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bunnyydearest · 9 months

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A Dream with a Quidditch Player

pairing: James Potter x Reader

wc: 2.27k

genre; fluff, getting together

warnings: swearing but not a lot

summary: The closest that Reader has been to James is in her dreams, that all changes when one day they make eye contact in the Great Hall and he smiles at her.

a/n: This was inspired by the songs 'A Dream with a Baseball Player' by Faye Webster and 'James' by Laufey! Sorry if there are any errors, enjoy!

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“I saw him in my dream last night Veronica!” I groan, my forehead banging against the table as I bang my head against the hard cold wood. Veronica just snickered, continuing to work on her essay, not paying any mind to me. “That’s literally the closest to him I’ve ever been!”

“That’s kind of sad.” She giggles, still refusing to look up from her work, “while it’s absolutely hilarious to listen to you complain about your tragic love life, I would appreciate it if you could keep it down so I can get my work done.”

I huff reluctantly, picking my head back up before slumping in my chair and crossing my arms as I pout, no doubt looking quite childish.

“You don’t get it Veronica! I’ve spent months staring at him across the hall! He has the softest looking dark hair and these cute glasses, he’s perfect overall!” I don’t listen to her, continuing to complain and she just let’s out another amused sound.

“How about you just try talking to him?” She suggests, finally putting down her quill and focusing her attention on me. I scrunch up my nose, shaking my head.

“No way. He is way too popular to ever even notice me, let alone talk to me.” I just sigh, staring off into the distance as Veronica gets back to her work.

I’ve liked James Potter ever since the start of my 6th year, which is not that long considering we just started our 6th year a couple months ago. I think I’ve wasted more hours, maybe even days then I can count dreaming about him but there was no way I would ever actually approach him, he was always surrounded by his friends who were always laughing and up to no good. I appreciated his sense of humor though, I found it quite enjoyable.

Oh fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. I just made eye contact with him. I mean, I should’ve expected it considering I kept staring at him, especially in the Great Hall. Oh my gosh. Is he smiling at me? What I didn’t see after I turned around was Sirius Black giving a knowing smirk to James and patting him on the back before pushing him slightly in my direction. I grab onto the person closest to me, which happened to be Veronica as I nearly tumbled out of my chair.

“Veronica, he smiled at me!” I whisper-shout, a grin on my face as I steady myself and shake her arm in excitement.

“Yeah, and he’s also coming over here.” My eyes shoot up to her face where a smirk was present and her eyes were glued to something, or someone behind me. I panic slightly, immediately turning around and coming face to face with James himself.

“Hey, I’m James- I’ve… I’ve seen you around and I’ve always thought you were cute,” He said with a smile, his hands adjusting his glasses, pushing them further up his nose slightly, “I was wondering if you would like to go with me to Hogsmeade next Hogsmeade weekend?” His hair looked unkempt and I just wanted to take my hands and run them through his hair. I snap out of my daze and internally scold myself before forcing myself to look at him and giving him a smile,

“Hi! I’m Nita.” My voice was so shaky, this is so embarrassing, I wanted to run and hide, maybe even flee the country. James just laughed and I swear my heart almost stopped, how can someone make laughing sound so heavenly? He gave me a slightly awkward smile before speaking again,

“I know who you are Nita, I asked if you would come with me to Hogsmeade.” I blushed out of embarrassment, wanting the earth to just open up and swallow me whole.

“I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t hear that part I must of zoned out. Y-yes of course!” I mentally high fived myself, feeling so giddy and wanting to burst into a pile of confetti.

“Great! I’ll see you soon, yeah?” James gave me a dopey grin before (speed) walking off to his friends to tell them the good news and I turned to Veronica, grabbing her arm and shaking it excitedly, the biggest smile on my face.

“Did you hear that?! I’m going to go to Hogsmeade with James bloody Potter! Star quidditch chaser! Popular Potter!” Veronica just laughs, nodding her head and patting me on the back, congratulating me.

A similar scene was occurring at the Gryffindor table as James slid back into his seat. “So? How’d it go?” Siris wasted no time in asking his best friend, a shit-eating grin on his face.

“She said yes!” James exclaimed, almost squealing as his friends all started to congratulate him, the big dopey smile he had while he was talking to me still on his face.

“About time mate, you’ve been pining after her since last year.” Sirius laughed at his friend, a blush clearly forming on James’ face, “you totally could’ve done what you did for Lily in our 4th year and ran after her like a lost puppy and you would’ve gotten her faster.”

“Well how things ended with Lily I think I would rather just keep my feelings more hidden now. Plus, she’s way out of my league I don’t know why she agreed, I’m just happy she did.”

His voice was slightly quieter than before, nothing unusual to the normal person but Sirius wasn’t just any person, he was James’ best friend and he had been there firsthand to witness how Lily’s constant rejections of James’ affection affected him. After spending a whole year chasing after Lily only for James to see her out at Hogsmeade getting cozy with another guy, James had become less confident in himself and it was clear as day to his friends. He stopped trying to pursue Lily and was no longer as vocal about the people he was interested in.

“Margot?” I say in the sweetest voice I can muster, batting my eyelashes coyly and smiling innocently at my dorm mate, who just rolled her eyes at me, causing me to scoff,

“PLEASE! You know how terrible I am with my hair.” I pout, shuffling myself closer to her. We were sat on her bed, me whining while she was flipping through a copy of the Witches Weekly.

“Fine! But only because I know you won’t stop annoying me until I agree.” She finally agreed, sounding exasperated, tossing her magazine off to the side and motioning for me to hand her the hairbrush and some hair ties.

“Hey! I don’t annoy you, I persuade you.” I say smugly, handing her said things before positioning myself so she could do my hair more easily. She easily glided the hairbrush through my hair, brushing it a couple of times before parting it into two section and beginning to braid one.

“So, you’re going on a date with Potter?” I almost giggle, I always almost giggle every time he is brought up, but I just can’t help it.

“Yup!” I confirm, popping the p. She finished up the first braid before moving onto the second one.

“That’s nice, have a good time, although I am a little concerned for you.” Margot admits, her lips forming a grimace.

“How so?” I furrow my brows, slightly confused by her words.

“Well, I just heard that he was totally obsessed and in love with Lily Evans in the 4th year and he would run around chasing after her.”

“So?”

“If that’s how he acts when he has a crush on someone, how come he didn’t act like that for you?” Margots question did make some sense, we had never really spoken before he asked me out, only the occasional ‘sorry’ and ‘excuse me’. “I just don’t want you to get hurt, you’ve never really had a boyfriend or anything before.”

“It’s okay, I’m sure he wouldn’t ask me on a date if he didn’t mean it, his way of expressing his affection has probably just changed, plus that was two years ago.” I try to reassure her, I know she just wants the best for him and I did see where her concern was coming from. She nods her head, finishing off the braid with a rubber band and tying some ribbon on as a finishing touch.

“All done! Now go get changed, he’ll be here to pick you up at any moment now.�� She ushered me into the bathroom where I had put the clothes I would be wearing in earlier in the morning. I quickly got changed before slipping on a pair of comfortable yet stylish shoes and walking out of the bathroom, giving both Veronica and Margot a little twirl. They grinned, giving me a thumbs up and showering me with compliments before ushering me out.

“James?” I say nervously, his back was turned away from me, talking to one of his friends. We had been hanging out together in the days leading up to the Hogsmeade trip and had agreed to meet each other in front of the Great Hall.

He turned around, a big grin on hist face as he engulfs me in a hug as a greeting. “Hello to you too.” I say, my voice being muffled in his chest. He just gave me an apologetic smile as he pulled away, saying bye to his friend which I recognize as Remus before offering his hand to me.

“Ready to go?” He asks, interlocking his fingers in mine as I put my hand in his, I giggle, nodding and we began walking towards the carriages that would take us to Hogsmeade. The walk was filled with chatter and laughter, I just felt so at home with him, there was none of that feeling of needing to hide myself as to not be judged. He was so welcoming and warm it was hard to find a reason to not like him.

As we got on the carriage, Margot’s comments popped back up in my head, making me feel slightly more conscious and worried, subconsciously comparing myself to Lily. I decided that if I was going to considering getting in a relationship with James then I should do my best to communicate.

“Hey James, um, I’m just wondering but in fourth year you liked Lily Evans, right?” I ask nervously, fidgeting with my hands. “Yeah, why?”

“It’s just, I heard you spent all of fourth year chasing after her, I just wondered what happened and how come you didn’t do that for me- not complaining! I wouldn’t really appreciate all that attention on me.” It was silent for a bit before he sighed, replying in a sadder tone, “I… saw her at Hogsmeade with some other guy and that left me pretty down, ever since that I guess I’ve just been less vocal about my crushes as to not get hurt like that again.” His eyes were glued to his shoes but his voice picks up, sounding more upbeat, “but I don’t like her at all anymore, trust me, I like you just as much if not more than her,”

“Thank you for telling me James.” I say softly, smiling and giving his hand a squeeze.

The carriage comes to a stop, James getting out first before extending his hand up for me to take, helping me out of the carriage as I giggled, “What a prince charming.”

“Only the best for a princess.” He grins playfully at me, continuing to hold my hand as we made our way through Hogsmeade.

Our day was spent with nothing but laughter and smiles, secretly stolen glances and rosy red cheeks from time to time. On quite a few occasions I caught him admiring me, leading me to teasing him, chuckling every time I see him blush. At the end of the trip, he walked me back to my common room. We stopped right in front of it, facing each other and holding hands, me having to tilt my head slightly up to look at him. There was so much tension I felt like I was going to burst. I just wanted to lean up a little bit more and press my lips against his.

I see his eyes flicker down to my lips before coming back up to look at me in the eyes again, I smile, going on my tip toes and pecking his lips quickly. James stood there in shock for a moment before coming back to his senses, a grin spreading on his face. He refused to let go, his hands going to my waist to pull my closer. This time it was him leaning down, softly kissing me. I kiss back, just as softly as him, his lips were soft yet chapped and he tasted like chocolates, I couldn’t get enough of it. After a while he pulls back, leaving me to chase the comforting feeling of his lips.

“I had a lot of fun today.”

“Me too.”

Silence. It was slightly awkward, neither of us wanting to leave but unsure of what to talk about to get the other to stay. “So, does this mean you’re my girlfriend?” He asks with a nervous smile.

“Depends, have you asked me to be your girlfriend yet?” I answer, tilting my head in question, a cheeky smile sneaking it’s way onto my features.

“Then I guess I’ll just have to.” He grins now, giving me another kiss before asking the question I’ve been waiting to hear.

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

“Absolutely.”

#hp fanfic #james potter #james potter x reader #fluff #harry potter fanfiction #james potter x y/n #james potter fanfiction

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grandestheart · 5 months

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𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧? - sterling x briggs

requested by @fortunatelyjollybeliever

-.-

Veronica Sterling was not a women who let feelings get in the way of her profession. Not since the whole ordeal with Tanner. However, the naturals had changed her, she’d learned to care for those kids, wanted to protect them.

She also owed them for bringing Briggs back to her. Veronica had walked into her room at the naturals shared residence one night, only to find him sat on her bed, he wanted to talk things out, wanted to try again.

So there she was, sat in a dressing room, getting ready for her second wedding. Originally, she hadn’t wanted to re-marry briggs, but after two months of dating (again) and a lot of convincing from cassie, she’d agreed to briggs’s proposal.

A knock sounded at the door, "come in." The door slightly creaked open. "TANNER!" Briggs was stood at the door,

"you're not supposed to see me yet!" Sterling stood up and walked towards him. He held his hands up in defence, "I just came to check you were ok?" He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "are you?" Veronica sighed. "I'm fine tan, you know I'm just a little worried." She leant into his chest,

"is everything going ok out there?" Briggs lips gently brushed her forehead. "Listen, ronnie, it's your wedding day, just don't worry about anything." Veronica took his hand and led him back into her dressing room.

"You're really not supposed to be here." Sterling warned him. "And I really don't care, I just wanted to spend some time with my fiancé." Tanners hands made their way to cup her face.

"I love you so much ronnie, I can't wait to marry you again, sweetheart." He kissed her, and it was then she realised how much he missed him. She kissed him back, “I love you too, director briggs.”

-.-

I hope you guys like this x I honestly had never expected someone to request sterling and briggs! But I really hope you like this @fortunatelyjollybeliever

#book writing #the inheritance games #Veronica sterling #tanner briggs #the naturals #Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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ccrisntok · 1 year

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TW// Blood, Implied Death, Suicidal thoughts/actions, Violence, Homophobia, Mentions of SA (Basically all the stuff that happens it Heathers: The Musical.)

this is really long and you kind of have to know the plot of Heathers to understand it. Major spoilers for DRDT and Heathers btw

Ayoo, I'm here with some doodles and basic story outlines based off of @another-danganronpa-fan's DRDT + Heathers au! I took some like, creative liberties I guess. Didn't really change things at all, but added a lot of things! Sorry if I messed with your au a bit too much haha. (Also this is probably not the only doodles I'll make about this au it has snatched my brain.)

I'll explain some stuff along the way.

Xander as Veronica! (He still has his eye, its just sensitive to light and a different color). I feel like you could switch Xander and Teruko and the au would still work, but as the creator of the au explained, Xander just *barely* makes more sense as Veronica. He's more optimistic than Teruko is, and more willing to trust others. Also, David is a Heather in this au, so it makes sense that Xander would idolize them. Also also, we see canonically that Xander hates murder, but will do it if he really thinks it's necessary. I don't think he would kill people in this au on purpose though, and still feel as bad, if not worse about it than Veronica does.

Teruko as JD: Pretty obvious. Troubled family past, prone to violence if necessary, extremely distrustful of others? i don't really know if her luck would be a factor in this au, but if it was, it would probably explain why her life is so messed up. She'd kill some bitches.

Arturo as Heather Chandler. I feel like he's the only person in the cast who would be a big enough dick to be Heather C, and his obsession with beauty could be a factor of why he treats everyone like minions instead of people. He would probably die the same way, and for the same reasons as Heather C. Poisoned after making Xander and Teruko mad. His red ribbon... tie, thing would be the "red scrunchy" of this au.

David as Heather Duke: Yeah. Like, I feel like he fits her to a tee. After Art dies, he takes place as the leading Heather, and becomes a total asshole (probably similar to his breakdown in cannon). Also, since Arei is Heather Mac, it would make sense for him to try and force her into suicide, since that's what he insists he does in cannon. He may give Xander some hair-clips as a show of friendship.

Arei as Heather Mac: This one seems weird at first, but this Arei is in the middle of her redemption arch (for reasons that will be explained later). She's more snarky than cannon Mac, but also is going through a lot of mental turmoil. I'd say her sisters are still around. and her home life is pretty terrible, so she relishes in the power being a Heather gave her. Until she meets Eden, and realizes how little being powerful in high school matters.

Eden as: Martha! I made quite a few changes to her character, because her being in love with the Ram of this au wouldn't have worked. So I made her in love with Arei. Obviously, in cannon Heathers, Veronica helps forge a love confession to make a fool out of Martha, and I feel like Xander would be pressured to do the same thing. In doing this, he could also end up outing her publicly, admittedly probably not thinking about that as a factor (can you tell this part of the au is where I'm most passionate hflkas).

I feel like Xander wouldn't have bad intentions with outing Eden, but he still does it accidently, probably being like "THERES MORE GIRLS IN THE SEA BESTIE, FIND A BETTER ONE" in a crowed room while wasted.

I also feel like these feelings would be ACTUALLY mutual, unlike Martha's feelings for Ram. I added this in because I just don't think Arei and Arturo would be very close, or "Ram and Kurt", but seeing Eden's recent public humiliation added to her "friends" deaths might push her over the edge. It also would give her a reason to soften up, and fit the Heather Mac role.

Also, hearing about Arei's suicide attempt could also influence to Eden's suicide attempt later, since she doesn't really care about the other people's deaths in this au.

now to my least favorites...

...Ace as Ram, and Levi as Kurt. Hu as Mrs. Fleming makes total sense and I support that wholeheartedly, but Levi and Ace.... are kinda the only ppl who could fit the roles so 💀

I made quite a few changes to these two, the huge, major one being they don't try and SA Xander. There was no way in hell I was making them rapists, in any way shape or form. They're still pieces of shit, just not in that way (fuck Ram and Kurt in actual Heathers frfr I HATE those men oh my god JD was so based.)

Now, Ace and Levi are most definitely still jocks, and bullies. Ace would probably more of a harasser, while Levi is the one beating people up. As mentioned in my little doodle, Ace is only popular bc he "plays sports", rides horses I guess, and is rich, and Levi hangs out with him for only those reasons. Also probably a little gay idk

Instead of trying to SA Xander and lie about him sleeping with them, in this au Ace and Levi lie about Xander beating up Ace for no reason.

Levi is actually the one who beat up Ace, and idk, either Ace lies about it out of spite to Xander, or just doesn't remember and assumes its Xander. I'd say the remaining Heathers, Ace, Levi and Xander get super drunk in the woods or something (idk why Xander would be invited or show up but why not) and Ace said some dumb shit and got beaten up.

This gives both Teruko (for beating their asses before) AND Xander a violent rep, and Xander hates that, so he's pretty pissed. I'd say Xander would challenge them to a real fight, Teruko would bring the fake (very, very real) gun, and hilarity ensues (Ace and Levi get shot.)

Since Xander thought this was a harmless prank, he's pretty traumatized ofc

Then ofc, Teruko and Xander forge a suicide note. It would probably be like "oh yeah we were gay or whatever but levi beat me up so i killed him then myself."

ofc Xander is haunted by the ghosties he murdered <3

uhhh I haven't drawn the saddest parts of the au yet so get ready for a part 2 😈😈😈 which will also prob include better refs.

this was so long omg I'm sorry. this is gonna take tons of tags djssfklafhdls

#drdt #drdt fanart #xander matthews #teruko tawaki #drdt spoilers #heathers #ace markey #levi fontana #arturo giles #david cheim #arei nageishi #eden tobisa #i spent way to long on this #help

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oldfashionedmorphine · 1 year

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well now i can’t say “nobody asked for this…”

(dear anon, i hope this helps!)

fyi—i spend way too much of my time looking things up for this fic… and this is some of what i saved when it came to outfits/hair and also just some basics info/stuff :)

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mike in 2004

hair: styled like johnny depp’s hair in the 90s… he’s kept it shoulder length or longer since 1986—he ditched the bangs at some point in the early 90s! and since he doesn’t dye it, there’s some gray throughout

outfits: white or black t-shirt’s, black jeans, and converse high tops are still his bread-and-butter base. his style is pretty consistent because he’s not a big fan of change—he likes what he likes! it’s just super easy for him to throw something else over a plain t-shirt and walk out the door.

overall: he doesn’t typically keep his face clean-shaven, call it laziness, but sometimes he will wait two weeks or more between picking up a razor. he’s still skinny because he doesn’t always eat right, skipping meals because he gets too distracted with video games, but years of drinking are starting to take a toll and reflect in his skin, at times looking sallow

———————

will in 2004

hair: styled basically like whatever hayden christensen was doing to his hair in 2003/2004, also not a fan of hair dye, and also as he got older there was a bit more wave to his hair

outfits: wears lots of flannels, band/graphic tees, polos, button ups with sweater vests, jeans/corduroy/khaki pants, adidas/saucony jazz/new balance style sneakers—usually laid back but he will also use any excuse to dress it up! wears square-framed tortoiseshell glasses since 2001 (when he had to renew his driver’s license he couldn’t pass the eyesight test—got his eyes checked and sure enough he needed glasses!)—and included that picture of noah wearing glasses cause when i saw it i was like, wow yeah, that’s not too far off, just change the frames and age him 15 years… lol

overall: usually keeps his face free of any stubble, also has a few gray hairs but not as many as mike and he likes to walk or run for exercise to better keep in shape, in the summer he’s been known to pick up a tan, and he has one tattoo—the word “love” written in morse code under the scar from where nancy burnt him with a hot iron [ .-.. --- ...- . ]

———————

holly in 2004

(holly is 24, about the same age as kristen bell so I kinda picture her from veronica mars season 1 but with long hair/dyed like cady heron from “mean girls”—holly watched the movie earlier that year and liked the look!)

outfits: low rise flare jeans, denim jackets, fitted shirts, canvas vans sneakers, low top converse

———————

el in 2004

hair: long, always past her shoulders at least—she doesn’t like cutting it short for obvious reasons—she also dyes it and never skimps on spending money to maintain it and loves adding things like butterfly clips or barrettes with sparkles

outfits: she loves fashion and experimenting with her wardrobe. lots of delicate details and whimsy. a lot of what claire danes and anne hathaway were wearing 2002-2004

what she’s up to: el never went to college, but attends a few business seminars in between all her world travels and eventually invests some of her government hush money into opening a vintage/antique shop in hawkins that her and joyce run together.

el’s exact outfit from ch 8!

———————

outfit inspiration for mike + will in 1999 (aka for ch. 15)

mike: black jeans, ochre yellow striped button down, and of course he would’ve worn his typical converse shoes if he had to physically travel to the house that night, but alas… lol

will: brown dress shoes (normally wears sneakers, but for special occasions he gets fancy), light wash denim with navy turtle neck, plus brown leather jacket

(yes… i purposefully made them wear each others colors 😏)

———————

the mood board i made for nancy + jonathan’s wedding in 1993

(i’ve posted this before but idk how many of you saw it lol)

of course there is more i could add and sadly there’s things i’ve since cleared from my phone like the picture i had saved of a wedding dress i thought nancy would wear… but if there is anything else you’d like to know, i’m always down to talk more about this story! send me a message—you don’t have to stay on anon unless you wanna, but i don’t bite!! ;)

#iawwyh #nonsense about my fic #if my drawing skills weren’t so rusty…#i would draw something from each chapter lol #very out of practice and no longer have my wacom tablet #and it would take me forever :(#so this was the next best thing for me :D

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getinthefuckingcarkitten · 7 months

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One day i'll make a character sheets for my PCs but for now lemme just copy paste some shit bc i've saved too much in my drafts and i want to clean it up a bit. So some info about my PCs below more or less organized, probably more on the less side.

THE MENACE

Foxglove (true name [REDACTED]), my actual meowmeow wasn't 100% raised in the orphanage. She was sent there when her mom died at 10. She spent weeks being weird and standoffish and basically just picking fights if anyone tried to get close to her.

One of the few people she never hit was Robin, because Robin was always nice about her personal space. They are friendly and cordial to each other to this day despite everything, but Foxglove doesn't really spend a lot of time with Robin/will not save her ass from Bailey.

Because she was only taken in as an older child, she doesn't respect Bailey half as much as she should.

Her first crush was Winter and her first official girlfriend was Whitney. She was part of Whitney's clique and generally a delinquent and a bully, which made her reputation with teachers quite awful, which pained her a bit since Winter now sees her as a talented troublemaker at best.

Other school LIs like Sydney (when Pure, at least. Corrupt is... a bit different.) and Kylar avoid her like the plague. Kylar has had an embarrassing crush on her that she was mocked relentlessly for and made the poor weeb into Whitney's target for months.

Had a really bad relationship with an unnamed older woman when she was younger that really finished fucking up the fuck up.

Met Avery while dancing at a party, by the way, and not in the usual ways because. Um. Because i wanna. Avery pulled her away from some lecherous partygoers and done fucked up both of their lives forever.

She is legiterally obsessed with Avery and molding herself into a perfect companion for her. This has made her a better student to impress her but estranged her from all of her friends :( She is also way more polite now, though her charisma is natural and she didn't have to work on that as much. This change has pleased Winter! :) She's also a delight to have in parties or in gatherings in general.

She is both a mean sadist and a freaky masochist. As much as she likes bullying the weak, she has this whole thing where she's sure she should be punished and just needs someone to do it for her because she realizes she's too self absorbed to do it herself.

Though she lets Avery push her around and only playfully banters in response, she often has complete meltdowns where she starts telling Avery exactly how much she sucks and how she's never going to be loved and how they will go to hell together hand in unlovable hand. Idk which one of them is crazier for staying together at this point.

She has been a fox since a looooong time. She messes with occult stuff quite oftenly, and as a fun fact has been a suspect in a disappearance case (but police is still useless in this town lol).

Local School Prince

Ronnie (Veronica), my main and most played with PC on the other hand was 100% raised in the orphanage. As a kid she was always protecting the smaller kids from bullies, which included Robin, who is now still her best friend/pseudogirlfriend.

She has an honest to God savior complex. Her life isn't complete if she's not servicing the weak and vulnerable... Especially weak and vulnerable girls. This has somehow made her into a massive player.

Like, it's not like she wants to play with girls' feelings. It's just that she gives them so much love and attention and protection that they fall for her and then what should she do? NOT kiss them? You're being unreasonable :(

She's very oftenly mistaken as a boy. The first time she cut her hair she was made fun of at the orphanage so Robin cut her own hair too. They both have worn it short since and Robin seems to be picking up on way more than just her haircut.

Despite that, for a long time her behavior made Robin think that she should act more ladylike to have Ronnie's attention. This isn't true at all, by the way, and Ronnie thinks Robin never looked hotter when she starts dressing masculine too.

Despite all of that, will likely never admit the romantic nature of her and Robin's relationship. She thinks of Robin as family despite the fact that they're oftenly crossing lines, because she doesn't want to ever lose Robin as a friend since they have both been there for each other's worst moments. Kylar would love to have half as much codependency as they have tbh.

She's dating Kylar officially. It honestly just started with her kissing the poor girl to make her stop getting mocked at a class get-together Kylar was about to run away from in tears, and Kylar remembered this forever but Ronnie forgot about it until she saw Kylar getting bullied again. She has since made it her mission to protect her and maybe raise her reputation a bit if she can convince Kylar to act less like a soaked cat. Maybe brush her hair before coming to school. She desperately wants Kylar to stand on her own legs, but while she can't, Ronnie will gladly support her.

On the point above. She is a bit too proud of Kylar attacking people, honestly. And slowly she's been thinking Kylar is much cooler all of a sudden... It's a strange feeling, and she's not too sure what to make of it. But her drawings and her cringe anime have started to worm their way into Ronnie's heart for real.

Btw she does NOT realize how deranged Kylar is. Has no idea. She doesn't know about the sex doll (which may have had a dick at some point before Kylar realized something very important). She thinks Kylar is just kind of weird but does NOTTT grasp how insane she is.

With Sydney, she had a more distant relationship, but what were jokes to fluster the religious girl became friendly chats and then Ronnie walking her to the temple and helping out with her mom's shop and more and more conversations about sexuality and suddenly Sydney was dying her hair black and showing up to school in pants instead of her long skirt.

(Btw, i think it's be funnier/more in character if i pretend they dyed Syd's hair in a school bathroom after school hours in an event that was a battle between them, the mirror and God.)

Would apologize to Sirris for butchifying her daughter but a. She's not sorry and B. Sirris seems to think it's kinda cool actually

Whitney was probably the hardest relationship to have. They used to beat the shit out of each other, especially when Whitney picked on Robin, Kylar or Syd, but one day Whitney's jokes went a bit too far. Ronnie saved her from the consequences of her own actions but that didn't mean they were friends.

But her and Whitney started to become closer when she found out "Foxglove" (Ronnie thinks that name is cringe. Her real name [Redacted] is much cooler, but Foxglove is a weirdo anyway) had ditched her for Avery. Maybe it was the sympathy of yet another poor soul getting sucked into Avery's bullshit but she started to go softer on Whitney and then suddenly they were fucking because Ronnie is a gay whore‼️

Anyway. Yeah. Avery. Ronnie had dated Avery briefly and it ended horribly. She was just trying to make Avery feel better since she sensed some loneliness in her but she soon learned that misery loves company and that Avery was legitimately too much to deal with. She tried to first make Ronnie into something she wasn't, trying to force her either into a boyfriend role or making her act girlier, and neither pleased Ronnie. Then the fights started because Avery wouldn't accept a "no" and Ronnie wouldn't take shit then Avery started to get physically violent and then they threw hands at a pub and that unfortunately didn't ruin Avery's reputation as much as Ronnie would have hoped.

I think she only really understood what type of evil Avery was when she saw her pick up another orphan girl (not Foxglove, that one she managed to warn).

Her relationship w Foxglove is tense at best. After finding out about some shit however, she keeps her distance and wishes Robin would stop being so nice to her before it bites her in the ass.

Honestly just a puppy fr

Bane is probably the PC i draw/talk about the least because i've only now thought of a name for her LMAO. She's based on one of my first PCs ever who i've made a new save for recently. I have less info on her bc i'm slowly working thru her save.

She used to be a normal, if a little cowardly girl until she got lost in the forest. When Eden found her, she was more wolf than person, but honestly good enough (Eden's standards are low.)

Had honest to God almost forgotten how to speak human words until Eden spoke to her more or less regularly. Eden was surprised she could talk at all after only hearing her bark, growl or yap for a long while.

She has slowly become less of a savage wolf and more of a dog and then somewhat human again.

After spending like, three years or so living with Eden, she has decided to go back to school. Still learning to not solve conflicts through dominance checks and vicious bites, but she's making progress :)

#foxglove the vixen #ronnie the prince #bane the wolf #now with pics #i forgot to mention it but foxy had the highest crime stat of them and is currently doing community service rolf

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xrphansrevival · 7 months

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Vee was my first ever OC! She's changed a lot over the years. I made her all the way back in elementary school. Her original name was Naomi. She was more slim, had a more dull hair color, and had goggles (because I made her for Pokemon Ranger and imagined her to love bird style pokemon). She was a little taller, too.

When I got into DNRP on tumblr and decided to get into ocs here, I adapted her to Wammy's House. Since Naomi was already a character in Death Note, I decided to change her name. I think I was originally going to use Veronica or Vanessa, but there was already an rp'r at the time using that name for an oc. Looked up Irish names, found Vaughn... thought it was pretty fitting.

If I can find any of my old drawings from way back then, maybe I'll take some pictures and upload them. V has been with me through it all!

#ooc #virgo #i feel like playing pokemon ranger #wonder if i can dig it out of my stuff #i hope i have it still

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jaggedwolf · 4 months

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pll rewatch 1x11-1x14

rapid fire version

1x11: Moments Later

at the end of the 1A finale I joked that if the teenage girls had the presence of mind to read off the license plate off the car that hit their friend, this show would be over a lot faster.

I was wrong because it turns out the car was stolen, A does think of everything

poor Emily on the stairs listening to her parents discuss her coming out as if she announced she committed a felony or some shit (Wayne, essentially: man I'm not happy about this but I saw dudes die in Afghanistan so I think our daughter kissing girls is fine.)

random bit I like: all four girls are in the hospital room, and while Spencer updates an injured Hanna about the Ali + Ian tree stump being cut down, Emily and Aria have a quiet aside about how coming out to her parents went

LABOR DAY!!!

1x12: Salt Meets Wound

when going over how weird her parents have been since she came out, Emily mentions "changing the channel when Ellen comes on". Wild.

Aria tells Maya that if she does wear jeans and not a dress to the Fields house, make sure the jeans are ironed. What do you bet the first time Aria came over to Emily's with dyed hair that Pam was like oh...how interesting...your parents let you do that...I see... (Sudden theory that Aria's parents are the least bonkers when it comes to directly taking care of their kids and this is why they got stuck with the intractable problem of Aria/Ezra, in this essay I will-)

RIP Spencer/Alex, they quite liked each other, why did you even care about this A. Can't have Spencer happy.

Wayne had a good time at dinner, Pam witnessed lesbian footsie and went into a full blown crisis, of which Emily had to hear a bit of. Poor Emily.

Did like the note that Maya was actually very stressed but felt obligated to act cool and casual for Emily's sake.

He's a dick these couple of episodes, but Lucas is most understandable when explaining why he destroyed the memorial, it must drive the kids Ali tormented insane that they have to hear the other kids and adults go on about how great she was...there are a couple of other characters whose opinions on the memorial/similar I'm curious about

There's a scene that ends with Toby ominously taking a tool to his ankle monitor, and then when we cut back to it he's just uselessly hitting it in frustration. Oh, Toby.

Spencer and her dad have a completely normal father-daughter conversation complaining about the whole Ian/Melissa thing and Ian leaving his boxes everywhere. Her dad says if he knew she was around they could've watched the game in the living room instead of him watching it with the volume off in the bedroom to not bother Veronica - I am arbitrarily deciding that Spencer and her dad watch ice hockey together.

1x13: Know Your Frenemies

The other liars are very cutely happy about how cutely happy Emily/Maya are here - Emily in this relationship must seem very different to the Emily with Ben they knew. All of the liars are getting to know each other again in S1, but I find it especially fun with the others reacting to Emily

Hanna with the cupcakes :( Hanna in the binging flashback :(

Hanna staring in the mirror trying to figure out how her mom can tell when she's lying <3

Toby's life is such a nightmare. Spencer stares at him suffering in school and crying next to a dumpster in an alley and contemplates if perhaps Toby Cavanaugh possesses emotions

Pam digging through Maya's bag (which reveals a mix CD Emily made for her!), opening a tin, finding a joint, telling Maya's parents about the joint...

All of that really didn't register to me as a teenager but as an adult these are Pam's actions so far that age worst for me. Especially when it gets Maya sent to a troubled teen/wilderness boot camp, which is a terrible industry with plenty of proven negatives. No teenager needs to be institutionalized for doing some weed, and Maya's not even the lazy stoner stereotype. Ugh.

Oh I wonder if the writers did this plot because Emily in the books gets sent to one of those conversion therapy camps and decided to flip it

The Ali/Ian video is such a good piece of evidence. 10/10 on how it's framed.

1x14: Careful What U Wish 4

The dance-a-thon is to raise money for a school trip to DC, which is why there are cardboard cutouts of Obama and Clinton around.

Caleb is here! I like that his first full conversation is Emily going "get me my phone faster, I'll pay you more, no you don't have time to eat so I'm not buying you food". He talks to Hanna and Spencer this episode too. Good introduction all around.

ofc none of the girls just transfer the video to a USB stick....girls...maybe Caleb can start there with basic computer tips....

Aria's behaviour with Ezra and Simone is so embarrassing this episode, poor Spencer had to ask Ezra to dance to defuse shit and now has to live with that. This is in between comforting Emily about Maya and breaking into Ian's office. Spencer really accomplished the multi-tasking this episode.

Love everything about A bribing Hanna into dancing with Lucas, Hanna repeatedly saying yes despite how it hurts the boys because she would always pick her mom first, Emily noticing this in her drunken despair and telling Hanna it was just like how Ali treated her

is this the first time we have a character explicitly compare Hanna to Ali? Ouch if so.

Hanna and Spencer escorting drunk Emily to Spencer's house and the former tucking her in are still a great couple of scenes. ("I can open my own damn door!")

Does Spencer know who the shadow following Alison is? She says no to Hanna, but the girls do keep secrets from each other...

#pll watching #pll #mine #pll 1x11 #pll 1x12 #pll 1x13 #pll 1x14

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heartsforsalem · 1 year

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cheronica(knktober day two)

A nice booth at pops and a humid night in riverdale may be all that I needed to feel a little alive.

“Well it’s late now almost midnight” Veronica sighed “hey is it ok if I stay with you tonight..or unless your parents-“ “my mother is out on vacation for the time being so I don’t mind”

And with that we went home, to my home that is it’s been five dates already and we’ve known each other since sophomore year so I don’t know why she hasn’t seen my house yet

It’s kind of funny I suppose. “Ok don’t take this the wrong way but- do you wanna make this official or just casual” she asked bluntly I blushed at the sudden question “uh well” I giggled nervously “uh what do you want”

Veronica gave me butterflies she made me actually care about what I said how I said it and when I said it. I wanted to be good for her because she was good for me and I honestly fell for her pretty hard.

I wasn’t going to tell her that it made me all nervous to tell her that I liked her. Her answer to this would change a lot though.

She placed her hand on my upper thigh causing me to grip the steering wheel a little “I want you not just the good but the bad the all I want to be with you” she asserted my face had turned as red as my hair now and I was smiling like a little kid

“I want to be with you too”

And that’s all I needed

We got home and got situated for bed neither of us planned to stay up as it was late. Veronica cuddled up next to me and placed little kisses on my neck every now and then.

She sat up and pulled out her phone scrolling texting for a while, I wanted to talk more I mean we talked for so long earlier but now I wanted her full undivided attention

“Baby focus on me please” i sighed gently taking her phone from her. She smirked “sweetheart” she giggles cupping my face. She kissed me and at first it started out tame but then she got on top of me.

She unbuttoned my shirt and left hickeys down my neck I sighed at the sudden contact.

“S-slow down Ron” she looked up “do you want me to stop?” She asked “no I want this it’s just I want you to slow down I’m not going anywhere” I giggle

She blushes a little and nods “sorry” she says even though her body language was confident she sounded nervous. She goes slower carefully undoing my buttons and placing delicate kisses near my bust

And suddenly her hands were on my bare chest. I felt a little embarrassed I shifted a little trying to cover myself up she just smiled nicely “baby don’t cover yourself up your stunning”

I smiled at her statement as I was still nervous but i shifted back a little. She attached her mouth to my breast making my breath hitch. she gave some attention to one then the other.

She kissed down my torso to my inner thighs making me squirm she placed tinder kisses around my groin making me whine

I was dripping already and her hands exploring every inch of my body touching me in the right places made me even more desperate

“Veronica please” I begged trying to guide her where I need her she looked up and smirked “please what baby” i whimpered at her teasing “please fuck me” I said kind of hiding my face

I was a bit embarrassed about how desperate I was and we had only just started. She smirked before attaching her lips to my clit making me moan

Her tongue entered my folds licking sucking making me gasp. “Fuck” i whimpered pulling at Veronica’s hair making her groan

I guess She figured her tongue wasn’t enough and she added two fingers moving them just where I needed her. My moaning got louder and louder as she continued

“Am I doing ok?” She asked “y-yes oh my gosh yes just keep doing what you’re doing” I whined getting closer and closer to my climax. Veronica sped up becoming a little more aggressive “oh fuck” I moaned throwing my head back

“Just like that” I squealed feeling my heart race. As Veronica kept up my climax finally came “fuck I’m gonna” I said gripping the sheets.

Veronica kept going slowing down a little once i was finished. Once she was done she came up for a little kiss I kissed her back and flipped her over

“Your turn” i smirked she looked up confused “baby you don’t have to-“ “I know but I want to.. unless you don’t want me too”

“N-no please do” I smirked at her begging and continued “but first I have to get something” I said smirking before going to the drawer and pulling out a red strap

Her eyes got a bit wide “uh how big is that” she said shifting a bit “not too big” I smirked “don’t worry if you don’t want it I won’t give it to you” she shook her head “no it’s ok I do want it”

I smiled and nodded i strutted back to her and put on the strap. Her eyes studying my every movement closely

I ran my finger through her fold’s giggling at her “oh baby your already so wet for me” I cooed she let out a small sigh I could tell she needed it she was squirming under me

I slowly slid the strap Inside of her letting her adjust and pumping in an out slowly at first “fuck” she whined grinding into the strap

I kept it up speeding up a bit I watched her under me my stomach was doing backflips as I watched her so wrapped up in her pleasure

It just made me more hungry. I groped her playing with her nipples in my hand I really couldn’t take my eyes off of her

Her movements where magnetic, majestic even “fuck Cheryl you feel so good in me” she hissed “good” I rasped

I picked her leg up thrusting myself deeper into her earning a gasp from her. I bit back a moan as I felt the strap rub up on me.

My thrusts went from controlled and precise to sloppy as we both started to reach our climaxes Veronica’s breath became ragged and uneven “oh fuck I’m so close” she whined

Her nails dug into my leg as she bucked her hips i made sure to go harder this time not faster or slower just harder.

“Fucking fuck yes just like that please keep going I’m so close” she panted

I smiled and pressed down on her stomach gently it was deep as deep as it should be

I grabbed her hips thrusting faster and faster each minute making her shake “oh I- fuck” she stuttered digging her nails even deeper into my leg she was gripping so hard I was bleeding now

That turned me on even more I threw my head back as I finished the world seemed to stop for a little bit fireworks set off and faded as I finally calmed down

I slumped down next to her out of breath and cuddled up next to her “that was” she huffed in between “was I good” I asked siting up a little bit “you did amazing” she said catching her breath

I got up and took off my strap and Veronica looked up worried “is your leg ok did I hurt you to bad I’m sorry” I looked down at my bleeding leg “oh it doesn’t hurt it’s ok baby” I said straddling her and kissing her

We both cuddled and fell asleep satisfied and sleepy.

#kinktober 2023 #cheronica

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waeziverse · 1 year

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Royal Punch (chapter 19)

Dimi was still locked inside the ruined office, trying to break the planks that covered the windows with one of the legs from a broken chair. It did not work and only resulted in her sore hands feeling worse. Dimi threw the piece of wood at the floor and made an angry almost animal-like growl. She scowled at the window as blood still dripped from her head wound and greased her eye. Even if she could somehow remove the wood that blocked the window then it was unlikely she could squeeze herself through it or at least not in a way that wouldn’t result in her getting hurt. But the only other way out of the damn room was through the door and that was locked most likely guarded. It wasn’t like whatever goon who worked for Veronica would just open it for Dimi.

Dimi sighed. She took a glance at the bookshelves in the office. Then she began to pull them and move them around as well as she could. Because she realized that Veronica’s goons WOULD open up the door for her.

***

The parrot-harpy known as Sweeper had just gotten a massive cut on her face as the bison-type minotaur Claressa had rubbed her in the face with the laces from her boxing gloves. This furiated Sweeper who then dug her talons into the leg of her opponents, making the ox-girl’s leg worse for wear.

Veronica clapped while the rest of the creatures around the rind roared in approval. She adjusted her sunglasses while while watching Sweeper and Claressa being separated by the referee as well as their corner guys since the two pugilists kept battering each other despite the bell signaling the end of round three.

It had been a good night so far. Everyone in the room had witnessed one slugfest after another, Veronica knew she had made a lot of money tonight. But as her snake hair started to hiss, she turned her head to see that Corny the Goblin had just appeared in a puff of smoke. “Boss, we got a problem. Some bull knocked Gon’s lights out and he looks like trouble.”

Veronica groaned. “Lousy wolf. Alright, Mez and Goz. Go get the... wait.” Veronica adjusted her glasses. “This minotaur... he has a broken horn?”

“Yes, boss.”

Veronica couldn’t help but make a goofy grin. The night was gonna be much better than she had hoped for. “Is this my birthday? I expected him here at least tomorrow! Mez, Goz... Take a hike. My guest are gonna need your seats.” The two onis stood up and were about to leave. “Oh and Goz!” The blue oni turned around. “You better get changed. Ivan is here and you are gonna break him in half.”

Goz made a grim grin and nodded before leaving.

The diverse group of creatures who stood up to watch the fight inside the ring all parted to make way for a very angry looking minotaur with one of his horns being broken. Few wanted to mess with minotaurs, and no one was gonna be in the way of this particularly angry looking and broad shouldered one. There were murder in his eyes as he was looking for the creature that had ignited his rage. Behind him was some sort of foreign creature with traits of a lion and wings on her back. She snarled as her eyes turned left and right while her unsheathed claws were practically itching after tearing in something.

Veronica had the same effect on the spectators as Ivan had as they twitched when she stood up from her seat and waved at Ivan.

“Ivan! Sweetheart!” Veronica smirked while her hair aggressively hissed at the minotaur. “This is nice! Your human pet told me you wouldn’t get home till tomorrow.”

“Say the word, Ivan.” Aura narrowed her eyes as she she stepped to Ivan’s left side. Her tail was swinging in an aggressive manner as she cracked he knuckles. “Say the word and I will tear up this whole joint!”

“You will do no such thing, sweet cheeks. Sit.” Veronica pointed at the empty seats next to her.

“Where is Dimi?” Ivan glared at Veronica while he tightened his fists so hard that his fingernails were practically digging into his flesh. He did his best not to explode as he knew that one wrong angry word could be fatal for Dimi.

“I said sit.” Veronica pointed toward the the two empty seats one more.

Ivan did as he was told. Auraraised an eyebrow at her husband who just nooded. She rolled her eyes as she sat down.

“What have you done with her?” Ivan asked, his hands itching after getting around Veronica’s neck.

“Me? I ain’t done nothin’! You little human pet though? WOW! You should have seen her in the ring tonight.” Veronica made a nod toward the ring where the harpy and minotaur were at hard work rearranging each other’s faces. “She was vicious! I was surprised she let the other guy live. Or I assume he is. Damn ugly fight, I tell ya. Ugly!” She patted Ivan on the shoulder. “And she came all by herself. That’s why you are here and not the city guard, right? You know the penalty for participating in these events.”

Ivan’s nostrils expended. “Where is she?”

Veronica shook her head. “Wrong question, baby.”

“Is she okay?”

Veronica clicked her tongue. “Wrong again.”

Ivan closed his eyes and sighed. “Okay... What do you want?”

“Finally! Right question.” Veronica patted Ivan on the shoulder once more, as if he was a kid she had assisted with doing homework. “See, I thought you would arrive tomorrow and I had make all sorts of arrangements. But since you are here now, I can save time and resources on advertising your return and instead let you be an extra surprise for my fine customers.”

“You want me to fight?”

“No, I want you to sell nuts and snacks to the audience.” Veronica snickered. “Yeah, I want you to fight, you big beef. I want you to step inside that ring over there as soon as those two are done.” Veronica turned to look at the fight. Sweeper was practically toying with Claressa who was unable to defend herself after her arm had been broken. “Hmm, shouldn’t take long, so you have to make up your mind quickly, honey.”

“And if I win, you will let Dimi go?”

“What?!” Aura looked at Ivan with disbelieve in her eyes.

“Sure thing, beefcake. And you don’t have to worry about gloves or nuthin’, I feel in a nostalgic mood for some bloody knuckles.”

“And if I lose?”

Veronica tilted her head as she made a broad grin that made Aura uncomfortable, even slightly startled. “I don’t think I can do nothin’ to you if you lose. Nobody can. You dig?”

Ivan shallowed. “Okay. Deal.”

“Then take your shirt off and wait for when I call you up to fight. By the way, see that big blue bastard over there?” Veronica pointed toward the big blue oni who was half naked and gave Ivan an almost hungry glare. “That’s my boy Goz. He’s the one who’s gonna make sausages out of ya. Excuse me.” Veronica stood up and left Ivan and Aura to talk to Goz.

Aura who looked at him with disbelieve. “What the hell, Ivan?!” She elbowed him and slapped him on the back of the head with one of her wings. “Why not let me go monster on her ass? Tear that stupid smug smile off her face?”

“I have three good reasons to agreeing to play ball with her.”

Aura rolled her eyes. “Only three?”

“First off all, I know you could turn this whole place into a pile of broken bricks and wood stumps, but we are outnumbered. Second, this is the best way to make sure Dimi won’t get hurt.”

“IF that slimy snake can be trusted.” She looked past Ivan’s shoulder to see Veronica step inside the ring while the minotaur girl was being carried out of said ring. “And the third?”

“Well...” Ivan took a glance at the blue oni with a massive bulky body. He then looked at Aura and smirked. “Are you telling me that I can’t take that punk?”

Aura blinked twice. Then she snorted and made a small laugh. “Knock his god damn block off!”

***

The satyr twins Angel and Ben tapped the floor with their hooves impatiently.

“This blows.” Ben picked his nostril. “I can hear the fights next door and we are wasting our times keeping an eye on a human who has already been beat up.”

“The boss lady says she is important.” Angel spit out some loose-leaf chewing tobacco as she leaned against the door. Her horns scratched the wood. “But yeah, when Biff said he could get us a job, join a real gang, I had hoped-”

They heard the sound of glass shattering.

“What th-” Ben opened the door. He saw a hole in the window and and a tumbled over bookshelf that had been the reason for the broken window. But most importantly, he saw no human girl. “Shit! Angel, the human escaped!”

Angel looked at the window. Then she smacked Ben in the back of his head. “Moron, that hole is too small for that! Unless you think she can shrink.”

“I mean, maybe she can?” Ben looked terrified as he shrugged. “Humans can do all sorts of magic BS, right? And I can’t see her.”

“She is probably hiding, dummy.” She slapped him again. Go in and look for her, I will guard the door.”

Ben did as he was told. But as the young satyr entered the room, an arm came that had been hiding behind the now open door and grabbed Ben by the horn and pulled him away from Angel’s sight. Angel heard a heavy thud and a groan from her twin brother.

“Hey! Come out here you-” Angel realized too late she had made a mistake as she entered the room and had a massive bookshelf fall on her.

Dimi loosened her arms she had locked around Ben’s neck and let him drop to the floor as he groaned. She checked that Angel was barely conscious as she was trapped under the heavy piece of furniture. She waited to see if anyone else would come, but she had apparently been so lucky that Veronica had thought two guards would be enough.

“Shit, that hurts...” Dimi nudged her sore hand. She was still in no condition to fight, but she had to get out of this damn place.

As Dimi stepped out of the room to try and see where the heck she were and how to get home, she noticed someone at the end of the hallway she had just stepped into.

“What’s going on, I heard a- HEY!” It was an eagle-styled harpy in a sleeve-less blouse. She was apparently part of security and she held a lease. At the other end of the lease was a three-headed monster. It looked like a hound from hell. It was twice as big as a normal dog, had dark-brown fur and six red eyes. It growled and bared its razor sharp teeth. “I don’t know who you are or what you are doing here, human!” The harpy yelled. “But you are not allowed here. BITE!”

The harpy let go of the lease as the cerberus leapt toward Dimi, snarling and drooling.

***

Nora had managed to crawl up and sit on a wooden beam below the roof of the building. She had her bow in one hand and a quiver on her back filled with arrows. She unfortunately had not had time to enchant them. She looked down toward the arena where Ivan and Ivan stood, waiting to see if there would be trouble.

She saw that Ivan had taken off his shirt and Aura split the ropes of the rings to help him inside it. Aura blinked. “What kind of macho BS have you agreed to, Ivan? God, you suck...”

Veronica stood in the middle of the ring next to the referee. She held a megaphone and smiled satisfied. “That’s right! No reason to leave just yet! We have us a surprise matchup tonight! And, for your entertainment, they will duke it out with their bare hands! And EVERYTHING GOES THIS TIME!”

The audience approved loudly.

“In the blue corner, we have a former pugilist of a higher degree! He was contender of the year, has fought professionally as well as duked it out in the blood-stained world of underground boxing! Heck, this bull has been in jail! They call him HAMMERHAND IVAN!”

The spectators cheered, few because they recognized the mostly obscure former boxer, most because a huge minotaur with a broken horn had stepped inside the ring, that was always promising. Ivan acknowledged the crowd with a nod, then rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck

“And in the red corner we have an orca from the East! He-” Ivan didn’t really listen to anything Veronica said as he studied his opponent in the other end of the fight ring. The big blue oni stood on the lowest ropes and raised his fists in the air with his back against Ivan’s direction. After a quick scan of the naked over body of the big fella, Ivan could spot some scars. But they were few and they were old. But he could also see on his knuckles that they were used quite often. Meaning he was often in fights but rarely got hurt. Either because he was an excellent hand-to-hand fighter... or more likely, he hadn’t been in a fight where it was fair for the other guy. Veronica kept on. “- skin often more red than blue, they call him GOZ!”

Goz turned toward Ivan and cracked his knuckles. Veronica stepped out of the ring while Goz’s brother split the ropes for her.

“Hold on, I have a question.” Ivan said to Veronica. The gorgon turned her attention to him and leaned against the ropes of the ring. “You said that anything goes in this fight?”

“Sure.” Veronica took a seat at ringside. “Do whatever. Just keep everyone entertained.”

“Good.” Ivan raised his voice so he was sure Goz could hear him loud and clear. “Good to know that I can go for the SOFT PARTS!”

Goz lost his confident expression for a second and blinked nervously.

The spectators clapped and awaited the fight to start. Veronica cut the end of a extra special cigar she had saved for a special occasion. She held the unlit stogie up to her nose and enjoyed the sent of fresh tobacco, leather, wood, cinnamon and salted peanut.

She enjoyed the delicious smoke as well as the sweet revenge. She had a front seat as she would watch Ivan’s brain and face be turned into mashed potatoes. And she didn’t even have to spend a single coin on it, she would even make a profit from the bets on the fight. Ivan was past his prime and Goz was young and in great shape, he couldn’t possibly win. And even if he did win and somehow didn’t get permanent brain damage, then Veronica still knew where he lived as well as his family. She owned his ass. There was nothing he could do to ruin that for her.

Or so Veronica assumed.

The room practically exploded as the bell started the fight. Veronica was about to place her cigar between her teeth...

... but then her cigar dropped to the floor as Goz fell to the canvas.

The entire room went silent. The fight had lasted less than half a minute.

Ivan looked down at the oni who coughed and groaned. Ivan had always been surprised by how few realized that it was the throat, not the crotch, that was the most vulnerable part of most creature bodies.

Aura couldn’t help it but laugh.

Ivan nudged his fist. “Man, that’s gonna smart. Welp, glad that’s over with.” He smiled as he waved at the dumbfounded spectators. “Well, show’s over, everyone. Get home safe.” He then bend down to get through the ropes and join Aura.

Once again, the room practically exploded. Not from cheers, but from yelling and boos.

“WHAT THE HELLS WAS THAT?!“

“THAT WAS RIGGED!“

“THAT WAS NOT A FIGHT!”

“I WANT MY MONEY BACK!”

Veronica looked horrified as her customers started a riot, kicking chairs and pushing her staff who tried to keep them calm.

See, the problem with running a business the way Veronica does is that you have to keep your customers happy. If they are not... well, calling the authorities is not an option.

She was shocked... then she was pissed. “HEY!” she yelled at Goz who leaned against a corner of the ring while nudging his head and throat. “Get up you fat loser! Go kick his ass!”

Goz didn’t reply due to a mix of feeling dizza and having a swollen throat.

“Boss?” Mez the Oni looked at Veronica, then at the chaos around them as the security Veronica had hired were outnumbered ten to one by the angry mob of unsatisfied customers who threw and broke chairs. “Let me get you out of here-”

“No.” Veronica grind her teeth as all of her snake heads hissed aggressively. “No, go find Gon, tell him to do his damn job.” As the red oni left to find the bouncer, Veronica took off her shades.

***

“Ouch! Stop! Mercy!”

“What the heck?!” The eagle harpy was confused as she watched her guard-dog cerberus not only NOT attacking Dimi, it licked her.

“Ouch, easy now! I’m not in my best shape.” Dimi giggled as all three heads of the monster-dog used their tongues to kiss her. She nuzzled the ear of the head to the left while scratching the beast’s back. “But you are a good girl, aren’t you?” Dimi kissed the middle head. “Yes, you are! Oh, yes you are!”

“Dumb mutt, I paid good money for you!” The harpy practically screeched. “You are not a pet, you are a killing machine! Now bite already!”

Dimi smirked as she patted the cerberus on the back. “You heard the lady. Bite.”

The eagle harpy could feel her heart jump up in her throat as her vicious three-headed guard dog started to bark at her.

***

The doorman Gon nudged his eye. Getting suckerpunched by that minotaur had resulted in him getting a black eye. “Son of a cow...” he mumbled for himself. “When I get my claws on him-”

“Gon!” Mez the Oni opened the door to the building filled with angry creatures. Gon almost got a bottle thrown in the head but managed to dodge. “Everyone are pissed. The boss tell you to do something about it!”

Mez gulped as Gon transformed before him and lept though the door and howled.

“Man...” Mez gulped. “Werewolves still gives me the creeps.”

***

“Well, that was kind of stupid.” Aura rolled her eyes. “Badass.. but stupid.”

“I ended the fight quickly.” Ivan got dressed again. “We made a deal so Veronica-”

“Veronica is royally pissed, Ivan. You think she is gonna keep her promise now that you made the place go crazy?”

Ivan opened his mouth. Then, closed it. “Um... she might?”

“I lost 200 coronets because of you- AARGH, MY LEG!” A satyr who was about to sneak up on Ivan to smash a bottle against the back of his head fell to the floor as an arrow penetrated his left leg.

“Your welcome.” Nora mumbled as she fetched a new arrow from her quiver, still sitting on a beam right below the roof.

Ivan and Aura noticed how creatures who were angry seconds before now ran toward the exit filled with fear. It was soon clear why as Veronica walked toward them. Her now exposed eyes glared at them as her eyes began to glow and the veins near her temples bulged. “You son of a bitch! What was that?!”

“A deal is a deal.” Ivan made sure to evade eye contact and instead looked at Veronica’s neck. “Now tell me where my... where Dimi is.”

“Oh, the deal is off, shit for brains!” All of Veronica’s snakes stretched as far as they could, itching to get their fangs into Ivan’s flesh. “You just cost me a fortune. You think you get to walk away from this? I’m gonna kill you now with my bare hands, should have done so from the start!”

“DON’T GET NEAR HIM, YOU BITCH!” Aura turned into her monster form, stepping in front of Ivan.

“Shit...” Nora mumbled as she pulled the string of her bow with an arrow. “Aura, move. I can’t get a clear shot.”

“Hey!”

Veronica made a very satisfied smile as Ivan and Aura turned their head to see the guy who guarded the door when they had arrived.

“Gon, about time you showed up.”

The room was almost empty now, most had fled in fear. Gon had that effect on creatures. Ivan’s eyes widened as he saw a monster on all four legs with fur as black as the night all over it’s enormous body All the hair on it’s black tail were spreading so it looked like he had a black cactus attached to his behind. It’s five red eyes glared at Ivan. “You! Minotaur! You think you get to suckerpunch me and get away with it!”

Ivan gulped. “Crap, you are the doorman, aren’t you? I just make so many smart decisions today.”

Gon the Werewolf answered the question by leaping toward Ivan, only to get tackled by Aura who roared as she dug her claws into the beast who was about the same size as her. Ivan was so confused, and Veronica jumped him, wrapping one arm around his thick neck while her legs got around his torso. Her limps were strong and flexible, Ivan felt as if he was being squeezed by a python as he tried to pull the gorgon off himself.

“Great!” Nora slapped her forehead. “Now I can’t shoot the evil snake woman without shooting Ivan. Perfect!” She instead took aim at Aura’s new opponent. The lion beast and wolf monstrosity were locked in mortal combat. Nora fired three arrows toward the back of the black werewolf.

It looked like three toothpicks had been stuck to his back.

Nora sighed. “Well, that did jack shit...”

***

Dimi and her new three-headed animal friend entered the room where the fights had taken place, hoping a match was being held so she could sneak unnoticed out.

The room however was practically empty as a completely different fight was taking place.

She spotted Ivan who slammed himself against a wall while Veronica had wrapped herself around him and dug her teeth and nails into his flesh. And she spotted Aura exchanging clawed slaps with a dog-monster even more scary-looking than her. But then she heard a whimpering and noticed that someone were hiding behind a desk that had been used for bar.

The whimpering was made by Sticky the Dwarf who had served as Dimi’s corner guy.

“YOU!” Dimi grabbing the dwarf by the collar of his clothes as he had noticed her too late to make a run for it. “You little bastard! You gave me bad instruction during my fight on purpose, didn’t you?!”

“Nothing personal, human!” Sticky blinked frantically Dimi lifted him him up and sat him on the desk as if he was a child she was about to berate. He noticed the cerberus that growled at it’s new friend’s object of wrath. “I just did what I was paid to do! I really have no beef with humans, I was against it when dwarves decided to join with the orcs, I never-”

He did not get to finish his load of BS as his nose was violently introduced to Dimi’s forehead. Sticky fell from the desk and landed on the floor as he groaned and tried to fix his bloody nose.

Dimi gave him a glare but decided she couldn’t waste more time on him. Her... family needed her and she had two thirds of an idea.

She got on her knee and ruffled the middle head of the monster dog. “You poor thing, all they did to you. Go to the forest, I have some friends there who will look after you until I find you a loving home.”

The cerberus ran away to do as it was told. Dimi stretched her very sore body as she was about to do what she should have done the moment she had seen Veronica’s carriage.

***

Nora aimed her last arrow at the back of the head of the werewolf Aura was fighting. The black beast buried his fangs in Aura’s shoulders as she made a roar of frustration and agony. “Shit, I made an oath to never take a life...” Nora narrowed her eyes as she prepared to fire an arrow to penetrate the skull of the werewolf. “Well, I’m technically not a healer anymore...”

But her moral dilemma didn’t matter much as three red eyes appeared on the back of the black monster and they looked directly at Nora. The short elf got so startled by this that she let go of the arrow that instead penetrated the werewolf’s left foot.

Meanwhile, Ivan screamed as his rips popped. Veronica had to let go of her hold on Ivan as she had been squeezed between the minotaur’s back and a wall that now cracked as the wood was rather old and worn. They both fell outside the warehouse and landed on the wet dirt. Veronica let go of her grip around Ivan so she could push him away from her before she was crushed under the weight of the massive bull-man. Ivan stood up quickly and took a couple of steps away from her and turned around with his fists raised. Some torches placed around the building made light enough so they could see each other, if barely. Ivan still tried to look past her to evade eye contact while Veronica’s eyes gloved in the dark, she had removed her high-heeled shoes so her naked feed were planted in wet mud. She was now armed with a brass knuckle.

***

As Dimi hurried out of the front door, she could see a lot of carriages had either left or started to get moving. No one was apparently gonna stick around as two massive monsters tried to maul each other.

But Veronica’s carriage was still there. More importantly, the hippogriff that pulled it was still there. The fact that it was extremely calm despite the ruckus made Dimi sure that something was wrong with it.

Corny the Goblin, the coachwoman of Veronica’s fancy carriage, had been hiding inside said carriage when creatures had left the closed-down workshop in haste. She stepped outside as the noise had died down and noticed that the human her boss had brought to the fights was about to approach the animal used to move the vertical. “Oy!” Corny stepped out and gave the human a glare. “Step away from the critter!”

“Piss off.” Dimi looked at the bald goblin-woman with contempt. “What have you done to this beautiful creature?”

“None of your bloody beeswax. Now step away.”

Dimi narrowed her eyes. “Make me.”

Corny accepted the invitation and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Dimi was unfamiliar with goblin magic and was confused, then in a lot of pain as corny appeared behind her and stabbed her in the thighs. Dimi kicked backwards and turned to get her hands on her assaulter, only to get smoke in the eyes as Corny disappeared again.

Dimi coughed as she looked left and right to spot the bald goblin. Said goblin had hid behind the carriage. The hippogriff was still alarmingly calm.

Dimi’s eyes turned left and right. She then heard the small poof the goblin made when making her disappearance act and a second later got a knife in the lower back of her back as Corny appeared again. Dimi once again did not get a chance to attack as Corny disappeared before she turned around.

Dimi was starting to get dizzy from the pain. But not dizzy enough to not be able to make a fight plan. She raised her fists and panted, going around in a circle.

As soon as she heard the poof, she threw herself backward and planted her entire weight against Corny who too soon realized that attacking from behind was not as sneaky as it were predictable. Corny got an elbow in the face, breaking her nose and lost the hold of her pocket knife.

***

Aura got a paw in the face that could have shattered her jaw if she had not rolled with the strike. Gon roared furriously as the lion-eagle woman slashed his face, temporarily blinding three of his nine eyes. He grew two more on his forehead to not lose to make of for the vision he had just lost.

Nora, being out of arrows, decided to get down as she had spotted Dimi leave the building and went to look for her. She found her outside, bleeding from the back and the leg as she stood triumphant over a goblin woman who covered her face.

“Dimi, you little shit!” Nora felt so relieved and so furious at the same time. “What the world happened to you?!”

“Nora!” Dimi turned around to see the short elf. “I’m so glad to see you!”

“For crying out loud!” Nora grimaced as she saw the poor state of the human girl’s face. It looked like someone had used her head as punching bag. “If I were taller, I would put you over my knee and spank you. But I guess I have to tell Ivan to do that. Get on your knee!”

Dimi did as she was told, letting Nora take a bottle from her purse and pour it over her back. It felt like acid but also somehow relieving. “I’m sorry...” was all Dimi could say as Nora less than gracefully wrapped bandages around her waist to cover the wounds she had just received.

“Sorry?! SORRY?! You are not a little kid, you are sixteen!” Nora tied a knot on the bandage. “You can’t just say sorry and think that fix-”

“I know it won’t fix anything, I’m still sorry.” Dimi blushed. She then turned her attention toward the half-horse-half-bird creature. The red gem-stones attached to the collar around the hippogriff’s neck made an ominous light.

Nora raised an eyebrow. “What are you... HOLY SHIT, DIMI?!”

Dimi wrenched and took a step backward as the hippogriff had tried to slash her arm off, instead leaving a big rift on her left arm. The poor creature was in so much agony and so scared that Dimi’s animal empathy didn’t work right away.

“Heh...” Corny the Goblin had managed to lift herself up and looked at Dimi. “That monster has been trained to attack strangers who get to close. I don’t know what you try toooOOOOAAAGH, MY FACE!” She fell to the ground after Nora had splashed the healing salvia in her face.

Nora smiled. “It should heal your broken nose, but too much juice stings like seven kinds of hell. My bad.” She then looked worried at Dimi. “Kid, what are you doing?!”

“Getting the collar off!” Dimi licked her bleeding arm. “I know what I’m doing!”

The beast opened its beak and made a terrifying noise that could be similar to a mix of that of a bird of prey and a horse. It scratched the ground with the left talon and tightened its hind legs as it looked at Dimi with burning hate.

“I know some animals like you.” Dimi said with a calm voice as she held her hands up to show she meant no harm. She took half a step closer. “I bet you are like them. Proud. You wouldn’t let anyone boss you around.” Dimi pointed at the hippogriff’s collar. “So they put that thing on you. It hurts you if you don’t do as you are told, right? They forced you to pull a wagon like a lowly mule.”

The hippogriff flapped its wings in a threatening manner.

“And they even made you scared of any creature who might want to take that stupid collar off of your neck.” Dimi was unsure if she was shedding a tear because it was awful what had been done to the hippogriff or if her eye was just watering because she was generally feeling less than great. “Trust mmmnnnNAAAARGH!” As Dimi had taken a step closer, the hippogriff lashed out for her. She managed to step back, but the back of her hand received a wound.

“Dimi, you dump brat!” Nora bit her lower lip.

Dimi sucked her wound. “I know you are only attacking me because the collar makes you feels like your neck is on fire. But I can take it off. Trust me.”

It had taken longer than Dimi had expected. Animals normally heard her almost instantly. She swallowed as she slowly tried to get closer to the beast.

The hippogriff growled. Its head hurt like hell but it could understand Dimi. It could feel she wanted to help, but it did not want to believe it, not after the awful month the goblin and the gorgon had used to make it tame. But then it looked at Dimi’s bleeding hand.

Then, it lowered its head.

***

Aura and Gon were moving in a circle as they glared at each other. The werewolf had more bite wounds and claw marks than the sphinx. But the winged lion-woman was not as young as the many-eyed canine creature.

Aura could feel that she was getting thirsty. She had used so much magic that she would end up dehydrated pretty soon. There was one way she might win this fight, but it would reacquire that she killed her opponent. And she was not sure she could make herself do that as her past in the Sun Kingdom still haunted her.

She stopped up and dug her claws in the wooden floor and scratched it as hard as she could. Small pieces of wood flew around as she glared at the werewolf. She growled as her tail and wings moved aggressively. And then she spoke with a voice that could make a mountain shake. “I USED TO BE IN THE ARMY, YOU LITTLE PUNK. YOU SURE YOU WANNA SEE HOW THIS ENDS?”

Gon bared his fangs as he bend all four of his knees, getting ready to throw himself at the sphinx.

Their eyes were locked for a moment. Gon could see the promise in Aura’s eyes that whatever would happen next, it would make the rest of the fight seem tame.

Gon grunted. “FORGET THIS! I DON’T GET PAID WELL ENOUGH FOR THIS KIND OF SHIT!

And then he ran away. Aura roared and stood on her hind legs and flapped her wings for the dramatic effect.

But once she was sure Gon had actually left, she turned back to her humanoid form. She still had some of the wounds she had received in monster form and she gasped after air and was as thirsty as if she had been in a desert. “I’m too old for this shit...” she gasped as she leaned against the boxing ring. “God damn... Everything hurts...”

***

Some might think that the exclusion of gorgons from the sport of boxing might be due to bigotry.

And sure, that is probably the main reason. But gorgons also had a couple of advantages in unarmed combat.

Ivan, while still being slightly disoriented from the pain of having broken ribs, had given up trying to connect his fist with Veronica’s face or throat as he tried not to look too closely at her face since her eyes were there. Safe to say, his aim was off. Not to mention that the snakes attached to her head would bite his hand if he got too close.

Ivan instead sent a solid punch against Veronica’s stomach, making her gasp for air. He then caught her in a clinch and tried to squeeze the life out of her. He knew that the snakes would burry their fangs in his shoulder, but he hoped to win an endurance contest, that Veronica would black out before he would be overwhelmed by pain.

But Ivan underestimated the gorgon’s flexibility as Veronica managed to free her arm and slam her brass knuckle into the side of his torso. This resulted in Ivan coughing blood.

Veronica grabbed the big minotaur by his horns and pulled his head to hers so he would look her straight in the eyes. Once eye contact was made, the big bull-man was trapped. His entire body was frozen despite his brain sending signals to every single fiber of his body to move, to do anything to get away from the snake-creature who had petrified him.

Veronica’s eyes were still gloving and veins still bulging. “You know, when I was forced to leave this kingdom, my travels proved pretty, shall we say... enriching. I managed to learn that even though us gorgons can’t turn creatures into stone, our eyes have other abilities besides making you stiff as a board.” Veronica let go of Ivan’s horns and dried her nose for blood with the back of her hand. Ivan could still not move an inch. “Like this fun little trick I managed to master two years ago. I can hypnotize you, make you my slave for a couple of mins. Nifty, eh?” Veronica cracked her neck. “I can make you do anything, such as... stick two fingers inside your mouth.”

Ivan did as he was told.

Veronica tightened her fist. “Now, shove them down your throat.”

Ivan obeyed the order. The result was not pretty as he began gagging and throwing up.

Veronica crossed her arms as her snakes studied the minotaur. “And now, before I kill you, how about-”

“Hey!”

Veronica blinked and turned her attention toward the hole in the wall that allowed entrance to the old workshop. The human girl stood near it. She looked angry and she looked awful. Her face was still bloody and her arms had new wounds. “Leave my... leave Ivan alone!” Dimi tried to make a threatening fist, but her hands hurt too much. “Or you are dead!”

“Oh, this is rich.” Veronica stepped closer to Ivan who was on his knees after throwing up. She kicked him in the stomach, making him fall flat. She then looked at Dimi again, not even bothering to activate her eye. “Alright, human. This should be fun. I just hurt the bull. What are you gonna do about it?”

Dimi placed two fingers on her lips and whistled.

Veronica was startled as the hole in the wall got larger as a massive talon ripped in the wood as if it were paper. The hippogriff screeched and slowly walked toward her.

Veronica felt afraid for the first time since she was a kid as her eyes were glowing again. “What the f-”

“You didn’t bother naming her, so I call her Sarah. And she told me everything you did to her so your carriage would be pulled by something fancy. She is a little pissed off.”

The hippogriff neighed and roared as it lept toward her abuser. Dimi went to Ivan and helped him up as well as she could.

“Ivan, I’m so so so SOOO sorry!” Dimi looked at her godfather with concern and guilt as he cradled his ribs. He looked grim. “I just thought I could make-”

“Not now.”

“But-”

“I said not now.”

Dimi opened her mouth, then shut it immediately. Something about the tone in his voice made her feel like she was six instead of sixteen. She then realized that she no longer heard the roars of an beast getting revenge but instead heard the sound of a wounded animal. Dimi turned to see the hippogriff alone and with blood near its neck. There was plenty of blood, but it was not all hers. Some of it belonged to the gorgon who had managed to get away from the beast’s rightful furry.

Veronica had disappeared into the night.

***

The hippogriff had agreed to pull the carriage to get Dimi and the others home after having her wounds treated by Nora.

The trip home was rather awkward as Dimi looked at her toes, Ivan looked gloom and Aura and Nora didn’t do much but cough awkwardly now and then. No one said a word during the ride besides Ivan who shut down Dimi before she could open her mouth with a stern Not now.

Ivan who had the worse injuries got out of the wagon to find a healer when they reached Orangestone, a village about five kilometers. “Don’t think about me, I will go home once my rips have been looked after. A good long walk might...” Ivan shrugged. “... clear my head.”

“But Ivan-” Dimi practically whimpered.

“Not. Now.” Ivan closed the door to the carriage as he left.

***

Once they reached Aura’s farm, the sun was about to rise. Dimi removed the harness from the hippogriff and scratched the beast’s beak. “You can stay for a while, I’m sure the griffins here won’t mind you if they know you are my friend.”

The hippogriff stretched its wings and lied next to the house instead.

“You want to be alone? Sure, that works.” Dimi nudged her head that still felt like shit. She went inside the house and found Aura in the kitchen. She sat on a stool and let Nora remove the bandages she had tied around her in a hurry after the fight and the elf was now treating her wounds properly with salvia that smelled like something had just died.

Dimi blushed and could feel that she started to sweat. “So...”

“How can you be so god damn stupid?! OUCH” Aura’s tail twitched as she glared at Dimi with anger. “Underground boxing? Haven’t Ivan told you how dangerous that is? Not just because of the actual fighting?”

“Well, he only said I weren’t allowed to try getting in those fights, not why or why they-”

Aura growled. “Don’t try to be cheeky.”

“And try to stand still.” Nora groaned as she got a wing in the face. “But she is right, Dimi. You suck.”

Dimi closed her eyes as if that somehow would make the situation less terrible. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m so stinking sorry! Veronica played me like a sucker, she told me I was tough and offered me five-thousand coronets to fight, so I thought-”

Aura flapped her left wing. “I don’t care if she offered you a basillion coins, you are not a little girl and... wait hold on.” Aura blinked. “Did you say... Five-thousand? In cash, or OUCH.” Aura could feel Nora punching her on her side. The elf gave her an annoyed glare. “Which is completely besides the point!”

“I was stupid, okay? I didn’t mean to get you guys in my mess-”

“How about you go to your room?” Nora tied a knot on Aura’s fresh bandage. “I will come up and give you a looksee, see how many bruises you actually managed to get yourself.”

Feeling defeatist, Dimi groaned and left the kitchen to go and feel sorry for herself.

When Aura and Nora were the only creatures in the kitchen, the winged lion-woman coughed. “So... you think Dimi was paid upfront, or-”

Nora slapped her face. “For crying out loud, you suck!”

“I’m just saying that five big ones is a lot of money.”

***

Dimi couldn’t sleep. She lied on her bed and scratched the bandages around her head. The healing salvia itched. Being tired of not being tired, she stood up and looked out of the window to see that the sun was about to get up.

She heard a knock on the door. It was opened by Ivan. The middle-aged minotaur looked tired and stern, making Dimi feel even smaller than she already did, as if she was six, not sixteen. “Okay...” He crossed his arms. ”Now I will listen.”

Dimi felt great relief to finally get her apology off her chest. “I was stupid, I should have known she was super shady! No, I knew she were shady, I just really wanted to fight again! And she flattered me and offered me money and I fell for it like a sucker! I got the worst beating in my life and I got you guys involved and I’m so so SO stupid! I’m super sorry...” Dimi practically gasped after air as she had finished the apology she had waited hours to be allowed to give her father figure.

“Yes.” Ivan closed the door and stepped inside the bedroom. “Yes, you were stupid. I’m glad you admit that without trying to excuse it. And you know why you were stupid?”

Dimi looked at her own feet as she shrugged.

Ivan went to Dimi’s bed and sat on it. “Because you are sixteen years old. That means you do stupid things thinking you are an adult.” He patted the bed, signaling to Dimi he wanted to sit next to her. She did as she was told, still looking at her feet and blushing.

“So...” Ivan continued. “You could say you... sort of... are excused being stupid.” He patted Dimi on the head. She normally hated it when he did that, but this day it felt reassuring. “Teenagers get suckered by scumbags like Veronica, it happens. Me though... I was in my twenties, I should have known better.”

Dimi blinked and stopped looking at her feet and instead looked at the bull-man next to her. “What? You fought for Veronica once?”

Ivan groaned. “Saying once could mean I did it one time. I did it many times.”

Dimi was confused. “But... why? I don’t get it, you fought professionally. Why would you do underground fights?”

“Because I was vain and wasteful. I never wanted to tell you this because...” Ivan nudged his eyes. “Because I don’t want you to stop respecting me.”

Dimi didn’t say anything.

Ivan sighed. “We have never talked about my boxing career... it started pretty well. I was newcomer of the year, I got some great fight offers and I even fought against the famous Devil Daisy in her last match and won, making it her only defeat in her twelve years as the national champion. Money was not a problem and I was... well, full of myself. So I spent a lot of money, sometimes even spent money I didn’t have yet. That ended up biting me in the ass.”

Dimi couldn’t imagine Ivan being full of himself or that he would be financially irresponsible.

“Long story short, Veronica learned about me being in debt. She talked me into fighting for her to make some extra on the side so to say. I was... easy to convince. I actually thought it could be kind of fun, to be allowed to fight rougher, be allowed to fight dirty... but it was not so fun after I sent a guy into a coma.”

“Holy shit...” Dimi covered her mouth, and blushed over her comment.

“Yeah... holy shit, that about covers it... I realized how wrong these sorts of fights were as my opponent was a bloody mess and he didn’t get up. Not to mention that no one would get him to a healer since that would mean risking their own skin. I went to the city guard and confessed everything because I hoped it would shut down Veronica’s fights. It did, Veronica had to leave the kingdom since prison is not a nice place for gorgons. I should know, I had to spend some time there.”

“Wait... That’s what dad helped you with, right? Aura told me he helped you once at your lowest. right?”

Ivan made a meek smile. “I was sent to prison for planned assault, but it could have been much worse. Your dad used his influence as prince consort to make the judge be less harsh. He even offered me to make the whole thing just go away, but... I didn’t feel like I deserved that. Though there were some things about jail I would have liked to evade...” Ivan pointed at his broken horn. “But all in all... Prison gave me a big bite of humble pie. Anyways, after I got out, I lost my license to fight professionally.”

Dimi felt like she had lost her breath. It was quite a lot to take in.

Ivan gave her a stern glare once again. “One thing is you could have gotten hurt. REAL hurt. But what if you had been found out, if you had been arrested. The guards would have to get some actual documentation on who you are. Forget prison, you might have been exposed as Dimicatio, the human princess who the orcs assume have left the country. And what about me, your pseudo parent who had an enemy of the state in his home? And what about Aura? Do you realize how much trouble not just you but the creatures you care about could have been in?”

Dimi heard about half of what Ivan said as she were in her own thoughts and held a firm grip on her bed sheet she sat on. “I’m so sorry...”

Ivan sighed. “I’m not sure if an apology is gonna cut if after what-”

“No, not that.” Dimi interrupted him. “I mean, that too. But, like... I’m so sorry that happened to you. That you lost everything.”

Ivan blinked. “Oh. Well, it was my own fault-”

“You got tricked and manipulated. Veronica took your career away from you. You didn’t have someone to come save your ass, I did. That’s not fair...” Dimi looked at Ivan with a mix of regret and pity.

Ivan tapped the wooden floor with his one hoof and scratched his hair. He felt a bit embarrassed. “Well... You know what? Don’t be too sorry.”

Dimi was confused. “What? Why not!?”

“Well, you are right, I could never get in the ring again to fight, I had dedicated a lot of time to become a good fighter... but looking back... I don’t think I liked the creature I was back then.”

Dimi tilted her head. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, I told you, I became full of myself, I was... not a good man. I had fame, money and...” Ivan remembered his first wife. “Well, other things. But I was obsessed with what others thought of my, part of why I spent so much money on myself. Despite the bumps on the road, despite prison and shame... I’m happy about, you know, the end result.” Ivan placed his hand on Dimi’s head and ruffled her hair. “I like who I am right now. And the life I have right now? I wouldn’t trade any of it.”

Dimi smiled awkwardly. “Seriously?”

Ivan nodded. “Yeah. The last couple of years have all in all probably been the best of my life.”

Dimi blushed.

The Ivan gave her a stern look. “But I’m still VERY angry at you.”

Dimi made an awkward smirk. “Yeah, makes sense-”

“You are going to work an extra hour in the forge every day till I say you don’t.”

Dimi blinked. “Ah, that seems a bit...” She paused as Ivan raised an eyebrow, somehow making his glare worse. “Um, that seem... totally fair.”

And then Ivan gave Dimi a hug, practically squeezing her with his massive arms. “Do you have any idea how scared you made me?”

Dimi locked her arms around her godfather’s neck. “I was stupid, I am so so so so soooo sorry.”

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artificialqueens · 1 year

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Masters of the Scene, Chapter 23 (Bitney Parent Trap AU) - Veronica

A/N: Hey all! Sorry for the unintended break! When we last left off, Bianca had taken the initiative to confess her feelings, and how much she wanted to be a family again. After trying to deny that she felt the same way, Courtney had finally given in an allowed herself to return Bianca’s feelings.

Click here for prequels and previous chapters, or here if you’d rather read on AO3.

Chapter Summary: Family bonding all around. (FYI: While things do get a little spicy in this chapter, there’s no actual smut.)

***

Bianca exited the bathroom, tying the belt on her silk robe. She’d wanted a shower since arriving, always feeling strangely dirty after a cross-country flight, and had just taken full and glorious advantage of Courtney’s spa shower.

She felt incredible—and not just because of the luxurious spa shower, or the sheer number of expensive moisturizers she’d massaged into her skin. A huge, oppressive weight had been lifted from her chest and she felt better, and lighter, than she had in years. They still had a lot to talk about, of course, but knowing that they were on the same page was exhilarating.

She padded across the floor to the walk-in closet, where Courtney had helpfully set up her luggage, suitcase open on top of a dresser and every item from the overstuffed garment bag hanging up. She’d even set out a steamer for her, knowing how meticulous she was about wrinkles.

Bianca pawed through the suitcase for a pair of underwear, catching a glimpse of a red gift box and nearly reaching for it, before realizing that it would be way too much, too soon.

Slow down, bitch.

She shook her head, pulling out a pair of plain black cotton panties, then changing her mind and reaching deeper, fingers closing on some delicate mesh.

Couldn’t hurt to be prepared.

She stepped into the sheer, bright pink panties, sliding them on as she considered what to change into. Most of what she packed was for work; there wasn’t a lot of leisurewear. She made a mental note to do some shopping during the week, pick up some cute things to wear around the house. A fantasy began to take form in her mind, just a simple one: the two of them curled up on the sofa in the family room, a glass of wine in one hand, the other trailing her fingers through Courtney’s hair.

A gentle knock sounded on the door, breaking her out of her thoughts.

“Come in!” Bianca called, smiling when Courtney opened the door. “You really don’t have to knock. It’s your room.”

“Well, you still deserve privacy…” Courtney said, smiling back. She shut the door behind her. “I just wanted to check and see if you found everything you needed. Um, towels, and…”

“Yeah. I got everything I need,” Bianca said. It was true, in so many ways, and the comment hung, pleasantly heavy, in the air between them. “Sorry, I maybe took a little too long in the shower. I know you probably try to conserve water.”

“Actually, we have a greywater filtration system, so it mostly goes to water the plants. And then any extra goes to a community fire-fighting reservoir. And, um…” Courtney trailed off, sitting on the edge of the bed, pressing her lips together.

Bianca got the sense that she was stopping herself from giving a full TEDTalk about sustainable water use, and found it incredibly charming. “So…I don’t have to feel guilty about the 45-minute shower, is what you’re saying?”

“No. No guilt.”

“Good to know…” Bianca held Courtney’s gaze for a few seconds, leaning against the closet door frame, until an adorable shade of pink began to creep into her cheeks.

“So, um…” Courtney cleared her throat, looking down, and Bianca got the sense that her mind was running at a million miles a minute.

“Listen,” she began, wanting to nip whatever intense thought spiral Courtney was going down in the bud. She walked to the bed and sat down gingerly beside her, a respectable distance away. “I know we have a lot of…heavy things to talk about.”

“Yeah,” Courtney agreed softly.

“But I think, and I’m not saying we should ignore them or avoid them, but, just, for the sake of having those discussions in a way that feels…uh…safer, I guess—I think maybe we should save those topics for Tuesday. Is that…would that be okay with you?”

Courtney nodded, looking as relieved as she felt. “Yeah, I think that’s…a good idea.”

It would be so easy for them to fuck up any progress they’d made, and right now that was Bianca’s worst fear. That she would say or do something to ruin the most long-awaited reunion of her life—one that she’d frankly considered an impossible dream until recently.

“Okay,” Bianca said with another smile, the tension in her shoulders melting. “Um…are the kids getting along okay?”

“Totally!” she said. “They went for a swim, and now Danny’s showing Adore the Instagram profiles of all their classmates. I said that wasn’t a good way to judge people and I was quickly told off.”

“You said that social media isn’t a good way to judge people?” Bianca asked, amused, one eyebrow lifting as she reminded Courtney, “You’re an influencer.”

“Yes, they pointed that out,” Courtney admitted with a sheepish chuckle. “They also perhaps used the term ‘hypocrite’ and possibly requested that I leave the room. Or, well, demanded, actually. Which is fine. It’ll be nice for them to have some time to bond.”

“Mmm. So…that gives us time to bond, huh?” Bianca asked, tilting her head, fingers playing with the edge of her robe.

“Yeah…I suppose so,” Courtney said lightly, as if it was the first time it occurred to her. Her eyes traveled slowly up Bianca’s body.

As Bianca met her gaze, a pleasantly tingly feeling curled in her abdomen, the potential for the afternoon blossoming into something wonderful. Courtney looked away bashfully, her cheeks flushing. Bianca’s mind immediately went back to that red box.

“I, um, have something for you,” said Bianca carefully. “Would it be okay to give it to you now?”

“Really?!” Courtney clasped her hands together, showing the same childlike glee at the thought of a present that Bianca remembered, from so many years ago.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Bianca said with a wink, and got up to get it. “I noticed that you wear those Cartier bracelets a lot, and we did some work with them on this editorial shoot recently, so…”

She pulled the signature Cartier red box from her suitcase and handed it over. She pushed down the pang of her earlier anxiety as Courtney opened the box with a curious smile.

A small gasp fell from her lips once she opened the box, seeing the necklace laying on a cushion of black velvet. It was a Cartier ‘LOVE’ necklace in the same yellow gold she favored. As the grin disappeared from Courtney’s face, Bianca felt a flash of her earlier anxiety—should she have waited?

“Bianca,” Courtney breathed. “This is…”

She looked up, her eyes misty with tears, and Bianca forced out a laugh.

“Don’t worry, I got a real good discount,” she joked.

“I…” Courtney began to speak, but then bit her lip.

“I just, I really want you to know that I’m…all in,” Bianca said softly. God, why did she suck so hard at this? She squeezed her eyes shut, embarrassed, only to feel Courtney’s hand against her cheek, lips being pressed to hers.

She kissed Courtney back, savoring the taste of her, the softness of her touch. When they parted, she took a shaky breath, trying to stop the tears that burned in her eyes.

“I’m all in too, B,” Courtney murmured, nuzzling into her cheek.

Bianca smiled, her heart finally at peace as she wrapped her arms around Courtney’s waist.

“And this is…I mean, thank you,” Courtney added, swallowing.

“You’re welcome.” Bianca brushed a lock of hair out of Courtney’s eyes. A moment of silence passed between them, and Bianca cleared her throat, hoping that she hadn’t made the vibes too heavy. “So…bonding, huh?”

“Right.” Courtney grinned, giggling cutely.

Bianca grinned back, dimples deep, finally feeling confident that everything was okay.

“Did you, um, have enough closet space?” Courtney then asked, clearing her throat again, gesturing behind them to the walk-in. “Because if not, we could-”

“No, it’s fine. And honestly, if anyone ever complains about space in this house, you should punch them in the face.”

“I would never punch you,” Courtney said gravely, adding a coy, “Maybe a…gentle spanking. If you asked nicely.”

“Nice to know that’s on the table,” Bianca told her with a smirk.

Courtney giggled, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

“Seriously, the closet’s fine. Thanks for hanging everything. And, um, once I have more stuff, I can always add another dresser or something,” said Bianca.

“I did have another idea,” Courtney said, putting the necklace down carefully on the bureau. “See, when we first built this part of the house, I didn’t have the barn set up yet, so I had an office with a little recording space and editing bay, but…”

Courtney opened a door next to the closet, showing Bianca the adjacent office with a computer desk and bookshelves, and quite a bit of unused space.

“But I don’t use it that much anymore, so if you want…”

“Oh, this is perfect,” Bianca said, stepping inside. “That corner over there has plenty of room for another dresser, some shelves for shoes. And even some hanging racks if we need that.”

“Sure, yeah, we could do that,” Courtney said. “Or…”

Bianca looked at her curiously.

“I mean, it’s been part of the long-term plan for awhile, but before now I didn’t have a reason for it. But, if we knock down that wall, we can make the whole office a giant walk-in and dressing room. It would quadruple the space in the current closet, at least.”

Bianca’s eyes widened in delight. “Are you kidding? Or just talking dirty…?”

A wicked glint flashed in Courtney’s eyes as she reached forward, toying with the silky belt on Bianca’s robe. “With custom shelving…”

Bianca smirked, playing along with a breathy, “Keep going…”

“Racks of clothes sorted by type…length…color…” Courtney’s hands were on her hips now, guiding her backward into the bedroom until her knees hit the bed frame, where she pushed her gently onto her back.

“Uh huh…”

Courtney crawled forward, continuing as her fingers trailed teasingly up Bianca’s thigh, “Floor to ceiling, light-up display shelves for your shoes and handbags…”

Bianca moaned, now only half-kidding as Courtney’s lips found her pulse point, brushing over the tender skin and sending a wave of electricity down her spine. “Fuck…”

Courtney nibbled at her neck, up her jaw, then used one finger to tilt her chin down, leveling a naughty gaze at her. Bianca’s breathing grew ragged as their lips met. She kissed her hungrily, clutching at the loose fabric of her cover-up, wanting nothing more than to rip it away unceremoniously. A warm hand slid up her inner thigh, parting her legs easily.

A whimper fell from her lips as Courtney’s fingers found the edge of her panties.

Then suddenly, without warning, aggressive pounding on the door startled her out of her bliss.

“Hey! Open up!”

They instinctually sprang apart at the noise, panting.

“Ugh,” Bianca groaned good-naturedly, “You didn’t tell me you have kids.”

“Yeah, a couple,” Courtney laughed as the pounding continued.

“Dealbreaker,” Bianca grumbled, pulling her robe closed.

“Sorry.”

“Why’s the door locked?!”

“Just a moment, darlings!” Courtney called, rising from the bed.

“Good call on the lock,” Bianca muttered quietly.

“Not my first rodeo,” Courtney whispered with a wink. She walked to the door and pulled it open, the kids all but falling inside. “Yes?”

“Hi,” Danny said casually, strolling in. Adore followed with a knowing grin on her face.

“Sure, come on in,” Courtney joked, flopping down on the bed.

“Whatcha doin?” Adore asked coyly.

“Talking,” Bianca replied.

“Uh huh, is that what you kids are calling it these days?”

“You know-” Bianca began, a sarcastic comeback on the tip of her tongue, but Courtney put a hand on her leg and cut in.

“Are you guys alright?”

“Yeah, we were just thinking…” Danny said, “Wouldn’t it be fun if we went out somewhere really nice for dinner?”

“Hmmm, what did you have in mind?” Courtney asked, wrapping her arm around Danny’s shoulders.

“Well…” Adore crawled forward on the bed as well, curling up next to Bianca. She patted her on the thigh, saying, “Keep your legs closed. Don’t want to give poor Danny a sex ed lesson he’s not ready for.”

“I’m wearing underwear,” Bianca informed her. Sheer, mesh underwear, but they didn’t need to know that.

“Good for you, want a medal?”

“I know all about anatomy,” Danny piped in. “Mum bought me books when I was like 5. They came with little dolls.”

“Gross,” Adore said, wrinkling her nose. “Also, pretty sure looking at a doll is not the same as looking at your own mother’s bush.”

“Once again! I’m wearing underwear! No one’s seeing my bush!” Bianca insisted, though she made sure to clamp her knees together tightly, and put a throw pillow on her lap for extra safety.

Danny looked at Courtney, cringing.

“Yeah, you were embarrassed this morning when I mentioned boobs,” she teased. “They’re gonna talk like that every day.”

“Sorry, bunny,” Bianca said, chagrined. She supposed that the way she spoke to Adore might not always be terribly appropriate for Danny.

“Bunny’s gonna grow up fast,” Adore giggled.

“Can we just get back to the restaurant?” Danny pleaded.

“Oh yeah. We both really like Nobu,” Adore said.

“Ahh, sushi, speaking of vaginas…” Courtney chimed in, making Bianca snort with laughter.

“Mum!” Danny said, looking ten times as horrified as he was before. Clearly, he held Courtney to a much higher standard of appropriateness. Probably justified.

“Sorry,” Courtney gave a cheeky smile that said she wasn’t sorry at all.

Bianca turned to Adore, pinching her thigh lightly. “Nobu, huh? Are you two paying?”

“I would, if you gave me the Amex again,” Adore offered generously.

“It’s not the Amex, it’s my Amex,” Bianca clarified.

“Potato, po-tah-to…”

“There’s also that place by the pier, the Malibu Farm,” Danny suggested.

“More fuckin’ farms?” Bianca asked. “What is it with LA and farms?”

“We like vegetables,” Courtney said.

“Oh! Or that one where we went in Santa Monica, some kind of weird fruit…uh…pomegranate? Or kumquat?” Adore said.

“Fig?” Danny guessed.

“Yeah!”

“Okay, so what I’m understanding is that you guys are pretty open to any restaurant, as long as it’s expensive,” Courtney said, laughing.

“Yes. Because it’s a special night.”

“Alright. Well let me see what I can do.” She hauled herself off the bed and pulled out her phone.

“Why is she calling? Do you not have Open Table here?” Bianca asked. “Are we time traveling to the 90s for dinner?”

“Omigod, I wish,” Adore breathed.

“She’s using her celebrity status to get us a table,” Danny explained. “Since it’s kinda last minute.”

Bianca nodded. “Ahh, I see. I didn’t realize she was that level of celebrity.”

“Oh yeah,” Adore said. “At least C-list.”

“So, what’s the difference between D-list and C-list?” Bianca asked.

“Money,” Danny said, making Bianca chuckle, just as Courtney hung up and gave them all a bright smile.

“Alright, we got Nobu at 6:45! Don’t say I never did nothin’ for ya!” She climbed back on the bed, tickling both kids, who squealed happily.

Bianca leaned her head back on a pillow with a contented sigh. The last time they’d all piled on a bed together was when the kids were 4 years old. It was a much smaller bed, in a much smaller living space, back when they were doing everything they could to hold their lives together, clinging to the shreds of their relationship by their fingernails.

In the back of her mind, Bianca had been a little worried that things might be awkward or strange—after all, the kids didn’t remember their lives before. Would there be an adjustment period? But seeing her family all together, it just felt right.

“I have another question for you guys,” Courtney said, “Since it’s your birthday next weekend…”

“Oh yeah, it is…” Danny said, tapping on his chin, as if it had just occurred to him for the first time that he had a birthday coming up.

“Yeah, and we’ve been planning a party at the La Brea Tar Pits for Danny…”

“Tar Pits? That sounds like a school trip,” Adore said, making a face.

“No, it’s really fun!” Danny exclaimed, “There’s a 3D movie and a show all about the Ice Age, and you get to see the paleontologists excavate fossils live! It’s so cool!”

Adore turned to Bianca, her face contorted into a helpless grimace that told her exactly how she felt about a live fossil excavation.

“Be nice,” Bianca told her.

“Honey, it’s okay, I kind of assumed that the Tar Pits wouldn’t be your cup of tea,” Courtney said. “So I think we should plan something special for you, too. I mean, 12 is a pretty big birthday.”

“Well…I can’t have a party,” Adore said, her lower lip sticking out in a pout, “I don’t have any friends here yet.”

“I did consider that. Which is why I was thinking that maybe we could start planning something once you’ve been here for a few weeks, and you know who you’d want to invite.”

“Yeah, maybe…” Adore shrugged.

“And that means having the party in about a month, which just so happens to be real close to Halloween…” Courtney trailed off. “But, would you like that, or…?”

“Oh, I dunno, Court,” Bianca said, catching on. “I don’t think she’d be into a Halloween party. All that spooky stuff?”

“Shut up, I love spooky stuff!” Adore cried. “Halloween is my favorite!”

“Oh right, now I remember,” Courtney teased. “So…then should that be our plan? A Halloween-slash-birthday party, once you’re settled in?”

“Yeah!” Adore sighed happily, resting her head on Bianca’s shoulder.

“Fantastic,” Courtney said, pressing a kiss to Danny’s head. “So…let’s get ready for this special dinner, hmm?”

***

Courtney walked into the kitchen, where Bianca was sitting at the table, typing at her laptop. She looked incredible, in a scoop-necked, hot pink sweater and studded black leather jacket. As usual, her hair was shining, and every accessory was immaculately selected to compliment her ensemble. Her makeup was perfect, too, a glamorous smoky eye and her usual ruby lipstick traded for a brighter pink.

Even better than how amazing she looked, though, was what an absolute joy it was to see her so casually comfortable at the kitchen table, one elbow resting under her chin, a tall glass of iced coffee beside her. (Courtney didn’t miss the fact that she’d put a coaster under it to protect the reclaimed wood, or that she was using a metal straw.)

Courtney was flooded with gratitude—that Bianca had taken such extreme measures to come here, to prove her devotion, to be the one brave enough to put her heart on the line when she’d been too terrified, too defensive. For a second, she wondered if she deserved it, that fear sneaking into her stomach when she was least expecting it. Could she ever measure up to Bianca’s expectations?

But then, Bianca looked up from the computer, and her face melted into the most charming, dimpled grin. “Hey there.”

“Hi,” Courtney said shyly, biting her lip. “How do I look?”

Instead of a knee-jerk response, Bianca took her time taking in Courtney’s whole outfit, her eyes traveling up and down her body. She was wearing a black sundress trimmed with Spanish lace, gladiator sandals, and a canary-yellow cashmere pashmina thrown around her shoulders. She hoped that the yellow and gold jewelry she had on didn’t look tacky with her shiny red nail polish. She especially wouldn’t have wanted to cheapen the absolutely beautiful gold necklace Bianca gave her earlier, now proudly around her neck.

After a few moments, when Bianca still didn’t offer any comment, Courtney prodded, “So…is it okay? Do you approve?”

“Yes,” Bianca said simply, eyes raking over her body once more, adding, “You look perfect.”

“Thanks. And you…” Courtney felt her cheeks heating up as she basked in the glow of Bianca’s attention. Finally, she bit her lip, breaking eye contact, trying not to let herself get distracted from the mission at hand, which was a wholesome family dinner with the kids. “Um, are you ready to go, or-”

“Oh, yeah, almost. Two minutes and I’ll be done here,” Bianca said, giving another dimpled grin before returning to the computer.

“Sure,” Courtney said. She went over to the stairs to call the kids down, her hand grazing Bianca’s arm as she passed by, the smooth leather luxurious against her fingertips.

Adore came skipping out first, looking every bit as adorable as her name in a little black denim skirt, distressed jean jacket and tights, a plethora of goth-y silver jewelry, and ankle boots that could have been stolen from Bianca’s closet. But the icing on the cake was her T-shirt that read ‘Favorite Daughter.’

“Hi Mum! Whoa, you look hot, nice dress,” Adore said.

“Thank you, baby, and you look absolutely beautiful.” Courtney wrapped an arm around her, kissing the top of her head, right in between her purple space buns.

“You like the shirt?” Adore asked, fluttering her lashes.

“It’s perfect. And you are my favorite daughter.”

“Ooh, don’t let Danny hear that,” Adore teased.

“Well, he’s my favorite son-and there he is!” Courtney exclaimed, as Danny sailed into the room. He had really outdone himself, wearing a rainbow romper and an assortment of butterfly clips in his hair.

“Who’s your favorite son?” he asked, hopping up onto one of the bar stools at the counter, crossing his ankles delicately. He’d put on some colorful, glittery eye makeup and carried a little black cat wristlet purse that Courtney had put in his Easter basket the previous year. Blue, heart-shaped sunglasses were stuck into the neck of his romper.

It made Courtney sublimely happy to see both of her kids expressing themselves exactly the way they wanted, in a way that she’d never felt safe to do growing up. She reached for his huarache sandal-clad foot and gave it a squeeze.

“You are, without a doubt,” she told him. “And stunning, too.”

“Aww, thanks Mum!” he said, tossing his hair and giving her a charming smile, so much like Bianca’s that it warmed Courtney’s heart.

“Alright, done,” Bianca proclaimed, shutting her laptop with a sigh. “You guys ready to go?”

“Yup!”

Bianca rose from the table, giving Courtney a better look at the high-waisted leather shorts that showed off her long, shapely legs perfectly. She picked up her Birkin from the table and surveyed the kids, saying, “Wow, we are quite a group, aren’t we?”

“Hashtag fam goals,” Adore said.

“Uh huh, very that. Although, uh, Danny…”

Courtney tensed up slightly, praying that Bianca didn’t say anything to undermine his confidence.

“...You know it’s fall, right bunny?” she finished, and Courtney exhaled, relieved and a tiny bit ashamed for doubting her.

Danny giggled, sliding off the counter with a shrug.

“That’s your issue with his outfit?” Adore asked, heading for the door. “That it’s out of season? It looks like a rainbow fairy threw up on him.”

Bianca swatted her on the butt as she passed, barking, “Be nice!”

“I don’t mind that description,” Danny said. “Rainbow fairies are cool.”

“Indeed,” Courtney chimed in.

“I just don’t want you to be cold,” Bianca told him.

“He’ll be fine. We dress for summer year-round here,” said Courtney.

“You’re wearing cashmere.”

“It’s just a wrap, for when it gets chilly later,” she said. “And I’ll share with him if I need to.”

“Sorry, nobody is gonna ask why he’s got sunglasses on?” Adore asked. “It’s almost dark.”

“They’re in case we get papped.” Danny put on the heart-shaped glasses and diva-walked to the door, proclaiming, “Let’s go!”

Adore followed, rolling her eyes, and Courtney’s eyes met Bianca’s, both of them laughing at their kids’ antics.

Outside, the sun was in fact low in the sky, making everything glow with soft pink light, which they decided they needed to capture, having a little impromptu family photo shoot.

“Mum, this would be such a good look for your Insta,” Adore said, “Go stand over there and I’ll take your picture.”

Courtney laughed, handing over her phone and saying, “Okay, but quick, because I’m hungry.”

She posed where Adore had directed, giving her best model faces while Adore called out, “Yaaaas! Werk! Stunning! New pose! Yaaaas! C’mon angles!” while Danny laughed and clapped.

“Are you actually planning to use these pictures?” Bianca asked.

“I guess, if they’re good,” Courtney said, changing her pose again for Adore.

“Work it, gorge! Stun! Omigod, you’re a model!”

“Alright, give me that,” Bianca said, snatching the phone out of Adore’s hand.

“Rude!” Adore exclaimed.

“Watch and learn,” Bianca said, then turned to Courtney, directing her to, “move a little to the left. Now, think of the shawl as a background to silhouette the dress, so create a nice shape, draped behind you.”

“This feels weird,” said Courtney, trying to follow her instructions without being awkward.

“No, that’s good. Hold that. Tilt your chin down. Not that much. Look at a spot like…there,” she said, pointing, “and think about something deep… Not that deep, we want model, not astrophysicist.”

“Don’t make me laugh!” Courtney warned, trying not to move too much.

“Just think about, uh…love… Good.” Bianca snapped a few shots, then said, “Now think about sex…”

Behind her, the kids tittered with laughter, and Courtney felt her cheeks blaze. Bianca reached behind her and snapped, causing them both to shut up instantly, before directing her full attention back to Courtney, who swallowed. The confidence, that air of authority she’d always had, made Courtney’s pulse quicken.

“Ignore them, listen to me. Yup, better.”

Bianca’s voice was soft but firm, and Courtney found it easy to go along with her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she imagined that voice in her ear, Bianca’s hands sliding up her thighs.

“Now, without turning your head, look at me…”

Courtney shifted her gaze to lock eyes with Bianca, a thrill rippling through her as she did.

“Got it,” Bianca said, then showed the phone to Adore triumphantly. “See? That’s Insta-worthy.”

“Oh, those are better,” Danny said, peering at the screen. “Like way better.”

“Exactly. And that’s why you don’t hire a child to do a woman’s job,” Bianca teased, popping her tongue. She handed the phone back to Courtney, eyes sparkling, fingers brushing against hers.

“Thank you.” Courtney dropped the phone in her bag and pulled out her car keys, letting Bianca take her other hand as they headed for the car.

“It’s not really fair to compare them,” Adore complained. “I can’t tell her to think about sex and look at me. I mean, I could, but-”

“Please don’t,” said Danny.

“I second that request,” Courtney giggled, giddy from the feeling of Bianca’s fingers laced with hers.

***

“So…what do you kids feel like doing now?” Courtney asked, after they arrived back home.

They’d eaten a delicious dinner, but even better than the food was how easy it felt for the four of them to be together. Bianca had been a little concerned when the night began; that nagging voice in the back of her mind telling her not to get too comfortable, because she could—and would—screw it up at any time. Probably by getting into some stupid and avoidable fight.

But so far, it wasn’t like that at all. For most of the meal, the conversation was dominated by the kids chattering happily, across the table from them, she and Courtney only occasionally chiming in. It seemed that both of them were content to simply relax and enjoy the evening, the feeling of being beside each other at last.

It was the little things that Bianca found herself appreciating. The way she rested her arm casually on the back of Courtney’s chair, fingers occasionally brushing her bare shoulder where the shawl had slipped down. Or the way Courtney would cast furtive glances at her throughout the meal, a naughty gleam in her eyes, anticipation building in her belly for what would happen later, when they were alone. Or even just the way she laughed along with the kids—Bianca had missed hearing her laugh.

Now, back at the house, Courtney continued, asking the kids, “Do you want to watch a movie, or-”

“Actually,” Adore cut her off. “I’m like, super tired.”

“You are?” Courtney asked.

“Yeah, it’s past midnight in New York. I really think I should go to sleep early. Right, Roach?”

“But I’m not tired,” Danny began, and Adore elbowed him in the side.

“Don’t you need to rest your foot?” she asked pointedly. “The one that you hurt earlier?”

Bianca smiled at the blatant lie, catching Courtney’s eye and exchanging a secret grin. Adore could be a tremendous cockblocker when she wanted to be, but it appeared she could also be a great wingman. She was really living up to that ‘Favorite Daughter’ shirt.

“My foot?” Danny asked, brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking ab-OW!”

“Adore!” Bianca scolded, since she’d clearly stepped on his poor foot behind the kitchen island, and it probably hurt like hell, given that he was wearing sandals and she was in chunky-heeled boots. Courtney rushed to his side, concerned.

“What? He hurt his foot, I was just reminding him,” Adore said innocently.

“Be nice, before we both get kicked out!” Bianca barked, annoyed.

“Are you alright?” Courtney asked Danny, who was still grimacing in pain and scowling at Adore.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to rest my foot, apparently.”

“Aw, want me to help you upstairs, bro?” Adore asked sweetly.

“Sure. Thanks, sis!” Danny said sarcastically.

“Don’t you guys want us to tuck you in?” Courtney asked, her arm still around Danny. She pressed a kiss to his temple.

“No, that’s okay. We’ll manage.” Adore gave a dramatic, exaggerated yawn. “Man am I beat.”

“Yeah, we’ll be fine,” Danny added. Somewhere along the way, he seemed to have caught onto Adore’s unsubtle plan.

“Okay, if you’re sure,” Courtney said, hugging them.

Bianca stepped forward to hug both kids and kiss them goodnight as well.

“Goodnight, guys. Sleep well.”

Once they’d headed upstairs, she turned to Courtney, a rush of butterflies filling her belly as she took in her soft expression. A lock of blonde hair had fallen into her eyes, the same one that never cooperated, and Bianca reached forward to brush it away.

“So…”

END NOTE: Click here to see the absolutely gorgeous artwork that @artificialcandycane made featuring the outfits from this chapter, as well as the kiss at the end of Chapter 16.

#rpdr fanfiction #veronica #masters of the scene #s6 #adore delano #bianca del rio #courtney act #bitney #parent trap au #bitney parent trap #lesbian au #trans character #kid fic #angst #fluff

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alice-honeysuckle · 6 months

Text

Book One of the Bristol Temptations Series.

|Chapter Two|

2. Tennessee Orange

They arrived at Chase's coach's shop an hour later. The drive was supposed to take two hours and thirty minutes. Chase had cut their time by more than half in the Dodge.

The gravel crunched and groaned under the weight of the car as they pulled into the lot. The huge garage held a sign the size of Chase himself that read 'Sully's Scraps N' Stuff'. The building was the size of a mini house, it could have fit several cars inside easily. Considering her brother was working with one of the richest men in the racing industry this was shocking. It kind of reminded her of home and their father's little garage.

Chase brought the car to a stop in the middle of the garage and cut it off. They had barely gotten their doors open when she heard gravel being turned up from tiny running footsteps.

"Roni! Chay!" Sully's seven-year-old grandson, Sammy, came bounding down the hill from the magnificent old farmhouse. His blonde hair was a mess and mud and oil splattered the front of his blue jean overalls. That didn't stop the little menace from running straight into Veronica's arms. She picked up the little boy and giggled as he landed kisses on her cheeks.

"Sammy! You're gonna get me dirty!" Veronica laughed, ruffling his hair. He beamed a huge smile and pointed to a hole where his front tooth was missing.

"Look, Roni, I finally lost my first tooth!" The word 'tooth' came out "toof" as he tried to open his mouth to show his gaping hole more.

"That's awesome, Sammy." Veronica smiled as the bundle of energy took off towards his grandpa, with Chase standing next to him and not looking too happy. Veronica watched as Sully sent the little boy inside, and Chase's face told her he was pretty ticked off about something that Sully was saying. She decided that if moving away from home was what she agreed to she would do things her way from now on.

So she started walking towards her brother and Sully. Her father had always told her 'Women do not belong in dangerous environments. Men are built for strength.' By God, she'd show her father he was wrong.

"Chase, what's wrong?" Veronica looked to her now anxious-looking brother to Sully.

Her voice cut through Sully's aggravated whisper. His blue eyes went from Chase to her in a matter of seconds and she bit back a gasp. She'd grown up around Sully and he was never the one who instigated a fight. The man was loving and kind. Had raised his daughter's son because his parents had been killed in a car accident when he was less than a year old. So when he looked at her, the bright purple and green bruise with the swollen flesh around his eye made anger burn through her veins. Someone had messed with our family, and they were going to pay.

***

Sebastian arrived two hours later, right before dinner had been served. He'd brought his brother Owen along. They all had planned this since they were sixteen. The boys were a well-oiled machine, she was invited because she was Chase's younger sister (by five minutes). Chase would drive, Sebastian would do the maintenance, and Sully would coach. Sully made this all possible considering he co-owned Bristol Motor Speedway.

Veronica was there to be a spectator, but she was going to change that.

They all sat at the long dining table, a wall that was made entirely of a glass window looking out into the Tennessee countryside. In one corner of the property, horses roamed in an open field near a red and white barn. The table was made of a dark rich oak that was glossy from a waxing not long ago.

"So you're telling me that Santiago did this to Sully?" Sebastian's deep voice reverberated down Veronica's spine and down into her core. He had been having this effect on her since the beginning of Junior year. He had been a senior. Chase nodded slowly, glancing towards Veronica with a little bit of anxiety. She had refused to be dismissed after Sully had taken Sammy upstairs for his bath.

"Sully said he saw him himself, right before he knocked him a good one." Owen commented, a lit cigarette dangling loosely from his lips and long slicked-back brunette hair that came to his shoulder and eyes the color of amber gold. He too was giving Veronica glances, but his was more of curiosity than malice. He was pacing her, wondering why she was here but not voicing that she shouldn't.

"Who is Santiago? And why did he 'knock Sully a good one'?" Veronica asked, quoting what Owen had said. His gaze darkened when the sentence came from her lips. They really didn't want her to know anything, did they?

"Santiago drives for Texas in the Bristol Series Cup. His family doesn't quite get along with the Davis's. When Santiago started racing, he wasn't quite pleasant to your brother." This had come from Sebastian, who had moved to sit at the far end of the table. His creamy ice blue eyes were full of quiet hate. Veronica had never seen such a look on her friend's face, he had always been gentle with them. Maybe she didn't know the boys sitting in front of her as good as she had initially thought.

"Then we should do something about it, teach them a lesson-" Veronica started.

"Roni, why don't you head on to bed? We've got to wear Tennessee Orange with a bright face tomorrow." Chase said gently but not without authority.

She set her jaw and stood. She could feel Owen's eyes on her as she rose from her chair and headed towards the door.

***

Early the next morning the garage was abuzz. Dozens of men were working on several different cars and the sounds of air guns filled the air outside Veronica's window. She had chosen to wear a tight orange tank top with her daisy dukes. She was trying to decide between her knee high orange Converse or a pair of orange diamond incrusted sandals.

"Definitely the Converse!" A sweet little southern voice filled the air. Veronica squealed and embraced the short blonde that had entered the room.

"Cozette, oh my god girl it's been forever!"

Cozette giggled and looked around the room. Her green eyes matched her blonde hair so beautifully. They had met when they were ten at one of Chase's competitions in Tennessee. They'd been best friends since.

"I was wondering when you city folk would bring their asses back down the road aways! How have you been, baby girl?"

"I still haven't told Sebastian." Veronica confessed.

"I knew it! Girl you have got to tell him. It's only going to keep eating at you inside. You are an amazing human being, there's absolutely no way he wouldn't want you." Cozette smiled, raising her eyebrow cheekily, making Veronica crack a giggle.

"Fine. I'll tell him I need to talk to him after the football game on Friday. Only if you tell Chase how you feel about him."

"No way." Cozette groaned.

"Nope! You're totally doing it!" Veronica laughed and jokingly pushed Cozette.

"Roni?" Sebastian tapped on the door, dipping his head inside. "Oh, hey Cozy."

"Hey Bash." Cozy gave a little wave, and then winked at Veronica making her turn beet red.

"Chase wanted me to tell you we'd be heading out. Don't want to be late for our first day of school."

"Sounds like a plan." Veronica smiled. His black had grown so long the curly tendrils were hanging in his eyes. Her fingers itched to brush it from his face, just to see if it really was soft as it was in her dreams.

"Alright." He nodded and turned to leave.

"Bash, wait."

He turned back to her "Yes?"

"Converse or sandals?"

He chuckled and gave a small smirk

"Converse."

#biker boy #romance #wattpad #dark romance #writerscommunity #writers on tumblr #viralpost #tumblr fyp

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redrobin-detective · 3 years

Text

Half of

Danny Fenton was half ghost. Or something.

No one was quite sure what that meant exactly or if it was even true. A ghost in a pure white suit had announced it during an attack on the town until he was beaten and silenced by Phantom. It’s been three days since then and the nerd hasn’t been at school. Not that Dash was looking for him or anything.

Dash worried, for just a second, that something bad happened to him. The Guys in White creeps had been asking questions around school the last few days. There’d been a noticeable lack in ghost attacks around town, maybe another ghost got to him? What about his ghost obsessed parents? Surely they wouldn’t have done anything to their own kid...

“Think Danny will be in school today?” Kwan whispered nervously, leaning in close to Dash’s side. Talking too loudly about the elephant, or ghost he guesses, in the room got people very forcefully interviewed by the government.

“Why the hell would I know?” Dash grumbled, shaking his friend off to shove his hands deep into the pockets of his letterman jacket. “No one knows what’s going on, Manson and Foley haven’t shown up either.”

“I hope they’re ok,” Kwan said quietly, looking down at the floor.

“Why do you care?” Dash grumbled, harsher than he meant to.

“You and everyone ditched me for Danny when Paulina was dating him, remember? Sam and Tucker were real pals and Danny, well he’s weird but not really that bad.” Kwan said bitterly before his eyebrows twisted in confusion. “That was actually pretty out of character for Paulina to date him now that I think about it, maybe he was, like, using ghost magic to control her?”

“That’s stu-” Dash was interrupted by the usually noise of Casper High going dead silent. He and Kwan shrugged at each other. He saw Star down the hallway, staring at something. He caught her eye and mouthed What is it at her. Her eyes slid back over to the hall before mouthing Fenton back.

“Shit,” Dash couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, “Fenton’s here.” He glanced over at Kwan, trying to hide his nervousness. “Guess we’ll find out if he’s some sort of ghost freak after all.”

Kwan eyed him for a second, “you know if Danny really is half of a ghost then maybe you’ll want to quit it with the names.” The warning bell rang for first period. “You guys have homeroom together with Lancer, right? Just, I don’t know, don’t make him mad or anything.”

“Man, don’t even joke,” Dash said with a strained smile. “It’s Fenton, what’s the nerd gonna do?”

XxX

Fenton always sat in the back right of the class so seeing him there wasn’t that strange. What was strange was that he was there before the bell rang, not looking sweaty or exhausted or beaten up. Seeing him sitting there with an almost bored expression, casually leaning one arm over the back of his chair. It was eerie, seeing Fenton try to act normal. Dash felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on his head as he stiffly walked by the nerd he usually smacked when he walked by. He thought he felt Fenton’s icy eyes following him as he passed. Dash made sure he didn’t scurry like a wimp to his seat but it was a close thing.

“Class, please stop staring at Mr. Fenton and let us begin,” Lancer sighed, unsuccessfully trying to start the class.

“Do you know the ghost boy?” Paulina asked, slamming her palms on her desk and ignoring their teacher. “Because if you’ve been holding out on me-”

“I mean everyone in Amity Park knows him,” Fenton shrugged. He’d been so chill this morning, like the whole thing wasn’t bothering him. It only made Dash more antsy. He bounced his leg under the desk.

“Can you do anything cool? Like fly or shoot lasers from your eyes?” Mikey asked, leaning forward with curiosity.

“I can do lots of cool things,” Fenton sniffed. “I know a lot about the space program and local astronomy. I draw sometimes and I’m think I’m pretty good. I also have super flexible joints so I can do this.” He grinned a little as everyone squealed when he bent his thumb back so far it nearly touched his wrist. “Of course,” his grin turned into an eye roll, “no one really cares about that only my supposed superpowers.”

“What is a half of, exactly? What that ghost called you?” Dash found himself asking. He almost didn’t want to be heard but Fenton turned to look at him anyways.

“What do you think it means?” Fenton questioned back. Though he had a teasing smirk, his eyes looked dull and dead. Dash couldn’t look at them and ducked his head.

“Alright, alright, enough with the questions. The Fenton’s gave Danny a clean bill of health and allowed him to rejoin class so that’s all you kids need to know. Now, back to what we were actually talking about.” Class continued as expected but everyone still snuck glances at Fenton. He’s not sure what they were all waiting for, him to suddenly turn green or sprout horn or whatever. But Fenton just sat there, still as anything, trying to act normal and it just didn’t fit him right and it was all just. Wrong.

XxX

Dash was relieved Fenton wasn’t in his second or third period classes but they did have the same lunchtime. For the first time since he was skinny, bucktoothed 6th grader, Dash wanted to hide away and eat his lunch in private. But Fenton wasn’t the only one trying to keep up appearances.

“Alright, what has everyone got,” Paulina was whispering to the table by the time Dash was sitting down. “The day is halfway over, someone had to have seen him doing something ghostly.”

“I mean we don’t know how long he’s been like this,” Star commented, flipping her hair as pretense to sneak a glance at the loser trio near the back entrance of the cafeteria. “He could’ve been hiding his for a while.”

“Fenton’s always been weird,” Dale commented with a sneer, stabbing at his beefaroni. “Since day one, he’s been jumpy and clumsy and goes through weird mood swings.”

“Maybe he’s never been normal,” Kwan said with a little frown. Now Dash knows this wasn’t true. He was the only one at the table who’d gone to the same middle school as Fenton. The nerd had talked too much about space and was always tripping over something but he’d been like all the other annoying brats in middle school. Dale was onto something, Fenton had changed once high school hit which means whatever is up with him as been going on for a while. Years.

He suddenly felt eyes on him, a cold, crawling feeling that made his breath catch in his throat. Dash squeezed his eyes shut and breathed a silent sigh of relief as the eyes turned from him. They didn’t return but Dash found he couldn’t eat after that.

XxX

“Dude, did you hear about Fenton?” Victor said in an excited but still hushed whisper as Dash was leaving fifth period.

“No, what did he do?” Dash asked with dread.

“He had gym last period and apparently he’s been faking his loser weakness. He crawled up the rope climb like a goddamned spider monkey and then slid himself back down. Don’t know how he didn’t have intense rope burn from that. He also beat Charlie, Katie and Veronica on the sprinting portion. Must be those ghosty genes.”

“Fenton did all that?” Dash asked, he bit the inside of his cheek. Hard.

“Yeah it was crazy, I thought Tetslaf was gonna pass out,” Victor laughed. “Maybe we should get him to try out for the football team, he’d be a great running back or-”

“Come on, Vic,” Dash laughed but the sound came out wrong. “Why would we want Fenton on our team? He’s, he’s Fenton! Just a skinny, weird little wimp.” Vic side-eyed him a bit before clapping Dash on the back.

“World’s changing, Dash. First ghosts, now half ghosts, it’s all wrong but you just gotta roll with it. All I know is I have 2 years left in this hell hole before I leave this miserable place for Chicago and never look back. I recommend you do the same, after all,” Vic grinned again but it was sharper. “Fenton’s always been your personal punching bag, not every day you learn your victim has superpowers.”

“We don’t know what the hell is up with Fenton,” Dash defended. Vic just shrugged.

“Yeah but he’s always been a freak now we know he ain’t human. Who knows what else he’s hiding?” Vic said with a smug smile before wandering off, giving a halfhearted wave over his shoulder as he left.

Dash stood in the hallway, trying to get himself under control until the warning and late bell rang. Only then, when he was certain he wouldn’t run into Fenton, did he head to class.

XxX

“Should we follow him, see where he goes?” Paulina said, biting onto one of her nails in nervous excitement. Paulie was gorgeous and overall pretty cool but her thing with ghosts sometimes tired Dash out. Now more than ever.

“Come on, that’s like stalking,” Kwan scolded. “Even if that wasn’t illegal or whatever it’s just not cool. They had a rough day today, leave ‘em alone.” That icy chill returned and Dash looked out of the corner of his eye to see Fenton and his cronies walking out of the school.

Truthfully, Dash didn’t think Fenton had that bad of a day. Yeah people were asking questions but he’d side stepped them all, gave non-answers. Other people talked about Fenton’s supposed strength in gym but there’d been conflicting reports, some said he flew up the rope climb, others said he levitated doing his push ups. Dash really didn’t know what to believe. Fenton was just acting, well, like Fenton. He paused for a second, stopped walking before catching up with the group.

Maybe... maybe Dash was getting caught up over nothing. There really was no proof Fenton was this ‘half of’ other than what one dumb ghost said. He thought back to Fenton’s grin during first period; stupid nerd was probably milking his 15 minutes of fame and bully free time. His earlier fear and uncertainty burst into flames until a familiar anger was burning in his gut. Now this he knew what to do with.

“Yeah, well his day is about to get rougher,” Dash heard himself say as he stomped off to where Fenton was smiling tiredly at something Manson was saying. “Hey Fentonio! Think you’re pretty cool with every paying attention to you but I-”

Fenton gasped suddenly, like a hiccup only his breath misted out in front of him cold as a winter’s day. Dash stopped midsentence watching as Fenton’s whole face twisted. His earlier weary but tolerant annoyance that he’d been projecting all day was stripped away. He glared at Dash with an expression that was hard as ice and full of an exhaustion and bitterness he couldn’t begin to understand.

“As payment for being forcibly outed,” Fenton spoke up loudly enough that most of the school yard could hear him. “I was promised a week.” His eyes slowly but methodically scanned the crowd who had frozen in place at his authoritative tone. “Where I didn’t have to deal with ghosts, so I want to know... Who is trespassing on my haunt.”

Fenton’s mouth opened impossibly wide revealing what seemed like rows of sharped teeth. He curled his fingers into claws and, looking closer, his fingernails had indeed become real claws, as sharp and deadly as his teeth. His eyes blazed an impossible, ectoplasmic green and his dark hair developed streaks of white. He was terrifying, monstrous, but he was still Fenton. That feeling that had been eating at dash all day came back full force. Not the realization that Fenton had powers or whatever but that he had been hiding it in plain sight through ghost attacks and bullies and failing grades. This had always been Fenton, they just hadn’t seen. Until now that is.

And now the script had flipped and Dash didn’t know how this Ghost Fenton, who still was the same Fenton Dash had wedgied last Wednesday, fit. A green blob ghost materialized over by stairs, quivering and wailing in some ghost language. It turned and fled, presumably in the direction of the Fenton Portal to escape Fenton’s wrath. Fenton’s glowing eyes tracked it for a moment before he straightened up from his hunched posture and... was human again.

He brushed his hands through his black hair, lazily blinked blue eyes and, when he smiled, his teeth were normal. But Dash had seen, they all had. He’d let them see but to what end, he had no idea. Fenton turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow and another small smirk, just as tired as earlier.

“Sorry about that Dash, I take my vacation time very seriously. You were saying?” Fenton said with a smug lilt but his eyes were still dead and there was a bit of fear in them now. Despite his powers, he still gripped his backpack tightly.

“When your dumb little vacation’s up, Fentionail,” Dash said with a shaky voice. “It’s-it’s back to business, okay? Punches and wedgies and locker shoving. You,” he voice cracked a bit and he fought it down. “It’ll ramp up now that I know you can take it.” Fenton blinked, once then twice before he smiled. This time it wasn’t annoyed or scary or fearful but like the dumb grins he usually gave his dumb friends.

“Yeah okay, we’ll start back up next week. The usual time?” Dash nodded, not knowing what else to say. “Alright, see you around.” He turned to walk away before pausing and turning back. “Actually you should be careful on who you shove into lockers, it can get hard to breathe in there and not everyone can phase out of them. You never know who’ll turn up dead,” he grinned and his eyes flashed green again, “if only half.”

That said, he and his friends walked away, ignoring the stares of the entire school on them. “Oh and it’s halfa, not half of,” Fenton called out over his shoulder. “I’m not half of anything, I’m just a whole me even if the details get a bit complicated.”

“Bye Danny, see you tomorrow,” Kwan called after with a grimace. No one else said anything for a minute until Dash found the strength to move his legs from where they’d been planted. He clenched his fists to hide his shaking and continued his walk home. Everyone else slowly did the same, talking quietly among themselves.

“What the hell was that?” Dale asked in a nervous high pitched voice. “What the hell did I just see?”

“Fenton being a weirdo but that’s nothing new,” Dash shrugged with a confidence he didn’t have yet. But if Fenton could show up to school after being outed and then willingly show them his inhumanity, then Dash needed to up his game. Couldn’t let the nerd be cool or anything. “So what if he glows or whatever, he’s still Fenton. Look I gotta get home, it’s Pookie’s feeding time and he is NOT going to believe the day I had.

#danny phantom #*presses fingers to lips* this is not the story I intended to write #not entirely sure what I did intend but it wasnt this #it started out with danny being outed as half ghost with no other context and ended up like this #i'll clean and edit in the morning but for now #here's whatever the hell this is #I'll fix it in the mornign

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