#since day one he was planning and scheming from the sidelines and only took his place as the final villain after he had most of the things | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

writer-akihiko · 3 years

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hiii! can I get a similar scenario like this but with vice dorm leaders and floyd? I love your works!!! I hope you have a nice week <3

Vice Dorm Leaders + Floyd + Valentine's Jealousy

Thank you for this request! It was a while to post this because I kinda forgot the prompt for the previous one, but I hope you enjoy some equally jealous Vice Dorm Leaders and Floyd!

Lilia Vanrouge

Many knew that you were quite famous, and he was well aware of how others saw you too. You weren't one to accept the presents because you had Lilia, but it was hard to reject them most of the time when they'd all gang up on you.

From the day started, you planned out the day. You planned to take an alternate route back to the dorms, but through every step, some student would stop you with a present. With so many eyes on you, it was overwhelming.

A couple of Savanaclaw boys stopped you in your tracks, with the supposed leader of the pack holding a box of chocolates towards you.

"YN! Please accept my gift!"

The sudden approach made you trip and fall on your butt, but before a hand could reach out to help you, the wall of students collapsed. You smelled smoke, supposedly from something burning, but as you looked over it more, it was the students that were burning…

Lilia stood over them, sneering at the other students that looked on. He gave a deep bow, and you noticed that one of his heels dug into the side of the one who wanted to give you a gift.

"Ara ara... as Vice Dorm Leader, there shouldn't be any fleas disturbing the peace."

The bodies of those students were well stepped and pranced over as Lilia prattled on about 'appropriate' rules for a NRC student. His lecture was done, but you found it odd that Lilia cared about the rules at all...

"Now that you get my point, leave."

All students, burnt and normal, scattered when Lilia said that. You were the only one left, and you began to get anxious once more. Surely... Surely your lover wouldn’t punish you too?

As your boyfriend stepped closer, he got on one knee, somehow conjuring a bouquet of flowers? On further inspection, the flower buds appeared to be your favourite snacks on sticks in... a bouquet. Lilia had his mysterious ways, but the silly bouquet got a giggle out of you.

He got up, pulling you by the waist. "I take it as you love your snack bouquet~" He pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. "Happy Valentine's Day YN."

Trey Clover

Trey didn't want you to know that you were well-known so instead of doing anything to the other students, he tells you to stay in your room instead as you wait for him to pick you up for a romantic Valentine's date.

As the morning of Valentine started, he could watch in envy at the other students with present clearly meant for you. He did ask Vil for a favour to doll you up for the date, but he wasn't sure if you were going to stay put with Grim around...

He had to curse himself for getting caught up in one of Professor Crewel's ramblings, but he wouldn't be so rude to get up and leave. If he had to be honest, it was very tempting to do so.

It was finally over, and he tried not to let out a sigh of relief. The moment he walked out of the classroom, he was already frowning at the sight that he saw.

Many surrounded you, but particularly those with sweet treats caught your attention the most. They begged you to try their treats, but you never thought it as anything romantic. As someone who was fond of making sweet treats like Trey, you thought that they were asking for your input instead.

One of the students dared to hand-feed you a piece of the sweet he made. Trey being pissed off was an understatement. Cater, who was busy filming the decorations and vlogging, paused when his camera neared Trey's line of view.

Trey knew he wasn't going to get to you in time, so as he saw the treat inch closer to your mouth, he used his magic to alter the flavour of it. You winced at the bitter flavour unlike the sweet flavour before you expected.

You coughed out the piece you had in your mouth, dropping the food. Your head bumped against someone, and an arm wrapped around you. You relaxed once you felt Trey's familiar scent, but with your ear pressed against his chest, the sound of his thumping heart rang through your ears.

"You really dared to poison YN..."

The students backed away, but with a teacher nearby, they were quickly taken away. Trey didn't mind his little lie, after all, you were adorably blushing in his arms.

"Are you okay my love?" He patted your head, checking you for any injuries. It was only then he realised that you were dolled up, and your cheeks were flushed whenever hi fingers touched your skin.

Trey wasn't usually tongue-tied, but the way you just looked made him speechless.

"H-Happy Valentine's... my gorgeous YN."

Jamil Viper

He was an observant man, so the day before Valentine's he knew who was targeting to give you gifts, even if they hadn't made their intentions public. He never made your relationship public, but he targeted those who thought they were the 'perfect' candidate for your love.

It all began with spreading rumours, particularly about how someone was going to be your fiancé. He only had to wait for the rumours to settle in, and then the chaos would commence...

By the morning of Valentine's, many had gathered at your doorstep leaving gifts but some insisted on waiting for you... like a stalker... Oh well, Jamil could remedy that easily.

He couldn't hypnotise to most due to the limitations of his magic, but he was still good at manipulating those around him. He couldn't help but feel such jealousy towards the other students for getting you such expensive gifts, especially when he could never get those gifts for you himself.

He was so distracted with his jealous thoughts that he missed the moment that you walked out of your room. You were hopeful that your boyfriend Jamil was waiting, but you couldn't hide your disappointment when it wasn't.

The more aggressive 'suitors' caught on to your disappointment, and you shrunk in fear as they approached you.

"Hoi, why are you making that fa-"

BLAM!

Before any insulting things were said, a basketball went flying and hit the student in the head, knocking him flat.

"Get away from her."

Jamil's piercing gaze sent a shiver down everyone's spine, causing them to scram. Even those who had the strength to beat Jamil were outmatched by the sheer bloodlust and the objective authority he had, which was better not to mess with if they valued their school life.

It wasn't long before you jumped into Jamil's arms, which caused both of you to topple over. Your large grin was fitting for Jamil's flustered state, as you bestowed your hero a loving kiss.

Jade Leech

If any student in NRC were to say to their fellow friends that they wanted to confess to YN on Valentine's Day, their friends would ask them if they wanted a death wish. This was because it was a well-known fact that you were dating Jade Leech.

And in NRC, you'd never want to mess with the Leech brothers.

Jade wouldn't want to scare you, but he may have overheard some other people talking about giving you a Valentine's gift. Even if it was out of obligation, he wouldn't allow that.

He could personally alter the ingredients of their drinks so that they'd... fall asleep before any present giving...

You always hung around the Lounge but this time around, Jade didn't allow you to walk out onto the floor, so you accompanied Azul with helping him with his papers. He waited for the serum to kick in, and when they were asleep he informed Azul of some loiterers in the Lounge.

Before they fell asleep, Jade couldn't help himself from revealing his tiny plan to the victims.

"Don't try your chances."

They were quickly disposed of, thanks to Floyd. It'd be better not to mention specifics.

Jade did promise you a romantic date, so you were surprised how much the Lounge changed after hours. The simple candlelight shone on the extravagant meal with Jade's specially brewed tea.

You felt the merman's arms wrap around you, as he leaned down, whispering in your ear. "YN, thank you for being my Valentine."

Floyd Leech

Whoever had the idea to confess to you besides Floyd Leech was asking to die by getting squeezed by a merman.

He wasn't sure how did you gain so much attention, but then he remembered that he'd always glomp you whenever he saw you... and then he remembered that Valentine's was today. Oh well, he'll figure something out.

The person Floyd had his eyes on though, was a student who was part of a band that Azul drove into debt. The entire band then on went to work for the Lounge as entertainters, but how could Floyd trust such a scheming bass player?

He heard from Jade that they were going to practice, but he had an inkling that it would be a confession to you. Only when it comes to you, he's observant.

"Hey YN! I just wanna show you-"

You shrugged off the bassist's enthusiasm. "Sorry... I'm a bit worn out. A lot of people have been giving me presents today."

He still took your hand. "Well... um if it helps you relax, I wrote a song for you!"

"A song?" You inched away since he was too close for comfort, but you'd doubt he'd listen to you since those other students didn't listen to you anyway...

"Hands off my Shrimpy."

Floyd couldn't hold it, watching from the sidelines. Jade told him to stay put, but it was impossible. He grabbed the student by the shoulders, squeezing him until he screamed. Once Floyd saw your worried face, he abandoned every thought of 'torturing' the boy and flung him across the room instead.

It was just his luck that the boy landed in your pile of presents, destroying about half of them. That was the presents dealt with...

You eagerly hugged Floyd, finally seeing him after a long day. Floyd couldn't help but twirl his Shrimpy around, joy filling him from your giggles. Oh well, Valentine's was too materialistic anyway. If he could get a laugh out of you just like this, that was all that mattered to him.

"Love ya Shrimpy~"

Ruggie Bucchi

Having so much responsibility in Savanaclaw meant that he had the slimmest of chances to be with you during Valentine's. Sure, most knew that you were his but there would be those idiots that would approach you regardless of your relationship status.

He gritted his teeth as he thought of all the possible presents he couldn't give you, and others could. The moment he stepped out his body simply shook with envy at how lucky those students were to have the spare money to get you something nice.

It honestly made him feel terrible that he couldn't provide those for you. It really did.

He wasn't one to lash out, but he was a hyena beastman after all. He had his limits. The moment he spotted you, he couldn't stop his tail from wagging. What pissed him off though was the idiocity of the students who can't comprehend that you didn't want to deal with them.

A Scarabia student had been following you around, and it was getting on your nerves. He showed off his 'assets' in front of you, which was embarrassing enough but it really struck a chord when the said student disregarded your beloved Ruggie.

"Surely you have better chances with me than some filthy beastman like him..."

You huffed, your fists shaking. "That's my boyfriend you're talking about!"

The student, of course disregarded you entirely. He grabbed you by the wrist, but in the blink of an eye, his palm was bleeding. There Ruggie was, claws out and holding you in one arm.

"She said she has a boyfriend, scum."

He didn't care how much he'd get punished. Knowing how much the teachers favoured you, they might let it pass... He didn't want to deal with the aftermath, so he lifted you up bridal style and ran with you to the Savanaclaw dorm.

"W-Wait Ruggie! I might be heavy..."

"You're not," He bluntly said, angling his face so he could check you for any injuries. His chest swelled up with pride with how much you defended him. "YN, it's okay though. You didn't have to defend me that much..."

You were not one to stand for your boyfriend to insult himself. You kissed him, surprising him to the point he almost dropped you. As you stared at your confused Ruggie, you comforted him with words he needed to hear the most.

"Ruggie, you're my one and only love."

Rook Hunt

This man had a plan. He had a plan and he planned it the moment he realised Valentine's Day was coming which was roughly after the first few months of dating. He never realised that it would be such a meticulous operation.

He runs the grapevine of gossip, so he knows exactly who to target. Sure... some methods were not as graceful as the Pomefiore standard but he had to do what he had to do.

Valentine's rolled around. D-Day. The D stood for Date... as he highlighted in notes. He'd leave you be, because you were the main star of his plan. His star, his moon, his every- Oh and he caught himself before getting sidetracked...

The first mistake was leaving their presents unattended. The second mistake was going to talk to you.

In a sudden moment, many shrieked at their presents getting vandalised by someone's arrow. It wasn't a humble mistake. Someone was doing this on purpose.

While other students panicked, you had stooped to your knees, observing the words on the shaft of the arrow...

'From YN's boyfriend~'

Oh... Oh Rook... How adorable of you... You thought to yourself. You were surprised that none had caught on so far, but you were sorely mistaken as the person who was about to gift you a bouquet of flowers grabbed you in fear.

"Y-Your boyfriend?! Who is he-" The student shrieked and fell to the ground as an arrow flew past his head, cutting off some of his locks. Then and there, Rook stepped out, bow in hand, bowing to his lady.

"My apologies. I was aiming for your head."

Rook was quick to take you in his arms, but that was not before he oh so graciously stepped on the student's hand. You didn't expect him to-

"You didn't think I would get jealous, Mademoiselle," He laughed, getting on one knee with a rose in hand that you were sure was from another student's bouquet. "Ah, I take it you enjoyed my gift!~"

Unfortunately, it wasn't long before Rook was scolded by some teachers and Vil himself. As much as you thought he would put up with the punishment, that didn't stop the hunter from bringing you to the final date spot, a quiet, peaceful forest date with your favourite hunter.

#twisted wonderland scenarios #twst imagines #twst vice dorm leaders #lilia vanrouge #trey clover #rook hunt #jamil viper #jade leech #floyd leech #ruggie bucchi #twisted wonderland #twst x reader #twst scenarios

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livmarauder · 4 years

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𝙬𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 | 𝙩.𝙗

tobi brown x reader (part one)

warnings: loads of fluff and mild swearing requested: - notes: thank you so much for all the support for my first two simon fics 🥺❤. it means so much to me how many of you guys enjoyed reading them and i really hope you like this one wc: 1,904 words

part two (coming soon) //masterlist

going to a wedding always entailed a few surprises and a few new friends.

y/n smiled as she walked into her longtime best friend’s apartment, lugging her luggage behind her after her really long flight. the apartment was just her best-friends style, minimalistic yet had certain flairs everywhere.

when her best friend had asked her to be her maid of honour, y/n knew she couldn’t refuse and accepted right away and after she had filed for three months of leave (she had a lot of overdue, so her boss was like ‘just take all of it’) she was off to london, helping her best friend plan for her big day.

“oh my god! y/n!”

speak of the devil.

a tall blonde woman sprinted into the living room in her socks after hearing the front-door shut before embracing the h/c woman in-front of her tightly. y/n laughed, hugging her best friend tightly as happy tears brimmed her eyes. she pulled away, looking into her best friend’s shinning green ones which were laced with tears as well.

“hey frey, it’s nice to see you too.” y/n said as freya sniffed a little bit, overwhelmed to see her best friend after not seeing her for the past two decades.

y/n had moved away from freya a few years after they started middle school together and hadn’t seen each other since then due to the fact that they were so far away from each other. although the distance was a bit of a dick, they didn’t let that obstacle be in their way and called each other everyday because as soon as they met, they each knew they would never find a better best friend.

they had planned to go to the same college but because of the distance and all the friends that y/n had made in her own country, freya and y/n knew that the arrangement would have to stick around for quite a while.

“so, how is the planning coming along?” y/n asked as she got acquainted with a cup of coffee in freya’s living room. freya let out an exasperated sigh as she sat down beside her with her own cup, leaning into the couch pillows.

“that bad huh?” y/n teased a little before taking a sip of the beverage in her hands.

freya shook her head, “it’s like the world doesn’t want me to get married.” y/n rolled her eyes at her best friend’s dramatic antics. “oh c’mon, it cannot be that bad frey.”

freya scoffed, “josh and i have been having disagreements about where we want it to happen all the way to what kind of flowers we want to put on the table.”

y/n suppressed a laugh by taking another sip of her coffee as she stared at freya’s annoyed expression.

“so when will i get to meet the person who puts up with your ass?” y/n said, snickering a little.

y/n had only briefly met her best friend’s fiancé through various facetime calls she had with freya and seeing how long they have been dating, y/n was glad that he had decided to finally put a ring on her finger.

freya rolled her eyes, “in a few minutes, he just finished filming with his friends and is coming over with his best man right now.”

y/n nodded as she watched freya sip her coffee. while freya and her fiancé had spent their years becoming some of the top influencers in the world, y/n had decided to make a sturdy living for herself by becoming an interior designer, working in one of the biggest interior design firms in the world.

she has watched some of their videos from time to time (especially when freya first introduced josh to her through one of their facetime calls, she needed to do some recon on this man who stole her best friends heart) but she mostly watched freya’s videos and streams, supporting her best friend from the sidelines as much as she could.

y/n was snapped out of her thoughts as she heard the jingle of keys in the hallway before the apartment.

“that must be them.” freya stated nonchalantly as she took a gulp of her coffee.

the front door swung open and in entered josh as well as a dude in a snapback, donning jeans as well as a hoddie with the word ‘ILLVZN’ plastered cleanly in the middle.

they were talking loudly as they entered, seemingly in a conversation about the video they were filming. y/n quirked an eyebrow at them as they only noticed the two girls on the couch a few seconds after they entered the room.

“oh, sorry girls, didn’t see you guys there.” freya looked over at josh before looking back at y/n, her expression on her face indicating that he was always like this and y/n couldn’t help but giggle.

“you must be josh.” y/n stated, smiling at the taller of the two men as she stood up, “i’m the girl your fiancée has been in love with since we were in middle school.” she said jokingly, sticking out her hand.

josh laughed a little, “ah, you must be y/n.” he took my hand, “i’m the guy who managed to put up with her ass for the last decade or more.”

a groan was heard from the mutual between the two before they turned towards her to see her glaring daggers at the two.

“i knew it was a bad idea for you both to meet.” she groaned as her best friend and fiancé started to laugh at her misery.

“y/n, this is my best man tobi.” josh introduced to the man standing behind him, “tobi, this is freya’s maid of honour, y/n.”

y/n smiled at tobi as she stuck out her hand, the same way she had done with josh, “you got roped in too aye?” she joked. tobi flashed her a toothy grin, “yeah, with this couple, it’s hard to know what to expect.” he joked back as he took her hand.

as soon as he did though, y/n felt a spark of electricity between them, shocking her a little as she looked at tobi’s face. and if he felt anything, he didn’t quite show it.

“well,” freya started, bringing the two new friends back to the apartment as they let go of each others hands, only to see freya hopping off the couch, “now that we are all acquainted, let’s get the planning started shall we?” she asked, excitement radiating off of her.

hearing about the couple’s arguments was one thing, seeing them doing it however, was a different issue.

tobi and y/n sat down at the dining table opposite each other, each with matching bored expressions as freya and josh argued about the smallest detail possible. what font to write the wedding invitations in.

y/n yawned as she twirled her pen, leaning her arm against the table as she laid her head on her hand as she listened to freya make her point for the 100th time this afternoon.

“i’m just saying josh, the aphrodite font does not go with the colour scheme of our wedding. it doesn’t even go with the guest list!”

y/n watched as josh rolled his eyes, “oh and your alex brush font is a better choice?”

freya scoffed, “it’s simple yet elegant and people can actually read it.”

they continued to bicker before y/n decided that she had enough.

“alright!” she said standing up, surprising the couple and tobi as freya and josh ceased their bickering. “you guys have been at this for the past four hours and that has included the colour and the theme of your wedding.”

y/n sighed as she pressed her fingers to her temple, massaging it for a few seconds before glancing at the wall clock realizing that it was nearly 7 o’clock.

“i think we’re all tired and a little bit famished.” y/n states, “how about tobi and i go get some food and leave you two to decide because if i’m being honest, all this arguing is making it seem like you guys have been married for a really long time.”

with that, she turned her attention away from the couple to the man sitting down opposite her, giving him a small smile as she noticed the admiration flashing across his eyes with a smirk on his lips.

“well, you heard the lady. see you both later.”

as soon as tobi and y/n stepped out onto the cold streets of london. y/n stopped for a little while as she took a deep breathe of the fresh air as she watched the cars pass by.

tobi walked a few more meters before noticing that his new friend wasn’t by his side, he turned back around to notice that she was staring at the streets, a small smile on her face.

he admired her for a little while (not creepily obviously), little puffs of air coming out of her nose.

y/n felt his eyes and turned back to him, catching his eyes. she gave him an apologetic smile before walking back to his side causing tobi to chuckle.

they walked in a comfortable silence, their stances matching with their hands in their jacket or hoodie pocket as they watched people continue about their busy days.

“so, you haven’t been to london before i assume.” tobi said, breaking the silence as y/n turned to him as she let out a small laugh, “is it that obvious?”

“a little.” he said back as they both laughed.

“how long have you known josh?” y/n said, getting more comfortable with the conversation.

“since highschool, we were in the same friend group and we actually lived down the street from each other so we walked home together everyday after school.” he glanced at y/n, “how about you and freya?”

“since middle school, i moved like a few years after we started and haven’t seen her since then.” tobi quirked his eyebrow in confusion, “you guys never met up?”

y/n shook her head, “money was a little scarce for me at the time and i didn’t want frey spending any money coming to meet me. we originally wanted to go to the same college but because of distance and the money issues, we just decided going to different colleges would be the best idea for us. we called and texted each other everyday though so... i probably wouldn’t change it for anything.”

tobi watched as a small smile appeared on her face, thinking through all the good memories freya and her had since she moved causing him to smile too as he thought about all his good memories with josh up till this moment.

“well, it must’ve been difficult to keep the friendship alive at times huh?” tobi asked as y/n nodded, “yeah, but somehow, just being able to talk to them for like 10 minutes or so, brighten up your day even more than you think it could, you know?”

y/n and tobi looked at each other for a few seconds and y/n swore she could feel the same electricity being coordinated between their eyes as when they first shook hands with each other.

“yeah, i know.” tobi said out, careful to not break the moment as they stared at each other for a few more seconds before y/n broke it, looking at the concrete before meeting his gaze once again with a small smile.

“so, nandos?”

#tobi brown x reader #tbjzl x reader #tbjzl imagines #tbjzl one shots #tobi brown imagines #tobi brown one shots #sidemen x reader #sdmn x reader #sidemen #sdmn #sidemen imagines #sidemen one shots #sdmn imagines #sdmn one shots #tbjzl #tobi brown

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haikyuuwaifu · 4 years

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Feel Something

Genre: ANGST

Warning: Swearing, Implied Intercourse

MASTERLIST

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PART 7:

“Sweetheart, as much as I would love to stay in bed with you, you know I have to go in today.” Your partner chuckled, as you pouted cutely. Your other partner was already in the shower, washing away the juices you left all over him. “I suppose I’ll allow it this once.” you mumbled sticking your nose in the air haughtily. Tsukishima reached over and pushed you softly; grinning when you tumbled back into the ridiculously large comforter. Reaching, your arms up; you made grabby hands and all he could do was shake his head. “Uh-uh. If I give in, I’ll never leave this bed; and Kuroo and I have things to do today sweetheart.” he mumbled, kissing your forehead softly he stood, and your eyes raked over his form.

Tsukishima Kei had loved you all his life. For half of his life he didn’t have the nerve to tell you. He couldn’t risk ruining the best thing besides his friendship with Tadashi. It didn’t help, that as you both aged; he fell even harder for you. Yamaguchi told him time and time again, to fess up and tell you how he felt; but he couldn’t do that. So he did what any good friend would do and supported you from the sidelines.

He was there during the honeymoon phases and he was there when the inevitable heartbreak happened; and you never questioned it. How could you, when you knew he would always be there. He had tried to move on countless times; but they never seemed to work out. He didn’t know what it was, until he saw you with Bokuto. He hated to admit it in the beginning, but you and Bokuto were perfect together. You understood each other in a way that Tsukki could only dream of. When you confessed that you had loved Bokuto, Tsukki was sure he had lost his chance. He wanted you to be happy, and if Bokuto made you happy; then he was going to stand aside and let it be. It didn’t matter that those women didn’t work out, because they weren’t you.

When Tsukki was offered the chance to play in Sendai he took it. As much as it pained him, he needed the time away from you to move on. You made him promise to facetime, call, and text. You also made him swear to send you snacks monthly. Since you had been so busy with school, you wouldn’t have been able to visit him as much as you wanted. Settling in Sendai wasn’t difficult for Tsukki, he was on his own and he kept mostly to himself. He had tried dating, and it had gone fine; but something in his heart told him it just wasn’t the right time. The two of you managed to talk maybe twice a week, three times if your schedules allowed it. One weekend he had managed to surprise you, and he himself was slightly surprised that Bokuto wasn’t there like he usually was.

You didn’t bring it up, so he didn’t ask instead choosing to spend the time he had doing the things you two loved the most. That weekend was probably, the first weekend he noticed something was off; so when he made plans with Kuroo in Sendai; he was surprised to find out that Bokuto was losing touch with Kuroo and Akaashi as well. Seeing Bokuto, with his arms around Hikari; made Tsukki furious. In all honesty, if Kuroo hadn’t been there to stop him; he probably would have attempted to kill him. It shattered him, when he heard your sobs from the bedroom closet. It absolutely wrecked him, to see you that way. Sobbing and chest heaving, your heart completely shattered by the man you wanted to love forever.

It had only taken a few days to move your things to Sendai and into Tsukki’s apartment. He watched, as you cried and clung to either him or Kuroo for the duration of three months. Kuroo had taken a leave of absence to be there for you, and one night when you were asleep Tsukki had to ask why. “I never thought Bokuto deserved someone like her.” Kuroo whispered, stroking your hair softly. “He’s always been loud and flashy. When he first told me about Y/N I thought he was full of shit.” Kuroo grumbled. “When I saw her, standing with him at the amusement park entrance I wanted to hit him. I had never hated my best friend more than I did in that moment.” he grumbled pulling you closer to his chest. “I’m here because I need her. When Bokuto was “gone” I was there to make sure she ate properly, slept, and drank enough water. She was working herself to the bone, so she could finish early for him.” Kuroo mumbled, eyes never leaving your hands. “I’m here for the same reason you are, and I’m not going to take her away from you.” That night both men had come to the agreement, that they would pursue you together when the time was right.

It had taken you another 9 months to fully recover from your heartbreak; and the two of them were there. They had been there the entire time, and Akaashi was the one who helped you realize, that they could never do what Bokuto did to you. The next year was spent in domestic bliss, as the three of you managed to find your dynamic. Both men travelled a lot, so you tried to keep busy by finding things to do. You found your niche in the kitchen, and while on a trip with the boys you signed yourself up for a workshop being hosted by an up and coming Onigiri shop. Tsukki and Kuroo were discussing team trading, so you had been left to your own devices.

The workshop had been small and you and the owner had hit it off when you discussed the prices of produce back in Sendai. Leaving the workshop you had made a new friend and a new Onigiri recipe that was now Tsukki’s favorite. A week after the trip, Tsukishima and Kuroo approached you with the idea of moving to Osaka; because the MSBY wanted to bring Tsukishima to their team. Looking at your boyfriend, you could see the hesitation. You knew he only wanted to look out for you, but you were in a better place; so you simply clapped your hands and started planning.

Amidst your planning, your new Onigiri friend had found the time to visit you, and you had shown him all the best places for produce and the like while he was in town. He had ended up staying with you and your boyfriends; and over the course of those two weeks you had gone on to tell him the news about moving to Osaka. He was excited to finally have some friends of his own. He didn’t mind his brother’s friends, but most of them were loud and brash; minus Kiyoomi. Before he left, Kuroo and Tsukishima took Osamu out to lunch and told him everything he needed to know about Bokuto and his ties to you. To say the man was disgusted was the understatement of the century. He made sure to declare, that Bokuto would no longer be served at his shop; and the silver haired man never asked why.

The move to Osaka had been easy with the help of your friends. Akaashi had met Osamu during the process and the two had hit it off much to your delight. Tsukki and Kuroo could only shake their heads at your scheming matchmaking face. You had FINALLY met Kenma as well, someone Kuroo would never shut up about. The two of you bonded over making fun of Kuroo, and he still doesn’t know how to feel about it.

“Oi, I know she’s gorgeous; but if you don’t get ready we’re going to be late.” Kuroo snickered, bending down to give you a soft kiss. The other man’s interruption pulled Tsukishima out of his thoughts, and rolled his eyes. Sticking his foot out, he shoved Kuroo in the ass and snickered when the tall men fell over in a heap on the floor. Turning, he made his way to the shower, smiling at the giggles spilling out of your lips. No matter what happened today, Tsukishima knew he had you to come home to; and that’s what was most important to him.

@dabilove27 @amberalisa @yafriendlyfangirl @lia-faerie-queen @captain-janeway @elianetsantana @black-rose-29

#feel something #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu concepts #tsukishima scenarios #tsukishima imagine #tsukishima x reader #tsukishima kei #kuroo scenarios #kuroo imagine #kuroo tetsurō #kuroo x reader

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shadystranger · 3 years

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Bernardo character analysis cuz yes

The major hindrance of Bernardo's life was actually himself all along.

Bernardo is a smart guy and as much as he holds expectations he's never satisfied, worse he is the first to feel the most disappointed with himself (ex: him emphasizing on how pathetic and loser he actually is) Bernardo used to see himself as an incompetent third rate book-smart, even after he became the second highest ranked member in the organization he still thought of himself as a loser.

Bernardo's negative view of himself probably stemmed from only one thing and that's that he was too demanding of himself. Bernardo always pursues the finest of things be it liquor, cigarettes, etc he doesn't settle just for any quality, the reason he does such a thing may be because he knows enough just how inferior they would be. You only know something is good when you have experienced what is inferior. Bernardo fancies the finest of things because he's too familiar with the worstes of them Bernardo used to be quite poor not to a great extent at all but his modest family situation posed to him more hurdles in life than it did him good.

Near the end of Bernardo's route after Gian finds Bernardo under the rain, he shares his beer with him Bernardo first got disgusted by how awful it tasted compared to the wines of highest quality he's used to but finds himself later content with it. Bernardo's attitude with the finest of things x otherwise could be also said for Bernardo's aspired self in his mind and what he's in reality. I like to think that moment is more of a metaphor that even his self who does wrong-doings, cries in the rain and is miserable at times is fine on its own without being prefectured and Gian loves Bernardo for who he is anyway.

Bernardo's life used to be quite a series of pure downs and no ups. He emphasized how awful his time in the army had been (which he had to serve in to be able to get into university), no sooner he's imprisoned and is targeted too much for his own good, worse he ends up in the Mafia (the least place he likely wanted to be associated with) and finds himself with no choice but to miraculously work his way in the stocks in a dying stock market or else his life ends. The only time life works Bernardo's way is when Gian helps him and quite literally saves his life, this is probably the beginning of Bernardo's fixation with Gian.

Bernardo is not perfect, he proved to have self-doubt and self-aversion issues at some points but he is not the type who sees less worth in himself and such.

A good chug of Bernardo's mindset is the incarnation of reason. He does not carry out decisions unless he has re-thought them thoroughly and his actions are bound to be from the utmost consideration of the organization than anything, he for the most part knows how to base his actions on his logical side rather than his emotional side and the benefits it has on the organization.

However both the army and family proved to be discard-able means, Bernardo's history in army is kinda vague though it was clear he hated every bit of it and his plans of a family was destroyed because the one he truly fell in love with was a man (and with Bernardo's attitude It probably was never that any women was fine as long as she gives him a child, it was never that any woman would "work" rather it had to be the "specific person he genuinely fell for" unfortunately for him Gian was a man, so that led to smartass plan B of them using any women to hitch two of their kids which is a dick plan overall because it shows that as long as it means he'll reach his goal Bernardo'd not mind using anyone even if he won't go out of his way to, needlessly. Basically Bernardo is an extreme the end justifies the means kind of person) back to the point Bernardo for a long while didn't know how exactly he should spend his life, to Bernardo life is a mere means, probably an empty stage where you've to fulfill your duties and that's it.

In the grand scheme of things, Bernardo has three main factors to how his mindset works: number one is his strong sense of responsibility and reason, number two is his indecisiveness, oftentimes due pessimistic approach and number three is contradiction (which is usually because of Gian).

Bernardo originally strongly believes that he and the organization are in a kind of dutiful relationship. He must be logical, wise, steadfast and completely discarding his own real emotions. Bernardo adopts more of an old and robotic approach to life he is aware he was born for a reason and that's to put his all into being useful, have a family and die. but all of these are mere means for him to fulfill that desire in him to leave a proof of him existing. When you serve your country (ie army, later → the organization) when you get married (ie → a child) both are what you'd most likely think of when you want to bury yourself down into even one person's memory after you die. I don't know if his fixation with the thought is out of self-doubt or low self-worth but one thing for sure It's the only way of life he adopted.

Kind of nearly everything Bernardo searched for (be it, purpose, investment, money, and companions) was given to him by the organization. Maybe it's because of that that he holds the organization this highly in his list of priorities.

CR:5 was in a way the light that guided him through the tunnel. It's no exaggeration to say it played a big part in him continuing to live because he's now actually tied up with an "existence".

The organization keeps on giving than anything and Bernardo'd never really have any reason to betray it you'd think but then you see him turn around and help Gian ditching CR:5 if he wanted to or giving Gian the money he got rather than maybe investing it in the family's ledger especially when CR:5 wasn't in its best shape then.

I'm pretty sure aside from Gian followed by the capos no one matters much to Bernardo. (I included the capos too because Bernardo does admit to Ivan that he's a dick but he would never does harm to someone close to Ivan even when it was convenient for him to)

Bernardo literally has no reason to betray the family, but because he considers keeping Gian safe of greater priority he decides to, this doesn't lessen his loyalty per se but just shows how he sets his decisions based on his own list of priorities, Bernardo would be the biggest asshole if it means he gets the end he desires and Natasha's case was no different as the organization. Bernardo loved Nastasha, he had no reason to ill-treat her but because he knew only through her he could set up Dave, which getting rid of him was beneficial to the family and probably work as a self-satisfaction to Bernardo, he used her. It's not that Nastasha never mattered to him but rather that the organization and maybe his desire to settle scores with Dave had the upper level in his priorities than her.

Another thing to put into consideration Is that in Ivan's route Bernardo did say that he had a "naive image" of the family. He joined expecting better but the reality was disappointing. Bernardo does have his iffies about the ordeal of things but he'd usually just stay still in the sidelines, he doesn't take a step more than his line of sight allows he's cowardly in a sense.

I believe Bernardo's indecisiveness and hesitation lies in the fact he's the type of person who considers the negative what-ifs of any situation most and bases his train of thought on the worst outcome and even when he does not, his fear of the numerous dead-ends and no guarantee 100% that "that thought" would work is due that. In essence he limits his own self through his cautiousness and pessimism.

He's the one who chains and limits himself this much. That's why I think the scene on the bridge at the end of the route symbolizes him managing to rid himself of his constant indecisiveness and cowardice.

Bernardo knew Gian approximately around the time he was with Nastasha. But the difference is that Bernardo truly loved Gian whereas he didn't have as strong feelings towards Nastasha.

Since day one Bernardo had always kept making sure his love for Gian stays hidden if Gian does not notice he will not tell him, the thought was not even considered to him because he was cautious more than anything to protect his relationship with Gian the risk of it changing by Gian becoming aware of those feelings he held for him was too high and not worth it, Bernardo would have never taken the intuitive unless he *knew* the chances were in his favor and he wouldn't lose their current relationship.

In the general pessimistic predictions Bernardo had, Gian and him had no future. Despite adopting the mindset of expecting the consequences of every step he took, that rational valve of Bernardo gets inherently broken when it comes to Gian sometimes. The moment Bernardo decided to make his feelings for Gian blatant he did not regret it. Even if it meant he was fucking up their relationship, he didn't regret it (Though it could also be because Gian makes Bernardo lose all his original sense of reason, since Gian is the cause of Bernardo's "contradiction" or who knows?)

As I already said, Bernardo doesn't get to act based on his emotions due his position in the family. Acting sensibly is commonplace and default for him. Bernardo is not a man who can be tied up by bonds: to him partners can be used, promises can be broken, companions can be betrayed, Bernardo is much more unsympathetic than he lets on (with expectations to that maxim).

When it comes to Nastasha though I don't think It's that he's a mere dick to her because Bernardo is actually not (even if overall he is)

Let's put some things straight Bernardo originally gave her a better life and was the one who gave Nastasha her only source of income (her shop). And it was heavily implied that Nastasha did think if Bernardo abandoned her, she'd have nowhere to go. Bernardo himself is not heartless. So he probably for that reason didn't want to end their relationship of nearly 9 years. It's not that he had much romantic feelings for her (even if he did love her at some point) and was switching between her and Gian because he can't decide and making Gian a side-track in progress. It was more like he was being considerate of her whereas Gian was the one who mattered to Bernardo the most and whom he has the strongest feelings for (not just romantically).

So even If he wasn't interested, Bernardo would still speak sweet nothings over the phone to Nastasha, still give her flowers, and such. He was maintaining their relationship, but he did not intend to give her a future with him. (Is he shitty for acting and leading her on? absolutely. Was it not with good intentions here and there? to be fair, No)

Despite the fact Bernardo took the bystander stance on Nastasha and let her be r worded by Dave, fully aware of the consequences he still regretted his actions and cried under the rain which would seem quite hypocritical of him.

Bernardo continued to hold the bouquet of flowers then, not because he was holding on his love for Nastasha and past, It was because the bouquet of flowers resembled his self that acknowledges Its own incompetence, wrong-doings and failure (also the scene where Gian said he should give him those flowers and Bernardo replied he'd buy him another one but Gian insisted on the one he was holding means a lot more when you view the bouquet as Bernardo's unfiltered self).

In the Best Ending when Bernardo shouted his love for Gian in the void, It could be interpreted as a kind of rebirth for him.

I mean Bernardo originally could not face his genuine probably overwhelming love for Gian (now you see his Gian whoring traits all over the place be it in his own route, the other capos' or the neutral one)

Because of numerous reasons, had Bernardo remained the same as his past self he would still have been stuck, unable to get out of the dark dilemma he had gotten himself into. But through Gian he was able to change and overcome his mental fears.

To sum it up, Bernardo lived his life searching for a reason to live and the meaning of life and family. He wanted to prove himself through his constant efforts and "deeds". You'd think overall such a man has no emotions in him and is incapable of loving thanks to his strongly logical mindset. But he loves Gian like the biggest dumbass ever in love and CR:5 as well (saying this cuz Bernardo did say that spending time aimlessly with the five of them is like a dream-like reality).

#Tumblr broke while I made this #lucky dog 1 #Bernardo Ortolani #This is pure thoughts and brainfarts on Bernardo #The character writing in ld1 is hella neat

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blackroseaki38 · 4 years

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Team Awesome Prank War

Varian never really paid attention to getting people back for how they treated him or acted around him. Sure, now the villagers never did that anymore. In fact, they hardly ever approached him, which was completely fine with him. Varian didn’t need much, and certainly not their approval. He had his friends and his father, and is content with them.

But, when Eugene glued his shoes to the ground to get back at him for the yelling prank, something inside of him awakened. A need for victory arose in him and it fueled Varian to get him back.

So much for being content.

---

Eugene knew Varian was just trying to get him to stop messing with his things when he scared him with his little yelling prank. Still, he couldn't help himself, he just had to get back at the kid. So, he glued his shoes to the ground, and loved it when Varian fell over when he tried to move. Though he had to admit to himself, that wasn't his best. Eh, it's not like he will need to get the kid back again anytime soon, so he will do better next time in the distant future.

Or so he thought till he got out of the shower and took a look in the mirror.

"AHHHHHHAAAAAAA!!!!"

Eugene’s loud yell brought in Lance next door and the Captain himself who was passing by.

They both took a look at Eugene and couldn't keep their laughter contained, though Lance tried. Failed, but tried.

"Pfffttttt. Oh, hey Eugene! Um... Nice hair?"

"Pink's a good look on ya, Fitzherbert! Remember you're training the new trainees on criminal etiquette today. Haha,"

The Captain left chuckling all the way, while Lance leaned against the doorway in tears from his now unrestrained laughter.

Eugene knew there could be only one person who could make his hair the ungodly pink color it was right now. He narrowed his eyes and said his name in a dark tone promising vengeance.

"Okay, Varian. It's on."

---

Varian woke up to find Rudiger wasn't in his bed anymore, but he wasn't too worried. He comes and goes through his window all the time. As long as he wasn't gone too long, he would just wait for him to come home.

But, then something fluorescent purple came through his window and Varian gasped in disbelief.

Eugene dared to dye Rudiger with the same potion he disguised as the shampoo. Lance helped him out by sneaking it in his friend’s room. Varian let the raccoon, who wasn't bothered too much by his new look, pounce on him as he laid tangled up his blankets. His body was not moving, but his mind was whirling with new ideas to get Eugene back. This was not a joke anymore, this was war!

Varian didn’t bother to try fixing his furry friend's purple fur. He designed the potion to fade away in a week and any tampering just made the colors get worse. He already has an idea in mind now and he will implement it.... as soon as Rudiger stopped purring and let him leave the comfort of his bed.

---

Eugene woke up to find his room full of apples and all kinds of animals eating them at their leisure. He let out a shriek and fell off the bed in surprise. Luckily, he landed on the ground, and not on one of the cute animals EATING HIS ROOM AWAY.

Someone took a literal pile of apples, leaves, and branches just to toss in his room?! And guess who has a farmer as a father? A certain alchemist! Hmmmmm.... this required more finesse than he had originally thought it would. Well, it would, once Eugene GOT THESE ANIMALS TO LEAVE HIM ALONE.

"Hey! I am not an apple! Stop eating my shirt! It's silk-NO! NOT THE LEATHER BOOTS!"

---

Varian silently ate his breakfast trying not let himself slip up, and admit what he did. His father was mystified on how someone literally stole the top half of his tree, branches, leaves and all!

It wasn't easy, the boy thought to himself as he recalled last night’s events. Using a temporary tree weakening potion, he was able to tear off most of the branches from one of the trees in their orchard without much trouble. An hour later, he snuck out of Old Corona to go to the castle. He used their wheelbarrow to carry the bag with a chunk of an apple tree in it. Lance ran into him on his nightly walk and helped him out cause he thought the whole prank war was funny. The animals that smelt the apple juice trail he left on the way there did the rest.

As soon as Varian finished his food, he left to go to his lab near home. He loved having the Demantius lab for his projects as well, but he didn't mind having a lab this close either, it made it easier to work near home. He only stayed in the other lab for important projects that took all his time and mainly used his lab in Old Corona for less explosive projects.

As he got into his lab, he grabbed one of his potions to plan to use for a prank when he noticed something was off about its color. Varian took a good look at his numerous shelves of tiny containers with all sorts of chemicals. Something was wrong here, he can’t put his finger on it- He let out a loud scream of horror.

"OH MY GOSH…! HE SWITCHED ALL MY LABELS! THAT TOOK ME WEEKS TO DO!"

Varian knew this would take him a long time to undo, he was already dreading the task. He would have to separate them all by color and then test them before relabeling them all. But, for now, he'll just have to make a fresh portion for his uses. He pulled down his goggles over his eyes and a smirk climbed over his face as he got to work.

"Hehehehehehhehe."

---

Eugene smiled as he looked in the mirror. No wrinkles in sight. He's been using this serum he got from Xavier to keep his skin great. Even though the older man told him it wouldn't help him much since he had nothing to worry about at his age, he still wanted to dab a bit of it on his face every morning... and night.

He dipped his fingers inside the oval container and spread the clear liquid on his face. And he went to sleep like a baby.

He woke up and took one look in the mirror and fainted on the spot

*thud*

Lance ran in when he heard the loud noise from his room. They've learned too often that any sudden noise could be a danger.

He paused though once he realized, no, there was no danger. Which was a relief, but now he had to keep from laughing too hard.

Ah, what the hay!

Lance chuckled at his friends previously smooth and perfect skin was now wrinkled like that of an old man's now. His luscious dark hair was a pale grey and barely covered his head. This was his friend's worst nightmare had come true! So he left the antidote Varian gave him, just in case, on the table next to the aging serum. He knew Eugene would be miffed anyway, so why make him suffer any more than needed.

Yet, he did leave a note that says, "Haha! The kid got 'ya good. Hope you don't let him one up a pro like you!"

Lance was sure the yelling he heard later that day was Eugene scheming. He shamelessly added more fuel to the fire, cause hey, this was fun to watch. Lance knew if he wanted too, he could join in any time he wanted to. But, knowing those two, someone was bound to get hurt and he does not want it to be him!

But, he didn’t mind sitting back and watching the fireworks erupt from the sidelines.

---

The castle was getting too uptight lately, nothing like a prank war to loosen things up!

Varian giggled as he read the message Lance sent him by carrier bird. He didn't mind that he gave him the antidote so early, but he didn't realize how frightened Eugene would be and ended up actually fainting

The boy walked into the pumpkin pasture to help his dad when he noticed his dad wasn't by the pumpkin patch, but was looking up at their house instead.

"Hey, dad. Whatcha looking at?"

"Well, son. I found the stolen apple tree, Though now it's part of our roof now. That poor tree. Who would do such a thing?"

Varian looked up and cringed as he saw the remains of the tree he hacked away scattered across their roof. Surely, if they didn't clean it up soon, animals will probably descend upon the food remains, like the crows were doing right at this moment.

Quirin sighed and got ready to climb up the ladder he positioned, but Varian stopped him.

"Dad, I'll clean it up. If you don't get started on the pumpkins, we'll be late for the harvest."

Quirin smiled, ruffled his son's head in a silent yes and got to work on the pumpkins. Varian grimaced and got to work. He spent his afternoon fighting the crows away and cleaning up the apple tree carnage. Rudiger helped, eating any apple bits that remained.

Someone giggled from the bushes near their home before leaving quietly.

---

Eugene smirked as he considered himself to be the winner since he hasn't been pranked in a few days now.

He walked into his room and there was a platter of cookies sitting on his desk. They were shaped like his face and iced to his handsome likeness as well! Though the noses were a little long and pointy, well it's the thought that matters! Eugene spied a little note nearby, with a heart drawn on it! Of course, Rapunzel! Bless her little golden head of hair. The young man took a big bite out of a large-nosed Eugene cookie with a large smile.

"Mmmmmm, delicious! Though I better save the rest for later. I don't want to lose my slim figure. Wellllllll, a few more won't hurt. "

Eugene finished a few cookies before he finally put (hid) the rest away for later. He left his room humming a cheery tune on his lips.

"Hey, Eugene!" Pete called waving his hand as Stan tried getting his partner to calm down as they went on with their patrol.

"Hiya fellas!" Eugene replied, but like he couldn't stop himself, he felt like talking some more than a casual 'hiya' like usual.

"You guys know what, when I first moved into the castle, I was kinda jealous of how close you guys were. Pete and Stan! Never seen without each other. I was jealous because my buddy Lance wasn't with me yet. Ya know, I got over my envy once my best buddy rejoined my life, and realized I shouldn’t have been envious anyway cause you both are great guys!"

The two guards looked at Eugene wondering why he was sprouting his feelings so openly. The ex-convict wondered the same thing before he saw Lance come out behind them. He had tears in his eyes as he smiled.

"Really, Eugene? You really mean it? You really missed me that much?"

"Of course, buddy! You are my best friend! Well, you and someone else are pretty much my best friends. You've always been with me! Even when I was a jerk! I love being your friend so much that I can't help checking in on 'ya at least once a day. I don't want to lose you again! I'm always afraid you're gonna have enough of my idiotic personality and leave! Leave without saying goodbye!"

Eugene was freaking out! He was saying his deepest secrets and concerns to the world! The man dodged Lance's hug and tried leaving before he met someone else.

Instead, he accidentally barged into the throne room where everyone in town were trying to seek the King's council. They all looked at Eugene who just barged in. He tried backing out, but the concerned faces of Pete and Stan, plus happy Lance, blocked his way. Rapunzel approached the group. She placed her hand on Eugene's shoulder.

"Sweetie, is everything fine? You don't look so good."

Eugene wished he could just shut his mouth, but he couldn't stop talking his heart out.

"Rapunzel, I love you and you know that. But, when I first proposed to you, I wasn't doing it because I wanted to make us permanent. I did it because deep down, I'm always going to be afraid I'm going to lose you and the only kingdom that welcomed me in. I was sure you would eventually realize I didn't deserve you and leave! So, I kept trying to propose, each time thinking of our future, but also secretly securing my place in your heart and this family we made. If we ever broke up, I am sure our family will break as well. I love you and this family too much to let that happen!"

Rapunzel was looking emotionally happy and sad at the same time. Eugene didn't want to look at her and tried leaving through another door. But, he kept speaking as he looked at every family face he knew.

"Feldspar! I always loved your boots! Their leather always hugs my ankles just right and I don't trust anyone else to make my ankles look as amazing as they do in your footwear!"

"Old lady Crowley! I know I joke around a lot, but you remind me of the lady who raised me at the orphanage, which is why I ask you for advice once in a while!"

"Monty, Atilla! I love your guys' candy and baked goods! But, I always feel guilty about eating them because I'm worried my fine figure will be gone! They are just that good."

“Xavier, I appreciate the skin serums you made for me, but are you sure they work right? No matter how much I dab under my eyes, my eye bags continue to get worse! Let’s meet up for tea to discuss this before I’m old and grey!”

“Friedborg, you are amazing and don’t you ever let anyone say otherwise! You're secretly the key to why this castle is still standing. Without you in charge, I’m sure this kingdom would have fallen apart ages ago!”

"Max, Pascal. I love you guys, even if I may act like I don't care for you guys a lot. I enjoy my time with you guys and will always be by your side!"

Eugene kept trying to avoid people, this was getting out of hand, but it wasn't working since most of the town was here to ask or inform the king of something. Finally, he bumped into someone and felt the world spin less than before. Then he looked up and realized it was the King, with the Queen by his side.

"Eugene, are you okay?" The queen was deeply concerned. Fredrick was concerned as well, as he helped pull the young man up.

"Is something the matter, son?"

Eugene wished his big mouth would stay shut, but he couldn't stop himself.

"Everything is fine, except for the fact I can't keep myself from hiding my feelings forever. You guys helped bring my life from the dark. Sure, Rapunzel did most of it, but if you guys hadn't opened your home and kingdom to me, I wouldn't be the Eugene I am today. And though I know who my parents are now, you two will always hold a place in my heart. And I can't wait to be the best son in law once I and Blondie get married."

Eugene took a deep breath and turned around as the royal couple took in his words. The Captain opened his mouth to speak, but of course, Eugene interrupted him.

"CAPTAIN. I ALWAYS LOVED YOUR MUSTACHE. IT'S SO MANLY THAT MY GOATEE CAN'T EVER TOP YOUR FACIAL HAIR."

The captain was silent a little flabbergasted and a tad touched. Using this as a distraction, Eugene took the chance to escape. Finally, he was on the other side of the room at this point! He ran out into the courtyard, only to bump into Quirin and Varian unloading crates of apples and pumpkins for the castle. Eugene barely stops himself from running headfirst into the wooden cart.

"You okay there, Eugene?" Quirin asked. Eugene grabs him by his shirt.

"Sir! I love your apples. There are the apples of my eyes. Sometimes I wake up with apples everywhere! And animals. Lots of animals!"

Quirin just blinked in surprise as Eugene moved on to Varian.

"Kid, you're like the little brother I've never had. I love messing with you, even this prank war we've been having has been amazing. My hair is still this hideous pink hair, but I can't help smiling every time I see my own reflection. You looking up to me makes me feel important in your life. I still feel bad for not giving you enough attention in the past and where it leads you. I’m sorry for not being there for you! That’s why I’m here now! I want to make your life happier with me in it! Team awesome will always be important to me!"

Varian didn't know what to say. He was touched he felt these things about him and kind of felt guilty considering he drugged his newly proclaimed brother with truth serum laced cookies. Clearly, Eugene ate the cookies he left in his room, but he didn't expect him to be telling these kinds of truth. He must have had more than a few to be acting like this.

"Varian, what's this I hear about a prank war?" Rapunzel asks from the doorway from the throne room.

Varian nervously met the princess and his father’s eyes. They looked at the two boys in thinly veiled disapproval as the teen looked at the ground while the elder started telling Rudiger about how he isn't a pest and deserves all the kingdoms apples for being there for Varian. The raccoon agreed with him greatly, evidenced by his excited chittering.

"Ummmmmm... we may have been having a war of pranks this week. And it may have gotten out of hand. Eugene is probably under the effects of my truth serum cookies. But, I have the antidote right here!"

The teen looks through his bag for the vial of golden liquid while the king redirects all the people back to their court with him. The Captain made sure the door to the courtyard is closed.

Promptly, Varian pulled out a tube of golden-colored liquid. He swiped an apple from their cart, using his father's dullest blades (under his watchful eyes) to cut the apple in half. He poured a few drops on to one half of the fruit. Once he was sure there was enough antidote in the apple half, Varian offered it out to Eugene.

"Eugene, I'm sorry for this whole mess with the truth potion, I didn’t think it was that strong. Here's the antidote."

Eugene took the apple half, once he bit into it, he already started feeling better as the cloud in his mind dissipated. He stopped cuddling a resisting Rudiger and got up, dusting his clothes

"Oh, that was a doozy. Eh, don't worry about Var. I had fun with the prank war. Next time, we just need to calm it down some. Besides, as the winner of the Team Awesome prank war, you get some .... hot cocoa! And I get some too! Come on, kid."

Rapunzel shakes her head as the two walked off to get some hot cocoa. If she had listened to the rumors around the castle, then she would have put a stop to this war much sooner. But, it seemed like she didn’t have to put an end to things ….. this time.

Quirin continued unloading the cart of produce with a relaxed smile on his face. He’s never seen Varian act like this before. And it was …. relieving. Varian’s never had friends to laugh or mess around with before. Now, seeing him act like a real kid with Eugene, he felt satisfied seeing his son happy again.

---

Varian and Eugene were drinking hot cocoa in the Dementius laboratory under the castle. Rudiger has made them his special drink, in regular mugs at Eugene’s insistence. Now, the two were enjoying their drinks as they compared notes on their pranks on one another.

“So, how’d you get that shampoo potion into my room?” Eugene asked at one point.

“Lance helped me out. He offered when he saw he sneaking around your room,” the teen admitted.

“Hmmmmm….. Lance held Rudiger down for me to dye his fur.”

Varian sat up straighter and continued Eugene’s line of thought.

“He…. helped me get that apple tree in your room. And opened the windows.”

“He helped me put that aging potion in your room.”

“He helped me switch all the labels in your lab.”

“He put that platter of cookies in your room.”

The two looked at each other and they both realized …. Lance has been playing them! They wordlessly started putting away their finished rinks and started to leave the lab.

“I still got them truth cookies in my room,” Eugene offered.

“Good idea. Don’t want them to waste. We’ll force-feed him. Any other ideas?” Varian asked.

The two spent the day together scheming their ideas before implementing them the next day.

Never mess with Team Awesome when they in a mood to prank, whether it is each other or not!

#varian #variantts #varian tangled #tangledvarian #Eugene #Eugene Fitzherbert #tangled eugene #flynn rider #flynnrider #flynnpunzel #tangled #tangled rapunzel #Quirin #tangled quirin #quirintts #tts quirin #team awesome #VarianFanClub

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nightwingshero · 3 years

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Hello! How about 44. “How do we fix this?” + dealer's choice, please?

Thank you, darling!!! I’m sorry this took so long! Have some New Dawn canon! This takes place right after Ethan kills John.

I had always wanted to be a mother. The memories I had of my own before she passed…I wanted to be what my mother was to me, to be a good mother and to break a cycle that I didn’t realize I was apart of. The days I would sit with her as she played the piano, singing me to sleep at night, and the light reassuring touch she would give to show affection. She smelled of lilies and vanilla some days, others were filled with apple and cinnamon. If I concentrated hard enough, I could still smell her even after the world had fallen to pieces. She was still a part of me.

What I hadn’t expected was how hard it would be. It wasn’t as if I ever suspected it to be a cakewalk, to come easy without hurdles. No, I wasn’t naïve. I just wasn’t prepared for the sins of my father—the sins of my own past—to come back the way they had. To see my own wrath in the blue eyes of my daughter, burning bright as she lashed out. Part of it was how she clung so tightly to Jane’s death, how she vibrated with the need to right it. To justify or bring retribution, anything to balance it out. Harper called for the blood of those who had hurt her, who had taken from her, and I could only stand and think that it was far too familiar.

What have I done?

Learning of the past, of what had truly occurred during the Holy War had only made it worse. The truth of our actions and what John and I had done for Joseph…I was no longer allowed to speak against her feelings, her actions, because there was no place for me to. Not when I had done exactly what she planned on doing now. The hypocrisy of it made my own stomach churn because how dare I hold my own daughter to different expectations when she was practically born to it.

The look she had given me, the horror and hurt…Quinn and Grayson stood silent, statues to watch on the sidelines as everything I tried to hide came to light. How she cried, screamed, and demanded to know every detail, for me to tell her why. It was a mess of things. A mess of emotions and uncertainty of what would come of it, and for the first time in years, I felt like him. I felt that I had finally brought this to full circle, becoming just like my father as my own daughter broke in front of me. Grayson offered nothing but an empathetic glance, his icy blues still cold. Quinn gave a comforting squeeze to my shoulder, as comforting as one could be when it felt that you had lost your child.

That had been a few days ago, but it had felt like months with all that had occurred. Whitney was silent as we tried to regroup, tried to process what we had just witnessed. My children scattered, my husband and her sister fallen…nothing but ash and blood remained. Seventeen years…we had lasted seventeen years without heartache, without war and tragedy. It was a held breath; I knew that now as I sat and leaned against the jagged edges of the rock behind me, almost as if I was back to those dark days once more.

I had no more tears to shed, my throat raw from my screams of rage and loss, Grayson had to pull me from his body. What we had wasn’t the love I had once believed, but he was still my husband…the father of my children. And he had chosen us…chosen me. John had renounced Joseph in his final acts, saving Braxton and Ana from being slaughtered by Ethan. In the end, we were enough for him, we were more important than Joseph. We were his family.

Sniffling brings me out of my thoughts, and I watch as Harper stumbles out of the makeshift sanctuary—a lodge that was somewhat salvageable. Her petite body is almost collapsing into itself as she held herself tightly, her narrow shoulders shaking from the sobs she was fighting. It broke my heart, seeing her try to be strong even when she had every right to fall apart. Harper was strong, and I was more than proud of her, but it was a bittersweet thing…she shouldn’t have to be this strong. These were difficulties my child should have never faced.

They deserved better than the world we had created for them.

Right when I think of standing to join her, she turns to me. Her tears shine silver from the moonlight, light streaks against her skin. There’s a beat of silence, and there’s nothing I want more than for her to sit with me, but I fear she’ll turn and leave. I’m surprised when she does decide to come closer and joins me, her arms crossed, and her knees pulled up to her chest.

It’s silent between us as the sounds of the night continued as if we were nothing, and perhaps we were. I felt insignificant in the grand scheme of things, I have since the bombs dropped. Harper had been spending most of her time in Prosperity and with Carmina with everything going on, running around with Grayson and Quinn from time to time to help against the Highwaymen and against my wishes. To the point where I myself had to get involved to keep her from the violence and danger of it all. It was like leading the resistance again, but with support. It was the same but so different, and I couldn’t help but think of how different it would’ve turned out if maybe that had happened seventeen years before.

She sniffles again and rubs her face with her sleeve, and I’m reminded of her when she was five years old. Her eyes bright and excited, a true terror as she drew on the walls of the bunker. Harper always had a free spirit. I loved that in her. “Mom…I don’t…how do we…how do we move on from this?” she croaked. “What…what do we do? How do we fix this?”

“Harper…sometimes…sometimes there’s nothing you can do.” I whispered as my heart shattered at the hopeless look in her eyes. “Some things you can’t fix.”

“He…he killed them. Are we going to continue to do nothing?” she demanded. I could sense her desperation, how she was clawing for some sort of control, some way to make this intangible for her to work with. “We let them get away with what they’ve done? Just like that? Jane’s death, and now dad and Aunt Mel too? We just let them do these things without standing up to them? Without making them pay?”

I shifted, turning to her as I placed a hand on her shoulder. “I understand what you’re feeling, darling. I know that pain, I know the sting of injustice, Harper. I know it well.” My face twisted a bit as I squeezed harder. “I need you to understand that allowing that to power your actions, you going out there to get revenge…you will be making the same mistakes that I did. And…I don’t want that for you.”

“It’s not fair.” She sobbed, her tears coming faster with her eyes squeezed tightly shut. “What he did wasn’t right and it’s not fair that he took dad away, that’s not fair.” Harper leaned forward slightly, and I immediately wrapped my arms around her, her hands gripping my jacket tightly as she buried her face in my shoulder.

“I know…I know, sweetheart. It’s not fair. Your father loved you, Harper. He loved you, and your brother and sister deeply.”

“I…I told him he was incapable of it. I told him he couldn’t love us. That was the last thing I said to him, mom.”

Tears welled as I felt the sting in my chest, and I held her tighter. “He knew you didn’t mean it, baby. Your father chose us in the end. He chose our family because he loved us and wanted us safe. Because of him, Brax and Ana are safe.” Pulling back, her tear-filled eyes met mine, that fierceness burning bright in her ocean eyes.

“Don’t…don’t him get away with this. Please. Ethan…he needs to be taken down, mom. He’s just as bad as they are, you know this. That wrath…our family’s wrath can be used for good.” She choked on a sob, her hands clutching onto me desperately. “Quinn and Gray can help us. Aunt Whit…we can make this right somehow. Please…don’t let them be like Jane…don’t let their deaths be for nothing.”

“Harper…” I breathed out as my mind raced. It was hard telling her no, telling her that it wasn’t how we did things anymore. Peace was more important. Or maybe that was just my excuse, my fear getting the better of me. Jane’s death was hard as is, but John and Mel had only made that cut so much worse. Not only was the Highwaymen an issue, but we had become refuges of our own home, New Eden being ran by a tyrant. I couldn’t say I was so shocked considering he was Joseph’s own son. And how much has he done to me already over the years? My jaw clenched at the reminder, that old burning in my veins returning like an old friend. “I…I don’t want you anywhere near this, Harper.” I replied sharply as I took her hands in mine and leaned close. “I want you to be safe. But I promise you,” Squeezing her hands, I held her gaze firmly. “Their deaths will not be in vain. I will make this right, darling.”

Her hug was the first hug I’ve gotten from her in so long, I almost forgot what it felt like. So I held her tight, letting her cry on my shoulder until she had no more tears to shed. Standing, I pulled her up with me. It was getting late, and we had to get rest, from the long day and from what I knew was ahead of us. Two enemies with barely any allies…this was going to be hard, but it wasn’t like I hadn’t done something like this before.

As we stepped on the porch, I caught his dark blue eyes, and let Harper walk in without me. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his bomber jacket as he looked out at the trees surrounding us, a lake glimmering under the night sky, and everything looked purple instead of pink. And there was so much pink.

“I’m sorry.” He spoke finally and I threw him a side glance, his blonde hair still parted almost perfectly. “For…I guess everything. Your husband and I didn’t get along,” Quinn shrugged as a slight Russian accent slipped and rolled off his tongue. “But…he did not deserve that.”

“Thank you…” I murmured as I crossed my arms. The Security Captain glanced down at me for a moment, only to turn away when I looked back. We didn’t even get along at first, let alone him and John. It only got worse when he started helping my daughter fight the Highwaymen: him and Grayson both. But I knew, deep down, that this was going to happen. There was no other option, not with the blood that’s been spilt, not with who we’ve lost.

“So…what next?”

I scoffed and shook my head. “I thought that would be obvious, Quinn.” Turning to him, I looked up to meet his gaze. “We kill them. All of them.”

#oc: wren blake #oc: harper seed #oc: quinn langdon #oc: grayson blake #my writing #my ocs #far cry new dawn

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ricinbach · 3 years

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honor him. | chapter 2 - red crosses

the thought of assassinating her troubles you and he needs to know.

This one would be different.

There was a reason everyone on the street fled for their dear lives at the sight of him, his blade reflecting his scar under the moonlight for all to see. They did not call him the Knife of Dunwall for nothing - his stone-cold heart and blood, dead-silent movements and ability to take lives like he was a reaper through wheat gave him the recognition. He had done this countless of times before, with and without the wretched mark on his left hand. Fulfilled contracts, asked for extra coin for his trouble without feeling an inch of remorse as he washed some noble’s blood off of his hands.

It was not common for him to hesitate, for him to reconsider any deal he made as an assassin. Ever since he came to the unforgiving streets of Dunwall, killing and taking heads for favors or some other ulterior motive had been the reason he was still alive.

She had just been a contract, after all. Kill and get paid. In and out quick, without any survivors, just the way Daud had done things all along.

Then why did his thoughts stall for a minute, every time he thought of the contract in his pocket that Burrows made him sign? Why did the mark on his hand cease to glow as he pictured the Empress and her little heir, governing the Isles the best they could inside the Dunwall Tower?

As his darkened gray eyes looked over the damp streets and molding rooftops of the Flooded District, the whale songs echoing in his mind did not cease to remind him that the otherwise fortune of coin would never be worth Jessamine Kaldwin’s blood on his hands. He could never mute the screams of her daughter, ringing in his ears for years to come, if he were to take her life away in front of her juvenile eyes.

It was only natural for an assassin of his caliber to let go of his feeling of guilt - at this age and experience, with all types of blood coating his leather-gloved hands, Daud was not even sure if there was enough heart left in him, maybe he was not even capable of feeling it anymore. Sure, some missions had been harder to forget than others, keeping him up at the night of, knowing he was serving only to some noble bastard’s needs and wants - the next day he would be back to business as usual as he cleaned his sword.

With every step taken in the streets of the capitol of the Empire, every poster plastered on the brick walls, every bust and every painting and every monument after the Kaldwin name, he knew the memory of her death would hurt his skin like a burning fire.

“I can’t do it.”

Words he wanted to say for a long time but never could were spoken out as the feminine voice echoed through his quarters. Words he never thought he would hear from you. There were very few people who were allowed to step into his chambers unannounced and uninvited - being one of those who had the privilege, you made your way up the stairs where he usually slept.

It was Daud’s day to be surprised, it seemed, as he turned around to be faced with your bare face, sans the vapor mask you usually sported around the compound. All those years working alongside the assassin had not changed your pure and simple beauty, he would think - you had still been the girl he had taken under his wing from Karnaca, with the ever-lasting talent for sword fighting and the burning fire in your eyes.

Somehow, you had managed to keep a piece of you whole inside despite the cruelties you have indicted upon others, emotions and traits that defined who you were as a human - something Daud wished he knew how to do better.

“Sit down,” the older assassin would say in his usually gruff voice, this time etched with a slight concern as he pulled a chair out for you, as he opted to sit down on a nearby shipping crate facing you. You obliged with a silent nod - the mere gesture itself suggested he had been thinking about the same thing but did not want to admit it.

He had to look strong for his assassins, after all. Just like he had been all these years as he trained them all. He had to be undefeated for you, so you would have someone to look up to, to follow after. To kill and die for.

The assassination of an Empress to send the Empire reeling into the hands of dirty conspirators was not exactly the example you wanted to follow.

“Daud...” you started with a solemn voice as you looked up to meet his eyes, his arms folded on his chest. It was at that moment he noticed the redness in your eyes - you had trouble sleeping last night, maybe had not slept at all. “I’ve been... thinking. About what would happen to us after tomorrow. What would happen to you.”

The assassin shifted ever so slightly on his feet as he adjusted his sitting position, leaning a bit closer to your frame on the chair, your arms crossed although not in a threatening stance. “Haven’t I taught you enough to know that I will not fail a contract?”

You knew. You knew too damn well. He would go to the ends of his means to execute, capture, neutralize - whatever cruel action he was getting paid for. The huge board downstairs in his office was adorned with portraits with red crosses, if anyone needed proof of just what the man could do. “This time, I’m worried about what will happen if you don’t fail.”

Piercing orbs stared into his darker ones, able to spot the slight glimmer of doubt, of concern in them. Then they spotted the edge of the paper visible through his red leather overcoat. Daud ran a hand over his face, his mark glowing in the lightest shades of orange as he did so. A low sigh leaving his lips.

“The Empress will be dead tomorrow with the heir delivered to Burrows. Campbell and him can reap what they sow themselves - that’s none of our business. You understand me?”

Daud tried so hard, and succeeded, to not show any signs of weakness as he spoke in a stern manner, the words only aimed to make you focus on the task at hand and not distract yourself with any and all consequences that may come their way. It was not your vendetta to fulfill - you had been merely an agent to greater means in the scheme. That was what Daud had been telling himself since the day he picked up that pen and signed at the offices of the Royal Spymaster.

“You remember how I ended up in the streets of Aventa to begin with?”

Right after you uttered those words out of your lips, your tone noticeably softer yet your eyes glassy, was when he stopped. Jaw-clenched as vivid memories began roaming around his clouded mind like wolfhounds on loose. Memories that belonged to you, that you let him into a long time ago.

His usually domineering stance was slightly weakened as he took a deep breath, looking down on the rusty metal floor. This contract was proving to be one of the hardest things, if not the hardest, that he had to do during his entire life of sorrow and bloodshed - yet another decision loomed over in front of him.

Did he have the luxury to put his most-trusted protégé and killer on the sidelines for the mission of their lives?

If it had been anyone else but you, he would not.

Emotions, history and ethics did not mix well with the line of work they were in and every seasoned assassin knew so - hence why most of his Whalers kept their families, old lives and stories to themselves, if they had any. But, you... he knew exactly where you were coming from. What you went through - he witnessed with his own bare eyes. How the fire in your eyes dimmed as you lost so much in your life. And how training with the assassins helped you win that spark of serving some purpose back in your orbs.

He was going to stab a sword through an Empress the next day - if he indeed wanted to pursue his redemption, showing mercy and empathy to his favorite would be the start.

The man got up from his seat, determined, calmly walking over to the map of Dunwall Tower that was laid on over his bed - he must have been studying all possible strategies, playing out scenarios in his mind all night. Pointing to the furthest tower to the planned assault location, his tall frame partially turned to you. “You’re on watch duty tomorrow. No killing,” he ordered you, with a slight nod.

Even when his emotions had been willingly suppressed to prepare himself for the upcoming battle, you read through his actions and words. A man like Daud did not help you out by hugging you every single time you had doubts and telling you everything would be okay. He instead gave you a way out, some much needed leeway, however temporary it may be.

You accepted it with gratitude, sending him a faint smile accompanied by a nod as you got up from the chair.

“Thank you,” you would add in a whisper, your gloved hand gently lingering on his leather-covered arm for a moment before you took a quick glance at the map you had memorized over the past month, your boots slowly carrying you towards the double doors of his quarters.

Watching you leave with his stare softening, Daud ran his long fingers through his dark hair as your red-leather silhouette dissipated into thin air.

Tomorrow, he was going to initiate the fall of an Empire into ashes in the hands of some traitor dogs. All he could hope for was for someone to forgive him, somehow, at some point in time.

#I AM ABSOLUTE DAUD TRASH TOO #but this is a corvo x reader story so bear with me #honor him #val writes #dishonored #dishonored 2 #dishonored fic #corvo attano #daud #corvo attano x reader #corvo attano / reader #corvo attano x you

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alolanrain · 4 years

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Not sure if this was mentioned but how did everyone react to Ash being pregnant? Also how was the actual pregnancy itself? Did he have typical cravings, mood swings & all that jazz?

Did I info dumped? Hells yes. Do I really care? No because it’s about my fan kids and their family dammit!

There was a lot of... mixed reactions. Generally the more common one was joy and happiness! Most of Ash’s friends were excited when he gave them the news and swarmed both him and Raihan any chance they can get. The girls are the first children to be born in their large group surprisingly.

Celest, Raihan’s mother, didn’t really congratulate her son and Ash. More just... acknowledged? I would say. She was much more interested in Raihans every changing progress of being hammerlocks gym leader. Though Raihan and Ash are surprised when she still wants to keep tabs on Ash’s pregnancy. They both chalk it up to having to watch her daughters go through multiple miscarriages and her one grandchild born severely early. They take what warmth they can get and Ash is usually the one explaining things since Raihan gets Squeamish in hospital rooms and prefers to stay outside in the waiting room, that doesn’t stop him from constantly cupping Ash’s belly or laying kisses to it before they both go to sleep. She’s a lot more involved in the triplets pregnancy. Helping out a lot more and keeping in close contact with Ash to see if he needs anything.

Raihans two sisters, Minx and Venix who were twins as well, were down right jealous of Raihan. They each had more then one pregnancy lost and only Minx was able to have a baby boy who is just a few months old and still in the NICU because he was born at 7 and a half months old. Everyone is just surprised that he’s alive. When they found out that Ash is having twins they despised Ash even more. They wanted the life Ash was currently living. Sweet adoring husband, twins on the way, a steady career, a large group of friends who don’t try and leech from Ash’s bank account. Ash had it all in their eyes.

Though this doesn’t stop Ash from trying to bring the twins into anything baby related. Raihan had explained after the initial sudden backlash from the twins. it was usually kept in the dark because his family is well known and very rich, this could potentially ruin both of the girls reputation if people found out. Especially since they were basically infertile at this point in life. Ash had started asking simple things; what color would look good in this room? I like this theme but this one is also pretty nice? would you like to help pick out some books? Raihan once again had to pull him aside and explain that what he’s doing is sweet, and even Celest acknowledges Ash’s actual goal, but it’s hurting the twins because they feel like this is some backhanded way of Ash gloating.

Ash denied venomously, which Raihan quickly dispelled, that he would never do such a harmful thing. He just wanted to see if the twins wanted to be apart at all. Since Minx is still a mom to a few month old baby and she hasn’t even set up her nursery still. Raihan agrees again that what Ash is doing is good in thought but not in practice. He’s still peeved but he leave’s he girls alone and goes so far to apologize through Raihan in fear of mixing the pot even more.

Forest, Raihans older twin, is much more involved in the pregnancy. Usually helping Raihan move furniture around and help set up the big nursery. He isn’t very warm, anyone but Raihan in his family isn’t warm, but again Forest is much more involved. Especially since he has his own twin’s, a daughter and a son, and he and Raihan jokes that twins just seemingly run in the family. He brings the little ones around for Ash to “get a feel” for kids, Ash snickered because their about the same age Max and Bonnie were, but smiled at the kind gesture. Even though Raihan jabbed at him that he was just looking for free babysitting while he’s here.

Rose doesn’t even know Ash is pregnant. Ignoring Raihans calls that are not on chairmen tk gym leader level and any card he gets goes straight to the mail without him even knowing. Know Oleana on the other hand knows and since she has to keep Rose’s best interest, and knowing that the older twins and Celest don’t really care for Ash, she decides that it’s best to sabotage the pregnancy. Rose finds out after getting an angry call from Venix laminated that Raihan, her younger brother, has a successful marriage and now two new born twin girls before she did. It takes Rose into complete shock before he immediately leaves his desk and books it to Hammerlocke... where he’s barred from entering and or seeing the couple and their babies.

Rose is furious and calls up Celest to demand what the hell is going on. It isn’t until then what he learned what Oleana has been trying to do and how Raihan had tried to get Rose involved but ultimately Rose never answered Raihan which was enough for Raihan to go very low contact unless it’s for league reasons. Rose is silenced and dejected. He really Had done all those things, it’s only right thag Raihan doesn’t even want him to see the babies. After getting back to his office in the same day, and cutting down Oleana’s pay by a good chunk, he keeps to the sidelines.

It isn’t until Ash is pregnant with the triplets does he personally visits Rose in the office to ask if Rose is still willing to be in their little families life. They still need their grandpa after all. Rose immediately jumps at the chance and soon becomes the biggest help besides Delia again. Making sure that Raihans workload is cut slacked and even asking a few gym leaders closer to him to be a little stronger so Raihan doesn’t have to face to many challengers since it’s mid season and will be near the end when the triplets are born.

Delia is very involved with Ash. Coming so far to rent a month in a AirBnb just so Ash can stay off his feet and Raihan isn’t to stressed between Ash and his gym. Celest actually takes time from being a very important CEO of her company and to come help Delia help with Ash. Though she’s more into lecturing and talking with Ash then actually doing stuff around the house.

Red calls daily, Green and Blue usually heard in the background with their joint kids Tracey and Mackenzie, at least twice a week. It’s short calls, just a check up on how he’s feeling and if he’s craving anything Red can Champion Express Mail over from Kanto to him.

Silver usually just texts, he loves his brothers but they can be talkative in their own way, but he constantly assures Ash that the moment they get the notice that he’s in labor almost everyone is flying out to Galar. Gold agrees through actual call’s with Ritchie by his side, his new top elite four, and that they already have shit ready and packed.

Giovanni is envolved but in the distance. He originally planned on pacing up the process of taking over the world but half of his spies, gown to spy on Ash and Raihan, had come back nearly mauled. Soon almost all of his grunts and even higher up goons were being dragged into HQ’s around the world, bloody and beatened. It took some time to figure out that it was Ash’s Pokémon doing most of the damage, in Galar and Kanto, while the rest were from legendaries. The only team that can get on by is Jessie, James, and Meowth. Though they seem to immediately get the memo to stay at a distance from Ash at all times, never to enter personal property, and to keep all scheming on the down low and out of rang where Ash can’t be stubborn and get up to go help. So Gio has to be content to just sit and quietly wait as he watches Ash give birth to his second set of grandkids. He gets to watch Delia when she comes around so that’s nice, Gio actually misses her dearly.

The pregnancy itself gave them a few scares. The biggest being that Ash is actually pregnant. which takes a lot of arguments about Ash having to be more careful and even forcing them a month apart without talking, this is and still is their biggest argument yet in their relationship. The second biggest scare was Oleana actively trying to spike Ash’s nonalcoholic drinks with alcohol, certain drugs, and other means they haven’t found the answer to.

Since Ash is technically the physical link between Pokémon and humans, what every thinks and also how he has all these abilities, certain human drugs make his body shut down and reject anything. Putting him in life threatening condition immediately to the point where the twins are unable to be saved.

Ash wasn’t expecting how big his stomach would grow. He originally thought that the baby, yes one baby at the time, would take his size. Unlucky in that department both girls have taken near Raihans size, though Cadenza is closer to Ash’s height still, and that also means big babies and equally streatched stomachs. There was a lot of sleepless nights and crying sessions. Ash was abnormally lazy and tired for himself, though expected, and the only cravings he’s gotten was curly fries and vanilla and chocolate ice cream.

#wolfy answers #ash ketchum #gym leader raihan #fangshipping #fangkids #rose #red #silver #gold #blue #green #Delia Ketchum #raihans family

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luvreyn · 4 years

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Manhwa List (2020) Part 11

Hi? How are you all? Hoping you’re all okayyy! It’s such a frustrating and maddening time right now for me but happy to share that i’m now an official adult!! (i just got regularized by my company) so it’s been 6 months of my adultlife and there’s a lot of expectations, challenges and stress and there’s also a lot of manhwas to recommend so on to the list!

The Spark in Your Eyes

Summary:

Erkin, a young pharmacist from the north, was orphaned from the war between the Northern Nations and Mormeratta. After making a name for himself in Mormeratta, he is summoned to treat a mysterious “master of the castle” whom no one has ever seen. He reluctantly agrees, hoping it will bring him one step closer to finding the infamous Witch of the Sun who killed his parents during the war. Little does he know, on his quest for vengeance, the witch may have been by his side all along. What will Erkin do when confronted by his sworn enemy turned friend?

THOUGHTS AND WHY READ THIS

- plot = 4/5

- art = 4.5/5 the fl’s eyes!!

- interesting

- i’m so looking forward to how things will unfold for them given the conflict

- ml is okay and i like that despite his gentleness he’s capable of having dark thoughts

- so far so good

- mc is beauty, mc is grace ~

- honestly she’s described as freaking strong so i wanna see her use her power!!

- overall, good read!

Painful, but Desirable

Summary:

Doyun Cha decides he isn’t looking for 'true love.' In fact, he wants a fake marriage. One fateful night, Hayeon, who's known him since their college club days, confesses to Doyun that she wants in on his passionless arrangement. The problem is... she has a long-time crush on him! Can she convince him to fall head over heels for her? Or will he catch wind of her hidden intentions?

THOUGHTS AND WHY READ THIS

- plot = 3.5/5 you know the feeling that you saw this plot/element in a drama/series before but you also wanna know how the author will play the element in her story?? that’s my feeling with this

- art = 4/5

- the mc is softie <3

- i dont feel the ml yet because of his ~personality~ but they are two dorks who obviously feels attracted with each other

- simple plot but would still haunt you with the what ifs especially if you have an experience with an unrequited love or just love in general

- overall, good read!

The First Night With the Duke

Summary:

A handsome, selfish noble falls for a beautiful, kind commoner -- at least, that’s how the story’s supposed to go. When an average college student wakes up as Ripley, an extra in her favorite romance novel, she resolves to enjoy the luxuries of her character’s status while watching the novel's plot unfold from the sidelines. However, her plans are soon derailed when she finds herself in bed with no other than Duke Zeronis, the novel’s hero! Dodging the villainess’ schemes, the Duke’s advances, and her own feelings, can Ripley keep the story on track and survive beyond the first night?

THOUGHTS AND WHY READ THIS

- plot = 4/5 makes me remember yunifer and ishid minus the ml is assertive in not a ishid way

- art = 4.5/5 this is the first manhwa i think that the manhwa resemble the novel art

- comedic gold

- mc kinda reminds me of latte without all the exaggerated meme faces

- so far so good

- ml is gel ver of claude according to some but papa claude is superior ok

- ml i sometimes like him, sometimes i dont

-overall, a good read!

Acquainted: Encounter Spin-Off

Summary:

What appeared to be a one-time encounter in Spain blossoms into romance when by-the-book CEO Jung Wooseok and free-thinking architect Han Yujin meet again in Korea. The two are drawn to each other, but there’s a catch: Yujin’s the winner of a high-profile architecture competition held by Wooseok’s company. When word gets out that these two are acquainted, will their love be able to survive the public’s scrutiny... and their families’ even harsher criticism?

THOUGHTS AND WHY READ THIS

- plot = 3/5

- art = 3.5/5

- ceo ml who isnt a jerk thank goodness

- the mc is a career woman

- hmm only 4 (or 5) chaps available so...

- so far it’s entertaining

- overall, an okay read ~

Positively Yours

Summary:

To Hee-won’s dismay, the BFF she crushed on and her other BFF are now dating! Seriously bummed, Hee-won decides to go wild just one time, and find solace with a handsome stranger. A very satisfying one night affair has now turned into more — she’s pregnant! Fate brings them together again, and now the regimented Doo-joon is determined to do the right thing and marry her. But they’re basically strangers! Except... their bodies have been very intimately acquainted. What’s this mother-to-be to do?

THOUGHTS AND WHY READ THIS

- plot = 4/5 simple but i still want to read this because of various reasons

- art = 4.5/5 i love the mc

- i love the mc bcause shes a strong independent woman amen

- fictional story that happens a lot in real life (the amount of ppl who disagrees with what she does to her body offends me)

- friends are true and raw in every sense of the word

- all characters are drawn nicelyyy

-unpopular opinion, i dont like the ml. he has redeeming qualities but his intention and all is shitty so it’s a no for me unless he changes his ways

- i know that there’s male leads that has his tendencies (kind of) aka reasons why i dont like him but i guess the reason why i feel strongly about this is because of where the story took place. the story is in a normal world, not isekai, not some story with magic but a normal place it probably doesnt make sense but that’s my take which looks like a rant now

-to conclude, this is one of the new manhwa that i’m looking forward updating

#Positively Yours #I Stole The Male Lead's First Night #I Want to Do It Even If It Hurts #Blinded by the Setting Sun #The First Night With the Duke #painful but desirable #manhwa #shoujo #fantasy #reynslist #Acquainted: Encounter Spin-Off #reyn.manhwarecs

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the-navistar-carol · 5 years

Text

A Daminette songfic — ‘Invisible Thread’ by Matt Gould

From the marvelous Maribat AU of @ozmav, @maribat-archive where u at

Inspired by the Maribat Discord :))

Everyone had a soulmate. A black mark where they would first touch. Once the two did, the mark would blossom with color.

People would go for years with black marks on their knuckles, thinking it was from a punch, and then have their knuckles brush someone on the subway and voilá, their mark would change.

Some were more obvious, a handprint over their own (a high-five), a hand on their arm, or even one directly across their face.

~~~

Marinette Dupain-Cheng had no such obvious case. Her handprint was directly over her fingers of her right hand, as though someone had shook her hand (but only her fingers). Without a doubt, it confused her.

Once she became Ladybug, she met Chat Noir. Upon their first meeting, he took her hand directly over her soulmate mark and attempted to kiss her hand, but she had pushed him away. After the akuma attack, she had detransformed in a panic to check her hand, and in relief, found her hand was still uncolored.

The mark was still black.

It worried her, then, after her crush on Adrien started, that he did not turn her mark colors either.

So who was it?

Not like she’d ever meet who it was.

There is a long invisible thread

That wraps around my heart

And wraps around your head

Damian Wayne had an odd soulmate mark that was, thankfully, easy to hide via gloves. The black silhouettes of fingers in his right hand confused him, so he gave it little thought. Who even shakes hands like that?

During his training both with Ra’s al Ghul and the Robins, none of the ways anybody had touched his hand had made the mark change, thankfully. Soulmates were a nasty business, anyway. They were almost expected to drop everything upon meeting. Dumb.

Not that he cared who it was.

It tightens its grip

When things go unsaid

And I can't break free

Lila, upon her return to Ms. Bustier’s class, had successfully turned the class against Marinette. She made good on her promise, but allowed Marinette to keep her spot as class president — only useful when she was needed, of course, and expected to drop everything for them without looking for anything in return.

She was effectively that one tool in a closet that only was picked up when needed, and discarded as soon as she had lost her use.

She couldn’t reverse the way things had gone. If only.

Let go, let me

Little boy, break free

Leave him out on his own

Let him find his way home

When Damian had become the next Robin, he had fought many people under the mask. But his black marks underneath his gauntlets never changed, even when he met new people at charity galas and shook hands.

Clearly, his soulmate wasn’t anybody he was going to meet anytime soon.

Not that it bothered him anyway. It did.

Can't take all this pain on his shoulders

Only weighs you all down when you're older

Chat Noir had come up to her, demanding she stop pretending. Pretending that they weren’t soulmates, that they weren’t in love, that they didn’t make a good couple.

He deserved her, he had yelled. He had been nothing but loyal, hadn’t he? A good cat? So, as a reward, he deserved her love. Her lips, her hands, her body.

He didn’t. And she told him so, exploding at him atop a roof despite the paparazzi growing below.

They made sure to catch his outburst, too. It served him right.

He treated the fame of being a superhero like a game. It was only fair that he dealt with the consequences.

Let them take their pictures.

Let him run, let him fly

If you love him, then don't cry tonight

Let him learn all he can

The cameras at Wayne galas and other nonsense never bothered him. They would be pointed at him anyway, so what difference did it make if he paid attention?

Flashes of white lights were only peripheral at this point, the snaps of shutters something to be tuned out.

The tabloids would run rampant anyway. Whether it was Grayson or Todd or Drake making the headlines with their antics, he would be shoved in there anyway.

Let them take their pictures.

So when he comes home to you

He'll be a better man

When she had proposed a class outing, the class had suggested many things, but Lila had thought of karaoke, so that was that. Of course, it was all up to her to plan the outing, raise funds, and reserve places.

She had asked the class to help her out, but Lila had oh-so-innocently wondered that since her family ran a bakery, couldn’t they just maybe give a few away to help their daughter raise the money?

Never mind the fact that they would be losing money. Never mind the fact that it would stress her out more than necessary. Never mind the fact that no one person should have to run their entire outing by herself.

But Marinette was their everyday Ladybug. That should be enough to cover any problem.

But they were looking for a miraculous cure. Who in the world had one for these situations?

Certainly not her.

There is a long invisible thread

That wraps around my heart

And wraps around your head

When Damian heard that his brothers and Father were going to Paris, his original thought was one of disgust. Of course, he spoke French. But any Romance language or country made him want to vomit. Latin lovers? Please. But France, the country dubbed one of love? Absolutely not.

But it was for a League reason, something to do with a supervillain with magic butterflies. It probably wasn’t even real.

But Paris meant his brothers teasing him about love, which infuriated him to no end. Who cared if he met someone the universe deemed his match?

Certainly not him.

It tightens its grip

When things go unsaid

And I can't break free

She had the dates figured out, triple-checked with her classmates to make sure it all worked together. Thankfully, the class had agreed to help fundraise for once. A small relief in the grand scheme of things.

Patrols now were such a chore. Where she had once enjoyed swinging through Paris’s streets with only her yo-yo to hold her up and the wind teasing through her hair, there was now a demanding Chat Noir, proclaiming her as his soulmate and he should be treated as such.

Akuma fights took so much longer and so much out of her now. Chat would watch from the sidelines, taunting her with the fact that he would join in from now on if she only gave up the delusions that they weren’t meant to be.

The gauntleted fist in his stomach was so worth it.

Sadly, it hadn’t come from her.

Lord above, can you hear my prayers

If you know the answer, then make me aware

How to still love him and how to still care

And how to stay strong when I want to be over there

Upon his first investigation in Paris, he had come across an akuma victim. It wasn’t hard to find, actually, as it left a trail of destruction in its wake.

Apparently, Paris already had two superheroes clad in Spandex, Ladybug and Chat Noir. Any information he had found on the latter was increasingly negative, if videos on the Ladyblog (God, that was a dumb name) were to be believed.

The first encounter he had had with the duo was subpar. Far, far below the bar.

The increasingly negative press on Chat Noir was completely accurate. Which was why he’d immediately punched him in the gut and gone up against the akuma, giving Ladybug a chance to rest.

“The akuma?��

She started, surprised that he would know of those. “The locket! It’s on her bracelet—”

Smash.

“Bye-bye, little butterfly.”

He shook hands with Ladybug, introduced himself as Robin, and updated her that the Justice League was looking into the Hawkmoth problem.

It had felt good to punch that brat of a cat. He had a feeling Ladybug would have enjoyed it more.

Sadly, it hadn’t come from her.

Do I run, do I fly?

How can I love him and keep my eyes dry

Do I learn all I can

The next day left Marinette in shock as she prepared for the karaoke night with her class. In all honesty, she would probably be left alone. Again.

But when she showed up, they initially welcomed her, to her pleasant surprise. But it couldn’t last. As soon as she had gone to the bathroom, they had gone into the room and not told her the number.

So she was left in the main room, pathetically sitting at a table by the stage, twirling a microphone she’d nicked from the stands.

Not like she could sing with anyone.

So when he comes home

I'll be a better man

Grayson had had the marvelous idea to go to a karaoke place. Abhorable. Not like he would even sing. The entire idea was dumb. Incredibly dumb. Who, in their right mind, would go and sing in front of people completely sober? (Not like he could drink legally, anyway.)

But when he got there, it was a bit more welcoming. All the rooms were taken, they were told, so there was only a communal stage left. No matter, Grayson grinned, and led them toward the main room. There were already a number of people there, taking turns on the stage.

He sat back in his chair, and prepared to sit back and enjoy the view.

Not like he would sing with anyone.

There is a long invisible thread

That wraps around my heart

And wraps around your head

A number of people went by before she did, and when she got up there, she selected a song that would usually be considered a duet, shrugging that she would sing it herself.

What she hadn’t expected was for a trio of black-haired boys to practically drag a fourth over to the stage, hand him a microphone, and place him next to her with positively wicked grins.

He looked like he wanted to leave. Marinette offered him a sympathetic half-smile. “That’s okay, you don’t have to—”

“It’s fine.” His voice was tinged with visible reluctance, but he took the microphone from its stand. “Just sing.” He was cute, she admitted, but would probably forget her after the night.

So she did.

It tightens its grip

When things go unsaid

And I can't break free

Dumb karaoke. Dumb brothers. Dumb Father, for bringing him to Paris. And it didn’t help that the girl hid certain mortification. But he wasn’t going to back down and show weakness to his brothers. “Just sing.” And get this over with.

When she began to sing, it sent a jolt through his body. She didn’t even need to read the lyrics, voice something that could only be described as melodic. Hell, she sounded better than some professionals.

After the first verse or so, she nervously glanced at him, as if making sure he was still there and hadn’t taken off into the night. Damian shrugged in response, waiting for his turn.

It came up, and he gave his voice to the music. Grayson was definitely recording.

The girl at his side, a pretty black-haired girl who couldn’t have weighed more than a hundred pounds, flinched as though she had been shocked. His singing wasn’t that bad, he groused, but kept at it anyway.

His brothers had pushed him up there as a challenge, taunting him to do it.

So he did.

There is a long invisible thread

That wraps around my heart

And wraps around your head

Wow, she mused. Cute and a good voice. When she added his voice to hers in the first true duet part, their singing harmonized into something truly remarkable. Is this even my voice?

In a sudden burst of courage, she spun, pleated skirt adding to the movement.

Her classmates started to trickle out of their room, as if wondering who was singing. She could see Rose, Juleka, Alya, and the courage vanished in a heartbeat.

Oh no.

It tightens its grip

When things go unsaid

And I can't break free

Suddenly, the girl next to him spun, a giddy smile beginning to form. Somehow, he was beginning to enjoy this, too. Curses. Maybe he had been drugged.

But her spin stopped, voice faltering, and he quickly followed her gaze. A group of teenagers had exited one of the rooms, looking up to the stage, no doubt causing her to waver.

So he took her hand and spun her, certainly not missing the way her face lit up in a dazzling smile.

As soon as he released her hand, she took it again and spun him. A laugh nearly bubbled up (yeah, he had to be drugged). She was half a foot shorter, and yet she did it anyway.

Those people who had made her hesitate wouldn’t ruin her night, at least.

Not if he had anything to say about it.

Oh, no.

There is a long invisible thread

That wraps around my heart

And wraps around your head

A burst of warmth blossomed in her right hand as she danced with the stranger, voice strengthening by the note. Marinette met his jade-green eyes with a smile, left hand clutching the microphone.

For tonight, at least, maybe she could forget about her classmates and Lila and Chat Noir.

Hopefully it would last.

It tightens its grip

When things go unsaid

Her enthusiasm had returned, Damian noted, and her excitement was definitely leeching into him, too. His right hand was warm, but he chalked it up to her hand. He didn’t sweat, at least not in a karaoke bar.

For this song, at least, maybe he could ignore his brothers’ antics and the seriousness of the League.

He knew it wouldn’t last.

And I can't break free

As the song died out, Marinette dropped his hand, the movement causing her to catch her breath. Oh God.

Her soulmate mark had changed. From the blackest black, it was colored in a beautiful blend of red, green, and gold.

It’s him.

And I can't break free

He didn’t miss her gasp, glancing back to catch her reaction as she stared at her right hand — now colored in reds, greens, and golds. His colors.

He didn’t miss a beat to check his own right hand, eyes only widening as he found the mark swirled in blues, pinks, and silvers.

It’s her.

And I can't break free

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tabloidtoc · 3 years

Text

National Enquirer, November 16

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Jeffrey Epstein’s madam Ghislaine Maxwell’s nights with Prince Andrew and teen Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Page 2: Brad Pitt kicked married galpal Nicole Poturalski to the curb after getting flak from his ex Angelina Jolie -- Brad’s relationship with Nicole hit the skids after Brad decided he needed to shore up his image during his ongoing custody battle with Angie and his focus right now is to get his dad image back on track and give Angie no more ammo to fling back at him

Page 3: Tiger Woods’ romance with Erica Herman has gone off course over legal troubles and wedding pressure and bickering over where to live and Tiger is so fed up he’s considering ditching his nagging girlfriend in Florida and moving back to his native California -- Erica’s been pressuring him to put a ring on it ever since she moved into his Jupiter Island mansion and that’s something he just won’t do and she’s already taken over his household buying new furniture and remodeling the master bath and building a new closet and hiring a gourmet chef -- California is looking better and better to Tiger who only moved to Florida to play on its tough Bermuda grass which helped improve his swing but now Tiger’s ex Elin lives in Florida with their two kids

Page 4: Miranda Lambert is scoffing at ex Blake Shelton’s newly announced engagement to Gwen Stefani and she’s convinced Blake’s third walk down the aisle has failure written all over it because she thinks Blake’s bad to the bone and this marriage will wind up being a total disaster and after the hell Blake put her through Miranda can’t imagine his life with Gwen would be any different, lifelong bachelor Simon Cowell has had a change of heart since his horrific August accident and he’s finally ready to tie the knot with baby mama Lauren Silverman -- after spinal surgery to repair his broken back the entertainment mogul feels lucky to be alive and walking and the one constant in his difficult rehab after surgery has been Lauren and he wants to pay her back with a ring

Page 5: Train-wreck Wendy Williams’ wacky behavior has TV producers scrambling behind the scenes to find her replacement after her unhinged performance on a recent episode of her talk show where she slurred her words and rambled incoherently -- there had been a hope a chatfest helmed by Nick Cannon could be a safety net should the daytime diva who spent a stint in a sober living house last year not be able to continue hosting but plans for that were pushed back after the comic made anti-Semitic rants in a podcast -- they also tried Jerry O’Connell when Wendy was out for three weeks last year but he tanked with viewers -- Wendy’s a mess and it remains to be seen how long producers will be able to put up with her problems before they decide to pull the plug

Page 6: Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo hinted that she may be making her final rounds -- Ellen who has starred on the show since 2005 and makes $20 million a year admitted she’s considering slipping out of her scrubs after the current season 17 but her departure could spell the end of the beloved series and show creator Shonda Rhimes has said it’s unlikely the show could continue without her but Ellen has also expressed her desire to spend more time with her husband and their three children

Page 7: Mariah Carey’s brother Morgan blasted her memoir as filled with lies and distortions and he’s considering legal action -- the book called Morgan and sister Alison her ex-brother and ex-sister and Mariah wrote Morgan had a long history of violence and when she was six he slammed their mother into a wall -- Mariah also wrote her siblings and mother were heartless in terms of dealing with her as a human being and once she got famous they started treating her like an ATM with a wig on but Morgan is fighting back and looking to hire a lawyer

Page 8: Reese Witherspoon’s marriage to Jim Toth is in the muck after the stunning collapse of his new business venture and tensions are mounting in the Hollywood power couple’s already troubled union now that the streaming service Quibi crumbled after less than six months leaving content acquisition president Jim out of work while Reese’s star continues to rise and there’s a real balance of power that’s been building up and that’s put a serious strain on the relationship -- living in quarantine added to the stress between them as Reese has been holed up with her two kids with ex Ryan Phillippe Ava and Deacon and her son Tennessee with Jim at the family’s ranch in Malibu

Page 9: Dementia patient Kenny Rogers cut his three adult children out of his $250 million will and now sources fear the late country legend could have been tricked into signing the document -- Kenny left everything to his 16-year-old twins sons with fifth wife Wanda and the will also stated it was his intent to specifically exclude his daughter Carole with his first wife and son Kenny Jr. with third wife and son Christopher with fourth wife and their issue as beneficiaries of his estate -- Kenny Sr. would never disown his own children according to the source especially since the singer’s son Kenny Jr. is incorrectly referred to Kenny Rogers III throughout the will -- the wording is not like Kenny Sr. and something is not right and his older kids are thinking about contesting the will

Page 10: Hot Shots -- Kate McKinnon shot a Saturday Night live skit in NYC, Sophia Bush hit the road in L.A. with her co-pilot pup Maggie, pregnant Jinger Duggar Vuolo in Venice with daughter Felicity, Heidi Klum walking the streets in her native Germany, Snoop Dogg saluted young rappers as he accepted BET’s I Am Hip Hop award

Page 11: Unwitting Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler once dabbled in the secret sex cult NXIVM -- the organization masqueraded as a self-help group but in 2017 it was exposed as a pyramid scheme for founder Keith Raniere who forced high-ranking female recruits to become his sex slaves -- in 2010 Jen and Gerry who were dating at the time wound up at one of the introductory seminars but they were turned off by the level of commitment expected and never returned -- they thought it was just a networking opportunity and had no idea what they were getting themselves into, cash-crunched Gwyneth Paltrow is facing hard times like everyone else and is looking to change her free-spending ways -- the belt-tightening caused by the coronavirus pandemic has even hit her lifestyle empire Goop causing her to shut down the London branch and make hard choices for the future -- Gwyneth may be worth $100 million but she and husband Brad Falchuk spend money like it’s going out of style on private jets they use on a whim and they own a fleet of fancy cars and pay steep salaries for staff who are at their beck and call 24/7 and it’s all draining their bank accounts -- they’re looking at making cuts across the board from personal trainers and chefs and drivers to the masseurs and beauticians who come to their house several times a week -- plus the couple believe it’s a bad look for them to be living so high on the hog when the rest of the world is suffering during the pandemic

Page 12: Straight Shuter -- Angelina Jolie spent years developing her own version of the Hollywood classic Cleopatra and now she’s livid that Gal Gadot has stolen the Egyptian queen -- Angie’s dream was to play Cleopatra the role that made Elizabeth Taylor an icon and it was to be the part that won Angie an Academy Award for Best Actress and now that’s over thanks to Gal who will be playing the Queen of the Nile instead, after ABC scrapped plans to honor Regis Philbin with a prime-time tribute Jimmy Kimmel insisted on honoring Regis on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, MSNBC talking head Rachel Maddow is fleeing New York for her Massachusetts farm after hanging a $2.3 million price tag on her NYC pad but Rachel didn’t want potential buyers looking through all the personal stuff at her apartment so all the personal pictures and books and clothing and everything else was shipped out and replaced with staged furniture, Ariel Winter and her dog (picture)

Page 13: Ailing Joni Mitchell opened up about how she’s still struggling to get back to her old self five years after a debilitating brain bleed -- after Joni was found unresponsive in her Bel-Air home in 2015 she said she was forced to relearn everyday tasks because the aneurysm took away her speech and her ability to walk and although she’s showing slow improvement she hasn’t been writing or playing the guitar or the piano, Randy Travis is defying all the odds as he plans the greatest comeback in country music history as he is making amazing progress after suffering a massive 2013 stroke that most believed would end his career forever and he was given just 1% chance of survival and even after he pulled through doctors believed he would be bedridden and unable to speak -- instead his grueling rehab efforts have miraculously put him on the road to realizing his dream of returning to the spotlight -- some of his motivation is financial; last year he sold his Nashville home and released his memoir which was fueled by his need to pay medical expenses after years of not being able to perform

Page 14: Hollywood Hookups -- Channing Tatum and Jessie J have split again, Cole Sprouse and Reina Silva dating, Kate Beckinsale and Goody Grace split

Page 15: Ariana Grande is raising eyebrows with her raunchy new record Positions -- the former squeaky-clean Nickelodeon star who has been dating real estate agent Dalton Gomez spouted off X-rated odes to an unnamed lover on the LP, six months after sidelining her marriage to former quarterback Jay Cutler Kristin Cavallari admitted there are good days and bad days but insisted it’s been nice to be able to focus on herself and figure out who she is now and what she ultimately wants out of life, hotel heiress Kathy Hilton is joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as a friend of the main cast which includes her half-sister Kyle Richards

Page 16: Crime

Page 17: On Drew Barrymore’s talk show a psychic guest channeled the spirit of one of the host’s former in-laws but the man in question is very much alive -- medium Anna Raimondi told Drew she sensed the aura of a judge causing Drew to burst into tears and named David a relative of her ex-husband Will Kopelman claiming he’d passed but Judge David Kopelman is alive and still going strong -- Will slammed Anna was a submental hack and said he was surprised that Drew chose to give oxygen to someone like that

Page 18: American Life

Page 20: Cover Story -- Prince Andrew is desperate to quash explosive testimony by his pedophile pal Jeffrey Epstein’s accused madam Ghislaine Maxwell but the socialite’s second secret deposition is torpedoing his return from royal exile -- after Ghislaine danced around details of her relationship with the disgraced Duke of York in testimony released a few weeks ago Andrew is sweating bullets about her second grilling under oath which contains details of their intimate friendship and nights with Epstein’s teen sex slave Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Page 22: Don McLean viciously slammed ex-wife Patrisha Shnier as the worst person her ever knew but in their ongoing war of words she maintains he was abusive to her -- Don is still bitter over a 2016 domestic incident at their home in Maine that landed him behind bars and led to divorce after 30 years of marriage

Page 26: Matthew McConaughey confessed he nearly turned his back on Tinseltown to be a wildlife guide like late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin -- he made a splash in a string of blockbuster rom-coms in the ‘90s and ‘00s but he was eager to move on to meatier movies and even passed on a $14.5 million paycheck in 2010 to seek more substantial roles and the struggle left him considering other careers such as a wildlife guide, Jamie Foxx has been crushed by the death of his beloved sister DeOndra Dixon who was born with Down syndrome

Page 28: Good Catch -- Bachelor stars who are still up for grabs -- Jon Hamm, Owen Wilson, Drew Carey

Page 29: Benicio Del Toro, Ryan Seacrest, Matthew Perry, some stars seem to say I do at the drop of the hat -- Larry King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Bob Thornton

Page 32: Olivia Munn was caught on camera flashing what looked like engagement bling on her left ring finger as she exited a gym following a morning workout in Los Angeles but she reportedly broke up with boyfriend Tucker Roberts last year leaving fans wondering who bought the stunning sparkler

Page 36: Health Watch

Page 42: Red Carpet -- Michelle Pfeiffer

Page 45: Spot the Differences -- Allison Janney on Mom

Page 47: Odd List

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xwickedxspiritx · 4 years

Text

I have no idea if there’s a subsect of people who both love the Captive Prince novels and the Buffy The Vampire Slayer TV show, but as a person who adores both, I couldn’t get this AU out of my head.

For those who haven’t watched BTVS, it’s a 90s show about a teenage girl who becomes the Slayer -- a young woman who’s gifted extraordinary strength and fighting abilities in order to fend off vampires and other demons.

Let’s say Captive Prince characters exist in this world, in the modern day. I imagine Laurent comes from a long line of Watchers, the (usually male) scholars who are paired with Slayers to guide them. Basically, Slayers are expected to handle the fighting, Watchers usually stand on the sidelines and offer knowledge about demons’ weaknesses or when the next apocalypse will show up.

Aleron and Laurent’s uncle are Watchers, though they’ve never been paired with a Slayer. There’s only one Slayer at a time, and her powers get passed on to the next girl every couple of years (they have short life expectancies, unfortunately.) Auguste is a Watcher-in-training, and he’s totally against the current system. He think it’s unfair for Watchers to expect Slayers to do all the fighting and take on 99 percent of the risks, while Watchers usually sit back, maybe offer some advice, and also make a lot of money while Slayers get nothing.

His opinions don’t really make him popular, even though people are predisposed to love Auguste. They think it’s brave, but other Watchers fear that they’ll actually be expected to share some of their wealth with Slayers, or to take up weapons. But Auguste trains day in and day out, knowing he can’t match up to a Slayer’s superhuman strength but wanting to make himself a partner that could be relied upon.

At 13, Laurent’s dream is that he can follow in his brother’s footsteps to some degree. He hasn’t really started training to fight, since his brother worries he’d get overzealous and try to fight actually fight demons, but he reads as much as he can of demonology lore. Auguste is super proud of him, and they plan that when Auguste gets paired with a Slayer, Laurent will come along and be the brains of the operation.

Slayers fight lots of demons, but killing vampires is their primary fight. Vampires are demons who used to be human but were turned, losing their lives and their souls. They don’t age, but they can be killed with a stake in the heart, decapitation, fire, sunlight or lots of holy water.

The most infamous vampire of the day is Damianos. He and his brother Kastor were once sons of a prosperous noble family in Greece a few centuries back, but a beautiful blonde vampire named Jokaste turned them both. For 300 years or so, they’ve traveled as a group throughout Europe, wreaking carnage wherever they go. I imagine Jokaste would play them off each other, continuing relationships with both at the same time. Damianos doesn’t really care, but Kastor nurses a bitter jealousy.

As vampires, they’re not capable of remorse. Atrocities are commonplace. Damianos delights in finding strong warriors he can defeat and kill, or beautiful maidens he can feed from. Perhaps he’s even killed one or two Slayers.

When they’re sighted in France present-day, the de Vere family goes on high alert. But Laurent’s uncle is scheming. Maybe he’s after powerful, extremely dangerous magical artifacts that the de Vere family has been entrusted with, but which Aleron and Auguste keep away from him.

So Laurent’s uncle makes his move and kills his brother. But he sets it up to look like it’s Damianos who’s responsible -- Damianos, who’s known as one of the most dangerous demons in the world. Vampires aren’t super high on the demon totem pole, but Damianos fights with a skill no other vampire possesses.

Auguste believes the lie wholeheartedly and makes up his mind to go after Damianos. Let’s say the currently Slayer is also a Frenchwoman, maybe a younger Vannes, and they’re friends, though not officially partnered. They go after Damianos, who doesn’t even know, or care, about the de Vere family.

It goes badly. Damianos might not know what’s incensed Auguste and Vannes, but he likes a good fight in any case. He’s delighted, really, that two strong fighters sought him out instead of the other way around -- and he looks forward to killing them.

They put up a good fight, but Damianos is skilled on a level they didn’t expect. He gets a hit on Vannes that knocks her down hard, and Auguste, who’s been disarmed of a sword he was wielding, sees that she’s about to die. And suddenly, through all the grief and pain, he feels selfish.

If Vannes dies, the world loses a Slayer who has experience and hardiness, who could still save so many lives. If she dies, her powers get passed on, but they have no idea who’ll get them next, and Auguste has learned what a terrible burden it is to be the Slayer -- to be forced to give up your life to an often thankless duty.

So when Damianos raises the sword to cut Vannes down, Auguste leaps in the way and takes the blow. He tells Vannes to run, because while he dragged her into this fight for vengeance, Damianos isn’t the biggest fish to fry in terms of saving the world from demons.

Vannes hates herself for it, but she does run. And Auguste resists to the end, but he dies.

Auguste takes his last breath while Laurent struggles to get to him, held back by his uncle. They’ve been in a hidden vantage point. Laurent was so sure Auguste and Vannes would win, and when the tide turns, his uncle holds him back, saying no, Laurent, your brother wouldn’t want you to throw your life away, would he?

So Laurent watches, like the kind of Watcher he and Auguste were so determined to reject. He watches as Damianos looks at Auguste’s corpse without a care in the world. He watches as Damianos licks blood off his fingers and grins with satisfaction.

Damianos leaves France shortly after, and seven long years begin for Laurent. Years where he learns that his uncle doesn’t have his best interests in mind after all. Where he suffers abuse, and realizes that his uncle could care less about a Watcher’s duty -- he’s taking the de Vere family’s dangerous artifacts and selling them to whoever can pay for them. Maybe he’s been in league with, and is scheming to take over, Wolfram & Hart, an international law firm that specializes in enabling demons’ interests. Evil, but pays well.

By the time Laurent’s twenty, he’s a full-fledged demon hunter all on his own. He knows he’ll never have the power a Slayer would have, but he’s trained himself ruthlessly just like in canon. He’s matched that with an encyclopedic knowledge of demonology and the occult that’s unmatched by any other current Watcher.

Of course, Laurent’s uncle campaigns among the Watcher’s Council to convince them that Laurent is unfit for the position, that he’s dangerously obsessed with the vampire Damianos and would only get a slayer attached to him killed. The Council agrees, and even with all of Laurent’s skill and knowledge, he’s never invited to any Watcher business.

So he goes freelance. Laurent tracks and kills demons across France, maybe venturing into other countries as well. He builds his own network with other demon hunters, and gets a reputation of being ruthless and unbeatable.

With him is Berenger, another Watcher-in-training who was friends with Auguste. Maybe he had to leave the Watchers because of his lover -- Ancel, an incubus. Obviously, the Watchers aren’t big on human/demon couples. Then the rest of the gang -- Jord, Lazar, Orlant, etc. Perhaps Aimeric tags along by Jord’s side as a plant from his uncle.

(I wish Captive Prince had more usable female characters that could also fit in with this. Let’s say Laurent has a lot of female cousins from his mother’s side who are badass demon fighters.)

But his uncle wasn’t wrong that Laurent has an obsession. A hatred and quest for vengeance that kept him going through the worst years -- his desire to kill Damianos, the soulless vampire.

But Damianos hasn’t been seen in years, pretty much since the day he killed Auguste. Unknown to Laurent, Damianos got himself in trouble soon after he left France. He kidnapped and tortured Kashel (sorry!) and then carelessly left her body to be found by her clan of powerful witches.

Obviously, Halvik and the rest of the clan are enraged. They resolve to curse him with a punishment far worse than death, something that will make him suffer for the rest of his eternal life.

They give him back his human soul.

Without a soul, Damianos could kill, rape and otherwise destroy without any pangs of conscience. While the demon retained the human Damen’s memories and some parts of his personality, as a vampire he was slave to his basest instincts. His lust, both for fighting and sex, and his lack of empathy for what other people feel and experience.

But when his soul is returned, Damen’s better instincts come rushing back -- his sense of honor, his capacity for love, his belief in fair play and doing the right thing. He’s ripped out of the afterlife and forced to confront 300+ years of senseless violence and brutality, and to remember each person whose life he took or ruined.

At first, he’s lost. He goes to Jokaste and Kastor, but they reject him. Jokaste’s not a fan of his return to morality, and Kastor jumps at the chance to ditch Damen for good and have Jokaste to himself.

Let’s say that for a few years, Damen despairs. What does a vampire with a soul do with his life? He can’t live as a human, because he won’t age, he can’t walk in daylight without catching on fire, and he still needs blood to survive (though now he buys pigs’ blood from the butcher.) He wants to make up for what he’s done, but he has no idea how. He returns to his hometown in Greece, seeking some sort of comfort.

There, he meets Nikandros. He’s a fledgling demon hunter who only started hunting demons because his family was killed by them. Most humans have no idea demons exist, so he got thrown into that world headfirst. No superpowers, but he’s athletic and strategic.

He realizes what Damen is pretty quickly, though he knows nothing of his history. He’s ready to kill him without mercy, since no one’s ever heard of a “good vampire.” But Damen wins his trust -- maybe Nikandros gets outnumbered in a fight, and Damen swoops in to help him. Eventually, they team up, and Damen finds a new purpose -- and a means of redemption -- in fighting other demons and keeping innocent people safe.

Meanwhile, Laurent’s pissed that in seven years, there’s been no new sightings of Damianos or any word on his exploits. Damianos was never one to hide, so it’s baffling that he basically disappears. Laurent never considers that he might have been killed -- he saw for himself just how good he was.

As much as he wants to devote himself to hunting Damianos down, there’s the rest of the world to worry about. He also knows that if he confront Damianos too early, he’ll throw away his life for nothing. So he keeps training, keeps killing other demons, and tries not to think about the countless other victims Damianos surely must be racking up.

Suddenly, he gets word that a potential apocalypse might be happening soon in Greece. Vannes died about a year after Auguste (though she lived to save the world a few times in that period), and currently there’s a very new Slayer in Mexico who’s pretty untrained. Still, the Watcher’s Council wants to send her anyway, fairly unconcerned with whether she dies or not, since a new one will just take her place.

The new Slayer’s Watcher just died, and she hasn’t been assigned a new one. Laurent’s uncle volunteers him for the job, saying that since Laurent’s always wanted more of a role, this is perfect. The Council agrees, though of course they all figure Laurent and the Slayer will probably die.

Laurent knows what his uncle is up to, but he wants to go. Even if the risk to his life is greater than ever before, he knows it’s what Auguste would do. The new Slayer is just fifteen years old, and he won’t leave her alone to face the end of the world. He’ll train her to the best of his ability, then fight by her side. His team agrees to go as well, because despite the odds, they believe in Laurent.

So this sets Laurent on a collision course with Damen. I imagine that Laurent sets up camp in Athens, meets the Slayer, grows very attached, and starts training her. They don’t have much time, only three months before a potential apocalypse -- the world falling into hell, etc, etc.

Damen and Nikandros have also heard of the coming apocalypse, and naturally they’re also determined to prevent it. But when they arrive in Athens, they hear that the Slayer’s in town. And she’s not alone -- she’s got a whole team that fights beside her. For a Slayer, that’s pretty unheard of, and Damen is shocked -- he’s known (killed) a few Slayers, and they were always, always alone.

So he’s curious. He’s not stupid enough to make his presence known when the Slayer’s around, but he starts lurking a bit, tries to learn more about her and her team. Eventually, he catches them fighting a group of vampires.

He can tell the Slayer has a lot to learn. Even with superhuman strength and agility, she’s hesitant, doesn’t move confidently in a way that could really harness that power.

But he sees someone who does fight with confidence, even arrogance, who moves like quicksilver even though he has to be a normal human.

He sees Laurent, and a part of him’s already in love.

But he recognizes that scent. He sees the resemblance between the younger brother and the older, who he remembers all too well. Even though Laurent was hidden, Damianos knew he was there that night. Yet even as a vampire, he had no interest in hurting children.

Damen sees Laurent, the Slayer and the rest of the gang kill a dozen vampires like it’s nothing. He’s never seen teamwork like that, except for maybe him and Nikandros. It’s obvious that Laurent’s the leader, and Damen is possessed with the overwhelming, but futile, urge to know him, to understand what’s in the mind behind that golden hair.

But Damen knows he has no right to know anything about Laurent. Even with Kastor’s rejection of him, he still loves his brother. Killing a person’s brother is not something you forgive. Even though Damen and Damianos aren’t truly the same person, Damen still carries a deep guilt for everything Damianos did in his skin.

All the same, he can’t resist lurking a bit more, just to get a few more glimpses of Laurent in battle. He gets a bit stalkerish, finding out where Laurent’s team is camping out, getting an idea of each member and their fighting style, their personality. Of course, he’s also fighting demons with Nikandros. Let’s say that as the apocalypse gears up, more and more demons are drawn to Athens, so it’s a fight just to keep the city from burning down in the meantime.

It’s inevitable that their paths cross for real. Laurent, still a bit solitary at heart, goes on long walks by himself to think and to drink in the local history and art. One night, he’s set upon by several demons eager to rid the town of him. Damen had also been following Laurent at a distance, curious about what he did when not fighting.

Laurent’s armed, but only with a small dagger. Damen watches him fight three or four demons singlehandedly and is impressed yet again by his skill and versatility. But he realizes that it’s not enough -- Laurent’s going to at the very least get badly injured during this fight.

Even knowing it’s a bad idea, that he’s basically signing his death warrant, Damen rushes in to save him. He fights off the demons easily, having enhanced strength that Laurent can’t match with any amount of training.

Laurent, on the ground and bleeding, can’t believe his eyes. Damen, like the sweet idiot he is, offers to help him back to their camp, thereby admitting that he’s been aware of Laurent and his location this whole time.

Laurent lunges at him, overcome with rage, but he passes out from his injuries. So Damen does what he promises and takes him back to camp. Laurent’s team is surprised, horrified and even a little amused at this infamous vampire carrying Laurent in like he’s something precious, setting him down softly and then escaping before they can stop him.

When Laurent wakes up, he thinks it was a dream. But he saw it himself -- Damianos is really back, and Laurent has no idea what he’s playing at. Did he hunt Laurent here, wanting to kill him for some reason? Why didn’t he take the chance he had?

Laurent decides it’s Damianos’s typical MO -- he wants a good fight, and Laurent was too injured to be interesting enough to kill. But he recovers, and now he’s ready. Damianos is in Athens, and so is he, and their battle will come any day now.

But instead, Damen starts jumping into Laurent’s fights whenever it looks like things might take a turn for the worse. He even helps the Slayer once or twice when she’s caught alone by a pack of demons. Nikandros thinks he’s an absolute moron, and he rightly deduces that, despite all common sense, Damen has feelings for Laurent and wants to be close to him any way he can. More than that, he just wants to help Laurent, to make up in some small way for the harm he caused him.

With each friendly save from Damen, Laurent grows more and more incensed. He’s convinced Damen is playing some sort of game with him, although that was never Damianos’s style. Again and again, Damen helps him and his team. Sometimes he’ll even show up with tips about a new demon in town, or something about the swiftly approaching apocalypse.

It comes to a head one day when Damen and Laurent are both captured by a witch who wants to use them for some nefarious ritual. They’re chained in a cellar, out of each other’s reach but forced for once to stay in the same room, able to see and talk to each other.

At first, Laurent wants to ignore Damen. Being in the room with his brother’s killer, and not distracted by an imminent fight to survive, is almost too much for him. But then he takes the chance to pour all the invective he can on Damen, his tongue the only weapon he currently has.

Damen takes it all silently. And when Laurent’s spent, when his grief chokes him, Damen tells Laurent that he knows he can never make up for what he’s done. That he’s been selfish to force his presence on Laurent during those fights. He’s honest, so he tells Laurent how much he admires him. Not for his looks or even just his fighting ability, but for the way he guides and protects the Slayer, the way he looks out for his team.

Because he just can’t stop himself, because some part of him still craves for Laurent to see him in a positive light, he also tells him about the curse. That the Damianos he knew is gone, and that Damen carries his sins but is not that same demon.

Laurent still thinks it’s a trick. He’s forced to rely on Damen to get out of the witch’s cellar, but when they’re free, he challenges Damen to a fight. No holds barred, in which victory means death for the opponent.

Damen agrees, because he feels it’s what Laurent is owed, that chance to take out his rage. And a part of him that sounds too much like Damianos is eager to feel for himself Laurent’s prowess for battle.

So they fight. Laurent gives it everything he’s got, everything he took seven years to build. Like in canon, it isn’t enough. Damen doesn’t hold back, respecting Laurent’s anger and skill too much.

But when it comes time for the final blow Laurent’s expecting, looking up at Damen in hatred, it doesn’t come. The monster Damianos, the soulless vampire, has a look in his eyes that Laurent can’t fathom.

Damen tells Laurent that if he wants to take his life, he’s earned it through the suffering Damianos caused him and so many others. But Damen doesn’t want to see the world end, and he knows that Laurent needs him to stop the apocalypse. The Slayer, though improving in leaps and bounds through Laurent’s tutelage, can’t be expected to take on the end of the world by herself. And she isn’t yet the partner that Laurent needs -- that Damen can be.

Laurent’s tempted to take up his weapon again and cut Damen down from behind, but he’s also realizing that the apocalypse is coming too soon, and he, his team and the Slayer might not be enough. Damen, however, has 300 years of experience with demons, has seen apocalypses from a distance and is surprisingly intelligent behind all that muscle.

He accept Damen’s offer, as painful as it is. He’ll work with Damen (and begrudgingly, Nikandros) to stop the apocalypse with the help of the Slayer. But when it’s over, they’ll fight again, and Laurent will win. He’ll kill Damianos.

In the month left before the end of the world, they’re together constantly. Laurent doesn’t take this gracefully, using his vicious tongue against Damen at every opportunity. But Damen sees how he is with the Slayer, how he’s strict but gentle in teaching her. He falls in love with Laurent even more.

For Laurent, it grows harder and harder to deny how, at least professionally, Damen completes him, makes him a better hunter. His eye for strategy finds what Laurent misses, and his strength and skill in battle still manage to shock Laurent sometimes. Again and again, Damen saves his life, and against his judgment, Laurent saves Damen’s life too. They become the scourge of the Greek underworld.

When the apocalypse comes, they’re ready. It’s not easy, but they stop it, and they all manage to survive. Damen grins at him, and Laurent can’t stop looking at him.

When it’s over, they fight again, one on one. This time, Laurent really does win. Over the past month, he’s watched Damen like a hawk, partly for any hint of betrayal and partly because he just can’t figure him out. He’s starting to believe that Damen really did get his soul back, but if that’s true, what does that mean for Laurent? Damen’s still a vampire, still wears the face of his brother’s killer.

But Damen’s also the one who fought by his side like no one else ever has, ever could. He talked with Laurent through the night, planning and strategizing, making up for what Laurent overlooked. Damen, a vampire, helped Laurent train the Slayer, his natural enemy.

So with the blade at Damen’s neck, Laurent stops. It’s the most difficult thing he’s ever had to do, but he lets his anger go. As much as he hates Damianos the vampire, he’s seen Damen the man beneath the monster, and he can’t kill him.

The Slayer returns to Mexico, and she asks Laurent to return as her full-time Watcher. The Council isn’t happy about it, but it’s hard to argue after his stunning success.

Laurent’s team is on board to go with him. And Damen says, well, he’s never been to the Americas. (Nikandros, ever-suffering, goes with them, too afraid to leave Damen to Laurent’s mercy. He’s the only family he has left.)

After that, it’s slow but inevitable. Damen and Laurent come together, helpless to do anything else. For the first time in Laurent’s life, and even Damen’s centuries-long existence, they both feel they’ve found a true partner they can trust. A person they love more than they thought possible.

On the night of Laurent’s twenty-first birthday, they consummate that partnership. It’s a moment of true happiness for both of them, for two people who felt unworthy of that kind of happiness, who thought they’d never find it again after all they’ve lost.

But the curse that returned Damen’s soul wasn’t full-proof. He was meant to suffer, to never find a moment’s rest under the burdens of his guilt. Finding happiness with Laurent changes that. It breaks the curse.

He staggers out of the room as Laurent sleeps peacefully. Damen tries to cling to his soul with everything he has, but the pull is too strong.

When Laurent wakes up, he’s alone. At first, he’s irritated, then he’s afraid that Damen’s run off to some fight. A day passes, and he can’t find him everywhere.

But Laurent’s network has started to whisper. The whole underworld beneath Mexico City is buzzing.

And it says, Damianos is back.

Laurent loses his lover, his partner, and is faced again with his brother’s killer. A soulless vampire who remembers the last eight years with disdain. Who’s obsessed with Laurent, which isn’t exactly new, but now sees him as the ideal target -- someone he wants to defeat in every way possible.

To make things worse, Laurent’s uncle shows up. An extraordinarily powerful artifact has been unearthed in Mexico -- Acathla, a demon turned to stone centuries ago, who if reawoken can swallow the world into hell.

Laurent’s facing his uncle on one side and Damianos on the other, who’s joined up again with Jokaste and Kastor. He knows that with Damianos returned, he finally does have a chance at true revenge -- and yet now, when he looks at Damianos, all he sees is Damen.

Laurent takes down his uncle and his whole network of smugglers before he can sell Acathla to the highest bidder. But at the last moment, Damianos sweeps in and steals Acathla right from under him, killing Orlant in the process.

Now, it’s do or die. If Laurent doesn’t fight Damianos and kill him, he could use Acathla to end the world. For months, he’s scoured every possible resource for knowledge on the curse, something that could bring Damen back.

He thinks he’s finally found something, but it’s badly translated and Laurent doesn’t have the gift for magics that it would require. Ancel pulls out a precocious young witch, Nicaise, that he says he can do it, but Laurent says no. Magic is dangerous, especially a curse on the level of Damen’s, and he doesn’t want a young teenager taking that risk.

So he steels himself and goes to face Damianos. When Jokaste and Kastor stand in his way, Laurent manages to kill Kastor, and Jokaste makes her escape. He’s left with Damianos, who’s enraged at his brother’s death. Damianos, despite himself, also hates Laurent for the emptiness inside him, the hole left by the love Damen felt for the human.

Except that emptiness loses him the edge Damen always seemed to have. Once again, Laurent has his blade against the vampire’s neck, the neck of his enemy and his lover.

Of course, Ancel and Nicaise didn’t listen to Laurent when he told them not to try the curse. It’s hell on Nicaise, and probably opens some doors he can’t close again, but the power passes through him -- and it works.

Laurent sees a light go back into Damen’s eyes, right as he’s bringing down his sword. He can’t believe it -- he’s too afraid of being wrong -- but Damen gasps, falls to his knees and looks at Laurent like hasn’t seen him in years. The curse hits him like a train, and he doesn’t remember Acathla or losing his soul.

For the first time in months, Damen’s arms are around Laurent. There’s a kiss to his hair, to his forehead, and then to his lips, and Laurent finally allows himself to hope.

But when he opens his eyes again, he sees what Damen can’t -- that Acathla’s eyes are also open. He’s awake and ready to suck the world into hell, unless the one who awakened him is sacrificed into that pit first.

And Laurent finally understands what his brother felt in those last moments. What every Slayer knows. That duty comes before everything, before love and before life.

So he kisses Damen one more time. He tells him, for the first time, that he loves him. And he tells him to close his eyes, knowing he will, because Damen trusts him without reservation.

In a mockery of all the times he could never do it, Laurent’s blade goes so easily through Damen’s heart, pinning him to Acathla. He looks into Damen’s shocked eyes as the vampire is thrown into hell. The portal closes with a snap.

Laurent is alone.

(If you are a BTVS fan and you’ve seen season three, you know how this goes. Damen will return from hell by some act of god or devil, throwing Laurent into turmoil again -- after everything, what would it mean to forgive Damen for a second time? But unlike with their counterparts Angel and Buffy, I like to think true love conquers all in their case.)

#captive prince #laurent of vere #damen #damianos #buffy the vampire slayer au #lamen

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hphm-etched-engraved-everlasting · 4 years

Text

5. Clara

Author’s Note/Table of Contents

He couldn't mean Merula, could he?

I took a glance at my sister as we left the Artefact Room together, her head bowed deep in thought with every step. None of what Ben said made any sense to either of us--at least, to me, it still seemed really far-fetched. How could he suddenly become invincible to everything that screamed terror? Did that really factor into what made a good protector, or was he being seriously reckless with his limits?

"Who's Sickleworth, again?" little Em asked me quietly, her sleeves no longer covering her nose. "Rakepick's Niffler?"

"Yes. An innocent agent in the story," I said. "Why he would let Sickleworth roam free again just as we've taken him back in, I wish I knew. I just hope he isn't still attached to Rakepick."

Little Em simply nodded as we stepped outside, and that was when I saw the blood on her sleeves--soaked up by the black fabric, but still visible with the huge dried stains.

"Yikes. Looks like they gave it to you hard," I murmured, pulling out my wand and tapping it smartly on the stains. "Tergeo."

And the spell quickly siphoned off the bloodstains, leaving the black robes good as new.

"You don't mind me being in Hufflepuff, right? That would mean we're in competition for the House Cup," little Em said quietly.

I shook my head. "No, of course not. All I care about is your safety, little Em. Just take care of yourself, and everything will be fine."

I just wished I could bring myself to believe that.

The two of us then entered the Training Grounds, where a lone witch was casting relentless spells at the training dummies. I could see the glint of rage flash in her violet eyes, her brown hair sticking up even wilder than before. For someone who had been a victim of the Cruciatus Curse--Rakepick’s above all others--I was surprised to see her standing at all, determined to fight back. Perhaps that was the Slytherin in her, or the Death Eater in her lineage. I wasn't sure. Either way, seeing her like this made me terrified of her all over again.

"And that's Merula," little Em noted with a nod. "Remind me to steer clear of her whenever she's around. She looks as bad as Eunice."

I nodded silently as I approached Merula first, signalling for Emily to wait while I talked with her. I could only imagine that Merula was still stingy with all the events from last year, but how bad would she take it? Was it as bad as Ben said?

"Ben said I would find you here trying to pulverise Training Dummies," I started cautiously.

Merula did not turn at the sound of my voice. She stiffened at the mention of 'Ben', however. "New Ben talks too much."

Fair enough. At least I was able to get a reaction out of her.

"His new...outlook will take some getting used to," I commented uneasily.

Now that made Merula whirl around to glare at me, though she spared no glance at my little sister. "Enough small talk," she barked. "What do you want?"

"I..." I faltered again at the glare she delivered now. It was like seeing the old bully Merula all over again, the one I had been so used to seeing in first year. "I want to help you, Merula. Ben seemed to think you needed it."

"Help? Help?" Merula's scowl deepened at the mention of that word. "Number one...Ben really needs to shut up. Number two...perhaps Ben only sent you to bother me so you'd stop bothering him." She shook her head and folded her arms in a manner almost similar to Rakepick. "So we're counting. Is there a Number three?"

"Come on, Merula," I said. "We haven't talked since you were recovering in the Hospital Wing after--"

"After my mentor and role model and blah blah blah blasted me with the Cruciatus Curse and left us for dead?" Merula scoffed, rolling her eyes. "And I suppose your little sister had heard the story, too?" she added, finally looking over at little Em who was just standing there, as still as a statue.

Of course I told my little sister. I told her everything--at least tried not to leave any crucial details out of the story. And Merula was crucial to the story, after all. Not that I'd tell her, though.

"I told you I didn't need you then, Lin. And I don't need you now," Merula said quietly. "You'll only get in the way. You and your sister."

"Get in the way of what?" I inquired.

"Why don't you blast some training dummies with me and I'll tell you?" Merula asked then, her eyes gleaming wickedly.

So I ushered little Em to the sidelines while Merula and I began to cast fierce spells at the Training Dummies. I wasn't sure what I was looking forward to hearing, but then when Merula told me of her thoughts, I felt my brain screech to a jarring halt. While I was thinking about the past, Merula was thinking about the future. While I was reminiscing over everything Rakepick had done with no intention of actually doing anything directly to her, Merula had been scheming a murder plan--to kill Patricia Rakepick, to annihilate her for everything she had done.

I would agree that what Rakepick did to us was unforgivable, but to perform something unforgivable against her in return? To any rational human being, it was unwise, but Merula was no rational human being. Her parents were both sent to Azkaban when she was little. She had looked up to Rakepick since her arrival at Hogwarts because she reminded her of herself, and everything she ever wanted to be. She was the mother figure she never had. When she turned her back on us, Merula got the worst of the impact, because the trust between them had completely shattered without a second thought--the pedestal she held Rakepick on gave way, and everything crumbled to dust.

Or rather, everything was obliterated to absolutely nothing.

I glanced from Little Em to Merula, from one with wide eyes in fear to the one who would deliver no more mercy. I knew she didn't want any of this to happen to her-- what drove her to make the worst out of it?

"Merula, I don't see how killing Rakepick will make things better," I finally said, rubbing my numb wand arm and putting my wand away in my robes. "Can't we just find her and stop her without actually killing her?"

"I know you want to stop her too, Lin. Besides, we're looking at a 'kill or be killed' situation," Merula reminded me angrily. "I know what side I want to be on."

Kill or be killed? Hunt or be hunted? It was like Merula had reverted to human's most primal instincts. She was relying too much on her anger to even think clearly. Now I saw what Ben was saying--she really had taken this for the worse. Not that I’d tell him, though.

"And then what?" I asked. "You want to end up in Azkaban after for murder?"

"If it's good enough for mum and dad," Merula responded.

"How could you even think like this? I hate seeing you like this," I remarked. "You're like First-Year Merula all over again...only with the volume turned up all the way. You're even scaring my little sister!"

"Oh, your baby sister can tremble all she wants," Merula scoffed again, rolling her eyes at little Em whose face was as white as a sheet of paper. "I don't intend to back down on my intentions until the deed is done."

"I mean, I get it. You want revenge. It's normal to want revenge after everything we witnessed--"

"Normal? Normal?" Now Merula was close to flaring in rage. "Nothing is normal for me anymore. I can't get up and go to class every day like a good little witch planning her career--not while Patricia Rakepick walks the earth. For a moment I actually thought you'd want to join me--after knowing of everything she ever did to your brother, I thought you'd want revenge, too!"

"Even if I did, the plan would not succeed. I know what it's like to act out of pure rage," I told her, trying to keep my voice even. "I don't see this vendetta of yours ending well."

Merula opened her mouth again, prepared to launch another verbal volley, when the sight of Penny made her falter, and she shook her head.

"Oh, perfect. Penny graces us with her presence," Merula drawled then.

Penny didn't seem fazed by Merula's words at first. She glanced at me, then Merula, then little Em who was close to collapsing at the knees. "So the three of you are out here alone in the dark casting spells?"

"Just me and Lin. Baby Lin had nothing to do with it," Merula corrected her with a roll of the eyes. "So you've come to judge us. Brilliant."

"What's going on?" Penny asked, a little shocked to see Merula talking like this. "Do you suddenly hate me?"

"Oh, I don't hate just you. You have perfect hair and all, but you're not that special."

Okay, now I knew when to step away from a poisonous snake if ever I saw one in the wild. I turned to Penny and sighed, shaking my head. "Ignore her, Penny. Merula's in a...mood."

"I was actually looking for you, Clara," Penny told me then. "I wanted to talk to you about...Beatrice."

"Beatrice? Beatrice Haywood, your sister?" little Em piped up then, and all eyes turned to her in surprise. Honestly, I was shocked she was still able to find her voice after hearing Merula badmouthing everything in her life and scaring her to wit’s end.

"Yes. She's a year older than you, little Em," Penny told her gently. "And I fear she's in big trouble."

"What now? Did she get herself stuck in another portrait?" Merula asked.

"No." Penny's voice sounded ominous and distant as she addressed us. "This may be even worse..."

#finally finished chapter 1 in game #and this is chapter 5 #whoop whoop #the next part will be out in a few hours #year 6 spoilers #hogwarts mystery #hphm #curse breakers #hphm merula snyde #hphm penny haywood #hphm clara lin #hphm em lin #etched engraved everlasting

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archiveofidentityconstellations · 5 years

Note

“Bruce Wayne?”

“Yes?”

“This is Gotham Academy. Is Stephanie coming to school today?”

Bruce immediately took an intake of breath. “Yes,” he said, several moments later. “Yes, she is .”

“And when is her estimated time of arrival?”

“Thank you for calling,” Bruce interrupted, pretending to not to have heard the question. “Have a great day.” He clicked the end button.

Steph sucked down an ice cream cone. It was a strangely hot May. She watched the ice cream drip down her hand, settling across her wrist. She licked it absentmindedly, shaking the hair out of her face. Things had gotten...confusing. And that was mainly her fault, but she was going to admit to that. Out loud, anyways. Her tongue hit the bracelet on her wrist, and her brow furrowed. They weren’t allowed to wear jewelry at school, but she hadn’t gone anyways. But Bruce had given her the tennis bracelet as, what, an incentive? A reward? She had yelled at him over it the first day she lived with him, had thrown it at him. She snorted into her cone. It had hit him in the face, which was sort of funny. It had bounced off the bridge of his nose and he just looked at her, lips pressed and eyes all steely. But the next morning it was on her dresser, so she assumed it was hers to keep.

She looked at it, moving her hand in the sunlight. It glinted rather prettily, casting rainbows against the concrete.

Stephanie sighed, switching her cone to the other hand. Her life had sort of turned into that bracelet. Diamonds and sunlight and all, but still a prison. Well, she shifted, thoughtful, not exactly a prison, but not a free for all either. Things were...different. There were expectations and she hated those, but now she was left wondering if there had been expectations all along, only for other people. That maybe she was the odd one out, walking around and pretending to be a real person with real experiences and everyone else just didn’t have the heart to tell her.

And no matter how many times she threw the “bracelet” back into Bruce’s face, it ended up on her dresser. He just gave it back to her. Just like how he kept trying, no matter how many times she rebuffed him.

A car drove up and parked on the other side of the street.

She wrinkled her nose, focusing on her melting ice cream. But the really weird part was it wasn’t like she didn’t fit in at school. She did. She sat with Kennedy at lunch and Bryant was her science partner. Ted Bassi had even tried asking her out before he lost the nerve last Wednesday. She wasn’t sure if she would say yes. But maybe she would. She wasn’t sure what Bruce would say, if she was technically “allowed” to date. Not as if she would let whatever Bruce said stop her. It was just...

Stephanie sighed, crossing her legs at the ankles. It was hard. She couldn’t make up her mind.

A car door slammed in the distance.

Bruce wasn’t the devil. She knew that, despite what she said and how she acted. But still...when she had been younger, dreaming up a better dad than Arthur, the concept of someone like Bruce...hadn’t shown up. Not once. She had wanted a dad who was cozy, who hugged her and said goodnight. Who looked over her homework and took her to baseball games and the park and bought her gifts at the drug store on his way home from work. She had wanted someone normal, someone all her friends seemed to have. Arthur hadn’t been that. He shouted at her and pushed her into closets and called her “little blonde bitch” when she wouldn’t go along with his schemes. He...sucked, to be frank. She had some good memories, like that one time he took her to the park and let her swing until sunset. But even then it was probably for some deal. Steph had always been in his periphery, the sidelines of his life.

She wasn’t important.

Bruce...it was different. He wasn’t Arthur. But he wasn’t the dad she had built up in her daydreams. He didn’t hug her and he didn’t take her to baseball games. Not that she would let him, but. Well. Bruce said goodnight but it was always stilted, like he was saying goodbye instead of goodnight. He bought her gifts but they always seemed steeped in guilt or something. That’s why she hadn’t wanted the bracelet. He took her away from her mom and he thought he could make that okay with a rinky little bracelet?

She looked down at it. It wasn’t rinky, really. It was pretty. And Kennedy had given her an extra charm, a rolling skate. She had had two and she wanted Steph to have it.

Stephanie cradled the charm, ice cream cone still in her hand. She snorted again. Those Gotham Academy kids didn’t know how good they had it. They were naive, plain and simple. She licked her cone, thinking about Ted. Maybe she would say yes. Maybe it was time to move on from...whatever she had with Dean.

“Stephanie?”

She looked up.

Bruce stood in front of her, arms crossed, lips pressed in a firm line.

Huh.

“Want some ice cream?” she asked.

Bruce’s eyebrow twitched.

“You want to tell me what this is about?”

“Not really,” replied Stephanie, leaning her head against the window.

“Are you...” Bruce hesitated. “Are you in trouble or something?”

She turned to look at him. “What, with you? I figured you could answer that yourself,” she said irritatedly.

Bruce exhaled shortly. “I meant at school.”

“No.” She turned her head back to the window. “No. School is...school is good.”

Her throat went tight. Why did her throat go tight? Was she going to cry? What the fuck? Stephanie shook her bangs out of her eyes, forcing herself to pull it together. She hadn’t cried in front of Bruce yet, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be now.

“If school is so good why aren’t you there now instead of,” he took a left turn, heading away from Main, “sitting by an ice cream cart on Fifth?”

She shrugged.

Bruce looked at her in the corner of his eye. “Steph?”

“God, WHAT?”

“Hey,” he snapped.

“What do you want?! What do you want me to say?!” She spun around to glare at him. “If you were hoping for a pro-con list, you’re fresh out of luck. This decision wasn’t about you. There wasn’t planning put into it, I didn’t even think they would call you. So you can rest easy, buddy, Steph’s mistake train isn’t headed toward your station.”

Bruce didn’t respond.

Silence filled the car, broken only by interspersed horns and pedestrians shouting.

Stephanie bit her lip. She didn’t know why...he hadn’t even been mean to her. And there she went, blowing up at him and acting like he was a criminal just because. Just because.

He wasn’t her dream dad.

He wasn’t even Arthur.

He was someone new, someone she had started getting used to. She liked the dinners together at home, even though she acted like she didn’t. She liked that he had bought her school stuff, that he cared about her grades. He asked about her day, no matter how many times she told him to piss off. He acted like he cared and Steph was started to believe he actually did and that was scaring the shit out of her.

No one had cared for her before. Mom had, but after Arthur had been put away and the drugs had started, she didn’t even realize Steph was there half the time. Steph made dinner, did laundry, kept up the house. She even got several under the table jobs, just to keep them afloat.

Bruce was different. For one thing, he was always lucid, except at the breakfast table some times. She held back a giggle. He always looked so dopey on Sunday morning. And he didn’t let her work, made her focus on school, told her to get enough rest. It was insulting. He always said “No.” She hated being told no. He wouldn’t let her do things, but then he would offer her something in return. It was a balancing act and she felt like one wrong move from her could make everything topple over. And it would topple over. Things got ruined, one way or another. She knew that. So she might as well ruin it on her terms. It didn’t hurt that way.

She snuck a look at him.

His eyes were on the road, shoulders slightly hunched forward.

Didn’t hurt at all.

“Do you want to go back to school,” he asked softly.

Stephanie blinked. “Huh?”

“It’s almost two,” he said. “You’d only be there for an hour. Do you want me to take you home?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

He nodded slightly. Stephanie considered putting on some music, but the last time she had done that they fought over what constituted country music. It hadn’t been a bad fight; it had actually been kind of funny. But she didn’t want a funny fight, not right now.

“Where did you go?”

“The community center,” she answered. They had been in the car for a while, especially since 410 had been closed. They had had to maneuver all the way around to make it through to the 95, which was always backed up. “I used to do gymnastics there.”

Bruce hummed. “Is that something you want to continue?”

“Can you please stop trying to give me things?” she said wearily. “It makes me feel like you’re guilty or something.”

Silence.

“I am guilty.”

She looked over at him.

“You’re right,” he continued, not noticing, or pretending not to notice, Stephanie’s avid focus, “I wasn’t there for you. You grew up in some place I never in a million years would have left you in.”

“You didn’t want to be a dad,” she negated.

“I didn’t know I was a dad,” he clarified. “If I had known, I...I had Dick, you know. Things would have been different.”

Stephanie hummed noncommittally. They both did that, now. She wasn’t sure if humming was something that she did before, but it was definitely something she noticed now.

“I was fine,” she said after a moment. “I did fine. I didn’t need you.”

He swallowed, not looking over at her. “Okay.”

“What do you mean ‘okay’?” she demanded. “What, you think you’re the be-all and end-all of my life? Think I can’t do better? Think I’ll just break off and die without a stupid tennis bracelet?” She jingled her wrist obnoxiously.

“Okay as in ‘okay, you think that and I’m listening to you’ okay,” he explained with some agitation.

She stuck out her chin. “So now you’re patronizing me.”

He exhaled shortly. “I don’t know how to win with you,” he said. “I try to talk to you honestly, you lash out at me. I try to listen, you lash out at me again. What do you want me to do, Steph? How can I make this easier for you?”

“You can disappear,” she hissed. “You can give custody back to my mom and leave my life forever.”

He met her eyes.

“I’m not going to do that.”

She raised her eyebrows, looking triumphant. “Then I don’t want your help. Fuck off.”

#bratkid AU

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electricbluebutterflies · 5 years

Text

new history

She could get used to the hidden gentleness of him.

@restrainedubiquity wanted post-s2-grayspace Kabby hair-braiding fic so here we are. In which Abby is a mess (and trying to convince herself otherwise) and Marcus is probably having a midlife crisis. Title and slight inspo from “New Histories” by Brooke Fraser. PG-ish and also on ao3.

The first full day after, she sleeps like she hasn't since… honestly, Abby has never allowed herself this kind of rest, but her body crashes even harder than she expects and she has no control over any of it. The second and third days, she rests on and off. The fourth, she starts to get frustrated.

She is not a solitary creature by nature, but right now she has no choice. Her body has decided it is time to suffer all the consequences of her habitual neglect, and that combined with the recent violation - she has to call it something and that will do nicely, she decides - means she's sidelined for a while. Standing up without help is currently not happening, and any form of productive activity is even less likely.

She knows it's temporary. A week or two at worst. She'll be fine, in the grand scheme of things. But for now, she is miserable.

She was just starting to get used to the concept of a wider world, fresh air in her lungs and rain on her skin. She will have those things again, she knows, but their absence feels damning as she is stuck once more in a metal box, this time without even the ability to pace across the small room. She shouldn't even have this space. Someone else, someone in worse condition, should be on this mattress. Not her. Not-

The door opens, and another feature of her current hell asserts itself.

A week ago, this would've felt strange; a month ago, completely unthinkable. But the man in her doorway is not who he was then, and she feels a strange warmth as he approaches. Her, feeling something about Marcus Kane that isn't near-homicidal anger. Not as new a sensation as she wishes it was, but still foreign enough to throw her off.

He checks on her every few hours, in between whatever else he's doing. She suspects he's slipped back into a natural leadership role, to whatever extent that's even possible amidst current chaos, and that doesn't bother her as much as she feels like it ought to. He's not what he was - she trusts him now, started trusting him at some point shortly before she crawled through a ruined city for him, and she's conflicted, and-

"Did I wake you?"

This caution, too, is new and conflicting. The softness of his voice as he stops just out of reach, the heavy emotions in his eyes, the general presence of him as someone who has finally learned to act like a human being. All new, all probably her fault somehow, all terrifying.

"No," she replies, beckoning him closer. "Unfortunately."

He sits down in a chair that appeared at some point close to her bed - she has no idea where it came from, but she's not complaining. "Still…"

"Yeah."

Last time he checked on her, a few hours ago, they tried out her physical abilities. Which is to say that she took three steps on her own and then collapsed against him. The pain in her thigh isn't quite as bad as she was, and she suspects the problem right now is mostly just exhaustion. Another day or two, she'll be capable of normal activity. But today she is not, and she's angry, and-

"Anything I can do?"

The offer is genuine, another reflection of what he is becoming. Whatever she asks, she knows he'll at least try. This balance won't last long-term, but until she's functional again and until anyone's brave enough to explain where the hell her kid is…

Whatever happened, Abby reassures herself, it will be okay. Her daughter will be okay. The issue right now is her. She can… she can't…

She won't cry in front of another human being. She hasn't in years and she won't now. But she is tired on a level that sleep won't fix, and currently useless, and unable to do anything about anything, and-

Focus. Back in her body, to the extent that she can be, to the extent that she is realizing everything sucks and she's not as resilient as she used to be. She's not twenty-six anymore, using stimulants to stay awake for four days at a stretch because a high-stress job and a small child weren't an ideal mix. Hell, right now staying awake for one full day would be a nice change of pace. As soon as she can, she'll throw herself back in, she has to, she-

"Abby. Look at me."

She doesn't even have the energy to pick a fight with him. This is how bad she's getting.

"I'm fine, Marcus. You can go back to whatever you're actually supposed to be doing."

"I have time. We're figuring out better logistics, but I've done what I can today."

"And now you're here because I'm the only person you haven't annoyed enough today," she mutters, because if he keeps this up she is going to-

"I'm trying to take care of you," he counters.

And oh, that should not make her feel as good as it does.

She's not in any medical danger, she's figured out that much. In her current state, Marcus is a capable caretaker. It doesn't take a lot of skill to change bandages, and he's brought her food as needed and found an extra blanket for her from god-knows-where, and it's working out. She needs some form of connection with the outside world; he needs something to affirm his humanity. Not a worst-case scenario for either of them. Not at all.

She needs to give him something, she figures. Some little project to distract the both of them. And now that she thinks about it, there's a pretty obvious idea…

"Could you braid my hair?" she asks, voice shaking a little. She's had it loose since before the Bad Thing, but she wants something familiar. She could do it herself, she always has, but it would be nice to have someone else help. It's been too long since she's been touched with any kind of affection.

(No. It's been four days. This thing between them counts, and she needs to stop being so damned stubborn about it.)

"I don't know how," he replies. "Never done that before."

"It's as easy as it sounds, and I trust you. I need… there's a hairbrush somewhere in that dresser, I think. Should be a band around it."

He walks over and starts opening drawers. She feels like she ought to be more bothered by how comfortable he is exploring her space - she ought to be more bothered by almost everything this man does - but it feels right, him digging through her few personal possessions in an effort to help her. Him here feels right, and she's scared of how their dynamic will change when she's functional again, and-

"This one?"

"Yes."

It takes a little maneuvering to get her body in an accessible position. It would be much easier if she could stand up, but as that is very sharply Not Happening, moving to the chair is the next best option. She does this on her own, still unstable but not as bad as a few hours ago, and this feels like confirmation of her expected timeline. Two or three more days at worst. She'll be okay. She'll-

"I don't want to hurt you."

"I trust you."

Marcus seems to have discovered a wide range of new emotions recently, and Abby thinks his current nervousness might be her favorite. She hasn't tried to deal with her hair in over a week and it's a mess, but she keeps calm as he works through the knots. He has definitely never done this before, but it's not bad as a trust fall and it'll be okay. She has never been particularly vain, and if she looks human, well… that'd be a vast improvement over how she feels.

"Three strands, right?"

"Yes."

He pulls a little tighter than she'd like, but she feels the transformation taking place. It'll be good enough, keep her hair out of her way if that should happen to matter at any point soon, and-

"I could… I could try to find a mirror for you. If you wanted."

Again, warmth. Again, she is unsure how she became so important. Again, she doesn't mind as much as she ought to.

"I don't care," she murmurs, reaching back and taking one of his hands in hers. She could learn these calluses, she thinks, get used to the hidden gentleness of him. She wants to. "I trust your judgment."

"I'm not sure if I do," he replies, almost laughing.

"Still a few more days before anyone else is going to see me, unless something goes wildly wrong. As long as you can stand to look at it…"

She turns her head and tries to make eye contact at the same moment he blushes. It's a good look on him, half-hidden by scruff - he is becoming wild, and there is a certain kind of beauty in that. One of these days, she decides, she's going to crash into all of that. Not now, not at any point she can pin down, but someday. When the timing is right for her to risk herself again.

"I… you look… it works."

She suspects she's the only person who's ever made him speechless, and the frequency with which she's doing it… yeah, that plan of jumping up and kissing him will probably break the poor man. But she's a little less worried about that being undesired.

"Thank you."

"Do you need anything else, Abby?"

"Can you… can you stay for a little while? I've been alone too long."

He sits down on the edge of the bed and reaches for her hand again, and they are both too young and too old for all of this, and she wonders if maybe this is what love feels like. Chaos and uncertainty and warmth despite it all, as he starts tracing patterns on her skin like she's pretty sure he does when he's nervous. Something complicated and terrifying and wonderful.

"Do you want to talk?" he asks, hesitant again.

"Tell me what you did today. What's happening outside of this box. Please."

"So one of the kids thought they saw a squirrel…"

#restrainedubiquity #kabby #abby griffin #marcus kane #ebf writes fic

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