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cecexwrites · 8 days

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Just One Night

(I was supposed to do a whole bingo card and ended up melting into a useless puddle but I got about halfway through this and I needed to finish it and tbh I'll probably finish the whole card slowly but surely)

May the odds be ever in your favor, Tomorrow The 74th Annual Hunger Games begin, and tomorrow the mentors are all heading out to watch as their tributes are chosen. But tonight is for partying, and when Eulalia Golding is given the key card for her assignment for the night- she finds herself in the room of someone most unexpected

18+ below the cut. Below here there be smut

"Alright, who is here that I should keep an eye out for?" Eulalia tucked her lip gloss into the little bag hanging from her wrist, her eyes scanning the crowd, looking for anyone who would be considered important and worth her time.

"Several game makers are here, it'd be good to have them on our side for the next games," Thane answered, his golden brown hair was perfectly coiffed, and his deep purple tux was flawless. He was the perfect temporary arm candy, there and handsome until he was no longer needed.

"Okay." Eulalia nodded. She was getting a new set of tributes this year. Unfortunately, she'd yet to train a champion to take her place. Part of her felt bad about that. Part of her was sure she was saving them from an even worse fate.

"There are also a large number of Victors here tonight," Thane commented. "The quarter quell is coming next year. No one knows what to expect. I think a lot of Victors want to stay close, they want to listen for any clues."

"Good luck to them. I've done everything in my power to get the game makers to spill and those lips are locked tighter than Snows a-"

"President Snow." Thane interrupted her, giving the man in question a wide grin. He reached out and shook the man's hand. He was old but his grip was strong. Eulalia offered him her hand and he kissed the back. Thane's stomach turned at the gesture.

"Miss Golding, lovely to see you here. When I asked Mr. Hawksley if you'd be attending, he was- unsure." Snow narrowed his eyes at the two.

"That was my uncertainty." Eulalia shook her head. "I wasn't feeling well, But it cleared up before it was time to go."

"Lucky us." Snow looked her up and down slowly. "Well, enjoy the party." He drawled, then walked past her.

"You told him you weren't sure?" Eulalia asked. She'd had the dress for this party picked out for weeks. It was a rather elaborate dress, with a sweeping pearl-colored silk skirt. the top was more structured, as it was made up of golden flowers and branches, leaving more of her skin revealed than not. One wrong move, it seemed, and she'd be exposed to the whole room. But thanks to a lot of tape, there was no chance of that happening.

"I had a feeling." He shrugged. "That if I didn't admit that you'd be there then perhaps he wouldn't have enough time to set up an appointment for you after the party. Perhaps, just perhaps, you could get home at a decent hour. We have work to do tomorrow." Thane reminded her, the two of them making their way to the refreshments.

Eulalia eyed the table hungrily, she hadn't eaten much that day- she couldn't risk the bloating, not in a dress like this. And that held true, in addition to the fact that if Snow did find her a client for the night, she just found it was easier to handle on an empty stomach.

"Are you hungry?" Thane asked, though he very much knew her reasoning for not eating. "I'm sure we can find you something that won't... sit heavy." Eulalia watched as a woman with purple hair, coiffed to look like a swan, loaded up a plate with food. She was talking with her companion, a man with painted orange skin, about the pills that made her sick, so she could make room for more food.

"Tomorrow I deserve a lavish breakfast." Eulalia decided, lifting her chin up. "Tonight I will be fine."

"You almost sounded believable, princess." A third voice joined the conversation. A man slipped by them, close enough that the satin of his black shirt brushed her fingertips.

Adler Cresswell. He was the mentor for District Eight, he had been for nearly Eulalia's entire life. His golden blonde curls were cropped fairly close to his head at the moment. He was always at his cleanest right before the games started. When he got a look at who he'd be sending to the slaughter, he often gave up on himself until a few weeks after the games ended.

Eulalia watched him as he grabbed a plate and started to load it up. He wore a satin shirt, tucked into his matching black pants. The sleeves of the shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing forearms corded with muscle, and his hands, the fingers long and thin.

"See something you like?" He asked, teasing. She jerked out of her daydream and flushed, shaking her head.

"Of course not." she stammered.

"Of course not." He repeated. He put a pile of various foods on his plate and walked back over, he plucked a berry from the plate and held it up. "Try it." He encouraged. She started to reach up but he shook his head. Eulalia's heart pounded as she opened her mouth and he placed the berry on her tongue. She closed her lips, just barely avoiding the tips of his fingers.

The berry was perfectly ripe, sweet, and juicy, it burst on her tongue and she couldn't stop herself from closing her eyes and releasing a soft moan.

"That's a good girl." Adler grinned. "Eat something, Golding, you're skin and bones." He commented, eyeing her up and down, much like Snow did, but somehow, when Adler did it, it didn't feel as icky. It felt like he was interested in her- not in what she could do for him. He slipped past them and Eulalia swallowed hard.

"Lalia?" Thane bumped her gently with his hip. "Everything okay?"

"Yes, of course, everything is fine." Eulalia smiled at him and went to the table, picking up a plate. Thane quirked an eyebrow, turning his head to watch as the District 8 Mentor walked out to the balcony, it was a chilly night, and he was going out there to be left alone.

"I never realized how amazing the food was at these parties," Eulalia muttered around a mouthful of fruit. She couldn't talk herself into the true indulgences, but the fruit was all perfectly ripe and sweet and amazing. She picked up a berry from her plate and held it out to Thane, he leaned in and bit into it, leaving the leafy green bit in her hands. She smiled at him and dropped the discard on the plate. When the two of them had made it through the small pile of fruit, He started to lead her out to the dance floor, only to be interrupted by Snow.

"Miss Golding, it seems your presence has been requested." Eulalia's shoulders tensed up. Thane's hand was on her back and he felt every muscle in her back tighten.

"Is that so?" She asked, her voice as tight as her muscles.

"It is. A surprising... candidate to say the least." Snow handed over a card to her and she handed it to Thane, who slipped it into his jacket pocket. Snow's eyes narrowed at the pair. "You know, Miss Golding, you are an adult now, you no longer need a... handler."

"He's less a handler and more a friend at this point." Eulalia ducked her head down and let Thane lead her to the dance floor, but they didn't stop there, they kept walking through the floor and out the doors.

Snow didn't always work face-to-face with victors when he used them, sold them. He saved that for the ones who made him the most money. A lot of Victors from District One and a few scattered through other districts. Fennick, for example, was one of his 'Special projects' But he got the luxury of getting away from it in his own district sometimes.

Eulalia found that going back to District One was just as awful as staying in the Capitol.

"I can't cry." She commented, tilting her head back. "I can't, I haven't in years so why-" Because she had been so sure it wouldn't happen this time, because of the way Snow had talked earlier- most of the men picked their toys in the days before the party so they could dress them up, or attach them to their arm for the night as if they weren't forced to be there. She'd spent all night with Thane, she'd been allowed to wear the dress she'd been so excited for. Now it was going to lay crumpled on some man's floor.

"You can. Makeup can be fixed, Lalia." Thane reminded her.

"What room is it?" Eulalia asked. Thane dug in his pocket for the card.

"808." He answered.

"Let's go, perhaps we can scope out the room before he gets there." She turned on her heel, steeling her resolve, and stormed into the building, past the party, and into the lift. Thane got in alongside her, pressing the button for floor eight.

Each floor was designed to 'look' like the district of the same number. But it was a much more glamorous, completely false version. No one actually wanted to stay in District Twelve, but they loved the way the darkened hallways looked like mine shafts, how the walls glittered with gold and gems that the real District Twelve never had. They were coal mines, but that wasn't as pretty.

The floor for District Eight was just as falsely glamorous, with silk and satin lining the walls, with gold embroidery decorating the doors as their room numbers. 802 804 806. Thane stepped in front of Eulalia, running the key card and opening the door. They didn't know who this was, they'd had no chance to look into him or his past Thane hated that. But the room was dark.

"Oh good, we did beat him here." Thane mused, stepping into the room. He reached out for the light, but came up empty. "Where in the hell-" He finally found the light and he slapped it on, the two of them jumping when they realized there was someone in the room after all.

"Adler?" Eulalia's heart sank as she felt the betrayal. It was incredibly rare for a victor to request another victor but it wasn't unheard of. He wouldn't be her first. But somehow, because of his comments earlier, it felt like even more of a betrayal.

"The one and only." Adler sat in a chair in the corner, by the window that overlooked the city. "This floor is god awful. Do they put you on the first floor?" He asked.

"I have an apartment in town, but I often end up on whatever floor my client is on." She struggled to keep the disdain out of her voice. "Thane you can-" She started to move out of the way. Thane had a murderous look on his face but she shook her head. "Go." the last thing she wanted was for him to get in trouble.

"No, Hawksley, it's fine, you can stay if you'd like." Their heads jerked to face him in unison. "I didn't hire you to bang you, Golding" Adler stood. "Armitage was putting in his bid and I don't like that prick, so I outbid him just to make sure he couldn't have you." He held a glass of something in his hand- a brown liquor of some kind.

"You did?" Eulalia's eyes widened a bit as he came closer.

"I did. You should probably stay for a bit, but you're safe from me, sweetheart. I prefer my partners to be actually willing." There was a knock at the door and while Eulalia jumped, Adler just pulled it open and gestured for the person to come in. It was an Avox who pushed a cart full of food. Just the smell set her mouth watering.

"Thanks," Adler commented to the Avox as they bowed their head and hurried out of the room. "Like I said, Hawksley, you're welcome to stay. I don't know how closely they watch you two, but I'm sure no one would be shocked at the revelation that you two are fucking."

Eulalia had been through a lot in her life, but nothing had made her clutch her non-existent pearls the way that suggestion did.

"Watch your mouth, Cresswell," Thane warned. "Eulalia and I have never-"

"Really?" Adler quirked an eyebrow. "That explains the looks. So what, you just escort her to-"

"I said. Watch. Your. Mouth. Come on, Lalia, I don't think him being a quick finisher would be a shock to anyone either." Thane turned to go, but stopped when he realized Eulalia hadn't moved,

"If we leave too soon- Snow will just book another one." She pointed out. She'd learned the hard way. She had once drugged a client and went to leave, but was intercepted by Snow who happily found her a second for the night. Also, the food looked and smelled amazing. Her stomach growled loudly and Thane sighed.

"Fine." He unbuttoned and removed his jacket, taking it off and hanging it up, then he began unbuttoning his shirt.

"What are you-" Eulalia's eyes widened.

"You can't sit or get comfortable in that dress."

"I have extra shirts she can wear." Adler offered.

"No." The idea of Eulalia in another man's clothes bothered him more than he cared to admit. Thane got his shirt off- he was wearing an undershirt, so he wasn't fully half-naked in front of them. He held the shirt out to her and she took it, hurrying off to the bathroom to take off the dress.

"Green is a good color on you, Thane." Adler opened a few of the cloches that covered the food. He'd gotten a ton of different options. "The cost is being covered by someone else, might as well overindulge." He shrugged.

"I'm not green," Thane argued, walking over and grabbing a handful of fried potatoes, tossing one in his mouth.

"You're undressing in my hotel room to stop that woman from wearing a shirt out of my closet." Adler pointed out, picking up one of the plates and going to sit back down in the chair by the windows.

"I'm not- It's not like that." Thane stammered.

"Oh, I'm not bothered. I rather like half-dressed men in my hotel room- fully undressed it better but I will take what I can get." Adler shrugged. Thane was left- again- speechless. The bathroom door opened and Eulalia walked out, she'd changed out of the dress and had taken her overly complicated hair down as well as removing her makeup. There were still some bits of hair that were hard with hair spray but this was the most undone that she'd let anyone other than Thane and Orin see her in years.

"Here." Thane picked up one of the plates and held it out to her, he knew what she liked, and even when she was indulging she never let herself go too wild with it. He did sneak a few little treats onto the plate. if they were there, and no one mentioned them, then she'd let herself enjoy them.

"Thank you." Eulalia took the plate and hopped over to the bed, hopping on. Thane made up his own plate and turned. Eulalia was happily eating, her focus on the plate on the bed in front of her. Adler, however, was silent, unmoving, his gaze on Eulalia.

Thane didn't say anything. He could understand it. The first time he met Eulalia Golding, as young as she was, she understood the importance of public perception. She kept the facade up for him for a ridiculously long time. She wouldn't let him come over to the apartment that had been rented for her too early, because she needed time to get up, do her hair and make-up, and make sure she was dressed and ready to go.

So the first time he saw her without all of that, the first time he got to see the Eulalia that was underneath it all- it had been blindsiding and now that she was grown- it was somehow breathtaking. Her beauty wasn't dependent upon all the bullshit.

Thane sat in the other chair, next to Adler's and he started to eat.

"Thank you, Adler," Eulalia commented. She had already gotten through a good bit of her food and was pushing the rest around idly. "I can't stand Armitage." She picked up a potato and bit into it. Her eyes closed as it melted in her mouth. She didn't let herself eat a lot of potatoes but damn she loved them.

Adler got up and snatched her plate.

Thane sat in the other chair, next to Adler's and he started to eat.

Adler got up and snatched her plate.

"You're welcome." He answered, adding more potatoes and bringing it back, putting the plate down in front of her. Eulalia glanced at Thane, but his eyes were on Adler. "Like I said- I want my partners," his eyes darted between the two of them, "Willing." He plopped back down and propped one foot up on the bed. Eulalia looked thoughtful, working out what he'd meant, what his eyes had said that his lips hadn't.

Slowly but surely it hit her. She straightened, her eyes widening.

"Adler- are you..." She trailed off.

"I'm whatever I want to be, Golding." He commented, shrugging. "Usually. Around here it's hard to keep it that way." He admitted. "I never understood why you chose to live here."

Eulalia surprised him by letting out a bitter laugh.

"I've never been allowed to choose anything in my life."

"What?" Even Thane was shocked by that one.

"You heard me." Eulalia shrugged, unwilling to say it again. As if Snow or someone else might appear out of nowhere and punish her- or worse, Thane- because she dared to speak up.

"Lalia." Thane's voice was gentle. She shrugged.

"It's fine. I knew when I was a kid what was going to happen... well... not all of it." She admitted. She'd been completely floored when she found out that winning the games didn't lead to freedom. It led to more shackles. She glanced up when no one spoke up and found Thane staring at her while Adler was back to eating, finishing up the food he had on his plate.

"Then it sounds, Golding like you should probably start making your own decisions." Adler dropped his fork and leaned back, finally looking at her.

Eulalia caught her lip between her teeth, looking thoughtful.

"That's enough." Thane stood and took the plates from Adler and Eulalia, taking them to the room service cart. He sorted through what was left on the tray, putting it all on one serving platter and moving it to the table by the door, and then he pushed the cart out of the room to be taken away.

When he turned around Eulalia was standing, her gaze flicking back and forth between Thane and Adler.

"Lalia." Her hands moved to the buttons of her shirt. Adler was leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes had a hungry glint to them.

"Sit, Thane." She ordered, nodding at the chair, she unbuttoned the first button. He didn't move, but he also didn't try to say anything to stop her as she did the same to the second button- the third-

The shirt had eight buttons, she'd only buttoned six of them. Thane's mind screamed at him to stop her, to protect her but deep down he knew- she wanted this, She didn't want him stepping in and telling her what to do.

Adler quirked an eyebrow but remained silent as she let the shirt fall from her shoulders. The soft as clouds material pooled at her feet and she bit her lip, for the first time in a very long time, she looked unsure of herself. Adler stood up, closing the space between them. He placed one hand on her hip, leaning in to kiss her.

Thane's hand balled into a fist, but he didn't feel the urge to punch Adler in the face- no. Instead, he felt a stirring, his cock twitching, coming to life in his pants.

Adler broke the kiss and turned his head to look at Thane. He held a hand out, gesturing for him to join. Thane, however, looked to Eulalia for permission. If she wanted him to walk out right now, he'd do it for her. She gave a small nod, gesturing with her own hand to come closer.

He crossed the room and up close he could see she seemed a bit lust drunk but when Adler's hand gripped the back of his neck, pulling him down, he didn't stop himself from kissing her. The soft kiss quickly turned to something rougher, the bruising kiss letting out years of tension. Adler let it go on, then used his grip on Thane's neck to break the kiss, pulling the other man in to kiss him.

Adler hadn't known he was bi before coming to the Capitol. He didn't have the vocabulary to know such a thing when he lived in District Eight, but he did know from a young age that he looked at men in the same way he did women. He thought he was a sexual deviant- he knew gay people and he knew straight people but to like both?

When he won his games and he had to deal with the tastes of the people here he started to realize- though he couldn't fucking stand the people in The Capitol- that maybe they had something going with not caring as much about the gender of their lover.

Which was why he was able to kiss Thane without any reservation. He could tell by the looks on both Thane and Eulalia's faces that neither of them expected this to happen. He expertly unbuttoned Thane's fly, tugging the zipper down.

"get them off." He ordered, referring to the pants. Thane nodded and stepped back, kicking off his shoes and tugging his pants down around his ankles, he stepped fully out of them and Adler went to the chair, holding Eulalia's hand so she would follow him there. He sat, propping her up on his lap.

"Keep going." He gestured when Thane paused. He pulled his undershirt over his head, tossing it over by his abandoned pants. Eulalia's tongue darted out to wet her lips, Adler's hand moved between her legs, his fingers slowly running up and down her slit.

"You're soaked, darling, do you see something you like?" He asked, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. She nodded, her mouth moving soundlessly for a moment before she found her voice.

"Y-yes, Yes I do." She nodded rapidly. Her heart racing.

"You're still too dressed, Thane, keep going," Adler ordered, his fingers were working Eulalia but his eyes were on Thane, just as much lust in his gaze as there was in hers. Thane found he liked the attention, his fingers hooking into the waistband of his boxer briefs, taking his time to slowly lower them. His cock strained against the fabric, desperate to be let free. When he got them down low enough, his cock bobbed to life, the boxers falling to his ankles.

"Oh-" Eulalia gasped seeing his size. She'd known he wasn't small, she'd been around him almost twenty-four-seven since she won her games, she had seen little hints and ghosts of what was hiding behind the well-tailored pants but she couldn't have imagined this.

Adler slipped two fingers into her, her pussy taking them easily with how wet she was. He slid them in and out slowly, gesturing, with his other hand for Thane to come closer. The man didn't think twice about it, crossing the small space between them and kneeling down.

"See how fucking soaked she is, Thane? And it's all for you."

"Not all of it." Thane denied, glancing up at Adler, his meaning clear. Adler smirked in response.

"Spread your legs, Eulalia." He ordered and she did just that. "How long have you wanted a taste of that sweet pussy, Thane? How long have you dreamed about it." Thane's cheeks went pink at the suggestion, knowing that it was very much true.

"Thane." Eulalia's voice was low, almost questioning.

"A while." He admitted. "A couple of years." He glanced up at her face, she seemed shocked- but not mad. He was just glad she wasn't mad at him. She lived in a world where everyone was using her. Where just about everyone was out to sleep with her or take something from her. He didn't want to be one of those people. His attraction to her went so much deeper than her looks. She was beautiful no doubt, but she was also brilliant and funny and he had spent just about every waking moment with her for years and he wanted to keep doing it until the day one of them died.

"Do it." She ordered. He dug his nails into his thighs to keep himself from just diving directly between her legs.

"Lalia-"

"Do it, Thane, please." She spread her legs wider and that was all the invitation he needed. Thane moved forward, finally burying his face between her legs.

She was as divine as he imagined, her pussy was sweet and warm, soft like velvet. She moaned, her hips rolling up to meet his tongue and he knew- this was dangerous. He was going to end up addicted. He gripped her hips, holding her there as he continued his feast.

He glanced up and Eulalia and Adler were kissing. Her hand moved down next to Thane's head, over the very obvious bulge in Adler's trousers. Thane ate with fervor, further driven by her unbuttoning and unzipping Adler's fly, her hand slipping down into his pants.

"Take it out." He paused his meal just long enough to utter the words. She broke the kiss to look at him and he gave a single nod before going back to it. Eulalia did as she was told, freeing Adler's cock from his pants and fuck- Thane found he was just as hungry for that. Her hand moved up and down Adler's thick cock- he wasn't quite as long as Thane, but he seemed to be thicker. Her hand definitely couldn't close all the way around it. Thane moved from her pussy to lick along the underside of Adler's cock until Eulalia's hand got in the way.

One look up at the man told Thane that he hadn't been expecting that, his eyes were partially closed.

"That's a good boy." Adler encouraged. Thane helped Eulalia with the hand job, his hand could properly close around the circumference of Adler's cock and their hands together moved in sync while he went back to eating Eulalia out.

His work was soon rewarded by her thigh muscles tensing, the one hand he still had on her hip held tighter as she tried to break free. She let out a cry of pleasure, her back arching up as she came, her grip on Adler's cock tightened the slightest bit- not enough to hurt him but just enough for him to feel the difference.

"Fuck-" He groaned. She didn't pull her hand away even as she rode out the orgasm her legs shaking with the effort to stay properly open. Adler reached down, stopping their work on his cock. "On the bed, Eulalia, on your hands and knees. I want to see what you can do with that pretty mouth of yours." He got her up off his lap- on his pants there was an obvious wet spot from where she'd literally dripped down- He didn't give it a second glance, Carefully moving Thane out of the way as well so he could stand, removing the pants anyway. As well as his shirt. He hadn't been wearing anything under all of that, leaving him fully naked in front of them.

Eulalia- as if just remembering what he said- hopped up and headed for the bed. She climbed up, moving until she was at the end where Adler stood, waiting for her.

"Fuck." Thane moved so he was behind her, getting a proper look at her ass, at her cunt still glistening. As Eulalia took Adler's cock into her mouth, starting with just the tip and working her way up to more, Thane climbed up onto the bed behind her. He tapped her leg and she moved her legs further apart without question. He watched as she worked Adler, positioning his cock at her entrance. However, she decided he was taking far too long, pushing back, the head popping into her with ease. With that permission, he thrust forward, she was tight but she was able to take almost every inch on the first try. She groaned around the other man's cock, her eyes rolling back.

Adler reached out, gripping her hair and thrusting his hips forward, forcing a few inches down her throat, when that didn't gag her he smirked, exchanging a look with Thane.

Thane nodded and the two began a rhythm, in at the same time, out at the same time, impaling her mouth and her cunt again and again, She whimpered, her nails digging into the comforter, but she gave no signs of distress, nothing to indicate that she wanted to stop. If anything it seemed she wanted more, one hand letting go of the comforter to move between her legs.

"Pull out," Thane ordered. Adler frowned but did so, as did Thane.

"No," Eulalia whined. Thane flipped her onto her back, helping her move up so her head was hanging over the side of the bed. She opened her mouth again and he went right back to fucking her throat. Thane adjusted her hips and began to thrust into her, one arm held her hips up for the angle he wanted, and the other moved to her clit, teasing her.

At the other end, Adler was toying with her nipples, pinching and tugging on one and then the other, light slaps to her breasts that left her milky white skin a harsh pink color- the contrast was intoxicating.

Experimentally- Thane slapped her clit and she cried out, her cunt squeezing him tight. She might not have had use of her voice but she didn't let that stop her from being vocal as she came, her nails now digging into Adler's thigh. He pumped harder and faster until he knew he couldn't hold out any longer, pulling out fully, he fucked his own hand until he was cumming, the thick translucent white ropes coating her chest and neck.

Adler stepped back so Eulalia could sit up a little better as one- two- three more pumps and-

"Don't pull out," Eulalia demanded. "You know I'm on birth control and- please." She begged. Thane didn't need her to ask him twice, he kept going until he was filling her up, he'd dreamt about this for so damn long- he could even pinpoint the day he realized it. It had been a few weeks after her nineteenth birthday. She'd been on the market for over a year at that point and had been ranting to him about it, about the kinds of people who hired her.

She'd straddled his lap, smelling of vanilla and the sweet scent of the whiskey she'd taken a liking to, grinding herself down on him. He hadn't done anything because he knew she was drunk but that was the day he realized how fucking attracted to her he was.

And now with that coming to a head, he dumped enough cum into her that when he pulled out, it was leaking down out of her cunt and onto the hotel bedding.

"Eulalia." He let himself fall back onto his ass, watching her. She looked incredible, his cum dripping out of her, her chest covered in Adler's. She was still a bit drunk on her lust, her eyes glassy, her chest heaving. Adler smirked and squatted down so that he was level with her head.

"Are you okay, princess?" He asked. She nodded slowly.

"I- I've never... felt like that before. That was more than just an orgasm." She insisted. She'd cum before- it wasn't terribly often but with the partners she chose it usually happened. But nothing had ever been like that before. She was fully sure she'd had an out-of-body experience.

Adler chuckled and walked around the bed, heading for the bathroom.

"Don't move." He told them, coming back with some warm, wet cloths.

"You're staying at the same building as the rest of us for training... right?" Eulalia asked Adler, normally she traveled back and forth between her apartment and the facility for the games but this year- if he was going to be there then maybe, just maybe, she would stay in her rooms there.

"Yeah." He answered shortly, cleaning up her chest.

"Good." Eulalia nodded and let her head fall back to the bed as the two men cleaned her up.

Tomorrow was going to be rough, between travel and getting a good look at the two tributes she was sending to die, but tonight, she was going to enjoy the time she had.

#eulalia golding #hunger games ocs #adler cresswell #never a god #thane hawksley

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peanut-tyrug · 28 days

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SatBK Fanfic: A Sacred Old Soul

Sonic discovers that there's more to Caliburn than he lets on... an unseen past that only he and the other Round Table knights know of.

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This idea spawned from an old SatBK AU I had. I'm not gonna elaborate on it, as the general idea of the AU is in the fic (also it'd be spoilery and I want the reader to see it for themselves).

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TRIGGER WARNING: This fic contains depictions of gore/blood, bisection, a corpse, loss of family/loved ones, threats toward characters, illusions/hallucinations, and swords. If you aren’t comfortable with these things, please don’t read this.

It hadn't been too long since Sonic and his talking Sacred Sword Caliburn had saved the kingdom of Camelot from certain destruction. Only a day or two.

Sonic was beginning to prepare for his journey back to his world, spending some time to get to know the other knights of the Round Table before he left. He had swiftly realized how similar they all were to the counterparts from his home... it gave the hedgehog an odd sense of deja vu.

After having spent a bit with Merlina, who was now ready to send Sonic home, Sonic wanted spend a while with Caliburn.

Like the Round Table knights and Merlina, Sonic never really had the time to get to know Caliburn. The sword had been at Sonic's side for most of his adventure through the land of King Arthur, and despite that, he barely got to see the side of Caliburn that was more... genuine. The side of Caliburn that wasn’t an uptight mentor in swordsmanship.

And Sonic felt a nice run through some of the kingdom’s scenery would be a good way to get relax with the Sacred Sword.

Around the half way point of Sonic’s journey through the kingdom, the pair had finally entered the Shrouded Forest.

The pair glanced upon the fantastical forest as Sonic steadily sped through it. The crystalline snow on the ground was swiftly crushed under Sonic’s speedy feet. The flowers of the forest shone in beautiful yet eerie shades of blue, violet, and pink. A few bugs flew around the forest, appearing to be uncaring for the hedgehog and sentient weapon…

“Be careful, Sonic.” Says Caliburn. “The butterflies here are not what you think.”

“You sure?” Sonic asks. “They look fine to me.”

“They can get at your head, make you see things that are not actually there.” Caliburn informs. “I’d suggest you keep them away.”

“…Oh, they’re little tricksters, huh?” Sonic asks again. “We can handle that, right, Caliburn?”

“We have faced more threatening terrors than insects, Sonic.” Says Caliburn with a stern tone of voice. “Little butterflies are no problem for either of us.”

“I’d imagine that.” Says Sonic. “Unless you want your blade getting slathered in bug guts.” He says jokingly.

Caliburn swiftly appears appalled at the comment, looking as if he’s sick to his stomach at the thought… he didn’t actually have organs, did he?

“Sonic!” Says a disgusted Caliburn. “D-do not speak of such things!”

Sonic chuckles slightly. “You know I’m just messin' with ya!” He says. “And if you ever get dirtied up, I’m sure I can find someone to get your blade polished up.”

“…I-I appreciate the gesture.” Says Caliburn, who still sounded disgusted.

…Sonic just wanted to throw a quip at the sword, just like he did during their adventure through the kingdom. It was the last time he’d have the time to hang out with the sword, and he wanted to make it worth while.

They had greatly bonded, both of them knew that. And both of them appreciated each other… even if Caliburn didn’t fully understand Sonic’s quips. The sword knew Sonic was just messing around, and didn’t mean it… that didn’t prevent him from taking them to heart for a moment though.

Suddenly, a few butterflies cross the hedgehog’s path.

“Woah!” Sonic exclaims. As he runs, he holds Caliburn up and swings the insects away, his movements lacking elegance and poise.

Caliburn is swiftly disoriented by the action, slowly trying to regain an ornate head. “Sonic!” Caliburn criticizes. “Don’t swing me around so recklessly! I’m certain you are aware that I am not some fly swatter?”

“Sorry.” Sonic apologizes. “Just had to get those bugs out of the way.”

Sonic continues his run, not caring for the sudden ambush. It isn’t long before even more butterflies cloud Sonic’s eyes.

Sonic halts with a quick yelp. Caliburn then falls out of Sonic’s grip, as he is no longer paying attention to the blade, trying to swat the insects away.

“Caliburn!?” Sonic cries out. He tries to reach for his blade, not noticing that it had fallen to the ground.

Caliburn eventually gets up on his own, now standing on his point. “Sonic!” He shouts, now racing toward the struggling hedgehog.

Before Caliburn can reach Sonic however, a hoard of butterflies race toward the sword’s face, completely obscuring his vision, and causing him to quickly shout.

“Get away from me, foul things!” Says Caliburn. “Away! Away with you!”

The issue is that Caliburn can’t sway away the bugs on his own, he needs Sonic’s assistance.

“Caliburn!” Sonic calls out. “Where are you?”

“Where are you!?” Caliburn asks back. “I cannot see!”

The two then appear to bump into each other, causing them both to fall back, still struggling with the bugs.

“Shoot!” Says Sonic. “These things are such a pain!”

“Hurry!” Says Caliburn. “Find me, and pick me back—!”

*WHOOSH!*

“…Up…?”

It takes a moment for Caliburn to adjust to his new and sudden surroundings. All he can see is what appears to be nothing; a completely white, blank void.

Caliburn attempts to get up… and yet, he doesn’t struggle to get on his point, not like he usually did. It was normally a small struggle for him to get up if he ever landed on the back of his blade, since he never had a spine…

Or, at least, he hadn’t had one… not for a time, as he recalled.

“…Strange.” Says Caliburn.

He only looks forward at the void before him… then he looks down…

“…W-what!?” Caliburn shouts. “What in the unholy trickery—!?”

…Caliburn had a body. A human body… something that felt so foreign, yet so familiar…

“…I-I don’t— I don’t understand…” Says Caliburn, panic rising in his voice. “No, this isn’t—!”

“Christopher!?” A feminine voice calls out. “Where are you? Where did you go!?”

Caliburn looks upward at the void again… he hadn’t been called that in ages…

He hadn’t heard that voice in ages…

Caliburn appeared simply awestruck at the voice. All he focused on what the single other person that seemed to be there with him…

“…A-Angeline?” Caliburn calls out, slowly and steadily rising to his feet. He struggles a bit though, trembling a bit where he stands.

“…Christopher?” The voice calls out again. “Is that you?”

Caliburn appears even more shocked as a figure comes into view from the void.

“…Angeline?” Caliburn calls out again. “M-my sweet Angel, why— How—!?”

“Christopher!?” The voice calls again as it became more clear.

From the void, a woman adorned in an elegant dress, colored in blue and gold with silver Celtic designs covering it, approached the confused Caliburn. Despite there being no wind, her mid-length brunette hair followed serenely, making her give off a poise and elegant aura.

“Angeline?” Caliburn calls out again, standing rooted to his spot.

“Christopher?” Angeline calls out again, now rushing to him.

Angeline then finally reaches Caliburn, and tightly embraces him, while Caliburn remains still in his confused headspace.

“Where have you been!?” Angeline asks. “I’ve looked everywhere for you!”

“…I don’t understand.” Says Caliburn. “You already know.”

Angeline then grasps onto Caliburn’s shoulders. She leans in close to him. “That doesn’t matter now.” She says. “We are both here, together.”

…Caliburn doesn’t smile, he only stares at the woman… before his expression descends into that of anger.

“…No.” Says Caliburn. “This is not real…”

“…What?” Angeline asks.

“…This is not real… it’s a trick!” Says Caliburn. “I will not fall prey to your illusions, foul beasts! How dare you sully her name!?”

“What!?” Angeline questions again. “Christopher, I am real!”

“No! You are not her!” Says Caliburn. “My mind has been twisted against my will to fall for the likes of those pests! I will not give in!”

“Caliburn! Snap out of it!” Angeline exclaims… almost sounding as if another familiar, snarky voice was speaking through her… and yet, Caliburn doesn’t hear it.

“Get out of my head!” Says Caliburn.

“Caliburn!!” A voice shouts.

Caliburn’s eyes then shoot open, as if he had been suddenly awakened from a deep sleep.

“—Wha— what!?” Caliburn shouts. “What happened!?”

Sonic, who seemed to have been able to get the bugs away from him on his own, then grabs the grip of Caliburn’s hilt and lifts him up. He looks him dead in the eyes before speaking. “Those bugs got to ya, Caliburn.”

Caliburn then appears to be ashamed of himself… Sonic could tell that he didn’t feel good about those bugs getting the best of him… but there seemed to be something else lingering on the sword’s mind. Same for Sonic’s.

“What was all that about, anyway?” Sonic asks. “Who was that lady you were talking about?”

A sudden surge of panic slaps itself onto Caliburn’s face... just how much of that did he hear?

“…I-it was nothing. She is no one.” He says.

“…And I thought a Sacred Sword like you would never tell a lie!” Sonic says slyly.

“Why I never! I would never do such a—!” Caliburn begins, before getting cut off.

“Yes you would, and you’re doing it right now!” Says Sonic, sounded irritated. “You can tell me!”

…Caliburn then sighs, feeling defeated. “You are the king, and my closest friend. You of all people should have my permission to know this…” Says Caliburn. “…C-can you keep a secret?”

“Of course I can! If it’s for a friend!” Says Sonic. “Spill the beans!”

“…What?” Caliburn asks. He doesn’t understand Sonic’s modern slang.

“What’s your secret?” Asks Sonic.

“Before that,” Caliburn begins. “Let us leave this place. It is best that we don’t get caught off guard by the butterflies again.”

“Roger that.” Says Sonic.

The blue hedgehog then begins to speed out of the Shrouded Forest with his Sacred Sword in tow. Silence crosses the both of them as Sonic approaches the Deep Woods.

—

Sonic comes to a halt near one of the many groves of trees in the Deep Woods, just nearby where he had first fought Sir Lancelot. Small crystals reflect the Sun’s peering light onto the ground, lighting up the grove a bit.

Sonic leans Caliburn against a tree, while the hedgehog sits next him with his legs crossed.

“You ready?” Sonic asks.

“…Yes.” Says Caliburn.

“What’cha got for me?” Sonic asks again.

“It’s fairly long.” Says Caliburn, as if warning Sonic that he may get bored of it.

“Ah, just make it interesting.” Says Sonic, smiling.

Caliburn chuckles a bit. “I like to think it is.” He says, as he begins to tell his tale…

“…Have you ever pondered how I am able to be sentient, Sonic?” Caliburn asks.”

“Magic?” Sonic asks. “That’s what I always thought.”

“You’d be correct.” Says Caliburn. “But the magic of it is what you don’t know… to be general, I was once organic…”

“You weren’t always a sword?” Sonic asks, sounding genuinely surprised.

“…Exactly.” Says Caliburn.

“But… how?” Sonic asks. “What about the lady?”

“…That is when this gets a bit long.” Says Caliburn.

~~~

'…I was orphaned at a young age. My family had passed in a storm…'

“…Mother? Father?” Calls a young Christopher Caliburn, son of a small peasant family. “Where have you gone?”

The child walks through a quiet and desolate forest, soaked head to toe in rain water. His sewn-up rags were tearing at the seams from the rain. The child walks practically aimlessly, looking for his missing family.

'…They were never found, and my home had also been lost in the storm. I was left to roam that forest alone, no one to help me, and all I had other than my rags was what I knew I could do on my own…'

Christopher eventually weakly falls to his knees in the rain. He begins cry softly, only begging that his family was somewhere in this storm, possibly looking for their son…

But he had been looking for so long, and there was no sign of them. No trace of them anywhere in those woods.

…They were dead, no matter how much Christopher didn’t want to admit it.

Despite that, he knew he couldn’t sit there and cry forever… he had to survive here. It was all he could do. It was what he had to do… whatever it took.

'For ages, leaking into my adult years, I remained in those woods. Surviving completely on my own. Killing animals to live, building shelters to live… it was all I could do.'

'It was the same thing all that time. It never changed, until it did…'

Christopher, now in his mid thirties, ventures the woods, dressed in a uniform from one of the various guards that had come upon the woods, but had never returned to Camelot… he didn’t like the idea of taking their clothes as his own, it didn’t feel morally right, but he needed them.

A hand-carved wooden spear remained in his hands. He glances around, looking for anything he could easily take down…

Before a sudden hissing is heard.

Christopher turns a heel, pointing his spear in front of him… then, again, the same hissing.

What was odd was that it wasn’t a familiar hissing, not like that of a snake… almost like some small beast that had yet to be named and discovered.

…It sounded just the slightest bit of ferocious, like a knight of the underworld…

The beasts of such kind haunted Christopher’s nightmares. He had known of them from tales his mother spoke of… even if they ended nicely, the thought of such beasts scared him, even though he was almost an adult.

Such imagery can frighten anyone, regardless of age.

Suddenly, the hissing is heard again… although, it’s much closer than before…

Christopher turns back… only to be met with a helmeted beast. A knight of the underworld, one with bat-like wings and fisk-like tail. Christopher shouts, startled. He holds his spear up, trying to fight the beast.

“Back!” Christopher exclaims. “Back, I say! Back!”

The creature shrieks in a thunderous fury, as if to call others of its kin. Christopher freezes for a moment, before turning a heel again and scurrying off… no way he could fight as many as it could summon with a rickety wooden spear.

As he runs, he can feel the presence of many other underworld creatures chasing after him. He was their prey, and it felt like nothing was going to save him from his predicament.

As he ran however, the ground below him seemed to suddenly disappear as he began to trip and fall. Christopher tumbled down a deep slope, rolling down the hill, until he suddenly landed in a pile of shrubs. The shrubs swiftly broke his fall, although, the pain he was in first fall had yet waver.

Christopher slowly rises from the shrubs with a pained grunt. As he recollects himself, his eyes quickly spot something before him…

His eyes go wide, and his mouth goes agape…

Christopher spots an elegant and pristine sword lodged into a stone covered in vines. A single ray of the Sun’s light peered through the trees and onto the blade, making it appear even more beautiful.

~~~

“Was that sword… you?” Sonic asks.

“Yes, it was.” Caliburn says softly, as if reminiscing. “I had not an inkling that the sword in that very stone was Excalibur itself… I actually remember finding it here, in the Deep Woods.”

“Huh, who knew?” Sonic asks himself in wonder. “But what happens after that?” He asks with a soft smile on his face.

“We’ll get there.” Says Caliburn, sounding as if he was trying calm an excited child.

~~~

Christopher steadily exits the pile of shrubs and heads to the stone. He slowly wraps his hands around the sword’s grip, and tugs…

The sword moves an inch upward…

Christopher tugs harder at the weapon, until it completely slides free from the stone. The sword feels heavy in Christopher’s grip, causing him to drop it slightly. He slowly picks it up again, allowing it to set itself in his hands.

Christopher looks ahead past the stone, gazing upon a grove up ahead. Rather than climb back up the steep hill, Christopher walks into the grove.

As he walks, he takes a look at the sword. It could practically be used as a mirror with how reflective it was.

As Christopher gazes upon the serene blade, a sudden shriek makes him come to halt… it didn’t sound like it came from a creature, but rather… a person.

Christopher then rushes forward, blade clutched tightly in his grasp, toward the sound of the shriek. He runs for what feels like miles… before suddenly bumping into something… someone.

“Oh, stars!” Says the stranger as she suddenly falls. She looks forward, and yelps at the person before them, a man dressed in a raggedy guard’s uniform and wielding a sword.

The lady moves backwards, afraid of what the man could do to her. “D-don’t hurt me!” She says. “I did no harm, Sir Knight!”

Christopher slowly rises to his bottom and looks to the woman in confusion. “…I’m sorry?” He asks. “I am not a knight.”

“…Then what of your sword?” Asks the lady.

“I found it, my lady.” Says Christopher.

Suddenly, another hiss is heard… a familiar sound…

“It’s still after me!” The lady said to herself. She then turns to Christopher. “You must help me, sir!”

“With ails you, my lady?” Asks Christopher.

“Underworld knights!” The lady says in a panic.

From behind the woman, a small hoard of underworld knights appears. The lady yelps and hides behind Christopher, hoping that he can help.

Christopher holds up his weapon to the knights, ready to strike… before then thrusting forward, taking a knight or two. He then swipes the sword to hit the rest… although, his movement is messy.

The knights disappear in puffs of smoke, dying just before his eyes. Christopher slowly lowers his weapon, breathing heavily. He then turns back to the woman, who was sitting on the ground…

…He never had a chance to properly look at her. Neither did she.

They stared at each other in complete awe… they were swiftly pulled to each other like magnets.

The lady was dressed in a small blue and gold gown, decorated with Celtic designs colored in silver. Her wonderfully put-together brunette hair stayed still as the woman looked up to Christopher… her face slightly red.

Christopher doesn’t initially realize that he was slightly red in the face too… until he realizes he’s staring. He clears his throat. “…I’m sorry.” He says.

“No, no… it’s alright.” Says the lady. “…B-but that was amazing!”

“…I need no compliments, my lady.” Says Christopher.

The lady then looks Christopher, as if wanting to speak again, before looking down… appearing worried by his raggedy and slightly torn outfit. “…How long have you resided here?” She asks.

“…Almost all of my life.” Says Christopher with a tinge of dread. “I have fought for my life in these woods.”

“I see…” Says the lady. “I could let you stay at my home for a time.”

“I need it not, my lady.” Says Christopher.

~~~

“Still as stubborn as ever.” Sonic says in a joking tone.

“Oh, hush up.” Says Caliburn, sounding as if he’s trying to repress a chuckle.

~~~

“Are you certain?” Asks the lady. “I’m certain it would be a nice change from the Deep Woods, wouldn’t it?”

Christopher wants to retort… but then he thinks about it… it would be a nice change from these woods. He had been here for almost his entire childhood, and hadn’t had a meal that wasn’t fish in months, as not many other animals resided in the Deep Woods other than the fish that reigned it’s lake. And his clothes, always ragged and in tatters, having to take cloth from those who had fallen…

Christopher then looks up to the lady with certain eyes. “I will accompany you.” He says. “…You are correct, your home would be a nice change from the Deep Woods.”

“Oh, thank you for allowing me to help… I am very thankful for your help as well.” Says the lady. “I go by Angeline, by the way.”

“…A wonderful name.” Says Christopher, smiling softly… his face also appearing a bit red again. “It suits you.”

Angeline blushes a bit. She hides her face a bit, but is simply unable to repress a smile. “Oh, stop!” She says. “What is your name, sir?”

“I am Christopher Caliburn, son of the late Colette and Alaric Caliburn.” Says Christopher. He then smiles softly. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Angeline.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Christopher.” Says Angeline. She then seems to have a realization of some kind… “…Your 'late' family?”

Christopher’s expression falters slightly. “…I lost them years ago, I wasn’t even in adolescence yet…” He says. “…I-it was a storm.”

“…Oh, stars.” Says Angeline. “I apologize for asking… I had no idea…”

“No, no, it’s alright.” Says Christopher. “The grief may live on within me… but I do not let it consume me. I am but too strong to fall to my grief…”

Angeline smiles. “I’m glad.” She says. “Come, I will lead you to my residence.”

~~~

“So you and this Angeline were buddy-buddy?” Asks Sonic.

“…What?” Caliburn asks, confused once again.

“Like, were you friends?” Sonic reiterates.

“…It started that way, somewhat.” Says Caliburn.

~~~

Angeline leads Christopher through her small village. As they walk, Christopher notices a few villagers eyeing him, appearing afraid…

They were likely intimated. None of these people knew who he was, and neither did he. He was also wielding a weapon… they were fearful of him attacking, he assumed.

With time, Angeline comes to a halt in front of a drab wooden door. She lets herself in, with Christopher following behind her.

Angeline’s home was a small cobblestone shack, decorated with organized shelves. It was cramped and desolate… and yet, it was home. Christopher didn’t have much either.

Christopher hums. “…A very neatly home.” He says as he sets his sword against a wall.

“Yes.” Says Angeline. “I try to keep everything together… I’ll find you something nicer to wear… how did you get that?”

“The uniform?” Asks Christopher.

Angeline confirms with a hum and nod as she enters another room.

“…I’d rather not say.” Says Christopher. “I am not proud of the method I used…”

“That’s alright.” Says Angeline. “I understand… you had to what had to do out in the Deep Woods, I would imagine.”

“…You could put it that way.” Says Christopher.

It was all he could do. What he had to do.

Angeline eventually steps out of the room she had been in, a fleece dress shirt and pants in her hands. “Try these. I hope they fit.”

“They shall suffice.” Says Christopher, studying to see if the clothes would fit.

“…I’ll get you something to eat, hold on a moment.” Angeline then hurries over to a small kitchen nearby, looking through a few cabinets that were filled to the brim with jars of ingredients he couldn’t name.

Christopher then heads to another room to change out of his rags.

—

Christopher, now dressed in the clothes Angeline lended him, sits in front a small wooden table. He waits patiently for his meal… daydreaming about what had recently transpired… before a small bowl clanks onto the table.

“Here.” Says Angeline. “I don’t have much, but I made an attempt.”

Christopher looks to the bowl and takes it… there appeared to be a kind of soup inside of it. He picks up the spoon within the bowl and lifts the soup his mouth…

It was hot, he swiftly realized… but not too hot, rather, it was warm. A pleasant yet unknown flavor lathered Christopher’s tongue.

“…What is in this?” Christopher asked.

“Oh! A few herbs and spices… meat I had gotten in a trade… what meat was it?” Angeline then begins to become deep in thought.

“Hm… it’s serpent meat…” Says Christopher.

“Pardon?” Angeline asks.

“There’s serpent meat in this…” Says Christopher.

“Have you had serpent before?” Angeline asks.

“Yes, but ages ago…” Says Christopher.

“Hm… they’ve been hunted down a lot recently…” Says Angeline.

Before Angeline can continue, her eyes fall upon the sword Christopher had found.

“…You know, I’ve never seen a sword like that before.” Says Angeline. “How did you come across it?”

“I found it in a stone.” Says Christopher, the soup bowl in hand. “I’ve never seen it either… although, it does bare a slight resemblance to Excalibur…”

“Maybe it was made in its image?” Angeline suggests.

“…Possibly.” Says Christopher as he eats.

A sudden shout from outside then knocks Christopher out of his head.

“Oh, dear…” Angeline says, her voice clouded in worry. “A robber… again.”

“Again?” Christopher asks.

“They have been very rampant recently.” Says Angeline. “They’re likely after our resources… the King hasn’t kept an eye on the kingdom’s resources for quite sometime…”

Suddenly, Christopher rises from his seat and grabs the sword. He swiftly opens the wooden door and rushes outside.

“Christopher!?” Angeline cries out from inside her home.

Christopher turns his head back to face Angeline. “I will only be a moment!” He then hurries away.

Christopher rushes into a more bustling part of the village and immediately spots a robber haggling a bag from a defenseless damsel.

“Just give me the bag, and you can go!” Says the robber.

“I am desperate, I beg you!” Says the damsel. “I need this!”

Christopher’s brows furrow and he hurries forward. He holds his sword out and makes his presence known.

“Halt!” Christopher exclaims. “Leave the woman be!”

The robber turns away from the woman to face Christopher. “Hah!” He bellows. “What’s a man in rags gonna do with a sword without a name?”

Christopher appears offended the comment as he turns a heel to the right and circles back to the robber. He collides with the thief, making him fall to the ground.

Christopher keeps the thief pinned to the ground, his sword held close to the other’s neck.

“Judge a sword not by its name, but the power it wields.” Says Christopher in a stern tone. “I may not be well versed in swordsmanship, but I am certain a single swipe of this blade could end you in but a second… let this woman go, give her back her possessions, and I will not harm you… be weary that if you don’t heed my word, my mercy for you will be smothered out in an instant.”

The robber then appears horrified at the comment… despite Christopher being a collected and reserved gentleman, he was still very intimidating when he needed to be… it was unnerving…

Before the robber can heed Christopher’s word, the sound of approaching armored steps is heard.

“Halt!” Says a voice. “In the name of the King, halt!”

Three different anthropomorphic knights come into view… a black hedgehog, a red echidna, and a violet feline, all of them adorned in armor and wielding swords of the own.

The hedgehog steps forward, holding his drawn sword out toward Christopher and the robber. “Cease your movement!” He says.

The robber suddenly hurries away from Christopher and to the knights, appearing panicked.

“Just take me away! Imprison me!” Says the robber. “Get me away from that man!”

The echidna then steps over to Christopher, appearing suspicious. “…You are a thief, aren’t you, scum?”

“…What?” Christopher asks, taken aback.

“You were stealing from that man, weren’t you!?” Asks the echidna. “You had him pinned!”

“…It was he that stole, Sir Knight.” Says Christopher.

“How dare you not know the name of Sir Gawain!?” Sir Gawain chastises.

“Gawain, wait.” Says the feline, who approaches the echidna’s side. She turns to face Christopher. “You said that man had stole?”

“Yes.” Christopher responds. “He had stolen a lady’s goods… I could not stand by and let him have what was rightfully hers.”

“Just take the bag back! Take it!” Says the robber as he chucks the bag to the ground. The feline catches it just as the damsel approaches her.

“Oh, thank you, Sir Percival!” Says the damsel. “I am forever grateful.”

“I need no thanks.” Says Sir Percival. “I am here for the kingdom and its people.”

The damsel nods. “Have a blessed day!” She says as she takes her leave.

“You as well.” Christopher replies.

Sir Percival then eyes the sword in Christopher’s grip. Even behind her visor, anyone could sense the suspicions drowning her features. “…Where did you find that sword, sir?” She asks. “Are you a knight as well?”

“No,” Christopher replies. “I found it within a stone in the Deep Woods… I do not believe it has a name.”

“…The resemblance to Excalibur is eye-catching…” Says Sir Percival.

“He must’ve stolen it!” Sir Gawain accused… he’s always had such a thick head…

Sir Percival can only eye Sir Gawain before the armored hedgehog approaches. “…How could someone such as a common man be worthy of such a pristine blade…” He asks. “Only a Sacred Sword would be gifted to such a warrior…”

“Then he possibly is a warrior, Sir Lancelot.” Says Sir Percival.

As the knights speak amongst each other, Christopher begins to recognize each of them…

“Forgive me, but, only now do I realize…” Christopher begins. “Are you all Round Table knights? King Arthur’s mightiest of swordsmen?”

The knights turn to face the man before them. “…Forgive my forgetfulness… where are my manners? …Yes, brave swordsman.” Says Sir Percival. “I am Sir Percival, Knight of the Grail. I am joined by Sirs Lancelot and Gawain, Knights of the Lake and Knight of the Sun respectively.” She points to the respective knights with a hand. “We are at your service, as your kingdom’s most courageous of knights.”

Christopher hums, indicating his understanding. “I am grateful for your service.” He says.

Sir Percival then eyes Christopher’s sword, then looks back to face him. “I believe it wouldn’t be too out of the ordinary to be given training in swordsmanship?” She asks.

“Hm…” Sir Lancelot hums, considering the idea. “Such a mighty blade should be wielded by proper hands…”

Christopher then appears flustered, taken aback… the same can be said for Sir Gawain.

“How can we trust him?” Asks Sir Gawain.

“I am certain we can hold out a trusting hand for him, Gawain.” Says Sir Percival. “He shall make a great knight… a Round Table knight even.”

Christopher still seems taken aback by the request. Before he can give his response, quick steps are heard pacing towards them.

“Christopher!” Angeline calls out. As she sees the knights, she skids to a halt and gets on one knee. “O, dearest Knights of the Round Table, forgive my intrusion…”

“You are alright, my lady.” Says Sir Percival.

Angeline then rises back up to her feet and faces Christopher. “Where is the robber? Did you assist the victim?”

“He was taken care of swiftly, Angeline.” Says Christopher. He then looks up to see the robber sitting in place not even daring to move and run off… the robber then seems notice the weapon-wielding man looking to him, causing him to avert his gaze in fear.

The knights also turn back to the robber… whatever Christopher done has worked… he was formidable.

Worthy of training in knighthood, gifted unto him from King Arthur’s greatest knights.

“…What do you say, sir… what is your name?” Asks Sir Percival.

“Christopher Caliburn.” Christopher responds.

“…Sir Christopher, would you take this opportunity from us to learn true knighthood?” Asks Sir Percival.

“…'Learn of true knighthood'?” Angeline questions.

Christopher, only for a moment, wants to retort… but he looks to his blade… then over to Angeline, and the rest of the small village…

…He wanted to protect them… this was his kingdom, just was it was theirs.

“I will take your words, and heed them well.” Says Christopher. “I accept your mentorship.”

“…Oh, my…” Says Angeline. “Mentorship from the Knights of the Round Table?”

“I want to be able to protect this kingdom, Angeline. It is my home, just as it is yours.” Says Christopher. “…I want to protect you.”

Christopher then finds himself looking into Angeline’s eyes… her bright brown eyes stare deep into his own ocean blue ones… her eyes were like a field, and his were like a fresh clean river… something you could never tired of looking upon…

They don’t even notice that either one of them was blushing slightly.

Christopher then blinks, coming to his senses. “…M-my apologies.” He says. “I didn’t realize I was—!”

“It’s alright.” Says Angeline. “I didn’t notice either.”

…Christopher couldn’t help but smile.

“We will begin your training today.” Says Sir Percival. “We will begin at Misty Lake.”

“…Y-you don’t mind if tag along, do you?” Asks Angeline. “I only wish to watch… and be at his side.”

…They both blush again…

“…As long as it is not a distraction for our student.” Says Sir Percival.

“I will be certain not to distract him.” Says Angeline.

“I will stay on guard.” Says Christopher.

“It is settled then.” Says Percival. “…But you need armor…”

“There is a blacksmith in the castle town, correct?” Asks Sir Gawain.

“Yes…” Says Sir Percival. “We shall start there.”

The five then head off to the castle town… a new chapter in Christopher’s life was swiftly blossoming.

~~~

“No wonder you know so much about knights!” Says Sonic. “You were one!”

“I learned from the best.” Says Caliburn.

“And so did I.” Says Sonic.

Caliburn smiles softly. “I appreciate the comment, Sonic.”

“Don’t mention it.” Says Sonic. “…And I’m starting to think you and Angeline weren’t just friends.”

Caliburn fails to repress a small chuckle. “We’re getting there.” He says.

~~~

'I had spent months around the kingdom training with the Round Table knights… I had been everywhere… from Misty Lake, to Molten Mine, to Titanic Plain… there wasn’t any place where I hadn’t been anymore.'

'Each round of training ended with a battle with one of the knights themselves… With time, I learned all there was to each of their skill sets, and one by one… they were all defeated in my battles against them.'

'I was formidable, more than ever, they knew that now… especially Angeline.'

'The entire time, she was there, watching my every move… she asked if I could teach her what I learned. We didn’t get far, but we had fun… we grew closer. Bonded more than ever before…'

'…Our love had blossomed like that of Spring when Winter were to finally cease… we were close, and nothing were to tear us apart.'

'…Until I finally met the King…'

Within the training grounds of Camelot Castle, Christopher and Sir Lancelot stand in their battle positions, the other knights and Angeline watching.

“Let us see what you are capable of, Sir Christopher!” Sir Lancelot demands. “Give me everything you’ve got!”

“That is what I seek to achieve; O, Knight of the Lake!” Says Christopher.

Sir Lancelot smiles for a moment… a rare occurrence it was for a smirk to cross the mighty knight’s face… he was impressed.

Sir Lancelot then charges forward, so does Christopher. Their blades clang together, making the air around them ring. Slashes after slashes soon follow, before Sir Lancelot suddenly disappears in a flash…

“Chaos—!” Sir Lancelot exclaims, before getting got off.

“Punishment?” Christopher questions, now guarding as Arondight’s blade collided with his own.

Sir Lancelot scoffs slightly, before striking down with Arondight once more. The hedgehog disappears again, the reappears elsewhere, summoning Chaos Spears.

Christopher turns just in time to defend himself from the spears. Sir Lancelot strikes again… time feels like it’s going a mile a minute… until it suddenly wasn’t.

The winds swiftly pick up as the sounding of galloping horseshoes hit the ground… or, somehow, the air.

A dark horse adorned in armor appears before Sir Lancelot and Christopher, zipping past them in a flash. The horse eventually finds its way to the ground, allowing everyone there to see the man atop the steed.

A bulky figure adorned in heavy armor sits atop the horse, his brightly colored slits that were his eyes peering from the eyes holes in his helmet. Dark mist surrounds the figure, a vapor that made him appear not of high standing… but a demon from the very depths of Hell.

“King Arthur!” Sir Lancelot exclaims as he gets one knee before the king. The other knights follow suit… so do Christopher and Angeline, despite how unruly he appeared…

“My liege…” Says Angeline.

King Arthur then turns to face Christopher, squinting his eyes. “…Is that the knight-in-training you told me about?”

…Christopher doesn’t like his tone of voice at all… he said it so venomously…

“Yes, my liege.” Says Sir Percival. “We have trained him well… we would say that he is even up to par with us.”

King Arthur turns away from Sir Percival and back to Christopher… his gaze reeking of suspicion.

“…Then fight me, Sir Knight.” Says King Arthur. “Show me that you are capable of being among my grand knights.”

Christopher, although taken aback, draws his blade… “I shall prove myself to you, my King.” He says.

The knights and Angeline then appear shocked. “Sir Christopher! Wait!” Sir Percival shouts.

“Silence!” Says King Arthur as his eyes squint again, as if he was happy that the new knight was willing to prove himself. “If he wishes to prove himself, so be it…”

His steed then lifts itself into the air, and circles the area… before King Arthur comes back down, glowing in bright red aura, his large blade glowing a sinister orange.

Christopher is barely prepared for fast the King was returning, barely able to block the attack. Despite his barely successful block, the power of the attack sends him flying across the field. The others gasp in shock…

He was not ready.

Before Christopher can get back up and recover, King Arthur comes back down again, his blade still glowing. Christopher barely dodges, and gets to his feet, which tremble and struggle to keep him up.

“I thought my knights had trained you well! What is this?” King Arthur taunts.

Christopher doesn’t even retort back as he runs and stands before the king. The king then readies himself, his eyes still squinted in anticipation, before his sword glows again. Just as the king swings, Christopher swings back.

Their blades clash, again and again, before King Arthur is thrown off, finally giving Christopher room to attack. He slashes the King’s armor, seemingly hurting him… before the King suddenly grabs Christopher by the neck and holds him up to his face… he tucks his sword away and pulls out a small scabbard…

As Christopher struggles to breathe, a bright aura emanates around the king. “…I am immortal.” Says the King. “You cannot defeat me… no matter what you try.”

The King then throws Christopher off, causing both the swordsman and sword to hit the floor.

“Christopher!” Angeline cries as she rushes over to the swordsman.

As Angeline gets to her knees in front of Christopher, the other knights also at his side. King Arthur looks to the group with a stern glare.

“If you wish to fight again, find me in Faraway Avalon.” Says King Arthur, placing his sword away. “…Or, you can wallow in the pitiful mess that is your swordsmanship.”

The steed finds itself in the air again, and King Arthur sees himself off, just as Christopher rises up to his bottom.

“Are you alright?” Angeline asks.

“…I’m fine…” Says Christopher, sounding strained.

“But you were hit.” Says Sir Percival.

“…I am alright, Sir Percival.” Says Christopher. “If only I could hit him…”

“He has Excalibur’s scabbard.” Says Sir Lancelot. “He can’t be wounded.”

“…T-then how I am supposed to beat him again?” Christopher asks.

“…It would be ill advised.” Says Sir Percival. “It is not easy to win a fight against him… if anyone can anymore.”

“…It is oddly unfair of a knight like him… to cheat with a scabbard like that.” Says Christopher. “My mother told me of stories where he was wise and just… praised by all…”

“…He has changed, Sir Christopher.” Says Sir Percival. “…He isn’t who he used to be…”

“…And yet you don’t try to stop him?” Christopher asks. “Why?”

“The King’s orders are absolute.” Says Sir Lancelot.

“…Whether we like it or not.” Says Sir Gawain.

“Without loyalty to the King…” Sir Percival pauses. “We are nothing…”

…Christopher begins to ponder of the King… the tales he heard, and how untrue they felt… that was not the King of the kingdom of Camelot once knew…

“…What happened do the King?” Christopher asks.

“…We aren’t sure…” Says Sir Perceval. “He returned after a hearty battle he was injured from with Excalibur’s scabbard and…”

“He lost himself…” Says Sir Lancelot. “He summoned knights from the deepest reaches of Hell, and let them loose…”

“…If the scabbard had made him immortal…” Christopher began. “…Then was he corrupted by it?”

The knights then go silent… it was the only foreseeable option.

“…He is a threat to the kingdom, and yet you stand by? You say you are for the kingdom and it’s people when you act as underlings for a tyrant?”

“Sir Christopher, please—!” Sir Percival pleas, before getting cut off.

“How dare you!” Sir Gawain butts in, while Sir Lancelot only snarls at the swordsman.

“And yet you deny it… I am right, aren’t I not?” Christopher asks. “You have done nothing about the King, and for what? To keep your dignity? When other people, your people, are in danger because of the very man you’ve sworn your allegiance to? I thought there was more to being a knight than serving a King?”

The knights go silent again… and before any of them can throw a rebuttal, Christopher stands tall.

“…I wanted to learn from you to be able to protect my kingdom… my people… and I learned from tyrants…” Christopher begins. “I will fix your mistake… the King must be taken down…”

Everyone looks to the swordsman in an unanimous shock.

“We forbid you from doing such a thing!” Says Sir Gawain.

“…What about you?” Says Angeline, breaking her silence. “You’ll be despised… a slayer of Kings…”

Christopher turns back to Angeline, putting his sword under his arm, and takes her hands. “…It is what I must do, Angeline.” Says Christopher. “This kingdom still won’t be safe if I show him mercy. He will still be here, to lurk in the shadows, devise schemes against the kingdom… bring upon further destruction then he already has… I cannot stand by, and watch this man hurt my people… understand me when I say I’m doing this for the kingdom… and you.”

…Reluctantly, Angeline accepts… she knew it was what he had to do…

Like what he did in the woods, it was he had to do…

Their kingdom, their people, were all in danger… it had to be done, right?

Christopher turns back to face the knights. “Where is Faraway Avalon?” He asks.

“It is an island across Camelot Castle…” Says Angeline. “You would have to get there by boat.”

“You side with the traitor, Angeline?” Asks Sir Lancelot.

“It is necessary!” Says Angeline.

“…Admit it. You fear the losses he could face, just as much as we do. He’d be nothing if he committed this act.” Says Sir Lancelot.

“You speak of that as if I’d care.” Says Christopher, before Angeline could even retort.

Christopher then speeds past the knights, hurrying toward the nearest dock he can find.

“Wait!” Says Angeline, quickly following after Christopher. “Let me be alongside you!”

The knights follow suit… all of them rushing to the same place… the knights attempting to attack Christopher, but losing him in the chase…

—

'It was days before I had finally reached Avalon… but I got there…'

'The island was decorated with a castle hall-like structure, the late afternoon sun beaming against the hall’s pedestals. It was all that was between me and King Arthur…'

'Before she grabbed my hand…'

“Wait!” Angeline cries, grabbing Christopher’s hand.

“What?” Christopher questions as he turns back to face Angeline. “Angeline? How did—!”

“Let me be alongside you!” Says Angeline. “I want to be with you!”

“…You cannot watch me this time, Angeline.” Says Christopher. “Wait here. I shall return victorious.”

Christopher then leans in, and softly kisses Angeline on the cheek. Her face goes bright red as Christopher backs away.

“…I promise.” Says Christopher, smiling softly.

Before Christopher hurries off, Angeline tightly wraps her arms around the swordsman… Christopher hugs her back.

“Good luck. Be safe.” Says Angeline.

“I will.” Says Christopher, still smiling softly.

He then runs off into the castle hall of Faraway Avalon, ready for his rematch…

—

“King Arthur!” Christopher calls. “I am here for our rematch!”

King Arthur’s steed turns back to the swordsman. He bares the same barren yet eager look from before.

“I was waiting for you. I had an inkling you’d come here.” Says King Arthur. “It seems you feel not an ounce of self pity… that’s alright. It just makes it more sweeter to see you lose.”

“I am not losing.” Says Christopher. “Not again.”

King Arthur can only laugh in Christopher’s face as his steed gallops off.

“…An act of cowardice?” Christopher asks himself. He then hurries after the King…

Although, he’s too fast… he can’t keep up with him, no matter how hard he tries.

As Christopher stops, being out of breath, King Arthur suddenly comes flying back toward the swordsman. Christopher dodges, although barely. The King’s shadow then passes directly over Christopher, landing swiftly back onto the ground and rushing off again. Christopher gets back up and chases after the king again…

Although, he is suddenly paralyzed. Violet threads of electricity slam down onto the ground, a few of them striking Christopher in the process. Christopher then falls to the ground, breathing heavily… despite that, he still gets back up on his feet.

As he runs, a portal seems to appear in front of King Arthur’s steed… and another appear before Christopher as the King’s hand emerges from it, Deathcalibur in it’s grip. The deadly sword slashes around, barely hitting Christopher as he blocks the attack.

…Christopher continues his chase, until King Arthur summons spheres of his own essence… causing Christopher to halt and fall to the ground, out of breath and terribly weakened.

King Arthur then looks back to the knight… he almost felt bad for him. “…And we’ve only just started… I pity you. And so should you.” He says. “…Why don’t we make this a bit more fair?”

King Arthur then flies off of his steed and charges toward Christopher. Just as the King approaches, Christopher lifts his blade up to block the King’s attack. The two blades stay clashed together, King Arthur’s blade barely touching Christopher’s neck.

“…You simply do not know when to quit.” Says King Arthur. “Do you not know how the kingdom will view you once I’ve been slain by your nameless blade? …They will loathe you. You will chastised out of this kingdom. Your image will forever be tainted with my blood…”

“…I do not care about that… I care about my home!” Says Christopher.

“Then why do you persist?” Asks King Arthur. “Why do you keep this up, when you know what will happen to you!? When you know that you could lose everything!?”

“Because this is my home, and my people! If your very knights won’t keep them safe, then I shall do uphold peace for them!” Says Christopher. “This is what I must do! For my home! For my people! For my kingdom, that I will NOT LET YOU TAKE AWAY FROM ME!!”

Suddenly, a bright golden glow surrounds the area. King Arthur is flung away, while Christopher stays rooted to his spot in the ground, his eyes firmly shut.

Christopher peeks upon an eye just a smidge… to immediately see his blade surrounded in a beautiful pristine aura… one that would match the very power of Excalibur itself.

Christopher then becomes completely covered in a blinding white light… he opens his eyes to see pieces of fantastical golden armor surrounding him. The plates of metal slam themselves onto the silver armor that Christopher bore. And his blade, once again, becomes enveloped in an aura… transforming into something greater than anyone could expect.

The greatest of any Sacred Sword that resided in the kingdom of Camelot… Excalibur.

The blade began to settle in Christopher’s hands as his eyes settled upon the blade. A small crown sat upon the weapon’s crossguard, which was also spread out. Surrounding the blade itself was a golden Celtic pattern, centering the blade in all its glory.

The glow finally dissipates, allowing King Arthur to finally witness Excalibur’s might, a newfound motivation, a force of will, filling the swordsman… only for him to scoff at it.

“You can fight me with that blade all you wish,” King Arthur begins. “But you will never see my end!” The King then hops back onto his steed and hurries away.

“…Not unless I retrieve your scabbard.” Christopher says sternly.

Christopher then rushes toward the King, swiftly noticing his increased speed as he begins to levitate off the ground. As he begins to adjust to this new power, King Arthur launches over him again, to which Christopher responds by hovering to the right of the attack, successfully dodging.

“I now your tricks now, tyrant!” Christopher exclaims. “You cannot run away forever!”

“Try to best me all you like!” Says King Arthur. “Whether it be through your tongue or your blade, you shall not strike me down!”

“We’ll see about that now, won’t we?” Christopher questions slyly.

As King Arthur continues to hurry off, Christopher reaches his side… right where Excalibur’s scabbard lay.

Christopher puts a hand out, lifting up the visor of his armor to properly see it, trying to reach for the scabbard…

Although, he doesn’t notice that King Arthur has once again raised Deathcalibur…

Directly above Christopher’s waist.

As Christopher barely reaches for the scabbard, time seems to slow as he suddenly feels a sharp, deep pain directly over his waist.

…Christopher can only watch in utter horror as King Arthur victoriously glares down at his body as he and Excalibur slowly fall to the ground.

“…What did I tell you?” King Arthur asks. “You cannot defeat me… and you won’t even get to live to bask in my glory… a shame, really.”

Christopher can only stare at the victorious King, completely lost for words as his body falls to the ground with a loud clang…

As he can feel his life force fading from him… he sees King Arthur hurry off on his steed, and Excalibur slowly losing its golden luster.

…The silence takes over, and Christopher is left completely alone…. No one to spend his last moments with. No one to cling to as he dies in their arms.

Just as he had been before meeting Angeline… his dear Angel…

…Alone…

—

Angeline waits, a faded and uncertain smile on her face…

…Where was Christopher?

“Angeline!!” A voice calls. Angeline looks back.

She sees the Round Table knights, hurrying toward her. After a moment, they all finally approach the woman, questioning looks hidden by their visors.

“Where is Christopher?” Asks Sir Percival.

“Be weary, for if you fail to comply… you will be charged with treason, and sentenced to death.” Sir Gawain threatens.

Before Angeline can answer, the galloping of horseshoes is heard. The knights look up and bow, while Angeline only looks up in horror. King Arthur lands to the ground, and stares unto them before speaking.

“The traitor has lost.” Says King Arthur. “He is dead.”

Angeline sharply gasps and covers her mouth in fear, while the knights only repress their grief and shock… even if he turned against the knights and defied the King… they couldn’t help but silently grieve. They were his teachers… people he bonded with, until he learned the truth.

…Angeline, on the other hand, was completely overrun by her emotions. Tears formed in her eyes as she hurried into the walls of Avalon, desperately clinging to possibility that he was still there… that the King was lying.

Arthur doesn’t even stop her… as if he wanted to let her see him…

“Christopher!?” Angeline cries, her sobs leaking through her voice as she calls. “Christopher!?”

Angeline continues to call out the poor soul’s name… until she finally finds him…

Angeline can only stare at the sight in horror… all she sees of Christopher is a bisected armored corpse, laying limp and lifeless on the ground, blood having pooled next to him.

“…No…” Angeline begs. “No… this isn’t… this isn’t what was…”

Angeline approaches the corpse, only begging that this was just some horrifying nightmare. She gets to her knees and nudges the body, only to be met with the ice cold chill covering it…

The desperate lady begins to softly sob… which descends into a maddening cry from the deepest depths of Angeline’s sorrow.

All she can do is cry over her love’s body… all hope of him still being alive lost, and replaced with a heartbreaking, soul crushing despair…

—

An assumption of life after death is silence and darkness… a space with no depth, existence without noise… completely void of the life the soul once saw…

So bleak and depressing, although it wouldn’t make you cry… you’d wallow in it. Wallow in your sorrows until this existence faded with the rest of it.

The young swordsman believes life is over, and there is no returning to it…

Although… a small amount of will propels him forward…

~~~

…The sounds of bird’s chirping and wind blowing catches then suddenly enter swordsman’s senses… along with a feeling that his senses are no longer lost…

If he could just…

…Open his eyes…

Christopher opens his eyes, blinking for a moment before adjusting to the sudden brightness of Camelot’s Summer afternoon.

“…I-it’s so bright…” He says, his voice sounding raspy due to lack of use.

All he sees is a misty river just below what appears to be large cliff… he tries to get to his feet…

But he can’t.

He feels rooted to the ground, as if his boots were welded to the stone below him… he tried to move his limbs… yet it felt like he had none… all he could do was shimmy on the rock…

“…W-why— why can’t I move?” Christopher asks himself. “What—!”

“Welcome back.” Says a calm voice.

“Who is there!?” Christopher asks. “Why can’t I move? What kind of sick trick is this?”

Suddenly, a small reflecting pool appears before Christopher, revealing to him what had happened to him… he was swiftly caught off guard.

His limbs and body were completely gone… all of anything that remained of him was his face, now reduced to a pair of eyes and a mouth… the vessel he was now reigning was no longer human…

But rather… a sword… the very sword he had used in his last moments with the King.

“…I-I don’t— I don’t understand…” Says Christopher. “This is some illusion, I swear it!”

“It is all real, Sir Christopher.” Says the voice again, now standing next to the talking sword so he can see her… making her instantly recognizable.

A pink hedgehog dressed in a blue gown, among other teal and turquoise adornments.

“…T-The Lady of the Lake!?” Christopher exclaims. “What are you— what am I—!?”

“Everything will be alright.” Says the Lady of the Lake, Nimue. “I will explain.”

“…Forgive me for my words, but please do.” Says Christopher, desperation and confusion clouding his tone.

“…Your soul has guided you to this new vessel. Your strong will has allowed you another chance at living.” Says Nimue. “You are now a sentient weapon, the one to decide who is worthy of the crown…”

Christopher appears taken aback by the sudden news, but he tries to keep himself collected. “…Forgive me, but I do not understand… I am to choose the King? How?”

“Read them.” Says Nimue. “Their touch will allow you to read their souls. You will find the true King, I am certain.”

“…A replacement for Arthur?” Asks Christopher.

“Yes.” Says Nimue. “A King truly worthy of the crown. A knight of pure heart and courage.”

“…I am— I am honored, lady Nimue.” Says Christopher, still sounding shocked. “I will take this second chance with grace… and make you proud. It is for my kingdom… and I would do anything to protect it.”

“I am grateful.” Says Nimue. “And I wish good luck unto you.”

“I appreciate the gesture, my lady.” Says Christopher.

Just as Christopher finishes his sentence, Nimue disappears, leaving to take in his responsibility in solitude.

…It all felt so stressful… it put a lot of pressure on Christopher… to decide who is most worthy of the crown?

…Despite the odd anxiety of it all, he would take his duty to heart. He would follow it for however long it may take… he’d make this kingdom proud…

“…Oh, Christopher…” Said a new, familiar voice.

Before Christopher says a word, he takes a listen…

“…I truly wish you were here right now…” Says the voice. “I can only be grateful the King let me bury you at all… but… if only I could just… be given a sign that you were here…”

…It was Angeline… he had to call out to her…

“…Angeline.” Says Christopher, loud enough so that she could possibly hear him. “Angeline!”

Angeline turns head back to face the sword that lay within the eroding stones of the Misty Lake… it was when his training had first began. Where his journey to knighthood rooted back to… where else could she have put the sword as a tombstone, if not here, to honor his legacy as a knight… King Arthur wouldn’t let her place his grave in Avalon anyway.

“…Christopher?” Angeline asks, now looking to the sword.

“Angeline!” Says Christopher, shimmying in his spot a bit. “I am here!”

…Angeline then grows suspicious of the shimmying sword, but slowly approaches it.

“Grab my grip!” Says Christopher.

“…'Your' grip?” Asks Angeline.

“Yes!” Says Christopher. “Tug upward!”

Angeline looks down at the sword’s grip, appear in uncertain… what did Christopher have to do with any of this? Could it free him? …Bring him back?

…She grabs hold of the grip… and tugs. Tugs with as much strength as she can muster… but to no avail, as she is unable to pull the sword from the stone.

“…I don’t understand…” Says Christopher. “I’m certain she’d make a great ruler…”

Angeline looks back down at the sword… was it actually speaking?

She looks down at the sword’s front… and is swiftly met with ocean blue eyes staring back at her… she gasps and only looks on at the now startled sword.

“…Christopher?” Asks Angeline.

Christopher’s face eventually softens to a small smile. “I am here, my Angel.” He says.

Angeline’s mouth curls into a small smile before faltering, now appearing confused. “…What happened to you? Are you trapped in there? Do I need to get you out?”

“No, no! I’m alright.” Christopher says reassuringly. “…I am aware this will be confusing, but trust me!”

Angeline hums in confirmation… giving Christopher the permission he needed.

“…I saw the Lady of the Lake… she had said my soul, my will power, gave me another chance at life.” Says Christopher. “And now, I have a grand role to play… decide the one who shall replace King Arthur as the rightful King.”

“…Oh, my…” Says Angeline. “…That is a major responsibility… but I’m certain you could do it. A-and you saw the lady Nimue?”

“Indeed.” Says Christopher. “She was very polite.”

“…Hm…” Angeline then hums in thought. “If you are meant to find the true King, why don’t I gather some villagers from around the kingdom? Surely one of them must be the King!”

“…Possibly.” Says Christopher. “There are a lot of people in the kingdom. It’s worth a try.”

“…It very much is, Christopher.” Says Angeline.

As Christopher hears his name again, he thinks to himself… is such a name worth being the title of sacred weapon? It just felt so… basic… what kind of sword had such a name?

“…Maybe I could go by a different name?” Asks Christopher. “‘Christopher' just doesn’t feel like a proper name befitting a Sacred Sword…”

“…Caliburn?” Angeline asks.

“My surname?” Christopher asks.

“Yes.” Says Angeline. “It represents you… it is you. I believe it would be important to keep a bit of yourself alive, right? You may be in a new body, but you are still you… it even sounds more befitting.”

Christopher then ponders over the name, and her reasoning behind it… and a small smile grows on his face. “…I like that name…” He says. “Caliburn…”

'After our initial exchange, Angeline went around finding those who were willing to have their hearts be tested. Many tried, but none achieved what they hoped… no matter how certain I felt they would be a perfect fit.'

'Even when the visits had died down, Angeline still came to visit. We would talk for hours, learn more about one another… but, suddenly, she stopped showing up…'

'…Then I remembered she had started to fall ill after the visits had mostly ceased, and that a new illness was in the air… I feared the worst when she had stopped coming by… and I never saw her step foot in the Misty Lake again after her most recent visit…'

'I remained in that stone for five years… a period that felt like an eternity, only to me…'

~~~

“And then I found you. And read your soul.” Says Caliburn.

“And?” Sonic asks… it felt there was more Caliburn wanted to say.

“…I was confused.” Says Caliburn. “I picked you, and you were nothing like I thought the true King would be. You were bashful, crass, snarky, and barely trained in swordsmanship, everything I felt a knightly King wasn’t… I just couldn’t see what I was missing for the longest time…”

“…What were you missing?” Sonic asks.

A small, soft smile crosses Caliburn’s face. “…I had an epiphany during your bout with Merlina.”

“…Yeah?” Sonic questions.

“…I didn’t take notice of your strong will.” Says Caliburn. “The very strength of your will is what rekindled Excalibur… despite how snarky and cocky you are, you still had what I had… you don’t care what others say about you. You don’t mind having to play the role of a bad person… you do what you believe is right for the sake of others.”

“Yep.” Says Sonic. “It’s just how I roll.”

“We share the same morals. Same goals.” Says Caliburn, still smiling. “Despite how uncertain I was, a part of me knew that you would make a wonderful King… You have much assisted me, Sonic. I don’t regret my time with you one bit.”

“…Yeah.” Says Sonic as he then smiles softly and turns to face Caliburn. “I don’t regret my time with you either.”

Silence then covers the Woods… before Sonic breaks it with a slight chuckle.

“…It’s kinda weird… Kinda like ya said, we both got our own rules, and they’re mostly the same…” Says Sonic. “It’s kinda like— like you’re my double in this world or somethin'.”

Caliburn hums. “…An odd thought… and yet, it doesn’t feel untrue.”

“Yeah.” Says Sonic.

As the sun passes over the Deep Woods and to the horizon, Sonic thinks over Caliburn’s story.

…It wouldn’t surprise him if Caliburn was in some way like his double in this storybook world... As he said, Sonic was like him. A lot like him, even if it wasn’t one to one. Caliburn was still a gentleman, Sonic was still crass… and despite that, in a sense, they were doubles. Two people sharing similar mindsets to one another…

…It kind of gave him an odd sense of deja vu when he thought about it…

As the last bit of sunlight fell over the Deep Woods, and Sonic had begun his return to the castle… he had new found knowledge of Caliburn. It wasn’t what he necessarily meant by 'getting to know him', but he took it nonetheless. Caliburn’s tale was a nice one anyway.

As Sonic rushes through the Woods, he spots a few leaves brush past him… it was odd, there was no change in the wind that he could feel.

…Although, Caliburn knew exactly what it was as he spots the leaves, which hovered over to his face.

“…Hello, Angeline…” Says Caliburn, quiet enough to where Sonic couldn’t hear him.

As the hedgehog and Sacred Sword exit the woods… Caliburn can hear a greeting returned back to him…

Even in death, they never part.

- END -

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ranboo5 · 11 months

Note

Ooh, you mentioned c!Techno — any c!peerpresurduo headcanons? I may or may not be a bit obsessed with them :)

REAL AND ALWAYS TBH CPEERPRESS THE WORLDDDDD when I was more I active I was fully a cpeerpress blog at heart tbh and I like to think in essence I still am... they really are all that matters. Under cut for. Oh my god I was worried I wasn't gonna be able to deliver but THEMMMM

Headcanons wise I'm not gr8 at dragging up novel stuff on the spot BUT . I do like to think wrt offscreen interactions - I laruve cRanboo litol Hypixel backstory . The fashion thing is extremely covered ground but I do thing they discuss also specifically the angle of like . OK so going off Techno's skin Ranboo's skin and hell even applying it to Squid's tuxedo I like 2 think that fictional Hypixel fashion sense/movements just kind of are like that (see: Myzzy design!!!) so I think they should trash on people's wardrobes. - Idr if I ever posted this but it's fine. Philza being the kind of guy he is definitely has some kind of preserved:tm: cellar and he among other things at one point gets into keeping a ginger bug. He produces a decent amount of pumpkin sodie using the farm and the bug and ofc his store is officially open to both of the other commune denizens, which they both do interpret as an "at all times" thing. Which it is, even if Phil didn't necessarily intend to get woken up by the world's unstealthiest insomniacs walking into his house in the dead of night in search of a carbonated drink - I don't know if they run across each other during this or if it's during an excursion of some kind but I have the image in my mind so strongly that at one point in conversation Ranboo as like a haha yeah semi-sequitur just drops an episode of The Horrors as like . It's not Quite a litmus test but it's there, both spontaneous and dragged out like pulling teeth somehow, and even someone more astute than Techno wouldn't have a clue what to do with it. Fortunately, Technoblade, being greatly socially competent at Chilling and Having Fun, takes only a second before going "oh yea. HATE it when that happens." I don't know what the Horrors being obliquely referenced in just enough graphic detail to be unsettling while also deeply useless in figuring anything out are so I also don't know if Techno knows how it feels:tm: or not odds are strong either way tbh but regardless of that he DOES say "oh yea. HATE it when that happens" - on a lighter note one day Techno gets sick for an excursion and fervently denies this, which Ranboo dutifully yes-ands while also handing Techno tissues every five minutes - Ranboo once explained the cobblestone decisions made about the sky city EXTENSIVELY to Techno, and in this explanation also never got around to mentioning what they were building or why. Techno didn't ask. - Techno successfully taught Ranboo at least one recipe that he did not know prior to teaching it as if he'd known it for years. If this happened multiple times it has a roughly 50-60% success rate wrt making things that are good - I think it does matter that during and leading up 2 Ho16 proper Ranboo was not in contact w/ people at the commune . After it respawns somewhere locally it takes off in disgust as soon as it can, makes for the mangled desert, falls asleep in an alcove of sandstone somewhere and is awoken when a wandering enderman chances upon the sand it's walled off with, and before it can say anything they ask Ranboo if it's lost. The question pulls him up short and he finds himself saying something like "a little bit, I guess," and the language isn't as clumsy in their mouth as it was last month and a nondescript memory of talking at Phil slowly clicks into focus Techno is dealing w/ his Distraction Of The Week when Ranboo walks back into the commune -- this week he's reading about bead recording and is trying to figure out if and how to apply this to Syndicate signaling. It's not going great. Anyway the snow rustles and Ranboo clambers awkwardly over the fence across the yard, and when Techno throws him the "sup" he just stops mid path to his house and walking circles into the snow explains that he is going to bed which manages to start a ten-minute conversation about nothing that lasts until Ranboo attempts to lean on a fencepost in fidgeting and nearly passes out asleep on the spot, in similar kind to when you pop into a Discord call for "just a minute before bed"

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olivia-anderson-fanfic · 1 year

Text

Run Faerie Far Away, Pt 1

Jason barely paid him any mind, for he was too busy falling to his knees beside his fallen basket. The nuts and berries had spilled across the grass and, as much as he wanted to simply scoop them all back up, a good portion had passed over a line of mushrooms. A round line of mushrooms, flowers, and shiny rocks. One might even call it a ring.

The fourth rule danced around in his mind’s eye:

4) Do not step into any mushroom rings.

Or: Jason does not want to go home. Because he does not want to go home, all of the local faerie decide that they are adopting him.

Hey everyone! Heads up! This story is pretty dark. Because Jason in general is pretty dark. I tried to keep it relatively tame and preferred to reference everything rather than outright stating it… but if you are sensitive to anything to do with child abuse or suicidal ideation I'm begging you to skip this one. Your mental health should come first!

Jason Todd was eleven years old, and he didn’t want to go home.

There was no one there for him, anyways. His mom was in the hospital again and his dad was ‘working’ to try and afford the hospital bills. He should be with his mom, he knew, but he couldn’t stand to see her so frail. He was alone. He was alone and hungry and tired, and he knew the other people in the city would stop being quite so generous soon. Once the novelty of his mother’s sickness wore off, once he stopped reminding them of that old story about a kid who had gone to the fae and traded his parents’ health for his own freedom. Once he stopped being ‘innocent’, when he would be forced to steal food. When he would become ‘just like his dad’.

He wasn’t a pessimist, he was a realist.

Which was why, as he walked along the outskirts of the town, his fingers trailing along the iron chain-link fence that had been constructed long before he was born, he quietly considered his options.

Winter was coming. Even now, the cold metal nipped at the tips of his fingers. He wasn’t sure their pity would last all that long. Especially since the townsfolk tended to hole up in their homes until the snow melted, and it was very easy to put things that were out of sight out of mind.

His eyes fell upon a gap under the fence. A particularly stubborn animal had managed to wriggle itself inside the village. He toed the hole with his shoe, wondering how long the gap had been there without getting patched.

He knew that the fence wasn’t really there to keep the fae out like the townsfolk always claimed. They also claimed that there were faerie that had wings, so he had doubts that they would really be stopped by some walls…

No, the fence was there to stop people from getting out.

Apparently, one of the nearby faerie had kidnapped two kids around a hundred years ago, and they didn’t want to allow it to happen again. Jason wasn’t sure if he believed it, he thought it was convenient that anyone that might have known the kids were long dead, but it lined up well enough with what he’d been told that he opted to, at the very least, try and be safe.

But, really, it wasn’t like there was anyone to miss him if it went wrong. His mom might die. His dad would probably be happy to have one less mouth to feed.

Not that his dad was really doing that nowadays. It was kind of the whole reason Jason was there.

He took a deep breath to steady himself.

And then he started clambering up the fence. It creaked with every shift of his foot, but he reached the top in less than a minute. He didn’t bother with getting down safely. Instead, he simply jumped down. It sent a flare of pain up his ankles, but he didn’t bother to check on them as he rushed for the nearby bushes. With luck, anyone that noticed – if anyone had noticed – would just assume that all of the sounds were an animal trying to sneak in.

He slowly meandered through the woods, a basket hanging from the crook of his arm. He’d need to find some wildflowers, nuts, and fruits that he could try and preserve. Nuts would last the longest naturally, but he wasn’t sure how that would be nutritionally. Finding a couple of animals would be good too, even if the food wouldn’t last all that long…

And, yes, he knew that he might just encounter a fae. He knew the stories, had listened to the people of his town prattle on about the dangers of a child-napping creature that would surely think of a boy without parents at home as an opportunity. But he had decided that, if he ended up taken away, then at least the fae would probably feed him. He would take whatever win he could get at this point.

He still wasn’t prepared to find a path. It was thin, now. Nature was reclaiming it, plants spilling out into it and attempting to root themselves in what had once been hard-packed soil.

Jason walked along it, picking everything that didn’t look too good. He was sure it all tasted amazing, but he wasn’t all that interested in getting picked up by the fae. He would much rather do the picking, thank you very much.

At one point, he found a small bird digging for worms in the dirt, but it fluttered off before he could even think about trying to catch it.

He sighed lightly, squinting up through the leaves to find out where the sun was in the sky, even if there was really no reason to get home before dark, and then frowned to himself.

There was a birdhouse up there, in the leaves. Painted in bright red, yellow, and green. The paint looked new, despite the fact that it was very clear that no one had come in this direction in quite a while. He walked towards it, his eyes narrowed, and found himself in a clearing that he was sure hadn’t been there before.

Jason went still. The birdhouse still hung from the tree, perfectly innocent where it was nestled in the branches, but it was no longer his main concern.

“What’re you doing out here?” An impossibly gentle voice said off to his side. It was the verbal equivalent of a feather, floating on the breeze and light where it brushed past his ears. Goosebumps raised on his skin. “Oh, you’re foraging?”

So, Jason, in a moment of brilliance, spun around and chucked his basket at the sound. It had been a frail-sounding voice, so perhaps it would work.

Or, perhaps not. Perhaps, the being would duck away with far too much grace for something as large as them.

“Whoops,” the thing said, seeming largely unconcerned. He stood in black pants and a pale blue shirt with a, frankly, illegally low collar. It wasn’t a terrible color combination, but when combined with the golden jewelry hanging from his wrists and neck and the red streaking their hair, it was a little strange to look at.

Not that that was, really, where Jason was looking.

“Why do you have socks on your back?” Said Jason, who figured that he was already screwed. No need to be polite at this point.

The fae gave him a blank stare, his smile dropping for just a moment, and then he turned his head to look behind himself. They snickered as they realized what, exactly, he was talking about. “Oh. The feathers on my wings haven’t fully grown in yet and my dad is making me wear these to make sure they don’t get cold.”

Jason nodded slowly, as if that made sense. Maybe it did, he didn’t know, nor did he care. He had just come to a horrible realization:

“Fuck!”

“Hey, language!” The fae, who didn’t look much older than him – fourteen or fifteen, max – but could have been centuries old for all he knew, channeled their inner parent.

The fourth rule danced around in his mind’s eye:

4) Do not step into any mushroom rings.

The rule was deceptively vague, and he didn’t want to chance it. He didn’t want to reach inside it, and even if he did he was pretty sure that them falling into the ring would probably count as an offering to the faerie that owned it. No one was stupid enough to try and steal from the fae, and they certainly knew better than to take back a gift that had been promised to them, accidentally or not.

And, all that considered, he wasn’t even sure whether it now counted as fae food or not.

He groaned a little and ran a hand through his hair, his eyes flicking upwards again to try and gauge the time. He could come back tomorrow, he knew, but he also knew that every time he ventured into the woods was tempting fate. He could get spotted by someone from the town and confined to his house until his assumed ‘enchantment with the fae’ wore off, or he could encounter a different fae – one that wasn’t content to simply watch him like an interesting bug that they had found while poking around in the dirt.

Speaking of the fae, they came to kneel behind him in the grass. Jason might have worried about stains on the being's pants but, with the way the breeze passed over them without so much as ruffling his hair, Jason had already begun to suspect that the fae was simply immune to all possible imperfections.

Outside of his clashing colors. But, who knows, perhaps the style was simply different in the other world.

The fae began to gather all of the stuff on the inside of the faerie ring, dragging the wide assortment to rest beside the basket.

Jason frowned suspiciously at it all. “Does that count as faerie food now?”

He got another blank stare, and now Jason began to think that they looked a little bit like a bird, with eyes that were just a little too wide and a head twisted to look at him at an angle it shouldn’t have been able to reach… but perhaps that was just because he knew that the fae had wings hidden beneath those strange socks of theirs and could now only think of him as birdlike.

“I don’t know,” the faerie said, finally, their lips pressing into a thin line as they thought it over. “I’m sure Oracle would know, but I don’t want to bother her…” He shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose I can find you something else. Maybe some meat would be more filling…?”

Jason jolted, jumping to his feet and backing away, his hands up in a kind of surrender. “That’s not necessary. I’m not supposed to make a deal with a faerie.”

“This isn’t a Deal,” they began, and the word sounded strange upon its tongue, far heavier than everything else he had said so far. “It’s a Gift. Or a replacement, I suppose.”

Jason shook his head rapidly. “I – uh – I appreciate it, but I simply cannot accept.”

“How about this,” the fae began, his eyebrows tugging upwards in apparent distress (or, at least, a very convincing facsimile of it), though Jason couldn’t imagine why he would be distressed. “If you beat me in a game of chess, I’ll help you out. Games aren’t deals, they actually give you a chance to win.”

Jason thought this over. He had heard a few tales of changelings. No one ever seemed to come to a consensus on what, exactly they were. One of the townsfolk insisted that they were children that the fae may bestow upon someone who couldn’t have children of their own. Others said they were what happened when faeries and humans bore a child together. Another person liked to claim that they were baby fae, forced into the hands of an unaware human family to raise until adulthood – and that the two children that had been taken oh-so-long ago were just changelings that had gone back to their real family.

But one particular version stuck out in his mind: stories where a faerie would create a child that was perfectly identical to someone else’s, put them both in a crib, and then force the parent(s) to try and pick out which one was theirs. It was a game meant to be impossible, meant to torture the humans with a choice that would leave them second-guessing their decision for the rest of their lives, but it was winnable. A 50/50 shot.

“What do you get if you win?”

The faerie seemed to think it over for a moment.

He broke into a wide smile. “I’ve always wanted a little brother.”

And, if Jason were less wary of the faerie in front of him, or perhaps more wary as he might have paid more attention to the exact verbiage, he would have noticed that the fae had never actually answered the question. They had stated a fact – that they had always wanted a little brother – but had not stated what they would do if they won. For he had no real intentions of doing so, this was all just a roundabout way of getting out of the debt they had accidentally found their way into.

But alas, the faerie had opted to play into the exact stereotype that Jason had assumed they would behave like, and therefore the boy did not notice. He was left to consider his options.

… and, well, he had gone into the woods fully aware of the fact that he might get stolen away. At least being the faerie’s ‘brother’ was a nicer fate than the one he’d had in mind.

There was just one problem:

“I mean… I know the rules, but I’ve never actually played chess before,” Jason admitted, shuffling awkwardly on his feet.

“Neither have I!” They said cheerfully.

“Sorry?”

For just a second, the fae’s head jerked upwards and they met his eyes, and Jason knew instantly that he had made a mistake of some kind. Though he couldn’t see it, he could feel something pull taut between them, a connection accidentally formed.

“Apology accepted,” the fae said simply, and the tension snapped with so much force that Jason stumbled.

A chair swept him off his feet before he could do it to himself.

A chessboard popped into being in front of him, carved into a large treestump that simply hadn’t been there before, and the faerie settled down opposite him.

The faerie smiled. “Would you like to play?”

Jason decided that faerie are insane. He had already been told this before, by the townsfolk, several times over, but he has just decided for himself.

“Sure,” he said after a few moments’ consideration.

“Great! So, what does this piece do?” The fae said, pointing at the king.

Needless to say, Jason ended up winning.

It was a long, arduous battle. Not because it was particularly hard to win, but because the fae – who insisted Jason should call him ‘Robin’ even if that didn’t at all feel like a formal enough way to address an otherworldly being – made Jason actually teach him how to play. Something about how it ‘made things more fair if he knew how things moved’, as if anything about this was fair… outside of Robin, who was fair folk.

And, indeed, he had a very fair temper about losing, getting to his feet, and smiling gracefully. Wings, still bound in dark blue fabric, arched over his head as he stretched out. “I would offer to catch a deer since that would feed you for longer, but I fear you wouldn’t be able to take it home…” He hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe a couple of rabbits would be better…?”

The faerie didn’t even wait for a response. He simply scooped up the basket and disappeared into the brush with a vague yell that he would be back soon.

However, when a being lives much longer than a human, ‘soon’ becomes somewhat hard to judge. Jason squinted up at the sun, sinking rapidly on the horizon, and he wondered whether it was worth it to wait. Would it be seen as rude to leave now? Probably. And, besides, the faerie had his entire basket, and Jason didn’t want to let this day become a total waste.

So, he sighed and busied himself. Played a few rounds of chess against no one. Inspected the chessboard carved into a tree trunk that looked as if it would become a permanent addition to the clearing.

Nightime began to fall.

And Jason noticed looking up at the starry sky in dismay… that there was a tiny lantern hidden amongst the branches of a nearby tree. It wasn’t particularly interesting to look at, there wasn’t even a flame flickering inside of it, and yet the way the glass shimmered beneath the moon caught his attention. He slowly made his way across the clearing, careful to give the ring of mushrooms a wide berth, until he reached the tree with the hidden appliance.

He glanced back the way the fae had disappeared, but the night was just as still as it was a few moments prior, and so he started to climb.

It didn’t take long to reach it. It wasn’t particularly high up in the tree, hanging from a sturdy branch close to the bottom. He pulled himself up onto the branch and straddled it, making sure not to let himself fall as he leaned forward until his face was mere inches away from the lantern.

He drummed his fingers against the glass, and was pleased when it flickered to life, giving off a faint glow. Maybe he should have thought this weird, as he didn’t notice any oil or lightbulb inside, but he was merely a kid and he had never known a lantern that didn’t light up when prompted.

He started to lean closer, trying to figure out how exactly it fastened to the branch so he could get it off –.

“Hello?”

He slipped right off the branch.

Or, he almost did.

A hand caught him by the back of his shirt before he could plummet to the ground, and his head jerked around to look at his savior.

A girl looked down at him, smiling bemusedly. It was a gap-toothed smile, but even then it was strangely perfect-looking. As if the gap was simply supposed to be there. He was more concerned about the dark green scales that were dotted across her face like freckles, though, if he was going to be honest.

“You called?”

He fell.

The world span as he raced towards the ground, branches almost seeming to run away from him. The dirt was weirdly plush, though, and he didn’t end up scraping his arms like he was supposed to.

It still didn’t feel great.

Jason groaned and rested his head in the strange, soft dirt.

“Whoops,” the faerie began, and Jason couldn’t help but be reminded of Robin. Maybe they had transed their gender (or whatever it was called)? Faerie could probably do that. But then he watched them start to climb down, and noticed that they had not legs but a tail, and quickly changed his mind. Maybe they just knew each other.

She slithered over to him, the long, deep green tail poking out from beneath her pale yellow sundress working hard to get close as fast as possible. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” he said, the word leaving him as more of a wheeze than anything else. She raised an eyebrow at him skeptically, but he pretended not to notice. “Just wanna… lay here for a bit.”

She snickered quietly and, after a few moments where she seemed to mull it over, came to lay beside him. “So, let me guess, you didn’t actually mean to summon me?”

“Nope.”

“What were you doing with my lantern, then?”

Jason grimaced. “Well… I didn’t know it belonged to a fae…”

She waited for him to continue, but he didn’t. Her eyebrows knit for a couple of seconds before tugging upwards in surprise. A grin split across her face. “Oh.”

“Yeah. ‘Oh’. Are you going to smite me? Because I’m about to get food from some other faerie and I don’t know whether he’ll be happy if you kill me before that happens.”

“I wouldn’t be pleased, no,” Robin’s chipper voice said, and Jason really wanted these faeries to stop surprising him. “But Oracle would never do that, anyways.”

“You don’t know that for sure. I could kill people in my spare time. You wouldn’t know.”

Robin snickered. “But I do.”

So, Jason was right, then, they were close in some way. Maybe siblings? They didn’t look alike in the slightest… but, honestly, Jason was pretty sure he’d be strangely disappointed if faerie family dynamics worked the exact same as those of humans. If families looked somewhat like each other in the way any normal human family might, it would be boring. No, Jason thought they should all be their own brand of strange looking. Or, perhaps, they should all look alike to an unnatural degree, like watching two mirror images of each other.

Robin jolted him from his staring by setting a basket by Jason. It was practically overflowing with food, and Jason had a strong suspicion that the only thing stopping it all from spilling out was magic.

Not that that was really what he cared about.

Jason licked his lips. The food looked good. Far better than the scraps he would get from the pitying townspeople – who he appreciated, of course, he liked not dying of starvation, but he didn’t think it was rude to point out that this was much better than any person’s leftovers. He had never seen better berries, and the three rabbits that the faerie had caught looked fatter than anything he had ever seen before.

He glanced at the faerie. “It’s… not fae food, right? Just to check?” He asked, trying to keep the hopeful, almost pleading note out of his voice.

“Nah, faerie food is better than this,” Oracle said. She reached past Jason to take a berry and pop it into her mouth. Her nose scrunched just slightly. “God, how did I use to eat this stuff?”

Jason frowned at her and took a berry of his own. He glanced at Robin to confirm that it was safe before shoving the cranberry in his mouth. It was tart, as all good cranberries were, and he breathed out a contented sigh. It was amazing. If all it took was gambling away his freedom to the faerie every day to get food like this, he might just keep coming back to test his luck.

He wondered how good fae food had to be for Oracle to act as if it was some kind of mild torture to eat something as good as this.

Out of habit more than anything, he turned and offered one to Robin. Which was a little silly, considering they were the one to find them, and he surely could have eaten some if he wanted, but Robin just shrugged and held up his hands.

“Eating human food is weird,” he said.

Jason raised his eyebrows.

“It doesn’t… fill you,” Oracle offered. “If either of us really wanted, we could eat that entire basket and not feel it.”

Jason’s eyes widened and he dragged it closer to himself, much to the pair’s amusement.

“Don’t worry,” Robin said, dropping beside Jason. “We’re not going to. No reason to, y’know?”

Jason squinted with a joking kind of suspiciousness. “I’m not taking any chances.”

The faerie sputtered. “I literally can’t lie!”

Jason stuck out his tongue at him.

Oracle snorted at Robin’s offended expression.

And then he sighed and got to his feet, hoisting up the basket of food with a little more difficulty than he would like to admit to. “I should get going home. It’s already dark enough…” He glanced up and grimaced. Somehow, even more time had passed while he had been sitting there, and now the moon was hanging in almost the exact middle of the sky.

If his father got home before him…

The man probably wouldn’t, he knew, but if he did and Jason wasn’t there… he shivered, and it wasn’t at all due to the cold.

Robin and Oracle jumped to their feet immediately. Or, well, Robin jumped to their feet, Oracle simply twisted to slither on her tail once more.

“We’ll go with you,” Oracle offered.

Jason grimaced. He didn’t want to lead faerie to his house. They seemed nice, but he could not let them know he didn’t have a family at the moment. He didn’t put much stock in the rumors and stories and fairytales that spread through the village like a famine, but he wasn’t stupid. The village elders had those rules for a reason. Just because he was willing to break the rules when desperate didn’t mean that he was going to be purposefully idiotic.

“I’ll be fine. I have a knife.” He pulled out the old dagger for emphasis. The color of it was dull, despite the moonlight spilling down over it, but that didn’t change the fact that it was sharp.

Neither of the faeries seemed impressed.

But, after a simple glance at each other, they both backed off.

Jason sent them a grateful smile. “Goodbye.”

They waved wordlessly.

And Jason never noticed the faerie flying overhead as he trekked through the woods, making sure he got home safely.

Jason’s mom recovered. It was the biggest health scare she’d had yet, and Jason had begged her to stop using because every hospital visit lasted longer and he wasn’t sure she could pull off another miracle. The doctors weren’t faerie, couldn’t do anything if she ever went too far, and the thought was terrifying.

She told him she would stop.

She lied.

Jason had come home one day to find his mother curled up on the floor, unmoving. The rest of the day passed in a blur, as did much of the next month, but he would never forget the glassy way her eyes had looked.

He didn’t want to go home. He didn’t want to go home. His father was a wreck, working longer ‘shifts’ (Jason didn’t know why they kept up the charade, he knew better than anyone else that his father’s work was anything but innocent), and when he was home he was angrier than Jason had ever seen him. And there was no one else for him to take it out on anymore.

Just Jason.

Jason had stared at the hole in the fence, at the barely-there path into the woods, for hours. He had sat in the snow until he stopped shivering, his face pressed against the cold wiring until he was pretty sure he would have freeze burns carving their way over his cheek for the rest of his life.

He didn’t know if ‘Dick Grayson’ had ever been a real person, but he understood him now nonetheless.

He wanted his mom back. So bad.

He wanted to see her again.

He just didn’t want to be here, alone, anymore.

His eyes drifted shut.

A hand rested on his shoulder and he looked up to find a woman. Jason blinked at her with frost-crusted lashes. He was sure he had never seen a woman with such deep brown skin before, nor with such vibrant green eyes. She smiled at him, and it was just a little too perfect for it to be anything other than unsettling. Something in the back of his head was blaring warnings, but he was so tired.

“Let’s get you home,” she said, her voice dripping with an accent he didn’t recognize and a kind of warmth he hadn’t experienced in what felt like years.

“I don’t want to,” he said, his voice choked.

“You don’t want to die here, do you?” She asked.

Jason couldn’t bring himself to lie, even to something that he was pretty sure was a hallucination.

Her expression fell. Distantly, he felt bad for making her sad, but it was all so far away, like he wasn’t even really in his own body, just watching from afar as something happened to what was once him.

She sighed and pressed a warm hand to his cheek. He leaned into the touch. Her hand was much softer than the fence had been.

And then he pulled back. “‘M tired,” he said.

“Then how about you go to bed?” She tried.

He might have given her a dirty look if he had the energy to. She was misinterpreting what he said on purpose.

She gave a quiet chuckle, but there wasn’t much humor to be found in it. “Well then, why not?”

“Don’ wanna go h’me,” Jason slurred.

“But you’re not against dying,” she said, more to herself than anything. It wasn’t a question, and yet Jason nodded regardless. She winced. “Well… why?”

He gave her a mildly incredulous look. Was she going to try and debate him out of this? “They’ll be h’ppy ‘en I go. Le’st now ‘m choosin’ it m’self.”

She seemed to think it over for a minute.

“Well, why make them happy? Do you really want to help them, when they’re so awful to you? Why not stay alive to spite them?”

Jason considered this. He liked the idea of spiting people. It was fun to not be on the receiving end sometimes. Hazily, he nodded, feeling just a little bit more like himself.

She smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.

The next morning, he woke up in bed. Tucked in, though he knew his dad would never do such a thing and his mother never could again. Had he done that to himself, somehow?

He remembered the day before, the mysterious woman and the halfhearted attempt he had made to let go. Jason wasn’t quite sure whether it had been a dream, a hallucination, or something more, but as he mulled over the short conversation in his mind, he decided that he still agreed with the decision that he had come to.

He was choosing to live.

If only to prove that he could.

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

Pt2

All Fae-n And Games Masterlist

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magnuficent76 · 1 year

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Summary: Wanted to write, so I did! Lockett and Marsi have gotten horribly lost once again ! Woop woop.

Characters used: Lockett (Luis); Marsi (Marshmallow); Some new friends…

Words: 4k 915 words !!

Warnings: (Almost) freezing to death, light mentions of blood.

Author notes: Whenever something is in brackets [like this], it's because the character is speaking a different language ! Keep that in mind for when you read through this bc it pops up a bit :3 there's also a dictionary at the very end of any words used that don't actually mean anything in english. Story under cut !

Sequel to this

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Once upon a day, there were two small titans walking across the tundra.

The two had been travelling for a very long time. The older brother, Lockett, walked in the front, guiding the smaller one through snow diligently. It had been frigid for days, and food was almost done with. They were both hungry, but neither could bring themselves to actually eat, should the threat of not being able to in an important moment ever rise.

Marsi squeezed his sibling's hand tightly as the wind swept across his face. On the tip of his ears and underneath his nose small icicles began forming. Lockett could feel him shaking, to the point where it was starting to drag down the woollen coat he wore. He stopped in his tracks, crouching down to be at eye level with him.

"How are you feeling? Is the cold too much?" Lockett asked, pulling the large coat back on Marsi's little form. "I could give you my coat if it helps." The small titan sniffled, shaking his head vigorously.

"I don't want you to be cold too. I can-" Before he could finish, a sneeze escaped through his nose. The shaking seemed to intensify as well. "I can tough it out,"

Lockett checked his temperature, and the corners of his mouth tugged into a frown. It was hard to tell if he was sick, but regardless, he was most definitely cold. Another thing to worry about once they find a village. Without another word, he scooped Marsi into his coat, cradling him so he wouldn't fall through. He still wiggled, in weak attempts to get away.

"No!" Marsi protested, "I'm fine!- I don't need you to carry me-"

"Marsi." He said, in a sterner voice than he normally used. "You're cold, and your feet aren't protected enough, you could get frostbite here. I don't get cold, so I can manage us both, okay?"

After a moment of silence, the smaller one sniffled again, and arranged himself against the crook of his brother's neck. "Okay…"

Back to walking.

The added weight of his brother made it harder to navigate through the many layers of snow beneath his paws, but he pressed on regardless. Scanning the fields around him, Lockett tried to pinpoint any possible points of interest they could go to. As far as his vision allowed, it seemed that there was only snowfall for at least two more hours of walking, a grove of thin, dead trees up the north, maybe a frozen river if they were to wander further, and no sign of life outside of the two. A sigh left his lips, and he decided their best bet would be to continue walking east. The forest would be dangerous in their current condition, and civilization seemed like a scarce option seeing where searching for that has landed the two of them so far. The possibility of a river meant they could fish for food, gather up water and rest for a day, even if it'd take longer than the latter option.

Unbeknownst to both brothers, a creature did stalk them through the white blankets of the tundra.

Black, beady eyes poked through the frozen ground, reflecting minimal light off its surface. It watched the two boys with interest, following them slowly, soundlessly, readying itself to strike when the time came. Smelling the air, the creature chuffed at the scent in their tracks, their unaware exhibition to a hungry predator.

The massive tomarath crept up behind them, not daring to strike just yet. The bear-like creature waited for an opportunity, clacking its jaws together at the prospect of food.

Lockett's eyes widened, and he froze. His ears twitched around hastily, listening to the crunching of snow not too far behind, and a familiar, dangerous clack that could only be described as teeth clattering against each other. He held his brother closer, and turned around, scanning the ground for the carpetine beast.

A silence filled the air. Between the falling flakes of frost and the creature's camouflage, chances of escaping this situation fully were highly scarce.

"Marsi," He whispered, putting a hand on his sword's grip. His breath was suddenly hitched, and his eyes were unable to stay in one place as he anxiously tried to locate the tomarath. "Marsi, I'm gonna put you on the ground, and you're going to have to run, fast as you can, okay?"

"What's going on-?" Marsi replied, fear creeping in his voice. His ears were flat against his head, and he turned around quickly as a particularly large snow mound crept closer and closer still. "Lockett-?!"

"RUN!" Lockett yelled, dropping him to the ground and swinging at the creature.

The tomarath shrieked, and stopped its lunge as the sword almost hit its head. It growled, keeping itself to the ground as it surrounded the titan with its long body. Marsi ran as fast as his legs could bear to take him, a small fiery trail following along as a result. His roughened breathing caused smoke to form in front of his face, making it hard to see much, but by the time he stopped, he was already miles away. He hid underneath a snow mound, and waited, shivering for a very long time, both out of fear and out of cold.

Lockett observed the beast's movements, keeping eye contact all the way as he extended his sword forward to keep it out of his personal zone. This tomarath had seen better days— shaggy white hairs followed its body down to the back legs, with several patches seemingly having been scratched out, scarred even. Arrows were plunged into its left front leg, leaving it walking with a limp. It must've run into people before, which must mean there's hunters of some kind nearby. Shelter.

His thoughts were interrupted as the beast lunged forward again, claws exposed and ready to tear. He dodged by inches, having some of his jacket's sleeve cut. Underneath, a sliver of sapphire blue blood slithered down his arm. He picked himself up, and countered with a hefty blow to the creature's head, managing to crack one of its massive fangs. It reeled itself back, stunned by the sudden pain.

"YEAH, HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, KITHAR? YOU SCARED?" He spat out, raising his arms above his head to make himself even larger. The beast must've taken illy to that, because right after, it lunged again, trying to smack his sword out of his hands. Lockett refused to give in, rolling to the side and hitting them with a solid slash, drawing some blood off the creature. It growled, swiping furiously at his legs and clattering its teeth in warning. 'You are making a mistake', it must think, 'You are nothing compared to me'. Lockett runs around it, then throws a heavy rock at its head.

"COME ON THEN, DOG! SHOW ME WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!"

The tomarath roared agonisingly loud before jumping on Lockett once more, this time leaving little windows for defence. It loomed over him, growling as its drool fell down its mouth, ready to take a large bite out of his face as he struggled to get his arm out of the crushing grip it had over it.

Breathing heavily, Lockett used his free arm to repeatedly smack its face, trying to hit its eyes to no avail. It clenched its jaws onto his shoulder, thrashing its head around to rip a piece of it off, and it made him scream out in desperation- A shrill, piercing cry echoed through the tundra. Through a scream and pulsating adrenaline, Lockett broke the tomarath's bottom jaw wide with one concentrated punch, making it get off him scrambling with moans of pain. He followed it, barely being able to lift the dull sword over his head and onto the creature's body twice more. It wasn't enough to kill it, but it retreated at last, running off to the distance with an even greater limp than before.

"YEAH, AND DON'T COME BACK! I'LL RIP YOUR DAMNED TEETH OFF ONE BY ONE YOU OVERSIZED EXCUSE FOR A COAT!" Lockett yelled victorious and out of breath, partly for his own comfort and partly to really show it to the thing who was in charge. 'This isn't over' it called out, a mouth full of blood, 'I am going to find you again. And this time, there won't be a thing you can do'. He chose to ignore it.

Promptly after, he placed a weak hand over the mauled shoulder. Blood flowed to his clothes, down to the floor. He let himself plummet face first into the snow after a few seconds, turning the white covered snow a pungent blue. He was breathing still, thankfully, but he couldn't tell for how much longer.

Out of the wound, once that deep indigo colour stopped spilling, a black substance started blocking in the wound. Lockett winced, but didn't move, feeling the dark sludge clump up over the injury. It felt like cement being poured over a building's cracks, patching up the hurt but not erasing it. In a matter of minutes, it had reconstructed the wrecked shoulder, leaving in the pain regardless. He stood up slowly, his head still spinning due to all that happened.

Right. That's treated then. Now, to find Marsi- He can't be too far. He thought, starting his stride to find his little brother. I'm coming for you, please, please just hold on a little longer.

Meanwhile, Marsi's little life was burning out, like a candle by a window. He had been waiting for a while, unsure of whether or not danger had already dissipated, and cold as he could be. Any attempts of a fire he attempted to start quickly were extinguished, and running on an empty stomach just meant he hadn't much more energy to rely on.

'You could close your eyes', whispered the cold, temptingly, 'just for a moment, just to rest. Don't you feel tired?'

"No…No I can't, I'm tired, but I need to wait for my brother. We'll sleep safer together," The tiny titan muttered, curling up on himself. "He's coming to get me, I know it."

The winds blew harder, threatening to collapse the very trees that he was using for shelter. 'There is no bargaining with nature, boy' said the cold, 'You're coming with us'. Snow began to fall more still, and it began covering the hole he hid himself in.

"No! I'm not going anywhere! My brother is coming for me!" Marsi said, shoving the snow out of the hole's entrance in a futile attempt to keep it out. He couldn't feel his fingertips anymore, and he kept sneezing every few seconds. His throat felt dry, his stomach felt frigid. The inside of his body no longer held the warmth it was supposed to.

"He's coming for me, I know he is…" He held on tighter to his coat, curling into a little ball on the very deepest part of his improvised home.

Until,

'Marsi?' A voice called from far away.

"Lockett-?"

'Marsi, I'm right here for you, come out,' It said.

"Is it really you-? Brother?"

'Who else would it be, mosi? It's me, it's your brother' it kept insisting, 'Come out, I'll lead you back to warmth. Don't you trust me?'

Marsi hesitated, but just hearing that voice seemed to almost put him at ease. He felt the warmth returning, welcoming him back to normalcy. As he crawled out, he almost didn't notice how the frost fell harder on his body.

"I'm coming, Lockett! It's me! It's Marsi!" He shouted out, walking out into the vast whiteness.

'I'm here, Marsi. I'm right in front of you. Come give me a hug.' It whispered, coming from everywhere all at once.

Marsi started coughing, and his vision blurred almost completely. His feet became numb, and he fell on his side.

"Lou…" He whimpered, clutching his sides "… I'm so cold… where…"

'Shhh, shhhhh… hush now, dear brother. You're going to be okay. You won't even notice it…'

"Lou… I wanna go home."

'We're going home, okay? Together.'

"Together…"

Before he could even notice, the snowdrift had covered him completely, like a blanket of light, and he fell asleep.

Please, please be okay out there. Lockett thought, running around aimlessly looking for the little one. I can't lose you too. How far did he go? Where was he? Was he hidden? Was he well?

"MARSI!" He shouted out, as loud as his lungs allowed it, "MARSI! ARE YOU OKAY? WHERE ARE YOU? CAN YOU HEAR ME?"

Far away from there, a group of explorers came across an almost frozen body.

"MARSI, IT'S ME, LOCKETT!" He kept shouting, searching even with soulsight to try and find his brother. The extended use made his nose start bleeding. "Where… Where did you go-?" He asked no one, looking around for longer still. Running around for what felt like hours through identical tree husks, the same snow covered fields, the same vast emptiness. "Please, Marsi, where are you?"

"[Is he aasyran?]" One of them says, uncovering his small frame out of the snow.

"[Not sure, but I don't think so.]" Says the other, wrapping him around their scarf.

"Hngg, spirits…" Lockett muttered, feeling the exhaustion set in on his body after finding a rock particularly comfortable, "I can't- No, no, I need to find- MARSI! CAN YOU HEAR ME?" He wasn't sure who he was screaming to anymore. His vision was hazy, all the light was confusing, it just kept getting worse.

"Marsi… anyone…"

He fell to his knees, barely being able to make out two figures not two far away.

"Please…where…"

They seemed to get closer, shining weapons drawn to his face. He couldn't make out what they were, what they were saying. At this point, it was easier not to do anything at all. He fought as much as he could. Maybe a quick death would be easier to deal with here…

"[Another one?]"

"[Are these two related-?]"

"[We'll need to make room, right? They're not in any condition here.]"

Yeah. Just a little nap through the years.

Floating through the darkness, Lockett could barely make out the shape of his hands. They were swirling, half formed, as if he was looking at them through water. Just a white outline of his body, distorted and wrong. His limbs felt numb, but not in the sense that he couldn't feel them no—it was more like he was being pricked with thousands of needles, as if his whole body had fallen asleep, but he was still awake. It was also weirdly warm.

There was a sound–multiple? He couldn't tell at this point– of someone, something calling his name. Colours were muddled together messily, spiralling, with no rhyme or reason. Then, it all became strikingly clear, horribly so.

A conjunction of reds and browns, greys and black filled the sky. Soldiers were dying, the earth was scorched, and he was unable to move. Why? Why now must he remember? Blood left his heart at an alarming rate, and things seemed to blip in and out constantly. There were screams, and smoke, and- Oh god, oh gods all his family was dead. His parents, his friends, his spouse, it was all gone, all because of-

Lockett!

LOCKETT!

LOCKETT.

Lockett woke up in a cold sweat, ripping the blankets off of him and throwing them to the furthest side of the room, hugging himself tightly in an attempt to calm down. It was a dream, he thought, a mere terror, it already happened and there's nothing to be done about it. Breathe. Breathe…

Feeling the anxiety dissipate, the titan took a deep breath, and finally grounded himself. It's all okay.

Now, with that out of the way.

Just where is he now?

He took a look around the room he was currently in- Great, kidnapped TWICE in the same month. New record.

Except, this time it didn't feel like he was imprisoned. No- This wasn't a cell of any kind. He was provided with a bed, a blanket, and warmth, he wasn't even chained this time. Upon further inspection, the room was also clearly designed for some kind of child, with colourful posters on the wall and toys tucked away on a corner.

Either this was the worst kidnapper of all time, or he wasn't kidnapped at all, and this is actually someone giving him shelter.

And for some reason, that's even more suspicious.

Lockett got out of bed slowly, making sure to leave it made as well in case this new captor isn't fond of messes. He looked around the room more carefully, analysing the posters on the wall and the many decorations— It was neat, but with some hastily done cleaning on certain spots. The wardrobe was used, with the paint used to cover it being scratched and peeling off on the corners and bases. One of the handles was also missing, which can only be because someone was way too rough while opening it. There were constellations and flowers drawn on the ceiling, on some of the walls, and even engraved in the furniture. The toys all seemed to be in well taken care of condition, assembled on shelves and inside the box in a particular order. All things considered, now a bad bedroom at all, being clearly meant to be used by a child, but why was he specifically here?

That question would have to wait. His bag was kept inside the wardrobe, but his sword was missing. Shit. Well, I guess that if anyone tries to mess with him now, they'll just have to talk to his fists then.

Lockett approached the door, uncertain if it would be open at all, or if he should even attempt to leave. On one hand, his brother was out there somewhere by himself, he couldn't be wasting time pleasing the same people who kidnapped him, but on the other hand, perhaps it'd be possible to negotiate an agreement with these guys? There wasn't much time to weigh out the pros and cons, Marsi needed him fast. He ultimately decided to just leave. After all, if he happened to stumble on his kidnappers, they could probably talk it out or something.

With a deep breath, he turned the doorknob, and…

It opened effortlessly.

Huh.

That was easy.

Too easy. Something is going on.

Putting his guard up before he left, he tried getting a bearing to what kind of house he was stuck in. Seemed like it was a residence of some kind–big family, with several rooms for each member. The problem with that theory, however, is the fact they were all labelled with signs he didn't understand, likely numbers. Maybe a hospital? And this was also the second floor.

He slowly descended the staircase, holding onto the railing with both hands for security's sake, and being as quiet as the creaky steps underneath his feet allowed him to be.

The first floor seemed to be much of the same thing, save for more open space. There were bookshelves near the walls, more posters, several chairs, and propped up weapons. What were those for? He didn't want to find out. Walking through the room, it seemed to be a living space of some kind- some kind of waiting place? For what? Maybe this really was a hospital. It made him slightly more relieved, but it was still unnerving enough to make him want to take one of the daggers off the wall.

"Marsi? Are you here?" He called out, not too loudly, as to not alert anyone else in the vicinity. "It's me, Lockett-"

Lockett walked around for a little longer, until his ears suddenly perked up with the sound of indistinct talking. Not in a language he recognized, but it wasn't in a tone of voice meant to be threatening, either. He followed the noise, eventually ending up in what seemed to be the actual proper healer's den of this space, and crouched behind some of the beds when he saw the man who was speaking.

He was very large, like an adult titan, with long blond hair trapped up in a large bundle on top of his scalp, but bone-white horns adorning the sides of his head instead of what he was used to. He seemed to wear some kind of white cloak, with pink accents decorating the sides and bottom of it. His tail was swishing peacefully from side to side as he talked to a patient- a child? It was hard to tell, his body covered them entirely.

"[There we go, little one,]" He spoke again, in a low, gentle voice. If it wasn't for the fact Lockett didn't understand a word of what he was saying, it might've even been soothing to hear. "[That should cover your injuries. Are you still feeling cold? We could get you closer to the fireplace if you'd like!]"

"Thank you for the patches mister," Marsi-! "But uhm, I don't think I know what you're saying. My brother speaks a lot of languages, maybe you could talk to him instead!"

Hearing Marsi's voice again was a relief, but he seemed confused, was he in danger? Unlikely, but the healer man being so close was still setting off alarms in his head. Without thinking twice about it, Luis came out of his hiding spot and extended the knife forward-

"HEY, YOU!"

The man turned around, finally giving Lockett a glimpse of his face. He had a long, greying beard tied into one single braid, with his moustache hair having little ribbons on the ends of it, and glasses, as if he didn't look enough like a nerd. On his forehead, there were two more horns, significantly smaller than the ones on the back. This man must be aasyran. Lockett had met a handful back in the day, along with… eugh. Anyway,

"[Ah, you must be this little guy's brother! I'm happy to meet you. My name is Fehal'ri, what's yours?]" He spoke again, with a smile on his lips despite being threatened under knife point. This man was much larger than Lockett, so maybe he just wasn't intimidated enough… or maybe he didn't understand what he was saying either.

"Get away from my brother. Or I WILL hurt you." Lockett said warningly, approaching slowly and looking directly at Marsi. Either this guy gets the hint or he gets stabbed.

"[Hmm, you must not speak Aasyr…]" He muttered something, putting his hands up slightly and getting off the way to Marsi "[Very well. I see you look threatened, so I will allow you to converse with your brother first before we can make proper contact…please do not stab me.]"

Seeing as how the healer seemed to comply, Lockett slowly went around him, keeping eye contact locked all the way, and then grabbed Marsi, going to the other side of the room with him.

"[Oh, uhm-! I was expecting you to, ah, allow me to finish his medical check-up first-?]" The aasyran attempted to approach again, and Lockett promptly put a knife to his throat as a warning not to do so. ["Ah. Understood. My apologies. Carry on"]

He waited until he was comfortably out of zone, then pocketed the knife and gave Marsi a tight hug, almost squeezing his horns right out his skull.

"Marsi! You're okay- oh by the spirits you're okay, I'm so happy to see you… is everything alright? Did this guy hurt you? Were you okay out in the snow a little while ago?" Lockett asked in rapid succession, holding the smaller titan by the cheeks gently.

"Slow downnn!! I'm okay!" Marsi smiled, hugging his brother back "Everything is fine now. I uhm, froze a little bit back there, but this guy treated me! He's nice, don't worry. I don't understand a word of what he's saying though."

"Man, me neither. I'm just happy you're alright…" He held him tight, but guilt tugged away at his brain. He froze? How long was he out fighting that tomarath for? Was he cold? What happened? Is it because he was just too far? He shouldn't have let him go on his own, he should've-

"Lockett?"

He snapped out of it, looking down at his brother with a slight smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine. Was just… worried for you."

The aasyran man watched from the other side of the room, fascinated by their speech, trying to annotate anything he could understand in a little notebook. Lockett noticed, and, as he picked up Marsi to leave, he kept an eye on him.

"We're leaving now. Don't try to stop us. You will get hurt."

He didn't seem to understand, but after a moment, things seemed to click-

"[Wait! No! You can't leave yet, you're both very vulnerable, your brother is recovering from the glosel, you need to stay!]" He said, getting up suddenly and reaching out to them, which resulted in Lockett promptly slashing his fat fingers.

"[OW- Rude!]" He yelped, wiping the blood away before covering them with his other hand, which started glowing almost immediately upon making contact with the injury. "[Ugh- hold on-]" He says, reaching into one of the counters behind him to grab something. A weapon? Something to punish the two with? They're not sticking around to find out.

Lockett bolted it, holding onto Marsi as best he could as he went through the door and out into the living space. The way out must've been a corridor away, until all of the sudden-

"[Hold on now, little man!]" Some other person said from a distance, using magic to hold him in place. Panic set in, and Lockett held onto Marsi as tightly as he could. If they want to hurt his brother with their weird magic, they're going to have to go through him first.

"[Oh, thank Sol you caught him, Uri. I was really scared they were gonna get out.]" The man from before appeared, with some kind of cards underneath his arm. Oh gods, they're really gonna have a conversation now aren't they.

"[I was watchin' the whole thing happen, I figured two skittish lil' dudes like these were NOT gonna stick around for long with the way you were talking to them.]"

"[I was trying to be friendly! I thought it came through!]"

"[Hah, man it did not at all.]"

Lockett watched the two with confusion, eyebrows furrowing deeply as he tried to make sense of whatever the hell these people were talking about. Inside the magic bubble made the world outside look like deeper shades of pink, with the aasyrans outside looking like warped up versions of themselves, but it wasn't that uncomfortable, to give them credit. Just annoying.

"[Look, I speak a little bit of titanic, maybe they'll warm up better with me.] Ehem…" The second person cleared their throat, crouching down to meet the titan's gaze. "Halo, mi namers ise, U.R.I.E.L. was your?

Lockett had to really squint to understand what they were saying. It was a very… foreign accent, to say the least, and it was vaguely based on what sounded like Icia Comora, a common-grounds language that his village used to trade with others.

"Ah, finally, someone I understand. Well, I'll tell you my name, but you have to take me out of this shitty bubble first." He said, as slowly as he could so the other person didn't get confused. They nodded, and said something to the healer before actually bursting the bubble, which caused him to fall through to the floor.

"Okey, this good?"

"Mm, could be a lot better. What do you two want with us?"

"Ahh," They said, trying to come up with the right way to say what they wanted, "We ar not enem. We heal. Your brot, he urt"

"Okay." He paused for a second "What do you want with us though."

"Ah," They seemed confused, as if they already stated what he wanted to know. "Err, we help? We help heal your brot. You aso urt, we help"

"Okay- we're really not getting anywhere here. Look, awesome of you to have helped, but we don't need more healing."

"Ah! But! Where go nex? Your brot, stille stick?...sok- [ugh hell on earth, how do you say this-] sic! Calt out, very icky"

Lockett thought for a while. Marsi could definitely still be sick- His healing factor isn't nearly as strong as his, and it could be a few days until they can find more civilization. Staying here could definitely be beneficial, but what would be the terms?

"...What do you think Marsi, should we trust these guys?" He asked, unbothered with the person's need to understand him now. "It could be a while until we can stay someplace like this again."

"I think these guys are pretty nice… we can probably trust them, right? They did heal me"

"Hmmm… Alright. You guys win. We're staying. What are the conditions?"

The aasyran seemed… dumbfounded by that.

"Huh?"

"You know- What's the cost? What's the catch for us living here?"

"Oh-! No no no! No cost! You cood ! God? Gud. You gud. Stay long, til heal, key?"

"...Alright. Sure."

The person seemed ecstatic, shouting out to the other person about something. Both seemed okay with the two staying here for now, so maybe this wasn't such a bad thing…

Maybe it could be like this for a while. Just some quick downtime. Then it's back to the road… soon.

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Dictionary:

Tomarath: A large arctic creature resembling that of a bear, with a longer body and fur, protruding fangs and claws.

Kithar: A shiifiice insult that basically means "cowardly" or "pathetic". Or it could just mean c☆nt. We'll never know :]

#my oc stuff #original art #magocs #solar years #original character #my art #my writing #writing #fantasy #artists on tumblr #oc: luis #oc: marsh #[these characters are them from the past !]#original writing #fantasy writing

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dreaminghour · 1 year

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Obikin Step-Brothers AU - Mistaken identity

Event: @domaystic Fandom: Star Wars Rating: Mature Audiences Prompt: 09 Mistaken identity Ship: Obi-Wan/Anakin Context: Modern AU. Obi-Wan and Anakin are step-brothers for about ten years before getting together. Obi-Wan just got his own apartment so they're no longer living under the same roof, this is the morning after Anakin helps him move. You can read more of this AU on AO3. Words: 806

"You don't need it," Anakin said, quickly making sure the door was locked before dogging Obi-Wan's steps across the street.

"Jaywalking," he hissed.

"Fuck you," Obi-Wan retorted.

"Wish you would," Anakin sang in a low voice.

Obi-Wan whirled around and caught Anakin by surprise, hands landing on his waist, a zing traveling down his spine as he felt the taut muscles beneath his hands.

"Once not good enough for you?" Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin didn't waste anytime, stepping up on tip toes to wrap his arms around Obi-Wan's neck and peer down at him with a love-sick expression.

"Can you blame me?" Anakin asked in a low, throaty voice.

It made Obi-Wan feel entirely too many things for a bright Saturday morning out in public, so he shoved Anakin's arms off him and turned away.

He walked quickly, but he could hear Anakin running to keep up, so he didn't look back.

It might have been Anakin's idea, but Obi-Wan had snapped it up immediately because he knew that if he didn't he might never go. So here they were, traipsing into the early bustle of the farmer's market. Anakin stuck close, hand light on his elbow, unobtrusive but a weight nonetheless.

They meandered, Anakin dissuading Obi-Wan from all his purchases, even though Anakin was the one who kept sticking his nose into every stall, asking questions, trotting back with samples.

"At last," Obi-Wan said, grabbing Anakin by the hand as though he were twelve, and pulling him toward a stand.

The woman standing behind the red-and-white checkered table wore tinted glasses and her long gray hair was loc'd, white at the roots and nearly black at the tips, bound together behind her back. She was very short.

"Hi, welcome to Ms. Dee's Beehive," she said in a mellifluous voice, "I'm Ms. Dee. Is there anything I can help you boys with today?"

"I'm just looking for a plain honey, actually. To help with my allergies. Do you have your hives locally?"

"Of course, dear," Ms. Dee said. "I live just outside town, and the hives are actually in my front yard. If you ever drive down Old County Road, heading east, just look for a tall purple house with flowers all over. That's me. The insects are buzzing around so long as there isn't snow on the ground."

She winked at Anakin for some reason before turning her gaze back to Obi-Wan.

"That close enough for you, hon?"

Obi-Wan felt oddly chastened.

"Yes, it is, I'm just looking for something to put in my tea…"

"We have several plain blends, though our simple bear is probably best for what you need." She laid a hand on the the crate of clear honey-filled bears with their little red caps. "If you're interested in having it on toast, we also have naturally flavored honey…" And she rattled off several varieties and then showed him the jams which were sweetened with honey.

At some point, Anakin had sidled up beside Obi-Wan and was peering over his shoulder.

"You should get the blueberry," he murmured in Obi-Wan's ear, "you'll like that one."

"Oh, do you like blueberry, hon?" Ms. Dee asked, plucking a small jar from the display. "Are you gonna get one of the bears too? If you're sharing, two might last you longer."

"Just the one, please," Obi-Wan said, pulling out his wallet.

"And the blueberry?" Anakin asked, nudging him.

Obi-Wan hesitated.

"Trust your boyfriend, sweetie. He knows what you like!"

Beside him, Anakin froze, slowly leaning away and Obi-Wan's heart seemed to thud audibly in his chest. Only a few days ago they'd been trying to figure out what to tell strangers, unable to compromise, ultimately settling on continuing to keep it a secret… whatever this was.

What struck Obi-Wan was, were they already behaving like a couple instead of brothers? He was afraid that he'd say the wrong thing and end up hurting Anakin. What he wanted was to smile at Anakin in acknowledgement, but he also wanted Anakin to set the tone.

And it occurred to him that Anakin was possibly waiting for him to do the same.

So he gave Anakin's hand a squeeze, leaning close as though to whisper and saying in a fond voice, "Only if you'll promise to help me eat it."

And to his surprise and joy, Anakin blushed.

It felt different, to know him this way; like even after knowing him for ten years and embarking on this together, he could learn something new.

He paid, got a little bag and a tilted smile from Ms. Dee, and put his hand in Anakin's elbow as they slowly made their way back to the apartment. It wasn't the nicest place, but the benefit of spending as much time with Anakin as he wanted, without anyone interrupting, was worth it.

#pseudo incest tw #star wars #obikin #dreamy does fic #dreamy does domaystic #domaystic2023 #2023day9 #obikin fic #obikin step brothers au

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glamorouspixels · 2 years

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Hello! Do you have any recs for fics that center Jane and Phryne's relationship? I love the show but I feel like Jane as a character needed more attention.

Oh, I am delighted that you would come to me with this, thank you! I know you asked specifically for Phryne & Jane stuff, but the second part of your question (giving Jane as a character more attention) can be interpreted to include Jane & Jack fics too, so you're getting both! :D

Phryne Fisher & Jane Ross Fanfic Recs

a safe place to land by missymeggins

This one is about Jane struggling to feel at home at Wardlow, and feeling restless and having an almost instinctive desire to leave. It focuses 100% on Phryne and Jane's relationship. Because of her own past, Phryne can relate to Jane's experiences and she helps her feel more comfortable at Wardlow. I'm really in awe of this fic. It's super nuanced and full of feelings!

Bon Goût non Raffiné by QuailiTea

Phryne helps Jane with her French lessons by introducing her to a scandalous and surprisingly sexual etiquette book. I just reread this one and I'm in love with how Phryne-esque Phryne's parenting style is 🥺🥰 It may be unconventional, but it works and she clearly knows just what Jane needs to feel better.

Friends and Relations by @rain-sleet-snow

Mac wants Jane to have more positive role models in her life and starts tutoring her in science. What starts out as weekly after-school lessons turns into an adorable friendship. The focus is more on Jane's relationship with Mac than with Phryne, but it's still Jane-centric and I would highly recommend it!

In Time with Miss Jane by @aurora-australis-tumbles

In this one we see Jane interacting with almost everyone, but Phryne keeps appearing all throughout the fic. It's about six different expressions of love portrayed through six different interactions between Jane and various members of the Wardlow family and all of the scenes are wonderful 😍

All Wrapped Up in Each Other by @omgimsarahtoo

While not exactly Jane-centric, this fic contains what is probably my all-time favorite exchange between Phryne and Jane so I'm putting it on the list. It's a wonderful mix of family fluff and romantic Phrack moments, including a pre-Christmas weekend getaway where Phryne and Jack manage to stay naked the whole time. We also get a brief hint that Jane might be into girls, which is an idea I have a massive soft spot for myself <3

Jack Robinson & Jane Ross Fanfic Recs

of fate and plaits by @leliesblou

A university-aged Jane has an injured wrist and needs help with her hair, and Jack, being the only one around, gives her schoolgirl braids. He tells her about his sister and nieces and "contemplaits" (pun stolen from the fic's summary) his family. Yep, it's just as adorable as it sounds and you should go read it :D

Unconventional by @rubycaspar

*dissolves into a puddle of fluff and feelings* Jane runs into Rosie at a book sale. Without knowing that she is Jack's ex-wife, Jane tells Rosie what Jack means to her 🥺🥰 Jack shows up a short time later. He and Jane eventually return to Wardlow with a ridiculous number of books, and they talk about who they are to one another, which results in the cutest and most heartwarming conversation everrr. Go read iiit as soon as you possibly can!

Mistaken by Skald_of_Askr

Please don't be scared away by the fact that this is incomplete. The two chapters currently posted can be read as standalones and they're both wonderful. The premise of the fic is that Jack slowly realizes that he's Jane's dad, and it's told through various slice of life-type of scenes. The two chapters posted are wonderful. I especially loved chapter two, in which Jane gets sick and Jack takes care of her, but both chapters are amazing.

Basement by whosrickygoldsworth

Jack and Jane get trapped in a basement and they use the opportunity for some father-daughter bonding time while they wait for Phryne to rescue them 😂 Jack teaches Jane about Shakespeare, which means the fic is both fluffy and educational!

Old-Fashioned by @gaslightgallows

This one could fit into either category. I'm putting it with the Jack & Jane fics because it involves Jack's Christmas present to Jane, but it's really about the three of them as a family and it is heartwarming and adorable. They're all sleepy and soft and wearing pajamas, and there are hugs and hot cocoa, and by now I've read it more times than I can count 🥰

The Way You Roll Your Eyes by yours truly :D

Another "Jane is queer" fic with Phrack elements set at Christmastime! Jane and her friends are throwing a pre-Christmas party. Jane's invited over one of her friends, whom she has a crush on, so they can get ready together. Because Jane is nervous and she's never done another person's makeup before, she asks Jack if she can practice on him. While the first half consists almost entirely of Jack & Jane bonding time, chapter two is when Phryne comes home and discovers that she rather likes the sight of him in makeup 😇

#sorry this took me so long it's because i spent way too much time on it 😂#also i enjoyed putting together this list so if anyone has more mfmm rec list requests i can do them #mfmm #miss fisher's murder mysteries #phryne fisher #jane ross #jack robinson #phrack #mfmm rec list

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imnotobsessedwfictionalchracters · 2 years

Text

You Don't Love Me Anymore?

Could EASILY have rennamed this "Like We're In Love?" because of Steve saying it to Nancy in Season 2 and this was lowkey based off of it.

It was also written in my moms car last Friday/the 15th on my phone as I was lowkey overheating (heading to my friends DCI competition) on my phone so I am sorry if it is not that well written

Find the x reader version on my other account @youreobsessedwithtoomanyfandoms

Steve and other characters are PROBABLY OOC (I'm not good at keeping characters "in character")

Word Count: 4139

Audrey rolled her eyes at Robin’s comment on the Return to Oz. “Yeah, it was ‘scary’ and ‘off putting’ but that’s what I liked about it Robin.”

“Drew, the evil-lady literally took her head off. How the hell is that not horrifying enough to not watch the film?”

“Robin, let us remember that I actually enjoyed The Black Cauldron. Unlike the majority of audiences.”

“Sometimes I seriously wonder how you and Steve get along. You two like completely different things it seems like sometimes.”

Drew glanced over to Steve, who was checking a customer out. “Yeah...so do I.”

“Hey,” Robin’s voice was full of concern, “I know it’s like, none of my business, but are you and Steve okay? Things have seemed tense between the two of you lately.”

Drew looked back at Robin and shot her a small smile, “Yeah, everything’s fine!”

And she could tell that Robin didn’t believe her by the look on her face, but Drew chose to ignore it. “Okay, if you’re sure Drew.”

Drew nodded, “Yeah, I am.” She looked at her watch and cursed as she saw the time. “Damn, I have to go Robin.” She placed the movie in her hand where it was supposed to go quickly and quickly ran into the break room to clock out for her break. She grabbed her jacket and keys and raced out the door, but as she did, she gave Steve a smile, “I’ll be back in like an hour with Dustin.”

Either he didn’t hear her or he ignored her as he didn’t make any acknowledgement to her comment. She tried to ignore the sting it caused her to feel as she opened the door and ran out, trying not to slip on the snow ridden ground. She ran to her car and unlocked the door, she plugged the key into the ignition to start it. After turning the heat all up, she tossed her jacket off and left the parking lot of Family Video and made her way to the High School.

By the time she finally made it, she was nearly an hour late. She was meant to pick him up between 3:10 and 3:20 and it was nearing 4 o’clock. She groaned as she saw her brother standing with his friends in front of the school. She pulled up in front of them and opened her door, got out, and walked over to them.

“Shut up, shut up, shut up. I know I’m late. I got sidetracked and completely missed the time!.”

“If you would’ve been a few minutes later Elder Henderson, I was going to kidnap your brother.”

Drew rolled her eyes and Eddie’s comment, “Oh and I’m sure that Dustin would have loved it.” She turned to her brother, “I’m seriously sorry. A bunch of people decided to return their movies today so Robin and I were stalking the shelves.” She gave Mike and Lucas a smile, “You two good? Have a ride home and then to Hellfire?”

“Actually, Nancy’s sick, so could you take me to Hellfire?”

Drew ran a hand through her hair, slowly becoming aware of the cold air around her. “Yeah, yeah I can. But I can’t take you home beforehand.”

“I don’t mind staying in the back of Family Video!”

She sighed, “As long as you’re sure.”

He nodded, “I am.”

“Then you two get your shit into the car.” She looked at Lucas, “You good, Sinclair?” He gave her a look and she rolled her eyes, “Alright. Follow the other two.” And as he went to put everything in the back she looked at Eddie. “You didn’t have to stay with them.”

Eddie shrugged, “True. But what kind of idol would I be if I did?” He stuffed his hands in his pockets, “Besides, it’s fucking cold outside. Didn’t want them to freeze to death due to someone's negligence.”

“Well that someone has a fucking job.”

He lifted his arms up in defense, “Didn’t mean to upset you.”

She sighed, “You didn’t, Munson.”

“You seem stressed. Everything good? Need anything?”

She rolled her eyes at the last comment. She had already known Eddie before Dustin joined Hellfire. Bought some weed off of him her Junior and what would be his first fail at a Senior year, a few years ago. “I quit that, Munson.” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair, “But I’m good. Just tired and shit. Y’know, the holidays and things.”

Eddie nodded, “Well, need anything, I’m open Henderson.”

She gave him a soft smile, “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” He looked behind her, “Probably should let you go. Don’t kill my protége with your driving.”

She rolled her eyes and she began to walk away from him, “Yeah, I would be killing my brother in a car crash. That is not how I plan on killing him.” She dropped into her car, “See you later, Munson.”

He smiled at her, “See you later Henderson. And you too Henderson, Wheeler, and Sinclair. Don’t be late tonight.”

And on Eddie’s final words, she pressed the gas and drove back to Family Video. She numbly listened to her brother and his friends talk about Hellfire and the end of their recent campaign being tonight. Her thoughts were more focused on what Eddie had said. Was it really that obvious that everything with Steve has stressed her out from hell? But what showed it? She knew that her makeup hid the dark circles that she had gained due to the lack of sleep from worry. And the tear stains weren’t visible because of the makeup, once again. And he hadn’t thought that she had lost much weight from barely being able to eat. But maybe she was wrong. Maybe that was it. Maybe she looked smaller than normal.

She found it funny. She was perfectly healthy. But if Junior year her were to have seen what she looked like and weighed, she would have had a heart attack. Would have said she was ‘overweight’ and that she had to run to the bathroom. It sucked. And it was ironic that Steve was who helped her. He always did. That was how he was. Always helped her when she needed it.

She felt like shit. Just like she did 3 years ago, just before her Sophomore year. When she lost Steve. God did she just hope that this feeling would go away and that she wouldn’t feel this way forever. And that nothing bad was going to happen with her and Steve. That everything would be okay.

But God did she know that would be a lie.

The second she pulled into the parking space she knew she was gonna get yelled at. She went 5 minutes over her break time. But she honestly could care less. She knew full well that they weren’t gonna fire her over that. She made Dustin grab her jacket as she shut her door. When they all entered, she tried to hide the pain when she saw the large smile on Steve’s face when he saw Dustin.

“Henderson!”

“Steve!”

She sighed and walked to the back, but when she went to clock herself back in, she saw that she already had been. She turned back and walked over again. She was going to ask what happened since it was only her, the kids, Steve, and Robin in the store, but she saw the look on Robin’s face. She shot her friend a grateful smile and mouthed ‘thanks’. To where her friend merely shrugged.

She walked over to the kids, “Alright, backroom children. Don’t wanna get in trouble cause of y’all. I get off at 6. So I’ll take you guys back for Hellfire straight after.” She ignored the protests from both her brother and boyfriend and gave Dustin a look that literally told him to listen or else he wouldn’t like what she would do. As the boys exited into the backrooms, she smiled at Steve. “So I was thinking, we get off at the same time, and I’ll have time before I’ll have to pick them up after Hellfire, what if we rented a movie ourself and have a little movie night?” She pushed a strand of hair from her face, “We haven’t done that in a while.” And she tried to keep the pained look from escaping when he flinched away from her hand that was moving to touch his arm. “Steve?”

“I--probably not. I have things that I need to get done when I get home.”

“Oh,” She tried not to sound disappointed, “Right. Yeah. Um...what about Christmas? Are you gonna come over?”

He shrugged, “Maybe. Not really sure.”

She nodded, almost numbly. “Okay...well I’m gonna help Robin finish stocking the films.”

He didn’t even acknowledge her final comment and she just nodded and walked away. She tried to keep the tears in her eyes, but couldn’t help that a few fell as she silently restocked the rows. Thankfully it wasn’t enough to mess with her makeup, but it was still enough that it messed with her mood for the rest of her shift.

But even unknown to her. The three Freshmen sitting in the backroom saw all of that. Lucas turned to Dustin, “Is everything okay between Drew and Steve?”

Dustin shrugged, “I don’t know. He hasn't been around as much, which really sucks. Plus, she’s rarely on the phone with him, which is weird! I’m used to them being on the phone until mom yells at her to get off of it cause she either needs to use it or it’s getting late.”

“Did they break up?”

Lucas looked at Drew as she placed the movies on the shelves, “I don’t think so. I mean, y’all know how it was whenever Max and I did. This is different.”

“I love Steve, but if he hurts her, I will not hesitate to murder him.”

And on that note, Lucas and Mike stopped talking about how tense everything between Drew and Steve were. And for the last hour and a half of her shift, Drew did all that she could to avoid looking at Steve. She talked to Robin some, but not much. The most she spoke was to a customer asking which movie she should rent for her and her kids to watch over Christmas. Of course Drew suggested A Christmas Story. That movie had a soft place in her heart. Her, Jonathan, and Nancy took their siblings (plus Lucas) to see it when it came out 2 years ago.

But when she looked at her watch and read that it was 6, she quickly walked into the backroom and clocked out. She didn’t even tell the kids that it was time to go. They just knew from her walking in and grabbing her keys. She waved goodbye to Robin as she exited the store. She unlocked her car and just like it was when she left earlier, she made sure the car warmed up and made her way to the school.

After she dropped her brother and his friends off at the school and made sure they made it inside, she drove home. She noticed the lack of her mothers car in the driveway, signaling that she still wasn’t back from her work trip yet. She sighed as she unlocked the front door and was instantly greeted by the angry meows of Tews. She leaned down and pet the cat affectionately as she shut the door.

She dropped her keys in the key bowl and walked into the kitchen and silently made Tews his supper. One she did that, she walked into her room and shut the door. She clicked the power button on her radio and the sounds of Christmas songs began to fill her room. Currently it was the middle of Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses. She dropped down onto her bed and buried her head into her pillow.

She had no idea how much time had passed when she heard the shrill ringing of the phone. She groaned and leaned over to grab it. “You’ve reached the Henderson household. This is the daughter Drew Henderson speaking.”

“Hey, it’s Steve.”

And any inattentiveness quickly faded away and she made sure she was fully listening. “Steve. Babe. Hey. What's up?”

“Could you come over?” His voice sounded slightly desperate.

“Thought you were busy?”

She heard him sigh over the phone, “That was a lie.” She heard shuffling, “So, what do you say? You gonna come over? I just wanna talk.”

Talk. Oh God. He was going to break up with her.

She swallowed the lump in her throat, “Y-yeah. I-I can. Just give me a few and I’ll be over there.”

“Okay. Good. See you in a few.”

“Yeah, see you in a few.” And after a quick second she began, “I love--” But was cut off by the sound of the other line being dead.

She ignored the pain she felt and sat the phone back down on the receiver. She got off her bed and as she exited her room, turned off the radio and the light. She shut the door and walked into the living room. She rolled her eyes at Tews, who was sitting on the couch. And muttered a “Lazy cat.” as she grabbed the keys to her car and her wallet.

So once again, she was waiting for her car to warm up before she left towards the Harrington home. She hummed along to the songs playing on the Radio. She drove extra carefully due to the snow falling from the dark sky onto the already slick road. The normal 10 minute drive turned into a 30 minute one due to her caution.

As she drove up the driveway, Last Christmas by Wham! was playing. Which should have told her enough to just turn back around and not do this. But she ignored it and turned off her car and got out. Immediately cursing herself for not bringing her jacket with her. She quickly ran to the door and knocked. Jumping from left to right in an attempt to not freeze to death.

When the door opened and revealed Steve in the soft blue sweater that she had bought him last year for Christmas she smiled. But not a fake, forced one. A genuine one that she didn’t realize had grown on her face until it was there.

“Drew, get in here before you die of frostbite.”

She had forgotten how cold she was due to the warmth she was feeling from seeing him. “Oh right.” She slipped past him but stayed near as he shut the door. She placed her keys and wallet on the little table next to the door. She turned back to him and the two stood awkwardly in the foyer.

He coughed, “Wanna go upstairs?” She nodded silently and as he turned to go to the stairs. She instinctively reached for his hand. And this time, when her fingers grazed his skin, he didn’t jolt away. No. In fact, he flicked his hand to slip it into hers. The warmth from her body never fading. Any hint that she was just freezing from just being out in the snow, was gone as her hand laid in his and they walked up the stairs to his room.

Once they made it to his room, she acted out of instinct and sat in his bed. And God had she wished she missed the look that had flashed over Steve’s face. The look of someone who was about to do something incredible stupid. The look that someone would give if they knew that they were going to regret what they were about to do.

But she still ignored the pain in her chest. Screaming at her to leave. Screaming at her that if she stays, she needs to do it first. The warmth that she had felt moments ago, it was still there. But it was slowly fading away and she was struggling to grasp onto it.

And now it was her turn to cough in order to stop the tense and awkward silence. “So what did you wanna talk about, Stevie?”

He sighed, “I don’t think that this,” He motioned back and forth from him to her, “Us, can work anymore.”

She tried to hide the hurt, “What do you mean, Stevie?”

He looked at her desperately, “Please Drew. I know you’re not dumb. I know you know what I mean.” She refused to look at him now. She dropped her head and stared at her hands. She felt the bed dip and soon saw his hand reaching for hers. She flinched away and ever so slightly moved further away. “Drew, please. Say something.”

The tears were threatening to fall from her eyes. “This is bullshit.”

Either he actually didn’t hear her or he needed to hear what she said again since he asked her, “What was that?”

Her voice, barely louder, spoke again. “This is bullshit.”

“What is?”

“You doing this.” She finally looked at him again. “You, pushing me away for weeks on end, calling me that you want to talk. Open the fucking door wearing a different fucking shirt than you were at work. You-you wearing the fucking sweater I bought you for Christmas last year.” She sniffed, “It’s fucking bullshit.”

He looked away. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired of pretending, acting as if we were in love.”

Any resolve she may have had to fix them faded away. That warmth she had clinged to following it. “As if we’re in love?” She stared at him. Hurt, betrayal, and pain was all that could be seen on her face. “You-you don’t love me anymore?” He said nothing. But she knew from the look on his face that he meant it. And she tried as hard as she could to keep her voice from cracking. “How long?” He stayed quiet. “How. Fucking. Long. Steve.?”

And now his own voice was barely above a whisper. “Since around Thanksgiving.”

She nodded. Since their stupid fucking fight. “So you haven’t loved me for nearly a month now?”

“No.”

“No? You haven’t? Has it been longer? Have you never loved me at all?” Once again Steve stayed quiet and she stood up angrily. “Or do you not know?”

“No. I don’t know.” And as she went to walk away he spoke again. “Not that I didn’t love you! I did! I-I did love you! I just don’t know when I stopped.”

She nodded and walked over to his bedroom door. Her hand floated above the doorknob. She turned back to him as the tears finally falling from her eyes. “Fuck you, Steve Harrington.” She opened the door, “Fuck you.” And she slammed it behind her. She ran as fast as she could down the stairs. She went so fast she didn’t even register that she forgot to grab her wallet.

She felt like fate was against her cause the moment her Radio turned on, Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney was playing. The same fucking song had played a year ago when she gave him the fucking sweater he was hearing.

Drew laid her head on Steve’s shoulder. Their backs against the couch. The sound of Wonderful Christmastime playing in the background. She smiled as Dustin opened the gift she got him. It was a new DnD dice set. One he had been begging their mom to buy him. He smiled at her and attacked her in a hug. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

“Now that Dustin got all of his presents.” She turned to Steve, “It’s your turn.”

He smiled, “You didn’t have to get me anything.”

She smiled as she grabbed the small wrapped box. “Yeah, but I wanted to.” She handed it to him and he carefully unwrapped it. Once he got down to the box, he took off the lid and she spoke again. “You mentioned how you needed a new sweater. And I was out with Nance and I saw it and thought you would like it.” She bit her lip nervously, “Do you like it?”

He smiled and kissed her. “I love it babe.” He pulled away from her slightly. He looked around, her eyes ended up following his. Dustin was already on the phone with someone and her mom was asleep. He kissed her again and she smiled into it.

This time when they pulled away, they laid their foreheads against the other. And the words fell out of her mouth before she could even think. “I love you.”

She felt herself biting her lip the second she realized what she had said. He brought his hand up and ran his thumb over her lips, lightly pulling her teeth off of them. “I think,” He looked into her eyes lovingly, “That I love you more, sweetheart.”

She smiled and kissed him again and then whispered against his lips. “I highly doubt it.”

She was confused as she opened her bedroom door. When had she gotten home? She shook her head and went to the phone and dialed the number for the Wheelers.

It rang for a few minutes before she heard Nancy and Mike’s mom’s voice over the phone. “This is Karen Wheeler.”

“Hey Mrs. Wheeler, it’s Drew. Dustin’s sister.”

“Drew! Is everything okay? Is Mike alright?”

“Yeah, I-I think so? He was when I dropped him off for Hellfire.”

She heard the elder woman let out a sigh of relief. “Then what do you need dear?”

“I really hate to do this, but do you think you could bring Dustin home when you pick Mike up? I’m not feeling well, I might’ve caught whatever it is that Nancy has.”

“Oh! Of course, dear! Does he have a key?”

“He should.” She sighed, “Thank you so much Mrs. Wheeler.”

“Of course dear. I hope you feel better. And don’t hesitate to call if you need anything. I understand that your mom is out of town.”

“Of course, Mrs. Wheeler.” Drew ran a hand through her hair. “I’m gonna go now. Probably sleep some. Have a nice night.”

“Yes, get rest. I’ll pick Dustin up and make sure he gets in safely. Get better soon.”

Drew didn’t even mess with saying anything else and just dropped her phone back down. She didn’t even change and just closed her eyes, falling asleep fully clothed. Completely tired of everything that just happened

Tired that she had basically just wasted the past month hoping that he would get over their stupid fight. Tired that she shouldn’t have ignored her gut. Tired of being tired.

Drew groaned as she heard a knock on her door. “Drew!” It was Dustin, “It’s 3! Aka when you were gonna take me to get presents for my friends!”

Her eyes snapped open and she turned her head to glance at her clock. Sure enough Dustin was right. She stumbled out of her bed and opened her door. “Give me like, 30 minutes, got it?”

Before she was able to close her door, he spoke again . “You look like shit.”

“Wonderful observation.”

“Like you’re hungover. Wait, are you hungover? Is that why Mrs. Wheeler picked me up yesterday?! You got drunk?!”

“I did not get drunk, Dustin. I was dealing with my own fucking shit.”

“Like what?”

She sighed, “It’s none of your business, Dustin.”

“What? Was Steve here and you two slept together or something?” She felt the tears prick her eyes when Dustin mentioned Steve’s name. She saw the look of surprise on his face. “Woah! You okay? Did something happen? Are you pregnant or something?” His face turned to one of horror. “Oh please don’t be pregnant. I’m too young to be an Uncle.”

She shook her head and wiped away the tears. “No. I’m not pregnant.” She wished she was. That would be easier to explain than the truth. “Steve um...Steve and I broke up.”

“What?”

“We broke up last night, Dustin. It...it was mutual.”

“Sure as fuck doesn’t seem like it.” He placed a hand on his hip, “I may love Steve, but I’m gonna best his ass for this.”

She laughed at her brother's comment. “It’s okay Dustin. I knew it was coming anyways.” She gave him a small smile, “I’ll go get dressed and then we can go out.”

“No! I’m calling Robin. You two can have a...girls day?”

She laughed again, “Nah. I’d rather spend the day with my little brother.”

His mouth broke out into a large smile, “Really?!”

She nodded, “Really.” She started to shut her door, “Give me an hour, tops.”

“Yeah, yep!”

She smiled as she shut her door. Yeah, she was heartbroken over Steve, but at least she had her brother to cheer her up.

#steve #harrington #steve harrington #steve harrington x oc #steve harrington oc #stranger #things #stranger things x oc #stranger things oc #x oc #oc #audrey claudia henderson #drew henderson

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