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solitaireships · 8 months

Note

❓️ for the prompt meme (one of my favorite emojis tbh) - effiesaude

Emoji prompts: ❓ - “is this what you want?”

This prompt is now officially the longest thing I've written for on here, so thank you for the suggestion @orlz! I ended up going with Alexander for this, tho I did consider using Bruce for a bit bcs I associate that emoji with him a lot lol

Rating: G

Genre: Fluff

Word Count: 2033 words

Content warning: Mentions of plagues/epidemics

Divider by newlips (who apparently deactivated, but I have the link to the post with the dividers)

The sound of a bell ringing draw’s Xenia’s attention away from the monotony of reviewing shipping details at the counter of her bookshop. The work day is drawing to an end, and with that there always seems to be fewer people stopping by the bookshop. She doesn’t mind the break— there are always plenty of customers around lunch. But as her shift draws closer and closer to ending, a final push to keep herself from getting too tired is appreciated.

And it’s even more appreciated when she sees none other than Alexander walking in.

“General,” Xenia greets with a nod.

“Detective,” he replies.

“Give me just ten more minutes.”

“Take all the time you need.”

He says that, but Xenia knows that time is a precious commodity. For the two of them, she would argue that it’s even more precious.

Xenia had thought that Alexander and his troops would leave after the Polyhedron fell. They had only come here to help deal with the Sand Pest. She had expected that they would leave after it had been dealt with, going off towards another military campaign. Especially with the commander at their head— everyone knows about Alexander Block, how he rose through the ranks to become a general younger than anyone had before. Big things were supposed to be ahead of him.

And yet he got sent to a dying town. He was sent to a village ravaged by a plague, with no medical team sent along with him to lend a hand. Sent with troops who planned a mutiny against him, left to solve a problem with no clear solution. It feels like too much of an oversight to have been an actual mistake, but as much as Xenia loves to pull at the threads of a mystery, trying to prove some grand conspiracy is beyond the scope of her amateur detective work.

Regardless, Alexander’s time in the Town-on-Gorkhon is far from what anyone could have expected it to be. With it already being outside of what’s expected, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that the general decided to stay in town after the Polyhedron came down.

He’s kinder than Xenia would have expected from a man nicknamed General Ashes. He didn’t want to leave the town to heal on its own, left to pick up the pieces after an unimaginable tragedy. Not all of his troops were happy about the decision to stay in town, and neither were all of the town’s citizens.

But at the end of the day, Xenia thinks that this will be for the best. When someone’s recovering from a sickness, others can help with the healing process. She doesn’t see a reason why things should be different for a town recovering from an illness.

Though she might be biased in wanting Alexander to stay here. That was another surprising thing that came from him staying in town these past couple of months.

Xenia had expected a lot of things from Alexander, but the last thing that she had expected was that she would start dating him. And for once not being able to predict things isn’t terrifying. Caring for him is one surprise she doesn’t dislike.

Xenia finishes putting the store’s earnings away for the day, locking it up in a vault built into the floor behind her counter. When she gets back up, Alexander is standing by the shop’s door like he’s keeping guard, making sure that no one can come in to interrupt the closing process.

He’s affectionate in his own way. Xenia can appreciate that. She knows she doesn’t show she cares in the most traditional ways either.

“I should be ready to go when you are,” Xenia says.

“You’re getting faster at that,” Alexander notes as she makes her way over to join him by the door.

“I’m trying to make the best of my time,” she says.

After all, her time with Alexander is limited. The Powers That Be will always demand more of him, and the Capital will always find a way to keep him busy. He can’t be the town’s guardian forever.

Xenia and Alexander have about a month left together. Twenty-seven days including today— Xenia has been keeping track. She has to make sure she savors every moment she has with him.

Xenia has never had much experience with relationships. She’s not the best with people in general. She’s good at studying them— figuring out how they work from a distance. But when it comes to getting close to them, she’s always struggled.

And yet she managed to grow close to Alexander over the course of these last few months. Closer than she has been with anyone, really. She’s dated people twice before, but it wasn’t like this. She’s never fallen this hard or fast before.

Xenia hates that she finally found someone she could see herself spending the rest of her life with, and things between them could end so soon. Maybe they can try to make things work even while he’s away. She’s always been a problem solver first and foremost, and she’s come up with a couple of ideas for how they could keep their relationship alive while they’re apart.

But she’ll make the time she has left with Alexander last.

Xenia will miss getting to go on walks with him like this though. Usually they talk, but today they’re quiet. Still they match steps with each other, the cold winter air from the steppe making Xenia wish she still had a face mask on her. But without that to provide any warmth she inches closer to Alexander so their arms brush against each other.

Neither of them usually like public displays of affection. It feels awkward to know people could see them being close like this. The town knowing that they’re in a relationship is different from being able to see it, so they try not to do any more than hold hands in public.

But Alexander doesn’t shy away from Xenia now. He wraps his arm around her shoulder, keeping her close. It’s sweet, something that’s usually reserved for private moments between the two of them.

“You’re warm,” Xenia compliments.

“Thank you,” Alexander says.

They keep going in silence for a while. The streets of the town are confusing to most, but Xenia’s memorized the flow of them. They’re curving and uneven, cutting odd paths more like something you’d see in biology than city planning. But there’s something about them that helps Xenia to think.

Mainly she tends to think about the future. The things she thinks of now aren’t as bleak as they used to be. But she keeps having thoughts of Alexander being there with her— maybe one day moving in, staying with her and being there for her like no one has before. Through birthdays and holidays and all of the unpleasant things that inevitably come with the passage of time.

Things won’t work out that well. They don’t usually for her. But Xenia can’t stop thinking about staying with Alexander, about him staying a part of her life for as long as possible.

They need to talk about things. Xenia hates doing that. But they need to.

“You leave at the end of the month,” Xenia says. It sounds too sudden, but it’s a good enough start to the conversation.

Alexander nods. “I do.”

“We should talk about that.”

Xenia doesn’t like the thought of looking at Alexander right now, so she focuses on the streets ahead of her. They’re winding with uneven cobblestones, and along the path she sees some twyre growing, somehow persisting despite it being out of season.

“What do you want to do?” she asks.

“What I’d like would be to continue dating you. But the distance makes things complicated. I don’t want to subject you to that,” Alexander says.

“Right.”

At least it’s nice to know that he wishes they could stay together too. It doesn’t stop the ache in Xenia’s chest at the thought that this conversation may lead to them breaking up.

Maybe she should give up. But she’s never been good at doing that. She’s always been desperate to find a way to make things work with everything.

“But maybe first we could see how things go while you’re away,” Xenia says, glancing towards Alexander out of the corner of her eyes.

“As in?” he questions.

“As in we don’t break things off and try to make things work from a long distance,” she says.

Alexander frowns. It’s hard to tell if he thinks the idea is bad or if he’s worried that Xenia’s just saying that because it’s what he’d want to hear. She’s pretty sure it’s the latter.

“Is this what you want?” Alexander asks after a moment. “I’ll be away for months.”

“I know.”

And that’s a thought that Xenia hates. She wishes that she could keep him here with her. The town is safer than any battlefield would be, and she’d be able to see his pretty face everyday.

Alexander has responsibilities. Xenia knows that. She can’t be selfish and demand he stay. But she wishes she didn’t have to lose him. Not when she’s finally found a relationship that she thinks could last.

“But I still want to be with you,” Xenia says. “We can write letters until you’re able to visit on leave. If you want to come here anyway.”

“I would like that. Though I’m not sure that I’m as gifted as you are with letter writing,” Alexander says.

“You can’t be that bad. And either way, I’ll like hearing from you.”

And, most importantly, getting letters from him will reassure her that he’s safe and alive.

“I’ll like hearing from you too,” Alexander says. “I like you a lot, angel.”

It takes Xenia a second to process that he said the last part in English. His words are a little awkward and stilted— he’s clearly still getting the hang of the language.

“You— that was English,” Xenia manages to force out when she remembers she should speak.

“It needs some work,” Alexander admits. “But you’ve always spoken to me in my native tongue. I thought you’d appreciate it if someone learned yours.”

Xenia struggles to find her words more now than she did when she thought they were going to break up. This might be the kindest thing someone has ever done for her, and she doesn’t think that Alexander even realizes how important this is. They haven’t said I love you to each other yet, but this conveys the idea just with different words. It feels like a commitment, like he’s saying he’s here for the long haul. Like maybe the thoughts Xenia had of settling down together in the future might be possible.

“Thank you,” Xenia says. “I— how much have you learned?”

“Not much. I’ve been practicing for a week. Mostly more, ah, romantic phrases. I hoped to surprise you,” Alexander says.

Xenia rests her hand on his back. “It was a really good surprise. Would you understand me if I said, you’re the handsomest man I’ve ever met?”

“I… understood the end.”

Xenia supposes she should have guessed he was more focused on learning ways to compliment her than to respond to her own flirtations.

“How about you’re very pretty?” she tries.

Alexander’s cheeks redden and Xenia’s pretty sure it’s not just from the cold. “Thank you.”

“You have a cute accent,” Xenia says with a laugh, leaning closer into him.

“Your accent speaking Russian is very cute,” he replies, quick as ever to try to turn the compliment back on to her.

“Thank you. I could help teach you more English if you wanted. Maybe I can give you some lessons in our letters.”

“I would appreciate it,” Alexander says. He holds her even closer with his arm as they turn down a narrower street, like he's trying to keep her fused to his side. “I really do like you a lot.”

“I like you a lot too,” Xenia promises. It’s not quite an I love you, but it’s close enough. And for once it’s easy to think that she could stay like this, feeling happy and loved, forever.

#my writing #asks #safeship #selfship fic #orlz #thank you for the prompt!#🔎 Xenia #🎖️#🎖️ doomed by the narrative

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deputy-ajay-ghale · 4 years

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write a one shot on the headcannon where Abigael is dying and Parker saves her by being a demon again?

Hi, nonny, I'm so sorry this took me months! I've never actually written anything for Charmed so getting into that headspace is tougher than just doing some headcanons, but I did it! And with a higher word count than I intended! I'll put the first scene here and the rest on my AO3 bc.. stats and shameless self promotion for my other works.

TW for seizures

The re-reintroduction of Parker into the Charmed Ones lives, as well as the semi permanent presence of Abigael meant a number of things.

For starters, the amount of time spent in each other’s company, which of course was no issue for the holders of the Power of Three and their Whitelighter. The same could not be said for Alastor’s offspring who would get called to the Vera home to lend their assistance.

Things between them weren’t smooth. Abigael never apologized for stabbing her half brother and he stood firm in his belief that imprisoning her without a trial was within reason. Them still having this argument wouldn't be so bad if they weren't constantly devolving into shouting matches within earshot of the Veras. If Mel had to hear Abigael say one more time that Parker wasn't fit to be the Demon Overlord-

Maggie, ever the peacekeeper and empath, tried to help mend the broken bond (if it could even be called a bond) between brother and sister to little success. Well, neither of them or any innocent bystanders were dead, so that was a step in the right direction. On the other hand, the fact that Parker was fully mortal and for the most part could not defend himself against his older sibling's wrath did not stop Abigael from using the simplest of spells on him. What's a little vertigo spell between family?

Because of the Faction's unfortunately growing threat to the magical community, both Caines were expected to stay close to the Charmed Ones for everyone's safety. Even Ray had been talked into staying with them because of his connection to mystical relics. Being too safe was better than losing someone to Julian and Vivienne.

The rules were simple.

Abigael, Jordan, and Parker must meet with the Vera household every Friday

Any and all plans against the Faction are to be discussed as a team

Daily notifications of each other's whereabouts when not in ones home

Normal attendance at day jobs is still mandatory*

No drawing attention to oneself

Parker, Jordan, and Ray are not allowed to go out without a magical escort**

*No taking unnecessary time off. **The exception is the named persons being together.

For obvious reasons, that last rule didn't sit well with those affected. The argument that ensued when it was raised for debate had been heated and lengthy. None of the humans were fond of the idea that they couldn't handle themselves against human threats, but the Vera sisters stood their ground and stressed the importance of their safety and promised to let them have free passes to complain about it for the rest of their lives if they manage to take down the Faction without anyone getting kidnapped.

It wasn't much, but when Abigael threatened the human men with fire, the arguing ceased. Macy and Maggie weren't particularly happy with the undiplomatic method, but they couldn't turn their nose at the results it produced. Yes, Jordan wasn't happy having to be picked up from his apartment by the Veras to go to work, Ray gave his Torito and Little Bug half pout, half Disappointed Dad Stares from across the room, and Parker-

Well, there was no knowing who was in a more foul mood: Abigael or Parker. All Parker wanted was to get groceries for the little AirBnB he was hiding at, and his dear half sister glared daggers and huffed like the concept of him starving to death would be less painful to live with over having to accompany him to a Fred Meyer.

"Rip me off a bag, would ya?" he asked while grabbing a Granny Smith apple to inspect.

"I would rather tear my arm off than do that," Abigael replied.

"Have you always been so dramatic?" Parker reached around the exiled Demon Overlord to retrieve a produce bag. "Or is this just how you are when you're not indulging in hedonistic instincts?"

"What can I say, Parky larky, you just have that effect on me. Being around you is like dumping an invasive species into an environment in which it does not belong."

"Wow, maybe you should've become a writer with that line."

Their bickering didn't cease at that or the end of the produce area, the longstanding distrust and mutual dislike was far too strong to stop before Parker's mental shopping list was finished. Abigael criticized the AXE he tossed into his cart and he deliberately took his time smelling candles to piss her off. There was only so many times a man needed to smell the same lavender candle to decide if he wanted to buy it.

For three blessedly, peaceful minutes, the younger Caine thought his half sister had tired herself out with her unending bellyaching. He added a watermelon lemonade scented candle to his basket before picking up a sandalwood one he thought would be a nice, small gift for Maggie.

"Okay, Abby, I'm done," Parker announced as he spun on his heel to stare at said woman's more than likely scowling face.

Except she wasn't standing behind him like he thought she was.

"Abigael?"

He looked to his right where the mouth of the aisle was where hey came from and didn't see her, so he turned his head to the left-

"Abigael!"

Parker abandoned his cart to run to the demon-witch, she was on her side with a viscous, black liquid pooled underneath her head and the source being her half open mouth. Without an ounce of caution, the former Overlord wiped away the fluid with his sleeve. When more of the substance spilled from Abigael's lips, her brother looked around desperately for a conveniently close shopper.

A scream for help got caught in his throat as soon as it worked its way up from his diaphragm. The idea that this was a deliberate move by the Faction to capture Alastor's living children for experimentation and wheedle out the Charmed Ones lit up his frontal lobe like a meteor shower at night. A new wave of fear hit Parker as he unconsciously pulled Abigael close to him.

He had to act fast. The Faction could be anywhere, do anything, and he was literally powerless to stop them.

A sick, burbling sound came from Abigael. The noise furthered Parker's resolve and he hoisted the older woman into his arms. They weren't too far from the entrance, if he ran fast enough, even with all the human civilians around, the Faction couldn't risk exposing themselves in such a manner. Parker on the other hand…

The curly haired man held his sister tight to his chest and bolted for the doors. He could protect them, at least until they could safely find their way to the Vera house.

For the rest...

#abigael caine #parker caine #charmed 2018 #charmed related #anon ask #my fanfics #requesting nonnies

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