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preciousthingsareprecious · 3 years

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Whumptober Day 1: Bound

It's October so of course I'm writing again! We'll see how far I get through Whumptober this year lol.

Day 1: “You have to let go” | barbed wire | bound

Characters: Dick Grayson & Damian Wayne

Summary: When Damian becomes the latest victim in a string of kidnappings across Gotham, it's down to Dick to save him and the rest of the missing kids. He just has to get there in time.

AO3 Link

The sound of Dick’s boots echoed in the empty hall even as his heart pounded in his chest and his comm buzzed white noise into his ear. Dim lights flickered around him, only just illuminating his path through the old abandoned hotel. But he had to keep moving, had to find the missing kids. Had to find Damian .

He pushed himself a little faster through the hall, pausing only whenever he came to a door to throw it open, then on finding it empty, start his mad dash again. They had to be here, everything pointed to this location.

Batman and Robin had been investigating a series of kidnappings over the past month. Dick had done his best to keep Damian away from the information but the kid was about as stubborn as Bruce had been when he decided on something, so Dick had let him in with the promise they did everything together.

And he’d kept that promise. He’d done so well, and then it had been Dick who’d lost him.

“Stupid.” Dick grumbled, peering into yet another empty room. Every room was empty on this floor, but there were still the ballrooms at the top to check.

He’d been so stupid, taking Damian out to do some shopping then turning away for a moment. A second had been all the kidnapper needed to grab another kid. Another victim. And it was Dick’s fault. For looking away when there was a person out there grabbing kids Damian’s age.

Alfred’s consoling voice from earlier flooded through his thoughts as he took the stairs down two at a time, ‘It is not your fault, you were simply trying to have a good day amidst all this terribleness.’ And what good had it done either of them? Panic in Dick’s chest, and a missing brother.

The only thing that kept him moving was that none of the kids had been found yet. No ransoms had been sent out either, but no bodies meant they had to be somewhere. And Dick was going to find them.

He’d tracked the kidnapper here via an unusual series of shipments of food and chemicals sent to a Dr. Keith Raimy. An ex-professor from Gotham U who’d been kicked out for multiple breaches of student privacy and theft of university property. He'd recently had a paper rejected. It's title? Fear and Trauma: Can We Make Our Kids Strong Enough for the Future, Through Fear Today? Dick had skimmed the paper, and what had been proposed inside had made him sick to his stomach.

The door to the first ball room he tried on the top floor was locked. Muffled, and just through the door, Dick could hear screams. In a fit of rage, and fueled by the panic Dick was only just keeping in check, he kicked it down. The old rotting hinges gave way and the thing toppled backward with a heavy thump.

Silence filled the room for a moment, giving Dick a breath to take it in. Mostly empty, it had rotting carpet and peeling wallpaper. A tattered chandelier hung from the ceiling, pieces held on by a few dangling wires, but mostly disassembled either from time or theft.

Huddled in a group in one corner of an old ballroom, were children. The children Dick had been searching for. From what he could see, they were bound with some sort of rope, and looked rough, but alive and breathing.

At the far back of the room there was a stage, or what had once been used as a stage. Now it was mostly just a raised platform with tall floodlights dragged up to it, a rumbling generator the source of their power. It was cluttered with other equipment too, tables filled with jars and beakers, boxes opened with bits poking out of the top, and a laptop hooked up to a microscope. Standing among the clutter was Dr. Raimy in a stained lab coat just blocking a table.

He had turned to stare at Dick when the door came crashing down. Now, he moved to raise his arm, mouth opening, and in the next breath the moment of silence was broken as the screaming started again. The doctor tensed, shifting a bit to cover the table, but it wouldn’t help.

Clear now, the voice was unmistakably Damian’s, high and terrified in a way Dick had never heard it before and it was coming from behind the doctor.

Dick bolted forward, slipping batagrangs out of his belt. Damian was his only thought. His boy was up there, terrified and suffering all because of the man in front of him.

Dr. Raimy jumped to the side, attempting to make a run for it, and stumbled into another table. It gave Dick long enough to cover most of the distance between them and fling a few batarangs in the man’s direction. One caught his jacket, and the other stabbed into junk on the table making him yelp. He jerked back, and then turned towards the table he’d been guarding, making a second dart for it, and the figure writhing atop it. Red clouded Dick’s vision as he got his first clear view of his little brother, strapped down to the table with a long strand of barbed wire, and straining against it as he yelled.

Dick roared, and leapt up to the platform, grabbing the doctor as he did so. The man released an aborted shout as Dick flung him back and away from the table into a pile of boxes. He turned for a moment to Damian, catching sight of his brother’s pupils blown wide. He hadn’t even registered the action beside him, trapped in whatever horrorscape he’d been dropped into.

The sound of rustling indicated that Raimy was already pushing himself up, babbling something about science and progress and Batman not understanding.

He stalked forward, raising himself up to as imposing a height as possible and kicked at the doctor, knocking him back into the boxes to stun him. Then, he reached down and dragged the man upwards.

“What did you give him?” he demanded.

“It was--a mixture of my own making.”

Dick shook him so hard that he heard something pop, “Did you make an antidote?”

Behind him, Damian’s screaming changed pitch to something even more desperate.

“ Tell me .” he growled.

“T-there, it’s--it’s in the line of blue vials. Please don’t kill me, I was only trying-”

Dick didn’t give the man the time to finish his sentence, he punched him square in the face, and dropped him unconscious back into the boxes. Then he was over at the vials, thankfully a syringe had already been filled or he’d have to waste time figuring out how much to give Damian. He pocketed it, swapping it out in his hand for a pair of wire clippers and rushed back to the table.

“Damian, I don’t know if you can hear me, but it’s alright.” Dick said, voice gentle, “I’m getting you out of here.”

Something must have gotten through to him, because Damian stilled at his words, staring with wide, terrified eyes up at Dick. Dick tried not to look at the red lines of blood on Damian’s arms and chest he worked on clipping the barbed wire, instead murmuring quietly to Damian to keep him calm.

Thankfully, the man hadn’t totally wrapped Damian in the stuff. The single band was thick and strong enough to keep a drugged kid down, but hopefully hadn’t done too much damage. Still, it made Dick’s stomach churn as he lifted it as gently as he could off his brother, Damian making only the tiniest of sobs as each barb still embedded in his skin pulled out.

“Just one more second, sweetheart.” Dick whispered, hoping his voice wasn’t carrying over to the other kids. There was murmuring coming from them by now, as they realized rescue was at hand, but Dick’s focus was on the kid currently in need of the most help. At last, Dick dropped the discarded wire onto the table and leaned back to find the vial of the antidote.

Something about the sound of the wire, or a movement Dick made, or just whatever concoction the doctor had given him triggered something in Damian the moment Dick leaned away. He shot up from where he’d been lying, and grabbed the wire with both hands, heedless of any damage it was causing.

Dick reached for him, ready to pull the barbed wire away from him but Damian scooted back, precariously close to the edge of the table and yelled, “No! Don’t!”

“Hey, it’s alright, why don’t you give me that?” Dick asked, trying to calm him back down.

“Stop!” Damian yelled again, gripping the wire tighter and pressing it to his chest, “Don’t take him!”

“Damian please, you have to let go. It’s hurting you.” Dick tried again, wincing as red started to drip down the wire.

“No! I won’t let you!”

“Okay, okay.” Dick held up both hands, whatever Damian was seeing must have been convincing and he didn’t want to hurt the kid by forcing the barbed wire out of his hands, he’d only tear them up more that way.

“Would you let me give you something?” Dick asked, gently lowering his arms to retrieve the syringe, “It’ll make you feel better.”

Damian eyed him, the look almost like what he’d normally make when suspicious, but just off enough from the drugs, “Yes?” he said.

“Great. I just need your arm, you don’t have to let go of anything or anyone okay?” Dick said, slowly reaching for Damian’s arm with his free hand. When the boy let him place his hands by his elbow, Dick angled it up, then after a moment, praying he hadn’t been lied to, injected his brother with the liquid in one motion.

Damian jerked back, squeezing the wire closer to him and went tumbling from the table. Dick lunged over it, and just managed to hook an arm around the kid, tugging him up. He heard the clatter of glass falling and hitting the ground as the syringe that had still been stuck in Damian’s arm slipped out and shattered.

“No! No! Stop!” Damian wailed, kicking and jerking in Dick’s hold.

Mindful that if he tugged Damian into his chest the barbed wire would do more harm, Dick decided he'd restrain him by pulling his back towards him. That was easier said than done with a flailing kid. At last, Dick had an arm hooked under Damian’s arms and had him held tight against him, seated again on the table. His brother continued to scream and kick and tug at him for another minute, then two, until gradually Damian’s own chest slowed it’s rapid rise and fall and his cries quieted down to nothing.

“Batman?” His voice was tiny, shattered from screaming, but almost lucid.

Dick dropped his face into Damian’s hair and sighed, “Yeah, I’ve got you.”

He let go of Damian and stepped around to face his front. There, he pointed at the tangled barbed wire still in Damian’s hands, “Will you hand me that?”

Damian looked down surprised to see it, “Oh.”

Wincing he released it, and before anything else could happen, Dick balled it up and tossed it away from them. When he turned back to Damian, the kid was staring down at his palms that were red and torn. He hadn’t said anything else, but Dick could hear the tight way he was breathing, the sound almost like whistles, like he was holding back the pain.

He dug out some gauze, wraps, and something to numb the pain, “Here, let me.”

With gentle motions Dick bandaged Damian’s hands. When he was done, he dropped a kiss onto the knuckles of each one, “Wait for me right here? I have to help the others.”

Damian’s eyes went wide, “The kids--”

“Are mostly fine.” Dick said, sparing them another glance, they’d been remarkably patient, but their chatter had gone up from quiet murmurs to full conversations, “But eager to be untied I’m sure.”

His brother nodded. Even though it tore at Dick’s heart to step away, he did. And he took as much time with each of them as they needed. Batman couldn’t focus only on one child after all, especially when others showed signs of having gone through something similar to Damian. Gradually though, Dick got them all settled down, untied, and called Oracle to let her know to send police and paramedics. Then he swung by Damian to scoop him up into his arms --the kid for once not arguing being carried-- and corralled everyone downstairs.

Dick could see the lights of the emergency vehicles through the windows, and sent the children out before him, lingering back in the building with Damian. The last thing he wanted to do was let go of his brother, even if it was to hand him off to medical professionals. He’d just gotten him back, and the mere thought of having him out of his sight for a second felt impossible to manage. All he could think of were the number of --mostly implausible-- ways Damian could end up hurt or in danger again.

He was starting to see why Bruce had been so protective of his Robins.

"Batman?" Damian's voice was very quiet in the dim lighting.

"Yes?"

Damian shifted so his face was pressed a little closer to Dick's neck, "I'm sorry. I got caught."

"No, you have nothing to be sorry for. I'm sorry I let you get taken."

"I-" Damian sighed, "Thank you for coming."

Dick tugged him a little closer, mindful that he still had injuries that needed to be cared for, "Always. Now, what do you say we sneak out and let Alfred finish patching you up? The police are used to Batman disappearing, and I found you before I ever reported you missing."

Damian, hummed, “I would like that, I want to go home.”

Dick pressed a kiss into Damian’s hair, “Then straight home we go.”

#Damian Wayne #Dick Grayson #whumptober2021 #day 1 #bound #barbed wire #you have to let go #injury #blood #hurt/comfort #angst #whump #happy ending #precious posts #no editing we die like robins

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levis-little-nuggie · 3 years

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(SFW) prompt 84: “Leave me alone.” “I brought cookies.” “… fine, come in.” with Leviathan and f!mc

Hey nonny! For this prompt, I immediately knew how to start this and I knew it was going to be "easy" for me to write it but it took me... awhile... to finally sit down and write this.

Thank you so much for the request, I hope you enjoy this at least half as much as I did writing it 💜💜

Inspired by this rolling pin

SFW, female MC, fluffy with a dash of angst, no warnings (but can be added if requested)

Cookies for the Otaku

The timer rang and she picked herself off the counter. Sliding on the oven mitts, MC opened the oven, pulled out the tray, closed the oven, and turned off the timer. The kitchen resumed its relative silence as she inspected the baked cookies. She'd made enough, she hoped, for Beel and the other brothers, but this last batch was special.

Resisting the urge to sigh again, MC waited a few minutes before removing the cookies from the pan to let them rest on the wire cooling rack. What better way to cheer up the otaku than with her signature snickerdoodle cookies imprinted with Ruri-chan and Azuki-tan designs from the limited edition "Baking With Ruri-chan Rolling Pin" she'd bought specifically to make for Ruri-chan's number one fan.

She'd overheard the brothers this morning teasing the third-born over a picture he'd posted of the two of them from Christmas he'd tagged with #ChristmasDate and #WithMyBeloved. Mammon had started the fuss showing it to everyone and soon after, the brothers had followed suit. They filled the halls with their squawking and opinions saying things like "you wish she saw you more than a friend," and comparing what they saw as their redeeming qualities with his "flaws."

Before MC even had a chance to step in, Lucifer intervened. Much to her disdain, the eldest criticized Leviathan's decision to post the picture at all, saying he'd had the intention to cause a ruckus. MC felt Leviathan's growl of frustration vibrate the air around her before he stormed back to his room, slamming the door shut behind him. Distracted during her classes, MC sent Levi a few messages throughout the day, trying to reach him through a few of his social media accounts but his status was always unavailable or offline compared to the almost permanent active/online status.

Plating up the special cookies made just for him, MC set off down the hall not knowing what state he'd be in but wanting to help him any way she could. She knocked on the door, but only silence responded. Knocking a little louder resulted in the same silence. Starting to worry, MC jiggled the locked door handle and knocked louder; he would be able to at least feel the vibrations if he was in the aquarium.

"Go away." His voice was rough, not necessarily loud but it was low and threatening reminding her of a rattlesnake.

"Levi? It's me, I-"

"Leave me alone." He cut her off and she heard a splash of water followed by soft footsteps. His voice, no longer filled with venom, sounded defeated and sad.

"I brought cookies. Snickerdoodle? Said to hold magical powers that can turn any grumpy guppy into a silly sea turtle..." Silence stretched out the seconds and her hope gradually deflated until she'd heard him sigh and a rustle behind the door. The lock clicked soon after, the door opening barely a sliver.

"...fine. Come in." Usually he'd at least smile, tease her for using such childish alliterations when she'd attempted to cheer him up in the past. Levi's deadpan tone crawled under her skin uncomfortably but she reached out to open the door, pulling it closed behind her and locking it as he had done previously.

MC's eyes followed the trail of puddles decorating the floor around the room before her gaze landed on the culprit. Levi had fallen back in his bathtub bed, legs dangling over the edge as his computer's screensaver cast an unsettling glow in the room.

Walking over to his desk to set down the plate of cookies, MC moved the mouse slightly causing the screen flicker to life; she wasn't interested with what was on the screen so much as the default screensaver had been silently mocking her.

MC took a cookie from the plate and placed it in her mouth, moving to stand between his legs. She held her hand out expectantly, waiting for the third-born to take it and let her pull him up. Eventually when he reached for her hand, Levi locked his legs around hers, lifting her before pulling her down into the tub with him. The cookie had fallen during the movement as she had yelped in surprise, and landed on his chest.

Arranging themselves to be comfortable, MC was lying on her back and Levi had his head resting on her stomach, her fingers brushing through his wet hair with the cookie lying innocently on her abdomen. It was quiet for awhile, neither of them spoke but the atmosphere was comforting, reassuring.

Finally, MC felt his fingers ghost along her stomach to inspect the cookie. It was too dim to see the pattern but she wasn't concerned about it; he'd see the design eventually.

"You made these?" His voice was barely above a whisper so as to not disrupt the mood.

"Mhmm," an affirmative hum in response, fingers still sifting through his hair, nails lightly scratching at his scalp. Levi hugged her a little tighter before lifting himself up, cookie in his mouth like she had done earlier, and held his head right above hers, the cookie gently pressed against her lips. Levi couldn't meet her gaze and she swore she could feel the heat radiating from his face, but she raised her head to take a bite from the offered sweet.

Crumbles rained down onto her face and she laughed, bringing up a hand to swipe them away causing Levi to shove the rest of the cookie into his mouth not knowing what else to do with it and not wanting to drop any more crumbs on her.

"It was supposed to be romantic, I'm sorry I messed it up," she could hear the pout in his voice. Looping her arms around his shoulders, MC pulled herself up to kiss him on the cheek, his skin warm against her lips.

"Romance is for boomers and normies. You're adorable and literally perfect the way you are." Levi groaned and leaned forward, burying his face against her neck, his chest rumbling as he tried not to whine.

The two of them shifted their positions again with practiced ease learned from maneuvering around in his narrow bathtub bed. Her ear against his chest listening to the rhythm of his heart beat and his arm resting gently on her upper back. She could feel his hand ghosting over her arm, still showing his shy, hesitant nature.

"Do you want to talk about it? This morning I mean." She felt him tense up and moved her hand from under her chin to splay her fingers gently on his chest to which he flinched from the contact. "We don't have to if you don't want to, I just want to make sure you're okay. You weren't online all day." Her voice got quieter the longer she spoke until the last sentence was mumbled.

"Eh? I bet you jumped around all my accounts to see if I'd been active." MC shrunk down trying to make herself smaller and he let out a laugh. "You did? Oh you totally did! Let me guess, DevilTube, Devilgram, Devilbook, Devcord, don't tell me you also checked Devtrest? Man I haven't been on that one in ages!!" Levi continued laughing and MC playfully smacked her hand on his chest with a scoff, her face burning as he teased her.

"And you even made me cookies too?" Levi sighed and wrapped his arms around her in a hug, squeezing her for a few seconds before pulling away. A hand lingered on her shoulder made her heart swoon. "I just," he started before stopping short, trying to collect and organize his thoughts and she waited patiently as he knew she would.

"You're so patient with me, I'm, I should be able to show you off to my brothers, to the world like you deserve. I should be confident enough to announce that we're, y-you know, t...to..., GAH! I can't even say it! I'm sorry MC, that I'm so use-"

"I don't think so," MC snapped back and pushed herself up to straddle him, smooshing his cheeks together to make fish lips, effectively cutting him off. "Do you remember what we talked about?" Levi looked away and huffed an exhale through his nose. "About being nice to ourselves?" MC still had a hold on his face squishing his cheeks together so he wasn't able to vocally respond but he huffed again before nodding slowly. She released his cheeks and patted his head, watching him expectantly. It was a battle they had frequently, waiting for the other to break first, but he always caved.

"Fine, fine, I give in, you win." As part of their agreement, whenever they caught each other saying something negative or self-depreciating, the one that was caught has to then say a compliment about themselves. "Ah, I'm Ruri-chan's number one fan!" Levi laughed and MC playfully huffed in response before standing and leaving the bathtub bed.

Levi peeked his head over the rim of the tub, worried he'd actually upset her, his eyes following as she walked to his desk and spotted the plate of cookies. He smacked his lips relishing in the sweet aftertaste and his stomach growled signaling it hadn't had a morsel of food all day. Pulling himself out of the tub, Levi padded over next to her and sat down in his chair.

Waiting until he got comfortable, MC sat down in his lap, facing him, and wrapped her arms around his torso, nuzzling her face against his sternum. Levi rested his chin on the top of her head and opened up his social media accounts to catch up on notifications and news, forgetting about his hunger. Hearing his stomach rumble, MC reached over for another cookie, holding it so the glow from the computer highlighted the imprinted design on top.

"If your her number one fan, then that makes me an enabler." Confused by her words, Levi looks down at the cookie in her hand and squealed, cupping her hand holding the baked good gently like it was a precious delicacy.

"MC," he whined. "Is this from the Limited Edition Baking With Ruri-chan Rolling Pin featuring Ruri-chan and Azuki-tan in their aprons and chef hats?" The designs smiling back up at him confirmed his suspicion. "But, we went to all the stores, all the lottery tickets, how were you lucky enough to get one?" She tittered knowing he was impressed and her surprise a success.

"Someone bought one by accident not realizing the design was themed. They wanted the original Ruri-chan design and returned the limited edition one."

"What?!? That's, how does that even happen?" Levi exclaimed, confounded by the happenstance.

"The store clerk was confused too, they could have made bank if they would have sold it instead but nope; they made an even exchange. The clerk remembered how desperate we were to get one and held on to it in case we were to stop by again. Mammon and I were window shopping when the clerk flagged me down. He said by doing us this favor, he hopes we'll seek him out first for future rare merch drops."

Levi was quiet for a moment, considering the design imprinted on the homemade baked good. His free hand lifted, running his fingers along her neck, urging her to pull back and she followed suit, her eyes blinking wide up at the otaku. Levi's hand held her head steady, his finger under her chin, blinking slowly and a soft smile parting his lips.

"I change my answer, I'm your number one fan." Her heart skipped a beat as he pressed his lips softly against hers and she melted. Their flushed cheeks mirrored each other and as she found herself dazed, he realized what he'd done and his face burned hotter. Looking everywhere else, Levi's attention was brought back to the cookie and he quickly took a bite as a distraction. Actually tasting and enjoying the sweet, he let out a delighted hum while he chewed and MC laughed in response, grabbing another cookie for herself to eat.

"You know," he spoke up after finishing his cookie, "I'm a pretty big fan of these cookies too."

"You're not gonna kiss the cookie too, right? Cause that'd be weird." MC snorted with laughter and Levi sputtered before following her in laughter feeling the weight of the day, of the morning, finally drift away.

#obey me #obey me levi #obey me leviathan #obey me shall we date #om leviathan #om swd #om levi #obey me lucifer #om lucifer #obey me sfw #obey me levi x mc #om levi x mc #obey me female mc #obey me f!mc #obey me levi fluff #om levi fluff #obey me levi angst #om levi angst #double check tags

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thekillingjoke-haha · 3 years

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Prime Time,Bitch!

Tagged: @spnquotebingo the keep reading function is messing up for me

Sam said he was locked up tight in the dungeon. He was never locked in with her. She was locked in with him. The hunter becomes the hunted with no where to run.

Warning: Mature Language,Blood,Gore,Character Death?

-"Thoughts"- (they are red for those who can see)"Quotes" 'Reading'

"I'll be right back. This demon side is fighting to stay in control. I just need a few more pints of blood." Sam said as he slung a bag on his shoulder. "Yeah I got it get some food to!" Y/n said with a smile as she walked him to the impala. The roar of the engine rumbled as she waved him off going back inside what she didn't know was Dean knew that Sam just left and a chilling smile grew on his face.

Y/n popped popcorn as she sat in her room a horror movies playing as she got comfortable. A scream came from the movie drowning out the sound of the dungeon door opening up. The youngest Winchester laughed as a girl tripped over nothing her and Dean always make fun of them they had no real reason to hit the ground so they should get right up. This made her slightly sad. Was Sam going to fix Dean or was it already to late for him? Shaking off the thought the killer was about to crush the women's skull when the power cut out,but the red emergency lights didn't cut on yet which was weird. "God damnit." She grumbled getting up and grabbed a flashlight and went to the breaker to fix it walking right past the open door. Flipping the switch the normal lights don't turn on only the red ones and she turned around to get her phone to call Sam when she dropped her flashlight. Y/n gazed at the empty chair in the center of a devils trap she took off running to her room,but paused he knew she would run there for her phone and Dean or the demon he's become won't let her get help. She changed course to Sam's panic room to hide.

"Oh N/n where are you? I miss my little sister don't you miss me?" A metal sound of something dragging on the floor made her tense. Thinking of all possible things it could be of how she's going to die.–'It could be a bat,but we don't have any metal ones in the bunker. Maybe a sledgehammer,but that would have ment he when into the garage and the power going out would have locked everything.''– Her eyes widen as she released what it was he must have been carrying around she was sharpening it with the rest of the blades earlier that day."Have you figured it out yet? I know how you think when a horror movie is playing you see ever scenario before the movie can catch up. No wonder Sammy says you cheat at Clue!" Dean laughed as he seemed to wander to each room. The sound of wood splitting as he yelled "Here's Johnny!!!" It seemed so much worse that Dean was the evil this time a normal demon would know her so personally this seemed almost cruel him quoting films they watched together. "What to clichés? I admit the axe is old school."

The panic room the size of a cubbie it was so small,but just big enough I could calm down and think properly. Looking up another version of myself sat in front of me...my conscience. I could speak,but she could she's in my head after all. –"You can't run. There's nowhere to go doors locked down the moment the lights went."– I saw a illusion of myself running through the halls just to hit a corner and get a axe to the chest before it faded away. –"Can't go for your phone or your laptop he probably broke it the moment he noticed you weren't in your room."– I saw myself creep into my room just to see a shattered phone and my laptop with a cracked screen buffering to open instant messenger to text Sam. The laptop was slammed shut on my fingers causing some to break and get sliced by the glass looking up the sick grin of the Demon caught my eye before the axe ended that path. –"The burner. The one in your dresser Dean doesn't know about it so neither would the demon.Get it and get back here as quickly as possible. "– It was settled call for help. Listening for any foot steps I creep out of the hiding space a faint whistle going off down one of the many halls way from my room. Sneaking down the hallway staying low I get to my room where the door is torn to shreds as I open my drawer and fish out the phone. Going back down the hallway I get back to Sam's room and immediately call him.

"This call has been forwarded to a automatic voice message at the tone ples–" Hanging up I call again and again with no answer. At this point help was no longer a option. The whistling seemed to get closer and I rushed to the panic room until I paused. –"A enclosed space in a closet. There's not much space to move around if he finds you there your done for."– I back away slightly. –"Behind the door offers a easy place to hide and get out,but if he does the same to Sammy's door he did to yours it's not much of a hiding spot then."– A axe goes through the door creating a massive hole and Dean peaks inside and sees the white of you tank top in your (f/n) flannel. The door was whole again as I looked around the sound of metal getting louder running out of time. –"Under the bed allows you to see him without him seeing you,but like the panic cubbie not a lot of wiggle room if he hears you your done."– It was too late running to the metal door of the panic room she slams it shut not to loud to sound like she's trying to hide it,but just loud enough for the demon to register it. Sealing it shut I slip under the bed and wait for the time to get out and hopefully find a weapon.

Boots walked into the room turning to the closed closet. "Oh N/n!~ There's only so many places to hide in such a small room. Did you really think I wouldn't hear that heavy ass door close?" He chuckled darkly as he opened the closet and went to the small door. Dean tried turning the wheel to unsealed it,but it seemed to dawn on him that it could only be opened from the inside. With a huff anger he began pulling the brick of the wall started to bend outwards and crack. I was glad I wasn't in there. Going to slip out from under the bed while he's distracted the burner phone rang its annoying ringtone. Not even bothering to stop it I rush to get out faster,but a firm grip caught my ankle and dragged me out. Turning onto my back Dean stood their his apple green eyes staring at me. "Found you." He lifted up the axe having let go of my ankle lifting up my feet I put as much strength as possible into kicking his stomach. The demon was knocked back into the closest hitting the ground. Unfortunately axe still in hand. Stanfing up I ran leaving the phone behind. -"Sam took Baby so the trunk armory is out of the question. The garage has so pretty handy tools too bad that it was sealed along with the front and only entrance. Kitchen has knifes none that can hurt him,but just enough to slow him down. Library demon blade was in there last you checked,but Sam could have grabbed and put it on a high shelf."– Too many options and the kitchen was closer so that was the first stop grabbing a knife I held it tightly as a stalked slowly to the Library to see if there were any supernatural weapons.

The library was dark and the red lighting barely lit up the large room. "Would you like to play a game?" Dean mocked in a deep voice as he went around the bunker his voice echoing no real pinpointing where he is. I can't call Sam and prying to Cas hasn't worked meaning Dean made angel banishing symbols in most of the rooms. Y/n was getting desprit the bunkers massive size most of it was unexplored by them so being lost in a underground maze b wasn't the best option. "Are you scared yet Y/n? Well be afraid. Be very afraid. I'm what goes bump in the night sweetheart! Never thought the Winchester’s downfall will be by the hands of the oldest. What a twist!!! Right?" Dean yelled turning to the table I saw the supplies I cleaned with,but the weapons were gone and a note was left on in their place. 'Hey Y/n I put the weapons back into the trunk for tomorrow's hunt so you wouldn't have to...you're welcome and your blade was just sitting on the table so I put it up. ~Love Sam' I wanted to cry oh chuck nothing can save me in this buncker Bobby was sending us gallons of holy water next week because we were low...all rooms were demon proof,but he seemed to be a exception now,so no calling Crowley either.

Turning around the library doors open and I duck behind one of the many shelves. "Welcome to my nightmare!~" He said with a chuckle that bounced from every wall. Dean knocked down books and destroyed anything in his way while he looked around. Crawling on the ground I go to leave when the sound of something whooshing in the arm made me drop like a bag of rocks. The axe meet the shelf and I gazed at the red illuminated face of my brother eyes now black and demented. Laughter bubbled out of his chest as he mumbled. "Carful dear wouldn't want to lose you head." Yanking the axe free many books tumbled down. Taking the kitchen knife in hand I slash his calf and go for his thigh when the knife is flung out of my hands. "You little bitch!!!" He hissed now holding the knife and showing it into my stomach. A silent cry came from my lips bot to give him the satisfaction of my screams just yet. I look up at him and just past his head where I couldn't normally reach was the handle of my blade peeking over the shelf.

I begin to giggle and it turns into fits of laughter. Black eyes flicker back to confused green ones. "What's so funny?" I catch my breath as I lean up slightly. "You picked the wrong place to corner me. Wanna play?" Grabbing his knee and pulling it buckled under him causing Dean to hit the shelf letting the blade fall freely. Reaching out I catch it "Let’s play." Stabbing upward into his stomach the same place the knife was lodged in my own stomach. He howled in pain as I removed the blade and ran keeping pressure on the knife wound as I turned corners just to get away. -'He played with your head play with his. The intercomes...a good distraction can lead him away and let you get the jump.'- I hurry to the intercoms not before making a pit stop.

Demon!Dean POV

I growl at the wound on my body the little shit stabbed me. This makes killing her so much easier then she can be just like me. Grabbing the axe I stomp through the bunker. "What a excellent day for an exorcism." Her voice sounded through the speakers now I know were she is. "Would you like that?" I said aloud with a grin. "Intensely." Y/n said trying to make her voice horse before the clipping sound of the intercom stopping rang out before being replaced with a creepy melody that always scared her. "There was a crooked man. He walked a crooked mile he had a crooked six pence upon a crooked stile." It went on with childish like tones until it got further in the song it was so god damn loud though. "The crooked man stepped forth and... rang the crooked bell and thus his crooked soul... spiraled into a crooked hell.Murdered his crooked family... and laughed a crooked laugh." My ear drums almost burst at the loud deep voiced scream ears still ringing I didn't register the blade being driving into my sholder flinging her back I turn around as she's running down the narrow hallway taking the axe with both hands throw it straight and the axe hit her almost dead center in the spine. The audio cut off after the song and I stood over her. Y/n had her face turned coughing up blood I definitely hit her lung. "Thanks for catching it for me." I smile as I heavily put my foot on the small of her back pulling the axe out. She screamed out it was mildly gurgle from the blood. Turning her over my little sisters eyes shined with unshed tears. "Oh,no tears,please. It's a waste of good suffering." I said with a small whipping the few that slipped by she whimpered Sam's name and I grew frustrated. Lifting the axe again. "Looks like you couldn't make the cut,N/n. Just another extra that stuck around for too long." Dropping the axe down it went into her chest the creaking of her collar bone and sternum were whispers compared to the blood curdling cry. They soon died out as her skin paled and her breathing stopped she'llmake a strong demon. "See you soon." Taking the axe out I begin to drag her body.

The lights in the bunker cut back on meaning Sammy was home. Having placed her perfectly in the chair I was tied to I wait until he finds her standing next to the door. "Y/n?! Y/n!?" He yelled most likely having gone to her room rushing the the dungeon his heavy foot steps abruptly stopped. "Oh God! Y/n come on!" The moose of a man rushed in the room cradling her face in his hand. "You were too late, Sammy. She called your name before she went,but I guess five missed calls wasn't enough for you to rush home. N/n fought for so long waiting it out just for you to never show." I said closing the door as he turned to me standing infront of her corpse. "You didn't make things easy on her. I mean you took all the weapons and put the only thing to defend herself on the top shelf...like keeping the cookie jar way from a child. In some way you killed her before I could." Lifting the demon blade that had his own blood on it. I stalked towards him cornering him in the room. "Sure you won't give me a good chase,but woah she wore me out." Holding the blade to his throat when a gun shot fired and a sting hit my arm causing me to drop the knife.

Y/n stood colt in her left hand the axe keeping her up in her left. "Demons always so sure that what's dead is dead and can't be undead. Ever heard of a pulse jackass. " so distracted that she was alive Sam was able to restrain and she held a handful of bags of blood. "Let's get this over with." She bagan to inject me and I felt myself become mire human and I started thrashing hard. With the last vile in hand she looked into my eyes. "You should be dead." I hissed as she pushed the needle in. "Sorry. I'm into survival."

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

A/n This is the last one in round one of the Spnquotebingo and I ended with a dozen quotes.

Title: "Prime Time,Bitch!" Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

"Here's Johnny!" -The shinning

"Would you like to play a game?" - Saw

"...be afraid. Be very afraid"- The fly

"Welcome to my nightmare."- Nightmare on Elm Street

"..lose your head." Alice in Wonderland

"Wanna play?"- Child's Play

"What a excellent day for an exorcism...Would you like that?....Intensely." - The Exorcist

"There was a crooked man. He walked a crooked mile he had a crooked six pence upon a crooked stile." It went on with childish like tones until it got further in the song it was so god damn loud though. "The crooked man stepped forth and... rang the crooked bell and thus his crooked soul... spiraled into a crooked hell.Murdered his crooked family... and laughed a crooked laugh." - The Conjuring 2

"Oh,no tears,please. It's a waste of good suffering." - Hellraiser

"See you soon." - Coraline

"She called your name before she went,but I guess..." -Hadestown

"...what's dead is dead and can not me undead." -Jacksepticeye (DBD playthrough)

"I'm into survival." ‐Nightmare on Elm Street

#spnquotebingo #supernatural #dean winchester #sam winchester #winchester!sister #winchester!reader #demon!dean #horror movies #horror quotes #Dean winchester x sister!reader #sam winchester x sister!reader #castiel #crowly #hunter being hunted

124 notes · View notes

dp-marvel94 · 3 years

Text

Face to Face- Chapter 34

Summary: When Danny went through the ghost catcher, he expected to be cured of the ghostliness that had haunted him since the accident, not to wake up on the lab floor with his parents saying he’d been overshadowed but everything’s back to normal now. But why does Danny Fenton cry himself to sleep to then dream of flying? Why does Phantom, the ghost who was supposedly possessing Danny remember a life that wasn’t his? Most of all, why do both the human and the ghost feel that something vital is missing, in their very soul? Or: Trying to cure himself of his powers one month after the accident, Danny accidentally splits himself but neither his ghost nor his human half know that that is what they did

First -> Last -> Next

Word Count: 5,208

Also on AO3 and Fanfiction.net

Note: I'm finally back with an update! It's been a while. I've been busy with my Invisobang story but it's finally finished. There's more about that at the end. But anyway, enjoy this much awaited chapter of Face to Face!

Fenton was distracted staring at the clock...again. His math teacher, Mr. Faluca, droned on in front of him and he was trying to listen. He really was but….there was just so much going on in his mind. Yes, he was less worried now that Phantom was back from the Ghost Zone, but now his curiosity was peaked. Halfa. There was a word for what he was and right now, his other self was talking about that with Sidney, the ghost he’d met earlier.

Fenton was so tempted to peak. He could, he realized. He could softly withdraw and see through Phantom’s eyes and hear through his ears. But… he needed to stay here, stay present. He was the human half right now, just Fenton. He couldn’t risk getting lost, getting tangled up with Phantom again before they were ready and able to really be one person.

So Fenton pushed away the thought. He put his pencil to his paper, copying the numbers and equations down. So this was new material. His brow furrowed, trying to figure out where the teacher was. After a few minutes, his expression relaxed. Alright, okay. This was actually starting to make sense.

Class continued and Fenton continued taking notes. About ten minutes later, the intercom turned on. “Danny Fenton.” The boy looked up, stiffening at his name. “Danny Fenton. Your father’s here to pick you up.”

Fenton’s stomach suddenly flopped with nerves as he felt his classmates’ eyes on him.

Mr. Faluca turned to look at the boy. “Go ahead Danny.”

He quickly started packing up his things, trying to ignore the muttering of the teens around him. Moments later, he stood and slung his bag over his shoulders. Head hung low, Fenton walked past his teacher and opened the door as the lesson continued without him.

Now in the hallway, his thoughts whirled, his worries resurging. Why was his Dad here? Why was he picking him up early? And-

The boy paused, the realization suddenly hitting him like a freight train as he passed by the rusty locker 724. Phantom. His ghost half had run off, in front of Mom. The woman was probably worried out of her mind.

The boy then continued, pulling his phone out of his pocket. Huh...it was actually surprising that he hadn’t got a panicked phone call from one of his parents yet. But that must be why Dad was here to pick him up. Obviously, Mom had told Dad what happened in the lab. And it made sense. If ghost Danny was missing, they’d want to make sure human Danny was safe at least.

Fenton’s heart sank in guilt at that thought. He hadn’t even called his parents. Not after he’d calmed down at lunch and not after Phantom had arrived through the portal. They’d both been silent for the past hour. Well...at least he’d get the chance to tell his parents what happened and ease their worries soon. Actually, he could do more than just tell them that Phantom was safe.

The human reached out with his mind, calling into the empty space between the two pieces of his mind. Phantom?

A gentle nudge was received in acknowledgement.

Fenton swallowed. Dad’s here to pick me up. You need to come too. He’s probably worried out of his mind.

The echo of his own guilt came back, projected from Phantom. Alright. I’ll meet you in the car.

Fenton nodded, humming in acknowledgement before he turned his attention back to walking down the hall. After a quick stop at his locker, the boy continued towards the front office. He pushed open the door, freezing as he saw the people staring back at him.

“Dad….Jazz.” He muttered, eyes flickering between his father and sister’s worried faces.

“Danny.” Dad breathed, relief flashing over his face. He took a step forward, sweeping the boy up in a hug.

The human Danny stiffened, blushing at the attention. His gaze shifted to the secretary who was looking at the large figure blocking the door with barely contained judgment. “Dad. I’m okay.” The boy muttered, pulling away.

His father’s face fell but before he could reply, Jazz advanced. Her face was set with deep worry. “Danny. Do you know where-”

“Yes.” Fenton cut her off, anticipating her question. “He’s safe.”

“But where-” She started.

“Not right here.” The boy whispered.

“Come on. Let’s go to the car.” Dad interjected, placing a gentle hand on Fenton’s shoulder.

The man returned to the desk to sign the two teenagers out of school before the three quickly walked towards the front doors. They exited, crossing the parking lot towards the GAV. Dad unlocked the vehicle and the three piled in.

As soon as Fenton was seated in the backseat, Jazz turned to face him from her place in the front. “Your ghost half ran away to the Ghost Zone?!” Her eyes were wide, tone rising with exacerbation.

“Yes. We did but-” Fenton held on his hands.

“How could you do that, Danny?!” She pointed. “And how long ago was this?”

“Maybe...an hour and a half? But-”

“An hour and half?!” Jazz glared. “And you didn’t come get me! You didn’t even call-”

“Jazz.” Dad cut her off, voice uncharacteristically serious. “Stop berating your brother.” He turned to Fenton, expression softening. “The other you is safe?”

The human Danny nodded. “Yes.”

“And where is he?” The man calmly asked.

His eyes flickered out towards the school. “Still in the school.”

“What?” Jazz gapped.

Dad raised a brow. “Maddie said he ran off through the portal.”

“We...he did.” Fenton bit his lip. “But uh...long story short, he managed to find his way back.”

“How?” His sister asked.

“So...umm...apparently, there’s a portal to the Ghost Zone in one of the lockers? Phantom managed to find it and flew through it.”

“And he’s still in the school because?” Jazz sounded slightly skeptical.

“He’s making sure Sidney gets back to the Ghost Zone okay.” Fenton said plainly, the information suddenly entering his mind. “He’ll meet us out here soon.”

Dad’s brow furrowed. “Who’s Sidney?”

“Oh.” The boy blinked, realizing what he said. “He’s...uh...a ghost who helped the other me find the portal. They talked about ghost stuff and..” He met Dad’s eyes, tentatively. “Apparently, the ghosts have a word for what I am. I’m a halfa.”

His father’s eyes widened in response. For a long moment, he paused as if processing. Then he swallowed. “We can talk about all of that later but your mother….”

Fenton paled, looking down. “Oh...uhh...yeah.” He froze, anymore words dying in his throat.

Jazz broke the silence. “Where is Mom?”

Dad’s frown deepened. “She’s….” He trailed off as if it was too hard to continue.

More tense silence. There was a tickle in the back of his mind, Phantom wondering if Dad was still waiting in the parking lot. Fenton replied with the image in front of him.

Phantom responded. Wait for me. I’m coming.

The ghost’s more active presence withdrew before Fenton could reply. The human looked up. “Phantom will be here in less than a minute.”

True to what he said, his ghost self soon phased through the back of the GAV. He flickered into view beside his human self.

Dad and Jazz both flinched, surprised at the sudden appearance before relaxing.

Phantom bit his lip. “I’m here now. Sorry it took so long.”

“You didn’t have any trouble with the ghost, did you?” Dad asked, raising a brow.

The ghost boy shook his head. “Nope. Sidney’s cool. We had to finish our conversation.” For a second, Dad and Jazz looked like they wanted to ask. But Phantom continued before they could, his gaze flickering nervously around the van. “Where...where’s Mom?”

There was a pause before Dad started, tentatively. “Your mom….she…” He pulled out his phone. “She left me a message on my phone. Here...let me show you.”

Fenton and Phantom both said nothing, anxiety flaring as the man pulled up the voicemail.

“Jack! Pick up your phone!” Mom’s panicked voice rang through the phone. “Come on Jack! You need to pick up! Jack!” Her voice rose as she rambled. “Our son...our son, he ran off through the portal. Through the portal Jack! He...he came downstairs to talk to me and….I f-cked up Jack. I f-cked up!” Fenton flinched, shocked at the language.

“Oh god I...I...Jack, I screwed up.” Her voice wavered, sounding watery. “He...he said...he said he was upset with me and...and...oh god...I just yelled at him. I just sat there and yelled at him and….oh god, I f-cked up Jack.”

There was a clatter, the sound of quick footsteps. “He ran off and…. I need to fix this. I have to fix this. I….” She paused, determination entering her voice. “I’m going through the portal. I’m...I’m going to find our son and bring him home.” More clatter, metal thumping again metal. “Go pick up Jazz and the other Danny. Make sure they’re safe and tell them I love them. And I’ll see you soon, okay? I’ll see you soon and the rest of our son will be with me.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The message ended with a beep. There was a sudden, deep silence. After far too long, Phantom spoke. “She went...she went after us. Through the portal.”

Dad nodded grimly. “I went back to the house before coming to get you and she was gone.”

The ghost’s hands were shaking. “She’s….Mom’s in the Ghost Zone, looking for me. But…” He put his head in his hands. “I’m not there.”

“I know.” Dad said quietly. “You’re safe and...your mom is a capable woman. She’ll be okay.” He turned back to face the windshield. “We need to head home now, okay? We’ll find a way to get up with her and everything will be okay.”

Phantom really hoped so. He did. He took a seat beside Fenton, reaching for his seat belt at the same time the human reached for his. The ghost’s hand lingered over the lock. He hadn’t done this, hadn’t been in a car since he’d split himself, since he was still trying to pretend that he was a normal human. He buckled the seatbelt. Now he was a ghost and he was sitting in the back of the GAV and Mom was the one lost in the Ghost Zone. Suddenly, he wanted to zip right out of this car, through the roof and go home. He needed to find Mom, even if...even if-.

He shivered, a thousand possibilities tumbling around in his head. He’d managed to push it away for a time but what Mom had said to him before he ran off still tore at his heart. The anger had leaked out of him but he was still hurt and scared and confused. And now he was shook up after hearing that message. Mom cussed. She cussed. And she was panicking and scared and said she’d screwed up, that she’d had to fix this. She was determined to bring him home. Was she...maybe she was sorry? Maybe she...she got it now. And...he wanted to hope. He wanted to hope so bad but it hurt and he didn’t know what to do or think or-

Fenton leaned into him, interrupting his thought. There was a brief flash of worry and then...the human was taking deep, purposeful breaths, trying to calm down. Phantom needed to calm down too. He couldn’t panic, couldn’t worry about all this right now. Instead he leaned back into Fenton’s side and tried to relax. Passively, the two clasped hands.

“Danny?” Jazz’s voice interrupted, her eyes focusing on Phantom, who looked up in acknowledgement. “I’m happy you’re safe.” She bit her lip and the ghost boy knew she was nervous like he was. “It’s going to be okay.” The girl could have been saying that for his benefit or for her own.

In response, Dad’s gaze flickered towards his daughter and then at the two boy’s through the rearview mirror. His eyes rounded, worriedly but lovingly, before he focused back on the road as they turned a corner.

The vehicle flew down the road while the passengers sat in silence. For once, Dad’s fast driving was the least distressing thing on Phantom’s mind. And it was fitting, that the man was in such a hurry to get home and figure out what to do. But the ghost had already made up his mind.

After what somehow felt like the blink of an eye and hours at the same time, the vehicle pulled into the driveway and slammed to a stop. All the passengers unbuckled. In a breath, Phantom turned invisible.

Dad looked back, eyes widening. Jazz gasped in worry. “Danny!”

The boy huffed. “I’m still right here. I’m gonna stay invisible until we get in the house. I don’t exactly want the neighbors to see me.”

His sister sighed. “Alright.”

“Come on kids.” Dad said visibly relaxing.

Phantom exited the GAV, following his human self. He shivered in the air. Now that he was here, at the house, it was taking all his self control to not dart forward in front of his family and fly down to the lab, through the portal, and-

Fenton found his wrist without effort and led him to the front door without a word. Dad unlocked it and the kids followed him into the house. Once they’d passed the threshold, Phantom had had enough. With the door closed, he returned to visibility and raced across the living room, kitchen, and down the basement stairs. He stopped at the bottom, eyes falling on the still open portal.

Behind him, the sound of footsteps pounded. His sister’s and father’s worried voices rang out. But the ghost didn’t listen, too focused on the portal and the soft song emanating from it. A sound which he knew the purpose of and wasn’t as scared of anymore.

Fenton jogged through the door and hopped down the stairs with the rest of the family at his heels. The human stopped abruptly, coming to stand beside his ghost who then turned to face his father and sister.

“I need to go after her.” Phantom said quietly but with determination.

Jazz’s expression shifted, turning serious. “You can’t do that.”

“Jazz.” He started, testedly. “I need to help Mom. She’s only...she’s only there because of me and anything could be happening to her and-”

“Your Mom can handle herself.” Dad cut in, equally serious. “I don’t want you putting yourself in danger too.”

The human Danny frowned. “She went off without a plan. No supplies. No idea what she’d face. She’s probably lost.”

His sister argued. “And getting yourself lost wouldn’t help her!”

“I won’t get lost.” The ghost straightened, confidently. “Look. Mom’s not coming back on her own until she finds me. I’ve actually been in the Ghost Zone before. And I can fly. I can get us out of trouble if something happens and get both of us back in no time.”

Dad took a breath considering. “I understand that son. But...none of that will help you if you manage to get lost yourself. You don’t know how far away your mom is. And what if you do find her but get lost on the way back?”

“Mom couldn’t have gotten that far.“ Fenton insisted, holding up his arms. “And Phantom literally can’t get lost.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jazz rose a brow in challenge.

“I literally can’t get lost in the Ghost Zone.” The ghost deadpanned. He grabbed onto Fenton’s arm. “If other me stays here, I’ll always have a beacon to lead me back.”

Dad and Jazz’s brows both furrowed in confusion. “Really?” Dad frowned.

“That’s how he got back to the school earlier.” Fenton supplied. “We’re connected because ya know, same person. He followed that line back to me.”

Dad tilted his head. “You could use that to find your way back after you find your mom?”

Phantom nodded. “And Fenton can keep you guys updated. I can show or tell him what’s happening.”

Dad still looked confused, like he wanted to ask more but after a long moment, acceptance crossed his face. He conceded. “Alright. Go find your mom.” The ghost boy floated higher off the floor and turned to face to portal.

“Hold on a second.” Jazz interrupted. She stepped forward and hugged Phantom. “Be careful little brother.”

“Yeah. Of course.” Ghost Danny returned the hug before pulling away.

A second later, Dad was wrapping him up in a bear hug. “I love you and...I’m sorry.”

“I...it’s okay. I love you too.” He whispered, returning the hug. His core pulsed nervously. The memory of his conversation with Dad last night flashed through his mind. He might have understood what Dad was apologizing for. For how Mom acted, for not being there for that conversation. But either way- “It’s not your fault.”

Dad didn’t reply to the statement, squeezing his son a little tighter. “Hurry back but be safe Danny-boy.”

Phantom pulled away from his father and finally, his eyes fell on the one person left to address. He grabbed Fenton’s hand and squeezed. “I'll be back soon.”

The human put his other arm around him, pulling him into a hug. “I know. Go find her. And…” He bit his lip and the ghost could feel his worry at the idea of facing Mom again. “It’ll be okay...we’ll be okay.”

The ghost squeezed back. “Yeah. We will.” He pulled away before flying towards the portal. With one last look back, he dove through for the second time that day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Ghost Zone (World of the Dead? Infinite Realms?) was the same as the last time he’d entered. Swirling green, floating rocks, purple doors in the distance. But this time, he was more aware of his immediate surroundings. He paused, right outside of the portal to take in the environment. The portal’s frame was sitting on a shelf of rock. The shelf dropped off about ten feet in front of him. To either side, it dropped off after about twenty feet. He turned back around, facing the swirling green light. There was the portal but...what if he walked behind it?

There was in fact something behind it. The frame of the portal closed off in the back, forming a wall of sleek metal that reminded him of the lab at home. Phantom turned away from the frame, his back facing it. He frowned, spotting the edge of the rock again. It went all the way around, like the portal sat in the middle of an island or...he quickly floated over to the edge. The rock continued downward, like he was on the top of a mountain or a cliff.

He felt the shadow of his heart skip a beat. If Mom wasn’t up here, then had she fallen? His eyes desperately searched over the landscape for a scrap of blue, the color of his mom’s jumpsuit.

“Mom!” He called out. “Where are you?”

There was no reply, her form not in sight. Frantically, Phantom turned to the side. Still nothing. He flew to the front of the portal. “Mom!”

He then looked down, gasping. There was a tiny spot of blue, standing out in clear contrast to the green and brown landscape. It must have been hundreds of feet down, at the base of the structure. The boy started shaking, panic overtaking him. She’d...she’d fallen, hadn’t she? Was she hurt or...or….

His eyes then widened noticing something. The small dot of blue was moving. No, not just moving. But moving quickly as if the figure was running or jogging along a narrow strip of rock, away from him. Stepping off the ledge, the ghost started descending.

“Mom!” He tried again, to no response. Obviously, she couldn’t hear him.

Phantom dove faster, keeping his eyes pinned on the blue figure as it continued down the twisting path. The road, since that’s what it resembled, twisted back, forming stairs and sloping down under itself. Then it met another, darker colored strip, forming something like a crossroads.

The ghost boy flew closer as the figure jogged down the stairs. Then he paused, flinched at what sounded like a motorcycle engine. Reflexively, he flickered invisible. He glanced down the darker path at the crossroads. Something metal glinted in the dim light as the noise approached. Seconds later, the object materialized in the crossroads. It was in fact a motorcycle and...two glowing figures sat on the bike. The blue figure froze.

Phantom paled, his speed increasing. Seconds later, he landed above the crossroads at a raised part of the road. His back faced the stairs that the blue figure had just run down. His eyes widened as he recognized the scene.

In the crossroads, two ghosts, both of whom were in their early twenties, sat on a motorcycle. The man had greasy looking blonde hair and was wearing a biker jacket. Behind him sat a woman with green hair, in a red jacket and mini skirt.

“What is that?” The woman asked.

“Kitty, I think...that’s a human.” The other glowing figure’s voice rose in harsh disbelief. “What is a human doing here?”

The girl scowled, judgmentally. “And what are they wearing?”

The blue clad figure slowly approached, holding something long and metallic to their side. “I’m not looking for any trouble.” A familiar voice rang out, slightly desperate. “Please. I’m just trying to find my son.”

Phantom gasped, his core pulsing excitedly. That was his Mom’s voice. Mom! Mom was in front of him. She was okay. She was alive and walking around and….She was...being pinned by two unfamiliar ghosts.

The ghost boy stiffened at the sudden realization. He sprung into action, calling out. “Mom!”

The two ghosts looked in his direction, brows furrowing at his exclamation. “What was that?” The girl, Kitty, asked.

Phantom ignored the question, darting in between the ghostly couple and his Mom. He tensed, holding his arms out to shield her.

“What’s going on?” Mom startled, taking a step back. “What was that?”

The man’s brow furrowed. He blinked, eyes focusing on Phantom. Then he snorted. “Kid? You tryin’ ta mess with this human too?”

“Mess with?” He muttered. Then Phantom frowned, realization hitting him like a brick wall. He was still invisible. With a slight mental push, he reappeared.

“Danny?” Mom’s disbelieving voice rang out behind him. Then it shifted into something relieved and hopeful. “Danny!”

The boy turned to the side. “Mom.” The same relief was in his voice.

The woman dropped her weapon. She took a step forward until she was close enough to touch. Mom reached out but Phantom was faster. Before he could really think about it, he was clinging to the woman from the side. “Mom! I found you.”

Mom was shaking. Her hand reached up to run fingers through his hair. “Danny. Baby, you’re okay.”

“Yeah, I’m okay.” He squeezed her. “And you’re...you’re not hurt or….”

Near the pair, someone snorted. “Mama’s boy.” Then there was yelp. “Ow. What’d you elbow me for?!”

“Give him a break Johnny.” The green haired woman chastised. “He’s what? Twelve?”

Phantom scowled, turning his head towards the other ghosts. “I’m fourteen!”

“Same difference.” The man waved him off.

Ghost Danny stepped away from his mother again. Now that he knew she was really here and uninjuried, he turned his attention back to the other ghosts, though he did cast a worried look behind him.

“So…” The man, Johnny, looked between the two, a curious if slightly up-to-no-good expression on his face. “How did a human end up here?”

“None of your business.” Mom said quickly, seriously.

Johnny raised a brow. “Some ritual to contact your dead son gone wrong?” Phantom and his mother both flinched at the word. “Found a thin spot and you waited for a portal to open.”

“Like she said.” The ghost boy glared. “It’s none of your business.”

The man smirked, opening his mouth to retort but Kitty elbowed him again. “Leave them alone Johnny. Let’s go.”

“Come on kitten. There’s a good story here.”

The young woman crossed her arms. “We’re going to Ember’s party. We’ll be late if you don’t hurry up.”

“Fine. I’m going.” Johnny rolled his eyes. Placing his hands on the handles, he pumped the gas. “See you ‘round kid.”

The two ghosts speed off, Phantom watching them warily until they disappeared into the distance. Finally, he relaxed, turning around to face the woman. For a moment, he hovered. After the initial hug, he was at a loss for what to do. He’d found Mom and she was physically okay. They should head home-

Mom quickly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him without hesitation. “Danny baby.” She gently cupped the back of his head. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Somehow, with the stress of the confrontation over, she sounded more relieved than before. Her voice broke, sounding watery. “I shouldn’t...I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I shouldn’t have said that. But I love you. I love you so much, baby.”

The ghost listened to the words, his eyes tearing up. But he didn’t have it in him to return the hug. He didn’t pull away either. Instead he stood there, torn in two directions. He was happy, so happy that his Mom was safe. And the lack of hesitation, the words. They were exactly what he wanted to hear but…..

“It’s okay. You’re okay. It’s going to be okay, Danny. I love you so much.”

What was with the change in attitude? Well, he did run off to another dimension, after telling Mom that he didn’t think she loved him. And well...oh god he had no idea what to think. This was too much. Too much. He needed to just get them home and-

Mom pulled away, peering at him with tearfilled eyes. She gently cupped his face. “Danny baby. Look at me.” Obediently, he shifted his eyes up, to maintain her gaze. But it was a struggle as tears welled in his eyes and his lip quivered. “I love you.” The woman breathed. “I love this you. I love Fenton….” He averted his gaze from her eyes, an ache piercing his core. “And I love Phantom. I love both parts of you. You’re a part...you’re a part of my son. And I love this part.” Her voice wavered, tears falling down her face. “I shouldn’t...I shouldn’t have made you think that I didn’t, that I wouldn’t love you because you’re a ghost but-”

Suddenly looking down again, Phantom pulled away. Damnit, damnit, damnit! This hurt too much. He couldn’t stay here, couldn’t do this, could’t hear her say those words when...when….

Mom’s expression fell. Slowly, she lowered her hand and didn’t reach for him again. “You’re still upset with me?”

Numbly he nodded. Yes, yes he was. Because they’d done this before. He’d heard her say this before, that she loved all of him and then she’d contradicted it with her actions. And he couldn't...he couldn’t hope again, he couldn’t trust again. It was too good to be true. It was-

“That’s alright.” Mom finally said. “You should be upset with me. I deserve that. But I do...I do lo-”

Another stab at his core. “We should get out of here.” Phantom cut her off. “We can have this conversation later, once we’re back through the portal.”

Somehow, Mom’s expression became even more heartbroken but she didn’t argue. “Come on then.” She started turning back the way she’d come.

“I was going to fly us back.” Phantom said plainly.

The woman turned back around. “Oh of course.” Her frown deepened, studying him. “You’re going to carry me?”

His shoulder’s fell, pouting. “You know that I’m perfectly capable of that.”

“That’s not what I meant, sweetie.” She said gently, taking a step forward. “How do you want to do this?”

Phantom hesitated for a moment. “Here, put one arm around my neck.” The woman did so. “And I’ll grab your legs. Now hold on.” The ghost grabbed her legs, adjusted the woman so he was holding her legs and back with his arms. Both her arms looped around his neck. Slowly, he rose off the ground. “Don’t look down.”

A small forced smile unfurled her lips. “I won’t.”

The boy hummed, looking up at their destination. “How did you get all the way down here anyway?”

“I climbed.” Mom said plainly.

“You climbed?” He rose a brow in disbelief.

“It was the only option.” She muttered. “I had to find you, Danny.” There was no anger, no judgement. Just the determination, the desperation he’s heard from her earlier.

Ghost Danny didn’t reply, looking at the portal again. Well, it turned out, he had found her instead of the other way around.

Mom bit her lip. “It really scared me, when you ran off. But...we’re going home now.” She looked at him earnestly. “Everything will be okay. I’ll...I’ll find a way to make all of this up to you.”

Oh god. He hoped...he hoped he could believe her. He wanted to but...time would tell.

Endnote: Thanks for reading! I'm also going to take some time to pump up my Invisobang story. It's 76K, guys! That's literally the second longest fic I've ever written. Posting day is August 23rd so please check it out when it comes out (For the angst, clones, identity crises, friendship, sibling bonding, and Frostbite being a good mentor/dad.)

#Danny Phantom #danny fenton #split danny #double danny #Face To Face #my fic

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avengershumanresources · 3 years

Text

blood 13 - Strange/Stark!Reader

Relationship: Dr. Strange/Princess!Stark!Reader

Rating: M

Warnings: Adult Themes, smut, adult language, implied sexual violence, general violence

Synopsis: Reader is the daughter of the legendary King Anthony Stark, Uniter of Lands, The Iron Defender, and leader of the realm. When the king disappears during battle, hope is lost and he is presumed dead.

When the late king’s uncle, Obadiah, takes the throne until your brother Peter is of age, he quickly arranges a marriage for you with a wicked king in a neighboring kingdom.

With the realms politics in question, and rumors of an upcoming siege to overthrow Peter’s rule before it starts, you quickly learn who is loyal to the crown and who is not.

part 12 - part 14

Masterlist

Chapter Playlist (Issue resolved! Enjoy!)

13 - a surprise

Considering the chaos outside, the castle was unnervingly silent.

Not a single servant was to be seen. Doors were closed up tight, the valuables that once decorated the hallways had been removed, likely stored away for safekeeping.

You never felt the castle so cold and lifeless before. Usually someone was fussing to and fro, a servant running food, a guard switching shifts, even Peter running through the halls laughing with Morgan on his heel.

This felt like a shadow of your home. An empty husk of something once beautiful, now dead and gone.

It wasn’t right.

“It’s nice of you to join us,” a familiar voice commented from the shadows.

Both Loki and Stephen’s hands ignited with magic, but Nat didn’t even flinch, her gaze boring you while you tried to keep your head down.

“Wanda, you’re taller,” she noted with a nod.

“I’m not Wanda,” you ignored the scowl from Stephen’s direction and pulled back the hood, glaring back defiantly. “I’m not lying to her. Not now.”

You didn’t add “not when we could all die tonight”. Though you were pretty sure the group understood your unspoken meaning.

In adding to the list of things unusual and unnatural that day, Nat’s expression shifted from an unreadable mask to shock to genuine relief.

“You’re alive,” she whispered, reaching forward and cradling your hands in hers. Never one for a hug or obvious intimacy, this was as close to affection as you knew you would get. “How?”

“It’s a long story,” Loki cut in. “One that I am sure will be very interesting after we’ve secured the castle.”

His words seemed to snap Nat out of her awed daze and back into focus. Shaking her head, she pulled away and looked back to the men.

“Why would you bring the princess here?” she backtracked.

“I’m the secret weapon,” you whispered with a half smile. Nat shot you a look of puzzlement. You prayed there would be a time, later on, when you could explain the intricacies of it all. Perhaps then you would know even better yourself.

For now, vagueness and secrecy would have to do. There simply wasn’t time.

“Where can we find Amora?” Stephen went straight back to the point. You could tell he felt uneasy from the moment the three of you stepped foot back into the castle. He didn’t say why, but from the earlier decision to bring you to his demeanor now, there was something he was keeping to himself. “How many sorcerers does she have in the castle?”

Nat gave you a final once over, as if not entirely convinced you were real, before flicking her gaze to him.

“There’s her and two others, a man and a woman,” she explained. “Both are former Kamar-Taj, or so the rumors have us believe. The others are outside the boundary of the castle ward. If you can truly get the barrier down, they’ll scatter.”

Your brows rose in surprise. That was even better than expected. Loki had quoted a number of at least a dozen.

“That means they’re more powerful, and loyal to Amora,” Loki translated when no one else seemed to share in your pleasant surprise. “But, assuming we still have the upper hand…”

“About that,” James rounded the corner, shirt covered in blood. He gave you a quick nod of acknowledgment, not even pausing to consider you’d essentially risen from the dead. “You need to move fast. Peter’s men are getting slaughtered out there. The wards need to come down now.”

“Gods James,” Nat reached for his chest where the blood seemed thickest and he waved her off.

“It’s not mine,” he insisted quickly, twirling a dagger from his side and passing it to her.

“Throne room,” Nat stated evenly a curt nod toward Stephen, and hurrying after James when he ran off toward one of the archery towers muttering about evening the odds.

“Wait for my signal, we are going to need to locate Obadiah and Rumlow,” Loki disappeared down one of the halls and you waited giving him time to scout ahead while Stephen covered your back.

Ideally, Rumlow and Obadiah would be fighting with their men, but knowing the cowards they were, they probably had holed up with Amora or were nearby. Your full focus was absolutely necessary from this point forward.

Truly, it was life or death.

“Do you remember the spell?” Stephen asked, his broad frame cloaking yours from behind as you rounded the corner near the throne room.

Of course you remembered. You’d been mentally reciting it from the moment you left the grounds of Strange keep. This was one of the most important moments of the battle and you were going to let them down.

“I remember,” you answered firmly. You could feel him behind you, still tense, still alert, despite your assurance. You had half a mind to ask him what was troubling him-

A yelp of pain from the throne room had both you and Stephen sprinting toward the door.

Stephen must have seen him first, as he caught you by the waist, pulling you to a stop before you collided with the current King Stark.

“This is a surprise,” Obadiah blocked the doorway with his massive armored form. He took a swing in your direction, but Stephen moved faster.

His hand ignited with golden light and he summoned a sword between his palms. Steadying himself, he started for your uncle, sword swinging and blocking the attack.

“Go!”

Clashing with Obadiah’s weapon the men were singularly focused on one another. Stephen maneuvered to the side, pulling Obadiah with him- and out of the doorway.

You didn’t need to be told twice.

Slipping past, you stopped in your tracks when you saw Loki on the ground with Amora and one of her sorcerer accomplices using their full strength against the prince.

For his part, he was holding up a strong defense, but you could see he’d been wounded and was faltering slightly. His attacks were less specific and with the bombardment of various spell, he was having difficulty keeping he up between the pair.

You quickly recited the words Loki taught you hours before, and pulled the amulet off your neck. Palm held up toward Amora, a blast of bright violet energy shot forward and threw the blonde enchantress against the wall.

The other sorcerer balked in shock just long enough for Loki to gain the upper hand. He caught the sorcerer in a spell, throwing him across the room and against one of the walls with a definitive thud. You were certain he wasn’t going to be a problem again.

“Here,” Loki took the amulet and further nullified its effects toward you, allowing your seidr the chance to fully expand. It was a risky move, considering both he and Stephen were also magic users and fully susceptible themselves, but the plan was to defeat Amora quickly. Get the wards down. Let Peter storm the castle and finish Brock.

“Back from the dead?” Amora scoffed, crawling to her feet and sending a barrage of blasts toward you.

Panicked, you mimicked Loki’s hand movements and a violet shield flew up in front of you, deflecting the attack.

“That’s adorable,” she mocked, waving off Loki’s attacks and moving straight for you. “You don’t even know how to use it. You don’t deserve it. Look at you.”

Sure, you were fumbling a bit, but you didn’t need to know how to use it. You knew it was overwhelmingly more powerful than anything Amora threw in your direction, even if it wasn’t curated with specific spells and curses.

It was a hurricane versus a summer breeze and no matter how much Amora taunted you, she knew it.

Repeating your spell, you side stepped, doing your best to dodge or block her attacks. She was strong. Probably as strong as Stephen and Loki.

Amora tried to block your attack but the seidr cut through her shields, giving Loki a chance to slip through and cause some damage.

“It’s over Amora,” Stephen announced, kicking Obadiah’s sword to the center of the room.

“I’m not sure about that,” she smirked at something over your shoulder.

A flicker of light caught the edge of Brock’s sword before he could swing it into your neck, and with that tiny warning, you ducked and rolled away, throwing a hand up in his direction with a blast of seidr.

Brock dodged the attack, and just as you were preparing another spell, Amora hit you from the side. Brock was ready to take the final blow when Stephen intercepted with a glowing shield of gold over you.

“Move!” he barked and you scrambled to your feet toward Loki, blasting Amora before she could get another shit in at the Asagardian.

Amongst the chaos, your seidr was starting to creep free of your control. It edged toward the magic users and while you did your best to will it away from your companions, you knew that this prolonged fight wasn’t going to end well if it didn’t end soon.

When you moved too close to Loki, the seidr snapped toward him and he recoiled.

“Sorry,” you mumbled, focusing the energy back toward Amora and sending another barrage of blasts in her direction. All the while, Stephen and Brock parried at the side, each trying to get the edge over the other.

Amora tried grabbing you with a spell that resembled a tendril, but fortunately Loki grabbed you by the waist and tackled you behind an overturned stone pillar.

Immediately, he pulled away, hissing under his breath at the burn-like injury on his arms.

“We need another strategy,” he murmured, catching his breath.

“We hit her with everything we’ve got?” you suggested. “Break her shields and I’ll move close range?”

“If we can get her with a physical weapon, that’ll be it,” he agreed nodding. “Get is as close as you can and get her as weak as you can. I’ll follow up behind.”

With a curt nod, you leapt up and started throwing blasts of seidr toward the woman as quickly as you could conjure them. While she struggled to block your onslaught, Loki jumped in with his own attacks from the side.

You moved closer, her magic more concentrated and powerful the closer you moved, but sure enough, your seidr starting reaching toward her. It cracked and sizzled against her magic, worming its way through her shields.

Amora’s eyes lit up in panic and as soon as one of your blasts shattered the shielding spell she’d been using. Her confident smirk was gone.

She was finished.

“Please,” she choked out. “I can show you how to use this. How to conquer your powers…”

And though you hesitated, considering mercy, Loki had already moved with the stealthy lethality of a predator on prey.

Amora couldn’t even muster a shout of surprise before she was dead, a dagger having severed the major artery in her neck.

She dropped forward into a pool of her own blood, eyes wide in shock.

And while you appreciated the temporary reprieve in fighting, it wasn’t the time to stand and stare at the gruesome scene. Loki quickly grabbed your wrist and pulled you away from one of Brock’s attacks, the king’s sword catching the edge of your sleeve.

“Amulet,” he hissed tersely, the seidr practically smothering him when he pressed the object into your hand. Mumbling out the suppression spell, the seidr began to slowly recede. However, with the immense power having been fully released, it was now struggling to contain itself as effectively as it had previously, moving lazily back toward you.

“You lying little whore,” Brock sliced through the air toward Stephen, gaining an upper hand as the final sorceress under Amora blasted the Sorcerer Supreme from behind.

“No!” you tried to move forward but Loki was holding you back. He threw up a shield between Stephen and Brock, moving toward the fight but not before murmuring very clear instructions into your ear.

Stephen was running on fumes. His fight with Obadiah had taken far more out of him than he’d expected, and the seidr had practically drained him.

They hadn’t accounted for the three leaders all being in the same area, and now with Amora’s final pupil battling it out with Loki, he worried their relief in defeating Amora would be short lived.

Brock fought hard and fast. His moves were mostly offensive, though he covered himself well whenever Stephen tried to throw in an attack.

His reputation on the battlefield certainly was not exaggerated. He was as lethal and brutal as all the stories and ballads told.

And though Stephen was a formidable fighter himself, it didn’t help that the seidr was still lingering. Even with his all, Stephen felt a little like he was flaying and only barely delaying the inevitable.

“When I kill you and keep this kingdom for me own, I’ll make sure your head is displayed over our marriage bed,” Brock snarled, blades crossed while he pressed forward toward Stephen’s neck. “You can watch while I fill her and she grows plump with my heirs.”

Stephen saw red.

He snapped forward, switching his footing and taking Brock slightly by surprise. Gaining the upper hand, Stephen moved confidently, using this extra surge of energy and rage to push Brock against a wall.

He really should have seen that blast of light from the sorceress in his peripheral.

Loki had stumbled slightly and the other woman took full advantage of the situation, throwing an attack toward Stephen just as Brock was going to give him a fatal blow.

But Gods-

You jumped between him and the blade without second thought, and Stephen watched in horror as Brock’s sword dug into your chest.

Everything seemed to moved in slow motion.

Somewhere, Stephen knew he was yelling. He was moving to his feet to catch you.

Brock grinned victoriously, moving to pull his sword free and continue his attack on Stephen. To finish it once and for all.

But there was something else Stephen hadn’t noticed.

He hadn’t noticed the Loki was standing over the defeated sorceress.

That he’d long defeated her and that he had been, in fact, the one to blast Stephen off track.

Nor did he notice that Obadiah’s blade was no longer on the ground.

Rather- he didn’t notice until the point of the sword was protruding out of Brock’s chest.

“Wha…?” Brock choked, blood pouring out of his mouth. At his feet, your dead body fizzled away. An illusion.

You had attacked the king from behind, having grabbed your uncle’s sword while everyone else was distracted.

You killed King Brock Rumlow.

Stephen’s vision adjusted. He was staring at you in awe while Brock dropped to the ground in a heap, sputtering a few final hateful words, not that anyone took notice.

Outside, the trio could hear the troops yelling as they charged the castle. Stephen was sure Peter and his men long past the walls and certainly by now, Tony’s troops had arrived and the final battles were being won.

It was over.

“I thought…” he finales stammered out.

“And you called the illusions childish,” Loki blurted out, kicking Rumlow in the shoulder to confirm he was dead. “Remember that?”

“You’re alive,” Stephen ignored the prince, eyes fixed on you.

You looked just as surprised as he did.

“I can’t believe that worked,” you finally managed to get out. “We… we did it.”

A glance around the room confirmed your success.

It wasn’t a pretty sight, there was blood and gore, but it was over. You won.

“I hope someone cleans this up before the coronation,” Loki scowled as some of Brock’s blood soiled the top of his boot. You looked between the two men, and with the shouts of victory outside the room, you laughed with relief.

After a beat, the two men joined in. It was an almost hysteric sight, the three of you covered in dirt and grime and blood.

Yet the feeling of success. Of victory. Of being alive- you couldn’t stop.

Stephen crossed the space and pulled your shoulders forward, pressing a hungry, passionate kiss against your lips. You sank into him immediately, the adrenaline and seidr charging a spark in your chest that you couldn’t wait to explore later.

“All right, that’s enough,” Loki grumbled. “We should reconvene. Tell the others.”

Stephen pulled away and you wanted to pull him right back. But Loki was right. As usual.

“Let’s go then,” you gestured impatiently toward the door and took a final look at the room. “Let’s share the good news.”

(--)

14 - a reunion

(--)

Note: If you look at the masterlist, you’ll see I have the story ending at Part 16! So, we’re getting close to the end, but there are still a few warm and fuzzies I have to add. <3 Thank you all for being so patient and wonderful through this journey!

(--)

TAG LIST

@ayamenimthiriel @ladynothing

@im-a-bi-disaster-help @idkwhatthisislol

@bluefaeriefury @calsjack @strcwberrieswine

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songbirdsingingthings · 3 years

Text

Chapter One: The Social Season Begins

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters, they belong to Kohei Horikoshi

A/N: This is my first multiple chapter fic! I was heavily inspired by Netflix’s Bridgerton, but I do not intend to stick to its script. The show and the fic are meant to be seat during the early 19th century (1810 -1830) so a lot of things like technology will not be present. Also, this is a quirkless au so no one is going to posses any powers. I plan for this fic to be between 8 and 12 chapters, but we’ll see as we go along. I hope you all enjoy <3!

Next Chapter ~ Series Masterlist ~ Main Masterlist

Word Count: 1.9K

When social season rolled around, all bets were off. The most vicious of claws and fangs were disguised by beautiful dresses and headpieces, followed by the batting of eyelashes and the oh so precarious movements of feathered fans. It happened every year - hundreds of Musutafu’s young ladies braved the social scene in the pursuit of a husband either of their own status or higher. This year was no exception, in fact, it was shaping up to be one of the most influential seasons to date. Several of the most eligible and prestigious lords, viscounts, and barons would be attending the numerous balls that were in the works. While it was expected of the young women to pair up and find a love-match, such relationships always proved to be half-successful. Of course they would be married and well taken care of, but too often did you hear of wives maintaining an empty manor whilst their husbands were off gallivanting at their clubs, or more likely, at brothels. This proved to be your biggest fear - you wanted the beautiful relationship your parents had. The one where your father doted on your mother, bringing her flowers on random days because he happened to see them and think of her. One where he dutifully raised their children together, never once undermining her abilities due to her gender. And one where, right up until her very last breath, he held her hand and whispered sweet nothings to her. It was a sorrowful day when your mother died, but your father carried on in her place, raising you and your elder brother in the most proper and loving way he could. This encouraged you to go forth with your head held high. You would find the one you were meant to be with and not just be a part of a silly little love-match.

“Oh Lady Yagi, you look absolutely wonderful.” With a deep breath you met your eyes in the mirror in front of you and let out a little gasp. The dress you were wearing was utterly gorgeous. It was a very pale blue, even lighter than the powder blue that covered your bedroom walls, and had the most beautiful little detailed flowers scattered across it. There weren’t enough to mistake you with a garden, but there were plenty there to compare you to the most gorgeous dogwood. The necklace that lay across your neck was much daintier than what others tended to wear but you adored it - after all, it was your mother’s. And resting softly on your head was a matching tiara with both diamonds and light blue sapphires.

“My, Mei, you have simply outdone yourself.” You whisper. You couldn’t keep your eyes off of your reflection, the twinkles and glimmers of the jewels doing wonders to accentuate your features.

“Lady Yagi, how you make me swoon,” Mei exclaims, feigning a faint. You giggle at her and swat her gently with your fan. The two of you make small talk as she adds finishing details to your look; smoothing out hairs here and there, clipping in your diamond earrings, and slipping your silk gloves onto your hands.

“Y/N, my sister, we must be heading off!” A call echoed from just outside your room, coming from the main hall downstairs.

“And not a moment too soon, my nerves have been getting the best of me.” You say, a wide smile covering your face. You descended upon the grand staircase to see both your father and your elder brother waiting for you.

“My word! Y/N, my darling, you look divine!” Your father exclaimed, walking forward to place a ghost kiss to your cheek, not daring to mess up Mei’s handiwork. You smiled at your father and looked at your brother.

“Izuku, you look quite dashing.” You tell him, earning a grin from his freckled face. “Hoping to see Lady Uraraka this evening?” A blush quickly covered his face.

“Well, yes, she had told me she would be attending earlier when we took a promenade around- hold on, this is your special evening we need to be discussing.” Izuku says, switching the topic onto you. Rolling your eyes playfully, you took his arm as the three of you made your way into the horse-drawn carriage waiting for you in front of your house. The three of you entered, your father and brother careful of your long dress, and then you were off.

“So my dear, are you excited? Nervous?” Your father asks. You smile and inspect your gloved hands.

“Both. I just wish…” you trail off. Your father leans down to meet your gaze with slight concern in his eyes.

“Wish what?” He says, urging you to continue. A small sigh escapes your mouth as you look back up.

“Father, you have done wonderfully to raise both Izuku and I without Mother here. I think both of us agree on that fact.” You begin. Izuku nods and offers the both of you a grin. “I just wish that she was here. To tell me of what she was feeling when she debuted, how she calmed the churning in her stomach.” You confess, your hands now clenched. You were met with a sad smile from your father.

“How I wish for that as well, my dear. She would always tell me how excited she was for you to embark on your own marital journey. And, while I in no means shared the same experience as she did, I can tell you of what I was feeling.” He says. You look up, curiosity flashing in your eyes.

“Please,” you say, prompting him to tell you. He laughs and leans back on the leather seated cushion.

“Well I, like your brother, had an easy time finding the women we would want to spend the rest of our lives with.” Your father’s sentence earned a blush from Izuku, but no words of contention. I suppose we will be welcoming Lady Uraraka to our family soon, you thought smiling to yourself. “I was a nervous wreck, though, when my eyes found your mother. She was absolutely divine - like the gods had graced the earth specifically with her. She was quick to forgive my nerves and the slight stutter in my voice as I introduced myself to her, and things just seemed to run its own course from there.” You could see the wistful gaze in your father’s eyes as he thought of your mother. “Inko was a most gracious woman, both in mind and beauty. And those qualities, my dear, were passed on to you.” His hand came to cradle your cheek, brushing away the tears that started to well in your eyes. “But this is no time to be in despair, no, it is time to be quite the opposite than that. It’s time for you to find love.”

The carriage stopped rather abruptly, but you didn’t care. You gathered the train of your dress in your hand and were practically buzzing by the time the footmen opened the door. Your father stepped out first followed by Izuku, the latter of which offered a hand to you as you stepped out. The venue was absolutely gorgeous, and it was no surprise considering the man hosting it. Lord Takami was a rather benevolent and expressive man and those traits bled right into his events. With lanterns dotted all over the front steps and the ballroom, candles that seemed to float in midair, and the most magnificent smelling floral arrangements you had ever seen, you understood perfectly - this was what it must’ve felt like for your mother. Out of the corner of your eye, a pretty brunette started to drift towards you and your family, a bashful smile set across her face. Before you had a chance to speak, Izuku stepped in front of you and your father.

“Lady Uraraka, what a pleasure to see you here.” Your brother says, his hand extending to her gloved one.

“It’s truly all mine, My Lord.” She responds as a shy smile flickers across her face. Izuku spares you and your father a nod and a grin before he leads Lady Uraraka towards the middle of the floor, the two melting into the dance being performed seamlessly.

“Those two make such a divine and true love-match, don’t you agree Father?” You gush. Just seeing your brother so hopelessly in love was enough to make your heart flutter.

“I do, my dear,” he chuckles upon seeing your expression, “but we are not here to solely admire them. There will be plenty of time to do that at their wedding,” your father quips, earning a laugh from you. “Let’s get you introduced and dancing, hmm?” Your evening was full of re-introducing yourself to mutual acquaintances and establishing new ones in other young men. You made sure to only dance with those you felt could be a possible match for you, but as time went on you started to lose hope. It’s not that the men were horrid by any means - well, with the exception of one Lord Mineta - but nothing about them seemed to stir your heart. You currently found yourself in a most dull conversation with Baron Ojirou.

“Forgive me, Lord Ojirou, I must get some air. All of this dancing has made me quite light-headed,” you say, excusing yourself.

“Oh! Would you like me to accompany you, Lady Yagi?” He asks nicely. You raise your hand in denial but give him a light smile.

“There is no need. I wouldn’t want to impose on your evening, I will just be a few moments.” You say, slipping away to the outdoor gardens. It was dark, but the luminescence coming from inside Lord Takami’s manor provided enough light so that you could see. You made your way over to the stone railings that bordered the rose garden and held onto it with both of your gloved hands, heaving a sigh. “My goodness…” you whisper, heaving a sigh. The night air nipped a bit at your skin but you paid no mind to it. What does catch your attention, though, was the light footsteps that were approaching you from behind. “Lord Ojirou, as I said before, there is no need-” You begin, but stop immediately when you are met with someone else. He was much different than the man you had just been recently talking to - physically more reserved, taller, and much much handsomer. Even with the scar covering the left side of his face, his presence was enough to make a woman swoon. “Forgive me.” you manage, curtsying a bit.

“Oh, no, it is I who should be apologizing. Pardon my interruption on your… outing.” He says awkwardly. This earns a slight giggle from you.

“This was merely a simple break from the clamor inside.” you say, relaxing a bit more. Before the man could say another word, you see Izuku catch your eye from the steps.

“Y/N! There you are, Father and I have been looking everywhere- Shouto?” Your brother says shocked, his eyes meeting the man across from you.

“Izuku?” He responds, bewilderment flickering across his face.

“My word, it’s been a while! How as your father, the Duke of Endeavor, faring these days?”

“D-Duke?” You stutter out, in awe of the man’s title. Izuku catches your confusion and gives you a smile.

“Forgive me for not introducing you! Todoroki, this is me dear sister, Y/N.” The man, now known to you as Shouto Todoroki, gave you a quick nod. “Y/N, this is Shouto Todoroki. The son of the Duke.”

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launchsteinward · 4 years

Text

This is for the MB week challenge by @somebodyalreadytookthis2

Monday:

Bewitched

Once upon a time...

There where two brothers. Twins of royal blood. One, outgoing: a rather reckless but powerful optimist, a hand to hand combatant and sword wielding fighter.

The other, quiet and reserved : a realist who would rather spend all day reading books than socializing, a powerful spellcaster and a rather good strategist.

Perhaps if they both worked together, the kingdom would reach an even higher state of greatness and development.

Nevertheless, both princes grew up together and supported each other- even with their contrasting personalities.

The first prince: held in high regard by many and looked up to due to his friendly but fierce nature. The second Prince: not so much. Due to his lack of appearance in many social events: he was basically a myth to many citizens. Almost nonexistent. Not that he minded. The second prince preferred not to draw attention to himself. It allowed him to see areas and attitudes the kingdom showed that no royalty could ever hope to see. It gave him a better understanding of people and he loved it.

One day, the second prince had snuck out of the castle: years if experience guiding him. Today he decided to visit the outer ring of the castle: where all the farmers lived. As he made it there, he saw the farmers arguing: apparently over a few black flowers that had bloomed in one of their farms. As they were arguing over who would uproot them, the undercover prince took it upon himself to volunteer to do it.

Ignoring how the farmers looked at him like he was out of his mind, he made his way over to the mentioned farm and instantly saw the flowers.

They where beautiful. The flowers appeared to be roses. Roses the prince had only seen drawings of in books. Black roses. A starking contrast with the yellow stacks of wheat and golden buttercups dotted here and there. In a way, it reminded him of himself and his brother. Shaking off the thought, he wondered why anyone would want to uproot such rare and beautiful black roses.

Sighing to himself, he supposed the farmers may have been the superstitious type and believed they were moon blossoms: mythical flowers said to be cursed. 'Not like those actually exist'

He started plucking the flowers- one at a time. It didn't take long, only a few minutes in fact before he had a handful of the gorgeous flowers. The farmers thanked the prince greatly before asking for the uprooted flowers to burn. Hesitantly, the prince gave up the flowers he had: secretly keeping one for himself. 'It would be such a waste if flowers as beautiful as these were just burned.'

___________________________________________

After returning back to the castle and acting like he never actually went out, the prince placed the flower in a small cup of water on his bedside table. He watched the sun set over the horizon as his eye lights started to get foggy and his eyes drooped.

His eyelights flickered to the flower one last time before he fell into a deep sleep.

___________________________________________

"Hey Brother! What could have brought an introvert such as you here: to the training Hall of all places?" The first prince's voice popped up, startling the second prince back to reality.

'Where am I- what-' the second prince seemed to panic causing the first prince to bring him to a hug. After calming down the first prince gently repeated his question from before in hopes of distracting his twin from whatever cause his earlier distress.

The younger twin leaned into his brothers embrace for comfort as he stuttered out quietly "I-I cant remember-". This cause confusion in the first prince before he had to calm down his twin yet again from another panic attack. "How about we go inside and we can talk about this with mom and dad?" The usually confident twin asked with a sweet but gentle tone. Nodding ever so slightly, the first prince picked up his brother like a child (causing the second prince to pout in embarrassment) and made his way over back into the main area of the castle.

The memory loss incidents had become more and more frequent, so much so that the young prince had gotten used to it. His parents sent for the kingdoms best doctors and medical practitioners when they heard of what happened. They all had related these memory loss incidents with his weak state during childhood. Not being able to do anything about it, the workers in the palace was informed of the second princes condition and told to tell him where he was and what time it was if he ever seemed confused. The second prince found this very helpful and made sure to thank any and every worker who had helped him.

Word had come about that there was a new Demon King with a newly built demon castle nearby. The king and queen worried about this but decided to pay it no mind and avoid it. As long as the demons stayed away from them, they would stay away from the demons.

___________________________________________

The Demon king smirked. It was finally time to put his plan into action. There he stood, infront of the first prince's bed, a malicious smirk on his face. Silently he casted a sleep spell, ensuring the prince wouldn't wake up through this.

Carrying the first prince like a child (and earning a small sleep grumble from the prince himself) he entered a glowing cyan portal.

___________________________________________

EXTRA:

"Um... I dont mean to be rude Cross but do you even know where the Demon Kings castle is?"

Blue dead panned. He had started to realize that the so called hero wasn't all he was portrayed to be.

"Isn't it outside the kingdom?"

Cross asked cheerfully as he continues to make his way through the market.

"Well yes- but its actually to the north. Where going south right no-"

"Excuse me, but do any of you have a numchuck by any chance?"

Blue was cut off by the voice of a young girl. 'A numchuck? Why would any of us have a-'

"Actually I do. What do you need it for miss?"

Blue almost chocked on air. "WHY THE HELL DO YOU HAVE A NUMCHUCK"

Cross sighed over dramatically.

"Oh Blue. Silly young naive Blue. It's common courtesy for anyone- especially demon hunters or knights to have numchucks."

'NO IT ISN'T-' Blue yelled inside his mind, mental tears being shed.

"Actually, I need those to beat the idiot who ate all my- well, the details are insignificant. May I have them or not?"

'That sounds oddly suspicious. Theres no way he'd give them to a citizen' Blue reassured himself.

"Eh- sure why not" Cross shrugs

'He gave them to her anyway- ' Blue mentally facepalmed.

"Oh thankyou. I'm Core by the way. Where might you be going if you dont mind me asking?" Core asked curiously, putting the numbchucks in her inventory.

"The Demon Castle- though I dont know where it is"

"-Like I said. It's in the opposite direct-"

Blue was cut off once again, his patience starting to run out

"Oh, I know exactly where that is. I even know a short cut actually." Core popped up drawing both of our attention. "You see that door there, yeah- the one to the left. Just go through that door right there and you'll be on your way"

Blue didnt even bother coming up with a retort. He decided to just sit back and see where this went.

"Like ok kid, opening a pantry door will totally take me to the Demon Kings castle"

Cross mocked as he opened the door.

"Holy shi-"

Cross fell through the door.

Blue sighed following after him. Blue opened his eyes and gasped in shock. Infront of him, surrounded by a field of black roses, stood a castle made entirely of vantablack stone. The sun had started to set on the horizon, causing orange and gold light to be reflected off the dark glossy windows. It was truly magnificent.

Blues gaze went back to Cross who had landed on his face and was cursing up a storm. He smiled in amusement. 'At least things are about to get a little more interesting

_______________________________

Before

#Monday: Bewitched #undertale au #god this took along time #and its the one with the least amount of events ;-;#MB week challenge #moon blossom au challenge #moon blossom au #@Somebodyalreadytookthis2

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robbyrobinson · 3 years

Text

OWL HOUSE X CTHULHU MYTHOS: GOD AWAKEN (24)

Camila found herself alone in a dark, dank room. Around her wrists were tightly bound in a rope extending from the ceiling. It had now been a few hours since she was cruelly torn away from her only daughter. Her daughter may as well be dead at that point. Every passing hour, Camila tried in vain to loosen the strains weighing her down. The thought of what could become of her daughter filled her with determination, but even that was not enough to make a dint.

“Mija.”

The door swung open alerting the middle-aged woman. Any hope that it was her daughter on the other side were quickly dashed when she was met with the cold, luminous glow of a golden mask.

“It is time, daughter.”

Camila squinted her eyes in a scowl. “Whatever you have planned, you will not prevail.”

Emperor Belos let out a low, hazy chuckle. He was in such a sickly state his ribs were poking through his robes. At that rate, taking the life essences of palismans was not enough to delay the inevitable. Death was now knocking at Emperor Belos’ door to claim him and it occurred to Belos that Death was not a patient fellow. “I am really going to miss your feisty attitude; maybe that is where Luz got her fire from.”

Camila wanted to bash Belos’ mask in until his skull cracked from the pummeling. “Leave my daughter out of this.”

Belos raised his hand in objection. “Fret not, daughter: I will take good care of your daughter.” He turned away from Camila and exited through the door. “I will raise her to the perfect child. Better than you ever were.”

Emperor Belos firmly grasped his staff. He inhaled deeply and exhaled through the tiny slits in his mask. His legs were clenching up giving him a near gallop to his walk. The Owl Spy walked down the hall seeing his lord staggering.

“Any problem, your Majesty?”

Belos waved his head to save face. “Just interrogating the human woman.”

“I see. Luz and the Owl Lady are still locked away, so there should be little issue for the occasion.”

“Excellent; you have always been a loyal follower,” Belos lamented. “By the way, have you seen Kikimora? She is usually the one who would oversee these public punishments.”

The Owl Spy bowed his head. “It’s a shame, really. I cannot believe the odds of this happening.”

Belos tilted his head quizzically. “What pray tell?”

“Our Kikimora was in your laboratory earlier, and for the likes of me, I don’t know how it happened.”

Belos tapped his fingers on the tip of his staff. “Well, what is it? Go on.”

“Kikimora...lost her footing and fell into one of your vaults. She was not in too much pain from the looks of it. It was like...taking a long sleep.”

Belos loosened his grasp on his staff. “Well. That’s a pity.”

Belos resumed walking in the opposite direction without much thought aside from finally getting revenge on his adoptive daughter. When he was completely gone, the Owl Spy opened the door to Camila’s cell. Camila tensed up when she heard the door open again.

“Are you back to mock me more?” She looked at the site of the opened door instead seeing the Owl Spy. “You’re...you’re not Belos.”

The Owl Spy nodded and removed his mask. “Your daughter happens to be friends with my daughter.”

“Oh. Well, why are you here?” Camila walked backward as a way of trying to get as far away as she could.

“Relax, I am not going to hurt you,” he reassured.

“I’m sorry that I am having a hard time believing what any of you witches tell me,” Camila said, “after all, it was your coven that attacked the hospital I was working at and dragged me kicking and screaming to this world.”

The Owl Spy nodded in understanding. “Listen to me: your daughter is still alive, and she is fighting to save you.”

Camila perked up. “Take me to her, please.”

The Owl Spy put his finger on her mouth. “Not too loud...I do have a plan, just listen carefully.”

Amity sprinted down the halls with the knowledge that her siblings were locked away in the dungeon. Her breath was getting heavier and all the running was making her legs sore, but the pain was only a minor stumbling block.

“I just hope Luz has the glyphs ready.”

From the corner of her eye, she could see the mighty door of the dungeon coming into crystal view. In front of the door, two large burly guards were in front of it. Given their attire, it was easy to identify them as working for the dreaded Conformatorium. Amity quickly hid in a wall’s corner hoping to have been silent enough to not be heard. She glared out from behind the wall and saw that the guards were still none the wiser. In fact, they were having a conversation from the looks of it, but about what the witch-in-training did not know nor care.

Amity took her finger and drew a spell circle into the air drawing forth a fire ball. This too she had to do in great silence. She held the ball in the palm of her hand and watched it flicker as it danced around. She took one final look and flung it. She quickly dashed herself away when the guards took the bait and ran to find the origin of the sound.

Amity raced her way to the door now seeing that locks of varying shapes and sizes were all over the door. The witch girl looked around in some ways hoping that the key wasn’t too far behind. Having another idea in mind, Amity placed her hands on the door and inhaled. With a wave of her hand, permafrost began to manifest from her palms and wrists before spreading in all directions on the door. She could feel the door’s metallic design shift underneath her palms becoming converted to solid ice.

Once the door was completely frozen, Amity looked around for something she could pitch at the door. Scanning her surroundings, Amity grabbed a medium-sized rock and tossed it at the door. Much like breaking grass or fine china, the door broke into fragmented pieces and shattered. Without much prompt, Amity immediately dashed in on the off chance that the two guards from earlier returned. It took little effort to see that her siblings were in a cell together.

“Edric, Emira!”

She dashed to their cell, stopping just short of the bars. Now, Edric was nothing more than fragile glass: he was sprawled on the floor in capable of moving. From her sister’s wailing, Odalia likely arrived earlier and withdrew another hit of magic. Now, the boy’s magic sac was completely depleted. Without magic to balance off of, he was a vegetable. Emira looked up to her baby sister. Mascara was running from her eyes.

“Mittens?”

Amity hushed her. “Don’t worry, I’m here now. Once I get the staff, we’ll have our brother back.”

Emira’s eyes widened fearfully. “Look out!”

Amity jumped out of the way of a red beam that sliced into the floor of the dungeon leaving a deep cut in it. “So you’ve come to stop us?”

Amity clenched her fists. “Mother.”

Odalia held the staff in her hand and it shined its ominous red glow. “Why must you prevent Lord Nyarlathotep’s plans?”

“Mother, can’t you see that Nyarlathotep had corrupted you?” Amity asked “the staff has to be destroyed.”

Odalia shook her head. “I have finally gotten everything that I could have ever hoped for.”

“You’re insane.”

“Because of Lord Nyarlathotep, I have gone up exceedingly on the pecking order of this isle; I am a part of an elite group of magic, and now, with his help, I have become one of the most powerful witches on the Boiling Isles! Maybe even second to the Emperor himself! After years of trying to upkeep the proud Blight name, I am now reaping the benefits of that labor.”

Amity got up on feet. “If you let Nyarlathotep and Belos win, then the family line will die with you.”

Odalia firmly grasped the staff in her hand. “You have always been a perpetual thorn in my side, haven’t you?”

Amity did not respond. Her mother continued her tirade.

“You should be more grateful to your mother that I even allowed you to be born. After all these years molding you until you achieved perfection, you instead chose to throw that all away by continuing to see that half-witch behind my back, and I would have at least loved it that you’d befriend...I don’t know maybe a river troll...but no, once that human vermin encroached on our world, you have always been by her side...Why? Are you really telling me that all that time and energy I put into raising you so you could be the best that you could possibly be was all for naught? You are an insult to the Blight family name.”

Amity shook her head in defiance. “The only insult to our family is you.”

“Is that so? Is that how you really feel?”

Amity nodded whilst gripping the ground.

“Death it is then.”

Odalia shot fire balls from the staff in a flurry. Amity instinctively dodged them and shot ice from her finger tips. It quickly froze the balls of fire and they dropped to the floor with a loud thud.

Odalia slammed the staff on the ground creating a tremor. The earth opened up to swallow Amity whole. Once more with quick thinking, the witch girl fell into the hole but bounced back. Odalia stared into the crevice seeing that she created a barrier that bounced her off.

“All that talent, spoiled.”

Odalia lifted the gem of the staff to the sky and twirled it. A crackle of sound came from the gem and it began to glow a bright, crimson red as it charged. Odalia flashed a smile and discharged a ball of light. Amity created another barrier this time large enough to cover the cell of the twins. “Stop this at once! Edric and Emira could get in the way!”

Odalia laughed to herself. The barrier was quickly starting to destabilize from the eldritch powers eating away at it. “This magic is infinitely more powerful than the run-of-the-mill variety you have been studying.”

Amity drew more attention to the barrier. She twirled her finger once more and fired it into the barrier. Holes began to form inside of the barrier which the witch girl tried to fight by hardening it. Sweat was beating down from Amity’s forehead. Her fingers started chafing from the prolonged time she put into resealing the barrier. She sensed the magic being cast from her magic sac was draining slowly. If it were to completely disappear, Amity would be sure to faint.

“I am going to stop you no matter what!”

Odalia shot more of the alien light at the orb forming. It was readily eclipsing the size of the barrier Amity devised. Amity’s knees clamped together. “Just a little more...”

The barrier shattered sending Amity flying back. Amity’s eyes fluttered open seeing the Blight matriarch approaching her. She went to get off her back, but Odalia pinned her down with the staff. It was pressed firmly on her stomach. The gem once more shined brightly.

“If only you would’ve been a better daughter.”

She lifted the staff up and flipped it. The growing gem reflected in Amity’s eyes. The power inside of it surged and crackled. There was a sudden surge of heat coming from the object. On instinct, Amity rolled over and kicked the end of the staff.

“You brat!”

Odalia made a grab for the gem, but Amity took her other leg and tripped the matriarch with it. Odalia held out her hand but it was too late. The gem made contact with the ground and shattered into millions of pieces. A green mist slithered put of the remnants and entered the cell holding Edric. The gaseous cloud hovered over the boy and entered the orifices of his face.

Edric’s skin returned to its former glory, and when he inhaled, his skin bubbled up as it was filled with the magic it was deprived of. Edric opened his eyes, looking around. “Guys? What’s going on?”

Emira’s eyes widened and she sighed in relief. “Edric!”

Before Edric could say anything, she spontaneously hugged him. “You’re crushing my ribs.”

Odalia screamed and clung onto the pieces of the destroyed staff. In her blind anger, she grabbed Amity by her neck and lifted her in the air. “You ungrateful, insolent, self-absorbed brat!”

Amity grabbed her mother’s hands attempting to pry them off her. “Lord Nyarlathotep will be most displeased when I tell him what you have done!”

A crackle grabbed their attention. On the ground, another mist was growing. It widened into a flat circle and opened up. “What is this??”

The hole began to suck whatever was in its path inside it. The sound of legions of flutes emitted from the hole now understood to be a portal. It had the two warring family members in its proximity and was sucking them in. Amity grabbed the cell bar for dear life. “What if that is Nyarlathotep’s dimension? Then that means...”

“Whatever Nyarlathotep had in that dimension was likely feeding on Edric’s magic,” Emira interrupted. She shook. “And I think they’re still hungry.”

Amity’s finger tips were starting to give way. She walked timidly so she could be close enough to grab another bar. Odalia grabbed her. “If those monsters are hungry, you will satiate their hunger!”

The older woman ripped Amity’s hold of the bar and tossed her on the ground. The pressure of the portal grabbed the rim of her shirt to draw her in. Her legs flailed around to catch solid ground.

“Mittens!” the twins shouted.

Odalia observed her daughter’s struggling with indifference and turned to walk away. Black tentacles burst through the portal’s opening and, for some indiscernible reason, bypassed the witch girl and instead grabbed a hold of Odalia’s legs.

“What? Me!?”

It jerked Odalia on the ground, flopping her on her chest. She sunk her long fingernails into the ground. “No, you can’t have me! My bloodline! You cannot do this to me, I am a BLIGHT!!”

But what Odalia did not understand was that there existed beings of unknowable shape and form, some that are older than the universe itself, and they give little thought to the status of the person they are interacting with. The Boiling Isles itself and all the witches within were small specks of dust that the gods would step on without malice but cannot be burdened with our conventional morality.

The tentacles jerked harder on her legs. The once proud matriarch of the Blight family was now reduced to a powerless bully who was begging for her life. Her fingernails scrapped the floor leaving marks in it when the final pull was administered. She shrieked one final time before becoming engulfed by the portal and disappeared. Amity plopped on the ground her heart beating fast.

“Where do you think it sent her?” Edric asked.

“Who knows,” Amity replied. “But now that it’s over, time to get you both out.”

Unbeknownst to them, their mother was ripped from the demon realm and was cast into a dimension outside of space-time, the unfathomable void that the Outer Gods made their domain. It is there where Odalia’s mind would melt from the presence of the gods and she would be an unintelligible mess and the fibre of her being would be shredded for eternity.

#the owl house #owl house #fanfiction #owl house fanfiction #cthulhu mythos #cthulhu #odalia blight #amity blight #fanfic

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lo-55 · 3 years

Text

Tilt The Hourglass Ch. 3

Maul was at Orsis for six months when the inevitable finally occurred.

He felt it.

The dark shadow that haunted his nightmares, the cold hands left so many scars on his skin. It was his childhood ruined, his future stolen. His brother dead in his arms and every pain he’d ever endured.

Sidious had come to Orsis.

Maul ended up with his back on the ground, looking up at Daleen of all people. He wasn’t sure which of them was more surprised that she’d actually flipped him.

He could only barely focus on her and Kilindi offering him a hand up. He could sense his master growing closer.

It was the feeling of old wound preparing to open, a sickness creeping back into his lungs. The clarity that he’d felt when he returned dimmed with it, leaving shadows at the corners of his eyes.

Maul swallowed thickly and stood again, taking his position in the ring opposite of Daleen.

She looked uncertain, but when he nodded at her she threw a punch and ducked the kick he aimed at her head in return.

Maul didn’t go easy on her. He was not a kind person, and he would not do her the disservice of mercy. If it came to a real fight no one else would hold out on her. So he wouldn’t either, for her own survival if nothing else.

That said, he did not break her arm when he caught her third punch, only twisted it enough for her wince before he let her go. He was not a fan of self control, and he had always chafed at the shackles of patience and secrecy that sith were forced to be subservient to, but the years had made him good at it.

He knew how to hide. He’d survived for eighteen (nineteen? Twenty?) years after the Empire rose and he was forced to go underground. He had gotten good at hiding and slipping away, and killing anyone who got too close to him.

‘The Shadow’ indeed.

He could not hide from Sidious here. Here he had to bow his head and scrape and suffer when the man finally deigned him worthy of his tutelage.

It’s a near thing to keep his lip from curling and his sharp teeth baring at Daleen, who’s done nothing to earn his wrath besides tease him goodnaturedly.

He bows out of the training as soon as Trezza appears on a balcony, with Sidious at his side.

Master. Maul forced himself to think. In case his thoughts are too loud. In case they’re too quiet and Sidious goes listening closer. My master is here.

He tasted bile and swallowed it down as he came to a stop in front of the pair. He could remember easily how deeply he was expected to bow when Sidious came for him, and at what angle. It would not save him a beating, and he was hurt for his successes as much as his failure’s, but he would not go knocking for punishment.

The Force hummed around him, shadows flickering further in his vision. Sidious always loomed so high above him.

Full grown Maul would be taller than him. That didn’t change the fact that Sidious’ shadow always fell on him.

He kept his hand from clenching and his face carefully blank.

“Master,” he said respectfully, and offered no other pleasantries. He was not raised to offer small talk. ‘How was your flight?’ ‘Did you enjoy the view?’ ‘I hope you’re well.’.

“My boy,” his master’s voice lacked the sickly sweet sound it took on when he was a senator. Here he was merely a wealthy merchant, who was putting a hefty investment in his future body guard. “I trust your studies have been going well.”

Maul’s gaze darted momentarily to Trezza. He had punishment them for their truancy, and praised them for taking first in class, one each. He in combat, Kilindi in survival, and Daleen in espionage. Had he told Sidious of their wandering? Even if he hadn’t, the man probably already knew.

Anxiety spiked, and he twirled the incident and the compitition around in his mind, letting it fall into a mist over the darkest secrets. Those stayed in a little ball, sucked into a iron sphere at the center of his being. So deep in the shadows they’d never be found. So far from the surface Maul started to forget them.

He held them there while he nodded, slowly. “They have, master.”

“Good, good. Come along. I have need of you this weekend.”

Sidious motioned for him to come forward. Maul obeyed without hesitation. He could not see his Master’s eyes, not through the high tech goggles he wore as a blind mind. Sidious said he could see shapes and colors and little else. He moved his long stick back and forth before him, letting it clack along obstacles in their path and avoiding him.

Sidious always had been an excellent actor. Maul, still a child, had much yet to learn from him.

The pair of them walked the long halls of the facility in silence until they came out on a landing pad where Sidious’ small ship was sitting. The two boarded.

Maul cast a glance around him and was startled to see the remnants of the spider legged droid that had raised him sitting in the corner. It wasn’t moving. It was still destroyed, just as it had been when he’d last seen it.

Maul knew better than to ask, and Sidious offered him no information.

They took off. A droid piloted the ship, one Maul recognized as well. It had served Sidious as long as Maul had known him. Sidious told him once, ten years in the future, that the droid had belonged to his own master before him. Maul had never seen the sith master in person. For much of his life he hadn’t even known he existed. The rule of two was supposed to be absolute.

The existence of Plageius should have cemented inside Maul that Sidious didn’t really see him as an apprentice, but a placeholder. He had a new one as soon as Maul fell into that foul shaft, and as soon as he could he replaced that one, too, with a more powerful apprentice.

Maul had tried to warn Dooku. Had tried to recruit him and-

His mind swirled, tamping the thoughts under a rug and replacing them with musings far safer. His practice in the yard this morning. A misstep he’d made that had cost him a clean fight. Mistakes he’d made in a slicing test earlier that week that he needed to amend.

“Would you like to know where we are going?” Sidious asked. He took his vision goggles off and set them on a shelf nearby. The cane went with them. His elaborate senate robes were handing beside it. Two disguises, and a dark lord stood before Maul.

Maul chewed on his words before he voiced them.

“I will go where you require, master.”

“Is that all?” Sidious looked at him, his brows raised. One day they would be silver, and his rust colored hair would grey.

Any answer would have been wrong, so Maul had answered wrong.

“It would be good to know, so I might prepare. But regardless I will succeed at any tast you would have of me.”

“You assume it is a task for you?”

Maul flinched when Sidious raised his hand, but didn’t dare try to block that harsh lightning when it struck. Only the smallest hiss of a cry came from his mouth when he dropped to the ground convulsing.

The pain lanced through his body and whited out his mind momentarily.

Maul looked up at him from the floor, trying to catch his breath. Anger and pain coursed through him in time with the frantic beating in his chest.

“I ap-pologize,” he bit out. Blood filled his mouth. He’d bit his lip at some point.

I should know to keep from biting my own tongue by now.

Sidious didn’t bother to respond to that. He motioned for Maul to rise, which he did with a small struggle. His hands were shaking minutely.

“We go now to Kalakar Six. There is a group of darksiders there. The Prophets of the Darkside. Kill no one unless ordered. While I discuss important matters with their High Priestess you will train in the lands outside their settlement. A pair of assassin droids will hunt you through the terrain.”

Maul bowed shakily. He grit his sharp teeth together. Was he just a dog on a leash to his master?

A foolish question. Of course he was. An attack dog to be set upon his enemies, with his sharp teeth.

Had he ever been anything more to the man?

“Yes, master,” Maul said simply.

Sidious went to the pilots chair, and left Maul to try to remember where he would be expected to sit. Had it really been so long since he’d seen his master?

Of it had, it had been-

He sat on the bunk in the back of the small compartment.

This wasn’t one of Sidious’ luxury ships, nor was it meant for battle, although Maul could still see where weapons had been added and shields upgraded. It wasn’t a bad ship. It would take them safely from one place to the other, and should they need neither of the pair inside was helpless.

When they landed on Kalakar Six there was a small contingency of locals waiting for them. Humans, most of them, led by a dwarf.

Maul stayed behind his master, not hiding but certainly trying to avoid bringing attention to himself. He kept his dark hood pulled up over his head, but that didn’t stop the eyes of the other darksiders from landing upon him.

He stayed in his masters shadow until Sidious dismissed him to run off into the lava fields, with two assassin droids on his tail. They were programmed not to kill him, but to maim him.

He’d had enough time in his body that he wasn’t tripping over his own limbs. Shorter and weaker than he was used to, and legs that could break and not be pieced back together easily.

With a frown set firmly on his face Maul made his way into the smoldering heat, the dark side swirling around him like a familiar cloak he’d worn all his life.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Things stayed that way for well over a year.

Every few months Sidious would come for him, and take Maul off world for some horrible, grueling training. Maul would lock up his memories as hard as he could and hide it under more recent feelings and emotions the way he’d learned on Malachor.

He had to keep Sidious from learning what he knew.

It meant that every time the man was to visit Maul was a bundle of nerves that nothing could unwind, and when he returned he was bitter, full of spite, covered in injuries and more relieved than he could ever properly voice.

Somewhere in the second year since his return, his third year at the academy, he had stopped sleeping in the barracks.

It wasn’t a conscious decision, it wasn't even his decision.

He came back from a venture with his master. A return to Malachor had put him to the biggest test yet. He’d had to suffer, and relive the death of every sith that come before him. He had lived the battle through the eyes of all that had perished there, their ashes burning in his nose, mouth, and lungs.

Their anger filled him and twisted into a familiar hate that skittered through his skin before it sang in his veins.

Sidious had offered him a single word of praise, and beat him soundly.

By the time they landed again on Orsis everything hurt. He knew his ribs were broken, and he was bruised everywhere at once. One of his eyes was swollen nearly shut. He’d been given no bacta. The pain would be good for him, Sidious claimed.

He walked stiffly from the ship to the doors of the academy, and was met in the hallway by Kilindi and Daleen.

Kilindi had taken one look at him and frowned.

“I killed my masters,” she said quietly.

Maul grimaced. “Don’t.”

She didn’t argue. “The boys, those Rodian friends of yours? They were planning on causing trouble tonight. Come stay with me.”

“I don’t need your protection,” he snapped. His temper was already frayed. He’d spent the entire time shoving down everything he was, wallowing in foreign anger and choking on pain. Now that the hiding was done he felt cracked and raw and other peoples feelings were twisting against him. Anger in the training hall, fear in the computer labs, lust from one of the higher dorms and some of the teachers were drinking. The girls worry brushed against him, soft fingers against open wounds.

“I know you don’t need it,” Kilindi frowned at him. “But I don’t like to see you hurt, Maul. You’re my friend.”

“Our friend,” Daleen cut in. She came to Maul’s side and lay a very careful hand on his shoulder. His lip curled in a snarl. He wasn’t weak. He didn’t need her to treat him like he was glass. He was durasteel and fire and-

“It will make us feel better if you stay with us,” Daleen cut him from his thoughts. She squeezed his shoulder. “Humor a girl, won’t you?”

Through the rawness their warmth shone through.

Maul nearly choked. He’d never felt-

“Okay.”

His voice sounded hoarse. Like he’d been screaming. He probably had been.

The girls made their way to Kilindi’s room, in the far hallway. Maul let them lead him there.

The halls felt longer that night, and darker too. It was not in a way that comforted him, though he was a creature born of shadow and hate.

Kilindi’s calloused hands helped him pull off his tunic while Daleen fetched a bacta pack. Maul didn’t fight either of them. He let the pair smear the cold, sickly sweet smelling goo across his chest and back. Even though it was hard to see where he’d been injured through the intricate patterns on his skin, the girls found where it hurt without being told.

Kilindi had a good suite here. She was Trezza’s ward, of course.

Her bed was wide and fluffy, and a desk near it held her personal things. Holo’s, data pads, and even pieces of flimsy she liked to fold into complex animals and intriguing shapes. She had a talent for the arts. There was a couch against another wall too.

In one corner she had a big soaking tub under a faucet, instead of the common showers that the rest of them used. Her wardrobe was open, and her uniforms were crammed, crumpled, into the bottom of it instead of hung up neatly. A pair of night vision goggles dangled from one of the hooks in it.

There was a tank of fish in the other corner. It was barely big enough for the little silver things that swam inside of it, and it cast an odd glow through the room.

When the bacta was applied and covered he rose to go to the barracks, but was instead herded to the couch.

He humored the girls, as Daleen asked.

Maul lay on the couch while the girls lay on the bed, and the lights went out. Maul watched the fish swim through their dark light, silver flickering forward and back as the darkness closed in on him. The bacta warmed on his skin. The girls breathed easier.

He closed his eyes and let their steady presence sooth him enough to sleep.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sidious came again.

He had a castle on the planet.

Maul was summoned to it frequently, and he knew the long passages better than even Sidious did yet. In the years to come he would spend much time here. Weekends, and entire months on occasion, toiling away for scraps of approval or praise and taking any punishment as a lesson, even when he didn’t know what he was being taught besides how to shore up his anger and fear.

He was already rather good at that.

Maul didn’t need to follow the droid that had fetched him from the academy but he did all the same. It’s metal gleamed faintly in the light from high arches of glass. It had been cleaned recently.

Maul chewed on the fact that Sidious took more care with droids than he ever had with his apprentice, and treated them more cordially to boot.

Maul took the bitterness in his chest and wrapped it around the little piece of him he’d started to store Kilindi’s strength and Daleen’s cleverness inside of.

Not for the first time he thought of the jedi. Jinn and Kenobi, Skywalker and Tano. They’d had such faith in eachother. So much trust and care. They would fight and die and kill for one another, even when the other was weak or dying. Years after and he could still remember the look on Kenobi’s face when Jinn dropped to the ground. Blue that burned with rage and grief.

Maul was well aware that as soon as he lost his use Sidious would cast him off, if not kill him outright. He would not lift a finger to protect or avenge him.

Familiar rage welled up inside of his chest.

Jedi called themselves guardians and peace keepers. They preached about kindness, compassion, and protecting the weak, but where had they been when he was being tormented and forged into a tool with no will of his own? Where were they when he was carving his way through warm flesh, screaming for anyone to find him?

Nowhere.

On one hand he could count the number of people who had ever come for him. Savage. Talzin. Rook, Saxon, and through them Almec.

Even now, after he’d gone out of his way to send them a shadowy warning of the dangers to come, they were absent in the face of Sidious’ wrath.

No matter.

He didn’t need defending, certainly not from those as hypocritical and weak as the jedi.

Well.

Some were strong. Young Ezra was a fierce pupil, with a powerful connection to the Force. Lady Tano, while not longer (and not yet) a jedi had still bested him more than once with training from their temple. Skywalker could have bested him as a jedi. There were a handful of dueling masters that even now he itched to pit himself against.

And of course, Kenobi.

He never had managed to beat him.

Not on Naboo. Not during the Clone Wars. Not on Tatooine. A phantom burn hissed through Maul’s chest. Jedi spoke of the dangers of the Darkside, while conveniently glossing over how the light could burn.

The doors swished open in front of him and Maul tucked his thoughts away, behind the swirling darkness and a spiked wall of spite.

He came upon his master at a desk. His master, he repeated it in his mind over and over. The word. A curse and hiss and wound that had never healed.

Would it ever?

“You summoned me?” he asked, his voice low and rough. He’d taken a hit to the throat in training today, and broken the other students wrist for their trouble. They were starting to fear Maul enough that they didn’t want to hurt him for fear of retaliation. Other’s had learned that if they held back he would hurt them worse.

“You’ve been hiding something from me, Maul.”

Ice slithered down his spine. Maul stood straighter, his yellow eyes wide.

“I haven’t-”

A shock of lightning screamed through his nerves and drove him to his knees.

Maul didn’t make a sound. He went limp, slumped over his knees while his mind whited and his vision blurred. His hearts heat harder and harder until they felt like they were going to burst from his chest.

It stopped as soon as it started.

He sucked in frantic breathes.

Sidious ripped into his mind.

Maul howled inwardly, though outwardly he didn’t make a sound. He kept breathing, faster and faster as Sidious clawed into his brain. Sharp, electric tendrils of force raked through his through. Through the darkness and the spite. Through the ashes and the fire.

“Did you think you could really hide anything from me?” Sidious laughed, cold and cruel. He rifled through Maul’s thoughts. He started to fracture in the face of. The shallow sea of darkness was clawed at.

Distantly, Maul realized that Sidious was searching. Tearing through the confines of his thoughts, his wants, his very being. A lesser being (a being less used to pain. A being less cracked. A being less ragged at the edges.) would have cried. No tears fell from his eyes, even as they stared blankly at the ceiling.

A lesser being (A being less expecting to be violated so totally and relentlessly by the man who raised him) would have clawed at his masters hand when it closed around his throat.

Maul knew better.

Sidious kept dragging through the shallow thoughts on the surface. Each pass screamed with pain and betrayal. Maul smelled ozone. He tasted blood.

Sidious dug deeper. Looking, searching, he was going to find-

Maul broke.

He choked and the shadows spat out the only thing that could protect him.

All at once the pain stopped.

At some point Maul had fallen on his back. The high ceiling looked down on him dispassionately.

“Ah, little apprentice,” Sidious smiled down at him, a sick, cold thing on his face. “You’ve gone and gotten attached to Trezza’s little slave.”

Kilindi. He had given Sidious Kilindi. How could he do that to her-

“Did you think I would allow it? Your only focus can be your training. All that matters is the Grand Plan, and your place in it. You live only to do my bidding. You breath only to kill my enemies. Do you understand?”

Maul croaked weakly at him.

“Of course you do. You’ve always done what I asked. You only think of pleasing me. Isn’t that right?”

The hand that touched his forehead was light. Maul knew better, but he still flinched away from it. Sidious slapped him hard.

“Answer me!”

“Ye-es,” he forced out.

“Good. You can have no distractions. When you return to the school, you will sever your ties to the slave. And kill her. And her little human pet.”

Sidious stepped away from him. Maul’s head rolled when the droid came up beside him.

“I was going to teach you new darkside techniques today, but I felt your disquieted thoughts. I am done with you. You have wasted my time, and that slave girl will pay with her life, and you with it as well.”

The droid dragged him to his feet with unfeeling metal hands. Sidious didn’t look back to watch it drag Maul from the room.

The droid took him all the way back to the small shuttle that had only just brought him from the academy. Or not. Dawn had already arrived. How long had Sidious riffled through his mind before he broke?

He gave him Kilindi. He betrayed her. Again.

The first time he had killed her in Trezza’s office, after killing the headmaster with his own knife. He’d been covered in blood and shadow. She was the last survivor of the Orsis massacre.

Maul looked at Kilindi. She was Staring at him blankly, but she radiated fear like a child in the presence of an enormous monster. He'd never wanted her to fear him. It didn't matter now. He never paused to wonder how his life might have been different if he had not revealed his Force powers to Meltch Krakko. He never paused at all. His only purpose was to serve his master.

Kilindi didn't run. She did try to smile. She said, "I guess you're not interested in the surprise that Daleen and I had for you."

"Not anymore," Maul said. He made it quick. It was only mercy he could offer this girl.

He never hesitated. He never looked back.

Maul stumbled into Kilindi’s room in the dark. Daleen nearly stabbed him in the throat for his troubles. Maul caught her knife and twisted her arm behind her back casually. He could fight children. He could fight full grown adults. He could not fight his master, and he could not let him learn his secrets. The ones that were bigger than girls.

“You need to leave,” he said quietly. His teeth were red with his own blood.

“Maul?” Kilindi was halfway to the blaster she kept under her desk. Her dark eyes were fixed on him. He couldn’t imagine what he looked like.

Less like the monster that had killed her before. For better or worse.

“You need. To. Leave.”

“Why?” Daleen carefully extracted herself from his grasp. His face must have been alarming for her to try to touch his cheek. He caught her wrist.

“My master. He,” Maul swallowed. “Has ordered your death.”

Kilindi paled into a mint green. “He can’t. Trezza-”

“Trezza couldn’t stop him if he tried,” Maul shook his head. “He’s not what he seems, my master. He’s more powerful than you could imagine. Trezza can’t stop him. I can’t stop him. You need to run.”

“What about you?” Kilindi demanded. She was always too smart.

“He will hunt me down no matter how far I go.” All of Maul’s plans were out the window now. “But you he knows less. If you go now, quickly, you might escape with your lives.”

“We can’t leave you,” Daleen argued, her jaw set fiercely.

Maul turned on her, his eyes flashing. “You will leave. Now.” His voice bounced off the walls and around her skull. Daleen swayed.

“We will…”

“I am not letting you get yourself killed!” Kilindi argued, storming up to him. Maul didn’t not waver.

“I will not die,” he said firmly, the very first embers of an idea stirring into a spark. “I am too stubborn.”

He ignored Kilindi’s crushed expression.

“Go,” he said again. He side stepped the door. He knew that Kilindi had the codes for the hanger, and the ships inside. After she’d been stranded on her home planet, and hunted down by the guards for killing her master, she had become almost as paranoid as he was when it came to escape plans.

“Go.”

Kilindi took Daleen’s hand. She threw her arms around Maul. He soaked in her warmth for just a moment, a selfish luxury he allowed himself. He was about to face a horrible fate for her. He had least deserved a hug.

“We will find you again,” Kilindi swore.

Maul nodded to her. The pair disappeared down the hall, on the way to the hangers.

Maul made his way to the small craft landing platform and waited for dawn.

His master found him before it even broke.

#Darth Maul #Maul #time travel #Kilindi Matako #Daleen (Star Wars)#darth sidious #tw; violence mention #tw; violence

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therainroguefanfiction · 4 years

Text

♆ Yandere (Lord Harkon) Belong to Me

📑 Table of Contents

Genre: Angst, Vampire ☁

Word Count: 1,881 ☁

Pairing: Reader x Harkon ☁

World: Skyrim ☁

Prompt: #6: ”How else would they know you belonged to me?” ☁

Author’s Note: This was requested for the Yandere Set! If you’d like to request your own, please see my post [here] to check and see which are available~ I don’t know much about his personality as I’ve only done his questline once, but hopefully this isn’t too OOC.

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Boots echoed off of the stone walls of Castle Volkihar’s dungeon. The air was pungent with the smell of mold, blood, and death. The candles flickering on the walls barely made a dent in the darkness and you had to strain your eyes to make out the silhouette that had come to a stop in front of your cell. The metal books shook as a key was inserted into the lock and turned, the hinges creating a high-pitched squeal as the door was pushed open.

“Wake up,” hissed one of the low-level vampires that stalked the halls of the castle, his tongue darting out to wet his lower lip. When you didn’t move, he jammed the toe of his boot into your side, making you wince in pain. As a reflex, you tried to move your body away from him, but your wrists were pinned above you by metal cuffs screwed into the hall and you could not move. He squatted down in front of you, cold hand gripping your chin tightly as his glowing eyes focused on your neck, bruised and scarred from Harkon’s weekly feedings. “Your blood smells so damn good~”

Despite your current position and lack of power, you managed to glare at the Redguard. “And you smell like mammoth ass,”

Anger flashed through his eyes and, as quick as sabrecat, he backhanded you, sending your head to the right as you cried out in pain, your skin stinging. You were sure it would have hurt less if you stuck your head in a beehive. “I suggest you watch your tongue, mortal.” He spat, moving his hand to your throat and forcing your head further to the side so he had more access to your exposed throat.

You tried to pull your body away, but between his iron grip and the cuffs binding you, you didn’t stand a chance. In the year that you had been stuck at Castle Volkihar, no one had fed from you except for Harkon which, you supposed, had been a bit of a blessing. If just one vampire feeding from you left you feeling so drained and cloudy-headed, you couldn’t imagine what it must feel like for the other cattle, who get fed from by multiple vampires, sometimes all at once.

You had to repress the urge to gag as his cracked lips pressed against your skin. On instinct, your body tensed up in preparation for the sharp sting, which you tried to control knowing it would only make it hurt worse. His fangs scraped against the skin, making you take a shaky breath.

You waited, but instead of a sharp sting in your neck, you felt ice-cold liquid spray across your reddened cheek. The Redguard’s body fell backward onto the ground, his head rolling across the room and blood spurting from his neck. Your wide eyes snapped to the shadow hovering in the doorway, blood dripping from its sharp claws.

Lord Harkon, in his vampire lord form, huffed haughtily as he stared at the corpse in disgust, flicking his hand to remove the blood. “What arrogance, trying to take what does not belong to him. Vingalmo!”

The Altmer vampire appeared at his side, hands clasped behind his back. “Yes, my lord?”

“Have Y/N brought to my chambers,” his lip curled back as if he smelled something foul. “And then clean up this mess.”

“Yes, my lord.” Vingalmo bowed as his lord floated away down the dark hall.

You kept your eyes on the ground as he unlocked one of the cuffs, your arm falling to your lap like a bag of rocks. It was so numb, you could only just move your fingertips. As he worked on the second cuff, your eyes scanned the corpse in front of you, wondering if he carried a weapon of some sort on him.

Sensing this, the male kept his arm on your wrist rather than letting your second arm drop. “Come now, Y/N, we both know what will happen if you attempt to escape.” His voice was kind enough, but you could hear the warning lingering beneath the surface and you knew it was no idle threat.

When you had first been brought to the castle, you were full of fight and determined to escape your bloodsucking captors. You had even gotten close a few times, but each attempt was met with consequence. Food was withheld from you, Harkon nearly drained you dry on more than one occasion, your leg had been snapped in half and, finally, you were chained within the castle’s dungeon, stripped of light and sound where you were left to your own thoughts for weeks without end.

Where had your fight gone? At this point, you were too exhausted to care. It just wasn’t worth fighting anymore. Maybe if you behaved, you could finally be set free from the dungeon.

Vingalmo helped you to your feet, draping your thin body over his shoulder. You groaned, voice hoarse from a mixture of lack of use and water. “I may walk with a limp now, but I can walk, you know.”

He hummed as if he didn’t believe you. “Perhaps so, but in your weakened state, it would take you a minimum of a month’s time to reach my lord’s chambers.”

‘It’s not my fault this damned castle is huge,’ Your eyes narrowed at the ground. His boney shoulder poked into your ribs with every step, but it paled in comparison to your cheek and ribs. Your eyes slid closed as he stepped out into the dining hall.

The room immediately fell silent, everyone turning to stare at the two of you. They could smell their fallen brother’s blood upon your skin and they stirred with unease, not knowing if you had caused his death.

You could feel their eyes burning into your skin, some filled with hatred, others with hunger. After all, you were just a piece of meat to them. How much longer could Harkon milk your body before the blood finally stopped flowing? Would your taste change as you got older, or would it taste the same? You knew very little about vampires because your family banned talk of them from the house, claiming the tales to be nothing more than some hogwash story told by a drunken old man.

There was no denying their existence now, not for you.

Vingalmo ascended the grand staircase, pausing to knock on Harkon’s door. With no response, he pushed the heavy metal door open, unfazed by the high-pitched whine of the worn hinges. He picked you up, setting you on your feet, but your weak legs couldn’t take the sudden weight and you crumbled to your knees.

He sent you a look, as if that proved his earlier point, before clearing his throat. “Wait here. Lord Harkon will be with you soon.” He paused in the doorway, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and tossing it at you. “Do try to clean up before he arrives.”

Your brow furrowed as he left the room, closing the door behind him. After so many escape attempts, why would he trust you to be alone? Maybe he sensed your growing compliance. After spending nearly two months in that dark, silent cell, he really couldn’t blame you.

You picked up the piece of cloth, scrubbing at your cheek and hoping you had gotten the majority of the blood off your skin. The skin was sensitive and it stung every time you touched it. With some effort, you managed to get the blood flowing back to your legs, trying to ignore the pins-and-needles feeling as you shakily got to your feet, the stone like ice against your skin.

You scanned the room, expecting to find Harkon standing within the shadows of the room, but you were alone. You moved closer to the fireplace, welcoming the warmth that was so rare within those walls. Your legs were starting to shake again, so you allowed your body to fall into the chair angled toward the fire.

A sigh passed your lips, eyes sliding closed as you focused on the crackling flames. For a moment, you felt at peace. At the very least, none of Harkon’s minions would be fool enough to enter his chambers without his permission, so you were safe from being used as a meal. You were so wrapped up in the temporary bliss that you didn’t notice the door opening and closing.

“Did I give you permission to sit upon my chair?”

Your body tensed and you nearly jumped out of the chair, wide eyes snapping toward the doorway where Harkon stood, arms crossed over his chest and thin brow raised. He stepped toward you, crooning his ringed index finger to indicate that he wanted you to stand. Slowly, you pulled yourself up, willing your legs not to give out on you again.

Harkon took your place, settling himself on the chair. To your surprise, he grabbed your hips and forced you back onto his lap, nails digging into your sides. Your heart raced at the sudden contact, a chill going down your spine when his breath fanned over your neck. “You seem to enjoy causing me trouble, Y/N.”

The way he hissed your name made your breath catch in your throat.

“To think that animal put his filthy hands on you,” His voice was measured, but the anger was clear as day to you as his hand lifted to your chin, tilting your head so he could observe your cheek. “Has he done this before?”

You weren’t sure if you should answer or not, but his grip on your waist and chin tightened in warning. “Y-Yeah… since he got here.”

Harkon’s aura darkened considerably. “And you didn’t feel the need to share this information?”

“I didn’t think it mattered,” you mumbled in response, feeling confused by his sudden change. Why was he so damn angry? You didn’t get it.

“Well, I intended to honor your will by not turning you, but…” He paused, his tongue licking up your neck, which was sensitive from all of his previous bites. “It seems I have been left with no choice.”

“W-Wait a minute -!” Fear gripped your heart and a surge of adrenaline rushed through your veins, but no matter how hard you fought, his grip was like steel.

But Harkon wasn’t listening, at least not to your words. “But, my dear Y/N, how else would they know you belonged to me? Listen to your heart race for me. I must admit, I will miss that sound, but I will grant you my gift, and you will rule by my side. Together, we will forge a realm of eternal darkness.”

“No, I -!”

His fangs sank into your neck, deeper than they ever had before. You cried out in pain, a searing heat rushing through your body as the curse entered your veins.

“No one else may touch you but I,” he hissed, dragging a nail across his wrist until blood poured from the wound. You tried to avoid him, but he forced his wrist upon your lips, the coppery taste of blood filling your mouth. “My blood flows within you now.”

The last thing you heard before darkness claimed you was the sound of his deep chuckle against your ear.

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📜 Read more by checking out my masterlist 📜

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hibiscuswolverine · 3 years

Text

Ha ha oops-

My THH rewrite?? Ghost Au??? Idk everyone the same except Makoto gets tired and is somewhat himself. Ghosts get angry and you might think I took something before writing this all down.

CW: talks of gore, and brief mention of attempted su//c//de

-Sayaka is the first ghost he encounters, both in a dream/nightmare/somewhat memory and then in real life. The Nightmare starts somewhat normal enough it’s a memory of a younger him and Komaru walking along the Santa Cruz boardwalk, they escape their babysitters and run off to the beach. Komaru dares him to play hide and seek with her in the mirror/glass maze that’s on the beach, he declines at first(because it’s dark and she made him lose the candy apple he was eating) but after Komaru calls him a chicken it is on. She goes first and then he goes in *cue cute kid running into every other glass mirror*

-NOw the lights were on (dimmed) but then at some point they go out completely and baby Makoto ain’t really feeling it. So he still looking for Komaru with more urgency and starts to call for her.

-When he does find her it’s like they’re in their own solitary cubes but they can see each other through the glass wall. Komaru tries around all sides to get out and reach her brother but she can’t, so then Makoto tries but to no avail, even the side that he came in is blocked off. And then the light behind Komaru’s cube turns on and nothing is there BUT then the left and right lights begin to flicker. Yeah, so uhm she’s screwed but they’re both 5 and 6 and don’t watch horror movies so they don’t know that yet.

Anyway, Makoto and Komaru are obviously very scared and both are trying anything to break the glass but then they freeze because something does crack neither of them caused it. It’s the glass behind Komaru, then it’s the one on the left then the right.

-Do you remember that one scene in Pennywise 2 where Pennywise smashes his head against the glass and then eats the kid? Yeah so Rip Komaru. (I don’t really have a design(s) for monster Sayaka but the middle would be like one based on her actual death, while the other two would be based on her unused execution.

-After watching his sis get eaten Makoto is in a panic but he’s frozen he doesn’t know what to do because like Komaru he is surrounded on all sides. So he huddles himself into a ball in the middle and tries to ignore the glass breaking, it goes quiet and he uncurls himself only to get jump scared.

- Then he wakes up and he gets jumpscared again!! By Sayaka’s actual ghost who proceeds to choke him (causing him to levitate and eyes roll back) and he passes out.

- He wakes up again its morning now the day after the 1st trial and goes to get ready hesitantly in his own bathroom. And finds marks around his neck, and a big ol’ scabbed stabbed wound in his torso, and a few other ones around it. He is very confused cuz he knows he locked the door so he’s just very confused.

-At some point He gets fed up with Sayaka and her ghost shenanigans(scrapping on his door, screaming at the top of her lungs, banging on the door) and just puts a circle ring of salt around his shower. He also has one on the outside of the bathroom door too just in case!

-Speaking of Makoto’s bathroom it is trashed except for the toilet, sink, and tiles. He shattered the mirror and destroyed the shower in a fit of insanity because Sayaka's hallucination was taunting him. So he uses the bathhouse instead for hygiene needs.

-Oh no I didn’t forget about the others, they’re there. They also help him lose his mind.

-Some don’t do much; ie Chihiro, Hifumi, and Sakura (she mostly hangs around Hina but she did have to knock him out once because he was about to take his own life) and Muruko.

- Taka: gave him a really bad migraine for skateboarding in the halls.

Leon: Idk why but he makes him spit up a baseball? I dunno I might change it but for now, he spits up a baseball.

Mondo: kinda takes a chunk out of his calf (with the pickaxe) but the cherry on top is he gets him in the shoulder and by shoulder I mean like really close to the joint but he missed a few inches. BUT he then tries to rip upward and during this process because mondo got melted guess who’s muscles are getting melted??! Luckily Taka walked by stopping the process before the pickaxe could rip through his shoulder blade.

Celeste: I actually wrote about what she did in my goretober Fic! And I am too lazy to state it so you can read it here- :)). OH! BUT I didn’t mention that she set him on fire, (that’ll be explained later)

Sakaya: Well you know.

-The apparitions do get better over time, but when they first enter the spirit realm they’re kinda pissed at first. Now Makoto and his hallucinations of them are a different story.

-The survivors don’t really know what to do with Makoto tbh, like they know he’s suffering and often find him asleep just anywhere. (Makoto doesn’t fear death at this point so if monokuma were to tell him he’s going to die he would just shrug and go back to sleep and that isn’t despairful at all so he lets him get away with it).

-B//ut I do want the kids to have fun so they do with what they got. Not individually too! Like all 5 of them being homies! They play a game of drunk uno, dance to Queen in the concert hall, watch some movies (i.e mostly horror movies cuz I feel like that’s what junko would leave), a jumping contest in the pool, Act out little plays and scenes from books, they play Mario kart- wii sport - just dance-, s’moRES, ARTS N’ CRAFT-

-The Ghosts are there too but only Makoto can see them, and the more the chapters or time progresses the more ‘back to normal’ they begin to look. How? Through ghost therapy sessions, or FTE events idk.

-At one point in time he’s going to kinda lose his cool at one of them and it’s going to be celeste. She woke him up by setting him on fire because he was so deep in his sleep. She called him because the other four (kyoko not included) were attempting to summon something and celeste claims that she can’t fight the thing they summoned that’s in them (now earlier she told him at some point that she was quite a powerful demon,) and needs him to do it. All he does is beat the thing out of them with a bat (one or two hits).

- Now Makoto is frustrated because she woke him up at the ungodly hour of three something, had to do something she probably could have done herself, and then tell him to take them back to their rooms because she doesn’t want them in hers (it's the rec room but shh). He is not having it, he is tired his wounds hurt like a mother and he just wants to go to bed, so yells at her, dogs on her some, and then leaves saying “THESE AREN’T JUST MY FRIENDS THESE ARE YOUR FRIENDS TOO SO YOU’RE GOING TO BE A GOOD FRIEND AND LET THEM SLEEPOVER OK? OK!” I know I know canon Makoto would be a good dog and carry all these bodies down to there dorm but let Makoto be mean for five seconds ok-

- Something kinda chill, because this is being broadcasted (live I assume) right before and after it cuts to commercials, they show pictures that were taken by the remaining students or various artworks of the students from fans, Like SNL.

I Have other ideas for this AU specifically Makoto’s dreams/nightmare/memories and perhaps a few premonitions? But that’s for another time

#anyway naegi Stans don’t kill me #I promise I love him too #but please feel free to ask me about it!!#or get mad ig #dangan ronpa #danganronpa #makoto naegi #naegi makoto #mine

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waywardwrestlewritingwaif · 4 years

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The Guardian’s Oath, Part Four

Here’s the next instalment of the series, which features some exposition on the Reverend Feargal Devitt.

In order to get caught up, you’ll want to read Part One, Part Two and Part Three

Pairing: Feargal Devitt/ Finn Balor x OFC

Word Count: 4,494

Content advisory: Some discussion of death (which I would think is kind of expected in a horror story)

In the wake of that night, I found myself unable to teach with the same energy I had. It was just as well for William, who was sick for days, but I felt sorry for Sophia. She tended to her brother and I did what I could but I knew that she was frustrated by the slow pace. Sometimes, when I had her read a text and copy out some of the words as an exercise, I would drift off to sleep in one of the drawing room chairs. She would wake me gently in those moments, however, it was during such a spell that the Reverend returned from his weekly rounds.

I shook myself awake, humiliated as I saw his annoyed expression, but before I could explain, Kate swept in and immediately told Sophia to go and set the table. She grabbed Reverend Devitt by the elbow and pulled him into the hall without a word to me. I understood that she meant to have a private conversation, however, I found that I could make out what they were saying if I listened carefully.

She was telling him the story of William running away in the night and of how I’d rescued him. Although I couldn’t hear every word, I heard enough that I knew she was flattering me immensely, presenting me as some kind of heroine. The Reverend didn’t speak and I feared that he would somehow blame me for his son’s recklessness, or for the fact that he was still a little under the weather.

“She’s no business at all being up and teaching in her condition,” Kate spat. “She should be in bed resting and if she continues like this, she’s going to make herself seriously ill.”

I heard the Reverend mumble something but there was no further conversation between them.

I joined Sophia and her father for dinner, William still being weak enough that he took his meals in his room, and did the best I could to look alert. It was difficult because, unlike our usual dinners, there was almost no conversation. I desperately wanted to be able to speak as we always did, but every time I tried to raise a subject, I got almost no response.

After we had finished our dessert, Reverend Devitt ordered his daughter to tell Kate to bring us coffee and then be off to bed. His tone was firmer than it usually was, and I saw a faint look of apprehension pass over her beautiful features as she rose from the table.

Kate brought us our coffee and placed a bottle of whiskey on the table with a glance in his direction. He gave her a nod and a little smile, but waited until she left to add some whiskey to his cup.

“Hand me yours,” he said, pointing at the cup of coffee in front of me.

“I’m sorry sir, but I don’t.. I’ve never had alcohol, I don’t know what I’m-”

He waved his hand and took hold of my cup, adding a small amount of the caramel-coloured liquid and placing it back in front of me.

I took a sip and winced at the burn of it. After a moment, though, the flavor seemed to emerge from the fire and I gave him a little smile to let him know that the pleasure wasn’t lost on me. When I met his gaze, however, I realized that he had started to cry.

“I’m so sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to-”

“Stop it,” he rasped. “Kate’s told me what happened while I was away. She told me what you did, that you saved my son’s life and how you risked your own to do so.”

“I did only what was required of me,” I mumbled.

“You saved a child’s life. That is more than most people ever do.”

He rose from his seat and made his way over to me, taking a knee before me and grasping my hand in his. When he pressed his lips to my knuckles I marveled at how very soft they were. I knew already that I adored him, that all the happiest moments of my life occurred when he was at home, and that much of the zeal I had for my work came from the knowledge that I could please him; however, in that instant, seeing him bow to me as if I were a fine lady and not his servant, my love grew into something new and all-encompassing.

“I know that this is a difficult position,” he murmured. “I know that you must be terribly lonely, and that the children can be unruly. I hope you know that I never imagined they could do anything like this.”

“I never attributed the young master’s behavior to any failing on your part,” I soothed him.

“You have probably heard that keeping a governess has been difficult.”

“Only a little.”

“Please promise me that you’ll stay with us. Please promise that, whatever happens, you'll speak to me before it becomes unbearable.”

“Of course, sir, I would never-”

He clasped my hand in both of his and planted kisses on my palm before rising. There were still tears shining in his eyes but they were no longer falling. I gazed up at him, feeling the little rush that he always stirred in my heart accompanied by a new thrill at the realization that he needed me. I had never in my life been needed. I had barely been wanted.

“Papa?” Sophia’s calm voice startled both of us.

“What are you doing up, love? Are you feeling unwell?”

“William’s crying. He says he had a nightmare.”

He gathered his daughter into his arms with a tender smile. “Well then, let’s go and see what can be done to cheer him.”

The girl shook her head. “He says he’ll only talk to Miss Miles about it. And he wants to see her alone.”

My cheeks colored a little. Despite the Reverend’s kind words, I was worried he might resent the implication that his children felt closer to me than to him.

“Goodness. Then I suppose we should let her go and speak to him while we chat here.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing, sir,” I told him, rising hesitantly to my feet.

I hurried up the stairs to the children’s room to find William sitting bolt upright, his face swollen from crying. As soon as he saw me, he held his arms out. Although I had always had a good relationship with the children, we had never been affectionate, and I found his gesture a little intimidating. Nevertheless, I sat on the bed and wrapped my arms around him. His little body closed around me like a snake and he began to cry again.

“Please don’t hate me,” he bawled into my shoulder.

“Hate you? Of course I don’t hate you. Whatever made you think such a thing? You frightened me and you were reckless but I could never hate you.”

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I did it.”

“Just promise me you won’t put yourself in danger like that ever again.” I leaned back enough that he could see the earnestness in my face.

“I promise,” he said, nodding his little head. “I’ll be good for you.”

“Well you shouldn’t be good just for me. Be good because it’s the right thing to do. And be good so that your father doesn’t have to worry.”

Once again, he flung himself against me. “I love you mama,” he whispered, kissing my cheek.

The proper thing to do would have been to remind him right away that I was not his mother, but with him in such an emotional state, I told myself that letting it slide this one time couldn’t hurt.

“I love you too, William.” I nuzzled my face against his cheek and felt him smile at the contact.

“I dreamt that you left.”

“I’m not going anywhere, dear boy.”

“I never cared for the others but if you left, I should be unhappy forever.”

“Not forever,” I told him. “Forever is a long time. But it doesn’t matter because I’m staying here for as long as I’m needed.”

“Forever,” he insisted.

I laid him back down on the bed, basking in the smile he gave me and in the adoring look in his eyes. I tucked him into the bed and was about to go back downstairs when he called to me again.

“You won’t let him hurt us, will you?”

I paused, immediately recalling the dark limerick he and his sister had recited to me months earlier. Although he was never named, I somehow knew that William meant the dark figure of Finn Balor. Once again, I knew that I should scold him for believing in such things but did not.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you,” I promised him.

When I returned to the dining room, I found the Reverend with Sophia asleep in his lap. He gave me a smile that was warmer even than the fire flickering before him.

“She didn’t last long,” he whispered.

“Well I believe I’ve dispatched the monsters from William’s nightmares for the time being.”

“I can’t tell you how remarkable this is. Neither of them ever seemed to take much notice of their previous governesses.”

“I guess he and I have a special bond after what we’ve been through.” Seeing his inquisitive look, I continued, “He was worried that I hated him for what he did. He just needed to know that he was forgiven.”

“You are as true a Christian woman as I’ve ever met, Helen. I’m not sure if I’d forgive him in your position.”

In one smooth moment, he rose to his feet, still cradling Sophia. I was impressed, for it would have taken a great deal of strength to do so, far beyond what I would expect of a country minister.

“Good night, Helen,” he said as he passed me.

“Good night, Rev-” I caught his sharp look and corrected myself. “Good night, Feargal.”

Once he was gone, I cleared away the remaining dishes and scraped the ashes in the fireplace to put the fire out. I retreated to the garret feeling unsettled by the waves of emotion the evening had brought me. I desperately wanted to think that Reverend Devitt felt the same for me as I did for him, but I knew that he was also a kind and caring man and that it would be an insult to his goodness to imagine that it might be in any way selfish. I had told his son that I loved him and I wondered now if I even understood what that meant. I knew that I would do anything in my power to protect them, but I was unsure if that was the same as love.

As I tried to relax enough to fall asleep, I also thought of what William had said about protecting them from “him”. Had my instinct that he meant the demonic figure Finn Balor been correct? Was there someone else who was a real threat? And, of course, all this took me back to the night I had saved William from the ocean caves, of the monster who had appeared to me, whose touch I still felt on my skin.

Reverend Devitt chose to stay at home a few days in order to tend to the welfare of his son. William was in good enough health but still looked pale and a bit thin. Although he never said anything, I noticed that the Reverend made an effort to take on some of the work that I had been doing, particularly when it came to taking the children outdoors. He encouraged me to rest and recover my strength and even though I felt strong enough, I was touched by his gesture. I tried to help Kate and Susan a little more than usual. The latter appreciated the effort but the former tutted me about doing too much and not resting.

I did insist on continuing with teaching the children and found them more attentive than ever. William in particular stayed close to me and Sophia was more eager than ever to show that she had absorbed everything that I told her. Sometimes, I would sit outside on the grass so that I could make sure that they got some of the summer air. The Reverend was strict about keeping them as close to home as possible and I could tell that, while they wanted to please him, they were chafing under the new restrictions.

It was on one of those afternoons that a group of men came to the gate from the direction of the beach. I recognized some of them from church and from the shops in town, but I couldn’t imagine while they were together. There was one man who stood out by his unusual height and formal dress, quite inappropriate to the warm weather. He loomed at the gate and called out to Mr. Jones, who was at work pruning the bushes by the house.

Their exchange was short and not particularly friendly and I moved to get up to see if I could help. Sophia laid a firm hand on my arm and shook her head.

“It’s Doctor Kennedy,” she whispered harshly. “He hasn’t been here since our mother…”

I saw Mr. Jones open the door and call out something I couldn’t quite understand. In response, both Kate and the Reverend arrive. The Reverend advanced to the gate while Kate waited in the doorway. I managed to catch her eye and she shook her head, her face clouded with worry. Sophia leaned as far forward as she could without leaving the shelter of the tree.

“Can you hear them?” I asked.

“A little.”

The proper thing to do would have been to admonish her for eavesdropping on their conversation but I was so curious myself that I said nothing of the sort. I let her strain forward and listen, unable to make out much myself. Although he was turned mostly away from us, I could see the tension in the Reverend’s body. After a couple of minutes, he raised a hand to his face. He began to back away and as he did, the man Sophia had identified as Doctor Kennedy called to him again.

“We shall be back to discuss it with you, Mr. Devitt,” this time speaking in a voice loud enough for me to hear.

I puzzled over the fact that he referred to him as “mister” rather than by his proper title until it occurred to me that the Doctor was a Catholic, and that this was his way of reminding Revered Devitt that he did not consider him to be a proper agent of the church. However, I couldn’t fathom what would bring him to our house.

“They’ve found something,” Sophia informed us, “in the water.”

She and William passed a meaningful look.

“Did they say what it was?” I queried.

“I couldn’t hear, but whatever it is, Papa was upset.”

“Perhaps we should go inside.”

I stood and they followed me back into the house. The Reverend was speaking to Kate, his face flushed and his voice shaky. When he saw me he paused, his eyes moving from me to each of his children and back.

“I’ll go prepare tea,” Kate rasped, looking a little frightened herself.

“What did he want?” Sophia asked sourly.

“The men went to install grates in the caves. They were worried about children exploring them and getting caught up in the tide.”

William looked a little ashamed, although I really didn’t see how this reflected badly on him. If anything, he was inadvertently contributing to making others safe.

“The doctor says they found… there was something in the cave where you were hiding the night you ran off, William.” He paused as if it was hurting him to speak. “Children, come here.”

They obeyed and I wondered if I should leave, feeling a little left out. I could not do so, however, without pushing past them, which I felt would seem rude. Instead, I backed up a little and hung closer to the door, turning my face away as if I were trying not to hear what was said.

“What they found… they think it might be your mother,” he said quietly.

“How do they know?” William whimpered.

“Well, they don’t know for sure, but what they found… they never did find her body and we always assumed she’d been swept out to sea. Now they think she might have gone into one of the caves and become trapped.”

“But what did they find?” William persevered.

“Bones,” his sister snapped. “They found bones.” She tilted her chin up and pointed her unwavering stare at her father. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

He nodded. Sophia glanced back at me and he looked up again, surprised.

“I’m sorry Reverend,” I stammered, “I wasn’t trying to impose myself, I just…”

“No, it’s fine.” He patted both children on the shoulder. “Why don’t you go upstairs for a few minutes while I talk to Miss Miles?”

Once again, they followed his directions, although I noticed both of them looked back at me with strange expressions as they mounted the stairs.

“Perhaps we could sit in the salon for a few moments,” he suggested quietly.

I nodded and took a seat, frightened that I had angered him. However, when he sat down, I saw nothing but sorrow and worry in his face.

“I’m terribly sorry you have to find out about this in such a way. I know I’ve never shared the story of what happened to my late wife and you’ve been polite enough not to ask.”

“It’s not my business, sir.”

I had always assumed that Mrs. Devitt had died of a disease. Truthfully, all I knew of her was what Kate had told me when I first arrived: that she was a bit wild. A few of the townspeople had emphasized that the children were lucky to have me, particularly after I rescued William from the cave, and perhaps they had implied some kind of comparison, but I could never be sure.

“Nevertheless, you deserve to know and now that we’ve received this news, you have to.”

He gave a heavy sigh before embarking on his story.

“My wife was a very charming woman and from the moment I met her, I was quite captivated. She was from France but from the northwest, a Breton, and she spoke English very well. So we could communicate and as we spoke, I found her even more fascinating.”

I swallowed, for although what he spoke of was in the past, I could not help but feel jealous.

“I married her, perhaps a little rashly. From the beginning, I could tell that she was unusually sensitive and that she had a temper. I suppose I thought that taking her to a quiet place like this would calm her nerves and that she would change with time.

“The truth is that she did not get on well with the people here. She could be sharp with people and, although she converted to Protestantism for me, she had been raised a Catholic, which seemed to put her in poor standing with both groups. She traveled with me early on but going from place to place seemed to upset her. However, she hated being at home without me just as much.

“She became unruly and would take her anger out on the servants. I am indebted to Kate for staying because the others all moved on. She would strike them and accuse them of all manner of things. Once the children arrived, she became convinced that there was some plot to take them away. Her delusions persisted and became violent. I was afraid that she might hurt the children in the name of protecting them from some worse fate that she felt was imminent.

“Later on, she began disappearing, sometimes for days, wandering off and then returning, claiming to have no memory of what had happened to her. I was contemplating committing her to an institution when she disappeared for the final time.

“Some workers on their way back to the Village saw her headed for the beach that night and tried to stop her but she became agitated and scratched one of them in the face. She told them that it ‘was over’ and that she would not be held back for any reason. That was the last time anyone ever saw her.

“A week later, some of her clothing washed up on the rocks and it seemed clear enough that she had drowned. It pained me greatly that we never found a body but I came to accept that she was gone.

“You must understand that, as difficult as she was, I did love her very much. I blame myself for not getting her help when her mental state started to decline but I hoped that it was a phase. I hoped that settling here would solve it. I hoped that having children would solve it. In truth, she was a very sick woman and I refused to admit it. If I had, perhaps she would still be alive.”

“You cannot blame yourself,” I told him in a gentle voice. “The seeds of her undoing were in her and you did what you believed was best.”

He looked unconvinced.

“And now,” he continued, his voice dropping, “I understand that the men found human bones in the cave, the very cave where William hid and from which you saved him. The bones on their own prove nothing, but apparently this was caught up in them.”

He pulled a locket from his waistcoat and handed it to me. It was made of silver and engraved with the letters “F” and “S”.

“Sarah,” he said, anticipating my question. “I gave it to her as a present on the anniversary of our wedding.

I opened the locket and found the remains of what appeared to be a cherry blossom.

“She adored the tree in the front,” he explained. “It’s a miracle that the locket survived all this time, let alone that flower.”

“Perhaps God wanted to make sure you had your peace of mind. As painful as the discovery is to hear, it must give you at least some sense of closure?”

He nodded but then shook his head. He looked up at me, his eyes more piercing than ever. “Helen, I want to tell you something but I hate to burden you.”

“Nothing you say will be a burden to me.”

“This will,” he sighed. “I need to ask for your word that you will never tell this to the children.”

“I shall never tell a soul without your specific instruction.”

“The truth is that the Catholic people here have always been somewhat suspicious of me, more so since Sarah’s disappearance. Aside from the usual conflict about religion, they disliked the fact that I had changed her from Catholic to Protestant. When she disappeared, I know that some of them whispered that I had… dispatched of her… because of her illness.

“Apparently, there is something on the skull that they found- a contusion of some sort. The Doctor believes that she may have hit her head while still alive and that it either killed her or rendered her unconscious, leaving her to drown.

“As a result, their suspicions have been aroused again and I worry that they will try to make things difficult for me.”

“I don’t profess to know much about the subject, but surely after such a long time, there is no way of knowing for certain what happened beyond the fact that she sustained some sort of blow?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know much about the subject either. But the Doctor tells me that they may have an inquest, in which case, I would be required to testify. They will ask me about our relationship and about her behavior. They will ask me why I didn’t take steps to have her confined. I doubt that it will be enough to see me sent to prison but it will cast a shadow over me for the rest of my life. The church may want to move me to another town or they may dismiss me entirely. I don’t know what’s to become of me or my family and for the first time since Sarah was taken from me, I feel lost.”

All I wanted in that moment was to be of some comfort to him but there was nothing I could think of to say or do. Of course, part of me wanted to throw my arms around him and press my lips to his as a way of assuring him that I would do anything at all to help.

"Would you pray with me?" he asked meekly.

"Of course."

We sat together with folded hands and bowed heads as he asked God for strength and guidance. After a few minutes, we were both startled by a loud banging on the window behind us. Although we both spun in our seats to see what the matter was, whoever had made the noise was nowhere to be seen.

We frowned at each other in confusion and quickly went into the yard to see what was happening. We could find no evidence that anyone had been there. The Reverend went to the gate to see if he could spy anyone on the road and I went to look at the window.

There were a few signs of disturbance in the soil. Normally, I would have attributed this to Mr. Jones, but now it seemed likely that someone had been spying on us. The prints were strange, not like any boots or shoes and more like an animal, although not one I could recognize.

I stepped a little closer to see if I could make sense of them and it was then that I noticed something on the window frame: three vertical lines scratched roughly into the wood.

Immediately, I recalled the ominous stranger I had seen at the gate. I remembered him as I would a familiar friend, despite having seen him just the once. I pictured his nearly white eyes and the dark sheen of his skin.

"Did you find anything?"

The Reverend's voice made me jump as it pulled me from my ruminating.

"There are some prints and scratches around the window but I believe they're from some kind of animal."

"I suppose it's possible that it was an animal that made the noise."

I nodded. I felt a little guilty for my slight dishonesty but I couldn't think of a way to explain without making myself sound slightly deranged. He had enough to deal with, I told myself, without having to worry that he'd entrusted his children to another madwoman.

#finn balor fanfic #finn balor imagine #wwe fanfiction #wwe imagine #nxt fanfiction #nxt imagine #wayward wrestle writing

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theamberwriter · 5 years

Text

Call Upon Me [Loki x Reader]

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Word Count: 5781

Warnings: None

You had been having a very serene morning. Just enjoying the time alone. You were refreshed, relaxed. You didn’t know what it was, but it felt that it needed to be enjoyed. It must have been to do with the fact that this had been your first real day alone in your new apartment. No friends staying over, no errands to run, or furniture to move. You were alone and could stay home all day to peacefully unpack the last of the boxes.

The serenity followed you to the shower. You mindlessly hummed, a tune you’d never heard but flowed through your mind easily, like a distant memory. Then you began to sing the peaceful tune to whatever words - your language or utter gibberish - that passed through your mind.

“Until we meet again,” you sang, unsure why. But the sad, peaceful melody in your mind seemed to feel like it fit the words. This was felt sparingly between your long lines of peaceful gibberish. Just random syllables and consonance, whatever seemed to fit.

Wrapping yourself in your towel, the song felt like it ended as you left the bathroom door. You made your way to your bedroom down the hall. But the serenity drained as you turned into your room. A very confused man with dark hair and a dark suit was stood there. He was looking around quite thoughtfully.

“What the - how the -” you couldn’t seem to form a sentence. A horrible feeling sank through your body, and you looked for the nearest thing to defend yourself with. But only came up with your flimsy desk lamp.

The man turned to you, and you vaguely recognized the face. He’d been on the TV with the Avengers. But you weren’t sure which side he was on. He was the other Norse God, Loki. He went through many expressions.

First anger, and he opened his mouth to speak. He shut it slightly as shock passed over his face. Then something you perceived as recognition. And a charming grin was spread across his visage. Sadness was in his eyes, though.

“It’s you,” he uttered, then to himself, “You’ve been here this whole time. - Of course, how could I have been so stupid!”

He came towards you, arms spread. But you backed away, raising the lamp. You knew a little about mythology. Loki was the god of lies and mischief. And there was definitely mischief going on.

“Who the hell are you?” You wanted to hear it. Just to confirm. “How did you get into my apartment?!”

“[Name], you called me, don��t you remember?”

“How do you know my name? And how could I call you? I don’t even know you!”

Loki took a step back, lowering his arms. Another set of emotions crossed over his face. Realization, then pain and wounded. “Odin warned me this may happen, I’d never dreamed it would. I thought I’d perfected it. Before we used it.”

“What are you - it doesn’t matter! Just get out!” you yelled, insides trembling. “I-I’ll call the cops! Or the Avengers!”

Loki snapped his fingers. “That’s it. - Dress yourself. We’re going to see my idiot brother.”

“I’m not doing anything, or going anywhere with you!”

You could see him calculate something in his mind. Then Loki sighed and disappeared. You did dress, so you didn’t have to fight in a towel if he came back. And he did, not too long later.

“You’re saying they’ve been in Midgard all this time?” came a different voice from your living room. You’d found your protection bat and took it with you as you crept towards the voices.

“We’d thought they’d been in Asgard,” came Loki’s voice. “Why did we never think to look here?”

“They were your lover, brother. You should have known -”

There was a sigh. “They despised Asgard. So yes, I should have known. Gods know how long they’ve been down here.”

As the room came into view, you found a very large blond beside your earlier intruder. You knew him immediately, Thor. He’d been all over the news recently, and one of your friends had the major hots for him.

“Why don’t we just see what they remember?” said the Thunder God with a shrug.

“They don’t remember a thing, didn’t even know who I was!” hissed the other.

“Why don’t you both get out of my apartment?!” you shrieked, readying your batting stance. “I don’t know what’s going on. But I want no part of whatever As-Ass-Asberd - or whatever the hell - shenanigans or what’s going on!”

“See, they can’t even pronounce it,” groaned Loki hopelessly, gesturing to you.

Thor turned to you then, grinning. “[Name], it’s good to see you! It’s been a few millennia.”

You tightened your grip on your bat, gritting your teeth. “I don’t care if you are an Avenger! You can’t just barge in here and act like you know me! And I’m only [age]!”

“So you really don’t remember a thing?” Thor plopped down on your couch. He cringed then pulled something from under him and tossed it over his shoulder. “Brother, how can that be?”

“Odin warned me about amnesia in the new carnation,” sighed Loki. And suddenly this whole thing made even less sense than it had an hour ago.

“Well then can’t you just -” Thor waggled his fingers in the air.

“What-What is that?”

“You know.” He did it again. “Magic. Hypnotism. Whatever it is you do.”

“I’m not a parlour magician!” snapped the Trickster God. “And this is too powerful to break myself. They’ll have to break it on their own.”

“How?”

“No idea.”

“I have one - why don’t you leave?!” you insisted.

“[Name], drop the bat, it’s not helping,” said Thor removing himself from his seat and coming towards you. You swung, but the only thing dented was the bat. Thor hardly flinched when it hit his arm. “Your arm is good as ever.”

“You don’t seem to be helping either!” you yelled the bat clattering to the ground. “What do you want with me? What have you even been talking about?!”

Thor and Loki exchanged looks. Then the blond gestured to your couch. “It’s a long story. It’s best if you sit.”

You hesitated, but then slowly paced to your sofa. You were on edge as the pair sat near you. Loki pressed anxiously against the end of the couch. Though he tried to be cool. And Thor reclining in your armchair like a throne. You listened to what they told you. But none of it seemed believable. Even coming from two actual gods.

“So what you’re telling me,” you restated, head in your hands. “Is that a few thousand years ago, I was a god in Asgard. And I was in love with…him…”

You gestured to Loki, and he smiled sheepishly. You stared at him a little longer than you should’ve. You could see how it was possible. He was quite handsome after all.

“And I was dying and sick of being a celestial being,” you continued. “So you did a ritual to reincarnate me into a new body. But I was supposed to have all my memories. And that gibberish I was singing in the shower was actually a calling song to bring you to me, even though I don’t even know a hint of Norse..?”

“They get it!” cheered Thor. “Excellent! There, brother, your problem is solved.”

Loki glared. “Not quite. - [Name] doesn’t believe us, do you?”

You shook your head and stood. "I need a minute.”

You didn’t look at them as you went onto your balcony. Then you started freaking out. What the actual hell was all this? Was it an elaborate prank? Though you’d never so much as seen them in your city before! And now all of a sudden, you’re the long lost incarnation of a celestial being?! Not to mention old lover to the Trickster God?

How did you even sing a ‘calling song’? It was all just random gibberish, right? You didn’t know Norse! Could your subconscious know it, if you were reincarnated? Did you even believe in reincarnation?! Did you believe anything they’d told you?

Your mind was like a steam engine going a million miles a minute. Chugging and grinding. Trying to crunch everything together into some form or another of continuous thought. But all it felt like was your train was derailing. You fell into one of the chairs at the little round table you’d recently bought.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” you groaned. “This isn’t possible… right?”

You sat with your head in your hands for a minute or two. Then stood to peek through the curtains on the door. You could see the pair of Gods were arguing about something. Loki was pacing about. But Thor was still comfortable in the chair. Loki glanced at the door, accidentally meeting your eyes. You both quickly turned.

You felt a sharp, painful jolt deep within your being. Something nagged at the back of your mind. A flickering of images that you weren’t quite sure were real. Distant voices coming through that you didn’t recognize. Then suddenly, it was like you were there. Living in the moment. You couldn’t see the door anymore, or the cement of the balcony floor. You were someplace else entirely.

You could hear shoes pattering on the floor, feel your heart pounding in your chest, and cool marble under your palms. Voices echoed from somewhere you couldn’t place. You had the feeling you weren’t supposed to be doing whatever you were. You were urgent, alert; you didn’t want to be found.

“[Name]? [Name]!” called a woman. You couldn’t quite make out her face. You could see her from your hiding spot behind a large marble pillar. “Lord Odin, I do apologize. I had them with me, and then they just ran off! – [Name] you are getting too old for this!”

“Oh, it is fine,” said Lord Odin. You could tell he wasn’t being entirely truthful.

You ran, finding one door and then another. You pushed passed servants, calling apologies in your wake. You wove through the halls until you were outside in the bright Asgardian sun. You were at the top of a long, wide set of ivory steps. You glanced around, making sure no one had followed you. Only to meet the eyes of prince Loki, who was barely older than you. He looked down at you from a balcony of gold.

You groaned, clutching your head. You stepped back, leaning against the railing for support. The palace faded until you were firmly back on your balcony. What was that? That hadn’t ever happened before.

“Wha-What was that? Was that…” you murmured. “A…A memory..? But that can’t…”

You looked back through the door, catching the dark-haired man’s pale eyes again. Nothing this time. But could it have been a coincidence? There was only one way to be sure. Shaking, you decided to go back inside.

Thor stood, mouth open to say something. You cut him off breathlessly, “I might believe you - if you tell me something…”

You relayed your vision. A strange combination of emotions flickered across Loki’s face. It was quiet as you finished.

“It could be a flashback,” offered Thor finally. “But we have no way to know -”

“It was,” Loki snapped. “The first time I’d ever actually seen you.”

“That’s right!” Thor announced suddenly, there was a spark in his eye. “You ran off, [Name], everyone spent hours trying to find you. You and Loki had been hiding in the royal library. Your mother was furious!”

“Father was not pleased either. You had run off before, always just before important meetings. He threatened your kingdom unless…” Loki trailed off.

“Unless you two became betrothed,” finished Thor.

You glanced between them. You hadn’t ever heard of the first marriage of Loki. “But aren’t you like…married to a giantess?”

“Where on earth did you ever get that idea?” Loki’s tone was incredulous. In fact, he looked more wounded than he had before.

“I believe they teach it in Midgard schools, brother,” laughed Thor.

“Such…blatant lies?” Loki was edging on seething.

“But…aren’t you the God of Lies?” you asked, feeling stupid now. “Does that mean you don’t really have a wolf for a son?”

“Wolf?” he asked weakly.

“You know…” you really had to scrape your mind for this one. “Fenrir the wolf, Jormungand the serpent, and Hel who was half alive and half dead. All had by Angrboda. Along with Narfi by Sigyn. Vali, who no one knows who the mother is. And, uh - Sleipnir that you…” you coughed awkwardly. He was staring quite intensely at this new information. His face read that it was all false. “…well, you, uh, gave…birth…to…”

“Brother!” gasped Thor. “You did what?!”

“I did no such thing,” Loki growled. “This is all ridiculous! - Why would I even name my children that? - I have bedded many women, but have no sons. Or daughters, for that matter. And Sigyn and Angrboda of all the giants!”

“Sorry,” you whispered hoarsely. You sank into the nearest seat. Thor couldn’t stop laughing as Loki stormed around the room, muttering angrily about ‘stupid humans’ with their ‘ridiculous stories’. When he was calmer, he dropped back into his seat at the end of the couch. Then you plucked up the courage to speak again, "So…that, what I just saw, was real? I…I actually lived it?”

Loki nodded. “Yes, that happened. If you remember that, then there must be a way to unlock everything else.”

“Hey, whoa,” you said urgently. “I don’t even know if I want to yet!”

“Wha - of course you want to, you’re a divine being! Do you want to stay trapped in this… pathetic existence forever?”

“Maybe I like being normal, ” you countered, knowing it was a half-lie. “What if I don’t even get powers with the memories?! What powers did I have anyway? Also, if I hated being divine before, what makes you think that now would be any different? Besides, why - if it is true - should I fall in love with you again? You did this to me!”

You groaned, a sharp pain shot through the back of your head. And you were dragged down into another time. You were older than the last one. It was pouring, you could feel the icy droplets on your skin. Thunder was cracking deafeningly around you, and lightning was streaked brightly through the sky. You were on a hill, looking down on Asgard.

“You…You did this to me!” you shrieked. Across from you stood Loki.

“I was only trying to help!” he insisted, regret crumpling his features. “This wasn’t supposed to happen!”

“I’m a divine being, a future ruler, and you made me look like a bumbling mortal! - Everything is ruined. I even made my outfit on my own! And you’ve ruined it! You always ruin everything!”

“[Name], please, I’m sure we can sort this out. Come to some sort of agreement. I -”

“You,” you laughed harshly. “You sound just like your father when he made me swear my life to you!”

You felt sick as your surroundings faded back to your apartment. Loki evidently distraught. You coughed, gagging. The phantom agony still twisting in your stomach.

“What - What on earth did you do?” you groaned. “The hill, the storm - you sound like your father..?”

Loki paled and tried to dart from the room. He blathered out an excuse. But Thor caught him and turned him back around. Wrestling him into a chair.

“Get off me!” Loki snapped. Then turned to you. “I may have … accidentally … ruined an extremely important public showcase. In which you were to be officially announced as my betrothed. Thereby ruining your reputation for a year or so.”

You heard Thor utter, “Oh no…not that.”

“What did you do?” you asked.

Loki was silent. He reclined in his chair, avoiding looking at you. Then he sighed, a nervous smirk crumpling his features. “I was young then, to be fair. I mean, that was eons ago, does it really matter?”

“Considering I don’t remember why, yes it does.”

The Trickster God pursed his lips, looking in physical pain. Then he groaned in defeat. “I wanted to show my people what a great warrior you were. And I … transformed … into the one thing you feared most. A creature that had, well, ravaged a better part of your kingdom. And nearly killed you. - I honestly thought you’d fight me. You even let me take a swipe at you, it ruined the lovely outfit you’d made. And you ran off … without even a single blow. Asgard laughed you off.”

“Wow, I…that seems like a really, really stupid idea,” you mused.

“You didn’t talk to me for about a month, if that makes up for anything,” Loki stated matter-of-factly with a shrug.

Thor laughed again. “Yes, he’d even tried to romance you-”

“Shut up!”

“He brought you lots of flowers, and food, and even tried -”

“Brother, no!”

“He tried to write you a song, but he’s never been musically inclined. So then he tried to do a play. Both of which failed miserably. He even tried to get one of the guards to smite him. He sat naked in your courtyard for two days waiting for someone to do it. And then -”

“That’s enough!” Loki looked both entirely devastated, face a nice pink. As well as totally outraged. He looked as though he was ready to rip the Thunder God apart.

“I don’t know why you’re so mad, Loki,” said Thor nonchalantly. “They’d remember anyway.”

You couldn’t contain the laughter. The sheer thought of the man before you doing any of that sent spasms of laughter through you. Your stomach began to cramp, eyes tearing from it.

“Wh-Why were you naked?!” you laughed. “Sorry, but that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!”

“Let’s just … go,” groaned Loki, heading for your door.

“Come now, brother, it was sweet,” Thor said, joining in your laughter. “That’s not even the worst part of it all!”

“Don’t you dare,” warned Loki, his voice low and serious.

“After the guards refused to smite him, he -”

“Enough!” There was a wave of green energy, and Thor toppled backwards. Chair and all going to the floor with a hard thump.

“L-Loki,” you laughed, wiping your eyes. “What did you do?”

He crossed his arms, and stared out the nearest window. When it was evident he wasn’t going to divulge the secret, you sighed. “Give me a few days to make up my mind. I want to know what you did - it might just be worth remembering.”

You smiled at him. Loki looked furious, but conceded. They agreed to give you space, they’d be back at the end of the week. When the pair left, you spent the day pacing aimlessly about your apartment. The boxes you’d planned to unpack left untouched. None of it seemed real. Though you couldn’t deny the pain in Loki’s eyes. Even if he was trying to hide it.

It was absolutely haunting.

No more flashbacks came after that. But the next day was hell. In the morning, your entire body ached. It was like someone had taken a hammer to all of your joints. It was painful to stand, to move even the slightest bit. Around noon came the first hot flash. Like a fire had been ignited in your belly, which then spread through your chest, down your arms, to the soles of your feet and the tips of your fingers. It got hotter until you began to sweat. You ran a cold bath, you could’ve sworn the water steamed as you sunk into it.

You tried to bathe and wash to help you relax. But you were in so much pain, it was blinding. You barely stumbled back to your room and put on the first thing your hands touched. But the fabric seemed like it was ripping your skin off. You nearly screamed at the searing pain.

Flopping on your bed, you could hear voices, see people moving around you in you shadows. There was the feeling of cool cloths on your face. Someone was sobbing on your left, another on the right was holding your hand and mumbling foreign words under their breath. The hotness and pain lasted the entire day. You couldn’t move from your spot. You couldn’t even sleep for sweet relief.

Only at midnight did it all start to fade away. The shadow people disappeared, one by one. Then the crying person. The cloths were removed. But you could still hear strange words in your ear until you fell into a deep black sleep.

The following morning, you were feeling much better. Not even a touch of soreness. You were also starving but had no food. You’d not been to the store for proper shopping yet. Your friends had insisted on eating out, but there wasn’t anything in the way of leftovers. While getting ready, you decided no more singing in the shower. Although you could hear the tune to the Calling Song in your mind. Shower singing was officially banned.

You were glad to have a breakfast place near you. You’d never been in walking distance of anything like that before. It was a cute little place. It had a bunch of round tables, and a long bar with many stools were in front of the large front window. It smelled of coffee, and fresh bread, and something sweet you couldn’t place.

You sat at a small table near the window when your order came out. There was no way you were shopping on an empty stomach. You weren’t even sure you’d make it there without fainting. And your mind wandered. Had the last two days even been real? They had to be, right? And all the pain, what was that?

“Mind if I join you?” asked a voice.

You looked up. So you hadn’t dreamed it all. “Loki - um, yeah. Sure.”

Loki sat stiffly, looking out the window as well. He chuckled. “Well this is familiar, in a way. To me, probably not to you.”

You turned your attention to him, and with a sharp pain the world began to ripple. The restaurant faded to a garden. You were looking at him still, he was making the same perplexed face. But the sun shone down on him, making him truly look like a god. You were at a little round table, huge flowering bushes on either side. You had fancy cups, and little plates with tiny food.

“Are you well, my love?” you asked. Loki’s face softened and he turned to you. Smiling, he took your hands in his.

“Yes, I’m fine. My apologies,” he said. But it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Something troubles you.” You placed a hand on his cheek. “Tell me.”

He took your hand from his face, clutching it again. “It’s nothing.”

“For the God of Lies, you don’t lie to me very well.”

“If you must know, I was thinking of the future,” Loki admitted. “If you keep on this way, we’re not going to have one.”

“I’m fine,” you assured him for the thousandth time. “I’m just…off my game. That’s all.”

“Something’s wrong, can’t you feel it?”

“Nothing is wrong, so long as I’m with you.” And you kissed him firmly, knowing full well that not all was fine.

You whined, coming out of the vision. Being pulled from the padded garden chairs back to the hard plastic seats. The scent of flowers mixed strangely with the scent of coffee. But the face before you was the same. Just the suit had changed.

“Ech, was I always that - mushy?” you asked, cringing. “'Nothing is wrong, so long as I’m with you,’ bleh”

“You could be quite, given the mood,” Loki replied, turning to you. “Then again, can’t we all?”

You both were silent for a few minutes. You avoided eye contact, trying not to get pulled into your old mind again. But then it hit you - what had Loki been doing here anyway? How did he know where to find you?

“Were you following me?” you asked.

Loki flinched. “What?”

“Were. You. Following. Me? You said you’d give me until the end of the week to make up my mind.”

He sat quite still. Then shifted awkwardly. “I was called to your apartment again yesterday. I saw the state you were in. I -”

“What…What was that?” you asked quietly, not sure you wanted the answer. “What was that memory?”

Loki swallowed thickly, hesitating. “That was the first day that we realized you were…dying.”

Your stomach sank. Suddenly you wondered how many of your final days were spent like that. Writhing in pain, your body so hot you probably could’ve set fire to anything just by touching it.

“But there was something else,” he said. “This won’t take long.”

You glanced between him and the door. Then you stood, not looking down at him for fear of another flashback. You shook your head. “No, you said you’d give me until while the end of the week. This counts as interfering. I’m going.”

“[Name] -”

“No! Leave me alone, like we agreed.”

As you began to walk away, you heard Loki’s chair scrape. Then his voice called, “Fine, stay in this feeble body. Go ahead. See what I care!”

Though you in your current life it meant nothing, you felt a jab and an ancient ach in your heart. There was a sharp pain in your head, as you touched the door handle you saw a hundred different doors. Each as different as the next. And his voice echoed the same line a hundred times over, See what I care.

Anger grocery shopping was nearly as bad as hungry shopping. Before you knew it, your cart was piled high with junk food. You had to calm yourself and took your time putting things back. Then took to getting actual food and ingredients. Though you were still furious, he had answered the one question you’d wanted an answer for. How did you die the first time?

Then you began to wonder more. What did you have dominion over? If Loki was the Trickster God and Thor the god of thunder, what were you? And why were you burning when you were dying? Did it have anything to do with your abilities? What made a celestial being die anyway? Such existential questions that you didn’t really want to wonder that early in the morning.

When you returned to your apartment, it seemed like a different place. Instead of the homey feeling it’d gained upon moving in. The space was now strange, alien. It’d been tainted by unreal things. You now feared that one wrong move would cause an unpleasant jab in your head. That you would sink back into a different body, remembering things that didn’t seem yours.

You put the groceries away slowly. Then fiddled with the TV until you could get to one streaming service or another. But you’d only managed to pull up the news. The story the last few days were of the Avengers, but when weren’t they anymore? Some ingenious thing Tony Stark had been planning on unveiling. Loki’s face bobbed in and out of the stories. You shut it off quickly.

There was going to be a memory if you kept watching. You could feel it. But you didn’t want old emotions getting in the way of a new mind. That made sense, right? You couldn’t be biased. If he was telling the truth, then this new life was a clean slate. So far, you hadn’t been impressed by the memories you’d seen. So did you really want it back?

In the following days, you didn’t do much. You could feel a build-up in your mind. Small things began to pull you under. But you pushed them away. You weren’t going to drown in the waves of time. You were worried about what would happen when you finally let one sneak through.

Could you lose all sense of your current self? If you did gain back all your memories, would you still be this you? Or would you be your old you? The thought of losing everything you currently were, everything you’d worked for. All that you currently cared about suddenly meaning nothing - it was terrifying. It was worse than wondering what happened to you after death. Because you would still be living. But would you be trapped in your mind? Just staring out, watching as you did things you didn’t want to?

You spent most of the days in bed, only venturing outside of your room to eat. But even doing this began to dredge up the hotness again. You must not have been able to leave bed much, there at the end. And your old mind was telling your new one as much. But you dreaded the last day of the week much more than anything the hotness did to you. You weren’t sure you’d actually made up your mind yet. You vaguely wondered if Loki was still angry with you.

“Clear and unbiased,” you murmured to yourself. You were waiting for the two gods to show up. They’d never given you a proper time, just a general estimation. But your nerves had you up and ready early. You were pacing, meticulously straightening things to keep your mind occupied. You nearly ran to the door when there was a knock, you wanted this over with.

“Hey - eeeeyyyyyy,” you said, trying to remain cool. It was one of your friends. “Wha-Wha-What, What’re you doing here?”

“You haven’t been answering your phone,” they said. “Wanted to make sure you didn’t get kidnapped your first day alone. - You alright?”

You nodded stiffly. “Mhm, mhm - sorry. I’ve - just - been busy. You know how moving is! Lots of unpacking, and rearranging, cleaning. - Nothing fun. Phone is the last thing on my mind.”

Your friend eyed you, then your outfit. “You’re lookin’ nice. You got a date today? Why didn’t tell me?!”

“Not a date,” you corrected. “A, uh, interview! Video call, it should be starting soon. I’ll text you later, okay?”

“Okay,“ they said suspiciously. "Good luck - text me.”

You sighed in relief as you shut the door behind them.

“I thought they’d never leave,” groaned a voice behind you. You spun around to find the very two people you’d been waiting for standing down the hall in the living room.

"Thor, Loki,” you gasped, quickly walking to them. “It would’ve been nice if you’d told me when you planned on showing up!”

“We’re here,” joked Thor with a grin. You sent a sharp look his way and went to the couch. “How was your week then?”

“Terrible,” you groaned. “Pretty sure I died again a few days ago. And everything little thing tries to dredge up something new. - This isn’t going to stop is it?”

“Probably not,” said Loki, he still seemed miffed. “You’ve started the process, you can’t stop it now.”

You groaned. “But what if I didn’t want this?”

“Then you shouldn’t have sang the damn song!”

“I didn’t know I had until you turned up in my room!"

”[Name], Loki,“ soothed Thor, "what’s done is done. If we can’t stop it, then we might as well help it along. C'mon - it’ll be fun to have you around again!”

“What happens if I don’t want to?” you yelled, staring Loki down. Something about this felt familiar. “What happens if you just go away and never come back?!”

A severe jab in the temple sent you to the floor. Images flew passed your eyes, faces you didn’t know, all blurring together. You could hear soft voices, which then turned into cries and screams. You were getting very hot again. You could smell smoke, but not like anything you’d ever smelled before. It was - sulfuric, was the best way to describe it. You streaks of red, of fire and blood and something else.

You were hot, absolutely burning. You screamed as something icy was poured over you again and again. It felt like it was peeling your skin away. But then the burning cooled until you felt like yourself. You could sit up now, but were devastated to find scorch marks on the floor under a layer of water. You were going to have to pay for that.

“What, What happened?” you choked, your throat felt burnt. You put a hand to your aching head.

“Your answer,” said Loki softly. “You’ll burn.”

“Why? Why all the pain and the burning?” you whined, flopping back into the water.

“You were the being of volcanoes, fire, and hot springs, what do you expect?” asked Thor.

You threw an arm over your face. “That answers multiple questions I had.”

You sat up, pulling yourself onto your sofa. You were drenched, but you didn’t care. Loki still stood, but Thor was back in the armchair. Both appeared equally concerned.

“So I’ll - burn up - if I don’t choose to remember,” you stated quietly.

“This body can’t take the power within,” explained Loki, sitting. “The ritual didn’t work like it was supposed to. It was supposed to take away your powers completely, but keep your memories. It seems to have temporarily taken away both. And if you don’t get back to a celestial state - we’ll have to watch you die all over. And Odin knows I refuse to go through that again!”

He cringed as he caught his last words. You caught Thor smile at his brother before saying, “And you’ll get to be with him all over again - if that’s a good thing.”

“What if the old memories don’t convince me to love him?” you asked flatly. You didn’t want to fall in love with someone just because of who you used to be. This seemed to catch both gods off guard.

“Well then allow him to win you again.”

“You mean properly?” you corrected. “I had to be sworn to marry because I kept running away, remember.”

“Excellent!” Thor cheered. Loki looked devastated, you could tell he just expected it all to fall into line on its own. “Allow Loki a year -”

“Six months,” you countered.

“Six months then. - To woo you properly. To try to unlock your memories. How does that sound, brother?” Thor was giving him a hopeful grin.

“I suppose I have no choice,” Loki sighed.

“Fine - then you have six months to help return my memory. Along make me fall in love with you again,” you agreed.

“I just fear,” Loki said sternly, turning to you. “ That we may not have that much time, pet.”

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wykart · 5 years

Text

Does it Matter (It’s Klaus)

Part 2 of Fifty-one years (and one day) later (read on ao3)

Summary: The truth comes out, and Klaus must come to grips with the fact that his entire life of happiness with Dave was taken away by his own brother.

Chapter 5: Playing on (chpt. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5)

1 day, 17 hours

Vanya was in the hospital waiting room when Diego found her. She was on edge, playing the events of the previous night over and over in her head. That anger, that fear, building and building as the noise of the engine rattled and roared, consuming her, filling her with energy and then... spilling over. Surging out in a tidal wave. She wished she had her pills, something to take away the tumultuous emotions she was feeling, the guilt, the fear, her shameful sense of pride at what she was, what she’d been all along. Special. She wished she could make it stop.

“Vanya!” She turned to see him, Diego, jogging down the hall in that ridiculous vigilante get up. What the hell was he doing here? “Are you okay, did he hurt you?”

He sounded out of breath, and scared. It wasn’t often that her brother showed fear. “I’m fine.” She said, taken aback. “Diego, what the hell are you doing here?”

“Allison and I were on our way to get you when I picked up the report on my radio, something about an attack at a bar close by, the description sounded like you so I came right away. We have to get you back to the academy, now.”

“W-wait a minute, why were you coming to get me? You guys didn’t want anything to do with me yesterday.”

“Yeah well, that was before we found out your boyfriend is a psycho murderer.”

“What!” She exclaimed. Then it all made sense. Allison was trying to play big sister again, and now she’d roped in her over-protective brothers as well. “Is Allison the one doing this? She needs to get off my case, god I can’t believe you guys.”

Diego looked puzzled. “You mean, he hasn’t hurt you or anything?”

“No, of course not. He was just taking me out on a trip to the lake. We went out for dinner last night and got jumped by some crazies and…” She didn’t know what to tell him. There was no denying it now, though, she had power, power that she didn’t understand let alone know how to control.

“But the police report said two of them were dead. You telling me that wasn’t him?”

“No it was... I don’t remember okay. But I’m fine, I don’t need to go back to the city. I need to stay with Leonard, he hasn’t woken up yet and I…” She trailed off, glancing over her shoulder in the direction of his room.

“Vanya, look.” Diego held out a file brimming with paperwork, stamped with the name Harold Jenkins. Skeptical at first, she took a closer look. It was Leonard, he’d been released from prison just a few months ago.

Diego went on to tell her about what they’d found in his house. The old umbrella academy memorabilia, scratched out eyes, melted heads. All the while, Vanya could feel that power building inside her, and she struggled to keep it pushed down. The rows of fluorescent lights on the ceiling flickered and faltered, dimming the clinical white of the hospital hall. The air felt heavy, alive, answering to her emotions. “We thought he was going to hurt you,” Diego continued, "and Five says that this guy right here,” he pointed at Leonard’s unflattering mugshot, “is going to cause the apocalypse.”

“Ok but Five is-“ She felt awful saying it. When they were kids, they’d tell each other everything, but what Five had confided in her that night had been, well, insane. “He’s deranged. He says he’s been alone for nearly fifty years, and he’s clearly not himself right now.”

“I know it’s difficult to believe, but you’ve missed a lot these past few days.”

“Right, and who’s fault is that? I’m the one who’s a liability.”

“Look,” he smirked, averting her gaze, “I’m sorry Vanya, but you need to trust me now. Allison is back at Jenkins’ grandma’s house, we split up to try and find you. You should head there right away, I’ve got something I need to do.” Diego looked off in the direction that Vanya had glanced over at earlier. She wondered what he was thinking of doing.

“Where’s Five now?”

“He said he’d meet us here with Klaus and Luther, but I don’t think they expected us to find you so fast. I’ll tell them to hold off if they haven’t left yet, save them the trouble. There a phone somewhere here?” She pointed him towards the wall-mounted landline just outside the waiting room. He went over and dialled the number of the academy while Vanya stood against the wall, trying to catch her breath. She clutched the police file in her hand, the grainy mug shot of the man she’d been coming to love clipped to the front. Harold Jenkins... she couldn’t believe it. Even if he was a murderer, he’d been thirteen, that didn’t mean he still wanted to hurt people now. It made sense for him to want a fresh start after all that. She herself had often wondered if she should shed the Hargreeves name, given the infamy and memories, associated with it.

Vanya heard a deep, muffled voice on the other end - Luther. She couldn’t make out what he was saying. “Five? What about him,” Diego muttered, “shit.”

The urgency in his voice piqued Vanya’s attention. “What? What is it?” She leant closer to the receiver and managed to make out Luther’s words.

“Is that Vanya?” He asked.

“Yeah, we got her, she’s safe.”

“Thank god,” he sighed.

“We’ll be there soon, okay big guy? Mom knows her stuff, he’ll be fine.”

“Yeah,” he muttered, “just be here, okay?” Diego hung up, and turned to see Vanya looking at him with wide, incredulous eyes.

“It’s Five,” he said, already barging past her. “He’s hurt, b-bad.”

“Shit. What happened?” She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him again, despite how strange and distant he’d been since he’d come back.

“I don’t know, Luther didn’t say but I’ll bet it has something to do with this incoming apocalypse.” His movements were rapid, pacing and twitching around on the spot. He was worried. “I’m going to get Allison from the house and we’re going back to the academy. You’re coming too.” There was no arguing with him, she realised. But she was still going to try.

“I’m not just going to leave Leonard here!”

“Harold.” He reminded her, impatient.

“I don’t care! He’s... I...”

“You what.” I love him. She couldn’t bring herself to say it. “Listen, you don’t think he was trying to use you to get close to us? He wants us dead, Vanya, all of us. He doesn’t love you.” She whimpered, and for a moment Diego looked like he might apologise, then his mouth hardened into a line and he clapped her on the shoulder. “Come on, Five needs us.”

…

They caught a taxi up to the house, which Vanya had to pay for. Despite all his conspicuous pockets, Diego only seemed to carry knives. Allison came running out of the house as the taxi pulled up the driveway, and she tackled Vanya with a force almost enough to knock her over as Allison pulled her into a hug.

“Oh Vanya, I’m so glad you’re okay!”

“Err, thanks Allison. I’m fine, though, you don’t have to –“ she pulled back from her sister’s embrace, giving her an awkward pat on the shoulder.

“We need to get going, now,” Diego muttered, clambering out of the taxi. He gave the driver a dismissive wave, and he started pulling out of the driveway, looking bewildered. “Five’s hurt.”

“What!” Allison cried, over-acting as always. She nodded, composing herself. “Well I’ve found something too,” she pulled a familiar red book out from behind her. “Dad’s journal.”

“What the hell was it doing here?” Vanya asked, but she already knew. Just another nail in the coffin. Leonard had been using her, and the one thing in her life she thought was her own, had really been about the umbrella academy. It was always about the umbrella academy.

“So he was reading up on us, getting to know our weaknesses.” He glared at Vanya, “between this and your autobiography he’d have quite the arsenal.”

Allison shot him a dangerous look. “We can work all this out in the car, we need to get back to the academy.’

As the other two moved towards the vehicle, Vanya remembered something. “Wait,” she called, “I need my violin.”

“Already in the trunk,” Allison smiled, “let’s go.”

…

Vanya sat in the backseat on the ride back to the city, during which Diego and Allison were uncharacteristically quiet. She poured over the pages of her father’s journal, that elongated, scrawled hand of his. He was always scribbling in this book, writing down times during her sibling’s exercises, taking measurements, scrawling notes about observations from his latest experiments. She wasn’t featured on many of the pages, which was to be expected, of course, but at the beginning of the book, the notes that were taken early in her childhood, many of her father’s entries were entitled ‘Number 7.’

June 5th, 1990

Number 7 may be responsible for some low-level phenomena. Minute changes in temperature and malfunctioning electrical appliances. Strong aversion to noisy environments. She is the first of the subjects to show any promise.

Ever since she was a child, and she’d been the most “promising” of them all.

July 23rd, 1992

Incredible, simply incredible! Number 7 continues to show heightened brain function and response to audio stimulus. Her potential is unmatched by that of the other subjects –

She kept on flicking through, not knowing how to feel. All her life, she’d been lied to. Was she really that dangerous?

October 2nd, 1993

Number 7 continues to excel in her training, though her childish temperament is less than ideal. She is beginning to understand and hone her powers, using them for her personal gain. It is only natural, but if I cannot contain her, she may prove… problematic.

October 4th, 1994

That’s the third one dead this week. The hiring agency is beginning to ask questions, and I fear that it’s only a matter of time before the girl turns on me as well. She has little interest in my guidance, and the child is unruly, distant, even among her siblings.

She was a killer, ever since she was four years old… she shuddered to think of what she was capable of now. She’d only been off her medication for a few days, and already she felt this power deeply-rooted inside her, laying dormant all these years. It was hungry.

January 12th, 1995

I have constructed a chamber that renders Number 7 powerless. The environment causes the girl much discomfort. The disconnect from her abilities makes her agitated and sickly. Her power is too great for me to contain. I have been developing a counter measure, a medication that should help to level her head – thought it will have side-effects.

She’d been living with those effects as long as she could remember. That feeling like the world was moving too fast, the numbness in her brain, the exhaustion, the quiet misery she never quite understood… it was because a part of her was missing.

September 7th, 1995

Number 7 has been sedated these past few months, and so far has shown no sign of her usual abilities. She is far quieter now, subdued. It may become necessary to increase her dosage as she develops. I must keep the girl, though she will likely be of no further use to me. I must be watchful of her, in the hands of others her power could be let loose, and the results could be… cataclysmic.

The passage was circled in red marker. Leonard.

October 1st, 1999

Without her powers, Number 7 has no discernable talents. Some enthusiasm for music, but mediocre skill – can barely even hobble through a Paganini caprice. Utterly useless.

And that was it, the final entry, after four years of silence. Vanya felt tears sting her eyes. She hadn’t noticed it as she’d been reading, but the sky outside had turned from sunny blue to grey. Rain was trickling down, spotting the windows with clear droplets, as did the tears on her cheeks. Leonard, Harold – she reminded herself – had planned to use her like some sort of weapon, and she’d fallen for it. Who knows what would have happened if Diego hadn’t found her when he did, before Harold had a chance to whisk her away again. She had to talk to Five, he’d know what to do, he always did.

…

1 day, 16 hours

“Five, oh god, Five!” She yelled, seeing him laying there, it kicked her mind into high-gear. He looked so small on the surgical bed, flesh blue and swollen. Grace stood beside him, a crisp apron strung around her waist, and a tray of intricate metal tools balanced on one of her arms.

She smiled, despite the situation. “Hello there, Vanya, so lovely to see you.”

“Is he gonna be okay?” She stood over him, trying to see whether his chest was rising and falling, if only gently.

“He’ll make it,” Grace said, suddenly sombre.

“Oh thank god.” She whispered, sitting down in a plastic chair beside the bed, head in her hands. Luther was standing awkwardly in the corner of the room, head down. Allison stepped over to stand behind Vanya and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Who the hell did this to him?” Diego asked, “those psychopaths that attacked the house?”

“I, err,” Luther muttered, shuffling from foot to foot. “Five said that it was… Klaus.”

“Excuse me?” Allison said, glaring over at him.

“I’m not sure if that’s what he meant, but just before he collapsed at the doorstep, I asked him who did this to him and he said it was Klaus.”

“How the hell did Klaus do this? He can’t even walk in a straight line, and his arms are like noodles!”

“Yes Diego,” Allison sighed, “we know you work out.”

“All I’m saying is, maybe he got attacked on the way there, or maybe it was a trap.”

“He went to talk to Klaus, who was already pissed with him, and for good reason too. It makes sense.”

Diego scoffed, “It doesn’t make any sense,” he hissed, “Klaus wouldn’t do this.”

“Grace says he should be awake soon, we can ask him then.” Luther said, trying to keep everyone calm. Grace perked up at the sound of her name, looking between them with that vacant smile.

“You’ve done a great job, Mom,” Diego grinned, his voice soft all of a sudden. “Five would’ve died without your help.” Grace smiled lovingly.

“Can we really believe what he says, I mean, he killed an innocent man, a man that Klaus loved. Should we really be on his side here?” Allison asked. It was something they’d all been trying not to think about; what Five had done. He kept on telling them that he’d changed during his decades alone, that he’d killed countless people, but it was all so easy to ignore when he looked the way that he did, like their kid brother.

“There aren’t any sides here, we’re family, and we’re going to help one another.” Luther said, trying his best to keep the peace.

Vanya wasn’t following the conversation at all, but she was used to that sort of treatment when among her siblings. Out of the loop, never included. She gasped, however, as she saw Five’s eyes flicker open.

“Anyone care what I have to say about this?” He muttered, voice groggy and heavy in his throat.

Vanya seemed to be the only one that was genuinely pleased. Diego only looked relieved for a moment, before he donned his signature scowl. “Not really, no.”

Five rolled his eyes. He tried to sit up but the attempted action made his vision swim before him. He decided against it. “Fair enough,” he grumbled, "did you kill Harold Jenkins?”

“Wait, what!” Vanya interjected, looking at Five in shock.

“Oh,” he smiled, "hi Vanya. So yeah, did you kill him or not?”

Diego looked down at the floor. “No,” he murmured, resembling a kid caught in the act of some trivial transgression.

“Diego!” Allison cried.

“I thought getting here was a little more important, Luther made it sound like Five was dying!”

“I was,” he muttered, "but that’s no excuse, I’ll remind you we’re talking about the fate of the world here.”

"I – I might know something about that, actually.” Vanya said, softly. “I think that I… I have powers.”

The others hesitated for a moment, and Vanya was afraid that they were going to laugh. “Oh, come on,” Diego sighed, putting a hand to his brow. Luther gave her an awkward smile, and Allison gave her shoulder a sympathetic pat.

“Hey, let her finish,” Five snapped. He turned his eyes to her (still being unable to turn his head).

“I was reading Dad’s journal in the car and,” she looked over at Five, unsure of whether to continue. They were all staring, it was difficult to form words. He gave an encouraging, minute nod. “It said that I had powers all along, but they were too dangerous so he… the pills… they’re meant to stop them.”

“You’re serious?” Luther asked.

She nodded, staring down at the floor. “It’s not just that. I’ve been off my meds these past few days and weird stuff has started happening. I feel different, for a start. I got angry at you all and the lamp posts on the street started bending, I think I can control the weather and… last night…”

Diego was looking at her, wide-eyed. “You killed those guys?”

“I – I didn’t mean to,” she stammered. She looked around at the others, hoping she wouldn’t find fear, or disbelief. “they were attacking me and… him.” She couldn’t say his name.

“What kind of power is it anyway, cataclysmic violin playing?” Diego chuckled, trying and failing to lighten the mood.

“I don’t know, like telekinesis or something.” She muttered under her breath, “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Telekinesis.” Luther considered, “of the world ending variety?”

“If it was something that Dad was too scared to deal with,” Five replied, “I’m thinking quite possibly.”

“Shit,” she muttered. “You guys said that Le – Harold,” the name brought a bitter taste to her mouth, “had some sort of murder shine in his house, so I thought… maybe he was trying to, I don’t know, use me or something… to hurt you. He was always more invested in developing my powers than I was, and he knew things about them that… I should have noticed. God, I’m so stupid.”

“It’s okay, Vanya,” Allison said, kindly. Vanya didn’t like to admit it, but sometimes she liked it when Allison played the role of big sister.

“How dangerous are these powers exactly, are you on the pills now?” Luther asked, suddenly stepping forwards from the shadows.

“No.” She admitted, wringing her hands, agitated. Taking them again would feel like failure to her, it would be like letting her father win.

“Should you be?”

“No,” she insisted, a little more forcefully than she’d intended. “I can control it, I can, I just…”

“It’s okay Vanya, I know this must be scary for you.” Five murmured. Vanya smiled gratefully. “And, if this is true, then it could mean that Harold Jenkins can no longer cause the apocalypse.”

“What, really?” Luther said, puzzled.

“I don’t know, but the way I see it, without Vanya, he won’t be able to do anything.”

She hadn’t wanted to believe it, that she was capable of something like that, the apocalypse.“So you really think that I was going to–“

“I don’t know. And, if you were, then I know you would never have done it on purpose, okay?” Said Five. She could tell that he was in pain. His eyes were watering with the strain of it all. “Just stay here, you’ll be safer with me if he decides to come after you.”

“Okay,” she nodded.

“What do you want us to do, Five?” Luther asked. He didn’t seem comfortable with it, asking for leadership.

“Frankly, Luther, I don’t care,” he quipped. “Wait, no,” he reconsidered, “keep tabs on this Harold Jenkins guy, tell this police about his false identity if they haven’t caught up with him in the hospital already.”

“What about Klaus?” Diego asked. “Was he really the one that did this to you?”

Five closed his eyes, “he was.” There was a murmur of discordance from around the room.

“Wait, wait, we’re talking about our brother Klaus, right?” Vanya murmured, though she knew she wasn’t going to get answers for a while yet.

“He’s dangerous, believe me. His powers are stronger now.”

“So, he can see… more dead people?” Allison offered, just as confused as the rest of them.

“No, he can manifest dead people, physically. Actually they’re the ones that did this.” He gestured vaguely to his beaten body. One of his arms was strapped in a splint, and his eyes were barely visible beyond the swollen, blackened flesh surrounding.

“So he summoned a bunch of dead people to beat the shit out of you, damn. Good for him.”

“Diego!” Allison cried.

“What, he deserved it,” Five nodded solemnly to Diego’s assertion, “it doesn’t make things even, but maybe Klaus will feel better about coming back to the academy now that he’s taken Five down a notch,” he glanced over Five lying helplessly on the bed, “or ten.”

“It’s more than that though, he didn’t seem fully in control. It was scary, he was levitating off the ground, his eyes went all blue, the air felt like it was going to suffocate me, and I heard things… he needs our help but I’m worried that he’s becoming too dangerous. We need more information before we can confront him again.”

“I’ve got Dad’s journal,” Vanya offered, “there’s bound to be something in there.”

“I’ll find Pogo, he’ll be able to help,” Luther added. Vanya wondered if Pogo knew about her powers too. She was willing to bet that he did, it cast all that comfort he gave her, as a child and just a few days ago during the funeral, in a darker light. What did he have to say for himself?

One by one, they shuffled out, leaving Five and Vanya alone.

“Do you think Klaus is scared, by his power I mean. It’s terrifying, finding out you can do something like that, hurting people… even though you don’t mean to.”

“I’m sorry Vanya, and I’m sorry for Klaus too. Let’s be honest, Dad probably messed you two up most of all, except maybe for Ben, but, well…”

“Have a read,” she stood up beside him and adjusted the bed so he was sitting up. She handed him the open book. “Everything we need to know’s in here.” He nodded gratefully, and began to skim over the notes.

Vanya sighed and moved over to the cabinets lining the walls. Harold may have gotten rid of her own supply of medication, but she knew her father must have kept some lying around. Sure enough, she found a row of dusty jars at the back of the cabinet. She unscrewed the lid, already feeling ashamed that she couldn’t do this on her own, couldn’t control the power that was building inside of her. It was too much, seeing Five injured, reading her father’s words, and Klaus… One, two, three. She had to feel numb to this, otherwise she thought her heart might explode right out of her chest. Is this how Klaus felt, that dependency, amplified a thousand times over? She wondered what he was feeling right now. Was it guilt, or fear? Or was he past that entirely, twisted into some other person by the power lying dormant within. That’s what Vanya feared most as she downed the pills, losing herself, destroying the people she loved – just like Klaus.

...

Notes: Sorry for the lack of Klaus in this Klaus fic. I felt it was important to compare the perspectives of Klaus and Vanya while also getting Vanya and her power trip out of the way so that Klaus can step forwards and wreck their shit :))

#tua #the umbrella academy #fanfic #fanfiction #my writing #klaus hargreeves #vanya hargreeves #five hargreeves #number five #allison hargreeves #diego hargreeves #luther hargreeves #grace hargreeves #reginald hargreeves #the seance #angst #umbrella academy #dolphin–squirrel

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lavenderslemonade · 6 years

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Iida X Reader - Horror Movie Date Night

There is no request page, so if you have a request please message me! I am open for smut also!

“Now remember (y/n), it’s nothing but special effects and a made-up story, thus there is no reason to fear!” Iida stated as he held up three horror movies you had brought over. “I know.” You replied as you stuffed your mouth with more popcorn. “Alright, they’re nothing but people in make-up, costumes, and really good effects!” Iida quickly turned to the television and inserted one of the discs. “Iida, sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself not to get scared.” You smirked as you took a sip of the tea that had been fixed earlier.

He looked at you as if you had just offended him and everything he stood for. “I am not scared! Hero’s don’t get scared!” He puffed up proudly, which made you stare in amusement. “Huh, okay, well come sit down.” You patted the empty spot on the couch signaling him to come join you. Once he came over and sat, you placed the bowl in his hands before getting up to turn the lights off. “W-what are you doing?” He asked with a hint of fear in his voice. You turned your head slightly and gave a sly smile “Turning the lights off.” You flicked the switch.

“A-are you sure that’s such a good idea? What if you have to use the restroom and trip as you stand?! You can’t see where you’re going.” Iida claimed as you watched his grip tighten on the bowl of popcorn. “I’ll manage.” A small sadistic smile crept onto your face. Walking back over you took the remote from the coffee table and hit play before taking your seat. You leaned against your boyfriend and reached your hand into the bowl of popcorn on his lap. He jumped slightly as he felt your hand brush against his and due to this you gave a low chuckle. “A little jumpy aren’t you Tenya? The movie hasn’t even started.” You spoke as you placed a few pieces of popcorn in your mouth.

His cheeks turned a dark red as he pushed up his glasses. “I’m not jumpy, just the touch from your hand was really unexpected.” He rambled as he ate a few pieces of popcorn himself. “Uh-huh.” You chuckled lowly as you watched the opening credits. You knew that horror movies were torture for your boyfriend of six months, but damn was it fun to watch the class rep get all jumpy due to jump scares, and paranoid when the music picked up. Was it cruel for you to do this to your boyfriend? Most definitely. Were you going to beat yourself up over it? Certainly not.

This was due to the fact that, whenever Tenya asked what you wanted to watch as an indoor date night movie, he knew you would pick horror no matter thus he opened up pandora’s box to your world of R-rated blood and gore. Oh, you still remember the first time he suggested a indoor movie date night. It was Valentine’s day, and since his parents were out on a date, he had thought it would be cute to have an indoor date while they were away. Thus, he allowed you to pick out any movie you wanted as he ordered take out. Due to this, you had chosen a gory and graphic Valentines themed movie. You believed it to be perfectly fine, meanwhile your boyfriend held onto you in fear. However, in the end he tried to cover it up with the excuses of “You looked cold.” “I held you since you seemed a bit frightened.” And your favorite of all “You need a hero to protect you.” He had stated as if the killer from the movie was going to jump out of the television to try and attack you. Due to these “romantic” gestures, you decided to make him feel in a way, manly, thinking he was protecting you and comforting you through such horrific scenes.

That’s why you decided that whenever Tenya suggested an indoor movie date, you always brought your best horror movies from your large collection. Be it American, Indie, or Japanese you had a vast amount of horror movies that you loved sharing with your boyfriend. It surprised you when you’d suggest he choose a movie instead, and he always picked a horror movie as if stating that indoor movie date night was indoor horror movie date night. Honestly, it made you smile. He was willing to put his on sanity and pride on the line for one to two hours, just to make you smile.

However, your train of thought was broken as Tenya jumped slightly nearly nocking the bowl of popcorn out of his lap. “You okay Iida?” You asked curiously as you turned your attention to the screen. A man had just gotten a spear to the chest and was being dragged away by the killer to an unknown location. “H-haha, yes I’m perfectly fine (y/n). You looked a little preoccupied, so I decided to give you a fright…Did it work?” He asked trying to play off his fear as he recovered from his scare. You blinked in a bit of surprise. “Was I really out for that long?” You thought to yourself. You gave your attention back to Iida and simply smiled. “Terrified.” You replied leaning against him.

Both your attention was turned back to the television in front of you as you watched the murderer chase one of the few females left through the woods with an ax in hand. Just as the girl fell, and the murderer prepared to make the killing blow the television shut off. “Hmm? Did you get too scared?” You asked your boyfriend curiously looking to see if he was holding the remote. To your surprise he wasn’t. Instead he reached over to grab it off the coffee table in front of him and started pressing the power button with no luck. “Did the power get knocked out?” You wondered out loud as you got up, being cautious off anything on the floor, and made your way over to the light switch. You flicked the switch multiple times but was still left in the dark.

“Maybe we should check the breakers?” Tenya suggested as he placed the bowl of popcorn on the table and stood up. You gave a quick nod before making your way over to him. He took your hand in his as he led you out of the living room and into the main hall, so you wouldn’t bump into anything. The two of you tried feeling around so you wouldn’t run into anything, however Tenya had hit at least three side tables, and you had run into him at least twice, though you’re not counting how many times you’ve stepped on the back of his foot due to being so close. Once he finally found the kitchen, he led you around the table and over to another door that led to the basement. He slowly opened the door and peeked inside. “Alright, now stay close, and try not to fall.” He instructed as he took a step down, but you quickly stopped him. “W-wait! What if there’s somebody down there?” You shuddered as you peered into the cold dark basement. Tenya stared at you with a bit of surprise before giving a small reassuring laugh. “There’s nothing to worry about, just pretend your in one of those horror movies.” He suggested, which honestly did not make you feel any better.

“Truthfully, that sounds horrible. Just because I enjoy horror, doesn’t mean I want to be a first-hand witness and play a part in it.” You grumbled as you finally allowed the young teen to lead you down the steps. He held onto you tightly, and for extra precaution you held a death grip onto the hand rail. Once safely at the bottom, the two of you split up to try and search for the power box quicker. You used one hand to feel along the walls, and your other to check your sides to keep you from running into anything.

Once you felt something metallic hit your hand, you smiled. You soon felt a pair of arms wrap around you, making you blush. “T-tenya, I found the power box.” You stated happily as you opened it. “Really? That’s great!” Tenya replied, however his voice sounded farther away, instead of right where you were standing. Blinking you flipped the switch and watched at the basements weak light bulb flickered on. Turning around with fear in your eyes, you came face to face with a person wearing a creepy clown mask. Tenya was staring at the person in fear from across the basement.

Quickly you shoved the guy away before darting up the stairs with Tenya close behind you. As you opened the door, the two of you ended up tripping over each other as you tumbled out. Tenya had made sure he had hit the ground and caught you before you could hit your head and got injured. However, the two of you quickly shot up as you heard footsteps making their way up the stairs. Before you knew it, the man from the basement was standing in front of you, surprisingly no weapon in hand, then again, you never knew what his quirk could be. Slowly the person lifted up the mask they were wearing, as you and Tenya stared in fear. \

You could already hear Tenya’s engines charging up in case he needed to make a speedy getaway, thus his grip on you also tightened. “Got ya.” The intruder smiled as he lifted his mask all the way. The two of you blinked. “T-tensei!?” Tenya stuttered as he stared at his older brother. “That wasn’t funny! How could you do that!” You grumbled from pure embarrassment. “I agree! I thought you went out anyways to run some errands!” Tenya stated. Tensei simply laughed as he placed the mask on the kitchen counter. “I did, but I got back earlier and the two of you were so deep into that movie, I couldn’t help myself.” He gave a small laugh as a hint of pink appeared on his cheeks due to his own embarrassment. “Sorry, I didn’t think you two would get that scared.” Tensie rubbed the back of his neck. Tenya sighed. “It’s fine, just please don’t do that again.” He requested as he stood up and placed you gently on the ground. “Don’t worry, I won’t. But now that my little prank is complete, I’m going to take a shower, and go to bed. You two enjoy the rest of your movie.” Tensei walked out of the kitchen with you and Tenya following behind him. The two of you watched as he went upstairs before taking a seat back in the living room. “Well then.” Tenya awkwardly coughed into his hand. “Shall we proceed on with the movie?” He asked as he stared at the dark television waiting to be turned back on.

You hummed in a bit of thought before shacking your head. “No, maybe we should just start watching action and romance movies from now on?” You asked as you looked up at your boyfriend with a small smile. The hero to be released a large breath of relief, “Oh thank God, yes please.” He agreed happily.

#my hero academia #boku no hero academia #iida tenya #iida x reader #x reader #fanfic #fluff #comedy #sweet #sfw

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