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choicesislife-blog · 6 years

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Endless Summer Disney AU

Hello! No one's probably gonna see this...but I just wanted to make a Disney alternate universe of ES and see how I do! Btw, these AU fanfics r made mainly bcs of...my OTPs and ships. If you don't ship that pairing, then don't read it lol.

So...let's start off with the easiest (probably) one!

Jake x Female! MC (Taylor)

Hm. This one's easy for me. I think the movie Tangled suits this couple. I THINK. Here's my explanation:

Taylor, as I'd like to call her, seems like an adventurous and outgoing girl. Much like Rapunzel, who's been locked in a tower for so long by Mother Gothel.

Rapunzel wanted to...explore the world and find out what those lanterns meant to her and stuff like that (No hate pls XD I don't rlly remember much abt the Tangled movie). So I think Taylor & Rapunzel are similar in a way.

Jake and Eugene/Flynn are similar to one another too. Both are practically running away from...idk public life I guess (Eugene/Flynn didn't want to get caught, and Jake...well, I think he's hiding from the public and what-not after the incident with Lundgren). And I guess they both have dry, sarcastic sense of humor.

Btw, just a note, Lila will be Mother Gothel. Maybe. Idk. XD

Zahra x Craig (Namasiao)

Okay. This one's tough. Ihdk what to do with them! They're one of my OTPs in ES (if not, they're my ultimate OTP)! Let me try to elaborate their character traits here...

Zahra is a computer whiz...since she's shown to have hacking skills. So let's say she's a couch potato, who's always sitting in front of her laptop/computer and drinking coffee. I'd assume she likes staying indoors, since it could be implied she's always on her computer. So...which Disney princess/female character stays indoors?

Welp...Cinderella.

I know. I suck at this. XD

Okay, I KNOW Cinderella & Zahra are NOTHING alike. But...they do share a trait of staying indoors. Cinderella stays indoors because she needs to work for her stepmother and stepsisters and what-not...Zahra, meanwhile, stays indoors for her own pleasure and comfort.

I guess Zahra & Cinderella r both dedicated to their work/hardworking...? Cinderella to her chores, and Zahra to...idk hacking?

Craig & the Prince? I don't even know anymore XD I'll try thinking this through. The stepsisters could be...erm...uhhhhh....Michelle & Estela?

Okaydon'tgetmewrongIloveMichelleandEstela

Buuuut for the sake of the story, I feel like...

ERGH! WHY DO THINGS HAVE TO BE SO HARD--

Idk. Estela & Michelle acted a bit hostile towards MC in the beginning...so why not make them the stepsisters?

And if you guessed that Lila will be Lady Tremaine? You're damn right XD

Varynn x Diego (Variego)

This one's tough too. I think...I think the film/series Aladdin is suitable for the pair. Think about it! There's no...boy x boy in Disney movies (I think. Sorry if I'm wrong).

Diego could be Aladdin? Idk. I feel like Diego is the type who wants to explore the world...kinda like Aladdin maybe.

Varynn...I feel like he also wants to explore the world (with Diego duh XD). Idk if he could be Jasmine tho. XD This might be weird...

And Diego can "show him the world" XD

Erm...anyway!

Diego could be Jasmine...since Varynn is the one who rescues Diego and stuff...similar to how Aladdin saves Jasmine buuut for the sake of me not trying so hard, I'll just...make things easier for me XD

Jafar (is that how u spell his name? XD) could be Rourke, I guess...?

Sean x Michelle (Seanelle)

Yay! One of my fave ES ships! Buuuut I had a VERY hard time choosing an appropriate Disney film for them!

I picked Sleeping Beauty to be the Disney film for the couple! Hopefully my explanation can convince you...

Okay, I don't know much about this movie...but I think Aurora & Michelle are similar in a way.

I consider Aurora to be...elegant, regal, and...idk whatever describes her. Michelle can be considered elegant and regal too, I mean c'mon!

Aurora...I guess she could be delicate? Like a rose (cuz uh...Briar Rose?)? XD I suck at this

Michelle could be considered delicate once you break through her shell...

Sean & Prince Philip (however u spell his name)...idk what their similarities are. I guess they're both heroic since they, like, save people?

I don't even know what to do anymore lmao

Grace x Aleister (Graleister)

I had a tough time picking for these two (yes, I know I've said that almost a hundred times now buuuut it's true lol).

I wanted Beauty & the Beast for them both...'cuz...

Grace & Belle r both bookworms

Aleister & the Beast were both hostile towards their love interests at first Buuuuuut...

Eh...I feel like Beauty & the Beast is suitable for another couple tbh. I'll explain that later.

I think Swan Lake/The Swan Princess (even if it isn't a Disney movie) is fitting. Grace's Hadean zodiac sign is the swan/cygnus, so...why not?

Aleister...idk.

I just feel like Swan Lake/The Swan Princess is more suitable, and not Beauty & the Beast.

I honestly wanted it to be Snow White buuut who'd be the seven dwarves? It'll be hard for me lol

Plus, who'll be Grace's father (if I'd pick Beauty & the Beast for the pairing)? XD XD

Estela x Male! MC (Travis)

This one's hard too......

Maybe Mulan could do? XD Idk.

I'm a Chinese so it's REALLY hard for me to pinpoint which Disney movie is suitable for that certain pairing.

Estela is warrior-like in a way, and she's capable of fighting and doing her own stunts. Travis, as I prefer to call him, isn't as...skilled as Estela (as what I've observed in the ES books...).

Eh, I don't really know.

Instead of having Estela as Mulan and Travis as Shang...why not swap it? XD Estela cld be Shang so she'd train Travis (who is Mulan)...and what-not.

...Moving on.

Malatesta x Yvonne (Malavonne)

This may be my favorite storyline...

I was doing a bit of research...

And I thought, "Why not Beauty and the Beast?"

Okay. Even if I decided to erase this thing from my head, I still think B&B is suitable.

Think about it, B&B (Beauty & the Beast) took place in France. In the beginning, the townspeople greet each other and/or Belle with a "Bonjour!" which is "Hello." in French.

Yvonne & Malatesta r French so...why not?

Who'll be the father tho, you may wonder...

Soooo...Belle's father is named Maurice. And we don't know Yvonne's father so...

...I kinda, sorta, maybe, changed some details.

So instead of having a father for Yvonne/Belle...I just changed it to a brother! ...Since Yvonne has a younger brother named Patrice! How convenient!

Well, Yvie & Mal clearly didn't get along much at first, but they soon opened up to one another (like before I guess?). Similarly to Belle & the Beast.

Quinn x Kele (Idk what to call this ship lol)

Not really a shipper of this, but it seems cute I guess. (No hate if u don't like this ship lol pls)

The Disney film I chose for them is...the Little Mermaid!

Cuz...umm...Quinn is a dolphin lover and dolphins r kinda similar to mermaids... Okay, idk if Kele cld be Prince Eric tho...

Maybe, maybe not.

They seem like the type of guys who venture throughout the world and stuff like that...so I could see similarities.

Quinn cld def be Ariel, since they both want to go out to the world and live the moment...

Onto the friendships!

Estela & Quinn

Okay, this isn't a ship. This is simply like a Brotp. Upon doing some research, I thought of...Frozen!

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Frozen, but I feel like Frozen can suit their friendship.

I thought Michelle could be Elsa...but, eh...I kinda changed my mind. Estela and Elsa are similar to one another. They're quick to anger (I guess?), introverted, and they don't want their loved ones to get hurt. And plus, their names start with an 'e' and end with an 'a'...

Quinn & Anna are similar to one another. They're both outgoing, sociable, and bubbly. However, Anna gets a frozen heart bcs of her sister Elsa and it can cause her death. Quinn, meanwhile, has Rotterdam's.

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pbmychoices · 6 years

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How about some cute couples to get us to tomorrow 💕

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garlickk · 6 years

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This is so beautiful🌺

#endless summer #es #jake mckenzie #jake x mc #michelle nguyen #sean gayle #aleister rourke #grace hall #quinn kelly #kele #handfasting ceremony

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queenrojpag · 6 years

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#playchoices #endless summer #quinn x kele

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quinnkellyacutalmermaid-blog · 6 years

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Flirting between Kele and Quinn seems harmless enough. (Even though i am still steamed about it) But i stg if it continues throughout the next chapter imma lose my mind. We shouldn't just be forced to sit there and watch some random dude chatting her up. This is making me hate Kele even though he seems like a well enough dude. Idk kinda hoping they right him out of the group or just shut down the flirting all together...but who knows with pb 😧😧

#shes my wife ill fight you kele #pls just leave #quinn kelly #quinn erin kelly #endless summer book 3 #endless summer #quinn x mc #playchoices #pixelberry

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princediavolos · 3 years

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every clue in endless summer, explained

technically the title is kinda misleading because some clues simply have no explanation, they just are. still, there’s a lot of pieces to be put together over the three books, and there are clues found in the first book that aren’t explained till the last one. (if you’re confused about the clues, here’s the fandom wiki for book 1, book 2 & book 3.)

before i dive in, here’s some clarifications:

i’ve used mc’s default name, taylor, and neutral pronouns wherever i’ve referred to them. the endless is also referred to by neutral pronouns.

acts 1, 2 & 3 fall under book 1

acts 4, 5 & 6 fall under book 2

acts 7 & 8 fall under book 3

each act has one bonus scene, so if i’m referring to bonus scene 5, it implies to the scene shown after act 5.

ok so unnecessarily long exposition under the cut!

ACT 1

i. tranquilizer dart: found by taylor and diego upon landing on the airstrip. presumably used on the sabretooth, t'kal, to keep it docile. likely done by rourke or his henchmen, but it is also highly possible the endless tranquilized t'kal in order to keep it from killing everyone.

ii. strange creature: a colourful flying seahorse, found by quinn and taylor along the beach in a premium scene. as shown in bonus scene 1, rourke knows of the creature, as he examines it with interest through his binoculars.

iii. weird lights: lights resembling the auroras displayed at the control tower, found by taylor and jake. it is later explained in book 2 chapter 10 by grace, that the lights are caused by the doppler effect, due to the dilation and contraction of time around la huerta. the vaanti call it the lights of vaanu, said to bring them good luck.

iv. vintage wine: if taylor goes to the ballroom with zahra, quinn notes that every bottle in the room predates 1924. as revealed in book 3 chapter 7, the wedding in the ballroom was that of flora and arthur, and group arrived there due to the time anomalies of the island.

v. sharp tooth: found by grace by the pool, near the fence. according to her, the bars were all twisted. presumably belongs to t'kal the sabretooth.

vi. old note: a note found by taylor and diego in one of the upgraded honeymoon/rainforest suites. it was written by flora sullivan to eugene rosencraft, before her wedding to arthur barnaby. it also references neptune cove, where the second half of the island's heart is found in book 3.

vii. pirate coin/wolf symbol: can be obtained either by going to the waterfall with quinn, or by hiking the cliff with jake. the doubloon is probably a remnant of malatesta and yvonne's loot, while the wolf symbol could have been left behind by the endless. the symbol also matches the stamp on jake's dossier.

viii. shoe prints: a set of muddy shoeprints were found by the celestial's shelter. no solid explanation or implication towards who these belong to.

ix. gas mask: found by taylor underwater in the cavern. it looks very old, and as noted by diego, probably from the world war times. it would have probably belonged to kele, a world war ii soldier who paddled his way into la huerta while escaping from the germans.

x. padlock: the unbroken padlock to the burning hangar, which implies that the hangar was unlocked and jake's plane sabotaged. in one of the memories taylor receives from the endless, lila is shown to deliberately sabotage the plane in order to keep everyone on the island, implying she may have done it in this timeline, too.

ACT 2

i. cufflink: lila is discovered pocketing the cufflink in rourke's office, which she probably did to discover his whereabouts later on. in bonus scene 2, rourke is shown to remove all his clothing, including his cufflinks, before he steps into the containment pod. the cufflink can also be used in book 1 chapter 10, where rourke's dna on it reveals a footage video of him complaining about strange occurrences on the island.

ii. dossiers: files containing data on sean, grace, raj and estela are found in the paper shredder, intact. each of them is stamped with symbols of the constellations aquila, cygnus, centaurus and draco respectively. the symbols are left behind by the endless.

iii. whiskey notes: a note discarded by rourke in the vip lounge, referencing the satellite uplink at the la huerta observatory. this is also shown in bonus scene 2.

iv. frying pan: a frying pan embossed with the centaurus symbol on it, which raj says he feels very drawn to. this was also left behind by the endless. he also uses this pan to deflect a sedative dart aimed at taylor in book 1 chapter 16.

v. arrowhead: an amber arrowhead is found lodged inside the king crab's shell, as found by taylor and estela. as the vaanti have been shown to use amber weaponry (as well as in other ways, such as the catalyst idols), it is implied that one of them may have attacked the guardian with an arrow.

vi. dossiers: files containing data on jake, zahra and diego found in the room inside the observatory. they are stamped with the symbols of the constellations lupus, corvus and canis. symbols left behind by the endless.

vii. strange gun: a futuristic gun found by either estela or jake. in book 1 chapter 16, it is revealed to be a tachyon accelerator, used to move objects forward in time. in bonus scene 5, lila refers to the gun as a temporal perforator.

viii. star map: a holographic display of constellations, as seen by taylor and sean as they go up the pod. sean points out that the stars in the sky over la huerta don't have the usual constellations, and that the stars have not looked like this for a million years. this is confirmed in the book 1 epilogue, when aleister notes that atropo's eruption has caused la huerta to go back to the hadean eon.

ACT 3

i. dossiers: files containing data on quinn, michelle and craig found by taylor and diego by the marina. they are stamped with the symbols of the constellations delphinus, pavo and ursa. symbols left behind by the endless.

ii. rourke's ship: if taylor and lila venture into a familiar-looking boat, they will discover it is rourke's ship, the daedalus. he was seen on the ship in bonus scene 1, and he presumably destroyed it along with the other boats on the marina immediately afterwards.

iii. plastic explosive: the semtex explosive is found by taylor in the back of the boat. it's what was used to blow up the other ships in the marina, but this one malfunctioned.

iv. strange shell: a blue-purple coloured shell that repeats the speaker's words over and over. in one of the memories taylor receives from the endless, varyyn is seen tearfully listening to the shell echoing diego's voice, saying 'i'll always love you, varyyn' over and over again as it gradually fades away.

v. telepathic vision: varyyn telepathically communicates with taylor, showing them what would happen if the catalysts didn't go with the vaanti. it is later revealed to be a depiction of atropo erupting, setting the whole world on fire and destroying it.

vi. numbers: in the wine cellar, 1908 refers to a lever to the underground tunnel, disguised as a vintage wine bottle, as well as the cheat code to rourke's arcade game, most wanted 2. rourke also uses an override program on iris called the directive 1908, explained in book 3 chapter 9, which makes iris prioritise the goal she was created for -- to utilise imogen rourke's knowledge on cloning to provide an heir to rourke. another program, directive 8091, forces estela into the omega mech cockpit in book 3 chapter 10, as she is rourke's 'true' heir.

vii. dossiers: files on taylor and aleister are found inside the security centre, both stamped by the endless with symbols of constellations andromeda and serpens. aleister's dossier is newer, printed recently by iris upon discovering that he was aboard the plane to la huerta.

viii. healing plant: leaves of the plant, when wrapped around aleister's bleeding palm, heal it with unnatural speed without a trace. grace and aleister theorize this may be due to some cellular reconstructive properties the leaves may contain.

ix. necklace: worn by varyyn in book 1, the necklace is seen to have time travelling properties, as it brings back jake/estela/sean/quinn/diego back from the dead. it is unknown if the endless facilitated its use or it is associated with rourke.

x. pirate cutlass: the cutlass was forged by malatesta and was stolen from him by admiral higgenbotham, who was presumably killed alongside malatesta's crew in the flashback taylor experiences, by the vaanti. yvonne then stole the cutlass from higgenbotham's corpse, naming it chouchou. it is unclear as to how the cutlass ended up on a display case at the celestial.

ACT 4

i. hydra caduceus: a staff found in rourke's library, which when placed in the statue's hand in the atrium, turns it into a sundial. iris says that the caduceus is the only item in the library she cannot find the origin of.

ii. crimson glove: a futuristic, yet battered metal glove put on display in rourke's underground museum; taylor realises that the person's arm was probably cut off. the glove belongs to the endless, who tells taylor that they learnt very soon that 'the laws of time can be very unforgiving' with reference to their loss of limb.

iii. shotgun shell: michelle and taylor find the 12-gauge armor-piercing shell casing, as identified by jake, during the time loop. he notes that whoever shot this meant business. the shell probably came from one of the arachnids who were on the island searching for jake.

iv. snowy hills: taylor, with either jake or estela, finds snow on the hills and by the lake on a hot and sunny day, indicating time is in disarray throughout different parts of the island, much like the northern and southern parts of the island.

v. wedding ring: a wedding ring is found on the hand of a statue of a masked bride, in the valley of tombs by jake and taylor. the statue is of flora sullivan, and the ring was given to her by eugene rosencraft which she had turned down. it was after this she wrote him the note found in act 1.

vi. tattoo: uqzhaal has a back tattoo of the legend of the threshold. it is the place where yvonne finds the endless in bonus scene 5, and where yvonne, taylor and uqzhaal meet the endless after collecting all the catalyst idols and solving the puzzle.

vii. words on the wind: the voices at the singing cliffs tell taylor that something is coming across the sea, destroying everything in its path. this could either be an immediate reference to yvonne's arrival the next morning, or a vague prediction about the omega mech used by rourke in book 3.

viii. musket ball: yvonne concedes the gold musket ball at sharktooth isle in exchange for their services to find her 'treasure.'

ix. antique compass: yvonne's said treasure turns out to be an antique compass which she tries to conceal; malatesta made her walk the plank for stealing this compass, which she did in order to find the fountain of youth. the compass also leads her to the threshold in bonus scene 5.

x: oath blade: seraxa's gift to taylor for saving taari, saying that debts must be repaid in accordance with vaanti culture. she is shown to threaten the catalysts with this blade in book 2 chapter 4.

ACT 5

i. silver sap: the sap that drips from elyy'stel's tree aids the catalysts to walk in between dimensions. it is the consumption of this sap by eugene and flora that gradually turned them feral and eventually into the vaanti.

ii. deep fissure: if taylor keeps rewinding until they can't go any further, right up to the ancient sea, the catalysts witness the forming of a fissure in the ocean bed. this fissure was caused by vaanu crash-landing on the earth, and it eventually becomes mount atropo, and forms the bubble surrounding la huerta.

iii. the island's heart: one half of the island's heart, which was formed right in the crux of the volcano, found by the catalysts in the base of elyy'stel's tree.

iv. the mask maker: the masks worn by the vaanti bear the name of their maker, rosencraft & sons, 1921. this explains the masks worn by guests at flora and arthur's wedding, which also took place in the rosencraft manor. the rosencrafts were said to be bankrupt, and that the estate belonged to the banks.

v. burning shard: a burning crystal shard that glows green and reacts the same way that quinn did while possessed by the island's heart. it is one of many crystal shards scattered across the island, originating from the crux of the volcano.

vi. mansingh crater: a crater found near the chasm bears the name of mansingh transglobal tech, the company run by grace's mother, blaire hall. it is suspicious to both taylor and grace, as it implies blaire hall was somehow involved with rourke. no further explanation has been made about the crater.

vii. newspaper clipping: a scrap of an article is found by taylor in the elysian lodge, detailing the deaths of arjun and subhanu sethi due to a car accident, also killing their son and putting their daughter in a critical condition. this daughter is lila, and this article implies that rourke (or someone else) was doing a background research on lila.

viii. rourke's note: an old note written by rourke to look into the new junior researcher, as they look familiar. this is most likely a reference to olivia montoya, although it is not known where he recognises her from.

ACT 6

i. rourke's plan: out of agitation, lila blurts out rourke's plan to save the world through a machine at the masada facility. this machine turns out to be the omega mech, and rourke's plan happens to be controlling the world and its people's existence on his whims.

ii. tracking device: a tracking device is found by taylor, attached to the yeti's fur. this was placed there by the arachnid. this tracking device relays location details back to them, as seen in the military humvee by michelle, jake and taylor, where the code name for the yeti is arktos.

iii. garbled message: a distorted voice reveals the date and coordinates of jake's location, received by the arachnid through an anonymous transmission, which is how they came upon la huerta in the first place. this voice belongs to jake himself, who did so using a 'time-phone' in order to merge realities and help them escape through a helicopter from the masada facility.

iv. crashed satellite: varyyn, while talking about shooting stars, says a satellite once crashed to the ground from the skies. it is probably a stray satellite that got caught in the la huerta time bubble, or it belonged to rourke.

v. omega mech: olivia montoya demonstrates rourke's plans for the omega specimen, aka the endless, through a vr headset. she urges the viewer to understand the destruction the specimen, and rourke, are capable of.

vi. missing guests: rourke claimed that the guests at the celestial were evacuated in time at the beginning of the book, but it is shown that he had them put in containment pods. as seen in bonus scene 4, lundgren and the other arachnids were a part of these guests, but were released by rourke upon striking a deal with him to capture jake.

vii. charred skeletons: skeletons of people are found in the flames and ashes at hartfeld, proving that people did not escape the eruption.

viii. havana cigar: lundgren's cigar at the masada facility implies that he was snooping around where he shouldn't, and that he didn't trust rourke. this distrust is confirmed in bonus scene 6.

ACT 7

i. temple/ancient map: if taylor, yvonne and uqzhaal find the endless, they will give the whereabouts of no'ox naj temple to yvonne, where the fountain of youth exists. if they don't find the endless, taylor and yvonne find a carving of the la huerta map on the walls at the threshold, also hinting towards the temple. the whole group meets the endless for the first time in this temple in book 3 chapter 4.

ii. scout: a mechanical spider with a spy camera is found by taylor while they go windsurfing to win malatesta's bet. like the tracker on the yeti, this was also placed by the arachnid to track down their locations.

iii. padlock: a weathered padlock bearing the inscription, 'no land, no sea, no one will keep us apart. flora & eugene, 1920,' found by taylor in a coral reef. after turning down eugene's proposal (the ring clue, book 2), she tried to make it up to him with this padlock and by asking him to show up at neptune cove (the note clue, book 1). when he failed to show up, flora gave up on him and somehow ended up in a forced marriage to arthur barnaby a year later.

iv. pen: a tarnished silver pen bearing grace's name is found in the shrine at no'ox naj temple. it is implausible that she was at the temple, as she was under rourke's custody the whole time. it is also the same pen seen in grace's catalyst idol, returned to her by aleister and ultimately found near professor diaz's car which she had smashed up.

v. silver sap: one of the drinks served at the anachronists' party at quarr'tel is the silver sap from elyys'tel's tree. the creation of the vaanti myth, which is said to have started at a masquerade theme wedding, is that of flora and arthur's, where the former gets shot after confessing her love for eugene at the wedding. in an attempt to save her, eugene gives her some of this sap. this consumption eventually turns them into the feral vaanti.

vi. spirit's identity: the anachronist, clockmaker, refers to the faceless spirit as vaanu. in reality, vaanu is simply an alien being from another planet (the prism dimension) who crash landed on earth when its planet was destroyed. upon communing with vaanu, taylor discovers they are vaanu's creation, made for the purpose of returning la huerta to its normal state, allowing vaanu's departure.

vii. aleister's note: aleister writes a note to grace, apologising to her, and how he feels genuine remorse over his betrayal. he mentions that he hopes to redeem himself in her eyes.

ACT 8:

i. painting: at the rosencraft manor, there's a painting titled 'depiction of the divine' portraying rourke writing the ten commandments dressed in roman attire. the attire probably matches the statue of himself in the atrium, which opens up the sundial to his museum.

ii. communicator: the anachronists provide sean, raj and michelle with antique communicators which lets them coordinate the attack on cetus.

iii. path to the core: vaanu shows quinn the way to the core of the volcano, where the island's heart belongs. this core is the place where vaanu landed on earth.

iv. molten crystals: a crystal orb with claw markings in it, made by the oryctoraptor that dwells inside the volcano. referred to by varyyn as the deep guardian, it is the most reclusive of the four. it is also responsible for the orb found in the cavern in book 1 chapter 5, and possibly the orb that causes the time loop in book 2 chapter 2.

v. the endless' musings: zahra finds a diary belonging to the endless at the base of the volcano, in which they speak of how the sentience of the crystals probably drew the four guardians (cetus, king crab, yeti, oryctoraptor) to establish order on the island, but they were driven mad. the endless also believes it is possible the crystal created the creatures. this is possible, as it would explain the existence of the colourful seahorse, t'kal and furball (although they have not been affected like the guardians have.)

vi. closing words: the closing words spoken by seraxa during the handfasting ceremony, which is customary as 'it was for the first bride and her beloved.' they are the same words that were engraved in the padlock that flora made for eugene.

#if any of you have ANY doubts or you think i'm wrong anywhere please hmu!!#anw i know a lot of this is paywalled content but there are worse paywalls ://#at least we having fun here paying diamonds and watching our friends die 😁#endless summer #playchoices #*

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sceptilemasterr · 2 years

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Endless Winter (ES Book 2) Act 1, Scene 8 - High Council of the Vaanti

Title: Endless Winter

Main Pairings: Estela x Ian (M!MC), Jake x Alyssa (F!MC)

Other Pairings: Craig x Zahra, Grace x Aleister, Michelle x Quinn, Diego x Varyyn

Genre: Full Rewrite

Rating: PG-13 for swearing, violence, alcohol, and sexuality

Summary: The Catalysts are escorted through the city of Elyys'tel, where their fates will be decided.

Previous Scene: Lord of the Waves

Masterlist: Link

CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains a scene involving a character's struggles after being outed as gay. If such content is triggering or otherwise discomforting for you, please feel free to skip over this chapter; a link to the next one has been provided here for your convenience:

Next Chapter: Trial by Water

EXT. ELYYS’TEL - DAY

Escorted by a troop of warriors, Estela helps a still half-conscious Ian along as they and the others are brought to the base of the great tree that was seen earlier. Kele is notably absent from the group as they approach the tree. From up close, its true scale becomes apparent: the trunk alone is wider than a skyscraper, and countless branches strewn with walkways and staircases crisscross the area, making it seem even more massive. Seraxa signals to someone up above, and a wooden elevator descends, allowing the group to enter the city itself.

RAJ: Duuuuude... this is so dope--

One of the warriors pokes him in the back with a spear, and he yelps in surprise.

RAJ: Okay, okay! I’m going!

The remainder of their journey continues in silence as they are escorted along the winding walkways. Countless Vaanti civilians stare at them, a myriad of emotions evident on their faces: fear, awe, surprise, reverence, curiosity. As they continue walking, Varyyn starts to stir.

VARYYN (groggily): Marr sahn...

The two warriors carrying him immediately stop, setting him gently on his feet. Varyyn looks around, confused, and then spots Diego.

VARYYN: Diego! I do not-- What has happened?

DIEGO (shrugs): It’s... a long story.

As they continue through the city, Diego fills Varyyn in on what he missed. Finally, the group arrives at the entrance of an ornate set of double doors, carved into the trunk of the great tree itself. Seraxa turns to face Alyssa and the others, a prideful smirk upon her face.

SERAXA: Prepare yourselves, Catalysts. The Tribunal awaits.

_______________________

INT. ELYYS’TEL THRONE ROOM - DAY

The great double doors swing open, revealing a vast chamber into which the Hartfeld students and Jake are quickly shepherded inside. The Vaanti warriors file in behind them. At the far end of the room is an ornate wooden throne that appears to grow directly into the wall of the tree itself. Seated in the throne is an older Vaanti woman, her clothing significantly more ornate than anything seen previously. She wears an elaborate red headdress and gazes down at the new arrivals with a stern expression mixed with curiosity. This is XIMAEDRA.

XIMAEDRA: War-Chief Seraxa. Keeper Uqzhaal. What is the meaning of this?

SERAXA: These outsiders attacked our prince! They attempted to destroy the Temple of Canis, and--

MICHELLE: What? No we didn’t--

TUPAAN, a Vaanti wearing a ram’s head mask, hits Michelle sharply in the leg with the blunt end of his spear.

TUPAAN: Quiet!

XIMAEDRA (dismissively): And why bring them here? Exile them to Sharktooth Isle and be done with it.

Seraxa nods, her expression triumphant, but before she can give any orders to her warriors, Uqzhaal hobbles forward. He declares, surprisingly loudly:

UQZHAAL: I would invoke the Rule of Tribunal!

Seraxa glares at him as Varyyn’s jaw drops. Diego looks over at him, confused, as the other Vaanti all begin talking excitedly amongst themselves in the Vaant’igua language. Seraxa and two other Vaanti warriors, a man named VILOKO and a woman named CALVIA, take up positions on either side of Ximaedra’s throne.

ALEISTER: What on Earth is a “Rule of Tribunal?”

VARYYN: A process by which they shall judge your fate. Three will speak against you, and three in your defense...

SEAN: All right, that’s not so bad. I’ll do it--

Sean approaches the throne, but another warrior pushes him back. Varyyn shakes his head and frowns.

VARYYN: The speakers must be citizens of Elyys'tel. Outsiders are not permitted to speak for the Tribunal--

ZAHRA: What? That’s bullshit! How the hell are we supposed to--

Uqzhaal hobbles back toward the group, turning to face Seraxa, Calvia, and Viloko.

UQZHAAL: I shall speak for the accused.

Varyyn and Diego exchange a glance. Varyyn then nods and steps forward to stand beside Uqzhaal.

VARYYN: As shall I.

XIMAEDRA: Varyyn, what is the meaning of--

VARYYN: I know Diego’s heart. He is no destroyer.

Ximaedra sighs.

XIMAEDRA: ...Very well. And the third?

Uqzhaal and Varyyn exchange a glance. Jake nudges Diego.

JAKE: Any chance you’re close enough with these guys to step up?

Diego shakes his head.

DIEGO (apologetically): Sure, I know them well enough, but I’m still an outsider. Sorry.

XIMAEDRA: ...Does a third citizen of Elyys’tel deign to speak in defense of the accused?

There is an awkward silence. Seraxa crosses her arms and gazes triumphantly down at Uqzhaal and Varyyn. Varyyn looks back at the other warriors in the room, hoping for assistance, but no one volunteers.

SERAXA: As we are all well aware, without a third citizen willing to stand in defense of the accused, the Tribunal is forfeit. It would seem--

A thick mist suddenly fills the entire chamber, making it impossible to see anything.

VILOKO: Saneha?! Anco jest--

XIMAEDRA (calmly): It would seem they have their third defender, War-Chief.

The mist dissipates as abruptly as it had appeared, swirling out the windows and doors. Kele is now standing beside Varyyn and Uqzhaal, facing the throne.

RAJ: Wait a sec... who the...

KELE: That’s right, Elyyshar. I will speak for the accused.

SERAXA: You would interfere again, Wave-Lord?

KELE: I’m a citizen, aren’t I? I have that right.

Seraxa sighs and crosses her arms, but says nothing more. Kele nods back at the Hartfeld group.

KELE: Looks like I’m saving you all again, aren’t I?

JAKE: Listen, Mr. Waterbender, you owe us a lot of explanation after all this--

XIMAEDRA: Silence. The defenders may speak first. Varyyn?

Varyyn takes a step forward, addressing Ximaedra directly.

VARYYN: Mother. Members of the Tribunal. You know that I have never given any of you reason to distrust me. And neither has the one we call Canis.

He turns, gesturing toward Diego.

VARYYN: For five sheaves of days now, I have spent more time with Diego than has any other citizen of Elyys’tel. I have worked alongside him, traveled with him, stood by him. I have taught him of our ways, and in turn he has taught all of us his language. And I wish to point out that in all this time, he did not once attempt to harm us or flee from us. In truth, as you all have witnessed, he has made every effort to try to understand us.

Diego gives Varyyn a grateful smile. The Vaanti warrior turns back to face the crowd.

VARYYN: And so I ask all of you, citizens of Elyys’tel: do we not owe him that same courtesy? Should we not make the effort to try and understand Diego’s people, just as he was willing to understand us? I believe we should. “For Time’s great cycle ever repeats, and that which is given, in Time one shall receive.”

There is a brief muttering among the Vaanti warriors. Varyyn gives a short bow and steps backward. Ximaedra smiles proudly for a moment, then turns serious.

XIMAEDRA: Well said, Varyyn. And now for the opposition. War-Chief Seraxa?

Seraxa nods and steps forward, glaring angrily at Varyyn before turning to face the rest of the crowd.

SERAXA: Hydra. Lyra.

Fear and anger ripple through the room in equal measure. Estela frowns in confusion as she leans in to whisper to Ian:

ESTELA: That’s the second time now she’s mentioned “Hydra.” What’s that about?

IAN (whispering): No idea.

SERAXA: We trusted outsiders once before, and we all remember how that story ended. They betrayed us. Tried to destroy us! Kidnapped the children of Vaanu from this very city! And now you would repeat that very same mistake? I refuse to risk another betrayal. Exile them and be done with it.

Seraxa stops talking and takes a step back, gazing out at the assembled Vaanti warriors around the chamber. Ximaedra nods.

XIMAEDRA: You are finished, War-Chief?

SERAXA: I am.

XIMAEDRA: Very well. Keeper Uqzhaal, you may speak.

Uqzhaal takes a few slow steps forward.

GRACE (quietly): I don’t like this.

ALYSSA: Yeah, the war-chief really hates us. I hope the old guy’s got a good argument...

UQZHAAL: War-Chief, you speak of the one we call Hydra, and the betrayal that he committed. Yet you would treat these outsiders the same, despite Hydra being their enemy as well! You forget that I was with them when the Temple of Canis was set alight. I witnessed with my own eyes as Hydra attempted to burn them alive within it! They are no friends of his, I can assure you that much.

SERAXA (angrily): They are still outsiders! This--

XIMAEDRA: Silence, War-Chief. You speak out of turn.

Seraxa bows her head, embarrassed at her sudden outburst. After a moment, Uqzhaal continues:

UQZHAAL: You mentioned as well the betrayal that Lyra inflicted upon us. How she took the children of Vaanu from our people, depriving us of such a blessing, and then sent her warriors to attack us, nearly burning Elyys’tel to the ground.

JAKE (whispering): Hey, ain’t he supposed to be on our side? That doesn’t sound like a defense.

SEAN (whispering): Yeah, I really hope he knows what he’s doing...

UQZHAAL: Yet none of you have recognized what is plain to see! That betrayal--that tragedy--has been corrected!

Uqzhaal suddenly turns and approaches the Hartfeld group, walking straight toward Alyssa and Ian. He uses his staff to reach out and pull the two of them forward, out of the group and into the space directly in front of Ximaedra’s throne. The Czasa twins look around in confusion as Uqzhaal declares:

UQZHAAL (proudly): At long last, the children of Vaanu are returned to us!

The entire chamber erupts in an uproar. Excitement, anger, and confusion can be felt in equal measure despite most of the words spoken being in the Vaant’igua language. Alyssa and Ian exchange confused glances, clearly bewildered.

SERAXA: Uqzhaal, how can you know that? Your gluptala fantasies have blinded you--

UQZHAAL (exasperated): Hydra vezm, War-Chief! I was there! I saw that one summon the Vaanulux with my own eyes!

He points to Ian.

IAN: What’s a ‘Vaan...’ uh, thing?

SERAXA: You see?! They do not even know our ways! They cannot be--

XIMAEDRA (booming): ENOUGH!

The entire room immediately goes silent. Ximaedra rises from her throne, stepping forward to stand between Seraxa and Uqzhaal. She takes a moment to allow her analytical gaze to sweep over first Ian, then Alyssa.

XIMAEDRA: If what you say is true, Keeper Uqzhaal... then we have not only the children of Vaanu, but truly the Thirteen Catalysts of legend standing in our midst. It may be a grave mistake to punish them.

Seraxa flinches, looking as though she desperately wants to object, but she holds her tongue. Ximaedra turns back to face Uqzhaal.

XIMAEDRA: If what you say is true. In order to know for certain, we shall need proof of this matter before proceeding. Tupaan? Sixal?

Tupaan and SIXAL, a female warrior wearing a golden mask, step forward.

XIMAEDRA: Go to the Temple of... hmm, Cygnus should do. Retrieve the vaalta there and bring it to us. We shall know the truth of Keeper Uqzhaal’s claim soon enough.

SIXAL: Yes, my elyyshar.

She and Tupaan move to leave the throne room, but Uqzhaal stops them with his staff.

UQZHAAL: Wait! There is no need. I have the vaalta of Canis right here.

He reaches into his satchel and withdraws the dog-headed statue he had taken from the temple earlier, holding it out before Ximaedra.

XIMAEDRA: Ah! Yes, this will work nicely. Keeper Uqzhaal, you have said nothing to the outsiders of the vaalta?

UQZHAAL: That is correct. They know nothing of our stories.

XIMAEDRA: Excellent. Will this suffice, War-Chief?

SERAXA: Yes. We shall witness their ignorance soon enough.

Uqzhaal turns and gestures to Diego, who steps nervously forward. Uqzhaal hands him the statue.

UQZHAAL: Canis. Take the vaalta.

DIEGO (hesitantly): Uh... okay.

He takes it, but nothing happens. Uqzhaal gestures toward the twins.

UQZHAAL: Let them touch it.

Diego approaches the twins and holds out the idol. Realization dawns on both Alyssa and Ian as they understand what the Vaanti are trying to do.

ALYSSA: Oh! They want us to--

IAN (simultaneously): Is this about the--

They reach out to touch the statue. The moment all three of them are touching it, a familiar blinding flash of light envelops the twins. When it clears, they are standing in the living room of a small house, near the front door. Ian and Alyssa stumble back in shock when they see it.

ALYSSA (emotionally): I... this is...

IAN (shocked): Home.

The two of them look almost on the verge of tears at the familiar sight. Before they can react further, the door swings open to reveal YOUNG IAN and YOUNG ALYSSA, about 12 years old, their backpacks slung over their shoulders. Behind them, looking terrified and so nervous that he seems to wish he could disappear on the spot, is an equally YOUNG DIEGO. He is disheveled, his hair messy and his clothes wrinkled. His own backpack is stuffed to bursting, and he holds a wrinkled bedsheet in his hands.

YOUNG IAN: It’ll be okay. I promise! They love you.

YOUNG DIEGO (shakily): I thought m-my parents did, too. And then--

YOUNG ALYSSA: Well, they’re stupid! None of that should matter. Want me to go yell at them for you? I could totally do that!

The adult Ian and Alyssa exchange a glance.

ALYSSA: This is... It’s another memory.

IAN: Yeah. Wait--you’ve seen this, too?

ALYSSA: Not this one, but... same concept. Wait, hang on--!

IAN (sighs): Yeah, I’ve seen one too. Gotta say, it’s really weird seeing ourselves like this.

ALYSSA: No kidding--

She stops talking as footsteps can be heard from upstairs. The younger Alyssa, Ian, and Diego enter the living room and shut the door. A woman in her late 40’s, her black hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, walks down the stairs as the adult twins’ gazes are immediately drawn to her. This is BECKY CZASA, Alyssa and Ian’s adoptive mother.

IAN: Mom!

ALYSSA (simultaneously): Mom!

Without thinking, the two of them approach their mother, only to be interrupted as the younger Ian runs up to Becky, sprinting right through his older self in the process. The older Ian glances down and sighs, shaking his head.

IAN: Right. Memory.

BECKY: Hi, Ian! How was schoo--

She abruptly stops talking mid-sentence as she catches sight of Diego, taking in his disheveled appearance.

BECKY (concerned): Diego! Oh my Lord, what happened? You look like a mess! What’s wrong--

Diego flinches and attempts to hide behind Alyssa. Ian takes a deep breath and looks back at his sister and his best friend. Alyssa gives him a nod.

YOUNG IAN (nervously): Mom... uh... something did happen. It’s kind of a big deal. I... um... I don’t really know where to start. How to explain... um... it’s...

YOUNG ALYSSA (shouting): Diego’s gay, Mom!

Diego looks even more terrified. Ian fixes his sister with an angry glare.

YOUNG IAN: ‘Lyss!

YOUNG ALYSSA: What? You were taking too long. (furiously) Mom, if you think you’re about to kick Diego out like his mom did, then I’m kicking myself out, too! Nobody deserves to be treated like this for somethin’ they don’t choose! You don’t--

BECKY: What? Alyssa, please, I am not--

YOUNG ALYSSA: --and it's such a big bunch of crap, too! He’s so scared, and everyone keeps bullying him, and now even his own family won’t--

BECKY: Alyssa, listen to me--

YOUNG ALYSSA: --so if you and Dad think you can keep treating him like this, like everyone else does, than me and Ian are runnin’ away with him, you got that? You kick him out, you kick all of us out! I'm not gonna--

BECKY (suddenly shouting): Alyssa Meghan Agbayani Czasa!

Alyssa abruptly stops talking. Becky shakes her head, an amused smile on her face.

BECKY: I know you care about your friend. But your father and I would never dream of treating him any different because of who he loves! Diego, you have always been welcome in our home, and that has not changed. That will never change, do you understand?

The younger Alyssa blushes heavily at the realization that her whole rant was for nothing. The adult Alyssa, watching the vision, blushes heavily as well, from secondhand embarrassment. Ian gives her an amused smile.

ALYSSA: God, was I really that quick to start yelling all the time back then?

IAN: And I could barely work up the nerve to say anything at all. Wow...

ALYSSA (playfully): Not much has changed on that front.

IAN: That goes for both of us, y’know.

They share an amused grin before turning their attention back to the memory. Becky approaches Diego and bends down to pull him into a tight hug as Diego starts sobbing into her shoulder.

BECKY: Shh. It’s okay. You’re safe here.

YOUNG DIEGO (sobbing): I thought... I thought you’d--

YOUNG IAN: Mom? That’s why... I wanted to ask if he can stay with us. His parents kicked him out. He had to sleep on a couch in the library last night! And he barely had anything to eat besides my lunch from today! He needs--

BECKY: Of course he can stay. As long as he needs to, he can stay.

Becky stands up and gives young Ian a smile.

BECKY: He’s no stranger to that guest room of ours, after all! Come on, you three. Let’s get you all some food.

YOUNG DIEGO (tearfully): Thank you, Mrs. Czasa. Thank you. I-- thank you!

As the older Ian and Alyssa move to follow their younger selves into the kitchen, the blinding flash of light returns once again and the twins are yanked backward. Within the light, they hear a familiar voice:

VOICE (V.O.): Canis. Always quick to cast his own needs aside for fear of rejection. He must accept himself for who he is, in order to find the true strength he carries within. All of you must, if you wish to find the sole path forward.

In a flash, they are back in the throne room of Elyys’tel. The twins stare at Diego in shock.

DIEGO (confused): Uh... did something happen? Are you two okay?

IAN: We, er... we saw...

XIMAEDRA: Describe your experience upon touching the vaalta.

IAN: I... uh... it was kinda...

ALYSSA: We saw a vision. A memory. Diego’s memory.

DIEGO: Wait, what?

UQZHAAL (triumphantly): Oho! You see?

ALYSSA: We could, like, walk around and stuff. But we couldn’t interact with anything. We saw it as clear as day!

DIEGO: Wait, what memory?

IAN: From when we were little. The day you--

SERAXA: They lie!

XIMAEDRA: And how could they lie about this, War-Chief? They have no way of knowing what the correct answer could be--

Uqzhaal takes the statue from Diego’s hand and holds it aloft.

UQZHAAL: It is a proven truth! They are indeed the long-lost children of Vaanu, returned to us at last! Which means... before us stand the Thirteen Catalysts of legend!

Gasps of astonishment come from the surrounding crowd of Vaanti. The Hartfeld group simply look even more confused.

SERAXA: Claq shen zarvii, Uqzhaal. It is said that they will bring about great change, yes? And change itself can be good... or very, very bad. The Catalysts may prove to be our enemies yet.

Uqzhaal scowls in annoyance.

UQZHAAL: And you would make enemies out of them in the process? That is not--

XIMAEDRA: Keeper Uqzhaal. Tell me, is it not true that the Endless Ones once spoke of the Catalysts’ capacity for salvation and destruction?

UQZHAAL: It... it is true, my elyyshar.

XIMAEDRA: Then we may in fact be enemies, after all. Even the Catalysts--indeed, even the children of Vaanu--are not without the ability to choose. Even to choose evil, should they wish.

VARYYN: Diego is not--

Ximaedra holds out a hand for silence as she settles back into her throne.

XIMAEDRA: The Tribunal continues. Keeper Uqzhaal, you have said your peace. Warrior Viloko, step forward.

The male Vaanti warrior standing beside Seraxa takes a step forward and nods at the assembled crowd.

VILOKO: Our War-Chief speaks the truth! Even if they are the Catalysts, it changes nothing. We all know of what happened when our warriors went to retrieve them from the Torehydra! They attacked us without cause!

He points accusingly at Varyyn.

VILOKO: Varyyn, you should know full well that the Catalysts are our enemies! You were with us in that battle that should not have been a battle! We have no need to wonder. It has already been made clear: the Catalysts are our enemies!

He draws a ceremonial knife from its sheath at his waist and holds it aloft.

VILOKO: Why are we talking? We should be acting!

SERAXA: Heed my warrior’s words! He speaks the truth!

Piercing war cries erupt from the crowd. Ximaedra raises both hands in an attempt to quiet the crowd as Uqzhaal pounds his staff on the ground. The Vaanti warriors press closer toward the Catalysts, who huddle in more tightly together. As the din crescendoes, Kele stomps a foot on the ground and makes a few quick gestures. A thin surge of water whips in through a window to impact with a resounding CRACK! against the opposite wall. Immediately, the room goes quiet.

KELE: HEY! Tribunal’s not over.

He bows quickly to Ximaedra before stepping back to his original position.

KELE (respectfully): Elyyshar. Proceed.

Ximaedra nods gratefully in his direction before returning her gaze to Viloko and Seraxa.

XIMAEDRA: There is a time for war-frenzy, and a time for order. You would do well to remember this.

VILOKO (ashamed): Yes, my elyyshar.

XIMAEDRA: Have you any more to say, Warrior Viloko?

VILOKO: Only that I stand by my words. We must treat the Catalysts as our enemies, lest we wish to be--

He stops talking as a deep, shuddering rumble echoes throughout the chamber. The other Vaanti all look up in fear, as do the Catalysts.

SERAXA: Wave-Lord! What trick of yours is this?!

KELE: This isn’t me. I’m not--

An impossibly tall wave crashes into the side of the chamber, water dripping through the windows. Kele quickly runs toward the water, doing his best to keep the torrent from drowning everyone inside the chamber. He visibly strains to send the water pouring harmlessly out another window.

SERAXA: Go! Tell us what happened!

Calvia nods to her War-Chief and dashes out of the chamber. Not fifteen seconds later, she comes sprinting back inside, wide-eyed with terror.

CALVIA (quaking with fear): Elyyshar. War-Chief.

She swallows hard, then looks back up at Ximaedra nervously.

CALVIA: Cetus has returned.

_______________________

Scene Notes: Yes, we're skipping Yvonne's entrance for now. Don't worry, I'd never miss including her in the story! She'll show up eventually. Next up: the battle with Cetus!

also I can finally start referring to them as 'Catalysts,' that was getting annoying

_______________________

Next: Trial by Water

CIU Tag List: @brightpinkpeppercorn @endlesshero1122 @bbaba-yagaa @acidsugar0 @shaylan211 @griselda1121 @acanthisorbis @marmolady @choicesbabie @mauvecatfic

Endless Summer Tag List: @mysteli @edgydepressedchoicesthot @endlessly-searching-for-you @lovelywrites

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marmolady · 5 years

Text

Valentine’s Day (spoiler-free version)

Edited version for the benefit of friend who is dragging his damn heels reading Book 3.

Book/Series: Endless Summer

Main Pairings: Predominantly Estela x MC/Taylor (f), but a little bit of Aleister x Grace, Diego x Varyyn, Craig x Zahra, Quinn x Michelle

Summary: Post-ending (Endless ending). Basically fluff. So. Much. Fluff.

Warnings: A little bit of coarse language. And it does get a little bit fruity near the end, but no worse than you’d get in a diamond scene. Do not read if you are allergic to sentimental, sappy crap.

Yawning, Taylor pushed open the door into the Celestial’s kitchen, drawn in by the sweet scents of fresh baking. She’d intended to help Quinn out with the early morning Valentine’s Day preparation but dragging herself out of bed- and away from Estela- had been rather more difficult than anticipated.

Seeing her rumpled hair, Quinn giggled. “Sleep in? …Or something else?”

“You’ve got me! I’m sorry, Quinn, I really was gonna give you a hand…”

“Don’t be silly! I’m doing this for fun, you shouldn’t feel any pressure to help. Besides, you should spend Valentine’s morning snuggling with someone you love. That’s what today is all about, isn’t it?”

Taylor smiled. “You may have a point.”

She approached the tabletop, where Quinn was putting the finishing touches on a wide spread of cupcakes. Delicately decorated in reds and pinks, the cakes were topped with intricate, swirling designs, edible flower petals and sculped hearts.

“Ohmygod-Quinn, these are gorgeous!” Taylor gushed. “What are they, strawberry?”

The slight redhead beamed. “Just the frosting- half are vanilla, half are chocolate. I thought they’d be something everyone can enjoy; not just you lovebirds.” She gave Taylor a wink. “I haven’t finished cleaning out the frosting bowl… you’re welcome to grab a spoon.”

Taylor needed no more encouragement. She vaulted up onto the counter and started digging in. “What about you? Do you have anything planned with someone special today?”

Responding to her friend’s suggestive eyebrow wiggle, Quinn blushed a deep pink which clashed violently with her hair. “Oh, I don’t know… you know Kele and I have been flirting a little while…”

“Babe, you and Kele have been flirting for forever.”

With a giggle, Quinn finished. “All right, for more than a little while. But even though we have our fun, I think it’s just a crush. Nothing serious. Recently… I’ve been having feelings for someone else. Someone who I love very deeply… I just don’t know if that person sees me… that way.”

“Meech?”

The bowl clattered to the floor as Quinn startled. “What? No. No! What would make you think?” she stammered unconvincingly. “It’s not… obvious?”

“Just a guess, that’s all. I mean- how many suspects are there around here? I just noticed you’ve been very close since we realised we’d be here for good. And it’s always been clear she cares about you a whole lot.”

Quinn shook her head as she hastily picked up the frosting bowl. “You won’t say anything, will you? I’ve always tried to live in the moment, to not waste a single day but… she’s still really caught up on Sean. And you know she’s taken all this especially hard. Michelle needs a friend right now, and I want to be that friend. She always took care of me… even when I didn’t want it.”

“You’re a good friend. The sweetest, most generous friend anyone could ask for.” Taylor pulled Quinn into a one-armed hug, getting frosting on her cheek. “My lips are sealed. But if anything happens, you let me know, okay? You know I’m soft for romance. Especially where my La Huerta girls are involved.”

“All right. If anything happens, you’ll be the first to know. I want to do something… just to show I care, but I don’t want to be too… forward? I don’t want her to feel like I’ve ever had an ulterior motive for being her friend.”

Taylor gently scraped off the frosting from Quinn’s cheek. “Well, between you and me, we’ll think of something. But you should know, no one could ever mistake you for someone with ulterior motives. You’re an angel, and you know it!” She licked off her finger and high-fived her buddy.

Together they distributed woven vine baskets of cupcakes to the doors of each of their friends’ rooms. The friends with rooms on the end of the route were left with one or two fewer cakes, but Taylor was sure no one would notice. She picked off all the crumbs from her shirt all the same.

In the quiet of the elevator, she cautiously broached a subject that had been on her mind for a little while. “Hey, we never really spoke about it… back when we first arrived on the island… those times when we kissed. It wasn’t… weird… for you when I got together with Estela?”

Quinn linked her arm through Taylor’s. “No! No, of course not! Those moments we shared, they’re still real, and they were special. You’re special. I’m so grateful to have been close to you so quickly; everything was so much less scary because I had someone I could trust. You saved my life, remember? Obviously, I’ve wondered what might have happened… but you found your person, and I’m so happy for both of you. You and Estela… you fit together.”

“I’m so grateful we were close then too. It was weird, it was like… it was like I’d always known you, even though we’d just met. You’re such a warm, beautiful person; when everyone else was dealing out their crap, being friends with you was just… easy.”

A bright smile lit Quinn’s delicate features. “It means a lot to hear that; thank you. So… what do you have planned for your Valentine?”

“Well, we’re going to the dinner. We don’t dress up very often, so it’ll be kinda nice. We’re gonna go out hiking and take a lunch with us. Estela’s got it all planned out, so I guess I’ll just see where she takes me. And I’ve got a couple of little things lined up. I’m… I’m pretty excited. Hey- I’ve had a brainwave! Why don’t you collect some flowers from the forest for Meech? There were some really sweet-smelling ones near the waterfall.”

“You’re a genius! Michelle would love that; it would be perfect for using in the lotions she’s been making.”

With deliveries finished off, Taylor returned to her room. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet, giddy with anticipation for the day ahead. In the short time they’d known one another, she and Estela had been through hell and back… but today there would be none of that. She was ready to love on her wife with every ounce of her being.

“Hey,” Taylor poked her head through the door and glanced around. “I come with cupcakes!”

“Hey,” Estela was sitting on the bed, cross-legged, a book in her lap. Forsaking her usual clothes, she’d dressed herself in Taylor’s crop top and sarong. Her long, dark hair hung loose, her handfasting flower woven in by her ear.

Taylor grinned helplessly as she took in the sight of her wife. “You take my breath away, you know that?”

A deep red blush rose up on Estela’s cheeks, which she well knew was Taylor’s intention. “I hoped you wouldn’t mind… I mean, you practically live in my hoodie these days.”

“No, no… the opposite! It’s kinda cute seeing you in my clothes.”

“I always thought they looked really great on you. I mean, you always look…, but…ah, crap… I…”

Taylor ran forward and put her arms around Estela’s shoulders. “God, I love it when you get all flustered.” She pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Just let me get changed quickly, and then I’m completely, totally yours.”

“Good.”

__________________________________

A lunch packed, along with several cupcakes, the two lovers set off hiking. Their walks always left Taylor with a slight suspicion that the pace was being slowed for her benefit, but today, Estela surged ahead, seemingly on a mission. On and on, at a blistering pace, and uphill over terrain that was thick with rainforest plants, it was a strenuous trek, and there seemed to be no let-up.

“Are you trying to kill me?” Taylor groaned, as Estela effortlessly scaled a lichen-covered rockface. “I don’t know how you do Valentine’s in San Trobida, but I’m pretty sure leading your wife to an embarrassing death is outta line with the usual traditions.”

Estela shook her head, mocking. “I married a wimp.”

Taking the bait, Taylor paused to catch her breath and then retreated to make a run-up. She jumped at the slope, scrambling a little, but pulled herself up into Estela’s arms, pinning her on her back. “You,” she said, triumphant, and she caught her in a fiery kiss, “married a badass, and don’t you forget it.”

Her heart thundering, Estela returned the kiss. She came away just a little, so that Taylor’s sweet, smug face was just a breath from her own. I never want to be without you. Then she felt the questioning gaze on her scar… the one across her eye and down her cheek. Taylor lovingly traced her thumb down the line, following behind the tender stroke with tiny kisses.

“That one I… I don’t like to talk about.” Estela shifted uncomfortably, sitting up, but didn’t break eye contact. “It’s not something I’m keeping from you, it’s just… it happened at a very painful time for me. I don’t want to think about that today. I want to think about you.”

“I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to…” Taylor stammered, knowing that she’d completely ballsed up the moment, but then realised that an apology was unnecessary. Estela didn’t want an apology, just understanding. “A conversation for another day, yeah? If you’re okay with it, obviously. I don’t wanna bring up stuff that’s gonna hurt you.”

Estela leant forward a little, so her forehead bumped gently against Taylor’s. “I want to share with you. I want you to know everything about me. I… I hope you know that. I’ve never trusted anyone like this; it feels… nice.”

Taylor felt her heart swell. She wasn’t sure she was worthy of the implicit trust she was given, but it meant the world to her, and she’d never, ever break it. “I want that too. There’s not much of me to share- you were there for most of it- but everything I am is yours.”

“Come on, cariña.” Estela swept Taylor onto her feet. “It’s not far now.”

They carried on until the thick foliage finally broke into a clearing. Taylor gasped audibly at the view that opened up before them.

“Holy…” she breathed. “Estela… this is… ohmygod…wow!”

Standing at the edge of a steep valley, the sheer and thundering waterfall across the divide sent a misty spray into the surrounding air, creating rainbows that appear to shimmer in the late morning sun. The ancient Vaanti temples in the valley below were shrouded in mist, broken up by the glowing flowers of the encroaching jungle. The effect was ethereal, and utterly breathtaking.

Estela entwined her fingers with Taylor’s and sat her down with her on the grass. “Worth the hike?”

“A thousand times worth it!” Taylor gushed, and she huddled in against Estela’s side. She looked out, awestruck. “This has gotta be the most beautiful spot on the whole island…”

“Now that you’re here, it’s paradise. Perfect.”

Taylor gave a happy murmur. “The perfect paradise is wherever you are… all this, it’s just the icing on the cake. But it’s beautiful… it’s so, so beautiful. Like you.”

Estela laughed affectionately. “We’re getting heavy on the sappy now…”

“You started it! If I can’t lay on the cheese on Valentine’s Day, what the hell’s the point?”

In the shadow of the towering waterfall, the two lovers shared in a relaxed lunch, drinking beers, laughing together, kissing and cuddling, and watching the sun’s movement across the sky create colourful streaks in the water spray.

Early afternoon saw Taylor massaging a luxurious lotion into Estela’s exposed back as she lay, utterly contented, beneath the sun.

“That feels… so good…”

Taylor leant down to kiss between her wife’s shoulder blades before continuing on, moving down her scarred torso towards her hips. “I hope so; you always feel so tense. I’m gonna make it my personal mission to keep all those knots out of your shoulders.”

“Mmmmm… I wouldn’t mind getting used to this…” Estela sighed happily as she felt all her muscles relax beneath her love’s heavenly touch. Though she imagined she could just go on lapping up Taylor’s attentive pampering for ever, she had her own plans for the day. Reluctantly, she sat up, twisted around to face her.

“Taylor…” She bit her lip, suddenly inexplicably bashful.

“Hmmm...? You don’t have to look so worried; I’m not gonna charge you for the massage.” Taylor giggled and helped Estela back into her top.

“It’s… I, um, had an idea,” Estela avoided eye contact as she spoke. “I thought… I’d like to get a tattoo… your Hadean zodiac symbol,” she tapped over her heart, just beside her breast, “…here.” She looked into Taylor’s face, allowing the warmth and devotion in her gaze to calm her jitters. “I wondered if… if you might…?”

Instinctively, Taylor reached up, touching her fingers to her own chest. A tear welled in her eye, and her face seemed to glow with affection. She slipped Estela’s free hand into her own. “Estela, I…” She shook her head, overwhelmed. “Of course, of course, I…” Her voice caught in her throat, emotion taking over. “I don’t deserve you.”

“I think that’s for me to decide.” Estela gave a happy jiggle and leant forward to kiss Taylor on the nose.

Taylor blanched. It was something she still struggled to get past. If she hadn’t been such a coward, Estela would still have her tio. Even with this path being the one Estela had wanted her to take, it was impossible to shake the guilt of taking away the home and family that her wife had fought for. That Estela wanted to be permanently marked with the one who could have spared her that loss… it was almost unfathomable.

Estela firmly took Taylor’s face in her hands and looked her square in the eye. “Stop that. I know what you’re thinking, but I will tell you you’re wrong until you get it through your head. You. Deserve. To be. Happy. Got it?”

“I’m sorry… it just… creeps up on me sometimes.” Collecting herself, Taylor put her hand to Estela’s chest, feeling her steady heartbeat. Seeing that her wife was still not satisfied, she relented. “Okay, okay, I guess I deserve to be happy. And you deserve to be loved to the stars and back. And I do… love you that much. More.”

“So… do you want to?”

Taylor nodded enthusiastically. “So much. I’m gonna get that dumb coat hanger on my chest. For you.”

“It’s a dragon, idiota!” Estela laughed, giving Taylor a loving shove. “There’s a guy in the Vaanti village down there… he does all of them. Recommended by Varyyn.” She nodded her head to a small string of huts beyond the temple ruins. “Shall we?”

Estela took Taylor’s hand, guiding her down the steep, leafy terrain. “Taylor…” she said, pausing to ease her down a slippery patch. “I love you too. More than I could say. More than I could show you. I just… I hope you know how much.”

Sliding down the slope and into Estela’s arms, Taylor could feel the truth in every word, enveloped by the sincerest love she could imagine. Whether she deserved it or not, being happy seemed pretty damned hard to avoid.

__________________________________

The late afternoon breeze was pleasantly cool. Lying on her back on the pristine sandy beach outside Elyys’tel, Taylor appreciated the refreshment it gave. Going back down Estela’s secret trail had been, if anything, even more strenuous than the path up. The ‘relaxation time’ that followed had been nothing of the sort, involving being poked and prodded with sharp needles for over an hour. The end result, though, the dragon sigil over her heart, was absolutely perfect. Taylor couldn’t stop herself from glancing down at it again, and again, and again, and then smiling until her face hurt.

Estela smiled coyly. “I have something for you. This time it doesn’t involve you getting stabbed repeatedly with needles… or with anything else.” She put the basket in Taylor’s arms. “It’s something for our future. Our life together, our family together… it’s got to start somewhere. And I thought you’d like…”

The lid lifted on the basket, and a small pink cat with blue spots poked her head out. The kitten’s eyes were a blazing yellow, and her ears ended with long tufts of silky fur.

Taylor gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “Are you serious? I mean, we’ve really, like… got a cat now?”

“It looks that way. One of Seraxa’s had kittens a little while back. She said this one would like you. I don’t know how she knew that, but I guess she’s the island cat whisperer, so…”

“I’m gonna call her ‘Madam’,” Taylor declared, scooping the small cat into her lap. The kitten purred, and her fur faded into purple. “I mean, look at that snooty face. She knows she’s the shit.”

Estela’s face remained straight, a picture of bemusement. “If that’s the best you can do, there is no way in hell I’m letting you name our children.”

“We’ll see…” Taylor scooted over so that she could snuggle up. She knew exactly what this cat meant; a promise of a future, of years ahead to be spent in love, together. The two of them… and now, the two of them and a colour-changing kitten. “But I absolutely love her. Cats are the best. All reserved and aloof; they make you earn their love, but once you’ve got it, there’s a whole heap of wonderful that no one else is ever fully allowed to see. I love the mystery of them.” She turned her head so that her face was barely an inch from Estela’s. “People like that… I find they tend to be worth the effort.”

“Are we still talking about the cat?”

Taylor cupped Estela’s face and felt a familiar rush of affection as her blue eyes met with her wife’s soft, dark ones. “I think you know…”

The two women lost themselves in a heated kiss, which was cut all too short by the yowling kitten who had latched onto Estela’s hair and was swinging around by her teeth. Taylor collapsed into giggles as she tried to detach the furry menace.

“Aw, Estela, she loves you!”

“I should have got a receipt…”

“No! No take-backs. She’s part of our family now. We’ll train her up right and sic her on our enemies.”

“Taylor, this isn’t T’kaal, this is a lap-warmer.”

“Maybe with that attitude…” Taylor made a show of rolling her eyes. She watched as Estela tickled the fidgeting kitten under her chin, met with face rubs and a cacophony of purrs. It seemed pretty clear to her that the lap-warming menace was a gift for them both. “Welcome to the family, Madam; we love you already.”

Estela sat up, beaming. “I’m so happy you like her.” She took Taylor’s hand in her own, their fingers entwining. “It’s been hard keeping the secret for weeks.”

“Hey,” said Taylor, putting her free hand on Estela’s knee, “I’ve got something for you too.” She reached into her small backpack and brought out a long, wooden box. Estela’s initials were etched in beautiful lettering on the lid.

Taking the box carefully in her hands, Estela quietly ran a finger over the carved top. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d been given a gift. Probably, she thought, the last birthday before her mother died. Her tio had shown affection in different ways, marking occasions by setting her new challenges, and, of course, with many drinks. But to receive a present… that was something rare and precious. She popped open the lid, and gazed upon the most exquisite blade she had ever seen. The dagger was short and strong, the blade cut from gleaming mahogany obsidian, the edge painstakingly crafted into serrated points. The handle was both sturdy and ornate, the form of a dragon carved into shining amber and polished bone. Stunned, at a loss for words, Estela could only gape.

“Do you… do you like it?” Taylor ventured, a little nervous. “I really don’t know much about these things. I talked to Varyyn, Seraxa… they said these were their most prized.”

Estela sniffed and wiped her eyes. “Taylor, it’s… it’s…” Giving up on expressing her gratitude verbally, she gestured for her lover to come closer. The second Taylor edged nearer, she wrapped her in a tight hug that carried on until the sun kissed the horizon. Little Mewsli flopped down in the sand beside them, her furry body vibrating with purrs.

“Come on,” said Estela finally, “everyone’s gonna be waiting on us.”

____________________________________

Back in their room in the Celestial, Taylor was reviewing her outfit in the bathroom mirror. The resort’s shop held an array of glamorous outfits, but by now many had already been claimed. She was pleased with her find; a rose red gown, embellished with floral lace on the bodice, giving way to a floaty skirt of the softest organza. With a satisfied twirl, she gave the dress her final approval.

“Taylor?”

“Hmm…?”

“You don’t mind helping me out with the zipper, do you? I swear they design these things with contortionists in mind…”

As Taylor emerged from the bathroom, Estela’s cheeks flushed. “Wow.”

“Wow? What do you mean, ‘wow’? Have you seen you?”

Estela’s blush deepened. She turned her back to Taylor. Gentle fingers lovingly brushed her dark hair out of the way and eased the zip upwards. Each small touch sent a pleasurable jolt of electricity down her spine.

“There you go,” said Taylor quietly. She stepped back to admire her. The charcoal dress shimmered with sequins, perfectly complimenting Estela’s dark, shining eyes. It hugged her figure, embracing every curve, a long slit up the side showing her legs. “Estela, you… you are stunning.”

Self-consciously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Estela glowed with happiness. “As are you.”

She suddenly burst out laughing. “I don’t know if you noticed, but there’s a cat hanging off your dress…”

“Wha-? Hey!” Taylor plucking the kitten from the bottom of her skirt. “No more of that, little one. It’s past your bedtime. I reckon if we just leave her with the lights out, she’ll go to sleep. I mean, there’s not too much in here she could make into a toy, right?”

“We’ll find out…”

With a smile, Taylor took Estela’s arm in her own. “Are you ready?”

Estela pecked her cheek. “Ready.” She rubbed the kitten’s chin as Taylor set her down on the bed. “Goodnight, Mierdita…”

“Hey! You don’t get to name my cat- I get to name my cat.”

“You named her ‘Madam’…”

“Well, what does it mean, what you called her?”

“Eh, don’t worry about that.”

__________________________________

The rooftop garden had been decorated for the occasion; glowing flowers hung down all around the candlelit tables that had been brought up from the restaurant. Set against the dark night, the effect was magical. Tender love songs piped out over the speakers just topped off the mood.

“You did all this?” Taylor gasped, suddenly feeling rather guilty for not being more useful. “It’s amazing!”

Raj beamed. “I do it all for the smiles on your faces, dudettes. I hope you’re hungry.”

It wasn’t just the couples who’d turned out for the Valentine’s feast; everyone was already milling around the garden, spirits high.

“Chyeeaah, boi! Taylor’s got ink!” Craig slapped her on the back, almost spilling her drink. He then noticed Estela’s matching tattoo. “Niiiiice.”

Zahra smirked. “They’re better than yours, meathead.”

“Yeah, well they probably weren’t hammered when they got them. Being drunk is all part of the experience!”

Grace bounced over, pulling Aleister behind her. She pulled both Taylor and Estela into a hug. “Oh, you two!” She cried, admiring their tattoos. “That’s so romantic…”

Aleister suddenly appeared very nervous, as if fearful Grace might get an unfortunate idea in her head.

As if to confirm his worries, she started quizzing Taylor and Estela. “So, how much did it hurt?”

“Pfft, it was nothing,” said Estela with a smirk. “But I think Taylor nearly cried. Aleister wouldn’t be able to take it.”

His mouth contorting, Aleister wasn’t sure whether to angrily retort or be grateful for the discouragement. And then Grace gave him a swift kiss on the cheek.

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t underestimate you… and we’ll think of our own special things to do.” She laughed at the astonished look on his face. “You goose!”

A sprawling buffet was laid out, and within seconds, the aroma had brought everyone gathered around. Taylor piled up her plate, rubbing elbows with Michelle, who was dressed up in a shining turquoise gown.

“Taylor- I haven’t seen you all day.”

Taylor grinned. “You know… very busy.” She noticed Michelle’s outfit. “Wow, that looks gorgeous on you!”

A radiant smile lit Michelle’s features. “Thanks… you came up all right yourself.” She placed a hand on Taylor’s arm. “So… how was your first Valentine’s Day as a married woman?”

Automatically, Taylor glanced to the other end of the table, where Estela was caught up in banter with Jake. Her heart beat a little faster. “Is it possible for a day to be perfect?”

“You deserve it; you both do.”

“Aw, Meech! How about you? Has today been okay?” Knowing that it was her first since her traumatic split with Sean, she imagined Valentine’s had not been a totally happy occasion.

Michelle paused, but then nodded. “Honestly? I was dreading it. Being around Sean and…” She sighed. “Seeing everyone else… happy, in love. But actually, today’s been really special. I spent all afternoon making lotions with Quinn. She found me some flowers to use… the scents are divine. And she’s just been, well, Quinn. I don’t think I could ever meet a kinder, more good-hearted person. For so long I’ve driven people away… but with her I don’t think it would even be possible.” Her gaze wandered up the table, her lips curving upwards once more has her eyes met with the beautiful redhead’s. “I’ve never had friends like you. That kind of love… it’s new to me. I think that’s what I’m celebrating today.”

“I’m really happy to hear that.” Taylor put down her plate and pulled Michelle into a hug. “You deserve it too.”

She made her way towards the table, making a stop to catch up with Diego and Varyyn. “Hey lovebirds! I guess this is another one of our weird holidays crossed off your list, Varyyn- how do you rate it?”

Varyyn looked fondly at Diego. “There is nothing worthier of celebration than love. Diego has been showing me ‘rom coms’. It has been very insightful.”

“Turns out there’s some good ones in the DVD stash… we should double date sometime and all cry over 10 Things I Hate About You together…”

“I’ll have you know that my hard-ass wife does not cry in movies.”

Diego laughed. “What? You know, no one believes that…”

“Ugh, fine, maybe there’s like… four or five that will get the waterworks going, but that’s all I’m saying, and you didn’t hear it from me.”

“The Lion King! It’s got to be The Lion King!”

“Shhhh!” Taylor hissed. “I will see you two later- and we’re definitely gonna hold you to double-date movie night.” With a high-five to her bestie, she finally found her way to the table, where Estela was watching her, eyes shining in the flickering light of a candle.

Famished from their long trek down from the waterfall, Estela and Taylor practically inhaled their food for a couple of minutes, before slowing to savour the experience. Their eyes met across the candlelight, and for a long while they just gazed into one another in sweet, meaningful silence.

Estela reached out to take Taylor’s hand, and slowly, tenderly, she caressed it with her thumb. The feeling of those fingers in her own… it was what being home felt like. “Thank you, Taylor,” she whispered. “For today. For everything.”

“Thank you.” Taylor leaned in and kissed her, at first soft and gentle, then growing stronger, more heated.

A little while and several kisses later, Estela noticed in the corner of her eye that they were being observed. As she turned to look at them, Craig and Zahra quickly averted their gaze, sniggering into their glasses. Noticing Taylor’s questioning look, she said. “They’re acting weird.”

Taylor laughed. “Pretty sure they’re drunk already. Like, ninety percent of the reason they’re at this shindig is the booze.” She reached over for another kiss, from which Estela pulled away almost instantly. “Hey, what’s up?’

Estela glared pointedly at Zahra and Craig, who simultaneously double over laughing before each throwing down two shots. She watched for a little while, and they seemed to turn their attention over to Aleister and Grace at a nearby table.

“Jeez, you’re distracted…”

“Shhh!”

At their table, Grace leaned in close to Aleister, talking to him with a look of great intensity in her eyes. His cheeks suddenly became flushed with pink, and flustered, he sent his fork flying across the room. Craig took a swig of beer and Zahra followed suit.

“So… what are you two up to?” asked Taylor, standing over them with an eyebrow raised. “You’re kinda ruining the mood…”

Zahra leaned back in her chair, rocking it precariously. “One shot every time someone starts making out. A drink for… uh… that guy…blonde baby Rourke… making an awkward ass of himself. And an Estela death glare is a shot too… you should try it… you would be like never, ever, ever, ever be sober again. Ever. And Drunk Taylor is Fun Taylor.”

In spite of herself, Estela glowered at them, at which Craig attempted to leap up to retrieve another drink and instead fell flat on his back.

Taylor just laughed. “So how much is that worth?”

“One sip. Thaaaaat’s all.” Zahra said, slurring her words. “If I skulled every time he was a dipshit, I’d be dead… for real, though… and poor Craiggers would be all sad…”

“Well, you’re gonna have to pick new targets… we’ve got plans. Upstairs.”

“Noooo!” Craig cried from the ground. “That would be… I dunno… ten shots worth if you do it here.”

Zahra gave them both an apologetic look and clapped Estela on the back. “Go get it! …I don’t think he can run after you…”

Estela gratefully took Taylor’s hand. “You’re ready to go get some privacy?”

Taking Estela’s fingers to her lips for a quick kiss, Taylor’s eyes gleamed. “You have no idea…”

________________________________

“Wait- when did you do this?” Estela asked, taking in a room full of glowing flowers that gave the effect of soft, multi-coloured starlight. Many more petals were strewn on and around the bed.

Taylor tapped the side of her nose with a mischievous grin. “A magician never reveals her secrets… but I may have had a little help from a friend. Who offered, by the way, because she was going flower-picking anyhow. I wasn’t expecting as much as this, though… Quinn’s good.”

Hand in hand, they crossed the room. Taylor eagerly undressed, and then turned to see Estela in a hopeless tangle.

Inching across the bed, Taylor smirked. “She’s faced down San Trobidan dictators, taken out a giant demon crab, and handed countless Arachnid creeps’ asses to them, but the mighty Estela Montoya is finally defeated by… an evening dress. Shit, it’s tragic. I think I’m actually gonna cry.”

Estela reached out to give her wife a little shove. “Give me a hand? Maybe I can retain my dignity and you get a little something out of it yourself. If you’re lucky.”

Taylor clicked her tongue. “You can pretend all you want, but you and I both know you’ve been thinking about this…” She unzipped the dress just a little, kissing Estela’s exposed neck and shoulders. “…all day.”

Estela trembled under the heat of Taylor’s breath on her skin. “Yes…” she murmured. The dress slowly fell away, and soft hands caressed her back, her sides, her breasts, while the urgency of the kisses intensified. She allowed herself to be pulled back into the bed, collapsing into a sea of blankets and petals. As Taylor came in over the top of her head for another kiss, she moved first, taking her in her arms and effortlessly flinging her onto her back. “I want you…”

Her hand reaching out to tangle into Estela’s hair, Taylor pulled her face close so that their lips brushed teasingly as she spoke. “I’m not about to put up a fight…”

And then they were lost in a searing kiss, tongues dancing together, arms and legs tangling… caressing, heat rippling between their hopelessly entwined bodies as they moved as one, closer and closer.

“I love you… ohmygod, I love you…” Estela gasped, as the world apart from Taylor fell away. There was nothing but her blissful touch… the look in her eyes as pure euphoria overcame her.

Unable to talk, Taylor gripped tighter into Estela’s back as an unbridled moan escaped her. She shuddered, seeing stars, and then relaxed into a tender embrace. Loving fingers traced along her back, her stomach, her thighs, then reached up to cradle her face. Taylor exhaled, and gently trailed her fingers over Estela’s body, running over scars that were now so familiar, so beautiful to her. “I love you too,” she murmured.

They retreated beneath the covers, hearts still thumping, faces still flushed. Taylor playfully blew a flower petal from her face and snuggled down into the bed, and into Estela’s chest. Face to face, foreheads touching, they continued to stroke, to caress, to love, both utterly entranced.

“I guess,” Taylor said a long while later, “now it’s definitely been a perfect day.”

Estela mumbled incoherently, playing with Taylor’s hair. The soft lights of the flowers made her look radiant, and the whole room felt like a heavenly world that was for them and them alone. It was beyond a dream. A dream belonging to someone else. Someone who felt these things. Perfect? That word just didn’t seem big enough. “I still wake up sometimes and I… I can’t quite believe it. This person… who I am with you, she happened so fast. It feels like a dream or a fantasy. Nothing could have prepared me for you… for what you’ve done to me. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

Taylor gave her head a little shake and looked at Estela with the deepest affection burning in her eyes. “It’s not lucky. In all the hundreds of timelines the Endless saw, with all the variations, twists and turns, everything that might have happened… no matter what, it was always me and you. Loving you is etched into the deepest part of my being. That’s not luck… it’s just not possible for you and me to not love each other.”

Somehow, Estela thought, somehow it made sense. That kind of inevitability, there was something… reassuring about it. Taylor was so certain of it. She wrapped her arms tighter around Taylor’s middle, hugging her to her chest, and gave a light kiss to the tip of her nose. They fitted together perfectly, as if it really were the way they’d always been meant to be. “Of all the people I could be destined to love, I still think I’m lucky.”

Her eyelids heavy, Taylor found herself lulled into deep, quiet serenity by the steady beating of Estela’s heart. She closed her eyes with a happy, wordless murmur. “I guess I can’t argue with that,” she whispered. “Sweet dreams, my starlight.”

#for frank

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