#no but anyway. interactions with my grandmother remind me of why i stopped trying to get people to understand how i feel its so fucking exha
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Ok my last few weeks have been pretty full of events and I don’t do journaling bc I am lazy but should stop because basilcayll it’s first for myself before I present to the world but also I feel like sharing because that what is also the Geist y of it
it is definitely a back ar of being with urself and love it and not become obsessed so u need to humble and exchange to see all the other beautiful souls around u- one reason I share
what can happen Exocet I make myself vulnerable
but yes, it is okay I guess to make urself vulnerabme if this is who you are and you try to walk with love and good intention even if they might not be good for some other people - it is okay I guess to make urself vulnerable - I don’t know I have to think about it but I leave it here like that
I don’t like to make myself vulnerable but the same time I am way too much out there
i don’t understand how this is coming together yet, I guess it’s here just good bc I am still pretty incognito hardly anyone know me but the few that anyway I tell every little detail out of my life and it is a way ti express myself and be open aboht mh work and my thoughts the way it feels right. Not like on Instagram where everything is so restricted and controlled that’s why I love tumblr and the way it is constructed it is way more constructive; and community based. The way information is distributed; sharing communicating interacting it is about sharing and enjoying art not about watching the around of it the stories the followings or maybe it’s just me lol I also don’t do that on IG. But yes DM reels everything Instagram is just so packed. And commericalized and monetized. It destroys everything. There should be a platfrom
or way to distinguish between enjoyment and money because I understand the circularity of Instagram as platform to get jobs earn money and advert ur work but it’s somehow fucked yo that is why it is so interesting to keep in touch with alternatives like Carlo told me bitte ga is or was doing it I really need to think and find out how we can propose alternatives.
nit wveryone thinks like that about IG tho
I love my father, I love mz father si so so so so much
he is so beautiful and smart and I never ever thought I would reach another keven of love for him
it is crazy I ama k grateful for his spirit and also the way my mama gets him and emphasize it eventho he is so cruel to her for reasons I can understand
my father wanted to be accepted in this country but he wasn’t even accepted by his own father in law. I think it is cruel to come to this conclusion with the woman you created life with and that is full of love
but then u push her away because she won’t understand she doesn’t understand what family means as her family is so loveless which is not true she us different. She is sensitive and seeet and thoughtful but of course how should u feel when you constantly get reminded how bad Germans are white people in a family that is so strong and talks 3 times per week my father would call my aunt 3 times per week and they talk on the phone for hours in Farsi until they start fighting hahaha I am sways loved to sit and listen to ni word I understand which my father always said was my fault, urs my fault my sister and I speak no Farsi because I was a stubborn kid not wanting to learn his language is language of affection and love he grew op he talked to his own mother my grandmother the heart of love. I was a kid of my mother, the German mother who got accepted as my grandfather would show up to my but not my older sisters birth. FRITZ I hooked up with this guy I’m sad to say guy because I really liked him but he was not ready and I am so done not been acknowledged for who I am. I rather be on myself and finally acknowledge myself.
anyways he was like it’s not time for a FRITZ yet we never talked about my grandfather obv it was the second time we met….
anywho Fritz my grandpa a director of a lycee in maths u think I hated maths he was so proud. He was old school. Traditional we would say
of course in awe for culture like go to cultural pkaces and be like how amazing are they super open minded of course he was no old German kind of man….but still
why didn’t he show up to my parents wedding?!
why did he hold a speech talking about his only grandchild which was the daughter of my mamas brother who was born AFTER my sister
by god my sister is the first born of this family
that is holy she is holy, and yet they wouldn’t show up
they wouldn’t talk and to be honest maybe this would have been for it’s best
my mama learning how to cook Persian food and being the best in the whole family because she is sensitive she understands what her babies needed even if she was reluctant and not able to express her love in that way because she never keanred fomr her parents
but that’s not her fault no, and that’s what mz father should fucking know.
anyways I always “was against my father” my father said, I was born it was pretty hectic
my mother had a Abgang before me so I can imagine it was pretty traumatizing to lose a life inside of you so everyone was pretty excited for me to be born. But then the doctor said I was disabled they tried to press me out I didn’t want to and then when I came everyone was so happy that I was who I was my mother loved me so much from the first second and my father was so fulfilled with the love his children his family being complete his mother still alive his siblings having babies his loved loved family togehter safe and bonded so why not make the family even more bonded and contact the grand parents. Too good to be true but with my grandparents it was the moment of change. Idk tbh but I know my madar passed, my aunts asshole husband abandoned her with her 3 beautiful boys, mhh yes things were getting tough, my family was moving closer together and apart at the same time. Because my father really became a representative and father for my aunts children, my aunt didn’t know wha to do with her pain and started to be even fringed against Germans as her husband was German like all subtle but they build their little security net, they had each other at least. And then there was my mother, the only German, the kids didn’t count as we were still part Iranian. And we got everything; but I was acting out all the time
everyone always tried to shut me up. I was so conflicted between my mother who was so left out and started to develop and antipathies next to my aunt who was doing nothing but ranting about cold German people
my mother is cold but not inside she has ur renal realism inside of her which is not her fault
i think my grandfather was racist
not my grandmother
but I think he had it internally, I think it can be herited and u think I heruited too but of course we all have the deconstruct this. My grandfather tried, but he failed a little bit my mom is trying and she is open but sometimes it is coming out but for her it’s super different than to my grandfather as she is rather just feeling so left out. And hated and I feel like it’s self hatred that made her feel like this and as I am a soughter of my mother I feel that hatred and I overtake it
there is no bigger goal for me than make me conoekrt free from stigma and weird energies and thoughts toward any person of this world ni matter what age, gender, history future background uprising….they will have.
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Unexpected Love [Kai Parker] || Part One
masterlist
pairing - kai parker x fem, human!reader
type - fluff, angst
note / request - this request is by @mrs-parker-1972 “The reader is on the other side with the others, and gets trapped there with bonnie and damon, or you can just skip to part when all three of them are in the prison world. So i am not really sure on how the reader meets kai, but you can improvise that part, I trust you. And then well, um, the reader and kai will hate each other and despise each other (damon and bonnie are in the real time world I guess?) And then kai does something human for the reader (you know, coz he doesn't have feelings) and it wakes something in him and the reader and kai grow close to each other, and I really don't know what else, but like can you, make their time in the prison world longer?? (Kai and the reader's) . And please it would be hilarious if you could add some comedic lines if damon, coz you know, damon is damon. And it would be AWESOME if you added the deleted scene of kai Parker where he is really emotional, and he says that after the reader touches a really soft spot about his child hood. And please make the reader human.”
note - so i was planning on just rewatching the 6th season and copying scenes but i discovered it would take so long lol, so i split this into a 4 parts. i also didn’t really copy anything from the show, just the scene at the end. so most of this is just my writing. part two is at the end and word count is 7k+
summary - you and kai fall in love over a period of time after spending time with each other in the prison world
warnings / includes - language, alcohol, crying, fighting,
————
*gif isn't mine*
“Maybe if you didn’t take so long to look for Alaric, we would still be alive!” I exclaimed.
“Hey, you’re the one who insisted that you have a whole conversation with Lexi about the last few years,” Damon spat.
“Yeah, but we were both already with Bonnie. You were miles away!”
“You two stop it!” Bonnie shouted, putting her hands up in-between Damon and I.
“No, Damon needs to know that this is his fault,” I glared.
“Oh, hardly. Why were you even there, again?” Damon asked.
“Because you twisted my neck, jackass. Which thank you, by the way,” you smiled sourly.
“Man, I wish you weren’t wearing that ring. You being dead right now would really-”
“Damon!” Bonnie yelled again. “I’m serious. You two need to stop. You’re giving me a headache.”
“Not my fault,” I mumbled, looking down at the road.
“Liar,” Damon said not-so-quietly.
“Before you two start again, let me remind you that I’m scared and mad, too. We can’t just fight the whole time, though. We need to see if we can get out. You two have been fighting about this for months, so stop,” Bonnie said.
“We’re dead, Bon-Bon. We can’t get out,” Damon said.
I rolled my eyes and started to walk away from them. I couldn’t stand Damon.
“Where are you going?” Damon exclaimed.
“To look for a way out, and to get away from you!” I yelled without looking back.
“See? She’s useless,” Damon muttered behind my back.
I let out a long, distressed sigh. “I’m going back home.”
“Same. I need some food,” Bonnie said, catching up with me.
We walked for miles until we got to Damon’s house. I was sweating and panting by the time we got there. We had no cars so it was a good 5 mile walk.
“Need any water?” Damon asked as we walked inside his house.
“Yes, please,” I breathed out.
I trudged over to the couch, flopping down and taking my sneakers off. Damon came back over with a big class of cold water. I smiled at him gratefully, standing up to take it. Damon had other ideas, though. He lifted the glass up to the top of his head, making it hard for me to grab it.
“Oh, c’mon. You’re such a dick!” I whined, jumping up. My fingertips skimmed the bottom the glass, but I still was just a little too short to grab it.
“Say that magic words,” Damon smirked.
I rolled my eyes. “Thank you, oh great wise one.”
Damon smiled happily, setting the glass down on the table.
“Jerk,” I muttered, taking a long sip of the water.
“You love me!” Damon sang. “Nope,” I shook my head.
“Hey, we need to get more food,” Bonnie stated from the kitchen.
“Then go and get it, Bon-Bon,” Damon muttered.
“I was just about to, Damon,” Bonnie spat.
“Maybe you can go and learn magic again, too,” Damon snickered.
I turned my head to him. glaring. “Wow, you are just full of shit today. Huh, Damon?”
Damon rolled his eyes at my insult. “Yeah, well, I don’t want to be stuck here. I want to see Elena.”
“And you will! Who knows, maybe I’ll get my magic back. While I’m out I’ll go and practice magic,” Bonnie shrugged off Damon’s insult.
“Good idea. I’ll go with you,” I smiled, standing up and slipping back on my shoes.
“With all do respect Bonnie, you haven’t been able to do magic ever since you became the anchor. What makes you think you can do it now?” Damon asked.
“Just have faith, Damon. She can do it. I know it,” I smiled at Bonnie, who smiled gratefully back at me.
“Fine. But are you guys gonna leave me all alone?” Damon whined.
“Yep,” I nodded, walking over to the door.
“Who’s the rude one now?” Damon challenged. I put a finger up to my chin and hummed, pretending that I was thinking hard. I then put on a charming smile.
“Still you. Ready Bonnie?” I turned to the girl next to me who was putting on a jacket.
“Yep. See you later, Damon,” Bonnie smiled and waved.
“See you,” I nodded.
Damon waved goodbye as we shut the door behind us. I walked with Bonnie until we split off. She went to her grandmother’s house, while I went to the little supermarket a few miles out.
Walking there was a pain in the ass. I had my car keys with me, but I couldn’t seem to find my car. Even though this place had everything else; Damon’s house, my house, Bonnie’s grandmother’s house. Even Elena’s house. Just not my car, which pissed me off, but I knew I couldn’t start to get mad again. Getting angry and upset wouldn’t help us get out of here.
I walked up to the supermarket and entered the market, expecting someone to be at the register, but no one was there. I laughed at myself for expecting someone. Every time I’ve gone out, I’ve always expected to see people. But I remind myself that I’m dead. Of course no one would be here. We were all alone. Those cars outside were just there because this was just a very real, very confusing after-life.
I grabbed a shopping cart and started getting the stuff we needed. Eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, bread. I then got some soda and water bottle cases, some bags of chips and sweets. I went over to the frozen food section and got a few microwavable dinners and some ingredients to make food like chilli and tacos. I went around the store once more, making sure I got everything we needed. I passed one shelf, stopping once I realised that something was missing.
“I thought there were pork rinds here,” I muttered.
Merry-go-round music then started to play. I turned a full 360, trying to see if there was anybody in the store with me. No one was here. I went outside of the store, seeing the little merry-go-round spinning.
“That’s weird,” I mumbled.
I heard the sound of flapping and my head snapped to the sound. I saw someone pass by in a flash. Goosebumps sprung up on my arms and the hairs on the back of my neck raised. I got this uneasy feeling in my stomach as my mind went to disturbing thoughts.
“Hello?” I called out.
I walked further into the parking lot, hearing the noise again. I sighed as I realised it was probably just Damon pulling a prank on me.
“Very funny, Damon! You’ve freaked me out, good job. You can come out now!” I exclaimed, my eyes searching the open area.
The merry-go-round came to a stop and I let out a deep breath to try and calm myself down. Bonnie, Damon, and I were the only ones here. No one was going to hurt me… Right?
The merry-go-round music started up again suddenly. I jumped in surprise and fear, doing another 360.
“Must be on a timer,” I muttered.
“False,” an unfamiliar, matter-of-fact voice spoke behind me.
I froze in my spot, afraid to turn around as I knew that definitely wasn’t Damon.
“Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you,” the voice said, getting closer to me.
The person appeared in front of me. I stiffened up more as the voice belonged to a man. A very attractive man, might I add. He had a big, teasing smile on his face. His blue eyes danced around my face, studying me as I studied him. He had brown hair that was combed up, wearing jeans, a black t-shirt, a green jacket and carrying a bag of pork rinds.
“Oh, you’re the one who stole the pork rinds. Who are you?” I asked. “I’m Kai,” the man held his free hand out.
My eyes flickered down to his arm and back up to his eyes. I put my hand out gingerly, slipping my hand into his slowly. I kept eye contact as we shook hands. My stomach did flips as we touched.
“Nice to meet you, Kai. I’m Y/n,” I offered him a friendly smile.
“Oh, I know,” Kai shrugged. I furrowed my brows, instinctively pulling my hand away from his.
“How?” I asked.
“I’ve been watching you and your friends for a while,” he admitted.
“Oh,” I said, my eyes wide in shock.
“Yep! It’s so nice to have friends now. Man, I have been really lonely,” he chuckled.
“We aren’t friends. And what do you mean you’ve been lonely. Are you dead, too? Have you been stuck here as long as us, too?” I asked.
Kai frowned, stepping closer to me. “Why all the questions? Don’t you want to get to know me?”
“Um,” I shifted uncomfortably on my feet, stepping back so there was distance between us.
“Am I making you uncomfortable? Sorry about that. It’s been a while since I’ve had face-to-face type human interaction,” he chuckled, looking down to the ground.
“No, it’s fine. Anyways, are you dead, too?” I repeated one of my burning questions.
“No! I am very much alive. Well, I think so. You can kiss me to find out, though,” he flirted.
I felt the tip of my ears grow warm as his suggestion. “No, thanks.”
“Oh! I’m doing it again. God, sorry. You are just so pretty and i get nervous when I’m around girls. Especially ones like you.”
I chuckled, my grip on the shopping cart tightening. “So, you said you have been lonely. For how long, exact?”
“Long time. I’m not sure. It’s 1994, though,” he explained.
My eyes bulged out of my head. “What?! It’s 1994?”
“Yep. There’s literally newspapers everywhere,” he snorted.
“Well, I haven’t really been observant, I guess. What are we doing in 1994?”
“We’re stuck!” He explained. “Oh, damn,” I muttered.
“Yeah, it sucks, but now you guys are here to keep me company!” He grinned.
I smiled politely at him, getting ready to turn around and go back home. “Right. Well, I gotta go. My friends are expecting me for dinner. Maybe you could uh… You could um, come to dinner?”
His eyes widened in surprise. I kept on my smile, shifting the weight in my feet.
“Really?” He asked.
“Yeah, why not! Um, chilli sound good?” I asked. “Perfect. I’ll bring drinks,” he suggested.
“Sounds great. Well, um, see you later?” I proposed, getting ready to turn around.
“Yep,” he smiled. “Great,” I chuckled, looking down shyly. I began to turn around, but Kai stopped me.
“Why don’t I drive you there? It’d be tedious of you to carry the cart all the way home, right?” Kai asked.
I turned back around, “Um… Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. Are you sure, though?”
“Positive.”
My smiled widely, giggling a little. “Well, yeah, I’d really appreciate it.”
“Great. My car’s over here,” He said and pointed to a dark blue Chevy.
“Wow, this is a really cool car,” I said, wheeling the car to it. “Yeah, I know,” he smiled, shoving his hands in his pockets.
I opened up the trunk and loaded the groceries in the car. I then walked over to the passenger seat and got in, buckling and waiting for Kai to get in the driver’s seat. We got to Damon’s place in 10 minutes. I was very thankful I had met him, even though he was a little bit of a weirdo. Kai parked in the entry way and he helped me take in the groceries.
“Hey, Damon! Is Bonnie home yet?” I called out.
“Yeah! I am,” Bonnie came out from the kitchen. Her smile faltered as he saw Kai standing next to me. “Who, uh, who is this?”
“Oh!” I giggled. “This is Kai. We met at the supermarket.”
“Oh, really? Hi, Kai,” Damon narrowed his eyes at him.
“Hi, Damon!” Kai said cheerfully. “How the hell do you know my name?” Damon asked.
“Oh, he’s just uh… He’s just been observing us and stuff,” I explained.
“Hm, not creepy at all,” Damon muttered. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Kai. Are you joining us for dinner?” Bonnie asked.
“Yeah, I hope that’s okay,” Kai said. “Yeah! It’s fine, guys, right?” I asked.
“Sure,” Bonnie nodded.
“Great! I brought drinks, too,” he said, holding a bag filled with bourbon and whiskey.
“Great, but we already have some,” Damon said, gesturing to the liquor cabinets.
“Oh,” Kai frowned. “But it’s fine! We’ll drink your’s,” I said.
“Great,” Kai perked up again. “Let’s get dinner started, yeah?” I suggested, walking over to the kitchen.
Everyone nodded in agreement and helped with dinner. Kai mostly helped. Damon got bored in the middle and went to his room to do God know’s what, while Bonnie went to sit on the couch and watch 90′s classics.
“Thanks for helping with dinner,” I said. “No problem. You are an amazing cook,” Kai complimented.
“You haven’t even tasted the food,” I chuckled.
“Well, you seem to know the recipe and whatnot. And it smells amazing.”
“Well, thank you,” I smiled, turning and looked at him.
My eyes met his and a wave of butterflies washed over me. I looked into his mysterious blue eyes, getting lost in them quickly.
“Is dinner done yet?” Damon asked, interrupting the moment.
I jumped away from Kai in an instant, hanging my head low in embarrassment.
“Yeah,” I muttered, walking away and getting bowls out. I poured the chilli in each bowl, bringing them to the table with a glasses of Kai’s alcohol.
“Dig in.” I sprinkled cheese over my chilli.
“Let me take a sip of this bourbon first,” Damon said, holding the glass up skeptically. He brought the glass up to his lips, taking a slow and small sip. As soon as the bourbon touched his lips, he dropped the glass on the floor and his hand flew to his throat.
“Oh, my God. Damon, are you okay?” I jumped up from my seat, running over to him.
“V-Vervain,” Damon gasped. “Vervain… What?” I gulped, my eyes immediately meeting with Kai’s.
“You!” I pointed. “Oops,” Kai chuckled, getting out of his seat.
“Not so fast,” Bonnie said, grabbing his arm to sit him back down. Kai grabbed her arm, too. Bonnie started screaming and holding his hand in pain.
“What? What are you doing to her!” I exclaimed, going over to them.
“Taking her magic,” Kai shrugged. “What! B-But… How?” I asked.
“She’s a witch, so am I. Well, not exactly. I’m more of what you say… a siphon,” he explained as if I was supposed to know.
“Well, whatever are you, get off of her!” I yelled, taking ahold of his jacket and pulling him away. I stumbled back, still holding onto him.
“I wasn’t done yet!” Kai whined.
“I don’t care! You were hurting her,” I glared at him, shoving him out of the way and going to Bonnie.
“Hey, did he burn you? Let’s get your arm under some water,” I said, grabbing her shoulder gently.
“No, I’m not burned. It just hurt like hell. Ugh! Why did you do that?!” Bonnie exclaimed angrily at Kai.
“Because I needed the power to do this,” Kai said, holding up his hand. He made the bottle of bourbon float up and poured it all over Damon.
“Stop!” I shrieked, running over to shove his arm down, but he sent me flying across the room with his other hand.
“Sorry, princess, but I can’t let you ruin this,” Kai said.
I groaned, holding the back of my head. “Screw you.”
“Oh, I wish you could,” Kai winked at you.
I gagged in disgust and got up slowly, groaning at the paining my back. “Not anymore.”
Kai chuckled will finishing pouring the bottle of bourbon on Damon, then lifting him up and throwing him against the wall.
“B-Bonnie. D-Do mag-gic,” Damon whimpered.
“Yeah, please do,” I nodded, balancing myself on the island counter.
“Yeah, please do, Bonnie. Please humiliate yourself in front of your friends. It’s so sad that you can’t do magic. I’ve been watching you for weeks now. What’s even the point of you trying? What’re you gonna do, fail at me? It’s embarrassing. I’m embarrassed for you,” Kai taunted her.
Bonnie gave him a death glare and looked around the room, spotting a few candles. She closed her eyes and held up her hand. “Phasmatos Incendia.”
I watched in amazement as the candles lit. Bonnie then turned to Kai, who had a shocked look on his face. She grinned at him, cocking her head to the side.
“I’m embarrassed for you,” she mocked him.
“Dammit,” Kai muttered. “Looks like I have to kill you now. I was planning on for that to be later.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” Damon remarked, getting up slowly. He then sped over to Kai and before Kai could react, Bonnie held Kai’s arms back while Damon punched Kai.
“You’re going down, wacko,” Damon muttered, taking Kai’s head in his hands and slamming him down on the floor, knocking Kai out.
“Are you okay, Damon?” I asked immediately. “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s get him chained up,” Damon said.
“Yeah, okay,” I nodded, going over and lifting Kai up form under his arms.
“Good job, Bon-Bon. About time,” Damon patted Bonnie on the back.
“Thanks,” Bonnie gave him a small smile.
Bonnie helped me chain up Kai to a chair, Damon going on the couch to heal and rest.
“I can’t believe you liked him,” Damon spoke up after a while.
“I didn’t,” I protested. “You sure? You were drooling all over him when he first came into the house. You're type is crazy,” Damon smirked.
I rolled my eyes, wanting to change the subject. “I think the whiskey he brought also has vervain in it.”
“He’s right, Y/n. You have horrible taste in guys,” Bonnie teased.
I scoffed. “Un-called for! Damon’s supposed to be the rude one.”
“It’s not being rude if I’m telling the truth,” Bonnie smirked. “Yeah, well, I guess I liked him. Not anymore, though,” I sighed, sitting down on the couch next to Damon.
“Good. We would definitely have had to take you to therapy,” Damon smirked.
I laughed with him, letting out a long sigh. “I just still can’t believe there is someone here with us.”
“Yeah, and he’s a psycho,” Damon spat.
“What're we gonna do with him when he wakes up?” I asked.
“Interrogate him. See what he knows, what he wants, how to get out of here,” Damon answered.
“Well, I know a little bit about what he knows,” I said. “We’re in 1994.”
“Yeah, I know,” Damon muttered. “What, how?” I asked.
“While you were gone we found a newspaper. Apparently, we have been re-living May 10th since we got here,” Bonnie said sourly.
“Oh. Great,” I shook my head. “Anything else you guys found out?”
“Yes, actually. Kai is a murderer,” Bonnie said. She grabbed a newspaper from the coffee table and held it up to my face. She pointed to the left side where there were four headshots of teenagers.
“Family Massacred in Portland. The only one missing was the oldest boy. A 22 year-old named Malachai,” I read aloud. I then looked up to Kai who was still knocked out. “I-Is he Malachai?”
“All signs point to yes,” Damon said. “My God. I liked a murderer? Jesus, what is wrong with me?” I muttered, setting the newspaper down.
“Really? Your type in men is what you’re worried about?” Damon scoffed.
I smiled a little. “No, no! It’s just… Weird to me. Anyways, if he knows the way out, we have to get out without him, okay?”
“Deal,” Bonnie nodded.
“Do you guys want to go to bed?” I asked. “Well, someone has to stay and watch,” Damon gestured to Kai.
“Why don’t you. You’re the immortal,” I nudged his shoulder.
“Fine. I’ll alert you guys when he wakes up,” Damon said.
“Great. Thanks, Damon,” Bonnie smiled. “Mhm. No prob!” Damon exclaimed as Bonnie and I climbed up the stairs.
“He is kinda cute,” Bonnie said once we reached one the guest bedroom.
“Who? Damon?” I asked. “No, Kai,” Bonnie explained.
I raised my brows, my mouth formed in the shape of an ‘O’.
“What?” Bonnie asked. “I cannot believe you just said that about our enemy. You’re never this two-faced,” I smirked.
Bonnie rolled her eyes, “Yeah, well, he’s still a sociopath.”
“True that. Hey, wanna have a sleepover? Maybe have some fun,” I suggested.
“Yes! Oh, I wish that Care and Elena were here,” Bonnie sighed.
“Me, too, Bon. We’ll get to see them soon, though.” I put a hand on her shoulder.
“I hope,” Bonnie smiled.
I smiled back and went to the closet, finding a pair of sweats and a tank top. Bonnie and I got ready for bed, staying up for a good hour talking, finally passing out across the bed.
I was the first one to wake up. I rose up slowly and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. Once I opened them fully, I looked around the room with complete confusion. Once I looked at the clock, though, I finally realised that I was in a repeating loop of May 10th, 1994. You’d think waking up for months in this place, I would get used to it, but I really never have. Not yet, at least.
“Disappointing, right?” Bonnie spoke next to me. I turned, chuckling in agreement. “Most definitely.”
“At least we got a full night’s sleep. It’s 10 AM,” Bonnie said. “True,” I nodded, getting up and stretching.
“Let’s go and see the sociopath living downstairs,” I groaned.
“I’ll need coffee before I see him,” Bonnie said, getting up and putting on a robe.
“Oh, me, too,” I chuckled.
We both went downstairs after freshening up, going to the kitchen immediately.
“Um, hello? Did you forget about us?” Damon asked form the living room.
“Yep,” Bonnie smiled at him. Damon rolled his eyes, going over to us.
“Hurry up, sleeping beauties. Malachai is awake,” Damon said, his eyes going wide as he said Kai’s full name.
“Please, it’s Kai,” Kai said. “Hm, nope. I read Malachai in the newspaper,” Damon gave Kai his signature sarcastic smile.
Bonnie and I laughed at Damon defying Kai. I poured myself some coffee and made myself some eggs and toast before going over to Damon.
“Alright, I am ready to get this interrogation on,” I smiled, sitting down on the couch.
“Me, too,” Bonnie said, sitting next to me.
“Wow, you look beautiful when just waking up,” Kai complimented.
“Drop the act, weirdo,” I rolled my eyes.
“I was actually talking to the green-eyed beauty next to you,” Kai grinned.
I couldn’t help but frown. My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach and I looked down at my food, picking up the toast and nibbling on the crust.
“You can still drop the act. We want answers,” Bonnie demanded.
“Ooh, you are so sexy while dominant,” Kai winked. “And you are so gross and desperate,” Bonnie stated.
“If you don’t give us answers, I’ll snap your neck,” Damon threatened.
I looked up and saw Kai pursing his lips.
“It’s so funny,” Kai stated. “What is?” Damon asked.
“Well, you three seem to hate me, yet you haven’t killed me yet,” Kai explained.
“Because we need information from you, and you are withholding for no reason,” Bonnie explained further.
“Fine. But I want Y/n to ask the questions,” Kai said, his blue eyes landing on me.
I glared at him right away. “Why me? You seem pretty infatuated with Bonnie.”
“Jealousy is not a good look on you, princess,” he spoke playfully.
I had to fight the butterflies that were swarming in my stomach. “And being annoying is not a good way for us to not kill you.”
Kai laughed, “Fair. So, what do you guys want to know?”
“Why are we here? Is this my personal hell?” Damon asked quickly.
I furrowed my brows and looked up at him. “Why do you think this is your personal hell?”
“Well, first of all my car is parked in the entry way. Yeah, I noticed that. And second… There was something bad I did during May 10th, 1994,” Damon sighed.
“Damon… What did you do?” Bonnie’s voice wavered. “Yeah, Damon, what did you do?” Kai pressed on.
“You,” Damon pointed to Kai. “Shut it. And… You guys would hate me if I told you. Like, hate me for real.”
“Oh, I bet it’s not too bad,” I smiled comfortingly.
“Nope, it’s bad,” Damon sighed. “Well, then tell us,” Bonnie pushed.
Damon sighed, walking from the back of the couch to the armchair. He slumped down. “I… I killed a pregnant woman.”
The plate that was once in my hand clattered to the ground.
“You what!?” Bonnie exclaimed.
“Not one of my best moments,” Damon sighed.
“W-Why?” I stuttered, racking my brain for any type of logical explanation.
“Cause I was mad at Stefan,” Damon shrugged. “And that justifies the fact that you killed a pregnant woman?” Bonnie shouted.
“Yeah, yeah, I know! I’m a horrible person, okay?” Damon exclaimed, shooting up from his seat.
“You’re worse than I thought. How can Elena love you!” Bonnie scoffed.
I stood up in-between them. “Okay, not the time, guys. We need to ask Kai questions.”
“And before you do that, I need you guys to get a few things for me,” Kai said.
I groaned, “What now?”
“Well, I need to make a list, and I can’t if I’m all tied up.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine.” I went over to him, untying the rope. I then got a paper and pencil and handed them to him.
“Thank you, honey,” Kai gave me an eye-blinding grin.
“Yeah, whatever,” I muttered, going to the kitchen to get a dustpan to sweep up the broken pieces of the plate.
“Alright!” Kai announced after a few moments. “All done.”
“Great. I’ll go out,” I said, going over and taking the paper out of his hand. Kai reached out to stop me, though.
“Nope. I want you to stay,” Kai said. “Why?” I asked.
“Because you’re so cute,” he complimented. “Shut up. I will kill you,” I sneered, jerking my arm out of his grasp.
“I’ll go. I don’t want to be around Damon,” Bonnie snarled, snatching the piece of paper.
“Bon, c’mon,” Damon said helplessly, following her to the door.
They both went out of the house. I could hear Bonnie shouting from the outside.
“Finally alone together,” Kai said.
“Yeah, no. I’m going upstairs,” I said, turning on my heels.
“If you stay I'll tell you everything,” Kai said.
I stopped in my track, turning back to him slowly. “Really?”
He nodded. “I promise.”
“Fine,” I sighed, sitting back down on the couch. Kai got up and walked over. He sat down right next to me.
I huffed and got up, sitting in the armchair.
“Fine, I’ll talk to you this way, I guess. So, what do you want to know?” Kai asked.
“Why did you kill your family?” I asked.
“Well, I was born into a coven of witches. The Gemini coven, to be exact. I was the black sheep of my family. The one whose magical ability was sucking the power out of people. My family hated me. My father hated me. He never showed me love or tried to understand me,” he explained.
“And that’s why you killed your whole family? Because you never got love?” I asked.
“Yep. Basically,” he shrugged. “Not a good enough reason,” I shook my head.
“Well, what were you expecting?”
I sighed, “I don’t know.”
“Precisely. Anyways, that’s why this is my personal hell. Not Damon’s.”
“How do we get out of here?” I asked.
“Well, there’s this thing called an ascendent. That will take us home,” he explained.
“Okay, what is it?” I asked.
“A mystical relic that was created by my family. It can harnesses the power of a celestial event and creates a portal, to which we can all then go home.”
“And where is the ascendent?” I asked. “I have no idea,” Kai smiled.
“Ugh! Seriously? How are we going to get out of here now?”
“Well, the stuff I asked Bonnie to get will help us. Don’t worry,” he shrugged.
“Okay, well, I’m going to go and get ready for the day,” I said, standing up.
“And you’re going to leave me here alone? What if I kill you in the shower?” Kai asked.
“Well, I need a shower. So, if you do, at least I’ll be released from this world,” I smiled sweetly, walking off.
I heard him chuckle behind me. I sighed quietly and climbed up the stairs. I could not wait to get out of there.
I came back downstairs after 30 minutes. I first looked in the living room, seeing Bonnie and Damon with Kai.
“Took you long enough,” Damon said.
I rolled my eyes, “I assume Kai filled you in?” “Yep. I have to do a spell now to find the ascendent,” Bonnie nodded.
“And we’re gonna do that with Kai having jam on his fingers?” I asked, pointing to Kai was scooping out jam with his hands.
“Well, I’m not gonna do the spell. Bonnie will. I’ll just guide her,” Kai explained.
I hummed in reply and nodded. “Alright, well, let’s get started then.”
Bonnie and Kai went to the dining room table to work. Spreading out a big map and putting some of Kai’s blood on the paper to do a locator spell.
We watched as she tried a few times before she realised the blood wasn’t moving.
“It doesn’t feel right,” she sighed. “Maybe I need bigger map.”
“Maybe you’re just out of practice, and you suck at magic now,” Damon said.
“Ignore him, Bonnie. Pretend he’s a white noise machine,” Kai said. “That’s how I used to tune out my siblings.”
“How many siblings?” I asked casually.
“Seven,” Kai answered. “You know, all of them constantly yammering. But it, uh, taught me how to focus.” He went by Bonnie, looking her in the eye, his gaze traveling down to her lips.
A pang of jealously hit my heart. I looked down at the ground, not wanting to see them kiss, if they did.
“Easy there, big brother,” Damon remarked. “She doesn’t know you. At least buy her a drink.”
Bonnie and Kai chuckled, looking at each other. I groaned quietly, going to the kitchen to get myself a drink.
“Hey! Where are you going, princess?” Kai called.
“Somewhere where you’re not,” I grumbled.
I got out a bottle of scotch, taking a swig from the bottle.
“Woah, easy there, princess,” Damon mocked the nickname Kai had given me.
I glared at him. “Do not call me that.”
“What, I can’t, but Kai can? Sounds like someone still has a crush,” Damon sang.
“I do not!”
“You sure you don’t like him? Cause I think you two would make a great fit. He’s crazy and well, you seem to like crazy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, like you and Elena are a great fit, right? You being the one who keeps breaking up with her and all.”
I then walked past Damon and back into the living room, earning a glare from him.
“The blood’s moving towards Virginia. Can’t be right,” Kai said.
“Mm-mm. Spell’s working. It’s showing me Mystic Falls. It feels so… close,” Bonnie said, putting her hand on Kai’s jacket, candles lighting up.
“It right here,” Bonnie said, pressing her hand into his chest.
Kai took out the ascendent from his jacket pocket, an expression of shock on his face. “Very good.”
“That’s the ascendent?” I asked. “The one and only,” Kai smiled.
“Thanks for the mind games, jackass,” Damon said.
“It was just another little test. To make sure Bonnie’s magic was precise enough for the spell,” Kai explained. “I do believe we’re ready. Pack your bags, we’re going home.”
Kai then walked out of the house and to the front yard, stopping every few moments.
“You’re wandering around like a crazy man, why?” Damon asked.
“I’m looking for the exact right spot,” Kai answered, holding the ascendent up to the sky. “We need to find where the power of the eclipse is focused.”
“You know, you could have just showed us the ascendant to begin with,” Bonnie said.
“Yeah, but I wanted to feel your hand on my chest,” Kai smirked.
A frown rested upon my lips and I looked down at the ground.
“He is so annoying,” Bonnie muttered.
“You’re just not used to guys hitting on you,” Damon said. “You know, I can’t wait to get out of here,” Bonnie glared.
She then went next to me. I held my head back up, but not looking at her.
“Hey, how you holding up?” She asked. “Oh, fine,” I shrugged. “I’m getting kind of bored, though.”
“Yeah, I feel you… Hey,” Bonnie said, putting her hand on my arm. I turned to her, “Yeah?”
“Kai is a sociopath. He’s just flirting with us to get a rise out of each other. I know you don’t like him anymore, but that attraction you felt to him is probably still there. Let’s not let him tear us apart, okay? We’re stronger than some guy,” she smiled.
I smiled with her, perking up. “Yeah. You’re right. Sorry, just between him calling me pet names and the fact that Damon is always so pissy, it’s hard to be optimistic.”
“Well, I can do magic again now, so there’s one reason!”
“Very true. Good job, by the way,” I complimented. “Why, thank you,” Bonnie chuckled.
We followed Kai and Damon, beginning to talk about our plans for when we got home. I looked down at the ground as she talked about her plans with Jeremy. I kicked around a rock, a pair of shoes appearing in front of me. It was Kai. Before my body could stop, I knocked into him.
His hands supported my waist, holding me up. My eyes met his and for a split second, I could see the human in him. I pushed him away though, scoffing in the process.
“A little warning next time?”
Kai just smiled down at me, then looking up to the sky. “The eclipse will happen directly overhead. In perfect alignment with the Gemini constellation. You need to dig under the tunnels below us. We’ll do the spell here,” Kai said
“Wait, why do we have to dig?” Damon asked.
“Have you never portal-jumped through an eclipse before? Okay, look, the light of the eclipse will shine down and activate the ascendant. You spout a little witchy woo and then, poof! Anyone standing in the circle of light holding the ascendant goes home,” Kai explained.
“Let me see the spell,” Bonnie said. “When the time comes,” Kai smiled.
He then walked past us three.
“Where are you going?” I asked. “Into town. I need to gather some important supplies,” Kai explained.
“Y/n, why don’t you watch over him to make sure he isn’t planning to kill us,” Damon said.
“What! No!” I protested. “You really want to be stuck with us? Digging a hole?” Bonnie asked.
“Not really,” I sighed. “Fine, I’ll go. See you guys later.”
“Have fun,” Bonnie smiled. “Oh, you know I will,” I smiled sourly as I followed Kai’s path.
I jogged to catch up with him. “Hey, Kai! Wait up.”
Kai stopped in his tracks, turning in surprise. “Stalking me?”
“Nope. More like babysitting.”
“Hm. Well, I’m older than you, so technically I would be doing the babysitting,” Kai said.
“Yeah, like you have any parental instincts. So, where into town are we going?”
“I thought you hated talking to me,” Kai said. “Just answer the damn question,” I glared.
“I’m picking up some personal belongings,” Kai explained.
“Why?” You asked. “Because 1994 has been my home for most of my life. I don’t want to get homesick when I go into the 21st century,” Kai answered.
“Hm, I see. Well, a lot has changed in the last 18 years,” I said.
“So I can see. They obviously didn’t make girls as pretty as Bonnie back then,” Kai smirked.
My lips pulled down into another frown. Him complimenting Bonnie was like a stake to the heart. I didn’t know why, but it bothered me a little too much to hear him talk about other girls. It was even worse considering that the girl he was talking about was my best friend.
“Hey, don’t be so sad. You’re pretty, too,” Kai nudged my shoulder.
“Wow, thanks,” I rolled your eyes.
“I’m serious! You’re more pretty than Bonnie!” Kai said. “Just want I wanted. You dragging my friend down so I can be complimented,” I hummed.
Kai rolled his eyes. “Women are so difficult. Look, I meant that you’re really pretty. Bonnie is, too. Just accept the fact I think you’re pretty!”
My face warmed up quickly and I hung my head low. “T-Thanks.”
“Let me guess, not a lot of guys compliment you?”
“They do, but doesn’t mean I don’t get flustered.”
“You seem pretty outgoing to me,” Kai said.
“Well, that’s probably because I hate you. I’m shy to guys I like,” I explained, putting my head back up.
“Hm… Or you just think that. You know, girls can be mean when they like a guy.”
“Yeah, in elementary school. Look, I’m not 8 anymore. I know the difference between love and hate and trust me, my feelings for you stand on the hate side.”
“Keep saying that, princess,” Kai remarked. “And stop calling me princess! God, it’s so annoying,” I groaned.
“C’mon, I know you like it, princess,” Kai teased, poking at my arm.
I swatted his hand away. “For someone who is a sociopath, you sure like to flirt a lot.”
“I am not a sociopath,” Kai said. “You sure are,” I chuckled.
“I’m not. I was just treated like the biggest embarrassment and disappointment of my family, and I’ve been stuck here for 18 years. It’s not fun going through what I did,” Kai argued.
I softened up a little. “Right, yeah. So, how long do we have to walk for?”
“Not very long,” Kai said.
We walked in a weirdly comfortable silence for 10 more minutes before arriving at a house.
“This your place I assume?” I asked.
“Yep. Not the place I grew up in, though,” he said, walking up. “Because you were born in Oregon?” I guessed.
“Yep. Wow, you pay attention to what I say. So sweet.”
I huffed, “Just hurry up.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I waited for him outside the house, beginning to play with the locket around my neck. I took it off, opening it and smiling nostalgically.
“I miss you guys. I wish you were here,” I said to the pictures, running my fingertips on them.
“Are you talking to yourself?” Kai’s voice sounded out of nowhere.
I jumped, immediately shutting the locket. “No. Are you finished?”
“Yep,” he nodded.
“Good, let’s hurry back.”
“Who were you talking to?” He asked as we started our journey back to Bonnie and Damon.
“Nobody,” I answered. “So you were talking to yourself?” Kai pressed.
“Yeah,” I admitted. “Why?” He asked.
“It’s none of your business,” I said quickly. I hoped he got the hint that this was something that I would never share.
“Oh, please? You know, like, everything about me!”
I groaned, “No, Kai! Stop it.”
His eyebrows raised, his lips curling up into a smile. “Alright, Miss Fussy.”
I went in front of him, walking fast. We finally got back to the big hole that was now in the middle of the forrest.
“Now will you show us the spell?” Bonnie asked, panting.
“Not yet,” Kai said. “Why? We’ve done everything you want. Just get us out of here,” Damon said.
“I just… I can’t. Not yet,” Kai shrugged.
I scoffed, “Now is not the time to be a dick.”
“Wait,” Bonnie said, staring hard at Kai. “He doesn’t know the spell. Which means we don’t need him. Motus.”
Suddenly the pickaxe that Damon had flew up and plunged Kai in the heart, missing my arm by a centimeter.
“Bonnie!” I shrieked.
“What? You never liked him anyways,” Bonnie shrugged. “I have my grimoire right here, I’ll find the spell.” Bonnie pulled out the spell book from her backpack.
“Yeah, and how long is that gonna take?” Damon asked. “Not long if you two let me concentrate,” Bonnie said.
Damon groaned and walked over to me. “She seems way too calm.”
“She’s not one to freak out like you or Caroline. I’m a little mad at her, too, but I know she’s got this,” I shrugged, taking a seat on the dirt.
“Find the spell yet, Bon-Bon?” Damon asked, leaning against a tree.
“It’s been 2 minutes,” I swatted Damon’s leg. “No, but I think the Gemini coven used a Bennett spell to create this place. That's why my grams sent me here,” Bonnie explained.
I smiled at her, “Great thinking!”
Bonnie thanked me with a nod, holding the ascendent up in her hands and muttering an incantation. My jaw dropped as I saw the ascendent move outwards.
“And this is why Kai never killed me. He needed a Bennett,” Bonnie smiled triumphantly.
“See, I told you she knew what she was doing,” I smiled up at Damon.
“Yeah, well, I did, too. I was just giving her a hard time,” Damon shrugged.
Bonnie chuckled. “You guys ready to go home?”
“Hell yeah!” I exclaimed and jumped up.
We all jumped down the hole that Bonnie and Damon dug up, landing in a cave. Bonnie wasted no time dropping her blood onto the ascendant. She muttered the spell, the ascendent winding out further.
“Ready, guys?” Bonnie asked.
I nodded, walking up to her and putting my hand under her’s. Damon put his hand under mine.
“Let’s go home,” I smiled, tears threatening to fall out of my eyes.
As Bonnie was about to say the spell, an arrow struck just right under my heart and sent me flying. Another arrow also hit Bonnie. I hit a pile of rocks, my head turning to whoever hit me. It was Kai.
“Forgetting someone?” He asked. “Did you really think I haven’t tried to kill myself before? Because I have.” He loaded up the crossbow again.
Damon made a move for the ascendent that was now on the floor.
“Grab that or the next arrow will be in their hearts. Your choice.” Kai threatened.
Damon sighed and sped over to Bonnie, pulling the arrow out from her body. She screamed in pain, my eyes widening as I watched Kai take the ascendent.
“Damon!” I exclaimed as Damon as about to feed us his blood.
Damon fed Bonnie his blood quickly and ran up to Kai, knocking the ascendent out of his hand. My eyes fell to the ascendent as it was close enough for me to try and grab. I tried to reach, but Bonnie was a few steps ahead of me. She then bent down to me, ripping the arrow out of my side. I screamed in pain, tears streaming down my face.
“We’re gonna get you out of here, okay? Just put pressure on this,” Bonnie said, grabbing her jacket around my wound.
I shook my head, smiling sadly. “No, I-I won’t make it. You and Damon go. You guys have too much to live for. Me? I have no family there, and we all know Caroline and Elena miss you more.”
“That is so not true,” Bonnie said. “When you were gone at camp for those 3 summers, all Care and Elena could take about was how much they’ve missed you. And I know for a fact that Tyler, Matt, and especially Stefan miss you, too. We are getting you out of here.”
“We are, Y/n. Otherwise Elena would kill me,” Damon groaned from behind me. “I would rather be killed by my hot, vampire girlfriend instead of this psycho. A little help Bonnie?”
Bonnie nodded, muttering a spell that sent Kai flying back. Damon then came over and lifted me up, carrying me over to Bonnie. We stood under the light and I looked up, smiling happily.
“I’m getting out of here,” I sighed.
“Not on my watch!” Kai exclaimed. As soon as we started to float up, Kai ran over to Damon and knocked me out of his arms.
“No!” I screamed.
“Y/n!” Bonnie exclaimed as she shot up in the portal.
I watched with hot, burning tears as Bonnie and Damon disappeared. I sobbed in pain and sadness, looking at Kai with a watery gaze.
“Why?!” I screamed.
“Because like you said, you don’t have any family there. Me neither, so there’s no reason for you to get back to your home,” Kai explained with a shit-eating grin.
“Screw you,” I muttered distantly. I felt my eyes begin to droop. My breathing was so shallow, I could barely feel my heartbeat. I looked up to the light that was shining down. Where my friends once were.
“Sleep well, princess. I’ll see you soon.” Was the last thing I heard before I lost all consciousness.
————
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"its fine, really! I'm used to it...” “what you meant you’re used to it??” but yax
After careful and long hours of research, Yakko came to the conclusion that he at least admired Max.
He had only seen Max in person once, but there was just something magnetic about the far-away prince that intrigued and fascinated Yakko. So much so, that for the next month or so, Yakko dove headfirst into studying all he could about Max and his country. He tried to share the fascinating history and details with his younger siblings, but they clearly weren't as into it as he was. That didn't deter him though, he was determined to learn absolutely everything he possibly could- even going into Angelina's old private study for books.
It was weird not having her around to stop any of it. Was this what pure joy and excitement with no downsides was like? If so, Yakko really liked it.
Either way, he was ecstatic when his mother told him she was officially making plans to take him to Disneyland to see Max (and diplomatic stuff, but they both knew that wasn't the main reason). Upon hearing the news, he then hurried and changed his studies entirely into conversations and how to have them.
Upon his and Max's first encounter, Yakko realized he was terrible at conversations, but now Yakko swore he'd be better than good- he'd be a conversation master. He studied examples both fictional and non about advice and how royals interact with each other and conversations one was supposed to hold and he complied his notes into a handy notebook that could fit into his pocket in case he got into a tough spot mid conversation. After all- he'd probably be there for hours and hours- that's a long time to be entertaining.
So he poured himself into his studies for a week or so (time was really alluding his grasp as of late) and before he knew it, it was time for him to go. However, not before a weird reaction from Wakko he wasn't expecting... seriously, if anything, Yakko expected Wakko to be happy for him because that meant he wouldn't have to hear about Disneyland for awhile, but instead he got really accusatory. But his parents assured him that it was nothing and his mother went to comfort him while he prepared for his journey.
"That's a big notebook," Dot said, lurking by his door as he flipped through his notes for what must've been the millionth time this week.
"I have a lot to remember," Yakko said, putting it in his pocket.
"Why do you care so much?" Dot asked. Yakko blinked.
"I just... do? He's the first friend I've had... ever," He said, making her move so he could head out the room.
"But I thought me and Wakko-..." Dot didn't finish her sentence. Yakko stopped.
"Max is just... different. I can't explain it- I'm trying to understand, but he's really just... different. A good different," He tried his best to explain, but he knew it fell short.
"Oh... you must really like him?" Dot asked.
"I guess, yeah," Yakko blushed. "He's just- the coolest person I've ever met, and now that Grandma's gone and I'm free to just- hang out with people, yeah," He scratched the back of his neck, aware of the fact he needed to get going. When Dot didn't respond to that, he pursed his lips.
"Welp- I gotta get going," He gave a quick wave, not waiting for her to return it before getting going- he wanted to spend as much time as possible in Disneyland.
Hurriedly, he rushed down the halls all the way down the grand stairs and out the main doors to the carriage, where his mother was waiting for him.
"Getting something?" Lena teased, as the coachman opened the door for them.
"Just a few notes," Yakko said, following his mother as she entered. She chuckled.
"You don't need to be so nervous, dear. From what I've seen, Max already likes you very much," Lena said soothingly as the carriage started to move.
"I just... I want this to be perfect," Yakko sighed, and leaned against the window of the carriage.
Lena snorted. "You and I have a lot in common," She said, fiddling with the fingers of her gloves.
"The last time I was out of this castle before the incident was- well... the wedding... but before that? I don't think I've ever been out..." The queen looked back as her home grew further and further away. "Outside of parties and suitors I've never really dealt in diplomatic situations. God knows my mother never prepared me for half of the things- I just..." She took a deep breath.
"I want this to go perfectly too... but Scratchnsniff says perfection is an impossible goal and we should aim for something more obtainable," She reminded herself. Yakko glanced at her briefly, before returning to the window.
He wasn't sure what he thought of Scratchnsniff. Dot and his parents all seemed to like him, but he still hadn't opened up to him, even though it had been over a month now. They'd be doing... okay sometimes, but the moment the doctor tried talking about Angelina, Yakko refused to give him the satisfaction. He knew he was there to help but- yeah... That wasn't going to happen any time soon.
"We got a long ride, huh?" Lena chuckled, more nervously this time.
"Yeah..." was all he said. He had a lot on his mind, and he could tell his mother did too. Hopefully, by the time they actually arrived, they'd be able to make sense of everything and enjoy their time in Disneyland- though they'd have to wait and see.
.o0o.
The ride wasn't terrible, but it was rather long and tiresome, so it was easy to say that when they finally arrived they were both relieved.
Both Yakko and Lena were surprised at just how different Disneyland was from Warnerstock just from the windows. Everything was brighter, orderly to the point of confusion (to them anyway), and boy oh boy was it big. The castle itself was the biggest example of this, as it seemed to have countless towers and was impossible to take in all at once. Then again, the royal family was quite large and Disney was known for it's welcoming nature and having guests often, so it didn't really surprise them. It was just a lot to take in at once.
However, they didn't have to take that all in for long, as they were guided inside by a few guards and were taken to the throne room, where the three kings were sitting- a duck on the left, a mouse in the middle, and a very tall dog on the right.
"Angelina? Wow, it really is you! How have ya been?" The Mouse immediately stood upon seeing them enter.
"Mickey! Oh it's been years hasn't it?" Lena chuckled and went and hugged him, which the mouse gladly returned, leaving Yakko and the others very confused.
"Do... you... know him?" Yakko raised an eyebrow.
Lena cleared her throat and stepped back. "Right- yes, I forgot to tell you, Michael here was a suitor of mine back in the day," She explained. "Obviously, it didn't work out, as both of our hearts belonged to another, but it wasn't a completely terrible three days."
"Oh please, I'm Mickey to friends," Mickey said. Lena nodded.
"Right, yes, Mickey," Lena corrected.
"Oh," Yakko nodded slowly.
"You must be Yakko then. It's a pleasure to have you as a guest," Mickey smiled and shook Yakko's hand. The dog king's head perked up.
"It's a pleasure to be here," Yakko replied, hoping his nervousness wasn't showing.
"Prince Yakko?" The dog king stood and walked over. "It's a pleasure to meet you, h'yuk," He laughed as he shook Yakko's hand. "Max has told me about you."
"Oh, you must be Goofy, pleasure to meet you," His nervousness increased tenfold. He couldn't believe he didn't put that together upon seeing him immediately.
"Daaaaaaaaad," Max entered the room, looking at the ground with his face red as a tomato.
"Hiya Max! I was just introducing myself to your friend here," Goofy grinned, still shaking Yakko's hand.
"This is why I don't tell you things," Max muttered to himself. "Can we go?" He asked, grabbing Yakko's arm, freeing him from the handshake.
Mickey nodded. "Of course, we got our own business to deal with, you two have fun," He said, and with that, Max practically dragged Yakko out of the room.
"I am so sorry you had to deal with that," He sighed as the guards closed the door behind them and Max let go of his arm.
"Deal with what?" Yakko tilted his head slightly.
"My Dad- he just- he doesn't know when to stop no matter how many times I talk to him," Max shook his head. "C'mon, I know a good spot to hang out. Watch out for running triplets."
"Running triplets?" Yakko raised an eyebrow.
"Huey, Dewey and Louie like running around without warning- as do Morty and Ferdie and if Daisy's over then so do April, May and June- just keep an ear out for them," Max explained, checking both ways before crossing a hallway.
"Right, right," Yakko nodded, not really understanding how they'd ever be allowed to do that. Then again, not having a tyrannical grandmother around probably let them have a lot more freedom and fun.
The pair went down a few halls, always checking both ways as they went, before they reached a room that Max let him into to reveal that it led to a fairly small room with a few chairs, but outside of that was a large balcony it was clear the dog prince frequented.
"Nice place," Yakko admired the room as Max opened the glass doors for him.
"I come here a lot to clear my head," Max said, closing the door behind him. "And to get away from my family."
Max must've really not liked them, huh...
"Yeah... I could really use a place like this," Yakko admired the craftsmanship of the columns holding up the railing.
"Watch this," Max winked, picking up a stone from a pile of rocks, and throwing it down into the giant pond in the garden bellow, causing a massive splash and ripple.
"Cool," Yakko said.
"It's nothing really," Max blushed again and went to where the rail met the wall and sat on it. "Wanna sit?" He patted the spot next to him.
"Oh- I uh-..." Yakko peered over the edge cautiously. It wasn't too far a fall, but still. It was easy to say it was far enough down to make even the most un-acrophobic person a little nervous.
"Oh, are you afraid of heights? I'm sorry, I-"
"No no no, I can handle it," Yakko swallowed his fear and sat next to him, glad that it was wide enough for him to feel supported. Still, he wrapped his tail around the edge loosely as a precaution.
"So... what do you think?" Max asked. "Of Disneyland, I mean."
"I think it's really... different. Very organized, very..." Yakko thought to himself. "Very homogeneous and large, yeah."
Max snorted. "Homogeneous?"
"It means similar or 'the same'," Yakko cursed himself internally. Max laughed with a little 'hyuk' in there that made Yakko relax, though a familiar fluttering in his stomach returned.
"You're really smart, aren't you?" Max asked.
"Yeah... my grandmother's pride alright," Yakko looked at the garden.
Great, barely five minutes into the conversation and he already broke his number one rule he wrote to himself: Don't bring up Grandma.
"I don't think it's your grandma's fault you're smart. If that was true, then I'd be a lot more wacky like Dad," Max did his best to reassure, which despite all odds did kinda work.
"You keep bringing up how much you don't like your family," Yakko commented. "Why?"
"Why? You've barely even met them- they are just beyond crazy and drive me up the wall with how embarrassing and tiresome they can be," Max crossed his arms.
"I mean- my sibs can be a little crazy at times but I still like them," Yakko said.
"You don't know them," Max sighed, looking out to the garden too. Yakko decided it was probably best he drop the subject for now.
However, after that was a long stretch of silence, and Yakko started to panic as it got longer and longer and he couldn't think of a thing to say. Thankfully though, he remembered the notebook sitting in his pocket and he slowly and carefully took it out and looked for a good conversation starter.
"What is your favorite type of weather?" He asked, quickly slipping it back into his pocket. Max immediately burst into laughter.
"Where'd you think of a question like that?" He asked.
"If you don't like it I can ask a different one," Yakko turned bright red as he flusteredly turned over, pulling out the notebook and flipping through it.
"Do you have a notebook of conversation starters?" Max caught a glimpse.
"Whaaaat? Me??? Pssshhhh," Yakko adamantly denied, but he sighed, knowing he had been caught.
"Yeah... I figured since I majorly screwed up talking like a normal person last time I'd take some notes so the conversation would be far less depressing and not so... trauma centered," He admitted, showing him the notebook.
"Wait- you think you're screwing up?" Max seemed baffled, which confused the Warnerstockian Prince.
"I mean- yeah..? No matter what I do I always end up thinking about the same stupid topic and I dunno... you seem so much more normal than me," Yakko admitted, looking away.
"I feel like I've just been a bumbling dork this whole time," Max admitted too. "You've been really smart and interesting this whole time, with your fancy words and observations about stuff and... yeah," He scratched his neck.
"You think I'm interesting?" Yakko looked at him.
"Yeah man," Max looked at him, though only briefly. "You're... cool."
That made the fluttering increase tenfold.
"You're really cool too," Yakko smiled. Max nodded his head in acknowledgement, looking out to the garden once more.
"You know... I promised I'd give you some sporting pointers when you came by. Perhaps I should 'make good' on that promise," Max said, gesturing to the pile of rocks and other such objects clearly designated for throwing into the pond.
"Okay," Yakko agreed to it, putting the notes back in his pocket, following Max as he went over to the pile.
"The trick is that it's all in the wrist, and if you keep your eyes focused on where you wanna throw it, it does a lot to help it actually go there," Max said, as he picked up a rock and threw it with all his might, and it crashed far into the pond.
"In the wrist, huh?" Yakko nodded and acted like that made sense. He then picked up a rock, and threw it with all his might. However, his might was rather pathetic, and all he managed to do was to crack the tiling around the pond and it shattered into pieces, as Yakko felt the blood drain from his face.
"Max, I-i'm so so so so so so sorry, I-i-" Yakko sputtered out apologies but Max just started laughing and laughing.
"It's okay Yakko. We're royalty, remember? My dad'll just have someone fix it, it's totally cool," He placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "But hey, other than that, that wasn't half bad."
"She'd totally kill me if I did that at home though," Yakko cursed himself.
"She? Who, your mom? Cuz from what I've heard she's a big sap," Max said, confused.
"Not mom, my grandma," Yakko sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
"Your grandma's dead, Yakko. She can't punish you for that. You can break all the tiles you want here, it's cool," Max said, now deeply concerned for his new friend.
"Right- you're absolutely right. I'm sorry," Yakko took a deep breath.
"It's cool... I get that it must be hard moving on from that," Max's hand lingered on Yakko's shoulder a minute before he put it down.
"Yeah..." Yakko sighed as he realized he broke the rule yet again.
"I know you probably don't want to, but if you ever need or want to talk about it, I'm more than happy to listen," Max offered. Yakko smiled a little.
"Thanks... that means a lot more than you probably know," He said. Max smiled too.
"You're a lot cooler than you give yourself credit for, you know?" Max said. "You may not be the best at sports, but you are really good at talking, which is more than I can say."
"You sell yourself short," Yakko disagreed.
"Maybe we both do," Max shrugged, returning to the ledge.
"Yeah... maybe," Yakko said, sitting next to him once more.
As they began to chat more about much lighter and happier topics, a warm spring breeze began to rush by and Yakko began to just... notice things about Max. The way his fluffy and wild hair flowed in the wind, the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about one of his passions, his cute laugh that he always seemed to try and suppress, the way he stuck his hands in his pockets, his smile, the compassion and comradery in his eyes...
Yakko could gaze into those eyes for an eternity.
"It's getting pretty late... isn't it?" Max began to notice the sky beginning to turn a rosey shade of pink as the sun began to set.
"Yeah... I guess that means we have to get going soon, huh?" Yakko tried to play it casually, but he knew he'd miss Max dearly. Max's side glances told him he felt the same.
"Maybe you can write to me? A-and maybe... Maybe I'll convince dad or Uncle Mickey to take me to Warnerstock?" Max scratched the back of his neck, clearly trying to play it cool.
"I'd love that," Yakko smiled, before pondering if using the word "love" was inappropriate. It wasn't like he- well... liked him, or anything... right..?
"Okay," Max smiled back.
They stayed smiling at each other much longer than was normal, though neither really minded.
"Maxy? Yakko?" The voice of Goofy called for them outside the room outside the balcony.
"I need to go," Yakko said. "But... I will write, I promise."
"I believe you," Max nodded. "Though... don't be surprised if my letters are short and my handwriting attrocious- I'm not the best when it comes to any of that stuff," He said, getting down from the rail, offering his hand to "help" Yakko down.
Yakko took it.
"I'm sure it won't be any worse than Wakko's," He said.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Max chuckled as Yakko got off, still holding his hand.
However, they instantly let go when Goofy entered the room.
"There ya are- you're mom's looking for you. It's gettin' late," Goofy said, opening the glass door.
"Right, yes.. thanks, dad," Max pursed his lips and looked away.
"I'll write, I promise," Yakko said.
"Y-yeah, okay," Max nodded and smiled. "I'll... see you soon."
"See you soon," Yakko nodded, before forcing himself to walk away (a task that was a lot harder than he expected it to be). Goofy then guided him back to the throne room, where his mother was talking with Mickey and Donald (Yakko figured that was who he was), but she stopped when he entered.
"There you are," She smiled as he returned to her side. "Have fun?"
"Yep," He nodded briefly, hoping she didn't expect him to get into detail here and now.
"It's been great catching up, Angelina," Mickey told her.
"I couldn't agree more. And it's been a pleasure meeting you two, Goofy, Donald," She nodded at both of them. "I'm afraid I must get going, but I'd love to meet up again sometime- or possibly take Max off your hands for an afternoon," Lena teased Yakko, causing him to turn red.
"I'm sure he'd love that," Goofy smiled.
"Have a safe trip," Donald said in the scratchiest, most garbled voice Yakko ever heard in his life. It was so incomprehensible he had to actively bury his shock and confusion as to not offend him.
"Thank you," Lena nodded at the three of them. "It's been a pleasure, truly."
"Yeah.. see you," Yakko felt like he had to say goodbye too, but having not just spent the past several hours with them, it felt awkward. Mickey chuckled.
"See you," He said.
With that, Lena and Yakko made their way out of the castle and back into their carriage and began on their way back home.
"So... how was your day?" Lena asked once the carriage began to move.
"It was nice. Max is... cool," Despite his research, cool was still the best word to describe him.
"That's good, he seems like a very nice kid," She nodded in approval. "I wouldn't mind having him over sometime in the future."
"That'd be great," Yakko agreed with enthusiasm that made her laugh.
"Okay, I'll arrange a date," She chuckled.
"What about your day? How was all those meetings?" Yakko asked, not just out of politeness but a genuine curiosity.
"I half expected Mickey not to remember me, so it was a pleasant surprise. And Goofy and Donald are quite the lovely characters too, very strong personalities. I can see why their kingdom works so well," She said with a nod.
"But I know you really don't want to hear about all that. Please, tell me more about Max," Lena said.
Yakko told her all that happened, not glossing over a single detail. She listened with intent, and couldn't help but laugh here and there.
"It sounds like you're rather fond of Max, no?" She said.
"What do you mean?" Yakko blinked. His mother chuckled to herself.
"Oh nothing, I'm sure you'll figure it out on your own in due time," She said.
"Okay..?" Yakko raised an eyebrow, not sure where she was getting at. However, it was clear she wasn't going to be giving any more hints so Yakko dropped it.
Whatever it was, she clearly had perfect faith he'd figure it out sooner or later, so perhaps it was best he focus on other things- like what he was going to write in his letter to Max. There would be so many topics to choose from, and this time he'd have all the time in the world to think of a perfect response. Honestly, he should've started writing letters sooner. It just made so much sense- Yakko could think of the perfect response before sending it away and he could read over Max's responses over and over again. Maybe he could even find a box to store them in. That sounded really nice...
Yakko thought back to his mother's words, and decided it was true.
Yakko was rather fond of his dear friend, Max.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 The End
#yax#angelina 1 lives au#animaniacs#yakko warner#max goof#queen angelina ii#mickey mouse#my fics#goofy goof#long post#oblivious bisexuals#i love them your honor#otp#this took forever i'm so sorry-#also sorry how long it is#i'm tired lol#gay disasters#not me not using the quote at all-#jfdkaslfdlas#the quote is in spirit#i'm sorry anon-
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New Favorite Setter (U.W.)
The Next Chapter Masterlist
< Previous Chapter • You Are Here • Next Chapter >
Warnings: None, really :), just Ushi being sweet
After spending a long ten minutes convincing Kenma that you were, indeed, okay, and Iwa was driving you home, he takes his departure. Though, what had really sold him was the fact that he could set up a movie for you both when you got home.
With Kenma's departure, you find yourself wringing your hands - what were you supposed to do? You'd asked everyone to give you and him a moment to talk and they'd done exactly that. Though, now that he was gone, you found yourself standing alone and watching as everyone interacted with one another. You hadn't exactly gotten this far. You felt like it was your first day at Nekoma, all over again, when your teacher made you stand up to introduce yourself to the class.
You didn't want to help in the gym, at least not when Atsumu and Suna were there, even if Bokuto was with them as well. And Iwaizumi seemed to be reviewing some different exercises with Sakusa and Yaku, leaving you wondering what exactly you were here to do. What help could you possibly be to them? You had half a mind to turn around and leave the gym, maybe you could catch up to Kenma before he walked too far away...
Little did you know that you'd caught the attention of a certain player that had stepped out of the gym to get some water.
Just as you're about to turn on your heel to leave, you find yourself approached by none other than the giant of a man, Ushijima Wakatoshi himself. He doesn't know how to acknowledge your awkward actions, or the fact that you look out of place, though maybe that was a good thing. Maybe you just needed a little push to help you get used to and more familiar with the team.
"I need someone to set for me so I can work on my spikes. I want to work on spiking with my right hand, as well. It will be an advantage on the court." The man stands in front of you, almost apprehensively, while he awaits an answer from you. His words are hesitant, voice void of most emotion. Though you had to give him credit for trying to make you feel more comfortable, despite being so awkward, himself.
As he awaits your answer, he furrows his brows in curiosity. Did you even still want to be here? Should he have just let you take off? Maybe he should walk away before he embarrasses himself, or you. Any prior thoughts of leaving you to your own devices leave him when he hears the quiet breath of relief that you release. "Yeah, I can do that. It's what I'm here for, after all!" You flash him a smile and momentarily Ushijima finds his chest tightening.
That was an odd... And new feeling.
What was even more confusing was the way the feeling amplified when you took his hand in yours to tug him towards the gymnasium. He trails behind you without complaint, in fact, finding himself managing a small smile at how quickly you brightened when he interacted with you. He wasn't quite sure why he hated the idea of you leaving as much as he did, but here he was, making up excuses for you to stay with him and train. Though he'd be honest, he was probably about to make a fool of himself: it had been a while since he attempted spiking with his right hand.
As you both entered the gym, Bokuto, Suna, and Miya all turned to look in the direction you'd entered, but they had two sides of the court for a reason. Without a word to them, you're releasing Ushijima's hand and going to retrieve a volleyball for the both of you to use.
Ushijima, while your eyes are away from him, shoots a look of warning towards those on the other side of the net as you both make it over to the side, furthest from the door. Unsurprisingly, the look causes the three to halt in their own practice for a few moments, simply watching you. It had been a while since Suna and Miya had seen you play and Bokuto just... Really loved to watch you play. There was something almost elegant about the way you would set. It reminded him a lot of the way Miya set, though he supposed that made sense, with Atsumu having been your teacher.
"You ready, babe?" Tossing the ball to the opposite hitter, you grin at the way his cheeks darken at the term. "Throw it to me, whenever you're ready, alright, Ushi?"
"You may call me Wakatoshi, if you would like, L/N." The giant of a man nods in your direction with an impassive look on his face. Closing his eyes momentarily, he takes a deep breath, reopening them as he exhales. With his exhale also came the volleyball being tossed into the air.
It only took a brief glance at him to note where he was running and with that, you swung your arms to gain momentum as you jumped into the air. Your hands come together above your head only moments before the ball makes contact with them. All of the volleyball players could tell your form wasn't perfect.
Though even in high school, you hadn't been a setter. Nonetheless, Ushijima hardly had to do any work, your set making contact with his hand perfectly. A loud thud sounds through the room as the ball makes contact with the floor.
Ushijima had expected you to be good, but you really had a talent for volleyball, much like Bokuto had been bragging about. He was sure, though, that it was also a product of being a friend of Hinata Shōyō and Bokuto Kōtarō, who seemed to never want to stop practicing. Turning to face you, he noticed the way you grinned proudly at yourself, eyes flickering to his. He interpreted it as exactly what it was: a silent 'how did I do?' And he didn't hesitate to answer your unasked question.
"I think I've found my new favorite setter."
Damn, Ushi really said that in front of Atsumu too... Anyways.
You don't go by the last name 'Kita' anymore, you coined the name 'L/N' for your social media platform, and because after you left for Tokyo, you hadn't had any contact with your brother or grandmother.
Ushijima hasn't ever really had a romantic interest in anyone before, always focusing on his career. But with the knowledge you'll be around often and your phone number, he'll be changing that.
I'm so sorry these updates are taking so long. April and May are kind of rough months for me, but I am working on updates this week, I promise. Anyways, I hope you're all doing wonderfully and taking care of yourselves. Don't forget how proud I am of you, okay? And don't forget to eat, drink some water, and get some rest. You deserve it. Oh, and there will be much more with Ushi, no worries.
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I don’t think this is along the line of your usual fics, at least I’ve only seen you post one thing in the TDA series, but would you be willing to write Kit and Kieran bonding after Kieran finds out that they’re related? Because I just feel like Kieran would be happy to have a family member that he actually likes, and isn’t a horrible person.
Yes! Kieran would be so happy to have a family member that doesn’t treat him horribly! I also want to apologize for posting this monster of a fic. I just had too much fun writing this! Kit’s POV is something I didn’t know I needed to write until now. ALSO, it broke my heart to write some of this so... You’re welcome.
Characters: Kit & Kieran bonding times (platonicccc I don’t want anyone thinking this is anything other than platonic because, ew)
Notes: This is a couple of days before Kit goes to live with Jem and Tessa :)
...
Kit had been staring out into the distance for so long, time seems to have lost it’s essence. He kept telling himself to stop standing there and go back inside. Perhaps he should do some packing, since Jem Carstairs and Tessa Gray were going to come in a couple of days and take him to Devon. But all Kit had done this evening was this; looking out at LA and wondering how his life had changed so drastically in the span of a couple of months.
He had the balcony door open and turned to find Kieran standing there.
“Is it alright if I stay here?”
Kit simply nodded at him and then turned back to the view. It was a really nice view. Nothing like the one he had in his old house.
Kieran rested his forearms on the railing and looked out at the city, just as Kit was doing.
“Do you mind if I ask you a question?” Kieran asked.
“Nope, go ahead.”
“When you look out at this view,” Kieran said, “do you see what you would consider to be ‘home’?”
Kit shrugged. “I’ve never seen LA from here before, so it doesn’t really look like home. Except for that street over there; I used to pass it when I was going to school in the morning.”
Kieran squinted, trying to identify the street. He didn’t know why, but Kit sort of liked that he was actually putting in the effort to find the street he was talking about. Most people would shrug it off or nod and smile a fake smile, just so that they could end the small talk. It sort of felt like Kieran actually cared about what Kit said.
“Is it the one that goes along that building with red lights?”
“Uhh,” Kit looked at the expanse of red lights, none of which were near the street he had been talking about. “Not really. It’s the one that has that stop sign at the end of it.”
“I’m afraid I do not have knowledge of what a ‘stop sign’ is or what it may look like.”
Kit’s eyes widened and he bit back the urge to say “wow”. How old was this guy? How secluded was Faerie? He didn’t ask those questions though, because they seemed rude.
“It’s okay, Kieran. I won’t be offended if you don’t want to keep looking for it. I mean, it’s pretty small.”
“No, I want to find this path you had taken to your school in the past. It feels important.”
“Oh okay. Umm,” Kit looked at the street. “Oh, do you see that green car over there?”
“Hm. Oh yes! I do see it!”
“Okay, to the right of that road, is the street I was talking about.”
“Is there a woman and a man professing their love to one another, for all to see, on the lighter road, beside that bigger, darker road?”
Kit blinked. And then he understood. “Oh, you mean that couple making out on the sidewalk? Yeah, that’s the one.”
Kieran smiled, clearly proud he’d found the street. Kit smiled too, because it had been a little fun. Then his mind drifted and he thought about how Kieran was supposedly related to him. That was really weird. He also looked nothing like Kieran; but maybe that was because they weren’t that related.
“Hey, Kieran?”
“Yes?”
“How are we related again? Are we like cousins or something?”
“I think your great-great grandmother was my half sister?”
“Oh.” Kit said. “Well, I still don’t know what to call you. Are you like my great-great-great uncle, then?”
Kieran looked pensive. “Perhaps?”
“Cool.”
“I was thinking it was a bit hot, actually.”
Kit felt his jaw drop. What the hell?
“What?”
Kieran looked at him surprised. “You said you were cold, but I think it’s rather warm outside. Hot, even.”
Kit released a breath in relief. “Oh, oh okay. Thank God.”
“For what?”
“Oh, nothing.”
They looked out at the landscape in front of them. Kit was going to just let the silence hang, when he suddenly felt bad for his Triple-G Uncle (yes, he thought, that’s what I should call him).
“Oh, Kieran?”
“Yes?”
“When someone says ‘cool’ they usually mean, like…‘nice’.”
Kieran looked at him and tilted his head to the side. “I don’t believe I follow…”
“It’s like… uh… you see, i—it’s hard to explain. Let me think.” Kit furrowed his eyebrows trying to figure out how to explain. “Well, it’s like saying ‘awesome’ or ‘great’, you know?”
Kieran pressed his lips together. “Oh. That makes a little bit of sense.”
“Oh, really? Cool! I thought what I just said just confused you even more.”
“No, no. I think I understand now, especially after you used it in a sentence.”
“Huh. And you’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
Kieran eyed him. “Even if I wanted to, I cannot lie. I’m Fae.”
“Oh, yeah.” Kit bit his lip. “I forget that sometimes.”
Kieran snorted. “I don’t.”
Kit pressed his lips together. He wanted to know more about his ancestors, and now was as good a time to ask. And when would he get a better opportunity to learn? Here was Kieran, who was raised in the Unseelie Court. Just ask, Kit, he thought. Just ask the stupid question already, before you leave and won’t ever be able to know. Just do it.
Kit almost laughed because that reminded him of a vine he had first seen in second period math. Then, he shuddered because ugh, second period math. That class was torture unlike any he had ever endured.
Anyways, what had he been thinking about? Oh yes; he had to ask Kieran his question.
“Christopher?”
Darn it. Just when he was going to ask his question. “Yeah?”
“I do not recall ever having a family member that has never tried to kill me or was cruel, save my brother, Adaon.”
“Oh,” Kit said, eyes wide as he shifted his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “That’s um—that sucks, Kieran. I—I’m sorry?”
“Why do you apologize?”
Kit frowned, “I don’t know. That’s the sort of thing people say.”
Kieran hummed. “You mortals apologize too much.”
Kit didn’t have anything to say, other than ‘sorry’ which would be kinda dumb, considering what Kieran just said. So, he opted for silence.
“As I was saying,” Kieran continued. “I do not think I have had a good relationship with family members for a long time, so I hope you can forgive me if I do not keep good company; I don’t interact well with others because of my upbringing.”
“Oh.” Kit bit his lip, absentmindedly. What does this mean?
As if reading his mind, Kieran added quickly. “I just thought that perhaps we could try to be each other's family?”
“Nobody’s ever wanted me to be their family member before.” Kit mumbled.
“I can say the same for myself.” Kieran said. “I thought maybe we could talk and introduce ourselves better. I know family isn’t just blood but—”
“I’d like that.” Kit interrupted, without meaning to. “Get to know each other, I mean.”
Kieran looked surprised. “You would?”
“Yeah. I mean, you seem pretty dope—I mean, interesting.”
Kieran smiled. “You, too, seem ‘dope’”
Kit laughed at that. Maybe it would be fun to teach Kieran modern slang.
“Okay, first things first though, nobody really calls me Christopher, unless I royally messed up. You can call me Kit, instead.”
And so they talked to one another. Nothing too deep. It was the type of conversation that has no real subject to it, and because of that, it was enjoyable. Kit got to ask his question about Faerie and Kieran asked him questions about the mundane world. Kit even showed him the Katy Perry left shark meme. Kieran’s face when Kit told him that there were people inside those costumes could have also been a meme.
Kit did not know where life would take him. He supposed that living with Jem and Tessa couldn’t be too bad. Who knew? Maybe they won’t ignore him as his dad had. Then again, isn’t that what parents normally do with their children? Just pretend like they don’t exist, except for times when it’s convenient for them?
It didn’t really matter, not right now. At least Kieran felt Kit was worth his time, and maybe, just maybe, he could have the relative he never had.
Yes, that would be nice.
...
Tagging some lovely people: @celias @tsccreatorsnet @atla-lok143 @hitheresomeoneusingthus @rinadragomir @youngreckless @aceofjesper @autumnangel20 @julemmaes @cupcakesandkittens @no-scones-allowed @fictionally-fantastic @stxr-thxif @forjordelia @itsdaughterofthemoon
If you want to be tagged in future fics, notify me! If you asked to be tagged and I didn’t tag you in this post, please remind me (my brain cells are gone at this point)
#kit herondale#kieran kingson#tsc#tda fanfiction#tsc fanfiction#kit and kieran#the dark artifies#idk what else to tag this asss
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Empty Beach (4.5k)
Three hours. It only took three hours for the tan line on my ring finger to be brought up. Three measly hours I had spent in the country, travelling to the house and unpacking, before his name was mentioned. Despite choosing a later flight in a desperate attempt to spend as little time with my distant relatives as possible, the question was inevitable.
“No Ethan this year?” my sweet but intrusive grandmother had asked the second grace had been uttered.
It took less than two seconds for the question to be answered by my mother.
“They split up, ma,” she said with a passive aggressive smile as she passed me some vegetables.
“That’s a pity… such a nice young man,” my grandmother pressed, leaning forward in her seat.
“Very nice,” I muttered under my breath, knowing fully well that my side of the story would never be accepted.
“Anyone else on the scene?” asked my uncle as he bounced a fussy toddler on his knee. “Want to get yourself settled soon, pop out a couple of these sweet things.” He added when I shook my head.
I watched as the child grabbed wildly at anything in his reach, knocking a bread roll on to the floor. My eyes followed my uncle as he reached down to scoop up the discarded food, quickly blowing at it before settling it back on his plate.
“Mhm,” I hummed before dropping my gaze to my plate, pushing the food around miserably.
The rest of the meal followed a similar pattern. Questions were asked. Digs unsubtly disguised as jokes were made at my expense. I offered half-hearted noises of agreement when reminded that my biological clock is ticking, and no man wants an old spinster for a wife.
Family has a way of making you feel terrible about yourself. They can highlight all your perceived failures and mock them to your face, delighting in their ‘progress’ comparative to yours.
Ethan used to make these visits more bearable. Having someone accompany me to these yearly holidays helped to calm the fire in my stomach, the urge to argue with my family’s traditional ideals. For a while, I convinced myself Ethan’s presence soothed my wild nature outside these trips as well, encouraging me to be practical and always plan ahead.
He was sensible and I was sensible when I was around him. So, when he asked me to marry him at this exact villa one year ago, I did the sensible thing and accepted.
My family were ecstatic, finally marrying me off and watching me become the person they expected me to become. First would be the wedding, then children, then grandchildren. I would be a wife, most likely staying home to raise our children and resenting every moment of allowing myself to be stifled like that.
Ethan and I made sense in almost every way. We just lacked that… something. Some people describe it as a spark, others a fire. Whatever it is, it never existed between us. We both knew that, so it did not shock me to see the relief in his eyes when I returned his ring.
No one could understand how we ended a four-year relationship over seemingly nothing, especially not my family members.
“Have you been trying to work things out with Ethan? I’m sure if you just talked you could resolve whatever you’re going through.” My mother urged as we cleared the table.
The scoff that left my lips was unintentional but impossible to retain.
“I’m trying to help fix your mistakes.” She snapped, clattering plates as she piled them forcefully.
“Not everything I do is a mistake.” I countered softly, exhausted from my flight and from the years of having this conversation.
“Of course not, but don’t your father and I deserve grandchildren? Have we not earned that after—”
I refused to let her finish her sentence, quickly announcing that I was going for a walk.
Blood boiled in my veins as I trudged through cobbled streets. The stomp of my sandals against the ground sounded ridiculous and only infuriated me further as I stormed aimlessly through familiar backstreets until the sound of softly crashing waves called me closer.
It was after sunset, most of the beach empty save for a few teenagers gathered around a small fire. The anger in me had subsided by the time I reached the sand, gently toeing off my shoes and carrying them with me as I walked the width of the beach.
Waves brushed my toes as I inhaled and exhaled deeply, grateful for the gentle evening breeze that seemed to soothe the burn inside my throat. I spent a few moments, still, allowing the water to cleanse my soul and pull away the negativity of the night with each receding wave.
Planting myself in the sand, I stretched out my legs to their full extent, flexing and relaxing my bare feet until the tiny grains felt coarse on my skin.
I sat for a long while, reminding myself that only I knew what was best for me. Not my family, who I purposely only interacted with a couple of times per year. They barely knew me; they most definitely did not know what I needed.
The urge to settle down at a young age and start a family as quickly as possible in order to continue the cycle had never appealed to me. Even as a child I craved excitement and adventure; something no amount of familial intervention could knock out of me.
A late-night trip to the beach like this one would be considered reckless. I could only imagine the passive-aggressive nightmare I would return to. Silent gawks and glares would surround me until I felt claustrophobic.
My desire for freedom and spontaneity most certainly was the product of a recessive gene, one only shared by my great aunt, Delilah. She stopped attending all family get-togethers when I was still a child. The memory of her pulling me back during a family walk to skip stones with her would stay with me forever.
“They won’t be around you forever,” she had told me as she bounced a rock four times across the placid lake. “One day you’ll have your own life. You’ll make your own choices and you’ll make them for yourself, won’t you honey?”
I hadn’t really understood what she meant but I nodded anyway. I idolised her. The fire I recognised in myself, I saw in her. She was the only one who understood me, which is why it hurt all the more when I had to face family gatherings alone.
It was only when I was an adult that her leaving made sense. Delilah was in her late sixties when she finally came out to her family. That evening, after we returned from the lake, I was sent to bed while my family had a ‘grown-up’ discussion. The next morning, she was gone, and no one would tell me why.
She sent presents on birthdays and Christmas, postcards from each new place she visited, always reminding me to be true to myself and do what I wanted. Now she was free, she felt alive.
I drew her name in the damp sand with my index finger, mine beneath it, and made a silent promise to keep the fire alive for the both of us.
What would DeeDee do right now? I had wondered.
An immediate grin had spread across my face when I heard her voice in my head, telling me: “I don’t know, something stupid like skinny-dipping.”
I knew that if she were around, she would tell the story of how she skinny-dipped at boarding school with the headmistress’ daughter. I could almost feel the warmth of her laughter as I sat on the sand.
Envying her liberation, I glanced around the beach to gage the possibility of being nude without being arrested for public indecency.
The teenagers had left while I was reminiscing, their fire extinguished. The beach appeared empty. No one would see. Even if it was just for a moment, it felt something that I needed to experience.
Head and heart fixed on the idea, I quickly stripped my body of the pale blue sundress. Taking a swift but deep breath, I pulled down my underwear and tossed them into the pile. A small giggle fell from my lips as my body adjusted to the new temperature. A warm gust of wind blew past me, almost as if encouragingly pushing me towards the water.
I ran without looking back until my knees splashed water around my body and the ocean became too deep and slowed me down. I stood, waist deep, under the sky. It was a clear night, save for a few light clouds which glided past in the breeze.
My eyes fell closed as I breathed in the moment, desperate to savour each salty kiss and gentle caress of the water. Everyone had disappeared. Each nag and dig had vanished from memory. This was peace.
It was peace, until the gentle crashing of waves was interrupted by a sigh.
Instantly, I crouched in the water, eager for ever the slightest touch of modesty as I turned to locate the source of the sound.
About ten metres away, waves lapping around his ribs, stood a man with his eyes closed and head thrown back as if bathing in the moonlight.
In a desperate attempt to go unseen, I squatted low. My chin just above the water, I attempted to side-step away in order to keep an eye on him and prevent any awkwardness.
I was almost crab-walking away when he finally noticed me, a misplaced footstep caused me to be plunged underneath the lukewarm tide.
“Whoa, you alright?” I heard him ask when I surfaced, spluttering and spitting so much water that I did not notice him mirror my stance, also crouched.
“Fine.” I coughed, clearly not fine but thankful that he did not press it.
The two of us stood in silence as I caught my breath, running my hands over my head to scrape back the tangling mess of hair, already wondering how I would explain this when I returned to my family.
“Nice night isn’t it?” he asked after the silence started to become thick with tension.
“Yeah, not bad,” I replied, pausing for a moment to smirk at the ridiculousness of the situation.
“Know any constellations?” he had asked, turning his head back up to the sky.
“Not really,” I answered.
It was at this moment that I was given the chance to appreciate him. His head bobbed just above the water, darkened wet hair plastered itself to his head, some parts curling out in defiance. An angular jaw tilted to the stars, catching their light and softening his features. The stranger glowed and glistened as awe-filled eyes watched the twinkling wonders above us.
“You?” I questioned.
“Just the ones everyone knows… Orion’s belt, Cassiopeia…” he commented, and I copied his stance, gazing up to the night sky.
An overwhelming swell of gratitude washed across me as I stood beneath the glittering expanse. I pictured the stars looking down at us as we did to them, marvelling at their distance. Everything felt so insignificant in the most calming way. It did not matter what my family thought of me, or even the unknown man beside me (once I felt safe that he was not about to murder me and leave my lifeless body to float out with the tide). All that mattered is that in that moment, cuddled by gentle waves and illuminated by starlight, I felt alive.
“When I was a kid, I thought that night-time was like a knitted blanket and stars were the little gaps you get,” he spoke.
Not able to help myself, I turned to him with a grin at his admission. It felt like such an impossible confession to make to a stranger that I had to meet his gaze, eyes already trained on me by the time mine found his.
“Sorry, bit mental to tell a stranger.” He laughed.
“What’s your name?” I asked, sensing his discomfort from oversharing. “Then we aren’t strangers anymore.”
I learnt his name was Harry. I told him mine and we discuss childhood beliefs as if we had known each other longer than a few minutes. Mentioning my unshakable faith that lightening was just a huge camera flashing seemed to relax him. There was a sweetness to the look he gave me as I spoke. A gentle stare that paired with an equally easy smile. Lips quirked with each word I uttered, until I soon wore a matching grin.
Only when I was able to notice the deep-set dimples in his cheeks did I realise we had migrated closer to one another. By the sea or our own volition, we were only a few feet apart. He was breath-taking up close, warm but dark eyes glinted emerald and a light dusting of freckles across his nose were a testament to a day in the sun.
It was then that I began to panic. The realisation that the possibility to slip away without him seeing my nude body was quickly diminishing the more I spoke to him. But I didn’t want to stop.
“I don’t believe you.” I laughed heartily.
“It’s true! I can call my mum and she’ll tell you. My sister convinced me whenever I blinked everyone turned into a frog.” He spoke fondly, a warmth spreading across his features as he reminisced.
“Can I ask you something that’s going to sound a bit mad?” I asked once calm was restored between us. One last-ditch effort to keep some dignity intact.
“Sure.” Harry had answered with a light, throaty chuckle.
“Do you think you could wait here for a few minutes and then come meet me on the beach? I’m getting kind of cold, but I think you’re interesting.” I explained the best I could.
“Okay.” He smiled.
Almost unbelievably, he continued to follow my instructions when I had him face away from the beach and promise not to look back. He seemed respectful when I made a half-hearted comment about wanting privacy as I towelled off, so I made my way out of the water with confidence that he would not peek. Even if he did, all he would have seen was two cheeks speeding away.
As quickly as possible, I wiped off as much excess water as I could before pulling on sandy clothing. Almost instantly, a wave of regret passed over me as grains of sand covered a variety of patches of skin. However, when I saw Harry stepping towards me, equally sodden and sandy, the feeling washed away as promptly as it had arrived.
“So how come you’re out here alone?” I asked curiously as we sat.
“Doing a bit of solo travelling, kind of figuring out who I am by myself.” He answered. I felt there was more to his story that he was holding back but I did not push. “How about you?”
“Similar thing kind of... just needed a break.” I explained. I imagine he sensed the same caginess from me as I did him, but, again, we did not dive deeper.
“What’s the plan for your trip? Where you headed next?” I asked nosily, fascinated by him in all honesty.
“No real plan.” He told happily.
Again, he took my breath away. Here was someone with no plans, no aims, no pressures. He was freely living his life. The carefree and spontaneous nature of his attitude threw me off, and I sat staring at him, wondering how I could capture that feeling and keep it with me.
“What?” he asked with a smirk as I gazed at him admiringly.
“Nothing, you’re… you’re just not like a lot of people I know.”
“Shall I take that as a compliment?”
“Definitely.” I told him with a nod.
Finally, I managed to prise my gaze from him and look out to the swelling ocean, but I felt his eyes on me still. My face began to heat up as I felt his lingering looks, tracing over my features. Breath caught in my throat as my chest rose and fell heavily.
“Harry,” I uttered, voice barely above a whisper as I turned to face him.
“Mm?” he hummed, eyes softly locked on my lips.
We didn’t say anything else, there was no room for words as our bodies gravitated towards one another until our lips touched. His were salty and a little chapped from the ocean, I imagine mine were too, but they left soft, buttery kisses that left my chest aching for more. From the first moment our lips pressed, I felt addicted to them. Each kiss was another hit, more intoxicating than the last.
He held me to him. Fingertips grazed the slope of my jaw. Lips sweeter than treacle, we sank together. Soon, our bodies laid as one on the sand, water occasionally lapping at our toes as the tide rolled closer.
We kept ourselves warm despite the dropping temperature, bodies moving against one another symbiotically. Gradually, hands worked their way under clothing, cold and warm meeting in a blissful collision. A cocktail of excitement and caution filled my stomach. Each matched breath and heavy sigh sent a fizz through my bloodstream, soon drunk on his movements. Desire and trepidation battled throughout my being; a tug of war unevenly stacked against sensibility.
When a large hand reached my breast, a light gasp tumbled from my lips. His actions stoked a fire within me that even the rising tide could not extinguish. Harry moved slowly, thoughtfully, as his touch spread around me, seeming to savour every single inch. My body arched into his when his lips pulled at the soft flesh of my neck, sucking gently but enough to have my hips rolling involuntarily. Desperately seeking some form of stimulation, they jolted harshly against his. The smirk I felt pressed against my skin only encouraged the burning within me. I was in dire need for something free and a little wild, and there he was.
“I don’t want to assume anything…” I began, my breathy voice barely above a whisper as his lips travelled down my collarbones and to my chest, “But do you have protection?”
“In my bag.” He replied with a nod to his large, bulging backpack.
For a moment, we lay still, his chin on my chest as bright eyes and a matching smile looked up at me. There was a shared sense of relief at the realisation that we both wanted the same thing and wanted the best possible outcome for each other. There was mischief in our eyes, a touch of recklessness, but mainly care.
Lips returned to my skin, puckering along each peak and valley of my covered torso until his mouth reached the hem of my dress. Lifting his eyes questioningly to meet mine, he waited patiently until I gave a soft nod. Eagerly, hands slip beneath the fabric, gliding up the outside of my thighs to reach my hips. He grabbed at the flesh there, greedily kneading it as kisses worked their way up the inside of my legs.
“Harry…” I breathed out hopelessly.
His lips crooked into a smile, but he continued to take his time, seeming to enjoy the way my body fought to lay flat against the sand.
Special attention was given to each and every part of my body, his lips taking their time in dragging their way upwards until, finally, they met the ache between my thighs. His tongue licked tentatively to begin with, before the sight of my body writhing beneath him instilled a new wave of confidence. Soft licks evolved into wet, open-mouthed kisses. Before too long, his mouth moved keenly in delicate swirls as fingertips dug gently but firmly into my hips. Harry held me in place as I desperately sought more from him. Back arched and toes dug helplessly into the sand, his hair tangled through my fingers.
His eyes were on me the whole time, confidently working me close to orgasm without even a shred of doubt in his performance. Not that there needed to be, his mouth moved beautifully against me, switching between soft licks, gentle sucking, and passionate lapping. I felt his jaw moving up and down as his face pressed into me, nose and mouth gliding up and down the length of my pussy, sure to leave no area neglected. My eyes met and disconnected with his constantly, battling to watch and remember every detail of being with him while struggling to keep my eyes open at all.
“Think you can come for me?” he groaned; lips so close they sent vibrations across my flesh.
I was already a quaking mess from his actions, but his words, his desire to give me pleasure, all became too much. My fingers wound through his hair as he pulled me closer, working faster and sloppier. Messy, wonderful circles swirled around my clit as a hand reached up the length of my body. The top of my dress was pulled down, breasts exposed and sensitive in the night air. Gentle fingertips juxtaposed the passion between my legs as they caressed and rolled the freed flesh.
Overcome with sensation, my hips shuddered against him. Stomach contracting as my toes buried themselves in the sand and fingers grasped his hair, desperate to cling to the world in any way possible. My body fought this urge, convulsing and shivering as his actions became less intense, tongue moving softer against me as he pulled me through my orgasm.
Once I had stopped shaking, Harry crawled back up my body to lay beside me. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead before propping himself up on his elbow to observe me.
My breathing levelled out and muscles relaxed before I was able to open my eyes again. When I did, I noticed the way the moonlight reflected on his face, showering him with luminescent majesty. He looked ethereal as he watched over me.
“All good?” he asked softly, the slightest touch of nervousness present in his voice.
In response, I nodded my head to his backpack. I watched as an inescapable grin slipped on to his lips before he rolled over to dig through his bag.
As he searched, my hands began to explore his body. Slowly, they felt the tension of his shoulders, a firm chest, prominent abdominal muscles covered in a layer of soft flesh. The other hand ghosted across the meatiness of his thighs, urgently fighting the desire to dig my fingers in. It continued up to his hipbone, the bottom of his shirt pushed up slightly, revealing tattoos I had not had chance to see yet. I wondered if he would let me count them sometime as he turned back to face me, condom in hand.
His gaze softened as it fell on me, flickering for a second to my breasts before returning to my face. Our lips reconnected, the same warmth spreading across them and down into my chest and stomach, already hooked on the feeling.
“You’re sure, right?” I asked him when my hand reached the waistband of his shorts.
“Positive. You?”
My answer came in the form of a nod before I slipped a hand through his hair and pulled his lips back to mine.
Our hands worked clumsily together to unbutton his shorts, soft giggles shared as our fingers tangled. I pulled myself on top of him as he rolled the condom down the length of his cock. His eyes watched me hungrily as I positioned myself above him, gathering the excess fabric of my skirt in my hand before sinking slowly on to him. A gasp left my mouth involuntarily as my body accommodated his size. When the backs of my thighs met the tops of his, I paused, my hips grinding of their own volition. Rocking back and forth caused him to hit the most delicious spots, my muscles clenching around him until he was bucking his hips slightly, starting the cycle anew.
I rose from my position before returning, just as slowly and deliberately. The moans my movements elicited where otherworldly. The melting of our bodies into one another was intense, seeming to fit and move together as if that was their design. Soon, our hips rolled and met quicker, the sensation unlike anything I had ever felt. After a moment, Harry sat up, one arm around my waist and the other behind him to steady us. Lips clung to my chest, pressing kisses along my sternum before encircling my nipple and sucking softly. My hips began to move up and down at the new sensation, causing Harry to pull his head back, watching with lust-filled eyes as my breasts bounced before his eyes.
A low growl of a moan escaped Harry’s lips as both arms wrapped around my waist tightly. I was lifted and placed gently on my back on the sand before I could even register what was happening. This new position allowed so much more freedom for him, his hips instantly snapping against mine. Each thrust shook my whole body, sand certainly tangling in my hair. There would be no excusing this when I returned to the villa, but I could not have cared less. All I could think about was the feeling between my legs as Harry grabbed me by the waist and collided our hips over and over. He had pulled his shirt up, holding the bottom between his teeth to prevent it from interfering. His eyes bore into mine, watching with a small smirk as I crumbled into a moaning mess beneath him when he slipped a hand down to rub gentle circles against my clit. Still sensitive from before, the added stimulation had me writhing under him.
I became increasingly thankful for the sound of the waves, just loud enough to cover the obscenities that spilled from my lips as I was brought to my second orgasm. The sensation of my muscles tightening around him proved too much, as he stilled not soon after, a beautifully gruff rendition of my name tumbling from his lips.
After a moment of gentle thrusts, he pulled out and returned to his position beside me, grabbing a towel from his bag and laying it across us like a blanket. His arm lifted, calling me closer until my head rest on his chest. We laid for a while, regaining our breaths and waiting for our heartbeats to slow.
“I think that one is Ursa Major.” Harry spoke softly, his voice a little gravellier than before.
I looked up to the stars to seek the constellation he pointed out, quickly realised I was not that interested.
“I don’t really care about stars.” I confessed, looking up at him with a slightly exhausted grin.
“Me neither,” he replied, bottom lip tugged slightly into his mouth as he smirked at me mischievously. “Just wanted to keep talking to you really.”
Thankful that the night would cover the heat rising in my cheeks, I told him, “I think I quite enjoy talking to you.”
“Maybe we should run away together.” He joked, a look of fear flickering through his eyes as he realised how intense that could sound, quickly melted away by my breathy laugh.
“Where do you want to go first?”
masterlist
#trying to get back into the swing of things#this could be awful#its 3:19am#who knows anymore#anyway#hope you enjoyed#tag time x#harry styles smut#harry smut#harry styles fanfic#harry styles fic#harry styles#harry#harry styles one shot#one shot#smut#harry one shot#harry styles fiction#skinny dipping#harry styles skinny dipping#groovybaybee#writing#my writing#pls leave me feedback#it feeds me x#peace and love always
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Nightmare Time Episode 3 Thoughts
I usually save this for the end of my thoughts but I have to say this now. OMG MATT DAHAN!!! I WILL NEVER NOT BE IMPRESSED BY HIM! Usually with the episodes I catch 1 or 2 motifs but I swear I caught everyone this time. And they all fit so well. My attention was evenly split between the music and the story this time. It was so freaking good. Matt deserves all the awards like omg.
I think this is the least laggy the theme has been. Good job going all out for the last one!
I said to my mom "Did Shashona record this video?" and she did!! Great cinematography Shashona!!
I also pointed out the Tim's daddy mask. I said "Aww he's wearing a mask for his son!". I guess my mom got confused and forgot Tim's name because she thought I was talking about Dylan's (nonexistent) son.
THE DRILL PRESSES!!
LEX AND ETHAN
I kind of already knew this but I love that Ethan knows cars. I just likes that he has a hobby.
Lex cares about Tom so much I love it.
WHY DID JANE TRY TO KILL ETHAN?!?!?!? TOM DOESN'T WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO HIM!!!! DID SHE HAVE SOME PERSONAL REASONS LIKE WHY!?!??!
That Lexthan interaction was so cute. I love how he saw she was super sorry and scared and he just stopped being mad and comforted her. They are so cute I can't handle it!!
KENDALL!!! Ok so through out this whole thing I know everyone was excited for their favorite character to come back but I really just wanted to see Kendall again. I guess after BF I assumed we would never see her again because I couldn't see them working with children becoming a normal thing. But when the original cast announcement came out I got so happy to see her name. So I was super excited to see her.
Her covering her hair with a beanie looks better than the wig
UNCLE PAUL I'M SOFT I CAN'T HANDLE THIS!!!!!
Cineplex Teen is like Larry from tawog. I guess we should start calling him Obnoxious Teen then. Until we get a name.
I love that Tim immediately likes Becky. Wish I could say the same for my stepparents.
Santa Claus Is Going To High School bb. Also I want to hear the rest of that song. Also also how many wigs does Lauren own?
TONY GREEN
Why must they make love to this movie everytime? Can't we simply just watch it and make fun of like normal people? That way Tim can enjoy it too.
Good for Jane for making sure her son doesn't have to eat disgusting school lunch. She gets good mom points.
Aww Becky reassuring him he's not a Dummy
Becky is like really horny this episode. Honestly Tom's into so go ahead girl
JAIME IS JANE
OK OK OK SO Jane said they were driving home from her parents house. Which means they were still alive when Jane died. That was only a year and a half ago so the Perkins parents might have died more recently than we thought. It's like Spring of 2019 right? So Jane died around Fall 2017. I don't remember if this was said in the show (it probably was and I'm saying nothing new) but I think Black Friday takes place about a year after her death. Tgwdlm took place October 2018. They have to have died only a few months before then. How long had Emma been in Hatchetfield before tgwdlm? Maybe there is a possibility we can see a flashback of an interaction with her parents depending on how long it's been. Also that means Emma lost her whole family in the span of a few months omg. And Tim lost his mom and his grandparents in that time. I want to see how they grieved with all of that. Also I know I'm crossing universes here but Emma also almost died the same day Jane did. Some strange force must really have it out for the Perkins family. Good on Emma for surviving like a champ.
Ok so I thought they went scouting for girls because Jane didn't want the man she loved to have to devote the rest of his life to a car. I thought she was trying to help him move on. She was getting good lover points but those have since been redacted.
Jane is definitely bi and I love that for her. I don't care if she tried to kill her new crush. It was new enough for it to mean nothing.
GREENPEACE GIRL
Tom does look like a creep ngl
Jane reminds us she's a car a lot. Like girl we get it.
No. No. No. NO NO NO NO NO NO NOPE! We're not talking about it. I don't want to. I stared at James the whole and honestly same dude. I saw Nick in my peripheral vision and loved/hated that he was laughing. RIP to me watching this with my mom. RIP to Kendall. Actually rip to everyone who had to sit through that. RIP to Jaime and Dylan for having to perform that. RIP to the cursed rehearsals. Matt and Nick seriously took the time to sit down and write that. What the heck you two?!? This made me more uncomfy than the entirety of mamd and Ted's character combined. I wish I was exaggerating. Maybe this was just me but it felt longer than it needed to. The relief and worry I felt when Tim walked in is a feeling I can not explain. Glad he was clueless.
Tim sweetie I love you but SHUT UP
Jane is crazy and Jaime is doing such an amazing job at portraying that.
Yes Tom. Because grave digging is way crazier than possessed cars.
I asked my mom why the didn't just go grave digging for Jane's body but my mom said the body is probably all rotted and gross so that explains that.
Why didn't Becky just go inside? If she went far enough I doubt Jane would have been able to hit her even if she managed to break into the house. Also let's assume Becky's house had an upstairs. There, perfect safety.
Did Becky seriously die in the same woods as Stanley?
Ok so I thought the tree thing was a reference to little Irish girl Becky from the Black Friday sk10 stream. But now it seems like something more serious and bad happened so I'm curious.
DID JANE GET TOM ARRESTED?!?!? It seemed like she could drive herself at that point. Why not let him get out and get Becky yourself? Is this that self confidence thing Tom talked about?
Is she really about to have her son be obsessed with Ms. Becky for the rest of their lives or is she gonna tell him?
This next episode made me physically jump twice. I say literally a lot but I promise you I'm using it correctly when I say I literally jumped.
KENDALL'S SINGING
I saw the thing about the ukelele being a bday gift from the cast so this was super sweet
Ok personal time. My grandmother's name is Pamela and my mom decided to permanently cut ties with her a few months ago due to her abusive behavior. Me and my sibling are still allowed to talk to her whenever we please but we haven't seen her as much as we used to. I got kind of scared watching this with my mom because I was scared this would trigger something. She didn't say anything and I didn't want to bother her about if she was fine so I didn't say anything. Anyway this just kind of hit different for me.
JAIME'S RANGE OMG
"I want to be alone with my man." Ms what are you about to do to your Tv?
DON'T GIVE HER BEER
Duke seems chill. I like him.
LEX AND ETHAN GOT ARRESTED!?!?!? FOR SELLING HER PILLS!?!??! THAT SHE TOLD THEM TO SELL!?!?!? I HATE HER!!!
Does Ms. Foster have a type or is being male good enough?
Hannah's 14? I thought she was the same age as Tim. I could have sworn in the BF commentary track they said she was 9 or 10. Did my brain make that up?
How does Kim change her hair so quickly? She did this in episode 2 too? I could never. I am very impressed.
Curt and Kim talking over the phone while standing shoulder to shoulder was funnier than it should have been
Ms. Holloway is cool. YAY MOSTLY GOOD WITCHES
How does Ms. Holloway know? I need a backstory please!!
Ok so I saw Jon in his cape and thought he might be the with. But then I saw James in his cape I y'know stopped thinking that. Anyway I'm obsessed with Jon and James in capes. Kind of wish Corey had one too.
OH I JUST THOUGHT THIS AS I'M TYPING NOW ok so that tree she was talking to at the beginning was one of the tree people. I'm embarrassed it took me this long to realise it.
Hannah is way too calm about these talking trees and sometimes spider ladies. I respect that.
There was a lot of black and white theming in this episode. More than normal. It makes me more curious about what exactly Hannah's connection to it is.
Hannah almost died in her own mind. I was kinda hating Ms. Holloway in this moment because she forced Hannah to go into her mind. But I know she had to so I'm cool with her again.
THE STARLIGHT THEATER
Did she really say just don't be scared next time? Like miss some actual advice would help.
CAN MS. HOLLOWAY'S MIND LEAVE HANNAH ALONE?? Like I know you didn't get the reaction you wanted out of her but you're seriously gonna give up and go for a little girl instead. Pathetic.
"What's shakin', Banana?" That was the first time I jumped.
WIGGLY
What exactly is that 6-legged girl? I wish we had a visual. Also how couldn't Ms. Holloway help her? What was her issue? Npmd you got anything for me?
Wiley. Just seeing him come up. That was the second time I jumped.
Also everyone already said this but props to Joey for his commitment. Shaving in between episodes like omg sir you didn't have to go all out for this. But you did and I appreciate you for it. Also HE KEPT THE JACKET?? WHAT!??! Just fully committed to this character go off Joey!!
Usually I would laugh at stuff phasing through the green screen but this just made it creepier.
HOLLOWAY AND WILEY/WILBUR BACKSTORY PLEASE
But also I love how the script had him listed at Wilbur above his lines. I remember Nick called him Wilbur once in the commentary track (possibly by accident) but it's nice to have it in cannon. I don't remember I any of the characters called him Wilbur because I'm so used to seeing Wilbur and Wiley used interchangeably but this was just nice to have canonized.
DUKE PAY ATTENTION!! FREAKING USELESS RIGHT NOW!!!
Dang Wiley she was already being choked in the physical world you didn't have to choke her in her mind too calm down
YAY MORE DOLLS
NICK I WAS KIDDING ABOUT AN APOTHEOSIS DOLL
Is the mouth one (I see we've named him Nibbly. Good because his full name is too long to type out) gonna be the npmd villain? The pick color theme seems cool.
ANGELA'S TRANSITION THOUGH!!! Omg she switched roles seamlessly. And her voice too!! Go off Angela.
MARIAH IS WEBBY
This is random and unrelated but I never noticed how big Mariah's eyes were before.
So Webby and the Doll Gang are all siblings? I find it interesting that the were described to all where black. And Webby's color theme is white. Like how the good and bad ukeleles were white and black. This might sound really dumb see as we don't have a 100% accurate visual of the black and white but I wonder if Webby ever left would it be 100% black? Like if Wiggly went through the portal would it become a little less black? Does this make sense? Also I'm starting to see the black and white as less of a bad place. Its starting to see more ominously neutral.
Hannah's favorite show is He-Man no I do accept criticism.
Ms. Holloway is a nerd. She saw Hannah make the reference and was like "Huh. I f she likes He-Man maybe making this hat a reference will make her like me." She would only know if she watched the show. But then again she seems to be stuck in the 80s so maybe she just thinks that's what's popular with the kids.
MS. HOLLOWAY PLEASE GET LEX AND ETHAN BACK
AND ANOTHER GREAT SONG TO END IT OFF
This episode was......a lot. So much happened. Loved all of it. I am scared of Nick and Matt's minds but also incredibly grateful for them. As usual everyone's acting was top notch.
I love this episode.
Also I'm just gonna say it. Jon ruined Nick's season one reveal.
#starkid#nightmare time#nightmare time spoilers#jane's a car#the witch in the web#Hatchetfield#mel thinks thoughts#melchron the good book
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It Takes Two: percabeth!au
Mattie Jackson and Hayley Chase meet at the start of summer and discover that they are each other's identical clone. With a little more investigating, the two girls discover that they are, in fact, twins. Things only get crazier when they find out that their adoptive parents were once in love. Now, they have to work together to reunite Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase before Mattie’s dad ends up dating the new camp counselor and Hayley’s mom gets married to a kid hating, gold digger.
And what better way to do that than to switch places?
or
i rewatched It Takes Two and decided to make it percabeth :)
read on ao3
*******************************************************
Percy Jackson had just finished packing his last duffel bag when he heard a very familiar voice yelling outside his apartment window. A voice that belonged to someone who was supposed to be in the next room over packing her own bags. A frustrated sigh left his lips as he opened the bedroom window looking down towards the street. Just as he suspected, a crowd of children were scattered on the road, some taking up the spaces around the chalk-drawn diamond, others sitting on the sidelines. And right there on the makeshift home plate stood none other than...
"Matilda Sally Jackson!" Percy yelled down from the fourth floor to his daughter, "If I were to walk into your room right now, would your suitcases be packed?"
The ten-year-old girl turned and gave her dad an exasperated look, "Ah come on, dad! Ten bucks say you only just got done!"
"Thankfully, I'm not raising you to be like me," He teased, leaning on the windowsill. He was very much aware of the red tint on his daughter's olive cheeks, even from the distance between the two, "I'm hopefully raising you to be better. Now come finish packing, we're leaving in two hours!"
Percy and his daughter had a great relationship, unlike Percy and his bio-dad or first stepfather. Yeah, he didn't have the best luck in the fatherhood department, but that was why he wanted to do better for his daughter. And he was. Percy spent every day trying to be a good dad to Mattie. He taught her his mother's famous cookie recipe, braided her hair every morning before school, and attended every single swim match she had. Granted he was also the coach, but still.
Mattie didn't have a mom. Well, not one that she remembered anyway. Percy and his ex-wife, Lydia, were on thin ice for a long time. One of their main arguments being, Percy wanted kids, she didn't. Percy knew from a young age that he wanted a family, so there was no use trying to argue that. Somewhere along the way, they had reached an agreement and Mattie was on the way. Halfway through the whole process, Lydia changed her mind. This lead to the fifth argument of the month and to their inevitable divorce.
This also lead to the decision that would change the rest of Percy's life. Would he still adopt baby Mattie?
Yep, adopt. Lydia didn't want to go through the whole pregnancy ordeal and Percy was more than happy to adopt. He knew what it was like to grow up in a tough home and if he could prevent that from happening to another kid, he wouldn't hesitate. Mattie’s birth mother was a 19-year-old girl who was apparently going through a hard time. Truthfully, Percy didn’t know much about her, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort. When bio-mom picked Percy and Lydia to be the parents of her unborn child, she was in the final stages of her pregnancy and she didn’t want to meet them. The only thing Percy heard about her was that she moved out west somewhere only a week after Mattie was born.
As a social worker employed at Goode Middle School, Percy had the advantage of being college friends with many of the adoption agents. This helped speed up the adoption process tremendously. At first, he saw that as a blessing, but after the divorce, it seemed that Percy was under even more pressure to make his decision.
It took some long talks with his mom to convince Percy that he could still do this; be a single dad. But it was his little sister, Estelle, who convinced him he would be great at it. After all, he had partially helped raise her and she turned out okay. She ate all of their mom's blue cookies, but she was okay. Plus, his family would be right by his side. So, Percy went along with the adoption. He hasn't regretted it once.
Yes, Mattie was adopted, but two you could never really tell. Mattie was daddy's little girl from the very beginning. From their beach days together to their daddy-daughter dates to get cheeseburgers at the local diner, the two were inseparable. By some twist of fate, the baby girl had even grown up to have a shade of green eyes like her dad's.
And that wasn't where the similarities stopped. Mattie was a rambunctious and sarcastic kid. There are times when Percy isn't sure what to expect from her, but more often than not, Mattie was the most helpful and patient kid a single dad could ask for. Still, as easygoing as she could be, Percy knew how proud his daughter was. After being embarrassed in front of her friends, Mattie Jackson had something to prove.
"Just let me hit this ball downtown! Grand slam, home run, guaranteed," Mattie was a lot like her father, but she had ambition. She was a tough girl. A smart girl. She reminded Percy of-
"Okay, fine," He started, "but if it's anything less, you're making me a mug at camp."
The girl shuddered at the idea of having to participate in her least favorite camp activity but nodded nonetheless. She stepped back up to the plate. Mattie was athletic. She hopped around from sport to sport, mainly just for the experience, but there was nothing she loved more than swimming. Her father's love for the water was one of the many things the girl had picked up from him.
But right now, Mattie's focus wasn't on the water. Percy watched as she scrunched her nose up, waiting for the pitch. The boy at the pitchers' mound, one of Mattie's friends, Cody, was taking his sweet time with the ball. Right when it looked like he was about to throw the pitch, he instead turned to his team and signaled for them to back up.
Percy couldn't help the smirk that formed on his lips. He wanted a World's Best Dad mug, but at that moment, he wanted his daughter to show those kids who's boss more.
The ball was pitched and the next thing Percy knew, he was hearing the sweet sound of a crack made from the balls' contact with the bat. He cheered as his daughter took first, and again when she rounded the corner for second. The ball had landed somewhere far down the street and the rest of Mattie's team were assuring her it was safe. She made it to third and right when Percy was sure he wouldn't be getting his mug, a car pulled up and parked right over home plate.
Mattie slowed down and stopped right in front of the old car. A confused look was shared between the other kids, but she knew exactly who the vehicle belonged to. And while she was happy to see it, Mattie was pissed that she couldn't reach home from under the car.
"Mattie, your dad called me half an hour ago telling me that you two were just now starting to pack. What are you doing out here?"
Before the girl could answer, Cody's voice rang out at her side.
"Loosing," The boy mocked as he tagged the girl out with the ball.
Mattie turned towards him and glared, "There is no way this counts!"
***
"I want my mug to be blue," Percy teased his daughter as she walked back into their apartment, "with World's Best Dad written in big letters."
"You and I both know that you don't need a mug to know you're the best dad. Plus, I suck at clay molding," The girl complained, "Not to mention that it's the most boring activity at camp."
Her father smirked, "Well you should have thought of that before you agreed to the bet."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Mattie grumbled, "Can I just pay Rachel to do it for me?"
"No," He laughed, "and don't even try to go behind my back and do it anyway, because I will find out.”
"Okay, you two, settle down," Sally Jackson-Blofis' laughter rang out in the small apartment. As much as Mattie was a daddy's girl, Percy was a bigger mama's boy, "I came by to see you before you leave and drop off some cookies for the trip."
Mattie's eyes couldn't have bulged out of their sockets more when her grandmother pulled out the plastic tub of blue cookies. Just as she went to grab the box, it was pulled out of reach by her father, "Oh, no you don't."
"Oh, come on, dad!" Giving the best puppy dog look she could muster, Mattie looked up at Percy, "Just one?"
Percy had to look at his mother for support. There was little that his daughter couldn't get away with when that look was thrown his way, "Nope. Not until you're done packing."
"Seriously?" His daughter whined, "Wasn't calling me Matilda in front of all my friend's punishment enough?"
"You know, I was this close to naming you Janet," He mocked, holding his pointer finger and thumb so close they were barely touching.
Mattie's big eyes narrowed into a glare as she stuck her tongue out at her father, "Fine, but don't be surprised if your mug doesn't have a handle."
"I think you're just doing that to make the sculpting easier for you."
A small grin appeared on her face and she shrugged, "Maybe."
Percy rolled his eyes at the girl and chuckled as she walked back to her room. He turned back to his mom and saw her wearing the same endearing look she always has when she watches the interactions between her son and granddaughter.
"You've definitely raised a little you," Sally laughed.
"Well, in that case," Percy grinned and opened the Tupperware container holding the cookies, "I'm sorry for hogging the shower as a kid."
Sally took the container out of his hands before he got the chance to pick out a cookie, "And I'm sorry for not allowing you to be a hypocrite."
"What? I'm done with my packing!" Percy promised as he reached for the container.
"Even the extra blankets? You know how cold the bunks can get at night."
Percy was quiet for a moment before letting out a defeated groan, "You know, I was really proud of myself for a moment there."
"You should still be proud of yourself, honey," Sally grinned, "You're a great dad, and you and Mattie are going to have a great time at camp this year, just like you always do."
Camp Half-Blood was a summer camp that Percy had been attending since he was nine years old. His bio dad had attended the camp in his youth and it was one of the few things that Percy had left of the man after he died. When his mother remarried, it was a safe place away from his first stepfather, Smelly Gabe, a man that Sally Jackson only married because, at the time, she didn't have the funds to properly provide for her son. The camp had a big influence on the man Percy became. The experiences he had, the friends he made, the place where he felt closest to his father.
The girl he fell in love with.
Even years after he grew too old to be a camper, Percy found himself volunteering every summer as a camp counselor. A few years later, he was offered a paid position as an official counselor and the camp social worker. Chiron, the camp activities director, was more than happy to have him back. Especially, when he started bringing his daughter with him.
He couldn't help but smile at that, "Thanks, mom. I'm really excited about this year. You know, Camp Half-Blood was remodeled this past fall. Everything has been upgraded, I can't wait to see it."
"I'm sure it will look great. You've been complaining about the faulty flooring in the pavilion for years."
"There's been a giant crack going down the center of that thing ever since the earthquake back when I was still a camper. That's completely dangerous!"
His mother laughed and raised her arms in defeat, "Trust me, I agree. Still, with all the changes, I'm surprised that the camp could afford all the modifications."
"Yeah, I think the head of the architect company in charge is an old friend of Chiron's. Apparently, they will be coming down and checking out the camp, you know, to see how their work panned out, I guess."
"Well, you'll have to thank whoever they are for fixing your pavilion," Sally teased him as she grabbed a cookie out of the container and took a bite. Percy's mouth fell open as he stared at his mother with a look of betrayal, "What? I don't have to pack anything. Plus, a made them, I don't need justification."
"You are a cruel woman."
***
An hour and a half later, Percy and his daughter were packing their bags -and the extra blankets- into the car and heading towards Long Island Sound. With barely thirty minutes into the trip, half of Sally's cookies had been devoured and they had played a very enthusiastic game of Eye Spy.
"So," Mattie started as she reached for her fourth cookie, "is this the year you finally tell me who A.C. is?”
When Mattie was seven, during her first year at camp, Percy was adamant about showing her everything from his time at camp. Including all his favorite spots and activities from his time there. They visited the horse stables, where Percy told his daughter stories about his favorite horses and how he was one of the best riders. He took her to the strawberry field where they picked strawberries with her uncle Grover, just like the two had done when they were boys. But he was most excited about taking her to the dock and swimming in the water. Some of his most precious memories were made at that beach, on the dock. It was a special place for him. A place where he used to sit with her and escape from the world. A place where a first kiss was perfect under the Fourth of July fireworks. A place where carved initials still stood to this day.
When Mattie first found the letters carved at the end of the dock, she knew immediately that they weren't new. The marks had faded with time. When she realized that the first set of letters in P.J. + A.C. looked familiar, she decided to ask her father, Percy Jackson, if he knew who made the marks. Percy had never been a good liar. That was the day Mattie found out everything about her father's days at Camp Half-Blood. Everything, except who A.C. was.
"Mattie," Percy sighed, eyes staying on the road, "I've told you a thousand times, she's just an old friend. I haven't spoken to her in years, since before you were even born. I don't understand why you're so interested in this."
"Because friends don't carve their initials together on a dock for the world to see," The young girl persisted, blue crumbs falling from the side of her mouth, "That's what couples do in movies and stuff."
"Well, that explains it then. This isn't a movie, T," Truthfully, Percy wasn't sure if he was trying to convince her or himself more, "Besides, the camp went under construction this year, I'm sure the old dock was torn down and rebuilt. It was old."
Although, he would never admit this to his daughter, Percy was hoping, and wishing, and praying to anyone who would listen that the dock stayed the same. Percy would be lying if he said that he wasn't anxious about seeing it again. The thing was old, and he knew that the safety of the campers outweighed the feeling he still got in his stomach when he saw their initials carved together.
Maybe he could have called Chiron. Asked him if the new camp architect would spare that last plank of wood at the very edge of the water. Asked if he could keep it. One last memory of the childhood love he would never admit to never getting over.
What a ridiculous idea, he thought. Still, he always got like this in the summer, especially at camp.
Despite the fact that he was avoiding eye contact and staring towards the road, Percy could feel Mattie's frustrated gaze staring him down, but he held his ground. He was never going to see her again. The last time he saw her gray eyes staring back at him was at eighteen years old, their last summer as campers. She lived in San Francisco, California and would be going to UC Berkeley in the fall. He wasn't surprised, she was a genius. But Percy? He would stay in Manhattan and go to college on a swimming scholarship. They would try and stay in touch like how they did growing up. Busy schedules and adulthood would cause them to fail. Percy would still think of her, but he'd still get married to another woman. Percy would try to make it work, but he would still find himself wishing Lydia were her, and hating himself for it. So he tried to stop, but he couldn't help wondering. Wondering what she was doing. Wondering what could have been. But they hadn't spoken in years.
There was no point in telling his daughter how wonderful she was, because he knew Mattie would fall in love with her, just as he did. And they would never meet.
So, no. Percy would not tell his daughter about the girl he spent every summer with. He would not tell her about the girl who made fun of him for drooling in his sleep. He would not tell her about the girl who would sit with him at the dock and draw building structures while they talked about nothing and everything all at once. He would not tell her about the girl who's comfort book was Matilda, and that she made him read it, and that him joking about how she probably had superpowers like the character, because she too was a genius, made her blush. Percy would not tell his daughter because it would hurt too much.
Percy would not tell his daughter about his first love, Annabeth Chase.
*********
part two :)
#first fic pls be nice#percabeth#percabeth au#percy jackson#annabeth chase#percy jackson au#pjoverse#pjo/hoo#pjo#pjo au#it takes two!au#percabeth fic#percabeth fanfiction
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So in your Naruto FF cover where Noct/Yoru is believed to be a god, what are the reactions of the families of the Chocobros? Cause their Clan member just got poached but they've also been really strange ever since their near death experience that woke up their memories (or did they always remember)? Especially the Hyuuga because they basically had Hikaru/Ignis enslaved and branded. Or even some povs from the Chocobros. (Poor Prompto, being an Aburame lol)
Ooooo tricky. Kinda depends on the family?
Lemme see- Ignis’s family are Most Displeased. They are super possessive of their eyeballs and treat their branch members as slaves anyway so they see it more like theft than a powerful man claiming a friend. Of course, there’s not much they can DO about it considering it’s Yoru and he burns Ignis’s seal off in .05 seconds and also threatens to burn the rest of the main branch to the ground if they touch Ignis again (not in so many words, but his magic does flatten a few of the members with its intensity when they got too close to Ignis.
Tbh that’s probably a blood grudge the Hyuga hold until Naruto’s time even though they stay in Konoha and Ignis is known among the hyuga not only as the blind member but the Stolen Hyuga. A warning to all hyuga of what will happen if they are not careful with their eyes and other such nonsense that only works because younger Hyuga don’t interact with Yoru enough to know that he’s a really chill dude and Ignis is happy where he is.
The Inuzuka are not too thrilled at first, but more laidback about it? Gladio still visits and they can tell that he’s Super Happy about being reunited with Yoru, and Yoru is polite and respectful to them and their dogs like him and you can never go wrong with the opinion of dogs in an Inuzuka’s eyes.
The Aburame ... are honestly the most chill about this? They aren’t too thrilled at first, but Yoru already has a Hyuga and an Inuzuka by then, so there is a precedent, and after a bit of watching it’s clear that these four are basically a Hive unto themselves and Prompto is happy to be there, is healthy and well cared for so they just kinda- shrug and move on. Maybe use the fact that one of their own is “Favored by Yoru” to their advantage during tricky Council meetings generations later.
The oddness and memories thing were long commented on, but ... mostly unnoticed in Hikaru’s case? Among the Branch Clan it was noted, but no one said anything or really thought about it because honestly I doubt the Hyuga have never had an Incident where Branch Members get a bit ... weird post Sealing and post a traumatic experience. That’s a chakra doohickey tattooed to your SKULL, side-effects are not impossible. The Inuzuka noticed it too, but Gladio was still ... himself, just a big more jaded and mature so they let it slide.
The Aburame maybe spent a good few years trying to figure out what the freak happened with Prompto though. Because they’ve never had a bug-a-phobic member before and it’s weird. They love him tho. He’s their disaster child.
Tbh in the Warring States Era nobody was really focused on mental health. If you were loyal to the Clan and could fight that was all that really mattered, weirdo personality changes aside.
Uhhh POVs but only short snips, and pls forgive any inconsistencies with previously establish AU lore my brain is tired and I may not keep all the details 100% straight. Just roll with it.:
Ignis:
After a lifetime of being blind, being able to SEE everything, all around, at any given time is unnerving. This entire era is unnerving and Hikaru has bitten his tongue more than once to keep from railing against it. Against sending CHILDREN, some not much older than toddlers out into the field, against the brand on his head and the heads of so many others that burns on the whim of a Main Branch member.
He keeps his head down, but inside ... he hates. More than a little bit. He is a fractured piece of glass and he knows too much pressure with make him snap, so he does his utmost to avoid those situations (because if he snaps children will get hurt even more than now and nothing will change in the Clan).
Then one day they go to meet Hashirama and Madara, to speak of peace, and of course Hikaru has heard of Yoru, the mysterious forest spirit that supposedly watches over the new village and ensures no fighting happens, but he does not actually think this Yoru will be all that impressive.
He never expects it to be NOCTIS. Noctis, who looks at him with hope and wonder in his eyes, who looks so very unchanged despite lifetimes, who rises and calls him brother and Ignis and friend and CLAIMS him in a way the Clan Head cannot dispute. No one can dispute against Noctis, because he is still a Lucis Caelum and a king and to him, their chakra is pebbles in an ocean.
And for the first time in a long time, Ignis is happy. Ignis has hope.
...
Gladio
Gladiolus loves his new family, and he knows they love him back. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t miss his old life like a wound in his side. Iris’s presence makes it a bit better but also not, because war is cruel and no one cares that she is still so young (older than the other Clans children sent to the field, because Inuzuka treasure their puppies, but still far too YOUNG to the mind of a Shield and Crownsguard). He loves his canine partner and the Pack, he loves that they don’t really question his memories, how his personality has matured and changed since the incident that woke him up.
Even so...
Even so, the absence of his brothers is a bleeding wound in his heart, and when the Clan Head looks at him, Gladio knows the man can see that in his heart of hearts, Gladio is not part of their Pack. He is family, but he has another Pack, another Alpha he swore to a lifetime ago, and that loyalty still howls in his soul far stronger than even the ties of blood and Pack and love that binds him to the Inuzuka.
So perhaps that is why the Clan Head does not look as outraged or surprised as he could have been when Yoru finds him, when NOCTIS looks back at Gladio from an eerily familiar yet not face. That is why, while the Hyuga sputter in shock when Gladio hugs Ignis tight and spins him in a circle for joy, the Inuzuka just watch with comprehension dawning in their eyes. Gladio looks to his Clan Head and says he’s going with Yoru and there is not request for permission. Just a courtesy of announcement. Because THIS- this is his Pack, his Alpha, his Beta, his brothers and littermates. He will follow them above all.
And the Clan Head lets him go.
...
Prompto:
Prompto wants to know who he ticked off in his past life that had a say in the next, because he HAD to have ticked off someone. Why else would he have been reborn into a clan of LIVING HIVE PEOPLE???????
He thinks he distresses them- no, he knows he does, when he flinches from the clan techniques and hives, from the little insects and their pheromones that the Clan uses as essentially an insectoid, chakra-based texting system amongst themselves. He knows he stresses out his hive for a long time, flinching from the feel of them inside him, from the skitter of their legs and wings and the whisper of their tiny, simple little thoughts in his own when they talk to him.
It .... it’s bad for a while. A WHILE. Bad enough the Clan won’t let him fight (which is fine with him) but also bad enough he loses weight and can’t sleep from the hive buzzing buzzing buzzing under his skin from his distress toward them.
It’s his great great grandma that saves him, quite literally, because an Aburame that rejects the hive is an Aburame who dies, not by any malicious intent on the Clans’ part but just- biologically. Just like starving to death will kill him, rejecting his Hive will kill him too and he KNOWS that but he can’t just- turn off his fear.
Then one day Elder Maya, the oldest living Aburame, sends for him. He comes to her private house with shivering skin and jumping senses and the hyper-awareness of the things inside him buzzing buzzing buzzing trying to remove the source of his distress and making it worse because they WERE his distress-.
Elder Maya takes his shaking hands and leads him to her garden.
It’s- it’s beautiful. It’s so beautiful he could cry for his long lost camera of another life. There are colors everywhere, blues and greens, reds, pinks, whites, and mixed splashes of yellow and purple- flowers that stand tall, flowers that droop, flowers dangling from the vines growing up tree trunks.
And everywhere there were flowers, there were butterflies. Butterflies and ladybugs, the two insects he wasn’t completely creeped out by because they were so pretty and photogenic, and for a moment Prompto is so awed his shaking stops, the Hive inside him goes quiet. A butterfly flaps lazily over to him, a glorious thing with vivid blue wings the color of magic and black dots and swirls that remind him of fire. It settles on his hand and he doesn’t flinch from it like he does the kikachu of the clan, just stays quiet and watches it with a bit of awe.
“You are not scared of these ones,” Elder Maya hums.
“U-um ... no,” he whispers as he watches it, “they’re ... pretty. Cute. They don’t ... they don’t look like they’ll hurt me.” And that’s not really his issue with the Kikaichu, but he can’t explain a phobia to ninja, not well anyway.
“Good,” says his great great grandmother, but not with her lips, with the soft splash of impression-scent-sensation from the butterfly on his hand and he gapes as he realizes THIS is her hive. These ladybugs and butterflies are Elder Maya’s hive. He stares at her and she adjusts the dark glasses she wears, “I will give you some of mine. Why? So you can cultivate a new Hive that you will not be afraid of.”
And she does. And it’s CREEPY, but also ... kinda not? It’s ... it still freaks him out to have bugs under his skin, but these ones ... he knows these ones. He chose them, he hatched them, he raised them. They are beautiful and deadly and soft looking and can strip flesh from a target in seconds and he wishes he had a camera because it would be so cool to have butterflies that can pose on command.
It’s a rocky road, but his shaking stops, and his weight goes back to normal, and his sleep schedule returns, and all the Clan breathes a sigh of relief when they see Prompto ambling around, not flinching from the glittery blue butterflies flitting on his shoulders.
And it’s not like his old life, his brothers he misses so badly, but its kinda nice to never be alone. Wherever he goes, his Hive goes, and his new Queens are kinda ... bossy almost and its endearing in a creepy kinda way. The only thing that would make life better, make it perfect (other than to not need a Hive in the first place) would be to have his brothers again.
And then they go to the new village of Konoha, and he meets the famed and terrifying Yoru, who isn’t terrifying at all, but is instead old and tired and blue eyed, and a fish lover and when he smiles, crooked and shy at Prompto all his Hive SINGS under his skin because he KNOWS.
And suddenly the world is perfect again.
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Gochiusa BLOOM episode 7 impressions
Previously: 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
In real world Halloween might have been a month ago, but in the world of Is The Order a Rabbit it’s exactly the season for all things spooky. And maybe things become a little too supernatural for a slice of life show. In the last episode we’ve seen how BLOOM symbolizes the growth of the characters. And as we enter the second half of the season, another meaning is revealed...
But first let’s visit Ama Usa An, where horror-loving Chiya is decorating the traditional Japanese teahouse for Halloween. Since Halloween is decidedly not a traditional Japanese holiday, it looks kinda surreal, but Chiya’s grandmother is more worried about souls of the dead coming back to life, especially that of Chino’s grandfather (see season 2 episode 9 for more of their backstory). Of course the soul of Chino’s grandfather isn’t actually dead, but is inhabiting the body of a rabbit. It’s not clear how exactly this happened and Cocoa might have been involved.
Speaking of Cocoa, we see her practicing with the magic set she bought in the first episode of the season. She tries to make something appear in her hand, but nothing happens. Clearly you can’t just learn to summon matter into existence in Gochiusa world, or can you? Anyway the shot focuses on a candy laying on a table before the opening sequence cuts in. This must be the object Cocoa has tried to summon and it’s also clearly a foreshadowing for something.
Meanwhile, Maya and Megu are trick-or-treating in matching werewolf(?) outfits hoping to score some free candy. Interestingly the tradition of giving out candy on Halloween has descended from a medieval practice of sharing so-called “soul cakes” which represented the souls of the dead.
Meanwhile the staff of Rabbit House are dressed as vampires. The theme of vampires fighting werewolves brings up to mind the Twilight series although I’m sure the idea came up many times throughout history. If you look closer, you’ll notice that Cocoa, Rize and Megu have fake fangs (I think Maya’s is natural), although they’re not consistently drawn between scenes, even though in the manga they’re drawn correctly. Maybe they’ll fix this in BD. The only one whose fang is not shown is Chino, and ironically she is the one who actually bites somebody.
Also the flashback of Chino “roaring” at the mirror reminded me of the scene from Celestial Method where Noel (also voiced by Minase Inori) roars at a dinosaur standee. To be fair it sounds completely different but I just can’t help but compare them.
Also while I was browsing through my copy of volume 6 I found a cute illustration card that seems to be relevant to this episode, but includes Mocha and Cocoa as the wolves and Chino as the vampire (here’s a highres version).
I think I bought this particular volume in Japan on the day it was released. Good times...
Next MaMe go to Fleur de Lapin and are greeted by Sharo dressed as Little Red Riding Hood (bunny version). This costume appeared earlier in an illustration for the rabbit chapter from the previous episode.
This is also a rare scene where other employees of Fleur de Lapin can be seen, as usually Sharo is shown working there alone. Even in the manga, Sharo is the only employee shown in this scene. In the end it turns out that Sharo is a wolf in disguise and craving for some meat. Which is weird because Sharo hasn’t been shown eating or cooking any meat before.
Anyway, next stop is Ama Usa An, which is called the Witch’s Mansion now. Chiya mentions the beginning of the Sabbath, and the manga chapter’s title 今宵は甘兎サバト also mentions the Sabbath. This might be confusing because in Judaism and Christianity the Sabbath is the day of rest and happens weekly (on Saturday or Sunday). However since we’re talking about witches, this actually references the Wiccan concept of sabbat, or one of eight festivals in the Wiccan calendar. In particular, Samhain, one of the four Greater Sabbats pretty much coincides with Halloween and celebrates the beginning of winter.
Chiya does this thing where the protagonist’s hand hurts only to awaken their dark powers, I’m not really sure where this trope comes from but I’ve seen it referenced in anime before and it’s a common chuunibyo stereotype. In this case, Chiya did really just hurt her hand. There’s also some sort of runic circle drawn on her bandages, but if you look closer it says shiratama anmitsu matcha parfait in hiragana.
Maya and Megu agree to help Chiya, and become her “familiars”. Even though familiars are better known as a video game mechanic today (which is what the “level up” scene references), witches were associated with familiar spirits since medieval times. A familiar often took form of a small animal, such as a cat. Unfortunately MaMe don’t even know which animal they are, so clearly they didn’t take their backstory as seriously as Chiya did. Their ears and tails look canine to me, so I can see Megu being a fox spirit, but Maya being a cat is less believable. Also during their confrontation Megu confirms that Maya’s fang is her yaeba (snaggle tooth).
As a revenge for the trick MaMe pulled on her, Chiya gives them a selection of pumpkin tarts, one of which is laced with wasabi (which she calls ”Russian roulette”). This seems like a common thing for her, since she did the same with botamochi in season 2 episode 6, and with green tea in season 2 episode 7 (except she used aojiru instead of wasabi). However this time, it was Chiya’s grandmother who put wasabi in two of the tarts, unbeknownst to Chiya. By the way in the manga it wasn’t shown that Chiya got one of the wasabi tarts.
Chiya goes shopping for some pumpkins, but is helped by Rize, and later Sharo gives her anti-pain medications, reminding her of how Chiya tended for her when she was sick in season 1 episode 12. It’s not mentioned in the anime, but Rize also had a “motivation” for helping Chiya, as she hurt her leg before (see season 2 episode 2). Chiya invites Rize and Sharo to dinner and brings up the wasabi-laced pumpkin tarts. According to Chiya the probability of getting wasabi is 1/3. Initially there were 7 tarts, of which 2 had wasabi. Megu, Maya and Chiya eat one each, with Chiya’s having wasabi in it. That leaves 4 tarts with 1 wasabi, so either Chiya’s calculation is incorrect, or somebody ate one more tart.
Apparently last day was just a warm up to Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve’s Eve?), so next day Megu and Maya come to Chiya again and try to summon something. A larger and slightly different version of the runic circle previously seen on Chiya’s hand starts glowing and we see that the 3 white rabbits correspond to three people holding hands. There’s also Anko corresponding to the black rabbit in the middle. By the way, in the manga the sign on Chiya’s hand was just a hexagram, and the summoning ritual didn’t have any visible symbols.
Anyway, they want to summon a messenger from demon world/hell, and coincidentally Cocoa and Chino come in (dressed as vampires) and try to attack (cuddle) them. Chiya, Maya and Megu form New Chimame-tai which works because Chiya and Chino have the same first syllable. However Chi is written with kanji instead of katakana in this version (because Chiya’s name 千夜 is one of the few given names among Gochiusa characters that’s always written with kanji). This defeats Chino, and Chiya consoling Chino like a big sister defeats Cocoa as well.
Ok let’s move on to part B, which is the really important part of the episode. The streets of the town are filled with people dressed in various costumes. Cocoa’s classmates can be seen among the crowd, and Aoyama and Rin are enjoying a boat ride on River Sanzu.
Our main character have also prepared some new costumes for the occasion. First we see Chino, dressing up as Phantom Thief Lapin, while Rize is going as a police officer. Soon Chiya and Sharo join them, who somehow independently of each other also went with a Lapin costume. At least Sharo had a good excuse. For Chiya, Lapin’s gloves obscure the bandage on her hand, so maybe that’s why she chose this costume. But what about Cocoa?
Well, she kinda got lost and we find her at the location that you will recognize if you read my episode 5 review. Cocoa says it looks a little different than usual, almost like a different world (isekai). Well, there’s a lot of evidence to support this hypothesis. First, in a scene that parallels episode 1, Cocoa finds a lost child and tries to calm her down with a magic trick. However you might notice that the child’s head is literally a pumpkin with a moving mouth.
And her mother is also a pumpkinhead. Cocoa doesn’t encounter any other people during this segment, even though you’d think a spot that overlooks the town like this would be quite popular. Well, she does encounter one more person, a mysterious masked magician with an angora rabbit on her head. She also wears a G-clef pendant indicating some sort of music connection.
Now, since y’all had already watched the episode, it wouldn’t be a spoiler to say that this is the ghost of Chino’s mother, Saki. The rabbit on her head is the ghost of the original Tippy before its body was taken over by Chino’s grandfather. The original Tippy was a female rabbit, by the way, a fact established early on in the series. In Sing for You OVA (for which I wrote a not-very-detailed review by the way) it’s established that Saki was a singer and even had a record released.
Anyway, as a ghost, Saki doesn’t speak (although she still can giggle and such) and doesn’t physically interact with Cocoa (only indirectly, by casting candies at Cocoa). Nevertheless she does teach Cocoa how to do the candy trick correctly.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group tries to call Cocoa’s phone but she doesn’t answer. This is another evidence for isekai theory. Cocoa is just out of range, you see. Rize and Sharo swap their costumes (the most unrealistic part of the episode) and Sharo starts “policing” the Lapins on how the real Lapin would talk. Chiya has a bright idea to shout out for Cocoa and call her big sister. However Cocoa would obviously only react if Chino calls her that, so Rize encourages Chino to say it louder (referencing her training for the choir in Sing for You).
Cocoa and Saki hear Chino, and Saki looks at her daughter from the terrace. Chino also looks up... but doesn’t see anything. She does get a hunch that there’s something up there though, so the group finds Cocoa eventually. Meanwhile Saki feels like her time is up and makes for a quick exit, literally disappearing.
This is where Cocoa returns to the “real world”, as the current Tippy calls out for her. Why was Tippy with Cocoa anyway in the first place? Cocoa looks around and there are in fact lots of people there as expected.
Cocoa thinks that Tippy speaking is an evidence of a ghost, despite her interacting with a real ghost just a few moments before. The 3 Lapins arrive and start arguing who is the real Lapin. Chino says that it’s the one who gets away with everything in the end, implying she will take the whole Cocoa for herself. However Sharo arrests Cocoa for making everyone worry.
On the way back, Chiya recalls the legend which was also mentioned by her grandmother at the beginning of the episode about the spirits of the ancestors coming back for this one day and then returning to heavens. Chino looks up to the sky, while Tippy gives her a solace in the fact that he was once again turned away, implying that he expected to return to heaven with the other spirits.
Tippy also seemed to know what Cocoa was talking about in an earlier scene where Cocoa said she forgot to give thanks to somebody. Just what’s up with Tippy and why is he not allowed to enter Heaven is a big mystery here.
Cocoa also notices Chino being distressed and shows her the magic trick with the candy. It turns out Chino remembers this trick from her childhood, and we get to see a full flashback with Chino’s mother even getting a few speaking lines (delivered by none other but Nana Mizuki). Since the candy was probably a part of the magic set, it’s no coincidence that it has the exact same wrapper in the flashback. The color of the candy matches with Chino’s clothes at the time but you can also think of it as a combination of Saki’s white and Chino’s blue.
By the way, in the manga Cocoa conjures up two candies, and they have a plain wrapping so there wasn’t One Specific Candy like in the anime. Also in the flashback, Chino is carried by her grandfather. His face is not shown, but Takahiro is seen in the background (with Rize’s dad) so by exclusion it had to be him. And in the current scene Chino is the one carrying Tippy like this.
The episode ends with Cocoa asking Chino to tell her more about her mother, while a star is seen rising in the sky, presumably symbolizing Saki’s spirit.
Let’s go back to Cocoa meeting Saki scene one more time. Like I explained, it’s heavily implied that Cocoa isn’t really in the same world as the other characters when she meets Saki’s ghost. Of course Gochiusa had supernatural elements from the start, such as a certain talking rabbit who happens to be Chino’s grandfather. But now we have a ghost of Chino’s mother and Cocoa is the only one who can see her, but Chino can’t? Just what the heck is going on here?
But wait, there is a rational explanation for all of this! Cocoa had a hallucination triggered by all the Halloween celebrations. She imagines helping a lost child just like Chino did before (and told Cocoa about it later) and then imagines the ghost of Saki teaching her magic, because subconsciously she wants to be like Saki. She had seen Saki before on a photograph, but haven’t heard her speak, which is why the ghost can’t talk to her. Hearing Chino call her onee-chan brings Cocoa back to her senses. But how did Cocoa learn the trick if it was just her imagination? Well, consider the fact that she was practicing this exact trick at the beginning of the episode. By the time she shows it to Chino, she has already practiced it a lot of times, but maybe she only realized the crucial part (feint) during the hallucination. Either way, the blue striped candy wasn’t given to Cocoa by Saki, she had it from the start, as part of the magic set! The candies that Saki uses to show the trick to Cocoa all disappear when Cocoa returns to reality.
Saki appears one more time in the bar time scene with Takahiro, who is listening to her record Silver Spoon from Sing for You OVA and then calls her by name. I think this is the only time the name “Saki” is mentioned in the show itself, and it’s not mentioned in the manga at all (unless maybe in some recent chapters which I haven’t read yet). The first time it was revealed was during April Fool’s day Clockwork Rabbit event, as a solution to a “puzzle”. Her name is written in katakana as サキ, however one of possible readings of the word “saki” is 咲き which means “bloom”. Now consider how the last few seconds of the opening animation it cuts from a blooming field of dandelions to Saki:
The dandelions connection to Saki was previously seen in season 2 episode 1 and Sing for You. Saki’s character design doesn’t really say “blooming of dandelions” to me, but consider that a dandelion turns into this:
Now that’s more like it! Although it reminds me of Tippy as well. Anyway, that was a very mysterious episode of Gochiusa BLOOM and let’s see what happens next! Only 5 episodes remain...
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Charred Senses
Summary: Henry is in London, he's in pain, and Alex is stuck an ocean away.
By the time Alex hears the news, Henry is in a London hospital. Bea's been hurt. She was on her way to a parliament meeting with her mom, in a car that was supposed to be carrying her grandmother. Something went wrong, an act of terrorism or some sort of sabotage or just bad luck. Alex isn't sure of the details; he'd stopped listening the minute Cash told him that both Bea and Catherine were in the hospital. They crashed. Catherine is expected to make a full recovery, but Bea's side of the car was hit much more directly. She's in critical condition.
Henry was in the air when it happened, coming back to the U.S. for a big gala supporting the Brooklyn youth shelter that night. He'd turned around the minute his pilot heard what happened. He's in London now, probably sitting by himself, waiting for Bea to get out of a surgery that she might not survive. Pez was somewhere, Australia or South Africa or China or Antarctica, and he'll be in London eventually, but not for a long time. Henry is sitting in a room, alone, scared to death, and with no one coming to keep him company for hours. He just has to sit and hope all by himself.
And he's told Cash not to let Alex leave until after the gala.
They're supposed to give a speech together; a welcome speech for the gala they were supposed to host together. It's their biggest annual fundraiser by a long shot; it's what supports at least a dozen scholarships of one form or another and often leads to a massive uptick in sponsorships, a program where someone with money covers the costs of housing one of the kids who desperately needs it. And Henry told Cash in no uncertain terms that Alex is not to leave the country until it's over. Nora, June, and Raf are all coming to help him, but he has to be there, and he has to give the speech.
He goes home between class and the gala, when he should be going to the airport to pick Henry up, mostly because he's not sure where else to go. Home feels wrong; it's empty and awful without Henry there, taking a nap on the couch to beat jet lag or making Alex go over the speech again. Alex had been all ready for him to come home. He'd cleaned the whole house and started a nice lunch and everything. Now, coming in by himself just feels wrong. He tries to pack, since he'll be going to London the second Cash lets him, but he can't focus or think about anything but Henry, sitting alone in a hospital. Eventually, he just sits on the floor with David, surrounded by half-packed clothes, pretending to watch Parks and Rec as it plays on the TV in front of him. He's texted Henry a few times, to no response, and he's trying not to overthink what that might mean.
Nora comes, her hair and makeup done and her dress in a bag so she can be there until the gala. She helps him pack and gets out what he should wear for the night, then she brings him a plate of food and sits on the bed behind him, combing her fingers through his hair and trying to reassure him. It doesn't work, exactly; she's rambling about statistical outcomes at a speed his brain is too muddled to follow, but it's better than being alone. When Henry doesn't answer his calls, she can remind Alex that he's probably just overwhelmed. When Pez texts that he's delayed by a storm somewhere around Paris, Nora can reassure Alex that Henry will be okay, that he's got Shaan and some PPOs he trusts to look after him. He has people there to help until Pez gets there.
But when Pez finally, finally gets to the hospital, he doesn't have much time between comforting Henry and finding out what's wrong. He manages a few short updates, just enough to keep Alex glued to his phone like his and Bea's lives depend on it. The updates come in slowly.
Bea's out of surgery after a few hours. She's in critical condition.
Catherine is okay, but unconscious. Phillip is with her.
Time is passing, and Bea is unconscious, and Henry is hurting, and Alex isn't there.
He calls that night, on his way to the gala, but it goes to voicemail. He leaves the longest message the phone will let him, just telling Henry over and over that he is brave, and tough, and that Alex will be there as soon as he can. When he finally runs out of space on the voicemail, he has a text from Henry, his first in hours:
"My senses are charred. I shall feel again as soon as I dare, but now I must not.” — Owen to Sassoon, October 1918
Alex just closes his eyes, leaning back in the seat. He'd fought June and Nora about his sitting in the middle seat, but now he's glad as June pulls him into a hug and Nora rubs his arm. They remind him that Henry is going to be okay, that he has Pez with him and that Alex will be there for him by England's morning. It doesn't help. Henry, his Henry, is an ocean away, his heart breaking and Alex's falling apart right next to it.
The rest of the drive passes in a blur. They get to the gala, and Alex feels Nora and June at his side, the speech folded in his pocket. Somehow, he makes manageable small talk for almost an hour while people find their seats, the girls helping take over when he gets overwhelmed. But he can thank people for coming and encourage them to interact with the kids from the youth shelter who've come out for the night, deflecting from himself however he can. If he focuses on the kids, he can keep at least half his brain busy with that. That only leaves half his brain to worry about Henry.
Finally, finally, it's time for the speech. He's just introducing the shelter and MCing for the night, but he's supposed to be doing it with Henry. He goes on stage anyway, trying to ignore Henry's absence as he spreads the speech Henry wrote out on the podium in front of him, resting his hands on the side of the podium so they don't shake.
"Friends, Romans, countrymen. Lend me your-- sorry, that's... that's the wrong speech." There are a few scattered laughs, and Alex looks up to say, "Sorry, Henry wrote that. I told him it wasn't funny, but he wouldn't take it out. Don't blame me."
That gets more laughter, but it also reminds Alex that Henry's not there. He's spent the night explaining why he can't be for everyone who asks, but it's different to stand in front of all of them alone. It's been so long since he gave a speech without Henry there to support him, doing it now feels almost like presenting in his underwear.
Henry's absence is a constant ache for the rest of the night. When he sits backstage and texts Pez for updates instead of listening to Raf's speech, Alex is missing Henry. When he goes out to introduce different groups of kids to perform in a talent show, he misses Henry. And after the show, after everything is over, he misses Henry, but Cash says he can't leave. June and Nora promise to help him, but he misses Henry so much he thinks he might die.
From Pez's texts and what Cash has heard, Bea's not in good condition. Catherine is awake and stable, but she's on a lot of pain meds. Henry's chased his grandmother out twice, and Phillip has been in once and tried to help, but he's mostly busy keeping his mom company. Mostly, it's just Henry and Pez watching Bea suffer, and Alex wants nothing more than to be there. Not even seeing Raf and Professor Westbrook from his constitutional law class hitting it off is enough to pull him back to the event at hand, though he does take note of it for later.
Eventually, it's late enough and enough people have left that Cash will let Alex slip out the back. Nora and June both have massive hugs for him, and then he's going, going toward Henry as fast as anyone will take him. He calls again from the plane, and he's about to leave another message when Henry's shaking voice says, "Alex?"
"Baby. I'm coming. I'm on a plane; I'm on my way. I love you."
"I... I love you. Please hurry?"
"As fast as I can, I swear. I could have been there now, but you wanted me at the gala. Cash wouldn't let me leave."
"How... how was it?"
"Are you sure--"
"Distract me, please. Pez went for breakfast half an hour ago."
So Alex talks about the gala, and about the kids, until Pez comes back and Henry says he's alright and it only halfway sounds like a lie. After he hangs up, Alex texts Pez again, and Pez tells him that Bea's stable now, but it's a fragile stability. She's nowhere near out of the woods. Alex wants to scream. He wants to yell at the pilot to go faster, even though he knows they're going as fast as they can. He wants to be there already. He wants to warp or travel back in time so that he can already be holding Henry close and telling him it will be okay.
He barely lets the plane stop before he's at the door, barely waits for the steps to be locked down and the door opened before he's making a beeline for the waiting car. It's 9 AM London time, meaning it's 4 AM in New York. He hasn't slept, so he should probably be tired, but he's too stressed for that. Henry is so close now; Alex could swear he can feel him. They pull up to the hospital as he's reviewing the directions Pez sent, and then he's all but jumping from the car, leaving Cash to get his bag as he finally runs toward Henry.
The hospital is bigger than he'd expected, but between Pez's directions and the signs on the walls, he manages to find the room. Shaan opens the door for him before he says anything. He sees Pez first, napping on the couch. Then Bea, in the bed, and finally Henry, in the chair beside her, legs pulled up to his chest as he stares at her. He's wearing all the stress and fear of the past sixteen and a half hours on his face, but he looks up as Alex comes in. He lets out a bit of a whimper escape and holds out his arms, and Alex is there to scoop him up and hold him close. Somehow, he gets Henry in his lap in the chair, holding him tightly as he wraps his arms around Alex's neck and sobs into Alex's shoulder.
"I love you. I love you. I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner. It'll be alright; I love you. I'm sorry," Alex says softly, holding Henry close and trying not to think about the pit inside of him, the way that every bad thing will hurt that much more. He tries hard not to think about how Bea is the one who helped him understand how things hurt Henry, or about how she might be the only person who understands everything there is to know about Henry and the only one who has always loved him unconditionally. Bea has always loved Henry with everything in her. And now, she's lying beside them, and no matter how much Alex knows she's alive, it's hard to believe.
Henry's sobs eventually die down, slowly but surely replaced by quiet snores. He seems so precious, suddenly; Alex has to take a moment just looking at him to process it. The tears on his cheeks, the mussed hair, the crumpled shirt covering a heart that refuses to stop beating even in the face of the worst the world has to offer. All these little things that make Henry strong in his fragility, tough in his pain, indomitable even in tragedy. Alex isn't sure he's ever been so desperately, heartbreakingly in love. He's not sure what to do other than to pull Henry closer, to press a kiss to the side of his head just above his ear and hold still so he can sleep.
So Pez naps on the couch. Henry sleeps in Alex's lap, slowly but surely making Alex's legs fall asleep, too. A nurse comes in, and Alex finally gets to ask the million questions that have been building up inside him since he got the news. The answers turn out to be the same ones he's been getting from everyone else, but that uncertainty somehow feels better when it's coated in professional jargon. Cash appears when the nurse leaves, a coffee with cinnamon in his hand to help Alex stay awake, keeping a quiet vigil over the three sleeping Brits.
Eventually, Pez wakes up and steps out to get an update on Catherine and bring them a meal that's probably lunch. Alex promises to stay awake, looking after two of the toughest people he knows. He's on his third coffee and still fighting sleep when the steady beat of the heart rate monitor changes. At first, he's sure he imagined it. But it is faster, he's sure. He's trying to wake Henry up gently when he sees Bea's hand shift, and he looks up to see her eyes open, a soft smile fixed on the two of them. Alex can't believe it.
"Bea?"
"Hello, love."
"Bea! Henry, H, Baby, you've got to-- he was awake for ages, I swear, he-- Bea's awake." Henry's awake now, too, blinking before nuzzling back into Alex's shoulder, only to pull back so quickly that he almost falls out of the chair when he processes what Alex has said. Alex keeps him safe, laughing a bit as Henry turns to grab Bea's hand and ask, "Bea? You... you're okay?"
"I'm okay. Or I guess... I guess maybe 'I'm going to be okay' is a better way to phrase it. But I'm alright. I'm here. Oh, Hen, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere, I promise."
He's pulled her into a careful hug, crying, and she rubs his back. She makes eye contact with Alex and gives him a little smile, and he says, "We're glad to have you back with us. You gave us quite the scare."
"Is... have I been out long? Is Mum..."
"She's alright. Still recovering, but alright. And it's... it's been just shy of a day since the crash. I... I think you've been out the whole time; he wouldn't let me come right away. He said I had to give a speech at a fundraiser for the youth center first." Bea laughs a bit, giving Henry a little squeeze. He's not crying, but he doesn't seem to be planning on moving away any time soon, either.
"Selfless to a fault," she says softly, like the beautiful thing it is. Henry gives her another gentle squeeze, then pulls back, fresh tear tracks on his cheeks but a smile on his face. Bea gives them both one of her punk-rock grins, and in a moment of clarity, Alex knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that they're going to come out of this stronger than ever.
On AO3
Notes:
I saw this Wilfred Owen quote, written a month before the end of WWI and only a few weeks before Owen would die, and I knew I had to write something with it. So I went, "what would hurt Henry the most?" and I decided this was it.
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A massive thanks to Maggie (@bibliosoph) for helping me title things!
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If you liked this and want to/are able to buy me a ko-fi, I’d appreciate it a ton!
#rwrb fic#rwrb fanfic#rwrb angst#red white and royal blue#red white and royal blue fic#rwrb#alex claremont diaz#henry fox mountchristen windsor x alex claremont diaz#henry fox mountchristen windsor#bea fox mountchristen windsor#pez okonjo#june claremont diaz#nora holleran#cash#my fic: rwrb#angst
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just here to let u kno i would Love to hear ur thoughts on katara as the mom friend 👉🏻👈🏻
lksdjfklsdfj okay disclaimer: i’m not very articulate so i don’t have a full coherent Thought about this so get ready for some word vomit and a scary glimpse of the disconnected thoughts in my brain. i promise, what i lack in coherency i make up for with my love and passion for this show and for katara herself. also this got long so...bear with me.
i’ll start off by saying that i think about the episode The Runaway a lot. It’s the one where Katara and Toph get into it about how Katara tries to mother them all the time. at one point sokka explains that their mother died when they were so young that in his mind, Katara basically took over Kya’s place. he said something along the lines of, “when i try to picture our mother’s face, i just see katara’s,” a line which still makes me very emotional every time i watch.
anyway, i see katara being The Mom Friend with sokka, with aang, with toph, and it’s very sweet!! i love the Gaang’s dynamics and how much they all love and support each other. still, i can’t help but feel kind of....indignant on katara’s behalf?
i think it’s because i’m older now, so i’m just hyperaware of these characters’ ages. when i was watching this show in 2007 i didn’t understand quite as much. all of the weight of their trauma and responsibility really hits me harder now. so i see the rest of the gaang get to act like their age a lot of the time and just be able to be Kids (as they should!!), but with katara, it seemed to me like she gets to do so less than the rest of the gaang.
i know we can say “well that’s just because she’s the mom friend and it’s part of her personality.” still, i can’t help but focus on the fact that the reason katara is The Mom Friend in the first place is because of a combination of her mother dying at such a young age and her having to step up to fulfill that role plus the general gender roles instilled in her while growing up. i think i’ve seen some posts floating around that mention how sokka and katara ended up adhering to more traditional gender roles because sokka had to fill his father’s shoes after he went off to war and katara had to fill her mother’s after she died. so going off of that, sokka and katara both bear responsibilities and pressures that they shouldn’t have to when they’re just children.
there’s still a difference between the two, however. sokka is still a very goofy, fun-loving character who can make cheesy jokes and get into all sorts of hijinks. he’s allowed to be childish, and it’s fun to watch him be childish. katara, on the other hand, always has to be the mature and levelheaded one. when i think about this contrast, i think about The Desert episode from book 2. they’re wandering the desert and katara is the one keeping them on track. aang, of course, has his own worries about appa being taken, and toph is unable to navigate the desert very well because she’s not used to moving in the sand. that leaves sokka and katara to lead the way. but then, sokka drinks the cactus juice. don’t get me wrong--i’m aware that whole bit was comic relief and adds levity in a very emotionally heavy episode, and i love it a lot! but i still can’t help but notice that sokka is the oldest, and he’s the one whose character arc is about growing into the strong leader that he becomes in book 3. yet, katara is the one leading the way here while sokka’s allowed to check out and be our comic relief. katara’s never really allowed to let loose in the same way.
i can think of two instances where she’s allowed to let loose a little and both of them end up with her facing serious repercussions for them. there’s the part in the first episode when she goes penguin sledding with aang and she’s enjoying herself and she says, “i haven’t done this since i was a kid!” and aang replied, “you still are a kid!” which is so telling (also this reminds me of when aang basically had the same exchange with zuko later but this post is long enough without me talking about zuko lol). katara hasn’t really been able to be a kid since her mom died. and when she allows herself to be one in this scene, she and aang end up accidentally setting off a booby trap from an abandoned fire navy ship which lights up a flare that leads zuko to her village. the other instance is in the episode i mentioned earlier, the Runaway, where katara wants to have fun with Toph and pull a scam with her in an effort to stop being The Mom Friend and just be A Friend, and that ends with them being arrested. even when it was her turn to pick a vacation spot in the library episode, she picked the misty palms oasis because it sounded relaxing, but that didn’t even go the way she wanted it to because the oasis was no longer an oasis. there are so many times where katara wants to just be a kid and relax, and the narrative seems to almost punish her for it.
(quick note: i can think of some moments where katara isn’t necessarily levelheaded and is impulsive and that’s in the cases when she’s actively trying to fight to protect and help people in need, which still kind of proves my point because she’s not impulsive for herself and for the sake of acting her own age; it’s to fight oppression and injustice. and that’s not childish at all.)
this extremely long ramble brings me to my Thought about how katara is a perfect example about how quickly we expect young girls, especially brown girls, to grow up. katara is a kid just like the rest of them. she’s a powerful warrior just like the rest of them. she is a war hero just like the rest of them. but she also has to be the The Mom Friend. and i think, despite the fact that she’s able to fight the gender roles forced on her by becoming a warrior, she’s unable to escape them entirely. this isn’t to say she can’t enjoy being the caretaker and being the mom friend, but that doesn’t change the fact the writers wrote her that way in the first place.
that also leads to my dissatisfaction with katara’s life post-atla. it seemed to me that despite all of katara’s power, her accomplishments, and her drive to fight for what she believes in, ultimately, motherhood prevails. this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. i’m sure katara loves being a mom!! she’d be great at it!! and there is nothing wrong with a woman who wants to be a mother and only a mother!! nonetheless, from a narrative standpoint i can’t help but resent bryke a little for making it so.
i’ve had conversations about this and people have mentioned that the legend of korra is a show that should stand on its own so the less amount of contact with atla characters, the better, and i agree to some extent. but what strikes me is that they brought in zuko to participate in the action at one point. toph shows up as well to help her family. but we get very few interactions with katara as anything other than a healer, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. that doesn’t sit right with me.
i can’t help but think about the episodes in the legend of korra season 1 when they’re dealing with Yakone, the bloodbender. katara doesn’t really come up at all even though the episode introducing bloodbending, the Puppetmaster, was one of the big katara-centric episodes. at one point toph mentions that katara hasn’t joined in on the action because she’s old and tired, so she’s ready to leave these things to the young ones. but even in the flashbacks to Yakone’s trial, sokka, toph, and aang are all there, and katara isn’t. you would think that when faced with a bloodbending enemy, katara would be there, but she’s nowhere to be seen. that will always bother me.
anyway, my point is that katara is the embodiment of what we want young girls to be. we want them to be mothers. we want them to be caretakers. we want them to act like grown women, and we punish them when they don’t. katara is The Mom Friend because she stopped being a child when her mother died. that’s why katara always talks about her mother’s death and why it had such a huge impact on her. when kya died, katara took over her role as a mother for her entire village and for her friends and later, for her own family. katara became a mother as soon as her own died. kya’s death forced katara into womanhood. kya’s death marked the death of her girlhood. kya’s death is when Katara became the Mom Friend.
i just really wish that the narrative gave katara more chances to be a child again and recover her lost girlhood just for a little while.
so yeah. those are my thoughts on katara as the mom friend. i hope this was satisfying in some way if u managed to get through this whole thing 😭
#atla#atla meta#katara#if this makes even a tiny bit of sense i'll be happy lmao#i did not proofread this at all so if something doesn't make sense lmk and i'll try to clarify#anyone is welcome to add to the discussion by the way#i know there are plenty of more articulate people than me jsjkfsd#also if i am wrong plz tell me bc i am often wrong#maybe i just forgot some episodes where katara can be a kid and i'm just a dumbass#silvermlst#answered
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Do you think you could write a little something for your "Angelina I lives" AU where maybe we see one of Angelina I's lessons with Yakko, but AFTER the whole fiasco of when he bit her? To see how they would interact? Love your AU btw <3
Yakko wasn't one to use the word "hate" lightly, but he could say with all the confidence in the world that he hated his grandmother.
At first, he had been willing to give her a shot. After all, she was his grandmother and people were supposed to respect their elders and those they were related to. He had been willing to listen, to take part in her lessons, and see if what she said made a little bit of sense.
However, the moment she hit Wakko, all of his respect for her evaporated.
He lashed out and bit her. He didn’t think when he did it, but afterward, he had no regrets. It was only fair.
Sure, his mother told him he shouldn’t do something like that ever again, but Yakko knew that if she were to try and lay a finger on Wakko ever again, he wouldn’t hesitate. After all, it was his dad who told him an older brother’s job was to protect.
So, naturally, when his mom informed him that he still had to take lessons with his grandmother, he was upset. However, his mother reminded him that none of them really had a say in it and Yakko understood it was just something he was going to have to do, especially when he saw the pain in her eyes. He didn’t want her to worry about him any more than she already did, so he agreed to do it.
However, that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to do this his way.
“Remember what we said: you aren’t going to try anything with your grandmother,” his father practically read his mind.
“Why not?” Yakko sighed dramatically. “She deserves it.”
“Because we care about you very much and don’t want what happened to Wakko to happen to you,” William explained softly.
“So no biting?” He asked.
“Definitely no biting. Her arm is still healing from last time,” Willaim suppressed a chuckle.
“Just... remember, it’s often better to fight with the pen rather than the sword. Much less blood is spilled that way,” William said.
“So... you’re saying it’s never okay to bite?” Yakko asked.
“Not exactly... there are certain situations...” William said cautiously. “It’s just... your grandmother is one who prefers the sword over pen, and it causes people to fear and hate her, and none of the issues actually get solved,” he explained. Yakko nodded.
“But that’s not to say there aren’t moments where your hand is forced... like, for example, if invaders were in the castle and people were attacking. Then it’s okay. Self-defense is perfectly fine,” William said, nodding to himself.
“Or if someone were to attack Wakko?” Yakko suggested. William caught onto what he was doing and smiled a little.
“Or if someone was attacking Wakko, that’d be alright too,” He winked.
“I’m not saying what you did was wrong, Yakko. I’m just saying that there’s a very large risk factor in attacking your grandmother. Whether or not we like it, she’s in charge, and if you attack her she’ll likely attack back. That’s why words are better than getting physical with her, because no matter what, you won’t be ready for those consequences,” William explained, and Yakko finally understood.
“Okay... I won’t bite her,” He said. William gave him a side hug as they finally arrived at Angelina’s study.
“Well... we told her we wanted someone to go in with you at all times, but seeing as she has no respect for us or our wishes, there probably won’t be,” He sighed. “But you’ll be on your best behavior, correct?”
“As best as I can,” he chose his words carefully, still intent on doing it his way.
“Good,” William smiled. “You’ll be alright then, won’t you?”
“Bye dad,” Yakko gave his dad a hug before going in.
“Yakko. There you are,” Angelina looked at him with an unsettling smile.
“Here I am,” He said, not knowing how to respond, and he quickly sat in his usual spot.
“We’ll begin with dining etiquette- What are-?”
“Salad, then dinner on the left. Salad knife, spoon, soup spoon, then oyster fork on the right,” He grinned.
“That wasn’t what-”
“Oh! Hors d’oeuvres, amuse-bouche, soup, appetizer, salad, fish, first main course, palate cleanser, second main course, cheese, dessert, and mignardise,” He listed off. Angelina shot him a look.
“Your impertinence is dually noted, Yakko. Don’t think I don��t see what you’re doing,” She said.
“Whatever do you mean? That was what you were going to ask me, was it not?” He said. Angelina huffed.
“It’s not proper to-”
“-to speak over one’s advisor, yes, but I argue that this is a much more efficient way to get through lessons,” he shrugged.
“I’d argue otherwise,” She said dryly. “Now, how do you-”
“Fan folds are done by folding a large square napkin in half to create a rectangle, creating pleats, then folding in half again so pleats are on top, then folding upper left corner down and tucking behind the center pleat, which creates a triangle, then releasing and letting the pleats fan out,” He said with his eyes closed. “However, I don’t really know why you’d want me to know such things, as napkin folding is traditionally done by servants of the castle and not done by the host.”
“I instructed you to only read until the third chapter,” Angelina pointed out.
“Why? So you’d set me up for failure so I wouldn’t know anything of what you were going to quiz me about?” Yakko smirked.
“You forget who you are speaking to,” Angelina’s eye twitched.
“I’m speaking to the queen, am I not? Or is the real queen somewhere hidden, because that would explain quite a few things-”
“That is enough, Yakko,” she glared, and Yakko wisely pulled back.
“Well, seeing as your already so far ahead, why don’t I quiz you on your knowledge of history instead. What can you tell me about King Winston?”
“He’s dead,” Yakko said.
“No-”
“He’s alive? Why isn’t he in charge then?” Yakko looked around the room.
“No, he’s not-”
“Make up your mind, is the man dead or alive? Goodness,” He shook his head.
The queen growled. “Did your mother put you up to this?” she asked, borderline fuming. Yakko raised an eyebrow and shook his head.
“Don’t lie to me, boy. I’d recognize that smartassery anywhere,” She glared. “If that impertinent child doesn’t stop, I swear-”
“No! I did this all on my own,” He quickly said. “Mom had nothing to do with this.”
“Trying to be the hero now?” She raised an eyebrow, before a little smile grew on her face.
“Perhaps this will get you to pay attention then,” She said, going to one of the shelves and selecting a book. Yakko bit his lip nervously.
“Tell me, Yakko, what do you see here?” she said, showing him an illustration in the book.
“A really tall tower? Why are you showing me that?” He questioned.
“It’s a special room in the castle for those who disobey my orders. However, seeing as you love to play hero, if you don’t stop with the smart talk, I’ll throw your little brother or maybe even your mother in there for a week with no food,” She explained coldly.
“You wouldn't do that to your own daughter,” He said.
“I’ve done far worse than your little head can imagine,” She said, taking the book from his hands.
Yakko felt a wave of empathy for his mother.
“So... are you going to let me talk now? Or are you going to continue with the smart talk and have your brother and mother punished?” She grinned.
“Dad would free them. He’s strong,” Yakko pointed out.
“Oh? So you’re saying I should lock him in the dungeon underground while they remain above? What a splendid idea,” Her eyes shone.
“No!” He protested.
“Then do we have an agreement?” She asked. Yakko bit his lip once more, partially considering just biting her again. If he could just even the playing field just a little bit...
“Whether or not we like it, she’s in charge, and if you attack her she’ll likely attack back,” His father’s words from earlier rang in his mind. He probably should’ve listened so this threat wouldn’t have happened. Yakko sighed.
“Yes,” He said, taking a silent vow to make up for this minor setback in any way he could- to attempt to lower the playing field just a smidge.
“Good,” She smiled. “Let’s return...”
Queen Angelina then began to lecture, and Yakko stopped paying attention. Instead, he thought about what to do next.
Perhaps him and Wakko could set up elaborate pranks around the castle, and watch her go mad trying to figure out who did it.
No, she’d probably know it was the only two children in the castle, and Wakko would be punished.
Maybe he could talk back in a more subtle way.
No, that was him trying to be subtle. It was very clearly not his strength.
Maybe he could try talking her into giving him different tutors?
That wasn’t likely to work, as she made it clear from day one she was to be in charge.
Maybe if he let her choose?
No, she’d never agree to that much.
He was stuck with her. For the moment anyway... perhaps he’d think of something better in time when she cooled down and wasn’t expecting anything.
Yes, that was what he’d do; wait a month or two for her to relax, act like her perfect little prince, and then start back with the quips, but not too strong like today. He’d work on his “i’m not technically wrong” strategy too, it clearly needed work.
Yes, that’d work. Maybe if he wore her out or drove her insane over time she’d leave him and his family alone.
He could only hope anyway.
Yakko sighed, feeling bad for his mom and dad. This whole protector business was hard work, and they’ve been doing it as long as he’s been alive.
That was why he had to do it though, they deserved a break. Yakko could handle the responsibility.
He was going to wear her out so slowly but effectively she would no longer want anything to do with any of them, and then they could all be happy and his parents would never have to worry about her ever again, not if he had anything to say about it.
After all, it’s a big brother’s job to watch over and protect, and that was what Yakko intended to do.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
#i cant believe its not angst#my fics#angelina 1 lives au#animaniacs#yakko warner#sir william the good#william warner#queen angelina i#xD#a tiny break from angst but buckle up bc next time is much much worse ;))))#you'll see#aldjfjjwjfdjjzhdsjk#i love william
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A Queen’s Love
Summary: Y/N has been Queen for five years when she is suddenly faced with the prospect of having to marry soon. Yet she can’t forget the love of her life, which she had to leave for the stability of the Crown and her Family.
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Queen!Reader (Royal AU)
Warnings: some swearing, mentions of death, idk does someone jokingly suggesting poisoning counts?
A/N: yeah so…this is my first Bucky Barnes fic and I haven’t written a new fic in probably four or five years now? To be fair, it doesn’t even feel like a Bucky fic though, I just wanted to get my juices flowing again and since I’ve read a shitton of Bucky fics lately, he was the one I was imagining while writing this so ya know…enjoy?
ALSO heavily inspired by The Crown obviously, so it might be a little overdramatic in certain parts as I was listening to the OST and got carried away
masterlist
The silence is split open by the grandfather clock that seems to be mocking Y/N with its ticking. She idly wonders if the situation would be the same were her father in her seat, as he should have been. Alas, these are questions which will never find their answer, and she found in the long years that have already passed since that fateful day, that it is better not to dwell on the possibilities.
She turns her gaze towards her brother, sat on her right, noticing the slight curl at the nape of his neck. She remembers how their mother used to smooth it whenever he would pass her, short respites from running around long and hollow corridors. The eyes of their ancestors following their every move, but Y/N has always lived with a tremulous sense of being judged, being watched, being controlled, as opposed to Arthur, who could experience at least a slight sense of normalcy. However normal being a royal prince and second in line to the throne could feel.
Her head snaps back to the rest of the table when her Grandmother lets out a call for attention, her signature clearing of throat which would sound suspiciously like a wet cat’s whimper for the untrained ears. Arthur winces visibly and shifts uncomfortably in his seat, waiting for the usual reprimand, yet it is Y/N who is shocked into obedient silence as she is reminded why exactly her Grandmother is still the Queen Mother.
“Y/N, dear, I do believe it is time to have a serious conversation regarding your future.”
“Whatever for exactly, Grandmamma?”
“Well, your marriage, of course!“
There is a distinct pause in every person’s movements in the room, and it seems as if the clock itself stopped ticking. Her Uncle flinches, seemingly caught unprepared, while her Aunt casts her eyes to her now completely captivating soup. Even the household staff stop in their tracks and Y/N is suddenly grateful for her lessons in diplomacy during her upbringing. She buys herself some time, wiping the corners of her mouth and finally takes a deep breath.
“Might I remind you, Grandmamma, that I am not yet married?”
“Why, of course, dear. I am not completely senile!” Her Grandmother’s disdain could also do with a scoff and a shake of her hand, if it weren’t for her strict etiquette. “What I meant to say is that I do think it is time for you to find a good man to help you rule. You can’t be by yourself forever, and by all means, especially not run the country. We all know you are not getting younger, and I highly doubt you will find a man as easily later, although you are the Queen.”
“She is only 25, Grandmother. She won’t dry up as a prune tomorrow, don’t worry.” Arthur almost hisses. He reminds Y/N so much of their mother in these types of interactions, even though she was much too kind to bare her utter displeasure as openly as him. Y/N places a hand on her brother’s forearm in warning, not in the mood to shift this to a familiar war. She knows she needs to deal with this situation with delicacy.
“Uncle, what do you think?”
Her lips twitch in a slight smile as she watches him do the same trick with the napkin to his mouth. He clears his throat, making her tense. This is not a good sign. He’s buying too much time.
“As much as I agree with the point your brother is trying to make, I can also understand your Grandmother’s…concerns.”
It is then that Y/N realises this has been a discussion held in her absence for some time now. What a fool I’ve been for not having seen this coming, she thinks. Her Uncle looks at her morosely, so she can still have some hope in him, but it does not sway her annoyance in the slightest.
“Do you believe I cannot rule the country without a man by my side?”
“Y/N.” Freddie tries again. “I do not mean to say you are unable to rule. You are one of the most intelligent and brave women I know, and you are more than capable to do it by yourself for the rest of your life. But you are also the Queen and it is customary for the Queen to have a king by her side.”
“That’s horseshit.” Archie snaps.
“Would you let me finish?” Freddie retorts and waits a second in mock permission until Arthur grumbles in agreement. “However… the duties of the Crown are heavy and I do believe that having someone next to you to lessen its burdens would only benefit you. If only for the small personal relief it would bring you, I know how much it would mean.”
Y/N turns towards her Grandmother, who smiles graciously, although the twitch in her eyebrow is evident. She did not get the complete and total agreement she hoped for, but they are all aware that without Y/N’s beloved Frederick, her words would only be fleeting in the Queen’s mind, as they have been for the last year.
"Very well. I shall think about it and we can discuss this later.”
*
“Your Majesty?”
Y/N looks up from her diary at Anthony who seems visibly distraught in front of her desk. She narrows her eyes, expecting to be irritated yet again in the span of two days.
“Her Highness the Queen Mother, has requested to attend the events for the week in your place.” Anthony finally lets out, after she hums her assent. “And she also asked to inform you that she would want you to take a…holiday in the meantime.”
“I beg your pardon?” Y/N doesn’t know what to do with this information, but she definitely knows that she’s now more than irritated.
“She would like you to go…somewhere warm and sunny, I believe she said, ma'am.”
“What?!” To hell with etiquette.
“I think she wants you to get nice and toasty for a fellow who’s waiting for you on the beach, dear sister.” Arthur’s snickers can be heard from the heap laying on the couch. Y/N flings the pen she was holding at him, which only makes him squeal.
Turning back to Anthony, who is now more than mortified with discomfort, she pushes her glasses up her nose. “And where exactly would the Queen Mother have me go?”
“Spain, ma'am.” There’s a pause. “I believe the youngest Prince of Spain became recently available.”
Anthony is chased out of the office with swears that are more fit for a sailor than for a Queen and incessant howls of laughter that reverberate through the walls.
*
“I cannot believe she is making me do this. What is the bloody point of being Queen if I can’t even go on holiday wherever I bloody well please?” Y/N’s grumbles come out more as hisses through the phone.
“You’re too nice to her, that’s your fucking problem, Y/NN. If you would just tell her to fuck off, I bet she wouldn’t dare…no, wait. Scratch that. She would make your head in. You’re right. Until the bloody crone gets in the ground, you’ll have to either deal with her and give her at least something, or you know…have you poisoned in your sleep.”
“Arthur!”
“But then again, she wouldn’t kill you because then she would have to deal with me as king, and then the whole country would go to shit or, you know…worse, it would become, God forbid, a republic.” Arthur shudders in mock horror, which earns him a snort from his sister. “Anyway, how’s the prince then? Is he a tall dark and mysterious asshole?”
“Felipe is perfectly acceptable.” Y/N sighs.
“But not for a husband.”
“But not for a husband.” She agrees. Although he would very much enjoy the Spanish beaches this late in August, he couldn’t bear going through Y/N’s ordeal at the moment. He can’t stand the idea of his sister being paraded around like a prized pony, just for the sake of “stability for the country” or whatever that bloody hag keeps mumbling about.
“I have to go now, Archie. Felipe is throwing a party so I can meet some of his friends and ‘feel like a normal young adult for once.’ You know, if I’m being completely honest, I’m not sure if he himself wants to go through this whole nightmare. You two would have made great friends if you were to meet.”
“Why don’t you have your fun with him as well and be done with this? What’s that expression they use? Hit it and quit it, sis. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Might as well take something out of this charade.”
“Bye, Archie.”
*
Y/N idly wonders if the slit in her dress is too high. She is also thinking that her boobs are kind of starting to hurt from being pushed so high up, not used to such tight dresses. But when she remembers Felipe’s conspiratorial wink when he said she should try to be herself tonight as ‘it will only be friends who are young, open-minded, and close-lipped,’ she smooths the glittering fabric and shakes her shoulders to release some tension.
Felipe offers her a flute of champagne as he retakes his place next to her, and lays his hand on her bare back. A shiver runs through her spine, her body suddenly awake to the male attention she’s getting after such a long time. The moment the champagne passes her lips, she realises how much she missed these kinds of parties, where no one expects more from her than to have fun with people her own age. The Spanish Prince smiles at her over his own glass, while his thumb continues to make small circles in her flesh.
“Right, I should stop being so greedy and show you around, shouldn’t I?”
They make their way through the vast room, filled with crowds who seem happy to meet her, and yet lack that admiration that borders on fixation that is so common in her people. Y/N feels relieved, as if she can show at least a tiny morsel of herself, even though just for the night. And in a moment of clarity, when she is already on her third or maybe fourth glass of champagne, she is shocked into the realisation that she fully understands her Uncle’s reasons for wanting her to marry. In that second she knows she will never be able to completely and absolutely let go in front of anyone and still be loved and accepted, except for her husband.
Suddenly, Felipe’s attentions seem insignificant and the room is too warm, too stifling for her liking. She makes her excuses to her host, and finds her way to the garden that is illuminated by fairy lights. Enchanting. Y/N unceremoniously drops on a chair, sighing heavily. She looks up and smiles at all the stars in the sky, trying to tune out the chatter behind her.
“Is that the approved way in which a Queen should sit down?”
Y/N closes her eyes, suddenly wishing to be as far away and as close to him as possible at the same time. “I should have known you’ll find me even here, Bucky.”
She watches him taking a seat in the chair next to her, and can’t help but notice the way his hair is now loosely tied into a knot at the back of his head, not falling into his eyes anymore. He takes a sip of his whiskey and hands her his glass, as it’s his turn to observe her.
“Your hair is longer.” He comments, taking a strand of her hair and twirling it around his finger until it falls gently back on her shoulder.
“So is yours.” They look at each other for a second, each waiting for the other to say something, but then turn towards the night sky. It has always been easy for Y/N to have him next to her, silently in agreement with her every move. “I’ve missed you at my birthday party.”
“You mean that monstrosity of a ball your Grandmother threw for you at the palace? You know she wouldn’t have invited me, even if I begged.” He snorts. “Archie told me you were pissed off the entire night.” He raises his eyebrow at her in inquiry and she debates whether telling him the truth would be a good idea. Shifting uncomfortably in the iron chair, she motions for his glass to take another sip. He hands it to her, waiting patiently for the answer that he is almost certain he won’t get. Y/N’s tendency to only share what is strictly necessary has only gotten worse ever since she was ten and could understand that her destiny would be ruthless and unforgiving of every mistaken step.
“When I was getting ready, Anthony told me you wouldn’t be there.” She murmurs as she stares straight ahead. Maybe it’s the alcohol in her system, or maybe it’s just late and it’s easier to spill out secrets in the dark. Whatever the reason, she feels as if there’s a crack in all the walls she has carefully built around herself for the last five years since she has ascended to the throne. Freddie was right, she thinks, having someone next to me is the only way to survive this nightmare.
After her parents’ death, her sense of duty was the only force that could drive her forward. It was her sense of duty to the Crown, to the Country, to the People, to her Family that has allowed her not to crumble into the void that she would’ve wanted to fall prey to. It was her sense of duty that helped the country overcome the tragedy her parents’ death brought about. It was her sense of duty that transformed her into an icon for her people at only 20 years old. It was also her sense of duty however that forced her to leave the love of her life behind, without second thought when she was asked to. In the name of the Crown and in the name of the Family.
But now she wonders if James’ transgressions were indeed so atrocious so as to attract the Queen Mother’s rage and her subsequent disapproval. As she looks into his blue eyes, she wonders whether she could fix this mistake that changed her life in more ways than the Crown ever did. Y/N’s heart is still his, even after all these years, and she feels deep within her bones that it forever will be, however many suitors will be lined up for her.
“I want you to come back to Court.” She whispers, full of hope, but feeling as if she’s just thrown herself into the abyss.
Bucky just watches her for a few moments, and it seems as time stretches itself into eternity. There’s a hold of breath that escapes from her parted lips as he finds her hand and holds it up to kiss the inside of her wrist. His smile is sad, the smile of a man who knows that only death awaits him.
“We both know that is impossible, Your Majesty.” Y/N bristles at the formal title; he is aware how much she hates it when he addresses her in that manner. Aware that when he does it, he only sees her as the Queen, and not as his once beloved Y/NN. She snaps her hand back, only to grab his with a ferociousness that shocks them both.
“James. Please.”
The reverberations of that simple word bounces between them with more force than a cannon going off next to them. He remembers the time she admitted in a fit of rage that she will never beg anything of him. Words that stung more than swords or bullets, words that cut through his entire body with proclamations of titles and reminders of hierarchy. He closes his eyes, trying to chase those memories away and her pleas with them. He is afraid. Afraid that if he lets himself get dragged again back in that circus of a family he’ll either regret it or get out of it feet first. Afraid that her begging would never sway her grandmother, and only a full battle would, a battle that he is afraid she would never hold for him, not when the Family’s contentment is at stake. But most of all, he is afraid that she is just drunk and lonely and desperate and he is just and easy option for her at the moment.
He brushes her cheek with his free hand, and his heart breaks yet again when a tear falls down. He lets go of her and stands up, utterly intent on finally trying to start a new life without her, a resolution that he feels is long overdue after all these years. Y/N stands up as well and whimpers. He doesn’t have to turn to face her to know she’s watching him, he can hear the tears in her voice as she speaks.
“Bucky, I’m begging. I’m begging you. Please. Please, I was wrong and stupid and young and thought Grandmamma knew better. I thought we would both just get over it and I thought the Crown would take precedence over everything and it wouldn’t matter. It wasn’t supposed to matter that I wasn’t happy, that my heart was broken in a million pieces because I let you go, on top of my parents being dead. I was supposed to get over it. But I can’t. I can’t and I kept loving you this whole time and I’ve loved you ever since I bloody met you 20 years ago. I love you, James, and I can’t do this without you. Please, Bucky.”
“I had a dream once that I got everything I wanted.” He says after a few moments when only her sobs would cut the laughter from inside the house. “It felt more like a nightmare when I woke up though.” He turns, a tentative step towards her. “I dreamt that you were there next to me and you said 'as long as I’m here, no one can hurt you.’ But then I woke up and realise you were the only one who could hurt me and you did, Y/NN. You goddamn did for fuck’s sake.” She whimpers again, but doesn’t have the strength to look at him. He raises her head with a finger under her chin, that beautiful face completely wrecked by tears and regret.
“I’ll come back to Court.” Her smile is unsure, not believing what her ears are telling her, Y/N is unable to form a coherent response before James continues. “But we’ll start this again. We will have a proper courtship, and your precious Grandmamma better go fuck herself or I swear to Christ, I will leave the second you start listening to her again even if it means wearing a pair of earrings she suggested.”
Y/N smiles and laughs and nods, as tears keep streaming down her face. She is not sure whether from happiness or the sheer relief of what his words mean. Then he kisses her, and it feels as if all the missing pieces are falling back into place, as if she’s finally home after years lost at sea, as if colour drains back into her life and all the questions and doubts are answered and resolved.
*
“Y/N!” It’s not hard to hear the shriek through the mahogany doors, which Y/N takes as her cue to slowly close her pen and interlace her fingers in front of her on the desk. Arthur stands up from his usual place on the couch, suddenly interested in the drama that will ensue. There’s a grin on his face and he lets out what sounds faintly as “oh yeah, here we go, the hag is finally gonna get it.” Y/N shushes him with a smile, just before the doors burst open and their raging Grandmother comes stomping in the office.
“May I help you, Grandmamma?” Y/N asks coolly.
“What is this nonsense about the Barnes boy being at Court again? I thought I had him thrown out! I thought I made myself clear five years ago when I told you never to see that American boy again! Have you lost your senses, girl? Have you forgotten that you are forbidden to even speak his name?”
Y/N stands up from her chair, slowly and deliberately making her way around the desk in order to tower above the diminutive Queen Mother.
“Your Highness, if I may speak. First of all, I am not a girl, but the Queen of the kingdom, and you should address me as Your Majesty. Or Y/N, and this only for the love I bear my father and would not want to disrespect his mother. Second of all, James is currently courting me in the hopes of asking for my hand in marriage in the hopefully not so distant future, which I fully intend to accept. Third, you are speaking about your future King, therefore if I were you I would be more careful with the words you choose to employ. Lastly, you cannot forbid me anything. You wanted me to get married, and I will. In time. And by my own accord, and with a person of my choosing, which so happens to be the 'American’ in question. Now, I would very much appreciate it if you would stop meddling in my personal affairs for the time being and for the foreseeable future. That is all.”
Her Grandmother’s expression is priceless in her stupor. Unable to form coherent words, she leaves the room spluttering grumbles and mumbles, that the local drunk would be proud of. Y/N knows however that this is only the beginning of a life-long struggle that will seep in every corner of their lives. Archie looks at her with a gleeful expression on his face, enraptured by the exchange. She could bet good money he will tell this story to her children from the day they will be born until his dying breath. He fiddles with his phone for a second, having probably filmed the whole thing “for posterity,” but she doesn’t have time to bask in her glory as Freddie appears in the doorway.
“I came to warn you your Grandmother caught wind of James being back, but from Arthur’s foolish smile, I shall presume you must have already met with her.”
“She didn’t only meet her, Uncle! She completely obliterated her!” As both of them start dissecting the discussion, with points exemplified by Archie with his video proof, Y/N’s phone signals a message just received.
Atta girl. I’m proud of you.
She smiles at the screen, a blush creeping up her cheeks. Unbelievable that at her age and station, a man can still get that reaction out of her. Her fingers start typing a reply, before another one makes its way into her inbox.
Who says I’m going to marry you though, Y/NN? A bit bold of you, don’t you think?
Don’t start with me, Barnes.
Wouldn’t dream of it, babe. I can’t wait to be called the Queen’s husband.
You better, punk.
#bucky barnes x reader#bucky barnes x royal reader#bucky barnes fanfiction#bucky barnes oneshot#royal au#bucky barnes royal au#bucky barnes x queen!reader
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with quiet courage
fandom: coraline
rating: G
characters: coraline, wybie
words: 2.1k
additional tags: canon compliant, post-canon, fluff, angst, mental health issues, character study
description: years later, wybie gives coraline a gift.
a/n: hi, this was written for the @ethereal-zine! i just thought it would be interesting to explore the long-term effects that the whole ordeal with the other world could have on coraline’s mental health. title from “with quiet courage” by larry daehn
read it on ao3
—
Something feels...wrong.
She can’t explain it, can’t even fully comprehend it herself, but the house feels different tonight, like it’s just waiting for the right moment to pounce. Every creak sends chills down her spine. This isn’t right.
Coraline glances out the kitchen window at their garden, but finds that she can’t really see it, despite the fact that the moon is close to full, last time she checked. She raises her gaze to the sky, squinting in confusion, and her heart nearly stops at what she sees: a shadow passing over the moon in the shape of a button, holes and all.
Gasping, Coraline pushes herself away from the window, every inch of her suddenly on high alert. That’s when she hears it: a familiar metallic skittering across the floor, a sound she knows all too well.
She bolts out of the kitchen and up the stairs, leaping into her bedroom and slamming the door shut behind her. Her blood rushes in her ears.
It only gives her a few moments’ reprieve before she hears the skittering again, even closer and louder than before. Coraline backs away from the door, frantically searching her room for anything she could use as a weapon. She digs underneath her pillow for the pocketknife she bought in secret a year or two ago, but inexplicably, it’s nowhere to be found. Her heart nearly stops when she sees the hand crawl in from underneath.
The hand is severed at first, but from its wrist seems to grow an arm, a torso, another arm, all made out of needles. Coraline steels herself as the Beldam materializes before her eyes.
“You are my daughter,” she hisses, as something else appears in one of her hands. “You’re going to stay with me forever.”
In one hand, she holds another needle, already threaded. In the other is a gift box, and inside it sits a pair of black buttons.
“Hold still,” the Beldam continues. Coraline tries to move, to fight, to do anything, but her whole body is suddenly frozen. “This will only hurt a bit.” She takes a step forward, needle pointing at Coraline’s face, and then—
Coraline jolts awake and sits up rapidly, trying to catch her breath. The morning light streams through her bedroom window, a reminder of where she is: not the Other World, but the real one. Reaching under her pillow, she feels for her pocketknife. She is seventeen now, but still the events of her childhood plague her dreams.
She still has her stuffed animals. Most of the time, they sit on her shelf, watching over her like guardian angels, ensuring that danger doesn’t even make it through the doorway. Sometimes, though, on nights where the house creaks more than usual, on nights where Coraline swears she can feel a sinister gaze burning into her back, she grabs a few of them and sleeps with them in her bed, holding them tight against her chest, as if they will cast a bubble around her body that protects her from any harm. Sometimes she doesn’t even sleep, just lies awake in terror for hours on end. She’s far too old to sleep in her parents’ bed, but some nights, she tiptoes over to their bedroom and cracks the door open, just enough so she can see that they’re still there, safe and sound.
Coraline loves her parents, but they don’t completely understand everything. It’s not their fault; they have no memory of being kidnapped by the Beldam, and they weren’t witness to anything else that happened that fateful year. She tried to explain bits and pieces when she was younger, but they dismissed it as a child’s wild imagination or particularly vivid dreams, and she’s not sure she can really blame them. After all, it hardly sounds believable.
She’s made some other friends at her new school, and they’re wonderful, but none of them get it, either. They don’t understand why she cringes every time they point out the tiny door that leads to nowhere when they come over to her house. They don’t understand why buttons and dolls disturb her to this day, or why when she looks at a snow globe, it always takes her a moment to register that there is nothing frightening inside of it. “Something happened to me when I was a kid,” she told them once, to allay their concerns. “It was really scary. I could’ve died. So if I ever do something...weird, that’s probably why.” None of them questioned her, then, when she bought that pocketknife. If nothing else, she’s grateful for that.
Wybie and his grandmother are the only ones she can actually talk to about what happened, and she’s not going to come to them every single time she has a paranoid thought (which is, unfortunately, fairly often). Usually she can calm herself down, anyway; she just has to take deep breaths and remind herself that the key is gone, at the bottom of a bottomless well, and the Beldam can never open that godforsaken portal ever again.
It takes lying there for another ten minutes, eyes closed and focusing on nothing but the sound of her own breathing, for Coraline to finally muster up the energy to pull herself out of bed. At least it’s a Friday, she tells herself. She has to work a bit this weekend, but her job involves more stocking shelves than interacting with other people, so it’s still better than school.
It’s not that she hates school. She likes learning when it’s interesting, and she likes seeing her friends. It’s not even that she dislikes other people, because she doesn’t, really. Even people she thought were weird or annoying at first, like Wybie, have grown on her with time. It’s just that she fears she’ll have a flashback or a panic attack in the middle of class and embarrass herself. It’s happened before—in middle school she was branded a freak when a sewing project in her home economics class brought her to tears for reasons she didn’t know how to explain. Strangely enough, she feels safer in her neighborhood. It’s an environment she knows well, and as odd as her neighbors are, she trusts them to protect her, even if they might not be aware of it. She remembers Mr. Bobinsky’s warning not to go through the little door, and she remembers the adder stone given to her by Misses Spink and Forcible—and, of course, she remembers Wybie, who once called her crazy before he saw the Beldam’s severed hand for himself, before he helped her dispose of the key for good. Technically, he’s the one who found the Coraline doll that spied on her in the first place—a fact that she hates him for on her worst days—but she knows that he had no idea, and it doesn’t do any good to blame him. After all, even if he may have inadvertently introduced Coraline to the Other Mother, he also helped to defeat her.
While Coraline is choosing her outfit for the day, her phone buzzes: a text from Wybie. Hey Jonesy, it reads, meet me outside then. I got something for ya.
Coraline raises an eyebrow. That could mean anything. Still, she sends him a quick Ok and slips her clothes on. If it happens to be a slug or something, at least she can say her day got off to an interesting start.
Being writers, her parents don’t have to wake up as early as she does, so Coraline usually fixes her own breakfast—often something quick, like a muffin—and heads out the door. Today is no exception, her meal a bowl of cereal and a glass of orange juice. It sort of makes her feel like a kid again, in a good way. Sitting alone at the kitchen table, Cheerios in her spoon, the sun rising over the foggy mountains, a feeling of quiet peace and even innocence settles over her like dust on a bookshelf. In this moment, there is no fear, no nightmares, no flashbacks. In this moment, she is not a teenager doing her best to survive even while her mind begs to differ. She is the little girl she once was, before she was forced to be brave in the face of true horror. The sky glows pink and orange, a phenomenon unknown to the Other World. She’s grown to appreciate daylight more since then.
Finally, Coraline vaults her backpack over her shoulder and pushes the front door open, saying a silent goodbye to her parents in her head. Sure enough, at the bottom of the hill, leaning up against the Pink Palace sign, is Wybie, who looks like he’s playing a game on his phone. When he hears the sound of her footsteps, he looks up and waves to her.
“You’re back,” she says once she’s close enough to him to talk without having to shout. For the past two weeks, Wybie has been on a school trip to Germany. (Coraline couldn’t go because she’s taking Spanish instead of German.) It’s pretty stupid for them to get back on a Friday and then have to go to regular school for one day, in her opinion, but that’s just how it worked out. “You said you have something for me?” She can’t help but wonder if it’s a souvenir of some sort. She’d joked about him getting her one, but she didn’t actually expect him to do it.
“Yeah,” Wybie says. As they start to walk down the path that leads to town and their school, he pulls something small out of his jeans pocket, holding it in both hands so she can’t see what it is. His voice sounds strangely solemn. “So, you know how you said Miss Spink and Miss Forcible gave you that stone that one time? The one with the hole in the middle?”
Coraline remembers it well: the adder stone that helped her find the ghost children’s eyes all those years ago. When she read up about them later on, she found that rocks with naturally occurring holes in them, called adder stones or hag stones, are said to have magical properties. One of them is the ability to see through a witch or fairy’s disguises or traps, but others include the prevention of nightmares and curing whooping cough.
Coraline certainly doesn’t have whooping cough, but she does have nightmares, and she’s already seen the power of an adder stone for herself. “Yeah,” she says slowly. “They’re pretty rare. The Other Mother destroyed the one I had.”
Wybie flashes her a little half-smile and opens his palms, revealing a round, grayish stone with a medium-sized hole in it. “We visited the north coast one day,” he says as she takes it from him, “and I just happened to stumble across it. Apparently that’s one of the places where they’re more common, in northern Germany.” He shrugs. “I saw it, and I knew I had to give it to you. Not like you’ll need to find any more ghost children’s eyes, but…”
Coraline holds the stone up to her eye, feeling an odd comfort when she looks through the hole, even though nothing seems different. Feeling a soft smile spread across her face, she slips the stone into her pocket and says, “Thank you, Wybie.” Then, to lighten the mood, she adds, “I guess taking German was a good decision after all.”
Wybie blows a raspberry at her. “Hey, who got to go to a foreign country? Not you.”
They banter back and forth like that for a while, but part of Coraline is still focused on the stone in her pocket and the thoughtfulness behind it. It’s so small, but both the stone and the gesture give her the burst of courage she needs to get through the rest of the day, the week, the month. It’s a different kind of courage from what she had to muster up to stop the Beldam. It’s subtler, quieter. It’s the courage of a girl who has seen real ugliness, who has felt the deepest and most primal sort of fear, who went through hell and came out alive but unsure where to go from there. How do you keep on going when you’ve been face to face with death?
The answer, she realizes, is simple: it takes courage. It might be the kind that only a few people can see, but it’s courage all the same.
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Chapter 234
Amber
Chris kisses my neck. "Trey a fucking dumbass."
"For doing what he should have been doing?" I snap.
"How is it going to help their relationship? I don't see nothing positive from this."
April comes up. "Both of you should be ashamed of yourself."
"Who? I don't have nothing to do with fucking Trey. He his own man."
"What are you talking about?" April snaps. "I find out from Joyce who not even here that you are expecting? Not even worth a bitch just to let you know there's something you don't know even though you in the next room."
"Ma?" Chris says standing up. "I told you in the kitchen about the drone."
She pushes him away. "You told me about a message in a bottle and how you have more confidence in your ability to be in a relationship."
"No, Ma. I said Amber confused me by not putting the message... okay maybe I changed the subject."
"Right... after you got a damn text message then started talking about your relationship."
Chris tries to hug her again. "You can be the first to see the ultrasound."
She snatches it from him as he takes it out of his phone case. He chuckles and comes back to the chair. I guess she was taking the picture. She comes back hugging me.
"We will talk later." April says in my ear then kiss my cheek. "Congratulations. Yes Chris I agree with you now."
"I thought you did before." He snaps.
She chuckles. "I lied."
He sucks his teeth. She walks away. This man is only upset for 2 seconds after she leaves. He turns around into my face.
"I feel obligated to get Trey and Cammie where we are in our relationship. I wish he didn't turn that phone in. We could have burned it together. He could have just given it to April. She is credible."
"Chris won't you go find them and see how they are handling it. Just stop talking about it."
He exhales. "Their shit is... I'm leaving out in the morning to do a show."
I grab his face. "I know."
"I want to marry you before the baby comes."
"MiMi and Devin's wedding, Trey and Cammie's anniversary, holidays then baby. No time."
He sucks his teeth. "If you really feeling me then we can go to Vegas tonight. Everybody here."
"If you really feeling me then I only plan on getting married once and I be dammed if it's at a tacky ass shotgun ass pussy rankin ass Elvis motel. Fuck out of here. You are Chris Brown. You fucking spending money on me the first time. So shut up. If I'm feeling you… Gotdamn, it fucking don't matter now cause I'm having your child. You fucking stuck, whether it be tomorrow or next year."
"Damn." Alex says leaning away from us. "Fuck all that shit."
Chris chuckles but doesn't say anything. I'm not telling him again why the wedding can't be sooner than planned. Now he has to wait 8 months. Still puts him at next year. I'm not rushing this anymore than what it already is. Something gonna be in my control. I push him off of me.
"You have nothing to say?"
"That's the surest I ever heard you talk about our future. I don't have shit to say."
Alex laughs. "Really? I always wondered if it's the power of pussy."
Chris looks at her. "What's your fucking problem? Why you always putting negative shit in the air? Nobody even talking to you."
"Oh, do you own me? Shit not free, huh?"
"Her voice fucking irritates me." Chris hisses.
"She does that on purpose." Jamaal says. "Irritate people to avoid connecting with people. It's what she does to her parents."
Chris nods. "And you listen to that shit?"
"You respond to it?" Jamaal shrugs.
"Okay."
"Fuck you, Jamaal." Alex says standing up and walking away.
I sigh and get up off of the chair. I don't feel like fucking fixing other people's shit. I've got my own fucking venting I want to do. Jamaal touches my arm stopping me from going after Alex.
He smiles softly. "I got it."
"Good cause she needs a man to fix her daddy issues." Chris says.
"I'm going to find something to eat that's not on a stick."
Chris sits up straight. "We can order something. I don't think we have anything."
"I'll find my own food, Chris." I say with a smile.
"Okay."
Cammie
"Tremaine?"
"In here baby." Ma says. My mother.
I shake my head. What? I walk into her bedroom. Lane and Trey are stretched out on the floor sleep. Lane had a damn pacifier in his mouth. I take it out. He opens his eyes frowning at me. I stand up straight looking at him. He smiles at me then looks towards the bed at Mama.
"What's this game y'all playing?" I snap.
"He wants to be my baby instead of my big boy. He likes to keep games going. He might be good at acting. You should try it. Since he will be famous anyway."
I shrug a bit and get on the bed where Caden is. He opens his eyes then makes a pouting face. My baby is so damn fake. I leave him there then look towards my mother. She is standing in the closet stacking up folded clothes.
"I never thought about how much my family needed you in their lives." I say after Lane goes up to her and lays his head on her hip. "Why is Trey in here on the floor?"
"They were fighting over the pacifier." Ma giggles. "Ready to be grandma big boy?"
Lane hugs her thigh. "Yes."
She kneels down picking him up. "Oh boy, so heavy."
"What did you do with Shy's bad butt?"
"Her grandmother has her in Columbia until I get back." She rolls her eyes. "I have never been good at discipline. I should have spanked that girl's mama. Thank God for your sweet grandmother and her rules. I think you have a beautiful family."
Caden kicks his feet towards me trying his best to reach me. I stand up then notice that Ma already had stuff to change his diaper on the bed. I climb into the bed to get closer to him.
"I have been fighting like the plague trying to get this family."
"And get ready to fight more. Baby, there is nothing easy about a marriage to a public figure. You have to remind them that they normal. Your husband don't know his mouth from his hand."
I shrug. "I guess."
"I didn't care for him before I came this week. I should have been talked with him." She says lying Lane on the bed. He was sleep again. "He cares so much about you."
"It's easy to forget that."
She sits on the bed. "He thinks I made you pick Chemistry. Cammie you know I wanted nothing more than for you to get a degree that would set you apart from most women. You were already good at dancing. You didn't need school for that."
"Yeah, I know."
"Then why do you have these people thinking I never supported you?"
I shrug. I continue changing Caden's diaper.
"You know I was at every ballot recital. Ready with my needle and thread because your chubby butt was gonna bust out of that tutu."
"Yeah."
"You know I'm a classical music lover. All that sexy booty shaking hip hop."
"Cause you don't know how to shake nothing."
She chuckles a bit. "Your daddy loved calling me white girl. I can't help I wasn't exposed to it until college. Then I went too far too fast."
"In college?" I ask looking at her.
"You are grown now so I can tell you. My friend Janette had me wide open. One night I woke up in the school mascot uniform. You know it was the 70s early 80s. Drugs, sex, and no care. I feel like if I hadn't met your father I wouldn't have known who Chubby's father was. My judgement sober had started to shift to who cares. I had to change gears. Go back to how I was raised."
I just look at her. She chuckles a bit taking Lane's pants off.
"Sometimes things take you away from who you are." She says like she lost in thought. The conversation dies. Or I thought it did. She looks at me. "You liked your stepfather. He never tried to touch you or anything did he?"
I make my eyes big. "No."
She blows. "I didn't think so. He really does love you and Chubby. I should call him Rollie. Anyway, he loves you and Rollie. Only if it's because he loves me. He does like to be included. He loved fighting with you, probably misses it. At least you two had some interaction."
I start crying. She doesn't notice at first until I try to hold it in. It doesn't work at all. I never thought about whether or not me being distant cause them to be sad. I didn't think they cared. I thought they would be happy not to have to worry about me. I don't know where any of those ideas came from.
"I didn't mean to make you cry, Baby. I don't know." She says putting her hand on my leg. "I don't know anything unless you tell me. I'm not supermom. I'm a bit self absorbed and... spoiled as Kenny would say. Again I was raised that way. It's hard to correct things as an adult. Most times I just don't want to. You know?"
I jump. Someone had touched my back. It was Trey. He sits down on the bed then reach around me and put Caden's diaper on. I had abandoned everything with my tears. I don't remember the last time my mother and I talked. I don't even know who this is talking to me. She never talked so much shit about herself. Took blame for being caught up in her own shit.
"I feel you on that. Being a responsible adult is stressful." Trey says. "Jayla?"
I just look at him. He nods his head. I don't know what he talking about. Caden starts crying like Trey had done something to him. Trey gently calms him down. Trey was actually the distraction in this conversation. Now I don't feel like crying.
"Tremaine?" I blow. "I shouldn't have let everyone think my mother was this witch that ruined my dream."
"Yeah." Trey says like he suddenly remembered. "I found that out myself."
Ma chuckles a bit. "All of those times we forced her out of the car was not to punish her."
"What was it for Mom?" I snap.
"I never... you wouldn't tell me." She says. "Lonnie finally just said let her transfer closer. If it means she will get out of this car when we drop her off. You were just fine catching the bus then it slowly got harder."
Trey looks at me. "When did you try to find out? On the way to drop her off? With Lonnie?"
"Most times I was at the church and she was with her grandmother until it was time to take her back. Really the only time we had."
"That's where the story came from. You didn't have time. You were asking about something personal in public."
"In public? It was..." she covers her mouth. "Something happened at school? I asked you when we were alone? I tried to find out... Was it when you were in the hospital? You told me you passed out from drinking. How was I supposed to put it together that something more serious happened? Gotdamn it Jayla. You know if I knew anything happened to you I would have turned that college upside down." She stands up then she puts her hands on her hips. "Jayla, what happened?"
I shake my head.
Trey sighs. "Jayla no. You can't shut down again, Baby."
"I didn't want it to be a big deal."
"You didn't want it at all, Jayla." Trey says putting Caden in my arms. "You would want to know if someone hurt your child. She wants to know if someone hurt her child."
Ma spins around the room. "I knew it was that damn Rashad. So arrogant and ready for the world to kiss his ass."
"It wasn't him." I say rocking Caden. "His friends drugged me."
"Nothing they haven't done in the past. You weren't the first girl he ever had around his friends. What were their names?"
I furrow my eyebrows at her. "No. Why? It doesn't matter, Ma."
She blows. "I feel like I need to do something."
"Well run down the beach screaming." I say wiping my face. "It's been years. I don't want my name in nothing."
"I will walk fast very angrily down the beach. Punch a few sand dunes." She says grabbing her phone and walking out.
I sit there stuck. What just happened? I feel numb. I don't feel like nothing. It seems as though that went completely wrong. Nothing like I imagined. Why does she feel like she need to do something? Would that something not be to just hug me? Or try to... I don't know but it's awkward now. Sitting here. Frozen. Going down memory lane. Alone. Again.
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