#troy deserved a hug

[themuselesswriter]

Jeremiah be like:

Also Jeremiah back then:

[lunabug2004]

Why the Troy and Angela Situations Should Not Be Compared (+ Why Mike's Reaction Is Valid)

One of the things that gets my blood boiling as a Mike defender is when people try to compare the bullying/El's reaction to said bullying between the Troy and Angela scenes. They are not the same thing, not even close! Yes, they're both cases of bullying, but two very different levels of extreme.

Yes, I understand that words can hurt just as much, if not more, than a physical weapon, and Mike understands this too, that's why he tries to connect with El the morning after. But in the real world, one without monsters or powers, the one they believe they're living in at the time, violence is almost never the answer, it only makes things worse, as it did. Mike also understand this. Now, yes, it took him a minute to figure out that El didn't quite understand this yet, but he works to fix his mistakes as soon as he does.

Now, let's look at season 1's incident. Troy is threatening to cut Dustin with a knife if Mike doesn't jump off the quarry cliff. Two lives are in immediate and direct danger in this situation. El, literally at the last second, saves Mike as he's falling, so that's one problem fixed and one less life at stake. By this time, yes, Troy has moved away from Dustin, but he is still holding the knife! And then he aggressively steps towards El, threatening her with it, so she snaps his arm and makes him drop it. This is self defense, as well as defending her friends from a dangerous situation.

In season 4, Angela publicly humiliates El. Yes, it's awful, and yes, she deserves the smack that she gets for it, but it's nowhere near as bad as what Troy was doing. Angela isn't putting any lives in immediate danger, she's not brandishing a weapon! Legally, El smacking Angela is assault, because at the point of the roller-scate-smack, the ordeal is done with, and there was no physical harm done. I'd like to add that I'm aware of El falling, and that she may have been hurt, but technically no one touched her, so it still isn't technically self-defense (I may be wrong here, pls correct me if so). This is a very unfortunate situation, and I feel terrible for El, as should everyone, but I'm a firm believer that when it comes to bullies, you shouldn't fight fire with fire, and Mike seems to carry this belief as well, as he repeatedly tells the boys to just ignore their bullies in s1. @foodiewithdahoodie has an old post (can't find it irl, but it's stuck in my brain) in which they say El treats Angela, a normal girl who is not a serious threat, with the same extreme hostility she shows the UD monsters, and I completely agree with this. El is flawed, and Mike's not a bad person for reacting to those flaws, that just happen to include unnecessary violence, the way a normal person would.

Anyways, what I'm getting at here is that these two situations are completely different (again, Troy has a literal weapon, two peoples' lives were being actively threatened!) and Mike's reaction in both circumstances were completely valid! In season one, he was seconds away from death, and so when El saved him and made the threat go away, he was eternally grateful for her defense. In season 4, he tries so hard to get to her when he realizes what's going on despite having just found out she'd been lying to him for months, and he was even completely on El's side, trying to find and comfort her, until she hit Angela, then he believed she went too far (she did), so he made that known. He's never been one to sugarcoat when he disagrees with certain behaviors, and he doesn't start here, he tells it like it is: Angela doesn't look fine. It also is just a lot to process, so it doesn't surprise me that it takes an overnight thought-session for him to figure out where he went wrong, and again, he tries to make it up to her! To connect with her, bringing down some of his walls in the process! She just disregards his experiences, then brings up him not saying ILY, so he gets defensive and puts back up his walls, and they never get to continue this conversation! (This is an analysis for another day in and of itself tbh)

To reiterate, it just irks me when people compare these scenes to try and make Mike out to be a bad person, when they are nowhere near the same situation! His reactions being different makes total sense, esp when adding the shock-factor of it all! I'll stop talking now cuz this could go on forever and I lowkey feel like I'm just repeating myself now.

Pls tell me your thoughts on this!

[streets-in-paradise]

In These Arms - Achilles x (Fem) Trojan!Reader

Warnings: Paris dumped the reader for Helen before she gets to meet Achilles. Includes break up angst + discussion of cheating.

Summary: Heartbroken and publicly humilliated after being abandoned by Paris, you seek peace in the promise of giving up on men without realizing the consequences of his actions would find you one last time.

Turned into a war prisoner and handled to the leader of the myrmidons, the unusual comfort of your master offers you a second chance.

Note: Inspired by two prompt lists by my dear friend @alysinwonderland-at-tea

Angst list - Prompt 4 " Everyone told me you were going to break my heart. I should have listened to them. "

Fluff list - Prompt 2 "I think about you. Ceaselessly."

Tags: @lovelybaka

If everyone else in Troy had reasons for sorrow, on top of theirs you were the most damaged. The man you loved had returned home bringing someone else on his charriot. A stolen queen, woman you didn't have the slightest chance of comparing yourself to given the charm of her famously inhuman beauty. Even when Paris never made any expressed promises priorly, love confessions had once been mutually retributed and you believed in that.

You trusted him going against the advice of many people who attempted to warn you. His own brother had told you that no matter how much he spoke of it, Paris knew nothing about love. Blinded by your feelings, you didn't care, and it turned out the worst mistake of your life.

" Everyone told me you were going to break my heart. I should have listened to them. "

It took you all the strenght you had left not to cry, but at that moment of confrontation it was him the one sobbing in front of you.

" I never meant to! Dear, what I felt for you was real … But it wasn't true love, and I had no way to tell the difference untill I meet Helen. "

You couldn't believe the excuse that was being given to you.

" It was for me, Paris … and because of you I think I will never love again. I gave you everything, but turns out all I am wasn't enough. "

The assumption seemed to have offended him.

" You know I don't mean that! Please, try to understand! "

" What's left to understand? You betrayed your homeland and you betrayed me. You too deserve each other, indeed: a cheater for a cheater … Lovely couple to doom us all! And me the first."

He gave you a hurted look, as if after what he did he still cared for your forgiveness.

" My heart breaks for you, and i am ashamed of myself for the pain i'm causing you … But what can shame do to stop the intensity of love? I would have never accompanied Hector to Sparta if I would have known there I would fall like this for someone else. I couldn't return pretending nothing have happened, and making you live a lie would have been even more unfair than this. You deserve better, I still hold good feelings for you. I swear it on these arms that had comforted you countless times before. "

Paris attempted to pull you closer for a hug, but you stopped him ríght away.

" You humilliated me in front of the entire city! And how strongly I wish I could get granted the mercy of never seeing you again, but Troy is not big enough for that. Blessed is the king of Sparta, who gets the ríght of spreading hate without having to see his wife in the arms of other man every day! Me, instead? I get doomed to watch you smile happyly from afar in the balcony of the palace alongside your mistress for the rest of my life. Do you call that justice, Paris? If that is your mercy, I would rather get your hate. "

In the most twisted way possible, the gods granted at least one of your wishes.

Promising yourself to never love another man ever again after your first love had ended so bitterly, you took the first step into the only path allowed for a woman in your position. With the help of Briseis, who remained your friend despite what happened with her cousin, you seeked to get choosen to take vows in her temple. It was a quick way to restitute your honor in the public eye and be left alone as well. Unfortunately, you didn't get to even try on the priestess robes before the concecuencies of Paris' actions reached you once more.

Greek warriors brought to avenge the husband of his new lover destroyed the temple, killing the priests and taking you prisioner. You would never get to see the great city of Priam again and, despite the sorrow you felt when thinking of your family, that also caused you a dark sense of relief. Because of Paris you have lost everything, even the most bassic of goods such as your freedom. Only after loosing so much, of hitting rock bottom, you had a real chance to be free of him.

Enslaved to Achilles, but liberated from everything you were before, the worst part was having to stand the provocations. The myrmidon enjoyed himself attempting to seduce you, but wasn't forcing you into his bed, and that worked good enough for you in that context.

At one given time you did found his teasing going too far, and only then you became fully honest with him.

" Why did you choose to love a god? I think you will find the romance one sided. "

It made your blood boil, even if you could tell he spoke to you like that because he had no idea of who you were despite knowing your name. Achilles believed to be teasing a priestess and in the discoverment of his mistake you ended up laying eyes on him for longer than you should.

He was wearing the same type of long egyptian styled robes Paris would typically wear in the domestic environment, keeping arms and shoulders covered while fully exposing the torso. It was matched with the same sort of long skirt made of light fabrics opened at the side for more cassual expousure. You could vividly remember he wore a black outfit almost identical to that one during the first night you made love.

And yet, that man looked nothing like him. His sun kissed skin and the sculpted muscles were as contrasting as his blond hair and blue eyes.

" I have choosen nothing, fate forced me to seek shelter in the cult of Apollo after being abandoned by the love of my life. I told myself that, if i could never love again, I could at least give my devotion to the regent god of my city. Because of you I never got to become a priestess, so now i'm a double spoil: rejected for marriage and dragged out of the temple. "

Although standing ríght in front of you, disbelief faded some of the cockiness.

" You won't be rejected here, that's a promise. I had a minor altercate with Ajax because we found you so pretty we both wanted to keep you."

He sat on the ground ríght next to you and observed you with tenderness before taunting you once more.

" Did I ruin your life, or arrived just in time to restaure your faith in men? I don't understand how a girl like you could think of running to hide inside a temple instead of getting herself a better man. "

You answered with the truth, but carefully crafting enough disdain.

" There was nothing I could have done to keep him with me when the competition was the most beautifull woman in the world. The majority of men would have done the same, and that's why I have choosen not to believe in any other ever again. "

Achilles wasn't expecting to find out he was struggling for the attention of the woman that the trojan prince had left behind in his pursuement of the spartan queen.

" Will all mankind pay for the crimes of Paris? That bastard is not even a man. You are so much better without him, consider that perhaps the queen has made you a favor. If he is your reason to give up on men, I have to say it's quite offensive for the rest of us. "

You could tell where his speech was coming and you tried to stop him.

" You would have given me to Ajax if Briseis wouldn't have ran away. I didn't left with her only because I have nothing left to live for. Living in Troy is unbereable for me, but at least here I don't have to worry about seeing them and that's the only perk i expect. Don't try to pretend you could be any different, specially when I'm here because you couldn't find any other more beautifull slave girl to claim yours. "

His hand was then on your face, lifting up your chin so your eyes won't leave his as his thumb caressed your lips.

" I think of you, ceaselessly. If there is any daughter of trojan judged more beautifull than you, I don't need to know and I don't care, because I want you over any other. "

Your hand followed his and pulled down, rejecting his contact.

" Sweet lies won't win me over, not this time. "

It frustrated him, but wouldn't make him desist.

" Would you believe me if I bring you his head on a spear? I can make him cry a painfull death to pay for your tears. Whatever vengeance Menelaus dreams of would be called mercy compared to what I can do to that trojan bastard in your name."

The strange rush of passionate defense encouraged you to reveal yourself.

" Revenge is not on my interest, all I want is to forget. Can you make me stop thinking of the first man who made my heart beat? The moments when we were happy still haunt me like a disease of the spirit, but then I remember someone else occupies my place now and it's like my heart gets eaten raw inside my chest. Pain and regret is all I have for you, son of Peleus. Paris drained me of anything else. "

Achilles got rid of his black robe and wrapped your shoulders with it.

" One night in my arms is all i think that would take me to vanish the memory of that fool from your mind. You haven't yet been loved by a real man: whatever he gave you would taste like few once you would have tasted me."

The fabric was still warm from the contact with his skin and he was holding both sides of it on top of your chest in an attempt of wrapping you tighter.

You didn't try to escape him that time and he used the new proximity in his advantage to trap you in his strong grip, pushing your body against his.

" In this arms you will find happiness again, if you allow me to show you how good I can do just for you. "

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Beloved Distant Blue One Day Ill Die For You

by nightzwing Bruce looked at them with a grave expression. "There’s something you both need to do. Not as vigilantes, but as Dick and Barbara." "And what would that be?" Dick asked, his voice carrying the uncertainty of what might come next. "You need to marry each other." Black Mask is back in Gotham, more dangerous than ever. The Batfamily gathers and decides that, to defeat him once and for all, they’ll need to infiltrate Roman Sionis's criminal network, but with an unusual approach: they’ll use their civilian identities. Dick Grayson never imagined his family would adopt such a bold strategy, much less that he would be chosen to infiltrate Black Mask's underworld. To make his cover convincing, Dick will have to assume a new version of himself and enter the game with Barbara Gordon, not just as his partner, but also as his wife. Now, Dick had three missions: 1. Save Gotham; 2. Defeat Black Mask; 3. Not fall in love with his fake wife. Words: 9112, Chapters: 3/?, Language: English Fandoms: DCU (Comics), DCeased (DC Comics), Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics), Batgirl (Comics), Nightwing (Comics), Batman and Robin (Comics) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: F/M, Multi Characters: Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake (DCU), Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, Duke Thomas Relationships: Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson/Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake & Dick Grayson & Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne & Damian Wayne, Dick Grayson/Damian Wayne, Tim Drake/Dick Grayson, Batfamily Members & Dick Grayson, Stephanie Brown & Cassandra Cain & Tim Drake & Dick Grayson & Jason Todd & Damian Wayne, Barbara Gordon & Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson/Donna Troy, Stephanie Brown & Cassandra Cain & Tim Drake & Barbara Gordon & Dick Grayson & Jason T. & Damian W., Stephanie Brown & Barbara Gordon, Stephanie Brown & Cassandra Cain & Barbara Gordon, Batfamily Members & Barbara Gordon Additional Tags: Fake Marriage, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Angst, Friends to Lovers, Batfamily (DCU), Batfamily Dynamics (DCU), Jason Todd is a Batfamily Member, Dick Grayson is Nightwing, Dick Grayson Needs a Hug, Hurt Dick Grayson, Good Sibling Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson is a Ray of Sunshine, Barbara Gordon is Oracle, Barbara Gordon is Batgirl, Protective Barbara Gordon, Barbara Gordon Needs a Hug, Dick Grayson Loves Barbara Gordon, Married Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson, Jason Todd is Red Hood, Good Sibling Jason Todd, Tim Drake and Jason Todd are Siblings, Tim Drake and Damian Wayne are Siblings, Good Sibling Damian Wayne, Damian Wayne Has a Heart, Damian Wayne is a Little Shit, Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Communicating, Gotham City is Terrible, Stephanie Brown is Spoiler, Stephanie Brown Deserves Better, Good Sibling Cassandra Cain, Protective Cassandra Cain via https://ift.tt/XPz95Ja

[idontplaytrack]

FLUFF PLEASE

Capri finally home from the hospital after the incident

Reader being super gentle

Cuteness

Once in a lifetime

Capri Donahue x fem! reader

Warnings: fluff, mentions to Capri’s accident & injury, crying

"Once in a lifetime Means there's no second chance So I believe that you and me Should grab it while we can"

Capri was coming home today after a full week in the hospital. Things ended up way better than you thought it would’ve. She wasn’t supposed to be here anymore, but it seems the universe wanted you to be able to have more time with your girl. You were sure that'd be it for you and Capri, but Capri being the fierce, sassy fighter she is...she didn't give up. She didn't want to go. You debated between meeting her at the hospital and waiting for her at her house, and eventually, you went with the latter. You walked to Capri’s and got there about twenty minutes before she was due home. The front door opens and you were greeted by her sister, “y/n! Come on in, Capri will be home soon with mom and dad.” You hugged her, “Hi, Camille.” 

“You want something to drink?” She asks.

“Uh, sure?” You chuckled, setting down your gift for her on a table that already held a few gifts from kids at school and also her cheer squad. Even one from Darby.

“Relax.” Camille bites back a laugh, “Water or Snapple?” 

You looked at her for a moment, “Water’s fine.” 

She shuts the fridge door after grabbing two drinks, walked over, and sat down next to you. “How are you doing?” The older sibling asked as she handed you the plastic bottle. “Um, better I think? This week has been a lot, I really cried until I had no tears left then all of a sudden she’s okay? The different emotions that I had to go through during then were ever-changing, so intense, so terrifying. I am so happy that Capri is fine, but my mind is still like, racing.”

“It’ll take some time to settle, but I get how you’re feeling. I’m just glad we’re not alone in this.” Camille nodded, a soft sigh falling from her lips.

“My mom must think I’m crazy given how fast my feelings are changing these days.” You joked. 

“Don’t even worry about that, sometimes we just need to feel what we need to feel to get through it, you know?” 

“I know, I just— cannot believe it. It was quite literally a miracle.” 

“Well, some people deserve the greatest miracles.” Camille hugs you from the side, “Her time isn’t up yet.”        

Soon, you hear their car pull up in the driveway. Your heartrate quickens momentarily and you wiped your sweaty palms on your pants. As you took a deep breath, the front door opens and you lock eyes with her father. He smiles in a way to say hello, knowing how excited you were to see Capri again. You stood up from your seat on the couch and sprinted over to the foyer before Capri even registered your presence. As she placed her shoes on the rack, she turned to look forward— in your direction. A gasp, then you were in her arms. She hugs you so tightly. Something you’ve missed a lot lately, something you thought you’d never be able to get back. Someone you thought you’d never be able to see again. 

“I’ve missed you so much, baby.” Capri sniffles, chin resting on your shoulder as the hug continued. She was rubbing your back instinctively, but it was a much needed gesture of comfort. “I’ve missed you so much, oh my god.” 

You kept it together for the lunch that followed. Then, her parents decided it was enough chit chat and family time and left you and Capri alone. Her dad had to pack for a business trip, and Camillle had to go pick up her son. And so, taking you by the hand, Capri leads you to her room upstairs to her bed after shutting the door behind the two of you. “I’m okay.”

“I know you are now.” Your voice quivered, “It’s just been a very difficult week.” You sat yourself down at the head of her bed, she climbed on and laid on you instantly, arms wrapped around you while her head laid on your chest. You rubbed her upper back slowly as she looked up at you, your gaze meets hers before she says, “I heard a lot of things while I was out.” 

You swallowed thickly, nodding your head then you looked up to keep the tears from falling. You feel her hand cupping your cheek, tilting your face down to keep eye contact. 

“My mom, she’s never cared about me so much. Before this happened, you knew how she was like. She showed no interest in my life. I heard my Dad talking to me, telling me stories, the cheer squad, Darby, James and Alex…but only you came by everyday and willingly sat there in that god awful hospital room to do your homework just so you could be with me. You didn’t talk a lot, just held my hand most of the time and even sang to me. My god, your voice was absolutely angelic. Baby, my favourite song…has a whole new meaning to it now and I cannot even begin to tell you how much I appreciate you. I don’t say it enough, but please know that I am so grateful to have you in my life, y/n.”

“I should be telling you that, Capri. You fought so hard for your life. I was just…there.”

“Yes. Yes, you were there. You were the only one there every single day so that I wouldn’t be alone. You didn’t have to do that, you could’ve just stayed home and got some proper rest, but you stuck by my side until they had to ask you to go home. Baby, that is insane, I wish I could’ve just told you to get your butt home and sleep. The commute from your house, from the school to the hospital is so long.”

“We didn’t know if you were going to wake up again at one point, I just wanted as much time as I could have with you.” You swallowed painfully, swiping your tears away but she grabs your wrist and moved your hand out of the way, wiping your tears away with her thumb instead. You wound up holding onto her wrist and looking at her through your clouded vision. As much as you were crying, you couldn’t help but smile because Capri was still here. She was right here, with you, and you were going to make sure she was going to be right here with you for as long as you could. 

“Don’t fight it, cry if you need to cry.” Capri whispers, thumb stroking your cheek. “Don’t bottle it up.” 

As if on cue, you let the tears go like she’d told you to. She was crying too, but not as badly as you were. Capri just held onto you and you release those emotions that you’ve been trying so hard to shove aside because people were constantly around. 

“I’m very sorry you had to see me like that in the locker room. No one needed to see that.” 

It was that image, of her lifeless on the floor of the locker room that haunted you and made you feel like shit more than anything else now. It wasn’t something you could just forget even though you wanted to. That simply just wasn't possible.

“No one knew it was going to happen, Capri. It wasn’t your fault.” You sniffed, stroking her hair as you pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head.

She nodded, her eyes on you. “I love you, darling.”

“I love you, too,  so much.” You smiled through the tears that were finally dying down, “Don’t you ever scare me like that ever again.”

“I promise.” She says, scooching up to meet your lips, giving you a kiss, “I’ll be uh, holding on tight and celebrating everyday.”

You bit back a chuckle, licking your lips. She winks and smiles cheekily, “Oh how I’ve missed this face.” 

You finally laughed, she finally got it outta you. “There it is.” She smiled back, pressing another kiss to your lips— one that was more than just sweet, it was passionate but tender. “I could watch your smile all day, pretty girl.” 

You grinned, heart melting, “Well, I’m all yours.”

🏷️Tag list:

@ashecampos @auliisflower @cheesysoup-arlo @frogs00 @ludoesartandstuff @pda128

[trobeds]

things i want for the community movie (but some of it is just wishful thinking)

canon trobed. self explanatory but if this doesnt happen ill be pissed so bad + if they dont make it canon they should at least have them b ambiguously gay bcs girl have u SEEN them

TROBED REUNION I NEED THEM LIVING TOGETHER AGAIN I NEED DOMESTICITY I NEED THEM TO BE GLUED TO EACH OTHERS SIDES

annie my everything edison being an absolute badass detectifying the shit out of the film with her cute little outfits

384973984 STICKY NOTES BINDER REVIVAL

put her in a pantsuit dear god.

jeffbritta got married (FINALLY. AFTER TRYING LIKE 3 TIMES) during the timeskip drunk and theyre just staying married because of tax benefits. literally always hanging the empty ass threat of 'i will divorce you'

brittas really into gay rights

GIVE ANNIE A GIRLFRIEND!!!! PLEASE SHE DESERVES IT!!!!!!!!!

mmmfgfnmgh frankie........ shes so beatiufl

shirley comes back !

chang pulls something absolutely INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

POP POP!!!!!!!!!

trobed reenact a movie kiss plspls. made out for the bit (they have canonically filmed a sex scene together even if trobed isnt canon this is veeeery possible)

hugs

can we brign back ricky nightshade and goth britta. they were so hot and i am but a feeble bisexual

more stuff i cant remember

so much troy and abed singing their catchphrase. what if they got married. what if

abedison (platonic) + can we get a don draper/han solo callback i think it would be so funny if annie was like im a lesbian but GOD

[edgarapoecolouredglasses]

Little mastermind part eight

You know the drill

THE GIF IS NOT MINE

Pairing: Troy Otto/Reader

Summary: Troy says his goodbyes and reveals where he plans on going.

Part: 8/?

Masterlist

————————————————

The boat pulled into the docks of PADRE just as the sunlight had eliminated the last bit of darkness over the water, casting a soft pink glow across the compound. The soft hum of the boat’s engine faded, replaced by the quiet lapping of waves and the distant sounds of the community waking up to a new day like nothing in the world was wrong.

Troy stood at the bow of the boat, his expression unreadable but his body tense, as if bracing himself for what was to come. I could feel the weight of it too.

Tracy had ridden with him in the car and hadn’t stopped crying for a second. The sound still rang in his memory. She stopped just before getting on one of the boats that Madison had sent. Too proud to let anyone see her cry.

As the boat docked and the ramp lowered, Troy stepped off with quiet resolve. Tracy followed behind him, her small hand clutching mine as we made our way onto solid ground. I could feel her trying to keep herself together, her face a mix of determination and sorrow.

The people we called family—the survivors he had protected and fought for—began to gather around. Some of them were crying, their faces twisted with sorrow. Nurse Debra was among them, her eyes red and puffy as she approached Troy, her hands trembling. “You can’t leave us,” she pleaded, her voice cracking. “What will we do without you?”

Troy gave her a soft, sad smile, his hand reaching out to rest gently on hers. “You’ll be fine, Debra. You’ve always been stronger than you think.” His words were firm, but there was an undeniable tenderness in them.

Other men approached, some shaking his hand with tight grips, others giving him brief, solemn hugs. “Thank you, Troy,” one of them said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ll never forget what you did for my family.”

Troy nodded, his jaw tight as he gave each person his attention, no matter how briefly. He shared a few quiet words with each of them, offering reassurance, but there was a finality to it all—a goodbye they all felt, even if they didn’t want to believe it.

From the tower above, I caught Madison watching the scene, but she said nothing.

And then there was Tracy.

She was trying so hard to stay strong. Her little face was set with determination, her bottom lip quivering slightly as she looked up at her father. But as the crowd slowly began to disperse, leaving just the three of us, I saw the cracks in her face. A few tears slipped down her cheeks, and she quickly wiped them away, refusing to let herself break.

Troy knelt down to her level, his face softening as he gently cupped her cheek. “You’re going to be alright, kid,” he whispered. “You’re going to have a real life here. A normal one. The kind of life you deserve. You understand?”

Tracy nodded, her voice catching as she tried to speak. “But… what about you?” she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Troy’s smile faltered, but he kept his voice steady. “I’ll be fine. And we’ll meet again someday, I promise.” He said, but his voice didn’t sound convinced. “But for now, you need to stay here, be happy, and live the life you were meant to have. I’ll always be proud of you, Tracy.”

That was it. The moment her resolve snapped. She lunged forward, throwing her arms around her dad’s neck and sobbing into his shoulder. “I don’t want you to go!” she cried, her voice breaking. “I want you to stay!”

Troy held her tight, his face strained with the effort to keep himself together. He pressed a kiss to her temple, his hand gently rubbing her back as he whispered soothing words into her hair. “I know, sweetheart. I know. But this is how it has to be.”

Her little body shook with sobs, and it was clear that, despite all his reassurances, this goodbye was breaking something inside both of them. Troy’s eyes were red, his grip on her unyielding, as if this was the last time he’d ever be able to hold her.

I stood a few steps away, my heart aching as I watched them. This wasn’t just the end of a journey. It was the end of an era for all of us. But I still felt like it wasn’t the end of everything. If I welt with him to where he was going, I could make the journey with Tracy every once in a while. To visit.

As Tracy’s wails echoed across the docks, I watched helplessly as the nurses gently but firmly pulled her away from her father. She kicked and screamed, reaching out for him, tears streaming down her little face. It was the most heartbreaking sight I’d ever seen.

I glanced up at Madison, standing in the tower like some unfeeling sentinel.

“Are you happy, now?” I whispered, more to myself.

She just stood there, cold and unmoved, her face showing no hint of emotion, as if she were made of stone. Part of me wanted to scream at her, to demand why she couldn’t see the destruction this was causing, but I knew it wouldn’t matter. Madison had her own rules, her own way of surviving, and nothing would change her mind.

Tracy’s sobs pulled me from my thoughts. Her father was everything to her, and seeing her like that—shattered, inconsolable—made my chest feel like it was caving in.

And Troy… he was just as broken. His face remained stoic, but I could see the cracks, the weight of the decision he was forcing himself to stand by.

The longer he stayed there, crouched down, watching his daughter be pulled away, the harder it became for him to leave. I could see it in his eyes, the way they flickered between her and the boat. But Troy refused to mess this up for her.

For a moment, he just stayed crouched down there, staring at the ground as if it might somehow offer him the answers he didn’t have. Or at least that’s what I thought was going on. Looking at him, the way his head hung low, shoulders slumped as his arms rested on his knees.

I watched him, my chest tightening as I realized what was happening.

In all the years I had known Troy—over a decade of chaos, of fights, of watching him at his worst and seeing glimpses of his best

—I had never seen him cry. Not once. Not even when he had every reason to. Not even when his wife died. Troy was the kind of man who held everything in, who channeled his pain into action instead of wallowing in it.

But now, as I looked down at him, something was different. His hands moved quickly to his face, wiping at his eyes. His movements were subtle, secretive even, as though he was trying to hide something.

I just crouched down in front of him, my best friend in the world, the one person who had been through everything with me.

His hands kept moving to his face, wiping away the tears before they could linger too long and be seen.

He still refused to let them show, even now. But I could see them. And there was no world in which I would ever blame him for indulging in his urge to shed them.

“Troy…” I whispered softly, not knowing what else to say.

He didn’t respond at first. He just kept his head down, his hands working furiously as if he could erase the evidence of his breaking heart. But I reached out, gently placing my hand on his arm, offering him something to hold onto.

“We’re going to be okay,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if I believed it myself. “We’ve always managed.”

Troy finally looked up, his red-rimmed eyes meeting mine.

There was so much unsaid in that moment, so much that words couldn’t even begin to cover. I could see the battle inside him—the fierce love for his daughter, the guilt that gnawed at him for what he believed was his fault, the torment of leaving the people he cared about.

“You’re doing the right thing,” I told him, even though it killed me to say it. “You’re giving her a chance. A real chance.”

I knew that I didn’t mean it. And that I would have much rather have it any other way. But it was what he needed to hear.

I glanced over my shoulder at one of the PADRE teenagers. He stood a few feet behind me, watching the scene with wide, curious eyes.

His hands were shoved in his pockets, and he shifted nervously under my gaze. I could tell he wasn’t used to being the center of attention.

I motioned to the boat Troy would be leaving on, “Can you drive this thing?” I asked, my voice firm but soft.

I didn’t know how to handle a boat,m.

He hesitated, looking between the boat and me, his uncertainty clear. “Yeah… I can,” he replied.

“Could you do me a favor?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

I glanced up at Madison, who stood watching from the tower, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, eyes piercing and unreadable.

I half-expected her to intervene, to stop me, but she didn’t move. She just stared down at us. There was no warmth, no hint of empathy.

The kid shifted nervously, following my gaze to Madison and then back to me. He could sense the tension in the air, the weight of this moment, but he nodded.

“What do you need?” he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper.

I looked back at Troy, still crouched in front of me, his head hung low as he wiped at his face, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Tracy’s sobs echoed across the docks, and every second felt like it was slipping away too fast.

“I need you to steer to the coast,” I told the boy quietly. “Take your time starting it. No rush, okay?”

He glanced at the boat again, clearly skeptical of what I was asking him to do. But he nodded once more, his eyes flicking nervously to Madison again.

“Okay,” he agreed, though I could tell he didn’t fully understand why I was asking this of him.

I turned to Troy “I’m coming with you,” I said, my voice steady but firm.

Troy’s head snapped up. For a moment, he said nothing, just stared, trying to process my words.

“What?” he finally managed, his voice hoarse.

“I’m not letting you go alone,” I continued, my hand still on his arm. “Wherever you’re going to live… I’m coming with you. I’ll go with you, and then I’ll come back here with the boy.”

Troy blinked, his brows furrowing as he shook his head slowly, as if trying to wrap his mind around what I was saying. “No… You can’t. You—”

“I’m not asking, Troy,” I interrupted, my voice firmer this time. “I’m coming with you.”

He stood up and pulled me with him, towering over me now, his eyes searching mine as if trying to find a way to talk me out of it. But I wasn’t backing down.

He opened his mouth to argue, to tell me it was too dangerous, or that I should stay for Tracy, but I cut him off before he could even start.

“I don’t care where it is, or what you think is going to happen out there,” I said, stepping closer to him. “You’re my best friend, Troy. I’m not letting you walk away and disappear without knowing if you’re going to make it.”

Troy stared at me, his jaw clenched, clearly fighting against his instincts to argue. His face softened, though, when he saw the determination in my eyes. He knew me well enough to understand that there was no changing my mind.

“I’m coming back,” I say, glancing at the teenager by the boat, who was still nervously eyeing the controls. “I’ll come back with him and I’ll make sure you’re okay before I leave.”

Troy swallowed hard, his throat visibly tightening as he tried to suppress whatever emotions were bubbling to the surface. “It’s too risky,” he muttered, his voice low.

“So is leaving you,” I shot back. “Look, you’re not going to change my mind, so you can either accept it, or waste what little time we have left fighting about it.” I say, throwing his own words back at him

He narrowed his eyes and scanned my face “Alright,” he said softly, his voice strained. “But you come back. Promise me you’ll come back.”

“I promise,” I said without hesitation.

Troy let out a shaky breath, his shoulders slumping as the fight drained out of him. He reached out and gently squeezed my arm, his touch lingering longer than usual.

“Let’s go,” I said quietly, nodding toward the boat.

As we made our way to the dock, I couldn’t help but glance up at Madison one last time. She was still watching us, her face unreadable, but she made no move to stop me. It was as if she trusted me with the teenage boy.

The boy, still nervous but ready, stepped toward the boat, glancing at me for reassurance. “You’ll really come back?” he asked hesitantly.

I nodded, giving him a small, encouraging smile. “I’ll come back. Just get us there safely.”

The engine sputtered to life and the boat began to drift from the dock.

The wind carried a soft chill as we arrived at the mainland, the sound of waves breaking against the shore fading behind us. I turned to the boy, who had brought us here, his hands still gripping the steering wheel tightly, uncertainty etched into his young face.

“Wait for me,” I told him softly, hoping my voice didn’t betray the rising sense of dread within me. “If anything happens, if walkers appear then go back into the water.”

He nodded silently, and I stepped out of the boat, following Troy to the truck waiting a little way further. The old vehicle creaked as he loaded some jerrycans into the trunk, the smell of gasoline sharp in the air.

Madison had left it out for him out of so-called generosity.

“Locally sourced” or whatever that was supposed to mean.

As we finished, I moved toward the passenger door, but Troy stopped me gently, his hand on my arm.

“This is far enough,” he said quietly, his voice steady but the weight of his words heavy.

I frowned at him, confusion and defiance rising in my chest. “I’m coming all the way,” I insisted. “I want to know where you’re going to be.”

Troy shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line as he sighed. “It’s too far.”

I narrowed my eyes, frustration bubbling up. “How far?”

He hesitated, glancing away from me as if weighing the truth, then finally looked back. “Around thirty hours far,” he said softly.

It took a moment for the numbers to sink in, my mind slowly piecing it together. Thirty hours.

That was too far. Far enough to take him to… “Are you going to—”

“Home,” he interrupted, the word hanging heavy between us.

My breath caught in my throat. “Broke Jaw,” I whispered, trailing off, trying to make sense of it.

I stared at the jerrycans in the truck, the realization slowly dawning on me. “This isn’t enough fuel,” I said, the confusion in my voice only growing. The distance to California—this much gas wouldn’t get him there and back.

Troy met my gaze, his expression unreadable. “It is.”

I shook my head, refusing to believe what he was telling me. “No,” I muttered, my voice almost frantic. “It’ll only get you—”

I stopped mid-sentence, my heart thudding in my chest as I looked at him. Tears welled in my eyes as the truth became unavoidable.

“One way,” he finished for me, his voice soft, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“No,” I whispered, my breath hitching as I looked at him. “How will you come back?”

The silence that followed was crushing, and the look in his eyes was all the answer I needed. He wasn’t planning to come back. He was going to disappear into the past, to Broke Jaw, to the remnants of his old life—.

My heart ached, and before I could stop myself, a tear slipped down my cheek. Troy’s expression softened, but he didn’t move, didn’t try to comfort me or take back what he’d said.

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes, the slightest hesitation. But then he straightened. “I have to.”

“What will you even do there?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper, trying to understand the madness behind his decision.

Troy took a sharp breath, his eyes flicking away from mine for a moment before settling back. “Bury my brother,” he said quietly, the weight of the words hitting like a punch.

I froze, my heart pounding as I stared at him. He was going to throw away everything—never see us again—just to bury what was now a pile of bones.

“And then what?” I demanded, anger creeping into my voice, frustration mixing with the ache in my chest.

Troy grinned, but it wasn’t the smirk I knew so well. It was a sad, almost resigned smile. “Finish what I started at the militia camp.”

I tilted my head, not understanding. “What does that even mean?”

“Research,” he said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Research?” I repeated, my voice rising. I stepped closer to him, unable to hide my growing anger. “You’re abandoning us to go play scientist in some dead zone?”

His face remained calm, but his eyes flickered, betraying a hint of emotion. “There are things I need to understand,” he replied, his voice steady. “Things I couldn’t figure out before. I need to finish what I started. I can do it without hurting anyone.”

“Finish what you started?” I scoffed, taking another step toward him, unable to hold back my frustration. “You’re talking about some pointless research while leaving behind your daughter, your friends—me—all for what? To study something that won’t bring anyone back? Not Jake, not anyone.”

Troy’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t respond immediately. I could see the struggle in his eyes, the conflict he tried so hard to hide. But I wasn’t done.

“You’re doing all of this for bones, Troy,” I said, my voice trembling with the intensity of my emotions. “For ghosts. For something that doesn’t even matter anymore.”

His hands twitched at his sides, but he kept his composure, his voice low. “It matters to me.”

I stood there, watching him as he loaded the last of the jerrycans into the back of the truck. Every part of me wanted to convince him to stay, to reason with him one last time. But deep down, I knew his mind was already made up.

I took a breath, fighting the wave of emotions threatening to crash over me. “What if you just… chose somewhere nearby?” I asked, my voice almost pleading now. “An hour or two away. Far enough not to put Madison on edge but near enough that I could take Tracy to visit. It doesn’t have to be like this.”

He turned to face me, his expression soft but resolute. “It’s not about distance,” he said quietly. “It’s about… going home. That’s where I need to be.”

I wanted to argue. To tell him he was making a mistake, that his home wasn’t the ranch anymore—it was here, with us. But his mind was once again made up.

He wasn’t just leaving to bury his brother or to continue his research. He was leaving to make peace with his past.

To try and reconcile the man he used to be with the man he had become.

And even though I didn’t agree with it, at some point, I had to realize that his decisions were his. His mind was set.

I swallowed hard, the words I wanted to say trapped in my throat. Instead, I stepped forward and hugged him tightly, feeling the weight of what was happening sink in all at once. This was it. The goodbye I had been dreading.

“You make sure you find a way back,” I whispered against his shoulder, my voice breaking, my thumb caressing the back of his head. “Promise me.”

Troy hugged me back, strong but gentle, his hand resting on the back of my head. “I’ll do everything I can,” he murmured. “If I finish the research… I’ll come back.”

We stood there for what felt like forever, neither of us wanting to let go. But eventually, I felt him pull back, his hands lingering on my arms for a moment longer before he let me go completely. I stepped back, the cool morning air rushing in where his warmth had been.

And that was it.

I watched as he climbed into the truck, the map spread across his lap, his face set with that same stubborn determination I had seen so many times before. He started the engine, the low rumble breaking the heavy silence between us.

As the truck began to pull away, I stood rooted to the spot, unable to move, my heart aching in my chest. I wanted to chase after him, to shout for him to stop, to turn back. But I didn’t.

Instead, I just stood there, watching as the truck disappeared down the road, the tail lights growing smaller and smaller until they were nothing more than distant red pinpricks in.

And then he was gone.

—————————————————

Taglist

@elleirbag50 @aldenenjoyer @escapist-of-fiction @troyottonick

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I’m so sorry, I said not a lot more heartbreak but the good news is that the story is mapped out and the ending is a good one :)

[fandom-imagines-stories]

Trois Surprises

Aramis x Reader (The Musketeers)

Words: 6719

Summary: Aramis and the reader are changed forever by three joyous surprises. 

Notes: I write a lot of angst for him, but dammit, this man deserves to be happy. And I wanted to write him actually being able to spend time with his kids. Also, the title is ‘Three Surprises’ in French, I just didn’t know ‘surprises’ is spelled the same way. At least that’s what translate said. Please don’t come for me. This also doesn’t follow any plots from the show,  so ignore the timeline haha. 

More Musketeers HERE

-

I 

The garrison greeted you with metal clashing and the smell of sweat. Men shouted at each other across the way with language that was far from proper.  It didn’t bother you, of course. In your time frequenting the training area, you’d grown used to its oddities and eccentricities. 

A few of the men cheered to greet you and asked how you were or what brought you to the garrison, though they already had an idea. You were here for Aramis. You were always here for Aramis. Or for shooting lessons, which the captain had approved since you lived alone and association with the musketeers often led to trouble. 

“Y/N!” A boisterous voice called. Porthos hopped up from the table he sat at and crossed the courtyard. Not one for propriety, he pulled you into a hug without a second thought. You couldn’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm. “What brings you here?” 

He led you back to the table and brushed off the bench for you to sit. 

Athos tilted his hat. Unlike his companion, he enjoyed upholding some of the rules of society. “Mademoiselle Y/L/N.” 

“How many times must I tell you to call me Y/N?” You teased. 

“If I did, you wouldn’t have to tell me any more,” he smirked. “I assume you’re looking for Aramis.” 

You nodded. “I have important matters to discuss with him and Captain Treville.” 

The two exchanged a look. 

“Sounds serious,” Porthos said. “Anything we should know about?”

“All in good time, boys,” you beamed. “I promise I won’t leave you in the dark for too long.” 

D'Artagnan eyed you curiously. Perhaps your closest friend among Aramis’ companions, it was unusual for you not to share something with him. You gave him a reassuring nod and he trusted he’d find out what all this was about in due time. It didn’t stop his mind from searching the possibilities, though. 

The imploring silence only lasted a moment longer. 

“Y/N?” 

And just like that, at the sound of his voice, your knees turned soft and your heart stopped beating. Every nerve in your body seemed to bunch and twist in your belly. You turned, Aramis’s eyes sparkling at you in the morning light as a smile crept onto his face. 

“I had no idea you’d be here,” he grinned, kissing your cheek. 

“I had something I wanted to share with you before you galavanted off into danger somewhere.” The tremble in your voice made his face darken with worry. His gaze flicked to his companions and they took the hint, hurrying off to the side to give the two of you some privacy. You began to fidget with your cloak. “I hope my coming on short notice isn’t a nuisance.” 

“No, please.” He took your hands in his and brought them to his lips. “You are my favorite kind of surprise, darling.” His dark eyes looked deeply into yours. “Is something the matter?” 

“Not exactly…” You’d rehearsed the words numerous times and it was completely in vain. You might as well have been mute, standing before him with a blank, panicked expression, which of course only made him look more concerned. 

“My love, you’re starting to frighten me,” he laughed nervously and tucked a hair behind your ear. “You can tell me anything.” 

You took a deep breath, placing a hand on his chest. 

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Porthos whispered. The three, having been observing from afar, watched on as you stared down at the dirt and Aramis lifted your chin with his finger. 

“That’s between the two of them,” Athos said. “It’s none of our business.” However, he did not, nor did the other two, turn away.

You said something none of them could hear. Aramis’s arms fell to his sides, face turned white as a sheet. His mouth floundered open and closed, unable to say anything. 

“You don’t think she’s broken things off, do you?” D’Artagnan asked. 

After a moment of this awkward, anxious tension that even they could feel from across the courtyard, Aramis seemed to snap to his senses. He lifted you off the ground and spun around, a smile as wide as the Seine spread across his face. Your laugh rang throughout the space and when he set you down, your arms hooked around his neck, lips locking together for longer than what was probably publicly acceptable. 

Athos turned to the youngest member of their group. “I take that as a no.” 

Aramis kissed you one… two… three… more times before you said something about going to the market and left, holding his hand until the last possible moment. 

When the marksman returned, his friends stood with brows raised and curious smiles. Porthos patted him on the back. 

“What to share what that was all about?” 

Still, with a starstruck grin, Aramis gazed around in a daze. Like before, his mouth fell open and nothing came out. He was sure his heart had stopped beating. Or perhaps it wasn’t there anymore. It was with you, as it always had been. Now more than ever. 

He looked up at his companions- his friends- the men he trusted with his life and the words simply fell from his lips. 

“Y/N’s pregnant.” 

-

“I don’t know if I can wait much longer,” you whined, breathing slowly and deeply as you took a seat at the table. 

Constance smiled. “You only have, what, a month or so to go?”

“Yes, and I feel like I’m the size of Notre Dame.” You laid a hand on your bulbous belly and laughed. “I look the size of Notre Dame.” 

“Nonsense,” she chuckled along with you, setting a plate of bread and bowl of stew in front of you. Constance peeked out the door and shook her head. “They’re late. Again.” Despite the playful annoyance in her voice, there was a sparkle in her eye. One you recognized well. 

“You know… D’Artagnan has been speaking of you more and more since I became pregnant. I dare say he even sounds hopeful.”

“Don’t start,” she swallowed. She took a rag and started to wipe down the table in order to avoid your gaze. “I, in case you’ve forgotten, am married to the man who supplies your fabrics. D’Artagnan and I are merely friends.” The younger woman glanced up at you with a kind of admiration. “It isn’t like what you and Aramis have.” 

You scoffed. “I’m his mistress.”

Her eyes softened with sincerity. She put a hand on your arm. “You’re a great deal more than that.” 

You averted your eyes, feeling the hint of tears begin in them and focused on the meal before you. Despite his adoration and his devotion, you knew not to hope for more than what you were given. And you had no complaints, of course, Aramis was the light of your life and to have his child was more than you ever imagined. But he was a hero. You were a seamstress. 

As if summoned by your brief sorrow, the door to the cottage opened and you heard two pairs of thundering steps coming down the hall. While not banished completely, your doubts were pushed to the back of your mind upon the sight of Aramis’s grinning face. 

“Sorry we’re late, ladies,” he said, removing his hat with a smug flare. “Paris needed saving.” 

“When doesn’t it?” You laughed. He leaned to place a kiss on your forehead, hand falling lovingly to your belly. 

“You look beautiful,” he whispered against your skin. Aramis basked at the sight of you in the setting sun, golden rays streaming through the window. “Like an angel in heaven’s light.” 

A lovely pink color crept onto your cheeks. “You flatter me too much.” 

“My love, my words will never be enough.” Aramis brought your lips to his with passion and sweetness, despite the other two in the room. He set his weapons aside, his coat along with them, and sat next to you. Seeing the billowing sleeves of his shirt reminded you of your work earlier in the day. 

“I almost forgot, I repaired the tear in your shirt. I’ll have to go fetch it.” You started to stand- with more than a little effort- and he laid a hand on your shoulder to set you back down. 

“Please, don’t trouble yourself, darling.” He kissed you again. “I’ll get it.” As he sauntered into the other room, Constance gave you a knowing look you did your best to ignore. 

“Any news on the Red Guard?” D’Artagnan asked. You were glad of the change in subject, though Constance rolled her eyes at his abruptness. 

“Unfortunately, I don’t seem to be the favorite to stitch their uniforms ever since-” You motioned to the rather obvious reason at your middle. 

“Ah,” D’Artagnan nodded. “Right.”

Having made a reputation as having the most reliable repairs of any affordable seamstress in Paris, you’d often had members of the Red Guard come to you, as they were ‘too above’ mending anything themselves. It did, however, allow you to overhear things here and there, which you took to the musketeers. But keeping your relationship with Aramis a secret was hard enough. Now, with such a drastic change in your appearance, they’d kept their distance, though whether it was because you were unmarried or if they suspected you to be somewhat of a spy for your child’s father, you couldn’t tell. 

The two of you looked at each other for a moment before you couldn’t contain your laughter. D’Artagnan sat beside you and asked you questions of a lighter variety while you pleaded to hear of the day’s adventures. Aramis always worried he’d distress you, so you received all the juicy details from the youngest musketeer. Through your friendship with Constance, D’Artagnan had become one of your closest friends as well. 

A lull fell upon your conversation and you couldn't help but note how his eyes drifted back to your mutual companion by the fire. 

One day, you thought…

A sudden movement within you forced a gasp from your lips. Aramis returned to the room in seconds.

“Love, what is it? Did something happen?” He knelt by your side with loving, concerned eyes. 

“Yes,” you beamed, placing a hand where the movement was. You looked into his beautiful gaze and felt yourself overtaken by the excitement. “I believe he just kicked.” Gently, you took his hand and guided it to where you’d felt it. 

“He?” Aramis awed, raising a brow. 

You shrugged. “Just a feeling.”

Another motion fluttered against Aramis’s hand, this one stronger and almost more aggressive than the last. Aramis chuckled. 

“I think she may disagree with your feeling.” 

“Oh, a girl then, is it?” You smirked. 

He shrugged, mocking you affectionately. “Just a feeling.” 

-

II

He’d come as soon as he heard. All of them had. The four musketeers stood in the lobby of your shop, none of them able to sit down. Athos leaned against the wall, he and Porthos watching the windows as if for some dastardly foe. D’Artagnan tried to distract himself by sharpening his sword. Aramis paced at the foot of the stairs leading up to your rooms. 

The midwife wouldn’t allow him to be with you, despite his protests. Only Constance was permitted to accompany her in tending to you. It took all three men to hold him back when your screaming began. 

Hours of this hell passed. He paced until he was sure the soles of his boots would scuff clean off. 

“Can I ask you something?” Porthos asked. He hoped to distract his friend from his pain but, in truth, it was something they’d all been wondering for months. Aramis stopped his hurried steps and turned with a nod. Porthos swallowed. “Why haven’t you married her?” 

“Porthos now is hardly the occasion,” Athos scolded. 

“We have to talk about something, else we’ll all go mad with her up there.” 

Aramis held up a hand to silence them both. The three waited with bated breath as he looked up, wishing to float through the ceiling and be by your side. 

“Because she doubts me,” he said with an unexpected sadness in his voice. He looked back at them. “She doesn’t believe that my love for her is genuine. I can feel it when her smile falters or when her hand falls from mine.” He turned away. “To ask her for her hand because of the child… it would only prove what she believes.” Aramis clenched his fist at his side, then relaxed it again. This idleness would destroy him if this was not soon over. “I could not force her to marry a man that she doubts.” 

The others nodded in understanding, though none of them truly understood, especially D’Artagnan.

 He’d never seen two people who loved each other more than you and Aramis. He wanted to scream at both of them until his throat was sore if he thought it would help. Seeing the two of you so clouded with your own doubts hurt him more than he could say. The younger man just couldn’t fathom it. He’d give anything to have the opportunity to marry the woman he loved.

The matter of your reputation, of course, had already been discussed. You told anyone who discovered your condition that you’d married while away in Gascony and that your husband was a merchant who traveled often and you always met with him back in Gascony. Most people didn’t care enough to gossip about an orphaned woman with little prospects to begin with. It’d been your idea to lie and Aramis accepted it as you being as unsure of him as you thought he was of you. 

What killed him the most, despite his charming demeanor and always knowing the right words for the right people, was that he had no idea how to convey to you how he truly felt. He reminded you of his love every moment he had with you, and yet he knew you didn’t fully believe it. What else could he do but keep trying? 

Another aching shriek echoed through the chamber, followed by a silence, and then… cries. An infant’s wailing filled the house. 

Aramis raced up the stairs before the others could stop him. 

The door to your bedroom opened and Constance stepped out, quickly closing it behind her. She had a bundle in her arms. The auburn-haired woman beamed at him. 

“Would you like to meet your son?” 

Suddenly, he couldn’t move. He just stared at Constance, stunned, as the baby continued to cry. It was as if he’d forgotten how to use his limbs, everything numb with a strange mix of disbelief and utter joy. 

A son. 

He stepped forward and spoke with a shaking voice. “Y-yes.” He felt like a child himself, standing before her with arms outstretched. 

Constance, still grinning, gently placed the wriggling bundle into his awaiting embrace. 

He couldn’t believe how small he was. His son. A tiny fist reached out. Aramis gave him his pinky to grasp onto, his little fingers not even able to wrap all the way around the digit. He rocked the baby in his arms, cooing slightly. The boy stopped crying. 

“I have a son,” he gasped. He turned to the stairs, where his three friends had gathered at the bottom. His tone raised to a cheer. “I have a son!” 

A chorus of joyous hollers and applause filled the stairwell. 

The celebration, however, was cut short as another round of your screaming cries The boy in his arms began wailing again. He held him a little closer to soothe him, but Aramis had gone white. 

“What’s happening?” He asked. 

Constance shook her head. “I-I don’t know. I thought everything was fine.” 

A guttural grunt. Another scream. 

Aramis passed his son back to Constance and started toward your door. The three men had already climbed the stairs with worried expressions.

“You aren’t supposed to-” Constance started, but she stopped as soon as she saw Aramis’s look of absolute panic. 

He burst through the door.  

“What’s happening? What’s wrong?” Aramis rushed to your side, brushing a sweat-soaked strand of hair away from your cheek. 

“Aramis?” You muttered, almost dreamily. 

“You shouldn’t be in here monsieur,” the midwife scolded. 

Your knees were pulled up before her. He tried not to look, for the bed sheets were slick with blood and it only made him panic even more. He, instead, looked into your eyes and you looked into his, the comfort of those dark brown irises grounding you through the pain. 

“Something’s… happening…” You took heaving breaths in between your words. His hand found yours and you held onto it with a near-crushing grip. 

“There’s another,” the midwife said. 

Both of your heads snapped up to look at her and you spoke at the same time. 

“What?!” 

She peered up at you, cast a disapproving look at the father, but decided it was too late to force him out of the room. 

“Just as we did before,” she instructed. “Ready? Three… two…” 

-

For the first time, there was quiet. 

The midwife had gone, having gathered the soiled blankets and bowls of water. Aramis sat beside you, one arm around your shoulders, your son blinking up at both of you from your embrace. With the other arm, he held your daughter. 

“I doubt I’ll ever understand what I’ve done in my life,” he whispered, kissing your forehead, “to deserve all of this.” 

You turned your head to kiss his lips lightly, reaching a hand to caress your daughter’s soft cheek. 

“It seems impossible for two things so perfect to come into my life at once,” you mused, bringing your hand up to his face. “And you… to have you for as long as I have. I can’t imagine what I’ve done to be so blessed.” 

Aramis leaned into your touch, the hair of his beard tickling your palm as he nuzzled your skin. Those near-ebony eyes looked into yours with a love more powerful than he’d ever felt before. He wanted, right there, to ask you to marry him. 

A knock at the door was followed by Constance peeking her head into the room with an excited, but exasperated expression. 

“I don’t know how much longer I can hold them off,” she laughed. “I haven’t told them anything, like you asked, other than that everything is alright, but I don’t think they’ll believe me until they see you.” 

Aramis chuckled, the vibration rumbling against you. Your daughter stirred against his chest, stretching her tiny arms toward him. He leaned to kiss her forehead. 

You beamed. “Let them in.” 

Constance nodded, smile growing, and turned back to the door.

“Be quiet, all of you,” she ordered. “I don’t want you scaring them.”

D’Artagnan’s brows drew together as he stepped in first. 

“Them?”  

As the two others piled in behind him, all halted abruptly, their eyes darting between you and Aramis and the not one, but two infants in your arms. Confusion turned to shock and finally to unbridled excitement. 

“Twins!” Athos exclaimed with one of the first real smiles you’d ever seen on his face. 

Porthos was still glancing between the two. “Twins?” 

It was D’Artagnan who stepped forward first and placed a hand gently on your shoulder, his joy for you clear in his dark eyes. 

“It’s incredible,” he said. He glanced up at Aramis with the same warm kinship. “I can’t begin to say how happy I am. For both of you.” 

The other two gathered on Aramis’s side of the bed and shared similar congratulations. 

“Have you thought of names?” Porthos asked. 

“Actually, we thought we’d get your thoughts,” Aramis said, glancing over at you with a smirk. He touched a finger to your daughter’s nose. “For her, we were thinking of Christine.” She swatted at his finger lightly, making her father laugh again. “She’s quite the fighter already, hm?” 

“I wonder where she gets that from,” Porthos smiled and patted him on the back. 

“For our son,” you took a deep breath and looked up at your friend beside you. “We thought Charles would be fitting.” 

D’Artagnan’s mouth fell open and his eyes filled with even more admiration and feeling than before, which didn’t seem possible. 

“C-Charles?” He asked, as if he’d heard you wrong. 

Aramis nodded. “Charles.” 

“But only if you’ll allow it,” you said, reaching for his hand. “You’ve just been such a good friend to me- to us- and I hoped you would be his godfather as well, but if-”

He took your hand and brought it to his lips. “I would be honored.” His voice was heavy with emotion, tears of joy welling in his eyes. 

“We’ve already asked Constance to be godmother to them both,” Aramis said. He turned to his best friend. “I was hoping, Porthos, that-”

“Do you even have to ask?” Porthos chuckled. He leaned over your daughter and made a face. 

She started to cry. 

“Congratulations,” Aramis sighed. “You’ve already frightened off your goddaughter.” 

Porthos made another face and she stopped. He raised a brow at Aramis, beaming. You snickered at their antics. 

“They are beautiful children,” Athos said, leaning against the dresser. “I can’t say enough how happy I am for the two of you.” 

“Oh don’t feel left out, Athos,” Porthos teased. “I’m sure you can be godfather to the next one.” 

You snorted. “I think he may have to wait a while for that.” Everyone in the room laughed. D’Artagnan gazed down at your son, still trying to hold back tears. 

“Would you like to hold him?” 

He gulped. “Can I?” 

You smiled and carefully handed your son to his namesake. Aramis did the same with your daughter, slowly putting her in Porthos’s arms. And just like that, you watched the two grown men turn to puppies, all wide eyes and cooing smiles. 

A happy tear rolled down your cheek. Aramis pulled you closed and kissed it away. You knew, more than anything in the world, that your children would be safe. And they would be loved. 

III

He rocked the child in his arms with the whispers of a lullaby on his lips. 

“Lullay, thou little tiny child,” he sang softly, “bye, bye, lully, lullay. Thou little tiny child, bye, bye, lully, lullay…” Aramis smiled and kissed his sleeping son’s forehead before laying him gently in his crib. Charles’s nose twitched and he stretched his tiny arms but didn’t stir. 

Aramis watched him in wonder. Ten months and he still couldn’t quite believe all of this was real. His heart ached from being so full. 

A small clattering sound drew his attention away and he felt his heart stop in a panic. Aramis rushed across the nursery and plucked his daughter from the floor before she could pull another one of his swords off of the table where he’d placed them. 

“Christine d’Herblay, how many times must I tell you to leave Papa’s things alone?” He scolded, nuzzling her cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do if you hurt yourself, darling.” 

She leaned into his embrace, looking up at him with those big eyes with a perfectly innocent expression. Quite cunning, he thought, for a toddler. Of course, he melted instantly and began bouncing her up and down. Her bell-like laughter filled the room, as well as his chest. 

The door to the nursery opened and you stepped in with messy hair stuck down by sweat from your exhaustive day and a harrowed expression. Your eyes fell upon the sheathed weapon on the floor. 

“I tell her to leave them,” Aramis said. “But she doesn’t listen to me.” He tickled her side, earning more laughter. “Just like your mother, aren’t you?” 

You didn’t laugh. Instead, you sighed and stooped to pick up his sword from the ground. From there, you began picking up everything you could find, tidying up the room in a flustered hurry. Aramis placed Christine in her crib beside Charles’s and took your hands in his to stop your anxious movements. 

“What’s happened?” 

You bowed your head. “Nothing.” 

“Y/N…” He sighed, laying a hand on your cheek. You pulled away. 

“It’s this Rocheforte.” You ran your fingers through your hair, more aware than ever of their lack of ring. “He isn’t like the cardinal- which I thought would be a good thing- but he’s somehow worse. He’s suspicious and- and cunning, and his men are asking more and more questions when I’m called there to repair uniforms.” Your rambling caught in your throat, paired with tired tears. 

“What can I do?” Aramis asked. “You know it pains me to see you in distress. Just say the word, and I’ll have the heads of half of the Red Guard by sundown.” 

“It isn’t just them.” You shook your head. “I’m just… so tired of lying, Aramis.” 

Christine made a cooing sound. Charles yawned. 

Aramis stepped toward you. “Then let us make it the truth.” 

You paused, making sure you’d heard him correctly. Aramis continued. 

“Marry me and none of this will matter. You can stop spying for Treville and the Red Guards will have the whole of the musketeers to face if they bother you again.” 

Tears stung the corners of your eyes, but you wiped them hastily away. At first, he thought they were tears of joy, but the closer Aramis looked, he knew he was wrong. 

“I will handle Rochefortes prying myself. He’s likely figured out you are the true father and is just trying to frighten me into admitting it.” 

“Y/N, I don’t understand. The solution for this is simple-”

“I will not doom you to a life you don’t want simply because it is the simplest answer!” you said, louder than you’d meant to. Charles awoke with shrieking cries. 

“A life I don’t want?” Aramis scoffed, trying to hide his hurt. “What are you talking about?”

“My answer is no, Aramis.” You moved to pick up your screaming son. “Marrying is clearly something you’ve never wanted and I’m not going to allow you to sacrifice anything for me when the children and I have done just fine in the current situation.”

Aramis reached for both of you. 

Christine started to cry as well. 

“Y/N-”

“I think you should leave.” You didn’t turn to look at him. Instead, you focused on your children in order to hide your sorrow from their father. “I’ll watch them now.” 

Aramis didn’t know what else to say. He wanted to kick himself for his insensitivity. He’d known of your doubts for so long and yet he sprung marriage on you as if it were nothing more than a way to fix a problem. 

“If that is what you wish,” he sighed and left, closing the door behind him while the children’s crying followed him out. 

He knew how he felt. He just needed to prove it to you.  

-

You saw no one else for the remainder of the evening. Only your children kept you company, and even they seemed more interested in empty spools rolling around on the floor. Not that you minded. With them so distracted, you found it easier to let yourself cry. 

He asked you to marry him. 

How many times had you dreamt of Aramis saying those words and yet now they felt like musket shots to your heart. He saw you as a burden. A duty to fulfill. You could never live like that, even if it meant being free of the jeers of the Red Guard. 

You only wished you could regret ever involving yourself with the musketeer, but your heart forbade it. Whether or not he felt the same, your love for Aramis had given you the world. The proof sat before you with their carefree laughter. Your son and daughter with their smiles just like their father’s. The time you’d gotten with them, with him, was worth all of the heartache. 

It was late when you finally got them both to go to sleep. One was always waking the other, but eventually, Charles and Christine laid in their cribs and soundly drifted off. 

You tried to finish up some work on a dress order at the table in the nursery,, but found your eyes unable to stay open. You must have fallen asleep as well, for the next time you opened them, the morning sun greeted you.

And the children were gone. 

You were awake in an instant, tearing through your small apartment, but finding nothing. It wasn’t until you could hear Charles’ laughter that you hurried down the stairs, finding your son in the lap of his namesake and Christine grasping at a flower that Athos held over her playfully. 

“Morning,” Porthos greeted. 

You smacked the back of his head. “Don’t do that,” you exasperated, “I thought they’d been taken by miscreants or something.” 

“We just didn’t want to ruin the surprise,” D’Artagnan smiled. 

“What are you talking about?”

“It seems we are replacing you, for the day,” Athos explained, picking up Christine to give her to you. “The three of us are to deliver your finished orders.” 

“While the four of us spend this beautiful day out, as a family,” Aramis said, having appeared in the doorway with a basket in hand and dressed in a casual tunic rather than his uniform. 

Your heart fluttered at the thought, but your mind refused to give in so easily. After all, it was only the night before that you’d nearly cried yourself to sleep over the discussion you’d had with the man before you. But the charming smile on his face and the look in his eye made it awfully difficult to argue. 

“I don’t know.” You made a point not to look at him. “I have so much still to do and-”

D’Artagnan stood, picking up your son and raising his brow at you. “Take the day, Y/N,” he said. “You deserve to rest.” 

“Plus, he’s been going mad all night, which has driven all of us mad, as well,” Porthos muttered, motioning to his nervous friend in the doorway. “Go on,” he encouraged. “What trouble could we get into delivering a bunch of dresses and coats?” 

“I don’t really like to think about it,” you frowned. 

“I will make sure that everything gets to its proper place,” Athos assured you, making you feel a little bit better. 

Aramis stepped inside, taking Charles from D’Artagnan and giving you a pleading glance. 

“It’s a beautiful day, my love,” he said. “Let us spend it as a family.” 

Any lingering frustration you’d felt from the night before was no match for his soft, wanting tone. And beneath his charisma, you knew that there was something else. Something far more serious. Whatever it was, you knew it was better to talk now than dance around it while the two of you buried yourselves in your work. 

“I suppose I can spare one day,” you said. 

Porthos and D’Artagnan cheered but were silenced by a look of annoyance from Athos. Aramis just lit up, kissing your cheek. 

“You won’t regret it,” he whispered against your skin. But when he turned back to the door, son in his arms and his two girls behind him, he muttered to himself, “I hope.”

-

It was the first moment of peace you’d experienced in months. The only sound- other than the occasional cheer or coo from one of the children- was the slight breeze through the meadow flowers. The morning passed like dandelion seeds floating through the air. 

Charles and Christine crawled around and explored the small plot of grass you’d found for them. Christine chased a butterfly and Charles plucked a light blue flower from its stem and brought it back to your lap. 

“I see he’s inherited your charm,” you said, taking in the blossom’s sweet scent. 

“And she your spirit,” Aramis pointed out, gesturing to the feisty toddler who was nearing the edge of the grass. He rolled onto his side and caught her in his arms before she could get too far. She whined, but only for a moment, before settling against his chest. 

Despite the wonder of the morning, there was the crawling under your skin, whispers of your doubts reminding you of the hopes you’d felt had been dashed by your own fear. The fear that all of this would be gone in an instant. That he would finally tire of you and the life you’ve built and he would galavant off into the arms of another woman, into another battle, another fight he could not win. 

You understood, then, looking at him under the swaying shadows of the willow tree above you, perhaps that was why you allowed your doubts to persist. Though you cared so deeply for him, you kept him at arm's length because the idea of him leaving of his own will was easier to take than a musket ball piercing his heart or a dagger across his throat.

The realization brought tears to your eyes. You bit your lip to hide the trembling, but Aramis knew in a heartbeat. 

“Oh, my love,” he sighed. He set Christine beside her brother, both of whom had fallen asleep on the blanket. Aramis laid a hand on your cheek. “I fear I’ve made a grave mistake in the years we’ve spent together.” 

You sucked in a breath and bowed your head, preparing for his regrets, his change of heart, and his announcement he was going to leave. He hooked a finger under your chin and lifted your face back to his. 

“I have known you believe me to be with you out of a sense of duty. I have allowed you to believe that you are little more than a distraction grown into an obligation.” Taking your hands in his, his voice softened due to the overwhelming emotion in his tone. Now it was him trying to hide his tears. “I have wished my words of devotion were enough to convince you, but my actions last night have done just the opposite and for that, I deeply apologize.”

“Aramis-” You started, but he stopped you with a squeeze of your hand. 

“I love you,” he said. He kissed the inside of your wrist, dark eyes watching you, so full of adoration and care that you held back a sob. Aramis held your palm to his cheek. “Every breath of every day belongs to you. Every beat of my heart is devoted to our family. Not out of any sense of duty. In fact, you’ve tangled my senses all together.” He chuckled, the lovely sound vibrating up your arm. “I can’t tell sunset from sunrise because you are my new sun. I don’t know which way is south because you are my north star.”

You found yourself leaning into him until you were but a few shallow breaths apart. Aramis turned his gaze to the sleeping children beside you. 

“You have made me a father,” he beamed. “A dream I’d forgotten I had. You have made me a better man. Better than I thought I was capable of being. You are not an obligation, Y/N.” His eyes returned to yours and he drew even closer to you. “You are everything.”

His fingers laced into your hair and pulled your lips to his, silencing any of your cries. You kissed him with a passion like no other, but mostly you kissed him with belief. 

When you parted, you both smiled tearfully. 

Aramis continued. 

“Which is why-” He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself, but it was no use. You left him completely breathless. “I ask you once more, to do me the honor of making me your husband.” He kissed the trail of tears on your cheek. “Y/N, will you marry me?” 

“Aramis, I-” Your mind searched your heart for a reason to say no. It warned of loss and heartbreak. But you found that, no matter what, your guarded feelings would only be in vain. Your heart could not be protected by you alone because it did not belong to you. You pressed your lips to Aramis’s and whispered against them. “Yes. My answer is yes.” 

-

You spent the rest of the day taking Christine and Charles around the city, proudly walking side by side. A few people whispered as you went by and several Red Guards glared, but quickly looked away with one deadly glance from your fiance. 

The sun began to dip in the sky by the time you returned to the shop. 

To your surprise- and much to your relief- the other men managed to get through a day without destroying anything, which was a fair accomplishment for them. Any conversation between them ceased when the four of you entered. 

“Welcome back,” Athos said. 

Three pairs of eyes stared expectantly. 

“So…” D’Artagnan needn’t voice his question. He could tell from the light in your eyes what the answer would be. 

You merely gave them all a simple nod and they practically leapt with joy. 

With the children placed in their chairs, Porthos pulled Aramis into a crushing hug, D’Artagnan kissed your cheek, and Athos smiled brightly at you both, all voicing their congratulations. 

“I take it the final part of the plan is still in motion?” Porthos asked with a wink. 

“What final part?” You asked. 

Aramis ran a hand through his hair, nerves returning. 

“Well, now that everything is settled and you haven’t decided that you’ve had enough of me,” he said. “These fine gentlemen have agreed to watch Christine and Charles while you and I partake in a romantic evening together.”

“The picnic in the meadow wasn’t romantic enough for you?” You snickered. “I don’t want to take any more of their time.” 

“It’s no trouble, at all,” D’Artagnan said. “Constance will be joining us as well.” 

You gave him a suggestive smile. “I see.”

He rolled his eyes. “I think you’d better just find out what your last surprise is for today and let us take care of everything else.” 

“We’ll take very good care of them,” Athos promised. “And I’ll make sure these two don’t get into any trouble while you’re gone.” 

“As if you’re one to talk.” Porthos slapped him on the back. He quirked a brow at the couple before him. “Go enjoy your evening. We’ll drop them off in the morning.”

“But I still don’t understand.” You looked in between the four of them. “You all speak as if we have somewhere else to go. Unless you’re suggesting the garrison…”

Aramis reached for your hand with a smirk. “Just follow me.” 

You kissed the children goodnight and thanked the men one more time before allowing Armis to lead you back down the street in the direction of the garrison. He stopped, however, at a building he’d made a point to admire earlier in the day. 

“As much as I find the apartment above your shop charming, I thought this may be better suited to fit a family,” he said. 

It was a small structure, but there was a cozy feeling to its appearance as well. The potential to become a home. 

“It’s the perfect distance between the shop and the garrison, so neither of us would have to travel very far. I know it isn’t much, but Treville gave me an advance on my commission and the others chipped in as well. And I figured I could spend time fixing it up for us in between missions. I think, given some time and effort, it could be-”

You stopped him with a kiss. 

“I love it,” you smiled. “And I love you.” 

Aramis’s face split with a grin and he scooped you into his arms, kissing you deeply, despite the people passing you by. 

“Wait,” you said, putting a hand on his chest. You raised a brow in amusement. “You bought this before you asked me to marry you. What if…” 

He chuckled. “I was just really hoping you’d say yes.” 

You pulled him into another kiss, tangling your fingers in his hair. With your hearts full and the first evening you’d had to yourselves since the children were born, he wasted little time carrying you inside and kicking the door shut behind you. 

[red-velvet-0w0]

Hey. What are you doing up I just saw you reblog my post. Its late and you have school tomorrow.

I am up because I just had an epiphany about what if Epic was just 40 college students who had to go on a road trip because they got suspended for pranking another rival college too hard (Troy) and the baby that was thrown out a window was the other colleges RA's art project he been working on for two years. Then the RA found out and got Ody evicted so he told his gf to move in with his mom and little cousin (five year old Telemachus) while Polites (the rich friend) takes them an a boat trip to hopefully the Caribbean. Ody can see ghosts (gods), Eurylochus was discharged week 12 of Marine Corps boot camp because he covered up some of his medical history to get in, Odysseus is way too chill about not having any house or job while Eurylochus is scraping together money with the rest of the people to buy food, Meanwhile Polities is doing a tiktok series called 'Day __ of living life with open arms' the entirety of Epic but its a college au with more and more supernatural elements all told by the form of tiktoks/yt shorts

Anyways how was your day.

Oh! And Make sure to sleep! Stay the best (must be easy for you) and remember that you deserve happiness. *hugs you tight for as long as you need, a few seconds to forever*

"how am i" can pretty much be summarized by "has done no homework, is unsure of what is and is not real, is terrified of going to sleep, and is listening to a playlist called 'definitely not crying over a breakup rn' and feeling emotions"

but your au sounds cool

i hope you get lots of sleep

i dont think im going to get much

not tonight

not right now

i dont want to lose track of whats real again

i dont want to dream again because im not sure if ill wake up this time or if life will become a dream and the dream will become my life and ill finaly lose full understanding of what is and isnt real

so yeah

fun times all around

[elly99]

Anywhere With You

Late afternoon and the sun was kissing the horizon. The soft winter light through the window. She texts you.

"babe! the sky looks so pretty!! wanna come walk with me?"

As if the answer to that question wasn't obvious.

"of course dani! let's meet at the park?"

"okie i'm on my way! stay warm baby!"

But you were already warm just thinking about her.

Late afternoon and your sunshine was running towards you. The sound of her footsteps on the concrete matching the beating of your heart. She hugs you.

"I missed you so much, my baby!"

Her love was overwhelming in the best way. You struggled to keep your composure. "I missed you, too, Dani! Busy week?"

"Yeah! Lots of secret stuff that I can't tell you about."

"Aw, really? Not even a little teaser? Please~!"

"You'll just have to wait! Sorry, baby!" She kisses your cheek and it was more than enough recompense. "Come on! Let's walk," she declares as she pulls you along excitedly by the hand.

I look at you now and I want this forever I might not deserve it but there's nothing better Don't know how I ever did it all without you

"The sunset looks so beautiful! I'm glad I had time today to share this with you. We need to take lots of pictures!"

But as she snapped away on her phone all you could look at was her. Somehow shining more brightly than the brightest light in the sky.

Eventually you pulled out your phone as well. With it in one hand you took her hand in the other. "Smile for me, baby!"

As if it was possible for her not to smile. You only took one photo that day. It was just her. And that was enough.

'Cause anywhere with you feels right Anywhere with you feels like Paris in the rain

"Babe! Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything, love!"

"Minji unnie has been studying Japanese a lot lately. And I think she wants to try French at some point as well. I wanna learn, too! Can you teach me?"

"But I'm not that good anymore. It's been ages..."

"Oh, come on! You're amazing! Please~!"

You can't help but smile. "Of course, honey. I'll do my best for you! Is there something you want to start with in particular?"

"Mmm, what would I need to survive in Paris?"

"Oh, is that one of your secret projects? Are you going to Paris?"

"You never know!" She gives you a wink.

Blushing slightly at the gesture, you continue, "Well, surely you've heard the basics right? Like 'bonjour', 'merci', 'au revoir', 'bonne journée'..."

"Wow, I forgot how nice your accent is! You should speak French more often, baby!"

"You didn't answer the question," you say, blushing even more and laughing shyly.

"You asked me a question? I only heard sweet, romantic noises, sorry."

Your attempts at keeping your composure were falling apart. "Dani~! I can't teach you if you're gonna be like this."

"Sorry, sorry! I'll be serious now," she says, holding back laughter. "The things you said sound familiar, but that's about it."

"Ok, let's start with the greetings. 'Bonjour' you know for sure, right? It's important to say that whenever you meet someone or enter a store or something. Then when you leave you say 'au revoir' or typically 'bonne journée'."

"What does that mean?"

"It's like 'have a good day'. So if it's evening you would actually say something different. You'd say 'bonne soirée'."

"Ok..."

"Oh! And if you're ordering something you need to know 'please' and 'thank you'. That's 's'il vous plaît' and 'merci'. Or 'merci beaucoup' if you wanna say 'thanks a lot'."

"I know those! How about numbers? I need to know that for ordering too, right?"

"Yeah, for sure! So it goes 'un, deux, trois, quatre'..."

"Baby..."

You pause for a second, briefly confused, before realizing.

"You got me looking so crazy!!"

You both stop walking and burst into laughter.

"Sorry, baby, but I really can't concentrate. You look too pretty talking like that," she says with the sweetest smile on her face. "Let's continue some other time."

She quickly grabs both your hands.

"I really appreciate you, though! Thanks for teaching me. I promise I'll focus harder next time. But for now I just wanna sit here and watch the sunset with you."

So you find a nearby bench and sit side by side, her head on your shoulder.

"Your hands are dry, baby! I got hand cream for you."

You expect her to pass it to you, but instead she puts some on her own hands and applies it for you. You bite your lip and hold back a squeal. "Dani!"

"Hihi! All better!"

When she's done you ask, "Did you bring hand warmers, babe? Your hands are cold."

"I don't need them when I'm with you," she says with a twinkle in her eyes as she pulls your hand into her fluffy jacket pocket. Then she closes her eyes and leans in.

Early evening, the first stars twinkling in the sky, but the sun was here by your side, just as bright as ever, kissing you.

Your lips, they pull me in the moment You and I alone And people may be watching I don't mind

"You know what I imagined just now?"

"What?"

"Kissing you in Paris. In the rain. Sounds like it would be really romantic."

"That does sound really nice." Your lips curl into a smile just thinking about it. "But in the rain? I thought you and sunshine were inseparable."

"You're right! Cuz you're my sunshine, sweetie. Nothing can keep you from me."

Yeah all I know is Getting lost late at night under stars Finding love standing right where we are

Watching the sky change colors then fading to black. Listening to the humming of the wind as it blew the scent of her hair in your face. The air getting colder as night fell, but the love between you only growing warmer.

It was simple. Beautiful. Just a bench in the park. But anywhere with her was perfect.

"We should head back, Dani. It's getting late."

"Wait! Before we go, how would you say 'good night'?"

It was simple.

"Bonne nuit, ma chérie. Je t'aime."

[mikaelsonstanaccount]

Klonnie Week Day 5: Lovers to Enemies 

Bonnie stared at the man in front of her in pure disbelief. He was a completely different man compared to who she started dating. She tried to love Klaus as best as she could but he was bound to be his own worst enemy. “Say something Bonnie.” Klaus sighed before pouring himself a drink. “What do you want me to say Klaus? You killed Alaric. Why?” Bonnie frowned as Klaus shrugged, “I don’t know, why not? Why do you care? Is he your new boyfriend?” He asked as Bonnie felt pure rage in her body. “Is this what it’s about Klaus?! You indiscriminately killing every man I come across out of jealousy?! You had your chance with me and you blew it! You don’t get to turn around and be jealous now when all you had to do was love me!” Bonnie yelled at him as she finally snapped.

“I loved you the best that I could Bonnie and it still wasn’t enough! I did everything you asked and you still didn’t like it!” Klaus screamed back as Bonnie crossed her arms. “So that gives you the right to murder whoever you please? Because you’re sulking! This is why I ended things, Niklaus! You take your anger out on the world and expect peace in return! You deserve the heartbreak!” Bonnie screamed back as Klaus just closed his mouth and glared at her.

“You’re right. Get out.” Klaus mumbled before sitting down and turning on the tv. “So that’s it? No atonement for your actions. You’re going to continue to sulk and pout because the world needs to pay for your unhappiness. Fine, make an enemy out of the only person who was on your side.” Bonnie said before walking out. 

A week later yet again another murder and this time Klaus was at her doorstep, bloody and smiling. “You must get some sort of sick pleasure out of this don’t you? Murdering people and this time coming to my doorstep to gloat? Are you proud? Do you think Esther is proud of you?” Bonnie asked, wanting to cut him deep. “I don’t know, is Abby proud? Do you think she jumps for joy at the thought of her daughter being the reason her mother died?” Klaus asked with a smirk. “Take it back.” Bonnie said as her tears formed. “Why? An eye for an eye right?” Klaus smirked before Bonnie slammed her door.

She went to walk away from the door before she stopped, looking over at the end table beside the couch. When they first started dating Stefan hid a piece of white oak in her end table drawer for protection. She reached in the drawer and grabbed it out before looking at the door. She knew he was still there, she wanted him to still be there. She opened the door and saw him sitting on the fence, watching the trees. “Here to apologize?” He asked, not even turning to face her. She walked up behind him and jammed the stake through his chest, ignoring his cries of pain. Her heart ached at the thought of killing him but she couldn't. The deed was now done and even if he lived, there’s the risk that those she loved wouldn’t. She watched as his body fell from her porch and burned. Her tears fell as she walked inside and closed the door.

Weeks later Bonnie’s life felt quiet, almost too quiet. Part of her missed Klaus but she was enjoying her time without him. She was walking down the street with a friend before she froze. She heard that familiar laugh and her entire brain stopped. She looked around for the source before she saw him. How? Why? She killed him. How was he back? I mean he wasn’t but he was. Bonnie walked over to the table and saw him with Elijah and Rebekah. “Bonnie? Hi, how are you holding up?” Elijah asked as he stood up and hugged her. Bonnie lied and told them that some masked stranger dropped his body off. 



“H-he’s alive?” Bonnie asked, in complete shock. “Well, no. This is Troy. He showed up at our doorstep completely confused. We think that somehow our lovely brother made it so that if one of us were to die we’d be replaced in a way. He’s technically a hybrid but he only shares a face with Klaus.” Elijah said as Bonnie stared at the man in shock. “It’s nice to meet you love.” He smiled shyly before he stood up and held a hand out for her to shake. As soon as their hands connected she felt something off. “Nice to see you again, love.” She heard in her head as she froze. 

“Everything okay?” Troy asked as she looked at him bewildered. She realized that his siblings were staring and she just nodded. “Uhm yeah, just processing. It was nice to see you all again. I’ll see you guys later okay?” Bonnie said, wanting to escape the situation. “Okay, I’ll see you later then.” Bex chimed in before Troy looked at her. “I’ll be seeing you around.” He smiled before she walked away. “Sooner than you think, my love.” She heard in her head as she tried not to turn around. She just stared forward, trying to gather herself. “Someday they’ll know the truth. For now though our secret is safe with me.” She heard him taunt as she gathered herself to walk with her friend. She walked off again, mentally shivering at the thought of him being back and knowing the truth.  

[did-i-mention-the-shirt]

okay okay yes i KNOW i should be writing my fanfic BUT

Community characters as AJJ songs bc it's my favorite show and favorite band :] (If you want anyone added, feel free to ask!) Jeff Winger - Brave As A Noun. Okay, hear me out. This song not only applies to him lyrically but also shares the energy he has in the later seasons. He's just forcing himself to be satisfied with a life he doesn't really want, but also doesn't hate, is very season six finale. That is very much BAAN.

Britta Perry - Dissonance. It really has her energy. From the pilot to the finale, it fits her consistently despite her major character change. She is not put together. She hates herself because everyone's told her to. Britta is the best, but no one sees that. Not even herself. The only people who treated her with respect were the people she spent the least amount of time with! Think about it, she's had - what? - One touching scene with Duncan and Pierce each? She deserves more.

Abed Nadir - Goodbye, Oh Goodbye. Just listen to the song and you'll agree. This is mostly because of Troy's departure or in Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas. Whenever he has to confront his emotions, he has this distance between himself and everyone else. The opening lines, "I was thrown onto the ground/I was locked inside a basement/The guards went on vacation while I plotted my revolt." really, really, REALLY reminds me of 'Virtual Systems Analysis' when Annie's talking to Abed in the mind locker. It's a sad song, but it really fits him. The line "It's nothing like the nothingness that normally numbs one pain" is very clearly related to Troy. He got so used to Troy, and he never took him for granted, but Troy became a constant. He was Abed's anchor, and now he's gone.

Annie Edison - No one. This is Annie, particularly as the Ace of Hearts in 'A Fistful Of Paintballs'.

Troy Barns - A Big Day for Grimley. It's giving post-sea voyage Troy. He's changed, he's traumatized, and he's a little bit alone. He's proud of himself but is full of regret. What happened to Abed? He doesn't know.

Pierce Hawthorne - People Ii: The Reckoning. THIS IS PIERCE!!! Now, many of you know I love Pierce, so if you don't then you might not agree with this choice lmao

Pierce is sad. He is so sad. In Britta's words, he has spent so long looking out for himself, but he would give it all up for a shot at a family. He never gets that family. The study group never fully accepts him, despite his efforts and his becoming a better person with their help. Even Annie, the nicest to him in the group, seems to see him as a project or something. Like, he's just some old racist, homophobic old man, and not someone with 60+ years of trauma that he gradually works through with the help of his friends. He gains a brother. He defends the LGBTQ+ community. He wants nothing more than to be close to Jeff. And he dies alone.

So, yeah. "Here's to you Mrs. Robinson, people love you more, oh nevermind."

Dean Craig Pelton - Human kittens. No, I don't know why. Someone needs to give him a hug (Jeff).

Ben Chang - Dipping Things In Stuff. I don't know, he's batshit. He wants love though, just like the rest of us. This is very seasons 5/6 of Chang, I believe.

Buzz Hickey - Hate, rain on me. Tired, nihilistic, and praying for hope. I really like this song for him.

Elroy Patashnick - Normalization Blues. Don't ask me why. It works.

Ian Duncan - Fucc The Devil. Sad, distant, desperate, and hallow. But enough about Duncan. This song is the perfect example of, "I have what I want. Why am I still not okay?" which is what Duncan faces a lot. "I wanna go away for a while/Away for awhile/Because the things that I have seen/Are turning me into a shitty human being." Look me in the eyes and tell me that's not Ian. This man deserves so much more then people will let him have. Don't get me wrong, he's awful. But aren't we all, just a little bit?

Frankie and Shirley are too sane for this band im sorry to them

[ftwdb]

Don't Say Go.

Chapter 6.

Summary: Soulmates find each other through what is known as The Pull. A sense within a persons body that their soulmate is within reach that guides them to find them. You find yourself following this Pull, guided by vague dreams of a man you can't quite see, until you collapse in the wild and are found by Troy, your soulmate, who has been following the same feeling toward you for days.

Once connected soulmates are able to share emotions through their bond, as well as being able to sense where the other is. But how this force works is very much a mystery still, it can vary from soulmate to soulmate, and just sometimes a connection too deep can lead twist a bond from something beautiful to, well...

Warnings: Dark themes, sexual content, violence, non-graphic description/implications of SA, child abuse and domestic violence. References to addiction. Unhealthy love/obsession/relationships. Soulmate AU. Eventual smut.

You hadn’t left the house straight away. When you’d mentioned that one of you should destroy the brain so Derek wouldn’t come back Troy had looked at the body thoughtfully.

“He doesn’t deserve to rest.” he’d said quietly.

You’d watched as your soulmate doused his fingertips in the man’s blood and written the word ‘rapist’ across his chest. Your gut clenched as you felt those hands on you again, heard the sound of a belt buckle. Troy’s eyes snapped to you as if he knew what you were feeling.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he told you.

You shook your head. Maybe not this time. You’d tried to be safe, cautious. If you’d known the gun wasn't loaded maybe you’d tried to run, fought harder…

The sound of Troy’s boot coming down on Dereks mouth made you flinch. Teeth scattered across the floor like dice on a board game before Troy pulled a zip tie from his pocket. He tied Dereks hands and feet before taking a step back.

“He’s a big guy, he’ll take a while to turn. He can rot here for what he did to you.”

You felt yourself begin to tremble then. The adrenaline of the attack faded as you closed your eyes, your hands coming up to hug yourself tight. You felt Troy move closer, could feel his heat so close you knew if you just bent your head forward ever so slightly it would be resting on his chest.

Troy didn’t move to touch you, and you didn’t invite him to. Instead he quietly prompted you to follow him outside as he picked up your backpack and slung it over his shoulder.

The man who had been holding the gun wasn’t in danger of reanimating, not after the damage you had caused. Troy stayed close by you as you unsteadily made your way down the steps and back onto grass covered earth.

Perhaps it was the fresh air that did it, but your stomach clenched painfully and you curled over to empty the meagre contents of your stomach onto the ground.

Again Troy was careful not to touch you other than brushing your hair away from your face as you gasped and retched.

He was saying something, mumbling it over and over as you stood on shaking legs and wiped your mouth on the back of your sleeve.

“Huh?” You croaked.

“If I hadn’t… if i’d just kept away from you…”

You frowned, confused. Had you been right all along and Troy didn’t want anything to do with you?

Why had he followed you, saved you?

“So why not just let them kill me?” You spoke quietly into the dark.

Your chest twisted into something painful as Troy looked at you wide-eyed.

“Why would I do that?”

You hesitated, feeling so so tired of your soulmates conflicting behaviour.

“Well,” you started, “I’ve seen what happens to people who loose their soulmates. I suppose you just wanted to save yourself the pain, right?”

Troy blinked at you, looking at you as if you were insane.

“I didn’t-”

You held up a hand to stop him.

“Spare me. I’m a big girl, ok. I know not all soulmates are… are suitable for each other. You made it clear you didn’t want me. Did you expect me to just hang around with you so close, acting as if this thing in my heart wasn’t calling out for you every second you weren’t nearby!?”

Troy held up both hands as if fending off an attack.

“Whoa whoa. I just saved you-”

“And how did it feel? Before you found me, when he was… when they tried to…”

You couldn’t say the words but you knew they weren’t needed. You remembered the fire in your chest as Derek loomed over you. It hadn’t been fear, or panic. It had been pure fury… fury that hadn’t belonged to you. Troy’s actions had been entirely selfish, to save himself from the pain of a lost soulmate.

“I wanted them to suffer.” Troy said so calmly he might as well have been discussing the mild weather.

“Why?”

Troy ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the curled strands as he closed his eyes and sighed.

“I’ve never felt anything like this…” he began.

You laughed, a hollow sound that made his eyes snap to you.

“And you think I have? Do you have any idea what it’s like to need someone so much and have them turn away from you. I’ve already lost everything…”

Troy seemed to be having some sort of internal battle with himself if the look of pain across his face was anything to go by.

You knew the strength of the Pull, the bond it could form between two well matched soulmates. Your father had adored your mother, doted on her and protected her until the very end. If Troy’s dislike of you were not stronger than the Pull it would surely leave only fierce possession in place of that desire to protect. You refused to be worth little more to him than a toy he refused to share with others. It was why you’d had to leave, no matter how it pained you.

You held your hand out for your backpack as Troy stared at you, a look of resignation on his face.

“I wasn’t talking to you back in the medical tent.” He said.

Again you frowned.

“You said I shouldn’t have come here. Who else could you have been speaking to?”

Troy’s fingers clenched and unclenched at his sides and you could feel your heart pulsing in time with his movements.

“Myself. I was talking to myself.”

You were getting bored of his frustrating inability to explain himself properly. You let out an exasperated sigh and moved to snatch your bag away.

Troy stepped back, out of reach.

“So much for the hero who just saved my life,” You mocked.

“I’m not good at this,” Troy almost shouted, making you wince.

“No shit!” You snapped back, “Now give me my stuff so I can get out of here.”

Troy moved even further away and you gaped in disbelief at his childishness.

“No. I can’t let you go.”

You wanted to cry. What the hell did he want from you. Go? Stay? Troy began to pace from one side of you to the other.

“You don’t understand because you don’t know me… you don’t know the things i’ve done…”

You glanced back over your shoulder to the abandoned house.

“How can it be worse than what I just did,” you said emptily.

Troy shook his head.

“No. That wasn’t evil. That was justice. Beautiful-”

“That was revenge-”

“They were hurting you-”

“I’m still a murderer!”

Troy fell silent, dropping your bag to the ground as he took a slow, purposeful step toward you. You stood up straight, knowing he was no threat to you as your heart almost purred in your chest as he drew close enough that you could see the stars reflected in his eyes.

“So am I.”

One hand came up to press against his chest as you considered pushing him away until it suddenly felt like your body was engulfed in fire. Every nerve ending sung as electricity ran from your skull to the tips of your toes.

You gasped out loud, as did Troy as your eyes remained transfixed.

“I’ve done things to protect what I care about. When I saw that man on top of you, when I felt your fear-”

So you’d been right. The rage you had felt before hadn't been yours. It was Troy’s. You’d felt him just as he’d felt you.

“The things I wanted to do to make him pay...” Troy continued.

You were speechless. What was Troy trying to say exactly?

“But you didn’t,” you managed to whisper, “you offered me the knife.”

Troy nodded once, solemnly.

“As much as I couldn’t stand to see him touch you, hurting you… I knew it wasn’t my place, unless you told me to.”

You could feel your heart racing like a hummingbird trapped in a cage. You could feel Troy’s too, beneath your palm, thundering strong and fast.

“If I’d asked you to do it-”

“I’d have cut him apart slowly. I'd have made the pain last as long as I could have. I’d…”

You waited, holding your breath. Shouldn’t confessions like this terrify you? Troy sounded like a madman, capable of terrible things.

But were they more terrible than the men who would rape a young woman alone and defenceless?

More terrible than a woman who reduced a man’s face to an unrecognisable mess and coldly slit the throat of another?

Troy didn’t need to tell you what else he would have done. You began to think you understood why he had been so distant, so hard to understand. It wasn’t you he hated.

“You’re not a bad person.” You said gently.

Troy’s eyes slid shut, his shoulders dropping as he let out a long breath.

“Please remember that.” He replied just as softly. “Don't ever forget it.”

You smiled then, smiled and reminded Troy of the sunshine he would see in his dreams of you.

“Does this mean…” he began cautiously.

You nodded, forcing your hand away from his chest was like ripping the skin from your hand, but you did it. Your meeting Troy had already been so messy, you wanted to get rested and cleaned up before anything else might happen between the two of you. Whatever that might be.

“Yeah. Let's go home.”

[lunabug2004]

Intro Post Time! Whoop!

My name is Jayden, nickname Jay, I’m 20yo, pronouns are she/her, and I’m a huge fan of Stranger Things, along with kpop and BL series! Other fun facts: I've hand-raised kittens before, I'm a huge hyperfixator, I'm kinda a singer (choir), I’m from the (mid)south so I say “y’all” way too much (as seen in my posts), my favorite music genres are alt-rock/pop and kpop, and I'm studying to be a math teacher! :)

I made this blog because I was sick and tired of Mike Wheeler hate and I wanted people to talk to about him and Stranger Things and Finn Wolfhard. I will reblog/post about other things, including Finn's other shows or kpop or BLs, every now and then, tho! I have lists of some of my favorite things here if you want a more specific list! Also, my asks are open, so pls ask away about any of these things (or whatever you want, I’m not picky)!

I have specific tags for each of these things mentioned: #Jay's talking ST <3 for ST related posts / #Jay's talking kpop :D for kpop related posts / #Jay's talking BL ;) for BL related posts! Then the tag #Jay's saying stuff :) is the one I use on all my original posts so I can search them up easier!

Mostly I just gush about Mike and how he's my child and done nothing wrong ever (/hj) but sometimes I get a little more in-depth so I figured I'd list those posts:

My amateur Mike Wheeler character analyses (only s1e1 done rn)

My Mike Wheeler playlist

"If Byler isn't endgame, Mike is awful" defense

ST Season 2

Why Henclair’s teasing of Mike about El in s1 makes me uncomfy

Mike in s2 (not an analysis, just a comment made while rewatching)

Mike’s trauma in s2 (analysis)

Mike in s4: 1 2 3 (also not analyses, just comments made while rewatching)

Mike & Will's trauma responses being opposite

Why I'm a multishipper (who prefers Byler)

My expectations for ST5

ST5 production/leaks/rumors opinions: 1 (ElMike BTS), 2 (Mike dying/getting lost rumors)

Rant about ST reactors (and their lack of Mike/Finn love)

Mike is lonely thread

Mike Needs A Hug but he’d rather give it to another

Mike deserves good relationships w/ Hop & Jon

Why the Troy and Angela Situations Should Not Be Compared (+ Why Mike's Reaction Is Valid)

My Ranking Of ST Characters!

If Mileven is Endgame... 1) so many things need explaining, 2) it'd be so boring!

People Are Sick of Mileven in S3

[panatheia]

Okay im 3 or 4 episodes deep into Kaos, and I dont know of its a bad show or not, cause im enjoying it so far

Só here are my thoughts about it YAY (!be careful, if you care about spoilers)

First of all, Cassandra of Troy is a relevant character love that for my girl. Shoutout for the other Trojan women, Andromache and Hecuba, they are just so tired

Euridice my darling only wanted to move o with her life and curse the gods but nooo, she had to be hit by truck-kun and NOT be renewd

Orpheus dude is so real, if Riddy was my wife i would kms to join her

Also, can we all shit on Zeus head for a second? Bros an asshole wtf i totally forgot about that. Like, shooting your ball boys because of a watch? Being a total ahole to the only son that still visits you despite their stepmothers bitching? Planning to cause mass destruction, war and general mayhem in the Earth just because? Dude, get a hobbie

Now onto the Trojans 7 part omg i was so sad the entire time. When Theseus first showed Nax I took one look at that twink and I knee he'd die but I didn't think it would Hurt™ so much

Seriously, when Andromache is hugging him and he said that ir would all be ok, and cassandra screaming for them to run, thats when I knew that i was in for a tear fest. When Ari woke up to the screams of Andromache, I couldn't even see anymore cause i was crying a lot. And the way they hung the kids corpses from the wall in an allusion to Nax being trown from Troys gates as an infant (ody im looking at you), I was sad

Okay, moving to brighter topics, going down the underworld its such a fun bit! Hades and Persephone haven't done any godly bulshit and seem tô be the only healthy couple around this show so kudos for them

Riddy is having a hard time poor girl. First she dies. Then she discovers that she cant reincarnate. Then she has to work for 200 years. Then the food tastes like nothing. Then shes stuck with a annoying bitch at work. Godness, someone give her a break

Caeneus my beloved your myth is so sad you deserved better. I hope you can help little Nax and you lot in the underworld can be happy

Dyonisus has his priorities straight, ngl. Get a promotion, help the dude that makes cool music and most importantly, taking care of Dennis, the single most important character is this show

Going back to orpheus. Dude, not Cool taking your wife's coin so she cant cross. Not cool

And finally, Minos, you're a bitch and Ari, they could never make me like you, wdym "Your segregation is for your own benefit" girl

Anyways, soon I'll have more updates

[byler-makemewanttobelieveitsokay]

Part 1 - Fic

The three o'clock bell rang two minutes late. El Byers jumped out of her seat and sprinted out of the classroom. She had to find her brother. Will should have art now. El groaned, the art classrooms were on the other side of the school. 

As she ran El bumped into someone.

"Jane! Watch where you're going!" Cried a nasty voice.

El looked up and her heart skipped a beat. A tall girl with a blonde, low ponytail and a face crafted by the gods was standing in front of her. Oh no.

"Sorry Angela." She muttered as she ran around the blonde girl.

Angela smirked.

"Watch out Hopper!" She calls after El.

After what seemed to be a hundred years, El finally got to the art block. 

El peeked into a window, A4. Yes! There was Will!

She opened the door and jumped.

"Will!"

"Jane!" He cried, turning away from his canvas. Will walked over to the door where El stood.

El was always called Jane Hopper at school, it was to keep her real identity secret. If the wrong people found out the true story about Will and Eleven Byers, their whole family could become subject to torture or something far worse...

"C'mon, we're meeting Max out the front of school!" El urged him.

"Alright, let's go then." 

El basically dragged Will out of the classroom.

"How was art?" El asked Will.

"It was fun. I'm painting a dragon!"

"One from dnd?" 

"Yeah. How was woodwork?"

"Eh, it was OK. I wish Max was there." 

"It's a shame the school won't let her do woodwork, she's really good at it."

Hawkins High wouldn't allow Max to take woodwork on account of it being "too dangerous for her because she's blind." El had seen Max drop into a 20 foot halfpipe, no helmet. What was really so dangerous about a hammer?

“Max has this friend who’s transferring here, I think you’d get along well. Like me and Max!” said El, jumping to the bottom of a flight of stairs.

Will gave her a knowing grin.

“What?”

“Nothing, I’m just glad you’ve got a friend like Max.”  Will replied. 

He was glad. After living as a lab rat for twelve years, El deserved to have a good best friend. She'd struggled with bullying since she started school in 9th grade. People picked at her limited speech and lack of social skills. Will had never been able to stand up to bullies, but Max Mayfield? Yeah, Will Byers will never forget the day she poured half a gallon of strawberry milk into the bags of Troy Walsh and his dickhead friends.

Finally, the Byers twins reached the entrance of the school buiding.

El sprinted out the doors, having spotted Max. She could really run when she felt like it.

Will followed her. He could also run when he felt like it... He really didn't feel like it.

“Max!” El called out to her friend, knowing Max wouldn’t see her coming.

“Jane!” Called Max, swinging her head around, trying to place what direction El’s voice had come from.

“Jane slow dow--” Will stopped mid protest, he saw the person standing next to Max.

He was the most handsome person Will had ever seen. Long black hair, a black hoodie paired with black jeans. Lots of black actually, because he was also wearing black converse all stars.

"H-hi, I'm Will!" Will's face resembled a beetroot.

"Hey, I'm Mike. Nice to meet you!"

Will beamed, and Mike smiled back. Next to them, El was almost suffocating Max in a bone-crushing hug. They whispered something to eachother, and then fell apart, El had a mischievous glint in her eyes, and Max a meddling smirk.

El turned to Mike.

"Hey Jane."

"Hey Mike!"

She attempted to hide her trouble-making tone, but Will knew it all to well to be fooled. He was about to say something when Max slid over.

"Have a good day Will?" She asked. She folded her arms. She was definitely up to something.

"Yeah, pretty good." Will replied, slightly suspicious.

Mike turned to face everyone.

"I've got to go. A tour of the school or something."

"Bye Mike!" Cried El, jumping and waving, overenthusiastic as ever.

Max settled for a simple "C ya."

Will waved with a smile.

"Nice to meet you Mike. See you around?"

"For sure!" Mike agreed. Will's heart gave a flutter.

Damn it! A crush was the last thing Will needed to deal with at the moment. Honestly, as if he didn't have enough on his plate.

Mike waved as he walked into the entrance of the school building. Rows of lockers were scattered throughout the front building.

He's pretty cute, Mike thought. How does Max find the cute ones? She can't even see!

Will, El and Max rode down the street towards their neighborhood. Max on her skateboard, Will on his bike and El on rollerblades. El was surprisingly good at rollerskating, Will had been suspicious she was using her powers to steady herself, but no, El just had natural talent.

"Where'd you meet Mike?" Will asked Max, in what was supposed to be a casual tone, but probably wasn't.

Max paused skating. She brought her hand up to her face and frowned in thought.

“I think... Yeah we met in elementary school. Back when we went to the Grammar School. He was in my class in the second grade.” 

Hawkins Grammar School was a big fancy building on the other side of town. It took kindergarten through to seniors. All the rich, snobby kids went there. Well, most of them. A few, like Angela and Steve Harrington went to Hawkins High.

“You went to the Grammar School?” Will was surprised. The Byers had only ever been to the public schools. The grammar school was expensive, and Joyce never saw the appeal of it anyway. Why pay extra just for the same thing?

“For a couple of years, yeah. Until Mom and my stepdad got married. Billy didn’t want to go to the grammar school, and so I had to move.” Max rolled her eyes - old habits.

“Did you ever meet Dustin?” Asked El. Dustin Henderson was a good friend of Will’s. In elementary school, Dustin was on a scholarship at the Grammar school. It paid half the yearly cost, but when Dustin’s dad had passed away, the Hendersons couldn't cover the cost on only his mom's minimum wadge job.

“Yeah, he and Mike were friends, so I knew him a little bit, but it wasn’t really ‘til Middle School when I started dating Lucas that we actually became friends.”

“Then we met through Dustin and Lucas.” Will added.

Lucas Sinclair was Will's other best friend. They'd been friends since elementary school. Lucas and Will always wanted to play "wizards and warriors" at recess. Wizards and warriors mostly consisted of waving sticks around and trying to speak in old English. Is it surprising they love dnd?

Max nods, “Then I met Jane well, you know when...” Max trailed off.

Max and El had met in a very unusual manner. But that was a story for another day.

“Race you to our street!” Yelled El, already flying ahead on her rollerblades.

“Unfair!” Cried Max, pushing her skateboard and cruising down the street.

Will chuckled and peddled faster, determined to beat El. He can’t let her win three days in a row.

***

The Byers' kitchen is cozy, with it's strawberry wallpaper and marble bench. On said bench sits El Byers. She has a smug grin on her face.

“Three days in a row!” She cried. Will shook his head. Siblings are infuriating.

"You cheated."

"Sure."

“Hurry up with the snacks. We’re supposed to meet Max back at the park in two minutes.”  

El reached for a few cookies, opening the pantry and moving the food with her powers. Then she shoved them into her bag.

“Done!” She cried as she jumped off the bench. She wiped the blood from her nose. Should El use her powers for household tasks? No, probably not. Does she do it anyway? Absolutely.

“Let’s go then.” 

A snapchat notification sounded. El checked her phone. El's phone case was covered in tiny sitck-on dimonties.

“Max just wanted to let us know Mike will be at the park.” El informed him, the ghost of a badly concealed grin crossed her face.

“That's okay. I don’t mind.” Maybe he and Mike can hang out when El and Max inevitably ditch him to use El’s powers in some incredibly irresponsible way that Will should reprimand them for but can’t actually be bothered to. (What Joyce and Hop don’t know won’t hurt them.)

"So, what do you think of Mike?"

Will can hear the grin on El's face. It sings I'm up to no gooooood agaaaaiiiin. Will groaned, if Mike's transferring to Hawkins High, then he'll be hearing a lot more singing grins.

"I don't know, I only spoke two sentences to him!"

"Hm." El seemed unconvinced. She typed something into her phone, then slid it into her bag.

"We should go meet Max and Mike now!" El urged Will, as though she wasn't just wasting time gloating about cheating.

Will followed his twin sister out of the kitchen. He turned off the lights, wiping the blood from his own nose. The scar where a 012 tattoo used to be got smeared with red.

"You shouldn't use your powers for silly things, like turning off the lights." El reprimanded him, waggling her finger and tutting.

"Hypocrite!"

"You shouldn't!"

"I'll zap you!" Will wiggled his fingers at El, squinting his eyes in mock concentration.

El chuckled, it's fun to wind up her brother sometimes. Will has never used his powers to hurt anyone. Except Brenner, but he deserved it.

El and Will Byers leave the Byers house, each with blood on their sleeves.

links: chapter 1 comic.