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elliesbelle · 1 year ago

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how much i need you

ellie williams one-shot

pairing: ellie x reader

synopsis: you don’t want to love your ex-girlfriend anymore, not when you know you’ll never amount to the girls she's loved before. maybe one day, she’ll realize how much she needs you.

content warnings: cursing, angst, break-up, ellie and reader are both in their mid-20s, joel is alive and never went golfing, descriptions of weapons, mentions of cannibalism, depictions of physical violence and blood, mentions of weight loss, mentions of death, extremely dark themes in general (proceed with caution), minors do not interact

word count: 10.5k

title based on lyric from the olivia o’brien song “hate u love u”

“I don’t think I can take it anymore.”

“Wh-what? What do you mean by that?”

“If you can’t get over this, I don’t think I can be with you anymore.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Yeah. I do.”

“E-Ellie.”

The silence between you two screamed in wounded agony. You’d been arguing for the past hour in Ellie’s garage. It was the same argument you’d been having for the past two weeks: Ellie and Cat. Ellie and Dina. Being constantly surrounded by remnants of her love life was crushing you. And even more so that she’d still banter, still flirt. And it cut you every single time.

Ellie would assure you that it was all platonic, that it was normal, the way she spoke to them. That there hasn’t been anything between her and either of them in years.

But how do you forget your first love? Who you had all your firsts with? And how do you forget your most recent ex-girlfriend? Especially one that you still remain best friends with?

You were growing tired of the jealousy. And Ellie was growing tired of your insecurity.

“Just go.” She finally murmurs.

You stare at her blankly.

“B-baby, please.” You whimper.

“I…I don’t think you should call me that anymore.”

“Wh-what?” Your vision was blurry from the tears streaming down your cheeks, falling relentlessly.

“J-just go.”

Ellie still loved you. She loved you more than she was ever able to say. She loved you more than she ever loved Cat. And even more than she ever loved Dina. She believed for the longest time that you could be her person. But maybe not. Maybe not if you just couldn’t deal with her history, her baggage.

“Please, no,” You beg. “Please don’t do this.”

Ellie remains silent as she walks over to the door to open it, signalling you to leave.

No matter how much you bawled and blubbered, Ellie stood her ground.

That’s how you spent the next month: weeping hysterically and enshrouding yourself in your misery.

You spoke only when needed, giving empty and lifeless half-smiles. Others attempted to inquire about the change in your behaviour, much too frequently that Maria had to step in and demand that they stop.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t difficult for them to guess why your once pleasant disposition turned joyless. People no longer saw you with Ellie, only ever catching glimpses of you when you tended to your duties or grabbed supplies or food that you’d eat alone in the sanctuary of your own home.

Ellie hadn’t spoken to you since that day. She hadn’t even asked after you, fearing that she'd come grovelling if she kept tabs on you.

Jesse, who was a patrol leader, and Maria, who was in charge of assignments, took pity on you and no longer appointed you to take part in the daily task of safeguarding Jackson. It was a harrowing job and they saw that your weakened emotional state would not benefit from constant threats of peril.

You didn’t mind this, convinced you were a shit patrol partner anyway. Stealth was usually your strong suit, but that didn’t benefit you much when you came face-to-face with actual danger. You didn’t have the muscles or the brawn to fight threats head-on.

Instead, you spent your days in the greenhouses. It didn’t require much socializing, and the manual labour tired you out, so much so that you could attempt to focus on your fatigue instead of your feelings.

And the plants were hopeful, innocent, forgiving. When you were alone, it was the one place that you still allowed yourself to hum and sing. Everywhere else in Jackson was tainted with memories of your ex-girlfriend, even your own home. But here in the solace of blooming greenery, you could feign a sense of happiness and croon quiet melodies of Etta James and Sam Cooke to the flourishing sprouts.

You knew your life didn’t revolve around Ellie. You knew that. Yet even so, you spent all your time thinking about her late at night when you inevitably couldn’t sleep. You remained a prisoner of your mind as the countless reminders of her you’d been hit with all over Jackson that day would replay in your head.

Every day when you’d make your way to the greenhouses, you were forced to pass by Joel’s house and see the little garage Ellie’d converted into her home. You’d go into the main square and walk by people who used to ask after you when you’d come into town with her, but whose faces no longer turned your way to even spare you a morning greeting. It was Ellie who was important around here, anyway, not you. Walking into the supplies shop or the Tipsy Bison met you either with the same treatment or with pitying expressions, neither of which you noticed much over miserably spotting Ellie’s favourite snacks or her usual brand of alcohol.

Jackson was always more Ellie’s than yours. You loved this town and of course it was home to you. But you’d only arrived a few years back, whereas Ellie had resided here since she was 14. There was no Jackson for you without Ellie. And every breath you took in this town felt like a bittersweet knife being shoved down your throat.

You’d made a few friends since you first arrived in town. But you’d always been closest to Ellie and her group, even before she and you’d started dating. After your break-up, your social routine was disrupted and you made no efforts to confide in others, though a few tried.

The day after Ellie dismissed you from her garage, you heard fervent knocking on your front door around noon. It was your day off and you’d woken up from beneath a throw blanket on your living room couch, having fallen asleep while sobbing into the cushions for a couple of hours. You pulled the sheet over your head and ignored the knocking, preferring the warmth of the blanket over your cold, new reality. You tried to shut your eyes and will for the unwanted visitor to give up and leave, but you relented when you heard the sound of Jesse’s voice ceaselessly calling out your name and threatening to break your front door down.

Jesse had just gotten back from an early morning patrol with Ellie. He’d spent much of the dawn pressing her about her silent and despondent behaviour, and after she gave in and confessed the previous night’s tragic events, he headed straight for your house just seconds after they reentered the gates of Jackson.

Jesse was greeted with your sorry, pathetic state: lips puffy yet cracked as a result of your anxious nipping and biting, a halo of crust around your eyes from your incessant tears the night before, clothes completely askew and clearly slept in. You offered him an insincere smile, one that didn’t reach your eyes.

“Hey, sorry,” You said, voice cracking. “I was sleeping.”

“In your patrol clothes from yesterday?” Jesse inquired.

You gave him a shrug.

“Listen, dude,” He began. “I heard about what happened last night and I wanted to make sure that—“

“Oh, yeah, that. It’s okay. I’m okay.” You interrupted, waving him off.

“Come on, man, I know that you’re—“

“I mean, I’m sad and all, but what are you gonna do, you know?”

“—not okay, you don’t have to pretend otherwise.”

You gave Jesse another wistful smile.

“Look, I gotta go get showered and everything, but I’ll see you all for dinner later at the Tipsy Bison, okay?”

You closed the door on him before he could respond, having no intentions of meeting up with him or any of your friends that night.

You didn’t open your door for visitors again after that day. Jesse passed by later that evening after you didn’t show, but you kept all the lights off in your house and ignored his yelling and knocking ‘til he eventually gave up for the night.

About a week or so after that day, you were walking out of your house for your assigned morning patrol when you were stopped in your tracks by the sight of one of the last people you wanted to see at that moment.

Dina’s right hand was outstretched as if she was about to knock on your door. She looked just as shocked as you when you locked eyes.

“Oh, shit! Sorry, you scared me.” Dina said, exhaling with a quiet laugh.

“Sorry” was all you muttered in response.

You closed and locked the front door as Dina watched you with a doleful gaze.

“Hey, so,” She started. “I…I know that you and Ellie broke up. She told me a little bit about what happened that night, and I just wanted to say that I’m sorry if I ever caused any problems between you two and that I think she was seriously wrong for breaking up with you.”

You were barely processing her words, focusing your gaze instead on a crooked post in the brown picket fence that surrounded your house. You started feeling dizzy and you were struggling to remain upright and grounded.

“Umm, I totally forgot that I had something to do before patrol today. Can you tell Tommy and Joel that I’ll be a little late? Thanks, D.”

You rushed through your excuse before quickly unlocking and disappearing behind your front door, shutting it in Dina’s face the same way you’d done with Jesse.

That was the same day that Maria graciously told you she was taking you off the patrol rotation as you never showed up for your shift. Since then, the greenhouses have been your home away from home. You would arrive during the early hours of the morning before the sun had even graced the sky, and you’d leave only after most of Jackson was sound asleep in their beds. It was barely a life, but in a world where the alternative was being on the outside to be subjected to murderous demons, both of the monster and human variety, you couldn’t be completely ungrateful.

On a cold, snowy day where most of Jackson remained huddled in the shelter of their homes, Maria paid you a visit in the plant nurseries.

You were in a secluded corner away from the others who were also stationed as gardeners, repotting some seedlings into larger buckets. No one tried speaking to you anymore these days, not unless it was absolutely necessary. So when you heard the sound of Maria’s voice from behind you, you nearly dropped your shovel.

“Sorry to interrupt your work, hun,” Maria says apologetically. “But it’s urgent.”

“O-oh, okay.” You mutter, still reeling from the shock of being spoken to. “Is-is everything okay?”

“Well, half the town right now has dropped like flies because of this crazy flu that’s been going around. I’ve barely got anyone for patrols this week since most of them can’t even hold a pistol or stay upright on their horses.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” You respond, almost impassive. You had no idea how any of this pertained to you.

“Now, I hate to have to ask you this,” Maria began slowly. “But do you think I can put you back on the patrolling schedule until more of my guys can recover? I wouldn’t be asking, but I really don’t have anyone left to send out there and you’re already trained and know the routes and everything.”

You froze. You had little desire to break out of your mundane everyday routine, and you were also extremely rusty when it came to patrolling. But Maria was always kind to you and was understanding enough to take you off the patrol rotation in the first place. You owed her.

“You really don’t have anyone?” You ask.

“I’m desperate, hun,” Maria states. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”

You sigh.

“When do you want me to start?”

“Tomorrow, your usual time in the morning.” She says. “That okay with you?”

“Yeah, I guess that’s fine.” You reply. “Which route?”

“I’ll give you a fairly easy one for tomorrow, give you a chance to get reacquainted with the road again. And don’t worry,” She adds. “I won’t pair you with her.”

You feel a sizeable lump in your throat, merely nodding in acknowledgement to who she was referring to.

“Okay. Tomorrow then.”

“Thank you, hun. It’s only temporary, I promise. You’ll be back in here before you know it. Do you want the rest of the day off today to prep?”

“No, it’s okay,” You reply, shaking your head. “I’ll be fine.”

“Alright, just maybe take it easy and don’t wear yourself out today. And go home early. I want you to rest up.”

You nod once more before returning to your busy work. You feel Maria’s hand on your shoulder and your body tenses up from the sudden physical contact, not having been touched by someone else in so long.

“Thanks again, sweetheart. I’m real grateful. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

You feel Maria’s hand withdraw from you before she exits the greenhouse, leaving you with immediate dread and regret.

The next morning came quicker than you’d liked. Unable to sleep, you’d woken up an hour earlier than needed and spent that time preparing for patrol. You prepared the essentials in your backpack: a medkit, flashlight, a water bottle, a few snacks.

Attached to the front pocket of your bag was a little pin of a moon in its third quarter. Ellie’d found it on a patrol with Joel over a year ago and gifted it to you to match her spaceship pin on her own backpack. You hadn’t noticed you still had it on yours and contemplated removing it. In the end, you kept it on.

The sun was nowhere to be seen behind the thick grey clouds that scattered flurries all around Jackson. Though it would complicate and prolong patrols, you used to love it when it’d snow. It brought a certain kind of beauty that balanced out the dead and dark winter.

You had countless memories of you and Ellie in the snow: you gleefully rushing to the window when seeing it fall from the sky for the first time in the year and Ellie quietly admiring the way your face lit up every time, challenging each other to a snowball fight where Ellie would decimate you with no mercy to which you’d punish her for by stuffing handfuls of snow down her shirt, attempting to build a snowman in front of your house that ended up looking more like a blobfish instead and who you’d both affectionately named Puddles.

But now as you silently stomped through shallow puddles towards the stables, you curse the sky for ungenerously sending the white powder on a day you just wanted to be over as soon as it began.

You get to the stables, nodding at the stablehands with a curt smile, and walk up to your horse, Cleopatra. You smile as you brush her mane lightly with your fingers.

“Hey, old gal,” You sigh. “Sorry for being away so long.”

You then head to the armoury, planning to stock up on weaponry for the trip. As you’re loading a pistol, you hear someone join you from behind.

Dina comes up beside you and begins to load a shotgun. You work in silence for a few moments before she speaks.

“Hey,” She greets. “Jesse told me you were back on the patrol rotation.”

“Temporarily,” You correct her. “Just a favour to Maria while people are out sick.”

“Right,” Dina says. “You gonna be alright?”

“Mhmm” was all you say as you load a rifle.

“Well, don’t die out there!” Dina attempts at a joke.

“No promises.” You mutter as you exit the armoury.

You return to the stables to grab Cleopatra, walking past others preparing for their patrols as well. After a stableboy hands your her reins, you walk her out of the paddock and towards the large gates.

Spotting Jesse, you and Cleopatra head over to his direction while he gives orders to a couple of patrollers who looked like they’d never stepped outside the walls of Jackson in their lives. As they walk away, Jesse spots you walking towards him and his face breaks out in a smile.

“Maria told me you were coming!” He says jovially, giving you a one-arm hug that you tepidly return.

“Who are you sending me out with?” You ask, not wishing to engage in small talk.

“This guy Antoine,” Jesse replies. “He’s about our age and works in the stables, but Maria recruited him temporarily.”

You nod.

“Sorry to put you with someone new,” Jesse continues. “We’re trying to pair newbies with people with experience so we’re not sending people to their deaths out there.”

“You sure you want to send him out with a shit patroller like me?” You say.

“Oh, stop that,” Jesse reprimands. “You’re an excellent partner.”

You hum in disagreement and say nothing. Jesse leads you to where a tall, blonde man you assumed was Antoine who was standing and holding the reins of a horse you remembered was named Pink. He introduces you and talks about which route you’d been assigned to, and you and Antoine politely nod at each other before lining up with the rest of the patrollers right in front of the gates.

As Tommy and Joel give their usual speech on what to look out for and updates on what had been encountered on recent patrols, you suddenly feel a sense of dread wash over you. Ellie had walked up to join Dina, who was her patrol partner that day, with her horse Shimmer by her side. Your eyes betray you as they unwittingly fall on her casually conversing with Dina, laughing at a joke she seemed to have said. Tearing your gaze away from the sight, you don’t realize that seconds after you’d stopped looking at her, Ellie’s face drops as her eyes fall on you.

Once Tommy finishes a spiel on raiders having spotted nearby and warning against them, he and Joel nod everyone off to proceed with their duties as the sentries finally open the gates. You mount Cleopatra as Antoine does the same with Pink, and you start to pull at her reins to depart when you suddenly hear hoofbeats clopping towards you. Your face drains of blood as you see Ellie on Shimmer coming up to your side.

“Hey.” She says as she pulls Shimmer to a stop.

You try to work yourself up to greet her back but your mouth remains silent.

“I, umm, saw you got put back on patrols.” She mutters.

You muster up enough of your voice to mutter back, “For now.”

“Well, uhh. Be careful out there.” She cautions.

Unable to hold back a scoff, you say, “You don’t care.”

Before Ellie can respond, you tap Cleopatra lightly with your foot and jerk at her reins to signal her to move forward. You hear Ellie trying to call you, but you force yourself not to look back as you ride Cleopatra out of Jackson.

Antoine was the perfect patrol partner, in that he remained silent for most of your round. He seemed to sense that you were in no mood for small talk and only spoke in response to any directions you gave.

Maria upheld her promise of giving you a fairly easy route to scout. You and Antoine hadn’t encountered any Infected or otherwise throughout most of the patrol. After searching a nearby abandoned neighbourhood a little past noon, you decide that it was time to make the journey back to Jackson.

However, it seemed that Antoine, who had never been outside the walls of the town, was reluctant to leave.

“Wait, I kind of want to explore a little more.” He says, refusing to mount his horse Pink and heading into the empty house where he had her reins tied to the fence.

“Antoine!” You call out after him, having already mounted Cleopatra and readied yourself to leave. Antoine ignores you as he disappears behind the front door. You curse under your breath as you hop off your horse.

“Get your ass back here!” You yell as you cross the threshold of the house. You explore the place, scanning each room in an attempt to find the blonde man who you desperately wished to throttle.

You find him in one of the bedrooms upstairs, reading through a comic book he’d found in a small bookshelf in a corner. The front cover had an array of superheroes in nonsensical outfits, looking as if they were fighting in some war in outer space. You ignore the voice in your head that thought about how it looked like something Ellie would find fascinating.

“What the fuck are you doing?” You demand.

“I can’t believe this is really shit that they had back in the old world. Whoever lived here has like, fifty of these.” Antoine says.

“Who the fuck cares, Antoine,” You angrily seethe. “We shouldn’t be out here too long. There could be Infected around.”

“We just checked out the whole neighbourhood and there wasn’t anything. Lighten up a little.” He replies.

“Just because we haven’t seen anything, it doesn’t mean there isn’t anything out there!”

“Look, this is my first time outside of Jackson. I just want to enjoy it for a little bit before I get stuck back on stable duty.”

“You wanna enjoy being out here where you could get ripped apart by monsters at any sec—” Your tirade was interrupted when the butt of a gun knocks you out.

Ellie and Dina were just returning from their patrol after being delayed by a group of Infected in a nearby grocery store. Trotting through the gates with their horses Shimmer and Japan, they were laughing over some ridiculous pun Ellie had just made and didn’t notice Jesse sprinting towards them.

“Jesus, fuck, thank god you’re both back.” He says as Tommy follows behind him.

“Sorry, man, had to clear out that grocery store about ten miles west. Had like, ten runners in there waiting for us.” Ellie explains, laughter still resonating in her voice.

Dina, noticing the serious look on Jesse’s face, eyes him warily.

“Wait, what’s wrong?” She asks him.

“You’re…you’re not the only ones who hadn’t returned yet.” He replies.

Ellie’s face falls slightly as she finally realizes the gravity of the situation.

“Oh shit, who else hasn’t gotten back?”

“It’s just one other pair who seems to be running late.” Tommy says, having caught up to the trio. Jesse gives him a warning look in response.

“Wait, who?” Dina asks, dismounting from Japan.

Jesse and Tommy unwittingly look at Ellie at the same time before sharing an anxious look. Ellie narrows her eyes.

“Who, Tommy?” She asserts.

Tommy opens his mouth to speak but immediately shuts it as Ellie’s face shifts from confusion to understanding. She pulls at Shimmer’s reins, urging her to turn around and retreat from the gates of Jackson once more. Jesse dashes forward and stops Shimmer in her tracks.

“We don’t know what’s happened yet, Ellie. They could have just gotten held back by something.”

“Fucking move, Jesse.” Ellie spits.

“She’s a smart girl, El. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”

“I swear to god, dude, I will run you over.”

“What route did you assign them to?” Dina asks.

“The one that goes southeast and follows the river into that abandoned town about fifteen miles east.”

“Tommy!” Jesse chides, having withheld that information on purpose.

“Great. Thanks, Tommy.” Ellie says, urging Shimmer to walk past Jesse before Dina steps in front of her as well.

“Ellie, that’s a real easy route. I’m sure she’s fine.” Dina assures.

“She’s with that dumbass stableboy who’s never been outside of the town, much less held a gun before. If nothing’s happened, they would be back by now.”

“She knows how to take care of herself, kid.” Tommy chimes in. “I’m sure that the snow just delayed their return, that’s all.”

“Just give them an hour, dude,” Jesse adds. “If they’re not back by then, we’ll send a few people out to search.”

“A lot can happen in a fucking hour, Jess,” Ellie retorts. “I’m not leaving it up to chance.”

“What’s going on?” A voice behind the group says. They all turn to see Maria walking towards them.

“These fucking assholes won’t let me go after my fucking girlfriend.” Ellie hisses.

“Ex.” Jesse corrects her. Ellie shoots him a menacing look.

“Did they also tell you that we’re ready to go out and look for them if they don’t return soon?” Maria says, ignoring the exchange.

“I can do it right now.” Ellie replies stubbornly.

“You’ve been out patrolling all day, hun. I’m sure you’re tired. I’ve already gathered a group of people to help search the area if they don’t get back soon.”

“But—”

“Don’t let your guilt make you do something stupid, Ellie.” Maria interrupts with a tone of finality.

Ellie stares at her as Jesse pats her leg.

“She’s a smart girl, Ellie.” He repeats. “I’ll go out with the searching party myself too if they don’t get back soon.”

“Wait!” Dina yells, looking past the gates. “I see something!”

The group all focus their gaze on the direction she’s pointing at, making out a couple of figures approaching. Ellie breathes a sigh of relief when she makes out the outline of two horses approaching, but the moment is short-lived when the sight, which was originally obscured by the snow, reveals only one person riding on horseback.

Ellie dismounts from Shimmer as Antoine finally crosses the border of the town. She makes a beeline for him, angrily grabbing at his shirt and almost ripping him off Pink.

“Where the fuck is she? Why the fuck are you alone?!” She demands as Dina and Jesse tear her off him, allowing him to properly get down from his horse.

“I–we–I don’t…” Antoine begins to stutter.

“Speak, boy.” Tommy demands.

“I don’t…I don’t know where she is.” Antoine admits.

Maria, ignoring Ellie’s various curses and swearing, moves forward to speak.

“What the hell does that mean, Antoine?” She asks coolly.

“We got ambushed at the town we were patrolling, we were inside a house and they snuck up behind us, they knocked her unconscious and I was able to get away before they could get to me.” He replied so quickly that they almost didn’t catch what he was saying.

“So you fucking left her?” Ellie growls.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t know what else to do!”

“We gave you a gun, you were put into training beforehand,” Jesse scolds. “You’re partners for a reason. You’re supposed to fucking look out for each other.”

“I-I panicked. There were several of them and they were all big guys and—”

“It should have fucking been you instead!” Ellie screams, lunging towards Antoine before Tommy catches her and holds her back.

“What did they look like? Did they say anything? Anything at all that can lead to where they might have brought her?” Maria inquires.

“I-it was so quick and I couldn’t get a glimpse of their faces. They mostly wore black clothing. And th-they said…”

“Said what?” Jesse prompts.

“They said, ‘this one looks like she’ll be pretty delicious,’ before I could escape.”

You wake up to a throbbing headache and severe nausea. Your right hand flies up to your temple while the other shields your eyes from a blurry, yellow light being cast from somewhere above you. The first thing you see once your vision clears up a little is rusted, silver fencing that served as a cage. As you peer at your surroundings, you hear the repetitive sound of a blade hitting timber.

Sitting up, you see two men facing away from you and leaning over a wide, wooden table. One had a large sack flung over his shoulder that slowly dripped blood, while the other was wielding a butcher’s knife, chopping some kind of meat that your view was obscured from. It was only when the man slides it off the table with his blade that you realize what it was as you take in a sharply drawn breath: a human arm.

Your silent gasp catches the attention of the man with the sack, who nudged his companion. They both turn to look at you, the knife holder smirking as he did so. He places it down on the table to bring his full attention to you.

“Get Ian,” He tells the other man. “Tell him the girl’s finally awake.”

His friend nods before dropping the bag and walking out of the room which, as you inspect further, looked almost like a slaughterhouse. Your eyes flit back and forth between the man staring at you and the cage imprisoning you. You try to search for flaws in the fencing for a chance to escape, but you find none. The man continues to eye you, almost with an air of cruel arrogance.

A few moments pass before he’s joined by a different man with brown hair and a lightly-shaved beard. He joins his friend leaning on the wooden table and addresses you directly.

“Good morning,” He states civilly. “How are you feeling?”

You don’t respond, intent on keeping your interactions with these strangers as minimal as possible. The man continues to speak anyway.

“I apologize for the way my associates treated you. I’m sure they didn’t mean to knock you out that hard. You were unconscious for much longer than needed.”

He approaches your cage to crouch at your eye level and you instinctively back away until your back hits the wall behind you.

“My name is Ian, and this is my friend Jacob. Can you tell me what your name is?”

You make a show of tightening your lips in defiance.

“That’s alright, I get it. We’re strangers, after all.” He says, holding his hands up in acknowledgement. “We’re gonna get to know each other pretty well, I’m sure.”

Your eyebrows furrow, wondering his meaning but still too scared to open your mouth.

The man who had gone to fetch Ian returns with a wooden tray of food and a small cup in his hands which he slides underneath a small gap underneath the makeshift cage’s door. You eye it suspiciously. Your brain and your stomach are at war with each other, one begging for sustenance while the other berates it for its naivete.

“You better eat up,” The man named Ian says. “Gonna need your strength. Looks like you haven’t been eating much. And I know you’re hungry; been out for quite some time.”

You ignore his comment about the clear loss of weight you’ve gone through recently, knowing your face was slightly more gaunt than it ought to have been from eating a lot less for the past month.

“What is it?” You question despite yourself, eyes shooting towards the tray at your feet.

“It’s deer.” He responds simply.

Your eyes dart towards the human body parts that lay on the floor. Ian smiles and understands what you’re thinking without turning to see where your gaze is directed.

“Just deer meat. I promise.”

You go back to eyeing the food they’d given you, every ounce of your willpower being tested. To give in and eat the food they’d provided would be playing into their game, but you had no idea how long you’d been asleep and you were ravenous.

The man Ian had introduced as Jacob speaks up.

“I think we should just get rid of her; she seems stubborn.”

“Most of them are,” Ian responds. “We’ll break her. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

You glower at him in response. He chuckles.

“We’ll give you some time,” He continues, standing up from his hunched position. “It’s ultimately up to you to decide your fate. Hope you like solitude.”

Ian looks at his companions and beckons them to leave. Jacob follows and the unnamed man picks up the sack he’d dropped previously, places the human remains on the floor inside of it, and follows the two others out before locking the door behind him.

You release a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding this whole time. It takes a few minutes, but you’re able to pull yourself up from the floor to further examine your surroundings. Even after closer investigation, the silver fencing seemed impenetrable and solid. The wooden tray they’d served the deer meat on was flimsy and thin, impossible to use as either a weapon or a means of escape. The cup was small and plastic, completely useless for anything else other than its intended purpose.

As options for liberation grew slimmer and slimmer, you begin to hyperventilate. You had a feeling that these men intended to leave you in here alone to go completely mad, at least until they decide to execute the next stage in their malevolent plan. You had no weapons, no means of escape, no company.

Your mind finally falls on your patrol partner, Antoine. Why wasn’t he in here? Did he get away? The trio made no mention of him. He would have been in here if he was captured as well.

Or did they “take care” of him first? You begin to feel even more nauseous when you remember what the man Jacob had been doing prior to your waking. Was Antoine not spared? You had no idea how long you were out for. Ian had only said that you were out for a while. Regardless of your loathing for Antoine and his stupidity, you prayed to every known entity out there that he’d made it back to Jackson.

Your heart sank even further down your stomach upon coming to another realization: was anyone looking for you? Surely after all this time, they’d realized you hadn’t been back from your patrol. They’d sent out search parties when people had gone missing, but how determined would they be to find you? Would they not just assume you were dead or, even worse, bitten? Who would be risking their safety outside the walls of Jackson for the shadow of a person that barely a soul in the town noticed anymore?

Ellie had not slept for more than twenty minutes in the past 72 hours. Despite Maria’s protests, she’d joined the search party that had been scouring the outskirts of Jackson for you. Maria eventually relented on letting her go when Joel had volunteered to join the mass of citizens tracking you down, promising her that he’d be by her side. Jesse and Dina had both stepped forward to take part as well, but Maria put her foot down and pointed out that she still needed competent protectors to continue keeping Jackson safe.

Antoine was dragged into joining the search party on the first day to retrace the steps you and he had taken during your patrol. He abashedly walked Ellie and Joel through the house you’d been kidnapped in, leading them into the bedroom where you’d been knocked unconscious. After squeezing every bit of information out of him, Joel crisply ordered Antoine to go back outside and wait with the horses while he and Ellie scoured the place.

Within moments of their search, Ellie spots a glint of metal on the rug. She crouches down to further inspect what had caught her eye to find a sharp, golden point aiming upward. She turns it over to see it was the half-moon pin she’d given you over a year ago. It was missing the backing, which she knew meant it was accidentally torn off your backpack that she knew you’d pinned it on.

Slowly standing up, Ellie didn’t realize that she’d begun to sob. Joel turns to her and before he’s able to inquire anything of her, she holds out the hand carrying the pin. He picks it up and examines it, immediately recalling the day when he and Ellie had found it during patrol. He remembered how gleeful she was upon its discovery, how he’d rolled his eyes and chuckled over how absolutely lovestruck she was over you. He pulls her into a tight hug as she continues to cry uncontrollably.

“We’ll find her, kiddo. You and me, we crossed the entire country together and survived. We’ll find her together, I promise.”

It could have been days, weeks that had passed since you were abducted. Time had no meaning in your small prison, nothing but the sun shining through a small window to indicate what vague hour of the day it possibly was. Your only source of human interaction was when someone would bring you a tray of food twice in, what you’d assume, a day. You’d eventually caved into your hunger, realizing that you had no other choice other than resorting to the same barbaric sin these people had grown so comfortable in doing. Your only comfort was knowing that they had only been feeding you deer meat, the flavour remaining unchanged and the taste never being unfamiliar.

It was a different person delivering the food and water every time, leading you to believe that this was a larger group of people than just the three men you’d met on your first day. At first, you attempted to keep count of how many came in, but your solitary confinement was quickly driving you to delusion and you began to doubt your memory.

The only thing that was keeping you mildly sane was singing to yourself throughout the day. The act that had once brought you solace during your time in the greenhouses was the one thing that was keeping you grounded as you felt yourself slowly withering away.

🎶 Tonight, you’re mine completely // You give your love so sweetly

Tonight, the light of love is in your eyes // But will you still love me tomorrow? 🎶

Memories of Ellie come flooding to you like an avalanche: the way she’d wrap her arms around you while you were quietly humming songs from the old world to yourself as you washed dishes, the way she’d urge you to keep singing as she tried to twirl you around in your living room, how she used to love laying on your chest and listening to your crooning as you’d stroke her hair when you’d both be lounging on a day off.

🎶 Is this a lasting treasure // Or just a moment’s pleasure?

Can I believe the magic of your sighs? // Will you still love me tomorrow? 🎶

You and Ellie both bonding over your love of music was one of the first steps towards falling in love with one another. You’d always been drawn to her, since the moment your eyes met. But as you both learned more about each other, that attraction grew into the feeling of needing her for the rest of your life.

🎶 Tonight with words unspoken // You say that I’m the only one

But will my heart be broken // When the night meets the morning sun? 🎶

You wonder if you’d be where you were in the first place if you and Ellie hadn’t broken up in the first place. You would have kept your patrol duties, and maybe you wouldn’t have gotten paired up with Antoine. Maybe your desolation and disconnect from life turned you careless. You’d been in mortal peril several times in the past. But not like this.

🎶 I’d like to know that your love // Is a love I can be sure of

So tell me now and I won’t ask again // Will you still love me tomorrow?

Will you still love me tomorrow? 🎶

You needed Ellie.

It had been over four days since your sudden kidnapping, and Ellie was growing more and more desperate. There had been little traces of where you’d been taken and even less proof of whether you were still alive. Ellie felt every part of her dying every second you hadn’t been found, and the only thing that kept her going was her unyielding determination to have you safe and sound back home.

It was evening when Ellie and Joel had regrouped with the rest of the search party at a watch tower that usually served as a patrol checkpoint. She and Joel had safely tied the reins of their horses next to the others before heading to the second floor of the watchtower. Ellie had been adamant to continue searching through the night, and it took everything within Joel not to drag her by her toes to get some rest and convene with the others.

Joel was reprimanding her calmly for making them late meeting up with the rest of the search party as they walked into the room full of other Jackson citizens who were all conversing erratically. When they’d set eyes on the pair, a hush fell over the group. Ellie and Joel begin scanning their faces before a woman in the middle speaks up.

“We think we might know where they are, Joel.” She announces softly.

Ellie’s exhausted demeanour immediately shifts to alertness.

“Where? How do you know? Are you sure?” She demands agitatedly.

Joel holds a hand up to Ellie before saying, “What did you find?”

“Audrey and Lyn spotted some raiders about six miles northeast. Or at least, they thought they were raiders. They overheard their conversation and…” She looks over at a pair of women sitting on a couch to the side.

“They’re from a settlement not too far from where we spotted them.” The woman named Lyn speaks. “I’m not sure how we never discovered it, but there’s a rather large group that’s dwelling in that area. Not nearly as big as Jackson, but a good amount,”

“They armed?” Joel questions.

“Yeah. We need to be careful approaching them. It doesn’t to be as safely guarded as Jackson, but the sentries still look vicious.”

“Do we need backup?”

“I think as long as we’re smart and stealthy, our group will be good enough to infiltrate their village.”

“How do we know for sure that she’s in there?”

Lyn exchanges a look with the woman Audrey next to her.

“They were talking about some fresh meat that they’d acquired just a few days ago, a girl. They—”

Lyn falters, unable to finish her sentence. Audrey glances at her before looking at both Joel and Ellie with wary eyes.

“Th-they’re cannibals, Joel.”

All the colour drains from Ellie’s face as she’s flung into memories from a decade ago of being trapped in a cage by a man named David.

🎶 They say everything can be replaced // They say every distance is not near 🎶

You were laying on your back, facing up at the bleak and boring ceiling that you’d grown to memorize.

🎶 So I remember every face // Of every man who put me here 🎶

Your eyes were glazed over, autonomously singing lyrics to a song that you knew by heart.

🎶 I see my light come shining // From the west down to the east 🎶

You try desperately to cling to the memory of Ellie’s face, terrified to lose all the small details that you felt slowly slipping away as you descend more and more into sequestered delusion.

🎶 Any day now, any day now // I shall be released 🎶

“Is that what you think, sweetheart?” A voice interrupts your musical reverie.

You turn slowly towards the speaker who was crouching outside your cage, your head the only thing that moves as the rest of your body is too weak to physically respond.

“You have a beautiful voice. I’ve been growing fond of hearing it these past few days. Big fan of the oldies, huh?”

You continue to stare at Ian, your face expressionless.

“That’s something we’ve got in common, you and I. I’m quite partial to Otis Redding myself.”

You struggle to keep down the bile building up in your throat at hearing this repulsive man expressing love for something.

“It’s almost endearing how you still hold out hope for escaping.”

“It’s just a song.” You finally speak, deadpan.

“True.” Ian responds, his face perking up at your engagement. “You still do have a chance to be released, you know. Just gotta prove that you’ll be a valuable asset to us. Be a team player.”

“You mean consent to eating people.”

“We’re survivalists, princess. In this world, being picky is not a luxury.”

“I’d rather retain the little humanity I have left, thanks.” You retort before turning your head back to stare at the ceiling once more.

“Surviving and persevering is inherently human. We kill to survive. We take care of our own, by any means necessary.”

“So now what?” You ask. “You’re gonna chop me up into tiny pieces and serve me to your cult?”

“Hey, now. ‘Cult’ is a bit too strong of a word, muffin.” He says, defensively. “Like I said, we’re survivalists. But I’d rather not have to—how’d you say it? ‘Chop you up into tiny pieces’?”

You merely scoff in response.

“Please tell me your name.”

“No.”

“You know mine.”

“Indeed I do.”

“I’ve been quite honest with you. It’s just the polite thing to do, you know.”

“You know what’s polite?” You turn your head back towards him. “Not keeping someone in a fucking cage.”

“Just a precaution. Gotta figure out if you can be one of us.”

“In your motherfucking dreams, asshole.” You spit.

Ian sighs before standing up straight once more. He looks at you despondently.

“It’d be a shame to lose you, sweetheart. You have heart. You’re special. Having you for dinner would feel like such a waste of the little beauty left in this world.”

“I’m not your fucking sweetheart.” You seethe.

“That’s too bad.” Ian tsks. “Keep singing those songs for me, sweetheart. While you still can.”

He exits the room, and you hear the sound of multiple locks clicking as you had every time you were left alone once more.

A sinking feeling in your stomach tells you that you may not be trapped in this cage for much longer.

Ellie’s ocean-green eyes scan their surroundings, observing the guards that patrolled the edge of the village. There were at least a dozen of them and they appeared to be heavily armed as Lyn had promised. Some were keeping vigilant watch, but most were carelessly chatting with one another.

The whole party from Jackson remained perfectly concealed in the shadows of the forest right next to the village. They’d chosen to arrive at dusk at the exact time that the sun had just set, perfect to remain eclipsed in the shade but having enough light to navigate the unfamiliar town.

Joel lifts his head slightly from the bush he and Ellie were hidden behind, meeting the eyes of the others as he gave a signal. They all nodded in quiet response as they readied their weapons, some holding pistols equipped with makeshift silencers and Ellie with her faithful bow and arrow. One by one, they take out each of the guards. They fall quickly to the ground, none having enough time to react or sound any alarm of an attack. The second the last one collapses, Joel holds up a hand as he silently counts down before signalling the rest to quickly approach.

Ellie is the quickest to reach the border of the town, having set aside her bow and equipping her semi-auto pistol. Remembering information Lyn and Audrey had provided from their overheard conversation, she swiftly weaves through the village as her eyes scoured for a brick house with a metal entryway. Most of the buildings seemed to be partially constructed with a wooden exterior, but if their intel was correct, you were being kept in some kind of slaughterhouse.

As she’s made it halfway through the town, Ellie catches the eye of another companion who gestures to a brown cinder block building being guarded by two citizens holding hunting rifles. She scans the scene before aiming her gun towards them, her precise shots quieted by a silencer. Both guards topple over almost immediately, giving Ellie the opportunity to sprint towards the entrance. She’s joined by a boy named Levi to see the door to the slaughterhouse sealed off by a heavy padlock. She signals Levi to draw back before aiming her pistol and shattering the lock.

Ellie tears it off the handles before wrenching the doors open. She actively ignores the heavy machinery and smell of rotting meat and spots a door that appeared to lead down to a lower floor. That too was padlocked and she immediately attended to it the same way she’d done with the first. Levi remains behind to keep watch as Ellie quietly descends down the stairs to the basement.

She ignores all the doorways leading to other rooms when she spots a heavy-looking metal door with multiple locks. As she approaches it, she hears a muffled melody from behind it.

Is that…singing?

🎶 Now you say you’re lonely // You cry the whole night through

Well, you can cry me a river, cry me a river // I cried a river over you 🎶

Ellie recognizes the same voice she had fallen in love with all those years ago as yours, her heart filling with affection and her spirits being lifted for the first time in days.

🎶 Now you say you’re sorry // For being so untrue

Well, you can cry me a river, cry me a river // I cried a river over you 🎶

As she examines the steel entryway for an opening, she’s flooded with memories of secretly listening to your innocent singing when you had thought you were alone.

🎶 You drove me, nearly drove me out of my head // While you never shed a tear

Remember, I remember all that you said // Told me that love was too plebeian

Told me you were through with me 🎶

Ellie unbolts several latches and uses her pistol to shoot off yet another heavy-duty lock that separated her from you.

🎶 And now you say you love me // Well, just to prove you do

Come on and cry me a river, cry me a river // I cried a river over you 🎶

She violently wrenches the weighty door open, realizing now more than ever how much she needs you.

🎶 I cried a river over you

I cried a river over you

I cried a river over you 🎶

The song fades to an end as her eyes fall onto a figure trapped within silver fencing, laying flat on its back with its hands folded on its stomach.

“B-baby?” Ellie whispers, eyes filling with tears.

Your own eyes remain closed as you ignore the quiet voice you assumed was Ian, returning once more to torment you and perhaps even drag you to your death.

Ellie approaches your cage, her gaze falling on your frame for the first time in what felt like an eternity. She notices how much scraggier you appeared, clearly being fed very little during your confinement.

She clears her throat softly as she crouches down to your level, hand falling on the fencing that felt reminiscent of the prison she was once held in all those years ago.

“Baby.” She repeats once more, her voice clearer and fuller.

“Go to hell, Ian.” You finally vocalize, eyes still remaining closed and ignoring how the voice seemed different from that of Ian’s. You conclude that you’ve finally reached the point of delusion where any voice you hear mimics that of your ex-girlfriend.

“No, it’s-it’s me.” Ellie whispers.

You finally open your eyes and turn towards the source of introduction. Your eyebrows lift slightly as you take in the features of the girl you were still madly in love with, despite everything. You look her up and down for a few moments before returning to your original position.

“This is a rather cruel joke. I preferred it when my hallucinations left me alone, thank you.”

“This isn’t a hallucination,” Ellie utters as she feels her heart crack. “I’m here, baby. I’m here.”

You turn back towards her and finally sit up, further examining your new companion. You scrutinize her further, still fully of the belief that your delusion had finally taken hold of you. You approach the border of your cage slowly before speaking.

“Are you real?” You ask.

Finally within your reach, Ellie holds a hand out as far as she’s able to stroke your cheek.

“I’m real, pretty girl. I promise.”

The moment her skin touches yours, your body is filled with a sense of vigour and life that it hadn’t felt in weeks.

“E-Ellie?” You say meekly.

“I’m here,” She repeats. “I’m here. I’m getting you out right now.”

“No, you’re not. Hands up.”

Your body freezes at the sound of the voice you’d grown to be familiar with the past few days.

“Drop the gun. Now.”

Ellie immediately lets go of her pistol and rigidly straightens up from her crouched position. She turns slowly towards Ian who has a revolver pointed, not at her, but at you.

“So, my new pet has a little friend? Sweetheart, you never told me about her.”

“Don’t fucking call her that.” Ellie spits.

“I can call her whatever I want. I’m not the one with a gun to their head.”

Ellie eyes his revolver and slowly inches to shield you from his aim.

“Don’t you fucking move!” Ian hisses. “I can shoot you, then shoot her.”

“E-Ellie, please just,” You stutter. “Move out of the way.”

“No,” Ellie mutters through gritted teeth, standing her ground. “I’m not fucking moving.”

“You’ve got until the count of three.” He orders her.

You grip the back of Ellie’s shirt through the fence, silently urging her to move. She refuses to yield.

“One,” Ian begins. “Two—”

His countdown is interrupted by the butt of a gun colliding with the back of his head. Joel emerges from behind him holding up a hunting rifle.

You let out a choked-out sob, your grip on Ellie’s shirt loosening. Hot tears were falling down your cheeks that you didn’t notice until Ellie turned towards you to check on your state, wiping them away.

“Are you okay?” She asks fervently.

“I-I…” You stammer.

“We need to go now.” Joel interrupts. “We may have taken out a few guards, but we don’t know how many more they have stationed out there.”

Joel searches Ian’s unconscious body, finding a set of keys in his front pocket. After some trial and error, he and Ellie are able to find the key that unlocked your cage.

Ellie pulls you into a tight embrace, repeatedly whispering “thank god, thank god,” into your hair. You pull away, feeling slightly suffocated and having no desire to remain within this room that served as your prison for what felt like years.

Ellie picks up the pistol she had dropped before she begins to walk you towards the exit. But before you reach it, Ian begins to stir from beneath you. Both Joel and Ellie point their respective guns at him.

“Wait.” You say, holding a hand up.

“Baby, but—“ Ellie begins but stops when she sees you reaching towards the butcher’s knife that had been stabbed into the chopping table, the same one that had served as your only view during your confinement.

Ellie releases your waist just as you lift the cleaver above your head.

The moment you step out of the slaughterhouse, you nearly collapse. It was almost as if the air outside your prison was twice as thick than within, and your lungs were still incapable of not choking from it.

Ellie, sensing you about to drop, quickly wraps her arms around your waist as your legs crumple beneath you. She scoops you up from your knees and carries you down the road, Joel following quickly behind. As you spot the borders of the town where familiar faces from Jackson begin convening around you, you black out in a flash.

You wake up to the familiar scent of cedarwood and sage. Your body feels weighed down onto what felt like a bed, unable to move your limbs with ease. Every part of you still wished to remain asleep, but something else seemed to be pulling you out of your comatose state. Your eyes are the first to move, fluttering open slowly and agonizingly before they survey the position you’d been unconsciously placed in.

Light peeks through sheer blue curtains that decorated Ellie’s garage window to your right. You shift your head slightly to gaze through the panes, regarding how there was barely any snow on the ground. Your eyebrows knit in bewilderment, wondering how long you’d been out for that the snow had finally melted.

“It rained yesterday while you were sleeping.”

You slowly turn towards the sound of the gentle, calming voice and meet the ocean-green eyes that had been staring at you since the moment you’d woken.

“What?” You whisper, voice croaking from lack of use.

“That’s why there’s no snow anymore. Rain melted it away last night.”

Ellie was sitting at the foot of the bed, a graphic novel right next to her that now lay forgotten.

You stare at her in befuddlement, perplexed at how she’d read your mind so quickly and easily just from a look.

“Oh,” You say. “How long was I out for?”

“About a day or so.”

“Shit. I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Ellie says, moving from her spot to settle next to you. She places a gentle hand on top of yours.

“I-I don’t know.” You reply, cringing instinctively at her touch.

She pulls away immediately.

“S-sorry…”

“It’s okay.” You utter, heart rising to your cheeks. “Is everyone alright?”

“Everyone’s fine, I promise. We were able to get in and out quick with no casualties on our side.”

“No one was hurt?”

“That kid Levi is probably a little traumatized after entering that slaughterhouse, but he’ll probably stop vomiting anytime soon.” Ellie attempts a joke, smiling slightly.

You don’t return her smile, looking down at your hands in guilt. The memories of being trapped in that isolated hell were still so raw and you were trying not to throw up from the thought of it yourself.

“I can’t believe I was so stupid to get caught like that. I put so many people in fucking danger just because I let my guard down. I fucking—”

“No, don’t do that.” Ellie interrupts. Her hand twitches, as if she wanted to touch you again but stopped herself. “That fucking coward Antoine should have never left you alone.”

“It’s not his fault… He was just scared. It’d have probably been worse if he got caught along with me.”

“If you just had a competent partner out there with you… It should have been me in the first place like it always was before.” Ellie curses.

“It’s fine…” You mutter.

“It’s not fucking fine!” Ellie exclaims, throwing her hands up and getting up in frustration. You watch as she paces by the bed. “I-I could have lost you, baby.”

“Why does that matter?” You whisper.

“B-because…” Ellie stutters, not making eye contact with you. “Because I love you.”

You stare at her vacantly. Those had been the words you’d been wanting to hear again from her for the past month. But you couldn’t bring yourself to believe her.

“You didn’t before.” You say blankly. “What you did, someone who loved me wouldn’t do that. You left me. You fucking left me.”

Ellie kneels next to you and dares put her hands on top of yours once more.

“I never stopped loving you, baby. The past few weeks… it was fucking hell on earth. It took fucking everything in me not to crawl back on my knees to you and beg for your forgiveness.”

“But you didn’t,” You argue. “You threw me out, Ellie. You told me to stop calling you ‘baby.’ The past month… it was slowly killing me, and you didn’t give a damn. You didn’t fucking care. You went about your life like you didn’t tear my heart out of my chest. I haven’t seen you once since that night, and suddenly you’re here telling me you still love me.”

“Cause it hurt me every time I saw you.” Ellie says, voice cracking and eyes watering. “Every time I saw you when I passed by the greenhouses or when I would see you walking home… it fucking hurt.”

“Didn’t fucking seem like it. ”

“I-I thought… I thought being apart was what was best for us. I loved you so much and I didn’t want my past to get in the way, I thought that maybe I could make you see that I’m faithful to you and only you. It was so fucking stupid, I was so fucking stupid.”

Tears were streaming down Ellie’s face nonstop now, staining the bedsheets.

“Everything that happened to you the past few days, it was my fault. You’d never have been there if I didn’t push you away. I can only imagine the kind of torture you went through, being in there. I was so fucking terrified, the most I’d ever been in my whole life. All because I was too fucking proud, too fucking blind.”

Your breath hitches, remembering the time Ellie’d confided in you one sleepless night about what happened to her a decade ago when she was kidnapped by a man named David.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” Ellie continues. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. I don’t love anybody else. You don’t know how much I need you, how much I’ll always need you. I was so fucking stupid, I’m so sorry.”

You pull one of your hands away from hers to caress her face, the corners of your lips turning up slightly.

“Yeah. Yeah, you are kind of stupid.”

Ellie’s eyes widen in surprise and her face breaks out into a teary smile.

“It took me getting kidnapped and eaten by a group of cannibals for you to apologize?” You say, joking for the first time in a month. Ellie laughs awkwardly.

“I’ll never leave you again. I swear.”

“No, you don’t have to swear, Ellie. It’s—“

She shakes her head.

“I know I have to gain your trust back. I can’t imagine the hell you went through the past few days, and the most important thing for me right now is to make sure you’re okay. And to make sure you know that I’ll be here with you. Forever, until you don’t want me anymore.”

“I’ll always want you, Ellie.” You smile, your thumb wiping her tears away. She leans into your hand as she gazes lovingly back at you.

“C-can I kiss you?” She asks softly. You freeze for a moment.

“I-I’m still… I mean, the past few days are still—” You begin to stutter.

“It’s okay, baby.” She whispers. “Please don’t rush yourself, take your time.”

She settles for taking your hand on her face between both of hers and giving it the lightest of kisses. You smile before she speaks again.

“I’ll wait forever.”

author’s notes:

absolutely insane how long this one-shot turned out to be. it was supposed to be much, much shorter but oops. thank you for being patient with me.

reader’s moon pin is in third quarter (or just a half moon) because third quarter moon is supposed to represent forgiveness and revisiting past actions and etc. thought it was fitting :)

the part where reader wakes up in the cage is supposed to mirror when ellie was captured by david in the first game, so if it sounds familiar, that's why

the cult leader's name is ian simply because i have an ex-boyfriend whose name is ian and i hate his guts, it was fun to name a bad guy after him

love you all, promise i’ll work on ncty soon. just dealing with a lot of shit in my personal life rn (yes a lot of it is shit with my ex shut up), so just keep being patient with me if y’all can ♡︎

taglist: @spaceshipellie, @ximtiredx, @jajsnjz, @sawaagyapong, @beforeimdeceased, @carmellie, @thatgiraffefromtlou, @elliesplaylist, @p1llowthoughtss, @lonelyfooryouonly, @machetegirl109, @herdelreydear, @elliesnumber1gf, @ellies-tatoo, @eleactric

#ellie one-shot #belle one-shot #ellie williams #ellie x reader #ellie x you #ellie x y/n #the last of us #tlou #the last of us part 2 #tlou2 #ellie fanfiction #ellie smut #Spotify #audio #belle speaks #v #belle writes

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pandasleepy07 · 2 months ago

Text

Ghostober - Day 1 [Mountain]

⚠️Warnings | Unconscious ghoul

"He was unconscious when I found him."

Wordcount | 1.7 K

“Y/N?” Mountain’s normally calm timber is frantic as you glance up from the couch in the common room. He holds Phantom in his arms. Well it looks like Phantom from what you could see from the vitiligo that popped out from under the ghouls sleeves.

“Mount? What happened?” You ask, standing up, concern slowly rising.

“I- I don’t know. I was going down to the greenhouse and I- he was unconscious when I found him.” He’s rambling. Something he rarely does. Something that only happens when he’s anxious.

You stand up and walk around the couch to him.

“He was just lying on the ground. Almost stepped on hi-”

“Mount,” you start smoothly, putting a hand on his arm gently. “Slow down. Let’s get him up to Aether. He’ll know what to do. And take a breath.”

“Right. Aether,” Mountain mutters before starting off in long strides towards the infirmary.

His shoulders are still wrung tight, and he keeps muttering quietly to himself. “He was in such a weird position. No one can do that normally.”

“Mountain,” you chide, scurrying across the room after him in an attempt to keep up. “Stop thinking about it, you’ll just worry yourself.”

He huffs out a breath but closes his mouth, stopping his rambling. He glances down at the little quintessence ghoul in his arms and then down at you, his expression softening at your attempt to keep in stride with him. He slows his stride a bit, still walking fast but at a much more manageable pace for you. “‘M just worried,” he mumbles quietly as the two of you start up the stairs to the infirmary.

“I know,” you respond softly. “Where did you find him, anyways?”

The question seems to help ground him on what he knows, not the possibilities. “By that little burrow. Y’know the one that the raccoons adopted last year?”

You nod.

“That one. He was laying there, twisted in a position that didn’t look normal.” His voice is softer now, worry clear in his tone.

“Of course it was the raccoons,” you mumble to yourself. “He loves those guys. Practically is one. I’ll go and check the burrow to see if I can figure out what he was doing out there.” You slow your pace and turn to head out when Mountain’s tail grabs your leg frantically. You turn back and see the panicked look in his eyes. “Orrrr I could come with you.”

“Please,” he whispers out the word, a pleading edge in his voice and it threatens to break your heart. You’ve never seen Mountain so scared. The large earth ghoul is normally an anchor for everyone yet in this moment you know he needs someone else to lean on.

Without saying anything you nod, and continue up the steps to the infirmary. You know how much Phantom means to Mountain. He sees the young ghoul as a kid brother. He took it upon himself to make sure he was adjusting well, knowing that Aether’s shoes were large and daunting, both literally and figuratively.

You push open the door and hold it open for Mountain who shuffles in sideways, looking around for Aether, who comes around the corner. His eyes widen in surprise, and he gestures Mountain towards a bed. Mountain gingerly places Phantom down on the medical bed before stepping back so that Aether can do his thing. The huge quintessence ghoul starts asking questions as he checks Phantoms vitals. “What happened? Why is he so cold? Wh-”

“Aether,” you cut him off sharply, as his questions put Mountain more and more on edge.

He glances over and notices Mountain’s tense stance and nods, turning back to Phantom. You gently put a hand on Mountain’s bicep, and squeeze lightly. “He’ll be okay,” you whisper.

He only grunts in response. You stand there with him watching as Aether checks his hear with a stethoscope, then his eyes with a pen light and a pulse oximetry. Mountain tenses with each minute that goes by where Aether doesn’t speak. You gently start to rub your thumb back and forth where your hand rests on his arm, in a quiet attempt to keep him grounded.

Aether steps back after a minute and turns around, a confused look on his face. “He seems fine. All of his vitals are normal. It looks like he’s just exhausted.”

“But he’s fine?” Mountain asks gruffly.

Aether nods. “He’s fine. Let him rest a bit.”

“What about his bones?”

Aether glances at Mountain then at Phantom. “What do you mean?”

“He was bent weirdly when I found him. I thought-”

Aether moves around the bed and gently checks Phantom for any serious injuries before looking up at Mountain. “Nothing’s hurt, Mount.”

That sentence helps ease tension from his body. “Yeah?” The word comes out shaky and unsure, like he can’t really believe it.

Aether walks around and places a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. “Yeah. He’s okay. The little bug is okay. Why don’t you sit down? You’re not the one looking so good now.”

Mountain manages a soft chuckle and moves to sit on the chair in the corner. It creaks under his weight but holds him.

Aether turns to you. “Stay with him for me.”

You nod and move to stand next to Phantom’s bed, looking down at the young ghoul, who even in his sleep holds traces of exhaustion in his expression. You hear the curtain close around the small area as Aether leaves but it’s Mountain’s sigh that pulls your gaze up. Wordlessly, you walk around and slip onto his lap, curling up there, and sliding a hand into his hair, scratching between his horns. “He’s okay Mount. He’s okay.”

He only grunts in response, his arms coming to wrap around you tightly as he dips his head down into your hair. “S’was so worried.”

“I know,” you murmur softly. “I know.”

You sit there with him for nearly an hour before Phantom starts to stir. Mountain’s up in an instant, carefully placing you on the ground. He makes sure you’re steady before walking around to Phantom’s bedsite. “Bug? How are you feeling?”

Phantom sits up groggily and glances around to see the curtains of the infirmary. “Okay… why am I in the infirmary?”

Mountain recounts the story of how he found him, and Phantom pauses before laughing. “Oh Satanas, I never told you I was double jointed?”

๋࣭🕸🦇🕸๋࣭ ⭑Ghostober Masterlist 2024⭑ 🕸๋࣭ ⭑🦇🕸 ๋࣭

#ghost band #ghost ghouls #nameless ghouls #aether ghost #aether ghoul #mountain ghoul #mountain ghost #phantom ghoul #phantom ghost #reader x mountain #ghostober 2024 #the band ghost

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itaerae · 1 year ago

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the florist — h. yujin

pairing: yujin x fem!reader

synopsis: an aspiring young florist in training lays eyes on the most beautiful rose he'd ever seen. what happens when her once blooming petals turn into prickling thorns ?

word count: 0.8k

warnings: unrequited love, angst, fluff if you squint ! (not proofread)

authors notes: a little drabble for @luvjiun's event ! i had so much fun writing this ᵕ̈ i did a little poetry-ish theme bc i know you like poetry hehe

—

han yujin, a boy who grew up in a sunny, quiet suburban neighborhood. han yujin, a boy who'd found his solace and purpose in arranging flowers at a tucked away corner shop. han yujin, the young florist whom all the towns people knew too well.

han yujin, who found himself working day by day behind the counters of a cozy greenhouse. han yujin, who got quite used to the sound of the front door bell chime. han yujin, who developed a small habit of tilting his head up to greet every customer that walks in.

han yujin, who on this fateful day, locked eyes with whom he swore was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. han yujin, who watched the way rays of sunlight reflect on her natural skin in a daze. han yujin, who's face brightened up hotter than the sun. han yujin, who now couldn't utter a single word.

han yujin, who noticed the way her eyes wandered around and laid upon the rose bouquet he held. han yujin, who saw the way she smiled and gave him a mini-wave. han yujin, who now felt the rapid beating of his heart against his chest. han yujin, who faltered before waving back with a nervous smile of his own.

han yujin, who regularly sees her everyday by noon. han yujin, who always noted the way she only orders the roses. han yujin, who subconsciously gave her the nickname of 'my rose.' han yujin, who'd realized he'd fallen head over heels.

han yujin, who now made sure to prepare her roses in advance. han yujin, who felt victory once he saw the way her eyes lit up as she walked in. han yujin, who admired the way her hair flew as she stepped through the breezy doors. han yujin, who's mind was now occupied with her splitting image.

han yujin, who's heart was now racing as they had their first long conversation. han yujin, who blushed knowing she now considered him a close friend. han yujin, who in the back of his mind, may have wished for a little more than just friends.

han yujin, who now had the courage to ask her for a day out. han yujin, who's smile shined brighter than the town after hearing her agreement. han yujin, who had the time of his life, laughing near the pond with his delicate flower.

han yujin, who was slightly puzzled when she hadn't made her entrance the very next day. han yujin, who waited intently as he stared at the door until the clock struck afternoon. han yujin, who now closed the shop feeling a bit blue.

han yujin, who grew upset when she missed a second day in a row. han yujin, who couldn't help but contemplate various different scenarios in his little mind. han yujin, who eventually thought he sounded silly and brushed it off.

han yujin, who still waited as days turned to weeks, and weeks turned into months. han yujin, who's eyes darted to the wilting roses on the counter. han yujin, who'd refused to stop preparing her roses in advance. han yujin, who hoped for her return one day as he now slouched on said counter.

han yujin, who was now a little bit older than the naive boy he was before. han yujin, who still ran the the small, tucked away corner shop. han yujin, who never forgot the rose that once walked into his life. han yujin, who's eyes still darted at the bouquet of roses he stored on the counter daily.

han yujin, who's eyes and ears perked up at the familiar sound of the door's bell chime. han yujin, who's eyes widened as he saw who walked in. han yujin, who was hit by a wave of nostalgia as the sight of the rays of sunlight hit her natural skin. han yujin, who's heart raced all over again.

han yujin, who's eyes trailed down to her hands, which appeared to be interlocked. han yujin, who looked back up and saw the new boy she dragged inside. han yujin, who now felt his racing heart drop to the pit of his stomach.

han yujin, who now looked at the way her eyes softened at this new man, just as she used to for him. han yujin, who forced out a smile hidden above the waves of jealousy churning inside him. han yujin, who now gripped onto the rose bouquet in anguish.

han yujin, who now viewed her once beautiful smile as bitter venom. han yujin, who felt the sharp prick of thorns as he watched his rose walk away in the arms of another. han yujin, who now started growing a hatred for red roses.

han yujin, the young florist who no longer kept a rose bouquet on the counter.

taglist: @kpoprhia , @wonswife

#land of zumblr #zb1 #zb1 drabbles #zb1 scenarios #zb1 imagines #zb1 x reader #boys planet drabbles #boys planet scenarios #boys planet imagines #boys planet x reader #han yujin #zb1 yujin

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milfswriter · 2 years ago

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Nightshade

Larissa Weems x Vampire!reader

Summary: You almost lose Larissa.

Notes and warning: Marilyn Thornhill (yes she’s a warning by itself), little bitty angst, near-death experience, blood-drinking (i guess?). I’m not proud of this tbh :(.

It’s been a few weeks since your first visit to nevermore. You had gotten to know the young vampires there and basically made friends with them.

You were chatting with Yoko and arguing about which blood type is tastier when Thing, a hand that always accompanied Wednesday Addams tugged on your pants. You tried trading him for Advanced Cello lessons but she wouldn't budge. He gave you the middle finger and you raised your hands in defeat. "No need to be rude".

You looked down to see him obviously anxious by the way he was signing so fast. “Alright calm down what are ya saying?”.

He gave up and told you to follow him, you reluctantly walked behind him as he took you to the greenhouse, the place you dreaded the most around here because of that weird woman.

You saw Larissa there. Laying on the ground, a clear substance came out of her mouth while Wednesday fought off Marilyn. You froze, your knees couldn't hold your weight anymore but you went to grab the shovel on the table and hit Marilyn in the back of the skull, knocking her out before falling on your knees.

“R..Rissa?” She tried so hard to look at you, you wished she didn't because now your undead heart's aching at the way she desperately tried to talk. You didn't know what to do. "W..wh..Draga mea, what happened?" you asked her but Wednesday answered behind you.

"Thornhill injected her with nightshade poison" As soon as she said it, you subconsciously moved her head to the side, piercing her pulse point with your fangs to try and suck the poison out while your tears soaked her neck, her blood soaking yours as you failed to keep your mouth shut while you sobbed.

Your efforts proved fruitful as you began tasting the poison, stopping what you were doing to spit it out next to her before continuing the process as Wednesday tried pulling you off her while the paramedics came in the room with a stretcher and the sheriff with handcuffs ready in his hands and handcuffed Marilyn, who surprisingly began regaining consciousness.

"They're going to help her" Wednesday assured in her usual cold voice and you scoffed. "yeah, as if normies care about us. This here is evidence that we're still at war with them! She trusted her and let her teach outcasts! They're not taking her" you pushed the paramedic off her as he tried to take her pulse.

"Don't touch her!" you growled, your fangs on display as your pale skin somehow reddened with fury.

You felt a soft grip on your hand and looked down to see Larissa nodding with a weak smile. You wiped the saliva out of the corner of her lips with your sleeve and stood up. They took it as a sign to take her.

You hugged your arms to yourself, your tears staining your cheeks. "W..what the fuck happened?" you sighed, wiping your face with your hands.

"It was my fault" Wednesday gulped, "I convinced her to shapeshift into Thornhill's puppet to see that I was right, she stabbed her with that needle before she could say outcast".

You found no use in blaming Wednesday now. You left the greenhouse and made your way to her office to get your coat, freezing at the sight of the empty room, her perfume still lingering in the air.

You stopped yourself from breaking down again, putting your coat on and going to your car, the students sending you apologetic looks on the way.

----

You paced around the waiting room, still no word of her being okay. You were nervous as hell, were you going to lose her that day if Thing hadn't come to find you?.

"Family of Larissa Weems?" someone called behind her and you turned to face a nurse that had a reassuring smile on her face.

"She's awake now, follow me" you walked behind her until you stopped in front of room 324, taking a deep breath before knocking and entering.

There she was. Your wife, whose passion for achieving peace between normies and outcasts has led her here. Her eyes met yours as she looked away from the TV. She was wired to multiple IVs and bandaged on the neck.

You made your way to her, sitting next to her bed and taking her hand in yours. "How do you feel, iubita mea?" was all you managed to ask as the blonde nodded.

"I'm fine. Just….shocked” you hummed, resting your temple on her thigh.

She reached with her hand to run it through your hair in a comforting manner, knowing that you wouldn’t stop blaming yourself if anything had happened to her.

She saw you swallowing back a sob and patted the space beside her. “I don’t want to hurt you” you frowned, though you wanted nothing more than to snuggle next to her.

“You won’t. Now come here” she gave you one of her dreamy smiles and you gave in. You took your shoes off before climbing up the hospital bed and cuddled next to her, cautious as to not mess up the IVs and hurt her.

“There you go. I’ll be fine..We’ll be fine” she placed a kiss to your hair and held you close.

“How would you like a position at Nevermore?” She asked after a few minutes of silence, her hands still working through your hair.

It surprised you, to say the least, but you wouldn’t turn down an opportunity like this “If it keeps you alive. And No Normies”.

She let out a chuckle, kissing your hair again. “Anything you want, my little bat”.

Taglist:

@wlwmitchell @ara-a-bird @mmemalwa @galaxydreamer468

#larissa weems x reader #larissa weems #gwendoline christie x reader #gwendoline christie #wednesday addams x reader

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littlehypnone · 7 months ago

Note

hello!!! hope you’re having an amazing day/night :3!

could you maybe write one of the ghouls like overdoing it one day then have to take is super easy- like basically bed rest the day after cause it caused a flare up and they get some comfort? if not that’s alright and i hope you have a wonderful rest of your day/night!

i had mountain and dew thoughts, hope its okay

little mountain, cg dew, cg aether, lots of pain and crying, hurt/comfort, use of quintessence

Mountain knew he was overdoing it. Too much weight carrying, bending down, and, in general, just straining his back the whole day. But the spring just fully hit, it got warmer and there was a lot of work to be done in the gardens and greenhouses. And so Mountain was on it, even against his—and his packmates'—better judgment.

By the end of the day he was exhausted and in pain, but he was telling himself that it was still fine. It was just a dull ache all over his back and in his shoulders, he was fine.

Until he wasn’t.

The earth ghoul was just finishing up when he bent down to get one more of the big pots up from the ground and onto the bench when he first heard, then felt a sickening crack. Mountain cried out and crumpled to his knees next to the pot, gripping it tightly and trying to breathe deeply through the pain. It faded rather quickly—it was like an electrical shock went right through his spine—but it didn’t fade completely.

Mountain fought back tears of pain, exhaustion, and anger as he slowly got up. It hurt like hell, but he managed to stand and straighten up. He cursed the damn pot and himself and slowly made his way out of the greenhouse and back to the Abbey. The earth ghoul relied on his nose to not run into anyone, not in a mood for a scolding; it was better to avoid them altogether. It was late anyway.

He skipped the shower—not wanting to risk collapsing in there and actually needing someone to come help—and went straight to bed, downing a few painkillers before shutting his eyes.

It’s the morning now and it's so much worse.

Mountain barely wakes up before the pain slams into him and he drops immediately; and smaller than usually. He starts crying quietly, not really being able to move because it just hurts so much. He doesn’t know what to do so he just grabs his carrot and cries.

Just moments before Dewdrop startles awake to a nagging feeling in his chest. Something’s wrong and as he comes to, he realizes it’s his bond with Mountain that’s pulling him up. He’s out of the door and on the way to the earth ghoul’s before he knows it.

He finds Mountain all small and sobbing into his plushie and his heart breaks. Dewdrop all but runs to him and kneels on the edge of the bed to comfort the little ghoul.

He cries out in pain, though, when the bed dips, and the fire ghoul recoils in shock. “Rosey? What’s wrong, baby, talk to me.”

“M–mama,” he whimpers. “H–hurts, m–m’back. I’s bad.”

“Oh, love.” Dewdrop's heart hurts at the tiny, hurt voice. It must be really bad and the fire ghoul’s protective instincts kick right in. He texts Aether ‘emergency’ and turns to Mountain again, this time slower and more careful. “Alright, rosey, I’ll come under the covers gently, okay?”

“Help, m–mama,” the earth ghoul sobs, “hurts.”

“I know, baby, I know.” Dewdrop peels the comforter off of him and lays next to him as carefully as he can. He still jostles Mountain a little bit and he truly hates himself for it.

He kicks up his heat and hopes he’s close enough that it can seep into the earth ghoul’s body and hopefully relieve the pain as much as possible before Aether gets there with meds and quintessence.

Mountain is still crying, though, and Dewdrop hates his little sobs, hitching breaths, and shaking body—still in pain. He despises it.

“Cuddle, mama, please,” he hiccups and the fire ghoul wouldn’t be able to deny him anything even if he wanted to. He gently shuffles closer until his chest touches Mountain’s back and the little ghoul flinches at first contact, but relaxes a little when Dewdrop warms him up.

“There we go, baby,” he whispers as his hands land on Mountain’s little tummy. “Aeth will be here soon, alright?”

“Mhm.” Dewdrop hates that he can’t do much more for him but keep him close and warm and wipe his tears. His brows furrow when the earth ghoul speaks again, “‘m sorry, mama.”

“What for?”

“I–I was workin’ lot and–and–and i’s my fault ‘m hurt,” he sobs and tries to curl into himself more in shame, but he only flinches and cries harder.

“Mounty, hey, listen to me. Listen to me, baby, it’s okay. You’re okay, there’s nothing to apologize for. Nobody’s mad at you, I’m not mad at you–”

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Aether interrupts him, opening the door. Dewdrop’s definitely grateful for the distraction, Mountain’s not in the right state to be having serious talks with. “Aw, sapling, what happened?”

“Don’ wanna–I don’ wanna say,” the little ghoul whimpers and Dewdrop wipes his tears again.

“That’s alright, love.” Aether comes closer. “Just tell me what hurts, alright? That’s all I need from you.”

“I’s my back.”

“Thank you, sapling.” The quintessence ghoul smiles at him softly. “You’ll feel better soon. Do you want to go back to sleep, too?”

“‘eep, please, Aeth.” He looks at him with big, sad eyes and Aether nods. He sits on the edge of the bed and puts a hand over Mountain’s forehead and he’s back asleep in a flash.

Dewdrop sighs with relief, “Thank you. He hurts so bad and his little sobs…nearly started crying myself.”

“Yeah, I gotcha,” Aether chuckles, but there’s a furrow in his brows as he lets his quintessence go into Mountain’s nerves to look for the issue. “It’s bad, he really overdid it this time.”

“Lucifer…Well, we’ll have to have another talk soon. For now do what you can and we’ll let him sleep.”

#hypno writes #little ghouls #age regression #little mountain #cg dewdrop #cg aether

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namelessghoulsfacelessblogs · 9 months ago

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Swiss x reader where reader is trying to flirt with Swiss but he just somehow doesn't notice?

Of course, my dear.

Mostly fluff- the end has some suggestive comments but nothing explicit.

It had started subtle- little looks and glances, shares moments of softness and attention, maybe the odd conversation or two about your love lives, but you realized somewhere down the line that the feelings bubbling up in your chest weren't just platonic. There was a budding romantic desire- and every time the ghoul smiled at you or asked you to help with his makeup or to get his hair fixed, the buds would grow and blossom, blooming into a crush, going from 'like' to 'love' with little time to prepare at all.

You tried to keep it down, to remain just friends, but eventually, you wanted more. You just needed to catch him alone.. Eventually, there came a day when he was retrieving a package from the Ministry's doorstep, and you were the only two around for that moment. You felt heat creep up your neck as you approached him, swallowing hard.

"Hey Swiss-?" You asked him, and he looked up at you, those beautiful eyes of his meeting your gaze.

"Oh- hey. You need something?" He turned to you, tail swaying behind him like a cat's. He smiled at you- a smile to die or kill for, fangs on display.

"I wanted to see if you wanted to get dinner with me sometime?" It had taken you a lot of courage to ask, and your heart thudded in your chest..

"Sure! I'll ask the others too- I'm sure they'd love to go out and eat something." He nodded as he bent down and picked up the large box. "For tonight, though, I gotta get this stuff to the greenhouse and gardens. Mountain, Pebble, Ivy, and Terra said they were expecting some supplies and new seeds, and wanted my help. I'll see you around! We'll plan that dinner later!"

That had been a decided failure, and as he walked off, you couldn't help but feel a mixture of disappointment, annoyance, and frustration.

You continued with attempts- subtle at first, things like asking to watch a movie together or even practicing songs with him, but each time it would end up with him not getting the message, or inviting another ghoul along with the two of you. It was aggravating to no end!

Finally, you tried one last time, ready to lose it if he didn't get the message.

"Swiss, can we do something together? Just you and me?"

"Hm? Sure- like what?"

"Can we try a walk around the Ministry tonight?"

"Oh- sure. Haven't had a walk around in a while. But why alone? Wouldn't it be fun going out as a group?" Swiss looked at you with a brow raised, tilting his head.

Your heart sank- and somehow, the frustration bubbled over, and you looked at him incredulously.

"I'm trying to ask you on a date, you buffoon! Satanas, are you really this dense-?!" You slapped your hands over your mouth almost immediately, cheeks flushing as he looked at you, eyes widening.

"... Why didn't you just say so before?" He smiled a little, almost as if he was surprised.

"Wh- I've been trying to ask you out for weeks!" Your exasperation came through clearly, and the multi-ghoul let out a low chuckle.

"Honey, Ghouls do pack bonding activities all the time. If you want a date, you have to use your words." Swiss winked, and you felt heat rise to your cheeks. You had a feeling you'd be hearing those words often..

#the band ghost #ghost band #prince writes tag #swiss ghost #swiss ghoul #swiss army ghoul #ghostband #ghost fandom

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sleepymuch · 5 months ago

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I got silly and made Green house in opposite AU silly

(Like the picture says the au belongs to @/jacenotjason)

And yes, smoke can still come out his chimney horns

Here's the relationship chart

(Sally is the one with the scripted out face)

Just know the 16 year old(age change) has very serious beef with Howdy💀💀

Congratulations you get to see how og Carson and Au Carson's write

I'm way too tired to write ideas for their character so that'll have to wait anyways gn, loser's

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lovevalley45 · 2 months ago

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#fictober24 - day two

"It's been a long time."

original fiction (power payback)

word count: 911

tw: in-universe discrimination

The nursery felt strange without Grandma Rosemary.

It had hit her many times over the past few days. But as Primrose flipped through a ledger started long before she was born in her grandmother’s office, it still didn’t feel quite real. It was hers, now, she supposed. Her parents had let Rosemary Marotto handle the books and taken care of the hard labor themselves her whole life. Now it fell onto her and her MBA.

A knock on the door broke her train of thought. She looked up to see her mother lingering in the doorway. Primrose hadn’t even known she was at the nursery. But if there was anyone harder to keep away from her plants than Rosemary, it was Delia Marotto.

“You don’t have to knock. That’s why the door is open.”

Her mother laughed. “You sound just like her.” But the comment lacked her usual mirth. Her usual overalls were replaced by a ratty gray sweatshirt, dreads braided into pigtails down her back. “How are you doing?”

“I miss her,” Primrose answered. “But she wouldn’t want me to waste time crying over her.”

“Crying ain’t wasting time, you know.”

“I know.” But she let her attention fall back to the ledger.

Her mother sat on the edge of the desk. “I don’t want to put more on your plate. But with you taking Mary’s place back here, and just figuring out how to run things with her gone, we’re gonna need some extra help.”

“You’re asking if I’m gonna lift Grandma’s embargo on Daisy working here,” Primrose said.

She sighed. “Your grandmother said some harsh things about your sister. Some unfair judgements on why she wasn’t allowed to work here, ever again.”

Those were certainly some words to describe what had happened. Delia had been hard at work in her greenhouse after she’d sent Sprout to talk to Grandma Rosemary, but Primrose had been right at the counter as she’d heard the yelling.

“We don’t need your monsters running around. And I’ve already chosen Prim to succeed me. When I die, she’ll be the one in charge. She just has a better eye for business. You can muck up your mother’s garden, not mine.”

But Daisy was always stubborn. She just had to dig her heels in. Primrose, not too far from the closed door to her office, could only listen and wince.

“I can control it. I’ll wear gloves while I’m here. Or- or I can help Dad, I’m strong. It’s the 21st century, women can be strong too.”

“Wearing gloves is not controlling it. I would have never let Delia marry my son if I knew all of my grandchildren would be little freaks-”

“I’m not a freak!”

“Then cover up those scars and do something about that hair. The Marotto name has been besmirched by your lack of self-control. Your sister-”

“Fuck Primrose! I’m not her, I don’t want to be her.” Sprout sniffled. “Why do you hate me? I just made one mistake.”

Whatever their grandmother said had been too quiet for Primrose to hear. The conversation had hung over her like a dark cloud.

She had known already that her botanokinesis was weak, not as strong as either her sister’s or her mother’s. It dug at her a little that it was part of why her grandmother had preferred her over her siblings, especially after Basil got his terrakinesis. That and being named after her, of course.

Primrose had never told her mother what Rosemary said about her. Not when she knew how she saw her as her only family.

“It’s been a long time,” Delia said. “Rosemary designated you to handle the business side of things here. And hell, I don’t wanna be behind the desk. But Sprout’s waited long enough.”

Would Daisy even want to come back? Last she checked, her sister was getting ready to transfer to UNBC to continue getting her bachelors’ in criminal justice. Maybe her dreams of being a private investigator rung unrealistic to her. But shit, Grandma Rosemary had been wrong about Daisy. She knew that she didn’t have to be like her if she didn’t want to.

But it was more than that. “What about her Talent, Mom?”

“She-” Delia closed her eyes, tears slipping out. “I couldn’t let her work with the plants like I do. Not just because of the- the florabeasts, or whatever her and Magni call them. Dr. Merlo said her botanokinesis is practically gone after the accident. She can’t manipulate the plants like I can.”

It hated her to know that was one thing Primrose was better at than her. Even if by a fraction of difference.

“I don’t think she’d even want to come back, Mom,” she said after a moment of silence.

“I loved your grandmother. I really did. I still do.” Her mother shook her head. “But I should’ve pushed back harder. Your father as well. She was still just a kid, and maybe - I don’t know, maybe if we hadn’t been so afraid, it would have come back.”

“Me too. Maybe I could’ve changed Grandma’s mind.”

She shook her head again. “Prim, you were barely older than she was. That’s my fault. I fought so hard for her against those awful Brashers, but I couldn’t do shit against my own mother-in-law.”

Primrose closed the ledger in her lap. “I guess it’s too late for regrets.”

Delia wiped her eyes. “Yeah.”

But Primrose knew she was lying.

#alli writes shit #fictober24 #power payback #ngl i had to look up if i had a trigger warning for discriminating against talents. and i did #but i nearly called it 'setting-typical ableism'

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just-marauders-fics-i-think · 24 days ago

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Peter x Frank

(Ex’s friend - Frank Has A Big Crush)

It had really all begun because of Alice, when his best friend had decided that she was done with having him moping around in his singleness. She’d told him to get someone. So he had.

Frank slightly regretted dating James Potter, but it was fine. It hadn’t really worked out. From the start, it was very clear that James was experimenting and felt nothing but physical attraction for Frank, who could say the same about his best chaser. It had been a mutual agreement to just be friends, with slight benefits, and no risk of catching feelings. They weren’t each other’s types. It was easy.

But at some point, James had told him that liked someone and couldn’t be with another person. They’d broken up quietly, as friends.

But now, there was a big problem. When he’d been dating James, he’d hanged a lot around his friends. Sirius was cool, but like James had a taste for causing mayhem that Frank didn’t really like. As a prefect, he was supposed to keep the school, well, peaceful, and his own boyfriend had been the one disrupting the order he was trying to keep. At least Remus had been slightly less chaotic, though there was something about him that suggested that there was a reason why he was best friends with the two of Hogwarts’ biggest troublemakers.

And then there was Peter.

There was Peter who obviously felt so small next to his friends. There was Peter who tended to their wounds when they messed up and didn’t want to go to the Hospital Wing. There was Peter who didn’t hesitate to lie to teachers to protect them. There was Peter who stood guard in the rain for an hour while they raided a greenhouse. There was Peter with eyes greener than a field of grass in the summer. There was Peter with hair the color of sunlight filtering through a tree’s leaves. There was Peter whose face was covered in so many freckles that Frank couldn’t count them all (he’d tried many times, but had always failed). There was Peter whose laugh felt like a stab in Frank’s heart, because by Godric, it was beautiful : quiet and soft and melodic and so similar to its owner. There was Peter who Frank wanted to hold in his arms and never let go of.

So that was the problem. Frank seemed to have a big, big crush on his ex’s friend. Big no-no. The bro-code forbade that. He and James might still be friends, but Peter was still off-limits.

However, it didn’t changed the fact that he couldn’t help but brush his hand against Peter’s when they passed next to each other in a hallway. It didn’t change the fact that he found himself getting distracted during quidditch games, looking for that boy with blond hair and green eyes, who was there at every game, whether the sun shined or rain poured, whose eyes he caught every time. It didn’t change the fact that Frank’s dreams were haunted by sunlight filtering through a tree’s leaves, grassy fields in summer and freckles.

*** It was a Friday afternoon, a week before Christmas, when Frank decided to confess to his crush. It had taken him weeks to muster up the courage to do so, which he found pathetic. He was supposed to be brave. He was in Gryffindor, after all.

“Hey, Peter, you have a moment?” Four pair of eyes turned to him, and he nervously gulped. He could still turn around. He could still pretend that he was here for something else.

“Uh, yeah, sure.” Peter said, getting up from the common room’s sofa. They didn’t go very far. Just out of earshot. “Peter, do you… are you… what do you think about dating guys?” Well that wasn’t exactly what Frank had planned to say, but, if he was honest with himself, it was more than what he’d thought he’d be able to say. “Wh- why?” He looked so nervous. Frank wanted to grab his shaking hands and kiss them. “Well… I… I fancy you.”

Really, Frank? ‘I fancy you’? Is this the sixteenth century?

Peter’s eyes suddenly widened in shock. “Me? You like me?” “Yes. I’ve liked you for about a year now.”

His mouth -such a cute mouth- opened, in the shape of an ‘o’. “But… why me? I’m nothing special. You’d know that. You’re Frank Longbottom. You dated James. You’re one of the most popular guys in this school!” “You’re cute. You’re funny. You’ve got the prettiest eyes that I’ve ever seen. You are selfless, sacrificing yourself for others. You’re caring. You’re smart. You’re gentle. You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever seen. You’re incredible.” Peter’s face turned red, and Frank decided right then that red was his favorite color. With green, of course. “Do you mean it?” “Oh yes.”

Frank brushed Peter’s cheek with his thumb, finding himself staring at those lips again. “So… cute….” Suddenly, Peter leaned forward, standing on his tiptoes, and planted a little kiss on Frank’s lips.

Holy cow. HOLY COW. PETER HAD KISSED HIM. PETER HAD KISSED HIM. HE WAS GOING TO EXPLODE.

Just as soon as Peter backed away, blushing and apologizing, Frank pulled him closer and kissed him again.

This was definitely the best day of his life.

***

In the end, Alice was happy. Her best friend was dating someone he actually liked and who actually liked him back.

“You guys sure took your time ‘fessing up. Well, I did win ten galleons from Cissa, so I guess that I should thank you for doing it this year.” “You- you made a bet?” “Oh yeah. And more than one. Thanks for making me rich, Frank. I appreciate it.”

What.

#peter pettigrew #frank longbottom #marauders era #fanfic #marauders microfic #rarepair #my fic #dead gay wizards

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settriigh · 1 year ago

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Can you give us a lil drabble abt Setts mom 😊

"Ma. Ma?" the boss walks around the house, searching every nook and cranny for his small mother. Opening one door after another, closing it gently behind him as his eyes swept the room to find no sign of the violet colored Vastaya. "Ma??" He yells, this time standing in the middle of what would be the homes living room.

Unlike many houses, Setts own family home was out in the middle of the country. His mother, stayed there to work on her garden and watch the river as fish populated it during spawning season. It was a life that he wanted to give her, somewhere peaceful and away from the crowd. The house itself was made of living wood, it was open to the elements and welcomed just about any plant that his mother could shove into a pot. If anything it looked like Setts mother had encased herself in a greenhouse with how many plants and flowers she had grew.

A shuffle from behind, Setts ears swiveled on top of his head, then his whole body followed. His eyes locking with the vastayan woman who was definitely his mother, carrying a large pot with her own tiny hands. He scrambled over to her, snatching the heavy pot with a flowering tree in it. "Ma! You can't be lifting heavy things alone!" He said, raising his voice slightly at her. To which the woman waved her hand dismissively. Laughing to her much large son who had seized the plant from her grasp. "Đừng lo về nó! Sett, you worry too much. I am fine." she says with a smile. Clearly she knew she had been caught, but she did her best to act playful about it before he son gave her an earful. Which he most certainly did. "Wh- Don't worry about it??? Ma, you can't be lifting these heavy things, remember the doctor said you can hurt your back more if you do." He retorts, tucking the potted plant into his body with one arm. "You been taking your medication." he says, suspiciously, at the small ionian woman. "Yes, yes, I've been taking my medication. My back feels much better!" she says with a smile. Clearly she hasn't with how quick that left her mouth. Another conversation for them to talk over. "Come come, inside. Put the plant down, I have food waiting for you. Cho tôi biết về ngày của bạn." she says, waving her hand for him to follow. Not allowing Sett to scold her for her negligence on her health. "I just picked some vegetables, they are good, very good. The rain made them grow so big, we have to eat them now before they are too old."

#boss' orders #Anonymous #drabble #;das my MA.#art ask

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disticfiction · 1 year ago

Text

Fig sighed as he pulled the ruler away from his cunt. The truth was no longer deniable. It had been weeks since his brush with the Devil's Snare and that awful witch, but today his worst fears were realised. Two and a half centimeters--that was the tiny, though noticeable gape that permanently kept his hole partially open. He had to face facts, it would never fully close. Not even with all of Sharp's balms and tonics.

And to make matters worse, he liked it. He missed the Snare, what it did to him, how it felt, and now that he'd recovered, Sharp no longer needed to apply any remedies. His insides throbbed, his arousal spiking each day, getting worse and worse. He tried to ignore it, tried to satisfy it, but he didn't have the strength or conviction to take care of it himself. He needed help, even if it morally drained him.

With a defeated sigh, he looked up at the venomous tentacula. He'd taken care of the greenhouse door, locking it with the colloportus charm, and removed the thorns from the vines. Everyone was in bed, but he took every possible precaution. He wasn't proud of it, but he needed relief. He couldn't take it anymore. His eyes gleaming, he slowly removed his robes, but when they hit the floor he paused.

"No ... this is wrong." He hugged his body, ashamed. "What am I doing? This is--"

His cunt throbbed, nearly bringing him to his knees. No, there was no turning back. Not now. Without even touching himself, he was already drenched, his fluids rolling down his thighs. Beside, he thought, who was he hurting? It was just a plant and no one would ever find out. And it wasn't his fault he had such urges. With a broken groan, he pointed his wand at the plant.

"Orgasmus..."

Immediately the creature began to stir, its roots pulling up from under the dirt and wrapping around him. Fig didn't move, surrendering to the force, though he gasped when the overgrown flora spread his legs and dragged him closer to its mouth. That was frightening, its teeth bared--but before Fig could reach for his wand, the plant's tongue slowly extended.

"Wh-what are you--?"

He suddenly shook and covered his mouth as the tongue flicked up and down his slit, brushing over his entrance. It all happened so fast, but that's precisely what he wanted. He wanted it to push inside him so badly he almost screamed, bucking his hips, but the two prongs quickly wrapped around his clit, squeezing and rubbing the swollen nub in tight figure-eight motions. It felt amazing. His hole puckered, his nerves wrenching as the pleasure shot through him.

"Ugh! Y-yes..."

The plant grumbled as it rolled his hood back and found his most sensitive bundle of nerves, then teased them. Fig gasped, wriggling as the roots lifted him into the air, pulling him closer. He didn't like being so near to the teeth, but he was feeling far too good to care. He had been craving relief for so long, just that gentle amount of action threatened to break his sanity.

Then, just as the old man was about to lose control, he felt something hard and textured rip through his hole. That feeling, the rubbing against his walls, the familiar sensation of roots on skin--he came. The tongue circled his clit, jerking it as it throbbed, his hole scrunching around the length that had so abruptly stretched and filled him. Yes, that was exactly what wanted, what he needed, what he'd missed more than anything. As his back arched, his legs shaking, a small, crazed smile spread across his face.

"Thank ... thank you."

The penetration was enough. His itch had been scratched, but he was left with a deep feeling of greed. Pure, unadulterated greed. As his orgasm faded, he whined and bucked his hips. He didn't want it to end. Even though his hole was unnaturally sensitive, the memories of being fucked and ruined made his heart race. He needed to feel helpless again, to feel like he could lean back and take the abuse. It was enthralling.

"Do it!" he cried, loudly. "Please rape me!"

The plant obliged, thrusting its roots in and out, earning a frail but gratifying scream. Finally, this was what he'd yearned for. He could feel the stretch, the pounding, the way the root chafed his most delicate areas. He had just cum, but he was ready for more. More and more and more, until either his mind shattered or the plant exhausted itself. He didn't care, he just didn't want it to end. Not yet, not so soon.

Tears rolled down his cheeks as he bobbed up and down, his legs straining as the roots spread them apart. He was so happy. He could feel his crease gripping the thickness of the root as it pumped him, reshaping him just the way the Snare once did. It wasn't as big, but it was reminiscent of that day in all the ways that mattered.

"Augh! Yes! That's it! Aughn!"

As it thrust harder, his mouth dropped, but the smile never left his face--until he felt his pleasure peak, even more intense the second time. Then he simply screamed and prayed to Merlin and all things magic that no one could hear him. But he couldn't hold back. It felt too good. He came again, his voice breaking as a clear liquid burst from his core, soaking the leaves.

He was in heaven.

Unbeknownst to him, Professor Sharp stood silently on the balcony, watching and listening to everything. He hadn't intended to spy, but part of him was worried for Fig. Yet, as he watched the plant fuck him, as he saw how much pleasure it brought his older colleague, he couldn't help but tremble. Shamefully, his hand slowly slipped between his legs, a single finger rubbing from his clit to his entrance. To his own shock, he was already wet, his hole throbbing.

"Aaugh!"

Fig's voice echoed off the walls as he came again, his sweat and tears sparkling in the moonlight. He was gorgeous, though Sharp tried his damndest not to notice, but it was impossible; especially when the smaller root suddenly pulled out and swapped places with a larger one. As the gruff potions professor watched the appendage struggle to fit, he realised how excited he felt. He wanted it to be too big. He wanted it to work to squeeze in there. With a frustrated sigh, he looked at Fig's face, his finger pressing harder and harder into his pants as his breathing hastened. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the root slipped in, causing Fig to arch back and cum again, even louder.

"N-no. This is wrong. I can't do this!" Sharp huffed.

He averted his gaze, but his eyes fell on something even more scandalous. Behind Fig, hiding behind the large clay pots, was Professor Ronen. He was watching just as intently as Sharp was, only he was fully naked, his face red and brow furrowed. Curious, Sharp shifted to the right, just enough to see that Ronen was on his knees, his flabby belly bouncing back and forth, and that he'd enchanted a large broom with a bulbous handle to fuck him.

That was a shock. As Sharp stumbled back, Ronen stared at Fig, gritting his teeth. There was a small puddle beneath him, and Sharp could tell he'd already cum several times, just as Fig had, and he could also tell that the handle was deep, each thrust banging against his cervix with a powerful force. As Ronen and Fig both cried out simultaneously, Sharp reefed his head away, trying not to notice. But the way they screamed, the way their drool strung to their mouths as the pleasure shot through them--he balled his hands into fists.

He wanted that. He wanted to feel what they were feeling.

Torn between his desires and his dignity, he removed his tie and jacket. Then, he slowly removed his pants and undergarments, dropping them around his ankled. His thighs were soaked, and his cheeks flushed as he realised how much seeing Fig and Ronen in those helpless positions made his heart flutter. He liked it, more than he'd ever admit, and he wanted to join the debauchery.

As his breathing hitched, he mustered the courage to look back over the railing, but when he did his eyes widened. Both men were looking up at him, moaning and meeting his gaze. Sharp froze, horrified that he'd been caught, but Fig merely threw his head back and came, as if being watched pushed him over the edge.

Ronen, on the other hand, broke his enchantment on the broom and slipped it from inside him. It hit the floor with a light thud, the hilt drenched from end to eight inches in. It took him a while to move, his head hanging as he gasped for air, his arms shaking, but with the last if his strength he stood and hobbled to the plant. Blushing brightly, he watched for a moment at the root fucked Fig, his hole wide and swollen. It looked horrible, but he could tell from the older man's cries and the look on his face that he was melting in pure bliss.

"A-Abraham..." he sobbed, reaching out to him. "G-go. It won't stop. Spell ... can't ... won't stop."

He was barely coherent, another orgasm surging through him as he arched back, his voice nearly a string of whimpers. The tongue still clasped around his clit, spoiling it, and his liquids showered down onto the floor. It was scary, yet so inviting. So enticing.

Defeated, Ronen looked up at Sharp, who clutched the railing so hard his knuckles turned white. Realising his intentions, he frantically shook his head, but Ronen, whose face was hot and heavy, merely lifted his wand towards the plant. Before Sharp could dash for the exit, the riled charms professor smiled and whispered, "Engorgio."

With a loud roar, the tentacula tripled in size, growing so tall it nearly cracked the glass roof with its vines--and the root inside Fig also grew, causing him to screech. In that moment of violent ecstacy, he only wondered why he hadn't thought of that brilliant idea himself, his hole pulsing as it struggled to accommodate.

Then, the roots wrapped around Ronen and lifted his cubby body next to Fig. For a moment their eyes met, until Ronen cried out, his own hole invaded. As the root ripped him apart, pushing deeper and deeper, his pupils constricted, his body writhing in the plant's clutches. How could something so brutal feel so good? He came instantly, just as Fig had, but the thrusting continued.

"Oh Merlin!" he shrieked. "My hole!"

At the same time, the upper vines explored the balcony, surrounding Sharp, who panicked and dropped his wand in the chaos. He tried to escape, running along the path and ducking under the vines, but his limp got the better of him and he stumbled. Before he hit the floor, however, the vines caught him, curling around his waist and chest, but he growled.

"Unhand me!" he yelled, hugging the railing with his arms. "Fig, cease this nonsense at once!"

His pleads went unheeded, both men completely enraptured just a few feet below. Ronen smiled as the root reshaped him, feeling a pressure building inside him, until it burst and trickled down the leathery texture. He didn't understand how something so serrated didn't hurt, but he was too dazed to question it. Everything felt good, and he knew his hole would never be the same again.

"No! Stop!" Sharp begged as the vines ripped his shirt.

He was scared, but not so much of the fucking, but rather of what might happen to his leg. He didn't want his injury to worsen, least of all because of a horny tentacula. But as if the plant knew of his condition, one vine gently wrapped around his left ankle, holding his leg steady, and spread it just enough that he couldn't feel a thing. He was shocked, but as he tried to look over his shoulder, he was yanked down to where Ronen and Fig were, and his hole was quickly filled.

"Aaaaugh!"

He came, the root that entered just a little too big for his tunnel, his eyes squinting shut. It felt so good. Everything felt good, even his leg. He didn't know how or why, but he soon found himself moaning and screaming with his colleagues, bucking his hips as much as his injury would allow. He wanted more. He wanted as much as he could handle, even if he didn't know what that entailed. His job had been so stressful, and this was the first time in months that he forgot about it.

Hard as he tired to resist, he soon found himself begging for more; harder, faster, deeper. His eyes narrow, he looked to Ronen and Fig, who gave in to the pleasant sensations so easily, so willingly. It wasn't in Sharp's nature, it never had been, but he couldn't fight this. His hole stretched and shuddered around the length that slammed him, and he loved it. They all loved it.

For hours, all three men surrendered to the waves of ecstacy, their holes loose but clenching. None of them could say how many times they came, but it hardly mattered. Tears and sweat and drool and the smell of sex filled the air, the greenhouse a mess of fluids and emotions, until the enlargement spell wore off and the plant reverted to its original size. Drained of its remaining strength, the roots slowly laid the men on the floor, then pulled out and deflated, going completely limp.

It was over, it's limit reached, as the men whimpered and seized. Their gapes were substantial, red and riddled with powerful spasms that made their bodies shiver, and their throats were parched from screaming. That night, they had all shared something special. Something no one else would ever truly understand. And as Fig and Ronen slowly faded into the ether, Sharp reached out to both of them, his arm weak and shaky.

"M-more," he whispered. "Please, more..."

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cardinal-copia-popia · 1 year ago

Text

A Town Called Meliora, Chapter 4

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

Read HERE on AO3!

Life In Meliora

Kate expected waking up in Copia’s arms to be awkward, but there seemed to be a silent understanding between them that this was merely for comfort, nothing more. Copia returned to his room and, once they were both ready for the day, went down to breakfast together.

She could see that he had not gotten much, if any, sleep. Had he really watched over her all night?

But of course, he had to go back to his smirking… It annoyed her so much because it was as though he was in on a secret she was not privy to, and he was mocking her for it. She was likely looking into it too much, but that was how she felt.

Kate stayed with the Emeritus family for three weeks, earning her keep by helping out where she could around the house as she had nothing better to do. At least she felt like she was being useful instead of sitting around, twiddling her thumbs, waiting for Jim to make his appearance.

Thankfully, Loren let her help, mostly because she could not stay on her feet for long stretches. And Secondo was busy being sheriff, so he could not help the way he wanted to. Loren often joked that she was waiting for him to start clucking.

Kate usually only saw Copia in the evenings as he went about his business during the day and often got up before she did. There was an unspoken agreement between them that they would both go to bed separately, but once everyone else turned in, he would come into her room and sleep beside her. He never held her like before, or rather, he never started out holding her. She woke up in his arms a few times but pretended to be asleep until he carefully extracted himself from her bed. She tried not to think of the one or two times she awoke with him spooning her, the obvious outline of his erection pressed against her.

Those mornings only fueled her attraction to him, making her wish that he would wake her up and make love to her when he woke. It was one of those mornings that she finally could not help herself and touched herself for the first time, her thoughts full of Copia as she brought herself to orgasm. She could hardly look him in the eye that day.

Loren continued pointing out the spark between them, but Kate refused to fully acknowledge it. It was physical attraction, nothing more. More physical attraction than she had felt with anyone else before….

The extent of her deepening feelings for him only really made its appearance one evening when Copia had been helping Primo with something in the little greenhouse behind the main house. Kate had not even known he was home until he rushed into the house with a bloody rag wrapped around his hand.

“What happened?!” she exclaimed, jumping up from her chair, feeling panic fill her at the sight of his blood.

“I cut myself.”

“I can see that!”

Primo followed him in, shaking his head. “I told you to watch for that shard of glass.”

“Come here,” Kate said, grabbing his uninjured arm and leading him into the kitchen. “Let me help.”

“I can take care of this, piccola volpe,” Copia said. “I have dealt with worse.”

“I know.” She had seen him shirtless and the small scars on his torso. At the time, she had wondered at their stories, but she would likely never find out. She took hold of his wrist. “Please, Copia, let me help you for once.”

He stared back at her for a moment before sitting and holding out his hand to her. She was honestly surprised he acquiesced so quickly but pleased all the same. She was also surprised by how strong her need was to help him, to make sure he was okay. She would not be happy unless she tended to his wounds herself, so she would know it was done right.

Copia winced when she pulled away the rag. Kate winced, too, at the sight of the deep cut that went across his palm. It would likely require stitches.

She got a clean towel and a bottle of whiskey Secondo kept stashed away in the back of a cabinet. She could feel Copia watching her as she poured some whiskey over the cloth and then, after she put a bowl under Copia’s hand, poured the whiskey directly over his cut. He hissed through his teeth.

“I’m sorry,” Kate murmured.

She then dabbed at the wound with the cloth to clean it further and wipe away any excess blood, though it was still oozing. Primo appeared at her side, setting down a small box. “You will find what you need in there to sew the wound closed.”

“Thank you, Primo.”

“Of course. You must be more careful in the future, Copia. He has always been like this if you can believe it. He gets a bit absent-minded.”

Kate grinned at Copia and poured some more whiskey over the needle she found in the box. She wondered what had him so distracted that he managed to cut himself so badly.

Copia rolled his eyes. “At least I am not constantly tripping over my own two feet like Terzo.”

Primo smiled. “True. Well, I shall leave you to it. But remember to get this all cleaned up before Loren sees. We will not hear the end of it if she finds blood in her kitchen.”

“I won’t leave a speck,” Kate said distractedly as she focused on threading the suturing thread through the eye of the needle. She had sewn up a few wounds in her day for her brother, but this was not her brother sitting in front of her, a fact she was very aware of as she took Copia's hand again. “Ready?”

He nodded and braced himself. Thankfully, her hands remained steady as she stitched up his palm, and she was very aware of the grimace on his face as she did so. But he never said a word. When she finished, she wiped up the rest of the blood and looked over her work. It might not be the work of a surgeon, but it would do.

It took her a moment to realize she was still holding his hand. Rather tenderly with her thumb lightly stroking the side of his wrist. Copia was staring at her again, but she refused to look up at him. She cleared her throat and nodded.

“That should do. I’ll wrap it up for you.”

There was a clean strip of cloth in the box just for that that she used, trying her hardest not to focus on how it felt to be so freely touching him. She rarely got to see his bare hands as he usually wore black leather gloves. He had really nice hands… Strong with long fingers… Kate blushed at the thought and quickly focused back on her task. If Copia noticed her blush, he did not comment.

When she was done with that, she had to fight the urge to bring his hand up to her lips and kiss his palm.

“Alright, there you go.”

Copia carefully flexed his hand. “Grazie, Kate. I could not have done it better myself.”

Kate smiled. “What would you do without me?”

She had meant it teasingly but got worried when Copia’s expression remained serious.

“I would rather not think about that, piccola volpe.”

There was something about the soft quality of his voice as he said that that had her questioning everything. He got up and left after that, leaving Kate to stare blankly at the seat he had just vacated. What had he meant by that? Did he truly want her there? Enough to want her to stay long-term? Had this turned into more than just him helping, as Loren said?

***

Copia slept better than he ever had since he started sleeping next to Kate. Well, that was until the morning rolled around, and he had to quickly but carefully get out of bed before she woke up and noticed how his body was responding to her presence.

At first, he was able to ignore it and go about his day, but it got to the point where all he could think about after returning to his room was waking her up, taking her, and making love to her. And so over the past week, he often began his day stroking himself to completion, wishing his hand was Kate's hand or her mouth or the tight, warm walls of her cunt conforming around his cock as he fucked her nice and slow….

"Copia?"

He blinked out of his reverie and looked up into the face that plagued his fantasies. "Sì?"

Kate smiled a bit. "I asked if you'd like more bacon."

He felt his cheeks heat up, and he mentally shook away the vestiges of his earlier daydream. "Ah, sì, grazie."

Kate added a couple of pieces of bacon to his plate before returning to the kitchen.

"So," Terzo, who was seated across from him next to Omega, said. "How is it sleeping together?"

Copia nearly dropped his fork. "Excuse me?"

Terzo and Omega exchanged smirks. "I know you have been going to her room every night. I hear her door open and close twice: once when she goes in, and then again a little later."

"Nothing untoward is happening," Copia replied defensively.

"I never said there was." He grinned. "I would know."

Copia rolled his eyes. Once. That happened once compared to the many women Terzo brought home. But Terzo would not let Copia live down the one time he had a woman in his bedroom.

"We are merely sleeping. She suffers from nightmares involving Father Jim, and after traveling together, she became used to my presence. I… I help keep the nightmares away."

"Oh, I see…" Terzo replied with great interest, though Copia could tell he was teasing.

"Give him a break, boss. You'd do the same," Omega said.

Copia nodded his thanks. "Grazie, Omega. It is nice to know someone believes me."

Terzo chuckled. "It is not that I don't believe you, Fratellino. But I have seen how you look at Kate when she is not looking. You are infatuated."

"I am not," Copia said, stabbing at his scrambled eggs.

"Yes, you are!" Terzo singsonged. "If it makes you feel any better, she looks at you the same way."

Now Copia dropped his fork. He quickly cleared his throat as if to cover up his startled reaction, but Terzo was already smiling smugly.

"It's true," Omega added. "He's not just saying that to mess with you."

“She does not look at me in any certain way,” Copia insisted. “If there is anything there, perhaps it is a relief that she is safe here.”

Terzo shook his head. “Keep telling yourself that, Copia; maybe you’ll convince yourself someday.”

Before they could say anymore, Kate returned. Copia briefly worried she might have overheard them, but that did not appear to be the case. She set a pitcher of water on the table.

“Do you boys need anything else?” she asked.

“Omega and I are fine,” Terzo answered before Copia could reply. “But Copia might need something.”

Copia shot him a subtle glare before forcing a smile and looking up at Kate. “Actually, I was wondering if you would like to come out to the stables today. Might be a nice change of scenery.”

Kate nodded, smiling. “I’d like that, thank you.”

“I know you are meeting with Primo and Secondo later,” Terzo said to Copia. “So I will walk her down there, sì? I will be heading there anyway.”

Copia eyed Terzo cautiously. He was up to something, and Copia dreaded what.

“I would appreciate that, Terzo; thank you. I got lost the other day just trying to find the general store!” Kate said with a laugh.

“Well, hang around long enough, and you will find your way around just fine,” Terzo replied with a wink.

Definitely up to something….

Copia never found out what as he had to meet with Primo and Secondo, as Terzo said. Nothing had really changed in the past three weeks, but Saltarian was still hanging around, seemingly content to dine with Sister Imperator. None of them could fathom why he was doing this, but there had to be a reason.

By the time Copia got to the stables, Terzo was already leaving on his horse and sent him a wink.

“She’s inside,” he said.

Copia shook his head. Terzo and his meddling…. But he was right; Kate was inside. She had Ghost out in the grooming stall but appeared to be done. Copia leaned up against the stable door to watch. Kate was standing in front of Ghost, stroking her hand down between the horse’s eyes. Kate was saying something, but Copia was too far away to make out the words. Thanks to his connection to Ghost, he knew his horse was calm and appreciative of Kate’s attention. He also knew Ghost well enough to know that she was never like this with anyone but him. In fact, with the exception of Aether, Dew, and Primo, Ghost rarely let anyone else interact with her, not without causing a significant commotion. The fact that Ghost accepted Kate so quickly should have told Copia everything he needed to know, but he would not believe it until he heard Kate confirm it herself that perhaps there was something between them.

Ghost ducked her head, and Kate reciprocated, resting her forehead on Ghost’s snout. The sight melted Copia’s heart and filled his chest with warm affection for Kate. No, no one but Copia had ever gotten that reaction out of Ghost, so Kate was indeed someone special.

“She likes you.”

Kate jumped a bit and looked over her shoulder at him. “Copia! You scared me!” She then looked sheepish. “I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to do something to thank Ghost for ferrying us safely while we traveled.”

Copia smiled and approached. “I am sure she appreciates it. You are very good with horses.”

“I grew up around them,” she replied with a shrug. “I always helped my brother out in the stable with them. It was easier with two people anyway.” She looked off and smiled. “I remember we’d try to get done as fast as possible so we could get to the house to have a fresh piece of my mother’s apple-butter custard pie. She would bake three of them to take into Wayridge, but she would always save Jonathan and me a slice.”

“You miss home, don’t you?”

Kate’s smile fell, and she shrugged. “Yes, but it hasn’t been the same in a long time, not since Jon moved away. I have been missing my parents, but more so than anything, I just miss the way things used to be. I miss our family being all together.” She looked at Copia with a sad smile. “What you have here with your family is wonderful. Never take it for granted.”

Copia could not help but snort out a laugh as he leaned back against the wall of the stall, his arms crossed. “My brothers, sì, and Loren, are pleasant to be around. My father has his moments, I suppose.”

"What about your mother?" Kate asked, moving to lean next to him.

"She and I… have our differences. She expects me to take over from Primo someday, but being the fourth son…. As you likely know, my brothers and I all have different mothers. Mine is here in Meliora. Primo's was the only one Nihil was married to. She died several years ago. Secondo's mother is still alive and lives in Carson City. And Terzo's mother died when he was just a boy. I often think that is the root of many of his problems. He struggles with abandonment, always worried about people leaving him, though he would never admit it."

Kate nodded solemnly. "Do you think he'll ever settle down, raise a family?"

"I… doubt it."

"Oh?"

"It is not my place to say."

Thankfully, she did not press him. Instead, Kate nervously pulled at a piece of straw, making Copia wonder what she had to be nervous about. "What about you?"

He blinked. "What about me?"

She hesitated. "You know… Do you plan on ever getting married and having children?"

Now, it was Copia's turn to hesitate. He stepped up to Ghost, picking at an invisible bit of trash in her mane. "Sì. That has… that has always been something I have wanted, but…" How much should he say? "But I am waiting for the right woman to come along."

"Oh. I see."

Did she sound disappointed? He recalled what Terzo had said earlier at breakfast. She looks at you the same way. Did she want to be that woman for him? He wanted her to be that woman….

"And you? Do you want a family?" he asked.

Kate nodded but did not look up. "Yes. More than anything."

"But not with Father Jim."

She looked up at him sharply and glared. "No. Absolutely not with him."

Copia took a step toward her. "Mi dispiace, piccola volpe. I did not mean to insult you."

Kate crossed her arms and shifted as he came to a stop in front of her. "It's alright. I'm not insulted."

He tilted his head, smiling a bit. "Whoever you end up with, cara mia, will be a lucky man."

She uncrossed her arms, and her gaze dropped from his eyes to his lips and then moved back up again.

"Thank you. Whoever you end up with will be a lucky woman."

"You think so?" Copia asked, barely above a whisper.

Kate nodded. "Yes."

The tension and anticipation in the air between them was palpable and had Copia slowly leaning forward, acting on his desire to kiss her. To his great delight and relief, Kate was not moving away and actually seemed to want to kiss him, too. But he still gave her enough time to pull away if she wanted to.

He stopped just a hair's breadth away, giving her one last chance to move. Kate's eyes slowly dragged from his lips up to meet his gaze. Copia was about to press his lips to hers when a shrill voice cut through heavy anticipation, breaking the moment and startling them apart.

"Copia!"

He pulled away, looking sharply toward his mother, who was standing at the entrance of the stables. She had her hands on her hips, her expression stern.

"I thought we were going to meet for lunch."

Copia glanced at Kate, who looked decidedly embarrassed and tried to do whatever she could to appear busy, fussing around with straightening up the brushes and things she had sitting out on a nearby table.

"I am sorry, Mother. I must have lost track of the time."

Imperator approached them. "I can see that." Her gaze raked over Kate assessingly. "You must be the woman staying with Nihil and his brood."

Kate swallowed nervously. "Yes, ma’am, I'm Kate Dodson."

Imperator gave something of a smile, though it was more of a sneer. "Yes, I know your family. The ranchers."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You may call me Sister Imperator, Miss Dodson." She shot a look at Copia. "Perhaps we can meet for dinner instead." She then looked at Kate with disdain obvious on her face. "Unless you're too busy."

Copia had to stop himself from snapping at her. Not in front of Kate. "I will be there, Mother," he bit out.

"Good. Until then, son."

With that, Imperator left, not even sparing a glance at Kate. Copia shook his head.

"I am sorry, Kate. My mother is not the most… personable. In fact, she is often downright rude."

"It's alright. She seemed to be giving you a hard time, too."

Copia frowned. "That is no excuse."

Kate shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Hopefully, we'll get all of this sorted out with Jim soon, and I'll be out of your hair."

Copia's shoulders fell. Did she regret what almost occurred between them? Was she really wanting to leave so quickly? She has been away from home for four weeks, Copia reminded himself. And constantly looking over her shoulder. That would take its toll on anyone.

"Sì," Copia said, trying to keep the disappointment from his voice. "Hopefully, you will be able to return home soon."

There was an awkward pause, with neither of them looking at one another. Copia wished he knew what she was thinking.

"I'd better get back to the house," Kate said at length. "Secondo's still out, so Loren might need some help."

Copia nodded. "Alright. I will see you later tonight."

Kate turned to leave but stopped short of the stable doors. "Copia?" He looked up at her. "Don't bother coming to my room tonight. I think I'll be fine."

His heart sank, but he nodded. "Of course. But if you need me…"

"I know where to find you."

Copia watched her leave, hoping that his mother had not just ruined any chance he might have with Kate.

***

Secondo narrowed his eyes at the bearded man on horseback standing across from him, daring him to do something, anything to give Secondo a reason to let loose a bullet into him. Where the hell was his deputy?

"What business do you have here, DeFroque?" Secondo asked, glancing around at the group of men Jim had with him, watching for any sign that they were about to try something they would regret.

Jim shrugged, a lazy smile on his face. "I've only come here to collect something that was stolen from me, nothing more, Sheriff."

"You are going to have to be more specific than that. We get a lot of travelers coming through here."

Jim's smile fell just a fraction. "I'm looking for a woman. My future wife, to be exact. I last saw her with your younger brothers."

"Then I am afraid you have missed them," Secondo replied evenly, doing his best to keep the anger out of his voice. "They left three days ago for Carson City."

"A shame then… Well, I'll just have to go after them, I suppose. But I'd be obliged if I could stay in your quaint little town tonight, Sheriff. My men and I could use the rest."

"Of course. There are rooms for let in the saloon; help yourself. But you know I run a tight ship, Father. Do not cross me, or you will regret it," Secondo threatened, not bothering to hide his disdain now.

Jim just grinned and touched the brim of his hat. "Much obliged, Sheriff."

He motioned with his head to the riders with him, and they trotted off down the street. Secondo watched them, one hand resting on the hilt of his gun hanging at his hip. Just give me one excuse, Father. That is all I need….

He left to find Primo after that, who was in the barbershop, just finishing up getting a shave.

"Fratellino, you look worried," Primo said in greeting as Mack, the barber, wiped away the excess shaving cream.

"Jim DeFroque is here."

Primo straightened, immediately on alert. "Where, exactly?"

"I just sent him to the saloon to get a room for the night. He asked about Kate, so I told him she and Copia left for Carson City three days ago."

Primo shot Mack a look, who nodded and handed Primo his coat and hat before disappearing through the back curtain.

"Mack will keep an eye on our guests while we figure out what to do. Where is Copia now?"

Secondo walked with Primo as they left the shop. "He was in the stables last I heard."

"I will go there. You must find Kate. With the way DeFroque is doggedly coming after her… I do not like it. The further away from him she is, the better. Why don't you—"

"Sheriff! Sheriff!"

Secondo turned to see his absent deputy running toward them, holding his hat to his head as he went. Secondo snarled.

"Where have you been, Goore?"

The young man stopped and caught his breath for a second. Mary Goore was a lanky man in his late twenties who had a penchant for getting into trouble before Secondo got to him. Secondo thought that making Mary his deputy would help him stay out of a jail cell. So far, it worked, but he was honestly a less-than-ideal deputy. But Secondo scared Mary enough — just about the only thing he was scared of — to keep him in line.

"Sorry, Sheriff. I was just up at the house — your house — uh… talking to Cirrus, and—"

"Spit it out, boy!" Secondo snapped.

"Loren's gone into labor, sir."

Secondo started. Oh, of all the times… He looked at Primo, who gave him a sympathetic look.

"I will handle this business with DeFroque. Go, be with your wife."

Secondo nodded. "Grazie, Fratello." He then pointed at his deputy. "And you, do whatever Primo tells you to do, understand?"

Mary nodded. "Yes, sir."

With that, Secondo hurried away, nearly breaking into a run to get home as fast as he could. He was not about to miss his first child being born.

***

Copia was on his way to the saloon, in need of a drink after having to deal with his mother, when he saw Aether approaching at a half jog.

“Boss! Where’s Kate?”

Copia was immediately on alert. “Why? What’s happened?”

The large ghoul fell into step beside Copia. “Father Jim is here.”

“What?”

“Secondo stopped him as he rode into town with his posse. He’s looking for Kate, but Secondo told him you and Kate had left for Carson City. Primo's trying to find you; talk about a plan to leave.”

Copia felt anger rising within him. If he ever got his hands on Father Jim…. “I must find Kate first. She was headed back to the house.”

Aether nodded. “Go on. I’ll get a pack ready for the both of you.”

“Grazie, Aether.”

Copia turned just in time to see Ghost trotting toward him, knowing he needed her. As she neared, Copia got his foot into the stirrup and swung his leg over, all while Ghost never stopped moving. Despite not needing to, he steered her toward the house, flying past a few startled townspeople, not expecting him to be riding so fast through the streets.

As soon as he neared the house, he saw a horse tied up nearby, a horse he did not recognize. It was only then that he saw the owner. Copia brought Ghost to a stop at the bottom of the hill, staring at the bearded man on the front porch talking to Cumulus.

"You need to leave!" Cumulus shouted.

"I will, once I get what I came for."

"There's nothing here for you! The sheriff's wife is in labor, so now really isn't a good time, sir!"

Jim then turned and locked eyes with Copia, a sly smirk crossing his lips. Copia glared back challengingly.

"Then I just suppose I'll come back later," Jim said, casting a look back at Cumulus. "Good day."

Jim returned to his horse and rode off into town, still smirking at Copia as he passed by.

"She's not here, boss!" Cumulus called to Copia once Jim was out of earshot.

Somehow, he knew that. He waved his thanks and watched Cumulus disappear back inside the house. He needed to find Kate and fast before Jim did. Before he could move, however, Secondo came running up.

“Copia? What are you doing here?”

“Looking for Kate.” He motioned to the house. “She’s not here, but it sounds like Loren needs you.”

“Sì, I just heard. I would help you, Fratellino, but…”

“I know. I will be back soon.” He smiled a bit, despite the situation. “I would very much like to meet my nephew.”

“You will, but for now, go find your woman.”

Copia looked away. “She’s not mine.”

Secondo pinned him with a look. “I am not blind, Copia, so please do not insult me. Now, go!”

The only problem was he had no idea where Kate was. But, he supposed, that was one of the perks of having a Hell-sent steed.

Copia placed his hand on Ghost's neck. "Find her."

Ghost took off to the right, charging around the barn and heading back toward the stables on the far side of town. Unless Jim had changed his direction once in town, he would be going the wrong way. That should give Copia enough time….

As he approached, he saw Kate and Primo already there, along with Dew and Mountain. The relief he felt upon seeing Kate had him letting out a big sigh.

Copia quickly dismounted once Ghost stopped, and to his surprise, Kate rushed into his arms. Perhaps all was not lost between them….

"He's here," she said, worry obvious in her voice.

Copia held onto her tightly with one arm. "Sì, I know. I saw him."

"Where?" Primo asked.

"He was at the house."

"Did he see you?"

"Sì."

Primo sighed and shook his head. "Then he gave Mack the slip… This is not good. Secondo told him you and Signora Dodson were not here." He paused in thought for a second. "You must not stay here. You remember the old farmhouse I used to take you and Terzo to when you were children?”

Copia nodded. “Sì. Out near the Drop-Off.”

“What’s the Drop-Off?” Kate asked.

“There’s a small, dry canyon a little to the north of here,” Primo answered. “Before Meilora became what it is today, that’s where we started out, on that little farm near that canyon. I was born there. I’ve done my best to keep it up after my mother died, so it should be ready for you.”

“Jim won’t be able to find us there?” Kate asked, looking up at Copia, who still had his arm securely around her waist. She was so close that Copia had to fight the urge to rest his cheek against her forehead.

Primo shook his head. “As far as Nihil and anyone else is concerned, that place burned down years ago. My mother wanted it that way, to have a place to escape to get away from Nihil.”

“I will be there, Kate. You will be safe,” Copia vowed.

Kate nodded solemnly. “Then let’s go.”

“We’re going with you,” Dew said.

“You’ll need lookouts,” Mountain added.

“And don’t forget supplies!”

The group turned and saw Aether and Cirrus approaching, leading four horses strapped with various-sized bags full of whatever they would need, from food to clothes.

“It seems you are ready then,” Primo said.

Copia helped Kate up onto Ghost before turning back to Primo. “Grazie mille, Fratello. I do not know how I can ever repay you.”

Primo shook Copia’s hand. “You are my brother, Copia. That is repayment enough. Now, go. I will make sure you are not followed.” Copia swung up behind Kate, and the ghouls did the same with their respective horses. “If anything changes, I will send word.”

“Grazie, again. I hope we can return soon.”

Primo nodded gravely. “So do I, Fratellino. So do I.”

Copia and his ghouls took off, riding hard. By the time anyone in town noticed them, they would be but mere specks in the distance. Copia hated doing this to Kate again, but even from her profile, he could see the grim determination on her face. She was not going to complain about this, knowing it was the safest thing for her to do. Copia just hoped she would feel safe. It was enough for him to have her nearly in his arms right now, but she might not feel the same….

Whatever happened while they were in hiding, Copia was determined to find out the truth.

Translations:

Mi dispiace - I'm sorry

#my writing #ghost band #the band ghost #ghost fanfic #ghost band fanfic #copia #papa i #primo #papa ii #secondo #papa iii #terzo #nameless ghouls #sister imperator #jim defroque #mary goore #cowboy copia #cowboy au #western au

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