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asapjens · 4 months

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TWICE IMAGINE

HOW WOULD THE TWICE MEMBERS REACT TO YOU HAVING A PET WITH THE SAME NAME AS THEM

NAYEON

You and Nayeon have been dating for two whole months, so you thought it was time to take her to the house you grew up in.

When you arrived at your parent's house, the first thing you did was show Nayeon your old room. You showed her your posters, the books you used to read, and your old CDs.

While you were discussing your vinyl collection, your mom called for you to help her with some things downstairs. You told Nayeon that you'd be right back and she was welcome to explore the rest of the house if she wanted to. You kissed her and exited the room.

Nayeon was looking at your One Direction poster when she heard a sound. She looked around the room and was surprised to see a little cotton ball on the edge of the bed.

The bunny hopped in Nayeon's direction and she couldn't help but try to hold it. The bunny found its way into Nayeon's arms and hugged her. Nayeon noticed a little ribbon on the white bunny's neck with an "N" engraved on it.

"Nayeon!" a little girl who looked just like you said, appeared in front of her and gazing at Nayeon's arms.

"I've told you not to leave my room!!" the mini you said.

Nayeon was confused. "Sorry?" she asked.

The little girl looked at her with wide eyes and her mouth in an "O" shape. Nayeon smiled awkwardly.

That's when you entered the room. "Hey baby, my mom wants to know what your favorite dessert is cause she's going to the grocery-"

“Oh hey Olivia, Mommy wants to know if you'd like to go with her," you told your sister while messing with her hair.

"Who is she?" Nayeon heard your sister whisper. You smiled and said, "She's my girlfriend, remember? I told you about her."

Your sister nodded and introduced herself, "Hi! I'm Yn's favorite sister, Olivia." The little girl went to hug Nayeon.

"You're my only sister," you said.

"Hello, I'm Yn's favorite girlfriend, Nayeon," she said, smiling at your sister. Olivia's eyes widened. "Wow! You and her share the same name!" Olivia said, pointing at the bunny that was still in Nayeon's arms.

"I guess we kinda look alike," Nayeon said, petting the bunny.

"Yes! Yn picked her name!" Olivia said, petting the bunny.

Nayeon looked at you with a smirk. "Hey! That's not entirely true. You asked for names and Nayeon just happened to pop into my brain!" you said trying to defend yourself.

Olivia just rolled her eyes and asked Nayeon if she wanted to see the bunny’s clothes.

"Olivia! Are you coming, sweetheart?" you heard your mom's voice. "Can Nayeon come?" "I think Nayeon and Yn want to be together, baby!"

"She means the animal, Mom," you said. "Oh yeah, alright, bring her," your mom said. "Yay!" exclaimed your sister.

Nayeon passed the bunny to your sister. "Bye!" she said, leaving the room happily. "Oh, nice meeting you, Nayeon! You're really pretty!" After that, your sister left to go downstairs.

You gave Nayeon an embarrassed look.

"So... Nayeon, huh?" Your girlfriend laughed.

"I'm sorry! I couldn't think of anything better and she's so impatient. I have no imagination when it comes to naming! I just say the name of someone I love! Like Olivia here, my parents made me choose my little sister's name. And do you know why I picked Olivia?"

Nayeon shook her head.

"She's named after my favorite One Direction song! You know, the song 'I live for you, I long for you, Olivia'?" You said, singing the last part.

Nayeon couldn't help but laugh and then kissed you.

JEONGYEON

When your brother told you he was going to visit you for a few weeks you couldn't help but ask him to bring his lovely dog.

He wasn't surprised at your request since you've always adored animals.

So when he finally arrived at your house you couldn't help but spoil the not-so-little labrador retriever. You couldn't wait until you introduced her to your cute girlfriend.

Jeongyeon planned a cozy evening with you at your place, she ought to surprise you. She bought all your favorite snacks and made a list of movies to watch at home.

She was arriving at your house when she heard a loud bang on the door. She pressed her ear on the door and heard the loud noise again.

She opened the door closely and when she did she felt a heavy weight on her arms. She gasped at the feeling then she heard a loud “Jeongyeon! Come here!” Jeongyeon was confused but relieved when the weight stopped.

“I'm sorry” a male voice called. Now Jeongyeon was even more confused.

“Mhm..” The girl said, then saw your brother closing the backyard door and she relaxed.

“Oh hey, Luke” The blonde greeted your brother. “Hey Jeongyeon sup,” he said hugging the girl.

“How have you been?” Said Jeongyeon, “How was your flight?”. “I've been great, thanks, the flight was good they even gave us those delicious gummies”

“The Red ones or the multicolor ones?” asked Jeongyeon. “Both!” exclaimed the boy with a big smile. “No way,” said a shocked Jeongyeon. “Way”

Your brother and Jeongyeon were talking about trivial things. “So where’s yn?” said the girl sitting on the kitchen counter. “Oh, she went to buy some toys for Jeong-“ your brother was interrupted by the door.

“Jeongyeon baby I’m home where are you sweet girl?, come here and give me a kiss” Jeongyeon blushed at your words and smiled at your baby tone.

When Jeongyeon got up and made her way to you, she felt a heavy force push her to the wall. Jeongyeon gasped at the feeling. Confused, Jeongyeon looked to her right and saw a blonde tail moving with force.

Then she saw how you pet the owner of the tail. And heard your adorable voice praising the big blonde labrador in front of you.

“Look at all the things I found for you!” you exclaimed in a high tone. When you finally looked up and saw your girlfriend with a surprised face in front of you. You smiled and went to kiss her.

“Baby!, you didn’t tell me you were coming. I wanted you to meet Jeongyeon on a special occasion.” You sounded a little disappointed. Jeongyeon smiled at you.

“Meeting who?” she asked, putting her arms around your waist. “Jeongyeon!,” The moment the name left your mouth it followed a loud bark from the cute dog.

“She’s Jeongyeon my brother’s labrador retriever” Jeongyeon heard the (dog) Jeongyeon making snorting sounds. “She’s excited,” said Luke.

“Dude we were talking for like an hour, why’d you never told me about her” said your girlfriend. Your brother just laughed “She would've killed me” Said Luke pointing at you.

“I wanted to be special since you guys share the same name. I know it's kinda silly” You said.

“It's cute,” Jeongyeon said, wrapping your lips around hers.

MOMO

"Omg," Momo heard your voice and became worried at your tone. "Baby?" your girlfriend asked.

"What's wrong?" Momo asked, concerned. "Look at this!" you exclaimed, passing your phone to her. "My parents found this raccoon on their porch!" you said.

"Wow, are your parents okay?" the short-haired one asked. "Yeah, but my dad freaked out when he found him," you laughed.

"Wait," you said. Momo looked at you, sensing some seriousness in your voice. "He kinda looks like you!"

Momo gave you a sharp look. You burst into laughter at her reaction. "I swear! You guys look like twins." Momo rolled her eyes at you and threw herself on top of you.

You started to giggle when Momo began tickling you. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. You're way cuter than that raccoon," you said through tears of laughter. Momo just tickled you harder.

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It was a chill date for you and Momo. You both walked around the city, holding hands, and Momo bought you anything you said was cute, you guys were just admiring the city lights.

That's when Momo found a pet store that was giving kittens up for adoption. Knowing your love for cats, Momo pointed in that direction. When you saw what your girlfriend was pointing at, you almost collapsed onto the floor.

Momo smiled at your reaction and started pulling you towards the kittens.

"They're so cute!" you said with hearts in your eyes. Momo melted at your reaction. "Hello! They have all been rescued from the streets and have been vaccinated. They're ready to go home with you!" said the girl behind the kittens.

"You heard that, baby? They're ready to go home with us!"

"They are really cute," said Momo, trying to pet the cats. Some of them were scared and backed away a little bit, but after a few minutes, the cats were all around Momo. "They're so cute I'm crying," she said.

You noticed a black little kitten in the back and called for her. You were surprised when she came right to you. "It's purring!" the girl behind them said. "He’s kinda shy. People have been here all afternoon and he never left the corner."

Your and Momo's hearts melted at the statement. "Can we have her?" you asked Momo with puppy eyes. Momo couldn't say no to you. So that's how you two ended up buying all the things for your new roommate: food, a bed, some toys, etc.

"Everything is ready. Congratulations! Do you two have a name yet?" the employee asked.

"Yes, Momo!" you said, petting the baby cat. "What?" Momo asked, confused.

"Baby, it's the perfect name!" you told your girlfriend. "Are you teasing me?" Momo raised her brow.

"What? No! Look at her, she has 'momo' all around her. I love you, I love this kitten, so why not?"

"He's actually a boy," the girl called out.

Momo gave you a sharp look. "Momo is a name for both sexes!" you exclaimed.

"Pleaseeeeeeee," you begged with big puppy eyes that you knew Momo couldn't resist.

"Alright, yeah, Momo it is!" She gave in.

"Yay!" you said, pulling your lips onto Momo's.

SANA

You and your girlfriend, Sana, were visiting your hometown to see your mom. Your mom had planned activities for Sana's visit, and she was really excited since it was her first time in your hometown. She admired everything with adoration and made cute comments about everything you guys visited or saw.

One of the activities planned was a trip to the zoo, and Sana couldn't have been more excited. You both took pictures with the animals and fed them, and Sana even bought giraffe headbands for you and your mother.

As you were about to leave the zoo, you spotted some funny-looking little animals and grabbed Sana's hand, pulling her towards them.

"Aren't they cute?" Sana said, looking at the little creatures. "Wait, Sana, look!" you said, pointing in a specific direction.

Sana turned and followed your gaze. "That white one looks like your friend!" you exclaimed. "That ferret?" Sana laughed at your comparison. "Yeah! He looks like the guy from your company, the one who drew us that one time, remember?" you said, giggling. "Hyunjin?" Sana asked, laughing along.

"Yeah!" you said, still giggling. “They do look alike!" Sana said, looking at the ferret. "Right," you laughed, kissing Sana's cheek.

You both spent some time looking at the hedgehogs, ferrets, and hamsters. That's when you saw some guinea pigs and turned to Sana. "Look! That one's named Sana," you told your girlfriend.

Sana looked at the rodent and laughed. "She looks like me!" Sana said, excited about the similarity.

"But don't worry sweetheart, you're even cuter," you told Sana. She laughed, and you both kissed.

JIHYO

"Baby, I'm home," Jihyo called as she entered the house. She took off her shoes and walked toward the kitchen to leave the takeout food she had bought before coming home.

"Honey?" she called for you again. "I'm in here!" Jihyo heard her girlfriend's voice from the living room. Jihyo walked to the living room, excited to see you since she had been working the whole day.

"Hey sweet girl, I've missed you so much," she said, going to hug you from behind and closing her eyes.

"Me too, baby. How was practice today?" You felt Jihyo's breath on your neck. "It was good, but I'm kinda tired babe," she said as she opened her eyes.

When her eyes were fully open, she gasped and quickly backed down, almost falling to the ground.

"Why is there an owl in our living room?" Jihyo said, sounding scared.

You laughed a little and then said, "You know how my brother is obsessed with Harry Potter, well, since his birthday is coming up, for some reason, my parents thought of buying him an owl, just like Harry's," you said, giving some food to the white owl.

"Wow, your parents are really thoughtful," Jihyo said, giggling. "What's his name?" she asked as she put her arms around your waist and hugged you from behind again.

"He is actually a she. And we're waiting for my brother to name her, but he's an 11-year-old Potterhead with a white owl, so I bet 5 bucks it'll be Hedwig," you told your girlfriend as she turned your face to kiss her.

"We'll see," Jihyo said, laughing.

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A few days passed, and your brother's birthday finally arrived. You and Jihyo, along with the owl, drove to your parents' house for the party.

You guys ate some Harry Potter-themed food, watched the kids break a big piñata, and took some cute pictures of each other—everything you do at an 11-year-old's party.

When the little kids got picked up by their parents, you guys entered the house. "Mom, Dad, can I open my presents now?" your brother asked loudly.

Your parents nodded, and the little one started jumping. "You can't really 'open' the present that Daddy and I got you," your mom told him. Your brother looked at them puzzled.

"And this isn't just a present, baby. You have to take care of her, just like a human being. She's not just some toy. We're giving you this because we think you're ready to have a pet," your mom said.

Your brother started jumping and hugging your mom when he heard the word 'pet.'

As your brother smothered your mother, your dad gave you a look that meant 'bring her now.' You got up and went to get the owl that you had been owlsitting the whole week.

When you entered the living room once more, now with the pet in the cage, your mother pointed at you, and your brother gave you a big gummy smile.

"An owl! Thank you, thank you! I've always wanted one, and she's just like Harry's! I can't believe this! Thank you so much, Yn, you're the best sister ever!" your brother said, hugging your legs.

Jihyo couldn't help but smile at you and your brother's interaction. She thought it was the cutest thing ever.

"So, how are you naming her?" your dad asked.

"Jihyo!" he said, excitedly.

Jihyo blushed at that, while everyone turned to him, confused.

"What?" your mom asked. "Since Yn gave me this awesome present, and since Yn loves Jihyo, and I love this owl!" your brother said, petting the white owl through her cage.

Everyone looked even more puzzled. "Actually, this gift is from Mom and Dad. My gift and Jihyo's present is the Minecraft card," you told him.

"I'm naming the card Jihyo too!"

Jihyo couldn't help but laugh at your brother. "But wouldn't you like to name her Hedwig, I mean, just like Harry's!" Jihyo tried to reason with your brother.

"No, Jihyo is way better," your brother said, unbothered.

"Well, Jihyo it is," you said, looking at your girlfriend. Jihyo laughed a little, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Why don't we show Jihyo where she'll be staying” your dad told your brother. “Okay!” he said carrying the owl out of the living room.

You sat down with your girlfriend once again. Both of you made eye contact and burst into laughter. “It was kinda cute,” you said. And Jihyo just laughed even harder.

“You own me 5 bucks”

MINA

You and your girlfriend Mina were having dinner at your grandparent’s. You guys were having a great time since all your family loved and appreciated Mina and loved how special she made you feel.

Everyone was laughing at a joke your grandfather had said, Mina's hand was resting on your thigh. After you guys finished laughing, she asked you for directions to the bathroom. You offered to take Mina to the bathroom since it was a big house. Mina smiled and took your hand, allowing you to guide her.

You guys got up and entered the house, holding hands. When you guys arrived in the living room, you stopped when you saw a big fishbowl with big and small fish swimming around.

Mina followed your gaze and pointed at some multicolored fish that was eating.

“That one looks like you," you pointed at a big-eyed yellow-orange fish that was fighting for some food. Mina rolled her eyes at you.

"Really! You have the same eyes," you exclaimed, smirking.

"Yn! That's enough. Stop teasing Mina!" your mom said in Mina's defense. "Look, I'm telling you, she loves you more than me! When someone teases me, she just laughs along!" you whispered to Mina.

Mina just laughed and wrapped her arms around your shoulders, kissing your forehead.

"The bathroom is just down there," you pointed out.

"I'll be waiting here with the other Mina," you told her.

"The other Mina?" the original Mina looked at you confused. You smiled, pointing at the fish. Mina rolled her eyes, smiling.

After dinner, you guys offered to take your mother home. "Oh honey, do you remember my cat Meredith?" your mother asked as you were driving.

"Oh yeah, what's up with her?" you questioned, focusing on the road. "She gave birth! We gave away some of the kittens, but there are still some around the place!"

"Aw! I can't wait to see them," you said happily.

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"Mina, would you like some tea?" that's the first thing your mother said when you guys arrived at her house.

"Yes, thank you, Mrs. Yln," Mina said as you guys sat on the living room couch. Before you could sit down, your mother called for you to help her pour the tea. You sighed and walked towards the kitchen.

"Wait," you heard Mina's voice. You turned around and met Mina's lips. You laughed and softly pulled away. "I'll be right back," you winked at your girlfriend.

While you were gone, Mina started looking at her phone until she heard a ‘meow’ near her. She looked at the rest of the couch and found a little white kitten with big almond eyes. Mina melted at the little animal.

"Hi, baby," Mina said, pulling her hand towards the cat. The cat backed down a little, but with some encouragement, the kitty felt confident enough and got into Mina’s hand. Mina thought she was going to die from cuteness.

When you and your mom put down the teas on the table, you turned to Mina with something white in her hand. "Oh, so you've met Snowy," your mom said.

"You named her Snowy?" you said teasingly. "Well, I was waiting for you to name the rest of them!"

"I think she likes you, Mina," your mom said happily. And it was true, the kitty was all over Mina, and Mina was more than happy, smiling and petting the cat.

"We should name her Mina!" you said. Mina turned to you with wide eyes. "Well, she loves you, baby, and you two are the cutest things ever," you said, kissing Mina's head.

"Oh, I love it!" your mother said.

Mina smiled at you and caught your lips in a quick kiss.

DAHYUN

You loved your job at the zoo. The way you cared for the animals and connected with them was truly admirable. However, there was one aspect of your job that always made you a bit apprehensive - the snakes.

You had an intense fear of snakes. Just the thought of them would send shivers down your spine. But you realized it was time to overcome the fear, so you decided to face your fear head-on. You came up with a unique idea - you would name one of the snakes after your girlfriend Dahyun.

Your co-worker thought it was a brilliant idea and agreed to let you take care of the snakes for a day. As you timidly approached the enclosure, you locked eyes with a beautiful python. With a deep breath, you mustered up the courage to hold the snake, reminding yourself that it now shared your girlfriend’s name.

Surprisingly, as you spent time with the snake named Dahyun, you started to feel a strange sense of comfort. You realized that your fear was slowly dissipating, replaced by a newfound connection with the reptiles you once dreaded.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. You continued to care for the snakes, especially the one named after your girlfriend. You learned about their unique characteristics, their gentle nature, and their importance in the ecosystem. With each passing day, your fear diminished further, replaced by a growing sense of admiration and respect for these creatures.

One sunny day, Dahyun decided to surprise her girlfriend at work. As Dahyun entered the zoo, butterflies fluttered in her stomach.

As she approached her girlfriend's station, Dahyun's eyes widened in awe. There her girlfriend stood, confidently handling the snakes, her smile radiant and her body language relaxed. Dahyun couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for her girlfriend.

When you finally noticed her presence, you walked over with a smile. "Surprised to see me here?" Dahyun said.

"But I'm even more surprised to see you so comfortable with the snakes now. How did you overcome your fear?" Dahyun asked

You chuckled and took Dahyun's hand. "It all started with you, my love. I named that snake after you to help me face my fears. Every time I handle the snakes, I think of you and how you make me feel safe and loved. It gave me the courage to embrace these little guys."

Dahyun's eyes welled up with tears of happiness. She never expected her simple existence to have such an impact. They shared a tender moment, surrounded by the snakes that had brought them closer together.

As Dahyun glanced at the snake named after her, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the reptile since it had transformed her girlfriend's fear into a symbol of love and bravery.

CHAEYOUNG

As you stood outside the studio's door, you impatiently waited for Chaeyoung to open it for you. Your hands were full, making it difficult to open the door by yourself.

But before coming here, something ‘unexpected’ happened. You had thought about buying some food for Chaeyoung since she had been really busy at the studio. However, as you were walking to Chaeyoung's favorite bakery, you noticed a box just outside the store. When you looked down, you saw a black puppy inside.

You couldn't leave the puppy there, so you picked him up and immediately took him to the vet. The vet assured you that he was fine and gave him some vaccines. He also mentioned that you could bring the puppy for adoption next week, but for now, the little dog needed a place to stay.

Finally, the door opened, and Chaeyong’s Co-worker let you in. You hid the puppy behind your back.

"Thank you," you smiled and went inside.

Chaeyoung spotted you from inside the studio. She took off her headphones and came out to greet you with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, a big smile on her face.

"I thought I would come to visit you. I got you... something special," you replied.

She nodded, a little confused. "Okay, close your eyes," you told her, feeling a bit nervous. With anticipation, you unveiled the puppy in front of her. Unexpectedly, the puppy licked your girlfriend's nose.

Chaeyoung opened her eyes in a hurry. "Who's this little guy?" she said, petting the dog.

"His name is Chaeyoung, and he has had all his vaccines. We could take him for adoption next week, but if you spend just a few minutes with him, you'll never want to let him go, and-"

Your girlfriend's laughter interrupted you. "Honey, you got me at his name," she smiled, kissing you.

TZUYU

"Oh, will you look at that!" you heard your mom's voice as you came downstairs. "What are you guys watching?" you said.

"Keira's rabbit just gave birth," your sister told you, excited.

"Who's Keira?" you asked, confused, trying to see the pictures of the bunnies on your mother's phone.

"My best friend!" your sister exclaimed angrily. "Sorry!" you apologized, sticking your tongue out at your sister.

"Look at the bunnies," your mother passed you the phone.

They were really cute, looking like cotton candy fluffy balls. You wanted to eat them. "This one looks like Yn's girlfriend!" you heard your sister's voice as she pointed at a cute brunette bunny. You examined the fluffy ball, and it was true; it looked just like Tzuyu.

"You're right," you chuckled at the thought. "Is Keira keeping all of them?" you turned to your sister.

"Her parents just let her keep two; the others are going to live at her grandma's," your sister told you as she took the phone out of your hands.

"Tell her to keep the Tzuyu one," you said, laughing.

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You were baking with Tzuyu, making some cakes. You loved baking, and Tzuyu loved watching you do things you love, and she got the privilege of licking the spoons!

As you put the cake in the oven and set the timer, you heard your phone ringing. "Sweetie, it's your mom," Tzuyu said, passing you your phone.

You murmured a "thank you, baby." "Hi mom, what's up?" While you were talking with your mom, Tzuyu started washing up the dishes and the things you guys used.

"Hey, so my mom wants me to pick up my sister from a play date. I'll be right back, or do you want to come?" you asked your girlfriend.

Tzuyu nodded at you with a big smile. It had been a long time since she saw your little sister.

You drove in the direction your mom sent you, and you guys arrived after 10 minutes. When you were about to knock on the door, you remembered that you forgot something in the car and told Tzuyu you'd be right back. Before leaving, you gave Tzuyu a quick kiss on the lips.

Before Tzuyu could knock on the door, it opened, and she saw two little girls - one was your sister, and she assumed the other was her friend. "Tzuyu!" your sister hugged her. "Hi!" Tzuyu exclaimed happily. "How have you been?" Tzuyu asked, petting your sister's hair.

"Great! I've missed you!" Before Tzuyu could answer, the other little girl interrupted, "Is her name Tzuyu, like my bunny?" the other girl said.

"Yes! I told you to name her after my sister's girlfriend, remember?" your sister told her friend.

Tzuyu blushed at the comment and laughed. "Your bunny's name is Tzuyu?"

When you arrived at the door once again, you were surprised as the door was opened. You entered your sister's best friend's house and gasped when you saw Tzuyu petting her bunny self. When Tzuyu saw you, she just smiled at you.

"You’re so cute," you murmured.

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oliversrarebooks · 1 month

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The Rare Bookseller Part 43: Katherine's Advice

Prev > Masterlist > Next

September 1925

TW: conditioning, discussion of abuse, panic attacks

Oliver put the finishing touches on a set of egg-salad sandwiches, neat triangles with the crust removed, and set them on a platter along with an assortment of tea cookies from a local bakery. Truthfully, he didn't know the first thing about entertaining -- with no friends or family and a tiny bookshop apartment, it wasn't anything he'd ever had to do. Alexander had some helpful suggestions for things he'd seen other thralls do, and had procured the supplies Oliver would need for a light midnight lunch (or whatever one might call it.)

In fact, Alexander had been hovering around Oliver a great deal since their fraught conversation a couple of nights before. He'd bought a bounty of foods he supposed Oliver might like, and seemed to be popping up around every corner of the library to show Oliver interesting books. It was as though his master thought he needed to win his favor all over again -- despite the fact that Oliver was still very much enthralled, his thoughts often going hazy and filling with imagined echoes of siren song.

Oliver didn't really need the attention, but he did appreciate the advice on entertaining. Embarrassing as it was, Oliver really did want to impress his guests. So much had happened over the past few weeks, his entire life and conception of the world turned on its end. The only people who might really understand were vampires' thralls. Miriam hadn't seemed quite lucid enough for a true conversation, but Alexander had told him that Miss Ruth's thrall, Charlie, was quite intelligent and together.

It'd be nice to talk to someone else who had gone through... this. That was all.

He had just finished up in the kitchen when the doorbell rang and his master rushed to greet the guests. "Hello hello!" sang a voice that Oliver would never forget: Miss Lily. She brought both of her hands to her face in a dramatic mock gasp. "Lex? No, it can't be. You don't look like you just clawed your way out of a grave. Who are you, and what have you done with Lex?"

"Mm. Nice to see you too."

"And look at you!" Miss Lily ruffled Oliver's hair. "You look like you're adjusting quite well! Are you the one responsible for Lex's shocking good health?"

Oliver blushed, not certain how to respond to the praise. She seemed different from how she had been in the auction house, more relaxed, but something about her voice and mannerisms still made Oliver feel a bit dazed and eager to please. "I'm just glad I was able to help him, sir."

"Of course you did. I just knew a thrall like you could do him a world of good. Speaking of which..." She pulled her thrall Miriam through the front door, and she looked at Oliver with her usual clouded expression. "Miriam, you remember Oliver, don't you? Lord Alexander's new thrall?"

She looked confused for a moment before her face lit up a bit in recognition. "Oh, yes! From when we were staying at the auction house. It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you, too." Miriam's uncertain mental state made him a bit uneasy. If Lily and Alexander were anything alike, would he end up similarly entranced? Would he even realize if it happened? Was it happening already?

"But Miriam's not the only person I've brought along. I took the liberty of inviting one of our old friends that Lex has been avoiding."

Alexander looked confused. "Ruth? I haven't been avoiding her."

"Ruth's on the way, too, but no, not her."

"Oh -- you don't mean --"

A sophisticated-looking older woman, gray hair tucked in neat curls, stepped out from the porch. She was wearing an old-fashioned, dark blue flannel dress with a high collar. Behind her was another older woman, also wearing an old-fashioned flannel dress, hers covered with a ruffled white pinafore.

"Edith! It's been ages!" said Alexander.

"And whose fault is that?" she said, in the tone of a worried mother. "You kept turning me away when I called on you, and I'd hear all about it from Lily -- how you refused to take a thrall, and were drinking bottled blood --"

Alexander looked uncharacteristically cowed by the scolding. "And I'm sure she's told you that I have a suitable thrall, now, so you needn't worry about my health."

"I'll stop being worried about your health when you start taking proper care of yourself," she said. "But I'd like to meet this thrall of yours. Is this him?"

Even with his master and Miss Lily around him, Oliver could still feel the pull of this new vampire's aura on his mind. It was soothing, almost numbing, and he had the odd thought that she must be a good master. "My name is Oliver Pines, sir, and I am indeed Lord Alexander's thrall. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh, what a polite and charming thrall," Miss Edith said with a smile. She shamelessly took Oliver's chin in her hand to examine his face, and Oliver was surprised that his master didn't seem to mind. "Healthy, and his blood smells very nourishing."

"As you can see, I'm taking care of myself just fine," said Alexander defensively.

"I suppose this is a better state of affairs than your usual. But where are my manners? I haven't introduced myself properly." she said, and then turned back to Oliver. "You may address me as Dr. Edith. I'm a doctor who has served the vampire community for over a century. If you're ever sick or injured, no doubt your master will call on me to help."

"You're a vampire... doctor, sir?"

"There are very few health ailments that can afflict vampires, so I primarily take care of their precious thralls. After all, healthy thralls are necessary for a healthy vampire," she said, with a pointed look at Alexander.

He rolled his eyes with a smile on his face. "Yes, yes, your point has been made."

"And this is Katherine, my faithful nurse," said Dr. Edith, gesturing to the woman who had accompanied her.

Katherine delicately shook Oliver's hand. "Good to meet you." She looked bright-eyed compared to Miriam, but her hand was warm, and she clearly was not a vampire.

"Are you a..."

"Dr. Edith's thrall, yes, and her nurse and assistant and whatever else is required of me."

"I see," he said with relief. He was looking forward to having a chat with a thrall who seemed to still have her wits about her.

While the group was still exchanging pleasantries, hanging up coats and hats, when the doorbell rang once again. It was Miss Ruth, the vampire lawyer who had sized up Oliver's suitability for a clerk at the auction house. She was followed by a tall, broad-shouldered man.

"Do you remember me, Oliver?" she asked.

"Yes, sir, I remember you very well. You asked me to recite state capitals. I'm glad to see you well."

Miss Ruth looked at him with longing. "Oh, I do wish I could have afforded to buy you," she said. "But no matter how hard I work, I just can't compete with Lex's fortune."

The broad-shouldered man was named Charlie, and he was one of Miss Ruth's thralls and law clerks. He favorited Oliver with a stoic nod, and between him and Katherine, he couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious. Now that he was fully enthralled and owned by a vampire, it was strange to be around other humans, even those in a similar boat. It made him more keenly aware of his situation, and he wondered how he seemed to other people, all too aware that he was under a hypnotic spell.

"Now that all of our guests have arrived, Oliver, why don't you get your tea and refreshments and show the thralls into the second-floor sitting room?" said Alexander. "We'll be meeting in the parlor, and I would prefer not to be disturbed."

"Yes, sir," said Oliver, feeling more than a bit like a child being shooed off so the adults could talk. But even though he'd love to hear what the vampires were discussing -- especially since he seemed to be of particular interest to them -- he was also eager to have a chat with the other thralls.

A few moments later, and he'd enlisted Katherine and Charlie's help in carrying trays to the sitting room. The curtains were open wide, offering a pleasant view of the gaslit city streets and the waning moon. Miriam settled into a plush chair and pulled a knitting project out of a small bag as Oliver poured tea for the four of them.

"Please, help yourself to sandwiches and cookies," he said.

"You're a lovely host, Oliver," Katherine commented. "And so lucid, as well."

"Um --"

Charlie glared. "An awkward thing to say to a new thrall, don't you think?"

"At my age, I don't see any point dancing around the bush. I've seen hundreds of thralls, after all, and I'm well aware that we're some of the more fortunate ones."

"How long have you two been thralls?" asked Oliver.

"Six years for me," said Charlie.

"I've been with the doctor for nearly thirty years now."

"Thirty years!" said Oliver. "I didn't know... well..."

"Didn't realize that a thrall could last so long in the service of a vampire?" said Katherine, amused. "It's understandable, but it's more common than you might expect. I'm particularly lucky in that my master is a doctor, and so I'm kept very healthy."

"Do you like your master?"

"I do," said Katherine. "I'm under her spell, of course, but after all these years, that's practically background noise. But after having met so many vampires, I'm glad it was the doctor who enthralled me. I meet lots of interesting people and vampires, and I get to help them. I'm never bored. And she's always treated me well."

"I'm also happy to serve my master," said Charlie in a tone that sounded a bit strange. "I mean, I do miss my old life sometimes, and it's hard work to be a clerk, but my living conditions are so much better than when I was working at the factory, that's for sure. My math and reading have improved, too."

"And how about you, Oliver? What's your first impression of serving Lord Alexander?" said Katherine.

Oliver's mind swirled with thoughts, of his master's siren song and his feeding and his need, of the library and the comfortable bed and generous food, of his tiny apartment above the bookshop that used to be modest but his, of the threat of his master's sire.

"It's been good so far. Lord Alexander will be a good master to me, I hope," said Oliver carefully. "But... did you two know his previous thralls?"

Katherine exchanged a look with Charlie. "Ah, yes, Henry. I remember him. He was more... subdued. Like Miriam."

"Like Miriam," Oliver repeated, his fear of having his mind fade away from him renewed.

Miriam looked up from her knitting. "Hm?"

"Nothing, dear," said Katherine. "I believe that Lord Alexander has, for the most part, always treated his thralls very well. He's a gentle vampire, and he's always treated me with more respect than is due a thrall. But..."

"But?"

"Well... I have had to treat a number of mysterious injuries on Alexander's previous thralls. Miss Lily's as well. I assume you know what those two have in common."

Charlie looked impatient. "There's no need to beat around the bush. Our vampires won't mind us talking about this. They're probably talking about the same thing," he said. "Oliver, what has Lord Alexander told you about the Maestro?"

"The Maestro?" said Oliver, his eyes widening. "Is that... his sire?"

"Oh dear. Yes, he is," said Katherine. "So he's told you very little. It's the way of vampires, unfortunately. Even my master barely tells me anything."

Oliver gripped his chair. "I need to know. Please, tell me."

"I'm afraid I don't know that much myself. He's notoriously reclusive. But I have had to visit his manor to attend to thralls on a number of occasions. Even my master would prefer not to go there, but she says it's too dangerous to defy him."

"What was he like?"

Katherine leaned in close, as though the subject of their conversation might somehow overhear. "His power lets him control people's bodies utterly. His thralls are like toy soldiers, moving to a drum only they can hear. I'm used to all kinds of thralls, but his were uncanny." Katherine shuddered. "Even though he didn't lay a hand on me, he was glaring at me the entire time, and I could feel his influence pulling at my mind. A feeling as though I had to fall in line immediately, or something terrible would happen. Like I could barely think without him hearing it. I've rarely wanted to flee a manor so quickly as that one."

"That does sound... unpleasant," he said, trying to keep his hands from shaking as he sipped his tea, unable to stop his imagination from conjuring visions of himself being used as little more than a puppet. "And his thralls were injured?"

"My master complained that he hadn't called until they were practically bleeding out -- afterwards, of course, not while we were there. Malnourished, too, with a haunted look about them." She put a hand on his knee with a sympathetic look. "But these were the Maestro's own thralls, not Alexander's. You have far less to worry about here. As I've said, I've always found him to be a very gentle vampire."

"Convenient," huffed Charlie. "A vampire with a reputation for being gentle and honest, who gets to blame all his thralls' injuries on his notoriously cruel sire."

Katherine looked alarmed. "Charlie --"

"I'm just saying that I find it hard to believe the apple falls that far from the tree."

Before Katherine could interject again, Miriam unexpectedly looked up from her knitting, fear written on her normally placid face. "But it is true," she insisted. "Lord Alexander has never hurt me. Neither has Miss Lily, except when she has to leave me there, and --" Tears began to roll down her face. "I can hear it. I can still hear it. Miss Lily told me I could forget, but I can't, I can't forget or he'll punish me --"

"Miriam, oh dear, Miriam, it's okay," said Katherine, pulling the sobbing thrall into an embrace. "It's all right, Miriam. No one's going to hurt you here. You're safe with us, dear."

"I can dance. I can do the dance perfectly, I promise, just let me try, I can do it." Miriam's anxious mumble was barely intelligible between her crying and the way she was pressed against Katherine.

"Miriam, you aren't there. You aren't anywhere frightening. You're having tea at Lord Alexander's house, remember?"

"I'm at...?"

"Lord Alexander's house. His thrall Oliver is being such a gracious host. It's perfectly safe. See?"

Miriam seemed to wake from her terror almost as quickly as she'd fallen into it. "Oh, of course, I don't know what I was thinking!" she said, glassy-eyed as she lifted her head from Katherine's shoulder. "Oh, I always enjoy when my madam visits Lord Alexander. He's very kind to me."

"Of course he is, dear," said Katherine, patting her back. "We really shouldn't bring up such awful topics around Miriam. She's a sensitive soul. Charlie, how's your baseball team doing?"

Oliver wanted to hear more, even though it terrified him, but he also felt awful that his questioning had thrown Miriam into a panic, so he eagerly went along with the topic change. "You like baseball, Charlie?"

"Love baseball, always have," he said, also looking relieved at the conversation switch. "My master gave me a great radio set, so I can listen to all the games. But my team's doing awful this year -- bottom of the league. They never shoulda traded their star pitcher..."

As Oliver listened to Charlie rant about blown games and poor referee calls, as Katherine discussed birdwatching and a new bread recipe she'd tried, he could almost forget the fear of his situation and feel a little bit normal.

It was only later, after Charlie and his madam left and Miriam was engrossed in her knitting, that Oliver was able to pull Katherine aside. "Katherine, will you please hear me out?"

"Certainly," she said in a motherly tone. "I know how hard it is, the first few weeks of being a vampire's thrall."

"What you said before..." He glanced around as if he were afraid his master would pop out of the shadows at any moment. "Am I safe here? Will I be all right? I've been conditioned to be unable escape..."

"That's normal, yes. I assume Miss Lily was the one who handled your conditioning?"

"She was."

"Then no, I don't expect you'll be able to escape," she said. She put a hand on Oliver's shoulder. "I can't promise that you will be safe. What I said about the Maestro was all true, and while I do believe Alexander means well on the whole, you're among vampires now. We live in their world, and they do what they will with us."

Oliver felt his gut twist. "So then..."

"I've met so many thralls in my life. Hundreds, probably. Most in worse situations than you, and some in better," she said. "Would you like to hear my honest advice about surviving this?"

"Yes, by all means."

"Find happiness wherever you can. Find joy outside of your master's enthralling and feeding. Hobbies, food, art, education, anything that brings you pleasure -- indulge in it." She smiled warmly. "You'll need these pleasures to keep your mind sharp and keep your soul from despair. When you're permanently a prisoner, you need something tangible to look forward to, even if it's simply a warm drink or a beam of sunshine. You seem like the sort of man who can appreciate the mundane."

"...I like to believe so, yes."

"That's a skill that will serve you well, Oliver," she said. "Even if Alexander and his sire are cruel to you, you'll still have something to hold on to during your darkest moments."

"Something to hold on to..."

"I think you will figure it out. With how much Lord Alexander seems to prize you, it wouldn't surprise me to meet you here twenty years from now, looking back on our lives with our vampires."

She seemed to mean it, and that gave Oliver hope.

Prev > Masterlist > Next

I really enjoy Edith as a character and hope to write at least one side story with her.

@d-cs @latenightcupsofcoffee @thecyrulik @dismemberment-on-a-tuesday-night @wanderinggoblin @whumpyourdamnpears @only-shadows-dwell-where-we-are @pressedpenn @pigeonwhumps @amusedmuralist @xx-adam-xx @ivycloak @irregular-book @whumpsoda @mj-or-say10 @pokemaniacgemini @sowhumpshaped @whumpsday @morning-star-whump @shinyotachi @silly-scroimblo-skrunkl @steh-lar-uh-nuhs @pirefyrelight @theauthorintraining @whump-me-all-night-long @anonfromcanada @typewrittenfangs @tessellated-sunl1ght @cleverinsidejoke @abirbable @ichorousambrosia @a-formless-entity @gobbo-king @writinggremlin @the-agency-archives @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @enigmawriteswhump @foresttheblep @bottlecapreader @whump-on-a-string @whumpinthepot @cinnamoncandycanes @avvail-whumps @tauntedoctopuses @secret-vampkissers-soiree

#whump #whump writing #vampires #vampire whump #mind control #vampire whumpee #rare bookseller #oliver #alexander #lily #miriam #edith #katherine #ruth #charlie

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1indigoisles · 4 months

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Chapter 2 - Excerpt 3

Oh, you're going to love this one *villainous laughing* Prepare to be astonished!

That night, I decided to finally nose-dive into my ocean-deep pile of homework, which was no mean feat considering there was a perfectly good bed right next to my study-table. Whoever made the judgement that a workspace would do well to be placed in a bedroom clearly didn’t have their head screwed on right.

Now that I come to think about it, it was Lila who had made the judgement in question. But it wasn’t as though her head wasn’t screwed right – it was – she just had a... unique way of using it.

I crossed out a trigonometry sum and commenced redoing it.

But I wasn’t concentrating, not really, and the symbols and ratios seemed more and more confusing with every step I pieced together. I was fairly sure I’d gotten at least four of these sums wrong.

And it did no favours to my concentration when I discovered the existence of a small marker-drawn black dot near the foot of my bed.

Over the past couple of days, I’d paid more attention to these things, marks of a killer, scattered across the house like misplaced socks, and with every new one I found, they looked more and more sinister, and felt unsettling to be around.

And if I stared at one of these marks for too long, I swear I could see them getting-

My phone rang.

I snapped my gaze and reached for my phone. The caller-ID read ‘Cass’.

Cass was short for Cassidy Teigen, Lila’s sister and best friend. We’d lived close to each other (Cassidy was settled down in DC), and we’d stayed for two years there, not like our usual one year. Lila and Cassidy were alike in their love for adventure, and in their irresponsibility, having gotten drunk once on New Year’s Eve in a bar. For reasons that I still do not understand, I was on both Lila’s and Cassidy’s speed-dial, so naturally, I was called to pick them up. And when the people on the other end finally figured out that I was, in fact, a 15-year-old without even a driver’s license, they told me to come with an adult with ID, which I had been originally planning on doing anyway.

When I later questioned the hungover sisters with barely concealed exasperation why they thought I was the correct person to be their designated driver, Lila irritably answered, “Because there’s only one 40-year-old between the three of us, and that’s you, kid.” To which Cassidy had grunted in approval.

So, obviously, Cassidy had been more than a little pissed when Lila politely informed her that we were moving. I could tell as her face instantly fell that she thought I would have done something to stop this – after all, we were happy where we were, weren’t we? We were with the only family that ever cared.

So it was even worse to look at when Lila told Cassidy that we were going to Rhode Island, and that it had been entirely my choice.

For a moment, so many emotions ran across Cassidy’s face that it had been hard to catch it all. Confusion, shock, anger, sorrow, betrayal.

Then Cassidy, instead of saying anything either rebellious or mournful, went completely rigid, stalked out of the apartment with an unreadable look in my direction and a contemptuous, “Damn you, Lila.”

After that, both of us were silent for a long time.

Cassidy didn’t visit us or try to contact us anymore after that, and if we were ever in the same supermarket at the same time, she pretended like we didn’t exist.

Even Lila hadn’t tried with Cassidy, cheerfully-not-so-cheerfully assuring me (herself more than me, I think) that Cassidy would eventually come around – she couldn’t be mad at us forever, now could she?

But she could be mad at us forever, and was, except for once on the day we were moving to give me a small hug, saying that it wasn’t right to hold grudges against children. And as if that weren’t bad enough, she hadn’t so much as glanced at Lila before immediately departing.

And now she was calling me.

I picked up.

“Hello, Cassidy,” I greeted cautiously in a neutral voice.

“Kenneth!” came a startled and strangled cry that made me almost jump out of my seat. “Thank goodness you picked up! I’ve tried calling Lila, but it says her phone’s switched off! You won’t believe – no you definitely won’t – I’m so happy to hear from you; I thought you guys had been kidnapped or something! Hell, I thought you guys were dea-”

“Cassidy!” I intervened.

“Right, right, sorry,” Cassidy cleared her throat. She then added in sweet voice, “How are you, Kenneth?”

“You mean right at this moment? Confused by whatever you just said,” I replied.

“Right! Right, right,” Cassidy muttered. “You probably think I’m mad.”

I waited patiently.

“Okay, questions before answers,” she started. “Question one: Where are you?”

“At home, in my room,” I answered.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant,” Cassidy said. “I meant, where are you?”

I paused a moment. “In Knightville,” I then answered, “Rhode Island? You knew where Lila and I were going before we left.”

Silence from the other end.

And then a small, soft, “That’s not possible.”

There were loud rustling noises, like lots of paper being pulled and shoved, forward and aside. They were so loud, I couldn’t entirely hear what Cassidy said next – just a few words like ‘not possible’ and ‘Knightville’ and ‘Rhode Island’ and ‘Utah’, of all things.

“Cassidy, what’s gone into you?” I asked, starting to feel the tiniest bit of fear for my aunt.

But when she replied, she sounded the clearest she had ever been throughout this entire conversation, perhaps even in all the time that I knew her. “Knightville doesn’t exist,” she said.

At that moment, thunder could have struck and split the world and Bleak House in half, but it wouldn’t have stopped me from replying, “What?”

“You heard me. Your Knightville, Rhode Island doesn’t exist, and the only thing closest to it is a ghost town in Utah, with the same name. I can tell you this for certain because I have a degree in history, I checked every geography book there is, including the Internet, and I also bought five different maps of Rhode Island to be absolutely sure.” She paused. “So now it begs the question, where are you both, really?”

There was another pause, in which I was silent for a while, drinking in whatever Cassidy was telling me. I had to assume that whatever Cassidy was telling me was true – she would never mess around with something as serious as this.

“Send me pictures,” I finally said, “send me pictures of your maps. Tomorrow, I’ll go and check up some maps of Rhode Island that I can find here.”

Cassidy sounded surprised when she said, “You’re taking this very well.”

“No other way to take it,” I replied.

“Don’t forget to tell Lila,” she reminded me, before hanging up.

But I had questions, so many questions that I needed answers to.

But I only had an answer to one of them, and that enough to make me want to get more.

Yes, something was very wrong with Knightville.

Think of this as a New Year's Special, my dears.

Taglist: @jeahreading, @mayaheronthorn, @damn-this-transgirl-hella-gay. Frohes Neues Jahr!

#Land of Magic #Chapter 2 - Excerpt 3 #Writing #Writers on Tumblr #Tumblr Novels #Writerblr #Indigo Isles

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nightcall99 · 2 months

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Dream from 27.2.24

This dream was strange and confusing and I'm missing parts of it. Did my best to record what I saw.

So irl, my dad lives in one unit and my mum, sister and I in the other. These units are next to each other and share a wall. It just happened this way because growing up, with my grandma and brother too, there wasn't enough room. Also my parents are kind of separated but not, and my dad's on the spectrum or something (I suspect), so it worked out for them to be technically living in separate houses.

So in the first scene, my body is slung over someone's shoulder. I am trying to look as lifeless as possible but I'm definitely a little conscious of what's going on. I don't know who this person is but they're a male. The male was standing surrounded by other people and there was a discussion happening while I'm casually draped over his shoulder. I can't make out what's being said but it does feel sort of tense. It got weird because my dangling feet kept making contact with his ball sack and I'm trying to subtly re-situate my legs while maintaining the semblance of being passed out.

I think a fight occurred due to this male, which resulted in the group splitting up into two different sides. But the thing is, my irl memories were being overlaid on this. The identity of this male got blurred in with them being my irl father (which makes the ball sack thing ultra gross but I did this so I can remember the dream). And so my father was the reason for the fight that ensued, which made his family split up into two different households. My parents used to fight all the time and those fights were probably all my dad's fault. There's plenty of reasons why we lived across two different houses but I suppose that's the main reason. So my irl family got split up into two different houses, and the group of people chose two different sides, it's the same thing.

Everyone is keeping to the side they've chosen (unit 1 and unit 2). I'm in unit 2 and I hear an announcement on the speaker but the sound comes out muffled. All I know is there is a female voice directing a question at me, about which of the three meal options I'd like to have tomorrow for lunch. She lists the three meal options. Since I couldn't hear it properly, I walk over to unit 1 to find this lady as I know that's where she is. Although the general layout of unit 1 is the same as irl, the energy of it feels overlaid with the kindergarten premises of my childhood. There's a feeling of awkwardness mixed in with trepidation, a child's hesitation with being in an unfamiliar place. There are people from the group (from the scene before) sitting around in the living room, the ones who'd chosen this side. But they also feel vaguely like family members (because it's my irl memories). I don't focus in on any of them.

I'm trying to find the blonde woman who made that announcement. I get the feeling she's in the staff office room. I look at the door that leads to this office and it feels weird to barge in there, like I'm not supposed to. I think it's because I am a kindergarten pupil, only 5 years old (there's three realities blending together here), and children aren't allowed in there. I stare at the door and notice the handwritten scrawl on the wall beside it denoting that it's an office. It looks like a child who is still learning their letters wrote it. It looks like when you're a child and an adult gives you permission to mark your height on the wall with grey lead pencil.

I didn't have to go through that door in the end because as if they knew I was looking for her/them, two blonde women appear. They look very much alike. Which lady is it? I shoot my shot and direct my enquiry to one of them, the one standing on the left. I say, I'm not sure what that announcement was about? The lady on the right, is the one who opens her mouth to reply to me. I interrupt her to say, Oh it was you that made the announcement, I'm so sorry! She didn't seem fazed at all that I wasn't able to recognise her. I'm not really listening to what she says next, which is just a recount of her question on the PA system.

Then the two blonde ladies and I are just sitting at the kitchen counter of unit 1 and taking about mundane stuff. None of us are really there. I'm chatting away about some male I'm disapproving of (perhaps the male I was draped upon like a scarf from earlier) and judging. I say, He's a couple of years older than me, how could he have acted so immature? (Probably gossiping about the fight that ensued due to him, the cause of the split). No one replies. The women just stare blankly. I'm waiting for a compliment that never comes, waiting for someone to appeal to my vanity. I think I want them to say that I'm more mature even though I look young for my age.

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undercat-overdog · 3 years

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Fanyarenna for the snippets thing!

Thank you for the ask!

“Why haven't you gone to Eressea?” Celebrían asked.

Celebrimbor shrugged. “I reside mostly with my grandparents to the north of Alqualonde along the coast; many of Círdan's folk settled there. It's... easier, to be among my old family. It took a while to readjust to life, for the soul must learn a new body, and I haven't been back all that long. I wouldn't mind seeing Eressea, but I do think it would be kindest not to show my face in Alqualonde, not yet.”

“Why not?” she said, before she realized what he meant.

“I didn't say myself, I said my face. I have learned here that I am made in the very image of Feanor. I had known I had his look, but it never struck home till I met my father's mother. She cried to see me, before realizing I was neither Feanor nor Curufin, but the grandson she'd never met. Indis is lovely and Finarfin as kind as anything, but how could either look at my face and not see the man who held a sword to Fingolfin's neck?”

Celebrían frowned. “You look like you, not like him. Or he has your face – did you tell your grandmother that?”

He kicked at her playfully. “Chronology doesn't work that way, 'Rían – I thought you understood time's arrow; will we need to teach you numbers again, too? But... it is strange for me. Feanor was either a mythical figure, at once someone I wanted to surpass and avoid becoming, or just the name of my father's father, as Galadhon is but a name to you.”

He sighed. “In Lindon after the War” – for Celebrimbor, like all who had lived through the sinking of Beleriand, there was only one War – “none of that mattered, who you were and what you had done. Oh, people still knew, still cared – there were plenty of tensions, even hatreds – but more important still was the resolve and joy that bound us together, those who stayed in Middle-earth: it was always we, Sinda and Noldo alike, we who chose those shores, and they who left. I was no longer Curufin Feanorion's son, but Master Celebrimbor, scientist and smith, not a dispossessed prince. Here I'm either a name in the genealogy of the fell House of Feanor or the fool who was taken in by Morgoth's lieutenant.”

He looked at her sharply. “It's the same for you, no?” She nodded and he went on, “Here you're Artanis the Rebel's tortured daughter, not Celebrían daughter of Celeborn, botanist and cartographer and glasswright, not a daughter only but a wife and a mother and a friend.”

Celebrían twisted her face in agreement. “If it helps, if someone mentions 'Curufinwe', I think of you first. And then I pretend to be confused and ask why they speak of my friend like that. 'What do you mean?' I say, 'the Curufinwe I know swore no Oath.’”

He laughed at her. “Liar! Did you even know my mother-name before you started looking over Ost-in-Edhil's formal correspondence? Still, how I would love to see that! Maybe we should do more of that: gossip about Círdan and Gil-Galad and Oropher and look at people strangely when they don't know whom we're talking about - and don't be afraid to confuse me either: you knew them all much longer than I did.”

“Oh, there are fewer people that you don't know than you might think – Oropher did die, yes, and Amdír too, but Thranduil is ruling Mirkwood now, or was when I left – oh, I do suppose that is one thing you don't know, that the Greenwood is slowly being corrupted...” - he made a dismayed noise at that - “and yes, Thranduil is still fond of his wine, even more so as King than he was as Prince! Hmm. There are the Istari, the wizards the Valar sent, though I only know two of them well, and another two not at all. Various Durins, of course, and many others of the Hadhodrim. Oh, and Glorfindel of Gondolin has returned from the dead, but that's it – aside, of course, from my children, and trust me! You've heard plenty about them!”

“And the Edain I suppose,” she added as an afterthought, “though in truth I only gave them my attention because Elrond does. Finrod wants to know all about them, and seems vaguely bothered that I don't share his fascination, although since he has made me converse with him in both Adûnaic and Westron, which he knows mostly through books, he shouldn't complain – don't let on that you know any Mannish tongues or you'll never hear him speak Sindarin again! But I rather like your plan. Next dinner party we go to, I shall fill you in on everything Ereinion did that irked Father and Morgoth take those who look askance!”

#ask #celebrian #celebrimbor #tumblr fic #my fic

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canis-lunaris · 3 years

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Introducing: The Wandering Witch AU

(With transgirl!Remus, questioning!Sirius and endless conversations about the metaphysics of wandless magic)

This is the latest installment of our various Wolfstar AU's with August, one we came up with while we were on a mini-holiday, celebrating our third anniversary.

In this universe, pureblood-supremacy is rampant, keeping the Wizarding World in the permanent dark ages. Muggle-born wizards are only allowed a wand upon being accepted at a magic school, and most institutions favour pureblood children over half-blood, or muggle-born students. Wands are registered and heavily regulated, including tracking-spells and random spot-checks for counterfeit, or unregistered wands by Ministry officials.

After a werewolf-attack at age 4, Remus Lupin’s father tries to teach her magic using his own wand, knowing she would never be allowed into Hogwarts. However, performing magic with someone else's wand is not only dangerous and illegal, but also extremely difficult. Remus — a savant, who can sense magical currents in a way none of her peers can — realises that she doesn't need a wand to focus her power, and instead develops her own way of casting — or spell-weaving, more accurately —, tying an intricate web of knots between intent and the ambient magical currents to shape reality to her will. While admittedly crude and volatile, her technique turns out surprisingly potent, which makes her more than capable of protecting herself against the many dangers of a transphobic, werewolf-hating world.

Because her condition places both her and her family in a vulnerable position (the "werewolf-issue is an ages-old favourite talking point of mainstream wizarding politics, including a fearmongering campaign designed to marginalise intelligent magical creatures and eradicate non-human magic users), the Lupins decide to avoid registering their child after the attack, relying on the help of muggle medicine and corrupt healers to nurse her back to health after the transformations. They move frequently, bouncing Remus from school to school, but once Remus has gotten a basic education, they settle down in an isolated cottage on the Scottish highlands, and her mum takes on the duty of homeschooling her.

Having been brought up in a mixed family and lived the majority of her life as a muggle, Remus is well-versed in the matters of 21st century life. Once they settle into their new home, she starts transitioning, takes up Luna as her middle name, but keeps Remus as her first name, refusing to abide by arbitrary societal rules about names being connected to certain genders, rather than the people wearing them. After both her parents meet a tragically early death in a car accident, Remus finds herself alone in the world, with both a house and a large sum of money to her name; she sells the cottage and spends her parents' life insurance settlement on getting bottom surgery, then sets out to travel the world, looking for someone, or something to find a meaningful connection with.

----------

On a glance, Cassandra Black is everything her most ancient and noble house could want for an heir. She is brilliant, powerful and a downright genious when it comes to magic; the only problem is, she's a bit too smart for her own good, and no amount of discipline can keep her from asking too many questions. The only thing her bewildered parents achieve with their constant, increasingly violent punishment is that young Cassandra stops asking them, and starts looking for answers of her own.

By the time she's 11, she's thoroughly disillusioned, worlds away from the conservative, blood-supremacist doctrines she was brought up with. Upon entering Hogwarts, she spends the first free breath of her life on convincing the Sorting Hat not to place her in Slytherin, a decision she pays for with the world as she knew it. In return, she gains a new, brighter one, full of friendship, adventure and budding romance — although dark secrets, stomach-turning injustice and bitter heartbreak too. When it comes to her parents' attention that she is sleeping with a witch, their treatment turns from toxic hostility to open abuse, severing all emotional ties between Cassandra and the House of Black. She spends five years as a proud Gryffindor, but by the time her 16th birthday rolls around, she feels like she'd learnt everything Hogwarts had to offer — the good and the bad alike. She decides not to return to the castle for the sixth year: instead, she uses the start of the school year to orchestrate an elaborate escape plan, that would make it impossible for her family to find her. She breaks her wand and vanishes into the night, never to be seen again.

British Wizarding society erupts in chaos, because even one as scandalous as the Black heiress, the mysterious disappearance of a 16-year-old, pureblood-aristocrat (and a witch, for that) brings the Ministry's messaging about public safety into question, and the story keeps the tabloids busy for the better part of a year. The family puts out an enticing bounty on their firstborn's head, but regardless of the spectacular reward, no one can locate Cassandra, and without a wand to track, she proves to be impossible to trace. Eventually, the tabloids move on and the story slowly fades into the background, although, en lieu of a body, they never officially assume her dead, and the family never gives up the secret search for their wayward, blood-traitor daughter.

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Three years later:

Somewhere, hidden in the mountains of Scotland, there is a halfway-house, for magical folks who need to get off the grid, for one reason or another. Remus is a regular visitor, using the shelter's reinforced cellar for the full moon, and taking her time to recover at the quaint little house for a while thereafter. Nobody bothers her there, and while people do use the retreat — it's always clean, stocked with food, healing items and clean bedding, among other obvious signs of habitation —, she'd never encountered any other guests during her visits. This time, however, an unpleasant surprise welcomes her, in form of a backpack and a half-drunk bottle of wine on the porch, and soon, she finds the owner of the items as well, lounging on her favorite sunning spot.

The stranger looks ragged; unkempt and malnourished, and when they speak, their voice sounds hoarse, like they haven't used it for a long time. Remus is immediately weary, even though the stranger looks very young and rather unimpressive, expect for the very posh accent and the fact that despite their extremely strong magical aura, they did look startled, almost terrified when Remus walked up behind them — and yet, their hand never even twitched to draw a concealed wand.

"I’m armed!" the stranger warns — maybe they expected a muggle? —, but still doesn't move to reveal any weapon. Remus is quite certain she could take them on in one-on-one combat regardless, should it come to that, but she finds it alarming that this runaway teen would survive alone in the wilderness for what seems like a considerable period; a feat that requires a number of skills and the kind of training that does not come with the elocution training the stranger's speech suggests. Not just the accent, the face too... Under the layers of dirt, severe sunburn and a fading black eye, there is just something eerily familiar about them.

She introduces herself as Remus — it's one of her favourite ways to quickly size up a person, based on their reaction to her obviously masculine name. She does the whole cheeky, "whatchagonnado" act she perfected throughout the years, expecting anything from a spiteful comment to a confused eyebrow-raise in response, but the stranger just nods and gives her a polite "hello, Remus", like this was the most normal interaction between two people who just met at a shelter for magical misfits, in the middle of fucking nowhere.

The stranger, however, is less forthcoming about their identity, and Remus has to openly ask for their name after 10 minutes of tense, but idle chitchat. The stranger blushes a deep red, and once again, there is that flash of panic in their eyes, before they blurt out "Sirius... Black."

"Oh."

Of course, Remus thinks, wondering how she missed it before. She knows exactly who Sirius is, or who they used to be — she'd seen this face a million times before; a younger, smoother version with fewer sharp angles and without the haunted look in their bloodshot eyes, but the very same face was once plastered all over Britain — on missing flyers, in front page news, later on wanted posters... 10.000 galleons are a fine bit of money for a head like this. She gives the stranger a sideways glance, and they glare right back at her, with a defiant expression that might have betrayed their famous origins, even without the esteemed family name. The Blacks, they do all look the same...

"Well, that answers the question whether you're a muggle" Sirius remarks with a bitter chuckle. "Look, I know what you're thinking. And yes, they do have the funds, but just so we are clear on this, if you move to draw, I'll attack you, and it's gonna be over before you ever reach your wand. You will lose, most likely die, and then I'll have to spend this lovely evening digging a hole for you in the woods instead of sharing a bottle of crappy wine. So, just don't, okay?"

Remus can't help but admire the kid's bravado — they aren't stupid, she can tell that much, if from nothing else, the fact that they somehow successfully evaded one of the most powerful magical families, and their countless footmen, for over three years without ever leaving a trace; and yet, they seem to know when they're outmatched.

"Who says I'd need to draw?" she smirks, hoping to provoke a quick duel out of the youth. She likes to get the power-struggle out of the way early on, just so nobody gets ideas while she's sleeping or in recovery. The young Black might turn out to be a reluctant ally, but they could mean real trouble after the full moon, if they were to follow family tradition in wanting to rid the world of a monster like herself. Three days left until the next transformation, which means she's at the height of her power, so taking Sirius out here and now would be the wisest, and she thinks she could do it without harming them too badly. Nothing she couldn't fix in a blink afterwards.

Sirius measures her with a curious squint, slowly raising their left hand into the air. All five fingers are adorned with a variety of silver rings, from plain, thin bands to heavy signets with rune-engraved stones. A web of glowing lines flare up on the back of their hand, spreading out from an intricate magic sigil on their wrist. They emit a faint, blueish white light, running along each finger to the tip, as Sirius charges up for a wandless spell. Flashy, but creative, Remus thinks, truly impressed for the first time. She's used to wizards relying on their wands to do the work for them, and she knows seven different ways to dismantle the connection before they ever get to fire off. The stranger's magic is different — it's raw and unpolished, but brutally powerful, and very complex, in a geometric sort of way. This would be more difficult than she initially thought, and she's unsure if she could immediately disarm Sirius without having to literally dis-arm them.

To avoid confrontation, she raises a hand in front of her too, conjuring a harmless little will-o-whisp in her palm — a trick she developed as a child, tied up on the bare cement floor of her parents' basement, waiting for the curse to take hold. There was no light in the basement; she was lonely, cold and terrified, so she made herself a friend, a cold flame to keep her company while she was waiting for the moon.

Sirius' eyebrows disappear somewhere under their tangled fringe, but their face lights up with a huge, mischievous grin:

"Remus, the girl raised by the wolves... You're not boring at all, are you?"

#the rest is history #remus lupin #sirius black #wolfstar #fanfiction #wandering witch meets wondering bitch #trans!remus #trans!sirius #fanart #long post #julien draws

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intoanothermind · 4 years

Text

Beauty Queen - Chapter 1

B E A U T Y Q U E E N

Synopsis: You are the Ice Princess of Narnia during the Long Winter. Your sister Jadis, the White Witch, hates that you’re always helping Narnians escape prision. She decides to hunt you down and you have to run away from the palace. What happens when you find the four humans lost in Narnia?

- Edmund Pevensie x reader

Masterlist

(Some words about the translation in the prologue. I might make a tag list, but I’m not sure if it’ll work because I never made one. If you want to be part of it, just let me know.)

---

C H A P T E R O N E

Word Count: 1.724 words

Edmund started to walk through the corridors and was startled to see Lucy awake, going through the corridors with a candle. He thought of playing a trick on her, then walked silently after her.

They walked to the empty room where the wardrobe was.

Edmund saw Lucy disappearing there and quickly looked back, looking for an answer on what to do. He decided to follow her.

“Lucy... Are you afraid of the dark?” He asked cynically.

There was no answer.

He started to go deeper into the wardrobe and saw branches there. When he turned to look at the coats, he tripped over something and fell on his back in the snow.

Snow?!

He looked around, realizing that he was really in a snowy forest, and got up again.

“Lucy.” He called, looking around and looking for signs of his sister. “Where are you? Lucy.” He continued calling. “I believe you now.” He said, walking forward.

Suddenly he saw himself in front of an old lamp, which had its candle lit even in all that cold. He prowled around him, enjoying that rarity among the trees.

He continued walking, looking for his sister; slippers clinging to the fluffy snow.

“Lucy?” He shouted, hoping his sister was close enough to hear him.

Edmund heard a noise behind him. He turned and saw a girl running through the trees. Black curls framing her round face, swinging gently just below the shoulders. Piercing blue eyes and long lashes. Pink lips contrasting with the white skin that looked like porcelain with small freckles across the nose and the cheeks. A long and simple dress, white like the snow she stepped on. A sword with a sapphire hilt attached to her back. She was constantly looking around her shoulder, careful, but not afraid. However, she didn’t notice Edmund standing there and ran into him. Edmund held her by the waist before they both hit the floor.

“Hey, you 're good?” he and asked, worried.

“I am.” the girl said, moving away from him and looking back.

“What is it?” He asked, looking where the girl had come to know why she looked so stunned. “Why are you running?”

“Because she wants...” the girl didn’t finish speaking, because soon the noise of a carriage was followed. “Ah, by Aslam's mane, she can't find me!” she said, desperately, and tried to free herself from Edmund's hand, which was holding her by the wrist.

And the carriage was already approaching and Edmund realized that the girl couldn’t go very far.

“Hide here, I'll distract them!” he said quickly, and pushed her to some bushes high enough that she would crouch and not be seen.

Edmund saw white horses pulling a white carriage. He strayed from the path, but the horses ended up knocking him over. The carriage stopped a little ahead and a small creature emerged from there. A dwarf. Edmund tried to run, but he threw a kind of whip, which wrapped around his ankle and made him fall again. He jumped on Edmund’s back and put a knife to his neck.

“Leave me alone!” shouted Edmund, closing his eyes and turning his face.

“What is it now?” asked the woman in the carriage.

“Tell him to drop me! I didn't do anything wrong!” said Edmund, desperate.

“How dare you address the Queen of Narnia?!” asked the dwarf with a shrill voice.

“I didn't know!” replied Edmund.

“You will learn to recognize from now on!” cried the dwarf, lifting the knife, ready to cut the throat of Edmund.

“Wait!” shouted the woman, preventing him.

They looked towards the carriage. The woman came down. He had curly blond hair, tied at the back of her head. She was pale and wore a light blue dress, with a heavy white coat. She had a big crystal staff on hand.

The dwarf gave Edmund room to sit.

“What is your name... Son of Adam?” asked the woman.

“Edmund.” He replied, getting up.

“And how, Edmund, managed to enter my domains?”

“I... I don't know well.” He replied, looking quickly at the dwarf beside him. “I... I was following my sister.”

“Your sister?” asked the woman. “How many of you?”

“Four.” he replied. “Lucy is the only one who has been here.”

“Interesting...” said the woman. “And what did your sister find here?”

“She said she met a faun named” he looked down, trying to remember his name. “Tumnus. Peter and Susan didn’t believe her and neither did I.”

“Edmund, you look cold. Sit with me.”

The woman sat in the carriage and he sat beside her. She wrapped him with her in the big white fur coat.

“Now...” said the woman. “How about a hot drink?”

“Yes, please... Majesty.”

She took a small flask and poured a drop of liquid into the snow, from which a silver bowl grew, with a steaming liquid inside. The dwarf bent down, taking the cup and handed it to the woman, who passed it on to Edmund.

“How did you do that?” asked Edmund.

“I can do anything I want.”

“Can I get taller?” asked Edmund hopeful.

“Anything you want to eat.” she corrected, giggling.

“Turkish delight?”

She spilled a drop on the snow again. Soon, a basket of Turkish delight was on the floor. The dwarf took it and handed it to Edmund, who quickly opened the lid and started or ate, remembering the hunger he felt. The dwarf took the cup and threw it at the tree behind him. As soon as it touched the wood, the bowl turned to snow again.

“Edmund?” he called the woman. “I would love to meet the rest of your family.”

“Why?” He asked, not wanting to admit his envy. “They have nothing special.”

“Oh, I know they’re not as pleasant as you.” she said, taking the dwarf's cap and cleaning Edmund's mouth, which got dirty with the Turkish Delight he was eating. “But you know, Edmund, I don't have children on my own. And you're the kind of boy I might see one day becoming Prince of Narnia. Maybe even a king.”

“Really?”

“You would have to bring your family.”

“So... Peter would also be king?”

“No! No, no. But a king needs servants...”

Edmund thought for a second.

“Well... I think I can bring them.”

The woman took the basket of Turkish delight from Edmund's hands and handed it to the dwarf. She turned to Edmund and pointed somewhere in front of him.

“Beyond the woods, those two hills? My house is right between them. You would love it, Edmund. It has many rooms crammed with Turkish Delight.”

Edmund stood up.

“Can't I eat some more?”

“No! I will not want you to spoil your appetite. Besides, we'll see you soon, won't we?”

“I hope so...” said Edmund, getting out of the carriage. “Majesty.”

“Until then, dear. I will miss you.”

And then the dwarf advances with the carriage away, leaving Edmund there. And then the girl came out of the bushes, stepping heavily and with an irritated expression .

“Why did you do that?!” she asked, stopping several steps away from him and crossing her arms.

“What?” he asked, confused.

“Look, are you really a Son of Adam?”

Edmund was even more confused. “What is a Son of Adam?”

“Are you human?” she simplified.

“As far as I know, I am.”

“So I have to get you out of here, Edmund.” she said, pulling him by the hand, and ran with him through the trees in the lamps direction.

“Hey, what are you doing?!” he asked, trying to follow her rapid pace. “And I don't even know your name!”

“I'm taking you to where you came from, it's dangerous for any human here.” she hesitates before saying her name. “And my name is Y/N.”

Nice name, he thought. But then he noticed something she said. It was a danger to humans there, and she said the word as if she wasn’t one either. What would she be?

Then they heard a noise and Y/N quickly put her hand on the sword, but Edmund stopped her. He had heard his name being called.

“It's just my sister.”

“Then here’s where we split paths. Farewell, Son of Adam.” Y/N said, seconds before Lucy appeared, she hid through trees, but Edmund realized she still hadn’t left.

And she and the blond queen spoke so alike that he was surprised. Did they have any kind of connection?

“Edmund?” he heard someone calling him.

He saw his younger sister coming out of the trees.

“Ah, Edmund! You came in here too!” she came running and hugged him. “Isn’t it awesome?”

Edmund pushed her away.

“Where have you been?”

“With Mr. Tumnus. He's fine. The White Witch still doesn't know that he knows me.”

“The White Witch?” asked Edmund suspiciously.

“She says she is Queen of Narnia, but she is not. Are you okay? You seem horrible.”

“Now, what did you want? Come on, it's freezing. How do we get out of here?”

“Let's go.” She said, holding his hand and pulling him through the trees. “This way.”

Y/N watched closely as they passed through the trees and saw Edmund looking slightly at her before entering a strange and unusual foliage.

#edmund pevensie #Edmund #King Edmund #king edmund the just #edmund pevensie x reader #edmund pevensie imagine #edmund the just #narnia #chronicles of narnia #The Chronicles of Narnia #narnia fanfiction #narnia imagines #beauty queen

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jennsmischievousmind · 4 years

Text

Fucks not Found

Ghosts

Summary: You hack, that's what you do. Dying to do so freely, wasn't what you had expected. Meeting the weirdest fucking squad; losing the best part of you; falling for a thief : was not planned.

Pairing : Four/Billy (Ben Hardy) - You

A/N: The story goes through the all movie, so I suggest you watch it before reading.

I don't own any characters other than Eight.

English is not my native language, I'm trying to get better at it, please be indulgent.

Tried my best to match Ryan Reynold's level of sass aha

This is how you die.

"So you're the one who hacked the wrong guy" You swiftly turn around gasping at the sudden voice in your apartment

"Depends, you’re his hitman?" You were ready to run even if it means jumping by the window.

"Nooo, I'm an angel.” You snort at his sarcasm, unknown to you at this moment that he was full of it.

"Wanna disappear?" he asked taking a seat at the kitchen table eyeing your bags at the door.

"In a body bag? Slowly you make your way to the knives, just in case.

"You are a funny one, aren't you? I know the man you stole from, you won't get far until he got you. But, he emphasized, if you’re willing to do what's right.."

"I've already done my part for the flag." Assuming he was American by the way he talked.

"I'm not talking about shitty drug dealers. But evil war-lovers, genocide perpetrators, that kind of shitty so-called human. Those ones that are above the laws with governments' balls in their hands, ready to squish them.”

"That's gross" your brother appeared from the adjacent room. You let your mind consider the stranger’s offer as soon as you look at your confused brother, knowing he was in danger because of you.

“You two look at lot alike.” The guy leaned in, screwing his eyes at you both.

“We’re twin dumbass” your brother answered glancing at you wondering.

“What’s the deal?” you asked considering the offer

The guy smirked, “Well, to be short you die, and then you take down evil motherfuckers without governments’ backlash on you.” He tapped his fingers against the Formica table.

It took 5 minutes.

"One condition, my brother comes to!"

"What's he good at?" he crossed his arms.

"I can drive…Hold on what? Die? Who the fuck are you!?”

"Already too many questions” he rolled his eyes

"He's a hell of a driver, it got him under surveillance when he got chased by 6 police cars after an illegal race back in the States."

"So they caught up Muttley” the guy clucked his tongue

“Hey!”

"No, you interfered almost ashamed, I told him to stop the car...I got motion sickness."

The guy erupted in laughter, you two watching him unamused.

“I’m more like Peter Perfect.” Your brother mumbled as the guy left.

You look by the window discreetly, catching a glimpse of the guy mingling in the crowd. “You’re Muttley bro.”

A week later you got a text. The guy who called himself One had planned your fake death. A random trek in Italy’s mountains, an assumed fatal fall, no bodies recovered.

It was never supposed to be your life. But we all know nothing happens as it should.

Papà went to fight a war and disappeared, you were forced to move in America when you were 6.

Mammà never cope the loss of her motherland and husband. She died of a belated broken heart syndrome when you were 16.

Both you and your brother were placed in a host family. It wasn’t a crappy family like it’s always the case in some tv show, they were nice and wealthy. The father was a tech engineer, somehow you took interest in his work and start learning to code, soon reading about hackers: white hats; black hats; “We are Legion”, you were hooked and skilled in a matter of time.

When you turned major though, things turned difficult, the host family had to let you go and Internal Affairs of your state caught you looking in their network. Which led to you working as a C.I for them, it was that or prison. Not thrilled by the idea but obliged to cooperate was your new motto.

Your brother had some job here and there but nothing steady, so money from the IA was welcome.

After a year and a half, I.A ditched you, it was rather good news in a way, they’ve erased your past mistakes but said they’d keep a distant eye on you.

So you moved on from your shithole that was the 1 bedroom apartment you and your brother shared and went to your parents’ hometown in Italy. Your brother was reluctant at first as he couldn’t even say hello in Italian, you taught him as your mamma had done it with you but he wasn’t that interested.

Working with people was not your forte, you were too bossy, so you got fired ... plenty of times: from a coffee shop, a rental bike shop and a tourist city tour bus thingy. So you started doing what you were good at, hacking for money, it went well for a few years, never being too greedy - until you hacked the wrong person and got in trouble.

That's how you became a Ghost and ended up in the middle of the California Desert.

One had built a squad. No names, only numbers to identify each other. Not calling your brother by his name was a challenge, same for him.

There were 7 of you.

One, the “boss”, a mysterious sassy billionaire who decided to fund his own strike team.

Two, a French blonde woman, pretty cold, a spy apparently

Three, a crazy hitman who couldn’t shut up

Four, a young parkour master and reformed thief

Five, a Doctor, but you heard she was actually working at a Dentist

Six, your brother, the annoying driver.

And then Eight, you, the Black Hat somehow becoming a hacktivist.

Why not Seven? Long story short, it was one more condition you’d submitted to One.

_SICILY

"Your focus determines your reality.”

“Oh for fuck's sake One, quit your Jedi bullshit!” you loosed your temper typing on your keyboard angrily. An entire week, an ENTIRE WEEK quoting Star Wars!

Four and Five laughed in the comm. One braced himself on the other end of the line. Three cut the heavy silence.

“Eight, Chiquita please stop yelling”

“I’m not a Chiquita stop saying that!”

“Ok ok chi…Eight, damn you’re stressful”

“God, why do I have to team you up!!” One facepalm

“Now what?” Five asked

Radio silence

“Oh so now no one’s talking! What are you, 4?” One angrily called out to you 2.

“Yeah, uh high, literally.” Four answered One, you snorted.

“No .. damn not you!”

“You called me Mate!” Four said offended

“No, shush – Eight are you done with the system?” he was about to lose it.

“I’ve been done with it the second Three called me Chiquita!” you crossed your arms in front of your laptop.

“Hey ..” “We’re not talking about that again!” One cut Three

“Can we get going now?” Two interfered, you heard her bike roaring.

“Finally, some sensed words.” One said wrapping it up.

Four entered the place you’d hacked the system of. Six and Two were not far in case of trouble.

“Four, the hard drive is in the main office. Second floor.” One enunciated, you followed Fours progression with the security cameras.

It was enlivening, stressful, but oh so exciting. When you worked with I.A you were never there when they’d go down in action, it was nothing but boring data researched and dealer’s MacBook.

“Freeze Four, guards coming east.” Switching cams you gave him a safe path.

“Ok, you’re clear. Now to your left, third door then turn right.”

Four got his hands on the hard drive containing all you needed to know about the next target.

“Well done.” One congratulated the team

“Thanks, thanks, It helps to have a sexy voice guiding you” Four chuckled, you blushed, sexy voice? is that even possible?

“Great, kid. Don’t get cocky.”

You rolled your eyes at the endless use of Star Wars' quotes.

“Hum that’s my sister, remember?” Six growled tightening the wheel

“Luke grab Solo, meet up in 15minutes at the hotel. Everyone move!” One instructed you smiled at the thought of being Leïa. Gosh, you were as much of a nerd as One.

Climbing down the jeep Three had rented, you laughed seeing your brother holding Four in an arm lock for a few seconds anyway, Four reversed the lock, pining your brother’s arms behind himself.

You passed by them “Easy with my twin please.” Four wasn’t releasing his hold so you stopped, turning back you lift an eyebrow at Four insisting he let him go.

“Oh!” he lifted his hands in defence taking a step back.

Grabbing your brother by the sleeves as he was about to jump on Four “Come on piccino” you made your way in the hotel laughing.

Your first big mission started a few weeks after, everyone gathered in The Haunted House as One called it, an old bunker, cheesy name for an HQ.

“You don’t get it, I need a CAR!”

“That’s a car, Six.” Three argued back.

“No that’s a heap, that thing won’t get us through the paved road of Italy, believe me.”

Four and Five were amused by the situation, Three had rent a truck and an old Volvo for this mission.

“Alright, shut up, we’ll get another car!” One declared, Six flicked to Three.

One resumed the mission’s details. Giving everyone their own missions. A simple mission, retrieve a lawyer’s smartphone.

In the midst of it, your hand flew to your brother’s head next to you. The smacked resonating between the walls of the unfinished bunker.

“Why ..why’d you hit him?” One asked confused, your brother was rubbing the back of his head frowning at you.

“Cain’s instinct.” You replied wriggling your fingers for him to continue. Four snorted, Six nudged him in the ribs.

In a few months, you had learned a lot from this weird squad. Learning to shoot was an obligation, Three was insane but a good teacher.

You’d asked Four to teach you some parkour in case of a chase. Six and Four became close friends in a matter of time. Five was nice, but you were never one to be good at making friends. Two was not a big talker and frankly, she scared you a little.

So you spend your free time hacking and reading, on the hammock installed between a dismantle plane and a dead tree. Not far from there you could hear Four skating in the empty pool and three at the makeshift shooting range.

Suddenly,

“EIGHT!”

Groaning you closed your book “WHAT!?

Your voice boomed against the caravan and lost itself in the desert, but you still hoped Four had heard. It was his thing, screaming your name instead of coming to you directly. At his silence, you wriggle out the hammock and strode to the pool.

“What’d you want skater boy?”

He was lying in the pool his board by his side. “Four?” you made your way to the ladder, “hey” you gently nudge him with your foot but he didn’t move.

“Four? you called out worried, “shit” knees hitting the vinyl liner checking if he was breathing, he wasn’t.

“Hey wake up, seriously dude don’t make me do CPR on you, I suck at it!” suddenly laughter erupted in your ears. Six appearing on the edge, Four chucked on the floor.

“Pranking you..he tried to breathe in, is always the best sis!” Six laughed even harder at your confused face. Still kneeling at Four’s side, he was looking at you laughing, until he wasn’t, catching a glimpse of worry melting with anger in your eyes.

Punching his left shoulder, you hurried out the pool. He stayed on the floor watching you go.

“Don’t make me do CPR I suck at it!” your brother was still laughing his brain's out.

“What was that?”

Four leaned on the dead tree near your head, his shadow offering some shade.

“A real bad joke?”

“No I mean, why’d you hit me?”

Sighing you clasped your book closed for the second time today “you really got me worried, happy?”

“No, you propped up on your elbow at his answer craning your head to him, I didn’t mean to scare you.” His warm hand slide in your hair at the base of your neck, he leaned in, letting you enough time to push him away if you wanted.

"Sorry" he whispered, his lips pressing in your temple gently, warmly for a few seconds. Catching yourself leaning in you almost fell off the swinging' hammock as he released his hold, he grinned and left not saying anything more.

"What the hell Four!!" you yelled at him, an ounce of laughter in your voice, a blush creeping into your cheeks, his own laughter filling the desert's silence.

FLORENCE

A/N: don't forget to double tap if you liked it. 🙏

#billy x reader #four x reader #6 underground imagine #four imagine #Ben Hardy #6 underground Four x reader #Fucks not Found

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roswelldetails · 4 years

Text

RNM 2x12 - Crash Into Me

EPISODE SUMMARY:

WELCOME TO CRASHCON — As the town prepares for CrashCon, Liz (Jeanine Mason) and Max (Nathan Dean) attempt to piece together who may be behind a potentially deadly plan targeting the festival. Elsewhere, Maria (Heather Hemmens) and Isobel (Lily Cowles) take drastic measure to learn more about the night Mimi (guest star Sherri Saum) disappeared, while Michael (Michael Vlamis) is forced to do someone else’s bidding.

DETAILS:

Max is secretly practicing with his powers. Was Max's "light cardio" actually just him trying to strengthen his powers?

Max has a land line. Hee. Which Liz doesn't mind answering for him.

Liz is looking for a pen on his desk when she finds the empty vials of the antidote. Max plays them off as being leftover from when he had amnesia.

Liz mentions that the phone call was Max's bank calling to verify a deposit for him.

Max is choosing not to worry about Michael because he and Isobel can feel that he's not badly injured or in serious danger.

Liz called Dirk:

"He said before she left she was getting nonstop calls from a 575 number. The Sunset Mesa facility where Mimi DeLuca lives."

"Wait, Mimi was calling your mom before the abductions?...Mimi was always obsessed with alien movies. Maybe fiction and reality are blurring. Your mom is working with Flint Manes who spent years making an alien-killing weapon while at Caulfield. What if your mom found out Rosa was killed by an alien? She'd want revenge."

Note: Max and I apparently think alike, because this was my assumption going into the episode as well. For the sake of detailing and not making this confusing plotline any more confusing...Max and I were both wrong.

Also, I love that they mentioned cell service issues during Crash Con. That is extremely realistic and makes a ton of sense, speaking from experience at like, concerts and baseball playoff games and such.

Maria gets Liz's voicemail and immediately confronts Mimi.

"I just got a message from Liz. Mom...when you disappeared, it was Helena Ortecho that took you...You didn't have butyricol in your system when they found you. You know Liz's mom. You'd remember if you spent a month with her. Mom, are you covering for Helena?"

"Everything is going to be fine."

"I'm not fine. Alex and Michael are missing."

"Helena is a lot of things, but she won't hurt your friends. I'm sure… (Isobel walks in) You're the blonde. The one that Rosa was afraid of."

"Hi Mimi...I'm your cool Aunt Isobel. Hopefully we can get to know each other under better circumstances sometime. Sure about this DeLuca?"

"Desperate times call for desperate alien invasions."

Isobel's first trip into Mimi's mindscape:

"Show me what happened the night you disappeared, Mimi."

Mimi turns to see headlights approaching. It's the hunting van. Helena is driving it. After they greet each other they talk in the van.

"I saw her. I saw her in a vision.

"I didn't believe you. I had to see it with my own eyes."

"You saw her. You saw Rosa."

Flashback to Liz and Rosa arguing over Rosa's necklace in 2x01. Just as a note, Isobel is in Mimi's head, not Helena's, so she shouldn't really be able to see this flashback since Mimi wasn't there when Helena saw Rosa.

"This is a good thing, Helena. Your daughter is alive. She needs you."

"When Jim Valenti was dying, I came home to say goodbye. He kept saying Rosa could live again, that she was preserved."

"But you didn't believe him. No one ever believes us."

"If Rosa is alive, it means Jim was telling the truth. Which means everything else he said could be true, like aliens are real and Jesse Manes has a weapon that can kill them. It means I have to go to war, Mimi. First, you need some shoes."

Then Mimi somehow kicks Isobel out of her memories, which gives Isobel a nosebleed. But Mimi doesn't seem to know what happened. It's almost like she has a kind of subconscious protection on her own mind, somehow.

Note: the hunting van must not be Flint's, because Helena is driving it when she first considers teaming up with Flint, I assume based on the above. Maybe she was the suspicious figure in Flint's house when Max and Kyle were hiding in the closet? And what about the car that Rosa blew up? Did she have access to multiple vehicles? Am I overthinking this?? Haha.

Kyle's tip to Max:

"I found this at Flint's, but it's from a florist my dad used when he was in the doghouse with my mom. I finally guessed the password today. Rosa's birthday. The only thing on it is a note my dad wrote to Helena. It's a lot of romantic crap followed by details for a storage unit he had up near Haystack Mountain."

Haystack Mountain is an off-road vehicle recreation area about 30 miles northeast of Roswell.

Michael working on the "bomb". Charlie is working on the toxin nearby and Helena is keeping an eye on both of them.

"This entire process would be more efficient if I could attach the release chamber to the other side."

"Ay, mijo. Now is not the time to get creative. Time is running out. Follow the blueprints exactly."

"You don't look like an obedient soldier. Who'd she take to force you to do her bidding?"

"A friend. It's complicated. Why are you helping her? Jenna's free."

"Flint Manes has a sniper rifle on the roof pointed at her bedroom window. If I step out of line and something happens…"

"You'll never forgive yourself."

"I'll never forgive myself anyway. Helena has me formulating a pathogen that I invented when I was 17. It's a poison that dismantles specific DNA. If targeted your death is quick and ugly. A bleeding from every orifice kind of deal… I thought that I was saving people. Okay, imagine a weapon that you could drop into a populated city and the only people targeted would be al-Qaeda leaders and their direct descendants. Okay? In the right hands my weapon could prevent innocent civilian casualties and save our troops."

"I'm guessing these are not the right hands? Why am I building the bomb when the inventor is under Helena's thumb?"

"I do chemicals, not mechanics. And technically it's not a bomb. It's a catalytic toxin atomizer that was developed in a top secret operation involving weapons specialists from both the Army and the Air Force."

"Project Shepherd. One more question for you, Charlie. Whose DNA is that poison you're making gonna target?"

"Judging from conversations I've heard between Helena and Flint, it's alien DNA. Like, literal aliens."

This is actually the part of this story that's crystal clear to me. We've been getting tidbits on this dating back to 1x12, when Flint told Alex about his "smart bomb". Jesse told Jenna in 2x04 about Charlie's toxin that could pinpoint specific DNA, and even used a similar metaphor in explaining it as Charlie did in this episode. The part that doesn't make sense to me is, why did FLINT need Michael to build it, if he developed the blueprints?

Liz and Rosa in the lab discussing Max taking the antidote.

"He's only supposed to take a drop when he has amnesia. It's not vitamin C. In high doses it could cause surges of adrenaline that could be dangerous."

"No offense, but you sound like a mom. Like a real mom, the kind who actually give a duck. Oh I just figured out what autocorrect is. It's hilarious."

"Speaking of moms, ours hasn't reached out to any of your old dealers and she hasn't shown up at any of the churches in town, so you got any other ideas?"

"It's CrashCon. We usually find her wearing the loudest t-shirts and flirting with the richest nerds."

"Yeah, but Flint and Jesse Manes hate aliens. I mean it's literally their only hobby. If she's with them, I'm betting she's lost her affection for the simple charms of UFO novelty kitch."

"Wait, if you were going to get revenge on aliens, CrashCon is the perfect place. There's all kinds of conspiracy theorists and press. You know how mom loves attention."

"You think something's gonna happen tonight?"

"Papi is there by himself setting up. I think he should come home."

Note: my phone autocorrected duck to fuck. So I guess that tells you something about me. 😳

Also I just realized that for once ROSA and not Liz is the one who put the pieces together! Good for her. I wonder if that's purposeful since she's the daughter who is more like their mom? Like, she understands Helena's motivations better than Liz or something.

Steph and her father are going to CrashCon together. Kyle helps her with her makeup. Super sweet, but rather pointless since the scenes of Steph at CrashCon were cut. Mostly just including this here as a reminder that she's there in case it comes up in the finale.

Max and Cam, who got her job back!

"Thanks for the assist. I'm guessing that guard wouldn't let me through with bolt cutters unless I had an officer of the law present."

"Oh well, don't be jealous, Evans. Valenti has me on desk duty. So this little adventure is my lunch break."

"Valenti did the right thing, giving you your job back."

"Yeah well, you know, apparently some local bartender gave her reason to doubt the events the night of the gala were my fault. So I owe you."

"I've lost track of who owes who what at this point."

They break into the storage unit. It's empty except for an empty shelving unit, a locked chest, and a puddle of purple alien goo.

"What is that?"

"It looks like embryonic fluid. There must have been a pod in here."

Note: no, Max! Pod Goo evaporates upon contact with Earth's atmosphere/air. So it's not pod goo.

There isn't a super clear shot of inside the chest, but Max pulls out a love letter from Helena to Jim Valenti. I can transcribe it if you want me to. It's pretty easy to read and frankly, there's nothing important there. My heart is forever yours...it feels good to actually love and be loved in return...blah blah cheesy platitudes.

But seriously. Just send me an ask if you need me to transcribe it. But I'm gonna skip for now.

Isobel is chugging acetone straight from the bottle in the middle of the Pony.

Isobel's second trip into Mimi's mindscape:

"Mimi. I know you think you're doing the right thing, but Helena is holding people hostage. We have to understand her motive."

"You all think I'm losing my mind. But I just...slip out of my time and into a different one every once in a while. Sometimes Maria's. Or Mama's. Other women in our future or past. I saw you when you were a baby. The sky was red."

"What can you tell me about your time with Helena? She had you for a month."

"We were in a motel. We watched movies. We laughed and gossiped. She wanted to trigger my visions...gather information."

"What information? What did you tell her? What did you see?"

"What's important is Helena will take care of our girls. I'm not afraid. That's enough."

Mimi kicks her out again.

"I tried. She's fading."

"She's tired. It's harder when she's tired. Come on, Mom. I'm gonna take you back to Sunset Mesa."

"Maria, you just have to look for the signs in the water. You have to believe. Go on, you'd better hurry."

"Hurry where?"

"CrashCon closing night! You don't want to miss the fireworks. You always loved the fireworks."

Max and Cam going through the chest of letters back at Max's house:

"Okay, all these notes are from Helena to Jim Valenti. This is from the week Rosa died. I mean even 20 years after their affair she's still writing and he's still saving her letters."

"Pining after an Ortecho for years and years. It's so weird. Who does that. This is a receipt. It's a money transfer he made around the same time. He paid Daniel Fuller a thousand bucks."

"Fuller was the county coroner. Okay we still don't know how Noah got Rosa's body into the pod, right? But Jim had Project Shepherd connections to the morgue. So maybe if Noah knew about Jim and knew that he'd be grieving Rosa, he could have told him where to find the pod, right, and maybe he didn't even take the pod back until after Jim died."

"I mean, this is all a bunch of conjecture."

"Jim pulled me aside at high school graduation, he said I was the kind of guy the sheriff's department could use. Look, I mean maybe… I mean, he never let on, but maybe he knew I was an alien, right? Maybe he knew more than that."

"Okay, Evans? Breathe. You're looking a little clammy. What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"No. See, something's going on, and you're gonna tell me or I'm out, I swear to God."

"Okay you can't tell anyone."

"You know I won't."

"Okay, I've been taking this antidote that Liz made. No...she doesn't know. But its rebuilding some of my memories from before the 1947 crash, right? I was just a little kid, but I had a destiny. I had responsibilities."

"Right, you're the savior."

"Yes! Well, maybe. But I was starting to remember these symbols from our old language, right? I remember what they mean, but it's like the meaning is just out of reach. And I'm out of the antidote. And you know, Liz is getting suspicious. So…"

"No."

"I didn't say anything."

"Really? Can you tell that to your face? I am not using my friendship with your girlfriend to steal alien steroids for you. Okay? Our partnership has limits."

Michael and Helena:

"It's done. So now what? You inject my spine with your mind-eraser?"

"We only used the butyricol on Jenna Cameron because there was still work to be done. And Flint was afraid she'd ruin it for us. You told Flint Charlie was creating a toxin that would kill aliens. But if you wanted aliens dead, you'd be testing it on me right now. 'Cause that's what I would do if I was a criminal mastermind."

"I needed Flint for the schematics and the muscle. Our agendas didn't need to align perfectly."

"You don't have to do this. If you kill anyone tonight, Liz and Rosa will never look at you the same."

"That ship has sailed. Besides, I'm not killing anyone. If disaster never strikes, justice won't be served. Do you want to see Alex or not?"

Liz tries to get Arturo to go back to the Crashdown. She tells him that the kitchen is backed up because it's so busy. The interesting part of this exchange from a character perspective though:

"Papi, please. I have a bad vibe, all right? A gut feeling I can't shake."

Diego walks up.

"Who are you? Elizabeth Ortecho doesn't do feelings. She believes in facts and evidence."

"No, I do feelings now. I've evolved."

Alex is chained up in the house. There's a takeout box and coffee cup next to him. He's humming a song under his breath. Michael walks in and they talk.

"Guerin, you were right. They used me to get to you. My dad hit me over the head and then he swiped the piece of the console. And then Flint showed up with a gun to my head."

"Did anyone hurt you?"

"Nothing I can't handle. Helena's been weirdly motherly. She's bringing me clothes and meals."

"Your leg."

"Yeah they took the prosthetic. I tried to bludgeon my brother with it. Come on, use your powers. Get me out of this."

"Helena dosed me with something. I'm basically human until it wears off."

"Okay then find something that'll break the cuff or my wrist. I don't care."

"Alex, tonight at CrashCon, your dad plans to release a toxin that kills anyone with alien DNA...Helena made Charlie and I build an identical device, but one that targets a different DNA. She somehow got her hands on your dad's cells. She knows your dad killed Kyle's dad. She wants revenge. But she wants him to take himself out. When he pulls the trigger on us tonight your dad's gonna die because of a device I built."

"No, that is not on you, okay? Now let me out of here."

"I can't. The atomizer will kill anyone in your dad's direct line. You are safer here."

"Are you serious?"

"And I gotta go. I'm gonna come back for you."

While Michael explains to Alex, we get a flashback to Helena in her totally fake blonde wig at the hospital in 2x02.

Helena disguises herself as Jesse's maid using her totally fake blonde wig and switches out the bombs while Jesse is in the shower.

The @ladiesofrnm have their first scene all together! (With Max...and eventually Michael…) reading through Helena's letters together. Michael makes quite an entrance. Afterwards:

"You're such an idiot! You don't comply with a kidnapper's ransom demands. Without telling me."

"Alex was in trouble. He had to go."

"Mikey, where are Alex and Charley?"

"They're safe. Your mom doesn't want to hurt them."

"Look I don't get it. Does she want to kill aliens?"

"No. She's avenging her murdered lover."

Back to the house where Helena talks to Charlie:

"This atomizer contains the poison that kills anyone with alien DNA. I need you to destroy it."

"Does Flint know that you have it?"

"Flint. Jesse really broke that boy. Some people were never meant to be parents. You can go when you're done. The door's unlocked. Flint's rifle shoots blanks."

"What's to stop me from leaving now?"

"The knowledge that that deadly device only exists because of you. You decide. I'm off to CrashCon. I hear there will be quite a show."

Note, when Helena says Flint's name she says a word in Spanish that I can't make out and isn't in the closed captions.

Max and Liz's conversation about racism and privilege:

"I want to help. Your mom's not the villain here. All right? She's going about this all wrong, yes. But Manes is already a murderer. I mean, if he'd succeeded today…"

"I know...I could have lost almost everyone I care about in a moment. I remember every day what it was like to lose you and Rosa. I don't think I could survive that again. She could've built a decoy bomb that wouldn't have hurt anyone."

"He'd just get angry and do it again."

"Yeah, but he's not the only one that this would hurt. I mean, the headlines if she gets caught? Illegal Mexican Immigrant Slaughters Decorated American Vet via Bioweapon. People will line up to lay bricks at the border wall. But hey, maybe the president will talk about my family at his rallies. That's gonna be fun."

"That's not gonna happen. This will get covered up like every other strange death in this town."

"In case you haven't noticed those cover-ups don't tend to protect the Mexicans. Even when…"

"Even when Rosa died. You can say it, Liz. It's okay. It's fair. Rosa got blamed. White people didn't. Okay? I get it."

"I know you're on my side, but you don't get this. And that's not your fault, that's just the reality of our experiences. If I mess up. If I so much as roll through a stop sign, it reflects badly on any Mexican who came before me. And it hurts any Mexican who comes after me. I used to think that nothing would ever change that, but lately I think...maybe if something extraordinary happened it could."

"Extraordinary? Like what you're doing in your lab?"

"I've discovered something that could be the key to curing people who have no hope otherwise. I can't walk away."

"So you're gonna turn my family's stem cells into the hottest commodity?"

"No, I won't. I...we'll find a way to synthesize it or replicate it."

"Is this about the people you're trying to save or about becoming the poster girl for immigrants everywhere? You want the president to talk about your family because of you. Because you saved the world."

"If those in power see what happens when people are given opportunity…"

"You want the glory."

"I want recognition. I want to be the example I never had. And people who want glory, they're just in it for selfish reasons. People like Jesse Manes want the glory. He wants to be a big American hero. He wants the parades, he wants the medals. If he sets off his alien atomizer at CrashCon, a handful of twenty-something's will die of some mysterious ailment and it's barely gonna make the news. That's not what he wants. We're missing part of his plan."

"First, something violent. Large-scale that'll draw media attention. And then, once all eyes are in Roswell…"

"He'll blame the violence on the aliens. He only gets his parade if he makes people afraid and then he destroys the thing that they fear. If he makes people think that you're terrorists before he kills you."

Graham Green's reveal at CrashCon. Graham is announced and takes the stage as Max, Liz, and Rosa arrive to find Michael, Isobel, and Maria nearby.

"Hey, you guys shouldn't be here."

"I was held hostage, Max. I deserve to ride the Sizzler until I barf cotton candy, and maybe watch a bad man die."

"You guys, we think that…"

Graham Green starts his presentation.

"Hello loyal fans and devoted supporters! You patience is about to be rewarded. Today I am thrilled, nay, honored to show you the result of years or painstaking work. The moment we've all been waiting for. Irrefutable extraterrestrial proof! A bona fide alien artifact!"

Graham pulls the curtain and reveals what appears to be something similar to Michael's console, only it is complete and intact.

Flint brings Alex food and they discuss Flint's motives:

"If you're doing this to impress dad, it is never gonna work."

"I'm not trying to impress dad. His shutdown of Project Shepherd was an inform decision, but he's trained me my entire life to take it on.

Flint goes to leave but Alex stops him.

"Do you remember when mom used to drive us to the res, and you would sit at the loom with Granddad? Weaving stories. When was the last time you made something, Flint? Anything that wasn't built to destroy?"

"Around the time that mom decided that to leave dad, she had to leave us."

"She didn't know what he would do to us."

"He didn't do anything to us. Me and Clay are fine. He'll, even Gregory is coming to see dad today."

"...You are wrong. We are all dad's victims. Sure, he beat me up, but what he put the rest of you through was abuse too. He made you watch while he kicked my ass… He scared you into thinking that there was only one type of man that you could become."

Alex manages to knock Flint out, steal the key to his handcuffs, and free himself.

"You're so pathetic. You don't know me at all. This has nothing to do with dad and everything to do with our history. Aliens are a foreign threat. They're invaders."

Back to CrashCon, where the gang discuss the alien object:

"Alex's piece must have been the last one that Manes needed to finish building it. Where's he been keeping the rest of this?"

Sanders appears out of nowhere.

"Kid, I seen that thing before. Your mother built that back in the old barn. I don't know what it is, but it is definitely explosive. I always wondered what'd happened to the pieces."

"Maybe Harlan or Tripp Manes gathered them up. Rebuilt it."

"Yeah but if Manes is gonna use that to blow up CrashCon, it's gonna make Graham Green look like the bad guy. No one's gonna think an alien planted it."

"Unless they follow the money. I got an alert from my bank this morning. A $10,000 deposit had cleared."

"You think Manes set it up so that the investigation would lead to you?"

"If I become the world's first alien terrorist and he takes me out, the world cheers."

"Guys, you need to do whatever you can to get as many people out of here as possible, okay? Get help."

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Michael and I have studied this material before. It's part tech, but it's also part organic. And if it's part organic, that means it can be killed. I gotta get back to my lab."

Diego sees Max toss Liz his keys.

Max and Michael sneak backstage and convince Graham Green to let them have a moment with the alien ship thingie. Max takes photos of it with his phone.

"Do you think we can destroy it?"

"No. The pieces want to be together and now that it's complete if we break the bonds with brute force we risk a violent reaction."

Max hears voices whispering and reaches out to touch the alien tech. The alien symbol forms under his hand and he pressed it. There's a surge from the tech and it almost appears like Max is absorbing something from it. The voices get a little louder. When he breaks the connection it almost seems like it takes effort and he seems stunned.

"What the hell just happened to you?"

"Nothing. I think this is a remote. I think this controls a ship."

"It's a what?"

Gif by @maxortecho

Note, the way Max laughs when he says nothing is oddly similar to how he responded to Cam when she called him out on his weird behavior from the antidote. Like he's hiding something or brushing off the worry or something.

Sanders interrupts before Max can respond. Points out that the top of the stage is varnished which is highly flammable.

"Wait, if this is fresh varnish, this whole platform is set up like a tinderbox."

"There's gonna be fireworks tonight."

"One spark'll light a fire. I mean, this whole thing, the whole platform will go up."

"If this giant remote goes kaboom aliens will be framed as terrorists. You have to get out of here."

"What? No. I'm not going anywhere."

"Max you are all sorts of worked up right now. What happens when you're worked up?"

"Sparks fly. Right, okay. Yeah. I'll go."

Before Max leaves he spots something on one of the display boards that makes him pause. He grabs it before leaving.

Charlie is working on her chemicals in the makeshift lab when Flint sneaks up on her and puts a gun to her head, demanding that she gives him the atomizer.

Maria and Rosa hurry through CrashCon discussing each other's alien biology and Mimi's vision. They spot Gregory Manes and decide to try to get him to leave since the Manes bomb would kill him. He has 12 kids with them so they suggest that he take them to the Crashdown for free milkshakes. He recognizes Rosa, but they tell him she's Rosa's cousin.

Liz works in the lab while blasting Alanis Morissettte - great call back to last year when she told Michael that Alanis helped her channel Rosa's creativity. She says to herself:

"Destroy the organic cell membrane. Disable the nanotech."

She mixes some chemicals which react and explode her flask and start a fire. Really don't know if that's supposed to represent success or not.

Flint and Helena talk at CrashCon. She is surprised to see him. He tells her that he cleaned up the mess at the house.

We flash back to the house which is on fire. Charlie is chained up and trapped.

Liz hurries from the lab and doesn't realize that Diego followed her there. He sneaks his way into the building while Liz rushes for the car.

Speaking of cars...they're in the middle of nowhere. Where's Diego's car? I had the same thought last week when Max and Kyle were searching Flint's house and they almost got caught. Whoever pulled up in the hunting van should have seen their car!

Maria and Rosa are helping get the kids loaded onto a bus when Rosa points out Pisces to Maria. Call back to 1x03 when Maria tells Liz that she and Rosa used to compete to see which one of them could spot the constellation first. It gives Maria an epiphany. Pisces is "the water sign" which was one of Mimi's clues from her vision. Maria goes to follow the sign. She runs into Max who tries to get her to safety. They spot Flint Manes carrying the atomizer. Max tells Maria to get out of there and hurries after Flint. He tries to sneak up on Flint, but Flint is able to disarm him and beat him up. Flint sets the atomizer to go off in two minutes and then throws it like a Hail Mary into the crowd. Max chases after Flint while Maria goes after the atomizer. She pushes through the crowd and spots another clue from Mimi's vision - a poster of aliens asking "Do you believe?" The atomizer is sitting below it. Maria grabs the atomizer and takes off running with it. Cam spots Maria and follows.

Flint beats Max up again and then pulls a gun and threatens to shoot Max. Max disarms him and is holding the gun to Flint now. He laughs and asks Max if he's really going to shoot a soldier. Tells him that he already pulled the trigger to kill Max by setting off the atomizer. Max tosses the gun aside, and uses his powers instead to kill Flint,

Michael and Isobel are trying to keep the stage from catching fire, but then the fireworks start going off into the wind (which blows the embers towards the fair). The hay bales easily catch on fire. Isobel used her powers to hold back the flames. She can feel that something is wrong with Max and send Michael to find him.

Instead Michael finds Jesse and Alex. Their exchange:

"You know, I actually started to believe that you had changed."

"You never could tell friend from foe. I actually counted on it."

"Hey I know exactly who you are. You were gonna let all of these people die and you were gonna let the aliens take the blame."

"It's high time they got blamed for something, I think. I'm gonna drag them from the shadows."

"Yeah and then what? You're gonna use the atomizer to kill them all? Then you become some hero by destroying the enemy that you created?"

"American children are gonna read about the events of tonight in their history books... And don't worry about collateral damage, son. That's just an unfortunate aspect of war. You know that better than anyone, Alex."

"You're gonna become your own collateral damage if that thing goes off. Helena Ortecho switched the devices. That's not gonna kill aliens. That is set to destroy your DNA. If it goes off, you are going to die in a puddle of your own blood."

"What are you doing? Are you bluffing to protect the aliens?"

"What I'm doing is I'm trying to protect our family. Dad, if that goes off it kills all of your direct descendants. Flint and Greg are somewhere in here. And I don't care how much I disgust you, I am still your son!"

Greg runs up looking for help responding to the fire. He spots the atomizer and immediately recognizes it as a weapon. Alex tries to get him to leave. Michael runs up and Jesse pulls his gun on him. Greg steps between Michael and the gun to protect Michael for Alex.

Maria throws the atomizer off into the desert and immediately begins bleeding. Thankfully Cam is there to try to help.

Max kills Flint which in turn gives him another heart attack. Liz arrives as he's collapsing and starts CPR. Rosa runs up and tries to get Liz to let her step in to help Max so that Liz can stop the alien device from exploding… And cliffhanger.

MUSIC:

1. Valley Queen "Chasing The Muse"

2. The HawtThorns "Give Me A Sign"

3. Everclear "Everything To Everyone"

4. Alanis Morissette "All I Really Want"

5. Gary Numan "I Am Dust"

#roswell new mexico #rnm season 2 #episode details #long post #rnm 212 #crash into me

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essektheylyss · 4 years

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Essek fic prompt, if you're interested: anything with animals. Essek and Frumpkin, Essek and Sprinkle or Nugget, Essek getting his own familiar... idk Essek and the freakin moorbounders. Essek realizing he can show affection to a creature that won't go tattle on him and ruin his reputation.

This,,, so aggressively got away from me and I wasn’t totally sure how to end it but it was so cute and I really just want soft afternoons with puppies for Essek forever

They’d left him, for the time being, where it seemed they’d left many of their unwanted problems and strange adoptees over the months—with Jester’s mother.

The sunlight streams in through the open window hard enough to give him a headache, but he welcomes the sharp sting in his brow as he sits on a very pink bed that he’d gathered had been Jester’s growing up, with several books collected from the wizard’s tower, the one who’d looked him up and down with an upturned nose and humphed loudly and sent them on their way without another word, and Essek didn’t know what kind of judgment he’d really expected.

“—so sorry to do this to you, Marion,” a sheepish voice he recognizes but fails to quite place floats through the cracked door, followed by a thump and the boisterous bark of a dog. “Luc and I have quite a few errands to run, but he’s been chewing all of the furniture and I feel horrible when Veth comes back to the house destroyed—“

Ah, Veth’s husband. He doesn’t remember his name, and a nauseous feeling washes over him when he realizes that he absolutely should remember Veth’s husband’s name, considering the man had spent a week in Essek’s prison.

He’d had very different priorities then, but that doesn’t feel like an excuse anymore.

His face burns, and he holds his breath, hoping that he will not be found here by Mr. Brenatto, even with the knowledge that Marion could reveal him at any time.

“Of course, Yeza,” Marion’s voice replies—oh, thank the gods, he will remember it now—and Essek has spent enough time here over the past few days to recognize a slight strain in her voice, though she speaks warmly. “That’s not a problem at all. You and Luc run along and leave him with me.”

Essek sits very still as thanks and niceties are exchanged, until soft footsteps mean that the halfling has exited the room.

And then, as he’d feared it might, the door swings open.

Marion Lavorre stands there in an elegant black dress, one hand on the collar of an absolutely enormous puppy, ears still a little big for his body, panting excitably. His tail thumps against the doorframe as she scrunches her face a bit, a proactive apology, and then the dog—blinks. He’s seen the effect on at least one occasion, and in a snap its eyes glow blue and it vanishes from her grasp and appears on the bed beside him, its not quite clean hind descending on what he surmises is a very old and very delicate book. He’s certain that Yussa Errenis is a man who does not lend out books that he does not have backups of, but he still imagines trying to explain why its illuminated pages are crumpled.

“Oh, Nugget,” Marion hisses, and the dog blinks back to her side, but not before dragging its huge tongue across Essek’s dumbfounded face. She looks at him, as sheepishly as Yeza Brenatto sounded, and it seems that the parents near to this group have similar views on this… Nugget. “I’m so sorry—I really am able to take care of him for the afternoon, but I have rehearsal shortly—“

He blinks at her, feeling his face flush in confusion. “You… rehearse?”

Her smile is a little devilish, and he can see her daughter in her more than ever. “Singing, dear. I have a rehearsal for a performance.”

His ears burn with embarrassment. “Ah. That makes… more sense.”

“Anyway, I have a rehearsal and then I can watch him, but it would be so helpful if you could—“

Essek swallows hard, and remembers that Marion is like her daughter in more than one way—it’s very hard to say no to either of them when they’re asking nicely.

He nods and wonders how he’s going to take care of a blink dog. “Of course.”

A relieved smile floods onto her face. “Oh, thank the gods,” she says, and looks down at the overly excited dog. “Nugget, Essek is home.”

And she points to him, and the dog meets his gaze with the biggest puppy eyes he’s ever seen. Oh, luxon. This is already a mistake.

“Okay, all you do,” Marion says, and he has to wrench his eyes away when he realizes that she’s talking to him now, “is say home.”

He quickly folds his books shut and sets them aside. The dog is almost as large as he is, and he frowns, thinking about the halfling who is a head and a half shorter than he is. “This is… Yeza’s dog?”

“Well,” Marion sighs. “Technically, it’s Jester’s dog.”

With a name like Nugget, he should’ve known.

“Nugget,” he says slowly, with tremendous hesitation. This is the last thing he wants to do with his afternoon, especially with his headache only building. “Home.”

It blinks to his side, and its tongue is on his face in an instant. He fights it off with several undignified shouts, and when he’s finally situated, Marion smiles apologetically.

“Thank you so much,” she says, and closes the door, and it dawns on Essek that he is now alone in Jester’s room, tasked with not killing Jester’s dog, and he feels all the blood drain from his face.

Nugget looks at him happily, tail thumping against a very pink pillow, and Essek takes a moment to pat it gently on the head a few times. “Good dog,” he says hollowly, and Nugget nuzzles into his hand, and it only takes a few minutes of hesitation before he’s figured out that Nugget will flop down sideways on the bed if he keeps scratching a certain spot behind his ear.

And for a little while, his fingers itch to pick up the book he’d been in the middle of, an analysis of ethics in the Age of Arcanum to do with attempted time magic—he thinks that Caleb and Yussa might’ve picked that out especially for him, but it’s interesting enough so he doesn’t mind—but he doesn’t want to risk the dog chewing up Jester’s childhood things. And he finds, a while later, that sitting there scratching Nugget’s ears is almost like meditation, something his tutors had tried to teach him as a child that he’d never been very good at, with his mind buzzing constantly and too many ideas to chase.

Now, though, he’s stuck here, and he’s not thinking about his books anymore—he’s watching the rise and fall of Nugget’s chest, the easy trust he gives a man he’s never met, the pleasure he takes from such a small affection.

Sprawled out on the bed, he’s the image of bliss.

“You’re a very simple creature, you know,” he says, and finds that talking to Nugget is not as awkward as he would’ve expected. He’s never spoken to an animal in his life, and had assumed it would be even worse than talking to someone else—but no, it’s like being alone in his tower and musing to himself. A little arrogant, sure, to speak knowing you are your own answer, but there’s no one around to judge. And when he speaks, Nugget’s tail thumps again, and he lets out a heavy sigh of contentment.

It is not a response Essek is used to from anyone, when he speaks—his words are weapons, more often than not, whether he wants them to be or not. He has armed himself with them for too long, and people tend to flinch when he opens his mouth.

“Are you lonely, to be so willing to open yourself up in exchange for love?” he asks, and knows that it’s rhetorical, but still wonders what the answer might be. “Or do you simply know nothing else?”

Perhaps Essek is not as complicated as he thinks he is—he, like this dog, sees the world transactionally. He is trying not to, with his friends guiding him, to believe that not everything must be earned or exchanged, but he looks at this dog, and he thinks that it’s natural to view the world that way.

And who is he to think he’s better than this puppy, snoring sweetly beside him, occasionally peering up at him with those doe eyes?

The sun is still pounding a tattoo into his eye sockets, but the ocean breeze is very unlike Rosohna and the stuffy confines of his tower, and he leaves the window open. Instead, he slides down to rest below it, the sun no longer hitting him, and curls up against the dog.

Nugget shifts his head until it rests on Essek’s stomach, and he absently continues to scratch his ears. It’s the most relaxed he’s been in… years, he thinks, even before the business with the Assembly, before he had ended up as a fixture in the Bright Queen’s throne room.

He thinks of Caleb, reading on the ground of the Xhorhaus library, with Frumpkin curled up on his stomach. It has always seemed rather inconvenient, but Caleb does it for hours.

Essek reaches for his book, set on a shelf at the end of the bed. Instantly, Nugget lifts his head and whines, then rolls over until his body is on Essek’s outstretched shoulder, nosing at Essek’s chin.

“By the light,” Essek snarls, falling back into undercommon, and returns one hand to the dog’s ear. When he immediately quiets, and releases Essek’s trapped arm, Essek blinks at him. “Ah. You only act out when you’re being ignored.”

He breathes out the barest hint of a laugh through his nose. Perhaps he and this dog really are quite alike.

One hand still offering enough affection to keep the dog sated, he retrieves his book uninhibited, and holds it over his head. It is perhaps harder to focus this way, but it is soothing to have Nugget’s gentle movement of breath on his stomach, and the breeze coming in the window, and a book in his hand.

He remembers his father telling him that a pet was a lot of responsibility when he’d told Essek as a child that he couldn’t have one, but Essek thinks now that having a pet is no more responsibility that keeping oneself content. In fact, perhaps it is easier to be satisfied, with such satisfaction as a model.

“Essek, we’re on the way back! Are you okay with Mama? Are you having a good afternoon? Caleb wants to know if you like the books—“ He thinks Jester may have had more to say, but he answers anyway.

“I’m not getting through reading particularly fast, but I am having a pleasant afternoon. I ended up watching over your—Nugget.”

He looks down at the dog, whose tail wags at the sound of his name, whacking him in the head. He can’t bring himself to be mad.

“You’re watching Nugget?! Isn’t he a good boy?! Isn’t he so cute, Essek? Oh my god, I can’t wait to see him when we get back—“

He imagines the rest of the Nein shaking their head as Jester is cut off once again, and he smiles as he sets the book down and turns his attention to scratching Nugget’s fey ears with both hands. Nugget writhes with pleasure as Essek lets him lick his chin this time.

“Yes, he’s very cute. He’s—” he trails off for a minute, and almost forgets to finish. “He’s a very good boy.”

#essek fic requests #critical role #critical role fanfiction #essek thelyss #nugget the blink dog #I have the hugest soft spot for nugget because that's also what I call my cats as a nickname lmao #also there were several lines where I was like 'idk if essek is /this/ self-aware #but like I needed to point out some of the similarities #I absolutely could not resist lmao #the-littlest-goblin

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mrsedmercer · 5 years

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Steamy Love (A Tom Hiddleston x Reader) Part 21: ~Friendship~

Summary: You spend more quality time with your best friend and best man!

Warnings: None.

Read it on my Wattpad: @/HiddlesStar

Word count: 1715

Author Notes: Sorry this chapter took so long! Had to take a break to get the creativity back. Expect weekly chapter updates to resume again!

Tags: @theoneanna @midnightdragonzero @drakesfiance @kcd15 @ihthr @deviantsendbyreallife @bookgirlunicorn

"What the hell is 'Leg Day'?" Your friend asked, looking rather confused.

Your cheeks immedietly got a little pink. You had remembered in the last live stream you did with Tom, he mentioned the infamous High-Rise 'Leg Day' inside joke you two had created in regards to the first love scene where Laing lifts Charlotte's legs up. He had referenced the joke while talking about how Zero Suit Samus fights in Smash Bros. Ultimate. He didn't explain it, though, keeping the inside joke as an inside joke.

"Umm.." You paused again. You really weren't sure how to explain it, or even if you should explain it. It was a bit...personal.

"Well...it's..."

Before you could really give a response, Tom knocked at the door, walking in once he had permission.

"Are you ladies hungry at all?" He asked. You could tell your friend liked being called that from him. You weren't offended by their little crush. You understood how they were feeling, and it honestly made you feel even luckier to be with Tom.

"I am." You smiled some.

"Me too!" Your friend chirped. "I've barely eaten today."

"Shall we go out for lunch? Say, 10 minutes?.." Tom smiled some.

"In 10 minutes works!" You chirped, and your friend nodded in agreement. Tom gave a little wave and left, closing the door again. Surprisingly, your friend didn't ask about Leg Day again, thankfully. They probably just forgot about it.

After a couple minutes, the three of you left to go get some lunch. Unfortunately by now, the paparazzi knew what streets you and Tom go down to get to places like the grocery store and restaurants, so you'd spot cameras at specific areas. Tom tried not to acknowledge the cameras as you all exited the vehicle after arriving at a lunch joint, but you and your friend gave a slight wave before entering the building, knowing they couldn't follow you in. You were surprised to see that no one in this lunch place knew Tom or you, so you didn't see anyone watching you while you all ate.

"How did you two meet, again?" Your friend asked as you waited for your food.

"I'm surprised she didn't tell you.." Tom smiled, referring to you.

"No I told her. She probably just wants to hear the story again.." You chuckled, getting a little grin from Tom. "We met when he came to my hotel room asking for an extra towel. I didn't even know it was him at that moment.."

"I don't blame you. Me and Loki look nothing alike.." Tom smirked.

"Still, I should've recognized those nice eyes immedietly.." You admitted, getting another big smile from Tom. "It was actually (BF/N) that helped me remember who you were."

"Really?" Tom asked, a little surprised.

"Yeah, I had a call with her on that bus ride to the meeting. That's when she told me. After that, I met you at the meeting the director had set up. That's where I learned we would be costars.."

"Ooh, and the rest is history.." Your friend giggled, nudging you some.

"Do you think you would've realized it was me at the meeting, if she hadn't of reminded you?" Tom asked curiously.

"I mean, they said your last name in the meeting.." You nodded some. "My anxiety would've gone through the roof." You joked, Tom smirking somewhat mischievously.

"I hope you guys weren't having super obvious eye-sex at the meeting." Your friend joked with a chuckle.

"Oh not at all. Not until we got to his hotel room that day.." You admitted with a wink. Tom gave a little snicker.

"I was quite tempted to make a move then, I'll admit.." Tom smirked.

"So was I.." You grinned, seeing Tom's eyes darken and look you over.

"Hey." Your friend snapped their fingers some. "We're in public! Y'all are like rabbits. Jesus.." They shook their head, making you and Tom laugh.

"People would lose their minds if they heard this conversation, I swear.." Your friend laughed, leaning back against their seat.

It was nice reminiscing about your first couple days with Tom, before you had even begun to share a living space. You remember the dark fantasies that had been playing in your head when you went back to his hotel room with him. Now you've probably relived those fantasies twice as much as you expected in your bedroom, and now especially out of the bedroom.

"Let them hear." You shrugged, noticing Tom's slight surprise. You had started to come across paparazzi the more you and Tom have gone out. You wondered if any one of them had watched your streams to get any juicy gossip. Things have been amazing. Any gossip has been good and just excites fans.

During lunch, you talked a lot about your streams. Tom's been really interested in the technical side of it. He's almost been a regular guest. You guys can't even count how many inside jokes you've created.

Leg Day will always be your favourite, of course. It was practically the first.

After dinner, you all returned back to Tom's house. You all decided to stream together. It would probably be a while until the three of you get together again. Now's a good time for it. You all got to play a game together too, deciding to pick Smash Ultimate since it had just come out. Helping Tom figure out these games is one of the best parts of streaming with him. He could be so old sometimes.

"Oh my God, enough with the legs!" You chuckled as you fought against your best friend. They're good with Zero Suit Samus, and they use the Up B attack when you're about 100% to get a stock off you. They're really good.

"What, I thought you liked Leg Day?" Tom commented with a smirk, getting a shy but playful chuckle out of you.

"I don't wanna hear any of that shit, big dog." You chuckled. You could practically hear Tom's big grin as he gave out that iconic 'ehehehe' laugh.

"Y'all still have to tell me what that means." Your friend commented. You gave a slight playful glance to Tom, and he returned the expression. This is very entertaining.

Further into the stream, you were letting your friend teach Tom how to play. He wanted to get better with Joker.

"Joker is a pretty cool character." You admitted with a little smile, keeping an eye on chat while watching Tom and your friend play.

"He seems cool.." Tom smiled. He liked using the white school uniform skin, rather than the mask skins.

"I like his mask. It suits him." Your friend added. "Do you think Loki would ever wear a mask?"

"I don't think he'd want anything to cover his face.." Tom replied. "He may wear one to a Ball, as like a disguise.."

"Who would want to cover those eyes?" You smiled, getting a bashful smile from Tom.

"Very true.." Tom nodded.

As Tom was learning to play, you kept an eye on chat. In a quick moment, something caught your eye.

"Someone sent in a donation and just wrote in 'Nut Hiddleston' and it's really confusing.."

Your friend laughed. "Tom Nut Hiddleston.." They spoke, making you laugh as well.

"Nut? What? What does that mean?" Tom asked, a little confused. "Like a peanut?"

Oh God. That just made you laugh more. How can this man be so innocent in public, but a freak under the bed sheets?

"Sure. A peanut.." You nodded, though you could tell Tom didn't believe that's what it actually meant.

"What? What does it mean?" He asked again, getting all confused when you and your friend giggled. "What does nut mean?"

Him repeating the question just made you laugh more. Hearing it with such a concern tone in his voice was just hilarious. You were starting to notice that little small things he did were funnier than you'd normally think, like him giving little smiles or dropping something. It would give you a warm feeling in your chest, too.

You finally leaned in close to his ear to whisper what it meant. His expression went from slight confusion, to complete embarrassment.

"O-Oh my.." Tom blushed heavily, fixing his glasses. "I-I see.." You giggled again, shaking your head.

"How did you not know what it means?" Your friend asked Tom with a little laugh.

"I don't keep up with today's lingo!" Tom chuckled. "I just learned of what TikTok was the other day..."

"Oh God, TikTok.." Your friend cringed some, making you laugh. "Stay far away from that App, Tom.."

"From what I've heard, I can understand that.." Tom agreed.

After the stream was over, you all got ready for bed. You helped your friend get settled in the guest room, your former bedroom, before going back to your new room to lay down with Tom. You crawled into bed and nuzzled up to his half naked figure. He smiled and wrapped an arm around you.

"I nearly forget the times we slept in separate beds.." Tom admitted.

"I nearly forget what it's like not to wake up with jelly legs.." You added with a shy blush, getting a chuckle from Tom.

"It's not too much, is it?" He asked. "I'm a bit of an...adventurous lover."

"No, it's great.." You smiled, pecking Tom's chest. "You're great.."

Tom smiled, turning off the little side lamp so the room would get dark, laying down on his pillow and closing his eyes to fall asleep.

"...I'm gonna miss this.." You admitted, making him open his eyes again. "After March, you're headed back to the UK and I'm headed home.."

Tom detected the sadness in your voice. Truthfully, he would miss this too, but he couldn't possibly ask you to move in with him, or at the very least, spend another couple months away from home.

"...Hey now, that's not for another couple months.." Tom spoke up, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's enjoy the time we still have together.." He pecked your forehead, making you smile a bit.

"I know.." You spoke in a soft tone, nuzzling close before closing your eyes and falling asleep.

You can't keep delaying this conversation forever, though.

#tom Hiddleston #tom Hiddleston x reader #tom hiddleston fanfiction #tom Hiddleston x you #fanfiction #fanfics #steamy love

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rogue-barnes-16 · 6 years

Text

IN THIS LIFE OR IN THE NEXT (part IV)

SUMMARY: Bucky Barnes moved with the Avengers a while ago, trying to have a regular life. It seems to work until one day he bumps into a girl who brought up some memories to Bucky’s mind. However, the memories are, like always, bizarre, and all he could distinguish was a name, Matilda Smyth.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader (eventually), Bucky Barnes x Matilda Smyth (past)

Title: Dreams and reality

Tags: @stevieboyharrington @dyanna-corona @girlwhoisfearless @n7siha @pizzarollpatrol @la-valeriaa

Genre: angst-fluff

Warnings: language(?)

A/N: this part might be slightly confusing, but I'll try my best, also flashbacks would go on italics, and if you didn't read part I go here. For part II here. For part III, here.

BUCKY'S P. O. V.

"Okay, you can stop there" she said, signaling a spot a few meters away from us. I had slowed down when we entered in Brooklyn, not wanting to take the wrong way to her house, and maybe, just maybe, to check the place Steve used to call our home.

When I parked the bike on the right side of the road, she climbed off. I mimicked her movements, picking the keys to walk her home. "So... Brooklyn, huh?" I asked looking around.

She nodded her hands holding her bag as we walked. "yeah, I moved here like six years ago." she said, and I couldn't help but smile at the sound of her voice. It was melodic. Shy, but still melodic.

"I was from Brooklyn, you know? Well, I am- I... Used to be-" I scratched the back of my neck looking at her nervous. Was I still from here? Was this place the same? I sighed, wishing everything would be easier to explain.

"it's fine, I understand." she said reassuringly smiling. I nodded quietly as I noticed she got slightly closer to me, almost unnoticeably, but enough for me understand her message. She was comforting me in her own way.

"Hey, are you... Okay?" a gorgeous girl dressed like a man asked me. I frowned, sitting on the street. Was she talking to me? She seemed to read my mind, because she instantly talked again. "I'm talking with you, at least answer."

"Does it look like I'm okay, genius?" I asked rudely, pressing an already too bloody cloth against my nose. Apart from this, I had a black eye, and my lip was bleeding too, however I had to prioritize.

Despite my harsh tone, she replied "you look like an asshole who's about to get help" she picked a tissue from her purse and handed it to me. "even though you don't deserve it"

"well" I said, picking the tissue and putting it in the cloth's place "you really can't trust first impressions. For example, I would have said you were a boy. You can't say I'm an asshole just by one sentence." I explained half serious and half joking.

I earned a beautiful chuckle from her whilst she sat besides me. "I'm Matilda. Not a boy"

I grinned, glancing at her briefly "I'm James. Bucky for short." she smiled playfully, tilting her head aside.

"are you an asshole?" she asked. That somehow caught me off guard.

"I don't think so. I mean- do I look like one? Aside from the comment, like-" another chuckled came from her as she got slightly closer to me.

"Relax, I don't think you're an asshole." and with that, she managed to calm my nerves.

We walked in silence until we reached a big apartment building made of red bricks. "I live there." she said pointing the second floor. "it's quite old, but it kinda... Captured me." she explained whilst searching for her key.

I realized then, that I had my lips slightly parted. Thank God Y/n didn't notice, since she was too busy looking for her keys. "it's... A pre-war building, right?" I finally managed to ask.

"Yeah, how did you-" Suddenly, realization seemed to hit her as hard as me, since she opened her eyes widely. Y/n chewed her lower lip nervous and looked at me awkwardly. Her smile somehow was contagious. "oh." she simply muttered.

"Yeah" I looked down, a smile now growing in my face. "it's just... All of them were very alike." I wasn't lying but I wasn't saying all the truth. This was a special building.

"You didn't need to walk me home y'know, Barnes?" Matilda said, holding some files from work against her chest. Her bag had already broken when I crossed the road to greet her, and she was struggling with all the things.

"I didn't need to?" I asked, pointing at the rest of her things that I was holding. "you couldn't even see your feet, doll." I replied grinned.

"doesn't mean I couldn't walk home." she practically sang her comment, making my heart jump. "don't look at me like that, Bucky, you'll make me blush" I could tell she was joking just by how playful her eyes looked.

"But I love when you blush, doll. Makes me feel less stupid." I whispered the last sentence grinning. She laughed opening the gate with her hip and tilting her head, signaling me to enter with her.

"It's weird to see them now" she nodded, looking at the building distracted, like lost in her own thoughts. Suddenly I realized that she probably didn't want to sound rude telling me to go, so she could go home already.

I was stepping away from the building when she seemed to came back to reality. "do you want to see it? Like-" she signaled inside. "Like you know... Uhm"

"Like coming inside with you?" I asked, trying to help her with the suggestion. She nodded quietly, smiling sweetly at me. Y/n seemed one of those people which doesn't work well with words. "It would be great. Let me call my friends and I'll be with you, okay?"

"Sure, take your time." she said, sitting down on the stairs. I couldn't help but look at her whilst she put on her headphones and closed her eyes, humming a song. I bit my lower lip holding back the wide smile her voice caused in me.

I was caught off guard when she lifted her head to stare at me. Her cheeks turned light pink for some reason, and she instantly looked down again. I could feel my own cheeks blushing. I unlocked my phone with eyes wide open at the sight of fourteen missed calls and three texts messages from Steve.

Steve: bud where are u?

Steve: c'mon pick it up

Steve: we're worried

"everything okay?" I heard Y/n's worried tone, making me look at her. She had taken off her headphones again and I could see in her big y/e/c eyes the same worry I heard in her voice.

"yeah, don't worry." I chewed my lip slightly at the bright smile she gave me when I answered, like she truly cared about me. I looked back at the mobile, typing a quick message to Steve instead of calling him.

Bucky: Found her. Name's Y/n. Ttyl, she invited me to her house.

"Okay, I'm ready" I stated, locking my phone and putting it inside my pocket. She gave me a confused look whilst standing up, her bad still laid on the stairs.

"I thought you were going to... Call?" she asked, picking her bag too focused on me to notice it was open. "Fuck!" she cursed in a low tone, too adorable for me to not to laugh.

"wait, I'll help you" I said crouching besides her at the same time as she kneeled. I picked up her mobile, headphones and wallet, but when I was starting to pick up the different sketches which displayed on the floor, she gasped quietly.

"Nononono- let me-" she took the sketches away from me and folded them, placing them on the small notebook "I'll carry this. Sorry." she mumbled, avoiding my gaze. Was she ashamed?

"you don't have to say sorry, it's okay." she just nodded, pushing the gate with her hip and signaling me to enter. She closed the door behind me and moved fast to reach me, however, she didn't make eye contact with me. "I didn't see them" I added, and that made her eyes travel to my face again.

"Oh." she muttered. She tried to speak again, but words seemed to be stuck in her throat. It took her until we reached her door to explain what she wanted. "those drawings are... Very personal. I don't like people seeing them."

I nodded understanding, and she gave me a thankful smile whilst opening the door. There was a moment of silence before I spoke. "Y/n?" she hummed in response, leaving her keys in a bowl. But not some bowl. It was the bowl.

"you have a terrible taste, Matilda." I stated, frowning at that terribly ugly bowl. It was dirty orange and black, and it wasn't even well-made. "I'm going to break it and buy you a new one."

I was joking, but Matilda came jogging to me with a distressed look on her face. "don't you dare, Barnes!" she yelled. Before she could reach where I was standing, I grabbed the bowl with a smirk on my face. "James! Give it back. Now"

She jumped, trying to reach it, her ponytail swinging with each movement. "why is it so important, doll?" she rolled her eyes at her petname, jumping again. I got closer to her, lowering my head. "is it from your boyfriend?"

She scoffed "I don't have a boyfriend, Buck, but that bowl costs more than you." she said. Suddenly we both seemed to realize how close we were from each other, since she looked down, waiting for me to leave the bowl.

"Okay, doll, you win." I said without looking at her eyes, placing the bowl over the shelf again.

"yes?" Y/n's voice brought me back from my sudden déjà vu and made my mind focus on what I wanted to say. However, I didn't notice I had picked the bowl until I didn't feel Y/n's soft touch around my wrist. "Don't, please, it's very expens-"

She shut up instantly, like she had just realized something. When I looked up at her, I couldn't distinguish if the girl in front of me was Matilda or Y/n.

Everything around us seemed to have two versions. From the light in the room -was it sunset or noon?-, to her furniture. Suddenly everything seemed confusing, but it didn't last longer, since she pulled away from me.

"C-could you leave the bowl on its place, please?" she asked, turning around to leave her things over the couch, and I could tell she was shaking.

"Sure." I muttered, leaving the bowl on the shelf again.

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mikamangata · 6 years

Text

Eine kleine Nachtmusik

First of all, thank you so much for the amazing love you all showed my last few posts! It really makes you want to write as much as possible if there's so many people enjoying it!

If you didn't read the first chapter or my If BTS attended Hogwarts Hyung/Maknae line post I recommend you do that, otherwise there'll be some confusion! Anyways, I hope you'll have fun reading!^^

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Chapter two

"And what did you do during the summer, Kookie? Oh and Taehyungie and Jiminie told me you probably didn't get to buy new school things for this year, so we bought everything you'll need when we were at Diagon Alley." Granny said. They were currently all eating breakfast together, Jungkook himself had a big plate full of pancakes in front of him. They looked delicious and he ate timidly. "I-I didn't do anything, really. And thank you so much for getting my school supplies, I don't know how to thank you." The youngest said genuinely. Granny, an old woman with grey hair and welcoming, motherly eyes, immediately answered: "Oh you don't have to thank us, Kookie darling! It wasn't a bother at all and when the boys told me about the way your family treats you...I honestly have no words. But I want you to know that you're always welcome here, sweetheart." Jungkook nearly teared up at that. This woman, who had met him only once before, who knew nothing about him except for the things Taehyung and Jimin told her, opened her arms and home for him. She greeted him warmly, let him sleep in her house and made him a nice breakfast. Jungkook's heart clenched at the thought and he gulped loudly, unable to answer. Granny sensed this avalanche of feelings that seemed to swallow Jungkook's words, so she got up and hugged the youngest gently. At first Jungkook was taken aback, but after a moment he hugged her back. His fists gripped Granny's yellow apron tightly as he whimpered quietly, the motherly love new and overwhelming for him. Is that what it felt like? Because if it did, he'd do anything in the world to feel it for just a few moments longer. The absence of hostility paired with Granny's warmth calmed him down and the old woman gently cooed at him.

"Jiminie, don't forget your hoodie, the castle is cold when it's winter!" "It's in my suitcase Granny." "Taehyung! Don't forget Gucci!" "I already put her in the car." "Yoongi-ah, help Kookie with his suitcase!" "Okay." "Hoseok-ah, did Mickey come back yet? If not I'll send him to Hogwarts later." "I haven't seen him in weeks, he's probably lost again." The whole house buzzed with energy since everyone was running around, packing their things into the car. Granny was reminding them gently of important thing they might have forgotten, at the same time making sandwiches for them so they had something to eat on the train. After they were done, everyone got into the car, which seemed way bigger than before, and they drove to the train station. The drive itself was quite uneventful, except for when Taehyung thought it was a good idea to let Gucci out of her cage. "Taehyung oh my god put that thing back in its cage or I'll throw it out the goddamn window!" Hoseok screeched. Everyone knew that he hated snakes, it was Taehyung's fault really. "Okay okay, calm down! She just looked like she needed cuddles, I'll put her right back." Taehyung groaned.

They arrived at the station and ran through the brick wall with their pets and suitcases. The big red Hogwarts train was as beautiful as they had remembered, with people running around hurriedly and parents saying their goodbyes. As they looked around, Jungkook's eyes landed on a tall, broad-shouldered Hufflepuff prefect, already in his uniform. He was talking to some parents, answering questions and reassuring them that their child would be safe at Hogwarts. Jungkook immediately started running towards him, leaving all his things behind. He shouted: "Hyung! Jin-hyung!" The handsome boy turned around and greeted Jungkook by hugging him tightly. "Kookie! It's great to see you again, I was so worried. When I heard you arrived at Taehyung's I wanted to come too but I was to busy, I'm sorry." Seokjin apologised, gently kissing the top of Jungkook's head. "S'okay, Hyung. Missed you lots." Jungkook answered, his voice muffled by the fabric of Seokjin's uniform and the older snickered fondly. They parted reluctantly and the Seokjin slung an arm around Jungkook's shoulders. "Joonie and I arrived super early so we were able to get a whole compartment to ourselves. I won't be with you for the first fifty minutes or so, I have a prefect meeting. But I'll join you as soon as I can, promise. Joonie is already waiting inside, I told him to stay in the compartment so nobody would take it away from us. Get your stuff inside, I still have to talk to some people." Jungkook nodded and walked back to the other boys. While the youngest was talking to Seokjin, the others got onto the train and put all the suitcases away. Granny gave Jungkook a final goodbye-hug and a loving kiss on his forehead, then she ushered him to join the other boys. He smiled and got onto the train, searching for his friends. They had a compartment at the far back, with comfortable seats and a nice view. "Kook! Let me look at you, kiddo! I haven't seen you ages, you've almost grown a little!" Namjoon exclaimed as he hugged the youngest tightly. "I missed you, Hyung." Jungkook murmured back cutely, which made the others coo at him. The youngest sat down between Yoongi and Jimin, with Yoongi sitting on the side of the window opposite of Taehyung and Jimin sitting next to the compartment door and opposite of Hoseok, Namjoon in the middle of Taehyung and Hoseok.

They conversed lightly, talking about the summer and what they looked forward to at Hogwarts. At some point Seokjin joined them, squeezing himself between Namjoon and Hoseok. They all ate the sandwiches granny made and joked about Ilhyuk and his stupid gang. Koo Ilhyuk was the same age as Taehyung and Jimin and an awful bully. Their groups of friends often clashed, fights ignited by Ilhyuk's hatred for everything that wasn't Pureblood and his stupidly big and mean companions Dottle and Cabley. But they didn't have to worry about that for now, at least. They arrived at the castle when it was already dark and Seokjin had to leave them again to take care of the new tiny first years. When they got to the castle they were were greeted by Peeves, the most mischievous ghost in the history of Hogwarts (and everywhere, really). Taehyung excitedly waved at him: "Peeves! Peeves, I'm back! How was your summer?" "Good good, Taehyung...it's almost nice to see you again. Now excuse me, I have some fresh meat to scare." The ghost said and floated in the direction of the first years. Shortly after, loud and panicked screams erupted, followed by a panicked Hagrid: "Please calm down! Peeves does that every year, but he's a friendly ghost! That's not a real dragon!" This didn't really make the situation better for the scared first years but then the huge gate opened and they were all "rescued" by an annoyed looking Professor McGonagall. Meanwhile, the boys walked into the great hall, sitting down at their respective tables; Yoongi at the Slytherin table, Seokjin and Hoseok at the Hufflepuff table, Namjoon at the Ravenclaw table and Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook at the Gryffindor table. After the sorting ceremony, they all looked at the front podium expectantly. Dumbledore looked at everyone through his old glasses and said: "I hope you all had a nice summer! For those of you who didn't, don't worry, your time at Hogwarts will make up for that. I proudly greet the new faces, full of curiosity and will to learn! Oh and I have an announcement to make: We have a new teacher for Defence Against The Dark Arts; please welcome Professor Hermann Maier! He's an old friend of mine that travelled all the way from Germany just to teach you guys!" As the pupils applauded excitedly, an about forty year old man stepped onto the podium. He had brown hair that already had a few gray streaks in it, although he didn't exactly look old enough to have those. He wore simple blue jeans and a black button-up t-shirt. His face seemed welcoming with a pair of green eyes and a little too big nose, but he looked like somebody that had seen too much. There was some stubble on his chin, but it seemed like it was there intentionally. "Oh uhm yeah thank you Albus. Well, as mentioned before, I'm Hermann Maier! It's nice to meet all of you and I sincerely hope we have a great time together. Thank you for giving me this great opportunity Albus and thank all of you for welcoming me so warmly!" Professor Maier said and walked back to were he sat between Professor Sprout and Professor Snape. "Let the feast begin!" Immediately after Dumbledore said that, all the tables were filled with food. Quiet chatter broke out as pupils and teachers alike conversed about all kinds of things. Jungkook looked around; Jimin was currently hitting Taehyung with a chicken wing because Taehyung had tried to stick a carrot up Jimin's nose. Again. Jungkook smiled fondly and tried to catch a glimpse of his other friends, but unfortunately he couldn't see them over the swarms of heads moving excitedly. So instead, the young Gryffindor looked at Professor Maier. He seemed to be in a deep conversation with Professor Sprout about god-knows-what. Jungkook didn't know what to think of him. He looked like a nice guy with a genuine interest to teach instead of just torturing them cough Snape cough. But Jungkook decided to keep his guard up, just to make sure. He was looking forward to his first lesson with the new Professor.

After finishing their meals, they all went to their respective dorms. Jungkook was sitting on his bed, sneakily looking at Jimin. The older Gryffindor was only in his black underwear, currently searching for his pajama pants. Jungkook's pretty sure he saw Taehyung walk into the bathroom with them earlier, but Jimin didn't need to know that yet. "Like what you see?" Jungkook's staring wasn't as sneaky as he had thought. His face turned red and he slowly layed down on his bed, whole body turned away from Jimin. If he couldn't see Jimin then Jimin couldn't see him. Yes, that's how things work. Jimin chuckled and said: "You know it's okay to look at me, to touch me, to kiss me. We're together after all. I understand that you're shy, it's really cute honestly, but you don't have to be. Not with me, not with Taehyung either. We'll never make fun of you for that. Tease you a little, maybe, but that's all. I hope you understand that. And now come here, I want to cuddle!" Jungkook smiled shyly as he walked over to Jimin's bed and they both layed down, cuddling up to each other. "Tae took my pants, didn't he?" "Yes." "Goddammit." Speaking of the devil, Taehyung entered the bedroom and, upon seeing the tiny cuddle pile, immediately joined the other two.

"Kim Taehyung I love you but I swear to god that if you stuffed my pants into the shower head again I will end you." Jimin angrily whispered into the darkness of the room. Jungkook felt Taehyung tense behind him and giggled quietly. "I don't think I really thanked you for what you did for me, so...thank you. Seriously, I was so down and then you guys came and made everything better. You're my best friends and I-I love you." Jungkook confessed gently. Both Jimin and Taehyung tightened their holds on the Maknae and let out quiet Aaww's, Don't worry about it's and We love you too's. Needless to say, the youngest fell asleep quickly, with nothing on his mind other than Jimin and Taehyung.

Jungkook woke up in the middle of the night. There was a weird feeling surrounding him, something he had never felt before. Like some sort of tugging sensation, but not like when somebody grabbed your arm or something, it felt different. As if his entire being was gently tugged towards the door. Jungkook felt sluggish and groggy from sleep, he didn't want to get up. The two bodies holding him gently were warm and comfortable. So instead he opted for just sitting up. He looked around the room, but everything seemed normal, he didn't feel scared although he never really fancied the darkness. Suddenly Jungkook heard a laugh, an overexcited cackle. It sounded like it was far away, but the boy could still hear it clearly. Weird, he thought, who the hell is laughing so loudly at this hour? Jungkook wasn't unnerved or anything, the laugh sounded quite nice actually, like an old friend inviting him to play. But Jungkook was tired and comfortable, so instead of further listening to the strange sound and wondering about this weird tugging sensation, he went back to sleep peacefully.

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Author's note: So uhm here's chapter two! I'm sorry that I didn't upload anything in such a long time, I was really busy with school and there's a lot of health stuff going on so yeah. But I hope you enjoyed this chapter! What do you think will happen next? Who was laughing so mysteriously in the middle of the night? The plot is definitely going to pick up speed from here! I'll try to upload the next chapter as soon as possible, but as I said before, I'm really busy and my health doesn't look that good. But I always enjoy writing, so hopefully I can continue to do so for a long time! Hihi, I hope you all have a great day!^^

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