#definitely not bouncing off all 4 walls of my room screaming looking at this photo

[andsoforrain]

Is anyone else going absolutely feral feeling completely normal about this photo of Vessel's tummy?

#sleep token #sleep token vessel #worshitposting #definitely not bouncing off all 4 walls of my room screaming looking at this photo #no sir

[waywardscorpio]

Chapter 4: You're Our Omega, And We're Your Alphas

Tag list: @callmekda @braunstrowmangirl @phoenixoffiretwo @luna-loo @scuzmunkie @fanfiction-san @omg-im-such-a-masochist

*Dean's POV*

Y/N's now six months along in the pregnancy. I was pacing the locker room lost in my thoughts, until Y/N, snaps me out of it. "Dean?" She calls out from the door of the locker room, with one hand on her belly and the other on her hip. "Yes, Baby Doll?" I replied looking at her. "I'm hungry. I want jalapeno cheetos and yogurt." She said waddling over to me carefully. "In my duffle bag is some cheetos you like, and the yogurt is in the fridge over there, Baby Girl." I replied to her as I held her hips and kiss her softly. She smiled kissing back. "Thank you, Daddy." She said softly to me so, only I hear it.

"You're welcome, Baby Doll." I replied. There was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" I called out. "Nia and Randy." Randy calls back. "Come in." I said to them. "Hey." They said as they walked into the room. "Hey. What's up?" I asked. "Nia and I, are coming to watch over Y/N." Randy said. "Okay. She is not to leave either of your sides." I said as I finished taping my wrists off for my match. Nia nods her head. "We know Dean. I will not let her out of my sight. Someone tries to hurt her I'll break the bones." Nia said. "Good." I replied as Y/N absentmindedly watched videos and ate her food. I kissed her forehead before I went to leave for my match tonight.

*Little time skip*

After my match with Baron, i walked to my locker room and seen Y/N, sleeping and Randy and Nia talking quietly. Y/N stirs in her sleep whimpering a little. Knowing the reason she is stirring I lay my hand softly on her belly humming to sooth the pups movements. After a minute the pups relax and Y/N stops stirring and whimpering. Her eyes flutter open as she looks at me "Thank you" she whispers softly before drifting back off to sleep. "You're welcome, Baby Doll." I whisper to her. I look over at Randy and Nia. "What are y'all talking about?" I asked them as I stood up and walked over to them. "Randy here is wanting to court a female but can't figure out how what to get her" Nia said to me as she looks at me." I looked at Randy "What is one thing that she loves more than anything?" I asked him as I sat down and talked with them. "She loves to draw, dance, take photographs" Randy replies to me. "Okay. Why don't you buy her one of them computers that will allow her to record videos, has the pen and apps to draw, a camera to take as many photo's her little heart desires." I offered. "Thank you, I just said that to him" Nia said. "You can also get it in her favorite color(s) too." Nia said. "It won't be cheesy will it?" Randy asked us. "No, it won't but, even if it is, it's the thought that counts." Nia said. "I agree with Nia. The courting gift that I picked out for Y/N, was a necklace with a little teddy bear and ice cream pendants on it. She loved it and wears it still to this day." I said to him.

"Thanks you too" Randy said to me. "You're welcome" Me and Nia said at the same time to Randy. "So, who's all coming to the baby's shower?" Nia asked me. "Well for a sure note so, far it is going to be, You and Randy, Lana, Rusev, Me, Roman, Seth, some of the other wrestlers and divas will be there as well. Y/N invited her family and friends outside of the wwe as did me and the guys did. Y/N wasn't leaving her friends that has been like family to her since she's been here." I said. Nia smiled as she nods. "You okay?" Randy asks. "Yeah just hoping I'll be a good father." i said to them as I turned my head to check on Y/N before I turned back to Randy and Nia. "You will be Dean" I heard a small voice say. I turn my head to the voice and it was Y/N, sitting up on the couch rubbing her eyes softly. "I'm sorry, Baby Doll. I didn't mean to wake you up." I said to her as I watched her get up and waddle over to me to sit on my lap. "No, Daddy it's okay." Y/N said to me as she snuggles into me.

Roman and Seth, walked into the room and looks at us. "Wrapped around her finger" Roman whispered to Seth. "I heard that. And I won't argue with the statement either. I don't care that I am wrapped around her finger." I said to them. Nia and Randy just chuckled as they stood up. "We're going shopping to get stuff for the Baby shower." Nia said. "Rusev, and a few of the others will meet us at the huge mall" Randy said to us. "What happened between him and Lana." Nia asked Randy. "Lana divorced him for another alpha."

I looked down at Y/N, as she was eating her food while looking at her Tumblr. I smiled seeing her happy and relaxed for once and not upset and scared. She went from lookin' at Tumblr to lookin' at Wish. I knew she wanted something by the fact she would pout at me and show me what she was looking at. I pulled out my wallet, an handed her my credit card. "Get whatever you want Baby Doll." I said to her. Triple H walked in and seen what I did and chuckles. "She definitely gets what she wants." Roman nods. "He doesn't tell her no" He said. Y/N, giggles softly. "Nope, I don't tell her no. If she wants something she gets it." I said to everyone. "Told you." Randy, said to Seth. Seth, grumbles and hands Randy, fifty dollars. "Alright Baby Doll, I have to go get ready for my match." I said as I softly set Y/N, down. She whines softly "Nooooo." I frown a little "I promise, I'm coming back as soon as I am done with my match."

"Okay." She said. I hated leaving her side but I still had a job to do. I give her a kiss on the lips before I walked to the gorilla pen. "Here is your number one contender for the Wwe world heavy weight championship. Dean Ambrose!!!!" Jillian announced. I walked out to the ring with a firm glare set on my face. I knew this was going to be a long match because I was going against, Matt Hardy. He is one hell of a fighter and neither one of us get along with the other all that great.

As the match went on me and Matt were both bloody. I was able to get him with Dirty Deeds. "1...2...3... and your new champion is Dean Ambrose." The ring announcer says threw the mic. I walk up the ramp backwards holding the title up in my hands smirking evily.

I walk behind the curtain and walk down the corridor to my assigned locker room. I hear shouting and stuff crashing. I ran into the room seeing Y/N, hiding and Rusev and Bobby Lashley going at it while Seth and Roman are protecting Y/N, by standing in between her and them. "What the fuck is going on?" I yelled. "Bobby started it with Rusev." Nia said. Nia and Randy are trying to break them up. Bobby throws a vase at Rusev who ducks and it hits the wall beside Y/N's head. Dean dropped his belt and grabs Bobby, and throws him. "Now you fucked up you son of a bitch" I scream heated as I swing on Bobby. Y/N was shaking and crying. Seth picked her up checking her. He seen her hand is cut from accidently setting her hand on it trying to push against the wall to hide from all the yelling, and she was bleeding on the cheek from the glass bouncing off the wall. "Roman she has glass in her hand and cheek" Seth said. Roman's eyes went wide and he growls and pulls me away and grabs, Bobby himself. "Your my next match next week. I'm gonna show you what pain feels like" He said throwing Bobby, out the room and drags him to Triple H where him and The Rock was talking. They look at him and he tells them what happened. The Rock, growled "Make that a tag team match." He didn't like Alphas messing with other Alphas ladies or them causing harm to females.

"I will go announce it tonight at the end of the show." Triple H, said to Roman. Roman nods walking back not seeing us because we had took Y/N, to the infirmary. Roman panicked and only got angrier. "Y/N!!!!" He said looking for Y/N, Seth and Dean up and down hallways and locker rooms. Y/N, jumps hearing Roman yell for her. "Roman's mad." She whimpers softly looking at Seth. "Shhh it's okay. I'll go get him and let him know you're safe." Seth said to her softly kissing her cheek that wasn't cut. I held Y/N's, hand while Seth, went to find Roman. "Hey, she is okay just a small little cut on the cheek and the palm of her hand." Seth told Roman. "No, one came and fucking told me she was being taken to the infirmary." He said enraged by the fact no, one told him that Y/N, was going to the infirmary. "Calm down, Roman. We just wanted to make sure she was okay and not seriously hurt." Seth said to Roman. "And I'm her mate I should know too." He yells. "Okay, next time we will tell you. Please calm down. Y/N, can feel your anger and it is upsetting her." Seth adds as he looks at Roman. Roman rubs his hand down his face sighing. "Okay. I am calm. Now can I go see her?" Roman asked. Seth steps out of his way to let him by. Roman walked into the infirmary where Y/N, was at sitting on the edge of the bed and I was between her legs comforting her. "Daddy Roman!" She said reaching for him. He looks at her and walked over kissing her lips resting his head on hers. "I'm sorry Princess, for upsetting you." Roman said apologizing to her. She snuggles into him. "It's okay. You were worried about us. I understand, Daddy." She said. "I love you, Daddy." She whispered to him. "I love you, Princess." Y/N, smiles softly at his words until she whimpers seeing someone walk in.

"Oh look the big dog has been tamed by the little bitch." Dolph said laughing as he looks at Roman. "What did you just say about them?" I said to him. "I called her a Little bitch." He repeated. Roman growls pulling away from Y/N, making her whimper and reach for Roman. "She isn't no, such thing. She is beautiful and smart." Roman said. His eyes changed to a fiery red. "What's wrong Big Dog? Your lesh being pulled to tame you some more." Dolph said. "You can say what you want about me. But, you leave Y/N, the fuck alone." He said punching him in the jaw hard. Y/N, watched what was happening. I picked up Y/N, and carried her out as Seth pulled Roman, off Dolph. "Come on Roman, stop before you get arrested." Seth said as he pushes Roman back. "I don't care. No, one calls Princess, a Little Bitch." He said to him as he looks at him. "But beating him almost to death isn't gonna do anything either. Roman roars and throws stuff starting to get everyone's attention. "Roman you need to calm down." Seth said, to him. I knew Roman would calm down if Y/N, was there to sooth his angry Alpha side. "Okay I wanna help him. Take me to Daddy Roman, please?" She said reading my mind. I nodded my head carrying her. "Okay Baby." I set her on her feet as she makes slow steps towards Roman. He felt her presents and swiftly turns to her, eyes still red. "Daddy, its me. Your Princess. Y/N" She said softly reaching her hand up to touch his cheek. He growls a little but not to scare her. He wraps his arms around her waist pulling her close to him. "Shhh relax. It's okay. I'm okay, and I am safe." She said soothing the angry Alpha. He placed his head on her shoulder nudging her neck softly with his nose which earned a small mewl from Y/n's, lips.

I watched relieved that he calmed down. I hated seeing my brothers upset. Me, Roman, and Seth were like brothers.

#wwe fanfiction #wwe raw #wwe smackdown #wwe nxt #abo #stephanie mcmahon #triple h #wwe x reader smut #wwe the shield x reader #x reader #fanfic #wwe x reader

[terrm9]

The Ray Women

Ethan and Chiara visit her family in San Francisco for the first time.

Set in the renovations period between Book 2 and Book 3.

This is the fourth part of the mini series The Couple & the Others. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 can be found here.

Words count: 4 200

Author’s note: The final part is here! I do not think I have much to say, other than THANK YOU to Ruby @starrystarrytrouble​ for this beautiful moodboard and for reading the last part back then!

Warnings: mention of death (it’s Chiara’s background, there is no way I could have avoided that), other than that fluff

Ethan let out a long exhale as soon as they stepped out of the airport hall and he felt the first rays of San Francisco sun on his skin.

There were several reasons why he never considered to leave Boston and its reasonable climate was most definitely big part of those reasons. Boston was... normal. Bearable. San Francisco was hot and the wind was barely there and the sun was too bright and-

He turned his head to look at Chiara and decided to snap his mouth shut before he could mutter something about the hell being colder.

Chiara, with the wide smile on her face and eyes closed, the whole face turned up to absorb as many of those annoying rays as possible, looked exactly as she should at the moment. Like she was finally home.

It was no secret that Chiara loved warm weather and complained about the one in Boston for the good part of the year („How does your ass not freeze in this damn city?“) and until this moment, Ethan didn’t really think about it. But now, the situation was reversed and only now he realized that he would most likely never agree to live in San Francisco, because he wouldn’t bear the heat.

And Chiara was undoubtedly dedicated to stay with him in Boston, even though she could hardly bear the cold.

„Why are you staring at me?“ she opened her eyes suddenly and tilted her head slightly to get a better look at Ethan.

Deciding not to get into discussion about weather and how it spoke volumes about the difference between them – especially not now, when Diana was about to come to pick them up any minute – Ethan answered with a statement that was not at all untrue.

„Because you are beautiful.“

Chiara let out an amused laugh at that and squeezed the hand she was holding, but it didn’t escape Ethan’s notice that her cheeks flushed and not from the shining sun.

The moment of silence and unspoken confessions between them was quickly interrupted by a delighted shriek coming from behind them and arms – bare arms that didn’t look bare because of the tattoo sleeves decorating them, Ethan noticed - wrapped around Chiara’s shoulders just a moment after.

„Alicia!“ Chiara screamed when she turned around and hugged her sister tightly, the moment lasting long enough for Ethan to absorb the only Ray he hasn’t yet had a chance to meet.

Chiara talked about her younger sister a lot ever since they agreed to visit San Francisco – or rather, she warned him about Alicia.

„She is wild.“

„Should that surprise me?“ Ethan didn’t even bother to look up from his medical journal. „She is your sister.“

„Oh no, you don’t get it. She is really wild. Alicia is the copy of my mother, the exact younger version of her. And she is... she is out of this world. The laws of nature do not apply to her. She is loud and gestures too much and speaks her mind too freely and she doesn’t walk, she bounces and she... she is wild, Ethan.“

And it went like this for weeks. Even the flight from Boston was filled with Chiara’s occasional „please do not be surprised“ and „it is who she is, it is nothing personal“.

Ethan met Diana once before, although the circumstances were so tense they both tried to forget it. Chiara was fighting for her life and the whole hospital was fighting to find a cure in time – and Diana flew to Boston, her voice shaking and eyes wide and she pleaded, begged Ethan to save her daughter because she wouldn’t survive losing another child.

Neither of them wanted the first meeting to be that way, but life had its own way in creating surprises and so Ethan knew that Chiara inherited her mother’s hair but not her eyes‘ color, he knew what her voice sounded like and that she loved her children more than life.

All that Diana remembered about Ethan from those three days she spent in Boston back in November was that his voice was soothing and calm while his eyes were terrified and just as pleading as her words and that he managed to save her little girl.

Chiara didn’t lie when she said that Alicia was a copy of Diana – her hair, just as Chiara’s – were the color of a summer sky seven minutes before the sun set completely, but unlike her mother’s or sister’s, hers were not falling on her shoulders in soft waves. Her hair were much longer, falling almost to her waist in dozens of dreadlocks. Several piercings on her face – her lower lip, her eyebrow and her nose – attracted attention and Ethan had to fight his sudden urge to ask her if the upper part of her body is hot and her feet are cold when he noticed her outfit, made of a tank top and high-waisted shorts combined with black leather boots.

She is barely 20, he kept telling himself, an obvious explanation of the difference in their points of view. And she is wild, as Chiara reminded him so many times.

„So you must be the famous Dr. Ramsey, huh?“ Alicia turned to Ethan so fast he almost didn’t manage to look away from her. „Nice to finally meet you... in person.“

She winked at Chiara at that, earning herself an annoyed glare from Chiara, something Ethan wasn’t used to seeing often.

„Ethan is just fine,“ Ethan nodded, shaking Alicia’s hand – as impossible as it felt, even smaller than Chiara’s. „It is very nice to meet you too, Alicia.“

Alicia didn’t even try to be subtle as she took Ethan in and he tried his best to hold her gaze, to not give her any reason to doubt him as the right person for Chiara.

Finally, Alicia sighed dramatically, the sound that startled Ethan visibly, as he had not a single clue of what that sigh was supposed to mean – did he disappoint her already?

„Mom was supposed to pick you up but she had some work to finish in the atelier, so she sent me.“

She turned on her heel at that and without sparing as much as another glance, led the couple to her car.

And saying that Ethan was nervous would be an enormous understatement.

*** *** ***

Whether Alicia set up some kind of test on Ethan and he passed or she was just trying to make him feel uncomfortable – knowing rather well that nobody else would – and it stopped being fun, Ethan didn’t know. He knew, however, that there was no trace of tension or hostility in Alicia’s behavior from the moment they stepped into the house.

By the time Diana came home and joined them, Ethan has seen the whole spectrum of Chiara’s annoyed glares, along with her embarassing teen-years photos and love letters she wrote to Milo Ventimiglia when she was eleven, believing that he would read them one day.

„She‘s always had a thing for older men,“ Alicia winked at Ethan at some point and part of him wanted to feel embarassed, but it took one look into Chiara’s diary filled with Keanu + Chiara or Chiara Reeves notes and yes, Alicia was right.

Chiara has always had a thing for older men. (And he should be glad.)

Sitting in a cosy living room, Ethan didn’t feel uncomfortable, not in the slightest. He felt welcomed and overly happy that he finally had something to tease Chiara with in return.

The room was bright and filled with so many photos, Ethan felt like in an art gallery for a moment. There were pictures on the ledge of a fireplace, on the walls and on every shelf. Pictures of babies and toddlers and kids, all with the same red hair and wide smiles; wedding pictures of Chiara’s parents; pictures of a man Ethan never got to know but recognized in an instant, the greenness in his eyes so well imprinted to Ethan’s mind, as Dorian’s oldest daughter was the only child to inherit the colour.

Pictures of a happy family, of a family Ethan so long wished to have and that was took away from him at the age of eleven. With an ache squeezing his heart, he realized that Alicia was barely thirteen when the happiness of their family was taken away from her. Just a child, just as he was all those years ago.

„Dorian would love to talk to you, if he was here,“ Diana smiled at Ethan, breaking his thoughts.

„He would?“

„I am sure,“ she nodded, the smile not – never – leaving her face. „He always missed a rational brain in this house – I am an artist with my body and my soul, my head always somewhere far away, ignoring the basic laws of this world. He would be so delighted to talk about science and medicine with you and I am sure by the end of your stay, he would just nod and nod and say „A good man, this one“, without even trying to give you the typical talk about his precious daughter deserving only the best,“ she laughed at that and Ethan tried to laugh too, but the lump in his throat made the task impossibly hard.

It has been seven years in which the Ray women had to learn to live their lives without Dorian and Liam, but the way they talked about them today, with so much love and gratitude, it made Ethan feel as if they never truly left the house.

„Yes, and I would just ask him something like Dad, aren’t you gonna fight for me?, and he would just laugh and tell me that he didn’t buy Dr. Ramsey’s book all those years ago just to scare him off now,“ Chiara chuckled.

After exchanging some more stories of Chiara’s childhood, Diana decided to start cooking a dinner and just as she was leaving the room, she said: „You kids stay here and catch up some more,“ which was an innocent statement, truly, but it left Ethan feeling rather awkward – was he supposed to leave with her or did she count him as a kid too? Considering the fact that his age was closer to Diana’s than Alicia’s, he could hardly be sure about anything.

In the end, he stayed with the sisters that seemed like they were not physically capable of not talking, the only moment of silence falling over the room when Alicia left to make them all a coffee.

But it didn’t last long and for a moment Ethan wondered if Chiara has talked that much naturally and only learned to control herself around him.

Was he changing her personality?

„I met Marc the other day,“ Alicia spoke again while handing Chiara her coffee, her tone light.

Ethan felt his jaw tense at the mention of Chiara’s ex boyfriend name and despite himself, he held his breath while waiting to see Chiara’s reaction.

„You did?“ Chiara asked with her eyebrow raised, sipping the hot beverage slowly. „How is he?“

„Handsome as always,“ Alicia smirked, sighing dramatically again. At this point, it didn’t even startle Ethan anymore. „He still looks like Harry Styles with those long hair.“

Ethan has never heard the name Harry Styles before but seeing Chiara’s amused grin and the way she just playfully bumped Alicia’s shoulder with hers – and that was the only reaction she gave away at Alicia’s description of her handsome ex – Ethan slowly, subtly took his phone out of his pocket and seeing that the Ray sisters paid him no attention, he decided to do his research on who the famous Marc resembled.

Harry Styles was... young. And rather good looking. With the dark hair and bright eyes, it would be easy to say that Chiara had a type (if Marc really look like that), but that was not enough to calm down that weirdly uncomfortable feeling that tried to raise up his throat.

Marc was as old as Chiara and it was no secret that even all those years after the break-up, the two were rather friendly. And he looked like this Harry Styles guy.

As much as Ethan hated to admit it, there was a name for that feeling, the name known to him but no, he was not-

He shouldn’t feel jealous of Chiara’s ex.

But Marc was young and handsome and did Chiara feel the need to talk less around him, less than she wanted? Did Chiara feel that need with Ethan?

This was stupid, Ethan knew. Chiara chose him and that should have been enough.

But Marc probably didn’t hate San Franciso’s weather as much as Ethan did.

Ethan became so lost in his own stupid, not at all rational thoughts, that he didn’t notice how Chiara left the room to help Diana in the kitchen. He only noticed Alicia’s intense gaze on him, amused smirk on her lips and maybe there was a trait that both Ray sisters carried proudly, maybe Alicia’s ability to observe was just as great as Chiara’s and maybe – probably – she knew exactly what was on Ethan’s mind at that moment.

*** *** ***

„So what do you say?“ Chiara couldn’t help but ask the moment she closed the door.

It was not that she wanted her mother to tease or test Ethan, but was her family really giving up on her so easily? Were they all just ready to give Ethan their blessings and wishes of luck with Chiara, without as much as making sure his intentions are pure?

It was not fair towards him, she knew. Alan has been nothing but kind and exceptionally nice to her, always. And Bryce did make Ethan sweat at the stupid brunch all those weeks ago.

Still, she just wanted to see him flush and stutter. Just once. Just for fun.

"He is as handsome as the pictures you have been sending," Diana grinned at her oldest child over her shoulder. "Maybe even more in person."

"You know that is not what I am asking," Chiara whispered, not wanting Ethan to hear the conversation. It was not that she didn't agree with her mother, but anyone could appraise Ethan's good looks. And Diana was not anyone - her opinion mattered to Chiara more than she'd like to admit.

"I know Ethan is a great man for you, darling. He makes you smile so much I can see these little wrinkles around your eyes," Diana gestured at the corner of Chiara's right eye, too close for Chiara's liking considering she was holding a knife in her hand. "For so long I have only seen dark circles around them. Anyone who can make you this happy is more than welcome in our family."

Chiara exhaled softly and watched her mom cut the vegetables, mulling over her next words in her head.

Before she could decide on what to say next, however, Diana smirked and spoke again.

"Not that I was worried. I spoke to Bryce few weeks ago. About you and Ethan. And he made it clear that your relationship is one he approves of."

„You did what?“

It shouldn’t surprise her, she knew. Bryce and Diana called each other so often at this point, Chiara was pretty sure Bryce asked Diana for an advice before his own date last time he went on one.

„Yes, he called me after that lunch you all have had back in December? Or was it January? I am not sure, but it was the first time Ethan joined you and your friends.“

That damn brunch.

„He called you to let you know that he roasted Ethan already and so that you do not need to do that?“ Chiara chuckled, putting her question as a joke.

„Exactly!“ Diana exclaimed happily and unlike her child, she was not joking.

„And you just... believe him?“

Diana shrugged, turning to Chiara wholly now, her smile only partly amused. Mostly soft and affectionate.

„You know I love Bryce as my own kid. I know you love him as your own brother. Has Bryce ever hurt you?“

Chiara shook her head without any hestitation because no, no matter how many people did hurt her – Ethan included – Bryce never did. Never.

„He wants you to be happy and he would never let you date anyone who wouldn’t make you so. And I wouldn’t either. Ethan makes you happier than I have ever seen you, Chiara, and that is all a mother needs. For her children to be happy.“

Not needing to hear more, Chiara wrapped Diana in a tight hug, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

„And he looks damn good, too,“ Diana whispered into her hair before any of them could start to cry.

*** *** ***

Ethan was standing at the desk in Chiara’s old room, smiling softly at yet another photo of a wide-eyed, smiling redhead child with a hefty book in her hand. The plan for the second day of their visit was to see all of Chiara’s favorite spots in the city.

„Uhm, Ethan?“ Chiara’s voice resounded from behind his back and it was the unfamiliar hitch in it that made Ethan turn around rapidly to face her.

„Yes?“

„I... this is stupid probably and I will totally get it when you won’t want to go but, uh,“ she took a deep breath, her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides, tension around her almost visible.

„There is one place I want to go to before we start the day and it would mean so much to me if you wanted to go with me but it is probably very morbid from me to want you to go and-„ the words left her mouth at such crazy pace they almost sounded like one very long word instead.

And suddenly, it became very clear what she was trying to say, even though she didn’t know how to go on.

With two steps Ethan closed the gap between them and gently put her hair behind her ear.

„Let’s go,“ was all he whispered before taking her hand and letting Chiara lead their way.

 Chiara asked Ethan to give her a few minutes of solitude with her dad and brother and left him to stand under the huge oak tree while she sat down slowly, gently in front of the grave she used to visit every day.

For a long moment, she didn’t even know what to say, how to start. If at all.

She just kept staring at her crossed legs, letting the tears to fall freely.

How could it be that she had the privilege to have eyes to stare with and legs to stare at, while the mere privilege to be alive was taken away from them?, she wondered.

„Hi dad, Liam,“ she spoke at last, her voice just above a whisper.

Ethan didn't want to eavesdrop. It was not polite, not appropriate, it was invading Chiara's privacy.

It was also impossible not to do.

The place was small and quiet and the three he was standing under was too close to the place Chiara was sitting at and what was he supposed to do, sing? Whistle?

That would hardly be any more appropriate.

And so he heard everything Chiara said and he was sure he was not meant to hear any of that.

„Ethan is here with me,“ he heard her say. „I wanted you to finally meet him. I know the last time I was here, I was not overly happy about him, but he got back from the jungle and he is forgiven. So could you forget how I called him an utter asshole and just... be nice?“

Ethan’s whole body tensed and a regret washed over him like an icy shower. He couldn’t be anything but ashamed by the fact that Chiara already shared him at this place and that she probably hated him at the time.

„You would love him, dad. He is so smart, like, genius smart. As smart as you were. And he respects me more than anyone has ever respected me before. You always said that if the man does not respect my career, he does not deserve me, dad and if that is true, then nobody deserves me as much as Ethan.“

He heard her chuckle and there was a long moment of silence before she spoke again and with some kind of internal terror Ethan realized that he didn’t even try to stop hearing what she was saying anymore.

„And I am sure you would like him too, Liam. He is a great target of jokes and teasing.“

Another silence.

And then Chiara said something Ethan so desperately wished he hadn’t heard, something that made him hate himself for listening and even more for what he heard and he just wanted to run away, far away and hate himself in hiding.

„You know... I cannot say this to him, because he is not very keen on this kind of things and I don’t want to scare him but guys, I love him so much.“

*** *** ***

Chiara didn’t know how many times she thanked Ethan that he visited the cemetery with her, but she was sure it was not enough to express how grateful she was.

The least she could do was to make sure that their next stop would be her absolutely most favourite coffee shop in San Francisco and Ethan would get his morning coffee just the way he liked it.

Something was off, however. Ethan was extremely quiet the whole time and even though she was used to his moods at this point, it surprised her here, today. It was kind of their vacation, their free time, something they both so desperately craved.  

Chiara could see that he was lost in his thoughts, brows furrowed and his gaze pointed somewhere behind the window. And doubts started overtaking her, because of course it was too much to take him to meet her dead father and brother. It would be too much for everyone.

Before she could decide on how to apologize for dragging him there, Ethan beat her to it and spoke first, although his gaze was still pointed elsewhere.

“I must apologize.”

Only then he turned to her and her confused raised eyebrow was the push he needed to finish the thought.

“For-“ he stopped, biting his cheek, mulling over his next words and by the expression on his face, even those he speaks next are not the ones he wished to find. “For making you feel like you cannot express yourself when you are with me.”

“Oh?” Chiara shook her head slightly, her confusion growing even bigger at the odd statement.

Ethan exhaled, suddenly aware of the place being rather empty. There were no groups of teenagers, no kids, nobody that would muffle his words and his wild heartbeat.

“I overheard some of the things you said to your dad back then,” he admitted slowly, softly, quietly and he was not proud of himself for not even trying to not to overhear it.

The confusion in Chiara’s eyes was quickly replaced by comprehension and just after that, panic.

“Oh,” this time, the sigh that left her was full of understanding.

It all clicked now. It all made sense and Chiara so desperately wished it didn’t, because she loves him and he heard and now he is scared.

She tried to come up with a response that would make everything make sense, her head starting to hurt from the pressure she put on her brain to just come up with something, damnit.

Chiara opened her mouth several times without any sound leaving it and she was internally panicking and Ethan was not even looking at her.

 Until suddenly he was.

“I love you too,” he blurted out, the words a little bit slurred.

The third “oh” that left Chiara’s was so soft, had there been the teenagers or the kids, Ethan would have missed it. But he didn’t.. He heard it and it took all of the air of his lungs away, because it was almost nothing, mere two letters and yet they carried such meaning it made his throat tighten.

“You do?” she whispered at last.

“Yes, I do.”

“And it doesn’t scare you?”

“God,” Ethan laughed, pulling her closer to him and putting a long, lingering kiss on her forehead. “It scares me more than anything has ever scared me before.”

Chiara laughed softly, her warm breath tickling Ethan’s neck and she pulled away just enough to tilt her head and look at him and in her eyes, those emerald greens, so warm, so soft, so beautiful, Ethan saw more than Chiara could say at the moment, in those depths he saw that this woman, his Chiara, his light, loved him more than anyone has ever loved him before and it warmed his chest in a way he didn’t recognize and it was that moment when he knew.

There was one thing that scared him more than love. Than being loved and loving Chiara.

Losing Chiara.

And he knew it then, he knew he would fight his fears of that unknown warm feeling every day, every second of those days until it didn’t scare him anymore, because losing Chiara was not an option. Not anymore, not ever.

#open heart #open heart choices #open heart fanfiction #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x chiara

[bleepblopbloop56]

The Murder in the Dressing Room

Chapter 4: Puzzle Peices

Chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, ao3

Warnings; blood, death, language, bit of crying, nothing too bad yet

As ALWAYS with this fic the wonderdul lovley beautiful person @pathos-logical did all the editing and 90% of the work. Go love her

((HI I FORGOT TO POST THIS YESTERDAY SO ITS ONE DAY LATE AND IM S O R R Y ))

One more thing before we get started, butnif yall ever wanna come into my askbox and just yell at me about this im so fuckin down for that! Or DM me and yell? Oh it gives me life.

((Reblogs with comments are very very VERY appreciated by the way))

-----

Officers swarmed the apartment just as they had swarmed the theater only days before. Roman was now being shoved into the spotlight by the press, and worse, being deemed suspect number one by every detective on the case. Well… almost every detective. 

"Victim showed obvious signs of a struggle," Remy started, and Logan thought back to the bruise on Roman's stomach, the one his fingertips had grazed over not long ago. He should say something. He didn't. "'Valuable' belongings, if you could call them that, are all in place, and his wallet still has cash, plus one expired credit card. It doesn't look like a robbery," Remy drawled on, circling the body like he belonged with the vultures lining up outside. "And based on… this-" he leaned down and lifted the mask off Remus, exposing his features- "it looks like you were right about our murderer." 

Not only was Remus's corpse adorned with a gold theater mask like the one that Thomas had been left with, it seemed a Joker-esque frown had been carved into Remus' mouth

"It doesn't make sense. I mean, an upper class actor from the nice part of town, and an unemployed man from the bad… What's the relation?" Logan voiced his thoughts, trying to push down the sick feeling that arose upon seeing a photo of Remus and Roman as children covered in the splattered blood. 

"Logan, you know the the relation…" Remus said quietly, eyes softening even as his voice hardened. "You really think it's a random coincidence that Roman moved to town and then both of his roommates were found dead by Roman?” His tone was harsh, but Logan could hear the underlying message. You’re not stupid, Logan, don't do this. Logan shook his head and stepped out into the hallway.

"Roman was with me all night," he admitted. "He has an alibi."

"Unless he fucking killed this guy and then went out and got you tipsy," Remy argued, but his eyes looked more pleading than accusatory. Logan's stomach twisted, and it took effort not to visibly wince. 

"You didn't see him when he found Remus," Logan said flatly. He had heard the scream all the way from the car. When he ran in, Roman had backed himself into a wall, screaming and crying harder than Logan had ever seen anyone cry. Breathing exercises could only go so far when you were five feet away from a dead body…

Logan had been forced to cover Roman's eyes and drag him out of the place to get him to calm down, and even then he'd shaken like a leaf until the ambulance showed up and he'd been treated for shock. 

"Logan I think you're too close to the case." Remy gently placed a hand on Logan's shoulder, but Logan jerked it away.

"How do you know Roman is a suspect and not a victim?" he snapped. "What evidence do you have that says he murdered these people? People he loved and was close to? Why would he wear Remus' clothing because it was too emotionally taxing to move his clothes out of Thomas' house? Why would he leave the bodies and evidence out lying around instead of disposing of them? This is a direct attack towards him, not by him, Remy." Logan was distantly aware his ranting was earning him more than a few confused stares by some of the other officers, but he couldn't bring himself to care. "Someone is out there killing people, and you're accusing an innocent victim based on one piece of evidence." Logan walked out of the building, leaving Remy alone at the scene before he could point out that that one piece was all they had.

_____

"Alright, first of all!" Remy slammed open the door of Logan's office, where Logan had been poring over case files for the past hour. "You don't just do that, okay? You don't just fuckin leave a scene like that and make me hitch a fuckin UBER back, okay? Do you know how sketchy that sounded?" Remy slammed his coffee down and threw off his satchel. "Hey bitch, come pick me up at this crime scene swarming with investigators, sorry my partner dumped my ass and took the car!" He demonstrated talking to the driver over his phone before dropping his hands and staring at Logan with his patented "are you fucking kidding me" face. 

"I apologize, Remington," Logan said tiredly. He set down his pen to give the appearance of giving Remy his full attention, but his mind was a hundred miles away.

"Don't fucking 'Remington' me!" was what Logan got for his efforts. He might have been Logan's inferior, but he sure as hell didn't act like it. "Listen, I get it. You're in love with your ex, who could be a murderer for all we know, and you're super pissed at me for telling you you're being unprofessional for the first time in your life. But that doesn't excuse any of this shit, alright?" Dropping all pretense, Logan dropped his head onto the desk, ready for Remy to shut the fuck up and get out of his office. 

"People. Are. Fucking. Dying. Logan," he growled, voice getting louder with each word. "So how bout you get off your ass and get your shit together!"

There was a beat of silence.

"Okay that's it, I'm done, end of rant." Remy dropped into the chair, going from furious to calm so suddenly it felt like he'd flipped a switch 

"Are you finished?" Logan deadpanned, rubbing his temple. Remy sucked on his straw, nodding silently and kicking his legs up in Logan's desk. Logan took a deep breath, straightening up and picking up his pen again.  "Good. Now can we get to work?" 

______

When Logan picked up Patton from daycare, it took everything in his power not to start sobbing. His baby was here, safe in his arms and alive. His profession wasn't one that exactly supported having kids, and it definitely wasn't one that made it easy to drop off his kid to a stranger and say "here, watch this while I'm gone."

Patton, for his part, didn't notice anything was wrong at first and just enjoyed the extra snuggle time with his dad. Instead of laying Patton down in the baby bed like he usually did for nap time at home, Logan had set him down in his own bed next to him, just wanting to hold Patton as close as possible. 

"Dada?" Patton didn't know many words, but he knew that one well, and it was Logan's favorite. Despite everything, he smiled on reflex, but his expression turned to one of alarm when Patton's bottom lip started to quiver. Patton pressed his little hands into Logan's cheeks, and with a start, Logan realized he'd been crying.

"No- I'm alright, Patton, Dada's alright, please don't cry," he shushed. He sat up slightly and bouncing Patton on his lap in an attempt to calm him down. When Patton's face began to screw up, he said again, slightly more desperately, "Shhh, look, Dada's fine-" But Patton wasn't stupid. He began to wail loudly, upset not only that he missing nap time but that his dad was crying. 

"Is everything okay in here?" Virgil asked, poking his head into the bedroom at the commotion. He was met with the sight of a bawling Patton and a completely overwhelmed Logan looking like he was heading the same way. Virgil wasted no time in walking in and taking Patton from Logan.

"You need a break, man," Virgil said over the crying. His eyes lit up as he was struck by an idea. "Hey, why don't you call your brother? Patton loves that doctor dude."

Logan shoved his head in his hands, trying to keep his breathing even. For a second he wanted to insist he was fine, he could handle this- but then he flinched when Patton's cries got even louder, and he could only sigh and nod. 

Doctor Emile Picani had always loved children. He’d always wanted kids of his own, but the one man he loved more than anything had passed away right after their second anniversary. Emile still wore his ring. So when his phone rang and he was met with his brother practically begging him to take Patton for a few days, he was more than happy to oblige. He was at the house the very next day to take Patton away for him.

"Thank you so much for doing this," Logan sighed, handing over the baby to Emile. Patton bounced and smiled at him, happily wrapping his arms around him the best he could. The night before, Logan had sat down Patton and explained he'd be going to have a playdate with Uncle Emile for a few days. He wasn't entirely certain Patton had understood any of it, but he looked happy enough in his uncle's arms.

Logan gave Patton a small kiss on the forehead before Emile left, straightening out his bright yellow sunflower dress in Emile's hands. (Patton had picked it out himself in the store, and who was Logan to say no to him?)

"Bye bye!" Patton waved enthusiastically, smiling at Logan as he got strapped into his carseat. 

"I love you, Patton," he smiled back, trying to pull up genuine cheer for him. He knew that sending Patton away for a day or two would be good for Logan, would let him grieve and mourn in private, but god was it hard sending his baby away. 

Virgil was waiting for him when he dragged himself away from the car and back into the apartment. 

"How ya holdin' up?" he asked gently, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Logan collapsed forward into his shoulder, despite the considerable height difference. It was sloppy and unprofessional, but it was also long overdue.

"Hey, hey, hey- dude, it's okay," Virgil tried, running a hand through Logan's hair. Logan's glasses were stabbing at Virgil's shoulder through his pajama shirt, and Logan had to be uncomfortable too. But Virgil wasn't going to mention that now. He just stayed standing as his friend heaved and sobbed, clutching at his shirt and desperately looking for comfort.

It was in moments like these that Virgil remembered Logan really was still just a kid. He might be a detective and act all mature and have a kid, but he was still just twenty-seven. He didn't really have his life together yet- because who the hell did in their twenties? And he had just lost his best friend, and now was the first time he'd let himself honestly cry. 

"Logan, it's okay," Virgil tried again when Logan's sobs had quieted to sniffles. But he only got a soft "Is it?" in return. 

----

The murder in the dressing room taglist:

@cataclysm-al @theteenagetrickster @intrurality-fusion @katie-the-noble-fangirl @whizzie72 @grayson-22 @i-have-n0-idea-what-im-d0ing @winterwonderland7669 @missieluvsmurder @sign-from-god-complex @dragonindigo245 @angryfanboyscreaming @ninja-wizard101 @sombraookami @crystalistrappedintheinternet @imtooaromanticforthis @why-should-i-tell-youu2 @dragon-hair @satanblessi @spookilyfingergunsoutofexistence @skruffy901 @selectivereality @nonbeenary-enbee @imbasicallyshakespear @cats-vetal-miking-vomit @incoherentfangirl @oofmood

#thomas sanders #sander sides #logan sanders #roman sanders #virgil sanders #patton sanders #remus sanders #remy sanders #logince #murder mention #death mention #the murder in the dressing room #tmitdr

[my-insanity-is-an-artform]

#BonAnniversairePrincess Pt. 4

Insanity Rambles: I’m really sorry this is totally late. But I plan to have Chap. 5 out by mid-jan and depending on how that goes, it’s either another chapter or the epilogue! 

Shout out to whoever find my all-time favourite John Malaney reference!

AO3 LINK

Synopsis: In which Spontaneous Adoption is a valid way to make friends, Selfies are a way of life and who knew Chat Noir made such a good Thomas O’Malley?

Chapter Four: I Wanna Scream and Shout

Marinette cocked an eyebrow curiously at the old building in front of her. Muse de Chanson Karaoke Bar was one of Paris' best kept open secrets. While the outside looked like any other typical Haussmannian building of Paris, the inside apparently boasted of a much more modernistic look and an upbeat, friendly atmosphere. People of all races, gender and style would pull together to watch each other make fools of themselves in good cheer in a variety of different languages. Locals often ducked in. Regulars were common. Tourists usually only found the place if they were lost or had been specifically directed to the place. Marinette had never been but she heard many positive things about the club. "Chat?" She turned to her companion. Chat Noir grinned at her. "I figured after having dinner at such a posh place, you seemed more the type to relax and have a bit of fun. And maybe do something a bit crazy. I can only think of a few things crazier than karaoke. And!" Chat threw a hand in a grand gesture towards the blue door that had a wonky green outline of a microphone on it. "The back entrance also leads to the Marchés de Lumière Des Ètoiles." Marinette's mouth dropped open in excitement. Marchés de Lumière Des Ètoiles, also known as the Starlight Markets, was another of Paris' open secrets. The markets were held in the open air but only from sunset until Midnight during the summer months. Again, Marinette had never managed to go but she had heard wonderful things about the stalls and arcade games they held. Marinette bounced lightly on her toes, grasped a cockily grinning Chat's arm and pulled him through the door. Inside, the long corridor was well-lit with deep red walls and soft carpet. The corridor led down a small set of stairs before opening up into a dim room with a huge stage immediately to the right. All over the room were small round tables, easily fitting four seats around them. A bar was set into the wall on the far-right side of the room with two bartenders easily mixing drinks between them. The front of the room was modestly filled with most of the occupants seeming to be a part of an Enterrement de Vie de Jeune Fille or a Hen's Night as many middle-aged women were wearing sashes and party hats. A few other tables were filled with various people, all watching as a young white woman bounced across the stage as she sung slightly off-key to A Little Party Never Killed Nobody in English. What she lacked in musical ability, she more than made up for in enthusiasm as a laughing young black woman, obviously a close friend or girlfriend, filmed her. The singer finished her song with a dramatic bow, voice cracking a little on the last note, and leapt off the stage with a laugh. She landed in front of the two. Catching sight of the duo from the corner of her eye, she turned to apologise before her jaw dropped. "Bloody... You are Chat Noir, aren't you?" The woman was not much shorter than Chat with long dark brown pulled into a ponytail and bright blue eyes that were wide with shock. She had a thick accent that Marinette couldn't place. It wasn't English though it was clearly her first language. While dressed in dark bootleg jeans and a deep blue sleeveless shirt, Marinette could help but admire her tattoo of a moon on her right bicep with a wave-like design going around the arm like a band. Chat cleared his throat slightly and held out a hand with a grin. "Hello. Yes, I'm Chat Noir and the lovely lady here is Princess." Marinette smiled and nodded. The woman blinked once then broke out into a large grin. "G'day! My name is Evie. It's a pleasure to meet you. " She shook Chat's hand then held it out to Marinette who took it. "So you are the one causing all of the fuss on Instagram. Bon Anniversaire! Are you having a good night?" Evie's French was a little stilted and unsure but she gained more surety as she finished speaking. Marinette grinned wider, "Likewise and yes, I am. Thank you." "Evie? Who are you talking to... Mon Dieu! Is that...?" The woman who had been filming Evie came around the stage and stopped dead at the sight of Marinette and Chat Noir. She was taller than Evie by a full head. She had short curly black hair pushed back by a purple bandanna and gorgeous dark brown eyes that were wide like Evie's had been while her accent was definitely local Parisian. She was wearing a tight lilac square neck shirt and dark skinny jeans. Both teens looked a little awkward at the newest addition and Chat murmured to Marinette, "I didn't take this into account when I decided on this. Sorry. " She was about to respond when Evie suddenly gave a large grin, moved behind them and placed an easy hand on each of their shoulders. "Sophia! Light of my Life! I made new friends! This is Chat and this is Princess! We have room at our table, no?" Sophia's surprise melted into bemusement at the endearment and she shook off the last of the shock as Evie finished. "Sure, we do. I'm Sophia. Enchanté de faire votre connaissance." She shook both of their hands as they relaxed under the easy countenance of both women. "And Evie?" Evie hummed in acknowledgement as they led the two back to a table close to the stage near the party of women. "Stop trying to adopt the locals."

Evie pouted dramatically as Sophia laughed and introduced the two teenagers to the curious party, shamelessly staring and eavesdropping on the newcomers. Ten minutes later, the Bride-To-Be, a plump white woman with dark blonde hair and a cheeky grin named Camille, and the Mother-Of-The-Groom, a woman in her mid-seventies with shock white hair and wicked sense of humour named Renee, got on to the stage and started singing one of Jagged Stone's latest hit singles. For such an older woman who had tried to get out of singing, claiming she had a bad back, Renee was dancing along like a professional. The rest of their party sat and laughed, nudging each other and taking photos of the duet on stage.

Nearby, Marinette giggled as she sipped her drink with her things on the table next to a large jug of water and listened to Sophia try to convince Evie she couldn't adopt the locals. Next to her, Chat Noir, who had shucked off his jacket and draped it over the back of his chair, was being completely shameless and egged Evie on.

"But, My Moon and Stars, ..."

"Don't you Game of Thrones me. No. You cannot adopt Chat Noir." Sophia raised a delicate eyebrow and stared down in amusement at Evie's cheeky grin.

"Aw. Please! I have already adopted half of the ...er... Hen's Party!"

Chat frowned in confusion at the words.

"What do you mean by that?"

Sophia turned to Chat and Marinette with a dry look.

"How long do you think we have known Camille?"

Judging from the reactions Evie had gotten from the group, Marinette would have pegged them as long-term friends. Evie had immediately kept pouting and asked for back-up from amongst the group who had only giggled at her and one of them had told Evie that pouncing on people as they entered the door and spontaneously adopting them wasn't how you made friends. So, Chat and Marinette both shrugged.

"I'm not sure. A while?" Marinette suggested.

Sophia nodded at a snickering Evie and said in a dry voice, "Go on. Tell them exactly how long we have known that lot."

Through her giggles, Evie glanced at her phone on the table and managed to speak.

"About two hours. " At the stunned look on Marinette and Chat, Evie collapsed into a fit of more giggles as Camille and Renee neared the end of their song.

Sophia gave Evie a bemused but loving look. "Only you could spend not even an hour in presence of a bunch of people and managed to make friends with all of them while tipsy."

Evie cleared up her giggles and looked at Sophia besottedly. "Oh, I do not know. I spent three hours completely no speech when I first meet you."

Sophia took Evie's hand and gave it a squeeze. "You mean speechless, Cherie? I know. It was cute."

Marinette internally sighed happily at the interaction. 'I want that. They are so sweet together!'

Evie nodded. "Yes, that word." Evie spent a few moments pronouncing speechless as Sophia corrected her. After a few gos and Evie was mostly pronouncing it right, Sophia turned back to Chat and Marinette who both had soft looks.

"So since Evie has already decided to adopt you, how about some selfies?"

Marinette and Chat nodded eagerly and the four moved themselves into a comfortable position while Camille and Renee finished the song to an applause and the next couple took their place.

Chat and Sophia took several from the baton and her phone. As they checked out the pictures, Chat piped up.

"Would either of you mind if I put this up? I want to get lots of pictures tonight and I haven't taken as many as I want too yet."

Evie grinned widely and Sophia nodded, "Sure."

A minute later, two selfies went live on The Official Chat Noir Instagram.

One had Marinette and Chat framed by Evie and Sophia. All four had wide grins. Evie and Chat had given each other 'bunny ears'. 'Finally at #MuseDeChanson and made some new friends! Meet the wonderful Evie (left) who has adopted us for the night and the incredible Sophia (right) who doesn't believe spontaneously adopting strangers is how you make friends. #lol #BonAnniversairePrincess #AdoptingStrangersAtKaraokeIsAnEvieApprovedWayToMakeFriends #NewFriends'

The second one had all four making funny faces at the camera. 'A true friend is always willing to make silly faces in selfies with you and let the whole world see them. #lol #BonAnniversairePrincess #SillyFaces #NewFriends'

Evie giggled over the first just as a hand patted Chat's shoulder.

Camille beamed at them from in front of the table. "We've all had our goes now. The rest of us were wondering if you wanted to slip in now as the next song is open?" Chat gave a sly grin and turned to Marinette. "Well, how about it Princess?"

Marinette blinked at him then the stage, suddenly nervous. She had never sung in front of strangers before. Her parent and schoolmates, yes, but never in a situation like this.

Sophia, thankfully for Marinette, picked up on her sudden nerves. "Oh no, you don't, little cat. First rule of Karaoke; Solos! Then you can duet. Come on! You got a song in mind? 'Cause Evie looks like she might break something if she doesn't say what she wants to say."

Evie did, in fact, look like she was desperate to speak, tiny noises coming from her mouth that might have sounded like laughter. She grabbed Chat and pulled him halfway to the booth before stopping and facing Chat with a wide grin. She spoke a few words to Chat who suddenly grinned as wide as she was and handed over his baton, pointing to some things on the screen. He almost bounced over to the booth while Evie set herself in front of the stage. She turned briefly to Marinette and Sophia and winked as Camille sat herself back with her group.

Thirty seconds later, Chat opened his mouth and starting singing moderately better than Evie had. However, the song in question had Chat grinning madly, Evie and the rest of room laughing, Marinette burying her smile in her hands and Sophia looking slightly murderous.

The full vocals of Tom Jones' What's New Pussycat? was belted in full force by a 17-year-old boy dressed in a tight black suit with cat attributes. Several people had their phones out and Evie was taking several photos between bouts of laughter.

Chat danced along to the beat and sang, obviously giving it his all and desperately trying not laugh like Evie was. He bounced to and fro on the stage, his tail flicking happily behind him. At one point, he overdramatically pointed to the various pieces of anatomy that the song referenced to. He danced back to the front of the stage. As the song wound down, he bowed to a clapping audience and hi-fived Evie as he leapt off the stage.

The two laughed as they made their way back to the table where Marinette had given up trying to hide her smile and was clapping while Sophia had a strangely blank look on her face.

As Chat took a seat, Sophia stared at Evie. "If the next six songs are What's New Pussycat followed by It's Not Unusual then more What's New Pussycat, you're sleeping on the couch for a week."

Evie's grin dropped and she snapped her fingers. "Bloody... Wish I'd thought of that now!"

Sophia's eyes narrowed. "Don't even think about it." She replied in English.

To prevent Evie's banishment to the couch via irate girlfriend, Marinette stood up. "Is the next set free?"

Evie nodded. "Yes."

Sophia glanced at Marinette through the corner of her eye. "Are you sure you want to sing? No one will force you."

Marinette smiled confidently. It looked like fun up there and whether he knew it or not, Chat had provoked her. She never could turn down a challenge. "I'm sure." Marinette took to the stage with Chat in front of it with baton ready. Marinette closed her eyes, took a deep breath as the humming vocals of woman began the song, opened them and began to sing.

The words to Indila's Love Story fell from Marinette's mouth and blew Chat away as well as most of the audience. She was easily one of the best in the room. Marinette didn't dance across the stage like most of the singers but she gently swayed to the beat. Her arms moved in time and added to her performance. Chat almost choked on his tongue when she gave a sly wink. When she had no vocals to sing, Marinette gave a quick twirl causing the green underskirt to flash in the low light. As she finished the song, Chat had only remembered to photograph Marinette a few times.

'This girl is going to give me a heart attack but what a way to go!'

There was a beat of silence once Marinette stopped but that was soon overwhelmed by the collective applause and whistling from the audience. Even the two bartenders had stopped mixing drinks and gave a few quick claps.

Marinette curtsied and clambered off the staged less gracefully than she would have liked but probably the best she could do in the heels she was in.

As Chat escorted Marinette back to their seat, she noticed Evie whistling and Sophia clapping wildly. She dropped into her seat and gratefully took the glass of water Sophia had poured for her from the jug.

"Wow, Princess. That was super! Your voice is lovely!" Evie gushed, obviously a little jealous but too tipsy to really mean it.

Sophia pushed a glass of water into her hands too. "Drink that before you have another. You are such a lightweight, I swear."

Evie pouted in offence. "I am not a lightweight. I am Australian!"

Marinette snickered into her drink. 'So that's what her accent is.'

Sophia pressed a kiss on Evie's nose. "You're a lightweight Australian. Now drink." She watched as Evie grumbled but did as told and turned to the birthday girl. "She is right. You were wonderful up there.”

Marinette flushed.

The next hour seemed to fly by after that. More people went up on to the stage to sing. Some had lovely voices and lifted the whole room. Others were less musically gifted but had no less qualms about dancing all over the stage. One memorable person had their voice break in the middle of a high note and couldn't finish their song because they started laughing too hard. Between songs, more groups of people came up and asked for selfies with Chat and Marinette.

Before it was even half-past ten, many more pictures had gone up on Chat's Instagram.

The first couple were of Chat in various poses that Evie had taken during his song. Marinette's favourite was of Chat; arms thrown open and head tilted back with a barely restrained smile on his face. 'Chat Noir takes to the stage! Does this Cat know what's new though? #BonAnniversairePrincess #karaoke #SophSaidI'mNotAllowedToSingItAgain #What'sNewPussycat?'

A particularly striking one of Marinette gained hundreds of likes almost immediately. She stared straight the camera with a shy smile as she sang, one hand on the microphone and the dim light behind her added to the ethereal allure. 'Princess dominates the stage and stuns us all! Look out Jagged Stone! You may have competition! #BonAnniversairePrincess #Karaoke #LikeWow #Seriously #Wow #LoveStory'

A young French couple on a date named James and Clara also came for pictures with Marinette and Chat. James, who had soft brown eyes and dark hair with broad shoulders, wrapped his arm around Clara, who had a fiery red pixie cut and looked like she could bench press her taller boyfriend, while Marinette tucked herself next to Chat as Sophia photographed them. 'Wishing a very happy birthday to Princess from James and Clara who just sang a lovely song! #BonAnniversairePrincess #karaoke #NewFriends'

There also a second picture of Clara with Evie on her back and Marinette in a princess carry, all three of them laughing happily. ‘Evie asked how much Clara could easily carry. The answer: One Princess and One Evie. #BonAnniversairePrincess #DoYouEvenLiftBro? #ApparentlySheCanBenchpressJames #NewFriends #IWishIWasThisCool #SoDoYou'

Three women who were having post-work T.G.I.F. drinks also came for a selfie with Marinette and Chat. Angeline, a white woman with sun-bleached blonde hair, bright hazel eyes, and a bright smile, crouched next to Marinette who sat in the middle of the trio. Her Hispanic friend, Sarah who had a sly grin on her tanned face as her dark eyes crinkled in the corners, stood behind the birthday girl. The final woman, an Asian woman with black hair and almost black eyes that sparkled named Minami, smiled just as brightly from the other side of Marinette. Chat was in the corner, standing a bit away to get them all in. 'T.G.I.F Karaoke and Celebrations with Princess, Angeline (right), Sarah (middle) and Minami (left)! #BonAnniversairePrincess #NewFriends #TGIF #Karoke #WhoKnewYouCouldMeetSuchLovelyPeopleAtKaraoke?'

There were also a few candid shots that Marinette had taken after swiping Chat's baton for ten minutes. Two, in particular, gained so many hits that one became a meme while the other became the profile picture for many Chat Noir fans.

The first was of Chat Noir, Hero of Paris, Wielder of Bad Luck, Holder of The Black Cat Miraculous, pouting. His bottom lip was stuck out comically and his arms were crossed dramatically. His eyes were bright and widened playfully at the amused Sophia who was just out of the frame. 'Oh, Chat. Pouting like that won't make her change her mind about Sailor Moon. #PrincessInControl #BonAnniversairePrincess #PoutyCat #Karaoke #WhoKnewChatNoirWasAnAnimeFan? #SailorMoonFan #ThePoutyChatFace'

The other picture had Chat leaning back on two legs in his seat with an eyebrow raised straight at the camera. He had finally noticed Marinette with his baton and had given her an amused smirk. His arms were casually over his green shirt and his legs were kicked up onto the chair in front of his. 'Finally realised I have his Baton and just had to pose for the camera. #PrincessInControl #YouAreNotAsCoolAsYouThinkYouAre! #BonAnniversairePrincess #ModelWorthy #Karaoke'

At some point, Evie had spotted Marinette with the baton and had propped her chin on Marinette's shoulder. Both of them smiled brightly at the camera, cheek to cheek. 'Another selfie with Evie! #PrincessInControl #BonAnniversairePrincess #Selfie #karaoke #NewFriends'

Marinette also got one with Sophia who sat behind Marinette and raised her glass to the camera. 'A drink in honour of the Princess! - Sophia #PrincessInControl #BonAnniversairePrincess #Karaoke #Selfie #NewFriends'

The final selfie Marinette got was with Camille, Renee and a woman who look like a younger version of Renee only with dusty brown hair named Annette that worked as a textile technician for Gabriel. Annette was happy to talk about textiles and how to use them in different ways and gave Marinette some wonderful new ideas for her to try at a later date. The four women crowded around the camera and smiled. 'Best wishes to Camille (middle left) who is getting married next week! I hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you to Annette (right) for the advice! And nobody can dance like Renee (far left) can! #PrincessInControl #BonAnniversairePrincess #Karaoke #selfie #HopeItAllGoesWell #SmallWorld '

"Having fun, Princess?" A cheeky voice purred into her ear.

Marinette startled and turned her blushing face towards Chat. She handed the baton back to the grinning superhero. "Yes, I'm really enjoying myself."

Chat gave Marinette a soft look. "Good."

The moment was interrupted by Evie who once again looked as if Christmas had come early.

"I checked with the guys behind the booth and you will never guess which song I found that you absolutely have to sing Chat Noir." The young woman was practically vibrating with glee.

Chat grinned. "What?"

"Thomas O'Malley from The Artistocats. They have all the songs from the film."

Chat's own face nearly split in two with the wide grin which swiftly turned mischievous. "Sure, but I want Everybody wants to be a Cat afterwards."

Sophia looked slightly alarmed at the loud cackle Evie let out.

Ten minutes later, Chat was once again on the stage, this time with an amused Marinette up next to him. There had been a slight debate whether or not the English or the French version should be sung but the French version won out as Chat claimed it was more authentic.

Evie was below them, recording the whole song as Chat serenaded Marinette causing her to giggle uncontrollably especially when Chat somehow produced a flower and presented it to her. She played along during the song when the Duchess spoke.

"Why, monsieur, your name seems to cover all of Europe!"

Chat had beamed widely.

"Well of course. I'm the only cat of my kind."

Once the song was over, Chat had taken the baton back and posted it quickly.

'The one and Only Chat Noir sings the song that every tomcat must know! #BonAnniversairePrincess #ThomasO'Malley #IHaveAlwaysWantedToSingThis #PrincessMadeAGoodDuchess #Karaoke #Video'

Once they were done and the next song was set up, Evie almost vaulted onto the stage and started gesturing to Sophia to come up too. While the bemused woman shook her head in denial, Evie looked as if she might drag her poor girlfriend onto the stage with them.

Eventually, Sophia was filming, Chat sang Thomas O'Malley, Evie sang Scat Cat's part and Marinette was once again Duchess. They had gotten Camille back onto the stage to sing Marie's parts instead.

Evie and Chat bounced around the stage, absolutely loving every second and deciding to forego any attempt at staying in key, replacing it with sheer enthusiasm. Both attempted to re-enact the dance performed in the movie but they both failed miserably thanks to how hard they were both giggling between breaths. Marinette and Camille nearly missed their own cues as they were laughing too hard.

As the song wound up to the final bars, the whole room was singing along to the lyrics. Even the two bar attendees got into it.

By the time the song finished, more than a few people were dancing around and Sophia had nearly dropped the baton several times from her own laughter.

The four singers took a sweeping bow to the pleasure of the room who burst into applause.

Sophia barely had enough time to pass the baton back to Chat before Evie collapsed into her arms. Patting her head lightly, she murmured into the exhausted woman's hair. "I think it is time to go home, love."

"No," Evie whined into her chest, but Sophia led all of the singers back to their table.

"Yes. It's nearly quarter to eleven and we have a long day tomorrow. We were only supposed to here until 10." Sophia grabbed a glass of water and passed it to her pouting girlfriend.

Evie poked her tongue out at her but sipped on the water. "I suppose you are right."

Chat picked his jacket up. "We should be heading out too if we want to spend a decent amount of time at the markets."

Sophia glanced at Chat Noir and Marinette who were gathering their things. "Marchés de Lumière Des Ètoiles? Good choice. If you head out the back then swing right, I know some of the better markets will still have some good wears still available. I hope you have a good time." She said with a bright smile.

There was a slight flurry of movement as three final things were posted to the account.

The first was the song, captioned: 'Only the best way to end a good karaoke session. Thanks to Camille for being our Marie and to Sophia for filming. #BonAnniversairePrincess #EverybodyWantsToBeACat #Karaoke #YouWishYouLookedThisGood #NailedIt'

The second was Chat and Marinette standing on the stage, back to the audience and smiling into the camera with most of the audience crowding into the background. 'Thanks for the Pawsome Time guys! Big Thanks to #MuseDeChanson for the brilliant service and the fabulous entertainment! #BonAnniversairePrincess #Karaoke #ShouldTotallyComeBackSomeTime'

The final pic was Evie, Sophia, Marinette and Chat Noir standing at the back entrance, lit by fairy lights around them. 'It was absolutely Miraculous to meet Sophia and Evie who provided us with such entertainment tonight. We will miss you! #BonAnniversairePrincess #Remember #AdoptingStrangersAtKaraokeIsAnEvieApprovedWayToMakeFriends #NewFriends #OntoTheNextAdventure!'

With a few final goodbyes and hugs, Chat and Marinette stepped out into the cool night air and turned right.

Lights scattered all around, most of them fairy lights, over the simple tent market stalls. The crowd was thick enough to have a flow but sparse enough that people could move freely. It was beautiful in its simplicity. The atmosphere lent an almost magical air to the whole dead-end street.

"It's amazing." Whispered Marinette, her jaw dropping and her eyes trying to take in about a dozen things at once.

Chat beamed at her. "Then, let's go."

Sorry if any of the formatting if off.  I’m feeling a bit off for the tic but I hope you all enjoyed it!

#Miraculous Ladybug #BonAnniversairePrincess #Marinette Dupain-Cheng #Chat Noir #marichat #sorry this chapter is late #I like Evie and Sophia tho #May use them again

[psceuropetrip2018]

Spooky happenings in London 👻

We have reached the end of another unit. As per tradition I am sealing off the London bit of blog posts with a finale of haunted places in London. Now the last list from Vienna only had 5 places but London had tons of articles about haunted places so this one is a lot longer. I apologize for the lengthy read but let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good ghost story. 

Continue reading if you dare 😱😱

1. Tower of London

Starting off with a location that we’ve talked about! The Tower of London. With such an old location it’s no surprise that there’s a few ghosties running about. Here "off with her head" wasn't just a saying, it was reality. In 1536, Queen Anne Boleyn was arrested and beheaded at the Tower Green. Other royal ghosts lurk in the castle, too. Arbella Stuart, cousin of King James I, was allegedly murdered here. In Bloody Tower two young princes, Edward V and Richard, were believed to be murdered by the Duke of Gloucester. These young boys’ voices and screams are heard throughout the tower.

2. Theatre Royal

London’s renowned Theatre Royal has had it’s fair share of haunted sightings over the years. According to both actors and staff members, the ghost of Joseph Grimaldi can be seen on the premises. This man is the inventor of the modern clown and called the “Man in Grey.” He was allegedly stabbed in the Theatre Royal and his bones were discovered in a side passage in 1848. Now I know that this sounds pretty grisly but the theatre isn’t all that spooky in real life. The appearance of one of the ghost is actually a sign of good luck for performances.

3. Covent Garden

We’ve talked about Covent Garden briefly in class so I thought that this would be a nice ad-in. This London Underground stop brings you to an awesome shopping area and one of London’s best theatre districts. But we aren’t talking about shopping, are we? Nah we’re talking about ghosts. The ghost that haunts this station is named William Terriss and he has been seen walking the platforms wearing a gray suit. Bizarre noises are also heard when no travelers are around.

4. Old Bailey

The Central Criminal Court, otherwise known as the Old Bailey, has a disturbing past. The court sits on the former site of Newgate Prison. Along with the building itself, ghosts seem to wander the area surrounding the Old Bailey. If you’re looking for a ghost-filled pub, sit down for a drink at the Viaduct Tavern on Newgate Street. One ghost, Fred, apparently pours out guests’ drinks and flickers the lights at this spooky pub so be aware of Fred 👀

5. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is an inevitably haunted destination, considering that it houses more than 3,000 buried bodies. The most common ghostie that haunts Westminster Abbey is Father Benedictus, a former Benedictine monk of the abbey. In 1900, a woman reported a vivid sighting of him. In this sighting after about 25 seconds, Father Benedictus vanished into the walls of the church. In 1932, two visitors reported talking to him. Too bad this hasn’t happened in today’s day and age so we could get it on video. If you did want to try and see Father he’s typically appearing between 5 and 6 p.m.

6. St. Paul’s Cathedral

Another place that we have talked about in class! So spooky! Alright so St. Paul’s Cathedral is definitely an eerie place to visit. Its most well-known ghost is a whistling clergyman, who haunts the west end of the chapel. In Ghosts of London, author Elliott O’Donnell recalls meeting an American couple who witnessed a black cloud suddenly appearing in the chapel. Now if we go here and I see a black cloud I’m out. Gone. Never to return as that demon spirit black cloud is not coming near me.

7. Highgate Cemetery

This creepy cemetery opened in 1839 and was the go-to burial spot for Victorian socialites. But by the 1960s, it fell into a state of disrepair and decay leaving a spooky old cemetery. On Swain’s Lane, a street that cuts through the cemetery, several paranormal incidents have been reported. Some Londoners even claim to have seen a vampire lurking in the darkness. Vampire hunt anyone?

8. 50 Berkeley Square, Mayfair

This brick house was dubbed as London's most haunted house in the twentieth century both because of its deranged ex-tenant and resident female ghost. Both stories are fascinating and haunting, in all senses. The young woman allegedly threw herself from the top floor after being abused by her uncle and sometimes appears as a brown mist. Long standing tenant Mr. Myers locked himself in this house until he passed away and is also believed to haunt the premises. Apparently Myers went mad after he was rejected by his fiancée and let the house crumble around him. He died in 1874. On top of all that it's said a maid who slept one night in the attic room was found the next day so deeply distressed that she died the next day in an asylum.

9. The Parkland Walk Spriggan

If you went through my past blog posts I have mentioned this treasure before. Abandoned railway lines don’t get creepier than this – the Parkland Walk, which runs between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. It is lush with vivid greenery but there is still something unsettling about wandering along the overgrown cutting. The part that passes Crouch End is the spookiest stretch of the route, where a looming ‘spriggan’ spirit watches from an unused railway arch, ready to startle unsuspecting passers-by.

10. The Greenwich Foot Tunnel

This tunnel, opened in 1902, runs under the river Thames and connects Greenwich to the the Isle of Dogs. Walking down its damp and narrow path will already leave you feeling uneasy, even without the ghosts of a Victorian man and woman strolling over from the other side. While no one knows exactly who this couple are, they’re spotted frequently late at night although I don’t know who would want to walk down a creepy tunnel so late. Supposedly, their footsteps can be heard bouncing down the leaking walls of the tunnel. Noooooo thank you I’ll take a cab.

11. Old Operating Theatre Museum

It sort of goes without saying this place is probably haunted as it was an actual surgical practice back when surgery wasn’t such an easy-going process. Surgical anesthetic wasn’t invented until 1846, and this place definitely predates that. Most patients died despite the best intentions of the surgeons. It’s the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe, and of course is no longer in use.

If you made it this far, how bothered are you by the count of 11 instead of a nice, even 10?

Sources:

https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/haunted/photos/haunted-london-1 https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/haunted-places-in-london https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/attractions/ten-of-the-most-haunted-places-in-london-a3806806.html

#london