slick, spreading it back down to Billy’s thick base to make everything go easier. He made a point to really press his thumb between where the balls were connected to each other, rolling over the bars that lived under his skin. That had Billy practically purring, gripping Steve's shoulder with one strong hand, moans echoing throughout the room.

"You been starin' at my hands Hargrove?" Steve spoke with a grin. It felt good to have both the upper hand and to have the other boy so pliant for once. All bark and bite completely dissolved. Like he had found a secret ‘off’ switch in those tight jeans. In return Steve’s own jeans had become incredibly tight, his hard dick pressing up painfully against his button fly, almost threatening to pop the buttons free.

"Fuck-ah-h-hard not too. You talk with 'em a lot."

Billy practically melted when Steve swept his thumb through the weeping slit, gripping the opposite shoulder harder so there would be a bruise under Steve’s shirt in the morning without a doubt, letting out a noise that would surely be heard through the door by someone. Not that Steve cared anymore. Or really cared to begin with. He'd never admit it, but he thought about this a lot. Not just having Billy in his hand and falling apart so easily, but being able to shut that smart mouth up for once. But now with the piercing discovery he had something new to add to the little fantasy, well, memory now. They were hard not to play with every stroke up or down. Just there to apply pressure too, to see what new noise he could get out of Billy’s pink mouth. 

But there was still one question left, bubbling up in Steve's mind and popping out of his mouth before he could stop it.

"Anyone ever blow you with 'em?"

Billy chuckled around a moan, both noises getting confused in this throat, but it sounded amazing. Made Steve’s dick kick harder. "You wanna try suga’?"

Not an answer. But Steve would take this one. Even as drunk as he was, he doubted any of this would leave the bathroom. The same way things never left the locker room. His knees hit the floor with a heavy thud as he settled between Billy's legs. Another set of bruises for the morning. He rolled the tip of his tongue around the little metal balls first, to see how they would taste. Musty. Like Billy’s smell. But not unpleasant. Like licking over a ring. A fist was heavy and tight in his hair in an instant. Not pushing or pulling. More bracing. Holding something that wasn't smooth so could be held.

Hargrove was a tight fit. Or Steve was out of practice since Carol came along and took up all Tommy’s time. Probably both really in all honesty. Steve's lips stretched something obscene taking down as much as he could, using plenty of spit cause Billy looked like he was into anything but clean and neat, pressing his tongue wide and flat over the piercings, rolling them with a little swallow that had Billy barely able to stand. Steve could taste his tongue getting more and more coated.

Billy didn't taste half bad, surprisingly. Not good, but not bad.

Duran Duran started coming through the floor. Hungry Like the Wolf. It seemed appropriate. Steve pushed Billy's hips back flat against the wall to stop him from moving, he was rolling on the balls of his feet within his boots and it was threatening to become an issue.

Not that he would mind Billy's thick monster destroying his throat, but breathing was still important. Maybe another time. If that would ever be a possibility.

It was less than a minute before Billy's fist got tighter, pushed Steve back so just the head of his cock throbbed on the taller boy's tongue as he came in ropes. Painted the inside of Steve’s mouth, threatening to bite through his own lip to contain some of the guttural noise that erupted from his throat just watching it happen with laser focus. Steve swallowed most of it, but there was a lot, some dripped down his chin and into the collar of his polo, leaving a strange stain. He nearly popped being used in such a way. His briefs felt damp.

It had been a while.

Billy panted as Steve got back to his feet, took a swig of his drink to wash the bitter taste out of his mouth, getting his hand batted away when he reached out to keep playing with the piercings like he was magnetized. 

"God, give a guy five would ya?" Billy tucked himself away, zipped up his jeans loudly, but didn't sound annoyed. It sounded more like a proposal.

Steve shrugged with a grin, biting the rim of his plastic cup and leaning up on the sink. He still needed to piss after all, just now it would be a lot harder. Billy patted his shoulder and went to leave, just unlocking the door before saying something over his shoulder that was definitely a proposal.

"If you’re still hard in twenty you can find out how they feel gettin' fucked."

[anigodd]

The Deal

Here it is, the crossover I said I would do like 3 weeks ago. Sorry about that. anyway, first and foremost, I’m a Captainsparklez stan, so he is the main character. Also, if you don’t know anything about Mianite, this aint for you, sorry. 

Let’s get started! It’s super long, but enjoy!

Summary:

Jordan would not consider himself a cruel man, but when he saw that children, especially Tubbo, were being forced to fight in a war? Well, if he made a seemingly harmless deal with JSchlatt in order to...persuade him to end the war, then that was his own decision to justify. After all, what was a war without a little bit of psychological torture?

Most of the time, people forget that Jordan, better known as Captainsparklez or just The Captain, was old. I don’t mean in his 40s or 50s, I mean thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of years old. He’s fought for balance for as long as his lady had accepted him as her Champion millennia ago. Most don’t know simply because they don’t ask.

Most of the time, people forget that he is not entirely human. He’s immortal—it come with the job description—and has spent so much time in the End that it was bound to affect him eventually. His Lady, ever the one to always worry about him, changed him ever so slightly so that he was not susceptible to most human weaknesses: he didn’t need to sleep as much, better stamina, strength, etc. He complained that she did not have to do that, to save her power for something more important than him, but she stared him straight in his eyes and said with such conviction and with such sadness in her eyes that he was stunned,

“You are the most important thing to me, Jordan. Please, never forget that.”

He never did.

Most of the time, people forget that Jordan was dangerous. You don’t remain the Champion of the Goddess of Balance without having a few perks, nor do you simply kill a god and not absorb some of their power. In his dreams, he could see snippets of the future, not like his Lady, but just enough to influence his actions in wars or in everyday life to help maintain balance. Jordan could feel a deep ache in his soul when balance was disrupted. He can travel to and fro from the end without the need for a portal—he teleported like an enderman (he wouldn’t stop scaring Tom with this new-found power for days). He knew how to use a bit of magic, some was taught to him by the Ianite in Ruxomar. Just simple spells, such as small barriers or being able to communicate with endermen. He really had to hone his magic at some point. What was most interesting was his control over some of the Darkness’ domain. He never figured that he gained a little bit of something from killing World Historian all those years ago, he just thought he was mentally prepared for the next years to come.

Turns out he was wrong again.

The Darkness, before their final battle, had brought this to his attention. The deity would always poke into his head and whisper to him, but Jordan would push him out of his head when it got too much for him. After a few times, the Darkness said that Jordan had more power over his mind than he thought. The deity’s voice sounded intrigued by this development and soon worked harder to get Jordan on his side to no avail. However, what the Darkness said lingered in the back of his mind until one day, after the war, his Lady brought it up.

They were quietly sitting in her temple in the End when she spoke.

“Captain, I don’t want to pry, but I know that you’ve been thinking about what the Darkness told you and, if you wanted, I could help you control it?” She hesitantly offered. Jordan froze.

The Darkness told him a lot of things. He promised him weapons of infinite power, nights of peaceful rest, a break from the voices in his mind—a break from fighting. He promised him a peaceful life if he joined him. The Captain composed himself but stopped.

‘Control what?’ he thought. Now he was confused. It must have shown on his face because a smile blossomed on Ianite’s face.

“I wanted to teach you how to control your mind. The Darkness noticed you were able to block him from your mind. That does not come from years of experience, Captain. It’s more of a gift...or perhaps a curse. This power is why, when I was being influenced, I was unable to communicate with you,” she explained.

“Unable to talk to me? Why? I never intentionally pushed you away,” Jordan questioned. He would never ignore his Lady, even if she wasn’t really herself.

She chuckled. “I know you wouldn’t, Jordan. Thank you for that. What I mean is that you subconsciously blocked out all influences if the Darkness, including me.”

She watched as his eyes widened, but he nodded slowly in understanding. He waited for her to continue before he asked his questions; she could feel his curiosity.

“I could either help you control and develop this power, or you could leave it as a sort of unconscious barrier for your mind. There are many aspects that come with this gift, not just protection for yourself. If you wish, we could start immediately?” Ianite inquired.

She hoped he accepted. The Captain was like a son to her and it would mean the world to Ianite if she could finally teach him something as a mother would teach her son to ride a bike. She wanted to see him grow into his power and watch with pride as he mastered magic. Yes, she hoped he would accept.

Ianite watched as he thought about it. He stared at her. She could see his burning curiosity and the look of hope on her face. The truth was, the Captain craved knowledge more than power. He wanted to know anything and everything that he could, and this was something he wanted to learn. It may come in handy in the future.

He nodded. “When do you want to start, M’lady?” he asked with a smile.

She grinned. “We can start immediately.”

Oh, she couldn’t wait to see what he would become. No matter what, she would be proud.

—————— Nobody knew the extent of Jordan’s power or what he was trained to do. Rumors spread of the great hero who learned how to harness old magic from the teachings of the Goddess herself. Others say he went mad with power and tormented her with visions of destruction. Some say he does not look human anymore. Some say he guards her temple in the End and is still loyal to her thousands of years later. Others say he got to live his life in peace after training.

Some of those rumors are true. After all, all myths come from a seed of truth. Nowadays, though, The Captain does live in relative peace. He gets to participate in tournaments, such as the newest one called Minecraft Championship, where he really just plays for fun. He never got to make friends or have fun for his years under the gods, but the Universe has calmed down and his Lady wanted to see him have fun and socialize.

Most of them recognized him or had heard of him. He was always so uncomfortable with attention or praise but thankfully—THANKFULLY—their starry-eyed looks stopped after a while. Unless, of course, he said something that they recognized as one of his catchphrases all hell broke loose but...well...it was pretty funny to watch them yell and laugh good-naturedly when he said something like that.

Some asked him a million questions about his life or his adventures, especially this...child? His name was Tubbo and, apparently, Jordan was his role-model. He was flattered and a bit flustered. Most people that came up to him were older than 16 and usually asked about his fighting tactics or the wars he fought in. But this kid asked about none of those. Tubbo was the nicest kid he had ever met and tried to give him the best answers that he could, even if the were a little vague at some points—he didn’t want to scar the boy.

Tubbo didn’t seem to care. He always stared at him with the most excited smile and genuinely interested expression that he nearly cries thinking about it. Only a few people look at him so kindly it hurts. Tubbo is always bursting with questions and the Captain is always happy to answer. It became a thing for Tubbo to follow him around, prompting Jordan to call him ‘duckling’ in his mind.

He has started to become a bit worried about Tubbo and his loud friend, Tommy, though. The two are usually so boisterous and loud that it was hard to miss them. Nowadays, when he sees them, the two teens are more subdued and they look....exhausted. He’s seen that look. He knows they are fighting a war they cannot win.

Jordan knows he has to put an end to the fighting. If not for Tubbo, then for his own peace of mind. He finds Jschlatt on his own private server and strikes a sort of a deal with the man.

His smile is ice and his eyes are as dark as the Void when they shake hands. Purple tendrils and sparks emerge from their handshake, giving Jordan access to Jschlatt’s every move. The magic let Schlatt know that there was no backing out of this deal.

Their souls were intertwined until the deal was done. —————— Nobody knew that Jordan was a deal maker. Not that he did it much in the first place—there wasn’t anything that he wanted from others and he hated exercising his power over others.

This time, however, was an exception.

He knew what Schlatt had done to Tubbo and the others on Dream’s SMP. He knew that they were hurting. He hated seeing families torn apart and children being forced to grow up and fight. They should’ve had a childhood. They shouldn’t have to be forced into a war, and for what? Power? Glory? Honor? No honorable soldier would endorse using children to fight. No honorable leader or nation would do so either.

He noticed the shadows on the walls growing and harmful magic beginning to swarm around him.

Jordan heaved a sigh. He had to calm down before he did anything he would regret. He looked back at Schlatt from where he was hidden in the shadows. The hybrid was sat at his desk in the White House, languidly drinking from a glass as if there was no war going on; as if he isn’t responsible for the suffering going on in his lands.

He gave Schlatt two weeks to fulfill his end of the deal before Jordan fulfilled his end, but it doesn’t seem like Schlatt was even slightly worried about their agreement.

The Captain watched as he filled out paperwork and discarded peace treaties or ideas for that may improve Manburg. The lack of care for his nation made Jordan’s blood boil.

How careless.

How cruel.

How sickening. —————

Most know that Jordan, at his core, is kind-hearted and humble. He would never attack without a reason, but even before then, he would try to negotiate. It’s why he has been the Champion of Balance for so long: it’s in his nature.

That being said, Jordan is not a cruel or sadistic man. But to him, this deal was important to him. It would bring peace and protection to those in Dream’s land. They have been fighting for too long and are beginning to lose themselves. It had to be stopped.

As another few days went by, and soon, with 5 days left for Schlatt to fulfill his end of the deal, Jordan knew he had to give a bit of an....incentive to Schlatt.

He smiled. While he hated using his powers over the mind, now looked like a good time for some practice. The Captain waited until Schlatt was asleep to enter his mind. Since their souls were intertwined because of the deal, his plan was much simpler. His eyes glowed a deep purple.

After all, what was a little bit of psychological torture on one person if it benefitted the masses?

The Captain left the man to sleep. He had a feeling he’s be hearing from Schlatt in the next few days. And maybe, if Schlatt heard clocks ticking a bit louder than normal and seemed to echo in his mind, well, that was for Jordan to know, wasn’t it? ————————

Schlatt woke up with a killer headache and an unsettling feeling. The hairs on the back if his neck stood up and his shoulders tensed. Was he being watched? He looked around his room with a steady gaze. The room was quiet save for the birds outside and his clock. Had it always been that loud?

No matter. He couldn’t see anyone but that didn’t mean he was safe. Maybe he should have Tubbo stay by his side for the day until his paranoia passed?

Something caught his eye. He could have sworn he saw the shadows grow in his room after that thought. He shrugged to himself. He definitely needed more sleep if he was starting to see shadow demons.

Ha.

He took a deep breath and began to get ready for the day. He had paperwork to do and meetings to plan. If Manburg were to be under his rule, there had to be a few new....rules put into place.

‘Yes,’ he smiled. ‘New regulations wouldn’t hurt anybody.’

He walked down the hallways of the White House quicker than he usually does. Why does he feel like someone was watching him? Was Pogtopia planning an attack? The thought made him snort.

‘Right, like they could plan a decent attack,’ he thought.

When he looked outside to where the seats in front of the podium were located, he didn’t see a nice grassy field with a peaceful waterfall. Instead, he saw ashes falling from the sky like snow, a red haze filling the air, and fires burning with. The birds chirping distorted into echoed screams of agony. The podium was blown to bits and Tubbo...oh god....—

He blinked and the scenery reverted to normal.

“Sir?” a small voice asked from behind him.

Schlatt jumped and tried to control his breathing. When did he begin to hyperventilate? Why was he shaking?

He stared into the concerned and slightly wary eyes of Tubbo. Jesus, the kid was quiet.

He let out a breath and put his hand on his chest.

“Christ, Tubbo, you’re gonna give this old man a heart attack one day,” he tried to joke.

Tubbo cracked a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Are you alright, Schlatt? You were staring out at the lawn like someone died.” Tubbo said.

Schlatt froze. He did see someone dead. But it wasn’t a memory, what was it?

He looked at Tubbo and put his hand on the kid’s shoulder. Geez, he was just a kid, wasn’t he.

“Whatever happens, Tubbo, just know that it’s not your fault,” is all he said before walking into his office and closing the door. Tubbo was so confused, but Schlatt has done weirder and so he let it go. He wanted to see Tommy.

The clock in Schlatt’s office echoed in his mind as he worked. ——————

The one thing that Jordan hated was being mistaken for a kind-hearted fool.

He watched as Schlatt worked for another 3 days while enduring the visions of what may become of Manburg.

He watched as Schlatt ignored the shadows on the walls and the ticking of his clock.

He watched as Schlatt jumped in his seat when the whispers of the End began to echo in his ears.

He watched as Schlatt could not sleep for the rest of the 5 days.

He watched as the man slowly broke down. The visions kept him awake, the clocks were too loud, the whispers were in a language he couldn’t understand and the feeling of being watched drove him to the brink of insanity.

The others began to notice his quickly deteriorating health.

Schlatt had dark bags under his eyes that nearly looked like bruises. He was constantly looking over his shoulder and nearly broke all of the clocks in the White House. While talking to someone, his eyes always darted to the corners of the rooms. Most worryingly, he would just stare at something that looked normal, say an open field, and nearly put himself into a panic attack. The residents may not like him but they hated seeing anyone reduced to shambles. They tried to help him but all they get is incoherent mumbles or snippets of what may be Schlatt’s imagination.

Whatever it was, it had to stop.

The first time Wilbur heard of Schlatt’s health, he laughed. He laughed so hard he cried and couldn’t breath for at least 5 minutes. Tommy and Tubbo joined in, though their laughter was much weaker. The times after hearing about it, though, something changed in Wilbur. He could see how it was scaring Tubbo and at the rare times Niki visited, she expressed her genuine concerns over Schlatt.

“We may not like him too much, Wilbur, but you haven’t seen him. The poor man looks like he’s gonna run himself to his grave. We’re all worried about him,” is what she said to him when he asked why they were so concerned about him.

Wilbur wanted to see how Schlatt was fairing. Techno didn’t seem to care too much but he seemed interested in what happened to Schlatt.

“I’ll go along only because I wanna see what he looks like when he walks,” was Techno’s justification to visiting the White House. Okay then, Techno.

Tommy was coming along as well. He was practically dying from curiosity, but he also wanted to see Tubbo. Wilbur didn’t question his logic either.

However, they didn’t have to sneak into Manburg like they had planned to. They received an invitation to an SMP meeting in the community center in 3 hours. Everyone on the server had to attend, including Dream. This surprised Wilbur as he held the letter in his hands. Why would Dream have to attend if Schlatt was calling this meeting?

“Kinda sus of him, not gonna lie,” Techno said from behind him.

Wilbur hummed and turned around.

“Do you think we should go?”

Techno looked at him, practically expressionless. Wilbur stared back--- he was used to waiting for an answer.

“Tommy will complain for days if we don’t go, so yeah, we’re going,” is what Techno said eventually.

Wilbur sighed and crumpled the letter. He looked back at Techno, who was starting to head to the entrance of their ravine.

“Can you wait for Tommy and I before you go off and commit war crimes?” He joked.

Techno stopped.

“BruuUhhhH.”

Wilbur just laughed and went to fetch the blond gremlin from his room.

He just hoped this meeting didn’t go to shit. ———————— Schlatt felt like shit. He didn’t know what was happening to him or why but he just wanted it to stop.

Every corner he turned there was some depiction of an explosion or a massacre in that area. Quiet rooms were too loud with the whispers and the clocks. He kept the lights on at all times.

What was breaking him down the most was the constant feeling of being watched. Even with multiple people in the room, it was like a predator was watching its prey from afar. Waiting to pounce. He was at his wits end, but finally, hours before he called the SMP meeting, he got answers.

He was trying to do paperwork but was really just staring at the same paragraph for an hour. His mind was muddled and he couldn’t form a coherent thought.

He was so tired but every time he closed his eyes, it was another scene of death and destruction. He hands shook so badly that he had to put his pen down and place his head in his hands.

“You seem to be struggling, Schlatt,” a voice said from behind him. That feeling of being watched increased tenfold, causing Schlatt to tense and look behind him.

The Captain was standing in the corner of the room. The shadows obscured most of his figure but he could see his eyes—what happened to his eyes?—and his unnerving smile.

Schlatt tired to summon some of his dignity.

“Captain! Long time, no see. How’ve you been?”

Jordan’s expression didn’t change, but the room darkened a bit. Schlatt noticed.

“Have you been doing that? It’s been driving me nuts!” he angrily exclaimed.

Jordan cocked his head to the side.

“Have you forgotten about our deal, Schlatt?” Is all he asked. Why was his voice suddenly deeper? It rumbled in his ears and was vaguely threatening. His heart rate picked up and he had a feeling that Jordan was not just some guy he made a deal with.

He steeled his nerves. There is no way that Jordan is anything but human. He looked towards the Captain who was impossibly still with his creepy smile.

“No, I didn’t forget about it. I just....had better things to do,” was his defense. That apparently was the wrong answer.

Jordan was suddenly right in front of him, smile gone and eyes staring straight into him. Schlatt’s instincts immediately screamed ‘danger!’ and ‘run!’ but something was keeping him in place. He felt his heart pounding in his chest but he still couldn't move away. Purple eyes bored into his own. 

Jordan placed a deceptively gentle hand on his cheek.

“I don’t like being mistaken for a fool, Schlatt. We made this deal to benefit both of us, yet you exploit my charity,” he patronized. The power radiating from those words nearly had Schlatt tumbling to his knees but he stood firm.

“I’ll give you 24 hours, but,” his hand suddenly gripped his face tightly and forced Schlatt to look at him. What he saw terrified him.

“If you continue to fail to uphold your end of the deal, then, well,” he released his hold on Schlatt, “I hope you’ll be able to get used to the way your currently living,” he threatened. The Captain straightened and gave him yet another unnerving smile.

Out of nowhere, he summoned an intricate clock and began to wind it. It was a beautiful black with purple and gold accents. The outer design of the clock resembled...scales? At the center, there was an ender eye. The numbers weren’t exactly numbers but looked like writing one would find in an enchantment table. How in the hell did Jordan get a clock like this?

He finished winding the clock and Schlatt thought he was going to place it down on his desk. He was wrong once again. A deep purple aura surrounded the clock and it disappeared with a burst of particles. Unfortunately, he could still hear it ticking next to his ear.

“This should remind you of the limited time that you have,” he began to back away before he stopped and turned around with a thoughtful look on his face.

“I’m not a cruel man, JSchlatt. But I do believe in an eye for an eye. I hope you make the right decision,” he said, and he was gone in a flash of purple.

Schlatt shakily sat down—when had he stood up?—and began to draft a peace treaty for Manburg. The writing was shaky and nearly illegible, but it would have to do. Then, he called a meeting for all of SMP to attend.

He sat for 3 hours listening to the incessant ticking. It was becoming more and more distorted in his mind as the hours ticked by. ——————— Once everyone was seated at a round table in the community house, they all looked towards Schlatt for an explanation.

The atmosphere was tense, mainly from Wilbur and Tommy, while the rest tried to sit as comfortably as they could. Dream was practically lounging in his chair.

“So, Schlatt,” Wilbur practically spat his name, “what did you call this oh so important meeting for?” he asked and crossed his arms.

It was his first time seeing Schlatt since his exile and he felt...just a little bit of pity for him. His clothes were rumpled as if he had slept in them, his eyes were red—he looked about ready to fall asleep but always jerked awake at the last second. His eyes were darting to the corners of the room. Wilbur looked around but found nothing out of the ordinary. He could see the others glancing around the room as well, unnerved by Schlatt’s paranoia.

Schlatt, even though he was incredibly shaky and oh so tired, stood up. He was still the President, damn it. All eyes were on him as he cleared his throat.

“I have called this meeting to.....to....” he was having second thoughts. Did he really want to give up his power over Pogtopia and Manburg? He enjoyed the chaos and having control over everything. He wasn’t ready to give this up yet.

He saw the shadows move and the Captain manifested from the shadows. The ticking was nearly deafening. Jordan’s eyes were deadly, his smile nowhere to be found. He looked non-human without his glasses on.

Schlatt was so focused on his appearance that he missed when the Captain drew his sword—a near black blade that looked wickedly sharp. The handle was intricately carved with ancient spells and magic seals. Schlatt noticed too late that Jordan had heard his thoughts.

The Captain rushed at him with his sword raised and cold eyes boring into his soul. HIs smile was nearly feral as he charged. Schlatt shrieked and stumbled backwards into the wall and raised his hands to defend himself from the blows-

But nothing came.

He shakily looked around and noticed that the room was giving him nervous looks. Quakity and Niki were nearly out of their seats while Dream was sitting straight in his chair. Schlatt shakily let out a breath and began to stand.

“Schlatt...” Tubbo began but Schlatt waved him off.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Just my imagination,” he easily lied.

Those in attendance saw right through this lie, but decided that once he begins talking, they may get an explanation.

Schlatt took a breath and tried to calm his racing heart. He was so tired. His whole body shook with adrenaline and exhaustion and, god, he just wanted to sleep but he couldn’t. Not with the state he was in now. The Captain’s words echoed in his mind: ‘I hope you can get used to this.’

Schlatt decided that he couldn’t live like this and made his decision. He sat down and took out the drafts of the peace treaty and set them on the table.

“The fuck’s all this?” Tommy quietly mutters while picking up a paper and scrutinizing it. But of course, Tommy’s version of quiet is still decently loud.

“It’s a peace treaty. If you read through this and sign, Manburg and Pogtopia will cease their fighting and hold another election. This time, however, two partied cannot combine their votes,” Schlatt explained. He saw the room looking at him with mixed reactions.

Some looked relieved that the fighting would be over, others were skeptical, and some looked elated at the chance to live peacefully again. Wilbur, however, was not convinced. He was looking at Schlatt skeptically while reading the treaty silently.

‘He’s looking for a loophole,’ was whispered in his ear. It took all of Schlatt’s willpower not to look to his left in fear of what he may see. He could hear the smile on the Captain’s face.

Finally, Wilbur spoke.

“And why should we believe that you would peacefully give up your power? We know that you love the fighting, the wars, the power,” his voice rose as he continued, “why should we trust anything you say?” he finished with a shout.

Wilbur was breathing heavily and glaring at Schlatt. The atmosphere became almost unbearably tense until Jordan finally decided to step in.

He had been silently watching from the shadows, making sure Schlatt stayed in check but also to make sure that the deal was completed. There was mistrust in the air, and to be honest, he was getting impatient. Jordan really wanted to get the treaty over with and go home, take a nap, and preferably not get up for three days.

“Schlatt’s telling the truth,” he says before he steps out of the shadows. He nearly chuckles at the bewildered looks he gets as he steps into view.

A very eager Tubbo is soon clinging to his waist and looking up at him with such relief that he does not regret even the smallest bit of what he’s done to Schlatt. He noticed the boy looked close to tears and was starting to bury his face into his coat.

Jordan placed a gentle hand on Tubbo’s head and he flinched. Oh, he was about to murder whoever hurt his boy. His Lady’s influence reminded him that no, no matter how much it would have been justified, he could not kill someone in this land. He took a deep breath and looked up.

“Does anyone have any questions or will you sign the contract?” he said more as a statement than a question. Tubbo’s arms tightened around his waist. Jordan should really ask him what’s been going on; he wanted to help him and Tommy in any way he could.

Dream, however, had a question.

“How did you get into my server? You’re not whitelisted and I know for a fact that Tubbo doesn’t have the admin power to invite you” Dream said, though he sounded a tad accusatory.

Did he not see what was going on in his server? Did he not care that people were being traumatized? Did he not care that they were losing hope?

The Captain chuckled. The sound caused everyone to shiver and for Schlatt to shrink in his seat. He noticed the clock had stopped ticking and his heart sunk. Fuck, was he too late?

“Dream,” the Captain took off his glasses and his whole visage changed.

His warm brown eyes were now a deep purple that held a small glow to them. His hair was impossibly dark—it looked like of you were put put your hand on it, it would sink right in like a shadow. The outside around his eyes were veins of crying obsidian, a stark contrast to his skin. His clothes floated almost as if he were in water and the pure power of magic that radiated from him was nearly stifling.

“I don’t need your permission to enter your lands when I feel that ethical and moral laws are being broken. I knew something was wrong when Tubbo stopped talking passionately about anything and everything. I knew something was wrong when those from here flinched and loud noises. And I knew something was wrong when you didn’t seem to care,” he spat.

He gently pulled Tubbo from around his waist and walked next to Schlatt. The air around him rippled like water and the shadows grew.

“Now,” he purred. “Schlatt and I made a bit of a deal. A peace treaty that stopped the fighting on these lands that also prohibited future wars in exchange for books on basic magic,” he explained.

The room listened intently.

“But,” he dramatically sighed and Schlatt tried to make himself as small as possible.

“Schlatt here didn’t feel like adhering to our deal very much, so I gave him a bit of incentive,” he stopped there and looked at the room as if that explained everything.

“What does that have to do with my lands?” Dream asked.

Jordan paused. How could he say this as delicately as possible? He sighed and cleaned his glasses in his coat.

“You have to understand that I’m not a cruel man, but I hate being mistaken for a fool. I told Schlatt this when he had five days remaining to complete his end of the deal. If you remember, he may have started acting a bit...differently?” he began.

Niki gasped.

“You were doing that to him? Making him go nearly insane?!” she exclaimed. While she may not like Schlatt, that was cruel of him.

“Yeah, we were really worried for him. What did you do to him, man?” Quakity asked. He was really not liking this side of the Captain.

“I think it was perfectly reasonable, especially when the lives of children were on the line. Honestly, you all should be ashamed of yourselves. Making children fight—who does that?!” he angrily exclaimed.

“They wanted to fight!” Wilbur defended.

Jordan’s dark eyes rounded on him and while he would never admit it, Wilbur was terrified. There was such resentment and disgust in his expression that he almost regretted the war. Almost.

“Have you ever once asked then what they wanted? You’re living in a hole for my goddesses’ sake! Tommy looks like he hasn’t eaten in days and Tubbo is on the brink of tears! Are you so blinded by greed that you can’t see you’re hurting them?” his voice rose as he pointed out the obvious states of the teens.

Tommy was so conflicted. He wanted to defend himself and Wilbur, but he was intimidated by the Captain. He usually never cared for being weaker than other people, but he felt if he used his usual snark he’d be vaporized or something. He looked to Tubbo. His best friend was struggling to keep his emotions in check ever since the Captain arrived, but he knew Tubbo adored the man to high heaven. If Tubbo trusted the Captain’s judgement, then so would he.

Wilbur hadn’t spoken yet, so he did.

“Wil,” he began quietly.

Wilbur turned towards the blond. He hoped he wouldn’t say anything that would confirm what Jordan said.

“Yes, Tommy?” wilbur sounded near accusatory.

The teen but his lip and looked towards Techno, who sat next to him. The pink haired man gave him a subtle nod to continue.

Tommy let put a deep breath. Techno was always right, wasn’t he.

“I.....I want to go home,” he admitted.

Wilbur was shocked. Go home? Why? They were fighting for their country back and Tommy wanted to go home?

“Why would you want to go home, Tommy? I’m so close to getting L’manburg back! If we could just-“

“I don’t want to fight anymore!” he cried. The room went silent.

“I don’t want to fight, Wil....” he said again in a small voice.

Wilbur didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t tell if he was angry or heartbroken at Tommy’s admission. He didn’t want to fight?

“We can go home if you want, Tommy. Just let me call Phil and we can head over once the meeting is done,” Techno said softly.

Tommy nearly cried in relief. He would get to see Phil again and sleep in a proper bed in a comfy house. He hugged Techno tightly, not caring if it ruined his alpha male reputation.

“Thanks, Techno,” he shakily said.

Tommy looked towards Tubbo.

“Do you want to come along, Big T?” he asked with a small smile.

Tubbo hesitated. He wanted to go with Tommy, he really did, but he just felt...safer with the Captain. Jordan must have sensed his conflict because he immediately changed the conversation.

“So,” he drawled and garnered everyone’s attention, “will you sign or subject Schlatt to some more mind games for the rest of his life?” he asked. It wasn’t a threat, but they knew a promise when they saw one.

“How do we know that you’ll continue to pester Schlatt and not just leave him be?” Quakity asked.

“Please, no, just sign the treaty! He’s legit, he’ll keep going!” Schlatt begged.

He was right, Jordan would have to keep this up if the deal wasn’t finished.

“He’s right. The deal wasn’t just a simple handshake. Our souls are temporarily connected until the deal is completed. Until then, I have power over him,” he revealed.

Quakity’s mouth formed an ‘O’ and immediately signed the treaty. Schlatt nearly sobbed in relief. He knew there was a reason Quakity was in his cabinet.

He passed the treaty to his left and it soon traveled all around the table until it got to Wilbur. He glared at the treaty, then at Schlatt.

“If this is a joke, I’ll kill you myself,” he warned.

Schlatt gave a shaky smile.

“Believe me, I’m really not joking about this.”

Wilbur stared at him a bit longer before signing and passing the paper on. It finally reached Schlatt.

He was about to sign when a pen was in front of his face. He looked at the Captain in confusion.

“This pen will help end the deal. It’s all magicy and stuff, pretty swick,” he explained with a less menacing smile.

Schlatt instantly took the pen and signed his name. The ink glowed red and blue before fading. Schlatt slumped in his seat, unconscious. Some panicked and went to check on him but Jordan stopped them.

“He’s fine, just overtired. He’ll wake up in a day or two with a completely restored mindset,” he soothed.

They nodded but still picked him up and took him to a room with a bed so he could at least rest comfortably.

Jordan clapped his hands together and smile happily.

“Welp, I think that settles everything for today! Unless you have any questions, you guys are good to leave,” he cheerily said.

Some immediately left while others took their time leaving. Niki hugged Tubbo and Tommy before leaving while Techno left to wait outside for Tommy. Wilbur, Tubbo, Tommy, and Jordan were the only ones left in the room.

It seemed like nobody would talk first, so Jordan took a seat next to Tubbo.

“You can go with Tommy, if you want Tubbo. I won’t be offended,” he softly offered.

Tubbo glanced unsurely between Tommy and Jordan.

“Could I...speak with Tommy in private? Please?” he asked.

Jordan nodded and motioned for Wilbur to follow him outside. The brunet hesitated, but with a stern glance he was leaving the room.

Tommy and Tubbo sat in tense silence before they spoke.

“Tommy-“

“Tubbo-“

The tension broke as they laughed with each other. Tommy began before Tubbo could say anything.

“Do you not want to come with me and Phil?” he hesitantly asked. There was an undertone of hurt but Tommy was trying to understand. This was Tubbo, and he trusted Tubbo.

Said best friend looked away as he fidgeted with his fingers and sighed. Tommy felt his chest tighten.

“Come on, just say what you want. I’m a man!” he joked, but it fell a little flat.

Tubbo looked at him.

“It’s nothing against you, Tommy, or-or even Techno or Phil, but, I just....I dunno, I feel....safer? I guess? With the Captain cuz he’s just great and he listens really well and you know how I get sometimes but-“

“Big T you don’t have to defend him,” Tommy cuts him off. It’s not often that Tommy is serious, but he was now.

“I want you to be happy, Tubbo. If you feel safer with the Captain than with us, I guess that’s ok. Just don’t forget about me, yeah? I’ll fucking kill ya, bitch,” he admitted.

Tubbo felt incredibly guilty for leaving his best friend, but he wasn’t staying with the Captain for weeks! Maybe just a few days. He said none of those though and settled for a hug. He buried his face into his friend’s neck and felt Tommy clutch at his shirt.

“Thank you, Tommy, for understanding,” he quietly said.

“No problem, Big T.”

They stayed like that until there was knocking at the door. Jordan popped in with an apologetic look.

“Just wanted to check in. Techno is getting antsy and Wilbur looks ready to demonetize something,” he said to the teens.

Tommy and Tubbo got up from their seats and headed to the door when Jordan stopped them. They looked at the man questioningly but he held no malice on his face. Instead, he was looking at them with some form of understanding.

“Tubbo, whenever you want to visit Tommy, just tell me and I’ll make a portal to Phil’s place. I know you’ll miss him,” he said softly.

Tubbo’s eyes widened and he looked towards Tommy with the biggest smile that the blond couldn’t help but smile back. Tubbo tackled Jordan in a hug.

“Thank you, Captain! Thank you so much!” he exclaimed.

Tommy rubbed the back of his neck and stood a bit awkwardly, “Yeah, thanks.”

Jordan smiled. “Of course.”

There was shouting from outside.

“I think Phil is finally here,” Jordan said.

They peeked outside the room and saw Phil hitting Wilbur with his sandal and the desperate attempts to deflect by Wilbur. Techno was cackling while taking screenshots.

Jordan turned to Tommy.

“I think they’re ready to take you home. Take care, kid,” he said as he nudged Tommy towards the group.

Tommy looked towards Tubbo and they shook hands.

“See you in a few, Big T.”

“As always, Tommy.”

They watched as he ran towards Techno and began to take screenshots as well with a growing smile on his face. His signature loud laugh seemed to brighten the area. Tubbo watched fondly for a bit before Jordan’s hand was on his shoulder. He looked up at Jordan who stared at him with a soft smile.

“Let’s go home, Tubbo. M’lady is eager to meet you,” he said. 

Tubbo immediately lit up.

“Does she like bees?! Could you teach me how to do cool magic stuff too?!” he excitedly asked.

Jordan laughed as he made a portal and stepped through with Tubbo.

-----------

There are many rumors surrounding the legendary Captain, but there are a few things for certain.

Even the most kind-hearted people can be cruel, and they can enjoy their own cruelty.

[elysiashelby]

In Another World - T. Shelby Imagine Ch. 5

Paring: (Eventual) Thomas Shelby x Aliena Welsh (OC)

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Word Count: 5, 835

WARNINGS: Cursing

Summary: Aliena Welsh has been living in the universe of the show Peaky Blinders for a year, and the time has come for the show to start. But how will this affect her and Thomas’ relationship?

MASTERLIST  CHAPTER 4  CHAPTER 5.2

A/N: So, there was supposed to be chapters before this one, but because I have such a hard time writing Aliena’s character into the show, I decided that those extra chapter will come after I finish S1! The first line break will indicate spoilers for those chapters, so skip to the second one, if you want to avoid reading what’s gonna happen.  

“Tommy! Tommy!” A man yelled from outside.

I was jolted from me sleep, and me body sprang forward. I wasn’t the only one who had this reaction. Tommy ‘n I both sprang up. We looked at each for a second before he leaned over me body and looked out the window. 

Tommy let out a little sigh of relief. “It’s just Curly.” He yanked the blankets off of himself. 

Meanwhile, I was busy rubbing the sleep out of me eyes. “Why would he be here at night? Did you get a new horse, Tom?”

He was busy getting his work pants on. “No. It should be about a delivery that was supposed to come in.”

Me ears perked up. “A delivery?” I leaned closer to him, practically leaning over his shoulder.

Tommy was putting on his shoes. “Yeah. I made a deal with a guy in London. Wanted motorcycles.” 

I widened me eyes in shock. 

‘The show is beginning…’

Just as Tommy was rising to his feet, I grabbed his arm. 

His eyebrows furrowed then his hand stroked me face. “What’s wrong?” He asked.

I kept looking side to side. I was trying to come up with a proper excuse. I was brought out of me trance when Tommy placed down his other hand on me face and tugged me to look at him. 

“Oi, Ali! What’s wrong?”

I huffed, closing me eyes shut before opening them. “Guns.” I said with a shrug. “Guns not motorcycles.” 

Tommy blinked his eyes a bunch of times before he shook his head with a dismissive scoff. “No, Aliena, it’s a shipment of motorcycles. Go back to sleep. I’ll be back.” 

I rolled me eyes, shoving off his lingering hand on me face. I hummed. “Yeah, you’ll see. If you wanna talk ‘bout it when you come back, just wake me up. I don’t mind.” I turned 'round and laid back down.

“Right...” The bed springs sang as he stood up. I heard the door close rather than saw it. It took some time, but I went back to sleep. 

“Aliena, wake up! Wake up, right now!” Tommy yelled as he shook me. He held me up by me arms.

Me eyes were squinted as I was trying to find the strength to open them. “Wha?”

“How did you-? No…” He muttered something before he began to speak again, “What’s a TV show? Explain to me how you knew about the guns.” 

I chuckled with a smile on me face. I couldn’t help it. “Can you think about letting me go first? You’re soaking wet, by the way.” He let me go but the crazed look on his face never went away.

“Explain.”

I nodded. I started to climb out of the bed. “A TV show is like a series of movie pictures.” I stood on me feet, reached up, and carefully took off his cap. Tommy was just staring down at me.

“Except they’re shorter and meant to tell the same story in this case, at least.” I slipped off his drenched coat, never looking away from his gaze.

“A TV show has episodes and sometimes if it’s successful, or they were highly popular- they would have a season. A season or sometimes called a series, they both mean a collection of episodes.” I turned around and went to hang his coat on a chair.

“So, you’re telling me that me and my family had something like that. In what, your world?” He scoffed to himself. A hand raised to his mouth, going over his bottom lip. 

I turned back to him. I knew I had a grave look on me face. I tried to look stern as I replied. “Yes.” 

He shook his head while pursing his lips. “No.” He muttered.

I sighed, looking down at me hands while trying to pick out the non-existent dirt from under them. “Try not to think of it like that.” I rushed to him and cradled his face in me hands. “Think of me as Gypsy kin like you said. I can see into the future, that’s all. I have dreams. I hear spirits.” 

Tommy chucked humorlessly and looked up while his tongue poked out to quickly lick his bottom lip. He tsked as he brought his head back down while nodding. “Right.”

“I don’t know what else to say.” I laughed nervously while looking away. I never took me hands from his face. 

Tommy sniffed before saying. “We keep this between us. You can’t tell anyone else. They’ll lose their minds, or think you’ve lost yours. I have questions. Can you answer them?”

I, finally, put me arms down. I shrugged. “Don’t know. It would depend. But you can give it a shot.”

Tommy sat down, so I scurried to do the same. 

“The guns that just came. Would I be-! No. … Is it safe to keep them?” He asked.

I furrowed me eyebrows as I scoffed. “Tommy, it’s common sense that it’s not safe to keep ‘em.”

He sighed. “Not like that. Would it be a stepping stone to the family business?”

I thought about it. “Yes.” I jumped as I had a thought. “I got it. I’m not giving you any details, so form your questions into ones that can be answered by ‘yes’ or ‘no’.”

Tommy leaned forward, spread out his knees a bit, then rested his elbows on his knees while his hands held up his head. 

There was silence for a while. I managed to keep sane as I fiddled with me hands. Tried cracking them all.

Tommy cleared his throat. “Very soon, I’m going to take a horse down to Garrison courts. There’s a rumor that a Chinese girl there is a witch. I’m gonna pay her to do the powder trick. Does it pay off?”

I whispered. “Yes.” 

Without any warning, he stood up and walked to the door. Before he left, he said. “Go on back to sleep.” He closed the door behind him.

I was staring at the door long after he was gone. The room was oddly colder than before. I ran out of Tommy’s room and went into me own. I didn’t go back to sleep. I just drew until it was time for me to go to work.

It’s been a year since I magically appeared in the universe of Peaky Blinders. It’s been a wild ride. Me birthday here was celebrated with the Shelby’s and me girlfriends. Polly got me paints and pencils for me drawings. Ada’s present had to be given to me at night since it was lingerie. She said it was because I would have a fella of me own anytime now.

‘Yeah, right!’

Arthur was so sweet and bought me canvases. Only to find out it was because John had bought me paints, who was beaten to the punch by Polly. They told me after that they planned on giving me two pound each if I didn’t like the present. 

I had to get me present from Tommy the day after me birthday. He walked with me a little ways out of Small Heath, where there was a lone tree in a field. I could see it now. I remember clasping me hands over me mouth. Me tears wasting no time to flow down me face. I ran to it and started tracing the lettering engraved into headstone that was there under it. 

I talked about it in passing. I never expected for him to get it done for me. I told him that I wanted a headstone for me ma’. I would never see her again, so I wanted somewhere where I could grieve me loss. He gave me that. I sobbed into his arms so much that day.

It sucked going over to the Ritz after that. I was supposed to still be having fun which I was, but me eyes stung. Angelica gifted me expensive dresses she thought I would like, and I did. Christiana gave me hair accessories which I appreciated. Cassie gave me a pearl necklace. I cried again. It was me da’s birthstone. It was like I got them back for a day. 

Despite me joy for having a place for me ma’ and carrying a piece of me da’ around, I think it made me depression worse. After all, me ma’s birthday was in February. The guns were found a week before me ma’s birthday. 

On that day, I had Freddie drive me to Blackpool beach. I had me a good ‘ol breakdown at there, then I went back home. I didn’t explain it to Freddie, but I think he understood. He must have known that I was grieving.

I locked meself in me room and got bladdered. I stole a bottle of whiskey and almost drank it all. I should have known that Tommy would catch me. He decided to babysit me, and made sure I scarfed down some bread and drank water before I went to sleep. I made him talk to me, though. I made him talk to me ‘til I fell asleep.

Work was hell the next day. I wasn’t hungover, but I had a good headache. Had a cob on the whole day, but I had to keep a lid on it. It’s hard dealing with people who control your salary the whole day ‘cause if ya piss them off— they can easily dock your pay. 

Mrs. Davies down at the bakery and Mrs. Aitken down at the flower shop loved pinching me cheeks. It was nice at first, but then they started fucking doing it harder and harder every time I came in.

Anyway, the first season starts today since Tommy told me in the morning that he’s taking Monaghan Boy down to Garrison courts. 

‘Let me tell you, I am not happy that I’m gonna have to deal with Grace fucking Burgess. I do not want to see Thomas Shelby fall in love! In front of me face! It’s torture! As if I’m not already depressed. I have enough baggage all on me own, sir!’

I stopped sweeping the floor and pinched the bridge of me nose. This is how fucking gutted I am! I exhaled slowly before I decided to stop worrying ‘bout the inevitable and focus on me work. 

“Finn?” That was Tommy.

Me mind instantly connected the dots and I ran to the parlor. I got there just in time as he picked up Finn’s discarded ciggie. 

“Finn Shelby, what in the ‘ell are you doing smoking? Stop smirking, Tom. Arthur wants you.” I took the ciggie out of hand and pushed him aside. 

“Sorry, bud. You’re on your own.” Tommy lightly brushed the back of his cap on Finn’s face as he left. 

Finn looked up at me. I shook me head. I crouched down to meet his gaze. 

“What have I told you abar these horrid things? Huh, Finn! Just ‘cause your brothers smoke doesn’t mean you hafta.” I stubbed out the ciggie and left it in the dish. 

“But it’s no fun being the only one who doesn’t do it. They don’t have anyone yelling at them.” He said with a pout.

I huffed, feeling annoyed. “That’s not true. I nag Tommy all the time.” I crossed me arms.

“Liar! I’ve never seen it!” 

“Yeah ‘cause then he wouldn’t be able to face ya, so I have to scold him in secret. So, don’t tell ‘em I told you about it.” I ran me hand over his hair, smoothing it out. “I catch you with one of these again ‘n I’ll smack you upside the head. I promise.” 

“No, you won’t.” 

“I bloody will!” 

Suddenly, there was a shout that caught our attention and I flew to me feet. 

“I'm calling a family council tonight at 8:00. I want all of us there. You hear me? There's trouble coming.” Arthur yelled as Tommy stormed off. 

Arthur and I made eye contact ‘n we just nodded at each other. I walked around the table and shut the door to the betting shop. I dusted off me hands then turned me attention back to Finn. 

“Go on then, la. It’s your free day.” I walked back into the living room where I had to finish sweeping. 

Finn followed after me. He sat in one of the two chairs. 

“Aliena,” He said. “when I grow older, you’ll be my wife, right?”

I froze at the question, or was it a statement? I giggled. 

‘Does little Finn have a crush on me?’

I stopped laughing and asked. “What are you on abar, Finn?”

“I don’t know. I figured that when I grow up, you’ll marry me.”

I began to giggle again. “Finn Shelby, you won’t even propose to me. Just expect it of me, eh? Well, I’ll make you a deal. If I’m still single by the time I’m 30, I’ll marry you.”

Finn jumped off the chair and rushed over to me. I had to crouch again to meet his eyes.

“You promised, Ali! You can’t take it back!” His smile was so big and adorable. It made me heart melt. 

‘I can’t believe that me first love confession is from a 10 almost 11 year old. Just me luck!’

“Now you take me promises seriously, huh? Yes, I promise. Now, run along. I still need to work out some errands, and I can’t have you bugging me.” I shoved him toward the door, and I didn’t pay attention to where he ran off to. 

True to me word, I got done with the sweeping then went on to finish me errands. Mrs. Davies’ pinch was slightly less harder than Mrs. Aitken’s today, and thank the Lord for it! 

‘I swear one of these days these ladies are gonna leave me with bruises!’

I had to run to the house ‘cause Mrs. Davies was chatting me up for so long. When I got there, Polly and John were walking in at the same time. They noticed me. 

“Aliena, how come you aren’t in the house already?” Polly asked me. 

I had to run a few more steps before I was caught up with them. “Mrs. Davies was chatting me up again. Wouldn’t let me leave ‘til I finally made up an excuse.” I was clutching me side since it had cramped up a little. 

‘I’m getting better at running. Which is good since I’m, well, maybe used to be an asthmatic. I don’t even need glasses to see far away anymore!’

“Well, shit. Looks like when the meetings over, we’ll have to fucking hussle to make dinner.” 

John opened the door for us and we walked in first. We walked into the betting room where Finn was standing by the door of. 

Polly and I walked on ahead. 

John said to Finn, “Sorry, little man. Maybe when you’re older.”

Arthur clapped his hands before shouting. “You’re all late. Why the-!”

“Yeah and we’re here now. Let’s get on with it.” Polly interrupted while taking off her coat and taking a seat. 

John took a seat and I leaned on a beam next to him. Me eyes naturally drifted over to Tommy’s direction. He had a ciggie burning. 

‘I swear this man! Well, baby steps.’

I’m fucking tellin’ a blag to meself, but at least I got him off the opium. He’s not drinking or smoking any less, though. 

‘I’ll give him one year. On December 3rd when the season is over, I’ll get to him. By all that’s holy, I’ll be bugging him abar his smoking!’

I think he felt me glare ‘cause he looked straight at me. I knew I was caught, but I wasn’t flustered. I glared at the ciggie by his side then back up at him. 

The little fucker just smirked and raised it to his lips. 

I rolled me eyes and looked to Arthur who was about to start the meeting. 

“Right! I've called this family meeting because I've got some very important news. Scudboat and Lovelock got back from Belfast last night. They were buying a stallion to cover their mares. They were in a pub on the Shankhill Road yesterday, and in that pub there was a copper. Handing out these.” Arthur said as he passed one to Ada then the rest of the pile to Lovelock.

Ada passed it onto John who read it aloud. “If you're over five feet and can fight, come to Birmingham." John passed it to Polly.

“They're recruiting Protestant Irishmen to come over here as Specials.” Arthur told us.

“To do what?” Ada asked.

“To clean up the city, Ada.” Tommy answered. “He's a Chief Inspector. The last four years, he's been clearing the IRA out of Belfast.”

I bit me lip as I knew that the tension in ‘ere would start to rise.

Arthur asked, quite agitated- might I add. “How do you know so bloody much?”

“'Cause I asked the coppers on our payroll.”

“And why didn't you tell me?”

“I'm telling you.”

Arthur took a swing out of his flask. I’m not equipped to handle stressful environments within friendly prescenes. So, I was making dumb faces in the corner. Like meme worthy faces. I literally did a tight lipped smile, that “white people” meme smile. I sported that smile with me eyebrows raised while widening me eyes, and looking away to the corner where no one stood.

“So, why are they sending him to Birmingham?” Polly asked with a magnifying glass in her hand.

“Well, there's been all these bloody strikes at the BSA. And the Austin works, lately. Now the papers are talking about sedition. And revolution. I reckon it's communists he's after.” Tommy said. 

But I noticed that when he said the comment about the communists, it got a reaction out of Ada.

“So this copper's gonna leave us alone, right?” 

“There are Irishmen in Green Lanes who left Belfast to get away from him. They say Catholic men who crossed him used to disappear in the night.”

“Yeah, but we ain't IRA.” John said. The attention turning on him. “We bloody fought for the King. Anyway, we're Peaky Blinders. We're not scared of coppers.”

“He’s right.” Arthur said.

Then, John delivered that famous line. “If they come for us, we'll cut them a smile each.” 

Let me just say, I had to hide me smirk. It was crazy how I felt pride when he said that.

“So, Arthur. Is that it?” Thomas asked. He looked unimpressed. 

“What do you think, Aunt Pol?” Arthur completely dismissed Tommy. 

Polly looked over at Thomas. I knew she knew that Tommy was up to something. I just hoped she never suspected I knew anything abar it too.

“This family does everything open. You've nothing more to say to this meeting, Thomas?”

“No. Nothing that's women's business.”

“This whole bloody enterprise was women's business while you boys were away at war. What's changed?”

“We came back.” 

Polly said or did anything after that. I was expecting a judgemental hum, at least! 

“Right! This concludes the family meeting!” Arthur announced. 

Polly stood straight up, her chair scraping the wood floor. “Come on, Aliena. We need to hurry up with dinner.” 

I followed her into the kitchen.

After dinner, I noticed that Polly had pulled Tommy aside as I was taking everyone’s dirty dishes to be washed. Not a minute later, Tommy came up to me.

He cleared his throat, his hand reaching for a ciggie. 

“Reach for it now and I may just throw this cuppa water at you.” I said with a teasing smile.

“Don’t know why. You know I’ll smoke it the minute I’ll leave your sight.” 

I blew raspberries at him.

“Well, Polly asked me to join her in church. So, it’s best if you sleep in your room tonight. I’ll probably be working ‘til late morning anyway. Okay?” He was looking at me with such expecting eyes. I noticed that he always wanted a definitive answer from me, hardly ever accepting me nods. 

“Yeah. Got it.”

“Good.” The second our conversation was over, he reached for a ciggie again. I paid it no mind this time and focused on getting the dishes done. 

The next morning, I got up abar an hour earlier. I was almost tempted to go back to sleep, but instead I crawled out of bed and took out the suitcase that hid under me bed. I unlocked the one that had an assortment of items, and took out me locked diary. 

I still don’t know why I was given a suitcase full of miscellaneous item, but I knew they would come in handy someday.

When I first came here and I couldn’t sleep, I took the liberty of writing out what I could remember from each episode. I knew it would benefit me!

I wrote, ‘After Thomas and Polly talk, the scene shifts to Grace coming into town. She gets the job. Then, Arthur gets captured by Campbell and gets roughed up badly. Tommy goes to the Garrison where he meets Grace. He comes back to the house and-’

Simultaneously, I shut me eyes and shut the book. I heaved a big sigh. 

‘Tommy will meet Grace today. “Are you a whore?” The gobshite! He’ll probably start distancing himself from me.’

I sighed again. When I gathered me pride, I got up and decided to have an early start on the day. I won’t allow Thomas Shelby to write me off from his life like that. 

‘I don’t care if the little fucker sees me like a little sister. I’d still be special to him and that’s all that counts. He stands between me and the whorehouse, in me opinion.’  

I did me hair in a bun, as always, but I choose a maroon button-up shirt and a green midi length skirt. Look, the skirt came to about the middle of me legs, alright? Then, I made breakfast. Polly wasn’t up yet which was absolutely weird for me! I didn’t know if she was out doing something, or something.

When I was done eating, I got me coat ‘n headed out the door. Men greeted me and moved out of me way like always. When I got to John’s door, I was troubled. The kids weren’t used to seeing me this early neither was John. I didn’t want to exactly intrude, but I also wanted to get some stuff out of the way, so I could see the scene where Arthur comes home after he gets beat up. 

So with that in mind, I unlocked the door to John’s flat. I immediately started cooking breakfast. When seven rolled ‘round, footsteps came pattering down. A head peaked from ‘round the corner and it was Katie.

“Ailena?” She asked. “Why are you here so early?” 

I smiled at her. “I just missed youse. That’s all.”

She scoffed with a smile. “It’s only been a day.” She took a seat.

I got up from the chair I was sitting on ‘n poured her some juice. “A day can feel like an eternity.” 

We had some time to talk before John came down. He was definitely surprised, but happily took the breakfast I made him and left to the shop. Once he left, I went to get the other kids up. I had them all dressed and “in school” by 9 am.  

They moaned and groaned abar having to be taught by me, but they would learn it’s for their own benefit in the future. By the way, the only one who was civil was Katie and John Jr.. But that was because I just read ‘em books— so he had nothing to fuss abar. When it hit 10:30, I said me goodbyes and told them to stay safe. 

I rushed back home where I found Finn smoking. I kept me promise and smacked him upside the head. Told ‘em it was time for school ‘n he ran off to get his stuff. He was getting better. Already getting closer to reading in his grade level. 

See ever since I took up the job to be their teacher, I’ve gone to sleep later. It was around 3 in the morning when I was by meself and 12 when Tommy decided he needed sleep. Any other time I would have to hassle him to sleep. His sleep schedule was a mess, but no matter what- he always got up at 5:30 or 6. 5:30 is with sleep while the latter is without.

When I was by meself, I would stay up making the lessons. 

It would be critical thinking problems that you’d get back in the 2000s. Stuff that I was asked. For math, it ranged from each kid. Katie was on percentages and long division, Ilsa and Finn were on multiplication and division and the adding and subtracting of long numbers, while Robbie was barely learning how to add and subtract. John Jr. was learning how to count to 100. 

It was almost 12 when Arthur pounded at the front door. I had abandoned Finn and ran to tell Tommy, who was in his office in the shop. 

I opened the door without knocking which caused him to look up at me. 

“It’s Arthur.” I said, almost breathless. 

His eyes widened and he instantly got up and rushed past me. I followed after him. We both went to the parlor where Polly was looking after him, working on wrapping up his hand. Tommy took one look at his face then ran out. 

‘Grace.’ I thought. 

“Ali, heat up a kettle of water, will you?” Ada told me.

I nodded. I went into the kitchen, filled the kettle with water, and heated it up. 

“Here ya go, Ada.” I said once it was done.

She took it and set it aside while I walked over to John who was leaning on the doorway. I took on the left since he was on the right. 

“John, wipe the blood out of his eye.”

“Since when did you give orders?”

“I'm a trained nurse.”

John and I both had these smirks on our faces while Arthur scoffed.

“Don't make me laugh.” Arthur said. “It hurts me face.”

“I bloody am.”

“You went to one first aid class in the church hall and got thrown out for giggling.” John said.

“Not before I learned how to stop somebody from choking.”

“I'm not bloody choking, am I?” Arthur said.

“You will be when I wrap this cloth ‘round your neck.” Ada said while pouring the water into a pan. The door opened and in walked Tommy with a bottle of rum.

I couldn’t stop the chuckle that came from me throat. John and I looked at each other, still having similar smiles.

“Let me see him.” He walked ‘round to Arthur with a ciggie hanging from his lips. He inspected his face before giving ‘em the bottle of alcohol. “All right, have this.”

Arthur took one swing before putting it back down with a groan. Tommy wrang the cloth of its excess water. “Give me that.” He said, pouring some of the bottle into the cloth before pressing it against Arthur’s face.

He inhaled sharply in pain. 

“You’re all right.” Tommy said, trying to soothe him. Both of his hands cradling his brother’s face.

But Arthur clasped his hand around one of Tommy’s arms. “He said Mr Churchill sent him to Birmingham. National interest, he said. Something about a robbery.”

Tommy backed away from him. Almost visibly upset, if you knew how to read him. I didn’t miss the pointed stare Polly gave ‘em either. 

“He said he wants us to help him.”

John interrupted. “We don’t help coppers.”

“He knew all about our war records. He said we're patriots. Like him.” 

I scoffed to meself since I knew the truth. ‘Fucking bastard! Didn’t even fight in the war.’

“Wants us to be his eyes and ears. I said-!” Then, he groaned in pain. Polly sh-ing him up as she bandaged his hands. “I said we'd have a family meeting, take a vote.”

Tommy said nothing. Just kept staring off. Now that the show was starting, it was so much easier to read him. It was obvious to me that he was rattled, but I’m sure to the rest of the family it looked like he couldn’t have been bothered.

“Well, why not? Hmm? We've no truck with Fenians or communists.” 

Tommy kept his mouth shut again. He was looking over at Polly and then at me. He exhaled audibly before Arthur started up again.

“What's wrong with you? What the fuck is wrong with him lately?” He turned to Polly.

She said. “If I knew, I'd buy the cure from Compton's chemists. Ali, come help me clean his face up.”

I stood straight. Tommy and I shared a glance before I looked away and took the cloth that had been discarded onto the table into me hands. I barely touched his face with it and he fuckin’ hissed.

It was the dead of night. I was busy correcting past homework that I had given to the kids. I was on Finn’s math when I heard Tommy’s door open and then close.  If I remember correctly, he was supposed to use his pipe to go to sleep tonight. 

That worry alone motivated me enough to finish up Finn’s paper faster. 

‘The bastard is stubborn. No, all men of this age doesn’t like asking for help. Especially the help of a woman.’

I exhaled with puffed cheeks as I marked Finn’s last problem. I hurried out of me chair and to Tommy’s room. Me robe whipped around me. When I opened the door, he had a fire lit and was rolling out his pipe. 

He looked at me. No emotion shown. I was mad. I was-!

‘I didn’t think as I marched up to him. I didn’t slap him, but I slammed me hand down on the light he had lit.’ 

No, that was just an intrusive thought. I really wanted to do it, though.

I walked up the light and blew it out. “You’re not doing this. You have me.”

“I did this because I don’t want you.” Despite saying that, he rerolled up his pipe and set it down on the nightstand.

“I outta break that thing, you know. Just chuck it into the fire downstairs.”

He whipped his head up at me and he glared. 

It made me shiver and not in a good way. Reflexively, I glared back. “Don’t try intimidating me, Thomas. Not tonight. You want to sleep. Let’s do it my way as agreed. Because you have fallen asleep my way and you were the one who set up-!”

“Yeah! Okay, I got it.” Very childishly, he laid down with his arms crossed above his eyes. 

I sighed. ‘I should probably ask him about the shovels. If he still hears them with me.’ 

So, I did. 

“Tommy, do you still hear the shovels? Even when I’m here… with you?” 

He stiffened. Then, he dropped his arms. He looked up at the ceiling with his jaw clenched. He tsked, closing his eyes. “No. I don’t hear them.” 

“Do you still dream abar them?” Me throat burned as did me face. 

“Yes. But not as often anymore.” His tone was so sad.  

“Then, why were you-?”

“Because. I shouldn’t be relying on you, a girl who’s not my family, to get me sleep at night. One day we’ll have to go our separate ways. It’s only right that you find yourself a good man and you can’t sleep with me then, now, can you?” He looked at me. The look on his face was sharp. 

‘It’s like he’s breaking up with me.’ I laughed at the thought.

“You don’t have to worry abar that. I’m not gonna find meself a good man anytime soon.”

“You don’t-!”

“I do! So, let it go and let me help you. You’re a good man, Tom. I don’t want to see you suffer. Especially when all you want is to do is get a good night’s rest.” I stopped fiddling with me hands and dropped them to me sides. 

‘He wouldn’t know that there was a warning lying ‘round me words. That he was gonna be suffering more. Soon, he’d have to orchestrate Danny’s fake death. Then, everything else.’

“Fine.” He said. 

I took off me robe, climbed over him, and laid beside him. I bit me lip before deciding to speak. “Lay lower than me. Don’t question it, just do it.” 

He sighed and did as I said. I scooted meself up then closer to ‘em. “Lift your head.” He did it and I extended me arm under his neck. “Face me.” He did it. His head near me chest. With me free hand, I brought it up to his face and began to stroke his cheek and run me fingers through his hair. 

I whispered things to him like, “You’re safe now,” “You’re home,” “Nothing’s gonna hurt you,” and “It’s okay to fall asleep.” 

And he fell asleep. He fell asleep fast. I, on the other hand, didn’t. I was too hyper aware of his body being so close to mine. This was the first time I’ve ever held a person of the opposite sex. It surprised me that this even worked! 

But, like I said, I didn’t fall asleep fast like he did and sometime during the night, his breathing quickened and his hold on me tightened, by a lot. I figured he was ‘aving the dream abar the tunnels, so I started soothing him again. It took ‘em awhile, but he calmed back down. I couldn’t bloody go to sleep after that, so it took me abar another 30 minutes before I fell asleep.

The next day was calm, nothing noteworthy happened. At night, Tommy told me that I was to head to bed. I asked him why ‘n he said that he was heading to Charlie’s yard. I twitched at the name. I always did when he said that name. After all, it’s me birth name.

The day after that in the midmorning, he ran to me ‘n asked me if his plan to fake Danny’s death would work. I told ‘em yes.

I saw when he came back, visibly disturbed, his head hanging low. I wanted to comfort him but Arthur got to him first. I remembered me place then. I couldn’t comprehend the plot that much. I watched as they had their dispute. I jumped when Tommy closed the book shut and then walked off. 

He grabbed me arm before he left ‘n told me I was sleeping by meself t’night too. I nodded and then he left the shop. 

That night I watched as the snow fell. Me heart felt as if someone was squeezing it through me chest.

Guess me wish wouldn’t come true, afterall.

TAG LIST: @amirahiddleston​ @nemesis729​

[get-your-fics]

First Impressions

Request: “Hi! My request is for non-con Bruce Wayne. Basically the reader is mean to him, like bullying him and he finds a way to take advantage of her or something thank you :) it’d be great if it was smut” from @heimdoodle​

Pairing: dark!Bruce Wayne x reader

Warnings: Smut, non-con oral, underage drinking, playboy!Bruce Wayne

“Please, (Y/N)!” your best friend Grace Blomdahl’s whiny voice pierced your ear through the phone speaker. “I’m begging you, come party with us just this once?”

You sighed. You had been at this for what felt like hours. “Okay. Fine, Grace. You’ve twisted my arm.”

She squealed. “Yes! It’s going to be so much fun. I promise, you’re not going to regret this.”

“Already too late,” you muttered under your breath.

And that’s how you found yourself being dragged by Grace through a crowd of writhing bodies in a club you didn’t know the name of wearing a dress too short and too tight to your liking and heels that you could barely walk in. The whole place reeked of sweat and alcohol, and the stench made your stomach churn.

You stopped at a table full of people you didn’t recognize. “(Y/N), these are my friends.” They all waved at you. She went around the table, introducing them one by one before landing on the final occupant. “And this is Bruce Wayne,” she finished.

You turned your head to lock eyes with a boy with dark hair, pale skin, and fine features. His was the only face that had a sense of familiarity attached to it. You had never met him before, but you had heard plenty about him - how he liked to take girls out, play with them, and when he got bored, dumped them like they were nothing. The corners of his pink lips curled into a sly smirk, and the weight of his heavy gaze was suddenly too much to bear, like it was scalding you. You looked away before he could burn you anymore. He was definitely someone to watch out for.

You knew you were in for a terrible night when a boy named Tommy Elliot handed Grace a drink and whisked her off to the dance floor. You spent most of your time squeezed in between two girls you didn’t know at the table. Eventually, everyone had gotten up to dance or get more drinks, leaving you alone.

“You’re not gonna dance?”

You snapped your head to see Bruce sitting at the other end of the table. You hadn’t even realized he was still there. He seemed to blend into the darkness of the club like a shadow. It was the first time you had heard him speak all night, and his voice was smooth like silk.

He quirked a brow at you, and you realized you hadn’t yet answered his question. You shook your head. “I don’t dance.”

He rose from his seat, the legs of his chair scratching against the polished floors. He walked over and sat down next to you. The sudden proximity made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. “Do you drink at least?”

You shook your head again, and he chuckled, deep and low. “So you don’t dance and you don’t drink. Why are you here then?” He leaned closer to you, a wide grin spread across his face. “For the entertainment?”

You grimaced. “Why do you care?”

He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I was just asking a question. No harm, no foul.”

“The only reason I’m here is because Grace forced me to come.” You stared straight ahead of you at the dance floor. You could just barely make out the top of Grace’s head as she bobbed along to the blaring music. “Now why don’t you go back to leaving me alone?”

The smile on his face disappeared. “God forbid I try to start a conversation.”

You whipped your head around to sneer at him. “Do you think I don’t know who you are?”

He cocked his head. “And just who am I, (Y/N)?” He put heavy emphasis on your name.

You crossed your arms over your chest. “You think you’re better than everyone. You think you can do whatever you want just because your family owns Gotham City.” As soon as the words left your mouth, you regretted them. You felt silly spouting such venom to someone you had just met.

He drew his brows together, and his lips twisted into a frown. An expression of sorrow and pain etched its way onto his face, but in the next second, it vanished. “Right.” He scooped up his drink and stood up. “I guess I won’t bother you anymore then.”

You sat there by yourself, feeling foolish and dumb, but you told yourself it was for the better. You’d heard the stories; whatever Bruce had wanted with you, it couldn’t have been good. He was just trying to manipulate you and make you feel bad for him.

You shook it off and stood up, resolving to leave. You had had your fill of the nightlife for sometime. You texted Grace on your way out that you felt sick and had gone home. She probably wouldn’t even notice you weren’t there until the morning.

-

“We missed you last night.” Grace’s voice sounded weak and groggy over the speaker. You expected she was hungover from her usual antics.

“And by ‘we’ you mean ‘you,’ right?” you joked, unlocking your mailbox in your apartment complex.

“Oh, come on! I’m sure if you had made more of an effort with the others that one time, they would love you just as much as I do.”

Your thoughts briefly veered off to Bruce and the conversation you had had that night, how you had basically spurned him without even hearing what he had to say. You dismissed your guilt. You reminded yourself that he was bad news. You didn’t just get a reputation like his by accident.

“Why don't you come with me to Emma’s house party this weekend?” Grace asked, and to convince you even further, she added, “She has a super nice house just outside the city.”

You chewed on your lower lip as you dug your mail out of your mailbox. You’ve had similar versions of the same back and forth over and over again. She never gave up until you gave in. “Okay,” you agreed, if only to get her to shut up sooner.

“Great! I’ll take you shopping after school tomorrow.” You could hear the growing excitement in her voice. “See you then!”

“Bye, Grace. See you.” You hung up as you got in the elevator. You only hoped you wouldn’t run into Bruce there.

You shuffled through the various envelopes as the elevator took you to your apartment’s floor. You swear your heart stopped in your chest when you held in your hands an envelope from Gotham College of Architecture and Design. The elevator binged as the doors slid open, drawing your attention, and you stepped out. As soon as you got inside your apartment, you tore the envelope to shreds, desperate to read its contents.

You had dreamed of going to GCAD for so long. It was a very prestigious school because of its renowned faculty, and practically everyone who graduated with a degree was guaranteed a lifelong, successful career. Although your parents had assured you that you exceeded the standards to get in, you were still nervous. Your entire future was at stake.

You unfolded the letter and read the neatly printed letters. Your heart sank in your chest. You had been waitlisted. Although it wasn’t a definite no, chances were, you were going to have to look elsewhere. The first tear fell down your cheek, and you wiped it away. It was followed by another, and another, until it was like a torrential downpour of water down your face.

You slowly fell to the floor and curled up into a ball, the letter crumpled up and discarded. You would have to find a way to tell your parents when they got home. You knew they would be supportive, but no matter what, it still hurt. And it would for a while.

-

Come the weekend, you were still hurting. Normally you would know better than to drink away your pain, but the wound was still fresh, and every drink someone set in front of you, you downed without wincing.

Next thing you knew, you were in the living room of Emma Hseuh’s sprawling mansion, surrounded by faces you didn’t know and voices you didn’t recognize. The last time you had seen Grace was when you both did shots of tequila before dancing on the coffee table together, but that felt like hours ago, and since then she had disappeared into the air like smoke. You figured she must have ditched you again.

You staggered your way past couples sloppily making out and two kids smoking weed to get to the bathroom. You were definitely feeling it now, and you weren’t sure if you were going to puke your guts out or piss your pants. You ended up just splashing water on your face to regain your composure, and when you left, you nearly bumped into Bruce leaning back against the wall in the hallway.

He smirked and pushed off of the wall. “Just who I was looking for.” His eyes widened as you nearly fell flat on your face from the force of bumping into him, and he caught you before you could. “Are you okay?”

He righted you back on your feet, and you pushed him away. “What do you care?”

He laughed at your very drunken appearance. “God, you’re shit faced. What happened to not drinking?”

You scowled. “I thought I told you to leave me alone,” you slurred, your eyes barely open. “Are you following me now?”

The amused expression on his face dropped. “What did I ever do to you? Did it ever occur to you that you’re the one who thinks she’s better than everyone, and that’s why you’re so set on being mean to me?”

You stared up at him, wanting to shrink down into nothing. You were so convinced that he had an ulterior motive behind his actions that you contorted and twisted every interaction you had into something sinister. “I’m sorry, it’s just... After all the things I’ve heard about you...”

“Most of the time, (Y/N), you’ll find that rumors are just that - rumors, born out of jealousy.” He placed his hands on your shoulders and smiled down at you warmly. “Is there any chance we can start over? Let bygones be bygones?”

You weren’t sure if it was the alcohol or the way he was looking at you, but you nodded. “I would like that.”

His smile grew. “Great.” He draped his arm over your shoulders and started leading you down the hall. “Why don’t we go somewhere we can be alone?”

He took you to a thankfully empty bedroom. You sat and talked for a while about your life - your hopes, your dreams, your ambitions, where you were and where you wanted to go, everything and nothing all at once. You started to sober up, and you found yourself surprisingly enjoying his company. He was the first real and genuine person you had spoken to all night, and you wanted to curse yourself for ever thinking otherwise.

“So what’s the deal with Grace?” he asked you eventually. “You guys seem like such good friends, but you’re so... different.”

“We grew up together. Our parents are old family friends.” You looked down as you fidgeted with the patterned bedspread. “We used to be so close, but in high school, we started to drift apart. She made friends with those people,” you pointed to the door where everyone was outside, “and, well, you can tell I’m not the partying type...”

“I don’t know. I saw you dancing, and you’re not nearly as bad as you think you are.”

You both laughed. “What about you?” You hugged yourself and looked up at him. “I thought you were supposed to be some hotshot, playboy, Casanova. Why aren’t you out there with the rest of them right now breaking some poor girl’s heart?”

He grew oddly serious. “Because I’d rather be here with you.” You inhaled sharply as he cupped your face in his hands. “Usually, girls fawn all over me when they see me. But not you. You’re the only girl to have ever rejected my advances. You’re different, special.”

He leaned in to kiss you, but you put your hands on his chest to stop him. “Is that all I am to you?” You pushed him away enough that you had room to breathe. “A prize to be won?”

“What?” He furrowed his dark brows. “No, of course not.”

“Well, then maybe some rejection would do your ego good.” You shot up and stormed toward the door.

“What about GCAD?”

His voice made you stop in your tracks. You felt goosebumps rise on your arms. You turned around, shoulders raised and fists clenched, and saw him sitting there with a pleased smirk plastered on his face. “Do you think I don’t know about that?” He leaned back on his hands. “You got rejected, didn’t you? That’s why you’ve been drinking so much.”

“I was waitlisted, not rejected,” you corrected him through gritted teeth. “And how do you know about that anyway?”

“Well, it’s funny.” He looked at you with a shit-eating grin. “I recently just joined the admissions board.”

You swore you were seeing red. You charged at him and grabbed him by the collar of his neatly pressed shirt, wrinkling it. “You did this, didn’t you? You got me waitlisted!”

“Calm down.” He chuckled and pried your fingers off of him effortlessly. “It’s amazing the things you can get if you just throw enough money at them.” He stood up. “I may be able to convince the rest of the board to let you in, for a price, of course.”

“You’re just as bad as everyone says you are,” you spat. “Even worse, actually.”

He clucked his tongue disapprovingly. “If you’re done running your mouth, you might put it to better use.” He grabbed you by your chin, forcing you to stare straight into his eyes. They were impossibly dark and empty like the void of space, drawing you into them. “Do what I say, and you’ll be rewarded.”

You tried to jerk away from him. “How do I know I can trust you?”

“Because I always make good on my promises, and I’m promising you, (Y/N), you’ll get what you want if you do what I want.”

You felt hot tears sting your eyes as they leaked down your cheeks. You wiped them away with your hands, desperate to preserve what little dignity you had left. “Please, don’t do this. Don’t make me do this,” you whispered.

“I’m not making you do anything. You’re doing this of your own free will.” He threaded his fingers through your hair and yanked, causing you to yelp. “Now, get on your knees. And don’t make me repeat myself.”

You glared at him, and if looks could kill, you were sure he would be six feet under. You absolutely despised him, and even though what you were about to do made you sick to your stomach, getting in to GCAD meant the world to you. You would do anything it takes.

You slowly lowered yourself to your knees, refusing to make eye contact with him on your way down. You sat up eye level with his crotch, awaiting his next instructions.

“Good girl,” he cooed condescendingly, and you resisted the urge to bust his kneecaps. He removed his hands from you and unzipped his fly. His cock sprung free from its confines, hard and aching. “Go ahead. You know what to do.”

You tentatively wrapped your hand around his length, giving his shaft a few uneasy pumps. He hissed with pleasure and bucked into your hand eagerly. You continued to stroke him, but he grew impatient. “Don’t be shy.” He buried his hand in your hair again and moved your head so the tip of his cock pressed between your lips. “Bite me, and you’ll regret it.”

You licked the head of his cock. His precum felt like acid when it hit your tongue. You swallowed your pride and gave him a few more kitten licks before taking him into your mouth. You went as far as you could without choking and used your hand to stimulate what you couldn’t reach.

He growled and used his hand in your hair to bob you up and down his length faster. “Come on, you can take it.” He thrust into you at the same time, and you gagged each time he hit the back of your throat.

Your eyes widened, and you pressed your hands against his hips. He ignored you and continued to use you for his own pleasure. Your throat burned, your jaw ached, and saliva dripped out of your abused mouth and down your chin. You inhaled through your nose, but it was never enough to inflate your lungs fully. You felt like you were on the verge of passing out, though you doubted he would care if you did.

“Look at me,” he demanded. He tugged on your hair ‘til your scalp hurt, and you stared up at him. “I want you to watch me when I cum.”

His thrusts grew spastic, and he guided you up and down his length frantically. “You’re mine now,” he grunted, his voice weak with arousal. His cheeks were flushed, and his dark eyes were clouded over with lust. “You belong to me. I own you.”

He pulled you until you took him in fully, your nose touching his pelvis. He shot his hot cum down your throat in spurts with a wanton groan. He removed himself from you, and you collapsed onto the ground. You sputtered and gasped for breath, your face bright red and your hair mussed. You hacked until you coughed up his cum onto the hardwood. You wiped your mouth with the back of your hand and sobbed. You had never felt more violated or defiled in your life.

Bruce recovered from his climax and glowered down at you. “You were supposed to swallow like a good slut!” He reached down and grabbed you once again by the hair. He hauled you up, and you cried out. “Oh, we’re not finished yet. Not by a long shot.” He grinned venomously. “If you want to get in to your dream school, (Y/N), you’re going to have to earn it...”

[bxcketbarnes]

Unintentional Stand-Up

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x Reader

Words: 5200+

Author's Note: I got this idea after seeing a post about Neil calling Billy's date a whore and that maybe he was excited for it to which it was canceled to find Max. I played on that idea and got this wonderful thing. I hope you all enjoy. I'm sorry it's a bit long. xox

Y/N's POV

"You want to explain to me why Billy Hargrove is staring at you?!" Danielle asked me and I picked my head up from my textbook.

"What?" I asked, confusion in my voice as I looked around the cafeteria to find Billy's blue eyes locked onto me. A blush covers my cheeks and I look away from him. My gaze moves back to Danielle and I run my fingers through my hair. "Y-Yeah. I don't know. I don't talk to him, like at all."

"That's weird. You think he's going to try to get into your pants?" She questioned and I shrugged my shoulders, looking back down at my science textbook.

Silence filled the space between us as I begin writing down the questions at the end of the chapter, going to answer them when a pair of hands land on the table. My eyes darted towards the large hands, noticing the rings adorned on their fingers and I move my gaze up his arms to see Billy standing beside me.

"Hey, Y/N," he grinned and I swallowed thickly, not realizing that he knew my name.

"Hi, Billy," I mumble quietly as his blue eyes roam all around my face. "I-Can I help you?"

Billy chuckled and nodded his head before looking towards Danielle who was just watching us. "I wanted to ask you something… alone."

"You can say it in front of Danielle. She's no harm, neither of us is," I mentioned and he sighed before straightening his back.

"Alright, then. I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go out sometime?" He asked and my lips part in shock.

He can't be serious? This has got to be just a game to him. To get into my pants.

"Uh, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to decline," I told him with an apologetic smile and his face falls slightly.

Billy went to speak when the bell rang and I stood up quickly, gathering all of my books and begins to run out of the cafeteria but not before telling Billy that I'd see him later.

Ever since lunch, Billy has done almost anything to gather my attention and I'm a little confused as to why he's so interested to get me to go out with him. I'm not his type, far from it. I'm not popular. Hell, I'm not even that pretty.

It was the end of the day and I walk towards my locker when an arm drapes over my shoulder. "Y/N, just the person I was looking for," Billy commented and I look up at the teen who sported a smile on his lips. Not his usual smirk. An actual smile.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I made it to my locker and the curly-haired boy leans against a locker beside me while I put in my combination. "Why the sudden interest?" I asked, getting straight to the point and he chuckled softly.

"Because I want to get to know you. I've had my eyes on you for quite a while actually. I'm not even surprised you didn't notice. You're always in that pretty head of yours," Billy answers and I stare up at him after opening my locker, lips part again for the second time today.

"I just don't understand. I'm not going to be just another notch on your belt, Billy. I'm not some girl you can play with then just toss out when you're done," I tell him and his smile dropped, clearing his throat.

A loud crack of thunder sounded through the concrete walls of the school and a sigh leaves my lips. God damn it, of course, it has to storm the one day I need to walk home. I place the remainder of my homework into my bag before throwing it onto my back and closes my locker door shut.

"Billy! Come on," Carol's voice called out and both of our eyes move to the blonde who stood beside her boyfriend. "Why are you even talking to her? She's not even popular."

Billy rolled his eyes and pushes himself off the locker. "I can't hangout. I'm going to drive her home. And I'm talking to her because I can," he sneered and my eyes widened at his response to someone he's supposed to be friends with. "So, Y/N? Can I at least drive you home?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure," I whispered and he smiled. The two of us walked down the hallway towards the door, Carol and Tommy H. looking after us with shocked looks on their faces.

Once we reach the doors, we book it towards his metallic blue Camaro. He unlocks the door as fast as he could and I let out a laugh as I held my jacket over my head as he fumbled with his keys before opening the passenger door for me. I thank him and quickly get into the vehicle, Billy closing the door after he made sure nothing was in the way first. I watched as he ran around the front, his curls getting wet as he unlocks his door.

"Holy shit," he breathed after getting into the vehicle, slamming his door shut.

A giggle leaves my lips as I look over at the older teen. He puts his keys into the ignition before turning the vehicle on. The Camaro's engine roars and I love to put my seatbelt on, knowing how crazy he drives.

"The weather seems to be angry at Hawkins today," I mentioned as Billy started to drive out of the school parking lot.

"Yeah, that's for sure. I understand why though. This town sucks," he monotonically stated and I frowned, bringing my eyes to the side of his face.

I shrugged my shoulders, glancing out the window as he quickly drives down the road, leaves flying into the air behind us. "It's alright. Yeah, it's not the greatest but I guess it could be worse," I commented and Billy's blue eyes moved towards me, keeping his eyes on me for a few seconds before looking back towards the road.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he mentioned and I smiled at him. "Hang out with me tomorrow night."

"What?" I asked, not believing he just asked me and I point towards the road in front of us, telling him to take a left.

"You heard me," Billy chuckled while taking the turn.

A breathy laugh leaves my lips as I fiddle with my fingers. "No, I know I did. It's just… you've surprised me a lot today. I didn't expect you to ask me out, drape your arm around me in a public hallway, bring me home, let alone ask me to hang out with you outside of school," I explain to him and point towards the blue house at the end of the cul-de-sac.

"Can't a guy want to get to know a pretty girl?" He huffed while pulling into my driveway and I bite my lip.

"Yeah, but they don't usually have your reputation. You can see where I'm coming from, right?" I asked him and he sighed before nodding his head.

"If I tell you honest to god that I'm not trying to get into your pants would you give me a chance?" Billy asked and turned his head towards me, resting his arms against the steering wheel.

I think about it for a second and give him a smile. "We can hang out after school or even during study halls if you want and then I'll think about going on a date with you, okay?" The largest smile comes to the teen's face, nodding his head. I chuckled softly, being a bit bold as I leaned over the center console to press a feathery kiss to his cheek. "Thank you for bringing me home. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See ya," he whispered while staring at me with slightly wide eyes. I got out of the car, grabbing my bag before running up the front porch steps. I turn to face him, seeing his distorted face through the wet windshield as I give him a small wave before entering the house.

-

It's been almost two weeks since Billy first asked me to hang out and surprisingly he seems like a great guy. Or he's putting on an act. Sometimes I don't really know what to trust. Rumors or experience. We were actually paired together for a project in a Science, so we've hung out almost 2x more. Like, every day these past two weeks.

I'm not going to lie to myself, but a part of me is falling for the curly-haired blonde. I told Danielle about it and she warned me to be cautious in case he ends up being a douche.

The two of us are sitting in my bedroom, my books spread all over the mattress as Billy laid behind me on his side. His fingers fiddled with the seam of my jeans as I write down the answers to the questions.

"You know you're really cute when concentrating?" His voice snaps me out of my trance and I glance towards him. Billy smiles softly at me, his fingers stroking my jean-clad thigh.

A scoff leaves my lips as I give him a small smile. "Really? I doubt it," I chuckle and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"It's true. You'll poke your tongue out slightly and just run it over your lips before you end up nibbling on them. It's cute."

I blush, looking away from him and I cover one of my cheeks with my hand as I smile into the palm of it. "Shut up, Billy," I laugh and he chuckled as well.

He shifts in his spot, sitting up a bit and leans on his hand. "Hm, no," Billy whispered and I moved my head to look back at him. My breath hitched in my throat as our faces were merely inches apart. I couldn't help but glance down at his lips before I look into his eyes through my lashes.

Billy tilts his head a little before leaning forward, the space between us disappearing. My eyes flutter shut as his lips lightly brush against mine. A breathy moan leaves my throat as he pulled away from me and I try to calm down my heart rate, his hand stroking my cheek.

"I, uh, don't wanna kiss you before the first date," he mentioned and I nod my head, pressing my lips together in a thin line. "Can I take you out on Friday?"

I bite my bottom lip as he took one of my hands into his. A soft sigh leaves my lips and I give him a smile. "Yeah, Billy, yeah. That sounds great."

Billy smiles and looks down at his watch, the smile turning into a frown quickly. "Fuck, I have to go. But, I'll see you tomorrow," he mentioned and got up from the bed. I furrowed my eyebrows as I watch him, seeing the slight panic look in his ocean eyes.

"See you tomorrow," I mumble after he left my room, hearing the front door shut not long after. I'm going on a date with Billy Hargrove. Holy shit. "I gotta call Danielle." I get from the bed, grabbing the phone that sits on my end stand before sitting back down after typing in her number.

-

Billy's POV

Loud rock music plays as I get ready for my date with Y/N tonight. It's weird that I'm actually pretty excited about it even though I haven't been on a real date in years. One that didn't end with them in my bed afterward. I grab a smoke from my dresser, putting it between my lips as I light it.

I shove the lighter in my pocket, taking a long drag before releasing it with my head tilt back. I dance a little bit to the song, a smile on my lips as I think about what Y/N might be wearing tonight. My hand grabs the bottle of hairspray from the end stand in front of me, grabbing my strand of curl that sits in front of my face, spraying it a couple of times. I set it back down and grab the cologne, putting some on my wrist.

My eyes move from the bottle of cologne to my pants, wondering if I should even think about rubbing some onto my balls. "She's a good girl. There's no way that's happening tonight," I tell myself and set it down before bending over slightly to look at myself in the mirror.

I take another drag of my cigarette, blowing it onto the mirror as a smile comes to my lips. Jesus, I can't believe I'm going soft for this girl. I look over myself for a few more seconds when knocks were heard from my bedroom door.

"Billy!" Susan's voice calls out and I let out a sigh, looking at the wooden door through the mirror.

"Yeah, I'm a little bit busy here, Susan," I tell her while keeping my eyes on the ivory door.

"Open the door! Right now!" My dad's voice yells and I bring the cigarette back to my lips, taking one last drag before putting it out in my ashtray.

I stand up straight before walking over to the door, whipping it open to see my dad and Susan standing on the other side. "What's wrong?" I asked, an annoyance tone in my voice as my eyes move from left to right.

"Why don't you tell us?" Neil questions with an eyebrow raised and I shrug my shoulders.

"Because I don't know."

"We can't find Maxine," Susan starts.

"And her window's open," dad finishes and I let out a huff of breath, looking towards my bookshelves. "Well, where is she?"

"I don't know," I mutter and glance back towards him.

"You don't know?"

"Look, I'm sure she just… I don't know. She probably just went to the arcade!" I tell them and head towards my closet to grab my leather jacket. "I'm sure she's fine."

"You were supposed to watch her," my dad mentioned and I sighed, looking towards the ceiling.

"I know, dad, I was. It's just you were three hours late and well, I have a date," I inform him while sliding my arms through the jacket before facing him. "I'm sorry, okay?"

Neil crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes moving towards the mirror. "So, that's why you've been staring at yourself in the mirror-like some faggot instead of watching your sister?"

"I have been looking after her all week, dad," my anger and frustration coming out as he raised an eyebrow at me again, "okay? She wants to run off then that's her problem, alright. She's thirteen years old, she shouldn't need a full-time babysitter. And she's not my sister." I slammed the button on my radio so it turns off and my dad slams me against the bookshelf.

I breathed heavily, looking down at him as he gives me a look, his hands gripping the color of my jacket. "What did we talk about?" Neil asked and I didn't answer to which he slaps me hard across the face, adjusting my body so I'm stood up straight again and his hand moves to my face. "What. Did. We. Talk. About?"

"Respect and responsibility," I muttered to him.

"That's right. Now, apologize to Susan."

My heart pounds against my chest as it rises and falls almost quickly, staring at my father before I spoke up. "I'm sorry, Susan."

"It's okay, Neil, really-"

"No, it's not okay. Nothing about his behavior is okay. But he's gonna make up for it," he pauses and lets go of my jacket, taking a step back from me. "He's gonna call whatever whore he's seeing tonight and cancel their date. Then he's going to go find his sister, like the good, kind, respecting, brother that he is. Ain't that right, Billy?" He asked and I stayed quiet, still trying to calm down from the situation at hand. "Isn't that right?!" My father yelled, getting into my face.

"Yes sir," I busily whispered, my eyes becoming glossy from the tears building up as my cheek throbs.

Neil lets out a deep sigh through his nose, rubbing his chin. "I'm sorry I couldn't hear you."

"Yes, sir," I said louder, surprised that there wasn't a crack in my voice.

"Find Max." Neil turned around and he and Susan leave my room before closing my door.

The tears build more until a couple of them slide down my cheek, gripping the bottle of cologne in my hands until I throw it against the wall. The glass shatters and I place my head into my hands, taking deep breaths while wiping the excess tears from my eyes.

Goddammit… It shouldn't be hard to find her. It'll take no time and I'll still be able to make it to Y/N's house…

-

Y/N's POV 

I stood in front of the mirror, looking over the cute outfit I was wearing as my heart was pounding against my chest. To say I was nervous was an understatement. Butterflies have been soaring around my stomach for the past hour. I run my hands over my skirt, swallowing thickly as I glanced at the clock to see it was seven-thirty.

A sigh leaves my lips as Billy was half an hour late. My parents were gone for the night so I couldn't even hang out with them as I waited. I walk out of the bathroom, grabbing my purse off my bed before making my way towards the living room.

"Might as well watch some TV as I wait," I mumbled to myself, getting an uneasy feeling as I kept moving my gaze towards the window, looking for Billy's Camaro.

Thirty minutes turned into an hour which turned into two hours and I let out a disappointed sigh. My eyes filled with tears, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"I should've known," I scoff and shake my head. I turn the television off, tossing the remote to the side as I get up from the couch to make my way back into my room.

I kicked my shoes off before stripping out my clothes, putting my pajamas on. I slide into bed, throwing the covers over my body as I lay on my side, staring into the void. I sniffle a bit, wiping my nose with the back of my hand as a tear escapes my eyes.

I should've known that he didn't really want to go on a date with me. It just… doesn't make sense. Why try so hard to stand me up.

Billy's POV

I pulled up to the house Mrs. Wheeler told me to go to, seeing the lights on inside. I shut off the vehicle, the cigarette in my mouth hanging from my lips as I open the door. I step out of the car, taking the cigarette from my mouth as smoke escapes my lips.

"Am I dreaming or is that you, Harrington?" I call out, seeing Steve standing outside the front door, his hands placed on his hips.

"Yeah, it's me. Don't cream your pants," he mutters and I place the cig back between my lips, taking the leather jacket off before tossing it into the car.

I slam my door shut as the two of us began walking towards each other. "What are you doing here, amigo?" I asked.

"I could ask you the same thing. Amigo."

"Looking for my stepsister. A little birdie told me she was here," I informed him, as my hands were pressed against the top of my jeans.

"Huh, that's weird. I don't know her."

"Small? Redhead? Bit of a bitch."

"Doesn't ring a bell. Sorry, buddy."

I scrunch my face up, my eyes darting towards the window to see her and the kids I've seen her hang around with looking through the window. I take the cigarette from my lips, blowing out the smoke before speaking up. "You know, I don't know, this… this whole situation, Harrington. I don't know." I pause and take a step closer to him, my head tilted to the side slightly, "it's giving me the heebie-jeebies."

"Oh, yeah? Why's that?"

"My thirteen-year-old sister goes missing all day and then I find her with you in a stranger's house, and you lie to me about it," I explain to him and Steve lets out a chuckle.

"Man, were you dropped too much as a child, or what?" He asked and I took a drag of my cigarette, letting the smoke out immediately as I ran my tongue over my bottom lip. "I don't know what you don't understand what I just said. She's not here."

I stare at him for a few seconds before raising my cig, pointing it towards the window. "Then who is that?" I ask huskily and Steve whipped his head around to see the four kids suddenly drop down from the window.

"Oh, shit. Listen-" he starts but I cut him off by pushing him roughly causing him to fall back onto the ground.

Steve groans as he lands on his back and I hover over him. "I told you to plant your feet," I mumbled before kicking him in his stomach. He lets out a groan as I walk towards the house, flicking my cigarette before reaching the front door. I push the door open, seeing Max, Lucas, and two other kids I didn't know the names of. "Well, well, well," I start, slamming the door shut as I walk towards the pre-teens, "Lucas Sinclair. What a surprise. I thought I told you to stay away from him, Max."

She looks up at me as she quietly speaks, her hands resting at her side. "Billy, go away."

"You disobeyed me. And you know what happens when you disobey me," I pause as she says my name once more, "I break things." I grab ahold of Lucas' jacket, carrying him off his feet and pressed him against some shelves.

Indistinct yells from the kids are heard as Max continues to yell at me to stop. "Get off of me you-" Lucas starts but I cut him off, leaning my face close to his.

"Since Maxine won't listen to me, maybe you will. You stay away from her. Stay away from her! You hear me?" I yell at the kid, pressing him against the shelf just as my dad had done to me earlier.

"I said get off of me!" Lucas yells before kneeing me in the balls.

I grunt and let go of him as I bend over a bit. A few more grunts leave my lips as I hover a hand over my crotch, glaring at the kid. "So dead Sinclair. You're dead."

A hand lays on my shoulder, turning me around and Steve stands in front of me. "No, you are." He throws a punch, hitting me square in the nose and I hunch over, laughs leaving my lips.

"Looks like you've got some fire in you after all, huh? I've been waiting to meet this King Steve everyone's been telling me so much about," I tell him and Steve presses two fingers against my chest, pushing me back lightly.

"Get out."

I stayed silent for a few seconds before swinging my arm, throwing a punch as Steve ducked under it. He popped up and landed another punch to my face, making me fall over onto the table slightly.

"Yes! Kick his ass, Steve!"

"Get him!"

A burst of maniacal laughter leaves my lips as I stand back up and Steve lands another hit onto my face. I stumble back into the kitchen counter, letting out another laugh before grabbing a plate and smashes it over his head.

He stumbles away from me, towards the kids as their cheers got quiet. I walk towards him, a scowl on my lips as I landed a punch to his face. Steve stumbles even more into the living room and I head towards him, grabbing a hold of his jacket. "No one tells me what to do!" I tell him before headbutting him.

Steve groans and falls to the floor. I let out a whoop, yelling at him to get up and I push him onto his back before laying into his face with punches. The kids behind me were yelling loudly, but I was too blinded by rage to give a damn as I threw punch after punch, my knuckles becoming bloody from Steve's face.

Something gets stabbed into my neck and I grunt, halting my punches as I look to the left. I stand up from my knees, stumbling a bit as I look down at Max. I pant heavily, glancing to my left and grab the needle that was sticking out of my neck.

"The hell is this?" I slurred and take a couple of steps towards the red-head. "You little shit, what did you do?" I ask and my vision becomes blurry, losing my balance to which I fall onto my back. I let out a laugh as my arms were spread, my eyes drooping closed.

"From here on out, you leave me and my friends alone. Do you understand?" Max said as she held a bat that had nails sticking out in her hands.

"Screw you," I mumble as I look at her through hooded eyes.

She raised the bat, swinging it down as it was embedded into the floor between my legs. I look up and she pulls it out of the floor before screaming at me. "Say you understand! Say it! Say it!"

"I understand," I whisper and this situation is becoming all too familiar.

"What?"

"I understand," I repeat and feel my eyes droop shut as the world around me was becoming dark.

Just before I lose consciousness I mumble incoherently, remembering that I was supposed to pick Y/N up. I didn't even call her first that I might not make it. Shit…

-

Y/N's POV 

It's been about a week since I was stood up and I haven't really left the house. It was winter break so I didn't necessarily have a reason to go anywhere. My mother noticed something was wrong when they got home the next day as I had dried tear streaks on my face and I don't think I've smiled once.

She came into my room that night, deciding to figure out what was going on with me and I told her. Everything. About how Billy first asked me out without even really knowing me, secondly about how we hung out for basically two weeks straight, and then how he did ask me out and me deciding to give him a chance only to stand me up.

Her hand rubbed my back as the tears came to my eyes, blinking rapidly so they didn't fall. "Did you ask him why he didn't show?" She asked and I scoffed, shaking my head.

"No, and I don't want to know. It was a stupid mistake. There's no way a guy like him would want to go out with me," I explained to her and she signed a bit.

"How do you know that though? Maybe an emergency came up and he couldn't make it," she tried to reason and I shrug my shoulders, not wanting to think about why.

"Y/N! There's someone at the door for you," my father yelled and I furrowed my eyebrows, not knowing who it could be. A breath hitches in my throat as the realization hit me.

I glance towards my mother as she gives me a soft smile, nodding her head at me. I sigh quietly, getting up from my bed and walk out of my bedroom. I walk into the living room to see Billy standing on the porch, his hands shoved into his pockets. I grab my jacket, putting it on and slipping a pair of slippers on before walking out the front door, gathering the teen's attention.

"Y/N," he started and I shook my head.

"I don't want to hear it, Billy. I-I truly thought you were different than what everyone was saying! A-And then you don't show up for our date, leaving me to my own thoughts as I thought I was stupid for even giving you a chance," I yell at him as I stood a couple of feet from him.

He swallowed the lump in his throat, staring down at me as I crossed my arms over my chest. "If you could just let me explain…" Billy trailed off and I glance over at him, seeing the sadness in his eyes.

I sigh before taking a seat on the porch swing, motioning him to take a seat beside me. "Fine, but make it quick. It's cold."

"Okay, so, I was really excited for our date. Believe me, but my step sister had snuck out her window and when my dad got home… he told me to cancel my date with whatever whore I was seeing to go find her," he started and I furrowed my eyebrows at how much a dick his dad sounded. Billy grabbed my hand in his, lacing our fingers. "I know you're not a whore and if I told him that he wouldn't listen. I didn't think it'd be such a chase to find her, that I could quickly find her and bring her home before picking you up. It's why I didn't call. One thing led to another and I ended up getting into a fight with Steve in some stranger's house and Max, my step-sister, ended up stabbing me with a syringe that had some sort of sedative. It's a shitty excuse and kind of crazy but it's what happened."

I frowned at him, feeling his thumb stroke the back of my hand as his eyes looked down at our joined hands. I bite my lip, letting out a sigh through my nose as I sat back slightly. "So, you didn't stand me up because I was some joke?" I asked in a whisper and he picked his head up.

"No, God no. I'm not going to lie to you. I see the best of me inside your eyes. I've gone so soft for you it's unbelievable. I've never been this happy than I have when hanging out with you in a long time."

A blush covers my cheeks as his ocean eyes stare into mine. I giggle, shaking my head as I squeeze his hand. "Well, maybe you can make it up to me," I tell him and bite my lip softly.

"I will do almost anything, sweetheart," he breathes and I grinned, leaning forward and press a kiss to his cheek.

"Take me to Benny's Diner? Like, right now?" I asked and his eyes lit up, nodding his head. "Alright, uh, let me just get dressed first." I motioned towards my pajamas and Billy's gaze moved down, a chuckle leaving his lips.

"I'll be waiting, sweetheart," he mumbled and kissed my forehead before I stood up from the swing. My heart pounds against my chest as I walk towards the front door, giving him one last smile before walking into the house. "Don't take too long. I'll freeze!" Billy joked and I rolled my eyes as I ran past my mother, seeing a giant smile on her lips.

"Told you things would work out," she told me and I nodded, my cheeks hurting so much from smiling. "Go get 'em, tiger!"

-

Stranger Things Taglist: @daisyxbuckley @bumblebet-20 @thebookamongmen @mattysheelies @marshmallowtraver @fortheloveofhargrove @makeupbychio @whiitee--sxxl @lovefilledtragedy @vanitysfairr @kaelyn-lobrutto24 @fangirlinganditswonders @ria132love @rissa067 @sadgirlhours247 @omgdani17 @radicalbilly @lizziejean13 @thecurlsofgod @laurmillen @puppylover12222 @mishaphades @billyhargrovescigarette @l0ve-0f-my-life @smilechannie @imsunsetboulevard @readinthegarden12

[ubernoxa]

The Token: A Guns N’ Roses FANFICTION

Chapter 6: Bars are Fun

Masterlist

Story Summary: Story inspired by the movie She’s the Man. A female Duff is tired of dealing with the bullshit of trying to make it on the strip as a female bassist. In a desperate attempt to make it big doing what she does, she cuts her hair and mascardes as Duff. What’s the wors that could happen?

Chapter Summary: Michelle just isn’t having a good time

Tags: @viralwolf02 @littlemisscare-all @smokeandmirrorz @aratbaby @slashscowboyboots

It had been a month.

A month of masquerading as Duff.

A month of some of the best gigs I’ve ever had.

A month of packed bars.

A month of lying to my band.

A month of wearing the stupid itchy wig.

A month since Izzy and I shared a bed.

We didn’t have sex, but I still woke up in his arms, his scent lingering in my nose. Are legs were tangle under my legs, and there was no way I would be able to untangle them without waking him up. My heart fluttered when he subconsciously pulled me in closer when I tried to leave, mumbling sweet nothings in my ear.

That moment was quickly broken by Axl pounding on the door, resulting in me having to throw myself onto the ground and cover myself in blankets, pretending that I was asleep.

Since that moment that happened over a month ago, nothing absolutely nothing has happened. We never talked about it, and I was too scared to bring it up. Hell, we have barely even spoken in person since the event, but that didn’t stop my mind from creating fake scenarios in my head in order to drive me crazy.

Maybe I offended him by jumping off the bed to avoid Axl finding us?

Maybe I wasn’t as pretty as the girls he usually ‘does it’ with?

He was drunk, did he regret it?

Maybe he heard the rumors that Pyxie had spread about me?

Every day, my brain would wake up and create some sort of fake scenario in my head that would never come true. Sadly, it had become apart of my morning routine, it would happen right after I put my wig on while I was doing my makeup.

Part of me hoped he would come and visit me at work. I imagine that he would ask me to take a break from work, and we would discuss what the hell happened over coffee.

“Michelle?!?” I was pulled from writing when I heard Walter and Macy screaming my name in unison. I had spent most of my time after work trying to figure out part a song I was working on.

What the fuck did they want?

Why the hell were they yelling so loud?

I tossed aside my pen and paper and placed my guitar on my bed. Was coming to my door and just knocking on it too much to ask?

I slowly walked out of my room, and down the hall to the living room where I was met with a incredibly pissed of Walter and Macy. What the hell was their problem?

“Sit,” once I sat down on the couch I immediately knew what they were doing.

An intervention, they were having an intervention. It was clear as day as I sat cornered on the couch with no way to escape. This was going to be bullshit.

I stared at them as they sat down passing glances at the other looking as if they were deciding which one of them should break the silence.

Before either of them could, I decided to take control, “Is this some kind of bullshit intervention?”

I was met with more dead silence.

“Okay, cool. So are we just going to sit in silence orrr?” I stared Macy down as I spoke. I had plans tonight, I was going to go to a bar and then an after party with my band. I had no time to be sitting around doing absolutely nothing. My roommates were not going to keep me hostage tonight.

“We need to talk,” Macy’s voice was hesitant as she spoke.

“Okay then, let’s fucking talk,” I shot back leaning forward.

“We are worried about you,” Macy said with a delicate tone. I quickly adverted my eyes from her and looked over at Walter who remained silent. He seemed pissed. Was this supposed to be some good cop and bad cop interrogation?

“Worried about what? That I’m doing drugs? Cause I’m clean!” I quickly shot back.

“No we aren’t worried about you doing drugs,” Walter shot back.

“Then what is it?” My tone was sharp and snarky, but I was done dealing with their bullshit.

“When was the last time you went out as Michelle?” Macy’s tone sounded broken as she spoke.

I shot my attention back to her, “I am Michelle. I’m Michelle every minute of every hour. If you’re asking about the wig, I had work earlier, so I wore the wig then.” What was she trying to get at?

“No, when was the last time you went out and partied as Michelle? When was the last time you wore that wig because you wanted to go out as Michelle,” Walter’s voice cut through the room.

“What the fuck are you getting at?”

“You’re never Michelle anymore. We never go and hang out as friends anymore. We’re worried that masquerading as Duff for over a month has messed with you. Duff isn’t real! We were yelling your name across the apartment and you didn’t respond,” Macy’s sad voice echoed through the apartment.

What. The. Fuck.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I shot back.

My mind was racing trying to understand what was going on.

“You’re spending all this time with these Guns N’ Roses guys. Do any of them even know you’re not a guy? What would happen if they found out?” Walter shot back and I immediately locked eyes with Macy.

“What am I missing?” Walter’s voice was still as sharp as it was moments earlier.

“Izzy knows,” I admitted leaning aback into the couch.

“And he doesn’t give a shit,” I added, unaware of the smirk that was growing on my face. I paused for a second immediately regretting saying those words. Did he? Maybe...maybe that’s why we aren’t talking?

“And you can trust him?” Walter shot back clearly still on the attack. Macy remained silent. My assumption was that she was afraid to speak.

“Of course!”

“He’s a drug dealer Michelle,” I rolled my eyes at his comment. It was pretty well known on how Izzy paid the rent.

“So? He a damn good rhythm guitarist who has been nothing but nice to me,” I shot back.

“He’s only nice to you because you’re a chick.”

I looked over at Macy who’s expression mimicked mine at Walter’s words, eyes big and mouth agape. He did not just say that.

“Sorry we’ve gotten off topic. All I’m saying is you have to go out as Michelle more. You act like she doesn’t exist anymore,” Mark added. I was thankful that his tone was softening, but he still made no sense.

“Well I have plans tonight, so,” Macy immediately cut my off, almost startling me.

“You’re coming with us tonight”

“No I already have plans..” I quickly shot back.

I watched as Walter began to pace back and forth in the living room. What the hell was his problem?

“Please, we’re just worried that you’re getting a little...lost. I’m glad the band is doing well, but you need some time time as Michelle okay?” if you told me Macy was on drugs then I would have believed you. She was making no sense.

“Are you guys just jealous I don’t hang out with y’all? I am in a band and we practice A LOT, so what? I’m not going to that party as Michelle I’m going as Duff! What are you going to do tell everyone I’m Duff?” The room went silent once I finished.

“I thought you said you were Michelle....you said you are always Michelle even when you were Duff,” Macy’s voice sounded hurt as she spoke.

“Fine I’ll go to the bar with y’all,” I said defeated. I looked away from Macy and towards Walter. Part of me wondered if he would wrap me out.

————————-

The bar was packed as I tried getting the bartender’s attention for a drink refill that I definitely needed. I had been here only 30 minutes and I wanted to leave. I wasn’t having a bad time, but I would rather be with my band. I tried waving my hand to get the bartender’s attention, but it was useless. I watched as a girl flash the bartender to get his attention earning some cheers. Part of me wished I could take my wig off and throw it at the bartender, but for obvious reason I couldn’t do that.

“Hey,” I turned to see Slash try to get the bartender’s attention.

“Good luck. I’m standing here in short shorts and a crop top, and the bartender is practically ignoring me,” I said to him earning a laugh.

The bartender promptly headed over towards us and took our drink orders.

“How the hell did you do that?”

“I’ve played here a couple times, you know Guns N’ Roses, the band you seem always to busy to see perform even if your roommate is in the band,” I smiled at his words trying to find a response.

“Come on now Slash, you have plenty of girls showing up to your gigs. You don’t need little old me,” I tried teasing back, but I could tell he wasn’t too interested in playing my game.

“With legs like yours, you’re far from little,” I could tell he was trying to think of a better line to say, but it was clear that the beer he had been drinking was the result of his bad pickup line.

I reached forward and pushed his bangs up, so they were out of his face.

“Now babe, if I was you I would try to pick up a girl a lot less sober than me if you’re already this trashed,” I replied, my smile never escaping my lips. I watched him smirk and his eyes light up as I talked. It was only yesterday when he drunkly admitted that he liked it when girls called him babe.

“Come hang with us, we’re already down a guy cause Duff had to work tonight,” Slash slowly pulled me away from the bar as I tried to look around for Walter and Macy. I wanted to follow him, but I felt Walter’s eyes on me.

“Slash I can’t. I came here with Walter and Macy, and I don’t want to piss them off more than I already have,” I shot back.

“Them or him?” Slash shot back and I immediately rolled my eyes.

“Fuck off,” I shouted back.

“Ohh come on, Michelle. I get it. He has money,” I stared Slash down as he spoke who immediately realized his poor choice of words.

“Who has money?” I didn’t need to turn around to know who the voice belonged to.

“Why did you spend all of yours on drugs?” I shot back at Nikki.

“Come on Michelle, no need to be rude,” I sent my best ‘are you fucking kidding me’ look Tommy’s way as he spoke.

“Thanks for helping me get a drink Slash,” I said before turning back towards the table Walter and Macy were at.

“Having fun?”

I sent Walter a smile back and took another sip of my drink.

“Motley Crue is here. God knows why, but they’re back,” I said to Macy who slowly nodded her head.

“Greeeeeeaaaaaat,” Macy groaned leaning back into her seat.

“I only saw Tommy and Nikki though, no Mick,” I replied, earning a nod from her.

I looked back to the bar and watched as the motley boys joined Slash at the table my band was at. That is when my heart sunk. As per usual, there were girls surrounding where my band sat. Not to brag, but we already had quite a following. My eyes locked with Izzy as he had some girl on his lap.

Some girl who wasn’t me.

[proxylynn]

Lynchtale: File Name Game of Death #7

Chapter 7: Lead not into temptation but obsession

WARNING: THIS IS A MATURE STORY THAT WILL HAVE BLOOD, GORE, PSYCHOLOGICAL SURVIVAL HORROR, HEAVY CURSING, AND LIKELY SEXUAL THEMES/BONING. I DO NOT OWN UNDERTALE, THAT BELONGS TO LORD TOBY FOX. I DO NOT OWN DEAD BY DAYLIGHT, THAT BELONGS TO BEHAVIOUR DIGITAL INC.. I DON'T OWN THE AU'S THAT SOME OF THE CHARACTERS COME FROM, THEY BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS. I NOW OWN THE IDEA FOR LYNCHTALE, WHICH USED TO BELONG TO PUNNYSIDEUP (AKA. SANSFULPUNS). I ALSO OWN MY SELF-INSERT OC ANOMALY LYNSIE AND A LOVE OF FAN PARODY. IF YOU'RE STILL READING THIS, THEN CONGRATULATIONS ON EITHER BEING ONE WITH STRONG DETERMINATION OR AN ENDLESS WILL TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGE OF STOMACHING WHAT I HAVE IN MIND. EITHER WAY, IF YOU LIKE THIS AND/OR MY OTHER CONTENT. SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT. HAVE FUN SINNERS. ^_^

David and Lynsie stay in the fog for a long while. Telling dumb jokes and ridiculous stories. Wanting to build a better connection, David goes into detail on how his life changed before he found himself in this nightmare. She had to admit to herself, when he opens up, he is more enthralling than any movie.

King scrunches his broken fist. Cheers and hollers from a drunk crowd echo through the alleyway. He stares at his fallen opponent. Bleeding face. Busted nose. Chipped teeth. He kicks him in the mouth to put the finishing touches on his handiwork. He never lost a fight. Not now, not ever. Always bet on King. He glances over the crowd. Spots Donnie. An old friend with a gambling problem. Not much of a problem if he continues to bet on me. King looks at his watch. He's late for a family meeting.

King's father gives his mother hell for talking back for something he didn't quite understand. It's always the same crap. King grinds his teeth. Blood and warmth rush up his face. Every scrap. Every single one he won, because he saw his father's face on his opponent. He wants to lash out. To say something. Anything. But to say something is to be cut off. But this time he's not thinking straight. Or maybe he is. His father raises a hand to strike his mother. It happens faster than the thought to perceive it. One moment he snatches his father's arm. The next he's beating him black and blue for years of accumulated shit. He walks away while his mother tries to help his father up. You're out! Never show your face here again! Ungrateful bastard! Get out!

He never really had friends. Not real ones, anyway. He had an entourage. A group of sods enjoying the high life with his credit card. Now he has no one. Not a single bloody friend to help him out. He had friends once upon a time in school. But that was long ago. He needs money. But money doesn't grow on trees and no one wants to challenge him. Not after what he did to his last opponent. He needs a job. His accounts are near empty and his old careless spending habits are hard to break.

He meets with Tommy. Tommy has no room for him in his apartment. Wishes he did, but he doesn't. Mick wants to help but his old lady won't let him. Same with Bill and Harry. His ex has moved on and she doesn't want to see his face. Something about being a shithead. He can't live in a hotel room forever, it drains the account. He remembers a face he recently spotted in a crowd at his last scrap. They were friends since they were toddlers. He was a genuine friend even if they went separate ways. King looks him up. Castledrive. He hails a taxi.

King hasn't felt real in a long time. He sits in Donnie's apartment drinking old ale, realizing how much he misses genuine heart-to-hearts. Donnie was his friend before he realized he came from money. The rich aren't really rich. He's not sure why he thinks this or what it means. It's just a random thought. The ale talking as it were. Donnie says he can stay until he figures things out. He's not sure when that will be. It doesn't matter. A sudden rap at the door startles him. Donnie stands. Opens the door to reveal a few men in black leather jackets. Muscle. King doesn't hear much. What he does hear he doesn't like. Donnie owes money and can expect a bundle of lead in the face if he doesn't pay. He laughs when he returns to the kitchen table. It's your fault, King. I don't know who to bet on anymore.

King lost his last three jobs and is going back to what he does best. A challenger steps into the circle in the dimly lit alley. Double his size. Massive. King doesn't care. A head's a head. He'll go down like the others. Crowd calls him the Ghetto Masher. The Ghetto Masher glares at him. The ref spits out rules he's heard a thousand times. King stares at him...and sees...not his father but his opponent.

A bell sounds. With a bestial snarl, the Ghetto Masher lunges. King evades a wild blow that would have ripped his head off. He feels strange. Unresponsive. Confused. Donnie screams at him. He glances at him as he receives a massive fist to the skull. Black swirls across his eyes. He doesn't remember the thud against his skull. He doesn't remember his legs buckling. He doesn't even remember collapsing in a pile of festering, garbage. He only remembers waking up on the couch in Donnie's apartment. He's lost his edge. His anger. His rage. His hate. Was that all he was? Donnie's asking if he's okay and he's not sure. Am I okay? Will I be better? I don't know. Was it just a fluke? A lucky shot? Happens to the best. I feel wrecked. I am wrecked. Donnie bet the last of his cash on him.

King's getting the hang of working behind a bar. Donnie sips a beer and tells him he needs to find another reason to fight. King tells Donnie he needs to get home before the beer he's drinking turns to piss. Before he gets in trouble. Too late. King spots two men. They approach Donnie. Grab him. Usher him into the basement. Not a good sign. King rushes to help but his manager yells at him to stay behind the bar. Screw it.

He leaps over the bar and rushes to the basement where he finds Donnie being beaten by Ghetto Masher with Uncle Brass watching in his chair. King doesn't hesitate. He tackles him. They exchange deadly blows. Ghetto Masher can hardly keep up. Uncle Brass sends others after King. Doesn't matter. King's a whirlwind of destruction. He cracks Ghetto's knees and thrusts his thumbs into his eye sockets. An eyeball pops out still attached to a series of nerves. Cries of terror. Ghetto Masher cups his eyeball screaming for medical help. Staggers and slams against the wall as more ruffians attack. Stop! Uncle Brass stands and approaches. It's well within my power to rip your fuckin' head off for what you did to my boys. King staggers to his feet. Not a bloody joke, am I? His debt is paid if you work for me. He straightens up and brushes his jacket. Smiles. Always bet on King.

Such a tale would normally be taken with a heaping amount of salt. But he knew she believed him. No one makes that kind of crap up. Plus the scars on his knuckles that he was surprised she noticed were very telling. He found it cute that she'd absentmindedly traced her fingers across the old wounds. Yet it also proved just how comfortable she was with him to drop all guard and trust him without a word. Oh, how it tempted him. To stop being the support she needed after the unknown hell that happened with the Monsters and try again to make his move. Never did he think he'd be in a situation where he'd be mentally fighting his sex drive. It didn't help that she would press closer to him in an attempt to get cozy.

On her end, this was a much-needed peace. He made her feel safe. As if there were no Monsters. No Entity. No reason to be fearful of herself. No pricks to look at her like she's a freak. It's just her and him. The toughest softy she ever met and he didn't put up some fake act when around her. She loved that. Loved it when someone was themselves and didn't give a shit to fit some 'normal' mold that was expected. As dumb as it was, the lyrics to Avril Lavigne's Complicated were more than just words in a song to her. And David King was the guy she could tell that she'd never find faking. Such peace of mind had her wanting to stay like this forever. Yeah. To stay with him and forget everything else would be a dream come true.

Eventually, the calm placated the storm of her frayed nerves and she manages to convince him into returning to the campfire. Whispers spread from those that think naughty thoughts. While others knew better and ignored stupid rumors. More important matters were needed to be focused on. Hard and troubling times are coming. Resources will be needed. Trials need to be won. The flowers are coming.

[SOMEWHERE IN THE ENTITY...THE ARCHIVES OF THE OBSERVER]

(Arcus 337)

At first glance, the endless bloodshed seems to be an act to satisfy some destructive instinct within The Entity. This seems to me a reductionist distortion of something more sophisticated, something more intricate, something even sacred. Beyond the horror, the shedding of blood and the very real appearance of death puts us in touch with life and can be an intoxicating and highly addictive experience on the deepest and most archaic levels. When our blood, or our life-force is offered to The Entity, it can be seen as a gift that is soon returned to us so that the horror may continue again and again. The world constantly churns with life and death, and death and life �� the circulation of blood through an Old One from heart to body to kidney back to the heart again to be purified and begin anew.

(Arcus 984)

More luminous energy sent to me by an unknown ally. With this energy, I was able to open a small window that allowed me to look into a lost realm where I saw to my great surprise a city with survivors living as though nothing was out of the ordinary. The window eventually closed, and I spent the entire evening imagining how such a thing could be possible or if it was merely an illusion. The same night another surge of energy permitted me to open a doorway into a realm I didn't much recognize or dare explore. I stared at the scintillating doorway until it faded out of existence. It's as though the one manifesting these sacred glyphs is trying to help me delve deeper into the mysteries of this dimension or, perhaps, he is suggesting that the answers to my salvation are hidden amongst the countless realms discarded by this Old One since time immemorial.

(Arcus 985)

Instead of reading aloud in my usual way, I clambered to the roof of my tower and conjured a fire and a radio to listen to some ghost stories from a half-remembered radio serial from Terra Dark. Without a doubt, listening to these stories has proven to be the best way to pass the time, especially when you've got endless voices clattering in your head, bringing you down with their endless agonies and anxieties. Later I used the Auris to manifest The Storyteller to read his stories like he had done for his weekly podcast. He was composed of ever-moving, black fog, and I suspect that one day I'll actually be able to recreate a more realistic person to listen to or perhaps even engage with in something that resembles a conversation.

Listening to The Storyteller and hearing familiar expressions, I am wondering: how do I keep myself out of my own creations? The memories I attempt to record as fast as I experience them prove one thing to me. They show me objectivity is impossible, or elusive at best, and I'm never quite sure if my logs are a true and accurate depiction of the subject's memory or a whiskey laden interpretation of a nightmare. To add to my frustrations, I have recently noticed other voices have made their way into my notes. Other interpretations. Other thought-patterns from people whose memories I've likely spent too much time reliving. They are becoming a part of me and that wasn't supposed to happen.

(Arcus 986)

The Storyteller kept me entertained throughout the night with his gory tales of Nosferatu, so that I almost forgot my own personal living nightmare. His stories entertain and make for a perfect distraction when smashing golf balls into the abyss just won't suffice. There have been countless tales of vampires, and to be certain I've read most of them, but to my mind...his are the most chilling. More than once now I've woken in a cold sweat with the sense that my tower has been overrun by these horrible creatures with fangs for teeth.

(Arcus 987)

Another incident woke me in the middle of the night. An incredible surge of energy coming to me from an undetermined source. At first, I thought my mind had given way to illusions and wild imaginings until I realized the energy surging through my tower was widening yet another doorway into a lost realm composed of memories from an unremembered civilization lost to time. I approached and stared into the remnants of a war-torn, abandoned city with the eerie cry of a baby echoing in the distance. Just as I made to enter the lost realm the scintillating doorway shrunk and sizzled out of existence. I soon realized it may very well be possible to explore this Old One from my tower with the help of this unique energy and the Auris.

(Arcus 1007)

A new doorway has opened. For how long? I'm not sure nor have I ever been right even with my best guesses. Through the door of my study and into a lost and forgotten realm. Moss-grown, stone homes with doorways barricaded with wagons, planks of wood, and decaying corpses tangled in barbed wire. I walk by the homes gazing at the residual memories of soldiers killing villagers with swords for no other reason than the thrill of it. I can't make out which era or Terra world this realm is from. I search the realm for hints of how one may open an actual doorway back home. Somewhere in these memories and forgotten realms is the answer to my salvation. But...which ones...which ones indeed...

(Arcus 1275)

I have often wondered if those trapped here have ever paused to reflect upon the inexplicable significance of this world that defies not only time and space but death. A world made of memories that is neither consistent nor constant. Something akin to a collective dream made of the collective memories and beliefs of its inhabitants. Sometimes I wonder if not all worlds were like this in some respect and that reality is what we in fact dream it to be or believe it to be.

(Arcus 2217)

I have uncovered to my amazement and bewilderment memories of Claudette that are unlike any of those I've previously experienced. One might even say they should not belong to her...and yet...they are hers. I surmise these memories may belong to another Claudette from another Terra world, suggesting that this Old One may have clear preferences at the cosmic buffet for certain souls. It will take more samples of these memories to know if they are in fact from another Claudette or if, and it is possible, I am having troubles deciphering between her actual memories and her creative musings.

(Arcus 5736)

I have seen into the heart of this Old One and have seen things no mortal eyes should see...things that simultaneously perplex my mind and burden my conscience. With mysterious help I have ripped open reality, searched deep within countless rifts, and seen everything tumble helplessly towards chaos and entropy...towards death and madness...and for the briefest moment I had the ridiculous thought that the mysterious ally helping me could very well be The Entity playing its game with me, toying with me as a cat does with a mouse before the claw rips the tiny jugular out. Staring out into the endless abyss of black fog I thought that this prison could very well be another form of trial disguised and designed to feast on all the psychic energies derived from alienation, boredom, and all those bouts of unremembered insanity. I can't help but feel millions of invisible hooks in my heart and millions of unseen eyes all around me...watching me...waiting for me to tumble toward chaos and madness like everything else...waiting for my mind to turn against itself. This bastard of an Old One wants me to kill myself. I am sure of it. Or maybe...Maybe I already have, and maybe I will again...and again...and again.

(Arcus 5738)

An odd impulse caused me to climb to the roof and light a single candle in the pitch blackness of it all. When the candle extinguished, I thrust myself off the roof and plunged to my certain death but somehow ended up back in my bed as though I was waking up from a nightmare. I don't know what I was thinking but what this has shown me is...death is not an escape.

(Arcus 5798)

Incidents don't make sense anymore. Nothing does. Everything is a chaotic blur of unreal apparitions and jumbled memories. I can barely recognize my own thoughts or distinguish my memories from those I've been studying. Last night I relived the most horrific murders in my collection with a strange kind of...pleasure...When I had had enough, I looked in the mirror and did not see myself but dozens of faces morphing in and out of each other. Every possible face except my own. I thrust my fist into the mirror and my hand split and blood was everywhere. What cruel fate has befallen me that I should lose myself in the darkness while trying to escape its deadly grasp? The Auris will either be my salvation or my downfall.

(Arcus 7525)

It's hard to say what came over me and I can hardly recollect the last few hours perhaps even days. I awoke with several empty whiskey bottles and dead bodies sprawled across the roof. Not too far from the scene was my gory nine iron and a phonograph playing a solemn, French song about life in a city I will never truly know. I turned the bodies over one by one and they vaguely resembled those who had forsaken me to this infernal prison. I must have conjured them and destroyed them in the same evening. But...with a nine iron? I imagined far worse fates for them. I even have a journal devoted to dark and creative ideas on how I might actually one day make them pay for their corruption and impertinence.

(Arcus 8545)

I was woken mid-slumber by a delirium of shrieks and destruction so that I rushed to the closest window to see only the endless Black Fog swirling outside. Things in the Fog were coming to life and dying simultaneously as though The Entity were sick or in some kind of shock. Creatures roared and fought and tore each other apart somewhere in the raging abyss and it was both entertaining and unsettling. I grabbed a nine iron and held it at the ready, waiting for some apparition to attack me. But within moments it was all over, and I couldn't sleep, and so I took the edge off with a little whiskey and golf on the roof, the whole while cursing this blasted Old One and hoping what I had just experienced was nothing more than cosmic indigestion.

(Arcus 8557)

I tremble as I scribble this down. Squid-like creatures difficult to describe attempt to penetrate my tower, trying to destroy my study and tools to explore and manifest. I held them off for as long as I could, then, taking the Auris and other valuables, I rushed through a doorway and hid in a lost realm. When I returned, the tower was upside-down, my study completely ransacked, the creatures lay dead on the floor with black, putrid blood leaking out of them, and the smell of decaying fish was everywhere. What are these creatures and who is sending them if not this brutish monster of an Old One? I spent hours cursing and throwing these fetid carcasses out of my window and back into the abyss.

(Arcus 8789)

There are dead bodies in my study and I have no recollection of the last few days. The bodies have been flayed from head to toe and the faces have been beaten to an unrecognizable pulp. I dragged them to the window and thrust them out into the abyss wondering who they were and why they were in my tower. Did I manifest them? Did I create them for company? Or did they come from somewhere else? Had I been the one who butchered them? Had I lost myself so deeply in a memory that I became someone else for a short time? Perhaps they are not my creations but apparitions from the Fog sent by The Entity like the creatures I hear lurking about in the Fog now and then.

(Arcus ??????)

I...I have tried to distract myself from the negative thoughts that have been plaguing me as of late. Delving into the memories of the Survivors for more wholesome or at the very least comical moments. The rumbles of King, the failings of Dwight, the never say die spirit of Bill, the laughable oddities of Ash...It helped...For a time. My curiously brought me to look into the new girl. This mysterious Lynsie King has become taken with. Surely she might have something in her past that would be worth a chuckle or two. And there were a few I managed to find. The time she ran to listen to a song she liked and fell on her side after sliding in a sudden skid. The time she was jumping from large rock to rock with her younger cousin and slipped, ripping her skirt-shorts off and she had to hold it on till she was back home. The countless amount of comedy specials she'd watch on television. I wish I had more control as I should've stopped there. A blurred memory cleared up and I fell down a dark pit of sadness.

It's dark, the trailer called home is silent in slumber. A teenage Lynsie stands in the bathroom and stares into the mirror, tears streams down her cheeks as dark whispers fill her ears. Her gaze turns to the medicine cabinet. Shaky hands open it and reach for a bottle...Iodine. She scans the label before bad ideas play in her mind. She considers drinking it. But the smell has her question the taste. She heads to the kitchen, perhaps burying the taste in something else will work. She experiments with ravioli. It turns black in the iodine. Her mind fights itself, listen to the death call of depression, or listen to the instinct to stay alive. After a long twenty minutes of standing in the glow of a small nightlight, the tainted meal is trashed and the healing poison returned to its cabinet. She adjourns to her bed where sleep fails to come. No one in the home will ever know of this moment...or of the others.

[UNKNOWN TIME PASSES]

A few harsh trials have happened since that incident with Chops and the Doctor. I've had the good fortune of encountering the Hag. Hag wasn't so bad. That trial went so well I felt bad that the others were bashing pallets on her and taking advantage of her simpleness to play mind games that had her so confused that I managed to pop three of the generators on my own. It was so very strange and not at all what I've been used to so far.

Other than that, the others are taking trials more seriously and focusing on getting currency to barter with the Entity. Why this is I know not. Some look as though they want supplies or offerings. Others maybe want objects or cosmetics. David tells me something called The Hallowed Blight is coming but not to worry about it. Monsters get more aggressive and ugly, so no big deal. He has my back if shit gets rough. Tells me to get something nice with my earnings to feel better. While as nice as that is, it brings up questions I both want to ask and yet don't. I trust David. He's not going to steer me wrong. But he's also a tough guy that will downplay threats because HE can kick ass and not give a fuck about getting names. I'm not strong like him. So when he says no big deal, I'm inclined to be more on guard.

The call of the crows is heard. The trees sway. The air grows cold and a wave of fog rolling in makes four of us stand. A new trial is commencing. The black smoke consumes the soon to be victims and takes them away. The taken...Laurie, Ace, Quentin, and me.

[INTO THE FOG AND OUT ELSEWHERE]

The darkness fades and I find myself on a rug...in a house. My brain temporarily forgets this is made by the Entity, as memories try to crawl awake and build up hope that I've been freed by mistake. But this is not my home. Never will be. This is Lampkin Lane of Haddonfield and the one that calls it home is the monster called the Shape.

Haddonfield is a calm little town in the state of Illinois, without much going on. Or at least it was. If you were to ask anyone in the town, at the school or in a bar, if there's something off with Haddonfield, they'd decline. To accept that this was the birthplace of one of the purest forms of evil is hard. People living here have always felt safe and protected. There were no boogeymen or other shady characters in the night. No lurking, no skulking. People slept perfectly fine for decades knowing this for a fact. So when Halloween came about, the town’s folks were reluctant to accept that Haddonfield is now forever known as an evil place. Gossip and made-up stories flooded the town.

Nobody really knows what happened, or if it's safe nowadays. Some moved away. Others visited as morbid tourists. During the day, a common visitor wouldn't suspect a thing. But as the sun sets and night comes, an eerie quietness devours the town. People are afraid. And as you visit Haddonfield, you too will get afraid. Not only because it sits upon a dark history, but also because something is off. This isn't a real place, but instead a warped version of a reality that is no more. An Entity version if you'd like. A simple street with houses that witnessed the horrors that took place. A jungle gym where children once learned to climb. Sidewalks where fathers taught their daughters to ride a bike. All gone. Instead, it sits in the palm of the Entity, forever held in darkness.

Outside doesn't seem to be a smart bet for safety. Even if the starry night sky is tempting to observe. Inside is probably even worse due to small spaces constricting movement. Yet I take my time heading up to the second floor of this house, greeted by tacky wallpaper and random spooky abstract pictures. Windows and doors don't seem to be a thing on certain things. The house next-door is completely boarded up. The rooms upstairs are mostly empty. There's a locker, dirty mattress, a pallet that splits a double room, a dull totem that I break with ease, and a single generator in a very small closet type space. Not sure how much time I'll have before being found by this trial's monster, I get to work on repairing the gen. It's a slow process since I'm alone, but it can't be helped, there's only space for one to work on it. The confines of the room make the sounds of progress extra loud and the lights of the once dead home flicker with reviving life, a tell that someone is inside. Does this bother me? Yeah. But I've been getting numb to this. I keep my senses open for a single sound. Once that heartbeat plays in my ears I will go full crazy in an effort to avoid this super easy kill spot. Wiring this one seems to be more annoying than I first figured. A lot of repeating wires needing to be set right in dim flicking light.

*LOW-PITCH YELL*

"Come on...I don't have time for this bull..."

*LOW-PITCH YELL*

"The fuck is going on out there?"

What killer can be hitting them so quickly? This is not going to be a good trial.

*LOW-PITCH YELL*

[Breaking Point: Triggered. Resentment Tier I activated.]

Wait...That one sounded close. I pause working as the sound of fleeing footsteps clatter on the wooden floor...then up the stairs. I back into the generator as the shadows cross the walls moments apart from one another. A small one and a massive one. There's this crunching sound followed by a low scream...and a thud outside. Did...Did they get downed in a window and plummet to the ground. Brutal.

Heavy steps creep back my way and I feel my hair stand on end. This aura is dark. So strong I can feel it through the walls yet there's no heartbeat. The killer stops near the doorway, their shadow leaking into the room as something I vaguely recognize.

"...Big guy?"

Shape leans his head into the room before the rest of his form joins, blocking the exit effectively and showing the fresh blood dripping off his blade.

"H-Hey there..."

I'm not sure what the reason may be, but I'm suddenly more nervous than I'd normally be. He looks at the generator and then me. I feel my spine tingles move throughout my system. He takes a step, my body reacts and I drop to the floor.

"Mercy!"

He pauses.

"Please...You don't have to do this. I can't do much, but I am useful. Just...don't hurt me."

He mulls his thoughts over before continuing forward. I brace for a painful stabbing...only to hear a harsh thud. I glance over my shoulder as the second thud is made, he gave the generator two harsh kicks that had fire spurting from his boots with each hit. The engine sparks and smokes, progress has been regressed with damage. He turns away from the gen and I'm not entirely sure if he'll ignore me or not. Self-preservation mode is in effect.

"The guy you followed up here...Young looking, right?"

He takes a moment before nodding.

"That's Quentin. I think he brought a toolbox. There's another, older man, that's Ace. I think he has a key. I'm uncertain of the rarity. And the last one is carrying a flashlight, Laurie."

That name has his flame burn brighter. He grabs me from the floor and holds me to the wall, his blade to my throat.

"... .... ...."

For a man so soft-spoken he can be very harsh.

"Calm down, please. Does she mean something to you?"

".........."

"Oh! You have Obsession Rights on her."

He nods and I put my hands up.

"Then by all means...Go for it. I won't stand in your way."

He tilts his head so I continue to try to seem on his side.

"What? I haven't been having the best times with other humans. Why would I get in your way? How does that help me? You and them know what you're doing out here. I'm still figuring things out."

He eyes me before removing his weapon from my tender nape. Good. He's reasonable. Wish they were all half this easy.

*SHHHHHHUNK*

It's funny. I registered the knife hitting the wall before realizing it went through my gut to do so. Not a sound is made, thanks to my Skulker's Instinct perk. Shape stares at me, taking in the lack of screams even though my wide eyes are filling with tears. A harsh yank dislodges the blade. My legs resist the urge to buckle when he lets me go. Seemingly satisfied that he did something, he goes to leave and I aim to heal this bloody hole I now have.

"..."

He gets my attention.

"... ...."

"No do gens?"

He nods.

"Okay...*wince* Can I still do bones and loot chests?"

He shrugs.

*CLANK*

With that first generator being popped he leaves the room and I heal myself. If only that gen popped before the stab, then my tier one would've reversed. Once healed, I head down the stairs and decide to creep on all fours. I don't want to be spotted by the others right now. Now knowing the monster is Shape, it makes more sense why I couldn't hear the heartbeat. Shape's power makes him undetectable until he's built up enough murder-lust from stalking victims. I pray I won't come to know what happens when he's at max power. Then again, I know not what he plans to do with me once he is done with the others.

I leave the home and feel so out of place in this strange suburb street. There are mailboxes, childish fences, trash waiting for pickup, vehicles, a playground, and a road that on one end ends at an exit gate. Everything looks so normal. Like at any second, I'll see this neighborhood come alive with people going about their lives. But seeing the border past the houses breaks such ideas apart. This place is dead. A lie. A moment in time captured with all life removed from it. Well...all life removed but us.

I find a bone totem hidden behind some trash bins and tend to breaking it. Why I have to pick it apart and can't just kick the damn thing is beyond me. The totem dismantles with a loud crack, allowing me to move on down the sidewalk and ignore all other stuff going on.

*HIGH-PITCH SHIRK*

Sounds like Shape found Laurie. I wonder where everybody is and what they're doing? How are they all able to hide in this place? Is Shape on the others so much they can't work on generators very well or does he have a perk that's keeping their progression low? My thoughts are broken by this open sitting space. Trees and unkempt grass, a circle of benches lit up by three separate lamp posts. That's not what catches my eye. Behind the benches, even the lonely bench away from the others, are these large almost boulder-like rocks that are bigger than me. Fun memories come flooding back of playing on similar stones when visiting my Abuela. The urge to relive that feeling pulls me. I choose a rock pressed on a tree. A good sprint and jump are all I need. I dash towards to rock...but my legs refuse to leap as I want them to. Finding this odd, I grip the rock to pull up for better footing...and again my legs don't move.

"The hell...?"

[Having some trouble, little worm?]

God dang it.

"What did you do to me this time?"

[Not a single thing.]

"My legs won't move. I don't call that nothing."

[Your legs are fine. You are simply on par with the other worms now. Worms stay on the ground where they belong.]

I recall something the Doctor said while I was in his so-called "care".

"❄☟✋💧 🕈✌💧 ✌☼⚐🕆☠👎 ❄☟☜ 💧✌💣☜ ❄✋💣☜ ❄☟☜ ☜☠❄✋❄✡ ☼☜💣⚐✞☜👎 ❄☟☜ ☟🕆💣✌☠🕯💧 ✌👌✋☹✋❄✡ ❄⚐ 👍☹✋💣👌📬" (THIS WAS AROUND THE SAME TIME THE ENTITY REMOVED THE HUMAN'S ABILITY TO CLIMB.)

The pieces fall into place.

"But I was able to climb before. My first trial..."

Its voice mockingly chuckles in my head.

[Just how special do you think you are? The Entity allows all prey to be free their first time. It lets the Entity know what they are capable of.]

That makes sense. No better way to measure the worth of what you have than by letting it be free...For a moment at least.

*LOW-PITCH YELL*

Sounds like Ace.

[Will you be letting Shape have all the fun? The Entity enjoyed watching your hunt of the other worms last time.]

I won't let it goad me into snapping. I just need to remain calm.

*LOW-PITCH SCREAM*

..REMAIN CALM!

I need to distract myself. If I let the failings of the others get to me I'll end up hitting tier two, and once in tier two, it is much easier to go tier three. Maybe I can hide in a locker and bash my head in till I blackout.

[If it was that easy, little worm, the lot of you would die much sooner. You are welcomed.]

"Stay out of my head, you fucking...!"

Sharp pain claws me from within. I'm brought to the ground and curling in on myself like a wadded up ball of tissue that's silently screaming.

[Do not forget your place, worm! The Entity controls all. If the Entity wills it, you will suffer horrors the likes of which would rend your mind to shreds. Your soul and very essence would cease to be. Do you comprehend this or shall the Entity prove it further?]

I fear further damage to my tainted soul. I yield. Meekly kissing the ground as penance.

[Yes. Embrace the dirt, lowly worm. The weak are bound to it. Only the strong...The beasts...Only they can rise above and know power. So, Lynsie...What are you? A worm? Or a beast?]

I can feel my soul tighten as if the tips of dozens of nails threaten to penetrate the fragile thing with each passing second. My mouth begins frothing with the start of foam from how much I'm straining and hyperventilating to just meekly resist this.

[Struggle all you wish, little worm, for it is in vain. You can either become a beast and hunt for the Entity, or you can allow your soul to become nothing and to nothing you will become. No matter your choice, the Entity will have what the Entity wants. The only difference being the amount of pain you wish to give or receive.]

It hurts. Everything hurts. Why? Why does this have to be the way of things?

"Lynsie? Is that you?"

From behind some of the bushes, Quentin crouch walks by to see my feeble form. I want to speak but can't.

"Are you hurt? What's wrong?"

Garbled gibberish is the best I can answer him with. His concern grows and my bloody shirt doesn't help.

"Are you changing? Please tell me you're not."

I shakily etch in the dirt "NO". This makes him feel better but the Entity hates it and proceeds to tighten its grip on my soul. The pain blinds me temporarily.

"Let me see if I can heal you. Maybe it'll help."

Quentin is kind. Optimistic like most teens. Even when it's very painfully clear that the odds aren't realistic. He puts his hands on me and attempts to heal. But since I'm not physically wounded...

"It's...It's not working. Why isn't it working?"

With my sight locked past Quentin, him trying his best to heal that which is beyond his understanding, I gaze into nothingness and see shadows come alive. Images of multi-segmented claws twitch and twist in unnatural motions that unnerve me to my core. Suddenly...I see a light. A faint glimmer that disrupts these chaotic tendrils of doom and restores a tiny bit of hope. Perhaps it's Laurie with her flashlight or Ace with his shiny key. Wait, was Ace downed or hung? I can't recall. The light gets clearer as it draws near. It's not from a flashlight. It's Shape. His glowing silhouette and glistening blade become easy to see as he draws near. He aims for an easy strike. I'm down and Quentin is distracted. Two birds to be killed with a sharp stone.

I...I have to warn Quentin. He needs to run while he still has the chance.

[Are you sure about that?]

I attempt to speak, to do something good, and increase Quentin's ability to live. But all that comes out is guttural hissing. Quentin is understandably confused and most likely thinks I'm responding to healing efforts. Shape gets closer, readying his weapon for a harsh backstab.

[Choose now, Lynsie. Be a worm...Or a beast.]

Panic floods my system. Even though I know death is meaningless here and I'll basically re-spawn, the amount of buildup plus the pain to my soul has logic being thrown out into the void. My body responds without thought.

[Breaking Point: Triggered. Resentment Tier II activated.]

"Wa-wait, what are you doing?"

I quickly grab at one of his ankles and gab my thumbnails as hard as I can into the thin debilitating tendon that meant the end for the great Achilles. Quentin howls in pain and thrashes away from my sudden assault.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

A low rumble reverberates from my throat and I crawl away like a nervous cat.

"I am not a worm."

My words go over his head, his attention goes to healing himself and I watch as the embodiment of hellfire stalks right up behind him.

*LOW-PITCH YELL*

The knife is plunged so deep into Quentin's back that Shape has to pull it out while pressing on Quentin with his foot. The look on his face as he locks eyes with me is one of hurt betrayal. Like, you can literally see him think "Why?" and hear the song "How Could This Happen To Me" by Simple Plan play. He doesn't get to crawl away. Shape scoops him up and glances at me. I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Thankfully, he merely nods and walks away to find a hook. The stranglehold on my soul easing to stable comfort.

[Not bad, little beast. You get points for creativity.]

The Entity is pleased, causing me to shudder and wander off. I lashed out in forced desperation. Makes me feel sick.

*LOW-PITCH SCREAM*

Quentin's been hooked. This whole trial is bullshit. How is it fair that the Entity can just interfere like that?

[If you think this is unfair, wait till you encounter some of the other perks the Entity granted to the monsters. Take the Clown for instance. His "Bamboozle" perk allows his vault speed to be faster as well as calls upon The Entity to block that Vault location for several seconds. Only one Vault location may be blocked this way at any given time. But even this is enough to ruin even the most skilled of the worms.]

Are you fucking serious?

[Plague and Ghost Face have perks that affect generators. "Corrupt Intervention" answers her prayers to invoke a dark power that meddles with the Survivors' chances of survival. 3 Generators located farthest from her are blocked by The Entity for about 120 seconds at the start of the Trial. Survivors cannot repair the Generators for the duration Corrupt Intervention is active. And "Thrilling Tremors" pulls from his dark designs and shrewd composure to rouse The Entity. After picking up a Survivor, all Generators not being repaired by Survivors are blocked by The Entity and cannot be repaired for the next 16 seconds.]

Are you shitting me right now?!

[Nightmare has a perk called "Blood Warden". As soon as the Exit Gate is opened, Blood Warden is activated. The Auras of any Survivors located within Exit Gate areas are revealed to him. Once per Trial, hooking a Survivor while Blood Warden is active calls upon The Entity to block both Exits for all Survivors for up to 60 seconds.]

...Words can not fathom the levels of absolute hate I am feeling right now.

[Good. Use it. That girl, Laurie, has yet to be hooked. It would be wise to do so. At this rate, you will not earn much by the end of this trial.]

Leave me alone! I don't care about bloodpoints. Besides, that's Shape's target. I can't kill her.

[Do you really think she will allow herself to die to you? Who are you to believe the worms would actually fear death from you? Worms only fear beasts.]

I am not a worm!

[So you say. Yet you act as though you are a worm. You have fear in your soul. A beast has no such weakness.]

I know what you're doing! I won't fall for this!

[And what pray tell is the Entity doing?]

You want me to crack. To give in a be just another cog in your feeding machine.

[You are that regardless of being a worm or beast. The Entity does not care which you are.]

Then remove the scaring on my soul!

[No. You will not lose your punishment so easily.]

You're so full of shit it isn't even funny.

[All beasts have blight on their souls. You are no different. The only difference is the amount. Once you embrace what the Entity has given the scars shall minimalize. Till then, they will only grow and fester the more you resist.]

I growl to myself while stumbling upon another bone totem and begin working on it. I'll say it again, this entire trial is bullshit.

*CLANK*

Case in point, the second generator is finally activated. And not that far away either. I don't think Laurie has been downed this entire time, she's pulling her weight and more. Good for her. At this rate, she'll most likely make it out alive.

[Do you think that's fair? That Laurie will live but you will not?]

I continue to work on the totem and ignore the whispering, I don't need it listening to any more of my thoughts.

[Have you not been through enough? Everything that has tried to break you, you overcame in spite. You have had very few moments of peace. Even now, everyone and thing seeks to tear you apart for some reason or another. Do you not find it wrong for them to not aid you as they do the others? That the worms and even beasts think they can use you as they please.]

I'm finding it hard to focus when it is using truth.

[Should you let them get away with that? Letting their actions go without consequence? Where is that relentless drive to live? That spirit to prove others wrong? Where is the woman that made her inner demons submit? You do not need to put up with mistreatment. You are so much stronger than they realize. Show them their hubris. Make them regret their misdeeds. Let them know of the mistakes they made by hurting you. Give them a taste of true fear. Grant them this gift...The gift of true suffering.]

I have stopped my task at this point. It has made a very convincing plea. I am so tired of being looked down on. Being used. Being shunned. I just want to be shown respect or they very least be left alone. Why should the others treat me with such disregard? What did I do to them to call for such treatment? And the monsters...Even they have scum among them. They can't get away with this.

No! I can't give in to these thoughts. I'm better than this. Than them. I won't stoop to their level. I don't...

*LOW-PITCH YELL*

I don't need to...

*LOW-PITCH YELL*

I DON'T FUCKING NEED TO...

*LOW-PITCH SCREAM*

[Breaking Point: Triggered. Resentment Tier III activated.]

I NEED TO FUCKING END THEM!

[Special Ability: Anomaly State...Activated.]

...

Shape watches the young boy struggle against the Entity on the hook. A pointless waste of energy. No one would try to rescue him as long as he was there. At least, no one in their right mind would.

*HARSH ROAR*

This new sound pulls the monster of flame's attention.

[Grillby...]

"..."

[The little beast is free. Do not interfere with her rage. The Entity wants her to accept her place. Do you understand?]

"...Yes, Master."

A sudden flash blinds Shape, forcing him to recoil back with an irritated steamy hiss.

"Quickly, we need to regroup with Ace. Lynsie's snapped."

The sound of the hook being messed with is heard.

"Right."

By the time Shape's vision returns, he witnesses Laurie and the one called Quentin, now unhooked, flee into the street. The Entity told him not to bother with the odd one, but it didn't say stop attacking. It's time to stop playing on easy. While still able to see them, Shape stares hard at the humans, building up his intensity for the kill. The darkness inside feeds his determination to take the life of his prey.

[Evil Within II: Triggered. The Red Stain is now visible. Aura-reading Abilities now work. Terror Radius is active at a range of 16 meters. Regular Movement speed increased by 115%. Regular Lunge range open time: 0.5s. Slightly increased Vaulting speed by 1.48 seconds.]

Now that Evil Within II is active, he has no means to return to Evil Within I. Things will only get worse for the humans from this point on. Where his left hand was relaxed and swung freely mid-chase, the knife pointed slightly outwards and he had stiff restrained deliberate movement...Now left hand is clenched into a fist and held rigidly at his side, less-restrained freer movement. All the better to stab them with.

The pair race into a home. Shape follows. The Scratch Marks they leave behind in their sprint are like neon bread crumbs he can trace back to the main loaf that's itching for his knife to cut into. The scratches split, one leading upstairs and the other down into the cellar. Knowing Laurie, she's the one upstairs. He heads downward for the easy target. After all, the boy is still injured and bleeding. Save the best for last...heh.

There isn't much down here. The room loops full circle with two ways of entrance/exit. A single generator looms at one end of the room, it has not been touched. Though it's the space of multiple lockers that he knows the poor fool has sought safety in. A bad idea. The blood tells him where the boy is, but where is the fun in getting to the point? He moves to the locker next to it, his eyes not looking away from the real prize, and opens the empty box with force before slamming it shut just as hard. He moves to the other one beside it and repeats the same violent search.

*hurt gasp*

Perfect. The prey is terrorized. Nothing quite like scaring the literal crap out of someone. Shape reaches slowly for the handle and...

SLAM

The doors fling open, stunning Shape as the boy springs out for escape. Big mistake. Quickly spinning on his heel, Shape manages to catch the wounded boy with a mighty slash.

*LOW-PITCH YELL*

The boy falls and is at his complete lack of mercy. He probably had that "Head On" perk and thought it would be his trump card. Too bad for him it also causes the Exhausted status effect. Now it was time to end it. Kicking the boy over, Shape makes sure he sees what he brought this trial...an Ebony Memento Mori. Quentin's eyes bug out of his head.

"*gaps* Oh fuck..."

[Yes...Do it...Claim the kill...Do it, Grillby!]

The token glows and Shape's flame burns bright in delight. He snatches Quentin in a flash by the neck and thrusts his knife deep into the thrashing boy's chest. Bloody spills from his mouth and chest, he's choking on it. It deafens his screams. As if the human was made of butter, Shape forces it in deeper till the blade breaches out the spine. Shape watches the light fade in the boy's eyes before tossing the cold husk to the ground. More. More needs to be ended.

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

A heartbeat? Ah...Legion's "toy" is near.

*SCREECH*

"Shit! Fuck!"

The floorboards above clatter with panic running.

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

What sounds like ravenous animal chases after the male.

Knife is raised above his head, pointing downwards.

*WILD SNARL*

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

Hmmm...Maybe she's more interesting than first thought. At least she was smart enough to be after the male and not his Laurie. Speaking of which, if she's dealing with him then where is...

*CLANK*

...Sneaky bitch. At least that made her location noticeable. Steam escapes the mouth of Shape's mask, the thrill of killing THAT girl, his obsession...It had his heat being shown in visible air warping waves. Something about Laurie...Something in his soul burned for her death. She pissed him off. Her lack of fear towards him demanded him to break that. To go all out and teach her that was to be feared. He is what goes bump in the night. He is a devil that will burn all in fire. And she will learn this no matter how many times it takes. Time means nothing here and death has no end.

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

*SHARP HISS*

"Nice save."

"Run, moron!"

*ROAR*

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

The playground. The humans were looping the "little beast" around the objects and pallets before blinding her with that infernal flashlight. Shape supposed the Entity calling her a little beast is fitting. Her appearance...Long untamed hair flared in her anger. Blacked out eyes with glowing white irises that seeped darkness itself down her pale flesh. Her limbs looked extended slightly, claws tipping her hands and exposed toes from which she stands upon. A crazed posture and matching sadistic grin indicate she is lost, lost in the madness of kill. But for as lost as she was, the two humans were more so as they soon noticed that there was a monster to their left and right.

"Shit."

"What do we, Laurie?"

"I don't get it. Why didn't she turn back after the gen pop and flashlight?"

Was that really your great plan, Laurie? Did you fail to notice something's wrong? Someone's missing?

"Where's Quentin?"

The question is asked and it makes the air get colder.

"Hey..."

Little beast gets Shape's attention, taking advantage of the humans' lack of understanding the tongue of monsters.

"That key he has...It's a Skeleton Key."

Shape's grip on his knife tightens. A key of that level can open the hatch if spawned and found. The Hatch will become visible whenever the number of fully repaired Generators exceeds the number of living Survivors by one. 4 Survivors remaining: 5 repaired Generators/Exit Gates are powered. 3 Survivors remaining: 4 repaired Generators/1 Generator left. 2 Survivors remaining: 3 repaired Generators/2 Generators left. 1 Survivor remaining: Spawns and opens regardless of how many Generators remain to be repaired. If she now counts as a monster, then the rule of 2 survivors 3 generators is active. That means a hatch has spawned and that key is a problem, only dull and skeleton keys open the hatch.

Feeling the growing tension, Ace fidgets as if moving to break away from this awful situation but it only sets off the little beast. She lunges at the older male and in a move of self-preservation, shoves Laurie in the way as a human shield.

*HIGH-PITCH SHIRK*

Four deep gashes slice Laurie's side, putting her in the injured state. This move, however, has two effects. One, it's hurt a human that normally is tough for any monster to deal with. And two...It's pissed Shape off. He builds up his need for murder.

[Evil Within III: Triggered. Regular Terror Radius of 32 meters. Regular Movement speed increased by 115%. Slightly increased Lunge range open time: 0.6s. Moderately increased Vaulting speed of 1.275 seconds. When triggered, all Survivors suffer from the Exposed Status Effect. Evil Within III lasts for 60 seconds, after which it regresses to Evil Within II.]

With his knife raised above his head, pointing downwards, Shape wastes no time charging in and cutting down the key holder...

*LOW-PITCH YELL*

Then backhanding the would-be-monster in the face, much the shock of her and the human.

"*growl* What's wrong with you?!"

Shape rumbles like a furnace ready to blow.

"...Mine!"

He points his blade at the human that is too puzzled to flee even though she could. While understanding him, it doesn't really make the little beast any more accepting of the hit and she barks back at him.

"Don't fucking touch me!"

In her eyes...He sees that same spark in her eyes as he does in Laurie's. The lack of fear. His fire flares in intimidation, it fails on her. She takes a bracing stance before pouncing on him, the towering monster of flame throws her to the ground. She recovers quickly and attacks with all the precision of a charging rhino. It surprisingly takes some strength to hold her back and a greater surprise when she starts giving off a pure monster aura.

"I won't be treated like shit! Not by you! Not by them! Not by anyone! Do you understand?! No one!!"

He can feel it. She's pushing him back. The Entity is fueling her with strength to prolong her transformation. If this keeps up she might actually become a threat.

*whimper*

They both pause at the sudden sound. A slight look to the side shows the two remaining humans have gone to heal in some shrubbery. The realization hits Shape before her and he uses the confusion to stop this now...by punching her in the gut and stabbing her in the head. Little beast staggers drunkenly then falls over hard, not dead but incapacitated. More important matters are in order.

...

[Most interesting, little beast. The Entity never thought you would be so brazen. You have earned all that comes to you this trial.]

My eyes stiffly open. My head is pounding like it was hit by a truck. Every part of me feels like it hasn't moved in hours. With a shake of my head and a long yawn my senses return, I remember everything. I'm still in the trial.

*HIGH-PITCH SCREAM*

Laurie? Oh...Oh fuck, I cut Laurie bad. What the fuck Ace? What dick throws a teenager at a monster? I need to do something good for once.

Wearily, I get on my feet and head towards the yellow aura in the distance. I'm much slower than I remember being. Probably feeling exhausted. I hope to sleep after this. Feels like I might for a whole day. Heh...If only.

I make my way behind the houses and into a backyard. There, a hooked Laurie struggles against the Entity's claws by a grave. I ignore this weirdness and reach for her, the least I can do is free her.

"How are you alive"

I look at her funny as she grunts coming off the hook.

"What do you mean?"

"You took a knife to the brain!"

"What?"

I feel my head and my hair is sticky wet. Huh? Go figure. My focus is wavering and she snaps her fingers.

"Stay with me. We need to find Ace's key."

"Wait...You're not mad at me?"

I sound like a child afraid of being grounded.

"Mad? No."

"R-Really?"

She takes my hand and drags me along.

"Come on. We have to go before he comes back."

She seems to know where she's going. That's good. Why didn't Shape hook me? Did he expect me to bleed out? Makes sense to me.

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

"He's near."

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

She squeezes my hand.

"Laurie?"

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

Peering around some cover, we find Shape standing under an empty hook, most likely on top of the key.

"We need that key. He won't let us pop two gens and open the gate."

I don't think we're on good terms after my freak out. So asking him nicely is gonna be a no go.

She looks off in thought.

"I'll be bait..."

This takes me back.

"He'll chase me. I know he will. And when he's far enough away, you rush in and get the key."

I shake my head, both to get the dizziness to stop and to disagree.

"No. You can't risk it. If hooked again it's an automatic sacrifice."

"We have no choice. You're in no condition to evade him. It's the only option we have."

I'd like to say what I do next is selfless...But I know damn well it's not.

"New plan...I lure him out and you get the key."

"How? You can't possibly move as fast right now."

I rub my hands richly through my hair and coat my hands in what blood there is. I'm in the injured state so I know I'm still wounded and bleeding.

"Who said I have to be?"

It takes her a moment to put two and two together.

"Tell me what I need to do."

I smirk and give her the details.

...

It's quiet. Too quiet. No sound other than the crows. Shape stares out from his post over the key. He knows the women aren't dead. He saw the alert when Laurie was unhooked. If they're smart, they attempt to work on generators together. No sense trying for anything else. Of course, there's a shot another key will be in a chest somewhere. But the odds aren't favorable. And even if they do try repairing generators, his spot has the perfect range of both gates. This is territory after all, he knows it better than anyone else inside and out. There's nothing they can do to...

*HIGH-PITCH SHIRK*

...Surprise him?

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

No...She couldn't have. No human can attack another.

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

"Yo, big guy..."

She casually strolls onto the road and licks her hands. The crimson is incredibly noticeable on her skin.

"I see why you like her. She's fun to cut into."

Her cheeky smile makes him flare.

"Well, I'm off. Gonna go see if I can Mori her head off."

Human or monster, this little bitch needs to learn her place. You don't touch his Obsession!

"...No!"

She pauses and he bolts for her, the girl nearly leaps out of her skin before scampering on all fours. Something isn't right. There's an awkwardness in her gallop and she isn't dropping pallets. She turns around a large van but he retreats, heading back to ensure the key remains where he left it.

"Hey!"

He ignores her. It's not like he can't kill her at any point.

"Don't ignore me!"

Sudden weight hits his back. She's dared to leap on him like a crazy monkey. She's become a very annoying pest. Rather than grabbing her off, to teach her a lesson, he instead takes off running before leaping at a car and aiming for her to be slammed under his weight.

*ROAR*

The move works. She's off of him and indented firmly in the hood of a police car. She isn't going anywhere. Now to get back to the key before Laurie.

"I found it!"

Her voice echos. They baited him. Clever girls. Well, it's not like the weird one can get to her in time.

*grunt*

The sound of metal creaking as weight comes off it alerts him of his wrong thoughts. They lock eyes.

"In case you're wondering...That didn't count as a true attack."

A fiery roar bellows from Shape's core and another chase ensues. Now it's serious. She's slamming pallets and vaulting for shortcuts. Does she know he's not in tier 3 anymore and not at max speed? No, it doesn't matter. The longer the chase, the more he catches up to her and Laurie.

"Open it!"

His sight leaves the beast woman to see the blonde in the circle of benches with the key in hand. Laurie unlocks the hatch, the key staying in the latch and slowly dissolving away like a timer. Laurie leaps into the hatch and escapes in the darkness.

She gone...Laurie got away...And it's all this one's fault!

*HIGH-PITCH ROAR*

The stab catches her mid-stride, sending her tumbling and careening into a bench. This woman...This pain in the ass let his prey escape. She's just like Legion...trash.

[Such a shame. She was doing so well too. Oh well. Better luck next time then. Finish this, Grillby.]

Shape goes over to the pathetic wench and grabs her leg, dragging her over the still open hatch before pinning her partly to the ground with his blade. Panic has her clawing the ground yet she can't move without slicing into herself. The key fizzles out. The hatch violently snaps down on her and her roar is deafening out the sound of bones being crushed.

"... ... ... ..."

"*wincing* G-Go fuck yourself!"

Yep. Just like Legion.

The hatch opens, as she is the only remaining human in the trial. Yet he further denies her this freedom. He pulls her out, knife and all, then kicks the hatch closed. End Game Collapse has begun. She's doomed now. No key to re-open the hatch, no means of healing out of the dying state, no way of repairing generators, and no team to open the gate. She's all out of tricks and no amount of begging will work either.

"*coughing blood* Come on...Do it! Kill me!"

No. This one is not worth the use of his Mori or the glory of the hook. She will die right there. On the ground like the garbage she is. He walks off to destroy fallen pallets.

"*dying rage* D-Don't...Don't fucking ignore me! Kill me you flaming bastard!"

But her calls fall on deaf ears. Shape does not respond. The world rumble and the crows take the sky. She eventually becomes quiet. The sound of wood breaking is all he hears.

*SCREAMING ROAR*

That was a chilling sound if ever he heard one. The Entity has claimed her. It would be a kinder death if she had bled out, but he had no such pity for her. With her death, the trial is over and the world crumbles into a reset. He slowly removes his mask, letting his fire burn freely and stares off at the moon. Next time Laurie...Next time you won't escape.

"...Mine. Only mine."

[AT THE SURVIVOR'S CAMPSITE]

I wake up in a panic and thrash at the ground. Clawing at the dirt and biting obscenities due to the pain in my chest. It takes the combined efforts of David and Jeff to keep me still long enough to settle down. For once there is no fighting upon my return. Despite my actions, the others didn't point blame at me or tell me I'm a freak. Some wish to hear more of my aggressive turn on Shape while Laurie even goes as far as to offer to teach me one of her perks in thanks for escape. I decline for now, too shaken and sore to keep my thoughts straight. I need some time to myself. David, being my unofficial but probably gonna happen because it's obvious man, keeps an eye on me from his perch on the sitting log while I'm near the camp's border with my back to the others. The pain in my chest pleads for my attention. I don't wish for them to see this. I carefully recall the instructions Doctor gave me and summon my soul. The soft glow emanating from the multi-colored heart is warm. What ruins it are the scars. They've filled in again. Though...They don't look as bad. Shivers run through me as I slowly use my nails to scrape the blight out, wincing and whimpering when I can't hold back the pain. But I have to do this. If it buys me some time then it's worth it. It feels so weird. It's thick and oozy like blood yet solid like a clot. Gross.

[Elsewhere: Killer Shack]

*CLANG-CLANG*

"Tra la la. The meeting will now come to order."

Wraith materializes and gets the other killers' attention.

"It has come to our attention that something...odd...has taken place. Tra la la. Shape?"

Shape, leaning on a wall in the back, merely shrugs and looks at his knife as he recounts his trail.

"... ... ... .... ... ..."

The room is shocked.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE ATTACKED YOU?"

Trapper questions.

"... ..."

"DON'T BE A SMARTASS! I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID PERFECTLY FINE!"

"❄☟☜☠ 👎⚐☠🕯❄ 🕈✌💧❄☜ ❄✋💣☜ ✌💧😐✋☠☝ 💧❄🕆🏱✋👎 ✈🕆☜💧❄✋⚐☠💧. 💧☟✌🏱☜ 🕈✌💧 ✈🕆✋❄☜ 👍☹☜✌☼." (THEN DON'T WASTE TIME ASKING STUPID QUESTIONS. SHAPE WAS QUITE CLEAR.)

Doctor talks down to Trapper, earning him a nasty glare.

"Ah, it makes sense now. The girl is as rebellious as Legion. No wonder he chose her for Obsession."

Plague comments with a coy smile. Legion mumbles curses to himself under his breath.

"🏱☹☜✌💧☜...🕈☟✌❄ 🕈☜ 💧☟⚐🕆☹👎 👌☜ ☞⚐👍🕆💧✋☠☝ ⚐☠ ✋💧 ❄☟✌❄ ❄☟☜ ⚐👎👎✋❄✡ ✋💧 👍✌🏱✌👌☹☜ ⚐☞ ☠⚐❄ ⚐☠☹✡ ☝⚐✋☠☝ ✌☞❄☜☼ ⚐❄☟☜☼ ☟🕆💣✌☠💧📪 👌🕆❄ 🕆💧 ✌💧 🕈☜☹☹. 🏱☼⚐✞✋👎☜👎 💧☟☜🕯💧 👌☼⚐🕆☝☟❄ ❄⚐ ✋☼☜ ✌💧 ⚐🕆☼ ☞☜✋☼✡ ☞☜☹☹⚐🕈 ☟✌👎." (PLEASE...WHAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON IS THAT THE ODDITY IS CAPABLE OF NOT ONLY GOING AFTER OTHER HUMANS, BUT US AS WELL. PROVIDED SHE'S BROUGHT TO IRE AS OUR FEIRY FELLOW HAD.)

Doctor steps up to be front and center.

"✋ 🏱☼⚐🏱⚐💧☜ 🕈☜ 👍✌🏱❄🕆☼☜ ⚐🕆☼ 🕈✌✡🕈✌☼👎 💣☜💣👌☜☼ ✌☠👎 🏱🕆❄ ☟☜☼ ❄☟☼⚐🕆☝☟ ✌ 💧☜☼✋☜💧 ⚐☞ ❄☜💧❄💧..." (I PROPOSE WE CAPTURE OUR WAYWARD MEMBER AND PUT HER THROUGH A SERIES OF TESTS...)

"oh hell no!"

Legion barks.

"after that stunt you pulled, you aren't going near my human outside of trials."

The others look at Doctor suspiciously but all he does is look off to the side dismissively.

"🕈☟✌❄ 👎✋👎 ✡⚐🕆 ☜✠🏱☜👍❄✍ ✡⚐🕆 👌☼⚐🕆☝☟❄ ☟☜☼ ❄⚐ 💣☜. ✌ 💧⚐🕆☹ ☹✋😐☜ ❄☟✌❄📪 💧🕆👍☟ ✋💣🏱⚐💧✋👌☹☜ ☼✌☼✋❄✡📪 ✌💧 ✌ 💣✌☠ ⚐☞ 💧👍✋☜☠👍☜ ✋ 🕈✋☹☹ ❄✌😐☜ ✌☠✡ ✌☠👎 ☜✞☜☼✡ ⚐🏱🏱⚐☼❄🕆☠✋❄✡ ❄⚐ 💧❄🕆👎✡ ☟☜☼. ☜✞☜☠ ✋☞ ✋❄ 💣☜✌☠💧 💧❄☜✌☹✋☠☝ ☟☜☼ ☞☼⚐💣 ✌ ☞⚐⚐☹ ☹✋😐☜ ✡⚐🕆." (WHAT DID YOU EXPECT? YOU BROUGHT HER TO ME. A SOUL LIKE THAT, SUCH IMPOSIBLE RARITY, AS A MAN OF SCIENCE I WILL TAKE ANY AND EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY HER. EVEN IF IT MEANS STEALING HER FROM A FOOL LIKE YOU.)

His blunt condescendence only makes Legion snarl.

"Anyway...Tra la la...Aside from that, this account marks another time the Master has gotten involved in trials the lamb was in. Tra la la. Any thoughts as to this development?"

"Ain't clear? It wants the punk to be more like us."

Huntress adds.

"While I agree, the timing is something needed to be taken into account."

Pig interjects.

"She's right. *cough* The Hallowed Blight will soon be here. The signs are starting to appear in my realm. *hack*"

Clown states.

"the hell is the hallowed blight?"

Ghost Face snickers to himself.

"what's so funny, robo-douche?"

"Heh...Oh, nothing. Just ignore me."

Legion rolls his sockets.

"can we skip all this filler bull and get to the point? tell me the challenge so i can leave you assholes to fuck all."

Is it any wonder why Legion isn't respected?

Wraith nods to Nurse and she approaches Legion.

"Very well. Take this and prepare. I would wish you luck but I rather see you swallow your pride in failure."

She hands over a scrap of folded paper and Legion takes it with malice.

"yeah? i'd tell you to break a leg but it looks like you're an overachiever there."

She hisses.

"Small moronic child."

"senile old goat."

A stare down happens for a few moments before Legion takes his leave.

"...anyone else hoping that fucker gets taken this time?"

Nightmare asks, to which many of them nod in agreement.

[IN THE SURVIVOR'S FOREST]

It had been enough time in their minds. Surely she had settled down since that dumb shit went down in Léry's. And even if she hadn't, it doesn't matter, she owes them a favor she can't refuse. She belongs to them...To Legion. Plus they needed to go over the challenge so it's not like this was a social call.

{do you really think now's a good time? what if she's all worked up and the other humans spot us?}

Boo points out.

{don't be such a little bitch. we went out yesterday. we ain't goin' today.}

Chops berates.

{sounds like someone is uncertain. do not have doubts, boo. we are legion. we are only as strong as we are united.}

Dead-Eye spouts whimsically.

{*scoff* what went up your ass and made ya say such pussy shit?}

{your mom after i fucked her to death.}

{oh, ya one-eyed freak! ya wanna go?! 'cause that's what's gonna happen if ya say shit like that!}

{you do not have the guts, little man.}

"shut the fuck up, both of you! we need to focus."

Bones reprimands.

"all we have to do is stay hidden, get her attention, and lead her out here for a chat. easier than stealing chili from cannibal."

{big talk comin' from the guy that wanted to switch out to boo like a wuss forgetting we can only swap in our realm.}

Bones ignores the obvious rage-inducing jab. His sights set on more important things. Light catches his eyes. The campfire is near. And it isn't too long before he's reached the treeline.

lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...lub-dub...

She's close. That's helpful. Even more helpful was a sudden movement in the corner of his eye. She stands near the edge of the camp, her hands full of glowing goop.

"Yo, David..."

She looks over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of the haunting faint blue of Bones' eyes in the shadows. The sight has her forget momentarily what she was doing.

"Need somethin', Luv?"

A male built like a house sitting on a log speaks. Upon closer inspection, the guy is recognized as a notorious jackass among monsters. Great. She's close to that schmuck. Figures.

"I...I need to get rid of this gunk. I'll be right back."

The gruff man nods.

"Stay close. I don't like ya bein' out of my sight for too long."

Well, that didn't sound like a creepy dick thing to say.

"Will do."

She makes her way into the woods and he slowly follows. A fair out of earshot distance is reached before she digs into the ground with her shoe's heel.

"So...How long have you been watching?"

He leans on a tree near her. Better to keep some space if she is feeling crazy.

"not long. just got here. um...is that...?"

"Yep."

With a deep enough hole made, she kneels and drops the goop in.

"After the trial I had, I needed to clean out my scars."

She covers the blight and turns to him.

"they any worse since last time?"

"Not really."

"good."

"Bones, I get the feeling you're not here to ask about how my soul is."

He nods, retrieving the paper from his pocket and unfolding it.

"we got our first challenge."

A serious expression comes to her.

"Go on."

He reads.

"hit all 4 humans within a single use of feral frenzy with the last hit being on the obsession."

"How hard is that on the difficulty scale?"

"our power is feral frenzy. while feral frenzy is active, we move faster and gains access to the additional abilities of pallet vault and feral slash. hitting a human with a feral slash puts them into the injured state and inflicts the deep wound status effect. additionally, this refills our power and all humans within our terror radius not already afflicted with the deep wound have their location revealed to us. if the hit human was already afflicted with deep wound or we miss the attack, feral frenzy ends immediately. hitting a human with a basic attack while feral frenzy is not active will deplete the power by half of its maximum."

"In simple terms?"

"*huff* feral frenzy lasts for ten seconds, not counting add-ons or hitting boosts. so unless the four of you are within forty meters of us, it's going to be pretty damn hard."

She folds her arms.

"So we're fucked then?"

"i didn't say that..."

He pushes off the tree to stand near her.

"we've done this before. it's hard, but not impossible. the tricky part will be hitting you last. might take a few tries to nail."

She closes her eyes in thought.

"True. I'm the only one cooperating. The most I can do is try to keep the group together and push others to be in your path so I'm the last one. Other than that I can't see much else I can do."

"that's more than what we'd get without you."

Her eyes open, holding a slight sadness to them.

"what? what's with that look?"

"Huh? Nothing. Just overthinking."

He doesn't really care.

"about what?"

Yet he still asked. A weak smile graces her.

"Was...Was Shape mad at me?"

The fuck?

"what?"

"I know. You don't have to say it. I'm aware of how stupid that sounds. But...*sigh* I don't know. He didn't seem like such a bad guy. And then I went all beast mode on him. Ugh...Human, Monster...No matter what, I end up ruining anything good that potentially comes my way."

Such a pity party made him sick.

"who cares..."

He puts his hands behind his head.

"it doesn't matter what the others think. nothing in life comes easy. you just got to live for yourself and flip the rest of the world off. otherwise, you'll lose yourself trying to be something your not."

She stares at him funny.

"I think that's the nicest thing you've said to me so far."

"*scoff* don't get used to it."

"And here I thought Boo was the nice guy."

Her tease has his cheekbones lightly gaining some color. It pisses him off.

"don't make me stab you. you know i will."

"Fine, be that way. I was only trying to compliment you. I don't know what it is, but the moment we seem to get along, you default to 'gonna stab you'. Makes it really hard to want to try in this partnership."

She moves to pass him and head back to camp...but he grabs her arm.

"we didn't say you could go yet."

She eyes him funny.

"What else is there to say?"

He smirks.

"i'll owe you for it. nothing will be off the table. i promise. those were your words, remember?"

He feels her stiffen in his grasp.

"I said that to Chops. Not you."

He chuckles.

"how easily forget....we are legion. the four of us are one. what you say to one is said to us all."

She cuts an f-bomb off by biting her tongue.

"Fine. A deal's a deal, loophole or not. I don't break my promises."

His grin widens and she sneers.

"now don't be that way. i've already told you we're not like that."

She shoots him a look.

"Oh? And I suppose the knife blowjob was just a cute gesture of friendship!"

If Bones could mentally kick Chops and Dead-Eye's asses he would curb-stomp their tibias to dust.

"that...that was...uh...*groan* that's what happens when dumbasses think they can get away with stupid shit because they feel like badasses. i had nothing to do with that."

Much to her uncertainty, he lets her go and some of her guard is put down.

"ask yourself this...have i done anything like that to you?"

She sighs through her nose.

"No. You haven't. You've had the opportunity to, but didn't. So...what is it that you want then?"

He circles her a bit before stopping behind her and leaning near her ear.

"before our trial together, come to mount ormond resort. and wear something a bit more...comfortable."

Taking his words the wrong way, she spins around to slap him...but her hand is caught with ease.

"heh, too easy."

"You two-faced pervert!"

He glares.

"you were freezing your ass off last time. maybe get a jacket or something. dumbass."

Her expression softens.

"I...I'm sorry."

"damn right you're sorry."

He pushes her away.

"i like fucking with you. don't confuse that for anything else."

She pouts. This is far from the same woman that tussled with Shape.

"you can go now. we've said all we had to."

Now it's his turn to leave.

"Wait, Bones..."

Maybe it was the slight urgency in her voice or the quick footsteps that made an effort to go after him, but despite better judgment Bones comes to a stop. He wearily looks back at her from over his shoulder.

"I...I know that you all have names. Real names. Not just the ones given by the Entity or humans."

Where is she going with this?

"When I heard Doctor call himself W.D. Gaster...I've been questioning if the names you guys gave me are real or not. It's a big line I'm crossing by asking...yet...What is your true name?"

It's weird when she thinks. Such random things alter her personality. Things like this made her soft. And soft is not as appealing as one might think. Looks weak. Bones doesn't like weak.

"what if they aren't our real names? what does it matter to you?"

Her eyes dart from his, to his back, the ground, and then the emptiness behind her lids. She shakes her head and turns her back on him, slowly walking off. Why? Why did this bug him? No snarky retort or fake dismissal to cover up still intact curiosity? Just...Nothing? That...bitch!

"lynsie..."

She pauses though doesn't look at him. It pisses him off more. He runs up and punches her in the back of the head.

"Ow! The fuck's your issue?!"

"my issue? knock this shit off. it's pathetic."

"Man, fuck you."

"fuck you!"

"Fuck you!"

"fuck you, infinity!"

They glare harshly at one another. Teeth bared and growling. Tension building like a shaken soda can. This was better. There was determination in her eyes. He tosses her a bone.

"*huff* get your crap together and maybe i'll tell you later."

She becomes confused. Like that's something new.

"Tell me what later?"

He shakes his head with a small laugh.

"you're hopeless. you know that? think about it."

He takes his leave once more.

"later, meat."

He's already hidden among the darkness and trees when he hears her voice a final time.

"Thank you!"

Humble chuckles escape him.

{what's so funny, bones?}

Boo questions innocently.

"just thinking that we have an odd taste in women."

The other voices in his head fall silent, making him laugh. Things are going to get interesting next time.

[AT THE SURVIVOR'S CAMPSITE]

I arrive back at camp with no trouble. A few questionable looks are shot for how long I was gone and the shouting heard. But fuck'em. Bones is right. Screw what they think. I need to return to how I used to be before I got here. I need to focus on myself.

"Everythin' alright, Luv?"

...With maybe a random exception here or there.

"Yeah..."

I sit beside David.

"I'm feeling a lot better now."

He smirks and puts his arm around me. Nothing in life comes easy. But this? This right here? This is worth fighting for. I lay my head on his shoulder and enjoy the peace for however long it may last.

[IN THE SURVIVOR'S FOREST]

The black dirt shifts ever so slightly. A tiny withered husk barely breaches the surface with renewed life having soaked in the tainted goo that was buried atop it. This undead seed cracks. The top of its shell giving way to a small seedling. A sprout paradoxically enlivened by its death. The first Pustula has emerged. The season of Blight is nigh. And with it, hell itself is to be unleashed.

[screamingatanemptyroom]

I Can’t Eat Love Side Part 3 - Hallers

Hey everyone! I changed the order a bit. So Hallers first, then Edith, then finally the Queen. Hallers is one of my favorite characters of all time, so I hope you all enjoy this side part from his perspective. 

Master post linked here. 

Enjoy!

____________________________

In a previous life…

I was a professional. One of the best.

I’ve always seen this as a good thing. I came from a family that had served the Duchy of Armeny for generations, I was born to run a household. It required knowledge, determination, and above all… professionalism.

“You’re too cold.” The young woman I courted told me, before leaving me for another man. “No one wants to be with a man who is just an empty shell.”

I wished her well, confused, and continued on in my life.

“Tommy!” Jim, my brother, patted me on the back one day. “You have to loosen up! You can’t just live for your work.”

“Some of us care about our work.” I frowned at his frivolous words. “Why should I change if I’m doing it well?”

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, groaning. “Just… find something… someone… anything to care about. I promise, it will make you more human.”

I ignored him, returning back to the duchy from my weekly home visit. Jim worked for the Royal Treasury, but his manners and demeanor left much to be desired. I saw little reason to take advice from him.

Someone to care about? It would just interfere with doing my job perfectly. 

I thought this over as I entered the estate, when something ran into my legs, nearly knocking me over.

“What the…” I halted my words, looking at the wide-eyed child standing before me.

A young girl, with light hair and delicate features. She wore a dress incompatible with her age, decorated in frills, which was already covered in grass stains and dirt. In one hand was clutched a single red flower. Her eyes drew my attention; they were bright, intelligent, studying me closely.

I made a formal bow. “Young Miss, is there something I could help you with?”

This was of course the daughter of the Duke, Lady Lenora. She listened to my words, seeming to consider them carefully, before holding up the flower in her hand, offering it to me.

“For me?” At her nod, I took a slight step back. “I’m sorry miss, but I can’t accept, it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Her eyes dimmed, the flower in her hand shaking. Feeling an inexplicable panic, I offered a solution. “Why don’t you give it the Duke or Duchess?”

“…” She stared at me silently for a few moments. “I tried.”

The words were whispered, but the pain behind them struck me like a blow.

“You…” I couldn’t say anything. I knew. The Duke treated her coldly, ignoring her existence except to buy her clothes and jewelry. The Duchess, on the other hand…

The flower in Lenora’s hand was crushed slightly, missing multiple petals… had it been stepped on?

My heart aching, I reached out to take the flower from her, giving her a professional smile. “I will happily accept this gift, Miss.”

Lenora didn’t say a word, but a bright smile spread slowly, brightening up her face. I couldn’t help but widen my own smile in response. As I felt my professional mask crack, I stepped away, confused. 

What am I doing?

I gathered my self-composure, shaking my head slowly. I needed to be more careful.

____________________________

The Duchy was not doing well. The Duke spent all his time on his own interests, leaving all of the work to his subordinates. Rumors of theft and corruption abounded, many people lacked work and starved to death on the streets. The Duchess was frequently gone, spending extravagant amounts of money wherever she went.  When she returned it was even more intolerable. She would abuse the maids, scream at the Duke, and the things she would say to her daughter… It was enough to make even my heart break.

Lenora grew up a sweet girl despite this. She was quiet, often overshadowed by her friend Lady Edith who spent her days by the girl’s side. It was concerning. I saw the girl treating Lenora poorly on more than one occasion. She would mock the things the young Miss enjoyed, until she was afraid to even speak up. She pushed her to wear off-putting poorly fitted gowns, convincing her they were the height of fashion. Once I saw Lenora crying, holding the torn remains of a small doll she treasured. I recognized it as a gift from the Queen, neither of her parents would have thought to give her such a simple toy. Edith stood nearby, berating her.

“If you had just given me the stupid doll I wouldn’t have had to do that! Now it’s ruined and it’s all your fault!” Her rude and vicious tone made me angry, but I kept a disinterested smile in place.

After all, I was a professional. 

I made a formal complaint to the Duke, but at the mention of my concerns, he simply stared at me with a haunted expression.

“Lenora will be fine. She has a title, and anything she could ask for.” 

“But Lady Edith…” My words were cut off by his raised hands.

“Let her do as she wishes.” His tone was sad. “I have no right to step in.”

Honestly, it felt wrong. Isn’t Lenora your daughter? I wanted to shake some sense into him, but kept my hands at my sides. I bowed coldly, and walked away. I knew better than to ask the Duchess. If anything, she was worse than Lady Edith.

At least she has the Queen. I comforted myself with this thought. One day, the young miss would marry the Prince Ronan and would leave this place. Not that she took her position as the prince’s fiancé for granted. I knew better than anyone how hard she trained for her future work as Queen. More nights than not she was up late at night, practicing dances, learning ceremonies, memorizing history. How many times had I helped a maid pick up Lenora from her desk or the floor where she had fallen asleep in the middle of working, tucking her into bed?

She worked so hard to please others, but no one ever noticed.

I was hopeful her life would be better once she left this place, even if I felt sad at the thought. Any man should be grateful to marry such a gentle, beautiful girl. One day, for certain, her life would be better.

I was proven wrong.

____________________________

The prince broke his engagement, declaring his intention to marry Lady Edith instead. Overnight the Duchy seemed drowned in shadows. The Duke drank steadily, the Duchess broke every fragile thing she could lay her hands on, and Lenora… she stayed locked in her room. I felt a desire to comfort her, but halted each time I walked in that direction. What would I say? It would be overstepping bounds.

I watched as the household slowly tore itself apart.

The debts were called in, without the engagement to protect the Duchy. Everything was sold, the land split up between the neighboring families. The place I had called home for so long was gone.

Jim arranged for me a job in the palace, working for the Queen. It was an enormous honor, one I never thought to have. But for some reason I hesitated.

“The young miss…” She was grown now, but I could still see the small child holding out a flower towards me. “What about her?”

Jim shrugged. “What about her? She and her parents will have to learn to survive like the rest of us do. I mean, it may sound heartless but they brought this on themselves.” 

“Don’t blame her… she’s not…” The idea of Lenora undergoing hardship made my heart ache, but what could I do? I was simply her family’s head butler. I wasn’t her family. I could only hope she would be happy.

She deserves to be happy. She will be… right?

____________________________

 “Lenora’s dead?” 

The Queen’s face was so pale, I thought she might pass out. I instructed some maids to support her, all the while my professional mask hiding my true thoughts.

It can’t be true!

The young woman who was always smiling and polite, no matter how harshly her family and friends treated her. Who brought me lemon tea the day I had a cold and couldn’t get out of bed.

It has to be a lie.

She worked diligently into the night but was never recognized for it. She cried each time her mother came home, but refused to speak poorly  of the woman. She loved her parents dearly, even when they refused to love her back.

How could she be gone? 

I thought again of the flower she held out to me that day. The smile she gave me that was so bright just because someone cared enough to accept a gift from her. She should have been happy. She should have been cherished and loved.

But she was dead.

I heard the Queen, she was screaming in pain, her sobs loud enough to echo in the hallway. Unsure of what to do, I stumbled back to my room, abandoning my post for the first time in my life.

Lenora.

I fell to my knees at my bedside, tears soaking the blanket as I buried my head in my arms.

Why didn’t I stay with her? I knew she had no one. I knew she’d be alone.

Lenora.

I’m sorry.

If we meet again in the next life, please let me serve you once more. I’ll do my best. So please… please be happy, please smile once more.

____________________________

 In another life…

I was a professional. One of the best. 

I’ve always seen this as a good thing. I came from a family that had served the Duchy of Armeny for generations, I was born to run a household. It required knowledge, determination, and above all… professionalism.

Or so I had thought...

The young miss of our household was a special child. She had been quiet, often bullied by her friend Edith and her parents, to a point where I was often worried for her. But one day, she changed completely.

I saw her pacing outside her father’s study one morning, and stepped forward behind her. 

“Shall I announce you, Miss?”

She had obviously not heard me approach and let out a surprised yell before turning to look at me. At the sight I felt shocked. Her outer appearance was unchanged, her facial features the same as they had been yesterday… but her eyes…

Her eyes were completely different.

They had always been bright, hopeful, if a little sad. They were always looking at others for approval. But now…

Her gaze was cold. As if a wall had been erected around her heart, keeping everyone else out.

She looked me up and down, her expression thoughtful. I had a strange feeling that she was evaluating my worth, and that I had been judged “useful.”

After a moment’s pause she nodded to my question.  “Please do. Also I would appreciate if you would stick around, it may be useful to have your input.” 

With that Lenora entered her father’s office and with a smile took all financial documents in the room. Just a short conversation, and the reins of the duchy had completely switched hands, without the Duke realizing it. I was impressed, but deep down I felt uneasy. How had she changed so much so quickly?

____________________________

Things were busy after that. Lenora swiftly took control of the duchy, punishing the corrupt officials, promoting the few honest ones. She gathered talented people, started a business, and slowly turned the duchy into a power to be reckoned with.

But still, she worked late into the night, never resting, never asking for approval. I still had to help carry her sleeping form back to bed, tucking her in.  Even if she seemed colder, harsher, deep down the young miss hadn’t changed. She cared deeply for the suffering people of the duchy, crying alone when she thought no one was looking. I was proud of her, so proud I could burst, but I worried deeply that she was pushing too hard, working too much. She took on all the weight, not sharing her burdens with anyone.

I wanted to support this girl. 

I did my best to help her life run smoothly, working to the best of my abilities. But even then, there were events outside of my expectations.

The prince canceled his engagement to our lady. 

On one hand, I was relieved. Such an idiot obviously didn’t deserve her. But how dare he not appreciate the honor he had as her fiancé? I kept my professional mask on at work, but went to Jim’s house and cleaned it from top to bottom in my frustration.

____________________________

“Please, Tommy! You’re polishing my floors into dust!” My brother sighed, patting me on the back. “Just get revenge on the man himself, and stop taking it out on my poor house.”

“Revenge? But he’s a prince…” It would be difficult to get close enough to beat him up, unfortunately. 

Jim grinned. “There’s more than one way to get revenge. You just need to be… creative.”

Creative? I thought it over that night, before coming to an answer. Our mother had been a talented musician, passing on her knowledge to me so that I would know some of selecting appropriate performers for balls and other parties. I used all that I knew, with the frustration in my heart and wrote a pleasant song.

“Ronan the Ridiculous?” Jim laughed when he heard it. “You’re even meaner than I am when you put your mind to it!”

I nodded silently, putting the finishing touches on the last few copies so that I could have Rig distribute them throughout the Capital. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and looked up to see my brother’s serious expression.

“It’s nice to see you’re human too.”

I turned away, embarrassed. “I’m just doing my duty to the young lady. She’s the duchy’s only hope, after all.”

“Sure, just keep telling yourself that.”

 I felt uneasy, as if I had stepped over some invisible line, unable to return to my former state. But when I saw Lenora smile the day she first heard someone singing the song… I felt it was worth it.

She was worth it.

____________________________

Lenora escaped the terrible Lady Edith’s schemes, faced down the King, forcing him to give up and returned to Tilendria.. The young Prince Nate started courting her in earnest, and I felt a sense of relief. She no longer worked late into the night alone, unnoticed. There was someone by her side, helping her. Nate and I often worked together to convince her to take breaks, and watching her trust others, slowly share her burdens, made it difficult to hold back a smile. 

The wall I saw in her gaze, that kept everyone else at arms length, was slowly breaking apart. In those moments I caught glimpses of the little girl she once had been. The one who trusted others. Whose smile lit up the room. 

She was happy. And so was I.

____________________________

“Grandpa Hallers!” A quiet voice called out, startling me from my thoughts. I looked up to see a young girl running towards me, a wide grin on her face. Despite myself I smiled back, reaching down to pick her up.

“Aimee, what brings you here?” I studied the smiling girl. Her hair was dark like her father’s curling around her delicate face, but her eyes… her smile… they were just like her mother’s.

“That boy was bothering me.” Aimee pointed down the hall where a grim faced boy had stopped, glaring at her. He was dressed well, obviously the son of a noble, which was confirmed by the servants trailing behind him.

“How dare you run away?!” The boy yelled, stepping closer. “Don’t you know who I am? I’m the future Duke of Verallan!”

Aimee ignored him, looking up at me with tears in her eyes. “He pulled my hair.”

“Hahaha.” A cold laugh escaped me. I couldn’t help but feel that my professional mask had disappeared, but what expression I had instead, I was unsure. It must not have been very pleasant, as the boy and his servants all turned pale, taking a few steps back. “You wish to bother the little princess, do you?”

My smile widened. “Let me tell you the story of a young man very similar to you, who had a very embarrassing end. There’s even a song about it.”

____________________________

Once I had finished lecturing them and they had run away, Aimee hugged my neck tightly. “Thank you, Grandpa Hallers!”

“Of course, dear.” I patted her head, noticing she was holding something in her hands. “What do you have there?” 

“A present!” Smiling brightly, she held out the object, a small red flower.

The young girl stood before me, her eyes hopeful, the red flower trembling in the air as her hand shook from nervousness.

I took the flower from her, blinking back tears. “Let’s go find your mother.”

We walked down towards the royal suites, and before we could enter, a lively discussion should be heard.

“They must be joking with these trade agreements! Do they think we’re pushovers?! I’m rewriting them!”

Aimee and I peeked around the corner to see the Queen, Lenora, waving a stack of papers in the air with a severe expression. King Nathaniel stood next to her, a helpless smile on his face.

“Let me help you with that, you promised you were going to take a break…”

Lenora shook her head. “No, you’re too nice. We agreed that I would handle all trade agreements. I’m fine, I’m just pregnant, it’s not like I’m an invalid.” Her hand draped across her bulging stomach as she rolled her eyes.

“Okay, okay, you can rewrite the agreement, but after this you rest, alright?” Nate knelt down, his larger hands overlapping her smaller ones. “I just want both of you to be safe and healthy.”

“Thanks!” Lenora leaned over, kissing the king’s cheek, who smiled in response. 

“…” I considered stepping in to the room now, but Nate’s next question froze Aimme and I in our tracks.

“Do you regret it?” His tone was gentle, but there was a slightly worried look in his eyes.

“Regret what?”

“Marrying me?” He leaned closer, putting his forehead against hers. “Becoming Queen? I worry that you could have been happier, avoided all this stress if you hadn’t…”

Lenora put a hand around his neck, kissing him deeply. After a few long moments, during which I shielded Aimee’s eyes, she leaned back, a smile on her face. “I chose this ending for myself, Nate. I love you. I love the work I’m doing, that I get to use my skills to help others. I have a family here. Rig, Hallers… Mother… with everyone here, how could I regret anything?”

Nate’s eyes filled with tears. He reached over, placing a gentle hand against her cheek. “I love you too.”

“MOMMY!” Aimee broke from my grasp, running towards the couple with a smiling expression. “I love you too!”

Lenora laughed, a pure, happy sound. Looking up, she saw me, and I stopped in my tracks, my breath frozen in my chest.

Her eyes, the ones that had always held sadness, nervousness, loneliness, even when she was a small girl… they were clear. She smiled at me, the bright smile that always made me break my mask of professionalism, smiling back at her.

“Hallers, she hasn’t been giving you any trouble, has she?”

I laughed, quickly using my hand to wipe tears of happiness and relief from my eyes. “How could she, Miss? She’s family.”

____________________________

I was a professional. One of the best. But there was an exception:

The young girl who first reached out to me, who grew up into an amazing woman. One who I loved as my own family. Whose happiness I would protect for the rest of my life. When it came to her, everything else meant little, even my precious professionalism.

My beloved daughter, Lenora.

[ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes]

Dawn in Your Eyes Part 5

Summary: Alfie has little to no idea why Caroline ever gave him the time of day. The blind woman seemed far too sensible to even speak to him. But soon he finds himself falling helplessly in love.

Part 5: Alfie pops the question

          “You’ve been quiet Alfie.” Caroline usually pointed out any lulls in the conversation. She relied on sound for context. If someone went silent, she couldn’t analyze any subtle expressions on their faces to make conclusions.    

           “Hm? Oh, sorry, love.” He cleared his throat and redirected his attention. It had been quite the day after speaking with Julia. They’d agreed on a dowry and she said she would start to make arrangements once Caroline agreed. So, all Alfie had to do now to become one step closer to marrying her, was to ask. Sounded simple enough, but it was indeed a tall order. Especially since he was afraid, she could do much better than him. “Been a bit occupied with me thoughts.” He admitted.

           “Why?” Pilot stopped her before they were to cross a street. Even though Alfie was there, the Newfoundland always took it upon himself to make sure he was in charge. He would protect Caroline, it didn’t matter who else was there.

           Alfie respectfully waited for Pilot to deem it safe for them to cross. He typically allowed the dog to work at will. It was, after all, what he’d been trained to do. And Alfie knew how much dogs aimed to please. Perhaps that was why he was so fond of them. He appreciated undying loyalty. Now he was by no means as loyal as a dog. His loyalty was selective. Caroline, for example, deserved nothing but staunch faithfulness. Tommy Shelby, on the other hand, could kindly fuck himself when it came to loyalty.

           “Alfie?” Caroline prompted again when he failed to respond.

           “Sorry, sorry.” He shook his head. “I-er-I probably should inform you of the conversation I had with your aunt.” The two walked through the entrance of Camden Gardens. Anticipating a longer conversation, Alfie found them a spot to sit. Pilot curled up by Caroline’s feet and waited patiently.

           “Oh dear, I hope she wasn’t harsh on you.” Caroline’s brow wrinkled. “I spoke with her and she said our relationship could continue. But if she was trying to deter you…”

           “No, no, weren’t nothing like that.” Of course, it had been like that. But Alfie wasn’t trying to drive a wedge between her and Julia. “In fact, we came to the same conclusion, wouldya believe it?” He smiled nervously.

           Caroline laughed softly. “No, you are both so stubborn.” She teased.

           Alfie rubbed the back of his neck. “You ain’t wrong.”

           “What conclusion did you reach?” The young woman was hopeful that after her positive conversation with her aunt, things would work out. Although there was always the worry that Julia had managed to sway Alfie’s judgment again and convince him to distance himself from Caroline.

           “We…um.” He looked down at his hands once he noticed they were trembling. Why on Earth was it so difficult to ask a simple question? He could storm into battle without a lick of fearful sweat or quivering knees. Yet this one woman had his tongue tied and palms clammy.

           Caroline became nervous at his inability to get the words out properly. “Alfie…please don’t tell me you don’t wish to see me anymore because of what my aunt said.” Her voice was soft with anguish.

           “No!” He burst out, trying to stop any doubt. “No, no, absolutely not. I wouldn’t allow that to happen. Not again, at least. Fuck, I’m sorry…” He groaned and tried to straighten out his thoughts. “I s’pose I oughta just say it out.” He gently took Caroline’s hand in his. “Your aunt and I spoke and…I’m just repeating meself. I’m sorry.”      

           “Alfie,” She squeezed his hand. “Just say it.”

           “Would you marry me?”

           The shock on Caroline’s face was clear once the five-letter word left his mouth. Marriage. Something they’d discussed but it appeared Alfie was keen on taking things slow. Now after a conversation with Julia, he was prepared to pitch a Chuppah with haste. “Do you-do you want to marry me or did my aunt force you into it?” It had always been a fear of hers. Julia attempted to have Caroline engaged many times but men simply weren’t willing to take on the responsibility of a blind wife. But with Julia’s wealth and influence, it stood to reason that she could twist a man’s arm. However lonely Caroline felt sometimes, the last thing she wanted was to be in a marriage where the man felt trapped.

           “She didn’t force me into anything, love. I s’pose…I were tryna prove myself. Prove that I would never abandon you like she thinks I will.” Alfie raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Now I may be rushing into things but I don’t want Julia or you to think that I’m gonna be skipping town one day. I intend to stay beside you, whether you’re me wife or not.”

           Caroline’s eyes filled with tears. His words were so genuine, so committed. She nodded. “I’ll marry you.” She whispered, hardly believing the events that just transpired. In just a few moments, with just a few words, their lives had changed so drastically.

           “Yeah?” Alfie perked up in surprise.

           “Yeah.” She laughed shakily and leaned in to kiss him. “Yes, of course, I will.” Her words crossed his lips with a warm breath.

           Alfie could exhale a sigh of relief. As he inhaled, he realized they would be preparing for a wedding. He would be entering a life of marriage very soon. No doubt Julia would hasten the preparations, trying to test Alfie’s loyalty.

           “Funny thing ‘bout your aunt. She insisted on a dowry.” Alfie informed his bride-to-be after they drew apart from the kiss.

           “A dowry?” She laughed. “Of course, she’s so traditional, I wouldn’t expect nothing less. What did you ask for then?” She asked teasingly.

           “Erm…a dog.” He admitted sheepishly. “A mastiff pup. So, I hope you won’t be bothered that we’ll have three large dogs in the house.”

           Caroline grinned. “I wouldn’t want it any other way, you silly man.” She murmured and pulled him close for another kiss.

~~~~~~~~~~~

           “Heard Julia’s inviting practically all of Camden to the wedding,” Ollie remarked.

           It had been a few days since the announcement of the engagement. The community was stunned, to say the least. Despite the rumors about the seemingly odd pair, they didn’t think the relationship would persist. Now that Julia had announced the wedding, people were trying to figure out Alfie’s motives. The man had a reputation for being a clever businessman. And perhaps it was no mistake that he would target the young woman who stood to inherit her aunt’s great fortune. After all, what sort of Jewish bride could Caroline really be? And Alfie certainly wasn’t the sympathetic type so he wasn’t marrying her out of pity. Most in Camden Town didn’t consider Alfie to have normal human emotions. He was a myth, a larger-than-life figure. Rumors of his deeds led people to believe that he was void of compassion and of all things, love.

           “Yeah, ‘cause she wants to make sure I won’t fucking run away when the time comes,” Alfie muttered from his desk and handed a few signed documents to his assistant.

           Ollie frowned. “You wouldn’t do that though.”

           “Damn right I wouldn’t but she don’t know that. This whole fucking town’s been gossiping ‘bout me. Tell ya what Ollie, you can spread this ‘round.” Alfie took off his glasses to look pointedly at the young man. “I ain’t gonna take a single bit of Julia’s money once we’re married. All of it goes to Caroline and that’s that. See what people think once they hear that.” He grumbled and slid his glasses back onto his nose.

           “I’ll let them know,” Ollie promised. He knew the man much better than most people of Camden Town. Sure, he saw the worst of Alfie’s temper, but the two had long chats together that revealed the softer nature to the intimidating man. And if anyone spent a day with Alfie, they’d see how Caroline shone a bright light on his heart that everyone assumed was missing. Perhaps in time, they’d see Alfie’s true intentions. But Ollie was afraid that even after the wedding, people would still talk.

Tag list: @zazasblogxx​ @thinkingsofamadwoman​

Masterlist

[st-fandom-imagines]

Steve The Stupid

WOW can you guys tell how much I love Steve, I really went off with this one, let me know if you guys like the longer imagines rather than the shorter! tag list- @tiger-hugger, @hannahmontanabutgayer let me know if you guys want to be added to my tag list! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Request- anonymous asked: 27,31,44 (i hope i remembered those right😂😂) With steve maybe a best friend to lovers sort of thing :)))) i love you're writing so much btw 27- “Please stay with me.” 31- “Can I kiss you?” 44- “Is that my shirt?” ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Steve and I had been best friends since the beginning of middle school, we met in seventh grade when I moved to Hawkins. He was cute, kind, sort of quite, we would sit together at lunch every day, we would go to my house after school to do home work, we became as close as two kids could be. When we met but as soon as Tommy and Carol came into the picture, the Steve I knew began to fade away. He still hung out with me, he still sat with me at lunch but he started bringing them with him, he began to become mean, towards people who even looked at him for too long, it was like night and day. Once we start high school, things really started to get bad. My body had changed and grew in ways that I didn't think it would, I was earning glances from boys left and right and Steve didn't like it. He would always wrap his arm around my shoulders and would pull me close to him, as if I belonged to him, and in a way I felt like I did. Steve started earning the same glances that I was getting but his were from girls, I don't know how but he went from my best friend, sweet Steve to King of Hawkins High. He dated a few girls here and there, having sex with them purely to be "cool" and get points with Tommy while him and Carol had been dating since Steve and I met so they had only slept with each other so I really didn't understand why it was a huge deal who and how many girls Steve slept with. It hurt me every time he did it so I began doing the same, Carol helping me fine guys to flirt with, to go home with, they weren't Steve and they didn't fill the whole in my heart but if he didn't care, why should I? "Steve, look at her." Tommy kicked Steve from under the lunch table, as Nancy Wheeler walked past our lunch table. She was a sophomore while we were juniors. Nancy was pretty, smart, plain, Steve's type on the dot. Carol then nudged me to look to our left, making me check out a table of guys that were already looking at us. "Yeah, not in the mood for idiot jocks today." I stated as I got up from the table, leaving my lunch tray there and walking towards the doors. "(Y/N)! Wait!" I heard Steve yell from behind me and I just kept walking, not looking back. I had wasted so much time, so much love on the boy from seventh grade who only cared about how much ass he could get in a small amount of time. As I walked through the hallways, all the way to the front doors, opening the doors, feeling the cold air hit my face, the rain outside only getting harder. I felt someone grab my arm and whip me around, only to come face to face with Steve. "Are you crazy? Its pouring out here, come back inside." He tried but I scoffed and pulled my arm out of his grasp. "No, I'm good out here, you can back inside, I don't want to be near the sex obsessed twins anymore." I chuckled while shaking my head. "I don't know what happened to you Steve. You use to care about me, my feelings, about girls in general. Now you use them and move on, Tommy and Carol made you like this and I'm not dealing with it anymore." I confessed making him place a hand gently on my shoulder. I sighed and turned around to see him looking at me with soft eyes, like my words were stabbing him in the heart. He went to say something but Tommy and Carol cut us off, busting through the school doors and walking towards us. "Is your lovers quarrel over yet?" Tommy asked making me scoff and push past him to head back into school. "I'm surprised you even know what that means." I breathed as I marched through the hallways, I wasn't going to do this anymore, I wasn't going to waste anymore time on the popular squad of Hawkins High. ** The next week was hard, I sat alone at lunch, Carol started spreading rumors about me and I saw Steve getting close to Nancy. It was heartbreaking, loosing your best friend and the guy you love all at once but if I was going to save my own soul, I needed to do this. Another week passed but this one was different, this was the week that Will went missing, all the adults were on high alert, while the students really didn't care. I couldn't help but feel for Jonathan and his mom Joyce, they were all alone and hurting, sound familiar? I saw Jonathan putting up a poster with Will's face on it, Steve and his crew that new included Nancy and Barb, staring at him. My eyes locked with Steve's for the first time in two weeks, and he went to take a step towards me but I walked towards Jonathan. "Hey, Jonathan." I smiled and he looked up at me for less than a second before he looked back at his poster. "Hi, (Y/N)." He responded simply, making me clear my throat and look at the poster he was trying to hang up. "I just waned to say, I'm sorry and if you or your mom need anything, please let me know. I know how cruel people can be, and I know this has to be hard. Here, don't be afraid to use it, I'm not one of the cruel ones." I offered as I wrote my phone number down on a piece of paper and handed it to him. He glanced at the paper, then back at me before nodding and shoving the paper in his pocket. "Thanks." He whispered as he jogged towards the doors, and I smiled and turned around, meeting the eyes of the group that I use to be a part of. Carol chewing on gum and twirling her hair, Nancy staring at me, her friend Barb trying to look anywhere but me, while Steve watched my every move. "So are you dating the freak now?" Tommy laughed as I walked past them, making me stop in my tracks, I turned around, pushed my way through the group to stand face to face with Tommy. Steve put his arm in between us, and I pushed him away. "I'm not your girl Harrington, you don't have to try to save me." I stated making Tommy laugh, which only fueled the fire. "I don't have much to say other than, Carol told me that you have a little problem down there so you over compensate by being an asshole. Jonathan and I aren't dating but if we were, I would make sure that you were the first to know, also..." I trailed off, my hands going to Tommy's shoulder's and then bring my knee up to meet his crotch. "...you are the biggest freak of them all." I finished as he doubled over in pain, Carol at his side trying to comfort him, Barb and Nancy just watching in awe, Steve looking at me with a smile across his lips. "Its' not too late for you Steve, you don't need them, you don't need popularity to be happy, just keep that in mind." I promised as I walked away from the group, with a smile on my face. ** This was the first night that I couldn't sleep, the rain hitting the windows like it was the day that I fought with Steve, I missed him. I turned onto my side to see Steve about to knock on my window, nearly making me jump out of my skin. I jumped out of bed, turned the light on, and ran over to the window that he had snuck in so many times before. "Steve, Jesus, you're shaking." I gasped as I grabbed towels from my bathroom to give to the shivering boy. This was the first time I got a good look at his face, his lip was bleeding, his eye a little fat, a hand print on his cheek. "What the hell happened to you?" I questioned and he let out a small chuckle followed by a groan, and he clutched his ribs. "Well, I thought about what you said when you left I told Tommy and Carol that I was done with their shit, so that earned me a punch to the face from Tommy and kick in the ribs from Carol. Then I told Nancy, I didn't want to see her anymore because there was someone else, so she slapped me across the face. I went through a lot to get here, I'm just sorry that it took me so long to get here." He apologized making me look at him with soft eyes. "There is someone else?" I asked making him chuckle with a nod. "That is what you are focused on out of all of what I just said?" He popped making me blush and get up from the bed, remembering that I had a change of clothes for him to change into, clothes that he had left here many times before. I dug through my drawers to get to the bottom, pulling out a shirt and a pair of sweat pants, both were Steve's. "Is that my shirt?" Steve asked with a cock eyebrow as I handed him the clothes. "You let them here a couple of months ago, I forgot about them until now." A lie, I kept them in the hopes of Steve needing them so he would have to come over, desperate but true. He just shrugged before taking his shirt off, making clear my throat and look the other way, not wanting him to see me blush, but all of me wanting to see his wet body. "Oh come on (Y/N)." Steve smirked, I could hear the smile in his voice. "Just let me know when you are done." I spoke, biting my lip, fighting every urge in my body to turn around and look at the boy that I have been in love with for years. I felt Steve take my hand in his, making me turn around and look at him. His hair was still wet and he was still bloody. "Can I clean you up?" I asked making him nod in silence, this was all so strange to me. I thought of things like this happening all the time but I never thought it actually would. I walked to the bathroom, grabbing band aids, gauze and a wash cloth. I sat back down on the bed next to Steve and put my hand on his forehead, and pushed some of his hair out of his face so I could clean all the tried blood off of him. "Can I kiss you?" He questioned making me stop for a second, look him in the eyes and then continued with the clean up, band aids were next. "What about your someone else?" I sighed as he winced in pain, covering the cut on his eye most likely when he hit the ground from Tommy's punch. Steve grabbed my hand, stopping what I saw doing and looked at me, as serious as he possibly could. "You are the someone else." He confessed before he pressed his lips to mine softly. I didn't want to hurt him even though every bone in my body told me to kiss him harder, deeper. I kissed back softly, one of his hands reaching around to the back of my neck, deepening the kiss a little. This was insane, this was too much. I broke the kiss, stood up and began pacing in front of him. "What the fuck?" I laughed, making Steve look at me like I was completely insane. "You changed completely, you slept with everything that walked by, I lost my best friend and found King Steve, now all of sudden you sneak into my room and kiss me, after breaking up with Nancy, what the fuck, Steve?" I laughed, this whole thing behind quite funny to tell you the truth. "I've loved you for long enough, I wanted to tell you every day but you saw me as sweet little Steve, not Steve, the guy who you could possibly love back." He confessed making me stop laughing and sit back down next to him. "I have loved you since you introduced yourself as Steve the Stupid." A nickname that his dad gave him, that he made his own, and he wasn't stupid, not until we got to high school and changed. "Please stay with me, don't leave, not again, if you are serious, then you need to be done with them, there are good people out there Steve." I promised and he smiled, cupping the side of my face with a smile. "I know there are, I'm in love with one." He smiled before kissing me again, this time I had a clear head, I knew what I wanted, what Steve wanted, I just hoped this time it was different, that in the morning he would still mean it, that  got Steve the Stupid back, I can only hope, right?