#but i believe she had this song in the vault & them hanging out reminded her of it and she needed new material for the deluxe and yeah | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

aquarii-writes · 3 years

Text

History on repeat(Dream x f!reader)

Ngl this was inspired by a dnf piece on tik tok. While I don't ship it the art was beautiful and the song attached inspired me to write this. This also includes my headcanons for Dream/his parents and I'll elaborate on it in a different post if enough people ask lmao

Notes: I should mention to look at my 'DSMP headcanons' especially Dream's part because that's where I kinda explain that I don't believe that Dream himself is a dreamon but that his mask contains one. I also used Dream's real name as his fathers name. I don't really like using the dsmp members real names if it's not in their user but I had to think of a name

WARNINGS: none I can think of aside from death and stuff of similar manners

WC:1,005

Genre: Angstyy

Two people sat together along the shoreline of a river. The colors of the sunset danced on the water. Turning the already beautiful area ethereal. Warm summer air tickled the woman; her blonde hair jumped with the wind.

"You're so beautiful [REDACTED]" the man spoke. His amber eyes held a love for the woman beside him; his lovely wife. Her green cloak acted as a pillow for her.

"You're too kind my darling" a smile played on the woman's lips. Her mask discarded beside her. The painted smile similar to the one she held.

"I love you with all my heart" a smile danced on the mans face. His lovely wife sat up and hugged him. Falling back into the grass the happy couple basked in one another. Masks long forgotten beside them. "Stay with me forever [REDACTED]?"

"Of course my darling dream" the twos faces were close as the wife spoke. It felt as though time sat there frozen to preserve the lasting moment.

Smiling towards you Dream held out his arms to get you to come towards him. As you got near Dream pulled you on top of him. His arms circling around your waist.

~~~

"Dream~" your voice was loving. Dreams mask was off as he watched you jump in the stream water. The sun was setting over the horizon and the light gave an other worldly glow to you and the water.

Playing with the locks of hair that fell into your grasp, Dream watched you. A deep seeded longing in his eyes. Out here away from everything was when Dream was the most caring. His affections unrestricted when he wasn't in the eyes of his friends. When he could easily sneak away.

Though the future had many plans for the two of you, but here in this moment the future could wait.

"I would do anything for you (y/n)" Dream's amber eyes looked like the sun. Specks of gold shined like they were directly in the sun. Nodding to his statement you kissed the man before you. An adoring hum escaped him.

Pulling away you mumbled out a response. "I love you with all my heart~"

"Will you stay with me forever?" with a teasing smile Dream rubbed your sides: tickling you along the way.

"Of course my darling Dream" an unknown feeling of deja vu came over the two. Seems as though something similar happened in the past.

~~~

"My dream!!' [REDACTED] screamed for her husband. "Don't take him away! Please!," the woman covered her small sons ears. The child didn't know what was happening. huddling into his mother arms the woman kept screaming for her husband.

Huddled under her cloak the small boy held a hand over his mother stomach and whispered to it. The boys father struggled against the men who held him away from his family. "CLAY! LET HIM GO! He didn't mean it.." [REDACTED] dropped to the ground crying. Her son hugging his mother. "Oh my baby Dream"

Dream's mother held onto him for dear life. Tears fell from his eyes as he watched his father get taken to the gallows. As a final goodbye his father threw towards them.

Crawling away from his mother, Dream grabbed the mask; his fathers mask. The plastic was cracked in a few placed, and some of the paint was chipped, but it was probably the last thing he would ever have of his fathers.

"Please just let my husband go" [REDACTED]'s mask was similarly painted though the tears the spilt from under it spoke another story. "It was the Dreamons who did it.. not my Clay.. not my lovely dreamer.." her whimpers drew her son back over to her.

"Mommy what's happening to daddy?" Dream wouldn't get an answer from her. Just wails and whimpers about how cruel the world was.

~~~

"Dream what did you do..," Tommy and Tubbo huddled behind you. A fearful look settled in your eyes. Dream's mask was just that, a mask. Behind it he held no remorse for what he had done and what he said.

He did plan on killing Tubbo, but the look in your eyes made his thoughts stutter. Should he not kill Tubbo? When Dream said he doesn't care about anyone it planted a seed in your heart. Did he really not love you anymore?

Dream didn't answer you. All he did was stare at you through the mask. "Take off your damn mask and answer me Dream" when your voice jumped at him all Dream could do was stare. He didn't talk and he didn't react. "Why aren't you answering me?! Dream WHY did you do it?!"

"I didn't mean to-"

"Like hell you didn't mean to!" your tone was sharp. It made the boys behind you move back as you came forward to hold Dream's face. This felt too familiar. Why does it feel so familiar?

Knitted brows went unnoticed behind the mask. His annoyed expression hidden to the world; to you. His everything. Before he lost it he wanted to marry you. He even joked about you being his wife. His darling wife.

"Do you not care about me anymore? After everything that's happened between us?" a certain sadness pushed your pain to him. It was the same sorrow his mother screamed from the top of her lungs. That's why it felt so familiar.

A desolate look decorated your (e/c) eyes. The same eyes he would've fought wars so see happy. The very eyes he believed he would love forever.

"It's not my fault- sweetheart it's not my fault" his words became more rushed as Sam pulled Dream away. Dragging him to Pandora's Vault. All the way to his box.

The misery and heartache Dream saw on your face reminded him of his mother. The heartbreak he never wanted to see again.

~~~

{REDACTED] held a baby in her arms as she watched her son play on the hill with her friends son. The baby girl in her arms slept peacefully as she spoke to her friend beside her.

Puffy had been a good friend of [REDACTED] for a long time now. "Puffy you have to promise me something"

"Anything [REDACTED]" Puffy watched the baby in her friends arms. The poor thing had been born months after her fathers hanging. The family had to go into hiding.

"Please after tonight take my babies with you.... I don't think I can carry on much longer with out my Clay.." despair was the only way Puffy could describe her once vibrant friend.

The woman's once vibrant green eyes now only held melancholy. The satchel that sat beside her only contained a few things; one thing being Clay's mask.

"Dream my beloved!" [REDACTED] called out for her boy. The mask that once adorned her face constantly had been vacant since her husband died.

Running up to his momma Dream reached out to hold his baby sister. Passing baby Drista [REDACTED] kissed her sons head before pulling something from her satchel.

"Dream listen to me. The world is a cruel and it will hurt you-" holding out Clay's mask to her son said everything to the small boy. Giving baby Drista to Puffy, Dream took his fathers mask away from his mother. "Wear this.. it was your fathers..," a sadistic smile rested on his mothers face.

It scared him, but it was the first smile he saw from her since his father died.

"Okay mommy" Dream slipped on the mask his father once wore and winced. It felt like strings were licking his face. It felt wrong. This wasn't his mask to be keeping was it?

~~~

The prison vault was deafening. Nothing was a really annoying sound when all that surrounded you was lava and crying obsidian. Though he had one thing to look forward to.

You promised to see him today. His lovely wife. Well you weren't married. He fucked up that chance when he lost himself to the mask. The dreamons that whispered to him constantly.

Ever since he came in here the whispers stopped. Except for when they speak about you.

The pistoning sound of the bridge coming brought Dream from his head. A sadistic smile grew on him. Throwing off the mask the threads retreated back into the plastic.

"(y/n) my beloved!" a crazed look adorned Dream's face as he looked at you. His beloved wife. "I love you so much~"

"Dream.." with a heavy heart you held Dream's face. His eyes held a look of longing love.

"Dream love.. listen to me. The world is cruel.. and it's going to hurt," your voice cracked as you held Dream's hands. Worry filled him as Dream dragged you towards him.

Pushing back Dream dug around in the chest of his room. A ring sat gently between his fingers.

"Wear this... it'll protect you.." a hopeful look held on to Dream's face. All his love and adoration for you.

"I'm sorry Dream.. I love you so much but maybe it's better if we split ways.... I.. why do I trust you so much? Your hands are scarred with murder, but I trust them completely.." crumpling to the ground you sobbed. Conflictions and pain battering against you for weeks.

Dream held you. He had seen this all before. History was repeating. He witnessed this happen between his parents. The very thing he never wanted to happen to him did. He's losing the love of his life.

Why does history have to repeat?

#mcyt imagine #dsmp imagine #dreamwastaken #dream smp #dream x reader #dream imagine

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deejadabbles · 3 years

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A Thousand Songs (Atem/Yami x Reader)

Chapter Five: Hello, My Old Heart

One /// Two /// Three /// Four /// Five /// (Six coming soon) ///

Summary: You knew that you and your band could make it big. Not only that, but stay together while doing it; the five of you were family, after all. The only problem was that despite all your musical talents...none of you were particularly good at lyrics. After years of struggling to put out your first full album, the solution finally made himself know in chance meeting on an empty stage.

Rock Band AU, Atem x Reader, gender neutral reader.

You could visibly see the poor young man swallowing hard as he settled in the seat across from you and the rest of your bandmates. Try as you might to make the setting casual (cushy chairs instead of a desk, offers of soda and chips, greeting him with an ‘what’s up, my dude?’, etc.) Atem still seemed rather nervous. Not that you blamed him, you distinctly remember Honda making a joke about “oh yeah, ask the dude to come to our secluded studio by himself to meet five strangers, that’s not creepy or anything” when Yugi told you guys how he had invited the man to meet with the rest of you.

“So, Yugi said that you write songs as a hobby?” Anzu began, giving him the warmest smile she could, an effort to ease Atem’s mood.

He nodded, then started unclasping the latch on his leather messenger bag, “That’s right, I’ll admit, I don’t have too many that are finished, but that’s mostly due to boredom and moving on to a new idea, not lack of inspiration.” He then pulled out some papers divided by paperclips. “Here are the songs I think best represent my usual work, the work that’s easiest for me to write as well as what I would prefer to put out there.”

Honda grabbed the small stack and passed out songs to each of you. A bit of an awkward silence fell as you all started reading the various lyrics, but not even that could tarnish how impressed you were with the ones you were reading. Poetic, but not too over the top or pretentious, nice. You glanced up at the others, nodding your head with an impressed smile before switching papers with Yugi to look over another example (you also didn’t miss the way Yugi beamed at you). Now this song struck you, after only reading the first verse you could already hear the beginnings of a beat and chords you could put with the lyrics.

“Yugi also said you have a killer voice,” you said, shifting your eyes from the page to peer up at him.

He gave a cute little cough, “Uh, yes, I suppose I’m not a bad singer.”

You had to actively keep your mind from gushing over how sweet he was. The dude looked like a typical adonis hottie, but his shy outer demeanor just added an extra layer to him. He was wearing something more stylish than the few tabloid pics you’d seen: a long-sleeved black shirt with a silky maroon and gold vest, accessorized with a few rings, bangles, necklaces, and a pair of gold dangling earrings.

You shook the wandering thoughts on his attractiveness away; this was for business, not pleasure. “I was just wondering if you’d mind singing one of the songs for us, that way we can get a feel for the melody you had in mind.”

Again, Atem seemed to swallow something in this throat as a hand reached up to briefly play with one of the flat triangles dripping from his ears. “I suppose I could do that, but, do you mind if I play my violin with it? I’ll find it easier to sing with some music.”

“Of course,” you waved an eager hand, egging him on before handing him back the music sheet in your hand.

His eyes scanned the pages, reminding himself of what song it was before nodding his head and reaching down to the instrument case beside the armchair. Jonouchi had made a comment about Atem carrying his violin everywhere, trying to set a joking mood, but it just caused a flushed Atem to mumble about how he had just picked it up from getting its weekly tuning.

Once Atem was standing, violin in hand, he took a deep breath to collect himself. Then, after two slow heartbeats, he began to play.

The first note was a sorrowful one, long, like a quiet, mournful hum, his slender fingers pulsing to create a wave effect on the sound. Then he was singing. His tone came out like a deep, almost breathy moan, letting the lyrics flow like a story at first- before his tone rose and belted out the chorus.

Atem was captivating, pulling you in with every line, every inflection, making you want to hold your breath lest the sound of it distract from the song. He kept his eyes closed, lost in the music his hands and mouth crafted, and the longer the song went on the more he seemed to relax, to lean into his own notes.

You blinked suddenly, realizing that your mouth had been hanging open just in time to close it before Atem ended his performance on another soaring note and breathy lyric. He stayed like that for a moment, catching his breath, basking in the lingering sound of his song.

Finally, his eyes blinked open and shifted to gauge everyone’s reaction. You weren’t the only one left in awe.

“Holy shit,” Honda breathed.

Yugi’s beaming smile was at maximum sunshine as he leaned into you and whispered, “That’s the song I heard him sing at the theatre, isn’t it beautiful?!”

You nodded and opened your mouth to say something but Anzu beat you to it.

“Can you do that again?” she asked, eager, as she jumped up and walked to her keyboard.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” you asked, also bouncing to your feet and joining her.

Anzu smiled back at you, “Keeping that longer intro and adding keys to it?”

“Yes!” you turned to Jonouchi- who was still staring at Atem like he didn’t quite believe the man was standing there. “Jou, add some drums? Something steady and subtle at first, drawing everyone in before the lyrics start and-”

“-and picking up when the chorus kicks in?” he finished, snapping to attention in an instant, “You got it!”

With that Jonouchi vaulted off the back of the couch, plopping onto the stool at his drum set. Atem was still standing there, now looking a bit bewildered and amused as he watched everyone get to work, perhaps some pride shining in his eyes that his music had inspired it.

“Atem?” you asked, tone gentle and drawing his attention back to you, “Can you play that again?” you repeated Anzu’s question, seeing as how she was fully engrossed in her keys now.

Again, the man seemed hesitant, “Shouldn’t you be taking over, you’re the lead singer after all.”

“Dude, we have to keep that violin track,” you insisted, finding your voice breathy as you pointed at Atem, “It’s perfect for the song, it’s deep and beautiful and-” speechless, you gave an exaggerated chef’s kiss to emphasize just how much you meant what you were touting.

The expression earned you a smile from the violinist, a hint of bashfulness mixing with the fresh and rising pride. “Alright, if you think it will improve the song.” With that, Atem lifted his violin, took another deep breath, and started the song again.

***

It was strange how no hands had officially shaken, no one even told Atem he was hired, but that session was immediately followed up by the band asking when his next free day was and asking him to come back for another practice session. Atem had never intended on actually playing with the band, but, when they acted so enthralled with his playing, he could hardly say no.

The next time they got together (almost a week after their first meeting) Atem found himself just as nervous as when he first met them. Parking outside their studio, he found his chest heating up with some anxiety. Atem never was good around people, after all.

Hello, my old heart

How have you been?

Are you still there inside my chest?

He rubbed his hands against the steering wheel, letting out a long breath and holding it a moment, before making himself grab his violin case and climb out of the car. His feet crunching on the gravel driveway grounded him a bit and he had managed to calm down slightly before knocking on the studio door.

I've been so worried, you've been so still

Barely beating at all

He heard the sound of laughter coming closer on the other side of the door and a moment later it opened, revealing you in the doorway and more laughter echoing yours in the next room.

“Atem, there you are! Come on in,” you stepped aside and waved an inviting arm.

Atem felt the heat in his chest climb up his neck, “Sorry, am I late?”

“Huh?” You then waved your hand again as you shut the door behind him, “Oh no don’t worry, we just got here early, that’s all.”

He heard someone else call his name before he even got to the room where everyone was sitting, and by the time he did enter, the whole band was waving and greeting him. He cleared his throat before nodding back to everyone and saying a weak ‘hello’ before you spoke again.

“Come on, sit down and chill for a bit before we get started,” you waved at a beat-up arm chair even as you perched on its armrest.

Atem realized with a quick look around that there was nowhere better for you to sit and you were likely offering him your own seat. “Oh, that’s alright, I don’t want to steal your seat-”

Before his offer to sit on the floor was out, you shook your head, “Dude, we can’t have our muse sitting in a creaky fold-up chair, at least sit on the other arm so I don’t topple it!” You laughed again as Honda made some comment about how a topple would probably bust the thing in half.

His cheeks were hot now, but he took the offer with grace (or at least, as much grace as he could muster) and perched himself on the other armrest, setting his violin on the actual seat. Atem also remembered how last time, he had been offered the armchair while Anzu took the creaky fold-up chair. Everyone here really seemed to care about making him comfortable.

Hello, my old heart

It's been so long

Since I've given you away

When was the last time he met anyone who had greeted him with such...openness? Such compassion. And a whole group of someones at that...

He cleared his throat again, trying to draw himself out of his wandering thoughts. “So, are we just going to work out more of the music today?”

And every day, I add another stone

To the walls I built around you

To keep you safe

Everyone seemed to respect his want to get down to business, perhaps thinking that he had other engagements, and only chit-chatted for a handful of minutes, before getting down to their rehearsal. It went well, just as the previous session had, and Atem found himself in awe of how well the creative process of making notes together flowed. Just like that first day, everyone seemed to work off of each other so well, bounding ideas left and right, almost always being on the same page. Even when they weren’t, there were just a few goodhearted jabs and sighs before working everything out.

Again Atem found himself shaking his thoughts away. He really should stop, it wasn’t wise to get attached to this process, these sessions, these people. After all, he was just their ghostwriter, nothing more.

Oh, don't leave me here alone

Don't tell me that we've grown

For having loved a little while

He found himself smiling again despite himself, when you started throwing popcorn kernels at Jonouchi; retribution for a comment about how you needed to change the chords up in the third chorus.

“I’m not changing it,” you said with your tongue sticking out, all while Jou looked affronted at your kernel bombing. “It’s a steady beat, that’s the whole point! Right, Atem?”

At the sound of his name, Atem’s eyes went wide, “Uh- What?”

“Eh, don’t drag him to your side!” Jonouchi pouted, tossing some popcorn from his lap back in your direction.

“I’m not dragging, I’m asking his opinion, there’s a difference,” you said matter of factly, then turned back to Atem, who was sweating a bit now, “What do you think, Atem? Are the same chords during the third chorus too boring? Or does it fit the subtle, powerful nature of the song?”

“You’re leading his answer!” Jonouchi countered, again looking appalled, then squawking as you tossed more popcorn at him.

Atem was a bit distracted by the way Honda kept laughing as Jou picked kernels out of his shirt, but eventually he managed to swallow thickly and answer your question. “I actually like the way you have it now, if I’m being honest.”

You beamed at him, stuck your tongue out at Jonouchi in victory, then held the popcorn bowl out to Atem. “Thank you, my muse! Here, have some brain food.”

His face was heating up again at nickname- or, dare he say, endearment? However, even as he blushed, and took a handful of popcorn, he couldn’t keep that smile from making yet another appearance.

Oh, I don't wanna be alone

I wanna find a home

And I wanna share it with you

When everyone called the day's session to an end, Atem tried not to feel...disappointed. Stop that , he told himself again, this was not something to get attached to. As everyone packed their notes away, Honda started asking about dinner.

“Heeey if I give you a ride to work, think you can get me a discount on nachos again?” he asked, turning to you with an eyebrow wiggle.

You scoffed, “Dude, the boss was barely okay with that one time I did it, I can’t convince her again. But I can just buy your nachos if you really want.”

“Where do you work?” Atem found himself asking, far too late to stop himself from getting involved.

“Oh- ever heard of The Mark? It’s a bar downtown.”

Atem shook his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. Admittedly, the only bar he had been in since college was the high-end one in his apartment building.

You didn’t seem to take notice of his embarrassment though and just shrugged, “It’s only popular to a certain crowd. Anyway,” you continued, turning back to Honda, “give me a ride and I’ll buy you nachos.”

“Okay, all this talk of nachos has me hungry,” Jonouchi groaned, “Let’s go with em, Yug.”

Anzu perked up at that, nodding to you as she said, “You know, I’ve really been craving your specialty daiquiris. Jou, got room in your truck for me?”

“Sure,” the drummer shrugged as everyone started milling towards the door.

Yugi was smiling brightly as he held the door open for everyone, “Guess it’s a band outing now! Atem, you want to join? You can follow us to the bar, it isn’t far.”

As his feet were once again crunching on the gravel drive, Atem had to stop. He looked back to the group, ready to see at least one of them giving an uneasy expression at the invitation, if not an outright protest.

Instead, he saw Anzu nodding her head eagerly while Honda locked up the studio. Neither you nor Jonouchi looked wary of the suggestion and instead just looked to him for an answer.

You must have thought he needed further prompting, because you said, “Hey, our ‘girls night’ plate of nachos is more than big enough for all of you.”

Atem had to swallow another something in his throat. All of you were already inviting him out for drinks?

Hello, my old heart

How have you been?

“I- sorry, I have to get up early in the morning. Thank you, though.” Atem could only cast his eyes to the ground during the half-lie.

How is it being locked away?

He saw something flicker in Yugi’s eyes, but he was quick to hide it with a smile. “Okay, maybe next time.”

Your smile matched Yugi’s as everyone headed to Jou’s truck and Honda’s bike, “Have a good night, Atem.”

Don't you worry, in there you're safe

“See you next week,” Anzu waved.

All he could manage was a nod as he turned towards his own car.

And it's true, you'll never beat

But you'll never break

It only took one more session to get the rest of the music figured out, and then it was time to record. Atem was interested in the process, how the five of you set up the sound equipment, what programs you used, he even asked you how you had installed padding to improve the sound quality.

The video part of the recording would be left for later, right now it was just the song to worry about- though you did make a point to tell Atem that you wanted to discuss setting ideas for the video soon. Atem felt his heart swell a bit at that. Not that he wanted to admit it, but he was glad that you wanted to involve him in every step of the song. This song in particular, this first one that had so enthralled Yugi first, was likely one of the more personal ones Atem had written.

Your voice rose with the chorus, fingers dancing gracefully against the bridge of the guitar, and Atem found himself admiring how well suited your voice was to his lyrics. A perfect fit. Though you likely had no way of knowing the background behind this song or why Atem had written it, you belted the lyrics with passion and depth, cared for every bar as if you were singing from the depths of your heart.

Maybe you were. Music spoke to more than just those who wrote it, perhaps not in the same ways, but that hardly mattered.

He heard the way the ending lyric stole your breath, and his violin hummed its final note with you in a harmony Atem had admired a dozen times during these rehearsals. When the last note ended, everyone waited a moment, seeming to hold their breaths, before daring to move. When everyone did, Jonouchi was already bounding over to the computer hooked up to the recording mics. With a few clicks and a quick look over something on the screen, the blonde gave a clap of his hands.

“We got it! That should be all we need for a high quality recording.”

Everyone cheered or hooted at that, and Yugi made a comment about finally having something new to give their fans. Atem was smiling with the rest of them, but he was failing to ignore the way his chest ached just a bit. The song was done, and, unless they asked him to join them on stage, Atem supposed this was the last time he would play with the band.

Writing songs for them was all nice in of itself, but, despite all his personal warnings not to, he would be lying if he said he hadn’t grown a bit attached to these evenings and nights with the band.

Oh, I don't wanna be alone

I wanna find a home

And I wanna share it with you

A sudden call of his name had Atem jolting back to the present, and he saw you standing beside him, a hint of concern creasing your brow. “Everything okay?”

“Uh-” he cleared his throat, “-yes, I’m alright,” he lied, just as he had lied to deny himself the after-work drinks weeks ago. “I was just thinking, we got so caught up in recording this song, that none of you got the chance to discuss if any others were to your liking.”

“What, any of your other songs?” Honda asked, and when Atem nodded, he literally waved the comment off, “Dude, I’m pretty sure we liked all the examples you gave us, right guys?”

“Definitely!” Yugi didn’t miss the chance to boost Atem’s ego (or rather, soothe any worries). “We actually looked over your other songs the other day, and all of us agree we want to record all of them. I told you you were a perfect fit for us!”

The words, as well as the wink Yugi gave, did make Atem smile, but it didn’t do much to alleviate the root of his woe. “I’m glad they fit with the band so well. If you want to know the melodies or themes I had in mind for any of the other songs as well, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

That seemed to give everyone pause.

Nothing lasts forever

Atem watched as they began giving each other looks, very pointed looks, in turns, and he couldn’t ignore the sinking sensation in his chest. They seemed to silently agree on something a moment later, because Anzu spoke up as her eyes turned back to Atem.

“Actually, we were talking about that a lot too…”

Some things aren't meant to be

Atem swallowed hard, heart starting to pound in his ears. Perhaps he wasn’t good enough, perhaps they thought him too pretentious, or maybe he had overstepped the boundaries of his role here, maybe he and his violin didn’t-

“How would you feel about joining the band for the whole album?”

But you'll never find the answers

Until you set your old heart free

Again, your voice put a break on Atem’s reeling thoughts, and he had to blink to collect himself again. “I- you mean, you want me to play for the other songs as well?”

More looks were exchanged, quick ones this time, before Yugi chimed in next. “We talked it over a lot the past week and we all agree that you gel with us pretty well! And not only that, but your violin really adds a lot to our music, we’d really love for you to record more songs with us, not just write them.”

Until you set your old heart free

Now Atem’s heart was pounding in his ears for a whole other reason. He almost wanted to smack himself when he felt the widest, most giddy grin he ever remembered smiling spread across his face.

“I would like that very much,” he said, cheeks going a bit warm when everyone was returning his smile.

Hello, my old heart

“So what are we waitin’ for?” Jonouchi jumped in, all enthusiasm and eagerness, “What song are we doing next?”

That sparked conversation, and everyone started chiming in with their votes almost immediately, Yugi and Anzu even digging out Atem’s sheet music for references. Atem could only take the scene in with a smile that was widening the more he watched them bicker good-heartedly.

And he was glad he had gotten attached to this process, these sessions, to these people.

I wanna share it with you

#atem x reader #yami x reader #yugioh x reader #yugioh band au #series: a thousand songs #atem #yami yugi

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rumpledgoldenweaver · 3 years

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A Weekend Away

Written for the @a-monthly-rumbelling February prompt “I think we’re lost”. Also @fluffapalooza if it’s still open :) Read it on my blog: https://earlyrisingwriting.home.blog/2021/02/14/a-weekend-away/

An opportunity arises for the Gold Boys to spend time together away from Storybrooke’s prying eyes.

Malcolm Gold – he’d adopted his son’s cursed surname, Stiltskin didn’t seem right, it only served to remind him of the anger he’d felt when naming his baby boy. He didn’t want anything to do with the name Peter Pan any more, Gold was a fresh start – was beginning to rue the day he’d agreed to joining his rapidly expanding family for a weekend at Rumple’s forest cabin. It’s like the tree houses in Neverland Neal had explained but on the ground. It’ll be fun Papa, his son had told him through obviously gritted teeth, Malcolm hadn’t missed the discreet elbow to the ribs Rumple had taken from Belle as she’d added that it would be an opportunity to talk away from the scrutiny of the towns folk. Henry had kept a commendable straight face at that remark considering she was referring to at least half of his family. Malcolm liked Belle. She was honest, trusting but not to be crossed. Just what his son needed to keep him in line. It was mainly because of her he’d agreed to come along.

Malcolm had also been grateful to Belle for her advice regarding clothing in this new land. Although Rumple’s suits looked sharp, he didn’t want that many layers. Neal’s clothes were a bit too casual so he settled on trousers Henry had called Chinos, shirts with buttons, thin jumpers and boots called Timberland. Today he was particularly glad of the boots. Rumple had used magic to transport all the necessary clothes, food etc to the cabin, leaving Malcolm, Neal and Henry free to arrive on foot. Henry had been so excited at the thought of a hike through the forest with his Dad, no one had the heart to object.

“I think we’re lost” Malcolm tried to get his bearings however the trees all looked the same, he had no idea how far into the the forest they were.

“Lost Boys” sniggered Neal. Henry snorted which made his father laugh even more.

“Following the leader, the leader, the leader” sang Henry “We’re following the leader…”

“Wherever he may go” Neal joined in, the two of them dancing round in a circle.

“Very funny”

“You have no idea” laughed Neal “Have you seen the Disney film about Peter Pan yet?”

“The what?” Malcolm was still bemused by the popular cultures of the world he now lived in even though he’d got a better grasp of how it actually worked.

Henry grinned the kind of wicked grin Rumple would have been proud of “You’ll love it Gramps, especially Hook”

Neal’s eyebrows rose at the use of Gramps in relation to Malcolm

“What? I call Rumple Grandpa and Malcolm didn’t like Great Grandpa so Mum suggested Gramps”

“Which Mum?” though Neal had his suspicions

Henry didn’t answer but the glint in his eye was enough. Emma had an evil sense of humour.

“One of you must have been to this cabin before?”

“Neal shook his head “I arrived in town not long before the trip to Neverland but Papa and I weren’t exactly on friendly terms back then”

“I haven’t been either, I didn’t know Grandpa was my Grandpa and my mums weren’t about to let me hang out with The Dark One”

“Wonderful”

Neal looked around for minute or two, then as if some secret signal had been given he made an abrupt turn and set off down a path “Come on. It’s this way”

“Rumple will you please stop fussing. We have enough food to survive a small siege. There is no need to summon more”

“Have you ever fed a twelve year old boy? If his appetite is anything like Bae’s at that age then…” he felt a lump rise in his throat.

“Rumple?”

“Then I want to make sure there’s plenty”

“Oh Rumple” she hugged him hoping to both reassure and pull him out of this melancholy. He pulled her closer, nuzzling her hair, whispering a thank you sweetheart. Belle moved to kiss him and for the next couple of minutes there was a feeling of peace between them.

“Hi Grandpa Hi Belle sorry we’re.. oh…” Henry looked embarrassed at interrupting. Belle giggled, Rumple never even turned round as he replied “Hi Henry”

“Are they here?” Neal’s voice carried through the door.

“Er...yes…they are.. here…”

“Is something up?” Neal strode into the living room and stopped dead “Oh for pities sake you two get a room!”

Rumple did turn this time “This is my cabin Bae and my room”

“Not in front of the wee ones eh Laddie?” Malcolm chuckled.

“Indeed”

“Rumple..” there was a warning tone to Belle’s voice “remember what we talked about”

“Hmm”

Ever the diplomat Henry piped up “Is there anything to eat? I’m starving”

“Yes of course Henry” smiled Belle “in the kitchen”

The young boy disappeared, returning within five minutes carrying a plate loaded with burger, fries, onion rings, various dips and salad. Rumple gave Belle a told you so look.

“He obviously appreciates his food” Malcolm watched in amusement at Henry giving the burger his full attention.

“Takes after his father” Rumple nodded towards Neal as he too went to the kitchen and brought back a plate piled high.

Conversation remained light hearted as they ate, comments about both Neal and Henry having hollow legs because of their hearty appetites. Rumple found he was nearly enjoying himself. Nearly being better than not at all as Belle reminded him earlier.

“Where on earth did all the food come from anyway?” Malcolm asked as he debated which of the many desserts to try.

“I summoned it” Rumple replied reaching for a cupcake.

“Magic” Neal raised a suspicions eyebrow.

“Only to bring it here. It’s not magic food. I’ve paid Granny’s chef triple his wages to cook a steady supply especially for us”

“Fair enough” Neal took a satisfied mouthful of cake.

“More tea anyone?” Belle stood up and began collecting the various cups and mugs strewn around the room

“Coffee if you have it please”

“Of course Bae, I’ll put the pot on. Coffee has it’s own magic Dearie” he twirled his arms, turned on his heel and practically skipped out after Belle.

The expression on Henry’s face was priceless.

When everyone had eaten their fill, plates, cups and cutlery washed, dried and put away by hand not magic Rumple keenly pointed out, Henry suggested they watch a film. Malcolm being particularly interested in the idea of a a “moving book” being shown on something called a TV screen. Then began the debate over which one to put on. Whilst there wasn’t a great deal of choice amongst the DVD’s at the cabin, Rumple would be happy to summon whichever was decided on. Mostly it was left to Neal and Henry as they had the widest knowledge of such things. It seemed to Malcolm to be a very complicated process.

“Nothing over a PG”

“Awww Dad! I’m twelve! I can watch..”

“No. Your Mothers would find a hundred ways to kill me, bring me back to life and kill me all over again if they found out you’d watched anything remotely inappropriate”

“Grandpa would protect you”

“Oh no no no” laughed Rumple “Do not bring me into this. I argued with both of them over many things but even I have limits”

“What about that.. Disney thing you mentioned on the way here? Would that be allowable?”

All eyes turned to Malcolm.

“You mean Peter Pan?” Henry looked sceptical.

“Yeah.. that. I’d like to see it”

Rumple and Belle exchanged a look before he got up and went into the main bedroom. There followed the sound of keys turning in locks and a safe being opened.

“You keep Disney DVD’s in a vault Papa?”

“Along with a few other items I was unsure about at first yes”

“Such as?”

“Such as none of your business son” he walked back into the living room brandishing the disc “You can do the honours Bae”

It could, Belle mused to herself long after everyone else had retired for the night, have gone a lot worse. For instance everyone agreed that the physical resemblance between the cartoon and the person was actually rather accurate. They had all laughed like drains at Captain Hook. Belle honestly thought she’d have to give medical attention to Rumple and Malcolm as their hysterics gave way to mighty coughing fits. Neal and Henry sang along with the songs, Never Smile At A Crocodile didn’t go down very well with Rumple at first but he saw the funny side in the end. When it came to Following The Leader, the youngest father and son immediately leapt to their feet and began dancing round the room in a repeat of their antics in the forest earlier.

“So that’s where that song came from” groused Malcolm.

There seemed to be an unspoken agreement to not discuss certain details regarding film versus real life, for that Belle was grateful. She knew the relationships in that room were complicated, messy, quite possibly very unhealthy and could keep Archie Hopper on Rumple’s pay roll for decades. Whilst she believed talking about these issues was healthy, this weekend was not the time or the place. For once no one was arguing, for once certain townsfolk weren’t around to stick their well intentioned (or otherwise) noses in. She wondered if inviting her own father for a weekend here might help ease tensions between him and her boyfriend. Maybe leave it a month or so before she suggested that.

“What are you smirking at?” Rumple came from the en suite, pulled the bed covers back and climbed in bed beside her. Her eyes gleamed with mischief.

“Don’t you dare Belle” he warned, which was the wrong thing to say because of course she dared.

“Never smile at a crocodile..”

“I’m warning you young lady”

“No you can’t get friendly with a crocodile…” she sang between giggles.

“Right then”

And he proceeded to show her how friendly crocodiles could be when they wanted to.

#a monthly rumbelling #fluffapalooza 2021 #february prompt #gold family fic #gold boys fic

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courage-a-word-of-justice · 4 years

Text

Deca-Dence 5

“…cannon won’t ignite in time!” The subbers spell cannon as “canon” later as well.

Off to the cliffside, where Kaburagi goes to die…

Deca-Dence 6

“Maybe someone intervened.” – I think Minato did, somehow.

This Death Dive reminds me of Wipeout.

Moriarty 3

I once made up a quote that goes, “When life detests you, fight back.” I think it’s also roughly along the lines of advice Albert needs.

I remembered an odd line from Macbeth: “Brother, he has killed me!” Seriously, Moriarty is scarier than some actual horror anime, I swear…Update: It’s actually “he has killed me, Mother!”, but same impact.

I had my hands over my mouth from the moment the fire began. That’s how intense this is.

This ED…doesn’t sound like an ED. It sounds like the OP for a different anime, like Joker Game or something. Also, having Saito Soma as Gentaro and Moriarty…is a bit unsettling because they have a lot of overlap but one’s basically the evil twin of the other.

Yashahime 4

“…was raised here…”

“…we can…”

I felt a heart twinge when I saw Towa tear up…man, it’s been years since I last dealt with Inuyasha properly.

“…nights where I can’t fall asleep.” – So…you’ll play it a lot then, Setsuna.

Oh, so Kirara is a nekomata? I never knew until now.

Kikyo!

According to the mythology, the kirin rules over the middle…so why is Kirinmaru the monster in the east?

Is “s***” unwarranted here? I didn’t have the volume on, so I don’t know…Going back, I think Moroha said “kuso”, but it’s still kinda weird to have a swear word in a mostly family-friendly series in a slot near Detective Conan. (Then again, Detective Conan is where I learnt “kuso” from…so my standards are probably not as up-to-scratch as they should be.)

Rin! People keep saying Rin is the mother of the girls and it’s basically the only conclusion that could be done, considering the relationship the two had…but it’s still kind of squick…(Says a person who has no problem with SGRS s2’s ending.)

Update: Someone on ANN said the teacher’s name (Osamu Kirin) being similar to Kirinmaru is sketchy and I agree.

Maou-jou 4

There’s no pun for Rocket Turtle…that’s kinda startling, actually.

I’m not going to translate the eyecatches anymore. Seems they were actually translated in the manga and someone just copies them over or something.

I’ve seen some characters use wa when they really aren’t that feminine. However, the voice Suwabe uses for the Sorceror leads me to believe this guy really is trying to be feminine, even if in just a vocal capacity.

…aw, no puns here too.

Oh no, the seal…!

…hmm? The Scissors Sorceror’s info is…we’re not allowed to look at it. That’s what the red text says.

…my brain exploded for a second when I suddenly heard jazz music. It’s a Detective Conan parody! *screams*

Iina! doesn’t really mean “Lucky!” It means more like “cool!” or “It’s good, isn’t it?”

I7 s2 5

I missed these boys!

I like the Kinako transition. It’s cute.

I don’t really like it when Tenn looks at the screen…it gives me 1st person cam vibes.

Why is Tsunashi being called “this”, anyway?

Oh yeah…mensore = youkoso = welcome.

Uh oh…is Yuki actually evil???

Riku (earth) vs. Tenn (heaven). Hmm.

I still can’t believe they don’t believe Gaku is the soba guy. It’s so obvious!

Chikuzen-ni.

Someone on staff ships Gaku and Tsumugi together…hmm…

Oh! So this is DESTINY, huh? I’ve probably heard it on Spotify before, but I don’t recognise it by sheer sound like I do HypMic. (Then again, the half-year off the airwaves probably really hurt I7, man…)

Akudama 4

Say what you will about how bad Funi translations can get…they’re definitely entertaining!

Geesh, Doctor gets all the sexy shots, but Brawler gets all the ab shots. Can I get a sexy Courier shot…?

“…she’s right.” – There’s a lot of dialogue here, so…uh, who’s “she” in this case?

What’s a “bro fro”?

Wow, Brawler, talk about being punched into next Tuesday…(partially joking)

Swindler’s face, LOL. (I know she’s an ordinary gal, but calling her “Swindler” is shorter to type.)

I remember reading around and people agree Swindler works at the Seal Centre.

The shark and bunny’s shirts say things like “Kanto/Kansai”, “earth, air/water” and “pollution/clean” during their montage.

“feminist” – Uh, ex-squeeze me?! Feminism does not equal “ladies first” or “going easy on ladies”. Update: I went and listenend to it and although one of my ears is mysteriously almost constantly plugged these days, I’m fairly sure Doctor did not say “feminist” (in katakana). Update 2: Then I listened to it again and…I’m not sure anymore.

LOL, Hoodlum hit the in-series camera. With his face.

Oh, vault = garage or storage. Right, how did I not know that?

Cat, nooooooooooooooooo! Don’t die!

HypMic 5

After the two “darker” divisions, it seems almost strange to not have a “dark” introduction about the seedy underbelly of alt. future Japan…

Oh, my gosh. That’s Ichijiku on the phone.

The studio has the word “drops” on it.

Lemme guess: Neither hand!...Yup.

The only spoiler I know for this ep. is it’s a Halloween episode, and “Ramuda ruins Halloween”. That quote is way too subjective to mean anything, though…

…hmm, Gentaro doesn’t say “shousei” in that sentence involving “this humble bard” (not that I heard, but one of my ears is mysteriously plugged after I stayed up late browsing Twitter on my phone – don’t tell anyone that, though! They’re not meant to know!). Gentaro is not a humble bard (although that would translate “shousei” quite correctly in the Shakespearean), he’s an author.

LOL, that “ding!”

Gentaro actually says “ghostbusters” in katakana, LOL.

I almost thought this Shinjuku man was Doppo…but no, this Aoyama Cemetery exists. It has nice cherry blossoms.

The “dun dun dun” soundtrack is great. It really sets the atmosphere.

Gentaro really is an idiots’ minder, just as I used to characterise him. (Then the FP and M manga and developments regarding Ramuda being evil changed my mind.)

I-Is this just gonna be an episode of FP being scared and Ramuda yelling? It’s fun for a bit, but when you’re stopping to analyse every few seconds, Ramuda’s voice is gonna get annoying eventually…

Kurosu seems to be a cross between Jyushi and Doppo.

This ep…makes FP look money-crazy. Dice is only money-crazy when he’s broke…because of course you would be…but the others aren’t.

That rock track that plays when FP hand out flyers is cool!

Are they…eating squid?...Welp, squid jerky. I’d say I’m correct.

Oh, so they’re all street photographers? Not just Tom?

I was wondering…how would the “tie to a different division” occur in episode 5, considering episode 6 is where the plot really kicks in? Turns out…they tie back to BB, which is not a thing I was expecting at all.

BB have a BB tablet…makes sense, because I think Hypster have iPhone cases for each division.

Oh, they’re planting the seeds of Ramuda’s ability here, so to speak. By knowing what Hypnosis Mics are capable of doing, you can see the building blocks of Rap Abilities as well.

Okonbanwa! The extra O is meant to make things formal, but only in front of nouns (sometimes it’s “go”, e.g. goshujin), so it’s Ramuda being overly formal to be cutesy and unconventional.

*lightbulb goes off in head* It makes sense that the group affiliated with illusions and randomness does the Halloween episode, actually.

…Yargh! Of course all these onee-sans are FP stans!...*lightly touches temple, as if to get rid of a headache* I should’ve known.

The new song is “Shibuya Ghost Night” by Tokyo Health Club, Yuki “T-Groove” Takahashi and Yuma Hara.

*stops video before the darn airhorn sounds* Thank goodness…hey, isn’t this quote from Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka…?

This episode is very seasonal, but doesn’t really make sense outside of airing on Halloween. C’mon, couldn’t you have given us a Sasara appearance instead of having Ramuda yell down the house…? I knew the FP episode was going to be either lighthearted with a dark undercurrent, like the BB ep (considering we haven’t gotten to Ramuda dying yet), or full-on lighthearted, but…I somehow wonder if the staff had an empty spot labelled “Fling Posse episode” due to COVID and went, “Okay, it airs on Halloween this year, let’s make it Halloween-inspired”…or something. Also, I feel Gentaro got the short end of the stick here.

Update: As for yakuwarigo, Ramuda trends towards the feminine side, which is not something I noticed until my groupwork partner pointed it out to me. The message in this episode has a “yone”, which proves that point even further. “Dayo~n” is a variant of the gender-neutral “yo” ending. Meanwhile, I have game samples that prove Dice uses “ze” like BB/MTC, while Gentaro uses “yo” and desu/masu like Jakurai, so it was really Ramuda anyone wanted to pay attention to since his speech patterns are the most feminine-leaning, possibly due to his extensive hanging out with ladies. (I once read a Tofugu post on how non-binary people deal with language that said if you hang out with ladies a lot, you take on feminine yakuwarigo and if you hang out with guys a lot, you do the same in that direction, but I clearly remember Ramuda using “sa”, which is a slightly male-leaning ending.)

Taiso Samurai 4

There’s something in the background which stops me from listening to it and one of my ears is blocked, but I gotta find out what Tackey was saying about the NHK Cup (the joke, I mean). Update: So I think it’s ninja/nukihara/kekkou, but I may have heard that wrong due to my blocked ear…I should get someone to clean it out properly.

Here’s the YoI monologue about competitions again. <- (neutral on it) Also, NHK is in English letters/romaji in the term “NHK Cup”, but the “Cup” isn’t (it’s in kanji).

Sekigahara had a huge historical battle.

Huh? This episode’s called “Samurai Musume (daughter)”, so…where did “Battling Samurai” come from? That’s one of the previous episodes, right?

Selfies, before they were cool.

I was wondering if Leo actually calls Rei “Rachel” like he calls Jotaro “Joe”…and he does. I just haven’t paid much attention to the audio, that’s all.

The Battle of Chibi? Never heard of it until now, but the Battle of Red Cliffs is the same thing.

Leo Naruto runs…LOL.

If Rei was in 4th grade in 2002…are we going to see the characters in the present in the end? She would be 28 in 2020.

I guess I should’ve guessed from “hat trick”, but a Bergkamp trap is related to soccer.

There’s a random Japanese-sounding track in the background…didn’t expect that.

A cemetery…on the day after Halloween.

“Grandma’s place” = the bar…Ohhhhhhhhhh. I was wondering, didn’t the grandma and Rei live together? Then it all came together.

Jim Beeam (sic), LOL.

I wonder, are Tackey and Ayu dating like he asks?

Gotta love a man in a suit! *chef’s kiss*

Yashahime 5

Who’s this Tokotsu guy again…? Also, the “ja” in Jakotsumaru means “young”.

Oh, Myoga. It’s been a while.

Can there be 4 Perils when there’s only 3 of them…?

Well, it makes sense that a dog demon would have demon fleas…in a sense.

Why is “trying to swallow up this world and turn it into a degenerate age” (or whatever Kirinmaru’s aim is) so vague? You could say the present is already an age of mass degeneracy…

Maybe the Dream Butterfly took Moroha’s memories…?

Wait, why is Myoga only allowed to drink Moroha’s blood when she puts on the rouge?

So this is an arhat. Also, aren’t morals an Anglophone ideal imported into Japan and the rest of Asia? That’s what separates Towa from Setsuna.

Akudama 5

This drone definitely won’t come in handy at all…(sarcastic)

There’s an Evangelion feel to these “masks”…

That box is like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs! It’s great!

I like how the kids jump to the potential fact (?) this is a Swindler trick.

You can see Courier’s bike in the background when the bunny says “…and I mean everything.”

*Knights of Sidonia music starts playing* Search! And! Destroy! *record scratch as music stops*

I think this little discussion between Courier and Swindler will go down in Akudama Drive history as one of my favourite moments because it’s the little conversations that count. Also…does Courier have a mechanical hand, or is that just me thinking weird things…? Is that a glove?

Ooh, scars. Sexy. (On the Executioner Master, at least.)…Now I get why the guy wears that mouth covering.

HypMic 6

Halfway through the season already…? Yikes, how time flies. By the way, my assignment’s come and gone so I don’t need to focus on it anymore.

Hmm? Why did the subbers put “Prime Minister” when Ichijiku merely says “yes”…?

Wait, 1st question: how does one sign up for a rap battle? I don’t think that’s ever been answered. 2nd question (well, not a question): Dice is paying attention to Otome now…

I’m fairly sure that red brick warehouse was just that…as in the Red Brick Warehouse in Yokohama, which was also featured in Bungou Stray Dogs. Update: Oh, it’s (partially) a shopping mall…? I didn’t know that until now.

See, I told you they’re (Tom, Iris and Rex) probably foreigners…

That one shot of Jakurai? *chef’s kiss* Beautiful. Give me a million of ‘em. (Okay, I’m kidding to some degree, but I can’t help staring at it. Jakurai’s just too pretty…)

“Tweet-like lyrics”? Eh? When was Twitter a collective pessimist?

Oh, that’s basically the scene from the drama track. Where the heck is Jakurai fishing though…? I always imagined it to be at a river or a pier, not some concrete complex. Update: According to a user on Twitter, the fishing place is called “Ichigaya Fishing Centre”. It is, as you would expect, found in Shinjuku. Apparently, even Osomatsu-san featured the place...which would explain why it looks vaguely familiar to me.

Wow, I can’t believe how upfront they’re being about Ramuda breaking up TDD.

Ramuda thought in his deep voice…I almost didn’t recognise it for a second. It doesn’t even sound like Shirai. It sounds more like…Hayami, in fact.

“F*** yeah!” - …and they’re still going with the F bomb. Keep being you, subbers, keep being you.

That shot of Saburo in a dimly-lit room almost looks like the SR card in ARB, except in that one he has his headphones on (and might be outside, to my memory).

Oh, so the round thing really is Ichiro’s ring. It’s got an “I” on it too, i.e. the Roman numeral for one.

*Ichiro explains what happened to TDD from his and Samatoki’s side* - I don’t think we’ve ever seen the story from Ichiro’s or Samatoki’s perspective enough to know either thought this (or this way).

“Jiro! Saburo! Let’s go!” - …and Tom’s just taking photos as they leave, LOL.

I didn’t expect the TsudaKen guy to be back again, really.

Well, if this Google route is to be believed, “Sadamezuka’s soul” only lasts about 30 minutes by car crossing from one point to the other, hence Jiro’s remark.

Googling “Toyotama” and “Toyotama Line” gets you…Ghost of Tsushima links…?

…hmm. I’m not listening to it on a hugely loud volume, so I can’t quite tell what the pun is, but I think the word for “monk” in this case is “bouzu”. Then what’s the word for “electric dynamo”…? Update: The pun, according to Takahisa Maeyama, is Erekiteruteru Bouzu.

That ticking thing was really effective in terms of the song…but sasuga HypMic. Things went ka-blammo again.

So we’re probably going to see BB’s first DRB round next ep…or Matenrou doing another takedown similar to ep. 3. Or both. Both is good. (Or it could be the FP/M side of things, much like we got the BB/MTC side of things here.)

...Uh, shouldn’t that be “dawn”? The anime’s generally been very good about this (aside from the obvious typo in the BB logo), but…welp, they’ve done it now.

Update: The LOVE you see Hifumi and Doppo near is this one.

Update 2: As for the yakuwarigo, it…turns out, to no one’s surprise, it stays oddly consistent across all media, although individual treatment of the characters can differ depending on the author.

HGPC 4

Ooh, is this Element of Light?

Fate/Stay PreCure! Here we come!

Moriarty 4

Why is the “to” capitalised? (Is that even capitalised?)

Quinine.

I kind of knew the grapefruit and the heart condition and/or quinine would be relevant somehow…and boy howdy, was I right! I just didn’t really know what it was going to do, that’s all.

I thought the ED didn’t match very well, but looking at the translated lyrics…now it kind of makes sense.

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gyromitra-esculenta · 4 years

Text

The penultimate chapter for Something Ends, Something Begins - still ‘Bad Witcher AU’. The song sung in the beginning is Lament of Orpheus by Darren Korb.

Warnings: none (unless you count friendly ribbing and calling names, weasels (one particular weasel)).

Gabriel wakes up alone and with the aftertaste of the chaos on his tongue. From the outside, a melody plucked on lute's strings floats. Absentmindedly, he picks straw from his hair and rebinds it in a low-hanging ponytail. Custom calls for it to be shorn with the mourning ended but he is hesitant, not willing to make his mind up yet – what is the point of keeping the customs he does not know the true weight of?

He loosens the buckles and clasps of the armor, the particular feeling of having slept in it fading – the drops of dried blood on it reassuring. Soon, the brassards join the chest piece on the blankets, and Gabriel turns his attention to the bags showing obvious signs of having been tampered with, obviously so. A fresh shirt, although wrinkled, hangs above them, thrown haphazardly over the wooden wall of the box. He runs his fingers against the dyed cloth, the weave tight and simple, the stitching reinforced with strips of cured leather.

Outside, a distinct voice meandering between harmony and dissonance carries a maudlin melody.

"Hear, o gods, my desperate plea, to see my love beside me."

He changes, listening to the song and wondering over its rhyme, or maybe he's trying to look too deep into it, and the words of warning to not mistake the stars for their reflection on the surface of the water come to mind.

"Sunk below the mortal sea her anchor weighs upon me."

Still, it's one of those songs performed when drunks had either slipped under the tables or turned contemplative – and when the brawls and the boasts transformed into the philosophies discussed over the cups of mead and dirty tables.

"Fasten her tether unto me that she may rise to sail free."

Gabriel steps out into the open. The sun pleasantly warms his skin, the smell of meat roasted with juniper and rowanberry wine wafts on the air.

"Don't look back," Sombra holds the melody on her tongue, the words mingling fluidly together into one flowing utterance. She puts her palm across the strings of the lute held in her lap, a fleeting smile on her lips. By her side, with his legs crossed, sits Jack, looking up with an expression equal parts fond, apologetic, and the kind a mischievous kid caught stealing apples might wear.

"I was looking for clean clothes for you, and you had her crystal at the bottom of one bag, so I thought..."

"...you'd call me in the middle of the night?" Sombra snorts.

"It was an hour before noon, witch."

"The middle of the night, as I said, you incorrigible forest pest."

"Oh, excuse me, your witchness, I forgot about your never-ending moral hangover."

"Rich, coming from an ungulate," Sombra tries to sound offended but her face betrays her with how red-rimmed her eyes still are, and her hair curl around her cheek naturally, the coiffure forwent. The same with her garments, the frilly shirt with several laces undone and breeches more akin to something gathered at a moment's notice in a frantic hurry. Gabriel smiles, coming closer, beckoned with Jack's outstretched hand.

"It's not me with a weasel betwixt my tits."

"He likes it there because there is something he can lie betwixt, warm and soft, and voluminous."

"I'm still growing so that's uncalled for," Jack gives her a look full of almost genuine hurt as he pulls Gabriel down to the ground to rest between his now uncrossed legs.

Gabriel lets himself be guided and falls with his back against Jack's chest, different yet so familiar – arms circling his waist and the chin wedged over his shoulder as Jack laughs with a huff. "Oof, you're heavy now, cub."

"At least, we're past the puberty," Sombra smiles indulgently.

"Don't get me started, witch, the pimples were the least of my worries, the wenches are like bloodhounds after a wounded stag," Jack jests with a note of challenge in his tone. Sombra brushes her fingers against the strings, wresting a whimsical accord out of the lute.

"Forgive me for having no sympathy, ungulate. Now," she cocks her head, mischief in her gaze, "what are your plans?"

"I was thinking, I've never been to Skellige, little cub."

"Skellige?" Gabriel questions, shifting somewhat. "Why Skellige?"

"Oh," Jack moves one hand to his hair and picks at the stray blade of straw Gabriel must have missed earlier, "lots of druids to piss off, and we might still get there for the sirens’ nesting period, I hear they're testy and irritable then, more than usual."

"I'll give you two months and meet you at Bremervoord. I'm booking the passage because I absolutely do not trust you both not to choose a hole-ridden tub that will sink if the wave rides higher than a hem of priestess' skirt," Sombra clicks her tongue at the end.

"Three months."

She stares at Gabriel, at first incredulous, then her expression morphs into a sly look unbefitting her lousy appearance.

"Yes, yes, a vast quantity of time to make up for, indeed, I do feel a ballad calling to me."

"No," Gabriel sighs, closing his eyes. “No ballads..."

"Yes, absolutely no ballads, I am still very much traumatized by your appalling rhymester vagaries," Jack pitches in his two crowns and Sombra is opening her mouth to object already.

"We have to drop by the stronghold to pick something up."

"We do?" Jack sounds surprised and Gabriel feels his chin shifting on his shoulder – imagining the inquisitive tilt of the head he needs not to see to know well.

"Your swords."

"You kept them."

"Of course I did. They were-are good swords," he catches himself too late. Only now, Gabriel notices how profound the shift from 'was' to 'is' is - it's one thing to believe this reality, and another to accommodate it and let it redefine the pain and the loneliness, and finally the acceptance, in the years before – and some surprise resentment lingers.

He's reminded of how everything – and nothing at all – had changed after he had acquiesced to Jack's attentions for the first time.

"I need a leak." Sombra pulls herself up, leaving the lute on the ground. "Don't wait for me," she adds before briskly moving to the fence and vaulting over it. Strangely, no retort is coming from Jack, and Gabriel notices the tears when a brush of the lips on his cheek smears the moisture. How kind of her to leave.

"I'm sorry, cub. I am," Jack whispers, "truly, terribly, horribly sorry, for all. For everything. I could feel you, know that you are out there, but the knowledge of seeing you was beyond my grasp," he muses, his palm rising to Gabriel's other cheek. "The flower weaves its protections, even from me, so I could only wait for you to come to me until I could go to you myself."

"Your farewells."

"Today, the same as Nielub's hair-cutting, but it doesn't mean I have to leave in the evening," Jack sighs, fingers playing with Gabriel's hair again, twirling the loose strands with a doting tempo. "Tomorrow's not too late, and neither too early."

It strikes him that maybe Jack does not want to leave having known family life now, something he would have not experienced before. Something of the thought must reflect in him because Jack chuckles and nuzzles his cheek with his nose before speaking again.

"It's my time to leave, with you, cub. You're all I need, and want," he sighs. "It won't be the easiest, I did get used to this kind of existence, but... I didn't know better, it was wrong of me to take them from you."

"You're keeping them safe for me."

"Always will."

The irony of 'I didn't know better' does not elude Gabriel; having his own words turned against him in a strange twist brings comfort rather than uneasiness – two admissions of guilt neither of them faults the other for.

"It's enough, knowing they are with you."

He wants to add his own apology but the unexpected screech has him looking at the source: Sombra frantically trying to wriggle her hand into her shirt from the top.

"Watch the claws, you furry Nilfgaardian bastard! Out! Out!"

"I think that's our cue, hm, cub?"

"Did you...?"

"I'd never. He just got bored," Jack chuckles as Sombra turns twice on the spot unsuccessfully attempting to halt with her hands the bump moving under the cloth, the weasel each time squeezing under or between her palms.

"Your whore mother of..."

"Murder mother!" Jack quips, slipping away from behind Gabriel. "Just stand still."

"The demon has the claws in my belly," Sombra hisses, arms outstretched and held away from her sides. "Get it out. Now. Or there will be a fried weasel appetizer."

"You wouldn't," Jack puts a palm against his chest with a horrified gasp, stopping just before her and leaning down. "Lord Murders-A-Lot does not deserve such a barbaric end!"

"Or a ballad."

"Now, this is a fate worse than death."

He grabs Sombra's shirt and pulls the bottom out of her britches, catching the falling weasel with his other hand. Lord Murders-A-Lot scurries up his arm with a chirp and briefly nibbles on his ear.

"I'm scratched all over. Devil, not a weasel."

"All weasels are devils."

As Jack pets the Lord, Gabriel feels himself slipping and falling back into the rhythm of it, the equilibrium snapping into place like the last piece of an astrolabe tracking the movement of the spheres.

"Just don't get him started."

"You're just jealous of my wee murder ribbon."

"I don't get his obsession with weasels," Sombra mutters, stuffing her shirt back where it belongs before she leans down for her lute.

"Neither do I?" Gabriel chuckles looking to Jack who smiles softly - his gaze warm and content, and something more elusive swirling behind it.

"C'mon," he beckons with his head, offering his hand to Gabriel, "it's about to start, would be rude to keep everyone waiting, wouldn't it?"

"It would." Gabriel accepts and grips his palm, pulling himself up and stumbling Jack for a moment – at first trying to steal a quick kiss but losing himself in it amidst the laughter.

#sometimes I write #r76 #reaper76 #totallynotwitcher!au #murder-deer #lord murders-a-lot is a menace

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mustinvestigate · 4 years

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WIP Wednesday

Tagged by @theartofblossoming - thanks!

My writing progress has pretty much fallen off a cliff, but I have been working a bit on the next Nora Freis story, which is a Preston & MacCready adventure dealing with the ripples she’s left through the Commonwealth factions. Except so far it’s literally been nine pages of them hanging out in a bar shooting the shit because, you know, lockdown. Here’s the opening:

Life is a race, Preston Garvey reads off the battered billboard that looms over Goodneighbor as he and the green provisioner stride closer, its lower corner illuminated in blue, then red, then blue… He softens his eyes, waits for the glint of neon on gunmetal, but no. No sniper looks over the wall into the narrow alley approach, despite the blood-splattered Gunner bivouac and wounded, furious mutants blocking their path.

He raises a fist, looks back to catch the provisioner’s nod and tightening grip on his brahmin’s halter, before leaning around an outcropping of smashed marble to snap off four quick shots at knee-level. Ducking back, he pops a fresh energy cell in his musket, gathering from the howls that he’s caught both at least once and should be safe from the bigger one’s sledgehammer long enough to take out the one with the minigun.

So long as there really were only two, and they don’t have a buddy taking a leak around the corner…

No beep no beep no beep, he prays to anything listening, because if they’ve got one of those maniacs with an armed mini-nuke on its arm he’s gonna have to come up with a Plan B real quick.

But something up there both hears and gives a damn, for once. Two energy cells later, the mutants are glowing piles of ash, and the alley’s blessedly quiet. He waves for the provisioner to catch up, giving the den and Gunner camp a quick once over for anything useful, only half-expecting a guard from the gates within eyeshot to come investigate the noise.

He stuffs a box of 5mm ammo in his backpack and turns back to find the deceptively slight provisioner heft the minigun up on his brahmin, sledgehammer already slung across his back, before glaring at the still-unmanned gate with perverse satisfaction.

“Typical.”

“Pardon?” the provisioner asks, still with that funny stiffness Preston’s been trying to talk him out of all afternoon.

“Nothing, Beau.” The brahmin noses at Preston’s pocket until he gives the pushy beast another strip of dried mutfruit. “Well, not nothing, but it’s not aimed at you. People should be more careful out here, is all. It’s like Quincy never…”

Preston shakes his head, reloading his musket with a fresh cell, even though the last one has two shots left.

“Quincy?” Beau prompts, looking over his shoulder.

“We should get going. These two might’ve had friends.”

He smiles to lighten any abruptness in his tone, but Beau only nods, toes the ash pile like there might be something valuable inside the organic dust, then tugs at the brahmin’s halter.

The gate gives way under his shoulder, and no one challenges them as he ushers the provisioner through or helps him unload the few valuable pieces.

“Ma’am - ma’am.” Preston nods at the assaultron vendor, then the ghoul woman with the excellent wig, in the respective storefronts, and lifts the minigun that’s already making his shoulder ache.

The ghoul laughs and points him toward her colleague. “Oh, I wager that one’s more K-L-E0’s clientele than mine. Any good scrap, though...”

Preston sets it on the assualtron’s counter, watching ripples move through Goodneighbor’s half-assed Watch like he’s dropped a rock in a deep puddle. One sloops closer to him, hand on his rifle, while another sidles backward into the Old State House.

“Captain Garvey…” the provisioner murmurs, patting the brahmin’s side as it picks up his nerves, snorting and swishing her tail.

“It’s just Garvey,” Preston corrects. Again. “And it’s fine. Don’t worry - they’re not Minutemen, but we’ve got a mutual aid agreement. Get Bessy settled in, and I’ll have a beer waiting for you in the Rail.”

The brahmin snuffles at his chest, but this time he only pats one head’s horn ridge before pushing her toward the caravan pen, next to a half-hearted tato patch roughly downwind of the main square.

Beau nods again, head dipping as he scuttles ahead of Bessy to open the gate.

“Another dumb animal,” K-L-E0 observes, scanning the minigun with an internal whir.

“You mean Bessy, or me?”

The other vendor laughs, leaning over to watch him through a gap in the wall. “You’re Garvey, right?”

He tips his hat. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Came through here with my girl Nora, oh, six, seven months ago?”

He smiles, resetting his hat. “You have an excellent memory.”

She shrugs with a salesman’s self-deprecation. “Don’t see a lot of new faces around here.”

He smiles, the reflexive one Nora calls his ambassador game face. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Well, you don’t see a lot of new faces around here, twice.” She glances at an old bloodstain on the low wall by his elbow, the head-height laser scoring on the wooden gate behind him. “Can’t imagine how we’re not making a better impression on customers. You think I should run some kinda promotion, maybe - free bottle of antibiotics with every stabbing?”

Preston laughs, a real one, earning a rusty chuckle in return. “I’d come back, for sure - and tell my friends.”

She reminds him, somehow, of that odd Vault-Tek obsessed ghoul Nora brought back to Sanctuary not long after they parted ways. He wonders if she knows him, but doesn’t ask. It’s just rude to assume all ghouls know each other, even if they’ve mostly all had two centuries to cross paths.

“Don’t bother,” the assaultron sneers, in that distant, impersonal way robots can have which gives him the shudders far worse than anything a raider’s ever screamed at him. “You Minutemen have no ambition - or imagination. And the subframe on this minigun is all out of alignment - have you been...chewing...on it?”

K-L-E0 rips him off, but the other one - Daisy’s her name, as it turns out - gives him “the Nora discount” on some fresh ammo and meds. Between the two, he’s got enough caps leftover to cover the three beers on his little corner table when Goodneighbor’s mayor saunters in, listens to the end of Magnolia’s song, applauds wildly, and only then pretends to notice Preston, a splotch of Minuteman blue amidst the Goodneighbor pinstripes.

#wip wednesday #fic fragment #first draft #nora freis #fallout 4 #preston garvey

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thesaltyoceanwaves · 5 years

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Nice Guy Adrien the Musical - ACT III (also Spin-Off + Sequel Material)

@lenoreofraven

→ Act 3 has been adapted into my fic “Bewildered,” so we’ll probably be treading a lot of old ground here. However, I will get to explore different scenarios for a follow-up here.

--> I will be creating a FAQ of sorts once this installment is finished, so feel free to send in questions and I will try to answer them as best as I can. Please note that if Lenore has already answered something, I will be linking to it instead, maybe giving an alternative perspective if I feel it’s appropriate.

The next day, Alya goes to confront Lila, especially with all the comments she’s been receiving on the Ladyblog. At first, Lila tries to play innocent, and say that Bewitched just made her say all that stuff. However, various comments have pointed out that it makes sense that Lila is lying - none of her stories on the Ladyblog add up. And considering the type of person Ladybug is, she wouldn’t make friends with someone like Lila. Lila finally gives up and reveals her true colors. However, she still tries to convince Alya that she’s wrong for trying to tell the truth, and things would have been fine if she just continued to lie. Alya leaves, unconvinced, and thinks of a way to properly apologize to Marinette. (Lies)

Marinette goes to hang out with Luka, and asks him how he hears the song of someone’s heart. As they talk a little bit about the previous day and how seedy Hawkmoth is, Luka ends up confessing his feelings for her and how much she matters to him. He walks her home, and she’s content, until she sees that Adrien is standing there, waiting for her. (Perfect for You)

Marinette demands to know what Adrien is doing there. Adrien thinks that yesterday was just a “hissy fit” of sorts and that she didn’t really mean any of it. However, Marinette isn’t having it and makes it perfectly clear that Adrien is no longer welcome in her life. Before things can escalate any further, Kagami intervenes and has her bodyguards escort Adrien back to the Agreste mansion. (Buy the Stars)

Inside the bakery, Kagami and Marinette sit down for an important conversation. Marinette once again apologizes to Kagami about their rivalry over Adrien, but Kagami says they’ve moved past that. They then move into the conversation of romance, and what they would like from a partner. Kagami admits that she’s somewhat envious of Marinette’s parents and how happy they appear to be. Kagami also admits that she has feelings for Marinette (she also makes it clear she knew Luka intended to confess). Finally, Kagami returns Tikki to Marinette, reminding her that she’s a great Ladybug. As they walk out, a familiar face is waiting outside for her. (What I Need)

Seeing that Alya has been waiting for her, Marinette attempts awkward conversation with her, asking about the Ladyblog. Alya doesn’t dwell on it but mentions that she spoke with Lila, and makes it clear she no longer believes Lila. She apologizes for how she’s acted toward Marinette lately. Chloe then arrives on the scene, to the disapproval of Kagami. Marinette assures her that it’s okay, but just in case, Kagami asks Felix to come over. Marinette also makes it clear to both girls that while she appreciates their apologies, she’s going to need some time to heal from everything to properly forgive them. Before they leave, Chloe has a separate conversation with Marinette about her being Ladybug, including asking her about the next cat. (Sorry)

Felix finally arrives to chat with Marinette, and Chloe leaves. Taking him inside, Marinette learns that Felix kept the miraculous even after everything had been fixed. He intends to return it, but Marinette doesn’t want him to. He’s confused, thinking he’s not a viable option, especially compared to Luka and Kagami. However, Marinette disagrees and encourages him. Felix opens up about how happy he’s been since moving to Paris and meeting the three of them. Cue another confession. With the rest of the day left, Marinette chooses to rest and think about how to talk to everyone else the next day. (Everywhere)

Gabriel has chosen to stop being Hawkmoth to draw less suspicion to himself, at least for now. He somewhat regrets creating another akuma that targeted Adrien. However, he’s also upset that Adrien’s boneheaded behavior caused the whole mess in the first place, especially when he came close to retrieving one of the miraculouses. Adrien is escorted back to the mansion, and Gabriel makes it clear that he will not be returning to school. Escorted back to his room, Adrien begins to rant to Plagg when he realizes that the kwami is gone. However, he isn’t content to just sit around and mope about it. He begins scheming a way to get back into the game. He recalls the book of miraculous holders that was in his dad’s vault. Maybe that will be a clue. He sneaks out of his room and gets to the vault. The final shot of the show/episode shows Adrien holding up either the butterfly or peacock up in the air. (Bet On It)

Curtains fall.

And now for some potential prequels and sequels:

Fox Tales!: A spin-off musical set in Lila’s perspective, starting slightly before she arrives in Paris, and includes everything up until the beginning of the sequel, when she joins Adrien. So far, potential numbers include either Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing or Kill the Lights (Marinette confronting Lila), Ring of Keys (for Rose or Juleka), and Something Isn’t Right Here (An ex-classmate of Lila’s trying to convince everyone the truth about Lila). Might also have Too Cool? (for either Chloe or Lila, this one isn’t a definite but I think it’d be funny if Chloe was singing this to Lila). Alya and Nino get more to do here as well, and ideally, Nino would get his own song or two (maybe Nino is ideally happy to see Adrien date Lila instead of Marinette, because he’s getting obsessive?) This one is pretty much guaranteed to happen, and is ideally seen before the sequel.

Future Hawkmoth!Adrien and Stalker!Lila: Based off this post. Adrien steals the butterfly and recruits Lila, who is now obsessed with Marinette after she’s been exposed by Bewitched. Events cause for futures Kagami, Luka and Felix to come to the present and present their current timelines selves with different miraculouses to save a kidnapped Marinette from Butterfly!Adrien and Lila (possibly with the Peacock). Bonus scene of Marinette and Nooroo bonding. There’s plenty of gushing about future Marinette, but also implications that she gave up the ladybug miraculous again, and instead took over the mouse. Also, because of Adrien, Marinette decided to give up pursuing a career in the fashion industry and became a professor instead. Luka is a music therapist, and both Felix and Kagami work in surveillance. When they aren’t moonlighting as heroes, of course.

Corrupted Akumas: In this version, Adrien ends up getting the peacock miraculous first, and attempts to use a sentimonster to steal the butterfly but fails. His father finds out about this, and is worried because of the effects the peacock can have on him long-term. Adrien decides to use this to his advantage - he will continue to endanger himself using the peacock until his father gives him the butterfly, realizing that he’s Hawkmoth. In response, Hawkmoth sends an akuma after Adrien, but he counters with a sentimonster that manages to steal the miraculous. Adrien becomes the new Hawkmoth, but there’s a drawback - the curse of the peacock has now spread to the butterfly. Every time Adrien tries to create an akuma, the akuma will be “corrupted” in someway, as in, the powers its intended to have will function otherwise. His first plan is to draw in Lila to his side and then divide and conquer the new miraculous team. Meanwhile, Marinette gets closer to Luka, Kagami and Felix.

#ml salt #ml salt au #nice guy adrien #nice guy adrien the musical #nice guy adrien au #Lenore's au

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selfignitingimagines · 5 years

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Lydia- Because I Had You

Request- Hi I love your writing, they’re my favorite! Can I have a Lydia x girl reader based on the song Because I Had You by Shawn Mendes? Maybe a happy ending? But it’s completely up to you! Thank you!

A/N- Coincidentally, I have both quit my shitty job and finished school, so guess who has time to write more imagines! I know this one has been in my inbox for a while, and now that I’ve got the time, I’m working on clearing it out. Next up is a Stiles imagine!

You were scrolling through your phone, not so patiently waiting for the Starbucks line to thin out as you waited to order. You tapped your foot to the upbeat music and sent a quick text to your cousin Derek, letting him know you would be at his loft in twenty minutes.

It had been over a year since you left Beacon Hills with your other cousin Cora, and the flight from Canada, combined with the flight back, had sapped the energy right out of you. You normally wouldn’t have stopped so close to Derek’s, but you were fading fast, and Cora wasn’t there to keep you awake on the drive over.

She had opted to stay in Canada for this trip, even though you had desperately tried to convince her.

“Last time I went home, I was trapped in a vault for three months,” she had reminded you. “I’m not exactly chomping at the bit to go back.”

You eventually relented and caught the plane back home alone.

Up until Cora decided to leave Beacon Hills, you had never lived anywhere else. After Deucalion and his alphas had been defeated and the sacrifices ended, Cora told you and Derek she was planning on leaving.

It seemed like a cruel joke at first. To believe she was dead for six years and get her back, only to have her disappear again would have broken your heart. After losing Laura a year earlier, that wasn’t a blow you were prepared to take.

“I’m coming with you,” you had announced suddenly, a couple days after Cora made plans to leave.

She had quirked her eyebrows up at you from where she sat on Derek’s couch and shut her book. “You want to go to Canada? It’s so far from home.”

Cora was met with the roll of your eyes. “No shit. After everything that’s happened here, I’m open to something new.”

“You sure there’s not something you want to stay for?”

At that you had paused. You knew the something she was referring to, and it was one five-foot-three, strawberry blonde genius.

You were older than Lydia by a year, but after Scott was bitten, you became a lot more interested in the budding werewolf in the sophomore class. After Derek ordered you to keep an eye on him, you were somewhat forced to hang out with him and his friends. Luckily they turned out to be pretty cool.

You liked everyone except for Jackson, but even then, you got the feeling that he wasn’t really a part of the group. Scott was mostly focused on making sure he didn’t expose everyone’s supernatural secret. Over time, Jackson left for England, Erica and Boyd went missing, and you and Lydia became incredibly close.

When she was trying to figure out what she was in the midst of Jennifer’s sacrifices, you were by her side the whole time. You were actually the first person she called whenever she found a body. Up until that point, it was no secret that you felt something for her, but you had never said anything. She had never asked, but if she had, you would have been prepared to tell the truth.

The night Jennifer tried to strangle her, you had rushed to Lydia in the parking lot. Scott and Stiles were preoccupied with figuring out where Jennifer had taken the Sheriff, and rescue crews had swarmed the school after the music teacher had been killed. Despite the commotion, you and Lydia actually had a moment alone.

You were frazzled and worried, and you held tightly to her hand as she sat in one of the ambulances that were called. She was silent for a long time, and you didn’t blame her. Someone had just tried to kill her, and if the Sheriff hadn’t been there, she might have succeeded.

“I know you might not be ready to talk about it,” you had told her quietly. “But I’m here if you do.”

Lydia had taken a deep breath, looked over at you with wide green eyes and said “I don’t want to talk.”

Then she leaned over, cupped your cheek with her hand, and kissed you fiercely.

You had only dated for a few weeks before your cousin announced she was leaving. At that point, you were torn between leaving someone you loved or losing Cora all over again. It was the hardest decision you had ever made, and while you loved Ottawa, you couldn’t help but wonder if you had made the wrong one.

Now, standing in the line for coffee, you were startled when you heard a familiar voice behind you.

“The first thing we need to do is start on your application essay. Community college standards aren’t crazy high, but you still need to work on your writing.”

You turned around, eyes going wide while you watched those familiar red locks blow in the spring wind as she walked through the door. Lydia carried a laptop case in her hand, and she was followed by a taller brunette, carrying two backpacks. You knew one of them was Lydia’s.

“Do you think I can actually get in?” she was asking.

“With practice, absolutely,” she said, smiling up at her. “And my help, of course.”

Her eyes scanned the room, and before you could even think about turning away, they landed on you. Lydia’s face fell, and the laptop case slipped from her hands. The other girl caught it before it could hit the floor, but followed Lydia’s gaze and glowered at you suspiciously.

Lydia quickly reached for the other girl’s hand and grasped it tightly as she straightened up. She tossed her hair over her shoulder with one hand and lead the girl over to the line.

“Y/n,” she said smoothly. “How do you like Ottawa?”

“It’s great,” you told her honestly. “Peaceful.”

You wanted to say more, to maybe tell her that she would love it, and that it would be so much better if she had come with you. But Lydia had turned down the offer a year and a half ago, and it looked like she was perfectly happy where she was.

“Who are you?” the girl next to her asked abruptly.

Lydia squeezed her hand. “This is Y/n. She’s Derek’s cousin, remember?”

“Oh,” Malia said, her eyes going wide.

“And Y/n,” Lydia began. “This is Malia-”

“Peter’s daughter,” you cut her off. “You look like him.”

Malia scowled. “That’s the only thing we have in common.”

“Trust me, that’s a good thing. I guess that makes me your second cousin, and uh, you’re Lydia’s girlfriend, right?”

Malia opened her mouth, but Lydia smiled brightly. “Yes!”

Malia looked over at her and nodded, smiling wordlessly.

You couldn’t hide the way your expression darkened, but you smiled at them anyway. “That’s great. You seem really happy.”

You felt an all too familiar ache in your chest, and looked back over your shoulder at the counter. You were exhausted, but you weren’t ready to stand there talking to Lydia for more than a few minutes, not with her new girlfriend by her side.

You had spent the past year and a half trying to distract yourself with other girls, but none of those relationships had ever panned out. They could never be Lydia, and you were certain that, even after a year and a half, you weren’t able to love anyone else.

“You know what?” you suggested. “Why don’t you guys take my spot in line? I’m already late getting to Derek’s.”

Lydia frowned. “Are you sure? You look exhausted, Y/n.”

You nodded vigorously, but you knew they were unconvinced. You had never inherited the Hale poker face. “Go ahead. It looks like you guys are gonna have a long night of studying. It was nice to meet you, Malia.”

“Y/n, wait,” Lydia said, but your eyes were already watering.

You rushed out of the coffee shop, and headed straight to your car. Lydia had looked happy, but when she saw you, her entire demeanor changed. This trip was supposed to help you make the decision of whether to come back or not, but by the way Lydia had looked at you, she might not even want you in Beacon Hills. If that was true, was it even worth coming home?

-----

“If I ask you what’s wrong, will you stop moping on my couch?”

You glanced up at Derek from where you had buried yourself in a pile of blankets. “I’m tired.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

“You’re a terrible legal guardian.”

Derek huffed and sat down in the armchair next to you. “You don’t actually think that.”

“No I don’t,” you grumbled. “But I don’t want to talk about it.”

“It’s Lydia, isn’t it?”

You frowned at him. “How did you know that?”

He shrugged. “She’s the only person you’ve ever been this upset over.”

You sighed and sat up, causing the mountain of blankets to cascade onto the floor. “I saw her in the coffee shop this morning. When she saw me, she just looked...horrified.”

“Did you talk?” he asked thoughtfully.

“A little, but she was with someone else. They were holding hands and studying together and...and she looked really happy.”

“Did you-”

Before he could finish, a sharp knocking on the door echoed through the loft.

“Expecting someone?”

Derek’s brow furrowed. “No. I’d better see who it is though.”

He rose from the armchair and walked over to the door. Once he got closer, he paused and turned to you with raised eyebrows. “It’s Lydia.”

Your breath caught in your throat. “Oh god. You can’t let her in.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Derek, please!”

He huffed. “Okay, go upstairs.”

You shoved the remaining blankets off of you and rushed upstairs. There, you hid just behind the door frame and listened as you heard the telltale screech of the loft door opening.

“Hey, Lydia. What’s up?”

“I’m looking for Y/n,” she told him. “She’s staying with you, right?”

“She is, but she’s out right now,” Derek lied smoothly. “Is there something you want me to tell her?”

There was pause. “I saw her this morning in Starbucks. She saw me with Malia and...I just really need to talk to her. When is she coming back?”

“Wait. Malia was the girl she saw you with?”

“Yeah. Did she say something to you?”

“I think you two need to talk,” he told her.

His voice grew too soft for you to hear, and you listened as his footsteps crossed the loft. The door screeched open once more, and you froze. Was he leaving?

After a few seconds, Lydia’s soft voice called out. “Y/n, I know you’re here.”

“Fuck,” you whispered to yourself. You should have known you couldn’t trust Derek.

You popped your head out from behind the door and plastered a bright smile onto your face. “Hey! I didn’t know you were coming.”

She let out a tired sigh. That was when you really got a good look at her. Her red hair was wild and curly, spilling out of the bun piled on her head. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and her cheeks were splotchy. She looked exhausted.

“Lydia? Are you okay?”

You felt yourself drifting down the stairs toward her. “Hey, are you okay?”

She took a deep breath and ignored your question.

“Was it worth it?” she asked softly. “Leaving?”

You were speechless. On your flight home, you figured Lydia might confront you about this. You just didn’t realize it would be so soon.

“I don’t know,” you admitted. “I was sick of fighting for my life. I’ve been fighting since I was eight years old.”

“So you just ran,” she whispered bitterly.

You paused and looked down in shame. “Yeah. Yeah I did.”

“Well you got what you wanted,” she told you. “You stayed out of it. You stayed out of everything. Stiles getting possessed, the assassins, the crazy, giant werewolf that tore apart the school. You missed all of it. You didn’t even come back for Allison’s funeral.”

Shame burned through you. That was probably the thing you were most angry at yourself for. You wanted to return, but you had made the choice to leave in the first place. There was a part of you that wasn’t sure if you should intrude.

“I wanted to,” you said softly. “Lydia, I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do.”

“You didn’t know what to do?” she demanded. “How do you think I felt?”

Her eyes were watering now, and she was trembling with anger.

“I felt her die,” she told you softly. “And after she was gone, I wanted you there so badly. But you never came back. You’re not even planning on staying, are you? You’re just going to leave again.”

“I don’t know,” you admitted. “But Lydia, you never needed me. You’re so strong. And now you have Malia.”

She blinked in confusion. “Malia?”

“She’s your girlfriend now, right?”

She scoffed. “God, no.”

“But you said-”

“I was trying to make you jealous,” she admitted to you. “And I was surprised when it worked. When you left Beacon Hills I thought you didn’t care about me anymore.”

You blanched at her. “Lydia, no. No way. I left because I needed a change, but I asked you to come with me! I wanted you to come with me...more than anything.”

“I couldn’t leave our friends,” she told you. “And I wouldn’t have left you. I was in love with you, Y/n.”

“I was in love with you too,” you informed her. “I’m still-”

You caught yourself before you could finish. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come.”

“Wait,” she said suddenly. “You’re still what?”

“It doesn’t matter. I know you’re happy-”

“You don’t know anything,” she cut you off. “Just tell me the truth, Y/n. You’re still what?”

You let out a breath. “I’m still in love with you. I tried to forget about you. But there was never anyone else, Lydia. I could never love anyone but you. I know I left you. I know you probably hate me now...but you’re right. I ran away. Derek always says that once you start running, you don’t stop. That’s why I didn’t come back. I couldn’t stop.”

“And now?” she asked, her green eyes boring into yours.

“Now it’s time to stop.”

You crossed the distance between you in one stride, wrapping an arm around her waist and tugging her close.

“God, I missed you,” she breathed.

She stood up on her tiptoes, and it was only then that you realized she wasn’t wearing heels. That was the first indicator that there was something different about Lydia. She had been through so much in the past year, and when you looked into her bright green eyes, you could tell that something had changed. But whatever she had been through, she was still Lydia. She was still yours.

“I couldn’t get you out of my head,” you whispered against her lips. “I’m not sure I ever will.”

She smiled. “Don’t.”

Then she kissed you, pressing her red lips against yours in a way that would definitely leave lipstick stains.

You were definitely coming home.

#teen wolf #teen wolf imagines #selfignitingimagines #lydia martin imagines #lydia martin

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cruddyborderlandstheories · 5 years

Text

i have so many theories!!! theyre all screaming at me!!! i must write out them all!!!!!

so here’s one that’s been knocking around my head since finals week began:

the Writing 3 Playlist on Spotify

I think this bad boy is a hint at the game’s timeline

maybe not 100% explanatory, but I think we can guess certain parts of the game through this

and i just wanna tell y’all now, almost all of this is speculation, as honestly im 90% sure the playlist was created bc it had borderlands-y songs in it (although the last few have me scratching my head)

lemme explain why im writing this, though I’m very thirsty for lore

tl;dr: game goes like this: lilith powers stolen. go to promethea, go to jungle, find brick mordy and tina, get into a fight, lose fight, go find other VHs, get into another fight, Krieg shows up to save Maya, maya die. (oh no she ded), the twins have their we are GODS moment, the VHs get summoned to the Eridian homeworld, there’s a huge ass final battle, someone attempts to create an end-of-the-world scenario

so the playlist itself was created to help one of the authors of the game get into their borderlands jam

it starts with a Cage the Elephant song, “Trouble”, the band of which we all know wrote the first song used in BL1. Not really much else to say here, but we do know the opening cutscene of the game involves our current team of Vault Hunters being attacked by the Children of the Vault. this is, of course, not indicative of any songs used in bl3, but we can assume it captures the general feeling of the game.

Second song: “Fire” by Barns Courtney (holy shit I love this guy so fucking much!! if you’ve never listened to his music, PLEASE do so! I really recommend “Rather Die”- I am in the process of making a bl3 animatic to it actually lmao).

So anyway, I’m just sayin’, the lyrics of this song...

“Oh, a thousand faces staring at me Thousand times I've fallen Thousand voices dead at my feet Now I'm gone... And my mother told me son let it be Sold my soul to the calling Sold my soul to a sweet melody Now I'm gone... Oh gimme that fire ...”

Honestly, I would not be surprised if this song was about Lilith’s loss of her powers. I mean, she used to call herself the Firehawk because she burned the shit outta bandits. c’monnn.

The man, the myth, the legend himself even says that "[The song is] quite defiant as well, like this cannot be how it ends, it cannot be my situation."

Mooooving on

“Majesty” by Apashe and Wasiu

holy fuck i love this song so much. and its so very obviously about the Calypso Twins- at the very least its Tyreen.

“All the stars and galaxies address me as your majesty So better say your majesty, I might react erratically Throw you in a fire, purify you I'm the sire, my empire's on the rise You better find yourself a place to hide Your place to find, but say it twice My name divine, I'm aimin' high Don't look in my face or eyes Take a bow and save your life Glory to the emperor, my temperature is risin' Always hot, it's getting violent”

I mean come on if its not when we meet the twins for the first time after they steal lily’s powers, then its definitely when they do something absolutely badass and really show us why they’re revered as gods. Possibly related to the Holy Broadcasting Center?

“The Way I Do” by Bishopp Briggs

this one honestly had got me stumped as to its purpose, i lowkey kinda think its getting Sanctuary 3 up and running (and possibly meeting Maya for the first time- still not sure about that). I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a whole thing for Scooter and this song fits pretty well. I imagine we also meet Vaughn and the Children at some point, so maybe here?

“Greeting the Menace” by Zack Hemsey

yeah i uhhhh dunno. This sounds like a song about a dude getting tortured which scares me a bit lmao.

I thought maybe this song and the next 2 could be VH-based songs, as the next 2 have no lyrics whatsoever and the third is called “Best Friends”, but who knows... If this is the case I could make the argument this is about Zane or Moze, leaning towards Zane cuz he’s pretty covered up, plus I think “Best Friends” would be more Moze’s style lmao

I could also see this being a song about Troy... could explain all the ‘body mods’ and the missing arm.

“ProtoVision” by Kavinsky

If we’re going with the idea that these next few songs are about the Vault Hunters, then I imagine this would be Fl4k’s. It’s got that synth and some guitar which I think fits perfectly with his robo-hobo aesthetic lol

Other than that, I truly have no idea what part of the story this song could reference since there aren’t any lyrics. Maybe Promethea’s city? I could kinda see it, it sounds pretty high-tech

Similarly, “diatribe.” by Oliver Michael

the beginning gives me a whole meditation vibe which I kinda associate with Amara and her phasecast skill which “sends out an astral projection” of herself.

Then again, this could be the outskirts of the Promethean city... I could see myself wandering around the huge ass foliage and discovering an abandoned research base to this song idk

“Best Friends” by grandson

aaahh i love grandson. I think this could be a Moze-based song. I just get that vibe from her leather jacket... anyway

I also could totally see this as discovering Brick, Mordecai, and Tina in the research base (if that truly is where they are). Cause we saw them in the trailer hanging out there.

tbh the lyrics themselves kinda remind me of pre-Tales Rhys and Fiona and all their friends

“All of my best friends Like to go and get fucked up Then they talk about all the lives they never got to live Oh, they're still waiting for some sort of invitation It's never coming along, oh no, you'll get just what you give”

but idk if that’s what its meant for

“Bap U” by Party Favor

hmm another ‘lyricless’ song. not really lyric-less but uhhh the lyrics are pretty nonsensical lol

I could see there being a fight scene with Brick Tina and Mordy as AIs helping out here, maybe exploring the abandoned research base?

“Not Human” by elegant slims

oh you know what im going to say here hahaha

monster troy p l e a s e

i wouldn’t be surprised if Tyreen started accumulating more powers here, like perhaps the previous fight scene was over the Vault on Promethea and the twins were able to access it before us? and Tyreen gives the Vault Monster the succ

“Crack in the seams You're breaking through The animal inside of you You're not human anymore... Your eyes go black electric blue The animal inside of you Life on a string Watch it swing Hide your teeth”

and one (or both) of the twins start going feral lol

“Way Down We Go” by KALEO

one (1) fear and that’s that someone dies during the scene that corresponds to this song

hopefully its just the boys being depressed over a loss instead of a victory, but oof

anyway, you know what they say: “sometimes you gotta fall before you make it big” ;) thats a typhon deleon quote

“I’m a Wanted Man” by Royal Deluxe

I want to believe these next few songs are us recruiting the rest of the Vault Hunters not seen yet

I kinda associate this one with Axton since his whole History with DAHL, but who knows! It could be Gaige, too. or Maya since she looks like she’s being incredibly gay criminal on the Maliwan Monastery planet. Maybe both Axton and Gaige? I would love that

“The Devil You Know” by X Ambassadors

Could also be Axton! I lowkey think its Salvador or Timothy Lawrence. The reason I think its Timothy is cuz the whole song gives me huge Handsome Jack vibes, but it could also be Sal cuz I totally imagine him becoming a bounty hunter to fund his gun addiction lmao

“00000 Million” by Ella Vos

this one also gives off Maya vibes imo. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one is about her and the introduction of Little Blue. I could also see Athena and Janey here, just living their lives out in a cottage somewhere. awww

“Jungle” by Tash Sultana

Ahh a love song [pukes] Hopefully this one is about Athena and Janey, cuz there is a depressing lack of both of them in all the trailers we’ve seen! It sounds lowkey sad, though. I hope nothing happened to them D:

“Don’t Wait Up” by Dustbowl Revival

this one gives me very big Fiona and Sasha vibes.

Of course, there’s also the fact that the song is about a dad, and we still don’t know who the heck “the Father” is on all those Calypsos posters. We also dunno who in the heck “Mother” is, either. Sounds like Father left the cult, though, oof, and Mother stuck around. Wonder what that’s all about, maybe he felt like the twins were working fast/efficient enough and left to do things himself? Very lost on this idea tbh. the song seems very out of place, but it has to connect to something, yknow?

“Dies Irae” by Apashe and Black Prez

For those of you who don’t speak fluent Latin (the fuck guys?? lmao jk), the title means "Day of Wrath". Nice, nice, nice.

the lyrics, you might be asking:

“'Cause I'ma beast. Where you at? I've been unleashed. Whatchu doin'? Sink my teeth. Y'all can't fathom I'ma beast”

me: [vibrating in my seat] monster twins monster twins monster twins monster twins

at the very least this is definitely a fight scene here. Probably with the twins again (hopefully). Maybe they found some way to imbue the cultists with fucked up powers and are sending them against the VHs as giant demon things and as we fight through the temple (apparently with some Guardians) we realize the final one is Troy and/or Tyreen?

I like to imagine this is where Maya gets her powers stolen, if only because the next few songs... I think she’s around because she’s now the only person with Siren powers on the side of the Crimson Raiders, so they might need her help with the Vault in some way

“RAMPAGE” by GRAVEDGR

y’all wonder why I seemingly forgot about Krieg in the above songs? Well, this is why.

The only lyric for this entire song is “Bitch, I'm on a rampage- mask on my damn face”

I mean come on, Krieg with his psycho mask on, the fact his action skill is literally called “Buzz Axe Rampage”, the fact he loves Maya as shown in his introductory trailer... it’d be so perfect. And I bet badass psycho Krieg would be the only thing able to beat back whatever’s attacking at the moment. I’m just imagining him smashing down a wall and going apeshit

“Black Out Days” by Phantograms

Another song I think is about Krieg and Maya. I don’t think Maya does too hot in this game, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if she gets the Roland treatment if you know what I’m saying. I wonder if this causes Krieg to devolve back into insanity cause the whole song seems to focus around that. I hope not D:

“Hide the sun I will leave your face out of my mind You should save your eyes A thousand voices howling in my head Speak in tongues I don't even recognize your face Mirror on the wall Tell me all the ways to stay away”

To be honest I could also see it being that Maya gets her powers stolen and thoughtlock-ed by the twins to fight on their side (as she’s seen fighting with the big demon elemental things), and maybe we have to kill her or hurt her in some way to get her to stop attacking us. God I hope not.

Let’s hope this is someway about the twins and definitely not about our favorite Siren and/or Psycho

“The Finishing” by Stavroz

oof i think somebody dies... If its not Maya, my best guess is Krieg or Lilith. Maybe Mordecai or Brick? Oh I hope not, I love both of them way too much for it to be healthy. But, hey, at least Tina learned some coping mechanisms :(

“Intro” and “Apocalypse Please” by Muse

merged these into 1 because Intro is like 15 seconds long and is literally the introduction to Apocalypse Please.

Definitely reaching the end of the game here...

“And it's time we saw a miracle Come on, it's time for something biblical To pull us through And pull us through And this is the end This is the end Of the world Proclaim eternal victory Come on and change the cause of history And pull us through”

I think the twins (or whoever may have become the main villain- perhaps the Eridians?) have claimed victory/gotten the ultimate power in one way or another, and/or this is the Crimson Raiders getting themselves ready for a final stand-off with the big bad evil guy.

I would really love if there’s a scene right at the end of this where the Twins have their huge “BOW TO ME” moment and then they just get COMPLETELY obliterated by a new villain. Just absolutely decimated.

New villain, like if they opened a Vault and whatever was being imprisoned there just wipes the floor with them (something like the Destroyer, if not the Destroyer itself), or fuck shit maybe even Tannis? or the Eridians looking for help in the war. or the Eridians bringing war. Who knows!

Again, could just be the Twins having gotten their hands on the end-game material, like realizing they can turn troy into big demon fuck (no i am not letting this one go) and we are kinda fucked now.

“Free Animal” by Foreign Air

I... have no idea lol

maybe Krieg getting rescued, maybe (one of?) the twins getting recruited by the Raiders for the final fight? It could fit into the ‘Beast’ imagery. Fuck, maybe even rescuing/finding Typhon or something? Idk, im kinda in the party that Typhon is going to be coming back some way or another lol, I’d love to meet the guy

“Dreams” by ZHU and Nero

This definitely sounds like a new BBEG has just been introduced or the big bads just entered the final phase of their plan, like the Crimson Raiders just learned about something life-changing and this is their “oh shit” moment

i wanna believe that the Eridians or another alien race (like the Seraphs!) are going to come in at the ‘end’ of the game and the Watcher is gonna be like “bitch did you really think I thought these dumbass ECHOnet streamers were the epitome of War??” I imagine we’d be on the side of the Eridians here, since y’know, the Watcher came to us for help.

Of course, the twins could still be the BBEG and have gotten their hands on that universe-destroying power that was described on the website (”to recover a map to ancient Vaults and prevent a universe-destroying power from falling into the wrong hands”) so maybe the Eridians called us in in order to meet and get help against the COV?

“Beyond the Fray” by Cassandra Violet

personally i think this one is about the Eridian homeworld

“I'll mark the day When we can meet beyond the fray Don't lose the will to see your home You find the way so we can meet beyond the fray I'll fight to see that you get home Consider this small clue Look beyond your point of view Make a space for honesty hide“

Wouldn’t even be surprised if someone made a sacrifice so we could get there... I imagine its hidden somewhere in the alternate dimension or wherever the Vaults lead to so it couldn’t be found, so maybe Lilith’s got her powers back at this point and she sacrifices herself to send us there?

idk...

“Outside the Realm” by Big Giant Circles

ah yes, another reason I think the end of the game involves the Eridian homeworld in some way. Have you heard this?? huge “we just stumbled upon a long-lost-alien-planet” vibe. I love it. Maybe even just a shot of Sanctuary III slowly gliding over the giant planet, having just exited phasewalk. God yes

“Battle Royale” by Apashe

another reason i think the final fight is some giant battlefield/wave fight instead of just against 1 or 2 enemies. not to mention the fact that the VH skills we’ve seen so far are crowd control based instead of raid boss focused.

Its likely the VHs against the Cult of the Vault, but if we defeat the Twins halfway through the game, then the Cult will dissolve on its own. Either way, I really really really really really want a huge fight against an army. I don’t care if its against the Children of the Vault, the Eridians/some Guardians, or if its against the Seraphs or a new set of aliens we’re gonna get (maybe whatever the Destroyer was/is?). idk idc i just want a huge battle. I imagine we’re on the Eridians’ side, as I said above, but who knows, maybe the Watcher went rogue.

oh and also, the next song:

“Doomsday” by NERO

oh hey, I recognize this song, it’s giving me major BL2 flashbacks lmao

Also the last song in the playlist, which is giving me the big fear (tm)

I imagine that we wouldn’t have been brought to the Eridian homeworld if it wasn’t kind of a huge deal, and what’s more of a huge deal than the end of the universe?!

that’s what i’d call doomsday, anyway.

could be the reason the Eridians are coming out of hiding after all this time. Either to stop our dumb human asses from opening the Vaults, or to get help against these alien fucks because our dumb human asses keep destroying their first line of defense- the Vault Monsters.

If the twins actually DO remain the main villains throughout the whole game, then I imagine this is them prepping to destroy the universe

but maaaan i really want some aliens... maybe the universe destroying power IS the aliens? aw hell yeah

#borderlands #borderlands 3 #bl3 #the calypso twins #writing 3 playlist #im so dead inside #maya the siren #maya #krieg the psycho #krieg #eridians

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chimcharstar · 5 years

Note

1-50 ho

you got it ho

1. What’s your favorite candle scent?

I AM SO GLAD YOU ASKED. ive been Purchasing various smelly candles for my gay divination activities, and i have a few nominees. i first thought of the candle i have now, a pink one with a very sweet vanilla smell, i love very sweet smells because it makes me think of candy which i tend to try to fill my inner void with. however im going to go with the first candle i bought, a dark orange one with a citrus smell. citrus scents are my next favourite and specifically this one reminded me of curiously smelling candles at my piano teachers apartment when i was very young.

2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister?

idk. ive been listening to her lion king stuff lately. dont judge me i needed to hear remixes of lion king music i was lost in that sauce in high school. and i just think shes neat. i dont think she would aggressively make me feel bad about everything, UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE

3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother?

Look……. i really don’t know???? what is the criteria?? do they need to be like my siblings? dare i criticize my arguably criticizable siblings by picking out my ideal siblings? if i pick an ideal sibling, what does that say about what im lacking in my life? do i pick celebrities i hate so theoretically my family shames them into becoming silent and self-defeating

4. How old do you think you’ll be when you get married?

50. i think im going to have to figure myself out for a long time, and achieve some personal goals first. thats my excessively confident prediction and PERHAPS educated guess

5. Do you know a hoarder?

nnnnnoooooooo????? not a real, cant function because of hoarding hoarder. i can see in a few family members, including myself, liking to hang onto things that maybe become sentimental/unnecessary clutter but that sounds like something many non-hoarders experience?

6. Can you do a split?

lemme try one sec

7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike?

Idk maybe 7? Or 11? i think my parents taught me at a children age and then i started biking for fun like, later, like pre middle school?

8. How many oceans have you swam in?

1. i dont really remember swimming in an ocean but i may have faded childhood memories of salty water and seaweed

9. How many countries have you been to?

2… i went to idaho for a band trip… my dad really doesnt like travelling

10. Is anyone in your family in the army?

HAHAHA

NO. ACTUALLY YES. but its funny because the specific brand of christianity we are supposed to be is super pacifist so ive heard. but then i remembered one dude apparently who joined the us military?????? it seemed like it was… an unusual choice. i dont really know anything else about this guy, not even his name

11. What would you name your daughter if you had one?

🙏 *inhale* buddy. oooooohhffffff i want to say something gender neutral honestly. i dont want to rock the boat being unconventional or something but im just thinking of all those years trying to live up to a feminine name

12. What would you name your son if you had one?

same i guess… why have i never thought about this????? was i preoccupied naming myself.

13. What’s the worst grade you got on a test?

hmmmmm hmmmmm trying to unlock the vault. i think i remember a 1 or a 0 on a math quiz. i think i got 30% or something very very bad (i dont even want to know) on my last english exam, but to be fair, i was having such a bad mental breakdown my professor did an intervention

14. What was your favorite TV show when you were a child?

like a very very small child? i was obsessed with the save-ums (?!?!?) for some reason. i would sing the anthem… no. theme song? i dont know. i guess it was catchy and there were lots of fun characters. OHHHH I SEE WHATS WRONG

ITS BECAUSE WE ONLY HAD A TV TILL I WAS LIKE 5 OR SOMETHING. what are you cultured people watching as children? what are the shows?

15. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight?

>:(

My Halloween experience:

i dont even remember i probably had some kind of fairy wings? i think i remember fairy wings. we went to one (1) house. later on, since we werent allowed to go trick-or-treating, we were each allotted a certain amount of candy, and if we ate more than a designated amount per day, we were in trouble and wouldnt be allowed anymore. i do remember getting in trouble for this. i think i stole someones candy. sibling against sibling. finally we were allowed to go trick or treating, i went with my younger brothers and by then, was a teenager and felt too tall and really uncomfortable

LMAO I JUST REMEMBERED THAT LAST TIME WE WENT TRICK-OR-TREATING NOT IN A RURAL AREA, my dad drove us around in a van and watched us like a hawk i believe. it was very tense and methodical.

16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series?

i read the harry potter series (I WROTE SIBLIGS LOL) more times than i could count while growing up. i read the first hunger games book and didnt fancy it for whatever reason, and i had an obnoxious twilight-hating phase.

17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent?

sometimes, though, im really genuinely worried about what accent i do have. im worried i read so much harry potter growing up, it rubbed off on me. when i was a server, people would ask about an unusual accent i apparently had, and once, when i was talking to a super british guy who called me luv at walmart, he was like STOP. WAIT. YOU HAVE A BRITISH ACCENT. and i was like WHAT UHHH BYEBYE AND HE WAS LIKE NO. I HEARD YOU. STOP and i was like that michael jackson meme where he covers his face running away and everyone else in the line was staring

18. Did your mother go to college?

i believe she went to a bible college where people put a grand piano on top of the roof.

19. Are your grandparents still married?

all of my grandparents are dead.

…. hmmMMMM yow. ok. my grandparents who werent estranged stayed married for as long as either of them were living… however, my OTHER grandparents, i mean the fucking kidnappers, my abuser grandpa… remarried? when he was… really really aging. im judging him for it because i know what kind of person he was.

20. Have you ever taken karate lessons?

I WISH. my parents didnt seem to like that sort of thing (surprise). im interested in it now but… as usual… i feel like its too late, im too old.

21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is?

….. i… i thought i did… hes blessed… thats all.

22. What’s the first amusement park you’ve been to?

ಠ_ಠ

*crickets*

how could you ask me this?

no wait! i went to the waterslides. then, later on, i was never allowed to go to the waterslides.

23. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in?

Spanish. ive been “intending” to learn for a long time, and a lot of people who have been really good influences on me and been genuinely kind to me speak it, id like to learn it

24. Do you spell the color as grey or gray?

grey

one sec

yup thats canadian!

25. Is your father bald?

on the top of his head, yes >:(

26. Do you know triplets?

no?

27. Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook?

no? what is this straight stuff? i listened to the dramatic titanic song and felt nothing.

28. Have you ever had Indian food?

i guess so, at a friends house! i dont think otherwise ive gone to a restaurant and actually had indian food

29. What’s the name of your favorite restaurant?

*gazes tearily at my OWN FUCKING OLD WORKPLACE

the food was sO GOOD MAN. IT WAS SO GOOD. im just not saying because despite how stalkable i probably am already, i dont want to be specific

30. Have you ever been to Olive Garden?

no whats that

31. Do you belong to any warehouse stores (Costco, BJ’s, etc.)?

belong? whats bjs? whats a warehouse for?

32. What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender?

i decided at one point they would never tell me this and it was no use asking. i do know they almost named my brother a very fusty old fashioned name fitting in with the thomas the tank engine theme

33. If you have a nickname, what is it?

G is the ONLY one i will accept so far.

34. Who’s your favorite person in the world?

i……… hmmmm…. i really dont like picking favourites. each person in my life has a unique relationship with me (even though a lot of them arent very warm, trusting or close). because of unhealthy middle school friendships ive grown an aversion to ranking relationships as if they have material value.

35. Would you rather live in a rural area or in the suburbs?

rural, i think. i need nature in my life!!! but i also need to be able to have connections to people.

36. Can you whistle?

yes, but not very loudly or accurately

37. Do you sleep with a nightlight?

no, but ive always wanted a nightlight

38. Do you eat breakfast every morning?

ive started to, yeah! this morning i made a whole thing with bread and mushrooms and eggs, and coffee, and i ate it outside watching the traffic. im really trying to treat myself nicely you see. its what id do for someone else.

39. Do you take any pills or medication daily?

THAT

BOY

JUICE!

WELCOME TO MY BUILD A BOY WORKSHOP!

SHOTS!SHOTS!SHOTS!

and im really fortunate to be in pretty good health, and have access to things i do need

40. What medical conditions do you have?

I dont think… i actually have any. id say gender dysphoria but i think it was informed consent. (im VERY lucky)

im pretty sure there are SOME mental conditions running around undiagnosed. MY BRAIN IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY

41. How many times have you been to the hospital?

for myself? once… when i got hives and started swelling up all over, but otherwise was fine. i really wonder what that was. other times was visiting sick/dying relatives which has made me feel sad and apprehensive whenever i enter a hospital or smell the food

42. Have you ever seen Finding Nemo?

yes! i had a gerbil named nemo!

43. Where do you buy your jeans?

i dont … remember … really nowhere special i actually have yet to find some jeans i LOVE. sometimes there is a pair of jeans that sparks joy. i do not have such a pair

44. What’s the last compliment you got?

my sister said my pants looked good on me. they are actually their pants, which they left on the floor in my room for an unknown reason, and they want them back. of course.

but because im excited about it and want to brag, the real compliment was when i made borscht and my sister not only ate it faster than me, but wanted a second helping. and my roommate stuck his face in the steam and said it smelled good. hell yes. i put fucking cilantro in it. fcking beast mode.

45. Do you usually remember your dreams in the morning?

yes. theyre usually really emotional and symbolic. if ive been talking to my parents, theyre usually nightmares. ive been reading about dream interpretation for a long time to deal with some of the ominous images that can come up

46. What flavor tea do you enjoy?

red rose reminds me of wheni was little my mom would make really sweet sweet red rose tea for me (thats the kind she drinks all the time) and it brings me those good feelings. otherwise licorice spice really appeald to me for some reason.

47. How many pairs of shoes do you currently own?

LMAO UHHH…brb

six. because of social pressure.

48. What religion will you raise your children to practice?

i never thought about this kind of thing…. i really don’t know….. id just want them to know how to be kind to others and themselves and thats literally it.

49. How old were you when you found out that Santa wasn’t real?

i was one of those edgy kids trying to spoil it for everyone. guess what other common fun thing my parents didnt do

50. Why do you have a youtube?

i dont! so i dont know what this question means! :)

HOLY SHIT I MADE IT THRU HIGH FIVE

#rambling #WOW #bug

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weakeninghope · 6 years

Text

Kiss me (whispering words of love)

Pairing: Ash Lynx/Eiji Okumura

Rating: Teen

AO3 link here

Summary: Eiji discovers that there are other ways that can make him fly besides pole-vaulting.

Notes: aye aye! I'm here again and I seriously think you'll get tired of seeing me here but whatever-I'm here with what I think will be a three-shot! I had this idea in my head for a few days and ended up writing the first chapter in an afternoon because I just couldn't resist it. I've had so much fun writing the Sing vs the stool... and kudos for who guesses who the sound technician is ;)also sorry if i depicted depression the wrong way? I don't think so 'cause I suffer from depression and I pretty much wrote what I feel, but if you feel like i fucked up, please do tell me!Btw! I'll list the songs referenced, they are all songs I love hehe so I self inserted myself a little bit hereNever gonna give you up by Rick Astley (yes, I like it unironically) You're gonna go far kid by the Offspring The Riddle, the cover by Cecile Corbel Luka by Suzanne Vega and My long forgotten cloistered sleep by Yuuki Kajiura! I think this one is an Asheiji song and I really love it! this song is from where I got the idea for the titleSee you in the next chapter <3 please tell me what you think! Kudos and comments are much appreciated

fic under the cut!

“Ei-chan, are you sure you can do this?” Ibe-san asked from his bed. He was feeling rather sick even though he said and insisted otherwise, but that wouldn't fool Eiji Okumura that easily. He had known Ibe-san for quite a lot of time and it was him who brought Eiji to the United States in the first place, so of course they knew each other.

“Ibe-san, I told you like ten times already. Yes, I can. I'm your assistant, but I'm not a 7 year old boy handling his new toy camera.” Eiji snapped in a friendly demeanor. “It's not a hard job anyway, right? I've just got to take pictures of the singers” Eiji finished.

That was it, nothing more, nothing less. A cafe called Banana Fish, which was just around the corner where Ibe and Eiji lived in their small, rented apartment, had just announced they would be holding open mic nights, and the first one was going to be that very Saturday night. In fact, Eiji had to take his leave soon if he didn't want to run late for the job, even though it wasn't his job to begin with.

Eiji carefully took the cameras (he chose three of them, the first one he received, a present from Ibe, another one that was quite good, and then Ibe's, the best camera they had) as Ibe-san eyed him from the bed, cold towel in his forehead, a habit they performed in Japan; jeez, the man was still being stubborn even after Eiji convinced him to stay in bed?

He had always been like that. When Eiji had started pole-vaulting he didn't see himself as the subject for professional photographers, he never thought he was enough or that he could fly as high as other people did, but Ibe-san believed in him and was stubborn until the end. After a few months, Shunichi Ibe became a famous athlete photographer and Eiji Okumura became an excellent pole-vaulter.

Until the injury came and Eiji fell into a deep depression. He did not want to get out of bed anymore, he did not have a reason to stay awake anymore now that he couldn't devote himself to the only thing he enjoyed, the only ray of light in the darkness and dullness of his life. Sure, since he started going to the therapist everything was getting better, but he knew that staying in the same place would not help him at all, since his room full of prizes reminded him that everything was over.

That was when Ibe-san and his world-famous stubbornness returned to Eiji's life, and they went to America together, Eiji working as Ibe's assistant. He had been in a lot of places helping Ibe; in music studios, in the radio, in concerts... Ibe was constantly being asked for his services since people knew he was a great photographer that exceeded himself not only in the field of athletic photography, but in photography in general.

And then Nadia Wong, the manager and owner of the Banana Fish cafe contacted him since her brother Shorter had had the idea of hosting open mic nights, and unlike the majority of Shorter's ideas, the open mic night seemed something appealing to the customers.

Eiji carefully packed everything into his bag and waved goodbye to Ibe one last time, telling him not to leave the bed and to call him if something happened, too.

Eiji was incredibly responsible for being only 19. He had to be since he had an 8 year old sister and had to take care of her most of the time, since their parents worked a lot of hours and were to tired to babysit when they came home.

After literally five minutes of walking down the beautifully lit street, Eiji reached the cafe. From the outside it didn't look like anything special: there was a lit sign at the top of the door, the yellow lights blinding Eiji a little bit. There was a small banana next to the B and a small drawing of a fish in blue lights at the end of the sign, next to the S. The door was that; a door, nothing more, nothing less. It was a wooden door with a crystal pane on the middle, so you could see the inside. A small “we're open” sign hanged from the doorknob. The Japanese inhaled a sharp breath and entered the place, unsure of what he was going to find.

He found what he had expected; just a few people. The establishment was far from being empty, but it was far from being full, too. Not that Eiji was displeased by that, he didn't really like huge crowds. As the small bell hanging from the doorknob rang when Eiji entered, a bald guy with sunglasses approached him (who the hell wears sunglasses when it's not sunny and they're not even outside) (also why was he bald).

(and why was Eiji thinking about that).

“Yo! You're the photographer, right? I'm Shorter!” The boy -Shorter- introduced himself and energetically held out his hand, which Eiji hesitantly held for a moment.

“I'm his assistant, Ibe-san is sick so I came here instead. Are you the boss?” Eiji innocently asked.

A huge, loud laughter was Shorter's response, followed by two -also loud- friendly pats on the Japanese's back.

“Oh, no, I'm a bartender. My sister's the boss.” He said.

Oh, right. Nadia Wong. He had forgotten about it. He was too nervous to remember all the details since Eiji had a little weakness for singers and he was going to witness an open mic night and there was a high chance of cute boys being part of the participants.

He gulped. Focus, Eiji. Focus.

“Nadia's busy with paperwork right now so she asked me to welcome you here, so welcome, I guess?” Shorter said. He looked like a kind, easy-going guy, Eiji was feeling good talking to him.

Before coming to America he had shut himself in and forgotten everything about social interaction; he stopped seeing his friends, stopped talking to everyone but his family and (reluctantly at first) Ibe. However, after having spent a few months in New York with Ibe and his friend Max, he was starting to feel comfortable with people little by little.

“Thank you. I guess I can have a seat now? When are you starting?” Eiji kindly asked. The establishment wasn't very modern, nor posh nor classy; it was simple, but it had its charm, or at least, Eiji saw that charm, because he felt pretty welcomed.

Eiji then took a sit and took out his cameras of the bag, carefully studying them wondering which one he would use.

“May I order something?” Eiji asked.

“Of course! It's on the house.” Shorter answered, snapping his fingers in a “cool” gimmick.

“Okay, I'd like a green tea, then.” Eiji told Shorter with a smile.

“Gotcha!” Shorter answered as he took his leave and went to the counter to rapidly prepare Eiji's tea.

A few minutes after their conversation, Shorter came back with a small cup of a hot, steaming green tea. Its smell was delicious.

“The first participant will be on the stage in 15 minutes” Shorter stated. “Hey!! you have three cameras? How cool! Can I touch them?” Shorter asked energetically, as a child who has just gotten a piece of candy and wanted more.

“If you keep insisting... okay, take this one. But please be careful, it carries a high sentimental value for me.” Eiji fondly said, this camera was a present by Ibe. He came one day to his house with this camera and told him that they would be going to the USA if he didn't mind, because he cared for Eiji and he knew that he needed to do something, or otherwise, he would end up more depressed as days kept going by.

Eiji reluctantly handed his first camera to Shorter, who started touching it all over and shaking it and, due to the camera being a little bit delicate, the locker where the batteries where stored loosened and three out of the four fell straight to Eiji's tea.

Really? Why did this have to happen to Eiji?

“Fuck! I'm so sorry! I'm bringing another tea to you right away. And here, take the safe battery, you can still use the camera, right? Well, not that you need it if you have two spare ones.” Shorter mockingly laughed.

They aren't spares Eiji thought. But at least he still had one battery so he could use it to take a few non-detailed shots.

A few minutes after that Shorter returned with Eiji's second tea. The Japanese observed the stage; it wasn't huge and it was kind of modest. Wooden floor, a stool that could be lowered down or put up depending on the participant's height, a mike with the same characteristics, a PA system for the mike to be plugged on, and, lastly, an amplifier.

As time kept going by, the establishment began to fill up, even though not to the brim, so Eiji was still okay. Shorter came with Eiji's tea at the right moment, when the first participant got up the stage.

He was a huge, black muscled guy, wearing sunglasses -like Shorter, seriously-. He was wearing a sleeveless denim shirt, half opened, so you could see his muscular chest. He was quite handsome, Eiji had to admit.

The audience thought so, too, as there were a few whistles when he got up the stage, grabbed the mike and introduced himself as “Cain Blood”.

After that, he turned his head to the left, signaling the sound technician to play the song.

Eiji wasn't ready for what he was about to witness. Cain didn't sit in the stool, neither did he sing a lovely song, or a sad ballad, or some piece of heavy metal.

He chose an eighties pop song.

Never gonna give you up by Rick Astley.

Eiji's head lowered until he hit the table with his forehead and he almost spilled his precious green tea.

Why did Ibe-san had to get sick.

Again, focus. Eiji had to take some pictures, he didn't have to record the whole show or to take twenty pictures per participant, right? It would be okay with a few.

But damn if Cain's hip movements and his deep voice weren't distracting as hell. That song had turned into a meme over the years and Cain was making it sound attractive. Eiji didn't know if he wanted to cry, to laugh, to smash the camera or to get up on the stage to dance with Cain. He had to admit that the guy was performing flawlessly, and the loud cheers coming from the audience were another irrefutable proof of Cain's talent.

Before Cain ended singing and dancing, Eiji managed to take some pictures of him; some were blurry and you couldn't distinguish anything because he took them with the second camera but his hand was trembling, but the last ones were taken with such care -and with Ibe-san's camera- that you could even see Cain's sweat in HD.

Good lord.

Before Eiji could realize it, the three or so minutes that the song lasted had passed and Cain thanked the audience. Eiji couldn't help but wonder what would be coming next. He didn't expect Japanese music to sound there (even though he would lie if he said he didn't want to) but he really wasn't expecting the first song to be Never Gonna Give You Up.

What was coming next?

What came next was definitely a funny turn of events.

A short boy came onstage and shouted to the sound technician to hold the stool up higher for him because the mic was too tall firm him to reach it. The boy screamed that loud that all the cafe could hear him and laughed at his little problem, which in turn caused the boy to get angrier.

Unbelievable.

A hard laughter escaped from Eiji's mouth. And he was complaining about this? Damn, this was being a really interesting night, he would have to tell a lot of stuff to Ibe the next day!

His laugh was that hard that even the boy onstage heard him. Oops.

“Hey you! What is it that it's so funny?” He asked, angrily kicking the stool so he almost fell off it. The sound technician had to help him. Poor man, the stool almost hits him in the mouth, what could have happened to his teeth?

Eiji shook his head ant told the boy that nothing was wrong. The boy let out a “hmpff” and hoped off the stool, then grabbed the wired mike and introduced himself.

“I'm not going to need this shit” He said, angrily staring at the stool as if it was his lifelong enemy. “I'm Sing Soo-Ling, by the way.” Sing ended. What a way to introduce yourself, though.

When the music started playing and Sing started moving and energetically shaking his fist to the rhythm of You're gonna go far kid by The Offspring, Eiji grabbed his second camera and started -trying- to take some shots.

Trying being the keyword.

As it had happened before with Cain, Eiji was too distracted. But now he was distracted in another sense of the word.

He was about to burst out laughing and how was he supposed to take pictures like that.

Sing looked like the classic angsty teenager in his rebellion phase screaming, shouting, getting the pitch wrong, jumping like the world was about to end... that was too much. Maybe his battle with the stool had riled him up way to much.

The end of the song was near, so Eiji stilled himself, took a few deep breaths and got a few nice shots. He wasn't just an assistant, he was Shunichi Ibe's assistant, and that meant he wasn't as bad as he thought he was. He was working on his self-esteem, too. Ibe had recommended him to go see a renowned therapist, Blanca. And truth be told, Blanca was really helping Eiji to be more objective about his faults and his virtues; he was more helpful that the 4 types of antidepressants he had tried to take when he was back in Japan.

He could get better. He was getting better.

A sweaty Sing muttered and angry thank you and got off the stage. Eiji wondered if there were many participants left; it was almost 11PM and he wanted to check on Ibe, so he called Shorter to ask him how many people were left.

He protected his cameras with his arms that time. Shorter told him that only three participants were left, two boys and a girl. Eiji thanked him and nodded to himself. Three participants weren't a lot, so he could handle that easily.

The next participant was a boy, but he knew so because Shorter had told him that the girl was standing next to the stage, she was blonde and was wearing a pair of red earrings. Hadn't been for Shorter's information and he would have mistaken the beautiful looking, delicate boy for a girl. He was wearing a long Chinese dress, he was slender and his long, black soft-looking hair was carefully braided. While setting his way to the stage, the participant walked next to Eiji's table and shot him an ugly glare.

Why?

That night had to be one of the strangest ones he's had in ages, Ibe-san wouldn't believe him when he told him about all that: an attractive muscular man singing Never gonna give you up and making it sound sexy, a shorty rivaling a stool, and a delicate looking unknown boy shooting him a glare. What was next?

The boy got up onstage and sat on the stool, which was now settled at his height, as well as the mic. Eiji was busy fumbling with the cameras when the music started playing.

Oh no.

It was a harp. Traditional music. A cover of The Riddle by Cecile Corbel. Not that he disliked it, but it was late in the night, Eiji was irritated, and Yut-Lung's voice (he had introduced himself like that) was way too soft, like a whisper, barely audible.

And he had the guts to glare at him? Eiji smirked to himself. He took hold of the camera with only one battery and started taking blurry, ugly shots. A stupid grin was plastered on his face, he would lie if he said he was not having fun with his little revenge.

But suddenly he was dragged out of his concentration by the noise of someone dragging a chair next to him and a soft voice whispering he's such a snake, isn't he? to Eiji's ear.

He dropped the camera to the table and it almost broke for real.

“My, my, did I scare Mr. Photographer?” The mysterious boy -wearing sunglasses too- asked.

Why the hell did everyone in the Banana Fish wear sunglasses? Was it a Trademark Sign? Was it a prank? Was Eiji dreaming?

What the hell was going on?

Eiji was questioning himself about the sunglasses thing when the boy took them off and his jade green eyes locked with Eiji's dark ones.

He gulped hard.

It would have been better if he had kept the sunglasses on.

“E-excuse me, I have to leave” Eiji said. He had to leave. He has blushing so hard and he didn't want the boy to see this because...

Because he was really good looking.

“How rude of a photographer to leave when there's still two participants left.” He said, and then got up. “Hope you stay to hear me sing.” He whispered, teasingly. And then he left to the other side of the establishment.

That night was being incredibly surrealistic.

Nevertheless, Eiji had to get back to work. Yut-Lung had ended singing and was glaring him from the stage, probably because he had realized that he only has focusing the camera on him for like a minute and that the only pictures he took were completely half-assed.

Whatever. It was time for the fourth participant to start singing, it was the girl's turn.

She introduced herself as Jessica and sang Luka, by Suzanne Vega, a really nice song Ibe liked-

Wait. Jessica? That was Max's wife! What a coincidence, he didn't know Jessica like singing and liked open mic nights.

This was the first one the Banana Fish café was hosting, though.

She sang Luka, by Suzanne Vega. Eiji knew that song; it was about child abuse and it told a heart-breaking story. Eiji liked songs with strong messages such as this one, which informed against some actions that had to be stopped. Jessica was looking nice under the lights and her voice was soft, so he enjoyed the performance. He even teared up a little bit because the song was so sad he couldn't bear to listen to it without tearing up.

After three minutes, Jessica thanked the audience and left the stage.

Only one participant left, only one participant left... Eiji repeated in his mind like a mantra. One participant-

Shit.

That boy.

Effectively, just as Eiji had thought, the last participant was that boy. The blond, attractive, good-looking, handsome too smooth for this world stranger he met in Yut-Lung's performance. He sat in the stool, which was adapted to his height (he was pretty tall) and introduced himself as Ash Lynx.

A wildcat? More like a kitten, you're too beautiful Eiji thought as he grabbed Ibe's camera. There were some things in this life that you have to capture in high definition, and Ash was one of them.

And if that hadn't been enough, when the music started playing, everything became dream-like. Ash started singing In my long forgotten cloistered sleep by Yuuki Kajiura.

Yuuki Kajiura.

A Japanese composer. One of Eiji's favorite composers.

He loved the original version, but the minute he heard Ash start singing he decided against it. He preferred Ash's.

Ash's voice was... magical. He sounded like an angel. Eiji felt himself travel to a whole other world where he was alone with Ash, because through the camera lens he could tell Ash was looking at him and he couldn't bear that while the boy was singing someone kissed me whispering words of love. He wondered if a normal human being on the Earth's surface could bear this. He was hearing an angel and he was looking at an angel.

Maybe he shouldn't say that, but... he was glad? Ibe-san was sick. Eiji knew he was blushing, but the only thing that mattered at that moment was Ash's voice, his magical words and his perfect melody dragging him to a world beyond his imagination... everything was so soft he couldn't believe it was coming from the teasing boy he had met a few time ago. He could tell Ash was kinder and gentler than what he wanted to look like.

God, was he glad that he had not left. Just for witnessing such a marvelous display of magic it had been worth it bearing with Yut-Lung.

My long forgotten cloistered sleep had always been one of Eiji's favorite songs; he would sing it to his sister when she went to sleep, he would mutter it to himself whenever a mental breakdown was coming... this song had been by his side since he had been a child; his father has always loved Yuuki Kajiura, and Eiji did too, thanks to him.

And now Eiji adores Yuuki Kajiura with his whole soul thanks to Ash.

Unnfortunately for Eiji, though, even if for him it could be eternal, Ash's song ended. Without noticing what he was doing, Eiji started clapping his hands energetically, prompting the whole audience to join him. He knew he was tearing up, but he didn't care; this had started mending his soul, he was feeling better than he had in the past few days and it was thanks to a freaking open mic night and a stranger singing his favorite song.

Ash got up from the stool, thanked the audience and smiled right at Eiji.

That was it. He was going to combust, he was blushing impossibly redder, too. His heart was ready to leave his chest and never come back. RIP Eiji Okumura, cause of death; overdose of cuteness and wholesomeness and-

“Did you like my performance?” Ash asked, suddenly being near Eiji.

“It was magical” He said. “There are so many things I could tell you about it but I have to go, my boss is sick and I don't want to leave him alone.” Eiji rambled, he had to come up with an excuse even if it wasn't really an excuse because Ibe was sick and he wanted to take care of him before going to sleep.

“Well, you can tell me tomorrow.” Ash said, his voice soft -he had an amazing singing and speaking voice. Eiji was so glad he came here that night. So glad.-

“When's the next open mic night?” Eiji asked “I might have to come again because my boss always overworks himself and ends up sick too often.” He finished.

“Next Saturday, it's once a week.” Eiji made a sad face, he was going to have to wait a whole week to see Ash again? The world was cruel “But” Ash interrupted his thoughts “We can meet here tomorrow to discuss the pictures you've taken of me.” Ash finished saying, while smiling gently and looking at Eiji.

“Oh, um, okay.” Eiji stuttered. Was this happening for real?

“Give me your number, I'll text you when I get home.” Ash demanded, and Eiji complied immediately.

After that they waved each other goodbye and Eiji waited to be out of the establishment to jump, he really felt like he was flying again, just like when he had heard Ash sing. And he could meet him again!

If this was a dream, Eiji didn't want to wake up.

Wait, he had to wake up, because he was meeting Ash tomorrow.

God, he loved open mic nights; and if he was going to hear Ash sing again, he was going to love them even more, Eiji was positive of that.

#writing #banana fish #asheiji #fluff #coffee shop au #no spoilers #ash lynx #eiji okumura

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morfinwen · 6 years

Note

For the headcanon ask: Sarah (Chuck), Steris, Anakin, and then any OC you would like to answer for, please. :)

So i’ve been sitting on this for i don’t know how long, chipping away at the answers, and this is what i got. It doesn’t cover everything for every one you asked, but it covers a fair amount. At any rate, it’s enough that i’m putting it under a read-more.

Sarah Walker

Headcanon B: [hilarious]

Despite being the daughter of a con man and a trained CIA spy for her entire adult life, post-series Sarah gets a deer-in-the-headlights look whenever some chatty new acquaintance asks how she and her husband met. Unless Chuck is there to rescue her, or her panicking mind manages to remember that a simple relating of “he fixed my phone and I gave him my number” without any of the classified details would work just fine, she winds up inventing some story on the spur of the moment. She’s not that good with inventing things spur of the moment.

Eventually she memorizes a safe, straightforward version of events to tell people who ask, but that isn’t until after she tells their neighbors across the street a complicated story involving ninja muggers and a computer virus that turned out to be a bomb.

Steris

Headcanon A: [realistic]

Steris has learned, to some extent, to express her emotions in a way that other people understand. It’s still acting, though. She may be pleased, but she does not feel like smiling. She may wish to get to know someone better, but she does not have any actual interest in who tailored their clothing.

Wax and Marasi are learning to understand how she expresses things. Wax, particularly, tries to learn how to communicate the same way. It will probably always be as much acting for him as ordinary social conventions are for her, but she appreciates it more than can be expressed, in either way.

Headcanon B: [hilarious]

She has a notebook dedicated to plans for the Scadriel equivalent of the zombie apocalypse. It started years ago, after an especially stressful society event, and her mind picked that particular topic to obsess on. After that, whenever she had difficult emotions that could not be soothed any other way, she would work them out by refining the plans or expanding them further.

Marasi came across the notebook once. She had read about half a page before realizing it belonged to Steris. She put it back quickly and has never brought it up, but sometimes she passes by an abandoned building and ponders its defensive capabilities, or eats some fresh fruit and wonders how difficult the plants would be to cultivate in desperate circumstances.

Steris’ theoretical colony is doing much better now that she’s married to Wax.

Headcanon C: [heart-crushing]

For a long time, Steris wished she had a sister. She tried to connect with other girls her own age, but it never seemed to work out. Some, particularly the daughters of older families, wouldn’t have anything to do with her at all, and those that did would suddenly stop, and Steris was never sure why.

When she first learned she had a baby half-sister, she started making a list: things to teach her, things they could do together, what personal things she could share (and what ones she would never, ever be allowed to touch). She was still working on it when her mother, still very upset, explained to her that none of those things were ever going to happen. Steris still didn’t understand why, but she tore up the list and threw it out.

Anakin

Headcanon A: [realistic]

A lot of things would have gone very differently if the Council had thought a bit more about the fact that Anakin had an incredibly different outlook than the kids brought up in the Temple.

Headcanon B: [hilarious]

Due to their radically different upbringings, experiences, and temperaments, Obi-Wan and Anakin miscommunicate regularly. Sometimes, far too often, it leads to frustration and disappointment. Other times, however, it leads to ridiculousness that leaves them scratching their heads, wondering where it all went wrong …

Obi-Wan tells Anakin to “meet him by the ship”. He then spends two hours waiting by the crashed ship in the forest, nibbling on preserved food packets, and very deliberately not worrying about what might have befallen his Padawan to delay him so long. Meanwhile, Anakin is hanging out on the ship they arrived in, tinkering with something he’s been secretly working on all week while he waits for his master to show up already.

Headcanon C: [heart-crushing]

Everything about Anakin’s life is heart-crushing, if you ask me.

Any OC

I picked Leah Tolkien, my character from Fallout 4.

I don’t know if you’re familiar with the Fallout games at all, so here are a few things you need to know about Fallout 4 for the following headcanons to make sense. I’ll try and keep them brief …

- The Fallout games take place in a post-apocalypse America, about 200 years after nuclear war. It also takes place in an alternate universe, as its pre-War America looks a lot more like 1950s America than modern-day, despite the War taking place in 2077. There were more advancements than in 1950, but mostly based on what people of the 1950s might have thought advanced science would look like.

- Fallout 4 starts with the main character, his or her spouse, and their infant son entering a vault to escape the nuclear war that’s just started (in 2077). They are, unwittingly, frozen cryogenically. Some time later, they wake up briefly to witness strangers kill their spouse and kidnap their son. The MC is frozen again, wakes up after an unknown amount of time, and escapes the Vault, vowing to find their son and avenge their spouse.

- Everyone else in the Vault is dead. The life support systems were discontinued for every pod except the MC’s.

Headcanon A: [realistic]

I have issues with how the concept of artificial life is handled in Fallout 4, both from scientific and philosophical standpoints, so there’s a lot of official information about synths that i ignore. Most notably -- this is a spoiler for the game, in case that matters -- i ignore the in-game fact that the synth child Shaun Leah ends up having custody of (eventually … i haven’t gotten that far) will never grow up or age.

Headcanon B: [hilarious]

The Silver Shroud was a popular radio/TV series before the War, with all the ham and cheese you would expect of a 50s-style serial about a masked vigilante going by a name like The Silver Shroud. Leah and her family loved it.

One of the (many) side quests Leah took up while searching for her son involved finding the original Silver Shroud costume, then using it and a weapon based off the one used by The Silver Shroud to fight crime. Leah did the entire thing as in-character as it was possible for her to be.

While that side quest eventually ended, Leah still indulges in acting like The Silver Shroud from time to time. Some of her companions are as enthusiastic as she is about it. Others, well, they have to brace themselves every time she has the chance to talk to the bad guys she’s fighting.

Headcanon C: [heart-crushing]

As i’ve noted previously, Leah considers herself as two different people -- pre-War Leah and post-War Leah. In many ways, post-War Leah is a much stronger person. She can carry more, walk farther and faster, and is probably healthier than she’s ever been. Morally, her beliefs and principles have been challenged, both more often and much more dangerously than in the past. She’s learned to do things that her younger self would not have believed possible. But at the same time, she is far more fragile.

Sometimes, she’ll find a broken-down crib or a baby’s rattle, and mentally … go somewhere else for a half hour. Someone will walk by in a scavenged military uniform, and she’ll spend the rest of the day on the verge of tears (her husband was in the military). A song will play on the radio that reminds her of her wedding, and she’ll turn it off so fast the knob just about breaks. The thing that sets her off today might have caused no reaction yesterday. She might not even understand what about this thing reminds her of the past. Sometimes she can push it to the side or ignore it, but other times there’s nothing to be done but wait for it to pass.

Her companions eventually learn how to help, in their own ways, even if it’s just making sure nothing sneaks up on them while Leah’s out of commission. But it never fully heals or goes away. What happened to her was a drastic, awful thing, like getting a limb cut off. She’s learned to move forward, but something has been lost that can’t be replaced.

Headcanon D: [unrealistic]

Not sure if this counts as “unrealistic”, but it’s all i got.

After the end of the game, once all the dangling threads have been resolved and the dust is settling, Leah has a funeral for all the people who died in Vault 111. It’s a very personal affair, so she only asks her closest friends to come.

There’s not much more to it than digging graves outside the vault and laying the bodies to rest. For some people, she didn’t know them well enough to say much more than their names and professions, and even for the ones she did know she doesn’t say many words. It’s easier to cover the graves with stones to protect them from animals rather than put up markers, and honestly Leah prefers it that way. In a better world, they would have headstones up for their families to visit and mourn at, but that isn’t the world they live in. Most likely anyone coming to Vault 111 is coming to raid it or to gawk at it, so this way they won’t be raiding or gawking at the graves.

She visits once every year, on the anniversary of the day she left the vault, and leaves flowers, one for every person.

Thanks for asking!

#ask #answer #headcanon #sarah walker #steris harms #mistborn #wax & wayne #cosmere #anakin skywalker #star wars #fallout #fallout 4 #video games are awesome #leah tolkien (fallout 4)#OCs #i think that's all the tags ...#valiantarcher

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juniperallura · 6 years

Text

Woman King: Chapter Fifteen (Final Chapter)

ao3 / header art / playlist

“This is why you need your own chambermaid.”

Keith pursed his lips as Lance’s face popped up from his chest. “I’ll get right on that, Your Highness. Perhaps I could borrow Miri, when you haven’t the need for her?”

A smile curled over Lance’s lips as he reached out to finger the tassels that hung from Keith’s shoulders. “Awful sarcastic tonight, aren’t we? All because the prince had to fix your buttons?”

“You know I am unused to this sort of thing.” Keith scowled, fussing with the hem of his formal jacket. “This attire, this ball…” His eyes dropped from Lance’s, surveying the prince’s quarters rather than meeting his bright gaze.

“Keith, love,” Lance’s hand tapped against his chest, “This is nothing to be anxious about. You’ve seen battle— this is dancing, drinking, feasting. We can finally let everything…melt away, yes?”

Keith glanced up. Lance’s eyes were soft, his smile hopeful. Keith frowned. “Well,” he sighed, folding his hand over Lance’s, “Not everything.”

Lance’s face fell. “Keith-”

“-I know.” Keith squeezed Lance’s hand, trying to swallow the lump that threatened to rise in his throat. “But, especially after everything that happened with your engagement…having to spend all night watching you dance with girls in the court— it is not a great prospect.”

Lance reached out to cup the side of Keith’s face. “I know,” he murmured, “Believe me, I wish things were different. What I would give to tell those girls to go harass Shiro instead, because all of my dances are claimed-” Keith chuckled, leaning into the warmth of Lance’s hand. “-But we will be together for the rest of the night. That is better than nothing at all, isn’t it?”

“Of course,” Keith said, studying the crystalline eyes that glinted at him. He leaned forward to press a slow kiss to Lance’s lips. Nowadays every kiss, every touch, felt like reaffirmation. Lance was his, and he was Lance’s. Keith whispered, “Will you dance with me now, then?”

Lance kissed him again, smiling against his lips. “Of course.”

Keith slid his hand down to Lance’s waist as the prince entwined their fingers and laid his head against Keith’s shoulder. Keith rested his chin on the crown of Lance’s head and started humming, an old Gaian love song he remembered his father singing to his mother. It was barely a dance, the two of them swaying gently in a small circle, but it was enough. Just to hold Lance in his arms was enough for Keith.

“Lord Prince, Master Keith! You’ve been summoned!”

Miri’s voice came muffled through the door, ending their moment when it had only just begun. They pulled away with a sigh, Lance pressing his lips softly to Keith’s forehead.

“Alright then,” Keith said with a bracing smile, giving Lance’s hand one last squeeze, “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”

“Attention!”

Silence fell over the crowd, all heads turning toward the grand staircase at the head of the room.

“Presenting Her Majesty, Queen Allura!”

Several gasps came from the bodies that pressed close to Shiro in the crowd, but he was silent. His mouth had gone dry, his jaw slack. All his bodily energy seemed to have gone into trying not to drop his glass.

She appeared in the candlelight like some idyllic vision, floating down to the ballroom with an elegance unparalleled. Her hair was pinned in curls like sculpted moonlight, exposing the gentle slope of her shoulders. Her dark skin was glowing softly and as she reached the bottom step the crowd parted to make a wide clearing, as if sensing they were not worthy to encroach on her ethereal sphere.

Allura glided first over to Coran, who clasped her outstretched hand with a deep bow. She leaned in and pecked a kiss against the older man’s cheek, whispering something in his ear that made him smile fondly. He replied, too low to hear, and patted her hand.

Next she moved to Lance, standing further down along the perimeter of the dance floor. He met her likewise with a bow, pressing his lips to her knuckles when she offered her hand. The prince opened his mouth as if to speak but Allura pulled him into a tight, albeit brief, hug. Smiles and whispers traveled through the ring of subjects, all perhaps wondering where the famously icy exterior of their Queen had gone.

Allura left Lance and began slowly floating down the line, meeting the greetings of the court with nods and smiles. With every rustle of her trailing skirts and flicker of her gaze a wave of fidgeting seemed to wash over the crowd, among the young men in particular. With the familial greetings completed, the ball’s attention turned to the question which had preoccupied Castle gossip since the announcement of the victory ball— whom would Queen Allura choose for her first dance partner? As she made her way further along the ring, intermingling expressions of disappointment and relief broke out among the rejected eligible.

Shiro watched the proceedings with amusement, trying to ignore the jealousy that crept into his heart at the sight of the knights adjusting their posture, their hair, their cloaks, in the hopes of catching the eye of the beautiful Queen. He reminded himself that it was only one dance he would have to watch, nothing more than a formality. She would choose the son of some Lord, perhaps one who had given the most resources to the war effort. It was only political.

But then, she paused before him.

For a moment Shiro forgot even to bow, so lost was he in her luminous curls and glowing skin and infinite eyes. She held out a gloved hand with an almost coy smile. Keith, standing beside him, elbowed his side. Shiro clamped his hanging jaw shut and bent low at the waist, delicately bringing her fingers to his lips. “Your Highness,” he murmured.

“Shirogane-” Allura spoke in a loud, clear voice for all to hear, meeting his gaze without trepidation. “-Warrior of Gaia, Valued Adviser, Bearer of the Blessing of Altea. Might you join me in beginning this night of victorious celebration?”

A tide of whispers rose from the crowd, but Allura only tilted her head at him, expression unchanged. Shiro pressed his lips together to hide a smile. He gave her another sweeping bow. “It would be my great honor, Your Majesty.”

Hand in hand, they walked to the center of the grand ballroom. From the far end of the room strings began to swell and she met his bow with a curtsy. The dance began, a traditional Altean waltz that had been popular during Shiro’s time as a Gaian officer. Their hands met and kept them anchored to one another as they slid apart, stepping in a circle at arm’s length. Even so close she was like a dream, glowing softly under the light of the chandelier. The crown that rested atop her head picked up the colors of her hair and eyes, its jewels glittering like a halo. Powder blue silk sloped off her shoulders, trailing sleeves draping against the folds of her skirt that erupted from her waist. Small flowers, embroidered in pink and orange, crawled up the hem of her dress and wrapped around her bodice, transforming her into some goddess of spring as she moved. Shiro was as stricken by her beauty then as he had been the first moment they met, when she had sat armored on her throne and stared down at him wrathfully.

“Yes, Shiro?” Allura hummed, catching his eye with a smile.

He blinked, her voice pulling him from his reverie. “I was only thinking that you look especially beautiful tonight, Queen Allura,” he said in a low voice.

A satisfied flush colored her cheeks. At a cue from the music they stepped close to each other, Shiro reaching for her waist as she rested one hand atop his shoulder and the other against his residual limb. “Well, you certainly look dashing yourself,” she murmured, “I like you in your military jacket, you know. You look sharp in black.”

A crooked grin pulled over Shiro’s face. “The music may disguise our conversation, but if you continue like that the redness of my face will surely expose us.”

Allura smiled softly as her gaze swept over the room that swirled around them. “Actually, that has been on my mind of late, Shiro,” she said, looking back at him and squeezing his arm. Her eyes became serious, searching his. “All those weeks when I was laid up in the hospital…well, there were times I wasn’t sure if I were alive of dead. But in those moments between my feverish dreams, when I had a glimpse of lucidity, my only thoughts were of you. When I awoke, and you were holding my hand- I never wanted to let go.”

“Allura,” Shiro murmured, resisting the urge to caress her cheek.

“Shiro, having you and Lance in my life is perhaps the only good thing to come out of this war-” Allura smiled, dazzling and full of hope- “And I do not intend to have either taken away from me. I have a surprise for you, later, that I believe will make things a little easier for us, and I think- well, perhaps the time for discretion is over. I am tired of hiding and sneaking. The war is over. Doesn’t it feel like a new chapter is beginning?”

The waltz drew to a close, strings settling into a joyous final chord. They had stopped moving, but Shiro was sure the room was still spinning. He met her shining eyes with a wide smile. “Yes,” he said, “It does.”

He stepped back, giving his partner a deep bow. The crowd clapped politely. Then, as Shiro straightened to lead Allura off the dance floor, he felt a hand gently catch the side of his face. He only had a second to register that her other hand had folded itself into his, and that her sweet perfume was wafting toward him from only an inch away, and that her lips were curled into delighted smile.

“I love you, Shiro,” she whispered.

She kissed him.

It was soft and chaste, like a phantom against his lips, but still, she kissed him before the whole room.

The applause ceased.

“I love you, too.” It came out like a breath, but he felt as if it were echoing through the silence, carrying up to the vaults of the ceiling. His chest erupted with a lightness he had never felt before, like he was suddenly floating an inch from the ground.

A whoop from somewhere in the crowd- certainly Lance’s doing- broke the silence, and another smattering of applause broke out. Allura, utterly unfazed, gave the room a sweeping gesture and called, “My victorious subjects- let the celebration begin!”

The music struck up again and the scandalized murmurs soon became lost in the hubbub of young courtiers scrambling to secure their first dance. Allura turned to him, her face still flushed with excitement. “I apologize if I took you by surprise, Shiro,” she said as she threaded an arm through his, “But I confess I feel as if an anvil has been lifted off my chest.”

“I could not have said it better,” he said in her ear. “And as always, your courage is the stuff of legends.”

The rest of the night passed in a blur of twinkling candlelight, swirling dances, and bubbling drinks. Allura twirled across the dance floor, attending first to Lance and Coran and (a little to Shiro’s surprise) Keith, before giving the eager lords and knights their turn; she returned to snatch Shiro up as often as she could, although not as often as he would have liked. In the meantime, Shiro approached Lady Holt with a sweeping bow and led her to the floor while Matt and Katie- sweetly unembarrassed to be dancing with her brother- waltzed beside them.

Some time later Shiro found himself falling into a seat at the edge of the room next to Keith and Lance. Matt had shooed him away, having discovered that standing beside the man Queen Allura had publicly claimed as her own was efficient dance partner repellent.

“Having a good evening?” Keith smirked, taking a sip of champagne.

“And an eventful one, certainly,” Shiro chuckled. His smile dropped a bit when his eyes came to rest on the two younger men, whose only physical contact were the closeness of their knees. He lowered his voice, “I am sorry, really, that the two of you could not have such a moment tonight-”

“-Please, Shiro, do not apologize,” Lance cut in, raising his hand. “After all you’ve been through, you and Allura deserve your own night. And- we have our own moments.” He looked at Keith with a smile so full of fondness that it brought a surge of warmth to Shiro’s chest, and his own eyes flickered to where Allura was sailing across the dance floor.

“And besides,” Keith said, “With everything Queen Allura’s planning, change may well be on the horizo-”

Suddenly Lance shifted, and Shiro didn’t miss his elbow digging into Keith’s side. Keith went wide-eyed, bursting into a coughing fit and taking a long draw from his glass when he met Shiro’s raised brow. Both seemed oddly relieved when Coran approached and interrupted Keith’s attempt to speak again.

“Lord Prince, Young Masters,” Coran gave them a short bow, “Am I interrupting?”

“Absolutely not, my good sir,” Lance flashed a wide smile, gesturing for him to join them, “Are you enjoying the festivities? You most among us have earned a little celebrating.”

“Immensely, Prince Lance. I have not seen Altea this joyous in many years.” Coran bowed again, his mustache bristling with satisfaction. “But, if you’ll pardon the intrusion, I have business with Shiro— would you join me somewhere a little quieter, perhaps?”

Shiro drained his glass, throwing one last look at Keith and Lance, who seemed to be deflating in their seats, as he followed Coran into the hall. “Is something the matter?” he asked once they were away from the din of the party, “Has there been another development, with the Galra?”

“No, no, nothing of the sort-” Coran shook his head, a gloved hand reaching up to smooth his facial hair. His sharp eyes seemed to be scanning Shiro’s face rather seriously, but before Shiro could speak he started pacing a short length of the hallway and said, “Shiro, I have had the pleasure of serving the Kingdom of Altea for many, many years. First under King Alfor, and now under Queen Allura. I like to think I know her well. I was there when she was born, and her mother passed away- I had a bit of a hand in raising her, actually. I was there when her father passed, and I was there when she was coronated.”

Shiro swallowed. Memories of a talk which had begun very similarly came back to him, from when he was a only boy, caught flirting with the baker’s daughter when his mother sent him for their daily loaves. But that was long ago, and Coran was no village baker.

Coran, seemingly unaware of Shiro’s discomfort, continued, “She is the very heart and soul of our people. The joy that is so palpable tonight has her at its core.” He stopped abruptly, turning to look at Shiro. “But I did not realize until tonight, with her, ah, display, how closely you are tied to that joy. The way she looks at you- I have not seen such spark in her eyes for a long time. And as I told you before, Shiro, if the Queen trusts you, that is good enough for me.”

Shiro frowned, his gaze locked with Coran’s as he tried to discern exactly the meaning of the older man’s words. “Thank you, sir,” he said, slowly, “But I-”

Again, he was cut off with a hand. “As I said, I have become rather close to the royal family in my years, and as such I became custodian of a certain heirloom upon the King’s passing…” Coran reached into his jacket lining and Shiro’s heart skipped a beat.

Held delicately between Coran’s gloved fingers, glinting in the candlelight, was a ring. The delicate gold band was carved with floral motifs, all twisting toward a cluster of diamonds that shone brightly in the center.

“It was her mother’s.” Coran gazed at the ring with a wistful smile. “I was to hold onto it- in case she ever wished to marry.”

Shiro felt as if the bubbles from all the night’s champagne had gone to his head. With a pounding heart he reached out, hesitantly taking the bejeweled ring in his calloused, scarred hand. “Coran— I, I cannot thank you properly-” The words came out haltingly, caught in the growing rawness of his throat.

Coran only smiled, holding out his hand. Shiro tucked the ring safely away and then grasped it warmly— and to his surprise, Coran pulled him into a tight hug and clapped him on the back. “No thanks are needed, my boy.”

Some days later, Shiro was nursing a headache after a rough night’s sleep when a sharp rapping sounded at his bedchamber door. In the hall he found a young page, who bowed sharply to him and announced, “Master Shirogane, your presence is urgently requested by Her Majesty the Queen!” The page’s eyes flickered over him with an uncertain expression before he bowed again and called in a high voice, “You are also requested to be received by Her Majesty in formal garb, Master Shirogane!”

Shiro blinked, the pain in his head receding at the sudden declaration. “Urgently?” He grip tightened on the door handle, “Is something the matter? Is the Queen alright?”

The boy bit his inner lip, fidgeting with the edge of his tunic. “The Queen is alright, Master Shirogane, but beyond that I am not at liberty to say-”

“What do you mean, boy? What is going on?” Shiro’s brows knit, irritation beginning to replace his anxiety.

“Her Majesty forbade me from telling any more than I have, Master Shi-”

“-Very well, very well,” Shiro waved away the boy’s words, “Queen Allura has her way, doesn’t she? Wait here, I’ll only be a moment...”

A short while later found Shiro approaching the doors of the great hall, where he had first been led so long ago (for it couldn’t possibly be less than a year, with so much having changed since then.) Two guards stood between the doors and a group of young soldiers. Shiro vaguely recognized a few of them from his training, and as he came closer a familiar face elbowed to the front.

“Keith-” Shiro clasped his friend’s hand- “What is the meaning of all this? Were you dragged from your chambers as well?”

“Not quite,” Keith said, a smile on his face that Shiro didn’t understand. The swordsman threw a glance toward the doors of the hall. “All will be clear in a moment, now that you’ve arrived-”

As if on cue, the towering oak doors swung open, sending a gust through the hall. All murmuring ceased and the soldiers arranged themselves in pairs, with Keith and Shiro at the front. Suddenly a trumpet sounded and Coran appeared before the double lines, gesturing for them to follow as he turned solemnly on his heel and marched into the hall. Members of the court lined a central aisle and banners bearing the royal emblem lined the walls. At the head of the room, standing before her throne with a gleaming sword in hand, was Allura.

Shiro blinked, following Keith’s lead with uncertain steps. He caught the eyes of the Queen and the Prince, who stood behind her, but neither offered any explanation in their expressions. Finally, Coran approached the throne with a sweeping bow and called, “Queen Allura, I present the candidates for knighthood, distinguished by their valor in the Galran War.”

Allura was smiling at him. She spoke, something about honor and courage, but Shiro hadn’t been able to hear past word knighthood. Memories flashed before his eyes and started his blood pounding. He saw his badge, marking him as a Gaian officer, ripped from his chest and crushed under the foot of a Galra soldier. He saw his sword clattering to the ground as he cursed his left hand, useless and trembling from strain. He had found himself kneeling, battered and scarred, on a cold floor many times before, but now- now was so much different.

His heart soared as he felt the cold metal of the blade press against each of his shoulders in succession. A familiar voice said, “Rise, Knight of Altea.”

Shiro drew himself up, hardly able to keep the smile from his lips as he met Allura’s eyes, sparkling and proud.

He could see Lance beaming in the background as she did the same to Keith. One by one the soldiers that knelt on either side of him stood, each barely able to contain their happiness. The trumpets sounded again and Shiro turned to Keith, waiting for the crowd’s applause to signal the end of the ceremony; but his friendly only nodded toward Allura with a knowing smile.

She wasn’t looking at him, but a broad smile came over her face as she held up her hands to end the murmuring. “It is now my great pleasure to bestow additional honors on two deserving individuals, whose acts of bravery and loyalty to crown and country touched the hearts of all who bore witness—” She paused, fixing her gaze on Shiro with a fond smile as she approached with slow steps. When she came to a halt before him and Keith, a pageboy scurried to her side with velvet pillow displaying two Altean crests. “Sir Keith and Sir Takashi- I, Queen Allura, hereby offer the title of Lord to he who wishes to accept it. Take this as a display of my gratitude and good will, on behalf of the Kingdom of Altea.”

He and Keith answered in unison: “I accept.”

Shiro could not tear his eyes from Allura’s, shining like fire and ice, as she pinned the crest to his chest. Her hand lingered over his heart for a moment, before she turned to confer the same honor upon Keith.

He still felt blood rushing to his head when the ceremony was concluded and the crowd descended on them in their rush to the reception feast, but he managed to grab Allura’s hand in the crush of the hall and pull her out onto a balcony.

Shiro shut the door behind them with a slow sigh, happy to find a moment of peace after the unexpected excitement of the morning. The sun was at high noon, soaking Allura in its light and illuminating the young, early-summer greens that lay in the valley below the Castle.

Allura leaned with her back against the balustrade, surveying him with a smile. “So, did you enjoy my surprise, Lord Shirogane?”

Shiro could not answer, only crossing the balcony with a quick stride to cradle Allura’s face in his hand and draw her full lips to his. He felt her smile against his kiss as her hands settled around the nape of his neck, pulling him closer. In that moment he didn’t care about all the titles and honors in the world; his only thought was of savoring her sweet perfume, her warmth, the touch of her skin against his, for another moment. “I love you, Allura,” he breathed against her lips.

Her hands slid down to caress the sides of his face. “And I love you, Shiro,” she mumbled, still brushing slow kisses against his mouth, “I meant what I said, that I would not let you be taken from me.”

He leaned in again, kissing her until they were both breathless and then wrapping his arm suddenly around her waist. He held her tight and spun her in a wild circle, free laughter bubbling up from his chest; she clung to him, squealing giddily like a school girl. “Lord Shirogane,” he said, setting Allura down with a grin, “I could have never imagined it, only a month ago— but I believe I could get used to the sound.”

“Good, it suits you.” Allura mirrored his bright smile, her eyes dancing as she caught her breath. “-And I hope this might give Lance and Keith a fighting chance.”

Shiro nodded, pressing a kiss against her forehead. “Now, shall we return to the festivities, Your Majesty?” He offered his elbow with a raised brow.

“If you insist-” She took his arm with a sly curl to her lip- “My Lordship.”

Hand in hand they returned, unable to keep the smiles from their faces as they dove back into the crowd; and so ended one chapter of their lives, and began another.

Epilogue:

The morning was almost unseasonably cool, one of those which seems to foretell the coming of fall, until the sun reaches its peak and warms the land again. But the sun had yet to graze the treetops, and it shed only pale pastel light on the two figures which circled each other in the center of the training pitch.

Shiro and Allura watched each other with faint smiles. The stillness of the morning, broken only by the crunch of gravel underfoot, was refreshing. Lately their training had become like spectacles for the members of the court, but alone at dawn they could conjure up old memories of clandestine sparring matches, fought in the bitter cold and near darkness.

Allura beckoned Shiro forward with a wave of the hand. They had decided to forego weapons that day, opting for skin on skin. “I haven’t got all day, Shiro,” she goaded, “Lance and Keith depart at noon, you’ll have to make your move before then.”

“The Queen of Altea, afraid to strike first? Must be losing your edge.” Shiro tried to keep match her reserve; but, as always, he couldn’t resist the jaunty smile that accompanied her taunts and lunged.

She anticipated him, of course, and lithely dodged his swing. With neither swords nor staffs their fighting felt tighter, faster, their bodies weaving together and pulling apart with every hit and feint. Every time one thought they were gaining ground, landing a few kicks or punches, they would lose it the next minute. Allura was all flashes of dark skin and silver hair; Shiro glints of feverishly focused eyes.

The sky had become colored gold with the sunlight that stretched beyond the treetops by the time their mingling cries ceased. Shiro hit the ground at the edge of the ring with a heavy grunt. Allura, triumphant, sat on his stomach with her forearm pressed to his throat. “Victory,” she declared through gasping breaths.

Shiro gazed up at her with a dazed smile. Her eyes were blue as the summer sky and piercing as the day he met her. Threads of her hair fell loose from her braid to stick to her tanned forehead, glistening with sweat. Her arm pressed mercilessly against his throat but somehow the words slipped out as though he were in a trance: “Will you marry me?”

Allura blinked. Her smile dropped as she pulled her arm away from him. “Shiro- are you-”

Shiro sat up and wrapped his arm around her waist, suddenly snapping out of his reverie. He looked into her eyes with a growing smile. “That was sudden, I know. But- I couldn’t help myself. I remembered our first match, when I thought you would have my head, and- and now here you are with your arm on my neck like a madwoman—” He let out a clear laugh as her expression only grew more confused. “And it just made me think of how much everything has changed. You came into my life and everything changed.” He shook his head in wonder, his hand reaching up to smooth back her hair. “Before I met you, I thought fate was cruel- like it only existed to bring me more pain, more misery. But then I realize that all of it, everything that ever happened to me, led me here, to you.”

“Shiro-” Allura whispered, her eyes glinting with moisture.

“Neither of our lives have been easy, but it comforts me to know that we can understand even a piece of each other,” he said, his voice softening. He reached into his tunic and drew out a ribbon that tied around his neck- at the end dangled a gold ring with a cluster of glinting diamonds. He quickly broke the ribbon with his teeth. “Coran gave this to me, on the day of the Victory Ball. Your mother’s.” Allura nodded, her lip caught between her teeth and hands fluttering unsure over Shiro’s chest. “Allura, I know this is not a simple thing to ask, nor an easy one to decide. But I promise that I will fight for you and with you until my last breath, and will help shoulder your burdens as best I can.” He sucked in a breath. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes, Shiro!” She hardly let him slip the ring onto her finger before she flung her weight onto him, pressing passionate kisses to his lips. Both tasted salt in their kiss, but instead of ragged breaths came breathless laughter. “It was always easy with you, Shiro, always,” she whispered, pulling back so she could search his eyes.

The joy that burst in his chest left him speechless. He pulled Allura closer, peppering kisses down her neck and along her jaw. She ran a hand through his hair, smiling as she leaned to press her lips to the crown of his head. Eventually she tilted his chin up with a gentle hand, giving him one last tender kiss and savoring the feeling of metal against her finger as she cupped his cheek.

“I hate to say it, but we should get ready to see the boys off,” she sighed.

Shiro chased her lips for another touch. “Would they really begrudge a small delay?”

Allura rose to her feet, offering a hand with a smirk. “I fear Lance will already resent us ruining his grand farewell with our engagement- I’m not sure he would forgive tardiness as well.”

“He already had his day- we threw a feast for his appointment as governor of the new territories, and yet another for Keith’s adjoining military promotion. Or does he forget?”

“Now, now,” Allura slipped her hand into his, pecking him on the cheek, “It is my duty to speak that way of my cousin, not yours.”

Shiro squeezed her hand, chuckling good-naturedly. “Of course, Queen Allura.”

“Ah! The thought just occurred to me-” She turned to him with a bright smile- “You will have another change in title to grow accustomed to, King Shiro.”

#i finally finished it?!?!? a miracle #shallura #klance #shiro #allura #keith #lance #also peep the ao3 link for notes at the end!#woman king #writing #shallura fic #klance fic #shiro fic #allura fic #keith fic #lance fic #voltron fic #medieval au #voltron medieval au

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cwnerd12 · 5 years

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“The Funeral” Morning in Jack’s hospital room. Michelle puts his AFG jacket over him. The swelling in his face has gone down, but he’s still hooked up to a ventilator. Rose sits in a chair. They both wear black. Michelle, “David should be here.” Rose, “Please don’t talk to me about him.” Michelle, “If the best thing we can do for Jack right now is to keep him comfortable, David absolutely needs to be here. You never saw the way he takes care of Jack. If there’s anyone who can pull Jack through this, it’s David.” Rose, “Take it up with Linus.” Michelle sighs, and thinks, “I’ll put up some pictures. Jack should at least be able to see David’s face when he wakes up. I’ve got a playlist in mind, songs with good memories attached to them. Maybe I can find a bottle of David’s brand of aftershave, put a little on Jack’s pillow.” She reaches over and gently strokes Jack’s cheek, “If I can’t bring David here, I can at least bring a few reminders.” Rose looks at her watch, “Michelle, we have to go.” Michelle, “I don’t want to leave Jack. He shouldn’t be alone like this.” Rose, “He’s unconscious. He won’t know if you aren’t here. The whole world will know if you don’t show up to your father’s funeral.” Michelle, “I don’t want to perform the act of grieving in front of millions of people. It’s sickening.” Rose, “We have to be seen.”

National cathedral of Gilboa. Silas’s flag-draped casket is surrounded by bright sprays of flowers and an honor guard. His portrait hangs above it. Abner speaks with the visiting monarchs, King Lawrence, King John, King Anthony, and Queen Laura. Laura eyes him with cold suspicion. Reinhardt enters the cathedral, Lydia at his side. He clutches her hand tightly, slightly daed and detached from those around him. Christine stands patiently by the entrance, waiting for Rose. Camera crews prepare for the broadcast. In an AFG safehouse, David, Abby, and the others sit watching the TV. They watch Rose and Michelle climb out of their limousine. Abby, pained, “Oh, god, Michelle.” (“Winter Song” Ingrid Michaelson) Michelle and Rose enter go into the cathedral. Michelle wears a small birdcage veil and carries a bouquet of roses. Rose wears a black fur cape and a long mourning veil, and walks with a strut that clearly announces, “I’m still queen, bitch.” Christine greets her with a hug. Rose steps away, and then stops when she sees Silas’s casket. Abner and the other monarchs look at her. Abner, “I believe it’s time to sit down.” They go to their respective seats. Rose fights to keep her resolve. Christine gently puts her hand on Rose’s arm, and leads her to her seat. Michelle approaches the casket, and leaves the bouquet on top of it. She pauses for a moment, contemplating. Finally she says, “Goodbye, Dad.” She re-joins Rose. The pastor begins the service, “I am the resurrection and I am the life. He that believeth in me, though he be dead, yet so shall he live.” In Jack’s hospital room, Dr. Hussein shines a pen light in his eyes to monitor his pupil dilation. In the cathedral, Thomasina sits with other palace employees and weeps. Abner sits listening, genuine sadness in his eyes. Reinahrdt sits next to Lydia, clutching her eyes, trying to wipe away and hide his tears. Helen watches the broadcast in her room, not crying. David sits next to Abby, his arm around her while she cries into his shoulder. Michelle and Rose sit stoically. The Meritts, Fairweathers, Buskos, and Walls all sit and listen respectfully. A nurse changes Jack’s wound dressings, revealing that his hair has been shaved off. There’s a massive incision where surgeons operated on him, an indentation where the skull is missing, and two ugly bullet wounds. Pallbearers carry Silas’s casket out of the cathedral. A procession of limousines follow the hearse through the streets of Shiloh. Mourners and onlookers line the route, waving Benjamin flags. Michelle watches from her seat, while Rose stares forward without seeing anything. Michelle sees a lone AFG flag, and hope briefly shines in her eyes. The procession drives through a cemetery. An open vault sits next to a closed one marked “Prince SETH BENJAMIN of Gilboa,” a memorial fit for a king. Michelle and Rose stand as a 21-gun salute is fired off. The casket is lowered into the vault, and the lid shut. Michelle breaks down and cries. Rose weeps with her. In her room, Helen looks away from the television screen, towards a photo of Seth and Silas in happier times. David gets up from his seat and heads out the back door. He looks out at the surrounding snow-covered trees and bright blue sky. In the hospital, the nurse finishes wrapping Jack’s head in new bandages. David stands alone. At the cemetery, the inscription on the lid of the vault reads “King SILAS BENJAMIN of Gilboa,” a butterfly etched below it. A soldier hands Rose the folded flag from Silas’s casket. Abner tries to wipe away tears without being noticed. The nurse straightens Jack’s AFG jacket, leaving the embroidered BENJAMIN visible. David looks up into the sky, searching for hope. Mourners file out of the cemetery. Rose and Michelle linger, gazing at the memorial. Finally, Rose takes Michelle’s hand. Michelle looks at her, and Rose tries to give her best reassuring smile. Abby cries, and looks towards the back door, where David is visible. Jack lies in his room, alone. Rose and Michelle turn and leave the cemetery. David gazes up at the sky, and then turns and goes back inside.

Abner’s portrait hangs in the palace. At a private reception, Abner once again talks with his fellow monarchs, “The only person who’s known Silas longer than me is Rose. We were fresh recruits in the same unit, one headed by Ephraim Samuels. Silas earned my loyalty when we were pinned down under heavy fire from twelve Phils. Silas ran towards them and single-handedly killed them all. He was eighteen. Can you believe it? I never left his side after that. We fought against Gath together. I was the best man at his wedding. I stood with him at his coronation. I led his troops when we conquered Carmel, and when we fought against Gath again. I was with him when he was told that Prince Jack had been captured, and with him when he was told that some punk from Bethlehem had rescued him. Silas wasn’t afraid of David Shepherd, and neither am I. I will finish the job of destroying the AFG.” Laura, “Maybe Silas should have been afraid of David. Look what became of his life after he walked in.” Anthony, “How is Jack, Linus? I haven’t heard anything about his condition. He was always a good friend to me.” Abner, “Still in a coma. It’s unclear if he’ll wake up.” John, “I never would have thought Gérald had the nerve to do such a thing.” Lawrence, “Gérald’s much tougher than he gets credit for. He held Gath together after a total surrender. That’s no simple task, even for one who expected to be made premier.” Laura, “Shooting Jack wasn’t nerve. It was petty cruelty, something Gérald has always been quite familiar with.” Suddenly, Reinhardt cuts in, “Hello, your majesties, if I may speak with you all for a moment.” Abner shoots him a dirty look, “I don’t know if any of you have met Caesar Reinhardt before- he’s my Minister of State Security.” Anthony, “I know Caesar.” Lawrence, curtly, “We’ve met previously.” Reinhardt, “I know it may not be in the best of form to discuss matters of state right now, but the fact remains that Gilboa is at war, and we need the support of our allies now more than ever.” Anthony, “Gilboa has Aram’s support.” Reinhardt, “I’m glad to hear that, but I’d like to discuss a few things with you later so that Gilboa can be assured of something more than just words.” Abner, “I’m afraid you’re going beyond your reach, Director. This is a matter for the army, not the MSS.” Reinhardt, “I’m not talking about Gath and Ammon, I’m talking about David Shepherd and Alek Amal. If my intelligence analyses are correct, with the murder of William Cross, the Amalekites have attacked in Aram, Gath, and now Ammon. They could easily spread elsewhere,” he looks at Laura, “Queen Laura, is it true that Alek Amal was seen in Mizpah?” Laura, “We’ve confirmed that he visited with William Cross and then left.” Reinhardt, “It must keep you awake at night, considering what he could have done had he decided to stage an attack.” Laura, “And if your intelligence agency had known he was coming to Moab, we could have arrested him.” Lawrence, “I appreciate your struggle, Director, but you can’t expect our countries to fight Gilboa’s wars.” Anthony, “The Amalekites killed my father, and could have killed any one of us that day. They need to be stopped.” Laura, “Nothing aram gives to Gilboa will be used against the Amalekites, it’ll all be used against David.” Reinhardt, “Shepherd is also a dangerous terrorist.” Abner, “This isn’t the proper time or place to be having this discussion,” he looks at Reinhardt, “Director Reinhardt, I would like to speak to you personally.”

In a small private room, Abner lectures Reinhardt, “I know exactly what you’re doing, and I won’t tolerate it!” Reinhardt, “And what exactly am I doing, your majesty?” Abner, “You are trying to bypass me and gain support so you can declare yourself king.” Reinhardt, “That would be treason. I would never commit treason against my own country.” Abner, seriously, “I am king. I was chosen by Silas, and you were not. You stay in your place, or I will have you disposed of.” Reinhardt, “You can dispose of me right now, if you want to, sir, but I still have a very important job, and I am the only person in this country capable of doing it as well as I do. You can dispose of me right now, but then who will be king when you die? You don’t have a son.” Abner, “It’s still my decision.” Reinhardt, “And it would be foolish of you to hand Gilboa over to an inept king out of personal prejudice and spite.” Abner, “Go home, Director Reinhardt.” Reinhardt, “King Silas was my mentor. I want to show him my fullest respects.” Abner, “Go home.”

Elsewhere at the reception, Rose talks to queens Gloria, Evie, and Caroline. Gloria, “Time does make things easier, but I still have nights where I lay in bed and wish nothing more than to have George there beside me.” Evie, “And to hear about William being murdered on top of all this-” Rose, “William spent his whole life being bitter over that fact that a poor nobody like Silas beat him to the crown. I haven’t shed any tears for him.” In another place, Princesses Ashley, Tabitha, Iris, Claire, and Denise talk to Abner’s daughter, Emma, while Michelle chugs a glass of wine. Ashley, “Being a princess is a tough job, but you’ll come to love it.” Emma, “My dad never had time for me before. Suddenly, he wants me to make all these appearances with him. Do you ever feel like your parents are using you?” Michelle, “All the goddamn time.” Ashley casts a bitchy side-eye, “Michelle, of course, has had a unique experience. Not all of us try to overthrow our fathers.” Iris tries to change the subject, “The service was beautiful. A very fitting tribute to a king.” Michelle, “My father was a lying, abusive sack of shit who went out of his way to make Jack’s life hell. He doesn’t deserve tribute.” The other princesses exchange awkward glances. Claire, “I hear you’ve gone back to school.” Michelle, “Yeah, med school.” Claire, “How do you like it?” Michelle, “Med school is the fucking shit. I love it.” She takes another gulp of wine. Claire, “Do you think you’ll find a boyfriend there?” Michelle nearly chokes. In a corner, princes Quentin, Steven, Mark, and Eric stand around. Quentin, “We should do something in honor of Jack. We should go to a gay strip club.” Steven, “I don’t think they have those in Gilboa.” Quentin, “Damn it.” Laura approaches the group of princesses, “Hello, girls, might I borrow Michelle for a moment?” Michelle, “Yeah, sure.” Laura leads her to a place where they can talk. Michelle, “I will warn you, I have had some wine. Fuck, I am going to be so hungover, and I have class tomorrow.” Laura, “You can take some time off, you know. You did just lose your father.” Michelle, “I need the distraction. Plus, it’s med school. You get even a little bit behind, you’re fucked.” Laura, “Have you been in touch with David, or anyone with the AFG?” Michelle, “No. Linus is monitoring all my communications, and he’s given me these big, beefy security guards that I know are there to keep me from running away, and then snitch everything I do to him.” Laura, “I’ve been worried about David. I’ve been trying to get in touch for the past few days, but I haven’t gotten any response.” Michelle, “Shit, I can’t even imagine how much of a fucking wreck he has to be. Even when Jack was fine, he was always fretting over him, making sure he’d had enough food, or he wasn’t cold, shit like that.” Laura, “How is Jack?” Michelle, “Bad. I spent a long time yesterday talking to a neurology professor about traumatic brain injuries�� they really fuck you up.” She starts crying, “Shit! I’m sorry. Every time I think I’ve cried all that I possibly can, it sneaks up on me.” Laura, “Grief is like that. It likes to attack you when you have your guard down, and never misses a chance.” Michelle, “Jack’s not going to have a miracle recovery where he just wakes up and everything is fine. I swear, I feel like I could be a one-woman invasion force. Just march into Ashdod, go straight to the palace, chop Gérald’s head off just like Dad did with Auclaire. I suddenly see the appeal of mounting a skull in your office.” Laura, “I want to call Royal Council. Clearly, popular support lies with David, and I have some real concerns about Linus’s claim as Silas’s successor.” Michelle, “Linus will never agree to it. If David’s gonna become king, it’s gonna be the bloody old-fashioned way. Plus, Royal Council would mean both me and David being in the same room as Gérald. If I want to cut his head off, I can’t imagine what David wants to do to him.” Laura, “Linus isn’t a leader.” Michelle, “No shit.” Laura, “If Gilboa is as near to collapse as everyone says it is, it’s going to be up to you and Rose to hold it together. A collapse would be absolutely devastating for everyone who’s not Gath and Ammon.” Michelle, “I’m barely holding myself together right now.” Laura puts her hands on Michelle’s shoulders, “I saw what a badass you are when you saved my life. I gave you the Golden Palm for a reason. I know you can do it.”

Christine follows Rose into the residence. Rose sloughs off her hat and cape, leaving them in a pile on a chair. Rose, “Would you care for some tea?” Christine, “You should be drinking something stronger.” Rose, “If I were drinking as much as I should be drinking, I wouldn’t be able to get up off the floor.” She disappears into the kitchen. Christine looks around. Her eyes land on a small picture in a frame: teenage Rose and Silas, the photo Silas carried in his pocket throughout his army service. Rose re-enters the living room and sits down. Christine sits down next to her, “Is it all right if I smoke in here?” Rose, “Don’t. The smell will get in the upholstery and Michelle will be furious,” she gives Christine a look, “She’s studying diseases the respiratory system right now.” Christine rolls her eyes. They sit in silence for a long moment. Christine, “I suppose you won’t be terribly upset to hear that William left you out of his estate. It all goes to Andrew.” Rose, “Honestly, I don’t care.” Christine, “It’s all a mess, now, anyway. You’d only be inheriting debt.” Rose, “How is Andrew?” Christine, “He hasn’t spoken to me. Chloe says he’s barely spoken to her,” she thinks for a moment, “I always thought William would end up being brutally murdered in some way, I’m just surprised that when he was, nobody cared,” she casts Rose a look, “Even in violent death, Silas manages to one-up and out-shine him.” Rose wipes a tear from her eye, “William deserves what he got. Silas… Silas…” Christine, “Honestly, I can’t imagine a more fitting end for Silas.” Rose, “Don’t say that. I bought a cabin, were were going to go there-” Christine, “Silas could never live without violence. He could try to get away from it, but it would always find him. Abdication would be defeat, and Silas could only die un-defeated.” Rose cries. Christine, “Are you keeping your title?” Rose, “I’m the dowager queen. It’s all just a formality, of course, I have no real power, any more.” Christine, “Yes you do. As long as people trust you, you have power.”

David sits talking to Dr. Othman. Othman, “How are you doing, David?” David leans forward and puts his chin in his hands, “Better than I thought I would. It kind of makes me wonder if I’m just getting used to awful shit happening. Shay keeps telling me I need to think of what we’re gonna do next, and I know that’s what I need to be doing, but, every time I try to think, my mind just goes blank, like it’s refusing to even consider fighting again.” Othman, “You’re putting too much pressure on yourself.” David, “Kind of comes with leading an army.” Othman, “Have you been sleeping?” David, “No. I don’t even want to sleep, because when I do, I have nightmares about Jack. I dream about running through the woods, and hearing him screaming like he’s being tortured, and begging for me, but I can’t find him. I see him getting shot over and over and over again. There hasn’t been any kind of update on his condition, and I know it’s on Abner’s orders, just to torture me and make me go crazy. It’s fucking working.” Othman, “No updates means he’s still alive.” David, “I know, and that’s what I keep telling myself. The worst part is- I just fucking miss him. Even when things were horrible, he’d make me laugh, make me feel better. I miss waking up with his hair in my face. I miss hearing him call me babe. The first time we made love, he looked up at me, and I saw happiness in his eyes, genuine happiness, and I thought… I want to see that again. That was when I knew I’d fallen in love, that I’d been in love, and just not realized it. I think about that night, and then… I see him get shot.”

Abner talks to Rose and Michelle in the living area of the residency, “Ladies, there’s no real easy way to address this, but, as king, I have to be living in the palace.” Michelle, “In case you didn’t notice, the whole country kind of hates you right now. Kicking us out of the palace will only make it worse.” Abner, “I’m not kicking you out. I wouldn’t do that to Silas. However, I do need a living space. As I can’t just build a new residency, I believe Jack and Michelle’s apartments will have to be where I set up.” Michelle, “I just fucking moved into that apartment, I’m not moving again.” Rose, “Jack is going to come home from the hospital, eventually-” Abner interrupts, “We don’t know that, yet.” Rose continues, “He needs a place to go.” Abner, “I believe that he and Michelle both have their old bedrooms.” Rose, “We gave Jack’s old room to Seth.” Abner, “And Jack can have it again.” Michelle, “So are you going to just throw out Seth’s things?” Abner, “He’s not exactly using them.” Rose, “I’m sure there’s a charity that can take them. Don’t worry, Michelle.” Michelle, “I need my own fucking space to study!” Abner, “You still live in a palace. There’s plenty of space.” Michelle, “What’s Jack supposed to come home to? Dad’s dead, all his shit is gone, and all evidence of Seth is gone? He’s gonna be traumatized all over again!” Abner, “I said this wouldn’t be easy.” Michelle, “Surviving getting shot in the fucking head isn’t easy! Coming home is supposed to be easy!” Abner, “I’m afraid there’s no way around it. I’m taking those apartments.” Michelle gets up and storms away. Abner, “Where are you going?” Michelle, “I’m going to be with Jack! You cannot fucking stop me from visiting my brother!” Abner, “You should have your things ready to move by tomorrow evening.”

Joel, Shay, Abby, Isaiah, Asher, and Monique sit around, talking. Shay, “If David’s gonna be fucked up for a while, we need to be the ones to make a plan about what we’re gonna do next.” Abby, “I got a message for Laura, she wants to call Royal Council, but I know Abner will never let it go forward.” Shay, “Doesn’t he have to be confirmed?” Abby, “Only new monarchies have to be confirmed. David would have to be confirmed, but, as Silas’s chosen successor, Abner doesn’t. Either way, confirmation is about whether or not the other monarchs will recognize you. It has mostly to do with international relations and diplomacy rather than whether or not you actually get to be king.” Joel, “All we fuckin’ have to do is kill Abner.” Shay, “What about Reinhardt?” Abby, “Abner hasn’t named an official successor yet, Reinhardt doesn’t have a legal claim to the crown.” Joel, “So that means we need to kill Abner sooner rather than later.” Asher, “Then how are we gonna kill him?” Joel, “It only takes one person and one bullet. I say we send someone in to just start shooting.” Asher, “That would be a suicide mission. David has made our stance on those very, very clear. We only send people on missions they have a chance of getting out of.” Joel, “It’s one death versus the hundreds, if not thousands of lives we can save by ending the fight.” Asher, “That would make us no different than Alek Amal.” Joel, “It would make us plenty fuckin’ different from Alek Amal.” Asher, “Would you do it?” Joel, “Do what?” Asher, “Take on a suicide mission.” Joel, “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t willing to die. Besides, I’m Russian. I was born to storm a palace.” Shay, “You can’t do it, Joel, you’re too important.” Asher, “In the eyes of God, his life is no more important than that of any other soldier we would send out.” Isaiah, “We may not have to do any of that.” Everyone looks at him. He goes on, “I’ve been looking at drones. They’re capable of delivering a bomb from a remote location. Theoretically, we could use one to take out Abner.” Shay, “Are you fuckin’ serious?” Isaiah, “It’s not perfect. Unlike rockets, you can control them precisely, but, they’re slow. They’re big, and they make noise. It’s easy to see it coming. Also, I don’t know how to use a drone. I’d also have to do some engineering to make a release system that works the way I want it to. But I’m good at engineering.” Monique, “We’ve got plenty of places in Shiloh you can work from.” Isaiah, “There’s also the issue of not only getting the drone, but getting the right kind of drone.” Joel, “Iggy can get anything.” Isaiah, “If we can get one, I think we might be able to do it.” Asher, “It’s flawed, but this drone idea beats the hell out of a suicide mission. I say let’s get to work.”

At Andrew and Chloe’s apartment, there’s a knock at the door. Chloe answers. It’s Christine. Without saying anything, Chloe steps forward and hugs her. Christine, softly, “How are you, dear?” Chloe steps back, “I’m okay. Everything’s pretty crazy right now.” Christine enters the apartment, and looks around, “Where is Andrew?” Her eyes settle on an urn on the shelf, “WILLIAM CROSS.” He shoulders droop, and she sighs. Chloe, “Andrew’s been in his office. Sleeping there. I dunno what to do with him.” Christine, “Just be kind to him, that should be enough.” She goes down the hallway, and reaches the door of Andrew’s office. She knocks. There’s no answer. Undeterred, she opens the door. Andrew sits in a chair. He looks up at her, dispassionate, “Mother.” Christine, “Are you all right, Andrew?” Andrew, “I’m fine.” Christine, “You’re allowed to not be all right. Most people aren’t all right after their father dies.” Andrew, “I’m not ordinary.” Christine looks at him pityingly, “I’ll leave you alone, then, but please-” Andrew shoots her a furious glare. Christine, “Your father was a son of bitch who wasted his life obsessing over what was never his to begin with. I don’t want you to end up like him.” Andrew, “I don’t want to be king.” Christine sighs with relief, “You have no idea how happy that makes me,” She thinks for a moment, “You have a real opportunity here. You can throw it all off and become yourself, not just another link in the Cross family line. You don’t have to carry a family’s burden.” Andrew, “CrossGen is mine. It was stolen from me. Don’t try to pretend it wasn’t. I’m going to get it back. When Jack dies, I can make a bid.” Christine, “You know perfectly well that ownership will go to Michelle, and then Rose. Are you going to murder the rest of your family?” Andrew doesn’t say anything.

In their bedroom, Reinhardt lays morosely on his bed while Lydia gets ready for bed. Lydia, “You did very well today. You were there talking about plans and policy while Abner just kept rambling on about his best friend.” Reinhardt, distracted, “Yeah.” Lydia stands beside him, looking stunning in a slinky nightgown, “Caesar?” He looks at her. Lydia sits down by him, concerned, and puts a hand on his arm, “Are you all right?” Reinhardt, “Yeah, I just…” he sighs, “He was a father to me. I almost wish my actual dad were dead instead of him. It would be easier.” Lydia lays down next to him and snuggles close, “You’re going to carry on his legacy. You're as much his son as Jack, and you actually loved him.” Reinhardt stares at the ceiling.

Michelle sits doing homework in Jack’s hospital room. “Mr. Brightside” plays softly, and the walls are decorated with pictures of good times in the AFG. The door opens, and Dr. Hussein enters and sees Michelle, “You’ve chosen a good place to do med school homework.” Michelle, “I couldn’t be in the same building as Linus.” Dr. Hussein, “When you’re a resident, you’ll be wishing for something as easy as a massive stack of homework.” Michelle, “Can’t be harder than stopping a hemorrhage with bullets flying around my head.” Dr. Hussein grins, “Just wait until you’re pulling 24-hour shifts.” Michelle, “Bring it.” Dr. Hussein, “I’m just checking in on Jack before I end my shift.” Michelle, “Do you want me to turn the music off?” Dr. Hussein, “No, it’s fine.” Michelle, “I made a playlist for Jack. All the songs have stories behind them. This one in particular.” Dr. Hussein checks Jack’s pupils, “His pupil dilation is riiight where it needs to be. Do you want to see?” Michelle, “Sure.” She stands up and looks. Dr. Hussein shines her pen light in Jack’s eyes, “There’s no sluggishness at all. He’s recovering.” Michelle watches and starts to cry, “Shit! I am so fucking sick of crying! I never thought I’d cry watching my stupid fucking brother’s pupils dilate!” Dr. Hussein, “You can cry all you want, just remember to keep yourself hydrated.” Michelle sniffs, “I’ll do that.” Dr. Hussein, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Michelle, “See you.” Dr. Hussein leaves. Michelle sits back down, and resumes her homework. She writes down an answer, and then pauses and looks at Jack. An eyelid twitches subtly. Michelle stares hard for a moment, but then goes back to her homework. She writes an answer, and then looks back up. Jack’s eyelids twitch again. Michelle, softly, “Jack?” More twitching. Michelle puts her homework down, “Jack, can you hear me?” She turns the music off, and stands by Jack’s bed, “Can you open your eyes, Jack?” More twitching. Michelle, “Open your eyes, Jack. Come on, you can do it. I’m right here. Open your eyes.” Slowly, Jack’s eyes flutter open. Michelle gasps with elation, “Jack!” His eyes roll over and see her. Michelle laughs, “Hi!” She takes his hand, “Can you squeeze my hand?” Slowly, his fingers tighten around hers. Michelle laughs and sobs, “Oh my god, Jack!” He looks around the room. Michelle, “You’re in the hospital. You were shot, but you’re okay. You’re okay.” She leans down and kisses his cheek, “You’re okay.”

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