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txemrn · 2 years

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Pour Two Glasses

Chapter 4: "... We Are One Breath Apart"

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Book: The Royal Romance (post series)

Word Count: 6070 (+/-)

Series Synopsis: In the midst of a violent political war, Queen Riley Rys’s life is dismantled overnight, forcing her to flee Cordonia to live in hiding as a commoner with a loyal, best friend

Series Song Inspo: “Pour Two Glasses” by the Movielife

Chapter Song Inspo: "Speak to Me" by Amy Lee

Series Warnings: 🔞 For Mature Audiences Only 🔞angst; profanity; major character death; grief and mental health discussion; discussion of violence & war; alcohol use; NSFW material

A/N: Characters and some plot references belong to our friends at Pixelberry. Special thanks to my sweet friend @charlotteg234 for brainstorming with me and helping me work out some sections; and special thanks to one of my fanfiction godmothers @ao719 for pre-reading for me.

~🖤~

"Are you sure we have permission to do this?" Riley stands under an umbrella, trembling in the rain as she watches Drake unlock the large wooden door to the entrance of the Bossina Cathedral.

"For the last time," he stops fidgeting with the old, rusty key, looking back at his best friend's wife. "Yes. Why else would I have the key? Besides, you're the fucking Queen of Cordonia. What are they gonna do?'

That earns him a subtle smile before she continues to anxiously peer through the dark, overgrown courtyard of the church.

Suddenly, a short shrill of metal reverberates into the night as the massive barrier is unlocked. Drake tugs on the ring pull, the swollen, damp wood of the door letting out a groan. He turns to Riley, motioning for her to follow him.

Once inside, she deposits her umbrella while her eyes adjust to the dimly lit vestibule. Top cathedral-shaped windows litter the long hallways, raindrops drumming their solemn chorus of a silent requiem against the panes. Candles dedicated to prayer and supplication for the deceased illuminate the stoned walkway, leading to the sanctuary, leading her to Liam. The familiar scent of stale air and burnt incense flood Riley's senses, sending her to memories from what seems like a lifetime ago.

As her personal guard runs on ahead to notify the other men of her majesty's presence in the building, Riley wanders around the entrance hall to the nave. Has it always been this grim? Her fingertips brush against the cold brick, showing its age through fine cracks and missing fragments.

She turns to the opposite wall, noticing a large picture depicting the crucifixion of Jesus, framed in a rustic, yellow gold. Stepping closer, she focuses on the anguish of his face, his body strung out cruelly and naked. Blood pours out from his arms, his feet and even his side.

Her lips twist, her eyes flinching at the painted brutality as she trains her focus to a brushed-bronze placard nailed to the frame: Questo é amore.

"This is love," she whispers to herself. She takes a tentative step back, soaking up the scene. Wearing Liam's favorite burgundy sweater, she hugs her body tightly, the light remnants of his sweet scent wafting to her nose. She looks at the painting again. The torment. The heartache. The loneliness. And all anyone could do was… watch.

Her lashes dust her cheeks as memories of that day swirl in her head: the gentle, scent of pink lilies she holds in her hand; the soft vintage pattern of white chantilly lace she wears on her arms; the romantic swell of Pachebel ushering the bride to her groom. The love she shared with Liam was overwhelming, oftentimes breathtaking, like diving into the deep end of the sea and never wanting to emerge. A love that was all-consuming, holy and perfect in its own right; a love that represented everything that was good in her life.

Or so she thought.

In losing Liam, Riley has discovered that because of her love, she is filled with unspeakable anguish, being tormented day and night with a pain that she bears alone. God, she wishes her heart could be pierced by a spear… afterall, wasn't it?

This is love.

“...what matters most is that you found happiness…”

The sudden articulate voice from Ramsford has her whirl around, the enunciation so close, so real.

"Whoa," Drake holds out his hands, "I didn't mean to scare you. Are you… ready? To go in, I mean?"

Riley nods, watching her dear friend open the door. She looks back at the picture of the Christ one last time. Love? It wasn't just butterflies and stolen breathless moments. It wasn't just inside jokes, midnight tickles and surprise gifts. It was more than just knowing the number and placement of freckles on his shoulders, the cowlick that would never lay down on the right of his crown, or the hum on his lips when he was trying to conceal his concern.

She looks forward through the threshold into the nave, taking in the steep ceiling space, the uniform of empty pews, the bounce of the old crimson carpet. But as she looks towards the altar, it glows like a lighthouse in the night, like a single candle in a storm. At the end of the long aisle, a pristine white casket illuminates in the darkness. The Cordonian flag lays respectfully on top of the lid, accompanied with two white roses per tradition, representing the second day of Liam's Royal Wake.

But, something curious sticks out like a sore thumb in the sanctuary, something that is clearly out of place. Situated in front of Liam's casket was a cluster of pillows and blankets on top of an army cot.

Her breath catches. "Drake?" She looks to him with questioning, yet appreciative eyes. She anxiously chews on her lip as she glances at the intimate set-up.

He pivots around, noticing her bewildered expression. "Don't worry, your majesty," he kindly grins, offering his elbow as a single tear rolls down the slope of his nose, "he's … he's been waiting for you."

With her attention sealed onto her husband's casket, a pained look of joy washes over her, a grin crawling across her mouth. She takes Drake's arm, and together they walk down the aisle.

"Now, the cathedral closes to the public after dark, and the nave is locked to everyone until 9 AM. The church council has agreed to let you stay here at night during the Wake, and I've got you covered with extra security so, hopefully," he exhales fluidly, "you can get some sleep."

"Every night?"

His lips coyly curl, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Every night."

"Drake, I–" She looks to the pile of bedding before smiling back at him. "I don't know what to say–"

"Oh! One more thing." Drake digs into the front pocket of his chambray shirt, pulling out a single silver chain with two pieces of metal attached, gently tinkering together.

"His rings," Riley gasps. "Drake–" her voice disappears into sniffles at the sight of these handsome treasures, now on a chain where she won’t lose them. She steps forward, cradling the rings in her hand as Drake holds onto the ends of the necklace.

He smiles proudly, motioning for her to spin around, her back facing him. He fastens the closure, pulling her espresso waves out from under the chain. She turns around to model it for him as he gives an approving nod. Seeing her attention fixed on her late husband’s wedding band and signet ring, Drake gives an appeasing grin, his fists finding his pockets.

"Well," he sighs, "is there anything you need? Something to drink?"

She threads the jewelry onto her slender fingers, a somberness floating over her as she watches her personal guard slowly mosey backwards up the aisle. "No, I… I guess not."

"K, well…" He combs his fingers through his hair, pushing back a cascade of strands. "I'll be right outside if you need me–"

"Wait," Riley interrupts, taking a few stutter steps towards him. "You're leaving?"

Drake turns around, studying her. "Not leaving leaving. I'll be in the foyer with my sleeping bag."

"Oh," Riley responds dryly, trying to sound understanding. But as she glances around the still blackness of the nave, surrounded by relics and religious imagery, her heart becomes anxious. “Hey, Drake,” she calls out to him. He glances up, gesturing with a shake of his head. Her eyes survey around the room, spooking herself with the shifting shadows. “You have been so kind, And–and–and I know you’ve already sacrificed so much for me already, and please know that I… well, I hope you know that I’m–”

“Brooks,” he holds up a hand to slow her down. He raises an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth turning up. “What do you need?”

Fidgeting with her new piece of jewelry, she swallows thickly. “Can you maybe stay in here with me–just until I fall asleep?”

Drake lets out a big, sardonic sigh, taking a seat in the front pew. He pats the hardwood next to him, inviting Riley to take a seat. The antique furniture creaks under her weight as she pulls her knees up to her chest. Drake puts a friendly arm around her as she relaxes her head on his shoulder. Together, they fall into a quietness as they stare reverently at the casket before them.

“Thanks again, Drake. This is all… just so special.”

Drake gently rests his chin in her hair, the subtle notes of lavender tickles his senses. His eyes float closed, a smile growing with each passing moment.

Riley yawns. “Your friendship… I feel like it’s the only thing I’ve got right now, one of the only things connecting me to Liam.” She quickly looks up at him, creasing her eyebrows. “How are you doing, by the way?”

Drake adverts his eyes quickly back to his best friend’s casket. “Uh…” he clears his throat. “I–I don’t know. Some moments… it’s like a bad dream.” He breathes out heavily. “Sometimes I think he’s just on his trip, and he’ll be barrelling through those doors any minute,” he chuckles. “And then other moments…” he stops, staring at the flag-adorned coffin.

Riley removes Drake’s arm from her shoulders, taking his large, calloused hand in her own as they both stare in silence at Liam’s resting place.

“Can I ask you another question?” The queen quietly requests. “A personal question?”

“Hrmmm?” Drake warmly hums, gazing at her with tired, hooded eyes.

“Do you… believe in God? The afterlife? In–” she motions aimlessly around herself with her hand, “–all of this?”

Drake bows his head for a moment. He then lets go of her hand, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. Rubbing his hands together, he remains thoughtfully quiet.

“I–I’m sorry,” Riley whispers. “That was maybe too personal–and terribly morbid on my part–”

Drake subtly turns his head, shaking it. “No, no, you’re fine.” He turns back to face the altar, a large crucifix hanging above the choir stall. Not saying a word, he finally closes his eyes.

Riley relaxes into her seat, folding her hands into her lap. A warming guilt rakes at her nerves, regretting that she ever asked the question. That is, until Drake took a deep breath.

“I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” Drake smirks, opening his eyes to stare at the ornate cross on the wall. “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” He falls silent again, chewing on his mouth, Riley’s full attention on him. He nervously looks down at his mindless hand-wringing as he takes another deep breath. “As kids, anytime we had a problem, Moma would say, ‘Fix those eyes to the hills. The Lord promises to help you.’” He becomes quiet again, his eyes rapidly blinking as he sucks in his bottom lip. “Then Dad died.”

Riley endearingly pats his shoulder, tears slowly cascading down her cheeks.

“And–” Drake sarcastically chuckles, forcing away his own sobs, “I looked. I looked, and I fucking kept looking to the hills because ‘he promises to help you.’” He blows out a breath, wiping at his lower eyelids. “Dad was gone… and God was no where to be found.” His jaw becomes rigid, his words cutting like a blade. “The Crown cut the funds almost immediately after Dad died, leaving us stranded. I looked, but there was no help from… from God. And then Moma left us…” He sniffles, his hands casually balling into fists. “She just… left us. And I looked–I fucking begged for God’s help. If not for me, then at least for Savannah. But... ” He shakes his head.

Riley remains silent, taking in Drake’s painful memory.

“But,” his voice lightens, more hopeful, “I still keep looking–as fucking stupid as that sounds,” he laces his fingers together, “I have to believe and look for him–for God.”

“Why?”

“Because the thought of being alone–completely alone in this world with no one to turn to?” He peers intently into Riley’s eyes, his voice softening into a small whisper. “That terrifies me… but the thought that my dad is really gone? That–that I can’t talk to him in heaven–?” Drake chokes up. “And now Liam? And–and soon my… my Moma?” He runs his hands down his face. “I have to believe, Ri. I just… have to.”

Riley slips her arm around Drake's elbow, hugging his arm. Quietly supporting one another, both Drake and Riley stare towards the front of the church in reverent thought. Riley considers Drake’s words, her heart touched by his own hope in the midst of so much tragedy. But then, her forehead creases in curiosity.

“Wait… you talk to Liam?”

“Well, I mean…” A rosy pink rolls across Drake’s neck and face, “Yeah… I try.”

“Does he… talk back?”

Drake sighs. “I don’t know. I’d like to think he does, and I just… can’t hear him.”

“What about your dad?” Riley gently asks.

“Yeah,” Drake snickers at himself, feeling slightly foolish of his admission. “Yeah, I talk to him a lot.”

“And?” Riley smiles.

“That man does not talk back; he fucking yells at me.” The pair fall into much needed laughs, kindly smiling at one another. Drake relaxes back in the pew, crossing his ankle over his knee to turn towards the brunette. “You should try it… talking to Liam.”

“What?”

“I’m serious.” Drake's expression is still slightly embarrassed. “If that boy’s gonna talk to anyone, it’s gonna be you.”

Riley chews on her bottom lip, not convinced at what her guard is suggesting. She looks away, towards Liam’s casket before turning back to Drake. “What would I even say?”

“What would you say to him right now?”

Riley giggles to herself, bowing her head as a flush overcomes her cheeks. Her eyes fill with more unshed tears, thinking of all the conversations that she was yet to have with her husband. Is it possible that she could still talk with him? Even now?

God, I hope Drake’s right…

“Well, my good friend,” Riley stands up, smiling back down at Drake. “I think I’m going to try to get some sleep.”

“Are you going to be okay in here?”

Riley nods thoughtfully. “I think so. Thanks for talking with me, and… well, you know. Everything.”

“Anytime, your majesty,” he jovially winks. “Oh hey,” he stops her as she starts making up her cot. “What’s ‘PTG’?”

Her eyes widen. “What?”

Drake rakes his fingers through his hair, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. “Well, when I was fixing up the necklace–” he points to the new jewelry Riley was wearing “–I saw that there was an engraving inside Liam’s ring, and… well, they were clearly not your initials,” he titters. “What does it mean?”

Riley looks down at the etching inside Liam’s wedding band before fidgeting with her own ring that had the same inscription. “Pour two glasses.”

Drake raises an eyebrow. “Pour… two glasses? Of what? Like, wine?”

Riley snorts, shaking her head. “It's…" She shakes her head. “It's silly."

"Oh, c'mon," he encourages. “It can't be that silly if y'all put it on your wedding bands."

Riley nervously chuckles. "Well, um… It was our promise to each other, that even though we may be apart,” she sucks in a sharp breath, her eyes fluttering to the coffin, “our love will always reunite us again. So, go ahead…” She smiles brightly, “Pour up the drinks: one for you and one for me,” she shrugs shyly. “And… we will be united again soon to drink together.”

“Hrmmm,” Drake thoughtfully takes in the romantic sentiments. “You two,” a crooked smile grows across his face as he massages his neck.

“We’re pretty gross–”

“Nah,” his eyes twinkle as he looks at Riley. “Y’all were just in love.”

------

Feeling emotionally exhausted, Riley crawls into her bed for the night, hugging a goose-feather pillow tightly in her arms. With the atmosphere becoming instantly still around her, she rolls over to face the grand white casket.

And he's there. She knows her husband is there with her, separated only by a few inches of distance, separated only by sturdy-aged oakwood and fire-pressed metal, separated only by a single breath.

Then why did she feel so alone?

------

Five Years Ago (During Liam's Social Season)...

"Lady Riley, are you out here?"

The American suitor quickly dabs her eyes dry from her anxious tears, hoping the moonlight wouldn't give away the rosy worry of her cheeks.

"I'm here," she softly speaks. Adjusting the fullness of her petal pink ball gown, she stands from the balustrade, making her presence known. She forces a smile, but her eyes train to his loafers, unable to match his handsome gaze as she fidgets with her fingers.

"There you are," Liam strides closer in the moonlight with a bottle of champagne in his arms. "I've been looking every–" He stops, noticing her troubled look. His pearly white smile dissipates as he sets down the bubbly drink. "Riley? Is something wrong?"

"I–I’m fine," she sniffles into a forced smile. "I guess… I'm just a little homesick is all.” She dares to look into his powder blue eyes, glittering with pure adoration. She quickly turns away, biting her lip as a single tear spills onto her skin.

"Just a little homesick?" Liam echoes. He brushes the back of his finger against the soft planes of her face, offering her a crooked smile. "This would be easier if you would just tell me.”

She takes a deep breath, considering her words carefully. “You know I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Because of your generosity, I am experiencing things I never–”

“Riley,” he takes her hands into his secure hold, “it’s me. You’re talking to me. Not ‘Prince Liam.’ Not the king or–or queen or any other noble for that matter… it’s me. It’s just you and me.”

She sighs, slowly turning away from him, her heels clicking against the stone floor. She finally stops, pivoting to look up at the tall blond. “It’s just…” She exhales, tittering to herself. “This is foolish,” she waves her hand, walking towards the door to exit the balcony. “You have the other suitors to attend to–”

Liam grabs her arm, pulling her pack into himself. “And they can wait because I’m with you. Come on,” he brings her hand to his lips before giving her a toothy grin. “I happen to be an excellent listener.”

Through the curtain of her tears, Riley titters as she blushes at the touch of his lips on her skin. “I… I just…” She pulls her hand back; taking a big breath, she stares back up at Liam. "What are we even doing?"

"I… don't quite follow–"

"Us, Liam," she fixes the lapel of his tux, running her palm flat against his chest. "I'm talking about us. This… I don’t even know what to call this anymore." She shrugs, letting her arms fall carelessly at her sides. "Are we dating? Or am I being foolish? Living out some silly fairy tale fantasy?" She looks up, dabbing under lashes to keep from ruining her make-up. “And I know this hasn’t been easy for you either, having to abide by so many rules--God!” Riley covers her face with her hands, “how can I even be complaining right now?”

Liam gently takes her wrists, pulling her fingers from hiding her face. “Because it is hard for both of us.” He pulls her into his strong embrace, Riley instantly finding comfort in his warmth. He tenderly traces circles across her back. “I’m sorry. I… I wish there was some way I could make this easier for you–”

“I just want to know that this will all be worth it, which is so selfish of me. I have no right to demand that of you… I feel so selfish, vying for your attention even now… because you have several beautiful and intelligent suitors in there that could all make an excellent queen–”

Suddenly, Liam’s phone begins to ring in his pocket. Mouthing the word ‘sorry,’ Liam takes the call. With a nod, Riley quickly crosses to the otherside of the balcony to give him privacy, wrapping her arms around her body. She looks back out across the city. Is this her home? Could she someday be responsible for this, for these people? For their livelihood? For this country?

“I–I’m so sorry Riley,” Liam furrows his brow as she turns towards him. “I’m–”

“Needed elsewhere,” she sighs before politely grinning. “I know.”

Seeing the sadness in her eyes, Liam hastily grabs the bottle of champagne before gathering Riley into his arms. “Take this.”

Her expression turns inquisitive as she inspects the bottle before surveying his face.

“We will talk about this later, Lady Riley,” he nods, “and I promise you… I will prove it to you that this will all be worth it.” He cups her cheek tenderly before turning to quickly exit the balcony.

“Liam?” Riley holds up the bottle with an unspoken question as he glances back to her.

“Go ahead… and pour two glasses. I promise I’m coming back to you. Tonight.”

------

Unable to fall asleep, Riley reaches for her phone to check the time: 1:12 AM. She sighs to herself as she rolls over, readjusting her pillow under her head. Staring out her window, she notices the clean cuts of the crescent moon, its silver glow captivating her as the stars in the blue velvet sky dance and twirl for her entertainment to their own rhythm–that is until a different beat raps against her door.

Startled, she sits up staring at the large shadow standing outside of her quarters. She grabs her satin robe, cinching it around her waist as she lightly pads to the entrance to her room.

The knocking becomes more vigorous, making Riley accidentally yelp. She grabs a stiletto shoe, hoping to use the heel as a weapon if needed as she reaches for the doorknob. But to her relief, when she opens the door, Liam is waiting for her, leaning his shoulder against the doorway.

“Liam!” she quietly shouts, her voice husky as she tosses her shoe to the ground. “You scared me.” She motions for him to come in as she reaches to turn on a lamp. With her back still to him, she continues. “What are you doing here so–?”

Liam grabs Riley’s hand, and suddenly she whips back, falling into his strong embrace. Before she can protest, his mouth blissfully pushes into her pout. Her eyes flutter close as her lips savor every tug, every lick of his fervent touch. Parting her lips, his tongue is hungry, but gentle; his mouth is greedy, but tender. He wraps his arms lovingly around her body as her fingertips wander to the back of his neck, her foot gently popping out freely behind her.

They abruptly pull apart, gasping for air. Staring longingly at one another, their chests violently rise and fall, desperately wanting more of each other.

“Whoa,” Riley pants, the taste of Liam’s tongue still intoxicating her senses. “You… you came back.”

The corners of Liam’s reddened mouth begin to curl. “Yeah.. of course, I came back,” he chuckles, a blush swirling up his neck. He finally steps forward, cupping the velveteen skin of her face with his hand, her body trembling at his touch.

“Liam, I–”

“Shhh,” he sweetly hushes her, painting his thumb across her lower lip. “I’m so sorry, Riley... I–I should’ve done this a long time ago. You have so many questions, so many fears,” he swallows thickly. “I should’ve told you the moment I knew.”

Her eyebrows raise, her heart crescendoing in her chest. “Knew what?”

“The moment I knew you were the one.” He combs her hair behind ear as a solemn tear spills out joyfully on her skin. “I have to finish out the social season to maintain suitable connections with our allies… but damnit,” he bites his lip mischievously, “I’m in love with you, Riley Brooks.”

“I’m in love with you too, William Rys.” She wraps her arms tightly around his neck, pulling him into another heated kiss. His hand finds the back of her neck, his fingers tangling intimately into her raven waves.

“Wait a minute,” he pulls away, “I almost forgot.” Liam quickly darts towards the door, stepping outside the quarters, only to return seconds later with a pink gift bag. There’s a subtle clinking coming from inside before he hands the surprise to Riley.

She raises a playful eyebrow. “What is it?”

“You’ll see,” he winks.

Riley carefully reaches inside, pulling out two finely etched pieces of stemware. She smiles widely, snickering at the sentiment.

“They’re champagne glasses… You know, so we can enjoy the bubbly together–”

“You goofball,” she giggles as she admires the brushed-gold rimming. “And forgive me if I’m mistake, but I do believe… well, at least according to Bertrand, that these are champagne tulips, your highness.”

He chuckles, pecking her lips. “No,” he leans in again, kissing her tenderly, “this is my promise to you.” He takes the glasses, and safely puts them on her dresser before taking her hands in his. “You don’t have to worry anymore, my love. No matter how hard this road gets for us, I promise you… I’ll always come back to you.”

------

Present

Riley clings to Liam’s metal bands around her neck, holding them close to her heart as his last words resound over and over in her head.

“Pour two glasses, my queen. I’m coming home to you.”

What she wouldn't give to actually hear those words pass through his lips, to hear the tone and sultry timbre of his rich Cordonian accent, to hear him say, ‘I love you’ just one more time…

Remembering that final day when she saw him off in the motorcade, Riley wishes she could’ve known it was the last time. Maybe she would’ve paid just a little more attention to the smile she already knew so well. Maybe she would’ve savored his coveting touch, dedicating it more to her memory. Maybe she would’ve kissed him longer, harder, more passionately, memorizing over and over the restraining tug of his mouth on her lips.

Or maybe she would’ve begged him not to go.

With these intrusive thoughts swirling around in her head, Riley is unable to fall asleep as she previously thought. She considers retrieving Drake, thinking that maybe having some company would relax her, saving her from her own mind. But as she sits up, she looks back to Liam’s casket.

You should try it… talking to Liam.

Riley nervously picks at her nails as she mindlessly surveys the dark, empty nave. Is she really doing this? She begins to rub her hands up and down the soft weave on her arms, finding a snagged, loose thread in her husband’s old sweater. As she fidgets with the string, twirling it around her finger, she hesitantly steps closer to the white casket.

She carefully touches the polished exterior, her fingertips brushing against the gold handles and intricately designed filigree. Taking a deep breath, she pulls back the Cordonian flag before pressing her palms to the cold, sturdy lid where he lies.

“Liam?” Her voice is low, barely even a whisper as her eyes shift up and down his resting place. At first, she feels silly, her cheeks reddening despite her solitude. She’s not sure what to expect or what she even wants to happen by talking to Liam; but Riley can’t deny the sudden rush of comfort she feels calling out to her beloved. It feels nice to imagine, even if for a moment, that she’s conversing with him, as if life was back to normal.

Her breath hitches in her chest as storm clouds gather in her eyes, tears eroding across the curves of her face. She trembles as she traces figure-eights across the surface.

I happen to be an excellent listener…

Riley drapes her arms across the top of the coffin, resting her head against the hard lid. She pinches her eyes closed, overcome with the torrential downpour of her tears.

In her personal darkness, she sees Liam, those handsome dimples, the peaceful warmth of his strong embrace, the vast galaxy of stars in his eyes. She opens her mouth to speak, but her sobs rob her of her voice.

It's just you and me…

Riley tucks a closed fist under her body. She nuzzles her head like a kitten against the lid as her bottom lip quivers. With her thoughts hazy on what to say, she finally chokes out in a single, desperate breath the one thing–the only thing–she can muster.

"I miss you."

Seized by her sadness, uncontrollable tears pour out as her hopeless cries reverberate through the sanctuary.

In the back of the darkened nave, a hidden pair of chocolate eyes takes in the scene as they begin to sting with bitterness at the sight of his best friend’s widow.

------

It has been a little over three weeks since Liam's death. Riley has spent twenty of the past twenty-one nights of his Royal Wake at his side, finding comfort in the memories of him, in talking about him.

In talking to him.

Although the thick cloud of grief haunts stagnantly around her, the river of tears and the uncontrollable cries have become manageable. Discussing Liam, his honorable death and legacy has become slightly easier. Little reminders around the quarters, like his empty coffee cup, his untouched tennis racket, even his empty laundry hamper, aren't so jarring anymore.

As she slowly transitions into a new era of her life, Riley recognizes that she isn't healing or moving on from the death of her husband. Rather, she has become numb, barely existing. Her body gasps for survival, moment by moment, minute by minute, breath by breath.

Perhaps this is what happens when a beloved dies. The heart doesn't bruise or break; it's a treasure, sealed by love in the arms of a lover, never meant to be returned. But, what is life without a heart?

Riley's heart remains steadfast with Liam and always will.

Today, he will be buried. He will be honored before the heavens in a televised mass before his body is escorted to his final resting place, next to the great rulers that came before him.

Today, she slips on a knee-length black peplum dress with a modest black heel. She fixes her dark waves into a low bun while adorning a black fascinator to her crown, pulling a veil over her face.

Today, her family, her friends and her country will gather one last time to say those unimaginable words just one more time.

Goodbye.

The service is lovely, at least that's what Maxwell whispers to Riley as they form the processional for the exit from the cathedral. Her eyes refuse to leave Liam’s casket as six guards prepare to move him. With delicate precision, they fold up the Cordonian flag and gather the twenty-one white roses that once decorated the lid, and hand them respectfully to her.

She clutches the gifts dearly to her chest, her fingers finding her necklace with her husband’s rings. Her eyes well with tears as the men begin to walk Liam carefully down the aisle to the back of the nave.

A warm hand gently touches Riley's back, guiding her into the open aisle behind the casket. She looks up to see a tear-stained Drake, motioning for her to follow.

Without saying a word, she offers her arm, her eyes pleading with him to walk with her.

Drake drops his mouth to her ear. "Brooks, I'll be along in a minute. It’s family first–"

"You are family." A corner of her mouth curls as Liam's best friend finally takes her arm.

Feeling more at ease, they somberly follow in the processional. Exiting the sanctuary, they continue down the stoned corridors, brilliantly colored by the stained glass in the daylight. Once they reach the antique, double wooden doors at the front of the church, they take a moment to ensure the lineup.

"Excuse me?" Riley softly calls to the guards. "I… I was wondering if I could just have a brief moment. With my husband? Just one last time while we’re here in the church."

With the nod of their heads, she steps forward to the pearlescent casket, laying a single hand on it. She begins to whisper sweet sentiments unheard by everyone present, tender words only meant for heaven’s ears. Riley then kisses her palm before pressing it once more over the smooth surface of the lid. She hugs the flag and flowers back to her body before giving a subtle shake towards the guards.

As the large doors swing open, the thunderous creak of the wood reverberates through the foyer. And in an instant, the Mediterranean sunlight pours in, particles of dust dancing amongst the golden rays. As the guards proceed with Liam, her eyes adjust to the abrupt punch of brightness to her swollen eyes. The warmth of the day washes over her skin as if to welcome her into a new life. She remembers once upon a time feeling this way, walking out of this very cathedral hand-in-hand with Liam, and the sweet bathing of the Cordonian sun felt like a renewal, as if the universe was greeting them into their new life as husband and wife.

As the cozy, familiar feeling melts over her senses, her long, dark lashes flutter shut as she remembers that special day, her wedding day.

Riley Brooks, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?

“Riley?” Drake breaks her reverie, giving a kind, yet pained grin as he offers his arm again. “Are you ready, my queen?”

Unfortunately today signifies a different kind of beginning for Riley. A new life. Without her Liam.

Fixing her tiny hand to him, Riley takes a deep breath, and steps into the light. She sees the stairs and then a distinct pathway marked off with large crowds of people on either side. As she and Drake ease down the entrance from the cathedral, she trains her eyes onto her husband's casket as they make their way to the royal motorcade.

The crowd is still, completely quiet as the late king passes by. Many bow their heads in reverence; others cross themselves in prayer.

Do you vow to love him, comfort him and cherish him…

Suddenly in the distance, Drake hears a familiar sound causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand. He and Riley continue to proceed, but he anxiously surveys the crowd, both to his right, and then carefully to his left.

…for better or worse…

With the crowd still silent, Drake hears the distinct noise again, only this time it’s closer. Louder. Echoing off the side of the building.

A glock.

…for richer or poorer…

"Switch sides with me," Drake demands in a low, stern voice, trying to guide Riley from his left side to his right.

Riley knits her eyebrows together with curiosity, pivoting her body to face her dear friend. "What’s wrong?"

...in times of joy and in times of trial…

Drake looks over Riley's shoulder, his eyes growing wide as he watches a man dressed in a dingy military uniform with dark-complected skin step forward in the crowd, something hidden in his hand. A member of the Les Combattants.

And now it’s clear what he hides: a gun.

"Oh, fuck me," Drake mutters, grabbing the queen’s shoulders. "Riley, get down!"

Violent echoes like the crack of a whip strike terror in the gathered masses. Frightened screams pierce into the air as people flee the grounds in horror. The gunshots continue, one after another after another, popping incessantly until the cries for help cease, and the grounds of the cathedral choke back into silence.

… till death do you part?

Twenty-one long stem roses scatter chaotically across the stoned pathway; crushed and bruised white petals have been ripped and casted into the wind like chaff.

The neatly-folded Cordonian flag that once adorned the late King's casket lays untucked on the ground…Only its sharp colors are no longer bold and pristine as a deep shade of crimson soaks into the fabric.

I do.

~🖤~

Tags (if you wish to be added/removed, please DM me; if your name is crossed out, Tumblr won't let me tag you):

PERMA

@alexabeta @ao719 @charlotteg234 @chemist-ana @differenttyphoonwerewolf @foreverethereal123 @issabees @jerzwriter @kat-tia801 @khoicesbyk @kingliam2019 @lovelyladyk88 @lucy-268 @mainstreetreader @mom2000aggie @neotericthemis @nikirennie87 @peonierose @schnitzelbutterfingers @sfb123 @shannonwrote @shewillreadyou @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam

ALL TRR/TRH

@21-wishes @angelasscribbles @burnsoslow @gkittylove99 @iaminlovewithtrr @lovingchoices14 @motorcitymademadame @princessleac1 @rubiwalker @twinkleallnight

ANYTHING LIAM

@amandablink @bbrandy2002

POUR TWO GLASSES

@3pawandme @alyshak92 @alyssalauren @debramcg1106 @ladyangel70 @walkerdrakewalker @veebug8

@choicesficwriterscreations

#pour two glasses #the royal romance #the royal romance post series #the royal romance au #liam rys #liam rys x riley brooks #king liam #king liam rys #choices trr #choices liam #drake walker #trr liam #trr drake #choices drake #choices fanfic #trr fanfic

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thescrump · 9 months

Text

Through It All: A Sonamy Story - Chapter 8: "Hanging Out"

Sonic weaved through the vibrant streets of Emerald City, his senses alert for any signs of danger. The city hummed with life as colorful signs flickered overhead, and the chatter of pedestrians filled the air. Neon lights cast a mesmerizing glow on the bustling crowds. As much as he enjoyed spending time with Amy, he couldn't completely let his guard down. He couldn't shake the feeling that Eggman was up to something, even though things had been quiet lately.

As he approached the designated meeting spot, Sonic noticed a few standard Egg Pawns lurking nearby. "Ugh, these guys again. Always in my way." he muttered under his breath. With a flick of his wrist, a series of his signature Homing Attacks took care of the robots in no time. “How annoying.”

With the Egg Pawns defeated, Sonic finally reached Amy. She greeted him with a warm smile, and the two set off to explore the city. The two friends strolled down the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling city. They chatted and caught up on what had been going on in their lives. The two friends strolled down the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling city.

"So, Ames, what have you been up to lately?" Sonic asked, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "Not much, just hanging out with some friends and practicing my hammer swings," Amy replied with a smile. "What about you, Sonic? Any new adventures?" Sonic chuckled. "Well, I've been reading this book Cream told me about, 'Shattering Mirror.' It's about this ancient artifact that has the power to distort reality and the crazy things it does to the people who chase after it. Pretty wild." Amy smiled. "I remember reading that. The mirror sounds like something Eggman would be after." Sonic grinned. "Don't worry. Besides, I'm more interested in hearing about your life than Eggman's latest scheme." As they walked, they stumbled upon an arcade. Amy's eyes lit up with excitement as she grabbed Sonic's hand and pulled him inside. "Let's play some games, Sonic!" Sonic laughed. "Sure thing, Ames. What do you want to play?" "How about Puyo Puyo?" Amy suggested, pointing to the colorful puzzle game. Sonic shrugged. "Why not? But be warned, I'm pretty good at this game." Amy smirked. "We'll see about that." The two spent the next few hours playing games, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. Sonic was impressed by Amy's gaming skills, and he couldn't help but feel grateful to have such a great friend. "You know, Ames, I always have a good time hanging out with you," Sonic said, smiling. Amy grinned back. "Same here, Sonic. It's nice to take a break from saving the world and just have some fun." As they left the arcade, they were met with a sudden downpour. The rain came down hard, quickly soaking them both. Sonic cursed under his breath as he shook the water from his fur. “Wish I had an umbrella for us to share.” Amy giggled as she watched him, and then grabbed his hand, pulling him towards a nearby awning for cover. They stood there for a moment, watching the rainfall in sheets around them. Sonic looked down at Amy, who was shivering from the cold rain. He couldn't let her get sick. "Hey, Ames, let's run for it," he said with a grin. Amy looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?" she asked. Sonic didn't answer, he just took off running down the street, Amy close behind. They moved through the city streets, in a strange, frantic dance. As they ran, they could hear the sound of the rain pounding against the pavement, their laughter mingling with the sound. They weaved in and out of the crowds of people, who were all seeking shelter from the rain. Sonic led the way, occasionally looking back to make sure that Amy was keeping up with him. They continued to run until they reached a small park, which was deserted due to the rain. Sonic paused for a moment, catching his breath, and then turned to Amy with a grin. "Hey, Ames, check this out!" he said, pointing towards a nearby tree.

With a burst of speed, Sonic ran towards the tree and leaped into the air, grabbing hold of a low-hanging branch. He swung himself up onto the branch and then looked down at Amy. "Your turn!" he called out. Amy hesitated for a moment, unsure if she could make the jump. But then she took a deep breath and ran towards the tree, her Piko Piko Hammer held tightly in her hand. With a burst of speed, she jumped towards the branch, her hammer swinging through the air. She missed the branch by a hair, but Sonic reached out and grabbed her, pulling her up onto the branch with him.

They both collapsed onto the branch, panting and laughing. The rain continued to pour down around them, but they were both warm and dry on the branch. Sonic looked over at Amy, who was snuggled up next to him, and felt a strong sense of warmth and contentment. He nearly drifted asleep. They didn't have to be fighting Eggman or saving the world to have a good time. Sometimes, just spending time with someone you cared about was enough. Sometimes, the simplest things bring the most joy. He wrapped an arm around Amy, and they sat there together, watching the rainfall in peace.

Eventually, the rain began to let up, and the two of them jumped off the branch and made their way back to Amy's house. As they said their goodbyes, Sonic felt grateful for the time he had spent with Amy. As he walked away, Sonic couldn't wait to see what adventures he and Amy would have next. He truly didn't know what to do next.

#sonic the hedgehog #sonic #amy rose #sonamy #sonic fanfiction #sonamy fanfiction #chapter 8 #fanfiction #post canon #friends to lovers #through it all: a sonamy story #next chapter tomorrow

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beevean · 8 months

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The hidden sonamy umbrella line from Sonic in Frontiers always seemed kind of OOC to me. Sonic is usually subtle about romance, and even if he was by himself, he isn't one to want to do big romantic gestures. It just seemed like Ian was trying to pander.

There's actually another hidden line in Frontiers were Sonic says "I should bring Amy back to this place, she'd love it." which seemed alot more in character as far as sonamy teasing goes. You still get the idea that Sonic likes Amy, but it's not super in your face or Sonic wanting to do something super romantic with her. Idk the umbrella line just seemed super in your face and not something Sonic would say or want to do.

Rewatching a video compilation of all Sonic's lines about Amy, and I forgot about the one that's like "did you fortune cards tell you about this?" ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I also found a comment in the video that says "Ian Flynn is the only writer in the Sonic franchise that actually respects the source material because he cares about the fans and what they think the most", and... what can I do except lol?

Well. I am biased, so I find the mental image cute :P Sonic would absolutely share an umbrella with his friends. But it comes off as unprompted, and that's the odd part. "Wish" is also a strong word, and he sounds wistful about it. Maybe if it were rephrased as "I'm glad that Amy can't feel the rain! I wouldn't mind sharing an umbrella with her if she needed it" it would sound less clunky, while keeping the romantic undertones?

Mh, what about "Amy... I should have made up my mind sooner"? That one is probably the biggest teasing. It really sounds like Sonic regrets not confessing in time... funnily enough echoing Amy in Lost World lol

#dunno i feel that the evolution has been relatively gradual so it doens't come off as pandering as sonic falling in shadow's arms #but again: i admit i'm biased #i'd just rephrase the same sentiment to make it a little more subtle

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elshells · 1 year

Text

10 Songs Tag

Thank you @sam-glade and @writernopal for the tags!

Rules: Put on your favorite playlist on shuffle and share the first 10 songs that come up - let us get to know you! Bonus, tag them for any characters they apply to from your WIPs!

Unfortunately, I don't use Spotify all that regularly (can't afford a subscription), so I opted to use my YouTube playlist instead. Please forgive me.

Tagging @e-klair, @moonluringfrost, @talesfromaurea, and anyone else who wishes to participate!

Let me know if you know or enjoy any of these songs! I've found that I have a bit of an acquired taste in music and talking so openly about it always makes me a lil' nervous. Let me know if you happen to listen to anything new, too!

Bad Guy - Billie Eilish (covered by The Interrupters) -A god-tier cover, especially when paired with a fight scene (as seen in The Umbrella Academy). Reminds me specifically of Janus and Bellona from Agent Ace.

And So It Went - The Pretty Reckless -Embodies the darker, more chaotic side of Harmont and its vigilantes.

Playground - Bea Miller -Same as #2.

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing - Set It Off -A banger of a theme for a morally grey character or villain. Once again, I think of Janus and Bellona when I listen to this song.

Break In - Halestorm ft. Amy Lee -A love song for Harley and Jade and one of the only songs that has made me cry. I got to see this performed live and it almost destroyed me

Hate - Plush -Helps me channel and write a character's anger. This is a song for Sophia, who's always a bit short-tempered with constant repressed rage.

Haunted and Unwanted - NateWantsToBattle -Makes me think of certain characters from Harmont Heroes who are made to be victims or products of an unkind environment. Also, the beat slaps.

Paint It Black - Netflix's Wednesday -Reminds me of a character in Harmont Heroes who has yet to be introduced. Also good background music to write to at any given time, since there are no lyrics and the cello sounds lovely!

Sober - Plush -Something I like to listen to whenever I write about a character hitting rock bottom, or any significantly heavy scene involving death, grief, etc. Have made myself ugly sob before with all the feelings.

Phantom - Give Heart Records -Another great song for a villain, especially in the context of the 'deal with the devil' trope, which I am hopelessly in love with. Multiple characters come to mind with this one (can you tell I love my villains?)

#tag game #music #10 songs #wip: agent ace #current wip #ella's writing

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sparkles-rule-4eva · 8 months

Note

https://www.tumblr.com/bebeiaarts/673335597863256064/my-headcanon

Went ahead and read this post. And laughed a little, ngl.

It's basically a defense post for shipping Sonic with human girls, and a hate post towards Sonamy/Sonally shippers. Called 'em all "fanbrats." Immediate generalization, assuming all of us are the same.

I'm a Sonamy shipper, not Sonally. Why I don't ship Sonally? All I've seen of Sally -- while she's generally a good person -- she's very controlling, especially of Sonic himself. She doesn't like Sonic for who he is; she's constantly trying to make him more serious and their personalities clash an awful lot. But does that mean I hate on and judge Sonally shippers? No. It's just a ship with fictional characters, peeps. Lighten up. I don't get triggered if I see others making art for them and stuff. I just move on because it's not for me.

Ah, yeah, Amy's worse qualities HAVEN'T disappeared? Sorry, could someone remind me of a time during the IDW comics, during Frontiers, during MOSTH, when Amy was making Sonic uncomfortable with stalker-esque behavior? Right. There wasn't any. It's a little something called character development and maturity. Happens as one grows older.

And this isn't the first time I've seen people complain that they're turning Amy into Sally 2.0. Actually, they're not. Amy Rose has a heart for people that Sally never did. In IDW, Amy took over the Resistance and changed it into the Restoration because Knuckles disbanded it on a whim, and she couldn't bear to see so many people displaced and in trouble. Because she's got that heart and LOVE for people. That passion.

Amy loves Sonic exactly for who he is. (I've talked a little about this before but will gladly elaborate for those who refuse to see.) She outright said to him, "I can't change you. I don't want to change you."

She loves that he's an adventurer. She loves that he has a heart for people like she does as well. She loves everything about him -- through anything.

Another person claimed they didn't ship Sonamy because "Amy only loves the hero facade Sonic puts on." Sorry, remember that episode in Sonic X where it showed Amy was well aware of Sonic's dislike/fear of water, and instead of getting angry or disappointed with him, she made him a good luck charm bracelet to make him feel better? Or that time when she scolded Knuckles for making fun of said fear? Or when he was badly electrocuted to the point of unconsciousness and she stepped up to take care of him? Or when she dove into a giant mass of water after him, knowing she might not be able to save him but not wanting him to be alone? I could go on and on.

That love of hers, that passion, is also for people in general (he's just #1 in her heart, according to Sega). In Frontiers, she showed concern for him when he appeared to be struggling. She shared her desires to share her love with the world, even if it meant taking them apart, and he encouraged her to do so, adding that he wanted to hear all about it when she got back.

Pardon us for feeling like Sonamy is more canon after Frontiers. I'd like to see YOU come up with a platonic explanation for "Wish we were sharing an umbrella, Amy," and "Amy, I should've made up my mind sooner."

Also, it's pretty unlikely Amy is still 12. They stopped confirming their ages years ago. With how much has been happening, I wouldn't be surprised if they're all aged up several years.

"Thinking we know better than Sega themselves." Bruh, "Sega themselves" have confirmed time and time again that Sonic has feelings for Amy. The only reason (besides the mandates lol) he hasn't confessed to her is because

Sonic isn't good at dealing with feelings

Sonic isn't ready for a relationship at this point in his life/doesn't need one

Sonic loves Amy, and Amy loves Sonic. But they're both aware that Sonic doesn't want a relationship for the time being, so they're fine being friends.

Pardon the rant, lol. And jsyk, this isn't necessarily a persuasive speech. If this convinced you to ship Sonamy, cool! If it didn't, I don't care. Again, these are just ships with fictional characters. I have fun with them. I don't get outraged if people don't ship what I do. If you don't like it, move past this post and keep scrolling. See if I care. 😂

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another-sonic-blog · 4 years

Note

You've ever seen the music video to Wedding Dress by Taeyang? I just thing that would be an amazing story for a Shamyson.

Wedding Dress

(SonAmyShad)

2K160

Amy walked down the aisle, the white wedding dress she was wearing softly moved along her steps making look as if she was floating. Everyone looked at her in awe, amazed by her beauty. Some laugh, some smiled, happy for the soon to be married couple.

And Shadow was waiting for her.

Shadow was jealous of Silver. At least he could go back to the past and redeem his mistakes. Shadow couldn't do that and it was too late now.

"You know, it's not too late."

"She is getting married next week, it is too late."

Shadow and Silver were currently at their shared apartment. Silver watched from his couch, watching Shadow play the piano was actually amusing to him. He didn't see him as the one to play classical instruments, maybe a guitar or drums but never a piano.

"She is not married yet, you can still tell her how you feel." Silver said. He was the only one who knew of Shadow's love for a certain pink hedgehog. He was the one who introduced them after all.

"What if you go to the past and stop me from falling in love with Amy goddamn Rose." Shadow pressed the piano key's very hard, showing his anger.

"You were going to fall in love with her anyway, I can't alter the past that would just mess up the fu-" Silver shut himself off. One of his flaws was talking too much and this was one of those moments.

"Wait ... you knew this was going to happen?" Shadow tilted his head, giving Silver a cold look. "And you still introduced me to her?"

"Hey, I was just speeding things up! It was going to happen anyways and-"

"I knew I should have moved to another city."

"It was still going to happen, one way or another."

Shadow cursed everything under his breath. Was this destiny? And if so, why hate him so much?

"I don't believe in destiny."

"Really? You don't believe that we are meant to do something in this world?"

"No, you can do whatever you want."

Amy let out a small laugh, Shadow's ideology amused her, "I do believe in it."

It was a snowing day and Amy and Shadow walked hand by hand. Nothing romantic, but Shadow insisted because Amy wasn't wearing any globes and didn't want her hands to get cold.

"Sometimes I wonder," Amy said softly, "If everything is predetermined by destiny."

Well if destiny existed, fuck it. Shadow kept playing the piano, he had composed this song the night after Amy told him that she was marrying Sonic.

He had it mastered and even wrote lyrics for it. Shadow thought that maybe with this song, he could have some peace of mind.

Confessing his feelings with this sonata. The lyrics he wrote were too personal and of course, if he were to sing them, it will ruin the wedding.

"Shadow ... are you alright?"

Shadow looked over ti his white friend, he was still looking at him from the couch but he shrugs it off.

"Yes." Shadow responded, "Anyways, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you go back to the future soon?"

"I was invited to the wedding, so I decided to come."

"You already know how it turns out, why come?"

Silver looked at his friend. He was doing bad, circle under his eyes, losing way too much weight and pale. He wished he could him the truth but interfering with destiny wasn't any good. After all, all of this was mean to be as well.

"Curiosity."

It was the wedding day and everyone seemed to be having to be happy but for a certain black hedgehog. No one took it in the wrong way however, Shadow was known for his 'special' attitude.

It was an outside ceremony in the vast fields of Fairy Forest. There was a small chapel decorated with beautiful blue and pink flowers. The guests' chairs were decorated in the same manner. The carpet that leads to the chapel was replaced by a sheet of flower petals.

Shadow was by the side, right behind his black piano. Sonic was already on the chapel, waiting for his soon to be bride.

"Think positive Shadow. In a parallel universe, you are the one standing there, waiting for Amy."

"Lucky bastard," Shadow said between his teeth.

Sonic smiled at him, one out of pity. Shadow growled he couldn't help but feel angry at him. Sonic knew that he loved Amy but in all honesty, he won fair and clean.

What bothered him the most was that after years of leaving Amy alone, he comes backs and takes her.

Shadow noticed the guest stand up, meaning that the bride was here. He sat down, ready to play his song the moment he sees Amy enter the room.

But that never happened.

Shadow didn't know if it was Amy's un-compared beauty or because of the wedding dress she was wearing.

Maybe Amy was right. Sonic and Amy were always meant to be together. Amy saw it when she was young and now she was happily completing her destiny.

Amy began to walk down the aisle but a few seconds passed and she turned to look at Shadow. It was strange of him that he hasn't played the piano yet.

The moment their eyes connected, Shadow just couldn't help it. His ears lowered and his eyes were filled with love.

"Sometimes I wonder," Amy said softly, "If everything is predetermined by destiny."

Shadow stopped walking as he noticed Amy's face change in expression. It was snowing heavily now and noticing this, Shadow pulled out his transparent umbrella and covered both of them.

"It doesn't matter if you are in the wrong or right path ... It doesn't affect me, it shouldn't affect you either," said Shadow.

Amy looked up at Shadow, "What do you mean?"

"It means that I determine my own destiny."

Shadow's memory broke off the trance and he immediately sat down to play the piano.

He took a deep breath and began to play. He had composed this song to express his feelings. It wasn't simply music he had written lyrics as well.

He got close to the mic which was meant to be there so the guests could hear the piano but instead, he used it to sing.

Some say it ain't over 'till it's overBut I guess it's really over nowThere's something I gotta say before I let you goListen...

Amy looked at him a bit suprised. She didn't know the song was supposed to have lyrics on it. She stopped in the middle of the aisle and waited for Shadow to finish his singing his song.

When you have a fight with himAnd I sometimes see you crying and suffering because of it/himI feel hopeBut I have a heartache unnoticedThen just a hint of your smile makes me composedFor fear that you might know how I feelAnd that then we might drift apartI bate my breath and bite my lipsPlease leave him for me

"Hey, Shadow! I want to introduce you to someone" Silver said as he approached the black one.

"I really don't have the time-"

"This is Amy Rose. You may know her already but I just wanted to officially introduce you to her."

Of course, he knew her. Amy Rose, world heroine, and leader of the Resistance. He didn't care much about her but he respected her.

"Nice to meet you, Rose."

"Amy, please. Call me Amy."

They shook hands and that was the beginning of Shadow's path to love her.

The guest looked at each other in surprise. They knew what was going on.

Shadow was confessing his feelings to Amy Rose.

Baby, please don't take his hand'Cause you should be my ladyLook back at me; I've been waiting for you for longWhen the music echoesThen you will spend the rest of your life with himThough I've prayed every night this day would never comeThe wedding dress you put on (dress, dress)Girl, the wedding dress you put on (dress, dress) (that's not me)The wedding dress (dress, dress)Oh, the wedding dress you put on, oh, no

Shadow kept playing the piano as he let more memories come to his mind.

"Why are you even here? Shouldn't you be with the blue one?"

Shadow asked Amy. The two of them had come back from a very important mission in which Sonic and Shadow were in bad condition. Broken ribs and deep wounds.

"He will be fine. I care more about you at the moment!" said Amy as she sat on his couch, wrapping a bandage around his arm.

"I am the ultimate life form, I don't need-"

Amy interrupted Shadow, they have known each other for three months already and it seems like he can't understand it yet. "I don't care if you are the ultimate life form or not. You are hurt and I am going to take care of you."

"Why?"

"Because you are my friend."

Shadow looked over at Amy who was holding back her tears already. How much he hated seeing her crying, especially if it was because of him.

But at the moment, this was important.

I hated you because you never knew my feelingsSo, sometimes, I wished you would be unhappySeeing that I've already run-run-run out of tearsThat I habitually speak to you when I'm actually aloneAnd that I've felt so uneasy every nightMaybe I've known this would happenI close my eyes and dream an endless dreamPlease leave him for me

"That girl totally likes you! You should ask her out!"

Amy and Shadow were doing their weekly hang out by walking in the park. A young beautiful hedgehog girl had passed by them and smiled flirtingly at Shadow.

"Not interested," Shadow replied.

"Why? She is beautiful!"

"... I have someone else in mind." Shadow looked at the side, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Oh! Is she pretty?" Amy asked.

"Very."

"Smart?"

"The smartest hedgehog I know."

"Personality?

"Kind."

"Is it me?"

"Yes"

Shadow turned around, completely red from cheek to cheek. "That's not what I mean!"

Amy laughed, as she gave Shadow small pats on his back.

"Don't worry Shadow," said Amy, wiping away her tears. "I like you too."

Shadow kept singing as he closed his eyes. How much he wished to go back to time and just tell her that he likes her too.

And a lot.

Baby, don't take his hand'Cause you should be my ladyLook back at me; I've been waiting for you for longWhen the music echoesThen you will spend the rest of your life with himThough I've prayed every night this day would never comeThe wedding dress you put on (dress, dress)Girl, the wedding dress you put on (dress, dress) (that's not me)The wedding dress (dress, dress)Oh, the wedding dress you put on, oh, no

Shadow was carrying an arrangement of roses. He was walking by a flower shop and he couldn't stop thinking of them. They had power over him as if to tell him that his mission in life was to give them to Amy.

He was walking to her apartment but as soon as he got there he stopped.

Sonic and Amy were talking very happily outside Amy's apartment.

Shadow didn't know how much he loved Amy until the moment he saw her kiss Sonic.

He was heartbroken and since then, it had stopped working.

The Roses were never delivered and that thought still hunted his mind.

Shadow kept eye contact with Amy. She was already crying but there was no going back now.

Silver smiled at the scene. Everything was playing out just like destiny had determined. Not matter what time he went back to, these two were always meant to meet.

Always meant to be together.

Silver whispered, "You got this grandpa."

Please be happy with him so that I can forget youPlease forget how insignificant I lookedThough it's going to be deathly hard for me for a fairly long while, no oh

Shadow finished playing the piano and as fast as he could, he ran towards Amy. Shadow grabbed her hands and he gave Sonic an apologetic look.

Sonic nodded, knowing well that now it all depended on Amy.

"Amy ..." said Shadow, "I love you."

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I've been so busy with other stories. Thank you so much for this prompt! Wedding Dress will always be an iconic song! However, I don't know if Shadow is a singer haha. Even while writing this story, I doubted myself a little. Also, sorry for any mistakes in the story, I was in a hurry lol.

But again, thank you for waiting!

#shadowxamy #Shadamy #shadow and amy #shadow the hedgehog #sonic #sonic the hedgehog #sonamyshad #sonamy fanfiction #sonamy ansgt #sonamy #shadamy au #shadamy fanfiction #Amy Rose #sonic and amy #amyrose

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sentientencyclopedia · 4 years

Text

Snapshots

I don’t usually post fics on here, but carpe diem and all that. This piece is for the @b99fandomevents Summer 2020 Fic Exchange. This drabble is based on requests by @sandylovesfandoms for the Peraltiago honeymoon after Holt left and waterslides/waterparks.

Jake got one whiff of the drink and wrinkled his nose. But Amy was looking at him eagerly, so he gave her a weak smile and brought the glass to his lips. For love he told himself, before chugging the orange mush.

“Bleeeurgh.” He turned around and spit it back into his cup. “That is disgusting.” He kept the glass under the table, knowing that it grossed Amy out whenever he regurgitated food. And if she actually liked this toxic sludge of a smoothie, well, he wasn’t going to deprive her of her bliss.

“It’s not that bad.” Amy looked perfectly happy as she sipped the orange drink. Jake had to admit it matched her sundress and the ribbon in her straw hat perfectly. “I think the papaya and cantaloupe perfectly balance each other out, and the coconut cream gives it a smooth texture.”

“It is disgusting.” He pulled out his phone. “But it matches your dress. Smile!”

“It’s delicious, and more importantly, it’s good for you.” Amy grinned and he snapped the pic. Oh yeah, this was definitely going into the honeymoon scrapbook. He had a sneaking suspicion Amy had planned the aesthetic, but whatever. “It’s full of antioxidants and important minerals.”

“No wonder it tastes so bad.” He grimaced.

“You can’t live on sugar and alcohol, Jake.” He took another picture as she rolled her eyes, fork dangling from her fingertips. It wasn’t scrapbook material, but it was cute.

“It’s our honeymoon. It’s supposed to be magical. We can do whatever we want.” He stole a mango slice from her plate and got up to walk back to the smoothie bar. “Two virgin pina coladas, please.”

“There’s pineapple juice at the buffet.” The bartender stared at him.

“I know. Don’t forget the little umbrellas, please and thank you!” He gave the man a beaming smile and leaned against the counter.

The man was apparently used to unreasonable requests from vacationing tourists, because he tossed a few pineapple chunks and a cup of coconut milk into the blender, set it to spin and wordlessly poured the mixture out into cocktail glasses. With little umbrellas. “Thank you!” Jake took the drinks back to their table triumphantly, pausing to grab a few of the brightly colored straws at the buffet table.

“This is also fruity and coconutty and best of all, it doesn’t taste like the mutagen that made the Ninja Turtles.” He set the drinks on the table and placed two straws in his mouth, long sides sticking out.

“Does this make me look more like a vampire or a walrus?” He asked, pointing.

“Gee, it depends. Which one has purple teeth, again?” She gave Jake a teasing smile and took a picture of him making funny faces at the camera.

“Say what you want, Ames, but this is going to make drink consumption a lot more effective.” He stuck the bottom of one straw in each glass and drank from both at the same time. “Ta-da!”

“That’s good. According to my itinerary, we have five more minutes for breakfast if we want to make it to the next event on time.”

“You’re so organized, babe.” Jake grinned at her as she showed him the binder. “How did you manage to get all these sheets laminated?”

“I convinced the people in the printing center to let me use their office laminator.” Amy’s expression mirrored his, though her smile was tinged with pride. “I figured they needed to have one on site for all the signs and menus and stuff, of course.”

“Of course. Hey, what’s this blue marker for?” He reached for the sticker only to have Amy swat his hand away.

“That’s a surprise.”

“Like a Holly Genero costume kind of surprise or an open ice cream bar kind of surprise?”

“It’s better than an ice cream bar.”

“Hate to break it to you, Ames, but there are few things better than an open ice cream bar. Especially the kind with unlimited toppings.” It turned out that when Captain Holt had extended their stay, he’d also tacked on a few perks as a sort of extended apology.

One of those perks had been access to an open ice cream bar, with unlimited toppings. Jake and Amy had spent a solid hour building and eating the Biggest Behemoth Sundae in The History of The World.

At least, that’s what they’d captioned it when they sent a picture of the monstrosity to their friends back home. It had been a towering mass seven different flavors, coated in liberal amounts of sprinkles and candy with a cookie base. It had been delicious.

Remembering that inspired Jake with new ideas. “Do you think they’ll give me ice cream for breakfast if I asked?”

“Well, they probably would, but we had ice cream last night. Don’t you want to see what I’ve got planned for today?”

“Depends. What have you got planned?”

“So, I rescheduled the sensual feeding workshop because both of us agreed that we wanted to re-do that without Holt watching.”

“I still don’t think I can make eye contact with him ever again after what happened with the avocado.”

“Oh, yeah.” They shared a moment of silence for Jake’s dignity. “But this is our chance to make new, better memories.”

“I’ll drink to that.” He took a long sip of the pineapple juice.

“Then we’ve got a couples’ ballroom class.”

“Fancy.”

“I thought it would be a nice throwback to that case we worked.”

“The one where you were in the shiny mermaid dress?”

“Precisely. In case we ever need to go undercover like that again, I thought it would be good if we actually knew how to dance. Plus,” She gave him an arch look. “I really want to see you in that waistcoat again.”

“The what-now?”

“You know, that vest-thing you wore over your button-down when you were dressed as Dewey? I watched a lot of historical documentaries as a kid and I was really into the whole men-in-fitted-waistcoats look.” She smirked. “You weren’t the only one who got an eyeful at that dance competition.”

“I’ll file that away for future consideration.” Jake whispered, imagination running wild.

“Then we have a lunch, then beach time, then just one thing before dinner.”

“The surprise, you mean.”

“Mhm. Now hurry up and finish eating. Don’t want to be late for our second impressions.”

“Ay-ay, Captain.”

They had a great time at each of the different workshops and events, but Jake couldn’t stop thinking about the blue marker. He was itching to know what it meant, what the surprise would be.

Jake Peralta was many things. Patient was rarely one of them.

So he was practically twitching with excitement by the time the blue-marker event rolled around. They were in swimsuits, so it had to be something to do with water. He hoped it wasn’t water-aerobics.

Amy grinned as she pulled Jake through the archway. “Surprise!”

“Oh. My. God.” Jake’s eyes lit up as he took in the glorious sight in front of him. “Is that a waterslide?” The pool area was practically empty, inhabited only by two lifeguards and a few straggling swimmers. But there, framed in the orange glow of the setting sun, was a very long, very twisty waterslide.

“Surprise!” Amy said again, throwing her arms out. “I made sure to pick the time where we would be mostly uninterrupted. All the families are probably at the live band sing-along thing, and all the adults without children are probably at the beach luau. Which is totally capitalist cultural appropriation, and not even geographically accurate, so I thought it would be fine if we skipped it.”

“Good idea. Where did you even find this?” Jake didn’t think he’d ever stop smiling.

“It was in the resort brochure, Jake.” Amy was rolling her eyes, but not in the tired, I’m-disappointed-by-your-immaturity way. She was rolling her eyes in the I’m-trying-to-be-cool-but-also-fishing-for-compliments way.

Jake was good at compliments. “God, I love that you read the resort brochures. That you plan itineraries with all sorts of weird fun stuff like sensual food arranging classes and cool fun stuff like waterslides. I really want to kiss you right now.”

Amy put her arms around him and they kissed. It was a quick, happy one. Both of them were so excited that it was mostly teeth. “Ooh. Can we do that couple-y thing where one of us sits on the other person’s lap and we go down together?” Jake asked.

“Yes!”

“Is it weird that I just wished Charles’ was here to take a picture of us on our way down?”

“Weirdly enough, I had the same thought.”

“We’re definitely too used to him being around.”

“Yeah.” They both went quiet for a second, thinking about it.

“Waterslide time!” Amy decided to break the silence. They held hands and very safely walked over to the ladder.

#b99fandomevents #b99 summer 2020 fic exchange #peraltiago #jake peralta #amy santiago #b99 #fanfiction #fic #drabbles #fluff

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phoenix43song · 4 years

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Little Women [2019] Film Review and Analysis

I have been reading the Little Women series since I was a child and I grew up on the 1994 film version that stars Winona Ryder. I have also watched the 1933, 1949, 2017 (mini series), and the 2018 modern film adaptation. I have watched and enjoyed the web series The March Family Letters on youTube, which is another modern adaptation take on the story, though unfinished. I have a graphic novel and a novel called Meg and Jo that are also modern adaptations. I love the songs from the musical, and I wish to play Jo one day (after I get my singing voice back). You can say I am a bit obsessed, though it has been quite awhile since I last read Little Women and did research on Louisa May Alcott. When I heard Greta Gerwig was going to be making another adapation I reread the whole series. The research I have done on Louisa, and the research that I have read from other fans and scholars has made reading Little Women all the more interesting. I try to be a writer, though I've only ever written novella's and short stories and short films. I love the theatre, acting, and now I am directing for the first time. I have so many story ideas for novels, series, and for feature films (maybe even TV). I've also always loved art, though without praticing much since adulthood my skills have dwindled. I identify with Jo and with Amy and I am really glad that this version of the book did these character justice...well Greta went wayland on Jo a bit.

The character of Jo in this adaptation is fully realized, three dimentional, however she is made to be have way more of a temper when she's an adult, unlike the book. Jo has this Peter Pan mentality where she wants to keep living in childhood and never grow up. She is in denial of her feelings, and she doesn't understand romantic love fully until the end. Greta decided to really incorporate Louisa herself into Jo. Louisa wrote the book loosely based on herself and her sisters growing up because she was pressured in writing a children's novel. She didn't want Jo to get married: she wanted Jo to remain a spinster like herself. Louisa was pressured to marry Jo off so she did. And then she continued to write two more novels after Little Women (technically Good Wives): Little Men and Jo's Boys. She created Friedrich Bhaer for Jo, who was the perfect choice for her...and most readers can't seem to see why Jo fell in love with him when, based on the research that I did and others did, Louisa created him off of men she had crushes on. Yes Louisa had crushes; she most likely had a few short lived romances, but we'll never know because if she wrote any of this down in her diary or in letters they have been destroyed.

Friedrich Bhaer in Greta's Little Women is not Friedrich Bhaer. He shares but a few qualities. Louis Garrel did an amazing job with what material he was given and he understands his characters and Frieidrich's relationship with Jo far better than Greta does. Based off of interviews and other comments that Greta has mentioned Greta hates Friedrich and can't stand that Jo married in the end. She doesn't understand him nor their relationship. She took away everything that Friedrich is, how Jo became friends with him, the courting he does, and one of the most romantic proposals in classic literature. Greta decided on an ambiguous ending for her movie and I absolutely hate it. The umbrella scene is rushed, hurried, and not romantic at all and it's edited in a way that this only happens in the novel that Jo writes because she is pressured, or somewhat forced, to marry off her heroine. Then there are cuts where we see Jo at her school for boys and girls, where her family presents a cake for Marmee's 60thbirthday and we see that Friedrich is there. This is cut where Jo is watching her book being made and she hugs it to herself: I really enjoyed this part of the ending, but the ending could have still followed the book more and not edited and written in a way where Jo's love for Friedrich and marriage isn't fiction. I mean Greta even had Amy and Meg drag Jo to go after him when Friedrich leaves and claim that Jo loves him. This is a change that...it destroys the characters in a huge way.

Friedrich isn't German in this film, though we do see him go into a German Beer Hall with his friends. I did love the dance scene in the Beer Hall and him dancing with Jo. He's French because Louis is French. Part of me wishes Greta would've gotten a German actor because Germany in it's people and culture was a huge part of Louisa's life and German is scattered all over the book. But I love Louis Garrel so this aspect of Friedrich didn't bother me that much. However...we don't get to know him and we don't get his backstory in this film. He doesn't play with the children, his immigration and carring for his orphaned nephews isn't mentioned, and him bringing Jo to intelletual gatherings isn't seen. Him giving Jo Shakespeare is in the film, but it's not done in person. He helps Jo with giving honest feedback on her stories and Jo doesn't take constructive critism well at all and yells at him. Friedrich likes Jo and you can tell. It's even shown that Jo likes him as well, but we sadly don't get to see their friendship: hell they don't really have much of a relationship in this movie. When Friedrich comes to visit Jo at the March house, we can see that Jo is surprised but pleased. I really do love how the family really likes him and gets to know him, and that they can see that the two love each other but that Jo is in denial. Except...Jo isn't really in denial in the book. She blushes when she realizes that Friedrich has come to court her. Jo in the book feels more mature by this point then she does in the movie.

Jo also tries to make herself love Laurie by writing him a letter because she's lonely. She never does this in the book. She does have one mention of a what if scenario but she stands by what she always thought: that she only loved Laurie like a brother. I really loved the scene where Jo rejects Laurie when he proposes because she's telling the truth and we even see in the movie that that have this special commarderie that's close but platonic, and not romantic. I do love how Greta explains and shows different kinds of love and growth in the sisters. But this seemed to degrade Jo a bit when it comes to actual full realized growth. I just don't understand where Greta was going with this and why she doesn't seem to understand Jo and Jo and Friedrich together. She put way too much of Louisa into Jo when Jo is a fictional character and not 100% Louisa. It's made to look like the umbrella propsal is fiction and that Jo did end a spinster. I am so upset right now at this that I will talk about what I did love and more of my analysis from a filmmaking aspect. (I doubled majored in theatre and in film in college and I do know that there will be changes in adaptations. However this doesn't mean that you can change characters and relationships to fit your own idea of how they should act and how they should end up. When you adapt a story you have to keep who the characters are and Greta doesn't do this with Friedrich nor with Jo in the end with her as a character and the relationship between the two).

So. This film is gorgeous. Beautiful cinematography, direction, costumes, acting, score, and editing. The only thing that I didn't like was how the characters read their letters to the camera. It took me out of the story and didn't fit in at all. The editing of present to past was well done, and I loved how it went with parallel themes. Each sister is three dimentional and real, and the different takes on money and love was really interesting. Beth's sickness and death was well done and so heartbreaking poignant. I loved how she got Jo to write again, and I loved the montage of Jo writing her novel. Mr. Dashwood was hilarious, and Meryl Streep had a blast playing Aunt March. Laura Dern made a capible Marmee but she didn't feel like Marmee to me sadly. Mr. March was barely in the film, but he's barely in the book so that was ok. The scenes between Mr. Lawerence and Beth were beautiful, and the scenes between Mr. Lawernce and Jo were good as well. I liked seeing Meg wanting riches, her feelings about being poor, but her love for John was a lot stronger and she made sacrifices. Amy was great, espeacially as an adult in Paris.

Laurie...I have a lot of thoughts on how Laurie was protrayed. I liked how his Italian ancestry was mentioned a lot and that Laurie could never sit still. I liked how he was represented as a drunk and ladies man until Amy talked sense into him. I like how we got to see how Amy and Laurie fell in love, and how Laurie realized that his love for Jo wasn't of the romantic nature either. He does love Jo and you can diffinitely see that, but at the same time they're best friends. Yes it's good to want to marry your best friend but at the same time you need more than just physical attraction ( and that's where Friedrich comes into the pitcuture). But there was something off about how he was represented. I honestly think it's because that Tim looks way too young for the adult version (even though he is an adult in real life), and that he's too skinny. Sorry I said it: Tim needs to put some meat on his bones.

This film does deserve awards and it bothers me that the film wasn't nominated for a Golden Globe (though Saoirse being nominated for Best Actress was a choice well deserved) or for an SAG awards. I hope the film is nominated a lot at the Oscar's at least. I would give this film somewhere between a 2.5 to a 3 out of 4 stars. This would've been a perfect 4/4...I know a lot of critics and fans love the ending, and that's there's only a minority of us that understand and love Friedrich, and Jo/Fritz together. At least we have other film adaptations and the musical – love the musical! - and I am really tempted to write my own version of a Little Women feature or mini series. I want to do more research on Louisa and write a biopic. I even have my own modern adapation ideas. This is a beloved book and I wish more people will read it, along with the rest of the series. To understand Jo/Fritz you have to read the last two books. This isn't really an essay or full on anaylsis, but more of me rambling, but let me know your thoughts in the comments. I would love to discuss Little Women and hear your thoughts and opinions. (Also sorry for spelling and grammar errors: I wrote this up really fast and didn’t bother to edit as I’m rather busy).

#little women #friedrich bhaer #jo x friedrich #little women 2019 #movie review #book to movie adaptation

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redrobin-detective · 4 years

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All Together Now

I’ve been feeling nostalgic and watching some Doctor Who again (ah back to my roots) and I wrote so much DW fic back in the day that I thought I’d share an old favorite. A story in which all 11 (this was written in 2013, just after the 50th so no Capaldi or Whittaker) Doctors meet each other in true disaster fashion. It was fun dialogue and opportunity to flex on my ridiculous amount of DW knowledge. (7′s spectrox toxemia comment to 5, still funny seven years later)

XxX

The Eleventh Doctor was having quite a nice relaxing day. He was bored with it already but he was certainly having it. He stared out at the dark purple waves of Atrios wondering where he would go next. He had dropped Amy and Rory off a while back after the scare at the alien motel and he just couldn't quite get back into the swing of adventuring, not yet anyway. He missed them, plain and simple, and the TARDIS just seemed so lifeless without them.

"Oi, you with the bowtie, would you give me a hand?" The Doctor jumped slightly and considered not turning; actually to be honest he considered getting up and running away screaming. Of course he recognized that voice, how could he not? A few centuries ago he had been speaking in that voice. "Really, it will only take a mo and then you can go back to your sulking." The Doctor scowled and turned around to face his previous incarnation.

"I am not sulking; I was just enjoying the scenery." He looked back over his shoulder at the purple waves, he supposes they were a bit dull. The other Doctor, the tenth version anyway, rolled his eyes.

"Right I forgot never to underestimate the entertainment levels of human tourists. You lot act as if you've never seen an alien ocean." The Doctor quirked an eyebrow, rude and not ginger, yes he was totally seeing it now. Well whatever, he was in it now so he'd better get ole Sandshoes here out of the way before a paradox ensued. How the hell did he not remember this?

"So what sort of help do you need so desperately that you interrupt my… introspection."

"I came here with an Earth woman she has red hair and is very, very loud. I seem to have lost her, have you seen or rather heard her?" The Doctor, or really Eleven since there were two Doctors present, was so confused he couldn't even name the thing that confused him the most. First of all, he doesn't ever remember coming to Atrios with Donna. Second, shouldn't Ten have picked up on the fact that this man was not only a Time Lord but a future version of himself and three, Donna. Donna was here, he could see Donna again. He could talk about adventures and laugh with Donna. All three were very good reasons to stick close to Ten and find out just what was happening. He shook his head.

"I'm afraid not, but I could help you look for her, if you want…" Ten frowned suspiciously and Eleven couldn't help but feel vain about the wrinkles that appeared around his eyes and mouth. "You know, to get away from the sulking thing for a bit, you're right, I just said goodbye to some good mates and well-" Ten smiled and clapped him on the back, Eleven was mildly surprised nothing exploded. They began walking down the beach as Ten went off on a long ramble.

"Sure of course, I understand, come on. I do love chatting; I do it a lot apparently. Donna says I've got a gob that just doesn't stop and I tell her that she's not much better what with all her shouting and stuff. I'm sorry I've gone off again haven't I? What did you say your name was again?" Eleven blinked, would John Smith be too obvious?

"Er uh Rory, Rory Williams." Ten grinned.

"Well my name is…" His eyes darted to something over Eleven's shoulder and they widened to the size of saucers. Eleven almost turned but Ten stopped him finishing loudly. "Yes, and I am Wilfred, Wilfred Mott, lovely to meet you." He leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially. "Ok Rory, act natural. I know this bloke but he doesn't know me yet. I'm a time traveler so this is possible, it'll be over soon. So just stay calm and act natural."

"Oi, hold up, I've got a question. Have you two stooges seen a young girl, about 19 or so with curly blonde hair?" Eleven sucked in his breath and bit his lip. This was bad and getting baderer by the second. As if dealing with Ten wasn't bad enough but now Nine pops up out of nowhere?

"Rose?" Ten choked out and Eleven wanted to roll his eyes. He forgot how that incarnation was nearly overwhelmed by his sentimentality for the London shop girl. Eleven frowned, he couldn't really blame him though, he wasn't much better with his little Amelia. Nine walked over to them with concerned look.

"Oh so you've seen her then, that's good. I've been looking for her for a while now, honestly I don't know what part of 'don't wander off' they don't they get."

Ten and Eleven exchanged a look in which Ten mimed a quick shush noise. It made the eldest Doctor want to tear his hair out. Here he was hiding from Ten who was now trying to convince him to hide from Nine. He was fairly certain this couldn't get any worse. Nine glared at them clearly getting impatient.

"If you two are done making faces at each other, would one of you point me in the direction of my companion? I'd like to get off this heap of rubble as soon as I can thank you very much." A discreet glance in Ten's direction told Eleven that his younger self was still too caught up in the thought of meeting his Rose again. He sighed and turned to address Nine.

"Um sorry mate, don't know any Roses here. My friend… Wilfred and I haven't seen anyone else and hopefully no one else unexpected pops along." Eleven said with a strained smile, the last part muttered under his breath. Ten seemed to snap out of his stupor and properly look at him for the first time. Eleven wasn't sure what would happen if they all started deducing identities but he'd rather not find out. While he was curious as to why Nine was here, this many Doctors in one area couldn't possibly be good.

"Pardon chaps!" The three Doctors froze as Eight all dressed to the nines – dear Rassilon he did not just think that- snuck up behind them. They all turned and gave him a thinly disguised grimace while the pretty faced man just kept smiling as if nothing were wrong. So this is before the Time War then, hard to imagine a time when he was that innocent. "Would one of you tell me where the nearest town is? Lucie wanted to do a bit of shopping or she did before I lost her. I suppose I should be asking if you've seen her about. She's about yeah tall, Northern accent, rather brash." Eight said with a small, kind smile.

"Nope, nuh-uh, none whatsoever!" Ten squeaked rocking on his heels while Nine took a few steps back. Eight regarded them all with a funny expression on his face as his gaze sharpened.

"Is everything alright? Are you in some sort of trouble?"

"No!" Nine said stepping forward with a menacing glare. Eleven winced a little; it appeared Nine was still wounded by his previous regeneration's actions during the war or lack there of perhaps. "And I think it's about time you got going you hussy." Eight took a step back in surprise only for a very distinctive umbrella to swing down in-between the two. Eight's surprise shifted from one Doctor to another as he turned to the newest member of the group.

"Now gentleman, I don't know what's going on between the two of you but you're grown men and I'd think you'd better start acting like it." Seven purred pulling his umbrella back and hooking it onto his arm. "Now really, what is going on here? And what are all you doing staring at me for?" Four Doctors turned to look at one another.

What in the name of Rassilon had he been drinking last night?

"Excuse me dear fellows." Seven's eyes widened as Five approached followed by a very pensive Six who hung back a little, probably to observe to his past self. "Is there a hospital nearby?" He asked jovially before subtly leaning forward gesturing his head back towards Six and whispering conspiratorially. "I don't think that man is quite stable, I think it's best if he got some proper rest." The group was all silence but he thinks he heard Nine muttering about the blasted coat under his breath to which Eleven wholeheartedly agreed. Which would makes sense as they were the same person after all. Eight cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry er Sir, but we're all tourists as well I'm afraid so we're just as lost as you are." He said trailing off slightly as he eyed the group before finally settling on Eleven. "Funny, I thought I'd gotten past the bowtie thing years ago." He mumbled quietly and Eleven huffed and indignantly straightened his very cool accessory. Oblivious, Five nodded a bit sadly casting a glance at Six.

"Yes, well I am a Doctor maybe I can do something on my own. I do wish I knew what had happened that would make him so peculiar." He paused and Seven brought his umbrella to his lips.

"A dose of spectrox toxaemeia and a hero complex will do that any day." The rest of the Doctors cleared their throats or coughed or just outright snorted. Five blinked as he eyed Seven.

"I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that, did you say spectrox-"

"-toxaemia, yes it's a poison found primary on Androzani Minor in the Sirius system. A horrible way to go, or so, I've been told and I'm hoping not to find out myself truth be told." The Fourth Doctor interrupted smiling broadly while Five sputtered before readjusting his celery to cover the motion. The Fourth Doctor adjusted his hat and grinned manically. "Hello, I'm the Doctor; might I ask what's going on here?" Six finally seeming have lost interest in sulking, stepped forward and instinctively all the other Doctors reached forward to stop him from acting too rashly. Too late though.

"Well that's a fairly presumptuous question for you of all people to be asking, Doctor." He said, jabbing Four in the chest. "I think we really ought to be asking who you are and are you doing here?" There has got to be a small star exploding somewhere as five Doctors simultaneously face palmed. The Fourth Doctor blinked and not breaking eye contact reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag.

"Why my good man, I think you need a jelly baby."

"I don't believe I do thank you very much!" Six shouted tugging on his lapels. Seven stepped in and held his hands in a placating way.

"Gentlemen please there's no reason to shout." Six turned his glare onto his future self.

"Oh don't I? Just look at your jumper man. Who dressed you this morning? The Riddler?" Nine snorted at this.

"Oi have you looked in the mirror recently, thank God I got over that phase quickly enough." Six's annoyance melted as he took in the rest of large group as if noticing them for the first time. "Wait are you all...?"

"Did it really take you that long to work it out?" Four asked, biting of the head of a jelly baby. "I weep for my future." He rolled his eyes over in the direction of the older Doctors. Ten quirked an eyebrow in annoyance, "what?"

"Oh nothing," Four said tucking away his jelly babies. "Just looking at a future mid-life crisis, practically children you are. Honestly the next one's going to be twelve years old." His eyes slid over to Eleven, "oops too late." Eleven's mouth twitched, oh to hell with the timelines.

"Oh well aren't you just the coolest with your scarf and your candies." He spat, throwing his arms in the air which probably wasn't the best move if the looks on everyone's' faces were any indication.

"Yes thank you for noticing, a trait you seemed to have misplaced young man. Tell me, are your parents coming to pick you up soon?" Four teased.

"Oh I'd get that big head of yours out of the clouds before you take a fall, opps," he mimicked "too late I guess. Celery boy is better than you every day." Five grimaced.

"Please don't draw me into this narcissistic competition." But still the bickering continued as their voices grew louder and tempers grew shorter.

"You should've wiped out the Daleks when you had the chance you maniac! You could have avoided the whole damn war!" Nine shouted

"Oh will you be quiet you! What happen? Did the pretty princess over there swallow glass to turn into such a bitter angry man? My clothes are a disguise but yours show how ugly you truly are!" Six retorted.

"Disguise for what? Your dreadful personality? If you weren't so distracted by your clothes you could have saved Peri you half wit numbskull." Ten interrupted.

"Hey now therrrrrre everyone calm down. What are we fighting for? Can't we handle this as Doctors?" Seven countered.

"I do concur, we are the Doctor and we should be acting like it so if everyone would just..." Eight pleaded.

"Shut up Lord Byron, just because you didn't fight in the war doesn't mean I don't blame you for it! We're all responsible!" Nine accused.

"Oi, big ears! X-nay on the War-eh." Eleven hissed.

"Mmmhmm!" Though quiet, the sound of an older man clearing his throat caused all the Doctors to turn and find, well himself. The First, Second and Third Doctors stood there looking none too pleased at their future incarnations. The bickering Doctors had least at the sense to look ashamed.

"Now then, which one of you is the eldest?" The First asked giving his cane a light tap on the ground. The Eleventh Doctor slowly stepped forward and rocked awkwardly on his feet at the aggravated look his younger counterparts gave him. Honestly, they should know that he couldn't help the face.

"Oh for Rassilon's sake look at that, younger than Susan I'd bet. Oh no matter, no matter, will you tell me what in the name of sanity is happening, hmmm?" One demanded causing the other two Doctors to nod.

"Yes please enlighten us since you're clearly the most aged and experienced." Three drawled out sarcastically.

"Hmm, what's a boy got to say that we don't know?" Two huffed. Choosing to ignore thm, Eleven continued.

"We're not quite sure but somehow we all ended up in this time and place. I came across Ten who was-" he paused as if remembering something important. "Hang on, I came here alone but didn't you all come with companions?" He saw the other Doctors' eyes grow bright with understanding.

"Yeah, like I said before, I came with Donna" "and Rose" "Lucie..." "Ace is accompanying me currently" "Peri, wait what do you mean I could have saved P-" "I had Tegan and Turlough" " the savage Leela who-" "Miss Sarah Jane Smith" "What? But where did Jamie and Victoria go?"

One nodded at the string of names he did not know but someday would. "And I came with Steven and Dodo, yes I see your point young man, where did they go?" The Doctors suddenly looked around as if it would cause their companions to reappear. Seven took a few steps back away from the group.

"Yes, well I need to be finding Ace. I brought her here to let loose some old Nitro-9 and Rassilon knows what she'll do without prrroper supervision." He tipped his hat, "I look forward to meeting you all, well not particularly." Four smirked as he also turned and sauntered his own way.

"Yeah, same goes for Leela. I don't want to know what she's getting up to. Probably murder if I were to guess. Don't worry, I'll be sure to enjoy being an adult while it lasts. Goodbye, my dears." Nine huffed and spun on his heels as he stalked away.

"Forgot how unpleasant that one could be, reminds me too much of you all. Now I'm off to find my Rose, I swear if I see any of you again-"

"I should be going too," Five interrupted leaning forward to shake Ten and Eleven's hands. "Don't worry what they say, I'm sure you're all doing a cracking job. Have a lovely rest of your day." Ten smiled and returned the handshake enthusiastically.

"Yeah you see that's what I'm talking about! A true inspiration, now you sir, are the Doctor. My Doctor I guess if I had to pick a favorite." The two men smiled and wandered off together. Slowly the Doctors dispersed in their own directions, probably searching for their companions until only One and Eleven remained. Eleven tried to ignore One's rather penetrating stare and instead nervously tugged at his collar.

"You said you came here alone?" One began.

"For now," Eleven shrugged. "It's too dangerous to travel with humans for a long time. They get worn out and sometimes-sometimes bad things happen. It's better this way so I don't needlessly endanger lives." One pursed his lips before treating Eleven to a small smile and a light shoulder tap.

"Hmm so you are wiser than you look. Ho it's nice to know I look that good when my eyes are as old and troubled as yours are. So humor me old man, did we ever get around to fixing that old Chameleon Circuit?"

In a bar about 12 miles away

"I'm bored when's the Doctor going to get here? He promised us a pleasure planet but all I see around here is dirt." Tegan moaned sitting her head on the bar. Something had obviously gone astray as there were many, many people here looking for the Doctor but describing all sorts of different looking men.

One savage looking girl even described the first Doctor she had met, the scarf one, almost to a tee. She was busy arguing with a short teenager over explosives and Tegan was sure the place would be blown up in about 5 minutes. It didn't help that this obnoxious red head kept fawning over this Rose girl. Apparently she was important or something. Boy did she ever needed a drink.

A couple others were huddled in groups talking about their Doctors and what they were like but Tegan was just too upset for that kind of thing right now. All she wanted was for that Time Lord who couldn't tell time to get in here so she could give him a swift kick to the behind. She didn't even have Turlough to pass the time with as he was too busy chatting up some of the prettier girls. One girl was so scantily clad even Tegan was embarrassed. Ugh alien or not, he was still a man. She'd have cozied up to the handsome one in the kilt but the way that Victorian lady held onto him said he was off limits.

The sound of the door swinging open caught her attention as an older looking gentleman wandered in and opened his eyes wide in surprise as he saw them all. He muttered something to himself with a wry little smile on his face and took the seat next to her. He smiled sweetly and she realized that he wasn't nearly as old as he looked, just dirty and worn down like he'd been in a war or something. But there was an impish sparkle in her eyes that was terribly familiar... Oh lord it couldn't be.

"Excuse me Tegan," he began in a light voice. "I'm looking for the Doctor." Tegan smirked.

"Well, you've certainly come to the right place."

#doctor who #really should transfer some of FGtT to AO3 #theres some legit good stuff in there

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blueboxesandtrafficcones · 4 years

Text

The Nuptial Necessity - Chapter 3

A 12xRose Human AU

Despite an unglamorous job description, Rose loves the work she does with The Thistle Foundation, a charity founded by her best friend’s great-uncle. It doesn’t hurt that her boss, her friend’s father, is easy on the eyes. With a great job, wonderful friends and a loving family, life couldn’t be better – except for having someone to share it with.

All of that is threatened, though, when the great-uncle dies – and sets a strange condition for his nephew to inherit, jeopardizing the Foundation and Rose’s future, sparking a chain of events that might just get her everything she dreamed of and more.

Chapters will be posted on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Many thanks to my beta, @stupidsatsuma

Rated: Explicit, for eventual smut

@doctorroseprompts

AO3 | Masterlist

—

Malcolm didn’t get a second of sleep that night. After more than an hour tossing and turning in bed, mind racing, he reluctantly reached for his tablet and glasses, turning on the bedside lamp.

A simple Google search turned up hundreds of thousands of articles on inheritance, but none seemed to offer any solutions to receiving the inheritance without meeting the stipulations of the will. He was an old man, perhaps he was going senile? Why would he do this?

He shot off an email to the will executor and solicitor, asking Is it possible he was not in sound mind? Is there a previous version of the will that doesn’t include this marriage requirement?

It was likely a vain hope, but he had to try. Resolving to forget about the marriage idea for the moment, he turned his attention to finding a job posting board. After a few false starts he tried charity administrator openings London, and with a sigh, began reading through the first posting.

No matter what happens, this is going to suck. Thanks a lot, Uncle Wally.

Friday

By the time his alarm went off he was dressed and ready to go, texting Graham to cancel his morning pickup and deciding to take the Underground instead. Pausing just outside the gate and staring up at the townhouse, he realized with a jolt, Everything I have is tied up in the Estate. If I lose this inheritance, I lose everything.

At twenty-seven he’d fled Glasgow before the ink on his divorce papers was dry, bringing Clara to London for a fresh start. His uncle had been kind enough to give him a job working for The Thistle Foundation in the mailroom, and he spent most of the next decade working his way up and earning his keep until Wallace decided to retire, leaving Malcolm in charge. The townhouse went with the Estate, having been owned by the family since shortly after it was built, and he didn’t so much draw a salary from the Foundation as receive a stipend from his uncle.

I’m fifty years old and have almost nothing to my name.

It had always been a given that he would inherit; Wallace had never had children, his only sibling Malcolm’s father, and Malcolm was in effect an only child, his brother having died decades ago. He’d never had to worry about assets, had few personal expenses. To lose the Estate would cost him everything.

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.

He was so lost in his thoughts he almost missed his stop, barely making it through the doors onto the platform before they closed. Coming up to street-level he looked around, catching sight of the little shop Rose usually got their morning coffees from, only recognizing it by the familiar logo.

Stepping inside, it wasn’t until he was facing the cashier he realized he had no idea what Rose usually ordered. “Erm, hi. I don’t do this, my assistant is usually in here – pretty, blonde, big smile, name of Rose? D’you-”

“Oh, you must be Malcolm!” the girl, Amy, gushed, eyes lighting up. “Of course we know Rose, she’s in here everyday! Oi, Mel, Rose’s regular order, stat!” She turned back to him, finding him blinking at her in surprise. “Always nice to meet a fellow Scot. Rose is great, isn’t she?”

“The absolute best,” he agreed proudly, unsurprised but touched by the impression she obviously left everywhere she went. That’s my gi- that’s Rose. “I’d be hopelessly lost without her.”

“Too right. Anyway, here we are, that’s ten quid,” she passed over two large takeaway cups of coffee and a pastry bag.

Right. Feeling like a moron, entirely out of sorts after first the previous day’s bombshell and then no sleep, he dug out a twenty-pound note and thrust it across the space. “Keep the change. Thanks.”

Picking up the order he made his way to the door, more focused on the drinks than where he was walking, elbowing open the door and slamming right into someone entering. “Shit!” He barely managed to keep hold of everything, coffee sloshing dangerously but only spilling a little, and he looked up to give the person a piece of his mind only to stop dead in surprise. “Oh, fuck me.”

Rose arched one eyebrow in response, a smile flickering over her lips. “I’d rather not get banned from here, if it’s all the same to you, ta.” She plucked one of the cups from his hand, lifting it to her nose before taking a large gulp. “What’re you doing here?”

Stepping out onto the sidewalk they started down the street towards their building, falling naturally into sync.

“I couldn’t sleep, thought I’d come in early. I saw the place, and…” he trailed off, shrugging one shoulder. “You’re up early.”

“Couldn’t sleep,” she echoed, rolling her eyes. “Clara stopped by, talked my ear off until half two. Decided to just get a move on.”

The silence was awkward, which only served to annoy him; they had always had a good rapport, after the first six or so months once she had settled into her role. Now, eight years later he considered their partnership to be a well-oiled machine, two halves of a whole despite the on-paper power imbalance.

He held the door for her as they entered their building, nodding to the security guards as they buzzed through. Rose hit the button on the lift for their floor, and they rode up alone.

Malcolm followed her to her desk, watching as she flicked on the lights and shrugged off her coat, vaguely curious to her routine; she typically arrived only a few minutes before him- long enough to be settled and ready to face the day, but recent enough that his coffee was always hot and fresh.

“Oh!” she yelped, turning around to see him leaning on the corner of her desk, watching her. “D’you need something? My computer’s still booting up.”

The words hovered on the tip of his tongue, before he sighed, shoulders slumping. “No, I’m good. Just- oh, you know what you’re doing. I’ll be in my office.” Extracting his muffin from the pastry bag he slunk into his office, falling into his desk chair and turning to gaze listlessly out the window.

What am I supposed to do?

It was, quite frankly, the worst day of Rose’s professional career. Things got done, most of her duties able to be completed on autopilot after so long, but she could muster no spark to put into any of it. No banter. None of her signature Rose Tyler charm.

Her computer dinged and she glanced up from where she was poking at her salad halfheartedly to groan. “Oh, you’ve got to be motherfucking shitting me.”

“Rose Tyler!” Malcolm’s delighted voice made her jump and yelp, “I’m so proud of you. That was almost a proper swear.”

“Missy’s on her way up,” she didn’t even look at him, clicking on the IM box from Mickey, the building’s security guard and one of her oldest friends. It was just an emoji, two wide eyes, but it was their code. “What do you want me to do?”

He sighed heavily. “Fine, I’ll see her. I swear, she must have my office bugged or something.”

The lift dinged, and she raised her eyes to glance at him. He looks like he’s having as rough a day as I am. He’d said he hadn’t slept; had it been for the same reason she hadn’t? No, he was probably thinking about the gala. Of course it was about that, dingbat. “I’ll send her in.”

“Thanks.”

He disappeared back into his office as Missy walked in, and Rose had to bite her lip hard to keep from laughing or rolling her eyes. What did he ever see in her? Missy Tucker was without comparison the most extravagant, eccentric person she’d ever met, and that included all of her mother’s rich society ‘friends’.

“Good afternoon, welcome to The Thistle Foundation, do you have an appointment?” Rose asked sweetly, as the older woman approached her desk.

“I’d like to see my husband, please.” Missy’s smile was just as fake-sweet as Rose’s, as they went through the whole song-and-dance. One of the very first things Rose had been taught on her first day, by both Malcolm and her predecessor Jo, was to stall Missy as long as possible, making enough trouble that she didn’t find it worth it to visit the office.

This is your best friend’s mother, this is your best friend’s mother, this is your best friend’s mother, Rose lectured herself, pretending to stare intently at her screen for a moment. “I can give you a few minutes, but he has a call at one that he can’t miss.”

“Thank you.” And she swept past Rose into Malcolm’s office.

Once the door shut behind her, Rose let loose an undignified snort. Taking a subtle picture with her mobile, she texted it to Clara with the caption Your mum’s here.

Missy Tucker was the subject of ongoing amusement amongst the three; every time she appeared after months of no contact she had an entirely different style, often with a slight tweak to her features suggesting she was a fan of cosmetic surgery. Today her chosen look was that of evil Mary Poppins, complete with a plum-colored ankle-length skirt and matching dress coat, a white dress shirt buttoned to the neck with an elaborate bow, black heeled boots, a delicate hat, and an umbrella Rose would swear was an actual prop from the movie.

She looked ridiculous, and like she would be right at home as the evil orphanage matron in a Victorian version of Annie!

Are you fucking kidding me? Clara pinged back almost immediately. I love my Dad, but God I wish I was adopted. Please tell me I didn’t inherit her fashion sense!

Snickering, Rose shook her head and returned to her work polishing up her resume. At precisely one o’clock she buzzed in on the intercom, using what Clara called her flight attendant voice. “Malcolm, I have that potential donor on line two.”

“Thank you, Miss Tyler.”

A moment later the door opened and Missy stalked out, a murderous expression on her face. “I’ll talk to you soon,” she threatened her ex over her shoulder, ignoring Rose as she stormed towards the lift.

Rose waited until the lift doors closed before rising and entering Malcolm’s office. “So?”

He was lying on his couch with his head back against the cushions, a crystal cut glass of scotch hanging loosely from his hand. “She wants to reconcile, says she’s changed, wants to go back to what we once were.”

“What did you say?” She settled gingerly on the end of the glass coffee table by his head, watching as he opened tired eyes to stare at her.

“That who we were went up in a flaming pile of shit twenty-three years ago when I caught her high in bed with the babysitter on our fifth wedding anniversary. That who we were was a childhood friendship that went too far. That who we were died many, many years ago.”

He looked so sad, Rose’s heart went out to him.

“It’s far, far too late now. A part of me will always miss that, always wonder, but… It’s ancient history. Never mind that this is all because of Wallace’s death and the inheritance. She didn’t say it, but I know her. Anything that even sniffs of money or power and she’s first in line, plotting how to get it.”

“I’m sorry,” Rose offered, giving him a kind smile. “You deserve better than her.”

Sighing, he struggled upright, turning to plant his feet on the ground and set the untouched glass of scotch on the coffee table next to her. “Thanks.”

Their eyes met, and for once, she didn’t blush and look away. Clara’s question from the previous night circled back through her mind, and she let herself actually see him. Ice blue eyes capable of such a coldness shined back, warm and open, something only a privileged few were allowed to see. His strong features could be severe, Clara had once called them attack eyebrows, but when he smiled… his entire face would light up, almost like he was a different person.

She'd always found him attractive, may have had the occasional fantasy involving them, a bottle of wine, and a hot tub, but love?

Her gaze dropped to his lips, and she automatically licked her own. She would be lying if she said she’d never wondered – didn’t everyone, at some point? He drew closer, and she realized that she was leaning in; they were both leaning in. Is this really happening?

Rose’s eyes fluttered closed, her heart pounding, and she could feel his breath against her lips when-

“Dad?”

#bbatcfic #ficandchips #Doctor Who #doctorroseprompts #Human!12xRose #Human!Twelfth Doctor #Rose Tyler #Human AU #AU #The Nuptial Necessity

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theflashdriver · 5 years

Text

Wet Kindling (Tanabata Silvaze)

Tanabata is a festival to celebrate reuniting of Orihime and Hikoboshi, a pair of gods who fell deeply in happily married only to be forcibly separated for their failure to maintain their duties. Now they work continuously and can only meet once per year, on the seventh month of the seventh day, but atop that, there is a further stipulation; they cannot meet if it rains on that assigned day. Lovers forcibly separated and burdened by hefty duties drew to mind Silver and Blaze. Once united, now separated Blaze is a princess guarding a parallel world while Silver is left to tend the future alone. This similarity has been referenced in Sonic channel artwork. Silver was shown directly celebrating Tanabata, releasing a wish tag into the sky, before Blaze was depicted creating a flame in the shape of a Silver’s quills, a maple leaf, and setting it to float free. Utilising their similarity and details tied to the Tanabata story I decided to write something, I hope folks enjoy it! This story assumes the events of 06 happened, Silver and Blaze forgetting their shared life and being separated, but they haven’t reunited.

A stone bridge lay underfoot; an arch, taking no more than twenty paces to cross, reaching over a gently flowing stream. From one end of the bridge stretched a forest path, populated by deciduous trees slowly losing their spring bloom, while on the other barren hills lined a dirt road; the route toward the city. Between these roads stood a girl, her hands set on the bridge’s small wall as she observed the life that surrounded the stream. Blaze the cat, age fourteen; the ruler of the Sol Dimension and guardian of the Sol Emeralds, was awaiting a friend. The sky above her was grey and the air humid; she could feel a storm was threatening to break. If her friend did not hurry she would soon find herself soaked to the bone; being without an umbrella or jacket.

The feline was trying to ignore the inevitable storm, fixating upon a small troupe of magpies to pass the time. A trio, they fluttered and squawked as they played and bathed in the river. They weren’t the most enticing of creatures but coming from a land overrun by seagulls Blaze could at least find some distraction in the differences. From their more cordial camaraderie with one another to the way the tips of their wings gleamed dark blue as they caught the light. With the sky so thickly clouded this glint wasn't shining often, and even when it did the sight was faint, but it was pretty to behold. Their actions were far more innocent than that of the thieving gulls she knew, there was something bizarrely endearing about how they’d dip into the stream only to spook themselves and tumble back out. Birds like this weren’t-

A droplet rolled down her outer ear, she turned her attention skyward as the heavens opened; a cacophonous pitter-patter had begun. Fur and clothes beginning to soak Blaze closed her eyes, fists clenching, and from her back heat quickly unfurled; turning the drizzle both on and around her to steam. As her palms opened the heat took a more tangible form; a thin layer of bright yellow flames that coated her shoulders and shaped to hood her head, acting much like the upper section of a raincoat. Over the crackle of flame and the rumble of rain she heard the sound of wings, looking back to the stream she found the magpies had fled; be it from the storm or her ignition. Her distraction gone the princess turned toward the city path, still awaiting her friend; the young rabbit Cream. Minutes passed and soon, with nothing else to do, the cat found herself reflecting on the week’s events.

The life of a royal was one intrinsically shackled to duty, with most of her friends living beyond her kingdom seeing them was more up to chance than choice. There had been occasions when she had justified a visit, rare days planned weeks to months in advance, but those dates would often be pushed back or cancelled as events transpired in her own world. Visits like the past week were comparably uncommon, occasions when Eggman’s efforts would jeopardise not only this world but also her own. While it was fortunate these great battles were so rare the princess had grown to relish in the aftermath, the day or two she’d get to spend relaxing alongside her true peers.

She was set to go home yesterday, to linger long after a battle was abnormal, but Vanilla had promoted her to stay. Little Cream had grown to miss the feline and so they’d have a final tea party before her departure. It was to be a proper goodbye, for a few weeks least, and had been set up to surprise the young rabbit. Blaze had spent the prior night with Amy, enduring yet enjoying the endless talk of the hedgehog’s blue soul mate, and thus Cream likely thought she’d slipped away. She would, of course, return to the Sol dimension tonight… but she was happy to indulge this venture, even if it made her a touch tardy.

Due to the impromptu nature of this plan Vanilla hadn’t had a spare key to their small hilltop abode, ergo Blaze couldn’t enter. The plan was that the pair of rabbits would go grocery shopping, collecting sweets and good for the aforementioned tea party, only to encounter Blaze during their return trip. Thus the princess had decided to wait on the bridge, thinking it would be a picturesque location to reunite, but in hindsight that’d been a foolish decision. She surely could have waited on the doorstep and still surprised the child, that way she’d have been sheltered too. When it came down to it she’d stopped on this bridge for no better reason than she felt like stopping… but what about it had prompted her to stop? It was a pretty location but not especially significant, maybe it wasn’t the bridge itself that had prompted her?

Her brow creased, beneath the humidity of the storm and the crackling flames throughout her fur she could feel something; like a weight or pressure easing her to stay. It almost felt like armour, like a further layer of disassociation was shieling her from the rain. To accompany it a bizarre blankness kept creeping into her mind and with every second it seemed to grow more potent. She could only compare it to the feeling of suddenly forgetting, walking into a room only to forget why you entered or repeating a phrase to yourself only for it to slip from your mind. It was strange and, alike the pressure, she couldn’t recall feeling it prior. It wasn’t regret for stationing herself here nor was it the tug of responsibility having left her world for an extra day. What was this feeling, both physical and mental? There was a twang of… loneliness to it? But this wasn’t loneliness in foresight, nor was it loneliness over her current position. Reaching into her overcoat she drew forth one of the seven sol emeralds, she looked to it for any reaction to this phenomena. But there was nothing, rain struck the stone and fizzled instantaneously. It offered no answers, wholly unreactive and stable it appeared to be unaffected. What was hap-

“Miss Blaze! I thought you’d already left!” A small, soaking, orange-accented rabbit had torpedoed herself into Blaze’s gut; catching the usually perceptive warrior completely off-guard. As a pair of small hands reached to lock behind her Blaze smothered her flames, getting soaked but saving the child from being burnt.

Having returned to her senses Blaze pet Cream’s back with her free hand, stowing the sol emerald as she did so; “I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye, it’s good to see you again Cream.”

Looking up from the child’s dampened ears Blaze could see Vanilla quickly approaching… she looked thoroughly bedraggled, soaked to the bone, and across her arms hung no fewer than six hefty shopping bags. “Young Blaze I’m so sorry, this yesterday’s forecast promised clear skies! I would have endeavoured to hide a key for you at the very least, we started running the moment the drizzle started.” The elder rabbit looked down to the rim of her dress, finding it muddied, she was panting. “It appears the weather has caught us all off guard, we must have run twenty minutes journey in five. We should keep hurrying ba…”

Blaze found herself zoning out completely, Vanilla’s voice was lost to the white noise of the rain; both were being muffled by a bizarre ringing noise. Her mind kept drifting to this strange feeling, its lonesome underpinning blocked by a guise phantom forgetfulness. What on-

A tugging at her wrist returned Blaze to the present; looking down to Cream she found concern had overtaken the rabbit’s face. “Miss Blaze, are you okay?”

Shaking her head the princess attempted to uproot the feeling; “Yes Cream I’m fine, don’t worry.” Looking up to Vanilla she extended her free arm; “I’ll carry as much as I can, we should hurry home before you two get too wet.”

Vanilla looked puzzled for a moment but appeared to politely shake it off, the bags now split evenly between them they set off toward the forest path but as Blaze neared the bridge’s edge she stumbled and very almost fell. Glancing back it appeared she’d fallen over nothing, the bridge lay empty behind her save for a single magpie; no longer in the river, it had perched itself upon the parapet and looking toward her. Pulling herself from its vision Blaze managed to leave the bridge and as she did the sensation she felt, both the phantom grasp and forgetfulness, completely vanished. She didn’t have time to consider this though, the rabbit pair was already pulling ahead, bags in hand Blaze rushed forward and quickly caught up to the pair.

They were less than five minutes far from the house and, while the treeline provided some cover, Blaze didn’t want to risk melting the rabbit family’s groceries, thus she was subject to the rain just as they were. When the three of them burst into the small abode it was a matter of setting down the groceries before drying themselves, making for the house's cramped bathroom. Blaze cast a layer of heat over her body and utilised an offered a towel to quicken the process (once again refusing to create flames lest she damage their property).

Curiously, no matter how she dried she kept finding damp spots on her face. Again she felt a tugging at her wrist, looking down she saw young Cream staring up at her but there was a look in the young girl’s eyes quite new to Blaze. “Miss Blaze are you sure you’re alright?”

“Y-Yes Cream, w-why-

Blaze froze. Was she stuttering? Why did her breath keep hitching? What was this wetness on her cheeks? What was happening?

Feeling a hand on her shoulder Blaze turned only to find Vanilla looking down to her, a surprising degree of motherly sternness to her face. “Dear, you’ve got more than enough on your shoulders, if something’s wrong I’m more than willing to listen. I doubt I’ll be much use if it’s a royal matter but I’ll do everything I can to help.”

Touching her head Blaze found that her ears had folded back, her grasp was quaking; sudden shivers were wracking her body despite coldness having faded. Those strange feelings had vanished; she couldn’t even describe them now, so why was she shaking? Why was she crying? Why was her body sad while her mind was plain, what was happening? Was this some kind of attack? Terror was setting in but, tracing her hand over her mouth, she found her lips locked in a state of dejection; opening her mouth she could force it away for a moment but it quickly returned. “I-I… I don’t know wh-what’s wrong.” Her voice, despite the panic she was feeling, was still slurred and punctuated by sadness; what was this disconnect?! “I-I-I don’t know… wh-what’s happening. I-I don’t… I don’t feel s-s-sad? Why am I-

Her senses and body so inversely overwhelmed a crack of thunder sent her uncharacteristically reeling, stumbling back into the arms of the elder rabbit. Almost immediately she felt the mother’s grift shift, now gently hugging the feline, “It’s alright dear, it’s alright; it’s just a little thunder. Let it all out, I’ve never seen you like this before.”

Before she could respond the younger rabbit was hugging her front, head buried in the princes’ gut. “Whatever it is I’ll do my best to help!”

While their concern was touching it only made Blaze all the more afraid, she had no answer; no matter how much she wanted to tell them what was wrong she couldn’t. How could they believe that? They wouldn’t, there was no way they could. A sob broke past her lips, she wrapped her arms around the young rabbit; lost, afraid and so very confused. What was this feeling, what could have caused it?

---

A swirling blue aether; devoid of all sounds and sights, lacking up and down, with no ground to stand on and no sky above. For Silver, these journeys, drifting through time, were becoming all too common. He was thoroughly devoted to his cause, apocalyptic forces consistently ravaged his time but he’d keep beating them back no matter what, however the frequency of his visits was worrying. It’d take weeks if not a month to figure out a calamity only a couple weeks after the last he’d fixed, there were two hundred years between these events and his own time. He didn’t expect to live two hundred years, at some point the gaps between crises had to expand or his effort would be worthless.

Well, they didn’t have to. Regardless of whether, they did he’d keep fighting but it’d just be nice to have a maybe one peaceful day. Even just an evening, stargazing or wandering beneath the moon, it really would be nice to spend one day free from his worries. While he enjoyed spending time with Sonic and his friends, it wasn’t like he knew them all too well. He came, did his job, and left again; wanting to check if his past mission had fixed things. Perhaps this time he’d take even just a little break…

Still slipping through time, Silver thoughts were interrupted by… something? Not something physical, search as he might in this endless abyss his own body was the only object, but almost an increase in temperature? The warmth wasn’t uncomfortable but it certainly perplexed him, despite how often he’d time travelled he’d never felt anything like this. It didn’t feel like it came from any one place either, it was just everywhere. This oddity was fine though, he wasn’t in pain and it didn’t feel like it was getting hotter, more frightening was the strange feeling he was getting. He was alone here... that thought seemed stood out to him in such a strange way, like he hadn’t been on a prior journey. It was like something was slipping out of his brain, his mind felt muddled in a way he hadn-

Silver tumbled free of the blue void, the return of gravity (coupled with his forgetful stupor) causing him to stumble upon landing; his right palm met with soaked stonework. Standing up straight and turning to watch the portal fade, he found himself on a stone bridge. To his left was a forest and to his right civilisation; the site of future destruction. Tomorrow morning, before anyone who could react would react, the world would be reduced to rubble. Well, it would’ve ended, it wasn’t going to anymo-

Once again Silver had his train of thought interrupted, stumbling back against a parapet. Lightning had cut across the sky, accompanied by the rumbling of thunder. While he understood it the phenomena undeniably freaked him out, when such noises happened in the future more often than not it meant an enemy was upon him. Catching his breath he pulled himself up onto the bridge wall, taking a damp seat. His quills were slowly drooping into his vision, the sheets of rain soaking him to the core, it was a shame that nice heat had vanished but at least that weird forgetfulness had stopped. Pushing back his quills, the grey hedgehog took in his surroundings.

Immediately his eyes were drawn to an oddity, he’d thought himself alone on the bridge but that wasn’t quite the case. Opposite him stood a bird, preening its feathers preening its feathers and clearly enjoying the shower. Thinking about it, when was the last time he’d been in the rain? If it weren’t for the thunder he’d probably have loved it, well that and the oncoming apocalypse. As it was though it was nice, he supposed he could take a short breather before rushing off to prepare. Wiping more water from of his eyes, pushing his quills up further only for them to tumble down again, he spoke to the bird; “Bet you get this every other week huh? I’m not used to it yet, still seems pretty great even if it’s a little cold.”

The bird gave him one look before turning around, spreading its wings and flying off; not so much as waving good-bye. He figured they probably just had somewhere to be. Still taking in the heavy rainfall, finding his eyes drawn toward the forest path, no matter how he tried Silver couldn’t seem to keep his eyes clear. Even holding his hand straight to his brow, forcing his quills to flop backwards, they’d refill in a matter of moments… and his eyelids felt so weirdly warm, almost raw? He’d rub his eyes clean but they would begin to refill the moment he stopped. He blinked as a realisation hit him, lowering his hand to his mouth he licked his glove. Salty, he was crying?

Immediately the hand blocking the rain dropped, he ran his forearm across his eyes in an attempt to halt his tears only to find himself shaking. “Wh-Why a-a-am I…” He caught himself sniffling and heard his voice waver. With a flourish of his left hand a barrier was cast around him, blocking out the rain. “I don’t cry, I d-don’t cry, I’m tougher than this! Why am I even…I-I don’t feel sad, wh-why am I…” It was true, he’d been happy until he’d noticed he was crying; he’d heard of crying out of happiness but never done it before. Could this be that? No way; wasn’t that happy, he was still a little freaked out by the lightning.

He lowered his arm, the teal-tinged world continued to blur. “What’s wrong with me? I can’t be like this, people are counting on me.” He’d dropped from the parapet and resumed drying his eyes when a sudden movement caught his attention; something had dropped from the trees beneath the far side of the bridge. Walking across, rather he found himself stumbling, Silver looked out over the edge and saw there was a river flowing beneath, a similar bird (or perhaps the same bird from before) was drinking from the stream.

As he leaned over the edge of the bridge he was finding it strangely difficult to pull back, his breaths were hitching more and more. Touching his face he found his lips frowning and his brows knit tightly. His nose was running too, what was this; he’d never cried like this, not when he’d starved and not when he’d been injured. Those tears were loud and brief, impossible to hide, but these ones seemed endless yet gentle… maybe that was because he didn’t know why his body was doing this. It was a different kind of crying, nothing was wrong; nothing he could think of at least. Wait, had he forgotten something? It felt like he did earlier but now… nothing, he thought he’d forgotten something but the feeling of forgetfulness was nowhere to be found. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling, just confusion?

The grey hedgehog managed to pry himself from the wall, he found himself dragging his forearm across his eyes yet again; rubbing drenched fur on them did little good but, even with no one to witness, hiding his eyes brought him some comfort. He couldn’t just hang around in the rain, he had a job to do; he had to prepare. He didn’t get far, the ground beneath turning from stone to dirt, something snapped beneath his foot. Lowering his arm to his side he found himself on the forest path, not the track toward civilisation. He rubbed his forehead, trying to shake off this confusion, and turned around. As he stumbled toward society, no matter how wished they’d stop, the tears kept falling.

His wish wouldn’t be granted until late that evening; when a girl he didn’t even know left this world for her own. The happenstance of rain was all it took to keep the star-crossed lovers from reuniting.

#silvaze #Blaze the Cat #Silver the Hedgehog #sonic #sonic the hedgehog #fanfic #cream the rabbit #vanilla the rabbit

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