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finelinevogue · 2 years

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‘as it was’ livestream

little blurb to relish in the fact it’s release day😭

“Hey besties!”

You set your phone up on the tripod, after pressing ‘go live’ on Instagram. You’d done a few lives before, but none quite as exciting as this one.

Today was Harry’s release for the new single ‘As It Was’, and you couldn’t be more excited.

Normally you listen to Harry’s music throughout the whole process, from first melodies and random poems all the way to the final production. However, this time around you wanted to try it different and be completely surprised by what was to come. You wanted to hear and see everything for the first time as if you were a fan.

“Oh, hi Gem! I see you!” You laughed, noticing how Gemma had appeared on your live too.

Even though it was 11:50, you knew that people would want to watch you react. In fact, it would probably feel ad though you were reacting together and that’s something that the fans might enjoy.

“It’s so late isn’t it?” You joked to yourself, “Well past my bedtime.”

Someone made the joke about how it was also past Harry’s bedtime too, which you happened to agree with.

“You joke that it’s past Harry’s bedtime, but he is genuinely asleep right now. He went to bed two hours ago! No doubt when I start screaming though, he will wake up.”

Harry was so nervous for the new release that you believe he made himself slightly sick over the matter. You told him to go to bed and have a good sleep, so he can start the new era tomorrow with fresh eyes.

This era was going to be his biggest yet. You just knew it. ‘Fine Line’ did better than anyone ever thought was possible. He soared to heights that once seemed unachievable. It broke records, which, now, were only going to be broken once more. It was rare to have someone as special as Harry and you couldn’t be more proud of him and this moment you got to share.

He was glad he got to do all this with you.

“Oh guys i’m so nervous!” You admitted, setting up your laptop for Spotify and Youtube.

“I’m going to listen to the song first and then watch the music video.” You replied to someone who asked you which way round you were doing things.

“I heard the new teaser clip, yes. Very 70s disco. I loved it - even if he did look like a meal being defrosted in the microwave.”

The countdown on the Youtube screen started playing, butterflies completely erupting throughout your stomach. You were so excited, yet so nervous. You knew that you would love it, because it came from a man that you so dearly loved. You were only curious to see what the song was about and hear the lyrics so carefully.

The countdown was for one minute now and you weren’t sure what to do with yourself. You stood up and started pacing a little, allowing the floorboards to creak beneath you. You couldn’t stop smiling and the nervous jitters ran throughout your entire body.

At 30 seconds, you went in to complete panic mode. Or fan mode perhaps. You were grinning like a terrifying cheshire cat and sat back down again, nervously bouncing your leg as you waited patiently.

“Why do you look more nervous than me?” Harry’s voice broke the room.

You looked over to where he was walking through the doorframe, sleep in his eyes and his hair so disheveled. He was in his pyjamas, slippers scoffing against the floor as he moved towards the sofa. He flopped on the sofa across from you with a loud sigh, making it aware to the thousands of people watching your livestream that the man of the hour was here.

Your viewers started to sky-rocket and you laughed at what an influence he had.

“Morning, sunshine!” You laughed at how fresh he looked.

3, 2, 1.

“Oh god! Okay song first.” You paused the Youtube video and clicked Spotify to allow the song to load and play.

You pressed play and immediately you started tearing up. Always, you were so emotional but hearing the start of one era and it signifying the close of another was so special to here.

You looked to Harry, who was sat leaning back against the sofa with his hands behind his head. He was smirking as he watched you start to overreact with excitement over his new music. Of course, he didn’t expect anything less than an overjoyed reaction but it was still fun for him to watch - which is why he pulled himself out of bed, no matter how tired he was, to see this moment.

As it started playing, you locked eyes with your boyfriend, smiling as a tune so happy and fun started playing. You smiled so widely that it made Harry smile right back at you.

You both stayed silent for the duration of the song. You bounced your leg along to the beat as you enjoyed every line and every word. Your favourite lyrics included that of; ‘harry you’re no good alone’ and having his goddaughter feature at the beginning was just the sweetest.

As it came to an end you had almost completely forgotten that you were on a livestream, because as much as you wanted to get out of your seat and kiss the fuck put of Harry you restrained yourself and sat still. You let the tears run freely as you let the moment sink in.

It was so perfect.

You were completely enthralled. This new era was something that people were not prepared for, and something other artists such watch out for. Harry was unknowingly here to take over the music industry and reinvent it into something brilliant. Masterful.

“Are you crying because you love or hate it?” Harry chuckled to himself, still sat the same.

You just shook your head, not trusting yourself to let out a single sound at present. You turned towards the live and everyone was freaking out.

singlestyles: did i just die and go to heaven? cause im okay with that

iloveh4rry: just when i thought he couldn’t top sott or lights up

harriesinjail: i will live the rest of my life to this song

harrysh0use: did he really just admit that he’s terrible at being alone, because i am free 24/7 for him

iminharryshouse: AHAHAHAH wha-🥲✌️

The last one made you smile, because you too could relate to what they were saying entirely.

Wiping your eyes, you sniffled and allowed yourself to engage with the livestream audience once more.

“How are we doing?” You sniffled again, “Fuck,” You whispered under your breathe. You spent some time running through the comments and laughing along to the best ones, all there whilst Harry was still sat in the dark over whether you lived or hated it.

From the corner of your eye you watch Harry stand and make his way over to you. You watched him from the corner of your eye, not wanting to make it obvious to the viewers what he was doing in case he wanted to remain inconspicuous. However, when he came and sat beside you, that effort faded fast.

He wrapped his arms around you instantly and allowed you to tuck your head against his chest, letting a few sudden sobs erupt from yourself. He smelt so good and it felt even better to be encased in the arms of a man that has changed your life once again with a few melodies and lyrics.

“You guys didn’t think it was that bad, did you?” Harry joked to the livestream, pretending you were crying because you hated it.

“You know it wasn’t bad, y’knob.” You playfully hit him, sitting up and wiping your eyes as best you could. “God this is so embarrassing.”

“Yeah, it kinda is.” Harry agreed, laughing to himself as he watched you gain composure.

“Go away. You’re putting me off.” You complained, pushing him and yet to no avail he moved nowhere.

The comments on the live were going too fast to read now. The viewers were ridiculously high and even you began wondering whether this was breaking some Guinness world record. Some people were saying hello to Harry whilst others were wishing they could be you so bad.

“Rude.” He joked, leaning back against the sofa and watching you.

“Stop it.”

“Stop what? I’m just sitting here.”

“Exactly. You’re too… you, to get away with just sitting there. Bugger off.”

“Love you too, bubs.” He rolled his eyes, before pulling out his phone to otherwise occupy himself. There was no way that he was leaving you here and now, especially with tears in your eyes.

He needed comfort in these new and weird times, and you were the perfect person to completely settle all his nerves. He loved you so much - that was evident enough in between the lyrics of the song.

“Okay besties, I think I might have to watch the music video alone because I am so embarrassed with myself right now. However, tweet me or DM me with your thoughts and everything, so we can discuss together.” You spoke to your phone, Harry just casually featuring in the background. “Sound good? Anything to add H?”

Harry leaned forwards and towards the camera. “I love you all so, so much. Your support is always extraordinary and I can’t thank you enough for every moment of every thing you do for me. You’re all amazing and enjoy this new era.” He said cheerfully, before you kissed the camera and ended the live.

You took a deep breathe, saving the live and uploading it to your Instagram before collapsing back on the sofa. Harry chuckled, before laying down next to you.

“I’m so proud of you, lovie.” You whispered to Harry, feeling so small in his large universe in that moment.

“Yeah?”

“Of course, yes.” You swallowed back more tears. “It was cute how you kept Ruby’s voicemail and used it in the song.”

“You remember the night she sent me that message? I was so upset with myself.”

“You were, yeah, but you made up for it. You’re a good person Harry and a good role model. That’s why you should be proud of yourself.”

You felt Harry’s hand reach for yours as you laid beside each other, intertwining your fingers until you were hand in hand. His mere touch was enough to form tears in your eyes again, reminding you of how real this all was and just how much you loved him. He really was something extraordinary.

Turning your head, you watched your beloved boyfriend remain staring at the ceiling. He was most likely trying to come to terms with how crazy this was and the journey that was about to unfold. Everything was planned so carefully and Harry was determined that it all happened the way his envisioned it.

You squeezed his hand gently, making his head turn towards you and catch gaze with his eyes. They were sparkling and excited, just as yours no doubt mirrored.

“You look so happy.” You told him, smiling as his little dimple made show.

“Never been happier.” He admitted.

“Well that’s just down to you being an incredibly talented songwriter and your fans being the most supportive people.”

It was true. The fans were the most dedicated people in his life. Heck, not even you were as intelligent as some of the detectives that lived within the harrie community. You loved to see the theories and the fan projects, because it allowed you to understand a little bit more of just how much Harry was loved.

“Maybe.” He furrowed his eyebrows, still looking at you with those dreamy eyes you fell in love. “But just maybe, i’m happy because you… because i have you in my life.”

“Stop being nice! I can’t deal with the compliments.”

“Well you better get used to them darling, because I will be telling everyone I owe my success to you. You got me through the past few years and you are the reason I am not alone. I will never be able to thank you enough.”

“You don’t have to.” You quietly told him.

“But I will, because I love you and you’ve made me a better person.”

You turned away from him again, staring at the ceiling before the waterworks came again. You weren’t even aware that there was this many tears inside of, yet you couldn’t stop them from coming.

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tofumedic · 3 years

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hewo! for the affections number.. 16 is so cute.. would u be able to do headcanons of all the demon bros with it? if not, can u pls do levi then !

The Brothers + Simeon with #16!

16. taking a photo of them smiling or in their element

(lucifer's is here from a previous ask! and bc of that i added simeon only for having some lil funnies i hope you dont mind <3!!!)

Mammon

His collection is the largest, he flaunts it like collectables like cars or like Levi's figures. It is literally one of his biggest flexes and will use them like trading cards never wanting to send them in group chats or privately bc he took those ones get your own human >:(!

He will however hold his phone directly in one of their faces, waving the screen around to show how he has so many good ones.

He uses them for call screens, his lock screen, his home screen, any widget he can other than the Goldie one. He's a menace about it but do not call him out on it he will buy a second phone to use in the public.

Anyways, anyways for actually taking photos..

Mammon always takes too many, as in he will take a bunch within the same timespan because he doesn't trust his hands not to shake, so if he just takes a lot at one time so he can delete the others and save the best ones

But he just ends up keeping all of them, just favoriting the best or separating them into two albums of "valuables" and "treasures" depending on the quality.

Usually they will all have a small blur, him too excited at seeing whatever expression you wear, whether its a smile at seeing him purposely acting dumb or you enjoying a hobby.

He feeds a lot of unfiltered second hand serotonin off of you! Please do not disturb his "I have just had a very bad brotherly bonding experience, I must cope by looking at my photos of my human- No I'm not smiling already shut up"

Leviathan

Levi will use photos of you like wholesome memes so they carry the same energy as the hang in there cat poster, using different heart overlays and nice quotes

His are also a mixture of blurry but also high quality photos, for ones he takes.

This is because seeing you so dedicated or when you smile in his direction, his heart does this weird jumpstart the palpitations making him feel heavy yet light at the same time almost like a peach and its pit.

But he has a preference to use either this small tripod(he has it as a preparation for going to live shows) or a timer so its set away from him as he calls you over, its his own little trap.

His favorite, the majority of his collection, are those! It's photos of you being in frame with him in it as well because there's just something about how all that happiness of yours is completely focused on him, your smile as you walk over towards him sometimes blurry and mistimed so its only you entering the corner of the screen but you can tell how he takes your attention.

When getting in fights about who has the best photos, he will drop ones that are different hugs of him in your arms like he was a newly one plush. Mammon especially gets pissy about these as well as Belphie and Asmo.

If you can't turn your camera on when he calls or if he is locked in a raid that they're losing he would ask you for a selfie also, never requesting anything special other than just yourself but his favorite is when you send just smiles or videos of the which character are you filter :]!

Satan

Satan often tries to hide it, saying he's taking a photo of himself or checking his hair, maybe even going as far as saying the text on his study notes are too small so he has to hold it in front of his face so close.

Think about cowboys, shooting from the waist. That's him when you're too far away, maybe with a brother or during class or eating. He will scribble out his brother or purposely have the other cropped out of the shot.

He does have a lot of you when you're just turning around to face him and then your reaction, he can't resist the temptation of taking your attention when he's bored or waiting for his next book order to come in before he goes back to the cat behavior of only seeking out attention when he deems it necessary and otherwise pleased for a period of time.

He loves the ones where you look at him before he's ready, these are just slightly shaky from him jumping or pressing the button in an embarrassed panic at your smug yet happy expression.

Has definitely done the cut a hole in a newspaper and put his camera to it to look out like it was some camouflage but he's first, smiling much too hard and trying not to laugh at it, and second had seen it in multiple old movies and shows you had watched together.

Satan, speaking of movies, quite enjoys you in low light. On movie nights where your face is only illuminated by the projector screen and the photos turn out a bit grainy, there's something so romantic about you just existing in such an atmosphere. These ones he does like more when you're focused, looking far off with a small pleasant smile on your face at the soft plot of tonight's pick.

Asmodeus

Asmo will send you them all the time, he's like your own personal Devilgram manager he will even edit them for you and send the before and after of those photos too (MC: when did u take these??? Asmo: ,';p)

He will always have such good angles of you, from your side, from above or below, a 3/4, or full portrait, your silhouette. He may have one for each basic one at least though his favorites are above and below, these are the most personal feeling to him.

Usually these come as him trying to get your attention, bothering you with his phone and purposely leaving the little shutter noise on so you hear every single one while you're just trying to watch a DevilTube video or do something else.

Him snuggled into your side post cuddle just to lean up, phone in his hand and a menacing giggle, it's the first thing you see waking from your drowsy state is him on top of you trying to get cute pictures that he can use as teases as if something else was in progress.

Or ones where you roll on top of him, just trying to get up to see the dumb little flash as an alarm instead of his cute good morning kisses to your face(those are actually used to buy more time with you because he is allowed to be a little selfish as a treat)

He also has them set as his lockscreen and homescreen, these being photos of you together so he can have the best of both worlds, himself and your happy smiling face. He just finds it so cute, whenever you want an audience to see it he's in the first row.

Sends them to the group chat with his brothers to start some chaos

"My~ Isn't my dearest MC just the cutest?" Asmo has sent 28 attachments.

Beelzebub

His collection isn't one of the best out there but it is unique and keeps him content and happy, pleased.

He likes having photos of you for when you two are separated, it makes you feel closer to him and him to you

His may have some of the least blur, hands steady you work on something separately yet aware of the soft stare that was bearing into the side of your head.

He may forget sometimes about the sound so when you get the rare notification from his electronic betrayer it is free power to tease him, asking him if he wanted your attention or if he just took a photo of you and to be honest, then his photos if you let him continue for that setting are a little blurrier on your fine details. He's embarrassed.

He likes these more than ones with just your smile because then he isn't as satisficed because then he's thinking about how nice it looks in person and your laugh and when you let out a sigh being tired from your work, it'll be a cycle until he gives up and goes to see you in person.

But he likes the ones of you in your element very much and photos of you in general, saying that looking at them makes him feel "full"

He means to say complete, he's content and pleased and delighted and he has a reminder of you existing, that you're real and not a midnight sleep walk hallucination.

Belphegor

He has the smallest collection but next to rest, Beel, and his appearance he is mostly focused on capturing photos of you when he can.

He didn't get to really know you as long as his brothers have so its only fair he gets to spend more time with you than them until he's equal, and then some because you're really comfy and you make his twin happy? and then on top of that you make this face when you are concentrated and you smile different depending on if you're gonna laugh or if you're confident.

There's so much he has to memorize, he's rather demanding with having the attention so he may continue this personal agenda of his.

A lot of them are from similar angles, from laying with him in different positions but everything feeling relatively the same, normal. These are usually after he has woken up, not before he goes to bed so either it's your soft good morning smile, or your surprised "how long have you been awake" face, or you still asleep on your own.

Many of them often have his bed head just barely visible at the bottom, usually having laid on top of you and just using his selfie camera and angling it up to see you take up more of the screen.

For just being a pillow that moves a lot you definitely are photogenic.

He doesn't send his photos of you to chats but will save photos sent of you from everyone except Lucifer.

Simeon

PLEASE applaud.

It takes him such a long time, but Solomon gave him the idea saying it was something sweet you would also enjoy the concept of. So he is doing his best.

He will see you, just existing and his heart will swell, needing to pause a moment before kindly asking you to hold that thought and pose as he turns on his phone, maneuvering to the camera and trying to get it to focus on you perfectly.

It takes him a few minutes every time but he is getting better at it but his reaction is always the same, smiling at you showing up on his phone screen waiting for the picture to be taken.

He never can be sneaky about it unless he asks for help to get your photo, sending Luke on his biggest mission yet, a photo after he asks you what you thought of Simeon's cooking knowing you'll have that sweet face of genuine thought looking back on it.

But he has yet figured out how to turn the sound off and almost always accidentality flashes you up close, it's so bright.

He has the most blurry photos, and that's not on purpose but when he asks you to look at them with him so he can coo about how happy you look or how serious, its endearing with the blur especially as they clear up a bit continuing the timeline of photos.

He really does his best to have these mementos of you.

Is delighted when you surprise him by putting his favorite one of you as his home screen, he's so grateful let him match with you he wants to be yours too!

from this prompt list!

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uniarycode · 3 years

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Takari Week 2021, Day 1 - Sibling Shenanigans.

Things have gotten too bad, Taichi and Yamato need an intervention. And if they pay close attention, they might learn something important.

Nah, who we kidding.

Written as part of @takariweek

In some ways, Yamato was Taichi’s closest friend. They had gone through hell and back together, forming an unbreakable bond.

That said, they had different tastes in music, TV, and basically anything. Taichi preferred to watch sports and anime, Yamato preferred dramas and cooking shows. Taichi flourished in the company of others, Yamato demurred in the presence of anyone he wasn’t familiar with.

But one pastime they could both agree on was a good old fashion round of Smash. Whenever it was just the two of them, they generally sat down, fired up the N64, and just let their preferred characters bash one out.

As they were doing until a few seconds ago when an unsightly banner obscured their view of the television. “intervention” was proudly displayed, with one ‘i’ dotted with the crest of courage and the other with the crest of friendship. The phrase was repeated in Japanese, just underneath, in case the translation caused them to miss the point.

Either end of the banner was affixed to a small wooden tripod, being gently lowered to the ground by a devious sibling.

“What’s going on?” Yamato grumbled, still mashing buttons on the control in hopes of gaining an edge. “And when did you even have time to make that?”

Hikari ignored the protestation “We’re here because we’re your family and we care about you. We hoped that time would heal this wound, but time is no longer on our side. You two will be going to college soon, and we need to break through to you before too late.”

“What are you talking about?” Taichi asked. “We were in the middle of something.”

“Smash can wait, we can’t keep putting this off.” She took a deep breath. “This may be hard to hear, but please understand, it needs to be said: You are atrocious when talking to girls.”

“What?”

“Look Taichi, you’ve already near exhausted all your high school options, if something doesn’t change, you’re going to end up alone and unloved, filling your apartment with pets for some form of companionship.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit dramatic?” he asked. She solemnly shook her head ‘No’ in response.

“Can I go?” Yamato cut in. “I have a girlfriend, if you remember. We’ve been dating for years now.”

“Yes, and she still calls me to rant about it after every date.” Takeru cut. “I can only clean up your messes for so long Yamato, you have to learn how to do it yourself. Or better yet, don’t make messes in the first place.”

“Ouch.” Taichi said, casting a sideways glance at his co-captive.

“You aren’t any better Taichi,” Hikari shot, “You had seven people and eight Digimon wingmaning you on a simple phone call, and you still managed to mess it up.”

This time it was Yamato who glanced at Taichi.

“Now.” Takeru said “The first thing you need to learn is observation. If you pay attention to someone and signal that you notice when something changes. This shows you care enough about the other person to actually look at them and remember what they looked like yesterday.”

He cleared his throat, “For example, if say, your girlfriend decides to style her hair differently, you should maybe compliment the style change, instead of being oblivious. Wouldn’t you say, Yamato?”

“It was one time.” Yamato grumbled.

“Perhaps a practical demonstration would be better.” Hikari said. “Oh, Takeru, Honey, sorry I’m late, the train was delayed.”

“Don’t worry about it Babe, I’m just glad you’re here. Hey is that a new ring?”

“Why yes, thank you for noticing,” she said, bringing her hands up and giving the ring a twirl. “my BFF got it for me as an end-of-middle school present.”

“Ahh, I could tell it was someone close to you, that’s your birthstone on top right?”

“Yep.”

Takeru turned back towards his unwillingly captive audience. “See how I not only noticed the ring, remarked upon it, but also showed I remember her birth date.”

Taichi looked across at Yamato, “Do you know any of the birthstones?” A shrug was the only answer.

“You may think observation is only for what you can see, but it’s deeper than that. Any piece of information falls under observation, and if you like a girl, you will do your best to remember anything you learn about her.” Hikari said.

“Observation is really important, right Hikari?” Takeru asked.

“Very, but knowing everything can’t help if you don’t know how to use it. Which brings us to lesson two.”

“Is this whole thing just a ploy for your sister to practice being a teacher?” Yamato muttered.

“Tact!” Hikari and Takeru declared in unison.

“Tact is pretty tricky. You mostly define it by what not to do. Like not being a dumbass.” Takeru said.

“True, tact can be hard to see when done well. It’s basically about avoiding the obvious traps. For example, when calling a girl whose Maine coon died recently, you should maybe try and avoid mentions about that dead cat, unless she needs to vent. Isn’t that right, Taichi?”

“That was one time.” He protested.

“Right, right, a demonstration?” Takeru asked, pulling a magazine out from behind his back, and pretending to flip through the pages.

“Oh Honey, there you are.” Hikari said looking him up and down. She paused for a few seconds, then pulled lightly on his arm. “Say, I hear there’s a Harry Potter-themed escape room running these days, how about we go there on our next date.”

Takeru put the magazine down “Oh, what’s that? Thanks Babe.” he asked.

Hikari turned back towards the couch. “Notice how I observed the story about his favorite basketball star being caught in a scandal, and deflected toward other interests, instead of stepping on that land mine.”

“How would we even think to notice that?” Yamato grumbled.

“With observation of course.” Takeru replied. “Notice everything, even the things that aren’t being conveyed directly.”

“Being perfect might work for you Takeru, but some of us are human.” Taichi said.

“Oh, I’m hardly the only guy with a girlfriend. You just have to put some effort in.” Takeru said, “Which is as good a segue as any to topic three: Compliments.”

“I know how to give a compliment.” Taichi said.

“Do you?” Hikari asked. “So if you were at the beach with say Sora, or Mimi, or Meiko, you would be able to properly compliment their swimsuits?”

“One time!” Yamato and Taichi yelled together.

“And yet three failures. Pretty poor performance when you think about it.” Takeru said.

“Compliments can be tricky; they require you to combine the previous two skills. You need to observe someone so the compliment makes sense, but you also need tact. Something that’s a compliment to one person may be a touchy subject to another.” Hikari explained.

“Especially when it comes to appearance and body parts,” Takeru said, “and you don’t want to get too accustomed to your compliments either, keep them fresh and exciting.”

“It’s amazing isn’t it Taichi?” Yamato asked.

“So many words and I don’t think they said anything.” He agreed.

“Perhaps the demonstration then.” Takeru said, turning to his partner. “Hikari, I saw you reading to some of the elementary students today, boy am I lucky to have such a kind girlfriend.”

“Don’t mention it. I enjoy it, and I like to think they did too. Say, can you open this jar for me? It should be easy for a strong man like you.” Hikari said.

Takeru mimed grabbing and opening a jar. “Anything for you Babe, say, is that a new shirt, you look positively radiant today.”

Hikari raised her hand to cover her giggle, “I’m so glad I have such a funny boyfriend. You know this is the school uniform, I’ve been wearing it for almost three years now.”

“Huh, you’re right. I guess I never noticed, every time I look at you I can’t help but be overwhelmed by those pools of milky hazel, whenever I see them, my troubles float away and I feel like I have the strength of a thousand men. I could spend hours just staring into those wells of pure emotion.”

“I, uh, uhh, I like your eyes too?”

Takeru let out a large laugh and the pair turned back to the couch to find it no longer occupied.

“That’s no good. They’ll never learn like this.” Takeru admonished

Hikari raised her hands again, twirling the promise ring on her finger. “Do you think they noticed?” she asked.

“Them? No way.” Takeru replied, “but that’s what makes it fun. See how long it takes before they catch on.”

“What if someone else tells them we’re dating first?”

Takeru shrugged, “Just say we already told them, they just weren’t paying enough attention.”

#Digimon #takari week #takari #takeru takashi #hikari yagami #digimon tri

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kessielrg · 3 years

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[Kingdom Hearts] Shutter to Stutter

Summary: By far, Ven’s got the most boring job at the flower shop; the cashier. Sitting day in and day out for someone to browse along the rows of flowers and gardening tools, then probably walk right out again. Sometimes an interesting thing would happen- but they were few and far between. [flower shop AU focused on UX kids][Part 8 in a series of oneshots][VenxOC][EphemerxOC/F!Player]

Rating: K+ (mild cursing)

Word Count: 2,062 words

If you liked this story, please reblog!

---

Ven couldn’t remember the last time the flower shop had this much activity to it. At least, in terms of what they did for their billboard ads. Most of the time it was some seasonal flower with witty text advertising the store. Apparently this time, someone had requested something a bit more ‘personal.’ Which meant that they needed models this time around. Sabrina was a shoo-in; her face more than once gracing the billboard on I-02. But this time Luca was also being brought in. The two were to pose as if Luca was giving Sabrina a sunflower, and at the moment, the toddler wanted to do anything but.

It probably would have helped if the space wasn’t so overwhelming. Literally everyone was here. Lauriam had gotten a full camera set up- two large lights, a tripod, and his DSLR he usually used for some horticulture club he was in. Brain was his assistant, of a sorts, helping with adjusting the lights every now and again. Strelitzia -and surprisingly, Elrena- was there to do Sabrina’s make up for her. (Luca had been lucky to have Anora’s darker skintone, leading him to not be as washed out as the paler Sabrina.) Since their child was being exploited, of course both Ephemer and Anora were there to coax him to cooperate. And then there was Skuld- pretty much directing everyone, and likely not helping in Luca’s resistance.

No one had really asked Ven to help with this project, so he sat behind his counter to continue being invisible. Although he did wonder- was he still getting paid for this even though he wasn’t directly helping? This was still his normal shift, after all.

“Luca, look here.” Ephemer coaxed his child from behind Sabrina. “Look over here!”

Luca refused to acknowledge his parent. Instead he made do with picking off the petals on the sunflower with rather impressive pinches. It was less impressive when a strand of the toddler’s hair got into his face, and he used his whole hand to wipe it away. He didn’t even bother to look up when Anora started to shake what Ven could only assume was Luca’s favorite toy. The poor thing rattled not far from Sabrina’s face. No envy was lost as Sabrina’s face grew incredibly dark at the annoyance of having Ephemer verbally calling his son, while Anora rattled a toy on the other side. At this point, even if they could get Luca to remotely look Sabrina’s way, it was going to take another five minutes for her to look close to pleased again.

Brain knew his sister was pushing her limit because he gently pushed his way over to Skuld just to suggest, “Maybe we should try something different?”

Skuld looked at him like he gained another head.

“No.” she said to him with a shake of her head.

“So you want Wabi-Sabi to go Hulk when Ephemer calls for Luca again?”

“She’ll be fine.” Skuld snapped. To further prove a point, Skuld shouted at Sabrina, “Sabrina! You’re doing fine with Ephemer and Anora behind you, aren't you?”

Sabrina gave Skuld a glare so dark, it sent a chill up everyone’s (or, at least the people who happened to be looking at her at the time) spine. Skuld didn’t seem phased.

“Hey Sabrina,” Lauriam then spoke up from behind his camera. “Can you look over here for a moment? Cross your legs a bit too?”

Hate turning into an expression of mild confusion, Sabrina turned her body a bit to better face Lauriam. She crossed her legs and sat a bit straighter. Lauriam checked his camera’s viewfinder for a moment before several shutter snaps could be heard.

“Perfect.” Lauriam nodded. “Thank you.”

“Lauriam, stop taking boudoir photographs of my sister.” Brain teased as he went back over.

Lauriam actually looked rather offended at the idea. “I'm pretty sure these photos are taking themselves, Brain.” he informed his coworker. “My finger's not even on the trigger.”

“You have a remote.” Brain nonchalantly pointed out.

“Do I?” Lauriam looked down at his hand. Sure enough, there was a remote there. He looked up at Sabrina who was trying to scoot Luca back so they could maintain the agreed distance. Lauriam didn’t look away as he took another photograph, using the remote to trigger the shutter. He once more looked down at his hand in wonder before saying, “So I do.”

The duo shared a hearty laugh. The sound irking Sabrina’s nerves again as she also gave them a death glare. She was perfectly ignored for the time being. Every now and again, Lauriam still pressed the shutter button on the remote, even if nothing of substantial use was going on. He was going to end up with a lot of junk photos later, but he had always preferred to overshoot for that reason. If none of them had the particular vision Skuld was looking for, then surely there would be something that could suffice. There had to be.

Meanwhile, sitting by the main counter where Ventus was trying not to be seen, was Strelitzia and Elrena. Strelitzia was humming a little tune to herself as she watched over the main chaos.

“I wonder why Luca isn’t paying that much attention to Ephemer or Anora.” she casually wondered, placing a hand against her cheek. “He’s usually so attentive when they’re around.”

“Humph.” Elrena grumbled. “You know what they say, just like with dogs and cats; babies can sense evil.”

“Explains why he won't go near you.” Ventus hissed under his breath.

Both girls immediately looked at Ven- Strelitzia looked partially amused, while Elrena’s face could almost rival how irate Sabrina was. Elrena immediately slammed her hand down on the counter.

“Listen here, Roxas,” Elrena said, emphasizing the wrong name because she knew he didn’t like it, “I don’t know what’s gotten into you recently, but I’m not liking this bold streak you think you have going on. It’s not impressing anyone.”

“You wanna bet?”

Ventus, Elrena, and Strelitzia all turned their attention to Sabrina. She was sitting up straight and giving Elrena a particularly hard glare. Every other sound in the flower shop came to a grinding stop. (Spare for a few camera clicks, but at this point it was out of habit.) Seeing Sabrina defend Ventus made Elrena laugh.

“And what are you going to do?” Elrena challenged.

“Elrena.” Lauriam warned. She just as easily ignored him.

“‘Oh, look at me, Miss Independent.’” Elrena taunted. “‘I don’t care about anyone until I suddenly do. Oh, woe is me, being a cold hearted bi- I mean, witch, there’s a child present, I suppose- is just exhausting. It’s everyone else’s fault but mine. Oh woe!’”

Sabrina got up from her spot so quick, Brain nearly tripped over Lauriam’s tripod just to make sure his sister didn’t go straight for Elrena’s face. But she didn’t have thoughts of smashing the electric blonde’s face in just yet. Strelitzia had moved just as fast to take hold of Elrena’s elbow. Her grip was tight- a nonverbal warning that her friend needed to dial it back soon. But the shots had been fired, and neither one of them were going to let it go unattended.

“Brain, let go of my arm.” Sabrina hissed to her brother, not letting her gaze waver from Elrena. “You guys can keep going with the photoshoot, but there’s something I need to tell her a bit more privately.”

“You’re not leaving the shop to do it.” Brain told her.

“Of course not.” she spat- perfectly paired with a roll of her eyes.

“Luca will probably sit still for the camera better with her gone too.” Skuld spoke up, as if she wanted to remind everyone on why they were here today. “Lauriam, can you make it happen?”

“Of course.” he agreed. He took a look at his sister, giving her a stern glare meant to communicate that she needed to leave with Elrena soon. Strelitzia’s face paled a bit, but she gave a nod to show she understood.

With that, Brain let go of Sabrina’s arm. She very carefully walked around the photography junk to stand right in front of Elrena. Ventus could feel the air on the back of his neck stand up. There was a fury in Sabrina’s eye that he couldn’t tell if he admired or feared. He would have left to further give the girls time alone, but something kept him rooted in his spot. Everyone else returned to trying to take a good picture of Luca holding up a flower.

“You know, Elrena,” Sabrina started to say, “We’re a lot alike- you and I.”

Hearing this, Elrena stood a bit straighter. Ven tried to hold back the urge to shout that they weren’t. Sabrina gave them enough time to consider the idea before she continued.

“We’re both rather harsh to people we don’t like. Quite frankly, I don’t think we have ever liked each other. Sometimes, it’s very gratifying in just watching the world burn. You know what I mean?”

“Pssht. Yeah.” Elrena snorted. “Some people just deserve it.”

“And that’s where we differ.” Sabrina mused, taking another step toward Elrena. “You keep hiding. You keep hiding every little thing until you’re desperate. It’s not even a matter of holding your cards close- you literally can not let anyone in. People always ask who hurt me, but do they ask the same about you? I know where I fucked up in life, but do you? At least I’m able to admit that I like the person standing two feet away from me. By way, Ven? Last week? That was my first kiss. Great job.”

Ven immediately looked down, his face flushing a deep red. The black haired, brown eyed bitch smirked at the reaction. It became malicious when she looked back at Elrena.

“Have you kissed the person standing two feet next to you yet, sweetie?” She turned to look Strelitzia dead in the eye before asking, “Has she?”

For a moment, Strelitzia didn’t know how to respond. “Elrena doesn’t…” she tried to say, but she wandered in looking at Elrena’s face. The electric blonde’s face was a shade of red that it rivaled the ripest of apples.

“You- you just can’t say that!” Elrena spat. “You don’t know-”

“I may hate people, but I know them. But if I’m wrong, then kiss her.”

Elrena looked like she wanted to throw up.

“S-Strelitzia,” she then stammered. “We need to go now. You’re my ride home.”

“Yeah…” Strelitzia slowly nodded. “Let’s go.”

Strelitzia started toward the front door without a second thought. She paused at Lauriam to tell him something, (something he did not look pleased about at all) before leaving the building altogether. Elrena remained in a deadlock with Sabrina.

“You’re a bitch.” she told the dark haired girl.

“Have to be,” the reply came, almost as pure and simple as day. “How else will the person I like know I actually do like them?”

Elrena pursed her lips together. She tried to storm out, but the attempt still seemed rather half hearted at best. Sabrina casually watched her leave as she leaned against the counter. She refused to look at Lauriam. She knew he was giving her a heated glare.

Ven leaned forward on the counter just to whisper at her, “You’re insane.”

Sabrina moved enough to give him an over the shoulder stare.

“And yet, you’re the one that kissed me.” she mused, rather triumphantly. “Guess that makes you just as bad.”

“It was one kiss.” Ven tried to say in his defense. “Didn’t have to mean anything.”

“No, no it didn’t.” Sabrina quietly mumbled. She got off the counter and took her spot back in front of the camera equipment. Her expression was hard as she told her brother that things were fine. She even told Lauriam that she didn’t mean to put Strelitzia on the spot. But then she went back to modeling like nothing had ever happened. Right down to being slightly annoyed at the parents on either side of her trying to get their kid’s attention.

Ventus hummed as he rested an elbow on the counter, then cupped his face into his hand. Only one thought entered his head as he watched the photoshoot, and it was one that sent butterflies to his stomach.

She is amazing.

5 notes · View notes

trashyswitch · 4 years

Text

Boo!

Jameson Jackson has discovered his natural ability to walk quietly, and scare everyone around him. So...he takes advantage of this!

Recently, Jamie investigated a fact about himself that he was sorta familiar with: he’s really quiet. Now, Jamie was well aware of how quiet he is. But what he didn’t know, was that he could scare people with his quiet nature.

There have been moments where Jamie is capable of walking into a room, staying quiet, and waiting for someone to realize and freak out.

He remembered one time a couple months ago, when Jamie was walking into Dr. Schneeplestein’s office. He remembered Schneeplestein being focused on his doctor notes, when Jamie simply touched his shoulder. Schneeplestein let out the loudest squeal he had ever seen, before shouting “VÖGELN” right after. Jamie had bursted out laughing at the reaction, and wounded up forgetting what he wanted him for!

Another moment occurred, when he was grabbing a snack from the fridge. Chase was leaning on the island, looking at his phone as Jamie opened up the fridge door. Just from the sound alone, Chase gasped, dropped his phone and hissed the word “Jesus” before laughing in embarrassment. Jamie signed the word ‘sorry’ over and over again, and even though Chase forgave him and laughed it off, he still felt slightly bad.

One of the best reactions, was when he had walked up to ask Marvin something. He had been just sitting on a chair, watching TV. He was surprised that he hadn’t seen Jamie coming from the TV. One simple hand on the shoulder, sent Marvin flying! He jumped right off the chair, and yelled a mixture of giggles, mumbles and curse words. The only words that could be understood properly, were the words Jackie let out right after: “WHAT THE FUCK REACTION WAS THAT?!”.

The truth was, there was another fact no one really knew about Jamie: the dapper boy really liked hearing people’s laughs. So, Jamie’s ability to scare people, also made laughs come out of the reactions. So, Jamie decided to take advantage of this talent. Every time he would try to get someone’s attention, he would tickle them to get some laughter out as well. So, Jamie waited for the perfect day...

One day, it came! From the moment he woke up, Jamie knew: he wanted to tickle some people. So, he set off around the house, looking for his first victim.

The first person he had found, was Marvin in the living room. Jamie senses the magician would be here, as this was his favourite spot to hang out. He was currently reading a biography on what looked to be Harry Houdini upon first glance. So, Jamie snuck up behind his chair, and...

Squeezed his stomach on both sides!

Marvin let out a squeal. “EEEEEK! NOHOHO! MYHY BOHOHOHOOK!” Marvin shouted through a newfound laughing fit. Jamie didn’t remove his hands, but instead worked themselves up to the sides of his bony ribs. As soon as the first row of ribs was felt, they were pushed and scratched with a pair of curious fingers. “WHOHOHO’S TIHIHIHIHICKLIHIHING MEHEHEHEHE?!” Marvin shouted, before running forward right off of the chair and onto the floor.

After letting the 5 second giggle fit pass, Marvin looked up and noticed who it was!

“JJ...I should’ve known...” Marvin muttered.

‘Surprise!’ Jamie signed.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, surprise and whatever...why?” Marvin asked.

‘Your laugh is cute.’ Jamie replied, signing the word ‘cute’ by placing the index finger and middle finger on his chin, and pulling his two fingers down into his hand, like a loose fist.

Marvin froze for a moment, unable to take the compliment at first. In an attempted reply, Marvin could only whine and cower in embarrassment. Though, he could only cower for so long, because Jamie had soon ran over, uncurled the magician and started tickling him further.

“GAHA! Hahahaha! Jahahahamie! Cohohohome ohohohon!” Marvin said through his giddy laughter. To help with the attack, Jamie took Marvin’s magic wand, and pulled the white lid off the top. Suddenly, a bunch of feathers popped out! This was supposed to happen, since the wand was designed that way. Jamie had decided to take advantage of this design choice, and wiggle it in the air for Marvin to see.

Marvin whined. “W-ait! Ple-please...not that...” Marvin begged.

Jamie tilted his head to the side, like a confused puppy. Instead of asking the question ‘why’, Jamie started shaking it lightly in front of him, to check for a cat toy bell. Hilariously, there was one! Jamie giggled at a thought that went through his head, before deciding to try it. He tried teasing Marvin with the wand above his head, treating it like a cat toy.

“Dude, I’m not a cat-“ Marvin said, before falling into a curious trance. His eyes dilated bigger, as he stared intently at the feather toy. When Jamie moved it left and right, Marvin would follow it wherever it went. When Jamie shook it above him, Marvin would giggle with a toothy smile. When the feather was brought up and down, Marvin would follow it up and down as well. And, Jamie even booped Marvin’s nose with it! Marvin in response to the nose boop, ended up going cross-eyed to see his nose. This made Jamie laugh.

‘You’re a little kitty!’ Jamie reacted.

“No I’m not.” Marvin replied, obviously lying.

Jamie nodded. ‘Yes you are.’ Jamie told him.

“No I’m not.” Marvin repeated.

Jamie shook the wand. ‘You really are.’ Jamie reminded him.

“Am not- Hehehehey! EEEEK! Stahahahap thahahahat!” Marvin tried to argue, before bursting into more laughter. Jamie had managed to catch him in his argument by wiggling his fingers on his belly.

“Aww! Does the little kitty want a belly rub?” Jamie asked, pulling out his dialogue slides to tease him further.

“Whahahahat?! Ihihi’m nahahat aha kihihihitty!” Marvin argued through his giggles.

Jamie narrowed his eyes and smirked, before giving his mask a couple pokes.

‘Cat mask.’ Jamie signed, before grabbing and shaking the feather wand in front of his face again. Jamie pointed to the feather wand, and pointed at the cat mask. ‘Cat.’ Jamie concluded.

Marvin, utterly embarrassed that Jamie was calling him out on his cat-like antics, started looking away from him. Jamie, feeling slightly bad, tapped him on the shoulder, and grabbed his face lightly to get him to look at him.

‘You are cute.’ Jamie started with a smile. Marvin let a slight smile appear on his face as well. ‘Cute is good.’ Jamie told him, fluffing his hair before getting off of him. After helping Marvin back into his feet and picking up his book for him, Jamie walked away and looked around for his next victim.

After a bit of walking, Jamie soon found his upcoming victim: Jackieboy Man. Jackie was currently practicing climbing in the climbing corner, set up on the top floor of the house. The climbing corner consisted of different types of monkey bars, surrounded by nets and mats to save a person if they fall. Jamie hid behind a patted pole, and watched as Jackie climbed from one side of the room to the other, using ropes onto monkey bars! It was very impressive to watch.

Soon, Jamie’s opportunity arose when Jackie had grabbed a red, spinning, wheel bar. Jackie was currently spinning on it with his back (unknowingly) towards Jamie. The dapper boy let a smirk grow into his lips as he jumped out of his hiding spot, before taking off in a quick sprint. He sprinted as quietly, yet as swiftly as he could. With Jackie’s body getting closer with every step, Jamie took a risky leap and got ready to tackle the superhero down from behind.

Suddenly, Jackie felt a load of...someone hit him from behind! Completely unexpecting it, Jackie let go of the wheel bar and allowed himself to fall onto the mat. Despite not expecting the fall, Jackie still landed onto the mat, in the classic superhero landing. Jamie managed to land safely as well, but no landing could truly prove its elegance like Jackie’s did. Despite that though, Jamie grabbed his feet in one arm, and start untying the shoelaces.

“HEY! Who the hell do you think you are?!” Jackie yelled, attempting to kick and wiggle his feet out of the person’s grip. It didn’t take long for his shoes to come falling onto the mat. Soon, Jackie’s yelling was replacing itself with giggles, while his kicking was turning into squirming.

“Let go of me! Lehehe-AAHAHA! NOHOHO! Dahahahamn ihihihit!” Jackie yelled through his laughter. It didn’t take long for Jackie’s mat to be assaulted with his fists as he laughed and attempted to pull his feet away. But, Jamie wasn’t letting go. He knew how much strength Jackie was capable of, so he wanted to see how much he can weaken the man with tickles alone. So, he paused his fingers, placed his hand out and let his appearing magic do its thing. Suddenly, a cloud of dust filled his hand. Once the dust had faded, Jamie smirked at the item in his hand.

A tripod-shaped mini massager.

Jamie just knew that this was gonna tickle like hell! So, he clicked the button on the top and let it vibrate.

“OOOOOH GOD, WHAT IS THAT?!” Jackie shouted, utterly terrified to find out. Fortunately, Jackie was find out a lot sooner than he thought. Not even a second later, Jamie placed the vibrating massager onto his feet. “AaaAAAAAH! DOOOOHOHOHOHOHON’T!” Jackie shouted. Jamie’s smile grew wider as he moved the massager towards his heels. “PLEHEHEHEHEHEASE DOHOHOHOHOHON’T!” Jackie shouted further. After a bit more time spent at his heels, Jamie moved the massager up up up, to his toes! “EEEEEEEEEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE! NOOOOHOHOHOHOHOHOHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Jackie shouted, completely controlled by his own ticklish laughter.

To top it all off, Jamie decided to bring one of the massager legs onto the big toe, and drag it down to the baby toe. When it reached the baby toe, he would drag it back up to the big toe, and start again. It was like he was playing the 5 piano keys C, up to G and right back down to C again. It was this action, that caused Jackie’s laughter to go silent. Jamie took this as a sign to stop. He turned off the massager and placed it aside, before laying himself down beside Jackie, to reveal himself.

“Hmm, it was you...you’re lucky I’m exhausted, because otherwise I’d be pounding you right now.” Jackie told him, laying down. Jamie gave him a crooked smile, and sat back up to walk away.

Now, he was onto his next target. He knew just where to go, to find him: the studio. Shawn was always hanging out there. He was always painting things and doing crafts in there. Jamie opened up the door as quietly as he could, and managed to get in without getting his attention. Then, Jamie slowly and quietly, started walking up to Shawn, in his chair and surrounded by his desk of supplies. When he got up as close as possible, he very quietly peered over his shoulder, and noticed him painting. Not wanting to mess up his painting, he decided to wait a bit till he took a break.

2 minutes passed

5 minutes passed

Soon, 10 minutes past. Finally, Shawn placed his brush into the water cup to soak, and laid back in his chair to take a break. He stretched his arms out, before resting his head on his hands. It was here, that Jamie decided to strike. He slowly reached his hands around the sides of the chair, and...gripped his sides.

“AAAAAAH! WHO-“ Shawn yelled, before turning his body around to see who was behind his chair. Shawn’s eyes locked with Jamie’s. It was only for a few moments. Then, Jamie gave Shawn a toothy smile, before wrapping his hands around Shawn and spidering his belly. “HEY! Nahahahaha! Jahahahahamihihihie!” Shawn said through his brand new giggles. Jamie’s toothy smile widened, as his ears absorbed the laughter and processed it excitedly. Shawn rarely laughs, so this was a rare treat!

Suddenly, before Jamie could stop it, Shawn pushed himself back, and made both the chair and his body come crashing onto the floor. The chair, surprisingly, didn’t break! And unsurprisingly, Shawn didn’t either. For Jamie, this was just a grand opportunity to cover him in more tickles! So, he did just that!

“Whyhyhy ahahahare yohohou tihihihihicklihihing mehehehehe?!” Shawn asked.

Jamie stopped his fingers for a minute, so he could answer him. ‘Your laugh is cute! I want to hear more!’ Jamie signed, before resuming his spidery tickle attack.

“Nohohohoho ihihihihihit’s nahahahat! Yohohohour lahahaugh Ihihis cuhuhuhuter!” Shawn argued.

Jamie froze. What did that man just say?

‘You...think my mute laugh is cute?’ Jamie clarified, unable to believe such a thing.

“Uh, ya! It’s so adorable!” Shawn reassured.

‘But-‘ Jamie signed, staring into space as he struggled to process such a thing. ‘...I don’t have a laugh.’ Jamie reminded him.

“Mmm...maybe not, but...you do have reactions. And those, are much more adorable than any laughter your voice could ever create.” Shawn replied. Jamie could feel his cheeks glowing a light red. It didn’t take very long for Jamie’s hands to come up and cover his mouth. In pure embarrassment, Jamie decided to give his hands something to do. He removed his hands from his mouth, and started squeezing and wiggling his fingers all over Shawn’s belly.

“Hehehehey! Juhuhust behehecahahause yohohou’re embahaharrassed, dohoesn’t mehehean yohohou get toho tihihihickle mehehe!” Shawn argued through some more laughter.

Jamie rolled his eyes with a smile, and stopped his tickling to continue signing. ‘I have the best visual reactions! But you! You have the best auditory reactions!’ Jamie declared, before continuing to tickle and squeeze.

“Nohohohoho Ihihihi dohohoho-AAAHAHAHAHA! NAHAHAT THEHEHEHERE! JAHAHAMIHIHIE NOOHOHO!” Shawn suddenly shouted amidst his protests. Jamie gave Shawn a little smirk as he began digging his fingers, specifically his thumbs, into the artist’s hips. Shawn’s giggles had turned into howling laughter, and his subtle squirming had become super frantic! He practically became a human-sized wiggle worm!

Jamie grew wide-eyed before hopping onto his friend. He didn’t quite expect the man to be such a squirmer! So, he steadied himself on Shawn’s waist, and started to squeeze one hip with his right hand, while squeezing his left side with his left hand.

“STAHAHAHAHAP! IHIHIHIHIHIT’S TOHOHOHOHOHOO MUHUHUHUHUCH!” Shawn shouted, attempting but failing to curl in on himself.

“Vhat’s vizh all zhe noise??” Someone said through the open door. Shawn paused his hands, and turned around. He recognized the accent. Sure enough, it was Henrik.

‘I’m tickling Shawn.’ Jamie explained. Henrik chuckled and scratched his forehead.

‘Vhy?’ Henrik asked both amused yet confused at the same time.

Jamie pointed at Shawn. ‘His laugh is cute! Therefore:’ Jamie said. Immediately after signing the last word, Jamie shoved his fingers back into Shawn’s hip and side, and started digging and squeezing once again. Shawn abrupted into even more laughter!

“NAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MYHYHY LAHAHAHAUGH IS NAHAHAHAT CUHUHUHUTE!” Shawn argued through his laughter.

Jamie nodded his head, and looked towards Henrik for agreement.

“Oh my god...I mean, he’s not wrong. Your laugh is cute.” Henrik told him with a smile of his own. Jamie pointed at him in thankfulness. He agreed with him! His laughter IS cute! However, Henrik didn’t stay for long. He soon decided to walk away from the doorway and head back to his room.

Jamie lowered his arm and shrugged his shoulders, before changing hand positions. His left hand was now digging into Shawn’s left hip, and his right hand was now squeezing Shawn’s side.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! JAHAHAHAHAMIHIHIHIHIE! IHIHI CAHAHAHAHAN’T BREHEHEHEHEHEATH!” Shawn warned him.

Jamie could tell he was growing tired, so he stopped his fingers and hopped off the man.

“Heheheheh...th-thahahank yohohou...thank yohohohou...” Shawn said through some leftover giggles. Jamie smiled, and took the time to push Shawn’s messy bangs back in place. Then, Jamie walked away to move onto his next victim.

Jamie walked down the hall, looking at the door he was gonna open up. By now, the original idea of scaring everyone, was thrown out the window, and now this was just tickle attacks all around the house. Jamie opened the door to the Doctor’s room and looked to the left towards Henrik at his desk. He gave him a short wave.

“Hallo Jamie. Done tickling Shawn?” Henrik asked.

Jamie nodded.

“Great. I’m guessing it is my turn?” Henrik asked in a monotone voice, turning his head to Jamie. Henrik immediately noticed Jamie’s growing smirk, and started growing nervous.

“V-Vait a minute...I vas yust kidding! Ha ha funny Yokes?” Henrik asked, attempting to be cool and collected. But, Jamie was walking closer and closer to him. This drove him into panic mode. “Vait-VAIT!” Henrik begged, attempting to make up an excuse before it was too late.

Unfortunately for Henrik, it was already too late. Jamie had grabbed his reached-out arm with two hands, and pulled him into his arms.

“YAMIE! NEI-HIHIHIHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NEHEHEHEHEHEIN!” Henrik yelled, bursting into hysterical laughter. Jamie began clawing and digging his fingers into Henrik’s ribs, and the spaces in between the ribs. “LEHEHET MEHEHE GOHOHOHOHOHO! IHIHIHIT TIHIHIHICKLES!” Henrik commanded.

However, Jamie was stubborn. He has refused to let go until he has heard a large amount of laughter from the man. Henrik was always so stressed. So, some laughter could definitely do him some good!

“ZHIHIHIHIS IHIHIS NUHUHUHUHUTS!” Henrik shouted further. Jamie tolled his eyes and shook his head with a smirk on his face. He paused his fingers for a moment and thought up a speech slide with dialogue on it. Then, he made it appear in his hand, before handing it to Henrik.

“‘This isn’t nuts. This is amusing’- Ey! Fuck you and your fuckin’ cards!” Henrik yelled, growing annoyed by Jamie’s antics.

Jamie let out a gasp. Jamie’s jaw dropped, and his eyes had narrowed to make a dramatic offended face. In reaction to such language, Jamie grabbed Henrik’s arms and lifted them above his head.

In one swift move, Jamie used his magic to tie Henrik’s hands together above his head. Next, he brought Henrik’s arms above Jamie’s head, and around his neck. Now, Henrik was stuck with his hands extended behind Jamie’s neck! And; arms in place and armpits exposed, Jamie skittered his fingers all over Henrik’s armpits.

“YYYAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HALT! HAHAHAHALT! EHEHES KIHIHIHITZELT!” Henrik begged as much as he could through his laughter. His movements were somewhat restricted because of the position he was in. But, it didn’t stop the poor, ticklish doctor from squirming and wiggling as much as he could. “BIHIHITTE HÖHÖHÖR AHAHAHAUF! ICH FLEHE DIHIHIHICH AHAHAHAN!” Henrik yelled, reverting back to his native language.

Jamie’s eyes widened. That was A LOT more German than he actually knew! But thankfully, a translating dialogue slide managed to help him out:

‘Stop! Stop! It tickles! Please stop! I’m begging you!’

Jamie nodded in understanding, before moving back to the previous spot. Now, Jamie wanted to try the top, middle and bottom of Henrik’s ribs. Jamie moved down to the first couple ribs on the bottom, and clawed a couple fingers into it. “BAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! VAHAHAHAHAIT!” Henrik shouted, reverting back to Jamie’s English language. Jamie soiled at this. Strange how Henrik will go from one language to the other. It was kinda cute, actually.

Next, Jamie moved his hands up to the middle of the rib cage, and squeezed them. Henrik let out a loud high pitched squeal, before giggling in that same high pitch. After that amazing reaction, Jamie reverted back to the clawing strategy, applying it to the middle ribs.

“EEEEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHAHAHAHA! ZUHUHU KIHIHITZLIHIHIHIG!” Henrik shouted, reverting back to German.

‘Too tickly!’ The dialogue slide read.

Jamie practically squealed at the adorable reaction! It was like he was tickling an adorable man-child!

To end things off, Jamie shoved his hands back into Henrik’s armpits for one more tickle.

“EEEEHEHEHEHEHE! IHIHICH BRAHAHAHAUCHE EHEINE PAHAHAHAHAUSE!” Henrik shouted one last time, staying in German.

‘I need a break!’ The dialogue slide translated.

Jamie nodded in understanding and stopping his fingers. He allowed Henrik to breath in as much air as he could, before pulling Henrik’s arms over his head and undoing the rope. Though, Jamie should’ve gotten ready for the fall, because almost immediately, Henrik’s exhausted body completely collapsed onto the ground.

Surprisingly, Henrik didn’t react in pain. He...bursted into more giggles! Was some of the giggles in his lungs blasted out from the sudden fall? Or was Henrik growing loopy from all the dopamine going through his head? Jamie couldn’t tell you.

Either way, Jamie scooped up the giggly man bridal style, and started heading down the hall to take him to his room. But, halfway through the walk, Henrik started leaning his head against Jamie’s arm and cozying himself into Jamie. Jamie let a little quiet chuckle leave his mouth.

“Mmmm...so comfyyyyyy.” Henrik mumbled in a baby voice. Jamie smiles genuinely, and turned the corner into Henrik’s room. There, Jamie slowly placed the man down onto the bed and tucked him in under the covers. But right as Jamie was tucking in the other side, Henrik decided to pull a Buddy Elf move and start a revengeful tickle fight right there.

Jamie squealed and curled away, as Henrik jumped out of his blanket and started tickling Jamie on the bed. Jamie only laughed, kicked and occasionally attempted to wiggle himself away. But, there was no escaping that doctor.

To make matters worse, Marvin and Shawn had followed Henrik’s laughter and finally found the pair in Henrik’s room. Noticing that Henrik was getting revenge on Jamie, they decided to join too! Shawn hopped up onto Jamie’s hips and started squeezing his sides, while Marvin came up to his ears and started lightly scratching the back of his ears.

By now, Jamie was squirming absolutely everywhere! He couldn’t get away from any of them! If he tried, he would be pulled back in and tickled again! And the crazy part? Soon, Jackie had found them and joined them. He ended up seeing if Jamie’s feet were ticklish. Sure enough, his toes were really bad!

And so...Jamie’s tickle fight was long-time overdue...But, it happened and that’s all that matters.

#ticklefic #lee!marvin #lee!jackie #lee!henrik #lee!shawn #switch!jj

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evien-stark · 4 years

Text

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 144

[Dear readers there’s a couple of trigger warnings for this chapter which include a suicide attempt, physical violence, wounds involving blood and burning, and people being ordered to hang themselves. Not in gratuitous detail for any of these things, but still there. Kilgrave territory is the worst. Please be safe and happy!] It was intensely hard to focus on work and Tony at the same time. Mostly because all you wanted to do was sit by Tony’s bedside. Talk to him. Comfort him. Wish none of this was happening. But thankfully after a couple of hours the nurses came in and gave him something for his fresh wave of pain as the anesthetic was completely wearing off. That knocked him back into woozy and drifting territory, so that made it easier to make a few calls. Set some things up.

When Happy appeared in the doorway, Tony was completely down for the count. It didn’t feel right taking off. Leaving him here without a word. Even now you could still feel that simmering worry he was holding onto. Worried for you. Worried how this was going to end. What lengths you would go to to force that hand. Even unconscious, he was still worrying.

But your mind was made up. And even still waiting for the next ping on the map, you had to go clean up. A small team from Damage Control was going to meet you at the defunct CDC facility. You’d wanted Maria to go but she was apparently on leave helping Coulson with something- a conversation for a later date. It was obvious that she probably didn’t really work for you, and was just biding her time in the position until she could branch to something more meaningful to her. Probably something with Fury, you wouldn’t doubt. Whenever that moment came.

Either way. There was no use dwelling on it. Happy was a little hesitant as he waited by the door, cat carrier in hand. You had to physically invite him in with a gentle pull of his arm. Already he wanted to leave, it was easy to sense that. So you had to force him to stay. “I have to go.” Stated as calmly as possible as you took the carrier from him, knelt down, and opened the door to allow Dvahli out.

The second she padded onto the floor you picked her up in your arms, crushing her close without hurting her. Hoping she understood how sorry you were for the mess. For the loud sounds. The terrors. And for disappearing immediately after all of it. Maybe somewhere in her she understood. She started purring up a storm. But maybe that was also her just shaking with the need for security and love after what had just happened.

As you stood up and set her on Tony’s bed, Happy shuffled nervously. “Sure. I’ll stay. How long has he been out for?” Asking simpler questions probably in an attempt to delay you from going somewhere neither of you wanted you to go.

“Only a little while. He’s been in and out. He’s also fine. He’ll make a full recovery.” Not fine just yet but he’d get there- and also probably argue that he was. Even now. But the point of saying it was to calm Happy so that he’d stay in the room, not just guard the door. And hopefully have a talk when Tony woke back up. Because they desperately needed to. This could not go unchecked.

“Glad to hear it.” A hot flash of self-made disappointment spiked through him, along with a heavy fall of gloom. Things he was quick to shove aside. “Where are you going?”

“I have to clean up the recent mess Kilgrave made.” There was no need to mention after that you’d have to go on the hunt. To end this.

Happy stopped you at the door, just as you reached to open it. His hand covered yours and his gaze was serious. “When’s the last time you slept?”

The question surprised you, almost as much as that touch did, but as you lifted your hand you understood why. And then suddenly wondered how long your hands had been shaking for. “I honestly don’t know.” Truly. You truly could not remember the last time you laid down in a bed and closed your eyes for a little bit. Two days? Three?

Adrenaline, fear, and responsibility were the only things powering you now. ...and maybe a little bit of an animalistic need for revenge. But you were scared to admit that even to yourself for more than a couple of seconds. Happy frowned. “Can this wait? Can you just take a few hours?”

Already you were shaking your head. “No.” Firm. Not needing to give him an explanation as to why. You had to go to work. You had to keep moving. Otherwise this was going to get further and further away from you.

In that moment, as he looked at you, he just seemed so… sad. Sad for you. What life had become. And perhaps sad over his lack of control, his inability to do anything to help you. He could no longer whisk you away and keep you safe inside a house. How long ago that lifetime was. “Just- be careful, okay? And come back. Soon.” He couldn’t do anything else but serve these platitudes.

“As soon as I can.” This at least you could promise. You wanted this to be over, for sure.

All you had to do was make it happen.

---

Despite not being able to sleep you did head home for a quick shower and to just… take in the place. Happy had done his best in trying to clean up, by picking up overturned furniture and… wiping blood spatters off the wall and floors- ...it was something, but not enough. Though that wasn’t his fault. There was just a lingering hopelessness that seemed to permeate everything. It was hard to ignore as you took the quickest shower of your life and changed clothes.

Eager to not only get out of there but to be on your way to hopefully closing the rest of this out. It seemed premature to hope for that but… you were foolish, you supposed. It was hard not to hope.

Damage Control had blocked off press from the building and had already begun cleanup by the time you got inside. The room looked so much different, considering you’d only been away from it for what- you only just realized your sense of time had slipped. You really had no idea. Better not to dwell on it.

One of the panels of Kilgrave’s cells had been shot out, broken glass and dirty water were all over the floor. Not to mention puddles of blood on the floor of the cell, as you stepped closer. A pair of scissors had been barred off with an evidence marker.

There was a body bag on the floor near the upturned desk. The computer was trashed- but the camera on its tripod still stood. Going over closer you checked the tape. One of the agents came over. “We watched it back. It’s pretty clear what happened.”

“Mum, for every year that you left me alone, stab yourself.” Kilgrave’s voice was so eerily calm as he commanded her. You had to turn your head down. No use in watching it- in watching him murder another person. The whole room erupted into panic on the tape. Jessica tried to push the shock button- it failed- she went in to get them- Trish shot the glass out-

God what a fucking mess. If you’d just stayed… if you’d only just stayed here… the body in that bag so close to your feet would be alive. Maybe Kilgrave would be dead. Maybe this would all be over by now. But at the cost of Tony’s life?

...that was it, wasn’t it? That was the conclusion that had been drawn here. You’d picked Tony’s life over someone else’s. There had been no way for you to know that Jessica would have gone to these lengths, that this would have fallen apart this way- but if you’d just stayed in that room- if you’d just finished it a little sooner…

“I want-” Your voice was wobbly as it came out, and you cleared your throat to stand a little sturdier. “Hold all evidence right now under A-files. We’ll hand over to the police when we’re finished. We have an enhanced running around, and nothing is to be released to the public until we bring him in.”

The agent gave you a small nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Anything else for me?” You needed to get on the move. This helped you paint a clearer picture of the severity of the situation, but really… you hadn’t needed to come down here to see all this.

“The police were called to Wendy Ross-Hogarth’s apartment a couple hours ago. From the chatter we pulled, it seemed like she’d been killed by Pamela Romeit- self defense. Wendy was attacking Jeri Hogarth.”

What a fucking mess. There was your ping on Jeri. Okay. So… Jessica apparently thought Jeri had something to do with Kilgrave’s release. So Jeri had brought Kilgrave somewhere. Kilgrave turned on her, probably commanded Wendy to attack her- for what reason? There were too many blanks- but. They’d been caught. Pam- whoever that was- Jeri’s life was also a fucking mess. At least the two of you had that in common. Though maybe not in the same way. And you didn’t have enough time or energy to spare pulling the threads together of who did what or why or who was important to Jeri in what way.

No use thinking about it now. You just nodded weakly. “Okay. Any mention of a male on the premises?” You doubted it. The situation over there had spiraled into chaos. He’d turned on Jeri, even if she’d brought him there for whatever reason. He was definitely not there anymore. But you still had to ask.

“No, ma’am.” At least you were prepared for this disappointment.

There was a sudden commotion in the hallway. Just about every agent in the room drew their guns, yet all heads turned your way to look for direction. On edge as you were, you double tapped the Reactor and led the small squad outside. Someone behind you started giving orders. “Hands up! Now!”

Two men you’d never seen before- no, scratch that. “You were outside Jessica’s house.” The same tall man- blond you could see now in proper lighting- projecting some very dangerously angry energy. The other man you’d never seen before. An older gentleman, graying hair, grizzled-

As you inspected him he started speaking, “My name is Oscar Clemons. I’m a detective with the NYPD, 15th precinct.” On closer inspection he looked pretty hurt. Not that that made you trust him. However, “I came here with Jessica Jones.”

“Oh.” It was more a breath than anything. “You’re her cop.” The one she’d been trying to get. You held a hand up to signal your agents to lower their guns and then you pointed at the other man. “What’s your name? All I know is that your a friend of Trish’s.”

“Will Simpson. Where is Trish?” He was avoiding looking at you. Frantically he was looking around. “Trish called me- I need to see her- where is Trish?”

Nodding to your agent closest, “Cuff him.”

“Me? Are you out of your fucking mind, lady?” That explosive spark lit up as he gnashed his teeth your way.

“You brought three men with you to kill Kilgrave the first night I saw you. You’re still hunting him.” This was the only thing that made sense. And he’d only get in the way of what you had to do.

As two agents approached him he held a gun up. “You can’t just arrest me- you don’t have a charge- you’re not even-”

“I am an official member of the Avengers and this entire debacle is now under our jurisdiction.” Projecting as much authority as you possibly could. “We’re dealing with an enhanced. That falls into our territory.”

Will scoffed. “Make that two.” Said about as swiftly as the reel back of his arm to punch one of your DC agents right back into a wall. Would this ever fucking end?

Now that he’d cleared himself you held both hands up to get a repulsor blast off, sending him straight down the corridor and through the wall. With a quick lift of your jets you flew the rest of the way down to meet him, yanking him so that you could wheel him around onto his back and smash him onto the ground. “That’s assault with a deadly weapon.” Pinning both his wrists in one hand and putting your other one between his shoulder blades to keep him down. Even with his struggling.

He had a little extra strength, but he was no Jessica Jones. No Captain America. That was for sure. An agent came to a running stop, uncapping a syringe and injecting it into the side of Will’s neck. His raging and screaming died down in a matter of seconds. Turning him over onto his side, the agent gave him a patdown. You were almost surprised at the sudden rattling of not one but three pill bottles behind held up your way. “Ma’am.”

You took hold of them, examining the clear bottles. No labels. Just red, white, and blue pills. Nothing like you’d ever seen. And… probably not good news. Did this trail ever fucking end? Jessica Jones’ world was just… too full. You shook your head. “Bag them and have them brought to the labs.”

“And this guy?”

“Put him in our holding cell.” He’d have to be questioned. And maybe charged. It would entirely depend on how you felt once he came to. Or what you were dealing with. Going over to the agent he’d slammed against the wall, you knelt down. “You alright?”

She held a hand to her head, bleeding from her temple, but god bless her, “I’m okay, ma’am. Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Just go get checked out. You’re done for the day. For as long as you need.” It wasn’t easy. Doing this work. Being this close to danger almost constantly.

It seemed like she wanted to fight but she just wilted. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.” Her superior officer had relieved her. There was no fighting against that.

Standing up you eyed down Clemons. “You got something for me too?” Tired as you asked.

He held one hand up- and you noted he was cradling his other bandaged one to his chest. “No. I’ll be glad to wash my hands of all this. This case belongs with your people.”

“You were here. When Kilgrave escaped.” Explained why he was still lingering around. Why he was surprised to see your people here. And why he was hurt.

“I was. Yes.” At least he was forthcoming. Any more interference and you really might have just collapsed. Or imploded. Not sure yet which. When you waited in silence for him to expand he just sighed. “Jessica took off with his father. They want to make a vaccine.”

“Vaccine?” ...for Kilgrave? To nullify his powers? Was that possible?

“Yeah. They think it’ll stop the guy. I don’t know about all that. I just know that I witnessed a murder. And have been made to realize I’ve been dragging my feet. But. Now that you’re here…”

You couldn’t help the long sigh that escaped you. “Yeah. I’m here now.” A better debrief had to be had, but your phone started ringing. Probably not a good sign in all of this. Turning away from him with a finger held up, panic touched up your chest as you saw it was a number associated with Hope Shlottman. “Hello?”

Maybe it shouldn’t have surprised you anymore, to hear Kilgrave’s voice on the other end of your phone. “Puppy. I think we have a lot we still need to talk about, don’t you?”

“If you hurt that girl-”

“That’s the thing of it, puppy. I’m trying to show you I’m not such an irredeemable monster. I’ve released Hope. For you. And for Jessica. It was such a big sticking point for the both of you and now we can be done with it. Does that make me less worthy of cold-blooded murder, I wonder?”

You allowed yourself to freeze over, just to avoid the other feelings trying to crawl through you. “Why don’t you tell me where you are. And we’ll talk about it.”

He chuckled. “So like you. But I’m feeling very generous. Tell you what. You can join us for dinner. You and Jessica both. She knows where I am. Pity she didn’t invite you like I asked. Had a feeling she wouldn’t.” His delighted laughter continued until the line cut.

Jessica would not answer her phone right now, of this you were sure. She hadn’t wanted Trish to contact you, either. She no longer wanted you involved. But you had to figure out where she was- you had to get her to talk to you- your brain started scrambling. The clock was ticking. Waving your hand at the gaggle of agents still taking statements and cleaning up you started making quick commands, “I need a squad deployed immediately-”

“Where to, ma’am? What level of force are we dealing with?”

“The threat level is high- mind control- this is a DNE until my signal-” You started texting Jessica. Eventually, quickly, settling on: Kilgrave just asked me to come to dinner. Where is he? Where are you?

You had to ignore the stares of everyone in the hallway, waiting for you to give an answer while you stared at your phone. You just had to hope. Hope she was figuring out going alone was not in anyone’s best interest-

And, finally, you were rewarded with an answer:

Niku.

That was it. Just that one word. So you rolled your arm up. “I need a squad directed at the restaurant Niku. Clean up team on backup.” The strong answer drowned out underneath the boost of your jets as you jumped down the stairwell again and took off. This was the second time you’d flown this particular coop with just as much urgency. LUNA already lit up a path for you. Niku was located in the Nolita- and it took you too long to get there.

You were sweating in your suit. Drenched in fear. You’d make it there before your agents would but even then you felt like that still wouldn’t be enough. The restaurant was not as empty as you thought as you came in for a landing. But it was the way the heat signatures were positioned that brought you on a crash course through the back wall of the restaurant.

Four people were standing on top of the bar, nooses around their neck. Kilgrave was within ten feet of you- obtainable. You could end him now- he had an older man in a half hug- his father you barely recognized from the tape. Jessica was standing on the other end of the table-

And Hope-

Hope had just shoved the broken stem of a wine glass into her neck and promptly yanked it back out, blood splashing everywhere as her knees gave out. Kilgrave lit up in terror- you were here and you could end this. “STEP FORWARD!”

Your mind started a dizzying rush. Kilgrave was running. Running away with his father. Hope was bleeding out. The people on the bar stepped off and started struggling. And as you half turned, mind made up to go after him and finish this, Jessica shouted, “If you let her die you’re just as much of a monster as he is!”

How? How had it come to this? How did Jessica Jones have any right to ask you to save one life over the lives of hundreds of others?

Yet there you were. Dropping to an immediate kneel. Commanded by her guilt almost as much the same as when Kilgrave had yanked you around by your proverbial leash. “LUNA what are my options here?” Trembling as you held her in your arms, pressing your hand over her neck. She was gurgling.

“She’s losing too much blood. We can heat up the repulsor plate without launching to cauterize the wound-” “Just do it.” Resigned to this. To doing what you had to do. Hope’s arms reached up, wildly trying to hold on to anything. “Keep still- hold on-” Hearing the charge of the repulsor.

“We’re at sustainable temperature, ma’am!”

The sizzle of flesh and her screams were probably branded somewhere inside of your brain forever. But you sat through them. Sat through her struggles. Through welding her skin shut so she wouldn’t bleed out and die. Because that’s what you’d been told to do.

You’d been ordered to save Hope Shlottman instead of going to end Kilgrave.

She passed out a few seconds in. About around the same time Jessica had gotten everyone down from hanging, by yanking the pipe they were tied to and letting them slide off onto the floor. Damage Control erupted on the scene as you sat there, a little empty. Their guns were drawn. They were barking orders. Hands up. Back away. And then…

“Ma’am.” Kilgrave had taken his father. Kilgrave had escaped. Tony was in a hospital bed. A woman was in a body bag in a messy room. What was it all for? “Ma’am?” Someone put their hand on your shoulder.

It was a weak snap to, but you managed. “Take her- she needs medical attention. Immediately. Take her to our wing of the hospital.”

“Ma’am, is the enhanced still on the property?”

You looked up. Jessica was holding to herself tightly, arms crossed, staring back at you. Her heavy guilt might have made this okay. But there was just a small light of triumph. So you couldn’t help the glare when you answered, “No. He’s not.”

#Tony Stark #Tony Stark x Reader #INY Chapter One Hundred Forty Four #Jessica Jones Spoilers

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readbythestarlight · 4 years

Text

c2e88

Taliesin is so confused by this ad lol

Where is Laura?

The groans xD

Laura's?? Not here?? I mean I'm glad she's at the game awards but THIS IS SUCH A BIG WEEK STORY WISE

Boy we've just started and I'm already ready to die

[[MORE]]

I only just caught it just now but are the CA saying they recovered the beacon that was stolen? Aka the one the M9 returned to Xhorhas already? Or a different one?

The Bright Queen gave them a house and the best the empire can do is a cozy inn? Lame.

(I was always more pro-Dynasty than Empire but it's pretty much set now.)

Didn't even pay for their dinner?? Rude.

Cad: "I've had to learn new words for what happens to me now."

The Dynasty: "We cannot afford to 100% trust you but you have done us a great service so here is a house and a symbol to show you have the favor of our Queen."

The Empire: "You did us a great service but also fuck you here's a hotel and no meal and also if you don't do this thing for us we'll charge you as traitors even though only two of you are actually from the Empire."

lol the hotel workers are funny tho

Empire people? Cool. Empire rules? Fucking suck.

Nat20 for free stuff xD

F: "who's the grossest?"

Cad: "I was swallowed."

Y: "I haven't had a shower in months."

F: "oh! God! What!?"

Cad: "You've won first place."

Y: "Oh, no, I wasn't trying to like..."

J: "IM GOING FIRST!"

I'm worried about Caleb

Snuggling his cat and thinking over his trauma </3

Laura just left the awards show omg

Also the way that Travis looked at her like heart eyes and Laura being like "hey baby ;)"

She looks hot by the way

Yasha paying Fjord back from MONTHS ago is sweeeeet

The book? What's the book? I don't remember?

"Is there a chair...?"

"There is."

"Kill it with fire!"

Oh boy here we go

"And I think we need to work with him...?" I don't like that and I don't think you do he's a liar and a manipulator and a piece of shit

But I understand his point because they are in the worst potion right now

Cad: "if he even looks at you sideways we will not leave enough of him to be found."

Goddamn Caduceus. I love him so much.

Cad: "Well, what I mean was we will do all we can to keep you safe. Is... what I meant."

They're being very serious about this and I'm so glad

Well okay they WERE being serious...

Lol Beau with this teenager is so funny and adorable

I'm glad they're not all sleeping alone

Jester is all sad that Beau doesn't want to double up :(

The B/J/Y shippers just went wild lol

F to C: "if you want to finish this personally... let me know." Thank you Fjord

My old Widofjord shipping heart is happy

Omg Cad handing over the symbol of the Wildmom and telling Fjord he's doing well on his own IM HAVING A LOT OF FEELINGS TONIGHT Y'ALL

Oh boy Yasha dream

I'm emotional

Like crying

Sure this guy does something neat with doors but doES HE FLOAT??

I miss Essek

The only mage with a tower I trust is Yussah and it is NOT this guy

Of course Trent is the one who confirmed it had been found

It's definitely trapped somehow

I don't like that they have to go somewhere that Trent decides

WHISPERS

he's a shifty fucker right we all know he is

Double whispers

Lol meeting in the Happy Fun Ball

I was gonna say the Forge

Jester wants to have it at Traveler con xD

Jester is weirding him out and I love it

God sure have this very serious possibly war ending meeting on The Ball Eater sure

They're disasters

I can't decide how I feel about him and I want to hear the results of the whispers

Oh no I'm worried about Yasha

Okay... so he's helping hide Yasha that's good, but is he also gonna hold that over them?

I hope Trent looks at Caleb sideways so the M9 can cut him into pieces

I feel like this guy is meant to be the Empire version of Essek but he's got nothing on Hot Boi

In a dense forest under a bunch of trees and a tower in the middle of nowhere

Oh fuck the sanitorium oh god oh fuck someone immediately check on Caleb

Trent did that on purpose

Hey Cad remember when you said y'all were gonna tear Trent apart if he tried to hurt Caleb? It's time to start ripping.

I haaaaaate this

I'm still trying to decide if Caleb legitimately snapped or if something was done to him

I want to crawl through my screen and strangle Trent myself

Someone please stay between Caleb and Trent at all times

So... nobody in the empire questions why Trent Ick-athon has a laboratory in a sanitorium huh. Like that doesn't ring any bells?

Also fuck it's Edowulf

Astrid's gonna come in to try and throw Caleb off isnt she

Liar liar pants on fire every word out of your mouth is a lie you vile don't of a biiiitch

WHISPERSSSS

he's a liar liar liar

Or he's telling half the truth

So the tripod... prevents it from working?

God he's such a condescending fuck I hate him

I haaaaate him and I hate that he's playing it so cool and calm because that makes Caleb seem like the unreasonable one which is brilliant of him but it just makes me loathe him even more

Oh god Caleb please roll well

Fuck fuck fuck I hate him fuck someone GET BETWEEN THEM

I feel gross and I'm not even in the room with Trent ugh

This tense standoff between Caleb and Trent is physically fucking me up my skin is crawling

Also Nott touched it and nothing happened

Eowulf is one of Trent's "favorite" and and he's looking at Caleb like a creep

Even if I don't trust him I appreciate Ludinus stepping in to cut the tension

Beau trying to trip him upppppp I love her

Alright time to get them out of there Ludinus

Shut the fuck up Trent you state away from both Caleb AND Yasha

C: "Wulf. It's good to see you again."

Eowulf: "it's good to see you too. It's been some time. You look good."

I haaaaaaaaate that they're all being so calm and semi-friendly because again it makes Trent and his ilk look like the reasonable ones

Ludinus: "I can always deal with Trent after the fact."

Y: "Let us know when you do that. We would like to help." Damn fucking straight

Essek scrys because he's worried about them and he pops in just in time to hear Jester insulting his teleporting Lol

I get the feeling Matt is tweaking the time of Traveler Con a bit because he doesn't want Jester to feel pressured to interrupt important things

Is the Wildmom illegal in the Empire?

Ha Fjord impressed Ludinus nice

L: "it's... entirely off-putting how disarmingly charming you are. I don't know how to handle it." That is the funniest thing anyone has ever said about Jester

J: "are you alright Caleb?"

C: "I don't know."

Y: "I don't like him at all."

Everyone else: "same/oh god no."

Okay Wildmom is illegal time to hide your shiny thing

Cad: "I have never seen another person walk so daintily around the truth."

See every time Caleb talks about how Trent gave "private lessons" my skin crawls it just draws too many parallels to creepy creepy shit

Yasha is gonna be good for Caleb here, they both understand what it's like to be used and controlled and manipulated

So like Trent was THERE and if he saw that Caleb knew about the beacons then he's gonna know that somehow they were involved with the beacon disappearing

Oh she's creepy

Cad gonna buy the femur flute lol

The pranksters gonna get that glue oh lord

Yasha gets a bone harp and she and Caduceus start the most unnerving band ever and I for one am THRILLED

Don't they still need to fetch something for the three kobolds in a trench coat? Let alone for Pumat and now this woman lol

Pride silk.... oh dear it's gonna be mutant bugs

Called it

Three silk worms good luck bringing those back

Matt's like WOOO fight tournament hell yeah!

Y'all should go take downtime in Xhorhas in the Xhorhaus and talk to Essek about all this

....I just really miss Essek guys please

Liam O'Brian you will NOT let Caleb sneak off on his own to go see Astrid you CANNOT ajslajkssksk

This episode didn't go as painfully/badly as it could have but it still stressed me out a lot and I'm still worried about Caleb and Trent Ick-athon can choke and if Caleb really goes go off on his own I will scream like baby PLEASE

God now we have to wait a whole week IS IT THURSDAY YET

#emi watches critical role #cr spoilers #critical role

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bubmyg · 5 years

Text

i’ll be home - myg

pairing: yoongi x reader

genre: lawyer!yoongi, fluff

word count: 1,851

summary: he was supposed to work late for your first christmas together, married, so he asks that you go to your parents because it’d make him feel better that you weren’t home alone or where you come home to find out that yoongi hasn’t forgot about the cat sweater you bought him or the artificial tree in the attic

a/n: the final part of aicaib!!! thank u for sticking w me through this series (this is the first time i’ve written a one shot for every member woah) as always, if u need the series masterlist, ask me. this is also part of my lawyer!yoongi series, so if you’d like that masterlist, also let me know :’-)

“Please go to your parents’ tonight,” Yoongi squeezed your hands, pleading, “I’m not asking you to spend the night there. Just go. Eat dinner with them. I don’t like the thought of you being alone.”

“I’m not alone,” You argued, chin dropping to your chest to eye the wiry haired poodle lapping at your ankles, “I have Holly.”

He sighed, dropping your hands to curl long fingers around your cheeks, pressing his lips just above the corner of your mouth. “Angel.” Dark eyes flicked down to you, pursed lips hovering a feathery space away from your skin. “Go,” He chided, “and take Holly. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

You grumbled as Yoongi’s lips trailed down to your jaw.

“Is that a threat?”

Yoongi shrugged off his blocky dress shoes after the third time he’d tripped on the lip of wood from the garage to the foyer, balancing long cardboard boxes and grey tinted plastic bins on his shoulders to pile on the rug in the living room. His shoulders sagged when he peeled the slick black off his heels, puffing out a breath as he stared at the spot where the tree would go.

It was sad really, cleared of the lamp and the corner table and the tiny porcelain pig that normally took purchase there. It’d been cleaned like that for weeks, all intents and purposes to put the tree up for three consecutive weekends and never quite getting there due to scheduling conflict. Now, it was Christmas Eve and all your presents sat underneath what you’d deemed the makeshift tree, or rather, the lavish dining table that a family of two and a dog had no use for.

You’d placed a metal star standee in the center of a knit tablecloth to the oak top of the table, just for good measure.

He forgot the tree broke into three separate pieces, sending the top tumbling into the coffee table and jostling a holder of stone coasters. Pine needles coated the length of his wool sweater by the time he managed to wiggle the tree’s center into the tripod stand, leaving an entirely inconspicuous trail from the damaged cardboard box in the corner of the room to the place where two-thirds of the tree now resided.

The plastic green covered the grinning grey cat plastered to the front of Yoongi’s sweater, outlining the Santa hat perched on top of the character’s head and masking the string of multicolored lights that collage the surface of the top. It was a gift from you, one he’d promised to wear and had artfully avoided until he found yours that matched, tag still on, buried in a ridiculous crevice of your closet. Maybe it was the guilt of taking a case this close to Christmas and continually delaying the construction of the tree to where he had to send you to your parents under the pretense that he wouldn’t be home until late on Christmas Eve, of all things, just so he could sneak in and do it all himself.

But now he couldn’t stop seeing the amused light in your eyes when he’d opened the sweater, your elbow nudging his stomach and cheering, “I have one too! We can match, if you want…”

Yoongi did want to. Now and always. Last names, glittering metal bands, cat sweaters, and all.

He replaced the star on the dining table with your folded sweater, a bit crumpled from being smashed behind a box of his boots, but the grey kitten smiled nonetheless as he plopped a shiny red bow on the corner of the fabric.

The shards of the artificial tree once snagged on Yoongi’s sweater pooled around his socks when he stretched to place the top third of the tree in place. His torso scratched against the limbs, rolled as far as the arches in his feet would allow. With a grunt and a semi dangerous totter of the entire structure, the top was on the tree while a fine layer of sweat beaded across his brow.

“Lights,” He muttered to himself, swiping at his forehead with the cuff of his sweater. “I need lights—” Yoongi paused, index finger lifted, as if pondering the weather or at the very least speaking to someone, “—or music. I need music first.”

He managed to connect the wireless speakers stationed between the rungs of the balcony upstairs, cascading a playlist he found titled Holiday Tunes down into the glowing warmth of the living room. Yoongi clapped, triumphant.

“Okay. Now lights.”

He found them buried underneath a quilted stocking, an unopened package of shatterproof ornaments, and three different stems of mistletoe. He considered the short stalks of green clutched in his palm, the red bow hand tied at the end with ends tickling at the underside of his wrist.

“Couldn’t hurt…” Yoongi squinted, the towering doorway in the threshold from the garage to the hallway arched and daunting for someone who could barely reach his favorite coffee cup in the kitchen cabinet. “Right? Right.”

For once, he wished he were tripping over Holly so that his nonsensical ramblings could at least be heard by someone.

He managed to tape the mistletoe with a half tacky piece he found pasted on top of the (empty) dispenser you kept in a drawer filled with grill lighters and a half opened box of plastic spoons and the spare key to the car you traded in two months ago. Only the bottom link of his spine seemed to be pulled from how high he’d had to stretch after dragging over the leather upholstered footstool and balanced socked feet in the center.

Yoongi found himself tangled in three strands of lights, all connected, two that were half on, tiny twinkling lights burning hot through his black slacks as he pulled out kinks in the braided wire, leaving them in an equally messy pile on the floor. One strand, the one that worked completely, barely covered the circumference of the hulking bottom of the tree and he was halfway through dragging a new strand out from the blue tinted tub (one he thought was red rather than “bright white” but he was willing to take the gamble) when he swore the garage door was opening.

Holly found him first, toenails clacking down the length of the hall and skidding sideways into the door frame before letting out a delighted yip! and stumbling straight into his shins. The wire of the lights was still secured in Yoongi’s front teeth as he crouched, roughing gentle palms across the puppy’s muzzle until you rounded the corner, propping your shoulder against the door frame.

He met your accusing gaze with wide eyes and rounded lips, the perfect circle of his mouth causing the lights to tumble out and drape across Holly’s neck. “Hi!” He chirped, brushing the lights of his wriggling puppy with a nervous smile, “How was dinner—”

“We drove by your office,” You pushed yourself up, taking a scuffing step closer, “and you weren’t there.”

Yoongi worried the inside of his cheek into his molars, “I was. I came home early.”

You hummed, “I can see that—”

You were cut off by the brunt of his torso smacking into you, arm circumventing your waist, hand clutching yours as he swayed you in a dramatic circle. Something festive but softer floated down from the speakers but his guiding footsteps barely followed the beat anyway, socked feet nudging at your slightly chilled ones.

“You really thought I’d leave you home alone on Christmas?” Yoongi’s gums blinded your heart a bit, arm squeezing you tighter against him as he corrected, “Our first Christmas together, might I add.”

“This isn’t our first—”

His thumb and index finger twisting at the band on your second finger from the left had your heart stuttering into the base of your throat. “This ring was a little different last Christmas,” He mused, centering the diamond to lace your fingers again.

“You spent too much…”

“I’ll buy you three more,” Yoongi squeezed your palm, “We can renew our vows twice a year, if you want.”

“I don’t,” You grinned when he feigned offense, pressing your face against his chest, “Can’t top the best day of my life.”

His chest rumbled with a scratchy laugh, chin on top of your head as he directed your blind figure out of the living room to the tune of some song featuring the tinkle of bells and Holly’s high stepping claws against the hardwood. “I got you an early present,” He mused, dropping your hand to reach for your half wrinkled sweater on the dining table.

Your eyebrows furled for barely a second, fond annoyance meeting the roll of your eyes as you opened and let the hem of the sweater fall. “I bought this,” You jabbed an index finger into his stomach, “and this one.”

“Just put it on.”

“I didn’t go to my parents, by the way,” You cocked an eyebrow at him after shoving your head through the slightly too small hole, threads snapping in the process. You centered the sleeves of your sweater over your watch and bracelets while picking your hair out of places it shouldn’t be, watching him with a tiny, knowing smile.

“Why?”

You hummed, plucking absently at some leftover pine needles still taking residency on his chest, “Didn’t want to hear my mom tell me how you’re too busy for me.”

Yoongi curled his index finger underneath your chin, pressing his lips gently to yours. “Hmm, I am,” He rolled his eyes in time with you, pecking down your chin to the pulse point on your neck, “I have a tree to decorate.”

You snorted, letting him pull you in messy, looping circles back into the living room. “Do you?”

“I’ve been busy, miss,” The tree appeared to weep when his wincing gaze sliced over to it, taking in the lopsided top that he hadn’t quite secured and the singular strand of lights that was buried much too far into the artificial limbs, plug in to add the next strand nowhere to be seen and the lights he’d half untangled still red. Not white. “I mean, I didn’t think you’d come home just yet so I—”

You placed a gentle palm on Yoongi’s cheek, leaving a tender kiss to him lips.

“It’s perfect.”

His nose wrinkled, chin cocking just enough to brush the tip against yours, “Is it?”

“No,” You pecked his mouth again, “but we can fix it.”

“I got it inside, at least?” Yoongi’s eyes twinkled a bit as he cheered, “and I put up mistletoe!”

You followed the path of his pointing finger, only to find the spot he was referring to void of any green foliage. Instead, that piece laid in a sad lump on the floor, Holly’s nose buried against the stem as he danced on top of the leaves at his newest discovery.

“We can fix that, too but…” You shrugged, “You better kiss me, reverse the bad luck of letting it touch the floor.”

“Oh, is that the rule?”

“You’re the lawyer, Yoon.”

#min yoongi #bts #bts reactions #bts scenarios #bts scenario #bts imagine #yoongi imagine #min yoongi imagine #yoongi imagines #yoongi scenario #yoongi scenarios #yoongi x reader #min yoongi x reader #bts x reader #yoongi fluff #:'-)#i cant believe i finished all of these kind of on time #tbh #lawyer yoongi

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sn0wshimmer · 5 years

Text

hhhh I need to talk about this warriors au sitting around in my brain anyways here goes

Differences in clan custom:

- It’s pretty normal to bring in and/or mate with outsiders so as to keep the gene pool not so... incesty...

- Clans pretty much are a large family unit. It’s not uncommon for cats in the same age group to think of each other as siblings despite not being from the same litter.

- LGBTQ+ is seen as a normal thing and accepted without much question. It’s customary for cats to introduce themselves with their pronouns included.

- Mollies can be deputies/leaders while nursing kits. The idea that they can’t is just sexism.

- Sign language is a standard skill because,,,, let’s be real,,, it’s pretty much practicality.

- Disabled cats can be warriors because the only reason they can’t is ableism.

Storyline changes:

- Tiny was found by Bluestar on her own rather than Thistleclaw and Tigerpaw. He becomes part of ThunderClan under the name of Nightpaw, and later Nightstorm.

- Rusty and Princess join ThunderClan at the same time as Firepaw and Kindlepaw. Firepaw is trans.

- Sandpaw and Dustpaw don’t bully Firepaw. However, Sandpaw is generally unpleasant because of losing her father recently, and Dustpaw is destructive and unpleasant because he and Ravenpaw were loner kits with an abusive mother before coming to ThunderClan. They both get support.

- Ravenpaw stays in the clan and earns the warrior name Ravenfeather. He has support for his anxiety and PTSD.

- Mosskit is the child of Bluestar and Thistleclaw (result of a one night stand). They are non-binary and go by they/them. They’re a ThunderClan cat and their warrior name is Mossheart. They mentor Firepaw.

- Tigerclaw is less Obviously Evil, he’s a lot more covert about his actions.

- Tigerclaw is Snowfur’s son and Whitestorm’s brother. That’s why Bluestar falls apart after that, because that was her nephew and she loved him dearly.

- WindClan doesn’t get kicked out because that’s whack and really never would have happened in any sort of realistic scenario.

- Brokenstar is less... stupid. He makes smarter decisions. Basically, instead of training young kits, he collects lots of rogue allies and wages war on the other three clans.

- Crookedstar X Bluestar instead of Oakheart X Bluestar. Because the idea of this just being a taboo subject that a lot of people kind of know about, but they’re just rumours and like as if our two clan leaders would have had an affair with each other? Gold.

- Crooked X Blue have Mistyfoot, Stonefur and Silverstream. Bluestar pretty much stares down her daughter and thinks “why did she do literally the exact same thing I did” and Silverstream’s death is the first thing that starts pushing her towards breaking.

- Stormkit and Featherkit go to RiverClan without a fight because the claim does belong to the mother’s clan regardless of circumstance. Graystripe doesn’t change clans (he can’t bring himself to leave his entire family for one that won’t trust him) but is still very much present in his kits’ lives.

- Firepaw, Kindlepaw and Graypaw stay apprentices until the end of the second book.

- Dustpelt, Ravenfeather and Sandstorm become warriors before the other three apprentices.

- Cloudtail is Ruby’s son. Ruby is leader of BloodClan (renamed “The Clowder). She couldn’t deal with having a son and leading The Clowder, so she gave him to Nightstorm instead.

- Fireheart, Kindleflame, Nightstorm and Cloudtail actually have significant family relationships.

- Cloudtail, Ashfur and Ferncloud are foster siblings and it’s relevant.

- Cloudtail, Ashfur and Ferncloud are Sandstorm’s younger siblings and it’s relevant.

- Dust X Fern is changed so that it’s less creepy.

- Snowkit lives. His warrior name is Snowcloud.

- Cinderpelt, despite being disabled, is not a medicine cat because she’s disabled. She’s a tripod (born without a leg) rather than an accident happening. She becomes a medicine cat because she wanted to be one.

- Yellowfang was originally named Murkstorm, but Brokenstar changed her name as a way to disgrace her.

- Swiftpaw is Brambleflower (Bramblestar) and Tawnypelt’s older brother and it’s relevant.

- When The Clowder comes to the forest, Ruby tries to take Cloudtail back. He declines, and ThunderClan straight-up refuses to give him up.

- Leafpool is a demigirl and Squirrelflight is agenderflux. Brambleflower and Squirrelflight have a toxic relationship (so basically canon) and eventually the truth about the three’s parents is the final straw that break’s the camel’s back. Squirrelflight gets together with Nightcloud and Brambleflower with Stormfur. Alderheart and Sparkpelt are Nightcloud and Squirrelflight’s kits.

- Squirrelflight and Crowslash (Crowfeather) have a one-night stand resulting in kits. Squirrelflight rather than Leafpool because it’s less out of nowhere. Squirrelflight doesn’t know if the three are Brambleflower’s or Crowslash’s until the kits are born and Hollykit has almost his exact coat and Jayfeather has the exact same WindClan build. Crowfeather knows upon seeing them that they’re his but keeps quiet. Brambleflower notices but blames it on coincidence. He had some doubt in the back of his mind but it’s mostly gone by the time they’re apprentices.

- OKAY SO the story behind Squirrel X Crow. Instead of Feather X Crow, Crowslash and Squirrelflight have a highly passionate affair during the great journey, before breaking it off because they’d rather stay loyal to their clans. Squirrelflight moves on with Brambleflower and Crowslash “moves on” with Nightcloud. At first, all seems well until Squirrelflight and Brambleflower have a massive fight, and she finds herself at WindClan’s border. She is met with a Crowslash who immediately moves to comfort her. They end up getting more... sexual (Crow just can’t resist his old flame). Afterwards they are both extremely ashamed and vow to never speak of this again. That is, until Squirrelflight gets pregnant...

- Lionshade (Lionblaze) becomes the medicine cat instead of Jayfeather. He’s terrified of his powers and doesn’t want to hurt anyone. He and Jay say “fuck you” to destiny.

- Hollyheart (Hollyleaf) is the third cat. Their power is persuasion. They can convince others to agree with them or do things for them. They can’t make them do anything against their morals and it might not work against a particularly strong-willed kind of cat, but they just have a kind of... charisma about them. She doesn’t die in the last hope, but near the beginning of a Vision of Shadows.

- Dovewing is the fourth cat. Her powers remain the same. She’s pressured into becoming mates with Bumblestripe by her friends, Rosepetal and Blossomfall, because he loves her. However, she feels nothing for him. She’s only ever had one crush before, and it was on Sedgewhisker, an older molly from WindClan. She finds herself more and more drawn to another friend, however... Briarlight. Briarlight listens to Dovewing without judgement and helps her find the courage to break up with Bumblestripe. The two mollies become mates not long after.

- Ivypool is pretty much the same as she was in canon but Fernsong is a bit older. Blossomfall is their other mate and they’re in a happy polyamorous relationship with their lovely kits, Bristlefrost, Flippaw, Thriftpaw, Shellfur and Plumstone.

- Thornclaw’s a single dad, his kits are Eaglewing and Stemleaf.

- Leafpool dies in the final battle of Omen of the Stars, leaving Lionshade devastated. Hollyheart also dies. Lionshade then takes on his younger half-brother, Alderheart, as his apprentice, and it becomes a really precious sibling bond.

- Shadowpaw is Tigerheart’s son with another molly (not sure who yet). He’s still the same as in canon, just not Dovewing’s son. Lightleap and Pouncestep are still Dovewing’s daughters however.

- Tigerheart never becomes leader. In fact, he STAYS. DEAD. Tawnypelt is ShadowClan’s leader instead.

And yeah that’s all I got so far should I make a separate blog and turn this into a rewrite?

#warrior cats #Warriors #warriors au #warrior cats au #warrior cats rewrite

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softgothsweetheart · 5 years

Text

Colors {Polarized}

The dark room was silent. Mark had left Paisley tied up next to his desk. Only until I get back. He promised before he left. She hadn’t been counting the minutes he was gone but she was awake for a while. There were sounds and she knew it was Max, wiggling and struggling to get free. “Is anybody out there?! Please, help!”

She had half a mind to tell her to shut it. Nobody could come for them, they were too far underground, behind a locked door and in the middle of nowhere. I’m gonna die, we’re gonna die. The only thought that had crossed her mind. Victoria would too. They were too young to even have lived a life; life had just begun for them. Mark wouldn’t be angry if Lee managed to free herself to dose Max again. It’d be a favor.

They’d be meeting their maker soon enough and all the rewinds would be for naught. Victoria groaned and Lee managed to stand up and grab scissors. She tried hard to cut through the rope but didn’t know if it did any justice. There was a squeak and her green eyes flickered over to the trolley closer to Max.

“Don’t do that.” She warned, finally getting her hands free before reaching down and cutting her legs loose too. With finally being free, she walked over and stood behind the couch.

“Paisley, when did you get here?”

“He’s my uncle.” She shrugged, trying to be indifferent. It was different when it was girls she didn’t know from her classes or ones from off the street. But Rachel, Kate, Max, and Victoria… There was a line and he had crossed it. These girls were girls she knew and was friends with.

“You kidnap girls. You do this with him.”

“Do you think I do it willingly? Hurt them willingly?” Max shook her head and focused on the photo; Lee felt her head hurt. “Damn it, Max, really?”

A bright light passed over and she closed her eyes to avoid it. When she blinked, Mark was leaning over Max and taking her photo.

“This angle highlights your purity, see? The slight unconscious model is often the most open and honest. No vanity or posing just pure expression.” He bent down, fixing Max’s leg. The hipster girl looked over Mark’s shoulder and saw Lee’s terrified expression.

“Oh Christ… Look at that perfect face.” The girl tries to move her head and he smacks her, yelling. Paisley wants to scream, to hit him. To make him feel the pain she felt, the pain she feels spreading in her chest whenever a flash goes off. When her mind registered that he was speak about Nathan and Rachel, her hands curled into fists. She couldn’t move outside the highlighted photo boundaries. Mark moved Max’s shoulder, continuing to snap the depraved photos.

“It’s just too bad you’re so goddamn nosy, Max! But, this room… Is under 24/7 surveillance, so all I had to do was have Nathan text you, and you fell right into my hands. You really should have focused on schoolwork, not ‘private detecting’ with your little... friend.” He sneered.

“Chloe…”

“Chloe, right. Yeah, I’m sorry that I killed – that Nathan killed her in self-defense. But she had a troubled history like most Arcadia Bay dropouts.” His little speech continued as he crouched down to take pictures. Fuck cameras. Expensive, cheap. Fuck his fucking Nikon cameras.

Max moved her head; Paisley cursed under her breath and Mark sighed. He pulled the trolley over, standing up, while he filled the syringe with the drugs in the vial, Max kicked the trolley and spilled a vial all over the folder with her recently printed photos. He yells at the girl on the floor. Lee hates the way she thanks the merciless God above that it isn’t her there. Mark moves to the floor once more, the girl struggles against the restraints, shaking her head frantically.

“No…”

“Remember my number one rule. Always…take…the shot.” Mark injects Max who hardly struggles before falling limp.

“Your turn.” His sights are set on Paisley. Oh no. Please no.

When Lee returns to her body, Victoria is awake and panicked. Mark still hasn’t returned.

“Max… Oh, God, where- where are we? Oh, what’s happening?”

“You’ve been drugged and kidnapped like Kate… and me. Do you remember how you got here?”

“No… I don’t know… wait… you warned me. You warned me about Nathan. Then I went to Mark for help, and he was acting so weird… That’s the last thing I remember. And I can’t move my hands! Help me, Max! Please, I’m sorry for everything!”

“Listen carefully, Mark Jefferson kidnapped us. He’s using Nathan as well. Jefferson is very dangerous, so we have to get out of here before he comes back.”

“Max…” Victoria began to cry out. It was ironic considering how much she hated the female’s guts.

“Let us loose, please.” Max begged lightly, and Paisley shook her head.

“You know I can’t. He’s gonna kill us all, Max.”

“You… Paisley – where’s Nate?!” Victoria shouted.

“Nathan is dead. He’s dead, he died. The only way you’ll leave here is dead in tarp.” Her voice wavered, and Max knew she had the young teen.

“Why are you helping him if you know you’re going to die?” Victoria sobbed uncontrollably.

“Tori, don’t you think I tried? I did try. I found out you were the target and I was trying to find a way but then I thought if he got busted we’d be fine. Mark must’ve gotten to Nate after I left him to dress.”

“Then scoot the trolley over.”

“You don’t wanna see your photos. Trust me, you don’t.”

“I do, I need to see. To focus.” Max blurted, and Paisley shrugged, kicking it lightly so it stopped in front of her. They both went through the photo this time, Max was in the chair wide awake and a while ago apparently. Mark stood behind her, angling the camera, looming over her. Lee looked around inside the boundaries, anything she could use to help them was most certainly better than nothing. The pristine room held nothing she could use to subdue her uncle.

“You’re trying too hard, I know you’re scared… You all have the same doe-eyed look when you wake up here. Replaced by fear as you realize what’s about to happen.”

“Mr. Jefferson why are you doing this?” He steps away from the tripod and approaches Max. Maybe if I hit him with the tripod? He’d still beat the shit out of me.

He was talking to Max as if he were a cat, playing with a mouse.

“Yes, you’re a psychopath. And this is your last session.” Mark outright laughed contently.

“Au contraire, Max. I’m so sane that nobody knows what’s happening to you right now.” He turned his head, giving Paisley a look. One that told her she’d best do what he said, or it would end badly for her. So, she sat at Victoria’s feet, biting her tongue and holding her breath. They talked excessively but all she could wonder was why nothing was changing.

Stay brave, even in the face of danger, Paisley.

All she had to do to live.

“I cared more about Nathan more than you did!” Max shouted. Paisley wished she wasn’t a half decent person, or she would’ve smacked the words out of her mouth. That wasn’t true. Mark yelled but he must’ve heard her scoffing in the background.

“Looks like you and Lee here need to exchange some words.”

“Where is Nathan now?” Idle talking, she needed action, but the surveillance cams wouldn’t do her any good. When she looked at the tripod, Mark had caught her. She only realized when feeling cold metal press against her temple. The thought of instantaneous death made her mind feel less clouded by nothingness.

“Dead and buried.”

“Can I have my diary?”

“Sure, but you could’ve done better on these shots, Max! You have more talent than that.” He threw it onto the floor, roughly and it opened to Max in class. The selfie she took with her polaroid camera. The gun left her temple and she leaned into the couch, sinking into it. Paisley asked for his whiskey and he didn’t object, and when she asked for a cigarette, he gave one to her. Saying he’d indulge in her a little since it was her last request. She took a few sips as Mark sat at his desk, playing music in the dark red lighting, another request of hers. A few hits of the cigarette and a headache pulled at her. Lee had a nose bleed but drank the whiskey in one shot and smoking the cigarette before being pulled through.

Back in the photography lab, Paisley was dizzy, leaning onto the table. She wasn’t intoxicated and for that she was thankful. That meant she could still travel. All she had to do was focus on Max. The class ended sooner than she anticipated but she played with her mother’s necklace as the classroom emptied out save for the four girls. Max pulled out the Blackwell pamphlet and her phone, obviously texting. The teenage girl hugged Kate and Paisley stood, stumbling over to them.

“Are you okay, Pais?” Max asked.

“I don’t know. I think I’m fine?” She nodded, and Max continued to go to Mark and Victoria, giving a surprising speech to the girl. Something along the lines of inspiring people, not scaring them away. Victoria storms out of the classroom after scoffing at Max’s suggestion, then she turns in her photo. It faded out, and they knew what had happened.

The way Max had done things, Mark had gone to jail and named Nathan, and Paisley as his associate. She was determined not to be a threat and a victim, same as Nathan. While he had been sentenced to a few years in a psych ward, Paisley had been released on her own recognizance. Her aunt hadn’t been happy to hear it.

Now the storm was still here, only difference was that she was here with Chloe, here on the cliff at the lighthouse, the storm towering over them. It was intimidating.

Get home. Now.

That had been all her aunt texted, Paisley knew she wouldn’t go home. Her aunt was probably leaving for Seattle. Despite having a home in Oregon, they kept the one in Seattle as a vacation home. Paisley had been home according to the memories but the pain and deep blue, purple, and black marks on different spaces on her body showed why she wasn’t currently there. Prudence had made sure she mad Paisley’s life the worst, beating her up when she was pregnant because she knew Paisley wouldn’t hit back. Not if it meant possibly injuring her unborn cousin.

The police in this timeline didn’t believe her stories, her truths. When she told them about her aunt Prudence, she must’ve played the concerned aunt. She seemed to play it so well that no one saw through it, she had everyone fooled.

As Paisley looked up at the storm, she wondered what it would be like to be sucked up by it – dead by a storm she caused. It made queasy.

“Chloe – call Max!” The female called her best friend, but the call didn’t last for long. Long enough that Max understood that the storm was still here – destroying Arcadia Bay.

“Fuck! The storm, it—it cut the call. I can’t.”

The bright light flashed, letting her know what she’d missed.

Max traveled again, Lee knew so when she had because they were back in the dark room, Mark re-entering flashed in her mind. Paisley watched Mark cross his arms and glare at Max.

“Oh, fuck!” Mark stands over Max, his arms crossed.

“What did you say, Max?” Max gives a clueless look, examining the space around them as he grew more unhinged and angry.

“Jesus. It's like you're back in my class. You're still...spacing...out. It might be cool if you took one or your patented selfies now... The transformation between the old Max and the new Max...

Max's right foot is shown to be free from the restraint. Max's fearful and confused expression turns to a scowl.

“Anyway, answer my question, please.

“Eat shit and die.” Max spat at him.

“Good answer, good answer.” Max's nose begins bleeding. Mark leans in to inspect it and holds Max's head as she struggles, then steps back.

“Hey...your nose is bleeding. Probably gave you too big a dose. Sorry about that, Max. But considering you're about to die, a nosebleed is a first-world problem.” Max looks over to where Victoria was previously lying on the floor, only to find it empty.

“Oh. I had to let Victoria Chase go.”

“You let her...?”

“Don’t be stupid, okay?! She's exactly where she deserves to be.”

“No...” Max seemed horrified at the thought of Victoria being dead.

“Oh, as if you care.” He scoffed at her, taking notice of her eyes. “Your iris... That...dilation like a shutter...the pictures you're taking of me now. Too bad you pissed away your gift. You could have won the contest, but you destroyed your own beautiful photograph. What a waste. Sorry. I burned all your stuff. I got a little carried away.” Max looks over to see the burned remains of her journal in a tray on the trolley. Her glare at Mark intensifies but he doesn’t take it to heart.

“You know, I always believed in your vision.” He began, “Especially since you've developed from nerd to hero within a week. There's something...weird going on with you.” The lights in the room flicker and thunder can be heard outside. Mark looks at the ceiling and then back at Max.

“Whoa! Did you see how crazy it is outside? Like I said...something weird... There's that fear... Oh, Max... It's an honor working on you with these final sessions. I hope these images will be appreciated for what they truly capture. The loss...of youth.” Mark chuckles like it’s funny. “At least...that's the last lecture you'll ever have to hear from me. And I promise you...no more nosebleeds.

“Mr. Mark... Please...don't do this. You don't know what's happening.” Max cried shakily.

“Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh... Quiet...quiet, Max.” He cooed, walking away. The girl struggles against the tape, sobbing.

“Please! Don't do this!” Mark fills a syringe and walks over to Max.

“I promise. This final dose won't hurt.” He tilts Max's head to expose her neck, about to inject her with the needle. Noises are heard outside the room.

“What?” He runs over to hide behind the entrance, putting down the needle and grabbing a tripod. David enters, holding a gun.

Mark knocks the gun out of David's hands with the tripod who takes a fighting stance and tries to punch him but gets hit in the stomach with the tripod. David doubles over, holding his stomach, and Mark hits him in the head, knocking David unconscious.

“No, David! No!”

“Jesus... David Madsen! He's out cold... Good. I always hated that fascist fuck. Everybody at Blackwell did, right, Max?” He drops the tripod and picks up the needle, approaching Max again.

“Okay... Let's try this one last time...” Max rewinds to before David enters. Lee manages to remember – if this is the way she’s getting out. She’s going to help.

“David, watch out!” Max warns too early, Mark doubles back with the tripod and ready to swing it like a bat, “Time to shut the fuck up, okay?”

The tripod almost hit her, but Paisley was quick to rewind, she kept rewinding until her vision appeared like a burned photo, stopping then. Max tried talking to him this time. Lee’s eyes flickered to where his gun was and she stepped closer to it, making it seem inconspicuous.

“And I promise you...no more nosebleeds.”

“Wait! Hold on! Can I... can I please ask you for one last...request?” Max was hoping he’d take the bait or Lee would help David, but she didn’t know how to. Grabbing the gun would result in Mark killing her or worse. He’d notice too quickly.

“Oh, you got me, Max. How can I deny that face?”

“Uh...excuse me, but my throat is scratchy... Can I please have some water?”

“Of course. I don't want you to be uncomfortable.” Mark moves the trolley closer and pours Max a glass of water, holding it to her mouth so she can drink it. He goes to the trolley and prepares the syringe and approaches her. His feigned kindness has Paisley’s stomach turning.

“I promise. This final dose won't hurt.” There’s a noise, they all hear it. “What?”

As Mark and David fight, Max pushes the trolley with her foot. He’s distracted, and David punches and slaps him, knocking the tripod out of his hands. They face each other in fighting stances.

“No gun...no balls...”

“Mark! It's over!”

“You are not going to stop me!” Mark runs over to a cabinet, shoving Paisley to the ground. David chases him, but he grabs a gun and shoots David, and he falls onto the couch behind him.

“David Madsen...of course. Well, this is what you get for playing cop—a real bullet.” Max rewinds to before Mark grabbed a gun so she can warn David. Lee counts her lucky stars.

“He’s hiding a gun over there!” Mark and David run over to the cabinet. Just as David reaches him, he gets the gun and shoots David twice.

“Sorry, Madsen. Okay... Deja vu.” Max tells David to use the bottle instead.

“Grab that bottle!” David grabs the bottle and throws it at Mark, but he ducks, then shoots David.

“Sorry, Madsen. You should have stuck to harassing students. Okay...” Max tries to tell David to use the gun knocked out of his hands.

“Grab your gun now!”

“Got it...” Just before David reaches his gun on the floor, Mark shoots him.

“Oh, Christ! David Madsen, you are one stupid son of a bitch, so don't blame me.” She even tried the table.

“David! Kick that table!” So many rewinds, so many methods but no way to subdue Mark.

“Yes, sir!” David kicks the table at Mark, but he kicks it back, then shoots David.

“David Madsen... I always hated that mustache...” He chuckled, “You hated him too, Max?” Max uses her foot to pull the cord on one of the lights, knocking it over and distracting Mark. David punches Mark's face twice, knocking off his glasses and knocking him to the floor. He rushes over to Max and undoes her restraints.

“Oh, Lord, Max... are you okay? Are you alright? Can you move?” She nods.

“Yes... Thank you, David...thank you...” Max thanked him.

“Don’t thank me... You brought me here.” David notices Mark move his head.

“Let’s wrap up this son of a bitch first.” He holsters the gun on the ground, then punches Mark in the face again, knocking him unconscious. Max gets out of the chair.

“He won't be going anywhere when he wakes up.” David turns the teacher over and puts duct tape around his wrists.

“Except you are going to prison forever. Or worse.”

“Mr. Mark? Now it's your turn to be captured in a moment... Save Chloe...”

“Shit! No signal.” Max curses after trying and failing to use her cell phone.

“It’s a fucking bunker, Max.” Paisley scolds, walking over to his desk, opening a drawer to find her bag and personal items. Max spots and grabs the car keys on the table.

“Thanks, Mr. Mark, but...you won't need this anymore.” She says, taking the keys from him and pocketing them.

“David?” She asks and he stands up.

“Are you okay?”

“Look at this place...it feels like hell.”

“Mark was...was going to kill me...like he did to Victoria Chase...”

“Oh, no...”

“I always suspected that son of a bitch.”

“I never did...until too late.” Max looked at Paisley and then down at Mark’s unconscious body on the cold floor.

“You shouldn't have to suspect your teacher.”

“He wasn't a real teacher. He just...wanted to lecture. It was part of his sick plans.”

“I guess I looked just as suspicious when you told Principal Wells that I was...harassing Kate Marsh...and I don't blame you.” David admitted, setting his pride aside. “And, Max... I treated Kate like shit... I know she's a good person, but I'm not. I hope I get to tell her that soon.”

“Me too. I think that would make her very happy.”

“I knew Nathan Prescott was a threat. I just waited too long to neutralize him.”

“Mark already did. They had some weird father-son thing going on. But...Nathan killed Rachel, and Mark had to use him as a scapegoat.”

“That pervert was pulling all this shit right under my nose, too... I could've stopped him and Nathan if only...I wasn't so stupid.”

“No. I should've told Principal Wells Nathan had a gun and... almost used it. I put the school in danger.”

“We all make decisions we regret. But I have to admit, I'm impressed by you...and Chloe, and your investigation. I had all the high-tech toys, while you had each other.”

“We...we are a great team.”

“That’s one of my problems…” He sighed, “I'm not good at teamwork. Never was. Even in the service.” David shook his head disapprovingly.

“I can't even imagine what you went through...”

“I’m not gonna make any excuses for my behavior. I tried to be a good soldier, but...I wasn't so great. I tried to be a good father, too...”

“But...you saw how that went.”

“You tried. It's obvious you care, even if your methods are...”

“Fucked up. I know.”

“I'm glad I stood up for you.”

“I try not to use my service as an excuse, but... It's hard to come home after war. Most people don't know or care what it's like...except Joyce. She gave me hope. A new life.”

“And you saved mine. Chloe, she...she would be proud of you.”

“I just wanna see her safe with her mother. I promised Joyce I would go see a family counselor...and I'll start by apologizing to Chloe. I don't expect her to call me dad, but maybe she'll stop calling me ‘step-douche’.”

“So, where is Chloe?” He looks around to see if he can find her. If Paisley had told them last night or had told Max when she began her search – this wouldn’t have happened. Chloe wouldn’t be dead.

“David, um... She was pretty stressed out, so, um... She went to go, um...medicate before I ended up in here. So, she's okay.” Max lied expertly to him. Thank God he believed it.

“Oh, thank god. For once I'm happy Chloe's a stoner.” He laughs, obviously relieved.

“David, I have to go outside and get some real air...and use my phone. “

He puts a hand on her shoulder, “Of course. Go on, Max. You're a brave soldier. I'm glad Chloe has a best friend like you. Go on, now. You've seen enough of this room.

David sits down at Mark's desk, looking at his computer. The girls ascended the stairs, the door closed behind them.

“Max, I need to go to my house.”

“For what?” She snapped.

“I need my gun. If we’re doing this, I need my gun.” The hipster scoffed.

“A gun. You’re fourteen, you don’t need a fucking gun.” She explained and Lee was growing frustrated. If they didn’t want to die, she needed her gun this time. She’d know what to expect now.

“Max. You’ve put me through hell with these headaches this week. The least you can do it let me have my gun for safety.”

“Safety? How do I know you won’t kill me?”

“Max, we’re fucking time travelers. I wouldn’t kill you. You took me to a reality where my parents were alive. My mom – she told me great things. I have a future, there is a future, Max. Right now, our priorities include rescuing Chloe, Nate, and Victoria.”

“Yeah if Nathan doesn’t try to take our heads off.”

“I’ll explain it to him. I’ll get him.” Max nodded, opening the barn door to reveal Mark’s car. The rain outside was uncontrollable, it came down heavily. Definitely the end of the world. Paisley thought, following Max’s lead.

“Freedom. Holy shit! The storm is real, we need to find Warren.” The dark sky resembled the blackness of the night, the tornado was huge and ready to wreck anything in its path. This is what they’d caused by using their powers to save Chloe. Max takes out her phone and dials a number.

“Yes! Warren! Can you hear me?” Lee checked her phone; it was charged still surprisingly. It said she had a voicemail.

“Never mind… Listen, do you have that photo you took last night in the parking lot?” She checked her phone for messages and shit, ignoring the voicemail. It was probably from a scammer.

“Yes, it is, and I want it! Where are you?” Paisley’s eyes flickered over to Max, watching her talk to Warren. The storm, it was gonna kill everyone. She was sure of it. That’s if they didn’t succeed and save the town.

“I’m on my way.” They climbed into the car after Max hung up. She drove quick enough that they were on the main roads and in town already.

“Max, we can’t keep doing this. Stop the storm. We have to. We go back and let Nate shoot Chloe.”

“Why are you being so negative?” Max asked, driving through the town.

“You don’t think they hurt when we play with their futures like dolls? Their fates and destinies? Messing them up for what? So, we benefit?”

“You were eager to save Nathan a few minutes ago. The hell is wrong now?”

“My mom – she told me we have destinies, fates – I don’t want to kill everyone if it means we have the four people that matter to us.”

“That’s—”

“You have one new message. Message received yesterday at 9 PM.” The automated voice said. Paisley was angry. Max was playing a fucking voicemail over listening to her.

“Max, it’s… it’s Nathan. I… I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I didn’t wanna hurt Kate, or Rachel, or Paisley – or… didn’t wanna hurt anybody. Everybody used me!” Nathan crying triggered something inside Paisley, a renewed sense of determination. Rebellion? The biggest fuck you to destiny? Maybe all the above but this boy—he didn’t deserve what he got. “Mr. Jefferson is coming for ME now. All this shit will be over soon. Watch out, Max… He wants to hurt you next. Sorry.” Nathan needed to live. Max looked over at Paisley, giving her a saddened look.

“I didn’t know he sent this.”

“Just after I left him in the dorms. Fuck, Max, I left him to die.” She cried. The rain seemed an extension of her tears, ones she couldn’t cry. They hit the car roughly and Lee felt something snap inside her again. Logic and reason. They stopped in the middle of the road, Max put the car in park, and they left it.

Paisley left Nathan’s jacket open but closed the one she had under it. Together they walked the destroyed streets of the town, avoiding certain death with their destructive powers and helping those they could to make up for it. It was their penance. Once they saved Alyssa, they almost entered the diner, but it blew up. Max rewound and put sand on the line of gas. This time, the diner didn’t blow to smithereens and they entered safely through the side entrance. Through the storeroom, they entered, and Warren shouted for them when he saw them.

"Max! Paisley!" Warren shouted.

"Max! Oh Jesus, I am so glad to see you, sweetie! Are you okay?" Joyce asked Max, checking her briefly.

"Yes. What about you guys?" The female asks.

"The Two Whales is barely standing now... I don't know if it’s going to make it through this tornado. Poor Officer Berry and all those people out there…" She tsked, shaking her head disapprovingly.

"I know." Max agreed.

That's the reason we're in this mess. You rewind cuándo tú quieres.

"Okay, get your ass inside... I have to get back to this gentleman on the ground... Warren has been gathering all the first aid…" Joyce pointed out.

"It’s not much, Joyce. But it’s all we have." He sighed. Max turned to Warren, "You okay, Warren?”

"How the hell did I ignore all those warnings, Max? The snow, the eclipse…" Warren had a disappointed look on his face.

"There’s nothing you could do about it, Warren." Max comforted.

"I’m so stupid... I should have seen it coming…" Warren sulked. Max walked over to Frank.

"Okay, Max, excuse me while I go help this other gentleman." Joyce walked away, leaving her.

“Frank... I'm so glad you're here…”

“That makes two of us. Now if I only had Rachel back… Now Max, what about that info I gave you? Did you and Chloe find out what happened to her?”

Max: “Frank, I don’t know how to say this, so... I just will. Rachel is dead.”

“God, no, please... Please, no... No, not Rachel... She can't fucking be! Are you...? Are you sure? I mean, how do you know?”

“We used the names you gave us to track down a farmhouse. My professor, Mark Jefferson, has this creepy photo torture room... and we found out he was using Nathan Prescott to drug and photograph Blackwell students.”

“Prescott? Fuck! Fuck, I knew it! I should never have hooked up with that sick punk! Pompidou hated him! You saw... you saw Rachel?”

“Yes... I wish I didn't. I'm so, so sorry, Frank. Nathan wanted to impress Jefferson, and he... he killed her.”

“How? How did he kill her?”

“He used some drug... and gave her an overdose…”

“An overdose? The only way Nathan could've done that is... is if I sold it to him. I killed my lioness! No... What have I done?”

“Where is this motherfucker Jefferson?”

"He's going to jail. He won't be hurting anybody anymore…" Max assured.

“Rachel... Oh, God. She was the one good thing in my life, Max. I know she was too young, and... I expected her to leave me, just... just not how it happened. I would never have stopped her from going after her dreams.”

“I know. She obviously cared about you, Frank…”

“Rachel cared about a lot of people... especially Chloe…But, uh... now I see why Rachel dug her... and Chloe was man enough to ask me for help after all that shit, we went through.”

“Chloe would appreciate that…”

“You know, the one time I met my dad, the bastard quoted the bible and said he wanted to ‘enter his house justified.’ In other words, to do the right thing... me too. And maybe you're helping me get there, Max. Don't get me wrong, kid. I still think you're weird... but you're cool.”

“Come on, Max. Let's talk over here and give Frank some resting space.”

“Joyce, how are you doing?”

“Just when I think I've already been through the ringer... Where's Chloe?”

“She's... safe, Joyce. She just sent me a text before my phone died.”

“Oh, thank God... I was torturing myself before you showed up. Oh God, if something happened to Chloe while I ended up stuck at this diner again…”

“I'm sorry about all this, Joyce.”

“Don't be, honey. It's not like you whipped up this tornado on your own…”

“Um... I mean, I’m also sorry about everything with David.”

“You don't have control over any of that. David is an adult and he has a lot more age and experience under his belt. Even if he doesn't always show it…”

“Well... I didn't mean to take David's side against you or Chloe…”

“I know you try to see the good side in everybody... and David needs to try that, too. But that's not important now.”

“I just want our lives to be normal again…”

“With all the shit going on this week, I think you're right. And look at me, trying to keep my family together... again.”

“Joyce, you've gone through so much for Chloe and David. If you were my mom... I would be so proud.”

“Oh sweetie, thank you. But your parents should be prouder of you. Even David told me how tough he thinks you are... and he doesn't give out many compliments, as you know.”

“David is a real hero. I don't know what he's gone through in war, but I can imagine... and he even showed me how to find my own strength under extreme conditions.”

“I'm so glad to hear you say that, Max... I know he's not always an easy person to defend... Most people only see him at his worst... You've seen him at his best. And that's the man I want in my life.”

“I hate to say I'm glad to see you, but I'm so glad to see you.”

“That's okay. The important thing is that you're safe... and I know you can take care of yourself, after Nathan.”

“Should have done that a long time ago. But damn, Max... I can't believe you actually drove down here in the middle of a fucking E6 tornado, just for one photograph... I mean, I know you didn't come for me.”

“Warren, I came for all of you. Just tell me you do have the photograph.”

“I just want…”

“Now shut up and listen.”

“Oh yeah, you’re finally going to tell me what you never did in the parking lot…”

“I wish I would have. So, I'm just going to tell you without any explanation. Trust me, okay?”

“I always do. You should probably tell me quick…”

“I had a vision in Jefferson's class of a tornado destroying Arcadia Bay. I went to the bathroom and saw my best friend Chloe get shot by Nathan Prescott...You with me so far?”

“Where else could I be? Go on!”

“Then I found out that I could rewind time... And, long story short, Mark Jefferson is insane and dangerous.”

“Whoa... Is that all?”

“I think that this storm started... everything started... when I found out I could rewind time... There's no way this is just a coincidence, right?”

“Max, not only the storm but the eclipse, the birds, the whales... everything!”

“All because... because of me? How?”

“I'm not a real scientist, even though I play one at school, but this seems like pure cause and effect, maybe Chaos Theory... Uh, what happened with Jefferson? Did... Did he hurt you?”

“Nathan accidentally killed Rachel Amber trying to impress Jefferson… Nathan just needed mental help... Now he's dead... and Jefferson is done.”

“Jesus, Max! I want the whole story, but... I guess we really are out of time.”

“But I can still change things. What do you think will happen?”

“For every action, there's... there's a reaction... Whenever you reversed or altered time, maybe you caused a chain reaction... even in the environment.”

“Warren, I know this all sounds insane... but you're the only other person who I can count on now... I wish we had more time together... Do you believe me?”

“Max, of course I believe you. You're the most amazing person I've ever met... and I'm glad you trust me.”

“Always. I just wish I could trust my powers…”

“I guess we'll never know if it's magic or science…”

“Even if it's from a wizard or a wormhole... You're part of something bigger. I don't believe in fate or destiny, but after this week, I realize I don't know shit.”

“That makes both of us, Warren…”

“I do know you're here for a reason... and I guess it's up to you to find out why. Max... I'm sorry you got stuck in this... in this... I don't have a fucking clue what's going on. But I have total faith that you'll do the right thing when the time comes. I'm so proud of you, Max. How could there be a more important moment in history? And I'm in the middle of it with you? So, thank you for trusting me.”

“Thanks for being here. Always.” Warren takes out the polaroid and places it in front of Max.

“Hey... Be careful out there.”

“For luck.” Max kisses Warren.

“Just in case we don’t get out of this... I wanted to say…”

“I know, Warren…”

“Of course, you do.”

“I’m going to make the right choices from now on... I swear.”

“That's why you're Super Max.” Max focuses on the photo and travels back in time, Lee willingly in tow.

Paisley is back in the dorms with Nathan, but she calls Warren and Victoria first, telling them to meet her at the lighthouse.

“Why the lighthouse?” Nate asks, his eyes red and puffy.

“So, we’ll be safe, Nate.”

It fades out of the photo and back into reality. When it does, Max looks around, inspecting her surroundings. Chloe is standing in front of her, watching the tornado with Paisley who is only more confused. Nathan, Warren, and even Victoria were standing with them. That worked better than she thought.

“Oh, Chloe!”

Max runs up to Chloe and hugs her tightly. Chloe turned around. “I see that the real Max is back... So, how was your time trip, dude?”

“Shut up. Oh, you're alive! You're alive, oh... Both of us! I did so much to bring you back, Chloe... and it worked. It actually worked. You're with me again.”

“It looks like even fate doesn't want us apart. And... you traveled through multiple realities just to... save my ungrateful ass over and over. I hope it was worth it, but... I don't blame you for wanting me out of your life, after all my drama.”

“Come on. I'm the official Drama King and Queen of Arcadia Bay this week. Just look at what my powers have caused in... just a short time. I mean... I'm nobody.”

“You're Max-fucking-Caulfield, Time Warrior. Even if you weren't, you're kind and caring. Nobody could have a better best friend... Nobody. You didn't ask for any of this to happen, but it did. You need to accept how awesome you are.”

“Maybe I willed it subconsciously, or something. I always wanted my life to be special... an adventure... but not without you. And it didn't happen until I moved back here, so... without you, my powers wouldn't even exist.”

“Then for whatever scientific, mystical reason, that we'll obviously never figure out... We were meant to be together at this exact moment in history. I have to think that Rachel was somewhere behind the scenes, fighting for justice…”

“I'd like to think that, too... We all owe Rachel Amber. Now tell me everything that happened. You... You remember, right?”

“Well, we... we left the party and made sure Jefferson couldn't find us. For once, I was glad I lived in an actual fortress. Then the storm got hella crazy and... and you said we would be safe at the lighthouse.”

“Chloe, look! The storm is getting bigger now. It's coming closer. I... I can't even believe this is real, but this is happening because of me.”

“Stop it! Stop beating yourself up, okay? We've both paid our dues already on that. Oh, God, look at that! Look at that monster! Who knows...? This could be Rachel's revenge... Our revenge. The lighthouse is out of the way of the tornado. Come on!”

“Oh... What... Chloe…” Max collapses and Chloe holds her up.

“I've got your back, Max.” Paisley helps Chloe keep the girl steady as it all fades away.

Chloe and Max fall to the ground but Paisley stands there, glancing at Nathan, Warren, and Victoria over her shoulder. They were miserable in the storm, but she was glad to see Nate faring well and even Victoria for what it was worth.

"Max? Max, can you hear me? Please, say something." Chloe called.

"Chloe? I... I must have passed out... Sorry." Max apologized to her best friend.

"Oh, thank God... Don't you ever do that again, okay?"

"I swear... but that nightmare was so real... was so horrible…"

Chloe takes Max's arm and they stand up together, she watches the storm she created in horror.

"This is my storm. I caused this... I caused all of this. I changed fate and destiny so much that... I actually did alter the course of everything. And all I really created was just death and destruction!"

"Fuck all of that, okay? You were given a power. You didn't ask for it... and you saved me. Which had to happen, all of this did... except for what happened to Rachel. But without your power, we wouldn't have found her! Okay, so you're not the goddamn Time Master, but you're Maxine Caulfield... and you're amazing. Max, this is the only way."

Chloe hands Max the photo she took of the blue butterfly. The one from the bathroom, it was undamaged, looking like it’d been taken recently.

"I feel like I took this shot a thousand years ago."

"You... You could use that photo to change everything right back to when you took that picture... All that would take is for me to... to…" Chloe grabs Max’s face and holds it.

"Fuck that! No... no way! You are my number one priority now. You are all that matters to me." Max yelled.

"I know. You proved that over and over again... even though I don't deserve it. I'm so selfish... not like my mom... Look what she had to give up and live through... and she did. She deserves so much more than to be killed by a storm in a fucking diner. Even my step... father deserves her alive. There's so many more people in Arcadia Bay who should live... way more than me…" Chloe cried. They had a right to be melodramatic about it. This decided if someone lived or died. Paisley would hate it if Chloe was killed by Nate and she survived a week in hell, being brave, just to be locked up.

"Don't say that... I won't trade you." Max said.

"You're not trading me. Maybe you've just been delaying my real destiny... Look at how many times I've almost died or actually died around you. Look at what's happened in Arcadia Bay ever since you first saved me. I know I've been selfish, but for once I think I should accept my fate... our fate…"

"Chloe…"

"Max, you finally came back to me this week, and... you did nothing but show me your love and friendship. You made me smile and laugh, like I haven't done in years. Wherever I end up after this... in whatever reality... all those moments between us were real, and they'll always be ours. No matter what you choose, I know you'll make the right decision."

"Chloe... I can't make this choice…" Chloe grabs Max's arms.

"No, Max... You're the only one who can. Max... it's time…"

"Not anymore." Max tears apart the polaroid and it blows away in the storm. The five teenagers watch the tornado. This was it, this is the end.

"Max... I'll always be with you."

"Forever…"

Chloe holds hands with Max and they watch as the tornado hits Arcadia Bay. Max shakes her head and Chloe wraps her arm around Max. Soon enough they left the lighthouse and by morning Chloe was driving through the town. Lee gave it a look, it made her nauseous, but she had to be selfish once in life. Maybe she’d been selfish all along. As they leave the town, they see an Arcadia Bay sign, Warren and Paisley exchange a look, the same as Nate and Victoria. It hadn’t taken a long time to get on a cliff far from Arcadia. But it did destroy them inside just a little bit.

“What do we do now?”

“We go to the police, somewhere else in Oregon. David – he’s not in the bunker here. Is he?”

“What if step-douche fails?” Chloe asks through the open truck window.

Lee shrugs, looking out the back of the truck, “Then we’re done for.”

#life is strange #max caulfield #maxine caulfield #chloe price #victoria chase #Mark jeffershit #mark Jefferson x oc #mark jefferson #nathan prescott x oc #nathan prescott #warren graham #rachel amber #writing #fanfics

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