#will honey the only blond and blue eyed man to make me lose my mind (maybe I’m a liar)

[thiagodasilva]

chef luca and his shiso dish. if you even care

[boxboysandotherwhump]

Jake guard dog AU part 2

Part two of the guard dog au is out and about. :D

Poor Jake all scared and in pain. It‘s so good that Chris is there to help him <3 (honestly though giving Jake a pet name in this chapter annoyed the hell out of my brain.But some of you might be able to guess who’s pet he was based on that ;)   )

Thank you again @ashintheairlikesnow for letting me play with your babies. I love them so much.

CW: fucked up head space, past abuse mentioned, past dehumanization mention,

He had pleaded, begged for his new master to not abandon him, too, but his begging had never been good enough, never earned him the reward of mercy, and so the man had left.

Leaving him with a regretful smile for a parting gift and one last order.

“Be good for Natalie, okay? She‘ll take good care of you. I promise, she is safe.”

Safe.

That‘s what handler Ferrick had promised his owner would be. It felt like a life time ago since he had heard this lie. Believed it, stupid and doe-eyed.  

Longed for it be true. Even now.

A longing that lived eternally in his bones, festered there since the beginning of a life that had been torn from his heart. Discarded like withered children‘s book pages.

Only this longing had remained. Survived the coldness of white rooms.

Vidar was cold now, too.

Icy morning chill creeped from the hard floorboards into his aching body, as he lay wedged between the old couch and the living room wall.  Legs screaming in pain that wouldn‘t settle after he had all but fallen of the furniture and crawled behind it.

They had put him on the couch, but he knew better. Knew that dog‘s belonged on the floor. Knew not to fail this test.

The man who had scraped him off the street, half dying and delirious from pain had told him to be good for this Natalie woman, so he would try.

What else could do he do right now anyway?! Incapacitated as he was.

He curled up, as much as his throbbing limbs and his tiny hiding space allowed. Fighting against the exhaustion that gnawed at his mind and trying to drown out the fear, hot on its heels.

He had been promised the woman was safe, but no one said anything about the upstairs-people. Those big green eyes that had peered down at him.

Like he was some kind of animal, to gawk at.

Because that‘s exactly what you are.

Kneel dog.

Fetch.

Give paw.

Good boy.

Only that he wasn‘t. He wasn‘t good at all, or his master wouldn‘t have thrown him away. A quiet sob escaped into the houses silence and the dog pressed his trembling lips together until they hurt. A tight white line in a pale bruised face.

____________________________________________________

„Where is-“

„There, there there there behind the the couch.“

„Tristan give him some space, will you?“

Vidar‘s eyes snapped open. Light blue staring right up into bottomless green.

He flinched back. Head hitting the wall with a dull thud. Sharp pain radiated through his skull. Made him growl. Cracked lips pulled back into a vicious snarl.

The big green eyes drinking him in grew even wider and their holder stumbled back with a quiet gasp.

He looked scared.

Good!

And incredibly... young?

„Tristan.“ Miss Natalie laid a tanned hand on the boys shoulder. Work roughened fingers squeezing gently. „Will you be a dear and get our newcomer something to drink?“

„O- o- o- okay.“

The boy nodded, strawberry blond hair flying everywhere as he jumped to his feet in one gracious movement and vanished out the door in flurry of limbs.  

What had his new master called this place again?

A safe house?

„For people like you, you know. Other... pets without a home.“

Could it be?

But this Tristan looked way to young to be a pet.

Memories of black batons and steel tip boots flashed through his mind and something hot and heavy twisted inside his gut.

The thought of metal prongs digging in the boys pale neck made him sick. All of a sudden.

Reminded him of Nicky in the bed of this sick fuck when-

„So.“ Miss Natalie‘s voice cut through his fogging rage like a light house siren and he snapped back to attention. Watching her crouch down a few feet in front of him, hands folded. „How about we get you back onto the couch, hm? It must be cold on the floor.“

He dropped his gaze, unsure of what to do. Dogs didn‘t belong on the furniture. He knew that. But dogs also shouldn‘t disobey their owner. Was this woman his new owner now? She must be. Right? Could he ask? Should he dare? Sir had hated when he had spoken without permission.

Please not the muzzle again.

„Not talking today, honey? That‘s fine.“ The smile in her voice sparked the hope that he had made the right decision.

„Can can can, can he not talk?“ Tristan took a few tentative steps into the living room. Long fingers wrapped around a steaming mug.  

The smell of milk and honey tickled his nose. He craned his neck, blinked up through blond lashes.

Tristan came closer.

Miss Natalie plugged the mug from Tristan‘s hands and set it on the floor. Pushed it over to him.

„It can be hard on some days. Impossible really. Just give him time.“

Vidar didn‘t look at the mug. His eyes were trained on the teenagers solemn face as he nodded.

„Yes. I I I I know day‘s like, like that.“

Tristan plopped down in front of him, tugged his feet over his thighs so that they nearly rested against his abdomen and leaned forward a bit. Fingers tapping softly over his shins.

A nearly conspiratorial grin danced around his lips. Green eyes sparkling warm. „I lose my my my words too. Sometimes. When when I‘m angry or or or or scared. I now it‘s it‘s it‘s scary but don‘t don‘t don‘t worry about that. They they they‘ll come back.“

The first smile in forever creeped on Vidar‘s face, at that. Barley more than the twitch of his lips.

No wonder the boy had to use all his words at once, when he had to make up for days he had none at all.

Tristan mirrored his smile ten fold. Early morning sun dipping in his dimple. Catching in strawberry blond hair.

Long fingers walked up to the mug and nudged it even closer. „My my my my Mom makes hot, hot milk for me when when when I‘m upset. It al- al- always helps.“

His own rough fingertips slid over the floorboards, feeling their faint texture before his hands wrapped around the mug. He lifted it to his lips, let the heat of the drink seep into his freezing fingers and took a tentative sip.

Tristan‘s smile widened as he watched him. Swaying softly forward and back. His pleased hums sunk right into his heart, sweet as the honey milk.

[velvetkisscsxx]

I wish I were Heather.

Pair: Reader x Draco Malfoy

Summary: How you wish you were Heather.

Warning: light cursing, a LITTLE bit angsty (for me lol)

A/N: i wrote this when i was bored so it’s not as good😔 and this is the “based-off-a-song-or-lyrics” type of imagine if you know what i mean. and if you see me use “oh i...” instead of using words based on third person pov, just imagine like you are saying it in your heart LMAO😩 and i know using “Y/N” is kinda cringy but i have no option left😔 and can you please give me some comments about my writing? i got really anxious when people read them but didn’t say anything about it. thank you and happy reading bubbas <3

Picture is from Pinterest

Playing “Heather” by Conan Gray

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰

I still remember the third of December, me in your sweater. You said it looked better on me than it did you. Only if you knew, how much I liked you.

“Here, Y/N. I’m sorry I forgot that you were next to me” Draco passing his green sweater to you. He spilled some tea on you while you guys were eating. Forgetting that you sat next to him. It smelt like him. The smell of comfort. The smell that you have been looking for whenever you feel depressed. The smell of someone that you want when you are touch deprived.

“You know... you should wear my clothes more often. Looking real good in them, eh?” he cocked his eyebrows, laughing at your blushing cheeks. And he left, left with butterflies all over the room. You smiled to yourself, feeling more in love with the Slytherin prince. No one knew... no one knew how much he means the world to you.

But I watch your eyes as she walks by. What a sight for sore eyes. Brighter than a blue sky. She’s got you mesmerised while I die.

Heather. The new transfer student. Her beautiful face. Her green eyes that caught everyone’s attention. Her smile, sweeter than honey. Her kindness, is really out of this world. No one can get their eyes off her. How ethereal, and how much of a goddess she is. Everyone loves her.

And so do your favourite blonde boy. He looked amazed.. by her beauty, by her everything. Oh... did I hear my own heart breaking? Shattering in pieces?

It should be me instead. I am the one that should caught his eyes. Why her? God, take my pain away. Take me away.

“Draco!” he didn’t move. Oh...

Why would you ever kiss me? I’m not even half as pretty.

Our tongue fought for dominance. His tongue slides in my mouth. The way our mouth fits each other perfectly. The way we savoured each other in hunger.

Oh you wish this will happen willingly. Oh you wish this will happen when you both are actually in love with each other.

“Draco... how about Heather? You love her, don’t you?” you asked, hoping that his answer will match yours.

“This is a one night thing. Please, Y/N?”.

Oh no. I was blinded, by his love. I melted, under the Slytherin’s boy words.

You gave her your sweater. “It’s just polyester”. “But you like her better” “I wish I were Heather”

You watched her walking through the Great Hall. You noticed how familiar the green sweater that she was wearing. Isn’t that the one that Draco once gave me to wear?

“Draco, isn’t that your sweater?” you looked at him. The way he looked at her. His eyes were full of love.

“Draco?!”

“Oh what, Y/N? Oh yeah. It’s mine. Why?”

“You once gave it to me. I thought...” Man. You have no idea how many times he wanted to break your heart.

“It’s just polyester, Y/N. Don’t be dramatic” he laughed it off. His grey eyes were still on her. Eyeing every inch of her body. Looking at her in awe, wishing she were his.

“But you like her better. I wish I were Heather...” you whispered under your breath, hoping he will understand what you are feeling, hoping he will know how much pain he has caused you.

Watch as she stands with her, holding your hand. Put your arm ‘round her shoulder, now I’m getting colder.

It was a trip to Hogsmeade! You were super excited to spend your time with Draco! Going to Honeydukes or spending some times at The Three Broomsticks. You have been waiting for this day to happen.

You walked to the place where students were told to wait before actually going to Hogsmeade. You eyed every corner of the big hall, trying to look for the Slytherin prince. And you saw him...

“Oh...” you watched them, with Heather, holding their hands together. They were laughing and giggling; like the they are the only person in the world. And he looked as happy as he ever been.

You heart started to shatter in pieces, again. The same pain that you felt when you saw him staring at her started to take over you body. You let out a quiet sobs, just hurting from all the pain.

“Y/N, are you okay?” a ginger-haired boy asked. Ron Weasley. He looked around, trying to find the reason why you were crying. Maybe someone teased or bullied you but his eyes were fixated at the ‘lovely’ couple.

“Come here, love. You can follow me, Harry and Hermione to Hogsmeade! Let’s spend time together, shall we?” Ron dragged you away from the happy ‘couple’ there, not wanting you to be a broken piece of figure during the wonderful day.

“Thanks, Ron”

But how could I hate her? She’s such an angel. But then again, kinda wish she were dead.

“Y/N. Please, stop thinking about them, okay? He’s a prick anyway” Hermione tried to convince you. You played with the ring on your finger.

Yes. He is a prick. But not to me. He was always nice to me.

The hatred that I have seeing them being happy together is out of the world. It should be me instead! It should be me from the first day! Why her out of sudden?!

“Oh hey, Y/N!” you heard a voice that you recognise, the voice that once made you have butterflies in your stomach. You looked to your side, seeing them holding hands together, still.

“Oh busy with them, huh? K then” a sigh came out from your mouth. You know how much he hates the Golden Trio. You once hated them too but they are not bad, at all. They are super nice.

“Oh, darling. I’m so sorry...” Hermione hugging your broken figure, trying to make you feel better. Without you realising, your tears fell down to your cheeks.

Why does love hurt so bad?

“I wish I were Heather”

“Oi, Y/N? Why were you hanging out with them on the Hogsmeade trip?!” Draco pushed you to the wall, jealousy burning through his body.

“What the fuck, Draco?!” Ron shouted from far, running his way to you and Draco, pushing Draco away.

“Shut up, weaselbee. You fucking blood traitor” Draco spat.

“Shut it, Malfoy!” you screamed. Everyone around you guys were shook, their eyes widened.

“You have changed, Y/N! You didn’t like them back then?! And now? You are defending this them? What happened to you? Are you out of your mind?!” Draco gaze turned to you. His focus is all on you now. You can feel his anger burning up in the air. The air was thick and the tension between you and him is making you stressed out.

“Yes, Malfoy! I do hate them but it was when you blinded me with your shits. And what the fuck do you mean by I have changed?! You were the one who have changed now, Malfoy. Your focus are now all on that new student, Heather. And not me. Draco, can’t you see it?! I noticed the way you look at her, Malfoy. Your eyes are always full of love when you are with her. I noticed the way you treated her, Malfoy. I saw everything. You were the one who chose to spend your day at Hogsmeade with her! I didn’t want to ruin your fun, Malfoy. You, now, have the audacity to say shits like?! Can’t you see it? I was in love with you. But I just realised how toxic it is being in love with you! I hurt myself just to have all your attention. I hurt myself so that you can feel the love that you once wished you have. And you said this to me?! Go, Draco. Fucking go. Go have a little life with her. I hate you!” you said, giving zero fucks at everyone that was staring. You walked away, far away from the love of your life.

“Good game, well played, Malfoy” Ron clapped his hands, running to reach you after that.

Draco kicked his bag that was on the floor, knowing that he fucked up so bad. He should have known. He should have seen the way you looked at him. He was blind. Now, all he can do is regretting his decision. Losing you was one of his biggest fear. So, I guess it’s a “check” on his list of fears.

-end-

[irwinkitten]

a bet’s a bet | poly!cashton

notes: so, been apart of the collab writers event for this and it was so much fun! it was also the most difficult damn thing to write lmao. but i had fun and this is the tiresome result! (it would’ve been a meagre 133 words however, with the help of @softbabiestan, @spicycal and @sexgodashton, the fic really pulled together. thank u babies for helping me.) warnings: none word count: 3.6k

prompt line:  “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I have no idea what I’m doing, I almost never do.”

find every piece of the writers collab event here 

donate to my ko-fi

-

It was only years of friendship with Luke that stopped you from walking back out of the room, a scowl set upon your features. 

“You want me to... what?” The last word was hissed dangerously and you felt a slim tug of satisfaction as the baby blue eyes widened, fear prominent as he backtracked over his words, trying to appease the anger he’d clearly ignited. 

“Just, let me get you out on a date!” The words were hasty and Luke froze before groaning, his fingers running through his blonde curls before he turned his pleading eyes to you. 

“What, go out on a date with you? Luke, I’m confused.” Your words made him pause for a second before rolling his eyes with a huff. 

“You know I don’t share. Neither does Sierra. No, what I meant to say was let me set you up on a date. Just one, and then I’ll let it go.” The plea gave you a moment to think, eyeing him carefully as you thought over his words.

“Why?” 

“Because you’re shutting everyone out.” Luke snapped, taking in a steadying breath. “Wait—it’s not that you’re shutting everyone out, but you’re not giving yourself a chance. Every person you’ve gone on a date with has burned you ruthlessly and if you keep this up, you’ll give up entirely. I know you. I know that giving up on something like the chance to be loved would hurt you. Badly. I can’t see you break your own heart like that.” His words were quieter as his hand had reached out to take yours.

You couldn’t fault Luke for his worry. You’d pulled away, unwilling to go out on nights out to see everyone coupled up, leaving you the odd person out. It stung and Luke truly knew you far too well. 

“You promise that you won’t hurt me?” A small part in your mind hated how small, unsure you sounded. But after being hurt so many times, you were wary. And Luke knew that.

“After the last disastrous attempt at a relationship, I know better now. I have an idea that might work but you need to keep an open mind for me.” His arms had pulled you in for a hug and you allowed your head to rest on his collarbone, taking in a slow deep breath before pulling away.

“Alright.” 

The smile that Luke gave you in return made you sigh exasperatedly before leaning up to kiss his cheek, a fond smile on your lips.

Luke used his advantage of you being wrapped up by him to push you towards the conservatory where you knew that Sierra had been waiting for the games night the three of you shared. Sometimes with other people but more often than not it was the three of you.

“He managed to convince you, then?” At her question, you groaned once he let you go so that you could sit down, taking his own spot next to his girlfriend and kissing her cheek in greeting.

“I take it this is a plan concocted between the two of you?” Came your reply in way of answering. 

Sierra just laughed and dealt out the cards. It seemed that it was going to be poker tonight.

After two games, Luke had brought out the wine to be shared between the three of you. Just before the fifth game, he paused Sierra in her shuffling of the cards. This earned curious looks from the two of you, both of you sharing a look before turning to Luke. 

“Blind date. Let me set you up on a blind date.” You eyed him carefully at his words.

“Does this include the date you want to set me up on or is it separate?” Your words made him roll his eyes at you. You held back from outright grinning at his reaction.

“Fucking Slytherin.” He muttered. “It would be included in the date I want to set you up on. One date.” 

It took you a few moments, weighing up his words before realising that there was hardly any harm in letting him do this.

“Fine.” You bit out and his grin turned almost predatory, a look you’d never associated with Luke before.

“How about we make a bet? It’ll be a literal blind date, blindfolds and everything. However, you can’t take the blindfold off at all. Neither can they.” 

“How about we play a game of poker to decide if this bet goes ahead or not?” And the grin turned into a smirk, the dawning realisation that this had been his goal. You glared at him. 

“If I win, then the bet is in play. If I lose, we don’t and I won’t try anything like this for six months.” You could feel yourself rising to his challenge, to his bait. But you were stubborn and proud. And with the victory of the last two games in your corner, you felt confident. 

“Deal. Sierra is the dealer, so you don’t get any ideas to cheat a win.” That made Luke laugh as he stuck out his hand and you sighed before shaking it. “And you call me a Slytherin. Asshole.” 

Luke only grinned at your words as he settled back smugly, allowing Sierra to deal the deck without getting in her way. 

“Where would this date be? Public?” You asked after taking a sip of your drink and Luke hesitated for only a moment, but you saw it.

“No. It’ll be dinner here. The less publicity, the better.” This made you raise an eyebrow at him. He grinned back. 

“So I take it that having sex on the dinner table would be off the cards?” You’d timed it deliberately as he took a sip of his drink, clearly not expecting that response from you as he spluttered wine over himself in an attempt to stop it from spraying further. He scowled at you as you smirked.

“Fucking menace. It’ll be here so that you’re all comfortable and a rumour mill won’t start.” He grumbled as he stood up to head back towards the kitchen. You glanced at Sierra who shrugged as she held the cards, waiting for Luke to return.

“Don’t look at me like that, he’s doing it to protect your reputation. You’re close enough to him without actually dating him and so people are gonna be interested in how to get close. You know what he’s like.” And this made you relax a little about it. 

You’d known Luke since you were kids. When he made it big in the music industry with his solo career, you’d followed him to LA barely a year later. You’d never been seen away from him and people had immediately assumed. 

The assumptions had long since died, although the rumours still existed, there wasn’t any truth to them. But he’d been almost ruthlessly protective of you and your reputation from then on, so you never argued when he told you about a decision for something like this. It made you more determined to beat him, so you wouldn’t have to subject yourself to the date.

When he returned with a napkin, blotting away the excess wine and cleaning up, he took his seat and Sierra dealt out the cards. He held your gaze for a moment before picking up his cards and you did the same.

“Ready to lose, Hemmings?” You took a steadying breath to stop the smirk from spreading.

He had no such trouble in hiding his smirk as he replied.

“Bring it on.” 

—

“Okay are you really going this far?” You complained good naturedly as you stepped out of the car once you’d arrived at Luke’s, to find the man himself stood there, a smirk in place with a black satin tie in his hand. 

“You agreed to it. You’re the last one to arrive.” You sighed before turning so that your back was facing Luke and he chuckled as the satin tie covered your eyes. 

For a solid second you felt a sliver of fear run down your spine but you knew that was down to the Criminal Minds marathon you were currently in the middle of. The second that Luke’s hands were on your shoulders, turning you slowly, your body relaxed.

“Start putting one front in front of the other, I’ll keep you on course.” His voice was soft, gentle, reassuring. Your stomach was twisting knots now and you stopped for a second to quell the panic that was threatening to overcome you.

“Hey, hey, hey. Take it easy now. You trust me right?” It felt disorientating, knowing he was behind you but he was moving as well without lifting his hands from your shoulders.

“Yes. I’m just—nervous. And maybe a little bit scared.” You admitted to your friend. You heard Luke sigh before his arms came around you and pulled you into a strong hug, one that reminded you that he wouldn’t put you in any kind of danger and that he was there, for both reassurance and comfort.

“I made Mike force a promise out of them to be on best behaviour.” You felt your stomach do another turn, but you weren’t too sure if it was from excitement or nerves. Them. There were at least two of them. 

“Okay.” You let out a deep breath before pulling away. This time, Luke took your hands and his footsteps were slow as he guided you the last bit into the house.

“Right. I’ve got my two step porch and then it’s flat till the front door. First step. Good, there we go. And now the second step. Nearly there.” 

By the time you were in the house, your nerves had vanished, replaced with annoyance to Luke and his bet. But you kept quiet. You'd promised not to complain too much, which meant only complaining to your date. Or dates. You tried to hold back the noise of frustration as you were guided into the house.

Curiosity overrode your annoyance once you were seated. You could hear breathing to your left and right so you tried to steady the bundle of nerves that had settled.

“Right, have fun and both Michael and I promise that the food will be easy for you guys to eat, no need to for cutlery. Much.” 

“Luke.” You snapped but he simply laughed, the laughter getting quieter before a door shut and it vanished. You held back a sigh. 

“The fact that Luke blindfolded us before we even got to the door is frustrating. And I’m gonna get Mike back for this.” The person on your right muttered, his voice almost smooth like honey. There was a nagging feeling in your mind which was telling you that you’d heard the voice before.

“Well, they might know what’s going on but I have no idea what I’m doing or letting myself in for.” You murmured gently and there was a laugh to your left this time whilst the one on your right snorted.

“Feeling is absolutely mutual. How about you give us a name?” The smooth honeyed voice asked quietly and you felt your eyes roll back before remembering they couldn’t see the motion.

“You two give me yours and I’ll give you mine.” There was a choked laugh from the hallway and you sighed. “Names, nothing more... yet.” 

The one to your left chuckled. 

“Feisty. Nice to meet ya’. I’m Calum.” You had your head turned in his direction, his words slow and quiet. 

You turned your head to the right, if only to tamper down your own embarrassment at the feeling of just talking to two strangers without looking—well, turning—in their direction.

“And you are?” You drew out the third word, making Calum snicker. You could hear muffled laughter in the hallway too.

“I’m Ashton. What about you? All is fair in love and war, and we deserve your name at least, don’t we?” You smirked.

“Ah, so you both know each other already?” At this, Calum groaned before Ashton snorted. 

“Quick on that one were you?” You kept quiet at Ashton’s question before he sighed. “Yeah, we know each other.” 

“That wasn’t so hard now, was it?” It was a playful taunt, but you couldn’t help yourself. Eventually you murmured your name, both men testing it on their lips. You were almost grateful for the blindfolds being able to hide the delight in your face from their eyes. 

It fell into an awkward silence, and you could hear something crash in the kitchen, despite the muffled sound and finally you broke the silence with a giggle. It didn’t take Ashton or Calum long to chuckle. 

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I have no idea what I’m doing, I almost never do.” You finally murmured. “So I’m just gonna ask the most basic question, how do you both know Luke?” 

There was a pause and Ashton finally responded.

“We first met him when he released the single that shot him straight into the charts. He was very different back then, but we stayed in touch and as we got older, we became friends. Calum introduced him to Michael, the one who’s helping him apparently, and they’ve worked on a couple of tracks together.” The names were familiar and you kept trying to place them before it struck you.

“Wait, Ashton Irwin and Calum Hood, right? Radio show hosts? So that means Mike is the DJ, Michael Clifford?” Calum laughed.

“I told you that they’d know who we are, Ash.” You tried not to let the grin overtake your lips as you relaxed into the chair. You’d heard enough about them that you weren’t so nervous about this.

“Yeah, yeah. And what about our mysterious blind date, huh? We don’t know much about you.” You shrugged before mentally smacking yourself as you remembered that they weren’t going to see a shrug.

“Luke is my best friend. We grew up together and he’s kind of stuck with me for life.” Despite knowing who these people were, it didn't lessen your suspicions. 

Before either of them could reply, a noise broke the silence as the door into the dining room opened.

“And for the first food item of the night, we have a very huge pizza that we totally did not order from the local pizza place.” Luke’s voice seemed to hold his accent a bit more as he put on the airs. You could hear someone behind him laughing.

“For drinks, it’s water because since you all drove and Luke is a dumbass, there’s no other non alcoholic beverage apart from coffee and tea and that’s not something you’re supposed to drink on a first date.” You’d not heard this voice before, but you could only assume that it was Michael.

“The dish is in front of you and there are napkins to the left of your plate. Enjoy!” And just as quickly as they’d arrived they were gone again with the slam of the door. You laughed along with Calum and Ashton.

You carefully patted around the plate to find the napkin before gently tapping your fingers against the table top, moving further inwards until you hit the hot pizza crust. Just as you found the pizza crust, Ashton made a noise of disgust.

“Should’ve thought that the actual topping of the pizza would feel disgusting.” He muttered, making both you and Calum laugh as you tore your piece away, going back for a second once you’d put it on your plate.

Warm fingers brushed the back of your hand and you pulled it away sharply, wondering if this really was the best idea.

“Sorry.” Calum hummed and you could only make a noise of acknowledgement in return as you settled on just eating the one piece you had, ignoring the goosebumps that had risen at his touch. 

It was quiet between the three of you for a few moments, your mind settling on the fact that going on this date with both of them wasn’t half bad. But you knew you were never going to admit that to Luke, otherwise you’d definitely never hear the end of it from him.

It pushed onto questions of your job, seemingly switching between the three of you. 

“So have you two, like, dated together before or?” You felt bold asking that question. The last slice of pizza had gone and you were certainly feeling more comfortable with them both.

“I mean, we never really dated. It was just a fling I guess?” Calum answered, the question in his tone clearly for Ashton. 

“It was more of something that kind of happened by accident. At a work Christmas party, there was a game of spin the bottle.” Ashton hesitated before continuing, “I knew it was going to happen, but we went with it when the bottle landed on Calum. Hour or so later, we’d fully reverted to teenage years and played seven minutes in heaven.” 

This earned a breathless laugh from Calum.

“If I remember correctly, you muttered about finding out if the rumours about my mouth were true or not.” Another laugh followed his statement and Ashton cleared his throat. 

“Yeah well, you truly put those rumours to shame. Ever since, we just existed I guess? We weren’t officially a thing, but I wouldn’t say no when Cal turned up with a couple of beers and a smirk on his lips. It’s only recently that we kinda branched out.” Ashton finished with his explanation and you could feel how flustered you felt at his words.

“And what have you found from branching out?” You quietly asked. Calum responded this time.

“That we might have something we really want to try.” And you hummed in appreciation at his honesty.

“Do you two share everything then?” Your words were playful, teasing. Ashton caught his breath as he took a sip if the sputtering was anything to go by. 

The dynamic duo that the three of you had dubbed Luke and Michael broke the moment, before they could give you an answer.

“Desserts! That totally isn’t store bought at all. Not us. Never.” Michael cried out and you found yourself rolling your eyes behind the blindfold. 

“At least you two are good for one thing.” You fired back cheekily, earning a few laughs from them. Luke one upped you.

“Getting the three of you together, we know. We’ll be back and don’t fuck on my dining room table!” He yelled once the dishes were set on the table and beat a hasty retreat.

“They’re gonna be smug insufferable bastards for the rest of the year.” Calum muttered as they heard the laughter die down once the door had shut once more.

“Just, don’t take your fuckin’ blindfolds off. I am not losing another bet to Luke.” You muttered sharply and Ashton chuckled.

“Oh we already told them that we’d be keeping the silk ties that they’ve used as blindfolds. However, it’s up to you if you’d let us use them.” And you could feel your heart thundering in your chest as you took in a sharp gasp at Ashton’s words.

“Depends on how you plan to use them, since we have three of them.” You fired back after only a moment of hesitation. Calum laughed.

“Oh baby, you got two hands don’t you?” The tease didn’t hide the implication in his voice and you felt your breath catch for a second time in as many minutes. 

Part of you wondered if they were goading you to take the blindfold off, to lose the bet if only to get out of the house quicker with them. But your competitive nature held you in place. 

“I like the sound of where this is going. So the question would be, who’s place would we go to, since I really doubt that Luke would want us to try anything in his home.” 

“Too fucking right!” Was the muffled response behind the door and Ashton snickered before Calum answered.

“How about we book a hotel for the night? It’s neutral ground, and not to mention, no need to really clean up any mess we make. And believe me, there will be a lot of mess eventually.” 

Calum’s plan seemed to be easy for you. And you could feel the blood rushing around your body as your mind wandered to thoughts of the night ahead.

“Are we allowed to leave yet Luke?” You called, loud enough to be heard over the muffled laughter. It took a few moments before he came in and groaned.

“Let us get these two knuckleheads out and then I’ll come back for you. Looks like you won that side of the bet.” You laughed at his petulant tone, listening patiently as the chairs scraped against the floor before their footsteps got quieter. 

Another set of footsteps returned and you leaned into Luke for a moment once you were up, surprising him with a hug.

“Thanks Lu.” You murmured and he chuckled softly as he guided you back out of his house.

“If you need anything, just give me a call. Are you taking your car or-” 

“They can ride with us.” Calum’s voice cut Luke’s question off. You smiled. 

“It’s fine Lu. I’ll pick my car up tomorrow.” 

The blindfold dropped and you had to take a few minutes to adjust from the sudden light before glancing around. Luke had already retreated indoors, the door slamming just seconds later. Your eyes studied the two men in front of you, and your mind finally connected the dots between them. 

Calum stood there with a grin, holding the blindfolds in his hands, his skin glowing in the setting sun. You noticed that both of them had dressed up as you glanced at Ashton, his own attire being dress pants and a white button down, the top few buttons undone. 

Pictures that you’d seen of them truly did not do them justice as Calum reached his free hand out to you as he spoke.

“Ready to find out if we really share everything?” 

-

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[sweet-cynical-writer]

Thank you to everyone who waited patiently!!! The long overdue update is here for Soukoku's Love Child!

Word count: 1.6k

Warnings: Suicide, Gore, Death

Special thanks to @soukokuwu naturally for proofreading & of course continuing to be my partner for the series! ♡

Soukoku's Love Child - Nikkō's Past

The soft piano music carried on a reminiscent sound as Dazai walked into Lupin. As he settled into his seat, a certain ginger haired mafioso let out an exasperated sigh as if he'd been expecting company for quite some time. His partner was late as usual.

“What kept you this time, shitty Dazai?”

He took his drink in hand to take a sip before replying. And naturally it made Chuuya upset. A warning glare shot towards the barkeep who was only there to do his job and nothing more. Dazai didn't mind ;In fact for as long as he'd been coming to Lupin, he was always served without having to place a single order.

“I was visiting someone along the way. Turns out, they need my help.”

His partner opened his mouth to retort that there's no way he would assist in helping him but was cut off as if it were expected.

“Chuuya. I know you don't want me to get involved in anyone's problems. But this is a special case. And it will affect you as well.”

The way he released an audible, ‘Tch’ made Dazai smirk with amusement. It was his partner's way of saying, ‘go on and explain yourself fast before I rip your head off’.

“I'm glad you understand. Now. To put it bluntly, I found out more about this kid I ran into. We should adopt him. There's too much risk keeping him in that orphanage and if someone else comes along to grab him.. well let's just say it will only create more work for us.”

Chuuya was irritated at the idea of having a child to look after. He hardly would have patience for Dazai as troublesome and childish he could be. Taking care of a real child would be a nightmare.

“Now listen here, if you think that you could just make all the decisions here and I would just go along with it, you're dead wrong.”

Sure, Chuuya was aware that when it came to making life changing decisions that Dazai had a natural gift for choosing right every time. But that didn't mean the ginger had to mindlessly agree every time something like this occurred.

The way he cooly took his drink to his lips only made him more angry. That sly smile played on his lips like he could order the mafia executive around like some second hand maid.

“Look you bandaged bastard, I mean it. If we just ignore this child and we do end up with more work, so what? We could always use an alternative to helping the kid find a stable home rather than have us watch him.”

Even given their separate roles, it would be impossible for either of them to always have visual watch on the kid. Was he expecting the two of them to play hot potato taking care of him? And then there were always the possibilities of the kid wandering off. Chuuya shook his head after drinking from his glass.

"No, Dazai. There's too much maintenance to bother having this kid in our care. I say make him someone else's problem or just forget about it.”

He knew better than to doubt Dazai's intuition. As insufferable this man was, he never made a wrong call on a long term decision. Ultimately, that was part of the pros of dating such a man. Still, no matter how sharp Dazai was in taking the lead, Chuuya refused to cooperate. This time, Dazai was asking for too much on his part.

To be honest, the burnette anticipated a reaction like this from Chuuya. He didn't look surprised in the slightest as he watched his partner express the facial expression of a stubborn dog who didn't want to move an inch. Unless his owner was going to drag him along by the leash.

“You may be against it now, Chuuya. But when I tell you what kind of capabilities this child has, you'll change your mind.”

Dazai took another sip from his glass before setting it down with a soft clink against the glass coaster. His warm chocolate gaze filled with sorrow as he parted his lips to tell the story of a child that lost everything at once.

***

The child was only six when this took place. A meeting that was long overdue on a night when the air was bone chilling. It whispered desirable sins in the ears of two lovers that tore a bond that was at wit's end. There was only a matter of time that this would happen but the way it happened was something not fit for children. So it was only natural that they waited until their son was put to bed before they took action on leaving him behind.

Nothing was going to stop them from reaching what they both wanted most. The one thing in life that was irreversible that was both feared and wanted by man. It was something that their son wouldn't understand until long after they left.

“The only thing I hope for.. is that he won't hate us if he ever finds out.”

Her silky voice came out in a soft whisper. Sweet honey coated eyes staring back into that freshly cut emerald gaze of his. They were sharp and confident the way he reassured his wife with a gentle press of his lips to hers. The moonlight shone down on them like a spotlight. They danced against death for their whole lives. But tonight? Tonight they would dance toward it.

They had decided a while back; they’d do it here, near the river, under the bridge where it’s quiet, barren. It wasn’t too far from the house, but far enough so their child would be able to sleep through it. Doing it at their home would be too much, too troublesome.

Tonight was the last time they could breathe. The last time they would see each other. Their fate was sealed with the guns they both held in each other's hands. They intertwined arms with the barrels resting on their foreheads. With a silent exchange to one another, they released the trigger.

It was roughly 6:45 A.M. that the boy had woken up from his slumber. He was in a daze, rubbing sleep from his eyes as he rolled out of bed to search for his parents. Their bedroom being empty sent his heart into a panic. Where did they go? And without him? Frantically, he opened the front door to rush to the first place he thought of. The river. It was a favored area that Nikkō loved to spend his time skipping rocks.

There were even times when he would hide from his parents to play out here. It was an obvious spot to be found, but that didn't matter to him, he always wanted to be found easily. However, this time, Nikkō's parents were the ones easily found.

Two bodies, side by side and covered in red, tainting the usual clear blue gentleness which was the river. It no longer held the innocent and kind memories of his family. Instead, it haunted him as he stared wide eyed and unmoving like a statue.

He was snapped out of his blank state to the sound of an incomplete call made out to the caller ID labeled, ‘YASU’. The cell phone was found in his mother's hand. He broke down in uncontrollable sobbing. Nikkō was there, curled in between the decaying bodies of his parents. Crying hysterically with an erratic heartbeat that was visible to the naked eye. A man who possessed blond hair and kind eyes had shown up before to tame the child before police arrived.

It was decided from the note left behind that he would be put into the orphanage for the sake of not learning of his dark past. Out of fear that the child would possibly take things the wrong way or attempt to take his own life out of guilt. His parents did not want the chance of Nikkō ever finding out about losing his family. There was also the logical fear that someday, learning about his ability that he could use it to hurt everyone around him.

As long as he remained oblivious to his ability, he could live out a full life of happiness. If he remains in the orphanage, some loving family will pick him up and raise him to be a sweet child. There were too many risk factors to expose Nikkō to such sensitive information. All they could do was hope he would never have to go through the stress and strain that came with having an ability.

Including knowing about Yasu, he was left with no choice. His parents found it too risky that one day, the truth would slip out if they allowed Yasu to raise Nikkō. Their last request of their old friend was to take him to an orphanage. No further contact was allowed with him after he was dropped off. But Yasu loved Nikkō like his own. He kept his promise to take Nikkō to the orphanage, only to go against their wishes and keep in contact with the boy by exchanging gifts and letters with him as time passed.

The moment the orphanage learned about the child's ability to manipulate emotions upon physical contact, they had him separated from the rest of the children. He was considered a walking disaster that only wanted those to suffer with him. When in actuality, the child not only had no clue he possessed an ability, but he wished for someone to explain what he was feeling. He was confused and often became docile at the mention of any word similar to ‘family’.

He was often asked many questions referring to his past like what happened to his parents and if he knew why he was there at the orphanage. Nikkō couldn't answer with certainty, given that the disturbing image of two bloodied bodies seen at a tender age made his brain block out those memories. Something in him refused to let him access his past. Telling him to keep pushing forward and never look back.

Tags for notification: @suehiro @jounos-teashop-writing @aiya-chan03 @i-am-sleepy-as-heck @tapioka-boi @wildnya @chihxru @dazedbydazai @bandaged-writer @daffodildazaiwrites @orphic-osamu

[fanficwriter013]

The Tower: The Queen of Asgard - 26

The Tower: The Queen of Asgard An Avengers Fanfic

Series Masterlist PREVIOUS //

Pairing:  Avengers x OFC, Bruce Banner x Bucky Barnes x Clint Barton x Wanda Maximoff x Steve Rogers x Natasha Romanoff x Tony Stark x Thor x Sam Wilson x OFC (Elly Cooper)

Word Count: 3311

Warnings: Drinking and self-doubt, mentions of past physical childhood abuse

Synopsis: The twins are now three and while the Avengers know that Clint and Thor are the biological father’s none of them know or care which blond, blue-eyed baby is related to which man.  When Riley gets the power to control wind and it becomes evident that she is the heir to the Asgardian throne, Elly, Steve, Thor, and Tony take the twins to Asgard to train her.

Not every Asgardian is happy with their king’s choice of consort, nor the impurity of the heir’s blood.  While others expect Thor to make things more official.  What’s clear is, the role of Queen of Asgard is not easily filled.

Author’s Note:  Written with my inspiration to rebel @avengerscompound​

Chapter 25: Worthy

That same night over dinner we plied the boys with drinks.  Just enough for them to get to that relaxed and slightly competitive state they’d get into when they didn’t have a lot of things to worry about.  After the kids were asleep we all sat around on the couch drinking while Nat tried to talk Clint into trying to pick Mjolnir up again.

“Come on,”  Natasha pushed.  “You know you want to.  And now Thor doesn’t have the pressure of losing Asgard.”

“It’s just a trick.  Besides, why would I suddenly just be worthy now?”   He asked.

“Well,” Thor said, sweeping his hand in the direction of Mjolnir.   “She sits on the table.  Whomever wishes.”

“You know your kids were swinging her around earlier?”  I said.

He looked at me with his eyebrows raised.  “My children?  As in plural?  Both of them?”

“Yep.  Both of them.  Piet nearly hit me with her.”  I said and looked back over at Clint “So if the kids can do it…”

Thor nudged me and gestured to Mjolnir.  “Go on, milady.”

“Me first?” I asked, looking back to Thor.

He smiled brightly.  “If the children can do it…”

I got up and looked over at Natasha.  She gave me a sharp nod and I wrapped my hand around Mjolnir’s handle.  Right away, I felt a crackle of electricity that seemed to start in both my hand and the crown of my head before running through my veins.  I pulled up and Mjolnir swung up easily.  “Like that?”  I asked.

Thor’s smiled widely and held his hand out to me.  “Look at you.  Come here, my queen.”

I moved to him and he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his lap, kissing me deeply.  Lightning crackled off our skin and leaked from our eyes as we kissed and Bruce backed away from us a little.

He pulled back and took Mjolnir from my hand, tossing her in the air so she flipped over and he caught her again.  “Who’s next?”

Natasha held out her hand and Mjolnir flew straight into it.  “Very good, my love.”  Thor cheered.

“Boys?”  Natasha asked, flicking her wrist back and forth with the hammer in her grip.

“Sonovabitch!”  Clint cursed.  “This was a setup!”

Steve got up and rolled up his sleeves, stepping over to Natasha.  “Alright, which ones of you had money on this?”  He asked and held his hand out to Natasha.  Natasha dropped the hammer into his hand and for a second it dropped before he lifted it back up easily.

“I knew it!”  Thor cheered and I started clapping.

“It’s definitely rigged,” Clint whined.

“So does this mean I can fly and do lightning and things?” I asked.

“I can’t say for sure about the flying.  It might take some teaching because it’s more like Mjolnir pulls you along.”  Thor said.

“Can you teach me some things?”  I asked.

Thor nodded and kissed my neck.  “Of course, my queen.”

“Sam, you wanna give this a go?”  Steve asked.  “Or shall I just put her back down?”

“Nah, just put her down,” Sam said gesturing to the table with his cup.

“Sam…”  I whined.

“Hey now,” Sam said, firmly.  “She’s a classy lady.  You can’t just hand her around like that.”

“Why not?  You pass me around.”  I teased.

“Yeah, you’re not exactly classy though, princess.”  Sam countered.

“Hey!”  I yelped and threw one of the cushions at him.

“What about you, Buck?”  Steve asked as he put Mjolnir down on the table.

Bucky shook his head.  “Don’t see how Mjolnir can think I’m worthy when I don’t.”

Steve rubbed Bucky’s shoulder and sat down beside him, pulling Bucky close to him.  “You’re worthy.”  He whispered.  “Of everything.”

Clint got up and tugged on the handle of Mjolnir but it didn’t budge at all. “Aw, hammer.  Come on.  Everyone else can do it.”

I got up and came over to him.  “Hey Clint, pick me up.”

Clint looked at me like I’d lost my mind, but scooped me into his arms.  I held out my hand and Mjolnir flew into it.  Clint didn’t even flinch, he just kept holding me.  “There you go.  Now you’re lifting her.”  I teased.

“Oh yeah?  And how do I use her like this?”  He asked.  “Just throw you at things?”

I broke down into giggles.  “Yes.”

“Alright,”  Sam said getting up.  “Hand her over.”

“Oh, now you want to pass her around?”  I teased holding her out to him.

He shrugged.  “Everyone else has tried.  Might as well.”  He took the handle and it sunk down for a moment before lifting it again.

“You’re worthy!”  I cheered.

He smirked at me.  “You doubted me, Elly?”  He moved Mjolnir in his hands like he was testing its weight.  “I like it.  Balanced, but not heavy.”

“I read somewhere that Mjolnir doesn’t move until lifted is that she never moves.  Rather, when you’re wielding her, the universe moves with it at the center.”

Sam gave me a look and I shrugged. “Just something I read.”

Sam put the hammer down on the table and I went and sat back with Thor.  “Can you show me how to do the hand sparks?”  I asked.

He held out his hand and Mjolnir flew into it before passing her to me.  “Hold out your hand, my queen.”

I held out my hand palm up and Thor put his palm down about an inch over it.  He wiggled his fingers and sparks began to dance over them.  Slowly he brought his hand to mine and slid his hand over my palm.  When he took his hand away the sparks were now dancing on my skin.  I moved my fingers, pushing into the tingling feeling and the sparks kept jumping over my hand.

“That’s it.  You shall be fighting alongside us in no time.  With Mjolnir, your new armor, and the gift you receive at the bonding.”  Thor said.

Steve and Tony both scowled.  “I’m not so sure about that,” Steve said.

“I didn’t make the armor for her to be an Avenger,” Tony added.

I clenched my jaw and the sparks dissipated and I put Mjolnir on the ground beside me.  I really didn’t want to start another argument about them not getting to decide what I did and didn’t do.

“How did you all go selecting clothing for the bonding?”  Thor asked.

“We have dresses,” Wanda said.

“And Pietro predicted that you, you, you and you would all cry,” Natasha said, pointing to Steve, Sam, Clint, and Tony.

“Oh yeah, Tony is going to blub,” Clint said.

“Hey!”  Tony protested.

“Yeah, you will,” Bruce said rubbing his thigh.  “You know you will.”

���How about you boys?  Did you pick out what you’re wearing?”  Natasha asked.

“We all do,”  Sam said, answering for himself, Bucky and Bruce.

“I do too, but these two couldn’t agree on anything,” Clint said, pointing at Steve and Tony.  “They are impossible.”

“I must admit, I too have been unable to find something,” Thor added.

“What happened?”  I asked.

“I want something different, just for this event.  Something unlike my other clothing.”  Thor said.  “I have a vision, but I was having trouble describing it to the tailors and Loki became increasingly frustrated with me.”

“I might be able to help,” Wanda said.  “I could act as a conduit for your thoughts, passing them directly to the tailors.”

“That might work,” Thor said.  “Thank you, my love.”

“Why haven’t you got anything, Steve?”  Bucky asked.

Steve shifted and shrugged a little.  “I don’t know,” he said.  “What I’ve tried on doesn’t feel like - it.”

“Do you want it to be Asgardian?”  I asked.

“Wait,”  Tony interrupted.  “I was told I wasn’t allowed to wear my suit.”

“Oh,” I startled.  “I don’t actually know the rules.  It’s just you were wearing a suit when we were nearly tricked into it.”

“I was told that I wasn’t allowed to wear my suit,” Tony repeated.  “And it’s a wedding suit.”

I startled and shook my head like I misheard him.  “It’s a what?”

“Shit,” he cursed under his breath.  “Nothing.”

“Tony…” I said sternly.

“Shit,” he cursed again.  “El, honey, don’t be mad.”

It felt like my heart was going to hammer its way right out of my chest.  I for the life of me couldn’t understand why Tony would have a suit on Asgard he planned to get married in.  I didn’t even know he was planning to get married.  Or who he was planning to marry.  He’d never spoken to me about marriage.  We were a polyamorous group.  Marriage had never even been on the table as a possibility until Asgard.

“But… I don’t… you have it… and you brought it here from there…  And…”  I stopped and looked at him.  “Who were you going to marry, Tony?”

“No one.”  He said.

“Tony!”  I snapped.  “Tell me your thought processes now before I have a full-blown panic attack!”

“Alright… okay… Elise, please.  You need to listen.”  He said getting up and starting to pace.  “I know what we are okay?  I know.  And as you keep pointing out, I’m not getting any younger.  And my name isn’t on the kid’s birth certificates because there’s only room for one father and one mother.  And there’s no one else.  I wrote it into my will who gets control of the company and that the Avengers Initiative.  But those things are contestable.   And I need to know that if something happens that you - all of you - are gonna be okay.  That you’re taken care of.  So I take the suit with me, because if I need to last-minute, then I have it.  Right?  And it’ll be okay.  And it’s you, El.  It needs to go to you.  I know you’ll do the right thing.  And then I know the babies will get it next.”

I got up and approached him, stepping in front of him and taking his hands.  Gradually I pulled him in against me and he melted into me, wrapping his arms around me, his whole body sagging against mine.  “Why didn’t you talk to us about it?”  I asked gently.

He shook his head.  “I keep going to, but then I think it’s okay.  We have time.  And you’re happy.  You like not playing favorites.  Saying yes to marrying me, I thought you wouldn’t because that’s favoritism.”

“Oh honey, I would have understood if you talked to us about it.”  I said gently.  “That’s why you were so ready to say yes when it was sprung on us?”

He nodded against my chest.  “I’ve been ready to marry you for years, El.”

I looked over at the others.  “We can do that, right?”  I asked.  “When we get back.  So we have the legal connection too?”

“Yes.  Of course.  It’s a good idea.”  Steve said.  “We have this here for all of us.  That there to protect us.  And more importantly the kids.”

“Will it matter if we’re gonna live for 5000 years?”  I asked.

“You’re life-spans will be drawn into line with mine, but I don’t think you gain the physical strength of Asgardians,” Thor answered.  “Even if you do, we may be long-lived but we aren’t invulnerable.  We can be killed and they do have dangerous jobs.  So the extra security is wise.”

I ran my fingers around from Tony’s scalp to his jaw and tilted his head up to look at me.  “Was it just the suit you had?”

“Oh uh…” He shook his head and fished his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket.  “No.”  He held a ring box out and popped it open.  Inside was a diamond solitaire ring with a titanium band and the largest oval cut diamond I’d ever seen in my whole life.  “So, do you want to?”

I nodded.  “Yeah.  Alright.  I’ll be your wifey.”

He chuckled and kissed my forehead before taking out the ring and slipping it onto my ring finger.  “Thank you, honey.”

“I love you, you know?”  I asked.

He nodded.  “Sometimes I’m not sure why.  But I know.”

I nuzzled at his cheek and looked over at Thor.  “Why can’t he wear his suit?”

“I’m not sure.  I will have to speak to Loki.”  Thor said.  “She is better versed with the law.”

“It’s okay.  If we’re gonna get married when we get back I can save it.”  Tony said.  “But, could you guys maybe pick for me?”

“Really, Tony?”  Bruce asked.

“Yeah,” he said.  “You all see me better than anyone else.  I want to be dressed how you see me.”

“We can do that,” I said. “It’s gonna be perfect.”

“So what’s going on with you then, Steve?”  Sam asked.

“Everything’s too tight.  I thought we went through this.”  Steve said, closing back up again.

“Alright,” Bucky said, pouring more mead into Steve’s cup.  “Drink up.”

“What are you doing?”  I asked.

“We discovered last night that Steve gets a little more open with his feelings when he’s drunk,” Sam said as Steve sighed and took a long drink of the mead.

“So what are the pre-bonding things we need to know about?”  Tony asked.

“Well, the day before we have to sit in isolation to think and consider our place in the relationship,” Thor explained.  “During this time an artist will paint our bodies, similar to Henna tattoos on Midgard.  Though stylistically it will be different and there will be color involved.  The tattoos will be a map of us as individuals and who we are together.  After that, we will be scrubbed clean and dressed.”

“There’s no bachelor party?”  Tony asked.

“That isn’t a custom here, but if you desire to have one, we could organize it,” Thor said.

“How, if all our friends are on Earth?”  I asked.

“I could send for them,” Thor said.  “Do you know who you’d like?”

“Oh, you gotta get Hill and Coulson here,” Clint said.

“Fury too,” Natasha added.

“I gotta have platypus here,” Tony said.  “Gotta.  Happy too.”

“Viz!”  Wanda said excitedly.  “Scott and Hope seem like obvious additions too.  It would be nice to share this with them.”

“T’Challa maybe?  If he can get here.”  Sam suggested.  “Though it might be a bit of an ask.”

“I’d like Jax and Clarke,” I said.  “What about your brother and sister, Sam?”

Sam shook his head.  “As much as I’d like it if they came I could never get them to support the idea of this in a day.”

“I’m sorry, Sam.” I frowned.

He shrugged.  “It’s fine.  They’re getting there.  If we had longer I could but it is what it is.”

“I think that’s it then, Thor,” Steve said.

Thor nodded.  “I shall send an envoy.  They will bring back those they can.”

“Are there Asgardian strippers?”  Tony asked.

“Strippers!”  Steve cheered and everyone turned their heads to look at him.

“And we have reached optimal level drunk,” Sam said.  “Elise.  How about you come do the questioning seeing as you missed out on drunk Steve last night.”

“Okie dokie.”  I said and moved over to Steve and sat down in his lap.  “You want some strippers, Stevie?”

“Mmm…” he hummed and flexed his fingers on my side.  “Wanna take body shots off you.  ‘Member when we did that?”

I giggled. “I sure do.  What drink did I make you again?”

Steve started giggling.  “You gave me and Buck blowjobs.”

“Both kinds.” I teased and he rubbed his nose on mine.  “Hey, Stevie?  What’s wrong with the clothes?”

“Not good enough.”  He said.

“Why aren’t they good enough?”  I asked as I caressed his jaw.

“Not them.  Me.”  He said.

It felt like my heart broke in my chest.  I pressed my forehead against his.  “Oh, Steve.  Of course, you are.”

He shook his head.  “Couldn’t finish the war.  Couldn’t save Bucky.  Couldn’t stop Schmidt.  Just barely stopped the aliens.  Nope.  That wasn’t me.  Was Tony.  Can’t make the world better for our kids.”

“Honey,” I said, stroking his hair.  “You’ve done plenty.  Everything.”

“I’m a failure,” he said.  “And a fraud.  ‘S not even my body.”

“Honey,” I said pulling back and looking into his eyes.  “You deserve to be happy.”

“Nope.  Not me.”  He said.  “He said.  ‘Cause ‘m gay.”

I tilted my head.  “You don’t think gay people deserve to be happy.”

“Yes, just not me.  ‘M not gay, am I?  But he said…”

“Oh shit.”  Bucky groaned.  I looked over at Bucky and he ran his fingers through his hair.    

“His dad walked in on us once,”  Bucky said.  “We were pretty young.  We weren’t even doing anything.  It was purely innocent.  Just cuddling.  But he beat the absolute tar outta Steve.  He already hated that he was small and sick.  Add being a sissy to it.”

I grimaced and wrapped my arms around Steve, holding him tightly against him.  I knew exactly what had happened because the same thing had happened to me when my dad had found me kissing a girl.  “Steve,” I soothed.  I was worried there was nothing I could say that would get through to him in time.  This was big-issue stuff, and we didn’t have time to figure it out the way it needed to be.  “You can’t let him decide what you deserve.  Stop letting a man who has been dead for 80 years punish you for being the amazing person you are.”

“But I’m not good enough.  Haven’t proved myself.”  He mumbled.

“Happiness isn’t a prize to be one.  You get to just be happy.”  I said.

“But why?  Why me?  Why us?  Why now?”  He babbled.

I kissed his neck and rubbed his back.  “We’ve gotten very lucky that our very lovely space boyfriend got pushed into a predicament that he was told he had no choice in the matter, and by doing that he finally realized that maybe he wanted it too.”

“And we just get a happily ever after for 5 thousand years?”  He asked.

“We do, honey.  Don’t you want that?”

He shook his head.  “Doesn’t matter what I want.”

“We want it.  Does it matter what we want?”  I asked.

“Steven,”  Thor said, getting up and coming over to crouch in front of Steve.  “You are worthy of this, sweetheart.  Please let us in.”

“Space boyfriend,” Steve said softly.

“Let me be your space husband,” Thor said stroking his jaw.

“Space husband,” Steve said and looked up into Thor’s eyes.  “How many husbands will I have?”

“Counting the Hulk you get to have seven husbands and three wives,” Thor said.  “Would you like that.  We want you.”

“That’s so many.”  Steve giggled.

“So many.  With so much love for you.”  Thor agreed and cupped Steve’s cheek.  “Please marry us.  Make 10 people complete.”

“Til the end of the line, punk,” Bucky said.

“Otay,” Steve said, softly.

Thor leaned over and kissed him deeply.  When he pulled back he sat beside Steve and pulled both Steve and me into his lap.

“Now, my love,” I said to Steve.  “Clothes.”

“Has to be perfect.”  He said.

“I’m gonna be sappy, Steve,” I said.  “You ready?”

“Otay.”  He nodded.

“It’ll be perfect because you’re wearing it.”

“Aww…”  Steve cooed, nuzzling at my neck.  “You’re a cheese puff.”

I giggled and stroked his hair.  “Can you choose something?”

He nodded.  “Can Thor help me?”

“I would be honored,” Thor said.  “Now, I think it’s time to get you to bed, my drunken fiance.”

“It is late.”  Wanda agreed.  “Perhaps we should all go to bed.”

There was a murmur of agreement and we got up and headed to bed.  It had been such a good day and even though this whole process was so rushed, a week and a half seemed like it was too far away.

//NEXT

[xxrainbow-princessxx]

Dearest Sympathies

Lilies are symbolic of the soul of the departed and hope of the renewal process. With the divorce looming and their fight for Camille pushing forward. There will be no turning back

Warnings: Swearing, Premonition of Death, Physical Violence

Chapter List:

Chapter 1: Enough

Chapter 2: Homeward Bound

Chapter 3: Band of Brothers

Tag list: @lorirwritesfanfic @drakewalkerfantasy @lorircreates @desireepow-1986 @liam-rhys @rafasgirl23415 @speedyoperarascalparty @rainbowsinthestorm @kingliam2019 @mom2000aggie @itslaniquelove @texaskitten30 @hopefulmoonobject @kimmiedoo5​

Patience was something that Leo became extremely well accustomed to when he had become a parent. He could wait all day for one of his daughters to crack but this seemed a little more fun. Within moments of his speech finishing, his phone vibrated in his blazer pocket, it was Isabella. “How dare you Leo!” she screeched, “I can’t believe you would do that! You told Matéo you’d call a conference tomorrow... not this evening! And why the hell did you future date the paperwork?! This does not need to be dragged out for any longer than is required” Leo lips curled upwards into a mischievous smirk, “Who tipped you off? It was only the main Cordonian news channels there...” Isabella growled, “Why the hell does that matter?! It should have been you telling me anyway!” Leo moved his phone slightly from his ear as Isabella kept screaming and cursing him out. Leo chuckled to himself pissing Isabella off even more, “If it wasn’t for fucking Maxwell calling me, I wouldn’t have known!”

Leo rolled his eyes, “That’s interesting...” he calmly replied, “Very... very interesting...” Isabella raised her brow as she wedged her spoon angrily into a vat of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, “Why is this interesting?! Is our marriage just a game to you?!” Leo leaned against the wall as he carefully studied those around Liam, watching as they fawned over him, “Quite the opposite kitten... I’m surprised he did call considering he said to me earlier today he hasn’t spoken with you since Nico was born...” Tucking her hair behind her ear, Isabella’s tone quickly changed; her pitch went higher as she questioned him, “No, what do you mean?! I spoke with him a few days ago?...” Leo’s heart sank, “Listen to me Kitten... don’t trust anyone right now. This conversation never happened ok? Please promise me that you’ll not repeat this to anyone?” Isabella rolled her eyes angrily, “You are seriously fucking losing it Leo!” before hanging up the phone. “Bella!” Leo angrily barked as he heard the phone beep. “Fuck!”

Rubbing his face with his hand, Leo sighed heavily attracting Liam’s attention, “Brother!” He called towards him, beckoning him forward, “Come... after that conference; you look like you could do with a drink...” As Leo moved forward into the group that included Maxwell, Drake, Olivia and Hana, Liam put his arm around his shoulder affectionately, “An evening of Bourbon, Scotch and Cigars is called for...” Leo raised his brow towards Liam, “Maybe a quieter evening... it’s not every day you get divorced. I don’t feel like much company...” Liam nodded understandingly, “Of course... sorry I...” Leo chuckled, shaking his head, “Brother you don’t need to say sorry, it’s something that happens...” Leo slowly began to smile, “I’ll just need to get a damn good lawyer, Isabella better not steal them like she stole my goddamn accountant!” Liam patted his brother’s back laughing “I’m sure that can be easily arranged...” Later that evening, Leo walked out onto the veranda from the drawing room. Setting his tumbler of bourbon onto the sandstone railing, he reached into his blazer jacket taking out a cigar and his cutter. Nipping the end, he struck his zippo, fanning the flames of the gas at the bottom to toast the foot, turning it a few times before he allowed to cigar to light. With a few gentle puffs, Leo instantly calmed by the elixir of nicotine and alcohol.

“Leo...” Liam spoke quietly as he and Drake entered the Queen Mother’s drawing room towards him on the veranda. “It’s not like you to dwell...” Leo turned and seeing Liam and Drake he smiled, “Contraire dear Brother... I just needed a distraction...” Drake looked at Leo, then to Liam confused, “What?” He exclaimed, “You’re distracting yourself with the same thing we were going to do anyway?” Leo shook his head, “No Drake...” he took a long drag of his cigar,

“I didn’t want Beaumont here...” Drake raised his brow, “But Beaumont said he hadn’t?!” Leo raised his finger towards Drake chuckling, “Young Padawan... listen and learn... I told Matéo the press conference to announce the divorce was tomorrow in order to give Isabella time to plan... Isabella called me moments after I stepped off that podium to tell me that a particular someone in your inner circle...” he pointed towards Liam, “...called to tell her that I announced it this evening... that was Maxwell Beaumont...” Liam’s eyes widened in horror, “No... I...” as Drake quietly smiled to himself, “You sneaky bastard... I knew Beaumont was a fucking snake...” Leo nodded, “He’s been in contact with her for a while... and now with the divorce in play, we can get Maxwell... and once we do... then we should have more answers...” Leo raised his glass to the two men stood in front of him, “eis igían sas...”

Isabella was miserable. Every night she scanned through all the pictures on her phone that she kept; tonight she tried to take her mind off things watching one of her favourite telenovelas, ‘Amor en la vida o la muerte’ eating as much chocolate as she could physically stomach. During the day she could be strong and independent but in the evenings, the gravity of the situation haunted her. As one of the male leads whispered into the damsels ear, “Te amaré por siempre...” Isabella screamed at the television, “Liar!!!” as tears began to tumble down her cheeks. Matéo’s husband Dima upon hearing the scream went in to check on her, “Darling...” he sat in the edge of of the bed, taking her into his embrace as Isabella put her arms around him wailing in tears, “This is all my fault!” the young Queen wailed into his shoulder, “No honey... no...” he brushed her hair with his hand gently, “Come... no man is worth those tears... That beautiful husband of yours will come to his senses eventually...” Isabella raised her head, her dark chocolate brown eyes glistened as she blinked back her tears. Her long dark eyelashes fluttered in hope as she sniffed, “You really think so?” She knew Dima would tell her the truth whether she liked it or not - may that have been her love life or texting her to start doing squats as her ass looked flat as she walked a televised red carpet for a gala dinner. He was brutal but she appreciated the honesty. Dima was the company she needed right now, he was carefree and had no political gain or wealth from the Laurentian Queen’s pain; Dima and his Russian oligarch family has more wealth than the Laurentian and Cordonian kingdoms combined for him to care.

Her brother in law smiled sweetly to her, “You know he adores you, no?... This makes me...” Dima began to sigh, “...I... I shouldn’t...” Isabella leaned forward, tilting her head slightly, “Please... I welcome any counsel right now...” Dima waited for a second, running his tongue across his teeth as he thought, “Bella, something is not right y’know? I spoke with Matéo before his flight. He said things felt a little weird when he met Leo... he was being obstructive for no reason...” Isabella’s brow raised slightly remembering the conversation she had with him today, ‘This conversation never happened...’ and why Maxwell lied to him ran through her head. Nodding, Isabella agreed, “Yeah... it does seem...” she began to trail off as the cogs in her head began to turn, “a little off...” It had dawned on her, there was a lot more at play here than a simple ending of their marriage but why was Leo being so cagey? “How about this...” Dima began to smile as he popped open a bottle of champagne, handing the petite monarch a glass, “After this... we get a yacht like the old days, you know we look fabulous with a tan... and window shop to look at the nice boys...hmm?” Isabella took a sip of her champagne before biting down on her lip giggling, “I’ve never seen you with a real tan before...” Dima pouted his lips jokingly, “You’re lucky you’re gorgeous...” Isabella smiled as she rested her head onto Dima‘s shoulder giggling, “You’re such a dick but I love you and... thank you...”

“So what’s the plan...” Drake wearily rubbed his dark stubble, as he, Liam and Leo sat huddled around an open bottle of whiskey. Liam was deep in thought as Leo interjected, “We need to be careful, we need the element of surprise...” Liam nodded in agreement, “We can’t go looking for Maxwell... we need to get Maxwell to come to us...” Liam’s steel blue eyes darted between Leo and Drake, “We can’t allow ourselves to show complacency right now; Riley and Sienna must not know...” Drake leaned forward, his dark eyes narrowing, “What about Isabella?” Leo ran his fingers through his sandy blonde hair, “Isabella and the kids will be ok, her Head of Security will make sure of that, Beaumont’s family - he wouldn’t attempt...” sighing heavily, Leo turned to Liam, “It’s Sienna I’m worried about... She’s always been so outgoing...” Liam lowered his head, his shoulders dropping, “Yeah... she hasn’t been the same... Camille was her world...” Drake patted Liam’s shoulder looking at Leo, “and yours... we’ve gotten so much further in the last few days than in months...” Leo raised his brow as he stared directly at Drake, “Liam, why don’t you and Sienna go to Valtoria for a few days? Drake and I can do the necessaries...” Thinking of the times where Maxwell and Bertrand made out they were on his side, letting Liam and Sienna FaceTime with Camille and then giving updates only rubbed salt in a gaping wound. This was something that Liam couldn’t nor wouldn’t overlook. They’ve messed with his family for the last time. Raising his head angrily, his eyes burned with the deepest hatred that he found in his soul. Teeth clenched, Liam was seething, “No! I will torture him to an inch of his fucking life - and that will be only a scratch on the pain that Sienna and I have endured every second of every day! When I get my hands on Barthemely....” Leo had a mischievous glint in his eye as he menacingly smiled knowing Liam had finally broken. It took a lot for Liam’s kindness to be overshadowed; a lot from him to be driven to despair and as his anger had finally consumed him, Leo nodded, “It’s time to prepare...”

Isabella closed her eyes the next morning, holding her breath as she walked through the parlour. Each step was like a drill going off in her brain. She was so hungover, biting down on her lip trying to distract herself from the flower bouquets that lined the Palace entrance, “What...” she slowly began to turn a shade of green, her brow raising as she questioned Jimena, “What the hell is all of this?!” The Queen’s most trusted friend began to smile, her grin made Isabella slightly uncomfortable as she exclaimed, “Now the world knows about your d-i-v...” Isabella sighed heavily as she rolled her eyes, “Yes... and?” Isabella looked at some of the notes that were attached. “My bed isn’t even cold yet...” she clicked her tongue but her interest was quipped as she noticed a particular bouquet filled with perfect powder white lilies. Lilies were not exactly known to be good omens in Laurentia. They were funeral flowers and never were to be presented otherwise. Her eyes narrowed as she opened the envelope hesitantly, her eyes immediately were drawn to the font, ‘Dearest Sympathies on the death of your husband...’ She dropped the card immediately screaming, “Where did these come from?!” Turning to Jimena, her eyes were wide, like a deer in headlights, the petite brunette was terrified, “Jimena?!” Isabella screeched wanting answers. Jimena shrugged her shoulders, “They were delivered here earlier this morning... what is wrong with you?! You should be flattered you have so many admirers...” Jimena walked over as Isabella stood shaking picking up the card. Her dark eyes rolled to the left towards Isabella as she placed her hand over her mouth, “Oh my goodness...” Isabella shook her head, “Get these out of my home...” Jimena tried to smile, “It could have been a genuine mistake?” The young Monarch’s almond shaped, dark chocolate brown eyes narrowed and with her teeth clenched she barked, “Do I need to repeat myself, burn it all! No! No!” Maybe Leo wasn’t losing it after all.

[honeyhenry]

traitor - b.b (part 5)

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4

A/N: oooo one more part to goooo and perhaps an epilogue! this one took me ages and i am so sorry but i hope it makes up for it! also i tried to check and edit it but its literally 1am soooo any mistakes are also mine lol

Faint bruises. Tangled hair. He has nothing to lose.

‘You have no idea how much I wish he was mine too’

Bucky tenses, aware of the tiny grip still clutching onto his hand, now fiercely protective of the wide eyed baby he has loved so fully since he first knew of them.

‘You shouldn’t be here, Steve’

He doesn’t need a long winded explanation from the man who is in competition for this child’s parentage. But as his friend, a reminder of what the Captain once meant to Bucky, he owes Steve at least the chance to provide an answer as to what the fuck has been going on behind his back.

However, Bucky’s thoughts don’t always line up with the words that end up leaving his mouth, and he starts rambling on, finding that he is only so emotional and angry when his family are involved.

‘Have you come to gloat about it then? Was cheating on your own wife with mine not enough?! Could you not have knocked up your own wife and saved all this bullshit?’

Steve’s heart plunges as he takes a seat on the rocking chair - noting its similarity to the one he had planned on building last year in his own house, next to his own room, for his child.

‘I-I did.”

“What? You sayin’ you did sleep with my wife you damn punk?!”

“No!” he cries, just as Bucky heads towards Steve, his metal hand curled into a fist so tight that he’s glad the baby can’t see over the edge of the crib to view the man he recognised as safe become the dangerous weapon he had hoped had vanished without a trace.

“I did...I did get my own wife pregnant, I did. We were…she, she was due a month before y/n was.’

Steve doesn't have to say what happened or “she lost it” for Bucky to understand. He’s glad Steve doesn't have to.

The Captain swallows back the heavy emotion caught in his throat, choking out the rest of his sentence as if he was struggling to breathe; ‘Our baby sweetpea. God, nothing can compare to that love you feel, you know? When you find out after trying and getting a nursery set up and nicknames and just thinking of everything they could someday be. We were so excited, and then to hear that y/n was due the month after us and- and everything was meant to be okay.’

Bucky remembers throwing each and every punch at this broken shell of a man only days ago, who was crumbling before him once more, but this time purely in an emotional sense, not physical, as the strong barrier he’d put up to protect himself and his wife was being demolished bit by bit at each passing second of his confession.

‘Steve..fuck Steve I never in-’ he tries to speak but he stops. It wouldn’t do any good. He can’t bring the Rogers’ baby sweetpea back. And nothing will.

‘Buck, I need you to understand that your son is not mine. I spent the two days before leaving for the mission with my own wife. Nothing happened I swear, i didnt even see y/n. We’re just trying to piece everything back together but its been a year and...I don’t think its gonna happen for us.’ He sobers up, sniffing after the slow fall of tears tracing down his face come to a halt.

Bucky knows he’s been a real punk, an asshole, deserving of a good beating himself. He should’ve been there helping his friend get through such hard times, not beating him up over false accusations. 

“Steve, don’t say that. Sometimes it can just take a little while. I’m always around to talk. End of the line, et cetera.”

He pats his friend on the back as they embrace in a tender hug. A silent promise to each other that there’ll be no further miscommunication or bitter, unsaid words.

The two men peer over the crib, and Bucky smiles sadly at the blue eyed beauty resting there. It was a comfortable silence, gazing at his namesake, until Steve piped up with a chuckle.

‘He’s gonna have your hair y’know. Your ma always showed me pictures back in the day and you were blonde before you were even walkin’.” Bucky grins, remembering the pictures laden on the windowsill of his childhood home, showcasing a happy toddler James. The normalcy of the moment is comforting. “And he has your hands” Steve continues,”He’s a sturdy little guy, he’s gonna be so much fun, Buck. He's already big for his age, too.”

Bucky can quickly understand why Steve is so knowledgeable on this topic, and how he can so easily reassure him, realising that for 2 sweet months, Steve had thrown himself into the role of ‘daddy’ to his own unborn child. The Sergeant goes to apologise again, still barely able to understand his pain but fully aware that his best friend did not deserve this.

“Steve, I can’t even begin to describe to you how sorry I am, from the bottom of my heart...I trust you, I do. I just- JJ is my weakness. I can’t lose him, or y/n. He’s our little piece of heaven.”

The father moves to wrap his hands under the armpits of his baby, picking up the round cuddly boy who coos and kicks his fat little legs. He rests happily in Bucky’s arms, knowing he is safe, surrounded by love, and at home. He rests a hand on Bucky’s cheek and beams a sweet smile towards his Daddy.

“Hi buddy, yeah it’s daddy, daddy’s got you now, and look! Uncle Stevie is here!” He turns the sweet babe in his arms towards Steve, who smiles goofily, as Bucky plants a kiss on JJ’s cherubic cheek. They play around a little with JJ, the baby heartily laughing every time Bucky made him fake-punch Steve in the chest or face. After a while, as JJ settles against his father’s chest, revelling in the comfort Bucky provides, Steve quirks his head up, a question coming to mind that he hadn't thought to ask.

“Who even put that idea into your head anyways?”

“...Sam.”

“Buck...Sam?! You can’t have thought jack about anything that Sam has to say. He really is a bird brain sometimes, God, you really based this off of Sam, huh?”

Bucky blushes, hiding behind a soft, nervous chuckle. He really has no explanation or defence for what he did. All he knows is that he's got to resolve it.

“Steve can you take J? I’ve got a Momma to apologise to”

Bucky is quiet as he moves downstairs, leaving Steve to play contently with his Godson. He hopes he finds you soon, and he prays to God you will forgive him for the utter mess he has needlessly created.

"Y/n? Honey? Where are you?”

He checks the living room, the kitchen, the hallways. 

All to find no sign of you.

“Baby I’m getting scared here, if this is to get back at me then I’m sorry! I’m dying out here-”

He halts.

A single sob can be heard from the bathroom. It’s muffled but it means you’re here and you’re alive. Bucky has never felt so relieved.

“Y/N, doll please- are you alone in there? Babydoll please, let me apologise”

You take a few moments to compose yourself, and open the door. Bucky has never seen you look so small, with tear tracks dried down your cheeks from red puffy eyes.

But it’s what you say next that truly makes his heart feel like it’s been plunged into an icy cold river.

“I think it’s best you leave, James.”

------------

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[blog-sliverofjade]

Hearth Fires 10: The Meaning of Pack

Pairing: Remi Denier x OFC

Summary:  Lorel Maddox just wants to live as a human, run her bakery in peace, and forget. Unfortunately, the alpha of the local leopard pack has very different ideas.

Remi Denier doesn’t know what to make of the female Changeling who wants nothing to do with him or the RainFire pack. He does know that he has a driving need to protect her. Even if it’s from herself.

While they’re embroiled in a battle of wills, there’s a war brewing on the horizon. The outside threat could not only destroy everything they hold dear, but tear apart the fragile new bonds of the Trinity Accord, plunging the world into bloodshed to rival the Territorial Wars of centuries past.

Word count: 3318

Content warning:  Contains racial assault on an interracial (human and changeling) gay couple. Singh doesn't mention homophobia iirc in the series, so I left that possible element out because I felt that I couldn't include both adequately. I wrote Stian as submissive because I'd like to see more of them- and a dominant would've pounded the humans into paste- not because he's gay.

Hearth Fires Masterlist

Beta read by the transcendent pandabearer

      “Lo’el!”  A cheerful cry pulled her from daydreams of apples crisp, tart, and bright green baked into galettes and strudels.  She turned from the pie display she was re-stocking in time to catch a tiny whirlwind in her arms.

      “Hi, Jojo.”  The girl’s deep brown skin was flushed with excitement.  Her black hair was pulled back on either side of her head, French braids running along the top, and terminated in two high bobbly buns that looked somewhat like ears.  Operating on deep-seated instincts, she hitched the girl on her hip. The warm weight of her little body tucked against her own felt right in a way she’d never experienced before and she allowed herself to take comfort in the sensation.  “What’re you doing down here?” she asked.

      The small downtown park was bustling with shoppers looking for fall produce, pumpkins, or in the case of the highly organized, holiday gifts.  It seemed like the whole town came out to enjoy one of the last open-air markets of the season before moving to a smaller indoor version for the winter.

      “Pun’kins!”  She flung her arms in the air like gourds were the best thing ever and Lorel quickly put a hand on her back to help steady the girl, but she needn’t have worried.  Jojo was a cat and had the requisite balance.

      “Are you here to get pumpkins or were you hoping I’d giving you something that looks like a pumpkin?”  As she talked, she turned to check on her newest employee, Irena, who was already competently handling the steady stream of customers.  Her predecessor, a cousin of the blonde Madison, had quit after the Incident, as Lorel was calling it, in solidarity with her relative.  Crows weren’t considered birds of prey and therefore exempt from the rules regarding predators sharing territory.

      Jojo’s eyes slid to the sugar cookies cut in the distinctive shape and decorated accordingly.  Long, angelic lashes batted beatifically up at her and she had to fight a smile even as her heart melted in the face of such cuteness.

      “Careful, if you feed them they’ll never go away.”  Angel, the unbelievably handsome man from RainFire, strolled up in Jojo’s wake.  A boy not much older than Jojo orbited him, looking like a miniature version of the man in matching jeans and a red flannel shirt.  He even had tiny coordinating work boots. The combination of gorgeous man and darling munchkin was too much for one poor bystander.  Lorel winced in sympathy when the other woman walked into a pole.

      Taking the teasing warning as permission, she gave cookies to all three of them, received unprompted thank yous, and she happily participated in the routine exchange, knowing that consistency was important for cubs.  It took her a second to correct her mental wording to the more appropriate “kids.” Hanging out with changelings was giving her bad habits.

      “No cookie for you?”  An adorable frown from Jojo.  Lorel’s poor heart couldn’t take it, she cast about for some excuse that wouldn’t plant the seeds of body image issues in a young psyche.

      “I don’t want to spoil my lunch.”  That appeared to mollify Jojo, finally taking a bite of the treat, and she jumped out of her arms.  Lorel’s heart stopped for a moment. The organ stuttered back to life when the girl landed easily and lightly on her trademark purple boots.  She and her friend wandered to investigate the blown glass suncatchers at the booth a few feet over; Angel turned to keep them in sight, his stance relaxed, but she had no doubt that he’d turn lethal in an eyeblink at the sign of any danger.

      “Did you come down for the market?” asked Lorel when she could properly breathe again.

      “The pack has a booth.”  Angel nodded his head towards what she assumed was its general location.  “Jojo had to come say hi to you, probably because she’s figured she can scam you out of cookies.”  He shot her a smile that would have made any other woman swoon, but Lorel liked her men a little rougher, less pretty and more rugged.

      “I’ll have to be careful in case she tells all her friends and they decide to gang up on me for the mother lode,” she laughed.  The ocelot, which was sedate to the point of laziness for once, laughed at the idea of being swarmed by cubs nearly as big as it was, and they’d probably love it, too.  “What do ya’ll sell?”

      “Pumpkins, mushrooms, leafy green stuff, things people have made.  You focus on local vendors?” She followed his gaze to the sign on the table that proclaimed as much.  “If you’re looking for a supplier, we have berries, too: blue, black, elder, currants... I’m sure we could cut you a deal.”

      Damn cats were worming their way into her life.

      The boy wandered back and tugged on Angel’s pant leg, who crouched to hear what he had to say.  A man across the way stared at what must have been an exquisite derriere because he spilled the sample of apple cider he was pouring for a potential customer.

      “Can we go play in the water?”  The boy twisted his body back and forth the way that kids do when they need to lay the cute on thick to get what they want.

      “I suppose it’s the quickest way to clean you cookie monsters up.  Or I could just toss you in the river.” Using his thumb, he wiped an orange crumb off the boy’s chin, who giggled at the teasing

      “Can Lo’el come, too?” asked Jojo.

      “Oh honey, I have to stay here and help Irena,” she began, gesturing at the crow who was refilling a sample plate

      Twin pairs of innocent eyes stared up at her in appeal.  Seriously, they should be considered deadly weapons and she was looking down a double barrel.  Looking to Angel for help did no good, he just tucked his hands under his armpits and shook his head with a grin.  It looked like she was on her own.

      “And who are these cuties?”  Having come over at the sound of her name, Irena eyed the trio of cats, stopping on Angel and then coming back for seconds.  Apparently, she preferred her men pretty.

      “Irena, meet troublemakers one, two, and three.  Known aliases are Jojo, Angel, and peeshwank,” Lorel pointed at each of them in turn.  She didn’t know the boy’s name, but she’d overheard Remi call him that the other night.  Sometimes having acute hearing was actually useful.

      “I’m Darin!  Only Remi calls me peeshwank,” he giggled and revealed a missing front tooth.

      “They’re trying to get me to play hooky.”  Hands on her hips, she mock scowled. None of them appeared the least bit fazed.  If anything, the kids turned the charm factor up a notch, something she wouldn’t have thought possible.

      “Go play with the cublets, I’ll be fine here.  Like you said, the breakfast crowd’s already come through so I won’t have to beat off the ravening hordes,” the traitor smiled reassuringly and made shooing motions with both hands, then leaned in close to whisper, “As long as you get me his phone number.”  The slender brunette pulled away with a wink.

      Lorel sighed in feigned resignation and held out her hands like she was about to be handcuffed.  Two soft, little hands took each of hers and dragged her into the throng of shoppers, Angel close on her heels.

      “Don’t worry, I won’t give her anything without your say so,” she said to him over her shoulder.  Bumping into someone, she had to return her attention to where she was going.

      “Thank you,” came the quiet response.

      Where the kids’ smaller size allowed them to dodge easily, she was pulled into obstacles, but she didn’t let go for fear of losing them.  The thought that they might get lost or hurt had her tightening her grip and bracing herself against the jostling.

      While she was just over five feet tall, she was far from slender and never would be, to her grandmother’s chagrin.  She was acutely conscious of her ample hips knocking into people and she did her best to make herself as small as possible.  Each bump, no matter how brief, had her ocelot snarling in irritation and it took all of her concentration to remain in control.  The crowd pressed in around her until all she could see was Darin and Jojo in front of her. Her palms grew clammy, but the kids didn’t seem to mind.  A dull roar filled her ears, allowing only the loudest sounds through, and those were sharp and intense. Throat tightening, she fought for each breath.

      The ocelot pressed hard against its cage, sandwiching her between it and the pressure of the crowd.  How she managed to arrive at the splash pad, even though it was only fifty meters away, without going clawed, she had no idea.  More than anything, she was glad that her tiny guides didn’t have so much as a scratch on them. Angel probably would have torn her to pieces for harming them.  And she’d let him.

      The kids stripped down to swimsuits underneath their clothing.  Darin was so eager he forgot to unbutton his flannel shirt and ended up stuck with it around his nose.

      “Help!” he pleaded, turning to Lorel, his arms above his head and his face obscured by red-plaid.

      Moving automatically despite the strange sensation of not feeling fully present in her body, she crouched and carefully helped free the boy.  Once released, he beamed and wrapped his soft arms around her neck. She froze with one hand tentatively curving around his back. A wet kiss against her cheek and he was off to run through the water spraying from colourful flowers sculpted from metal.  Some of his packmates were already there and greeted him with shrieks of welcome, their happiness no longer piercing to her senses.

      A large, warm hand settled on her shoulder.  It felt strange and soothing all at once and she couldn’t bring herself to shrug it off.  Angel helped her to her feet and opened his arms wide in an offer of a hug.

      The leopards were so relaxed and comfortable with one another, sharing platonic hugs and kisses, casually holding hands.  It hurt to look at them like they were a blazing fire and she was stuck out in the cold darkness, looking in. And now one was extending that comfort to her.

      Although she wasn’t raised to accept casual physical contact, even platonically, from men, she stepped into his arms.  It was like a long, cool drink of water after working for hours in the hot sun without a break. The sudden absence of a deep-seated pain she’d learned to deal with long ago made her nearly sag in relief.

      This had nothing to do sex.  She didn’t feel any attraction either to or from him, yet she needed the chaste affection and she soaked it up as long as he would allow her.

       “We aren’t meant to be alone.  Sure, some of us are more solitary than others, but we’re not meant to be cut off from our kind entirely.  I can’t think of a worse life for a changeling.” He rubbed large circles on her back and she fought back a purr.

      “Maybe it’s a nature vs. nurture thing.  If you’re raised in a pack, of course you wouldn’t do well on your own.”  Even she didn’t believe her own words.

      “And how do you know you won’t be better off in a pack?”

      A knot of packmates moved out of Remi’s way as he burst into the emergency room.  The triage nurse took one look, recognized him, and hit the button that unlocked the security door that led into the depths of the department.  The door shut behind him with a metallic click as he strode down the sterile, off-white hallway to where Theo stood guard outside of a cubicle.

      A lean blonde man lay on a narrow bed, his normally bronzed skin was ashen and spattered with carmine.  Catching sight of Remi in the doorway, he gave a crooked smile around a split in his lip and raised his hand in greeting.

      “What the fuck happened?” Remi growled at the sentinel.  The bad-tempered demand earned him a sharp look of reproach from Finn as he worked on the injured male in the treatment room; the wounded non-dominant didn’t need any more stress, least of all from his fucking alpha.

      It seemed like his vocal chords were stuck in a semi-shift for the past two weeks and everything came out a snarl.  That was part of the reason why he’d been running along the eastern border, channelling excess energy and inspecting the new security precautions, instead of sleeping.  

      Taking a deep, calming breath, he forced his voice into a more normal register.  “What happened?” There, that sounded a little less like he was about to go on a murderous rampage.

      “Stian and Leandro were leaving Acapella when they got jumped.”  The lounge was popular with most segments of the population, even the psy who were exploring life outside of the emotionless discipline of Silence.  While the telepathic race couldn’t drink since alcohol wreaked havoc on their abilities, Acapella was known for their extensive mocktail menu. The trendy venue was hardly known for drunken brawls.  As far as Remi knew, the most violent incident that had occurred there was a spat two years before between a couple of drag queens over stealing someone’s routine.

      “There were four or five human guys.”  All RainFire members were trained in at least basic hand-to-hand combat.  Five human men shouldn’t have been able to take a leopard, even a non-dominant.  And Leandro, while human and untrained, was bigger than Stian.

      “First one jumped out of the alley and hit him in the face with a baseball bat, breaking his nose.  The wind was blowing the wrong way for him to catch a scent.” Claws pricked at Remi’s fingertips, the urge to hunt boiling to the surface.  

      “This was planned.”  That time he didn’t bother to keep the cat out of his voice.  “A group of drunks looking for a fight don’t use tactics designed to circumvent our sense of smell.”

      “And they weren’t playing baseball at one in the morning, either,” agreed Theo.  The man who was gentle with their most vulnerable and loved to play with the cubs was gone; only the lethal predator remained.  A passing nurse started to admire him until they caught the dangerous aura he emanated, then quickly scuttled past even though his eyes hadn’t even flashed cat.  The hindbrain of every creature knew how to recognize a predator no matter what skin they wore. “They took him down while he was stunned. One kicked him, possibly with steel-toes, while the other used the bat, and the rest went after Leandro.”

      “Leandro, he ok?”  The human male wasn’t one of his, but he was important to Stian.  Finn did something that eased the grimace on Stian’s wan face and Remi’s urge to kill something eased down a tick.

      “A little beat up, but he’s ok.”  Theo blew out a breath and scrubbed an eyebrow with a thumbnail, then his quiet bass dropped to barely a whisper too quiet for Stian to hear.  “You know his family wasn’t thrilled he was dating a changeling? This was too much on top of that, apparently.”

      Remi turned the air blue.  “Any witnesses?”

      “No descriptions, either,” Theo shook his head.  “Dark, non-descriptive clothing and hoodies obscured their faces on CCTV footage.”

      More cursing.

      “Thanks.”  He clapped the sentinel on the shoulder.  “We’ll talk later, this shit ain’t your fault.  Go, be with the others before they storm the place for an update.”

      “It’s not your fault either.”  He fixed Remi with a firm look and then strode down the hallway, pressed the button that released the door for those exiting, and went to give an update to the waiting packmates.

      Maybe not, but he could’ve at least fucking been there when Enforcement was getting his statement instead of brooding in the woods in the middle of the night like a fucking wolf.  Next thing he knew, he’d be howling at the goddamn moon.

      Cell reception could be spotty in the mountains, texts were the best method of communication once he was within range.  Theo’s message had come in when he was on his way back, which meant Remi made it to the hospital soon after Stian’s statement had been taken.  The distance, the adrenaline, and the fact that there wasn’t a bloodbond between the two of them combined meant Remi hadn’t felt the assault. Although he definitely felt it when Finn pulled energy from him to heal the worst of Stian’s wounds.

      An alpha was supposed to be there for everyone in his pack.

      Comforting others didn’t come easily to him; it was difficult to give something he didn’t have much experience receiving.  With the cubs it was easy since they were easy to love and care for, the same way he’d been loved and petted when his mother was still alive.  Steeling himself, Remi rapped on the door frame of the cubicle as he entered.

      “How ya feeling?” he placed a hand on Stian’s shoulder, grounding him with the touch of pack, of his alpha, while Finn continued stitching up a cut on the other man’s side.

      “Like hell.”  A faint smile that didn’t disturb the deep purpling bruises that mottled his face.

      “You look like it.”  Yeah, it was definite: when it came to compassion, he definitely was the worst.  “But you’ll be back to your pretty surfer boy looks in no time.”

      Snorting, Stian scratched at his close-trimmed beard where a patch of dried blood stained the blonde hair rust red.  Pale, almost colourless, eyes dropped to the blanket tucked around him.

      “I’m sorry about Leandro.”

      “Yeah, well, other fish in the sea,” he shrugged, then winced when his body protested the movement.  “I can’t really blame him, the garbage they were spewing…” He shook his head. “Those assholes called him an ‘animal fucker’ and ‘race traitor’ like it’s 1982 and not 2082!  But I can blame him for breaking up with me in a text message.”

      Remi placed his other hand over the male’s, which was fisted in the blanket; small nicks, scrapes, and more bruises from defending himself marked his lightly tanned skin.

      “I can’t even tell you what they looked or smelled like.  I’m s-sorry.” Big fat tears that he’d been holding back spilled over to roll down his face and soak into his beard. The salt in his split lip had to hurt like a sonuvabitch, yet he didn’t wince.  “T-they were wearing d-dark hoodies.”

      “Hey, look at me.”  Keeping his tone gentle, Remi moved his hand from Stian’s shoulder to the side of his neck.  Those icy blue eyes filled with anguish turned to him. “They used tactics to avoid identification, they were prepared.  You survived, that’s all you had to do.”

      “I c-couldn’t protect him.”

      “That bastard didn’t deserve it anyway.”  A laugh that was part sob. “At least, tell me they messed up his face, too.  Lark’s coming to keep you company. I told Angel to stay home, having him around right now would be adding insult to injury.”  More shaky laughter in nervous relief.

      “Whatever you need, you ask for it, ya hear me?”  Remi clasped Stian in a careful hug and wondered how he was going to hunt down the fuckers who’d done this.  He fucking hated feeling helpless, especially when one of his people were hurt, but he could do nothing less because otherwise that meant he couldn’t protect his own.

      And an alpha who couldn’t protect was no alpha at all.

[tigerlover16-uk-2]

Pokemon Secret Journeys Snippet: “I have a sister now?”

So, here’s something different. I mentioned a few times before I published a fanfiction recently, it’s on FF.net and AO3. And I thought just for fun, and hopefully to get a bit more traffic slowing, I might post a few scenes from it here on Tumblr for people to read.

Here’s the general summary of the story:

An interdimensional being called The Beyonder has taken over the World of Pokemon, altering it to suit his whims. So naturally, it's up to Ash Ketchum to do something about that. Sent back in time on a quest to redo his journey in this radically altered world, Ash and friends are in for their greatest, most dangerous adventure of all.

.

Below is the first scene of the first proper chapter after the prologue, Ash Ketchum’s first taste of the rebooted version of the Pokemon World he’s found himself in. Also featuring the character of Molly Hale, from Pokemon 3.

If anyone’s interested, feel free to give it a read.

*Ring! Ring! Ring!*

Smash!

"Gah!" Ash leapt up so suddenly he ended up falling out of bed, face-planting on the floor just a foot away from his oversized soft Snorlax plush. With a pained groan Ash pushed himself up, glancing in the direction of the shattered pokeball-clock.

Panic quickly overtook him.

"Ah crud, not again!" Ash yelled, hastily looking up at the wall clock above his TV "Wait… seven O'Clock?"

Ash blinked a few times before letting out a huge sigh of relief "Well, okay then" He laughed, scratching the back of his head impishly.

In the original timeline, Ash had somehow managed to sleep through his alarm, only finally waking up after smashing his alarm clock after subconsciously throwing it in his sleep. Ash arrived at Professor Oak's lab pretty late as a result, after all the other three new trainers leaving Pallet Town that day had already gotten their starter Pokemon and took off on their journeys. Well except Gary, he stuck around just long enough to be really smug to Ash about the whole thing and how he got the best Pokemon.

By some stroke of luck, Ash had managed to avoid a repeat of that embarrassing incident this time around.

And yet, his clock still wound up against the wall.

'I guess some things are just fate' Ash mused to himself, observing the broken scrap metal littering the other side of his room.

Wasting no time, Ash pushed himself up onto his feet, stumbling slightly as it suddenly occurred to him he was still very tired. He vaguely remembered the now shattered alarm clock reading 3.45am and realised he'd probably stayed up most of the night planning out his next few moves after he left for Oak's Lab.

What those plans were completely alluded Ash at the moment, but he figured they'd probably come back to him when he was a bit more awake.

After scooping up the scattered remains of the pokeball clock and dumping them into a nearby bin, Ash stumbled over to his wardrobe and pulled open the doors, being greeted by a mirror on the back of one of them. The dishevelled teenager narrowed his eyes at the short tuft of hair on his reflection's chin.

Glancing once more at the wall behind the desk with his TV, Ash double checked the date on the calendar. Still the same date on which he'd first set out on his Journey.

Ash sighed 'Guess there's no point hoping it was all just a weird dream, huh?' Ash stroked the hairs on his chin, frowning curiously 'Am I supposed to start shaving then, or are you supposed to wait until it gets longer and it starts growing under your nose too?'

A loud rumble suddenly filled his ears and made Ash clutch his stomach in discomfort. Shaking his head, Ash grabbed a pair of clothes-the same kind he'd worn for most of his travels in Kanto through Johto-and made his way out of the room and to the bathroom 'I'll worry about that later. Right now I'm staaaarviiiing'

After a quick shower and feeling more awake, Ash got dressed and made his way to the stairs.

"Mime-Mime" a familiar voice greeted.

"Oh, hey Mimey" Ash responded as he passed his mother's Mr Mime on the landing before making for the stairs. About halfway down he suddenly stopped, his face going blank as Ash stood silently for a moment. Then with a sharp "Gah!" Ash leapt up, losing his footing on the step as he landed and tumbling the rest of the way down the stairs, his head becoming acquainted with an umbrella stand as he landed.

"Oww" Ash groaned, rubbing the fresh bruise on his forehead.

"Mr Mime?"

Ash glanced up the stairs and saw Mr Mime looking down at him with concern. As Ash began to get up, Mimey rushed down the stairs and offered him a hand, which Ash graciously accepted.

"Thanks" Ash said, momentarily forgetting the reason why he'd just tumbled down the stairs. It quickly came back to him after standing up "Wait-Mr Mime?! What are you doing here?"

Ash's first thought was to wonder why Mimey would be at his house instead of the Cerise Laboratory where he'd been staying with Ash. Then he remembered that he was sent back in time, so why would Mimey be at the Lab now instead of at home with his mother. And then Ash realised-hey, wait. He and his mother hadn't met Mimey until after he'd won all 8 of his Kanto badges, so what was he doing here at all?

"Mr Mime?" Mimey looked equally as confused as Ash did right now. He placed a hand over the bruise on Ash's head, leaned in close and began examining Ash's face with some concern. Ash just stared back at him awkwardly before eventually swatting the hand away and leaning away from the Psychic-type.

"I'm fine, I'm fine" Ash chuckled nervously, which just made Mimey look at him oddly. Ash scratched his head "I just-um… I was a bit dizzy, that's all. I, uh… didn't get much sleep-but I'm fine! Everything's good, Mimey, thanks. Ha ha"

Mimey eyed Ash suspiciously for a long moment, which made the teen a bit nervous. But eventually the mime's face lit up with a satisfied smile.

"Mime-mime" Mimey said while giving Ash a thumbs up. Ash mentally sighed and waved at the Mr Mime as he began climbing back up the stairs, picking up a stack of freshly-folded towels when he got to the top.

'Okay, so mom and I already have Mimey in this timeline' Ash thought to himself, scratching his chin 'Well, I guess that's not the most surprising thing that could happen. But now I wonder if mom's a blonde or something now?"

A quick trip to the kitchen proved that wasn't the case. At most his mother's hair was just slightly longer than it had been the last he'd seen of her.

"Oh, hey honey, glad you got up on time. What was that big thump just now?" Delia asked while washing the dishes.

"Thump?" Ash frowned "… Oh. Um, I fell down the stairs"

Delia put down the plate she was washing and looked at Ash with some concern, noticing the bruise on his head.

"Oh my gosh, Ash! Are you alright?" Delia squealed, rushing over to her son who quickly threw up his hands in a 'Stop' motion.

"It's fine mom, I'm alright" Ash insisted "You know me, I've been hurt way worse than this"

Delia stared at Ash contemplatively for a long moment before her expression relaxed and she sighed.

"Yeah, that's true" She said with some amusement "Honestly, I'd hoped you'd be over that clumsy streak by the time you set off on a journey, but I guess that's just who you are. Oh, by the way, breakfast is on the table for you sweetie"

With a relieved sigh Ash took his seat at the table and examined the contents of the plate his mother had laid out. Toast, bacon, fried eggs, and a croquette sandwich. Simple breakfast, but Ash was happy to dig in.

As he made a start on the toast, Ash looked over at his mother, watching her finish washing the remaining dishes. After the shock of everything he'd been through the previous evening and being told the entire universe had been torn apart, it was a welcome relief to see his mother again, just carrying on with her life as normal.

'Now how the heck am I supposed to explain all of that to her?' Ash asked himself, scratching his head. He then noticed the black mark on the back of his hand that read "20" and Arceus's advice on how to "Remind" people repeated in his head.

Ash noticed his mother turn her head to look at him again, and he quickly hid his right hand under the table. He silently cursed himself for not putting on his old gloves with the rest of his clothes, he'd better make sure neither she or Mimey noticed the mark just yet.

"Those are some pretty big bags under your eyes. I did tell you you'd regret it if you didn't get enough sleep" Delia lectured. Ash scratched the bottom of his nose with his left index finger.

"Hehe. I tried, but you know, I just had so much on my mind I couldn't fall asleep no matter how hard I tried" Ash replied. It was the truth of course, but just not for the reasons Delia assumed.

"Oh, Ash… well, I guess I can't blame you. This IS a pretty exciting day for any young man. Just promise me you'll try and sleep better the next couple of days. You may be 16 now, but you're still a growing boy" Delia said, finishing up with the dishes and going to make herself a cup of tea.

"I'll… try. I promise" Ash replied. Delia shot him a warm smile at that, and Ash suddenly felt the most at ease he'd been since before the world ended. His mother could be strict, embarrassing and overbearing from time to time. But she was still a wonderful, loving person with a big heart, and she always knew how to cheer him up.

He was so grateful she wasn't lost forever.

As Ash finished his toast and started on the bacon and eggs, a loud yawn caught his attention. He turned to the door that led to the living room to see a little brown-haired girl in blue pyjamas and a bow in her hair wander into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and looking very sleepy. Ash could only blink at her, thinking she looked very familiar.

"Molly, dear, what's got you up so early" Asked Delia with mild concern.

Ash blinked harder. Molly? Taking a closer look at the girl as her eyes drifted open, it suddenly clicked why he recognised her. She was Molly Hale, the daughter of a family friend that he'd met in Johto once on his journeys.

"I wa-" Molly yawned again, shaking her head and suddenly looking a little more awake "I wanted to be awake to see Ash before he left"

"He doesn't have to be at Oak's lab until ten, sweetie. You didn't have to get up straight away" Delia said, setting aside her unfinished cup of tea and pulling out a chair for Molly to sit on. The little one smiled and bowed graciously to her before she sat.

'Ten?' Ash pondered. He could have sworn he had to be at Oak's lab a lot sooner than that originally? Or had he really overslept that badly? Why hadn't his mother woken him up, then?

"But I won't get to see Ash for a really, really long time after today. So I wanted to make sure" Molly insisted. Delia giggled and ruffled Molly's hair.

"Aww, sweetie" Delia cooed.

Ash was just really confused by all this.

Molly noticed Ash staring at her and flashed him a sweet smile "Good morning Ash. Ready to be a Pokemon Master?"

"I… sure, I always am" Ash replied, glancing sideways at his mother "What's Molly doing here?"

Ash mentally winced slightly at the look of shock and concern on Molly's face when he said that. Delia looked at her son like he'd asked why water was wet "She's been here a whole week! Her dad's on a research trip with Professor Rowan, remember?"

"Professor Row-" Ash began, but then suddenly it hit him how what he'd just said was probably pretty dumb from his mother's perspective and changed direction "Oh-oh, right, research trip. I um, forgot? Ha ha"

Now Delia and Molly were both looking at him with a bit of concern. Delia heaved a frustrated sigh.

"This is why I don't want you staying up all night, mister. Lack of sleep really messes with your head" Delia mused.

"Is Ash going to be alright?" Molly asked tenderly.

"Oh, don't worry, Mr sleepy head will be fine once he's woken up some more" Delia said with a laugh. Molly giggled, though still looking worried.

Ash continued staring at Molly for a moment. In the old timeline, Ash apparently knew Molly when she was a few years younger than when they'd met again in Johto, but could barely remember much about her or her family before they'd moved away.

Evidently they hadn't moved this time around, and Ash figured from the looks of things he and his mother were a lot closer to Molly because of it.

But there was another bit of information that really caught his interest. Apparently Molly's father was doing research with Professor Rowan? He was the Pokemon Professor in Sinnoh, who Ash had met a bunch of times. It was at his Summer Camp he'd first met Angie, in fact. And Ash also vaguely recalled an encounter with a certain type of Pokemon in Sinnoh on another occasion…

"Are they looking for the Unown?" Ash asked.

"I don't think Spencer's been researching anything else for the last 10 years" Delia chuckled. Ash suddenly felt a bit uneasy, remembering the circumstances in which he'd originally met with Molly in Johto. And then another thought suddenly popped into his mind.

"Is Molly's mom with them?"

Ash regretted the question as soon as he blurted it out, and the looks on Delia and Molly's faces when he said it only reinforced that. Delia gaped at him in disbelief, then swiftly turned to face Molly, who was suddenly staring silently at her feet.

Ash gulped.

"I'm… I'm sorry. I… don't know why I asked that" Was all Ash could say. Delia shot him another disapproving look before kneeling down and putting a hand on Molly's shoulder, whispering something soothing into her ear. Ash looked away in shame.

He suddenly remembered quite clearly that Molly's mother in the original timeline had disappeared quite some time before he got to Johto, apparently it had something to do with the Unown kidnapping her in a similar manner they later did Molly's father. Or, he assumed that's what happened, since apparently she'd been found shortly after Spencer Hale was returned after the whole Unown crisis at Greenfield was taken care of.

Losing her mother had filled Molly with a lot of grief and left her feeling very lonely in the old timeline. And clearly, the same held true for this one.

Not wanting to stick around in case he said anything else stupid, Ash hurriedly finished the rest of his bacon and eggs and scooped up the Croquette sandwich to take with him to his room.

"I, um... I think I need to take a quick nap. I'm not thinking straight" Ash said hastily "Could-could you wake me if I'm not up in time to get to the lab, mom?"

"Sure, honey. Sure" Delia said, still looking rather cross with him. Molly glanced up at Ash, but quickly looked away. Ash felt like his insides had briefly frozen seeing the hurt look on her face, and he wasted no time getting out of the kitchen, bumping into Mimey on his way out who had just entered the room and was watching everyone else with some confusion.

Ash rushed up the stairs, scarfing down his sandwich as he did so. Pushing open the door to his room, Ash shut the door behind him, made straight for his bed and plopped down on it, heaving an aggravated sigh.

"Well, that was awkward" Ash grumbled to himself. He flipped over onto his back and stared contemplatively at the ceiling. He knew he was going to have to apologize to Molly for that little slip-up, but he wasn't quite sure what to say.

'Sorry I brought up your missing mom when you're still torn up about it. Don't worry, she's just trapped in another dimension by floating alphabet soup, and she'll totally come back once you dream up an Entei to blast them back to their dimension and make the world stop turning into crystal'

...

'Yeah, no, definitely not' Ash slapped his forehead and closed his eyes, thinking carefully about how to sound comforting without giving too much away…

...

...

...

He and Molly were decorating a Christmas tree together. Ash was standing on a chair and holding Molly up, as the younger girl struggled to reach out and place a plastic Clefable on top of the tree. Molly and Ash both cheered when she finally got the Clefable to stick.

...

Ash's eyes shot open as he bolted upright. For a moment he had no reaction other than to stare blankly into the distance. Then his senses eventually returned to him and a bemused frown spread across his face.

"What the… what was-GAH!" Ash's eyes snapped shut again as his mind suddenly went fuzzy.

...

It was Molly's fourth birthday party. Ash, his mother, Professor Oak and both of Molly's parents were there. Molly was struggling to blow out the candles on a cake shaped like a Teddiursa's head, so when her eyes were shut during her 5th attempt Ash blew them out for her and pretended she had done it herself. Everyone cheered for Molly, who was laughing and looking very proud of herself.

Molly was four and a half. She and Ash were at the park. Molly had just fallen off the swings and scraped her knee. She cried for five minutes straight while Ash bandaged her leg and told her over and over in a gentle voice that everything would be okay, that she was a big girl and didn't need to cry. When he was done putting on the bandage Ash gave Molly a hug, which finally calmed her down enough to make the crying stop. Ash picked Molly up and took her to find her father. Molly thanked Ash. She said he was the bestest.

Molly was two years old. Mr Mime was making her laugh by floating spoons, forks and plates around and doing a weird tap dance. Ash thought it was kinda silly, but Molly was loving it. Ash then decided to impress her by juggling apples. He was doing pretty well with three, but when he tried juggling five he hit Mimey with one by mistake and made him drop the plates and cutlery he was floating. The plates smashed against the floor. Surprisingly, this made Molly laugh harder than anything else Ash or Mimey had done, but Ash wasn't sharing her amusement. He was panicking over how much his mother would yell at him over the smashed plates.

Molly was crying her eyes out. A few hours ago, Spencer had come home a nervous wreck and informed Delia and Ash that Molly's mother had gone missing. Molly was five years old. Ash was now cradling the distraught little girl in his arms, gently telling her everything would be okay and that they'd find her mom before long. He wasn't sure himself, he didn't understand what had happened very well either, but he had to try to ease her pain somehow. Molly hugged him tight, begging her momma to come back.

It was three weeks ago. Spencer was talking to Delia in her living room. Ash was looking at Molly, who was sulking in the corner of the room. Spencer was telling Delia about how he was going to be moving to Greenfield, his childhood home where his now deceased parents used to live. He and Molly would go there a few weeks after a trip to Sinnoh he had to go on with Professor Rowan to study some ruins in Solaceon Town. Ash noticed Molly was shaking, and suddenly she shot up and yelled at her father that she didn't want to leave and that she hated him for taking her away from home.

A few minutes later, Molly had locked herself in the wardrobe in Ash's room. Delia and Spencer were waiting outside of Ash's room as Ash tried to calm Molly down. It took half an hour, but Ash eventually managed to get her to come out. She cried when she saw her father and apologised for saying she hated him, saying she didn't mean it and she just wanted to stay home and be with everyone. Ash sighed as he watched Spencer hugging his daughter, apologising for needing to move and promising they'd come back eventually.

...

In the present, Ash gasped for breath. His eyes flickered open and he began looking around the room, getting a grip on his current surroundings. He leaned back against his pillow, his mind racing to process that sudden burst of information. Something Arceus had said the previous evening repeated clearly in his head.

"There's another thing you should know. The longer the two of you remain in this new timeline and your bodies and minds begin to acclimate to it, the more you should experience memories of the lives you should have lead in this new reality. Flashbacks, most likely, though a few of them might be subconscious recollections you won't even notice were not related to your past lives"

It all made sense now. Those were his new memories. He was recalling some of the times he and Molly had spent together in this new version of his life. How Ash had known her since she was a baby. How the Hale's were close family friends who hadn't yet moved away.

How Molly had been like a sister to Ash.

Ash rubbed his head, his eyes glazed over as he became lost in those thoughts. Consciously, he knew he had never really experienced any of those moments… and yet, for reasons he couldn't understand… he FELT like he'd lived them. Those memories FELT as real and personal to him as any from the life he actually had lived up to now.

Ash wasn't sure if he should be concerned about that or not. All he really knew right now was that he felt even more guilty for making Molly upset.

He glanced at the clock. 8.15am. What? How long had he been staring at the ceiling?

Slapping his head, Ash got up and opened the window, breathing in the breeze of fresh air and leaning against the windowsill. He looked out at the town of Pallet.

Everything seemed exactly the way he remembered it. Same buildings. Same sky. Same Professor Oak's ranch in the distance. He even noticed the Dodrio that usually woke everyone in the neighbourhood up waddling around. The place outside Ash's window seemed just like the same old world he'd grown up in.

But it wasn't. It was so very different.

'Boy, I'll be glad when this is all over and things go back to normal'

Taking another deep breath, Ash cast another glance out at Professor Oak's lab in the distance. Pikachu was in that building right now, waiting for Ash to pick him and start their journey together. Ash's lip quivered. He wanted to smile, but he was feeling uneasy at the prospect. So much else seemed different about this new world already: Would Pikachu even be the same Pokemon he remembered anymore?

That particular worry vanished when he glanced down at the mark on the back of his hand. He let out a quick sigh of relief. Maybe Pikachu would be a little different… but Ash could make it so he still remembered all the good times they'd had together in their old life.

They'd still be the best of friends. That much couldn't change.

Closing his window, Ash walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out the pair of gloves he'd forgotten to bring to the bathroom with him earlier. Checking his bag to make sure he really did have all the supplies he needed, he also pulled out the piece of paper with Angie's phone number and the jewel Arceus had given him.

Ash stared at the white gem. Supposedly it would glow when the time came for Arceus to contact him for an update on how he was getting along. Ash really wished it would glow now, he had so many questions he wanted to ask about this new life, and he was suddenly feeling a hundred times more resentful to the Beyonder than he already was for plunging him into this mess.

Shaking that thought from his head, Ash put the jewel and the paper with Angie's number back in his bag. He would have to call her once he got to Viridian. Hopefully she was adjusting to this whole situation better than he was so far.

Or rather, would be. With the time Zone she was probably asleep right now.

An hour passed as Ash sat on his bed, replaying the events that had happened in the Hall of Origins and everything that had been said in his head. When the clock reached 9.30, Ash got up, took a deep breath and clenched his fist with a fiery resolve. He picked up his backpack and flung it over his shoulders, then grabbed the cap sitting on the table next to his TV, putting it on as he left the room.

And then he saw that Molly was standing by the door, looking down at the ground and dressed in the same clothes Ash had seen her wear in their previous life. Ash blinked at the little girl as she looked up at him with an unreadable expression. A moment of silence passed before a sad frown suddenly spread across Molly's face as she turned away from Ash.

"Do you… would you be happier if I wasn't around, Ash?"

Ash's eyebrows rose. Where had that come from?

"What? Why would you think that, Molly?" Ash asked with genuine concern. Molly shuffled her feet, twirling a strand of her hair with her finger.

"Some… some girls in the park…" Molly's voice was shaky, and Ash thought she was trying not to cry "I mean… um… I was just wondering… you're going away for a really long time. On your journey. And… I was just wondering… I'll see you again, right?"

A sad smile appeared on Ash's face as he suddenly realised what Molly must be feeling. Her mother had disappeared just barely a year ago. She and her father were going to be moving away for a while… and Ash was setting out on a journey, so there was no guarantee he'd be here when or if she eventually moved back.

Acting on newfound instincts, Ash kneeled down and put a hand on Molly's shoulder, smiling softly at the girl as she turned to face him.

"I'm not going to disappear Molly. And I promise I'll keep in touch and come visit you when I can. You'll see me again" Ash said. Molly's eyes began to water. Ash ruffled her hair and smiled wider "After all… you're my little sister"

Inwardly Ash couldn't believe those words were leaving his lips. But what surprised him even more was how, deep down… he felt like he really meant it.

Molly let out a sob and turned away from Ash again. Ash gave her a moment to compose herself, and when she'd finally stopped sobbing he asked "Why would you think I wouldn't want you around?"

A moment of silence.

"The other day" Molly began, visibly nervous "I was playing in the park. Some older girls were talking with each other. The oldest one was complaining about her mom… said she was really bossy to her. I said… I said she shouldn't say mean things, and her mom was just trying to help her learn and be nicer to people. And then…"

Molly gripped the sides of her skirt, looking like she wanted to cry again. Ash put his hand back on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile, and after taking a deep breath Molly continued.

"She said… she said… she said the reason Momma went away… was because I-" Tears were most certainly welling up in Molly's eyes now, and Ash was bracing himself for what she was about to say "Because I was annoying and no one would want to have me as their daughter"

Ash's eyes widened as Molly let out an anguished wail and began crying for real this time. At first he felt too awkward to respond, but after getting a grip on himself he gave Molly a tender hug and let her cry into his shoulder.

Ash recalled his initial reaction to seeing Molly in the kitchen, and how hurt Molly had seemed when he asked why she was around. And it really hit him that she must have thought that maybe that cruel girl had been right. Maybe she was annoying. Maybe Ash didn't want her around, maybe he would be glad to be away from her. And then, what would that say about her mother and why she went away?

A fresh pan of guilt swept over Ash, and he hugged Molly harder.

What felt like a whole minute passed as Molly poured her heart out. When her sobs began to quiet down, Ash pulled Molly forward to look at her face to face again and gave her a firm look.

"Your mother loved you, Molly. I know that for sure, she didn't run away and leave you. I don't care what some jerk told you, you're not annoying. Don't ever let anyone make you think what happened was your fault, because it's not"

Molly sniffled "But-but then… why did she-"

"It isn't your fault! People just go missing sometimes, but we'll find her eventually. I guarantee you that" Ash said confidently. However different this timeline had to be, if the events behind Mrs Hale's disappearance were the same, then it was guaranteed she'd be found again just like last time. Right? "But more important than that, she loved you. And she would never choose to leave you. You're a good daughter, Molly"

More sniffles. Ash ruffled Molly hair again and gave her another smile.

"And just because I have to leave for a while, that doesn't mean I'm going to leave you forever either. Sometimes friends and family move away, or go different paths in life" Ash recalled the faces of many of his friends and Pokemon in quick succession as he said that "… But that doesn't mean we forget each other, or won't meet again. I promise you that"

More tears, and Molly wrapped Ash in another hug, though this time the tears faded pretty quickly.

"I'm sorry, Ash"

Ash looked down at Molly oddly "What for?" Molly pulled back a bit to talk to his face.

"For thinking you didn't care. I know you do. I just…" Molly hesitated "… I'm really going to miss seeing you all the time. I want everything to go back the way it was"

"I know the feeling" Ash said, thinking of the world the way it was before the Beyonder changed it. He frowned, knowing what he was about to say would probably be hypocritical coming from him, but Ash still felt it was what Molly needed to hear "… But that's just life. Change happens, and you just have to get used to it. Doesn't mean every change will be bad. You'll miss me for a while, but just try and think how happy you'll be when we see each other again. And how great you'll feel when your mom is found"

Molly looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled "That… that does sound nice"

"See, no need to be all doom and gloom" Ash chuckled. Molly wiped the remaining tears from her eyes and separated from Ash, looking a lot calmer now "So, feel better now?"

Molly nodded "Yeah… I'll be okay. You're a good brother, Ash"

Ash scratched his cheek, feeling pretty proud at that "Helps to have a great little sister"

Two hours ago, Ash barely knew Molly. She was just one of many friends that he only knew for a short time and then never saw again. But now, she felt like one of the most important people in his life. A part of Ash was really worried about that feeling. The world he was living in right now was a farce, something that had to be fixed and put back to the way it was. Surely it wasn't going to do him any good in the long run to start getting attached to this version of reality and the life he had here, right?

And yet… for the moment, seeing Molly's gracious smile and the sense of brotherly pride it inspired within him… Ash couldn't find it in him to worry too much about that just now.

"Ahem"

Ash and Molly turned to see Delia looking at them from the top of the stairs, a satisfied smile on her face.

"I really hate to interrupt this moment. But it's nine fourty five, Ash. You should probably be leaving soon if you want to get your first Pokemon" Said Delia. Ash suddenly turned frantic.

"I forgot!" Ash gasped. He turned to Molly quickly "Good talk, gotta go, I'll see you at the ranch later, bye!"

And with that Ash took off down the stairs, much to the bemusement of Delia.

"It only takes ten-" Delia was cut off by a loud thump. She sighed "Also, don't run down the stairs. Keep hitting your head like that, and you won't be in any condition to travel for another week"

"Right… sorry" Ash said, getting up and rubbing the fresh bruise on his forehead. His head was probably going to be purple all day if he kept falling like that.

A moment to let his senses come back later, Ash took off out the door, waving goodbye to Delia, Molly and Mimey who now stood in the frame to see him off as he ran down the path that would lead him to Oak's Laboratory.

"Is Ash going to be okay, miss Ketchum?" Asked Molly. Delia giggled and patted the girl on the head.

"Oh, don't worry. Our Ash can seem like a goof at times, but he's brave and resourceful and determined. He'll be fine"

"Mime, mime" Mimey chimed in agreement. Delia smiled, looking out at her son's shrinking figure in the distance. Her expression softened a little.

She had long prepared herself for this day, but she had to admit to herself she still was a bit worried for Ash's wellbeing. It was a big world out there, one that could be dangerous for inexperienced trainers. She was sure he could handle it, she'd raised him the best she could to be prepared for setting out on his own, but… well, she was a mother. Who could expect her to not have reservations?

Didn't help that she was also going to miss having him around the house almost as much as Molly would. She sighed "Although, I guess I should check to make sure he packed clean underwear before he leaves the ranch"

[harveywritings92]

The path to Isolation pt.1

-now-

"They sat on and threw trash at me again..." Anri mumbled burying her head into her hands as Mayuki patted her back while texting her other friends. "Like I said before An-Chan. they'll never notice you, if you don't assert yourself!" the raven haired girl let out a frustrated sight "How the hell would I do that, when I've put so much work into..this?" She sighed gesturing to herself as her friend frowned trying to come up with something.

"Stop dressing like a grandma for one, and Lose those dumb glasses, I don't think I ever seen you without them." the blonde hummed reaching for the the round frames, only for Anri lean away just out of her reach, causing the blond to pout.

"Boo! you always do that!" Mayuki whined as Anri readjusted her glasses. "How about I just color my hair or something, then I'll think about it?" the ravenette cringed as her friend let this glass shattering squeal, causing a few students to gawk at them Genji's group included.

The green haired boy brows furrowed bemused trying to piece together what the chick..uh, he banged her once, whats her name?...Mizu..no Erm?? Mayuki! that's it! was saying to Anri, but the bottle blonde was talking a mile a minute and pretty much carried the shorter girl out the door. "W-Wait my bag! Mayu!!!" 

She quickly walked back for her things as The blonde rushed her out "Hurry, Hurry!!" surprising the class that Goose girl was ditching class, with a cheerleader who yelling a about salons and colors? Were they getting their nails done, Was Anri actually into that kind of stuff??

"I always did like the color..." Anri's voice got distant Genji's gaze then shifted to the window along with rest of the class, it faced the back courtyard, a few minutes later he saw Anri and Mayuki sneak out back; via hole in the fence just missing the gym teacher who was out for a midday smoke.

 "Wow..The nerd actually did it." A girl with too much make up on said then turn to her friend. "We can use this! Let's make that nerd do our homework." She suggested a of her friends agreed even throwing in a few ridiculous demands one guy even asked if Anri 'puts out' that caused the girls to laugh before the green haired ninja intervened.

"So, she ditched class once? Whoopee! like we haven't done that before, And you don't see us doing other people work." The makeup girl gaped at Genji like a fish then began to stammer" B..but-" the young Shimada cut her off with sharp look. "Leave it." He said in a deadly tone causing chill to go down the groups spines,they nodded knowing that crossing Genji would be a very unhealthy choice...

on the street with Anri and Mayu!

"So, where do we star?" Mayuki asked Anri who smiled at her friends energy, then noticed something in peripherals thinking fast, the twin braided girl grabbed her blond friend and ducked behind a dumpster, just as a patrol car drove by.

 "Well, first let's change our clothes, we stand out like sore thumbs" the honey eyed girl suggested knowing they probably get away better with without looking like a couple of escaped high school schoolgirls, they walked for a few blocks before Anri pointed at a thrift-store across the street.

Causing Mayuki to sweat dropped she's never been in a thrift-store before...and was little wary, [Yes she's from a well off family.] She changed her mind once she found a cute black sleeveless top with a black skirt with a pink floral pattern, that she just had to have. 

she changed into those and waited for Anri to come out of the changing room, when she emerged the ravenette was wearing a brown turtle neck under a dip dye sundress that started out white then faded into a pretty leaf green and little grey paper boy's cap.

"Oh you look cute Mayu!" The blond smiled at her friend about to say the same thing but felt something was missing, spying an orange belt Mayuki grabbed it and put it around Anri's waist surprised at how thin the short girl actually was, the ravenette always wore baggy cardigans and slouched a lot walked or sat down it gave everyone the impression that Anri was pudgy! "And now you look like a girl!" the blond chirped as the her honey eyed friend went to pay.

It's a good thing Mayuki was distracted by some of the old toys lining the shop walls, otherwise Anri would have a tough time explaining why her debit-card said: Shimada Anri instead of Townsend. Only Takumi knows about her relationship with the Shimada clan; Mayuki and Mikoto think she's working for them as maid that why she and Genji know each other. 

The clerk thanked them for their patronage and the two girls went on with their ditch day, stopping at a restaurant that Mayuki's family owned it took a moment for the hostess to recognize the bottle blonde "Oh miss Sonohara, Table for you and your friend?" the old woman asked leading Anri and Mayuki to the VIP section they were seated in a small booth they ordered some drinks and got down to what Anri was looking for style wise?

"I was thinking red,maybe? nothing too flashy to get get me into trou-" The ravenette was interrupted by someone tapping her shoulder both teens looked up and saw annoyed ginger haired woman around college age wearing very provocatively short purple dress standing behind them. Anri squirmed in her seat knowing exactly what was coming. 

"Why hasn't Genjikins been returning my calls." She whined close to stomping her foot the short girl cringed as Mayuki mouthed out "Genjikins?!" in disbelief and snorted as the ginger waited for Anri tell her why Genjikins has been avoiding her. The ravenette though for a second and looked the annoyed woman. 

"Ever hear the saying; A critic never pays to eat the same meal twice?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"What I'm saying Ko-ne-ko~...Is that your Genjikins menu isn't just exclusive to yours...he likes to eat around." Anri's voice dropped to a sultry tone as she watched the woman face drop in recognition after all Anri just called her: Koneko. That was the pet name Ginger's darling Genjikins called her by, and no else! 

There's no way her handsome Genjikins was playing around! this little brat was just jealous of their love! Ginger's mind tried reasoned "You're lying! you don't know him you don't know us!" the ginger haired woman hissed as her face was turning a lovely shade of purple almost matching her dress.

Anri feigned innocence, the honey eyed girl pulled her glasses down a tick and winked as she gently took the distraught woman's hand in hers and smirked up at her flirtatiously.

"Why so mad Koneko?~ Oh, I get it...you don't like that name anymore? Well the how about my Dove, Angel or princess,... my dawn?" The ravenette purred before kissing the girl's hand mimicking how Genji would do it, the girl recoiled in disgust than ran off in tears. "Well at least this one didn't slap me." Anri said apathetically recalling the last couple girls who came around asking about Genji.

Mayuki cocked a brow at her; Damn this shorty can one mean Mama Trucker, She then noticed how quiet the ravenette had gotten. Anri seemed to be in pretty deep thought...she almost looked lonely. 

"Genjikins, She seriously called him Genjikins?" Mayuki snickered breaking the tense silence between them as Anri snorted "I've heard worst, trust me!" the bespectacled girl giggled before returning to their original conversation, After lunch they set up an appointment at the hair salon just down the block from the restaurant.

They got there and the stylist was a bit hesitant on touching Anri's hair because it was so pretty and well taken care of. he had to ask her several times if she was sure about him taking her hair's virginity, Anri although a bit creeped out by the guys question was totally fine with it, after she pick out a color called chocolate cosmos. the stylist got to work...

it was almost dark by the time he was done, Anri had her newly dyed hair up in a bun and stuffed under her hat for safe keeping as she walked Mayuki home. "Are you sure you don't want to sleepover? My parents wouldn't mind." The bottle blond said as they split a Popsicle on the way. 

the former ravenette shook her head; she was pushing it today by skipping school; Hanzo was surly having an aneurysm wondering where she was; her bodyguards were probably out looking for her right now. "Maybe next weekend, I think I'll be grounded for next three days but it was worth it," Anri said awkwardly while rubbing the back of her head, she bid farewell to her friend began the trek home...

Then Anri stopped in her tracks and calmly took off her glasses off almost as if she were cleaning them, not noticing the man behind her ready to grab-. "Y'know..." the man retracted his hand and stood still in the shadows as Anri continued taking "..stalking is a very complicated affair..." She hummed calmly as she tucked her glasses away. "You watch and learn thinking it'll be easy once they're alone."

The former ravenette began to walk again; leading the man deeper into an alley." And just when you think have your target... " She slipped into the shadows that led to dead end the man had a baton ready he reeled it back ready to swing as he rounded the corner only to find...Nothing? but he saw her come this way!

a cold sweat formed on the mans brow as he felt presence behind him. " You find out your target had you from the start.~"  The man could only gasp in horror a hand covered his mouth, Needless to say the police were confused when they received a call about a pervert terrorizing a high school girl! only to find said pervert in his underwear hogtied with his own rope with a baton sticking out of his ass.

Anri resisted the urge to laugh as she got home to find Hanzo sitting on the front steps and he looked livid. "And just were where you today?" the elder Shimada brother demanded as the bespectacled girl shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. 

"O-Out with a friend?" She stammered as his brown eyes narrowed at her. "Oh, and was time with this friend more important then school?" He hissed Anri swore she saw a flash blue in his eyes as Hazo held back his wrath. "Honestly, I expected better from you Anri." and with that Hanzo went to train leaving the girl to wallow in her now soured mood.

"Now I wish I hadn't gone easy on that creep..." She mumbled taking her shoes off mentally picturing herself beating snot out of the perv. "What creep?" She jumped hearing Genji's voice glanced around before looking up and finding him hiding out in the rafters, staring down at her curiously. "A pervert tried grabbing me on way home I-" the green haired boy suddenly bristled he jumped from rafters and landed in front of her with a heated looked "Why didn't you say anything when Hanzo was yelling at you?!" Genji hissed as Anri dismissed his anger.

"It wasn't a big deal I handled it." Genji's eyes seemed flashed green the bespectacled girl jumped when he punched the wall just above her head the sound seemed to echo through the halls as Genji glowered at the short girl.

 "Not a big deal..." He snarled grabbing her front of her shirt, Anri looked at him in fear before Genji caught himself and pulled away from her; a pregnant silence filled the entryway, the frontdoors suddenly looked interesting to stare at, he glanced back at Anri and saw her hands were shaking...

All because he couldn't keep his stupid instincts in check. "Did he touch you?" He asked hoarsely before biting the inside of his cheek as tiny voice managed to stammer out.

 "n..no." 

Genji's shoulders relaxed a he let out breath he hadn't realized he was holding as he heard Anri's footsteps hurry away, leaving him alone. "Dammit, I screwed up again." he berated himself before he heard Hanzo yelling for him from the training room, At least he'll have something to take his anger out on...   

[jfpisadearqueerdeer]

Dancing On Our Own, Part 3 | A Perciver Fic

1999

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Oliver rolled his eyes at the question. It had been twelve years since they first met, six years since they had gotten together, five years since they had moved in together, and a year since the war. If he wasn’t sure now, he would never be sure.

“We are literally signing the adoption papers. There’s no going back now.”

Five months after the war, Percy had sat him down, and asked if he wanted to adopt. There were a lot of children that were orphaned in the war, and once the wizarding orphanage had been set, even newborn babies had been flowing in. Oliver agreed readily. One, he had always loved the idea of being a father, and two, he knew Percy wanted this. After the war, Percy had to go to therapy many times a week, and he had even left the ministry for good, taking a job at Hogwarts instead. Ever since Fred had died, Percy hadn’t felt whole, at least that’s what he told Oliver, and Oliver was sure this was his way of feeling whole again.

“And we’re sure about the name?”

Oliver rolled his eyes again. They had discussed the name thoroughly for months. And when they had seen the brown haired, blue eyed, baby girl, both of them were sure that the name fit her perfectly. He nodded his head and Percy smiled at him gratefully. Oliver still couldn’t believe he had the luck of meeting and falling in love with Percy Weasley. He looked at the picture of their new daughter, the picture he took when they had first met her, the picture he now kept in his wallet at all times, and smiled.

“Winifred Margaret Weasley-Wood… welcome to the family.”

2003

“I can’t believe we’re doing this again.”

Percy looked towards Oliver and laughed. Winnie was sitting in Oliver’s lap as they signed the papers in almost the exact same spot as they did the last time. But this time, they already had one daughter, and they were about to gain another. The name had been a hot debate, Percy wanting to choose a name like Rebecca or Lucille, and Oliver wanting a name like Wendy or Maisie. But ultimately, Winnie was the one to choose.

“Are we sure that Winifred here made the best choice in names? She is four after all.”

Winnie glared at her papa (Percy). She may have been four, but she knew enough to be upset when her papa or daddy called her by her full name. And, yes, of course, she was sure of the name. Both of them had been listing off names for her, writing down the ones she was interested in, and then listing them out again for until she narrowed it down. Oliver joked about how, somehow, by magic, she got her papa’s smarts.

“We can’t go through months of choosing again. It’s either this name or we just name her Baby Girl Weasley-Wood and get it over with.”

Winnie then glared at her daddy too, as if to say that that wasn’t going to happen. She had chosen a name and that was that in her mind. It was the best name possible for her new little sister, who had vibrant red hair and bright brown eyes. Winnie had only met her once, but when the baby had rapped her tiny little fingers around her own, she knew she would love her little sister. Her papa’s voice broke through her thoughts.

“And you two are completely sure of this?”

Oliver nodded, rolling his eyes, and Winnie mimicked his actions. Her Papa was such a silly man, asking stupid questions that had easy answers. She watched as her papa and her daddy laugh and exchange looks about the way she acted, and she loved it. They loved her so much, and she knew it. And now, she would have a little sister to share the love with. Her daddy was the one who spoke next.

“Well, Winnie, you better shape up if you want to be a role model for Megara.”

Winnie smiled. Megara Rhys Weasley-Wood, she thought. The bestest little sister in the world.

2004

Winnie wasn't sure why Papa and Daddy had been leaving her and Nutmeg with Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur so often, but she knew it was for some sort of surprise. And she couldn't wait to find out what it was.

She was playing hide and seek with Uncle Bill, Teddy (who was also at Bill and Fleur's house), and Victoire, when she heard her Papa's voice at the door. And then her Daddy's voice too! They were talking to Aunt Fleur, and she ran out from behind the couch, effectively losing the game, and finding out the surprise.

Her Daddy was holding a baby! A beautiful baby girl with wispy blonde hair. She had a new sister, she knew it right away. "Whst's her name, what's her name?", she whisper yelled, knowing how easy it was to wake up babies (Megara wasn't even two, after all).

"Gwendolyn, but we're going to call her Wendy," her Papa said to her, gathering her up in his arms. Winnie wrapped her arms around him, and smiled. She loved being a big sister, and now she was even more of one.

2005

“Winnie! Come down stairs, please. We have a surprise for you and Meg.”

Winnie rushed down the stairs in her night gown, which was really just her daddy’s old Quidditch jersey. Her papa and daddy had been hinting at a surprise for nearly a month. And now she was finally going to learn what is was! When she got to the living room, she was absolutely delighted.

“A puppy!”

The puppy was black and brown, a boy, and her papa called him a Border Terrier. Names for him rushed through her mind, but one stood out. Winnie’s other nickname was Honey, Meg’s was Nutmeg, and Wendy's was Pumpkin, so it only made sense for him to be named after some sort of food too.

“Coriander. Cory for short.”

She said it, as if there was no question on whether she was going to name him, and her papa and daddy both nodded approvingly. Meg was only two, but even she babbled happily and nonsensically when she heard the name. Winnie smiled. She loved moments like these when everyone was happy. She rushed towards Cory, and lifted him up into her arms, falling to the ground in the process. She laughed like crazy, letting Cory lick at her face, and laughing even more when her two-year-old sister joined her on the ground, crawling on top of her to “save” her from their new puppy. She was so lost in the fun, she didn’t hear her daddy’s next words.

“I love you, Perce. And I love this family we’ve created. I love everything about our lives.”

2010

“I’m going to miss you, Nutmeg. Cory too.”

Winnie couldn’t believe that she was going off to Hogwarts. It felt too soon. She didn’t want to leave her daddy, or her papa (even if it was only for the train ride, seeing as he was still going to be a teacher), or her little sister, or her puppy. She was going to miss each and every one of them terribly.

“You’re not going to miss me at all, Winnie! You’re not going to have time!”

Winnie smiled at the small joke her sister had made, one she had been making for weeks. They both knew about Hogwarts’ extensive library, and also knew that Winnie would not be able to resist the temptation. There were just so many books and Winnie wanted to read all of them. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t miss her little Nutmeg. And, of course, her other siblings too, who were with Gram and Gramps.

She leaned closer to Meg, and said, "Don't forget to help Daddy out with Wendy, Joshie, Romy, and Penny. It's your job now." Meg nodded dutifully, still smiling. And finally, Winnie turned to her Daddy and Papa.

“Don’t be anxious, Win. Everything’s going to be alright.”

“Yeah. And we’re sure that Teddy and Victoire will sit with on the train.”

Her papa’s and her daddy’s words calmed her a little bit. But then she froze, asking her daddy if he had asked Teddy and Victoire to sit with her. He blushed profusely, realizing he was caught, and nodded, his face full of embarrassment. But she was even more embarrassed. How could he?!

“Dadddddy! You can’t just do that! Now they’ll think that I have no friends!”

Both her daddy and her papa rolled her eyes at that, and Winnie facepalmed. Of course, she wouldn’t have friends, she hadn’t started Hogwarts yet. But that didn’t mean she wanted her daddy asking her cousins to sit with her. She could find her own friends.

“Winnie, it’s going to be okay. They’ll ride with you on the train, and then you’ll be at Hogwarts with me, and it will go by in a flash, I swear.”

Her papa’s words calmed her. She had it easy. She was going to Hogwarts with her papa, who would look out for her. And she would be one of the few students to do so. Well Victoire would, since Uncle Bill worked there too, and so would another family of kids that she couldn’t remember the last name of, but that was all.

“Okay. Okay. I can do this.”

Winnie muttered these words to herself as her papa and her daddy followed her on to train, helping her with her suitcase. She muttered those words to herself when they placed her chest in the luggage bin above the compartment that Teddy, his friends, and Victoire were in. She muttered those words to herself when they bid her goodbye once again, walking off the train. She muttered those words to herself when she left the compartment, not wanting to be around so many people, and found an empty one. And then she started singing her own version of her daddy’s and her papa’s favorite song.

“I think I’m alone now,

There doesn't seem to be anyone around

I think I’m alone now,

The beating of my heart is the only sound,”

“You have a pretty voice.”

Winnie looked up, blushing, and saw a girl, who was dirty blonde, and had pale, glittering, blue eyes. She smiled at the compliment and slid over in her seat, to make room for the new girl.

“My name’s Madeline. Couture. Madeline Couture.”

“Winifred Weasley-Wood. Winnie for short.”

She was still nervous about Hogwarts, but it seemed like she might have a new friend. She told her daddy that she could make her own friends, and now, she had. She would spend the train ride with Madeline, visit Teddy’s compartment when she needed to change her robes, and see her Papa at school.

All was (almost) well.

2013

Winnie was fourteen when her dad's adopted her final sibling, Elliott. It wasn't truly a shock to her, other than the fact that this would be the last one they would adopt. She could barely believe it. Not getting a new sibling every couple of years would be so strange...

She held Eli in her arms, taking it all in. He would be her youngest sibling. A tear slipped down her cheek, and she wasn't sure if she was happy or sad. She loved having so many siblings, and up until now, she was sure that her family would keep on growing. But this was it. She would only have six siblings.

But Winnie couldn't help but smile at the adorable little boy in her arms. If he was going to be her last sibling, then she was going to savor as much of his childhood as she could.

2014

“Marry me.”

Percy looked up in surprise. He and Oliver had been together for just over twenty years, and they had never even brought up marriage before. It wasn’t legal in the muggle world, and therefore, wizards had to comply to those rules as well, as to not rise suspicions. He, of course, knew, that the muggles had finally made it legal, but he didn’t give it a second thought. After all, Oliver would have brought it up if he wanted it.

“What?”

They were in his office at Hogwarts. Oliver had surprised him for the day and the first thing he said was a proposal. A two-word proposal while he was standing in the threshold of Percy’s office door. So, it wasn’t exactly what Percy was expecting.

“I said: Marry me. I want to get married. I want to have a wedding. I want to have a ceremony for all our friends and family, and have the girls wear matching dresses, and have Josh and Eli wear adorable matching suits, and have a first dance, and most of all, I want to be able to call you my husband. Say yes. Please.”

For the last twenty years, Oliver had given Percy everything he wanted and vice versa. They had kissed. They had gotten together. They had moved in together. They had supported each other. They had adopted their kids. They had gotten two puppies, a cat, and an owl. So, did Oliver really think Percy could say no? Not that he wanted to, of course, but Oliver truly looked as if he thought Percy would say no.

“Yes.”

It was a simple answer, not overly exciting or anything. But Oliver still tackled Percy in his chair, making them both fall to the ground. And he started singing their song. The past twenty years had no been perfect. There had been fights, there had been times when they didn’t speak to each other; but Percy had never stopped feeling an overwhelming love for his long-time best friend slash boyfriend. As he listened to the song, he realized something: this song was theirs, but it didn’t quite fit them anymore.

“I think we need a new song.”

2014, continued

"Almost twenty-seven years ago, my dads met on their way to Hogwarts. And ever since then, they have been each other's best friends. They have depended on each other, taken care of each other, and loved each other so, so much.

Six years after they met, they finally got together. In those six years, they had built a friendship that could overcome anything, time after time, whether it be awkward moments or tear-jerking fights or the fact that my Papa was apparently a bit of a prick sometimes," Winnie said, beginning her speech at her dad's wedding.

Everyone laughed at the last comment, and she heard her Uncle George say, "More like all of the time." People laughed even more at that comment.

"Despite all of those things, they got through the next six years, even surviving a war together. They were luckier than most," she said, shooting a watery smile at her Uncle Lee, who had been in a relationship with her namesake.

"Barely a year after the war, they adopted me, and I couldn't be more thankful that they did. For the past fourteen years, plus some, they have given me everything they have, only expecting me to love them in return. And I do. And I know that, because they taught me what love is."

"Love is caring for someone more than you care for yourself, and knowing that they care the same for you. Love is what holds them together, through all the hard times, the rough patches,and the fights. Love is the hope that has gotten my dads through the past twenty-one years together. Love is what they have, and what they share, and what they give me and my siblings and my cousins and my aunts and uncles everyday. They are so full of love, and they deserve all of my love, and more. This one's for you dads. I love you," Winnie said, taking the mic out of it's holder, and began singing Love Is, a song that came out the year they had gotten together.

"They say it's a river that circles the earth

A beam of light shining to the edge of the universe

It conquers all

It changes everything

They say it's a blessing

They say it's a gift

They say it's a miracle, and I believe that it is"

Winnie loved her dads. She loved her siblings. She loved her cousins, and aunts and uncles, and grandparents too. She loved all of her family. And she loved her best friend, Maddy, too. She just hadn't realized it yet.

[firegrilled]

Mommas’ Boys - Part 8 (End)

@erejeanweek2k19​ Prompt: Competition

Summary: All things things must grow up, even Jean and Eren. Celine and Carla witness their boys’ happiest day and a glimpse at what their future holds.

Part 1

Setting down the brush, Celine did a quick once over of her outfit before stepping out of the bathroom. A long midnight blue dress hugged her figure, flowing almost all the way to the ground. A simple silver locket hung from her neck and slim golden watch rested on her left wrist.

“Tell me Carla, how do I look?” Celine wondered as she emerged into their shared hotel room.

Carla glanced up from her phone. Her eyes traced the slimming outfit and her pleased smile answered the question before her words. “Like someone who’s ready to have two beautiful sons.”

“Seriously, does this seem a bit much?” Celine looked down and thought again. “Not enough?”

“You’re fine, honest.”

“Thanks. I just wanna look my best for Jeanbo’s big day,” Celine sighed. She walked over to the bed and fell into the plush cushion. Here she was panicking on her son’s wedding day when she could only imagine what her boy was going through. He was her son after all.

A knocking at the door drew the attention of both women.

“Who is it?” Carla asked.

“Mom, it’s me. I have someone I want you to meet. Are you…” Eren’s muffled voice answered.

“Yes I’m not naked.”

“Mom!”

The door opened to a rather flushed Eren. He shook his head while he led another couple into the room. A gentleman that was a bit older than Eren and a slightly younger blond stepped in, already dressed for the wedding. In the woman’s arm a baby rested peacefully.

The gentleman had shorter blond hair, peculiar glasses, a trimmed beard and mustache. He stepped forward and extended a hand for Carla. “Hi, you must be Eren’s mom.”

Nodding, Carla shook the stranger’s hand and offered a smile. “That’s me. And who might you be?”

The gentleman cleared his throat and let out a held breath. “I’m Zeke Jaeger, Eren’s half-brother. And this is my wife Yelena and our daughter Gabi.”

Carla’s eyes widened and she froze in place.

“E-excuse me?”

“Mom, he’s telling the truth. He’s my brother,” Eren vouched for Zeke, walking over to his mother’s side and wrapping an arm around her.

“Please let me explain. Grisha Jaeger is my father who left our home many years ago just after I was born. My mother always held out hope for him saying he’d come back when he was ready but months turned into years until one day she was proven right. He just appeared at our doorstep right as I got back from college. Mom took him right back and forgot the fact he abandoned her for almost 25 years,” Zeke informed Carla.

Eren guided his mother towards Celine and sat her next to his future in-law while Zeke continued.

“I wasn’t particularly close to a man that I never knew but I got curious about what happened while he was gone. I took a DNA test and discovered that I had relatives just a few states over. That’s how I found Eren and learned what my dad did during those 25 years. I’m so sorry for what he put you through.”

Carla felt goosebumps go down her arms at the new information. Her mood fell as she thought about the man she purged her mind of many moons ago.

“So he had another wife before me… and a son. I never knew,” Carla admitted as some of the only pleasant memories she retained were now crumbling to dust. “I was his TA in college and fell for him. A charismatic researcher on the verge of a massive discovery… I should’ve known it was too good to be true. A small town girl falling for a big famous scientist.”

“That’s his type, I think. My mom is the same as you. Even when I confronted them about it she still clung to his side while he started crying. What he did was unforgivable, especially when Eren told me how close you were to losing everything. His way of apologizing is this,” Zeke frowned as he pulled an envelope from his pocket. He handed it to Carla.

Carla held it in her hands, flipping the blank parcel over in her hands.

“And what’s that?” Celine inquired as Carla opened it and found a check.

“Everything he stole in addition to missed child support and a generous interest.”

Carla’s jaw dropped along with the check.

“Th-that’s too much!” Carla gasped.

Celine bent over to pick up the check. She barely had enough restraint to not gawk at the number written on it. “That’s a lot of zeroes.”

“Frankly it’s not enough considering what he’s still worth,” Zeke frowned. “But please take it as something small for what he robbed you of.”

“I can’t! I don’t need his pity or his money,” Carla shook her head, anger now returning. “Who is he to think he can just try and write me away with money? That’s how he always tried to solve everything!”

“It’s not an apology as far as I’m concerned, it’s a debt being repaid. He stole your life savings. Though it’s not enough, you should be able to live comfortably for the rest of your life,” Zeke stated.

Celine placed the check in Carla’s palm and clasped her hands around hers. “Carla, nothing can ever forgive that man for what he did but you can now do so much good with this. You can pay for Eren and Mikasa’s college. You can go back to Mitras and buy your own house in cash. You won’t even need to work anymore. You can finally have that life you longed for after he stole it away from you!”

Carla looked into Celine’s eyes, her friend’s calming gaze quelling her anger. “The college debt might be a good idea but not the others. I’ve built a life outside of there that I’d never want to give up. My work, my friends, I won’t trade them away. I could buy a house but I won’t be able to buy a home. My home is our neighborhood with you and the others.”

Celine went wide-eyed at Carla’s answer. Pride bubbled up in her chest along with admiration. “You’ve grown so much over these last few years. It’s so wonderful to hear you say that.”

“Besides, I know what we can do with this. We can follow our boys on their honeymoon! I’ve always wanted to visit Italy this time of year,” Carla grinned, much to Eren’s horror.

“Mom, no!” Eren shook his head.

Zeke and his wife chuckled at the distraught reaction.

“While we can’t pick our family, I’d love to get to know you better and let ours grow together,” Zeke offered.

Carla slipped the check into her purse, nodding at the proposition. “Of course. I’d love to have you sitting next to me for the ceremony.”

Zeke smiled warmly. “We’d love that.”

---

“Mom, I can’t do this,” Jean mumbled as the soft music picked up around them. He shuffled back and forth on his feet while he sweat up a storm. “The suit’s too tight. No wait its my tie… or is it not tight enough? Mom, how’s my tie?”

“Jeanbo, you got this!” Celine reassured her son, looping her arm through his. She pulled him closer and allowed him to lean his head against her shoulder. “You’re the one who said yes when he proposed. I’ve seen you fight him, kiss him, and throttle him for breaking your window with a ping pong racket. If you can get passed those I think you can make it up an aisle to say I do.”

“But those were different! I was young and naïve,” Jean replied, his voice unsure with his life choices.

Celine snorted at that. “You’re still young and very naïve, honey.”

“I take offense to that.”

“Of course you do,” Celine rolled her eyes at Jean’s mock anger. “Let me tell you a short story. When I was younger and in a similar position I had the exact same thoughts. Right down to the dress being too tight and not tight enough. I wanted to run but right when I wanted to bolt the doors to the church opened and I saw our father waiting for me at the end of the aisle. All my fears faded when I saw the look on his face, like I was the prettiest thing he ever laid his eyes on. That’s when I knew I made the right choice. Just stay strong for a little bit longer.”

Jean listened quietly, hanging onto his mom’s every word. Just as she finished the music suddenly cut out. He instantly straightened his posture and stepped away from his mom. While they weren’t in a church, he still had to walk through an alcove in the woods to find his friends and family waiting for him.

“I can do this,” Jean muttered to himself.

“Damn right you can,” Celine agreed, earning another snort from his son.

The pair walked over the fallen autumn leaves when the music queued up the traditional wedding march. Celine kept pace with her son as he took deep breaths to soothe his nerves. When they turned the corner together in the woods, they saw exactly what Celine prophesized.

Their friends and family already faced them but their expressions blurred out once Jean located his soon to be husband. Standing on an elevated platform next to their old principal stood Eren in a green button down shirt, a vest, and tuxedo pants. His normally fierce demeanor fell upon seeing Jean.

Eren’s mouth opened a little but no words escaped him as he locked eyes with Jean. He didn’t move an inch while Celine slowly led her son up the aisle. Eventually Eren pressed his lips together, licking his upper lip when Jean grew closer. He remained still until Jean took his spot across from him and Celine took a seat next to Carla.

“Hey,” Eren whispered, tenderness in his voice.

Jean returned a fragile but goofy smile. “Hi.”

Both nearly jumped out of their skins when Erwin suddenly placed his hands on their shoulders.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for the unexpected union of Jean and Eren Kirschtein,” Erwin declared, to the laughter of those present. “If you told me that the two kids that I often suspended for fighting each other would one day get married and I’d be the one to help them tie the knot... Well, I would’ve called you crazy to put it nicely. But we stand here as witnesses to a deep and caring love that few have the privilege to witness and even fewer get to enjoy. Let us celebrate strong commitment of these two wonderful men!”

---

Celine picked up a dress from the sale’s rack, her eyes passing swift judgement on the bright yellow garment.

“Hard pass,” Celine balked at the clothing.

“Why pick up something you know you’re going to hate? You don’t do flashy colors,” Carla laughed at her reaction.

“Sometimes you just want to see the full extent of someone’s poor life choice,” Celine spoke, shrugging. “As much as I enjoy our Sunday shopping excursions, I think it’s time we meet the rest of the family.”

“As if Eren or Jean understand the concept of arriving on time.”

Carla snickered while comparing sunglasses in a mirror.

“And where do you think they get that from? They won’t get better if we don’t.”

“Touché.”

Carla placed the glasses back on their racks and walked to the checkout with Celine behind her. She grabbed the one dress Celine bothered to keep and threw it into her stack when they reached the cashier.

“Hey, I can pay for my own,” Celine grumbled, trying to reach for it.

Carla stopped her hands, pushing Celine away. “Let my former husband pay for it.”

At that Celine stopped her attempts and returned her hands to her side.

“Fine. At least you’re putting your investments to some use.”

“Well I had to do something once I paid off my loans and the kids’ college debt. Eren and Jean wouldn’t let me spend more on them so might as well invest while we get that college fund going for the newest Kirschtein,” Carla explained. “Speaking of which, where are we meeting them?”

“Food court,” Celine answered, swiping through her phone. “Jean’s already there but Eren is running behind.”

The two mothers grabbed their bags and began the trek across the mall. They stopped by the parking garage to drop off what they bought before taking the elevator to food court. Celine and Carla squinted, scanning the area for any signs of their sons.

“Found ‘em,” Carla pointed at the tallest point in the crowd.

Celine turned her gaze to a mop of brown hair. Her eyes drifted down to find Jean’s hair a few feet below. “Aw he’s carrying Aymmi on his shoulders! How cute!”

The two moms parted the crowd as they scrambled over to their son and grandchild.

“Jean, Aymmi!” Carla called out, catching the attention of the pair that slowly walked through the crowd.

Jean turned his head and lowered his sunglasses, while Aymmi tightened their legs around Jean’s neck. “Grandma! Grandmaman!”

Aymmi threw their hands up, almost launching a Popsicle into the air.

“There’s my favorite grandchild!” Celine exclaimed, her arms already outstretched.

Jean took the hint and hoisted his arms up to remove his kid from his shoulders, plopping Aymmi in his mom’s waiting hands.

“I’m your only grandchild,” Aymmi giggled, hugging Celine.

“Yes but don’t the others that,” Celine joked, earning more laughter from Aymmi.

While those two bantered, Jean reached into his pocket for a handkerchief. He ran it over the back of his neck. “Damn sticky treat.”

Carla noticed the white cloth quickly turn orange, the same color as Aymmi’s treat.

“Popsicles drip,” Carla chuckled, earning a deadpan stare from Jean.

“I knew that but I didn’t think they melted that fast. Aymmi wanted to try and find you two first so I didn’t think about gravity and frozen treats.”

“Welcome to being a parent. You learn a lot of small details very fast.”

Jean bristled at those words.

“You’d think after a few years I’d get used to being called a parent.”

“Honestly, it doesn’t hit until they’re in the hospital or an emergency happens. Just value the time you have together,” Carla advised. Memories of raising Eren came rushing back, bringing a nostalgic smile to her face. “Speaking of which, where is my son?”

“Uh…” Jean scratched the back of his head while he gave a nervous grin.

Goosebumps ran down Carla’s neck at that expression. She knew that expression.

“Papa knocked down Toby’s mom’s brownies!” Aymmi exclaimed with a big grin.

Jean’s palm slapped against his forehead while the two mother’s exchanged eye rolls. Some things never change.

As if on cue, Eren appeared form the crowd with a frown.

“There you are. Thanks for shouting, Aymmi. It made finding you all much easier since no one was answering their phone,” Eren smiled at his child while glaring at the other three.

“No problem!” Aymmi gave another cheery shout.

“Indoor voice, honey,” Jean shushed Aymmi, who nodded eagerly. “Babe, what happened?”

“Helen wanted to take it to the board, Erwin stepped in, and now deserts are banned from future PTA meetings,” Eren’s head bobbed from side to side as he explained each fact.

Carla and Celine shook their heads while Jean let out another exasperated sigh.

“That is your fault Eren Kirschtein! You ruined my wonderful treats!” A sharp female voice cut through the crowd. The group turned to see an angry woman with a blonde bob cut pointing an accusatory finger in their direction, while a smaller kid around Aymim’s age held her other hand.

“Fight me in the fucking pit, Helen!” Eren shouted back, earning a slap to the back of his head from Jean and an offended gasp from Helen.

“You use that language in front of first graders? Weren’t you the one shouting about the kids when you assaulted my poor little brownies?”

“My kid knows what words are. Isn’t that right, Aymmi?” Eren smirked, gesturing to his child.

“Fuck!” Aymmi cheered loudly, earning another gasp from Helen.

“Mommy, what’s fuck mean?” Helen’s daughter asked, cocking her head.

“Nothing important, honey. Let’s get out of here before they use anymore foul language,” Helen said, pulling her daughter back to the crowd.

“Ask your mom what shit means!” Eren called after her, earning another slap from Jean. “Ow, shit.”

“Shit!” Aymmi repeated after Eren.

Celine and Carla sighed, but smiled at their sons and Aymmi. This was their family.

The End - Thanks for following this and reading it! And thanks @aymmichurros for the inspiration!

[android-become-human]

Innocence washed away by Blood

DBH Vampire Au

!Character deaths!

Connor Mark, Amanda, Hank Anderson, Cole Anderson, Mrs Anderson.

A long, lonely, lost whimper escaped the darkness of the night. Rather than offer up any comfort, the brightness of the moon only served to create cruel shadows ready to tear at those daring to walk by them.

In the silence of nothing but the soft rustling of trees and the howling of wind there was rebirth from death.

A loud, pained scream stained the dark of night. Connor could not breath, blood filling up his lungs as he screeched for help horrified by what he was seeing and feeling.

Evil and Darkness had taken on a human form, that of a middle aged lady, skin dark as her soul. Her touch felt like death, the unnatural cold lips against his neck sent unpleasant shivers down his spine. The personification of cold and death lifted her gaze, mouth bloody. Connor was to weak to understand why she brushed her cold, bloodied arm against his lips.

“We will do great things together Connor, you will see.” And just as suddenly as she appeared, she dissappeard into the cold of night.

The brunette boy, just a young adult about 23 starred to the sky with tear stained eyes. He was alone again... he would die alone, and his younger brothers would never know what happened to him.

Just half an hour earlier he was making his way home from the police academy before his car broke down in the middle of nowhere. He decided to find help on foot, but what he found instead was his very own reaper, ready with his coffin.

Was there a heaven? Or just oblivion? Nothing? Connor did not know... but he would soon find out.

It was cold, Connor would have shivered, but he had no energy for that. Slowly his eyes fluttered closed, giving in to the embracing hands of death.

There was one thing Connor had not considered in death, and that was waking up to the same world again. His first thought was that he must have been a ghost, cold and lost. The drumming and soft beat of his former heart had ceased, instead replaced with what felt like lava cursing through his veins.

Screaming he now wished for the cold again, anything to soothe the burning inside. But his screams made it worse, feeling like a thousand claws tearing at the inside of his throat and stomach.

Thirst. He was so thirsty. He needed something to balm the pain. Groaning the fledgling stood up, tearing at the two puncture wounds on his neck.

“I- I need help!” Connor cried out hoarsely, still not understanding what was going on with him. He needed a hospital, he needed help, maybe he could escape death. Little did he know he was unliving a fate far worse than death.

Arms wrapped around himself, brown eyes scanned the woods. It seemed to have gotten brighter, the dark no longer so scary and all consuming. And yet it was still only minutes after midnight. “Drink...” He murmoured to himself. He needed something to drink in order to stop the pain. He was so hungry, so thirsty.

It was hard to understand how time could seem to pass both painfully slow and yet incredibly fast. The weak fledgling made his way to the first house he could find. “H-Help!” His voice cracked. There was no answer. Pained Connor went around the back before finding an ajar window which he squeezed through before crashing to the ground with a pant. “H-H- hel...” The brunette struggled again as he got back to his knees. It was a children’s room. He could make that out clearly, toys still strewn across the floor. The small frame if a boy laud sleeping soundly under warm covers. Suddenly Connor was quiet, as if waking the child would be his downfall. He starred intently at the young boy, feeling his stomach growling. It smelled good. Whatever that kid had, smelled good. And it was easing the burning in Connor’s lungs.

‘Yes Connor. Thats right.’ He heard a voice in the back of his mind, the voice of the woman that had attacked him just moments before. But this time the voice was soothing and no longer made him recoil in fear.

‘Eat Connor, eat and grow strong, and then return to me.’ His sire’s voice was reassuring, was warm. It made him feel more at ease, despite all his questions.

Slowly Connor stalked closer to the sleeping child, throat itching and burning. He was on autopilot, only listening to the the reassuring voice, edging him on to to feed and ease his pain. ‘Thats good Connor, listening to your sire, listen to your body.’

A low growl escaped Connor’s throat before jumping the boy. An animalistic hunger and urge took over his body as his fangs came crashing down into the boy’s throat. Blood splattered across his face and the sheets, warmth flooding his mouth. Connor groaned, the taste overpowering any screams for mercy. There was wailing, screaming and kicking not unlike how Connor had acted just a few minutes earlier. But that no longer bothered him, this could not be bad. There is no way anything feeling this good could be bad. The warmth curling up in his stomach confirmed that, told him that everything would be all right, that he would be fine. He would be fine.

The blood was warming him from the inside, providing relief from the cold of death and served as a comforting balm to his throat.

Connor did not notice as the little boy stopped struggling underneath him, sprawled across the bed limp while he was being consumed.

Warm,

Crimson

Blood!!!

...

Connor was still suckling as the child’s bedroom door flew open. “Cole? Honey, are you alright?” A concerned female voice rang out before screaming loudly.

Connor locked eyes with her and the stream of light illuminating her form. He could see his own eyes reflecting in that of the woman’s and it was scary... all he saw was an animal, feeding without care, eyes reflecting hunger and greed.,

Only then he remembered why he had come here. He needed help. Blood dripping from his mouth he looked up to speak, but it only came out as a growl. And before he knew it his body had slammed the woman to the ground, teeth sunken deep in her neck. He groaned loudly at the taste, sucking in deep strong gulps. That boy had only been his starter and this would be his main. She was fighting harder than the boy, Connor could hear her screams and felt her struggles. But it was nothing to him. His stomach was starting to swell lightly from the blood intake, cheeks flushing red as he started feeling more alive.

So busy feeding, Connor had not noticed the man behind him, prying him off of his wife. Blood splattered through the air like an artwork as Connor’s head was ripped back. Underneath him was the unconscious woman, bleeding out fast. The brunette boy’s head was arched back, looking up to the blue eyed, blonde man above him. His fangs gleamed in the light, glazed by innocent blood.

Powered by blood and fear Connor lurched his head forward, banging hard against the man above him in a head collision. That was enough to get the man to crash down in pain while Connor made a run for the closest window. He was too fast, too fast in his new dead body, so fast actually that he had reached the window faster than anticipated, flying right through it with a loud shatter. It was to loud! It was to fast! To strong! To bright! His senses were overwhelming him as he ran off into the cold of night.

When Hank had regained consciousness, his wife had bleed out to death. He jumped to his feet, trying to reach Cole.

There was nothing he could do for his six year old son and wife... they were beyond help.

Taking a live had made Connor feel alive, both inside and out. Death really was a dreadful thing, and any taste of life was worth killing for. He needed it, he craved it. Connor longed to be full, feeling someone else’s stolen life pumping inside of his veins, and warming his cold, dead body. He now stood before the one that had attacked him earlier that night, looking lost and confused. Connor knew what he was; a creature he had never believed in, never imagined to be real. Vampyre.

Amanda smiled, Connor’s dried blood still on her shirt. “Connor, my son. You did well. Come home with me.” And Connor, the lost fledgling nodded, looking to his sire with a new found respect. His blood was hers, and her blood was his. They shared a bond now stronger than any life could offer.

<><><>

Sharpening his stake, Hank looked into the dark of the night. He had lost everything. There was nothing more to lose. The only thing he could cling to was revenge. Out there, was a vampire waiting to be killed by his hands.

_________________

Author’s note

Im sorry... but I needed to write it. If this gets any attention I might post part 2. I also rp so talk to me dammit! XD

[anxiousauthor89]

Head First

Angry, confused, and bitter Trinity grew hate for the man that left her with this seed. She tried to get rid of it 4 months ago, thinking life would be back to normal. She would work out a lil bit, lose the weight and go slap Shawn back to his senses. But it didn't happen that way. In fact, she had met a new man. Long dreds, shining gold teeth, tattoos everywhere, and gave her more dope then she can handle. When they first met she got fucked up at a party. Trying to forget about Shawn. Trying to self abort the baby. The internet said drinking and partying can terminate pregnancy. But this baby was worse than the roach that wouldn't die. So when she met Junior, at the party and realized he was actually an enemy of Shawns, she decided to spill the beans on how grimey he is. See, back in the day Shawn fucked Juniors ol lady. She had twins. And he never got over it. He was always down to hurt Shawn in some sort of way if he could. But Shawn was not to be played with. You really got to catch him sleeping. And he never sleeps. Knowing how careful she had to be to get Shawn back, she told Junior he got her friend pregnant, and she wants to fight her to make Shawn mad. "Nah man." Junior said. "That's dumb. One thing he care about is his kids. Give her this sack." he said as he threw it at her. "If she still pregnant and he know about it that mean he gon let her have it. But give her this sack and I bet she wont birth shit. Dat nigga gon boo hoo cry booyyy I cant wait to see his ass hurtin ol puss ass." he grinned. She had never done drugs. But this could end it all. And get revenge on Shawn. "This shit aint gon have me, I just need to get this situated and im off this shit." she told herself as she smoked the dope in her car. The high hit her so hard she passed out and woke up to Junior knocking on her window. "AYE! TAKE YO DRUNK ASS HOME MAN ITS 6AM!" Lowkey ashamed she got it together and rolled the window down. "My bad man. Aye I think I lost that sack gimme one more man my bad that Ciroc is on me." Junior knew the look that high gave people. He had gained a customer. He smirked and said "Mhm here. I'll fuck witcha." He walked away rapping to himself, knowing she would be back. And just like clock work, she was. Every other day. She couldn't help herself. It felt like the perfect escape. Before she knew it the end of the year was approaching. By this time shes almost 9 months along, and made a fool of herself every time she attempted to talk to Shawn. The holidays were approaching, so she decided to spend some time with the only people who would love her, even when she didn't love herself.  "You know I be missing you why you only come when its food?" her daddy pinched her cheek. She laughed and kissed his bald head. He adored her. A preacher that could make hell shake but would cry when they got whoopins. He had a heart of pure gold. "Make sure you wash your hands and change your shirt before you help with this food. Why you got on them big ol clothes anyway I thought you were out of that tomboy stage...?" her mother teased. She had always been a chubby girl that could rock boy clothes and still be cute. Trying not to do anything that signaled her dishonesty she replied "mama you know I like TLC this how Lisa Left Eye dresses." laughing and doing a twist of her hips. "Mhm. Ya look more like Lisa Left & Lost It but okay. Yall think im dumb." she mumbled. That was it. Mama knew. And she knew mama knew. But aint no way she was gon admit it. Not around the other family members anyway. She and her sister Melodie were close and they always had been. She began to worry about how she would react knowing there is a whole baby being hidden. They told each other everything. But this one Trinity had to deal with on her own. She was determined not to say a word. She hadn't even gone to the doctor the entire pregnancy. She had a plan. All she had to do is wait it out. The time was near. She felt it in the pressure her lower belly was experiencing. The sharp pains in her back. It was close. And she was ready. She tried to quickly walk away so mama wouldn't see the shame on her face, but Uncle Leroy caught it. "She pregnant! And out of wedlock at that! Told yall she should have came to that shut in service we woulda been praying that lust demon right on out of her!" he blurted out. Overwhelmed with rage and embarrassment from his statement putting her on blast she shouted back "SHUT UP! THIS WHY I DONT COME WHEN YALL ARE HERE! MIND YO BUSINESS! AINT YOU ON WIFE NUMBER 3? YOU ALWAYS BEING JUDGEMENTAL AND RUNNING YO MOUTH! I CANT STA.." "HUSH GIRL!" Mama interrupted. She knew how Trinity felt about some of the family. And she understood. But disrespect she could not condone. "Go sit on my bed baby. Rest ya nerve, hea?" she softly spoke before she kissed her forehead. Already too embarrassed she picked up her purse and walked out. "Where you going? Its Thanksgiving you not gon stay?" her mom yelled from the screen door with her hands on her hips. "No mama im sorry. Happy Thanksgiving. Tell Melodie I love her." she said trying not to cry. Putting the car in reverse she thought about her plan one more time, reminding herself that she has every reason to follow through. She drove 4 hours back to the apartment she shared with a friend and laid down. She felt so uncomfortable. But tried to fall asleep anyway. Thinking she had to pee, she jumped up heading to the bathroom. "EEEW What the fuck why cant I hold my pee?!!" The liquid was running out of her faster than her feet could run to the toilet. Finally she got in the bathroom, slipping on the wet spots she was making with her trail. She sat on the toilet breathing hard, dizzy, and feeling like she had to take the biggest shit. "I aint had cheese in months I know im not constipated, this shit hurts what the fuck?" Within her next breath a contraction hit, and she became aware of what was happening. Eyes growing big and knees starting to shake, she wiped as much of the liquid as she could. She ran to her closet and pulled out her dirty clothes bin. Behind it was her bag, packed with an extra change of clothes for her after she delivered. She put the bag in the passenger seat and drove to the hospital. She sat in the parking lot for a few minutes, trying to get her mind right before going in. "Lets go Trinity. You got the plan figured out." She thought to herself. Taking one more deep breath as the contraction passed, she got out and walked into the emergency department. A blue eyed blonde haired lady grabbed her hand and said " I know that look you're in labor. Come on I just cleaned out this room. We need to take vitals and get you hooked up on a monitor. How ya feeling?" Starting to wobble from all the pain Trinity mumbled "Im fine." In reality she was far from fine. It felt like the baby was right on the verge of coming out. "Ms. I have a question." She stammered. "When I have this baby how long will it take to get parents to pick it up? You can give me the papers now & by the time it comes out a mama and daddy should be here right?" she almost smilied thinking this was the perfect solution. That was her plan. Just give it to somebody. Its always commercials about people wanting kids. It was a no brainer. Laughter snapped her out of her happy place she had briefly found. "No honey. Bless your heart. That takes time. You should have began that process when you found out about the baby." she continued laughing. "Unless theres a case of accidental death, looks like you're stuck with this one! My assistant will check on you soon, then we will see about managing your pain with an epidural. Sit tight." she closed the door. Hearing those words took Trinity from panic to desperation. Now she had no idea what to do. She played it cool until the nurse walked out. "Ok think bitch THINK!" she said out loud as she leaned back on the bed. "This slow hoe saying accidental death what the hell lady?! Be for real! That's not an option." she smacked her teeth. A pain hit her belly and she put her hand down on her butt. "What the...am I shitting on myself?! OUUUCCHHHH! OH MY GOD AAAH!" She laid back and reached further down and realized....that's hair...The baby was there. And it was coming out. "Oooooh ssshhhiiiit. Ooooooh shhiittt! Shit! Ssshhiiiit!  Ok. Chill Trin." She laid quiet, thinking of a new plan. "Knock, Knoooock" A nurse came in. " Just making sure you doing ok. We cant have you pushing out the baby alone we want both of you to make it okay sweetie? I will be back soon." The smiling nurse walked back out. "We want both of you to make it." Those words were ringing in Trinity's head like monkeys with symbols. "I got it." she said. She put her phone in her purse and put her bible in the bottom of it. She couldn't look at it knowing what she was about to do. She looked around the room once more, and laid down. Spreading her legs open she held on to each side of the bed, shut her eyes tight and began to push. She heard what sounded like water balloons hitting the floor. Growing fearful that her time was ticking and the nurses would catch her, she bit down on the sheet and let out a scream while pushing her absolute hardest. Feeling like her heart would explode, and her whole body shaking, finally she felt the release. The baby was out. And falling to the floor. Head First.  

[bluesakurablossom]

Acceptance and New Friends

Emotions were running high and seemed like at any given moment Leo, Donnie, Raph and Mikey would be having an anxiety attack. Even after deciding to wanting to stay hidden from the rest of the human population after their latest mission, the NYPD and Chief Vincent had decided that they wanted to do something more for their heroic deed in defending their home and the world. They decided to give them one of the biggest wishes that any mutant could ever dream of. The gift of freedom. Yes they were given the opportunity to be able to walk the streets of New York above with other humans. 

At first glance they seem very unsure about this whole thing, after all even though they had a bit of a rough start with the police after the whole Foot Ninja break in and were now on good terms, they seem hesitant on trying again fearing they would receive the same reaction. And trust them, they didn’t need to hear being called freaks or monsters again, the first time was already degrading enough. It took a lot of convincing from April, Casey, Vern and Rebecca to give this another chance, but after some time they decided they had nothing else left to lose and now took the risk. 

It was so different being able to walk above and not feel like the need to hide all the time and you could just walk around like you were a normal person. It felt weird too, like being so open was a new strange feeling for each of them since they were so used to being in the shadows all those years of living underground and experiencing this seemed unreal. Never did they once think that this would be happening, not in a million years. Sure they had dreams of being able to be able to walk amongst humans but they never thought it would come true. Well here they are now in Central Park during a special harvest event with April and Casey with them. It was so gut wrenching at first that they almost bailed out and wanted to go back home, but all seemed to be going well so far. No one around them seemed bothered or scared or disgusted. Sure they did get a few looks but they were only smiles and curiosity. It seemed unreal almost like a dream, never did they think that they would ever get another smile from another human besides their own human friends. 

Getting into the whole thing better now, they were chilling out underneath one of the biggest oak trees in the park while other families were around them chatting away. Talking themselves they noticed another family was coming into the park, a young woman with a little girl hand in hand with her mother came walking by them. Every time someone would walk by they feared the worst but each time it was the opposite and that’s just what this mother did. She gave them a smile with her little girl moving on ahead with a giggle. 

They sighed heavy in relief, making April look at them concerned. “Guys you don’t need to be scared every time someone walks past, you are all okay”, she said

“It’s just a bit frightening you guys, I mean we have never done this before, I mean its not common finding walking talking turtles out and about with humans”, Donnie said “The odds are basically zero to zero”

“I know it is, I know it must be scary, but look around no one seems bothered by your appearance let alone every time someone walks by they give you a smile”, she said

“Yeah and if someone gives you a bad look just let me handle them, I will give them a whack with my hockey stick”, Casey said, flipping his hockey stick beside him making April look at him with a cocked eyebrow and slapped his arm, making him wince and rub his sore arm

It earned chuckles from everyone and decided to explore more while the others went back to conversation, Leo got from their spot under the tree and went towards the drink table and eyed immediately at the huge fruit punch bowl that sat in the middle. Using the ladle to get himself a small drink, he sighed with content feeling the fresh fruit liquid run down his throat. He looked around watching many families were content in doing their own activities and or talking with each other. He smiled when he saw little kids chasing each other around the pond and some were flying kites high up into the air. It made him look back to when he himself was that small with his brothers when they would play games like Buck Buck and exploring tunnels pretending to be brave ninja warrior battling sewer monsters. Unware to him he didn’t notice a little figure was walking past him, he sensed it and thought they went away but then he sensed someone came back and saw the little girl he saw earlier come walking up to him. “Hello there”, her voice sounding so gentle and sweet 

He couldn’t help but smile at the very sight of her. She was so small compared to his figure, her dark blue jean jacket covered her purple dress that matched her brown cowgirl boots. Her blonde thin hair was held back into a half style ponytail and in her hands she had collected small flowers nearby. He knelt down on to his knee to come down to her level. “Well hello there to you too young lady”, his voice matching hers

“I have never seen you around here before”, she said, curiously “Are you new here?”

He chuckled softly. “Well I have been here a long time, just haven’t been around a lot of people”, he said 

“Are you a turtle?”, she asked, looking at him, but that smile never left her face. He seemed quite surprised that she was interested in him, she didn’t look at ounce bit scared or nervous. Those sweet royal blue eyes were starting to melt his heart. Even for a young child her age, she seemed so calm in being in front of a giant reptile like himself, treating him like a neighbor welcoming someone into the neighborhood. 

“Well yes I am, I know I may look a bit giant and different, but I am not scary as you think”, he said, trying to assure her that he wasn’t what he thought most people would think about him

She just continued to smile. “You are not scary, you are nice, I love turtles”, she said, as she stepped closer looking down at the flowers she picked earlier, taking a couple of daisies from the bunch

Gently reaching up she slid the flowers into the edge of his blue bandana before stepping back a bit. “Welcome”, she said 

He felt his heart flutter at the thought of someone being so open and kind towards him as he felt the flowers were secured in his mask with his hand. Her smile never stopped and he couldn’t seem to have stopped either. Looking at her made him realize that maybe not all humans had thought the same that they were good ones out there like April and Casey and Vern and the police force. He knew that being himself that true acceptance would always come from being yourself, even though he had doubts that anyone else would actually accept him, having this young child accepting him seemed like a victory to him. “I see you have a made new friend honey”, a female voice spoke with happiness 

The same young woman he saw with her, probably was the girl’s mother, come up to the two of them. “Yes mommy”, she said, looking up to her mother hugging her around her leg 

He felt a bit of nervousness once more course through his system, a bit fearful of what might happen next. “I am sorry mam”, he said, standing up to his feet, feeling a bit weak in the knees

“Sorry for what? There is no need to be dear”, The woman only smiled at him shaking her head “My daughter is very open and friendly with everyone and I can see she was almost starting to make a flower crown for you” 

She eyed the daises that she had put in his mask. First the young girl and now her mother were being so open and treating him like he was another person, seemed to have added on to the good feeling of acceptance. “Mommy do you think we can meet the others too that we walked past?”, The little girl looked over towards his family whom he looked over towards and smiles were plastered on their faces seeing the adorable sight that was in front of them. 

“Its up to him sweetheart, you don’t mind do you? We would love to get to know you all”, She smiled towards Leo

Now they were wanting to get to know them better? Man this must be a dream, he felt like someone should pinch him awake. But this was real, happening right now. “O-of course yes, you can”, Leo stuttered “Oh I am Leo by the way”

“It’s certainly a pleasure meeting you Leo, I am Maryanne”, The lady, now known Maryanne said 

“Come on Leo”, The little girl reached up her little hand towards him

She smiled up to him waiting for him to accept her invitation and he felt an even bigger smile come to his face as he gently reached to take her little hand into his giant one. It was so small and fragile that he was afraid that he might just hurt her, but she squeezed on to one of his fingers secured like she wasn’t going to let him go. He just wanted to melt inside. He then let the rest of his hand encase around her hand gently. “Her name is Ellie”, Maryanne said 

He looked back down at her with the never stopping smile. “Hi Ellie”, he said, softly 

She smiled more and she lead him over towards the rest of the family with her mother in tow beside the two of them. The two families were getting along great with each other. Talking most about their lives and even small topics on Ellie. They were laughing and enjoying themselves while enjoying drinks and small plates of food they had gotten from the harvest table. Ellie was placing flowers in Mikey’s mask while they both were laughing. “What do you think so far?”, he asked

“Needs more daisies that or carnations”, Ellie said, as she giggled placing a few more on the back of his head 

“I still can’t believe that you managed to take down that alien ship, I thought for sure we were all goners, who knows what that could of done” Maryanne was looking intrigued of hearing their latest mission in taking down the Technodrome and sending it back to its dimension 

“Trust us, it wasn’t easy, it was probably one of the hardest things we have ever done”, Donnie said, taking a sip of his ice tea “But something tells me it probably won’t be the last time we will deal with Kraang”

“You mean he might come back?”, Ellie asked, looking a bit worried looking up from finishing the flower crown. Leo looked towards her concerned and let his hand soothingly touch her shoulder giving it a gentle rub. “It might happen again honey, but we will make sure that nothing bad happens”, he said, making her smile return once more

“If he does, do you think I can help?”, she asked, sounding cheerful, and that made the turtles and her mother smile towards her offering. Leo chuckled softly and smiled. “We would love for you to help, but I am afraid that this one would be a little too dangerous for you sweetie”

“Oh okay”, she nodded in understanding

“Well I could give her a few lessons, she could probably take down the weapons”, Raph teased, with a smirk 

“Yeah Raph if you were to being teaching her, she would be a body builder by the time she is ten”, Mikey joked earning a smack from his brother, which made Ellie giggle a little 

“Hey can’t help I love working out so much”, He rolled his eyes a bit annoyed making everyone laugh. But there was some stares in the distance that were what they had feared all this time. A couple was standing off a few feet away and were alone. They were looking and whispering things that could easily been determined from their mouths, it seems like they were trying to make things very obvious of what they were saying. Maryanne seemed to notice that the boys were trying to make themselves look unnoticed and sinking down and that was making her seem upset very quickly. “I will be right back”, she said, sounding very stern 

She didn’t sound happy at all, not like how she was during her talk. It sounded like she might just explode at any given moment. “Is there a problem here?”, Maryanne said, with her arms crossed over her chest 

“You are actually talking with those creatures? In front of your child no less?”, the woman stated loud enough to where they could hear her 

Ellie heard those words and noticed the boys were looking sad and she walked up quickly towards her mother who was still confronting the couple. “They are not just creatures, they are living breathing beings that have a lot of heart and purpose”, Maryanne said, with her tone growing more tense by the second 

“How could you think that something like that can have heart or purpose?”, the man said, laughing at her response 

“What are you saying?”, Ellie asked, standing beside her mother sounding upset herself 

“Those turtle things are freaks honey and you shouldn’t be talking to freaks”, the woman said, sounding all sarcastically sweet towards her 

But she didn’t buy that not for one second and an angry look came to her face. “You are mean, and you are bullying our new friends, they didn’t do anything to you and you are being very mean”, she said “I thought people were suppose to be nice to each other and not make fun of or be mean towards someone else, we treat people nicely!

“How dare you say that about them? They may not look like any of us but that doesn’t give you the damn right to judge on their appearance. I may have just met these young fellows, but believe me they have more humanity and more heart than any individual person would have on this whole population on this planet. You seem to have no understanding whatsoever about the need to stop about discrimination, maybe you both should learn something about it”, Maryanne’s tone was firm but seemed to be calm and not rising

“You are actually okay with this?”, she asked, in disbelief

“Not only am I am okay with I would support anyone for who they are so yes”, Maryanne said with a firm nod “Your words must be hurting them to the core, this is who they are, let them be who they are”

“They are good people, why be mean to someone you haven’t even met? If that’s who they are and makes them feel special, then its okay”, Ellie said “Its okay to me”

The boys were stunned seeing this mother and daughter duo standing up against this couple and what was said next really blew their minds. “Well then you are just disgusting, teaching your daughter all of this, talking to these monster things and thinking that its okay”, the woman scoffed 

That seemed to set Maryanne off making her look beyond angry and before she could say anything Ellie stepped forward in front of her. “You stop that now! They are not things and they are not monsters! You are! Both of you! Leave them alone! They don’t deserve this! If you can’t say something nice don’t say nothing at all!”, she said, pointing at them angrily “I think you both should leave”

“What my daughter said, they have probably heard worse things just as this and we are not going to stand around and just let that happen, not while we are here, I think both need to leave and don’t come back! Now!”, Maryanne was glaring too with her hands on her daughters shoulders

“You both are a waste of time”, the man said, as he and the woman scoffed leaving them alone finally

“So are you”, Ellie said, quietly looking at them before walking away with her mother following behind her. Walking back to their friends they were at loss of words of what just went down. At this point they didn’t know what just happened, they were not sure who stunned them more, the couple dishing out on them or a mother and a young child defending them and throwing it back in their faces. 

“Man you guys just let them have it”, Mikey said, completely stunned

“Oh believe me, I have had worse confrontations, some of them I have almost gone to blows”, Maryanne said, as she sat back down in her spot 

“Why did you stick up for us like that?”, Raph asked, sounding a bit baffled from this. Any of them would think that someone ridiculing them would join them in the hurtful bandwagon, besides April and Casey and Vern but to see these two sticking up for them was beyond.

“I believe that no one should be judged upon regardless of how you look, what background you come from, what religion you believe in or what things you love to do, if its what makes you special and happy than that is all that matters”, she said, with her sweet tone returning back “I feel if anyone is to receive discrimination of any kind, you never know that could be me”

Her words of wisdom touched their hearts and it was making that window of opportunity to change the world’s view on them much larger and that they will be praised like the heroes that they should be. With getting over the whole incident, they enjoyed the feast together and even playing a fun game of football with even the girls joining in on the fun and watching a show of fireworks when it was getting darker out as the bright lights lit up the beautiful night. Soon the festival was drawing to an end and families one by one were starting to leave the park to head home. The boys along with their friends were about to head home along with Ellie and Maryanne heading back to their condo across the other side of the park after saying their goodbyes to each other. Leo was gathering up the blanket when he felt a tug on his pants leg making him look down to see his little friend with a smile and more flowers were in her hand. “Hey Ellie, we had a really fun time with you guys tonight”, he said 

“We did too”, she said, with a bright smile “I had a lot of fun, I am sorry that those people were saying mean things about you guys”

Her smile turned slowly into a frown. “Oh there is nothing to be sorry about honey, its not the first time we have heard something familiar”, he said “You were a very brave young lady in telling them what you said”

“I was always told you have to be nice to everyone you meet”, she said “My daddy before he passed away told me that if you always be nice to everyone the kindness will be given back to you”

“Well I thank you very much for standing up to what’s right, its not often we get that from anyone”, he said

“Maybe people should get to know you before they say something mean, they will see what a nice turtle you are and your brothers too”, she said, with a smile returning to her face

He couldn’t help but smile. “You are wise beyond your years”, he said, softly

“I get that a lot”, she said, with a giggle making him chuckle as well

“Ellie darling, come on!”, Maryanne called out 

“Coming Mama!”, Ellie called back, looking back towards her before looking back to him “Bye Leo, I hope we can see each other soon”

“I hope we can too, it was certainly a pleasure in meeting you Ellie”, he said, with a loving smile

She ran up to him and hugged him tight around his neck and her little hug made him a bit startled at first but he hugged her gently in return. It last a few moments before she pulled away but not before taking one more flower from the bunch, this time a little blue one that matched his mask and placed it where she put the daisies earlier that he still kept in with a smile. But what she did next he wasn’t expecting at all by placing her little hands on his cheeks and kissing his forehead and she ran off to join her mother as she smiled down to her. Leo felt a warm feeling come over his heart as he watched her join hands with her mother and she looked back giving him a wave. He waved softly back as they disappeared over the clearing. This trip out again from the shadows went better than he could of ever thought and knowing that there was good ones out there and ones that would stand up against others who are not so open and would judge that maybe that there was more and that maybe more and more people will come to accept them for who they are. Breathing living beings with pure hearts.