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dakotacrisis · 3 years ago

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Topsy Turvy (2)

Welp, I guess I am expanding on this. I may have already been planning to write a part 2 but I wasn’t expecting to do it this quickly. While I am doing my own thing with the content initially inspired by the previous comic I did steal one of Plagg’s lines from their continuation comic cause it was too funny to be ignored.

So anyhoo! Here’s a part two!

---

“Geez, you would think Hawkmoth would give us one morning off,” Alya groaned. Marinette, Nino, and Alya had been heading towards the station to meet Adrien when that giant robot akuma came out of nowhere.

Now the girls returned to a worried looking Nino who embraced Alya happily. Marinette lingered a bit away from them looking pale and sweaty. Alya sighed and went back to comfort her. “Don’t worry, girl, I’m sure things with Adrien will work out.”

“Yeah...about that…”

The train slid into the station. The doors opened and people started flooding out. Marinette grabbed Alya’s arm and pulled her down to whisper in her ear. “I freaked out seeing Adrien while I was Ladybug and might have, sort of, asked him out to the movies.”

“As Ladybug?”

“Yeah.”

“What is wrong with you! That wasn’t the plan! You were going to do that only if he rejected you as Marinette!”

“I know but I didn’t want to get rejected so I jumped the gun. Do you think this will mess things up?”

“I don’t know! We don’t know what his reply is gonna be. What did he say after you asked him out?”

“Nothing. I left before he could answer.”

“I love you but I am going to kill you.” Alya pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Heads up,” Nino called for the girls’ attention, “I can see Adrien.”

“I’m gonna make a run for it.” Marinette took two steps before Alya pounced on her and forced her back.

“You dug this grave, now lie in it.” Alya grabbed her arm and pulled her down the platform towards Adrien.

Adrien was walking in a dazed state and his face was beet red. He almost walked completely past them before Nino hooked an arm around his shoulders. "Hey dude! It's great to have you back."

"Oh hi, Nino," Adrien snapped out of his daze, "You didn't have to come meet me."

"Sure we did," the three of them started walking back out of the station. Adrien clung close to Nino as he told them about his trip. His gaze kept flickering down to Marinette who walked in step with Alya. Nino would have found it funny if it wasn’t for the fact that Marinette looked like she wanted to melt into the ground.

After their initial phone call two weeks ago Adrien had been really quiet about the whole confession thing. He sent lots of pictures from his trip and talked to him but anything having to do with Marinette was nonexistent. He figured he was working through his feelings on his own. It may have been because Marinette was his friend or Alya’s aggressive shipping of the two but he hoped Adrien chose her. They really were made for each other.

The girls left early and Nino invited Adrien back to his place to hang out. "I'm glad you had fun on your trip. You must have had a lot on your mind regardless."

"A lot on my mind?"

"We were gonna have to talk about it at some point," Nino collapsed into a beanbag chair, "About Marinette?"

Adrien went rigid. "Ma-Marinette? What about Marinette?"

Nino looked at him deadpanned. "Dude, she confessed to you? Remember?"

"Yeah," Adrien sat down next to him, "I remember."

"So did you come to a decision while you were away?" Nino asked.

"Not really, I keep flip-flopping about it. I know being with Marinette would be the easier option and she's great. I would be lucky to call her my girlfriend."

"But?"

"I still really love Ladybug and after what happened today…"

"What happened today?"

Adrien recounted to Nino about the akuma and how Ladybug and Rena Rouge saved him. Then how Ladybug had asked him out to see a movie.

"HOLY CRAP!" Nino gaped, "Ladybug asked you out? Why didn’t you lead with that?"

"I guess because I was still processing it happened." Adrien leaned back so he was staring up at the ceiling, "It feels like I'm dreaming. I'm happy but it also confused me more."

"I wouldn't blame you for being confused. Having a friend confess to you and then your crush asking you out...it's a lot to think of."

"I feel like the answer should be obvious. But it doesn't feel that way anymore."

“So what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know. Marinette said she wasn’t expecting an answer but I still owe her something. I don’t even know how serious Ladybug was with her invitation. She could have just been messing with me but I don’t really see casual flirting as something she would do.” Adrien pondered it some more. Nino could see the gears turning in his head.

“I’d like to see you and Marinette together but I can’t force you to be with her. If it turns out Ladybug is who you really want then that’s okay too. Marinette’s strong and for the most part it sounds like she just wanted to let you know she had feelings for you. You don’t have to feel guilty about either option. I hope you know that.”

“You’re so sagely. It’s throwing me off,” Adrien laughed, “Go back to saying dude and talking through a mouth full of hot cheetos please. But seriously though, thanks for talking with me about this. It helps.”

“I’m always here for you, brother,” Nino tossed him a controller, “Now let me whip your butt in Mario Kart.”

---

Adrien returned home after a few rounds of Mario Kart with Nino. He was already pushing things with his father by going off with his friends earlier instead of heading straight home. He received a cool welcome from his father when he walked inside the mansion before he was gone again. At least he had deigned to greet him when he got home. That’s more than what he expected out of him.

He climbed the stairs to his room. “Alright, you can come out now,” Adrien told Plagg.

“You couldn’t have snuck me some cheetos while you were hanging out with your friend?” Plagg whined, “I’m starving!”

“There were three full camembert tins as well as an emergency string cheese in my bag. How are you starving?”

“I ate those on the ride back to Paris. Now I’m hungry again!” Plagg crawled across Adrien’s bed, “I’m so weak, Adrien. I can hardly move. Everything around me is going dark. I can hear the angels singing.”

“You are a menace.” Adrien picked him up and tossed him into his cheese cabinet. “Happy?”

“I feel rejuvenated!” Plagg cackled as he dove head first into a new tin of camembert. Adrien rolled his eyes and closed the cabinet door.

He went to the window and looked out over the lights of the city. He couldn’t wait to be back running across that skyline. Two weeks without being Chat Noir had been torture. Ladybug assured him that she and Rena had things covered when he told her he was going away for a bit. Still, it didn’t stop him from feeling guilty about it.

Maybe he could tear Plagg away from his cheese hoard for a quick jaunt around town. Maybe he’d even see Ladybug.

Oh Ladybug. All this time he had been trying and failing to woo her as Chat Noir and then without any prompting she asked Adrien out. He still wasn’t sure if she was serious. How badly he hoped that she was though. He wanted it to be real. He wanted Ladybug to love him. Now it looked like he had a chance at that but there was only one snag. Marinette.

Sweet and wonderful Marinette. He already broke her heart as Chat Noir. Could he stand to do it again as Adrien? He really didn’t want to but neither did he want to leave her in suspense of an answer. He wished things could be simpler.

He thought back to what Plagg said on the train and scoffed. “Monogamy is a concept invented by humans.” he repeated it back to himself, “As much as I would love to be in the middle of a Ladybug/Marinette sandwich I don’t think that’s an option. I think I would combust at the mere possibility.”

He pressed his head to the cool window and sighed. His eyes fluttered close. He should just go to bed at this point. He would stay up all night worrying himself into knots about what to do at this rate. He opened his eyes once more and fell back with a startled yelp.

“Oops, sorry,” Ladybug waved at him upside down through the glass, “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Oh no, no you’re fine.” Adrien shot to his feet, “What are you doing here?”

“Well,” she righted herself and perched on top of his open window, “I wanted to come by and talk to you. I realize I kind of gave you a shock today during the akuma attack. The whole asking you to go to a movie thing.”

“Right, yeah, I was certainly surprised.” Adrien rubbed the back of his neck. Ladybug was in his room! Okay, she was sitting on his window but that was still in his room. “I gotta know, were you being serious or were you just fooling with me? I won’t be mad if you were but I just wanna know.”

“Yeah, about that,” he could swear he saw Ladybug blushing. Ladybug was blushing around him! “I did mean what I said. I think you’re a nice guy and I know that we haven’t ever interacted that much but I like you. I have no idea what you think of me but now you know what I think of you. So...thoughts?”

“I think you’re amazing.” Adrien answered without hesitation. His feet brought him closer to the window so he could better gaze up at her. Her head was silhouetted in moonlight casting a bright white halo around her dark hair. Her eyes sparkled like stars as she gazed stared back at him. Her lips slightly parted and her cheeks pink.

Adrien cleared his throat and spoke again. “I’ve actually had a crush on you for ages. I had trouble believing anything would come of it though.”

“Oh really?” Ladybug smirked, “Ages you say?”

Adrien’s mouth went dry. He nodded his head.

“Well if that ain’t a kick in the head,” she chuckled softly, “I’ve had a crush on you too.”

Wait. Hold up! Ladybug had a crush on him? He knew that she liked him but a crush? For how long? Adrien’s mind flashed back to when Ladybug told him she was in love with someone else. Was the someone else Adrien? Had he been getting rejected all this time because Ladybug was already in love with him?

“Adrien?” Ladybug waved a hand in front of his face, “Did I lose you? Was that too forward? I’m sorry if it was.”

“No! I’m just really happy!” Adrien blurted out. “I...I uh…if you still want I would like to go to that movie with you.”

Ladybug smiled. “Great. Are you free tomorrow?”

“I will be,” he would move the heavens themselves in order to be free if so needed.

“Awesome. They’re doing a classic movie night at the theater tomorrow. We could see the original La Belle et la Bete or Citizen Kane or Roman Holiday.”

“Aren’t they playing Psycho as well?”

“A horror movie?” Ladybug’s eyes widened. “I mean if that’s what you want to see...well um…”

“Wait,” Adrien said, “Are you--are you scared of horror movies?”

“Yeah, I know, big bad hero Ladybug gets scared watching horror movies. Laugh it up.” she shook her head.

“I wasn’t laughing. I wasn’t!” Adrien couldn’t help but smile though. He learned something new about her. “La Belle et la Bete sounds nice. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the original. I’ve only seen the Disney version and the live action remake they did back in 2014.”

“Well then,” Ladybug twisted her yo-yo around in her hands. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow evening for our date.”

“Can’t wait.” Adrien was smiling like a fool. Ladybug gave him another wave goodbye before leaping off into the night. Adrien watched from the open window with a dreamy smile on his face. He had a date with Ladybug!

Then his heart sunk. He was gonna have to reject Marinette now. He hoped she wouldn’t take it too hard.

---

“I have a date with Adrien! I have a date with Adrien!” Marinette danced around her room. The kwamis were all out and celebrating with her. Alya sat on the chaise with a knowing smile. This wasn’t what Alya had planned but it looked like it worked out in the end. She had never seen Marinette so happy.

“Oh no,” Marinette stopped abruptly. “I have a date with Adrien!”

She ran to her closet and started pulling out clothes. “What am I gonna wear? It’s a movie date so it shouldn’t be anything too fancy but I don’t want to look like a slob. Should I wear something warm if the theatre is cold? But with all that body heat it’s bound to be warm so should I dress lighter? Alya, what do you think?”

“I think that you’re going as Ladybug so what you have on under your costume won’t make much of a difference.” Alya was trying not to laugh.

“Oh right,” Marinette threw her clothes back down, “Forgot about that part.”

“And you’re okay with dating Adrien as Ladybug? You don’t think that’s gonna cause any problems down the road? If you want this relationship to go anywhere in the future you’ll need to tell him who you are.”

“I know, but that isn’t for a good long while. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”

The words of a fool in love. Alya decided to let her have her moment and not say anything. Tomorrow night would be interesting indeed.

---

(Previous) (Next)

#miraculous ladybug #post gang of secrets #adrien agreste #nino lahiffe #plagg #marinette dupain cheng #alya cesaire #topsy turvy #ladrien #for sure this time #writing

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chimie-chat · 5 years ago

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Making the Best of a Crummy Situation

A quarantine inspired self-isolation Wonderette fic

“Welp... This is just… Great.” The sarcasm was laced thick in Cassie’s voice as she flopped back onto her bed. She’d landed on one of her pigtails ー something anyone with longer hair can vouch is less than comfortable ー so she lifted a hand, jammed it under her head, and yoinked out the ties unceremoniously. Her hair was getting way too long. She really should just shop it all off again. Of course… That would have to wait.

“Yeah. No duh.” The other teen in the room was none other than Cissie King-Jones, Olympic superstar by day, nerd-brain student by night ever since quitting the whole Arrowette gig. “But hey. At least we’re together.”

Why did things suck? Why was it good to be together? Why were there three suitcases stacked up on top of each other in the corner of the room, one of which was currently being opened to reveal a mess of beauty products, and more moisturizers than a Costco aisle? Well, unless you’ve been in a coma since February, you’ve seen that little business on the news about Covid-19, A.K.A the Coronavirus, A.K.A the Boomer Killer. Long story short, the world was going to the shitter because of this pandemic circulating the globe, with world leaders reacting by forcing massive quarantines, especially in major cities. Museums, school, restaurants, stores… All sorts of places were closing down.

You might have noticed that little mention about schools closing. Yeah, not just a few schools here and there, but every school. Not only did this include Cassie’s standard public school, but it also hit Cissie’s oh-so-fancy all girl’s boarding school, which consequently had shut down all it’s dormitory buildings. Rather than going back home, where the archer just knew she was going to go nuts if she spent more than a day locked up with her mother, Cassie extended the invitation for her girlfriend to come stay with her.

In the immortal words of a misquoted Vine:

Oh my god they were quarantine mates.

Cassie shifted up on her elbows as she watched the blonde across from her unpack. “Did you manage to get everything before you had to leave?”

“Mostly.” The other girl pulled out a violet elastic headband, tugging it down over her head, and letting it dangle around her neck as she adjusted her long hair, before pulling the band up to hold the locks out of her face. “Wasn’t able to grab things like posters or trophies.”

“Ah yes. Because where would you be without your trophies.”

“Devastated, clearly.” The next thing to emerge from the suitcase was ー and y’all, I can not stress enough how ridiculous this crap is ー a large shag throw pillow, patterned in pink, purple, and aqua diamonds.

“Ok, you didn’t grab your olympic gold, but you grabbed that.” Cassie couldn’t help but snort. She would have probably laughed longer, except for the same offensive cushion suddenly colliding with her face. Perfect aim.

“You’re the one that got me that, you idiot!” Even though it very well could have been a stern yell, nothing could hide the dumbstruck smile on the other girl’s face.

“No way. I got you this?” The Wondergirl held the pillow up, pretending to examine it. Of course she remembered getting it. It was the worst anniversary gift in the world, but for some reason her weirdo girlfriend was really into this kind of stuff.

“Yes, and you know I sleep with it every night.” There was a pause as Cissie looked around the small bedroom. “Speaking of, you got a sleeping bag somewhere around here? Air mattress maybe?”

Cassie tipped her head to the side, tucking the pillow into her chest so she could lean her chin into the fluff. “Why would we need a sleeping bag?”

The other teen made eye contact, a perfectly threaded brow quirking up. “So I can sleep?”

“But…” She let a pout fall on her lips. Cissie loved it when she pouted. It always got her everything she wanted. “I thought we could just… you know… share my bed.”

Cissie let out a snort, combing her fingers through her hair. “Mmmm. As nice as that sounds, that’s not social distancing. We gotta stay CDC compliant.”

The amazonian huffed, puffing her cheeks out. “Oh come on. You and I both know we’re fine.” She patted the space on the mattress next to her.

“Mmmmm. Nope.” With a popped ‘p’, Cissie turned back to her things, organizing her box of nail polishes instead of paying attention to whatever her partner was doing.

“Cissie.” She practically whined as she dropped the shag pillow, pushed up from the bed, and went over to grab the other girl by the arm. It was all playful, more so like a cat bothering her owner for attention than anything. “Come on. We haven’t gotten to cuddle in forever.”

Apparently this girl thought she was hilarious, because she kept that way too pretty, quirky smile on her face, as she let Cassie incessantly try and pull her up. “I hope you washed your hands for the recommended twenty seconds.”

“God you’re the worst.” Cassie rolled her eyes, before leaning down, tucking her arms underneath Cissie’s armpits ー it wasn’t exactly cute but it worked ー and lifting her girlfriend to her feet. Having superstrength definitely paid off sometimes.

“But babe,” A laugh was bubbling out of Cissie. Even though the archer was taller by an inch or two, she tended to lean on her hip when she stood, bringing her down to her partner’s level anyways. Regardless, they were both at the perfect heights for long, slender arms to drape over broad shoulders, wrapping around Cassie’s neck. “We have to stay six feet apart.”

“Screw that.” Cassie leaned in for a quick kiss, which Cissie thankfully let her take. Neither could help but smile as they pushed into each other. Even when it ended, they stayed close, remaining in a loose and lazy hug, foreheads leaning together, until Cassie tipped in once more and placed a soft kiss to her partner’s cheek. “Missed ya.”

“I missed you too.” Cissie rubbed the tips of their noses together. “I was kidding about the CDC stuff.”

“I know that, you goof.”

“Good.” The girl nodded, stealing a kiss for herself. “Because I miss being your little spoon.”

Cassie smiled wide, brushing a lock of hair behind Cissie’s ear. “Let’s fix that then.”

#wonderette #cassiexcissie #cassie sandsmark #cissie king jones #yj #young justice #90s young justice #wondergirl #arrowette #dc #dc comics #fanfic #fanfiction #yj fanfic

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peter-pantomime · 5 years ago

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IT Fic Recs

Richie/Eddie

the years go by like days

It’s Eddie he wants to get a hold of, though, and he does, tucking him under his arm, and ruffling his hair, making him laugh. He’s startled when Eddie looks at him with such happy, shining eyes. And, for a split-second, he’s tempted to kiss him right then, right there in front of everyone.

He wants to. Badly. He doesn’t.

He leans in, instead, and he smacks a loud, wet kiss to Eddie’s cheek, punctuating it with a “mwah!” He does it again and again. “I’m so proud of my little Eds Spagheds!”

“Get off me!” Eddie says, laughing and shoving him away, swatting at his hands.

AU. in the 27 years in-between, Richie and Eddie forget a lot, but they don't forget each other.

just be still with me

Eddie Kaspbrak is 38, working as a driver in New York. Richie Tozier is a stand up comic who comes to New York on a one way ticket to audition for SNL, and his agent has hired Eddie as his driver. There's something familiar about Richie, though Eddie knows they've never met. While Richie insists on sitting in the front seat and making something more than small talk, Eddie struggles to maintain professional distance.

Basically - what if Eddie and Richie did forget, and didn't see each other for 25 years, but they fell in love anyways.

If You Believe

What if Eddie held on just a little bit longer? What if the losers figured out how to kill it just a little bit earlier? What if Eddie made it out of Neibolt, injured and barely holding on, but alive?

When Eddie emerges from the cavern to see Richie floating, he just about shits himself.

hit me baby one more time

Richie reaches up a shaking hand and puts it on Eddie’s stomach.

“Uhhh,” Eddie says. “Is this a bit? Is this a really inopportune bit? ‘Cause I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Richie, but this is kind of an important moment-”

“What the fuck,” Richie says, not for the first or last time, and lurches forwards to hug him.

(Or, Richie gets stuck in a time loop.)

in the morning

Beverly knows there’s something going on with Richie. The way he had lost it, the way he had cried—she’s not sure if he would ever cry like that for her, or Bill, or even Stan. He had always been particular about Eddie. She pets his hair back again and rests her head on top of his, sighing and closing her eyes. Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it’s more than she thinks. Either way, she’s sure he’ll say eventually. Richie’s never been good at keeping secrets.

This Is the Way It Ends

An AU in which everything is the same, except Reddie disappear to have sex through most of the plot points and Eddie doesn't have to die to save the day.

Love Me Like You Do

“I need you hear you say it.”

“I want it,” Eddie says back. He’s surprised by his own words, how concrete they sound, how they break through the wall of nerves that’s shrouded over him.

Richie, in all of his confident-not-confidence, leans down and kisses Eddie. It’s gentle at first, the rough chap of his lips barely grazes Eddie’s over moisturized ones but the electricity rockets down his spine and bursts into tiny electrodes all over his body. He immediately leans up, chases Richie’s retreating form and captures him in a kiss that Eddie never knew he was capable of giving.

Men of Fall

Do you remember? He watches his own hand slide closer along the armrest. Do memories transfer by touch, in this fucked up magic town? Remember, Richie, please, and tell me I wasn’t imagining things.

put it all aside and hold me tight

"I'm not sad," he lies. He thinks of how his hands had trembled after he'd gotten the phone call from Mike, the foul taste of bourbon and breath mints and his own bile in his throat. Every morning he's alone, even when he isn't. He isn't afraid, except for when he is. And he isn't sad, not really, but he is.

Not that it's any of Eddie's business.

Eddie's gaze feels like it goes right through him. There's little Richie hates more than being read, especially when it's by Eddie — there's always a split second of bone-deep terror that whispers he knows. It's familiar, something that goes way back to childhood. Still just as shit-your-pants terrifying.

Or: After the reunion dinner from hell, Richie and Eddie have a long overdue conversation about, like, feelings and shit.

up off the floor

"In a world where we can kill a fucking clown from space, Eddie Kaspbrak doesn’t get to die from a stab wound."

still it’s so

Beverly screamed when she saw them. Then she covered her mouth with her hands and just stared, tears standing bright in her eyes. Bill stood up so fast his armchair jumped back, and beside him Mike did the same. Ben got up slower, a painfully hopeful look on his face.

“Surprise!” Richie said. “We lived!”

Things that Happen after Eddie Lives

In a world where Richie manages to save Eddie from It after the deadlights, they still have problems on their to-do list. Featuring everything from Derry to Los Angeles—Richie Tozier's murder trial, Eddie Kaspbrak's divorce proceedings, bedsharing of the platonic and non-platonic varieties, an investigation of magic, a truly disgusting séance, the quintessential morosexual road trip, and OH MY GOD THEY WERE ROOMMATES.

swallow your heart

When he’s 24, at least once per night, Richie has what he would describe as an erotic nightmare. He never actually has sex in these dreams, nor does he die or even get seriously maimed. But they’re still definitely erotic, and they’re definitely nightmares.

Prompt: "I swallow your heart and it crawls right out of my mouth."

With a boulder on my shoulder

Feelin' kinda older.

Or, Eddie Kaspbrak has his fifteenth birthday party.

we’ve been migratory animals

As they reach the town limits, he sees the sign up ahead: You are now leaving Derry. A thrill shudders through him — they’re out. Things will be different now, no more deadlight-visions swallowing him up inside. Richie rolls down his window, and before anyone can do more than look at him quizzically, he unbuckles his seatbelt, lifts himself up out of his seat somewhat, and leans out the window to flip the sign off. “Fuck you!” he bellows. The wind whips his hair into his eyes, and he lets out a slightly manic laugh. Then he feels hands grabbing at his shirt, and Eddie is yanking him back into the car.

Or, the Losers take a road trip to Florida, and Richie's having nightmares from the deadlights that he can't seem to shake.

if the children don’t grow up

Richie Tozier dreams, sometimes, of heat soaking through the soles of his sneakers from the July tarmac in the town where he grew up, the name of which he can’t quite remember when he’s awake, and of someone small and warm and familiar pressed up against him everywhere.

(Some scenes from a life – Richie and Eddie at 40 and at 13 (and beyond) and at 40 again.)

Richie Tozier Versus The Flu

“His parents don’t take care of him,” Eddie had told Bill, shaking his head, “He’s probably holed up in his room with a flop sweat, and neither of his parents have ever been bothered to help him. We should go see him.”

“G-Go see him?” Bill asked, alarmed, “I d-don’t mind, b-b-but I thought you’d n-never -”

“He’s sick! Richie’s sick, Bill,” Eddie insisted, thinking Bill was not nearly as upset as he ought to be, “Richie’s sick, and no one’s gonna take care of him, if we don’t.”

last ones out

Richie wonders if it’s always been this hard for him to touch Eddie. It hasn’t; they were incredibly touchy as kids, falling all over each other, gangly limbs intertwined. Even as adults, a few days before, Richie had barely been able to keep his hands off of him. Eddie almost dying did something, though. Chipped away at something deep within Richie. From the bed, Eddie laughs.

Talk So Pretty (And Love So Sweet)

Eddie was going to kill him one day, in his lace and crop tops and knee high socks.

Let’s Hear It for the Boy

“Oh, before I forget- keep this one.”

He pulled a tape from his bag that he hadn’t played yet, and Eddie took it with a look of distrust on his face. It had his name scrawled across the label in Richie’s awful handwriting- looked more like it said Edota on it- but the thing that caught his attention was the very obviously scribbled out heart in front of his name.

“Welp,” He snapped his gum again. “I gotta go. See you later, babe. If you miss me when I’m gone, just listen to the tape. Plenty of gushy shit on there.”

June

He can’t handle being alone with Eddie anymore.

He squats next to Eddie, brings their faces close, and he looks at the freckles on Eddie’s cheeks, the familiar chestnut hair perfectly quaffed at his fringe, how long, and thick his eyelashes seem against his sunburnt cheeks.

He wants.

Desperately.

Blood Runs Cold

He wants to say the feeling in his gut is foreign, but the truth is it’s been flowering for years, vines twisting and growing in the pit of his stomach, just waiting for him to open his mouth so they can finally see the sun.

(or a short fic about Richie Coming out to Bevvie while they smoke in his room)

Show Me a Good Time

This wasn’t the first time that Richie had brought Eddie to one of his meetings. Meetings, used very loosely, meaning they were at a restaurant with however many Michelin stars, while his agent talked to him and whoever else decided to show up to the dinner. There were currently about eight of them, Eddie and Richie shoved into the corner of a booth, while someone told a story about their latest stent on tour. Lucky for Richie, the story actually happened to be good, because if not, well, they might have seen just how often Eddie was leaning over to whisper in his ear.

we’re f***ing killing it, babe

Richie has been back in Derry for three days and murdered an Eldritch horror-esque monster from space or possibly from some weird meta-verse, who knows, and faced both of his childhood fears of clowns and his own death, as well as the possibility of losing his first love just as he remembered they fucking existed, he’d like some slack cut for him on the emotional front, thank you!

Eddie is dead, but the Losers carry him out of the house on Neibolt anyway. Which is good, because Eddie is not dead.

Roads

Richie pulls out of the Orient parking lot first, and stares at the headlights of Eddie’s car in his rearview mirror.

The drive back to The Derry Townhouse is short, scary, and not well lit.

“It’s just Eddie,” he tells his reflection, trying to give himself a pep talk, but that’s the problem.

It’s Eddie.

Lakes

Ben holds Bev’s hand as they walk. Richie feels sick with grief, staggering along behind them, carrying Eddie’s dead, heavy body on his back.

Intro // Skydiving

Eddie Kaspbrak is ten years old. It's his first time at the quarry with his friends.

The descent feels like it lasts both for a few seconds and for eternity. Free fall is terrifying, but his hand is still latched onto Richie's, and it tethers him, makes him feel like he isn't just lost in space.

soul, I hear you calling

He catches a glimpse of himself, bruise-eyed and unshaven, in the bathroom mirror as he turns to leave, and that's when he sees Eddie Kaspbrak.

"At least wash your hands, you nasty fuck," Eddie says.

"Holy fucking shit," Richie screams.

Eddie comes back, sort of.

#IT #it chapter 2 #reddie #richie tozier #eddie kaspbrak #myficrecs #quarantine entertainment #quarantine fics #quarantine fics it

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spine-buster · 5 years ago

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Alone, Together | Chapter 16 | Morgan Rielly

A/N: Welp, this story isn’t showing up in the morgan rielly tag anymore even though it’s my first tag in the list. Anyone know a possible reason?

I’m still on a high from the Raptors parade today. Enjoy.

Bee had her outfit laid out on the chair in Morgan’s room, but she ignored it while she lied in bed with him and felt his fingers move in and out of her lazily, making her squirm for how sensitive she was getting but also making her mad for how slowly he was taking this. They faced each other in the bed, her leg hooked over his, and he was holding her in his free arm; so soft and so gentle but also biting down on her skin and licking at her breasts and telling her what a good girl she was being as she kept trying to grind harder on his hand between her legs, only for him to pull away momentarily or go even slower which would drive her fucking insane.

She still needed to take a shower. She still needed to style her hair and do her makeup. Her winged eyeliner alone took her like ten minutes. But here she was. Morgan was fingering her in his bed, and there was no way she was going to leave.

They were definitely going to be late to Auston’s New Year’s Eve party.

When he got back from his Christmas break in Vancouver and from the road game they played in Columbus, he seemingly couldn’t keep his hands off her. She didn’t know what it was or what had gotten into him, but the second he arrived back in the city he’d called her, and by the first two minutes she was over his apartment, he’d pinned her against his door and was in her. Literally. The following night, after an upsetting loss to the Islanders at Scotiabank Arena, they went back to her place and engaged in four or five different rounds of sex throughout the night. Yesterday, though she was out a majority of the day with Angie, she kept getting messages from him explaining what he wanted to do to her that night. When she got home, he ate her out like she was the last meal on earth, until she felt like she was going to have a heart attack, which was apparently common for her now. Even then, he let her relax for a bit until he went for a round two.

Everybody enjoyed good sex. Everybody. And when it becomes so available, nobody really passes on the opportunity. Including her. She loved feeling good, and she loved that he was the one able to make her feel so good, because he was a damn good lover, and a very generous one at that (she was generous too, let’s not get the story wrong here), but she wondered where all of this was coming from. He told her he was just making up for lost time, but they had only been apart from each other for five days. They’d been apart from each other longer, even just recently, and he hadn’t acted this way when he came back.

“You’re being such a good girl for me,” he whispered, curling his fingers in her and making her whimper loudly. They’d resumed much of their dirty talk, too, after they had explored it before Christmas. It was a staple now. She couldn’t believe how much it turned her on and added to the whole experience. “You like when I touch you like this, don’t you?” he asked.

“Yes,” she nodded her head. “You always make me feel so good Morgan.”

He slipped another finger into her, and she writhed at the sensation of his fingers curling in her, hitting the spot she so desperately needed to hit. He smiled and bit his lip. “So good for me baby. So wet. So fucking wet.” He lowered his head to kiss and bite at her neck. He looked down to her boobs spilling out of her blush pink bra and curled his fingers again, making her grind onto his hand.

“I’m so close Mo,” she said desperately. “Please. Go faster. Go harder.”

“No,” he denied her. “We’re gonna take it nice and slow.”

“Morgan.”

“Nice and slow,” he repeated, taking his fingers almost fully out of her as punishment, garnering another whimper from her. He pushed them back in at an excruciatingly slow pace, and she wanted to kill him.

“Morgan, please,” she was frantic. “I want to come so bad.”

“Nice and slow,” he repeated, and she could only toss her head back and moan at his insistency before accepting her fate.

She didn’t know how long they were lying there for, but when he slipped in yet another finger, and curled them all against her walls, it all became too much for her, and soon, she was completely gone. Her orgasm washed over her, slow and powerful as it made its way throughout her whole body, and she was shaking from the sheer intensity of it. She closed her thighs around his hand as he continued his movements, letting her ride it out for as long as possible. He finally stopped when her body stopped shaking, and he took the opportunity to bring the hand that was buried in her up to his mouth. They stared at each other as he sucked his fingers, loving the taste of her.

“Fuck,” she muttered, barely waiting for her fingers to leave his mouth before she crashed her lips onto his, desperate to taste it too. He made her fucking crazy. Her body was a puddle off goo from her orgasm but he continued to find ways, the simplest of ways, to get her hot and bothered. “You are a fucking gift, Morgan Rielly.”

“Hmm, so are you,” he mumbled in between kissing, trying to pull her body on top of him. “The things I would do to you. God. Get up here.”

“Moooo,” she whined. It was taking everything in her not to give in. “I’ve gotta shower.”

“Shower? For what?”

“For Auston’s party, dummy.”

“Ugh, whatever,” he groaned. “Do we have to go? We have much better things we could be doing.”

Bee snorted. “Yes we have to go. He’s your friend – our friend – and he’s expecting us to be there. I even made cupcakes.”

He groaned again, moving to lie down on his back since he knew he wasn’t going to win. “Why do you have to be such a good person?”

She shook her head at his question. “That must be the horny talking. If I get anymore action after what’s been going on these past couple of days they’re gonna have to put ‘Death by Morgan Rielly’s dick’ on my gravestone.”

It was his turn to snort. “Well what do you expect when you have a nice pink bra like that on?” he asked rhetorically.

She looked down quickly at her bra. Blush coloured, satin with some lace. Expensive, of course; or at least more than what she had previously paid for her bras. It fit well, cupped her breasts perfectly, didn’t tug at her skin or give her indents. The straps didn’t fall down her arms like they usually did. She unclasped her bra and threw it at him, garnering a smile as it landed on his chest. She gave him a wink before turning and walking into the bathroom to turn on the shower. In the full-length mirror in the washroom, she looked at her body until the mirror began to fog. She saw her tummy a little fuller thanks to Christmas; she saw her hips and thighs, wide as ever; she saw her arms lead up to her shoulders, now peppered with love bites.

Morgan had never mentioned anything about bras or panties or lingerie before she went on her shopping spree with the girls. But now, with all the new satin and lace and bodysuits and baby dolls (though he’d only really seen the bodysuit in terms of lingerie), he couldn’t keep his hands off her. He’d comment on the colour, the material, how good it made her boobs look, how good it made her ass look. While she obviously enjoyed the compliments, and the hunger derived from it, she wondered if he thought these things before all the satin and lace. Before the bodysuits and baby dolls. Before the nice clothes and Chanel bags.

Morgan never once made her feel self-conscious about her body – in fact, it was the exact opposite – but she still couldn’t help but feel so. She knew he was attracted to her in every way. But did he like her better when she looked more put together, more sophisticated, like the other wives and girlfriends? Did he like her better with her new hair, the makeup, the nice shoes and designer bags? He’d always compliment on how good a pair of jeans fit her, or how her boobs looked in a top. If she went back to the basic tops and pants, and outfits that she wore only weeks ago, would he still be attracted to her? Could she still be with him? Could she still be comfortable with him, knowing how much he seemed to love her new look? Would he be comfortable with her going back to that look? Or would he be embarrassed?

She stepped out of the shower, wrapping her hair in a towel before throwing on one of his bathrobes. When she emerged, all the steam from the hot water escaping with her, she found Morgan still on the bed, scrolling through his phone. He looked over at her and gave her a smile. Her shower thoughts were still on her mind as she gave him a small smile back, walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge. She felt him move so that he was on his knees behind her.

“I have a question for you,” he said in a low voice, placing a quick kiss on the exposed skin between the bathrobe and the towel wrapped around her head.

“No, we cannot skip Auston’s party,” she answered.

He let out a small chuckle. “No no, not that. Um, on January 21st the team has this big fundraiser at the Fairmont Royal York. It’s called the Night With Blue and White,” he explained. “It’s the biggest charity event we do. All the proceeds to go the MLSE Launchpad. It’s, like, $10,000 a table, and Rogers and all these other companies sponsor it.”

“And?”

“And it’s a gala event. And I’d like it if you can be there with me. So will you come?”

She couldn’t help but smile. His tone was so serious, so hesitant; as if he was worried she would say no. As if she’d say no. “Of course I’ll come. You want me there?”

“Of course I do,” he said gently, unwrapping the towel from her head to let her wet hair cascade down, giving her another kiss in the same spot between her shoulder and neck.

She thought about the event, how many rich and important people would be there mingling and donating obscene amounts of money for the cause. She thought about the glamour of it all, of all the women in high heels and expensive dresses, the men in dapper suits and pockets as deep as their company’s chequebook. She thought about the historic venue, the flashing lights, the catered food and the deluxe bar.

She thought about what she’d have to wear. How much she’d have to get done up. Going out to buy a fancy dress. Going to get her hair done.

“I already know you’re going to look so good that night,” he said, dragging his lips along the skin on her neck. “You’ll knock ‘em all dead.”

She hesitated, her thoughts giving her so much anxiety. “Morgan?”

“Mhm?”

“Do you like me more with all the nice clothes?”

Morgan stopped dead in his tracks. He couldn’t believe she could be thinking something like that, so…so untrue, so incorrect and so mistaken and so fallacious. His stomach was in knots as the words hung heavy in the air. He didn’t know how to express his thoughts. Words were a foreign concept to him. “Briony…I…what?”

“You know what, it’s alright,” she said hurriedly. “Forget I asked. Forget it.”

He wasn’t going to let this one go. There was no fucking way he was going to let this one go. “No no no, hold on,” he said, practically jumping off the bed to kneel in front of her. She wouldn’t even look at him. “Briony. Look at me.”

“No. Just forget it.”

“Briony,” he said sternly. Her eyes met his and they were already welling up with tears – he didn’t know if it was from embarrassment or sadness or whatever else. “What do you mean ‘Do you like me more with all nice clothes’?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Have I not been showing you enough how much I love your body?” he asked.

She shook her head vehemently. “It’s not that. I know that you love my body.”

“Then what is it?”

“ Do you only love my body when it has nice clothes on it?”

“Briony, no,” he said firmly, the whole concept completely absurd to him.

“Because I’ve noticed…I don’t know. You haven’t been able to keep your hands off me since I got all the nice stuff. And I’m not complaining about you not being able to keep your hands off me, because you know I would never complain about that, but I can’t help but feel like ever since I started dressing nicer there’s been this…change.”

“What change?”

“That you’re, like…” she was scared to say the next part. But she knew that if she didn’t get it off her chest it would be on her mind forever. She didn’t want to start the New Year with these types of thoughts. “You’re more attracted to me because I look better now. Because I don’t look so cheap and so poor and this is some sort of new Briony that doesn’t look like the old Briony and you like the new Briony much better, even though the old Briony, like, the character of Briony, is still the same despite all the designer clothes.”

He felt sick to his stomach that she was feeling this way and hadn’t told him up until now. Absolutely sick to his fucking stomach. “Briony, it’s not like that at all,” he stressed. “To me, there’s no old Briony and new Briony. There’s just Briony. I don’t…I…there’s no distinction to me. You’re the same Briony but with new clothes. But those new clothes don’t matter. I don’t care if you wear head to toe Gucci or not. You can wear a burlap sac for all I care. I’d still…I��d never, never --”

“You’re always saying how good I look, how good my boobs or my butt looks, and it’s nice, but I don’t know if --”

“I say those things because I want you to feel confident about yourself!” he exclaimed. “I know you’re still getting used to all this. I just want you to feel comfortable after you felt so violated from the break and enter. I can’t believe you would feel like this and not tell me. Bumblebee, I don’t care what you look like. I don’t care. That’s not important to me,” he was so desperate to get his point across he was almost on the verge of tears.

She sniffled, holding back any more tears she had as much as possible. “You don’t?”

“No, Briony. No. God,” he muttered under his breath. “Briony, you have no idea. You have no idea how much I feel like the luckiest guy in the room by just standing beside you.”

She took a deep breath. “Okay…okay…”

“The only thing I care about is you feeling good about yourself, and it doesn’t matter what you wear to make you feel that way” he said. “And if there’s anything that I can do to help with that, you need to tell me, because I’d rather fucking die than make you feel uncomfortable or have you think I only like you when you look a certain way.”

She nodded her head. She understood now. She got it. “Okay,” she said softly, nodding her head.

“Briony, I’m serious. You need to tell me these things. I don’t like that you think I’m only attracted to you because of the clothes on your body. That cannot be further from the truth,” he said.

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. Just…talk to me, okay? Don’t bottle this stuff in. There are a million things that are loveable about you and none of them have to do with the way you look.”

“I won’t. I’m sorry. I won’t.”

He learned forward and wrapped his arms around her. He didn’t want to let go. He couldn’t let go. Not until she felt what he had just been trying to tell her; not until she knew he meant every word of what he just said, and would keep saying it to her until she knew he meant it.

***

“You guys are late,” Auston said as Morgan and Briony walked through his door. He was already, maybe, a little bit drunk, but he was in the privacy of his own home so he really didn’t care.

“Is it past midnight?” Morgan asked.

“No.”

“Then we’re not late,” he shrugged his shoulders.

“Wow.”

“We had an emergency with the cupcakes,” Briony lied, holding them up for Auston to see.

“Cupcakes? You made cupcakes?”

“Only for you, Auston,” she winked, showing him the intricately decorated confectionery.

His eyes went wide as he admired the icing and decoration. He looked at Briony like she had just presented him with a golden compass. “Are you sure you don’t have a sister I can hook up with? Are you positive?”

“Even if I did I wouldn’t let her date you,” she took the cupcakes away from him.

“That hurts.”

Before Bee could respond, a loud ‘Auston!’ was heard from somewhere inside the condo, and Morgan, Bee, and Auston watched as a blonde girl waved at him, motioning for him to come back to his dining room table, where he had set up beer pong. Bee couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sure you’ll get over it soon.”

As Auston went back to his lady friend, Bee and Morgan made their way into the apartment, finding Fred, Tyler, Zach and Alannah, and John and Aryne. Travis Dermott and his girlfriend brought her friends, Kasperi Kapanen was with a lady friend who happened to bring her friends, and Mitch Marner and Steph were there, surrounded by a few of her friends. Overall, it was a pretty full party, and Bee immediately found comfort and solace with Aryne and Alannah.

“Giiiiirl! That bag looks so good,” Aryne hugged her tightly, grabbing the Chanel bag in both hands. “I should have gotten one for myself.”

“You can’t. This is Bee’s bag now,” Alannah laughed as she moved to hug Bee as well. “How’ve you been? How’s the new place?”

“Oh, it’s great,” Bee smiled. “Views are amazing, building’s amazing…I mean compared to what I had, this place is off the charts.”

“I know you’re busy trying to find a job, but we should all have a girl’s night soon,” Alannah suggested. “I can bring over a stack of wedding magazines. Lord knows I need to start making some choices.”

“Don’t say that too loud,” Aryne rolled her eyes a bit, discreetly nodding over to the sexy, longhaired bleach blonde standing next to Kasperi who was sipping on a tallboy. She was very, very attractive, and Bee could understand why she was Kasperi’s current flavour. “Cassidy might overhear and invite herself.”

“Are we…are we not…” Bee was a bit confused.

“She’s been on her phone more than she’s talked to Kappy tonight,” Alannah said. “She pretended to act dumb but she definitely knows who everybody in this room is. I don’t get a good vibe from her.”

“Is that a bad thing?” Bee asked. “Knowing everybody here, I mean? Wouldn’t you rather have it that way?”

“Not the way that she knows everybody,” Aryne said. “You know how you know everybody as just, like, Zach or John or Fred or whatever? You don’t care? She knows and sees people as Zach Hyman of the Toronto Maple Leafs, John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Frederik Andersen of the Toronto Maple Leafs,” she explained. “It’s all about status to her. She knows she’s at a party at Auston Matthews’s apartment with a bunch of Leafs players. She’s probably putting it all over her Snapchat or Instagram stories, pretending to be discreet about it, but really showing off where she is and who she’s with. Girls like that are all the same.”

“Fame hungry?” Bee clarified.

“Exactly. Just waiting for someone to pick up on it and start talking about them so their name gets out there. I bet she’s an Instagram model or has her own YouTube channel where she models bikinis she gets sent from FashionNova. They’re all the same.”

“Aryne!” Alannah giggled. “Tell me what’s really on your mind why don’t you!”

“Listen. My New Year’s resolution is to try to be less judgemental as a whole but for girls like that, I can’t help it,” Aryne giggled slightly. “They’re so transparent it’s almost comical. And it’s always the young guys who fall for them.”

“Anyways,” Alannah put an end to the conversation with just one word. She didn’t want to be talking about girlfriends of the month the whole night. “Has Morgan told you about the Night with Blue and White?” she asked.

Bee blushed. “Uh, yeah. He actually asked me tonight.”

“And you’re coming?” Aryne asked. Bee nodded her head. “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeep!” Aryne squealed loudly. “Oh my God this is gonna be so fun! We’re going to need to go shopping for dresses! And shoes!”

“It’s honestly such a fun night,” Alannah smiled. “We’re going to have a blast. You get to meet so many people. It’ll actually be so good for you considering you’re on the job hunt.”

Bee hadn’t even considered that. She hadn’t considered that it could be a great opportunity for her, rather than just some event put on by the Leafs that she would accompany Morgan to. She never considered that she would be mingling with people who could hire her. Now she really wanted to go. Of course she’d be there primarily to support Morgan, but it didn’t hurt that she’d be able to try and land a job interview. “That’s actually a great point…” she said.

“I’m a smart girl,” Alannah winked.

***

“Somebody get the champagne ready!”

“Pour it out! Pour it out!”

“Save some to pop!”

Morgan was drunk. The smiley kind of drunk. The kind of drunk where all he wanted to do was put his hands on Bee’s ass and keep them there. But he still had some semblance of a conscience – he knew that in public spaces that was frowned upon, especially in front of friends, so he tried his hardest to rid the thoughts from his mind as some more sober members of the group (Zach, Fred) poured the champagne into plastic flutes for the entire party.

It was a little over five minutes until the countdown, and everybody was getting excited. Morgan couldn’t remember how much alcohol he drank. It was a lot. What he could remember was talking to Zach about how much he liked Bee, how he wanted to take her back home to Vancouver so bad, how he loved the smell of her hair and waking up with his face buried in it in the morning. Zach could only laugh, as he was the sober one being designated driver, and he kept commenting how bad Morgan had it for her, and Morgan could only nod and drink more beer and talk more about how much he liked her before he moved on to Fred and told him the exact same thing. Now, with the countdown soon approaching, everybody began to pair up with their significant others.

“Mo gets his own bottle of champagne!” Auston yelled, handing him a bottle, to which everybody cheered at. Morgan took the bottle, noticing the cork was already half out. He didn’t want to hold on to it without holding on to Bee. He looked around the room for her.

Bee was standing next to Aryne, who was smoothing down her husband’s shirt, looking down at her phone. She hadn’t noticed Morgan looking for her because she was too busy reading a barrage of messages that had made their way to her Instagram inbox.

lmao i bet morgan bought u that chanel bag. doesn’t that mean he’s ur sugar daddy??? ur pathetic

now u think ur hot shit always wearing that chanel bag everywhere

You wear that Chanel bag everywhere now bc you want everyone to know Morgan bought it for you. You reek of desperation. Don’t think we didn’t know it was you in Sephora just bc the pic was blurry.

don’t think we don’t see u in cassidy’s videos from the party. ur prob begging her to include u. ur literally so desperate its insane

no clue what morgan sees in you. you’re not as pretty as any of the other wags and you don’t fit in either. you prob won’t last long.

Yet again ur at a party w the leafs but decide not to post pics or videos, making other ppl like kappy’s girl post them with u in them. Ur not very smart r u? the game ur playing is dumb.

Bee felt an arm wrap around her shoulders, and looked up to see Morgan, a drunken grin plastered on his face. He was clutching an entire bottle of champagne. She locked her phone screen immediately. She knew just by looking at him that he was too drunk to read, but she didn’t want to take the chance of him seeing the messages. “Hello, stranger,” she smiled.

“Hey sexy,” he tried to wink, but just ended up blinking really hard. She snorted at his attempt. “You ready to blow this popsicle stand?”

“How drunk are you?” she asked.

“I’m…” he couldn’t find the right words. “I’m right on it. Right on the line.”

“And why do you have an entire bottle of champagne?”

“Matts wanted me to have it,” he said, bringing it up to her lips, pretending to pour it. “For the countdown. Are you gonna countdown with me?”

“Of course I am,” she smiled.

As they made their way near the front of the TV, which was showing the live broadcast from Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto – 90 seconds to go! – Morgan’s arm was still draped around Bee’s shoulders. Bee wrapped an arm around his waist to try and steady his drunken rocking form side to side. When she did so, he bent his head down to kiss her temple. “I know I’m piss drunk right now but can I tell you something?”

“Of course,” she said quietly.

Thirty! Twenty-nine! Twenty-eight!

“Every fuckin’ day I thank my lucky stars that someone sent a drink to your table pretending to be me,” he mumbled. The hair on the back of Bee’s neck stood on end. “Every. Fuckin’. Day. Like, you don’t even understand Briony. Everyday.”

It was at that moment that Bee realized that it didn’t matter what anonymous messages she received, what they had to say, or how they said things about her. What mattered – besides her privacy, her integrity, and her humility – was that Morgan was standing next to her, arm draped around her, bottle of champagne in his hand. It didn’t matter that they thought she was fat, that they thought she was tacky, an attention-seeker, desperate, didn’t fit in, whatever else – what mattered was that she was with Morgan. They weren’t. As petty as that sounded, it was her standing next to him, her who shared a bed with him, her who he called before every game.

Ten! Nine! Eight!

It was her who got to kiss him at midnight.

Seven! Six! Five!

“I thank my lucky stars you sent a drink to my table,” she smiled. This would be their ongoing joke; her saying he sent a mojito to her table, him maintaining it wasn’t him and that she got pranked. She’d never let him live it down.

Four! Three! Two! One!

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!” the entire party yelled in unison, and Morgan took the opportunity to wrap Bee further into his body with the arm that was around her shoulders before he bent his neck to place a giant kiss on her lips. She reciprocated until she felt him start to shake the champagne bottle. She pulled away so he could pop it quickly, causing another cheer from the crowd before he brought the oozing fizz to his lips. Ever the gentleman, he gave Bee a swig before kissing her again, both of them tasting like champagne. They kissed for much longer this time, Morgan not willing to pull away, and Bee not willing to deny him, even in his drunken state, even though she was sure all the other couples had stopped.

When they finally did pull away, Bee looked around quickly to see some other couples. John was cradling Aryne’s baby bump, and Bee thought she was going to cry right then and there; Zach was still macking on Alannah, who didn’t seem to mind; and Cassidy, right beside them, was recording Kappy making a smoochie face against hers. It was all very cute.

“You want s’more champagne?” Morgan asked.

Bee shook her head. She brought her hand up to the back of his neck, pulling him down to kiss her again.

***

Morgan sobered up a bit by the time they decided to call it a night. He stuck to water and was well enough to walk on his own by 2am. Bee had watched over him like a hawk, making sure he was drinking glass after glass of water. She wasn’t exactly capable of hauling a 200+ pound hockey player home.

Although the party had died down significantly – John and Aryne had left not long after the countdown, as had some others – there were still people hanging about. Auston was plastered. Fred and Tyler were sleeping over, thankfully, and Fred had already begun the clean up, like the responsible adult he was.

“We should say goodbye to Auston, at least,” Morgan said when he finished slipping on his shoes. Bee nodded her head and they wandered through his apartment hand in hand to find him.

It didn’t take long. The second Bee saw Auston, she snorted out in laughter. He had her homemade cupcakes in front of him, one in his hand, and he was completely going to town on it. Completely going to town. There was icing all over his face, all over his nose, and he opened his jaw as much as possible to get the entire height of the cupcake and all the icing in his mouth at once. It was hilarious. He looked like a kid.

She took out her phone and took a few pictures of him, and he didn’t even notice. She even took the opportunity to take a video. After he finished the cupcake, he didn’t even hesitate to grab another one and peel off the wrapping paper. The video was shaking for how hard she was laughing. “You having a good time there, Matts?” Bee asked. He looked absolutely ridiculous.

When he noticed them, he didn’t even care. He took a massive bite out of the cupcake, getting more icing all over his face and nose. “Bee…fuck,” he moaned.

“That your new girl Matts?” Morgan joked. Auston nodded his head. Morgan snorted. At that point, she ended the video, knowing she had good blackmail against him now. Auston was completely gone. “Night buddy. Don’t forget to wrap it up if you’re gona eat her. Things can get out of hand easily.”

#morgan rielly #morgan rielly imagine #morgan rielly fic #toronto maple leafs #toronto maple leafs imagine #toronto maple leafs fic #hockey #hockey imagines #hockey imagine #hockey fic #nhl #nhl imagines #nhl imagine #nhl fic #alone together series

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journeysintowebcomics · 5 years ago

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Worm Liveblog #119

UPDATE 119: Guided Missile

Last time Francis took a power, and gave half of a vial to Noelle. How will the results of this action be like? I suppose I’ll find out in this update! Let’s see...

Noelle screamed, her back arching.

“Well,” Krouse said, as he reached for the tubing that led from the bag of blood to her arm. He pulled it out, then removed the tape that had held it in place. “That’s bound to get someone’s attention.”

Nothing out of the ordinary so far. From what I recall from when Battery received her power, and from Francis’ own reaction last update, it’s at first a painful and kind of electrifying process. But yeah, screaming like you’re being flayed alive is not what you want to hear a patient do. Someone’s bound to come check what’s going on.

Apparently it’s normal for your heart to stop beating from time to time while you gain powers. Wow. That sounds so dangerous. Once another thing you don’t want to hear happening to your patient, I bet a load of alarm messages are being sent to the nurses’ office right now.

He stood and blocked the door of the room with the chair he’d been sitting on. Noelle screamed again, a howl, almost ragged.

Had he screamed that much? Or taken that long? He felt a twinge of anxiety.

I’m not sure what to think. Hearing someone you love scream in obvious suffering is bound to seem eternal even if it doesn’t last long...or maybe Noelle really is taking too long. Who knows.

During Noelle’s vision, Francis sees it as well. It’s the usual vision about unfathomable beings twirling and approaching Earth, nothing particularly new...I think. Usually the core of the vision is the same, without much variation other than the events themselves. This must be a sign Noelle is receiving her powers right now – the moment Noelle’s life took a turn for the worse. Well, leaving aside everything else that has happened to her this morning.

The vision got Francis distracted enough for a guard to come, bust into the room, and...start attacking and kicking Francis instead of helping the patient in distress. Which, fine, this is a guard and not a medic, but still, where are the doctors? I know the hospital is understaffed but goodness gracious! Francis had good reasons to believe she could die, there’s just no way a serious medical emergency can be solved quickly.

While he’s getting kicked and hit all over, Francis examines the objects to try to find a good one to swap with the guard’s rifle or with the guard, but it’s hard to think while you’re getting kicked in the head, really. All he manages to do when the vision ends is swap the guard and his own position, and that only gets him a second to fight, second he uses to tackle the guard and try to find something to swap with the gun.

Noelle screamed.

This is taking longer than mine did.

Yeah, honestly by now a rather long time has passed. Francis didn’t writhe and scream for so long, neither did Battery from what I remember reading yesterday. The narration has its way of making the moment as long as possible, but somehow this feels like it’s taking longer than usual. A consequence of only having half of the power, perhaps?

He knew if he lost it, he’d probably get shot. The use of his power had been the only way to avoid being beaten into unconsciousness, but he suspected it also raised the stakes. Given a chance, the officer would kill him in self defense.

I think he’s right. I said last update I suspected the hero who exploded was killed precisely because he was a parahuman. Francis has revealed he has powers, so if he loses the fight, he’s doomed. He has so many incentives to stay alive. Say, this room must have security cameras or something, right? So they should know something’s happening with Noelle, and if she shows signs of having powers, she’s dead too.

Francis can swap not only things that have a similar shape, he also can swap objects according to mass. He does that to gain access to the gun by swapping it with a blanket, and attacks the guard now that he’s unarmed. Gotta knock him out, anything to prevent him from leaving and getting more help – if none isn’t coming already, that is.

Krouse closed his eyes and slammed his forehead into the lower half of the uniformed man’s face. He headbutted the guy once more. Blood welled on his own forehead, where a tooth bit too deep into the skin.

I have never understood why the hell headbutting is a move people do. True, your skull is a rather tough and hard thing, but...it’s your head. Colliding against something that’s most certainly not soft, because often it’s done against an enemy cranium. I sure know I wouldn’t be able to fight any better if I had a throbbing headache from headbutting my opponent. Also, hitting your head sounds like a great way to get your brain rattled. No, thanks, I’d rather not give myself a concussion.

The fight ends once Francis takes the rifle and swings it at the guard’s face, knocking him out after a few blows. He’s alive, I think?

He managed to climb to his feet, blinked slowly as he looked down at the uniformed man. Not a cop, not a soldier, something else.

PRT agent, perhaps? From this area’s PRT?

Oh, the doctors and nurses are there, in the hallway! Running away because they’re afraid of Francis. Since the coast is clear, he returns to Noelle’s side, who is still having visions. This really is taking much longer than it usually takes. Curious, I’d have thought taking half of the serum would make her have like half of the vision, not a vision that’s like...four times as long. With nobody else interfering, Francis is able to stay there by Noelle’s side until she’s done.

There’s some consolation: Noelle is healed. Hm. Maybe it took so long because of the extent of her injuries and because she had to regenerate so much of her guts. How long did it take for Alexandria to have her vision, I wonder? Regardless, Noelle is healed, ready to go, and gets dressed while Francis makes sure the rest of the power concoction is safe.

So! Now it’s time to deal with the current obstacle: escaping a hospital that is already aware there’s a madman doing who knows what to one of their patients. Perhaps this is the moment the extent of Noelle’s powers will be revealed?

“Well, you only got half a dose. If you get any powers, they’re liable to be pretty weak. Could be that you burned up whatever juice is in that stuff, healing the damage.”

If only. Maybe things wouldn’t have gone as badly if any, any of the other power vials had been in half.

Noelle feels her skin fizzing, what a curious sensation that must be. She doesn’t see any changes, but she feels fizzing. Brings acids to mind, really. Looks like it’s mostly on contact with her clothes, for some reason, touching other stuff around makes nothing happen. Hm...Francis is on his own here, doesn’t seem like Noelle will be able to do anything – voluntarily, that is. If something very powerful and very awful and deadly happens, I’m sure it’ll be accidental.

Outside, people have been gathering to tackle the emergency, and it isn’t just PRT agents. Myrddin – who apparently got a sex change when I wrote about him two updates ago, my bad, Myrddin – is here with six other superheroes. Many would say this is overkill when dealing with a parahuman who barely can use his powers well, having it for...like two hours so far. Perhaps Francis got captured and the rest helped him escape the heroes?

I think in this room you’re the one who knows the most about Myrddin, Francis, and what you know is very little. Welp! Time to learn on the fly, because Myrddin flies, shatters the window, and lands inside the room. Will he recognize Francis from the very brief moment he saw him?

“Stand down,” Myrddin ordered.

“I’ll pass,” Krouse replied. He looked at the injured P.R.T. soldier, “We’ve got-”

“Begone,” Myrddin said, pointing his staff.

The officer vanished in a cloud of mist.

“-A hostage,” Krouse finished.

Hah! Great job, Francis. Nothing like making clear you won’t let this end peacefully by saying things like ‘We’ve got a hostage’. Also, using ‘we’, implicating Noelle in the process. Honestly I’m pretty sure he singlehandedly made the situation worse for himself and Noelle with one single sentence. Amazing.

Two other heroes flock into the room. How big is this hospital room, holy crap. Where I come from, I can assure you there wouldn’t be enough space for a hospital bed, all the lifesaving equipment, and five people. Well, the people would certainly be able to move and all, but there sure wouldn’t be any space for fighting. It’d be the worst fight ever.

One of the heroes – Anomaly, is her name – uses a ball of something to try to attract Francis, Trying to subdue him. With some quick thinking Francis swaps Noelle with the third heroine, and lets that heroine be trapped in Anomaly’s power. Hah! Noelle almost falls down the window, before that happens Francis swaps her again, this time with Anomaly, and so he just defeated two heroines in a few seconds flat. I’m aware they were fighting a newly discovered parahuman and therefore they didn’t know what he could do, buuuut losing a fight against someone who’s had powers for a couple hours at most doesn’t speak well of these heroes’ skill. I’m sure they’re good at their jobs and what not, but they sure kind of lost pitifully here.

“Who are you?” Myrddin asked.

Krouse glanced out the window. No. This might go badly before he had a chance to execute their escape. If he had to teleport to the back of the crowd, they could wind up in a situation where there was no escape.

“Nobody dangerous.”

Says the guy whose first words to the hero were ‘We’ve got a hostage’. You can’t trust anyone who goes with hostage-taking as the very first measure to try to get an edge over your opponent!

Myrddin’s turn to so something! Francis theorizes about the nature of Myrddin’s power, thinking he has personal dimensions with different rules. One of those dimensions has energy, and with the staff, Myrddin opens it according to the shape drawn with the staff, hitting the opponent with the blast. That actually sounds like a pretty cool power! Great!

Thinking about other dimensions makes Francis ask Myrddin if he can open doors between worlds, and that alarms Myrddin because for a moment he thinks Francis and Noelle are like those monsters the Simurgh brought into the world. The least you’re associated to the Simurgh, the better, so that’s something you don’t want the heroes to think about you. Francis hurries to disguise his interest as idle curiosity.

No more questions to ask, time to leave! Seeing a police car approaching the scene, Francis swaps Noelle and himself with two people in the crowd, and then does it again to be placed inside the car, and he proceeds to drive it as nonchalantly as possible. Flawless escape! He had the advantage of nobody knowing what he could do, that was what tipped the balance on his favor. Now they have to return to the rest of the Travelers.

He reached for Noelle’s gloved hand and squeezed it, but she didn’t smile, didn’t show any relief. She looked troubled.

He realized why. Her left hand was undamaged where she’d slashed it on the shattered glass of the window.

Oh, that means she has fast regeneration, right? Maybe that’s what the fizzing was, her body getting prepared for regenerating. Not bad! For her. Because healing fast is going to get in the way of fighting her if necessary, in the present.

Finding the house where the rest of the Travelers are gathered was easy enough, and they go in to find their friends gathered. Cody isn’t among them, because he’s still an outsider to the group. Mars hugs Noelle right away, and Luke says Francis was stupid for all he has done. But at least Noelle is healed, and that’s good. Should help with the morale.

Obviously the rest don’t approve that Francis went and gave powers to someone else, and this time it does get to him because it’s a friend saying it instead of Cody. All Francis can do is try to make excuses for all this, saying it’s the Simurgh’s fault, and while that’s correct, the distinction isn’t as notable as Francis hopes it is.

There’s Cody! And heeeee has powers. Fucking Cody. Of course he demonstrates what he can do, to boast about his newfound abilities.

“I got powers. The paperwork said it was the ‘Vestige’ can. And as luck would have it, my power counters yours. Totally and completely.”

Naturally. He got seriously lucky, then! Is this his chance to finally one-up Francis? He sure seems to think it is. Everyone else tells him to stop messing around, while Cody uses his power to punch Francis. Seems like some sort of...time travel? Luke agrees, and Cody explains more. Hah! It’s for the reader’s benefit, really, because otherwise I’m certain he’d love to keep the details of his secret hidden from the guy he loathes.

Cody shrugged, “Directed time travel, anyways. Backwards only, a few seconds at a time. You teleport away, I set you back to where you were, then kick you in the balls for being an asshole.”

Hmmmmm...it can have its uses, uses beyond the pettiness Cody is indulging in. It’d be great for second chances, if things went disastrously wrong immediately. Wouldn’t be useful for extended fights or choices. I’m kind of interpreting it as a way, way weaker version of Coil’s power in that Cody gets into a specific timeline, rewinds, and tries something else. Maybe Coil’s power comes from the Vestige kind of power too, just that with a much stronger configuration, the kind that costs hundreds of millions of dollars.

Brushing aside with kind of admirable nonchalance that Cody most likely gave him like two dozens beatings with his power, Francis decides now they need to work on getting out of the quarantine. Easier said than done, really, I’m sure Myrddin is arranging things so everyone’s on the lookout for Francis and Noelle. Good thing the rest of the Travelers are still a mystery for them, that could be the element of surprise they need.

Mars mentions ‘their stuff’, and when Francis asks what she means, Cody rewinds so nobody can answer what he asked, and once again tries to get everyone to ‘stop catering to him’. Oh, shut up. Fucking Cody.

“You’re being as bad as he ever was,” Luke said.

Cody turned towards Luke, “No. No I’m not.”

“You’re making calls on our behalf. You’re not being a team player, and you’re making things harder than they have to be to get your way.”

“It’s not the same,” Cody said.

Honestly I think I wouldn’t mind that as much if he was self-aware he’s a jackass. I think that’s why I’m liking Francis much more than him, Francis at the very least makes no attempt to pretend he’s on the right. Cody covers his ears and shouts he has done nothing wrong and that Francis does things worse.

I think this interlude has improved my opinion of Francis somewhat, really. He’s not on my favorite characters list by any means, but at least I tolerate him now. It helps that he’s not being antagonistic towards characters I like a lot – like Skitter, who he clashes with by virtue of Skitter being the main character. Also, following his train of thought and knowing his backstory helps a lot too. Frankly, this whole thing has endeared me more to the Travelers in general! Especially Sundancer. I like Mars.

Since arguing with Cody is a futile endeavor, Francis decides to make an example out of him by throwing him against a bookcase, and doing it again and again and again when Cody keeps rewinding. When Cody uses his power on himself he never remembers what happened, leaving him vulnerable to the same thing happening over and over. Soon he realizes that, and stops rewinding. Hah! Not even with powers he’s able to get an upper hand over Francis, the guy managed to find a weakness in...five minutes. That was good.

He isn’t satisfied with this, though. He asserts to everyone Cody fighting him every once in a while is a problem, and that he’s turning into a liability because he can’t control himself. Oho! Is this what leads to Cody’s absence from the Travelers? Because by now it’s pretty clear he’s not ballistic, and none of the Travelers has his power. Something must have happened to him.

As if crushing Cody’s delusions about how having powers finally got him ahead of Francis, Francis makes pretty clear that if he ever fears for his own safety or feels Cody is actively harming their efforts to return home, he’ll kill him. And he means it. Cody can tell Francis means that. Well then! Guess that answers what happened to Cody before the Travelers arrived to Brockton Bay.

Well at least the arguing is over now. With some luck that’ll be the end of this, buuuut I’m not holding my breath.

What they meant with stuff is that they went to steal everything they may need. It was a necessary evil, given they have zero money. Other than the stuff they stole, they should also try to take as much cash as they can, because they’ll be needing it. Luke still has some degree of consideration towards Francis, they used to be best friends. Sure aren’t in the present, what with Ballistic not being in the best of terms with everyone.

Now that I think about it, the widening distance between the Travelers – in the present, I mean – must be a result of the stress and having to go around with nothing but promises of being able to reach their goal of helping Noelle and go back to their world, because here, at the start of everything, they weren’t as distant with each other. They seem to me like a generally united group, no doubt because they used to be a gaming team. I also think having Francis as a leader must have made that even worse.

So far Noelle hasn’t revealed what power she has, even though she experimented by touching stuff around. Hm. Can’t really guess what power she has...

While Francis was out there healing Noelle, the rest gave some consideration to taking some powers of their own, or at least Luke did.

Luke was nodding a little.

“Luke!” Jess said, aghast.

“What? Half the damage is already done,” he said, “And as far as I’m concerned, the benefits of getting more powers outweighs the possible danger. We don’t have any real income, we don’t have anybody to go to for help, and it’s going to be far easier to get funds if we can do something like mercenary work with a team of people with powers. Like Cody was talking about, we could hire someone to get us home.”

Ah, that’s not a bad idea. I notice Luke didn’t say ‘team of heroes’, he simply said people with powers, meaning he wasn’t refusing to consider working for villains right from the start. You know, they’re rather lucky stumbling upon heroes and villains is rather easy, given they don’t do much of a job staying hidden – when it doesn’t involve their real identities, of course. He also brings up they’ll have to keep Francis and Cody under control, and that’ll be much easier when they have powers.

What gets Jess to be interested in taking a power is that it may be able to heal her legs. You know, it sucks that it didn’t. Why didn’t it heal her legs not even a little bit? I know the serums have only a chance of healing, instead of being guaranteed, but there wasn’t not even some healing, from what I know. Rather unfortunate the one thing that got Jess’ attention ended not happening.

“I am,” he echoed her. “She set Cody against me, so I had an adversary, putting me off balance. Then used Noelle’s injury to push me to act. And you guys? You, Luke, Marissa and Oliver? She kept you occupied. Kept you focused on yourselves. You want to talk about the Simurgh’s game plan? It centers around me. I can’t see any other way of looking at it. She isn’t aiming to have you guys get mondo powers and kill a president or something. Why would she make Oliver feel like crap if that was her end goal?”

“It’s you?” Luke asked.

“Doesn’t it make sense? Just look at where the focus is. She distracted you guys because you were the ones who could have talked sense into me. The can of worms is opened, and I’m the person she’s turned into a guided missile.”

Ahahahaha, oh, my, he was so close and got it wrong, and I’m pretty sure that’s because his head consciously refuses to consider the truth. Okay, so, speaking from what I have seen in this arc. I think he may be right about the Simurgh intending to keep everyone else busy with the problems the Simurgh reminded them of. She bombarded them with those memories and thoughts, so they’re unable to make Francis think twice when it’s about everything he has done. All that exposure has made him focus on Noelle so much everyone else wasn’t a priority. Now that Noelle is okay, maybe they’re all on the same standing – until things become ‘help Noelle return to normal’, I suppose. So yeah, helping her was Francis’ entire motivation, so...if the Simurgh intended to keep everyone else busy so Francis would be able to carry out what he pushed him to do, wouldn’t that make Noelle the guided missile, not him? Because if they had been able to calm him down and make him think, then Noelle wouldn’t have gotten powers. Also, she’s the one people dread in the future, not Trickster. Noelle must be the cornerstone of the Simurgh’s plans.

What I’m not sure is how Cody fits in this. He fighting Francis at every turn would get in the way of helping Noelle. That’s the one thing that doesn’t mesh with my interpretation. Unleeeeeeess...maybe Cody really did push things a little too far and got himself murdered by Francis – Cody will be so pissed off about that – and that led to the current fractures in the group, because none of them are comfortable with being under the leadership of a murderer. It’s a plausible possibility, in my opinion.

Jess is in. No word about if Mars and Oliver are interested, but I suppose they won’t back down now that everyone else has powers. If it wasn’t because there was half a vial left, I’d even think Oliver wouldn’t take any. Oh well. They’re deciding who takes what.

“I’ll take half,” Oliver said.

All eyes turned to him. Oliver continued, “If Noelle doesn’t want to finish it, I’ll take half. I’m not strong, I’m not brave, or smart, or creative. I don’t have it in me to be a hero. So as long as you don’t ask me to risk my life fighting stuff like the Simurgh, I’ll take the half, try to find other ways to help.”

If Oliver isn’t really that interested in powers and won’t even give use to them, they really, really should give Noelle the other half. From what I have heard, he can’t do much in the present, so his half of the vial didn’t really change him in any significant manner, taking him around wouldn’t have been any different if he had been powerless.

Goddamnit they won’t. But at least Francis said a kind word to Oliver for once.

“Okay,” Krouse said. “Anyone want to call dibs on the others?”

“Robin,” Luke said. “Sounds like it might mean I could fly.”

Hah! That sucks. He’s going to be so disappointed he can’t fly, since it seems like that was why he picked that specific vial. I mean, maybe he could stand on something large enough and then propel it through the air, but that sounds so dangerous and unlikely to work it’s not worth it. Why was Ballistic’s power under ‘Robin’, I wonder.

“Mars?” Jess asked. “You care?”

Marissa shook her head.

“Then Deus for me.”

I should have known the Deus vial was Genesis’, now that I think about it. The name is a pretty big indication of what she can do.

Everyone will take a vial one at a time, so they all have time to writhe and scream and have their visions, and they’ll leave before sunrise. And so, the Travelers were born. Change of scene!

I’m kind of disappointed there’s no scene of them escaping the quarantine. I knew it was guaranteed they would escape, but it can’t have been too easy, can it? Not when the heroes knew there was one, possibly two rogue Simurgh parahuman thralls on the fly. But no, the next scene opens with them already on the road, driving their stolen cars. Things seem to be generally okay right now, no word on where they’re going first to start their mercenary work and look for someone who can get them home.

They had their powers, and there was a slight cast of disappointment for everyone involved.

No kidding, I imagine Jess was disappointed she wasn’t healed at all. Luke is also disappointed he can’t fly, and Mars hasn’t realized yet the extent of her powers, but given how much she dislikes hurting people with it, I bet she’ll be disappointed too. Hm. Maybe things would have been a little better if Luke had gotten the Deus vial, since it’s versatile and would have given some flight even if it was with a creation. Jess may have done well with any of the others. Mars...uh...well if she dislikes destructive powers then she wouldn’t have been happy with either. Sorry, Mars.

There’s Francis, thinking everything is okay and not about to take a turn for the worse in...hm. How long did it take before they realized something was wrong with Noelle, I wonder? If it was so bad they needed to keep moving and lock Noelle in a vault, then it’s not something that can go unnoticed for long. The other shoe must be about to drop.

The Travelers stop at a highway stop, and they go inside to the facilities. Aaaand there it is. Disaster strikes, Mars comes out a little later, frightened, from the women’s bathroom. Everyone else is inside except Cody, who keeps getting isolated from everything, and Francis gets in, finding Noelle on the floor.

There’s something on Noelle’s leg, a pretty big burn-like thing. My first thought had been that Mars had accidentally burned her, but then I recalled Noelle supposedly had fast regeneration, so that shouldn’t have mattered. Then comes the reveal.

Beneath the angry red skin on Noelle’s thigh, there was an eyeball, twice the normal size, with a broad yellow iris. Noelle’s hands were clenched into fists, gripping the cloth of her jeans as the eye’s gaze darted from one member of their group to another. It settled on Krouse.

Accusatory.

I’m not sure what exactly is going on besides the obvious ‘she’s growing an eye on her leg and that’s not okay’, which is already pretty bad for Noelle. This is obviously a byproduct of her power, and given her terrified reaction, I suppose it’s not something she wanted. What is her power? It can’t be just growing body parts, because that’s not destructive enough to warrant all the danger in the present. Something’s off here.

That’s the end of the chapter. Whatever’s going on will have to be for next time. No way this is the last chapter for this arc.

Next time: in three updates

#worm #worm liveblog #webserial #liveblog #webserial liveblog

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lokis-scepter-101 · 5 years ago

Text

Loki’s darling 16 (I think)

Lady Jazahra

Loki collapsed besides me with his hand over his head. We were both panting loudly. Loki turned to me and just started into my brown eyes. I moved a lock of his hair away from his sweaty forehead. Loki gave me a half smile. He rested one of his hands on the crook of my neck while the other kept his balance above me. I always wonder what he's thinking about when he looks at me that way.

"What?" I started to get a little nervous.

"You're just so beautiful." He caressed my cheek. I just blushed at his comment, Doesn't matter how many times he tell me this I always get weak when he tells me.

"Promise you'll never leave me, Darling." His thumb slowly grazed over my lips.

I put my hands on both side of his face. "I promise I won't ever leave you, I don't think I can live without you in my life." I pulled him down for a kiss. Our lips melted together. His hands started to roam my body.

"Wanna seal this promise in the bathroom?" Loki asked licking his lips.

"If you insist." I stood up and grabbed his hand walking to the bathroom, He just smirked following me.

~~~

Loki laid on the bed in his trousers. You could still see a few damped spots on his body from just getting out of the shower. I put my towel away once I was in my underwear. I walked towards his closet and grabbed a pair of casual clothes. Yes, I had a few outfits at his place.

"Are you going somewhere?" Loki asked confused.

"Yes; I need to get home, Tony called in an emergency Stark family meeting." I put my head through the shirt followed by my hands.

"But you haven't eaten anything."

"Brother, I am home." Thor shouted entering the condo. Loki and I existed the room and entered the living room.

"Hey, Thor."

"Brother."

"Oh hey Lady Jazahra, I didn't know you were here." Thor said dropping his bag of grocery. It's probably just pop tarts.

"Welp Happy's waiting on me, Gotta go." I grabbed my purse.

"Make sure to eat dinner before going to bed, I made lasagna for you." I kissed Loki on the cheek, realizing what I done I just gave Thor one too on the cheek before leaving.

I heard Thor shouting a thank you.

~~~

"Hey Happy, How are you?" I entered the vehicle.

"Normal. Why are you always here?" He asked pressing his lips together. He always makes that face when he's playing detective.

"They are like the best company you can have." I smiled.

~~~

I entered the house and walked to the kitchen. I saw Tony, Peter and Pepper sitting at the table. Tony was pissed off, again. I looked at the table to see what we were having for dinner, Mash potato some weird veggies and steak. I took place across from Tony and Pepper. I greeted them nicely.

"So... Why am I here?" I took a sip of my drink.

"Peter. Lied." Tony said crossing his arms angrily.

"What about?" I asked surprised. This kid never lies.

"I lied to him about my field trip." Peter said lowly bowing his head down.

"Why, Pete?" I put away my food.

"Mr. Stark wouldn't send me if I told him the truth." He shrugged sadly.

"You could've tried Pete, I pro-" Pepper said getting cut off my Tony.

"No he's right, wouldn't send you. In fact I would sue the school. You know what I'm suing the school." He stood up and took out his phone out of his pocket.

"Tony! Be reasonable." Pepper took the phone out of his hand.

"If I didn't go, Who would've protected my friends." Peter replied slightly raising his voice.

"That's not your job." Tony slammed his hand on the table.

"You call yourself an avenger but you're not willing to protect people." Peter said Tony getting angry. I sighed

"Sorry, Just try seeing it from his perspective. He is a hero after all." I shrugged.

"Peter was careful, Like he always is. Just punish him for lying or something don't get mad at him for trying to protect his friends." Pepper patted Tony's shoulder.

"Your lego membership is canceled for the next two months and no more hanging out too much at Ned's or Mj's." Tony retorted looking Peter straight in the eye.

"Thanks Da- Mr.Stark." Peter stood up and went up stairs.

"Finally, I can enjoy my meal." I sighed.

"So, Did you find any clue on who her boyfriend is?" Pepper turned to Tony.

"No, She won't even give clues." He pouted.

"Black hair?" I raised my eyebrow.

"That isn't much help, Most people have black hair." Tony rolled his eyes. I just shrugged and continued to eat my meal. After I was done eating I went to my room and got ready for the night. I laid on the bed thinking about my life. I'm finally happy, but there's just one more thing I'm missing, That's knowing what the hell I actually am. Bruce did some more research but he couldn't find anything neither did Tony. I grabbed my phone and started binge watching night manager.

Text:

The love your life: Hello darling.

You: When did you change your name?!

The love of your life: Well I can't tell you all my secrets, Now can I.

You: You're no fun.

The love of your life: Yeah? You seem to find my entertaining in the bedroom.

You: Goodnight, Loki.

The love of your life: What are you doing?

You: I was watching night manager, Jonathan is so handsome.

The love of your life: Hmmpf Not more then me.

You: If you say so...

-The love of your life offline-

You: Loki, Come back. I was just messing with you.

You:....

You: And you get mad when I tell you you're no fun...

The two days later after her mission at the compound.

"What do you mean 'You failed the mission' ?!" Steve asked furiously.

"They fled away." I pulled my hair out of the ponytail to redo it.

"Why didn't you just store them in a black hole?" Tony asked as if it was a simple task.

"They are not as easy as you think, They are using some outer space power." I explained.

"The more you attack the stronger they get." Falcon commented.

"I did manage to get a few things to analyse." Bruce added sitting down.

"I'll report to Nick; You guys can rest for now, You'll be training with Bucky." Steve said before walking away.

"Awww is that your first fail?" Tony ruffled my hair. I rolled my eyes.

"Don't worry, With these idiots there will be more." Tony laughed while the others just flipped him off and walked away.

"Some day when you're in danger they might have to save you and they won't." I removed his hand from my head.

"They love me too much to let me die." He shrugged.

"They don't."

"Everybody does." He put on his glasses.

"Nah uh." I walked to the couch.

"Yes they do, It's called tough love." He smiled.

"What ever." I rolled my eyes, Tony walked away

"Wait Tony, Where are you going?"

"To Pepper." He turned to me.

"Can you drop me off at Thor's?" I grabbed my phone and walked towards him.

"Sure. Why do you even spend so much them with them." Tony asked while we waited in the elevator.

"They are so out of this world." I snickered at my own pun. Tony just looked at me seriously.

"I don't know, I'm the closest to them I guess." I shrugged.

~~~

Loki opened the door for me, Thor wasn't home. He had a mission to go to.

"Hey, Loks." I kissed his cheek, He didn't move.

"What's wrong?" I asked concerned. He rolled his eyes.

"Aw, You're still mad at me." I pinched his cheek. I forced his crossed arms open and hugged him.

"You're such a drama queen." I laid my head on his chest. Loki wrapped his arms around me.

"What ever."

I slowly loosened my grip and walked to the bathroom.

"I need to return to Thokiheim on of these days." Loki followed behind me.

"When will you go?" I removed me shirt, Loki's gazed fell down immediately.

"I need to settle a few things with Thor first." He managed to mutter. He bit his lips.

I walked towards him and pulled him to the bathroom.

It has been too long. Uhm I think my next post will be a smut idk of who yet though ;)

#loki #Loki Laufeyson #loki odinson #loki of asgard #loki smut #mcu smut #loki fluff #loki imagine #loki oneshot #marvel fanfiction #loki fanfic #mcu

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badchoosey · 6 years ago

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Endless Summer, Book One. Chapter 1: This Must Be Heaven

???: Stay down! It’s coming this way!

??? 2: Tim! Give me your hand!

??? 3: You don’t understand, do you? Of course not. But you will… in time.

The plane shudders, jolting you awake. You blink away the strange dream as your eyes adjust to the bright sunlight outside…

Tim: Wow…

Your best friend Diego gives you a goofy smirk from the seat beside you.

Diego: Morning, sleepyhead.

Tim: I’m not still dreaming, right?

Diego: Doesn’t feel real, does it? But we’re finally on our way!

The chatter of the ten contest winners from your school fills the small plane…

Quinn: One magical week in paradise, here we come!

Craig: All expenses paid, what whaaaat!

Raj: Good thing too. I’m so deep in student debt I couldn’t even afford instant ramen right now.

Diego: Hey… you okay, Tim? Bad dream?

Tim: Just a really weird one. I dreamt about… about him!

You instantly recognise the guy walking down the aisle toward you.

Diego: You had a dream about Sean Gayle? Well, what are you waiting for? Go talk to him!

Diego pushes you out into the aisle, right as he passes by! You bump into each other.

Sean: Whoa, hello there!

Diego: My friend Tim here wants to say something.

Time: Outta my way! Think you can take up all that room with those big muscles? Think again, bud!

Sean: How, uh, rude of me...

Sean excuses himself as he slips by you.

Diego: Oh man, got that whole thing on video. You’ve gotta see your face… Huh, weird. Is it really 5:15? We should’ve landed an hour ago and it didn’t feel like you’d been snoring that long.

Tim: Hilarious. I’ll go ask the pilot if something’s up.

As you make your way forward, you pass by the other students talking loudly over each other…

Aleister: Excuse me, will you all please cease your babbling?! The tour guide is trying to speak!

Lila: Thank you Aleister! As you tour guide for the week, I just want to say that we should all try to… you know, be friends! It is an island after all, so… you’re kinda stuck with each other! Hee hee!

Zahra: Is it too late to jump out of the plane?

The pilot has his combat boots kicked up on the dashboard.

Tim: Excuse me. It’s Jake right? Weren’t we supposed to have landed by now…? Wait, are you asleep?!

Jake: Hrn?

He opens his eyes and looks back at you. Instantly you recognise his face too… from that same bizarre dream…

Jake: Listen, Boy Scout, don’tcha know it’s rude to wake someone who’s taking a nap?

Tim: ‘Boy Scout’?

Jake: What can I say? I give nicknames to people who annoy me.

Tim: In that case, I’m calling you Jared Leto.

Jake: ‘Jared Leto’? Whoa, hang on, I do not look like Jared Leto! I had this haircut before Jared Leto did, okay?

Tim: No judgement here. We all get our style from somewhere.

Jake: Alright, comedian, when I come back in a week to pick y’all up, you, my friend, are riding in the cargo bay.

Time: Okay, okay. What if I just called you Joker?

Jake: Fine. But I’m picturing the Heath Ledger one instead. Anyway, relax. We ain’t landing ‘til… The hell? That time ain’t right… And that ain’t right either.

He whacks the instrument panel on his dash a few times.

Tim: You sure you know what you’re doing?

Jake: If you knew half the things I’ve survived, you’d bet on me to get you through anyth--

Out of nowhere, turbulence hammers the plane! You’re thrown into the wall of the cockpit!

Tim: Aah!

Jake: Aw, just great! This stormfront’s coming in quick.

He leans in and grabs the yoke.

Jake: Get your ass in a seat, hear? And tell everybody to buckle up.

Tim: But--

Jake: Now, Boy Scout!

Dark clouds close in around the plane, gusts rocking it side to side. Everyone starts shouting…

Raj: Ohhhh, I am really regretting that airport Chipotle!

Craig: Don’t puke, bro! If you puke, I’m gonna puke!

Michelle: Where the hell did this storm come from?! It was a clear day!

Jake: It happens, okay? This is totally normal!

Zahra: Yeah. Sure. THAT looks normal.

Outside, balls of orange electricity coalesce out of the dark sky and explode in a crackle of sparks!

Grace: It looks like ball lightning… but I’ve never seen anything quite like this!

Aleister: This is all wrong! I can’t die here, surrounded by these morons!

Sean: Everyone, just breathe! We’re gonna get through this!

Quinn: Oh god, Oh god…

A blistering crack of thunder deafens you as lightning strikes the plane! Sparks fly in the cockpit!

Jake: Welp, engines just lost power! Bringin’ her down manually! Everybody, hang on!

The shouting grows louder as your classmates start to panic… all except one. A girl with a tight ponytail and a long scar across her eye sits alone in the back row of the plane, silent and unfazed.

Lila: Tim! Safety first! Please find a seat!

You look for an empty space around you… You tumble into the seat beside Quinn as the plane lurches violently! Quinn’s face is drawn tight, refusing to look.

Quinn: Hff… hff…

Tim: Just breathe. It’ll pass.

Quinn: This can’t happen… not yet… it’s too soon.

Quinn grips the armrests tightly. Her chest rises and falls shallowly, as if she’s having trouble breathing. You rest your hand gently on top of hers.

Tim: I’m here. You’re not alone. We’ll be okay.

Quinn: I…

She relaxes and lets out a deep sigh. When she opens her eyes, they meet yours.

Quinn: Thank you…

She offers you her hand. You take it. She smiles sweetly, and it somehow makes all the shouting and alarms fade to the background.

Quinn: I’m Quinn.

Tim: Tim.

Jake: Just a little farther! I think we’re almost out!

Just as the lightning reaches fever pitch, the plane bursts out of the storm clouds into clear sky!

Raj: Woooooooohoooooo! We’re alive!

Quinn: Tim, look! There it is…

Jake: Get a good look now, ‘cause we’re coming in fast! Welcome to La Huerta.

The plane sinks toward the gorgeous, sprawling island. At its center, a volcano rises above the rainforest, breathing a white column of smoke.

Jake: La Huerta Tower, this is tail number XC-DMK, requesting emergency priority to land!

Radio: …

Jake: Carlos! Pick up, you lazy bastard. It’s Jake!

Radio: …

Jake: Ignoring me won’t make me forget the hundred bucks you owe me. Like it or not, we’re coming in!

The plane lands on a dirt airstrip at the edge of the island, pulling into a hangar. You step down the stairs into the warm tropical sunshine.

Tim: Rough landing, Joker. Hope you don’t work for tips.

Jake: You kidding? I’m a damn hero for even getting you on the ground! Carlos, I need a tune-up! … Carlos!

As Jake marches off, the rest of your group pulls their luggage from the plane’s cargo bay…

Quinn: This island’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. The beaches, the waterfalls…

Grace: It’s also home to a plethora of rare flora and fauna!

Craig: Only ten spots on the trip, and they had to give one to this dork…

You reach for your suitcase handle just as Sean does.

Sean: Oh, sorry!

Tim: If you wanna carry my bag, go right ahead.

Michelle: Oh my god. Could you be any more desperate?

A pretty girl in heavy makeup drapes her arms around Sean.

Michelle: People like you always hover around the spotlight like moths.

Tim: Spotlight?

Michelle: Yeah, right. As if you don’t know who Sean is.

Craig: Seriously? Our superstar quarterback? … The Heisman frontrunner?

Sean: Guys, it’s cool. Chill out--

Michelle: Look, Sean doesn’t need any famehounds hanging around, got it?

Tim: Exactly. So what are you doing here?

Michelle: Ex-cuse me?!

Tim: You heard me. You’re just stalling to think up a comeback. Don’t worry. I’ll wait.

Michelle: You--

Sean: Michelle, can you chill? And I don’t mean Netflix and chill. I mean actual chill. Please.

As Michelle starts arguing with Sean, you back away. Your foot clinks on something.

Tim: Huh? What’s this?

Diego: Is that… a tranquilizer dart? The vial’s nearly empty. It must’ve hit its target.

Tim: Yeah, and this is a pretty big dose. Whatever animal they took down must’ve been huge.

Diego: You mean, if they took it down.

You look up and see someone watching you from nearby, listening to your conversation.

Tim: Hey, Diego… who is that?

Diego: Dunno. Got eyes for the mysterious hottie, huh?

Tim: There’s something… off about her.

Diego: What gives you that idea?

Tim: She’s too quiet.

Diego: Quiet? So what? I’m quiet. Well, when I’m not around you.

Tim: I guess you’re right. I don’t know why I’m being suspicious.

Diego: Huh… well, there is one thing.

Tim: What?

Diego: We were told that ten students from our college had won this trip, right? Obviously we’re not counting the pilot or the guide, but… Count us off. She makes eleven.

You look in the girl’s direction once more, and this time she’s staring directly back at you. Your eyes lock. You try to look away, but for some reason you can’t, as if she’s pulling you in with her gaze.

Jake: Hey, Lila! Where the hell are your people?

Jake storms back, and at last the silent girl looks away. The strange hold over you dissipates. You shake it off.

Jake: There’s nobody here!

You all look around. You and your group are still the only people at the airstrip.

Lila: They should be here in a shuttle to take us up to the main resort, but… I’m sure it’s just a slight delay! No need to fret! They’ll be here any minute.

Jake: The hell with that. I’m going up to that control tower to get some answers.

Tim: What do you think is going on here?

Jake: No idea… Call it a gut feeling, but whatever it is, it ain’t good. So, Boy Scout? You comin’ or not?

Michelle: I could go with you--

Jake: Wasn’t talkin’ to you, Maybelline.

Lila: Um, okay! I guess, the rest of you, please follow me? We’ll take the short walk up the hill to the resort. Sounds fun, right? Yay! Um, Quinn? Where are you going?

Quinn is skipping past Lila, unbuttoning her blouse.

Quinn: Some of us want to explore the beach a little first! We’ll meet you guys at the hotel! Oof, this button’s stuck. Tim, could you help me?

Tim: Oh! Sure…

Quinn draws close to you, and you help her undo the last button. She slips out of her top.

Quinn: Ahh, that’s better! You’re coming to the beach with us, right?

Tim: I’m tired. I’ll just head up to the hotel now.

Your group gradually winds your way up the paved road, rolling your suitcases. You’re beginning to fatigue when you come around the bend and see it…

Lila: May I be the first to welcome you all to The Celestial!

Grace: We get to stay here?!

Zahra: Huh. Maybe this trip won’t suck.

Sean: Well? What are we waiting for? Let’s check out our rooms.

Your group excitedly heads toward the lobby, passing under a long, ornamented overhang, while Lila launches into her rehearsed speech.

Lila: ‘The Celestial Hotel and Resort, the jewel of the Caribbean, boasts 25 stories and 1,200 suites of the finest tropical accommodations you can imagine. Built on the island of La Huerta, which means ‘The Garden’, the Celestial ranked in Travel and Leisure’s top ten global hotels last year.’

The automatic doors slide open welcomingly, and you enter the crisp air conditioning of the lobby… Every last one of you freezes where they stand.

Tim: Um…

Lila: I… I don’t understand.

The silence is deafening. The front desk stands deserted. Suitcases and luggage carts lie unattended. On a table, a half-finished wine glass gathers dust.

Zahra: If this place is supposed to be so great… Then where the hell is everyone?

#endless summer #choices es #choices #playchoices #bad choices

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janethepegasus · 6 years ago

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BMC Miraculous AU RP Thing: Multiverse Search

An RP me and @pika-ace did relating to the BMC Miraculous AU, this one is one of the specials, where the Main Seven search the large space containing the multiverse to find the former akuma (which spoilers for the dimension hopping akuma, Arietes just throws him into a portal that has the multiverse and just leaves him there)

(Jeremy and Michael were walking home from school, both of them were heading to Michael's place for Game Night) (They were chatting about what kind of video games should they play, but then Jeremy noticed a missing poster on a wall)

Jeremy: Hm?

Michael: What is it, Jere?

Jeremy: Look at this... *looks at the poster* You don't really see these in real life

Michael: Yeah, the only missing posters i've seen is about pets, rarely i seen ones about people :/

Jeremy: Yeah... *studies the poster* wait...does this guy...look familiar?

Michael: *studies the poster* Yeah...kinda...

(They both look closer at it)

(They look at the picture of the guy for a bit and then they blink and their eyes widen) Jeremy: Is that...? O_O Michael: That dimension hopping akuma?! O_O

Jeremy: Oh my... O_O Michael: Fuck... O_O

(Jeremy pulls out his phone and texts the rest of the Main Seven)

Jeremy: *text* Can we have a meeting? Like right now??

Joe: *text* Um...why??

Michael: *text* Just...we'll explain when we get there, just trust me, we kinda need to talk

Joe: *text* Um...alright

(Jeremy takes the poster off the wall and they run) (A while later, five of the seven sit in Joe's apartment waiting for Jeremy and Michael)

(A minute later, Jeremy and Michael open the door)

Jordan: Hey boys; so what's going on? Jeremy: This is. *hands them the poster*

(They all look at the poster)

Michael: That guy...that's the dimension hopping akuma Joe: What?!

Jeremy: Yeah! The same guy that got thrown into the multiverse by Arietes!

Eric: He...hasn't come back? Michael: Apparently not Eric: But...I restored the damage...

Joe: Hmm...perhaps whatever magic Arietes had in his domain prevented it from reaching out any further...

Lin: And clearly someone cares for the guy... (Post does a quick search on his phone to see if there's any other information)

(But then Post finds something) Post: Um guys...it's not just one person who cares...it's literally everyone who knows him Jeremy: What?! (Post shows him many social media posts and comments coming from friends and family of that former akuma)

Post: The guy has a wife and kids...

Post: And apparently they've been searching for him for months! Ever since we encountered him as an akuma!

Lin: Whoa...this is weird...and it's never happened before... Joe: That's likely because Raven shockingly sometimes has the courtesy to akumatize people who have nothing to lose and no one to return to Jordan: That explains why we've heard nothing about three dead akumas...

Michael: Though i do think the closest thing to that is like...news articles about that Jordan: True :/

Jeremy: Then...aren't we gonna fix this? It's kinda our fault that we didn't think about this and now this guy is probably who knows where!

Joe: Yes...but how are we gonna fix it?

Joe: How can we possibly locate him, let alone get to him?

Jeremy: Yeah! How are we gonna do that??

Michael: I don't freaking know!!

(They think for a while, passing around ideas of how they should save the former akuma)

Lin: There's gotta be a way...you know, without involving birdbrain

Jeremy: Yeah, we do NOT wanna resort to him! Michael: Yeah we better not XS (They keep thinking and passing around ideas, until...) Post: Guys...i may have an idea, but it might sound crazy...

Jeremy: Let's hear it

Post: What if...we turned into our Space Forms, fly through space until we get to multiverse space, and just search for him!

Lin: ...Multiverse space is a PLACE??

Post: I guess?? I was just describing that large space thing we saw when Arietes opened that portal :/

Post: Is it a place, Dad?

Joe: I...guess...? It's probably a perfect term to describe the multiverse...

Joe: But that plan is better than nothing

Jeremy: Yeah, it's worth a shot :/

Jordan: Yeah, what have we got to lose?

Michael: Yeah! Let's do it!

Joe: But first, we need to prepare ourselves before we do it, since we will be out for a while Jordan: Oh right...

(They spend the rest of the week getting ready; once the weekend hits they're ready to go)

(They're out on a field, the Main Seven are getting ready to go, Joe prepares a bag full of water and food, and a few other Holders, plus Jane and Kirsty, are by them

to give them support and say goodbye) Joe: Alright, we're almost ready to go *to the other Holders* All of you do a good job defending the city while we're gone Tobias: We will Joe Joe: *to Jane* And Jane, you be good to the Trinity brothers Jane: I will! Don't worry about it, i'll be fine! :3

Kirsty: I’ll show her the ropes :3

Philip: We'll take good care of her! Max: As long as she doesn't bug the crap out of me -_- Jane: Don't worry, i won't ;3c (Joe gives Jane a quick hug and he gathers up with the rest of the Main Seven) Joe: Ready?

Cyber: Yes Joe: Alright then (They all transform into their space forms)

Rich: Good luck you guys! Tobias: Stay safe! Leo: We will! Owl: Alright, lets go! (The Main Seven fly off and everyone waves goodbye to them)

(They quickly exit the atmosphere and enter space)

(They fly through space for several hours, passing by planets and stars as they fly)

Leo: What are we even looking for?

Hound: A way to get to that “multiverse space” place, I guess :/

Leo: That doesn’t help >:/

Hound: Well I’m just saying! >:/ Leo: Besides, How the hell do we get there anyways?! Owl: Well...my best guess is to fly towards the end of the universe and hopefully there will be something that’ll lead us to it Leo: Oh great, more flying XS

Cyber: Don’t whine >:/ (They continue flying)

(They keep flying for several more hours, flying as fast as they can to hopefully pass more time. This goes on for many hours, until they start to notice the space

around them was starting to fade away and be replaced by space clouds) Dasher: Uh guys, somethings happening!

Owl: As I thought... Michael: Oh god, the science, the astronomy! EVERYBODY WAS WRONG!!!

Leo: WE'RE GONNA SEE STUFF THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS SEEN BEFORE!!!! Owl: And we're not gonna tell everyone this, got it? >:/ Hound: Why not?! Owl: Because i said so >:/

Hound: Fiiiine (They keep flying)

(They keep flying through space clouds until they emerge out of their universe and find themselves in a large space that's filled with universes that are floating

around)

Timber: Alright...which one first?

Swan: There's so many universes...i don't know where to start!

Dasher: Should we split up? Cyber: That might be risky...

Leo: Yeah, this place is huge! We might get lost if we just split up!

Timber: There’s gotta be a way to narrow it down

Swan: But how?

Cyber: It’s worth a shot but...Quantum Analysis!

(A visor appears on his face and data starts pouring in. However, after a minute or so, Cyber starts to look confused) Leo: What is it Dad? Cyber: ...It's...not working...! Leo: What?! Cyber: All i can gather is just "Don't go too far out" but it's not showing me where to go or how to narrow down these universes!

Dasher: Dammit! Hound: Welp, that idea's a bust XS

Owl: Well now we have to worry about Cyber transforming back out here, since he used his special move >_> Cyber: O_O Oh...oh right...

Owl: Alright, let's pick one to rest and then we can figure out a plan from there

Hound: Alright! ...But which one??

Leo: I don't know, one where the chances of us dying are the lowest!

Hound: Well do i look like i know which universe won't kill us upon entering?! >:/

Swan: I'm tiiiiiiired XS Dasher: *to the adults* Better hurry and pick, the kids are getting antsy

Timber: Alright, ummm.... *looks around at all the universes for a bit and then points to a random one* How about there?

Cyber: Better than nothing *his Miraculous beeps* And at this point we don't have a lot of options anyway O_O

Owl: Alright, let's go, quickly!

(They fly into one of the universes)

(They fly as fast as they can, looking for a place to rest. Until they spot a nearby planet)

(They quickly fly down and land safely)

(As soon as they land, Cyber's Miraculous blinks and he transforms back)

Eric: Phew!

Eric: Made it! (Zip flies out and takes a deep breath) Zip: Phew! That was the longest time we've been in our Space Form! Now i gotta recharge XS Owl: Luckily for you, i packed some Mountain Dew in the bag ;) *gestures the bag*

Zip: :D (Eric takes a bottle from Owl and opens it for Zip who dives inside)

(Zip swims around happily in the bottle)

Dasher: Okay! Where are we?

(They look around and see that they're on an alien-like planet; the ground being purple, the trees, bushes, and flowers look twisted and deformed, and the only sound

they hear is a strange beeping like noise)

Leo: Ooookay, so far so good

Hound: Oooooh, what if we encounter some kind of alien species? :Oc Owl: We're not gonna stay here for long, so chances are, we're not gonna encounter any alien species here :/

Hound: Awwww :( Swan: Now what?

Dasher: Guess we just...chill and try to figure out a plan!

Dasher: I doubt anyone here has seen our guy

Hound: Yeah :/

Timber: *to Eric* You stay close to me until Zip has her energy back Eric: Right

(They walk through the land, looking for a place to relax, until they spot a cave nearby)

Owl: Perfect (They head inside and settle)

(They settle into the cave and they relax)

Hound: Alright...now what?

Owl: Well we gotta think up a plan on how we should find our former akuma, since obviously we can't use Quantum Analysis to do it

Leo: How the hell are we supposed to even narrow it down, let alone track him??

Hound: I don't know! He could be anywhere out there! XS

Swan: Then what do we do??

Owl: Well our best bet is to just search around- Dasher: You kidding me?! I'll take FOREVER to just search through every world we find! I think i should zoom around the multiverse until i find something! Hound: But you'll get lost if you do that! Dasher: ...Oh yeah :/ Leo: What about me and Dad meditate and try to talk to the Sun and Moon gods? Maybe they might have some idea where to go! Eric: Though i think it might be a bit odd to come up to them just to ask for help :/ Leo: Well do YOU have any ideas Mr. "Quantum Analysis won't work here cause reasons"?! >:(

Eric: >:O Don't take that tone with me, young man! Swan: We really didn't think this through... XS

Dasher: Yeah, we just ran in here thinking we could just narrow it down and find him, but the universe said "NOPE" and now we're here XS Owl: Well we have to come up with some plan, regardless on what we do. I just hope our former Akuma is okay... (They keep discussing and talking throughout the day, until they decided to take a little rest. Everyone, who transformed back, is asleep in some sleeping bags that

were in the bag) (However, the only one that was awake was Joe, he was sitting in a meditation pose)

(Joe closes his eyes and concentrates)

Joe: *internally* Please...Miraculous Gods...we need your guidance...show us where to go... (He meditates for a while, going deep into his Miraculous, reaching out to any Miraculous Gods or Demi-Gods out there. Until he suddenly sees a flash of light and when

it faded, he finds himself floating through multiverse space)

Joe: What...? (His vision moves on its own)

(He sees himself floating through multiple universes and flailing around a bit) Joe: Am i...having a vision...? (For a brief moment, he sees his hands, but it wasn't his at all) Joe: It is...! I'm looking through the eyes of our former akuma...!

Joe: Alright...where did you go...? Give us a clue...

(Joe watches the vision play out, seeing the former akuma float around and sometimes flail, and oddly he starts to feel a sense of...loneliness, he feels like it went

on for days...weeks...even months...he even feels a dash of sadness and homesick) Joe: Oh...oh dear...i...wish we could've acted sooner...we're sorry you felt that... (It goes on for a bit, until he spots a large snow globe come into view)

Joe: Where are you now...?

(He sees the former akuma slowly float towards it, when he was not too far away from it, he could see that there was someone in that snow globe...it was a giant woman

who was completely white, glowing, long wavy hair, antlers on her head, and had six arms, and it seems like she's dancing in the snow globe)

Joe: What in the world...?

(Then the large woman turns her head and locks eyes with him, then Joe feels a sense of fear and sees that he tries to run away as best as he can, but he was getting

dragged towards her)

(Joe jerks out of the meditation with a sharp breath and pants)

(He takes deep breaths and tries to calm himself down, but then he hears...) ???: Dad...? (He looks and he sees everyone looking at him with a worried look)

Post: Are you okay?

Joe: *deep breaths* Yeah...i'm...okay...

Joe: And...I think I have an idea of where we need to go... (He tells them what he saw)

(After he tells them his vision, everyone looks both shocked and slightly confused) Lin: So...our guy may be with some giant glowing lady in a snow globe?? Joe: Apparently...

Joe: There was probably more but being attacked startled me so much that I jumped out

Jeremy: At least we have some idea where our guy went...

Jordan: So we just gotta go back out and look for that snowy dimension?

Joe: Yes, but that...snow globe thing wasn't IN a dimension, it was floating in that multiverse space, so i guess we should focus on finding that

Lin: Now THAT narrows it down! :D

Jeremy: Yeah! :D Joe: Alright, let's go *gets up*

(They transform back into their space forms and fly back up into multiverse space)

Dasher: Okay, the search, take two! Owl: Alright, we just have to look for a giant snow globe...

Swan: How will we find it?? Hound: Pretty sure this is basically like a rare spawn thing like in RPGs Leo: Yeah, we just gotta...look for it

Owl: Yes, so keep your eyes open for that... Swan: Wait, if we do get him, how are we gonna find home if we're gonna be so far away from our universe? :S Owl: We'll just retrace our steps

Dasher: And maybe we can find someone who can help :/

Owl: IF there's anyone out here in this multiverse space... :/

(They float around, looking)

(They float through multiverse space for hours, keeping their eyes open for any large snow globes out there. Occasionally they would take a break just to have a little

lunch, and then they would go back to searching again) (This goes on for several more hours; at that point, the kids were getting tired but the adults were still pushing forward)

(Cyber, Timber, and Dasher let the kids stay on their backs to rest while they keep looking)

Cyber: C'mon, it has to be somewhere! Dasher: It's a giant snow globe! How the fuck is it so hard to find it?! (Owl looks around, but then he looks at universes around them, and oddly they looked familiar, that's when he remembered the vision; the former akuma was passing by

those same universes before he encountered the strange being) Owl: I...think we're getting close

Owl: This area is like my vision...C'mon!

(They follow Owl as he flies through the trail of universes, they keep following him until he stops) Owl: We're here... (They find themselves in a large area where there's a HUGE dark gap in the sea of universes, universes float around the large dark gap, except for one world that's

just floating there, and in the middle is a large snow globe, with the large glowing woman inside, and a couple feet below it was a floating piece of land that's

guarded by a net made out of light)

Leo: Whoa... Hound: Okay then...

Swan: That's one giant woman! O_O *points to the giant glowing lady in the snow globe* Leo: Yeah... O_O

Dasher: I guess that's the place...so who wants to go in first? >_>

Leo: Um... (They all look at each other) Leo: Maybe...Dad...? Hound: No, MY dad should go there! Swan: What about Dasher? :/c

Owl: *rolls eyes* I'LL go

Leo: Okay, fine, i guess >_>

(Owl carefully flies down to the net)

(He carefully flies closer towards the net until he can clearly see the former akuma, curled up and shaking in fear)

Owl: Oh dear...

(He flies down near the net and sees the former akuma) Owl: Sir? (He looks at Owl and jumps in fear, but it took him a moment to actually see him) Winston: O-Oh...it's you...! Owl: Yes, we came here to save you. We're really sorry that we didn't came here sooner

Owl: Can you tell us how to get you?

Winston: I-I-I...don't know...how...i-i've been in here for...god knows how long...

Owl: Alright, hold on, we'll think of something

(Owl looks around to come up with a plan, but then his eyes fall upon the net) Owl: Hmm...maybe... (He pulls out his sword and slashes the net open) Owl: Alright! (Owl was about to fly in, but then a second later, the net repairs itself and then Owl hears an alarm, sounding like an alarm played on a flute)

Owl: Oh dear... Swan: Dad, what did you do?! >:O Owl: I was trying to help!! >:(

(Suddenly, a vine made out of light comes out from under the snow globe and uppercuts Owl, sending him flying)

(Owl tumbles through the air into the other holders, knocking them aside like bowling pins)

(The Holders tumble around a bit until they manage to balance themselves) Swan: Ow... XS *rubs his head*

Timber: What the hell is this thing?? Cyber: I guess it doesn't want guests

(Then, the giant glowing lady opens her eyes and stares directly at them) Leo: *shrinks* Shiiiit O~O

(They all huddle together)

(The giant glowing woman keeps starring at them, as if observing them) Dasher: *whispers* What is she doing...?! Owl: *whispers* I don't know...! (She keeps starring at them, until she starts to form an angry and livid look on her face)

Hound: Well whatever it is, she doesn't like it!!!!

(She keeps starring at them angrily until she spoke...) Lumine: Leave...! Owl: E-Excuse me? Lumine: *angrily and loud* LEAVE!!!!!! (Her scream causes the Holders to be pushed back but they manage to hang on)

Cyber: Uh, w-we will! We just came to bring home that man you have!!

Lumine: *angrily* NO!!! You will not destroy another world of mine!!! Not again!!!

Leo: ...Pardon?

Owl: What do you mean by "destroy another creation of mine"? Lumine: *angrily* DON'T ACT LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW!!! I know it was you!!! I know you destroyed my world!!! And you took the only survivor away from me!!! I will not let

you do it again!!!

Holders: ????????????? Dasher: Okay, you're gonna have to give us some context cause we are TOTALLY lost

(Lumine angrily glares at them and suddenly vines made out of light emerge out of the snow globe) Lumine: *angrily and loud* LEAVE THIS PLACE NOW!!!!! YOUR MIRACULOUS GODS SHALL NOT DESTROY ANOTHER WORLD OF MINE!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!!! (The vines made out of light quickly charge towards the Holders)

Hound: SCATTER!! (They all push away from each other and fly out of the way) Leo: Owl Dad, is there something we should know about our Miraculous namesakes?!

Owl: I-I-I don't know!! I-I have no idea what she's talking about!!

Cyber: Not like we can ask Sun and Moon about it, either!!

(They keep flying around, dodging as many light vines as possible)

Hound: Lady c'mon, we didn't do shit!! What did these people look like?!

(Lumine doesn't answer at all) Hound: C'MON!! Just tell- Timber: Look out! (Timber grabs Hound and gets out of the way of another light vine)

Swan: What do we do?!

Owl: I-I don't know!! She's not letting us get to him!! (They keep dodging the light vines; however, as Leo was dodging one, another one from below him passes by him, but causes him to tumble around in the air) Leo: Ahhhh!! DX (As Leo tries to regain his balance, another light vine charges towards him and Cyber sees it)

Cyber: NO!! *flies towards him*

(Cyber flies towards Leo and holds him, but the light vine smacks the two and they were sent flying straight down)

Timber: WILL!! JERE!!

(They fall down towards the large dark gap and they fall through the one universe that was nearby it) (Cyber and Leo keep falling at a rapid pace, falling through an oddly empty space. Until they reach a planet, where they reach it's atmosphere and crash land on the

ground, knocking them out)

(They were knocked out for quite some time, but during that time, Cyber had an odd dream; he and Jeremy were hanging out on a patch of land, feeling so peaceful. But

then, a light vine appears from out of nowhere and reaches out across the field. Then it stops and digs deep into the ground, a few seconds later, the ground begins to

shake madly, until the light vine manages to tear a piece of the Earth off the planet itself and starts dragging it across space. He clings onto Jeremy tightly as

they're forcibly dragged through space, until they fly out of their universe and saw many light vines extend to other universes) (The light vine drags them close towards a light net, where a few pieces of land are in there already. Eric holds Jeremy tighter as their land gets closer towards the

net, but as they got close, he started to see quick flashes of other people on different pieces of lands, he even saw some people flying off those lands and be whisked

away into the multiverse space, people reaching out to them and crying as those people get whisked off. And as soon as their land got close to the net, he woke up)

Cyber: What...was that...?!

(He takes a few deep breaths and looks around the place, and then he looks at Leo...but wait, he's back to Jeremy!) Cyber: What the...? (Then he looks at himself and noticed he transformed back too, and plus, his Miraculous seemed to be missing!)

Eric: Jeremy, wake up!!

(Eric shakes Jeremy and he starts to stir) Jeremy: Huh...wha...?

Eric: Wake up, our Miraculous are gone!!

Jeremy: What are ya talking about- *looks at his wrist and sees his Miraculous is gone* Huh?!

(Eric pulls him to his feet) Eric: C'mon we have to find them!

Jeremy: But where should we look for them?! (Eric looks around until he spots that they were behind a large junk-like city)

Eric: That might be a good place to start

Jeremy: Alright, let’s go

(They head into the town; Jeremy sticks close to Eric upon seeing the people and the buildings)

(They pass by many people that are many different kinds of species, from humans with odd additions to strange creatures. There were many stores and stands selling

exotic stuff and saw many people come and go, they even saw some Cookies, from Cookie Run, running off with a loaf of bread while a French chief chases after them) Chief: *french accent* Come back here you rats!! >:( Gingerbrave: Nope! It’s ours! >:D (Eric and Jeremy watch as they run past them)

Eric and Jeremy: The cookies! :D

(As they watch the Cookies run off, they accidentally bump into someone) ???: Hey! Watch it! >:( Eric: Oh sorry- (He turns around and sees a slightly older Jane glaring at them)

Jeremy: Whaaaaaaaa...???

Eric: Jane?! Jane: How the fuck You know my name? You psychic or something?! >:/

Jeremy: *softly* Dad! Different dimension! >:/ Eric: *softly* Oh right.... *normally* Uh...just a coincidence, you...look like someone I know...

Jane: Oh :/ Jeremy: So Uh...sorry for bumping into ya... Jane: *sighs* That happens a lot here honestly :/

Eric: Well um, while we have you um...have you seen two trinkets around here? A green pin and an orange bracelet?

Jane: Hmmm...nope, haven’t seen anything like it. I’m just focused on meeting up with Kirsty, since she’s watching over my little “tool”

Jeremy: Do...we wanna know what that is?

Jane: Well it’s something that many people call it something else, but I see it as a form of...punishment for a certain somebody >:3c Jeremy: Um... ???: Hey Janey!! (They look and they see Kirsty; who is WAY taller than the one Jeremy and Eric know, almost the same height as Jane, and has long hair. And she seems to be holding

Jane’s old mom on a leash; her wrists are tied up and has tape on her mouth) ((Yeaaah, the world those two came from....Jane did kinda a fucked up thing to her Mom, as punishing her for that one incident))

Jeremy: What the FUCK?! Kirsty: Who're these clowns?

Jane: Some dudes that I bumped into, Apparently they’re looking for some trinkets around here :/

Kirsty: Oh yeah? Eric: Yes um...a green pin and...an orange bracelet?

Kirsty: Hmm...haven’t seen those around here...maybe the Trinket stand might have it? :/c

(Kirsty points in the direction)

Jeremy: Okay...we’ll um...check it out

(They hurry away from them)

Jeremy: Hooooly fuck, did you see Jane’s old mom?! That was so fucked up!! XS

Eric: Yes, and I have a feeling a LOT of things here are fucked up :S

Jeremy: Yeah, let’s just hope our Miraculous are someplace safe, I hope! XS

(They hurry to the Trinket Stand)

(They pass by many people and stands as they go towards the Trinket Stand, they even saw an alternate version of Jeremy selling pills) Other Jeremy: I’m selling Squip pills here! One dollar for one, three dollars for three, five for five, and a hundred bucks for a whole shoe box full of them! Just

PLEASE buy them all! I need the money!! XS Jeremy: Oh god, I’m selling drugs XS

Eric: Just... *pulls Jeremy close* don't look and don't think about it... *they walk faster*

(They walk by different people and stands until they get to the Trinket Stand, where a older and slightly beat down Ash runs it, with Pikachu laying on the table) Ash: *monotome like voice* Hey...welcome to my stand...pick what you like for a price...

(Eric and Jeremy scan the trinkets for their Miraculous)

Ash: *monotome voice* What are you looking for...?

Eric: Uh...a green pin and an orange bracelet

Ash: *monotome voice* Oh...that...? (Ash gives them a cheap plastic bracelet and an emerald pin) Ash: *monotome voice* That’ll be 10 bucks please...

Jeremy: Yeeeeah that's not what we're looking for...

Ash: *monotome voice* It’s not...? Jeremy: Yeah, you just gave us these cheap trinkets! >:/ Ash: *monotome voice* Oh look at that...I failed at something again...just like my Trainer career...

Jeremy: Ooooooh...that explains a lot... O_O

Ash: *monotome voice* Yeah...I’m a walking failure...the only thing in my life that makes my life worth it is Pikachu... Pikachu: Pika! :3

Eric: Awww... Jeremy: Well, uh, good luck with that...

(Jeremy and Eric put the orange plastic bracelet and emerald pin on the table) Jeremy: Thanks for the offer Ash: *monotome voice* You’re welcome...

Jeremy: uh...think you might be able to tell us where we can get...REAL jewelry?

Ash: *monotome voice* Like...What KIND of jewelry...? You looking for Gems...or actual pretty jewelry...?

Jeremy: Like what these are *holds fake trinkets* Except, you know...NOT plastic?

Ash: *momotome voice* Oh...like legit jewelry...? Jeremy: Yeah! Ash: *monotome voice* Well...do you have lots of money on you...?

Jeremy: ...What if we do?

Ash: *monotome voice* Well...I hear that the only place to get actual expensive jewelry is at the black market...they sell a lot of stuff there...

Jeremy: Where can we find that?

Ash: *monotome voice* Well...it’s- ???: Ahem! >:/ (They turn around and see a somewhat impatient person waiting behind them) Ash: *monotome voice* Oh...you’re making a line...can you guys...move out of the way...? So I can do...a thing with that other guy...?

Jeremy: Oh c'mon just tell us, it'll take two seconds!

Ash: *monotome voice* Nah...just get out of the way...so I can help that person...buy something...

Jeremy: But- Guy behind them: *pushes them* Move it, kid >:/

Jeremy: >:O Rude!

Jeremy: now what? Eric: Well, we know to look for a black market

Jeremy: But How do we find it?! Eric: Maybe someone around here knows :/c

Jeremy: Dad, call me crazy, but not a lot of these people look approachable for directions XS

Eric: Well, maybe someone out here is?

Jeremy: Then YOU do the talking this time XS

Eric: Fine fine! >:/ (They start walking around, asking people who are approachable) Eric: Excuse me, do you know where the Black Market is? Cloudy: *thick accent* Never been there Eric: Where’s the Black Market? Amy: I rather not speak about it >:/ Eric: Black Market? Ruby: Nope Eric: Do you know where it is, Uh...short White Diamond...? White Diamond: *depressed tone* No... :( (He keeps asking more and more people and still no luck)

Jeremy: At this rate, we’ll never find them XS

Eric: We can try Jeremy! We can try! (Eric looks around but then he spots an alternate version of Jordan hanging around)

(Eric slows but Jeremy leads him on) Jeremy: No, Dad, your REAL husband’s in space

Eric: But can I at LEAST ask him?! >:/

Jeremy: ......No flirting >:/

Eric: Fine (Eric approaches him) Eric: Um...hey! (Other Jordan turns around and looks at him) Other Jordan: What the hell do you want?

Eric: *flinches and swallows* Um...my son and I are...looking for a Black Market that...sells legit jewelry...do you, uh...know where it is...?

(Other Jordan raises his eyebrow and looks at Eric) Other Jordan: So you’re looking for the Black Market...JUST so you can buy jewelry?

(Eric flushes as Other Jordan leans in close with suspicion) Eric: Uh...it’s...important...

(Other Jordan raises his eyebrow in suspicion) Other Jordan: HOW important?

Eric: Uh...um...

Other Jordan: How important is it to go over there and face the nastiest and dangerous people in there JUST so you can walk off with pretty jewelry? >:/

Eric: Because they were stolen from us!!

Other Jordan: *blinks* What?

Eric: Something special was taken from us and we think they might be in that black market!

Eric: So please!! Just tell us where it is!! (Other Jordan looks at him for a moment, and then smirks with a short chuckle) Other Jordan: Heh, well if you’re that determined to get there... *shift his eyes and then leans close to him* *whisper* Let me lend you in on a secret, the only way

for anybody to get in is to get the password for the front door

Eric: *whispers* Well...What is it?

Other Jordan: *whispers* Well, I hear they change the password every month, however I will give you the password I have. If it doesn’t work, try to find somebody who

knows the current password. Eric: *whispers* O-Okay... Other Jordan: *whispers* Alright...the password is... (Other Jordan softly whispers the password into Eric’s ear, Eric listens to it, though he blushes a little and accidentally thinking about HIS Jordan)

(Jeremy frowns and tilts his head as Other Jordan pats Eric on the cheek and walks away)

(Jeremy approaches him) Jeremy: Well? What did he say?

Eric: *coughs* Um yeah, I got it...the...password too

Jeremy: Did he tell ya where it is? Eric: Y-Yeah...i-i think we can find it...

Jeremy: ...What did he say to you? >:/c Eric: Not important, l-lets go... (Eric hurries off and Jeremy follows)

(They walk through the town until they find the place; a single black door with a yellow X with arms, legs, and a face guards it) Eric: O-Okay...Jordan said that the door is guarded by someone, so we'll just say the password and he'll let us in

Jeremy: Okay Dad...Do your thing

(Eric approaches X, with Jeremy following behind him) Eric: Um, excuse me? We like to go in? X: Oh! Uh...what's the password? Cause...you know...i can't let you in without a password... Eric: It's Riverdale (X looks at a board and looks at the paper) X: Sorry, wrong password

Jeremy: Huh?? Dad!!

Eric: Wha?! B-But Jordan said this was the password! X: S-Sorry, but the password changes every month, plus that one is a REALLY old one. So come back if you have the new one

Eric: But- X: Sorry

(Eric sighs sadly and he turns around to walk away, but then someone that was passing by accidentally dropped a coin and X sees it) X: Oooh! A penny! :Dc (X walks towards it but he accidentally drops the board) X: Oops! (Eric and Jeremy turn around and see the board on the ground)

(They look at it)

(Eric quickly grabs the board and X sees it) X: Hey!! Give it back!! D:<

Eric: No! >:(

X: Give it back!! >:( (X jumps and tries to get the board, but since he's so short, he could't jump up high enough)

Eric: Then let us in >:/

X: I won't let you in without a password! >:/

Jeremy: Then What is it?!

X: I won't tell you! Just don't look at the paper on that board! >:/

(Eric gives him a look and looks at the paper)

(Eric sees the password on the paper and looks at X) Eric: ...It's Lasagna -_- X: *whines* Wha?! I told you not to look at it! DX

Jeremy: Just...let us in -_-

X: But- Eric: Let us in >:( X: *sighs* Okay...okay... :( (X opens the door)

(Eric and Jeremy hurry inside, leaving the board behind)

(X gets the board and closes the door) X: ...The boss won't like this when he finds out... :( (Meanwhile in space, Timber, Hound, Swan, Owl, and Dasher are still dodging the light vines) Dasher: C'mon lady!! Give it a rest! Timber: Guys! We need *dodges a light vine* to get to Will and Jere!

Dasher: Tank, we have no idea where they- Whoa! *dodges* Went!

Hound: Yeah! For all we know they- AH! *dodges* could be in that dark abyss down there! *points to the large dark gap below*

Timber: I ain’t- *dodges* leaving them down there!

Swan: Then what do we- *dodges* do to get to them?! We don't know- *dodges* where they are!

Owl: I don’t know!

(They keep dodging for a bit, until Timber looks down and decides to search for them) Timber: I'm going down there! *flies down*

Dasher: Tank no! *dodges* We need you up here!

Timber: But i gotta find Will!! Dasher: But you don't know *dodges* where they are! Timber: Then i'll just search for them! >:(

Owl: We can't risk being split up even more! Timber: But- Owl: Jordan Ellis-Williams, Holder of the Wolf Miraculous, you are to stay here until we- *dodges* figure this out! >:(

(Timber stands still, but then he gets hit by a light vine and is sent flying)

Hound: DAD!! *flies after him*

Dasher: You told him to stay still *dodges* but the giant lady said "No, you move" Owl: Lin Manuel Miranda, Holder of the Weasel Miraculous, don't even *dodges* DARE test my temper >:/

Owl: And I DIDN'T tell him to stay STILL, I told him to stay HERE, as in this AREA WITH US!! Do you all even listen to a WORD I say?! >:(

Dasher: Well next time, be more specific on what you say >_>

Owl: >8O I WAS!!! Swan: Yeah Lin, he said stay here not stay still, there's a difference >_>

Dasher: Well i- (Then Dasher gets hit with a light vine and is sent flying)

Owl: FOR GOD SAKES DON'T STAY STILL AND TRY TO STAY TOGETHER!!! >8((((((

Swan: Well now we're just going down like flies XS

Owl: Then lets retreat for now!

(Swan and Owl retreat while flying towards where Timber, Dasher, and Hound are)

(They grab the three of them and fly until the vines stop following them but they can still see the snow globe from a distance)

Timber: We gotta go back there and find Will! D:

Owl: For the last time, we have no way of knowing where they landed! We could just end up more lost than them!

Timber: Then how are we gonna find them?! >:(

Owl: We may just have to let them find us

Timber: But what if they don't?! What if they can't find us and get lost?!

Owl: Have some faith in them, Jordan!! Eric can’t always rely on you to save him, so trust him if only this one time to be able to take care of himself and Jeremy. And

you’ll know if he’s in true danger; if that feeling comes...then we’ll follow you to him

Timber: But what if he can't?! What if they're trapped in some endless void of nothingness and i couldn't feel that feeling at all?! I don't want to loose Will!! I

don't want to loose him in a place where i can't get to him!! *starts to tear up* I don't want to loose him...!! I don't want to loose my Peach...!!

Owl: I think both you and I know that you WOULD feel something if something was truly wrong Dasher: Yeah Tank, you and Sparky defy all laws of science with your love

Hound: Yeah! Plus, i think Papa will be fine! Owl: Yes, so give Eric a chance to- *notices Timber shaking* ...Jordan? Are you okay...? (Timber doesn't respond as he starts crying while muttering "I don't want to loose him" over and over again)

Hound: Dad... *hugs him*

Timber: *sobs* I don't want to loose him...! I don't want to loose him...!

Hound: You won’t Dad...he has a freaking Moon god in his Miraculous, he’ll be fine

Owl: Just trust him, Jordan, he'll be alright

Timber: O...Okay...

Owl: And if he does get in danger, you will know Timber: Y-Yeah... (Meanwhile with Eric and Jeremy, they walk down the stairs until they approach a door) Eric: Alright, you're gonna stay near me the whole time, and let's just focus on our main objective and DON'T get distracted by anything, got it?

Jeremy: Yeah >:/

(They open the door and they see a large area that has stores that sell all kinds of things and shady people wonder through the area, some were even carrying things

that they bought)

(Eric keeps his arm around Jeremy as they hustle through the place, looking for their Miraculous)

(They look around until Jeremy spots a Jewelry store)

Jeremy: Over there

(They head over to the Jewelry store, where they see Holly Blue Agate running the store) Holly Blue: Ah, welcome! Here to buy some of the finest jewelry?

Eric: Um, I suppose...did you happen to get a green pin and an orange bracelet?

Holly Blue: Well...i did had a customer with those two things... (Eric and Jeremy perk up) Holly Blue: ...But when i saw the magical capabilities of those two, i simply told them to find another store that'll give them something better in return. (Eric and Jeremy frown)

Jeremy: What kind of stores here would take them?

Holly Blue: Not sure, possibly stores that offer things like creatures, substances, and possibly other things :/

Eric: Alright, Thanks! (They leave the store)

(But before they leave, Holly Blue stops them) Holly Blue: By the way, since you're not buying anything here, care to have an Off-Color or Defective Gem? (She pulls out a box full of Gems) Holly Blue: They're free Jeremy: Um...no thanks Holly Blue: No no, i INSIST *gestures the box*

Jeremy: Uh... *looks at the gems in the box*

Holly Blue: Take whatever you like! Take one, take two, hell, i won't mind if you take the whole box! Ha Ha! Just PLEASE take them! I don't know what to do with those

defective gems!

Jeremy: Okay, okay I'll just take it *takes the box* to make you stop talking! Holly Blue: Perfect! Everyone wins!

Jeremy: Ugh...see ya... (They leave the store)

Jeremy: Now I just hope that they all don't re-form at the same time in this box...

Eric: Yeah; but let's just focus on finding where our Miraculous could be...

(They wander through the market, looking for stores that specialize in magic or creatures)

(They keep wondering around until they spot a purple reptile that's gonna give out their Miraculous to someone at a weapons shop)

Eric: Over there! >:O (They bolt over as fast as they can)

(They run towards her and confront her) Jeremy: How DARE you sell our things at a black market! >:O Susie: Wha? *looks at them* Oh, it's YOU two losers, finally decided to wake up, huh?

Eric: Give them back, right now! >:(

Susie: And why the hell should i give them back to you?

Jeremy: Uh, because they're ours? >:P Eric: And they're special and DANGEROUS in the wrong hands!

Susie: Hmm...dangerous, huh? >:3c Eric: Yes! Just please give us our Miraculous, now! Susie: *looks at them and smirks* Hmm...you know what, i WAS thinking of just trading them for an axe, since all they could do is summon mini magical animals...but

since you mention that they're dangerous... *pulls her hand away from them* I might keep them and use them for something >:3c

Jeremy: You better not! Susie: Imma Do it >:3 Jeremy: Dont you dare >:(

Eric: You better not use them, or else- Susie: Or else what? You're gonna lecture me on how i'm a "bad girl"? Oh please, don't even try to get on my nerves! Or else... (Susie snaps her fingers and a whole gang of baddies appears and surrounds them)

Eric: I...wasn’t going to do any of that :/

Susie: Well you look like the kind of guy who would do that >:P Eric: >:O

Jeremy: Just give ‘em back, please!

Susie: Well if you want it so bad, then try to take them from me! >:3

(Eric reaches out and grabs them from her hand) Eric: *to Jeremy* Run.

(Jeremy manages to escape the gang circle and runs away) Susie: Wow, i can't believe you actually took that seriously! Though i didn't expect ya to take it so easily >:( *cracks her knuckles, looking ready to fight him*

Eric: Eh heh heh heh... *runs after Jeremy*

Susie: Hey!! Come back here you punk!! >:( (Susie and her gang chase after them)

(Eric and Jeremy run as fast as they can) Jeremy: What’s the plan?! Eric: *gives his bracelet while he gets on his pin* Transform, FAST!!

Jeremy: But can we transform while we run?? Eric: Just do it!!

Jeremy: O-Okay! Jeremy: Leo, Fangs Out! *he jumps in case that will help and transforms* Eric: Zip, Power On! *does the same as he transforms*

Leo: Now what?! (Just then, a spade zooms past them) Leo: Eep! O_O (They look back and see one of Susie's gang members, Lancer, throwing spades at them) Lancer: Take them down!! >:D

Cyber: At least now we can defend ourselves...! (He leaps onto a roof; Leo yelps, barely keeping a grip on the box of gems as he follows)

(Susie's gang stops at the roof they're on top of) Susie: Lancer, don't stop shooting at them until they fall! Lancer: You got it, boss! >:3 *shoots spades at them*

(Cyber shoots the spades with lightning while Leo cuts any that get too close while protecting the box) Cyber: Why are you still carrying that?! Leo: They're alive, Dad, I'm not gonna abandon them now!

(Cyber keeps shooting the spades, but one of them manages to hit Cyber on the shoulder)

Cyber: OW!! Leo: You okay?!

Cyber: Y-Yeah...i'm- *gets hit with another spade* OW!! Lancer: Hehe! Wide open for hits! >:D (Meanwhile, Timber suddenly gets a sinking feeling in his heart)

Hound: You feel something? Timber: I do Owl: Can it lead us to them?

Timber: Yeah, follow me! (Timber zooms off and the others follow. They follow him until they reach a universe that was near the large dark gap)

Hound: Oh PLEASE tell me they landed in the universe...

(Timber goes towards the universe and they follow) Hound: Oh thank god, they are! (They float through the space clouds until they reach the universe's space. They float through the empty space as fast as they can) Owl: *looks around* Hmm...this looks...odd...

Dasher: Well we can figure that out later; take us to 'em, Tank!

Timber: Right! (They zoom through space until they see a single planet) Timber: They're over there!

(They zoom towards the planet with Timber zeroed in on one location)

(He lands on the ground and the others land as well. They get up and Timber runs into the city that's nearby them)

Timber: They're close, I can smell 'em! Hound: Same!

(They run through the crowds of people as they follow Timber) Owl: Excuse me! Pardon me! Get out of the way please! Move, Jane! *blinks and looks back* Wait, Jane?? O_O Swan: Focus Dad! Owl: R-Right!

(Owl and Swan fly to get a better look at where they're going)

(Timber keeps running and everyone keeps following him until they get to the Black Market entrance, where X is still guarding it) X: Uh, you need to tell me the password before you can get- (Timber grabs him tightly, lifts him up, and gives him a death glare) Timber: *dangerously* Let us in, or i'll turn ya into a fucking V! >8( X: *shrinks* O_O

X: *high pitched* Go right on in, sir... (The holders hurry in)

(Timber throws X against the wall and runs inside) (They open another door and they run into the black market entrance)

(It doesn't take them long to spot the big commotion happening)

(They see Susie's gang attacking Cyber and Leo, trying to get them down, while Cyber shoots lightning at spades and Leo protecting a box full of gems)

(Timber sees red and whips out his hammer)

(Timber charges towards Susie's gang)

(He jumps and slams his hammer down on the ground, sending out a huge shockwave, knocking Susie and her gang off their feet)

Susie: GAH!! What the hell?!

(Dasher then zooms around them at top speed, landing hits on them while Swan and Owl fly up to where Cyber and Leo are)

Owl: Are you two okay? Cyber: Yeah, we're fine... Swan: *looks at the box full of gems* What do you got there, Leo? A box full of gemstones?? :/c

Leo: It's a long story... XS But how did you guys get here? Swan: We followed Timber's husband radar XD

Leo: Oh, should've known that XD

(Cyber blushes slightly as he looks down and watches Timber beat up the gang while Swan checks the gem box with Leo)

Cyber: *sighs lovingly* So brave...

Swan: So what are they? Leo: A Holly Blue gave them to me, said they're all off colors or defective Swan: Oooh... (Timber, Dasher, and Hound beat up the gang)

(They keep beating them up until only Susie is the only one standing, trying her hardest not to fall) Susie: Damn...you're...strong...! You wiped out...my whole gang...!

Timber: Don't mess with my husband and kid >:(

Susie: Hey...it's not my fault...that they were wide open...for me to steal those...things...! I could've gotten a battle axe...if those two...didn't show up...! >:(

Timber: Well then take something else to get it >:/

Susie: *growls* Fuck...you...! >:(

(Timber knocks her out and join the others on the roof) Timber: Will! :D

Cyber: Jordan! :D

(They hug and kiss while Hound joins Leo and Swan in looking at the gem box to pass the time)

Owl: Well i'm glad the two of you are safe now Leo: Yeah; and i'm glad we finally got our Miraculous back, it took SOO long to actually find someone who has it!

Leo: How did it go with the Snowglobe? Dasher: She wouldn't quit XS

Leo: Really? Swan: Yeah, she kept throwing light vines at us nonstop! Hound: But when we retreated, she stopped and kept doing her thing

Hound: Soooo we gotta think of another way to get in there

Owl: Indeed Leo: Sooo...we're gonna stay here until we can come up with a plan??

Owl: That would be ideal, or we could try to think of one while we try to find her again

Hound: Well the universe we're in is nearby her, so it wouldn't be THAT hard to find her :/

Owl: Alright then Swan: And maybe we could find a home for these gems while we think

Hound: Yeah, cause obviously we can't take them home Leo: Aww, can i at least take one?? :( Owl: Leo, our world already has remnants of people from other worlds that were once prisoners of Arietes, i don't think our world has room for Gems >:/ ((Oh yeah, all those people in those green ambers were set free when Arietes was defeated))

Leo: Okaaaaaaaay...

Owl: But before we do anything else...let's get out of this place XS Swan: Good idea... (They jump off the roof and they exit the black market)

(They eventually find a quiet place to sit and relax)

(As they relax, Cyber and Leo tell them everything they saw on their search for their Miraculous)

Leo: ...So I saved these gems and they still haven't reformed, and then we found our Miraculous, and then you guys showed up and...that's about it

Owl: Goodness, you two went through a lot! Leo: I know! And i've seen things that i wish i could forget XS Timber: Will, you met an alternate version of me here? Cyber: Yeah, it was...kinda hard to talk to...i just kept thinking of you and seeing you...even though i KNOW it's an alternate version of you! XS

Leo: Plus an alternate Jane and Kirsty, and...I think they're even MORE kinky here than back home if what they did to Jane's Mom is anything to go by XS Hound: O_O ...Huh? Leo: Please...don't make me explain... XS

Cyber: I don't think it was kinky at all, frankly i think alternate Jane straight up turned her mom into her slave O_O

Leo: Yeah, but we don't know what they do when they're together without Jane's Mom there XS Cyber: ....Fair point...

Hound: So...what are we gonna do with that snow globe lady? Leo: Well obviously we need to get our guy out of that net, we just don't know how Swan: Yeah, cutting the ropes only worked for like...a second, until it repaired itself again Timber: Yeah, so we gotta find a way to open the net and get our guy out of there as quickly as possible

Dasher: Could sneaking in be an option?

Hound: Maybe??

Timber: We could try sneaking in the back, cause brute forcing our way in obviously isn't an option

Hound: Yeah...maybe she won't see us do it when we try that! Leo: Maybe? (As they talk about their plan, they start to notice that Owl hasn't said anything and looked like he was thinking) Leo: Uh...Owl Dad? You okay? Owl: *blinks* Oh! I'm okay, i'm just...thinking... Hound: About what? A plan? Owl: No...but rather, the things she said to us...

Dasher: That whole thing about how we apparently destroyed her world? Yeah I'm kinda wondering about that too

Swan: Yeah, and she said we took her only survivor away from her Hound: And she kept screaming at us to go away all because she doesn't want us to lay a finger on her world??

Leo: Yeah, was that an ancient Miraculous thing or...is she just nuts?

Dasher: CAN giant space beings go insane? 8/c

Timber: Who knows? :/c

(Owl thinks for a bit, trying to make sense of Lumine's claims, but then, he thinks of something) Owl: ...I think i might know something about her second claim... Leo: Really? Owl: Call me crazy but...what if she was talking about...Arietes?

Leo: Uh...pre or post reincarnation?

Owl: Pre-reincarnation

Leo: Okay that makes sense... Hound: How the fuck did she mistake US for a giant centaur man???

Owl: No no no, you don't understand me! You all remember the reason of his motivation to take parts of worlds and stitch them together? Leo: Kinda?? Owl: Well his reasoning is because he wants to rebuild his world! The world that was destroyed by an unknown force and HE was the only survivor!

Holders: ???? Hound: ...Elaborate please?

Owl: *rolls his eyes* Ugh, okay, so we all know that Arietes was gonna take part of our world and stitch it with an incomplete world that's made up of pieces of other

worlds he invaded Leo: Right... Owl: But the reason he's doing this, and the reason why he's going around, world to world, doing all of that, was because he wanted to rebuild his old world Hound: Okay... Owl: And apparently, his world, the whole universe he lived in, was destroyed by an unknown force, and he is the only survivor cause he opened a portal and escaped to

another world Swan: *nods* Owl: But when we defeated him, and stopped him from continuing any further with his plans, the Miraculous Gods turned him into a Guardian and gave him a second chance Cyber: Alright Owl: So i believe that when she said that we took her only survivor away from her, she was talking about Arietes! Meaning that SHE was related to Arietes' homeworld

and she blames us for taking her only survivor of that world that got destroyed!

Everyone: Ooooooooh

Leo: Oh that makes much more sense now (Owl sighs with relief) Cyber: Wait, she also mentioned that we destroyed her world, so since Arietes is that survivor she said we took away.....does that mean she blames US for destroying

Arietes' world?

Hound: Yeah What the hell?! >:/

Hound: We never BEEN to that world! We only know it's existence from Arietes! >:/ Leo: Or maybe the Miraculous Gods did it? :/c Owl: No, they couldn't Leo: Why you say that? Owl: Well the thing is, the Miraculous Gods cannot destroy worlds. At all. They never have any intentions on destroying worlds out of any desire.

Cyber: Well there’s no way she’ll listen to us either way

Hound: Yeah, she'll just screech at us for how it's OUR fault that we destroyed her world, even though we didn't do it :/

Swan: Soooo...is sneaking in the best way?

Owl: I guess so :/

Owl: That May also be the safest option

Hound: Yeah, to avoid us getting smacked around my light vines :/

Timber: Alright then

Leo: So, sneak in there and take him out of there? Cyber: Yep Leo: Alright, let's go! (They get up, but then one of the gems in Leo's gem box starts to glow)

Leo: *gasp* Someone’s reforming! :D Swan: Oh boy! :D

(A Pearl floats out of the box and it reforms it's body, revealing to be a light pink Pearl)

Swan: Pretty! :0c

(The Pearl floats down and looks around, confused) Pink Pearl: Huh?? Where am i??

Leo: Uh.....what’s the last thing you remember?

Pink Pearl: Well um...i fused with Ruby...then we were caught and then...they poofed us...

Leo: Oh... *digs through the box and finds a ruby* This ruby?

Pink Pearl: Oh! Yes that Ruby!

(Leo hands it to her)

Pink Pearl: C'mon Ruby! Come out! (A few seconds later, the Ruby starts to glow) Pink Pearl: Oh, there you go! :D

(The ruby forms and blinks) Ruby: Huh?

Ruby: Where am i? *sees Pink Pearl* Pearl! :D

(They hug)

Swan: Aww! :3

Leo: Maybe you guys can watch the rest of these guys *gestures to box*

Owl: And perhaps find a safe place for all of you to live :) Pink Pearl: Um...sure!

(Leo hands them the box)

Leo: Okay, with that out of the way, let's go!

(They transform into space forms and fly off)

(They fly out of the planet and Owl looks back at the planet and notices how it’s made up of different pieces of land that don’t match with each other) Owl: Hmm...how odd...

(They fly until they reach the snow globe but keep their distance)

Owl: Alright, we’re just gonna sneak down there and get him out without her noticing us Leo: Yeah...

(They float so they’re behind the snow globe)

(Then they float down towards the net, where Winston is still on the piece of land that’s inside)

(They carefully slip through the net)

Cyber: Okay, so far so good... (They float towards Winston and hold him up) Leo: It’s gonna be okay dude, we’ll get you out Winston: O-Okay... (One by one, they carefully slip out, but then Owl’s leg accidentally touches the net and he suddenly screams in pain) Owl: GAH!!! (Then the alarm goes off) Leo: Shit!! Move move move move!!! (Swan quickly cuts the net and they fly out of the net as fast as they can)

Dasher: We better fly home now or something!

Leo: Yeah, let’s get out of here!! (Lumine glares at them and screams...) Lumine: *angrily* LEAVE!!!!! (Lumine summons light vines and they charge towards them) Leo: GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!!!!!! (They fly as fast as they possibly can, trying to outrun the light vines)

(They hold Winston as tightly as they can as they fly)

(They keep flying faster and faster, slowly outrunning the light vines)

Leo: We’re doing it!!

Hound: Keep flying faster guys!!

(The vines start to peeter out)

Leo: Keep going guys!! We can outrun them!!

(Finally the vines stop chasing them)

Leo: YES!! Hound: We did it!!

Owl: *to Winston* Lets Get you home :)

Winston: Alright :) Leo: Sorry we left ya out here for a long time XS Hound: Yeah, we feel kinda bad for it XS

Winston: I-It’s okay

Winston: Don't feel too bad about it...i'm just glad you all saved me... :)

Dasher: Yeah well you have a lot of people who will be happy to see ya

Winston: Yeah, i'm sure everyone will be surprised at what i've been through! Owl: If you plan on doing that, just...tell them not to spread it around to everyone else, this is something only you and whoever you talk to should only know

Winston: Okay... (They fly and soon their universe comes into view)

Owl: There it is! Let's go! Leo: Wait, how is he gonna breathe if we go into our universe's space?? *gestures Winston* Holders: O_O

Swan: Uh...maybe if he holds his breath and we fly REALLY fast we’ll make it

Owl: It's...worth a shot...

(They get as close as they possibly can) Owl: Alright...ready?

Holders: Ready! Owl: *to Winston* Hold your breath and hope and pray we make it Winston: Okay... *takes a deep breath and holds his breath*

(The holders fly as fast as they possibly can)

(They fly through space as quickly as possible while Winston holds his breath as long as he can)

(Earth eventually comes into view and they pick up speed)

Leo: I see Earth! Owl: But if we enter the atmosphere, he might burn up! Leo: ...Oh yeah O_O Timber: I got an idea, how about i shield him from the heat? Hound: That could work! :D Owl: Timber, get over here and shield him!

(Timber moves in front of Owl to sandwich Winston between them to shield him)

Timber: *to Winston* It's gonna be okay, we're doing whatever it takes to get ya home safely! (Winston nods) (They fly towards Earth and they enter the atmosphere)

(They fly through it and Winston doesn’t get burned; once they’re through, Winston breathes again)

Winston: Oh thank god... Leo: We're almost there! Oh, and by the way, what's your name? Winston: I'm Winston Leo: Winston, got it.

Owl: Where do you live?

Winston: I live in New Jersey, the same city you all live in

(They fly down and Winston directs them to his address)

(They all fly towards his home and they land)

(Leo and Hound knock on some of the windows before they land and Owl puts Winston down)

(Then they knock on the door and a few seconds later, the door opens)

(A woman stands at the door and two little faces peek out)

Julia: Hello? Leo: Uh hey, we found your lost husband (She looks confused at first, but then she looks and sees Winston)

Kids: Daddy!!!! :D *run out*

(The kids run towards Winston and hug him) Winston: Hey there! I missed you two! :D (Julia walks out of the house and towards Winston, tears forming in her eyes)

(Julia just about throws herself at him and kisses and hugs him) Swan: Awwww...

Leo: What a happy reunion! :)

Owl: Indeed... :)

Winston: Thank you for bringing me home... :) Leo: You're welcome dude! :) Hound: We'll just leave ya to reunite with your family :) (Winston nods and the Holders fly off, then they fly towards an alleyway where they transform back)

Lin: Well doesn't that feel good :) Eric: It has been a while since we've saved someone like this :)

Jeremy: Yeah! And it was the first time we did a little space adventure! ...That didn't involve an akuma Michael: True (Joe pulls out his phone and texts to the Miraculous Armada group chat that they're back home and Winston is safe)

(The armada responds happily) Joe: Well, I think we all deserve a good rest after that

Jeremy: Yeah, we deserve it! :)

(They all disperse)

#bmc miraculous ladybug au #bmc au #human squip #squip #jeremy heere #michael mell #Jordan Ellis #joe #post the squip #lin manuel miranda #long post #multiverse

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sassycassie-s-series · 6 years ago

Text

All My Fault 3

By: SassyShoulderAngel319

Fandom/Character(s): DC, BatFam - Damian Wayne/Batman

Rating: PG-11 (minor violence and injections)

Notes: (Masterlist) Lots of POV jumping in this one. Hope I don’t confuse you too much. If you don’t like shots be a little careful.

Tag List (Open): @batboys-and-other-messes @welovegroot @nanna-the-batmum @probsjosh

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

^^^^^

Damian hissed as he peeled the gauze off his wound.

“Need a hand?” Jason asked.

“No,” Damian snapped. He tutted at the injury on his arm. “Tt. By the way, gossip-mongering is unbecoming on men like you, Todd.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jason said blithely.

“I heard you talking with Grayson last night as you passed my quarters. I assure you that my emotional investment in Cloudburst was never romantic in nature.” He changed the bandage, beginning rough before remembering Cloudburst’s gentleness and mimicking it. It felt better and hurt less to rewrap his arm carefully.

“Uh-huh. Sure,” Jason said, clearly unconvinced, as he plopped down at a table, kicked his boots up, and started to go through some old case files.

Damian’s hand drifted to one of the throwing stars sitting near him, but he stopped, clenched his jaw, and went over to the boxing corner. He wrapped his hands and began to beat the sand out of the punching bag. Jason didn’t say a single word.

Everyone else made their way into the cave eventually. Including Cloudburst. Damian was still boxing, and Jason was still going through his case files. Tim sat at the computer immediately and started running through some programs. “Timeways are still closed. Unlikely to clear up at any point in the future,” Tim announced. “And until we can get the devices to access broken entrances to the time-stream to make repairs, no one will be making any time jumps. Ever again.”

^^^^^

On that grim pronouncement, Tim swiveled in the chair to look at me. “Looks like you’re stuck here for a while, Cloudburst,” he added.

I bit my lower lip. “What… what about a speedster?” I asked. “Like, I mean, you know, Barry. Or Wally. The Speed-Force.”

Everyone exchanged glances. “Every speedster on the planet that we know of at the moment is lost in the Speed-Force, Cloudy,” Dick said. “Once the Time Bombs hit, the speedsters were the first responders. No one has seen nor heard from Barry or Wally—not even Bart—since then.”

“Oh,” I said. “Welp. Apart from speedsters I don’t know any other way to travel through time. Guess I’m stuck here.” I shrugged. “Oh well. At least I'm with you guys.”

“Eeeyyy!” Dick said happily, throwing his arm around me. “That’s right! Who better to be stuck in an unfamiliar future with?”

I awkwardly hugged him back and pretended I didn’t notice Damian shoot us a look from halfway across the cave where he was still boxing. I tried really hard not to notice at how attractive he’d grown up to be now that he was my age—and not wearing a shirt. Muscular, chiseled, with soft-looking skin where it was bare of scars and injuries. I’d always thought Dick was the pretty boy and Jason was the hot one—yes there’s a difference—but looking at an adult Damian I started to reconsider my sorting.

Head out of the clouds, Cloudburst, I thought sharply at myself. Head. Out. Of. The. Clouds.

I managed not to stare and went over to Jason. “Whatcha workin’ on, Jaybird?” I asked casually. Since we used to be the same age before last night, he’d always been the closest to me.

“Just seeing if any of these old cold cases have anything to do with the Time Bombs,” Jason replied.

“Need a hand?”

“No offence, Cloudy, but I doubt you’d even understand what’s going on.”

“None taken. Okay. I'm gonna go change into my workout clothes and see what I can get done,” I said. “Hey Dick, still wanna teach me how to fight with escrima sticks?”

Dick perked up. “If you still wanna learn!” he replied brightly.

I grinned. “Absolutely.”

Damian glanced at me as I passed him, gave me a nod, and went back to boxing. I nodded back.

^^^^^

Once Cloudburst was gone, Damian relaxed a bit, wiping off his sweat with a towel and leaning against a cluttered-but-organized table on his hands, panting.

Dick leaned against the same side of the table but facing the opposite way, arms folded, with an interested expression on his face. “What’s on your mind, Little D?” he asked. “You haven’t said a word all morning.”

Damian shrugged, grabbed a water bottle, and downed half of it in several big swallows. He sighed and wiped off again, just to get a bit drier. “She’s… she’s even more beautiful than I remember her being. And she literally hasn’t changed since the last time I saw her,” he admitted.

“So… was Jason right? Did you actually have a crush on her when you were a teenager?”

Damian ducked his head between his arms. “I'm not going to deign that with a reply, Grayson,” he snapped, but Dick noticed his younger brother’s neck turning red—and not from the workout. Dick started chuckling, making sure to be quiet even though Tim and Jason could probably hear him.

“Oh my word, you did!”

“Shut up!” Damian growled, hands clenching to fists where they were braced against the side of the table.

“C’mon, Dames,” Dick entreated. “Cloudy’s a great girl! And now you’re the same age! It’s easier to pursue her when she’s not eight years older than you.”

“Grayson, so help me—”

“Damian,” Dick interrupted. “I won’t tease any more. I’m telling you now that everyone here—except maybe B—would approve.”

“I'm going to go shower,” Damian muttered, leaving the Batcave completely instead of showering in the cave’s showers.

Dick snickered to himself as Damian left and strolled over to Jason. “You were right, Jaybird,” he said.

“I know,” Jason said.

“So… we’re gonna conspire to get them together?” Dick asked, perching on the edge of the table.

Jason glanced up from his case files. “Is that even a question, big bird?” Jason retorted.

Dick smiled. “That’s what I thought.”

^^^^^

“Focus up, Cloudy!” Dick said, tapping me in the head with a non-electrified escrima stick so I’d stop looking around the Batcave in worry. “This isn’t the easiest combat style to learn so you gotta really want it, you hear?”

“I hear,” I said, spinning my pair of sticks the way Dick did. My spin was a little clumsier than his.

“Bend your knees. We’ll start slow and work our way up, okay?”

“Okay.”

I felt like I was in some old martial arts movie, going through a training montage.

It was like a swordfight. Except it was nothing like a swordfight. Dick and I stood closer than I would stand with a sword, which meant we had to get in closer to our enemy to attack them, but still farther away than we’d be hand-to-hand, and we were going with both arms at the same time. Which was hard. I wasn’t used to attacking and blocking at the same time while holding weapons.

Dick was fast. He had a lot of experience with this method of combat—and I had none.

I did my best, but I got smacked around a lot. Dick wasn’t hitting me hard, but the practice escrima sticks still made hollow thwacks when they struck me and Dick would say, “Tag! You’re it!” every. Freaking. Time. I would grunt and attack with as much renewed energy as I could muster. Sweat was dripping down my face and chest and gathering on the back of my neck.

^^^^^

Damian tried really hard to focus on the task at hand while Grayson and Cloudburst trained. He was supposed to be tracing Time Bomb paths all over the city and where they had jumped backwards in time to mess up history.

He was having a difficult time focusing. Cloudburst’s occasional grunt of frustration or pain at getting hit by one of Grayson’s practice escrima was distracting. Every time she sounded hurt he wanted to charge over and shove his brother off of her, telling Grayson to back off. He settled instead for looking over his shoulder to make sure blood hadn’t been drawn.

He caught his lower lip between his teeth and turned back to the map on his tablet. Focus, Wayne, focus, he thought sharply.

^^^^^

Once or twice I thought I caught Damian glancing at me whenever I’d get injured. I hadn’t even seen him come back in the cave—we’d bumped into each other when he was heading up to shower and I was heading down to train.

Finally, after… oh… a half-hour of me getting the snot beat out of me worse than when I was barely starting my training, I tapped out. Jason threw me a water bottle over his shoulder without even looking. I sprayed some of it on my face, shook it off, and then gulped down half of it. Panting, I stumbled off the training mat and over to where Tim was sitting at the computer. “‘Sup, Timbo?” I asked. “Figure anything new out?”

“Not in regards to you being stuck in the future,” Tim said distractedly.

“Speaking of which,” Alfred piped up, emerging from the med-bay. “Eight years of mutating viruses and bacteria mean if you leave this cave without the proper vaccinations, you could die.” He set a silver tray with ten carefully-organized syringes on it on the table.

I backed away from him, dropping my practice sticks. “Oh no. No, no, no,” I said, fear sweeping over me. “I’m sure I’ll be okay. Really.”

“Miss McCloud, I understand your distaste for injections, however it is necessary.”

“C’mon Cloudy, shots aren’t that bad!” Dick urged, prodding me in the back with his practice sticks.

“They’re not bad when you only have to get one or two a year,” I retorted. “Ten in one sitting is not going to happen.”

“Here,” Damian said, pushing off the table he’d been leaning against. He had on a loose black tank top, black jacket, and black jeans. “Hold my hand. Squeeze as hard as you want. I guarantee you won’t hurt me.”

“I really would rather do one at a time…” I said.

“Just the flu vaccine for this year and the tetanus shot you missed, then,” Alfred said. “The other vaccines can wait for the coming days.”

I really didn’t want to get a shot if I didn’t have to. I refused to move from where I’d backed up over the training mat even though Dick’s escrima stick was pressed against the base of my spine. He was adding more pressure and I returned it, absolutely not wanting to get a shot.

Damian approached the edge of the training mat and held his hand out to me. “Come along, McCloud. I promise the pain will be minimal,” he said. “A small pinch, and then it will be finished.”

I bit my lip and took a single step forward.

Dick had been applying so much pressure to his stick on my back that my relent had caused him to stumble forward.

I pressed my lips together and pinched my teeth around them, simultaneously biting both lips as best I could. When I reached the edge of the mat, I took Damian’s hand. My pulse was already pounding and my stomach churning. I hated shots almost as much as I hated spiders.

Damian guided me over to the table where Alfred had set the tray down. I let go of Damian’s hand long enough to boost myself up to sit on it.

“Which arm, Miss McCloud, do you prefer?” Alfred asked, picking up one of the smallest of the syringes.

“Left,” I said, staring straight ahead.

Damian took my right hand and stood just off-center to my right side. “Look at me, okay? Do not even acknowledge the existence of Pennyworth or anyone else in this room. You and I are the only ones who exist at this moment. Look at my eyes and concentrate on them. Squeeze my hand if you so require. Do try and relax your left arm.”

I licked my lower lip and did as he said, ignoring Alfred circling around Damian’s back to my left side and wiping off my skin to sanitize it. I stared straight into Damian’s left eye, urging myself to memorize the pattern of the hazel flecks in them. They were shaped like diamonds…

My left deltoid muscle started to sting. I clenched Damian’s hand hard, trying to distract myself from it. Look at his face, look at his face, look at his face. Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it, I thought.

He gave me an encouraging nod, that almost turned into a smile. I flicked my gaze to his other eye, memorizing the pattern of flecks there too. His eyes were really green. Like, I’d seen some fairly bright green eyes on kids I’d gone to school with, but Damian’s had this vibrant, crystal-clear quality that I’d never noticed when he was younger.

My muscle stung again as the next injection went in. I gripped Damian’s hand even harder.

If I let my mind drift, it wandered to the hypnotic feeling that came with staring straight into Damian’s eyes and ignoring the rest of the world. Like when he’d initially brought me to the future the night before and reality sort of melted away like ice cream on hot pavement.

Alfred applied a Band-Aid to my arm. “There you are, Miss McCloud. All finished,” he said.

Damian gave me a look. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked quietly.

I hopped down off the table—and ignored how close to him I’d landed. Even though it was so close I could feel his body heat. “No I guess not. Thanks,” I said.

“Keep your arm moving so it doesn’t get sore,” Damian advised, letting my hand go and disappearing into the shadows of the cave.

I huffed and rolled my left arm around in my shoulder joint.

I caught Dick and Jason sharing a look as I crossed over to the training mat and picked up my practice escrima sticks again. “Okay, Dick. Let’s run through that exercise again. Just the exercise. Not the sparring.”

He spun his. “Whatever you say, Cloudy with a Chance of Rain,” he teased.

#All My Fault #All My Fault Chapter 3 #Chapter 3 #Damian Wayne #Damian Wayne Imagine #Damian Wayne FanFiction #Batman #Batman Imagine #Batman FanFiction #Robin #Robin Imagine #Robin FanFiction #DC #DC Imagine #DC FanFiction #BatFam #BatFam Imagine #BatFam FanFiction

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akatskimember · 7 years ago

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"All I've ever wanted"

Ayyy so this is my first fanfic. If ya don't like it then sorry. I'm not a writer The weekend isn’t usually a big deal seeing as you can get a mission anytime, but this weekend has significant meaning for Yamato. Not only was he off the roster, but it was also his birthday weekend. He took off Thursday-Sunday so he can celebrate with his friends and boyfriend. “I wonder what he wants for dinner tonight?” He sighed as he walked through the market looking for dinner ingredients. It isn’t very often he got to eat dinner with his man, the hokage is very busy running the village. Hokage. Yamato still can’t believe his sempai is the hokage and still chooses to be with him. There are plenty of men and women who Kakashi could have yet he still chooses him. “Eggplant miso.” Yamato decided to make the copycat ninja’s favorite just to show how much he loves him. “Hey Yamato-taichou!” Yamato looked around and say Iruka- sensei walking towards him. “hey Iruka-sensei, how’s it going?” Yamato said politely as Iruka finally caught up to him. “I was shopping for dinner and then was going to come look for you. However, since you’re here, I’ve hit two birds with one stone…uh..” He dug through his bag and pulled out a small box. “Here. It’s not much but I hope you like it.” Yamato set his basket down and opened the box. “I love it. I’ve read every book in the ‘Architecture for shinobi’ series. Thank you so much!” “Well it’s the least I can do. You’ve done so much for Naruto and Konoha. And besides, lunch breaks have been much more enjoyable since you started coming to ichiraku’s. Welp I gotta go. Kids have an exam and I’m very behind on my work. I’ll see ya around. Have a happy birthday Yamato-taichou!” and with that, Iruka was off to take care of his business. Yamato went back to his shopping and couldn’t help but smile as he thought, maybe this is where I belong. “Hey, I’m home. Wow it smells great in here.” Kakashi spoke as he walked in through the window. Yamato prides himself on finally getting Kakashi to stop using the window. It’s surprising how threatening his limited edition Icha Icha could easily set him straight. “Thanks, the food is done. It’s your favorite. Eat up. “Yamato already had the food set out. They sat down and Kakashi began to dig in. “so how was work?” “It was busy as usual. There’s this new medical supply trade deal we’ve been working on with Cloud so once that’s done, I can move onto my next headache” Kakashi groaned. There was nothing but piles of work in his office. He barely got to come home or read but Yamato always made sure there was dinner for him even if it was cold. The hokage was beyond thankful to have Yamato in his life. “Well hope- Knock Knock. The couple both looked to see who was knocking at their window this late. ANBU. Of course, Tenzo thought. He reluctantly opened the window. “Hokage-sama, we need you at the office. It’s urgent.” “damn”. Kakashi grumbled as he got up to go. “Here Sempai..” Yamato shoved a to go container of the food in his hands. “Thank you. I’m sorry.” “It’s ok. Will you still be here tomorrow?” Kakashi smiled through his mask, “Of course kohai nothing is planned so it’ll be us all day long.” That was all Yamato wanted to hear. Kakashi left and Yamato cleaned up before he snuggled in bed. Tomorrow was his birthday and he would spend the day with his sempai and have dinner with team 7 and all would be good in his world. The next morning, Yamato woke up to an awfully cold bed. Hmmm Kakashi didn’t come home. He got up, made breakfast and packed some clothes for Lord Sixth. Walking into the tower, he passed Shikamaru. “Good morning, taichou.“ “Goodmorning Shikamaru. I just came by to check on our hokage.” “Oh yea. I forgot you two were an item. Well anyways, happy birthday. It’s on the calendar and Sakura stopped by and was sad she got pulled into a last minute mission with Naruto and Sai. Something about our medical trade with Cloud. She said she would reschedule dinner with you.” “Oh thanks for the message Shikamaru. I hope their mission goes safely” “yea it’s no problem. It would’ve been a drag for everyone to leave late by trying to find you. Ah here were are.” They walked into the hokage office and Kakashi was sitting to close for comfort with a representative from stone. Kakashi looked up from paperwork and smiled. Bags apparent under his eyes show that he hasn’t slept. “ Shikamaru, Yamato, this is Yui-san from Rock. She is here to help forge our relationship with them. Yamato bowed “ Nice to meet you Yui-san.” Yui gave a painfully sweet smile and said “the pleasure is mine. What’s in your hand?” Yamato forgot all about it. The reason he came to see his lover in the first place. “ Oh, I just brought Rokudaime-sama some clothes and food since he has been here for a while.” Yui, confused expression on her face, said “ so you’re like…his lackey?” Yamato sputtered “ w-well no.I-I- He’s my best ANBU captain and it clearly shows since he is kind enough to think of my well being during his time off”. Yamato was stunned to see Kakashi cut him off with a slight venom in his voice. “Thank you very much captain Yamato, if there’s nothing else, I have work I must get back to.” Yamato got the hint and bowed, “You’re welcome. Sorry for interrupting Rokudaime-sama” and promptly left hoping Kakashi didn’t hear the hurt in his voice. Yamato went back home. Hmm well I guess tonight’s plans are cancelled. How unfortunate. Well, I guess next year will have to be the year where I spend my birthday with people I care about. I should have realized that Sempai would be to busy for me, especially with everything still being shaky after the war. Yamato walked inside and packed his stuff. Well, I’m not letting my time off go to waste. He locked up the apartment and set off to plan B. “ Kakashi-sama, It’s 8 p.m. you should head home.” Kakashi blinked, slightly confused by what time it was, “ oh it’s that late already. Yea I should go. I need to apologize to Tenzo. I was supposed to spend the day with him but got caught up with work.” Shikamaru sighed, “ You are lucky Yamato is understanding, Temari would kill me if I promised to spend her birthday with her and instead spent my day with someone else in my office.” Kakashi stared, “ I’m sorry…what?!” “ Oh yea, Temari would brutally kill me.” “ no. about the birthday part?” “ Oh Kakashi-sama, tell me you didn’t realize that today was his birthday.. Silence.. okay. So you did. Why do think he was very specific about spending today with you?” Kakashi started to panic, “ Oh my god I am so dumb. No wonder he was so happy and oh man I must have hurt his feelings. I need to go. How could I not realize it was his birthday?!?” Kakashi ran out the door and went top speed to his apartment, hoping that Tenzo wouldn’t make him sleep on the couch tonight. He walked inside and the place was empty. Figures. He walked to the fridge and saw a note that said “ went out, be back Sunday- Yamato” Bad sign. Yamato only used his code name in the house when he was mad. Also he isn’t coming home which means he doesn’t want to see me. Shit. I really fucked this one up. Kakashi put the note down and headed to find his Tenzo. There were only a few handfuls of places he would be at. Yamato walked into the hot spring and checked into the presidential suite. Full room and a personal spring attached so he can have his privacy. “No visitors please”, he told the receptionist as she handed him the keys. Once in the room, Yamato took a deep breath and set all his stuff down. Plan B. I may as well do something for my birthday. He ate some dinner and decided to relax. He read that book Iruka gave him, and decided to sit in the springs. After maybe 15 mins, he felt a presence. He turned around, ready to use his mokuton but instead saw a mess of gray hair. Yamato glared. “I asked for no visitors.” Kakashi sat on the ledge, “mah Tenzo, Since I’m the hokage, it’s gonna take a lot more than that to stop me.” Yamato, turned back around with an ice filled voice, “Well excuse me, do you have a mission for me rokudaime- sama. Because I am not on the roster and so if it is not an emergency then I’d like for you to leave.” Silence. “Tenzo, please. You’re right. I shouldn’t and am not here as your hokage. Truthfully, I’m here on important boyfriend business”. Silence. “Ok if you won’t talk to me then at least back up so I can rub your shoulders and start to atone for my sins.” Still silence but Yamato slowly backed up as Kakashi started touching him. Kakashi continues, “Listen. I am sorry I forgot your birthday and messed up our plans and was rude to you earlier.” He kept rubbing the knots out of his boyfriend’s neck waiting for a response. After what felt like forever, Yamato replied, “ Do you know why I get so excited about my birthday? It’s the only real thing I have about me. I don’t have a real name, or a real family. My birthday is the only thing about me that was documented. Everything else in my life revolves around my mokuton and serving the village. My birthday is one of the only things that remind me that I am a real person. Not just a clone of lord first. It’s a day to celebrate me. Kakashi, I’ve never celebrated my birthday with friends either. I was always on a mission or there was war or something. This was supposed to be the year I wouldn’t be alone. But that’s ok. I guess some things aren’t meant to change. I’m not mad. Maybe I’ll just give up on trying to have real birthday.” Kakashi stopped with his massage. And whispered in his ear, “no. Tenzo, I had no idea. I am so sorry for everything. You are my boyfriend and I have been neglecting you. I promise to never let you be alone on your birthday ever again. I love you. Just you. Only you. Please forgive me.” Yamato smiled. “ Come on Kohai, I have something for you inside.” Yamato was sad to leave his lover’s embrace but got up anyways. They both wrapped towels around their waist and was greeted to a beautiful birthday cake. It was green and blue with the words ‘happy birthday’ frosted on it. Yamato smiled from ear to ear. “Sempai, you didn’t! I’ve never had a birthday cake.” Kakashi lighted the candles and turned off the lights. He sweetly sang happy birthday and looked at his lover, “Make a wish my love.” Yamato quickly pecked his lips and took Kakashi’s hand. “ I already have everything I could ever want.”

#kakayama #kakayama fic #kakayama au #naruto #shinobi #my own #kakashi #yamato #yamato tenzo #tenzo

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softcorehippos · 8 years ago

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Just Ask - Part 5

Pairing: Steve x Reader

Summary: "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” You think, after being alive for this long and leading an team of superheroes, Steve Rogers would’ve perfected his communication skills, but apparently, when it comes to women, he just likes to assume, and that is never a good thing.

A/N: I’m at a coffee shop, taking full advantage of their free internet to queue these up, aahhhh I hate moving and being Internet-less.

This one is for you @nathalieruaudel! You beautiful french macaroon you ❤️

Part 4

You let out the loudest moan and grunt as you stretched your body, bones cracking loudly with the twist your torso. The subtle light from the digital clock right next to your laptop read 6:30 PM and your eyes widened. You’ve been sitting in your study for over 12 hours without stopping aside from your bathroom breaks.

You spent the entire day on a video call with the guys from Octacorp, discussing your latest design with the Canadian company. Thankfully, they were satisfied with the result, so now you can let out a breath of relief that one of your biggest projects turned out to be a major success.

The loud grumble of your stomach reminded you that you haven’t eaten anything other than the protein bars you inhaled almost 10 hours ago, so you got up, head to the kitchen and dialing the number you’ve memorized by heart, Lou’s Pizzeria.

While you wait, you remembered that Camille still has your package so after putting on your slippers; you head down the hall and knocked like a madman.

Immediately, you heard the sound of footsteps barreling towards the door and emerged a panting and flushed Camille.

“Hi.” You smiled knowingly.

She sighed. “Hi, Y/N, perfect timing.” She said sarcastically.

“I’m here to pick up my package.” You said, trying to stifle a laugh.

“Really? You just have to pick up your package just as I was about to get laid?” She whispered harshly.

You broke into an uncontrollable laughter. “Congratulations.”

“Fine, you know your way around.” She stepped back to let you in, and from the corner of your eyes, you saw a fleeting sight of a naked man, sprinting his way into Camille’s bedroom.

“Remind me not to sit in any of the open surfaces until you conduct an apartment wide disinfection.” You said with a scrunch of your nose.

“Shut up, you’re just jealous that I’m getting laid and you’re not.”

You gave her a face.

“So, you had the twins over yesterday?” She hopped on the kitchen counter, and you realized that she wasn’t wearing anything under the oversized shirt she had on.

“Jesus, your vagina is right there.” You averted your gaze.

Camille rolled her eyes. “How are the twins?”

“Great, hyperactive as always.”

“How’s Scott?” She asked with an eyebrow wiggle.

“Stop, he’s my brother, it’s weird, and don’t you have somebody in your bedroom?” You scolded Camille.

“He’s just a good lay, nothing special.” She whispered.

“Oh, God. I’m taking this, goodbye.” You picked up the package, head straight for the door and before you could even step outside, Camille was already inside the bedroom.

As you were making your way back, you saw the door to Steve’s apartment was opened slightly. Thankfully you fought the urge to peek because when you reached your door, Steve stepped out, in a pair of basketball shorts and a shirt that was definitely a size too small, with a black plastic bag in tow.

“Trash day?” You smiled.

“Trash day.” He chuckled.

You nodded as an awkward silence fell upon you two.

“I–“

“Wh–“

You both chuckled.

“What were you saying?” He asked.

“I was just, uh, I was wondering if you would like to come over, since we’re kind of friends now? I just ordered pizza.” You offered with a nervous smile.

Steve stared at you for a second, mulling over his answer and you noticed his hesitation.

“Oh come on, you’re really going to say no to pizza? I get you’re Captain America and all, but I’m pretty sure superheroes eat pizza too.”

Steve broke into a chuckle. “Sure, I could go for pizza, I’ll bring over the beer after I finish with this.” He held up the trash bag.

“Great! I’ll leave the door unlocked, just let yourself in.”

10 minutes later, Steve walked in with a six-pack in hand, literally seconds after your pizza arrived.

“Perfect timing!” You greeted as you brought the pizza box to the living room, and Steve joined you on the couch.

The conversation started out a little bit awkward but it quickly fell into a comfortable pace. He began talking about his day job as an Avenger and in return, you told him about your glorious job as a graphic designer.

“So is that why you don’t go out that often?” He asked as he took another bite of the pepperoni pizza.

You cocked an eyebrow. “So you noticed? Have you been stalking me, Steve Rogers?”

Steve choked slightly before forcing his pizza down with a gulp of beer. “Well, I mean, I just don’t see you a lot, that’s all.”

You laughed at the sight in front of you, something that you couldn’t possibly get over, you got Captain America flustered.

“I was just messing with you,” you waved him off, “but yeah, I mainly work at home. I only go out when the boss needs me.”

Steve nodded.

“Welp, I gotta go to the bathroom, I’ll be right back.” You declared before jumping off the couch.

Steve nodded and he took the time alone to assess his surroundings. The layout of your apartment was identical to his, but somehow you’ve made your stuffy two-bedroom apartment feel bigger and homier than his were. He glanced to the wall next to the kitchen entrance where you hung a couple of framed photographs. There was one with you and who he assumed to be your parents, there’s one with you and Camille, there are a couple of frames with you and the twins and lastly, he noticed the one with you and Scott.

The uncertainty in Steve’s heart was back and this time, the feeling was loud. He kept staring at the picture, you were smiling from ear to ear with a Mickey Mouse ear on your head with Scott wearing a matching set. His hand was on your waist as the two of you leaned forward towards the camera.

Steve averted his gaze the moment you came back, pretending that the label on his beer was interesting. He continued the conversation as if nothing happened, but all he could think about was how happy you looked with Scott and wondered what the hell happened between you two.

Part 6

TAG LIST IS CLOSED!

@shut-it-tinman @brittanymcsharry @avengerofyourheart @totheendofthelinepal @cassiopeiassky @beccaanne814-blog @buckyywiththegoodhair @thenightmarebeforebucky @bovaria @isaxhorror @marvelatmytrash @hellomissmabel @imsecretlyromanburki @omalleysgirl22 @dracsgirl @pixierox101 @stovehairington @tardistrash @amrita31199 @nathalieruaudel @ourpeachskies @winterboobaer @latenightbooknerd @thelostpieceofpizza @tequilavet @delicatecapnerd @dustycelt @itsmaytimetosaygoodbye @redlipstickandplaid @shamvictoria11 @seeyainanotherlifebrotha @thefallenbibliophilequote @buckyswinterchildren @mizzzpink @sammysgirl1997 @thebabewiththepwr @multifandom-slytherin @smoothdogsgirl @tatortot2701 @thatgirlsar @givemethatgold @palaiasaurus64 @cojootromuelle @fan-of-loving @wildestdreamsrps @passiononfire @dreaming-about-somewhere-else @fragmentsofsunshine @imsunnysu

#steve rogers x reader #steve rogers imagine #steve rogers fanfic #steve rogers #captain america #captain america imagine #captain america fanfic #just ask

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cmtae · 8 years ago

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Him

word count: 1.6k +

pairings: hwamin, wheetae, sin (later), moonseok (later)

warnings: none

1 - 2

a/n: don’t come after hwasa’s character y’all gotta wait for the explanation for why she’s like that.

Chapter 2

“Ow, my fucking head hurts like a bitch,” Hyejin groaned, rolling over in her bed. She had no recollection of any of the events that had occurred last night, every image that popped into her head was hazy. “Wheein-ah!” she yelled, sitting up in bed.

There was a loud thud in the room across from Hyejin’s, incoherent curses flooding her ears.

“What!” Wheein screeched back, holding her temple after.

“Where are the painkillers?” Hyejin responded, her voice cracking. She swung her feet off the bed, stuffing her feet into her warm fuzzy slippers. A relieved sigh left her lips before she slowly emerged from the depths of her comforter. She opened her bedroom door, Wheein’s door creaked open simultaneously, the brown-haired girl rubbing her eyes irritably.

“Somewhere in the medicine cabinet,” Wheein mumbled, yawning her way into the bathroom.

Hyejin trudged towards the kitchen, standing on her toes to reach the handle of the cabinet. She gave one final grunt before grasping the clear bottle of ibuprofen on the middle shelf. Wheein walked into the kitchen, while Hyejin inspected the bottle, smacking her lips.

She opened it, spilling the one pill that remained. “Welp, you snooze you lose.” Hyejin gave an evil smirk before gulping down the pill along with a swig of water.

“Fuck you,” Wheein said, furrowing her eyebrows in annoyance. “I don’t care what you say, you are taking your ass with me to the store to get some more.” She turned around dramatically, nearly tripping up the step towards the rooms.

Hyejin mocked her loudly, earning a fierce glare when she entered the bathroom, grabbing her toothbrush.

“My head is still killing me,” Hyejin murmured, squeezing the toothpaste out of its tube. “Feel free to tell me any information on how I got so fucked up last night.” She stuffed the toothbrush into her mouth, brushing away her sins.

“Well your dumbass downed at least maybe eight or nine cups of vodka, then you disappeared for a while, and then—” Wheein spit into the sink and rinsed her mouth with water, “—some cute guy brought you back to the table. He said you’d fainted or something like that.”

Hyejin wiped her mouth with a towel and leaned against her sink. “So if I had never asked, you would’ve kept all the information from me?” Wheein nodded firmly, her bangs bouncing up from her forehead.

There was a short silence, before Hyejin asked, “so…who was the guy?”

Wheein shrugged and turned on her shower, grabbing the towel from the counter. “He didn’t say, just sat you down next to me then left with this other guy. Also a cutie.”

“Interesting,” Hyejin muttered, walking to her shower and also turning the knob on warm. She watched back to her closet and pulled out a set of clothes, stripping her own from her body, wrapping a towel around her chest.

Twenty minutes had passed before Hyejin got out of the shower, Wheein already straightening her hair and rolling her bangs. “Hurry up,” she spoke with a bobby pin in her mouth, “you’re always taking these long showers when you know I want to go somewhere.”

“Stop whining,” Hyejin said, passing her by with a look of disgust on her face. Wheein shoved her lightly, her dimple popping out as she focused on her makeup.

The younger hurried back to her room, gracefully covering her body with lotion, quickly slipping into the flowing dress that touched just above her thighs. There was little makeup applied before she grabbed her sunglasses and left her room, her shoes in the other hand.

Wheein tapped her foot impatiently at the door, the car keys swinging on her index finger. "You’re driving.“ She tossed them messily, Hyejin dodged them, guarding her face against the girl’s ugly aim. She picked them from the floor and strapped up her sandals on her feet.

Hyejin sighed. “Now we know why you didn’t make any sports team in high school.” Wheein chuckled sarcastically, opening the front door with rage.

“Write a list of what you need,” Hyejin said, backing the car out of the parking lot, “I don’t feel like spending the whole day until closing time like last week.”

Wheein was silent, pouting slightly as she took out a pen, scribbling whatever she could think of. “I’m tired of this bullying, remind me why I live with you?”

The car jerked, Hyejin turning into a parking space close to the entrance of the grocery store. “First of all, I’m not bullying you and second of all do you honestly think anyone else would live with you? I mean, I barely agreed.” The two climbed out of the car, Hyejin brushing her hair back, putting her sunglasses on.

“What kind of dumb bitch puts her glasses on to go inside?” Wheein grouched behind her friend.

“Stop talking shit and grab a cart, I wanna take a nap as soon as possible.” Hyejin looked up at the aisle signs, pulling down her glasses to see the words clearer. Wheein pulled up beside her, crouching over on the cart, popping a strip of gum in her mouth.

“The medicine aisle is that way for your information,” Wheein pushed the cart out of Hyejin’s view, just in time to slide out of her clutches. When Hyejin joined Wheein, she dropped two bottles of orange juice into the cart.

“Did you find what you needed yet?” Hyejin questioned, pushing her glasses up to the middle of her head. Wheein looked at the top shelf and frowned.

“Yes but it’s high up. Can you get it?”

“We’re the same height.” Hyejin stood in front of the medicines, staring up the bottles.

“I know, but your shoes are slightly heeled and—” Wheein stopped in the middle of her sentence, gawking up at Hyejin.

“And what Wheein?” Hyejin noticed her gaze and spun around, meeting a fairly tall man with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Although Hyejin was basically close enough to fell his body heat, his gaze was on Wheein, a small smile tugging on his lips.

“Need any help?” he asked, and that’s when Wheein eyed him up and down, the uniform catching her attention.

“O-oh you work here?” her voice trembled. Hyejin looked her way and stuck her tongue out, teasing her.

“Yes.” The man walked around Hyejin, stopping himself a short distance from Wheein. “Sorry, my name’s Taehyung.” He smiled widely, making Wheein look down her cheeks reddening slightly.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Wheein,” she stammered, biting her lip harshly.

They stared at each other for a second, Taehyung shaking his head, pointing the medicine bottles on the top shelf. “Which was it you wanted?”

“That one.” Wheein reached up and barely tapped the bottle before dropping her arm in exhaustion. Taehyung grabbed it with ease, his eye never leaving Wheein. He handed it to her and proceeded to try and get at her.

Hyejin had gradually drifted away from the two, entering the chips and snack section. She held a basket on her arm, looking the assortments up and down, finally finding what she had been looking for, her hand grasping the last bag as did another. She jumped back and looked at who stood beside her.

“Oh,” Jimin squinting his eyes at Hyejin, raising his eyebrows. “You.”

“Me.” Hyejin put her hand on her hip, looking at him in confusion.

“You don’t remember me do you?”

Hyejin shrugged and grabbed the bag of chips again, plopping them into her small basket.

“And if I did?”

Jimin recoiled, surprised by the sudden attitude emitting from the woman in front of him.

“I guess I’ll just introduce myself for the second time. Nice to meet you I’m Jimin.” His hand tentatively rose, gesturing for Hyejin to shake it. She simply looked down at it and met his eyes.

“Hyejin, now if you’ll excuse me, I have some snacks to search for.” Hyejin brushed past him, bumping his shoulder purposely, scanning the shelves for her favorite treats.

Jimin awkwardly stood there, trying to comprehend what he did to deserve her sudden cold approach. He walked back next to her, watching her add another three boxes of brownies into her basket, humming a melody.

“At least let me take you—”

“Sorry, can’t talk to strangers.” Hyejin hummed and fled from the aisle, casting wave and a tiny small as she disappeared.

“You didn’t.” Wheein scowled at her friend lying on the counter.

“You bet your fifth-grade bra I did.” Hyejin munched on a brownie, wiggling her toes in delight when she popped another in her mouth. Wheein smacked her calf, earning a small yelp and a punch back to her arm.

“That’s mean! You didn’t even let him finish?”

“No.” Hyejin sat up on the counter, hitting her heels against the wood. “And Wheein, you know I’m not looking for anyone right now.”

Wheein placed the two bottles of Orange juice into the fridge and sighed heavily. “I know. I just want you to be the old you again.”

“I am the old me. Just not..ya know emotionally or mentally anymore.” Hyejin snapped the box of brownies close.

“Jinnie—”

“I’m going to bed.” Hyejin hopped off the counter, clutching her snack to her chest.

“But I wanted to tell you that I’m going on a date tomorrow.” Wheein shuffled her feet nervously. “But it’s a double date, and I know you’ll say no, but I just wanted to ask—”

“I’ll go.”

Wheein’s face lit up, and she hugged Hyejin tightly. “Thank you! We’re going to your favorite cafe too.”

Hyejin chuckled and turned around, making her way to her room. “Wait, who’s the guy and his friend?”

“Just Taehyung, that store clerk and his friend Jimin, why?” Wheein’s mouth dropped open when she realized. “Oops.”

“Jung Wheein!”

“Goodnight!”

Ch. 1

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cloudninedreamer · 8 years ago

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The Demon in the Mansion

Based on this post about gay Beauty and the Beast

Just ignore it and it’ll go away. Unfortunately for Laurel, that advice worked better for bees and wasps than it did for stupid straight boys. She leaned against the wall, waiting for her ride as she prayed for this wasp to go away.

“And then I finished the dude off! You should’ve seen it, I am a master!”

“Mmhm. Veeeery interesting, Chad.” Laurel nodded absentmindedly and returned to the book in her hand. But no matter how hard she tried she just could not get immersed in the fantasy world. The pest was too distracting.

Some had told Laurel they couldn’t believe she kept brushing Chad off, and she could kind of see it. His hair was golden like the sun, his eyes a similar color He had a strong jawline and golden-tanned skin, fairly dark for a boy who spent most hours indoors playing games, but still much, much lighter than Laurel’s dark brown tone.

There were a few problems with the possible match up though. Number one, he was rude and a know-it-all and didn’t understand the word “no.” Number two, he was a man. Not that he could figure out that she wasn’t into men. Even now, as Laurel continued to try and block him out, he was prattling on about his latest… Magic tournament? Honestly, he claimed to be the top in so many games Laurel couldn’t keep track.

And then help arrived in the form of an old rusty pickup truck. “Laurel!” Its driver called as they stepped out. “Time to go! C’mon!”

“Wait, Laurel,” Chad said, grabbing her arm. “I was just thinking, maybe we could go—”

And Laurel’s savior grabbed her other arm. “Sorry, Romeo, but her sister’s waiting. Gotta go, bye!” And they yanked Laurel their way, breaking Chad’s (practically nonexistent) grip and hurried Laurel to the truck.

“Welp,” the driver said as they climbed in, “I just saved your life.”

“I was fine.”

“Yeah, but seriously. You should just tell him to fuck off. It’s just two easy words. Or two other easy words: ‘I’m. Gay.’”

Laurel laughed, but said, “He wouldn’t believe me if I told him.” She tucked a strand of long black hair behind her ear. “Thanks for the rescue, Soph.”

“Any time. Now let’s go. Belle will be at your house soon.”

Sophia was an interesting friend. Pale skin, tall and wiry, they were loud where Laurel was quiet. For starters, Sophia’s hair was bright teal, always tied back in a ponytail. They had a multitude of piercings including, but not limited to, their ears, lip, nose, and navel, and their makeup was always done with winged eyeliner and blue lipstick. Not to mention the ripped jeans and too-small shirt that showed said navel piercing, and the tattoo on their back, though Laurel had never had a really good look at it before.

“And thanks for picking me up.”

“Least I could do. You don’t drive, Belle’s at work for another thirty minutes, and she gives me free food. Win-win-win.”

“Is food all you think about?”

“Of course not.” Sophia gasped dramatically as if wounded. “But I’m a hungry college student. You’re a college student too. Don’t you understand me?”

“I’m a well-fed college student,” Laurel corrected. “If you budgeted better, you would be too.”

“Blah, blah. I don’t have monthly funding from my parents and a working big sister like you.”

The two drove on, finally reaching Laurel’s home. It was small, two bedroom, one bathroom, but it felt like family. As Laurel dropped her bag in the living room, she noticed a casserole on the kitchen counter with a note.

“350 for 20 minutes. See you soon!”

Laurel fired up the oven. As she returned to the living room, Sophia had already made a home on the old couch and was watching after-school cartoons.

Laurel shook her head as she sat next to her friend. “Aren’t we a little old for this stuff?”

Sophia whipped their head around to stare at Laurel, aghast. “Never!” Then, as if to prove a point, they turned the volume up a few clicks. Laurel sighed but didn’t protest.

The front door opened as Laurel was pulling out the casserole, and in walked her older sister, Belle. Belle looked exhausted, with a few bags under her dark eyes, but a smile was on her face. She was still in her simple white and gray office clothes, and her black hair was done in cornrows tied into a low bun.

“Hey, Belle!” Sophia greeted, spread along the couch. “How was your day?”

“It was fine, thank you,” Belle replied. “It’s good to see you again, Sophia.” She looked toward the kitchen. “Hello, Laurel.”

“Hey, sis.”

“Don’t serve it yet. I just gotta change and I’ll be right back out.”

A few minutes later, Laurel had gotten out plates and silverware and a coke for Sophia and a water for Belle and was in the middle of grabbing some iced tea when Belle reappeared, now in a simple purple sundress.

“Alright!” She said, beaming. “Dinner!”

Dinner was a simple affair. It was just each person grabbing their drink and a plate of food and sitting on either the couch or the floor (Sophia had given their spot on the couch up for Belle’s sake) and they watched more cartoons.

Sophia left shortly after dinner, leaving the two sisters to talk.

“So tomorrow’s Saturday. Any plans?” Belle probed.

“Nope.”

“Any girls?”

“Nope.”

“Well what about boys?”

Laurel just shot her sister a look as Belle cracked up.

“Sorry. I just keep hearing about this one guy… Chad… what is his last name?”

“I don’t know. ‘Wiltsfordshire’ or something like that.”

Belle snorted again.

“He’s an asshole anyway,” Laurel continued. “Wouldn’t date him if I were straight.”

“I know the type. You should just tell him to fuck off.”

“Sis.”

“What? It works. I’ve had to tell boys to fuck off before.”

Laurel sighed before changing the subject. “What about you, sis? Anything?”

“Work. Same as always. Probably will have to work late. But you’ll have a casserole in the fridge and you can invite Sophia over if you want as long as they don’t cause our neighbors to complain.”

“When should I expect you then?”

“No later than eight.”

It was nine o’clock the next evening when Laurel started to really worry. She’d started pacing at eight-thirty, but traffic sucked a lot. Maybe she was stuck there. But at nine, it was nearly panic mode.

And that’s why five minutes later she called Sophia.

“What’s up?” Sophia asked.

“…My sister hasn’t come home.”

“Didn’t she say she’d be at work late?”

“She told me she’d be home an hour ago, and if something had come up, she’d have called me.” Laurel took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. “Look, I just need a ride.”

“What for?”

“I tracked her cell phone.”

“Uh, what?”

“We have permission to in emergencies. This is an emergency.”

“So you want me to drive you to wherever Belle’s phone is.”

“It’s just outside of town,” Laurel said. “Please, Sophia.”

Silence for a moment, then, “Alright. I’ll be there in five.”

They found Belle’s car next to an old mansion.

Everyone knew of the place. Years ago, it had been home to a rich family, but now they were dead and the mansion was left to rot. And now, it was said, the place was haunted by a monster and ghosts. It was all dark and windows were broken and various statues that had looked elegant in the past now looked sinister.

Laurel took a quick once-over of the car before she found why her sister had stopped. “Flat tire,” she told Sophia. “Shredded, really. She’s probably nearby.”

Sophia nodded. “I’ll check surrounding houses. You look in the mansion.”

“Why the mansion?”

“Well the nearest house is a good minute while driving away, and it’s chilly. It’s probably warmer in there.”

That was fair logic. So the two split up, Sophia returning to their truck and Laurel slowly entering the mansion.

“Hello?” She called. “Belle?”

Silence, then almost what sounded like a voice. Belle? “Sis? Are you here? You never answered my texts, I was getting worried!”

The voice moved, so Laurel hurried toward it, following the sound through a few hallways before coming to… a parlor?

“Belle?” She called, and a figure moved inside.

“Laurel!”

“Sis!” Laurel threw open the door, rushing into the room and her sister’s arms. “Belle, I was worried.”

“I know, but you have to get out of here!”

“What do you mean? We’re both going. I saw your car, but Sophia can—”

“No, Laurel. Listen. The stories were true and now you have to go.”

“I’m not leaving you!”

“Laurel, listen—”

The door slammed shut. Belle’s breath hitched into a sob, and Laurel slowly turned to see a figure right in front of the door.

“Who are you?” A voice hissed, gravelly and breathy.

“I—my sister. I came for my sister.”

“She can’t leave,” the figure growled. “She’s my prisoner.”

“Wh-what? But…” Laurel swallowed. “Please, not Belle. She doesn’t deserve this!”

“It’s too late. There’s nothing you can do.”

“I…” A thought crossed Laurel’s mind.

Belle noticed. “Laurel!”

“Take me,” Laurel offered.

“No!” Belle exclaimed. “Leave her be! I—”

The figure seemed startled. “You would take her place?”

“Please. Just let her go,” Laurel begged.

“Very well. But you can never leave.”

Belle was protesting, but Laurel just said, “Let me see you first.” And the figure stepped closer, into the light.

White. That’s all Laurel could see. This creature, this demon, its skin was paler than the moon in a sickly, paranormal way. Spider webs of cracks were all over its skin, most prominently along its shoulders and right cheek. Dark spots covered its body wherever cracks didn’t. Wings spread out from its shoulders, dark as night and leathery like bat wings. It had fangs that were long enough to hang out from its mouth, also black, and had a deep-set brow. It had hair in patches along its scalp, matted and dark in color. The only thing vaguely normal were its eyes, which were a more human green-gray in color, but its pupils were slit like a cat’s.

Laurel gasped, afraid, but spoke. “It’s a deal.”

Belle was screaming. “Laurel! No! You can’t do this! Spare her! Spare her!”

“You will leave,” the demon growled, “or you will face an even worse fate than hers.” The demon dragged Belle from the room and, Laurel figured, the entire mansion. Alone, in a quiet, dilapidated mansion, Laurel fell to her knees and sobbed.

Laurel didn’t know how much time passed before there was a quiet tap at the door. Startled, she looked up as it opened and in walked four people. People. Laurel almost started crying again knowing she wasn’t alone.

There were two men, one tall and muscled, his skin a warm russet brown, the other shorter, thinner, with gingery curls, an older woman with short white hair and a soft face and a young woman maybe Laurel’s age with blond hair braided to the side and a wary look.

The old woman knelt beside Laurel. “Oh, dear. Are you alright?”

“My… my sister… that thing… it…”

“I know, we saw. We heard. That was very brave.” The woman turned to the man with red hair. “Timothy, get her a cup of tea.” The man, Timothy, nodded and hurried out the door.

“Let us introduce ourselves,” the young woman said. “My name is Rose, Timothy just left, she’s Marie, and this is Carlos.”

Carlos nodded. “We’ll apologize on our Lady’s behalf, but I know it won’t do much.”

“Lady?” Laurel asked. “That thing is a Lady?”

“Doesn’t act like it now,” Rose said.

Timothy returned with an old china teacup, handing it to Marie.

“Here,” Marie said softly, “drink this. It’ll help you feel better.”

Laurel took a sip, and the warm liquid did soothe the ache in her throat, and she felt herself calm a little. “Thank you,” She said. “…Are you trapped here too?”

“Of a sort,” Timothy answered. “We’re the servants of this mansion.”

“Servants? But if your master’s a demon, then—”

“Oh, we’re basically ghosts,” Rose said. “Watch this.” And she completely vanished from sight. Laurel almost dropped her teacup, taking another sip to calm herself as Rose reappeared.

Marie tsked. “Rose, we want our guest to feel welcome, not afraid.”

“I figured we’d get that out of the way.”

Marie turned back to Laurel. “What is your name, dear?”

“Laurel.”

“Well, Laurel, it’s almost time for dinner,” Timothy said. “Carlos, have you started?”

“Sí, cariño.”

Laurel recognized the language as Spanish and understood the yes, but not the second word, nor why Timothy was suddenly blushing. Before she could mull on it further, Carlos was gone. Laurel had a feeling she’d have to get used to the servants appearing and disappearing at will.

Marie looked to Rose. “Rose, could you go get our Lady for supper?” Rose nodded and disappeared as well.

“She’s going to eat with me?”

“She should,” Marie said. “She should at least try to be civil to you.” A thought crossed her mind. “Is that not alright?”

Laurel took a breath. She was going to be stuck here. She would not cower before that thing. Better face her fears sooner rather than later. “No, it’s fine.”

“If you’re sure.” Marie bowed, and Laurel gave a soft protest. Laurel was just a commoner too. But Marie waved her off. “Follow me to the dining room.”

When they arrived, Timothy and Rose were already there. Marie approached them. “Is she—?” Rose just shook her head.

“It looks like you’ll be eating dinner alone,” Timothy told Laurel.

That was fine enough for Laurel. Put off facing her fears. Just a few minutes later, as Laurel was seated, Carlos came out of the kitchen with the food. It was basically a feast. Steak, turkey, and ham cooked to perfection, delicious mashed potatoes, fresh baked bread, carrots and corn and fruits of all kinds. Laurel ate as much as she could and dessert, a simple but extraordinary chocolate cake.

“It was amazing,” Laurel said to Carlos. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you. It’s been ages since I’ve been able to cook.”

“Well, you’re welcome, then.” Laurel wiped her face with her napkin, and a thought crossed her mind.

“Are you going to sing?” She asked Carlos.

Carlos seemed startled by the question. “Where did you get the idea for that?”

Laurel shrugged. “Just a story I read once.”

“Well, I can.”

But before he could open his mouth, Timothy was covering it with his hand. “Please don’t encourage him. He cannot sing.”

“Tim! That’s not fair. I can!” Carlos protested. “You’re embarrassing me in front of our guest.”

“Okay, fine,” Timothy relented. “He can sing, but he really shouldn’t.”

Timothy and Carlos then began to bicker a bit, English and Spanish flowing between the two, sounding liked a mix of terms of affection and straight up insults. Marie rolled her eyes at the two and asked Laurel, “Did you enjoy your meal, dear?”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

“That’s good. How about we get you to your bedroom then, hm?” She turned to the other servants. “Timothy, is the room ready?”

“S—I mean, yes Marie,” Timothy answered and then returned to his conversation with Carlos without a beat, now completely in Spanish.

“Since they’re so busy, I’ll show you the way. Will you need anything else? Tea? Milk?”

“No, no,” Laurel replied. “I’m just… really tired. Some rest will help.”

“Well, here’s your room. I’ll wake you for breakfast.”

“Thank you, Marie.”

Marie bowed. “Sleep well.” And she was gone before Laurel could protest. She found the room was in fact ready, with a freshly-made bed and clothes in the closet that more or less fit. Laurel changed and crawled into bed, falling asleep as her head hit the pillow.

“Honestly, you’re being a child,” Rose said, glaring right at the demon.

“What does it matter?” The demon snapped. “It’s not like being kind would make a difference. She didn’t ask to be here.”

“Kindness makes all the difference. The others and I have already won her over by being kind and talking to her and trying to make her feel welcome.”

The demon only growled.

“Don’t you want to break the curse?”

“Of course.”

“Well you’re running out of time. It’s been forty-nine years already.”

“So?”

“So if you want to break it, you need to foster somebody’s love, and love takes time and it might take a year and guess what, the only one here is Laurel.”

“Laurel?” The demon was actually confused.

“The girl’s name. Which you might’ve known if you’d come to dinner.” Rose sighed, moving her hair out of her face. “Listen. This is your last chance. If you don’t want to break it, then go ahead and let me and the others know so we don’t get our hopes up. If you do, you better clean up your act, control that temper, and show the girl some civility.”

The demon recoiled as if physically struck, and Rose relaxed. “Alright. I’ll leave you then. Good night, Lady.” And Rose disappeared.

“This might sound weird, but do you have a library?” Laurel asked Marie.

“Of course we do. Shall I take you?”

Laurel nodded, and followed the spirit through the halls. The paint was old and chipped, the carpets shaggy and rough, splintery wood… Laurel wished to know what it once looked like, when the mansion was new and beautiful. More startling were claw marks along ceilings, as if something—someone—had crawled along them. Laurel had a good idea who.

Finally, they arrived at the library, a large room filled ceiling-to-floor with books. Laurel couldn’t hide the awe and splendor from her face.

Marie smiled at the girl’s reaction. “If you need any help, or get lost, just yell for us. Someone will show up and help you.” She turned to look at a corner, above the shelf. “Have a good time. Alone.” And she was gone with a bow.

Laurel had run to a shelf already, scanning along the books. Then, a few rows above her arm’s length, she saw Pride and Prejudice. She looked around for a ladder or stepstool or something.

When she turned back toward the shelf, the book was being held at her eye level. “Here.”

Laurel screamed, falling on her butt, and she realized it was the demon. It—she—was in the air, using her wings to hover, and had a startled look on her face. Laurel picked herself up and managed a dignified expression, taking the book. “Thank you,” she said, and turned and walked away.

“W-Wait.” The demon flew over Laurel’s head to reposition in front of her. “I-I wanted to talk.”

“I don’t.” Laurel turned away again, going to sit in one of the chairs in the library.

The demon watched her for a moment, but just said, “Very well.” When Laurel looked back, the demon was gone.

It happened the next day too. This time, Laurel had picked one in her arm’s reach, The Count of Monte Cristo, but the demon reappeared.

“Um, what are you reading?”

Laurel didn’t speak, only lifting her book so the demon could see the cover. The demon nodded quietly. “I… I wanted to apologize about… a few days ago. I was rather monstrous and cruel and…” Laurel had returned to her book. “Right. You probably didn’t hear me. I’ll leave you be.”

The demon was leaving, but picked up a soft, “I heard.”

The demon came to see her once every day, while Laurel read. Every day she asked what Laurel was reading. Of Mice and Men. The Important of Being Ernest. Books like that. Some, Laurel knew were happy or sad. Some she’d never read before. Ernest was such one, and Laurel had a new story to add to her favorites.

Fifty-one books she read. The fifty-first was The Great Gatsby. She’d had to read it back in high school, and was one of the few she’d actually enjoyed from that year.

The demon approached her, as she did every day. “Hello. It’s… a lovely day. Not too hot either. I…” Laurel was still silent. “Sorry. I’ll leave you be.”

“You don’t have to.”

“What?”

“If you want to speak to me, you may,” Laurel said.

The demon seemed taken aback, but sat in a nearby chair, telling her how the leaves were green and the sun was bright and the view was beautiful from the mansion.

“I guess I’ll have to go outside later today,” Laurel said.

“May I… accompany you?”

Laurel swallowed. The demon had huge fangs, terrifying claws. Laurel could be killed in an instant by the demon. “I’d rather be alone for that.”

There was no anger, just a little sadness. “Very well,” the demon said.

“But you can stay for now,” Laurel offered.

The demon did. They had conversations most days after that. And the outside was a beautiful view.

Sixty-three books later, she was reading The Little Prince as the demon hesitantly took a seat near her, a book in her own hand. Laurel glanced up to see the demon was reading Pride and Prejudice.

The demon started to become a welcome presence, much to Laurel’s shock. They would read their books, sitting next to each other. The demon would every so often gasp or laugh and tell Laurel the quote or scene that had gotten a reaction.

Sixty-five books later, the demon was reading The Count of Monte Cristo, but this time growling softly at the book as if it had offended her firstborn.

“Is something the matter?” Laurel asked.

The growling stopped and the demon hunched over slightly, embarrassed. “It’s nothing. Just… the words are so small in this book.”

Laurel nodded. “Sometimes they are.” Laurel placed a bookmark in her book, setting it aside. “If it would help, maybe I could read it to you?”

“Uh…” The demon took a moment before nodding, handing over the book.

“Where should I start?”

The demon again looked away. “The beginning?”

There was no mockery, no insults. Laurel just calmly opened the book, and began reading aloud.

After that, somedays she’d read books to the demon. Other days they’d just read in silence together. Laurel was honestly startled at how normal this felt, but… she felt like the demon was her friend.

During one of these readings, Laurel told the demon she forgave her.

Sixteen books later, it was Romeo and Juliet, when Laurel had a thought. She stopped reading aloud, in the middle of a soliloquy, and the demon looked up at her.

“Is something wrong?”

“Nothing bad. I just never realized. Do you have a name?”

“…Yes.”

“What is it?”

The demon was silent, afraid. Afraid of judgement. That honestly was mostly likely not going to exist. Finally, she relaxed enough to speak. “Caroline.”

“Caroline.” Laurel smiled. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Laurel.”

Caroline grinned back. “I know,” she said, clearly appreciating the humor.

So, Laurel went back to reading aloud.

A few hours later, they’d finished reading, and lunch was served. Caroline had started eating with Laurel after book seventy-three, and after book one hundred twenty-seven, meals were commonly filled with laughter and conversation, to the servants’ delight.

After lunch, Caroline left to go to her quarters and the servants started to clean up.

“Is there something I can help you with, Laurel?” Timothy asked.

“Yes, actually. I had a question.”

“Yes?”

“Why does Caroline have a human name? I thought she was a demon and most have… terrifying names.”

The servants had gone quiet, before Marie sighed. “I’ll tell you.” She walked over to Laurel. “Lady Caroline wasn’t always a demon. She used to be human. We all were.”

Laurel nodded. “I… sort of had a feeling,” she said. “But how did it happen?”

“Long story short?” Rose said. “Magic.”

“Yes,” Carlos agreed. “But it’s a bit more complicated than that.

“I’ll tell the story,” Marie told them. “Lady Caroline was born a human, to wealthy parents. A Lord and Lady,” she began. “But they died when she was young. In their will, they said that the four of us would take care of her through her childhood. As such, she was…” Marie paused as if to think the right word.

“Spoiled. Greedy. Selfish,” Carlos supplied.

“Carlos!” Marie scolded.

Carlos shrugged. “It’s true.” He set down the plates and turned to Laurel. “So it was a dark night. Cold, rainy. We’d just finished supper. So we were all cleaning up when the doorbell rang. Everyone had their hands full. Marie, and I were cleaning up, and Rose and Timothy were preparing the fireplace, so we asked Caroline to answer the door for us. Almost threw a tantrum over that request.”

“She did, though, after some persuading,” Marie took over. “She answered the door. And there was a woman begging for shelter. She had nothing to give and was a bit… unsightly. So Caroline refused.

“And… well, this is according to Caroline, so it’s hard to say how accurate, but the woman transformed into an enchantress with hair like snow and a wine-red dress with roses designed upon it.”

“As the enchantress prepared her spell, Caroline begged forgiveness, but it was too late. And she laid a curse upon Caroline. She became a monster and the rest of us lost our physical forms. Cursed to stay the same, never changing even as the world does, until it’s broken.”

“But how do you break it?” Laurel asked. “I want to help.”

Marie and Carlos exchanged looks. “It’s not our place to say. Frankly we’re pushing it telling you the story, but I think Caroline will understand that.”

Laurel nodded, sighing. “But,” Carlos said, “you could ask Caroline herself. We can’t promise she’ll tell you, but maybe she will?”

“That does sound like a good idea.” Laurel stood up, smiling at the spirits. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, dear.” As Laurel turned away, the two faded from sight and a quick glance allowed Laurel to see the dishes still moving, being washed, by an invisible presence.

She reached Caroline’s room relatively quickly, and knocked on the door. “Caroline?” She asked. “Can I come in?”

It only took a moment for the door to open, and Rose stood there. “Caroline says yes. What is it?”

“I was hoping to speak to Caroline,” Laurel said as she entered, then quickly added, “Privately.”

“Of course.” Rose bowed to Laurel before she could protest then disappeared as the door swung shut behind Laurel.

“What is it?” Caroline’s voice rang out. Laurel followed the sound to find Caroline sitting on her bed. “Laurel?”

“Y-yes. I mean, hi.” Laurel took a breath. “I just wanted to talk.”

“What about?” Caroline tilted her head quizzically. She patted the bed beside her so Laurel sat down.

“I heard the story,” Laurel started. “About your… curse.”

There was silence save for a few deep breaths from Caroline, though Laurel didn’t know if she was calming herself from anger or panic.

“And?” Caroline finally asked.

“Well, they said it could be broken. But they didn’t tell me how. They said it wasn’t their place.”

Caroline sighed. “It doesn’t matter.”

“What do you mean? But I want to help!”

“The curse can be broken, yes. But it’s basically impossible.” Caroline sounded so defeated, broken.

“Then I’ll make it possible,” Laurel vowed.

Caroline made a sound, maybe a breath of laughter? She spoke again, “Maybe. If you can break the curse, you’ll know when it happens I guess.”

Laurel sighed, knowing protesting wouldn’t get her anywhere. “Can I ask another question?”

“Hm?”

Laurel bit her lip, unsure of how to phrase it without angering the demon in front of her. She’s not a demon, she reminded herself. She was cursed. Finally, she spoke, “why are you so specific about the… woman’s… appearance?”

“Because it’s not,” Caroline replied. “That’s all I can remember. Hair white as the snow and a red dress with rose designs. But I want to remember more. I hate her! She ruined my life! Made me… this, and I can’t even remember her face!” There was a thud and Laurel flinched. Caroline looked to her hand to see she had dug her claws into the bedpost and quickly retracted them. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not my bed,” Laurel replied. “It must hurt that someone did all that to you.”

Caroline nodded. “It does.” She sighed. “I want to be me again. With all my heart. But I know it isn’t going to happen.”

She looked so broken. Laurel’s heart ached at the sight and she gently placed a hand on Caroline’s shoulder. That was enough for Caroline to break, and cry. She cried and Laurel just held the demon—the cursed human—through the night.

It was fifty-four books later that Caroline realized she loved Laurel.

“Timothy? Carlos?”

“Yes, Caroline?” Timothy responded.

“I need to do something special.”

“What is it?” Carlos asked.

“I don’t know. But it’s for Laurel. I’m… I’m going to tell her I love her.” She paused as her servants gasped. “So, it must be special. Do you have any ideas?”

“Well you could go for the traditional,” Carlos offered. “Flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep…” The last was accompanied by a pointed look at Timothy.

Timothy gave Carlos a hard nudge, interrupting. “You know her best, Caroline. What would she want?”

Caroline thought. She thought about their time together, the books shared. The way Laurel would read them aloud and then stop and sigh at… That was it!

“I’ve got it.” Caroline told the servants her idea. At their enthusiastic nod, she went through the mansion and told Marie and Rose so things could be prepared. Then she went to find Laurel.

She found Laurel in a tree. Caroline almost missed her at first. Then she was wondering why the hell Laurel was in a tree.

“It’s a good reading spot,” Laurel answered, still nestled against a branch. “Plus, the blossoms smell nice.”

“Well, I… um… I wanted to talk to you.”

“Go ahead.” Caroline couldn’t see her face, but she knew Laurel was smiling, listening, even with her nose stuck in a book.

“…Face to face?”

Laurel stretched. “Catch my book,” she said, and dropped it into Caroline’s awaiting hands. Laurel then grabbed hold of the branch she’d been resting on moving to hang off it before dropping to the ground. She turned to Caroline. “Yeah?”

Caroline felt her nerves again. So much could go wrong. Sure, she was willing to call the two of them friends, but that didn’t necessarily mean… She took a breath, calming herself.

“I was wondering if you would join me for dinner tonight,” she finally said.

“Of course,” Laurel said. “We eat dinner together every night.”

That wasn’t what she meant. “No, I mean…” Caroline thought the words through. “A special dinner. The two of us all… dressed up like those dances you’ve read about.”

“Oh. Well, I’d love to,” Laurel said, her face turning gloomy, “but I don’t have a fancy dress.”

“That’s… not a problem. I have one I think should fit… and if not then Marie could fix it up quickly… if you want.”

Laurel was silent a moment and Caroline could breathe. She was scared. What if Laurel said no? What if she hated Caroline? What if—?

“Okay,” Laurel finally said. “That sounds wonderful.”

Caroline couldn’t hide her smile. “Great. Great!”

“You pulled me out of a tree just to ask you for dinner?”

“I wanted to ask to your face.”

“You could’ve come up. You can fly.”

“Not that close to branches. And I can’t… I wasn’t allowed to climb trees.”

Laurel took her book from Caroline’s hands. “Do you want me to show you?”

Marie found them both nestled in that tree across from each other, Caroline reading aloud to Laurel. She reminded them that dinner would be soon and they should start getting ready before returning inside to continue preparations.

When it was time for Laurel to start getting ready, she washed, and Marie came to the room to do her hair, only tying back a lock of hair in the back. And Rose arrived with the dress. She bowed to Laurel again, (Laurel was convinced that Rose was just doing it to spite her now.) and the two servants left the room for Laurel to get dressed.

The dress Caroline had picked for her was bright yellow and sleeveless, with clear gems all along the bodice that Laurel didn’t doubt were real. As she slipped it on, the skirt flowed loosely around her legs and was floor-length. It was beautiful. It was perfect. As soon as she put it on, Laurel felt like a princess, taking a little bit to twirl for her mirror.

Finally she called in Marie to help with finishing touches. Luckily only a little stitching of a hole or two was needed, and then Laurel could accessorize and meet Caroline for dinner. Laurel only put on a silver bracelet for jewelry. Slipping her feet into flats, she took a breath and wished herself luck.

That was the moment Rose appeared, knocking on the wall gently. “If you’re ready,” she said with yet another bow, “Caroline is waiting.”

Laurel nodded, standing. “Do I look okay?” She asked.

Rose smiled. “You look amazing. Wait until she sees you.” Laurel nodded and followed Rose out of the room.

Caroline was pacing. She was ready, but nervous beyond belief. What if Laurel didn’t come? What if she hated the outfit? What if…?

Caroline was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of footsteps. She looked up to see Rose, who bowed and said, “Lady Caroline, Miss Laurel.” And she was gone, leaving Caroline to look at Laurel and suddenly feel inferior in her looks.

Caroline’s dress was a dark blue, contrasting greatly with her white skin. Her dress had short sleeves in order to hide the rather large cracks along her shoulders. Unlike Laurel’s Caroline’s dress only fell a little past her knees, keeping the skirt above her hooves so she didn’t trip. A silver necklace hung around her neck, and she was twisting her hands nervously, not looking, at her, waiting for Laurel to speak.

“You look…” monstrous, disgusting, terrifying… “Lovely.” Caroline hadn’t been expecting that. Her head jerked up to see Laurel beaming at her. And she… oh, Laurel, she was absolutely stunning. Caroline quickly told her so before the thought left her. Laurel laughed softly, bringing her hand to her mouth as if to quiet it, and Caroline plunged deeper.

The nervousness was dissipating. Caroline approached Laurel. “Dinner?” she asked, offering Laurel her arm.

Laurel took it. “Only if we dance after.”

“D-Dance?” Caroline asked. “I don’t know if I can dance. I haven’t since—”

“Don’t worry,” Laurel said, “I’ll show you.”

But first, dinner. Carlos really had outdone himself, Caroline could tell from the smell. Laurel sat across from Caroline and the two made some simple small talk. Both of them gave their compliments to Carlos just as Marie showed up.

“Lady Caroline, Laurel,” she said with a bow. “I tuned the grand piano in the ballroom if you were wishing to dance?”

At the word, Laurel’s face lit up with Caroline sunk lower in her chair. Laurel just laughed lightly, standing up and moving to pull Caroline to her feet—hooves.

“I-I don’t think I can dance,” Caroline protested.

“Please? I won’t judge,” Laurel said.

Oh no. Caroline couldn’t say no to that face. She finally nodded and with a slight squeal, Laurel led Caroline to the ballroom, brimming with excitement.

As they arrived, Marie sat at the piano. “I’ll start with a simple waltz,” she said.

Laurel took Caroline’s hand, resting it on her shoulder. “I’ll lead first.” Caroline almost jumped as Laurel placed her hand on Caroline’s waist and took Caroline’s free hand in the other. “It’s okay. Just follow me.”

The music started, sweet melodies filling the air and Laurel took a step. Laurel was flowing to the beat so smoothly, so perfectly, and Caroline was stumbling along like an animal. Laurel didn’t seem to mind, only murmuring, “relax.”

The song ended and Caroline almost lost her balance as Laurel stopped.

“I’m sorry. I told you, I’m no good.”

“No, you’re doing great. Just don’t think about it so hard.” Laurel motioned to Marie and music started again. “Don’t think. Just feel.”

So Caroline did. Her steps smoothed, she was flowing, and the two floated around the ballroom as if they were flying. Laurel twirled Caroline, then kept their floating. Caroline wasn’t thinking. She was feeling. The music with its soft beats, the light with its warm glow, her own heart, filled to the brim with love.

As the song ended, Laurel asked, “Would you like to lead?” And Caroline did, twirling Laurel close to her body, letting the two spin and float and fly around the room until both were beaming like the sun. As the last song ended, Caroline gazed into Laurel’s dark eyes, sparkling like stars.

“Laurel? Would you like to go to the balcony?” Caroline asked. Laurel nodded, and Caroline could feel the smiles of her servants behind the two.

Outside, the moon was shining brightly and stars danced to their own heavenly melody. Now was Caroline’s chance. She had to say it, she just had to. “Laurel? Are you happy here with me?”

Laurel nodded, but there was sadness in her eyes. “What is it?” Caroline asked.

“My sister. I haven’t seen Belle in so long, she must be so worried. I… I miss her.”

Laurel was so hurt. It reminded Caroline of her hurt, longing to be human again, longing to be loved. But Laurel could never love a demon, and her hurt could be remedied.

“You should go to her,” Caroline said.

“What?”

“Go to her. You’re free.”

“I… thank you.”

“I just hope… you remember me.” Caroline swallowed a sob as Laurel hugged her tight.

“I’ll never forget you. I’ll… I’ll come back. I promise.” That was the last touch before Laurel hurried away, to her home of humans and people she loved who were human.

When her servants demanded why later, all Caroline could say was, “Because I love her.”

Laurel was in a bit of an awkward position. She had changed into the clothes she arrived in and prepared to leave when it hit her. She had no way of going home herself. She knew based on the time that Belle was probably asleep. Left her with only one option.

Laurel turned on her phone for the first time since she arrived at the mansion and dialed a familiar number.

“Sophia? I know this is a weird time. Could you pick me up?”

Laurel had been right about Belle being asleep, but she was very awake when Sophia’s noisy truck pulled up, and even more so when Laurel hopped out.

Belle ran up to her sister. “Laurel? Is that really you?”

“Yes, it’s me sis.”

That was enough and Belle pulled Laurel into a warm embrace. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I know.” Laurel tightened the hug and the two stayed that way until Sophia cleared their throat.

“I know this is a great sister reunion and all but maybe we should get inside.”

The three did so, Belle sitting Laurel at the couch. “How did you escape? That… thing…”

“She let me go,” Laurel replied.

“She?”

“The… demon… it’s hard to explain, but… she changed. And she let me come back to you.”

“Well, whatever happened,” Belle said, “I’m just glad you’re back, and okay.”

“Yeah… for now, at least. I…”

“Wait, Laurel,” Sophia interjected, “you mean you wanna go back there?”

“The reason Caroline—that’s her name—is like that is because she’s cursed. And not just her. The servants there are cursed too. And I promised I would help break the curse.”

“Oh no,” Sophia said to Belle, “she’s determined.”

“We can talk about that later. For now, you are staying here, with me, and I don’t have to worry about losing you.”

Belle wrapped her arms around Laurel, pulling her close. Laurel had missed this feeling. She didn’t know she had been, but now, in her sister’s arms, Laurel was just at peace. Sophia slipped out before long, and the two sisters fell asleep like that, snuggled close, each knowing that her sister was safe and sound.

That lasted about a day. Sophia called the next evening. “Laurel?”

“Soph?”

“So, word is out that you got back.”

“Really. How did that happen,” Laurel said sarcastically.

“It wasn’t me!” Sophia protested. “Anyway, your ‘knight in shining armor’ found out and realized you were in that creepy mansion the whole year?”

Chad. Ugh. Laurel really didn’t want to deal with him anymore. “What’s your point, Sophia?”

“He’s decided the stories are true and he’s going to kill the monster of the mansion.”

That got Laurel’s attention. “What?”

“He wants to kill the monster—Caroline, you called her? Um… you might want to do something…”

“Well, give me a hand then. Or a ride.”

“I can’t. I’m nowhere near your place and you need to get there fast.” Sophia’s voice had changed. Serious, somber, wise. But it slipped Laurel’s notice as the door opened and Belle walked in from work.

“Bye.” She hung up, and hurried to the oven, which she turned off. “Belle, I’m sorry. I know I just got back, but I think Caroline’s in trouble.” Laurel took a breath. “Please take me back there. Please.”

Laurel didn’t look at her sister’s face until Belle placed a hand on her shoulder. And when she nodded, Laurel decided she had the greatest sister on the planet.

Laurel and Belle arrived at the mansion quickly, Laurel jumping out of the car to see… a bunch of boys covered in cardboard? It was hard to tell in the lack of light, but finally Laurel could make out a few swords, shields and the like. They were wearing cardboard armor. LARPers. And they were all trembling, talking among themselves in hushed whispers.

Laurel approached one she vaguely recognized, tapping him on the shoulder, he jumped at the touch, whirling around with fear in his eyes. Then he relaxed when he realized it was Laurel.

“What are you doing here?” Laurel asked.

“Chad told us to come. He said we’d fight some demons. He’s… one of the leaders of our group, we figured it was a roleplay… it’s not. There are real monsters in there.”

“Okay. Where is Chad?”

“He ran in, fearless.”

With her information gathered, Laurel returned to Belle. “Belle, I have to go in. You don’t if you don’t want to…”

“I’m not letting you go alone,” Belle replied.

Laurel shot her an appreciative smile, and rushed off toward the door. The boys around were too scared for themselves to notice or try to stop them. Laurel knocked on the door. “Rose? Marie? Timothy? Carlos? It’s Laurel!”

There was silence for a moment, the boys having finally noticed and staring. Then the door creaked open.

Rose stood there, shocked. “You came back!”

“Of course I did,” Laurel said, hurrying through the door. “Where’s Caroline? Where’s Chad?”

“Chad?” Rose asked as she closed the door behind Belle.

“The leader of those guys. Tall, blond, perfectly punchable face…”

“I thought we chased him out. He was in here, yelling about killing the demon. About…” Her head shot up. “Caroline!”

“Where is she?” Laurel demanded.

“Her quarters. I… I’ll get the others!” And Rose was gone.

Laurel meanwhile, had taken off. She ran as fast as her legs could take her and accidentally left Belle behind in the process. She didn’t notice. She didn’t care. She had to get to Caroline before…

Laurel burst through the door to Caroline’s chambers. There was no one inside, but there were things overturned and the window was open. Laurel ran to the window, looking to the roof. It was hard to see, but with what light Laurel had, she could make out two figures, one of them having skin pale as the moonlight.

“Caroline!” She screamed. “Chad! Stop!”

The thinner, taller figure looked up when Laurel first screamed. “Laurel,” she breathed, and turned her attention to her attacker. The man, Chad, had old weapons, a sword and a dagger. He may had been overpowering her at first, but now… Caroline had something—someone—to fight for. She raised up, spreading her wings and overall making herself look massive. Then she snarled and jumped at him.

Claws raked his skin, but not deep enough to kill. As Chad ducked forward, Caroline leapt into the air, landing behind him and shoving him to the ground. His sword clattered on the roof, out of his grasp. She could do whatever she wanted. She could kill him, digging claws into his throat until he choked on his blood, but a stronger part, a newer part, called for mercy.

As Caroline made her decision, she heard footsteps. “Laurel!” Caroline looked up to see her love, her life, an expression of pure unadulterated joy on her face.

And Laurel watched as that expression twisted into one of pain. Chad let out a laugh. He’d stabbed Caroline in the stomach with a dagger. Caroline winced, yanked the dagger out, and glared at him.

All at once, Chad’s triumphant smirk turned into fear. “You think you can kill me? You can’t,” Caroline hissed. “Get out.” Caroline tossed the dagger away. It didn’t take long before Chad was gone, face white as a sheet, and the sounds of whimpers trailing behind him.

Laurel quickly hugged Caroline. “Thank God. You’re alright.”

Caroline pulled away uncomfortably, holding a hand to her stomach. Laurel looked down to see red leaking from between Caroline’s fingers. “W-Wait. N-No…”

“…I may have been faking. This actually really… hurts… I…” Caroline took a breath and fell to her knees. Laurel knelt beside her as Caroline sunk down, resting her head in Laurel’s lap. “I’m sorry, Laurel.”

“You don’t have to apologize. Everything’s going to be fine.”

Caroline just looked up at Laurel as if Laurel was the most precious treasure known to humanity. “At least I got to see you again… one last time.”

“No… please…” Laurel begged. Caroline’s eyes closed, her breath stilled.

And Laurel sobbed. “No! You can’t leave me like this! Please! I… I love you, Caroline…”

And then everything was white. Light filtered from nowhere, so bright Laurel couldn’t see and had to look away. But she felt the weight of Caroline’s figure disappear. Before she could act, the light vanished, leaving Laurel to look frantically around before her eyes settled on a person lying on the ground in front of her.

Laurel couldn’t move, could only stare at the young woman. Her clothes were too large and torn, so it was difficult to properly see her figure, but she was slim, slimmer than Laurel was and maybe a hair taller. The woman’s hair was bright red and her skin was very fair and covered with freckles. And the woman stood up shakily, as if unused to standing on two feet.

The woman ran her hands over herself, silent, standing still as if in awe, and then she looked up right at Laurel. Her eyes brightened and she smiled a gapped-tooth smile and stepped toward Laurel. Laurel stiffened and the stranger stopped moving.

“Laurel?” The stranger asked in a soft voice, higher than Laurel’s and lilting like a bird’s song. “It’s me.”

Caroline? But it couldn’t be… Caroline was gone… wasn’t she? Nervously, Laurel stepped forward, slowly reaching a hand to the woman’s face. Had Caroline turned back into a human? Laurel pondered the thought quietly. But how could Laurel recognize her? Everything was different. The woman’s face had a squarish shape, with cracked lips, a flatter nose, and round eyes that were… Laurel’s breath hitched. They were a soft green-gray color. And the way they looked at Laurel. Laurel recognized that look.

All at once, Laurel let out a sob and tightly hugged Caroline, who stiffened for a moment before hugging Laurel back. “It’s you. It’s you.” Laurel murmured like a mantra.

“It’s me, Laurel. It’s me. I’m okay. Everything’s okay now. I love you.” Caroline had never told Laurel before.

Laurel released her in surprise before smiling. “I love you too.” And she leaned in and kissed her. Caroline seemed taken by surprise, but only for a heartbeat before she kissed Laurel back. As they parted, she rested her forehead against Laurel’s, taking in the moment.

“This is you,” Laurel breathed, both a question and not at the same time.

Caroline nodded, beaming. “Yes. You brought me back. You saved me.” Her smile widened and a laugh escaped. “It’s a miracle!” And they kissed again.

“So Laurel, it’s good to see you’re back from that haunted mansion all safe.”

Laurel rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, Chad,” she huffed. “It’s not haunted.” That wasn’t even a lie. With the curse broken, all the servants had returned to human forms and most had gone their separate ways. Laurel quickly noted that Carlos and Timothy had been all too eager to run off together, just as she had suspected. Marie and had left as well, leaving Rose who wanted to stay with Caroline. And with the remaining fortune left within the mansion, Laurel’s household and home grew significantly larger almost overnight.

“Sure…” Chad said. “I know what I saw. I saw a demon! With my own two eyes. I faced it down, fought it, and lived! Pretty brave, huh?”

“Probably a figment of your imagination,” Laurel replied, turning away.

“Hey!” Chad grabbed Laurel’s arm. “Laurel, c’mon. You know that—”

“—Is there a problem?”

Laurel sighed in relief as her savior appeared, while Chad only huffed. “No thanks. Laurel and I were just talking. Go along.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt. I’m just here to get Laurel. Belle’s waiting for us, after all.” Caroline was smiling, slipping a hand into Laurel’s. “Now if you could let go of my girlfriend so we could go, that would be perfect.”

Chad dropped Laurel’s arm in shock. “Girlfriend?”

Laurel smiled as well. “Yes. This is Caroline. My girlfriend.”

“But you aren’t gay!”

Laurel stifled a chuckle, and she and Caroline walked off hand-in-hand, leaving Chad to mutter on repeat, “but she’s not gay.”

Laurel released her giggles once they turned a corner. “Did you hear him? I think he finally gets it.”

“He’s still in denial,” Caroline laughed. “That was great.”

“Yeah.” A kiss. “Thanks for the rescue.”

“Anytime.”

Caroline was going kiss Laurel again when a voice called, “Laurel! Wait up!”

Sophia ran up in a hurry, slightly out of breath and laughing as well. “Did you break Chad? He’s going off about how you’re not gay.”

Laurel laughed again. “Yeah. I introduced him to my girlfriend. Oh! You haven’t met! Sophia, this is Caroline, my girlfriend. Caroline, this is Sophia, my best friend.”

Caroline smiled and shook Sophia’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Same to you.” While Sophia’s face looked happy, there was something else unreadable in their eyes that quickly faded as they studied Caroline. With introductions complete, Sophia turned back to Laurel. “I just wanted to ask. I think he may finally leave you alone.”

“If not now,” Laurel said, “a few more times seeing me with Caroline should knock it into his senses.”

Sophia nodded. “It’s good to see you so happy Laurel. You deserve love. You both do.”

Caroline stopped a moment. There was something about the way Sophia said those words, as if they knew Caroline and cared about her just like they did Laurel.

Before she could ask, Laurel said, “We better get going. Belle’s waiting for us. See you later, Sophia!”

“Goodbye,” Caroline said.

“Bye!” Sophia waved as the two turned around, but Sophia made no move to leave yet, just watching them. They were so happy, the way they leaned into each other, smiling brightly, the way their gaze lingered. The way Caroline’s arm was wound around Laurel’s waist as if she were the most precious thing she’d ever found.

It had worked. They knew she was running out of time. It was a gamble, setting the chain in motion. Who knew if Belle would go in the mansion, if Laurel would take her place, if Caroline would fall in love… but she did. She’d learned to love. And she gained love. They both found their happy ending and deserved it. And now it was time to let them go.

Then, in between blinks, Sophia disappeared. But if someone had been watching them that whole time, hadn’t blinked, they may have glimpsed teal hair turn to pure white curls and street wear change into a long red dress with embroidered roses just before Sophia disappeared. Perhaps you would call it witchcraft. Perhaps you would have called them a witch.

It didn’t matter though. Because that witch, that enchantress, was gone, leaving only a handful of rose petals where they had stood.

#beauty and the beast #my writing #ugh this went soooo long #I was expecting this to be half as long #enjoy I guess

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