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darling-i-read-it · 3 years

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Leaving the Baker's

Part 5 (Final Part)

RE7 Rewrite Masterlist

Ethan Winters x fem!reader

Word Count: 2.4k

Warnings: spoilers for re7, violence, guns, mold, death

Author’s Note: It’s over! I like how this ended up going. I know not a lot of people read it but I hope those who did likes it! Ethan supremacy besties

Summary: The end of the game.

I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director/creator. Some of these lines are directly from the game so they may sound familiar.

(not my gif)

You carefully floated down through the water, Ethan driving the boat through the obstacles. You sat beside each other sheepishly, Zoe across from you. She looked uncomfortable. She rubbed her arms, nervously looking around.

“You chose me over your wife,” she said to Ethan.

“You knew the way out,” Ethan said slowly. You nodded. That was what you had agreed on. Well you were pretty sure that was what you agreed on. There was no actual chat. You looked over at Ethan who had a fairly neutral look on his face.

“Yeah,” Zoe muttered.

You soon came up on a large ship. Your eyes went wide and you almost stood up to get a better look but you thought better of it. Ethan and Zoe’s gaze followed yours. They looked at the looming ship, wondering how it had gotten all the way out here onto the bayou.

“What is-” Zoe started and then something came out of the water, cutting her head off. You screeched, grabbing Ethan who was already in the process of grabbing you. You shook a bit as her body went limp in front of you.

“What was that?” you whispered but Ethan didn’t even get the chance to register the question because something came up from under the boat, grabbing you both before you could even properly scream.

====

You woke up slowly. You looked up at the boat above you, looming in the dark weather. It had to have been the boat that Mia came on. She had told you about how she was watching a girl named Eveline. That the girl had special properties. You wondered what that was.

You rubbed your head and started to sit up when you saw Mia walking by. How did she get here? You knelt behind some of the wreckage, watching as she passed you. She stopped a few feet away and knelt down.

“Ethan?” she said. You peeked over the edge and saw him on the ground. You wanted to go to him but you wouldn’t risk a fight with her mad. You gasped as the dark mold came out and grabbed onto him, engulfing him whole and dragged him away. You reached out, wishing you had done something to stop it. Mia did the same thing, reaching for him but he was gone. You leaned back a bit and took a deep breath.

You had to get him before she did. You weren’t sure how that was going to happen but it was going to happen.

====

You entered the boat a couple of minutes after her. You still had your guns and weapons on you so you held them close as you made your way through the boat. Now that you were alone it was a little more daunting. You had been able to crack jokes with Ethan this whole time, have someone to back you up but now you were completely on your own.

The ship was dark. You kept checking the corner for more of the mold monsters and Mia. Every once in a while you could hear her walking around, her voice in the distance. You were right on her tail when she got to Ethan.

You raised your gun to her as she approached Ethan.

“Don’t fucking touch him,” you muttered. She whipped around, face sunken.

“You don’t understand,” she said.

“No you don’t understand. We came here to save your ass Mia and now you’ve gone and gotten us both in trouble. Step aside. Ethan and I are leaving.”

“He won’t leave without me.”

“Oh?” You jabbed your gun at her. “Let’s find out.”

Suddenly a little girl materialized beside her. Your eyes went wide and your aim went to the child. Eveline.

“Don’t hurt him,” Mia pleaded.

“I already told you I wouldn’t mommy.”

“I’m not your mother!” she protested. Eveline went to grab her and while she did so you passed behind Mia, digging through the mold on the wall for Ethan. You moved it aside so you could see his face. You brushed the goop off his cheek and his eyes opened, looking at you confusingly.

“What..wh-”

“You need to leave!” Mia said. “I can’t...I can’t…” When you looked around the little girl was gone. You furrowed your brows, putting yourself between her and Ethan who was still gaining consciousness. You held up your gun and Mia shoved you over, grabbing Ethan’s arm. “You shouldn’t have chosen her!” she yelled. “Either of them!”

You shot her before she could claw at him. Here was another fight. They seemed to be never ending.

You shot at her and Ethan did as well after a moment. It took a couple of minutes but you saw her wearing down. She grabbed Ethan’s arm, stopping. You reloaded your gun and held it up to her but you didn’t need it anymore.

She stared into Ethan’s eyes and then fell over, turning to dust. He held his hands out as though to grab her but she was gone. You slowly put your gun down.

“Mia,” he whispered. You closed your eyes. You didn’t want her dead. You were hoping to come back for her. You were hoping you would all be alright. Ethan turned to you, his face cracked a bit. He was bleeding. “Eveline is turning them that way,” he explained. “All of them. They didn’t have a choice,” he whispered. “Mia didn’t have a choice.” You felt a sting in your heart. You hoped that was true. You didn’t like to believe she would have hurt either of you willingly. Now she was dead.

Ethan took a deep breath, shaking his head as he processed the death of his wife. He turned to you and before you knew what was happening, he hugged you tightly. You buried your head in his shirt, not caring how dirty it was. You breathed him in and then pulled away.

“We have to get out of here,” you whispered. He nodded curtly.

“Let’s go.”

=====

The two of you dug through grime and dirty water before coming to a small house. There were some things in it that looked like they had been used recently. Ethan picked up a pack of bullets. You messed with the radio. It came to life.

“Alpha 1 this is Bravo 1 do you read?” it said. Ethans head cocked over. He walked to you.

“This is Alpha 1. Report. Did you find anything?”

“A thorough search of the Bakers found no survivors. Repeat, no survivors. We did find evidence of a skirmich.”

“Eveline?” “Negative. However we did find several encrypted messages from the Baker’s son, Lucas, to an unknown third party. You can probably guess who that was.” “That’s just great.”

“We’ve had reports he’s in the abandoned mines south of the property.”

“I’m gonna go have a look.”

“Roger that. We’ll meet you at those coordinates.”

“If you encounter Eveline your orders are to shoot to kill. Repeat - shoot to kill.” The transmission went out. You looked over at Ethan, shaking a bit from the cold and from the situation.

“What the fuck did we step into?” he asked.

“Damn if I know.”

=====

You continued to trek through waters and some cave systems. You arrived back in the guest house, where all of the terrors had started. At least you knew you were somewhat close to your car. You kept close to each other, watching the corners, guns up.

Eveline appeared, a wicked smile on her face.

She used her powers to make you see what had happened in that house. Mia attacking you. Ethan’s hand being cut off.

“If you don’t wanna be my family, you die,” she whispered. Then she was gone again.

“Screw her,” you muttered.

You followed along the house. It shook underneath you, making you both jump. Evnline was screaming before you even gotta see her. The room erupted in light blue lights. She stood at the end of the room and as you approached even more lights came out from her, making you and Ethan fall over.

You had to hide behind the wall though no doubt she would break through that as well. You and Ethan shared a look.

“You shoot her, I'll grab her,” he yelled over the wind. You nodded stiffly and came out from behind the wall, shooting her with your handgun as many times as you could manage. While she was startled Ethan ran up against the wind.

Ethan grabbed her and it all stopped.

You looked up and saw that little girl Eveline had turned into the grandmother from dinner. You had seen her countless times around the house. You should have known. She was bleeding black mold from her eyes.

Ethan ran into you as he backed up. You grabbed his arm and watched as Eveline turned the whole room into a large black moldy mess. She was breaking apart, screaming.

“It hurts, it hurts!” she said in a distorted voice. She turned into the mold.

One more fight. One more.

Ethan and you used the last of what you had on her. You shot and threw everything that you had ever been able to carry. You grunted, dodged and got hit more times than you could count.

By the time you were tossed out of the house, you had lost almost all feeling in your body. Everything ached.

It was amazing to feel something other than numbing pain. The ground underneath you was cold. You felt the grass underneath you. It was cold. The sun was on your face. It felt like it had been years since you felt the sun. You took a deep breath but it ended up being a wheeze.

“Y/N?” You sat up. There was a man in your face you didn’t know. “I’m Chris Redfield. I’m here to get you out of here.” You sat up and nodded, taking his hand to help you up. You looked around.

“Where...where’s Ethan?” you asked urgently once you came too. Then you saw him. About as banged up as you felt, he was standing with some other people in the same outfit as Chris. He was arguing with someone and then he walked forward. You reached forward desperately and grabbed his arm, holding him tightly to you. You stayed glued together until you got up onto the helicopter.

You looked down at the mold infested farm. It made you feel bad for the Bakers. They were probably nice people, before it all. You closed your eyes and leaned your head back on the seat. Ethan was looking at something on his phone as you took off. A video of Mia. You had gotten one too but you didn’t want to look at it right now.

He watched it for a second and then tossed his phone off the side.

“You’re going to have to buy a new one,” you told him. “Hey, Ethan.” He had a death grip on your leg. He finally noticed it and loosened up.

“Sorry. I guess I’m just going to be extra protective now. Can’t have you slipping away from me,” he said over the noises of the helicopter.

“Glad we’re on the same page.” You put your head on his shoulder and tried to come down from the events of the past 48 hours.

====

You sat on your bed, looking through an article on your laptop. You ran a hand through your hair. There were countless articles about the Baker house. People were misquoting you and Ethan left and right but you didn’t mind. Neither of you wanted to be interviewed.

A small picture of Mia was bunched in with a family picture of the Bakers. You rubbed the bandage on your collarbone that went up to your shoulder.

It had only been a week since you got back. Everything was still healing.

“That’s gonna scar,” Ethan said as he walked into the room. You nodded, putting your hand down.

“Then your staples are gonna scar too.” “No doubt.” He sat down on the bed beside you. He looked over your shoulder at what you were looking at. “You should probably stop looking at the articles,” he muttered. You leaned back on the bed frame. He put his arms around you, shutting the laptop closed. You let out a breath.

You and Ethan hadn’t lived together before the Baker’s but you were having a hard time being away from each other. So he moved into your place for the meantime. He was liking it more than he cared to admit. People were still giving their thanks about Mia and he was already in your bed.

But he couldn’t bring himself to leave. Everytime he left you alone he would get stressed out. He meant it when he said he wasn’t going to leave you alone. Maybe one day but...not yet.

“Are you going to bed?” you muttered.

“Yeah.” You put your head on his chest.

“Alright you’ve convinced me to go to bed with you.” He chuckled and let you go so that you could both lay down. You looked at him as you both laid on your pillows, after turning the lamps out. He moved a piece of hair out of your face and calmly let out a sigh.

“Goodnight Ethan. I hope the sleeps better than the trailer.” He smiled, closing his eyes.

“We should have asked them to save that trailer. I kinda miss it.” You scoffed. He laughed a bit and put his arms around you. You fell asleep beside each other, dreaming of something better than the Bakers.

#ethan winters x reader #resident evil imagines #ethan winters imagines

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incorrectsmashbrosquotes · 3 years

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Eveline Winters, Resident Evil AU

Resident Evil AU where Eveline never goes evil and ages normally.

Mia gets to know her during her tenure as her watcher and comes to realize... this isn’t an it. It’s a little girl. And she needs help. She needs a family.

So she lets this little girl made of mold call her mom and tells her about Ethan, her “father”. And after a time it feels like it isn’t a joke anymore.

Their ship still crashes, some rival company trying to kidnap Eveline, but Evie is the one who saves everyone.

Evie sees her chance and runs away with her “mom” before her creators can find her.

They still end up at the Baker Residence, laying low while the company stops looking for them.

Ma and Pa Baker dote on the little girl, even after Mia tells them what she really is. “Don’t matter what she’s made of, she’s a little girl who needs some lovin’” says Ma Baker.

Mia and Zoe bond. “Sounds like this Ethan fella’s a keeper” she tells Mia, and Mia smiles because she knows Zoe’s right.

When they feel safe enough they contact Ethan, and he comes to get his wife and apparently his new mutant daughter.

But, trouble strikes. Mia’s former employers descend on the place, probably tipped off by Lucas. Eveline doesn’t want to hurt anyone. She doesn’t want to be a monster. She doesn’t want to be what they made her.

But that changes when Ethan and Mia get shot.

Eveline destroys the strike team that had been sent, and infects Ethan and Mia to save them. she’s terrified they’ll hate her for it. They don’t. They understand. And they still love Evie.

This is, of course, when Chris and his team gets involved. One look at this bizarre family and he knows he can’t separate them. That would only end bloody. (Plus Chris is a secret softy and Jill would yell at him).

So, they remain under observation, making sure nothing funny happens.

And Evie gets to live life as something of a normal girl. Granted a super-powered one made out of mold, but hey, no one’s perfect.

When Mia gets pregnant, no one is more excited than Evie. This girl is PUMPED to be a big sister.

And when little Rosemary is kidnapped by Mother Miranda, it’s Eveline who descends on the Village like a wrathful demon.

#incorrect super smash bros #super smash bros #incorrect quotes #smash bros #Resident Evil #AU #Resident Evil AU #Ethan Winters #Mia Winters #Eveline #Eveline Winter #Eveline Winters AU #Resident Evil 7 #Resident Evil 8

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ratcatcher0325 · 2 years

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Nobody’s Fool (Chapter #33)

Happy New Year!! Here’s Chapter #33. In the spirit of starting anew, will Eveline finally be rid of Sam?

Previous: Chapter #32

Next: Chapter #34

CW: Adult language, adult themes, blood ________________________________________

NOBODY'S FOOL

Chapter #33: Breaking Ties

Word Count: 1,268 Read Time: Approx. 10 mins

[Eveline's POV]

This was a nightmare I couldn’t seem to wake up from. Sam was shouting, blood dripping to the polished hardwood floor as Travis and Riley roughly escorted him outside. Dani held Penn in her cupped hand, he looked wide-eyed, shocked, sorrowful. I leaned down to his level.

“Penn?” He flinched when I addressed him, I could see his face was tear stained, “I am so very very sorry. All of this is my fault. Are you okay? He didn’t hurt you did he?” He shook his head, casting his eyes down, “Hey...” I lifted his chin with my fingertip, “I’m gonna go fix this, okay? You’ll never have to see him again, I promise. And Penn?” He looked back up at me, eyes burning, “I’m so proud of you for standing up for yourself. He fucking deserved that.” He lit up at this. I had to force myself to pull away from him, all I wanted to do was hold him in my arms and kiss every inch of his body. But I had some business to take care of first.

I chased after the trio of men stumbling out of the club and piled into the hailed taxi with them. We zipped off to the hotel, Sam having wrapped his hand tightly in a linen napkin. Wedged between Riley and Travis in the back seat he didn’t utter a sound, but cradled his hurt hand and stared at the floorboards.

When we arrived back at the hotel, he burst through the door to my room, rage in his eyes. Travis and Riley stood sentinel outside. “What the fuck is wrong with that little bastard? Here I am putting my neck on the line for his ass, trying to fucking help and he ups and stabs me! What an ungrateful little shit!! He made me look like an idiot!” The wound had seemed to stop bleeding. He was pacing like a madman.

“Sam. Sam—“ I stepped in front of his path, hands pressed into his shoulders, “We can’t— I can’t do this anymore…” he stopped dead in his tracks.

His brow furrowed, he smiled, disbelieving, “W-what? Ev… what’re you--? Are you… are you breaking up with me, right now?” I sighed. In spite of everything that had just happened and my certainty in my choice, I still felt bad hurting him. He shook his head, pulling away from me. His eyes alighted on the hundreds of drawings strewn around my bed. Normally, I would’ve felt a pang of guilt about having left these out, but not anymore.

“What the—?” He whispered more to himself than to me as he lifted a page up to look at my work, “Got an awful lot of pictures of the little pipsqueak here…” his tone was accusatory. I crossed my arms over my chest. “Wait… don’t tell me…. This—“ he waved the image around, clenched in his hand, leaving rusty blood stains where his fingers made contact with the paper, “This isn’t the reason why you’re… no!” He laughed, waiting for me to reply. I didn’t. His smile was cut short, “Eveline… no way. Come on! Him? Really? That little tiny… nothing? He’s a pet, Ev. A fucking pet! What the fuck is wrong with you? I mean how does that even work? How is he going to take care of you, hm? Answer me that. What does he have to offer? Fucking nothing! He can’t provide for you. How are you not seeing what I am?? Babe, I’m your family… ”

I stepped forward and pulled the drawing out of his hand, placing it gently back on the surface of the bed, “I’m going to have to ask you to leave…”

I watched as his eyes burned in pain, he was shocked, hurt. “Eveline… c’mon, you’re not thinking straight—“

“Get the fuck out of my life, Sam!” Then, something flipped like a switch. He rolled his shoulders back and even managed a small smile.

“Okay, Eveline. If that’s what you really want. I’ll go. I’ll get on the next plane out of here and leave you alone. I’ve always done nothing but try to give you the world, but I love you and I will respect your decision.” Okay?? Where was the catch? He seemed far too calm and certain. I eyed him suspiciously. “I’m serious. I’ve always wanted what’s best for you and if you think this is best, then fine. I just want you to find happiness.” He leaned forward, his hand on the back of my head, he gave me a soft kiss on my temple. Wow. That was so much easier than I’d expected. I didn’t know what to say.

He seemed so strangely serene that all I could think was that maybe he was numb or in denial or something. But in any case, I’d gotten precisely what I wanted and pretty painlessly too! I breathed a sigh of relief as we both walked to the door. We hugged for a final time before Riley and Travis escorted him to get his stuff, bandage his wound, and drive him to the airport. As they all three walked away, Sam never turned over his shoulder, but Trav did. He nodded at me, as if to applaud me for doing the right thing.

************

I sat quietly in Dani’s lap as she lounged on the bed in her room. She softly brushed my hair with the tip of her finger. We didn’t say anything, and I was grateful for the peace and quiet. It took me forever to bring my heart rate down after such a fucked up experience. I didn’t know what to feel. I kept thinking about the girl we left behind, the deal we’d lost, the enemy I had made. Did Eveline mean it when she said she would fix the situation? Was she leaving him? I would rather die than spend another moment with that horrible man.

Just then, a knock at the door. She held me in her palm as she crossed to open it. Eveline. “May I come in?”

Dani moved out of the way to welcome her inside. I was still angry with the beautiful woman with the stormy eyes, but seeing her free of him admittedly allowed me to breathe a little easier in her presence. Dani set me down on the surface of the bed, soft and comfortable. I sat back with legs splayed out before me, leaning back on my hands. The two women curled up on the floor, propping their elbows up on the bed to be level with me. Eveline just looked at me for a long while. We had been so distant for what seemed like so long that the sensation of taking each other in felt foreign. Finally she sighed, “Well, it’s done. Riley and Trav are taking him to the airport now.” Her brow furrowed suddenly, her eyes welling with tears, “I’m so sorry… I never meant…” her sobs overtook her. Dani reached out and placed a hand on Eveline’s trembling shoulder. I scurried to my feet and crossed to the edge of the bed. I threw my arms around her wrist, pressing my body into her.

“Hey, it’s okay…. Eveline you couldn’t have known… it’s not your fault.” She froze, tears streaming down her cheeks as she locked eyes with me. Her eyes watered even more at my words, as she placed a hand, tentatively at first across the length of my back. This was the first time we’d really touched each other since that incident in LA. I squeezed her more tightly, “It’s not your fault.” She burst into tears, picking me up and holding me against her pounding heart.

#Maybe things are going to be ok #Hugs from pets fix everything #giant/tiny #g/t related #g/t #g/t writing #g/t au #g/t community #size difference

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grumpyhedgehogs · 3 years

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Rose Colored Glasses

Summary: Ethan sacrifices everything for family. Then, with help from a familiar face, he moves on.

Notes: Just a little something brought on by me lamenting the fact that there aren't enough fics out there that just have the Winterses and Bakers being normal friends and family.

AO3

The third time Ethan dies, he wakes up warm.

It’s a large step up from the frozen wasteland Eveline greeted him in, but the process of coming back is still just as painful. This time, it’s not his chest feeling hollow or his ribs burning as they scraped together after being shoved into the cavity where his heart was supposed to be. Now it’s mostly a full body ache; for a moment, before his thoughts reorder into some semblance of sense, Ethan thinks wildly that he has the flu, that everything since Mia had finished making dinner had to be a fever dream. She made soup--maybe because he’s been sick? She was always better at noticing when something was wrong than Ethan was. She probably put him to bed after dinner, gave him a cold compress maybe, and he’d passed out and thought up the entire nightmare because of that stupid children’s story.

The ache eases, though, almost immediately, leaving behind the warmth sinking into his bones. Ethan sighs but doesn’t open his eyes. It was all real--he knows that. He died--again--and now he’s...somewhere else. But the air isn’t cloying in his lungs, and he doesn’t hurt anymore, and it’s so, so comfortable, so he doesn’t suppose he minds too much. Rose is safe, Mia is safe, even Chris is safe. Hasn’t he earned a little rest? Hasn’t he earned the right to close his eyes for a while?

Sensation filters back in gradually, and Ethan realizes all of a sudden that he isn’t wearing his jacket or hoodie anymore. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbow. He doesn’t feel the heavy weight of his hiking boots on his ankles. His pants feel clean and unwrinkled, rather than stiff with bloodstains. There’s a constant pressure at his back holding him up, like lying on a brand new mattress. Then sound fills his ears; rain against a windowpane, his own soft breathing, the far-off sound of pots and pans and a stove turning on. His nose twitches when he smells something spicy and full-bodied, a good home-cooked meal. But Ethan still does not open his eyes. They’re too heavy. The ache has passed, but Ethan’s body is so very heavy.

Even when a hand passes over his brow, Ethan can’t seem to find the strength to open his eyes. The fingertips are square and blunt, the skin worn from hard work. The palm rests gently over his brow before moving on. Ethan thinks of Mia, running her fingers through his hair every time he’d get sick, and cannot keep in a tiny, miserable noise.

“Shh, you're alright, son,” says a familiar voice. It’s less rough now, less demented than Ethan remembers it. Kinder, definitely. “You’re alright now. You’ve gone through enough pain to warrant a little rest.”

Ethan murmurs incomprehensibly, even to himself, and drifts.

When he wakes again, he is still warm. It makes him sigh and settle before finally, finally, opening his eyes.

The room he is in is rustic, with old, worn carpets and wooden furniture. The bedframe is wood too, and his blanket a deep blue, obviously hand-knit. The rain still patters away at the window above his head, but it's gentle and calm. A pair of loafers he recognizes as his own wait at the foot of his bed.

Sitting at his bedside, his glasses slipping halfway down a sloping nose, is Jack Baker.

“Hello, Ethan.”

“Hello, Jack.”

Ethan sits up, scrubs a hand through his hair and over his eyes. A phantom pain twinges through his wrist and he hisses, but it’s gone the next second. Jack hums and nods. “You’re feelin’ some pain?”

“Just the old ones,” Ethan tells him, letting resignation drip from his words. Waking up to a dead man-turned-monster after his own death is just par for the course at this point. Somewhere between getting his hand chopped off by a monstrous version of his wife and realizing that Mother Miranda ripping his heart out was not, in fact, the first time he died, Ethan stopped trying to make the world make sense. Jack Baker waiting for him in the afterlife? Fine. Sure. Why not?

“That’ll happen for a while,” Jack tells him, still gentle as a lamb. “The older they are, the more the pains stick around. They’ll leave you eventually. Just takes some time.”

Ethan nods and swings his legs out of bed. He looks up, considering, and at the openness of Jack Baker’s face, quirks the corners of his mouth up. “This is it then, huh? This is the end.”

Jack smiles too, wider than Ethan thinks he could manage. “Don’t know ‘bout that--but this is what we have for now. Reminds you of old times, huh?”

“Just not the good times,” Ethan says.

“No,” Jack agrees tiredly. “Not the good ones.”

His companion is silent as Ethan slips on his shoes and, after another pause, clumsily folds the blanket he has been given. Afterwards, he has to admit he can’t prolong the inevitable any more. “What are you doing here, Jack?”

Jack seems to take him at his real meaning, take his words for what are you doing here with me, Jack? “You remember what I told you the last time we saw each other, son? What I asked you to do?”

“‘Free my family.’” Ethan repeats. Those words have haunted him for longer than he’d have thought possible. All that death and the blood resting squarely on his hands--could it really be labeled as freedom?

Jack leans forward and, telegraphing his movements, slowly places his hand over one of Ethan’s. His fingers are square and strong and soft against Ethan’s reflexive fist. He finds himself relaxing far more quickly than he’d have expected. “You did as I asked you, Ethan,” Jack tells him. “Even though it pained you, even though it was the most difficult thing in the world for me to ask of you, you helped us. You didn’t have to.”

Ethan stares at him blankly. “Sure I did.”

“Oh?” Jack smiles, leans back and crosses his arms. His rocking chair is more stable than the one they’d had Eveline’s old body stored in back in Dulvey. It creaks with his movements. “You could’ve broken a window and run for it. You found your wife and could’ve gone off into the woods instead of facing Eveline. But you stayed, and you helped, and now we’re here instead of stuck in that mold.”

“Well--but--it wasn’t like I had a choice--” Ethan tries, his tongue feeling thick and strange in his mouth. No one has ever actually sat and talked with him about what happened in Louisiana, never acknowledged what he’d had to sacrifice before Ethan himself brought it up. Even Mia shied away from it. Taking a deep breath, Ethan tried again. “It was just the right thing to do.”

“But you did it, Ethan. No one else. So thank you.”

And well, that is true, so Ethan keeps his mouth shut. He shrugs, feeling awkward and embarrassed and not sure why. Jack Baker takes pity on him after a silent moment. “Since you helped us, we decided to wait for you. To make sure y’all are safe and sound when it came to be your time.” Jack looks over the rim of his glasses at Ethan, and for a second Ethan feels like a little boy about to be scolded. “We thought it would be quite a while before you showed back up, son.”

Ethan snorts. “Sorry to disappoint.”

“Don't see why you should apologize for saving your daughter. There is nothing disappointing about you, Ethan.”

That warmth increases in Ethan’s chest. “Who else is here? Marguerite?”

Jack nods and softly claps his hands on his thighs. “She was fit to be tied when you showed up so unexpectedly. She’s downstairs now, getting some supper ready. We figured you’d be a bit peckish.”

For how well his last dinner with the Bakers went, Ethan feels considerably less apprehensive at the smells wafting upstairs. “What about Eveline? Lucas?”

“Lucas comes and goes,” Jack tells him. “He’s--he’s Lucas. It’s been harder for him than the two of us. He’ll come around.”

Ethan privately thinks that is the absolute last thing Lucas Baker will ever do, but keeps it to himself. “Eveline?”

“Nowhere we can see.”

He thinks of the cold, the snow, the mud and dirt and loneliness he woke to when he died at Miranda’s hand. “She probably doesn’t like company these days,” Ethan mutters.

If he hears Ethan’s comment, Jack doesn’t react. He stands then, and cracks his back, letting out a loud groan. Ethan smiles a little more at the humanity in the action. This is who Jack must have been before--well, before everything. Perhaps, if he and Mia had met them under different circumstances, they'd have been friends with the Bakers. Perhaps neighbors. Perhaps they’d have let the Bakers babysit Rose once in a while.

“Zoe is the last one we’re waiting for,” Jack says. “She won’t be here for a long while, God willing. You’re welcome to wait with us for as long as you like, of course.”

“I’ll need to stay for Mia and Rose.”

“Of course. Would you like some company?”

Ethan blinks before taking Jack’s offered hand, letting the older man pull him to his feet. “You’d wait with me? Even if Zoe comes first?”

Jack claps a hand to Ethan’s shoulder and lets it rest there, warm and reassuring. “For as long as you’ll have us, Ethan, it would be our privilege.”

The gorge in his throat swells, his face grows tight and his eyes prick. “Thanks, Jack.”

Jack inclines his head and leaves the words hanging in the air between them, comfortable and knowing. As he turns to lead Ethan out of the room, Jack pauses. “Oh, you got any good stories about little Rosie? I’m sure Marguerite would love to hear some. Been such a long time since we had a baby in the house.”

Ethan smiles, and nods, and lets the warm glow of the home beyond his doorway guide him out.

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nancydfan · 3 years

Note

Okay but honestly everyone (besides Mia) doubted Ethan and his abilities the entirety of the game- especially Chris.

Obviously all the lords are like “ha ha you’ll never get past me!” And then insert picacho surprised meme when he does.

Even Miranda seems to be like “whAT THE FUCK” when Ethan stumbles his way back to fight her after she swore she killed him. Like yes she knew he was “special” somehow but never realized the full extent of his abilities.

But Chris himself doubted Ethan the most honestly.

I feel like when Chris and his team found and got Ethan and Mia out of the Baker’s house in RE7, he probably just thought Ethan was lucky. I mean, here’s this totally average guy and you’re telling me he killed/ severely injured the members of this family who had been infected with the mold, as well as killed Eveline himself? Like Chris was probably like while this man definitely was able to fight his way out there’s no actual way he was able to do this on his own, maybe he’s over exaggerating or whatever.

But he doesn’t say anything, and offers to teach Ethan military training (at least I think it was Chris, only because they seem to be more familiar with each other in RE8) because even if he’s over exaggerating the man clearly has talent and capabilities to make it out of that house in relatively one piece.

And then they get into training and Chris is incredibly impressed. For what appears to be your typical average dude he’s got pretty good fight tactics and techniques, and can handle a gun pretty well. Of course there’s always stuff to improve on and Chris teaches him to the best of his abilities, and here he gets to know Ethan.

This is a man who always offers help to anyone who needs it, and goes out of his way to comfort people whenever they need it. He truly loves his wife, he never makes a “gotta get back to the old ball and chain” or other “I hate my wife” jokes, he truly appreciates her and respects her with every part of him.

He has a great intuition, both in fighting and just when reading people. When Chris or someone around them has an off day he immediately picks up on it and is able to sense what that person needs. With Chris he will casually mention that his door is always open, he might not know the answer but Ethan is always willing to listen if Chris needs it. And though Chris at first insists that he’s fine, somehow Ethan Winters gets him to open up a bit (not completely, but Ethan’s genuine kindness begins to crack Chris’ ‘tough guy’ mask he puts on that lets Ethan see a glimpse of the real him. Chris’ squad is in utter shock of this because it took them YEARS to achieve this), and they both can sit down and share the horrors they both have experienced and for once in Chris’ life he starts to feel that maybe he can actually recover from what he’s seen.

Ethan also somehow knows exactly what to say. Though sometimes he’ll have to pause to get the right words and thoughts together, when he finally speaks his words are exactly what Chris (and others) needed to hear, even if Chris won’t admit it.

Ethan is the guy who when he sees injustice he doesn’t stay quiet, he is loud and makes sure that whatever happened doesn’t go unnoticed. He somehow remembers everyone’s birthday and gets them the present that they actually want, even if the person and Ethan have only talked once.

And though Ethan has the capability to be serious when needed he can be light hearted and funny, and though sometimes his jokes are simple puns or the same reiteration of the joke you’ve heard 100 times you can’t help but laugh because he somehow made it sound different, somehow breathed some fresh life into it. He has his favorite shows that he always makes sure he is home by to watch, and though he is at his core gentle and kind he can also be tough, and isn’t afraid to call you out when you’re wrong.

Ethan is the least judgmental person you will ever meet, and is truly open minded and will listen to you completely and openly. He isn’t afraid to change his opinion when he realizes he was wrong. When him and Mia throw a Christmas party they always invite Chris and he is always touched by it.

It is through their time together training that Chris realizes that while yes Ethan is a completely normal man he is far from completely ordinary and boring.

And when he announces he’s going to be a father Ethan’s eyes completely light up, and he spends hours of talking about all the beautifully mundane things that accompany preparing to become a parent and dealing with the trials of Mia’s pregnancy. There is no doubt in Ethan’s voice or heart that lead anyone to believe that he thinks that there’s a possibility that Rose might be unhealthy due to both of their exposure to the mold. Ethan runs on optimism and truly believes that she’ll be alright, that though they’ve been through hell him and Mia finally got the happy ending they deserve, and Chris has never been so happy for him.

And then, of course, everything comes crashing down.

When Chris learns that Miranda has infiltrated the Winters’ home he is infuriated on their behalf (can’t this family catch a fucking break?) and does all he can to help them (but little does he know he actually will make it worse). He doesn’t tell Ethan whats going on because they need the element of surprise to get Miranda and Chris knows Ethan will not lie low until he gets there. While Ethan was incredibly lucky to survive Dulvey there’s no way he can survive Miranda’s wrath.

(Also I think there was a document saying they didn’t know if Ethan was compromised or not, hence why Chris didn’t tell Ethan immediately what was going on but still he was over the line)

When Chris discovers that his team escorting Ethan, Rose, and Miranda had crashed and died, leaving Miranda in sole control of Rose he is devastated but thinks to himself that he must keep going, there’s no time to grieve or feel guilty for mistakes when Miranda is moments away from completing her ceremony.

And then he gets word that Ethan Winters has been spotted in the castle. And he shakes his head because of course he’s still alive, Ethan must run on luck and sheer will because how else would he have survived the crash?

And though Chris wants to go after him to tell him to sit his ass down so his team can do their job he can’t because again time is a luxury he can’t afford and he hopes Ethan’s luck saves his ass again this time. And though he hopes for the best can Ethan really take on these god-like creatures?

And then he again gets word that Ethan Winters somehow is defeating all of the lords. He’s going through them as if they’re simply ants beneath his feet and somehow he is still going. And though this is great Chris and his team are rapidly losing the element of surprise they’ve been trying to maintain since coming to this village.

And when he encounters Ethan again it almost hurts to see this man who once sat with him for hours talking about nothing, offering to help him with his taxes look at him with such fury and disdain that it almost sends shivers down his spine, that even though Chris is a highly trained operative he for some reason feels like if Ethan chose to kill him Chris wouldn’t last long. He wants to explain but time won’t let him (or is it the fear that he was wrong all along and once he spits his words out he’ll realize this).

And when Chris runs into Ethan at Karl’s factory he finally gives up and figures that he could use Ethan’s luck on his team, if Ethan can eliminate the four lords without any military help then he’s got to be able to have a shot and killing Miranda with Chris’ and his team’s help.

And when he hears Miranda kill Ethan on the phone it is a blow to his gut that he wasn’t expecting, because Ethan Winters has made a bigger impact on his heart than he thought possible. And it is in this moment of grief that he realizes his mistakes, that he was wrong to alienate Ethan, the man who went through hell twice without looking back to save his family.

The guilt only gets worse when he finds Mia, because he has to explain to her that it’s his fault that her husband is lying dead without his heart due to Chris’ own negligence. And when Mia tells him that he doesn’t understand how special he is he desperately wants to hear it, despite his mind telling him that’s she’s wrong, he wants Mia to tell him that Ethan can survive the impossible because he wants a second chance to make things right.

And when he gets the report again that Ethan Winters is somehow alive and is on his way to the ceremony site Chris’ heart soars and he wonders how could he have ever doubted Ethan Winters and his ability to come back to the people he loves time and time again.

(Also I could be wrong here because I don’t remember if Miranda blocked Chris out once she realized he was there but the rest of this is going to go off of the assumption that Chris was present and could see what was happening)

It is not until Chris makes it to the ceremony site and sees the battle between Miranda and Ethan that Chris truly realizes that he has severely underestimated this man for 3 whole years.

He’s seen Ethan fight before- he saw it in training and heard his squad give him the summary of what they saw when Ethan fought the other lords, but this is the first time Chris has seen Ethan TRULY fight, and on his face where Chris is so used to seeing compassion and love and carefreeness is suddenly replaced by anger, resentment, and pure determination because his daughter’s life is on the line and he will fight until there is nothing left of him to keep that little girl safe.

Chris watches in awe, because even though Ethan looks like he is barely staying together, like he is one breath away from falling apart he is still fighting. Maybe it’s because the mold is being destroyed or maybe Ethan’s injuries are so severe that the mold can’t be bothered hiding itself anymore but he finally sees the proof for himself that Ethan Winters is no longer human- Miranda is tearing into him and Ethan does not care- the long gashes she makes onto his body are desperately trying to suture themselves back together with small tendrils of black, this mold desperately trying to keep Ethan together when Miranda is so intent on tearing him apart.

He watches in amazement as Ethan somehow manages to avoid her claws and her own tendrils of mold reaching out to pound him into dust. He watches in amazement as it doesn’t matter how much Miranda damages Ethan- he gets back up again to unload another round of bullets into Miranda without slowing down, and watches in amazement as Ethan actually begins to win this battle- this perfectly normal man versus a god-like creature and Ethan is actually winning despite all the odds stacked against him.

This is Ethan Winters, he thinks, and while the mold might have given him regenerative properties the mold did not give him the drive and determination Chris sees before him- though Ethan Winters is infected but he is still Ethan Winters, each bullet he fires is coming from him, and his pure will to survive and save his daughter. The mold did not change him to a super hero because this is who he is at heart, a man who is willing to risk it all just to make sure the ones he loves are all right.

And if he didn’t already respect Ethan before he certainly does now, and he curses himself for being so ignorant and not letting Ethan in when he had the chance.

But that’s alright- because Ethan Winters has just eliminated Miranda before his eyes and is running to his daughter, and now Chris will have a lifetime to make it up to him.

But then he sees Ethan collapse to his knees in front of him, and his feet are moving before he even thinks to go because there’s no way, this man did not survive this hell just to die on him now.

Chris is relieved that Ethan is still (barely) conscious as he puts his arm around the man to help him out. Time has never been on their side and it certainly isn’t now, as Chris practically drags Ethan out because he has failed him too many times and he refuses to fail him again.

He tries to get Ethan to keep fighting because it seems that all of the life has drained from this man, the only part of him that’s full of life is the arm carrying his daughter because even when he’s on the brink of death he will not let anything happen to her. Chris brings up Mia and it pains him to hear the loss in Ethan’s voice, as if he’s already decided he’s a lost cause. Chris will not let this happen, he points out that they’re going to blow the village sky high and that’s why they need to get a move on and-

Suddenly Ethan is pushing Rose into his arms, and Chris can’t believe he gets the privilege to hold this man’s daughter after all he’s done and Ethan is draping Rose in his worn out coat and begging Chris to teach her to be strong and Chris won’t have this, Ethan Winters will not die on his watch he will get home to his family and live to live a perfectly normal life, when suddenly Ethan pushes Chris out of the way of a mold tendril that acts as a barrier between them and Chris watches in horror as Ethan stumbles backwards, the man looking more and more like a walking corpse versus the man he just saw moments ago, full of life and determination to kill Miranda.

“Goodbye, Rosemary” Ethan chokes out as he starts to stumble his way back to the ceremony site, and Chris can almost feel the pain of Ethan’s loss at not being able to be with his daughter and wife just within the utterance of these two words.

And Chris is calling Ethan back because dammit it doesn’t have to be like this but Chris knows what a man hell bent on something looks like, and Ethan is already almost out of his sight and the whole village is collapsing around him.

Cursing Chris turns around, cradling Rose close because Ethan somehow miraculously chose to trust Chris in protecting her and like hell will he let something happen to her after this. Chris will teach her to be strong and how to be brave, and not because he’s a man and Mia is incapable of it, but Chris will teach Rose how to be strong like her father was, and how to defend herself because both he and Ethan know that Rose’s abilities will make her a constant target for people to use for their own gain.

When Chris hands Rose back to Mia the joy on her face is short lived and suddenly she’s demanding where Ethan is, begging them to put the plane back down because there’s no way in hell he’d leave them willingly and just as Chris utters that Ethan chose to sacrifice himself the bomb goes off and he feels another blow to his chest, and it’s as though he can’t breathe for a second. He sees the realization hit Mia, and that though Ethan has survived the impossible time and time again can he really survive being blown to bits?

Chris can barely contain the grief and guilt that is consuming him as he looks out the window at the site where Ethan Winters’ luck has run out, the site where Ethan Winters has now died for the second time.

He glances back at Mia and Rose, and each sob Mia lets out cuts him like a knife because he knows he is responsible. He promised this little family that he would protect them and he failed. He failed Mia, he failed Ethan, and now he has failed Rosemary as she must now navigate her life missing a father who would have done anything for her.

Chris will not let Ethan die in vain. He will protect Rose, he will teach her how to fight and how to defend herself. And though he wants to reach out and comfort Mia he knows it will be unwelcome, but looking at Rose he will not fail her again.

He made a promise to Ethan Winters that he fully intends on keeping.

I’m sorry what did I do to be so emotionally attacked like this 😆

I’m SOBBING OMG. Ty really. I feel like I have nothin I can add to this because GAH MY HEART. You get it. You understand these characters and I was smiling so huge as you described Ethan because YES ALL OF THIS. Then the pain as Ethans end approaches. AND CHRIS’ PERSPECTIVE THROUGHOUT AND HIS PROMISE GOING FORWARD.

Anyway someone get me tissues. This was so beautiful. Bless you 💜💜

#thanks for the ask nonnie 💜💜💜#resident evil #resident evil 8 #ethan winters #chris redfield #resident evil spoilers #mrs joe speaks #long post

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piracytheorist · 3 years

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Since the first thing that strikes me about re8, story-wise, is that it seems to be all over the place? Again, I’ve no idea how it ties to previous games but it feels like this parental/mother-child theme is just hanging there with no resolution at all? I mean yes, Ethan saved his daughter, presumably breaking some sort of abuse cycle, yay, congrats, but what about his wife/gf? Isn’t she supposed to be like the main protagonist of the story of a mother bereaved to the point of tyrannical madness

Or rather, this specific story is not the right choice for his character since there’s SO many ethical and philosophical issues and questions implied but never properly explored because of Ethan’s ‘fuck you, idc’ attitude (which is completely understandable in those circumstances but adds virtually nothing to the plot and arguably even ruins it a bit). Heisenberg could’ve been an excellent ally with fascinating grey morality (provided the writers wouldn’t push him to the point of absolute insanity and let freedom, not power-hunger be his main goal and motivation for rebellion).And again, aren’t the lords supposed to represent child development stages? In which case Ethan what? Kills the possibility of some evil version of Rose? Or his own chance to experience fatherhood throughout all of those stages? Either way, it seems a bit… weird to have a Parent destroy multiple people whose main relevance to the plot is that they’re children of an abusive antagonist in a storyline so extremely focused on parent/kid relationships.

I feel like the main theme of re8 is not just parenthood/motherhood, but the relationship itself of the parent to the child. There's a lot of mentions to "children being used". Miranda kidnapping people, experimenting on them and mutating them and then treating them like they're her kids; Miranda kidnapping and practically killing Rose; Dimitrescu making daughters out of reanimated corpses she experimented on; Heisenberg wanting to use Rose's powers, etc etc.

And it's important that Miranda is at the center of this. There's something very interesting she says to Ethan in her boss fight:

"Why do you interfere? Surely you have no need of Rose now, so close to death?"

And that's where her mistake was. Ethan wasn't doing all that because he needed Rose herself. He was doing it to save her, fully aware that he wasn't going to be a part of her life cause he knew he was dying. Miranda was way too dependent on her love for Eva - and like, I honestly get it that losing your child can devastate you (if anything my fear of that is one of the reasons I don't want to have kids) - so much that her life literally revolved around her child. Once Eva died, Miranda wanted to die. Once she found the Megamycete and discovered she maybe had a chance to bring Eva back, she dedicated her entire life and ruined multiple others to do just that. Her one and biggest need was to get Eva back. It wasn't a simple want or wish. It was a need. She'd get her child back, damn everyone else - including other people's children.

Miranda had no-one to blame directly; Eva had died from the influenza, it wasn't like she had any chance to change things. Ethan's case was different; he had people to blame, particularly, the one who kidnapped Rose and dismembered her, and her lackeys who kept said parts and fought him for trying to take them back.

So on one end, you have a parent who lost her child due to a tragedy, and ended up destroying other - innocent - lives in order to get her back. On the other, you have a parent who lost his child due to a crime, and ended up going after the criminals responsible in order to get the child back. Like, it wasn't even revenge, and it wasn't that he "needed" Rose in his life. He simply wanted to save her and ensure she'll be alright.

I fully agree it could have been Mia as the protagonist in re8, and that it was a wasted opportunity to simply fridge her and have her in the sidelines angsting over her husband. But whether it was Mia or Ethan as the protagonist, I feel like the theme that I explained above does offer a resolution, showing the opposites of Miranda and Ethan, and ending Miranda's tyrrany of her "need" to have her child back through Ethan's determination to ensure his child's safety and happiness - even if he doesn't get to be a part of any of that later on. Miranda showed obsession; Ethan showed dedication.

And this is how I see the abuse cycle breaking and the resolution is reached; an obsessed parent hurt a good parent's child to bring their own child back - the good parent's dedication stopped the former, allowing the former's tyrrany to end and their child to grow up safe.

Seeing as this is a horror game, I don't tend to focus on the morality issues (if I'm interpreting your second message correctly). Like, the developers are making a grant effort to put us in Ethan's shoes, first-person POV, plain character protagonist and all; our child got kidnapped and practically murdered, and we have the chance to bring her back. We'll absolutely raise hell to the people who are responsible for it and we will get our child back, fuck any moral dilemmas we might have. When someone is threatening your life, you have the ability to kill them to defend yourself. In the case of a caring parent, that ability may multiply by a lot when the threat is towards their child. And I feel that this is what the game explored in the end. Though the whole survival issue is taxing on Ethan, he doesn't give a damn about who he has to kill if it means saving his daughter - but again, it's only the responsible parties. We see how watching all the people at Luisa's house die affected him, and even before Elena died, he wanted to ensure her safety before he went searching for Rose; he is sympathetic and morally rational, but also capable of cold-blooded murder if someone is threatening his child. To a lesser extent, we saw that in re7 too. With his life on the line, he killed Jack (multiple times) and Marguerite, and at the end he recognized how they were actually victims of Eveline. But they were still actively trying to murder him so he wasn't given the chance to help them. With Zoe, he promised to send help, and he did, even wanting to talk to her once she'd been rescued by her uncle and Chris. The same applies to re8, but as I said, it's multiplied since it's his daughter who's in danger, and the end of re8 proves he cares for her safety more than his own.

Now, all that said, I think it's important to note how it's stil a Resident Evil game. I haven't actually played or watched any playthroughs of other games, but the basic concept in these games, from what I understand, is that the player shoots zombies; ex-human beings who have lost any human mentality and will just come for your throat if you don't kill them first. They're not humans anymore, they can't be reasoned or sympathized with. It's not really an issue of morality, ethics or philosophy. Your life, and the life of your child in the case of re8, are in danger. You don't give a shit. You just start shooting and hope for the best. Again, I don't know if the morality issue is explored in other RE games, but to be honest... Resident Evil doesn't sound like the kind of franchise that's thematically into going super deep into the morality of shooting zombies to save your life.

I have to admit I haven't thought of the Lords being representative of child development stages. I think they could be put as Moreau being a toddler, fully dependent on their parent - funnily enough, the Greek word for baby is "moro", pronounced almost exactly the way "Moreau" is pronounced in the game - Donna as a child, Heisenberg as a (rebellious?) teenager, and Dimitrescu as a late teen/young adult (if anything, Dimitrescu seems to behave like the eldest child of the bunch). But I'm not sure the connection that has to Ethan as a father, if anything because the bosses are fought in complete random order of age, if my analysis is correct. Like, I understand the symbolism behind the Lords' behaviours, maybe as you said they represent the obstacles Ethan had to overcome. In one single day and with his life on the line, instead of in the course of Rose's entire childhood and adolescence, but that's exactly why he hated being a protagonist of a horror game, lol.

Anyway, yeah. All in all, I don't think Resident Evil is a franchise where we should expect to sit down afterwards and ponder whether we were right to shoot the zombies that were trying to kill us. Again, I'm not the right person to ask this, since I don't know anything about other RE games, but that's the conclusion I'm making in a meta-thinking way.

#Resident Evil #Resident Evil Village #Resident Evil 8 #Ethan Winters #Mother Miranda #re meta #anonymous #ask and ye shall receive

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bellatrixobsessed1 · 3 years

Text

When A Bird Dies

Pair: Alcina/Mia

Summary: After Mother Miranda’s death, Alcina feels lost. She uses wine to cope and Mia tries to help her find a purpose.

AN: This one shot was inspired by Rosegarden Funeral Party’s Once In A While. It’s my first time writing Mia so apologies if it’s somewhat OOC. Ngl I was kind of just typing here and hoping for the best xD

Sometimes when she gets insecure, she gets drunk. And the lady is a woefully sloppy and unrefined drunk. Sometimes she drinks when she is sad. Mia doesn’t understand why she does this, the drinks only heighten her sorrow and leave her a sobbing mess.

On these nights, Mia wishes that she could carry the lady to bed. Lift her right off her feet and tuck her in. Perhaps rub her back until she comes back to herself. Her poised and fierce self. Back to the Alcina who speaks of skinning men alive and tasting their delectable blood.

But sometimes, the woman curled up and sobbing on the floor isn’t of any intrigue to Mia. She is a pitiful thing. And sometimes a disgusting sniveling thing. Really, Mia thinks that she ought to take the woman’s wine from her. Sometimes she grows tired of what it can reduce Dimitrescu to.

“You would do this in front of your daughters?” Mia asks.

“My daughters aren’t here.”

“Yes, they’re off fetching and bedding maidens.” She comments dryly. Sometimes bitterness gets the best of her. Sometimes she finds herself slipping and lapsing into something that she isn’t proud of, not even slightly. Maybe the woman in front of her is wearing off on her. Maybe it is this village infecting her just as swiftly as the mold.

“How dare you?” Lady Dimitrescu growls. She wipes her eyes, smearing mascara and foundation. Her face is twisted into a furious, almost feral snarl. Double so with crimson of blood-wine staining her teeth. “Talk about my daughters like that…” she slurs. “I’ve never said an ill word of that Rose.”

She could slap the woman. She very well should. Dimitrescu knows well that Rose is a subject not to be spoken of. Even years later it still stings to think of having to let the baby go. To think of having to let Ethan go. To have watched them make their way out of the village with only a glance back.

To know that the mold has infected and warped her so beyond repair that she had to let the two of them go and remain here amid the other freaks and monsters. And only this one, this sorry drunk had taken pity on her. Mia supposes that calling her a drunk is a bit of a stretch. She only drinks when she thinks. And lately she has been doing a lot of thinking. She says that she thinks until her head hurts. Undoubtedly she misses Mother Miranda, the wretched beast.

Without Mother Miranda she is both stronger and weaker. She is bolder, freer. Bolder, freer, and sadder. Though sometimes Mia thinks that it is merely a melodrama, that the mutant just wants attention. And with nothing better to do, Mia gives it to the woman. Most of the time she only dimly recalls having received any affection at all.

And maybe it is her maternal side that does the talking and moving. Her maternal side that compels her to help the tall lady to her unsteady feet. “You’re going to have to stop this.” Mia sighs. “You’re a lot stronger than this.”

.oOo.

Alcina shakes her head. These days she doesn’t feel much like that. Between Mother Miranda’s great fall and her own at the hands of Ethan Winters, she has found herself feeling rather inadequate.

Her weakness now runs so deep that she can’t even bring herself to go through with her vengeance. To drive a claw through one end of Mia and out the other and deliver the corpse straight to her husband and his wretched daughter.

Right now her head hurts too much to stand, let alone skewer a woman. And even if she had the ability she is coming to find that she has quite a soft spot for Mia. To think that she has fallen so low that she finds herself fancying a human. She is lucky that her daughters aren’t here to see this. She resents it with a fury, but Mia is right. She needs to get herself together.

“Sit with me?” She pats a spot on her lap. The woman hesitates. “Sit with me.” She still hesitates but climbs into her lap all the same. “You know that I was thinking of bleeding you out? I was going to chain you to the ceiling just the way I did your husband.” She pauses, trying to detect fear or hatred on the woman’s face. It remains blank. Impassive and unphased. “I was going to taste your blood on my tongue, surely it tastes better than your husband’s. Woman…” she leans closer, hovers her lips over Mia’s exposed neck. “Women taste better. Sweeter, richer. They aren’t so dirty and stale.”

“And how does your blood taste, Lady Dimitrescu?”

She furrows her brows, admittedly, the question has thrown her. “My blood…”

“I don’t bleed.”

“Everyone bleeds, Lady Dimitrescu.” Mia seems to study her face. “You just bleed differently. I imagine that your blood tastes like wine. You drink enough of it.”

Her face colors. It helps her case very little that she is already quite tipsy. Tipsy and absurdly emotional. She understands why Mia isn’t quite so intimidated by her today. “I do not bleed.” She repeats again.

“You would hemorrhage if your daughters died. Mother Miranda died and look at you...you’re bleeding all over the place.” She reaches up and wipes a tear from Alcina’s eye. “It’s depressing and fascinating to watch.” She pauses. “I’ve looked after a mutant before. Eveline. The infected definitely bleed. The hurt and cry just the way we do. You wouldn’t even know that some of them are mutated.”

Alcina cringes, “don’t you dare compare me to…”

“Humans?” Mia asks. “You were human once.”

“That...that was a very long time ago.” And there is not one part of her that wishes to return to that feeble, delicate state. “You’d do well not to bring it up again.” Where did she put the wine bottle? But the words have already well and settled upon her, she doesn’t think that more wine can drive them out this time.

Evidently she isn’t sure what to do. Isn’t sure that she has a purpose at all anymore. Donna has her dolls and Karl has his machines. She never thought that she would find herself near the same level as Salvatore--confused and lost.

She could continue to export her wines, she supposes. But that has lost its charm now that Mother Miranda won’t be around to stop in for a taste. To dully express a fondness for the drinks.

She has her girls but they have their own lives to live and now that the weather is warming, they are out and about more often.

“What shall I do, Mia?” She murmurs.

Mia’s face softens and the woman brings a hand to her cheek. Her hand is somewhat cold but the gesture has a warmth to make up for it. “About what? Your startling bloodlust?”

“What shall I do now that Mother Miranda is gone?”

“First you can put down the bottle.” She takes it right from Alcina’s hands and puts it aside. “And then you can start living your own life again. Your way.”

She isn’t sure that she remembers how.

“You used to enjoy jazz, yes?”

“Quite well.” She nods. And she still enjoys digging out an old record every now and then.

“Well, why don’t you put a record on, we can have dinner, and discuss how to get you back into the music industry.”

“I don’t believe that I fit into the scene anymore.” And she means it most literally.

“That’s what we’ll be talking about. I’d love to get out of this village every now and again. Perhaps you can do the singing and I can do some lip syncing?”

It isn’t such a horrid plan. If nothing else, it gives her something to fantasize about. Something to look forward to. And perhaps if she doesn’t kill the woman or corrode her soul completely--they might make a fine duo.

Mia casts a smile over her shoulder.

Sometimes, Alcina loses herself. At least this time she may have help finding herself.

#Alcina Dimitrescu #Lady Dimitrescu #Resident Evil #Alcina/Mia

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rextasywrites · 3 years

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Little Darling Ending 2 - a Lady Dimitrescu x Mia Winters fanfiction

"Mia lowered the gun with a tremble in her hands, slowly taking in what she had just done. Ethan had covered Rosy’s eyes so she wouldn’t have to see what her Mommy was doing, but once she uncovered them, Rosy tugged on her Mommy’s shirt with a smile, “He was a bad man Mommy. He said you are dead and now he is dead! He deserves this!”"

Ending 2 - The Lady Dimitrescu Ending

so...that's it folks! Thank you for reading this fanfiction! it's been a pleasure to write and I hope you enjoy reading as much as i enjoyed writing it! make it a good one! <3 <3 <3 everything is kept under the ‘read more’ to avoid spoilers for the fanfic!

Warnings: death, violence, blood taking, needles

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 The Chris Ending The Lady Dimitrescu Ending

“I am sorry. I am so so sorry.”, Mia breathed out, nobody knew who’d be on the receiving end of her decisions. But she had made up her mind. She had made it up a long time ago.

Mia grabbed the gun Lady Dimitrescu had given her and fired right at Chris’ head, brain and blood splattering against the wall behind him. Not a lot of his head was left due to the powerful gun Mia had, her hands shaking as she looked at the mess she had left. Lady Dimitrescu gave her shoulder a tight squeeze, such a devilish smile on her lips. “You have done the right thing, my dearest. No one should get away with trying to kill you.”

Mia lowered the gun with a tremble in her hands, slowly taking in what she had just done. Ethan had covered Rosy’s eyes so she wouldn’t have to see what her Mommy was doing, but once she uncovered them, Rosy tugged on her Mommy’s shirt with a smile, “He was a bad man Mommy. He said you are dead and now he is dead! He deserves this!”

Rosy smiled, and in this moment, loud screams of terror and fear echoed through the labs. The mold around them pulsated and slowly, the remains of Chris were soaked up by it. It was probably doing the same thing to the scientists and soldiers still alive, being eaten by the mold created by Rosy. “And now we can finally be a happy family! Alcina, you and I!”

“You cannot stay here Ethan. This time for real.”, Mia sighed, the two of them sitting in a remote part of the castle, drinking a weird beverage brought to them by Cassandra. While the two went out to talk, Lady Dimitrescu kept an eye on little Rosy - it’s been so long since a little kid was in the castle, Lady Dimitrescu felt at least a hundred years younger!

Ethan took a sip and shook his head, “Why? Mia, that’d mean...I’d lose you for the third time! I cannot do this.”

“Ethan.”, Mia placed her hands on Ethan’s shoulders, making him look at her, “Can’t you see? I am the reason for all the things going wrong with your life. If...If I hadn’t worked for them...if I hadn’t accepted the job with Eveline...then we wouldn’t be here. Please. Just leave and never ever look back.”, more tears welled up in her eyes with every word she spoke, threatening to spill over. “Find a new girlfriend, marry her and have kids with her, a dog and maybe some guinea pigs. But please...let Rosy and me stay here. With us, you’d never be safe. Never ever again.”

Rosy and Mia watched as Ethan was guided out of the castle by the daughters. For once they dressed normally to blend in with the people around them. They’d bring him to the airport in Bucharest and then return, making sure no male thing would ever put a foot into their holy castle. Where they got the car from and if one of the daughters could actually drive? That wasn’t their concern anymore.

Lady Dimitrescu smiled at them once they returned inside of the warm castle, patting on her lap and little Rosy jumped straight onto it, cuddling up to Lady Dimitrescu. She had quickly taken a liking in the tall vampire lady just like her Mommy did. Was it the mold inside of them speaking?

“Higher! Higher!”, Rosy squealed as Cassandra pushed the swing, laughing with the little girl as she nearly made a barrel roll on the playground. Her happy sounds were audible all the way into the village, even a calming sound for the people down there. They knew, as long as Lady Dimitrescu was happy, they’d be happy and kept safe too.

Bela pushed Cassandra away, giving Rosy more thrusts as Cassandra was too weak in her eyes. “Hey! She is my sister too you fuckface!”, Cassandra groaned, to which Lady Dimitrescu disappointedly shook her head.

“Languages, my girls.”, she said, one arm wrapped around Mia next to her.

Spring had come around, even in the mountains the castle was located in. While both of them had been terribly homesick at first, Mia and Rosy started to enjoy life in the castle sooner than they had previously anticipated. Bela, Cassandra and Daniela had become something like ‘big sisters’ to Rosy, and turned out to be very happy with her new little sister. Even the human food the three made tasted good. But soon enough, Mia and Rosy would feast on blood too.

“She has learnt so many new swear words since she started playing with the girls.”, Mia laughed as she cradled her belly. She was roughly seven months along and the pregnancy couldn’t go smoother. Mia barely had any problems, the daughters took her to her appointments in disguise, the little baby was healthy and had no problems apart from the D- and E-series inside of her small body.

Mia gave birth to a healthy little girl in the early days of summer, naming her Enola. She clearly had her daddy’s eyes. The whole Dimitrescu family was doting on her, and the daughters fought over who could spend more time with the new addition to the family when Mia was tired and needed sleep. They even fought over who would help Mia with hurting boobs and sore nipples - but this place went to Lady Dimitrescu.

But today, they had the whole day for themselves with the newborn baby. Lady Dimitrescu brought the syringe with the virus into the chambers they shared, Mia nervously sitting on the bed, playing with her fingers as she waited for what was about to come.

Lady Dimitrescu sat next to her and asked her to pull up her sleeve, exposing her left arm to her. “Is it gonna hurt a lot, Alcina?”, Mia asked with a worried face.

“It will. It will feel like you are burning alive, but the feeling as you rise out of the ashes like a Phoenix...you will never feel such glory in your life again. It will be worth it.”, Lady Dimitrescu told her. She didn’t waste any more time and put the needle into Mia’s arm, slowly pressing its content into her bloodstream.

And Lady Dimitrescu was right. Mere minutes later, Mia started to feel hot, taking off her shirt and pants as she sat on her lover’s lap, panting and yelling in pain as the mold started to take over her bloodstream.

“And now, Mia, we did it. Your daughters will get the syringe once they are old enough. And then nothing can stop us anymore.”, Lady Dimitrescu said and cupped Mia’s hot cheeks. Her hair was sticking to her head, drops of sweat falling down her temples.

“I love you, Mia Dimitrescu.”

#lady dimitrescu #mia winters #ethan winters #resident evil #resident evil 8 #resident evil village

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coughsyrep · 2 years

Text

Caffeine and Oxytocin

Summary: After the costume party, Miranda and Mia decide that they want more than a fake relationship. With both having struggles with work, and both having their own personal demons to deal with, how will this relationship fair?

Chapter Two: Birds of a Feather

3282 Words

Link for AO3 if you prefer that format:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/35180731/chapters/87949588#workskin

If you'd prefer to read it here:

Mia knocked three times before opening the door. She held back a sigh when she saw the state of the room, with toys and books thrown about the room, mattress thrown to the floor, and the window curtains torn down.

“Eveline?” Mia calls, looking around the room before seeing the young girl in the corner, curled into herself. Mia thought about calling security in case she needed to be restrained, but decided against it, not wanting to scare her anymore. She tries another tactic instead; she picks up the toys, placing them in a box under the windows. A few moments pass before she hears Eveline walk over, picking up a stuffed bear and hugging it close to her chest. Mia smiles, turning slowly to her.

“Would you like to keep that one out?” She nods, making Mia nod in turn before she continues to clean the room. “How’s your head today, Eveline?” She hears her murmur, and turns to her. “I couldn’t hear you dear.”

“Mommy?” She says a little louder, and Mia holds back a grimace.

“I’m not your mommy, Eveline. We talked about this, remember?” Eveline stares at her, then gently shakes her head. Mia tries to hide her sadness, instead giving a small smile. “Don’t worry, we’re going to help you remember.” Mia stands, walking towards her until she sees Eveline tense, stopping halfway.

“Mommy,” she murmurs again, and this time Mia can’t help the small sigh she releases.

“Would you like to go for a walk today?” Mia holds out a hand, but Eveline shakes her head, wincing at the quick movements. “Does your head hurt?” She nods this time, much slower. “Would you like me to leave so you can rest?” Eveline grits her teeth, and Mia backs up, hand hovering over the emergency call button.

“Don’t leave me,” she growls, clenching her fists. “Don’t leave!”

“Eveline, please calm-“ Eveline rushes forwards, screaming as she grabs at Mia. Mia slams her hand onto the button, jumping to the side to avoid her attack. Two guards rush in, blocking the girl before she had a chance to turn back towards Mia, who leaves as she screams again. She sighs as she hears objects hitting the walls, likely the books she didn’t have a chance to get to. She walks behind a desk, pulling Eveline’s chart up on the computer.

‘Patient shows a regression of symptoms, including memory, judgement and control of emotions. Likely needs to return to neurologist to reexamine front lobe and Cadou implanted.’

Mia looks through the girl’s file again, her records one of the many stuck in her memory. Traumatic brain injury caused by a car wreck, killing her mother. Her father sent Eveline to Village with hopes to bring her out of her coma, then became absent once treatment was administered and it became clear that the symptoms of traumatic brain injury weren’t cured.

“What a dick,” she muttered before opening her email, sending a note to her supervisor about completing the two o’clock rounds. She sighs as she leans back in her seat, pulling out her phones only to see multiple texts from Ethan, all telling her to call her in one way or another. She shakes her head, tossing the phone on the desk, and closes her eyes.

“Mind telling me why you didn’t ask for someone to come with you into that girl’s room?” Mia’s eyes fly open as she wonders why she never gets a break.

“Mind telling me why you don’t use her name?” She retorts, and the man rolls his eyes.

“She’s nothing but trouble, and you know that.”

“She’s a kid, Alan,” Mia nearly growls, “and she’s suffering. Why do you have to be such an ass to her?”

“She’s a waste of resources!” He shouts, ignoring Mia shushing him. “No one’s paying for her resources, she tears up every damn thing we give her, she’s sending some of our own people to the hospital with how violent she gets!”

“None of that is her fault, and if you took two seconds to research her diagnosis, you wouldn’t be so quick to judge.”

“She’s a damn psychopath!”

“She’s a kid with a condition! Saying she’s a psychopath shows that you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, and you’re the expert? You ever even met a psychopath?” Mia tenses, mind flashing back to Lucas, before standing.

“I’ve got some phone calls to make,” Mia says coldly, “try not to agitate the patients like you always do.” She brushes past him, clutching the phone tightly as she makes her way to the elevator. She nearly punches the one for the ground floor, closing her eyes and breathing slowly. When she hears the elevator ding, she tries to walk out as casually as possible, not looking at anyone as she walks out the door. She pulls out her cellphone, sighing as her thumb hovers over Ethan’s number. Knowing that he’d only get more insistent the more she continued ignored him, she starts a call.

“Mia!” He says almost immediately, and she clenches her jaw. “Listen, I’ve been talking to Chris again, and I think he might let me join his team this time.”

“Ethan, please don’t,” she groaned, “they won’t take you, taking down Lucas won’t change that.”

“But hear me out, I found out they have another operation coming up, and I just need to move to Europe.”

“Ethan-“

“And I want you and Rose to come with me.” Mia scoffed, shaking her head.

“Rose and I are not moving to another country just because you think you’re some sort of vigilant. And how did you even get that information?”

“Top secret, Mia. Listen, I know you don’t want to come, but I think it’d be safest-“

“I’m hanging up.” She pulls the phone away, hearing his muffled voice come from the phone before pressing the end call button. She immediately scrolls to another number, tapping her foot at the ringtone.

“Redfield,” a gruff voice says, and Mia feels herself relax.

“Chris, it’s Mia.” She pauses for a second, trying to think of the best way to tell him. “Ethan seems to think that there’s some sort of mission in Europe, and that he’ll be coming along.” She hears a sigh and closes her eyes, understanding the feeling.

“There’s a group we’ve been tracking that hasn’t been trouble until recently, afraid that’s all I can say. I have no idea how Ethan learned of it, or why the hell he’d be coming with us.”

“Alright, I’ll let you know if he does anything more drastic. Thanks Chris.”

“Sure, and we might be contacting you and giving you detail of the work that they’re doing. Your company may be helpful with information in regards to it.”

“Did you just give me a bit more information than you should’ve?”

“As long as you don’t tell the higher ups, I think I’m pretty safe.” Mia chuckles, shaking her head.

“Stay safe, Chris.”

“You too, Mia.” She hears the click of her phone and sighs, putting it back in her pocket.

Inside the building, Miranda tries to avoid watching Mia. She wanted to talk to her when she walked past, but saw the pensive look on her face, and decided that continuing her conversation with one of the company’s lawyers would be better.

“Once again, I want to thank you for lunch.” Miranda turns back to him, realizing she hadn’t been paying attention while she watched different expressions cross Mia’s face.

“It was simply a thank you for helping us repeal the case.” The man chuckled, nodding his head.

“Thanks to your diligence with your company’s paperwork, it wasn’t difficult to prove that Mr. Wesker was the one that breached the contract. You’re an easy client to work with.” Miranda nodded, looking at the manila folder he held.

“Be sure to fax that to me once you get back to your office.” The lawyer nods, becoming professional again.

“Of course. Lovely to work with you again, Miranda.” She nods again, but this time walks to the main door, where Mia stands to the side of. As she opens the door, Mia hangs up, blowing air out and leaning heavily on a wall, looking up at the gray sky.

“I’ll take it the call went well?” Mia jumped, turning to Miranda who chuckles. “Sorry if I scared you.”

“You’re fine,” Mia says, waving her hand. “And I suppose one of them did.” Miranda leans next to her, only one shoulder on the wall so that she can face Mia. “One of them is just…” Mia raises her hand and clenches, hoping it made up for her lack of words. When Miranda nods, she continues. “And the other is helping me deal with the previously mentioned.”

“Anything I can do?” Mia turns to her, smiling at the sincerity in her eyes.

“Everything’s… more or less okay. Thank you though.” Miranda nods, keeping her stance as Mia lets her head fall back on the wall. She’d be lying if she said that her eyes weren’t drawn to her soft jawline and high cheekbones, eyes drifting to her delicate lips and silky hair, a strand falling over her cheek. How she wished she could brush it behind her ear, but Miranda was unsure of just how comfortable she’d be with their coworkers knowing of their relationship.

“Are you doing anything Thursday night?” Miranda asks, and Mia turns towards her.

“No, why do you ask?”

“There’s a reservation open at a restaurant that evening, at seven. I think you’d like it.” Miranda loves the way that Mia’s lips quirk upwards, and reminds herself to try to make her smile more often.

“I’d have to make sure someone could watch Rose, but that sounds like fun.” The two women smile at each other before Mia’s pager goes off. When she looks, she sees it’s from Alan and sighs.

“Hard day?” Miranda asks jokingly, but Mia sees the concern in her eyes.

“I suppose you could say that,” Mia nods. “Some of the patients are having a hard time today. But it’ll be fine.” Miranda nods, watching her features closely. Another page from Alan comes, and Mia straightens completely. “Thanks for coming to hang out for a bit, Miranda.”

“Of course,” she replies, smiling gently. “If you need anything, let me know.” Mia ducks her head, blushing as she holds back the thought of asking Miranda for a massage, and then some.

“I’ll see you Thursday,” Mia replies instead, and Miranda nods.

“Pick you up at half past six?”

“Sure, but I’ll be ready at five.” Miranda rolls her eyes, pushing herself off the wall and waving at Mia as she walks back in the building at a hurried pace. She pulls out her phone, texting Claudia that day and time that she had said was available, and walks back inside. She walks to an elevator, using her identification card to go to her office on the top floor. She steps out, nodding to her assistant as she opens a set of double doors, and immediately walks behind a large mahogany desk.

Her office can be described as organized chaos, a stark difference to the overly tidy state of her lab. At that time, half of her desk is covered in papers relating to the Wesker lawsuit, which she quickly takes to the paper shredder after assuring that they were backed up on her computer. The other side held applications for those who needed treatment. She flipped through the once that she assumed would be good applicants, their genetics most likely to be compatible with the newest batch of Cadou, before switching to the rest, noting different genetic markers within each applicant that made them unsatisfactory possible subjects and sending an email out the major scientists to start researching how to make another set of Cadou that would be more compatible with them.

She sighs, putting both stacks in manilla folders, taking the approved to her assistant and asking her to scan them in before writing the date on the file with the rejects, turning and putting them in a file cabinet behind her. She opens her email again, reading through and replying to each with a curt answer. After, she sits back in her chair, closing her eyes and soaking in the quiet moment. Her mind drifts back to Mia, wondering about the calls that she saw her take. The annoyance on her face agitated Miranda, making her want to help despite knowing she couldn’t. ‘She shouldn’t be wearing anything except for a smile’, Miranda thought, tapping her fingers on the desk.

A moment later her assistant knocked, and she sat up straight as she called her in. She held the folder in her hand, letting her know that the profiles were scanned in, and Miranda thanked her as she took the folder. Looking at the time on her computer, she dismissed her assistant for the day and began packing her things as well. She looked out her windows to the street below and saw Mia, in her pink cardigan that Miranda has associated her with, as she walked to a car. She stepped in the back seat, and Miranda clenched her jaw as she saw it drive away, agitated that a stranger was chaffering her. She shook her head, berating herself for her borderline possessive thoughts, and picked up the strap of her laptop case, trying to calm herself as she left her office.

Mia, on the other hand, was staring down at her phone, her finger over the block button for Ethan’s number. He had called three more times, forcing Mia to turn her phone completely off so she could focus on her patients. It agitated her, as it prevented her from hearing from Ingrid should something happened to Rose, but it couldn’t be helped. She considered getting a new number, or a completely new phone so Ethan could continue calling her current number so she could keep it on her at work. She opened the internet app, typing in the cell phone stores near her and scrolling through plans before she arrived home. She thanked the driver and stepped out.

As she stepped in the door, she heard Rose crying. She rushed in and noticed Ingrid, holding Rose and trying to make a bottle, quietly shushing her.

“I can take her,” Mia says, and Ingrid shoots her an appreciative look as she hands her over.

“I apologize, she’s been quite fussy today. You know how babies are.” Mia chuckles, bouncing Rose on her hip to try to calm her down, but it seemed even that method wasn’t working. She looked down at her red face, furrowing her eyebrows.

“Did anything odd happen today?” She asks, and Ingrid purses her lips.

“I think she’s having trouble with her bladder. Her crying gets worse before she gets changed.” Mia nods, walking farther into the kitchen, taking out a thermal thermometer from a drawer and checking her temperature.

“Ingrid, I need to take her to the emergency room.” Ingrid looks over at her, confusion and worry on her face. “Her temperature is over one hundred.” Ingrid’s mouth drops, and she immediately starts apologizing as she rushes to her room, grabbing Rose’s carrier and a blanket.

“I can drive you both if you need?” Mia smiles, nodding and turns back to Rose, cradling in her arms. She hears Ingrid pull out her keys and grab both of their purses, and they rush to the car.

The ride over is tense, with Rose wailing. They were both secretly grateful for her cries, knowing that it meant she hasn’t reached a critical stage. At the hospital, Ingrid pulls up to the front, letting Mia out. As Mia grabs Rose’s carrier, Ingrid asks if she’d like for her to stay.

“That’s okay,” Mia says, trying to smile despite her fear. “Can I call you for a ride if I need one?”

“Of course,” Ingrid says with a nod. “If either of you need anything, just give me a call.” Mia thanks her, and carries Rose to the front desk. She tells them what Ingrid told her, then about her fever, and they’re rushed to triage before she even has to sit down in the waiting room. After checking her temperature again, they call the doctor, who immediately says to take her to the pediatric intensive care unit. Rose is rushed off, Mia following quickly and sits in a chair in the corner, watching as they took steps to do a urinary test and inserted an IV to give her fluids. When everyone was out, she walked over, taking her small hand.

“My brave girl,” she whispered, feeling Rose grip her fingers. She smiled down at her, tears collecting in her eyes. After ten minutes, the doctor comes in, saying her kidneys were infected and that she’d need to stay in the hospital while she received antibiotics through her IV. Mia nods at him, looking down at a now drowsy Rose. She’s allowed to stay by her side as the nurse begins the antibiotic treatments, and for several hours she sits by her side until her stomach growls. She looks down, annoyed at the fact that she still required food at that moment before standing, brushing Rose’s short hair back.

“I’ll be right back darling,” she says, leaning down and kissing her forehead before grabbing a couple of dollars and walking out. She goes to the elevator, walking to where she knew she saw a vending machine. When she reaches it, she furrows her eyebrows at who she sees at it.

“Miranda?” She asks quietly, and the blond turns quickly, shoulders tense before she recognized Mia.

“Hey,” she says quietly, smiling gently. “Odd seeing you here.” Mia chuckles, nodding her head and crossing her arms over her chest. Miranda looks her up and down, noticing her unusually meek posture. “Are you here for someone?” Mia looks up, nodding weakly, trying her best to hold her tears back like she had all night. But when Miranda noticed, she stepped forward, placing her hand on her shoulder. Mia took it as an invitation, and stepped forward farther, wrapping her arms around Miranda’s waist and burying her head in the crook of her shoulder. She feels Miranda tense before slowly wrapping her arms around her, one hand rubbing her back soothingly. They stay there for several minutes, Mia trying to cry as quietly as possible as Miranda did her best to comfort her before Mia stepped back slightly, still keeping her arms around her.

“It’s Rose,” she whispers voice feeling raw, “she has a kidney infection.” Miranda nods, moving one arm so she could brush her hair back.

“I’m here for my daughter too,” she says, and Mia looks up quickly, heart tightening at her blank face. “She has cystic fibrosis, and needed some more specialized treatment than what we can provide at home.”

“I’m sorry,” Mia whispers, and Miranda gives her a sad smile, cupping her cheek.

“It’s alright. We’ve been through this before.” Mia can’t help but wince at the admission, but leans into her hand as Miranda’s thumb brushes along her cheek. “If you’d like tomorrow off, I can let your supervisor know.” Mia nods, not feeling up for words, and steps back into the hug. “She’ll be alright,” Miranda says with a squeeze, “they both will.”

“They both will,” Mia nods, voice husky from crying. They stand in the middle of the hall, vending machine forgotten as they comfort each other, no words spoken but through their simple touches, a million things said.

#mother miranda #mia winters #mother miranda x mia winters #resident evil village #re8 #alternate universe #caffeine and oxytocin

6 notes · View notes

mynameisjag · 3 years

Text

Eveline lives AU!

Scenario: Pink

She was used to seeing her world in greys and blacks…muddled colors that bleed into each other like a painters oil.

When her Daddy took her home, I’m sorry, I’ve got you, no one will hurt you again, she expected the same as before. Grey like the Bakers…or white like the labs…

She stayed within his room for a few days, Daddy won’t let anyone through that door that could us, Mommy can’t hurt us anymore, she kept herself basically in the corner, unsure what to do with herself.

Her powers were gone…cured…

Not true, her and Daddy were still connected through the mold…they were the same now.

Unable to infect anyone, unable to control…exchanged for aging normally and living here…it was a good trade…

He would come in and try to coax her out, giving her food, yummy food, she didn’t know there could be so many different kinds, they both cried over her first ice-cream, being gentle and patient, why was everyone at the labs so mean.

She didn’t want to move from there, staying in his room, hiding from what could hurt her now.

Daddy would never push, accepting she was uncomfortable now and knew she had to adjust to her new situation.

Mommy came by…Eveline refused to leave the room but she could still hear…Daddy had questions she wanted to know too…but Mommy never answered them and left…

Then he said he had a surprise for her, the people at the lab used to say the same thing too when they wanted to do something that hurt her, but she trusted Daddy…so she finally left his room…and was showed her own…

She hated grey and white and all those ugly mixed colors.

The walls were a light pink, the boarder a cheerful yellow, there was a big window by the fluffiest bed she had ever seen. Flowers were on the covers, flowers were on the walls. Pictures were the only thing she had ever came close to seeing the outside world before…before…

There is a giant pink bunny on the bed, its ears floppy and eyes shining in the light…she wants it…

She wasn’t allowed toys…only real little girls got toys…

Then…then Daddy said it was hers…not just the bunny…the whole room…the small table with a tea set, the big bookshelf with fairytales, the closet with dresses. She had only ever worn hospital gowns and this rag of a dress, that was all she ever had. Empty room, with white walls…empty except for her.

The dresses were of every color, when she touched them…they weren’t scratchy…they were soft…and pretty…

The people from the labs used to call her an ugly little thing.

This was hers? She could have this? What was the catch?

Daddy had looked so sad at that…then he hugged her…and it was so warm…they both were crying again…

She would often find herself crying but no one even bothered looking at her, just kept going on with the test like she was an object…the only warmth she had was wrapping herself in her own arms.

He wasn’t sure if she would like them and if she didn’t, they could get something else.

But she was back by the closet, pulling out a dress that sparkled…it actually sparkled, she didn’t know they could do that!

This was hers. The clothes. The books. The bed. The bunny. All of it.

She was crying again.

She was with Daddy.

She was alone. Daddy got taken away to the Village.

She was finally home.

Daddy was never coming home again…

#ethan winters #eveline #resident evil 7 #resident evil #resident evil village #drabble #this was sad

94 notes · View notes

kuno-chan · 4 years

Text

Sides of the Moon - Ch.22, Persistance

Summary: Runaan and his team of assassins discovers that Rayla has defied him. Again. But when they find her, she’s bleeding out in the woods with precious cargo under her arm and face to face with the princes of Katolis running away from their own castle. They find that, upon this meeting, the die has already been cast.

Rating: T

Please consider reviewing on AO3

Callum could no longer leave without someone accompanying him. Someone who wasn’t just Rayla.

Runaan didn’t want Callum out of their sight. They didn’t have time for another near-death experience with the human prince, as it was so elegantly put. Callum felt a little bad about it; the trouble it caused, anyway, but it was worth it. Callisto seemed to be much better within the past day than he had since his injury.

He didn’t mind Andromeda and Callisto as company. Out of everyone, they were the easiest to get along with.

“Do we need any more than this?” he asked, looking in their bag. Herna had been kind enough to give them a little money to buy supplies.

“We don’t want to make our packs too heavy. We need to stay light on our feet. This is enough.” Callisto said.

“Besides, we can’t keep stealing,” Andromeda said. “It will bring too much attention to us. Especially when we need to leave quietly.”

Callum could agree with that. They passed the town square, a neat cobblestone plaza powdered with snow. They peered at a newly formed crowd, with the ruckus growing louder as Callum ventured closer. He knew he creeped too close when he felt Callisto’s firm grip on his shoulder.

“Look. Listen,” he said to Callum.

“... vile creatures from Xadia! They are here! They are here to invade your homes and take what is yours. And there’s a group of them. Right here. In this very town!” The spindly man’s face was good-natured in a way that Callum realized wasn’t his natural disposition. “ Who do you think killed the poor old man who lives in the mountain? We have to defend ourselves, our loved ones, our children! ”

Concern did not look good on Morgan when you knew what he was actually like. He’d dressed himself perfectly: a drab set of clothes that were neither too fancy nor too old. His hair was tousled just right. An everyday man. A concerned citizen of the town. His eyes were lit with kindness that Callum knew was fake even from here, but Callum had also seen Morgan in his real skin. Something closer to a monster than a human.

“We must hunt them down!” He raised his fist, his voice stirring with some emotion not becoming of him. “ We must make sure no one will ever again fall prey to these monsters in our town. Who’s with me?”

The crowd agreed.They bellowed their opinions and reached out to him, shaking his hand and giving him room to step down into the crowd. They helped him down.

They supported him.

A few good words, rousing the hearts of people who probably were less like Lady Eveline and more like people who would be angry on her behalf. People who did not know the pain Lady Eveline suffered from. Most people would never see an elf and, yet, they agreed to wipe them from existence. Or, at least from their little town.

He wondered if elves felt the same.

“We need to go,” he heard Andromeda hiss and felt Callisto pull him away from the crowd. Away from the square. Away from the anger that Morgan had so easily aroused in them. Callum still spied him from a distance. Morgan hadn’t seen them.

He walked like an average, concerned citizen. His hair was perfect. And if Callum had not seen the beast underneath, he might have believed him, too.

If only a little.

-:-:-:-

Andromeda gave them the news as soon as they got back, and everyone started packing in haste. Thankfully, there was not much. They gave their supplies priority over everything else, and they made quick work of getting their things together.

“Not a trace,” as Runaan ordered.

They would leave quickly and quietly, not saying anything to the innkeeper.

But it seemed like they didn’t have to.

Herna came into the room as Callisto, Skor and Ram were packing a small bag.

“Here,” she said urgently. “It’s not much, but it will last you from here to the east.”

They just stared at her. Callum would intervene if they pulled out any weapons, he decided, but they just watched her. She didn’t pay them any mind. “I don’t know exactly how far it is, but hopefully this will last you. If anybody comes asking about the lot of you, I will tell them you left and headed to the towns in the south. Make haste and you’ll have time before anyone is the wiser.”

Callisto and Ram exchanged looks.

Skor asked, “What are you doing?”

Herna didn’t pause in helping them pack the food. She didn’t speak for a moment. Skor continued to stare.

She took a deep breath. “It isn’t safe here for you anymore.”

Callisto frowned. “How did you know?”

“I’m a human, but I’m also old. I know when something doesn’t feel the same,” she said, smiling. “Your accents aren’t the easiest to hide, I presume.”

Quietly, Callisto took the bread she handed him and nodded. “Your kindness will always be appreciated.”

Herna smiled as they left the room, their packs on their backs. Runaan was at the door, watching, but said nothing. Skor stopped beside Herna and put a hand on her shoulder. “Be safe.”

Herna placed her hand over his. “And you. If we never meet again, I hope you find your peace. And your justice. Now, go.”

Skor squeezed her shoulder and left. Callum didn’t move right away, watching Herna for a moment.

“Callum.” He twisted to Runaan’s voice. “We’re leaving.”

Callum spared Herna a glance, then followed Runaan.

-:-:-:-

The streets were teeming with humans gossiping and searching for the elves invading their town right under their very noses. They weren’t as lethal as a trained group of assassins. Not on their own.

But Runaan wasn’t foolish enough to take the chance. He also wasn’t rash enough to think they could take on an entire town of humans, lethal or not.

He was more on edge about Anarr and Morgan than he liked. But Rayla had been too close to being on the other end of Anarr’s blade. Unnecessarily. It should not have happened.

Callum came to mind.

He was distinctly aware of the human prince trailing with Rayla near the back of their party.

It made him uneasy.

-:-:-:-

Callum tried not to look around too much. The first time he did, Rayla scolded him.

“We don’t know if Morgan and Anarr are watching us. We know Morgan was here, but we don’t know if he’s seen us,” she said. “Let’s not make it so obvious we’re trying to leave.”

… I can’t believe it was so easy.”

“For us?”

“No, for him. All he did was change his appearance, and attitude. He acted like he cared. And they believed him.”

“He’s done it before, probably,” she said, then paused. “What’s bothering you?”

Callum hunched his shoulders. “It’s just that... Lord Viren used to be someone I trusted. And everything’s different now.”

A frown tugged on her lips. “I’m sorry.”

He looked at her for a long moment. “I am, too.”

When her hand brushed against him, he returned the gesture.

Nobody noticed them leaving. With their packs full and new coats on, they trudged over a hill hardened with snow. Callum glanced back at it, but returned his attention toward their path. The rest of the team was farther up the slope than he and Rayla.

Rayla continued to watch the town.

He stopped for her. “You coming?” She didn’t answer him. “Rayla.”

“Wait,” she hushed him. “Do you hear that?”

He listened to whatever she was hearing. Nothing--

Wait.

The faintest high-pitched screams. He looked back at the town and saw a plume of smoke rising into the air. His heart dropped.

“Oh no,” she looked back at him.

“Do you think…?”

“It’s Morgan and Anarr. I know it’s them. It has to be them. Something’s wrong.”

Callum’s stomach clenched. “You don’t know that. Maybe something else happened. Rayla, you don’t need to--”

“Go ahead of me. I’ll catch up with you.”

“You can’t go by yourself. What if it is them? We just faced them yesterday, and they almost killed us. At least let me go with you.”

Rayla shook her head and unsheathed her swords. “We don’t have time and I can’t just leave while they’re wreaking havoc because of us. The egg is dying. Tell Runaan and the others I’ll catch up with you. I promise I’ll be careful. I just want to get their attention and then lose them. They’re looking for us, after all, now go--”

“Rayla.”

She didn’t stop to let him finish, turning back and running down the hill at a speed he knew he couldn’t match. Even so, he nearly went after her. After all, she would have done the same for him. She already had.

He would do that and more, but one thing he learned from their predicament yesterday was to stop doing things alone.

Callum ran up the hill, towards the group, his lungs burning by the time he reached them.

“Wait!” He panted, holding his chest. When they turned, Runaan was already searching for wherever Rayla had gone. He saw the plume of smoke. “It’s Morgan and Anarr. They’re attacking the town--”

Runaan sped past him, down the hill.

“I’m going with him.”

Callisto grabbed his shoulder. “No. This is between them. Our job is to get you two and the egg out of the human lands. We keep moving. They’ll catch up.”

Ezran shook his head. “We can’t just leave. They’re attacking the town. They’re hurting people...”

“And more people will get hurt if they see that Rayla went down to save a town of humans.” Callisto squeezed Callum’s shoulder. “They’ll be alright. Runaan will bring her back.”

Callum looked at the town again. His chest constricted as he turned back to their trail.

Ezran frowned, but did the same when Andromeda held out a hand to him. Bait turned green with nervousness. Callum agreed.

-:-:-:-

Rayla raced into town.

Screaming. Running. Scrambling.

People threatened to knock her over as she waded into the fray. She heard the beasts before she saw them and prayed nobody had touched them.

One of those blood monsters missed her at a crossroads as it crashed into a shop. A family ran out and Rayla watched as the creature fled and found another establishment to crash into.

It moved around the people in its way and chose a tavern to destroy.

She realized it wasn’t hurting anybody. The blood beast was just breaking things and causing a general panic.

Was it searching for something?

People were quickly vacating this part of town where the beast was rampant and Rayla knew before she even heard her voice.

“You took my invitation.”

Rayla twisted on her heel and tightened her grip on her swords.

“You can’t do this to a town of people, Anarr.”

Anarr didn’t smile this time. “I can. I will. And, for the record, Runaan will be a bit too busy to save you this time.”

“Leave him alone. It’s me you want, right?’

Anarr snorted. “Don’t worry, my sun and stars, I won’t kill him. I can’t. This entire thing is naught if I do that.”

Rayla shook her head this time. “Don’t you ever give up?”

This time, Anarr smiled. She hadn’t drawn her weapon or moved. The surrounding roads were vacant now, but the distant screaming and chaos echoed in the distance. “I was his best, you know. Runaan’s, I mean. I was his second. You know that, of course. Our relationship wasn’t like yours, but I think once upon a time he might have thought of me as a sister. No, Runaan’s relationship with you is much deeper. If he happens to get past my blood beasts on his own--” Rayla’s heart dropped into her stomach. “He might take my head on sight. For you, naturally, my sun and stars. Always for you.”

“And why do you always call me that?”

Anarr’s green eyes were piercing. “Because you are. Not mine, of course. Runaan’s. You are his sun and stars. The only living reminder he has of your parents. The only child he’ll likely ever raise with Ethari.”

Rayla said nothing. She didn’t know what to say.

Her blades twisted in her hands. Her side hurt.

“You look better. But if we fight now,” Anarr said. “You will lose. And you know it. Runaan would go home and never be the same.”

“You would let him live?”

“For a time. I want him to live with Ethari’s grief for a while before I deal with him.”

“... Runaan never meant to hurt you.”

Anarr lowered into a stance. “I don’t care.”

She was lightning as their blades clashed and sparked in the bitter cold.

-:-:-:-

The blood creatures attacked him all at once.

Thankfully, Runaan knew exactly what he was running into when he went after Rayla. He saw her, but lost her in the people running to and fro. Then, Anarr’s creatures descended on him.

He dodged and moved. They were vicious, but not unpredictable. The size of their “bodies” forced them to make fast, sweeping movements that required some anticipation before their attacks.

He’d managed to slice one of them similar to the way Callum had back on the icy lake. Now, there were two.

Two that weren’t exactly taking turns going after him. He used the corners to evade them at first, using their size against them as they swung around the corner.

He had a feeling they were here just for him. Rayla’s trap was obvious, but she’d gone anyway. For these humans. For people who would just as soon execute her.

Perhaps Ethari was right.

She’d proven herself. He trusted Rayla, but a part of him didn’t. That part of him came from a deeper place he tried to put aside during missions.

But he would be damned if he let Anarr kill her just to get to him.

Runaan climbed the roofs and watched as those things searched for him. So, they couldn’t sense him. He left them to their destruction.

-:-:-:-

Rayla couldn’t keep this up. She was tiring too fast and her side was getting agitated.

Anarr didn’t have to try as hard, but she was definitely aggressive. She shoved Rayla into a wall and the only thing that saved her from a blade to the head was to push Anarr away. They were still in the street, with the snow crunching under their feet.

Their blades clashed; their hearts pounded. Anarr was calculated and wild at the same time. Her swings were personal, her intentions fueled by fire.

Anarr played the long game, and she played it wildly.

“You were really going to jump, weren’t you?” Anarr asked, panting. They circled each other. “With that human? You trust him that much?”

“With my life.”

“A mistake. Mark my words, Rayla. One day, he will break your heart.”

Rayla rolled her eyes. “Right. I’ll be sure to take your advice.”

They met again in the middle, their swords sparking. This time, Rayla buckled, and Anarr punched her in the face.

“You’re mine.”

“Anarr.”

Runaan was already aiming at her. Rayla knew before she even looked up.

Anarr turned and smiled. “Go ahead. Shoot me. You can try, anyway. I’d love for you to miss and hit poor Rayla.”

Runaan kept the arrow on her, but he didn’t dare release it. Not when Anarr could just move and Rayla might just get an arrow in the chest.

“Runaan, I love how you just keep walking into my messes. But I suppose you have no choice if your protégé here keeps running into them.”

“Stop talking as if you’re not getting tired. I know having three of those things is too much for you.”

“Does it matter?”

“What’s the point of all this? You make traps and don’t come through with them when I know you can. You’ve had every chance. You never used to enjoy playing with your food before you ate it.”

“That was before. This is now.”

“I know what I did, but you hanging onto the past is your own fault.”

She growled. “What do you know? You’ve been living with the love of your life! You married him! You raised her with him. But you definitely made certain that I paid for my mistake.”

“Rayla has nothing to do with this.”

“She will have everything to do with this when I make you clean up her blood!”

Rayla lunged at her. “You talk too much!”

The two of them wrestled on the ground and Rayla picked up one of her swords, swiping at Anarr. She could see Runaan coming to her out of the corner of her eye, but Anarr kicked Rayla off and right into Runaan.

“You know what I think, my sun and stars?” Anarr panted, raising something in her hand. “I think I’ll leave you to deal with these humans.”

Humans.

With the blood beasts gone, people were starting to come back to the streets.

And Rayla’s amulet was in Anarr’s hand.

Rayla touched her neck, her chest. Gone. She looked up and Anarr was already leaving, disappearing as the humans began to shout.

“It’s an elf!”

“They must both be elves!”

“They brought those evil things here!”

Rayla shook her head. “No, it’s not like that! Another elf was trying to hurt you and--”

Runaan grabbed her and ran down an alleyway. He didn’t listen to her protests as they went through twists and turns, the humans right behind them. They found a ladder, and he urged her up, watching as the humans went looking for them.

“Runaan, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t leave them like that.”

“You were reckless. You would have died.”

“I had it under control.”

“You walked right into a trap, and what’s worse is that you knew you did. You are not these humans’ hero. They have no love for you.”

“I know that. But they just don’t understand. Runaan, Anarr was destroying their town.” Rayla put her swords away as they stood. “I’m not trying to be their hero, but--”

He cut her off. “They are a mob. And you cannot reason with a mob. Nothing you said would have made a difference. Anarr did her job. Now, every human town from here on out will be looking for us. Any group of obvious strangers will become immediately suspicious.”

Rayla paused. She… hadn’t thought of that.

Of course, she hadn’t.

She rubbed her arm and said nothing. There was nothing to say and sorry wouldn’t fix how she made their mission more difficult, yet again.

There was a silence between them. Runaan let it linger.

Finally, he stood up and walked to the edge of the rooftop.

“Let’s go. We need to leave.”

She followed with nothing left to say.

Whew! Sorry this chapter took so long! I'm sick and in the last weeks of this quarter for school on top of the Rayllum zine and other obligations to projects! You'll want to keep an ear out for the Rayllum zine on Twitter and Tumblr! It'll have some stuff pertaining to this fic! And if you're a fan, trust me on this, you'll want to tune in on the info!

But enough of that tease, I know this is shorter and another transition, but the next arc is going to be a big deal so I wanted to ease us into it. As always, I love the reviews you guys leave. They truly keep me motivated and keep me writing. Thank you for reading! Tune in for next chapter!

Please consider reviewing on AO3

#the dragon prince #tdp #rayllum #rayla #callum #my fics

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whispersafterdusk · 5 years

Text

In Your Hands - ch 11

He could see the gradual change in the man's face; Isran had seemed at first relieved to see them, if a little confused about their meeting place. When he'd gotten a good look at Ralsten however that relief and confusion gave way to suspicion, anger, and an undisguised disgust. He started to stomp toward them when the wood elf held up his hands.

"Stop," Ralsten said quietly. He made no move toward his weapons or the man, though Isran drew his warhammer. "I know you know what I am now. I know you want to destroy me...out of hate, out of pity, whatever your reasoning might be. This...this wasn't intended. I didn't ask for this, Isran. I got captured, and...and turned."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cut you down where you stand." ((Continued below cut))

Ralsten stared evenly at the man. "I have two reasons, actually." He gestured at the handles of the Scrolls sticking up over his and Serana's shoulders. "Three reasons if you'd stop and think. I'm betting that Harkon is expecting you to do exactly what you're wanting to, right now -- turning me sows distrust, and killing me robs the Dawnguard of another member as well as the knowledge I carry about the prophecy and how to stop it. I can only imagine how amused he'll be if you actually do it."

Serana's eyes flicked to him at the lie but she remained silent and soon turned her attention back to Isran.

The man grit his teeth, staring them down, then returned his weapon to his back. "What happened?"

"We were looking for the Scrolls -- we found one with the help of a scholar near Winterhold. It was down inside a dwemer ruin, hidden away in one of their contraptions. The other was held by Serana's mother, in the Soul Cairn. -- I'll explain what that is later," he added, seeing Isran's brows knit together in confusion again. "While we were trying to find her mother, Harkon attacked us... We were both captured, and..." Ralsten trailed off, running his tongue over his teeth.

Isran's attention moved to Serana. "And I'm guessing you couldn't stop them?"

"I-" she started.

"-don't you dare try to blame her. She was outnumbered, WE were outnumbered. I was turned -- I don't know if he intended to force me to join him or to cause chaos in your ranks. I do know that I -- Harkon needs to be stopped before he can do this to anyone else. Tell me there's a cure for this."

"And if I said there IS no cure?"

Quietly Ralsten glanced to Serana; her expression was calm, unreadable, and he gave her a tiny smile before looking back to Isran. "I guess if anyone would know, it would be you and your Dawnguard."

"Flattery will get you nowhere with me, vampire."

Ralsten frowned at him. "It's not flattery if it's the truth. I was trusted by you until the fangs appeared -- now I'm not worthy enough for your help? After everything I've done and suffered for the Dawnguard?"

Isran's eyes narrowed. "If you were turned by them then you are suspect."

"Then cure me, damn it!" the elf growled. "What's happened to me won't change the fact I intend to stop him and his prophecy, but if you won't help...then I guess we're doing this on our own." He looked to Serana at that and she gave him the barest of nods but her expression remained unreadable. "At least let Dexion read these Scrolls so we-"

"He can't," Isran interrupted. "He can't read anything at the moment."

"What?" Serana asked, eyes widening. "What do you mean? We need him."

"He's gone blind. Something about not having properly prepared himself."

Ralsten groaned. "Of course... Now what?"

"We don't know. We weren't even sure you'd return."

The three stood in silence for a moment; Ralsten could feel a dampness seeping into his collar and there was water beginning to bead on Serana's shoulders -- if it weren't for the fact he barely felt cold anymore, remaining this close to the falls in this chill...

"Can we speak to Dexion anyway?" Serana asked finally. "Surely he'd have an idea on what to do, or where we could go or who to speak to. We can't just...leave this undone. We have to stop my father."

Isran studied them both wordlessly, a sour expression on his face; after some time he turned to climb back into his horse's saddle. "I will bring Dexion to you. The fort is protected with- it's protected against vampires, and I will not lower the defenses for your sake and put us all at risk."

Serana nodded. "Then we'll wait here."

Isran turned the horse's head up the pass and made it a few steps before Ralsten called after him.

"Isran, wait-"

The man turned to him with a look of annoyance.

"Hidden within the straw of the cot I was using is a small bag," Ralsten said. "I would be indebted to you further if you could bring it with you, when you bring Dexion back."

He stared Ralsten down for several moments. "Fine." Turning back to the path Isran kicked the horse into a gallop, leaving Ralsten and Serana standing together in the road.

Ralsten watched him go until he was out of sight, then blew out a frustrated sigh. "I guess we should plan on traveling to Cyrodiil, if Dexion can't help us."

Serana sighed through her nose, nodding. "You're probably right. But I hope that's not the case." She turned to look up at him. "...you lied to him for me."

"Of course I did. I won't let him or anyone else blame or harm you over this mess. Telling him the truth and the whole story wouldn't have changed that either."

"Is..." she started, then trailed off and moved to go back to where they'd been sitting.

"Is...?" he repeated.

"Is a cure what you really want? Or was that just to shut Isran up?"

Ralsten came over and dropped to the grass beside her, thinking. "...a bit of both, I guess. It's just...I think of my childhood, and I recognize that it's possible I could exist like this without hurting anyone if there's no choice. But I must also remember what they did to my mother when they learned what she was. I have my daughter to think of-" he bit off the words, glancing at her.

A sort of wistful smile crossed her face. "I envy her...having a father that truly cares." When she looked up to him again her smile was kinder. "I believe she has father that will raise her well, no matter what afflicts him. And I truly hope she never has to witness you dying in front of her."

Ralsten chuckled. "That's truly my main fear - what this would mean for her, regardless if I died or not. If I absolutely had to I suppose I could empty that home...have my grandfather's farm rebuilt. Live close enough to Solitude for Lucia to go to the Bard's college but far enough from there that I would stand a chance at hiding what I am."

"Rebuilt? What happened to it?"

"When they learned my adopted mother was a vampire, after they threw me into that cell to keep watch over me and make sure I wasn't corrupted, they burned the farm to the ground. I still hold the deed to the land but nothing remains there."

"Oh," Serana said, brow furrowing. "That's terrible...to lose your family and your home in such a short time. Where did you go?"

"The Breton couple that my father had hired to run the storefront, Feraan and Eveline, took me in until I was old enough to be fully on my own... I'm trusting Lucia to them, and to Lydia, if anything should happen to me -- they're getting on a bit in age but they have a very shrewd daughter they're teaching to take their place, and I know they'll take care of Lucia without question and would raise her well."

Serana nodded at that and a comfortable silence fell between them. It slowly crept towards evening and when she'd offered him one of the blood potions he'd declined and instead took his crossbow and disappeared into the forest. He was gone for nearly an hour before he came back with a dead wild goat slung over his shoulders.

He set about shaving off a strip of the coarse fur from around the goat's neck, then cleaned that spot with a rag soaked in the river.

"What are you doing?"

"I can't speak for you but I'm hungry, and I'd rather keep those potions for a time when we've nothing else around."

"You're hungry because you're newly changed," she said quietly. She got up and came to stand over his shoulder as he dried off the shaved areas with a another rag he'd pulled from inside his shirt. "Those who have recently turned take some time to adjust and will feel the hunger more...keenly, I guess. And more often."

"How long before it all...ah, settles?"

Serana shrugged. "I don't really know...I'm sorry. You're the first I've ever sired, and my parents took care of growing our clan on their own terms. Since it didn't involve me they weren't all that forthcoming with information."

Ralsten nodded and stood, getting away from the muddy shoreline and back to the place they'd sat together in earlier. The goat had a crossbow bolt sticking out of its chest, closer to its left shoulder but it had sunk in deeply enough to kill it in one shot; as he sat down Ralsten braced it against the cliff's base -- sort of balancing it on its hooves in his grasp.

"Well," he sighed, not looking especially eager, "I guess we'll find out of this IS how my adopted mother survived all those years."

He bent his head to the shaved neck of the goat and after a few false starts finally shut his eyes and bit down. Serana watched him silently; after a few swallows he straightened and looked to her.

"It's like drinking water...it's nothing compared to...to..." He grimaced, not really wanting to complete that thought.

Serana looked thoughtful at that - almost curious - and Ralsten shuffled away on his knees to offer her a chance to try it. She bent to drink from his bite and fed briefly, then leaned up to nod to him in agreement.

"Go on," she said as she wiped her mouth clean. "I don't need to feed just yet."

Ralsten fed until he felt sated, then butchered the goat properly and wrapped the cut meats in its own skin -- when Isran came back he would offer it to him to take back to the fort's larder in the hopes that the goat wouldn't be left mostly wasted; he kicked the guts and bones out into the pool for the fish and scavengers to find then returned to his spot beside Serana, leaned his head back against the cliff wall, and closed his eyes.

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

"Wow. Look at this place. No one's been here in centuries. I doubt there's any other place like it in Skyrim. It's beautiful."

Ralsten wholeheartedly agreed with Serana's sentiment; the Ancestor Glade stretched out beneath them -- they'd entered through a dark and gloomy tunnel cut through the mountainside and had emerged at the top of a ridge overlooking the glade, with old and worn stairs carved into the ground leading down to where springs bubbled and stonehenges dotted the pools.

The air here was hot and humid and as they descended the stairs clusters of moths the size of songbirds fluttered out of their path to swarm above the flowers and reeds along the pool's shore.

In the very center of the glade was an area of pools that had been built up higher than the ones around it, and there was a large stone there with a circular opening carved into it that had something hanging from a pair of hooks within it. Ralsten went to examine the stone and its hanging object while Serana carefully waded over to rest her hand on the trunk of one of the slender, pink-flowering trees that had taken root in the pools.

Ralsten reached up into the hole of the large stone and pulled free what looked like a curved, double-handled blade; near him, strangely, was a pillar of light that came from the sky -- he could see no source for it nor could he see the "top" of the pillar, and it was as wide as the pool it ended in.

"I've never seen anything like this...have you?" He examined the blade briefly, then looked into the brightly lit waters under the pillar - nothing seemed out of the ordinary about it, and there was no sound here save for the bubbling of water and the rustling of the grass in the gentle breeze.

"No. I've not even heard of any place like this, not even in a book," Serana answered. She glanced curiously at the blade he held, then reached up to pull a branch of the tree down and smelled it. "Odd. The flowers don't have a scent."

"Maybe not to us," Ralsten said after a pause. He looked toward the northern shore where a swarm of the moths fluttered. "Those things wouldn't be here if there wasn't something luring them."

"I guess that's true," Serana replied.

He stepped over beside her and looked at the tree; there were squarish spots where it seemed the bark had been stripped away and then regrown. Looking between the blade in his hand and the size of markings on the trunk he knew this had to be one of the canticle trees Dexion had mentioned, and that he held the knife needed to remove the bark.

"All right...draw knife, and tree, and bark..." Ralsten murmured to himself as he set the edge of the blade in place and gave it an experimental tug downward.

The knife bit into the bark but he only managed to move a tiny bit - maybe the width of his smallest finger, if that - and with a grunt he began to pull and tug, working it down through the bark until he held a strip of it that was the width of the knife and about as long as his hand from fingertips to his wrist. A smell somewhat familiar, something like fresh cut pine, filled the air around them...and then so did a few of the moths that were fluttering nearby.

Serana smiled at the sudden attraction then looked around to spot other swarms nearby. "It looks like Dexion was right. I wonder how many you need..."

With a shrug Ralsten stuck the blade into his belt and waded away from the central pool toward the nearest cluster of moths on the nearby shore; they joined the others in flying around him -- there were already enough that he could feel the breeze of their wings as they circled him.

"Unless my vision's playing tricks..." he heard Serana say from somewhere behind him, "there's some kind of magical effect around you already."

"Is there?" Ralsten asked, looking around. He could only see flapping wings; it wasn't until he moved toward the steps they'd come down and then circled around the shoreline toward a thin waterfall that he caught a glimpse of his reflection and saw a sort of shimmering halo around him - faint, but it was there.

He walked halfway around the shore of the bubbling pools, gaining an ever growing group of moths swirling around him.

"Woah -- I think that might have been what we're waiting for," Serana called from where she'd remained at the central pool. "You're surrounded with this...glow."

The elf moved back to the center and stepped into the central pillar of light (he could think of no other reason for it to be here) and took the first Scroll Serana handed to him.

She studied him, looking worried for a moment. "Are you...ready to try this?"

"I'm either ready or about to go blind, or mad, or both," Ralsten answered, giving her what he hoped was a reassuring smile even though his stomach was knotting up with anxiety.

He took in a breath and held it, and then slid the scroll open. Images flashed through his mind, as did words and sounds; it all seemed to hit him at once but he knew within the perceived chaotic mess was a certain order, if he focused...so he did, and was hardly aware of himself handing the scroll back to Serana and taking up the second one.

And then, as suddenly as it had hit him, the rush of sound and images were gone, as were the moths; he didn't think he'd passed out but he "came to" to find Serana kneeling with him in the pillar of light, worry in her face and with her hands on her shoulders being the only thing keeping him upright.

"Are you okay? Almost thought I'd..." she trailed off a moment, searching his face. "...that I'd lost you there. You went as white as the snow."

"That," he started, his words feeling strange and so quiet compared to what he'd seen. "-that felt strange," he managed after a pause to pull his thoughts back into order.

"I could see it in your eyes...you looked about a thousand leagues away." After a few breaths she pulled her hands away and settled them on her knees, leaning toward him. "What did you see? Did you see Auriel's Bow? Do you know where we can find it?"

Ralsten licked his lips, mouth feeling dry. "It's in a place called Darkfall cave. The scrolls gave me its exact location."

She smiled, looking excited and relieved. "Then let's get going. I want to get there before my father has a chance to track us down."

Nodding, Ralsten stood with her and began to wade to the shore and the steps that were their path out of here...then, from the direction of the tunnel that led to the glade came the familiar howl of a death hound.

"Of course," Ralsten sighed, pulling his weapons from his belt.

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

Things had taken such a strange turn.

In the Darkfall caverns (as beautiful as Blackreach had been, full of glowing plants and creatures) they had met Gelebor who, in return for telling them their way forward to obtain Auriel's Bow, had asked that they kill his brother, Arch-Curate Vyrthur.

At first they'd refused and questioned why he would ask such a thing; Gelebor had solemnly told them of the true history of the Falmer and their disappearance, and called the twisted and ugly Falmer that now populated the darkest reaches of Skyrim "The Betrayed" and explained how they had swept into this chantry and had killed all but himself and his brother...whom he believed was now corrupted by them, and needed to be destroyed.

With no other way to obtain the bow they'd had no choice but to agree; Gelebor had thanked them, given them an ewer and instructions on how to get from wayshrine to wayshrine, and sent them on their way. They'd gone through the first wayshrine and kept moving forward until they'd emerged in a hidden valley that was...wet, and cold, and gloomy. A persistent wind blew and with it carried the peculiar, crisp scent of snow and somewhere distant but near enough to hear came the sound of rushing water.

"I think I prefer the caves to this, and I thought I was tired of caves," Serana said somewhere behind him, just barely audible over the wind.

For a time Ralsten and Serana stood at the entrance of the cavern system, eying the dreary landscape; there were crumbling roads and broken arches and pillars that they could see amidst the scrub grasses and felled trees. Gelebor had given them only a general idea of where the wayshrines were inside the vale so it was up to them to actually locate them -- the only ones they knew would be fairly easy to find would be the first one that was along a road just outside of this cave, and then one that overlooked a large, frozen lake: finding both would be simple (especially the lake) but for the rest of them they would have to explore until they'd located them all.

They followed the barren path until they reached a split then had followed the northern path until they spotted an ethereal figure through the skeletal trees -- their first wayshrine. Prelate Athring had greeted them and proven to be just as incapable of answering questions as Gelebor had warned them he'd be; Ralsten had stumbled through the correct means to communicate with the spirit (which seemed to be simple yes or no answers) and then the Prelate had allowed him to step into the wayshrine to dip the ewer into the basin at its center. With that completed they'd gone back the way they had come and followed the path in the other direction, passing beneath a relatively intact archway and traveling through a roughly hewed pass cut into the mountain.

The pass was clogged with webbing and several frostbite spiders they'd had to quickly dispatch as they'd dropped down on them from above but soon Ralsten and Serana found themselves in a whole other valley...and this one was snowy and full of ridges, waterfalls both frozen and flowing, and a river that was only partly frozen over.

Ralsten groaned -- once again he was thankful he couldn't feel the cold as the snow pelted him. Behind him Serana pulled her hood up, then crunched a few steps ahead to try and peer through the swirling white.

"Any direction look better to you than any other?" he asked.

She was silent for a moment, then pointed to the south. "I think I see something that way but it's hard to tell from here."

He looked again to the waterfalls, to the river, and up and down the shore and saw nothing to give them direction. "It's as good a choice as any."

Her eyes were sharper than his; the further south they went, sticking to the river's edge, the more apparent another shimmering, ghostly figure became, and soon Ralsten was standing before Prelate Celegriath. After another bumbling yes-or-no conversation he was dipping more water into his ewer, and the Prelate ignored him afterward just as Athring had after he'd taken water from that basin earlier.

They could see no way to cross the river safely from this end of it; they went back the way they'd come and he wasn't certain how long they walked as the snow made it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead of them -- he assumed they'd long since walked by the pass they'd come through to get to this valley.

"There has to be a way across this river," Serana muttered as they stomped along. "Even if time has broken it by now."

Ralsten nodded; the further up the river they went the closer the treeline and cliffs came to the shore until they were winding their way among the pines and able to see even less through the low-hanging branches and the snowstorm. At last he heard a sigh of relief from Serana, and stepped out from underneath a pine to stand at her back, staring ahead to what she'd spotted.

Finally (though it wasn't a mortal-made structure or anything of the like) they'd come to where the river began -- a large waterfall pounded down into a pool that then flowed outward, and here there was a bridge of thick ice over the pool furthest from the fall's base as well as the shore that curved around the pool's edge. Ralsten, even though he wasn't in his heaviest plate, didn't want to risk the ice and they picked their way along the pool's shore and crossed over to the other side, finding themselves staring up a rather treacherous looking stone staircase carved into the rocks.

The climb up was tense with several slips and an overall slow going but soon they were crossing through another pass (this one seemed like a natural gap, unlike the one they'd come through earlier) and found themselves in yet another valley, but at least here the wind and the snow weren't such an annoyance.

The river here was free flowing and not iced over but to their north was another stone pathway along a ridge that led to a natural stone bridge; on the other side of the valley from where they stood was another wayshrine, with its ghostly guardian standing out against the snow like a beacon.

They headed toward the bridge and in the distance they could still hear the waterfalls that fed into the wide river. The top of the mountains that surrounded them were shrouded in clouds and barely more than shadows through the cover but overall it was a...strangely peaceful, amazing view.

"It's beautiful here."

Ralsten nodded. "It is. I'm getting rather tired of the snow though," he added after a moment, shooting her a grin.

Serana laughed quietly. "So am I. But it could be worse."

"It could, but I'd rather not press my luck."

Halfway across the bridge Serana sighed. "That's not promising."

Ralsten turned to her and saw her looking into the distance; following her line of sight he could see another stone bridge, and it was lined with a fence made of the strange, sinewy building material the Falmer used.

"I was hoping they would have left after wiping out the chantry's people," he grunted. He supposed it was stupid to have hoped there wouldn't be any here.

The fencing on that bridge was the first sign of the Falmer that they'd seen but it gave them little comfort to know to expect them somewhere else in this valley. Ralsten quickly collected the water from the wayshrine and as he stepped out of the shrine he noted what seemed like pillars and another path leading down behind it; cautiously he walked around to the back of the shrine and there could spy stairs and a path down -- was there another shrine in that direction? There was only one way to really find out...

Standing at the top of the stairs gave them a surprisingly wide view of a great frozen lake that stretched out from the stairs's base, and that out in its center was...it was mostly a cluster of stones atop a small hill jutting from the ice's surface, with stairs that led up to a large stone that wasn't of the same type as the rest around it. It was strangely familiar to Ralsten and at the lake's edge he'd weighed the risk and reward of trying to reach that stone without truly understanding why he felt drawn to it; Serana hadn't seemed to understand why he'd care either but had agreed to follow him regardless and together the two of them very carefully slipped and skated out toward the large standing stone.

The closer they got the more it became apparent that the cluster of stones were built on top of the other rocks that formed the lake's edge and that it was here that the water fell from the lake into the river below.

"What is this thing, exactly?"

"A...well," Ralsten started. The hard ice under his feet gave way to slightly softer, powdery stuff as they reached the base of the steps that led up to the enormous stone that was oddly out of place. "If I'm right..."

As they climbed the steps a part of that stone began to glow; ancient glyphs awakened and as Ralsten reached the top he recognized the language of the dragons carved there -- a singular word that burned brightly in his eyes as well as his mind.

Gaan, it seemed to whisper to him -- he knew it was 'stamina,' or at least that was as close a word as he had to explain its meaning.

"What's this?" Serana asked, gently reaching up to touch the stone carved with the word. The stone itself was covered with snow and ice, but the word had burned outward and was most visible. "It seems so out of place."

Ralsten shook his head, gathering his thoughts (learning a new word always made his mind a bit fuzzy as it sank in). "It's another Thu'um - usually they've been carved into these giant walls with...with dragon statues and decorated pillars and history carved in with it. I've never seen just a plain rock out in the middle of nowhere."

Serana trailed her fingers across the stone's surface, then began to brush and pick ice out of other carvings near the Thu'um. Ralsten stood at her shoulder and was able to pick out the words she uncovered, but he only knew the words of power because they MADE themselves known -- he could read but not understand what was written here.

"Het...nok kopraak...d-do...svolo..." he murmured quietly, then shook his head. "I only understand this one here, gaan -- some are powerful, some aren't."

"And this is some kind of history?"

He nodded. "From what little I've learned from the Greybeards. I don't know the language and at best I can only sound out what I see...only the words that're actually words of power are the ones I just...learn, because I'm Dragonborn." The elf eyed the stone as Serana continued to uncover more of the words there - no more jumped out at him as powerful and he was left looking at words he could repeat back to her but not translate.

"I guess we should keep moving," she said then, dusting her hands of snow. "Though it would be interesting to come back and try to translate this someday."

"Assuming we can find a book or one of us learns the tongue," he chuckled.

Together they went, side by side, down the stairs, then Ralsten came to a stop as he felt the ground under his boots...pulse. It brought to mind the feeling of dropping something heavy to the floor near his own feet and he looked around warily; Serana had much the same careful look on her face - it was clear she'd felt it too - and her attention was roaming around their surroundings.

Then, with a pair of earsplitting cracks, two large...things...burst out of the ice out near the center of the lake. At first Ralsten had only the impression of bright colors but then he heard a familiar roar; eyes narrowing he glared up at two oddly colored dragons that were circling overhead and clearly eying them.

"Stay on the stairs here if you can," Ralsten ordered quietly, gaze briefly flicking to Serana. "I'd rather not risk us both getting knocked into this lake and trapped under the ice."

One of the dragons dove and a line of flame spewed from its mouth; Ralsten dove one way and Serana the other, landing in the snow as the dragon's breath melted the ice they'd been standing on - it refroze just as quickly as it had melted, taking on a sheen not unlike a mirror's surface.

He had gotten a better look as the dragon flew by -- this one was different than any he'd seen before. Its belly scales and the webbing of its wings were a pale yellow that blended into a muted orange, and what were normally spikes on the other dragons were flat, armored scales that extended down its spine - these were a bright blue, and its tail was flattened and wide like a beaver's.

The second dragon came down close on the tail of the first; Ralsten saw the maw opening to spew fire directly at him and sucked in a breath.

"FUS RO DAH-" the shout exploded out of him; the dragon had the sense to try and dip out of the way but the shout's power clipped the tip of a wing and sent the beast in a spiral to crash into the ice.

Ralsten stood, then immediately slipped on the ice and dropped to one knee; of all places to be fighting not one but two fire-breathing dragons, on top of a frozen lake had to be the absolute dumbest place he could think of.

Hoping that Serana would find ample cover near the rock wall (the dragons wouldn't be able to directly dive on her if she kept ducking around the sides) Ralsten began to slide and scramble for the far shore in the hopes he could lure both dragons that direction and fight them on solid ground.

One dragon certainly fell for the ruse and dove to lace his back painfully with another tongue of flame but the dragon's path forward had it swooping over the shore and beyond; hissing in pain and feeling blisters already forming Ralsten managed to get his feet onto the lake's shore and began to sprint up the stairs as best as he could. An approaching roar alerted him to the fact that the second dragon was also close behind him; he spun and then dove to avoid another breath of flames, then dragged himself upright and pulled his crossbow off his back.

He fired twice at what he believed was the first dragon that had attacked (there wasn't any way to tell them apart) and noted with some satisfaction that the belly scales weren't as impenetrable as the ones on their brethren; the two bolts sunk in and the dragon roared in response, dipping its wing to turn on a wingtip and dart higher and out of his range. It would take far more bolts than he had to actually kill one of them like this unless he somehow managed to hit one in...an eye, or sever an artery, or...or something else immensely, stupidly lucky.

He let the crossbow swing to his back on its strap and pulled his mace and sword (he no longer had his paired set of maces, thanks to Harkon) off his belt and readied himself to try and strike if one dove again.

The dragons didn't leave him waiting for long; one came in low and skimming the ground, its strange, beak-like mouth snapping for him as the other swooped in perpendicular to its sibling, spewing fire. To avoid the flames Ralsten found himself diving at the dragon who was attempting to snap him up in its mouth; at this awkward angle he bounced off the scales with his sword but managed to crack a mace into the joint of the jaw as the dragon skidded by -- the dragon roared and caught him in the side with one of its wings, sending Ralsten flying back several feet to land on his side and roll, but the blow to the head had clearly hurt the beast.

The one that was flying quickly turned however and sent a shower of fire at him where he lay in the snow; feeling his skin blistering again he let go of his sword and in desperation threw out his hand and cast the only spell he knew.

The swirling, wispy red energy hit the dragon breathing the fire and began to tear its health and strength from its body; he felt some relief as the stolen energies returned health to him and began to mend his burns and blisters. The dragon seemed to figure out something was wrong and went to fly away and out of his reach; without knowing what it'd truly do Ralsten lifted his head and let loose with the Thu'um he'd only just learned.

"GAAN!"

The dragon attempting to fly away began to falter, then dropped to the ground to hop a ways away and turn to fix Ralsten with a brilliant blue eye, its chest heaving as it panted; gritting his teeth (not ALL of the burns had been mended by...whatever that spell was and had done) Ralsten stood and brandished his weapons again. This dragon, along with the one he'd struck in the jaw, spread out to flank him.

The one to his left opened its mouth and roared and then the roar was abruptly cut off as a spike of ice was incredibly, precisely shot into the exposed roof of its mouth; Ralsten charged in to take advantage of Serana's amazing strike, bringing his mace around to smash into the joint of the nearest wing while plunging his sword through the webbing, gouging a long and jagged tear through it. He ducked the next blast of fire as the dragon retaliated then was sent rolling across the ground again as the other dragon slammed its head into his hip; Serana continued to harass the dragon with the injured wing with ice but Ralsten could also see the glowing red of the draining spell striking it too.

When he came to a stop he hooked his mace back to his belt and took up his sword with both hands; it felt odd to be holding just one weapon but he knew he could put more strength behind the swing if he held it in a two-handed grip. Darting forward he threw himself in a skid on his knees as the other flanking dragon let loose with another gout of flame -- it mostly struck the other dragon who didn't seem too fazed by the attack but the flames blinded it enough that it did not see Ralsten rising to his feet and coming forward to jam his sword into the side of its neck, scrabbling in the snow to drive the blade in deeper.

Its roar was more of a pained shriek and Ralsten threw himself to the side to avoid the flailing head and wings; at a perfect moment it turned toward Serana and she threw ice down its throat, with the flattened armored scales along its spine bending outward strangely to suggest the ice had penetrated deeply and had been stopped from blowing out the back of its neck by the scales.

The strange, fire-like effect was already eating away at its form as it collapsed to the snow and as Ralsten stood he felt the almost invigorating effect of the dragon's soul entering his body; he was breathing heavily and sweating just as badly - he couldn't truly feel the cold but he could feel the crackle of ice beneath his armor as his sweat froze and stuck armor to skin.

The other dragon was charging at him from across the snow; Ralsten extended a hand out to the beast and sent that draining spell reaching for it. It nimbly dodged to the side and leaped into the air, its beak-shaped mouth open and arching down for him.

The shout Ralsten loosed blew the dragon's head to the side but didn't halt its forward motion; his sword carved a strip of meat and scale from its neck and shoulder but the dragon's momentum sent them both tumbling to the ground with all of the weight of the huge beast falling on top of him. He felt all sorts of unsettling pops across his body and a blinding pain from being crushed beneath the damned thing; moments later the dragon crawled off him and crawled along the ground, leaving a thick trail of blood staining the snow behind it. Serana ran forward, both hands out toward the beast and channeling that red-tinted spell.

The dragon shuddered, snapped at her weakly, then slumped to the ground and bled and died. Ralsten was only faintly aware of the dragon's soul entering him as he gingerly pushed himself up onto his hands and knees, panting and hurting in ways he'd never felt before.

Snow wafted up as Serana threw herself down beside him. "Are you all right?"

"I don't think...I broke anything...but that really hurt," he panted. He couldn't lift his head to look at her and had to stay there hunched over the snow for some time before he felt like he could move. Everything ached but his ribs especially so; very carefully he moved to retrieve his sword from the dragon's remains then Serana helped him to slowly make his way back up the stairs to the wayshrine.

The Prelate there did not acknowledge them; on the inside of the shrine the walls seemed to be portals to other areas - probably the shrines they're already been to - but it still blocked the wind and acted as a fully sheltered structure. Serana helped him lower himself down against one of the walls that wasn't a shimmering portal, then sat beside him anxiously.

"I'll...I'll be fine," he managed weakly, smiling at her. "I just need to sit here a bit."

"You're just saying that to make me worry less."

"Did it work?" he asked with a tired chuckle.

Serana just shook her head and stayed at his side, staring out into the blowing snow as he rested.

#In Your Hands #iyh #In Your Hands ch 11 #serana #dragonborn #bosmer #dawnguard #vampires #Ralsten #Gelebor #AU #Skyrim

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rosenfey · 6 years

Note

2 or 67 for whoever :)

THEY CAN’T HURT YOU ANYMORE | f!apprentice x julian | sfw | 600+ words

here have some comforting julian fluff (ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Want to request a drabble?

Julian tossedand turned, covered in cold sweat as dream-brought memories haunted his soul. “No,stop…” he begged, desperate voice clouded with sleep, “don’t… hurt me.” Thememories brought back all the pain, both physical and psychical, all the facesof people he well knew, because it was impossible to forget them. Their eyesglinted with hatred, with disgust, apparent rage forming grimaces on theirfaces. They hated him, for what he did, for what he didn’t, for what he wasabout to do. And for worse, they were right. There was no escape from suchdreams, from nightmares shrouded in truth, in memories of past that affectedthe presence by its grim and resolute certainty. For it was very much real, he knew that, even in dreams,because whenever he woke up, he remembered. He remembered everything and thatwas his curse.

But thatmorning was different. Julian wasn’t used to light sometimes appearing throughdarkness and often thought such situations were another part of the dream. Acruel spark of false hope, only to be crushed by another painful sting of thepast.

And yet thesoft palm on his head was very much real and the sweet voice sounded like home.“Hey, hey, calm down. They can’t hurt you anymore.”

Julian,spurred from the nightmare, turned on the pillow, hair a mess, face somehowlooking even more tired than when he went to bed the last night. He wiped thesleep from his eyes, blinking, adjusting the sight to the subtle sunlightcoming from the window.

“It’s okay,Ilya,” the voice continued, soft movements stroking his hair with adoringaffection, making him focus on the face looking at him, at the soft orange eyesshining in the morning sun, and the strands of ginger hair, unbrushed, coveringslender shoulders. Evelin was still wearing her nightgown, sitting on the sideof the bed, a concerned look shrouding that soft, sweet face he began to adore.“You had another nightmare,” she spoke softly, bringing him back to the realitywith a soft kiss on the forehead. “It was just a dream. It’s gone now. They won’thurt you anymore.”

He grunted,face red with embarrassment, as he turned away trying to hide the burningcheeks. “Sorry you had to see me like this,” he mumbled into the pillow, as ifthat was the first and the last time she had to witness his sorry state. Hefelt like a nuisance, only bringing her more worries in her already stressfullife. “Don’t mind me, please.”

She didn’tlisten, though. As she didn’t listen the countless number of other timesbefore. Julian felt her body beside him, still warm from the night under thesheets, hands winding around his stomach. “I do mind, Ilya,” Evelin whispered,soft breath against the skin of his neck. “I do mind, because I care about you.I’m here for you.”

He foundher hand, clasping it tight in his marked palm, pulling himself closer to herembrace. She was so patient, always repeating the same words again and again,to reassure him he was worthy of her care, of her affection and understanding.She never stopped telling him that, because even though she knew he was wellaware of how she cares about him, he needed the reminder from time to time. Asshe did too.

“Thank you,”he whispered, as he turned around to face her, pulling her to a tight hug, lipspressed against the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her hair, smellingfaintly of lavender. “Thank you for caring about me.”

“Of course,”he felt a soft smile escaping her lips, as her grip tightened, soft fingersstroking his back in lazy patterns. “I’m glad you figured it out.”

#julian devorak #the arcana #the arcana fanfiction #julian x the apprentice #drabble #otp: we need to stop meeting like this #ok this took me like a few minutes and i didnt even proof-read it so bare with me #also what is english ha

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thesubjectandthescientist · 6 years

Text

Anger

Woohoo, it’s another canon short! This one happens a few months after the story, October to be exact.

*Warning: This one is a bit intense...a bit abusive...nothing stronger than what’s in the story though*

...

“It’s…October? Yes, right. October. It’s been a few months since I let her out. Things have gone…well. Better than I thought. She’s done well with the arrangement, though she does insist on conversations once in a while. I usually relent. I don’t enjoy talking to her but it keeps her relatively content, which is ideal. The less I have to remind her how things actually are, the better. She seems to live in a constant state of denial. That’s probably not good for her. Honestly, I really don’t care how she deals with it as long as she doesn’t bother me with it.”

“She’s been fairly…at ease for a while. She’d seemed to return to her normal self but the past couple days have been different. She’s been extremely on edge which is strange as I haven’t said or done anything that usually causes that behavior. I asked her about it but she insisted that nothing was wrong. She was clearly lying. I find it almost amusing that she still thinks she can lie to me. I’m beginning to suspect she’s done something that she doesn’t want me to find out about. I’ve gone over some of the security camera footage from the past couple days but I haven’t found anything yet besides the disturbing amount of time she spends just…standing outside of my office. Anyway, I just have a couple more hours worth of video left to go over and if I don’t find anything, I’ll confront her.”

I turn off the log recorder and go back to looking the footage. I started leaving the cameras on all the time when I let her out in case of a situation like this.

I skip through about an hour of an empty hallway then let the footage play as the Subject comes out of her room. She’s staring intently into a book I recently gave her. She shuffles down the hallway, her eyes never leaving the book. I see her on the other camera’s footage go into the kitchen to get a drink of water then return to the hallway. She’s still keenly reading the book. She starts to slow down and reach out her hand for a doorknob.

She’s not in front of her room.

She’s in front of Evelin’s room.

“Don’t you dare.”

She opens the door to Evelin’s room and steps inside, closing the door behind her.

She doesn’t come out for five minutes. When she does, she slips out quietly, frantically looking up and down the hallway. She shuts the door and runs to her room.

I stop the footage.

She was right not to tell me about this.

I’m furious.

Before I can even think, I find myself storming out of my office and up the hallway. I try to open her door but it’s locked. I bang on the door.

“Open the door!” I demand.

“Why? W-what’s going on?” I hear her ask through the door, her voice shaking.

“You went into her room,” I snap, harshly, “That was the one thing, the one thing, that I explicitly told you not to do. Open. The. Door.”

“It was an accident!” she cries, “I swear! I-I was reading my book and I didn’t count the doors right!”

“You were in there for five minutes!”

“I got scared! P-please, please, calm down-“

“No. You broke a rule and you have to be punished. Open the door.”

“N-no, you’re too m-mad!” she says, frantically, “P-please, calm down. It was an accident!”

“I don’t care if it was an accident. If you do not open the door, I will break it down, do you understand?”

“Please, please, I’m so sorry,” she whimpers, “Please, calm down. I didn’t m-mean to.”

“This is the last time I’m telling you,” I mutter, “Open the door.”

I hear a sob. She must be scared to death. She should be.

After a moment, I step back to get ready to kick in the door but I hear the click of the lock. I burst through the door and find her curled up in the corner of the room with her face covered.

“It was an accident,” she whispers, shaking, as I go over to her.

“I don’t care,” I snap, “Get up.”

“P-please, I’m s-sorry,” she mumbles, her voice trembling.

“Do you remember what I said would happen if you went in there?”

Her shaking gets worse.

“P-please,” she barely whispers.

“Get up,” I repeat, gritting my teeth.

She shakes her head.

Fine.

I grab her arm and roughly pull her to her feet.

“NO!” she shrieks, trying to pull away. I tighten my grip and drag her out of her room and down the hallway. She’s desperately screaming apologies and begging me to stop.

I open the door to the basement and her screaming reaches a new high. I ignore everything she says. I’m infuriated that she had the audacity to break such an explicitly set rule and I am going to make her pay for it.

She’s fighting me with all her strength, which makes going down the stairs difficult. It doesn’t matter though. I’m much bigger and stronger than she is. I jerk her over toward her room and place my hand on the scanner.

She suddenly goes dead quiet.

“No, no, no, y-you promised, you promised,” she whimpers, the color draining from her face. I ignore her statement and roughly shove her into her room. She lands hard on the floor and immediately scrambles to get up.

“NO, DON’T-“ I cut off her plea by shutting the door.

That should be sufficient for now. I want to hurt her, badly, but I know that doesn’t have the same effect as leaving her alone.

I’ll give her plenty of time to think about what she’s done and give myself a chance to cool off.

…

I almost considered leaving her down there.

I don’t want to have to discuss this.

I don’t want to have to tell her why I was so angry. I don’t want to have to tell her why going into my daughter’s room is such a terrible offense.

I don’t want to have to tell her why because I don’t know why.

There was no reason for me to respond the way I did...but I’m not about to tell her that. If she thinks I’m still mad, it’ll keep her away from me for a while.

I decided to leave her in there for five hours. One hour for every minute she spent in Evie’s room.

I don’t believe that it was completely an accident. Even if she had been that distracted, she still spent five whole minutes in there. She intentionally broke the rule I set and she had to be punished.

I didn’t watch her from my office. I didn’t want to. I don’t know how she responded to being locked in her room again but I know it wasn’t good. I’m not sure how she’ll be when I let her out. I’ve carefully planned what I’m going to say. I won’t answer any questions. I’ll tell her exactly what I expect of her and that’s it.

I go down to the basement and pause in front of her door.

For a moment, I remember what it was like before…

Maybe I should leave her down here…

No. Things will never be like they were before. She thinks too much for herself now.

I place my hand on the scanner and put in the code to keep the door open. The door slides open. I expect her to rush out but she doesn’t. I look into the room and see her sitting against the back wall with her head down.

I wait a moment. She doesn’t move.

“You can come out.”

She slowly stands up and takes a few steps but pauses in the doorway. She’s trembling.

I take a step back and she takes a step out of her room. She takes a deep breath like she’s preparing to say something but she stays quiet.

“Do you have something to say for yourself?”

“I…” she pauses and sighs. “I’m sorry,” she whispers, keeping her head down.

“Fine. You apologized, you’ve been punished, you’re forgiven. That’s the end of it, understand?” She nods. “Good.” I turn to head upstairs.

“...It was an accident,” she mutters. I stop. I look back at her. She glares at me.

“It doesn’t matter,” I snap, returning the glare, “You still broke the rule.” She opens her mouth to protest then closes it. She lowers her head for a moment. She glances back at her room.

“My...my hand didn’t work,” she says, quietly.

“Of course it didn’t. Did you really think that I would never put you in there again?”

“You...you promised you wouldn’t,” she whimpers.

“Promises are worthless. Easily made, easily broken.”

“That’s not-you can’t-“ she sighs, frustrated, “This isn’t fair!”

“What isn’t?”

“All of it!” She glares at me. “It was an accident! I didn’t mean to and you still hurt me! You do bad things on purpose all the time and you never get punished! It’s not fair!”

“Since when do you think I’ll ever be fair to you?” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

She grits her teeth and clenches her hands into fists. She takes a quick step toward me with her small fist raised. I instinctively flinch away. She suddenly freezes and looks at her hand. She stumbles back and stares at me, horrified.

"I...I wanted to hurt you," she gasps.

"You’re angry,” I mumble, quickly regaining my composure, “It’s a natural response."

She silently stares at her hands with a mortified look on her face.

"That felt horrible," she whispers after a moment, "That...that’s what you feel like all the time, isn’t it?" She slowly looks back at her room.

“Would...would it be better for you...if I was in there? I know that it hurts you to even look at me,” she pauses and takes a shaky breath. She looks up at me. “I can go back in my room. For...good. You don’t have to let me out.”

“You...want to go back to being locked in your room?”

“No, I-I hate it in there. It’s so scary and I’m alone and-“ she chokes on her words. “But I...I want you to be okay. Do you want me to go back in there?”

I stare at her for a moment. I motion toward her room. She squeezes her eyes shut and tears run down her face but she obeys.

I follow her back into her room. I point to the table and chairs. I put them back shortly after letting her out…just in case...

We sit down at the table. It’s a familiar feeling. A sickening feeling...

“Things...can’t go back to how they were,” I start, slowly, “We can’t have...this again. The order. The simplicity. It’s over,” I pause, “...I want to leave you in here. I want to go back to the routine. I can’t. I’m tired. I’m so tired. I can’t do it anymore. I can’t go back to this. I have hated seeing you around the house and every moment I have to spend with you sickens me, but it doesn’t compare to what it was like before.”

I stop for a moment. She's staring at her hands with a blank expression on her face. She doesn’t seem to understand...

“Look, as long as you follow the rules, we won’t have a problem. Just leave me alone and stay out of her room, got it?” She nods. “Good.”

I look around her room. I haven’t been in here for a while.

“I hate it too,” I mumble. She glances at me with a slightly confused look. “Your room. I hate it in here too. All the things I did to you in here, I hated that too. It made me sick. I never wanted-“ I cut myself off. I need to change the subject.

I notice bruises on her arm. “Did I hurt you?” I mutter.

“I’m fine,” she replies, quietly. I hold out my hand. She hesitates a moment before giving me hers. I look over the bruises. They’re dark and swollen. It looks worse than the last time I hurt her like this...

“I don’t believe it’s broken but it is a possibility, considering the swelling. Go get the ice pack out of the freezer and keep it on your arm for a while. If it doesn’t feel any better later, tell me.”

“…I can…go?” she asks, carefully. I nod. She quickly jumps out of her chair and runs for the door. She pauses in the doorway. “…What about you? I don’t-um-I don’t think you should be here alo-”

“Rule number one,” I snap, cutting her off. She mumbles a quick apology before running to the stairs.

I don’t leave just yet. There’s a strange comfort in here. I’m not sure what it is...

It’s so quiet. I can hear screams echoing from the past. I can hear her begging and pleading. I can hear her sobbing. I can hear myself telling her that I was hurting her because that’s what she was for. I can hear myself telling her that she’s nothing. I can hear myself telling her that I hate her because this is all her fault.

I sigh and hold my head in my hands.

What have I become?

#oh the angst #the subject and the scientist

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rosierocks30 · 3 years

Text

Hidden: Ch. 19

Chapter 19: One Chance

(Natasha/Eveline)

Another week had gone by fast. Natasha or Eveline as most everyone here called her. She was busy doing Historia’s bed neatly. Her grandmother or Queen HIstoria had interrogated her the day after of the miscarriage she had. She had to explain why she was in the infirmary wing that night.

(Flash back)

Eveline was walking to the queen’s bedchamber. It was now morning. The doctor had insisted she stayed another day, but Eveline was stubborn. She thanked him and walked back to start her day. When the brunette got there, Historia was already having breakfast.

“Good morning, Eveline. I hope you are feeling better. Caroline told me she found you bleeding from miscarrying your child. I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine the pain you are going through. I want you to take a couple days off.” The queen said with a concerning tone.

“Your majesty, I’m grateful for your kindness, but I must reject your request. I prefer to resume my work. Please...I need to keep myself distracted.” Eveline begged the queen.

Historia frowned. She doesn’t want any of her staff or ladies in waiting to push themselves to work hard and forget to self care for themselves. Eveline is touched how her own grandmother was caring for others.

“I see. Already then, have you eaten breakfast at least?” Her tone said motherly. Eve missed hearing her grandmother's motherly voice. It gave nostalgic feelings. Eveline shook her head to gesture a no.

Historia used her foot to push the other chair a bit away from the table. “Come sit. If you want to work today, I need my handmaiden fed. This meal is too much for one person. I don’t mind sharing.” The blonde woman smiled at her. Eveline at first hesitated.

The brunette slowly walked towards the empty chair to sit. She scooted the chair closer to the table. Her grey eyes stared at the food on the table. There were bacon, sausages, eggs, fruit pastries, toasts, orange juice and teas. To be honest, she had lost her appetite when the smell of food had hit her nose. Eve tried to conceal her nausea as she doesn’t want to be rude to the queen’s generosity in sharing her breakfast with her. While taking her time, Eve grabbed a plate to serve eggs and toast. The handmaiden nibbled her toast and eggs. The young woman wanted to prove she was capable of working today.

The queen smiled as she saw her handmaiden eating breakfast. She needed to gain her strength. “Why haven’t you mentioned you were pregnant?”

Eve paused and looked down at her food. The dark hair woman didn’t know she was carrying a child. Despise, Ymir told her in her dreams that she was with a child, but Eve didn’t believe it. Now, it was too late.

“I didn’t know that I was pregnant.” Her tone was quiet. She remembered last night how scared and heartbroken Eve had felt.

Historia sipped her tea and nodded from what Eveline said. “Does he know?”

Eve glanced at the blonde woman and nodded her head. “Y-yes. I think he was devastated when I miscarried, but it doesn’t matter. We are not together anymore.” The last phrase had left her tongue feeling bitter. Eve still felt the pain of his action.

HIstoria was alarmed at what made them end their relationship? Was Eren that devastated to break up with this poor woman? Relationships are difficult to maintain but they are worth it especially with the right person that is willing to get through the ups and downs.

“Don’t tell me that Eren decided to ended the relationship with you all because of the miscarriage?” Historia was feeling upset.

“No, no it was I who ended the relationship. I just can’t be with him not after what I saw that broke my heart.” Eve gently pushed the plate away from her. She was done eating.

“What did he do that made you not want to be with him?” The queen was curious what Eren had done to hurt her.

“He betrayed me by being unfaithful. I saw him with some woman while walking back to my room. That’s when I felt pain and loss of the baby that I didn’t know I was carrying.” Eve was fighting her tears. She doesn’t want to cry in front of her grandmother. It was difficult for her to talk about what had happened last night.

Historia made a silent gasp. She carefully placed the tea cup on the saucer. “Really? That’s seemed out of his character, but I’m sorry for the pain you went through.”

Eve wanted this conversation to end. Just talking about Eren had made her on the verge to cry. Her anger, sadness, and pain begin to overwhelm her again.

“Your majesty, if I may be bold. May I be excused? I want to work to keep my mind on other important things.” Eve looked at the queen.

The queen nodded in understanding and gave her approval. “Yes, of course. But if you’re not feeling well, please go rest. I will have Lady Janelle to take over.”

Eve nodded then got up to go begin her day working.

(End Flashback)

Eve was finishing organizing Historia’s clothes into colors for aesthetic purposes. Today has been a good day so far. She grabbed the dirty clothes and placed them into a basket. The dark haired woman felt a wave of nauseous all of sudden. Her hand pressed onto her lips to make sure she doesn’t throw up on the beautiful expensive rug. Her eyes looked all over to search for a safe place. She ran to where an opened window and leaned to vomit.

Oh god is she catching a flu? Maybe it’s food poisoning. If it keeps happening, she might stop by the same doctor to diagnose her. Hopefully, it’s nothing. She wiped her mouth then went to the bathroom which is all the way on the other side of the chamber. Eve turned on the water from the sink to rinse her mouth to get rid the acid aftertaste of the vomit.

After she was finished, the spy and handmaiden picked up the basket of dirty clothes to go give it to the staff that do laundry on the lower level of the palace. While walking to the laundry area, the female Ackerman spotted a familiar face.

“Hey Rick, you’re on your break?” She gave a warm smile to her friend.

Rick smiled back at her. “Hey Eve, I see you have been busy.” He chuckled.

“Yeah, these dirty clothes won’t pick up on their own.” She said jokingly.

“So what do you plan doing around lunch? I’m going on break in half an hour. Wanna get out of this stuffy place to get lunch. Maybe some fresh air will do good for us.” He said.

Eve was going to decline since not that long ago she was feeling ill and didn’t feel hungry. When Rick mentioned food, her stomach growled loud. She blushed embarrassedly. Looks like her appetite is back.

“Yeah, sure. This place is driving me crazy anyways.” She chuckled.

“Good! I’ll meet you at the gate in half an hour. See you soon.” Rick had a happy smile and waved goodbye to her as he walked away. Eve waved him goodbye as well.

“Sounds good.” She watched him leaving then resume going towards the lower level.

What both Rick and Eve didn’t realize was that a paired of green eyes observed them a bit further away from them. The figure was scoffed then walked away.

Once an half hour had passed, Eve quickly walked through the halls until she was stopped by a blonde figure. She glanced at the figure to realize it was Zeke Jaeger, Eren’s older brother.

“Ah, good afternoon, Miss Potts.” Zeke said with a friendly smile.

Eve was at halt when she’s standing before the infamous Beast Titan shifter. Her grandfather had always rant how he hated that giant apeshit as he liked to call it. Both her grandparents told stories of what Zeke planned on doing to the Eldians for the greater good supposedly. Eren felt no hate nor love towards his older half sibling. The one thing he didn’t agree with his brother was the euthanization plan, but his plan was no better either. Both are extremists for the greater good of the Eldian people which it bothered her.

“Good afternoon. Mr. Jaeger. Is there something that you need?” Eve used her acting skill to play the nice newbie that some staff and Jaegerists talked about in the palace. Heck even some templars gossiped about her. It felt like high school all over again. Only with a bunch of adults with fucked up plans and ambitions.

“Oh no. I'm just wondering how the queen is doing lately? As her distant cousin, I am concerned for her health sometimes.” He said.

“Her majesty is doing fine. I made sure she is properly taken care of.” She said with a meek tone.

“Ah I’m pleased that Eren found a good handmaiden for the queen. We need to have her in the best condition possible.” He said.

This gave a trouble feeling for Eve, but kept her act in place. “Don’t worry. She will be in the best condition.”

“Good, good.” He was pleased to hear. A group was heading towards them and both Zeke and Eve saw it was Yelena, Eren, and that blonde woman. Just seeing Eren and her close made Eve’s blood boil in anger. Of course, she was masking her true emotions. What kind of spy is she if Eve can’t contain her emotions? She was an S.H.I.E.L.D agent before ending up in the past. The woman from the future had promised to herself that she’ll do whatever it takes to survive this era and get back home. After all, maybe in the meantime the brunette could begin secretly working on a cure for the Eldians to be officially free from the curse of Ymir.

So much work to do, but she is a Stark. This kind of challenge will keep her mind occupied. Eve didn’t make eye contact with Eren as it’s awkward for her to be around him and that slut in the same room as her.

“Please excuse me, but my lunch break has just started. I have someone watching for me.” The heiress said.

Eren finally said something. “Where will you be? I’m sure Queen Historia had let you eat in her chamber.”

Of course, he has to be noisy about her business. It doesn’t matter anymore. He can’t be the overprotective boyfriend when he fucked things up between them.

“Eren, why all of sudden you wanted to know a handmaiden like her own business?” The same blonde who Eve saw her with Eren a week ago. She wanted to leave now before she snapped and caused a bloody scene.

“Because she’s new around here. Plus, I brought her and the other man to work here.” He said annoyingly.

The blonde woman rolled her eyes then trying to cling around his bicep. Eve literally tried to stay cool. She may have ended things with Eren but her feelings have not gone away. The heiress itched to teach this bitch a lesson on not to pissed off a female Ackerman. Deep in her subconscious, her titan screams wanting to tear it’s competitions into shreds.

We must destroy our obstacle. She is touching what’s ours.

Shut up. She can have him. I don’t need him.

Lies! Who are you fooling, you insolent?

Have you forgotten what he did? We lose our child from the hurt and distress. Why should we be with him if he doesn’t value our love?

Our mate...didn’t mean too. He said it was to protect us. He loves us.

Oh for goodness sake! I’m not going to have this argument with you. He made his choice and I won’t let myself be a victim.

Our offspring needs her father.

What are you talking about? Do you remember the miscarriage? There’s no offspring. Not anymore.

You, stupid human. All those nauseous from having sensitive senses are still there because you are still carrying his offspring. Well, one of them. Your ancestor, Ymir was not lying, you are carrying a strong seed. It’s painful to lose another potential offspring, but that’s how life goes. Only the strongest survive in this fucked up world. You are an example of surviving the ordeal you had gone through as a child once.

We don’t ever speak about that. Understand. After lunch, I’ll go to the doctor to have a check up. Maybe you are wrong about me still being pregnant.

I am never wrong, Hostess.

Outside of her mind. Eve was in a trance. Until Zeke snapped her out of it.

“Miss Potts? Are you alright?” Zeke said.

“Huh? Oh sorry I was contemplating on which outfits the queen will wear for the charity ball tonight.” She quickly came up with an explanation. Why was her Titan being a pain in the ass? Eve doesn’t want to have her hopes up if she was still pregnant.

“Ah yes, the ball. I forgot it’s tonight.” Zeke said. “You will attend the ball, right?”

“Um, I don’t know. I’m not a big fan of parties.” Eve is trying to make this conversation short.

“Ah, I see. But you haven’t been this ball. I’m sure the queen would want her handmaiden to have fun.” Zeke was being persistent.

“If the queen wants me to go then I see no harm in attending.” She sighed.

“Excellent! Well, we’ll see you tonight.” Zeke said excitedly.

“I’ll see you all tonight at the ball then. My lunch date is waiting for me.” Eve gave a sly smile. She glanced a bit to see Eren’s jaw became tight. The dark haired woman turned around and walked towards the entrance of the palace to meet Rick at the gate.

You have angered our mate, Hostess.

Have I? That’s not my problem.

You foolish girl. Don’t expect me to save your skin when our mate confronts us.

Let me be clear. Eren is not our mate. Will never be our mate. He lost that chance.

How will you raise the growing offspring? She needs a father just as much as she needs a mother.

I’m a modern day woman. I can survive being a single mother if I’m still pregnant.

You are a prideful fool. Humph.

Eve rolled her eyes being irritated and felt headaches appearing. She saw Rick waiting for her. The heiress smiled at him then both walked to the plaza of the city. Right now she will have a nice normal lunch with her friend. Later, if the queen allows it; she will see the doctor if her titan was right about her still being pregnant.

(Mikasa)

Ever since that day Mikasa’s titan appeared to Reiner, it had become a bit awkward for the both of them. Mikasa felt so embarrassed and upset that her titan took over her. She felt bad to make Reiner concerned over her. Mikasa just needs some time to figure how to confront him without humiliation from her titan.

The Hizuru government had responded to their plea. Lady Kiyomi, the ambassador and Mikasa’s distant relative on her mother’s side, wanted to have a meeting as kins. Mikasa agreed to meet alone with her kin.

“Mikasa, my dear girl. It’s good to see you.” The ambassador of Hizuru greeted her long lost kin.

Mikasa had learnt a little bit of Hizuran customs to at least properly greet the Azumabito ambassador.

The Ackerman bowed respectfully to her elder kin. Lady Kiyomi bowed back with a smile.

“Hello Ambassador Azumabito, it’s good to see you too.” Mikasa said.

“My dear, I’m pleased you have remembered some of the customs I taught you.” Lady Kiyomi went to sit down on a sofa chair.

Mikasa followed her lead as well to make herself comfortable. “Yes, I remembered how my mother used to tell me to respect your elders; it shows my character.”

“Ah, you’re mother was a wise woman.” The elder woman smiled. “Since we are now here. I will provide whatever resource you and your allies need, but I do have one condition.”

Mikasa raised her eyebrow curiously. “What condition would that be?”

Lady Kiyomi gestured her hand at the man standing beside her. The man who looked like her bodyguard, handed her a folder. She grabbed the folder to place it on the coffee table and slide towards Mikasa.

“This document is for you agreeing to be Hizuru’s heir to the once great throne. Besides, I’m asking you to be our rightful Empress. You have Azumabito blood in your veins. You can rule.” The ambassador encouraged her.

Mikasa was reading the document. It’s a good thing it’s in Eldians since Mikasa barely knows a few words in Hizuran. The Eldian-Hizuran woman gasped at what her kin had said.

“You’re asking me to take the throne that had been empty for a century? Won’t the people of Hizuru protest to have some foreign ruling over them? This request is just too much. I’m just a soldier from Paradis who wants to protect the people who don’t have a voice. I am tired of this endless war and hatred both sides are doing. I don’t think I’m qualified to be a leader and lead a nation…” Mikasa said. A part of her felt scared that she’ll screw up as a ruler.

“Mikasa, my dearest...the people of Hizuru will be rejoiced that their long lost monarch will take the throne as Empress. The throne was empty because we the Hizuran prayed our lost prince’s or his descendants will one day take back their birthright as sovereign rulers. You may not believe in yourself, but I see so much potential in you. I have the heart of a warrioress who fights for humanity. You seeing this pointless conflict between the Eldians vs the world isn’t bringing anyone’s well being. Children were raised to be soldiers or to just hate a certain group that had no fault for being different. With you as our Empress, you will have the power to help your friends and allies. The great rulers from history have one thing in common.” Kiyomi said.

“What is it?” Mikasa glanced at her kin.

“They will protect and fight for what’s right and see each party is at fault in a conflict; but also see there are some innocence and monsters in each party.” Lady Kiyomi shared her wisdom to her younger kin.

“I see...but I’m curious. Why aren’t you ruling? You’re also an Azumabito. Should it make sense since you become the Empress?” Mikasa had wondered why isn’t she the one ruling.

The elder woman chuckled. “Oh my dearest, I may be Azumabito, but I’m not direct descent from the Crown Prince Hirito. I’m one of the descendants of his brothers. You are from bloodline. When the Emperor became devastated that his first born son was trapped on the island from King Karol’s order, he shocked our nation that he’ll be the last Emperor until one day his first born or his descendants claimed the throne. At first my ancestor felt injustice for not being named as heir, but he obeyed his father’s wishes and made sure the nation had council members to run the country.” The ambassador explained.

Mikasa was taking all this information. She sighed as her headaches began to appear which she was used to yet they still annoyed her.

“I understand..so if I accept this role; will I have the power to protect my friends and their innocence?” The young Ackerman said.

“Correct.” Kiyomi confirmed.

“Alright, I will accept your request but I do have one condition as well.” She said.

“Of course, I’m listening.” The older woman smiled.

“I will keep my surname. I’m not saying to disregard my mother’s last name. I want to hyphen both my parents' surnames until my children will pick which last name they want to inherit as they become older. My other kin from my father’s side and I had talked about reviving the Ackerman clan that once was a protector to the Paradisian royal family. We’re the last three in the world.” Mikasa said.

“Three? There's another Ackerman?” This brought Kiyomi’s attention.

“Yes, Captain Levi and Queen Historia recently had their son born into this world.” She said.

“This is shocking news. A royal Ackerman. Well two if you include yourself.” The Azumabito elder chuckled.

“Still I didn’t know these two were lovers.” She continued.

“Yeah, we were all surprised that both of them got married and had a child together. They may not act like a couple publicly for many reasons, but in closed doors they really love each other. I haven’t seen Levi smile only when Historia was around. That should have been one of the signs. I’m happy for them. They deserve some happiness in their lives.” Mikasa said with a soft smile appearing on her lips.

Lady Kiyomi nodded. “Love is powerful. It can motivate someone to protect or to destroy in the name of love.”

Mikasa agreed with her since at one point she was in love with Eren that motivated her to be there for him no matter what. Even deep down she knew he had never felt the same feelings as she had done. Mikasa grabbed the pen and hovered on the sign here line.

“So it’s a deal?” The raven haired beauty stared into her estranged relative’s eyes.

Kiyomi nodded as she watched Mikasa finally sign her name on the paper. “It’s a deal, my dear Empress.”

This is it. Mikasa had agreed to be the sovereign ruler of Hizuru in order to protect those she loved and have a bright future for the next generation.

After they finished talking about important business, both of them talked casually to resume the bond that Mikasa had wanted to know more of her mother’s heritage. As hours went by, Mikasa had left the ship where Ambassador Kiyomi resided temporarily due to the battle outside of Liberio city limit against templars’ soldiers. The good news they won the battle from inside Liberio and pushed the frontline of the enemies out of the city. Her lover, Commander Reiner Braun ordered the city to have barricades and other towns and cities that won too. He may be here commanding this small part of the army, but with better communication he was able to lead the soldiers of Marley and other nations that Marleyan soldiers were deployed.

Annie had surprised everyone with her creation of better equipment to send longer distance communication. Thanks to her trip with Armin to the States, Annie had learnt so much of the advanced technologies that existed. Mikasa felt a bit guilty for assuming Annie was just a reserved titan shifter who is good at kicking anyone’s ass. The blonde Female Titan shifter was a lowkey nerd who likes to learn modern technologies to improve this side of the world. Mikasa finally understood that both Armin and Annie have some things in common.

This whole week was victorious for this side of the war. Reiner was a good leader whether he doesn’t think so. The raven haired assassin thought about to finally confront Reiner since the day her titan made an appearance. Besides, she needed to tell him and the rest that they have an ally with Hizuru but also mention in order to gain their alliance; Mikasa will take the throne.

She walked on the empty streets. Kiyomi had insisted on sending guards for her as Mikasa had accepted to be Hizuran Empress. Of course once the war is over, the female Ackerman will have a coronation ceremony to be officially crowned as their sovereign Empress. She spotted some soldiers from Marley's army. This city most of them already were familiar with her so Mikasa doesn’t have to worry of being shot or harassed.

Behind her, two guards walking to keep up with her pace. She was annoyed to have bodyguards. Can you believe it? An Ackerman needing bodyguards? Mikasa reached the entrance of the military base. One of the soldiers greeted her and opened the gate. She gestured to her bodyguards to follow her. When she entered the Headquarters, she searched for Reiner until one of the soldiers told her he was in an important meeting. She sighed but understood not to disturb him.

Mikasa decided to go to his office and wait for him. She told the guards to give some privacy. They bow to her and distance themselves from her. The uncrowned empress sat on Reiner’s big chair. She sees he had left his jacket on the chair. Mikasa grabbed it to inhale his scent. He smelled like pinecones and his favorite aftershave. While she was busy in her own world, the door opened to reveal Reiner walking into his office. Once he closed the door, he was startled to see his lover on his chair nuzzling and inhaling his jacket.

“Oh shit Mikasa! I didn’t see you there. Are you sniffing my jacket?” Reiner looked at what Mikasa was doing.

Mikasa peeked to see Reiner standing with a surprised expression. She blushed embarrassingly from being caught red handed from inhaling the scent of his jacket.

“Um...no. I was just admiring the material of the jacket.” She gets up to neatly place the jacket how he left it. Oh god, he’ll think she’s some weirdo. Maybe it’s best to leave before she does any more strange behaviors again. Her titan is having the time of her life laughing from how flushed Mikasa’s face is.

“I’ll just leave. I’m sorry.” She walked past him, but he grabbed her forearm to stop her leaving.

“Wait Mikasa. Don’t leave please...can we talk? I missed you. I try to give you space but sometimes it hurts you have been avoiding me all week.” His voice was gentle. Mikasa felt her heart pounding from the sound of him begging to talk to her. She has missed him all week too. Her stupid pride made her difficult to confront him earlier. She didn’t mean to hurt him. A part of her is scared he’ll reject her because she's a monster.

She stayed still without saying much. Reiner gently pulled her to him as his arms wrapped around her to hold her from behind. His chin rested on her shoulder. Mikasa can feel his breath on her ear. Reiner was waiting for her to say anything, but he sighed. He broke the silence.

“Is this about that night when Styx appeared?” Reiner whispered.

Mikasa’s body became tense from him mentioning her titan’s name. The blonde man figured this is one of the reasons his girlfriend was avoiding him.

“Mikasa, I want to hear it from you on why you’re avoiding me? I promise this won’t change this between us. I love you. I love all of you including your titan.” He continued whispering to her ear. It felt sweet to her ear the way he should affection to her. Her grey eyes closed tightly as tears formed and slipped down. Why is this so hard to say to him? Is her fear that great? The raven beauty took a deep breath and used the courage to speak.

“I was afraid...that you will not treat me the same and see me as a monster, a true devil. Just like the insults my fellow Paradis Eldians were called as. I was already heartbroken once; I don’t want to go through again but this time with you. Whenever we spend time together, my walls from both my heart and mind crumble to let you in. I grew to fall for you until I know for sure I am in love with you.” Her tone was soft.

Reiner leaned to give feather-like kisses on her neck. “Mikasa, my beautiful strong warrioress, don’t ever say, feel, or see yourself as a monster. You are a pure hearted woman who sees good in others. I admired the way you see the world. I was envious at one point. I still see you as my future wife and mother of my children. Besides, Styx is very intriguing. I want to get to know her too. Will you allow that? For you to be one hundred percent of yourself? She is part of you and you’re part of her.”

Mikasa slowly turned around to face him. She had her arms wrapped around his neck. Reiner smiled at her while she leaned in to kiss him deeply with passion. Both lovers become lost into their heated make out session. Mikasa gently pushed him to his big chair for him to sit. She climbed on to his lap to straddle comfortably. Their kiss hasn’t been broken during this. Her fingers quickly unbuttoning his white shirt. Their body temperatures rise with their desire and lust for each other.

Reiner takes off her tank top by lifting up then tosses it to the wooden floor. Mikasa let out a soft moan when Reiner began flicking his tongue on her nipples. The assassin pressed herself down to feel his bulge becoming hard as she grind slow. He pants hard from his cock throbbing. The Commander-in-chief of Marley's army resumed being attentive on her hard perky nipples. He gave sloppy kisses between the valley of her breasts then went further down to her stomach which arched her back from the pleasure Mikasa was receiving. Reiner lifted her up so he could get up from the chair and place her on the desk. Mikasa quickly tried to undo her pants to kick them off. The urge of wanting him to be inside her had increased.

Finally she was free from her pants and panties. Now Mikasa focuses on undoing Reiner’s pants. When she saw his hard cock pop out from his pants and briefs, the raven haired beauty pressed her thumb on the tip to gently massage. She could hear Reiner growled from the pleasure he was receiving. She smirked watching him panting hard as her hand wrapped around his length to slowly pump it.

Mikasa kisses his neck up to his ear to nibble the earlobe. Reiner began to spread her legs wide and pushed her laying on his desk which she let go of his cock. She waited to feel his cock inserting into her wet hole. Instead, his tongue licked slowly on her clitoris. She closed her eyes to let the blissful intense pleasure kick in. Her moans became erotic and a bit loud. Quickly, she gasped while clapping her hand on to her mouth to be quiet. That would be so embarrassing if anyone passed by Reiner’s office to hear her moans.

On the other hand, Reiner was too zoned out from eating her out. He felt pride in himself for making his girl moaning loud because of him. While he continues sucking her clit, the female Ackerman grips on his golden hair roughly from being lost into ecstasy.

“Mmm R-reiner….I-I n-need y-you.” She barely could form a sentence to speak.

He chuckled deeply then pulled away from her sensitive area to level eyed her. He held her chin softly to take in the time to admire her flushed face that he caused.

“How bad do you need me, Mikasa?” His tone was husky and rough.

She let out a growl. “Reiner don’t tease me. I want you now.” Her eyes are glowing silver. Of course, Reiner smirked and kissed her passionately.

“Your wish is my command, baby.” Finally, he positioned his cock hovering on her entrance and thrust it into her with a bit roughness. Mikasa rolled her eyes of how it felt so great of his cock stretching her walls.

“Ahhhh y-yes, R-reiner!” She yelped.

Her legs automatically wrapped around his waist as Reiner thrusted into her hard and fast. The desk made a screeching noise. Mikasa listened to him talking in very explicit words. She blushed and moaned. He was so close to reaching his climax.

“I’m so close, baby..” He grunt as his thrusting increased faster.

She nodded while feeling her orgasm being near too. Both moan rhythmically together as their orgasms made them cum. Mikasa felt the familiar warmth from Reiner filling up her womb. Since a month had passed of them being together, Mikasa hasn’t felt any symptoms of expecting yet. She wasn’t in a rush at the moment, but with him having almost a year left; she wanted at least to have something a part of him. Mikasa doesn’t know what she’ll do when he dies. She knew what she was getting herself into, but the fear losing him was already planted in her mind. The raven haired future empress wants to give her boyfriend the best moments he’ll have before he passed away.

After they came, Reiner glanced at his girlfriend to see her crying. He kissed her forehead and cradled her with love and compassion. “Hey, don’t cry. Shhhh what’s wrong, beautiful.” He coos her.

Mikasa cupped her hands on his face to kiss his lips. “I know what we’re getting ourselves into, but it's still scary that soon I would lose you. I selfishly want us to grow old and be there for the memories we won’t get the chance to share together.”

Reiner uses his thumb to caress her cheek and kiss her temple spots. “I’m sorry, I will cause you heartache when I leave this world, but I want to say thank you for giving me joy and peace I haven't felt since I was a small child. I’m glad that I have the chance to know you, Mikasa Ackerman. If we don’t have a child by then it’s alright because you had already made me a happy man. This is the one thing I will never regret was to love you. I understand that it would be better if I have the chance to grow old with you. Our children grow up in a peaceful world with their own children. We would smile and hold each other while watching the sun sets.”

Hearing his preferred ideal dream had made Mikasa sobbing. How much did she want that too? Sadly, she would do all that alone without him by her side. If the Hizuru government forces her to marry someone else, she will not hesitate to reject the idea. Her heart, body, mind, and soul belongs to Reiner Brauns. His child or children will sit on the throne after her. Mikasa was capable of ambition when it’s convenient to her.

“I don’t regret loving you as well, Reiner. We may have once been just comrades then enemies and now lovers. You have made me the happiest woman. I will give you a child because I prefer any child of mine from you to sit on the throne instead of some man’s child.” Mikasa said.

Reiner looked at her confused. “Mikasa, what do you mean sitting on a throne? What I know Paradis has Historia as the queen.”

“That’s the thing I came here earlier. I finally got an alliance with Hizuru. They will assist us as long I order them as their Empress. That was the deal.” Mikasa waited for him to process.

“So you are now Hizuru’s Empress? I didn’t know you have some royal blood in you.” Reiner was still taking all in. He doesn’t know how to feel, but he knows there’s no negativity in him of how he felt about his girlfriend being a ruler.

“I found out on my mother’s side, she was a direct descendant of the Crowned Prince Hirito of the Azumabito clan. Ambassador Kiyomi Azumabito told me of my family’s origins.” Mikasa showed him her tattoo of the Azumabito clan sigil on her arm.

“This is to prove I am the last living descendant of the trapped prince. With me being the Empress, I’ll have enough resources to help win us the war. We’ll bring peace and harmony.” Reiner stared at the tattoo. He let out a smile and kissed her forehead.

“Who would have thought of us changing the world?” He chuckled. Mikasa smiled and nuzzled against his bare chest.

“Yeah who would’ve thought.” She mumbled.

“That explained why I saw two Hizuran men glaring at me and not allowing me to enter into my office until I told them I am the Commander and this is my office.” He gave a hearty laugh. Mikasa groaned from thinking she needed to have a talk with her bodyguards about the do’s and the don'ts.

“I’m sorry about that. They are my bodyguards as it’s a protocol for my safety which it flabbergasted me they forgot I’m a trained soldier and an Ackerman.” She said.

“Oh that’s hilarious; you need bodyguards? I’ll have one of the privates to find them a room so they can rest when they need to.” Reiner wipes his tears from laughing.

“Thank you that would be appreciative.” She smiled and kissed him tenderly.

“Of course anything for you, my darling.” He grinned. Mikasa blushed from giving her an affectionate nickname.

“So Empress Mikasa. That has a nice tone to it.” Reiner said.

“Mhm it’s Empress Mikasa Ackerman of the Azumabito clan. Reiner, will you willingly become my Prince consort if the war was over before your deadline? So basically, will you marry me, Reiner Braun?” Mikasa asked.

“I don’t know how long this war will be over. We may be winning on this side, but we still have to defeat them in Paradis Isle. We don’t need to wait for marriage. We can get married. I want to die as your husband. So, yes. I will marry you, Mikasa Ackerman.” He smiled.

Mikasa hugged him while kissing him with joy. “Tomorrow, we’ll go to Ambassador Kiyomi to have us be married unless you have a Marley’s custom that you want us to do?”

“Not in particular we don’t. I don’t care how we get married as long as it's you.” He said.

“Alright that’s good to know. Let’s put back our clothes. I need to talk to Armin and Annie so they can send the news to the Assassins and tell the troops about our alliance with Hizuru” She said. Reiner agreed and started to button his clothes. Mikasa had to pick up hers and put it on. Once they were fully dressed and looked presentable, both walked out of the office. Mikasa realized both her guards were standing by the door the whole time.

“Oh my god, how long have you two stand here?” Mikasa felt red from thinking they had heard her sounds.

One of them answered. “A long time, my empress.”

Mikasa was so embarrassed. Reiner felt a bit shy but chuckled seeing Mikasa’s face red. “I- please pretend you didn’t hear anything.”

“As you wish, Empress.” The other one said.

Mikasa sighed and walked along with Reiner while the other two followed them.

(Eve)

Eve was at a nice café with Rick enjoying their lunch break. Both friends were laughing and talking carefree. This is what she needs to make her day. Just feeling normal and herself. Back at the palace, Natasha was walking on eggshells to make sure no danger of being harmed or discovered as a spy.

“Seriously this guy was weird. He stared at me then at you.” Rick said.

“Rick, that’s Yelena. She’s a woman.” Eve laughed from her friend assuming Yelena was a man.

“What?! Really? I thought she was a guy. That explained why she glared at me often.” He chuckled embarrassingly.

“You’ll be fine. She’s too occupied giving puppy love to Zeke. She barely acknowledges your existence.” The brunette sipping chamomile tea.

“True.” He grinned.

“So, Eve...what’s going on with you and Eren?” He asked boldly.

The handmaiden paused from sipping and set down her teacup to have his full attention. “We are on break until things are steady enough for us to focus on our relationship.” Her tone sounded very diplomatic.

Rick feels it's more than a break, but the way she said it felt she doesn’t want to talk about it. “Ah ok that’s understandable. As long you guys are fine with it.”

“Yeah…” She resumed sipping her tea. “So, I heard there’s a charity ball tonight. The queen might force me to go to have fun, but wanna go together? I will feel weird and awkward around strangers.” Eve was not into going balls or social events. Her grandmother Pepper Stark had dragged her to many events to represent as the Stark Industries heiress. She was never a people person. What had made her go through it was drinking to tolerate most of the people’s bullshit.

“Ah, Eve I would have gone with you but I asked this girl who I like.” Rick blushed when he was thinking of the girl he met at the palace.

“Really? Oh my god! That’s great. Who is she? Maybe I have seen her.” She said excitedly.

“Her name is Maggie. She worked in the laundry section.” He said.

Eve trying to remember who this Maggie is. “Ohhhh I met her a few times. She’s a nice person. I’m glad you found someone.”

“Yeah, she’s so cute, but you can join us at the ball. Maybe this time you will have a great time. It’s a masquerade ball so no one will know who you are if you embarrassed yourself.” He said jokingly.

Eve made a dramatic gasp. “Excuse me, I never embarrassed myself. Thank you very much.” She said with confidence.

“Pfft ok.” He was skeptical. “We should start heading back.”

“Oh right, let’s go before we get into trouble.” She gets up and uses the currency to pay for her meal. Rick stopped her. “I don’t mind paying for us.”

“It’s fine, I can pay for my meals.” She said, insisting.

“I know but I invited you for lunch.” He pointed out.

“Fine, but next lunch; I will pay for our meal and bring Maggie with you too.” She said.

Rick nodded while placing his money on the table. “Alright I will.”

After the meal was paid, both head back to the palace to their work. Eve was walking into the tea room to see Historia alone reading a nice thick book. The dark haired woman bows to the queen. “Your Majesty.”

Historia glanced to see it was her handmaiden. “Oh Eveline! Did you have a wonderful lunch?” She said.

“I did, your grace. I hope you had a good lunch as well.” Eve smiled.

“I have and thank you. So, I don’t know if you have heard, but tonight there’s a charity ball. So tonight I am giving you the night off so you can attend to have fun.” Historia was in a chirpy mood.

“Oh, yeah I will go since my friend will go.” Eve said.

“That’s wonderful to hear! Do you have anything to wear?” The queen said.

“No, but I can ask a friend of mine to let me borrow something to wear.” Eve doesn’t know what to wear. She’ll try to ask one of the ladies to burrow one of their outfits.

“Oh no, don’t worry about that. I will let you borrow from my wardrobe. Come let’s go pick out dresses for the ball. This will be fun.” Historia grabbed Eve’s arm to drag her to the queen’s chamber.

Eve didn’t get the chance to kindly reject as she was inside the bedroom of the queen’s wing. She watched Historia open her wardrobe to check which dress will look perfect for her.

“Let’s see. What do we have here for you to look drop dead gorgeous.” Historia pulled out a few dresses for Eve to try it on.

“Let’s start these first and we’ll see how it goes.” The queen said.

Eve nodded while picking the champagne color dress with embroidery of diamonds. The dress was silky and long but there’s a slit on both sides. The sleeves were long but split to look flowy like a cape. The material fabrics on the sleeves are transparent golden-tan. The only thing was it was too scandalous to wear on this island.

“Your grace, where did you find this gown? It looks too modern and very revealing.” Eve asked.

“Oh, one of the foreigners gave me a gift. He said it’s the latest fashion from the other side of the world. It’s really too much for my taste but I didn’t want to offend the man.” Historia explained.

“I think I want to try it on. Someone has to be brave to start a fashion trend.” Eve gave her infamous smirk as she went to the fitting area.

Eve started to undress her current clothes then put on the gown. The only thing she struggled was zipping the back so she came out of the fitting area.

“Your Majesty, could you please zip up the dress for me?” She showed her back to the queen.

Historia nodded and went to zipped up the dress. Finally, Eve adjusted a bit. Historia gasped excitedly.

“Oh my goodness. You look stunning! You’ll be the catch of the ball. You should wear it.” Historia encourages her handmaiden.

Eve admired being praised by her grandmother. She blushed shyly which was unusual for her. “Thanks. I think I will take this one.”

“Oh you can wear these emerald studs earrings I have. With your ring, it will look perfect for you. Now, let’s find a pair of heels to go with the outfit and a mask. After all it’s a masquerade ball.” The queen gave a smirk. Eve smiled in agreeing.

By the time they finished finding outfits for tonight's ball, Eve left the chamber to go talk to the doctor. As she entered the hospital wing of the palace, the doctor was busy attending a patient who had a head injury. Eve patiently waited on a chair. Once the doctor finished attending the other, he turned around to see her.

“Ah Miss Potts! How are you feeling? Is there something bothering you for me to take a look?” He said.

“Right now, I’m well, but for a week I have been feeling nauseous and the smell like food has triggered. I have been vomiting random moments. I feel better after I did that. So is it possible to still be pregnant even thought I just had a miscarriage? Or is this some aftermath of miscarrying?” She said.

“I see, that should be impossible unless you were carrying twins and one of them didn’t survive. Come to the bed and I will check by using the ultrasound machine.” He gestured to her to lie on an empty bed.

The dark haired woman goes lay down and lifts her blouse to expose her belly while the doctor sets up the machine and squeezes the bottle of cool gel on her skin. Then he presses the rod that’s connected to the machine to massage on her belly to find anything on the screen.

On the screen he could see a small circle. He turned on the heart beating sound. “Well, I was right. It’s a miracle this baby had survived the miscarriage, but unfortunately it’s twin didn’t. I suggested you have to be careful from now on. Even though the whole pregnancy you should be cautious but during your first trimester is where normal miscarriages occur. Get some rest and eat and hydrate well for your and the baby’s sake.” He said.

Eve was in trance listening to the heartbeat. It was loud and strong just like Ymir and her titan said.

I told you so

Shut up!

Hehehe

She could hear her titan laugh in joy for being right. Eve can’t believe her baby is still alive and growing. This is a second chance to try to be optimistic about her child. After checking everything is well so far, the doctor gave her prenatal vitamins.

“Alright, I want to see you here next month.” the doctor wrote a reminder on a paper then handed to her. She took it and nodded.

“I will and thanks for everything.” She smiled and left the wing.

Eve walked down the hallways until she was stopped by Eren. She frowned seeing him blocking her path. “Yes? May I help you?” Her tone was friendly towards him.

“Natasha, why were you coming out of the hospital wing? Are you ok?” Eren was concerned for her health especially when he found out of the miscarriage.

Eve was about to say something snarking, but her titan won’t stop talking.

Tell him! He must know.

I- don’t

Don’t be stupid! This isn’t the time to show your pride. He needs to know we’re still carrying his offspring. Our mate deserves to know.

I don’t know….I can’t. I don’t want to get hurt again. I don’t want him to hurt the baby.

Our mate will never do such a thing! He will adore her. He still adores you. Why can you see that, you stupid child?!

Ok enough with the name calling. Can you just leave me be for today?

No, until you tell him right now.

Ugh, you’re such a bitch.

“Eve?” Eren trying to get her snap out of her trance.

“I’m still pregnant.” Eve was snapped back to focus on Eren. She realized what had come out of her lips and gasped. Oh great she blurted out to him.

“Wait what? Eve, is this a joke?” Eren doesn't know how to take this revelation news.

The brunette Ackerman sighed. “This isn’t a joke, Eren. I was seeing the doctor because I still had symptoms from the pregnancy after I miscarried the baby. Apparently, I was carrying twins, but one of them didn’t survive. So that’s why I’m still pregnant. So yeah, you’re gonna be a dad.”

Eren looked at her then he hugged her. “This is the best news I ever had. Eve, let’s get married. Our child deserves to be raised by us.”

Eve would have agreed if it weren’t his betrayal from a week ago. She shook her head and pushed him away. “No, how can I be married to you when you broke my heart.”

She can feel tears forming. “Don’t you understand seeing you with that whore made me distressed! I love you so much that you, Eren Jaeger, made me feel my soul was ripped away.”

Eren felt the guilt from causing her pain. He really didn’t mean it to hurt her again. He wanted to protect her. He slowly goes towards her. “You’re right. What I did was terrible and I’m so sorry for hurting you. Natasha, I love you. No woman will have my heart but you. I want you. Only you. You’re my future. Our baby is my future. I will figure out to end this war and bring peace for both of you. Our growing family is my first priority. Please, give me the chance to make up to you.”

“It’s not that simple. Every time I’m with you, all I can see is her moaning with you. Just imagine you being in my shoes? You would feel crushed too.” She cried while confronting him how she felt.

Eren holds her again to calm her down for the sake of the baby and her. “I know I know. I’m sorry I don’t know what I was thinking. You’re the only woman I love. Natasha please try to be calm for both of your sake.” He whispers to her ear then kisses her neck.

Natasha at first tried to free herself from his grip, but gave up as he continued whispering comforting words. She stopped and let him hold her. “One more chance, please.” Eren begged.

She was scared to give him that chance. Will she be a fool for giving him that opportunity to make amends? Eve took a deep breath and looked into his eyes with courage to give her answer.

“Don’t make me regret it, Eren. I will give you one more chance because my love for you is too strong. But this doesn’t mean I forgive you yet. Don’t expect me to show affection until I know for sure you have earned it. We’ll have to be a team when our child is born. Right now, I need to go change for the ball so please let me go.” Eve said.

Eren nodded to her and one last time he kissed her forehead. “Thank you. I really don’t deserve you.” He mumbled.

Eve didn’t bother to reply to his comment. She nodded while feeling his warm lips onto her forehead.

“I’ll see you later. I need to go.” She said and walked away to leave him alone.

Somewhere hiding in the corners of the hallways, a blonde figure listening to their conversations. Zeke frowned from knowing his little brother is going to be a father soon. This is not going well with his plans. Zeke quietly walked away to make sure he was unseen to have a private meeting with a few important people.

A/N: So what do you guys think? Enjoy this chapter.

#historia reiss #mikasa ackerman #reiner braun #reikasa #mikasa x reiner #OC: Natasha #oc female #eren jeager #eretasha

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