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precious-little-scoundrel · 7 months

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Somebody’s Daughter

an Elvis Presley, southern gothic fanfiction dealing with the disappearance of a legend

Note: I wrote this ages ago and intended an entire universe for it but to be honest I’ve run out of motivation. Still, in time for spooky season, here’s my most unreal fic I’ve ever written

Word count: 2k

Some swore he was dead inside that grand ole place. That without gardeners to keep it in check, the kudzu that wove its way up the pale brick like a gnarled shroud was the only consecration provided for the mortal shell of the King of Rock and Roll. Like God alone had cast a leafy covering over his wayward son, a last act of grace like fig leaves were woven for Adam’s shame after The Fall.

Even the musical gates had rusted closed, not unbarred in eons, not even to allow the Grandma’s out of the living sepulcher for their knitting circle and the driveway itself was busted up by age and shifting earth, weeds overtaking asphalt. Gone were the days of verve and bustle, the guard shacks were empty of vigilant relatives and the gates no longer held back a throng of autograph seekers. One look up the decadently long driveway towards the dilapidated mansion was enough to disincline anyone from inviting someone -or something- out of the place.

Not that anyone was in it, there was no way there could be anyone in it. Not anymore.

They were probably dead, too, the grandmas. Or dying inside there themselves, slow as the growth of the vines that grew and grew and blocked out all sunlight into the inside of the mansion. But a house of corpses was too horrible a thought and deserved some investigation which no one was willing to do. It was better to assume they were dead, hopefully they all were, the other option was too unsettling.

But no hearse had passed through those corroded gates. And so folks wondered.

Such speculation was all very wel for the fates of the grandmas, even for Elvis Presley and his laundry list of ailments, narcotic abuses and pathological ticks. But there was the young woman to be considered, none of this explained what she was doing all these years holed up on the estate, only photographed from afar by daring souls who climbed the trees near the back fence line.

Those daring souls got the fright of their lives, buckshot to the asses and blurry photos of a dark haired female of indistinguishable features for all their pains. Civilallians pointed out that the photographed figure could be easily mistaken for a pillar or large planter. Maybe a dog up on its hindlegs. A blob really. And no one knew where the shots came from, not at midnight in a seedy part of Memphis; could have been from anywhere. After a few years they just stopped trying, some saying they found the place too spooky to even be hanging around.

It was very…undead, for such a decaying place.

And so the world speculated and shuddered and then hastily shelved the topic, only wondering whatever became of the most famous man in the world when a magazine would print a new article celebrating his heyday with his fresh and lean young self on the glossy cover, or when his ex wife got in the news while still toting around his surname like monogrammed luggage through the gossip slums, or when folks passed the overgrown wall and cankered gates and wondered, wondered and wondered what became of him until they stopped wondering.

When they stopped wondering it was because they collectively assumed -like he always knew they would- that they’d heard from somewhere that he’d died. A mass misremembered memory, that was what his demise was. But then they could mourn him, and that was far more comfortable than knowing they had driven him to it, driven him to madness and into the arms of sorrow and seclusion -to make a home with her and never show his face again.

No, they collectively liked him dead. He was smaller that way and they felt less guilty, they could write tributes and share anecdotes and feel less horrified by the human proclivity towards self destruction if he were nice and dead. Quite dead. Thoroughly dead.

Elvis Presley was dead, they were sure they’d heard it somewhere.

But Joe Esposita ran outta money. And to make more he opened his big mouth to do what he did best -extemporize some facts. And unfortunately for the storytellers and the tribute makers and the record collectors, George Klein was obliging enough to broadcast Joe’s yacking nationwide over radio waves (anything for an old buddy) and all the sudden folks cared about Elvis Presley again. They cared with the same detached fascination they held for Sasquatch and Mothman. They cared whether the crazy fucker of Joe’s retelling was rotting inside his house and if the ghoulish figure in chiffon, pictured always in a white streak of unnaturally swift movement towards the shadowy figures of the guardian lions of Graceland -ever actually existed.

“You’re saying that he made her up? As an excuse to get rid of you all?” George prodded his by no means bashful guest to speak into the mic.

“Yeah that’s right,” Joe spoke with the confidence of a man who never really knew as much as he wanted to and had been making up the shortfall with embellishments ever since, “EP was already lost to the drugs by then. And he did go out one time and sorta rendezvous with a woman…this lady of the night, you might say…and he didn’t care after. But then later, he did care, and he cleared the whole house out saying he was going to bring her in and redeem her.”

“So there was a woman, a prostitute really,” George pressed the obvious as his listeners clutched on to reveal with talons grown of gruesome fascination with the macabre last days of the King.

“Yes, and it was a funny story, one of a thousand. It was no big deal. Supposed to be no big deal.” Joe was a little put upon to have to divulge any one of those thousands of funnies. Not just for the sake of preserving his old boss’s dignity but because Joe really was a self retiring fella that didn’t like to betray a trust, a nice fella that kept things close to his chest and tried to paint them in their most noble light if they happened to get out. So it was that after an entire quarter of second’s pause to consider his words carefully and measure the weight of his imminent disclosure he revealed, “The boss had been pounding the pills on tour, right? And the last few weeks he got this stiffy and it just wouldn’t go down, gave him trouble pissin’ and walkin’ and preformin’ got so awful he started tellin’ us to bring him anybody or a couple anybodys who might help. And we brought him back a lotta women and he blew through ‘em and they all came out smilin’ but he wasn’t. It wasn’t working’ and he told me and Sonny he was worried he was gonna hurt wanna these groupies if he kept at it. Nothin’ was cuttin’ it. And ya might say “hey Elvis you should go see a softer about that” but of course-“

“-His doctor was the one who had prescribed him the medications with those side effects!” George helpfully added a little professionalism to this locker room anecdote.

“Right!” Joe barreled on, “So we cut the tour a little short and we got him back to Graceland and figured that settlin’ down and weening off the pills and with the help of Miss Candy, he’d find some uh, uh, relief. But he didn’t, Candy seemed to have her period about ten times a month and the rest of the time he said she said he was being too rough. Eventually he told me he needed me to make some calls.”

“For a specialist or something?”

“No, a hooker -escort, whatever.” Joe quite forgot he was on air, or maybe he didn’t, “Talkin’ a lot about the book of Hossea and how god had made the prophet marry a prostitute and all that, to represent uh, umm, well I can’t remember, uh, but he was all into the spiritual shit and really thought he was a messiah or something. The upshot of it was that we moved a grandma and a whole ventilator situation into the big house. But I never saw anyone else, though I heard the upstairs shower running one time when EP was downstairs. But no, there’s no ‘white witch of graceland', hell no. She was an acid trip, man, he dreamed her up and said she’d replace Pricilla, then robbed a nursing home, I guess, to prop up his narrative. The man would cheat over anythin’, he’d cheat to win an Easter egg hunt.”

“So it was a revenge fantasy of sorts.” George supplied a life raft to his floundering friend, “A delusional version of his intended life, you’re saying?”

“Yeah! He was all ‘this one’s never gonna be able to leave me’ and all that stupid, possessive shit. He dreamed her up and wanted us to believe him.”

“You could say she was a figment of a particularly heavy dose?” George put on his most solicitous talk show voice.

“Yeah, yeah exactly, nothing more. Folks need to move on.”

Moving on was not exactly intended or facilitated by the soon after release of his tell-all book, the last five chapters of which were dedicated to suggesting that Joe Esposita and Joe Esposita alone knew a great deal about a woman he had previously said didn’t exist. Fans went nuts, theories flew like confetti and folks camped out at the Graceland gates till the hoot owls scared them away come nightfall.

Not to be outdone, Red West wrote a book of his own, and while he didn’t even pretend to have so much as known about Elvis’ rendezvous with an average Memphian streetwalker, he sure spent a lot of ink about it and talked about how he could feel her presence upstairs the last day he was at Graceland.

Which was the day he got sacked and a loaded gun pointed at his face by his erstwhile boss and friend.

At which point Red’s book really lagged on about betrayal and brotherhood and army days. Readers thumbed through the rest of the sore narrative hoping to read more about the feeling of a mysterious woman upstairs and her strange hold on a man who had spent his life drinking in the admiration of a crowd and now spent his life, or death, like a hermit inside an antebellum tomb. Charmingly self absorbed, Red’s book never did focus back on her after that throwaway mention and after the initial frenzy for his hot take, the sales died down and folks were left again with blurry photos that never quite matched up.

But so it was that people took to eyeing the dilapidated home of the King once more and took to wondering anew. Only his horses, turned feral from neglect and still grazing around the house and occasionally spooked into a fiendish gallop (perhaps by some unseen movement inside the verdant facade) kept a new generation of ghost hunters from climbing over the wall and clearing away the verdure from the front door to see if the lady inside was pale from lack of sun or lack of life.

One soul among a nation’s worth was less impressed by the supernatural aspects of what she termed a macabre pity party. Being intimate with the man, marrying him, bearing him a child and then watching his virulent prowess slowly go to seed before her very eyes had that effect on a child bride.

Once, and only once, Priscilla Presley had pried open the Graceland gates before they had fully melded together in their decay, hell bent on discovering if there was any life left in the place. The grandmas had long since stopped their Wednesday exit, no fans gathering or maimed photographers, nothing to suggest that the place she had once called home and planned on spending forever in was still inhabited. Her Lisa, her baby deserved the place, she deserved to have her inheritance and no folklore legend of a gas station hooker wandering the grounds was going to keep her from getting her due. -Lisa’s due, of course.

Pricilla never was quite the same after that trip. In vain did the ambitious young journalist who sought to write a biography on the King’s one true love attempt to extract from her something resembling a credible narrative. When asked for details of her life, for anecdotes of her famous love affair, she kept mumbling as if in a daze

“I’m not sure, I just don’t know, I can’t say for certain, where am I?”

She never answered to “Pricilla” again.

Pricilla had been a creature crafted in his image, eponymous with his desire, a figment of his fevered ambition for a perfect marriage. When the first fabrication had failed, he had found another, more squalid, more mailable, more pitifully needy -but perfect in her lack of self. In her was no woman to take his beloved child away, to test his patience with her wantonness or ruin his reputation with her deceit.

“You’re not Pricilla,” the figure of the man she once knew told her coldly from between the grand columns of the porch, “I made Pricilla, without me you’re just one a’the crowd. I’ve made myself a Pricilla, and this time she’s gonna stay.”

#elvis fanfiction #somebody’s daughter #elvis presley #elvis fanfic #fic #elvis imagine #elvis x reader #Elvis #elvis and me #elvis presley x reader #elvis presley fic

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xkaidaxxxx · 24 days

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Kid's Murder

Geto x reader, Gojo x reader

Warning: Murder, brainwashed, manipulation, new light, happy ending. no proof read sorry ya'll.

Reblogs are appreciated <3

“You’re a monster Suguru!” You yelled at him with tears running down your cheeks. “ Are you second guessing our life?” he asked. Your love for Suguru started during your 1st year of Highschool. As time passed by you two ended up dating. Bright and Happy. In love. When Suguru told you his future plans you didn’t care. You followed him. You were so blinded by love that you didn’t care to have him explain his entire process of his plan. He knew the girls he took in were more than likely to die, and so during your early twenties he wanted a son or daughter to carry on his ideals. To keep the cycle going in case he suddenly dies. You had twins at 19. Beautiful boys. Sena and Seiji. The pregnancy was surprisingly easy, same with birth. Suguru made sure he was there as much as he could while planning out what was cruel. When the twins turned 5…The eldest of them wasn’t a curse user. Sena. One Suguru came home feeling hurt. You saw blood on his cheek and hands. “ I tried saving him y/n. Our Sena.” he lied straight to you and since you were so naive you believe him. You were brainwashed and manipulated to the max. He got rid of his own son. As years passed by you ended up having 7 kids. Another set of twins and 3 single children. He killed off 3 out of the 7. Those murders with different stories. You were so fucking blind it was insane. Until you had 2 more kids. One day you were going to surprise Suguru and his daughter with lunch. It was an hour trip but it was alright. You heard their laughter and walked close enough to see the way Suguru made your little one scream and cry in pain. He then made it quick afterwards. You left running back. You got the kids fed and ready for bed.

Children's names

Sena

Kazumi

Tadashi

Aki

Satomi

You were going to search for help and the only people you thought of were your old classmates,teachers, and principle, Specifically Gojo Satoru. The strongest. One day you decided to take your children on a trip while their father was gone. They were so excited. You told them you’d take stops to different locations. The last one being where you knew Gojo goes to take a breather. To relax a bit. You enjoyed the time with your kids. Laughing, eating, taking photos. When you hit the last destination. You told them to set up the picnic you all decided to have “last minute”. You said you needed to use the bathrooms nearby. Instead you went into a hidden part of the forest. There he was. “ How did you know I’m here? Y/n.” Gojo asked. “ It’s always been your time to breathe and relax…I rolled the dice hoping you’d show here.” You replied, twiddling with your fingers. He noticed. You felt shameful having to ask for help. “What is it? Did you finally come to your senses after all these years?” he asked. You started crying silently, “I didn’t know Suguru was doing such cruel things.” you spoke. “You couldn’t be that stupid. You were so fucking blind and pathetic.” he replied looking at you directly. “ We h-had kids…ju-st recently..I witnessed hi-m murdering my youngest child a twin. My daughter. I noticed that the ones that died were non-sorcerers. The ones without curse energy.” you replied trying to hold back from more crying. Gojo felt awful. “ I can process him doing this to regular humans…but his own children..it's too much.” Gojo said. “ Mama!! Where are you!?” your son Sena called out. “Please Gojo help me. I can’t live with that man anymore. My kids…They can’t grow up to end up like him. They need a good environment to live in. I don’t want to lose them if they don’t agree with his ideals. Help me, I'm begging you.” You said falling onto your knees as Gojo looked away and didn’t respond to you. “Big brother… Is mama gone? Is she hurt? Did dada hurt her like he did with my twin.” Aki said, crying. Sena had his siblings in a line. You and Gojo heard him. “Please Gojo.” you begged. He helped you stand up again. He gave you a tight hug which you both needed. “ Let’s go now. I’ll support you and your kids from now on.” he said letting you go. “ I know the kids will want things from home.” you said. “ No we don’t.” Sena said. “ He hurt my siblings Mama,Right? Why?” Tadashi asked. You realized none of them needed anything from home. All they did was school and train. “ Your father lost his sanity.” Gojo said. “Let's get going. Leave everything behind. Any electronics as well.” You said. You walked back to the car putting everything inside. Sena lit the car on fire. Once you were all at a distance the car exploded and the flames burned incredibly strong.

Children’s ages:

Sena 15

Kazumi 11

Tadashi 10

Aki 5

Satomi 4

“ Mama, where are we going to live now?” Aki asked, holding her big brother’s Tadashi’s hand. “Somewhere safe sweetie.” you replied. Gojo carried Aki. “ My place. It’s very hidden. I will protect you all, don't worry.” Gojo replied. You knew he meant that. You didn’t want him to worry so you were going to hold up on your own as well. Satomi played with his blindfold. Hours passed. Gojo decided to keep you all close as you went shopping for daily necessities and fun things for the kids. Computers and phones for You, Sena, and Kazumi. He made sure you all had tracking devices for safety. Fun games. Board and online ones. He made sure their education will be good. He bought them school supplies and gave you their curriculums for the school year with the textbooks they’ll be needing. You’re a homeschool teacher and so you’ve taught them a lot. Once he took you all home they were shocked at how a hidden home could be so huge and luxurious.

As they chose their rooms Gojo pulled you aside. “If you allow it, I'd like to take Sena to Jujutsu High. At least as a trial of 2 months. If he likes it, can he attend?” he said. “ A month and 2 weeks…if he wants to attend..he can but teach him all you can, to make him stronger, so he can protect himself and the relationships he makes along the way.” you said to him. “Yes. I will. I swear.” he replied. You nodded. He walked to the living room. “ Did you all choose a room?” Gojo asked. They smiled and nodded. “ Satomi can have a room when she’s older, for now She’ll sleep with her mommy.” He said. “ Thank you sir!” they said in unison. “ No problem. Your mommy and I have known each other since we were in High School. Awesome right? She was a total weird and shy loser, however she’s a powerful person. A little bit near my level.” he said with a laugh he’s always had. “ Our mom isn't weird nor a shy loser!” Aki said. “ He’s right, I was weird and shy. He helped me get out of my shell. I kicked his ass only once, that's only because he had the flu.” You said taking Satomi from Kazumi.

Months went on by. Sena did attend Jujutsu high. Gojo kept his promise. He trained Sena like no other. He taught him so much. When he’d come home to you and the kids. He helped them with the homework you gave them. He’d also help with Satomi. That little one is very energetic so he would tire her out with princess parties or playing who can get to mommy the fastest. With Kazumi and Tadashi he would teach them anything they’d need. One time you were busy with cleaning and Kazumi asked a terrifying question. “ Gojo. Is it true that periods hurt? When will I get mine?” she asked. It caught him so off guard. He was sweating and then put on his serious face. You and Shoko during those days were a pain to him and Suguru. You girls would complain a lot. He remembered how you girls complained about different painful spots. “Well… It will but every girl's body is different so who knows. I don’t know what age girls get it. Ask your mom about anything like that. She’s a female like you, so she’ll have loads of information about it. It’s good to know you trust me about asking things like that. Run along. Don’t forget to ask your mom and do your homework.” he replied. Kazumi left for her room. Gojo fell onto the couch and let out a huge sigh. He was panicking in his mind the entire time. “ Hey da- I mean Gojo…Is it okay If you can help me with math equations.” Tadashi said. Gojo was shocked. Tadashi called him dad. “ Yes of course. I’m always here if you need me okay.” he replied.

There was a specific day where he bursted into tears.

“ I almost called him dad like 5 times…” Tadashi said to his siblings. “Me too big brother” Aki replied. “ I did once..it felt normal. I apologized after. He said it was okay.” Kazumi added. “ I called him Dad in front of my classmates… They were all shocked. He didn’t deny me as his son. I keep wondering if he actually sees us as his kids…or if he was just trying to save me from embarrassment.” Sena said, playing with his shoe laces. Gojo was listening to them. He cried silently. Of course he did. After 2 months of you moving in with the kids, he started flirting with you. At first it was playful but after time he realized it was real. He started getting his shit together. He naturally became a father to them and a great boyfriend to you. “ Hey y/n..I heard them..they said Dad.” he said crying. You wiped his tears. “ I think that's beautiful. You are a great dad. You have your flaws but you’re a great dad. I love you Satoru Gojo.” you said. He kissed you passionately. The kids saw and gasped. “ Mama!” Satomi said. Gojo pulled away with a caught smile. “...does this mean… I mean..is it okay if we call you dad.” Kazumi asked. “ Sena, I didn't save you from embarrassment. I didn’t deny you because I think all of you kids are my own. My little, crazy, awesome angels.” Gojo replied. You held Gojo’s hand with a tight grip. Gojo always thought he’d never fall in love, that he’d never have kids, that he wouldn’t be able to enjoy life, it all faded away when he fell in love with you. “ Da..daa..dada.” Satomi said while having her cute little hands in her mouth. He carried her pecking her forehead. “That’s me.” he said happily.

“ I love my babies and my Satoru.” You said. You were full of love and happiness. You all shared a big family hug.

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evita-shelby · 5 months

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The Ghost of New Year's Past

Or Polly decided to pop in and now its about Tommy & Diane(oc child) & ghost!Polly who has unfinished business.

Cw: Tommy’s canon depression and guilt over Polly’s death and baby's first contact with the dead(applies to both Tom and Diane)

Could be read as witch!Reader being Tommy’s wife or Eva since no name is mentioned.

He can’t bring himself to drink anymore.

He died that night on the field because in his heart he knew Polly had died because of him.

He sees her and hears her amongst his family as they celebrate the new year and Tommy leaves before it becomes too much.

Tommy has no idea where he is going when he passes by the children’s rooms and hears his eldest daughter, Diane, whispering to someone.

The children had been allowed to stay as late as they wanted but most had already been put to bed by now. In fact he’d personally tucked his little witch into her pink bed and kissed her goodnight hours ago.

“Can I tell daddy you’re here?” the little girl asks as her excitement has her talking just loud enough for him to hear her as he stops at her door.

Tommy cannot guess who would be here with Di, but none of them would be a good idea even if they were harmless little girls. Allie Solomons, Bianca Sabini, Janey Dogs, the little Gold girl who hates him for Aberama’s death, that friend of hers from school, the list goes on as Diane is ---unfortunately--- everyone’s friend.

“Di, sweetheart, I thought you said you were tired.” He comes in to find her sitting on her little table alone with biscuits and cake that she’d somehow gotten downstairs. He knew it was a bad idea to let her learn ballet, now the little witch moved as silently as she got up to mischief.

A trait she inherited from both him and his wife.

There is flash of light ivory satin on the bed in the corner of his eye, perhaps a dress or shawl Diane had taken out to play, but the room is otherwise empty.

“I was, but Aunt Polly came in and I asked her to stay.” The little girl with blue and brown eyes smiles widely and looks at the bed and he follows her line of sight. “She says she can’t have cake and biscuits because ghosts don’t need food like we do.”

“Hello, Thomas, did you miss me?” the ghost of his aunt sits there on the pink bed in the French dress his grandma stole, smoking a cigarette as if nothing had changed.

As if he hadn’t killed her and Barney and Aberama a year ago today.

“How?” he asks doing his best not to panic but feeling every hair on the back of neck rise in fear.

“Hmm, even with a witch for a wife you still do not believe we have magic in our blood.” Polly smiles and gestures him to sit on the bed.

“See I told you he wouldn’t believe it even if he saw me.” She turned to his daughter who tries to calm him with her small doll like hand in his.

“It’s okay, daddy, it’s just Aunt Polly.”

He can’t speak, his tongue feels heavy in his mouth and his head spins. Tommy has never fainted in his life and now he tries to hold into something as he feels light-headed.

“And your dear old mummy thought none of you inherited her gifts.” The ghost woman chuckled but refused to touch him.

“How?” he asks again as he shut his eyes and hears Diane leave him alone here with whatever Polly is now.

“Our magical blood allows me to visit those with our gifts and sweet little Di is the most magical of all.” His aunt, his second closest confidant explained. “and I cannot ascend as I have unfinished business, dear nephew of mine.”

“What do you need to pass on?” he asks thinking perhaps if he helps her pass over to the other side he will have peace.

“I need you to swear you won’t kill my son. Even if my Michael believes you killed me, I need you to show him mercy and kill the fucking people who did.”

But that includes me, Pol, he wants to say.

“That is the guilt speaking, Tom. You didn’t kill us, or me least of all. Swing just knows how to get under your skin.” She reads minds now, but Polly always knew him better than he knew himself. “So, Thomas Shelby, do I have your word?”

“Will you never come back if he says yes?” Diane asked with a quivering lip from the door, she’d not left as he thought she did.

“No, sweetheart, I can’t leave until the bad people are gone. And when I go to heaven I will come every All Soul's Day.” The ghost answered softly and the girl calmed down long enough to rejoin them on her bed.

“So, Thomas Shelby, do you promise to do as I asked?” she turned to him again, a bit sterner somewhat impatient as they hear Arthur and John coming up with John’s children.

“Yes, Pol, you have my word.”

#dad!tommy shelby #polly gray #diane shelby #tommy shelby x oc #eva smith shelby #tommy shelby x reader

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anotherfansthings · 1 year

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The Happy Couple

Neteyam x f!OmaticayaReader

Synopsis: Y/N’s father was once a fellow warrior to the Ole’eyktan Jake Sully, who died in battle against the sky people. As a dying wish, Sully promised he would take care of and protect his daughter, but what she wasn’t aware of was that they had dealt something of much greater significance. Becoming a future Tsahik to the Ole’eyktan’s eldest son: Neteyam.

Enemies to lovers |

PART THREE :

After furiously running the lengths of the forest, leaving your feet feeling beyond numb, you found yourself approaching The Tree of Voices. You rarely came here, being unable to bare the flushing memories of your late Father. But it was known to be an extremely private area, mostly for couples, but that did not slip your mind when you decided to settle beside it.

The night had fully settled by the time you felt recharged to argue again: not willing to let anything go down without a fight. It was your right.

As you were about to collect your final thoughts and start the long trek back home, you heard heavy footsteps slowly approaching. Thinking it was just a couple coming to show off their happiness, you hid away to avoid any embarrassment of catching them in the act.

'Y/N, is that you?' the voice questioned

Thinking you had been hunted down by your parents, you stood now in-view, but kept your head down to avoid anymore scolding.

'Y/N' Lo'ak whimpered, before throwing himself at you, holding you tightly against his chest

'Lo'ak' Y/N warned 'you can't do this'

'Do what? But Y/N we are friends, better friends than anyone in this whole clan. Please don't let this ruin our time together' he begged, now cupping your face trying to find your gaze which was anywhere but on him

Your eyes began to fill again 'You know that we can no longer be friends. All my time will be devoted to my mate, your brother-'

'This is stupid. You will be given spare leisure time, a time where we can still venture into the forest, and suffer from fits of laughter from our ridiculous jokes. Please, Y/N.' Lo'ak pleaded

'No' Y/N whined 'You of all people should realise how time consuming ruling the clan is. We are maturing now, there is no space for silly little trips around the nature. You have to remember we will still talk to one another: at family events and ceremonies, just not at the capacity as friends but as my mates relation.'

Neteyam had caught this moment between Y/N and Lo'ak, being too far to hear their words but close enough to witness his brother in close contact with his future mate. The mere thought of you two together infuriated Neteyam, as Lo'ak had once again chosen to avoid the direct orders from their Father.

He began storming over to where you two sit, with Lo'ak still holding into your face whilst you continued to inform him that your future was going to change, leaving all of your game nights and inside jokes behind.

Lo'ak was late to realise his older brother was charging towards him, unable to think of his next move before Neteyam removed his grip on Y/N and shoved him into the ground.

'What the hell are you two doing here?! Y/N has he done anything to you?' Neteyam demanded as he quickly scanned over your body before returning to hardly handling Lo'ak

Your heart began beating beyond your control from the undeniable overstimulation, leaving you to grip your chest in a desperate motion to try and control your panicking state.

'Brother we did nothing close to your imagination. Stop accusing, you're scaring her' Lo'ak challenged, and tried to assist you in calming down.

'Hey!' Neteyam shouted 'don't you dare touch her again. For once in your life obey the rules you have been given, it is for the greater good of us all.'

'But they can't-' Lo'ak began, becoming more frustrated by the second

Neteyam covered his eyes, giving a low sarcastic chuckle towards his brother 'No Lo'ak, no buts. You heard Father, everything that has been decided is final. Trust us we have argued otherwise. Don't be selfish about loosing your precious time with Y/N, she will still be here, still in your presence, in our family. Understand that what we are doing is to carry the Omaticaya people through many wars to come, battles with those around us, the struggles of Pandora.'

Lo'ak stood sloped in his stance, looking at his awkwardly placed feet at the ground, not wanting to acknowledge the truth that he was being told.

'Boy do you understand me' Neteyam cautioned

He then met his brothers eyes, who was sending a piercing glare towards the future leader 'Yes'

Lo'ak then slowly moped away from the tree, contemplating everything that was going on and wishing for anything but this.

Neteyam then stooped to your level, praying that you had overcome your pain, and were ready to talk.

'Y/N' he pleaded 'Please talk to me'

You then revealed your tear stained face 'Neteyam, I don't think I can do this, any of this.'

He then moved to carefully hold you into his side, which you finally accepted.

'We are in this together, I can help and support you whenever you need. Not everything is to be done straight away, we can plan everything to ensure we are both comfortable' he advised

'It is all too much. It has barely been a day of just learning of the news and its hurting so many of those around us' Y/N declared 'And even after that, the whole possibility of me pursuing the roles of a wife and mother: I don't think I am able'

Neteyam gave you a confused look 'How do you mean not able?' he questioned

'My mother, there is a reason I have never spoken of her existence to your family. She left me and my father soon after my birth: not wanting to take the responsibility of motherhood and marriage. It disgusted the people greatly. If she couldn't even do that, how am I to handle a family and leading? What if I am destined to imitate her actions, and be left with nothing?' Y/N confessed, quickly beginning to hyperventilate again.

'No Y/N, you cannot think like this. Rid yourself of those evil thoughts. You have done nothing but prove you are a great attribute to this clan. You will do them all proud one day, I know it' Neteyam insisted, but noticed you were distracted by something in the distance.

It was Eywa, sending woodsprites directly to where you and Neteyam were. They landed on you both, bringing a peaceful silence.

'Oh my' Neteyam grinned 'it must be a sign'

'A sign of what' Y/N responded, now wiping away her finished tears

'The same happened to my Mother and Father when they first met. It must be a confirmation of a beautiful future.' he concluded before looking at you with a look of complete relief

He then moved his hand to hold your face, and went to lean in.

'Neteyam what are you doing?!' Y/N gasped and back away

He looked somewhat hurt, but more so annoyed at your retaliation.

'Y/N we are future mates. You cannot be opposed to something as little as a kiss' Neteyam asserted with a sly laugh

You scoffed loudly 'So you think you can just make advances immediately? Neteyam we have just received this news, you can't expect anything of me now. And especially not find something humorous within it either.'

'Y/N you are mine, it is official. It is expected that you provide me with a line of heirs to the Omaticaya leadership. You have to realise that much more is required from you that a small touch of affection' he threatened

You felt violently sick from the words that you were hearing, and the volumes of disrespect that followed them.

'Excuse me, I fully understand the outlines of what is now expected of us to provide for the people.' Y/N corrected

'You are excused, my Y/N' he responded, and suddenly felt a powerful hand slap across his cheek.

After returning his head in your direction, you were caught by an indescribable look from Neteyam. His eyes seemed to show some form of sadness and regret, whilst his stance radiated a furious state.

'So saying before that everything that needs to be done can be done in a way in which we were comfortable, was that just a lie? Is that your way of luring me into the thought of you being the perfect partner? Great. Neteyam, your wondrous lies have made me see the utter beauty that shines through you, I am weak in the knees for your gracious essence and presence. Welldone you. Who knew you were so pathetic that a rejection to a kiss would force you to be disrespectful and ugly' Y/N conceded, letting out a heavy breath after talking for what felt like an entire essay

Without allowing Neteyam to even attempt an apology, you were off back to Jake and Neytiri, praying that after your lengthy rant they would banish him from ever speaking again. Or more realistically, a painful beating from his warrior parents.

TAGLIST:

@ellielovesrobinarellano

@arminsgfloll

@lu002

@hey-itsriin

@imthefunniestpersonalive

@flower-lise

@mashiromochi

@talbae

@hallows3ve

@pwallettes

@morks-watermelon

[If anyone has some ideas to spice up the story, do tell. I'm all for a bit of Sully drama 😉]

#neteyam #neytiri sully #jake sully #sully family #neteyam x y/n #neteyam x you #neteyam x reader #neteyam imagine #y/n

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mi-rae07 · 11 months

Text

Song Mingi : Chance (Part 3/3)

Pairing : Song Mingi (Ateez) and named character (Jung Miyeon)

_________________

Minho : is he sick?

Miyeon looked up at her son while she was putting her shoes on to step out for work in the morning, mingi asleep in the guest room upstairs. Of course minho had known by now. Miyeon smiled and nodded, bending down to hold her son's cheek with her hand before saying

Miyeon : he is. So just let him rest today, okay? Don't cause any trouble, and don't stress him out.

Minho : is he really sick? Like, does he need to go to the hospital-

Miyeon : are you worried for him, min-ah?

Minho bit his lip, looking away as miyeon chuckled and said

Miyeon : you do not need to be embarassed for worrying over him, minho. He's your father.

Minho : except he abandoned you.

Miyeon : mm. well I came to understand, yesterday night, that your father didn't really abandon all of us after all. It was someone else who had asked him to do that, and…he was just scared for us.

Mingi had told her everything yesterday night, and she couldn’t be happier for it. Minho's eyes turned wide at that revelation.

Minho : wait, really?

Miyeon : yeah. So don't be harsh on him, tell your sister that too.

Minho nodded with a small smile before saying

Minho : we'll take good care of him while you're away, eomma.

Miyeon giggled, ruffling minho's hair before saying

Miyeon : of course you will. I'll see you later, min-ah.

Minho nodded and kissed his mother's cheek before whispering

Minho : I love you.

________________________

Mingi groaned as he heard the door to his room opening, that small sound waking him up from his sleep. Mingi opened his eyes as it landed on his son walking up to him with a tray in his hands, a cup on top of it. Mingi frowned sleepily as he slowly sat up, feeling his head go dizzy from the small movement. God, he really was tired.

Minho : you're awake.

Mingi : are you…going to have your tea here?

Minho kept the tray on the bed-side table, motioning towards it before saying

Minho : no, this is for you.

Mingi : m-me?

Minho : yes, you. Peppermint teas are apparently good for your immune system. And since you're sick, so we thought it might help.

Mingi felt his heart jump at that. He hadn't expected them to care about him or his sickness.

Mingi : did you actually make tea for me?

Minho : we're quite mature, if you didn't notice.

Mingi smiled as he asked

Mingi : so you're not grumpy with me anymore?

Minho : something like that, you can say.

Mingi chuckled, holding his arms out before saying

Mingi : come to me then, prince.

Minho smiled widely at that nickname, quickly getting on the bed before crashing into his father's arms. Mingi smiled and patted his son's back, feeling minho sigh against him. The both of them had wanted this for a long time, and now they'd gotten it.

Mingi : minji-ya, I can see you peeking your head through the door gap. Come in here, you little sneak.

Minho giggled as minji entered the room with a small smile, mingi extending his arm for his daughter as well. And soon enough minji had climbed into bed, wrapping her arms around her father with a satisfied smile.

Mingi : thank you for the tea, and for having accepted me even after all the mistakes that I made, both of you.

Minji smiled, resting her head on mingi's shoulder before saying

Minji : we will always forgive you, appa.

Mingi felt his eyes tear up at her words, his heart filling up with joy as it finally felt complete. They had called him appa.

Mingi : I love you, my prince and my princess. The both of you mean the world to me.

Minho : we love you too, appa.

_________________________

Miyeon walked towards song jina's house, a determined look in her eyes. This was long due, especially now that she knew jina had been the one behind mingi's leaving. She had manipulated him and threatened mingi, along with her husband who had died a few years ago. It was time miyeon talked to her, for having taken away hers and her children's happiness.

Miyeon rang the doorbell to her house, jina opening the door a few seconds later. As soon as she saw miyeon, shock filled her eyes.

Jina : jung miyeon-shi?

Miyeon : yes, it's me. And I want to talk with you.

Jina : about what?

Miyeon : about your son, miss. About the father of my children.

And soon enough miyeon was sitting in the living room of jina's house, her looking at miyeon with dangerous eyes. Miyeon sighed as she said

Miyeon : you need to stop forcing him.

Jina : you're telling me what to do?

Miyeon : yes, I am. You had your way with him for his entire life, miss. You've ruined his childhood, and now even his adulthood. You need to stop doing this, because none of this is helping mingi.

Jina : and he told you that?

Miyeon : no, he cried because of it. You are his mother, do you not have even an ounce of sympathy for your own son? Can't you see this sort of a life is suffocating him, miss?

Jina chuckled, looking away as she said

Jina : I raised him to be different than this, miyeon-shi. I raised him to be fit for this sort of a lifestyle, and he was fine with it, all of it. Until you came along and ruined it for all of us. It is you who is to blame here, not me.

Miyeon : really. It's my fault he loved me? It's my fault I loved him?

Jina : love, is irrational, miyeon. Love isn't supposed to exist in his life.

Miyeon : well, it does now. He has children, and he has me. If he wants to stop this life of his, then he will. Because it is his choice.

Jina : no it isn't.

Miyeon : miss-

Jina : break up with him, miyeon. Leave this country, I will buy you a ticket to some place far away from here.

She was doing it again.

Miyeon : what?

Jina : you heard me. I need you out of my son's life. You and your stupid children, you need to leave him and go away.

Miyeon scoffed, looking away as she said

Miyeon : are you threatening me?

Jina : and if I am?

Miyeon smirked and nodded, standing up. She had expected this from song jina, of course she had. But she still wanted to give her one last chance, and she had burst it.

Miyeon : then it won't work, jina-shi. This isn't as this once was, I will not be your puppet, and I will not let you hurt the man I love.

Jina : jung miyeon-

Miyeon : no. this company belongs to mingi now, and so does it's men. You have no power here, jina-shi. You only have mere words and those don't threaten me any longer.

Jina stared at miyeon in shock, not having expected her to say any of this.

Miyeon : so you, will listen to me now.

Jina flinched as miyeon threw a flight ticket right at her face and said

Miyeon : flight tickets, to Peru. Flee this country and go far away from my children and mingi, song jina. Because your time here is done. And if you refuse to do that…

Miyeon bent down to face jina, her face inches close to miyeon as she whispered with a small smile

Miyeon : I won't bother asking mingi's men for a favor. So unless you want to die at such a…young, age, get out of my life.

Before jina could say anything miyeon walked away from her, leaving a teary-eyed jina behind. She knew she had no choice now, things here had to be wrapped up.

___________________________

Miyeon entered her house a few hours later, the sound of laughing and giggling coming from inside the house. Miyeon frowned in confusion, taking her shoes off before walking towards the kitchen. The sight in front of her made her eyes widen in pure horror and shock. Three flour covered figures were running around the flour filled kitchen, giggling and having the time of their lives. In short, there was flour everywhere and the entire kitchen was a mess.

Except miyeon didn't care. Because for the first time in her life, she was seeing her children be truly happy, and mingi being carefree and light. The three of them hadn't even noticed miyeon, that was how much fun they were having.

And seeing the three people miyeon loved the most in the world being together and happy, almost brought tears to her eyes.

Mingi : yeon-ah!

Miyeon looked up as the three of them paused on their tracks, minho and minji both going behind mingi to hide themselves from their mother's wrath. Miyeon let out a breath, keeping her bag aside as she said

Miyeon : seriously? What the hell happened here?

No one said anything.

Miyeon : song minho, song minji. Stop hiding behind your father and come out?

Mingi pressed his lips together as both minho and minji stepped to his side with half-scared eyes, eyeing their mother.

Miyeon : why is their flour all over my kitchen, three of you?

Minho : it was him.

Mingi's eyes widened as minho pointed his hand at him, minji nodding in agreement as well before saying

Minji : yes yes, it was appa.

Mingi : what! No! you're the one who told me we should make cake for all of us! How dare you betray me-

Minji : he's lying.

Mingi let out a noise of betrayal, turning to face miyeon who still had a straight face.

Mingi : I apologize for our children's actions. This was definitely not my fault, however.

Minho : appa!

Mingi was about to say something when miyeon suddenly laughed, shocking all three of them. Minji leaned closer to mingi before whispering

Minji : do you think she's gone mad?

Mingi : what do you mean, she's always been mad.

Miyeon : oh my god, all of you look so funny!

Minho : uh, what?

Miyeon giggled and spread her arms for the three of them before saying

Miyeon : come here, three of you. Give me a hug.

Mingi : but there's flour all over us-

Miyeon : I don't care, come here.

The three of them smiled before crashing into miyeon arms, mingi wrapping his arm around the three of them protectively as miyeon sighed in satisfaction.

Miyeon : do you know how long I've wanted this?

Minji : we give you hugs everyday, what are you saying.

Miyeon smiled as she looked up at mingi with sparkling eyes

Miyeon : I love you, all three of you.

Mingi smiled, kissing the top of miyeon's forehead before saying

Mingi : we love you too.

______________________________

Miyeon was now sitting on the sofa at 2am in the night, staring into nothingness as she thought of how her night had been today. Of course, she had been happy when it was only her and the twins. But mingi made all the difference now. Miyeon supposed it was different when the twins had their father and her, her partner. Except she didn't know what mingi and her was right now. Of course, mingi did seem to still care for her and miyeon definitely still loved him, but did mingi know that?

Mingi : why aren't you asleep?

Miyeon flinched as she turned around in her seat to face mingi who was standing behind the couch in pajamas, his hair a mess.

Miyeon : the twins?

Mingi : they're asleep now, I managed to finally put them to sleep. Or so I hope.

Miyeon smiled before nodding, turning back to face the front as she said

Miyeon : they love you, mingi.

Mingi smiled, sitting on the couch beside miyeon before saying

Mingi : I love them too, almost as much as I love you.

Miyeon blinked her eyes in confusion, turning to face mingi with partly shocked eyes.

Miyeon : what?

Mingi : what. Did you think I had fallen out of love with you when I left? No, miyeon. I left because I was in love with you, I left because I was scared my parents would do something to you and I would rather die than see you get hurt.

Miyeon : why are you telling me all this now?

Mingi : because I know what you did today afternoon. You visited my mother, and she's leaving Korea now, thankfully.

Miyeon sighed, leaning back against the sofa as she whispered

Miyeon : so you do have your contacts.

Mingi : look, I can understand if you do not love me anymore, or if you want me to leave you alone. But I need you to know all this, so I don’t regret it later. I love you, miyeon. I always fucking have. When I saw you with the kids, saw how much of a good mother you always have been to them despite getting abandoned by your own partner when you needed them the most, it…it has only made me love you more.

Miyeon pressed her lips together as mingi cupped her cheeks, looking at her with sincere eyes

Mingi : you're the strongest woman I've ever seen, miyeon, and you'll be the love of my life until I die. Whether you like it or not. I've told you before, I only love once.

Miyeon : mingi-ya-

Mingi : and for what it's worth, I'm sorry I was a coward. I didn't fight for us, or our children. I just…ran away like that. And I'm sorry for it. Because if I was given a chance again, I would stay and fight, yeon-ah.

Miyeon : that would've been stupid, mingi. You may have been a coward, but you saved all of us by doing it. And for that I will always be grateful.

Mingi smiled, nodding his head.

Mingi : then I will go ba-

Miyeon : no! no, don't.

Mingi : you…want me to stay?

Miyeon : yes, yes. Stay with us, stay with me, until I ask you not to. Which, will probably be a very, long time before I say that.

Mingi stared at miyeon as she got on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck with a small smile before whispering

Miyeon : I love you too.

Mingi's eyes widened at that.

Mingi : wh-what?

Miyeon : I love you too, song mingi. Although I did resent you for a while after you left, now that I understand why you did so, I love you all the more for it. So stay, stay and be happy with me.

Mingi smiled, small tears in his eyes. Was she really giving him another chance?

Mingi : I thought you hated me.

Miyeon : well, now you know I don't. you're a very hard person to hate, song mingi.

Mingi chuckled, leaning forward and kissing miyeon before whispering

Mingi : you're a really hard person to hate too, jung miyeon.

Minho and minji stared at their parents in secret from the staircase, minji's face twisted in part-disgust and minho's face bright with a happy smile on his lips.

Minji : ugh, they're so gross.

Minho : sheesh, they're adorable.

Minji rolled her eyes before climbing up the staircase as she said lowly

Minji : I can't watch any longer, my heart's going to drown from their cheesiness.

Minho : I can't watch any longer either, my heart's going to burst from their cuteness.

Minji rolled her eyes once again as minho giggled and ran up to his sister, wrapping his arm around her before leaning against it.

Minho : carry me, my beloved sister! For your dear brother is dying!

Minji : if you were dying, I'd literally just leave you right where I found you and leave, song minho.

Minho giggled, knowing well enough that his sister would burn the entire world down before she let him die. Minji smiled as well, leaning her head against the top of her brother's as they both climbed up the stairs arm in arm.

Because they had finally gotten their family back, and all by a single chance.

__________________________

Tag-list : @curly-fr13s @jeongintwt @jamia-wilson @treasure-hwa @dandycharmer @channiesbum @bigzaddydwaekki

____________________________

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blueshistorysims · 5 months

Text

September 1920, Harlem, Manhattan, New York, New York

It didn’t take long for Stella’s family to find out. The day after they eloped, Mr. and Mrs. Gardenhouse showed up at Stella’s apartment in Harlem outraged, demanding they get an annulment. Stella fought with her parents as Byron sat quietly on the couch. It wasn’t his argument. And he knew part of the reason for their elopement was purely to spite her mother and father.

Mr. Gardenhouse finally turned to the man sitting couch, seething. “You know better than muddle in family matters. I am disgusted that you agreed to elope with her. And here I thought you were a respectable young man.”

“Oh, don’t listen to his jabs, Byron.”

He turned back to his daughter. “And what now? What makes you think I won’t rescind your inheritance?”

“Jedidiah, that is too much!”

“Martha,” Mr. Gardenhouse warned. “If she wants to marry a little British academic, then she clearly has no need of our money.”

Stella was stunned, staring at her father.

“Nothing to say? Good, perhaps this will be the first rational thought you’ve heard since you decided to marry. And no one stopped you? Not your brother or cousin or Mr. Carmichael? They should know better.”

Byron stood. “Mr. Gardenhouse, I-”

“Hush it, boy. Do you not understand the repercussions of what you’ve done? Congratulations, you’ve played my daughter’s game, and now you both must suffer the consequences.”

“Mr. Gardenhouse.”

“What?” He barked.

“I haven’t been completely truthful to your family. Nor Stella.”

Everyone turned to stare at him as he sighed. He didn’t want it to be like this.

“My great-great-great-great-great grandfather was a duke. However, we were so distantly related to the main Walsh family, that my family never cared about them. Why should we? I cared so little for them that I didn’t even know what the title was called. We were a middle-class family from a country town outside of Liverpool. My father and his father before him were attorneys. When I came home from the war, there was a man I’d never seen before. It was the Duke of Feldsbury. The dukedom my family is descended from. There I learned that my father and I were the last living male Walshes and that we would inherit the title. I was disgusted. I didn’t want it. And after my father and sister’s deaths… I couldn’t take being in England anymore. But when Thomas Walsh dies, I will become a duke. I have tried everything I know to get out of it. I’ve spoken with English and American lawyers. I cannot. So, Stella, when my grandfather’s fourth cousin dies, you will become the first colored duchess in bonny old England. How’s that for social status? For scandal? A duchess for a daughter and a duke for a son-in-law?”

#the walshes #the walsh legacy #ts4 #the sims 4 #sims 4 #sims 4 decades #sims 4 historical #sims 4 decades challenge #ts4 story #history simblr #sims 4 history challenge #ts4 historical #ts4 decades challenge #the sims #simblr #ts4 1920s #byron walsh #stella gardenhouse #1920s

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zellkernchen · 18 days

Note

I GENUINELY WANT TO KNOW YOUR IDEAS ON GRIEVOUS REMANING FAMILY

I was having a convo with a friend the other day about it and like?? Do they think of him? Does he think of them? It's stated he probably doesn't miss them because of his transformation, but he still cares about Gor so I believe he could think of them.

Idk all rhetorical questions I do want to hear someone's ideas.

OMGGG THANK YOU AND @alenchikova FOR ASKING! I actually do have lots of stuff on Grievous' remaining family, who they are what roles they'll play in my series and all that but I'll just write down everything that requires the least amount of spoilers for everything. (I might however expand more on them if it's specifically requested and because I love to infodump on anything related to my headcanons and ocs/my fanfic series).

I'll post an introduction to them before answering @nettlebrand's questions and expanding a bit on them.

TW: Death mention

Who is part of Grievous' remaining family?

Out of ten wives and thirty children only 3 wives and 4 children survived. There is however a child of Grievous' who has been missing since around 43 BBY. Their fate remains unknown to the family for a loooong time.

His three surviving wive's names are: Ouhlma kel Pokitstrej (1st wife), Noonaklis san Kvetik (6th wife and Bentilais' sister), Gahnzi pot Braviir (10th wife).

Ouhlma became his wife some months after Ronderu's death, ca. end of 45 to start of 44 BBY and they had their first and only child who was born on the day Ronderu died. Ouhlma's child hasn't been seen on Kalee since around 43 BBY. Ouhlma was born on the year of 64 BBY and is the distant relative of Grievous' Izvorsha Tshoat kel Nejilneski. Ever since the disappearance of her child, Ouhlma isolated herself, refused to bear any more children and now carries her child's favourite doll wherever she goes. She named her child after the woman who raised her.

Noonkalis was given to Grievous' as a way to represent comradeship between Grievous and Bentilais' cousins after half a decade of small conflicts. Noonkalis bore him three children (all of them were born in 39 BBY), however one died at the age of 8 years old. Noonkalis was born on the year of 65 BBY, she and Grievous are the same age. She was part of Grievous' Izvorsha until she unfortunately developed chronic back pain and couldn't fight anymore. Noonkalis sometimes trained her surviving son in sword fighting and was her daughter's biggets supporter whenever it came to her marksman skills, despite not knowing much about guns herself.

Gahnzi's marriage with Grievous was the result of his drunkenness and impulsive decisions, some weeks before he was sent off to work for the IGBC. They didn't have any children together until the year of 24 BBY, the same year the Shuttle crash occurred. She's the youngest of the three, being born in the year 59 BBY. She somehow managed to become Ouhlma's best friend and is always there for her whenever she needs it. The same goes for vice versa. Gahnzi used to be a waitress and dancer at the restaurant- bar she worked in before getting married to Grievous. The children, except her biological child, all know how to dance fluently thanks to her.

Here are their height differences:

(Their colours pretty much represent their skintones)

The four surviving children of Grievous are: Skashnilla jai Namesda, Baldruga jai Sanigbasa, Ziszgo jai Nigdu and the young Qymaen jai Dumu ("Dumu" is the equivalent of "child" which is in this case used to represent a title we would label as "Junior". Basically his name is Qymaen Junior).

Starting off with the two oldest siblings Skashnilla and Baldruga. The two of them were, as mentioned earlier, born on the year of 39 BBY and are super protective of their family. Since they were the ones who got to interact the most with Grievous out of their alive siblings, Skashnilla and Baldruga have learned how to deal with weapons from their father. Skashnilla specialises in the Outland Rifle, meanwhile Baldruga in Lig Swords. However, it wasn't just Grievous and his wives who raised them, Bentilais also played a big role. I mean, he's their uncle afterall. Baldruga and Skashnilla absolutely adore their uncle, though they are a bit upset that he's been rarely able to visit them over the last few years. Skashnilla despises the Yam'rii, Jedi and Republic, even directly blaming her late brother's death on them. Baldruga does hate the Yam'rii but can't bring himself to hate all the Jedi and the whole Republic. He doesn't forgive them for their deeds but still feels as if only the Yam'rii are to fully blame of this. Occaisonally, the two siblings lead out small troops to combat Yam'rii forces who, since the shuttle crash, have immigrated back to Kalee.

Ziszgo is the quiet and "weird" child out of the four and there are several reasons for this; Ziszgo suffers from Hypotropia, is (what we would label as) Autistic and super introverted. As a child she always spoke too much and tried to befriend every child near her, but their discomfort and bullying towards her made her introverted and a bit "nocturnal" (as in she only shows herself at night). Unlike her siblings, Ziszgo's mother isn't alive, she was Grievous' 8th wife who died of puerperal fever. Ziszgo had three other siblings, none of which survived past 2 years of age. As a result, Ziszgo was raised by Gahnzi. Her special interests are anything related to technology, bombs and a specific carnivorous plant on Kalee known as "Poljiaccsi". Her room is full of those plants. Ziszgo aids Baldruga and Skashnilla during all of their campaigns by either helping them convieve battle plans or small bombs. She never attends any of their campaigns because she knows that, physically, she's useless for a battle and will only get herself killed. (I forgot to mention but she was born in the year 30 BBY)

Born some short months after the infamous shuttle crash incident and named to honour his father, Qymaen is only a young pup. He loves being around his mothers and siblings. His favourite activity is eating. The boy learns words rather quickly and loves to shout them at random times. He had two other siblings who were unfortunately stillborn, the factor of Gahnzi being stressed was a major factor in this.

Here are their height differences:

Nowww onto the questions!

Does Grievous' family think about him?

Oh absolutely. It's always a worry at least in the back of their minds. Well... except for Qymaen. He's a literal toddler by the time of the clone wars. All he knows is that his father is somewhere, fighting. But he's sure he'll come back. He does sometimes ask questions about Grievous.

Skashnilla and Gahnzi think the most about Grievous (and are the most worried about him). For one, Skashnilla has always been a massive "Daddy's girl" and he's her idol. Second, Gahnzi hopes that Grievous will return so Qymaen can at least get to know his father. Pictures, Video footage and Holograms can only do so much.

Baldruga, Zizsgo and Noonkalis wonder occaisonally where he is, how he's doing. But they've given up hope on contacting him as their calls always goes unanswered. Almost as if their calls can't even reach Grievous, weird.

Ouhlma does think about Grievous, but she's more worried on her child. It was said that they would be something great, just like the Shaman said for Baldruga, Skashnilla, Ziszgo and Qymaen. There's no way they're dead, no matter how much others think against it.

Does Grievous think about his family?

In my series and AU, yes, he does. His transformation and brain alterations didn't make him completely forget about them. He knows they should exist (surely he would be informed if one of them did die, no?) and does care about them as much as his alterations allow him to, but his brain and priorities have been twisted and manipulated. He'll get his revenge on the Jedi, that's his top priority. Though, on his worst days, he can't help but wonder how they're doing. But according to Dooku; his family hasn't contacted him since they last got to see him in that bacta tank (There's no way he would lie about this, right?). Perhaps it's best if he stays where he is and leaves them alone. However, he would never admit any of that to anybody.

That’s pretty much it for now. If anyone has any more questions please lmk!

#kaleesh #oc #kaleesh oc #star wars #general grievous #qymaen jai sheelal #bentilais san sk‘ar #my writing #qna #star wars oc #writing

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twindevilgang · 2 years

Text

“You’re a single mother?”

Toman edition pt 1

Warning: manga spoilers

Pairing: Manjiro ‘Mikey’ Sano, Ken ‘Draken’ Ryuguji,

Manjiro ‘Mikey’ Sano

I don’t think Mikey every saw himself ever wanted to have children in his adult hood. Not until he meet you and your daughter.

You actually tried hiding your daughter from him for a little bit until he found out. It’s not that you were ashamed of your daughter, no, it’s just there was never a right time to tell him. And a part of you feared if you did tell him he’ll leave like the others.

Until he came to your place unexpectedly dressed causally with a bouquet of flowers. He come over to take you on a surprise little date. So when you opened the door you slammed it right in his face when you realized it was him. You decided to get this over with and just tell him now and bear the heartbreak later on. So you opened the door revealing a very stunned and confused Manjiro.

“Mikey what are you doing here?”

“I came to take you on a surprise date!”

“Oh mikey about that, I can’t g-“

“Mommy look what I drew-who’s that?!”

Cats out of the bag now and you can’t hide it anymore.

“Mommy? You have a daughter?”

You explain to Mikey that the little girl he’s seeing is your daughter. And how you tried to tell him soon but you kept backing down because you were so afraid he might leave you. Mikey understood. So the best thing Mikey could do for you was to get along with your daughter. And that’s what he did.

Crouching down to your daughters eye level and introducing himself as your lover made your heart flutter as you also watched your daughter introduced herself.

“I know who you are, my mommy talks about you all the time!”

“Oh ? What kind of things has she said about me”

“That your really hot!”

“What else?”

“And that your really childish for a man your age!”

Yeah you would never hear the end of it.

your aren’t surprised when your surprise date was canceled. But more surprise to be seated with your boyfriend and daughter playing tea party with her, sipping fake tea out of a a pink plastic cup. Watching her as she blabbered one and on you and what’ve your been saying about Mikey. All while Mikey looked at you with an amused face as your face heat up in embarrassment thankfully she left to go get more ‘tea’

“You don’t have to do this mikey. You can just go home Y’know?”

“Why would I do that? Drinking tea out of a fancy cup with my hot girlfriend and her daughter is my ideal date Y’know?”

He leaned down to kiss you. Reassuring you that a little kid isn’t going to stop him from seeing you at all. Although he wished you told him a little sooner. And you apologized with another kiss on his lips

“Ew no making out by the table you two!”

Ken ‘Draken’ Ryuguji

Unlike Mikey he did see himself having children. With Emma to be specific up until to the point where she died those thoughts have died down in his mind. Until he meet you. Although he didn’t expect to be raising a kid with you that soon. But it was a surprise to him when he did find out about your son.

You never told him. In fact you don’t think you ever thought about telling him. But you told him casually as Draken himself looked over your shoulder his eyes glancing at your phone as you unlocked it. He couldn’t help but glance at your Lock Screen picture.

“Is that your nephew?”

“No that’s my son”

“Oh-wait you have a kid?”

You were expecting him to yell at you for not telling him on the first day, but he didn’t which surprised you. You explain that your child was from a previous relationship from the man you had though loved you back but you were wrong, and went I to further details about how your ex treated you and your son .

Draken can only sit back and listen as your on the verge of tears. Listening as you explain everything.

The first time he meet your son was awkward. He doesn’t know how to deal with kids. Even though he took care of a man child for most of his life 7-7. He tries his best to get along with the little boy. Almost acting like it’s his own in the process.

And that’s what he does, when your busy with work/school he’ll watch your son for you so you don’t have to pay extra for a babysitter. He’s gone as far as leaving his bike shop to one of his co-workers as he leave to take care of your son.

“Oí kid. Make sure you put the helmet on tightly wouldn’t want ya getting a concussion”

“But wouldn’t my mom be mad if she found out you were teaching me how to ride a motorcycle?”

“Well yeah but what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her right?”

“Yeah!”

You have never felt so much love as Draken made both you and your son feel. That he’ll love your kids just as if it was his very own.

And all you could do as mumble a small little thank you to him as you laid on top of his on the couch after a long day at work/school. Knowing that when you wake up you be in your bed and fine your son and Draken in the kitchen making breakfast. Like a normal family

#tokyo revengers x reader #bonten x reader #tokyo revengers #tokyorev headcanons #tokyo revengers headcanons #mikey x reader #manjiro x reader #manjiro sano x reader #mikey sano x reader #draken x reader #draken ryuguji x reader #ken ryuguji x reader #ken ryuuguji #mikey sano x y/n

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still-a-morosexual-help · 2 years

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Okay so. I’ve been playing OB! And I just got to the part where they discover Mc is the descendant of Human Lilith

Now my question is, does this counts as (The Mc and 7 bros) if they are relatives? Like a long line of lost nephews? Is this a Zeus situation where all that logic goes out the window?

After that, I don’t see them as datable anymore.

I see them at the end of the story visiting Mc’s house and relatives in a family gathering or something. Like their son/daughter just went to Hell and came back with 7 more uncles, the parents since then just invites the guys over for celebrations and dinners!

I went with the idea of a datable sim, came out with found family. Fuck! I love it?

Boom! So I'm actually officially??? qualified to answer this question! I was raised Buddhist & was actually good enough at the whole theory/concept behind it that I got the batch prize for religion multiple times/years (weird thing to brag about but my list of things I can brag about is v small so lemme have this one damnit). And reincarnation is a big thing in Buddhism so *jazz hands* yknow

I'm gonna answer this in 2 parts & add a bonus part for a "what if" AU;

1. Is MC Actually Related to Lilith the Angel aka The Brothers' Sister Lilith?

The Answer: No.

• Lilith died after the war. It's very specifically said that Diavolo reincarnated her as a human.

• Reincarnation, simplified, means that after a sentient being dies their soul is born again in the body of a whole new sentient being.

• Reincarnation allows a soul to live again as a whole new person with 0 ties to their previous life (unless the soul is born again within the same family). They may retain a couple memories from their previous life for their first 3-4 years of life* but that fades away eventually. They may hold on to a few characteristics but lots of unrelated people have the same characteristics so it's not a Big Deal.

* not sure how much I believe in reincarnation because it seems fantastical & a lot of this could just be childrens' brains being weird, imaginative and half formed but here's a few fun anecdotes of kids I knew talking about their "past lives"

01. My brother at age 3? would constantly tell us he was just staying with us till his real mother came to pick him up.

02. My cousin, an only child, would constantly tell his mother his older sister wanted him to change the lightbulb

03. There's one about my school friend (who currently may or may not hate me)'s little sister that I can't say because I'm lowkey scared she's got a tumblr account and on the 0.01% chance she sees this I might actually die so :D

04. I, till 4, apparently had a whole series of things I'd say about London of all places (I also constantly told one of my aunts not to sit in certain places cos there were ghosts already sitting there so I had a weird imagination so this should be taken with a boatload of salt); 1. Used to point at a very specific building and insist there was a similar one in London. 2. Talked about my dog Hiskie & how my parents? hid the both of us in the basement? when the police? were banging at our door - obviously we didn't have a dog or basement

• Lots of people see it as and call it "Rebirth" but I personally don't see it as that. You, the person you are & all that makes you up, dies. There's no second chance.* It's a way for your soul to live on but not you the person. Your soul gets to live on as a whole new person. You couldn't point at two strangers on the road and say "they're the same person" the same way you can't point at the person you were and the person your soul will become and say "they're the same person"

* In game, the brothers also see it as "rebirth" and as a second chance. They see it as Lilith surviving and living past the war. Which makes sense because;

• Rebirth/Reincarnation is not a phenomenon than occurs naturally in OM!. In OM!, canonically as seen in S2, peoples' souls are represented as candles that burn out. Once the candle burns out that's the end. Their soul is gone for good. Diavolo specifically uses his powers to stop this from happening to Lilith and to give her soul a second chance even if Lilith the person doesn't really get one. In a world where it's a known fact that once a person dies their soul is gone for good, finding out that your loved one, who died tragically and at a young age, 's soul got to live another life that was long and happy would be amazing. It would seem like that person got a second chance for real.

• A dog could die and the soul could be reincarnated as a human, who lives their life and gets married etc etc. This person is a human, not a dog in a human's body. (Though according to Buddhism you need to collect a lot of good karma to be born as a human & if you're a shithead your bad karma gets you demoted to an animal when you die* <- personally don't believe in this at all for a lot of reasons but mainly I know for a fact that there are animals living better & more luxurious lives than me so what is this bs?)

* 01. My grandma constantly told 5 yr old me that if I continued to blow spit bubbles I'd be reincarnated as a slug (this only made me blow more out of spite)

02. There's a saying? that you can tell someone who's pissing you off, which translated, basically means " I hope you get born as a dog in a shitty family" which I think is the funniest way you can tell someone to fuck off

TLDR;

* "human Lilith" probably looked nothing like Angel! Lilith, probably had a different name, canonically only remembered her life as Angel! Lilith when she died & her soul returned to its original state (she did have the soul of an angel though which probably affected her human body and which lead to MC's latent magic powers/why MC canonically doesn't seem to be 100% human/why MC's own soul is so shiny even though they're kind of an ass)

*MC is not related to the brothers' sister Lilith, so it ain't incest, if it were that means according to Buddhism everyone is always at a constant risk of accidentally participating in incest and beastiality which yeah....I'm not religious but good god would I fight someone who sees it as this

2. Are the Brothers & MC a Family - More Specifically A Found Family?

Answer: Yes.

• MC and the brothers are very much a family- more specifically a found family - something which is explicitly stated in OM! near the end of S2.

• Found families are as important as biological families. Their bonds are as strong, if not more so because they get the option to choose each other.

• But found families are gonna be messy because no one's gonna be actually related to each other & romantic and/or sexual chemistry can crop up. And that's normal.

• Depending on the found family, no one may take on more stereotypical family roles or certain people may rise up to take on those roles (eg: parental roles). With either of these types it's still pretty normal to date each other because they're not your real parents. Hell even normal friend groups have the "Mom Friend", that doesn't mean said friend can't date within their friend group.

• Most found families are friend groups who got closer and started seeing each other as family (it's also a very queer concept because lots of found families are queer people who came together because they couldn't get the love, acceptance & connection, all humans need, from their biological families).

• They're not "family" in the biological-related sense but rather in the "we care about each other above all else. we'll always have each others' backs. we'll call each other when we need help. we may fight but at the end of the day we love each other and will come together again". Again it doesn't mean they can't date within the group.

• In OM! however it gets Extra Messy because it mixes an adopted family and a found family. The brothers are a found family (the oddballs of the Celestial Realm who came together), but they're also an adopted family (adopted by Lucifer who saw them all as his brothers/kids) - the second part of this means they're actually brothers - they grew up together and are no different from biological brothers. None of them are gonna see romantic or sexual prospects in each other (with the exception of Asmo but that's just cause he's the personification of Lust + he always gets shut down by the rest).

• MC on the other hand is NOT part of their adopted family but IS part of their found family. MC's a stranger they met when they were all adults who became friends with them and who came to see the brothers as their (found) family and vice versa. This means MC dating the brothers would be completely normal and again not incestuous which I think is a lot of peoples' worry.

• The best example of a found family, with certain members taking on parental roles, that still has them dating/sleeping with each other within said found family is Community (the tv show which is getting a movie HELLO!!?!?). And this is an issue that community actually addresses in more or less detail;

Fucking watch this clip it's hilarious thank you

BONUS ROUND;

+ 1. What If MC Was Actually Related to Lilith the Angel; Would They Also Be Related to the Brothers?

The Answer: No.

• I've written a handful of human au! fics for the brothers and because of how short the time span in them must be, the whole descendent of a reincarnation thing doesn't work. Meaning I make MC a far off relation to OG! Lilith.

• For the answer to this question to be "No" you need to consider the background of two main points;

01. The Brothers & Lilith being an adopted family

-> Lilith & the brothers are canonically an adopted family. All the angels were created by God? presumably but they're not family/don't see themselves as family - the angels don't seem to practice family in the same way humans & demons do - I'm pretty sure the brothers are the odd ones out. Lucifer is the only one who refers to God as "Father" and Mammon canonically sees Lucifer as his dad. The brothers + Lilith are a family because Lucifer took them in one by one & referred to them as his family.

-> Am I saying being an adopted family makes their connections any less real or familial? No, calm down lemme get to my point.

02. MC's relationship with Lilith in this AU

-> MC (if MC was actually related to og Lilith) is a far off relation by thousands of years (my timeline between The Rebellion & S1 puts it at 5000+ years). Do you know who your blood relatives were 5000 years ago? Would you know who your blood relatives are 5000 years later?

-> To make up for the 5000 year time, in a human au MC would be a relative that's so far removed from your family that no one knows they or their own family branch even exists. It's doing a 23 and Me test & seeing you have some unheard of family line on the other side of the world. You're not gonna call them up and pretend to have some familial relationship with these complete strangers because not only will that be lowkey creepy, there's a high chance you won't even speak the same language.

• To make it easier to understand in our human lifetime perspective: Lilith and the brothers are part of a family where everyone was adopted by Lucifer (with only Satan being his biological son & only Lucifer being "God's" biological son). Lilith passes away and eventually the brothers meet MC who they befriend. Almost a year after they meet MC they accidentally discover that MC is a "so far off there's basically a 5000 year gap between us" relation of Lilith's. There'll be a lot of feelings involved, because Lilith's yknow dead, but after that's all dealt with in the grand scheme of things nothing's really changed. Lilith & the brothers' not being blood related didn't make them any less of a real family BUT Lilith & the brothers' not being blood related combined with how removed of a relative MC & Lilith are from each other means that there's no actual familial connection between MC & the brothers - they're not gonna look at each other and see their new sibling or something similar

Overall;

☆ Yes, MC & the brothers are a found family. It's one of my favourite things about OM! and one of the biggest reasons I stuck with this game for 2 1/2 years now (when a couple months is my usual attention span for games). OM!'s also the only dating sim ik of that pushed off the romance for one whole year (in game time) just so they can establish the found family aspect of it (ik there are lots of really good queer dating sims now - shoutout to The Arcana my love - but OM! is the queer dating sim for me)

☆ No, MC & the brothers aren't actually related and they don't see themselves as being related either

☆ Yes, MC can have romantic/sexual relationships with the brothers, it's nowhere near incest

☆ If you don't see the relationship between MC & the brothers as romantic then that's completely okay! While the events push the romantic aspect the main story lets you reject them and be only friends/family AND there are 7 more LIs available (though they are side characters & only get more screentime starting from S3)

☆ Here's more posts I made about Lilith that are related;

* I had about 3 more answered asks about Lilith's Reincarnation but I can't find them because the tagging system on tumblr is shit and I really need to make a masterlist of all my posts before I lose my mind trying to find a relevant post. Anyway this ask goes the most in depth about all of it so*

Lilith, Her Lover & Reincarnation

Lilith & MC's Story Relevance to One Another

Lilith and Her Other Descendents

☆ Here's me being shameless, in my self promotion, with a Lilith centered fic;

Speaking to Myself

7 brothers seek comfort from the grave of their long lost sister, a human lives and breathes just floors above them

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loksthegreat · 1 month

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alyssa's aegon lives au?! oh my god i need to know everything about him and his little fambly please <33333333333

Of course!!! So in my fic Aegon survives but Alyssa still dies, which leaves Daemon and Aegon in the care of good queen Alysanne (same as Visenya when she is born a few years later) and they all grow up together, until Daemon marries Rhea in 97 AC and Visenya joins her father at court in 101 AC. Aegon was always sort of the most reasonable of the trio and while he absolutely loves and adores his brother and honorary little sister he really is a big introvert who had rather not get caught up in the intrigues of court and politics, so he stayed away even when he had wanted to marry Visenya and missed Daemon in the years they where apart. Aegon just sorta stayed on Dragonstone after his grandmothers passing in 100 AC and spend his free time traveling across the narrow sea on dragonback. He was only 3 and 10 when he and Daemon parted ways after the older wedding and by the time the brothers reunited Aegon had grown nearly a head and a half taller than the rogue prince and had come to be a man of hulking build in the way Targaryen men rarely were. Aegon had cut his hair short and worn unadorned clothes for the longest time as a young man, as he hoped it had made him look less Targaryen as he always felt he lacked the connection Daemon, Visenya and even Viserys had with their heritage, but by the time he returned from a longer stay in Braavos in 114 AC it had grown long enough to be worn in a pony tail again and Aegon refrained from cutting it again as his new found lover the son of the Sealord of Braavos, Galeo Materys, was quite found of it. In 114 AC Aegon came back to Westeros for the wedding of his younger niece, Rhaenyra, and ended up agreeing to his brother the kings offer to become a member of the small council, a position he would soon resign from after the death of his lover in Braavos at the hands of his own brother Daemon in the following year, an incident that would leave a deep slight on the brothers relationship for the years to come. Aegon left kings landing as well as Dragonstone and would never return. Visenyas sworn shield Ser Lyle Bracken had offered Aegon to make himself at home in his ancestral home, with the tall knights sister lady Barissa Bracken for company and though Aegon did not stay within the hospitality of the odd woman that was the lady of stone hedge for long his time in the Riverlands served to heal his broken heart as he found a friend and companion to many a feast or tourney in lady Myriame Blackwood, who was a maiden of 26 years, with raven black hair, a never wavering smile and eyes that seemed to dance with laughter at all times of the day. It was no surprise when the two announced their betrothal and married under the heart tree of raven tree hall where they would raise their daughters Alyssa and Rhae. If rumor is to be believed Alyssa would be taught in the dark arts of the north by her mothers grandmother old lady Ronna, while Rhae, drawn in by the secrets of her valyrian heritage would seek to master magic of fire and blood.

I love Aegon and have so many thought on him just no way to really put them all into words adequately yet, so if you have anymore questions let me know!! Hope you enjoyed <3

Art of Aegon here:

#asoiaf oc #hotd #asoiaf #digital art #asoiaf fanfic #asoiaf art #fanart #asoiaf fanart #visenya ii targaryen #Aegon son of Baelon lives

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thepaintedlady00 · 9 months

Text

Nightshade

Chapter 19 | Chapter 21

Chapter 20: Interlude - The Saint

TW: some fluff, our idiots are reflecting on their big feelings, Lena remembers the important thing she was supposed to be doing last chapter, angst, shouting, lots of blame getting passed around and everyone's sayin shit they don't mean, cruel words, grief, flashbacks, heartwarming advice, and reassurance, big hugs and make ups. I'm SO sorry that this chapter (and next) are so late! Life just got absolutely insane and I had to restructure and rewrite a ton of this chapter so it kept getting put off. But, she's here! I'm still not 100% happy with it, but I'm not gonna let my perfectionism rob y'all of a chapter for another month! Chapter 21 should be following tomorrow or the day after if life decided to let me breathe for five minutes! Thank y'all so much for your patience! Enjoy!

Jack Harrow was a man of many talents. He could throw a punch that would send his opponent to the floor like they'd been hit by a goddamn bus. He could take a hit too, straight to the face like it was nothing. He was an artist at cutting hair and taking care of stray animals as well as stray kids. He was a decent singer with a surprisingly smooth voice - a fact you'd never know about him if you'd only heard the slew of curses he knew. And Jack was quite the cook, in his mind at least.

Jack Harrow was a man of many talents. He was a fighter, a barman, a son, a lover, a father, and then he was dead.

It didn't hurt in the end, and it was quick enough that he hadn't caused too much hassle for those around him. He'd felt it coming, that quiet cold that seemed to numb him, and so he'd watched his beautiful daughter dote on him one last time, talking at length about how his boys would be there soon with a movie for him to watch. Ghostbusters. His favorite. Jack waited until Ozzy came - he'd wanted to wait for his boy too, but deep down, he knew there wasn't time for that - so, giving the man he loved one last kiss before the cold really hit him, Jack accepted his fate.

He forced his stiff fingers to uncurl around his jacket, holding it out to his baby with a smile. "Keep an eye on this for me?" She started to protest. "Just for a bit."

She slid it on, a smile on her lips as he nodded at her. "Badasses get the jacket."

"That they do." He was going to miss that smile. "Hey, badass, mind running to the cafeteria and grabbing me some gruel?"

"Course," she answered, pressing a kiss to his head. "Be right back."

The cold had numbered his limbs by the time she'd vanished. Jack could hardly even feel Ozzy's hand in his anymore. With all that strength, he squeezed Oz's hand and looked up at him with tearful eyes and wheezing breaths. His love instantly started trying to fix it. "What do you need? I can… I… I'll call in one of the nurses."

"Ain't nothin' they can do now." Jack smiled. "I love you, Oz. I've always loved you."

The man shushed him, hands shifting from holding his to pressing the call button on his bed. "Don't. Don't you dare start talking like that."

Jack just continued. "Tell the boys… Tell them… Tell all of them I love ‘em. Keep 'em safe for me, especially our girl."

"Jack-"

He squeezed harder. "You'll tell them, won't you?"

All Ozzy could do was nod, sniffling as he fought the tears in his eyes. "Nurse! NURSE!"

Death is different for everyone. It's one of the few cosmic laws that never bends but always greets you with warmth. As Jack Harrow closed his eyes, letting the cold take him entirely, the last thing he felt was the love of his life touching him. As Jack died, the sound of the hospital machines faded, replaced by the sounds of the alley between The Ring and Ozzy's Pub.

He could smell the old leather and the cigarettes and the booze, but more importantly, Jack could feel the warmth of Ozzy tucked beneath his arm. They sat together in their little alley - their little pocket between two opposing worlds - and they just existed. Together. Like it was always meant to be.

Jack Harrow was a man of many talents. And, in the grand scheme of things, one could say he was quite good at dying.

I always loved the early morning. The soft glow of the rising sun over the city made everything shine. It made everything and everyone look so clean and happy. New York City was chaotic, loud, and demanding, but somehow, those mornings always felt peaceful.

The faint smell of the food trucks by my apartment was usually what woke me each morning. It was almost always hot dogs or a bagel cart or two, but today, it was Chinese food. Today it was the distant sounds of the city - sounds that were familiar but also new - and the very abrupt lick to the underside of my foot by a scratchy cat tongue.

Fleeing the wet tongue, I curled into the solid warmth that was wrapped around me. I opened my eyes, blinking until the haze cleared from my vision, revealing the soft face and gentle ocean eyes staring down at me. Jake.

Even as my head throbbed, the memories of last night swirling through my mind and bringing me a feeling of bliss, I smiled. My eyes drifted closed again, savoring the feeling of his arms around me, his hands caressing my skin, the softness of his bed, and the light smell of his cologne. When I opened my eyes again, he was smiling too - that thin one, the tiniest hint of genuine joy that he almost never let me, or anyone, see. "Hi."

Jake laughed, a low, still tired sound that made my heart skip a beat. "Hi." He lifted his hand, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and his smile widened, not smug, proud, or teasing… Real as he repeated the word. "Hi."

I couldn't help but giggle. The blissful feeling quickly shifted into an odd but good feeling. As I moved my hand to cup his cheek, idly tapping my fingers against his skin, I realized what it was. I was happy. I was happy with Jake. Closing my eyes again, letting myself lean into that feeling, holding onto it for as long as I could, I pressed my lips to his.

We'd shared a lot of kisses. Lustful and heated, harsh and demanding, soft and meaningful. This one was one I hadn't expected. It was a kiss that held a touch of sleep and dreams, a gentle, patient, and simple thing. This was a lover's kiss, an embrace in soft blankets, and surrounded by that sunrise glow that I loved so much. When it was over, and I was met with his adoring gaze, all I could do was whisper that simple word again. "Hi."

"How's your head feeling?" He asked, seeming to shake himself of whatever vulnerable, tired thoughts he'd been thinking. The usual flirtatious gleam returned to his eyes as he lifted his fingers to my temple, pressing lightly. "Figured you'd have one hell of a hangover."

"It's not that bad," I assured him. In this light, I could see the slight flush on his cheeks. In this light, it was very hard to remind myself that this was my friend Jake and not my lover. "Sorry about that, by the way."

He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders or trying to as best he could while lying on his side. "Don't worry about it, princess. You're a pretty fun drunk."

Rolling my eyes, I scoffed at him. "You're just saying that 'cause I basically threw myself at you."

"That did give me quite the ego boost," he admitted with a grin. "But, it was a good night."

With my cheek pressed against his pillow and the feel of his arms around me, I smiled. "It was a really good night."

I could see the way he instantly wanted to respond with something witty and smug, but Jake forced the sides of his mouth down and nodded. "So… I… What now?"

"You seem flustered." Grinning ear to ear, I sat up in exaggerated shock. With a fake gasp, I looked down at him. "Am I your first?"

Jake laughed, carefully sitting up and unintentionally - or very intentionally - pulling me into his chest. "Don't let it go to your head, princess."

"So I am your first. That's cute of you."

"I've had plenty of women spend the night," he finally replied. "I'm just not used to them staying for breakfast the next day."

Bumping our noses together, I used the swell of pride and elation to fuel my teasing. "What makes you think I'm staying for breakfast?"

His brows rose as his hands settled on my hips. "You're still here, aren't you?"

"Oh, come on, pretty boy! You gotta ask me properly."

Normally, Jake would have resisted a little, but today, he just nodded. "Lena, would you like to stay for breakfast?"

I hummed, pretending to think it over when really I just liked hearing him ask me to stay. "I'd love to."

For a second - one incredibly long and intimate second - it seemed like Jake was going to kiss me. A kiss that we both knew would unravel whatever tiny thread of self-control both of us still possessed on the ever-growing desire to lose ourselves in each other. His hands squeezed my hips, and then he carefully pushed me back and slid off his bed. "I, uh, don't know what I have that's edible."

Ignoring the slight burn of disappointment that filled my chest, I inched closer to the edge of the bed. Whisky emerged from the pile of blankets and slid into my lap, purring as I scratched his chin. "Got stuff for shitty eggs?"

"Careful, my version of shitty eggs is actually shitty."

"If I can survive Patrick's attempt at eggs, I'm sure I can survive yours," I assured him, carefully moving Whisky off my lap to stand up. Jake's gaze instantly drifted, eyes lazily rolling down my body. My heart stammered, and my face felt hot. Stupid, I told myself. He'd seen me naked before, and here I was, getting flustered by his eyes. With a soft clearing of my throat, I gestured towards the bathroom. "I'm gonna get dressed."

Jake nodded, scratching the back of his head and turning to his kitchen. "You can shower if you need to. What's mine is yours."

The words sent a shiver up my spine. What's mine is yours. It was platonic. It was him being a good friend. No matter what I told myself, the weight of what I felt… Of what I knew, he felt too, made it impossible to keep those words from meaning too much. "Thanks."

The bathroom provided me with a moment of privacy - a moment I used to stare at myself in the mirror, or rather stare at the new marks that littered my skin. I carefully touched each hickey and faded bite mark, my mind remembering how they all got there.

It had been a long time since I'd seen my neck constantly covered in love bites. One-night stands usually didn't leave any lasting marks, and Sam had always been too gentle to bite. Jake was different, though. He touched me like he was desperate… Starved. He was rough, but in a way that made me feel completely and utterly wanted. The energy Jake brought to intimate moments was electric, addictive, and attentive. I never knew what to expect with him, yet I always knew I would enjoy myself.

I always knew I was safe.

There, in Jake's bathroom, staring at myself in his mirror, I let myself fall. I wanted to be with him. Not just in some wild night of impulsive pleasure… But in everything else. I wanted to sleep in his bed with him. I wanted to eat whatever shitty breakfast he cooked up in the morning. I wanted to play with the cat. I wanted to hold his hand and kiss him without sneaking off. I wanted Jake. Every part of him.

With a deep breath, I let that fuzzy feeling consume me. I put my pants and shoes on, stuffing my shirt in Jake's dirty laundry hamper in favor of wearing his t-shirt for a little longer. Then I combed my fingers through my unruly hair and pointed at myself in that mirror. "You're gonna talk to him. You're gonna be honest, and you're gonna talk to him!"

Once I emerged from the bathroom, now filled with a determined fuzzy feeling, I made my way to the kitchen, where Jake was still shirtless, rummaging through his cupboards. Adorable, I thought with a happy smile. Now or never… My fingers tingled as the slightly nervous but still good feeling really started to take root in my chest. Jake smiled at me before he turned and opened his fridge. "I don't think I've got any eggs. Or… Well, anything really."

"I'm sure a man of your talents can figure something out." I caught his smirk before I ducked my head back down and nervously fished my phone out of my bag, a last-ditch effort to prolong the conversation we both knew was well overdue. "We could always go out somewhere too. I'm not picky."

The first thing I noticed as I turned my phone back on was the insane amount of missed calls and messages. What the fuck? The second thing I noticed was the time and the date.

9:10. November 20th.

My heart stopped, and all the good fuzzy feelings drained from my body. All that nervous excitement about breakfast… About the conversation I'd planned to have with Jake… All of it was replaced by a deep, dark guilt. No… I tried to deny it. That can't be… it… With trembling fingers, I opened the messages.

Hey, we just got here. You and Oz running late? Peter.

Bring a think of that whisky dad liked. Patrick.

Are you on your way?

Lee, where are you?

It's been an hour. Are you and Ozzy alright?

Missed call.

Lena, answer your phone.

Missed call.

Lena?

Missed call.

Lena.

"Lena?"

"Oh god," I mumbled as my eyes stung. My hands locked around the damn phone. How the fuck did I forget? Why… Why wasn't I there?

Jake closed his fridge door, making me jump and look up at him in shock. His eyebrows furrowed, those blue eyes dancing over my face with concern. "Hey, you okay?"

And then it all came crashing down. The reason I'd forgotten about the family visit… The reason I'd forgotten to keep an eye on the time… The reason I'd forgotten the anniversary of my father's death. Jake. I'd been with Jake. I'd gotten so lost in him and that feeling of safety, warmth, and fun.

"I forgot," I whimpered. Seeing the confusion play on his face, I reached forward grabbed my bag, and turned to leave. "I… forgot."

"What?" He asked, head tilting as he moved closer. "Lena, wait!"

My feet didn't stop, not as Jake called out after me as I hurried down the stairs and out the front door, not as the harsh wave of passing bodies swept me into the crowd of people, and not when the tears started to spill down my cheeks.

Crying silently in a crowded place was a talent, one I'd mastered years ago, but it never felt any better than it did to cry loudly in silence. In both scenarios, you're alone. In both scenarios, your only choice is to keep walking forward. The tears weren't even the worst part. The guilt that now consumed my chest was smothering… Forcing my body into an old state of panicked breathlessness.

I'd forgotten about the anniversary of my dad's death… I'd forgotten about everything else. Everything except Jake and that fuzzy, warm, stupid feeling that I got whenever I was with him. Last night, a night that was supposed to be solemn and focused on the life my father led, was instead made all about me.

It was a good night. I closed my eyes for a moment, hints of those feelings simmering inside me as I continued to walk. It was such a good night. Too good of a night. The sounds of the city faded away, replaced by the faint but steady noise of a flatlined heart.

Dad's leather jacket cocooned around me as I carried the small tray of food up from the cafeteria. The smell of his strong cologne made the sterile hospital less frightening and made me feel safe. Dad was here. Nothing bad was gonna happen.

Ozzy stood outside the door, a cold, void look on his face as he stared into the distance. I knew what that look meant… I'd looked that way before. But, there, with that leather jacket and that idiotic sense of hope, I refused to acknowledge it. Oz pulled himself out of it as I neared, moving to stop me with a gentle hand. "They ask you to wait outside?"

"Lena… He…" A sob tore through Ozzy's throat as he shook his head. "He's gone."

A forced laugh filled my lungs as I shook my head, ignoring the way I instantly knew he was telling the truth. Ignoring the way I knew in my bones, my dad was dead. "No. No, he's fine. I was just with him."

Oz's face tightened with pain. "Oh, my girl…"

"I was just with him," I repeated as my hands went numb and tears started to fill my eyes. "I…"

I brushed past him and walked forward to the door, where everything faded at the sight of my father lying on the hospital bed. His eyes were closed, chest exposed, and covered with those paddles as the doctors shouted at each other. My hands went numb, the tray falling from my grip as the sight of that flat green line forced my brain to acknowledge what had happened.

My dad was dead. "No." I bit out, desperate fear and bitter anger digging up more memories… Forcing me to relive another loss. "Dad…" I could feel phantom blood on my hands and hear echoes of the gunshot. I could see lifeless eyes looking up at me. "Get up."

Ozzy's arms wound around me as my quiet words turned into desperate and harsh sobs. "I've got you, my girl."

"Dad, please get up!" I screamed, pounding on the door the doctors had closed. "Get up!"

I still need you, I wanted to tell him. We all need you.

There on the hospital floor, Ozzy held me tight as I fell apart. That day, I walked out of the hospital with nothing left of my dad… Just that leather jacket.

I knew my feet would carry me home. But what I didn't know was just what to expect when I got there. The Ring was closed, the lights off, and no one moved around the gym as I went to the back door and entered. It was quiet. The kind of quiet that made every part of me want to run away.

When I opened the apartment door, Patrick was the first one I noticed. He held a hammer, using it to fix one of the cabinet doors, as he glared at me. Peter stood up from his seat, his entire face draining of worry as he gave me a quick hug. "Where the hell were you? We were scared shitless thinking you were in trouble."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, dropping my bag onto the edge of the table. "I'm sorry. I… I just lost track of the time and…"

Patrick's face remained cold and hardened as he set his tools down and turned. "Where were you?"

Peter recognized that look. He recognized that feeling of static fire that filled the air between us. He'd felt it a hundred times by now… Felt it right before Patrick and I fought. "Pat…"

"No." His voice sent my hair standing on end. Every fiber of my being instantly reminded of that fucking penthouse… Of the way, Patrick was bigger than me… Stronger than me… Of the way, in moments like this, he reminded me of Tony. "Where were you, Lena?"

My heart pounded, the voice saying the words twisted. Half my brother and half him. Anger curled inside me. The ugliest… Deepest anger. "What does it fucking matter?"

Patrick's hand slammed down onto the table. "What was so goddamn important that you forgot about our dad?"

"It's none of your fucking business!"

"Like hell it isn't!" Peter was on his feet now, standing between us, eyes closed and tears pouring down his cheeks. "FUCKING TELL ME!"

"I DON'T OWE YOU A GODDAMN THING!" I screamed.

Patrick's eyes were wide. They were filled with his own traumatic past… With his own anger that was just as ugly and deep as mine. "You're so fucking selfish." Stop. "Nothing fucking matters to you." Shut up. "Not me. Not Oz. Not Pete. Not even our fucking dad."

All my anger boiled over, and my mouth opened, speaking the words I knew would strike deepest. "He isn't even your dad! You aren't even part of the family!"

Patrick didn't skip a beat in returning the sentiment. "I'm more part of this family than you are. You were hardly even here, and when you were, everyone couldn't stand you!"

Peter shoved us both back. "Stop! Both of you!"

"We all would've been better off if you'd never come back."

My heart stopped. My vision blurred as Tony's words echoed in my mind. "All you offer anyone is problems, stress… Trouble. They're all better off without you. And you know it."

Tears were shimmering in both our eyes as the reality of what we'd said dawned on us. I could see regret in Patrick's eyes… I could see that he hadn't meant the words he said… Just as he could see I hadn't meant mine. But we said nothing. Stuck in our hurt and our pride. Peter's voice was nothing but a dull background noise as I grabbed my bag and left the apartment, slamming the door behind me.

Hands trembling and my breath trapped in my chest, I walked, now unsure of where my feet would take me. I couldn't go home. I couldn't go to Jake. I was alone. And maybe I deserved to be.

I wandered the streets for what felt like hours before I finally stopped in front of the rundown hotel. Sliding through the hole in the fence and carefully maneuvered around the glass to stand at the bar. The smooth wood felt cold beneath my fingers as they sought out the neatly carved initials at the edge. J.H. Good ol Jack Harrow. The man… The father I'd forgotten about on the one day set aside to remember him properly.

Maybe it was stupid to be so distraught over one day, but the ache remained all the same. No matter what I told myself, I still felt horrible. Guilty. Selfish. Years of self-loathing and years of being told I was nothing but a selfish waste of space caught up with me.

My dad had been the first to make me believe I was something. He was the first person that loved me, even when I was at my lowest. And I'd forgotten him. Deep down, I knew he wouldn't be mad at me for it. But that knowledge only seemed to make me feel worse.

Howard called and texted a few times as my shift start came and went, but all I could do was stare at the phone. The silence was one filled with ghosts, and I was content to sit there and wallow in the memory of them all. But, glass crunched beneath someone's shoe, forcing me to turn.

Mr. Hiragana bowed slowly, eyes taking in the damaged space for a moment before he came to stand beside me. "Apologies, I did not intend to startle you."

"It's alright," I told him. "I… What are you doing here?"

"I came with some inspectors to get a better idea of what needed to be done to turn this place into a restaurant worthy of your name." He smiled, head turning slightly to the three other people now roaming about the rubble. "I intended to call you, but it seems that is no longer necessary."

Moving to leave, I answered, "I can go if you need the place to yourself."

Mr. Hiragana chuckled and shook his head. "That is hardly necessary. Besides, it's been a long time since we've sat at a bar together and spoke."

I laughed halfheartedly. "It has been a while."

"You seem troubled," he said quietly. "Is there anything I can do?"

Shaking my head, I blinked back tears. "No. I… This is my own mistake. One I'll have to fix myself."

"Mistakes are often the stones that lead to better paths." He smiled, leaning in as if it were some secret. "That is why we must make so many in our short lives."

"What if the mistake is a really big one?"

"Then the end destination will surely be a beautiful one." He looked at the bar, eyes scanning the surrounding area with a humble nod. "This is the place your father chose, is it not?"

My fingers curled around the chain link fence as I stared between the metal at the grand building in front of me. Even with the missing windows and broken glass, I couldn't look away from the gorgeous place as it shimmered in the sunlight. "It's beautiful."

"This dump?" Dad replied, earning a swift elbow from Ozzy. "I mean… Yeah… Beautiful."

Turning, I looked up at him. "Are they gonna make it into something new?"

Dad shrugged, looking at the abandoned hotel. "They'll probably tear it down and build a parking lot."

"What?"

Oz shook his head. "He doesn't know that for sure, dear."

"Why are you so invested in some trash hotel anyway?"

Looking back, I shrugged. "I dunno. I just… Like it."

Dad bent down, scooping me up and lifting me over the fence. "Let's go check it out then!"

"Dad!"

"Jack!"

As I landed on my feet now on the opposite side of the fence, I looked up at the two older men as my dad saddled the fence, ready to join me. He extended a hand to Ozzy and winked. "Oh, come on, Oz. It'll be fun!"

Ozzy shook his head but climbed over with us. "You two are troublemakers!"

The building was full of old posters and sleeping bags from whoever had been squatting here, but all I saw was the chandelier and the crown molding. Potential. "Wow! Can you imagine what it looked like before?"

"That's boring," Dad insisted. "What do you see it as in your head?"

"A restaurant," I answered with a smile. "My restaurant."

Ozzy gave Dad a look before he bent over and asked, "Do you really enjoy that sort of thing?"

"What sort of thing?"

"The cookin' your aunt always has you doin'." Dad patted my head. "That whole restaurant she's stuffed you in."

I thought for a moment, reflecting on the conflicting feelings of Aunt Maddie's harshness and the actual cooking. "I like to cook. It's simple. I… I don't have to think about anything else."

With a nod, Dad smiled again. "A restaurant then. Yours. What you gonna call it?"

"Nishikigoi."

Ozzy laughed. "In English, dear."

"It's the word for koi fish." I scratched my head. "At least, I think it is. That's what the big fish said last time."

"Should I be worried about all this fish talk?" Dad asked, hoisting me up. "You're not gonna turn into some seabass, are ya?"

Giggling, I shook my head. "Not in this life."

Dad nodded to the elevator doors, urging Oxygen to follow us. "Come on, let's see if these work."

"Jack, no!" Ozzy hollered.

I nodded, sadly staring at the initials. "Yeah, it is."

"It is a very good place. Full of positive energy. I will take great joy in seeing you and your colleagues bring out its full potential." Mr. Hiragana bowed his head, settling a hand over my dad's initials in the wood. "He would as well."

"I miss him." Tears finally rolled down my cheeks. "I miss him so much, and yet… I find myself forgetting him. His smile. His voice. The way he laughed."

The old man frowned. "Death takes the spirit. Time takes the body. But memory is something we hold inside us through even the darkest of times." His hand took hold of mine. "A love that deep never leaves us, not even in death. It is impossible for you to have forgotten him."

"How?"

"You carry him with you. His smile is your smile. His voice is your voice. His laugh is your laugh. Your father left you with everything you would ever need to remember him by."

I wiped the tears from my eyes and cleared my throat, bowing my head to him. "Thank you, my friend."

"It is always an honor to offer you my advice, little fish."

"Well, since we're both here, why don't I show you around?"

He smiled, taking my arm and walking with me as I led him through the old hotel. Mr. Hiragana listened to all the ideas I'd saved up for what we could do with it all. For an hour, the crushing weight of the guilt and the pain lessened. With the input of the man I'd met so long ago at a bar in Tokyo, it felt like my dad was standing beside me, arm draped over my shoulder, making his usual witty remarks.

Once I'd talked his ear off and the inspectors had finished, I bowed my head and bid Mr. Hiragana farewell. Back on the other side of the fence, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and finally checked the messages that had been steadily buzzing the last hour. My heart nearly stopped at the sight of four missed calls from Peter. One from Patrick and one from Jake. It all came back in a large wave that doused all Mr. Hiragana's words of wisdom.

Please answer the phone, Lee.

You know he didn't mean it.

Just… Be safe. Call someone, please?

Peter's messages made my throat clench. Guilt and pain and that stupid bitter sting of anger still sitting in my chest.

The next message was from Jake. It was short and simple and surprisingly not dripping with frustration or anger, which only made the guilt burn hotter. Hey, I just wanted to check-in. Sorry about earlier, if I said something or… You know. Call me if you need anything.

I leaned against the chain link fence in front of the hotel, pressing my hand to my still-aching head and desperately trying not to cry. The phone buzzed in my hand.

You sick or something? Scott.

Pull yourself together, I told myself quickly, replying to the cook's message. Or something. It's been a day.

Sounds shitty. Wanna talk about it or something?

Nope. I texted back quickly. I ran into Mr. Hiragana and his inspectors, though.

How'd that go?

Good. He approved all the plans and is contacting his guys to get it started.

Before he could reply, I shoved the phone in my pocket and started walking. Among the crowds of people and their constant idle noise, I could think clearly. My feet carried me, familiar with every path and, deep down, knowing exactly where to go even when I didn't. I wanted to go home. Wanted to curl up in that old, lumpy bed and disappear. But Patrick's voice still harshly rang in the back of my mind.

I wiped the wetness from my eyes, scolding myself for nearly crying once again, and shook my head. Home wasn't an option right now. So, I kept walking. Walking and listening and avoiding… All the things I used to be so good at.

The orange hues of the setting sun painted Nana's diner in a golden glow. The tiny little building looked almost heaven-sent as I made my way across the street and through the front door. It was busy tonight. Tables full of bodies happily conversing and enjoying their meals as the old Arabic woman looked up over the counter and sadly smiled at me.

Nana opened her arms wide and swept me up into her embrace, kissing my head and lovingly smoothing her hands over my hair. "Oh, Habibi, how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," I answered, though I knew she'd hear the crack in my voice.

Pulling me back, she stroked my cheeks and swept me into a seat. "Sit, beautiful girl. Abdul and I will make you dinner."

As I sat in the noise of Nana's diner, I watched the people that came and went. Families, friends, lovers… There was no shortage of deep forged bonds staring back at me tonight. A great joke that made it impossible for me to forget what I'd missed and the angry words Patrick and I had exchanged. Nana served my food, setting the various plates down around me. "Have you seen Ozzy?"

She shook her head, then suddenly asked, "How was your night? I know it's a difficult day for all of you, but hopefully, your visit made it better."

I clenched my jaw, tears stinging in my eyes. Salt in the wound. I knew Nana didn't mean to remind me of my monumental fuck up. I knew she asked because she cared, but what was I supposed to say? It was amazing. I spent the whole night with Jake and completely forgot that it was the anniversary of Dad's death, so missed the family visit to his grave, and now everyone hates me. So I just shrugged. "It was okay."

Nana saw through me in an instant and gently set a hand on my head. "What is that brain of yours thinking?"

A hundred lies came to mind, each one just as likely to shift her focus as the last, but I said none of them. I was tired. So tired. "Am I a monster Nana?"

"What?" The old woman questioned, dropping to her knees in front of me. Her hand cupped my cheek as she shook her head. "You are no such thing! Not my silly, thoughtful, bright, good Lena!"

"What if all that's just a lie… A facade to hide what I really am?" Years built in my eyes as I averted my gaze. "What if no one really knows me?"

Nana's grip was gentle but firm as she forced me to look at her. "You listen to me. You are our Lena. My Lena. I have known you since you were in diapers. I have known you through your best and your worst. And I have loved you every moment." She smiled, that kind and gentle smile that warmed my heart a little. "You are no monster. No matter what that pesky brain of yours says."

All I could do was nod into her hands and sink into her warm, spiced embrace. The vicious thoughts - thoughts that Patrick's words had been true… That my mother had been right about me - quieted as Nana whispered her prayer into my hair. After a while, Abdul brought me plates of food, but I wasn't hungry.

While I played with my food, the diner door opened, and Ozzy quietly walked inside. Nana let out a relieved breath and nodded in my direction. "You talk some sense into her, Oswald."

"Course I will."

"Make sure she eats!"

He made his way to me, smiling sadly as he sat down. "You weren't at the grave last night."

"Rumor is you weren't either," I retorted with much more bite than intended.

He nodded, looking at his hands. "I wasn't."

After a moment of quiet between us, I asked, "Did you forget?"

His answer had the potential to ease my guilt. It didn't, though. Ozzy shook his head. "I remembered. Too much. Opened that damn box of loss and couldn't bring myself to do anything." He looked back up at me, eyes watery as he waited for my own truth to be spoken aloud.

"I forgot," I whispered. "I… I got distracted, and I…" Pressing my eyes shut as tight as I could, I scoffed at myself. "I had a good night."

Ozzy nodded, standing up and glancing over his shoulder at Nana. "I think it's time we both make amends. Take a bite of that food, or she'll be giving us both a good smack with her magazines." I did as he asked. "Good, now come on, dear."

Gathering my things, I followed him. "Where are we going?"

"To visit with the one person that can absolve us of our guilt."

The cab ride was quiet but not the kind I'd expected. I didn't feel at peace, and I didn't feel guilty. Instead, I was filled with an alarming sense of nothingness. I was filled with a dreaded sensation that had haunted me after I left the hospital.

The graveyard was even more quiet. It was the revenant kind, though, the kind that made every step on dried leaves echo in the now chilly night air and dance among the dead. Both of us stopped in front of the worn tombstone, lined with fresh flowers and a few soggy cards. Patrick and Peter's gifts, no doubt. Ozzy sat down first, and I followed.

The ground was slightly wet, but neither of us cared as we looked at the name carved into the stone. There were so many things I wanted to say now that I was here, but it felt like each word was stuck in my throat. Ozzy didn't seem to have the same problem. He sighed, reaching out to touch the stone. "Hey, you big oaf. It's been a while." I could hear the sorrow in his voice. "Sorry I'm late. Don't worry, Patrick already gave me hell for it. Boy was downright hostile to me, and maybe I deserved it… The point is, I'm sorry. I just missed you so much that the thought of having to face the facts again was too much for me yesterday. I'm here now, though, and that's what matters."

Silence retook the graveyard. It was my turn to speak, and yet I had nothing. Ozzy's warm hand settled on my knee as I swallowed, separately trying to free the words in my throat. "He would've understood, you know."

"I know."

"Your dad loved you. More than anything. And there is nothing you could have done, now or then, to change that."

Shaking my head, I sobbed. "I forgot about him."

Ozzy's hand squeezed. "You didn't forget him, Lena. That's not possible, and we both know it."

"I-"

"You had a good night. You did things that made you happy… That made you forget about the pain and the sadness that his death stained that day with." With a chuckle, Ozzy shook his head. "You're allowed to live your life, love. He would've preferred it that way."

Looking into his misty eyes, I sniffled. "I know but… Why do I still feel so horrible?"

"Because death is hard." He closed his eyes and sighed. "It's angry and bitter and hard. Remembering or forgetting, it feels the same. So, feel it. Feel the pain and the anger. Feel the joy and the love. Feel it and then try to let it go. Try to let him go. That's all we can do while we exist in this world without him."

"Were you able to do that?" I asked. "Let him go?"

Oz shook his head. "No. I think in order to really do that, I need to find something to fill the home he left behind. And that… It's a very big hole." Turning to look at me, he smiled. "But you found something to do that. Or… Someone I should say."

Jake. "What makes you say that?"

"You let yourself let go. You let yourself feel and forget."

"I never really realized it back then, but I was really lucky," I finally said, tears still streaming down my cheeks. "Most people grow up with just one awesome dad… Sometimes, not even that. But I…" Looking up at him with a smile, I held his hand tighter. "I got two really good, really amazing dads."

He pulled me into a bone-crushing hug, and the two of us cried together. My fingers curled into his jacket as I whispered to him, "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, my dear girl." When he finally pulled away, wiping his nose, he stood, nodding to the tombstone. "I'll give the two of you a moment."

Once the sound of his footsteps faded, I sighed, watching my breath rise in the cold air. "Hey, old man. It's been a while... Too long." I stared at his name engraved in the stone, trying to picture his face instead. "I'm sorry I didn't come yesterday, I was... Things got..." I looked down at my jeans, picking at a loose string of fabric. The same jeans I'd been wearing yesterday. "So, there's this boy. He's a complete idiot and just the biggest asshole you'd ever meet. Seriously, he gives Patrick a run for his money sometimes." I laughed to myself, imagining that look he'd give me, telling me to keep going. "But, he makes me feel a lot of things. Good things. He... He makes me feel like I'm normal. Like I'm just me and that... That's beautiful. That I'm beautiful."

My chilled fingers brushed some dirt off his headstone. "He makes me forget, too. Sometimes when I'm with him, it feels like time doesn't exist." I glanced over my shoulder at Ozzy, who stood on the path waiting. "Is that how you felt with Oz? That warm, safe, forgetting? Is it normal to be so... Captivated by someone?"

With a sigh, I settled into my seat in the damp grass. This would be the moment he told me something very profound, something only he could come up with. But, now, all that I could hear was the wind in the trees. Next would come the incessant prying. Dad would want every detail, so, like it was some cosmic secret, I whispered, "His name's Jake, and I think you would've really liked him."

Once I'd finished and pressed my hand to his grave, I felt the weight lift off me. Gone. Truly gone this time. "Bye, Dad. I love you."

Ozzy placed his arm around my shoulder and kissed my head. "Ready to go?"

My eyes cast to the opposite side of the graveyard. "Actually… Would you mind if we visited someone else?"

"Of course not, my dear," he answered, turning down the path toward the person he knew I spoke of.

Clumps of hair swirled along the floor as the door opened. Rada froze in the doorway and looked at the scene with wide eyes. "Lisus."

With blurred vision, I turned my head and looked at her. "I cut it off… oh, oh god, I cut it all off!" My fingers dug into my scalp as the weightlessness of my impulsive rebellion faded, replaced now by terror. "They love my long hair. Tony… He hates short hair! They're going to be so mad I made myself look uglier!"

The maid's lips thinned as she tossed her supplies on the counter and quickly made her way to my side. I flinched as she raised her hand to my cheek, gently attempting to wipe away some of the smudges of charcoal. "How long has it been since you slept Lyubov?"

"I can't sleep," I replied quietly. "They said I needed to finish my pieces for the gala… I'm not good enough… They-"

"None of this," she interrupted, helping me to my feet and leading me up the stairs to the washroom. "Let us get you cleaned up and fix that beautiful hair, hmm?

Rada bathed me, using a soft sponge to clean the paint and charcoal off my face and hands and washing my butchered hair. She quietly assessed the damage and helped wrap me in a warm robe. She lovingly brushed through my hair, finding a pair of scissors and carefully, meticulously cutting to even it out. After a moment, she said, "Repeat after me. Ya krasivaya."

"Ya krasivaya." My voice was shaking from the effort it took to keep my tears at bay.

Rada nodded, smiling at me through the mirror. "Good. Now, ya sil'nyy."

"Ya sil'nyy."

"Ya lyubim."

"Ta lyubim."

"Mne uzhe dostatochno."

Smiling at me, she smoothed her hands over the now even, short bob. "There, beautiful as always."

"He's going to hate it…" I swallowed a lump in my throat. "I'm so stupid…"

Clicking her tongue, she shushed me. "Do you hate it?"

I looked in the mirror, examining the short, black hair. "I… I miss the red."

She wiped the tears from my eyes and kissed my head. "Then we'll let the red grow back out. You go rest now, Lyubov."

Shaking my head, I tried to protest. "I have to-"

"I will clean up the mess," Rada interrupted, shaking her brush at me. "And then I will pick out your pieces for your show."

"Rada-"

"My Lena," she whispered, taking hold of my face. "My sweet girl… Rest. Let Rada handle everything else."

As she turned to leave, I asked, "What did the words mean?"

Shaking her head, she clicked her tongue. "You'll understand them soon."

I am beautiful.

I am strong.

I am loved.

I am already enough.

With a deep breath, I looked down at the modest stone that marked her grave. I pressed a kiss to the tombstone. "Ya lyublyu tebya, mama."

Home felt far better than it ever had as I entered the gym through the alley door. I let my fingers trail along the pictures on the wall and headed upstairs to the apartment, finally ready to face Patrick and make amends to both my brothers. When I opened the apartment door, all the noise on the other side died. Patrick stood, holding the garbage can, while Peter sat at the table next to Dom. And Jake stood off to the side, half leaning against my bedroom door.

I wondered why they were here as I dropped my bag on the ground by the door. "I-"

Patrick practically threw the garbage can back into the corner as he twisted around the table and slammed into me. His arms held me tightly to him as if it were the most important thing he could ever do. "You know I didn't mean any of it, right?" He asked, his voice nearly turning into sobs. "I didn't mean it."

I buried my head into his neck. "I know. I didn't mean it either."

Patrick held me tighter. "I know."

We didn't move for a few minutes, both of us breathing heavy sighs of relief at the unspoken but heard apologies. My big brother pulled away first, taking my head in his large hands and blinking away tears. "I love you, little sister."

With a sniffling laugh, I replied, "I love you too, big brother."

Dom made his way past us, wordlessly offering me a pat on the head. Peter hugged me, kissing my head softly. "Don't disappear like that again. Please."

"I won't."

Eventually the two of them followed Dom downstairs to lock the doors, leaving Jake and I alone in the apartment. "Hi," I mumbled, slightly afraid he'd be pissed at me.

Jake breathed a sound of relief? "Hi."

"I'm sorry about earlier…" I started, cursing my eyes as they once again filled with tears. "I shouldn't have run out on you I-"

"Stop," he said, not harshly or loudly… Definite and soft. "You…" His jaw clenched for a second, a far-off look threatening to fill his eyes. "You have nothing to apologize for."

He didn't hate me. I wanted to sob. "They told you then?"

For a moment, he looked scared, and worried as he stumbled on his words for a second. "What?"

"My brothers. I'm guessing they told you about yesterday? About it being the anniversary of our dad's death."

"That's why you were… I'm sorry. I didn't know."

I shook my head, quickly shushing him. "It's not your fault. I could have canceled."

"Why didn't you?" He asked, the vulnerability from this morning sinking into his voice.

Shrugging I smiled at him. "I wanted to be with you."

Without another word, Jake stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. This hug felt heavier… Deeper than the others. Jake held me so tightly that for a moment, I wondered if he was trying to consume me or mold us into one being. His hands cradled my head and back so gently, like I was a freshly plucked flower. It was odd and yet comforting.

Normally, I hated deep hugs. They felt too much like sorrow and pity and everything I didn't want to feel. But Jake's hug was different. It was soft and warm. Safe. I found myself melting into his arms, curling into him - seeking out that feeling that he just radiated.

"I missed you today," I found myself admitting against his skin.

Jake chuckled. "I missed you too, princess."

I pulled my head back, staring into his eyes. "You can stay here tonight if you want to."

"It is getting late," he replied, a tiny hint of teasing.

Laughing, I nodded. "I'd hate for you to get your ass kicked trying to get home."

He smirked. "We both know how easy it is for me to get my ass kicked."

"Come on," I said, gently pulling him into my bedroom.

We undressed in comfortable silence, both our eyes lingering on the other person's body in an odd, almost reverent way. As Jake climbed into the bed, situating himself under the yellow covers, leaving plenty of room for me to join him, I tossed our clothes in my chair and quickly ran a brush through my hair. The lumpy mattress felt better than ever as I sank into Jake’s side, instantly curling into him.

His hands gently massaged my shoulders as he inhaled my hair and looked down at me. I could see something, a feeling or a question, swimming in his eyes. “What’s on your mind?”

“I just… I didn’t make you feel… obligated to stay last night, did I?”

I sat up slightly, touching his cheek and shaking my head. “No! I stayed because I wanted to stay, Jake.”

Nodding, he swallowed. “You just seemed unsure before all the fun.”

“I mean… I guess was a bit… Nervous,” I admitted sheepishly.

His mood lightened as he chuckled. "Nervous about seeing me? I'm flattered."

"Not about that, jackass. Just… I…" With a sigh, I closed my eyes and shook my head, curling into him more. "I was just nervous that you were expecting it to be different."

Jake's fingers idly combed through my hair as he hummed, throat vibrating against my forehead. "I didn't really have any expectations."

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I asked the question that could be a horrible thing to bring up. "Why did you tell Simone we were going on a date then?"

He pulled back, brows furrowed and confusion clear on his face. "I didn't tell Simone we were doing anything yesterday. Why would you think that?"

"I swung by the restaurant before meeting you. She told me I looked cute and not to be nervous because you were good at this sort of thing. Then she assured me she could keep our date a secret."

Jake's genuine confusion only grew. "I…" He paused and shook his head. "I'll talk to her about it. Sorry if that made you feel-"

Covering his mouth with my fingers, I smiled at him. "I didn't feel obligated to do anything. I wanted to. I just… I'm not very good at this."

His laugh vibrated through my fingers as he gently pulled them off his lips. "It's hard to imagine anything you're not good at."

"I assure you, I'm horrible at a lot of things."

"Name one."

"This," I answered smugly, relaxing my head back on his pillow.

Jake rolled his eyes, arms tightening around me. "You seem pretty good at it to me."

Our breaths mingled together, noses brushing ever so slightly. "Well, you're biased, so what you think doesn't count."

A soft silence filled the apartment. The hum of all that had happened… All that we both had come to feel and realize over the past few weeks slowly building. I could feel the question building up in my chest, burning… Pleading for me to let it out. It was only a matter of time before I blurted it all out. Jake just happened to beat me to it. "So… What… What is this?"

I felt all the air leave my lungs as I stared back at those eyes. This was a chance for us to both acknowledge whatever it was we were… What we wanted. It was a chance I wanted to take more than anything, but the words that stumbled out were not what I'd planned. "I thought you hated labels."

God dammit. Jake smirked and shrugged his shoulder. "Normally, I do. But, this isn't normal… Is it?"

"No, it's not."

"We don't have to have this conversation right now," he said, tiredly. "Raincheck?"

“Raincheck.”

That talk could happen tomorrow. But now, all I wanted was to get lost in the moment. Peaceful and safe and tired. "Jake?" I quietly asked, determined to rid myself of that one last question that was still tugging lightly at the back of my mind.

"Yeah, princess?"

"If my brothers didn't tell you about dad… Why were you already here when I got back?"

He was quiet for a moment, so quiet I almost thought he’d fallen asleep already, but then his chest dipped heavily. "I was worried about you, so I showed up to ask if they'd seen you. Then you walked in."

I giggled, my heart practically doing summersaults in my chest at the soft admittance of his worry for me. "I do have amazing timing, don't I?"

Jake pressed his lips to my head, a simple, intimate act that made my eyes close and everything inside me still. “Yeah. You really do."

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