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neoplatinum · 8 months ago

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til' death do us part - part 1 | minatozaki sana

summary: sana minatozaki walks right into your life with a marriage license.

pairing: heiress!sana x reader

themes: arranged marriage au, fluff, angst, tension, lots of elitism, conglomerate power-hungry side characters, implied sex

wc: 5.0k

(series masterlist)

"the minatozaki's are waiting." you stare at the contract in front of you, frustrated at the idea of the family visiting. they sent the contract to you two weeks ago, and you knew that they were expecting a response, as in a signature. but here lays the contract on your coffee table, left to collect dust.

"let them in." you sit up from the couch, adjusting your shirt. you watch the maid let them in, timed steps in the long marble hallway. you hear their presence before you see them. then you see the matriarch of the minatozaki family step into the room. her head held high and proper, like a leader.

she reminds you of your own mother: the sharp tongue, quick judgements, and inability to let go of grudges.

then walks in sana minatozaki, the only heiress of the minatozaki group. she is not a stranger at all, but you havent decided if she is a friend or foe. when you were both younger, annual balls were centered around her. she always took those events in stride, while you enjoyed sticking by your mother's side.

you often remember watching sana dancing with anyone who would ask her; even from afar, you knew she was someone that everyone awed at. they treated her attention like a prize worth attaining.

"hello mrs. minatozaki and ms. minatozaki, please have a seat." you direct them to sit on the opposing couch. "how may i help you?"

they both get situated while you sit by yourself, feeling the weight of the minatozaki power firsthand. you watch your staff rushing to present them with tea, only for the two to dismiss them quickly.

"yes, we sent over a contract earlier last week, please sign it." the matriach points at the contract on your table.

"yes well, it is a marriage contract, a legally binding one. i need time to think it through."

"what is there to think through? you get to marry into the minatozaki group, and solidify your business with the backings of our family, i see no reason that it's empty now."

you frown at that, those were the exact words your own father told you over the phone, you called him immediately after receiving the contract, he told you the same exact thing, ending the call immediately after.

you dont disagree with the benefits, you would just rather marry someone else. someone that you could be in love with, not sana minatozaki.

"mrs. minatozaki, as much as i understand the power and backing of your family. i am rather old-fashioned. i only believe in marriage out of love." you nod solemnly to the older woman.

she lets out a trained laugh and holds her daughter's hands like they're her prize and tool. "love? you don't think that you could love my daughter?"

"mrs. minatozaki, i didn't mean it in that way-"

"so, what way did you mean it? my daughter sana," you say, watching as her daughter stands up from the couch, tall and proud, just like her mother, and smiling at you in that coy smile. "she has a line of suitors far longer than you could imagine; you should reconsider."

"mrs. minatozaki' please if i may-"

she holds her palm up, completely stopping you from speaking. "enough. here's what we're going to do: a three-month commitment. truly court my daughter for three months, and if you can honestly tell me you aren't in love with her, then i won't bother you with this matter for any longer."

"mrs. minatozaki, i think this is a completely archaic idea!" you exclaim, shocked to hear her say these plans. how quick she is to decide for her daughter's life.

"watch your tone. do not forget that your mother and I are well acquainted." she points her finger at you, and in a split second, she's back to that trained smile that is always so unnerving and threatening.

"i'm very sorry mrs. mintatozaki, please forgive my rudeness." you bow deeply at the woman. you return to your trained demeanor, letting mrs. minatozaki run your life for the next three months. who knows what she'll say to your mother if you decline?

both women get up promptly at the matriarch's signal, and you rush to walk them out of the manor. their resounding footsteps echo through the halls. the matriarch continues speaking of the three months of "dating," and you nod at every word in appeasement.

you assist them into their car, and soon they speed away from your manor. leaving you frustrated in your own driveway. by the time the sun has set, you finally return to your room.

the thought doesn't bother you anymore, while you were nervous at the idea of the minatozaki's pressing you on this marriage, you had gotten way too swamped with work.

in a week's time since the visit, you were giving a big presentation to shareholders and clientele. countless nights spent languidly going through the motions of collecting data for infographics and reports to extrapolate data. all part of your stressful day job.

a job that you take pride in, to take over the family business. dedicating years of your life to build the rapport needed for your father to put the company in your name.

you begin to wrap up on your final slide, indicating the prosperous quarter that your company has been seeing. beautiful graphics that display profit margins through the roofs. in every chair of that conference room sat a wide smile at your future projections.

"we expect to see a projection of 33% from our previous annual profits, along with more assets, and with the likes of a possible acquisition, this company will continue to flourish. thank you all for today." you conclude your presentation and smile to the many shareholders. they all stand and applaud you; you take a deep bow and shake hands.

the shareholders hound you, all gathered around in suits that costed more than the average house. they only bowed to the sound of money dropping into their pockets. so they push you, push your boundaries of how much you'll let them take.

mr. seki has always been the most persistent, asking for more money than he knew how to spend. so he stands before you, eyes twinkling and his grubby hands rubbing together like he found a gold mine.

you listen to him speak of the golden days with your father, business had little to regulations, making money was easier than breathing, but now he breaths down your neck for bonuses. the words travel in one ear and out the other, he forgets that you were a young child listening in to his discussions with your father.

before you know it, you hear that sharp clicking sound, the sound of sharp hard rubber hitting the tiled floor, you hear heels. short confident steps of a woman, and then you see it through the frosted glass, a womanly figure.

she's walking right into the conference room. then you notice the details: long brunette hair in waves, branded sunglasses atop her nose, a light pink suit adorned with blinding diamonds. behind her are bodyguards that tower over everyone. everyone's conversation stops at the sight of her, she stops right in front of you.

eyes strong and daring, she slips off her glasses and you recognize her, the woman of all your friend's dreams: sana minatozaki. more confident than ever, not being guided by her mother, she smiles that smile that you know your friends swoon over. delicate fingers slip off her glasses as she hands them to her assistant. eyes still focused on yours.

then she does it, grabs ahold of your tie, and slams her lips against yours. and you can hear it faintly, the sound of the shareholders all gasping, drowned out by the sound of your own heartbeat. the searing kiss lasts so long, like a time loop. when she pulls back, you gasp for air, choking and doubling over coughing like you inhaled chili powder. all your presentation material spilling on the ground.

"sorry to cut the festivities short, gentlemen." she bows lightly, an amused smile underlying her sarcasm. "my fiancé and i have things to attend to, i'm sure you know how demanding your wife can be". she giggles at that, letting them all nod, and disperse.

"fiancé?" you cough out, still catching your breath. sana grabs ahold of your hand and drags you out the conference room, and out to the elevators. you watch her two bodyguards at your feet, ready to intervene with broad and thick builds.

they remind you much of your father's bodyguards. but you never wanted them because it just felt so unnatural to be followed by men who protected you.

sana stands before the elevator, and without missing a beat walks in, at the sound of the door opening. you get pulled by the two bodygaurds into the box. now you stand next to a smirking sana and two men who could break your spine ten times over.

you exit into the lobby, all the staff rising to their feet at the sight of you and miss minatozaki. greeting you all, as you rush to follow after sana. you have a sinking feeling if you don't that those two men behind you are going to toss you right into the ocean. right outside of the lobby, is the sight of the signature black marked sedan. a true sign of a minatozaki. like the fortress of a family, this car is far than capable of withstanding a nuke, how true this statement is? you never want to know.

sana is quick to sit herself inside, being guided by her chaffeur. you nod to him before sitting inside, seperated by the middle seat. the door closes and suddenly you feel claustrophobic.

the last time you spoke to sana was years ago, back in law school, you never did like her clique but they were everywhere. so you have interacted with her through case studies and presentations, steering clear of the intimidating minatozaki group. so much for avoiding them, now you're stuck in a car with the exact person you were avoiding all your life.

"mother is furious." she comments, grabbing her heels off her feet, tucking them into a compartment. you stare at her for a while, confused with what she means. "well?"

"miss minatozaki, i thin-"

"sana. just sana please." she corrects you.

"miss sana, please, you cannot barge into my shareholder meetings and attack me like that. that was unacceptable on all levels." you continue. loosening the tie that felt like it was choking you when she grabbed it. you slip it off your neck and into your pocket.

"i thought mother made it clear her expectations. you sign that marriage license, and we're good." she continues to correct you, disregarding your frustrations.

"sana. i apologize but i have been swamped with work, i cannot even begin to think about marriage." you complain.

"work? you marry into the minatozaki group and you'll never lift a finger. those infographics you put together were cute, but the minatozaki's never put themselves through work they can pass off to others. marry in, and we'll find a suitable ceo the second you say so." she is everything you stand against, a figurehead as the ceo is the last thing you want for your budding company.

"i think you are mistaken, miss sana. this company is me, i am this company, that will not change if i marry into the minatozaki group." you don't waver for a second, conviction running through your blood.

she smiles at that, "you are one of those. the ones that are married to their work before anything else." she takes a second to contemplate this thought, what would you bring to the minatozaki group? profit, drama, not a headache that's for sure.

"i'm going to let you in on a secret," she leans her head towards you. "like how you are married to your work, i am married to wealth. doesn't matter if you have a million mistresses, or a thousand bastard babys. as long as you don't smear the minatozaki name, you will fit right in."

"i do not think so miss sana. the minatozaki's are adamant about blood purity, they don't let bastards live." you explain. she smirks at that, you've clearly done your research about the minatozaki clan. "miss sana, please, me marrying into your family would not beneficial to you. i am too concerned with my own self to be a pawn for your clan." you finish, hoping they will let this issue to rest.

"you seem to know a lot about our family for someone who isn't interested marrying in." her eyebrow shoots up and with the snap of a finger, the bodyguard hands her a manila folder through the slit of the window.

"once again, we urge you to sign this. i hope we become lifelong partners, fiancé." she winks and steps out of the car. speaking to the chauffeur, and soon you're being driven by the minatozaki car, another car ready for sana in an instant.

now you're left with a manila folder, weighing heavier than anything else in the world. when you are sit in your armchair with the manila folder, nursing a nice drink to unwind, you finally untie the manila folder. opening the contents, you find the same contract on your coffee table. signed with sana's signature in the bottom, and another paper.

in a written letter from your own father, you nearly crumple the paper in your own hand. the clauses of placing your company in the hands of your father, all shareholder signatures at the bottom. indicating the removal of power. in another line it reads in big bold letters, date sana for three months or your company will be absorbed by your father.

you call up your father.

"father, this is ridiculous, you cannot do this to my company. why are you meddling now?"

"you insolent child, given the opportunity to grow your business, you choose instead to be selfish? i present to you the opportunity of a lifetime: marriage into the minatozaki group. and i've been told you're pushing their patience." his deep voice rumbles into the phone. "my final words are these: you want your company so bad, prove that you are committed to the minatozakis, then i will transfer the power back." he firmly states.

"i don't even have the time, father. my schedule is busy with the new year and final changes with new clientele."

"i've already spoken to your assistant, all work for you the next three months have been transferred to my coo. he will take over for the time being, i trust him to run my own company, so don't you go spouting nonsense about his credibility." you bite your tongue at the sight. how dare your father meddle in your company? one that you built up with your own hands. the only piece of yourself that wasn't controlled by your father.

"do not forget who raised you. i can take everything away." his voice booms through the speakers. he ends the phone call there. and you throw that phone like a baseball, shattering the device into pieces.

so you do date sana for three months, finding it absolutely absurd in the beginning. often visiting her wherever she traveled. when she was busy, you would send out bouquets in your absence. you tried your best to date her, devoting time to getting to know her better. she's like you remembered when you were younger, loud rambunctious and had an eye for all things expensive. you spent trips all over the globe within those three months.

it's a strange feeling. letting yourself rest, you can't remember the last time you went on a vacation other than in law school. here you are, lying in a lounge chair on a private beach in santorini. drinking mai tais while you stare into the horizon. confused with your own life right now.

it should've been the merger. you get antsy just at the idea of your father's coo leading the merger, but what can you do. that company is not "yours" right now. while you are trying to enjoy the sight of the bright sun and clear waters, you watch out of the corner of your eye as sana flirts openly with a resort worker.

hand on his bicep, leaning in to show more cleavage, all the while keeping a sultry smile on her face. you're done letting your life be decided for you. you walk over.

"hi honey, how is it going?" you smile towards her, leaning in for a quick kiss. holding her neck in place, as you watch the man walk away. you let her go.

"jealous?" she smirks.

"no. i need answers." you sit down in front of her. "why me?"

"what do you mean why me?" she sips on her cosmopolitan, not provoked by the question.

"why marry me? my father is well known, but we are not a conglomerate group, why do you wish to marry me? i provide nothing to the minatozaki group, it doesn't make sense. there's the watanabe clan, the abe clan, the ito clan. i really don't understand why my family."

"it's not your father or his companies, it's you." she points at you. still sipping her drink. she doesn't skip a beat, no hesitation in her words.

"i hold no power on the world stage, you would be well off marrying any clan." you try reasoning with her, beyond perplexed on why she chose you.

"the watanabe clan are dirty: plagued with dirty lust, the abe clan are ruthless killers, the ito clan has been known to kill their woman. so tell me, how much better off i will be marrying them?" she continues. face hardened.

"i see...they are not as great as their name." you stare at her. less perplexed but definitely confused.

"we all grew up together, all the heirs, i know them better than they know themselves. and i do not like what i see. but you and i didn't speak to each other." she signals for another cosmopolitan, thanking the staff member and digging through her bag. pulling out photos of you two when you were children at the annual balls.

"you are worlds better than all of them combined. i could see it in the way you never vied for my attention. they all were intact dogs, hoping to hump something by the end of the night."

"sorry for the assumptions," you offer. the way she looks away from you, watching the ocean. and letting out a long and heavy sigh. she tucks the photos away. "so, marriage out of convenience? is that all this is?"

"yes." she nods.

you grab the contract from your bag, signing it in front of her. and then placing it in her hands, "to a happy marriage sana minatozaki, i hope you can handle my snoring." you laugh.

she grins at the contract, and tucks it into her bag. "then i hope you can handle my kicking. you groan jokingly and laugh loudly, her joining you.

minatozaki weddings were no joke. halls lined with marble pillars with gold accents. dishes made out of the finest and purest porecelin. waiters dressed in their finest, not a single hair out of place. global leaders and their children attending, even if they had no ties to the minatozaki.

the grandiose hall with beautiful mirrors dating centuries ago. recovered artifacts from the edo period, adorning the shelves. the giant minatozaki family crest on the back wall. with long tables lined with wedding gifts. you stand next to sana as the reception procession continues into the night. many notable figures congratulating the marriage. as well as the intricate gifts being handed off to you. each gift being placed and documented by the minatozaki security team.

the minatozakis look happy, wearing traditional kimonos and inviting all the guests to talk about their daughters marriage.

even though the place is filled with laughter and happiness, you can't help but feel like you just entered a loveless marriage. where you are destined to avoid sana, she smiles at everyone, showering in the attention, while you can't wait to get back to work.

you had explained to sana you wanted a quiet honeymoon, one that was peaceful and relaxing. so you both went puglia, to enjoy the rich Italian culture and the beautiful greens and blues of the water.

sana spent nearly ever second of the day buying herself clothes while enjoying pestering you. often times dragging you along to carry her bags, and be at her beck and call. she calls it "conditioning for a happy marriage." you had rolled your eyes when you heard it, but you wanted a happy marriage too so you complied.

now you stand in the middle of puglia, taking photos of sana, at her request. for the third time that day.

"how many photos do you need sana?"

"as many as i want. stop talking, more clicking!" you get back to taking photos and letting her enjoy the scenery. it's quite nice being with sana, she may be a bit high maintenance, but she doesn' t overstep when it comes to your boundaries. letting you enjoy your own alone time and venturing through the city alone.

sometimes you bring back flowers or a small gift to her, all of which she happily enjoys with a warm smile.

after the honeymoon, its back to the real world. in which your father happily returned the company back to you. the merger had been successful, but you're still catching up on paperwork that only you could sign. in the coming months, sana has moved in.

living together has become a routine. when she moved into your manor, she claimed it was a nice change from her home. you were confused because her house was far more amenities, but you let her move in.

so, every morning and night, you spend time with her, sleeping in the same bed, drinking the same coffee, and sitting at the same dining table. you don't share more than a few words with her, but her presence has become a nice addition to your life.

she's made herself comfortable, her makeup products all lining your sink, heels filling the floor of the closet. her closet so big that she ordered construction to build her own walk-in.

often times you see her out lounging in the sun room doing yoga or pilates. or when she's in a good mood, she'll join you in your study room to do work herself.

she goes out at night frequently, so you make it a habit to stay up until she gets home. you know she's protected and safe with her trained bodyguards and chauffeur.

it just brings you a sense of comfort to bring her inside in case she's unwell. some nights she gets home with love bites all over her body, other nights she comes home drunk falling into your arms. you never comment on it.

she comments on your life first.

"do you...have someone special in your life?" she asks with a glass of wine in hand. you look up from your table, eyeing her in the doorframe.

"no, i'm married to my job." you look back at the work laid out for you, pushing glasses back up the bridge of your nose.

"have you slept with a woman before?" you stop your work, putting the pen down.

"sana, are we asking about each other's sex lives now?"

"well i can be curious, cant i? you always look so proper." she walks in to sit by you.

"well, yes in the past i have." you comment, a little thrown off with the line of questions. she nods her head and gives you her wine, you sip it and place it on the desk. "why do you ask?"

"we've never consummated our marriage, don't you think it's time?" she leans over, eyeing the work on your paper.

"what happened to marriage out of convenience?"

"marriage out of convenience could mean we're sex partners out of convenience," she smirks. she stands up, pushing the paper off to the side. you raise your eyebrow, trying to get her to stop messing with your work.

"sana."

"yes?" she takes the glasses off your face. a coy smile on her lips.

"we don't have to do this."

"i want to. do you?" she stands in your way, eyes trained on yours. a playful smile on her face. you get up to set your mind straight, no way were you sleeping with your non-wife.

"sana, please, you must be drunk." you walk past her, calling out to staff. "hi, could you please assist sana to bed." sana scoffs at you, flipping you off and pushing past the maid.

you return to your desk, eyebrows pushed together and a headache forming. but you can feel that spike in your stomach, you're sexually frustrated.

you've been actively avoiding being too close with sana. whenever she circles around, you scoot further away. opting for open spaces where she won't make sexual advances. rejecting her isn't fun either, she gets all pouty about it, but the way she makes you feel lately, has been dangerous. so you try your best to exercise restraint.

in the coming weeks it's harder and harder. some days she visits with your dress shirts tucked into a pencil skirt. walking in like a wet dream into your office. you will yourself to have self control but you can feel it slipping. the way you want to grab her, feel her skin under your fingertips, wanting to wrap around her.

today she manages to get under your skin. "darling, you must be so tired." she slides behind you. and starts massaging your shoulders, pressing the knots away.

you let her, feeling the tension release from your shoulders. her hands move expertly, and soon you feel more relaxed than ever. her hands begin to wander, sliding over your torso and frame. you turn to look at her, playful eyes staring back at you. you pull her into your lap, grabbing her neck for a kiss.

"i think it would be rather impolite of me to have our first time here in my office. maybe later?" you offer, playing with her pencil skirt.

"i don't care where we do it, as long as we do it now." she smirks and plays with your hair. you pull her up and place her atop your desk. walking quickly to close the door and drop the blinds.

she laughs when push her back, back hitting the desk, and then you lean over her. giving her a long kiss, before sliding your hands up her legs.

"come take what yours." she grins. you begin unbuttoning her shirt, hands trailing down until they reach her hips.

you kiss her fervently, moving towards her like a magnet. "yes miss minatozaki."

you might have to label yourself a sex addict, maybe a sana minatozaki addict actually. after sleeping with sana, you can't keep your hands off of her. often messaging her and taking days off to be around her.

it's unlike you, so unfocused and nonchalant about work. but you can't help it, sana feels like a drug and you need your supply. so here you are in your study, trying to clean up the smell of sex before your mother-in-law arrives. sana's an absolute vixen and trying to coax you into another round, but you know at any second her mother will walk into the house like its her own.

you spray a scent over top of the room urgently before closing the door behind you. a clingy sana kissing you deeply, trying so very hard to get you in bed with her.

"sana, no. your mother will be here any second." you force yourself to be the bad guy, pulling her arms off of you. to which she flicks your forehead.

"sana!" the sound of her voice booming like it's through a speakerphone. sana immediately tenses up, posture straight like a board.

"hi mother."

"glad to see you still recognize me." her mother chastises her. you watch the two woman, and you stay quiet. letting sana speak to her mother in a hushed tone, while you stand nearby.

it's hard to get a gauge on sana's mother, she's fierce and demanding. you also can't tell if she likes you, she keeps her distance. but you also can't tell if that's a good or bad thing. oftentimes she shows up requesting your presence at her events. but you play the part well as much as you can.

the older woman walks towards your living room, where she was months ago, and requesting you to marry her daughter. now she moves around your home like it's her own.

"now that you two have been happily married, it's important to discuss the next step." she starts. "we need heirs, multiple."

you and sana look at each other in horror.

"sana was the only heir in her generation of minatozaki's, i need you two to produce more than a single heir. to protect the minatozaki clan." she states firmly.

you groan into your hands, horrified at the conversation. and for the first time you see the matriach smile as she shows off photos of sana as a baby, cute as a button.

it does make you wonder about having a little sana running around, so you take the conversation topic in stride. letting the matriarch discuss traditions, schooling, extracurriculars and education to maintain the minatozaki standard.

sana is horrified to hear all this from her mother, but when she leaves, a light bulb turns on in her brain. then she smiles at you in that knowing smile.

"honey, come on, you heard my mother. we have to produce heirs. you know what that means?" then she wiggles her eyebrows as she drags you upstairs.

and you let her.

a/n: sana, sana, sana. she's been plaguing my mind recently. hope you enjoyed, proofreading is difficult work so i didn't do it. stay safe and stay healthy everyone!

#sana #twice #twice sana #sana twice #sana minatozaki #minatozaki sana #sana x reader #sana x you #kpop imagines #twice x reader #twice x you #neoplatinum

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coco-loco-nut · 5 months ago

Text

Bridgerton - Oscar

pairing: oscar piastri x reader

summary: you return from france to find your childhood best friend grown up

a/n: ok, part two of season three was kinda a let down, but we are celebrating with a second Bridgerton/Regency AU

masterlist

———————

“Miss Y/n L/n,” you are introduced to the matriarch of the Russell family by your mother. You returned from Paris for your London society debut, making you the prized debutante of the Season. Your older brother was already roped into a conversation, barely a minute after you arrived.

“It is a pleasure to be invited to your ball, it is lovely,” you compliment, a demure smile gracing your face. You passed the time in Paris learning how to be a proper lady, gaining skills that will set you apart from the rest of society. Being the daughter of the Ambassador to France isn’t enough to secure a match.

“Thank you, it is nice to have the L/ns back in England. Have you met my son?” Lady Russell turns to the young man beside her, waiting for an introduction. You bow, as proper etiquette requires upon introduction.

“May I have this dance, Miss L/n?” George asks, extending his arm upon acceptance. You are the last lady to arrive and have yet to find a partner for the first dance, meaning he is able to offer himself as a partner.

“It would be my pleasure, Mr. Russell,” you take his arm and let him lead you to the dance floor for the set.

“So, Paris? What is that like?” George asks, unsure of how to open.

“It was wonderful. So much art and culture. I learned many things while there,” you played down your many accomplishments. You were more accomplished than most of the other young ladies in the room.

“It must’ve been hard growing up there during the Empire then then transition to the new Monarchy,” George sympathizes, knowing it would be improper for you to bring it up first.

“Yes, but we moved with Father ten years ago, so it is what I have known most of my life. It did teach me much about running a household as well,” you tiptoe the line of being proper. You converse about it for the rest of the set.

“I suppose I will have to call on you in order to learn more. Shall we?” George offers a walk around the room, signaling the end of his dance with you.

“Thank you for the dance, Mr. Russell, it was lovely,” you tell him. He isn’t the worst person you have met. George leads you over to a group of young men.

“Would you mind if I introduce you to some acquaintances?” George asks, having a feeling his friends would find you interesting. Although it isn’t proper, he is a part of the host family, so he can claim to be entertaining you.

“Certainly, Mr. Russell. I am afraid I don’t know many people here,” you curiously accept the offer.

“Gentleman, may I introduce you to Miss Y/n L/n, daughter of Lord L/n, the Ambassador to France,” George introduces you as you bow, releasing his arm.

“A pleasure,” you say, looking at the four men. They are introduced as Mr. Norris, Lord Albon, Lord Hamilton, and-

“Y/n, it is lovely to see you again,” the fourth man bows slightly kissing the back of you hand. You quickly search through your brain, through the childhood memories of when you lived in England, trying to match his face with the familiar aura, one you have missed while in France.

“Oscar? Sorry. Lord Piastri, it is lovely to see you again, how have you been” you try to hide your blush. Your childhood best friend grew up handsomely. George and his friends converse with one another as Oscar steps aside to talk to you.

“I’ve been fine. I missed my best friend, I am sorry we lost touch,” Oscar says, looking you over. You have grown up, and are breathtakingly beautiful. The two of you would joke that you would get married one day when you were kids, and now Oscar wishes you were.

“It is a regret, I should’ve come back more often as well. I cannot believe how grown you are. How is your family? Your sisters?” you ask, talking more than you should, but neither of you care.

“They are well, my mother is here somewhere with my sisters. You look beautiful this evening,” Oscar compliments. He is used to being a wallflower during these events, watching and only talking to some acquaintances, but he is different around you.

“Thank you. I did miss you dearly. You have changed so much since I saw you last,” Oscar tries not to blush, noticing the next set was about to begin.

“Perhaps we could catch up over the next set?” You do just that. By the end of the hour, you feel close to Oscar again. Oscar leads you back to your mother and brother, you laughing lightly as something he said.

“Mother, Brother, you remember Oscar Piastri, no?” you ask, looking between the two.

“Of course, it is lovely to see you again, dear. Is your mother here?” your mom asks as the lady in question approaches.

“Oscar, I see you have found some old friends,” Nicole says, entering herself into the conversation.

“It is lovely to see you again, Lady Piastri,” you curtsy.

“Likewise, my dear. You must join us for tea tomorrow afternoon,” Nicole turns to your mother to extend the invitation. You look at Oscar, suddenly feeling a little shy.

“I shouldn’t monopolize your time, Y/n,” Oscar says, also feeling shy. He isn’t used to being this social.

“That is alright, it was wonderful to catch up,” you smile. You weren’t even sure if you should be addressing each by your christian names anymore, but it felt right. “I will see you soon, Oscar,” you let him kiss the back of your hand before he walks off. You spend the rest of your night dancing with other eligible bachelors.

Unfortunately for Oscar, you spend the rest of the London Season being courted by other men, but you make it clear you are waiting for the next Season to receive a marriage proposal. And when he comes to your family estate to call on you after the Season, he finds out that you went back to France for the winter, despite your father’s term having ended.

You keep in touch through letters, and Oscar is delighted to receive an invitation to your family’s ball, the first of the London Season. Oscar arrived to find you chatting with your brother and a slightly older man than him, but he decided to approach anyway.

“Ah, Oscar! It is delightful to see you again. You must meet my friend, Monsieur Charles Leclerc of Monaco. My family is hosting him for the start of the Season,” You introduce the two. “Charles, this is my childhood friend, Lord Oscar Piastri,” you say in flawless French.

“It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Mademoiselle L/n has said much about you,” Charles greets Oscar. Oscar is about to reply when George approaches.

“Miss L/n, may I dance this set with you?” George asks and you blush a little. You also wrote to George a few times in the Winter. He made it clear that he was interested in getting to know you, and you weren’t opposed. He did work to earn your correspondence, and you appreciated the friendship and courtship via letters.

“Is there no other free lady? I do not want to be improper,” you carefully ask, not wanting to be perceived as a rude host. You look around, seeing if your brother was dancing with a lady. If he were, then George would be obligated to dance with her as the host family doesn’t usually dance.

“Rest assured, there is no lady left wanting for a partner this dance,” George smiles, extending his hand.

“Then I would be delighted to dance with you, Mr. Russell,” you take his hand, allowing him to lead you to the dance floor.

“She looks beautiful tonight, non?” Charles asks Oscar.

“She does,” Oscar watches you dance with George. He has competition this season.

“Have you begun to formally court her?” Charles asks, noticing the was Oscar is looking at you.

“No, I haven’t. Why do you ask?” Oscar bristles a little.

“I am just curious, she is a good friend, but if I were courting her, I would not be here. I could’ve asked for her hand over the winter,” Charles tries to get Oscar to relax. “Maybe I could be of assistance,” he offers but Oscar shakes his head.

“I don’t want to sway her like that,” Oscar says, turning to Charles. “It was nice to make your acquaintance, I must go greet other friends,” Oscar nods his head, Charles returns the gesture. Oscar does end up dancing with you that night, but it was later in the night.

The trend seems to continue, George capturing your attention and time first, and Oscar being left behind. Charles stayed out of it as asked, instead he focuses on his business connections, similar to your brother.

Oscar finally manages to catch an afternoon with you, a chaperoned walk through the park. He even sent flowers ahead.

“You are a very popular lady this season,” Oscar says, your arm looped through his.

“It is tiring, the business of finding a husband is more work than I thought. It is nice to have a break to spend time with you. Friends are such a lovely reprieve,” you smile, enjoying the company.

“Have you found a suitor you like?” Oscar asks, trying to hide his jealousy.

“I do quite like Mr. Russell. He’s a good man, a good family and a good reputation. He would make for a fine match, don’t you think?” you look up at Oscar.

Oscar swallows the lump in his throat. “I suppose so,”

“Are you alright? Do you need to rest?” You ask, worried about the sudden change in your friends mood.

“No, no. I’m alright. I just don’t want you marrying someone who only wants you for your dowry and reputation,” Oscar promises, changing the topic of conversation.

“Oscar, love matches are rare, besides it is important to marry well as a lady. Now, tell me about that book you were reading,” you change the topic, ignoring the flutter in your heart when Oscar voiced his concern.

“Would you like to join me at the Opera?” Oscar asks abruptly.

“Of course I will join you. Send the information to the estate,” you agree without thinking of how society will see it.

“Wonderful, I will pick you and your chaperone up in my carriage,” Oscar can’t help the smile that appears on his face.

That night you dream of brown eyes, a change from the blue that have previously haunted your dreams. Your brother acts as your chaperone for the Opera, although he doesn’t seem concerned unless Oscar were to do something that would ruin you.

Somehow you found yourself being actively courted by two suitors. You realized your relationship with Oscar took a turn when you began to look forward to every moment spent with him. Yet, the safeness of George and his kindness is something you cannot refuse.

“Charles, I don’t know what to do,” you confess as you sit at the pianoforte, practicing a duet. Charles found a match and it planning on proposing soon. You are expecting a proposal tonight from George, who is a wonderful person, but something doesn’t feel right.

“I see the way you look at Lord Piastri, the two of you look at each with a certain tenderness. Mr. Russell is an advantageous match, and is at the top of the marriage mart, but he is no better off than Lord Piastri. Mr. Russell seems to be courting another lady as well,” Charles gives his opinion.

“The Hamilton ball is tonight, perhaps I will get my answer then,” you sigh. Your decision may be hard, but Charles did help clear your mind a bit. The theme of the ball revolves around flowers, so you choose a beautiful green dress with delicate flower embellishments.

“You look beautiful,” your mom smiles, it may be the best dress you’ve worn this Season.

“Thank you,” you nervously smooth your dress. The ride to the estate seems to last forever, but passed by quicker than you’d like.

Oscar can’t tear his eyes from you when you walk in. All he wants to do is sweep you up in his arms and never let you go. He is quick to approach you, knowing just how much is on the line tonight.

“You are stunning,” Oscar says, capturing your attention.

“Thank you, is that a new suit jacket? The green suits you,” you compliment Oscar, all social standards forgotten in your mind.

“May I speak freely?” Oscar asks carefully, catching you off guard.

“Always,” your brows furrow slightly in confusion.

“Don’t accept a proposal from Mr. Russell, you don’t love him. You deserve someone who loves you,” Oscar says, voice a little shaky yet strong.

“Oscar, I told you before, love matches are rare, and usually not realistic,” you push down your myriad of emotions, especially the fear and panic.

“Marry me,” Oscar blurts. “Marry me, I have loved you since we were children. I am a better match than Mr. Russell, I have a title, I have wealth and land, and I know you. I know your likes, your dislikes, childhood fears. Please, don’t marry someone else,” Oscar confesses as you look like a deer in the headlights.

“I- I need a moment, excuse me,” you feel your heartbeat quicken as you gracefully cross the room, heading out to the back patio. Leaning against the railing you take deep breaths of the fresh air, trying to steady your heart and clear your head.

“Close your eyes and take deep breaths, just listen to my voice,” George says, standing a respectable distance behind you. You do as he says as he talks about some random topic. It works, you feel yourself return to a normal state. “It happens to me too sometimes,” George says before letting a small silence fall between you.

“Thank you. I appreciate your help, truly. What made you follow me out here?” you look out at the gardens.

“You looked panicked, and I needed to talk with you,” George pauses, neither of you notice Oscar step outside. “You are a wonderful lady, but I am proposing to Miss Carmen in a weeks time,” he tells you.

“I received an offer from Lord Piastri, that’s what freaked me out,” you let out a little chuckle from the irony. “I am happy for you, Mr. Russell, I hope we can remain acquaintances in the future,” you look at George who is smiling as well.

“I would like that very much. Lord Piastri is a very lucky man,” George steps away, walking back inside. He gives an approving nod to Oscar. Oscar gives it a few seconds before approaching you.

“Are you okay? I was worried,” He says gently, filled with concern.

“I am so sorry for running off. I don’t know what came over me,” you look into his warm, brown eyes.

“It is okay, I sprung it on you. If you need time to decide, I will give it to you,” Oscar says.

“No. I want to marry you. Love matches are rare, and I don’t want to waste it. I love you, Oscar Piastri,” you say, pushing past the initial fear of your earlier realization.

“Does this mean I can get more than one dance out of you?” Oscar smiles, stepping closer to you. There is no one around to see you, the area tucked away from the ball.

“I believe it does,” you take a small step closer as well.

“May I kiss you?” his voice is low, breath fanning your face lightly.

“You may,” you say breathlessly, tilting your head upwards as he captures your lips with a kiss.

“I will talk to your father tomorrow, tonight we dance,” Oscar’s hands warm yours.

“I will meet you inside, I just need some more time,” you squeeze his hands lightly, a happy smile still on your face.

“Of course, I will meet you in there,” Oscar walks away, letting you process everything that has happened so far tonight. When you rejoin the party, you find Oscar talking to your mother and brother.

“Congratulations, darling. I am so happy for you both,” she says happily. “Nicole and I always knew you would end up together,” she reaches out to hug you.

“Go, dance,” your brother says, clearly approving of the match. Oscar lets you take his hand, leading you to the dance floor, and when that dance is over, you shock the room by dancing with him again. Not that you mind, you are enamored by your betrothed.

Within the following weeks, your engagement is speculated in the gossip papers, Oscar buys a common license, and you get married on a beautiful Thursday morning. The marriage is announced in the papers, making it official in societal terms. You take up residence in your families Paris estate for the honeymoon.

“Make haste, Oscar, we will be late for dinner with the Leclercs,” you call to your husband, certain activities causing you to run behind.

“Coming, my love. You look beautiful, but you would look more beautiful in bed,” Oscar wraps his arms around you, pulling you close.

“Indeed, something for you to look forward to after the dinner,” you press a kiss to his lips before leading him out the door to the carriage.

“I love you, Lady Piastri,” he says, holding you close.

“I love you too, Lord Piastri.”

#f1 imagines #f1 x reader #f1 imagine #f1 grid #george russell #oscar piastri imagine #oscar piastri #oscar piastri x reader #bridgerton

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ruthplaysthesims · 1 month ago

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Sims 4 Life and Death Expansion Pack: Story Prompt List

Hey y'all. I hope y'all didn't miss me too much but I am back with another prompt list for those of you who want to start writing stories on Tumblr and those who wish to find inspiration to play the sims 4 with the life and death EP

- Prompt One: Your sim is a funeral director. After a well deserved break recovering from a messy break up, your sim gets hired to plan a funeral for a family. Upon research, your sim is shocked to find out the funeral is for none other than their ex's mother, who just so happens to be one of the reasons your sim and their ex broke up.

- Prompt Two: After laying the family matriarch to rest, your sim's family seem really eager to read the will. When the lawyer shows up, something feels off. The lawyer pulls out a torn piece of paper, gives it to your sim to read and walks out. Your sim seems to be the only one who understands what is written while the family starts fighting and arguing about the will.

- Prompt Three: Your sim's sibling passes away and everyone is gathered around their corpse as the grim reaper does his thing. Your sim attempts to plead for their life but is met with a scythe a few inches away from their neck. The reaper gets the job done and goes on his way. Determined to bring them back, your sim decided to join the Undertaker career. Be the best intern and get your sibling's soul back to their body.

- Prompt Four: Your sim has been murdered. They are fortunate enough to be reincarnated into whomever they please, so they reincarnate as someone close to their murderer...

- Prompt Five: Your sim has been in the same toxic relationship for the past five years. Your sim begins to lose hope in love... That is until their toxic partner kicks the bucket. They are crying and getting ready to plead for their lover's life... But an encounter with a charming grimtern changes their mind...

- Prompt Six: After living a long, fulfilling life, your sim now wanders around as a ghost. Scaring the sh*t out of the living, messing around with objects, it's the same thing. One day, your sim finds out about the newest resident in Ravenwood. Your sim is rather intrigued, ready to cause some chaos when they realize this new resident can see and speak to ghosts...

- Prompt Seven: Your sim is a mortician. The job is as mundane as mundane can be. One day, your sim is embalming a corpse that has a rose tattoo with a nice short poem on it. As the days go by, your sim notices a recurring pattern with the corpses they tend to: all have a rose tattoo with what seems to be the continuation of a poem that eventually sums up into a story... about a cult.

Please note that these are based on what we know so far. The list will be updated the more info comes out about the EP.

Shout out to my girl @authorspirit for discussing this with me!! If you do happen to use any of these prompts, please do tag me @ruthplaysthesims so I can see your wonderful stories and characters!! Can't wait for this pack to be released.

#ruth's prompts #sims 4 gameplay #gameplay ideas #story ideas #ts4 simblr #simblr #the sims 4 #your girl is exhausted!!#periods are no joke 😭😭

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quitealotofsodapop · 6 days ago

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Ok but Wukong would be having the BIGGEST existential crisis. His other self had a mother!? He had a BROTHER!? WHAT!?

Prev.

Not only that, but Wukong is also tackling seeing his kingdom in it's dare-he-say Golden Era.

Alolai is an island nation, with Flower Fruit Mountain as it's capital. Almost every island on the archipelago is inhabited by happy primate demons. There's no sign of the Burning that occurred when Wukong was tossed into the Furnace. There are scars of past battles, yes, and a few islands with smoking volanoes. But the islands are healthy.

His kingdom is alive.

After introductions are made and things settle down, Wukong asks the Matriarch a very important question;

(*the Monkie Kids and the stone royals are all sitting together drinking tea in a side office. The Monkey King looking very conflicted. After a long silence he finally decides on his question.*) Wukong: "How did you guys survive? All I know of the Great Flood is that everyone except maybe the Elder who found me was lost." Shihua: "We came very close to being lost beneath the waves. Ye Lin and I had even made preparations for the end when we saw the Fifth Pillar collapsing. But before the worst of the deluge could cover the island - a great dark shield encompassed the island." Wukong: "A dark shield?" Shihua: "I am unsure of the name, as it is a magic different from my own. When the darkness receded, our fellow primates from beyond the stars were there. Long-Arms, Lotus Ears, Painted Backs, all of them. They had taken hold of the tides with their magic and directed them away from the island." Wukong: "Fellow primates??? Wait, do you mean-" Tang, interrupting with a loud gasp: "The Long Armed Gibbon and the Red Buttocked Horse Monkey!" Wukong & Shihua: (*give Tang the same annoyed look*) Tang, embarrassed: "Oof. Sorry" Ye Lin, small fake-cough to break the tension: "We were very grateful! Not only for our lives but well... (*Ye Lin takes Shihua's hand in his own, looking lovingly into her eyes*) Ye Lin: "The lives of our sons too." Luzhen, whispering: "Baba's about to get sappy." Ye Lin: "Me and my gorgeous Stone Flower had made a pact that we would fling a light into the future no matter what. And when the danger had passed, and we saw that our kingdom was spared - we decided it was finally time to grow our family." Shihua, fond smile: "Shihou and Luzhen were born some years later. Even when incubating in different bodies, they were born nearly identical." Ye Lin, goofy smile: "I honestly forget which one either of us carried - they were born so close together!" Luzhen, annoyed groan: "You had me, dad! Mama had Shihou." (*The Monkie Gang, mumbling in the bg: "How??" "Demon thing. Don't be rude."*) Wukong, thinking hard: "So when I hatched... you made sure I'd be born somewhere safe? Atop the mountain away from the flood waters?" Shihua, gently: "Yes son. If I had been lost to the Flood, then well... you would have still found a way to grow and hatch on your own. It's a power we possess as children of the Earth Mother." Wukong, tears welling up: "So I could have been born with a mother? A father and brother even? I wasn't supposed to be alone?" (*the parental monkey couple swoop in to comfort this strange, alternate version of their elder son - nuzzling and chirping at him like he was an upset cub. Wukong flinches at first, making them even more concerned. Luzhen joins in after a moment, holding his not-twin close*) Luzhen, half-chirping: "Hey, hey, it's ok gege. You heard mom. We were always meant to be born." Wukong, sobbing: "But I don't have any of you! I don't even have my own twin. If it wasn't for Elder and the Stalwarts finding me, I would have been completely alone!" Shihua, shushing: "It's ok, baobei. You're not alone now. Even if you are not my son in this dimension, you are clearly my Xiao-Shihou in heart and soul. I am glad that you at least know that your family loves you. No matter what." (*The famed Monkey King falls into the Matriarch's arms, sobbing like a hurt cub running to their mother. Shihua hugs him without hesitation. Ye Lin lightly hugs Wukong's side, running his thing fingers through the sage's fire-damaged hair. Luzhen rests his head on his not-brother's shoulder, unsure of what to do. He can't imagine a world where Shihou grew up alone. The rest of the strangers sniffle and hide their sad expressions, all except the younger monkey demon MK, who clings to his mentor like a limpet.The royal monkeys do not question his presence, they bring him into the cuddle pile too.*)

There is a very sad Monkey King in this room. One that is having a crisis of learning that he could have had a family. A family that did not expect him to be King or anything other than theirs. A mother wise and adoring. A father intelligent and dorky. A cheeky twin brother who clearly thinks the world of him.

A world where he wasn't The Monkey King.

Bonus: A certain other monkey has his own questions once Wukong has cried out. Ones that I may have alluded to in a past post.

Macaque: "Hey... you said something about Lotus Ears?" Ye Lin, puzzled: "You are one yourself, aren't you?" Macaque, equally confused: "Huh? No- well, I don't think so. I'm *THE* Six Eared Macaque where I'm from." Ye Lin, shares fearful look with wife: "Oh dear. If you are alone as well then..." Shihua, sad nod: "Then our allies on Yuewang did not survive either." Macaque: "Yuewang?" Ye Lin, nerd mode: "Kingdom of the Moon. It is the capital for celestial primates living outside of Earth. Our allies; the Lotus Eared are the main clan stationed there. Named for their multiple, petal-like ears of course. Macaque: "...there are more of me?" Luzhen, snort of disbelief: "Uh yeah! You didn't think you were created in a vacuum did'ya?" Macaque: (*gets very quiet, refusing to look at the other monkeys*) Pigsy, trying to change the subject for Macaque's sake: "So! I guess the means Chang'e has a lot more company than our world, huh?" Shihua, smiling: "Oh, Princess Chang'e! Poor thing, banished to the moon all those centuries ago..." Ye Lin: "Thank Nuwa that the Lotus Eared clan took her in." Shihua: "I honestly can't imagine her without them. Lán Yuè Liang [blue moon] treats her like their firstborn child." Ye Lin: "And she's such a good big sister! Macaque, perking up: "Sister?" Shihua, fond laugh: "Lan Yue Liang's cub had been born just after the Flood, and they gave Chang'e the honour of naming him. She panicked a little, and gave him the name Six Eared Macaque." Wukong, sly understanding smile: "Liu'er Mihou." Macaque: (*excited and anxious tail thumping!?*) "That's my name. Chang'e was the one who found me. I hatched on my own in the desert of the moon." Ye Lin, happy chirp: "Gracious! I suppose that would make you your world's Prince Liu'er then! " Luzhen: "I thought I recognised that face marking!" Macaque, near-shriek: "PRINCE!?"

So yeah now there's three monkeys in the room having a total crisis of identity. And three more having a time trying to comprehend how the original three have been left alone and uninformed for so long ;_;

Just realised that MK likely hasn't told his fam about what he saw in his memory or of his connection to Nuwa. So MK is now panicking if he exists in another form in this other world...

#stone matriarch au #stone monkeys #stone egg talk #sun wukong #lmk sun luzhen #lmk mk #qi xiaotian #lmk the other celestial primates #lmk aus #lmk #lego monkie kid

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solomons-finest-rum · 1 year ago

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“As The Crow Flies” (Alfie Solomons x fem!Reader) — PART 3

SUMMARY — By all accounts Anna Gray died in Australia and had no business standing in Alfie’s living room, nor calling the man “darling” for that matter. But there you were, identical to the picture they took when they shipped you off to the colonies.

AUTHOR’S NOTE — This time it took me much faster to write, mostly thanks to your wonderful replies and reblogs! 💗💗💗💗💗

WORD COUNT — 2,103

Masterlist

“So this is the man you have chosen for yourself?” Polly asked you when she followed you out to the porch for the much-deserved cigarette break.

The rest of the Shelby clan, as you have started to call them in your head, were left alone with Alfie, because you couldn’t take any more of their so-called negotiations. Somehow you weren’t exactly sure which party you felt sorrier for.

So you tried to escape, but Polly, ever the careful strategist, wouldn’t leave you alone. You paid it no mind, or so you wanted to pretend.

“Alfie?” You lit a match for her, which she gladly accepted. “He’s my husband.”

“Of your own free volition, no less.”

“Don’t be glib.”

Even though, curiouser and curiouser, you noticed you and Polly smoked the same brand of cigarettes, neither of you said anything to acknowledge the fact.

“Anna…”

“Polly.”

“All I want…”

“Yes?”

“All I want is to know you’re happy.”

“I am happy.” You paused. “Is Michael?”

You knew that wasn’t what the discussion was about, nor really the question that the Shelby matriarch wanted to answer. But you decided not to give her too much leeway. If she would ask you things in a more straightforward manner, you would perhaps answer, but you weren’t in the habit of being especially accommodating.

“He’s not who you think him to be, you know. Alfie.” You offered this much, because whether you wanted to admit it or not, Polly’s saddened expression did tug on your heartstrings—even if just a little.

“Oh, I think we both know exactly who he is, dear.”

You smirked.

“Enlighten me, please.”

Polly frowned and after some initial hesitation related for you pretty much the essence of the past few years and her family’s dealings with one Alfie Solomons. Most of it you knew, some of it was news to you, but nothing exactly changed your mind about the man.

What Polly or the rest of the Shelbys didn’t know was that the man behind the violent and unpredictable mask wasn’t really who you married or woke up next to every single day. But you didn’t feel like enlightening them just yet. The past you and Alfie shared meant so much more than territorial pissings.

“I know his reputation, Polly, but that doesn’t change the fact I owe him my life,” you informed her. “And Tommy tried to take his.”

This, as expected, wasn’t the reaction Polly wanted to hear.

“What happened to you?” she whispered incredulously, her dark eyes full of questions.

“A lot of bad things happened to me. Things I don’t necessarily want to relive.”

Polly’s grip on the porch railing got a little tighter.

“None of it was your fault,” you offered her that small consolation, regardless whether you had any real evidence for it. You were now a part of Alfie’s world, but you weren’t as ruthless. Never could.

Polly looked at you with hope so evident in her face that you couldn’t really find any other words than those you knew to be true: the rest of your story.

“Mind you, I don’t remember much and I’m sorry to say I don’t remember you at all, Polly. Your voice is familiar to me, but when I try to look further back it’s like looking at something through a dusty glass. I mostly remember Michael and sometimes I even get bits and pieces of how he used to play with me. Well, how he used to drag me around in a shoebox on a string.”

Polly laughed at that in surprise.

“I’m sure it was John who gave him that bright idea,” she said quietly, as if worried that any audible reaction would cause you to stop talking.

“I don’t doubt it.”

“When they took you away, I… It felt like…”

You waited patiently for Polly to gather her bearings, but what she said next shocked you:

“I think I missed you both so much that sometimes I simply wanted to die.”

It was hard to think of anything constructive to reply to that and so you hesitated to speak again. Polly lit another cigarette.

“Did they ship you off to the colonies?” she asked, evidently having deduced your lack of warmth for something it wasn’t.

The full truth was so much more pathetic, you thought. You weren’t good at these sorts of things; nobody in your life ever made you participate in heartfelt conversations. You didn’t know what to say to her about that previous confession and so you just answered the question:

“That was the plan. I probably would have died on the way there and almost dying seemed preferential at the time… Before they packed us up like slaves, they kept us in these big warehouses near the docks. All of us: convicted women, old, young, insane, some even children. Some just orphans and some real murderers. It was the most horrified I have ever been. You couldn’t sleep, you couldn’t breathe without someone trying to harm you one way or another. They fed us rotten food, wouldn’t let us clean ourselves, the bed bugs made the guards shave our heads… and then the fever broke out. Some of us were moved to a makeshift infirmary, where they also moved me when I fell ill. But that fever became my salvation. I wasn’t as well guarded there and one night when I regained consciousness I escaped.”

“What?” Polly gasped. “But how… Why did they say you died in Australia?”

“A fevered girl manages to escape His Majesty’s chamber of torture in her flea-riddled nightgown and lives to tell the tale.” You smirked. “Wouldn’t that make an uncomfortable headline?”

Polly thought about it for a second, but then confirmed with a nod that she agreed with your point.

“And Solomons, then?”

“I stole from him,” you laughed. “Don’t judge, I know the bakery is simply a front, but the bread they get is as good as any. And if you can’t see straight and haven’t eaten anything not covered in rat droppings for weeks… Your opinions on food ownership tend to get a little loser. Shame my reflexes had gotten so dull back then, because I would have gotten away with it, too. But I was delirious and truth be told probably looked dead already. So Alfie Solomons, the big bad wolf you think he is, took pity on me.”

It took a while for Polly to digest all that information and so you two just smoked in silence, up until her hand reached for yours somewhat unexpectedly. This time you didn’t reject her.

“I am sorrier than you could ever imagine, because—” Polly stammered.

“I know you are. But there is no need for it. I truly am at peace.”

After that, you just stood there holding hands, and even though you couldn’t know what Polly was thinking, you had a pretty good idea.

You were so different from Michael, that much was clear, and part of you wished you could express your feelings better than through an armour of perpetual cold or quips. Then again, from what you have heard today, Michael had led a very different life. Had you been allowed a normal home, with normal loving parents, perhaps you could have abandoned your snark and focused on rebuilding your relationship with Polly.

But, as things currently stood, it was too late to be something else than what life made you. A part of you would always remain on your guard, because no part of you would ever forget the hardships and the sacrifices you had to make from the ripe age of five. No child should ever see or endure what you had to.

“There’s still the matter of Boston,” Polly changed the subject swiftly and you smiled to yourself, wondering what her angle would be this time.

You came to like that about her, in the past few hours you came to finally know her. She was unpredictable and that kept you on your toes. If only she knew how much it resembled your husband’s own ways, perhaps she would stop with her side looks.

“What about Boston?” you asked.

“Your sister-in-law is Jack Nelson’s favourite niece. Or so we’ve heard.”

You shook your head and chuckled.

“You don’t like her, I take it. Gina Gray.”

“Not particularly, no.”

“Is it the snow habit or the scheming that bothers you more?”

“It’s the bad hairdo, mostly. I do like her choice in shoes, though…”

You laughed at that in earnest and looked at Polly to see her smiling at you, albeit a little shyly. The smile, you thought, removed ten years of worry from her face.

“I have heard about the Nelsons,” you informed her. “I don’t suppose Michael will look too kindly on what we’re about to do to them. But then again… They did kill Alfie’s uncle. They messed with his business. I don’t see how it could be forgiven.”

“No, I don’t see how it could. But I can still hear them talking in there and nobody shot anyone yet.”

“So we are in agreement.” You threw the rest of your cigarette away and looked at Polly once more.

“We all make sacrifices, I suppose,” she agreed. “But you, my darling, have made plenty. We will not ask you for more.”

You smiled at her again, though this time there was much less wariness to it. She spoke in riddles and kept her cards very close to her chest, but that also reminded you of Alfie. You were sure now you would like her very much indeed.

“Absolutely not. Out of the fuckin’ question, fuckin’ ridiculous.” Alfie waved his hand dismissively and then looked at you as soon as you and Polly came back inside. “You’re upsettin’ my wife, thanks very much, mate, all right, just look at her, Tommy, she’s plenty upset!”

“And why would I be upset, Alfie?” you chirped.

“She doesn’t even know what she’s sayin’ no more, poor thing.” He stood up abruptly, too abruptly for Arthur’s taste who immediately reached for his gun.

“Now, you’re alright there, sweetie, yeah, no need to get emotional,” Alfie gave him a look, “but my wife does need her rest, all right, an’ I don’t particularly need us all to tuck her into bed, it ain’t that kind of thing.”

Confused, you let your husband take you upstairs to your bedroom, because to be fair you knew better than to interrupt his scheming in business. It let him break the habit of scheming in your personal lives.

“Might I know why I’m being relegated to my bed without dinner like a toddler, Alfie?”

“Yeah, I need to talk to you, come ‘ere.”

As soon as the door closed behind you, you heard the telltale noises of a very agitated discussion happening downstairs.

“What did she tell ya then?”

“Who?”

“Your mother, hm?”

“It was mostly me doing the talking.”

“She told ya about Boston.”

“How did you…?”

“Hm, I didn’t, right, but now you just told me. So out with it.”

Honestly, you were sometimes so impressed with his skill of manipulation that you forgot to be annoyed at being the manipulated party.

“Alfie, if you don’t want your wife to divorce you, I suggest you utilise those evil gifts of yours on our guests.”

“Fair, but don’t be mad, luv, all right, come ‘ere,” he smiled and pulled you closer, “and tell your beast of a husband if he should go to war or not, ‘cause this time I don’t think I can do it without you.”

“Alfie, you have done it without me. Many times.”

“Precisely my point, all right, I’m the one who knows how it feels to not have you to keep me sane, luv, so if you say we don’t do it, then we don’t, yeah?”

“You… you’d abandon your vengeance? For me?”

“In a heartbeat, luv, what kind of question is that even, you don’t ask me that. ‘Course I fuckin’ would.”

Remembering what Polly said about Gina, your mind was pretty much decided. You appreciated Alfie’s honesty, always have, but disrespect couldn’t be easily forgiven.

“Then I say we do it.”

The sudden fire in your voice made Alfie grin.

“I say we kill them all, Alfie. You take Boston and Tommy can have Jack Nelson’s head on a spike.”

“On a spike, hm?”

“That’s right.”

He gently took your face in his hands and looked at you with such affection that it only reassured you in your thinking.

“I love it when you talk business to me, luv,” he concluded.

#peaky blinders fanfic #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders x reader #alfie solomons fanfic #alfie solomons x reader #alfie solomons imagine #tom hardy fanfic #tom hardy imagine #tom hardy x reader

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the-horizon-lounge3041 · 6 months ago

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I now present a fanfic I need to get off my chest. (I might do these more often since fics kinda help me write originals)

Elisabet walked into the base breathing heavily, she traveled a long way to get to Gaia’s signal. It was dark and cold and suddenly, a familiar voice greeted her. “Hello Elisabet…it’s good to see you” Gaia said. Lis was in tears, she never thought she’d hear that voice again. “Gaia…I’m so happy you’re okay!..and you did it…you saved everything…” Elisabet sniffed and wiped the tears off her face. “What are you doing Gaia?” Lis asked. “Oh..I am just sending a message to someone…that’s all” Gaia said.

Aloy was outside throwing rocks into the stream, Beta was behind her looking at flowers and she sighed…”Look…I know seeing the cabin again was hard but—“ Then Aloy cut her off. “Beta…you needed to see that place..I’m sorry I’m letting that day affect me. I need to focus on now and focus on you” Aloy replied. Beta hugged her and then she went back to identifying flowers, Aloy stretched and lied down on her back, putting her hands on her stomach and took deep breaths, she felt relaxed and at home with her sister and Gaia, she was truly happy now and she has a family. These thoughts made her smile, Then…she heard a message from Gaia.

“Hello Aloy, would you please come inside my room for a minute? I have someone special here”

“Someone special?…huh..wonder who it could be?” Aloy asked. “Oooooohhhhhh maybe Gaia knows your cruuusshhhh and she invited who ever it is over” Beta teased. “Hey! Beta stop that” Aloy laughed and then got up. “Well I better go see who it is…and maybe grab a snack after” Aloy said. “Well don’t eat too much, it’s really close to dinner time Aloy” Beta said. Aloy just chuckled and walked up the mountain and into the base to see the “special person”.

Aloy opened the door and saw Gaia..and a silhouette of someone in front of her. “You can open your eyes now…Elisabet” Gaia said. Aloy put her hands on her mouth, there’s no way she said her name..her heart started pounding in happiness, was it really her mother?. Lis opens her eyes and saw the younger woman. Long red hair, very messy and had colorful beads and braids, freckles on her face, and the same brilliant green eyes as her own. “Gaia…is..is that?—Elisabet stuttered. “Yes..it is Elisabet, it’s the promise I kept.” Gaia said. “my…my baby…” Lis uttered softly.

“Wait…you really are my mother?” Aloy asked tearing up. Lis just ran up and hugged the girl, Aloy completely lost it and just started crying. Her mother was hugging her for the first time, something she’s wanted for a long time. “Shhh it’s okay…I have you sweetie” Lis tried to calm the girl down, she knew it was happy tears, but she wanted to assure the girl that she was safe in her arms and was there to calm her when she needed it. Aloy started to breathe slowly and she buried her face in Lis’ shoulder. “Gaia she’s perfect…my daughter…my little Aloy…” Lis said. “Wait…you know my name?!” Aloy said. “Yes I do honey, the matriarchs told me what happened to you and told me where you were, I woke up and immediately rushed to—“ Lis spoke but Aloy cut her off. “Okay…just..start from the beginning”

To be continued

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use-your-telescope · 10 months ago

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When Everything's Made to be Broken - Chapter 14: Underneath Your Regret

Summary: A visit to Michigan reminds Theo of some things she’d rather forget, but it also leads to some important revelations. When she returns to New York, she puts the final pieces of the puzzle together.

Author's Notes: Hellooooooo friends! I am so, SO excited about this chapter and can’t wait to share it with you!!! You’ll be getting some answers to the mysteries of the last chapter, but you might end up with a whole new set of questions as we get to learn a little bit more about Theo’s backstory. The final scene/conversation is one that I have a particular soft spot for as well. In the interest of avoiding spoilers, I’ll share some more thoughts/a heartfelt ramble after the chapter is done.

As a reminder, this chapter's song is a continuation from the last chapter. <3

Word Count: 6,008

Read on AO3 | When Everything's Made to be Broken Masterlist

Song: Talk About It - Paradise Fears

I don’t really wanna talk about it I don’t really wanna talk about it I don’t really wanna talk about it, Right now, right now

Theo’s search for answers to the cause of New York’s gloom, ironically, led her to Michigan.

Since Theo had to make a trip to Michigan to seek assistance with her conundrum, Theo decided to make the most of it by staying for a few days. She had some time off to burn, and with the gloominess around the tower it seemed like the perfect time to get the hell out before she made anything worse. Upon learning that Theo would not simply be around for an afternoon, Mémère grinned and immediately presented Theo with a list of miscellaneous house projects that the matriarch wanted help with, but Max hadn’t gotten to yet.

While Theo was a bit surprised by how quickly Mémère had a list ready for Theo, she wasn’t entirely surprised. The upkeep and maintenance of a farm required a lot of effort, and in Mémère’s old age it would have been impossible to do it on her own; even with Max it was borderline too much, since he had a family and a career and his own house to keep him busy.

Theo was not about to complain, even if the chores were messy and tedious - after all, Mémère was the very person whose help Theo needed if she had any hope of figuring out what the heck was upsetting everyone. The very least Theo could do was make sure Mémère could continue living comfortably and independently on her farm.

However, Theo failed to account for one thing: Mémère could help, but whether or not she would agree to help was another question entirely.

“Mémère, come on - I know you know what’s going on. You’re the Ascendieu of knowledge for crying out loud!” Theo trailed after her grandmother from the dining room to the kitchen, outright pleading with the matriarch after explaining the situation over dinner. “Your entire purpose is to know things!”

“Knowledge is not simply awareness,” Mémère chided, repeating a phrase Theo heard countless times over the years. Mémère stopped in the kitchen to place a glass in the kitchen sink, but did not look at Theo as she busied herself cleaning up after dinner. “It requires discretion. If you are meant to know something, you will learn of it in due time. The Numens ensure this, as they always have.”

Theo huffed, dramatically slumping her shoulders as she pouted at Mémère. “Can you give me a hint, at least?!”

“Are you planning to return for the Remembrance Prayers?” With one question and a stern glare, Mémère pivoted the conversation towards a subject Theo loathed.

The Remembrance Prayers… As if Theo needed prayers to remember the night everything turned to shit.

Telling Mémère that no, Theo would not be attending the annual ceremony that commemorated the death of half their extended family and (several thousand others) seemed like a great way to get her ass handed to her on a silver platter; failing to show up would likely have caused Theo’s premature death.

It wasn’t that Theo had a problem with paying tribute to those who had passed; if that was all, Theo would have no qualms about ensuring she attended. No - the problem was that most of the people who would be at the Remembrance Prayers blamed Theo for the event that caused those thousands of deaths, and for the destruction that followed.

Those very people were the same reason Theo left Michigan as soon as she could, why she avoided going into town when she visited, and why she avoided interacting with the council. Even if they were cordial to her face, Theo knew damn well that they spent most of their free time imagining the ways they could kill Theo if it would be allowed.

In a weird, twisted way, Theo was almost glad how closely they clung to the Edicts of Éthéré, since the importance they placed on Theo’s magic was probably her saving grace.

Ironic, given Theo despised the Edicts and the pressure they placed upon her.

With everything going on, Theo hadn’t realized just how quickly the date approached. It wasn’t that she was clueless - Mother’s day was just around the corner, which meant that Ravenna’s birthday was close by. It was shortly after Ravenna’s birthday that they stood atop the Whispering Summit and watched, helplessly, as Meridia imploded upon itself.

Only in hindsight did Theo realize that it wasn’t just Meridia that imploded, but everything as Theo knew it.

“Yes,” Theo sighed, matching Mémère’s more serious demeanor. “I will be there.”

“Good. I will inform the council so they can prepare accordingly.” Mémère paused, stretching up to rest a weathered hand on Theo’s shoulder. “I know the prayers hold many difficult memories for you, but it is important that the people see you there. Someday, I will not be here, and you will be the Souveraine Dynaste - they will look to you for guidance. Your presence builds trust.”

A thousand venomous responses came to mind, but Theo held her tongue.

When Theo was younger, she spat all kinds of vicious retorts at Mémère whenever the prayers and anniversaries came up. But as Theo grew older, she came to understand two things: first, even as the Souveraine Dynaste of the Council and an Ascendieu, Mémère could not change the situation they found themselves in. She could not undo the past, nor could she alter the events of the future. Second, and more importantly, when Theo directed her vitriol and rage at Memere, it only caused harm to the one person who never gave up on Theo, even when Theo gave up on herself.

Theo caused enough suffering - she didn’t need anyone else to suffer, particularly not Mémère. So if Mémère insisted that Theo attended the Remembrance Prayers and spoke of Theo’s eventual rise to Souveraine Dynaste, Theo would not fight it; not because Memere was the Souveraine Dynaste, but because Theo loved her grandmother and her grandmother felt it was important.

“I know.” Theo murmured, covering Mémère’s hand with her own. She flashed a tight, close-lipped smile at her grandmother, who returned a smile of her own and an understanding nod.

Yes, Theo knew, but it didn’t make it any easier.

I don't really wanna talk about it (Right now, right now) I can see you underneath your regret (Right now, right now) So let's just get a little high and forget (Right now, right now) I don't really wanna live without it (Right now, right now)

Long after Mémère had gone to bed, Theo found herself out on the dock, gazing out on Lake Superior.

The dock had always been Theo’s place to go when she needed to clear her mind. Even on the coldest nights, when the temperature dropped well below freezing and her breath fogged in front of her face with each exhale, Theo made the trek from the farmhouse down to the water’s edge when she needed a place to sit and think.

New York may have transitioned to spring, but northern Michigan had yet to get the memo that winter was over. A recent storm left a thick blanket of sparkling snow, most of it undisturbed by man or beast. Under the light of a full moon, the ice that covered the outer edges of Lake Superior reflected an almost ethereal glow. If Theo could see the center, where the water temperature remained too warm to freeze, she imagined it would glisten beneath the light. A gentle whisper of wind blew through the trees, the only sign that the world had not fallen completely still. Above, an endless expanse of navy sky shimmered with stars, unmarred by light pollution like the skies in New York.

A ratty, threadbare quilt covered the worn planks of wood beneath Theo, contrasting the thick woolen blanket she wrapped around her shoulders to block the chill. In one mitten-covered hand, Theo clutched a bottle of Asgardian Ale that she stole when Thor wasn’t looking; the slight buzz that came from the alcohol offered a false warmth that Theo enjoyed on a particularly cold night.

The view before Theo existed in contradiction of itself: even as it changed, it remained the same. From the very first night Theo sat at the end of the dock to the present, very little appeared to be different. Sure, the seasons changed, which altered the environment around her. Ice formed in the winter and melted in the summer, only to repeat the cycle. The trees that lined the lake grew old and died, but new trees grew and filled their place, towering overhead as if they had been there the entire time. Everything had its place.

Theo still spent her time at the end of the dock when she struggled to make sense of things. Back then, it was unceremoniously being dropped into a new world and trying to make sense of how to survive. Recently, the possibility of returning home occupied her time at the water’s edge. But for the moment, the matter of concern was much lower-stakes, even if it was much more salient in her daily life.

The crunch of snow beneath feet caught Theo’s ear; each crunch decisive in sound and pace as it grew louder. Too heavy to be a small creature and too loud to be a deer. However, the gait did not match Mémère’s, which meant…

“Heard you’re avoiding the Avengers.”

Of course, Max had to be the one to destroy Theo’s moment of peace.

“Should have known Mémère would tell you why I was sticking around for a few days.” Theo dryly replied, briefly glancing back at Max before returning her attention to the lake before her. “Did she give you the full story, or just the conclusion?”

“She gave me the full story.”

Creaking planks shifted beneath Max’s weight as he made his way to the dock, taking a seat beside Theo on the blanket. Like Theo, he dressed for the occasion: A thick woolen peacoat, an ushanka hat tugged over closely cropped brown hair with ear flaps hanging at each side. Woolen socks revealed themselves in the gap between fleece-lined jeans and snow boots as Max crouched down to take a seat. He stretched his long legs out in front of them, leaning back on his gloved hands as he looked up at the sky. “You’ve got a habit for getting out of dodge when you don’t like something, you realize that?”

“If everyone around you was losing their minds and you couldn’t figure out why, you’d get the hell out too.” Theo took a swig of her ale, then offered the bottle to Max. “Want some? It’s Asgardian.”

Max shrugged, but accepted the drink. He sniffed the bottle’s opening before he took a drink; his face shifted to something inquisitive as he swished for a moment, then swallowed. “Not bad - does it do anything special?”

“It actually can get us drunk,” Theo replied, “so that’s convenient.”

“I forgot that you don’t have easy access to strong enough alcohol.” Max chuckled to himself. “You know that if you ever went into town, it’d be easy to get some.”

“That runs the risk of running into people I don’t want to see, so no thanks; I’ll take sobriety. Or I’ll just steal Thor’s booze - he never notices anyway.” Theo shook her head, retrieved the bottle from Max, and took a second drink.

“So, everyone is losing their minds and you can’t figure out why, so the solution is to leave –” Max directed the conversation back to the Avengers with such precision that Theo suspected he had an ulterior motive for his appearance. “– That sounds familiar.”

Theo rolled her eyes at the jab. “Are you just here to be an ass, or do you have a point?”

“I can’t be here because I miss seeing my cousin, the woman who was raised with me and is like my older sister? Ouch.” Max dramatically pressed one hand over his heart as he made a crying face. “Look, I’m not trying to make you feel bad about coming out here for a few days. From what Mémère told me, I’d probably be desperate for a break as well. And let’s be real, Mémère loves whenever you are around. Plus, selfishly, you get to take care of the chores I’d been procrastinating on for a while. Thanks in advance, by the way.”

“So what’s your point?”

“Maybe there’s something in common.” Max casually suggested with a shrug and looked back over the icy landscape.

“Obviously there’s something in common,” Theo scoffed, “or the whole damn tower wouldn’t be affected.”

“No, I mean maybe it’s not one single thing that they’re upset about, but they all have various events with some unrelated element in common.” Max clarified. “Maybe there’s something fairly small that reminds them of their respective problems.”

Theo mulled over Max’s suggestion. Wanda said something about the time of year, and Steve mentioned Bucky struggles with the time of year…

Avengers-related anniversaries that took place around that time of year: The Chitauri invasion. Ultron. The attack on Vienna during the ratification of the Accords. The battle against Thanos.

Holy shit. Theo felt her stomach drop as she put two and two together.

“I’m guessing you just had a thought?” Max raised his eyebrows as he looked at Theo expectantly.

“I’m such a dumbass.” Theo scrubbed half her face with one hand. “God, I can’t believe I didn’t realize—“

“I could have told you that you’re a dumbass.” Max teased, earning a smack on the shoulder from Theo. “Seriously, what is it?”

“Every major Avengers battle has taken place around this time of year. Loki was tortured and mind-controlled into one of them. Wanda lost her brother during another one. A huge wedge was driven between the group when the accords were ratified, which was also when the UN was attacked in Vienna. Tony learned the truth about how his parents died in the aftermath of the ratification of the accords. And of course, Thanos–”

“– Sounds like you have something else in common with the Avengers: a reason to hate this time of year.” Max concluded.

“Yeah, not the kind of thing you usually want to have in common,” Theo dryly replied. “But it still doesn’t explain a few of the weird things…”

“What weird things?”

“Around the time this all started, a bird started hanging out on my balcony.” Theo took another drink of ale. “Not a raven, or a crow - it looks like some cross between them, but it’s too small. It wasn’t even a little scared of me, and I’m pretty sure the damn thing tried to help me with a sudoku one day.”

“Now that just sounds like you’re losing your mind.” Max stole the bottle back from Theo and took a drink. “Although we all could have seen that coming.”

“You sound like the council.” Theo drawled, shifting to cross her legs so she could rest her elbows on her knees, and her chin on her hands.

“Maybe I’m preparing you to see them in a few weeks.” Max replied without missing a beat.

“Nah, they don’t have the guts to say it to my face.” Theo half-laughed, though it left a bitter taste in her mouth. “Doesn’t mean I’m looking forward to it.”

“As they say, heavy is the head that wears the crown.”

Despite what Max said, they both knew the truth: Theo was never meant to wear the crown.

But it's been a while since I saw inside your head With all the perfect little paintings and the blues and reds Cause I fooled you once, I guess you fooled yourself And now you're scared of what'll happen if you lose yourself But I think the bruise is healed, I think the bruise is healed I could kiss your every scar until the wound is sealed And when the sun comes up we'll be looking at each other saying…

It was a universal truth that vacation time passed faster than anyone was ready for, and Theo’s experience was no exception. It seemed like she had just arrived in Michigan, but five days passed in the blink of an eye; next thing she knew, she was back in New York, cursing her alarm clock before dragging herself out to the kitchen for coffee. The first shift in the hospital after vacation was always the hardest, so she poured an extra-large cup.

Despite the bad vibes that had plagued the tower, Theo took a risk and settled in on the couch to drink her coffee. She wasn’t stupid enough to think everything magically got better while she was away, but with the torrential downpour that turned the skies gray, the balcony seemed like a bad idea, and the early hour gave her the confidence that she wouldn’t risk encountering another person while she sat there.

For a while, Theo curled into her usual corner of the couch, absentmindedly sipping her coffee as she stared into nothing and tried to wake up. The stillness of the tower before the day truly started echoed the stillness of Lake Superior at night, even if Theo’s mind was not as active as when she sat at the end of the dock.

A quiet, yet irate meow disrupted the silence, startling a still half-asleep Theo.

“What the fuck!?” Theo’s head snapped towards the sound as she scrambled backward in her seat.

Across from her, a small black cat perched on the edge of a chair. It narrowed its green eyes in a glare, baring its teeth as its tail swished back and forth in sharp, almost jagged movements.

Theo may not have been awake before, but she sure as shit was now. How perfect was this - she hadn’t even been back in New York for a day when the chance to find out what was going on with the animals practically landed in her lap.

The cat meowed a second time, louder and somehow more aggressively despite its petite stature. Just before Theo could react, it leapt down from the chair and took off for the hall.

Theo sprung to her feet and gave chase, hellbent on determining the source of the mystery black animals that had practically become her shadow.

But the cat was too fast. It rounded the corner, and by the time Theo made it to the corner she heard a slam and spotted the slight movement of Loki’s door. However, when she pressed her ear to the wood, she heard no movement whatsoever. The presence of Loki’s magic was nowhere to be found, which made Theo wonder if her mind was playing tricks on her.

“Lady Theo, is something the matter?”

Theo practically leapt out of her skin; she spun around, cheeks burning to find Thor standing before her, a heavy-set brow and frown marring his usually cheerful expression.

“Uh – hi Thor,” Theo waved awkwardly. She glanced around to check if anyone else caught her acting like a fucking weirdo; thankfully, it seemed like she was in the clear. “Weird question: did Loki get a cat recently?”

Thor’s frown deepened. “I’ve heard nothing of the sort. Why do you ask?”

“Funny story,” Theo laughed nervously, “A few minutes ago I was in the living room drinking coffee and minding my own business when I heard a meow; I looked up to find a little black cat glaring at me. Not just looking at me, but glaring at me. It meowed at me and took off running, and because I wanted to figure out where it came from I followed it.” Fully aware that she sounded insane, Theo continued on. “Just as I came around the corner, I think I saw your brother’s door close and the cat was gone, which makes it seem like he let the cat in.”

“Dare I ask why you chose to listen in on my brother's chambers, instead of inquiring with my brother on the matter?” Thor arched a skeptical brow at Theo, while his tone gave the impression that he wasn’t sure if he wanted the answer to the question.”

“Uh, I didn’t want to ask him, because, well, he was being kind of an asshole last time I saw him, and I’m not sure he wants anything to do with me at the moment.” Theo admitted, cheeks burning as she dropped her gaze to her feet. “The crack of dawn doesn’t seem like the time to check and see.”

Thor opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but closed it again. His attention flickered between Theo and the door, while his demeanor grew stormier with each passing second.

“I have my suspicions of what you might have encountered; rest assured, I highly doubt my brother has acquired a pet.” Thor sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Please accept my most sincere apologies for his recent behavior. I will speak with him.”

“You don’t need to talk to him about—“

“I assure you, my lady, it will be best if I address the matter.” Thor replied with an unfamiliar sharpness that left an uneasy feeling in Theo’s gut.

“Okay – Well, uh, I should probably go get ready for work.” Theo took a step backwards, awkwardly smiling at Thor as he regarded her with his still-stormy expression. “Uh, have a good one?”

Thor replied with nothing more than a grunt, which on its own was enough to spook Theo into scurrying off towards her suite.

Theo played conversation over and over again as she changed into her scrubs and pulled her hair back, pinning it up so it didn’t get in the way as she worked. Thor’s reaction, combined with his cryptic response, made Theo believe that it was not the first time for whatever was going on.

But what, exactly, was going on?

Half-way down to the Emergency Department, the pieces clicked into place.

I don't really wanna talk about it I don't really wanna talk about it I don't really wanna talk about it Right now, right now

After a chaotic fourteen hours in the Emergency Department, Theo decided that the perfect place to decompress was on the roof; more specifically, the farthest corner of the roof, where the seating had been arranged to offer some privacy and seclusion.

The course of events from the day, though quite a bit to process, hadn’t been enough to warrant a trip through the portal to sit on the dock. Even if they were, experience told Theo that too many trips to the dock in a short period of time often raised concerns, so for the time being she opted for a different location. After the wintry weather of Michigan, New York felt downright tropical, so it only seemed appropriate to take advantage of the temperature difference.

The storm from the beginning of the day had long passed, leaving behind traces of petrichor that lingered in the usually stale city air. Despite the storm, the cushions on the sectionals remained bone-dry; a pleasant surprise, since she fully expected that she would need to use some magic to dry them off.

Upon reaching her destination Theo sprawled out across a sectional, her head in the corner where two rows of seating came together while her feet dangled off one end.

She wasn’t sure how long she laid there, staring up at the sky and trying to spot the stars through the light pollution of the city. If she had to guess, she had been there for twenty minutes or so when the faintest sound of footsteps caught her attention.

Theo laid perfectly still, hoping that whoever had come up to the roof wouldn’t notice her, or if they noticed her they would leave her alone. Maybe it made her a bad person, but she wasn’t sure she could handle any more nervous breakdowns or emotional meltdowns from her team members, at least not at that moment.

The footsteps grew louder, until Loki appeared in Theo’s peripheral vision. He paused for a moment, taking stock of Theo as she sprawled out on the sectional. Though he didn’t say anything, he sat down on another part of the sectional before stretching out to mimic Theo’s position, leaning his head in so it was near Theo’s and his legs dangled off the edge of the sectional.

As much as Theo enjoyed the silence, she felt awkward not acknowledging Loki’s presence; if he wasn’t going to say anything, she would have to take it upon herself to break the silence.

“Thanks for the help with the sudoku the other day,” Theo casually mentioned, continuing to keep her eyes on the sky.

“… You knew.” Unlike the last time they spoke, Loki’s voice lacked any trace of iciness; instead, there was a hesitance that sounded almost foreign.

“I didn’t,” Theo quietly admitted, finally tearing her attention away from the sky to look at Loki. “I asked Thor if you got a cat. When he said you didn’t get a cat, but he had an idea of what was going on and that he would speak with you, I eventually figured it out. I don’t suppose you also turned into a squirrel and took a wander around Central Park?”

“I reserve squirrel transformations for Thor and Thor alone.” Loki slowly replied, giving Theo a perplexed glance. “I take it your question stems from experience?”

“Yeah, but I was probably just paranoid.” Theo brushed it off with a shrug. “Things have been weird lately.”

Loki hummed, nodding to himself for a moment. “Where did you go, after Barnes and Stark’s quarrel?”

“Home,” Theo replied. “I had a few days off, and since I’m scheduled to be on-call at the hospital on Mother’s Day, figured I could go see my Mémère and get the obligatory celebrations over with before the actual day arrives.”

“It sounds as though you aren’t a fan of the holiday.”

“I hate Mother’s day. And Father’s Day. They’re both terrible - stupid Hallmark holiday bullshit. Anyone who doesn’t have a perfect relationship with their parents feels guilty because they don’t spend the whole day worshiping the ground their parents walked on, and if you lost a parent? Weeks of painful reminders and people giving you pity glances because they make all these assumptions about what you must be going through.”

“I was unaware you held such strong feelings about the occasion,” Loki remarked.

“Honestly, I hate this time of year in general,” Theo confessed. “My sister’s birthday is also in the same period of time - this year it’s on Mother’s Day, which feels like rubbing salt in the wound. The anniversary of when I last saw my family is a few weeks from now, too.”

“What happened to them?” Loki studied Theo with a heavy brow, lips turned down into a rather somber expression.

“They died - at least, that’s the assumption,” Theo sighed. “We were separated, and no one ever saw or heard from them again.”

“No one?”

“Well, SHIELD was tracking all of us, and I’m the only one here.” Theo gestured to herself as she laid on the sectional.

Loki gently nodded in understanding. “How were you separated?”

“The city we were in was attacked - practically razed to the ground.” Theo’s voice felt thick as she spoke, a lump building in her throat that threatened to silence her before she fully answered the question. “We all tried to escape, but with the chaos we lost track of each other. I got out, but I never found them.”

Loki turned and met Theo’s curious gaze with cloudy green eyes. “You never had a chance to say goodbye…”

Theo frowned and barely shook her head, unwilling to say it aloud. Even after so many years, it still hurt.

“My mother — Frigga,” Loki corrected himself, “her name day is near the date when this nation celebrates Mother’s Day. Her passing was unexpected; like you, I never had the opportunity to say goodbye.”

“You’ve never talked about Frigga,” Theo quietly remarked. “What was she like?”

“I’d… rather not.” Loki cautioned, Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed a lump in his throat.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to…” Theo gently assured him, returning her gaze upward. “… I understand.”

Another beat of silence passed.

“Frigga…” Loki started, then stopped. He sighed like he struggled to find what exactly to say. “She was patient. Gentle. Graceful. She saw the best in every individual and sought to cultivate what made each individual unique.”

Theo nodded, silently encouraging Loki to continue.

“She taught me magic, and in doing so opened up doors for me that I’d never have otherwise imagined. She was the one person who knew what I was, and yet she loved me just the same.” Loki sighed; when he continued, his voice dropped to just above a whisper: “She’s the one thing about Asgard that I truly miss.”

For some time, they sat there in silence, far above where the sounds of the city could offer any sort of background noise.

“She sounds lovely,” Theo breathed, as if speaking at a normal volume would ruin the moment.

“She was.”

For a time, they simply stayed laid there, letting the message linger in the air.

“My parents — honestly, I had a mixed relationship with them,” Theo admitted, keeping her voice low. “They held me to an impossibly high standard; my sister was the perfect child, and I couldn’t ever keep up. I know they meant well, but when I was a kid it hurt.”

Loki gave an empathetic hum, looking back up at the stars through the light pollution.

“Sometimes I wonder if I look back on my memories of them with rose-tinted glasses, or if I didn’t give them the credit they deserved when they were around. I wonder if they would be proud of me if they saw me now. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m not sure they would be.”

“They would be fools to not be proud; however, I can understand your hesitancy,” Loki replied. “The Allfather raised me in Thor’s shadow; to this day, I doubt he would call me Thor’s equal.”

“He was an idiot if he didn’t see you as equals.” Theo surprised herself with the sharpness of her tone.

Loki let out a bitter, quick laugh - no more than a puff of air. “I must admit, I’ve never met anyone with the gall to call the Allfather an idiot.”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything,” Theo lightly joked, offering Loki a small smile.

Another silence fell between the pair, though the faintest whistle from the breeze created a wash of sound.

“I owe you an apology for when we previously spoke.” Loki spoke up. “I admit, it was not my finest moment.”

“It’s fine - I’ve been an asshole to you more than once, so it’s not like I’m perfect,” Theo dryly pointed out. She paused for a moment, then added: “I’m sorry I didn’t ask what was wrong.”

Loki tilted his head to look over at her, something unreadable in his expression as he studied her. “How could you have known?”

“One, you’ve never spoken to me like that before, so I know that’s not how you normally are.” Theo held up one finger in the air as she listed off the reasons she should have asked. “Two, most people don’t freak out like you did without something else going on. Three, friends check in on each other, and I hadn’t heard from you in a while. I was overdue. Four, everyone has been in a funk lately. It wouldn’t have been a stretch to assume you were also dealing with something.”

“Have you also been in a, erm… funk, lately?” Loki asked, faltering a bit as he repeated Theo’s choice of description back to her.

“I guess,” Theo shrugged dismissively, an air of melancholy lingering in her words.

“Would you like to discuss what troubles you?” Loki offered, though he did so hesitantly.

“Nope.” Theo told him flatly, popping the ‘p’ sound.

It felt like a sharp departure from how she’d spoken previously, but Loki didn’t know about the upcoming remembrance prayers, the string of painful anniversaries that followed, or Theo’s role in those traumatic events, and she had no intention of telling him. Theo had more than enough evidence that it wouldn’t go well, and selfishly, it was nice to let people get to know Theo as a normal person, without the reputation and baggage of her past coloring their perceptions.

“I suppose it would be disingenuous of me to tell you that sometimes talking about your troubles helps one feel better when I abhor discussing my emotions and problems.” Loki mused, a flicker of a smile crossing his lips.

Theo snickered. “At least you realize it would be hypocritical.” She paused for a moment, before softening her tone. “I understand why you’re hesitant to talk about them though.”

Yet another silence fell over the pair. While there were no shortage of times that they coexisted in silence, that night felt different - both of them had revealed parts of themselves they typically kept hidden away, despite not knowing what would happen if they dared to be so honest.

“Were you serious, the other day?” Nervousness tinted Loki’s voice, only amplified by the way his forehead creased and his lips twisted with concern as he asked the question.

“Serious about what?” Theo narrowed her eyes at Loki, trying to remember what he was referring to.

“That if I had a moment of weakness like Barnes, you would be there.” Loki resumed stargazing, pointedly avoiding eye contact like he was afraid of how Theo would react.

… Which was probably just as well, because Theo looked at him like he grew a second head and laughed. Hard.

“You are the world’s biggest dumbass if you think I wouldn’t be there,” Theo finally managed, once she regained her composure. “Shit, I’d take a bullet for you.”

A flush crept over Loki’s cheeks as he laughed nervously, flashing an embarrassed smile. “Please don’t take a bullet for me.”

“Don’t get shot at and I won’t have to,” Theo teased with a wink.

Though Loki rolled his eyes, his smile grew wider.

“Seriously though – it’s okay to have times where things get tough and you can’t handle it on your own. We all have our weaknesses, and weakness isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes, you just need someone there.” Theo reassured him, hoping he’d take her words to heart. “Shit, you’ve done it for me – back when I first moved in and I was so wary about meeting other people that I hid all the time? Perfect example; you were there for me, and now I have friends here. After that mission when I felt like crap? God, I was an absolute bitch to you and you still put up with me. You deserve a trophy for all of the bullshit I’ve made you deal with just because I’ve been in a bad mood.”

Loki cracked up at the end of Theo’s statement; his laughter brought a warmth to her chest that she hadn’t felt in far too long.

“Though you flatter me, I must decline the offer of a trophy.” Loki’s eyes sparkled in the night as he flashed a coy grin. “I imagine I’ll have my share of insufferable moments in the future; all I ask is that you continue to tolerate my shortcomings and idiosyncrasies.”

That was a promise Theo would happily make.

I don't know you like I used to But when I can't see, you see me through I don't know you like I used to But when I can't see, you see me through

I don't really wanna talk about it I don't really wanna talk about it I don't really wanna talk about it Right now, right now

-----

Post-Chapter Author’s Note: Something I do in this fic is incorporate little easter eggs and references to fics that I love; some of these are more subtle (ex. chapter two has a clever little reference to part 1 of @infinitystoner’s amazing fic Box of Rain (read on tumblr), but others have had a larger influence and actually influenced plot elements; these last two chapters are an example of when something I read stuck with me to the point of exploring it as a plot element.

I think the first time I read i couldn’t change (though i wanted to); and its sequel, until i feel whole (again); two and a half years ago(?) and I was immediately captivated by the idea of a shapeshifting Loki and how the ability to change forms could create a sort of armor with which to interact with the world. I shared the first draft of the chapters tied to this song with my IRL friend/fellow marvel lover, Sky, in September 2021; back then it was with a different song and tied to a specific date, but with her feedback and encouragement it expanded out to what it is today.

I started this story in August 2021 - it originally came to mind as a one-shot, focusing on a scene of sitting vigil at a hospital bedside in the aftermath of something catastrophic and trying to reconcile the past with how to move forward. Obviously it has expanded immensely since then (that feels like the understatement of the year), but as it has expanded this has become (for me, at least) more than *just* a slow burn relationship story.

A lot of this story, for me, is about navigating the various forms of grief. I’m not talking about grief only in terms of death, but grieving for past lives, expectations that never came to be, loss of innocence, changed relationships - there are so many ways that we experience grief. But more importantly, (for me) this is a story about how we rebuild and find hope, even when it seems like there’s no path forward or like we’ve lost everything.

The idea for this story, and its subsequent writing, began in the midst of a difficult time. I won’t get too much into it here, but I have since realized that it has given me an outlet with which to explore the many ways that I was grieving. It also has given me a way to seek out hope in the moments where I struggled to find it. Since I first started writing this story, things have since improved in ways that I never could have imagined, but I still experience that grief from time to time. I still wonder about “what if…?” from time to time. I’m still learning to make peace with that, but working on this story helps. All of this to say, if you're reading along, thank you for giving my lil' passion project a moment of your time. It means more than you know <3

#loki #loki fanfiction #loki imagine #loki fluff #loki angst #loki hurt/comfort #loki/ofc #when everything's made to be broken #wemtbb #avenger!loki

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nahisummerhold · 2 months ago

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Nahi to Pathyn: Word is we are moving camp tomorrow.

She had given up on not reaching out to her life lines, but what the therapist talked with her about had her a bit shook and she just needed a friend, but the only person she considered a true friend, one that actually knew her more than anyone, was Pathyn. Maybe before he went off the deep end she might have considered Kyean, but that was now locked up in a tight little place of anger in her mind.

Anger that she had let go of while she confronted Ky but then swallowed down, which the therapist said was not really a good idea. There was a whole bunch he said about her emotions, then sent her off to journal about how she felt about what he said.

That was part of what she was avoiding in the hopes to talk to Pathyn, but she continued to wait so she began to journal, fel take him…

It wasn’t until she was right about out of words that her comm blinked and vibrated.

Pathyn to Nahi: Hey girl. If you are going deep dark you need to be careful, things are a bit out of whack down there. I know you are pretty well protected in camp but all those creepy crawlies are devious.

Nahi to Pathyn: Yeah got the sense that was the case when they exploded up from the ground to take out a light that was keeping them at bay.

Pathyn to Nahi: That is nothing Nightengale, so you need to watch yourself and your company. How are you doing?

She knew that was not a polite question and it took her a few moments to answe. It was nice to be able to talk to him without awkwardness, but she wasn’t sure she liked the topic.

Nahi to Pathyn: I am not sure. I am pretty upset at him. Also, you need to know I don’t blame you for this at all. You are not his keeper.

Pathyn to Nahi: We are family and have been fighting together for thousands of years. I blame myself for not seeing what was going on. Or, I did see and thought he was just worried, I was so wrapped up in scouting I didn’t realize how far he was taking things.

Nahi to Pathyn: I knew too. At least I knew he was watching me. I didn’t think of the consequences if he got caught, or at least maybe I should have? Company life is still hard for me to understand.

Pathyn to Nahi: It takes time, it is much different for each company too. Yours is small and really well trained so anything like that needs to be handled, and quickly, before it gets out of hand. In our group we all have known each other for a long time, so problems like this have never come up before. What he did was very serious in the camps’ eyes, so much so they told him to leave until he gets his mind right. And they called his mother.

Nahi to Pathyn: They did what? Called his mother? You guys are eons old and that is still a thing?

Pathyn to Nahi: Some of our camp fought alongside her, it was why they did not punish him worse. Oh, and I sent her his comm override in case he tried to avoid her.

Nahi to Pathyn: Blessed sun, that is just cruel.

Pathyn to Nahi: We live in a matriarchal society, what he did was bad Nahi, not just for you but he was raised better than that. Something his mother told me in great detail becuase I wasn’t taking your safety seriously enough.

Nahi to Pathyn: He wouldn’t have hurt me, he wants and worries about me, yes. But hurt me? No, I don’t think so.

Pathyn to Nahi: In the eyes of our team he did hurt you, or your reputation at least. He knew better, and they could not just let him go without making sure he would deal with it. Hence his mother.

Nahi to Pathyn: What is she like?

Pathyn to Nahi: An older Priest of Elune. Bad ass and very devoted to the Goddeas. He is going to be in so much trouble. You have no idea. 😈

Nahi was envious of the little face at the end, she needed to figure out how to do such things.

Nahi to Pathyn: That makes me smile, and feel sorry for him at the same time.

Pathyn to Nahi: Do not do that. This was done to you and you don’t take the blame for being the victim in this.

Nahi to Pathyn: I am not a victim, Pathyn.

Pathyn to Nahi: You have your own consequences in dealing with this. How is everything in camp?

Again she knew what he was asking without him saying it.

Nahi to Pathyn: I know people are talking, I get the voices behind my back after I go somewhere but no one has approached me.

Pathyn to Nahi: What will you do it they do?

Nahi to Pathyn: Handle it like everything else in my life, with a smile.

( @themercenaries )

#nahisummerhold #nahilvi #Pathyn Blackblade #Story

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sadlynotthevoid · 1 year ago

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GUYS!!

I was listening to Charlotte's ending (because, being honest, that anime has the most beautiful music in the story of anime and sometimes I just need to hear it again— damn it why does it have to have such a story) and I thought 'I wish there was a lcf crossover with og cale of this'. Which, great idea, actually.

So I started to daydream about it (instead of writing anything as the procrastinator that I am) and my first thought was that it has to be a sort of happier life, since the anime ended like that (specially for the Otosaka siblings, overall the Otosaka siblings). So my brain said "hey, why don't put the main cast in the Northeast families? Nao now has to deal with Eric's dorkness". So I went with it and tried to figure out 'which northeast family gets what charlotte character?'

I wanted to put Yuu in the Henituse family because the ending destroyed me, damn it, I want him to be happy. And his little sister— wait didn't they had an older sibling too? (I can't believe I forgot about Shunsuke ;∆; I'm so sorry. You were my fav)

Then I realized—

OG CALE AND SHUNSUKE ARE BASICALLY THE SAME FUCKING PERSON!

Protective older siblings? Check. Selfsacrifical bastards ready to throw themselves for their family? Check. A strange relationship with time? Check. Elegant warm smile that reaches the eyes? Check. Absolutely badass hidden character? Check. Charming as fuck? Also fucking check.

They both even have the same 'I hold the key to salvation you need' and 'I wnt back in time so they won't be doomed' roles!

So—

Nao, Joujirou, Yusa, Misa, and Kumagami (he's the guy who located people with powers in the map and he was Shunsuke's best friend. He matters to me, okay?) are all reborn in the northeast families. Nao is Eric's younger sister. Yusa and Misa are twins and Gilbert's pain in the ass. Koujirou, the poor bastard, is born in the Stan family and runs away at the first chance. Kumagami is Amiru's older sibling who owns a shop because Ubarr is a matriarchal family (fuck thanks) and he needs to pay his meals (he may or may not be going for his third life. And he may or may not be a certain someone).

And the Otosaka's? They're reincarnated as the Henituse siblings... who have no idea the others remember their past lives.

They do, however, know who the others were.

Lily is the first one to remember. It take her some time to put the pieces together and realize that her dreams are not just dreams. That said, she recognized Bassen immidiately. He's still as sweet with her as before and, although her oppa may not realize, he can be quite unhinged sometimes. (That's fine tho. Most of them are.)

She lasts more to recognize Cale. She and her orabeoni aren't so close, she doesn't know him that well. That's why it takes her some old blurred memories from when she barely could walk and a bad night to notice. Ayumi's Shunsuke and Lily's Cale are the same person. After that the soft spot her orabeoni has for them becomes so obvious to her that she has to ask herself if she was blind before. Scary? Trash? Pshh, orabeoni was the biggest softy in the world. Let alone people, he doesn't like harming bugs. He picks them up and puts them outside so the servants won't squash them. Why do people think he would hit anyone?

Bassen cringes at his past life choices. He can't believe he used to be so— so— irresponsible. How embarrasing.

He's kind of surprised and sad at how good student his brother was. Not because he didn't think he's smart enough, but because he didn't expect him to effort so much at it. And if he did before, why did he drop his studies this time? Knowing all what he does now, he has the feeling that it must be either something stupidly self-sacrifical or something really important he decided not to tell anyone.

Lily seems to him pretty much the same but with a liking for swords. Good. Luckily, this way she would be able to protect herself this time. And gosh, isn't he reliaved they don't have those powers this time? No more accidental collapsing buildings for her.

Cale is the last one to remember that life. He's also the only one to remember their future life and probably the only one who knows why they remembered. Just like he tends to do with most things, he doesn't tell anyone about it (except Kumagami) until it comes up in a conversation or it's needed. (Alberu is a little bit jealous about this. Why does that guy gets to know but not him? Aren't they close too? Does he not trust Alberu as much? Thankfully someone has the mind to tell him that that's just how they used to be. And also because Kumagami seems is, as far as they know, the only one of Shunsuke's circle of friends that came to this world with them.)

His siblings? Oh, he knew it instantly.

#no Alberu isn't a reincarnation #yes he still gets involved in this #kumaroksoo wants to throw hands with whoever wrote the tboah book #someone out there really saw his friend and thought 'yes. that's a minor villain'? wtf #first. if cale ever decided to turn to the evil side he wouldn't be a minor villain #he would be the big bad pulling the strings from behind #second. he's way too good to be a villain #so much he's sure that if he puts cale and jack in a room together #the room would be purified in less than a hour #Poor Bassen discovered his dark story and wants to erase it #Lily doesn't remember dying and everyone is fucking reliaved of that #lcf x charlotte crossover AU #no cale isn't going to get blind. stop hurting him #og!cale henituse #original cale henituse #og cale henituse #alberu crossman #og albecale #charlotte #yuu otosaka #ayumi otosaka #shunsuke otosaka

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chargoeson · 10 months ago

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Happy New Year! I wanted to just give a little update on what I'm working on and some of my hopes for my writing in 2024.

Project Amgydala (tentative title: Ballad of a Blue Whale) Novella- Literary Fiction/Surrealism Status- Draft 1 complete at around 33,000 words 2024 Goal- First revision/draft 2 Synopsis- Maren Hara, a recent graduate, moves back in with her father and turns completely inward. She removes herself from the life she created throughout university and begins walking from sunset to sunrise, looking for something she cannot put her finger on. This leads her to Devereaux's Salvation, a jazz bar seemingly from another era, whose eager manager and illusive owner begin to crack through Maren's walls and bring her back into humanity.

Project Corvidae (tentative title: I Want to Build a Home with You) Undetermined- Literary Fiction/Light Mystery/Horror Status- Plotting and beginning first draft 2024 Goal- Complete outlines and give draft 1 my best shot Synopsis- In the wake of the death of her family matriarch, portrait painter and former performance art prodigy Leonie Richards finds herself on the receiving end of her grandmothers vast literary legacy and her eclectic, spirit filled home. Alongside her uncle, the art store clerk, and a host of portrait clients she begins to unlock the secrets of the final years of her grandmother's life.

This is the one and only true goal I made for my writing this year: Learn to write short stories. So here I am, learning this new form and having a hell of a time at it. I have around three completed in a first draft capacity right now, but don't plan on doing much serious revising or rewrites as I find they come out mostly formed and it's best to just let them be. But here's a taste of the ones I've written so far! Mind Over Matter- this is actually backstory for Leonie from Project Corvidae and seeks to shed light on her past performance art pieces and the relationship between her and her grandmother. Light body horror, unsettling women, the works. One of These Nights- a slice of life, Murakami-inspired piece of an American expat living in Tokyo trying to ground herself within a new language. Digs into themes of friendship and social anxiety. Lots of fun music cameos. a green pea moon- my FAVORITE. My little baby. A surrealist romp through the dream world and how it relates to the joy and fear of being queer and letting yourself be loved. Near and dear to my heart.

Thank you all for keeping up and showing me love! Can't wait to see what we all get into in the coming months. xoxo char

taglist: @annlillyjose @coffeeandcalligraphy @subtlefires @belovedviolence @onomatopiya y'all are amazing, if i am missing anyone please let me know and i'll try to keep better track!

#writeblr #writing update #author #creative writing #project amygdala #haruki murakami

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servants-hall · 1 year ago

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ACGAS S4 Press Release & Article Round Up

PBS: All Creatures Great and Small Season 4 New and Returning Cast

Radio Times: All Creatures Great and Small casts Shetland and Doctor Who star for season 4

TV Line: All Creatures Great and Small Season 4 Cast: Who’s Returning? Who’s Not? And Who’s New at Skeldale?

What to Watch: All Creatures drops huge hint major character isn't in new series

Deadline: ‘All Creatures Great And Small’ On Masterpiece Announces Return, New & Returning Cast Members

Yorkshire Post: All Creatures Great and Small Series 4: Star cast returns without Tristan actor Callum Woodhouse - but new vet Richard Carmody joins the team

Primetimer: All Creatures Great and Small Season 4: Everything We Know So Far

PBS’s press release is copied below:

PBS: All Creatures Great and Small Season 4 New and Returning Cast

Boston, MA; June 27, 2023: MASTERPIECE on PBS, Channel 5, and BAFTA and Golden Globe®-winning production company Playground (Howards End, Wolf Hall) today announce the casting of the much-loved drama All Creatures Great and Small as it gears up for its fourth season.

Based on the cherished collection of stories by best-selling author James Herriot, the critically acclaimed adaptation returns to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for a fourth season of timeless and heart-warming stories, picking up in 1940 as Churchill takes office and Europe is under serious threat. The seven new episodes (including a Christmas Special) will air on MASTERPIECE on PBS in early 2024 and Channel 5 this autumn with All3Media International as the global partner.

MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Susanne Simpson adds, “I can’t wait for our MASTERPIECE audience to see this new season of All Creatures Great and Small. It continues to be full of the warmth and humor that has made it one of our most successful series ever.” MASTERPIECE is presented on PBS by GBH Boston.

Sir Colin Callender CBE, Executive Producer and CEO of Playground said: “We are thrilled to be back in the glorious Yorkshire Dales for a fourth season of family, community and, of course, animal hijinks. Our wonderful cast and crew are all delighted to be returning to adapt more of James Herriot’s joyful and life-affirming stories.”

Season 4 sees Nicholas Ralph reprise his role as young country vet James Herriot, now happily married to Helen Herriot, played by Rachel Shenton (White Gold, For Her Sins). Samuel West (Slow Horses, Small Axe) returns as James’ capricious and erratic mentor Siegfried Farnon while Anna Madeley (Time, Patrick Melrose) continues as Mrs. Hall, matriarch of Skeldale House. Patricia Hodge (Miranda, A Very English Scandal) also reprises her role as the wonderfully eccentric Mrs. Pumphrey, and Derek as her adored and pampered Pekingese Tricki.

With Tristan away serving in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Siegfried and James bring in some extra hands to help around the practice. Neve McIntosh (Shetland) joins the cast as highly efficient bookkeeper Miss Harbottle, alongside James Anthony-Rose (Slow Horses, Pennyworth) as studious undergraduate vet student Richard Carmody who arrives at Skeldale as part of his placement under the guidance of James.

A colorful ensemble of farmers, animals and townsfolk living in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1940s will also star, including Tony Pitts and Imogen Clawson as Helen’s father and sister, Richard and Jenny Alderson, Paul Copley as Ned Clough, Cleo Sylvestre MBE as Anne Chapman, James Bolam MBE as Mr. Dakin and Will Thorp as Gerald Hammond and Sam Retford as FO Woodham.

Louise Pedersen, CEO of All3Media International, commented: “Over three seasons All Creatures Great and Small has offered heartwarming, escapist viewing that has connected with audiences and become a firm fan favorite all around the world, and as Playground’s wonderful series enters its fourth season I am delighted to continue to build the brand globally.”

Returning for Season 4 is Executive Producer Ben Vanstone (A Gentleman in Moscow, The Last Kingdom) who will write the Christmas special. Writer Jamie Crichton (Three Pines, Grantchester) also returns, this time as lead writer and Executive Producer. Joining them for season four are writers Maxine Alderton (Emmerdale Farm, Doctor Who) and Helen Raynor (A Discovery of Witches, Call the Midwife).

Andy Hay (The Last Kingdom, Jamestown) is Lead Director and will direct episodes 1 and 2. Stewart Svaasand (Tin Star, Death in Paradise) will direct episodes 3, 4 and 6, while BAFTA winner Jordan Hogg (Ralph and Katie, Screw) will direct episode 5 and the Christmas Special.

All Creatures Great and Small is a timeless classic that continues to be much loved by generations. Never out of print, the books have sold 60 million copies internationally becoming a global cultural phenomenon with devoted fans around the world. With a sharp focus on community and its importance in our lives, Herriot’s world and spirit is a very much needed antidote to the challenges of modernity and reminds us all that belonging to a community makes us part of something greater than ourselves.

Season 4 is currently filming on location in Yorkshire.

All Creatures Great and Small is a Playground production for Channel 5 and MASTERPIECE in association with All3Media International. Executive Producers are: Colin Callender, Melissa Gallant, Jamie Crichton and Ben Vanstone for Playground, Susanne Simpson and Rebecca Eaton for MASTERPIECE, and Louise Pedersen and David Swetman for All3Media International.

#all creatures great and small #acgas 2020 #acgas spoilers #acgas s4 #james herriot #helen herriot #siegfried farnon #audrey hall #tristan farnon #note from the mod: Primetimer is a new site to me #but I saw quotes from it being passed around #do note that most of these sites are just paraphrasing what is in the press release / logline

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scenearcee · 8 months ago

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hi guys I wrote a little wanderer reconnecting with his mom hurt/comfort fic with not a lot of context and probably several plot fallacies + my own headcanons it’s below enjoy

characters: Wanderer, Raiden Shogun, Ei, Yae Miko, Aether, Paimon

categories: angst, hurt/comfort, family reconnecting???

title: Bated Breath

author: me, Pierre Scenearcee

How he had even gotten involved in this, he didn’t know, but here he was- facing the Raiden Shogun for the first time in 500 years.

And yet, her eyes lacked the spark of recognition.

Walking alongside his companion Aether, who is glancing at him with concern, he keeps his eyes pointed at the floor. The last time he set foot on these sullen floors, his name was Kunikuzushi, and his life had barely begun. Today, his name is Volt, and the world has all but forgotten his existence, the mark he left on Teyvat as a whole.

Aether had asked for Volt’s help looking for something in Inazuma, and being a scholar from there, he found it to be a simple and painless task. But things took a turn for the serious, and reinforcements on Serai Island were necessary. There was nobody to turn to, nobody but the Shogun herself.

Sitting there, ever so refined and regal, one leg crossed over the other on her swing. Standing next to her is her familiar, kne pink haired woman with her back turned to all else in the room. A kitsune youkai, and grand maiden of the Narukami shrine. Eyes that used to pierce the one named Kunikuzushi, empty of all familiarity as they catch wind of Volt.

He clenches his fist and bows before the women before him. Women he’d respected as his mothers, centuries ago, now just the governing powers of a country that forgot his existence. The ball joints in his fingers clack together as he unballs his fists, returning to a regular standing posture. All the words exchanged between Aether and these matriarchs suddenly began to take form… these words that felt painfully empty and silent.

“…and we need backup. Lives are at stake, the infestation is getting out of hand, and this isn’t something we can handle alone!”

“Indeed, this situation appears to be dire…”

“I wonder why you bring this young gentleman with you… what a curious character, don’t you agree? Ei?”

Aether and Paimon glance at each other, turning their gaze to Volt briefly, before returning their attention to the Shogun. “This is a friend of ours, a Sumeru scholar originally from Inazuma. He was showing us around the area, and noticed the infestation.”

Yae Miko turns around, taking a few steps towards Volt, who is staring forward blankly. Something sparks in her eyes, tugging at the corners of her lips. “I think an introduction from the young gentleman himself will suffice, no?”

He speaks without lifting his head. “My name is-“

“Lift your head. Let me see your eyes when you speak to me.”

His eyes meet hers, watching the expression on her face become more dubious. “…My name is Volt. I’m a scholar studying in Sumeru, under the guidance of the god of wisdom.”

The Shogun’s attention is caught, much to Aether and Paimon’s dismay. “Step forward, Volt. Miko, return; ask your questions from your post.” Her stern tone of voice reeks of authority, and Volt wouldn’t dare to oppose that command, taking steps to the center of the room; in front of his comrades. “You may continue.”

“Ah dear friend, thank you… where were we? Ah yes, an explanation if what you do is unnecessary, however I am awfully curious where you’re from. Tell me, where in Inazuma were you born and raised?”

“… Watatsumi-“

“Lying won’t do you any good, Volt. If that is your real name, in any case.” Yae’s suspicions are confusing the Shogun, bringing her to ask a question of her own.

“Who are you, really? I cannot help but sense… that you are familiar.”

“WAIT! It doesn’t matter who he is, we have an urgent situation to deal with!” Paimon shouts.

With bated breath, the electro archon speaks. “…Miko, escort the Traveler and Paimon out. Tell Kujou Sara to send a battalion to Serai Island, following the guidance of these two. Leave me and this… stranger… alone here.” Yae Miko opens her mouth to speak, but is harshly cut off. “Your sarcasm is not needed for this private, personal matter.”

Volt can’t take his eyes off of the Shogun, even as Yae Miko and his companions brush by hesitantly. His gaze is locked with hers, and silence hangs in the air for an eternity after the door seals itself shut. She steps off of her swing, striding down the set of stairs between herself and Volt. Her expression softens with each footfall. Before long, she’s within a few feet of Volt, who suddenly backs away violently. Motion falls flat, and the silence is sliced open with a tense blade.

“Are you challenging me, almighty Raiden Shogun?” Not knowing what else to say, hiding the cracking porcelain beneath his clothes.

“… Not at all, unless that is what it takes to learn your identity. Are you challenging me, familiar stranger?”

“… No.”

The sparks in her eyes glow brighter, her expression continues to lose weight- and then, a single tear pricks her cheek.

With bated breath, she asks.

“…Kunikuzushi, is that you?”

A large crack manifests itself on Volt’s face, and a tear follows the path of shattered porcelain. His eyes widen, how was he supposed to expect this would happen? Ei steps forward, tears streaming down her cheeks, and he doesn’t back away. Brushing away his tears with her thumbs, she cups his face in her hands.

“… My boy… my lovely son…” Familiarity and love blend in a painful bolt through her gaze, piercing Volt’s soul through his own leaking gaze. “Oh dear… why couldn’t I tell? What’s wrong with me, a Mother who can’t recognize her own son?”

“I tried to erase myself from this world, almighty Shogun… defeating the power of the Ley Lines must be easy for one such as yourself.”

She takes a sharp breath in, locking eyes with her son. “Why the formality, Kunikuzushi? What fostered this distance between us?”

A shuddering breath pulls through Volt’s lips, pushing more tears from his eyes. “… there’s a lot that you still don’t know… like how you hurt me.” He pulls away from her, turning away loathingly. “You were my whole world, but when I wasn’t enough for your purposes, you abandoned me. Tossed me aside, discarded me as if I were a broken toy, an old tool.”

The sting of shock paints Ei’s face as he turns around, more cracks appearing on his body.

“Starting with yours, a series of betrayals led me to become a spiteful creature, nearly ascending to godhood, with your gnosis. Don’t cry to me, I’m nothing more than a prototype vessel to you.”

“Kunikuzushi… no, Kunikuzushi, that was never my intention my dear…” her breath is unstable and shaky. “I… I was setting you free… free from a life full of danger and misery, the likes of which I knew you couldn’t…. oh no, Kunikuzushi…”

The unthinkable happens, and a crack forms in the skin of the seemingly perfect Raiden Shogun. The vessel inhabited by Ei, a flawless puppet, programmed to perfection- cracking.

“… what the hell are you saying?”

“My dear… I had no idea that I had hurt you so much. I saw early on, how similar you were to my dearly departed sister. I had used her essence to create you… after all. Miko suggested scrapping you, starting anew with the parts left behind… but how could I do such a cruel thing to what remained of my sister?” Tears stream down her cheeks, chased by bolts of misunderstanding. “You were such a beautiful, gentle soul. I wanted a better life for you, I wanted to free you of the responsibility it takes. Kunikuzushi, I didn’t know that you would be so badly hurt. You are, very, VERY, dear to me…”

His eyes meet that of his mother’s again, a shared pain soaking their locked gaze.

“… what?”

She chuckles tearfully. “I remember the day I first gave you a sword, watching you stumble about with a blade bigger than you were. Your eyes were so full of wonder, of life… as I continued mentoring you, it became more obvious how loving you were, and to force you to carry my blade… would be cruel. Such a kind spirit, such a full heart.”

“For so long, I searched for a heart, searched for something to show me that I do have a heart. All because I had to prove I was human enough, human enough to live amongst them, to find the family that I lost. What you did made me feel worthless, because I couldn’t be what I was made for. How was I supposed to know you did this because you wanted to protect me?!” Rage burns in his throat. Yet, as gently as a breeze after a storm, Ei sweeps forwards and embraces Volt, pressing his ear to her chest- her heartbeat resounding in his mind.

“My dear… you had a heart all along, always. You got your heart from me, and from your dearly departed Aunt Makoto. You weren’t cut out to be my vessel, and that is for the better. Raising you was the most enlightening experience I’d ever had, my darling boy.”

Gold fills in the cracks across both their bodies, slowly seeping through their wounds like blood and pus. Solidifying with exposure to air, binding these scars shut. Before long, Volt finds his arms wrapping around Ei. She squeezes him, her heart directly connecting to his. Tears fall from her eyes, tears of pure love and naught much else.

“Volt… my son. You will always, ALWAYS, have a home with me. Whatever I must do to atone… I will follow you into hell and back. Anything to see the precious heart you were before, when the world had not scarred you with betrayal. To learn who you are… my precious son.”

“… Always?”

“…Always.”

#genshin wanderer #genshin ei #scaramouche #raiden shogun #eimiko #kunikuzushi #genshin impact #genshin fic #genshin fanfic #methinks i should take my meds #they hurt me #kintsugi #i headcanon that their bodies are like porcelain ball jointed dolls #and under intense emotional stress they form cracks #and those cracks heal with gold

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