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spaceguybob · 4 years

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“A memory that remained” Housamo fanfiction Scenario - Ophion.

Tokyo After-school summoners. Fanfiction/scenario. "A memory that remained"

PREFACE - This Fanfiction is my personal love letter to the creators of the TAS game, their imagination and fantastic story telling. Especially to Ophion who is a amazing husband character and i thought his storytelling could use a bit more.

** That bizarre adventure was finally over with things seemingly back to normal. Both you and Seth laughed when you saw each other again this day, especially since you thought you may not see one another ever again. Faith has some odd twists and turns. But now, you were glad, able to finally relax. As much it was possible of course in the summer resort when you were surrounded by a gang of over-hyper friends chasing around the swimming pools, jumping into the water and causing general havoc. "Come on! If you don't get in the pool I'm going to bash you till you do!" Kengo yells impatiently from the water area but his words get blurred out by water sprays coming from Hanuman's water gun. Seth laughed in the background after seeing the scene, he and Shiro oddly found a common language together. Ganglie and Ryota snuck away to replenish the food supplies, and Toji and Moritaka were hiding in the shade debating something formally, perhaps it was sword fighting or training? Or just generally plotting revenge on Kengo for throwing both of them into the pool. Closing your eyes, sitting comfortably on the lounger you only want to drift away. The muscles still felt bruised and tired, although there is no physical sign of the experience you went through, the mind still thinks all the signs are there. Also, there are things you are still slowly processing. Especially one thing. There was a memory that kept creeping on you, almost every time you closed your eyes. It was hard to describe to be honest because memories have images and this one felt so distorted, it was a mix of colours, images, conversation and laugh, and most importantly music and a feeling. The last two things started following you in a pair, always. There is a melody you remember and a longing. Having been told multiple times that your rule has permanently cut you off from memories of your many lives past you have eventually accepted the fact that whatever the past was, it will have to stay in the past. Except for this one broken memory which felt like it was coming from a badly adjusted radio.

A sudden squirt of cold water pulled you sharply out of the depth of your mind. So sharply your whole body jerked up in surprise. “Undercover ninja attack!” Hanuman flashed his teeth from the edge of the pool waving his water gun at you. “Sleepy face gets a direct hit from the super water blaster 1000!” Kengo cheers with him jumping out of the pool heading in your direction fast.

“Sorry partner but you asked for it! I warned you” He grins rubbing his hands ready to grab your legs, but you are faster than him and swiftly turn around jumping off the lounger before he even tries, unexpectedly Kengo slips on a puddle of water created by Hanuman’s gun as he tried to outmanoeuvre you and ends up flat on the lounger waving his arms in panic. You can’t stop but laugh together with everyone else who was observing the scene. Kengo immediately tries to retaliate with a face red like a boiled lobster and chase you but he doesn’t have the stamina you have. Time and time again he tries grabbing you but with a swift zigzag, you outsmart him every time, having the rest of the gang cheer loudly with each of your successful escapes.

“Not fair partner! I’m barefoot!” Kengo huffs loudly.

“Like that stopped you before!” You shout in the air trying not to lose your path, still just to make sure you were far away, for only a split second you turned your head to see Kengo a meter behind, and he suddenly stopped with a surprised face and then – thump! Without knowing you run into something or someone solid feeling the air escapes your lungs as you sat down in shock.

Before you was Xolot standing still firm like a tree, unmoved. He looked down at you with an awkward, slightly fearful smile.

“Oh hi!” Then his expression changed as he realized what just happened. “Sorry! Sorry! It’s my fault I didn’t see you! Mistress Hakumen told me to find you and your friends I didn’t see you run. Are you ok? Sorry!” As you thought that nothing can beat the avalanche of his apologies a high pitched laugh pierced the air and immediately you closed your eyes in a grimace knowing Mistress Hakumen was incoming. Brace yourself you thought.

“Ohohoho! My darling Lucifuge why do you always assume I am up to no good? That’s so presumptuous of you! I’m but a flower pulled by the winds of never-ending emotion!”

“My dearest. You are a jelly fisher. One can have a conversation with you that seems all nice and friendly and sweet, then you suddenly feel like you've been stung with deadly poison, or end up locked in a prison, or even worse; without knowing what happened.” Lucifuge nervously giggled.

As you tried to sneak away back to your group Xolot extremely over-enthusiastically and loudly shouted: “Mistress Hakumen I have found him! You will be so happy I found him, Mistress! Yes!”

You felt as you were betrayed on the spot and couldn’t but grin covering your ears.

“Thanks for blowing my cover.”

“Oh sorry! Were you hiding? I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!” But, you couldn’t be angry at Xolot since he was always more than loyal to his mistress, even if it was in a very misguided and not very smart way. And so you braced hoping not to, again, become the object of their fights, and love arguments of these two.

“Milord! There you are! Oh!” Hakumen sang with her flirtatious voice toward you trying to hide behind Xolot, only for him to be shoved aside by her. “Move you idiot!” her songbird voice turned into a snarl. She still kept her flashy swimsuit on.

“I’m sorry! Mistress!” Xolot yelped putting down his ears.

Uhhh here we go, you think to yourself forcing a polite smile as they surround you from both sides.

“My fallen star! Don’t you just find it exhilarating here? My dearest remember, nothing succeeds like excess, well of everything! Maybe with one exception” Lucifuge glanced at Hakumen. You wondered how he wasn’t feeling hot in his flamboyant clothes where everyone else was practically half-naked.

Hakumen snarled slightly in response. “What does that supposed to mean Lucifuge, you half-jelly devil! I have not spared any excess to make this place perfect for my beloved Milord! Don’t you think my bellowed? I know it is so because you enjoyed it so far! Ah, the adventure we prepared for you! And the excitement you had! Ohohoho! There will be more!” She flutters her eyes to you.

“It’s fascinating my bellowed fallen star how Mistress Hakumen can turn any offence into a half baked compliment.”

“It wasn’t?”

“I must have said it wrong.”

“Maybe you should try it too Lucifuge. It would save us so many awkward situations when you behave like you swallowed a toad. Some aristocrat you are.”

Lucifuge looked genuinely hurt and shocked. “Mistress Hakumen, is this your new tactic now? Slander me in front of my divine lord! The beautiful star I wish to capture?! How low of you!”

You can feel like their argument and bickering is getting more intensive every second, completely ignoring your existence which oddly is a relief although you still didn’t even manage to say hello to anyone.

“I would never! Not in front of my beloved milord! For him, I’m a precious flower and I-”

She gets interrupted by the very familiar beaming voice that towers everything and everyone.

“I do hope I am interrupting something! What are you two arguing about now? Isn’t there enough scheming and plotting you caused recently?” Ophion towers above the pair, behind him Aizen marches with his ever-odd military precision and an angry look. You are sure he is judging every square inch of the summer resort and thinking of ways of purifying it from the filth.

Then Ophion saw you and skillfully moved himself in front of the arguing couple.

“My bellowed flower, my world, I heard what this vixen has done. Are you Alright? I should have known she cannot be left without a proper supervisor, as this may end up in another unplanned adventure as she calls them only to vow you into her claws.”

“That’s outrageous!” Hakumen squealed behind him but Ophion stopped her with his arm.

“Silence! Is it not another of your plans? Whenever my spouse is involved you always have a scheme ready. You twisted fox, you have schemes within schemes within schemes!”

“No need for such excessive complaints my dear! My beloved milord already knows his mistress is a genius among her peers!”. Now all three began arguing. It was fun to watch initially but it always becomes tiresome after a while. Especially with Aizen giving you murderous looks.

But the fact was, the moment Ophion showed himself you felt something change. It was that scrambled memory that keeps haunting you. Unsurely if it was the memory or yourself, or both your attitude changed towards Ophion. Yes, he was too much, but what can be expected of millennia-old god dragon that created life – or so he claims. And although it was extremely embarrassing for you to hear him proclaim his love to you every single time so loudly everyone within half a mile could hear, it was also cute. But, was it you or this memory. You couldn’t hear the music anymore, but there was something you decided to do during those nights you spent on the desert with Seth, Hanuman and Ganglie. You decided to gift that one memory to him.

Now only if you could get their attention.

“Hey everyone -!” But they were too occupied in arguing. Well, since nobody is paying attention, you though there is only one way. Next to where you were standing, on one of the loungers, there was a water gun, one of many that were left around the pool for the enjoyment of the guests. So you thought – Let’s see how they like a cold shower.

Their expression was priceless when you squired water around. The bickering stopped immediately and everyone looked just at you!

“Now since everyone is back to planet earth.”

“My dearest milord how could you!” Hakumen cried in shock.

“How undignified! I need a change of clothes!” Lucifuge complained. But Ophion didn’t say anything only piercing you with a highly amused look, you flashed his teeth to him winking innocently.

“How dare you! Have you no brain! Look what have you done to Sir Ophion’s clothes!” Aizen suddenly roared.

“Aizen, you need to stop this!” Ophion waved his hand annoyed at the man.

“Well, if the only way for You to stop arguing about nonsense was me squirting all over you then, I’ll gladly do it again!” You grin at the trio.

“Ohoho the wordplay! My darling milord, you make me blush! Ohohohoh I want to hear more! Please don’t stop!”

“Lady Hakumen, must you want him only for yourself all the time! Such lack of dignity eh!” Lucifuge complained loudly, messing about with his wet shirt. “No, no, no this will not do! I cannot be seen in such an imperfect, undignified outfit” He mumbled to himself and turned on a heel and walked away ignoring everyone.

“My darling spouse is absolutely right. How shameful of us, concentrating on tiny squabbles. Please forgive me, my beloved. “ Ophion steps in front of them closer to you, only to have Hakumen overtake his position pushing him away with her elbow.

“Hmpf! Speak for yourself lizard! There is nothing tiny about us!” She envelopes the curves of her body with her hands. “Mistress Hakumen is all about beauty and grandeur! We go big or not at all! We love or we fall! My milord must know this! He needs to know at all cost how I love him!” You could feel your face getting hot from embarrassment as Hakumen was performing her little dance around you, touching your shoulders and hips in an unwanted way.

“Ha! Pick your words and actions carefully fox-woman! You shall not touch what is not yours!” Ophion’s voice roars in the air.

“Lady Hakumen! Have you no shame! I shall not tolerate frivolous behaviour like this polluting our guests! Especially with this one!” Aizen adds after Ophion glaring at her with fire in his eyes.

With a heavy sight, you can see them start again.

“Lady Hakumen, Xolot mentioned you were looking for me?” The security therion moved his ears and grinned happily as he heard you mention his name.

“Oh, oh! Indeed my beloved milord! How could I get my mind clouded so much by this stupid debate!” Hakumen put on another singing performance. “We, wish in our grace, to invite you to an evening concerto today evening. Of course, you are welcome to bring your friends with you. Just make sure milord they like such events. We only want to make you happy! It won’t be your typical music show, however, ohohoho! Oh no, no, no! There will be a live performance and all guests will receive pillows and drinks or food for their leisure! It will be performed here in the resort and it will be marvellous!”

It sounded fantastic to you since, at least you think, you enjoyed music, saying you think only because with the lack of memories it’s hard to know if you ever heard a live concert. But always enjoyed listening to different radio stations whenever given the chance and craved the occasion to listen it live.

“I would love to!” You say eagerly without hesitation.

“You would, my beloved spouse?” Ophion jumps into the conversation.

“Yes, I never listened to the music being performed live. Or at least I don’t think I did.”

“Ohohohoho! Milord, you please me gratefully! Oh, so many preparations need to be made before tonight! Now my darling run along and let your friends know and leave everything in my hands!”

“My darling spouse, my beloved jewel of the skies, if you are attending so shall I! I will reserve us the best spot and the most luxurious of seating for your comfort!” Ophion shakes in excitement. “I, your husband, delight in well-played instruments!”.

“Not in a million years!” Hakumen snarls. “I won’t let you steal and hurdle him only for yourself!”

Aizen who kept quiet jumps straight into the conversation. “Ophion, sir! I beg you to rethink! This is absurd. You cannot waste your precious, glorious time on such idiotic whims!”

“Nonsense!”Ophion shrugs Aizen’s words away. “I have but all of the eternal time for whims that will please my beloved spouse!”

“Ophion… could I- Could I talk to you for a second? Please?” And so you said it loudly for the first time, unsure if it was best left alone, but you can’t just let it drill a hole in your brain.

“Absolutely not! You shall not pollute my lord's mind with your absurd ideas!” Aizen roared angrily pulling his whip. You were sure that one day the blood vessels in his eyes will rapture spectacularly.

“Silence!” Ophion snapped at Aizen that immediately shrunk within himself in fear. Then looked directly at you with an intense stare, so intense it could only rival the one you remember from when you first saw his younger incarnation that recognized the piece of the soul of his wife within you. “My dearest, my beloved, I am all yours! Please tell me what it is!”

“Uhmm..” You suddenly lost your courage having everyone, especially Ophion look directly at you. It was definitely harder than all of the scenarios you run in your mind before, and even harder when you had to ignore Lady Hakumen scowls and angry grimaces of her theatrical sobs just now. “Can we talk somewhere in private?” After saying that you did expect Aizen to come out with another snotty comment but the last reprimand hit hard on his ego.

“Ha! All these moments I have waited for such a request! Oh, everything of this world! Your Ophion shall give you as much time as you want! Let us find ourselves a quiet place and talk my love!” The golden dragon leads you to a fairly empty bungalow just a few steps away from where you stood. You don’t even want to look back at Lady Hakumen, because her theatrics are just too much. Both her and Aizen are probably burning a hole in the back of your head right now.

“Look here my beloved, shall we step in and hide from the prying ears of the world.” The inside of the bungalow is quite narrow and you are surprised Ophion manages to go inside at all for his massive posture. He is after all much higher than any human, with his wings and long tail and massive physique. But without thinking you follow and close the door.

“Ah, my beloved! I cannot contain my happiness! Please tell me what burdens your heart and mind! My flower of the skies I want to know everything.” Ophion’s voice boomed so loudly you were absolutely sure anyone outside could hear him. And you were also sure the walls had ears, so without thinking you lifted a finger to your lips. The golden dragon looked at you curiously with a smile and a playful wink.

“Are you sure this room isn’t too small for you?” You then said in a low voice. He did look a bit uncomfortable. “It would have been better if You sat on the floor I think.”

“My dearest spouse, I do not care about such trivial problems! The closer I am to you the happier I am but I shall follow your request. The roof of this place is painful for my wings.” Ophion answered and slowly sat down. It felt as he was sitting in a dolls house. “Now, my dearest, please tell me, is everything alright.” But you heard a creak just outside and were sure somebody was listening. The last thing you needed.

“I think somebody is trying to listen so I’ll have to whisper to your ear if that’s OK.” You say casually to Ophion. The dragon turns his head curiously and looks around. But as you think how you can whisper to him you realize how big his stature is. “I’m sorry but I will have to climb on top of you!” You whisper again oblivious about what you just said.

“My dearest! Those words! I can’t believe this wonderful day!”

“That’s not what I mean – ah!” You try your best to reach to his ears, especially since Ophion doesn’t seem to want to help you and without realizing you place your hands on his bare arm. And then it shocks you.

“Ah!” There is a quiet gasp that leaves your mouth

"Is everything alright my darling? My jewel! Are my scales to tough for you?"

"No... No... You are very warm." You leave your hand on his arm and then another on his shoulder for a few seconds.

"I don't think I've ever touched you but it is like I know how it feels all along."

Ophion glances at you with his dark amber red eyes with intensity for a few moments.

"And how does it feel my darling spouse. Is this body of the godly dragon wonderful? Please give me, your beloved husband an answer, my jewel." When Ophion isn't screaming to the whole world his voice is surprisingly husky.

You hesitate not knowing what to say but you don't remove your hands just looking at him.

"There is something I'd like to give you. I have... I've been remembering something and I thought you should have it. As a gift." You whisper closely to his years. " And I don't want others to know because... Because I would like to keep it between us only."

You feel Ophion's hand on your back, you think he was trying to help you keep balance but... Well, this feels really embarrassing and your heart is pounding. This is definitely too much for one encounter, especially since nothing is going as you imagined it. This is harder than fighting. Why does it have to be harder than fighting?

"My beloved, oh how adorable you look blushing like that. Oh my jewel, I'm at a loss for words. Do you have a gift of memory for me? For me? Your husband? Through the cosmos, I knew this day would come. I shall empty my whole calendar for you, my beloved spouse. Will this be a romantic encounter? I shall ask for dinner to be prepared! "

"No... No... Can it just be two of us? Nothing special, no dinner. I'll bring something with me. Will that be ok?" Gods you feel so embarrassed and it feels Ophion grew in size since you asked him. Not sure if it's because he is so proud of himself or excited or both, proud and excited, which reminded you.

"Please, don't go telling everyone."

"Ah, my beloved jewel, why do you think I would do such a thing?" Ophion protested quietly.

"Because you would want everyone to know how proud you are, and to make Lucifuge and Hakumen jealous and angry." You point out.

"My beloved, your words are so hurtful, however true. I would take great pleasure in making, especially that fox woman, jealous as you say. Her scheming is always troublesome." Ophion grimaced and then smiled towards you sticking his tongue out the way he always would. You both spend a moment in this odd silence. Your hand on his arm and shoulder leaning towards his head, Ophion's hand holding your back. You feeling his touch on your bare skin. His dark amber red eyes piercing through you with an intensity you haven't seen before.

"Sir Ophion! My lord! Please I beg you, enough of this. This is inappropriate! This situation should cease immediately!" You hear Aizen's voice coming loudly from behind the door.

You think of moving but Ophion's hand remains still holding you.

"My beloved jewel, I made a promise to shower you with my love for every day I have missed you from my lonely existence from when you have fallen into the sea forcibly. This short encounter, my beloved, has given me so much joy I struggle to express it with words. I... This young Ophion is stunned. You may think my beloved treasure, that I'm rash, and juvenile. But for one like me who lost so much and lived lonely in different worlds, I learned to treasure every moment. That's why my darling spouse, my heart's shouts so much whenever I'm with you. Please don't think any less of this godly husband of yours because of that."

You could hear a commotion outside.

"I... Think...I missed you." You say quietly embarrassed. Ophion closes his eyes with a smile and as your words were a magic spell his grip loosens letting you go.

"I will see you tonight before the concerto, yes my darling? Will that be suitable for you? And then tomorrow? Yes? My beloved?"

You nod in response. Suddenly the door bars wide open.

"My precious fallen star! Others have told me you were her-!" Lucifuge barges straight in completely oblivious he was set up probably by Lady Hakumen. He stops mid-word once he saw both you and Ophion and his face struck with panic and shocked grimace.

"Oh, gods this is so embarrassing." You back away from Ophion who pierces Lucifuge with a deadly stare and very, very quickly excuse yourself and leave both of them who just started their typical arguments.

"What do you mean you don't want to come with me? Come on? Nobody?" You cry annoyed hearing all of the gang decline your request.

"Kengo?"

"I'm sorry partner but I have a training session with Moritaka. Besides, I'm very into music and all sorts. Maybe if it's a fighting club or something. And we can join in!" He clasps his hands.

"I can't believe you are even thinking of asking this meathead. He doesn't know the difference between a drum and a cello if he saw one." Shiro huffs unimpressed. "Had I known earlier, and I mean days earlier I could have made different plans but this is too late of notice."

"I understand Shiro." You say resigned. "How about you Tsathoggua?"

"No!" He yells back at you from the gaming console.

"But-!"

"Nope! I mean there will be too many people there, and Hakumen and the rest. I just want a peaceful evening, yeah?"

You roll your eyes looking around the room.

"Ryota? Come on, please!"

"I would like to, but I've made plans to see Maria earlier so I can't. What's the problem anyway? Just go and enjoy yourself."

"Certainly, it will be a good, new experience for you and you can tell us everything about it. Just make sure you are back in time, yes? Keep me noticed about everything?" Shiro reminds you with a stricter tone.

"That goes to all of you. Not just our Guild Master!" He roars across the room.

"Sure dad" Kengo grins and quickly slips out of the room before Shiro reacts.

"Right, you all have fun. I wanted to see Mr Mononobe and ask him for a favour."

"Enjoy the music" Ryota's voice follows you as you leave.

"Thanks!" You stick your head back through the door with a grin.

Mr Mononobe wasn't the easiest to find but eventually, you spotted him during his round checking classrooms.

"Hello, Mr Mononobe. I hope you are well." You start politely.

"Ahhh. Hello, young one. Are you not getting ready to enjoy the weekend? I can see you have been spending a lot of time outdoors, the sun has definitely left a mark on you."

"It's just too hot to stay indoors if you don't have to. Can I ask you a favour Mr Mononobe?"

"Sure, let's hear it. I can't promise anything though." He smiles gently looking at you with his typical fatherly look.

"Can I borrow the star projector from the astronomy classroom for a day or two? There is a... project thing... I'd like to use it for."

"Project thing you say?" He measures you up with his look for a few seconds thinking. " Well, I can't see no harm in it. We do have more than one in the inventory, so I'm happy for you to borrow it as long as you return it in the same condition you took it." Mr Mononobe says, but then seeing you smile adds "But, in return, I'd like you to help Shiro out with his duties for the next week after that, yes? Fair deal?"

It sounded more than fair to you, especially since in your mind you imagined it going much less smooth.

"Thank you so much Mr Mononobe. You are the best!" You add with a smile.

"Everything for my students." He ruffles your hair flashing his teeth for a second then walks away to finish his duties.

Realising what's the hour you run back to your dorm room, but something catches your eye. On a wall within the main building was a painting, which you never noticed before. Thinking it through you realise it must have just been hang since you are absolutely sure it wasn't here before. The painting, presented in brilliant colours and detail a scene where a huge wave of water covers what looks to be Japan. With a red torii in its right lower corner and there a medieval warrior with a golden shield and what looked like a ghost of a woman.

Struck by the beauty of the painting and how unusual it was you remain in the hallway for a few minutes only to hear a familiar voice.

"Sheesh! It's so hard finding you! Hanuman gasps wildly, he must have been running all over the place trying to find you.

"I'm sorry. I was just on my way back to my room and got sidetracked". You reply.

Hanuman just gesticulates at you silently, clutching his knees and trying to catch a breath. Then he produces three envelopes and waves them in front of your face.

"Those came for you just now..."

You take the envelopes from him, all of them came from the Roppongi guild.

"Listen, Hanuman don't you want to go with-" You start saying but when you lift your head to look at him he is already running away.

"Sorry gotta go!" You can't stop yourself from making a sour face.

It's a bit off to receive three different envelopes from them, but you have a feeling you know what they are.

The first one containing a card that's so heavily soaked with perfumes you started sneezing. It's from Lady Hakumen who praises you in a million different ways and invites you to join her in her private pavilion for the concerto.

The second envelope contained a card that's full to the brink with gold leaves and very elaborate writing. You must admit the way the words were written is quite beautiful. It's from Lucifuge who also invites you to his private pavilion and to enjoy his company.

Holding the third envelope you are absolutely sure whom it's from and you feel a small tingling sensation when you open it and take the card which says: My dear friend. Would you like to join me today evening for tea before the concerto? I'm looking forward to seeing you. Licht

You read a few times, surprised and immediately make a decision as you haven't seen or talked to the Roppongi guild master in a while and thought it would be a nice change. At the same time, you feel just a small amount of disappointment you haven't received a card from Ophion. Quickly shaking that thought off, your return to your room and change. Thinking on your feet about what to wear you decide to put on a light yukata haori with a white upper part and a black lower one, hoping it's going to be presentable for the concerto. It looks good you think and leave. Glad about your choice you head towards Roppongi. Because of how light your clothes feel the summer heat doesn't bother you much anymore, still, the air feels heavy this evening.

After a while, you reach the resort. Surprised you noticed Melusine.

"Hi, Melusine" you say approaching her.

"Good evening, young milord. I'm happy to see you." She bows slightly, so wearing a summer yukata in pastel colours.

"Did Licht send you to meet me?" You ask thinking you already know the answer.

"Indeed, Monsieur Licht asked me to show you to the pavilion and prepare tea for you." She answers and you start walking together slowly.

"That's very kind of him. We haven't spoken in a while, it will be so good to catch up. Is everything ok with you? "

Melusine seems a bit distracted and before she can answer a stranger runs up to you. She stops suddenly and immediately steps in front of you as if she is trying to protect you.

"Is it him! Is it the one everyone is talking?! Is it the one Mistress Hakumen mentioned? The one who's soul contains souls of others?!" Melusine stops him before he can even get near to you.

"I'm sorry but I won't allow such behaviour around young milord, he is a guest here and under my protection!" Her voice changes slightly, becoming less friendly, not yet threatening.

The man stops but there is an odd uncontrollable craze in the way he talks and moves.

"Melusine it's ok." You feel like you should help him if you can. "Can I do something for you?" You ask stepping forward, finally able to look in his face.

His crazy eyes search for something within your face for a few seconds and then... His whole body shrivels down, like life and all hope has left him.

"I... I... I'm sorry. I thought you may be her... I thought... I'm sorry." The man apologies in a shaking stream of words and leaves.

Melusine doesn't say a word and both of you resume your walk. When you get to the concerto venue you can see there is plenty of sitting space for everyone with a multitude of comfy pillows in from of a large stage and a few smaller ones. All this from three sides is enclosed by three private pavilions that let you hide from the public eyes but still enjoy the music and the atmosphere.

"Monsieur Licht had some guests earlier so do not be surprised by the decoration" Melusine adds softly as she opens the door for you and you stop in the doorway speechless. The pavilion it's filled to the brink with the most delicate orchid flowers in gentle pastel colours, their sweet fragrance seeping into the evening air. Like a child, you wander around with an obscene smile touching the flowers and smelling them.

"This is... This..." You start but Melusine finishes for you with a rare mysterious smile.

"This is amazing? Please have a seat-" she points at pillows and seats and a coffee table "I will bring the drink and... Monsieur Licht should be here shortly."

Before she disappears you ask.

"Melusine, that man we met, who was that?" There was something about him that felt familiar and made you sad.

She stops with a sad look on her face.

"That was Orpheus, he is one of the artists that's going to perform tonight. Beyond that, I can't say I know more." You thank her for this and Melusine leaves you alone. Yet within a few seconds you couldn't but get up to explore the room and the beautiful flowers and their shapes. You heard shushed voices thinking it must be Licht and returned to looking at the flowers. Some of them were small and looked like butterflies in dozens on a single spike, where others were easily the size of the palm of your hand with long pendulous garlands. They were just beautiful, and you struggled to find and other words to describe it. What Licht was thinking you had no idea, and what guest he had earlier but this went beyond your wildest dreams. And then you thought maybe, just maybe it was for Melusine knowing their history.

"My dearest, beloved jewel." That voice.

You turn around only to see Ophion standing in the entrance where Melusine disappeared. He was wearing a white and gold yukata that lightly enveloped his body, uncovering a lot of his imposing, muscular stature. His wings spread only slightly as he wanted to make sure you won't run away. "What do you think, my wonderful spouse? Has your husband surprised you? This is a beautiful, delicate trap I have prepared for you."

"I have walked straight into this one, haven't I" You agree defeated, it was never an option you thought about. You had to admit you felt flattered.

"Of course, my beloved, my light that fills the darkness. This young Ophion, although not as experienced in strategy or tactics as my elder self, has unprecedented knowledge of what may please your heart. And if I know, I will spend every moment to find out! Hahaha!" Ophion laughs triumphantly.

"I can't believe Licht would trick me..." You ponder amused.

"Oh, my darling flower, do not hold this against our Guild Master. I have merely asked him for a... favour, which he was happy to oblige. Because of this nobody shall interrupt us if we don't want it. My beloved, I planned this just for you, we have so very few moments together alone... " He opens his arms wide invitingly but behind him appears Melusine with a bow and quietly excusing herself.

"Ophion, sir. Please forgive me the intrusion, I have brought the requested refreshments."

Ophion only nods looking at her nonchalantly and let's her prepare the table, after that she retreats bowing slightly again and sending you a brief smile.

"I..." You start."The flowers are beautiful... I've never seen anything like this before." You add to him. You are embarrassed, especially that you let yourself get into a trap as beautiful like this. Especially when you feel really flattered and there is a lot of thoughts rampaging around your head.

Ophion laughs triumphantly "These are merely a shadow to your beauty my darling, but it warms my heart knowing you like this little trap I have made. Shall we rest?" He extends his hand to you. "Do not be afraid, we won't be interrupted by anyone. I made sure of that."

You sit down and offer to fill his glass with a cold juice which he accepts with a warm smile towards you. But you notice, not for the first time there is an odd flame in Ophion's eyes, and now it hits you, it's somehow similar to the one you saw in the man you met earlier, Orpheus.

"There was something strange that happened today." You start hesitantly. "A man approached me and Melusine, he seemed... Troubled... Very, troubled and sad. He wanted to meet me, he seemed desperate, having his hopes high up and once he did he seemed... Disappointed. Like he lost all hope."

Ophion listed in silence but you could see he wasn't too pleased yet you continued.

"Melusine said his name is Orpheus, and I was... Concerned. "

A few moments passed before the golden dragon finally responded.

"My beloved spouse, I know the man of whom you speak. He is a fool. A poor fool, but a fool nonetheless and there is nothing you can do for him. He brought his fate on him himself."

But not being too happy with such a puzzling answer you decided to push on being honest about what you realized.

"There is a look in your eyes, the Old Ophion was very similar to him." You say slowly trying to pick the gentlest of words. Ophion ponders for a moment with a stone expression and then extends his hand to you inviting to sit closer to him.

"My darling spouse, this what you speak of, is the experience of loss." You hesitantly accept the invitation and sit next to Ophion, feeling the warmth of his skin. "Let me tell you a story of Orpheus, the fool as he is."

"Orpheus was born with a talent of music he was and always will be a singer, musician and poet, carrying a magnificent lyre on his shoulder able to enchant god, man or beast with his music, he had recently proposed to Eurydice whom he loved with all of his heart and beyond, but on the day of their wedding, ‘in the very bloom of her life’, she was bitten by a viper and died of its venom. Distraught with such grief, Orpheus fell into madness and wandered the earth looking for a way to bring his wife back to life. He wondered day and night until he finally found the entrance into the underworld and descended into the fiery pits of hell itself, determined to restore her to mortality. Nothing could stop his brave loving heart. He finally pleaded with Hades the god of the dead and Persephone for his wife's return, and his courage, devotion and eloquence ‘melted the hearts of the gods and the denizens of the underworld, and all fell silent’. Even Cerberus, the fierce three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hell, lies meekly at Persephone's feet.

The gods agreed to Eurydice’s return: Persephone especially sympathetic as she recalled her own forceful abduction by Hades. The only requirement was that Orpheus would not glance back at Eurydice until she was safely ensconced in the upper world. If he broke his word, she would be lost forever into Hell and there would be no changing the god's mind this time.

Orpheus agreed with the loving lightness in his heart and both him and Eurydice depart the underworld, him in the front paving the way for them, she quietly behind him stepping softly. However, Orpheus as emotionally tormented he was through all this time, with the creeping madness slowly started doubting and struggling to look ahead soon the deities have consented to her return. Throughout the underworld, the lovers ascended a steep and misty path and, as they neared the earth’s rim, Eurydice hasn't spoken a word in fear of what the gods may make of it snd anxious Orpheus began to shake inside of his soul. "What if they lied to me and this is but a trick, a joke of the gods. What if this is not my beloved Eurydice but some monstrous wickedness." These were the thoughts in his head. His mind fought with his heart. And just as they approached the exit from the underworld, just as the morning light shone in front of them through the dark gate, the fool Orpheus looked behind thinking "We are almost here. It won't hurt and I must know. My heart must know! He looked for his bride, and as he did he saw her gentle face her loving lips and eyes filled with fear when their gaze met. Eurydice immediately fell in pain and only managed to whisper a final farewell before being taken by a deathly shadow that dragged her into to the dying place. A godly force punched Orpheus out of the underworld and the gates shut before him and disappeared. He cried, pleaded and begged but no one would listen to him and after many days and nights broken Orpheus began to wonder again the world playing his music, with a mind of madness and a heartbroken beyond repair. Somehow he found his way here to this world my beloved spouse, and he hopes, maybe, maybe his wife was reborn in a different form. " Ophion finished his story with half-closed eyes, being so engulfed in his voice you didn't even notice when the music started and it must have been playing for quite a while now. "There is something we share, your Ophion and the fool Orpheus, we both lost our beloved, forcibly taken away by the world. You have seen my elder self, who was beyond help with his heart darkened and madness in his mind. This is why my dearest, my glittering jewel, I promised to gift you my love, my passion, with my whole self every day. This Ophion has finally found you!"

He finishes with a strange note in his voice. You think you finally understand, both what Orpheus and Ophion went through, it's different yet so similar. Remembering how much it took for the elder Ophion to snap out of his destructive madness. What loneliness and sorrow must have driven him to such a state. Looking for words to say you realise that through the story Ophion was slowly using the fact you were so enthralled into his tale to get closer to you. Both his large hand and wing were wrapped around you as he was laying on his side stretched across the floor with your body naturally using him as back support. He was surprisingly gentle.

"They say we are all fools when we are in love." You say finally.

Ophion laughs delighted, his ego right now must be beaming knowing he has you where he wanted, and willing to accept his advances.

"Indeed my beloved spouse, indeed we are. But let this golden dragon tell you who knows many stories, in my millennia-long life I learned it's what you do every day about your love that matters."

You then thought to yourself well what if you are a bit of a child and a coward. Fighting is definitely easier than talking about one's feeling, even Shiro's knowledge tests are easier than... Ok just breathe. You look around the pavilion, the sun slowly setting down painted the inside in crimson and amber shades. Shades elongated everywhere and within them Ophion's burning eyes and the music in the air.

"My darling starlight, beloved spouse, you are so beautiful today, this husband of yours cannot take his eyes off you. Had I known it would be so easy to capture you in this beautiful trap of my devotion I would have done it a long time ago. "Ophion says caressing your shoulder with his arm.

"I wasn't expecting tonight to be like this, you are correct, but everything else after was because I wanted it to happen..." You say turning your head away, but Ophion's lures your gaze back at him by placing his fingers along your chin.

"Is that so, my beloved spouse? Has this husband of yours made you happy?" His voice lowers to a grumble.

"I can't confirm or deny because I'm worried you may want to tell everyone gathered here." You tease lightly.

"Bwahahahaha" Ophion laughs amused. "My beloved, always so feisty, always know how to keep your husband on your toes. How you turn my words against me my jewel in a delightful skirmish."

You close your eyes with an amused smile, having to admit this evening had turned so much better than you could have ever expected.

"Could you tell me another story? Something about heroes, or how the stars were created." You ask, Ophion seems to have a talent for telling captivating tales, or maybe it's because he tells them to you. The golden dragon smiles mysteriously sticking his tongue out.

"Ah, my beloved spouse, you want another story? But where is there a reward for your dearest husband? I have gifted you one tale of the past already. This dearest Ophion of yours should ask for something in return. All stories are of value." He says still smiling mischievously. But before he can make his loving demands you stop him.

"What about if... Umm... If I move closer." You say trying to move your body but Ophion's arm already pulls you towards him.

"Closer you say, my beloved? I'm not sure if this husband of yours can accept such a payment" He murmurs amused.

"Closer..." You reply with a laugh feeling his arm move you further.

"Perhaps... This Ophion can agree to such a delightful agreement, but I'm not..." He continues pressing on your arm, you can feel the pillow you are sitting on moving.

"Just shut up and embrace me" You laugh finally in response and with these words you can feel his huge figure move suddenly, his large strong arms find their way under your own wrapping themselves around your chest. You are glad for your light clothes because of the heat emanating from his body, feeling the stone-hard musculature touch your back.

"This Ophion has finally captured the most beautiful pray in his delightful trap." He says into your ears.

"A pray would only allow such a thing if they wanted to be caught." You answer him with a strongly beating heart, feeling that Ophion will not let you go that easily tonight.

"My beloved spouse, you... You... hahaha I have fallen in my own trap! You make this Ophion's heart so happy, I can feel my body trembling." There was a shiver that travelled across his arms as he spoke, his words rumbling in your ears. "I shall grant your request, my beloved, my jewel in the skies, let me tell you a story of a war between two cities and a woman who caused it all..." As he spoke his voice mixed with the music in the air that evening.

You slept well this night after you returned from the event. Ophion purposely extended his story almost making you late for the school curfew. But you didn't mind at all.

This night you experience a dream, very different from the calm ones you seemed to have. Before you would see beautiful, serene scenery, hear a piece of gentle music that you taught yourself to replicate and a gentle song. What you remember most was a pair of gentle amber-red eyes following your every move.

This nights dream was different. You found yourself on a beach overlooking a vast dark ocean covered in thick clouds. A bright fiery light cut through these lights like and hit the ocean like a projectile of fire only to vanish under the waves momentarily. The clouds opened only for a second for you to see a tall mountain. Everything started to shake, the ground moving violently and suddenly the mountain top exploded ravaged by bright, angry flames sending massive pieces of rock everywhere. As you cover your eyes and duck you see a tremendous, angry wave approaches the coast growing bigger and bigger. The ground doesn't stop shaking.

You wake up suddenly only to realize the shaking hasn't stopped and an alarm is resonating through the school. Slightly panicked you look around, furniture creaking and moving. Right now you should be making sure you were looking for cover and sticking to the disaster prevention and Safety protocol, but instead struggling to keep your balance you throw on your clothes and run out to make sure your friends are safe.

Not long after you see Kengo and Moritaka half crouched trying to hold their balance.

"Kengo! Moritaka! You are ok!" You shout running towards them

"You idiot! What are you doing here? It's dangerous!"

"Indeed my friend, you should not be exposing yourself to any dangers like that. Earthquakes are not something we can control with sacred artefacts."

"Oh? And I thought you just bashed Kengo's head hard enough the ground started shaking." Suddenly you hear Shiro, he was walking slowly toward you. "You shouldn't be looking for trouble in a situation like this!" He adds angrily.

"Same goes to you!" You respond quickly.

"It's my duty to make sure everyone is safe!" Shiro huffs unimpressed.

"I have to make sure my friends are safe. Where is Ryota? Did you see Hanuman?" You flash a challenging grin towards Shiro. His frow disappears hearing your words replaced by embarrassment.

"Ryota stayed over at the Aoyama yesterday, he called me asking for permission. "

"Hanuman was in training with us but left earlier, he said he was starving. I'm sure he will be fine..." Moritaka responded to your questions and halfway through the shaking eased down and stopped. Everyone was waiting in silence but the quake didn't return.

"Mr Jin there they are" You recognised Toji's voice.

"My students! My beloved students are you alright?! Is everyone safe".

"I'm so glad we found you!" Hanuman jumps all over the place happy as you slowly get up, lending your hand to Kengo, who is unimaginably heavy.

"You really need to cut down on chocolate." You say after he is up.

"Oi! Cut it out. It train really hard!" He protests with a fake anger outburst.

"Hey, why is everyone here," Toji asks. "Hanuman only said about Kengo and Moritaka, not you two."

"I had to make sure my friends are alright. Shiro did the same."

"I'm so glad you all are safe!" Mr Jin laughed and suddenly stopped. "What did you say?! You were ignoring the obvious dangerous situation?! "His angry roar could be heard from everywhere and it attracted the attention of Mr Mononobe who together with the other teachers was making sure everyone is ok and there is no structural damage to the school.

"Mr Jin, what is this shouting? Are the students alright?" Mr Mononobe was walking very with a serious face. He must have been incredibly worried and stressed.

"No, no, no Mr Mononobe. All of our beloved students are fine, except these two who blatantly ignored the crisis of the situation." Mr Jin talks very fast giving both you and Shiro an unpleasant, angry look.

"How do? What have they done." Mr Mononobe forces himself to be calm narrowing his eyes at both of you. Shiro's face went pale but you decided to take the blame even if there was nothing wrong about what you have done.

"Mr Jin, Mr Mononobe. We have only left the safety of our rooms to make sure our friends and anyone who may be in trouble is safe." You straighten up without letting the teacher speak. Mr Jin huff loudly surprised.

Mr Mononobe considers his words for a few seconds, his frow eases down.

"What if you helping others would put you in direct danger? Have you thought about that?" He asks you.

"It won't matter as long as we can help them." Shiro jumps in the conversation.

"That's right." You agree.

Mr Mononobe closes his eyes and nods slowly.

"It's ok Mr Jin, those kids have their heads and hearts in the right place. Now stop standing around and go help! "

Quickly the whole gang scatters around the school to help the teachers and other students. Your whole morning passes in a new busy routine, checking the news and listening to your elders to make sure everything is going to be fine. The earthquake was classified as an isolated tremor that came from the land, with no predicted aftershocks. The city didn't experience any problems or damage except some broken furniture and unfortunate accidents that were treated in the hospital right now. It seems everything was back to normal.

Having the chance to relax you pick up the projector from the inventory and send Melusine a polite message asking her for a favour explaining you would need something transported to Ophion tower, small personal items. Only if she wouldn't mind. Shortly after Melusine answers, she would be happy to help and she will meet you shortly at the school.

Gathering your thoughts you return to your room. You look at a guitar that stands hidden in the corner. So far you managed to keep it away from your friends, especially Kengo, as you were worried he would break it by just touching it with his large, clumsy hands.

When the dreams started, the memory a few weeks back you could hear a melody. Initially, it was all scrambled up, just like everything was in reverse or through a badly adjusted radio. You couldn't make sense of anything. But then you started concentrating on one thing, the melody and each time it was clearer and clearer. Then one day, on a whim perhaps you thought, this melody shouldn't be hard to replicate, and being able to play it yourself could help with understanding the memory.

Thus you found a music shop, that stored all kinds of instruments, from drum and percussion kits to electric guitars and pianos. A very slim transient feline covered with many colourful patches of fur welcomed you very enthusiastically. She introduced herself as Saraswati and proceeded to praise all of the instruments and types of music.

Her welcome filled you with warmth and confidence, so you proceeded to explain, however badly, you wanted to learn how to play a melody from your memory. Saraswati was perplexed by your explanation but it made her curious so she kept asking questions, what instrument.

"AHH... I'm sorry... It was ancient-looking. I know how it looks but I don't know the name."

"How did you learn that melody in the first place?" Saraswati asks curiously.

"Most kids come in here wanting to become the next great idol, play the cool thing. Very few come because they love music, even fewer want to learn to play the piano or a violin. Sad times are upon us. I know all instruments, maybe if you draw it for me I'll be able to guess." She gives you something to draw on.

You agree and take a pencil from her. The lines you draw are a bit shaky and in the end, you present an image of u shaped instrument that reminds you of a horseshoe with strings in the centre of it going to the crossbar connecting both arms.

Saraswati studies it for a few seconds and then presents you with a smile. "That's a lyre. It's an instrument used in ancient times. You can say it's similar to a harpe but the rules of its music are more like a modern guitar."

"A lyre? Oh, that would make sense." You think about your dreams.

"Would it? Why so?"

"I saw this instrument in a dream that I think maybe a memory. But it's only a guess."

"Well, the only problem is I don't have a Lyra in stock. So sorry. On fact, it would be hard to get one anyway. These types of instruments are done per request and are quite pricey. Then you would need to attend a special lesson... Oh, trust me you don't want that!" She chuckled softly. "But... I have an idea".

Saraswati adds seeing your disappointment and pushes you into the depts of the shop.

"As I said the modern guitar operates on a very similar principle as the lyre. If you look and listen carefully you may even find one that sounds almost identical." She winks at you mysteriously.

"None of them is secretly sacred artefacts are they?" You joke nervously.

"Ahahaha oh no! Can you imagine what problems that would cause? Oh no, I can't have that in my shop! I put too much heart into it!"

Following Saraswati advice, you slowly look through all of the guitar instruments. There are electric ones in futuristic shapes or ones that resemble those you saw musicians holding on posters, then there are large guitars called acoustic but their sound just doesn't sit ok with your ear. Lastly, you glance on smaller, simpler guitars called classical one, their soft strings produce a warm melody very similar to that from your dreams.

And then you see the prices of these and your heart sinks while the jaw levitates very close to the floor. You have some money you managed to save up recently but not nearly enough to afford even the cheapest of those instruments.

Well, this plan will have to be put on hold for now you think and then unexpectedly something draws your eyes. You just noticed a boxed display with a Sale label on it. Within it you see all sorts of instruments, some are ex-display models, some seemed slightly damaged. In this box you find a single classical guitar, there was absolutely nothing wrong with it except one string being broken. You have just enough money to buy it.

"What's wrong with this guitar?" You ask Saraswati, the feline takes the instrument from your hands to inspect it.

It's a beautiful light guitar, painted in a very dark blue colour that reminds you of the night sky with silver nylon strings.

"There is nothing wrong with it deary, except the broken string. I can thread one for you for free, it will take me just a minute."

"Why was it in the sales box?" You ask curiously.

"It's the colour you see. Very few people would buy a guitar that's not in a light colour like brown or cream. If they are lacquered then maybe but this beautiful thing is in matt."

You admit you are completely lost and ask if you could buy it.

"Of course you can. Let me put on a new string, you know what because you are my first customer today why don't I present you with a guitar case and a book how to play it, yes?"

Saraswati is so kind and nice there is no way you can refuse her. And from that day each free moment, you found you spent on learning how to play the instrument, learning how to replay the sounds from the dreams. Initially, it was hard, your fingers hurt but each time seemed a bit easier. Then the dreams slowly became clearer, and the melody guided you. With the melody came words and suddenly you saw a familiar face with burning dark amber red eyes. Then you realized it wasn't any memory or dream, it was something from Ophion's past.

"Now I know what you were doing all this time when you weren't with us! Are you planning to become a musician, Guild Master?" Shiro's voice interrupted your chain of thoughts as you were sitting on your bed plucking the strings lovingly. Your heart sank and you face immediately felt flushed. Shiro laughed hard seeing your expression. "Don't be concerned, I'm not going to tell the others unless you want me to!"

"Don't you know how to knock?!" You cry out embarrassed.

"You left the door crack open."

"Ah-! I'm... I'm sorry I have been distracted recently." You reply slowly feeling guilty.

"I have noticed that's why I came to talk to you. Your head seems in the clouds, you drift away more often than usual. Is everything alright?"

You scan Shiro's face and measure your words not to say too much and you tell him about the memory and then your last dream with the earthquake.

Shiro almost jumps excited but there is some concern I'm his voice too. "Having a memory recall like that is fantastic! It means something in you is unlocking its secrets even if just a small bit. Do you know who’s memory it is?"

"Y-yes..." You stutter.

"I'm guessing you don't want to share it ?"

You silently turn your head.

"No... Not yet at least. And then there is a matter of the last dream."

"Hmpf... I wouldn't worry too much now. I would think your dreams were merely the effect of the earthquake. Like when you hear a sound while you dream and your brain incorporates it into the dream itself. "

"How do you know things like that?"

"I pay attention in class compared to you and Kengo! That reminds me. Melusine is looking for you." Shiro replies and readies to leave only to turn around. "Remember if there is anything, you can tell us right?"

You nod with a smile.

"Thanks" and Shiro disappears behind the door. Taking a deep breath you put the guitar into a case and pack the projector into a separate box. With both of them, you direct yourself to the school entrance where Melusine is waiting patiently.

"Hi, Melusine!" You greet her from afar, as you get closer you notice her usual outfit has been decorated in many places with garlands of familiar flowers.

"Hello young Milord, I hope you are well? I must take this chance and ask for forgiveness after yesterday. I was only following Monsieur Licht's request who specifically requested not to mention at any point Sir Ophion will be joining you."

"It's ok Melusine." You interrupt her. "It turned out better than I hoped. I... I thought it was Licht's gift to you. "

"Ah-!" Melusine blushes "That would be impossible. But Sir Ophion made a great deal of effort to get everything prepared. Nobody except humble myself and Monsieur Licht knew about his plan. He must care about you very much young Milord. In fact... I don't ever remember him carrying about anything and anyone in the past as his older self. You seem to cause impossible change whenever you go." She added with a hint of a smile.

"What's with these?" You ask about the flowers.

"Oh, forgive me, Milord. Monsieur Licht said I can keep any flowers I want before they get removed so I kept a few of them."

" And you keep saying some things are impossible. They look beautiful on you. Send my kindest regards to Licht when you see him, and thank you so much for your help. Hopefully, I can repay it somehow one day. Oh, by the way, one more thing. Is there any way through the building I can take to avoid meeting literary everyone?"

Melusine takes the boxes from you and slowly explains a route that should help you pass unnoticed, then leaves with a mysterious half-smile as she was deep in thought about what you said earlier.

The weather outdoors is still sunny and pleasant giving you some hope you won’t need the projector and nature will provide the best possible scenery. Does Ophion have a balcony you think only to chase those weird questions away and return to your room to get dressed and leave.

As you leave the dormitory and leave the school building a heavy hand lands on your shoulder unexpectedly.

“Hey-ho partner! Where are you going? Don’t you want to join us for some combat training?” Kengo stops you mid-track, his hand is firmly stuck on your shoulder and you can’t wriggle out from under his tight grip. The grin you see means he is up to no good again.

“Heyy! Actually, let’s get some snacks. We feel like we didn’t have the time to talk recently and I’m curious how the concerto was. Kengo said you got back really late yesterday?” Ryota is just next to him smiling innocently holding a bag of what looks like different colourful candies and crisps.

“Did he now?! And why are you here not at your room doing your penalty studies?!” Suddenly Shiro’s voice pierces the air loudly.

Kengo’s face goes pale.

“Oh crap! Sorry partner gotta run! Catch you later yes? I want the juicy details!”

“Me too!” Ryota tries to catch up with Kengo who left a trail of dust behind him.

You raise your thumb up to Shiro and wave. You can see him smile at you and then you get a message on the App.

“Stay out of trouble, OK?”

“I will.” You reply and press send. As you arrive at the Ophion tower with plenty of time to spare and make your way to the security reception.

“Hi, I’m here to see Ophion. He… is expecting me.” You say nervously.

A completely uninterested transient measures you for a second and then lets you in. “Yes, we have been told.” With relief, you direct your steps following the route Melusine told you which is the executive walkway that is almost always empty and takes an elevator. In your mind surprise visit would be out of place, especially since Ophion is not any man and may be occupied. The corridors around are lavishly decorated and you feel slightly out of place. But finally, the elevator arrives and you step into it.

Pondering why there is always a piece of weird music whenever you go to the office buildings a slight shake resonates around you. Unsure if it was just your imagination or something else you squeeze yourself into the corner. Another floor beeped before your eyes, and as you were counting down, only three more to go, everything starts shaking around you. Whatever is happening knocks you off your feet and you land painfully on the floor. At the same time, the elevator slows down and stops. The lights around you suddenly go out and you hear and electricity creek followed by a metal one. Suddenly there is an empty feeling in your stomach and you painfully drop on the floor again. Panicking you somehow roll to the corner. The elevator must have dropped down but the safety break kicked in just in time. For what feels like an eternity you are in total darkness, unable to understand what’s going on, absolutely scared. And then blue safety lights turn on. Still scared you slowly climb up and try to use the help alarm button on the console and call for help. But there is no reply from anyone. So you try and press every floor button hoping you will be able to get out this way. And then the shaking starts again and instantly you cover in the corner hearing the elevator creek dangerously. It’s a situation your powers won’t do you any good and it feels like you stopped between floors too. You try the help button again. Nothing. You try again. The elevator creeks dangerously again and you start praying to anyone and anything for it to hold and the shaking to stop. Not sure but you think you hear an alarm and screams in the background. With what feels like the worst shake so far everything feels like liquid around you. Suddenly you hear a metal creek just a meter above you and the light blind you. For a moment you flicker your eyes looking at a huge silhouette before you. In the elevator door using all of his might is no other than Ophion covered in dust and grime.

“My beloved give me your hand!” He extends it to you and you gladly take it. Ophion who is extremely strong being an eternal dragon god lifts you out the elevator without any problem. Once you are out and on your own legs you embrace him as hard as you can. That was a horrible and scary experience. “I’m here, I’m here my beloved flower, and nothing is going to hurt you anymore.” He is completely surprised by your reaction and accepts the embrace without hesitation.

“I’m… I’m ok, thanks to you. What happened?” You ask.

“My beloved, we experienced consecutive shock waves. Much, much stronger than these before. Alarms are going through the whole city of Tokyo as we speak. You should thank Aizen here as he was the one who heard plead for help through the elevator device.”

Surprised you thank Aizen, who for once doesn’t look angry. He remains quiet and nods in response. Then you look back at Ophion.

“Are you ok?” You suddenly notice a scrape on his arm. There is no blood but still.

“Oh, my beloved you worry about me? My heart is touched beyond imagination.” He says still embracing you. “I am fine, it was just a few ceiling panels that fell on me. Nothing that can hurt this godly dragon. “

“Ophion, sir! Are you sure you are unhurt? Maybe we should finish this little scene and get into safety!” And the old Aizen is back, however his expression remained unchanged. Once he said that a group of security mobs appeared running toward them.

“Sir! We found you! It’s good you are unharmed sir! We have news!”

Ophion reluctantly lets you go, but won’t let you move away from the reach of his hands or wings.

“Report! What’s the situation? Are you evacuating the civilians? Are there any injuries? Where are the other tycoons?”

“Sir we have been informed by the security forces this was no ordinary shock, but it was caused by the world collision.” One of the mobsters has pointed at the windows. To your surprise, the Tokyo border wall from the harbour was gone stretching to an open sea covered with angry clouds. It wasn’t destroyed in the quake no, it just vanished due to the collision event.

“Where was the source of the earthquake located?” You open your mouth asking loudly. Your mind went straight into the geography lessons and then something else entirely.

“What?” The mobster asked stupidly.

“What the earthquake on land or at sea?” You repeat.

“My beloved, what are you thinking?” Ophion asked.

“If this world collision has temporarily exposed us to an open sea and there was an earthquake which happened at sea everyone in Tokyo is in grave danger. “

Aizen was the first one to get what you were saying.

“Tsunami! The god wave! If the harbour wall is gone the wave will flood the whole city, bottling up because of the border wall!” He turned pale as paper.

“We need to send a message to everyone who has the app! Tell them to go to higher ground!”

Suddenly Tsathoggua appeared from nowhere holding Melusine, breathing heavily.

“Oh, you are ok! Melusine said you were in the building. I was right to think…” He had to stop to breathe. ”I’m not getting any better at this.. huff.. huff.. I was right to think you will be where Ophion is.”

“I'm extremely sorry if my guidance has caused you any trouble young milord.”

“It’s Ok Melusine, you couldn’t have known something like this would happen.”

“Shut up everyone!” Aizen roared. “We need to warn everyone”

“What about the non-app users?” You ask immediately. “We can’t just hope they will be alright. We need to do something.”

“How much time do we have?” Tsathoggua asks still breathing heavily. You look at the long line of windows and with a shiver see a dark shadow on the horizon.

“We don’t have much. Look.” You say pointing at what you saw unconsciously squeezing your sword. Your sword. Then something hits you. A shiver travelled from the top of your head down to your toes. Something you saw earlier, something somebody told you earlier, something you have heard before. The music you have been hearing, It had words and until now you couldn’t understand them. These words were “In the day’s to come my darling, I shall love you, my child, I shall protect you with the power of my ethereal shield of light.” Feeling a warmth come from your sword you now understand those weren’t just idle lyrics. It was the words of a rule of a secret artefact. One of the 24 pieces of what was embedded in your sword. And the scene from your dreams was almost identical, but there is no falling star and an exploding mountain. But the wave remains. And it’s coming fast.

“Are you ok young friend?” Tsotsung pulls your sleeve, it seems everyone is looking at you. “You switched off suddenly.”

“My beloved, we need to get into the shelter.” Ophion insists.

“No.”

“No?” He is troubled and confused. “But my jewel-“ You interrupt him.

“I need to get to the harbour. I think I can stop the wave... I’m not sure how yet but if this is a collision event and it’s somehow connected with an error within the app once this is over everything should go back to normal, yes? I had dreams and in one for them, this was exactly what I saw.”

“Those are just wild speculations! Where are those idiotic ideas coming from?! There are innocent lives at stake and you are trying to play a stupid hero! How incredibly childish of you, I couldn’t expect anything else.” Aizen snarled at your words.

“Aizen leave now!” Ophion almost hit the man in anger.

“Tell us what do you want to do.” Melusine insisted, together her and Tsathoggua expressed will to help.

“Since I know you, your plans and crazy ideas never failed. I trust you friend. I will take you to the harbour.” Tsotsunga said putting on a brave face.

“No! My beloved, my jewel, my darling spouse. I want to help you. I will take you to the harbour, but you must tell me about your plan. We don’t have much time. The wave is almost upon the city!” Ophion stepped in front of you showing all of his protective nature, almost as if hearing others offer help before he instigated a change of mind. Maybe he felt less worthy.

“My sword contains the shard of another sacred relic which was the Etheral Shield of Light its rule was Protection against all. Or so I think… ” Ophion’s eyes grew wider as he listened to your words astounded. “I have a memory that’s been following me for weeks now. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. It’s like something within me knew such an event may happen!”

“My flower! My love!” Ophion was trembling. “You must tell me everything once this is over. Let us haste to the harbour. I will be with you and be behind you at every step.”

You nod silently.

“Let everyone know to find shelter above ground. Tsathoggua please try and reach Mr Triton and others who have any degree of command over water if they can help.”

“On it” Tsathoggua vanished within a split second. At the same moment, you felt a strong arm wrap around you tightly and suddenly you were in the air. Ophion flew out of the terrace next to where you were, taking you with him.

“My beloved, why have you not told me sooner? Why keep this as a secret! My heart is trembling knowing there is even a minute piece of you that feels what I feel toward you!”

“Ophion, We are flying-!” you gasp shocked by the sensation.

“Don’t you like it, my love? There was no other way to get us to the harbour fast enough.”

“If it wasn’t for the circumstances I probably would enjoy it, but I wasn’t ready! Next time ask!”

“I'm sorry my darling, my fiery flower, my spouse. But you haven’t answered my question. Whatever happens, I want to know.”

You fall silent for a moment trying to gather words for an answer.

“I... I wanted to know if it was really me or just the memory. And then when the accident in the TSA happened and Seth’s shadow transported us to a real desert where we spent days wandering, each night I would look at the sky looking for the Dragon constellation… and think about the melody. And each night I would think that although I barely know you, I would miss you even if I never met you.”

“Ooh... Ooh...!” Ophion the Golden Dragon was trembling so much you could feel the hands holding you shaking. “This trembling feeling within my soul is equal to Heaven and Earth's creation itself. Those words! It filled the loneliness in this weary heart that has grown for millennia within seconds! My beloved! You cannot imagine how happy I am right now. But first, let’s save this diamond of a city from disaster. “ Your journey through the skies didn’t last long and you set foot in the harbour, that was already full of people and transients. Each one of them in a line trying to control the incoming wall of water.

“Thank gods you are safe!” You hear Shiro’s voice, behind him is Kengo and Ryota. All running towards you.

“What are you all doing here?! It's dangerous!” You shout at them as you set your feet at the ground.

“Well partner that’s not how you should be welcoming your friends!” Kengo measures Ophion with a cold look. “Looks like you had an interesting way of getting here!”

“Ophion sir! Thank you for helping our friend and bringing him here!” Shiro slurs out to Ophion.

“How did you get here? Where is Tsatsunga? Is he OK?”

Ryota gesticulates at a tall building nearby. “He collapsed exhausted after transporting dozens here. Moritaka is with him right now. Shiro used his powers to get us and Mr. Triton here the minute we got the message.”

“Shiro! Are you ok after that?” You ask your friend who seems paler than usual.

“Yes, yes I am fine. I had a minor nose bleed but it stopped now.” He answers avoiding your stare. “I’m not sure what can we accomplish. A Tsunami is a force of nature, us app users and other Transient don’t seem to have any chance to stop it. This is going to be a massacre!” He keeps trying to rationalize.

“My sword contains a shard of another sacred relic, the Etheral Shield of Light its rule was Protection against all. I know it is going to work.”

“How do you know what? Is it something to do with that memory you said you kept having?” Shiro asked looking at you and then at the approaching wall of water. It was getting nearer and nearer and it didn’t look like the united forces of water relics were doing anything beyond slowing It down.

“Come on kids! Put your back into it! We have a whole city counting on us!” Mr Triton was shouting louder and louder.

You turn around to Ophion. “Can you protect the civilians and anyone who may get into the harm's way?”

“My darling love, Of course! Whatever your plan you need to be ready. I will help as much as I can. I shall call upon my children to be ready to lift anyone into the skies to protect them from the flood wave.” And he has done as he said lifting his sacred relic into the skies, and with a blast of light, dozens of wyverns filled the skies ready.

The tsunami wave was incoming faster now, filling the whole horizon, the sky darkened angrily. This must-have happened somewhere you think, at some time in the history. You think about that picture you saw.

“Shiro, I saw a painting of a tsunami wave, and there were a man and a ghost of a woman that was trying to stop it. What is the story of that painting.” You ask bracing yourself.

Shiro is quite stunned after you tell him this.

“You are talking about The Great Wave off Kanagawa, but there is no man or woman in that painting.”

“Great, so either I’m hallucinating or something else is happening.”

“What if the collision of the worlds started happening much earlier than we thought, and what you saw had something to do with it.”

“I’m thinking my resurfacing memory has something to do with the tsunami.”

Shiro nodded eagerly.

“Don’t you remember? It happened before that you remembered a forgotten part of your powers before during different events.”

“But this is different, this started happening weeks ago.” You say to him.

“Whatever happens Partner, we are here to help you. We will always have your back.” Kengo adds. “Let’s see what my fists can do against a wall of water.”

“I will be with you my friends, even if you take me to the scariest places in all of the 23 worlds.” Ryota yelps quietly. He is scared and shaking yet still with you.

“Oh, gods it’s coming!” Somebody shouted! Screams started getting louder, some transients panicked and run and Mr Triton started having issues controlling the speed of the incoming wave. You could feel an unearthly rumble as the wall of water was before you.

You felt ready. You were ready, you had to be.

”Role of Wanderer, Rule of Rending! Engrave mine name onto thee Come out, Boundless Tail!!”

But nothing happened. Nothing at all. Your swords shone its normal light, but there was nothing your power could affect.

“No, no! This is not right! I know I can do something!”

Ophion lay his hand on your shoulder. “We must go now, my love!”

“No! I know I can help! I just… The song! The words were: In the day’s to come my darling, I shall love you, my child, I shall protect you with the power of my ethereal shield of light.” You panic seeing the wave almost upon on you, glancing over everyone.

Ophion gives away an odd laugh that seems so out of place right now.

“My dearest, you are calling upon the wrong artefact! You must call upon the rule of protection! With the memory this strong it means it has a power of its own over your sacred artefact.”

You turn back to the wave in fear.

“Role of the guardian, Rule of protection! Engrave my name unto thee! Come forth Ethereal shield of light!” But still, nothing happens.

But you don’t give up concentrating even more with your eyes closed. “ Rule of protection! Engrave my name unto thee! Come forth Ethereal shield of light!” There is still nothing.

Feeling the water droplets on your hair and screams around you shout again one last time. “ Role of the guardian, Rule of protection! Engrave my name unto thee! Come forth Ethereal shield of light!” Suddenly a force so powerful hits your body as something has torn the flesh out of your bones. The wall of light emanating out of your swords is so bright you can’t even physically keep your eyes open as and the vibration of the blade is almost breaking the bones in your hand. But you hold it tight as a wall extends in every direction. You know it’s the shield of light, the same one the goddess Euronome used to protect her children during the war of gods, the same she used on Olympos to protect those innocent around her dragged into the war of Titans. You feel your body strength failing and drop on one knee feeling tremendous pain. But there is a dozen of hands suddenly holding your back keeping you from falling. You hear so many voices, calling upon so many rules. You hear Mr Triton calling his rule, you hear Ophion shouting out commands to the Wyverns at the ready to help in an evacuation, You hear Ryota providing healing to others and yourself.

“You can do it, my child. Hold on just a little longer!” Somebody, a woman whispers to your ear. You will try as much as you can, but there is blood going down your nose. The force you are against may just kill you. But you don’t care hearing the words of Mr Mononobe in your head over and over intertwined with the song. “Prove yourself that you are not just a hero in the App. Prove you can defend those innocent from forces far greater than any battle.” With your hands in so much pain, you don’t know if you will be ever able to move your fingers again, with no sounds coming to you because you think your eardrums exploded and the blood is dripping down your neck the strength of your body finally fails you and collapse into darkness.

In your dreams, you hear and see many things, and the beautiful watercolour world around you dances gently and suddenly a slender figure emerges from the kaleidoscope of colours.

“Well done my child, you have done it. I’m so proud of you.” The woman speaks to you, her voice feels like it is coming from far away.

“Are you-?” You ask without words spoken.

“I am. Or I may be, or I may be just the figment of your imagination. After all, you exhausted your frail body greatly.” She responds with a crystal laugh.

“I thought you would be…” You start but she stops you.

“A dragon? Like my husband? Ahahaha… We were born beyond such boundaries, unconcerned by shape.”

“You are strong for one who has such a great burden on them. I only hope you are strong enough for all the challenges awaiting you. “ She continues. “ As for what is perplexing you, it’s not the memory of me that’s keeping your mind confused, it never was.”

“Am I falling for a god then?” You ask, although unsure if you did but the words resonate anyway. Realizing you won’t have any secrets here.

“Haha-!” The woman laughs warm. “And what if yes? What burdens does it bring to you?”

“Ophion is a bit much. He is a god, a godly dragon… and…”

“And what of it my child? Give yourself and him a chance. Remember he is the father of all in our world, and his golden heart is pure, and his love eternal. Yes, he has spent millennia without a force to restrain his fatherly ego, and in loneliness. Such things would poison any mind. What you witnessed, in your last dream was the moment of my fall… and the moment his heart broke… “ She added sadly. “I am sorry this somehow has influenced your world.”

“It’s time for you to wake up my child. Beware thou, the Rule of the Guardian is not one to be taken lightly as it is a burden that will exhaust your body beyond the boundaries of this peculiar prison everyone is tied to.”

“Can I ask you-!” You suddenly try to find where the voice is coming as the woman seems to have disappeared. Only to approach you from behind and whisper to your ear “Wake up”.

You were in a hospital room, your head still dizzy and the sounds coming to you weren’t completely normal. “So everything truly happened.” You lift a hurting hand trying to reach to your ear but it is still painful. So that’s how physical pain feels like compared to a memory of it from the app. Then you notice Ophion on a large chair next to you. How odd it looks having him here, his large frame bigger than any human, sleeping so peacefully. He must have taken a nap while being here. And then he gave out a gentle snore making you laugh quietly to yourself. It didn’t take him long to wake up and yawn revealing a mouth full of sharp teeth.

“Hey, sleepyhead.” You greet him with a smile.

“My beloved! Forgive me, with so much going on I didn’t have the time to sleep at all.” He looked at you with his dark ember red eyes.

“How long has it been?”

“You slept for almost three days my jewel. How are you feeling? The healers here said your body needs rest. It was hard to explain to them what exactly ailed you since the App injuries seem to be beyond the comprehension of your medicine.”

“My head is still tired, and my body aches but I’m better. So… we have done it. The city is safe?” You ask with a weary voice.

Ophion shifts on his chair leaning towards you.

“Yes my darling spouse, everything is back to normal. It seems your conclusion was correct, my beloved, and after the wave of water was stopped the glitch in the app caused by the world collision cleared itself out. With one exception. World collisions don’t function as app battles, and some physical damage caused by the quake remained, but nobody was hurt.”

“I'm so happy everyone is ok.” You let out the words with relief.

“Yes, yes, my wonderful flower. My children scouted the city to help while you were resting. Your friends will be here shortly I assume. But before that, I need to tell you, my love, no, I need to ask you to promise me not to do anything like that ever again! It was brave but foolish! I, your husband will sacrifice my body for you If I have to! You should never endanger yourself! Not in this frail form! I could not bear losing you again! My beloved, you must promise me! If you won’t I will have to come up with a plan to perhaps enslave you temporarily whenever danger is near to stop you from running toward it.” Ophion is back being himself, with his voice booming across the room.

“You want to enslave me to stop me from getting hurt?”

“In the most comfortable of ways my love!” He adds quickly.

“You know you snore? I’m going to tell everyone if you even think about locking me up somewhere!” You tease him.

“My darling spouse you wouldn’t-!”

And you just thought you have a secret weapon flashing a cheeky smile at him.

You found yourself staring at the elevator door at the Ophion Tower waiting for it to arrive. It’s been a few days now since the event and you are back on your feet. Of course, this goes without saying you got into trouble at school which Mr Mononobe was willing to turn a blind eye as long as you attend a few extracurricular lessons with him to make sure you caught up with all of the lessons you missed. But this Friday evening you were only thinking to yourself “I just hope I'm not going to embarrass myself”. The weather outside has taken a dramatic turn with a heavy downpour forcing you to rethink your plans. The elevator doors finally open, still with a bit of a fright after the last time you enter and purposely press the floor just below your destination. Closing your eyes for a few seconds you await the familiar sound and yes, you are here. As the door opens you exit with relief with. It was Melusine who told you to skip a floor, claiming you may walk into Aizen. She was right, as you approached the staircase you hear a loud marching noise and a very annoyed monologue.

“I can’t believe my beloved sir Ophion send me away! Me! His loyal servant! To meet this stupid brat! I will find a way! I will! The embarrassment! How dare he!”

“Oh dear,” You think to yourself waiting for the man to disappear and then you walk up the staircase. With each step, it feels harder to walk as if somebody would be adding sand to your burden. But you made a promise, and as nerve-wracking this is you knocked on the door. And there he was. Ophion opened, with his huge silhouette filling the door frame. You just realized they probably had to enlarge all entryways just for him. Unlike his usual clothes, he was wearing a black shirt that was fully pinned up which somehow felt odd.

“My beloved! Please enter. Welcome to my private chambers, that not many have the right to enter! You look unearthly today.” He says trying to sway you as always.

“Hi… You… look different?” You hesitate. “It’s a good different, but I never saw you buttoned up.”

Ophion laughs loudly.

“My darling, I, your husband still need to run a business. But if it pleases you I can change in something more attractive to your eyes? Yes, my love?” You can feel your ears burning.

“You are impossible.” You reply.

“Ah my beloved, of course, I am impossible, I am the godly dragon beloved by all,” Ophion responds with his typical smile and a wink. You are sure he didn’t understand what you meant.

“My flower, my love, I wasn’t sure if you were hungry or thirsty so I asked some refreshments to be brought up. And yes, my spouse, the items you asked to be delivered here were left untouched. You think I wouldn’t notice?” He teases you.

With a pounding heart you think to yourself “Well, this is a moment of truth”. And you approach the boxes that have the projector and your guitar case.

“I’m not hungry right now. And…” Ophion stares at you intensively. “Can we spread some pillows on the floor to sit down?” You ask hesitating.

“Anything you want my love.” As odd it feels you and him take some pillows of the elegant sofas that are within the living area of the apartment and move the furniture away to make more sitting space. You ask Ophion to sit and make himself comfortable, and with amusement you watch the dragon take his time to awkwardly sit on the floor, he smiles like a giddy child to you all the time. You take out the projector and place it on the floor and then uncase your guitar. Finally, you kneel in front of Ophion who is with great anticipation is observing your every move. There is something in his dark amber eyes you can’t quite place or name.

“Right… I feel nervous and embarrassed.” You say out loud.

“My beloved, why would you be? There is nobody here beyond us.”

“I’m nervous because you are here.” You repeat.

“My darling spouse, I’m confused.” He reaches out and grabs your hand with his. It’s very warm on your skin.

“So… I wanted to see you because I have something for you. A gift let’s call it. It’s the memory I’ve been having, and I wanted to reconstruct it for you somehow.”

“Oh, oh-! My beloved, my heart is shaking. Did you go to so much trouble… for me? Your Ophion?” He smiles openly.

“Can we dim down the lights?” You ask.

“But my dearest jewel, are you sure the floor will be comfortable enough, what about the bedroom-!”

“Ophion!” You protest loudly before he can finish.

“I apologize, my beloved! But you made it so easy…” He sticks out his tongue and does as you request diming down the lights in the living area, not completely dark but enough to what you wanted to do.

“Because mother-nature has been fickle today and I can’t do what I wanted I thought I will present you with something.” You say like a magician preparing the audience for a magic trick.

“Oh my starling jewel, I cannot contain my excitement, I-!” He starts but you interrupt him.

“I give you the stars on a night’s sky.” You say and turn on the start projector. The device lights up the entire room with hundreds of constellations, and stars from all over our galaxy, gently moving to simulate the motion of a night sky above us. With that you pick up your guitar, and gently settle yourself in front of Ophion, with your back towards him, almost touching his chest feeling the heat of his body, but far enough not to touch him while playing.

“In this memory, I would sit like this and play an instrument very much like this and you were listening.” You say lowering your voice as you start gently pulling the nylon strings. Although in his memory the melody was played on an ancient lyre, you were able to easily reproduce it on a classical guitar with almost identical quality. The first few notes came out a bit harsh but once the nerves went away the melody flew gently and pleasantly in the night air with the stars above you. It felt magical and you didn’t want it to stop. Surprisingly you felt Ophion reach-out to you and slowly wrap his large, solid arms around you and place his head on your shoulder. It didn’t stop you from playing at all, it just made your heart beat faster and harder. The melody wasn’t long at all and it was easy to repeat in an infinite loop, perhaps even it was created that way.

“I know it’s not much but I wanted this to be a gift to you.” You say softly still playing.

“Oh my world, you need not say anything, this is the mo1st beautiful of gifts you have ever given me and I wish it wouldn’t stop. Among these riches that surround us, this is the only thing worth cherishing” Ophion says smiling with his head still on your shoulder.

“I’m happy you think so.” You add and after a moment of thinking you turn your head and kiss his cheek, feeling the gentle giant tremble as you do it.

END

#ophion #housamo #TAS #toko afterschool summoners #tokyoafterschoolsummoners #fanfiction

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lucisfavoritedemon · 3 years

Text

Always & Forever: Part 2

Pairing: Lucifer x reader

Summary: Being forced into an arranged marriage by your father doesn't go quite to plan when your soon to be husband tries to take the only freedom you have ever known. Little does he know someone else was listening in. Go on a journey to discover that Lucifer may not be as bad as he appears. He did save your life after all.

Warnings: talks of acts of violence, talks of possession, age gap, cursing, fluff, some angst, mentions of blood and injury, talk of mature topics, 18+ only.

Word Count: 2,517

A/N: I try to stay as true to the time period as I am comfortable with. This an 18+ only series. You have been warned. There is a lot of talk about mature topics. You have been warned. All thoughts in italics.

Enjoy!

I pace back and forth for what seemed like forever, anticipating the arrival of Lucifer. I hope that my father wasn’t going to threaten him for potentially ruining what could have been a wonderful marriage in his eyes.

“Darling will you stop pacing, I can’t focus on my work.”

“Sorry father.” I immediately stop pacing and sit down by the windows.

I just hoped that things were going to go well, and that no one would try and object, or stall this any further. What was taking Lucifer so long anyways? Did he try and run? Was he ever going to come? Did he truly want this?

Suddenly there is a commotion outside, and suddenly Lucifer bursts through the doors.

“Sorry I am late your majesty. But I was finishing the last remaining arrangements for tomorrow night.” He bows in respect as my father stands up.

“I see. What was all the commotion outside? My guards didn’t give you any trouble did they?”

“No sir. It was my own doing. They were just doing their job and I rushed past them to make sure I wasn’t delayed further.”

“I see. Now, for what I called you here for. I wanted to meet with you alone without any more disturbances. Is it true you rescued my daughter?”

“Yes sir. My brother had paralyzed her with his powers holding her against the wall so she couldn’t fight back, and attempted to cut her tongue out. Her being human, that would have killed her.”

“I see. How did you know that he had paralyzed her?”

“I was listening to what was happening. I heard her walking to the wall, and then there was no movement and she had stopped talking. I could still hear my brother’s voice, and I knew that someone with her charisma wouldn’t just stand there without fighting back. I knew something was wrong, so I knew I had to help.”

“I appreciate it, but you do realise that meddling with an affair that doesn’t concern you can have consequences right?”

“Yes sir, but I knew what my brother was capable of. I knew if I didn’t interfere that she would die. I couldn’t see someone who couldn’t protect themselves just die for no reason.”

“I understand, but I know your father. He will not be happy if I let you marry my daughter when she is supposed to marry Prince Michael. I’m sorry. I thank you for arranging everything for tomorrow night, but you will not be the man standing next to my daughter.”

I was heartbroken. There was no way I was going to marry that lying Prince Michael. I had promised Lucifer my hand now. He saved my life. I wasn’t going to marry someone who would try to silence me.

“Father may I speak?”

“No. This is not up for debate Y/N. I’m sorry I have deceived you, but you were right. We can’t afford to go to war. You must marry Prince Michael. I’m sorry. What’s done is done.” He walks out no more to be said.

That was it. I had no choice. My freedom was going to be taken away and I had no say. I would be silenced forever.

“This...I should have killed Michael when I had the chance.” Lucifer says running his hands through his hair, “this is all my fault princess,” he bows in front of me, “I should have fought more to protect you.”

“Lucifer, you did all you could do. Please stand up.”

He stands, and I can see the pain in his eyes. The pain of having failed to protect me.

“I will do all I can to protect you once you are back in our kingdom. I will vow to be your royal bodyguard. To protect you from my conniving brother.”

“You don’t have to risk everything you have for me. I’m not worth that risk.”

“You are to me Princess. You are to me.”

He grabs my hand and kisses it gently. The door suddenly burst open and there stood Michael.

“Get your filthy hands off my wife.”

“She isn’t your wife yet brother. If I can help it. She will never be yours.”

“The king has informed me that she and I are to wed tomorrow. You can’t have a say in it. Plus, father has ordered you back home tonight. So, good luck trying to stop it.”

“Can I have a little more time with her then? It wouldn’t kill you for one last time for me to be with her before she is yours for the end of time.”

“I guess, but don’t do anything stupid with her. I need her pure. I will know if you do anything.”

“I would never do that to her.”

“Good. You have five minutes then.” He then leaves.

“Lucifer what are you…”

“Listen. I will find a way to put an end to this marriage. I will save you. We promised. I won’t let my brother take you away from me. I won’t let that happen.”

“I know, but I must do what my father says. Unless Michael starts a war in my father’s name, there will be no way that my father will reconsider this.”

“I know. I’m trying to have wishful thinking for once. I finally have something worth fighting for. That’s you. You are my reason. I used to fight without a cause. Fighting hoping I could find someone who was powerful enough to end my suffering, end it all so I no longer had to live in the shadows of my brother. With you, I can be myself. I don’t have to hide anymore. There aren’t many people like you. As far as I know, there is no one else like you. Please promise, no matter what, you will keep fighting for me, as I continue to fight for you?”

“I promise. I won’t let the only freedom I have ever known be taken away from me. I will keep fighting for a way for us to be together. No matter what.”

“Good.” He grips my hand, and leans over, kissing my forehead.

I squeeze his hand back. I knew time was almost up, and I didn’t want Lucifer to leave my side. I knew I had no choice though, I had to go through with this marriage thing till Lucifer got back. Maybe I could stall things till Lucifer was able to come back. I had to do something to make sure that I never married Prince Michael.

“Times up brother. It’s time for you to head home.”

Lucifer stands up and looks at me one last time before walking out. No fight, he left willingly, and I could tell he had a plan. He had to, right?

“That is not like him. Maybe he only wanted you because I did, and now that he can’t he doesn’t want you.”

“Maybe, but I wouldn’t underestimate someone of his rank.”

“How dare you tell me what to do.”

“Before you lose your head, it was just a suggestion. That’s not telling you what to do. It’s still your decision to continue to underestimate him.”

“If you ever try to tell me what to do, I will remove that tongue of yours. You will no longer be free. Your days of freedom are over.”

“Not like I had much to begin with.”

“Just go to your chambers. Don’t you dare think about coming out till I tell you so. If you do, you’ll regret it.”

I nod and walk out. I knew if I spoke, I would surely lose the last amount of freedom he has given me. I walk to my chambers and sit watching out the window, just hoping to see Lucifer outside. Something in me had a feeling he hadn’t left. I just wanted him to be here with me right now. I didn’t want to go on with this. I wanted Lucifer. That’s it. That’s all I could ever ask for. I hoped that where he was, that he was okay.

“Miss, I have come to make the final alterations to your dress.”

“O-of course.” I stand and take the dress from my hand-maiden, and go and change into it.

It didn’t take too much for her to finish the last bit of alterations. It was just hard to stand there with this silly dress on, knowing that the man I wanted to see me in it, wasn’t going to.

“That is the last miss. I have been told to tell you to keep it on. Someone will be up for you shortly.”

“Wait. What?”

“Make sure to fix your hair miss. It looks a bit messy.”

The hand-maiden walks out abruptly without another word. I had a horrible feeling about what was about to happen. I needed to get out of here, and fast. Michael and my father were absolutely insane. No wonder Michael needed Lucifer gone.

I quickly and quietly escape my chambers and pick a random direction to go in. I just ran, avoiding guards that were on duty. I didn’t know where I was going. I just knew I had to get away somehow. Before I knew, I had escaped to the dungeon. I wandered around just trying to find a place I could hide out for the night, somewhere where no one would be able to find me till morning. I’m hoping no one will find me at all.

I finally found a hiding place and sat down, curling up. “Wherever you are Lucifer...I hope you never find out about this situation…” I speak to myself hoping I was completely alone.

“Y-Y/N?” I heard someone stutter.

“Who’s there?” I say sternly, yet quietly.

“P-princess...please tell me you’re alright?”

“I won’t answer any questions till you answer mine fiend. Who are you? How do you know my name? How do you know my voice?”

The man gives a light chuckle, “is this how you thank your savior?”

It was Lucifer, and he sounded hurt.

“Lucifer? Wh-where are you?” I knew I sounded worried. I wasn’t expecting to find Lucifer down here. I wasn’t expecting to find anyone down here.

“Stay where you are princess...he’ll know you’re down here. I can’t have you getting hurt because of me. It would,” he is interrupted by the sounds of guards coming, “wherever you are...please just stay hidden.”

I nod, knowing that now he has whispered, something was wrong.

“Feel like you want to keep stopping us Lucifer?”

That was unfamiliar to me, so I knew it wasn’t Michael, but I was still weary.

“Yes. It isn’t fair to her. Do you not know what he tried to do? He could have caused a war!”

“What if that’s our whole goal? He doesn’t want that bratty princess. He had every right for what he was about to do to her. You had no right interfering. He has already declared war against a neighboring kingdom as his first act of King. After tonight, he will be the new King of Lucaea.”

“What do you mean after tonight? King Nova won’t step down till the princess’s 21st birthday. That’s still months away.”

“Oh dear innocent brother. You’d think you’d be smart enough to connect the dots.”

“Even if she marries Michael tomorrow, he wouldn’t be king for another few months...no, he wouldn’t dare!”

“Finally you understand. The princess, and the king will die, but not after we have some fun with her first.”

“Don’t you dare touch her! How dare you speak about doing such horrible things!”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing I had to get out of here. I had to get me and Lucifer, and my father out of here. This was horrible. I was absolutely helpless just hiding.

“Gabriel! The princess has escaped!”

“Dammit. You’re lucky I have to go hunt down the princess. Doesn’t she know its her wedding night?”

I hear footsteps and the door slam.

“I’m so glad he’s dumb enough not to check down here first…”

“Lu-Lucifer...we have to leave.”

“No. We have to fight back. First, we need proof that Michael has declared war on a neighboring kingdom. If he has declared war in the name of Lucaea, then your father will have no choice but to reconsider this marriage.”

“How are we going to prove that?”

“First, you need to get me out of here. The keys are always hung up on the hooks.”

“I got that, but I know my father and the only person who can take them down is the royal alchemist.”

“Well, where is he?”

“Right here.” A mysterious voice echoes through the darkness.

“Maddox, please don’t tell anyone I’m here. Please will you help us?”

“Why should I?”

“What did my brother offer you to turn against your own princess?”

“He didn’t offer me anything, that’s the thing.”

“Then why would you refuse to help when I asked?”

“I just asked why I should. I didn’t necessarily refuse.”

“Maddox, will you please help us? We need to get Lucifer out of here so we can prove to my father that Prince Michael has declared war against Taekya.”

“Taekya? Why would he do that? There isn’t much trading to stop from there except…”

“It’s a major kingdom to lose alliance from, it’s the place that houses our trading harbors. If we lose Taekya we lose our only trading route.”

“That’s not good at all. This prince sure knows how to hit a place hard. That wouldn’t be the first place I would make enemies with, but given the circumstances, it makes sense. He’s the only one who can fix this. It makes him an already very powerful person. This is not good,” he spoke as if thinking out loud, “I’ll help, but under one condition.”

“Name it?”

“I get to practice more magic away from my tower.”

“Deal.”

“Wait, really? Man I thought that was going to take way more convincing.”

“Stop blabbing and open the cell.”

“I’ll check down here sir!” An unfamiliar voice yelled.

“You two hide.”

I ran back to my spot where I was before dragging Maddox with me.

“Where’s the princess, Lucifer?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t even know she was missing till Gabe was called up.”

“Don’t play koi with me.”

“I’m not playing koi.”

“We all know that you want that girl for yourself, and she seems to feel the same way about you. You will taint her purity.”

“I want to do nothing of the sort. She can feel however she wants for me, but I don’t want her anymore. She officially belongs to Michael and I want nothing to do with her.”

“Weird. Gabriel just finished telling us how angry you got when told that he wanted to kill her. Of course him and Michael want to have a little fun with her first.”

“Let them.” He sounded unphased by this statement.

“You clearly know nothing then. I guess you really could care less about her.”

“I told you. I don’t want her anymore.”

#spn lucifer #lucifer x you #lucifer x reader #spnfluffbingo2021 #medieval au

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vgckwb · 4 years

Text

P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 4: Meetings

Ren got on the train heading to school the next day. The train was really packed. Ren found herself standing near a fellow Shujin student who was sitting down. She had bright red hair in a long ponytail.

She looks at Ren. There is a shocked expression on each of their faces as their eyes meet. Both of them are too nervous to say anything.

“Ohhh.” They turn to see an old lady groaning. The student sitting down says “Um, excuse me. Would you like my seat?”

The old lady smiles. “Thank you. You’re a kind young lady.”

The student gets up, but before the old lady can sit down, a businessman rushes to take the seat. “Um, excuse me” says the student. The businessman fell asleep. “O-Oh.”

Ren looks at the situation in front of her. “Want me to wake him?” she asked.

“Huh?” says the student. “Oh. Um, I’m not sure we should do that. We don’t want to cause a disturbance after all.” She turns to the old lady. “Sorry.”

“It’s quite alright,” she says. “It isn’t your fault.”

“R-right” she says. “It’s not my fault…”

“Now arriving at Shujin Academy!”

“Well, have a good day at school you two” the old lady says. “And thanks again.”

The two of you get off. “We will!” the other student says. She bows. Ren decides to bow as well. The train closes and takes off. The other student turns to Ren and says “Sorry you kind of got dragged into that.”

Ren smiled. “Hey, I offered to help.”

“Right” the other student says.

“You seem distracted,” Ren said. “Are you doing alright?”

“Huh?” the other student replied. “Oh. Yeah.” She sighs. “I guess I’m just nervous is all.”

“Want some company on our way to school?” Ren asked.

“Huh? Oh. Sure” the other student said. The two walk close together to school. “So, how do you enjoy Shujin?” she asked.

Ren looked at her. “Well, I’ve only been here for a day, so I wouldn’t have a lot of insight.”

“Huh?” the other student says. “You’re a first year too?”

Ren shakes her head. “I’m a second year transfer student.”

“Oh. I see” the other girl says. “So, I guess that makes you my senpai.” Ren chuckled. The two reached the school gates. “Well, I’ll see you around senpai!”

Ren raised her eyebrow. “Hey! What’s your name?”

The other student got embarrassed. “Oh. Right. My name is Yoshizawa. What about you, senpai?”

Ren smiled. “Ren Amamiya,” she said.

Yoshizawa smiled. “Well, Ren-senpai, if you don’t mind me calling you that, we shall meet again soon!” She walked into school and to her class. Ren did the same.

On her way to class, Ren was stopped by the blonde boy that Kamoshida failed to pick up yesterday. “Hey” he said. Ren looked at him. “Listen. I don’t know what Takamaki told you, but Kamoshida’s a bad dude.”

“I’m aware,” Ren said.

“Huh?” the boy says. “Oh. I just saw you riding with him is all. I thought maybe… Well, whatever. Just be careful.” He looks at Ren closely. “You know, I haven’t seen you around before dude. Er, dudette? Ugh. Sorry. I haven’t talked to many girls like this before.”

“I can tell” Ren chided.

“Sh-Shut up” the boy said. “So, does that mean you’re new?” Ren nodded. “Huh. I see. Well then, make sure to steer double clear of Kamoshida, alright? And maybe from Takamaki as well.”

Before Ren could answer, Ann walked up to the two of them. “What are you going on about, Sakamoto?”

Sakamoto looked surprised. He then glared at Ann. “What’s it to you? You’re probably trying to bring her into the cult of Kamoshida”

Ann’s eyes widened. She slapped Sakamoto in the face. “You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Come on! Everyone knows about you and Kamoshida!” Sakamoto, rubbing his face. “It’s like the school’s worst kept secret!”

Ann was getting really furious. Before Ann could react, Ren chimed in. “Actually, Ann helped save me from Kamoshida.” The two of them looked at Ren. “Yesterday, he called me to his office, and…”

“Huh?” said Sakamoto. “Wait, for REAL?! That was you?!”

“Uh, YEAH!” Ann said. “Couldn’t you tell from the announcement?!”

“Hey! It’s not like I know everyone who goes to this school!” Sakamoto said. “And it’s not like many people are itching to be my friend anyway!”

Ann sighed. “I guess you’re right. Sorry.”

Sakamoto smiled. “Don’t be. You’re just standing up for her, right? In fact, I should be the one to apologize.”

“Huh?” Ann said.

“She said you saved her from Kamoshida, right?” Sakamoto said. “I guess that means all those rumors flying around about you two are bunk, huh.”

Ann looked at him confused. “Wait! How do you trust her already? I mean, if you thought I was ‘bringing her into the cult of Kamoshida’, what makes you think she’s not already in?”

“Huh?” Sakamoto said. “I dunno. I guess I just feel something from her. Like, I can just trust her.”

“I see,” said Ann.

The bell rings. “Oh CRAP! I gotta get to class!” Sakamoto said. “Seeya!” He ran off.

“So, what’s that guy’s deal?” Ren asked.

Ann smiled. “That’s Ryuji Sakamoto. He’s kind of a friend of mine.”

“Kind of?” Ren asked.

“Well, we were closer in middle school,” Ann said. “But when we got to high school, we kind of drifted apart.” She clenched her fist. “All because of that stupid Kamoshida.”

Ren was curious. “What happened?”

Ann was shocked. “Well, uh… It’s kind of hard to explain” she said. “Anyway, we should be getting to class.” The two of you start walking. “Oh, by the way. We’re meeting up after school to discuss yesterday, right?” Ren nods. “Good. I don’t want to just ignore whatever that was.”

Ren giggled. “I don’t either.” The two went to class.

Before class began, Miss Kawakami addressed the class. “Alright, just so you know, tomorrow is the volleyball exhibition, which means there won’t be any afternoon classes. You are to report to the gym after lunch. Are we clear?” The class was in agreement. “Good. I don’t want to deal with any unnecessary trouble.”

After school, Ren and Ann stood up. “Hey” said Ann. “Let’s meet out by the vending machines.” Ren nodded. The two of them walked to a shelter outside with a table and some vending machines. “Great. Now, let’s evaluate what we know so far.”

Ren nodded. “We know that Kamoshida has dark desires.”

“Talk about an understatement” Ann said.

Ren continued. “It seems like those desires have affected this ‘Metaverse’ place.”

“That part is kind of hard to wrap my head around,” Ann said. “So basically, that ‘Metaverse’ is like the human unconscious, right? And because Kamoshida’s desires are so warped, they change that place? Ugh, this is like something out of a sci-fi movie.”

“Imagine not having someone there to help you with it” Ren said, wryly.

Ann giggled. “Sorry.

“It’s fine,” Ren said. She got back in thought. “If things were to have played out without interruption we’d just have to deal with Kamoshida. However, since things got interrupted, someone’s desire for revenge took over Kamoshida’s desire. And in doing so, they have vowed to kill Kamoshida.”

“I see,” Ann said. “To be honest, I still have trouble wrapping my head around things. But, we need to use that Metaverse to stop both Kamoshida and whoever took over his palace before things get bad.”

“But we don’t know who that is, or when that would be,” Ann retorted.

“Well then,” said Ren, we need to investigate!”

“Right,” Ann said.

“There you are!” a voice called out. Ren and Ann turned to find Shiho. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“Oh, hey Shiho” Ann said. “How are you doing?”

Shiho smiled. “I’m feeling better than ever!”

Ann sighed in relief. “I’m glad. I’ve been kind of worried since yesterday. So, what happened between you Kamoshida after we left?”

Shiho giggled. “I just laid down the new law is all.”

Ren and Ann were confused. “What?” Ann said.

”It’s simple,” Shiho said. “I told Kamoshida what’s what. More importantly, how are you two doing?”

Ren looked at Shiho. “Well, what happened with Kamoshida wasn’t ideal, but thanks to you two, I feel better.”

“Huh?”Ann said. “Oh. Thanks.I’ve been feeling pretty alright myself.”

“Good. Good. I’m glad to hear that” Shiho said. She smiled.

“So, what’s with that grin?” Ann asked. “And what’s this about a ‘new law’?”

Shiho giggled. “I have a plan on dealing with Kamoshida, and I’d like your help with it.”

Ren and Ann look at each other distressed. Ren whispered “You don’t think…”

Ann turned back to Shiho with an intense look in her eye. “So, what’s your plan Shiho? I’m all ears.”

Shiho smirked back. “I need you to promise you won’t tell anyone.”

Ann and Ren grew worried. “We promise,” Ann said.

“Great!” said Shiho. “So, you know how there’s a teacher's meeting coming up at the beginning of next month?”

“Yeah…” Ann said.

“Well, my plan is to organize a group of students to block all of the exits and set fire to the building!”

“WHAT?!” Ann said. “Shiho that’s CRAZY! For one, what about the other teachers?!”

Shiho got mad. “To Hell with them!” Ann got frightened. “They know about what’s going on! The constant abuse! The never ending harassment! The way he treats all the female students like they’re sex objects! And what do they do? NOTHING! So they deserve to go down with Kamshida!”

“Shiho…” Ann said.

“So, are you willing to join up?” Shiho asked.

Ann glared at Shiho. “No.”

“Huh?” Shiho said, confused.

“Shiho this is CRAZY!” Ann said, getting up with vigor. “We can’t just set fire to the building!”

Shiho looked at Ann. “So, you think he should just keep getting away with it all?”

Ann was taken aback. “Well, no… but this is too far!”

Shiho smiled. “It’s OK Ann, I get it.”

Ann looked up. “You...do?”

Shiho giggled. “Sweet, innocent Ann. You don’t have it in your heart to do this kind of thing.”

“Wha-” Ann said.

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Shiho said. She looked at Ren. “The same goes for you.” She looked down. “To be honest, I kind of wish I had your resolve.” Ann and Ren were concerned. “But I can’t. I can’t let him live. Not after everything he’s done!”

“Shiho…” said Ann.

Shiho smiled and giggled. “It’s OK,” she said. “After all, I have plenty of other people to help me. Farewell.” Shiho left.

Ann and Ren looked at each other. “Hey Ren. Let’s visit that other world. Maybe that Morgana figure might know if Shiho is the one who’s inciting the revolution in that other world.” Ren nodded.

Soon, the two found themselves in the other world. They looked around. Ann looked at Ren. “Woah, you’re back in your costume!”

Ren looked. Sure enough, she was. “I guess this world has an eye for fashion.”

“If only it were that simple” said a voice. The two turned around to find Morgana.

“Morgana?” Ren said.

“Those clothes appear when you’re considered a threat to the palace ruler” Morgana said.

“I see” said Ren.

“Wait, why don’t I have anything like that?” Ann said.

Morgana looked Ann over. “I guess because you haven’t awakened to your Persona yet.”

“Oh. Yeah” Ann said. They looked at Morgana. “Hey Morgana, have you found anything yet.”

Morgana looked disconcerted. “Well, sort of.” Ren and Ann were curious. “Some of Kamoshida’s guards have been in town putting up posters. Apparently, someone has gone missing from his castle. The guards have been searching feverishly for them. I think whoever that might be might be the one who took over the cognition.”

Ren and Ann looked at each other, nodded, and looked back at Morgana. “Hey Morgana,” Ann began, “would that person happen to be named Shiho Suzui?”

Morgana looked at them. “I was just about to begin investigating when you two showed up. Wanna come with?”

“Sure,” said Ren. She and Morgana began walking. Ren looked back to see Ann not moving. “Hey.” Ren walked back over to her. “It’s OK if you don’t want to be here.”

Ann smiled. “It’s fine. I want to be here. Let’s go!” They nodded and walked off.

Once they got into town, Morgana stopped the two of them. “Hold it!” he said. “Kamoshida’s guards are crawling all around. We bet be careful.”

Ren nodded. “If worse comes to worse, the two of us can fight them off.” Ren and Morgana nodded. They continued into town.

All over town, the group saw these posters. “Those are the ones the guards have been putting up.”

Ann wet up and took one. She was sickened by what she saw on it. It was a picture of Shiho dressed up like a bunny girl, along with the description “Missing: Shiho Suzui. Also known as Kamoshida’s timid bunny. Has been missing since yesterday.”

Ren saw Ann looking at the poster with a thousand-yard stare. “Are you alright?”

“That bastard!” Ann said.

Ren looked at the poster as well. “He is disgusting!”

“I couldn’t agree more,” said a voice. Ren, Ann, and Morgana turned around to see a figure. They emerged to reveal that they are Shiho. However, instead of being dressed up as a bunny, she was dressed as Napoleon Bonaparte. “That’s why I’m leading a revolution against him!”

Ren and Ann looked at each other and nodded. They turned back to Shiho. “Hey Shiho,” Ann asked, “what will the revolution entail?”

Shiho giggled. “Why nothing short of the death of King Kamoshida himself!”

The three of them were shocked. “Hold on, you can’t just kill Kamoshida and have it all be over!” Ann declared.

“Why not?” said Shiho.

Ann glared at her. “Don’t get me wrong, Kamoshida’s a bastard beyond redemption, but killing him isn’t the right option!”

“Oh? And what is?” Shiho said. “He’s taken advantage of everyone here. In my opinion, death might just be too lenient for him.”

Ann was shaken. Ren chimed in. “What about the next person to take advantage of everyone?!”

Shiho smiled menacingly. “We’ll just kill them too.”

Ren was taken aback. “Killing anyone who gets in your way? That’s not justice! That’s just petty.”

Ann tightened her fist. “She’s right! You chastise Kamoshida for doing whatever to get what he wants, but you’re sounding no better than him!”

“Hm” said Shiho. “I’m promising a world of freedom. A world without harassment! The opposite of Kamoshida!”

“But you’re using the same methods!” Ann called out. “Shiho. Please stop. This isn’t like you!”

“Hold on,” Morgana said. “Something’s not right.”

“What’s up?” Ren asked.

Morgana looked Shiho over. “Could it be? But how?!”

Ann took notice. “Morgana, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know how, but that thing in front of us,” Morgana said, “is like the Kamoshida of this world. She’s definitely the source of the take over distortion.”

“And that also means that if we kill her, the real Shiho dies as well?” Ann asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Morgana siad.

Ren smiled. “Well, god thing we have no intention of resorting to murder” she said.

Shiho looked at them curiously. “Oh? And what are you going to do?”

Ren continued her bravado. “It’s simple. We’re going to steal Kamoshida’s distorted desires!”

Shiho was shocked. “Hm. Good luck. That castle of his is more secure than it looks. I barely got out, and even I needed help.” Ren and the others took note of this statement. “There’s no way the likes of you are getting in there and surviving!”

“And what’s your plan?” Ann asked.

“I’m assembling a team,” Shiho said. “We’re going to overwhelm his forces and drag Kamoshida out here to the center of town! Where he will be greeted with this!” She gestured towards a guillotine. “And he’ll be put there. No hesitation. No remorse. Just dead. Then it will all be over.”

Morgana glared at Shiho. “We’ll stop that from happening!”

Ren nodded. “Right Ann?” She looked at Ann. “Ann?”

Ann was in tears. “Shiho…” she said. “This isn’t the Shiho I know. The Shiho I know is kind. Considerate. Always willing to help others.” She nervously stepped forward. “Whatever corrupted you, we will stop it! Then you can go back to being my friend! Mark my words! I WILL SAVE YOU!”

“My... It's taken far too long” said a voice from within Ann, who began struggling. “Tell me... Who is going to help her if you don't? Forgiving him was never the option…”

“You’re right,” Ann said. “But…”

“I know” the voice said. “You wish for a just punishment. For pure freedom. Such is the scream of the other you that dwells within. I am thou, thou art I... We can finally forge a contract.”

A red cat-like mask appeared on Ann’s face. “Of course!”

“There you go... Nothing can be solved by restraining yourself. Understand? Then I'll gladly lend you my strength."

And grabbed her mask. “Let’s go! Carmen!” She tore it off, blood flowing over her face. A surge of energy swept the area. Ann was now in a red catsuit with heels and pink gloves. Her Persona, Carmen, stood behind her.

Shiho was shocked by this power. “Hm” she said, regaining her composure. “Well, it seems like this is your answer.”

“Of course it is!” Ann said. “I’ll make Kamoshida pay and save you!”

Shiho smiled. “Very well. Let’s see if you can do this. You already know the deadline. Can you steal his treasure before then? We shall see”

“Hey! I think that’s her!” one of Kamoshida’s guards says. They bring some back up and investigate.

“Well, I’ll be taking my leave for now” Shiho said, running away.

“Halt!” the guard calls out. “Out of our way!”

“As if,” Ann said. “Ready?” Ren and Morgana nodded. “Then let’s go!” While they were matched in numbers, with Ann awakening to her new Persona, the fight was anything but fair. The shadows were dealt with easily, especially with Ann using Carmen’s fire powers to burn the shadows and Morgana following up with Zorro’s wind to inflict major damage.

“Wow. I can’t believe I did that” Ann said. She looked at her outfit. “Wha-What’s with this outfit?!”

“It’s your will of rebellion” Morgana calmly explained.

Ann was confused. “Will of rebellion?”

Morgana nodded. “Basically, once someone has awakened to their Persona, the outfit that is given to them is a representation of how they rebel against society.”

“Oh” Ann said. “It’s weird that it’s… well, like this… But I kind of get it.”

“That’s the spirit!” Morgana said.

“What do you think Ren?” Ann said.

Ren was a bit taken aback, but remained calm. “I think it looks good.”

“Right?!” Ann said.

“Alright, now that that’s out of the way, let’s find that treasure!”Morgana said.

Before any of them could move, Ann collapsed to the ground. “Ugh!”

“Ann! Are you alright?!” Ren said, rushing to pick her up.

“I’m… fine…” Ann said. “Just a little exhausted is all.”

“We better call it a day here,” Morgana said. “It seems like awakening to her Persona has taken the wind out of her sails.”

Ren lifted Ann up. “Are you OK enough to get to the exit?”

“Yeah. I should be fine” Ann said.

Ren looked at Morgana. “You staying here?”

Morgana thought about it. “I’ll see what other information I can gleam here. I think you two should do the same. I’ll meet you in your world when I’m ready.”

“Gotcha,” Ren said. She and Ann left for the real world.

Upon arrival, Ann said “Man, that was exhausting.”

“Wanna get something to eat?” Ren asked.

“As tempting as that is, I’d rather just head home for the evening,” Ann said. “How were you not this exhausted when you awoke to your Persona?”

“I was,” Ren said. “I just let the adrenaline carry me until I passed out on my bed.”

Ann was shocked. “That’s not healthy, you know.” Ren giggled. “Anyway, tomorrow’s the volleyball exhibition. I think that would be a good time to investigate.”

“Right,” Ren said. “See you there?”

“Of course!” Ann said.

“Can you get home alright?” Ren asked.

“I think I’ll be fine,” Ann said. “But thanks for your concern. Well, good night.”

“Good night,” Ren said. They parted ways and headed home for the evening.

#persona 5 #persona 5 royal #persona fanfiction #ren amamiya #p5 #p5r #p5 rework #Female ren #FeMC #p5 FeMC #ann takamaki #shiho suzui #Yoshizawa #ryuji sakamoto #morgana #sadayo kawakami

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beanwritesthings · 4 years

Text

Conversation

The room was quiet except for the sound of Gaufrid’s pen scratching out notes on the report he was currently reading. The magelights on the walls had been turned down in the wake of the meeting to preserve their enchantments, leaving the personal one by his elbow as the chief source of illumination. The ball of light bounced in place slightly from where it was suspended in the glass canister, causing his silhouette to dance on the various maps and papers covering the stone walls. He sighed heavily, sitting up and stretching, then running a hand through his hair, casting the already-messy black strands to enter further disarray. He readjusted himself in the chair and was about to lean over again and return to his work when there was a knock at the door.

“En-enter!” His voice cracked a bit and he cleared his throat before trying once more, “You may enter!”

The heavy wood creaked as the door opened to reveal the cloaked form of Raonull, the Mage looking as tired and barely put-together as always.

“May we speak? I left in a hurry after the meeting earlier.” His voice was hoarse, as it always seemed to be these days, the roughness of it catching on the edges of his words.

“Of course, what do you need to address?”

The man stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him then moving so he stood on the other side of the large center table that Gaufrid sat at.

“I want Lasair to be included in Party meetings.”

Gaufrid sighed, putting his pen down and looking fully up at the other man.

“I know you’re happy that your apprentice survived the fall, but she has no business--”

“Of course she does. You’re including Breonet and he’s not a Party Member, so why not her?”

Gaufrid’s expression tightened and he stood up, pushing away from the table.

“Breonet is being included because he is Ashblood, by his right as the chosen, he needs to be aware of the full situation if we are to bring down Wyrueir.”

“That is not set in stone. He was identified from a young age by the Firebloods, a group both of us know have no real authority nor any right or reason to choose any one mage over another, and you all just decided to honor their choice?”

“He was born on the longest night of the Midnight Year in the Crimson City and carries no family name. Those were the requirements set force by the Prophecy of Ash.”

“You speak as if he were the only one in existence who was eligible. There are plenty more who also are potential children of prophecy. Just because the Firebloods decided to use up their last day before Idorough fell anointing him and then using their resources to get him out of the city does not mean we have to honor their choice.”

“Then where are they?” Gaufrid shouted, throwing his arm out in his anger. “The prophecy states that the Ashblood will be the one to kill Wyrueir and end the seventh age! We have no options left, and as we have no way of knowing who the Creator intended on, we must use what we have been given.”

Raonull remained unflustered from the outburst, his face still sat in neutral indifference, the bags under his eyes appearing bigger in the low light.

“Alas, we have gotten off-topic.”

Gaufrid closed his eyes for a moment, breathing deeply and allowing his anger to simmer down.

“Yes, shall we continue?”

“Of course.” Raonull looked down, examining the large map of Arrijion that covered the table before continuing. “I believe her talents in both battle-casting and healing would be invaluable to us when we infiltrate the keep.”

“We have several Mages who would be ‘invaluable’ to us when we move to bring him down. What makes Lasair any different?”

The Mage’s shoulders stiffened, the first sign of emotion in his otherwise-professional demeanor.

“She’s already connected with both Mathiel and Jelren and I believe that they will only become closer as they remain here and fight beside one another. She’s a Spellweaver and is also a talented healer, allowing her to support us in ways that other casters cannot.”

Gaufrid nodded, conceding, then countered, “And why would she not be better off doing just that with the bulk of our forces as they take on the Void’s army? You know as well as I do that the fight against Wyrueir is our fight alone, one that civilians have no place in.”

“But what if she’s not?” Raonull burst out, his tone losing all levelness.

Gaufrid tightened his expression. “What do you mean?” he asked, voice careful.

“She is also a candidate for Ashblood, Gaufrid.” His voice was harried, seemingly desperate to get the other man to understand. “She was born on the day of the longest night of the Midnight year and her family carries no name.”

Gaufrid watched him carefully, eyes raking his form top to bottom, watching as he shifted his weight and swallowed, trying to clear his throat, before shaking his head.

“So that’s it, then?”

“What?” Genuine confusion filled the brunet’s face.

“The reason why you’re trying so hard to get her in on all our secrets.” Gaufrid scoffed and rolled his eyes then pointed at Raonull. “You’re upset that the Firebloods, a group that I agree are more of a joke or an attempt of propaganda that the Aranists allowed to gain autonomy, chose Breonet instead of your apprentice, aren’t you?”

Raonull went still, a blank look taking over his face. Gaufrid let out a short laugh.

“Of course, why would I ever think that it would be something different. I keep forgetting who you are, Raonull, what you’ve done.” He shook his head, sighing. “You like stories, don’t you? Ones where the villain is brought to justice in some delightfully poetic way. And this is all just a narrative to you, isn’t it? Your narrative and the rest of us are just there to push the story alone. That would be poetic, wouldn’t it? For Wyrueir to finally fall to the apprentice of the one who--”

“That’s what you think this is about?” Raonull’s voice was deadly quiet as he cut the other man off, a far cry from his previously professional tone. “Some kind of jealousy fit because my apprentice wasn’t chosen by a group of elders too lazy and dependent on some prophecy to get off their asses to try and save themselves?”

Gaufrid’s eyes widened and he took a step back, realizing his mistake. He raised his arms in a placating motion.

“Raonull, you know that’s not-”

“Then what do you mean, Gaufrid? Please, tell me.”

The man swallowed, trying to clear his throat, and looked away from the seething mage, eyes tracing the maps on the walls before returning to look at his ex-comrade.

“All I’m saying is that you don’t know Breonet.” He started off speaking slowly and quietly, afraid of poking Roanull’s temper further into dangerous territory. “You know of him from what your apprentice has told you and you only saw him in a professional capacity back in Idorough. He’s a very talented fire mage-”

“That’s all he is,” mumbled Raonull, getting a glare from the other man.

“And,” Gaufrid continued, ignoring the interruption, “Maybe you hold a little resentment that Lasair - who is an incredibly talented mage herself - didn’t get recognized despite her fulfillment of the prophecy and won’t have the glory of the Ashblood title.”

“Glory?” Raonull threw his head back and laughed, the sound grating and containing no joy. “You would do well to remember to whom you speak to, Spochytel. I may not have been present at the reading of the Prophecy of Ash, but I remember the words well, and the fate of the Ashblood, the one chosen by the Creator to finally vanquish Wyrueir, the Great Mistake, is not one of glory. To face him, to obey the pull of destiny, to do what I—“

He broke off suddenly, all bluster gone as he stared down at his right hand, clenching his fist and watching the faint scars and black tattoos shift in response. Gaufrid didn’t dare move, wouldn’t risk the ire of one of the most unpredictable men he knew by interrupting him when he was in the midst of remembering his imprisonment.

Raonull sighed heavily, his shoulders falling as he slumped forwards and gripped his scarred hand.

“I wouldn’t wish that kind of fate on anyone, let alone her.” His voice was soft once more, but horse and defeated where it had been full of warning and intent.

“You really do care for her,” Gaufrid murmured as he watched the other man carefully, eyes sharp with curiosity.

“She is my apprentice, and I, her mentor. Of course, I care for her.”

“No, you care, Raonull. More than I’ve seen you care since… well…”

He trailed off, contemplative. The two stood in silence for a while, Gaufrid studying the map on the table and the various small objects on it representing the various cells and people of interest while Raonull traces the lines crisscrossing his hand with his eyes, brow furrowed in thought. He opened his mouth to speak, only for the words to get caught in his throat, bringing forth a soft noise that was audible only because of the absolute quiet in the room. Gaufrid looked up in response and waited as the older man coughed and cleared his throat before trying to speak again.

“If, if I had my way, Lasair would be as far away from this as possible. I want her back in Idorough studying and working towards being a healer and instead, she’s here preparing to fight in a war that I’d do anything to keep her out of. If I was able to I’d ensure that she’d never step foot on another battlefield or get captured and tortured again. I’d escort her to Sahshriq myself and get her on a boat to Eibrall as soon as possible if that’s what it took.”

He stopped, took another deep, rattling breath and then continued.

“But I know that’s not possible. Not, now, not then, and not ever. She’s too headstrong to run now, no matter if I begged.”

Raonull smiled softly, but still looked down at his hands, refusing to meet Gaufrid’s eyes.

“She’s vowed to see this through, to end the suffering that Wyrueir brings to the people of Arrijion. Her natural empathy and devotion to the healer’s creed mean that she cannot stand by and allow anyone to suffer when she can help. And, right now, the best way for her to do so is from right here, whether the prophecy is behind her or not.”

He fell silent, heaving a heavy sigh and finally releasing his right hand before finally lifting his head and meeting Gaufrid’s eyes.

“All I ask is that you give her a chance. She’s already managed to befriend both Mathiel and Jelren and will be a boon to us on the front lines whether she ends up in the keep or not, and, trust me, she’ll try her best to get there and I’d rather her be informed than run in and get herself or someone else hurt because she doesn’t know what’s going on.”

Gaufrid remained silent, merely breaking the eye contact and returning his gaze to the map. Raonull clenched his jaw.

“I shall take my leave then.” The words were tight, his voice back to the pure professional tone he had adopted at the beginning of the conversation.

He turned around and began striding towards the door, his body a line of tension and repressed anger.

“Adhairt, wait.”

The other man’s voice had him pausing as he reached out to grab the handle. He turned his head slightly, only enough to show that he was listening.

“The Party meets again in two days. By then, the scouts should be back with Domian. We’ll explain everything to the three then, and…” he paused, taking a deep breath, “if you think it best, I shall allow Lasair to attend the meeting.”

Raonull nodded, then opened the door, throwing a “Till next light” over his shoulder before he vanished back into the citadel. Gaufrid let out his breath, deflating, and then sat down heavily in his previously-abandoned chair. He leaned forward, resting his face in his hands and rubbing at his eyes. The magelights flickered a bit, a sign that the enchantment was getting close to failing. He stared at the map, at the one large figure placed on their location and the seven smaller figures surrounding it. He opened a drawer, finding a small carved statue of a bird and placing it in-between the arrow and the bear.

“Creator save us all,” he whispered, the words echoing strangely in the quiet of the room before he picked up his pen once more and pulled his stack of reports back towards him. It would be a long night.

#ashblood wip #missing scene #raonull adhairt #gaufrid primiroi #questions welcome!!!#please ask me stuff #i'm a needy writer #with so many ideas and feelings

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arcxnclum · 4 years

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ok, so. there are a few things that need to be said, and I'll have a little rant about everything and then try to do a little tl;dr. keep in mind, that this is solely my opinion, and I’m going to be talking about my view on Xerath. of course, you’re free to disagree, just don’t come to me trying to prove me wrong.

through his entire life, it seems to me, that Xerath was a very attentive and curious person. he was perceptive, talented, had no trouble learning new things and was constantly pushing himself to do more and more, to know more and more, which eventually led to his downfall, as his ambitions and greed grew as well. one might say that the boy was close to being a prodigy, but, sadly, when you’re that attentive at a young age, you understand many harsh things about life quite soon – especially, if you’re living a life of a slave. it was stated, that he vowed to not be treated like any other slave, and it happened even before his father’s death, when he was still a child, so you can imagine the grasp on his situation that he had at the time. educated and taken to be the architect’s assistant, he now had the access to the Great Library, and if he dared to speak to an emperor’s child – I can safely say he wasn’t only taking some of the scrolls for his master only. imagine being so bold, not even a death threat would change your decision to talk to a prince, even though you’ve had the best intentions. Was this meeting luck or destiny, what would’ve happened if Xerath just walked past, that’s for someone else to imagine. I do believe that Azir would be dead in the desert with his brothers and Xerath would remain a nameless person, only plotting something awful for his master.

But, fortunately, they were acquainted – and yes, I’m saying fortunately, because (and you can pry this from my cold dead hands) they became the most important people to one another, saving each other countless times, and pushing each other to go even further with the things they tried to pursue. Now having access to everything the prince had the access to, plus being his sort-of advisor, before Azir was actually crowned, Xerath did exactly what his name meant – he was sharing everything he knew, everything he learned, and everything he wanted to learn and find. and, as morbid as that sounds, they shared their first kill, after the caravan was attacked near the Oasis. That was the first time Xerath truthfully saved Azir from death, and it was way, way more innocent, that the ones to follow.

naturally, when promised something he was craving his entire life, he grabbed onto those words and held them very close to heart. through years of servitude and secrets, orchestrated plans and intrigues, it was a heavy weight. every single decision he did in favor of Azir then felt pointless after their quarrel, and of course it would be the thing to push Xerath over the edge.

but in that point in his life, promised his freedom, having the access to everything he wants to learn AND knowing he can get away with anything, since he could quite literally silence the bad tongues forever, Xerath was as free as he would truly get. it was that moment that he discovered magic – unlocking sealed libraries, discovering dark arts for the first time, knowing he has to do something to protect his friend. and even though it sounds as if he only did it for himself, not to lose his position next to the only heir to the throne, Xerath truly believed it was for a friend.

and he did horrible things. using his growing magic powers, he killed, and killed, and killed. and managed to keep every single one of those a secret – even after he summoned powerful spirits from the desert and bent their wills to his, destroying the empress’ room with lightnings, killing her and her son, then murdering the emperor and his guards. and it wasn’t even the end, since to hide his guilt, he spread the rumours of mages of an entire region to be responsible for the deaths. Azir would definitely not approve of this, since it was his family after all, even though he probably didn’t like his parents that much, but in reality, that was the only chance for him to survive. And while the future emperor was learning to fight, Xerath, his soon-to-be advisor, continued to master his magic.

there would be no equal to him, except for, maybe, Nasus, in terms of knowledge and solutions of certain strategic objectives. He was cunning, he was smart, he managed to keep his growing desire for freedom a secret from anyone, but Azir. and as his conquest continued, Xerath remained in the capital, doing everything he could to gather more and more power. so when they finally got to the edge – after decades of strong friendship, drifting apart, and Xerath was reminded of who he is, there was no turning back.

admittedly, his greed is to blame when it comes to making Azir say those words at his face. if only there were no secrets kept between them, if only Azir didn’t become proud and arrogant, if only Xerath’s ambitions didn’t take the best of him…

and so the master plan was carefully made. previously working for the emperor secret mage was now turning the cards in his own favor, appealing to the people around him, making sure he would have support after his takeover. he was collecting magic, storing it inside him, to compromise the ritual. he managed to collect so much it was going to kill him, if he didn’t release it, and while hating Azir it seemed so easy to do.

but then he ruined everything.

now, it’s confirmed, that there was a part of Xerath that didn’t want to do what he had done. He was watching his only friend burn alive, blasted away from the circle of Ascension, through genuine tears. He was grieving. If only he knew sooner!

and then he took the power all for himself, not even bothering trying to prevent the city from burning – there would honestly be no way he could manage to control it at that point, and he knew the people would not support him after Azir’s last law. but he kept the priests in place with his dark magic. imagine that – you’re blasted with the energy of the sun, the energy that creates living gods, as it reshapes you, which is most definitely a very painful process, yet his abilities in magic were so strong he held the entire circle of priests in place, not allowing them to interrupt the ritual. and then he allowed them to die with the rest of the capital, as he was morphed into a new being, more powerful, invincible – capable of fighting off both of the strongest Ascended at the same time. he was imprisoned once, in a sarcophagus that contained a spirit of living fire, and he broke out in a second. to then be forced to live centuries in the darkness of the tombs.

now I’m definitely saying, that this prison took a toll on both of them – as Xerath twisted Renekton’s mind in various ways, his own was also subjected to an awful influence. he lived in hatred, he was craving revenge and power, more and more power, and he, was once again, more than anything, desiring freedom.

it’s safe to say that in his current state he’s not human. he’s not above being human, rather his Ascension took him a different route. as he says himself, he can see the forces that hold the universe together, and he continues to store energy in himself, as he is literally a vortex of arcane power. his dark arts were combined with the solar energy, and he must be overflowing with power, which threatens to kill him for good – because no living being can possibly hold all that energy inside for so long. for now, Xerath is capable of using it and controlling it, and he will seek revenge to take the Disk for himself and hopefully use it to contain his powers. but never to limit them.

TL;DR !

about: magic/energy.

he found out his talents for magic before Azir’s brothers were killed, but he decided to learn it only after he knew Azir would be in danger. he truly wanted to protect his friend, NOT for his own benefits, thus he convinced Azir that he needed to learn how to fight.

through the decades, he became more and more powerful, using arcane magic, and fire magic, and spiritual magic, and everything he could find in the desert, from manuscripts to artefacts. and eventually he started using energokinesis, storing energy in his own body. to interrupt the Ascension ritual he needed to have a lot, and it was physically painful and hard to contain all of it, so he brought himself to point of no return. there would be no way he could’ve kept it and not blast Azir out of the sunlight. that’s important.

he knew there was no way he could’ve prevented the blast of the sun energy to wipe the capital out as soon as he was hit with it. he might’ve tried, but he didn’t see the point. more about that later.

now, specifically because he held so much energy in himself, the solar energy alloyed with his own, and that was the reason he got… unusual. his transformation amplified everything about his magical abilities, but it also filled him with so much energy, he couldn’t control all of it. he was energy itself, but just sane and sentient. he couldn’t be contained.

after he escaped the tomb, Xerath had to regain most of his powers and arcane energy, so he sought “heart of the desert” – I presume he corrupted desert spirits and took their knowledge of everything that has happened. he continues to store energy in his new form, but, in reality, he’s afraid that he would lose control. no one knows that, obviously. also he can brainwash and somewhat hypnotize people now. good to know.

about: relationships.

now, as much as I can see Xerath missing his mother a lot, the only person he ever truly cared about was Azir. he threw his entire life for his only friend, clinging to his promise, and he would do anything for him back then. that is, of course, until they grew too proud and arrogant. still, if Xerath knew what Azir was planning, there would never be such a conflict. Azir freed him, but in his condition, Xerath had no choice. he was genuinely grieving the death of his friend, albeit it being by his hand. it shouldn’t have come to this, but everything was too late.

but now, after centuries that drove him even more insane, he wants nothing but revenge. why? that’s a good question.

about: current state.

and I’m not talking about “a glowing stone boy”, no. in Pantheon’s story, Xerath is referred to as an inhumane creature, who wouldn’t even share a word. can you imagine, a person, described as “loving to talk, since he loves to hear the sound of his own voice” being creepily silent? he’s moving further and further away from humanity, and into the realm of beyond, so to say, as he is slowly dissolving into becoming pure energy. he is still sentient, of course, but right now he’s as far from resembling a human, as he ever was, and it will only get worse with time. he greeds for power – as in magic power and ruling over people, and he stops at nothing, just to get what he wants.

about: well, killing. and more relationships.

listen, he was insanely cruel when he was still human. his mind and ability to conspire things proved to be a great cover for everything he did, and now he doesn’t even need to cover up his murders. he is a killer. and he’s not killing for a cause, or to prove a point, he kills because it’s the easiest way to get what he wants. there’s surely little to no negotiating with him. he’s not interested in having someone work with him and he will not allow anyone to get close to him.

in conclusion! Xerath was once a loyal friend, a smart prodigious student, capable of learning anything insanely fast and pursuing his goals anywhere. he hated his position as a slave, and even though it might seem that he only did everything to benefit himself, he was actually hoping to be equal to his friend. however, his actions are not at all innocent or redeemable. he murdered to save one person, and it was probably over two dozen murders that he managed to do, until Azir became emperor. they drifted apart, but in reality they just needed to TALK. that led everything into a big freaking mess, Xerath did something very stupid, couldn’t control his magic and then became the Ascended – kind of one of a kind (that was fun to write). he was crying for Azir, and if that’s not enough to prove in the end he didn’t want his death, I don’t know what is. but then came the imprisonment, and he was driven insane with power, with his new abilities, and now he is quite literally on the brink of infinity.

#2265 words #i hereby allow you to skip straight to the tldr #i had to make two versions....#〘 ☾ i am eternal. ☀ (musings.)〙#yep buddy you really are eternal #and complicated #and this is why i need a human verse he is UNAPPROACHABLE #〘 ☾ you cannot fathom what i am. ☀ (headcanon.)〙

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sustraiii · 5 years

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TEAM ZRCN ARC 2 - CHAPTER 15

ZRCN head out to rescue Neela, but are they successful? Find out in this penultimate main chapter of arc 2! Featuring a new P.O.V ;)

HELIA

As the trio drew near to the mines, a light rain formed above. Helia frowned when she felt the first drops against her bare shoulders, praying that this wasn’t the onset of another storm - either an actual storm or another argument between Zelde and Xanthos.

The pair of them had been quite calm for most of the journey, but had become a bit tetchy when Xanthos had delivered a poorly timed joke about the weather being an ominous sign.

Having been with ZRCN for a while now, it pained her to see them at odds like this, especially when they had seemed so close before. Though if anyone could understand and sympathise with the stresses of a team that was crumbling apart then Helia would fit the role perfectly. Still, despite her concerns, she was hopeful that ZRCN would not meet the same fate her own team had. It was a difficult time for the four - that she could not deny - and she could not imagine being in Zelde’s place, forced to decide between which teammate needed her most.

The three of them eventually found themselves in front of the old Shizukana mines. Chainlink fences lined the border, along with several signs warning of the hazards supposedly waiting within. A number of the signs were adorned with crude remarks; most of them cursing the Hargraves or Atlas in some capacity. Although the fence should have deterred anyone from going any further, there were several holes and loose bits of fence, where if you pushed hard enough you could get through. It was through one bit of loose fence that the three of them managed to get through. It was difficult to budge it at first, only able to lift it enough for all of them to squeeze under when Xanthos used Neela’s weapon to shift it some more.

When they had all squeezed through, Zelde gave him a disapproving look. “I thought the idea of bringing that was to give it back to Neela when we found her,” Zelde said. “Not try and break it trying to get through a fence.”

“It wouldn’t have broke,” Xanthos fired back, pushing on. “Trust me, I would know. I’m the only one who’s messed around with it besides Neela herself.”

Zelde made a small ‘hmph’ sound, before falling in beside Helia as they made their way towards the processing plant. It was an imposing building, dark and miserable looking, with an appearance that wasn’t helped by its dated appearance. A few bits of old machinery lingered outside, rusted and weather-beaten, but as Leyla had told her long ago, the islanders had been quick to do away with most of the equipment that could remind them of the dreadful tragedy that had struck their island.

Moving up to the outside of the building, the three of them kept close to the walls as they made their way to the entrance of the building. The entrance wasn’t particularly well secure save for a basic lock which could easily be taken care of. Helia found it interesting that there was a lock on the outside. It either meant there was another entrance round the back that they used or their idea of the group being here had been drastically wrong.

“Stay back,” Helia advised to the two of them, before drawing Phlegon. With a quick slash, the blade cut through the lock with ease, and dropped to the ground with a soft plunk. With some caution, she pushed on the door with her free hand.

There was a faint noise as the door caught on the floor as it opened, but otherwise, the three of them were able to slip inside quietly. The inside was just as miserable-looking as the outside, and possess a strange odour which Helia couldn’t quite place.

“Not many places for cover,” Zelde mused to the left of her, drawing her gun out ready. “If we get into a fight this could get rough.”

Helia nodded silently in agreement. As Zelde had observed, the room didn’t exactly provide much in the way of cover. If a battle was to follow it could get messy fast.

“Where do you think she might be?” Xanthos asked from the right of them. Out of the corner of her eye, Helia could see him looking around. When they talked about their plan with Leyla hours earlier, she had suggested either the foreman’s office or one of the abandoned storerooms. Helia couldn’t see the foreman’s office, but there were several doors to the left of the building, that could be storerooms. There was also what appeared to be a small office above them as well, though it was hard to tell what purpose it held exactly, as the windows had been blacked out.

They checked behind the doors first, cautiously opening each one to see what was inside. They had cleared two of the rooms, when Zelde decided she was going to check on the upper office. Xanthos pouted slightly, but Zelde eventually won them over, agreeing to Helia’s plea of being careful.

“I think she’s purposely avoiding me now,” Xanthos confided to her, when the jimmied the third door open.

“Well given that argument you had, I can’t say I’m surprised,” Helia admitted. Xanthos’s shoulders sagged slightly at that, and Helia was compelled to come over and give him a reassuring pat on the arm. “She’ll come around eventually,” She assured him. “Just give her some space and - “

“Watch out!” Helia’s words were cut short by a sudden shout from Zelde outside. Helia turned just in time to see a woman charging at them with a chigiriki. While Xanthos ducked out of the way, Helia raised Phlegon to parry her, the blade striking the metal body of the weapon. Helia had to move her head quickly to avoid getting hit with the recoil of the chain.

After the parry, the other woman jumped back, landing in a crouched position. Helia was surprised to see she was smirking. “Wisty said you were a good fighter,” She said, staring at Helia. “Show me what you’re made of Vytal champion.”

“Nieve.” Came a warning tone from the doorway. A brown-skinned man stood there, giving her a disapproving glance. “I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time to play later. Leave them be, Wisteria has another use for us.”

“You’re no fun,” The woman - Nieve - complained with a laugh. She straightened and then did a little hop over to him. “Don’t be too rough, Yule. That look doesn’t suit you.”

With that she squeezed past him, leaving him standing in the doorway, his piercing blue eyes watching them intently. A hand went to a dagger he kept by his waist, but he didn’t draw his weapon immediately. With his free hand, he glanced at a watch on his wrist. “I hope your friends got out in time.”

“What does that mean?” Xanthos inquired. But the man didn’t need to speak before they got their answer. There was a boom from above, before the whole room seemed to quake, causing dust and a few bits of debris to begin to rain down upon them. Fearing something large was about to collapse, Helia turned and practically threw herself at Xanthos, forcing him down in an effort to shield him. It was only when the shaking seemed to stop, that she eased her hold on him.

“Are you okay?” She asked, hand still on his back. However, Xanthos didn’t respond, instead jumping to his feet, and panicked expression on his face. The other man had since vanished from the doorway - likely fleeing in the chaos. Xanthos practically flung himself out the doorway as he shouted for his teammates. “Zelde! Neela!”

Rising to her feet, Helia went after him. He hadn’t gone far thankfully and was still shouting for his teammates. The dust and debris that had fallen had impaired their vision slightly, so it was proving a little difficult in looking around.

As the two of them looked around, Helia was suddenly aware of the sound of approaching footsteps - fast ones at that. “Ravi!” She called out in warning.

The golden-haired man turned in the direction of the footsteps, but to their surprise and relief, it wasn’t one of Farron’s men, rather a very dusty Neela, who proceeded to fling herself at Ravi. She was followed close behind by Zelde, who lingered back while her other teammates reunited. Helia noticed she had some blood dripping down her forehead, and shot her a concerned look.

“Are you okay?” Helia asked, putting a hand on her back soothingly.

“Could have been worse,” Zelde admitted, offering a shy smile in return. “Thankfully, Neela got me out of the way of the blast just in time.”

It was then that a light cough interrupted them, and both women turned to see, Xanthos and Neela looking expectantly at Zelde, arms open as though inviting her to their group hug.

Zelde looked uncertain, but Xanthos waved her over with more force. “Get over here, Zee.”

With a shrug, she stepped forward and was quickly enveloped into the group hug. Joyous laughter soon turned into relieved tears, and Helia found herself feeling very wistful watching them. When had been the last time her own team had acted like that? Was it before her Vytal win? She made a vow to herself that once this was all over she would reach out Ally and Anthea again.

A few minutes passed, before the three of them eventually parted, Xanthos and Neela still sniffling as they stepped apart. Zelde had regained her composure, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her previous emotions.

“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Zelde said, gesturing for where the three of them had walked in earlier.

“No,” Neela was quick to object. “We finish this now. I’m not letting these people get away with what they’ve done.”

“I’m with, Neela,” Xanthos was quick to say.

Zelde studied them both carefully, an uncertain look in her eye. “Are you sure? I don’t want to push you both too much.”

“And what about you?” Helia cut in. “Don’t think that wound on your head went unnoticed by me.”

“I can hold back if necessary,” Zelde assured her. Which was true; unlike Helia, Zelde’s weapon allowed her to keep her distance in a fight.

“Well, I’ve got the energy to spare!” Xanthos assured them all, giving a little thumbs up for further emphasis.

All attention went to Neela. She looked fine enough, but Helia could see the fatigue in her eyes, and she was certain it hadn’t gone unnoticed by her teammates. “Okay, I’ll admit I’m not in the best of forms,” Neela said, holding her hands up in admittance. “But I can fight if I need to.”

“Are you absolutely certain?” Zelde asked. “I don’t want another person injured on my watch.”

Neela’s expression shifted slightly. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” She assured her leader. “I won’t exert myself any further than necessary.”

The uncertain look still hadn’t fled Zelde’s eyes, but she seemed to give in after this comment, giving the four of them a small nod to show she was also ready.

Neela then glanced towards Xanthos, and held out her hand, gesturing for him to hand over her weapon, which he did so. As her grip tightened around the hilt of Triton’s Maw, a wide smile spread over her lips. “Let’s go kick some bad guy ass.”

#team ZRCN #team zrcn fic #Zelde Sewick #Xanthos Ravindra #Neela Oxford #helia vines #nieve #ulysses crest

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ardentmuse · 6 years

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At All Costs (Charlie Weasley x Reader) - Part 4

Harry Potter - Charlie Weasley x Reader

Wordcount: 2.9k

Masterlist // Series Masterlist

A/N: Warning: violence, fighting, angst. I hope you all enjoy! This part is a little shorter than most but a good move forward for the story.

“What do we do?” Molly asked her husband and sons as they surrounded the family clock containing a tenth hand belong to a Weasley in everything but name.

“We can’t ‘do’ anything,” Charlie responded, though his eyes never left the image at the end of the long arrow, a gold-framed portrait of you, one that had yet to stop smiling up at him, so filled with love that he believed your image sentient, completely aware that it was him looking into your eyes and not a complete stranger.

His hands continued to trace the edge of the metal. A thought entered his mind that the frame was fitting, as only gold was precious enough to surround your person and encompass your form for his eyes.

When his head hit the pillow at night to dream, that was how he saw you, a divine being haloed in gold, shrouded in holy light. Part of him thought maybe he was lifting you up in his mind because you were gone, but he quickly squashed that idea. He had these dreams, saw these images on nights alone in Romania, in times where he craved your presence so acutely he considered mounting his broom and flying halfway across the globe just for fifteen minutes in your bed and a kiss upon his cheek. He yearned for you like a drug somedays and like water others, and if he was honest with himself somedays he would get so wrapped up in his work that he wouldn’t think of you at all until his eyes closed once more in exhaustion. Then his brain conjured images of catching you as you fell from your broom in the family groves, watching your face light up as you opened a gift from him on Christmas morning, and warping you in his blankets as you laid your head to rest upon his shoulder. But every time, when his mind formed the image of you, warmth penetrated his bones, bubbles filled his stomach, and an aura of gold clouded his mind. Pure, pure love. Love that grew each day. And love that would continue to grow each day still, whether you were alive or not to receive it.

And for the first time since all of this began, he felt a tear run down his cheek and land upon the first few letters of your name. For the first time in quite a long time, he felt some joy.

Molly rubbed at her son’s back with soft, rhythmic circles like the ones she used to do to ease his quidditch injuries in youth.

“I’m sorry, Charlie.”

“Don’t be, mum,” Charlie said as he turned to look at her, making clear the smile that was somehow, despite everything, plastered on his face, “Now I know. Whatever Y/N is up, it’s for us and for the Order. Y/N wants an end to this war more than anyone. Whatever this sacrifice is, I’m proud.”

Bill was stunned, “All this and you aren’t even going to send an owl? Have Kingsley investigate? Go searching?”

“No,” Charlie confirmed as he returned his eyes to you just in time to see the small wink that had you laughing. “We always had a no owls on missions policy. Y/N sends to me first, not the other way around. Too much can be traced. And if Kingsley doesn’t know, there is a reason. We’ve got to keep any details away from the ministry. We watch the clock. We pretend we know nothing. And we let Y/N do what they do best.”

Bill nodded as he processed Charlie’s words, seeing the logic within, something his brother often disregarded in favor of selecting the first practical, and usually dangerous, option that came to mind. Noticing the change too, Molly locked eyes with Bill and exchanged smiles. If there was one thing they always liked about you, it was that you made Charlie better.

“Y/N’s a tough one,” Arthur threw in for support.

“The toughest,” Bill confirmed. “ We’ll take your lead on this one, brother. You know this protocol better than we do.”

Charlie laughed, “That’s what we fought about, you know? This stupid protocol.” Charlie let out another chuckle. this one from deep in his chest more like a roar then any human sound, revealing the true lion within. “And now it’s probably going to save all our lives. Merlin, gorgeous, you’re always right aren’t you?” He directed the last question at your picture as he ran his finger once more along the length before finally letting go.

With the decision made, the family parted to continue about their work prepping for tomorrow’s celebration. Molly reached down to take the clock in hand, her constant companion through this war.

“And mum you’ll—“ Charlie began but Molly didn’t need him to finish before she confirmed, “I’ll watch for all my children.”

Arthur lingered a little longer than the rest, grabbing Charlie by the shoulder to gain his attention.

“I’m proud of you,” he said as he offered a pat, “You’ll make a good husband someday, son. Take it from me; trust is key. And I know you’ve both got that in spades.”

A single shaft of light came in through a small crack in the foundation of the dungeon in which they held you captive, enough to allow you to see how the horrendous mark upon your skin was healing, but just barely. The brand was chard on the edges. The skin was dead, as dead as the evil which produced it, and you still felt the burning deep under the surface, so deep that you thought that when you died and your flesh rotted away, the brand would still exist upon your bones.

You did your best to explore the baron room, crawling as you felt against the walls, but you only got a few feet before a voice, raspy and worn, called out to you.

“You won’t find anything, my friend,” the voice said before falling into a fit of coughing, “Merlin knows I’ve tried.”

You vaguely remembered the voice but couldn’t place it. You felt above your head to try and see how high the ceiling went and upon realizing you could stand, just barely, you walked with labored movements towards the source of the sound.

Once you were within reach, the man grabbed for your hand and upon feeling it recited with frightening accuracy, “11-inch, hornbeam wood with dragon heartstring core, sister wand to my very own. I always knew there were great things in store for you, Y/N L/N. I simply wish it didn’t have to be this.”

“Mr. Ollivander?” you said as your heart filled with fear and compassion for the man who had only ever shown you kindness, “Goodness, what have they done to you?”

He didn’t respond, but instead reached over beside him. You head a small metal tinge before feeling a rush of water upon your wound. It burned, worse than you expected, but after a rinse or two, you found relief.

You hadn’t a clue how much time had passed. Without light, it was near impossible to tell. But you did get a rather solid run-down from Ollivander about the proceedings among the enemy since the fall of Albus Dumbledore. You were grateful to have a fellow prisoner, even if you were more of a “guest” serving out a necessary punishment.

A swing of the door and a loud clang against the stone wall woke you from an agitated slumber. The light, so bright and painful against your eyes, made it hard to see who stood before you, but the voice was unmistakable.

“Up, curse-breaker,” Ismelda said as she threw a dark hooded robe overtop your body.

“Where are we going?” you managed to ask as you unburied yourself from dark garment.

“Our lord has a loyalty test in mind.”

Her laughter fills the void of the chamber as you clamor to your feet and rush out the door.

The music of the band had the reception tent filled with joy and activity. The pomp of the evening was lost on no one, as the events of the previous two months had left little to celebrate.

Bill held Fleur in his arms just a few yards in front of Charlie in the middle of the dance floor. The couple was laughing with each spin, completely engrossed in each other. And while sure, Charlie was happy for them, he couldn’t help but feel something was wrong. As best man, he had worn an suit to Fleur’s specifications but Charlie had intentionally selected a pocket square that would have matched your outfit perfectly and had planned to do his hair the way you liked, pulled back from his face and flowing behind his ears just enough for you to be able to run your hands through it as you sat beside him or astride him as you talked. But his mother had chopped it off before he could properly protest.

He wanted you here, wanted to see how you reacted to such a ceremony so you could begin planning your own. What parts would you like to keep? What parts did you wish to avoid at all costs when you said your own vows to each other? He wanted to sit in this chair with you right beside him, running his finger over the ring that should now be sitting upon your hand, as you commented on each detail: “No white tablecloths; too easily dirty,” or, “This food is good but I think we can do better,” or, “It isn’t too cold out tonight so maybe we aim for August too?” or even the occasional, “I can’t wait to marry you.”

Just as he turned down yet another cousin offering him a dance, the entire party was interrupted by a misty orb shooting through the tent into the center of the dance floor, like a meteor set on a path of destruction. Charlie stood in shock and pulled out his wand. Party guests scatter in all directions as the lynx lets out a low growl, making itself known. Harry sees out of the corner of his eye Harry and Ron run forward, accompanied by his parents and others who were otherwise entertained, the entire Order lined the dance floor protecting the rest of attendees from whatever harm such an object might contain.

The orb unraveled into the form of a lynx. It circled the tent once before settling at the center of the crowd. From its form came the voice of Kingsley, whispered and urgent.

“The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming.”

And as if on queue, black masses began appearing on the outskirts of the tents and rushing inward to search the mass for Harry Potter. Cloaked figures whizzed through the crowd like birds darting for fish just under the surface of the water, talons bear and dangerous.

On instinct, Charlie flipped the table and encouraged those few family members near his to apparate away. The goal as always among the Order was to protect Harry first and his family second, but honestly it was all the same at this point. Faceless cloaked figures shot curses in aimless directions, filling the tent with light and chaos. Cloth rained down like Christmas mist, sparks caught upon the edges of napkins, and dishes clanked upon the floor as each table was unturned and each settling tossed aside in the search for Potter.

Charlie had managed to stun a few assailants from his advantageous spot near the center of the mass but quickly it became apparent to him that a united front was a much better option. The capture of a single Order member could be devastating. Charlie stood and began to run towards the house, towards the mass of bodies back to back that he believed to be his twin brothers.

But before he could move even a few steps, he came face to face with an unmasked Carrow whose teeth were bare in amusement as he made to charge.

Just as Charlie was about to disarm him, a table flew into the air separating the two men. Carrow ran face first into the white-washed wood, falling to the ground for long enough for Charlie to get away.

But Charlie didn’t move. He knew that trick, knew it too well from all the times he and Bill used to levitate the tables and use them for battles out in the garden.

Charlie turned himself towards the hooded figure, face masked and otherwise indistinguishable from the rest of the attacking forces. He immediately shot a jinx in the direction of the body but the Death Eater didn’t counter, but instead casted a levitation charm on themselves, rising quickly into the air and avoiding his jinx completely.

And then he knew. He knew immediately as you hovered in the air before him that it was you.

As you floated, your head hitting the roof of the tent, you stared down at Charlie who couldn’t move, the shock and knowledge reading all over his face.

You had prayed he would remember that day in the forest all those years ago, before you even began dating, when you had levitated yourself to search for the centaur that he had somehow managed to befriend. Charlie had offered to catch you that night. He’d seemed so eager to help you then, and for the first time since you had started your friendship, you realized the butterflies you felt in your stomach upon seeing him might be mutual. He had uttered the counter-charm and down you floated, as gentle as feather, into his embrace. And he held you for just a second too long, and then you knew.

You waited a moment to see how he’d respond. The chaos around made it so no one was really paying much attention to you. And as you had just “accidentally” knocked out your handler, you had a moment to think.

Charlie lifted his hand, whispered something and down you floated, just like that night a decade ago. Charlie ran forward, ready to catch you his arms, looking so desperate to feel you again that it hurt your heart to see. And Godric did you want to feel him, too.

When you had first laid eyes on him upon your arrival, he seemed strong and confident, not the saddened wreck you expected. Maybe he never really loved you as you had thought, your brain said. But now seeing this, you knew the truth; Charlie had figured it out. He had nothing to mourn. But having you within arms reach seemed another level of torture.

But before he could reach you, you could see out of the corner of your eye Ismelda charging, accompanied by Bellatrix, as they chased Tonks back into the tent, all three blasting curses as quickly and deftly as they could.

You only took a second to assess the situation, to consider what was best, for you and for Charlie. And a step before he would have held you again, you whispered so only he could hear, “Sorry, my love,” before blasting him with a stun that sent him flying across the tent. You watched as he connected hard with a post before slumping against the dirt, unconscious but far out of harm’s way.

A couple of hard slaps to the face helped bring Charlie back to the waking world. As he blinked his eyes open, he realized he was in a bed, but not his own. And everything, literally everything was spinning.

“There he is!” George cheered as Charlie squinted his eyes, “I told ya, mum, something violence is the answer.”

“Oh, enough,” Molly chided as she pulled her boys aside to set herself down beside her injured son. She placed an ice pack upon the crown of his head. Only then did Charlie register the throbbing in his skull.

“Do you remember what happened?” Fred asked as he took a seat on the arm of the sofa next to Charlie’s feet.

George pipped in too, “Other than getting blasted hard by some death eater.”

“Not some death eater,” Charlie corrected, “Y/N.”

The faces in the room looked around a few times, trying to understand if they heard him right. But Charlie didn’t bother elaborating. The less who knew what was going on, the better. And he didn’t even have a chance before Aunt Muriel entered with a tray of tea and snacks and kisses upon the forehead for everyone.

A few days of recovery had Charlie feeling like new. He would have to get back to Romania soon on orders of Kingsley to recruit more foreign witches and wizards to the cause. And being hauled up in a tiny house somewhere in the Cotswolds was not helping anyone.

Just as he had finished packing his bags, finalizing his route through Europe to throw anyone off his trail, and sent the owls necessary to assure his safe journey, he heard a knock on the guest room door.

His mother stood before him, clock held tight to her chest, and a few tears littering her cheeks and apron.

“Before you go, I think you should see this,” she said as she handed him the clock.

It looked the same as it always did, except now not nine but ten hands all pointed in the same direction towards “Mortal Danger.”

All tags: @fangirlandnerd, @aerdnandreaa, @thisisbullshytt, @cancerousjojian, @whovianayesha, @themarauderstheoutsidersandpeggy, @luna-xxxxx, @sleepylunarwolf,

At All Costs tags (crossout means I couldn’t tag you):@trentadepresso, @pollytypes, @tatlikar, @semicharmedkindofali, @sly-vixen-up2nogood, @cucumberinmyass, @sugarrusheb, @kaitlynnn27, @soosahya, @sugerquill, @allonsymexgirl, @fuckboylukey, @dooriha, @igotmadskills, @thatlittlered, @rupard7, @awkwardcora, @tessimagines, @ineeduhnap, @caramiriel, @starryrevelations, @otherthingsinhead, @reallykosborne, @anarchtayreads. @agirlwhoneedalittlelovingtonight, @humblemei, @littlegeekwonder, @owlsarebirdstoo, @miniaturesandwichmaker, @oboewan-kenobi, @jayrart, @bees-love-books, @theboywhocriedlupin, @earthwaterfall, @amberisnotcrazy, @jesslovesfandom, @justducky0423, @bananafosters-and-books, @stellar-amo, @indicisive-af, @yhound, @batgirl-87, @tellmyselflies, @graymountaingal, @blxxdy-hell, @missihart23, @one-stately-raven, @lonikje, @thatswhatmakesyoumiserable, @lady-efriyeet, @i-padfootblack-things, @diamondgirl1111, @hypotheticalforest, @lunarinne, @b0rkk, @fandoms-allovertheplace, @cinnamoncam, @cutie-bug, @bloodangelballerina, @maralisa124, @arthurianbisexual, @0-lost-in-stereo-0, @basically-hayley, @weasleyismyking540, @bethanystan, @fandomfindings , @sassyvetstudent, @that-new-york-girl. @dancing-in-embers, @eh-ilikestuff, @broken-pieces, @fearlessmaxima, @mybabys-gunsnroses, @comanderquinnmoore, @hogwarts-is-home-gryffindor, @sp00ky-elf, @wnygirl2012

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whitewolfofwinterfell · 6 years

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@jonsasmutweek day 6: Forbidden

Show Me

When Sansa awakes in the middle of the night from a nightmare, she asks Jon to stay with her and what starts out as innocent comfort between siblings soon develops into something more. (NSFW).

Read on AO3

Jon lies flat on his back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. He no longer sleeps, he can’t, for every time he closes his eyes he is faced with the echoes of his brothers voices, “For the Watch,” the searing pain of blades tearing through his flesh, young Oli’s merciless stare as he delivered the final blow, piercing Jon’s heart and ending his life, followed by Ghost’s piercing howls.

Then there’s falling. Falling and falling, spiraling into a dark abyss of nothingness.

Jon’s breathing grows uneven and his fingers grasp at Ghost’s fur tightly. He had heard stories of soldiers returning from war maddened by all they had witnessed, unable to forget the harshness of death and only fragments of the men they once were. Is that what was happening to him? Is he going mad?

Jon’s thoughts are interrupted by the sound of high-pitched whimpers and screams.

Sansa.

It is only seconds until Jon is on his feet on his way to Sansa, Ghost close on his heels and Longclaw in his grasp.

When he storms into the room, his eyes fall upon a trembling Sansa, sat up in the bed, her face damp with tears and in Edd’s embrace. Upon hearing Jon enter, Edd immediately jumps up and explains himself.

“Jon, I--I heard screams and I was concerned for her safety. When I entered she was still half asleep and filled with fear, she--”

“Sansa, are you alright?” Jon asks, cutting Edd off.

Sansa nods, but the stream of tears still flowing down her eyes say otherwise. “I am fine. I--It was just a nightmare. I’m sorry that I woke you, Edd.”

Jon notices the way Sansa places her hand on top of Edd’s and feels a pang of anger shoot through him.

“There is no need to apologise, my Lady. I am just glad that you’re well.”

Jon manages to keep his jealousy at bay long enough to thank Edd. After all, had there been an intruder in Sansa’s room he may have saved her life.

“I best get some rest,” Edd says, dismissing himself and leaving Jon and Sansa alone.

“He’s very sweet,” Sansa says when Jon has closed the door behind Edd.

“Sweet, yes,” Jon says under his breath, thinking that Edd is a little too sweet on Sansa.

Sansa doesn’t seem to hear him and he goes over to the bed to sits where Edd did.

“Are you truly okay?”

“Yes.”

Jon raises his eyebrows at Sansa skeptically.

“Jon, really, I am. I just feel a fool for having scared you like that.”

“All that matters is that you are okay. You should try and get some rest. I will leave Ghost with you and be across the hall should you need me.”

With that Jon gets up to leave, but Sansa’s small voice calls out his name.

“Would you-- Would you mind staying with me?”

Jon is taken aback, but doesn’t even think to deny her. “Of course, Sansa.”

He was never much of a brother to her when they were children and with their separation he was unable to protect her from the hands of monsters such as Littlefinger, Joffrey and Ramsay, but now at last he can finally be a true brother to her. He can protect her, keep her safe and whole, just as father and Robb would have wanted him to.

Jon throws some sheets and blankets on the concrete ground to make a makeshift bed and Ghost immediately curls up beside him.

The two lie in silence for countless minutes, the only sounds being their breathing, the cackling fire and Ghost’s snoring. Jon finds it is the closest he has come to peace since he was returned from death.

Sansa is the first to break the silence. “I try to forget,” she starts. “About Ramsay, about what he did to me. But every time I close my eyes I see his face. His twisted evil smile, his cold, hard eyes.” Sansa shivers. “I thought it true of Joffrey that he was a monster, but in comparison to Ramsay he was nothing but a willful child drunk on power.”

Jon listens intently as she continues.

“When father was executed, afterwards, Joffrey forced me to look upon his head on a spike. I believed that to be the worst day of my life, that nothing could possible be more terrible, but somehow I found the strength to go on. Now...I do not know that I have any strength left.”

“That’s not true. If you had no strength left you wouldn’t have escaped Winterfell and found your way to the Wall. You’re stronger than you realise. I think when we faced with the greatest hardships, we all come to realise that.”

“Did you?”

Jon sighs. “I never expected to endure what I have or for the course of my path to go in the direction it has.”

“That’s not answering the question.”

“I do not feel particularly strong at present but I’m still here nonetheless, so I suppose... yes.”

“Don’t you wonder how much we can take? How much pain we can suffer before we are broken beyond repair? Sometimes I feel I already am.”

“I do too,” Jon admits. “Since I was brought back I feel backwards, as though the pieces of me have been stitched together wrong.” It is the first time he has ever spoke of this with anyone. It’s uncomfortable and unnatural, but also liberating. As a man, he is expected to conceal all weakness but there are times when he so desperately wants to surrender to it. “I am wrong. By the law of the gods, I should not be alive. Perhaps I’m not. As of late I barely feel I am living at all, more that I am a ghost inhabiting the body of my former self.”

Jon clears his throat and apologises, feeling shame and embarrassment for speaking this way to a lady.

“Do not apologise. We are family and that means we share everything.”

It was still strange to hear Sansa refer to Jon as family, since for so long he was considered an outsider and by Sansa most out of all of his siblings.

“Perhaps I’m a fool for believing it, but I think there is still hope for us yet.”

Jon smiles. “You may be right.”

Sansa props herself on her elbow and peers over the bed down at Jon. “Jon, can I ask you something?”

“Yes.”

“I heard-- Since I’ve been here I’ve overheard people speaking. It may be no more than gossip but, is it true you fell in love with a Wildling girl?”

Jon is not sure what he expected her to ask, but it wasn’t that. He stammers incoherently unsure of how to respond. Where to start with Ygritte? He has fought not to think of her lest speak of her since her death for the pain is still too great, but this is Sansa who is asking the question she he must tell her.

“Aye, it’s true.”

Sansa’s eyes widen in surprise. “What was her name?”

“Ygritte.”

“Ygritte,” Sansa repeats. “Where is she now?”

“Dead.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

Jon shakes his head. “She fell in battle when the Wildlings stormed the castle, nothing could be done.”

“She--she fought against you?”

“Aye. She was Wildling to the bone, that one.” He cannot help the fond smile that comes across his face at the memory of her. As a crow, he should hate all Wildlings, but oh, how he loved her.

“And you--you broke your vows with her?”

“Aye.”

Silence falls upon the room and tension arises. Jon notices the fire is dwindling so goes to add more logs to it. As he returns to his makeshift bed he says, “It’s late, we should try to rest. When everyone rises at dawn sleep will be impossible.”

“Jon?” Sansa chimes as Jon rearranges the blankets on the floor. “I would be uncomfortable to see you sleep on the cold hard ground. There is room for both of us in the bed.”

Jon stares at her in disbelief. He has never shared a bed with any girl save Arya when they were children and knows that honorable men do not sleep beside women who are not their wives.

“Thank you, but I have slept in worse places,” Jon replies with a light laugh.

“Please,” Sansa says with conviction.

Jon hesitates for a moment more before agreeing. Sansa shifts along and pulls back the covers for him the climb in. They’re at opposite ends of the bed with Jon hanging off the end for fear of invading her space or disrespecting her. He cannot explain why, but he feels guilt as though he is doing wrong by lying in bed beside her. He reminds himself of the many times he has shared a bed with Arya, the many times Robb shared with Sansa and Bran with Arya and Sansa. It is what brothers and sisters do, it’s harmless. Yet that was when they were children and Jon and Sansa are children no longer.

“How did it feel?” Sansa asks.

“How did what feel?”

“To be with another person, to love them and have them love you in return.”

Jon remembers Sam asking him a similar question once. He found it difficult to provide him with an answer, but with Sansa it is ten fold. Though he has never been a true brother to Sansa he can sense this is not typically what brothers and sisters speak of, yet he can’t seem to stop himself indulging in it.

“It felt...different. Different than I imagined it would be.”

“Good different? I am sorry to ask but I--I know nothing of what it is to be touched by soft hands nor what it is to be loved. Ramsay took my maidenhead and he didn’t have the ability to love only hate. He couldn’t even find room in his heart to love his own wife, I was merely an object. A possession he owned and controlled, just like his horse.”

Sansa has barely spoken of what happened to her in their time apart, but each time she mentions it, it stirs a rage within him. He does not know when or how, but he will find a way to kill Ramsay, even if it is his final act before he falls.

“Ramsay Bolton is no man. He knows nothing of honour or respect. I shall kill him for what he did to you.”

“The day will come when he meets his fate,” Sansa simply replies.

Jon nods.

“All I wanted as a girl was to find love and be loved, truly loved by a gentleman both gentle and kind.”

Jon sighs softly, memories of the sweet and innocent Sansa he knew as a child returning to him.

“I thought I loved Joffrey once.” She scoffs. “I was just a stupid child. It was not Joffrey I loved, but the southern dream. The dream of marrying a prince and one day becoming a queen.”

“You were not wrong to want that.”

“Perhaps not, but if I hadn’t of insisted on going to Kings Landing all that happened wouldn’t have. I begged my mother to let me go.”

“It was not your fault. None of what you have suffered is your fault.”

“Do you know what is worst of all? Deep in my heart I still have that same dream. I still long for love, for happiness.”

“And you shall have it. All is not lost, Sansa. One day you will find a true prince, that will be utterly devoted to you and treat you with the kindness and care that you deserve.”

Jon hears Sansa inhale deeply. “What if it’s not a prince I want?”

Jon gulps and a sudden tension erupts between them. Throughout their conversation, they have been laid side by side looking up at the ceiling and when Jon turns his head to look at her, her eyes are already on him. They glisten in the fire light, a deep, beautiful ocean blue and though he’s inexperienced in the ways of love, he recognises the look in her eyes. It is the way Ygritte used to look at him. It always used to set his heart racing and it does now.

A voice inside his head screams at him to leave the room, to bid her goodnight and return to his chambers, but he cannot ignore the pull between them. It’s as though they are bound by an invisible rope that is tightening and tightening.

Jon moves closer to Sansa and leans down, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. It’s soft and brief and Jon saw Catelyn kiss her sons on the mouth many times just like this when they were children. It is a comforting kiss between family. That is all it is.

But Jon finds it is not enough and he wants more. Sansa is gazing at him, her eyes intense and Jon seems to return to his senses, abruptly moving away from her. “We should get some rest. Goodnight, Sansa.”

With that Jon rolls to the far end of the bed, his back to Sansa. His attempt to deny his desires is pitiful, for if he truly meant not to act upon them he would leave the room.

Sansa shifts closer until the heat of her body is radiating against Jon’s back. His heart leaps in his chest at feeling her so close and he knows how wrong it is, but nonetheless he turns around to face her.

She’s so close he can feel her breath on his face. He summons enough strength to get out of the bed and announces, “I think I should return to my own room.”

Ghost wakes and Jon instructs him to stay, before making a bee-line for the door. Sansa crawls across the bed and grabs his hand.

“Jon, please don’t go. I don’t think I could bear to be alone tonight.”

“Ghost will protect you more than I or anyone else could.”

“He will, but I still want you to stay.”

“Then we will sleep.”

Sansa nods and Jon relents, climbing back under the covers. Sansa rolls until her back is to him and Jon closes his eyes willing sleep to take him.

Beneath the covers Sansa’s hand finds his and she brings it to her waist. It catches him off-guard and his breathing ceases.

“I want you to touch me,” Sansa whispers.

For a moment Jon is certain he has fallen asleep and this is his twisted mind dreaming up dark fantasies. But when she turns around to face him, he realises he’s not dreaming and this is reality.

Jon removes his hand from her quickly.

“Sansa, you need to stop this. You don’t know what you are saying. You are afraid and confused and exhausted. You need to rest and--”

“I know what I want,” she insists, her tone firm.

“It’s wrong. I am your brother, it is my duty to honor and respect you.”

“I don’t care that it is wrong, I want this. I need this.”

Jon can see how serious she is but still cannot comprehend how she can be asking this of him.

“I don’t want to be alone anymore. I want to feel. I want to be touched. I want to feel desired and loved.”

All night Sansa has spoke of her longing for love, and as much wants her to have the love and devotion she’s asking for more than anything, as her brother he knows he cannot be the one to provide it.

“And as I said, you will be, but not by me.”

Sansa shakes her head and tears fill her eyes as she pulls away from him.

“It’s not because you’re not beautiful, because you are. Sansa, you are...” When her gaze returns to him all words leave him. She really is beautiful. In fact, he cannot recall ever having seen a woman so beautiful.

Sansa kisses him and though it is as brief as the first, it stirs inexplicable emotions in Jon.

“I do not think I could forgive myself,” Jon breathes, it taking every bit of strength he has to resist her.

“There would be nothing to forgive. I am a woman grown, Jon. I am no longer a girl.”

Jon knows that to be true. He has noticed her blossoming womanhood since her arrival at Castle Black, much as he’s tried not to. He cannot fail to notice it now even more so with her laid so close to him, only the thin layer of her nightdress covering her naked flesh. He can see her erect nipples poking through and is overwhelmed with a desire to lick them and suck them.

Should Catelyn Stark be looking down upon him right now she would strike him where he lay, as would their father.

Sansa strokes Jon’s face tenderly and he closes his eyes, sinking into her soft touch. “You do not know what you ask of me,” Jon whispers, tortured.

“Nobody need ever know, only you and I.”

Jon breathes in deeply, an internal battle waging within him.

“Do you--do you want to touch me?” Sansa asks.

The question causes a lump to form in Sansa’s throat, as she anxiously awaits his response. She notices his dark eyes lustfully and longingly sweeping over her body and when he meets her gaze she says, “You do,” she says. “I can see it in your eyes.”

She traces her hand up his arm and leans closer, until the smell of lavendar and sweetness is filling him.

“Show me Jon. Show me how it feels to be touched by gentle and kind hands, to be kissed by a true gentleman. Show me what it is to be loved.”

They regard each other silently for a couple of minutes, their eyes searching each other.

“I trust you.” Sansa brings Jon’s hand to her breast and he can no longer ignore the hardness in his trousers or his body’s deepest desires. He kisses her, hard and fast, causing them both to let out a moan of elation.

It lasts only a moment until Jon pulls away again, his conscience returning to him.

“Do not stop. Never stop,” Sansa says pulling him back to her breathlessly.

All of Jon’s resolve and morality leaves him in an instant and all he cares for is to show her every ounce of passion and desire he has for her. He kisses her slowly and fervidly, his mouth soft against hers and his tongue only lightly tracing across hers.

Sansa has never felt anything like it before. She’s seen many lords husbands kiss their lady wives, but she had never expected it to feel this way. Her entire face is tingling and her body reacts to the feel of his hot tongue and scratch of his beard on her skin.

She takes his hand and slides it underneath her nightdress and up to her bare breast.

Jon’s eyes fly wide open in shock. “Sansa...” he breathes, panic in his eyes.

Sansa holds his hand against her and nods eagerly until Jon begins to massage them gently in his hands.

“That feels good,” Sansa tells him, making Jon feel a sense of pride. “I want more, show me more,” she breathes, sitting up and taking off her nightdress.

Jon looks down upon her doubtfully.

“Jon. I am not made of glass. I give you leave to do whatever pleases you.”

“You will say if you want me to stop?”

“Yes.”

Jon lies down on top of her and kisses her briefly, before sucking her ear lobes, kissing and sucking her neck and making a gradual trail down her body. Sansa is afraid Jon will be disgusted by the ugly scars left by Ramsay’s cruelty, but feels him place feather-like kisses on each of them, melting the pain of each one into dust.

She cannot believe a mouth against her skin feels so good. Ramsay never took the time to use his mouth. He never took the time to do anything. He entered her and with a few violent and hard thrusts would spill into her, before leaving her curled up in a ball trembling and in pain.

In this moment there is not a single ounce of pain. Her entire body is radiating warmth and she keeps her eyes closed, soaking in every single sensation that Jon’s tongue and mouth evoke.

Sansa’s skin is pale and soft and clean and sweet and Jon’s cock pulsates in his trousers as being able to feel her beneath him in this way. He plays with her breasts which she seems to enjoy immensely and still he cannot believe this is happening.

Sansa feels a strange sensation at her center that she has never felt before. A tingling sensation paired with an occasional throb, and the closer Jon moves south, the more intense it becomes. She doesn’t understand what’s happening or why, but she can’t stop herself from winding her fingers into Jon’s hair and pushing his head further down.

The second she feels Jon’s mouth make contact with her through her underwear she lets out a gasp. Jon jerks his head up to look at her.

“Are you okay?”

She nods. She’s more than okay, she just never expected to have a man’s head between her legs, least of all Jon’s.

“Are you sure?”

“I am sure.”

Jon bows his head back down and reaches for the waistline of Sansa’s underwear, all the while, his eyes on hers. She watches as her underwear slides down her legs and Jon discards it on the floor.

Jon’s eyes fall to her center, the red patch of hair curly with wetness and her folds glistening with juices.

Sansa feels a flush of embarrassment take her over at Jon seeing her so close, of smelling her so close and her insecurity makes her want to close her legs. However, there’s an overriding need that she cannot ignore that and she allows Jon push her legs farther apart and sink between them, until his mouth is on her.

Jon makes one slow lick through her folds and Sansa’s body jerks, a gasp of surprise leaving her. He looks back up to her face to ensure this is still what she wants and she nods at him enthusiastically. Never in a million years did he ever imagine he would be able to have Sansa in this way nor did he realise just how desperately he’d been craving it. The tension that has been built between them in the days since they were reunited seem to have all led to this moment and Jon feels as though his body and soul are singing.

Jon kisses her tenderly, his tongue probing her gently and swirling around her folds. Sansa still feels a sense of embarassment and defensiveness to have Jon’s face pressed into her wetness, but as his tongue grows firmer her legs fall open and her body sinks into the mattress.

Ygritte sung her praises for the way Jon ravaged her with his tongue and mouth, but with Sansa he wants to give her even more. He wants to ensure that she gets all that she deserves. He wants to ease the pain and memories of endless nights of cruel and harsh hands and words. He wants her to know love, just as she dreamed of.

He still knows he should not be the one to be showing her, but now that he is, he realises he wants and needs this every bit as much as Sansa seems to. The broken pieces of his soul seem to be falling back into place and it feels life is returning to him once more.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispers between licks.

Sansa bucks her hips in response to his words and slowly all her doubts, insecurities and fears melt away. He thinks she’s beautiful. Sansa did not realise how much she needed to hear that until he said it.

As her confidence begins to grow, Sansa moves against Jon’s face, wanting to feel the friction of him and the scratch of his beard.

“More,” she breathes. “Show me more.”

Jon hears her request and licks the erect nub at her center more fiercely, remembering how Ygritte loved that.

Though it embarrasses him to ask, Jon doesn’t want to do anything against Sansa’s will and asks, “Can I put a finger inside you?”

Sansa is surprised by so lost in pleasure that she nods without hesitation. Jon slowly slides his index finger inside her.

“Oh!” Sansa calls out.

Jon worries he has hurt her but then she adds, “Good, good.”

He puts his mouth back to her and cautiously begins to slide his finger in and out of her, careful to be as gentle as possible.

Sansa has never felt another man’s finger inside her and it feels just as odd and incredible as his mouth. When she asked Jon to show her what he knew, she hadn’t expected that he knew so much.

She’s so wet that Jon’s finger slides about clumsily and her insides seem to bloom as though they are craving for more.

“More,” Sansa asks again.

“What would you like?”

“Another finger.”

Jon obliges and slides another finger in with ease. Sansa bites her lip hard and nods frantically. “Yes, yes,” she gasps approvingly.

With his fingers inside her and his tongue on her, Sansa is overwhelmed with feelings the likes of which she never believed possible. She cannot comprehend how other-worldly she is feeling right now with her half-brother between her legs, her juices all over his mouth. It is wrong, it is forbidden, yet it is the most right thing she has ever felt.

Jon senses a change in her body as she begins to move with more urgency and groan more audibly. He worries that he will not be able to give her what she wants, what she deserves, but as he focuses his tongue on her sensitive nub and begins to pump his fingers into her, he feels her walls contract around his digits.

Sansa could not predict nor imagine what happens next as her entire being shoots into the stars, her core exploding and tightening around Jon’s fingers, as her entire body writhes uncontrollably. There is no room for shame or embarrassment as she cries out Jon’s name relentlessly, still crying, “More, more, more!”

Jon obliges and continues to pump in and out of her, until she suddenly contracts around him again, this time so intensely that he has to remove his fingers. The moment he does a gush of liquid flows out of her and onto his face. Jon’s eyes sting and he coughs and sputters, having been completely unprepared.

He looks up at Sansa, completely bewildered and stares on at her as she spasms on the bed, uncontrollable and inhuman moans coming from her. It is something he has never witnessed before, but it causes him immeasurable pleasure and joy.

When at last some semblance of consciousness returns to her, Sansa stares up at Jon who is on his knees hovering above her.

“What in Seven Hells was that?” Sansa breathes.

“I don’t know. I have never seen such a thing.”

“I’m sorry,” she apologies, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment at her un-womanly conduct and the liquid that flowed out of her.

“I have never-- I-- I cannot--” Sansa stammers unable to articulate her thoughts. “I did not think it was possible to feel that.”

Jon feels his heart burst with joy. Since the day he set eyes upon Sansa again all he has wanted to do is take her pain away and provide her with the happiness and love she so deserves, though he never expected to give it to her in this way.

“I’m sorry,” she says, embarrassed for the way she lost her grace and spilled all over Jon’s face. “It was-- I was very un-ladylike.”

Jon laughs. “There is nothing un-ladylike about you, Sansa. There never could be. I meant what I said before. You are always beautiful to me.”

Sansa pulls him down to her mouth and kisses him passionately. More brave now than before, she massages her tongue against his firmly. She can taste herself on his mouth as she kisses him, and though she would have expected to be disgusted by such a thing, she finds she enjoys it.

"Thank you, Jon.”

“You need not thank me.”

Jon cannot help the solemn expression that comes across his face.

“You do not feel guilt or shame for what we have done, do you?” Sansa asks.

“No. That’s why I hang my head. I feel no guilt nor shame any more.”

“Nor do I.”

“But I should,” Jon says.

“No, you shouldn’t. You should not feel any shame for what I have asked of you. You have done no wrong. You haven’t violated me nor done anything against my wishes.”

“I did not do what I did merely because you asked it of me.”

“You didn’t?” Sansa asks.

Jon shakes his head. “I did it because I... because of the love I bear you.”

Sansa parts her lips and wraps her hands around Jon’s neck. “You mean to say you love me?”

“Aye and it is not the love a brother should bear for his sister. It is against the natural law, the law of the gods.”

“Fuck it,” Sansa calls out with a gesutre of her hand.

Jon stares up at her, surprised to hear her curse in such a manner.

“Fuck what the law says or the gods, they cannot tell us what is pure and true in our hearts. You do not love where it is not wanted for I also love you.”

“You do?”

“I do,” Sansa nods, tracing her fingers across Jon’s cheek.

It was strange to say aloud the feelings they’ve held in their hearts but could not even admit to themselves.

The emotional intimacy of the moment seems to evoke stirrings in Jon and Sansa feels his hardness press against her stomach. She stares down at it and Jon covers his hands over his bulge as though he is ashamed.

“I’m sorry.”

Sansa shakes her head and brings his face to hers, until their eyes are locked. “Do not be sorry. For this is what lovers do.”

Sansa takes his hand away from his crotch and pulls his pants down until he’s free. Sansa has to suppress a gasp as she is greeted with Jon’s engorged cock that is bigger than she knew it was possible for a manhood to be.

Her nervousness returns to her as she realises how inexperienced and inadequate she is, but then she remembers that she is with Jon. With Jon she is safe and she is loved, and there is nothing for her to fear.

Looking him square in the eye she says, “Show me how you make love. I want you to make love to me, Jon Snow. I want you to make love to me gentle and slow and long until the sun rises.”

Jon does not need to be asked twice and lies Sansa gently down onto the mattress before filling her. It is in that moment they come to realise all of the hurts of their past have been healed, for in each other they are completely whole.

#jonsasmutweek #jonsasmut17 #actuallyjonsa #jonsa fanfiction #jonsa fic #jon x sansa #mine #my writing

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openmouthwideeye · 6 years

Note

Hi! If you're taking prompts, 7 for the fictional kiss prompt with Rosvolio please!

“That is the second time your husband has interrupted us,” Isabella noted once the door had closed behind Lieutenant Montague, leaving the ladies in the quiet solitude of the visiting parlor. Stirring sugar into her tea, she discarding the spoon with the faint chime of silver on fine bone china. “Indeed, were I not long acquainted with him, I might think he took objection to our tête-à-tête.”

Rosaline took a sip of tea, but it was not enough to conceal her exasperation. “It is no more than boredom, I assure you. Shut up in this house with no soldiers, no sabers, and no horses? I do not know why he stays, truth to tell.”

“Do you not?”

She graced her friend with a look of such frank bewilderment that, upon seeing it, a soft smile stole Isabella’s air of mischief.

“It does my heart good to see that you and your husband have become so well acquainted in my absence.”

Tea sloshed over the rim of Rosaline’s cup, pooling in its saucer, which quickly found a home on the table, so as not to stain her muslin.

“Well acquainted?” she repeated with no small incredulity.

It was true that, but a moment ago, Benvolio had bowed his way out of the parlor, having interrupted them on some thin pretext, kissing his wife’s proffered hand as if the whole of Verona stood by, ready to call counterfeit on this farce of a love match. He had turned at the door as if reluctant to leave—a prudent gesture with Isabella freshly back from town and in frequent confidence of Verona’s biggest gossipmongers—before absenting their company so quickly that, some months ago, she would have deemed him unspeakably rude.

In truth, the new Lieutenant and Mrs. Montague had become quite adept at feigning affection, both in company and the relative privacy of their home; but if anyone might have seen through the ruse, she expected it of Isabella.

Not so. Isabella sipped her tea, pretending that her hum was in appreciation of the flavor, and fooling Rosaline not for an instant. Sweet and leading, the sound carried an undercurrent of archness tailored to make her spill her secrets.

“Our neighbors are less likely to call the constable on suspected murder,” she allowed, “but I’d hardly call us amiable.”

“I’d hardly call you amiable either.”

Rosaline could not help her reaction, a scoff that belied her good breeding, and was covered ill by the belated clearing of her throat. “Your time abroad has made you imaginative,” she said wryly, “but pray, save fancies of that sort for my sister.”

“Oh, come, Mrs. Montague,” said Isabella, as if they had not been the most intimate of friends since childhood, “there’s no need to play coy. When I left for Venice, you could scarcely speak of the man without shocking half the ton with the sharpness of your tongue. And yet here you are, two months wed, and as agreeable as ever I saw you.”

She could not deny it, but the supposition that her husband had any bearing on her complexion seemed too ridiculous to entertain.

“It is your company, and not his, that lifts my spirits.” Leaning forward as if to share a confidence, she clasped her friend’s hand. “If only you did not go on with such uncharacteristic foolishness, I would be pleased to share tea with you every afternoon.”

Isabella laughed, turning her hand to curl her fingers around Rosaline’s. “I have missed you, Rosaline.”

“And I you. Now,” she said brightly, redirecting the conversation as neatly as she could, “tell me of your time in Venice.”

Isabella allowed herself to be diverted. For a time they talked of little else besides the politics of court, a subject which interested Isabella far more than the gossip of town or the fashions from Milan. Rosaline, for her part, cared for politics only insofar as they absorbed Mr. Montague, her husband’s odious uncle, whose recent absence had lifted a cloud of misery from the estate.

A rap of knuckles echoed through the door, startling her. Setting down her tea, she smoothed her muslin gown and called, “Come in.” If her tone did not quite befit her station, well, that could hardly be helped when she had been scrubbing pots not a twelvemonth since.

Benvolio poked his head around the door, and Rosaline sighed in exasperation. “Ben—-Lieutenant Montague, surely the ledgers can wait for a time when we are not entertaining.”

Ignoring her objection, he strode into the room, bowing his head quite respectfully at Miss Isabella Prince, and smiling at his wife in a way that was decidedly less so.

“Pardon the interruption, Beloved, but have you not missed me? I am told many a newly married woman will sigh her days away for want of her husband’s company.”

Rosaline hummed in the back of her throat, a veneer of indifference to match his smug mien. “Was it your cousin who told you such an egregious falsehood?”

“Perhaps,” he acknowledged as if he could not recall, but amusement proved him false. Their cousins’ foolhardy elopment had authored their ill-fated union, but over time familial fondness had overcome their frustrations, until they could speak of it quite freely.

“That aside, I mislaid a rather important letter from a superior officer. Have you seen it?”

Indeed she had, as he had shared its contents with her several hours past. She allowed him the charade, as it was hardly suitable for officers to speak of war with their wives over breakfast.

Upon discovering it, she had stowed the letter in question beneath the tea tray. When she held it up to him, the rakish slant of his smile yielded to genuine gratitude. His fingers closed around hers on the letter, and her chin tilted slantways on habit, presenting her cheek to him. The scratch of his beard had become so familiar as to be unremarkable, but his thanks, murmured against her skin, stirred something wholly unexpected within her.

Hastily dropping the letter, she tucked her chin to escape him, and only succeeded in redirecting his lips from her cheek to her ear. Her husband’s surprised laugh reverberated across the delicate skin there—through it, in truth, echoing down her spine to curl into her stomach, purring with contentment like a cat before the hearth.

Reaching for her teacup, Rosaline spooned in a generous helping of sugar, stirring vigorously, until at last Benvolio retreated, having lingered far longer than was proper.

He inclined his head. “Thank you for your time, Mrs. Montague, Miss Prince.”

His wife, spooning more sugar into her tea, made no response, but her friend made up for her lack of decorum.

“It was good to see you again so soon, Lieutenant Montague,” she said quite politely. “Perhaps when next you call on us, you might bring a fresh pot of tea. I believe Rosaline has quite ruined hers.”

Frowning at the galaxy of crystals in her cup, he muttered, “I will fetch a servant.”

His head bobbed forward, though it was not present in the moment; he stopped short when his wife’s knuckles did not present themselves for a kiss, and, with furrowed brows, adapted the motion into a short bow before repairing to another part of the house.

Isabella watched him go with a melancholy air. “Not all of us can hope for love to blossom with the husbands our families choose for us.”

Rosaline settled her teacup behind the pot, where she might not sip it accidentally. Her fingers ached from her tight grip on the fine china; she slipped them into her lap, massaging them discreetly.

“At last you speak sensibly.”

Her friend recovered her good humor quite suddenly, shaking her head. “One of us must.”

“Fear not,” Rosaline said, “you may yet be free of the whims of some gentleman. We swore a vow as girls, do you remember? Do not let your brother dissuade you from spinsterhood.”

Presently, the maid appeared with fresh tea, and soon their earlier conversations were forgotten. Benvolio did not avail himself of their company again, but between her pleasure at seeing her friend again and vexation over the knowing smile that would not leave Isabella’s face, Rosaline was much too preoccupied to care.

#rosaline x benvolio #rosvolio #still star crossed #benvolio x rosaline #fallinfor-youreyes #prompt fills #my apologies for this luridly purple prose

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momscookingthebooks · 6 years

Photo

Chapter Reveal

Title: Payback

Series: Vigilante Justice #1

Author: Kristin Harte

Publication Date: January 25, 2018

#ChapterReveal #Payback #NewRelease #VigilanteJustice #KristinHarte

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36549869-payback

Synopsis:

In Justice, Colorado, the Kennards run everything, including the only big business in the area. Their sawmill employs most of the town, and the Kennard brothers live up to a long family history of keeping their neighbors and coworkers safe—until a motorcycle club comes to town and starts causing trouble. Big trouble. The kind that ends in funerals. The kind no law enforcement can help them with. He carries the burden of protecting an entire town Being the oldest Kennard brother, I’ve got a centuries-old promise to uphold—run the family business to give the townspeople jobs and the sort of security they can only find in Justice. When a motorcycle club blows that plan apart, I’ll do anything to make them aware that they picked the wrong town to target. As a former Green Beret, I know just how to sabotage an enemy. The only weakness in my armor is my obsession with a five-foot-nothing blonde who unknowingly holds my heart in her hands. My attraction to her could cost me my life, but I’d sacrifice it all to save hers. She owes a debt that could cost her life I’ve spent three years hiding out in Justice and paying off a debt to the Soul Suckers, one they’ve decided to collect whether I’m ready to pay or not. When danger lands on my doorstep, one man jumps in to help. Alder Kennard—former Special Forces soldier and current object of all my fantasies. But the Soul Suckers won’t let a debt go unpaid, and with the price on my head rising every day, it’s only a matter of time until they come back for me. Alder would put his life on the line to save mine, which is something I simply can’t afford. Everyone has a debt to pay, and the only currency I have left is my body. So when the time comes, I’ll trade my life for his.

Purchase Links:

iBooks: smarturl.it/PaybackKH

Amazon: smarturl.it/PaybackKHarte

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Chapter 1

“We’ve got a problem, boss.”

If I hadn’t already been in a foul mood, those words would have gotten me there.

“What is it now?”

“Motorcycle gang up on Widow’s Ridge.” Camden Reese—born and bred in Justice, friend of my youngest brothers, and former Marine sergeant—launched into a speech about his team running into some bikers up by the Hansen property. We’d recently signed a contract with Miss Hansen to harvest eighty acres of dead Ponderosa pine on that hill, so anything getting in our way was definitely a problem. A big one.

As Camden laid out the events of the altercation, I checked over the satellite images of the area on my desk, making notes and marking locations. A star on the house to the west where the elderly Miss Hansen still lived, another to the east on the patch of earth where a trailer sat, all alone. The only two residences up that long, rough stretch of road leading to a drop-off on the far west side.

That rocky piece of land sat just outside the city limits, so things like road maintenance were all but forgotten unless the two residents brought them to my attention. No biker would intentionally ride up such a rutted, gravel road without a reason—too hard on their bike and their face if they were trailing someone else.

“He tried to call out Finn, but I squashed that shit,” Camden said, securing every bit of my attention for the moment. Finn—my second youngest brother, one of a set of twins, and the only Kennard ever to spend time in prison. He was also a recovering addict, and I had vowed to my dad that I’d keep him in recovery and not let him backslide. That had been ten years ago, and I still worried about keeping that vow every fucking day.

“What the fuck was Finn doing on a job?” My brother didn’t work for me except for the occasional project, and I knew for a fact he hadn’t been assigned to the Hansen job.

“He’d driven with me to check in on Miss Hansen. We never made it out there, though, because we ran into the bikers on the way up. One guy said some shit about Finn’s drug days, how they missed him over at the strip club in Rock Falls.”

Jesus. “You get a name?”

“Patch on his vest said Spark.”

“Spark.” I sat back, balancing my chair on two legs. “As in plug?”

Camden blinked, a cocky smile breaking across his face. “Yeah, like plug. I didn’t see the other guy’s name.”

“So Spark knows Finn from what…ten, twelve years ago? He look familiar to you?”

Cam shook his head. “Never seen him in town.”

That caught my attention. Justice was a small town planted squarely between two slightly larger towns, all in the middle of fucking nowhere. People didn’t happen into Justice—they came here for a reason.

And if that reason was named Finn Kennard, Spark and his friend needed to be dealt with and quick. “How’d my brother handle the run-in?”

“Finn ignored the bullshit from Spark. I wasn’t as restrained.”

Not surprising. Cam always did have a bit of a temper. “If the sheriff gets called again on you—”

Camden waved me off. “I knocked his legs out from under him and put him on the ground.

Didn’t even leave a mark, I don’t think. But I made my point.”

“And what point was that?” Not that I needed to ask.

“That Kennard Mills would be harvesting the lumber on that side of the hill, and their club had better not have any business up there. They drove off after Spark picked himself up out of the dirt, the other guy saying something about bigger fish.” Camden frowned. “I recognized the other guy.”

“Local?” I couldn’t think of anyone in Justice who rode with an MC, but I might have missed someone. Three hundred plus people were a lot to keep track of.

“No. He came into the truck stop one night when Leah and I were there for dinner.” He blew out a breath and shifted his weight. An almost unconscious gesture, but one that stood out. Normally almost confident to a fault, Cam suddenly seemed nervous, which meant I wouldn’t like what he had to say.

“Yeah?” I prodded, wondering how a night out with his wife would piss me off.

“Leah noticed something was up when she went to the restroom and came to get me. The asshole had Shye cornered in a back hallway and wasn’t letting her pass.”

The snap of the pencil I’d been holding breaking in two might as well have been a gunshot. “And you let him walk away?”

“I had Leah and Shye looking on. I had to.”

Picturing perfect little Shye—at least ten years my junior and so damn sweet, every one of her smiles would give you a toothache—watching as I kicked the shit of some asshole was about as unappealing as a thought could get. I probably would’ve wanted to do the same as Camden and let the guy walk with a warning if I’d been there. I wouldn’t have, but I’d have wanted to.

Because I wanted her, and the idea of Shye being scared of me made my gut sink like a rock. I needed to stop thinking about Shye Anderson. An impossibility as of late, which directly correlated to why my mood had been so foul all day.

I sighed, rubbing my forehead and sitting deeper into my chair, bringing all four legs back to the floor. “All right. So they rode off after you knocked Spark to the ground. Any indication they’d keep hassling you or come back for Finn?”

He shrugged. “Not really, though you never know with these types of guys.”

Lawless, clan-like, arrogant. Yeah. You never knew a damn thing with them. “Did you recognize the club logo?”

“Definitely the Soul Suckers.”

Of course. I’d heard they’d added a clubhouse not too far over the county line to the west. I probably wouldn’t have thought twice if I’d seen their bikes on the highway through town or heading toward the new restaurant on Main Street. I would now, though.

“Might be time to set the club straight on what they can and can’t do as they ride through Justice. I’ll talk to Deacon, see if he knows anyone. Head back to the ridge, and get the Hansen site plot worked out so we can start cruising and marking trees. This might be our last big harvest before the rains come, and I want to take advantage of the summer weather while we have it.”

“We’ll get it done.”

“Good. And if you see Bishop on the mill floor, have him call me.”

Camden nodded, then left without another word, leaving me to stew over this new mess.

Fucking messes all over the place lately, it seemed.

I looked over my satellite images again, tracing roads and logging paths I’d known my whole life. Acres of Widow’s Ridge pine forest stared back at me, a mottled brown and green landscape. Half the trees stood dead or dying, a sign of the mountain beetle infestation that had nearly bankrupted my late father and destroyed Kennard Mills. But the bug that had nearly killed us had instead left us flush with jobs and cash. The droughts hadn’t stopped this mill, the industry collapse hadn’t either, and the fucking plague of beetles killing the forests around us had actually been a boon instead of a death knell. Everyone in Justice had enjoyed the bonuses beating our sales plans every month brought, and no fucking bikers would make us end that streak. I had a town to employ.

But Justice, Colorado was more than a town to me—it was my responsibility.

The place my ancestors had set down roots. Where they tended to each and every resident over the years, giving families time to grow good, strong roots. Kennard men had run Justice like a homestead for nearly two centuries with the mill as the central business fueling everything else, and I’d live up to the legacy set before me as the oldest living Kennard. That meant making sure people had jobs, food, shelter, and that they felt safe.

Another thing bikers wouldn’t be taking away from us, even though it seemed as if they were trying just that.

An annoying, robotic song interrupted my thoughts. The words “Bishop Kennard”—name of my closest brother who also happened to be my VP of sales and marketing—flashed on the screen of my phone as it played that stupid song again. I swiped to answer and brought the device to my ear.

“Bishop.”

“Camden said you wanted me,” he said, not bothering with a greeting.

“We’ve got trouble on Widow’s Ridge.”

“I heard. Finn all right?” Because, as the second oldest Kennard brother, our family would be the first thing on Bishop’s mind. As it should be.

“Camden thinks so. Let’s run by the bar tonight and be sure, though. And I’ll need you to check in on Miss Hansen—make sure she’s okay out there.”

“Sounds good. I’ll call as soon as we hang up. Anything else?”

“Sell some fucking lumber, Bishop.”

“On it, boss. I’ll be ready to go at six.”

I tossed the phone back onto my desk, the maps snagging my attention again.

One spot in particular, actually, and not the one belonging to Miss Hansen. I ran a finger over the east side of the hill, circling the little trailer on a barren, flat piece of rock. Just outside the city limits, it technically sat beyond my protective net, but Shye Anderson lived in that trailer. New girl in town at only three years since she moved to the area, waitress at the truck stop over in Rock Falls, and the only woman I’d ever met who could drive me mad with frustration and desire all at once.

I’d been ultra-aware of Shye since I first met her. Slightly obsessed, really. The girl captivated me; stole all my attention with her sweet little smile and never let me go. It didn’t hurt that she looked like a damn angel—long, blond hair and big, dark eyes, a tiny little body that I wanted to get my hands on more than anything else. Sweet as honey, that one, but she lived up to her name. She blushed and stuttered around me, avoided my eyes when I tried to catch her gaze. If I pushed too much, she ran, so I held back. Made myself available but waited for her to come to me.

Which is how I ended up eating at the truck stop five nights a week—all on Shye’s shifts. I’d had to up my workouts to keep from getting soft on all the grease and baked goods, but seeing that smile every night was worth it. The coffee—man, that was a harder pill to swallow. How a restaurant could have such bad coffee—especially one based out of a truck stop—was beyond me. I drank cup after cup of the foul brew so she’d come to my table more often to pour me refills. Without the coffee, I didn’t get much time with Shye, so I suffered.

And when I worked? I sent my guys in there. Shye had no family in Justice, so I made sure everyone understood they were to treat her as they would a Kennard. Making my men see her as mine kept them watchful around her. Hell, I paid Bishop to eat his lunches there so he could keep an eye on her, and everyone on my team headed that way at least once a day if I had to go out of town. They mocked me relentlessly for chasing her around like a damned puppy, but I didn’t give a shit. I needed to know she was happy and safe. That she had everything she needed…even if she wasn’t ready to willingly take things from me yet. We’d get there. Three years I’d waited for her to come around, and she would. Eventually. I just had to figure out the right plan.

As I pondered honey-blond hair, sugary smiles, and how many times I could use the excuse of working on the ridge to stop and see her at her place, my phone rang again—Camden, this time.

I swiped to answer and hit the button for speakerphone. “If you tell me we have another problem, I’m going to toss a grenade in your truck.”

“So I shouldn’t tell you we’ve got a fire on the mountain?”

Motherfucker. The trouble with harvesting the blue-stained wood left behind by the mountain beetle infestation was the trees needed to cure standing for a number of years. But dead trees meant dry trees, and with the droughts of the past few years and the mild winters we’d had, that meant trouble. Big, dry, tinder-type trouble. A single lightning bolt could ignite an inferno, while a forest fire could destroy the whole damn town.

And apparently, we had one to deal with.

“Where?” I grabbed my keys and pressed the mill-floor alarm to get the team’s attention.

“Eastern slope. Just past the Hansen property.”

My steps stumbled, then sped. “That’s by Shye’s place.”

An engine roared in the background. “I’m already on my way there. Two minutes out.”

She could be hurt in two minutes. Dead. Jesus fuck, I was too far away. “Drive faster.”

I hung up and stormed down onto the mill floor. My team stood ready, looking at me expectantly, ready to fight the fires we knew could ruin everything we’d all built here.

“Fire just east of the Hansen site. Let’s get two water trucks up the eastern side of the ridge and send one up to the west side to be safe.” I met the eyes of Gage Shepherd, former Navy SEAL like Bishop and current heavy machinery engineer of Kennard Mills. “It’s close to Shye’s place.”

Without another word, Gage began issuing orders to the team. He understood the severity of the situation from every angle—the loss of our product, the potential for destruction in the town, and the possibility that the woman I had my eye on could be in danger. He’d get shit done for me.

As Gage loaded the water trucks with oxygen tanks and medical equipment—something that made my gut churn—his dog Rex trotted after him, looking as if he was headed for a joyride instead of into a fire. Wouldn’t be the first time he’d been on site at a fire, though. Gage never went anywhere without Rex.

While Gage made sure the team knew where to go and what to do, I raced to my truck. My heart pounded as I started the engine and peeled out of my spot, heading for the ridge where smoke was beginning to turn the sky black above the tree line. Fuck, if Shye was up there, if she was hurt—

I didn’t get to finish my thought because my phone rang right as I turned onto the highway heading toward the mountain. Camden again.

“Tell me good news.”

“She’s not here,” Camden said, sounding slightly out of breath. “It’s her trailer on fire, though.”

“The water trucks are on the way.”

“Don’t think they’ll do any good for her, to be honest, but we need them for the tree line. It’s so dry up here, a single spark could set the whole mountain on fire.”

Confirming my earlier thoughts. Fuck. I yanked the wheel sideways, making a sharp turn onto the road that would take me up to Shye’s place, looking over all the dead, brown pine on the hillside as I flew over the rutted, gravelly road. “Gage had the team rolling out right behind me. I’m four minutes out, though.”

“Want me to call the fire department in Rock Falls?”

Wouldn’t do any good at that point, which was why Kennard Mills had as many water hauling trucks as we did. “No use, though you’d better call the sheriff.”

“That useless piece of shit? What for?”

Useless wasn’t the term I’d use—corrupt sounded better for the county sheriff we were forced to deal with. I didn’t have time to correct Camden, though. “He’ll throw a tantrum if he’s not informed. Knowing him, he won’t come out to investigate anyway. Just make the call.”

“Yeah, got it…hang on.” Voices yelled in the background, and the sound of Camden moving fast created static on the line.

“Cam?”

“We’ve got a problem.”

That phrase spoken about my girl’s place made me want to growl my frustration to the universe. “What fucking problem?”

“There are motorcycle tracks in the dirt around her property. Lots of them.”

Rage unlike anything I’d felt exploded in my chest. “Call the sheriff and put the word out—anyone sees a fucking Soul Sucker in Justice, I want to know about it.”

I hung up and threw my phone across the bench seat before taking the switchback turn way faster than I should have. Not that the worry burning in my gut had anything to do with me—Shye owned that ache.

Shye may not have known it, but she was mine. I’d do whatever it took to protect her.

And if this fucking motorcycle club had threatened my girl?

I’d gut them and leave their bodies for the predators.

About the Author:

Kristin Harte started off as a chemistry major in college but somehow ended up writing romances featuring ex-military heroes and the women who knock them to their knees…literally and figuratively. She likes drinking in the shade, snuggling under a warm blanket on a cold evening, and researching how to blow things up. Her children know nothing of what she writes, and her husband just hopes he’s not at their Chicago-ish home the day the government shows up to confront Kristin about her Google search history. When not writing good men doing bad things, Kristin can be found writing paranormal romance as Ellis Leigh or co-writing naughty novellas as London Hale.

Author Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristin_harte

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/authorkristinharte

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17304863.Kristin_Harte

Web: http://www.kristinharte.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristin_harte/

#chapter reveal #Payback #Vigilante Justice 1 #Kristin Harte #Hosted by Ardent Prose PR

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lilacmoon83 · 6 years

Text

Dreaming Out Loud

Chapter 24: Pressing On

Emma sat absolutely stunned the next morning, as her father finished explaining everything he had learned about her mother's true heritage.

"I...I can't believe she doesn't know," Emma said in disbelief.

"I know...believe me, I was in just as much shock as you are now," he agreed.

"So Stephanie is…" she started to say.

"Persephone. She's supposed to be in the Underworld, but found a way to come to this world without a portal. She still didn't tell me how she did that, but she says we're out of Hades' reach...for now," he replied.

"And Hades isn't…" she said, her stomach twisting a bit.

"Oh no...Gods no, Hades is not your grandfather. Her marriage to him is...forced. According to the book, she fell in love with a Prince, brother to Queen Eva. Your mother is still biologically related to Eva, just not exactly the way we thought," he answered.

"And all of this is in this really old book?" Emma asked. He nodded.

"Gold has it "commissioned" to use his words. It's the only account and wasn't included in Henry's book. It also explains why we have the dreamscape," he added.

"She did that for us?" Emma asked. He nodded.

"She couldn't stop the curse, so she asked Morpheus to create the dreamscape for us. It nearly killed her to give up your mother, but she did it to save her from Hades. She didn't want us to lose you completely like she lost your mother," he explained.

"So she gave her her best chance," she muttered, realizing that her parents had done the same for her and she had done the same for Henry. She wondered if there would ever be a time in their bloodline that this history wouldn't repeat itself. As if David could sense what she was thinking, he got up from his desk and knelt in front of her.

"We're going to win this. Then no one is ever going to separate this family again," he assured.

"I want to believe that, Dad. But Regina is bad enough. Deimos is frighteningly worse. Now it looks like the God of the Underworld is also gunning for our family," she fretted.

"Hey...I know, I know it's overwhelming and downright scary. But after everything we've been through, there is nothing we can't get through, as long as we do it together," he tried to assure her. She took a calming breath and composed herself.

"I don't know how you do it sometimes. You always have all this faith…" she mentioned. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"My love for you and your mother gives me the courage to have that faith. Good will win. True love does mean sacrifice sometimes, but this family has sacrificed enough as it is," he implored. She sighed.

"I hope you're right," she replied. She knew they were in for the long game and she had never truly been alone. Her parent's voices had always been there, but now she had them by her side. Her mother didn't remember yet, but she would. And she knew her father would do anything to protect the people he loved, just as she would...

Despite the weariness of things going on in town, like Damon walking free and his approaching trial, which she was almost assured would be a joke, the predicament of having Belle believe she's a loose barfly by the name of Lacey, and the discovery of her mother's true heritage told to her by her stunned father, Emma was able to enjoy the holidays for the first time in her entire life.

Mary was especially excited at the prospect of not being alone. Thanksgiving had been truly wonderful and Christmas was going to be no exception. She had gone all out with decorations around the loft, including the addition of mistletoe, which made her practically giddy. Especially when she told David what the purpose of mistletoe was. She found herself underneath that mistletoe with her love quite frequently after that and laughed heartily when he naturally suggested that they should have mistletoe up all year around.

Christmas Eve was truly wonderful, as they celebrated together and her loft was bursting with friends and Christmas cheer. Emma only wished Henry could be with them, but Regina had forbade it and kept a close watch on him. Still, all three of them had bought gifts for him and left them under the tree for him to open at the first opportunity after the holiday. Mary knew she wasn't supposed to have favorites, but admittedly, Emma's little boy was and David had assured her that it was okay to give him a gift since it was outside of school. He couldn't wait until she knew the truth though that Henry was their grandson. Hell, he couldn't wait for her to know the truth of her own lineage and that Stephanie, the woman she had developed a very close friendship with, was in reality her biological mother. He knew she would be in shock at first, but in the long run, she'd be extremely happy to have her in her life.

Christmas Day was low key and they spent it together, just the three of them with lots of leftover goodies, Christmas movies, laughter, and Emma rolling her eyes every time David and Mary found their way under the mistletoe.

With Christmas behind them, they faced the New Year, as 2011 was about to come to an end. Emma vowed right then that by New Year's 2012, the curse would be broken, hopefully long before that, and they would finally be together as a family. She was more determined than ever and it quickly became clear that 2011 was going to go out with a roar.

Ashley set their food down in front of them and Emma picked up an onion ring, taking a bite.

"Mmm...I've been waiting for this all day. You know these should be their own food group," Emma mentioned. Ashley chuckled and nodded.

"I know what you mean. It seems these days that fried and breaded is all this baby wants lately," she agreed.

"My kind of baby," Emma mused.

"How are you feeling, Ashley?" Mary asked.

"Truthfully...I'm miserable. I'm a couple weeks overdo. If I don't go into labor soon, Dr. Whale says he wants to induce, but…" she trailed off.

"But?" Emma asked.

"I just...can't keep her. Once she comes...that's it," she said sadly.

"Why can't you keep her?" Mary asked in a horrified tone.

"I have next to no money and I live in a tiny apartment that I can barely pay my rent on. Besides...I already made the deal with Mr. Gold. When she's born...he's going to find a good home for her," she replied.

"Ashley...if you don't want to give her up, you can still change your mind," Emma reminded.

"Emma...no one breaks a deal with Mr. Gold. And even if I wanted to, what kind of life could she have with me?" Ashley asked sadly, as she went to pick up another order.

"That poor girl...I can't imagine having to give up a baby. How does one even recover from something like that?" Mary wondered and Emma took a sharp breath. She knew from her interactions with her mother in the dreamscape that it wasn't something that she had gotten over. It wasn't something her father was over either. They were still able to be happy, because they had each other and her in a certain capacity. But she knew her parents would never not wish they didn't have to give her up. And it was something that would stay with them for the rest of their lives.

But with Ashley's situation, her happy ending truly would be ruined if she was forced to give her baby up. Gold wasn't in the best of moods lately since Belle was given curse memories, but she knew if anyone could get through to him, it was her dad. So when Mary went to talk to her, in hopes of giving her comfort, Emma made a quick call to her father.

After lunch, Mary returned to her classroom. With her students on break, she spent her days planning new lessons for when school resumed. She was technically on break too, but had chosen to come in for just a couple hours to get a head start on future lesson plans.

She hummed to herself, that familiar tune she had come to love, even though she couldn't put her finger on where it was from, as she looked through her students art projects they had made before break. She found herself smiling more at Henry's than any and felt a little bad about her secret favoritism of him. She couldn't help it though. He was such an amazing little boy and there was something about him that was just special. David and Emma always insisted that she was responsible for the change in him; that she had managed to instill hope in him again. And she had done so before she had any hope herself.

Before David, she had all but given up on finding love. A couple horrible dates at Granny's with Whale and Damon's stalking had almost assured her that she'd never find her Prince Charming; certainly not the way Snow White had in the book she had given Henry. She was aware that Henry thought she and David were in fact Snow White and Prince Charming. It was a sweet notion and she found herself realizing that maybe he wasn't so wrong. Obviously, she was no bad ass bandit like the Snow White in his book and David didn't wield a sword or ride a horse. But he certainly had swept her off her feet like a Prince Charming would.

It was at that moment, she felt her vision go blurry and flash to another place. It was that day in the elevator again suddenly and she was walking around on a rocky surface in the blackness of the cavern. There was an object before her, a structure of sorts with a glass top. Before the flash of memory could go further, a voice interrupted her thoughts and as she snapped back to reality, she saw that the voice belonged to a very unwelcome person.

"Miss Blanchard...daydreaming on the job is very unbecoming, even from a woman such as you," Albert Spencer chided, as he and Mitchell Herman suddenly stood before her desk. She resisted the urge to shrink away from their scrutinizing gazes and looked up at them both.

"I'm not sure what you mean by a woman such as me, Mr. Spencer, but if you're here to insult me, then maybe you should just leave," she said. Albert Spencer seemed shocked by her ability to look him in the eyes, much less talk back to him.

"We won't be here very long, Miss Blanchard," Mitchell interjected.

"Yes, we have come to encourage you to drop the charges against Mr. Herman's client, Mr. Damon Tromera," Spencer continued. Mary felt a spike of anger spur inside her. So that's why they were here. To intimidate her into dropping the charges against Damon.

"I see...well, I'm sorry you wasted a trip, gentlemen. But I'm not about to do anything of the sort after what he did to me and David," she responded, trying her hardest to keep the quiver out of her voice.

"Miss Blanchard...I assure you that it is in your best interest to let this go. I think a messy trial is in no one's favor," Spencer prodded.

"He is right, Miss Blanchard. Do you really want to put yourself and your lover through the ordeal and scrutiny that is involved in testifying in court?" Mitchell asked.

"David and I will be fine. We have done nothing wrong. Your client on the other hand is guilty as sin. He attacked me and tried to kill the man I love, so if you think I'm going to just let it go...then you're going to be sorely disappointed," Mary spat in return. This time, she was unable to keep the quiver from her voice and so they felt the need to keep pushing her.

"Miss Blanchard...we have spoken to the Principal and the school does not want to be involved in such litigation," Mitchell stated.

"This has nothing to do with the school. This is about me and David. We were attacked and David was nearly killed," she responded, as the trepidation started to creep up in her.

"But you are a teacher at this school and the board is reluctant to have one of its employees involved in such scandal," Albert stated. That trepidation spiked into fear.

"Are you threatening my job, Mr. District Attorney?" she asked meekly. His smirk sent cold chills down her spine.

"Of course not, Miss Blanchard...I do not have the power to do that," he purred. But she knew that was a lie. He had almost as much power as Regina.

"But you must see it from the school board's point of view. To have one of the school's employees involved in a trial, accusing one of this town's most prominent members of such depraved acts does not bode well for any," Spencer continued. Mary felt her heart sink. He was practically telling her that the trial would ruin her, while Damon would be vindicated and she felt a little of the fight in her dwindle. Mitchell seized the opportunity and pulled an official document out of his briefcase.

"Just sign this paper, Miss Blanchard and all this messiness goes away. Mr. Spencer has even graciously agreed to grant you that restraining order against Mr. Tromera you've been vying for," Mitchell stated. Mary resisted the urge to scoff. A man like Damon Tromera would never let a thing like a restraining order stop him. But maybe if she did sign...maybe this was the best way to protect David. After all, if she lost in court, she knew Damon would seek revenge on them. As she instinctively picked up a pen, she almost felt woozy for there was a terrible pain in her head, almost as if something inside her was telling her that signing the paper would be a terrible mistake. An injustice in its greatest form. She dropped the pen and looked up at them, trying to suck her tears back.

"No…" she croaked.

"Miss Blanchard...do we really have to keep going over this? Or perhaps I should be more blunt. If you go through with this trial, I can assure you it will ruin you...and your lover. And anyone else that sides with you," he hissed. Even Mitchell looked a little taken aback by his malicious tone, but didn't have time to ponder that, as a voice interrupted them from the doorway.

"She said no, Mr. Spencer, and you have five seconds to get the hell away from her, before I call Sheriff Swan to come arrest you both for harassment," Stephanie growled, as she swept into the room and put her arm around Mary's shoulders. And something in this woman's piercing emerald eyes made Albert Spencer involuntarily back away. Her eyes flicked to the other man.

"You too, Mr. Mitchell," she added in an icy tone and he quickly backed away as well.

"Then I guess we'll been you in court, Miss Blanchard. I hope you're ready for what's to come," Spencer warned, as he and the other man left, leaving Mary to sigh in relief.

"Thank you," she said tearfully and Stephanie hugged her.

"It's going to be okay, honey. They're not going to win," she assured.

"I want to believe that...but I'm not sure I can," Mary sniffed.

"Why don't you let me take you home?" Stephanie asked.

"Thanks...but I need to go around and try to sell more candles for sister Astrid," Mary replied. She still had a couple weeks until the Miner's Day celebration, but sales weren't going very well.

"I'd like that," she said, as they got their coats.

David walked into the shop through the back entrance with Wilby in tow and Gold immediately knelt down to pet the dog.

"You still have the contract on Ella's baby?" David asked.

"Yes, it transferred over with the curse," he answered. David sighed.

"Don't you think you could forgive this one? I can't believe that you really want to take her baby from her," David countered.

"Yet everyone else won't be surprised at all. I'm Mr. Gold...the scary man not to be crossed. Perhaps I am everything they say," he retorted.

"What I know is family is important to you. That's one thing we have in common," David replied, as they stared at each other.

"We want the same things. You want Belle back. I want Snow back. I'll help you try and get through to Lacey. Taking Ella's baby doesn't restore her happy ending, which could delay the breaking of the curse," the prince added.

"I'll admit that you have a point," Gold said reluctantly.

"But you're missing a crucial part of her happy ending," he reminded.

"Thomas...I haven't seen him yet," David realized.

"Here in Storybrooke, he is Sean Herman, son of Mitchell Herman, who pressured his son to disassociate from her when it was discovered she was pregnant," he explained.

"He left her?" David asked in disbelief.

"It's the curse. He's not the Thomas you know. He's weak willed...scared that his father will cut him off from all his nice money," Gold stated.

"Mitchell Herman...why does that sound familiar?" David asked.

"He's Damon Tromera's attorney," Gold reminded. The deputy sighed.

"So if his son went back to Ella…" David started to stay.

"Ashley," Gold corrected.

"Ashley. If he went back to her, that would certainly tarnish his image. And you know that Regina will loathe another happy ending restored. I'd owe you too," David implored.

"You already owe me," Gold reminded.

"If Belle was here right now and found out you were going to take a baby from its mother, what would she say?" he countered. Gold gave the Prince a withering look, but he knew exactly what she thought of his penchant for taking babies in his deals.

"Fine...but you owe me doubly. And helping with Lacey doesn't count," Gold relented. David nodded.

"That one is on me and if it means a child can stay with its parents, then I'd gladly owe you a million favors," he replied. Gold rolled his eyes.

"Stop being so noble and get out," the pawnbroker grumbled. The former shepherd smirked.

"Or...we could go over the Rabbit Hole for a drink. I have some time to kill before I meet Mary and Emma at Granny's for the New Year's Eve party," David offered. Gold pondered for a moment.

"Flip that sign to close," he agreed. David smiled and did so, as they headed out.

Henry swung his legs back and forth, as he sat on one of the platforms of his castle playground after school. He was waiting to meet up with Emma, before he had to make sure he was at Archie's for his unnecessary therapy. Since the incident in the mines, he had returned to therapy, but Archie refused to follow Regina's instructions and hadn't discouraged Henry's belief. He knew it was a small consolation and that Archie didn't believe in the curse. But at least Henry's sessions didn't consist of an hour of his therapist explaining the difference between fiction and reality. He understood why people didn't believe though. It was hard for them to believe in magic, but it had never been hard for Henry.

He expected Emma to roll up in the bug any moment, but instead, he heard a motorcycle. August pulled up and took off his helmet.

"Hey Henry," he greeted.

"Hi August...what are you doing here?" the boy asked curiously.

"Just out for a ride. Thought I'd scout a good writing place and saw you here. Nice playground," he mentioned.

"It's a castle," Henry corrected. August chuckled.

"Of course...I see it now," he replied, with a touch of nostalgia in his voice that Henry didn't pick up on.

"Cool book…" August said, as he spied the brown, leather bound book next to him.

"Thanks…" he replied.

"Mind if I take a look?" August asked. Henry shrugged and watched the man flip through the book idly.

"These aren't quite the version most people know," he mentioned.

"That's because they're the real versions," Henry blurted out.

"The real versions? Like first editions?" August asked.

"Uh yeah...like that," Henry replied, realizing what he had just said. Thankfully, it seemed that the stranger didn't take his comment as the literal meaning.

"That's the great thing about being a writer. You can take a story that everyone thinks they know and take it in a whole new direction. And the best plot twists are the ones you don't see coming," August mentioned, though he could have no idea how true his own statement would prove to be later on. But there were definitely a lot of things happening that Henry never saw coming. This stranger coming to town just being one of many. Henry put his book away in his backpack, as Emma pulled up.

"I gotta go," he said.

"See you around, kid," August called, as he was impressed by Emma's scrutinizing gaze.

"Hey…" she greeted.

"Don't worry...I'm not stalking the kid or anything," he promised.

"Good to know," she retorted.

"What exactly are you doing?" she asked. He shrugged.

"Just looking for the right inspiration and killing time until the New Year's Eve party tonight," he replied.

"You're coming to the party?" she asked.

"Why not? What better way to get to know the town. How about you let me buy you a drink tonight?" he asked in return. She gazed at him with scrutiny again.

"We'll see," she replied, as she got back in the car with Henry and drove off. August smirked and pulled out an old newspaper article. He wasn't exactly sure where to start in getting Emma to believe, but he figured this article might be a good place to begin. He could not know though that getting Emma to believe wouldn't be a problem and the truth about the wardrobe would be a painful revelation...

#Snowing #Season 1 AU Snowing #Swan Believer #GoldenCharming BroTP

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