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christineeej94 · 4 years

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Him❤

a/n: hello my loves. I’m writing this from work, on my night shift. I’m such a baddie (I’m joking, don’t take me serious.). So, here it is, the next request.Thank you for your support.❤ Stay safe and great. Kisses🌻

The request:

Anonymous said:

Can you write an Aron Piper imagine where his gf (the reader) is ex-girlfriend of Lorenzo Zurzolo (he plays Niccolo on Baby on Netflix) and they bump into each other while they’re at Milan Fashion Week & Aron’s jealous and protective side comes out which she finds hot asf, with some smut please :) Your writing is amazing I love your blog

warnings:smut or sexual content (+18), bad language and bad writing

word count: 2.115

Arón Piper x Reader

♠♠♠♠♠

I put my hands around his torso and I move my fingers on his hard body with slow moves. He moans and that’s turning me on. Our view is Milan Dome and the sun is rising beautifully. I can see some people walking in the morning on the empty streets with a coffee in their hands and very busy with their thoughts. Arón skin is feeling hot under my touch, his muscles are hard and the gold light is hitting our bodies. “Milan is beautiful.” I can hear Arón voice and I don’t know if I’m dreaming or not. Being here with him is a unique moment, visiting my hometown and, also, being here for Fashion Week. Me and Arón met a year ago while I was in a vacation in Marbella. It was a group vacation, I was with my group of friends which also came with other friends.

Flashback

It’s lunch time and we are taking it at a nice restaurant on the beach. The warm breeze is touching my naked skin and my short dress is flowing from the wind. My best friend, Mina, drags me to follow her through the tables until we stopped in front of a giant table of 24 seats. We were late because I wanted to buy a special swimsuit and I didn’t stop till I found it. “Here, it’s an empty seat next to Arón and another one next to Momo.” Miguel said and Mina jumped next to Momo, I know she has a crush on him. I walk and I sit next to the beautiful boy who’s gazing me since we arrived. “Hi” I feel his hot breath next to my ear and electric lines pass my body. I think my face is red right now. I look around and everyone is talking with someone, no one remark my red face. “Hi.” I really like him and I know him from a long time because I going every week on Élite set to visit Mina. I moved in Spain 5 months ago because I received a better job at an agency in Madrid. My parents agreed but my ex-boyfriend is so pissed on me. He thought that I will be forever with him and we will live in Italy. I take the decision but I wasn’t moved when I found he cheated on me. It was a horrible feeling, after so many years together, he done this thing.

“What are you thinking at?” Arón pinched my arm and I turn around to see everybody looking at me and the waiter waiting for my order. “Sorry, I lost my mind for a minute. Caprese salad and water with lime.” I smiled and the waiter rolled his eyes. “So rude.” I comment and Arón laughs. “Yeah, he is rude. He waited for you.” I smiled innocent and I fix big hand with my eyes. “Answer my question. What is bothering you?” “It’s a good time, we shouldn’t talk about this right now. But we can talk about how beautiful is Spain.” “I think we should talk how gorgeous are you.” He puts his on my leg and I got goosebumps instantly. I blushed and he smiled. He couldn’t say anything cause our food came. But he didn’t take his hand off my leg.

After the lunch it’s time for party and we got back at the house we rented. I went in my room and I put one my new bikini and I went down stairs. I sit next to Arón on the lounge chair by the pool and I started to apply some shimmer oil on my body. The curly boy looks like he is sleeping and I he is wearing sunglasses to protect his eyes from the bright sun. I get up and I test the water from the pool with my tip toes. “Watch out!” I heard a yell behind me and I want to turn around but my body collapsed and something heavy is throwing me and him in the water. I swim to the top and some strong arms caught me and sealed me in a tight hug. “I thought you were sleeping.” He smiled and that cute dimple is everything to melt my heart. “I was observing you. You look delicious.” I want to say something to him too but he seals my mouth with his wet lips. I can taste a cigarette flavor and some mint gum. My hands play with his wet curls and hands are holding my ass. We stopped after a while, breathing heavily and looking in each other eyes. “That was intense.” I said and he smirks. “You didn’t see anything yet. Let’s get out of here.” Arón kissed me again.

End of flashback

We stepped out of the water I know that my life is going to change. I feel his warm lips on my cold skin and I adore the feeling. He goes down on my back with a lot of kisses and he stopped when his mouth met my short pj pants. “Bend on the bed.” He ordered and I nodded excited. He gave me a kiss before I execute his command and his hands are taking off my pants. I feel his hot breath on my private aria. I thought at what he is going to do and I moaned. “Easy, pussycat, you are too excited. Do you want me there?” “Yes baby, I want you all.” I replied mumbling. When he licked my clit, I scream surprised and I couldn’t stop my moans. I tighten in my hands the sheets. “¡Joder!” I cursed and I feel his smile on my sensitive aria. “I love when you try to speak in Spanish, but I adore when you cursed in Spanish.” He giggles and he turn me on the bed, now we can look in each other eyes. “Stop laughing and fuck me.” I command and he stopped. “Uh, baby, you are killing me. My bossy wifey.” Arón giggled and he pushed his hard erection in me. I gasped and I slammed my head on pillows. He is teasing my nipples with his fingers and he is pushing harder and harder inside me. My interior is tightening around him and that make him moan and groan.

From the moment when we start our relationship, he told me that every morning is better if it starts with a good morning sex. I can say it´s one of the best mornings I had in the last 4 days. We were so stressed about this trip. One reason is because Arón is going to meet my family and second one is because we are going to appear in our first catwalk together. My agency asked me before the fashion week if we want to make an appearance at Balenciaga catwalk, they are launching a new collection for couples and they offered Arón a post. He is kinda nervous but I got this. “Baby, you are thinking too much again.” He comes closer to me and we seal our naked bodies. Arón smells like a fresh morning on the beach. His shower gel is very fresh and I can smell his strong parfum. “I’m always thinking too much. How are you feeling for tonight?” “I little bit nervous but I know that you will be next to me. I love you.” He rubs his nose on my shoulder and I love this feeling. “I love you too, amore.” I place a kiss on his cheeks and now I’m thinking at him. He is a different person beside the person which everybody sees on the internet.

“I’m going to make some breakfast, what do you want?” I asked while I’m putting his t-shirt on my body. He is gazing me and I blushed. Arón smirks and I rolled my eyes. “Give me a break.” I said joking and he acts hurt, putting a hand on his chest like I hurt him. “We don’t need food, I have you, you have me. That’s all what we need. No one counts right now.” He smiled and I came closer to give him a kiss. “Pancakes then.” I said and I laugh. “You are like the Ice Queen.” He mumbled and take out a cigarette, putting between his lips. I love to watch him smoking, it’s so hot.

We arriving at the event and we do some photos before going inside. I can see a lot of celebrities and we go to the backstage to get ready. Makeup artists, designers and a lot of people spin around as and we went on separate ways to get dressed. After 2 hours we met in the waiting room, me and him are entering in 3 minutes. “We are looking good as fuck.” I said happy and my eyes are dressing up my boyfriend. He is looking too sexy to be real. Arón winked to me and we take our hands together, walking on podium and smiling to the cameras and the crowd. We posed and going back in the backstage. “Amazing, amazing.” The people in backstage applauded everybody and we get ready for the after party.

We got as a gift our outfits and Arón hold an interview before the after party. At the party a lot of people came to us, changing some words and go. Arón went to the bar to bring some drinks for us and I stayed alone at the table. The chair next to me moved and I look at the person who wants to sit on it. Lorenzo look deeply into my eyes and I look at him surprised.

“(Y/N), I was so surprised when I saw you on the runway with Piper.” He spoke and I look in other direction. I can’t believe he is here now. My heart beat so fast and my cheeks got so red. I’m nervous but not because I’m glad to see him. Yeah, I loved him so much, but right now I don’t know what to feel about him. “We are together.” I respond simple and I look after my boyfriend. I don’t know how he will react. “So, how’s your life in Spain? Don’t you miss the pasta or me?” I look at him surprised and I wanted to respond something ugly, like a bad word, like Arón used to say to me “You are a bon-bon, don’t use bad words.”. “We have everything we need in Spain. She had a lot of pasta and a lot of great sex with me and wonderful time with me.” Arón said from behind and I froze. Fuck. Lorenzo looked at him smirking, then his perfect smile disappears. Arón is a very intimidating person when he is serious and, right now, he is serious, a little bit furious and jealous. His hands are holding tight the glasses and his eyes are black. Arón and Lorenzo know each other from a campaign and now I can see that’s why my ex couldn’t support my actual boyfriend. They are very different and you can see this. “Like you can fuck her after your gay experience.” Lorenzo attacks and Arón face is red from fury. “I don’t cheat on her like you did. Now move your ass.” His voice is strong and I feel his jealousy. He is sexier than before. His hair is messier and his black gaze is taking off my clothes. I get up and I slammed my lips on Arón lips, letting Lorenzo watching our show. “Let’s get out of here.” I whisper and he grins. “Bye Lorenzo.” I said quickly and don’t remember when I got in a bathroom.

Arón unlock the door and I’m raising my skirt. I supported my hands on the sink and I looked in the mirror to meet Arón horny gaze. “You are a straight line to death to me, princesa.” I bite my lip excited and I said on a lower voice. “I like you jealous, horny, serious. I like you in every way.” He penetrated me furiously and he grab my hair, pulling hard my head on the back. His moves make me cum quickly but he continues to fuck me. My walls tight around his dick and I feel him big and hard, pumping and making me moan every time. I know he want to rip of Lorenzo head and I know this is the best way to calm his blood. “I want you forever.” I said and he grins, pushing harder and harder. “I know it’s not a proper time, but I want you too.” He pulls harder my hair and whisper into my ear. “I wanted you more than everything.”

#aron piper #aron piper x reader #aron piper x y/n #aron imagine #aron x reader #elite #baby #lorenzo zurzolo

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merinelsa · 3 years

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Hello! I’m bored!!

What’s your fave glee song?

Fave klaine duet?

Fave Blaine solo?

Fave Kurt solo ?

Fave duet part for both (apart from each other!)

Fave group number Kurt

Fave group number Blaine

🥰 hope you are having a lovely Sunday

I'm really sorry for not responding earlier , had a bit of a busy day trying to catch up on stuff before school reopened.

so , now to the questions

fave glee song : ooh a tough one , but i think Just The Way You Are ( s5 version ) might be my fave, it's just so comforting and cheesy enough for my taste and just everyone's vibing and being playful and everyone has small duets in between and there's cute kurtana dancing and klaine looking at each other with hearteyes . just a perfect ny family dynamic .

fave klaine duet : absolutely It's Too Late . if you know me , you know i'm a sucker for angst and one of the most angstiest klaine duet apart from cwm is It’s Too Late. and the amazing harmonies especially in the studio version has me fallen in love with this duet .

fave Blaine solo : Don’t Stop Me Now , it used to be All of Me which i’d listened to almost 10 times daily , but since making the blaine vid , it has shifted to this amazing Queen cover . like the pure energetic perormance from him . also the audience during this performance is my favourite ever. so many dorky marley moments , wildebrams being cute and the collective goofy energy is truly mesmerizing . And have you heard Blaine’s vocals during it . truly king behaviour

Fave Kurt solo : As If We Never Said Goodbye. the vocals are immaculate , he’s magical during this whole performance , everyone is so happy ( especially that small moment that focuses on santana’s vibrant smile ) . he’s just so powerful and excited . and the clothing during this perf is amazing , the keys used as neck wear , KURT IN VESTS!!! , the white boots , he’s a true beauty and the one song i’m glad they used the full 5 min version on the show .

fave duet partner for kurt : Rachel , their wicked duets are to die for and Happy Days mashup is the absolute biggest comfort song for me .

fave duet partner for blaine : sam , blaine’s his absolute dorkiest self during his duets with sam , and they sound amazing together , at times i can’t even differentiate their voices from each other , but my fave non klaine blaine duet would be boys/boyfriend mashup with Artie . both of their voices are so hot here and both of them are just their absolute charming selves .

fave group number for kurt : Home , it’s only a small part but the low notes are chefs kiss . this whole song is just a ball of comfort coupled with the heartbreak of that small scene . And it’s the only gcv my brother knew the og song to , so it’s kind of our connecting song . if given a second choice , it would be DSB ( s5 version ) , again the low notes .

fave group number for blaine : hey jude , like darren , you’re killing me with your damn talent . jesus christ , slow down buddy . he’s on fire with those high notes . the song was such a slow start with being a normal cover and the high notes starts and i’m truly deceased . the best thing about the whole drag of an ep . and just the happy face of Tina being supported and accompanied by her friends . brings me back to the s2 prom where kurt was alone and blaine was the only one to support him

interesting how i chose a low note number for kurt and a high note one for blaine

Hope you’re having a good day too, always feel free to come here whenever you feel bored , i’ll be company if i manage to be on here .

#mer answers #1908jmd #thanks a lot for the ask #kurt hummel #blaine anderson #klaine #blam #hummelberry #rachel berry #sam evans #blartie #artie abrams

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kinglazrus · 4 years

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A Helping Hand

Phic phight 2020

Submitted by @trainernick: Lancer telling Danny he knows his secret and admitting trying to help him throughout high school (maybe at prom or graduation) - wholesome found family

Summary: Everyone says prom is supposed to be one of the best nights of Danny's life. And even though he wrecks his suit, ditches his date, and gets attacked by Skulker, it sort of is. But not for the reasons everyone says it should be.

When Lancer sees his student feeling low, he does what he can to make sure Danny knows there are always people rooting for him.

Hurt/comfort

Word count: 3923

People like to talk about milestones. They divide their lives into neat little segments and mark the years with special occasions. First steps, first words, first day of school, first car, first kiss, first job. Lots of firsts. They're important. But they aren't the be-all, end-all of those experiences. People keep talking after their first word. They keep walking after their first steps. They continue to learn, and drive, and kiss—if they're into that sort of thing—and work, and work, and work until that's all they ever do.

The firsts matter, but they don't matter so much that you can never do any of those things ever again.

Some milestones can't be repeated, though. Or, at least, people build them up so much and make such a big deal out of it that even if you can repeat it, it'll never be the same. They make it sound like if you do it wrong then you'll never get to do it right. That's how Danny feels about prom.

It doesn't matter how often he tells people there will be other parties, that this won't be the only time he ever dances with his peers, that this won't even be his only prom because he probably won't be able to graduate this year. Prom is big. Prom is important. Prom is special. He has to do it right or else he'll never get to do it again.

Danny tries his best.

He gets a date, one of his best friends, Sam. It takes him a few weeks to ask her out, because he can't figure out how to do it. He wastes hours writing out what he wants to say. Four days before prom, he sees Sam in the middle of a ghost fight, grinning like mad, hoisting a bazooka on her shoulder, ectoplasm stuck in her hair, and Danny blurts the question out right there because holy shit she's beautiful. It totally throws all his careful, romantic planning out the window, but she still says yes.

He gets a suit. Black jacket, black shirt, purple vest, purple tie, because he thinks Sam will like it. She calls him a dork as soon as she sees him in it, which means she does like it, very much so. He gets a corsage of blue poppies for Sam's wrist, to go with his boutonniere. He gets Jazz and Dani to watch the city for the night so that nothing will distract him from the dance.

He does everything he can to make sure he does prom right. But, in the end, he still gets in a ghost fight.

Danny leans his head back against the wall of the shower stall in the boys' locker rooms. His lungs burn, his body aches, and his knuckles are bruised. The water's turned up as hot as it can go. It succeeds in getting the worst ectoplasm out—cold water would have set the stains—but now he's completely soaked, and his suit is still ripped.

Looking down, he catalogues the damage, both to his body and his rental suit. A gash on his right shoulder to go with the torn seam of the sleeve. The left sleeve is ripped from cuff to elbow, his cufflink lost somewhere on the street outside. There's a matching slice in his arm, stretching from his palm around to the outside of his elbow.

The cut stings in the hot water, same with the wound on his shoulder, and he should probably take care of both before he loses too much blood. But he has a couple minutes to spare.

His pants got out of the fight okay, minutes a little tearing on the knees, the skin beneath scraped and red. He doesn't think the store is going to take the suit back.

There's a knock on the stall door and Danny lifts his head. Through the foggy glass, he sees Tucker.

"You good, man?" Tucker asks.

Danny swallows, glad he doesn't taste blood. Skulker really held nothing back today. He calls back, "Yeah, I'm good. Suit's a little torn, though."

"Why'd you fight in your suit?" Tucker asks, a hint of laughter in his voice.

"I think Skulker borrowed some of Vlad's tech. He shorted out my powers for a little bit, but," Danny raises his hand and forms a swirling ball of ectoplasm in his palm, "they're back now."

"Okay. Lancer's doing a headcount. I told him you had gone to the bathroom just before Skulker showed up, so I'll let him know you're safe."

"Thanks. I won't be long."

Tucker's silhouette does finger guns and he clicks his tongue twice, then leaves. Danny waits until he hears the locker room door closing before he stands up. The ectoplasm in his hand turns blue, its temperature dropping a few degrees, and he drags his palm along the cut on his left arm. Ice seeps over the wound, sealing it shut and stopping the bleeding. It also works fantastically at numbing the entire limb so it doesn't hurt to move.

After rotating his arm a few times, testing its mobility, he does the same to the gash on his right shoulder. It's only a temporary measure, until he can get home and get Jazz to help stitch him back up. Sam and Tucker used to be in charge of doing that, but Jazz is by far the better seamstress, and leaves fewer scars behind.

Danny shuts the water off and heads toward the lockers. Rather than going for his own locker, he stops in front of Tucker's. Danny usually has extra clothes for emergencies like this, but he used them last week and hadn't brought them back since. Tucker keeps a few spares, though, because of the last few times Dash and Kwan stole his clothes while he was in the shower.

Turning his hand intangible, Danny sticks it through the locker door and grabs a shirt from the top shelf. When he pulls his hand out the shirt unfurls, and he stiffens.

"You've got to be kidding me," he says. It's a black button-up shirt, which is perfect. But it's also covered cartoonish pictures of Danny Phantom's face. Reaching back into the locker, he tries to find another, but this is the only one. He could use his gym shirt, but he needs the long sleeves to hide his left arm.

With a groan, Danny strips, laying his jacket, vest, tie, and shirt out on the benches. He and Tucker are around the same size, so the shirt fits, for the most part. It's a little tight across the shoulders and bites into his skin when he bends his arms, but it'll do. As long as he doesn't get into another fight and tear this shirt up, too.

Danny pulls his jacket and vest back on, although he does neither up, and drapes his shirt across his arm. With his left hand facing down, you can't even he's injured. Minus the scrapes on his knees, but if anyone asks, Danny will just say he tripped running away from the ghost

When he exits the locker room, Danny looks left and right, checking to make sure the hallway is clear before slipping out. His wet shoes squeak on the floor, and water drips from his hair onto his nose. He probably should have tried drying off. Especially since the water from his jacket is now seeping into Tucker's shirt. But, Fentons are stubborn, and Danny's already on his way back to the gym.

Prom posters featuring smiling members of the dance committee stair down at him as he walks, silently judging him. Their blank eyes follow his every move. Somehow, Danny feels like he's failed them.

He expects the dance to be back in full swing by the time he makes it back, because Casper High is just like that sometimes, but he couldn't be more wrong. The music has stopped. No one's dancing. There's a massive hole in the outside wall, letting in the cool night air. A wave of shame rolls through Danny as he remembers he did that.

His gaze drifts up to the ceiling, where there's another, smaller hole. That's where Skulker burst through, shouting about the glory of capturing his prey on such a momentous occasion. Seconds later, Danny blasted him through the wall and took off after him. Without even a single glance back at the chaos he'd caused.

Paulina, Star, and other members of the dance committee hustled about, directing people to help with the cleanup so they could get things started again. City protocol said to wait for an official cleanup crew, but this was prom, damn it, and Paulina wasn't about to let a couple ghosts ruin her chances of getting crowned queen.

He finds Sam and Tucker quickly. They're helping Elliott move one of the larger chunks of concrete. The front of Sam's dress is covered in dust and her corsage it crushed.

Another wave of guilt pushes Danny out the door. He backs into the hallway, gives the ruined dance one last look, then turns and heads for the front door. There's no point sticking around and risk ruining things even more.

The cold air and his wet clothes shill Danny to the bone when he gets outside, but he doesn't mind. The benefits of having an ice core means he can weather the cold better than most people. But, being half-human still, he's not infallible. Danny sits down on the front steps, slipping his hands into his pockets, and sighs. Maybe he should just go home.

Since Danny doesn't have his license—he never had time, with all the ghost fighting—Tucker gave Sam and Danny a ride. So, if he does leave, he won't be abandoning Sam without a way home. Going for a fly sounds pretty nice right now. There's not much he can screw up when he's miles above the city. Although, if anyone could find a way, it would be him.

The only thing he can ever seem to do right is fight ghosts. It's not too late to make a career out of it. At this point, it's basically his job already, and it'd be nice to get paid for it. Maybe the G.I.W. are hiring.

Danny laughs. It's a bitter, self-deprecating sound.

"They'd probably cut me open first," he tells the open air.

"Modern Prometheus, Mr. Fenton, that's quite the accusation."

"Holy sh–" Danny jumps, nearly toppling off the step, and whips around to see Lancer behind him. "Mr. Lancer! Uh, what are you doing here?"

"Checking on my student," Lancer says. "I wasn't satisfied with Mr. Foley's assurances and wanted to make sure you were safe myself."

He steps forward and looks down at Danny, frowning. "Are you... dripping, Mr. Fenton?"

"Uh." Danny glances down at his soaked clothes. "I fell in a puddle."

"While you were in the bathroom?"

"I went for a walk and then fell in a puddle."

"It hasn't rained in three weeks," Lancer says.

"So crazy, right?" Danny chuckles. He silently wills Lancer to go away, preferring to be alone right now. Instead, Lancer does the complete opposite and sits down next to Danny.

"Is something bothering you?" he asks.

"What makes you think that?"

"I've worked with teenagers for a long time, Mr. Fenton. I can tell when things aren't okay. And I think, by now, your tells are somewhat obvious to me."

Danny refuses to meet Lancer's gaze. He's probably the last person Danny wants to see right now. Not because he hates Lancer, but because he cares too much what Lancer thinks. While he didn't like the man much during freshman year, things changed over time. Lancer started actually believing in Danny. He's the only teacher who never gave up on him, who always had their door open.

Lancer even leant Danny his ear on more than one occasion. Danny tried to avoid this as much as possible, but there were some things he just couldn't talk to his sister or friends about. And Danny's willing to admit, although somewhat grudgingly, that he's become attached to his English teacher.

"Prom's ruined," Danny finally says.

"Is that so?"

"I mean, yeah. Sk– uh, that big metal ghost dude kind of crashed the party. And then Phantom fucked it all up."

"Language," Lancer says. He gives Danny a critical look. "Why are you blaming Phantom?"

"He kind of destroyed a whole wall. He could have just, I don't know, thrown the ghost back through the hole that was already there?" If only Danny had thought of that at the time. But in his desperation to not ruin prom, he went ahead and ruined prom.

"I think Phantom did a fantastic job," Lancer says.

Danny gapes at him.

"Yes, the wall was damaged, but no one got hurt. And your classmates are displaying wonderful teamwork skills by clearing out the debris so the dance can go on. It wasn't Phantom's fault the ghost decided to interrupt," Lancer says. "Although I have to say, it's extremely lucky of us that he was so close by. In fact, it was almost like he was there before the ghost arrived."

Lancer smiles. Something about it puts Danny on edge. It's a familiar smile, a fond one. It's the smile he gives students who do exceptionally well. It's the smile he gives Danny when he does well.

"Oh, yeah. That's really lucky, yep. Must be because of how often the school gets attacked. I mean, if I were him, which I'm not, I'd probably hang around the place that gets attacked the most, too," Danny says, a little too quickly. He was cold seconds ago, but now he's uncomfortably warm.

"Which you're not," Lancer repeats slowly. His gaze is intense and critical. Danny can only bear to meet it for a few seconds before he has to look away.

He tries to distract himself, looking at the cars lined up along the street. There are a few limousines amongst them. Danny would bet his ghost half on one of them being here for the A-listers', who came together as a group rather than bringing dates. There were so many cars already parked by the time Danny and his friends got here that Tucker was forced to park his old Camaro around the block.

It's a pretty nice car, despite how old it is. A hand-me-down from Tucker's dad, they fixed it up together, making it good as new. Danny tries to picture doing something like that with his own dad. Jack would probably deck the car out in ghost weapons and stamp the word "Fenton" across it.

They could call it the Fentonmobile.

"Danny," Lancer says.

The use of his nickname gives Danny pause. Lancer never calls him Danny. It's one of his most frustrating traits. Every student is always Mr., Ms., or Mx. As annoying as it is, Danny can't deny that it feels nice at the same time. Like Lancer actually respects them as people, doesn't look down on them the way most adults do.

After everything Danny's been through, he thinks he warrants a little basic decency.

Lancer continues. "I know."

Everything stops. Every thought in Danny's head comes to a screeching halt. He stares at Lancer. Maybe he heard it wrong. Maybe he doesn't mean what Danny thinks he means. But the longer Danny stares, the longer Lancer stares right back. At first, dread fills him. His secret is blown. This is it. The G.I.W. are on their way.

That dread quickly drowns in a tidal wave of relief, because Lancer knows. And he isn't hurting Danny, or calling him a freak, or doing anything.

"You know," Danny repeats in a breathy whisper.

"I know."

Danny slops backward, burying his hands in his hair. He lets out a soft laugh. "You know. How long?"

"Almost three years now," Lancer says.

Danny's stunned into silence. Three years. That's nearly as long as he's been a ghost. He had his accident a couple months into freshman year and started fighting ghosts a few days after that.

"I," he pauses, "am a terrible liar. Aren't I?"

"I'm surprised you've lasted this long," Lancer says.

Danny laughs sharply. Sitting back up, he turns to face Lancer proper, running his hands through his hair again. It's a nervous habit he's never been able to kick. "What gave it away?"

"Your first weeks at Casper High, I thought you were a talented student with a lot of potential. You managed average grades on your first couple of assignments, but I could tell you were struggling in the environment. Not a fan of classroom learning?" Lancer asks, quirking his eyebrow.

"It's hard to focus. Sometimes," Danny admits.

"But you managed. And then you disappeared from school for two weeks. When you came back, your grades plummeted. I blamed it on the stress of your accident, at first, which I excused. But then your delinquent behaviour started."

Danny winces. He knows exactly how he looks to other people. A problem child, skipping school, not doing his assignments, barely studying. Coming to class with bruises on his knuckles. Tetslaff tried to "set him straight" once. She said some good physical activity would help him channel his issues and convinced his parents to sign him up for volleyball.

Tetslaff kicked him off the team after his third missed game.

"To me, my students are my children. I want to see them succeed in every way they can, and do what I can to make that happen. In that way, I failed you freshman year. I'm ashamed of how I reacted." Lancer pauses. He looks away from Danny, tipping his head back to search the sky instead.

Danny wonders what he's thinking. He wishes he knew.

"I'm even more ashamed of the fact that if I hadn't seen you transform, I might not have changed my attitude at all."

"You saw me transform," Danny deadpans. First Jazz, and then Paulina—although she was possessed at time, Danny still counts it—and now Lancer. How many times is this going to happen? He asks, "Where?"

"Here, at school."

Danny sputters in disbelief. "What?"

"You were in the middle of the cafeteria, Danny. You stood on a table and cried 'I'm going ghost.' I'm surprised more people didn't see you," Lancer says. He shoots Danny an amused grin.

Danny blushes, burying his face in his hands. "I thought it was cool," he mumbles into his palms. It made him feel like a superhero. Until he wizened up and stopped shouting out warnings to every ghost within earshot.

Lancer had a point, how did people not see him more often? Maybe there's an entire cult in Amity Park of people who have seen Danny transform. They could call themselves the Phentons. Or the Fantoms. Or the Keepers of the Great One. Frostbite would probably like that last name.

"Why are you telling me this now?" Danny asks.

"Because I think you need to know there are people on the sidelines who are willing to help you, who have helped you, even if you don't realize it."

"How do you mean?" Danny already knows he has people looking out for him. Jazz, Tucker, and Sam always have his back and they've helped him more than he can ever thank them for. He's going to miss Sam and Tucker next year when they move on to college and he's stuck repeated senior year.

Lancer reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folded piece of paper. Unfolding it, he smooths it out on his knee and passes over.

It’s a schedule for April, May, and the first week of June. Two dates are circled. April 18th, today, and June 4th, the graduation day. The weeks between are full of markings. Squinting at the thin writing, Danny reads "Packet One: Biology" written over next week. Skipping over the rest of the schedule, he finds "Packet Two: History," "Packet Three: Applied Math," all the way up to "Packet Six: English" the final week before June. They're all classes Danny is taking this year, including ones he already failed last semester.

"What is this?" Danny asks.

"A study guide, of sorts. I spoke to the other teachers about your grades. Because of 'special circumstances,'" Lancer makes finger quotes, "they agreed to give you a chance to redeem your grades. You did well on your exams overall, but it's your course work that failed you. Each of your teachers has put together a packet of bonus assignments that, if you finish successfully, will earn you a passing grade in each class."

Danny's breath hitches. "You mean..."

"With any luck, I will not be seeing you again in these halls next year."

Danny's eyes burn. He lowers his head, hiding his face in the crook of his elbow. He tries to stay quiet, because the last thing he wants to do is cry in front of a teacher, but he can't help it. The tears won't stop. A few gross sobs fight their way through his hiccups. Lancer rubs Danny's back as he cries, a soothing gesture.

"Thank you," Danny says, as soon as he can gather the breath for it. He wipes his nose on his sleeve and shoots Lancer an elated grin. "I hope I don't see you here next year either."

Lancer smiles in return. "We could head back, if you'd like. The dance should be starting up again right about now. Ms. Sanchez certainly knows how to whip a cleaning crew into action. I never expected such leadership from her."

"I did kind of ditch Sam," Danny says. He hopes she's not too mad. "But I kind of need to take care of something first."

"The ghost? I always did wonder what you did with them after capturing them in your... lunchbox?"

Danny laughs and shakes his head. "It's a thermos. But, no, he'll be fine in there for a while. I actually, uh," he trails off. Sheepishly, he pulls back his left sleeve and shows Lancer his injury.

"The English Patient, Mr. Fenton, you need medical attention!" Lancer shoots to his feet, digging his phone out of his pocket.

"No hospital!" Danny shouts. He scrambles up after Lancer and covers his phone. "My body's different. They'd notice something. I just need some stitches and my healing will take care of the rest."

"That's reassuring, I suppose." Lancer lowers his phone. "I have keys to the nurse's office, and I'm no slouch with a needle."

"Oh. I can just take of it myself, at home. Or get Jazz to do it."

"Nonsense, Mr. Fenton. What kind of teacher would I be if I let you go home in that state?" Lancer beckons for Danny to follow. He only hesitates for a second before complying.

Danny doesn't want to see Lancer in these halls again, but he certainly hopes graduation won't be the last time he ever sees the man. It's nice, knowing there's another person out there who has his back. Someone who can give him a stern word when he's being stupid, and a helping hand when he's lost. It's almost father-like, now that Danny thinks about it.

He stares at Lancer's back and thinks. Lancer looks the kids of Casper High and sees them not just as students, but as his children. Danny doesn't mind looking back and seeing a parent instead of a teacher.

#phic phight #phic phight 2020 #danny phantom fanfiction #danny phantom #phanfic #hurt/comfort #cross-posted on ao3 #tumblroneshots

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atamascolily · 3 years

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Unicorn Chronicles, Book 3: “Dark Whispers,” by Bruce Coville

Whenever people grumble about how long it's been since their favorite fanfic updated, I can't help but smile a little in sympathy. As someone who's read a lot of CLAMP manga, I've grown used to the stutter-stop of hiatuses and discontinued stories that will never be finished. To quote the Princess Bride, "Get used to disappointment". It's just an occupational hazard.

I know people who only read completed stories, but I would have missed out on a lot of great material and works that really matter to me if I followed their example. It also meant that I got really good at imagining what happens next.

So it was a delight to discover that Bruce Coville had actually finished the Unicorn Chronicles when I was busy with other stuff (i.e., life) and there were two more volumes. Coville specifically thanks readers for nagging him about finishing, which is simultaneously #hilarious and #relatable.

Song of the Wanderer came out in 1999, right on the cusp of the Harry Potter boom that shook up the juvenile fantasy genre. (Both series are published by Scholastic.) Dark Whispers came out in 2008, and you can see how much the genre has shifted in the cover art alone:

This is gorgeous art by Petar Mesedlzija, but it only tangentially fits the descriptions in the books: Cara doesn't really wear anything like this outfit, and the story emphasizes she keeps braiding her hair to keep it from tangling. She has a sword, but she doesn’t really ever use it?

Furthermore, the layout, design, and chapter headings of Dark Whispers are clearly meant to capitalize on Harry Potter: Grimmwold has a looping signature reminiscent of Dumbeldore's in the opening prologue, for instance. It's a very different feel from the way the first two volumes were presented, and tbh, I miss the old way that has gone the way of the dinosaurs now.

Inevitably, with such a long gap between volumes, Dark Whispers ended up with a very different style and tone than its predecessors. The most obvious difference is that it's REALLY LONG--464 pages in hardcover. Some of this increase in length is attributable to Harry Potter proving that giant fantasy tomes can sell like hotcakes, and some of it is the fact that the storyline is now really big, with a lot of different players moving in different directions.

Inevitably, this means that instead of following Cara's POV for the entire book, as we did in the first two volumes, we are constantly shifting narrators. It's completely understandable, but as a reader, I find it really annoying--like I am suddenly reading an entirely different series with overlapping plot and characters. It's not that this new series is bad, per se, it's just... not what I imagined when I was making up the ending in my head in the early 2000s. I do not know if this disjunct would be so obvious or unsettling to someone who was reading all four volumes together for the first time.

Anyway, so since it's been literally a decade, Coville makes the sensible decision to open with a recap from Grimmwold, in his role as the keeper of the Unicorn Chronicles: unicorns and human hunters are at war; the latter are lead by an immortal woman named Beloved with a personal grudge against the unicorns, and she just got an amulet so she can invade Luster.

In Cara's plotline, she is still coming to terms with the fact that her grandmother, Ivy Morris, was a unicorn in disguise, and is now Queen Amalia Flickerfoot. Her grandfather Jaques is super depressed (because literary references, yo) and also because this is super-weird for him, too. As they prepare for Beloved's assault on Luster, Grimmwold reveals that pages from the Unicorn Chronicles are missing, and that others reveal an unsettling prophecy about unicorns confronting their own darkness and a mysterious figure called the Whisperer.

Another human, Alma Leonetti, comes forth and suggests that the centaurs might know more details. The Queen sends Cara and her friends to investigate, while Jaques and Thomas the Tinker go on separate missions. Thomas does give her a watch that marks the days and also explodes, so you know right away she's gonna need both on her trip. M'Gama the geomancer is trying to determine where and when the Hunters will invade: the date is the forthcoming Blood Moon, but she's still working out the details on the place.

Grimmwold tells the group a story about Alma Leonetti, and how she tracked down the wizard Bellenmore, who opened the gate to Luster for the unicorns. Bellenmore has a snarky talking lizard and great tastes in decorating:

On the mantel above the fireplace stood a row of earthenware mugs with hideous faces. One of them winked at me; another leered and rolled its eyes; a third stuck out its tongue and made a rude noise. Then they began to sing a bawdy song until Bellenmore waved a hand to silence them.

Alma bluffs her way to Luster and eventually persuades the unicorns to keep one of their kind on Earth so humans don't forget true beauty and goodness and the spark is kept alive. The hunters keep trying to kill the Guardian, but they always replace the fallen with a new one and the cycle repeats.

We also learn that Ivy summoned Moonheart to heal Cara as a child, which is what alerted Beloved to her presence, forcing her to kidnap Cara and flee because Beloved wanted the child, too. Ian Hunter was a first grade teacher who had no idea about any of this until Cara disappeared and he was radicalized by Beloved and went through an intensive training camp she's built up for her army.

Meanwhile, Ian is in India, tracking down the Rainbow Prison where Beloved has imprisoned his wife. He makes a deal with a mysterious entity, the Blind Man, trading occasional use of his sight for the knowledge he needs. Beloved's men attack Ian, but he is saved by a street urchin named Rajiv who is eager for adventure, and the mysterious Fallon, who is trying to find a doorway to Luster. The three of them team up and head for the Himalayas to find the doorway to the Rainbow Prison while Beloved's forces pursue them. We learn that Fallon is super-hot and also seeking his best bro Elihu, in a relationship that I'm pretty sure was sexual although it's never stated directly.

There's also a plotline involving the delvers - the evil dwarves we mostly forgot about in Book 2. The King keeps talking to the Whisperer, and sending his subjects to do Evil Things as the alliance with Beloved continues. (The delvers do not love humans, but they hate unicorns and so the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" at least temporarily).

The plotlines converge when the delvers attack M'Gama the earthmancer's house and steal a macguffin and kill Flensa, M'Gama's servant. Cara's party splits up, with Finder and Belle hunting the macguffin while Cara and Lightfoot continue on. Finder is killed (sob) and Belle regrets being a jerk to him. Cara's group is attacked by delvers and she is captured and taken underground. (The delvers either don't know Beloved has an amulet already/don't care/want one for their own purposes.) Cara tosses the amulet into an abyss when it fails to transport her to earth, and she is imprisoned in the dungeons with a delver dissident who has had his name ritually stripped from him for defiance.

Cara renames the delver "Rocky" and the Squijum shows up with the amulet and steals the key. They meet up with Grimmwold, and escape. They also encounter the gryphon Medafil, who is lost below ground, only to wake a monster known as the schwartz, a Terminator-like blind dragon that never gives up pursuit. Cara defeats it using the expanding light sphere from Medafil's nest, and they emerge in the centaur's valley, where Belle is waiting for them with the news of Finder's death.

The centaurs are standoffish, but eventually Cara persuades their leader Chiron to spill the beans: after the war with Beloved began, the unicorns decided to expunge all the darkness from their souls with the aid of a magician named Elihu (hi!), which gained sentience and has been egging Beloved on ever since. It's also corrupted the delvers,which is why they hate unicorns so much. In exchange for the info, Cara agrees to mercy-kill Chiron, which none of the centaurs can do for personal reasons. Cara reports this story to the unicorns, who are all :shrug emoji: about it.

Meanwhile Ian and company are stuck in the Rainbow Prison, the Dimblethum is being tormented by the Whisperer, and ends up taking the macguffin the delvers stole and placing it at the Axis Mundi, the world-tree of Luster, so that Beloved and her forces can enter there. Lightfoot tries to stop the Dimblethum but isn't in time. And the book ends on the seriously metal note of Beloved opening the portal beneath the blood moon and invading Luster with her army. *cue 'Bad Moon Rising'*

[Which, I may note, is pretty much where the LAST BOOK also ended.]

SO. That was a lot.

Once again, the core group of characters from Book One gets broken up. Thomas the Tinker gets sidetracked pretty quickly and isn't seen again; the Dimblethum gets a few brief sequences, but doesn't do much until the end. Lightfoot and Cara are separated fairly early on and don't have much time together, though their musings about their sudden familial connections at the beginning are nice, even though Cara also keeps shipping Belle with Lightfoot. Lightfoot himself doesn't get to do much, Finder dies, and Belle is likewise sidelined by the narrative for a decent chunk of the story. Coville also keeps emphasizing that Lightfoot is a Prince, which just grates on me, too.

I would also like to see more of Cara? She has plenty of scenes, but after two books of focusing solely on her, it's so strange to suddenly be jerked in different directions and it makes me grumpy.

It's great to see Medafil again, but I found the whole delvers/underground plot to drag on too long for my tastes. I'm glad Coville brings back that one delver from the first book who let Cara go because he thinks (rightly) his king is batshit crazy.

I like Alma Leonetti's story, but it feels unrelated to the plot, so I'm not entirely sure why it's there. I think it was originally a stand-alone short story, and I think it's better suited as one, because I can't figure out what its narrative purpose is. Or is it just that Grimmwold is contractually obligated to tell at least one story per book?? Or maybe this is something that will pay off in Book 4.

Ian Hunter's story basically bores me, and I found that whole subplot extremely tedious. He's been more or less retconned to be sympathetic and a victim, and I just don't know how I feel about that.

I HAVE SUCH MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THE BIG REVEAL. On the one hand, it's a great twist to see the psychological shadow as the literal villain; on the other hand, it takes away some of the delvers' and Beloved's agency as villains in their own right because they're now Pawns of a Bigger Bad. It also just seems like such a weird thing for the unicorns to do--and maybe that's a way of making them more alien, but I don't know.

Coville explicitly uses the word 'hubris,' so it also feels weirdly victim-blaming to me because the unicorns are doing it to themselves (and this isn't just a war, but genocide we're talking about here!). For better or worse, this twist muddies the black and white/good vs. evil paradigm into shades of gray: the unicorns are beautiful and good but also arrogant assholes; Beloved is homicidal but also in terrible pain; the delvers are misunderstood and need to be embraced rather than ignored.

Alma Leonetti consistently delivers the best lines - I guess she's taken over the role Ivy Morris used to play, since Ivy is now a unicorn:

"Perhaps the unicorns need to try to recover some of what they have lost?... You face a dedicated enemy who has shown no mercy, one who will stop at nothing to destroy you. And what have you done? Gathered together, which is good. Prepared to defend yourselves, which is good, too. But is it enough? How fiercely are you willing to fight to save your lives? How strong can unicorns be? ... Maybe you need to take in some of that darkness you once released."

I remember feeling oddly disappointed on my first reading, which unfortunately persists on re-read. This story has now moved in a very different direction from the one I expected, and while that's not necessarily bad, it is unsettling and strange. As I mentioned earlier, some of that might just be that the final result doesn't match the story I made up in my head; or it could just be the inevitable result of such a long gap between books and the changes in the fantasy market post-Harry Potter. I don't know.

(I wish I had written down my thoughts about an ending--aka fanfic--because while I could write one now, it’d be reacting to canon, rather than creating it.)

Either way, major kudos to Coville for writing this book, because I had assumed the series was dead and would never be completed, and he fucking did it. That’s such an inspiration, honestly.

#book reviews #unicorn chronicles #dark whispers #childhood influences

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cowandcalf · 4 years

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Writer’s Month 2020 - To Find A Way

Epilog Ohana

Chapters 1 -13

Chapter 14

Three months later

Danny peels an orange and watches with amusement and a warm fuzzy feeling in this stomach how Aunt Deb conquers the kitchen at the McGarrett's house.

"Danny, be so kind as to hand me the spatula over there?"

"Where have you learned to cook for a whole crew?" Danny reaches over to hand her the cookware. He darts a quick look out the window. The backyard is crowded with all their friends and family who gathered today to celebrate a special ceremony for little Kalea. He hauls himself up to sit on the countertop neatly nestled in the corner out of Aunt Deb's way but still in the middle of things. He eats the luscious orange with delight, licking the juice off his fingers.

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She lifts her head and stretches to her full height, wiping a hand at the white apron. She smiles wisely with so much love, it warms Danny from head to toe. "I've spent years in the show business. Do you have any idea how starved we were after a performance on stage?" Aunt Deb's laugh comes deep from within her gut. It's so strange and unexpected Danny freezes, intrigued by this dazzling personality in front of him. Steve has the most fascinating relatives.

"You performed? On stage?" Danny askes with wonder in his voice. "As in dancer? Singer?"

"A singer and the dancing just happened. Hell, yeah, those were the good ol' days. Crazy, sometimes no money in the pocket but, God, did we love it. We had fire in our hearts and were ready to conquer the world. We had so much fun!" Aunt Deb's voice was filled with a hint of wistfulness. "But family is the most important thing in the world. I came home after my sister-in-law died. I wanted to be there for Steve and Mary. But – " She nods firmly over where Danny hangs on her lips not to miss a single moment, "yes, I and my crew often ended up hungry in the bar's kitchen where we had our gig. The best parties were celebrated in various kitchens. We knew some of the owners. They enjoyed a private concert while I made a late-night dinner for the whole team. Those were great and fun times. We could eat and entertain like no one else." She tells in a sparkling, enticing way that charms Danny on the spot.

Danny forgets to eat his orange and kind of jerks from the spell he's under when Mary floats into the kitchen. Her cheeks are pink and her eyes shine like stars. She looks beautiful and motherhood suits her well. She spreads happiness into the air like a new brand of air freshener.

"Aunt Deb's stories as a singer captivates everyone, right Danny?" She pats Danny's knee and flashes him one of those famous McGarrett smiles before she walks up to her aunt to hug her around the waist. "Aunt Deb is the queen of homemade food. She's famous for her roast and for the best stuffed turkey at Thanksgiving." Mary steals a sweet potato slice freshly out of the oven. "Mmm, God, it's pure manna! Tastes good, Aunt Deb." Mary pants to cool the hot vegetable in her mouth.

Aunt Deb chides her about eating with her fingers and makes her take a plate. Mary kisses her cheek and comes closer to lean into Danny.

"Where's your baby girl, Mary?" Danny snatches a piece from her plate.

"Steve's carrying her around. She's hungry and whiny. I need to feed her." Mary pricks Danny's finger with the fork to make him back off. "Those are mine. Have some of your own. You haven't even finished your orange. I'm hungry. I need to produce milk."

Danny chuckles and shoves the slice of warm, spicy-sweet potato in his mouth. It mixes with the taste of orange. "Whoa, these are madly tasty. You have to teach me how to get it that delicious, Aunt Deb."

Aunt Deb smiles knowingly and hums a melody. She turns when Steve walks in.

Danny's eyes are glued to how Steve gently cradles the youngest offspring of the McGarrett family in his arms – baby Kalea. Danny can't get enough of the soft and tender expression on Steve's face whenever he carries his niece. He's the proudest uncle Danny has ever seen, overprotective over both, mother and child. Kalea is embedded in a warm-hearted, wonderful family of which Danny and Grace and even Rachel and Stan are now a part of it too. It's overwhelmingly wonderful.

"Hey, Danny, here you are. I've been looking for you everywhere." Steve steers right into the corner where Danny still sits on the kitchen counter.

"Did you miss me?" Danny asks and strokes with a finger featherlight over Kalea's tiny head, wrapped protectively in a tiny cotton cap. "The best stories you always get waiting for the food in the kitchen."

"Aunt Deb rocks," Steve answers with a laugh. "I still love to listen to all her stories." Steve rocks his niece gently. She complains about how she feels with a small voice and lets everyone know she's upset. "Is she okay, Mary? I couldn't calm her." Steve sounds worried. "Kawika said she's just hungry."

"Yes, my sweet girl needs her milk. Look she searches with her mouth to find the food station but your dry as a desert, dear brother. Come, let's go upstairs. I need somewhere to sit comfortably and away from loud voices. She gets startled easily. I need her to drink quietly and afterward, she'll sleep peacefully."

Danny watches how Steve's cheeks flush adorably when Mary tells him how useless he's to a hungry baby with no milk to provide. "Go upstairs, Steve. Help Mary to get comfortable with cushions. Take Grace's and Nahele's pillows too. She needs to be all propped up with all kinds of support to relax.

"Okay, come on Mary," Steve signals with his head to head upstairs. "You can sit on our bed. It's big and it's quiet. No one will disturb you. I'll carry her. Eat up." Steve rubs soothingly over Kalea's back. She whimpers and pumps with her small legs. She's getting agitated.

Mary shoves the plate with the rest of her veggies into Danny's hand. "Let's go, Punk. She's working herself up into a mood. She's hungry. I don't want her to start crying. She would be too upset to drink. Come on, Steve. Let's go." Mary almost rushes outside.

Steve kisses the baby's head. "Sit tight, Danno. I'll be back."

Danny watches Steve leave the kitchen. He forces himself to slowly finish the rest of Mary's vegetables. He saves the three last slices of orange for Steve. Aunt Deb sings a wonderful, slow tune, immersed in getting the main course ready for the crowd. Danny knows she gives him the space he needs. No talking. He blinks furiously to clear his vision. Danny smells the grilled meat while he chews almost meditatively on a potato slice to make his chest unclench. Kamekona is the proud barbecue chef of today's family celebration. The animated chatter and the occasional outburst of laughter filters through the back door. It's the happiness that constricts Danny's throat and makes his chest uncomfortably tight. He's glad Aunt Deb doesn't want to pick a conversation.

Danny waits for Steve at the bottom of the stairs. He balances the three orange pieces on his palm. Everyone is somewhere else. He's alone for precious five minutes. He debates in his head if he should sneak upstairs to call for Steve to tell him he's about to go looking for the kids. He knows it takes time to feed a baby. Grace had trouble to suck properly and she was a slow drinker. Rachel never minded. She loved those bonding times with Grace. They were precious. She wanted them to last. Danny envied her for those moments, those most intimate moments when a mother breastfed her baby. It hurt him that he would never know how this might feel. It must be incredible and soul-altering beautiful.

He lifts his head. Steve silently comes down the stairs. His eyes find Danny's and Danny feels how Steve sinks into him, touching him on the inside like he always does in the same insane way.

"Hey, babe," Danny gets greeted with a soft press of lips, "how's it going? Is she drinking?"

"Yes, they're fine. I made sure Mary feels comfortable. I haven't checked but the sucking sound told me she soon will fall asleep with her little belly full of milk." Steve's cheeks are still colored pink.

"You didn't stay?" Danny leans into Steve's touch and welcomes Steve's tender, consuming kisses.

"I – no, I don't know. It didn't seem appropriate."

"Appropriate? Why? It's a mother breastfeeding her baby. The most natural and most wonderful thing in the world." Danny pulls back a little and sees how Steve's face is flushed.

"It's my sister, Danny. It's – I don't know, kind of too intimate to sit and to watch the baby suckle at Mary's nipple. Kawika is allowed to see this, not me, not her brother. I – " Steve gazes sheepishly at Danny, holding his face between his large, rough hands. "Did you watch Rachel and Grace?" He asks a bit breathless.

Danny's face lit up in a warm smile. "Yes, I did. It was beautiful, full of love and peace. It hit me every time how powerful this simple act of deep love is. A mother nurtures her baby like women have done over centuries."

Steve's eyes take him in, wander over his face. "You're so special. Do you know this, Danny?"

Danny breathes in Steve's scent when Steve drags his lips along his cheek to get to his eyes, giving him butterfly-light kisses on his closed eyelids. Steve pulls him into a hug. "I kinda felt excluded, too." Danny adds, "and sometimes I was jealous of not having this deep bond with my daughter. As a man, you miss out on so much intimacy but I loved to sit there and be a part of something bigger."

Steve rests his chin on Danny's head. "Mary said it was okay if I wanted to stay. She's such a great mother. I'm so happy for her and Kawika. But still. I guess it was too much. I felt a bit overwhelmed, to be honest." Steve mumbles into Danny's hair.

"Eat a slice of orange. It helps to deal with the overload." Danny brings his hand up and Steve turns his head.

Danny sighs when Steve doesn't let go but signals him to bring his hand to his lips. He pulls his abs taut when Steve's lips graze over his palm to catch the orange pieces. He chews and swallows and smiles at him. Steve's tongue licks the juice from Danny's palm. "Steve, you gotta stop this – "

"Why? No one's here. Just us." Steve sucks Danny's digit into his mouth and runs his tongue alongside with a glint in his eyes.

"Hold this thought," Danny tries to free his captured finger. He feels the heat spread into his groin. Steve gets this heated look. He smiles lasciviously when he grabs Danny's wrist and holds it firmly. "Steve," Danny tries a stern tone and fails completely. "Give me back my finger. Don't be a dick. The backyard is full of guests. Aunt Deb is cooking in the kitchen." Danny hisses but laughs and maybe he also moans.

"Make me," Steve says with a smoky voice.

"Make you what?" Danny's hips push forward. Not good.

"Make me give you back your finger." Steve mumbles. His mouth sucks at Danny's finger, running his tongue like velvet over the finger buried in his mouth.

"Jesus, Steve! I can't sport a hard-on at a family gathering. Your father is outside. Maybe he's already looking for us." Danny grasps at straws. He laughs at Steve's expression and how that magical word sobers him up instantly. He gives Danny his finger back.

"That was a mean one," Steve says with a gruff voice.

Danny's amused and flattens Steve's already flat shirt with his other hand. "Don't challenge me, big guy," he grins. "Have you seen the kids recently?"

Steve wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand. "Not since I've stepped into the kitchen with Kalea. I told Kamekona to keep an eye on them. I mean, Rachel and Stan are still outside. So are Kono, Chin, Kawika – everyone keeps an eye on Grace and Nahele and they're with Jeanne. They don't go far."

"Come, I need to wash my hands. I wanna know what they've been plotting. They've become so wild." Danny grabs at Steve's shirt and pulls him in for another kiss. "And then we spent some time with your father."

Danny calls out to the crowd gathered around the colorfully decorated tables. "Hey everyone, have someone spotted the kids and Jeanne? I haven't seen them in a while."

Kamekona points with the burger spatula in the direction where the beach is. "Don't worry, Danny, the keikis are with gramps at the beach."

"Gramps?" Steve snorts walking behind Danny.

"Your father, grandpa McGarrett, Steve," Kawika comes up to stand beside Steve. He throws an arm around his shoulder and heartedly pats his chest. He grins like a loon.

"You worry too much, Danny," Kono calls over where she's invested in a conversation with Rachel.

"I worry too much?" Danny mocks indignation. "They always turn up without their shirts or shorts. Wet and sandy, although they know they aren't allowed to be even near the ocean. And there are sharks out there!" Danny complains, pointing with his outstretched arm to the wild sea that sloshes against their doorstep.

"Danny, you're overdramatic. They're never alone near the water. They're not that silly to walk into the surf." Rachel answers with a soft voice and a laugh.

Danny's eyes are wide. Rachel sits relaxed in a comfortable chair with a pillow stuck behind her back. She has a flower tucked behind her ear and Stan watches her with a stupidly happy smile. Pregnancy suits her well. Grace is going to have a sibling soon. Danny inhales deeply. "You're not allowed to do that, Rachel. She's your daughter, too. You have to be on my side. "

"I'm on your side, Daniel and as I said, don't be so dramatic. John is with them. They're alright."

"There are no sharks out there, Danny. I'd feel them. Your keikis are safe." Mamo's soothing voice comes from the other side of the table.

"I don't even want to know how you would sense if there were sharks swimming around." Danny's brows are furrowed. He's not yet used to all the Hawaiian mambo jambo about 'the sea speaks to me' and 'the wind tells me when to hang my laundry to the west' and 'when it's the right time to plant the seeds because the earth is ready to embrace her children'. Steve has told him that once and he still can't wrap his mind around how someone could feel that.

"Wait until you see the surfboards I've made for Grace and Nahele," Kawika informs everyone.

Danny sputters and turns around. He points with a fierce finger at Kawika and jabs his left pec hard. "Don't. You. Talk. About. Freaking. Surfboards.!" Jab, jab, jab. "What is wrong with you?" Danny calls Rachel for help. "Rachel! Tell me you haven't agreed to that crazy plan?"

"Kono and Mamo are with them. Kawika surfs since he's a child. We're in Hawaii, Danny. Surfing is the way of life here." Rachel smiles gorgeously and leans back against her fluffy pillow.

"Who are you?" Danny stammers.

"Danno," Steve's beloved rumble makes Danny keep his balance. "No shark will eat one of our kids. They will see the dolphins, as I have promised. And we will start in the shallow water. Mamo knows the sea like no one else. Trust the locals. Grace and Nahele will be fine."

Danny kind of deflates and leans into the invisible support Steve provides. "Okay, okay. One step at the time."

Kawika has still his arm around Steve's shoulder. He looks like he's completely drunk on happiness. "How's Mary and my baby. They okay?"

Steve's moved easily these days. Danny gets all the mushy vibes Steve gives off. He tries to keep a solid frame but it suits him well to be all gooey on the inside while the outer shell is a rock-hard and muscled and fierce as always. "Yes, Mary's fine. Your little one drinks as if there's no tomorrow." He squeezes Kawika's hand. His gaze drifts off to the beach. "So, you're telling me my dad is at the beach with Grace and Nahele?"

"Oh look, here they come!" Danny shouts and waves back when Grace calls his name. "And here we go. What have I told you? No shirts, sandy and wet."

They walk closer. Nahele and Grace hold on to John's hands. He leads the kids up to where everyone waits. Grace bounces excitedly and Nahele giggles his sweet laugh with his head thrown back.

"What – " Danny can't hide his smile either. The kids are so loose and content, "what happened to your shirts?" Danny's hand makes a complicated move. He also stares at John McGarrett. His pants are rolled up to his knees and the rim of his pants is wet. They have been in the water. "Hey, John, thanks a lot for taking care of them."

"No worries, Danny, it's a joy to be with them. We had fun, right kids?"

"Yesss!" Nahele shouts and shoves the shells he has found at the beach into Danny's hands. "Keep them for me."

"Where's your shirt, young man?" Danny tries to give him a stern look. But God, he's so irresistible with his smile and he's Grace's best friend.

"I gave it to Grace."

"Why?

"She likes it. Jeanne needed a shirt too." Nahele sighs dramatically as if Danny asks to most boring questions. "I'm hungry." He whines.

"Go wash your hands, put on a new shirt. You know where they are. In your dresser, bottom drawer. And you too, Grace. You know, I could buy you a spiderman shirt any day if you wanted one." He has tried so many times but her answer stays the same.

"I like wearing Nahele's shirts. He doesn't mind." She peeps and pulls at her pigtails before she runs after Nahele.

"And why needs the dog to wear your shirt?" Danny calls after his daughter. He darts over to watch Jeanne panting with Grace's pink glitter shirt and the lettering 'be a princess'. Sometimes, Danny can't get rid of the feeling that this sweet dog grins at him.

"Jeanne likes pink!" Grace screams back. Nahele almost topples over when the fit of giggle tears through his sun-kissed body. Grace laughs along with him and together they bounce into the living room. Wild and carefree.

Danny shakes his head and smiles. Steve steps up behind him and pulls him close. Steve can't form words when too many emotions constrict his throat. "Let's eat. Come on, dad. You look hungry too. Thanks for hanging out with them."

"We had fun," John repeats before he awkwardly but affectionately pats Steve's shoulder to stroll off to sit beside his wife.

"Let's eat, folks!" Aunt Deb shouts and claps her hands to get everyone's attention. "Lunch is served!"

Steve sneaks stealthily out of bed not to wake Danny. Grace is with Rachel and Nahele sleeps at his sister's house. It's only Danny and him. Steve doesn't need much sleep. The nightmares aren't tearing that often through his mind anymore. He can rest while he sleeps but the uneasy feeling when he lies awake in bed stays. Healing can't be rushed he has learned the hard way. It's better to get up, drink some water, watch the ocean, and waits until his limbs get heavy again to crawl back under the cover to be with Danny for a few more hours.

The beaten, old chest of his grandfather is heavy. He pulls it carefully from under the bench where it's stashed close to the window. The lid opens soundlessly. He holds the simple wooden box for a moment before he flips the lid open. The dog tags with his name rest there in the same heap of a coiled up chain. Two small plates with his name stamped in lie on top, just the way he has left them the last time he held them. His grandfather's dog tags are in the second, identical wood box right there where he has put them.

Steve strokes the metal with his fingers before he takes it out to hold it, to run it through his fingers, to refresh the sense that ripples through him whenever his fingertips make contact with his past. He gets lost in thoughts. He still misses it, the team, the thrill, and the purpose. The drill, the way of life that leaves no gap to think about anything else but about the next step in the mission, the training. Being a SEAL will forever be carved in his bones no matter the damage it has brought being part of missions, doing the job of an elite soldier.

Plants and seedlings have been his lifeline back to life, have held him upright when he didn't know how to make it through the day, how to make a life out of the Navy. Until Danny came along to buy one of his plants. And he sold it to the guy he hasn't known back then but to whom his heart has answered without his consent. Everything has changed after that.

It's time to move on. Kamekona and Mary have taken over his flower shop. They have plans to develop a business but are serious about how they want to run it with economical sustainability. And Steve – Steve has finally accepted the Governor's offer to run a task force. He has needed time to think about it but he's ready now. The support group helps to understand his issues and to deal with them. That's the reason he took the dog tags from the wall to keep them safe, out of sight because he doesn't need to look at them to drag him through the day. He's ready for action and stress and pressure. He needs it like air to breathe.

He carefully and slowly puts the dog tags back into the wooden box. He closes the lid and hides the boxes where they belong. It's a ritual. It's important. Each movement is accurate, dedicated, and executed with humbleness.

Steve drinks the glass of water in complete silence and gazes out to the black mass of water. He doesn't make a sound. Kono and Chin will come by for breakfast. Danny got a bit antsy when Steve didn't come out with the truth about that meeting. He got suspicious but Steve made him shut up and made him moan instead. Thoroughly fucked and tired Danny was out cold without the change to pepper him with questions.

They are going to be a team and as a team, Steve wants to inform all of them at once. HPD won't be happy to lose three good cops in one day. Hawaii needs their best and Steve and his team will be the best. The smile that spreads his lips feels damn good.

Steve climbs back into bed and curls around Danny's warm body. He's excited and the well-known, much-missed vibration of strength makes it difficult the fall asleep. He's finally back. Steve kisses Danny's neck and buries his face in the soft curve of Danny's strong shoulders.

THE END

#writersmonth2020 #h50 #mcdanno #fic rec #work complete #i did it #cowandcalf writes #wow #it's a wrap #chapter is dedicated to alohaspaceman #she made a crazy great edit for my story #yay #I'm so exhausted #like i've done a huge exam #i'm so proud

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twilights-800-cats · 4 years

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<< Allegiances || Chapter 7 || Chapter 8 || Chapter 9 || From the Beginning || Patreon >>

Chapter 8

“Seems like everything is alright,” Mothwing reported, lifting her paws from Dawnflower’s swollen belly.

The nursery smelled damp after the storm the day before, but that was thankfully the only damage to it. The other dens had been tossed about and the apprentice’s den needed rebuilding entirely, but the nursery had always been built sturdier than the others, to protect the queens and kits within.

“Are you sure?” Dawnflower rasped, her eyes glazed with pain and worry. “Is this pain normal?”

Mothwing nodded. “You’re just about ready to start pushing,” she mewed. She is lucky though, she could’ve been badly hurt in that storm. Mothwing looked to the tortoiseshell queen sitting in the other nest in the nursery. “Mosspelt, I’m going to go fetch Mudfur. Frostsplash will be here any moment.”

Mosspelt nodded, tucking her tail around her paws. Her only kit, Willowkit, watched beside her mother with wide eyes. “I’ll keep an eye on her,” the tortoiseshell queen promised.

Mothwing gave her a grateful nod and slipped out of nursery. Parties of cats dedicated to rebuilding after the storm were still working to finish up repairing the last of the damage. Mothwing dodged around Reedpaw, who was dragging long lengths of reed behind him. The young apprentice gave her an appreciative nod.

I’m glad he’s okay, Mothwing thought, heading for the medicine cat’s den. Reedpaw’s wound was healing well and there was no sign of infection, but Mudfur advised he keep in camp until it closed completely.

Movement at the camp entrance made Mothwing pause – Tawnypelt padded in, followed by Falcontail and Frostsplash. Curiously, Tawnypelt broke away from the patrol and headed straight for Leopardstar, her tail stiff. Mothwing frowned and headed for her brother.

“What’s going on?” she asked. Falcontail’s pale eyes were filled with frustration. Mothwing could see his claws tearing at the earth. Beside him, Frostsplash looked just as upset.

“We caught a WindClan patrol trying to steal prey!” Falcontail hissed.

Mothwing’s eyes went wide, surprised. “What?!”

Frostsplash nodded. “We caught them before they stole anything, but they were two tail-lengths over our border, stalking a squirrel!” he reported. “Tawnypelt let them off with a warning.”

“Just a warning!” Falcontail snorted.

Mothwing frowned. “That’s not like WindClan, not at this time of year,” she noted.

“That’s what we thought, too,” Frostsplash admitted. “But they looked like nothing but skin and bones, and they tried to flee as soon as we caught them…”

“We should’ve pursued them right to their camp!” Falcontail snapped, his shoulder fur bristling. “Theft isn’t something to be treated so lightly!”

Mothwing glanced over to Leopardstar and Tawnypelt, who were talking quite seriously to one another beside Leopardstar’s den. “I think Mother and Tawnypelt will handle this just as seriously as they need to, Falcontail. No need to get upset.”

Falcontail curled his lip, lashing his tail. “You’re not a warrior anymore, Mothwing! Stay out of it!”

Before Mothwing could retort, Falcontail turned away and headed for the fresh-kill pile. Mothwing sighed, hurt piercing her chest. Falcontail valued the warrior code and RiverClan so much… but did he have to be so intense about it all the time? He’s always thought that having Leopardstar as our mother meant he needed to be the best…

Frostsplash watched, too, looking awkward. Mothwing blinked sympathetically at him. “I’m sorry about Falcontail,” she mewed. “He’s not always like that.”

“Oh, it’s no problem,” the young warrior insisted. His eyes were shining. “Falcontail is a really great warrior! I’ve always admired his drive.”

Mothwing purred, twitching her whiskers in amusement. Frostsplash’s attitude wasn’t a huge surprise – Falcontail had been his mentor when he joined RiverClan. “Dawnflower is just about ready to kit,” she mentioned, pushing her littermate aside for the moment. “You should get in to see her.”

Frostsplash’s ears pricked. “Already?! Oh, StarClan!”

The white tom shot off towards the nursery, drawing no small amount of attention to himself. Amused purrs went up throughout the entire camp as Mothwing got back to her paws and trotted to the medicine den, pushing her way through the reeds.

Mudfur was already on his paws, thankfully, putting together a packet of herbs. “It’s time?” he guessed.

“Yes,” Mothwing confirmed.

Mudfur nodded, gesturing to the leaf packet he’d made. “Tell me what’s inside,” he asked.

Mothwing gave the packet a sniff and recited, “Raspberry, borage, and thyme – the birthing herbs.”

“Good, good!” Mudfur’s purr was rusty. “Come, then. Let’s go.”

Mothwing picked up the leaf wrap in her jaws and followed Mudfur out of the den. Most of the cats had stopped their daily duties, eagerly watching the nursery. The Clan was always excited to welcome new members, and Mothwing felt a prickle of pressure – this would be her first time helping Mudfur with a kitting, as she’d been forbidden from helping Mosspelt two moons ago, before she’d been made an official medicine cat apprentice.

The damp smell of the nursery was cut by the fresh scent of blood. Mothwing’s whiskers twitched in alarm, but Mudfur didn’t look worried. That must be normal, she thought, glancing at Mosspelt. The older queen, mother of several litters, didn’t look concerned, either.

“Alright,” Mudfur rasped, hunkering down beside Dawnflower. “Let’s see where we are.” The pale queen was stretched out, her sides heaving much more rapidly than they had when Mothwing had checked in on her. Frostsplash was wrapped around his mate, licking her between the ears comfortingly.

Mudfur nudged Mothwing. “Put your paw here,” he instructed, tapping his tail-tip against Dawnflower’s side.

Mothwing, nervous, set down her leaf packet and complied, placing her paw where Mudfur’s tail had indicated.

“What do you feel?” Mudfur asked.

Mothwing tried to put aside the sounds of Dawnflower’s labored breathing and focus. She could feel something squirming in Dawnflower’s belly, just under the skin – it was such a bizarre sensation that she had to resist the urge to pull away. I’m a medicine cat! She assured herself. This is all normal! Still, the kits hadn’t been so active earlier…

“I feel the kits,” Mothwing reported. “I think they’re ready.”

Mudfur placed his paw beside hers, grunting as he nodded. “You’re right,” he confirmed. “Good job, Mothwing.” To Dawnflower, he instructed, “Any moment now the pains will begin to intensify – I know it will hurt, but you’ll need to bear down and push with them. Understand?”

Dawnflower nodded shakily.

“Here,” Mosspelt murmured. The older queen pushed a thick, strong stick to Dawnflower’s muzzle. “Bite down on this – it helps.”

Grateful, Dawnflower grasped the stick in her jaws. Mothwing blinked at Mosspelt, thankful for the older queen’s knowledge. I wish I’d thought of that! She supposed there were just some things only a queen could understand about kitting.

“Mama, will she be okay?” Willowkit asked.

“She will, dear,” Mosspelt assured. “RiverClan has the best medicine cats.”

Mothwing wondered into Mudfur’s ear, “Should Willowkit be seeing this?”

Mudfur chuckled back, “Kits are curious! Let her, if she wants, so long as she’s not underpaw. If this doesn’t bother her, she might make a good medicine cat apprentice someday.”

Indeed, Willowkit did not seem bothered as Dawnflower suddenly groaned, her belly rippling with a contraction. Mothwing put the young kit out of her mind as Mudfur’s instructions came quickly – “Stay by her tail, yes yes… do you see it? Good! Now quickly, nip the sac open and get it breathing! Good job, Dawnflower…”

By the time it was done, Mothwing felt as exhausted as Dawnflower looked – the pale queen had given birth to three healthy kittens, and all were suckling happily at their mother’s belly. Mothwing found it easy to ignore the strange taste in her mouth as she watched how happy Dawnflower and Frostsplash were, looking down at their little ones.

“Look how small that one is,” Frostsplash purred. “Pebblekit?”

“Yes!” Dawnflower breathed. Her eyes were heavy, but she looked so peaceful. “And this one… what do you think of Minnowkit?”

“It’s perfect,” Frostsplash agreed. “Oh, this one… can we name that one Tumblekit? After my friend from before I joined RiverClan?”

Dawnflower nodded in agreement, and the two rubbed their cheeks together. Purring, they looked at Mudfur expectantly. Mothwing glanced at the old medicine cat – He needs to bless them! – only to find that Mudfur was looking at her.

“Go on,” Mudfur urged. “It’s your turn.”

Mothwing felt a prickle of nervousness, but also awe – Mudfur was trusting her, just an apprentice, with such an important task. “Is that really okay?” she asked, her voice light with shock.

Mudfur nodded. “Go on,” he repeated. “You know the words.”

Mothwing swallowed. She did know the words, but it felt like the pressure was making them flee her mind. I can do this, she told herself sternly. Stand up straight, Mothwing – take a deep breath, and…

“… StarClan, we ask that you welcome these three kits to RiverClan,” she meowed, her voice strong. Silence descended upon the nursery as Mothwing spoke, and she could almost feel the pelts of her ancestors brushing against her. “Watch over Minnowkit, Tumblekit, and Pebblekit as they grow, and guide their paws onto the paths of their destiny. May the currents of their lives flow smooth and strong.”

“May the currents of their lives flow smooth and strong,” repeated the cats in the den – even Willowkit, who was watching with awe sparkling in her eyes.

Mothwing swallowed, glancing at Mudfur. The old tom looked so tired… but so proud. He licked Mothwing between her ears. “Good job,” he purred. “Now, let’s give the new family some peace.”

Still mystified, Mothwing followed Mudfur out of the nursery. The entire Clan was watching, waiting for the report – but it was Leopardstar who came forward to ask, “How is she?”

“Good,” Mudfur reported. A breath of relief passed through the Clan. “She has three healthy kits – Tumblekit, Pebblekit, and Minnowkit.”

“Tumblekit, Minnowkit, Pebblekit…” the names were passed through the crowd. The Clan seemed satisfied, and they returned to their duties.

Mothwing pushed her nose into Leopardstar’s fur, purring excitedly. “I blessed them, Mother – all by myself!” She breathed in her mother’s scent, feeling as if she were a kit again herself, with her mother in that nursery.

“That’s wonderful,” Leopardstar purred back, licking Mothwing’s ear. “I’m so proud.”

“They’re healthy and strong,” Mudfur added. “Great additions to RiverClan.”

“We’ll celebrate,” Leopardstar decided, her eyes sparkling. “There’s enough fresh-kill for that. Tawnypelt!” The deputy looked up from where she was in the crowd, her ears pricked. “Divide the fresh-kill pile for a celebration! Dawnflower has given birth, after all!”

“Of course!” Tawnypelt purred, her tail twisting happily. “Right away!”

Mudfur purred, nudging Leopardstar. “Reminds me of when you kitted!” he rasped.

Leopardstar twined her tail with her father’s, leading him away. “Not every medicine cat gets to watch over their own kit while she has kittens…”

Mothwing watched them go fondly, grateful that her family was so close and happy.

“What is she thinking?!” hissed a voice in Mothwing’s ear. As if he were destined to kill Mothwing’s mood, Falcontail sat beside her, his claws digging into the earth. “A celebration? Right now?!”

“Dawnflower just kitted!” Mothwing pointed out. “Isn’t that worth celebrating?”

“Kits are born every day,” Falcontail reasoned. “WindClan is threatening our border! Shouldn’t that be Mother’s concern right now?”

“I’m sure she’s worried,” Mothwing soothed, flicking her tail over her brother’s spine. “If there was something she wanted to do about it, she would.”

Falcontail still looked cross – but he wasn’t glaring at Leopardstar, he was glaring at Tawnypelt. “She must’ve undermined the seriousness of the situation,” he growled under his breath. “She had to have! What kind of deputy is she?!”

“What are you saying?!” Mothwing breathed, eyes widening at her brother. “Tawnypelt is an amazing deputy!”

Falcontail lashed his tail. “A deputy needs to be decisive,” he snorted. “Tawnypelt isn’t. She lets old friendships come before her Clan – that’s not what a deputy should do.”

“In your opinion!” Mothwing wasn’t going to let her brother bring down the celebration. Why can’t he just let it go? “Tawnypelt hasn’t done anything wrong – stop biting her tail!”

Falcontail curled his lip. “You’re not a warrior anymore, Mothwing,” he hissed. “It’s not your business.”

“You’re making it my business, coming up to me to complain about our deputy all the time!” Mothwing huffed, frustration sparking in her pelt. “Why not just be happy for what RiverClan is accomplishing? For what I’ve accomplished? You won’t get any farther than being a warrior by badmouthing your deputy and medicine cats!”

She saw her brother’s claws dig into the earth. His glare was intense, and Mothwing thought he might rebuke her – until Leafwhisker called his name from within the crowd, and Falcontail excused himself to go and eat with his friend.

Mothwing watched him, concern for her brother overtaking pride in her accomplishment today. Her brother had always been intense and ambitious… but he’d never outright insult Tawnypelt! She’d been such a good influence in their lives, in every RiverClan cat’s life.

What was going on with him?

#tb au #tb moonrise

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mintymiknow · 4 years

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First Christmas | Bang Chan

Summary: Chan decides to spend his Christmas with you for the first time, and of course, he knew it would be indeed the most wonderful time of the year [Red Queen AU] | [WC: approx. 3.6k words]

Genre: Fluff, romance :>

A/N: It’s like how many days past Christmas so this is literally the latest Christmas imagine ever. I was supposed to finish this last 26th but I got sick lol. Still posting this though! This imagine takes place in Scintilla’s universe, a Red Queen-inspired series I wrote not too long ago. Some references might confuse those who haven’t read the series, so for a little context, y/n was princess (now queen), and Changbin is her younger brother. Minho, Seungmin, and Hyunjin are Silvers (elites) in the kingdom while the rest of SKZ are Newbloods (former rebels). Chan, specifically, is y/n’s significant other. For those of you who have read the series, this takes place a few months after Scintilla’s epilogue. That’s all, enjoy!

The minute you step out of your room, Hyunjin throws his long arms around you, greeting you with a jolly grin, “Merry Christmas, my dear queenie!”

“Hey, let the woman breathe!” Changbin chuckles.

You laugh, hugging Hyunjin with the same energy. Shortly after, your Newblood friends walk across the hallway to greet you with a mixture of sleepy and overjoyed smiles. Jisung adjusts the Christmas hat on his head before waving, “Merry Christmas, y/n! What a wonderful day!”

Felix clings to your side, hugging you as if you were a pillow. Perhaps the winter cold was too much for the younger male, but since your Burner abilities gave you a higher body temperature than most people, you allowed him to warm up. You run your fingers through his lavender hair, chuckling at his cuteness. You smile at each of the boys, “Merry Christmas, boys. Did you all sleep well?”

“Yeah. It’s been, what, months since we last stayed over here in Miroh, and my room here is still paradise.” Jeongin grins as he stretches his arms.

Changbin nods, “Which is why we should all rested up for the Christmas fair in town!”

You chuckle, “Yeah, I can’t wait to go out. Where are Minho and Seungmin?”

“Probably by the main doors already.” Hyunjin shrugs, “They were up earlier.”

“Guess they’re more excited than us.” Woojin jokes, causing Changbin to snicker.

You gesture for the boys to walk ahead, “Well then, we should head out. Binnie, lead the way.”

Your brother playfully salutes before leading the group down the hall. As the boys walk ahead, you linger at the back with Chan who has now wrapped an arm around your waist, tugging you close to his side. “And good morning to you, Bang Chan.” you giggle once the male presses a soft kiss to your temple.

“Looking forward to today?” he chuckles.

“You bet.”

His hand clasps around yours as you both follow your group of friends with sunny smiles plastered on your faces. “Is this going to be your first Christmas, Channie?” you ask the male beside you.

Chan smiles, “We have Christmas celebrations in District 9, y/n. It will be our first in Miroh though.”

“You’ve visited Miroh for the Grand Festivals, right? Miroh’s open to the public during that time, but it’s also open during the annual Christmas fair. You guys have never dropped by?” you tilt your head.

The male squeezes your hand, giving you a soft chuckle, “Christmas is also peak winter, and Felix and Jeongin get cold easily. Travelling from District 9 to Miroh in this season exhausts them, especially without proper clothing and rest places.”

His grin now grows wider, “But now…as you can see, we have both, thanks to you.”

“Then I’m glad you could spend Christmas here.” you whisper, scrunching your nose cutely as Chan chuckles.

Soon, you all arrive at the main foyer of your castle, greeted by Minho and Seungmin. “Ah, they’re all awake at last.” Seungmin teases, earning a pout from Hyunjin.

Minho chuckles, his mischievous smirk teasing everyone, “I’m surprised Jisung is already awake despite the early hours.”

“Hey, it’s like 9:00 in the morning, of course I’m awake.” Jisung laughs, throwing an arm around the older male.

“Ok, ok, attention please.” Changbin comedically stands in front of your group, clasping his hands together, “I shall be your tour guide for this morning, so you better listen to me and stick with the group. My dear sister and Bang Chan, I know you two are severely in love, but don’t wander off to do your couple business.”

“Who gave you the right to order the queen around?” Seungmin raises an eyebrow, causing everyone to chuckle.

“Relax, brother dearest.” you wink at Changbin, “No wandering off, I promise.”

He proudly grins before turning on his heel, “Alright my dear Newblood friends. Miroh’s Christmas fair isn’t as grand as the Grand Festivals, but it can get crowded in some areas, so be careful. Also, if you end up freezing like icicles, tell me or y/n and we’ll warm you up!” Changbin says the last bit while making little fire embers dance around his fingers.

With that, he swings the large doors open and leads your group outside.

-----

Not even an hour into your little escapade into Miroh’s central square, your friends have already started to laugh loudly and scream at each other in glee. Felix drags Changbin and Seungmin around, dropping by almost every stall that sold novelties and little gifts. The youngest male’s eyes twinkled with an innocent wonder every time he laid his gaze on something that caught his attention. “Seungmin, the little horse figurine is moving!” Felix beams.

Seungmin chuckles, “Yeah, there’s a mechanism inside that makes it move when you wind this up.”

“That’s amazing.” Felix grins, eyes refusing to part with the little horse figurine.

“Limited edition Christmas cinnamon rolls?” Woojin tilts his head, “Are these different from the usual cinnamon rolls Jisung likes?”

Minho nods, “These ones are less sweet and have a few nuts mixed in. And…they’re shaped like Christmas trees.”

“I want to taste!” Jisung jumps up and down.

Minho chuckles to himself, shaking his head in amusement. He hands a payment over to the seller, buying a bag of the freshly baked goodies. While the cinnamon rolls were still warm, he hands one to Jisung and one to Woojin. “Thanks Minho.” Woojin grins, biting into the pastry.

Jisung does the same, grinning as the warm goodness takes over his senses in an instant. He throws himself over to Minho, hugging the older male while grinning, “These taste amazing! Thank you Minho, you’re the best!”

Hyunjin has now dragged Chan over to a small stall that sold little trinkets. The younger male holds up a variety of accessories, one after the other, and the older picks between his choices. They both laugh at a few choice necklaces and bracelets before their expressions turn more serious as if their lives depended on which accessory they’d pick. Hyunjin holds one bracelet up, strips of red mystically swirling inside it’s crystal-clear beads, “These particular bracelets – Cuore bracelets – are sold only during the Christmas season and cost a fortune, even for a handful of Elites.”

“Why’s that?” Chan asks with curiosity, eyes focused on the artful way the strips of red seem to have frozen in the clear glass beads.

Hyunjin hums, “Seungmin could probably explain it better, but for one, the glassiness of these beads can only be perfected in the winter by silver Shivers through some complex process. The red you see inside the beads are actually from a flower called Cuore, and similarly, this only blooms in the winter, specifically in Miroh’s fields; it’s a bright red, heart-shaped flower.” [a/n: bleeding heart flower for visual reference lol]

“Are these red swirls parts of the flower?” Chan inquires.

“Not the flower itself.” Hyunjin smiles, “Cuore flowers have little protrusions on their bottom parts that resemble ‘drippings’. If you rip that protrusion off, a red chalky substance leaks out. Craftsmen gather that for the red stuff inside the bracelet.”

“Yeah, that seems like really intricate and meticulous work.” Chan says in awe, lips tugging into a smile, “Do they just make bracelets?”

Hyunjin gently places the bracelet back down and grins, “Bracelets are most common – ” the younger male brings his hand up to reveal a ring with a similar bead encrusted on it, “ – but there are variations. Y/n gave this to me shortly after her father died. Changbin doesn’t wear his, but he has a bracelet kept safe in his room, Seungmin has a ring as well, and Minho has a necklace, but he refuses to wear it in fear that it’ll break, especially since he did a lot of travelling and fighting.”

“These beads must have some sort of meaning then.” Chan chuckles as the two begin to walk towards another stall.

“Cuore essentially means ‘heart’. While there really is no scientific or magical power to these beads, people just ended up giving meaning to it. Since the craftsmen dedicate so much time and effort into crafting it, it came to symbolize dedication and passion.” Hyunjin nearly smirks, his eyes glimmering cheekily, “I’m sure y/n will give you one eventually.”

“Why would she need to if she gave me her heart?” Chan raises an eyebrow before erupting into an embarrassed giggle.

“Aaaah!” Hyunjin exclaims, playfully hitting Chan like a child, “Don’t get me started with your love story!”

You return from a stall with fluffy scarf in your hands. You grin at Jeongin, “These are really soft, so I’m sure you’ll like it.”

You wrap the scarf around the younger male’s neck, chuckling when he lets a small “yay” escape from his lips. “Thank you, y/n. I feel warm already.” he grins, giving a playful bow before you both sit down on a marble bench nearby.

You chuckle in amusement before gripping his hand in yours, allowing your warmth to transfer over to his chilly body. He sighs contentedly, leaning his taller frame against yours. Like a baby, Jeongin rests his head on your shoulder, smiling softly. “Are Burners the only Silvers who have more body temperature than the rest?” he inquires. “Is it because you have fire inside you or something?”

You nod, “Yup. It’s hard to explain why, but we don’t exactly have fire inside us. Not literally, anyway. The composition of our blood has something in it that allows us to spark flames using the flame-making accessories, and that something gives us perpetually warmer body temperatures.”

“That’s cool. But doesn’t that make it harder in the summer?”

“Yeah, which is why Changbin and I hate going out during the summer.” you laugh.

Hyunjin and Chan have returned from the strolling around to see Jeongin snug against you. Hyunjin chuckles, “Aww, the baby is feeling cold.”

“Ssshhh.” Jeongin shushes, innocently smiling, “I’m not used to the cold, hyung. Plus y/n’s really warm.”

“Yeah, yeah and so is Changbin.” Hyunjin laughs just as the rest of the boys regroup with you all.

Your group continued to stroll around Miroh, the Newblood boys taking in the sights with glee. You and your Silver friends watched in amusement, a warm fondness filling you all up. A few snowball fights broke out with Changbin and Woojin declaring themselves victorious after mercilessly defeating everyone, to which of course, Minho did not approve of. As such, rematch after rematch would happen with everyone beginning to use their abilities to their advantage.

Felix would teleport in order to hit people quicker, Jisung would use his electricity to bolt around to dodge and throw snowballs at the same time with quickened speed, Jeongin would turn into various people to trick them into sparing him, Minho would wield his chains and make shields, you and Changbin would just melt the snowballs, Chan would shatter them with his soundwaves, and Woojin just straight-up used his gravity manipulation to flatten all your snowballs into nothing.

Eventually, you all gave up and decided to frolic in the snow to have fun. Changbin, Jisung, Minho, and Woojin decided to have a snowman-building competition while the younger boys littered the snow-covered ground with snow angels. You and Chan sat nearby, watching their shenanigans like parents. “Who do you foresee winning the competition?” you lean over to whisper.

Chan chuckles, whispering back, “I think it’s Minho. You yourself said he hates losing.”

“Yeah, but Woojin doesn’t look like he’d back down that easily.” you laugh.

“Then…Changbin?”

“Changbin and Sungie are too busy wrecking each other’s snowmen.”

“Ah. That’s true.” Chan chuckles.

You giggle as well, resting your head on Chan’s shoulder. “How’s everything so far?”

“It’s nice spending Christmas with you all.” Chan kisses the top of your head, prompting you to smile wider.

“Did you get to buy anything or try the food?” you chuckle, shaking your head, “I wasn’t with you for a while since Jeongin was freezing and I had to take care of him.”

“You’re really like his mother.” Chan teases, causing you to blush, knowing how the boys constantly refer to Chan as “the dad” and you as “the mom”. The male continues to speak, “But it’s fine, I appreciate it. And yes, Changbin bought a lot of snacks and pastries while Hyunjin brought me to a lot of merchandise stalls.”

“Anything you noticed in particular?”

“The Cuore beads, maybe?” Chan laughs, “Hyunjin explained it thoroughly.”

Your eyes brighten up at the mention of the beads, “Those are really pretty, indeed.”

“Yeah? Hyunjin said they each had one, but do you have your own?”

You nod, “I have matching bracelets with Changbin, but I don’t wear mine as well. There is one bead on my crown though.” You point at the silver crown on your head where a single Cuore crystal stays encrusted in the middle in the form of a gem and not a bead.

“Hmm.” Chan grins, kissing your nose, “It suits you.”

You chuckle giddily before lifting your head from his shoulder to look into his eyes. Chan’s warm gaze is enough to melt all the snow in Miroh, and that fact does fuzzy things to your heart. He breaks into a cheerful grin before relaxing his features, leaning his head closer so that the tips of your noses were touching softly. You could feel his breath against your lips as they brushed against yours, but before you could completely claim his lips, a snowball hit both you and Chan.

You both rip away instantly, shocked gazes on your group of friends. Hyunjin point at Jisung who then points at Felix who then shakes his head frantically. “Oh you’re all dead.” Minho smirks, crossing his arms haughtily.

Seungmin laughs, “Fess up, guys.”

“It was me.” Jeongin sheepishly laughs, ducking behind Woojin, “Only because I slipped!”

“If it’s Jeongin, then I’ll let it slide.” you joke, earning a very hurt albeit playful look on Hyunjin’s face.

“If that were any of us we’d be burned to crisps.”

-----

After a lavish and extravagant Christmas lunch with all your favorite dishes – including that meaty dish Felix and Jeongin love – Jisung suggested that you play a variety of games together. The activities ranged from games that could simply be played while sitting, but some entailed a little more chaos. Seungmin’s heart leapt out a million times with all the instances that Felix and Changbin nearly broke the furniture.

The group settled down towards the evening, sitting in your office by the fireplace. You all exchanged gifts happily, laughing every time someone would shout with joy or pretend to cry. As the night grew deeper, the other boys thanked you for a wonderful time and headed for their own rooms. As usual, you and Chan stayed behind, now cuddled up on the velvet couch near your fireplace. Your head lay against Chan’s chest, hearing nothing but his steady heartbeat and the rhythmic crackling by the fireplace. His fingers gingerly combed through your hair as his other hand rested on the small of your back, tapping his fingers gently. You bring your hands over to his chest, resting your chin atop them so you could look into Chan’s eyes. With a gentle smile, you speak quietly, “Will you be staying for a few more days, or will you go back to District 9 tomorrow?”

“What do you want, babygirl?” Chan says lowly.

You grin, lifting yourself up just enough to be directly in front of his face, “Stay.”

“Then staying it is.” the male smiles, sliding his hand down gently at the back of your neck to bring your lips closer to his.

Your lips mold and melt together in perfect harmony, the feeling sending a wave of warmth and pleasure to every fiber in your body. It was like gulping down a cup of rich, hot cocoa or wrapping yourself in the softest blanket in existence. Chan sits up, now straddling you on his lap, arms wrapped securely around you. When his tongue begins another slow dance with yours, you find yourself messily running your fingers through his hair; it’s shorter now, and he’s dyed it a darker shade of brown, but they were still the luxuriously soft locks you loved to comb your fingers through.

It’s been months since you last saw Chan, aside from the quick and fleeting moments during much more diplomatic and work-related encounters. Yet every kiss, every touch, and every sensation was all too familiar – it always was when it came to Chan. No matter how far or how long you’ve been apart, that “absence” was all erased the minute you both came back together. The way his lips felt and tasted still reminded you of how genuine your feelings were for each other. The way his hands felt so right on your body would always give you the sense of comfort and security you craved.

The room had started to get hotter, jackets and outerwear being discarded onto the floor until you were left in just your wine-red dress. Chan’s lips had left yours, now peppering your neck with gentle nips and kisses. You bite your lip, holding back a giddy grin as his kisses traveled to your collarbone, all while your fingers delicately caressed the skin of his cheek and played with the hem of his shirt.

Eventually, he stops his actions, now leaning his forehead against yours, hazy eyes peering into your own. He grins, placing a chaste kiss to your nose. After letting another giggle escape, he whispers, “I think it’s time I gave you my Christmas gift, babygirl.”

You chuckle, nodding as he gently lifts you off his lap so he could walk over to the corner of the room. He picks up a small silver box and places it in your hands, “It’s not much, but I hope you like it.”

You shake your head, “I’m sure it’s amazing.”

You carefully untie the ribbon, opening the box to reveal gold feather-shaped earrings with two gemstones encrusted in each; one red and one silver, perhaps to represent yours and Chan’s different blood colors. You gasp, bringing your hands over your mouth to conceal a squeal, “These are so pretty! Oh, they’re quite similar to the ones you’re always wearing!”

Chan chuckles, nodding his head, “Yeah, a craftsman in District 9 is known for making a variety of feather-related jewelry – I think he’s fond of birds – but anyway, I thought these would really suit you.”

“I love it, Chan. These are just lovely.” you laugh, giving him a hug, “I was just thinking of getting a new pair of earrings the other day, and now I’m going to wear this everyday.”

Chan grins, taking the earrings from you. He hooks one on each of your lobes, fingers gently brushing against your skin like a feather. “Perfect.” he whispers into the junction between your ear and neck before smiling brightly, “It looks perfect.”

You giggle, “My turn.”

He cutely tilts his head to the side when you get up and walk over to your desk, pulling out a box from one of your drawers. You sit back down beside him, handing the box over. Like an excitable child, Chan chuckles while opening his gift. His merry expression is replaced with pure surprise as his eyes remain glued to the Cuore bracelet sitting inside the small box. “Merry Christmas, my love.” you giggle, kissing his cheek.

“Y/n…” Chan breathily laughs, shaking his head in disbelief, “Wow. Really?”

“Of course!”

“You didn’t have to. These are really – ”

“Channie, shh.” you kiss his lips, much to his surprise as he’d always be the one to shut you up with a kiss, “Forget about Hyunjin saying these are expensive and whatever. I’m the queen anyway, but that’s not the point. Point is, I’m sure he told you what these symbolize – ”

“Dedication and passion.” Chan completes.

You nod, smiling wider this time, “And…when given in the context of lovers, it also symbolizes undying love. The red stuff from the Cuore flower is essentially frozen and stuck in these beads forever. Even when the beads shatter or break, the red stuff doesn’t leak out; it shatters with the beads. So, Bang Chan, you’re always telling me that I mean the world to you and I’ve made a big difference in your life. You always mention how you’re with me through it all and that you’d never leave me. I don’t think I can ever stress how much I’d say the same about you.”

You bring your hand up to his jaw, caressing the skin there as you smile warmly, “I can never say it enough, Bang Chan. You are my everything – ” you bring your gaze to the bracelet and gently slip it onto his wrist, “ – and I love you.”

“I love you too, y/n.” Chan gently smiles, capturing your lips in his once again, “Forever and ever.”

You hum, smiling as Chan pulls you back down on the couch. With you laying on his chest, he intertwines his fingers with yours. The red gem on the ring he had given you from a few months ago was a perfect match to the bracelet you just gave him now. Both symbolized the same thing: eternal love for each other.

Always and forever.

#stray kids #bang chan #chan #chan scenario #chan imagine #bang chan scenario #bang chan imagine #skz #skz chan #stray kids scenario #stray kids imagine #bang chan x reader #chan x reader #red queen au #red queen #au #fantasy #scintilla #series: scintilla

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ladylesso · 4 years

Text

thea gushes over kate's "alex vs the school for good" fanfic

i've reread this fanfic twice before it was finished but now it's finished, therefore i will read this beautiful work of art a third time and i have no regrets because this is the best fanfic in the entire fandom and i love kate so let's go (u never asked for it but here it is @pumpkinpaperweight)

i love how alex's close relationship with her parents, especially tedros, is already established within the first scene

alex is so witty and her mind is so sharp i've missed her so much :')

alex ribbin on tedros and agatha laughin as a sign of encouragement is my favorite thing

chapter 3: hooray for teenage angst

I STILL CAN'T GET OVER THE FACT THAT TEDROS NAMED HIS DOG CHICKEN THAT IS SUCH A TEDROS THING TO DO

will there be a one shot on the multiple ooty ambassor incidents????? i am Excited

"...and the author of this tale had lost their copy of The School for Good and Evil, and therefore could not remember exactly what the School for Good was meant to look like. They were running entirely off memory, and not doing a bad job, all things considered." KATE AKSKSJDKLFJ

get this: what if the camelot years were just a fever dream and alex vs is canon. what if.

chapter 10: these dogs are still alive for plot devices and comic relief don't @ me

marcy girl chill out

omg dean cromwell vs alex wearing the boys' uniform scene - iconic and sora-approved

oh my god i actually thought sophie stopping thorne was a scene in the actual books instead of in alex vs skdjkdfs

i love kate's adult! sophie - very realistic and in character

chapter 13: HA! GAY!

talib and sora my babies my precious my lovelies

"talib grinned, looking back in the direction of the classroom - sora kept looking at him and missed a step on the stairs" gay

chapter 15: my gran could do better, and she killed a warlock with a cheesecake - I LOVE THE CHAPTER TITLES SO MUCH

alex is so precious why are people being so mean to her :'( sora and i will happily burn them alive

"chaddick and lancelot always smacked her with the butt of the sword to signify a hit, but tedros had tended to sort of half-heartedly shove her off of the mat, unwilling to hurt her" tedros being a good and caring soft dad :')

"alex, what does your dad have?" "low self-esteem?" JESUS ALEX SKDFJLSDJFLJFSLDJ

"alex's temper was utterly uncontrollable, and hort didn't know how he'd forgotten- now it was all rushing back to him in one big, rather traumatic, wave" I'M LAUGHING

omg four year old alex defending her father i'm heart eyes

#i don't like this cromwell bat bring dovey back

"sora's brain was still trying to work out which panic he should prioritise more -the super deadly predators trotting at his feet, or the fact that talib was holding his hand?" Gay

seeing alex cry is like seeing a friend crying - it makes you sad and murderous

"we have been in so many fights.” said alex tiredly. “i wish our author would think of something else. but she won’t, it’s the Trial by Tale next, and that’s all fighting” KATE

chapter 21: EMMA, THEY'RE HOMOSEXUALS

"sora had snatched nadiya’s handkerchief and thrown it to talib like a maid watching her favourite knight" [crying] i would kill a small child for them

sora and alex trying to hide behind each other at the same time is makin me burst into hysterics

oooo sora bout to murder a bitch

sophie acting like an actual dean :')

nadiya's such a queen we stan

june being friends with talib and fondly calling him an idiot is my new religion

alex saying she's the "loser daughter" and me knowing that tedros and agatha are watching her right now hurts. thanks a lot kate

june and thorne???? ship????

omg sora laying it on thick and pretending to be unconscious so talib could carry him sldjsdlkfjdslf

SORA COMPLIMENTING TALIB ON HOW BEAUTIFUL HE LOOKS IN FRONT OF THEIR CLASSMATES

"my darling angel prince" that's Gay "sora fiddled with talib's collar" GAYYYYY

"gentle marital dispute" i adore kate's humor

TALIB PUNCHING THORNE TO PROTECT SORA

"wow,” said sora dreamily.

“he just punched someone in the face, sora,” sighed marcy.

“i’m dying, not blind. that was hot--”

im going to have a heart attack

sora dragging tedros is my new favorite thing

"sora smiled in a very self-satisfied sort of way, almost as if he knew the annoyance he’d caused several hundred miles away" this is sora's true talent

i love how alex breaks the 4th wall

sora: i don't know whether you've noticed, alex, but i can be really rude?

alex: ur not that rude to me

sora: because i thought it might make u cry

:') i love their friendship so much

yes alex! call him out! sora IS emotionally constipated!

omg im curious as to what color alex's fingerglow is

OMG ALEX'S TALENT IS RELATED TO AGATHA'S I LOVE IT

newsflash cromwell! we don't care about ur reputation OR you

alex clutching onto her aunt's arm :'(

awwwwhhh alex w curly hair!! <3

talib is the sweetest boy ever oh my goodness

OH MY GOD HE'S A PISCES OF COURSE KSJFSDJF SOFT BOY

sora is an aquarius HAHA suits him

alex's dramatic entrances are clearly from sophie's influence :')

talib gifting sora roses that's Gay

sora foreshadowing how ros and raiden will get along >:)

sora is a grumpy old man in a 16 year old body but WILL eat his friend's questionably edible birthday cake made for him don’t test him

TALIB AND SORA KISSING QUEEN KATE REALLY DELIVERS

SORA MAKING THE FIRST MOVE I AM SCREECHING I AM GOING TO BITE MY ARM OFF

oh my go d talib don't go ohmygod kate why

OMG ROSALINE POV I'M EXCITED

agatha planning a wrestling match with her and tedros vs cromwell and agatha confirming that the coven have spilled blood over june and will not hesitate to do it again is my favorite thing

if u look closely or if u look at all, ros is clearly a never

tedros: i don't have favorites

agatha: i do. you're my least favorite

tedros: i'm ur husband

agatha: so?

omg alex is tedros' favorite and marcus is agatha's favorite so does that mean ros is sophie's favorite

and now we're in marcus' POV? kate just keeps delivering

omg the famous camelot family scene i've been waiting for is finally coming to fruition

it's official: we stan emi

whenever i hear somebody call agatha the queen of camelot, i get this tight ache of pride in my chest

i love how marcus just looks at his father and tedros knows exactly what he's asking :')

raiden and the twins, marcus and ros? my Body is Ready for ros vs

WHAT IS IT WITH PEOPLE SLAMMING THE DOOR OPEN IN THIS FANFIC KSHFDJFSLJLJ

anemone campaigning for a ranking board that says who has the hots for who is something i can get behind

"there was a brief scuffle whilst both tedros and agatha fought to hug alex at the same time, which she didn't look in the least bothered about" ALEX FAMILY TIME YAY <3

alex introducing agatha, her famous mother, to her roommates is one of my favorite things

"alex stuck her tongue out at her and went back to rifling in her mother's cloak pockets for food" if this isn’t me -

alex being a wingwoman to make her mom sign marcy's copy of the tale of sophie and agatha is my favorite thing #1972934794

talib not recoginizing tedros as the king of camelot but as alex's dad :')

THE COLD SHOULDER SMOULDER

i love how ros could tell how much a fashion piece costs and what material it is just by looking at it

"there was a resounding crash, and another blade caught his, halfway" i love how tedros entered into this chapter kate is such a good writer

im lovin these marcus and ros descriptions

"rosalind and marcus looked at each other, then, slowly, back at jimmy. both of them suddenly looked a lot older than they were. raiden wondered how much damage they could do as a team. probably quite a lot" "raiden resisted the urge to squish marcus's cheeks" ROS VS HERE I COME

sophie rushing bc she senses drama is a big mood

omg i love these camelot year references

"...whilst tedros tried to pretend he hadn't just tried to shove agatha behind him, and awkwardly returned Excalibur to its sheath" his instincts :')

people mentioning that alex is a big sister makes me feel warm inside

the image of tedros braiding rosalind's hair gives me heart eyes

OMG GIN MILLS AND THE GOODS REFERENCE HAHA I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE KATE

im glad they're talking about alex and the reverse mogrification incident! i am also Intrigued

wait i thought ros and marcus were 10 years old? but agatha mentions how ros is 13? did i miss something

alex and hester aunt and niece relationship :')

this unspoken understanding between the pendragons is everything bless u kate

"i love it when Evers act like Nevers," emi told her grandsons from under her tree. “it’s good for the liver.”

EMI KNOWS ROS IS A NEVER SHE CALLED IT

oh alex u sweet darling child of course sora and talib are boyfriends even thorne could see it

this alex and thorne thing? gotta say,,,,,, i see the ship possibilities

SORA YOU EMOTIONALLY CONSTIPATED BUFFOON JUST TALK TO YOUR BOYFRIEND TALIB OH MY GOD

omg the everboys sitting in the beautification lesson im excited

emma,,,,... darling,,,,.........,,, they're Gay

i support alex's plan to look hot for the snow ball and single-handedly destroy the buffet

i love how tyler and marcy are in the squad now :')

anemone: WHO

talib: i'm not telling u!

anemone: WHICH GIRL

talib: not a - not a. uh, girl

anemone: I RESPECT THAT ALSO

tyler, nadiya, and marcy quietly discussing alex's type LKSDJFLSJFK

sora im bout to body slam u talk to ur bf u idiot donkey don't be like teenage tedros and agatha

"akiyama sora is a dead man," muttered nadiya" i bow to one (1) queen

SORA'S GAY PANIC

chapter 29: fellas is it gay to protect roses from winter damage

"poor thing,” she added as an afterthought. alex was forcibly reminded of her aunt’s 100% Evil status"

i love these scenes with sophie <3

"er. it's okay, professor," said sora's mouth. alex for the love of christ help me you useless git, said sora's eyes"

FINALLY SORA YOUR TWO BRAIN CELLS KISSED AND EXPERIENCED COMMON SENSE

alex saying marcy has horrible taste in men but swearing to take tyler's kidneys if he doesn't go for marcy - true friendship

AWWWWHHHHHH ALEX CAME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THE EVERGIRLS WHO DON'T WANT DATES TO GO TO THE SNOW BALL WITH ANEMONE <333333

anemone just said the f word is this legal

the amount of times i've screamed over sora nd talib is too much to count - sometimes in excitement and sometimes in pain

"he was cut off when talib seized his collar and kissed him, much harder than sora had kissed him the first time" my lungs are exploding

ANEMONE IS ME I AM ANEMONE

"sora exercised all the curse words he knew in her native language. alex grinned. "you sound like ros. except ros knows more words" oh??????????

i've smiled more reading chapter 29 than i have this whole year

sora: weren't u listening to the announcement yesterday

alex: who was doing the announcing?

sora: pollux

alex: nope

love that tedros deemed his wedding outfit a Sacred Object

i love how tedros and rosalind bond over fashion

alex has a daily ritual of high-fiving the statue of king arthur, her grandfather. i love her.

omg tedros adopting a pseudo father figure role over tyler love that

i said love so many times but i can't help it this fic is just too good

it's official: sora is alex's partner in crime

so just to catch up, the squad consists of alex, nadiya, sora, talib, tyler, marcy, and june - and out of this chaos rises a mom friend: nadi

i never knew how much i wanted to see the teachers gossiping until i got it

of course agatha never hired a nanny for her children she loves them too much to ever not raise them herself >:((((((

magazine with a pic of talib: major hottie alert!

sora: finally, some high-end journalism

kate ur mind is amazing

omg i love this curses! the musical plot point im excited

ros? as the queen of camelot? Sign Me Up

SORA ND ALEX WROTE THE SCRIPT KSJFSDLJFSLD HERE WE GO

alex is drawing a six pack on her stomach with a pen to prepare for her role as tedros somebody please help me my lungs have ruptured

title reference on a crop top!! impressive!!

"MORE PANACHE !" sophie bellowed at the stage" did soman write this or did u kate

is marcus on the autism spectrum???? it would be great if he was

"alex said a quick prayer to rosalind, patron saint of spinning half-truths to people and getting away with it"

im grinning so hard at agatha possibly dying of laughter during alex's rendition of curses! the musical

"tedros made a sound like an animal in pain and sank down so low in his seat that he was barely visible. agatha burst into hysterical cackles, reminding ros, not for the first time, that she had been raised by an actual witch" "'tedros' and 'hort' had a rap battle that ended up getting too personal and devolved into a fistfight" AGATHA AND I ARE BOTH GOING TO DIE

"she turned around, saw tedros stood behind her, and screamed. tedros held up the programme, open on the page which said rewritten by akiyama sora and alex pendragon. alex screamed louder."

i adore the news' headlines

what's on the school master's mind??????????

omg is it about marcus and ros??

YES IT IS SKFDSJFL

chinhae is ros' friend and both of their names were circled in red bc the school master has a plan for them. whoaaaaaa

"slowly, she turned back to look up at the school master's tower. and got the distinct feeling someone was meeting her gaze" chills

finished 1:06 AM june 14, 2020

#this is so LONG sorry!!!#but i just love alex vs so much #i don't read fanfics at all so this is all yall are gonna get #i mean besides kate's fanfics ofc #alex vs #sge fanfic #kate #thea reads

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slasherscream · 5 years

Note

What about You can taste what your soulmate eats AU with Jennifer check with a fem!reader? I love your blog btw! X

[ soulmate prompts. ] oh this would be a bad time-

You lived much of your life peacefully and without withstanding or battling obvious signs of your soulmate and their tastes and cravings.

Whoever they were they had unobtrusive tastes. You’d heard and even witnessed a few horror stories yourself. Soulmates where one is a vegan and the other isn’t. Someone likes spicy food and the other can’t handle black pepper you were glad all your shared experiences thus far had been mild.

Just little moments scattered throughout your day and your life that reminded you that somewhere out in the world you had a soulmate. Someone meant for you.

So at times when you’d be sitting alone and then taste a salad and then thirty minutes after that taste some fries and a cherry coke (like they were trying to be good and then gave up very quickly); or it being late at night and then tasting well-buttered popcorn; or the sweet taste of different flavored lollipops throughout the day? You loved those little moments.

This all changed one day all too suddenly. One night minding your own business and the next? Violently throwing up.

That taste the phantom taste and texture in your mouth was horrible. So repulsive you threw up continually the entire time your soulmate consumed it with gusto because it just didn’t stop coming. By the end of the ordeal you were whining and gasping pitifully.

You’ve had busted lips before you know what blood tasted like but this was horrible. Blood and ….and meat like you’d never tasted it before but completely raw. After brushing your teeth aggressively about a hundred times you went to bed that night miserable. The taste didn’t falter for an instant until your soulmate apparently brushed their own teeth for bed late into the night. The taste of mint sat heavy on your tongue after the metallic bite of blood.

You got out of bed the next morning wary. Your soulmate had a cup of orange juice but nothing else. You nervously tried to enjoy some eggs and bacon but found yourself not in the mood for meat at the moment, even well cooked.

For a few weeks everything was fine although you noticed a distinct lack of taste and sensation being broadcasted from your soulmate since that…incident.

On one hand you were profoundly relived and on the other you were incredibly worried. The only thing reassuring you that they were still alive was the occasional flicker of sweetness from the lollipops they apparently still enjoyed while they gave up on food totally. You were worried to say the least.

Half tempted to eat more just to remind them ‘hey! you need food, asshole! and also i care about you even though i’ve never met you’ but you resisted the urge and went about your normal way.

They’d had moments before where they wouldn’t eat much and then they’d suddenly go back to their regular habits. You assumed this was one of those times. One day you would like to express all the concern they’d made you feel during those times to their face and also give them a hug after you were done chewing them out.

You regretted all the worry you felt when you’re at school and suddenly you taste it again. You throw up in the middle of class. You get to go home early but it’s not that great of a consolation prize.

This happens quite a few more times and it effectively makes you lose your appetite. Days without them eating anything substantial and then….. then blood and raw meat and-

And you’re starting to feel weird. Weird about the whole damn thing. What are they eating? What’s changed about them? You just know instinctively that something has gone totally and horribly wrong.

It’s not a close friend or family member that notices there’s something wrong with you. It’s actually just a girl you eat lunch with every day, Needy Lesnicki. A vague friendly face you wave to in a crowd but have never met with outside of school even though you’ve always liked her and she’s always liked you that’s highschool for you.

“Are you okay?” she asks putting a hand over yours as you stare down at your lunch but don’t move to eat it. You’re tearing up before you know what’s going on and quicker than that you’re crying into her shoulder and jabbering on about the unsettling change of palate your soulmate is putting you both through.

At some point in the conversation she goes tense where she was holding you so gently and comfortingly. She doesn’t move until she’s properly soothed you but when you do finally pull away from one another she’s looking unusually pale. She rushes off with some vague excuse and you assume you freaked her out.

The next day your skin feels like it’s on fire. You’re feeling watched…hunted, even.

Needy runs up to you with ginger candies explaining they’re good for queasiness even though she looks fidgety the whole time she offers them. You’re grateful for any bit of relief though- constantly trying to chase away phantom taste and knowing that if your soulmate is consistent you have another bit of suffering coming your way any day now.

You pop a few candies into your mouth at once, the strong taste a minute relief from your unpleasant and all too recent memories. You hear a gasp from behind you and see Needy staring over your shoulder.

Behind you is the queen of the school and Needy’s best friend, Jennifer Check, and she looks like she’s seen a ghost. A second later she shoulder checks you and snatches up a protesting Needy, dragging her down the hall and away from you.

So that was weird.

Weirder? A week comes and goes and the rancid taste of blood hasn’t come yet. No tastes at all, actually. Which is great! Except now you’re super worried again and rush to Needy’s house in a panic late at night because she’s the only one you’ve told about the whole situation.

When you get there her Mom let’s you upstairs and you find Needy on her bed petting the hair of a Jennifer that looks even more miserable than you feel. You don’t know her like you know Needy but you sit right beside Needy on the bed and temporarily forget how worried you are about your soulmate, replaced with worry for the queen bee of the school.

When you ask what’s wrong you get a biting reply of “must be my period” which is directly at odds with how she reaches for your hand gently (yet impatiently) and places it on her exposed midriff. Her skin feels clammy and cold. You mimic Needy and rub her in soothing circles like she so obviously (and strangely) wants you to.

You forgot what you came to tell Needy or what you were so worried about.

You remember when you wake up the next morning squished against Jennifer on Needy’s full size bed. You register this and then register Needy and Jennifer having an argument like you’ve never seen before.

“She’s miserable, Jen!” and “Oh she’s miserable? Bite me, Lesnicki. I’m fucking miserable. Fucking starving to death just because they’ve got a light stomach.” followed by Needy full on screaming.

It’s at this point you interrupt by sitting up. Jennifer’s arms fall from around you like she hadn’t wanted to get caught holding you in the first place. Needy standing in front of her bed, puffed up with anger like you couldn’t imagine she was capable of but also looking sorry they woke you with their little…..spat.

“Sleeping beauty has finally awoken.” Jennifer gets up from the bed, shoving past Needy and throwing you one glance over the shoulder you can’t pick apart before she slams the bedroom door on her way out. She leaves silence in her wake. She looked even worse than she did last night.

“Are you guys okay?” is what you want to ask before Needy interrupts you, “I have to tell you something that’s super shitty since it seems Jennifer won’t.”

So she tells you.

And if you thought you were horrified at just the taste of what your soulmate has been eating you’re fucking shell shocked by the knowledge of what it’s actually been all along. Ignorance is bliss. You’ve been hoping they were on some weird diet kick. Not demonic, man eating succubus shit.

Jennifer falls off the face of the earth and not even Needy can find her for close to three days. Knowing what she is you can’t be too worried about her…she’s the most dangerous thing lurking around the streets..and yet you are worried about her. Demon or not she’s still your soulmate.

It’s not a relief when she gives into her instinct and kills again but knowing she’s okay- knowing she has to do this to survive?- it makes the blood less bitter.

She appears outside you bedroom window an hour after the taste has faded. She’s covered from head to toe in gore and looks… absolutely beautiful. Breathtaking and predatory as she knocks on the window with such a confidence you have to laugh.

You are understandably hesitant to open the window to the girl covered in blood who you know is capable of killing you very violently. She pulls back her hand and you jump from your bed because you realize she fully intends to break the window if you don’t just let her in the easy way.

“Hey there soulmate. Got a toothbrush I can borrow?” She smirks, teeth sparkling white beneath all the blood and looking deceptively human.

She uses your bathroom and doesn’t come out until she’s completely clean while also complaining about the scented soaps that you had available for her use. You’re going to have to acknowledge every elephant in the room.

“You weren’t always like this."

"Yeah no shit.” Jennifer collapses onto your bed, eyes closed, as if she doesn’t have a care in the world but she’s acutely aware of you, whether you know that or not.

“What happened?"

"Does it matter? I am what I am.” She says it like it’s a challenge. Like she wants something from you but hell if you know what. “You gonna stand all the way over there all night? I’m not leaving so you might as well get comfortable."

You take the hint and come to sit beside her on the bed. You want to touch her again but you’re pretty sure the other night was a fluke of how bad she was feeling. This time she seems to be radiating heat like a small camp fire. You wonder how it would feel to hold her at night when it’s cold outside. Who needs a romantic fireplace when she’s probably got the fires of hell burning inside her or something. You groan and collapse right next to her.

"I’m sorry.” She says after a long time. Then the room drifts back into silence. She knows you heard her and even if you didn’t she’s not one to apologize at all - let alone twice.

“For what?” You ask even though you’re pretty sure you already know why.

“For …. I’m sorry you get the shittiest part of this deal.”

“Soulmate deal or demon deal?"

"I tried to …. not eat. But it was literally like starving myself to death. Figured an alive soulmate is worth more than a dead one.” She says the last part quietly as if she’s trying to convince herself the statement is true. You always knew that objectively Jennifer was a person despite being popular and pretty and perfect. All human beings have insecurities and every other normal thing that makes people, people. It’s another thing to see her insecure. Or as close to it as she’ll let herself get.

Boldly you reach across the space and take her hand, “An alive soulmate is worth more than a dead one. I wouldn’t want you to starve for me even though this is seriously fucked."

"Good. I wasn’t planning on trying again.” She turns on her side so she’s facing you and you mimic her instantaneously, without a second thought. You’re still holding hands. Despite her harsh words her eyes are soft and tell a different story.

“We’ll figure something out.” Now you sound like the one trying to convince yourself.

A pause and then you’re flipped onto your back, Jennifer hovering over you, still damp hair tickling across your collarbone as she leans in close, “Yeah. We will.” and then her lips are on yours in the most heart-stopping kiss you’ve ever had. It’s also distracting.

You don’t notice the sharp drag of her nails against your back in the middle of it. The cuts heal almost instantly. She smiles into the kiss and tells herself things will be better this way.

#jennifer check x reader #jennifer check imagine #slasher x reader #horror insert #monster gf x reader #these type of soulmates i always wonder how they actually find each other adjkl #like yeah i tasted that pepperoni and sardine pizza you had yesterday you bastard #but how does that help me find you adjkl #demon powers and needy meddling for the win #anon...your mind #do you get the lowkey poly vibes from this because i just cannot separate them #i have to learn to make these shorter adjkl #im sorry jen is a 1 pos and her solution to you being disgusted at being turned into a proxy hannibal lecter #is to scrtach you and turn you into a semi-demon so you'll like the taste #she's a motherfucker and we stan

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mcheang · 4 years

Text

Feng Jiu’s revenge against Lian Song

This was meant to be a short fic but somehow escalated to this...

Feng Jiu can understand him not helping her when she was a handkerchief, if even Zhe Yan left her behind, but did he have to eat her fish too and taunt her about Cheng Yu’s health? It just left her hungry and worried. Not a good combination.

So what if, instead of Lian Song bringing just Ali to see his Cousin, he also brought Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu immediately greets Jiu Ge as an old Friend. Feng Jiu numbly returns the greeting.

Upon seeing them, and after pinching Dong Hua’s leg twice, Lian Song mentioned that he brought these 2 pining friends to distract them from their worry over Feng Jiu.

Feng Jiu just shot the prince a mischievous smile. Turning to Cheng Yu, she inquired after her health.

Cheng Yu: I’m fine now that I can finally rest.

Feng Jiu: oh, I am so glad. I’ve been so worried ever since some rascal told me you were bedridden with a terrible headache and had fallen into a coma. I would have come to visit you, but that same rascal stole my supper and I was too weak to come find you.

There is only one person who Cheng Yu calls a rascal.

As Feng Jiu continued to enjoy her meal, Cheng Yu slowly turned to glare at the sweating Lian Song. What did he do to deserve this? Wasn’t the fox queen being kind of petty?

Cheng Yu cracked her knuckles menacingly. “That rascal indeed deserves to be punished. How dare he curse me to fall ill and steal a hungry girl’s food?”

Lian Song gave a weak laugh. “Come now, aren’t you both being too hard on this fellow. Maybe he was joking and didn’t mean any harm by it.”

Feng Jiu gave him a look. After all the torment she went through, she cannot get back at Dijun, but she can get back at his accomplice. “Ah, but this fellow knew how much I had already suffered. He knew that a weirdo was bullying me.” Dong Hua looked at Feng Jiu. She stared back unabashedly. After all he put her through, she had no qualms repeating the insult.

This whole time, Jiheng had been trying to serve Dong Hua soup but he ignored her in favour of the show in front of him.

Lian Song quickly took advantage of the situation and tried to appease Feng Jiu.

“Princess Jiheng, you don’t have to worry about Feng Jiu’s cooking. I’ve had her food before and it was the best meal I’ve ever had. Right, Dong Hua?”

Dong Hua turned to look at his buddy. “That is true. Now that she and I are neighbours, I can try her cooking. Considering the last time Xiao Bai cooked for me, you even ate my share.”

Lian Song’s brain: Oh come on. Now you are holding a grudge too?

Noticing Xiao Yan’s desolate expression, Feng Jiu leans over to whisper to him. Deciding to cheer him up, Feng Jiu decides to head to the kitchen to order more food for their new guests and ones that will suit Xiao Yan’s tastes.

Ali, Cheng Yu and Xiao Yan want to follow her but she gives them her bag of cakes instead. Then gives Xiao Yan’s share to Meng Shao and Jie Lu instead.

Feng Jiu tells Xiao Yan not to worry as she will order his favourite dish. If they can’t make it, then she will make it.

Dong Hua spills his soup.

Seeing Jiheng care for Dong Hua, Feng Jiu doesn’t have to worry about him and so goes over to the kitchen.

While the four of the guests enjoy the delicious cakes, Xiao Yan watches miserably as Jiheng tries to offer Dong Hua more soup. Lian Song is just miserable today.

Meng Shao and Jie Lu praise Feng Jiu’s cakes. Ali and Cheng Yu puff up like proud parents. Ali even mentions Feng Jiu was best at making sorrowless cakes.

Lian Song: What? She made those sorrowless cakes?

Cheng Yu gave Lian Song a too sweet smile. “Yes. And she also told me what happened the last time you tried it.” Her expression turned cold. Dream on, it said.

Lian Song: things are making more sense now.

Dong Hua already suspected Xiao Bai was the culinary maid from Tai Chen Palace. He wasn’t that surprised.

Meng Shao expresses a wish to try those cakes.

Dong Hua is getting annoyed because he didn’t get to try a cake. The soup is not appealing to him, even if it is favourite.

Feng Jiu returns, promising new dishes that are to Xiao Yan, Cheng Yu and Ali’s tastes.

When the dishes arrive, Dong Hua notes which one is for Xiao Yan. He accidentally causes the soup vessel to hit that dish, spilling all over poor Xiao Yan.

Feng Jiu fusses over him, making Dong Hua’s mood blacken. Lian Song doesn’t dare taunt Dong Hua now.

Jiheng leaves, disappointed her soup was wasted.

Seeing no way for Dong Hua and Xiao Yan to have a civil dinner together, Feng Jiu offers to treat him to a dessert place, Cheng Yu and Ali should come to. Dong Hua and Lian Song don’t have to strain themselves, Feng Jiu has heard how they enjoy spending their time alone, without the bustle of noisy youths. Meng Shao and Jiu Ge are welcome to join them though.

The prince and princess wisely and politely decline.

Lian Song and Dong Hua unhappily stare after the group of 4 romping happily to the dessert shop.

Lian Song: I did something nice today and this is the thanks I get?

Meanwhile, Feng Jiu is hugging her BFF and Cousin fiercely, crying about how hard Dijun has made her life.

Xiao Yan reminds her that she is only in this competition because of Dong Hua.

Cheng Yu refutes Xiao Yan’s nonsense. Of course Feng Jiu should not forgive Dong Hua so easily. He owes her too much. This favour can be counted towards that debt.

Cheng Yu coddled the abused fox queen, promising to teach Lian Song a lesson for being mean to her.

When they get back, Cheng Yu keeps her word and chases after Lian Song to give him a beating. When they return, Lian Song is sporting a large bruise and offers Feng Jiu his sincerest apologies for depriving a starving maiden of her food.

Once they leave, Feng Jiu turns to Dong Hua and huffs before stomping off without a good night.

Dong Hua’s eyebrows rise. Cheng Yu is a bad influence on Xiao Bai.

Anyway, training takes place as usual, with the kiss and ointment scenes.

When the tournament arrives, Ali and Cheng Yu are also present. Cheng Yu is infuriated that the fruit was stolen and goes to confront Dong Hua, dragging Feng Jiu along. When they learn from Xiao Yan/Jiheng that he returned to Taichen Palace, Cheng Yu tells Feng Jiu not to worry. She will get her that fruit; by hook or by crook.

In short, she gets Lian Song to bring her back to Taichen Palace where she confronts Dong Hua. Cheng Yu explains the real reason Feng Jiu wanted the fruit. If he wants to make peace with Jiheng, use some other treasure. But that fruit belongs to Feng Jiu.

Realizing his mistake, Dong Hua agrees to return the fruit to Xiao Bai and brings Cheng Yu with him back to the valley.

Lian Song decides to stay behind and question Si Ming.

They find Ali consoling his Cousin and doing his best to stop her from doing anything rash. Mostly by tying their hands together. Xiao Yan is also there comforting his good Friend, irritating Dong Hua. How annoying that his fruit theft backfired on him badly.

Dong Hua apologizes to Feng Jiu. He can’t explain the reason he stole the fruit in front of the others. It wasn’t the right time. Feng Jiu politely accepts his apology but thanks Cheng Yu wholeheartedly.

Cheng Yu already scolded Dong Hua but Xiao Yan still wants to give ice face a piece of his mind.

To change the subject and avoid offending Dijun, Cheng Yu suggests they might as well eat the peaches while they wait.

Dong Hua stays behind, trying to figure out how to get Xiao Bai to stop hating him.

Lian Song stops by and tells Dong Hua the whole story.

Dong Hua looks like he has a headache. He had just realized he liked Xiao Bai romantically, only to learn that he had seriously wronged her in stealing her fruit. He thought Xiao Bai had a bad impression of him for the whole handkerchief issue and thereafter, but they had been improving until the fruit issue. Now Lian Song is telling him Feng Jiu was his beloved fox who had been horribly neglected, not to mention how much she had done for him already.

Feng Jiu had done so much for him, but he had wronged her so much. He now realizes how much he likes her, and how much reason she has to hate and reject him.

What can he do?

Feng Jiu will want to return home now that she has the fruit...

He has the amnesia potion but Cheng Yu will help remind Feng Jiu what went down.

Lian Song’s advice: tell Feng Jiu the truth and apologize.

In any case, clear up that misunderstanding about Jiheng. Lian Song will take Ali and Cheng Yu home so Dong Hua can get closer to Feng Jiu without interference.

For more advice, remember the advice he gave Ye Hua?

1. use natural good looks to charm her....won’t work in this case

2. Be the hero and save her again....yeah, he owes her too much now so there won’t be any debt anyway

3. Injure self so she will nurse you...he will have to be truly injured since illusions don’t work on immortals

Feng Jiu could have returned with Cheng Yu but decides to wait because she wants to bid Meng Shao and Jie Lu a proper goodbye.

After their friends leave, Dong Hua visits Xiao Bai. He struggles to explain the situation again. He didn’t want her to have the Saha fruit because he was jealous of Yan Chiwu getting pastries from her. Feng Jiu is confused.

“I thought you were jealous because of Jiheng.”

Dong Hua confesses that he likes Xiao Bai, not Jiheng. But Feng Jiu can’t believe that so easily. She has suffered so much already because of Dong Hua.

Dong Hua asks what he can do to convince her of his feelings.

The thing is...Xiao Bai is not sure what to do if his feelings are sincere.

Dong Hua admits he knows what Xiao Bai has done for him.

Feng Jiu: Are you confessing your feelings because you feel guilty? Don’t worry. It’s all in the past. I have long decided to move on.

Dong Hua: I really do like you. It is not because of guilt. I liked you before Lian Song told me all you have done for me.

Feng Jiu just stares at him, speechless.

Dong Hua: Xiao Bai, what do I have to do to prove my love for you?

Feng Jiu looks torn about wanting to leave but Dong Hua is holding onto her hand.

After a moment of thought, Feng Jiu offers, “Carve out your heart for me. My aunt told me that is the sincerest form of expressing your love....but you don’t have to do it. I just can’t think of any other act right now.”

This could work for Dong Hua....

The next day, Feng Jiu is horrified to see Dong Hua heavily injured because he had actually cut his heart in half.

Feeling guilty, Feng Jiu agrees to nurse him back to health. During which time, she sings him lullabies and makes him toffee.

To prevent loss of face, Dong Hua’s injury must be kept secret. Which means Jiheng isnt allowed to see him.

Actually Dong Hua is exaggerating his pain...but hey, the dude’s shameless.

Anyway, Dong Hua gives Feng Jiu the ring. She has no choice but to accept the gift.

It will protect her from Miao Luo.

Ok, so Feng Jiu reluctantly believes Dijun likes her....but that doesn’t mean she wants to be with him!!!!

Dijun just asks to let him court her. Feng Jiu unwillingly agrees.

But there isn’t much opportunity to court her in the valley. Not to mention Feng Jiu misses Qingqiu where Dong Hua can’t exactly stay with her constantly since they are not engaged. Granted, he can be shameless but he doesn’t want to offend her family.

Upon leaving, Feng Jiu bids farewell to her new friends and clears the misunderstanding with Meng Shao. (Im following the drama so I have no idea why Jiheng was absent)

Feng Jiu returns to Qingqiu and at least clears off the blind dates once she makes it clear she accepted Dong Hua’s courtship.

Dong Hua decides to take her to the Mortal Realm first for a festival. There are many worlds, one of them probably has a party right then.

Soon it becomes known that Dong Hua is pursuing the Qingqiu queen and that all other suitors should avoid following his lead lest they face his petty vengeance.

Some wonder if the mighty Dong Hua was under a love spell. Ridiculous.

Others wondered if he was just obsessed with red foxes.... first he had a pet, now a lover....

Zhi He heard the news and rushed back, demanding to see her brother. Dong Hua wasn’t back yet, but Chonglin kicked her out because she wasn’t invited.

Despite taking her out on romantic dates and making her happy, Dong Hua still hasn’t received Feng Jiu’s acceptance.

Lian Song inquires via Cheng Yu who had already asked Feng Jiu.

It turns out Feng Jiu wants a man who will be beside her in danger and comfort her when she’s sad. Dong Hua hasn’t done any of those things much.

(To be fair, she was fighting Miao Luo to save Dong Hua.)

Lian Song warns Dong Hua not to stage a threat to Feng Jiu as Cheng Yu will see right through it and blab.

Then the opportunity comes during the Bing Cang ceremony.

Nie Chuyin appears and wins a fight against Feng Jiu. Because Dong Hua is not married to her, he cannot fight against the demon in the ceremony.

Nie Chuyin was instructed by Miao Luo to retrieve that ring! She wants Feng Jiu’s protection removed.

Once Feng Jiu passed it over however, Dong Hua promptly stole it back. When asked why he stole it, Dong Hua said the ring was an expression of love. He does not want the demon boasting about possessing Dong Hua’s token of affection.

Nie Chuyin leaves in humiliation.

Anyway, Feng Jiu already fulfilled Nie Chuyin’s wish and proceeded with the ceremony.

Dong Hua comforts Feng Jiu over her loss, reminding her that it was an unfair fight.

Feng Jiu remembers how Dong Hua helped her through her grandfather’s test and actually asks him to dinner.

It is the first time she has made a move. Dong Hua happily accepts.

Feng Jiu is finally ready to accept Dong Hua romantically and is given back her ring.

They go out on a few more dates before Dong Hua asks her to be his queen. She accepts.

Dong Hua literally gets them registered before the actual wedding.

Zhi He returns and is again kicked out.

Jiheng tries to interfere and be a maid at the palace but Dong Hua just cuts her off from his life by getting her Brother to accept her back. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan and other guards are ordered to guard her in Fanyin Valley and make sure she stays there. (In the book, she was dying but in the drama she was still alive but her poison had worsened.)

They have a happy wedding. Cheng Yu takes all the credit despite Lian Song’s protests.

Miao Luo is irritated because without the blood tear and red qi...she can’t escape. And she can’t give Nie Chuyin more power without either.

Nie Chuyin tries to sabotage the other demon lords but he is held in contempt for his interruption of the Bingcang ceremony.

#eternal love pillow book #eternal love of dream #三生三世枕上书 #lian song #cheng yu #eternal love of dream fanfiction #eternal love of dream fanfic #eternal love of dream fic #eternal love pillow book fanfiction #eternal love pillow book fanfic #eternal love pillow book fic

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smolbeandrabbles · 4 years

Text

Hail To The King - Henry IV & Reader (The King)

There’s absolutely zero ‘X’ to be had here. & To be used for platonic relationships #AppreciateThePlatonics

Author’s Note: 🎉🎉YES. I freakin’ DID.🎉🎉 Something else will have to come along and be freakin’ SPECTACULAR to stop this from being my movie of the year. Honestly, everyone involved in this movie should be super proud of themselves. This is an absolute gem. And I’m sure I’ll be raving about it for years to come... AND. If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good song. Especially when it fits the source material! Hail To The King - Avenged Sevenfold

Disclaimer: I do not own any of this apart from the words, which I wrote with mine own hand. I will not take away from the fantastic job David and Joel did. Also, seen as Shakespeare pretty much wrote fanfiction of history... this is like... fanfiction of fanfiction (of fanfiction?) Premise: As the King’s Guard it is your duty to protect him from anything. And you’ve done that well over the number of years you have served. There’s just one problem, what happens when you come face to face with the one thing you can’t protect him from...?

Words: 5371

Warnings: swearing / If you’ve not seen the movie and know nothing of the plays then... uh... spoilers!

__________

Royal flames will carve a path in chaos Bringing daylight to the night Death is riding in to town with armor... Blood is spilled while holding keys to the throne... No mercy from the edge of the blade Dare escape and learn the price to be paid Let the water flow in shades of red now Arrows black out all the light Death is riding in to town with armor They come to grant you your rights

There's a taste of fear When the henchmen call Iron fist to tame them Iron fist to claim it all Hail to the King Hail to the one Kneel to the crown Stand in the sun Hail to the King ---

If you’d ever bothered to trace your family history back, you wouldn’t have been surprised if there was a long line of you that had ended up in the service of whatever royal family was going. You had followed your father, and his father before him, and his before him… All in an array of vastly different roles – sure – but all in direct service to the King. Only difference here was you were female – and happened to have the most physical occupation of them all. King’s Guard. It had probably made sense when he was younger and getting himself into trouble – or dragging you half way across the country onto battlefields for his father and cousin. When you were more friends than anything else… But… When he became King? Shirked was the idea that he should have a woman defend him. But, apparently his thought process was quite the opposite; what kind of woman were you if you were the one charged with defending his life at every moment? Formidable. Worthy of being at his side. And you were glad for it. You held his confidence, his council and were damn well needed when the realm started their many rebellions – that was before you counted assassination attempts. So when distain was still noted, but had considerably died down, you though you might be owed apologies. Or at least a thank you. No such luck from most of his other advisors. But you didn’t much care for them; you were much more invested now in his children. With his daughters now married into foreign families you had little opportunity to see them. But his four sons, who still liked to practice their swordsmanship, and on occasion treat you like you were still in your twenties and they were still under ten, were fast growing into tough young men of their own. With many responsibilities. Thomas was the one who had taken to this with the most resolve, that was immediately recognisable – and now he too was council to his father. John and Humphrey were content to rest on their laurels, and that made sense – they were likely to never inherit the crown, and you knew that if ever called to such service they would jump at the chance. …Then there was Hal… “Where is that boy of mine-??!” You were snapped from your deep thought, huddled sitting on the wooden steps, by the voice of your King. “Likely in town...” you tipped your head back, eyeing him curiously, he could only be talking about his eldest with a tone like that... “Would you like me to go get him?” It was as much your duty to know the whereabouts of those boys at all times. Henry already looked weary at the notion; “Is that your job?” “Not really.” You stood, brushing yourself down; “But sometimes I do like taking a walk...” He sat back for a second to regard you; “I’ll permit it, but hurry straight back.” You gave a nod of agreement “Your Majesty.” You turned with a smile “Oh-! And Y/N?” “Yes?” You twisted once more, now backing out of the throne room; “Knock some sense into him, would you?!” You gave a laugh “Even when they were younger I always thought it was easier said than done... I’ll see what I can do!” ** You didn’t have to stroll that far and had barely made it out of the castle grounds before you ran into him, looking about as worse for wear as you expected these days. But he was in the company of a man you didn’t recognise; causing your thumb to loosen your blade from its sheath; “Eastcheap no good for tonight then?” Hal sent his eyes heavenward, usually he’d take your snark and give you attitude of his own with amusement. Now it didn’t matter what you said, or how, it would simply be taken as another bout of chiding from his father. Hal essentially saw you as an extension of him now – and he had little patience for either. “…No.” “Well then you best get back inside and cleaned up. I shouldn’t like to send you to your father straight away, but he was asking after you…” and there it was… Hal sighed as if this would be a great effort on his part; “Fine.” You turned you attention from the prince to his companion and drew your eyes up and down him for some explanation. “And you are-!?” “Y/N…” You shot Hal a look to silence him. “Falstaff, M’Lady…” It was a name you recognised… a seasoned warrior from a previous Kings reign. Although, he didn’t exactly look like that anymore. You wondered where Hal may have dug him up from. But could already jump to obvious conclusions. You folded your arms. “Oh, so you’re the bad influence.” His eyes flicked around the castle walls but didn’t meet your face; “I... don’t know how I feel about being called that.” You turned to Hal, still standing there awkwardly; “Don’t look at me, I’m not the one you answer to, get inside...” “But-!” “Get inside!!” You jerked your thumb over your shoulder, never one for liking repeating yourself. He sighed, eyes downcast and trudged past you into the castle. You shook your head and turned back to his companion, who was staring at your armour; “And who exactly are you?” You folded your arms, eyebrow raised; “That’s a joke right? And not a very funny one...” you walked down the steps to effectively get up in his face - it worked well enough for him to take a pace back “You certainly look like a bad influence.” He smirked gently; “What, and you’re the good one?” You gave a shrug “I’m not here to be either - but seen as he appears a little wayward from time to time I do like to attempt a bit of steering... God knows what would happen if I didn’t.” He surveyed you again; “You’re King’s guard.” “Correct.” “Will you be Hal’s too?” Part of you wanted to scoff, first it would have to happen – and tension in this family was high enough; “Unless he removes me from service...” you narrowed your eyes at the notion though, “But if I was you, I would have care how I spoke.” One too many strange men appearing on castle grounds got a girl wise to these things. He bent to examine your weaponry “Why? Would you run that through me?” You rolled your shoulders in a shrug; “I can think of worse things to do with my time...” “Surely all that is heavy? Don’t you take a break?” You raised an eyebrow “It’s... my job.” Not as heavy as the weight of the Kingdom I should think, in its current state. “I see, is that it? Stand around like that all day.” “Occasionally I train Hal and his siblings in combat - which they will obviously need if things continue the way they are. And I advise, on occasion...” you placed your hands on your hips; what it was to him however was beyond you. Still, he nodded his head to the gate that his friend had just disappeared through. “You gonna advise the kid too?” You scoffed this time; “Ha-! Well I’d certainly give him a lot better advice than you.” He gave another smirk “we’ll see about that.”

As you expected the ill-feeling continued, and eventually Hal stopped coming around all together. You weren’t exactly surprised, and neither was Henry, which you were glad of. He wasn’t all as delusional as they would call him. However, your King was getting wise to his own mortality. He’d survived a few illnesses so far – but now he was getting older they were getting harder to fight. And today as you looked over the palace gardens his musings caught your attention; “I must call him back.” You were torn between his health as a priority and the knowledge that before something really awful happened, their relationship should be allowed to mend; “Will seeing him not strain you?” “Don’t you ever get tired of telling me what to do?” “I get worried.” You slid off the stone ledge you were sat on, “Now more than ever...” “Mortal life is such...” You lowered your head; “...But I did not expect it to be so sudden... this is my duty, what do I do without you...?” “Continue on.” “If your heir allows it.” “Why should he not?” “I don’t know... children have a funny way of looking at things...” You only began to walk as he did, and slow... you had never been more alert in your entire life - not even when you used to ride the battlefield together and his very life depended on yours. When enemies and weapons surrounded you.

But this was the second time in your life you had felt powerless to stop something. And the first was with his wife. You adored her too, and essentially became her Queens guard. Retaking that oath on their wedding day. It had happened similarly... how were you supposed to protect him from something like this... And now enemies were on all sides too, what with the addition of Henry Percy to the rebellions. You should have dispatched him yourself over that dinner. You could reprimand yourself over that one later though… Still, in honesty, who would morn beside his father-!? Would you simply be fighting a losing battle? But you couldn’t give up - not on a man that meant so much to you.

*** Similar discussion rolled around again a week later, whilst you were waiting for the servants to finish dressing him one morning. You were the only one in this castle looped into everything. What Henry didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him – what the advisors weren’t telling you, you would gain from those in Henry’s inner most circle – the 4 or 5 of you that held his closest confidence. There was something in your demeanor that made you perfect to stand by his side and defend him, as well as make the right connections to have all the information at your disposal at any one time. Anyone who needed to know it would know in due time. Kindness paid you well, but being quiet and unassuming was twice as powerful.

“I must speak to Hal, don’t you think? Before this gets worse.” This time your answer was different, if Henry were to listen to reason, he would do it now; “I do believe that wouldn’t go amiss.” He nodded, turning to let them smooth out his cloak ready for another communal day listening to very boring stories where you would try not to roll your eyes. You used to give each other similar looks of distain back in his younger days... Now Henry seemed to make snap judgments that didn’t make him very popular; and it was your duty to stand and listen and accept it. Having said that, if he turned to anyone, it was still to you. “I will summon him, then, lay down the rules. How I expect my succession to go.” “If I may, he only needs some straight and narrow. And giving it to him as laid down should help him with that…” you gave a nod of approval to his suggestion “Firm but fair.” He was giving you that look again that meant you didn’t necessarily believe in your suggestion “…Y/N… The truth from you now.” He dipped his head but kept those piercing blue eyes on you. You breathed a heavy sigh; “…Go easy on the firm…” You gave a gentle smile “…I believe the fair will be what he needs most.” ***

As the meeting was adjourned you allowed yourself to lower your head into your hands; oh, Lord above what have you done? Clearly whatever you had said days previously had gone over his head, been forgotten, or someone else in this room had put other notions in his head. You glared at his row of ‘advisors’ – you could make a fair few guesses. If only you were just allowed to go around and take them all out without some yelling treason and getting you killed. You ground your teeth and excused yourself from your King for a moment. “Tell me this wasn’t someone else’s idea?” Thomas gave a shrug “…I… Cannot say I knew it was coming. But neither can I say it’s a surprise.” “Whether that be Hal or the battle?” “Oh. The battle was set… Why?” “Would you like me to accompany you?” He politely shook his head; “Your place is at my fathers side.” “I know that, but he’s hardly about to fight a war is he…” “You may stay, if I need you I will send for you…” Thomas was always your favourite, you didn’t like the idea that he was about to walk into this on his fathers orders “…You promise?” “I promise.” “Well then you best keep it, if you are to succeed him, then I would expect you to already be utilizing me.” He gave a smile at that, and a confident nod; “Perhaps I shall see you on the battlefield?” You reflected his warm smile with your own; “Until such a time, Thomas! I wish you luck!” It wasn’t so hard to catch Henry after talking quickly to Thomas and even less hard to get him to usher all his other bickering advisors away; “When I said talk to Hal, that isn’t exactly what I had in mind!!” “...What? Do you believe me to have lapsed in judgement...?” “He is your son! I would just expect that...” You held your tongue at the look he was giving you “That boy is no son of mine, do you think he cares? He would sooner see me dead than come to my heed - and he said it himself, he does not seek the crown of England.” You tried to not look so hurt; what had caused such a rift... you had your own ideas... Hal had always been the wayward unruly one... but the eldest. You always thought he would come back, and perhaps he would have. But both he and his father shared a similar distaste for one another’s company that had never really healed. Not even now, when Henry, like it or not was a dead man walking.

Things declined, and fast. It wasn’t like you could say one day he was fine and the next he wasn’t, he’d been ailing for a while - but you expected it to draw itself out a little longer... but when hour two of you sitting in the throne room alone rolled around you knew something was wrong. And you knew he’d long since lost the strength to wander alone; so he wouldn’t be in any of the places you would have usually found him pondering life. You decided you’d rather be in trouble for not being here when he arrived than leaving anything too late. And you were right; although when you got to his bedchamber only his doctor was still present. You stood in the doorway patiently, and he spotted you, whispering something to your King he came over; “I fear we are at the end...” It was like getting stabbed through the heart with your own sword, and as expected you couldn’t hold the dread from your voice; “...Is there nothing...” “Y/N I have done all I can... I know this is particular hard on y-” “You have NO idea how hard this is for me!” You spat back a little more venomously than you really meant. You were angry, confused, scared, upset. Henry had always laughed and told you your face was too emotional, and you always pushed him and told him you were his emotional support. At least you could actually roll your eyes when someone came to him with something stupid. Not that you were supposed to, but sometimes needs must. The doctor looked more than a little taken aback, so your expression softened and you lowered your eyes “Forgive me this is just... after losing her I... I thought I would lose my life before he did...” “Have you not done your job amicably well if he is dying like this?” “In agony? When I cannot do anything? Should the King’s Guard really outlive their King?” You were met with a silence, before the doctor turned to Henry again; “He will need rest... but you may stay...” “How long...?” “Little more than a week, I wouldn’t hope to expect that...” You swallowed back your tears, and he lay a hand on your arm; “...Y/N... I am sorry...” “...Are preparations made... is no one going to...” “What are preparations now? After Thomas-” You shot him another look “So we need to debate over Hal, now?” “Y/N... until he-” “For goodnessake...” You shook your head; fine. If his other advisors won’t say it, you would. Your smile was a thin line; “Thank you Doctor... I’ll take it from here...”

Those were some of the hardest steps you’d ever had to take, which you thought was pretty pathetic on your part. He’s your King dammit! It doesn’t matter for how much longer, he is NOW! It’s YOUR job to be his strength, while he still has some of his own... But he was your whole life, your whole world, your best friend. And if there was something to go through, you’d probably been through it together. And for all the talk of you supposedly saving his life, you couldn’t count the number of times he’d saved yours. Your eyes flicked to the castle grounds visible from the window, and you were glad they hadn’t left it dark in here. Though if they had you’d have done something about it. Always the rebellious one. You sat on the edge of his bed and sighed gently... if this really was it then you’d never get to walk with him anywhere again, let alone out there. You were starting to wish you’d savoured yesterday that little more. It wasn’t long before his hand took yours, and you were forced to smile. His voice was weak but held that amusement that let you know he wasn’t truly done yet. “...Never thought you’d have to see me like this...” You shook your head, eyes still on the scenery “...this is you we’re talking about... I’ve seen much worse.” He managed a chuckle; “Oh! About to get a collective embarrassing life story, am I?” “I’ll spare you that, your Grace.” “Oh. The honour is mine...” You laughed, despite the circumstances... “But in seriousness... we do need to talk about what happens next.” “Hal?” Your nod was barely there, unless he was about to offer up a second suggestion; “Who else?” There was a grumble and Henry withdrew his hand, which made you look back to him; “...I didn’t wish to see you lose any of them before your own life... but we can’t pretend it didn’t happen... Henry if you don’t name an heir there will be chaos... even if Hal is the more obvious choice... I don’t trust-” anyone! He sighed; “You never have.” “No. With good reason! Everyone here is here for themselves...” “And you aren’t?” “Thought it might be obvious by my title...” I’m here for you. You folded your arms “And if I have to tell you some home truths, so be it. I’m not afraid to do so.” “...Do you think he’s ready?” “I think he’ll be different.” “That wasn’t an answer to my question.” “How can anyone be ready? I’m not ready, and I’ve been preparing for what happens if I don’t do my job for 20 years-!” “You cannot shield me from this one...” “And how do you think THAT makes me feel-!?” There was sudden silence at the way you’d raised your voice and you sighed again “Forgive me, I...”

His hand reached out again and this time he brushed away the single tear that had escaped; “Do not waste your tears on me... crying is all but useless.” Your voice was barely above a whisper as it graduated to despair; “What am I supposed to do without you..?” “I told you. You will do your duty. And you better damn well do it good - that boy will need it.” You blinked a few times, allowing for a pause worthy of the significance, and raised an eyebrow; “Is that you agreeing with me on this one-!?” He chuckled again, “Come now; I don’t often disagree with your judgement.” “This is a major judgement...” you took his hands back in yours “Henry, it needs to be your decision and they all need to hear you say it...” “And they will, even if it’s the last thing I say...” You sighed gently again with a nod, despite your frustration, even now he wasn’t willing to mend fences. Well. You don’t know why you expected it. “May I stay?” “You may...” he closed his eyes again “... That way you can tell everyone else to leave.” You couldn’t help but grin, even though he couldn’t see it; oh you’d only wanted to do THAT from the second you’d been appointed... You left his bed, and settled in a chair, relaxing; “With pleasure..!” You ended up reading, head propped up in your hand and sword braced against the wall. It wasn’t something you had much occasion to do these days, and you for once gained your enjoyment from being absorbed in books, and not parrying in the courtyard with adolescent males who still hadn’t figured out a way to beat you yet that didn’t involve foul play. You smiled absentmindedly at the memory as you read on; no prizes for guessing which member of the family you ought to be thanking for that. Your eyes flicked up as he murmured something, and everything stilled for a moment. He murmured it again – a little louder but barely enough for you to catch it; you placed a marker in the book and slid it from your knee – leaning forward and focusing on him. It sounded like a string of nonsense – and you realised that he must be lost in dreaming. That didn’t make your approach any less curious. You stopped just short as he mumbled again; “…Mary…" Oh… Henry… You crouched beside him, lacing your fingers with his. He repeated her name a little louder now, and his fingers closed around yours tighter – as if desperate not to let go. His calling of her more urgent. You bit your lip gently, and attempted to calm him with gentle hushed tones of your own. And all at once you knew. He would have her back, he would get to see her again. You knitted your eyebrows together – was it fair to keep him here, to pray to God few more precious hours as much as you did, when all he’d wanted since she’d died was to see her again? It was like everything was being forced into perspective – and when he relaxed you dropped your hand from his and looked Heavenwards. He was your everything. But you should be thinking about his everything… ‘Forgive me…’ ** Every morning since then you’d been the first one to his room. For a start, there was no way you were letting anyone else beat you to the King’s side, and you wanted to pay damn close attention to the kinds of poison they might be whispering. On occasion you would simply make sure your sword hit something as you moved, to keep them in line. Your concern now was them leading him to something when he had very little effort to fight it off. He’d already made some rash decisions when he was completely lucid... some of the people that came to him had good points-! Even if they went about it the wrong way...

But, people had been calling him delusional for a little while and you weren’t having that, or anything else, happen now. So you watched them all with a particular form of glower. You’d only left his side to rest. Not that you got much of that done either - pacing the halls outside your room instead. You would wait in his, but, you had to at least act like life may go on. It wouldn’t. You would be just as delusional for thinking so... This morning however, was worse than all the rest. You took the steps 3 at a time and walked that corridor as briskly as you had any other day. But as you turned into his room you knew something was badly wrong. And that made you sprint the rest of the way, to your knees. His breathing was laboured, and even in taking his hand there was no strength left. “Henry...” He barely opened his eyes to you; “Y/N...” His voice was just as weak. And for the first time since he’d been bed bound, you didn’t want to cry. Some kind of amicable strength overcame you. “Save your words, My King... I shall gather everyone...” you knew he knew too. A shiver ran through him that you also didn’t like. Just stay alive... please until Hal is here... stay alive... You stood, and were about to turn and run from the room once more, but something stopped you. You reached down gently, and tucked his dark hair away from his face. Then you bent - and pressed a short kiss to his forehead. It wasn’t enough, but it was what you needed to say.

** You didn’t know if you were supposed to be running quite this fast in mail; and your sword occasionally banging into you caused a dull pain, but you didn’t care. Everyone you could think that would need to be there you roused from sleep, or any other mundane task they might be doing, in order to be by his side. And by the time you got back they were ready to administer last rights.

You stood in the centre of that room and surveyed it, a slow smooth circle until you were facing him again. Everyone was solemn and quiet. And there wasn’t anyone missing to be doing the task, either. You were about to raise the noise level; “Where is Hal?” “...Why would...” “Are you serious?! Without putting too finer point on it - we will need a new King. An heir to the throne of England. We can’t exactly have the first choice can we - where is Hal!?” “The King has not named Hal as the success-” “Are you JOKING!” You took an intimidating step forward, “Who else, pray tell, will sit on the Throne of England??! Would you like to call the Scots? The Welsh? The French? Hal is the heir and Henry’s eldest son...” “This King has not-” “RETRIEVE HAL FROM TOWN. One of you! NOW!” There was another silence like they weren’t going to heed your words. But within it a second weaker voice; “Hal...” You all turned at the sound of your King “...He must... you must...” You turned to them all with a sharp look; “I believe that is deceleration enough - one of you GO-!”

To be honest if your look was going to do anything it would well have murdered them on the spot, but it didn’t - so William was the one to volunteer to go. And you at least gave him a glum smile of thanks, before taking a deep breath and nodding to the Archbishop. It was time. Like it or not. And you didn’t.

***

You couldn’t stay, you should have been in that room but you couldn’t bare it. Watching his heart break over Mary was one thing too many even now; having him watch yours do the same wasn’t something you could do to him as he died. Instead you stood outside, one foot up against the wall. Your thoughts both equally merciful and selfish. Let it be quick and have him suffer no more... let him linger a while I’m not ready yet... But you weren’t even there, would it matter now. There was sudden screaming from the entrance way that made you look up; “Where is the monster!?” You sighed, Oh...Hal... You were right, fences could never be mended... would they be even now? All you could really be glad of was that he came.

Hal paused as he wheeled around the corner and caught sight of you. And composed himself, solemnly, you wouldn’t trust to hope he would be doing it for any reason other than you. Hal and yourself had never had any reason to not get along, other than the man you served. His walk slowed a little but he understood the urgency. His nod to you meant a great deal more than he would realise. You smiled gently at his interactions. He was like you, maybe that’s what Henry saw that he didn’t like. You weren’t opposed to the shakeup. You and he were two sides of the same coin - Hal and you would become the same side - there would be a lack of balance there - but you had discipline and your nature suited you to your job. There was a point where Henry liked that. Maybe he just didn’t want to see it in his own son. Either way, he was never blaming you for it.

You weren’t sure you had ever felt like this. Hollow emptiness, maybe, but it hurt so bad. You’d had weeks and months of this and you all knew what was coming. And yet... When it happened it was unbearable. There was sudden shuffling... and you knew everyone was dropping to Hal’s feet. You were still stood outside. They accepted because why? Because he had said so as he died? Because it was the only way? - if Hal relieved you from duty you could stick around. If he didn’t, you had a feeling he would need you more than his father did. Discord from the outside was naught like fighting something from within. Enemies on all sides once more. In a different way... You were aware of your tears this time and decided that this once you were allowed to not keep them at bay. You were conscious of Hal’s exit from the room and pulled yourself away from the wall. He paused, and turned to you. You took a breath, knowing you were duty bound to kneel to your King. And you would - but before you could even take the step he held his hand out. “You do not need to-” “It would be improper of me to not-” Hal was incredibly soft spoken, and that tone would serve him well; “Y/N - given your standing with my father, I would not have you submit in such a way before I am truly crowned...” he paused, and tilted his head, he saw those tears. And yet you should still be getting down on your knees... “...You will stay... in office?” You opened your mouth, but what to say, of course you would accept, and Henry had asked it of you. But did you risk looking too eager, everyone else would likely be forced, and yet he was giving you the choice. You countered; “If you would wish me to... and permit me to... I will stay.” He nodded in agreement “You are my Kings Guard.” “As you are my King.” There was a clear decision in that sentence that flickered across your face and Hal’s eyes at the sentiment. “...That is agreeable. You served my father well. I am of mind enough to know you shall do the same for me.” You gave a nod, Henry V... that’s what he would be... your second, and your second term in such an office. You could only hope not to outlive this one, and that he would reign for many a year. You bowed instead, low, so low you might as well have knelt. And when you stood again you were smiling. All hail a new era - maybe one England desperately needed.

“Hail to the King.”

---

Hope you know I wasn’t resisting at least ONE GIF.

@dennismitchell @happyskywhale @wltz-bby #MendoTagSquad.

#The King #OH MY GOD CAN WE JUST... TALK ABOUT THIS MOVIE!?!#I literally thought up this idea to use this song.#and THANK GOD I loved this movie #(i might have written it anyway but I mean... holy shit this MOVIE!)#Thea #Henry IV #Ben mendelsohn #Lets get platonic!#I might end up getting less platonic #FAMILY OF LIFE RUINERS THIS ONE #87 #i'm thinking there's much more to this than I wrote #I'll get there!

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hajimesh · 5 years

Text

lokasenna pt. 8

word count: 2.6k

pairing: jotünn!loki x healer!reader

summary: the castle buzzes with the arrival of the princess, everyone seems excited... except for you.

a/n: okay i have no idea how royal etiquette works and yep, i’m using dany as my inspo for angrboda. masterlist is in my bio :)

- Átta -

After the guard's statement the room erupted in chaos.

From what you could gather, this Princess Angrboda came from a small kingdom at the south of the realm. She came from a good family and rumour has it, she was very beautiful. With long platinum hair and grey eyes which made her one of a kind.

Everyone was ordered to go the throne room for a proper welcome to the Princess. The servants were standing at the back of the room, after them were the healers and in the front rows the guards and soldiers. The council members were gathered in a semi-circle around the throne, where Loki sat. Everyone was there. From the most insignificant servant to the very own King of Utgard.

Loki sat there with an unreadable look on his face as he stared at the doors. He straightened up when the sound of marching soldiers resonated on the walls. The doors opened and a sea of Jötnar soldiers came in, they marched to the centre of the room and then parted in half. The room went silent until a soft swish was heard thanks to the big, flowy skirts of the Princess grazing the ground. Once she got to the front, she did a small curtsy before Loki and he stood from his throne. Walking down the steps, he got closer to her and gently lifted her while grabbing her hand.

"Welcome, Princess Angrboda." He kissed her hand. "I hope you find your stay in my home enjoyable."

"Thank you, my King." Her voice sounded like silk, wrapping itself around your ears. "I am sure I'll enjoy myself." Smirking, her big grey eyes never left Loki's.

Her words repulsed you. She was clearly here to claim the throne and try to wed Loki. But you were sure he would reject her. If the rumours were true he wanted to rule alone, without a Queen by his side, at least for now.

Your thoughts were interrupted by Loki's voice.

"Would you like to go on a walk with me?" Loki seemed particularly attentive to her and you didn't know why it bothered you.

She tilted her head to the side, her hair flowing around her shoulders and when it caught the light, it looked even whiter. Her smile did not falter at all, in fact, it got even wider. "I would be honoured, my King."

They left the throne room, her hand around his arm. Everyone bowed as they walked towards the exit, like they were some sort of deities. You were annoyed, who did she think she was? This was not her kingdom and yet she was treated as if she was already the Queen. The doors closed behind them and everyone went back to their activities, leaving you there standing alone.

You rolled your eyes and went to the doors wanting to get away from there as soon as possible. But something stopped you, more like someone.

"Lady Y/N!"

Ægir stood in front of you with a smile on his face. You couldn't help yourself and smiled back at him, there was something in him that made you feel at ease.

"Hello, Ægir. I did not see you here before. Have you been here all this time?" You questioned him confused, your brows furrowing.

"Yes, I am afraid. I suppose you saw the whole show."

You tilted your head in a questioning manner. At this, he laughed and proceeded to explain. "The grand entrance of the Princess and Loki's attentions towards her."

A scorching feeling began to arise at the pit of your stomach but you concealed it rolling your eyes and with a mocking smile. He laughed and offered you his arm.

"Perhaps we could go on a walk on our own? If you want, of course."

You took his arm and smiled at him. He led you to the gardens and took a seat at one of the benches. You followed him and once you were sitting, you unconsciously let out a sigh.

"Is everything alright, my lady?" You blushed and nodded your head.

You were still thinking about Loki and how he kissed her hand. He had been such a gentleman with her, was he planning on marrying her? The thought left a bitter taste and you grimaced trying to dissipate the thought. Turning your head to the left, you saw Ægir staring at you, you had forgotten about him.

"Apologies, I think I'll go to my chambers and rest for a while. I had quite a hectic morning at the infirmary." You excused yourself and stood up, Ægir following your movements.

"Would you like for me to escort you?"

"Thank you for your offer, but I need a moment alone." You weren't even sure if you were going to head to your chambers, perhaps the library could distract you.

"Of course. If you need anything I'll be here." Ægir smiled at you and you nodded in gratitude.

Making your way to the library you couldn't help but get lost in your thoughts. You had no reason to hate Princess Angrboda, but your gut told you otherwise. As for the conflict you felt about Loki's attentions to her you blamed it on the protective feeling you got on your friends. You had know Loki since you were kids so it was obvious you only wanted the best for him, even if you weren't that close. Of course, it was that.

Reaching the library, you made your way straight to the stairs and took one of the books you left the last time and a chair. You began to read to distract yourself but soon realized your mind was elsewhere. You kept trying but you only earned a headache. Closing the book and pushing it aside, you rested your head on the table and closed your eyes. After a few minutes, sleep embraced you.

* * * *

Loki had just left Princess Angrboda's side when he felt the need to relax after a long day.

It had truly been a tiring day, keeping up façades in front of the Princess, treating her like she was his Queen. He knew the council members had something to do with her unexpected visit. He wasn't stupid, and if he wanted to keep them on his side then he had to pretend he had intentions of courting her. But he couldn't deny how pretty she was. He was surprised when he saw her emerging from the rows of guards that surrounded her, he was immediately captivated by her eyes. Grey–almost transparent– eyes looked at him like he was a prey, her skin had a very pale blue hue in it and her hair flowed around her like clouds on the sky. She was beautiful, there was no denying it. But it didn't feel right.

He came back to reality once he noticed the library doors in front of him, he decided to enter knowing no one would bother him there. As he stepped in, he noticed it was dark, there were no candles nor torches, so he decided to open the curtains. White light illuminated the room, sunlight meeting the snow making it reflect brighter on the windows. Loki stepped away and made his way to the staircase, gingerly grabbing a random book from a shelf on his way. As he reached the top of the stairs he noticed a body hunched over the table. He looked around but there was no one else in the room. He took a closer look and once he was close enough, he let out a sigh of relief. It was you.

He shook his head as he sat in a chair on the opposite side of the table. He made himself comfortable and once he was satisfied he began to read. He focused on the book on his hands and failed to notice the sky growing darker. It was only when you began to stir when he realized that he had been forcing his eyesight in order to keep reading. He closed his book and placed it on the side while waiting for you to fully wake up. He folded his arms on his chest and rested them at the edge of the table.

You rubbed at your eyes and then squinted, trying to focus your sight. Everything was so dark but you noticed a shadow in front of you. Your heart rate sped up and it wasn't until your eyes grew accustomed to the darkness that you made out the silhouette in front of you. Loki stared at you expectantly with a raised brow and a teasing smile.

"Had a good nap?" His playful tone caught you slightly off guard.

With a yawn, you stretched your arms above your head and moaned. Dropping your arms on the table, you smiled tiredly at him and replied. "M'sorry, your Majesty. I had a headache and I think the rush of adrenaline I had in the morning took a toll on me."

"Ah, yes. I heard about what you did today." He said as he rubbed his chin. "I'm glad you are finally finding your way around here, Lady Y/N.”

Your name rolling off of his lips surprised you. Trying to mask your shock, you turned your eyes to the floor and shrugged your shoulders.

"It really was nothing, just a common case of stomach-ache. Although I'm surprised they had no idea about it. It was as if I cured a rare disease, it was very odd." You scrunched up your face remembering the faces of the guards when they saw their friend getting better.

Loki's laugh got your attention and you smiled confusedly. Why was he laughing?

"It takes a considerably big amount of food to make a Jötunn fall ill with a stomach-ache. Our metabolism is very fast, which prevents us from getting sick." He explained and you felt dumb.

Of course it was that.

You sighed and rolled your eyes as you reprimanded yourself for not connecting the dots earlier. Loki smiled at you but you missed it, being so lost in your thoughts. He turned his head to the right and gazed outside, admiring the scenery behind the window in front of him.

“I would also like to apologize for my behavior this morning.” He sighed and you suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. “It was completely rude of me and out of place to drag you by your arm. I hope I didn’t cause you any harm.”

His eyes were expectant, focused on yours waiting for a reaction.

You switched your eyes elsewhere, his gaze wat too intense for your liking. “I accept your apology, your Majesty. And no, you didn’t harm me.”

An uncomfortable silence settled between the both of you. He kept looking at you, looking for a sign that could tell him if you were mad at him or if you had truly forgiven him. You couldn’t take it anymore, the awkwardness was eating you alive so you chose to leave.

As you were about to stand up and excuse yourself, Loki’s voice caught your attention.

“Being here in Utgard reminds me when mother used to tell me stories about Yggdrasil when I was a child." He sighed lost in thought. "It made me want to travel the nine realms so I could see with my own eyes every creature and every place she told me about."

You hummed in agreement. "I remember that story, the All-mother told me that one very often. It was one of my favourites."

Loki smiled softly as he realized the affection you had for Frigga. He knew the Queen loved you like a daughter but seeing you talk so fondly about her made him happy. Perhaps it was because he found himself missing her mother's presence or because he liked seeing that his mother was loved not only by him and Thor, but by you as well. Pride spread out on his chest, he had the best mother in the nine realms and, even if he was adopted, his love for Frigga was big enough to surpass that small detail.

"She loves you, you know?" Loki found himself admitting his mother's affections for you.

The sudden confession surprised you. It was very rare for Loki to talk about Frigga with you, let alone confess that his mother loved you, just like she loved him.

"And I love her. She has been a motherly figure to me since I have memory. Everything I am today I owe it to her."

Loki seemed to think for a minute before he opened his mouth to reply. "I wasn't very fond of you when she first brought you to study with us."

You snorted and squinted your eyes at him. "Really? I didn't notice."

He laughed in response and then you joined him.

"It's just… I-I thought that she would pay more attention to you and I got jealous." He sheepishly admitted as warmth crept up his neck.

"Jealous!?" Disbelief laced your voice, he had got to be joking. "Your Majesty, Queen Frigga loves you." Loki looked up at you with uncertainty in his eyes, this only made you continue your explanation. "She's always talking about you and how proud she is of having you as her son."

At this, Loki widened his eyes. "It cannot be! She's always talking about you and how good your abilities are."

You stare at each other in shock, until you can no longer take it and laugh. He looked confused for a moment before a smile took place on his lips and allowed himself to laugh with you. He saw how your eyes closed and your brows rose as you kept laughing. He couldn’t help but smile at what he saw, you looked so carefree and relaxed; you looked adorable.

You tried to even out your breathing and once you recovered, you addressed him. "Guess she loves both of us, huh?" You let out a little snicker, watching Loki smile widely.

"I'll fight for her then, I'll be her favourite." He stated proudly with a playful tone and a teasing smile on his face. "You can be the second favourite, if you'd like."

Your smile dropped slightly, but you nodded. "But… can we share? She's everything I got, if it weren't for her I'd still be a servant." You looked down at your hands, playing with the fabric of your dress.

Loki fell silent. His heart ached for you, he knew that you had no family and it was thanks to his mother that you could aspire for something better. Seeing you like this, so small and fragile, tugged at the strings on his heart.

"Of course, darling." He waited for a reaction but you were still looking down at your hands, playing with them. "I was only joking by the way, I know mother's heart is big enough for the both of us." He saw you lift up your head and smile gratefully. Loki rolled his eyes feigning annoyance and sighed. "Even for Thor." You finally laughed and he smiled, happy to see your spirits lifting again.

"Thank you, your Majesty." Smiling at him, you lightly bowed your head. Even if it felt like you were talking with a friend, you had to remember your place.

Loki scrunched up his face in disgust and he waved his hand in a dismissive way. "There is no need for formalities here, Y/N." Your eyes opened as he casually called you by your name but he paid no mind. "Call me Loki, please."

"O-Of course." You were hesitant to call him by his name, it felt odd.

He looked at you expectantly with a brow raised. He wanted to hear you say his name.

Rolling your eyes you sighed, faking annoyance. "Of course, Loki."

He smiled brightly in return and winked at you. You felt your cheeks getting warmer and you looked away, towards the window, missing Loki's eyes glimmering with what could be described as adoration.

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votederpycausemufins · 5 years

Text

Red: ch 3 Berries

This story is also posted on Ao3

Chloé visits Marinette’s home and designing happens.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chloé did her best not to look nervous as she approached the Dupain-Cheng bakery. She may have been invited, but going to her former rival’s home was different to say the least, not to mention she was on Sabine’s bad side as far as she knew, and Marinette mom was someone you did not want to be on the bad side of.

Chloé took a breath before opening the door to the bakery. The bell chimed and Sabine looked over. “Hello welcome to- oh, hello Chloé.”

The blonde was surprised at the unexpected warmth in Sabine’s voice. Her best guess was that Marinette had told her mother that Chloé would be visiting, but it was still surprising there wasn’t a hint of anger in Sabine’s voice.

Marinette came down the steps, nearly falling. “Chloé you’re here! Come on up!”

Sabine turned to look at her daughter. “Would you like me to bring any treats up? I’ve got a fresh batch of strawberry crumble.”

“Oh that’s perfect Maman! I’m actually designing a line based on different berries!”

“You will have to show me when it is finished.”

“I will Maman.” Marinette replied with a smile before dragging Chloé upstairs all the way to her room, which was tricky on the ladder.

Chloé looked around the bedroom. The place was very… pink. In the one episode of Fill my Shoes, Chloé had seen Marinette’s room appear, and it looked pretty much the same, but the area around her computer looked different. “It looks empty over there.”

Marinette briefly looked upset. “I’m uh… redecorating that area.”

That’s right, Chloé recalled, that’s where Adrien’s pictures had been. Another sign about how Marinette liked Adrien, but of course she didn’t anymore after what he had done. “Well maybe you should put your sketches there.”

Marinette tilted her head as she looked at the area. “You’re probably right. Could you grab my sketchbook?” Chloé didn’t move and after a few seconds staring at the wall, Marinette turned to look and the blonde. “Oh right, you’re not Alya. It’s fine if you don’t want to help.”

“No, I would grab it for you, but not only don’t know where it is, I also still remember last time I tried taking it.”

Marinette covered her mouth. “Oh that’s right! I completely forgot!”

“Here is it Marinette!” Tikki came flying over dragging the sketchbook along in the air.

“That looks heavy” Chloé commented, grabbing it from the kwami to give to Marinette.

“Just a little. I’m stronger than I look.”

Chloé gave a nod as Marinette carefully took out some pages. “Those don’t look like some of your best work, why bother putting them up?”

Marinette shrugged. “I guess I’m just paranoid with everything that’s been happening. It’s better if I put out the worse stuff in case someone tries stealing it.”

“That’s pretty clever. Like with your signature that looks like a design.”

“Yeah, I started designing them with that after Adrien’s birthday.”

Chloé’s eyes widened. “So that scarf was made by you! Of course his father wouldn’t wouldn’t give him a present like that. Ugh, he’s as bad as Hawkmoth sometimes.”

Marinette gave a small laugh. “I actually thought he was Hawkmoth until he was akumatized.”

“Right. So, you said you’ve been doing some designs?”

“Oh, yes!” Marinette smiled and opened her sketchbook to near the back. “I’ve finished blueberry, strawberry and raspberry. I’m still working on cranberry.”

Chloé looked at the designs. She had to admit, they did look nice. “These mainly seem more feminine. Anything a bit more masculine?”

“Well, the berry theme seems more oriented to dresses and other ‘feminine’ styles.”

Chloé studied the designs for a little bit more before handing the sketchbook back. “Maybe counterpart outfits, like bilberry and bramble berry.”

“Oh! That’s a good idea! What about strawberry and cranberry?” Marinette asked, grabbing a pencil and quickly writing some notes.”

Chloé pauses, thinking for a bit. “Well currant for cranberry, but strawberry is a bit harder. Maybe… lychee? Do you know what that is?”

“Yes, my uncle has made some recipes with Lychee, though not too many. It’s mainly for deserts. But that’s a great idea for the counterpart to strawberry!”

“Now if there were only something yellow.” Chloé said quietly, though loud enough Marinette heard.

“Well, bananas are classified as berries actually.”

“Look, yellow is okay, but actually picturing a banana is a line I will not cross!” Chloé states firmly, crossing her arms.

“That makes sense. And I know it’s not yellow, but I may have made a design or two for you. I’ve done at least one for everyone in the class. Well except Lila.” Marinette gave a quick shrug and grabbed a different sketchbook. “It’s got some purple in it, but I could recolor it if I make it.”

Chloé took the sketchbook that was handed to her. It looked… nice. The design had her with a long sleeved dress shirt with the cuffs slightly rolled up. Over it was a vest like shirt. It was a light lavender and in the middle there was a white and purple diamond design. The pants were a simple middle grey tone. The shoes were the same color or a little darker with lavender and white accents in the same diamond pattern.

“This is… amazing. Can you make this for me actually?” Chloé looked up from the sketchbook. “But change the colors. The purples make yellows and the white in the designs can be lavender.”

Marinette looked shocked. “Wait, really?”

“Well various magazines say changing how you dress can help change how you act.”

“Alright, I guess I’ll redraw it with those colors. I might change the design to better fit them, so if I do, I can send you a picture! But wait…” Marinette turned to look at Chloé after turning to her designing area. “I don’t have your phone number.”

“Ugh, that’s right… fine, give me a piece of paper. Just make sure you get rid of it once it’s in your phone. I don’t want anyone else getting it. Adrien and Sabrina are already enough. I want to block Adrien, but it might be suspicious.”

“You could just do it anyway.” Marinette suggested.

“No, no. It could make him worse. Besides, who knows if it could be useful in the future. Now, let’s stop talking about him. So, you’re working on those berry designs?”

“Right! Designing!” Marinette grabbed her sketchbook but fumbled with it, somehow managing to smack it, flinging it towards Chloé and hitting her in the face.

“Dupain-Cheng!” Marinette flinched at the yell. “How are you so graceful as Ladybug and so clumsy as you?!”

Marinette gave a small sigh of relief that Chloé wasn’t being mean then listening as the blonde continued. “Look, we’re friends now I guess, so I’m not going to be too mean outside of school. But at school I will be mean. I have appearances to upkeep.”

“Is that why you acted mean when you invited me to your table?” Marinette raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, exactly. I’m known as a bully, especially yours, and if I was suddenly just nice, it would be worse than half nice.”

“I guess, though you don’t really have to pretend to completely like me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Chloé glared at Marinette before her eyes softened. “Oh, you mean that. Look I’m still getting used to having a real friend. Which we have only been for a day.”

“Maybe, but you’ve been nicer to me than anyone else in our class in the past week.”

Suddenly Tikki flew away and hid as the trapdoor opened to Sabine. “Here are the treats girls.”

“Thank you Mme. Dupain-Cheng.” Chloé thanked Sabine and took the platter from her.

“I’m just glad Marinette has someone coming over again.”

Chloé nodded and took the treats over to Marinette as Sabine went back down. As the designer picked up one piece, Chloé picked up another. “To new friendships I suppose.”

“Right, to new friendships.” Marinette nodded, then pressed her piece against Chloé’s for a moment as if they were clinking glasses after a toast before she took a bite.

Chloè took a bite of her own and was amazed at how it tasted. She barely ate anything from the bakery if she could help it, but she had to admit, everything they made was delicious. “This is amazing!”

Marinette laughed. “It must be if you’re talking with your mouth full.”

“Oh shut up!” Chloé said, failing to stifle a laugh, proceeding to playfully push Marinette a little. It took her back to their first year of school together. Well it wasn’t quite school. It was a day of daycare while their parents were working together on something. It was the first and last time they were together before Chloé really started to act like a bully. Just before her mother left for her nearly permanent move to America.

“Thanks Marinette. For letting me have the chance to be your friend.”

Marinette gave a small smile. “I’m glad you’re willing to change.”

The two gave a quick hug before continuing their time together, eventually losing track of how late it was getting, leading to Chloé calling her father to say she was staying over, which was fine since tomorrow they didn’t have school.

Chloé was surprised to find that Marinette had some Queen Bee pajamas, though she seemed to have a set for each of the heroes. Marinette dressed herself in what was likely her regular pajamas. The designer then set up a place on the floor with plenty of blankets and pillows. “There, I can sleep here and you can have the bed.”

“Thanks Marinette.” Chloé smiled before getting into the bed. They were just getting situated and ready to sleep, when out of nowhere, there was a knock on the door. The door to the balcony.

#miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #chloe bourgeois #lila rossi #ladybug and chat noir #miraculous ladybug salt #tikki

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