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glow-worm · 4 years

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Repose

It wasn’t long after the Hunger was finally defeated and the celebration and clean-up began when Taako suddenly grabbed his head and collapsed.

“Taako?!” Lup gasped as Kravitz caught him.

“Hey,” Kravitz exclaimed in surprise. “Taako? Are you alright?”

Taako didn’t answer, so Kravitz carefully lowered him down and had his boyfriend lay with his head in his lap.

Taako, Lup, Barry, and Kravitz had been walking around surveying the damage, and talking to anyone who stopped them. A passerby had asked them about their home plane, and Lup mentioned how she and Taako spent time together on their grandfather’s farm for a few years—and Taako flinched, stopping dead in his tracks for a moment before playing it off like a joke. Lup knew that something was up, though. He was acting oddly, speaking slowly, as if he had to wrangle each word from his mind. Only a few minutes after this behavior started, he dropped.

Lup floated closer, her spectral form lowering down near her brother. “Is he hurt?”

“Well yes, but...” Kravitz trailed off. “I don’t think that’s what this is.”

Lup reached out to touch Taako’s forehead, but her incorporeal hand phased right through it.

She pulled back, her form flickering slightly.

Kravitz watched her with distrust as Barry got her attention.

“It’s alright, Lup,” Barry consoled. “I think it’s just from Fisher. He had to fight so he didn’t really have time to process everything. Wouldn’t be surprised if Mags, Merle, and Capn’port are out too.”

Lup pulled herself together before responding, “Nah, Dav’s right over there.”

Barry followed the direction of Lup’s skeletal finger and saw Davenport, watching distantly with his hands in his pockets.

She motioned for him to come closer and called out, “Hey, Captain! Holding up?”

He walked forward somewhat sheepishly, but knelt down by Taako and the others.

“Taako just passed the fuck out,” Lup said. “Out of nowhere. Barry thinks it’s from the voidfish. Are you doing okay?”

“Okay is...subjective,” Davenport shook his head with a half-hearted laugh. “I mean...physically, yeah, I’m totally fine. I’m just...glad to be back.”

“Me too,” Lup agreed quietly.

“Glad to have both of you back,” Barry smiled and put a hand on Davenport’s shoulder. “But really, Cap, it was hell the first few times I got my memories back—how ya feeling?”

“I’m...furious,” Davenport said under his breath. “I get she did what she had to do but...yeah, I feel betrayed. I guess that’s a later problem, though.”

Barry pulled him into a hug. Tears pricked Davenport’s eyes, but he kept it together.

“My memories are back and we’re safe. That’s all that matters,” he said. “But the voidfish affected me way differently than Taako. I’m not surprised he’s out.”

“I’m worried,” Lup said. “How come it knocked Taako out, but not you? You got the worst of it.”

“For me...it was kind of like being charmed. But...just, forever. My memories were just gone, there was nothing there. But Taako’s memories were re-written,” Davenport explained wearily. “His brain has a lot to resolve. Let him rest. He’ll be okay.”

He stood up and brushed the dirt off of his knees.

“I’m gonna find Merle and Magnus,” Davenport said. “They should be fine, but better check on ‘em.”

He left, and Lup noticed Kravitz gently stroking Taako’s hair. She watched him for a little while.

“So...Kravitz,” she addressed awkwardly. “You, uh...gonna reap us?”

He looked away from her, absent-mindedly petting his boyfriend.

“Not, uh...well, not today, at least,” he replied. “I’ll have to speak with the Raven Queen, but...I mean we all just heard the Story, so...no promises, but I think we can probably strike a deal.”

“Well, good,” Lup said, relieved. “Glad we get to enjoy our victory, even for a little bit.”

“Besides,” Kravitz added. “I don’t think Taako would appreciate losing you again.”

Lup nodded and reached out for Taako again, her hand going through him.

“Gah. I...really wish I could hug him right now,” she said.

“When he’s up, I’ll do it for you,” Barry promised.

Barry then thoughtfully reached out and held Taako’s hand.

“I missed him,” he said. “It was...really hard trying to guide them along and not being able to...talk, like we used to, or be myself at all. Shit. Sorry. I know you had it a lot worse.”

“No, babe, it’s not a competition,” Lup assured. “It was hard enough just being able to hear them. I can’t imagine what it was like to be there right in front of them, not being able to get through.”

“I’m so sorry, Lup,” Barry’s voice cracked. “I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out. It only took Taako a few minutes to realize you were in there once he got his memories back. In retrospect...it was so obvious.”

“Taako had clues,” Lup explained. “I literally spelled my name out for him. He got a magic bracelet that let me talk to him. That’s why he figured it out so fast. Besides, he wouldn’t have listened to you anyway. You wanna talk about retrospect? I shouldn’t have made an umbrella that eats magic energy!”

Taako’s brow furrowed, his closed eyes twitched. He seemed distressed.

Kravitz uttered a few tender words and rubbed a thumb across Taako’s cheek.

“Think I should move him?” Kravitz asked. “No one’s coming by, but...we’re in the middle of the road.”

“Yeah, def. Just by that building, for now,” Lup responded.

There was a nearly completely wrecked brick building that had probably been a house before today just a few feet off the road, on top of a nice grassy patch. Only two of its walls still stood, the rest in ruin.

Kravitz scooped Taako up in his arms and carried him over to it, Barry and Lup trailing behind him.

Lup smiled, though no one could see it. She was so happy that her brother had finally found the real deal. She had tried not to listen too much when they went on dates—not wanting to eavesdrop—but they seemed pretty happy together. And now Lup could see with her own eyes how much Kravitz cared about Taako.

Barry sat in the grass near Kravitz and Taako, but Lup hovered as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps on the dirt path.

She turned to see Merle approaching with a healing potion.

“Merle!” She called happily.

He stopped and smiled at her with heartfelt sincerity. “It’s real good to have you back, Lup. You too, Barry.”

“Did Capn’port send you over here?” Lup asked.

“Sure did,” he replied. “He’s helpin’ Ango with something. I only have one spell left, though. I’ve been healing folks nonstop with this nonsense. Let’s see what I can do.”

He was visibly worn out. His wounds had been healed but he looked like he needed a hundred-year nap. He sat down by the others and took a breath before breaking out his Extreme Teen Bible.

“We’re physically healed already,” Merle said. “So let me try this. And if nothing happens I’ll give him a potion.”

With that, Merle cast Calm Emotions.

“Give it a minute,” Merle said as he moved so that he was sitting with his back against the brick wall. He closed his eyes, and no one objected.

“Luuuuuuup! Baaarry!”

Magnus’s voice called from afar.

“Stay here, babe?” Lup told Barry. “I’ll bring him over.”

“Y-yeah. Sure,” Barry said, reluctant. “Don’t, uh...don’t be gone too long.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Lup left, and it wasn’t long before Taako began to stir. His eyelids opened slowly, with difficulty.

“Hello, love,” Kravitz greeted softly.

Taako smiled sweetly in response, but made no effort to move.

“How are you feeling?” Kravitz asked.

“Kinda weird,” Taako said. “Did you put an enchantment on me?”

“I did,” Merle said.

“Merle...?” Taako mumbled.

“Taako, listen,” Barry said. “The spell only lasts a minute. Your memories are all jumbled up. Adrenaline got you to this point, but Lucretia wasn’t kidding when she said the strain could kill you. Try not to remember everything too fast. Why don’t you trance for a little bit so your mind can start to work it out?”

“Uh...okay, yeah. Sure.”

Taako closed his eyes again, the enchantment blocking out the desire to argue.

“How are you getting along, Merle?” Barry asked.

Merle shrugged. “With the memories? Not too bad. Pretty torn up I forgot you guys, and John...but...I dunno, just gotta keep on keepin’ on. Like we always have.”

The three talked for a little while, discussing more details of the battle they just went through and catching up.

Taako had only been trancing for about three minutes before he shot upright, panicked.

“Where’s Lup?!” He demanded with wide eyes.

“She just went to get Magnus,” Kravitz comforted. “Should be back any minute.”

He tucked a piece of hair behind his ear and looked down briefly before noticing the pair of folded, denim-clad legs next to him.

Taako locked eyes with Barry and put a hand on his shoulder, so relieved to be with him.

Barry grinned, eyes teary, and pulled him into a tight embrace, which Taako returned. They had already hugged a few times since the battle, but they had twelve years to make up for.

They pulled apart only when they heard Magnus calling out to them once again, closer this time. Lup travelled alongside him.

Magnus, like everyone else, looked worse for wear. His clothes were torn and stained with blood, dark circles were carved under his eyes.

He nearly tackled Barry and Taako down into the grass in joy, then he himself flopped over with his back on the ground.

“I’m tempted to take a nap right here,” he said.

“I feel ya, but you need a real bed,” Merle advised. “Wait until we get ho—uh.” He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking askance.

Taako and Magnus realized now, too.

They didn’t have a home.

“I’m not...” Taako began. “I’m definitely not going back to the Bureau of Balance. I mean, maybe to like, pick up my shit or whatever, but...and I’m sure Barry’s not gonna want to chill there, either.”

“Yeah, no,” Barry said. “I...I forgive Lucretia, I guess, but...no.”

“We could go back to the Starblaster,” Merle offered.

“What, a hundred years wasn’t enough?” Magnus said.

“Yeah, I don’t...particularly want that, either.” Taako mumbled, grabbing his head again. “Ow, fuck.”

They didn’t have any other options. Taako never had a home on this planet. His stagecoach was gone. Raven’s Roost was destroyed. And Merle abandoned his home years ago. Barry lived in a cave. Kravitz didn’t exactly have a place the others could crash in, either.

They grew somber as the realization sunk in.

“Well...I vote we take a nap right here, and find an inn later.” Magnus suggested. “Everyone knows we just saved...everything, I’m sure we can find a place.”

“Sounds good to me,” Merle agreed as he reclined down onto the grass.

The others rearranged, so that Barry, Taako, and Kravitz were all leaning against the brick wall. Taako rested his head on Kravitz’s shoulder. Lup appeared to be sitting as well, next to Barry.

Taako closed his eyes and tried to rest, but after a few minutes of everyone just being together in silence, Kravitz noticed Taako’s hands were balled into trembling fists in his lap.

“Taako?” He prompted delicately.

Taako sat up straighter, and spoke through a clenched jaw.

“I know I should be happy,” He started. “It’s all over now. We won. But...god, that was fucked? I carried my fucking sister around in an umbrella for two years. I saw your fucking corpse and didn’t know. I killed Barry! I killed Barry and then we saw him again in Phandolin and then—ha, what the fuck?”

“I asked you to kill me, Taako,” Barry reminded. “And I’m sorry, it wasn’t fair of me to do that but I panicked. And if you didn’t, who knows where we’d all be right now. Lucretia would have cut off this plane with her shield.”

“The Temporal Chalice...it showed me my memories and I knew they were wrong,” he buried his face in his hands. “Agh, fuck, fuck. I knew something was missing.”

“Easy, Taako,” Lup soothed. “Not too fast. I’m here now. We’re all together again.”

They sat unobtrusively for a few moments. Kravitz pressed a kiss to the top of Taako’s head.

“Merle has kids,” Taako noted. “Mags...you got married.”

Magnus deflated slightly, still lying on the ground.

“Yeah,” he sighed. “Yeah...I sure did.”

“We should have been there,” Taako said bitterly. “For all of it.”

Magnus was quiet for a moment, deep in thought.

“Shit,” he mumbled, sitting up. “I can’t remember who...fuck. I can’t remember who killed her. Who destroyed Raven’s Roost.”

“Governor Kalen.”

Magnus looked up at Taako in confusion.

“Your voice just...not like Fisher’s static but I didn’t hear whatever you just said. You just cut out.”

Taako frowned.

“Don’t worry about it, bud,” Merle said. “Well take care of it for you. Someday.”

“For sure,” Taako added, staring off into space.

After a few moments, Magnus leaned back again. “Okay, for real,” he said. “I’m taking a nap. Wake me up at the next apocalypse.”

“Night, buddy,” Barry said.

“I’ve gotta get back to my kids soon, but,” Merle started, curling up and closing his eyes. “Eh, they can wait twenty minutes.”

Even Kravitz’s eyelids were getting heavy. He had a lot of souls to collect today—and he should really get back to that, but right now Taako needed him. Plus, he too was so, so tired.

Taako leaned back into his chest, and Kravitz wrapped his arms around him before closing his eyes himself.

Taako’s fatigue was starting to overcome him again, but he fought against it to look up at his sister.

“Lulu?” He asked.

“Yeah?”

“...Don’t leave. You too, Barold.”

“Never,” Lup reassured.

“Get some rest, Taako, it’s okay,” Barry said. “We’re not going anywhere.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Taako grumbled, his eyes dropping shut. “You rest up, too. Saving all realities really...takes it out of you.”

Barry gazed lovingly at Lup, a warm and weary smile on his face.

“Really might just blow myself up,” he whispered thoughtfully, attempting to caress her cheek, or at least where her cheek would be.

“Not today, babe,” Lup replied sympathetically. “We’ll figure it out. For now, you be my hands. And Taako’s right—I’m out of spell slots and you must be exhausted.”

“I love you,” he said.

“I love you too, Barry,” she answered. “So, so much.”

Taako, without opening his eyes, batted his hand around Barry before landing on his arm and gently pulling it back so that it was draped over Taako’s knees.

Decades ago, IPRE piles were not uncommon. Things were so different now, but it was so nice to have this normalcy back—even if it wasn’t quite the same group of people, and even with Lup being without a body.

Lup settled so that her form was in front of Barry and Taako, in between them and Magnus. She watched Barry for a while, his body relaxing into sleep, the sound of his slow and measured breaths soothing her. Once she was certain everyone else was out, she, too, allowed herself to ease into meditation.

They could finally, finally rest. It had been such a long time coming. There was no fear of a lurking hidden enemy, no pressure of a time limit. They could all just—be.

And it was nice.

Read this on AO3!

#taz balance #taz fic #balance fic #the adventure zone #hurt/comfort #taakitz #blupjeans #can you tell i'm touch starved during this social distancing lmfao #they can have a little cuddle puddle #as a treat

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antiquechampagne · 5 years

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Beastly Kingdom - CH 9 - Greatest Show on Earth

( Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric from Pexels)

Liz loved watching the bustle around the park for the nearly invisible signs of her plan showing themselves. The invisible cogs quickened their pace when she received word the General was on his way from Sanctuary. Everything was coming together, even better than she had anticipated. As the General entered the park late in the afternoon, her sealed final instructions made their way to the respective gang leader. Liz decided to put Nate up in her penthouse for the night, satisfied with Dixie and Gage standing guard so no one would dare to try any funny business. The General wasn’t too happy about spinning his wheels for the night, but Liz had a few more final touches to complete before the show could start.

The sun rose in a hazy sky, but Liz had little time to sit and enjoy it, she had been up for hours. Dragging nearly ever raider to one place was a serious pain in the ass. The only venue large enough to house everyone was the main Nuka-Town square, right outside the circular market. A rudimentary stage had been built to add height and extend the 'map alcove', allowing those on stage to look down at the gathering crowd. Liz counted on the long-standing animosity to prompt self-segregation between the gangs. All she had to do was seed the prospective areas with the certain people to make sure each gang stayed in the zones she designated: Operators to her left, the Pack to the right with the Disciples milling about in the middle.

It was growing close to eleven when Liz got word that everyone was in attendance, the final few drug to their spots by an ornery Gage. She stood at the side of the stage as Mason and the rest of the leaders shuffled around off stage, trying to hide their boredom but keeping a cool eye on Nate. The crowd was getting restless. Liz let them stew a few minutes longer than was strictly necessary before ascending the steps, the other leaders trailing behind her.

Standing at center stage with her entourage flanking her, Liz looked out, quickly scanned the faces and belted out, “ALL RIGHT! EVERYONE, SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

The crowd fell silent. She felt her voice could carry to the very corner of Nuka-World.

“I know what you assholes want to hear, but you… and the General…“ She glanced behind, glancing Nate up and down. "Are going to have to wait.” She heard a shuffle as, on cue, Mason guided Nate to upstage right, Mags and Nisha backing to the other.

“I want to make it absolute clear to each one of you sons-of-a-bitches here, that what we have here in Nuka-World is something unique… something fucking special. You aren't going to find anything like this anywhere else. And, as your Overboss, I'm not going to let anyone or anything take Nuka-World from us. I will do anything to keep us safe.” The crowd was drinking in her words. She decided to step it up a notch.

“Who’s going to keep you safe?” A weak chorus answered. She gave a death-glared down at the crowd, arms crossed. “Who?”

“The Overboss!” That was better.

She wanted more. “WHO?”

Nearly everyone was on their feet now “THE OVERBOSS!” Their answer thundered, followed by whoops and flailing weapons.

“That’s how I expect a true Nuka-World motherfucker to answer!” Liz puffed her chest out. “And who’s the baddest motherfucker in Nuka-World?”

“THE OVERBOSS!”

She thrust her hands out, quieting the cheering crowd.

“You’re damn right.”

She couldn't stop a smirk from spreading over her scarred lips. Time to make them shit their pants.

“Now, I want you to meet the newest member of the Nuka-World family.” She slapped her thigh, as if calling a dog to her side, only instead of a whistle; she let out a low growl.

The crowd glanced around nervously, confused. In the distance, a deep rumbling growl answered. Liz's smirk bloomed into a full on grin as she watched the audiences faces fill with fear. They all knew that sound. She just stood and drank it all in.

Behind the stage, a huge black clawed hand rose from inside the closed market and grasped the roof. With a swift feline-like grace, Big Mama made her entrance. Vaulting herself over the structure, the huge glowing creature landed with a thump next to Liz, snarling. The scattered screams and horror-filled eyes staring from the crowd was totally worth clearing out the market in the dead of night to lock Mama inside with a huge pile of meat.

Liz casually scratched Mama’s chin. “Say ‘Hi’, Big Mama” she prompted.

Mama trumpeted loudly, a supersonic shock wave knocking back the throng, several people in the front blown over by the force. The crowd semi-recovered, but were still frozen, unsure how to react.

In a distant corner, a single triumphant roar rippled across the impromptu theater.

"Fuck YEAH!"

The sound seemed to break the spell, as the entire crowd broke into a raucous applause, shouts and gunfire. Liz let the audience party as she directed Mama to stay behind her, motioning to her underbosses to join her by her side. The crowd, having released some nervous energy, naturally calmed down to where she could address them again.

“Now,” She walked to the edge of the stage. “Let’s get down to serious business at hand. There are only two organizations that pose any real threat to Nuka-World: The Minutemen and The Brotherhood of Steel. Our very existence is a bloody thorn in the side of the Minutemen's peaceful and flavorless vision of the Commonwealth. The Brotherhood, on the other hand, would cream themselves if they got their hands on all our pre-war tech and fire power. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that shit out. I'd been planning for since we started to expand outside of the park."

"Here, imagine my surprise when the Minutemen’s very own General Popsicle walking through the doors, offering a deal nonetheless.” Liz walked over to Nate, stretching her arm over his stiff shoulders. “Gotta hand it to’em, that took balls. More than I thought any Minuteman might have.” She gave him a little squeeze as her other hand slipped her knife out of its sheath on her hip. "But this deal, it got me thinking. -Thinking hard- about the future of everyone here. Here we are sitting pretty in our park, but how can we become something even stronger... spread our influence over the all Commonwealth, maybe even further? Would an alliance with the Minutemen be worth it?" Letting go, Liz began to pace next to Mason, picking at her teeth with the blade. "Just ask Gage... I thought about all this shit ‘till my brain was leaking out my ears. Then, I locked myself up tighter than Bradberton's hidden office bunker to figure all this out."

She made her way over to where three of raider leaders stood. This time she hung herself between the Black siblings, one arm draped over Mags' shoulders, the other over her brother. She still held her knife loosely, weaving it idly through the air under William's chin as she spoke. "I talked to all my underbosses about it, feeling everyone out. Getting their input, as it were."

Liz pursed her lips as if in thought for a moment, every movement calculated to pull in the audience's attention. With a disappointed shake of her head, her blade straightened itself on William's the stubble-speckled neck. "I hate to say it, but one gang just wasn't on-board with my plan." Her free hand gripped Mags metal clad shoulder. "And that is just unacceptable. I won't stand for it." It was so hard not to smile as she watched the shock and fear once again creep over the watching crowd.

Without another word, she swiftly turned the blade away from William and plunged it straight into Nisha's neck. Blood gurgled to her lips. She slumped to the floor. Mason grabbed Nate, whisking him off-stage to safety. On cue, the trusted senior members of the Operators and Pack in the audience unleashed a deadly storm of bullets on the Disciples sandwiched between them, slaughtering many before they even had the chance to draw their own weapons.

"NO!" Dixie sprang on Liz, her blades already drawn, her shock quickly dissolving into a murderous rage. "YOU DOUBLE-CROSSING BITCH!"

Liz didn't even have to move. She watched and grinned as a giant clawed hand effortlessly pinned Dixie to the boards. With a guttural snarl, Mama's giant jaws latched onto Dixie's metal-strapped helmet, crushing the life out of her lover in a matter of moments.

"Careful now, Mama," Ignoring the occasional projectile, Liz coaxed Mama to reluctantly let go of the twitching body. With a few quick slashes, she removed a few choice bits of metal armor. "I don't need you getting anything unpleasant stuck in your teeth. There you go, sweetie. Go to town." She gave an affectionate thump on the deathclaw's luminous hide.

A bullet grazed the Overboss's shoulder, causing her to wince. Turning on her heels, she faced the crowd, searching for the offending shooter. Once she locked eyes on the desperate man, she quickly dispatched him with a knife to chest.

"Ugh, seriously?" Fussing over her bloodied sleeve, she returned to Mama, who was happily munching away in the middle of the stage. The screams and gunfire began to wane. She gave the glowing creature a scratch before returning to the edge of the stage, looking at the bloody, body-filled ground where hundreds of people had once stood.

"Where were we... ah, yes. The plan. The remaining gang leaders have been briefed on the plan and have agreed to the terms." She motioned to Mason to bring Nate back on stage. He was looking decidedly greener around the gills. "Those terms being as follows. The Nuka-World raiders will aid the Minutemen in their offensive to end the Brotherhood. We will withdraw all our settlements and cease any expansion into the Commonwealth, keeping to Nuka-World." Liz pulled a cigarette from a pocket and lit it "In return, the Minutemen will share the spoils, as well as give us access to all established trade routes, along with exclusive and complete control to all chem trade and mercenary contracts within the Commonwealth," she nodded to the Blacks and Mason, respectively.

Nate, recovered, nodded in agreement. He stretched out his hand. Liz grabbed it, pulling him in close. "You're gunna love this next bit... soldier boy..." she whispered to him, pulling a lung full off the cigarette.

Liz gave a nod to Mason, who pulled a cowering Dr. Mackenzie up on stage. Liz reached into her pocket and pulled out a chunky black remote. Mackenzie gasped. The doctor knew a bomb collar detonator as soon as she saw it.

"Not only are we going 'legit', but, as an act of good will...“ Liz opened a compartment on the side, slipping a key into the waiting slot. As she turned, the red light on the detonator and Mackenzie's collar turned dark, the lock sliding open with a clunk. "All of the traders are now free to go and do as they please." She puffed, releasing a long stream of smoke. "However, as an incentive to stay and help Nuka-World grow, I am officially setting aside the town Bradberton as an area for anyone who wants to settle down in, under the complete protection of the Pack, of course."

Mason released a bewildered Mackenzie. All she could manage was to nod of comprehension, slowly skittering off stage as soon as Mason let go of her shoulders.

Liz turned back to the crowd. "And just to be crystal clear on this... anyone not on board with my plan..." she opened her arms dramatically before the sea of bullet ridden bodies before her, "can see my established termination policy." The whole park was as quiet as the grave, all except for the wet crunching of bone and meat from Mama and her meal.

"Seems we are in agreement then! Who's up for making the Brotherhood and the Commonwealth our little bitches?"

Every corner of Nuka-World rang with their thunderous answer.

#beastly kingdom #fallout #fallout 4 #fallout4 #fanfic #fan fic #Ghoul #raiders #violence #gore #nuka world #ao3

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rockrevoltmagazine · 5 years

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Diamante - Coming in hotter than ever

Sporting bright blue hair and a leather jacket, someone not hip to the rock scene would imagine that Diamante is not someone to be trifled with, a badass who doesn’t want to talk to you because why should she care what you think? However, upon saying hello and being greeted with a hug instead of a handshake, it was clear that Diamante is, quite literally, one of the nicest folks one could have the pleasure of meeting. *Make no mistake, she is still very much a badass…*

I caught up with the pint-sized powerhouse at the Cleveland date of what is easily one of this summer’s hottest tours, where she finds herself taking the stage right before of her own musical influences (more on that in a second), Dorothy, and then kicking off the guys in Three Days Grace, Chevelle, and Breaking Benjamin. It’s hard to believe such a heavy lineup can exist on one stage, and to be in on the action, Diamante says, has been incredible.

“We have tailgate parties in the parking lots before shows. We make hot dogs, it’s all very wholesome,” she laughs as she eases back onto the couch in her dressing room. With this tour stacking the deck night after night, and kicking off with two female-fronted acts, it’s easy to see how it would be an incredible experience. She says she’s been a fan of Dorothy since she was 18, and that they hang out and do one-off club shows together off-tour as well. “It’s an insane honor being able to play alongside her,” she laughs. “Ben even said that the ladies are out here killing it way more than the guys on this tour.” It’s true – he did say that. And, those women are clearly kickin’ ass and taking names in each city they grace with their presence.

For anyone who hasn’t seen Diamante live, first of all, get that fixed ASAP. Second of all, be prepared to be blown away. Her stage presence is massive, and her sound fills the air all the way to the parking lot. “Though she be but little, she is fierce,” wrote William Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. And it seems Diamante is the embodiment of that famous quote on every midsummer night (and winter, and spring, and you get the jist). When it comes to touring, Diamante says her favorite venues are either arenas or small club shows, as in both, she can see the fans’ faces and everyone is packed in. “Outdoor shows make you all feel too far away from me. I prefer to be able to see everyone sing every word, sweaty and having a good time.”

Diamante has known since she was ten that the stage would be her home. She’s always loved music and singing, but she was always super shy and “nerdy” (her words, and I don’t believe her). She discovered her passion for the stage during musical theatre. “I went on the stage with no mic, just my voice projecting in front of 200 people. And I realized, WHOA! I just discovered a whole new part of myself.” She’s known ever since she wanted to be on the stage, in front of as many people as possible, every chance she gets. “I love being on the stage because of the audience. I feed off of the energy. It is just one of the best experiences you can ever have. It gives you a different kind of high than you will ever have anywhere else in life.” In fact, her dream tour (aside from this incredible lineup she gets to be a part of every night) would include Papa Roach, Shinedown, Halestorm, Marilyn Manson, and Guns ‘N Roses. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?!

Lyrically, Diamante’s songs are incredibly relatable. From breakups to make ups, false friends and empty promises, Diamante sings the songs straight out of the hearts of her fans. She says it is important to give fans that because that’s the whole point of music. She sees music as a vessel for those emotions that some feel are hard to express. The music she listened to and fell in love with, she says, most of the time were songs that taught her to understand how she was feeling at the time.

“I was eleven, twelve at the time, and I knew what love was (laughs). I was feeling things for the first time and didn’t know how to put them into words. And then, I’d hear a song and it described it perfectly. And then, that song was my anthem. I want to put that into my albums – especially for the young people who want to listen to rock. I want to be that voice for them.”

With that voice comes a responsibility of sorts to bring her fans the songs that they can feel in their guts, their hearts, their minds. Her ner song, “When I’m Not Around” is a beautiful example of that kind of song. Written by legendary songwriter Diane Warren (she also wrote Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,” and Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me”…) and brought to life by Diamante’s haunting, gravelly voice, “When I’m Not Around” spells out, in great detail, a woman scorned’s promise to her former paramore: she will, quite literally, be everywhere they exist…

“It’s gonna rip your heart apart when you don’t have me You’re gonna wish for a different ending to the story You’re gonna see my face in every dream that you dream I’m gonna haunt your every thought, you won’t escape me You’ll wish you still had me”

Taking the work of such a prolific writer and making it her own was a challenge for Diamante, but one she was more than able to conquer. “She wrote the whole song, but I still felt like it was my story. I had gone through a pretty brutal emotional breakup a few months back, and just struggled to understand how I was feeling about it. So, I heard this song, and I remember thinking, ‘Wow! This is it.’” Having never recorded someone else’s song that wasn’t a cover, Diamante found lots of pressure to do the song justice, while also adapting it and making it fit her own emotions. “I pride myself on writing my own music. I just think it’s really important.”

When it came time to shoot a video at the famed Viper Room for the song, Diamante and her team came up with their own concept based on the lyrics. Taking each lyric damn near line by line, the video shows the basic premise of the song in Diamante’s own words, “You messed up, bro.” Showing up in every scene, Diamante says, “I am everywhere. I’m everywhere. There is no escaping me. We wanted to take the lyrics literally, and we did.”

youtube

Video – “When I’m Not Around” -Diamante

Once this tour wraps in the fall, Diamante will be back in the studio writing, beginning the demo phase of her new album – that is, provided she isn’t picked up on another tour! She says she new record will be an evolution of her debut, Coming In Hot, based on the songs she has written for it already. “I wrote most of my first album was I was nineteen. I feel like I have lived three lifetimes since then.” Being only twenty-two years old, she hasn’t quite lived three physical lifetimes, but it can be easy to see in anyone’s personal evolution how time passing and experiences mature us. She says, “I feel like my songwriting has gotten so much better.” She is going for the more personal, more vulnerable side with her new songs. “Being vulnerable is the scariest thing for me. But, if I want to be personal with my songs, I have to do it.” And there is a definite power in vulnerability that only Diamante can put her own touch on – I cannot wait to see what the future holds!

Interview by Devon Anderson, RockRevolt Managing Editor

Diamante – Coming in hotter than ever was originally published on RockRevolt Mag

#RockRevolt #tour

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shadowlink720 · 7 years

Text

FE: Birthright Randomised Chapter 18

(aka ‘I swear I’ll randomise Revelation at some point, you’ll get your spotlight one day Owain :’D’)

aiight let’s fight Leeeeeoooooo

off to the woods that for some reason have graves in them! :’D

I think we can all see that very clearly, Corrin

wait I just realised; imagine a forest map like the Lost Woods or smth it would be annoying as all heck, but it could be interesting .... aesthetically; at least hahah;;;

yes Azura, we know you’re Azura, we’ve known you’re Azura since like; the prologue :V (her voice line was ‘I am Azura’)

i just had this mental image of Leo just poking his head through some shrubbery or smth like that one meme and just ‘Are you sure about that?’ Idk I’m just procrastinating on fighting Owain auhdigduaygdaf

yeah then we’re all Skull Kids ... or Stalfos iiiidk it’s to do with ages right-

huzzah

did you like, disturb the dead or what-

pretty much

... ok i think that cutscenes just take a while to load and I’ve never noticed until I’m thinking every time it’s frozen-

this really is the lost woods, isn’t it? just follow the lamps you’ll be fiiiine .... that is, if this is botw logic-

tbf if you aren’t paying enough attention and are just walking in a direction, forests can look exactly the same-

oh you know, just Leo

o h y o u k n o w j u s t L e o

gdi stop gawking and r u n

then why are you still just standing there :’’’’’’D

oh wait it’s the Misfits! :’D wait... no those were red, weren’t they? not blue besides, Devil isn’t around lmao

about time

i sWEAR TO NAYRU

did you.... seriously not see any gravestones until just now? :’’’’’D

boom, Faceless

just how bad is your eyesight, Corrin-

finally the meme prince arrives you took your damn sweet time, Leo :V

oh get off your high horse, Leo like, actually get off of your horse and fite me ya gremlin >:y

boi I appreciate your desire for symbolism but c h i l l

ohoooooo snap come at me, b r o

excuse u she’s got a sticky bomb in the form of a tree branch just WAITING to be detonated >:3cccc

sucks to be you, Felicia has Pass

actually it would since you’re a Swordmaster but ok-

is now really the time for that ok-

idk man birthright’s late game chapters don’t make me want to Die as much as conquest’s-

aiiiight we’re at the battle prep

I should probably take more nohrian units in w/ me but meh :’D

ok I think I’m all ready let’s go

aaaand there’s all the Faceless ahahahahh;;;;

pfft yeah we’re fine

wow, Felicia had a 96% chance to hit and she missed good thing she doubled the guy o<o;;;;

we just gottaaaaa be really careful who we place in the bogs-

oh man since Azura’s a Hero she can just go right into the bogs >:3cccccc

ok but I’ve been training Hana up behind the scenes and she’s already capped her defence lmao her hair keeps clipping through her face tho lol I’ll see if I can get a screenshot of it eventually

welp B y e

ayyyyyyy she wouldn’t have killed the guy otherwise :’’D

aaaand another criiit >:3c I love these branches; they have such a high crit rate lmao

oh hey Hana proc’d Pavise :o

oh my Farore none of these Faceless can touch my dudes :’’’’D

he had a 10% chance to crit :’’’’’D

oh wait Azura does get hurt by the bog? huh

also that’s the thing that Hana’s hair does-

oooh Hinata’s weapon level went up!

ok I’m pretty sure that Owain and Niles move before Leo :V kinda I think idk ahahahh;;;;;

I’ll move Kaze into the range and have him equip the Javelin to check :V

oh nvm more faceless just spawned ok

d e s t r o y e d

right let’s move Kaze into Odin’s range and see if we can draw him out

Hinata can deal with the Faceless no problem, the Beastrune is great

OH OK Leo’s just decided to move and use that dragon vein k at least these Faceless are doing no damage at all

OWAIN I DON’T WANT TO FIGHT YOU

aaaand a shit ton more faceless g r e a t

sigh it didn’t have to be this way, Owain u nerd roleplayer

blech- I’m so sorry, man

oooh, level up for Kaze and we got a Horse Spirit :V

... the music stopped for a while there ahahahah;;;;;

meanwhile Hinata’s destroying every faceless that comes his way-

ayyyyy also I just realised that these guys prroooobably have Lunge, or at least on higher difficulties ahahahah;;;;;;

aiight Fight me, Niles

w o w

Kagero gets a lotta crits :V

COME AT ME NILES

oh Leo’s going after me as well welp Fite me irl, bro

oohhh, I was wondering why Niles has so much avoid, it’s because it hasn’t been 7 turns yet

hmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I can easily get rng screwed here

but he can’t do shit against Silas >:3c let’s do it-

I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try- aaaand she missed both times Fun

geh Niles just give me your Silver Bow dang it

how about this, you fool

yeeeaaah, sorry about that now give me that Silver Bow, thanks

I could kill u right now the question is, should I mmmmmmmmmmmmmyeah let’s go

get rekt, ya meme gremlin now give me that Energy Drop >:V

ok the cutscene just took a while again- I keep getting so scared ahahahahh;;;;;;

rlly now how about in Conquest when Garon was about to have Corrin excecuted the moment they come back-

I wonder if, had she been wielding the Yato, that she’d end up with the Grim Yato lmao

‘kill me, like, actually just kill me’ ‘wh-’ ‘just do it, Corrin’

yeah just more vanilla text yadda yadda

gimme that sweet conquest music heck yeeeaaaah the music is like, the only thing I like about conquest that isn’t the characters hahahahh;;;;;

yeah that’s not happening, Corrin :V

oh yeah that convenient plot device that’s only ever explained in one scene in Conquest hahah;;

‘have fun learning about Valla and not being able to talk to anyone about it and Suffering with me lmao’

uhhh yeah

uhhh no heck your siblings are only half siblings because Garon has approximately 0 chill

nor will ya get the chance to hahah;;

magic, bro

tbh it’s perfectly understandable why lm a o

trust me I highly doubt he’s as broken as Azura hahah;;

nope, but he sure can be a dumbass :Y

‘oh wait, guys, we don’t have any places we can have the party go to the rainbow sage to get a better yato’ ‘o h, uhh, just have leo give them a warp spell, it’ll be fine hahah;;;’

Felicia still has some shade to throw around lol

meanwhile Takumi is actually chill for once-

well not that one, at least :’D

aaaand that’s chapter 18! ooooh and we can finally upgrade the Hot Spring! ....... I’ll quickly do a challenge and we can see how Reina is-

alll riiiight, she’s a Paladin, sweet her personal is Nohr Enmity, so +3 damage to nohrian units she also has Even Keel, which means she takes -4 magic damage on even numbered turns ... whether that’s her dealing or taking the damage i have no idea ahahahah;;;; aaand she also has Lucktaker, niiice! (Growths: HP - 30, Str - 15, Mag - 35, Skill - 35 Spd - 55, Lck - 45, Def - 45, Res - 35) (Heart Seal: Ninja)

aiight well, that’s that :V

#shadow plays randomised fates #fe fates #fe: fates #fire emblem fates #fe 14 #fe randomised

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notcoybutcryptic · 7 years

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Hot Sauce & Coffee Macaroons

I wrote this fic for my friend, cause he got into an early college program! gj taako! read it on ao3 here

added a break cause this is long

It had been a week since the Tres Horny Boys finally remembered who they truly were, and Taako was tired. By some sort of miracle, they managed to ward against The Hunger, albeit temporarily. Taako would put all of his money (which, to be honest, wasn’t much) on the invisible shield breaking within the week. The base was gutted after so many lives were taken (so much death, it permeated the air, and Taako was choking, they were going to lose, they were going to die, and they wouldn’t be able to save jack fucking shit-), leaving an air of emptiness and desolation. By some weird, twisted sort of luck, most of the people that he actually gave two shits about didn’t die, but then again, it was only the first wave and who knows what would happen next.

Sighing heavily, he flopped back onto the bed, but not before gently leaning the Umbra Staff against the wall. Since he found out about the staff’s origin, since he found out about Lup, he had been exponentially more gentle with it. It was the last thing of his sister he had left, and he sure as fuck wasn’t going to break it by being careless, that’s for damn sure. Stretching his limbs to their full length, he was extremely happy that, out of everything that was destroyed, the bunks were one of the few things that were spared.

It was the first time he had been able to rest, fully rest, in almost two weeks. Taako paused, and scoffed. Had it only been two weeks? It honestly felt more like two years to him, which goes to show just how truly exhausted he was. He had just gotten back from the mess hall where he helped the rest of the trio and Angus clean up a bit, to the point where they could sit down and eat their food without having it come back up. It was very difficult work, and after almost a week of constant fighting? He was a mess, both physically and mentally.

He had just gotten settled and fallen asleep (he didn’t need to, but he found that in times like this, sleep was incredibly enjoyable), when something woke him up. Taako jolted upright, days of combat putting him on edge, and warily looked around the room to find the source of whatever had disturbed him. There wasn’t anything noticeably wrong, however. No strange sound, no movement, nothing out of the ordinary. The only thing off about the room was that the air was slightly charged, the same way it feels after a lightning spell is cast, and it made the hair on the back of Taako’s neck stand on end. He glared at the room, mumbling a couple of choice words under his breath, and fell back onto the slightly-too-firm mattress, deciding that he must be imagining the strange atmosphere surrounding him.

After a few minutes of tossing and turning, he begrudgingly sat back up. It was obvious that he wouldn’t be getting any sleep, not with the strange feeling in the room. Grumbling, he got out of bed and aggressively put on his fuzzy pink bunny slippers, and threw on his robe. After getting all of his clothing in order, he left his room, going towards the place he always found himself whenever he couldn't sleep: the kitchen.

Walking through the halls sent a chill down his spine; there was blood everywhere, and bodies almost-casually strewn across the floors. Taako was not one to be unsettled at the sight of gore, but this was just… too much, even for him. His stomach churned at the smell and he was becoming light-headed at the sight of all the people he used to know lying dead around him. It almost reminded him of Phandalin, only more bloody, and that brought up a whole slew of memories he didn't want to be thinking about.

He sped up his pace, sidestepping when needed, and got to the kitchen in record time. Automatically, almost mechanically, he started to gather up what he would need to make macaroons. Macaroons were his go-to pastry when he was upset. They always had been, especially back when he was travelling with-. He caught off the thought mid sentence, muttering a curse. He hasn't thought about Lup much since he had first remembered her, keeping his thoughts on a strict track so as to avoid even more heartbreak over the death of his sister. Taking a deep breath in through his nose, Taako started to get to work.

It was several hours later when he was finished, and if he was back down planet side, the sun would've just started to rise. He had made several different batches of the treat, with all sorts of different flavors: green tea, chocolate, vanilla, and his sisters old favorite, a coffee and hot sauce hybrid (he definitely did not cry while making those, no sir). Taako gathered all of them up into a container and made his way back to the room, exhaustion seeping from every pore. He was ready to sleep for days, and nothing would stop him.

When he finally, finally, made it back to his bunk, he took a couple chocolate macaroons, shucked off his robe, and made to go back to sleep. After quickly scarfing one of the macaroons (he had been starving after baking for so long), he laid his weary head down, all the energy that had been keeping him awake so far leaving him in a rush. Breathing a sigh of relief, he fell asleep, a soft smile on his face for the first time in weeks.

He managed to get a good 10 hours of sleep by the time he woke up. Dusk had fallen, and everyone was off doing there own thing. In the distance he could hear Carry and Kilian laugh about something or other, and then the sound of sparring beginning. After laying still and relishing on the moment for a few minutes, the wizard thought he had better get up and get to work. The thought of him willingly doing work would've made him cackle a few months ago, but he had changed. The battle changed him- almost dying every second for days on end changed him (and that's not even mentioning Wonderland, but that was a thought for a different time).

Groaning, he slowly slid out of the bed, stretching his arms above his head lazily. He padded over to the macaroons that he left on his armoire, and started to munch on one while starting to get ready. He was halfway through getting all of his stuff together, and on his 6th macaroon, when something stopped him dead in his tracks. In wasn't just the feeling like last night, no, it was much more.

It was a voice.

“I see you still like those weird macaroons, huh?” Someone said from behind him, in the shadows of the corner of the room. It was beautiful: lyrical, sweet, affectionate, and most of all, best of all, it reminded Taako of home. He was suddenly hit with a wave of emotions, too many and too complex to name.

Without turning, he choked out a rough laugh. He suppressed the huge grin that was threatening to break across his face, refusing to get his hopes up, not yet. He had been hurt and burned too many times to let himself hope. Softly, Taako said, “I'm the weird one? At least I don't like whatever the fuck coffee and hot sauce tastes like.” Clenching his fists, he took a deep breath, and slowly turned around. He continued, “You know, Lup, it's rude to talk to someone from the shadows.” The second the words leave his mouth, he saw a leather boot emerge from the corner. After it, follows the greatest sight he's seen since… well, years.

Lup’s lips were spread in a wide grin, and there were tears in her dark gray eyes. Taako looked at her hard, desperately trying to see if anything was out of place, if this was some sort of sick, disgusting trick. But nothing was wrong with her- she still had that same rich brown skin, her hair was still raven black and in tight curls, and her face still made his heart soar with love and pride. Softly, she whispered, “Hey, Taako. It's been too long.”

Suddenly, it was too much. He couldn't just stand there, couldn't not move when his sister was right there, alive. Alive. He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around her, tears welling up and sliding down his face without his permission. “Lup,” he sobbed, “Lup? Is it you? Are you really here? Are you really alive?”

She gave a soft, wet laugh. “Yeah, I'm real, you silly. And, no, this isn't a trick.” Lup wrapped her arms around Taako, squeezing.

“How are you here?!? I thought you were dead!” Taako pulled back slightly. “How are you alive, Lup? I found your b-body,” He said, words tumbling out of him a mile a minute. It had been a while, a very long while, since he let himself get so visibly upset, especially around someone else. It wasn’t like him, he was definitely more the type to keep everything bottled up until he exploded but this was different. This was Lup.

“It’s complicated, and it’ll take hours to explain. I want to get caught up with you. Taako, I… I’ve missed you so, so much.” She said, sadly. She took a shaky breath and took a step back, holding onto his arms. “The brief and skinny is this: I was trapped in the staff,” she used her head to gesture towards the Umbra Staff, “and I was just able to get out. I don’t know how, and I don’t know why. But what I do know is this: I’m so happy I’m back with you, Taako. You… you have no idea how much its sucked to watch you grow and develop as a person without me there. How much pain watching you, and Mags, and Merle, and everyone else caused me.” She looked back at him and saw a flash of pain go across his face. “I’m sorry, that was worded wrong. What I mean, is that I love you and everyone else so much, and I was so incredibly sad I couldn’t be there to help you all…” she trailed off, a distant look crossing her eyes, and then started again with a determined expression, “But I’m here now, and I’m here to stay.”

Taako was speechless. He had no clue what to say; it was so strange to be able to talk to someone he had never thought he’d be able to see again, let alone talk with. “I… okay. I’m going to have questions later, and hell knows the rest of the goof squad will, too, but first… I want to talk to you, just for awhile, and pretend that everything is okay. Is that… alright?” He asked, nervously.

“Of course it is, you dummy. Come on, let’s sit down.” She half-dragged him to the bed and sat down with him. She started talking, asking questions so fast and excitedly that Taako wasn’t able to get a word in, but that was okay. It was worth it to see his sister, alive and well, be happy. They had a lot of catching up to do, but they had time. Maybe not a whole lot, The Hunger was still an imminent threat and he had no idea what he was going to do after this shit show, but they could talk for a while. They deserved at least that.

As his sister talked, Taako felt a happy, lopsided grin fill his face. He was content, in this moment, and he was excited that he could finally talk to his sister again, after all these years of feeling alone. For the first time in a very, very long time, Taako felt hopeful. And that was enough for him.

#ficlet #taako taaco #lup #taz #the adventure zone #angst #fluff #hurt/comfort #reunion #blood //#gore //#death //

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auswriteforyou · 7 years

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Apologies. (Shadowhunters, Rafael Santiago)

Prompt: OMG YOU WRITE FOR SHADOWHUNTERS??? okay, can I please request an imagine where the reader is a badass warlock and Magnus' best friend (has been for centuries) and he calls for help with Alec, and after she helps him she ends up meeting with Raphael, who she used to be in love with (and vice versa), and when they see each other again, they realize that the feelings are still there and he convinces her to stay?

Pairing: Rafael/ Female (She)

Fandom: Shadowhunters

"I need your help, please, he's dying."

She was out the door before the words finished leaving his mouth. Magnus Bane called her for many reason; to chat, to get tips on a spell, to pick a fight with someone when he was upset and know they would never leave him, but he rarely called for help. Help was something this man rarely needed, especially not when dealing with Shadowhunters. Certainly not sounding so broken, so weary.

Leaving her work building was no issue, nor was portaling into the middle of a fucking Shadowhunters headquarters thanks for the heads up Mags. She didn't ask questions though because seeing him was enough to kick her butt into gear. He was sweating profusely, his eyes bagged and drooping as he leaned over top a man with dark hair and runes running along his body. The blue flicker from his hands was like a dying wisp, stuttering as he tried to keep this unknown man alive.

"I can't leave you alone for a minute." The fact that she startled him said more than his appearance. The fact that he saw her, nodded like a robot, then turned his attention back on the unconscious man. It had been centuries since she'd seen that look on Magnus Bane's face and that could mean only one thing.

He was in love.

"What do you need from me?"

"Aldertree," Ew, "is putting a ban on downworlders from entering. He wants me to leave but I'm the only thing keeping Alec alive, and he's too stubborn to let me take him to mine. I'm too weak to handle him and get us out of here while keeping Alec alive. Please."

He need not say more. She hadn't been his best friend since they were in diapers for her not to recognize that look on his face. He was in pain, he needed the person who would never betray him. She wasn't going to let him down.

"Let's go."

Alec was alive, barely functioning but his parabatai had shown up, saved the day then arrested.

"I don't know what you have yourself mixed up in Mags but if you ever need me, or a place to lay low, you know where to find me." There was little more she could do to help, not after using all her energy to help Magnus keep Alec safe. She was just in the way and as much as she loved seeing her best friend and platonic soulmate, he had more important people to attend to. Like the hot guy sitting on his couch shirtless.

"Thank you, for showing up and for always being so-"

"If you thank you me for being 'accepting' then I'm going to punch you square in the jaw. There is nothing to accept besides your weird ass personality. You don't need my approval to be who you are, just know you always have it." She leaned into him, accepting the long hug as he pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Thank you."

"Anytime, just uh, don't make it a habit. I don't think I can handle seeing you so like that again. We didn't survive centuries by you draining yourself of your powers Mag." She grinned, patting him on the shoulder and lifting her bag onto her own.

"You're going to see him aren't you?" Her smile turned downright predatory. Magnus loved this side of her. It was fierce, feminine in all the ways she was 'tomboy' with him.

"It's been a hot minute since I fucked up his life, why not give it a try."

"You did always want to live in hotels, travel the world." He didn't need to turn around to know it was her. He couldn't forget her if he tried. "Although, I don't think New York is exactly traveling the world."

"Well its not like I can live in Bali."

He was as handsome as she remembered, although she had met him weeks before he turned and thought nothing could be more gorgeous. Then he turned, she didn't have to worry about him dying and wow, if that didn't make a girl's heart race. It was the hardest thing she's evr done, breaking up with him but some things couldn't be helped. She'd had to protect him, not that he'd listen if she ever tried to explain.

"Still as sharp as a whip I see."

"You'd know that if you'd never left." Oh, there it was. The anger lurking underneath his skin as he turned face her. It was a punch in the face to him, to see her standing there in nothing more than leggings and blouse and being absolutely taken with her.

It was silent for a long moment, her head bobbing as she understood his animosity. He wanted to take back the words but he would being doing them both a disservice by trying to pretend he wasn't angry with her. No secrets, that's what they'd agreed to. She had kept one for so long, she couldn't keep letting him hate her.

"Shadowhunters were going to kill you." He wanted to argue but the look on her face told him to stop, listen to her tell him the truth for once instead of the same old I just don't feel the same way anymore. "When the circle was a thing, you accidentally killed that innocent and they were out for blood. I made a deal with them, I do their dirty work if you were spared and there stipulation was I had to leave."

"You're lying."

"Am I?" She stepped closer to him, eyes searching his as tears stung in her eyes. She had wanted to tell him the truth for so long, now that most of the circle members were dead, she could. "You knew me better than anyone Rafael, you still do so tell me, am I lying?"

"You have been lying to me for years, why should I listen now? Why should I let myself love you again? You left to protect me but I would rather my heart have been ripped out then to watch you walk out that door." He admitted, having to turn away to keep himself from doing something stupid - like closing the gap between them and kissing her like his life depended on it.

"I don't know, I can't make you do anything. I just, selfishly, needed you to know the truth. I needed you to understand that it was never the fact that I stopped loving you; honestly, I don't think I could if I tried." Her hand pressed to his shoulder blade, needing the small comfort of touching him before she took her leave. She wasn't many things. But she knew when she was unwanted.

She started to pull away, hand centimeters from him when he whirled around with a speed she was stupid enough to forget her possessed. He held her by her wrist, inches from where his heart sat frozen in his chest and he just stared. He was looking for something and he must have found it because in the next moment her back was to the wall, hands stuck between their bodies as he tangled their fingers together and pressed his lips to hers. It wasn't rough, it wasn't the thick passion she was used to from him.

It was lips, pressing together. Minds melding into memories of another life. It was like no time had passed, just the two of them relearning how to love each other. It was nothing more than physical connection by two people who had been connected mentally for so long.

It didn't fix years of anger, or guilt, or self-hatred, or heartbreak. But it gave them hope. Hope that they could fix this, that they could put those harboured feelings of love back together to create something beautiful. It was enough that when they parted, they both smiled.

This is all over the place because I made the mistake of writing on it on different days so im sorry it is horrible lol

Request Here. Masterlist.

#Shadowhunters #Shadowhunters blurbs #Shadowhunters aus #Shadowhunters imagines #Shadowhunters preferences #Shadowhunters texts #Shadowhunters blurb #Shadowhunters au #Shadowhunters preference #Shadowhunters text #Shadowhunters imagine #requested #writing

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