#you guys should’ve seen it. it was a magical moment

[exilepurify]

There aren’t enough sparkly Teru edits in the world and I’m here, one man on a mission, to change that.

Teru ain’t got time!

Song: I Ain’t Got Time! by Tyler the Creator

[pretentiouswreckingball]

✯my entry for the @croptopjames fest✯

jegulus | 1.3k | non-canon/magical au

summary:

It was revenge, they say, for a prank they played on the other houses. So if Lupin and Pettigrew got their trousers turn into shorts, and Black got his shirt turn into a crop top, then that means Potter—

“Did you hear what happened?”

“They say it was revenge for a prank on the other houses,”

“Seems like a weird way to take revenge,”

“Someone said it was a new statement for the dress code,”

“Of course those Gryffindors would come up with something like that,”

“Mila from my transfiguration class says someone charmed their clothes to transform into something else whenever they wear it. You know, trousers turn into shorts and—”

“Oh, so that’s why Lupin and Pettigrew were wearing shorts! But why was Black’s shirt cropped? Not that I mind the view but—”

“Maybe the spell worked in pairs? If Lupin and Pettigrew got shorts, and Black’s shirt was cropped, then maybe Potter got—”

But Regulus had heard enough.

He should’ve known something was off the moment he crossed Lupin and Pettigrew earlier that day wearing shorts of all things, but if he was completely honest with himself, his mind was somewhere else and didn’t even think twice about it. But now, after eavesdropping on a conversation of some sixth years, maybe he shouldn’t have been so dismissive.

Entering the Great Hall for lunch, Regulus makes a b-line for his seat at the end of the Slytherin table and starts filling his plate absentmindedly, trying to ignore the sight of his brother at the Gryffindor table, talking animatedly to Lupin and Pettigrew, still in those ridiculous clothes. His mind inevitably going to the person who’s conveniently, not among them.

The thing is, Regulus isn’t capable of thinking of a piece of clothing that would look bad on James Potter.

He has seen the guy practising on the Quidditch pitch for Salazar’s sake. He has had a front row of what James’ body looks like when he leans on his broom, quaffle in hand, gaining some speed over his fellow teammates. He has seen how his forearms look when he grips the handle hard and how his thighs squeeze the rear of the broom when he’s doing a particularly hard move so he doesn’t fall.

So no, he doesn't think there’s a piece of clothing that would look bad on him, he could pull any look, especially a crop top, and that is the problem, isn’t it?

Regulus could feel his cheeks warming at the thought. Oh no this is bad, what he’s going to do if he sees him wearing that? He’s going to make a fool of himself and he can’t afford that. No, Regulus needs to get the fuck out of there if he wants to make it with his dignity intact.

Practically stuffing his face, Regulus tries to be as quick as possible, cursing in his mind at the idiot who hexed James Potter to be stuck with that particular piece of clothing, or lack thereof, more like.

“Let it not be said that we don’t do anything nice for you, Regulus,” a voice comes from behind and Regulus freezes and then groans.

Looking up from his plate, he eyes the pair who has taken the seats in front of him, both looking smug as fuck, “You guys are unbelievable,”

Evan hums in agreement, “Aren’t we just?”

“Wasn’t a compliment,”

Barty tuts disapprovingly, stealing a piece of food from Regulus' plate and popping it in his mouth, “Why Regulus, we thought you would be thrilled by this, can’t believe you’re this ungrateful.”

“Crop tops, really?” He huffs, stabbing whatever is left of his chicken, “And don’t get me started on the shorts.”

“Those were my idea,” Evan mentions.

Regulus doesn’t get it, “Why though?”

“We couldn’t be so obvious and only hex Potter, we had to cover our traces,” Barty says, turning his head slightly to look at the Gryffindor table. “Besides, the others look ridiculous, minus your brother of course, the bastard is fit as fuck.”

“Why though?” Regulus repeats, this time even more aggravated at the notion of Barty ogling his brother.

Evan gives him a pointed look, “You know why,”

Regulus drop his gaze, sniffing lightly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,”

Barty smirks at him, “You will,”

There’s a sudden ruckus at the entrance. The voices grow loud and you could hear some whistles here and there but what actually catches Regulus’ eyes when he looks up, is the man at the doors.

Something inside him is pleased to notice he was right about James looking good in any piece of clothing, especially something that would show his really fit body. James is looking a little dishevelled, but that only makes him look even prettier. Still enthralled by the sight of James Potter wearing something this sinful, Regulus notices a little too late a voice shouting really close to him, efficiently taking him out of his rivery.

“Looking good, Potter!”

“Barty!” Regulus hisses in embarrassment as James looks in his direction. And oh, the way he smiles at Regulus as soon as their eyes connect.

Regulus is incapable of doing much else under the intensity of that look, he wants to run like he had planned before. He wants to hide, not only from James but from the way he feels when he’s near. Pathetic as it is, the only thing Regulus is capable of doing is following James as he makes his way to the Slytherin table.

Regulus blinks hard at that. Wait, Slytherin table?

Before Regulus can process that, James is already standing right in front of him.

“Rosier, Crouch,” he greets them, still not taking his eyes off Regulus.

“Potter,” Barty nods in his direction. “Nice shirt, does it come in men’s?”

James grin turns sharp, “You don’t want me to answer that, Crouch,”

“Okay, time to go, have a great one!” Evan practically drags Barty aways as the latter cackles like a madman all the way out of the Great Hall.

When his laugh fades, James is still in front of Regulus and Regulus is purposefully looking at anything but his face, so his gaze inevitably fall at the only thing at his eye-level, James’ stomach.

There are beads of sweet running down over that beautiful golden skin and all Regulus wants, is to touch it to see if it’s as soft as it looks. Wondering how it would feel under his teeth.

James clears his throat to catch Regulus' attention. Unnecessary, since he hasn’t lost it the moment he entered the Great Hall.

“So, Regulus,” he starts.

“Yes?” He can see the trail of hair disappearing under the navy trousers. He’s having a hard time not to reach out and touch it.

He’s being so brave about this whole thing, someone should notified his mind-healer.

A beat of silence and then a hand, reaching for his chin and turning his face up, callous fingers against his soft skin. The sight of James’ playful smile makes something inside him melt.

“My eyes are up here, love.”

His cheeks get warmer out of the embarrassment of being caught. Not that he was subtle in the least but still, embarrassing.

James doesn’t seem to mind in the least.

“You’re blushing,” he notices.

Regulus' face is practically red at this point.

“Shut up,” he grumbles and James chuckles.

“No, no, I like it,” he says, voice soft. “Red looks good on you,” and then he proceed to fucking caressing his cheek.

It’s settled then, Regulus is living inside a romantic novel where making a fool out of yourself in front of someone you fancy is necessary and crop tops are a thing.

“What do you want?”

“Just wanting to say hello,” James says, eyes softening. “Hello,”

“Hi,” Regulus says, like an idiot.

“Fancy a Quidditch game with me?”

Regulus frowns. “Right now?”

“Why not?”

“You’re not wearing the proper gear,”

James smirks, “I think I will manage,”

This is a bad idea, a terrible one and Regulus knows it, everyone knows it and yet— “Lead the way then,”

James lets his hand drop from his face, and it takes all of Regulus not to chase the touch, but the feeling of loss is quickly replaced with excitement when he sees James holding his hand up for Regulus to take.

Regulus does, of course he does.

Hand in hand, they make it to the Quidditch pitch.

Together.

[irwinsblender]

drunk on halloween

a/n: felt like writing a halloween themed fic as halloween was coming up! and i noticed a lack of wallows fics on here!!! so i thought id write one for braeden :)

happy halloween to those who celebrate <3

pairing: braeden x reader

summary: you hadn’t been to many social gatherings since your break up quite a few months ago, braeden thinks going to a halloween party with a small amount of drinking may do you some good. although, that may come with an unexpected confession.

warnings: drinking alcohol, reader feeling negative about herself

word count: 2.4k

✩ ✩ ✩

Halloween.

Usually you’d be the first person to be wanting to go out and buy a costume to go to a gathering or party with your friends.

You loved halloween. It’s the time of year you get to dress up however you want, in whatever costume you want, and you always found that thrilling.

The past couple of years, you would match costumes with your boyfriend, go to some stupid party and most likely get laughed at by his friends. It wasn’t all that fun for you now that you think back to it.

This year would be very different. You and your boyfriend broke up back at the start of the year. Which meant, no matching costume, no shitty halloween party.

Instead, you would get to spend the day with your friends. Especially, your longtime friend, Braeden. You’d turned down his halloween plans since being with your boyfriend, which was mostly his doing, so this year would be a breath of fresh air.

In your opinion, Braeden had stayed friends with you for longer than he should’ve. For reasons out of your control, you didn’t talk to him as much, you skipped plans, you practically avoided him. All because of your ex.

Braeden repeatedly told you that it wasn’t your fault. That he knew what was going on, that he wasn’t mad at you over it whatsoever.

He could never be mad at you, he cared about you way too much for that.

Since your break up, Braeden had been with you almost every day. He’d be at your apartment, cooking you food, watching movies with you, letting you borrow his clothes, sleeping over with you more than being in his own house.

You hadn’t been out much since everything happened, so Braeden put in extra effort to get you to have a good time. He took you out to eat, took you to your favourite ice cream spot, everything a boyfriend would do.

He was the perfect guy. And maybe he’d wished you’d seen that sooner.

Now, you were sat on Braeden’s bed. Legs comfortably crossed in front of you as you waited for him to change into his costume in the bathroom.

He’d told you about the halloween party Dylan would be throwing at his place, suggesting that it might be a nice time for you to see friends and relax for the night.

It didn’t take long for him to walk into the room, standing with his arms out for you to see the full outfit.

“So, you’re meant to be a… magician?” You asked, the black pants, white shirt, cape and hat made that obvious.

“And I have the props to go with it,” he enthusiastically held out a deck of cards and a magic wand. “Maybe I can magic a rabbit out of my hat.”

“You have a rabbit?”

He had an odd expression on his face. An almost unreadable one. He went to his drawers, pulling out a headband… with bunny ears on it. He raised his eyebrows.

You realised at that moment why Braeden had suggested for you to wear your most hated white dress to this halloween party. You’d even put on a hoodie over it because you hated it so badly.

“You’re not serious,” you folded your arms. “You really want me to be the bunny?”

“I just thought i’d might be nice to have a matching outfit,” he defended himself.

“But, I only used to do matching outfits with—“

You sighed, running your hands through your hair. Braeden, put the headband down on his cabinet, slowly sitting down next to you.

“I thought us doing a matching outfit could take your mind off of it,” he explained. “Give you some new happy memories for halloween.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” you looked at him, seeing the sorrowful look on his face. “I know you’re doing this for me, it’s just that it’s the first halloween since everything happened.”

“And I probably should’ve asked about these outfits before calling you over here,” he truly did feel bad. He didn’t want to make you do this if you didn’t want to. “I’ll take you home so you can wear something you want to wear.”

You contemplated for a moment. Looking at this thought out costume that Braeden was wearing. You didn’t want to ruin something else for him.

He did this for you, he wanted to try and make you happy, make you forget about your ex. Another example of how much he cared, that he was willing to take you home now if you really didn’t want to do this.

“Give me the bunny ears,” you held your hand out.

“You’ll do it?”

“I’ll do it.”

He abruptly stood, grabbing the bunny ears to give them to you. You stood up too, standing in front of his mirror to place them atop your head.

The ears looked ridiculously large on you. Either way, you turned around to show Braeden who was waiting patiently behind you to see. He let out a quiet laugh, coughing to cover it up after.

“Don’t laugh!” You folded your arms over your stomach. “You’re the one who wanted me to do this.”

“No, no, you look great,” He straightened up the ears on your head, staying close to you afterwards.

You looked up at him, the sweet expression on his face, the way he was looking at you. There was meaning in that look, there must’ve been.

“Um, we should probably get going,” he stepped away, finding his phone to check the time. “I have a pair of white gloves for you too, where did I put them?”

He rummaged through his drawer, finding them after a few moments. He handed them to you, watching as you slipped them on.

“Okay, I’m ready,” you smiled, Braeden raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Your hoodie.”

“What about it?”

“Aren’t you gonna take it off?” He asked. “For your dress.”

“Oh, uh, totally.”

You hesitated for a moment, taking your bunny ears off before slowly pulling the sleeves over your hands to go to take it off, but you stopped. Your dress was thin, slightly clingy. Did you have to do this?

“I always think you look beautiful in your dresses,” Braeden leaned against his wardrobe, noticing the unsure look on your face.

“it’s just—“ you closed your eyes, shaking your head. “It makes me look—“

“Pretty?” He spoke over you. “Gorgeous?”

“Come on, stop,” you chuckled.

He raised his hands in defence, looking away as you eventually pulled your hoodie over your head, placing it on Braeden’s bed before turning around.

He went to speak, no words coming out. He’d underestimated how much he’d missed getting to hang out with you, getting to do things like this with you. With his best friend. Perhaps the person he saw more as a friend.

“You look beautiful,” he smiled softly. You rolled your eyes. “I’m serious, we look good together, huh?”

Together.

You looked down at your dress, over to his magician costume, “we match well,” you finally agreed. “Good job thinking of this.”

You both discussed final arrangements for Dylan’s party, making your way over to his house soon after.

It didn’t take long to get there, Dylan greeting you at the door in his priest costume before grabbing drinks for you both to have for the start of the night.

You passed Cole in his pumpkin outfit on the way to the living room, enjoying himself as much as everyone else here.

Braeden knew you had a tendency to drink to forget about your problems, so he was making sure to watch you didn’t over do it, not wanting you to end up feeling sick.

It was hard for you to admit to yourself, but you had been having a good time here so far. For the first time in two years, you were having fun on halloween. Without your boyfriend, without his stupid friends that you never knew.

You were having fun with Braeden, your best friend who you suddenly felt the need to be overly thankful to. Perhaps the alcohol in your system taking effect after being half way through your second drink.

“You know,” you gained Braeden’s attention, sitting on the sofa in the living room. “You really didn’t have to do all this matchy outfit thing for me just to try and make me happy.”

“You know,” he mocked jokingly. “I’d do anything for you if it means you’re happy.”

“Well, I am, I’m very happy,” you shuffled closer to him. “I don’t know what I did to deserve a friend like you, or to keep you around.”

He sighed, glancing to your cup to see it was almost empty. You did tend to get emotional when you’re drunk, so that’s what this must be.

“I was always gonna stay around,” he leaned forwards, placing his cup on the small table. “I wasn’t about to lose you over some shitty guy.”

“He was shitty, wasn’t he?” You laughed with a shake of your head. “You’re not shitty though, you’ve never been shitty.”

“I try my best,” Braeden laughed with you.

As he sat back, you leaned that small bit closer, laying your head on his shoulder. You decided you liked him this close, feeling his arm go around your shoulders.

He noticed you fiddling with the top of your plastic cup, something you usually did if you had something on your mind. He took a deep breath, trying to slow his racing heart with you being so close.

From beside him, Dylan walked past, knocking his shoulder gently with a raise of his eyebrows. He knew how Braeden felt about you, so did Cole who was looking from the other side of the room.

“Why are they looking at us like that?” You asked, causing Braeden to abruptly look down at you.

You looked up at him, now realizing the close proximity you were in. Neither of you moved. It’s as if everything around you froze. Had his eyes always been this dreamy?

“Is it hot in here?” He suddenly questioned.

“what?”

“We should um, go and get some air,” he turned away. Glaring at his two friends as he stood up.

You didn’t know what was going on, but you followed his lead, stumbling slightly as you stood up, maybe you did drink a little too much.

Braeden immediately reached for your hand, steadying you before going any further.

“You okay?” He double checked.

You looked down at your hand in his, suddenly feeling your heart racing. This hadn’t happened before. What was going on?

“Drunk on halloween, how cliche,” you chuckled, forcing yourself to look up at him.

He shook his head at you, starting to lead you away from the living room, his hand keeping hold of yours.

You went to the back of the house, leaving through the back door. It was quiet in the backyard, peaceful, away from all the music and drinking.

You both sat down on the patio chair, now letting go of Braeden’s hand. It was a clear night, the bright stars glowing in the sky above you. Tonight was a perfect night.

Sitting in the quiet was definitely needed. Letting your mind settle, although, the only thing you could think about was all the moments you’d had with Braeden today.

The way he looked at you in his house when he adjusted your bunny ears, him calling you beautiful, his arm around you inside, the way he looked at you then, him holding your hand.

You were close to Braeden. He was your best friend. But things had felt different tonight.

Without thinking, your hand had started to edge closer to his. Pinky’s touching, linking yours with his as a little gentle touch. He didn’t move his hand away, didn’t ask what was going on.

Friends don’t act like this. do they?

“Thank you for getting me to come to this party,” you broke the silence. “It’s been nice spending this time with you again.”

“I’ve missed it,” he admitted. “It’s been a while since we’ve been together to have a good time, rather than you being upset.”

“yea, together.”

You took a long breath in, shuffling to look at Braeden beside you. He turned too, not knowing why you were looking at him the way you were.

You reached up, taking his hat off of his head to run your hand through his fluffy brown hair. The only look in his eyes was adoration, he couldn’t help but smile.

“I don’t know why I ever thought he was a good guy,” you said referring to your ex. “When I’ve had you the whole time.”

Braeden furrowed his eyebrows, he didn’t understand where you were going with this.

“I don’t know why I didn’t see it before,” you cupped his cheek in your gloved hand. “I think it’s been you for longer than I realized before.”

“Stop,” he moved away slightly. “You’re drunk.”

“I’m not saying this just because I’ve been drinking, Brae,” you defended. “No one’s ever cared about me the way you do, you’re always here, no matter what.”

He knew you were serious after calling him by that nickname. He sighed, relaxing into your touch as you continued on. You felt ever so closer to him now, the closest you’re sure you’d ever been to him.

Close enough to notice his quick glance down to your lips.

“I pushed you away, when I should’ve been honest with you, with myself, from the start.”

Now it was Braeden’s turn. He brushed his thumb delicately across your cheek before tucking your hair behind your ears.

“I guess my whole plan for tonight was to give you some happier halloween memories,” he holds your chin between his thumb and finger. “Can I kiss you?”

You don’t know what you’d expected, but it wasn’t for him to say that. Judging by his initial reaction, you were expecting him to move away completely.

“I thought you would’ve noticed the signs earlier on,” he leaned in closer. “Maybe now’s finally the right time.”

Without another word, he moved forwards. His lips connecting to yours in a soft kiss. He slowly pulled away after, waiting to see your reaction.

You had the most lovestruck smile on your face. A blush rising on your cheeks before you quickly cuddled up to Braeden.

This Halloween had been perfect. And now you knew that he’s all you needed and more.

✩ ✩ ✩

taglist: if you would like to join my wallows taglist, please comment here or see this post

[whatsaninterestingplacethisis]

Hot Stuff

Imagine

Nico Hischier x Latina!Reader

Synop: y/n and friends go out to a 80s theme night club because why not.

cw: drinking

a/n: this is very “cheesy”, very movie magic, does not happen in real life

+++

You were dressed in boot cut jeans with black booties and a satin button up blouse, with the top buttons unbuttoned.

“Do I or do I not look hot?” Your friend walks into your room posing in her 80s themed skimpy outfit.

“You look hot.” You say with lack of emotion as you zipped up your boots.

“Wow thanks I really believed you there.” She nudges your shoulder and looks at both of your reflections in the mirror.

“I look hot. You look hot. So cheer up and let’s go to the kitchen, everyone is taking pre gamers!” She hugs your shoulders tightly before joining the rest outside.

“I’m not drinking tonight!” she was long gone to hear. You weren’t much the drinker, other nights you would participate but tonight seemed better sober.

You walk out to the kitchen to see everyone in their get up and truth be told everyone did look hot.

“Cmon y/n/n! Take at least one shot!”

“Yeah how do you expect to dance tonight without being intoxicated?”

One of your friends was right, to dance to 80s jams without any alcohol in your system seemed futile.

“Alright,” You swished the drink down and the Uber was ready to pick you guys up.

+++

To your surprise the club had a lot more people than first to be expected. There were many madona blondes and Michael Jackson thrillers. It was the month of October, so in a way tonight was kind of a Halloween celebration.

As soon as you and your friends walked in, one dragged all of you to the bar, swiftly ordering tonight’s meal.

So much for not drinking, because before you knew it you’re three beers in, starting to feel inebriated, dancing your heart out with friends to Hot Stuff by Donna Summers.

“I need some hot stuff baby tonight!” Your friend screams.

“I need some hot stuff baby this evening!” You scream.

Screaming horribly pitched singing and dancing but having the time of your life in this moment. You and your friend laugh at your guy’s antics.

“I’m gonna get a beer! You want something?” You yell

“I’m good!”

As much fun and liberating dancing is, it’s a goddam workout. Surely alcohol will keep you hydrated.

+++

“I’ve never seen Top Gun.” Nico stares at Jack whose holding a green aviator jumpsuit for him. An exact replica of what’s he’s wearing with a white t-shirt under and sunglasses propped on his head.

“I know but we will look cool together, like maverick and goose.”

“What the hell is a maverick?”

“Just put the suit on.” Jack throws the suit towards Nico and pushes him to change.

Nico walks out twining like his teammate, with his sunglasses on.

“Hell yeah, I’m maverick and your goose.” Jack says all excited.

“Okay.” Nico states blandly.

“We’ll watch the movie after tonight so you can understand. Now let’s go and boogie.”

“Should’ve watched it before tonight” Nico murmured.

+++

Nico wasn’t one to go out and dance, especially not a decades theme dance. But here he is standing in the corner of the club because his friend dragged him to dress up as pilots. When he first walked in he admired everyone’s costumes and understood most 80s references, the music on the other hand was interesting to say the least

It’s 80s music, it’s hard to not stomp to the beat. Jack was somewhere else, probably talking to one of the madonas in the building, and Nico just people watching while sipping his drink.

Then the beat of the music started to kick up and his eyes caught on two girls dancing and singing the lyrics of the song. He couldn’t help but laugh at the site, not in a bad way but in awe as he saw people having fun. Maybe he should have fun tonight too.

+++

As the bartender brings you another beer, Donna’s melody comes to an end and the classic slow song of the 80s begins.

“…my foolish lover's game,” you mouth to sing along right before you take a swig.

You turn to see couple gathered at the floor swaying to the music and you couldn’t help to sway as well, it really is something about 80s music!

Watching in slow motion as you turn around and say

You decide to people watch as you cater your glass bottle and your eyes land a pair of brown eyes across the room as the chorus lands.

Take my breath away

You and this annoyingly handsome man who is ironically dressed in an aviator outfit, hold eye contact as the chorus ends.

You being the first to break eye contact, turn to the bar and talk to yourself, “what the hell was that.”

+++

That was weird, Nico thinks to himself. He didn’t notice as he was people watching, his eyes followed on one of the girls that were dancing to the bar.

They held eye contact what seemed like forever with the slow song blasting through the room. Nico hiccups his beverage and looks to find Jack.

+++

One of your friends finds you at the bar,

“All these couples make me gross and sad for being single.” She leans her head on your shoulder.

“I think I fell in love with an aviator.” You yell calmly.

“Huh?” You’re drunken friend asks

“Like from Top Gun, I don’t know if he was maverick or goose but what just happened was too real to ignore.” You say looking forward replaying the moment back and forth in your head.

“We’ll where is he!?”

You quickly turn around to see if he’s still there but he’s gone now. You scan the dark room for his green jumpsuit but to no avail.

“He’s gone now.” You thought to yourself maybe you imagined things.

“Wait I see him!” Your petite friend points out an aviator but it’s not him.

“That’s not him, he was taller.” You sulk

Then the other half pops into view, the maverick you held eyes with taps on goose’s shoulder to talk with and again makes eye contact with you and they both look in your direction.

“They’re looking at you.” You’re friend whispers as if they could heard across the loud room.

“I know.” You grit and make a gesture to the boys to follow you off side the dance floor.

“Follow me,” you demand as you drag your short friend to meet the men.

+++

“Hi ladies” the shorter aviator says as he styles his sunglasses on top his hair.

You and your maverick still continue this unofficial game of holding eye contact and observing one another’s style and presence.

“Yours guy’s costumes are so cute.” You drunken-tired friend says, making you lose this round of the game.

“Yeah let me guess, are you goose and he’s maverick?” You ask the dark blonde

He’s taken back as he stutters to correct you, “actually I’m mav and he’s goose, it’s not oficial or anything.” He mutters the last part.

Your mouth makes an O shape to understand but kept to yourself that the man directly in front of you looked more like a maverick than a goose.

“Y/n Im gonna find the girls, I think the night is coming to an end, at least for me.” She covers up her yawn

“Okay I’ll be there in a bit.” She leaves you with the duo

“I’m y/n by the way” you extend your hand to your maverick, curious of his name.

“I’m Nico” he shook your hand softly but noticed your strong grip.

Both of you stand in awe in one another, rethinking of the eye contact and the tension across the busy room.

A forced cough could be heard, “yeah I’m Jack.” A quick second passed before you turned to acknowledge the blonde, “hi” you swiftly say before locking eyes again with Nico.

Jack stands beside you two with googling eyes, “Okay then, I’m gonna go back to the dance floor.”

No one heard Jack’s dismissal.

“That song, the song we made eye contact with, a bit ironic isn’t it?” You ask looking up at the gorgeous man.

“Why is it ironic?”

You started to slightly panic, “because you’re dressed as a pilot from Top Gun, are you not?”

“Oh yeah I guess I am. Is the song in the movie?” Nico tilted his head in curiosity

“The song is the movie. You never seen Top Gun?” You ask in bewilderment

“No, jack made me dress like this to match him. I still don’t know what a maverick is.” He laughs nervously

“Maverick is the nickname for the main character, essentially. You should watch the movie, it’s good.”

“Maybe we could watch it together” Nico shyly but boldly says as he scratches the back of his neck

You were stunned at his boldness but didn’t let it show. A smile crept up on your face and you nod your head, “I would love to see it with you.”

a/n: lazy ending but I tried.

[eqt-95]

wip what is a wednesday

thanks @sssammich and @sideguitars for the double-team.

here is an excerpt from chapter 2 of to want and to have and to hold *rereads to make sure it's in the right order* (why did i pick this as the title)

- - - -

“Ok this… should… do it,” Kara huffed from the other side of the ship’s wall. 

Then there was a creak. Then the entire wall shifted. Then Lena felt a shot of pain and registered that her hand was now the filling of a metal sandwich. Then Lena did the irrationally instinctive thing and yanked. Hard. 

“Shit,” Lena hissed once freed.

Then she did the logical thing of shaking her hand to futilely flick away the ‘ouch’ raging through her palm.

Kara was there in an instant. She arrived with a burst of wind and a blast of sand. “What? What happened?”

“Nothing,” Lena answered. The protective way she clutched her hand disagreed. <something something ‘object impermanence’>

“Was that-?” Kara rushed, hands hovering with the hesitation of a housefly. “Oh Roa, Lena did I-”

“No,” Lena interrupted. “I wasn’t thinking and-”

“You’re always thinking,” Kara mumbled. “I should’ve…” Her hesitation faded and two impossibly warm, impossibly strong, impossibly delicate hands traced over Lena’s hand and the harsh red and blooming purple spreading across her pale skin. 

“Kara, really it’s ok-”

“No it isn’t,” Kara replied, unable to tear her eyes away from the angry discoloration. “Here.”

Lena stared at the rag Kara picked up with worthy skepticism. ‘Skepticism’ became ‘dawning realization’ when Kara exhaled and the worn fabric glistened with icy crystals. Its normalcy looked so alien. 

Hand still clutched protectively in one hand, Kara wrapped the rag around Lena’s hand with a reverence that bordered on religious. The effect was instantaneous. Throbbing pain was muted by the coolness of quickly melting ice. 

It wasn’t the only thing melting.

Lena cleared her throat. Re-solidified.

“Y-you have freeze breath.” It was said matter-of-factly. Rhetorically. With a crack in her hushed voice.

“Oh, uh, yea,” Kara remarked with a tinge of red to her cheeks. She didn’t hear the ‘rhetorical’. 

“No, I mean, I know that,” Lena clarified. “I-I know you have freeze breath.”

“Right, right-”

“You know you have freeze breath.”

“Uh… yes?”

“You’ve had it the whole time.”

And then it clicked for Kara. Kara, superhero and possessor of extra-human strength and magical qualities like freeze breath, had gone weeks in the desert without water or air-conditioning. “Oh. Oh. I-I didn’t mean to-”

“And we forgot,” Lena observed. The trace of a smirk appeared. It was a silly thing.

“W-we-?”

“Does that happen a lot? In the field?” Lena asked, interrupting Kara’s confused stammering.

Kara’s jaw bobbed open and closed with the grace of a fish. “Kinda?”

Lena nodded. An opening. A hand still linking them.

“It’s just that…” Kara began then paused. Her gaze remained fixed on Lena’s hand. Her fingers fidgeted with the now-damp rag. Her lips let honesty tumble out. “Sometimes there are all of these things happening, a-and sometimes it’s overwhelming to like, think about who’s in danger, how many bad guys there are, what’s the context that I-I don’t really have time to pick the best thing?”

Lena leaned against the wall of the ship, pondering for a moment. “That makes sense.”

“Really?” Owlish eyes blinked up from Lena’s hand to meet hers.

“Sure,” Lena answered. She shrugged. Kara stared. “Decision paralysis. You’ve got inputs and parameters changing in real time and every choice can impact life or death. It makes sense.”

“I-uh-”

“Can I get another blast of ice? This is going to swell.”

- - - -

i would LOVE to see wip bits and bobs from everyone, but I'm gonna tag a couple I haven't seen bits and bobs from in a while: @ekingston, @lovepotionnumber5, @vox-ex, @fabulousglitch, and @inkedroplets. as always, tagged respectfully and without pressure but i'll geek if y'all come out and play.

[apomaro-mellow]

Mafia AU 6 / AO3 Link

Part 5

Eddie didn’t get a call for a couple of days after their little sparring session. When he did, he was only told to meet him at a tailor’s in town. While getting ready, Eddie checked himself over in the mirror and considered going to Steve with his hair down for once. He was aware that those in high society didn’t appreciate his sense of style. But Steve had mentioned something about having a trademark. He wasn’t sure if he wanted it to be his hair though.

In the end, he kept it up in a ponytail as he usually did. Maybe once the weather cooled, he’d have an excuse to let it down. For now though, he’d leave it as is.

Eddie had never been inside a tailor shop. Never had a need or even the means for bespoke clothing. But Steve was already sitting in a chair, deep in discussion with a man who clearly worked there.

“I see what you mean. Yes, it is quite urgent.”

“Thank you for taking it on such short notice”, Steve said.

Eddie found himself being approached with measuring tape and he took a step back, holding his hands up. “Whoa, whoa, what’s the big idea here?”

“Just let Enrico do his magic”, Steve said, still sitting. “There’s an event happening soon, and I can’t let you show up in the same suit you’ve been wearing.”

Enrico made Eddie hold his arms out to the side and Eddie kept them up, understanding about only half of what was going on. Steve was getting him a new suit? For what? A party?

“You’re getting me a new suit?”

“Three. At least. It’ll have to do for now.”

Enrico tutted under his breath as he got Eddie’s measurements. “You were right about him.”

“Right about who? About what?”, Eddie asked, trying to follow Enrico as he moved around his body but also getting the feeling he should stand absolutely still. That was what people did at these fitting things, right?

Steve stood and sauntered over. Gently, he pushed Eddie’s arms back down. “I told him that you looked a little rough but underneath it all something special was waiting to shine through.”

Enrico chose that moment to measure up Eddie’s inseam and he all but jumped right into Steve’s arms. Steve grinned, keeping him upright and Eddie felt like this was all some kind of game that he didn’t know the rules of. Steve moved back and started perusing material around the store.

“Do I really need three?”, Eddie asked, grasping at something to say.

“While being sponsored, you represent me. And if you pass, it’ll be even more so. If you look ragged, I look weak. And like I don’t take care of my own.”

Eddie tried not think of how much this bill could run. “So I guess you’ll take these suits out of my first paycheck”, he teased, but was also seriously asking.

Enrico had finished and was now writing something on a notepad. Steve turned away from a selection of ties to look him up and down.

“It’s not like that. Think of it as an investment in you. I’ve never sponsored anyone. I’m hoping I get it right the first time around.”

“What happens if you get it wrong?”, Eddie asked.

Steve shrugged. “Usually the guy gets offed. Knows too much about us, you know? Can’t let him go on. I did hear that one time they let a guy go free but only after cutting his tongue. But I heard that story from this guy at a party and they like to exaggerate.”

Eddie swallowed. He knew he absolutely HAD to make it through this. But he hadn’t thought long enough about what would happen if he didn’t. If he pissed Steve off or if he didn’t do right by him. He liked having a tongue. And a life too.

“Speaking of parties, what’s this little soiree you’ve got planned?”

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

Eddie should’ve known that if Steve was putting up the money for new clothes, it wouldn’t be little. It was still being held at the Marini home (or was it the Harrington home now?) but there were more people this time. And some of them looked…normal. Every other time Eddie had seen people gathered here, it had just been the men, on the premises to discuss business.

But now he was seeing wives and children, all dressed to the nines. Steve had told him it was all in celebration of his grandfather’s birthday. It made sense that they went above and beyond to honor the previous boss. Eddie had put on one of the new suits Steve had bought for him and could feel the difference in quality immediately.

When he looked in the mirror, he could see how much better it fit him too. He didn’t look like some ruffian from the street right now. He looked like he could go and collect on behalf of his boss on his own. Like he had real credibility. Still, Eddie didn’t think it wise to try and stand out tonight.

There were plenty of bigwigs and like Steve said, he was repping his sponsor. So he stayed close to Steve’s side for the evening. Which also meant being close to Steve’s friend, who was named Robin. She’d given Eddie an odd side glance, but then ignored him for the most part. Not for the first time, Eddie wondered what her role was. She’d been hidden in that room when Steve had tried seducing him, and she’d been around in the maze that one time, but never on any of their outings.

Was she just a friend? Or was there something more going on here?

It should be said that while she didn’t talk directly to Eddie, it didn’t mean she was silent. Every time she spoke up though, it was in Italian, and Steve responded back, keeping the conversation between them. Eddie didn’t know if that meant he was the topic of the discussion or if it was actually secret family business. Either way, it was beginning to irk him.

“I’m going to go and talk to my grandfather. You two stay here. And play nice”, Steve said.

“...Was he saying that to you or to me?”, Eddie asked, breaking the ice.

Robin crossed her arms. “Either one, I guess.”

“Ah, she does speak the common tongue.”

“I speak four languages, jackass. And if you’ve got any hope for your future, you’d do well to follow along.”

“I’ve picked up a few phrases”, Eddie said. “Mostly naughty words, which are, you know, the best ones. But I guess my superiors wouldn’t want to be told ‘suca’, huh?”

“God, not with that pronunciation”, Robin laughed, cracking a smile for the first time that evening. 

“Care to give me some pointers on proper Italian, then?”

“You’re gonna need it if you’re serious about all this”, Robin gestured to the room where mobsters were mingling.

“I don’t do anything half-assed. I’m in it to the end.”

“And to what end, exactly is that?”, Robin asked. “Why are you here?”

It was such a bold question, Eddie was caught off guard. No one had ever asked him why. Or even if he wanted to. A couple goons offered him money for a job and he took it and kept taking it. Then the sponsorship had been dropped in his lap without any real input from him.

“I want a better life for me and my uncle. And if being loyal to this family gets me there, then that’s what I’ll be.”

“Loyal to the Marinis? Or to the Harringtons?”

“You know, I’ve been meaning to ask. What’s the difference?”, Eddie questioned.

“How much do you know about Steve’s family history?”, Robin asked.

Eddie thought about the bits and pieces he’d heard and gleaned. “Mom married an outsider, now he’s the boss.”

Robin hummed and nodded, confirming that part. “Sounds like you could use a crash course though.”

“I wouldn’t mind one”, Eddie said.

Robin led them over to a more secluded part of the room where they could sip and talk. “You got the summary right. Steve’s mom was a mafia princess. She was probably supposed to get with someone her dad, Steve’s grandfather over there set her up with. But she fell for this guy who had worked with the family but he wasn’t family , get it?”

Eddie nodded. Someone who wasn’t directly connected to them. Someone like him or Wayne. Well, Wayne was in now, so it was just Eddie. But he could change that.

“So anyway, it makes waves ‘cause she’s going against the grain. But her father approves it, lets them get married and all that. Steve’s grandpa retires and his son-in-law, Harrington inherits the title. Not long after that, Steve’s mom died.”

Eddie took a moment to look at Steve, who was no longer just with his grandfather, but with his dad and a couple of other men too. Eddie had a feeling about the missing mom, but he’d never confirmed it with anyone.

“Steve took his dad’s last name, which was a huge thing because in this world, the Harrington name means nothing. There’s this…divide I guess. The ones who support his dad and the ones who think he’s not right for the role of boss. And because they don’t like his dad, that means they don’t like Steve.”

“Why? Has he done anything?”, Eddie asked.

“That’s part of his problem. He can’t really do much since he presented as an omega.” Robin swirled her drink around. “It’s on him to get with a proper alpha and fix the Marini family.”

Eddie could guess what proper meant. Someone from a good family, for one. And they’d probably prefer someone Italian. Someone with similar roots to the Marinis. Someone who wasn’t an outsider. All of those guys who had seemed interested in Steve, Tommy included, all would have been accepted without much fuss, he was sure. Eddie was so out of his league, they were playing different sports.

Wai-why was he still trying to think of himself that way? He’d told Steve to his face there’d be no funny business. And then Steve had basically told him he would always fly solo. Eddie didn’t need to think about Steve’s marriage prospects because it had nothing to do with him right now.

Still, Eddie couldn’t help but think of Steve, raised up and under the tutelage of a mob boss only to be told his job was to marry someone every else thought was good enough for him, have that guy’s baby, and live out the rest of his days as an afterthought while that guy ran his family business. 

Steve found them from afar and waved them over to him.

“Is he waving to you or to me?”, Eddie asked.

Robin’s response was to lock arms with him. “Looks like we’re being summoned.”

Part 7

[gloriousburden]

Dw about the long response!! I'm happy to read everything :) And goodness I agree on so many levels! I ended up criticizing so much I had to cut this a little short, since I often start rambling in between, but … What got to me the most were these aspects that were either treated poorly or weren’t thought of at all (You might’ve seen these already so … U don’t have to answer, again, hh ((though I am happy to hear your thoughts if you have anything to say or just thought of stuff!))):

Loki’s heritage - I … I don’t know man. I guess we don’t care he’s a frost giant. That definitely didn’t mess him up. No. Not a mention of what happened while he was exiled or when he was with Thanos. These are such big events in his life. Like, enormously big. (Also him trying to end it at the end of Thor 1... man...) It’s trauma after trauma, and in the Avengers and TDW it’s quite easy to see how they affected him too, since he is so different compared to Thor 1. And no, I don’t mean to say he was an innocent baby before ofc - you already tackled that argument on another post quite well, and I’d like to add that it’s literally how he AND Thor grew up. It’s not just Loki. Sure after the trip to Midgard Thor comes back different since he learned shit but before that?? We saw how Thor acted. They took from Odin, afterall, who participated in numerous wars - it’s obvious. They’re morally gray characters - both Loki and Thor. And what made it worse is that Thor and Odin’s wrongdoings were “justified” while the moment Loki did anything he got all types of repercussions - which all of them should’ve had really. You're putting three people together, all of them made similar mistakes but only one of them is getting yelled at. Everytime. And the other two are praised for it. Why can Thor and Odin do it and he can't? If the heroes do it it's for the greater good ... but Loki's a monster, right?

TVA and just … Sylvie and Mobius. A mess. I actually didn’t like the concept of the TVA a lot, and the whole storyline in general but I won’t get into that or else it turns too long - so I’ll just focus on these two and some of Loki’s aspects. He just … “opens up” to these guys. When he … just came from an awful background. Family trauma, him being a Jotunn (another thing they fucked up, no magic? why isn’t he blue then) and all the shit he went through with Thanos. He’s captive yet again. Like everything is just repeating - I think that’d be quite traumatic and he surely wouldn’t talk about anything with them. Also whenever he spoke about his “troubles” it just felt like it was more to explain it to the viewers rather than the characters? Like it wasn’t subtle and sometimes it just felt out of place for me. Could be that I don’t remember well, but still. What was allat. Idk how to explain, I hope you get it lol

While I won’t deny some moments with Mobius did make me grin because Owen Wilson just brings a smile to my face, it’s… Yeah, no. How is Loki already “opening up” to this guy. Why is he letting him do all of that. What’s going on. He’s one of your captors. CAPTORS. Wtf. I think you also covered this in another ask. Sorry if I'm repeating things hh

Sylvie I don’t even know how to go in that argument. I was devastated. I don’t think I have the words. Not only was everything so fast and I despised this weird toxic self-cest ship because … Wtf. Not to mention how quick it all was, they jumped to a "romantic" route after what, 1 or 2 conversations and Loki suddenly "catches feelings" for someone who's an alternate version of himself (which let's be honest it's only because they decided Sylvie was going to be a woman, but they had to mess that up too - another concept they handled HORRIBLY since Loki's gender is fluid and it shouldn't be so shocking for her to be female?? Especially to him and all Loki's variants?? Why is it even an argument!! I know I shouldn’t be surprised because it’s Disney and Marvel but fuck!! [[not even sure anymore since I read that Sylvie cannot shapeshift… Idk if it’s true, again doesn’t make any sense]]) which by itself is so illogical and makes no damn sense. Most shows just handle romance and relationships like ass and I can’t believe people actually like it. Especially since this is all … Toxic?? Not even romance. Gosh I have no words because of how messy it all was.

Also little observation, I’m a little slow and I don’t know if someone mentioned this already but right at the beginning of the series the introduction is almost symbolic in a sense, lol. He’s shown with shorter and different hair compared to the Avengers, which might seem little, don't get me wrong, but … still. Maybe I’m picky with details, however it is already a change. Then, some moments later, he’s shed of his Asgardian fit too and placed in a variant uniform. Again, obvious things. But really, they decided to just. Pick his character and make … a complete new one. It’s like making an OC after putting so many headcanons on a character that it’s not even THAT character anymore, it’s just… An OC. Definitely not voluntary, it just something I noticed lol

And clearly they show it later in the episode that it’s exactly what happens. He’s just mocked continuously, which is one thing that irked me a lot like you, because it kept going and going, it wasn’t just a moment, no, they kept going with that. What's the point of the series?? Where's the development?? None of these characters grew. None.

There’s probably more but … I don’t wanna write no more lol. I’m probably gonna start reading the comics too. They seem far more promising.

Thanks for listening again!! :D Hope you're doing well btw!!

No exactly. Loki’s heritage, a FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF HIS CHARACTER, has not ever been spoken about again unless it was to mock him. I wasn’t expecting them to full on show his Jotun form or anything of that sort, but you know what, maybe I expected them to talk about it in a non humorous manner for a second or two. Considering the fact it plays a HUGE part in who Loki is. Him only being a political pawn to Odin, instead of being a son to him as he thought, is why he is the way he is. You cannot excuse or undermine that. It is just as (if not more) important as “Ohhhh Loki’s jealous of Thor..” because it is literally the source. It’s the explanation.

There is a reason he was raised with inadequate care, and it wasn’t just because Thor was stronger physically or because he fit the image of the Asgardian ideal more than Loki did.

Loki was never meant to be loved, period. It wasn’t because of his mischievous nature. It wasn’t because of him gravitating towards magic and sharp weapons rather than brute strength. It was because when he was a baby on Jotunheim, he was taken in as a future pawn, instead of as a son to be loved despite any differences or despite how he grows up.

Getting to what you said about Thor and Odin being able to be heroes, while Loki is a villain no matter what he does… it is because Loki is only there to move the plot forward. Even if he does something reasonable, or something that could even be seen as heroic, it does not matter because he is not worthy of being seen as a hero. He’s only there to be a rival to Thor. In Odin’s eyes, he cannot be loved or praised, because the image of worthiness was always far from Loki’s own image.

The series was never meant to be about Loki. It was meant to pave the way for the Multiverse saga(?) and to introduce the next big enemy (Kang the Conqueror) but we all know how that went. You can drive yourself crazy with MANY questions like… oh, how did they forget this? How did they disregard that? Because Marvel just needed a pre-existing character to fuck up, get captured by the TVA, and everything else that happens. It’s not Loki specific, because why would Marvel ever do anything good for not only Loki but Tom Hiddleston who’s put so much care and love into playing Loki?

Why would they talk about Loki’s encounter with Thanos, the events of Avengers, the events of Thor? This is supposed to be Loki STRAIGHT OUT OF THE AVENGERS, and they didn’t talk about it besides insulting him. We didn’t get any POV from Loki. Nothing. If we didn’t get a Loki’s POV on the events he’s just gone through, why would it do him any kind of justice? WHY WOULD THEY TALK ABOUT HIS HERITAGE?

The only way the series could work, is for Loki to be dumbed the fuck down and at a disadvantage. Even if he is without his abilities/weapons, Loki is VERY intelligent. If this was ACTUALLY Loki, his ass would’ve manipulated his way out of there with EASE. Marvel has always downplayed how intelligent Loki is, of course they’d do it in a series that is supposed to uplift him. It’s only Loki that gets dumbed down in his own series.

The no magic at the TVA thing… I don’t even know man. I’m going to assume the contradiction is due to the writers forgetting/disregarding anything that’s relevant to Loki’s character once again as well as them not being able to CGI Tom Hiddleston blue for however many hours the series runs for. They could’ve at least gave some kind of bullshit excuse for it. I’ve seen some theorize that Odin’s spell was just that powerful, or that it changed Loki biologically permanently or something. I don’t really remember please forgive me lol there’s posts made by others on here with more information if you are interested. I just think of it as them not caring about Loki once again.

Please do not apologize! The reason I make posts is so I can further discuss my points with others. I love hearing from everyone, and I really appreciate this ask! Forgive me for not getting to it sooner. I’ve been busy, and also wanted to make sure all of this made sense before posting. If you want to discuss anything that I’ve previously spoken of, I genuinely would love to and would appreciate it. I’m glad that people actually listen to what I have to say lol

They had to speed run the development of every relationship in order for the plot to work out, so that’s why Loki, known for not trusting others as well as being known as someone who shouldn’t be trusted, was opening up to a complete stranger (WHO WORKS FOR AN AUTHORITY) who was holding him captive, and insulting him every chance he got.

Also the “I’ve studied every aspect of your life” thing about Mobius is so weird to me??? You did that, but do not understand Loki at all and insult him??? Asshole. I hate that guy.

The concept of the series is SO fucking stupid in the first place. Not sure if you know this, but a good chunk of the plot is a screenplay/scrapped project Michael Waldron wrote a while back. Once again, Loki was never the focus of any of this. It was not written with him in mind. He needed a strong female lead, and a “male” lead to project his own plot onto basically. They just recycled it.

“The worst guy of all time and the girl who came to kill him” [Link]

It is so fucking bad, and it makes so much sense.

Sylvie… she’s definitely a character! Like she’s played by an actress, has lines, and stuff…

There is so much to be said about her. Waldron is HORRIBLE at writing women (as you can tell by the horrendous screenplay I’ve linked) and the entire concept of her character is dumb as fuck. I believe I’ve said this before, but she’s like three pre-existing characters mashed into one to keep her unique/distinctive from Loki, YET SHE BRINGS NOTHING INTERESTING TO THE SERIES AT ALL!!! HOW ARE YOU THREE CHARACTERS, BUT SO BORING??? Can Sylvie really not shapeshift? I didn’t know that. She’s literally… a Loki. That makes no fucking sense not only because of Loki in the MCU/comics, but also because of Norse Mythology Loki. The literal origins.

About Loki’s gender/sex being fluid… they never cared about that which is why Loki (and the other variants) were so fucking baffled that Sylvie was female. Not going to lie, It kind of felt misogynistic to me. A variant of Loki being in a female form could’ve been really cool, but the MCU has to fuck up anything related to female characters.

The romance… 😃

Man, the motive behind it is so fucking stupid too. Self love, because Loki has always loved himself guys. He’s so narcissistic!!! Of course he would fall in love with a female variant of himself. Because he’s so self obsessed.

Loki, ONCE AGAIN, a character known for not trusting others, would SOOOOO fall in love with someone he just met. He’s been lied to numerous times in his life by people he loved and trusted, but it’s very logical for him to fall in love with someone who’s done nothing but belittle him for a few interactions.

He had more chemistry with that book he was reading in his cell in TDW then he did with Sylvie. (or Mobius for that matter.)

Omg yessss I ship them so hard!! That’s what they sound like. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I think that “toxic” relationships can SOMETIMES be written decently in fiction, but this… 😁

Sylvie just constantly belittles Loki, and he doesn’t even belittle or mock her back! It could’ve been playful and not one sided, but if Loki dared to belittle Sylvie the way she did to him, her entire character would make no sense and every flaw would have to be given a second thought. Something the writers would never do.

They didn’t point out each other’s flaws, it was only Sylvie pointing out Loki’s. Same thing with every other character interaction Loki had in the series. It was all about “humbling” him, and no one else. AND THE SERIES IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT HIM!

I personally do not like romance in fiction in general, but GOODNESS is the MCU exceptionally horrible at handling it.

(Changed color of the ss because it was blending in with my own text lol)

No, this… this is spot on.

I’ve always thought of this as well. It put such a bad taste in my mouth. But, at least they were honest about how the series was going to go from the beginning. The first thing they do is strip him (literally) of who he is in every way possible. His personality, his armor, and his hair isn’t even the same. No because Loki really is just a base character for their shitty story. How anyone who claims to like Loki cannot see the symbolism you mentioned, as well as him NOT BEING LIKE HIMSELF WHATSOEVER, I don’t know… it was the first thing I noticed, and when I watched the series, I had probably only watched the movies featuring him a few times. That’s how stark the difference was to me.

ALSO THIS?????

EXACTLY! IT FELT LIKE IT WAS MORE TO EXPLAIN IT TO THE VIEWERS RATHER THAN THE CHARACTERS!!!!!! That is an amazing point, and I’ve been trying to put that into words. Everything is just so fucking disconnected and unnatural feeling. The interactions are so fake. HORRENDOUS WRITING. I didn’t know it could get this bad.

Once again, so sorry for not getting to this sooner. Thank you so much for the ask, and I appreciate your thoughts! You made a lot of good points, and you don’t need to apologize for anything. Feel more than welcome to send asks any time you’d like! ❤️

[ask-missparker]

Okay, who’s driving? ~ Marvel Blurb

Pairing: Mia x Nikolai, Liane x Ethan, Rick x Luna, Cole x Jeremy

Friendship pair: Josh & Bella

Summary: Moments like this the universe just wants to make it harder on us. In other words, they should’ve just called Cole…

Other characters included/mentioned: Rochelle, Michelle, Cole, Rick and Luna

~~

Warning: Slight small mention of labor, but it is mostly comedic relief to move the story forward more than anything else. Nothing graphic or informative or insane. So you’re fine. ANYWAYs, please chaos from the young avengers and family members enjoy 😉

Note: Sorta OUAT but also could be Marvel fic haha (depending on how you look at it 😊)

A/N: This was a fun idea that could be seen as crack too, due to how much going on in the fanfic. Please enjoy!

~~~~~

It was supposed to be a simple afternoon—well simple for the average group, due to them all hunting down the potions and stuff to stop the tide coming their way. A wicked protection spell.

You know save the day and explore that kinda thing?

So in response they were all sent a little goose chase and hunt for it at the docks.

It was good, they found the hidden gems and a piece of the puzzle to make the potion for later. Even broke half of the curse, destroying the spell, thanks to Liane, Joshua and Bella—restoring memories back for everyone. Yay, everything is safe and sound.

Just as things were going well at the docks with everyone talking and deciding to go back to the town square, Mia felt something off. She gripped Nikolai’s bicep and winced slightly.

“Love, are you alright?” He asked softly placing a hand on her lower back for support.

Mia chuckled awkwardly, “Eh, he he, well, either that was a Braxton Hick or a real one…”

“You’re a two weeks early, t-that’s not possible.” He replied in surprise, his tone sounding calm despite him internally freaking out.

“Yeah, well, since when have your children ever been one to surprise us by coming late?” She added jokingly.

Ethan, who was walking with Liane, looked up noticing his friends in distress. He knew his question would sound stupid, yet he still asked, “Are you guys alright?”

“You’re about to be an uncle again.” Mia murmured before clearing her throat once the contractions left and smiled in relief.

“Oh shit! I’mma be uncle again, I wasn’t there the first time around and now I am! This is exciting news—”

He was swiftly cut off by Nikolai who chuckled, “Uh Ethan, buddy, can you help me get everyone in the cars? Mia, where are the keys?”

Liane gasped, “You let her pregnant ass drive us to the docks?! Have you no shame?!”

“No! We took her car and I drove us here, I gave her the keys for safe keeping afterwards!”

“That still doesn’t make sense to me! You got magic and you couldn’t drive yourself!?”

“My car is getting fixed at Tony’s shop! We did needed another form of transportation here, and I will have you know I drive pretty well.”

Liane grinned, “Well in that case I’m driving! Me and the kids in one car. Ethan, Nik and Mia in the other. To the hospital people! Chop chop!”

The blonde sounded way too confident and overly proud of herself with that statement.

Everyone else looked at her like she was nuts. Yes, they were all vastly skilled in their respective fields but they all had their weaknesses. Everyone and their mother knew that Liane wasn’t the best driver per se.

Ethan loved his wife too much to say anything about it, as he was too busy in shock that Liane snatch the keys out of his hand. Joshua rolled his eyes and groaned at the idea, rubbing his mother’s shoulder in comfort. Even he was a better player in driving someone around.

Nikolai whined knowing it wasn’t the best idea to have the blonde drive both teenagers around to the hospital.

The only one truly brave enough in the chaos at the moment, despite being awakened by the curse to speak up was youngest lady there.

“Absolutely not!” Belladonna exclaimed snatching the keys out of her mom’s hands. “Are we really going to listen to her? Josh back me up here!”

Liane gasped in offensive frustration, “Um excuse you, young lady, but who do you think you’re talking to, sweetie?”

“Mom, I love you, but unfortunately you’re not the best driver.”

“I’m an experienced and excellent driver, sweetie.”

Bella muttered under her breath, “Yeah, when we were cursed and under that damn spell…”

“BELLA?!” Liane screamed in shock and gasped. “My own daughter this is—”

Joshua sighed speaking up, “Aunt Lia, she’s got a point. Last week you decided to give an another driving lesson and crash into a mailbox.”

Liane eyes widen and scoffed, “Well if I ever…it was one time!”

Joshua smirked, “It happened more than once. Also I think I should drive.”

“Him?!” Ethan yelled putting stuff in the car and bumping his head against the trunk.

“You?!” Liane added dramatically, “You’re both children you don’t even have you—”

Bella smirked as well nudging for Joshua to pull out his drivers permit, as he showed it to the others. Liane’s jaw dropped as Ethan blinked. Nikolai was rubbing his wife’s back and snickered at their reactions. He was proud.

“Since when did you-?!” Liane yelled breaking the silence.

“Back in New York, I got it.” Joshua added simply, a hint of confidence in his tone.

Bella couldn’t help but crack a smile and tease him, “Yeah, sure, it took him almost 6 months but he got it..”

Soon enough, different set of bickering broke out between the 5 of them.

“They are both babies they aren’t drive!”

“Liane not the time!”

“I can’t believe you decided to tell us now, Ethan?!”

“What you yelling at me for?!”

“I don’t know, it just feels right to yell.”

“Oh my god..”

“Are you sure we can’t all just drive together in one car?”

“Not a bad idea…out of both of us, who was the biggest space?”

“Idiot, how would that work, Nikolai?”

“I’m brainstorming, shut up.”

“Cause you guys stop fighting please? It’s not helping. I can take us three there, while Ethan gets there first.”

“Joshua, you’re a child!”

“I’m 17!”

“It was worth a shot, Bella…”

“Just let me drive!”

“Mom no!”

“Bella, please, the adults are talking.”

“You don’t even the slightest directions to the hospital!”

“THERE IS GPS FOR A REASON!”

“Shouldn’t we just call an ambulance?”

“That would take too long, Ethan!”

“Oh my goodness my nieces are gonna be born on a dock!?”

“No they ain’t!”

Mia finally shouted over everyone, “GUYS!”

“What?!” They all yelled back.

She sighed pointing to herself in a sing song tone, as if stating the obvious. “Hello.” She added hands on her hips for added effect.

The group was silent before getting the hint all making “ohhh!” and “ah, oh yeah, right.”, along with a bunch of apologies being given by the others. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes and smile despite the mild pain she felt, coming and going.

Ethan spoke up as they followed the lead to the cars and asked, “Wait, wait, who’s driving?”

“I am!” Liane added, as if it was obvious.

She quickly got a bunch of objections and heads being shook in disagreement over her statement. Some rapidly shouted, “NO!”

Nikolai put a hand on his wife’s shoulder in silent support and turn to the group firmly, “Ethan’s driving us, Joshua’s driving you guys.”

“Yes!” Joshua exclaimed happily as him and Bella fist bumped.

Bella called shotgun and scurried over to the car.

Liane opened her mouth to speak wondering if Nikolai was serious or not, but one firm look from the brunette and she shut up completely.

——

———

Soon enough they all arrive to the hospital, Joshua was left to park both cars as Ethan and Liane helped Mia into a wheelchair.

Nikolai was filling out forms when he noticed their friends all there. He stood there in shock, “What hell-? How did you guys—when did you guys get here?”

Michelle smiled sitting in one of the waiting chairs, “You really think we would miss this? Dude, it’s my nieces being born. Plus it’s gives me a chance to give Alexander the middle finger if he arrives.”

“I—But I didn’t call you! No one texted you.”

Bella smirked looking up from her phone, “Oh, when Josh was driving I texted Michelle. Figured she would like to know, but I didn’t expect her to come.”

Rochelle rushed in from one of the hospital rooms and smiled, “Oh hey! You’re here, that’s great, well me and Luna were already here anyway when Michelle called me.”

Mia, who was sitting in the wheelchair rubbing her backside, was about to ask what happened when the loud screams were heard down the hall. They belonged to Rick. Along with the insults.

“Long story short, Ricky got hurt earlier while experimenting on something with the kids..” Rochelle added, “He’ll be fine.”

Bella and Mia both rolled their eyes as Nikolai stayed quiet shaking his head.

Just before anyone could anything a cloud of magical thick smoke appeared. As the smoke cleared away, it showed Cole looking annoyed, angry and worried. The man was enjoying a peaceful afternoon in his shop, with his husband Jeremy while babysitting the children, when he got the damn news. He was in the middle of teaching one of his nephews, George, some cool spells! So he wasn’t happy.

Liane froze meanwhile Ethan signed looking at his brother.

“You should’ve call me!” Cole exclaimed loudly rushing over to the group. “Why did I just get a damn text from Bella that my angels are coming?! You idiots, you could’ve just call me instead of arguing over who gets the bloody keys?! UGH!”

“Cole, we can explain.” Liane started but was cut off.

“Ha! Please tell you didn’t drive, last week you hit my mailbox.”

“THAT WAS YOURS?!”

Ethan and Michelle snorted loudly but was stopped short by a glare from Cole.

Rochelle stay quiet running away to go check on Rick and Luna, not wanting to feel Cole’s wrath today. The redhead almost bumped into a wall rushing away from the group.

Besides Rick yelled, “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON OUT THERE?!”

Luna shouted over him, “Ricky stay still! The doctor is trying to remove the nails and splinters!”

Cole looked at Nikolai and pointed, “And you! What were you thinking?! As her husband I would believe you would have some sense to inform me or not waste time—”

Nikolai raised both eyebrows and furrow his eyebrows, “Don’t even start with me! I was more focused on my wife than calling anyone. None of us expected this to happen and we would’ve gotten here sooner, if it wasn’t for Liane’s performance.”

Liane gasped, “Me?! I offered to drive but you all refused to take me seriously.”

Bella and Ethan shared a look, slowly wheeling Mia away from the group and into her hospital room. Michelle got the hint, scurry off to follow them into the hallway as well, not without snapping pictures for blackmail later.

Joshua walked in a few minutes later, after successfully parking both cars, seeing his father, aunt and uncle Cole fighting.

“What did..?” He started before being dragged away by his best friend, “Gah, son of—!”

“Come on I’ll explain later.” Bella remarked ushering him into the room.

“Bella what did you do?!”

———

—————

Hehe I agree nothing! Also the poor mailbox 😂

Let me know what you guys think!

Tags: @ask-starrk @missstrawbs2001 @purpleprincessonfyre @wizzzardofoz @thechoooooosenone @rickb-chaos @luna-d-marsh @marvelsfavoriteuncle @elzabeth-stark @sci-fi-lexcon @jackiequick @blueboirick @gcthvile @aidanxsophxoxo @meiramel @trulysummersprivate @gaminggirlsstuff and etc

[probably-iron-deficiency]

Victim

📌ao3 link

summary: More treasures than could fill a cave, more leisure than an oasis, more willing and able bodies than could fill a ravine, and Kalim would give it all up in a heartbeat to keep Jamil by his side. or, After Jamil's overblot, Kalim finds himself isolated in his home, reevaluating the only true friendship he's ever had. He should probably stay away from Jamil. He doesn't, and it's for the better.

✦pairing✦ JamiKali

✦CW✦ suicidal ideation, Kalim kills a guy but its for Jamil so-

✦tags✦ Introspection, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Post Book 4, Pre-Slash

✦word count✦ 4k+

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄✧⋄⋆ fic below⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄

Jamil was right. Kalim was undeniably, in mind and soul, selfish. 

His knife-sharp words had dug an open wound into Kalim which hadn’t stopped bleeding since his overblot. It had been two weeks since the event, and Kalim found himself back in his own home. After hearing reports of “magical abnormalities” at Scarabia, his parents had requested that Kalim and Jamil return home until the term started again. No one knew what had happened during winter break, and in perhaps the last unspoken bond between Jamil and Kalim, they would never find out. It had been five days since they had returned home, and he hadn’t seen Jamil once. The palace was big enough to never interact without arousing any suspicion. Kalim’s room was essentially its own luxury suite- he didn’t have to leave it, so he didn’t. The space felt large and empty without another’s presence, and Kalim was left to fill the void with the things Jamil had said. 

With nearly a week of isolated thinking on it, Kalim knew that he was selfish. Maybe not in worldly things- he had enough of those to satisfy the greediest man a hundred lifetimes over. A verifiable army of people willing to flip themselves inside out just to get on the heir’s good side, allowing him to bypass any and all struggles that an average mortal might face. Of course, none of this was necessary: Kalim was nothing if not charitable, and despite the displeasure of the Asim treasurers, he was more than willing to give back where he could. 

And Kalim didn’t want any of it. 

More treasures than could fill a cave, more leisure than an oasis, more willing and able bodies than could fill a ravine, and Kalim would give it all up in a heartbeat to keep Jamil by his side. Maybe not physically- Kalim would never force Jamil to stay somewhere he hated (not that Kalim knew Jamil hated him until recently). His heart would be enough, wherever Jamil’s body was, his love would placate Kalim. Kalim wanted the one thing that wasn’t- couldn’t- be handed over to him, and despite his riches, he couldn’t let it go. 

Kalim was selfish. 

In all honesty, Kalim knew that somewhere, deep down, he knew what Jamil was doing to him before his overblot. He could’ve- should’ve- said something to Jamil, no matter how badly the conversation would’ve gone. But the idea of losing the only person that had ever only helped Kalim and never harmed, the only person that had ever stayed. Kalim, tactless, cemented excuses to his lash-line and greedily continued his blissful naivety. 

He wished for a moment more of peace, and it had nearly cost him everything.

(It had nearly cost him Jamil.)

Kalim remembered a conversation he had with Azul when they were cast into the desert. 

“He betrayed you, Kalim. Don’t you understand that? Aren’t you angry?”

Even now, weeks later, he wouldn’t call it a betrayal. It wasn’t fair to Jamil.

It would break Kalim.

Ah, perhaps he was being selfish even now. Perhaps Jamil had wanted to betray Kalim, wanted Kalim to actually boil into rage, give Jamil a decent opponent to pit his years of oppression against. Even this Kalim could not give him. 

Kalim vouching for Jamil did nothing to nullify the brutal whisperings of the Scarabia students. Some lamented Kalim’s inefficiency, his spinelessness in being controlled by Jamil in the first place and his continued failure to remove Jamil from his post. Others, less scared of the potential recoil from the vice-housewarden, spoke of Jamil as a ruthless dark magician. An insignificant, ungrateful moon that stole its light from the ever generous sun. 

Kalim had heard worse rumors about himself, and figured the students were entitled to their opinions. (He knew Jamil had heard worse about himself, too, and that he probably didn’t care about the ramblings of some third-rate underclassmen).

(No one but Jamil’s opinion mattered, anyways.)

It had been a… vaguely mutual decision to cut contact as much as possible after Jamil’s overblot. No longer bound by his facade of complacency, Jamil had made it very clear very quickly that he had no intention of looking after Kalim for the time being. Kalim didn’t mind that, really. He wanted Jamil to do what made him happy, and if seeing Kalim as little as possible made up for years of Kalim’s blindness to his feelings, then Kalim would gladly oblige. 

(Secretly, Kalim felt as though he had been ripped in two- his only lifeline to real, truthful connection severed. He barely slept, barely spoke, barely moved. Sometimes, when the moon shone clearly overhead, Kalim would sit on the balcony, legs dangling 14 stories over the Asim gardens, and wonder if it would’ve been better for Jamil if Kalim had just gone along with his plan and died. Jamil wouldn’t do anything for Kalim that he wasn’t obliged to do by familial pressure- Kalim knew that now. But Kalim would do anything for Jamil. Right now, if Jamil were to knock on his door and ask him to slit his own throat, Kalim would be dead before he hit the floor. If only Jamil would ask something of him.

Dizzily, he wondered if the scented candles Jamil used to light for his baths looked forward to being used.) 

Despite their lack of contact, Kalim still heard a knock on his door twice a day. Outside would be freshly cooked food, sealed in containers with a tamper-proof charm in place. Kalim clung to these moments like no other, even though Jamil was always gone by the time he got to the door.

Jamil wanted to be left alone; it was obvious. After spending almost 17 years of your life with someone you despised, of course you wouldn’t want to see them. When school started up again, it would be harder for Jamil to avoid Kalim- as Housewarden and Vice of Scarabia, there would be no end to the amount of time they would be forced to be together. Especially since Kalim was, admittedly, useless at his leadership duties without Jamil as his loyal advisor.

But Kalim was selfish.

5 days was the longest he had ever gone without seeing Jamil. Not a single soul had come to check on him in his near week of being home, not that Kalim blamed them for that. It was Jamil’s job to check on him, supposedly. (On the second day, Kalim realized it never should have been his job. He never should have been forced to be Kalim’s servant in body and friend in words- it was only time before he became Kalim’s enemy in mind.) 

Fleetingly, he wondered how many days it would take someone to stumble upon his body if he died here. He wondered if, in the end, it would be Jamil who found him. 

Kalim, alone in his room, was unraveling at the seams. 

He wanted to see Jamil. He needed to see Jamil, make sure he was still ok. Make sure, even if childishly, that he still existed outside of Kalim’s view. Just a glimpse of him would be enough- it was late, if Jamil’s ironclad routine still held true, he would be asleep. It would be quick.

Kalim was so, truly, selfish. 

Smooth, cool stone chilled Kalim’s bare feet as he padded lightly through the hall. The estate was built to ward off heat, and a brisk night breeze came through the paneless windows, palm leaves swaying in the wind. He shivered, pulling his arms closer to his chest. Jamil would chide him for walking around in pajamas in the middle of the night. He would have, anyway.

Luckily for him, Jamil’s room was not too far from Kalim's own. When they were around 10 years old, it was decided that Jamil would stay in suites designated for higher ranking members of the Asim family rather than the servant residences where his own family lived. Officially, the reasoning was that Jamil had been such a loyal retainer to his young master Asim that he was being rewarded with lavish living conditions. At the time, Kalim was just thrilled to be closer to his best friend- they could have sleepovers practically every night! Now though, Kalim wondered if Jamil was moved closer to his room just so he could serve him better, protect him more easily if someone were to stage an attack. Did Jamil even want to move out of his family’s home, back then? Did he cry when his parents told him he had to leave, or did he just accept it apathetically, resigned to his life sentence? Kalim wasn’t sure which was worse. 

At the expense of a 10 year old Jamil, a 17 year old Kalim easily traced the dark path between their rooms, expertly dodging open windows and lights shining from the rooms of those who had not yet gone to sleep or had just woken up. It would be better for everyone if he wasn’t seen. 

Kalim slowed as he approached the door, muscle memory guiding him directly in front of it. He paused, breathing deeply. Jamil’s senses were needle sharp after years of guarding Kalim, he would have to be exceedingly careful if he didn’t want Jamil to wake up and notice him. Somewhat ironically, Kalim’s own senses were sharp, if not sharper, than Jamil’s; attuned to hearing even the slightest changes in footsteps or the faintest smell in a freshly prepared dish. 17 years of protecting someone, no matter how you felt about them, would hone your abilities to react, defend, fight. 17 years of expecting to be murdered, even if you were known as an unbearably loud person, would allow you to nearly disappear.      

Kalim’s nose twitched, a peculiar scent drifting from the room. Sharp, almost as if someone had made sparks from sanding down metal, but capped with something more heavy. Magic. 

It would be near imperceptible to the average mage, but Kalim was on par with beastmen when it came to his uncanny ability to identify things by scent. Normally, he would expect this smell to be close to other practicing magic users, especially if they were back at Night Raven, with students laboriously practicing spells over and over until they had worn themselves out. 

But didn’t overblotting stop you from using magic normally for a few weeks? Kalim remembered Leona using his own overblot as an excuse to get out of Housewarden duties, citing his unpredictable magic as “too dangerous” to do work. Even Riddle had taken some time off after his overblot, much to the surprise of Kalim. When he asked Riddle about it a few days after he returned, Riddle explained that overblotting would leave the victim, no matter how strong they were, in a very weakened state afterwards, before he had quickly changed the subject. 

Kalim squinted. Something wasn’t adding up.

Silently, he took another step forward. The uncomfortably familiar smell of molten copper burned Kalim’s nostrils, and he clutched his hand to his face to stop himself from coughing.

No. Jamil must have cut himself on something, or maybe his wounds from the battle reopened. But then, why the thick scent of magic that clogged his sinuses the closer he moved to the door? Jamil shouldn’t be able to do magic like that right now, not without risking himself. It was 3 in the morning, what would he even be doing?

Something moved sharply in Kalim’s peripheral, and his eyes quickly followed the movement. From under Jamil’s door, lit by the moon, shadows danced mockingly at Kalim.     

Nauseous, he recalled a conversation overheard a few years prior. Kalim, looking for Jamil, had overheard him talking to someone. Not wanting to intrude, Kalim had waited behind a large stone pillar until an “appropriate” time made itself available. Accidentally, he began to eavesdrop.

“I’m lucky they only go after Kalim.”

“Jamil! Don’t say things like that.”

“Why not? It’s true, Najma. It’s a good thing most of his kidnappers are as stupid as they are shortsighted.”

“What do you mean?”

“If they take Kalim, someone will just go and save him, taking them out in the process. Me? I’m not worth the manpower. The Asims would pay the ransom and wouldn’t send anyone to investigate… I’m curious to see what I’d be worth, though.”

Kalim had soundlessly fled the scene, imploring himself to forget what he had just heard. When Jamil found him in his room hours later, he either didn’t notice or didn’t care to ask about Kalim’s red-rimmed eyes and blotchy face.

Surely not. Kalim crept forward. Surely the world would not be as cruel as to force Jamil to suffer further, not after he had nearly perished for simply wanting to be free. He held his breath, hand reaching for the cool brass of the doorknob. Surely he was simply over-tired- anxious from days of solitude away from Jamil’s watchful eyes. Slowly, he turned the knob. The door was unlocked.

The world had never been particularly kind to them, had it.

A horrible portrait invaded his sight, lit like a silhouette. Jamil, looking smaller than Kalim had ever seen him, struggled fruitlessly in the grasp of a horrifically muscled man. His hair had been ripped out of its careful braids, arms bent at an unnatural angle. Blood trickled like satin down the side of him, and the smirking man held a silver, red-stained dagger at his throat. 

Time seemed to slow as two pairs of eyes locked on Kalim’s intrusion. Quickly, he realized a few things. 1) The man was unmasked, meaning his plan was to grab Jamil and leave as quickly as possible without being seen. 2) His towering physique confirmed this- assassins tended to be slimmer, more agile, needing only to slip through a window and take out their prey. This was a bruiser more commonly seen in the market’s alleyways than infiltrating the estate, Kalim was more than familiar with his type. Their goal was simply to take, not kill, by any violent means necessary. 3) Even in Jamil’s weakened, magicless state, the intruder hadn’t bothered to use any spells himself to make the job easier. He wasn’t a mage.

Kalim’s heart beat loudly in his ears, drowning out the surrounding sound. No one moved, the struggle frozen in a fragile state of shock. Kalim’s eyes flitted to Jamil’s face, taking in the sight of him. His mouth was hidden behind one of the large hands of his attacker, but his eyes met with Kalim’s. 

For the first time in 17 years, Jamil’s gaze stared back at him with fear.

“Don’t move, little rich boy, and your servant will be just fine.” The man smirked. “What’s one of these, anyways? You have hundreds, I’m sure you’ll be fine until we get our money’s worth.”

Kalim used to vomit after Jamil saved him, hands still bloody from whatever sad battle had played out. He stopped getting nauseous after the 5th time it happened. After a year, he only found himself worried about the state of Jamil, carefully checking him over for any cuts or scrapes. 

Jamil had killed for Kalim countless times, under instruction. Kalim wasn’t sure if Jamil would kill for him under different circumstances. But Kalim would do anything for Jamil.

A tidal wave of emotion battered the rocky cliffs of his mind. The ever-present naivety that had been hairline fracturing for a lifetime, held together only by the fear of nihilism was chipping, cracking. Slabs of his principles and boulders of his morals crashed into the white-capped water of his soul, forming a whirlpool that churned and pulled.

Freezing cold something pulsed through his body.

Terror. Rage. Love.

In a flash, magic poured out of him, glinting like razor blades under the light of the moon. Deadly fast, it crashed into its target. 

The man holding Jamil froze, the muscles in his arms tensing violently. Kalim cricked his neck, and the intruder fell sideways, staring at the young heir in shock. Suddenly, he coughed. And coughed, and kept coughing, hands grasping futilely at his own throat as he began to choke up water, fresh and clear. His writhing gave way to desperate pleads.

“Plea-ugh. Mer- mercy.” He gasped in between breaths. 

The tempest of Kalim’s soul sneered. Mercy? What mercy had they ever given him? What mercy had they given Jamil? There was no answer, and the ocean rose again. 

Vessels burst in the man’s face, quickly overtaken by the mounting pressure within his body. His tears flowed equal parts blood and water and his eyes bulged from his skull like an unfortunate fish drawn too quickly from the depths. 

In hindsight, it was almost too quick. 

The man let out a final wheeze, perhaps a scream if his lungs hadn’t already burst, and his bloated corpse fell uselessly to the floor.

His life, like poetry, spilled into cool stone. 

Kalim stood, fists clenched hard enough to draw blood, body thrumming with the aftershocks of his magic. It seemed fitting that the most powerful storm he ever summoned was one for Jamil alone.

Jamil.

Kalim rushed forward, gathering Jamil in his arms. The latter breathed harshly, wincing as his injured arm was moved. Kalim shut his eyes, willing the reserves of his magic to come to the surface. He muttered enchantments as he skimmed his fingers across Jamil’s skin, wounds knitting themselves slowly back together. He would still need to be tended to by a proper physician, but healing magic was instinctual, and known to grow stronger with intent… Jamil would be safely in the clear, if not a little uncomfortable.

A hush fell over them as Kalim finished his work. Normally, after Jamil had protected him from someone (killed someone for Kalim), Kalim would try to fill the silence by chatting about some inane thing. Whether or not Jamil responded was besides the point- he just wanted to let Jamil know he felt safe, even if the words he spoke fell on deaf ears.

This felt different, somehow, and Kalim for once found himself with nothing to say. Instead, he allowed himself to focus on the sound of Jamil’s steady breathing- clear airways, no major injuries, no lingering scent of poison. Kalim had learned to appreciate this single comfort: the calm after a storm, and the two of them safe on the beach. 

“Kalim.” Jamil’s voice was somewhat gravely, most likely from being choked. Kalim gripped Jamil’s shoulder tighter.

“Jamil, are you feeling alright?” 

“You made sure of that.” He huffed, and Kalim felt the contents of his stomach churn anxiously. He couldn’t think of something to say, so he didn’t.

“Kalim. That man…”

“He’s dead.”

“Ah…” Jamil coughed weakly, body shuddering against Kalim’s. Kalim watched silently as the last of Jamil’s cuts sealed themselves up. 

“Your braids came undone.”

Jamil shifted against him, and Kalim paused to see if he would turn to face him. He didn’t.

“It takes a long time to do them, right?” He nodded without responding. 

Gently, Kalim allowed his fingers to brush through the ends of Jamil’s long hair. How long had it been since he’d touched it? Since they were kids, maybe. Since Jamil was forced to lower himself to Kalim, and stopped allowing Kalim to do anything for him. 

Brushing back a section over Jamil’s shoulder, Kalim began to weave patterns into his hair, the night breeze working against his progress. 

Kalim’s hands were not shaking, and Jamil’s breath didn’t hitch, breaking the silence as he cried.

~~~~~

“Kalim, your food is getting cold.” Jamil sighed, folding up some of Kalim’s school shirts. 

“Sorry, Jamil. I’m not that hungry.” Kalim gazed out the window, halfheartedly stirring his cup of tea.

“It’ll be a waste if it goes off.”

Kalim was lost in thought, the familiarity of the situation somehow off putting. It had been one full day since Jamil’s attempted kidnapping, and one hour since Jamil had knocked on Kalim’s door, waking him up for the morning with breakfast in hand. Kalim wouldn’t lie, a part of him was absolutely thrilled to have Jamil back taking care of him. The longest week of Kalim’s life had come to a close, in theory it would be easy to simply return to their normal routine. After all, they would return to Night Raven in 2 days time- it would be better to go back to how they were. 

In the past, Kalim would gladly take this opportunity without a second glance. But now, knowing what he knew about how Jamil felt… Did he want to? Was a facade of subservience and friendship truly better than the truth? 

Kalim knew now that he didn’t have to work for most of the things in his life- they’d all been handed to him without his knowledge. He knew now that those achievements were frail and paper thin, and the happiness he had paraded was one of the fingers that had strangled Jamil’s freedom. Maybe if Kalim worked for the things he cared about just a little more, they wouldn’t disappear like an illusion in his grasp.

“Jamil?”

“What is it?” He didn’t look over, continuing to pack away Kalim’s clothes. Kalim took a breath, letting the spoon rest in his now cold tea.

“We need to talk.” Jamil halted his work.

“About?” 

Kalim stood, walking over to stand behind Jamil.

“All of…” Kalim gestured around, “This. Everything.” Us.

Jamil resumed, walking to Kalim’s closet and pulling out more of his uniforms, expertly avoiding eye contact.

“I suppose it was only a matter of time.” Kalim blinked.

“For what?”

“You know for what. Look, I’m not gonna tell you I’m sorry about what I did to you, because I’m not. School’s starting in a couple days anyways, and you’ll have forgotten all about my overblot-”

“Your overblot?”

Finally, Jamil turned to face him. 

“Obviously. Don’t worry, once we’re back at school we’ll go back to normal anyways, I’ll take care of everything.” Jamil rolled his eyes, but Kalim could tell he was hiding something. Kalim clenched his fists.

“No.”

“What?” He raised his eyebrow, looking incredulously at Kalim.

“No, I,” Kalim was overtaken by a resounding urge. Jamil, in all his genius, didn’t even know what Kalim was talking about. He had to make it clear now, no matter the consequences. 

“I don’t care about your overblot, Jamil! I mean- I care, I care about you, I care about how you were feeling so bad so quietly that you had no choice but to self destruct- but not in the way that maybe I should. I’m not- I haven’t been angry at you. I’m scared.” Kalim’s eyes welled up with tears, and he steadfastly ignored them.  

“It was bad enough to lose you as my closest friend. But the other night I almost lost you for real. All for what, because you have to protect me? Because I’m stupid and naive and all that other stuff you said? Because I’m an Asim?” Kalim’s chest heaved, and he brought his arm up to hide his face and avoid looking at Jamil’s. 

Jamil was silent, and Kalim didn’t want to imagine what sort of expression he was making. 

“What happened the other night wasn’t your fault. You know how those guys are, they could’ve gone after anyone. It’s all money to them.” Jamil’s voice was slow and steady, and Kalim tried to cling to it. 

“It was my fault, though! If people weren’t always coming after me, you would’ve been safe!” 

“You can’t help who you were born to, Kalim.” He chuckled humorlessly, “And neither can I.”

Maybe, at some point earlier in his life, Kalim would have accepted that. They were both simply filling their roles, an heir and a servant, both seemingly content with their positions. Kalim would eventually take over the family business with Jamil at his side, and maybe they could live in some sort of amicable facade with a want for nothing. But Kalim, given everything, wanted none of it.

“I would give up my name for you, Jamil. I would give up everything.” He took a step closer, forcing Jamil to look at him.

“I would give you everything.”

For once, Jamil looked at a loss for words. Silver eyes filled with an emotion that Kalim couldn’t quite read, and his lips parted as if he were going to speak. No sound came out, and Kalim looked away.

“I’m sorry.” Kalim spoke unnaturally quietly. “For everything.”

A moment passed, and Kalim began to turn away. Suddenly, Kalim felt himself pulled into a hug. Jamil brought him close, arms wound tightly around his back and waist. Kalim gasped softly, immediately relaxing with Jamil’s touch. He brought his arms around Jamil, and took the chance to listen to his heartbeat. When was the last time Jamil had hugged him, and not the other way around? Had it ever happened? Kalim didn’t know. 

“We’re not friends.” 

Kalim smiled weakly into Jamil’s chest in spite of himself.

“Ok.”

“I won't baby you anymore- you need to learn how to do things for yourself.”

“That’s fine.”

“But if what you said about us being rivals or equals or whatever is true, then you have a long way to go.”

Oh.

“You have a lot to learn if you want to even get close to catching up. I won’t hold back.” Then, quieter. “Guess I have to stick around to see if you can do it.”

Kalim smiled, and he felt more alive than he had in almost a week.

“I won’t let you down, Jamil.”

[theoneeyedgoldenwolf]

The Deity and the Mortal

Whumptober 2024, number 18: Revenge, "I see what's mine and take it."

Summary: Time knows there are lot of things the Fierce Deity hasn’t shared with him. And he’s fine with that since those aren’t his to know. Yet, he certainly would’ve loved to have bit more of knowledge of the guy before putting his life on the line. Honestly, all he really  wanted to know was if the guy was going to be a threat to him and his boys…

CW: Eerie feeling, black magic, painful binding magic, betrayal, cursing, striking magic back at the enemy, knife to throat, blood, murder

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Fierce Deity knew there was lot of information he should’ve shared with his mask’s wielder. Yet, he still withheld the knowledge. It wasn’t because he wouldn’t have thought Link to understand or to be able to deal with it. He couldn’t even fall down into the claim of him being too young like back when he had first gained the mask into his hold.

The God of Protection held back with his past for several different reasons. One, he didn’t really think that some situations mattered anymore. Two, he believed the information wasn’t his to share as there had been many whom had used his mask. And sometimes his and his wielder’s memories and knowledge mixed while making it bit hard to know which pieces were his to begin with. Three, he didn’t want his current wielder to feel sorry for him or angry about the situations. And four, he did NOT want his wielder to take revenge on his stead.

Unfortunately, secrets and hidden information has the bad habit of coming out when one least wished for such to happen. And usually at then the one at question would certainly curse and regret having not talked before. Fierce, sadly, ended up into such situation. In fact, he should’ve seen it coming with how the portals worked and threw the Heroes he looked after through different eras, timelines and situations. This was bound to come forth.

The Deity recognized the man the moment he saw him. And the guy certainly recognized the markings Time had on his face. “My dear friend, we should not stay here.” He called out while knowing something bad would happen the longer they’d stay at the town.

“We need to restock and rest, Fierce.” The one eyed Hylian reminded while taking in the seen guy’s outlook. “Tell me. Who is he?” He half requested even though he was certain he wouldn’t get the answer he wanted.

“Someone you should not deal with.” Fierce answered while keeping his memories locked. This wasn’t for his wielder to deal with. Yet, as a ghost bound into a mask, he couldn’t really do much without the Chain’s leader’s acceptance, strong feelings or request. He knew if he explained, the one the eight called as Time would certainly face the guy and take revenge. He couldn’t allow that. Not on his behalf.

“If that guy poses a threat to my boys, I will hold you responsible for that danger.” Time stated out firmly and felt the Deity nod within him. He couldn’t do a thing just by a feeling. He inwardly growled and tore his gaze off of the man and into the current situation as they were searching for an Inn.

“Caught something we should deal with?” Warriors inquired while giving a check of the guy his little brother had been almost glaring at.

“No. Just a feeling.” The Old Man replied with a slight smile. He was grateful of the distraction and the sharp eyes his older brother had. At least he could count on someone else keeping them safe too.

“You think that guy’s a danger?” The Captain continued and gave a slight nod towards the man.

Time glanced at the guy for one more time before shrugging. “Hopefully not but keep your guard up.”

“Night shifts?” The war Hero continued while noticing the other slowly starting to catch up on their conversation.

The Chain’s leader hesitated for a moment. Part of him wanted to keep up the shifts jut to be safe but he eventually shook his head. “Nah. We’ll cramp into one room.” He told with a slight smile. He chuckled a bit at the whines and slumps from the rest of the Chain. “This town just doesn’t feel safe at the moment. Not monster attacks dangerous but… Different.” He explained and resisted the urge of looking at the guy again.

“Thugs?”

“Robbers?”

“Yiga?”

Time shrugged at the offered reasons. “Something like that but I doubt it’s as dangerous as the Yiga are.” He answered while calming down. “Just keep your eyes and ears open. Stay on alert and look after each other.” He half commanded while knowing he didn’t really need to give this kind of advices but it felt nice to remind every now and then. The others nodded and took a check around but they were unaware of what to search for.

Once everyone’s gazes were off of the Chain’s top command, Warriors gave a slight jolt to the one eyed male. “Sprite. Do NOT go after the guy alone.” He signed while giving a stern look to his little brother.

The Old Man held back his half groan, half whine while just rolling his eyes. “Sure, take my fun away.” He replied in sign and stuck his tongue out the Captain. He grinned a bit at the younger male’s slight start before bit chuckling at the huff.

“Take at least someone along. For back-up. For witness. For… You know what for!” Warriors nearly snapped with his signing.

“I know, I know. And I will. I promise.” Time replied before blinking in start and slumping a tad while giving a sheepish look to his older brother.

The war Hero stared at his leader before groaning and facepalming. It just was confirmed that his little brother was going to go and face the guy for whatever reason he saw right. He sighed heavily and shook his head. “Don’t do anything stupid.” He nearly begged.

The oldest Link shrugged. “Not planning to. I can’t say the same about the other guy, though.” He replied with a cheeky grin before chuckling as the Captain facepalmed again.

“Gremlin.” Warriors signed while grinning and messing his brother’s hair. Time yelped and swatted the war Hero’s hand away while chuckling. The Chain glanced at the duo with a slight frown before shrugging. It wasn’t rare thing for the duo to fool around when feeling calm enough.

A while later they found the Inn and booked the biggest room from there. When the Chain was off to handle the restocking and information gathering, the Chain’s leader requested for Legend to stay with him. The Veteran was bit uncertain but he nodded and they waited for the rest to leave the house to scatter around.

“So, what gives?” The Specialist queried while crossing his arms over his chest and bit frowning.

The one eyed male took a deep breath and ignored the Fierce’s commands of NOT going to face the guy. “I need to handle something but for safety reasons I can’t do it alone.” He started while bit grimacing at his own words.

Legend raised an eyebrow at that. “Shouldn’t the whole Chain be around at then? Or dealing with this situation differently? What exactly is the situation?” He listed out the questions calmly but firmly.

Time felt like pacing around but he stayed still. “I need to face one guy. Something’s off in him but I can’t really prove anything.” He explained and ran a hand through his hair. “I need you to stay out of sight and just listen. To be a back-up if needed. Or to fetch the others if things go down such line.”

“What are you fearing to happen?” The Specialist asked while feeling his worry grow.

“I don’t know.” The Old Man answered truthfully. “I’m hoping things will go down easily but I doubt it.”

“Who is the guy you’ll face?” Legend continued while having carefully moved to lean against the door. He didn’t feel like letting his oldest brother leave in the state of mind he was at the moment.

“I don’t know. I only saw him.” Time replied and began to pace. “Fierce knows him, though.” He told with a shrug and short chuckle. “Yet, he refuses to tell anything.” He sighed heavily and shook his head. “I need to make sure the guy’s not a threat to us.”

“If the guy is…” The Veteran began but the Chain’s leader shook his head firmly.

“Just a mortal like us.” The oldest Link assured firmly.

“If the Deity’s worried of the guy, I’m not sure this is a good idea.” Legend stated out while frowning. “I don’t think you should face him alone.”

“I’m not. You’ll be there with me.” Time replied almost cheekily with a wide grin.

The Hero whom had gone through more quests than his brothers groaned loudly. “That’s not what I meant and you know it!” He snapped roughly. “You wouldn’t let us handle this kind of situations alone either!”

The one eyed male grimaced and recoiled backwards a bit. “You’re right. I wouldn’t.” He agreed and sighed heavily while sitting down to the bed. “And yet, you’re the only one whom can go around without being seen.” He commented bit sorrowfully while knowing he could’ve loaned his Stone Mask to someone to keep them hidden too.

“You’re not going to back out of this, are you?” Legend nearly groaned and slumped.

“Sorry, Specialist. I feel like I gotta do this on my own.” The Chain’s leader apologized sorrowfully.

The Veteran sighed heavily and nodded. “Fine. Let’s get this done, then.” He grumbled while moving off the way and pulling out his Magic Cape. Once it was on, he vanished from sight. Time just nodded once and left the room with the hidden Weapon Specialist of his following him.

It took quite a while before the Old Man found the guy. Time didn’t even try to hide himself as he really just wanted to talk and see what the deal was between the Deity and this man. The guy nodded once to him before showing to follow. The one eyed male wasn’t certain of the situation but he went after his current target of sorts into an abandoned warehouse while feeling the worry and fear grow within Fierce. “Since you won’t talk, I have to find the truths on my own.” He reminded the Deity as calmly as he could.

Once deep inside the building, the guy already started to call out magic. “I see what’s mine and take it.” He stated out roughly as the needed words to put his spell into full work. Time frowned at the whispered words before already gasping as the man turned around and sent the pulsing ball of dark brown at him.

Things happened too fast for the Chain’s leader to even think about trying to avoid. The magic struck hard and roughly into his chest. The impact sent him flying with a scream escaping from him before crashing cruelly into the floor. He was desperately trying to get his breathing into working while gritting his teeth at the agony of the magic that bind him to the floor and left him unable to move.

The man smirked and moved over to his victim. “I don’t know how you do not have all the markings but that mask is mine.” He growled while crouching down next to Time. “A shame for the loss of an eye but maybe I can fix it with my own body and life.” He mused while placing his hand to the one eyed male’s chin. “Let’s take this off now so I can take back what belongs to me. You’ve had your fun.”

The Chain’s leader desperately wanted to talk but the cruel magic coursing through him left him wordless. He tried to open his right eye but even that felt like having been prevented. He gasped as he felt the guy’s fingers at his skin and feared what he’d pull off since he wasn’t wearing any masks.

“Stop.” The command was firm and cruel. The guy’s gaze flew up into the ghostly figure of Fierce Deity and gasped in shock. “He does not wear my mask.” The God of Protection stated out while glaring at the guy before him. The man slowly stood up while starting at him. “I did not think I would meet you again.” Fierce nearly growled the words out in suppressed rage.

“Your mask is with him nonetheless. Where is it?” The man replied firmly while slowly starting to smirk. “Your power has diminished quite a bit. Your ghost form isn’t as solid as it used to be.” He commented and glanced between Time and Fierce. As the realization dawned to him, he scowled. “I see. You have bound yourself to him. He’s the reason you’re so weak.” He nearly snarled while drawing out a knife.

The man crouched back down and smirked cruelly as the Old Man whimpered at the cold touch of the knife at his throat. “I believe that if I kill your current host, your Spirit will be fully free and intact again.” He told while not yet causing harm. He was bit wondering where to strike and how. Heart and throat were easy and quite fast along with the wrists. Yet, it might not have been as much of fun.

“Not true.” Fierce stated out while fearing for his friend’s life. “I and him are bound far stronger then you could ever believe.” He continued and glanced at the door as it was slammed open and several of the Heroes of Hyrule dashed in.

The guy gasped and growled at the sudden interference. He snatched a hold of Time and yanked him up while placing the knife to his throat. The one eyed male screamed at the movement as the magic struck again to keep him from moving. He held his eye closed while whimpering and trembling. “Stay back. This is not your concern.” He growled out while turning his gaze into Fierce. He smirked again as he saw the worry and fear in the Deity. “You honestly care about this guy.” He chuckled cruelly.

“This is very much their concern as the one you hold hostage and are harming is their brother.” Fierce almost snarled while wishing he had struck the guy the moment he had managed to come into this Realm. He glared at the guy while seething with rage and hoping the unseen Links were already working on getting their Chain’s leader safely freed.

The guy snorted and shrugged. “A same for them.” He simply said before narrowing his gaze again. “The mask. Where is it?” He commanded and pressed the knife closer to Time’s skin. “I won’t ask nicely anymore. Give me the mask and he can live. I’ll rip the piece of you he holds but I’ll let him live.” He told while bargaining with the Deity.

“At the Inn.” Fierce answered as calmly and certainly as he could.

The man snorted and shook his head. “Wrong answer.” He growled and the one eyed male screamed as the knife broke the skin at the his throat. “You can’t be far from the mask. You are bound to it. It is in his possession. Don’t make me kill him and search the dead body’s pockets for it.”

“Alright. Do not harm him any of further. Please.” The Deity raised his hands in calming manner. He had noticed some of his dear friend’s boys sneaking around the area. They needed a moment to get to right places to aid. “But, before that… He deserves to know the truth. He deserves to know our past. He deserves to know why you want my mask.” Fierce told while swallowing his rage and fear.

The man snorted cruelly. “A Deity begging.” He smirked and shook his head. “Didn’t think I’d ever see something like this.” He mused before a wicked thought came up to his head. “How far are you willing to go for this host of yours?”

“As far as it is needed for him to survive this.” Fierce admitted without hesitation.

“Then tell him.” The guy commanded. “Tell him who I am to you. Tell him and see how far he will go for you.” He stated out nearly evilly. “He has already stolen part of your life and you are still willing to risk the rest of it for him. You truly are bad at making right choices.” He mocked with a cruel chuckle.

The God of Protection was ready to counter that claim but he held the words inside. It wasn’t yet right moment to give that answer as it certainly would endanger Link’s life even further. Right now he owed an explanation to his dear friend and telling that story would give enough of time for the others to reach right places to fix the situation. Yet, more than anything, he really hoped the boys of his mask’s wielder would deal with things so the one they called as Time wouldn’t end up taking the revenge on his behalf.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Long ago the God of Protection walked on the ground of the kingdom of Hyrule. It was his job to defend the beautiful lands from the monsters and Demons. He had dealt with Demise, Majora and the like many times.

He had been named as Fierce Deity for his style of fighting and intensity of his love towards the kingdom and its inhabitants. He fought alone but that didn’t mean he was on his own. Many of the species had made close contact with him. Some of them even followed him into the battles even though there wasn’t a need for such. Yet, even though he feared for his companions’ lives, he was grateful of their presence. With them he felt like he belonged to there. That even with his divinity and power, he was considered as one among others. He really didn’t like it when the people feared him.

Fierce had once again dealt with Demise and sent the God of Destruction back to where he belonged to. The men with him cheered of the victory and he smiled even though this battle had been harder than any of the earlier ones. He knew his powers were diminishing little by little each millennia he spend in the Realm of the Living. It wasn’t the right world for him but he loved the people too much to leave them.

“I have been working with magic, Fierce.” One of the Hylians told at one day. The Deity smiled and nodded while feeling happy for one of those he considered as his friend. In fact, he considered lot of people, in all races, to be his friends. He felt fortunate to have so many by him whom looked up to him and weren’t afraid to approach him just to talk and spend time with him.

“Forgive me to say this but I accidentally overheard your and Goddess Hylia’s talk few days ago.” The man continued bit uncertainly. “Is it true that you are not as powerful as you should be?” He inquired bit worriedly.

The God of Protection sighed and bit slumped at the first notion before bit chuckling. “There is nothing to worry, my friend. I chose this. I know the cost and I do not fear the end. I am here for you and everyone else.” He promised calmly.

“I have been working on something after that day.” The guy told bit sheepishly. “I believe it could give you back your power.” He stated out firmly.

“Oh? Go on.” Fierce coaxed with growing interest.

“Not here, please.” The man requested while glancing at their current comrades.

The Deity sighed a bit but he nodded and got up. He glanced once at the sleeping people by the campfire. He closed his eyes and let his senses spread. He gasped a bit when he opened his eyes after having let his magic and powers check the perimeters and deeming the place safe and sound. There were no dangers around so he followed his friend out of the camp and into old ruins.

The moment Fierce came to the area, he knew the place wasn’t worth of staying. “We should not be here. This is made for sinister magic.” He told while looking around. The magic that surrounded the area had kept him from seeing it as he scanned for the camp’s safety. The place was abandoned but the dark spells were still working.

“I know.” The guy told calmly and the God of Protection stopped dead on his tracks when he caught the sinister undertone of the voice. “I see what’s mine and take it.” The man continued roughly as he turned around and quickly grabbed the Deity by throat while casting the magic.

Fierce screamed as the wicked spell struck and burned him. “Your power will never diminish again. What you have now will always be there.” The man spoke as he watched the Deity being vaporized. It was cruel and hellish to watch but he was morbidly fascinated by the scene.

Eventually the God of Protection was gone and a wooden mask of his face clanged into the floor of the place. “I will make great use of you.” The man smirked and reached down to the soul-bound item he had created with the dark magic he had learned from this kind of places.

“NO!” The sudden scream startled the guy and he stumbled a step backwards. The area flashed brightly while taking down all darkness and evil spells in there. Yet, it also made the mask vanish.

The man screamed in rage before searching all around the ruins and its vicinity but he didn’t find the mask. He could feel it still being somewhere in Hyrule but he couldn’t locate it. In his rage, he returned to the camp and murdered his sleeping comrades.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Time snapped his gaze open in shock. He had had lot of theories of how Fierce had ended up into being a mask. Yet, none of them had been anywhere near of this kind of cruelty. In fact, he had hoped for the Song of Healing to have been created by Fierce himself.

“I wasn’t wrong.” The guy told with a shrug. “Your powers haven’t diminished since that day.” He stated out before narrowing his gaze and glaring at his hostage. “Until this guy chose to steal part of you.” He snarled and pressed the knife deeper into his victim’s throat. The one eyed male shut his eye and screamed as the weapon’s movement got the binding magic to react and strike hard.

“He did not steal anything! I gave him part of my life!” Fierce shouted in fright. The man holding his mask’s wielder stopped and snapped his startled gaze into the God of Protection. “He was ready to give up on his own life for me on the day he gained that scar over his eye and lost his sight from there. The fight was too hard. We were taken off guard. He did not want me to be harmed. He did not want my mask to be destroyed in any of way. He took the strike. It was going to cost him his life and I could not accept that. I shared part of my life to keep him alive.” The Deity explained nearly frantically.

“Why? Why would you do something like that?! For a mortal!” The guy screamed in rage while pulling the knife out and pointing it at the divine being’s ghost.

“Because he deserved it. Very few of those whom have used my mask have ever been as self-sacrificing fools whom love these lands even after all they have gone through. He is like me.” Fierce explained even though he wasn’t certain if the guy would understand. “He did not think twice back in that day. He did not even ask for rights. He just did what he saw right to protect and save a life. Even though a Deity’s.” He continued bit sorrowfully. “All that I learn to know of him only makes me care about him even more. Do not harm him any of further and I can promise that you will leave this place with your life intact.”

The man snorted and shook his head. “See if you can do a thing, ghost.” He stated out wickedly before already moving to slash his captive’s throat open.

“NO!!” The God of Protection screamed in terror. Things happened so fast that he barely even understood what happened.

Legend, whom had left the warehouse only for a moment after the magic attack, had shot a flare up into the air to inform others of the need for help. He was certain the others understood once they’d reach the place  After having given the signal, he returned inside and quickly moved next to his leader. Something held him back from attacking and taking the bastard down. He wasn’t certain what it was but he stayed close and ready to react.

Some of the Chain had seen the signal and quickly gathered everyone together before already going to the right spot. Wild left to find a window or such to use. Hyrule and Twilight changed forms to sneak into the place. The rest made a swift and rough entry in hopes of causing bit of ruckus and surprise to give a chance for the others. Yet, they stopped by the door when the knife was brought to Time’s throat. Wolfie and Hyrule kept sneaking but there wasn’t much of hiding places close to the trio in middle of the room. Wild failed to find a place to snipe the enemy so he put the Stealth Clothes on before sneaking in. Yet, like with the Sacred Beast and the half-fairy, there wasn’t much of chances to get close.

When the bad guy was up for killing Time, everyone moved swiftly with Fierce and Legend being the closest ones to react. The Veteran swiftly snatched a hold of the guy’s arm to stop the knife from being struck back into his oldest brother’s throat. The Deity screamed and snatched a hold of the man’s throat. He squeezed and yanked the guy away from his mask’s wielder. He let his rage overflow in the form of magic that had been used against him and Link. He still recalled the agony of having his Spirit and Soul being reduced into a transformation mask. Yet, he didn’t need to find the dark magic from within him. He gently placed his free hand on his dear friend’s shoulder and carefully pulled the binding magic off of him before striking it right back into the bad guy.

Legend, after having stopped the knife and Fierce having snatched the guy away, had quickly caught the one eyed male from crashing into the floor. He was just up for lowering them both down when the God of Protection put his hand on Time’s shoulder.

The Chain’s leader whimpered in pain but it was rather bearable and slowly started to breathe easier. As the dark magic left from his body, the more of control he gained. He blinked his eye open and gasped a bit at the scene. Yet, before he could concentrate into the divine being taking down the one whom had betrayed him, the rest of the Chain had already surrounded him.

Even though the magic should’ve created an item to where one’s Soul and Spirit were bound to, Fierce didn’t allow such to happen. He prevented the mask or other item from being created and just made sure the guy died. Once the man had vanished from his hold, he gasped and staggered a bit. He shook his head and snapped his gaze into his mask’s wielder. He smiled a bit as he saw him moving and Hyrule having healed the wound around his throat.

Time’s gaze was fully in Fierce Deity. He had calmed down and nodded his thanks to his boys. That had calmed the Chain down a bit and moved aside from his line of sight. “You are God of Protection, Fierce.” He stated out firmly while carefully, with bit of help, stood up. “And you did just that, my friend. You protected.”

Fierce sighed and shook his head. “It was not protecting. It was revenge. I do not...” He started before already trailing off in slight anguish. He didn’t want to be a God that took revenge.

The one eyed male sighed heavily and slowly, bit fearing how well he’d stay to his feet, walked over to the ghostly being. “Fierce.” He called and got the Deity to look at him. “Sometimes revenge is only way to protect. I know I’ve done it. I know my boys have done it. You know all this already, right?” He started and the God of Protection nodded with a slight frown. “He was going to be a threat if he stayed alive. To me. To you. To my boys. If you hadn’t taken his life, I would’ve. And if I couldn’t, my boys certainly would’ve done it. Not happy of that but I understand it.” He continued firmly before shrugging and sighing. “My first quest…” He shook his head. “You keep telling me that what I did back then was to protect those I care about and the kingdom of Hyrule. To this day I still call it revenge. It started as such and it ended as such. So, I’m tell you now what you keep telling me whole time. You protected. You did what you had to, to save me and my boys.”

“It was cruel. It was wrong. I should have talked instead.” The Deity countered while knowing his time in the Realm of the Living was running thin.

Time sighed exaggerated and rolled his eye. “Yeah, the guy certainly was going to listen. It wasn’t like he was up for slicing my throat there because I got part of you due to trying to save your life years go.” He nearly grumbled and shook his head. “You think Ganondorf was going to listen? You think I was thinking straight after all he had done? You think words were going to go through his head or for me to even find the right ones when he was in charge of the Forest Guardian’s death? In fact, in fault of LOT of deaths and hell. You think I thought about protecting while taking him down?” He nearly growled the questions out.

“My friend, I…” Fierce started but the Chain’s leader cut him short.

“Just shut it!” The Old Man snapped roughly. “If you can’t allow me to think about revenge being my motivator for taking Ganondorf down, then why the fuck do you think I’d let you to think of such?!” He screamed and glared at the Deity. “I take revenge when my family is threatened. I do not hold back if they’re in danger. I can feel sick and sorry later on but right then and there… My family comes first. Always.”

The God of Protection stared at the marked Hylian before him. That slight anger and defensiveness got him to tilt his head a bit to side and frown slightly. After a while, though, his expression calmed down and he slightly smiled. “You are right.” He nodded and crouched down a bit to be more in Time’s level. “I am a God. And I consider myself to hold high morality. And yet… There are times I find myself doing something I never thought I would be capable of.” He started surprisingly calmly and he gently cupped his mask’s wielder’s chin. “You, my dear friend, have taught me far more than anyone else ever has. Just because I am a Deity does not mean I know everything. And hence…” He continued and softly touched his forehead against’ the one eyed male’s. The Chain’s leader closed his eye while calming down and letting himself relax. “I have always needed a guide like you, Link. Just, fierce and protective. You and the boys you share the Hero’s Spirit with… You are the family I, as a Deity, never thought I could gain. You and your boys have given me something far more than I ever believed to be possible. I had a purpose, a reason I counted on for millennia.” He pulled off and smiled sorrowfully.

“The betrayal, the false usage of the mask… I had lost my trust in people. The Heroes were needed as I was not capable of the job anymore. And then…” Fierce smiled fondly at Time. “You.” He kissed the one eyed male’s forehead gently. “Child that had gone through hell and back again more times than one can count. Lost and gained way too many times. Craving to be cared but not daring to be close. And yet, despite all this, so fiercely fair and caring. You proved to me that there’s still good in the world that deserves to be protected.”

The God of Protection stood up and nodded firmly. “I did what had to be done. But, at least I know now better how you feel when you are forced to take a life. And, hopefully, I can aid you more at those times should there come more forth. Yet, I am grateful you and your boys did not need to do this this time around.” He told and looked once at the eight watching the conversation before turning his gaze back into his mask’s current owner. “Take care of yourself and of your family, Link. I will always be close by when you need me.” After that he took a step backwards and vanished from sight.

Time sighed and crashed to his knees. The Chain screamed out his name in start before already surrounding him in worry and slight fright. “I’m okay, guys. Just bit exhausted.” He assured calmly before bit chuckling. “Shit. Never thought I’d oppose Fierce like that.” He mused with a slight grin.

“He knows it all came from heart of gold.” Warriors told with a slight grin which widened when the Chain’s leader blushed slightly.

“Well, this settles one thing.” Legend stated out firmly with deadpan look. The one eyed male frowned and tilted his head slightly. “You are NOT going to face any other bad guys that Deity’s not happy with ALONE. Like it or not, we ALL will be there by you at then.”

Time blinked once in start before starting to grin until laughing a bit. “Damn it.” He half grumbled while grinning mischievously. “I thought it went pretty well, don’t cha think?” He laughed again when the Veteran groaned and facepalmed. The others were bit startled. “Okay, okay, I promise I won’t be doing this kind of foolishness again.” He told calmly before bit shrugging. “Hopefully Fierce will give more info at then too so I won’t go in as blind as I was this time around.”

“Hopefully we won’t crash with more of his past comrades.” Sky stated out while aiding his leader back to his feet. “Anyway, let’s get you back to the Inn. I’m sure you’d love some food and rest, hmm?” He suggested gently.

“That sounds like a perfect plan.” The Old Man replied and let Warriors and Sky stay close to him to make sure he wouldn’t falter on his walking. The rest followed while sticking close to the trio. Once at the Inn, Wild straight off went to claim the kitchen while the rest of his brothers went to the shared room. After the meal of crepes, jams and hot chocolates, it was time for the Hero Pile of Support and Comfort.

Time sighed contently while having his boys right by him. This was what he lived for. Family. And he knew Fierce understood it too. Without people to love and care, there was no reason to fight. The Deity had considered the residents of Hyrule as his family but now, through the current owner of his mask, he finally truly understood what family was. And both the Chain’s leader and the God of Protection knew that they’d do absolutely ANYTHING for those they cared about.

[nine-of-diamonds]

Hi hi this is my @mcyt-valentines gift for @queenarsinoethepoisoner!!

They requested a desert duo vigilante au so I did that and then also mashed in a soulmate au with a college setting bc uhhh I'm me?

Anyway, I had a blast writing this so I hope you enjoy :)

(lil preview of the fic under the cut btw)

Scar isn’t hero material.  

It’s not for a lack of trying. Scar does try, over and over again—but each school year, every mandatory power screening session ends with the Hero Commission recruiter giving him the same response:

“Go home and practice your magic. Magic always remembers; it becomes more malleable to your will the more you use it.”

The first time he’d been told this, he’d been ten, and he’d taken it with an optimistic spark in his heart. “And then I can be a hero?” he’d asked. 

Maybe he should’ve seen it coming when the recruiter simply said, “We’ll see.”

In another world, Scar would have been rewarded for practicing endlessly, learning to channel the power contained in the vex blood he had to phase through walls and even suspend himself in mid-air for a few precious moments. He would’ve been an indomitable hero, one who no Rift monster could land a hit on, and his soulmate would never feel a speck of pain from his end. 

But that isn’t this world.

In this world, Scar practices and practices, hours upon hours spent reaching for a wellspring of magic that he can never quite sink his fingers into. 

With time, the realization would sink in: the magic might remember how to twist itself into his vex-given active power, but that didn’t matter if Scar can’t reliably access it. 

But Scar—Scar’s not the type to give up so easily. Call him determined or stubborn—either way, he doesn’t really ever let that dream die, even as he grows out of the age group from which the Hero Commission picks its recruits. Over the years, he collects a long list of heroes he keeps tabs on and learns from, ranging from up and coming heroes to more established ones like the Goatfather. He dabbles in archery and strength training, keeps up with news of the growing incidence of Rifts around the world, and learns how to sew his own costumes. 

And one day, when he’s already in university, as he watches a hole in time and space tear open in front of the campus library, he’ll understand that there are other ways to fulfill his younger self’s desire to help his town; they just might not be as legal.

Scar’s fine with that. He’s never been a rules guy, anyway. 

---

Boatem does not have a local branch of the Hero Commission. This is partly because the town is fairly small and remote, and partly because up until recently, they rarely suffered from Rifts. 

As a child, this fact devastated him; after all, not having a local heroics branch meant not having any local heroes to observe. 

As the fledgling vigilante, Hotguy, he’s conflicted—on one hand, no heroes means no one really tries to hunt him down. After all, why would any Boatem resident want to arrest their only line of defense against the Rifts?

On the other hand, it means the fate of his town rests squarely on his inexperienced shoulders. 

He knows the risks when he takes on the role. In fact, he receives his first brutal reminder of the stakes within the first week of him being Hotguy, when news breaks of the devastating death of the up and coming hero, Xelqua, who is said to have died in a fight against Rift monsters. 

…Pressure makes diamonds, he supposes. 

[micahthemoon]

Summer 2024

Denmark Guy – how Käärijä unintentionally validated my gender

“Bulbasaur! Bulbasaur! Denmark… Guy.”

That was what he said to me trying to get my attention during the Ravintola Backas gig. He’d just been performing Välikoulema where a digital version of the Pokemon on my cap was on the concert screen. Maybe that was why he’d noticed my hat so clearly. His smile was wide and childlike. I too was probably grinning like a fool.

This was the second time I’d been called out during the concert, and I was still high on our first interaction. At that point he had noticed me (on the front row after queuing since 7 in the morning) waving my little Danish flag around showing off my newly trimmed black bowl cut for everybody to see. He, in turn, pointing to me mentioning how I had his ‘old hair’. Maybe I should’ve teased him, saying I stole the hair from him. But even then, I’d just smiled not sure what to say or what to do with these roaring emotions.

This second time was even more magical somehow. He had seen me! In more ways than one. He had seen my gender, validated it and given me a nickname to proof the fact. The gender euphoria mixed with the fanboy fire, so I did what I do best in moments like that: I happy stim and shouted out my comfort sentence:

“ARE YOU!?”

“Are you!!!” Käärijä replied.

We repeated this interaction one more time. By then Käärijä he become Jere, lost in sweet memories if his change of tone was something to believe.

Then he changed subject to Ruisrock. My moment was over and now it was Bojan that on the Finn’s mind. I didn’t mind. Like Jere cannot help thinking and talking about his boy, I don’t think I will be normal about a moment like this for a long time.

Four days later my friend gave me a bracelet. Red and white with a heart in between its two words: Denmark Guy.

[artzychic27]

Inspired by your most recent reblog, I’d love to see Miss Bustier as Miss Frizzle, taking her class on a magic school bus and Nathaniel getting shushed as the Arnold of the group

Hmm… Might I offer Mom!Bustier for this?

Since Mme. Bustier is a literature/history teacher, the school bus, dubbed Bus, takes them back and forward through time, transforms into different vehicles based on the time period, and she wears all sorts of outfits and jewelry with prints and designs inspired by famous historical moments through time

Also, she has a pet chameleon

Mme. Bustier: *Steps into the classroom in a flourish while wearing an Edgar Allen Poe inspired dress* Good morning, everyone!

Marinette: Mme. Bustier, I love that calligraphy-print scarf.

Mme. Bustier: … What scarf?

Nathaniel: *Unwraps himself from around her neck* ‘Sup?

Nathaniel dresses just as eccentrically as his mother, and each of the prints on their outfits give hints for what the field trip shall entail

Nino: Well. We’re all dead.

Kim: Why do you say that?

Nino: *Points to the Mount Vesuvius embroidery on the back of Nathaniel’s jacket*

Kim: Oh… Yeah, we’re dead.

People swear they’ve seen the embroidery and prints on their outfits move

Marinette is living for the quirky outfits, but not so much almost getting nearly boiled alive during one of their field trips

Adrien, however, is loving every second of it and may or may not be slipping field trip ideas into the suggestion box… Like, fifty a week

Mme. Bustier has been teaching Nathaniel how to drive Bus ever since he was five

Nathaniel: Mom! Can I drive?

Mme. Bustier: Sweetie… Knock yourself out!

Nathaniel: Yay! I’m driving them straight to 1492 and yelling, “I see land!” before that bitch, Columbus.

Alya: So, is this normal for you guys?

Juleka: You have no idea.

He loves the Bus and treats them better than his own friends

Nathaniel: *Crying loudly beside Bus who has graffiti on them* NOOOOOO! It should’ve been you! *Points to the Akuma Class*

Alix: Nice.

Also, Miss Frizzle is sapphic. Mme. Bustier is sapphic. You all see the connection

Alix is used to Nathaniel’s eccentrics and just goes along with all of his theatrics and crazy outfits

Marc may or may not have simped for Nathaniel when he walked in wearing a Grimm’s Fairytales-inspired outfit

Don’t tell anyone, but when Mme. Bustier is out sick for a day, she leaves Nathaniel in charge

Nathaniel: Okay! All in favor of staying in class and doing a boring test, raise your hand.

Max: *Raises his hand*

WNathaniel: All in favor of going back in time to Scotland and seeing if the Loch Ness Monster is real, raise your hand!

Everyone else: *Raising their hands*

Nathaniel: It’s unanimous!

Max: No, it’s not!

Nathaniel: Pay no mind to the wet blanket!

Max: Are you even allowed to drive that thing?

Nathaniel: I’ll have you know, it is most certainly legal for me to drive a vehicle that operates as a Time Machine… Seeing as there are no laws.

Alix: Checks out.

Max: Does it, though?

Mme. Bustier has to have her students sign waivers just in case one of them gets hit by a cannonball

[hmshermitcraft]

Fae, in this world, are tiny woodland creatures who cannot be trusted. If you ever spot a fae, make sure to stay as far away as possible lest you wish to be whisked away to never be seen again. Or they could just mess around with your items. That’s less scary… but you should still be afraid nonetheless. Grian is well aware of the human’s beliefs on fae, and he quite like how terrified humans are of them. He can’t say he doesn’t enjoy pranking anyone who dares step into his magical forest, whether that be making them hear things that aren’t there or shifting things around in their vision to confuse them… It’s all just fun and games really. One day Grian spotted someone foraging deep in the woods. He grinned as he quietly approached, many schemes to confuse this poor guy running rampant in his head. But then that man looks Grian dead in the eyes just before the fae could hide. It was silent for a moment or two. Then the man’s face softens before he hands the fae one of the berries he foraged with a soft smile. He introduced himself as Bigb and said he hopes that the berry could be some kind of peace offering between them. Grian’s never been given peace offerings before. He takes the berry cautiously and looks at the human in shock as he continues foraging. It’s only until Bigb leaves that the fae realizes that he let his prey get away. But… could he really call that human his prey if he doesn’t want to mess with him anymore? What he really wants to do is to get to know the guy better. Maybe get the chance to see if he really should’ve gotten a crush on bigb when this human decided to be nice rather than mean. It’s all the matter of how exactly he’s going to get the human’s attention when he returns…

Triple A Anon

It's been a long time since people used to leave him offerings at the edge of the forest. And then this human just... Offered him a berry. It's one of Grian's own berries, sure, but still a gift.

And the human doesn't take too much. And maybe Grian persuades a few branches to lean down to reach the human's level as he visits again.

Grian wants BigB to keep coming. Each time, he offers something he's foraged. One time he even offered bread from his home! Grian isn't sure how much humans recognise Fae courting rituals, but he'll never know unless he tries.

[charles-among-us]

A little something for @alexglitches

I remade the whole Magolor betrayal dialogue for Glomas!

“Bravo, everyone.” Magolor clapped, a wide smile on his face as the boys came down from the bell tower. “You all truly earned your reputations as heroes! Your help with dealing with all these flowers was very much invaluable.” He continued, his clapping slowing to a stop. “To be honest, I was very much worried for your guys’ safety. You all look rather tired.”

“Yes, well when you run up so many flights of stairs, in outfits like these, it kinda does that to you.” Azul stated plainly.

“Ah I do suppose that is true.” Magolor agreed before chuckling, deciding to lighten his mood. “Ah how tired you all are indeed… How easy it would be…” He intentionally mused out loud, a smirk forming on his lips. “How easy it would be to finish you all off once and for all!” He giggled, walking backwards. His body then started to move upwards like he was ascending a staircase until he was quite a distance from the ground.

“What?! Why?” Deuce shouted, his voice carrying confusion and a hint of anger.

There it was. The reaction Magolor hoped for. He laughed once more before looking at the group. “Well, isn’t it obvious? Oh, what’s with all the weird looks? Fine. Let me explain everything.” He clapped his hands together as he then put on his best performance yet. “You all must’ve witnessed my little outburst of magic while climbing the stairs no doubt. That lovely little black hole earlier was but a mere fraction of my true power! I am very talented, I’m aware. And in fact, I feel as if I have fully recovered my magic! How lucky for me!” He went on, looking out for any incoming attacks.

And once he knew there were none, he continued speaking. “Anyway… The time has come for your dear Twisted Wonderland… No! The time has come for the ENTIRE UNIVERSE to bow down to me!” He laughed again before looking back down at the group, their confused faces looking up at him with disbelief, and let the silence fill the space.

After he deemed enough time had passed, Magolor then started laughing loudly, falling backwards as he floated in mid air, catching everyone off guard. “Gotcha! Hee-hee!” He suddenly said. “Oh! Oh you should’ve seen the look on your faces!” Magolor laughed, wiping tears off his face.

It took everyone a moment to realize he was joking around. “MAGOLOR!” They yelled at the floating cat eared mage.

“Whoops! Gotta go!” He said as he began to retreat as a couple of the boys started to give chase.

It was going to be a long night.

[valentinsylve]

Do you have a favourite bit of dialogue that you’ve written? What about a favourite bit of narration?

I really had fun writing the banter between Freddie Lounds and Team Sassy Science in "It Could've Been a Rom-Com" :D

[Freddie] motioned to the girl behind the counter. “Miller Lite, bottle please?” Muttered so that Agent Gawky Zee would hear, “If that cornfed child cards me, I am going to lose my fucking mind.” “Well, you don’t look like any of the teen girls I've seen around here.” Zee said.

“Thanks, I think.” “For one thing, you’re alive.” Freddie’s eyes widened. “Wow. I repeat: thanks. You see a lot of dead girls?” Zee slumped his head. “Oh my God, I am really sorry.” He rocked his head back and then looked down at her, weary. “If I explain it, will you decide I’m not actually a creep?” Freddie gave him an even, appraising look. “Pay for this premium beverage, and then try me.” Zee flagged the girl behind the bar and dropped a five. “OK, I’ll start over. I’m Brian. I’m actually here for work. FBI.” Freddie laughed. “Go on!” “Really. I’m an FBI agent. I do forensics. Collect evidence at crime scenes, do autopsies. You know, where the magic happens.” Freddie added a head tilt and a real-looking smile, putting a bit of a flirty blaze in her blue eyes. “I always liked the X-Files.” And she bet he had a thing for nerdy redheads, too. Zee shrugged with his palms up. “Unfortunately, the only aliens are my co-workers.” At that moment, Agent Effusive appeared at his elbow. “Brian, we’re sober. What are you doing?” He cut Freddie a narrow-eyed look, and said, “Oh, I see. Wasting no time on shore leave.”

“Shut up, Jimmy. This is…” He stopped. “Louise Kimball.” Freddie reached out for a hearty handshake and was met with barely a dab of Effusive’s disdainful fingers. “Hi, Jimmy. I hope you’ll forgive me for holding up the party. I should’ve figured that pitcher wasn’t just for him.” She knew her smile was a little too wide, her eye contact a little too ingratiating.

“No, it’s all for me, in fact.” Agent Jimmy took the pitcher from the countertop, swiveled, and walked off toward the farther lanes. Brian took a quick look back and forth. “Shit. They need glasses. And probably another pitcher, because that one’s gonna go fast.” He fumbled with his wallet and waved at the server again.

“At this point, they might want mozzarella sticks, too. Did I get you in trouble with the feds?”

“I am definitely getting written up for this. In a way, you owe me now, Louise.” He paused mid-grin. “Just kidding. Wow, I am bad at this. Start over again. What brings you here all by yourself on a Thursday? He said, being very normal, and probably flirting with you, like a very normal guy.”