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humanmoodring-retired · 3 years

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Season’s Yeetings Pt. 2 || Blanche, Connor, Cordelia, Nadia, Regan, and Kaden

TIMING: Present PARTIES: @harlowhaunted @connorspiracy @humanmoodring @kadavernagh @chasseurdeloup SUMMARY: Another exorcism. The stakes are higher, and Nadia’s life hangs in the balance. feat Mav the Exorcist CONTENT: Self harm, suicide attempt (possession-driven)

Nadia had stabbed herself. She’d stabbed herself, and all she could really do was look down at her hands wrapped around the knife’s handle. She blinked, shock setting in faster than pain. She didn’t even feel it, really. Really. She looked up, trying to see Regan or Blanche or Connor or even Mav, but the only person she could focus on was the woman in the circle with her. Had she always been this blurry. No wonder she thought the red headed figure looked like Brooke an embarrassing number of times. This was Cordelia Gregory, and she was cruel, and she’d made Nadia stab herself. She’d stabbed herself. It was startling to her, just a little. She’d never expected Cordelia to make her stab herself. She’d never taken the threats Cordelia had made to others about killing Nadia seriously. She wasn’t worried about herself. She was worried about her friends, people that Cordelia had proven time and time again that she had no problem in hurting. She actually seemed to take a great deal of pleasure from it.

“Move your foot against the chalk line and let me out of the fucking circle,” Cordelia whispered in Nadia’s ear, attempting to put her hand on Nadia’s face (her face it was still hers, goddammit). “Let me out of the fucking circle, and you might live. Right? You might live. We’ll both live! We’ll-- I’ll leave you alone, just let me out!” The last word was a shriek, causing the power to go out in the apartment complex. All this stupid girl had to do was let her out.

“No.” Nadia wasn’t a fool. Not anymore. She wasn’t letting this woman, this bitch that had tormented her for years out just so that she could go after someone else. Nadia Diaz was going to be Cordelia Gregory’s last victim, for better or for worse. Cordelia’s rage, something that she was intimately familiar with, was incredible to see as the face in front of her contorted with it. Nadia grinned back at the poltergeist, a savage sort that wasn’t an expression she normally made but, fuck, it felt good. For just a second, she allowed herself to hate Cordelia, to be glad that she was taking her down. This had been years in the making. She watched Cordelia reach down and grab Nadia’s hands, and she felt herself drag the knife up and out, her hands throwing the knife out of the circle. Nadia couldn’t help the sound that came out of her mouth. Fuck. That-- That wasn’t supposed to happen, right? Things weren’t supposed to be removed like that. Nadia fell to her knees, her hands moving to try and replace the knife with pressure. “Hurr--” She swallowed the word. Hurry. They needed to hurry.

Regan knew enough medical terminology and jargon to immediately recognize the Latin chanting. The book she had borrowed from Blanche mentioned this would likely happen -- apparently, situations like this called for Latin or other ancient languages, though she didn’t completely understand what the purpose of it was. It didn’t matter at this point. Dissecting everything that happened and was happening and would happen wasn’t going to do Nadia any favors, and this was about Nadia, not her own need for logic and sense. She pulled away as Blanche inched in closer to her, not willing to stand within whispering distance. “Yes?” She said impatiently, not taking her eyes off of Nadia, “Good. He had better know what he’s doing. Kaden said he found the best. Failure is not an option.” If Blanche was trying to communicate something else to her, she wasn’t receptive to hearing it.

Regan pushed herself closer to the central circle as Nadia’s trembling grew more fierce, worse than the most frightened patients she had ever encountered in the ER. But it wasn’t just fear. Something was happening to her. Inside of her. Pinpricks of sweat glistened on her skin and the sputtering of nerves shook her body even harder like she was being wrenched in half. Nadia’s face twisted and tore in several directions, her hand slowly drifting behind her, and-- a scream. Nadia’s. The lights flickered, off more than on, but Regan kept her eyes pinned to her friend. Was there a way to help? Any way? She knew she was instructed to just wait, to be there as moral support and in the event of an emergency, but how was she supposed to know the point of intervention? The blood drained from Nadia’s face, her lips skinned back in pain, and as the lights flicked on once more, she caught the glint of a knife near Nadia’s throat.

“Stop!” Regan screamed back, barreling toward the circle, stopping short just at its precipice. The lights shattered, flickering no more. She knew Blanche was probably behind her, trying to stop her, but her singular focus was on Nadia and getting that knife out of her hands. “Put it down! Now! You’re going to--” But it was too late. Nadia’s hand moved in one fluid motion, knife traveling from her neck, into her gut. Her eyes took in every movement of the knife, the way it sliced and the twist of Nadia’s wrist, how deep it went, the way the hilt pressed right up against her shirt. Everything was blurred and chaotic, moving simultaneously too fast and too slow. For a second, life stilled as Regan’s insides crushed with grief that she couldn’t reach Nadia in time. Her friend looked up to her, no longer shaking, an eerie calmness on her face, her eyes swollen and sad. Blood soaked into her shirt, spreading through fabric like a drop of ink in water, more pulsing out with each beat of her heart. Regan could see Nadia’s breathing, slow and harsh, growing weaker by the second. Too slow. Too harsh. Too weak.

And next to Nadia was the redhead. The same one Regan had met in this very apartment months ago, and the same one that had treated Nadia’s body like some horrible puppet and plaything ever since. This was the person who nearly murdered Kaden and herself, and who had committed countless crimes to countless others. And now, she wanted to murder Nadia. There was so much Regan wanted to say to Cordelia and say to Nadia right now, but she could only move and act. Regan bolted to break the circle, not wasting a second as Nadia collapsed. There was no time to talk. She was a doctor. That was part of why she was here. It was time to be a doctor. Her lungs tightened, something dark lurking inside of them -- a scream for Nadia that she was on the very edge of sounding. She needed to help her, to staunch the blood before all of it spilled across the floor, her life with it.

Blanche wished she hadn’t spoken at all. She realized the error she had made instantly. Cordelia wasn’t above taking Nadia down with her. If she couldn’t have her body, no one could. Blanche’s gaze was glued to the knife as she watched it plunge into Nadia’s gut. Her own stomach seized, remembering the long knife that had gone into her own skin. Instinctively, she took a step forward, as if to go help, when she remembered one of the most important things she read about exorcisms. The circle can’t be broken. Blanche froze on the spot, her eyes snapping to Regan. “Regan, don’t!” Blanche cried. Cordelia would be free to leave and free to torment Nadia or some other unsuspecting victim another day. She acted quickly. With a fluid motion she dropped the shotgun and was stepping forward. A familiar pain seared across Blanche’s forehead, her mind protesting the use of her power. She didn’t care, though. Her energy reached Regan, ranking her back harshly away from the exorcism. Blanche backed up, looking over her shoulder towards the door.

“K-Kaden!” Blanche screamed, “We need you!! Now! Please!” Her voice cracked slightly with the panic, her head splitting from the sudden force of energy and from Regan’s screeching. No sooner did the hunter appear in the doorway, did Blanche throw Regan at him. She tried to be lighter this time, but she didn’t think she did a very good job - it was powered with adrenaline and she had never had to throw a friend on purpose before. She could apologize later, though. “Keep her there so she doesn’t break the circle!” Blanche ordered shakily. She rushed forward to the edge of the circle now, on the other side of Mav, her gaze trained on Cordelia. “I’m sure this doesn’t need to be said,” Blanche said to Connor, though her eyes never left Cordelia’s form. A seething hatred erupted in her, and wasn’t able to bury it away this time. Thoughts of empathy were replaced with raw fury, and in this moment, Blanche was going to enjoy her existence being eradicated. Later, maybe not. But now? She was pissed. “We need to get a move on before Nadia bleeds out. Let’s go.”

Waiting outside the door was awful. Kaden tried to play out what he thought was happening behind him as he waited. It would be fine. Mav knew what he was doing. Nadia would be fine. Then there was screeching and the sound of glass shattering. Banshee screeches, no mistaking them. It was probably just Regan seeing something supernatural. It would be fine. This was going to be fine. But it didn’t stop. And he heard Blanche screaming, too; screaming his name. Fuck.

Kaden turned and burst through the door. Before Blanche could explain, he saw exactly what was happening. Regan was heading towards Nadia. She was going to break the circle. No. This wasn’t-- He darted towards her, glass crunching beneath his feet as he rounded the circle. He practically threw himself at Regan, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back. With her held tight, he saw it. He finally saw it. The reason why Regan was willing to risk the entire exorcism. He saw the knife in Nadia’s side. The pool of blood on the floor around her. “No.” This wasn’t happening. This wasn’t what was supposed to-- “No!” he shouted, not sure who it was even directed to anymore. His grip nearly loosened and he considered running towards her himself. “We can’t. We can’t. Regan, we have to wait. She won’t--” She wouldn’t die. She couldn’t. Regan hadn’t screamed. If there was anyone Regan would fucking scream for, it was Nadia.

But it struck him that there was still time, she could still unleash a death scream right here, right now in this room. And even if she knew how to hold it back by now, Kaden was sure she wouldn’t be able to. Not for Nadia. And he would be here with his arms around her while she screamed. Just long enough for his lungs to explode and his heart to burst. Any sane person would let go. He gripped her tighter, kept her away from the circle. Nadia wasn’t dying. Not today. He was sure of it. He had to be sure of it. He had to hold onto that hope, even if it was stupid and foolish. One thing in this fucking town had to go right for once. “Nadia. Hold on. You have to-- Regan, tell her what to do from here.” He didn’t need to tell Mav to hurry it the fuck up. He was sure the exorcist could figure out that this was a dire situation. And the last thing they needed to do was break his concentration.

It wasn't the glass that made Mav flinch, you didn't work as long as he had in the exorcism business without getting used to picking a few stray pieces of broken lightbulbs from your mustache every now and again. No, it was that scream. It was a hell of a sound. He wondered if having this here banshee with them was a good idea. Lucky for them, his removal ritual wasn't necessary no more so the interruption wasn't a complete disaster. Thankfully, he didn't need to tell anyone not to let the banshee cross the circle, the tiny medium made sure of that. He was real glad she was tougher than she looked and more than worth her salt. The last thing they needed was to risk this poltergeist getting out of the dang circle. He was already going to struggle to destroy her spirit for good, they didn’t need any more complications, considering this whole exorcism was going tits up darn fast.

Ms Diaz had returned to her body and he felt the poltergeist leave that very same body before he’d even finished his ritual. Mav reckoned that was on account of the stabbing she did to the body. He figured they didn’t have a whole lot more time to work. He was going to need every last bit of energy he could find to make this go in their favor. As soon as he’d finished his phrase, he shifted as seamlessly as he could manage into the second half of his plan. The chain of energy he was channeling stopped pulling on the spirit and started to wrap around the poltergeist. He was going to use it to constrict her, pull tighter and tighter until there was nothing left, like a lasso tugged too tight or a snake squeezing the life out of its prey. He hoped the young exorcist beside him could keep up, but he seemed like he was quick as a whip and there was no room for doubt. Not when Ms Diaz’s life hung in the balance. He gripped the young man’s shoulder as objects started to fly around the room. This spirit was mad as a mule chewing bumblebees and he was going to need all the help he could muster to pool this energy and rid the world of this poltergeist.

The whole situation was chaos. As soon as Connor managed to react to one thing, the next impending disaster reared its ugly head. He wanted to scream for Nadia, to yell at that horrible fucking poltergeist to get the hell away from her, but it was too late. Knife had ripped flesh, and she was bleeding. He'd seen on TV that stomach wounds were a slow and painful way to die. They had time, but not much of it. He increased his chanting, urgent and desperate. His eyes met Blanche with desperation as she took care of whatever that screaming woman was (definitely not a moose).

Connor saw it all happening, but he couldn't focus on it. He had to drown it all out. The only thing that mattered right now was Nadia, and saving her meant sending this fucking arsehole poltergeist to hell. He squeezed Mav's wrist, letting the energy flow through them more easily, and he looked to Blanche, communicating with her with only his eyes and the extension of his other hand. He couldn't stop the ritual. He couldn't stop chanting, but he needed Blanche to take his arm too. The hunter and the other woman were more difficult, but Connor knew that he and Mav needed all the energy they could get. Cordelia was strong, determined, and a real fucking bitch. Word after word after word, he focused everything he had on her, his focal point beginning to burn hot beneath his fingertips as he used it as a conduit.

She was getting weaker. Connor could feel it. He looked at Mav again, the two of them speaking wordlessly. They were close. But that would only make Cordelia more desperate. He was almost screaming the ritual at her now, every atom in his body telling her to get the fuck out.

“Hey!” Cordelia screamed over the madness, the breaking glass and flying objects, looking straight at the banshee as she was only just being restrained by Kadie. “If you break this circle, you can save her! She might have a chance! But if you let these fuckers do their bullshit, she will go down with me.” She felt her form flickering as the exorcism took hold. This wasn’t like the last time. Hell, it wasn’t even like the first time, when she’d found herself thrown from Nadia’s body for who even knew how long, existing only in the ether as she’d reformed herself to try again. This hurt. This made her put her hands over her ears and scream. She lashed out and sent some little statue that had been on the coffee table flying, shattering it against a wall. “Let me out or I’ll fucking kill her! Let me out or I’ll fucking kill her!” She tried to pull the knife back into the circle but only succeeded in sticking it into a wall. Fuck. Fuck.

Just keep pressure on it. Just keep pressure on it. Nadia kept repeating the words to herself even as the chanting and screaming got louder. She just needed to hold on until Cordelia was dealt with, and then whatever happened would happen. Just keep putting pressure on it. However, Cordelia begging Regan to break the circle forced her to look up, panicked. No. If anyone might break it, it would be Regan. She didn’t understand what was at stake. Regan couldn’t possibly understand that getting rid of Cordelia was the only important thing in this whole situation. And Nadia couldn’t blame her, she’d probably be losing her shit if one of her friends was hurt, but this was bigger than her. She was one person. Cordelia could ruin countless lives; she probably already had. She needed to go. “I’m fine,” she choked out, locking eyes with Kaden over Regan’s shoulder. Don’t let her go. “I’m not going to die, yet.” And she fucking wasn’t. Not until this bitch was dealt with.

Regan wasn’t sure what happened -- it was all a confusing blur. She had surged toward Nadia, scream rattling in her chest, but in only a split second, she was yanked in the other direction, air forced from her lungs in a loud screech. Blanche was shouting something; she heard Kaden’s name, but her thoughts were only on Nadia as she watched her friend’s blood continue to pool as she grew paler and trembled and struggled to keep herself upright. The door was thrown open and she felt something wrap tightly around her, pulling her like gravity just as the invisible vice around her dissipated. Another scream jumped out of her, but as she realized it was arms encircling her, she choked everything back. Who-- Kaden. It was Kaden. The noise thundered like a storm in her chest, but she kept it locked in, holding it inside of her lungs like the casket’s dark water, even as it demanded to be emptied. Even so, some of it managed to escape in desperation as she yelled, “Kaden. Let me go. Kaden let me go. Nadia is dying. Nadia is dying, she stabbed herself, you need to let me go right now. Nadia is going to die. She’ll die if she doesn’t stop the bleeding.” Regan’s tongue felt weak and out of place as she spoke those words. Nadia dying had been a possibility, but not one that she wanted to actually, truly allow herself to believe. And while she could feel Kaden’s arms loosen for just a moment, they latched back around her. Her lungs fought against his grip for a second, but they quickly deflated.

Cordelia drifted toward the edge of the circle as everything shook and shattered around them, her sharp eyes meeting Regan’s as they darkened again. At this point, she wasn’t sure whether or not she was hallucinating the way Cordelia seemed to be there one moment and gone the next as the chanting crested. But Cordelia was right, in her sick, twisted way. Regan’s top priority was saving Nadia’s life, and whatever agenda Cordelia had -- escaping? -- didn’t matter at this moment. They could worry about that later, when Nadia was alive and healthy. As Kaden’s grip only tightened, she understood that no one else seemed to share that goal, and she was struck with far more frustration and fear than she was allowed. “Don’t touch her! Stay away from her, don’t touch her! I’m not going to let you hurt her!” Regan screamed, barely holding back. Kaden. She couldn’t do that again. Not with Kaden right there. She dug her nails into her palm, feeling the blood pool through bandages. You cannot afford yourself emotion. For every bit of feeling you react to, you surrender yourself to the mercy of your screams. Deirdre would have been appalled by all of this. False calmness swam over her, but her heart couldn’t lie -- it still beat twice as quickly as it usually did.

Tell her what to do. “Nadia,” Regan said, her voice trembling. She wasn’t sure if the remaining glass shattering was because of her, or Cordelia. The marmot statue, too. It was unacceptable. Dangerous. Not doing Nadia or Kaden or anyone any good. When Regan spoke again, the quiver vanished. “You’ve already pulled the knife out. That’s-- that isn’t good. Someone needs to grab a towel from the kitchen or remove their shirt and pass it to Nadia. Shirt is faster. Nadia, lie flat on the ground and press the shirt to the wound. Do everything that you possibly can to maintain consciousness. Listen to someone’s voice and use it as an anchor. Keep talking. Talk to me.” Her voice flattened with despair despite her best attempts to snuff it out, “Kaden, please let me go. Please. Whatever they’re doing, I don’t think it’s going to be fast enough.”

“If I let you go she’ll die! We can’t!” Kaden kept his arms wrapped tight around Regan, despite her protests. If she screamed now, he’d have no idea if it was for Nadia or for himself. And he wasn’t sure it would fucking matter one way or another. He shut his eyes and held fast. It was all he could do. Brace them both against whatever was happening in that circle in front of them. He couldn’t see much even with his eyes open. As a scream tore through her, he winced and gripped her tighter. Tears pricked at his eyes and his own scream ripped through his throat that he couldn’t hear as the sound resonated through him. This was it. This was how he’d die. Not hunting. Not in the woods. In his friend’s apartment holding back a banshee. Hold on. He just had to hold on. Relief didn’t come when the sound stopped. The ringing didn’t stop either. He wanted to check to see if his ears were bleeding, he was pretty sure he felt the familiar dripping down his earlobe, but he didn’t let go of her; he wouldn’t. Muffled sounds came from in front of him that sounded like her voice, but he couldn’t make out a single word she was saying. Not yet. He didn’t dare let up on her. “Hold on, Nadia,” he said, locking eyes with her. He didn’t know what was happening, but he knew it wasn’t over yet. He turned to face the exorcists, watching closely for any sign for when this would end. “Blanche!” he called out to her, though he couldn’t regulate his own volume. He hoped she could hear him. “Tell me when. The second it’s done. Somehow.” He hoped she could. But he wouldn’t let go of Regan until he knew for sure that the exorcism was over, when he knew Cordelia was banished forever.

It was hard not to get distracted by the sound of Regan screaming, especially how the loud scream rattled around in Blanche’s head. She was glad she wasn't the one chanting, even as she forced herself to stay rooted to the spot as she saw all the blood pour out of Nadia’s wound. A wave of nausea overtook her just as she met Connor’s gaze, and even as her skin tinged green, she was able to force the horrible feeling back as she gripped Connor’s hand tightly. It was hard to explain, but the second she did, she felt the power leeching from her, pouring into the exorcism. She heard Kaden yell to her, and could only raise her free hand to show she heard him, closing her eyes tightly as she willed every ounce of energy and power she had to Connor and Mav. She didn't know how this worked, but her seance sessions with Jasmine and whatever witchy-things she had done with Nell told her intention mattered. Even as the image of Nadia’s blood staining the floor hung in the back of her mind, she threw herself into the focus of energy that would ultimately - hopefully - be Cordelia’s undoing.

This here little lady was a tough spirit to banish. She was stubborner than a mule and he got the feeling she had a burr in her saddle. Mav could feel the young exorcist’s energy flowing through him and he felt the burning iron in his hand. He held tight to the chain of the pocket watch, used his words to pull the rope of energy wrapped around the spirit tighter and tighter. They were damn close to sending this spirit back to the hell she crawled out of, he could feel it in his bones. He ducked as a statue went flying towards him. That was a nice try, little lady, but Mav didn’t lose a single syllable of the ritual. He figured this might be about the time in the exorcism where things went all catawampus and objects started flying about. No matter he could handle that. He knew how to dodge a book or two and keep his chin waggling. And he was right. Any loose items on the sides of the room started to go flying every which way and he gave Connor a quick squeeze to let him know to hold fast and carry on with what they were doing. They couldn’t lose sight of the Just when he thought he was tapped, he felt an extra boost of energy. The mini medium was standing nearby and Connor had grabbed hold of her. All they had to do was pool their energy all together and he could pull this spirit right off the face of the earth.

Connor would have failed at this a thousand times over if not for Mav. It had been foolish to think he could have done this alone. He'd barely been performing exorcisms for a year. How was he supposed to deal with something like this? Cordelia wasn’t living up to her name, because she wasn’t very fucking cordial at all. She was even more evil than he’d originally given her credit for, and he loathed his underestimation of her strength. Maybe if he’d taken her more seriously, they wouldn’t have got to this point, but it was too late now. He needed to focus on the task at hand, not the ones he’d already failed. Cordelia clung on, a parasite desperately trying to cling to the world, and only so she could use it for violence.

As much as Connor tried to drown out what was happening with Kaden and the wailing banshee, he couldn’t block out the screams, couldn’t block out the blood, the desperate instructions that would save Nadia’s life. Or so he hoped. He mentally cursed; at himself, at Cordelia, at this whole mess of a situation. Connor had barely even taken Blanche’s hand, but the surge of energy that flowed through him into Mav was enough for the moment. It had to be.

Connor didn’t stop changing, but he let go of Blanche’s hand to pull one sleeve of his shirt off, slipping the unfastened plaid down over his arm, then he replaced one hand on Mav’s arm with another so he didn’t have to break contact, slipping the rest of it off and leaving him in just the plain white t-shirt underneath. He had to be careful not to move the salt when he placed it into the circle, putting it within Nadia’s reach and silently praying that it would work. They just needed to slow the bleeding. They were almost there. He took Blanche’s hand again and looked up at Mav, who was massively taller than Connor’s slight frame. His eyes practically begged him for this to be over soon.

This was it, Cordelia realized with an unnerving amount of certainty as the words echoed through her core, through her entire being, rattling her from within. She looked down at herself, watching as she faded in and out of existence. Existence. This was it. She was going to just… stop existing. Like she’d never been here at all. She screamed out again, against the pain of it. She’d never felt anything like this when she’d been alive, not in Nadia’s body, and not in her own. Death had hurt less. She dropped to her knees, sinking a bit into the floorboards, in front of Nadia Diaz. Cordelia put her hands on the girl’s face, her neck, trying to absorb herself back into Nadia’s skin, even as the exorcists’ words sent another tremor through her, causing her to flicker like bad tv reception. “Please,” she said, eyes wild with fear. “Please. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die again.” She didn’t want to stop existing. She didn’t want to disappear into nothingness. This wasn’t how her story was supposed to end.

Jerking away from the spectre in front of her, Nadia reached out with blood soaked fingers for the shirt Connor had passed into the circle. She pressed it hard to the wound in her stomach, trying to use the feeling to ground her. “I’m fine,” she managed to say to Regan, though she didn’t think she could keep up a steady stream of monologue. This is me pressing down on the wound. This is me trying not to stare at the ghost in front of me. She’s gotten really easy to see, now, actually. Is that normal? Should I be worried? It’s probably fine. Talking was too hard, at the moment. She’d try again, later, after all of this was over and she could sleep. Fuck, Nadia was tired. She was so tired. But she couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t even lay down like Regan instructed because she knew she’d lose consciousness. She wouldn’t be able to keep this up for long. The fight seemed to be leaving Cordelia, the ghost all frantic screams and icy cold touches against Nadia’s skin, but Nadia felt like she was fading just as quickly. Eyes open, Diaz, she told herself. She pressed harder, the shirt staining in blood as she curled forward, still resting on her knees. She’d have to buy Connor a new shirt.

When Nadia didn’t react to her, Cordelia seethed, jerking at the girl’s arms and pushing her in an attempt to get a reaction. “Don’t ignore me! I know you see me!” she howled, a last ditch effort for attention. Nothing was working, not her hands frantically trying to pull Nadia’s away from the wound, not her abilities to throw objects against walls and people. She was drained, spent, unravelling. Not that there was much left of her to unravel. She was the last bit of string on an empty spool. “You’ll die, too, you stupid, stupid bitch,” she snarled, getting in Nadia’s face one last time. “They won’t finish in time to save you. You’re going to be right back where you started. They can’t save you. You can’t even save yourself.” Cordelia managed to grip Nadia’s arm, her fingers only slightly sinking into soft skin. She looked into Nadia’s face, practically bloodless, and she felt a brief sense of satisfaction amidst all the panic and fear and blinding anger, knowing that she’d be the end of Nadia Diaz’s life, even if it meant the end of her own.

“Vete pa la puñeta,” Nadia said quietly to the poltergeist in front of her, looking Cordelia in her pale, flickering eyes. Go to hell. Though, Cordelia wasn’t going anywhere. There’d be nowhere for her to go. She’d be gone, nothing more than a lot of bad, bad memories and scars on the people that she’d hurt. She’d be nothing more than the cause of blood on Nadia’s hands. Cordelia was barely even there anymore, her form appearing and disappearing as she barely clung to Nadia, to life. But she didn’t seem like she could hold on anymore.

With a final scream, Cordelia felt herself slipping away despite the way she tried to wrap her fingers around Nadia’s heart, her soul. She looked at herself as she disappeared. It didn’t feel like dying. It wasn’t even painful, anymore. It felt like absolutely nothing at all, and, after clinging to life far after her expiration date, nothing at all is what Cordelia Gregory became.

Eyes shut tightly, Nadia sagged forward, unable to hold herself up properly as Cordelia vanished. For good. She was gone for good, and Nadia was still there, still in her body, though she felt herself fading fast. Far too fast. Still, she felt… relief. Cordelia was gone. She’d never hurt anyone ever again. Nadia would be her last victim, and that made her feel warm, even though her body was freezing. She heard noises, people moving around her, but she couldn’t bring herself to raise her head. Too much effort. “I’m fine,” she muttered because, really, she couldn’t feel much pain, not anymore. She was fine, even though there was a lot of blood. She needed-- jerking her head up, she looked at Regan, her eyes panicked and her vision fuzzy around the edges. “No hospitals,” she said, her voice sounding distorted in her ears. That was all she could manage to say, then she fell forward again, and Nadia Diaz knew nothing more.

“We have to! She’ll die! She’ll die!” Regan shouted, trying her best not to let an outburst become a scream. She couldn’t tell how successful she was, but Kaden was still clinging onto her, nearly choking her, and as she turned and saw blood dripping down from her boyfriend’s ears, her heart choked, too. She knew she couldn’t risk saying anything more; she needed to think only of the numb nothingness of the clearing, the improbable calmness she now held as she forced herself into the water. But Nadia. Nadia was-- Regan tried desperately to pry Kaden’s hands away from her, barely noticing as Connor supplied his shirt and Cordelia’s howls grew more and more frantic. Something was happening. She didn’t understand it, and right now, didn’t concern herself with wanting to. The only thing that mattered was that it could result in her being able to get to Nadia. She didn’t ease up, though -- she kept trying to slip out and fight her way toward the circle, her eyes never leaving the growing pool of blood underneath her friend. Nadia claimed to be fine even as there was no more white on the shirt and even as her face blanched more with each passing second.

The room stormed around them. Cupboards slammed open, furniture dragged itself across the floor, and as the chanting grew louder, Cordelia’s desperation and cries surged like lightning. Cordelia had pounced for Nadia’s neck like a viper, and Regan -- trapped in Kaden’s arms as she struggled, unable to even scream a warning -- had never felt more useless. This wasn’t what she thought would happen. They were here to save Nadia, right? Shouldn’t that have been the priority? Why was this in question? Why-- but in the blink of an eye, Cordelia was no more, dissipating like insubstantial mist. The room changed, the drop in pressure palpable as everything seemed to still. And Nadia, Regan realized as terror engulfed her, stilled, too.

Kaden’s arms grew slack. Regan didn’t think. She tore out of them and sprinted toward the inner circle, where Nadia lay unconscious on the ground, blood still rushing from the wound in her abdomen. No hospitals? Fuck that. She wouldn’t-- Nadia-- she wouldn’t let her die. That wasn’t a wish that she would respect if her life was on the line. The bleeding was catastrophic, and unless they stopped it soon, Nadia would not make it out of here alive.

Regan scrambled for the bloodied shirt and pressed it tight against the wound, Nadia’s blood soaking through to her fingers, burning her skin to blisters. It hurt, but Deirdre had prepared her well, and she would stay there like this for hours if necessary. Anything. “I need help. Someone needs to roll her onto her back while I apply pressure. The stab wound runs all the way through her.” Regan didn’t dare ease off the wound, but she checked Nadia’s pulse -- rapid -- and her skin -- cold, clammy -- and knew controlling the bleeding was only the beginning. “She’s in shock. She may be unresponsive; I need to do a sternal rub to check. Kaden, grab me the hemostatic dressing from the kit. Once you bring them, I need you to place your hands where mine are and do not ease up. Blanche, get a blanket and towels. Connor, get my phone from the kitchen and call--” she hesitated, “Call Dr. Lin-King. Tell her I’ll explain later.”

In the end, Cordelia begged for her life, unhinged and desperate with fear. It was hard for Blanche not to see the parallels with Constance Cunningham, the other red haired poltergeist that had yet to vacate her mind since her undoing the previous week. Resentment and self-hatred rose in her, stifling everything but the surge of power in her fingertips. She gripped Connor’s hand tighter, as if to anchor herself down to this spot. It was heartbreaking to see how the outcome of Constance and Cordelia’s situations didn’t change anything, even when she changed her actions. A soul was destroyed, eradicated from existence forever. Maybe Cordelia deserved it -- maybe there was some part of her that knew Constance did too, though she would sooner willingly light herself on fire than admit that -- but Blanche couldn’t help but circle back to the disappointment and anger she felt in herself and at the world as she saw the pieces of Cordelia’s soul fade away with her final screams, her furious fear clinging to the air, rattling around loosely in Blanche’s mind. Soon Blanche wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the screams that haunted her - rage and resentment would echo and she would wonder whose it was. Constance Cunningham? Coredelia Gregory? Maybe even a glimpse of Lauren Langley?

How many memories of destroyed spirits would be left behind in her mind before Blanche went insane? It was a cold thought, and it was that thought, not Regan barking orders at her, that snapped her back to reality. Realizing she was still clutching Connor’s hand in a death grip, she let it go and went to go search for what Regan asked her for. Admittedly, she hadn’t been listening, but she could guess what she needed. Towels. Something to cover Nadia, who was bleeding out on the floor. Nadia, whose life was in danger again because of a ghost who was too afraid to just die.

Blanche realized then what she wanted to say to Cordelia, though it was more than too late. A reminder that dying was probably the easiest thing any of them would ever do, masked by the fear of the unknown deluding them all into thinking it was the hardest thing of all. Living was harder, but as Blanche finally found suitable towels bringing them back to Regan, she knew that simply existing was the hardest thing in the world.

#season's yeeting pt. 2 #chatzy: blanche harlow #chatzy: connor piers #chatzy: regan kavanagh #chatzy: kaden langley #mav the exorcist #not!nadia #//that's a wrap kids #self-harm tw #wickedscontent

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3starsquinn · 4 years

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Out of the Blue || Ariana, Athena & Orion

Timing: Last night, following this chatzy

Parties: @letsbenditlikebennett, @athenaquinn & @3starsquinn

Summary: Rio comes to visit Athena in the hospital following their encounter with Lydia.

Content: Mentions of Abuse

Orion hated hospitals. Apparently, that sentiment lasted beyond his father’s death. As it turned out, the mood was not any less depressing or the setting any less melancholy as it had been when his father worked the halls of this place. Being in the hospital reminded him of his childhood, quietly following his family down these same halls and faking a smile for the staff that spoke about him instead of to him directly. Even now he remembered exactly how it felt, because he felt the same way again. His chest was tight, anxiety skyrocketing and his heart beating so rapidly that it threatened to punch a hole through him. But even as every instinct fought against him, Rio forced himself into an elevator up to the floor the front desk had specified. He owed an apology to his sister, something he never planned on doing. Then again, he had never pictured himself breaking her arm either. He had been such an idiot, blindly promising something to a woman he had barely known. There had been no way to know that she had been as monstrous as she had turned out, but knowing that did nothing to alleviate the guilt. He didn’t know how to even begin apologizing to people. To Athena and Luce for hurting them. To Winston for forcing them to make such a hard decision. To Ariana for unknowingly helping the woman who killed her friend. To Kaden for ever holding any doubts about him. He had screwed everything up, made everyone worry and all in some idiotic attempt to protect a serial killer masquerading as a Fae afraid of hunters. Some genius Rio turned out to be.

Orion checked in with the nurses station, asking them to point out Athena’s room. He was biding his time, hands in pocket and staring at the ground as he dragged himself across the tiles and towards the door, but he stopped himself when he heard voices. Two very familiar voices. He debated moving any closer, but began shaking his head. Nope. I can do this another time. He spun around, heading away from the room and back towards the elevators when a nurse swooped in to stop him, “Wrong way, sweetie. Her room’s right over here. I’ll show you.” She grabbed onto his shoulder gently and guided him back around and down the hall. He was too awkward to try to stop her. Instead he just smiled and blushed, staying silent as she eased him forward down the hall and into the doorway. On arrival, Rio was immediately greeted by not only Athena, but Ariana. Both were staring at him from the comfort of her way too small hospital bed. He mumbled a thanks to the nurse, at least hoping to spare her of the awkwardness that Rio was ready to endure. “Oh uh. Hey you two. How’s it going?” Dumb question.

She’d been doing her best to just focus on Ariana, to block out the rest of the world around them. Even though things had grown calmer since Ariana had arrived, she still couldn’t help but still occasionally seize up in a moment of panic. Athena buried her face into Ariana’s shoulder, doing her best to keep her arm upright. She’d be allowed to go home soon, she had heard. She knew that, because broken arms didn’t mean long hospital stays and she was old enough that they didn’t ask too many questions about any of what had happened. Saying that she’d had a bad fall did the job well enough, and having many of the staff know her family made it so that they didn’t push too far. She just hoped that her brother was okay, wherever he was. He’d been in so much distress back with Lydia and everything.

Except, apparently, she didn’t have to think much longer because she heard a noise at the doorway and looked up, still laying against Ariana. “I - Ri.” She blinked a few times. “Hi.” Athena bit her lip. “You can - we’re - I - better?” She sighed. “You can come in.” She didn’t move from her position against Ariana, her eyes falling shut for a moment before reopening. “There’s a chair, and there’s Jello, if you want. Too sweet for us - but if you need something.” She gave a small nod. “Plus side, at least my cast is cute? I’m glad to see you too. Really.” She looked straight at her brother. “They didn’t send you to the hospital, did they?”

Normally, it was hard to surprise Ariana. It was one of the many benefits of having a heightened sense of hearing and smell. Given everything, the only sound she found herself focusing on was the soft thumps Athena’s heart made as they laid there in the small hospital bed. It just barely kept her grounded though she could still see the events at Lydia’s home playing over and over in her mind. The way Kelly and Chloe screamed as Todd fell to the ground. How much blood had poured from him. How it still seemed to linger in her nose the same way Sammy’s had. A familiar voice finally brought her out of her head. She blinked slowly and looked up at Rio. “Hey,” she said quietly, still nestled into Athena. Thankfully, she seemed to have the whole greeting thing down and was offering him Jello. “It’s good to see you, Rio.” And it was. She knew he had to be struggling right now. She knew how difficult it was to have someone use your words to make you hurt people you cared for. Somehow, anger was still able to surface in here, but she took and deep breath and asked, “You doing okay?”

Orion was absolutely not doing okay. But everything considered, he didn’t exactly have the right to tell them otherwise. How did he even begin to describe how he was feeling? Guilty for being part of what had happened? Weak for falling under her guise in the first place? Disgust that she had been killed right in front of him, by people that he cared about? For all the emotions that he felt, none of them could measure up to Athena and Ariana’s pain. Besides, he needed to try to stay positive. “Uh yeah, I’m fine. No hospital for me.” Rio grabbed at the burn in his side where Winston had tased him. The thing still stung, but the pain wouldn’t last much longer. The scar might stick around for awhile though, the voltage would have been pretty high if it was strong enough to knock out a hunter. “Are you both okay?” He hadn’t exactly figured out yet how to word his apology to Athena. Maybe she didn’t blame him, but that did nothing to make him feel any better about everything. It didn’t change the look in her eyes or the sound of her bones snapping. The thought itself made Rio’s stomach flip. “I didn’t mean to interrupt anything. I can come back later.” Or never, that worked too.

“Good. I - it’s always good to not have to go - I mean, hospitals help, but I’m glad you didn’t have to go.” Athena bit her lip. She watched him hold onto his side, and she wanted to ask him if she could check it out, make sure he actually was okay and wasn’t just faking it, which she knew he was prone to doing, sometimes. They both were. “I’m fine,” she looked over to Ariana, “we’re fine.” Relatively, at least. “I mean - you know, could be better, but…” She pushed herself up using her free hand, though still did her best to stay as close to Ariana as was possible. “No, you can stay. Please. I’d like you to stay.” She did - she knew that something had to be at least a bit up if her brother was willing to come to the hospital and if he felt the need to track her down. She used her good hand to gesture at him to come and sit down. “Stay.” Her voice was more clear now. “You’re not interrupting anything. Saves me a FaceTime call at least, right?” She let a ghost of a smile cross her lips.

“Yes, it’s better you’re not hurt enough to need hospital care,” Ariana agreed. It was apparent that there was some tension between both of them. Their relationship had barely been on the mend before all of this happened which she supposed left things in a delicate state now. She gave Athena’s good arm a gentle squeeze before she shifted. She didn’t want to take away from the conversation they likely needed to have. More than anything, she wanted to see Rio and Athena get back to a good place. They both deserved as much after everything they’d been through. With a small nod, she said, “We’re okay.” Physically speaking, she was anyway. She hadn’t been hurt. She looked to Rio earnestly, “Please, stay.” She looked between the twins and felt this gnawing need to leave the room. Let them talk this whole thing through. “I could really go for some coffee and I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about. Would you like me to grab some for you? I think they have hot chocolate, too.” The last part was more for Rio. If she remembered from mornings spent at his home alongside Winston and Ricky, he’d never gone for the coffee.

Either they were both lying, or Ariana and Athena had better coping techniques than Orion had. Because he was certainly not okay. But for the sake of his own sanity as well as those around him, he needed to at least pretend to be. It was better than completely falling apart. “I’ll take a hot chocolate. Please.” Rio was self aware enough to know that Ariana was leaving more for his and Athena’s benefit rather than an actual desire to get coffee. But for how much he wanted to argue against her being the one to go and hightail it out of the hospital himself, he didn’t think either of them would let him. Ariana seemed pretty passionate about reconnecting the Quinn twins. And Athena had always cared more about their connection than Rio himself had. Before, Rio had good reason to steer clear. He wasn’t so clear anymore. Even after Ariana slipped from the bed and left the room, Rio didn’t move from the wall on the opposite side of the room. “I’m so sorry. About your arm and Lydia and.. well everything that happened yesterday I guess. I didn’t know.”

“You can get me a coffee if you’d like.” Athena looked over to Ariana. “With milk? Not too much sugar - I mean - you know what I like.” She sighed for a moment, focusing back on her brother. “You’ll come back soon?” She fiddled with the edge of her shirt, watching Ariana before she focused back on her brother. Her free hand reached out to where Ariana had been just moments before, a sigh of relief (or perhaps resignation, she wasn’t sure) escaped her lips. “You - it’s fine. It’s fine.” She said, her voice slipping, for a moment, into the tone it had taken on when they were children. “I figure I kind of deserve this, given everything I ever did to you.” She looked at him, eyes practically pleading. “Please come, at least sit within two feet of me, okay? I’m sorry you - I’m - I’m just glad you’re alive.” She could feel tears prick the corner of her eyes then. You’re not supposed to cry.

Alone in the room with his sister, Orion began fiddling the belt loops of his jeans to distract himself. He didn’t want to make eye contact with his sister. He didn’t want to know what she was thinking. Surprising even him, Athena didn’t seem to care about her own arm at all. She had only seemed concerned about Rio. “This was completely different.” Rio shrugged, though in all actuality he wasn’t sure that it was. Was Athena simply manipulated by their parents the same way Rio was manipulated by Lydia? He knew it was different, but considering Rio’s injuries had never landed him in the hospital it barely seemed like the time to compare notes. With a sigh, he pushed off of the wall and practically tiptoed across the floor towards the bed. He still wouldn’t sit, but he found a spot leaning against the window instead. “I was never in any danger of dying. But I hurt the three of you.” Despite it all, he did truly believe Lydia had no intentions of hurting him. Not out of the kindness of her hurt of course, but because if she had ever come back to White Crest Rio could have been a useful pawn. He would have been forced to live with the knowledge that he helped a psychotic murderer. He still had to live with it now. In some ways, maybe that was worse. He could tell when Athena was starting to cry, though he hadn’t seen it for himself since they were little kids. “This is a stupid question but... she’s dead, yeah?”

“It’s not.” Athena shook her head. “It is - karma, or something? I don’t know. I’d say it was what I deserved,” she didn’t know exactly what to say. She hadn’t expected her brother to show up at the hospital, though she also wasn’t always sure what she was supposed to expect of him, now. He’d been manipulated by a fae and there was no universe in which she could blame him for that, though she was furious that he’d managed to get himself promise-bound despite her years of begging him to be careful. “You could have been. You don’t - she almost - I think she would have killed you if she stopped finding you useful.” She shook her head. She grabbed one of the too-rough tissues and pressed it against her cheek. “It’s not stupid, and yes. Very much so. I - I really relished in it, Ri - the way it felt, the power I felt. She deserved it - for what she did to you and what she did to Ariana.” She moved over on her bed. “I’m not so big, you can sit with me, yeah? Consider it a necessary apology if you really need something like that.”

Maybe Athena was right. Maybe it was some sort of karma, but it definitely wasn’t a payback that Orion derived any joy from. He didn’t know how to respond so he chose not to. Better not to fall too deeply into that rabbit hole right now. Athena was probably right that Lydia would have gotten rid of him eventually once he had worn out his use. Rio’s real concern was how much he would have been forced to do before that time came. “Yeah well, as it turns out I apparently have more use than we originally thought.” With another shrug, Rio stared out the window and focused on a flock of birds flying past. What alternate dimension had Rio fallen into where Athena was the injured one crying and Rio was standing around stoically? “Right.” Rio didn’t love Athena’s answer. She took too much pride in taking her life. Monster or not, someone had just been killed. For once, Rio wasn’t even arguing against it. He just didn’t like how much she seemed to enjoy it while it was happening. “Well I don’t love that answer. But.. . I’m glad she’s gone.” At the very least the two could agree on that. But it seemed like sharing a hospital bed was pushing his limits. The two had been through a lot together this month, but it didn’t erase that he had been ready to drop his family entirely. Rio wasn’t ready to let all bygones be bygones. “I don’t want to take Ari’s spot. She’ll be back soon.” He used as an excuse, then crossed his arms as if to stand firm in his statement.

“I’ve always known you had use.” Athena whispered. Didn’t want to delve too far into that particular analysis, because she knew that digging up those sorts of conversations might just result in an argument and she was currently far from feeling up to that. Not here, not now, not with her brother. Not with her brother who she’d almost not once but twice in just over the past month. She shrugged. “You did ask, and I’ve tried to be more honest with you, at least as much as possible.” Athena glanced over at the window, at the birds outside. Why couldn’t her own brother look her in the eyes? They’d talked to some degree since everything had happened on their birthday, but now - now he wasn’t able to look at her? She looked back, looked past him - finding that she didn’t know just how to look at him, either. “You wouldn’t - she - okay,” she finally settled on. “You sure you don’t want Jello? You look like you haven’t eaten in days.”

It was still surreal that Orion and Athena were having conversations like this at all, let alone in a hospital room after fighting one another. Even after it all, the craziest thing was that Rio had been able to get the jump on Athena at all. He supposed it would be easy for Athena to underestimate him though. All these years and Athena had never seen Rio properly fight back. “It’s not a judgement.” At least, he didn’t mean for it to be taken as one. For as much as the idea of enjoying someone’s murder made him want to scream, he couldn’t exactly argue that he was mourning Lydia’s death. “It’s me being uncomfortable with that stuff. I’m trying to be honest too.” For what it was worth, Athena didn’t fight him on the seating arrangement. Another in the long list of odd changes between their dynamic. Athena hadn’t always been that quick to give up when she wanted something. “I’m fine.” Rio shook his head. He always looked like this, though she was right that it had been awhile. He had been rushing to get Lydia to safety that he had barely eaten anything. And after Winston brought him home he felt too sick to eat. Even now, as his stomach felt empty it still protested the idea of eating. “I’m not that hungry.”

She couldn’t even imagine the last time she’d been in the hospital with her brother. If ever. Orion hadn’t ever liked it, even when Athena had begged her father to let her come with him, to walk around the floors and beg the staff for a clipboard that was too big for her six-year-old arms to hold. “Okay. I - I didn’t know.” Her lips were set into a firm line and she looked away from her brother again. She was grateful he’d come by to check on her, grateful he did still care. “I’m glad you are, really and truly. It’s something we’re both moving toward, I think.” She grabbed her cup of water, taking another small sip of it. She didn’t have the energy to fight her brother. Be it fatigue from everything that had just happened or from the twenty-one years of being forced in some part to be adversaries - eleven solid years of that, she figured - Athena didn’t know. She just knew that yelling wouldn’t do her any good with respect to changing things or getting Ri to listen. “Okay. I - I haven’t - okay. I get that.” She forced her lips into a sad sort of smile. “It’s weird being in the hospital on this end. Not a fan. People who - well, people know me here.” She paused. “Know us, I guess.”

Orion had come to apologize. He had already done that and yet he was still standing in here with Athena. He didn’t know what to do or what to say. The two had talked more in the last month than they had in the last year or two. Despite this, Rio realized that he still had no idea how to actually talk to his sister. Aside from their parents, a few friends and an awkward tendency to like the same people, Rio had nothing in common with Athena. He didn’t know what that meant for their relationship. All he knew was that Athena would - now more than ever - want to continue talking and building some actual semblance of a familial relationship. Rio needed to decide if that was actually an option he would entertain. For now, he remained undecided. “Yeah, I know what you mean. Now more than ever. I keep getting pity looks from people about dad.” He had ignored more than a few outreaches by people checking in on him following his parent’s death. Most of them had come from coworkers at the hospital that never saw him in person. He never figured he would have to face them if he avoided the White Crest hospital for the remainder of his life. A small silence settled over the two after that, both lost in their own worlds. “Ari’s on her way back, I think.” He spoke up once he heard someone moving down the hall. It was hard to pick out the specific sounds and scents of a person, but Rio was slowly getting back at it. The mixed smell of chocolate and coffee made Rio assume it was her on her way back to the room.

She couldn’t remember the last time that she and her brother had talked this much. Athena only knew that it hadn’t been in forever. Even though she’d tried to, it had always sort of fallen flat - and she knew that it was because of their parents, perhaps - or perhaps something else. She wasn’t sure, and a whole lot of things were spinning around now, and she didn’t have the energy to force it or fight anything. “I know. I know.” She repeated, only loud enough for him to hear - just a whisper, but she knew he’d pick up on it, with his good hearing and all. “Try being a future doctor and his child and currently in the hospital. I am just real glad they finally left me alone a bit.” She glanced down at her lap as Rio made a remark about Ariana. “Okay.” She pushed herself up with her free hand. “I - it’ll be okay. We’ll be okay.” She pursed her lips off to the side. They had to be. With everything they’d gone through in the last month-and-a-bit, they had to be. She wasn’t sure what she’d do if she actually lost him, after having nearly lost him far too many times already.

#wickedswriting #c: athena #c: ariana #chatzy #chatzy: athena #chatzy: ariana #out of the blue #abuse mention tw

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kumeko · 3 years

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Title: Corrin’s not-so-fun vacation

A/N: For the Fire Emblem Press Start Zine! I like making happy AUs where everyone can just live together.

…

Standing in front of the Residential Services, Corrin frowned. She was far too familiar with these large oak doors, with the rooms hidden within. In fact, she could count the number of times she’d visited this place in the past week with both her hands. Most people, she heard, only visited this place once a month at most.

“Is something wrong?” Azura asked, clutching her hands anxiously. Dressed in a blue-white sundress, she looked like the picture of island living. She even had a large, floppy hat.

She wished she could look just as carefree, but summer fun had to wait. Corrin sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “Nothing, it’s just…” She eyed Azura again, taking in the healthy tan of her skin, the lack of worry lines on her face. For a woman who used to seem like she was on the brink of collapse, she looked like the epitome of life now. “You like it here, right?”

“Of course.” Azura smiled softly. She clutched the brim of her hat as she bashfully added, “I have to thank you for bringing me here. You were right, we really did need a vacation from…well…” Trailing off, Azura glanced at her helplessly. “You know.”

Oh, did she know. Corrin could only nod her agreement. There wasn’t an easy, quick way to bring up the war between Nohr and Hoshido, between the land of her birth and the land she was raised in. And that wasn’t including the heartbreak of fighting her siblings, the strangeness of her newfound powers, or any of the other things that occurred during her mission to bring peace.

The worst part, perhaps, was that it didn’t end with peace. No, even with her families leading their respective countries and Xander and Ryoma signing a treaty to end all conflict, there was still so much work to be done. Rebuilding took time and effort, whether it was property or relationships. It was taxing. For months, Corrin’s eyes looked like that of a raccoon’s. At some point, she just had to take a break from it all. Chuckling deprecatingly, Corrin smiled wearily. “Well, we wouldn’t be much help if we collapsed, right?”

“Certainly.” Azura tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, troubled. “Though I am not sure if it is a good idea to leave our countries for so long.”

“It’s fine.” Corrin reached out and squeezed Azura’s hands tightly. “Time passes slower here, remember? They won’t even notice we’re gone.”

“That…is true,” she admitted reluctantly.

Emboldened, Corrin continued, “It might just be a single day that’s passed. Wouldn’t that be funny?”

“I hope so.” Azura giggled, a bell-like sound. She smiled appreciatively. “I have to say, though, Jakob managed to find the perfect Deep Realm. This world is quite idyllic.”

“I wonder just how many he went through to find this place.” Corrin scratched her cheek, considering her faithful butler. Honestly, sometimes she wondered if Jakob was even human—he could track her down anywhere, find whatever it was she needed, and was equally as capable in the castle as he was on the battlefield. “Though the inhabitants here are…strange.”

Azura glanced around, making sure no one was within earshot before agreeing. “I still cannot believe there are talking animals here. I am not sure what is odder, that the citizens here are all animals or that there are maybe one or two humans in existence.”

Corrin leaned closer, speaking in hushed tones. Even though she doubted anyone here had a weapon, let alone could wield it, she didn’t want to raise their ire. She had enough angry citizens to deal with at home. “It’s so weird. They sound like they’re saying gibberish, but it also makes perfect sense. And they just give away entire islands!”

Azura nodded as she leaned close too, her voice a low whisper. “They did just give you this entire island when we first arrived at that—what did they call it? Airport? Maybe they don’t have kings here?”

“But how do they function then?” Corrin raised a brow, unable to imagine it. Leo might know, or maybe Xander or Ryoma. Even with all the time she’d spent pouring over books, absorbing information of the outside world, Corrin had never once read of a place without royalty. “How do they run things?”

At a loss for words, Azura shrugged. Even that simple movement felt elegant from her. “Maybe they do not, and that is why they gave you this island. Though, they are fast builders despite this lack of oversight.”

“They are ridiculously fast, aren’t they?” Corrin glanced at the building they were about to enter. All she had to do was enter, request a change, and by the time she woke up an entire house had been built. Or moved (and somehow, without the occupant waking up). “I haven’t seen any magic here, though, so I don’t get how they do it.”

“Maybe the magic they use is undetectable by us,” Azura suggested, looking toward the beach where the airport was. “We did fly here, after all. And without any incantations or diagrams.”

Corrin stopped herself from replying. These were questions that neither of them could answer. There was no point in stressing out over this, that was the exact opposite of the reason they were here. Taking a deep breath, Corrin counted to five before letting go of Azura’s hands. “Alright, that’s enough of that. We’re just going to go in circles.”

“That might be the case,” Azura agreed, her hands falling to her sides as she also took a deep breath.

“We’re here to relax and have fun.” Corrin glanced at the door again, remembering just why she had made her nth journey to this building. “And you’re having fun, right?”

Azura nodded, giving the same answer she’d given earlier. “Of course. You have done an excellent job managing this island.”

“Okay, then if you’re having fun here, why is everyone else driving me crazy?” Corrin grumbled, opening the door. Inside was a large room, portioned into two main areas. A counter divided an office space manned by a giant tanuki and a golden dog. “I should have known better than to have everyone vacation at the same time.”

“What do you mean?” Stepping after her, Azura gave her an inquisitive look. “I thought everyone liked the island?”

“They do.” Despair dripped in her voice and Corrin rubbed her forehead as she walked over to the counter. “They just don’t like being together.”

Before Azura could press, the tanuki noticed them. Tom Nook, as he was called, got up from his desk and rushed over to them. In a strange, high-pitched voice, he asked, “What can I do for you today?”

No matter how many times she heard it, Corrin couldn’t shake the strange feeling she got when she heard the locals speak. Their voices sounded like Elise’s scribbles when she had been younger and learning to draw. Yet the words organized themselves perfectly in her head. Still, they could communicate, and that was all that mattered in the end. With a strained smile, Corrin admitted, “I need you to move two houses apart.”

“Again?” Incredulous, Tom stared at her. Awestruck, he pulled out a form. “You’re really reshaping the island! I wonder what it’ll look like now.”

“Who needs to move?” Azura asked, looking surprised as well.

“Xander and Ryoma.” Corrin sighed, slumping forward slightly as she remembered her older brothers’ arguments. They were the kings of two nations. They’d fought in a war, created peace, and were even drinking companions at night. Yet somehow, on this island, they had developed a fierce attachment to their houses. “They’re both trying to recreate Hoshido and Nohr in their homes, and—this is like the war all over again. Ryoma wants a bamboo fence, Xander wants a stone wall, and there isn’t room to have them both.”

“Oh.” Patting her shoulder sympathetically, Azura consoled, “I see what you meant now. Perhaps it would be better if they requested these changes themselves?”

“Unfortunately, we can only accept our leader’s requests,” Tom interrupted, an understanding smile on his face. “Though I am sure they are impressed by all of your hard work.”

“I hope so,” Corrin grumbled. Before Tom filled out paperwork, he pulled out a map. She leaned forward to study her brothers’ houses. It looked like the river blocked them one way, an orchard the second, the museum the third, and the town plaza the fourth. There wasn’t enough room to move them apart from each other, nor was there anywhere she could relocate one of them. “There’s nowhere to go.”

Tom studied the map before nodding sadly. “No, I’ m afraid there isn’t.”

“Drat.” Corrin pinched her nose but she was still here, staring at a useless map. “Alright, I’ll let them know then. I guess they’ll have to sort it out themselves.”

“I’m sure they can handle it,�� Azura comforted, squeezing her shoulder now. “They managed a peace treaty, after all.”

“I hope I don’t have to jump through as many hoops for this.” Corrin straightened her posture, forcing away her irritation. “Alright, they’re going to have to compromise. Thanks, Tom.”

“Let me know if anything else needs moving!” Tom offered, rolling away the map.

“Hopefully not,” Azura answered, a weary smile on her face.

Corrin side-stepped to Isabelle’s half of the room. She was a strange, dog-like person and looked like a cuter version of Kaden’s fox form. “Anything I should know, Isabelle?”

Isabelle worried her lip as she grabbed several papers and stepped closer. With a nervous smile, she started, “Well, first things first, our town’s rating has gone down.”

“What?” Azura gasped, covering her mouth. “But we’ve been taking such good care of this place.”

“You have,” Isabelle agreed, looking a little antsy. “The problem is that there’s a lot of trash.”

Corrin blinked, not sure if she’d understood. “Trash?”

“Yes, trash.” Isabelle rubbed her arm. “Takumi’s house has been overrun by trash.”

“Takumi—” Corrin had a sinking feeling she knew why her brother was in that state. “What about Leo? Did he do something? Or get something?”

“Well, I don’t know if he did anything, but he is certainly having a terrible time himself. There have been rotten turnips around his house, attracting swarms of flies.” Isabelle rubbed her chin. “I don’t get how that happened.”

“A minor war,” Azura sighed. “I would expect this from Takumi, not Leo.”

“Like I said, I should have just had them both on different islands. One for Nohr, one for Hohsido. There wouldn’t be any issues then.” Honestly, she should have just snuck here by herself, or with Azura. Just a small vacation for the two of them, sans any annoying siblings. Corrin hesitantly asked, “Anything else?”

When Isabelle nodded, Corrin wondered if she really needed to hear the answer. Pulling out another sheet, Isabelle continued, “Elise and Sakura have requested that the town’s flower be changed.”

“Elise and Sakura?” Corrin echoed, not sure if she’d heard correctly. “They both want it to be changed?”

“They’re working together!” Azura clapped her hands happily. “That’s good.”

“Oh, no, they both want a different flower.” Reading the sheet, Isabelle explained, “Sakura has asked for it to be a sakura, while Elise wants it to be a daffodil.”

“Oh…okay…” Corrin felt her energy drain. Well, there went that short-lived hope. “That’s a simple thing, at least.”

“And I have a letter for you from the airport!” Isabelle held out an envelope, her smile bright. “And that is all I have for updates.”

“Camilla and Hinoka seem happy,” Azura consoled. “That’s good, right?”

“Yeah, that’s…” Corrin trailed off as she looked at the letter. That was Hinoka’s writing. There were no two ways about it. Suppressing a groan, she opened it. “What happened now?”

“Corrin, save me!” Azura read aloud. Startled, she glanced at Corrin. “She’s in danger? I thought there was nothing harmful in this world.”

“No, we brought the harm ourselves.” Corrin continued reading the letter aloud, “I keep trying to get into the island, but the airport refuses to let me in. I’ve given them all my weapons, so it isn’t that. They said someone’s blocking the entry. Could you check?”

“Is there something wrong with the airport?” Azura asked, perplexed.

Isabelle shook her head. “There is nothing wrong. If anything, Camilla has been flying in and out a lot lately. Our airport is running in tiptop condition!”

Corrin had a sinking feeling she knew exactly what was going on. “Camilla isn’t letting Hinoka on the island.”

Surprised, Azura glanced at the letter again. “Can she do that?”

“Yeah, if she keeps going in and out like that.” Corrin groaned. All of her siblings, all eight of them, were causing chaos on this island. On this vacation. She was supposed to have a stress-free couple of weeks. This was the exact opposite of that. “Azura?”

“Yes?”

“Wanna run away together?” Corrin asked, half-serious. Maybe they could start afresh on a brand-new island. An island only filled with animal-people.

It would be so peaceful.

#azura #corrin #fire emblem fates #animal crossing #tom nook #isabella #fanfic #the family is dysfunctional #no matter where #but the wars here are at least over fences

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thirteen-beaxhes · 4 years

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New Year’s Day (An HSMTMTS Fic)

The cast decide to have a new year’s eve party. What could go right?

Words: 3854

AO3 LINK IN REBLOG

“Why are we having a New Year’s party? The show will be over by then,” Big Red asked, their voice shrinking at the last part. Carlos had suggested a New Year’s Cast Party at his house, while they were waiting for Miss Jenn to walk in for one of their last rehearsals before opening night.

Carlos let out a small laugh, patting them on the shoulder. “Doesn’t mean we can’t still hang out,” he had said with a small smile. But he dropped it quick, eyes wide. “Y-You don’t have to come, if you don’t wanna see anyone or me again, it’s okay no pressure I can’t stop you,” he said quickly, gulping nervously.

Ricky let out a giggle, wrapping his arms around Red and Carlos. “Of course we will be there,” he said warmly. “Can’t pass up hanging out with my family now, can I?”

As soon as he said that, the entire rehearsal space echoed with ‘Aww’s and claps. Rico walked up to Ricky and ruffled his hair, and Charlie shook their head, rolling their eyes as Bianca hugged their shoulders. Nini leaned her head against Seb’s shoulder, both of them sat on the piano bench as they were talking. Gina looked over at Nini, their smile softening as they walked over to sit on the ground on her side of the piano bench.

“I’m glad you made it back for the show,” Nini said softly as the general chatter of the room continued to grow.

Gina smiled curiously, tilting their head as they scrunched their nose, something Nini secretly found adorable. “Really? What happened to being rivals in all parts of life?” they asked, their smile evident in their voice.

Nini couldn’t stop her grin as she shrugged. “What fun is that?” she asked, her cheeks heating up, embarrassingly. Gina giggled, hiding their face as their heartbeat picked up as expected.

Ricky looked over at Gina, smiling nervously as he picked up his hand, waving at them slightly. They looked up, waving back, a small laugh escaping their lips. Nini looked between them, her smile dropping, as she looked down, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she felt her heart sink into the pit in her stomach. Seb looked ay her, placing a hand on her shoulder comfortingly.

“Hey,” he whispered, drawing her attention. “Don’t assume things,” he said softly when she looked up at him. Nini let out a small sigh, looking back to see Gina get up to go talk to Ricky.

“Easier said than done, Seb,” she whispered, leaning her head on his shoulder again as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, rubbing it comfortingly.

Red looked over as Gina and Ricky walked to the corner of the room, laughing and smiling about something, and they hung their head, walking over to wear Ashlyn was sitting, plonking themselves beside them. Ashlyn looked over at Red, a tried smile on their face.

“How’s it going?” they asked, and Red sighed, looking ahead. Ashlyn nodded understandingly, looking over at Ricky, who was standing with Gina, and Carlos had joined them. “I’m sorry bud.”

“I know nothing will happen,” Red said quietly, looking over at Ashlyn. They shrugged, a sad smile on their face. “I’m just hoping it goes away.”

“I know what you mean,” Ashlyn said understandingly, their eyes going over to where Kourtney was laughing with Bianca. Red looked at Ashlyn, bumping shoulders with them, a small smile on their face.

“Looks like we both are in the same boat,” they said, and Ashlyn laughed, shaking their head.

Ashlyn scoffed, shaking their head. Suddenly, they bolted up, grabbing Red’s shoulder. “I have an idea!”

“Oh no,” Red said instinctively. Ashlyn rolled their eyes, shoving their shoulder.

“I’m serious! It’s genius!” They said, and Red smiled, sighing as they rested their head on their hand. Ashlyn cleared their throat, looking at Red. “Before this year ends, you will tell Ricky how you feel, and I will tell Kourtney how I feel.”

As soon as they heard that, Big Red’s eyes went wide, and they immediately started shaking their head. “Oh no no no,” they began muttering, getting up. “Ash, I love you, but I, I can’t.”

“Red,” they said, grabbing their hand. “I am terrified too, god you have no idea!” they said, sighing. “But I don’t wanna go into the new year with something like that still on my mind. And if it goes wrong, at least I know how it goes.”

Red sighed, sitting back down. They looked down, eyes squeezed shut as they tried to reason it out. Finally, they looked up at Ashlyn, holding out their hand. “Deal.”

Ricky smiled, Gina punching his shoulder playfully. He happened to glance over at Red, but stopped when he saw Red and Ashlyn hugging, both of them giggling like crazy. For some reason, he felt a deep pit in his stomach, his smile dropping slightly as he looked away, chewing on his lower lip. Gina noticed this, and turned to Carlos.

“Carlos, I’m taking Ricky for a minute,” they said softly, and Carlos smiled.

“Sure thing!” he said, walking over to where Charlie was calling him. Gina nodded, grabbing Ricky’s elbow, making him look at them. Ricky pulled his eyes away from Red and Ashlyn, looking at Gina with a hasty smile.

“Everything good, Bowen?” they asked, tilting their head. Ricky looked like he was about to try and find an excuse to pull through his teeth, but one look at the way Gina was staring at him made him realise they already knew. He sighed, looking down.

“Red and Ashlyn they’re, they’re nice together,” he said, glancing over at them. Gina followed his eyes, narrowing their eyes.

“Why do you think they are a thing?” they asked curiously, looking back at him.

Ricky looked up, shrugging. “They’ve been spending a lot of time together,” he said, his voice strangely choked.

“Maybe,” Gina said, shrugging. They looked at Ricky, grabbing their shoulder. “But, why are you so, off, about it?”

Ricky shook his head, turning away. “I have no idea,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I should be feeling happy for them but, I just, can’t,” he muttered, looking down. “And I think I have a feeling I know why.”

“Why?” Gina asked, walking to him, but Ricky shook his head.

“I don’t wanna say it,” he whispered, and Gina nodded, pulling them in for a hug.

“It’s okay,” they said as they pulled away, their eyes glancing fleetingly at Nini, laughing with Bianca and Seb. “I get you.”

After rehearsal was over, Seb stayed back, trying to gather all the piano sheets and put them in his bag. Carlos had packed all his stuff, but he stayed back, bouncing on the balls of his heels, a nervous smile on his face as he walked up to Seb. Seb turned around and saw Carlos walking up to him, and his face broke into a big smile.

“Hey Carlos,” he said brightly, bending down to pick up his bag. His energy was infectious, and Carlos couldn’t help but feel his smile grow, his nerves shrinking away.

“Hey Seb!” Carlos said, sitting down on the piano bench, clasping his hands together. Seb sat down beside him, and reached out, intertwining his fingers with Carlos’, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Carlos couldn’t help but let a small giggle. “So, new year’s party?”

Seb smiled, looking down. “Well, my parents did have plans with the family, but I think I can get out of them,” he said, bumping shoulders with Carlos, a soft smile on his face.

“Great! That’s great!” Carlos nodded, his smile almost too big for his face. “I’m really glad you’re coming,” he said softly, and Seb’s smile softened, and he squeezed Carlos’ hand.

“I love spending time with you Carlos,” he said tenderly, looking fondly at him. “I have the best time with you.”

Carlos sighed, placing his other hand over their intertwined hands. “I love spending time with you too,” he said quietly, and Seb smiled brightly.

Carlos held his breath, suddenly aware of how close they were, and his gaze flicked down. He met Seb’s gaze, and he began leaning in, pulled in by some force he couldn’t describe. His eyelids fluttered shut, and he leaned in…

But he snapped out of his trance when he felt hands pushing his chest back, and he opened his eyes up to see Seb’s wide eyes. Carlos caught his breath, realising what he had done. He opened his mouth, trying to apologise, but before he could say anything, Seb picked up his bag and got up quickly.

“Um, I’ve got to go,” he muttered, looking away. “Bye Carlos,” he said hurriedly, before running out of the room, leaving Carlos on the piano bench, heart pounding and head spinning.

The night of the party

“Wow,” Charlie said, looking around as everyone danced around the room, laughing and cheering, looking over at Carlos with wide eyes. “It’s so weird seeing everyone after the show is done,” they said, sighing sadly. Carlos gave a sad smile, hugging them by the shoulder. Carlos looked around as everyone was there. Well, almost everyone.

“He isn’t here?” Kourtney said, as she walked up behind Carlos, looking around. Carlos shook his head, looking away.

“I should’ve guessed he wouldn’t come,” Carlos said quietly, taking a shaky breath. “He wouldn’t wanna see me.”

Kourtney sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. “He’ll be here,” she said. “I know he will.”

Carlos looked at his watch. “Well, it’s 11:30,” he said sadly, backing into the kitchen. “And I don’t think he’s coming.”

“You don’t know that,” she said, but Carlos grabbed her hand, stopping her.

“It’s okay Kourtney,” he said sadly, squeezing her hand. “I just thought that, this year I wouldn’t be alone on New Year’s Eve,” he sighed, before walking into the kitchen to get more punch.

Kourtney looked over, walking over to Nini who was staring across the room longingly. Kourtney smiled in amusement, following her line of gaze, not surprised to find Gina at the end, laughing at something Rico and Kaden were saying. She shook her head in amusement, wanting to tap her on the shoulder to make fun of her, until she caught Ashlyn’s eye across the room.

Ashlyn smiled at Kourtney, meekly lifting their hand in a small wave, their face scrunched up. Kourtney felt her face heat up as she waved back, giggling slightly at the same time as them. She pushed her hair behind her ear, taking a deep breath as she tried to compose herself, because a single wave and smile was not supposed to make her feel so fluttery.

Funnily enough, it was her giggling that drew Nini’s attention, and she turned around, glancing over at Ashlyn, who began talking to Red. She looked at Kourtney, realisation hitting her like ton of bricks.

“Oh my god you like Ashlyn!” Nini whisper-yelled, and Kourtney let out a laugh, shaking her head as she stared at Nini.

“Oh wow, you really are oblivious sometimes!” Kourtney teased, and Nini smacked her shoulder, turning to look at Gina, who had caught her eye, smirking as they flipped their hair dramatically, eliciting a laugh from Nini. Kourtney rolled her eyes, looking over at Nini. “Are you going to say anything to them?”

Nini turned fast, shaking her head vehemently. “Oh no, no way!” she said loudly. “They probably like Ricky, it would not end well.”

“Nini,” Kourtney said calmly, and Nini sighed, looking over at her, her tongue pushing her cheek from inside. “You can’t just keep hiding it.”

Nini began nodding, taking a deep breath. “Okay, okay, I’m going to do it,” she said shaking her shoulders out. “I’m gonna go there to them.”

“Yeah it’s almost 11:45 girl, you need to go now,” Kourtney said, pushing Nini ahead, and Nini turned around to glare at her, but she walked up ahead, and soon enough, she was standing before Gina, throat dry and mind blank.

“Uh, hey Nini?” Gina said, narrowing their eyes in confusion. Nini opened her mouth to say something, but she couldn’t find the words, or her voice. Gina just stared back at her, their smile falling more and more. Finally, Nini just squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out, “Can we talk please? Outside?”

Gina leaned back, surprised, but they nodded, smiling apologetically at Rico and Kaden. But Rico didn’t seem to mind, his eyes scanning the party, lighting up as he met Charlie’s eyes.

Gina followed Nini outside to Carlos’ porch, both leaning on the railing as they faced each other. The silence was weighted, Nini trying to build up the courage to say what she needed, and Gina growing more and more aware that the situation was getting stranger and stranger.

Finally, Nini just sighed and looked down. “Look, Gina,” she started, coughing. “There’s something I have been feeling that, I probably should have said a while back or, just never say. But, I don’t want to head into the New Year with any baggage,” she said quickly, chewing on her lower lip. “So, uh. I waited till now, cuz, if you hate me, and never want to see me again, you don’t have to.”

“Nini what is going on?” they asked in confusion, looking her over.

Nini squeezed her eyes shut and just said it, in as loud of a voice as she could muster at the moment.

“I like you Gina Porter.”

Ashlyn saw Nini walk up to Gina and walk out onto the porch with them, and they turned to see Kourtney standing alone, smiling and chatting with Tori who was walking by. Red, who was standing next to her, nudged her by the shoulder.

“Well? What are you waiting for?” they said, smirking. “Go ahead, now’s your chance to get your girl.”

Ashlyn looked over at Red with wide eyes filled with terror. “Oh no, oh no no no I can’t do this,” they said quickly, trying to walk away. “I’m calling off the bet, I’m done.”

But Red caught their hand, pulling them back. “Hey, no! We came this far, we are not turning back.” They sighed, turning to look at Ricky, who had his arm wrapped around Carlos, who was currently talking to EJ. “We’ll both go towards our people together,” they said, taking a deep breath. Ashlyn glanced at them, then back at Kourtney, before nodding.

Red nodded, shaking hands with Ashlyn. “See you on the other side, partner,” they said, before pushing through the crowd, trying to reach Ricky.

Ashlyn looked ahead, spotting Kourtney. They looked at their watch. 11:54. Drawing a shaky breath, they took one step at a time, bit by bit, until they were right behind Kourtney. Squeezing their eyes shut, they tapped Kourtney’s shoulder.

“Hey Kourt,” they said with a smile, heart racing at 500 miles an hour.

Red pushed through people, accidentally pushing Bianca into Kaden’s arms, a fact neither seemed super pressed by. Finally, they made it to Ricky, who instantly lit up as he saw Red.

“Dude where have you been?” Ricky asked with a laugh, pulling Red into a hug, nestling his face in Red’s shoulder. Red held their breath, their heart hammering against their chest as they hugged back. EJ pulled him in for a side hug, his other hand holding a glass and Carlos settled for a high five and a smile that hadn’t reached his eyes the whole evening.

Red bit their lip and turned to look at Ricky. “Can I steal you for a minute?” they asked, their voice threatening to choke up on them. Ricky smiled softly, grabbing Red’s hand as he nodded at EJ and Carlos before walking with Red into the kitchen.

All the way, Red tried to enjoy the way he and Ricky acted, the way Ricky was with them. Because once they said what they had to say, nothing would stay the way it was.

“So, what is it, Red?” Ricky asked as he leaned against the counter. He noticed the pallor on their face, and furrowed their eyebrows in concern. “Are you okay?” he asked, cupping their cheek with his hand.

Red let out a shaky breath, resisting the urge to nestle their head in Ricky’s hand, and they felt a warm tear roll down their cheek, one that Ricky wiped away with their thumb, growing more and more worried.

“I don’t know how to say it,” Red said quietly, and Ricky tilted his head, trying to catch Red’s eye. But they looked down. “And this makes it really hard.”

“What does?” Ricky asked softly, but Red let out a sad laugh, looking.

“This,” they said, their voice cracking. “You.”

Ricky was taken aback, leaning away, his hand not leaving Red’s face. “What do you mean?”

Red scoffed, looking away. “Only someone as oblivious as you wouldn’t realise that I’ve like you since literally the 7th grade,” they said in a broken voice.

Ricky’s eyes went wide, the faint noise of people shouting in unison coming from the background. And for once, in him, that seed of hope he always crushed was allowed to grow. And a small smile made its way on his face. But Red still wasn’t looking at him.

“And I know you probably hate me, and don’t wanna talk to me again, and,” Red continued, but Ricky cupped Red’s face with both his hands and let out a desperate laugh.

“Red!” he said, and they looked up to face them.

“What?” they asked quietly.

Ricky let out a short laugh, a smile on his face, blurting out what he wanted to say for all that time. But not exactly how he had thought he would say it.

“I don’t hate you!”

11:58

Carlos let his hand fall, the wind knocked out of his lungs as the reality set in. Seb wasn’t showing up. For real. EJ noticed his face fall, and narrowed his eyes.

“Is everything okay Carlos?” he asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. Carlos looked up, trying to plaster on a small smile.

“He didn’t show up,” Carlos said, looking away as the tears were brimming in his eyes. “And it’s all cuz I decided to push things too far.”

“Seb?” EJ asked, and Carlos nodded. He sighed, wrapping an arm around Carlos. “If he didn’t show, that’s his loss. It’s not on you Carlos. Any guy should be lucky to go out with you, and you deserve that,” he said, looking down at Carlos.

Carlos looked up, narrowing his eyes. “You sound like my mom trying to connect to her gay son,” he said deadpanned, and EJ dropped his hand, rolling his eyes.

“Just trying to help,” he said, smiling slightly. Carlos rolled his eyes, a small smile cracking through as he shoved EJ in the shoulder.

“Whatever,” he said, but Carlos’ smile dropped as he heard people excitedly look at each other, counting down.

He looked around the room, and he saw Gina and Nini’s outlines on his porch, Nini seeming to be gesturing wildly with her hands as she was explaining something. Ashlyn and Kourtney were in the middle of the dance floor, Kourtney’s arms wrapped around Ashlyn’s neck, a blissful smile on both their faces.

Charlie and Rico were standing by the window, arms around each other’s waists, looking at each other like they were the only person in the room. Ricky was cupping Red’s face in his hands in the kitchen, Red’s eyes glistening with tears.

Carlos looked away, smiling sadly at EJ as he began to walk to his staircase, more ready to spend the beginning of the new year on his staircase where he could see the people who had become his family, but didn’t have to stay there when everyone had their romantic moment. He began to walk over there, keeping his head down as he moved through the people.

Natalie glanced over to look at him, an apologetic expression on her face, and he smiled back, nodding as he walked along.

Just then. He heard the front door open, and Carlos stopped, narrowing his eyes as he tried to think about who it could be, and when he saw who it was, his mouth hung open, and his heart stopped.

Seb.

Seb ran into the house, glancing around wildly, until he locked eyes with Carlos across the room, and his face burst into the biggest smile he had ever seen. His smile felt like melted chocolate to Carlos, and he couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Seb began pushing through the people hanging by the door, and Carlos tried to manoeuvre through the couples and straggling dancers, trying to reach Seb in time, his heart beating faster and faster.

He kept pushing through, until finally, he reached Seb. They were standing right in front of each other, Seb breathless and Carlos shocked, a smile on his face.

“You made it,” is all he could whisper, scared to try and touch Seb.

Seb let out a small giggle, interlocking their fingers. “I forgot something here.”

“Oh?” Carlos asked, confused.

“Yup,” Seb said, walking closer, gaze flicking down.

“This,” he whispered.

At midnight, Nini’s rambling apology for saying what she thought she shouldn’t have said was cut off by Gina surging forward, connecting their lips, much to Nini’s surprise. She pulled away, surprised at first, but a smile breaks out on her face, and she held Gina’s chin, pulling them in for another in the cold winter air.

At midnight, Ricky’s whispered ‘I like you too’ got lost in the soft kiss that he pulled Red into, wrapping his arms around their neck, trying to pull them as close as possible, sinking in the feeling of just how right it was. Red sighed, wrapping their arms around Ricky’s waist, unable to believe that the person he had liked all this time, felt the exact same.

At midnight, Ashlyn leaned in to kiss Kourtney, both content in the feelings they shared. Ashlyn never thought that it was possible, but Kourtney had laughed when Ashlyn had said that, saying that she had become so obvious over the past few weeks.

At midnight, Charlie leaned in to kiss Rico, but not before asking him out for ice cream

At midnight, EJ and Tori clinked cups as they stood by the sidelines, watching their friends find happiness, content with that for the day.

At midnight, Seb kissed Carlos, trying to let him know how sorry he was for running away, how nervous he had been, but also, just how much he liked Carlos. And Carlos understood, and he felt it all. And at that moment, he wanted Seb to know he felt the exact same.

Everything was perfect.

~~~~~~~~~

#hsmtmts #high school musical: the musical: the series #hsmtmts fic #seblos #kourtlyn #gini #redky #seb x carlos #kourtney x ashlyn #gina x nini #big red x ricky #ricky bowen #nini salazar roberts #gina porter #carlos hsmtmts #seb matthew smith #big red #kourtney hsmtmts

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alwaysmarais98 · 6 years

Text

OCEAN EYES | Chapter 5 | Jonah Marais

A/N: Hello to all my lovely readers! Here is chapter 5 it is a bit longer than the other ones and it also includes Jonah playing Baseball so I hope you are all up for that!

Thanks to @danieljames1998 and @tempus-ut-luceant for helping me with the Baseball part I would have never gotten it without them!! GO FOLLOW THEM!! I hope you enjoy and please make sure to leave me some feedback. I love to read comments and it makes me so happy when I see someone shares my story. So happy reading!! 💙🌊

Find the other parts in my MASTERLIST

Warnings: None

Summary: Highschool AU, You move to Minnesota and attend high school there. Jonah just happens to be the captain of the Baseball team who also enjoys playing with girls.

The rest of the week passes by really fast. I get closer to Christina and Gabbie as we spend every break together and at Friday afternoon I Invite them over to my house. The game starts at 7pm so we have still plenty of time to kill.

“Really like your room, it looks so cosy. No surprise Jonah enjoyed being here and even more because you live in here”, Christina smirks at me and I just laugh, “Oh c’mon stop”. I told them both what happened on Tuesday night after the dinner.

Gabbie stands at the balcony looking over at his window, “So that’s his bedroom? What a coincidence. You could sneak over there as well, that’s so cute though but let’s be honest. Have you seen him shirtless already? I bet he walks around his room half naked all day”, she smirks.

“First of all, no I won’t crawl into his room, I don’t even like him and I haven’t seen him yet without a shirt on”, I shake my head at how they are acting, I’d lie though if I’d say I have never imagined his bare upper body.

“After the game there is always a party in the locker rooms. No matter if our team wins or not everyone just gets drunk but it’s even more fun if our school’s the winner of course. You have to come as well.”, Gabbie begs, “You might get some from a cute Baseball player.”

I run my fingers through my hair slowly nodding, “We will see okay but maybe I will come yeah”, I exclaim but knowing Jonah will be probably there making out with one of the cheerleaders and that’s one of the last things I want to see. Of course, he will do that, that’s the type of guy he is.

About two hours later I drive the three of us back to school.

“We need one of the best seats. Our boys have to see us”, Christian says all excited jumping out of my car. I giggle at both of their excitement and follow them inside. It also kind of makes me want to have a boyfriend playing some kind of sports so I can watch and cheer at him.

I cross my legs looking at all the players warming up already. I glance at Jonah talking to the couch biting my lip a little as he looks really good in his tricot. He turns around and winks over at me smirking some.

Jonah’s POV

I smile as I see her next to her friends at the bleachers feeling really happy she came to watch the game, not to mention how hot she looks in her tight jeans and crop top. I bite my lip knowing we need to win that game tonight, I was determined to.

I step onto the fresh field after the cheerleaders did their dance. The crowd instantly starts cheering and I feel my heart racing in my chest. I snap my head in Y/N’s direction and she is still smiling over at me.

We are the home team, so we start to get ready to bat. Me being our first batter I was already at the plate. Variations of cheers and chants are let out before the pitch is in. Strike. As the second comes in I swing and hit it deep center, scoring me a double. Our next batter steps into the box. I start getting my lead off. He hits it straight to short and I instantly sprint to third. I hear the famous words “play on ya” from my coach and start to slide. I turn my head to her and smile hearing her cute laugh as Christina whispers something to her, as she sees me looking she waves over at me showing me a thumbs up.

I take a deep breath looking to our next batter Kaden. The first pitch is great and Kaden goes for it. He hits it hard to the second basemen who fumbles with the ball before throwing him out at one, but me being me I thought I could make it home. I guess I thought wrong because as soon as I slide I hear the word out and I also hear the pitcher chuckle at me. We instantly get into a little glaring battle before I hear my coach call, “Marais forget it. It’s time to get on the mound.”

I sigh as I hold my head down. That can’t be true we can’t lose that game, not when she is watching me, I feel the need to impress her, to show I’m good at baseball. But after the first inning it doesn’t look good for us.

The other team is now currently winning with lead of one run because of a stupid error of a freshman at the beginning of the second inning. I have been pitching my ass off the entire second half as I really thought we still could win this and now the clean-up hitter for the other team is at bat.

He is cocky and arrogant winking at all the girls as he walks up to the plate. I could handle this guy. I roll my shoulders back trying to concentrate but I just got her in the back of my mind. The whole week I just kept thinking about her, her smile, her scent, her body, everything about her has me crazy. The catcher gives me the pitch call and the batter swings missing it. Strike one. Yes. I can see her smiling in the corner of my eyes.

The catcher throws it back. I grab the white ball to throw a slider. Once again, the batter misses and the umpire calls strike two. I feel my excitement rise but it’s not over yet. I could swear though that I heard her cheering my name making my heart flutter. Once I get the ball back the catcher gives me the sign for a screwball, I shook it off. I look to the coach and he gives me the same one. I want to show off how good I could be, I mean she is sitting at the side right now, I need to show off my best skills, so I ignore the coach and I decide that I’m going to throw a fastball right down the pipe.

I grab the red seams of the ball, wind up and let it loose. Suddenly the ball cracks off the bat and comes flying towards my face. I try to react to catch it, but it tips off my glove hitting the side of my head, some people jumping up from the bleachers.

Our coach runs onto the field calling for time to the umpires. I start to feel really dizzy, but I could not let him pull me out of the game, I’m not someone who gives up so easily and for sure not today. As I reach to pick up the ball, I stumble trip over my own feet. I regain enough balance to stay standing, but that was enough for the coach to call in another player. I hand my coach the ball as the athletic trainer walks me off the field into the dugout while I throw off my glove all upset.

I shake my head as I sit at the edge of the field pressing a cool-bag against my head. Everyone stares over at me but I try to ignore it, feeling also embarrassed that I didn’t listen to my coach. It was my own fault and now I have to watch how our team loses.

My POV

Christina and Gabbie walk directly to the field kissing Corbyn and Jack as it’s over. First, I sit there by myself then decide to walk down as well feeling so sorry for Jonah. I watched him at the side for the rest game seeing how he suffered as he wasn’t able to do anything.

As I approach the field I hug Daniel and Zach quickly then look around for Jonah. He still sits there, his head down as one of the cheerleaders approaches him, “Don’t even try to call me tonight! I definitely won’t have sex with a loser”, she says to him.

“Don’t worry that wasn’t my plan”, he mumbles as the players from the other game laugh. “Well not your day Marais hm? Too bad when even your girls don’t want you anymore”, the batter from before yells making his team chuckle.

“Just shut the fuck up Smith before I make you”, Jonah jumps up clearly angry but stumbling again being still dizzy. “Get home to cry in your mummy’s arms loser. Your time here is over”, the guy smirks giving Jonah a push before he walks off with his team.

I see how Jonah buries his face in his hands a moment then tries to get up.

“I’ll help you. Are you okay?”, I grab him at his arms to support him. “How is your head?”

“I’m alright Y/N. You don’t need to do that. I fucked up”, he sighs not looking at me.

I shake my head as I help him walk to the locker rooms to get finally off the field, “No you didn’t and it happens okay. I thought you still did great.” “You have no idea of baseball, right? But thank you little one”, he chuckles a little making me smile.

“I guess you aren’t in the mood for a party. I’m neither, so should I drive you home? You are too dizzy to get behind the wheel yourself anyways”, I suggest as he ruffles his hair, “You sure about that? You would do that rather than hooking up here with one of the players?” I shake my head and a smirk spreads cross his pretty face,” Well, my head still hurts will you help me change?”

Even when Jonah is hurt and whiny he still is able to be cheeky. I laugh some, “I will wait for you in my car Marais.”

About 15 minutes later I hear the car door open and I look up from my phone. He’s now in just a white shirt that hugs his strong upper body perfectly and some grey sweatpants shorts.

“Did you at least enjoy the game?”, he asks while I start the engine and drive home. I nod my head, “Yeah I mean I didn’t get it completely but it was quite fun to watch. Maybe I will be there another time”

“I mean I hope so, you could be my personal cheerleader you know.” “Yeah in your dreams”, I smirk and hit his arm. “I do dream of that no worries”, I suddenly feel how Jonah places his hand on my upper thigh. I suck in my breath, “Get your hand off there when you don’t want us to crash”, I warn him making him earning just a chuckle, “You can’t deny it. You enjoy those touches.”

I park in front of my house and he grabs his bag, “Thanks for driving me love, like honestly. Next time I will take you to school with me”, he smiles getting out of the car with me, “So you maybe wanna come inside? My mum isn’t home. We could…”, he ruffles his hair but I cut him off, “No thanks my mum texted me she made dinner so I should be there but it was fun also when you lost. Have a nice night.”

I get quickly into the house taking a deep breath not even wanting to think of all the things that would have happened when I would have been alone with him in his room.

After I had dinner I just lay down in bed being changed now in some pj shorts and some tank top. I walk to my window to get some fresh air when I see lights in Jonah’s room. I have mine off so he can’t see me. I don’t want to look like a creep and get back to my bed but my eyes widen as he slips off his shirt.

His upper body is even more toned than I imagined it. His abs look literally like photoshopped and he has quite prominent v-lines. I try to snap out of my thoughts but then watch how he sits on his bed, head hiding in his hands. He still seems to be sad about the game. It must be a lot of pressure for him to always win.

I don’t know when I stopped thinking but suddenly I stand on my balcony ready to crawl over to the roof of his house. I couldn’t see him so upset and alone in his room. I swallow as I look at the ground. I take a deep breath before I jump almost cheering out of happiness as I succeed. My mum isn’t allowed to find out so I have to be quiet. I crawl to his window and gently knock.

“Y/N?”, he asks all confused as he stares at me but I press my hand on his mouth so he will shut up. “Shh”

Jonah smirks against my palm and closes the window but he can’t hide his sad puppy eyes, “What are you doing here?”

“I don’t know myself but I saw you sitting and I felt sorry for you. You shouldn’t feel so bad for losing, you were great and…and”, I stop as I suddenly feel his arms sling around my waist pushing me back so I hit the wall.

“You are really something else you know”, he whispers, his voice being deeper than usual as his face is just a few inches away from mine now, “Thank you for doing that”

I wrap my arms around his neck hugging him tightly inhaling his scent that makes my knees go weak. Good thing he holds me even tighter now, my small body pressed into his bare one. I can feel his back muscles contract while he rubs his large hand along my back.

My head turns to the side so I can look into his eyes, “Please smile… for me”, I whisper. Jonah chuckles at my cuteness and can’t help but smile, “You are way too gorgeous to resist you know”, he tugs a strand of my hair behind my ear his fingers slowly stroking over the soft skin on my cheek as he leans closer, the tips of our noses touching. I feel his hot breath against my skin making me shiver. God, what is he doing to me.

To be continued…

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kee-writestrashh · 5 years

Text

Guns for Hire

Ramsay Bolton x Reader

ao3

Summary: You are the wife to the Heir of the Red Kings, Ramsay Bolton. living the undercover life of a mob wife has its perks, and you love your husband. But you find out something that seems to unfold a series of unwanted events…

Chapter 54: Dead af

You sighed, turning back to the still open door and walking through it, letting your feet carry you blindly until you realized you were sitting on the couch in the den.

You saw Ben standing there, talking away on the phone as he fought with the Bluray player. Kaden climbed up beside you and hugged you tight after he set his bowl of popcorn down.

"Don't be sad, aunt (y/n). Mama says it will be okay. They got the wrong man." He said, nodding in his five year old wisdom.

Ben pat you on the shoulder as he left the room.

"Who's your favorite?" Kaden asked, kicking his shoes off and pulling his popcorn in his lap.

"Favorite what?" You finally asked, glancing down at the boy.

"Character. I like Rey. She's tough. I think I will ask her to be my girl friend if I ever see her." He said.

You grinned at his innocence and sighed, "I dunno. I like BB. The droids are always my favorites."

"Uncle Ramsay likes Star Wars too. I seen all his stuff in his old room."

"Yeah, he likes the bad guys. Like Kylo." You nodded.

"I don't think Kylo is bad. Just sad and kind of angry." The boy shrugged as Liz came in and sat down beside you, pulling you into her.

The embrace was so warm and caring, it seemed to break you as you sobbed into her shoulder.

"Shhh... It will be okay." She cooed gently stroking your hair in a motherly way.

You weren't sure how long you sat there in her arms, crying, wishing your own mother could hold you.

Finally the tears subsided into small sniffles as you blankly watched TV with Liz and Kaden.

"No more crying, okay? We have to be big. They just made a wrong guess." Kaden smiled at you.

"Wrong man. Wrong guess." You said slowly, an idea hatching.

"Let's go." Ben said, looking apprehensive as he stopped beside your seat, giving Liz a quick kiss on the cheek.

You wiped the last of the tears away and stood, slowly.

You and Ben said nothing until you were almost in city limits.

"Right, the lawyer is on the plane out here. Should be here in three hours or so. His name is Skinner. He's a Boy. Ramsay and Damon met him in college. He's good. And he's in our pocket for sure. Remember, keep your talking to a minimum. The less you say, the less the press can twist your words." Ben finally said, lighting a cigarette. It must have been a mark of how stressed he was because he hardly ever smoked.

"Right. Mouth shut." You said, fixing your smudged makeup in the window visor mirror.

Anger surfaced from nowhere as you walked into the station. The anger inside you so loud Ben had to steer you along and sit you at a table as you couldn't process anything properly. It was like something deep inside of you snapped.

You balled your fists so hard, your nails cut into your palms, but you didn't notice as you stared at the leg of the table, jaw clenched, feeling your son move about almost excitedly.

A cop walked in, depositing Ramsay roughly in the empty chair across the table. He wore his smirk, lip busted.

"What did you do?" Ben asked, looking Ramsay over.

"They didn't like my singing apparently. I don't understand why. I have such a lovely voice. Might have been the song choice. FUCK THE POLICE!" He laughed, eyes glittering in malice.

"Would you stop making this harder?" Ben whispered exasperatedly.

"So how much am I paying to get out of here?" Ramsay asked casually, adjusting the handcuffs.

"You're not." Ben said quietly.

You whipped your head around so fast to look at the man beside you, you cricked your neck.

"What?" You demanded, rubbing your neck as Ramsay narrowed his eyes with a small frown.

"They denied bail. Ramsay, this is serious. They've connected you to everything since the bar burned, even accusing you for all the Starks. That's top of the list. They're pushing for life. Skinner is on his way. Be here in a couple hours or so." Ben said, staring at the table.

Ramsay gave a small sigh, "orange is really not my color. No matter. Call the exterminator. I have solid alibis for everything, you know where to find them."

"Baby, we have to get you out of here." You said desperately.

"What? Why? These are my kind of people. Murders, rapers, thieves, drug dealers." Ramsay chuckled.

"She's right, boss. We don't have enough Kings or Boys in here to keep you safe. Too many lions because of Robb Stark." Ben said so quietly you could hardly hear him, looking strained.

"I'll be fine. Just a bunch of shit rags. And if it gets too bad I'll just shank someone and get put in solitary until court day. Push it, I'm supposed to be throwing a bachelor's party soon." Ramsay shrugged, giving you a long look, "I said our blades are sharp. Not wet. Stop crying, woman."

You gave him a dirty look but gave a small grin at his smirk, giving a small sniff.

"Come here." He said, leaning forward.

You leaned across the table, placing your lips to his. He pulled away from you too soon and stood, frowning at his orange jumpsuit.

"Do what the wife says." Ramsay said, looking at Ben and holding his hand out.

"I'll be back later with Skinner." Ben nodded, shaking Ramsay's hand.

You stood from your chair, walked around the table and wrapped your arms around your husband.

He pushed the side of his face into yours and inhaled you.

"Just a night or two. Don't have too much fun without me." He joked.

You snorted.

"Stay out of trouble. You're not as fast as you used to be, Scrappy-Doo." Ben said, giving Ramsay a very hard look.

"Yes, father." Ramsay tutted, rolling his eyes.

"I want every man involved in the Boys and Kings at dinner tonight." You said forcefully, struggling with your seat belt and pregnant belly.

"Why?" Ben asked, helping you with your seat belt.

"Damnit, just do what I said, Ben!" You shouted, giving a frustrated growl.

Ben raised his brows at you but nodded.

"Also, there's a fabric shop on the corner. We are stopping there." You dictated.

"Um, right. Can I ask why?" He frowned.

"Because I said." You hissed.

"You good?" He asked, looking alarmed.

"Fucking peachy. Quit asking questions and just take me to the damn fabric shop." You growled, looking anywhere but at Ben, knowing you would feel bad for being so mean if you did.

"What is all this for?" Ben grunted under the weight of all the different black fabrics.

"Mind your matters, Benjamin." You said, climbing into your seat.

×××

"There you are. I was coming to tell you dinner is ready and everyone is here." Matt said sliding into the empty drawing room.

"I'm glad they sent you to find me. Close the door." You said, setting your pencil down and looking up from your paper.

Matt gave an uneasy look, but did as you said.

"Miss tagging walls?" You asked casually.

"Eh, sometimes." Matt shrugged.

"How many little buddies do you know good at tagging?"

"A fair few. Why?" He said, crinckling his brow.

You held the piece of paper out. Matt crossed the room and took it.

"What's this?" He asked, looking down at the drawing. "You do this? It's pretty fucking sweet."

"Thank you, dear. Now, shoot it and send it out. I want the entire city covered in this by the morning. I will explain later." You said, rising from your seat and leaving Matt alone in the room.

You walked up to your room to change.

You glanced down at your jeans and shirt. Fuck it. You tucked your gun into the waist of your pants and left the room.

You entered the dining room, taking Ramsay's empty seat.

Dinner was a very quiet, awkward affair as you watched the men around you trying to figure out the purpose for being here.

You leaned back into the chair, resting your elbows on the chair arms, placing your fingers tips together, and crossing your legs. You surveyed the table. Your seat made you feel powerful as you looked down the table.

"Thank you, gentlemen for meeting my request on such short notice. I am certain it would have been much more enjoyable with Ramsay here.... Now, why is my husband in jail?" You said, almost shouting the ending.

Nobody said anything as they stared at you.

You rose from your chair, glaring down the table as if spitting acid.

"I will ask one more time." You said taking a steadying breath. "Why the fuck is Ramsay sitting in jail while I share a shitty dinner with all of you? Think I'd rather share my company with you lot?"

Ben looked like he was about to say something but you shot him a nasty look that made him look away.

A man shifted in his chair.

"And what can you tell me?" You asked, walking over to him.

"There's nothing. No trace of a rat or any of our men leaking information." He said, looking uncomfortable as you stepped into him.

In one fluid motion you pulled your gun from your pants waist and shot the man point blank in the face.

You turned back to the stunned room, wearing a smirk even Ramsay would be proud of.

"Does anyone else have any more useless information for me?" You asked, giving a sweeping glance over the table at every man's face.

You spotted a man who pulled at his collar. You walked over to him, fingering his unused knife.

"How was your dinner?" You asked politely.

The man swallowed, "it was excellent."

"Good. Now, what can you tell me?" You said, picking up the knife and eyeing it closely.

The man swallowed again, sweat forming as he watched you examine the knife. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't hear you." You whispered with a smile.

Again he opened his mouth, but closed it as words failed him.

You grabbed the man's hand and placed it on the table, "spread your fingers and don't move."

He did as you instructed. You could feel him trembling in fear. Fucking pussy. You looked up at the table with a wide, fanatical grin.

"Gentlemen, it seems we have a problem and the mute cannot tell me." You laughed, bringing the knife down as hard as you could on the man's pinky.

He screamed in pain, pulling his hand to him, cradling it in his other.

"Stop bleeding on my goddamn table!" You screamed at him, pressing the knife to his throat.

You turned back to the room, ignoring the sounds of pain and agony beside you.

"Every day my husband sits in jail this man will lose a finger. He only has nine now. Who will be next?" You said, baring your teeth and pointing at a man down the table. "You. You're next. Until the rat is brought to me or my husband is returned to me, there will be hell. You are all dead as fuck. You only thought Ramsay was scary. I am so, so much worse."

The same manic laugh that crept up on you from time to time, escaped you.

"Because I'm in such a bad mood..." You said, stabbing the other man beside you in the neck.

He slumped forward. You clucked, pulling the knife and setting it on the table.

"You all are dismissed." You said waving the table away and then pointing at Matt, Ben, and Alyn, "except you three. You stay."

You stood there, glaring at the men as they all scattered like a herd of spooked cattle.

Once the room was empty, except you, the Boys, and the two dead men, you dropped the act with slumped shoulders and a deep sigh.

"Boys, I want chaos. Everywhere. Blood needs to wash the streets. More everyday. Everyone. Lions, Stags, Roses, Towers, Kings." You said, taking an empty seat as pain in your back and side caught you offguard.

"What are you doing, (y/n)?" Ben asked cautiously as Alyn stared unblinkingly at you.

"Taking the heat off Ramsay. He can't have done all of those things if say... oh, I don't know... I did it." You said slowly.

"What are you talking about?" Alyn finally spoke.

"I mean if we make it look as though Ramsay was never the one in control or ever engaged in any of those activities we can send the police on a wild goose chase, looking for a crime boss who doesn't exist." You said, nodding at Matt, who pulled the paper from his pocket and laid it out flat on the table.

"Foxes and the First Order. You are so Ramsay's wife." Ben said with a small huff.

"It was your son who gave me the idea." You said, rising from the table. "He said the cops got the wrong man. Made a wrong guess. So let's get back at them. Let the fox out fox the cops. Terror in the streets for everyone. No one singled out. Now, send Carmen to my room, and get ready for hell on earth." You said, leaving the dining room.

"Come in." You called, standing at the window.

Carmen came in quietly, looking you over, "Ben said you would like word?"

"I have it you were a seamstress once upon a time?" You said, still gazing out the window at the shining lights of the city in the distance.

"A damn good one." Carmen said, puffing her chest out.

You grinned, "Good. Follow me."

You walked swiftly and purposefully to the sewing room you had found a few days ago. On the table in a corner was all the fabric you had bought earlier.

"I need you to make this for me." You said, holding out your phone.

Carmen took it and examined the picture closely, zooming in on detail, and nodding to herself.

"Easy enough." She said, "Just get me a hard copy and I need to measure you."

"Pictures are by the fabric. When can you have it done?" You said, crossing the room to the fabric.

"Saturday at the latest." Carmen said, taking in the psychotic air about you.

"Perfect." You said with a small grin.

A knock came on the door.

"Enter!" You called, as Carmen dug through a drawer to find a tape measure.

"(Y/n), I know Ramsay said to do what you say... but... do you know what you're doing?" Ben asked tentatively.

You laughed, "No idea."

Ben opened his mouth but said nothing, watching his mother in law take your measurements.

"But if there is one thing I have learned in being Ramsay's wife, it is that if you are crazy enough to do it, it is crazy enough to happen. Don't worry, Ben. I've got this. Our blades are sharp." You smiled.

"Riiight. Well, I'm off to gather up Skinner. His plane finally came in." Ben said, giving you a skeptical look.

"Be safe. Give my husband my love. And Ben, do not breathe a word of this until it is time." You warned as he left.

#guns for hire #gfh #kee_writestrashh #AO3 fanfic #chapter 54 #54/90 #ramsay bolton x reader #ramsay bolton imagine #ramsay bolton #modern ramsay bolton #modern game of thrones #Modern Setting #mafia au

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matsbarzal · 6 years

Text

Preppy Prep - Tom Wilson

Notes: tom wilson is fucking beautiful don’t even get me STARTED like oh lord almighty. anyways heres a cute daddy-tom imagine with a bad-driving ovi. enjoy!!

Requested: Yes | No

Next up: Noah Hanifin

“You have to be there at 9:30 sharp, no later otherwise they’ll think you’re irresponsible and Kaden will get dubbed as the kid whose dad is the worst parent and didn’t come to parent day… Tom… Tom! Are you even listening, jackass?”

Your husband of four years laughed at you, his fingers attached to the video game controller in front of him. “(Y/N), babe, this isn’t my first time going to a school. And Kaden’s going to be the most popular kid in his little preppy prep school, his dads an NHL player, baby.”

Going towards your boyfriend with the cloth in your hand to whip him with it, he quickly dodged, pressing pause on his game while he laughed.

“Tom, you have to take this seriously. Kaden’s so excited that you’re coming tomorrow. It’s always me, and who cares about your mom when your dads an NHL player, right?”

Tom grinned, pressing his lips to the top of your head. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he brags about being the only kid whose mom lets him dress himself.” “Tom, he wears a uniform to school everyday.”

“And thank god for that, he totally takes after you when it comes to being a terrible dresser.”

“Mommy, dad’ll be here, right? He promised… and everyone’s mom and dad are showing up…”

Looking towards the door, you internally grimaced when you realized that once again, it wasn’t Tom coming through the door. At 9:38, he was 8 minutes late and you were starting to get a little worried. He had promised he’d be here, and there’s no way practice was running late, the Caps had played a great game the night before… but maybe he forgot?

“He’ll be here baby, don’t worry. Daddy’s just running a little late.”

Shrugging his shoulders, he ran towards the sand bin where the other kids were playing, as you quickly took a peak at your phone. 9:40, no texts, no calls, nothing.

“Mrs. Wilson, will Kaden’s father be joining us? Or should we continue on without him?” Ms. Newberry looked at you, a hint of sympathy in her eyes as she asked her question, the same question she had asked the year prior when Tom had promised to come and forgot.

“He’ll be…”

You were cut off by the sound of the door slamming open, three hulking guys bustling through the door, their bright red jerseys catching the attention of everyone in the room.

Of course, Tom was at the front, hoarding his pack of wild hockey players into the room, an apologetic grin on his lips. “Andre found out that I was coming this year… and then Ovi couldn’t hold it in and followed him into my car, I apologize for being so late Mrs. Newberry, but please, continue.”

A tight-lipped smile was all your husband received as Kaden eagerly ran to his father, jumping right into him with all the grace a 5 year old could muster. “Dad!” Tom grinned, wrapping his arms around your son and hoisting him up, his two teammates jokingly pulling on Kaden’s long locks as he stuck his tongue out at them.

“Look dad! I made a sandcastle!” Your husband dropped him from his arms onto the ground, Kaden grabbing his dads hand as he tugged him back towards the sand-bin where he had just been.

“Don’t be too upset with your Canadian, (Y/N). Ovi wouldn’t let Tom drive, and you know how slow Ovi drives, and then he got lost, so it’s really not Tom’s fault. If you’re going to yell at anyone, Ovi’s your guy.”

Shaking your head at Andre’s explanation, you averted your attention to the sound of Kaden’s teacher clearing her throat. “Settle down, settle down. I know we have some of Washington’s best, but it’s time to get into what we have planned for this morning.”

The woman dragged on, and on, and on, as she explained what would be occurring today. The parents would receive tea or coffee, the kids juice, what food was being served, the parents would have a meeting with the teacher about how their child is fairing in school, all the typical stuff.

“So... you’re telling me that, Kaden... swears?”

You looked over towards your supposedly innocent, sweet, and loveable son as he played with some of the other kids, and Ovi.

“It’s usually not often, he’ll say it when none of the teachers or TA’s are around, and it’s usually quiet enough that no one catches it, but lately he’s been much more vocal about it which is quite worrisome.”

“May I ask for specifics, if possible?” Giving a disgruntled look at your husband, he just winked back.

“He seems to have quite a big obsession with calling people ‘f-ing d-word’. And I've caught him calling another student a d-bag on more than one occasion, Mr. Wilson. We’re quite worried that he may be learning this vocabulary at home, is there any possibility that Kaden hears this occasionally in the living room, or when you don’t think he’s listening?”

Tom grimaced, while you shot him a glare. You always made sure to watch what you said around your son, knowing that he had a bit of a habit to repeat things that you and your husband said.

Innocently shaking his head, Tom looked towards the teacher, “No, I'm careful around Kaden. (Y/N), on the other hand, has quite the potty mouth.”

“Oh screw you, Tom.”

“Mrs. Wilson!”

Groaning, you glared at your husband while apologizing to the teacher in front of you.

“All in all, Kaden talks very lovingly about both of you. He praises his mothers food, and he loves watching his dad play. He’s not entirely sure what his mom does for work, but I’m sure as he grows he’ll appreciate what you do, ma’am. He’s a pleasure to have in my class, but I would most definitely suggest working on the swearing at home, children are prone to repeating what they hear.”

Thanking the teacher, you watched as she called another set of parents over, as both of you walked towards your son. “Since when do you swear in front of Kaden, Thomas?”

“It’s all Ovi, whenever he comes over he and his stupid Russian ways require him to swear all the time. You know I would never swear in front of Kaden!”

Shaking your head in silent laughter, you stopped in front of Kaden who was sitting at his desk, all his art projects and journals laid out on his desk.

“Look dad! Its me, you and mom! When you won the cup, see? You can see the Jet’s crying in the back, isn’t it great?” Tom ruffled your sons hair, a wide grin on his face.

“I love it buddy, but who’s the one beside your mom?”

“Oh that’s Uncle Andre, mom said she likes him more than you so I put them beside each other.”

#tom wilson #tom wilson imagine #nhl imagines #hockey imagines #tom wilson imagines #mine #this is cute im loving it

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sarah-bae-maas · 7 years

Text

A Court of Hearts and Darkness Chapter Twenty

It’s been over a century since the epic and bloody war against Hybern, but a new, unprecedented horror lies in wait to threaten everything the Inner Circle holds dear.

At a mere 17, it seems that the only one who can save them is the Heir to the Night Court, Feyre and Rhysand’s daughter Eleana, but as a creature so vile promises to kill everyone she loves, she must combat the urge to succumb to the darkness herself. The key to success lies hidden within her mate, the bastard born Kaden, who is as oblivious to the bond as her Court is oblivious to the war on the horizon.

With the help of her cousin and warrior Felix, the son of the famed Nesta and Cassian, they will try to save everything they hold dear, hopefully before the darkness takes them all.

(previous to this chapter, acowar had not been released. So, as you can imagine, there are some slight differences. Thank you for your support either way!)

Link on Ao3 Masterlist

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

***

-Chapter 20-

All Kaden could hear was a loud ringing in his ears. He couldn’t move, and twigs stabbed into his skin like miniscule knives. His skin was hyper aware of every feeling on him: the individual blades of grass, the warm breeze, tiny insects skirting over his flesh. For the life of him he could not open his eyes. They were so heavy, and the harder he tried the more difficult it became.

He succumbed, again, to unconsciousness.

_____

At Rhys’ message of a miracle, Mor abandoned her post at Velaris. She left the guards where they were on the slight chance something could go wrong, and then fled to where the rest of her family was residing. Rhys had been unclear about what happened. The baby, Theodosia, was stillborn. And then, only minutes after but what felt like a century, she cried. And cried and cried and cried.

And she was alive.

Mor didn’t understand, so as she burst into Felix’s home the first place she went was her husband. He was in the guest room Nesta had given birth in, and he was standing pressed to Rhys. Rhys had Laya in his arms, his daughter sickly pale. Feyre was kneeling next to Nesta and Cassian who held their baby girl, and standing in the corner was Elain with Quathryn in her arms.

Felix was nowhere to be seen.

Azriel looked up at her entrance, his shoulders slumping as he greeted her by embracing her to him tightly. Mor returned his hug and kissed his mouth quickly.

Outside.

A single whisper in her mind, and from the stiffening of Azriel, he must have heard it too. The voice belonged to their niece, and Mor looked at Eleana with an eyebrow raised. The girl really didn’t look good. She was shaking in Rhys’ arms, and he face had lost most of its vibrant colour. Mor saw Laya try and speak, but her mouth could barely move. Rhys was smoothing back her hair, probably mistaking her weakness for fear or fatigue.

Kaden’s outside.

Azriel looked confused at the words, so Mor patted his shoulder and whispered she would go look. She hadn’t seen Kaden since he’d done his trials with the Elite, but Azriel had sent her a message before this whole debacle telling her how wonderfully he had done. In celebration, she bought him a new suit, one as fine as what the male members of the Inner Circle would wear to a formal event.

She winnowed to the veranda and started to look for Kaden. He would likely be around the back, so she leisurely walked around to find him. She was happily humming to herself, but choked when she was met with the sight of him sprawled on the grass unconscious, his nose bleeding and his wings limp.

She rushed to his side and rolled him onto his back. She pressed her ear to his chest, listening for his heartbeat and breath, and when hearing them nearly sobbed in relief. Her hands went to his face, and she pushed back his hair, and shook him slightly.

“Hey there,” she whimpered.

He groaned in response, and her heart leaped at the sound.

“Don’t talk, okay? Just let me – let me heal you a little bit.” She surged her magic through him, but it didn’t seem to be doing anything. Kaden was still clearly in pain. The only thing she succeeded in doing was stopping his nose bleed.

“Mor?” He rasped.

She shushed him and continued with her work, growing more frustrated.

“The baby?” Kaden’s voice was as dry as the desert, and he managed to move his hands enough so he was holding the bottom of her dress.

“It’s a little girl.” She was on the verge of screaming for Azriel, but she didn’t want to make a scene.

She was considering running inside long enough to grab Rhys so her cousin could heal her boy, when three figures approached her from the darkness.

She growled at them but cut herself off when she saw it was just Felix and two of his Elite. “What happened here?” She hissed.

“I don’t know. He’s fine though, just burnt out.” Felix said as the two figures stepped forward to grab Kaden. Mor snarled at them until they raised their hands and backed off. Felix, however, wasn’t having any of that.

“Go inside, Mor. I’ll deal with this.” He said calmly.

“You don’t tell me what to do.”

“If you stay here with him Rhys will come looking for you, and what do you think he’ll do when he does? I assume you’ve seen Laya, which means you know that she is one step away from joining dear Kaden on the floor. What do you think the High Lord would do if he found out it’s because his daughter was being used like a puppet by a male that he does not know? Worse, who do you think left him like this? Kaden was taking care of Quathryn, and now she’s in the arms of Elain. Leave, Mor. I have this handled.”

The two Elite did not dare come closer to the Morrigan. Felix rolled his eyes and stepped forward, pushing away her hands and lifting Kaden up by under his arms. He hauled Kaden over his shoulder with one arm supporting him, the other waving to create wards around them. The other two males drew their swords and flanked Felix protectively.

“Where are you taking him?” She seethed.

“Somewhere safe.”

“He is safest with me.”

“If you left people would get suspicious. Luckily for me, the only one who would notice my absence is Eleana.” He cocked his head to the side and started backing away.

_____

At some point in the night, Eleana had fallen asleep. When she awoke, she was tucked into Felix’s bed with her mother was reading a book next to her. At hearing her wake, Feyre put down her book and smiled at her daughter. She put a hand on her forehead and kissed her cheek.

“You’re still running a fever.” She clucked.

“A fever?”

“You had your father worried last night. You fell asleep standing up. Luckily, he was there to hold you. I think you’re sick.”

Eleana’s whole body was aching, but she knew it wasn’t because she was ill. It was because of the way Kaden used her body last night, the bond between them still so blurred that she was also feeling the effects of his burnout.

“How’s Nesta and Cassian?”

“They’re over the moon. What we saw yesterday…” Feyre let out a loud breath. “I’ve never seen anything like that before. Maybe Thea is just showing early signs of magic? I don’t know, either way we’re all very grateful.” Feyre stood up, straightening her jumper and brushing off her pants. “Breakfast?”

“Where’s Felix?” Eleana countered. She couldn’t bear the thought of eating right now, her stomach churned at the thought. She needed to see her cousin though, to make sure he was alright and to make sure he was helping Kaden.

“He went to the share houses this morning with Quathryn. Little Thea was up all night, quite the lungs on her, and Quathryn was getting irritable. Hopefully she can have a nice nap before she comes back and is officially introduced to her new sister.”

As much as it pained her, Eleana say up and swung her legs over the bed. She was immediately met with an array of dizziness, but she didn’t let it stop her from standing. “I’m going to skip breakfast and go visit Felix. I’ll see you later.”

She went to walk, but Feyre grabbed her elbow to make her holt. “If Felix is upset you call Cassian straight away, okay? You don’t have to deal with his emotions on your own.” Feyre kissed her forehead quickly. “You can skedaddle now, Laya. I’ll save you some pancakes.”

Eleana smiled at her and walked away. She waved to her family as she walked in the longue room, intending to leave right away. Rhys insisted on hugging her first though and making her eat at least some fruit. Mor stared at her and looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn’t. Considering Eleana had told Mor to get Kaden last night and she was now here, Eleana doubted the topic of conversation would be about anything but that.

Eleana used what little energy she had to fly to the share houses. When she arrived, she went to the children’s home, knowing Felix would’ve taken Quathryn there to sleep. She walked in, and was instantly greeted by children milling around preparing for their day – hired staff following them and helping. There was a strange congregation outside one of the doors, a bunch of them on their toes with their ears pressed against the door, some holding weeds they’d mistaken for flowers.

Eleana stood behind them and knelt so she was the same height as them. “What are you listening for?”

They jumped at the sound of her voice, but looked happy to see her.

“Felix came last night!” One said excitedly. “And he brought Kaden, but he’s feeling unwell. We want to help him feel better.”

Eleana nodded. So, coming here with Quathryn was a front. Good to know.

Eleana thanked them and tried to go inside.

“Excuse me Lady Eleana, will you please give Kaden these? We picked them just for him this morning.” The voice of the small girl was timid, and it made Eleana’s heart warm. She held out a handful of weeds, and Eleana graciously accepted them.

She went into the room and was met with the sight of Kaden buried under a multitude of blankets, Quathryn sprawled on top of him, snoozing away. Her mouth was open and she had started to dribble, but Kaden didn’t notice. He was too deep in conversation with Felix.

Eleana cleared her throat to get their attention, and their gazes snapped to her.

“Laya.” Felix smirked. “There are Elite surrounding this whole building and yet none of them thought to warn me you were here. I’m not sure what to think of that.”

“Last I checked I out-ranked you.” She joked.

“That may be true, but I also have them guarding my home, and Mother knows it’s full of very powerful, very tired, very highly ranked fae.” He stood up and gave her a hug before picking Quathryn up from the bed. She whined slightly, but as soon as he pulled her closer to his chest she stopped. “I’ll leave you two be.”

He left the room, cheering and then quick hushes from the children outside happening in his wake.

Kaden was looking at her with pain laced on his face, and she wasn’t sure if it was from last night’s ordeal or because he felt guilty.

“I swear I didn’t know it was you, Eleana. I’m so sorry. I would never invade your mind like that. I – I don’t know what happened.” He gushed.

She didn’t reply right away, but rather started striping away the many layers of blanket covering him.

“What are you doing?” He asked her.

She stayed silent, and when she had peeled back the blankets and he was before her in nothing but a pair of short bottoms, she climbed in next to him. She laid her head on his chest and hooked her legs on his, wanting to be as close to him as she could. It took a few moments, but he curled around her too and snaked his arms to hold her body tight.

“What are you doing?” He asked again, his voice now a whisper.

“I’m sleeping next to the man that saved my cousin’s life, whom I love very much.” She kissed his chest and closed her eyes. All she’d done lately is sleep, but she thought she deserved it.

“Is that how you truly feel?” He ran a hand down her back, and when it came up again it had slipped under her shirt to touch her skin.

“Without a doubt – indefinitely.”

_____

Eleana supposed it was about time she did something productive with herself. She had bathed Quathryn and clothed her in a new outfit, and even snuck off to Velaris to get Kaden some more clothes from Azriel’s house. Felix had left to go meet his new sister properly, but the Elite were still stationed at his home on the off chance something happened. They were very discreet though. You wouldn’t know they were there unless someone told you.

She and Kaden left the share house together after helping give lunch to the children, all of them so enthusiastic when it came to Kaden. They absolutely adored him.

As they walked, no particular destination in mind, Kaden kept giving her weird glances. She had shut him out from her mind, needing to have it to herself for a while, so she had no idea what it was about. He would come clean eventually, he always did. He kept opening his mouth as if to say something, but always promptly shut it when she glanced his way.

The silence wasn’t terrible, just calm.

They walked into the market, buying some shawarmas. Eleana underestimated how messy it would be and groaned every time the garlic sauce dripped down her front. Kaden would just laugh and reach forward to help her clean herself. At one point, he ran his thumb across her bottom lip and popped it into his mouth, tasting it straight from her.

They rounded into an alley to get away from the crowd. There was a courtyard ahead, and you could easily hear a commotion going on. Eleana’s curiosity led her to follow the sounds, and Kaden’s affections for Eleana caused him to follow her.

In the courtyard were two Illyrians, one normal male and, surprisingly, one of the Elite. They were making snarky and lewd comments towards a group of females who looked to be in an aerial unit.

The member of the Elite was Alistair, a male significant in Eleana’s past, and Kaden stiffened at her side. She disregarded it though, she had no time for their feud when the three males were making the women so obviously uncomfortable.

“Hello, how are you?” Eleana approached one of the woman, wedging herself between the female and the sleaze talking to her.

The female looked relieved at the sight of Eleana. Eleana somewhat recognized her from training, but the female clearly knew who she was.

“I’m quite well, Lady Eleana. What brings you here?” She held out her hands which Eleana took in her own. There was nothing better than women standing by other women, except being friends with them.

“Had to get my man some food. Males are rather grumpy when they’re hungry, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Definitely.”

They smiled at each other, but the moment was ruined when Alistair placed a hand on both their shoulders.

“Now this is what I want to see. Tell me, are women this friendly when they share beds? I’d be willing to watch if you showed me.”

The other male roared with laughter, and Eleana curled back her lip in disgust.

Eleana didn’t regret her brief time with Alistair, he was far less cocky before he rose in ranks in the Elite. Since then, he had been insufferable, and that was one of the main reasons their tryst hadn’t lasted. That, and she was a young fifteen-year-old and he was older than her mother.

“Oh Alistair, if only women had as little self-respect. I don’t know what’s smaller, my tolerance for your behaviour or your dick. Both are rather miniscule.” She wanted to hiss it at him, but she kept her poise because she knew delivering it like that would have a harder blow.

The women had gathered behind Eleana and the female she had just conversed with. You could tell from their weary faces that they were just here to rest in between sessions, and that the males had been bothering them for a while.

“Why are you even here?” Eleana asked Alistair. “The Elite have been summoned and sanctioned.”

“We’re taking it in twelve hour shifts. Weirdly enough, not once did I see Kaden there. You putting it up Felix too? Why else would you have gotten first row so quickly? Must be wondrous in bed.” Alistair winked suggestively at Kaden.

Kaden didn’t blush or falter. He remained as he was, not deigning to respond.

“Leave, Alistair. Nobody wants you or your friend here. Just let them eat. Not everything has to be about conquests.”

One of the women behind her squeaked as the other male skirted around the group to pinch her behind. She hit him away, but her fighting skills were inconsequential compared to his. The females had trained to be assets in the air, not on the ground – something her parents had been battling tooth and nail to change for a century.

“Stop it.” Eleana thrust out her darkness and tied his arms with it. He grunted and tried to escape, but it was futile.

“It is their duty to us. We men keep them safe while they raise the children. It is the least they can do.” The shackled man sneered.

“What they do with their body is no duty, and is entirely up to them. I suggest you leave immediately.”

“They don’t have to want it for us to take it.” He remarked, a revolting smile on his face.

Eleana was flabbergasted. Did this man just insinuate that he had the right to rape a woman?

Maybe she could have controlled herself if he had just been an ass, but that – that – she didn’t need her magic at full strength to punish him.

“Draw your swords.” She nodded at the females to step back, and with fear in their eyes from years of being unjustly preyed upon by men, they did. They were a young unit, still trying to find their way in a sexist society, and Eleana couldn’t fault them for their feelings. They were not weak.

Alistair and his crony laughed. “Really, Eleana? You’re going to take us both on? As fun as that sounds, I’m not in the mood.”

“Neither were they when you decided to think with your dick instead of your mind. Draw your swords, or I’ll fight you without them.”

Alistair snorted but they did as she asked. Alistair seemed fine, but nerves had started to wind their way into the other one who she had let free of her magic. She didn’t need her darkness to beat them without mercy.

Alistair went to say something else, but before he could she kicked him square in the chest, so hard that he faltered back. She followed her kick by shoving the hilt of her sword in the temple to the male on her left. He blocked it, but that only gave her enough momentum to step forward and elbow him so hard in the nose the bone cracked. She then quickly, but with much ferocity, punched him in the throat.

He snarled at her, but she sidestepped his oncoming punches. Alistair approached her from behind, so she tucked the next swing from the male, turning slightly on her heel so she could pinch Alistair’s thigh. Her fingers clenched so hard that even through his pants his flesh tore.

He gasped in pain, but she didn’t stop there. She swung a hard uppercut into Alistair’s jaw, and then slashed her sword at the male. There was a satisfying swish as her Illyrian blade slashed through his shirt and left a bloody cut across his stomach. If she had angled her sword even a little more, she would have gutted him. She would give no killing blows today though. She would only use enough severity to teach them a lesson. She was a woman, and she was strong and proud and no male would ever effect that.

The male backed off in surrender, raising his arms and dropping his blade. Crimson blood was flowing freely down his torso, and he probably needed to seek urgent medical care. If only Eleana cared enough to summon a healer.

At the sight of his friend backing off, Alistair did the same, making a clapping noise that in training meant your opponent was tapping out.

“Piss off.” Eleana barked.

The two did as they were told, and skulked away.

Eleana smiled at their retreating backs and turned back to the females. “I’m sorry to disturb yo-”

“Who taught you to fight like that?” One asked with nothing but awe in her tone.

“Mostly my cousin, Felix.”

Their faces slightly dropped at her answer, and she wondered why.

“Oh. We were hoping it might be someone who could teach us. Felix Warbringer though… I could never approach him. He’s too,” she waved her hand, “superior.”

“That’s not the case at all.” Kaden stepped up beside her, but a respectful distance away. “Felix would welcome you if you asked for extra training. He would do all in his power to ensure you had the best possible.”

“One of those males was Alistair, is he not in the Elite?” Another woman asked. It was a valid question. How could you respect a commander whose soldiers treated people like that?

“Alistair has already been demoted.” Kaden answered her. “Not just that, but Felix has the upmost respect for women and their value in the camp. I doubt Felix was aware of Alistair’s attitude, and when he finds out justice with be duly served.”

She looked at him sceptically.

“Tomorrow Felix is set to rearrange the Elite from the outcome of yesterday��s events. You should approach him afterwards. Tell him I sent you and what you want. If he can’t help you, he will do everything in his power to find someone that will. I promise.” Eleana suggested.

The women looked at each other, a smile beginning to grow on all their faces.

They agreed, and Eleana said her goodbyes before leaving them. As her and Kaden started walking again, he gave her more of the funny looks from before. She was about to demand answers, but first he said, “Eleana, can I talk to you in private?”

She cocked her head. “We’re in a market. Maybe we can go to your tent? I don’t know anywhere else that would offer privacy.”

“I do.”

_____

He winnowed them to a field opening in the forest. Nearby was rushing waterfall, a large lake and stream rushing off it. The trees were all willows, and the grass hadn’t yet dried from the harsh summer heat. Eleana smiled at the sound of nearby birds and insects, and breathed in deeply the fresh, unstained air.

“How did you find this place?” Eleana kicked off her boots and socks so she could wiggle her toes in the soft grass.

“This is where Felix taught me to swim.”

“I didn’t know Felix did that.”

He shrugged like it was no big deal, and then turned his back on her.

Eleana thought he was about to say what he had been holding in all day, so she let him stand while she sat and combed her hands through the grass.

And then,

He turned so quickly his wings blew a gust of air in their wake and knelt in front of her. His hands cradled her face, and he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.

He kissed her.

So slowly, so tenderly it was like they had all the time in the world. The kind of kiss he would’ve given her if he had been raised knowing how to love, the kind of kiss that was so filled with passion it made her heart ache. The kind of kiss that made her shed a tear, because he knew, very well, that if he kissed her it meant that she was wholly his, and he was hers in return.

He pulled away, but only far enough to rest his forehead against hers. He was panting slightly, and his hands were shaky on her face.

“Kaden?”

“I already knew it, but then you stood up for those girls, and I knew I needed you more than this. That I couldn’t bear it if I lost you just because I was impulsive with my magic or reckless with my feelings. Or if you moved on and I never got a chance to tell you how I felt, and tell you how stupid I’ve been when it comes to you. I was so worried – so worried about what might happen to you if you were with me. But Cauldron have mercy, you can defend yourself. You don’t need me doing it for you.”

He pressed his lips against hers again, and then made due with kissing away the tears on her face.

“I’m not sure what you mean.” She said slowly. She wanted to hear him say it, needed to know he wasn’t going to change his mind.

“What I’m saying is that I love you too, and I can’t imagine facing this ruthless earth without you beside me. Can’t live without your darkness, and your light, and your love. I love you, Eleana, and I will show you until the end of my days how eternally grateful I am the Mother gifted me with you. I am grateful for every single moment in my life if it means that I ended up here with you.”

She was still, and she was in disbelief. Was this real? Or was this the most horrific nightmare she’d ever have? Would she wake up and no longer have him?

She wrapped her arm around his neck, but didn’t kiss his lips. Instead, she nipped at his neck and earlobe, a gentle rumble letting loose from her throat. “Show me,” she purred in his ear.

He obliged.

He put his hands under her thighs and hitched them forward, making her lay on her back. She giggled at his touch, her legs now wrapped around his waist while he loomed over her. He folded his arms across his body and slowly took off his shirt, knowing she would enjoy the view. He chucked it away, and she let her hands wander free across all the dips and curves on his muscled abdomen. She leant forward, and kissed the skin just below his belly button, sucking until she left a small bruise in her wake.

When she was satisfied with her work, she dismissed her wings so she could take off her clothes easier. She went to get her shirt off, but stopped as he grabbed her wrists. “I’ll do it.” His voice was gruff, and he stared at her like he was going to devour her whole.

She nodded and let her arms fall. He disrobed her slowly, letting his fingers skim her body as he took in her appearance. When it came to her pants, her heaving chest completely bare, he let his fingers wander and graze sinfully over her core, but never quite hard enough to be anything but teasing. She squirmed on the ground, not satisfied with only seeing his torso.

“I need more of you,” she whispered.

“You can have it all.” He was still on his knees in front of her, and deftly removed his pants. She could already see his was straining, but as his length sprang free from its constraints her heartbeat thundered. Oral sex was not something she enjoyed giving before she met Kaden, but there was something about knowing that she would pleasuring him, and only him, unselfishly, that made her mouth water at the sight of him.

Her hand idly started stroking him, and his eyes rolled back in pleasure and he emitted a low, wonderful noise from his throat. She started taking him in: the wonderfully broad shoulders, the wavy blonde hair, the strong jaw line, his powerful thighs. And was that his tattoo? She knew of its existence, he had told her as much, but he had never let her see it. It was inked on the exact place she had bitten him that night in the stable, and it had gotten infected as soon as he’d had the tattoo done.

She continued her work on him with one hand and moved closer to see it. The puncture marks from her teeth had scarred, and were surrounding the tattoo like a border. The tattoo itself was a lovely rose that colours ranged from black to red.

Dark Rose – the name he had appointed her with their first night together.

“Ah, yes, that.” He cleared his throat and she could see a blush blooming on his neck and chest.

She moved so she was on her knees in front of him, and stopped her stroking so she could cradle his face in her hands. “I love you.” She kissed him.

“I love you too,” he moaned against her lips. “I’m sorry I took so long to realise. But fuck I love you.”

“I would’ve waited a century for you, Kaden. An eternity.”

He kissed her again, and then gently pushed her back so she was flush against the grass. “Bring back your wings.” He murmured.

She did as he told, and stretched them out beside her. He looked at them ravenously, and wasted no time in hitching her legs over his shoulders and thrusting into her.

She was soaked for him, but the sudden sensation was still like a bolt through her. She cried out, not caring how much noise she made as he pulled in and out of her. He was quick with his thrusts and had his hands around her calves as he held her legs up. One of her hands was braced behind her head, tearing up the ground in an attempt to grab something, while her other hand deftly started to work the bundle of nerves at her core. It was not the first time her fingers had strayed at the thought of the male in front of her, but this was the first time she could actually watch him worshipping her while she touched herself.

Between the stimulation inside her and her fingers, it was only two minutes before her walls were clenching around him and she was screaming his name. He moved her legs off his shoulders and back around his body. He came forward and smothered her screams of pleasure with a rough kiss, his cock still moving inside her.

“Today is all about you.” He nipped at her jaw. “Whatever you want it yours.”

“I want you.” She breathed.

“How do you want me?” He removed himself from her completely and she whimpered at the loss of his warmth. “Do you want me like this?” He kissed down her chest, taking his time when he came to her peaked nipples. He teased them with his teeth, licking over the small hurts whenever he switched sides. “Or do you want me like this?” He kissed further down her stomach, taking care to leave love marks behind. She loved how he was marking her – wanted to have the marks on her body to prove this was real. “Or is this better?” Her back arched and she choked on a gasp as his tongue took a single swipe up her core, smoothing from her entrance and ending with a kiss to the skin just above her clitoris.

“I want you – I want you to um, Oh Kaden.” Her breathing was heavy and she fisted his hair with her hands.

“How about that last one?” He dove back into her, feasting on her. He unwrapped her legs from around him, all the while drowning in her. He moved her legs apart so she was spread wide before him, and as he swiped up her again his fingers prodded at her entrance. Her wings tingled with the sensation, and she found herself moving them against the grass to release some of the tension in them. They were begging to be touched, and if she ever regained back the ability to speak real words she was ask Kaden to touch her there.

Her legs were quaking, unable to control her body’s movements. Kaden knew exactly what to do with his tongue. And his fingers… her body curled every time they did.

“Do I taste good?” She joked just before her body convulsed again.

He lifted his head away from her and smirked. He moved up her body, his movements predatory like he was about to eat her alive, and gave her a messy, open-mouthed kiss, his tongue tickling the roof of her mouth and brushing against her own. She could taste her juices on him, and was not repelled by the flavour. Kaden certainly enjoyed it. He kissed her jaw, and then growled lowly in her ear, “Get on your back. I can tell from a mile away you want me to focus on your wings.”

She happily did so, stretching herself out so her ass was in the air. She turned her head to him, and he had a smirk plastered on his face. She stuck her behind out more, teasing him, and drew in a deep breath as he lightly spanked her.

“We’ll get to that later.” He purred. He licked then kissed the red mark on her, Eleana squirming in delight.

She laid flat and rested her head on her arms.

Firstly, he ran a single finger along the base of her wings, and then followed it immediately with his tongue. As he explored every crevice of them with his fingers, he made note of where she moaned the most so that’s where his mouth could go next.

Eleana had never found completion from just her wings being caressed, had never let a male touch them the way Kaden was, but in a few short but very, very agonizing minutes, her body was shuddering as she climaxed again. She had to bite her arm to refrain from screaming his name, but he reached around and pulled her mouth free – wanting to hear his name as she called it from her lips.

Bless whoever decided multiple orgasms should be possible – whoever gifted them to the holy female body.

Kaden stopped playing with her wings there, and Eleana was dismayed that he hadn’t come yet, not even once.

She turned over again and beckoned him forward. He braced himself over her casually, content to take his time. When he kissed her next, it wasn’t rough. There was no clashing of teeth or wrestling of tongues. It was still passionate, but slow-burningly. He was not hurried with her, and as he kissed her he caressed her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

“Kaden?” Eleana said as he worked his way down her neck.

“Mm?”

“Will you still love me tomorrow?”

He stilled at her words, and looked her in the eye as he said, “I will love you for the rest of my immortal days, and then again as I brace the Other Side while I wait for you to join me. I will love you until Velaris is nothing but ancient ruins in a world where the name Prythian is a myth, until the Wars are nothing but stories in the expanse of time. I love you, Eleana. I’m sorry I kept you waiting, but I needed time to find out who I was before I could commit to you. There is still so much I have to work on, but it would be my honour if you were at my side while I did.”

She wrapped her arms around him and clutched her to him in a hug. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, and breathed in her scent. The scent that was now marvellously entwined with his own.

The blasting heat of the sun rained down on them, and they were both becoming slick with sweat. Neither minded though, not if it meant they were close together. Eleana took off one of the many glamours on her magic, and let the light simmering under her skin shine the way it had been begging to since the first throb of her core caused by Kaden tasting her.

He started to kiss her skin again, making his intentions of feasting on her clear as the sky, but Eleana stopped him.

“Are you tired? We can just lie here, I’m happy if you are.” He rested his head on her stomach. He was lying comfortably between her legs, and looked awfully good, and cocky, while doing it.

“That’s not it.”

He looked up at her with his onyx eyes. That look alone made her core start to glisten again, and she knew it would take but one touch from his mouth to be screaming again.

She fingered his hair, lazily pushing it back and forth. “I want you to take me as hard as you can, until you’re roaring my name loud enough for the whole court to know you’ve claimed me. I want you to unleash yourself on me, and I don’t want you to stop until I’m a whimpering mess and you’re completely and utterly satisfied. Do you understand?”

His eyes were alight at his command, and he leant back until he was on his knees before her.

“As hard as I can? I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Destroy me, Kaden.”

She could see goose bumps start to line his flesh, and saw his throat bobble as he took in her words.

“Okay. On your knees, then.” He watched her she did what he said. She turned to face away from him and settles on her elbows on knees, a lovely arc in her back from where she presented her behind to him.

His hands rested on her behind, and he leaned over and kiss the base of her spine. The anticipation was killing her, and she shifted in suspense.

She wasn’t expecting him to lower his lips to her again, but let out a loud moan of pleasure as he did. He went on for what seemed like eternity, but eventually replaced his mouth with his quick fingers. His lips didn’t stray far though, but moved to kiss the surrounding parts of her body. He was kissing her behind when suddenly, without warning, he bit her ass hard enough to draw blood.

The feel of his teeth in her flesh made her body ache with pleasure, and her moan was pure animalistic fae.

He didn’t give her a chance to recover when he sheathed himself in her, rocking her body forward and making her breasts bob. She braced herself on one arm and used the other to kneed herself, eyes fluttering shut at the feel of his mighty length inside her.

Kaden snapped his hips back and forth and he reached a hand forward to tangle itself in her hair and pull it. It meant she wasn’t rocking as much, and her throat was delightfully bared, and the feeling of him holding her in place like that was incomparable.

He groaned her name as his tempo became faster, and his prayers of her name matched her cries of his. The hand that wasn’t ravelled in her hair was roaming her body, and came to rest on her exposed second hole. That area of her body had remained untouched by a man, but her curiosity had her thrilled at the prospect of him entering there too. He stopped his thrusting for a few seconds, but only long enough to get his wandering finger slick with her juices, commencing again as soon as he deemed his fingers wet enough. It didn’t take long; her body was rushing for him. His pace was slower this time, and as he played around her other hole she squeaked in glory. Then unrushed and without hesitance, he pushed a single finger inside her.

She gasped at the sensation of him filling her two ways, and her breathing became heavy as he moved his finger in time with his member. The feeling was… a new one, to say the least, but not unpleasant. There was just something about her being so full of him, that made her core ache.

His pace became quick again, and he growled with pleasure. Eleana was panting beneath him, begging him to go faster, and harder, and to consume her.

Between his pounding and his fingers, she was a trembling mess. She was so weak from fulfilment she could barely hold herself up. Her body was relishing in it, and her head hung low as she yearned and simpered for more. Kaden let her hair go, instead holding her hips so they aligned perfectly with his. His progress became slower, and from his twitching in her she could tell we was close to completion.

She was close to a third, or was it fourth, fifth orgasm? She’d lost count, when he pulled out completely when they were both on the precipice. She involuntarily whined at the loss of contact, and let out a surprised ‘Oh!’ when he flipped her over again so she was sprawled on her back. He lowered into her without explanation, this time more gentle and tender than anything else from the day.

He didn’t need to explain it to her, because she could see the reasoning written on his face, and felt it mirrored in her heart.

Kaden wanted to look at her when he came, wanted to see the way her mouth uplifted slightly before turning into an uncontrollable smile as little sounds escaped her throat as she climaxed. And she wanted to see him, her beautiful mate, as he roared with ecstasy when he found utter completion.

_____

Kaden rubbed at Eleana’s back, laughing at the green grass stains that covered her skin. Before, he had been too distracted to notice it, but oh, was it quite the sight. They had decided to swim in the small lake to cool themselves down, and Eleana had started to get uncomfortable from the sticky feeling on her back.

After they had made love in the water, her legs around his waist as she rested their cheeks together and rode him, they decided they should also clean off. It was clear what they had been doing, and Eleana didn’t want to go anywhere near her family smelling of sex.

Kaden thought that was fair enough.

“How’s it looking back there?” Eleana asked him.

He lightly pinched her thigh. “Looks great to me.”

“I meant my back.” She snorted. She bobbed down in the lake and swam away from him and closer to the waterfall, only her head above the water. This place would always be an oasis for him now, and never would he forget what they had done here today.

“I guess this makes you my lover.” She grinned.

“I’ll be anything you want.” He called to her.

She laughed and ducked under the water. She would come up again eventually, she could stay under there for hours between her water and wind magic. The first time she had done it she was under for five minutes, and Kaden freaked out. She’d apologized, but also laughed at his reaction.

He swam to the edge of the water and hitched himself up on a rock that jutted out over its surface. His legs were still in the calm rush, but his body was now fully exposed to the mercy of the late midday sun. He closed his eyes and basked in it.

He heard scampering from behind him, but wasn’t fazed. You couldn’t go to the forest and expect to not see any animals.

Eleana popped up again, and he waved at her. The smile she gave him in return was so full of intimacy and adoration that Kaden mentally kicked himself for not biting the dust sooner to just be with her – regardless of any consequences. The last few hours with her had been full of such joy, and the thought of him having that for all conceivable time to come… It was a happiness he never expected to have.

“Hey, Kaden! Guess what?” She shouted.

“What?”

“I love you!” She sang to him.

He splashed water at her. “I love you too. Now come sit with me.”

She glided over to him, and settled herself between his legs but still in the water. She rested her head on his knee and closed her eyes. She was still very tired, and would hopefully sleep well enough tonight that no nightmares plagued her.

The rustling in the trees became louder, and Kaden glanced that way to see an inhuman, weathered hand snap back into the underbrush, a present left behind. Kaden smiled to himself – the creatures of this forest really couldn’t help themselves, could they?

He reached backwards to get what was left behind, Eleana lifting her head at the movement.

“What is it?”

“You’ve received another gift, my lady.” He handed her the two gifts.

They were strange rings, both black stone with no ornamentation. They could’ve been necklaces, but they looked more like collars than jewellery.

Eleana weighed them in her hands, slight frown on her face. “Do these feel strange to you?”

She gave them back to him to inspect, and he had to agree with her. He couldn’t name the feeling, but now that he was centring his attention on it he couldn’t help the sick feeling that overcame him. He also noted that the stone, although black, was a different one than usual.

“I think we should leave.” Eleana said under her breath. She grabbed his hands and winnowed them back to where they had abandoned their clothes. They threw them on and disappeared back to camp.

Leaving the collars behind.

#acohad #a court of hearts and darkness #acowar #acomaf #acotar #fanfic #feysand #nessian

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nocturnalclub · 7 years

Text

Neons ex

Joker and I were walking around the store when I saw him. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest, my breathing stopped mid-breath, and I couldn’t move despite wanting with everything in me to run away. I knew Joker stopped walking a few steps ahead of me and I knew he was saying something, but all I could processes was that he was here where I was supposed to get a fresh start. Suddenly I could remember everything I put so much work into trying to forget and my cheek hurt like I was just getting the scar. “Neon what’re you staring at? Don’t tell me, you think he’s cuter,” Joker laughs looking over at him. ‘No, no, no he’s looking at us. He saw Joker, he saw me, we have to go. Fuck he’s walking over.’ I think not being able to do anything, but bite my tongue and look down like I was always taught. “Neon? Are you okay?” Joker asks with growing seriousness and concern. I nodded my head looking up to see him right behind Joker. “Kaden?” his voice hasn’t changed and I’ll I can do is shake my head no, “Don’t lie now. Who could forget that face?” he’s laughing and I can feel myself shrinking to when he seemed so much bigger. “Your mother’s been awful worried about her little boy,” he adds, “but I’ll pass on the word that you’re doing well.” My hands were shaking, I knew everyone could tell that I’m terrified of everything happening right now. “I should be going. Don’t be a stranger Kaden,” he tells me walking away, his shoulder brushing Joker’s. When he’s out of sight Joker turns to me with an eyebrow raised, “Who was that?” “Old life,” I tell him praying that was enough for him to leave it alone. “Holy shit!” Joker gasps putting the back of his hand to my cheek, “you’re so pale! Do you feel sick? Do you wanna go home?” “I’d give anything to go home right now,” I tell him as he wraps an arm around my waist. When we pulled in front of the apartment building for 10 minutes in silence before I spoke up, “He was an ex, so to speak,” I start looking over at him for the first time since he store, “he was a client.” “A client?” Joker questions turning towards me. Don’t make me say it. Then his eyes get bigger, “You mean like-?” “Yeah,” I say quietly looking anywhere else, but Joker, “I should go in.” “Ne, listen real quick, okay?” he asks grabbing my hands, “You’re the same Neon, you’re still my Neon. Nothing changes, okay?” I smile at him and nod, “Okay, nothing changes. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Joker tells me kissing the top of my head, “call if you need anything babe.” I smile a little more at him before walking inside with “You’re still my Neon. Nothing changes” running through my head. Maybe he was right, maybe nothing would change between us and, honestly, that’s all I could want for now... Piece done by @unicornninjabitch there are so many more but we talk so much that j can't fund them yet lol

#character excerpts #char ex #good shitu #neon #joker #jeon #kaden x Lucas #Kalu #angst #sorta #Alex writes #I love

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fableweaver · 4 years

Text

Arc of the Errant Knight

The morning of the solstice was like any other fine summer morning, golden and new. Birds sang and the trees reveled at the touch of sunlight from He Who Burns. Pepper sat on the balcony of the palace looking out over Alma as the summer sun rose. Her only company was Melanthios, though the dragon was silent in his blade. She wondered if he could see the morning, and if he could how it was achieved.

She didn’t bother asking him knowing she would get a lecture. He would ask her why she had broken it off with Darin, but she didn’t have an answer. She wanted her freedom, but it wasn’t like Darin had been impeding her in anyway. Nor had her feelings changed, she still enjoyed his company and touch. Nor had she grown to love Kaden more, she cared for Kaden but no more than a friend. She didn’t know why she had said what she had, yet she regretted nothing. No, that wasn’t true, she regretted the pain it had caused Darin. Still, she couldn’t take it back even if she wanted to.

Her stomach growling finally roused her from watching the dawn. She grabbed Melanthios, careful not to touch the hilt so she didn’t get an earful of a lecture from him. Going through her room was easy as she had it to herself, and back out into the palace hallway. It was a simple task of finding breakfast in the kitchen, grabbing a fried bread and some honey comb as she exited the palace.

She walked through Alma, eating as she went, watching the preparations for the solstice. Alma had changed since she last been there, many more people now lived in the city. If she went to a railing on a bridge or walk way and looked down, Pepper knew what she would see. The fields on the forest floor were mostly full now of tents and other hasty shelters of the refugees. There was order to this tent city, and Alora had made sure every family was well provisioned and sheltered, but there were still many people crowding the city.

The merry air of festivity had brushed away the cloud of finality that laid over the city, everyone focusing on having a good celebration. Decorations abound, flowers rained petals everywhere, and music could already be heard ghosting around the air. Pepper ignored it all, marching with purpose to her destination.

She arrived at Kaden’s house with the dawn still young and entered without knocking. Basil turned to her surprised as she entered, seemingly in the middle of his morning tasks of making breakfast. Kaden was of course still asleep.

“Pepper, what are you doing here?” Basil asked lowly. Pepper didn’t answer, going to sit at the table. Basil sighed and prepared a cup of tea for her and continued to cook breakfast. Kaden walked out of his bed then, rumpled and eyes half shut.

He spotted her and stared at her obviously mystified why she as here. Pepper felt suddenly lonely to know he no longer held the familiarity they once held. Kaden sat at the table and Basil set breakfast out. Soft boiled eggs, toast, and fruit made up the day’s breaking, Pepper picking at the fruit as she watched Kaden eat. Basil used to her moods said nothing, keeping his eyes on one of the windows as if Pepper and Kaden weren’t even there. At last Kaden finished his food and Basil quickly cleared the table to busy himself with washing the dishes.

“Ye baint go on this journey Kaden, it be dangerous,” Pepper said. “What with ye lost yer memory n all ye could blunder it anyways.”

“You wish to stop me,” Kaden said puzzled. “Why?”

“T protect ye,” Pepper answered. “Ye be a dreamy painter, nowt a knight fer a quest.”

“I am not puzzled by your interpretation of my character,” Kaden answered. “Your distain for me is quite obvious, but that distain makes me wonder why you care at all.”

“Ye baint remember but we were close as friends,” Pepper said softly, hurt that he was misunderstanding. “I care fer ye Kaden, my opinion on yer abilities baint change that. Mab’s Tits man, ye baint even be able ta make yer own breakfast.”

“I will be going with him,” Basil said and Pepper looked at him startled. “Does that make you feel better?”

“Nowt,” Pepper said frowning at him. “Ye baint be a warrior Basil, I be worried bout ye both fer safety.”

Basil looked at her then with surprise, Kaden looking up at him puzzled.

“I guess she never saw so how would she know?” Basil said with a shrug.

“Saw what?” Pepper asked.

“Come, I’ll show you,” Basil said as he stood. Frowning Pepper followed him, Kaden standing as well. Basil went to one of the closets crowded with Kaden’s art supplies and began to rummage through the pile of things. At last he came out with a wrapped package, what looked like a long staff as tall as he was. Basil unwrapped it to reveal not a staff but a long bow, made of yew wood and still unstrung. Before Pepper could say anything Basil bent the bow and strung it, Pepper surprised he could do it alone. Basil took out a quiver of long arrows and slung it over his shoulder.

Basil led the way out of Kaden’s house, Pepper already guessing what would be his demonstration. She was surprised this never came up, then again she had never asked. Basil led them to an open landing overlooking the forested city, a deserted area given the preparations for the solstice. Basil set down his quiver and pointed out into the forest.

“Do you see that apple?” Basil asked. Pepper looked out into the trees where he was pointing but it took her a moment to see what he was talking about. An apple hung from a tree branch, looking to be someone’s lone apple tree growing in a pot on a balcony. It was a speck in the distance, easily three hundred paces away at least.

“Aye,” Pepper said. Basil nodded and drew an arrow and notched it. He sighted for only a moment before he let fly, Pepper watching as his arrow split the apple and lodge into the wall of the distant house.

“Well Pepper do you still object to my journey?” Kaden asked and Pepper glared at him.

“Don’t be smart,” Pepper growled. “He just be a good archer, what bout when the enemy closes?”

“That is what Sir Horace is for,” Basil answered. “Face it Pepper we are more than equipped to deal with this journey.”

“Fine then go!” Pepper said throwing up her hands. “See if I care bout ye gain!”

With that she turned and stormed off, not looking back at Kaden or Basil. She walked and climbed through the trees until she found a secluded garden to hide in and weep. She sat under a magnolia tree heavy with flowers, the blossoms doing nothing to sooth her mood. She felt a hopeless sense that everything she love was slipping away, yet she knew it was because she had turned her back on everyone as well. She had no right to demand others stay by her side while pushing them away at the same time.

Footsteps made her stop and quickly wipe her eyes, Pepper looking up to see Glen walking over to her. He smiled at her and nodded, sitting next to her and putting an arm around her. He said nothing, Pepper knew he could not speak, but even if he could she knew he wouldn’t. She remembered Grandmother Meadhbh comforting her in the same manor once, no words just an arm around her.

Eventually she calmed and Pepper looked at Glen to see him watching her with a comforting smile. She sighed and looked away.

“I bet ifn ye could talk I’d be gettin an earful o what I’ve done wrong,” Pepper said. Glen smiled wider and signed the negative and Pepper snorted. “Aye ye right, that were Muriel’s task.”

She felt a pang then for her dead step mother and wondered if she would ever see her again like Meadhbh. No, it was unlikely given how long it took a spirit to be reborn, half a lifetime at least. Maybe in her next life but she wouldn’t know it being unable to gather her past memories. Glen made a hand sign and Pepper frowned at him.

“It be better ta talk mind ta mind baint?” Pepper said reaching for his hand but Glen pulled away shaking his head. “What?”

Glen made another hand sign but Pepper didn’t know the meaning. He sighed and turned to the mulch at their feet. He wrote something out in Regarian before quickly wiping it away to write again in the symbols of the messengers.

“Danger?” Pepper said, having learned some of those symbols as a child. “Ah, ye mean it be dangerous ta talk in our minds like. But me n Melanthios talk all the time.”

Glen wrote out another symbol, death.

“A spirit, cause Melanthios be a spirit it baint be as dangerous,” Pepper said and Glen nodded. “Well that makes things harder. What do you have ta say ta me then fer all I’ve mucked up?”

Glen held out his hands palm up and shrugged.

“Nowt really?” Pepper said skeptical and Glen nodded. “Well I ken I mucked up.”

Glen motioned her to continue and she sighed heavily.

“I baint ken why I gave Darin the boot. I do love him, at least I think I do. He be someun who I trust, someun I enjoy bein with. But there be times we baint agree, n I baint like him when he be so bull headed. I ken we both be that way, n that be what makes it so hard.”

Glen patted her shoulder as she felt tears of frustration rising. She quickly dashed them away and stood, unwilling to give in to her tears and cry again. Glen stood as well and followed her as she stormed away back to the palace. The palace was crowded with the celebration soon at hand and Pepper nearly turned back except there was no where else for her to go.

They eventually made it through the crowd to the entry hall, but when Pepper was heading for her rooms someone hailed her. She turned to see Bailey and Ian walking over, Will riding Ian’s shoulders and Matt in Bailey’s arms. She stopped for them and they made it through the crowd, Bailey smiling at her. Pepper noticed a Hyrian man with them then realizing he had been walking with them all along.

“Who be this?” Pepper asked.

“This be Rork o Loamy Downs,” Ian said. “I just got him n Basil freed from the jail.”

“Aye thanksome far that ja,” Rork said rubbing his neck. “But that were a cozysome goal ja. Real class.”

Pepper frowned at the man, not liking his easy attitude.

“Rork this is my sister Pepper,” Bailey said.

“Aye I ogles the similarity just fine,” Rork said with a grin and Pepper scowled more. Rork laughed and she punched him on the arm.

“I baint like him,” Pepper said lowly to Bailey.

“I do,” Bailey said with a smile. “And I kenned ye wouldn’t.”

Pepper made a face at Bailey who responded with one of her own. This only made Matt and Will start making faces at each other.

“Alright stop it ye two,” Bailey said pinching Matt’s cheek. “I actually came lookin fer ye Pepper cause we be meetin with Xavier.”

“Will Darin be there?” Pepper asked worried.

“Nowt, just Xavier, Zaire, n the griffin Kalyani,” Bailey answered. “They have somewhat ta talk bout with the song.”

“What?” Pepper asked. “N why en baint Darin n Donar be there?”

“Cause Alora’s claimed Donar n Darin,” Bailey answered. “They be in the great hall already fer the Solstice Calibration. Come on.”

Pepper and Glen followed Bailey through the crowd of the entry hall into lesser hallways of the Palace. Pepper was surprised Bailey led them to Alora’s green house, but the gardens were deserted as the rest of court was gathered in the great hall. They found Xavier, Zaire, and Kalyani sitting at a circle of benches that served as a meeting place of sorts.

“So you found her,” Xavier said as they all sat. “Is there anyone else you wanted to bring?”

“Kaden,” Bailey said. “But I baint ken that be wise.”

She glanced at Pepper who sighed.

“Aye I already had a row with him,” Pepper said. “But best be beyond that. I can go fetch him.”

“No, with his memory loss I fear he won’t be able to handle what is coming,” Xavier said.

“What be coming?” Pepper asked.

“The second ringing of the song,” Zaire answered.

“I’d forgotten,” Pepper said. “Do ye ken what’ll happen?”

“No one does,” Kalyani answered with a shrug of her great wings. “Nothing may.”

“Then why we be here?” Pepper asked. “This place baint even be a meetin o the lines er a dreamin place.”

“We are gathered to act if something does happen,” Kalyani answered. “And safer to do so away from the lines lest one of us becomes overwhelmed. What of Melanthios?”

Pepper had almost forgotten the dragon blade and quickly drew it. She was expecting irritation from the spirit of the dragon and was surprised to sense alarm instead.

:At last, Pepper do you sense what is going on in the aether?: Melanthios said in her mind.

“Nowt sense what?” Pepper asked.

:Never mind, don’t try: Melanthios answered. :The aether is still:

“Still?” Pepper said surprised. “Wouldn’t it be all stirred up baint?”

“What is he saying?” Kalyani asked but Pepper held up a hand for silence, so she could listen.

:No it is still like the calm before a storm. But I have never seen the aether still before, there is always movement. Even when the Phay marched or the song had been sung before it had always had a current. I have never seen this before.:

Pepper felt dread take her because in Melanthios’ mental voice she had picked up a hint of fear.

“What be it?” Bailey asked, as if sensing her twin’s dread.

“The aether be still,” Pepper answered, her throat dry. “Like it holds its breath.”

“And when it breaks?” Kalyani asked and Pepper shook her head.

“Melanthios baint ken,” Pepper answered. “If it’ll break at all.”

A sharp breath and Pepper looked up to see Glen’s eyes unfocused, his attention on the aether now. She almost rose to stop him but he turned to them his eyes clear and frantic. He waved his hands in signs but Pepper doubted any one knew the signs.

“I see somewhat,” Ian said worried. “The auras around me they be…”

His eyes rolled up in his head and Ian fell senseless to the ground, Bailey crying out wordlessly. Pepper sensed it then the buzzing in her ears and her vision darkening along the sides. She saw Xavier drop his head into his hands groaning Zaire holding him frantic. Kalyani stood with every feather and hair on end, her pupils pinpricks in her great golden eyes.

It was like she was falling into a void, the aether the backbone of creation laying still was drawing her into it, her breath being crushed from her. Then something pulled her back, Pepper sensing Melanthios around her.

:Glen tried to warn us: Melanthios said. :The aether was drawing us in and crushing our spirits when we were reaching out to sense it. I am strong enough to pull back, hurry to the others.:

Pepper stood and went to Ian putting her hand on his arm and letting Melanthios ground his spirit. She turned to see Glen had already done the same for Xavier.

“Baint reach out,” Pepper said hoarsely. “It will draw ye in.”

“What is it?” Kalyani asked, Pepper sensing her spirit shrink within her.

“The aether be so still it lays like quicksand,” Pepper answered. “If we venture too close we will just sink in.”

“The movement and cycles of the aether must provide the buoyancy of the spirit,” Zaire said fascinated. “Much like the High Magic, it allows the flow of energies to fill us but when it stops we sink.”

Pepper didn’t understand entirely, but all she needed to know was it was dangerous.

“Glen how did ye ken?” Pepper asked and Glen looked at her, tapping the side of his head. “Ye remember!”

He nodded and Pepper was astonished.

“How do ye ken o yer past lives?” Pepper asked and Glen held up his thumb and forefinger.

“Only a tiny bit baint?” Bailey said and Glen nodded.

“Melanthios baint remember anything happening, how do ye?” Pepper asked. Glen pointed to the ground and Pepper looked at him puzzled.

“It is because Melanthios was never in Miread when the song rang,” Kalyani said understanding. “Apparently it is different here than it would be in Tir Aesclinn. I am guessing I never sensed anything because I was sealed away.”

“En ye ken what’s goin ta happen?” Pepper asked and Glen nodded. “N ye can’t speak!”

“Calm down Pepper,” Bailey said. “Glen I ken be a good time ta make an exception n speak mind-ta-mind baint?”

Glen nodded and held out a hand to Bailey. There was a moment while they communicated and then Bailey’s face went gray.

“Wards,” Bailey gasped. “We need wards.”

Startled Pepper hurried to comply, moving to the edge of the gathering she began to cast a ward using Melanthios to draw the circle. Her mind was hardly centered to the task, yet Melanthios made up for her lack of concentration with raw power. Pepper turned to see Glen and Bailey walking counter to her wards, adding their own power. They closed their circles quickly, Pepper hoping the hastily drawn wards would hold. Such things usually took time, the Elder Magic a slow working power often.

They came back to the gathering to find Zaire and Xavier working on a sigil in the dirt, Pepper guessing it to be a High Magic ward.

“Nowt!” Bailey cried out and Zaire looked up startled, but Xavier was bent over the sigil. Pepper felt her ears pop as he drew on the High Magic, and then the air kicked out like thunder. She was thrown down by the concussive force, her ears ringing. Weakly she stood, blood dripping from her nose. Using Melanthios as a crutch she stood to see everyone out and groaning as they struggled to stand.

Pepper hurried to Xavier, of anyone he would be the most hurt. He was bleeding from his ears, nose, eyes, and even mouth, but he breathed. Zaire stirred and raised her head, looking to Xavier with abject terror.

“He be fine,” Pepper said and Zaire’s relief was palpable. She turned to see Bailey walking over stemming the flow of blood from her nose. “What happened?”

“Usin the High Magic while the aether be still like be hard,” Bailey said. “The High Magic be movement o the stars baint? Well the aether slows it, when the aether be still that power be twice as great. Xavier baint kenned that sos when he drew on it he took too much.”

“He’ll be fine then,” Zaire said relieved. “Mages are taught how to deal with drawing too much power.”

“What bout other mages in Dridia?” Pepper asked.

“There will be some accidents I’m sure,” Zaire said. “Sigils already drawn should be safe to use and stay active. There might be a few flairs, but nothing the mages can’t handle. So long as a great working isn’t attempted, there won’t be any disasters.”

Xavier groaned then, Zaire gently wiping the blood from his face.

“I feel like I was just kicked by a mule,” Xavier groaned.

“Ye were,” Pepper said, turning to Bailey. “What be bout ta happen what we need wards fer? What bout the Court, thousands be gathered. N all o’er the kingdoms too.”

“Nowt, it be just here we have ta worry bout,” Bailey said sounding tired.

“Why here? It baint be a meetin o the lines,” Pepper said and then Bailey looked at Xavier, still recovering from his casting. Pepper only frowned her question and Bailey sighed.

“Glen said the aether will bow out, like a wave, and travel through Miread with a burst o power,” Bailey said. “He says that be how Lailoken died, n the only memory he has. Arke gave him the memory in a dream nowt long ago, sos we would be prepared. The wave will make anyun o a large spirit shed their skin n die back inta the aether.”

“Large o spirit?” Pepper said shocked. “So what bout Darin n Donar?”

“I ken they be fine since it’d happened afore n the Dwarves weren’t shocked by it,” Bailey answered. “Ifn so they’d ken more bout when the song be sung baint?”

“Aye, anyun else then?” Pepper asked.

“Xavier I ken be a great risk,” Bailey said. “That be why we needed the wards. Ifn he died now then all would be lost.”

“That must be what has happened the last times,” Xavier said. “When the song was sung and I wasn’t ready in my past life, I wasn’t able to ward myself and I died leaving the answer un-sung.”

“Unless ye were in a dreamin place er protect by someun else aye I agree,” Bailey said. “Which be why this time be different.”

“As you said,” Xavier answered nodding to her. “How long do we have to stay under the ward?”

Bailey looked to Glen who merely shrugged in answer.

“Guess we’re gonna be here a while,” Bailey said and Pepper growled angrily.

“Whelp I guess I go along n grab some grub fer ya’ll,” Rork said. “I aint be affected by all this mumbo jumbo. Ya want anything specialsome lass?”

He said this to Kalyani who tipped her head to the side puzzled.

“No, I will eat what ever you bring,” Kalyani answered.

“Right-o,” Rork said with a salute as he walked off with a jaunty step. Pepper saw Bailey was grinning as was Ian.

“Still baint like him,” Pepper muttered under her breath. “Well baint we be fine ta leave the wards? Seems like Xavier be the only un ta be in danger baint?”

“We drew them,” Bailey said.

“Right forgot,” Pepper grumbled. When a witch drew a ward and she was on the inside of it, the ward would remain until it was broken or dispelled. If the witch left the ward it would fade instantly. Had they drawn the wards and remained outside of them it would have remained, and only the caster could cross into them.

By the time Rork returned with a tray of food they had settled down on the seats once more. Rork had brought food from the feast, rich sweet or savory pastries, fresh fruit, wine, and cheeses. They ate, Pepper eating two pastries she was so hungry. They finished their food, Bailey and Ian turning to play with Matt and Will. Both babes were old enough to toddle around, everyone playing with them when they walked up.

Will and Matt didn’t seem afraid of Kalyani, who quickly became their favorite to pet and climb on.

“They be gettin big,” Pepper said and Bailey nodded. “Do you miss the triplets?”

“A little,” Bailey said. “I find I be more curious bout what happened ta em rather than worried. When I didn’t have Will I were worried bout him, I was worried bout Matt n I had him in my care.”

“I baint ken I could ever be a mother,” Pepper said, and Bailey smiled at her sadly.

“En don’t be,” Ian said. “Ye baint have ta be, n ye baint have ta be with anyun. Ye can be ye all ye want Pepper.”

She didn’t answer him, unwilling to acknowledge how much he saw through her. A little hand at her knee made her look down to see Matt holding onto her leg to stand up. He grinned up at her, holding out a handful of grass and clover.

“Thank ye,” Pepper said holding out a hand and Matt dropped the grass into her palm. He toddled away back to Kalyani. Looking at the little pile Pepper was surprised to see a four leaf clover in the mix. “Bailey,” Pepper said holding up the clover.

“Aye, he has a talent o findin little pieces o power,” Bailey said. “N so does Will it seems.”

“They’ll grow out o it,” Pepper said reassuringly but Bailey shook her head.

“Nowt, they’ll only get more powerful,” Bailey answered. “Especially given the Phay will march.”

“En baint that be good,” Ian said. “Those o power will flourish more baint?”

“Maybe, er maybe nowt,” Bailey answered. “It’ll mean they are drawn more ta the Phay, n the Phay drawn ta em.”

“That could be dangerous,” Pepper said.

“I ken,” Bailey said sounding tired, “But what could I do?”

“Teach em,” Pepper said. “I could help.”

“When?” Bailey asked. “Ye ken as well as I it starts now, come tomarra we’ll be across the kingdoms. N who kens what’ll happen after the Phay march.”

Pepper looked away feeling guilty, she was pushing away everyone she loved it seemed.

“Ye baint ken but I do,” Ian said and both sisters looked at him. “The Phay will march n life will go on, just more complicated maybe. Me n Bailey n the boys will go back ta Daun, might live in a village this time as witches. After all folks will need help dealin with the Phay. We’ll have a bunch o kids, grow old, n die tagether. En we’ll meet in the next life, n do it all gain.”

For a beat Bailey and Pepper just stared at him, seeing he was completely serious with such a simple approach, and then burst out laughing. Everyone turned to them puzzled, but neither were able to answer through their mirth and Ian only seemed puzzled by their reaction. At last they calmed, Bailey turning to Ian and kissing him on the cheek.

“I love ye,” Bailey said with a bright smile. “Aye, ye be right in the long run that’ll be what happens.”

“Ye baint say what I will be though,” Pepper said sobering.

“Why ye’ll be a traveling witch,” Ian answered. “Goin bout solvin problems with the Phay, n occasionally ye’ll come home fer a few months afore the road calls ye unce more.”

Pepper could see that, and actually found she enjoyed that thought. Glen jumped suddenly and waved his hands frantically, everyone looking at him puzzled.

“What be it Glen?” Bailey said puzzled. Glen made a hand sign, but Pepper knew nothing of the Sect’s prayers.

“Prophecy?” Xavier said, seeming to hold some knowledge of the signs. “You mean that what Ian just said now was a prophecy?”

“Nowt, it just be a silly fancy,” Ian said. “I saw it last night in a….”

“A dream?” Bailey asked breathlessly, and Ian nodded numbly. “Did ye see anything else?”

“Aye but I baint ken I should say now,” Ian said afraid.

“This day has power,” Kalyani said. “What you have spoken will come to pass. But what you withhold may turn sour if you do not speak of it.”

“Well in the dream it were as I said, only Pepper were coming ta collect me n Bailey,” Ian said. “We were ta go ta a meeting o the Kings and Queens.”

“Of the Phay?” Kalyani asked.

“She baint say that, but it sounded more like o the Phay n men,” Ian said. “She said it were a meetin ta crown the High King, she said Absalom was ta be crowned.”

“So he be alive,” Bailey said sounding relieved. “N he’ll be High King again.”

“Will he?” Xavier said. “He is old, very old for a human, and what Ian seems to describe might be over ten years from now.”

“Aye but it baint be that much that Absalom be dead n reborn can it?” Ian asked.

“Unless like Glen he gets help in being reborn,” Bailey said.

“There were a need fer that, n it were dangerous,” Ian said. “Why would Absalom be forced ta be reborn? Nowt ta be the High King, that could wait baint it?”

“It could,” Xavier said. “But we don’t know what he future will hold. And maybe Absalom will have the skill to do it all on his own and wants to be reborn quickly. We aren’t to know. Your prophecy seems vague, so we had best not delve too far into it. We have enough on our plate at the moment.”

“Aye,” Ian said with a sour look. “It were a nice dream though.”

“It sounds lovely Ian,” Bailey said giving him another kiss.

“Does this mean Ian tell the future?” Pepper asked.

“Probably it was from the stirred aether,” Kalyani said. “Unless he has been having more dreams.”

“Nowt, that were the only un,” Ian said. “I’ll let ye ken ifn I have more though.”

“If we are not careful you could steal the title of Oracle from Glen,” Kalyani said.

“Be that a title?” Ian asked surprised.

“More a profession actually,” Kalyani answered. “Lailoken was known as the Oracle because he was the best Oracle of his time.”

Glen made a sign for her to continue, seeming fascinated by hearing about a life he once led but didn’t remember. Kalyani bowed to him and continued, crossing her forelegs together and folding her wings more tightly.

“His predictions were no better than anyone else’s,” Kalyani said. “As far as I heard, he simply told tales. It was these stories that earned him the popularity he had, and apparently his fame since his stories are still told so I hear. It was these stories that earned him the title of Oracle because while fictional, many seemed to come true after he told them. I don’t know if he could actually see the future or if his tales were just vague enough to match any events.”

Everyone looked to Glen who shrugged, he obviously remembered nothing to enlighten them.

“I guess ye baint ken any o his tales baint?” Pepper said and Glen shook his head. “Ye do ken?”

“Some were adapted into religious tales for the Sect,” Xavier answered. “A few are still told around Regis as simple children’s stories and fireside tales. The Rhodin tell them everywhere they go, so I wouldn’t be surprised he hasn’t escaped them.”

Pepper realized she knew little of life outside of Daun then, and wondered what kind of lives those around her had led. Looking at Xavier and Zaire Pepper wondered how they had met. She understood they were linked by their past lives, but their meeting must have drawn them together.

“How did ye two meet?” Pepper asked, interrupting the general chatter that had been going on while she had mused.

“Us?” Zaire said blushing.

“She fainted as soon as she saw me,” Xavier said.

“You startled me,” Zaire said embarrassed.

“I think it was the sigil in you,” Xavier answered. “Zaire had been cursed to feel only pain when touched or feel love. When I had approached her it probably reacted and made her faint.”

“Or her Elder Magic had flared,” Kalyani said. “That sigil probably seals it, and when you two met her powers would have flared against those bounds.”

“We thought that as well that my sigil seals my Elder Magic,” Zaire said. “Though I doubt I am very powerful in it. The mages test for the Elder Magic, those that posses it are put to death and those that are related are either sterilized or killed.”

“How does the test work?” Kalyani asked.

“A sigil is drawn to see the flow of High Magic through the mage child,” Zaire answered. “If there is hinderance or blockage that indicates the Elder Magic. I had a slight disruption so my father said, but not enough to warrant death, especially because the flow of High Magic within me was little more than a trickle.”

Kalyani laughed, a chortle sound that made Will and Matt squeal and run back to their parents.

“You said it was like a flow?” Kalyani said and Zaire nodded. “Well I suppose that is an apt description. No doubt when possessing magic from multiple sources there would be a disruption in the flow of power through the person, but what if the two flowed freely together?”

Zaire’s face went to shock, her eyes going wide with fear.

“Does this mean the test is inaccurate?” Zaire asked. “Was my sister…”

“No, I am sure detecting the disruptive flow did indicate the Elder Magic,” Kalyani said.

“Even if it did I think the mages are wrong for killing babes just because of the Elder Magic,” Xavier said. “They have let their fear of Atlas confine them too much.”

“Fixing that is a task for the future if at all,” Zaire said before turning back to Kalyani. “So you think that I have the Elder Magic?”

“It is hard to say,” Kalyani said. “It is more subtitle than you think. But it is possible that you have a great deal of it, it just flows with your High Magic without hindering it.”

“That might be more than I can say,” Xavier said and Kalyani laughed again.

“Or you just need to learn to handle both,” Kalyani said. “It seems to me Zaire is more skilled than you, just because she handles less does not mean she is less.”

“I know,” Xavier said looking at Zaire with pride making her blush.

“What o the Wild Magic?” Ian asked and Xavier looked at him surprised.

“Wild Magic?” Xavier asked.

“The Wild Kin have their own magic,” Bailey answered. “Nowt be kenned bout it but they have their own power. We can use the Elder Magic ta command em, but their power is different.”

“Do you think it was the Wild Magic not the Elder Magic that drove Atlas mad?” Xavier asked.

“No, only the Wild Kin have that magic,” Kalyani answered. “How would he have it?”

“I have a touch now that a gnome possessed me,” Ian said.

“Only a little,” Bailey answered. “Unless he was unable ta get rid o the spirit that possessed him, en it would have been the spirit doin all the damage nowt Atlas.”

“No, he wasn’t possessed,” Zaire said. “The High Magic would have prevented the spirit holding him for long. Spirits seem to avoid the High Magic. We can never truly know what drove Atlas mad, all we can do is move forward.”

“Ye plan on leading Dridia Xavier?” Bailey asked, and Xavier looked up at her. “N Alda?”

“They are both my people,” Xavier said wearily. “But I see your point. But I want to help both peoples, I want to see life better for all the kingdoms.”

“En that means ye seek ta be High King,” Bailey said.

“No, I think we should do away with the High King,” Xavier said. “We should have a council of the kings.”

“Like the Elect,” Kalyani said, and Xavier made a sour face.

“Point made, what would you have then Kalyani?”

“I do not know,” Kalyani answered. “All means of governance seem to have their flaws to me. And you will have to contend with the Phay when they return.”

Xavier groaned and ran a hand through his hair.

“Ye’ll go bald ifn ye keep that up,” Bailey said. “Ye baint have ta solve all the world’s troubles by yerself.”

“Were ye always so meddlesome Xavier?” Pepper asked.

“No, only now do I have something to lose if things don’t go right,” Xavier said taking Zaire’s hand. “I just want a better world for my children. Don’t you?”

“The world will be what it be,” Bailey answered. “I prefer ta prepare my children fer it, rather than the other way round.”

“You have a point there,” Xavier said sheepishly. “Though there is only so much you can do for them.”

“Aye,” Bailey said softly. As if they knew their mother was talking about them the twins toddled over to cling to her skirts. Smiling fondly Bailey stroked their hair as they smiled up at her. Pepper felt her heart cinch, with what emotion she couldn’t be sure. Envy, worry, loneliness, guilt, all felt jumbled up in that one unsteady beat of her heart. She looked away but felt Ian turn to her.

“Ye be alright?” he asked lowly and Pepper glared at him. “I can see yer aura Pepper.”

She nearly smacked him, but held back if only because he was blind.

“I be fine, leave me alone,” Pepper growled.

“Ye ken, the more ye say that the more I ken it baint be true,” Ian said softly. Pepper was about to argue when something in the air changed. Everyone tensed, senses straining as the air thickened. Pepper was reminded of how a storm built, only the air was deadly still. Like a bow wave the air around them expanded, the pressure releasing as Pepper felt a tingle of energy all over her skin. Looking around she realized the birds had fallen silent, the plants of the garden all quivered as if in an earth tremor.

The energy passed at last and Pepper gave a sigh of relief.

“That weren’t so bad,” Pepper said.

“Really?” Xavier said and pointed out into the garden. Pepper saw then the leaves and foliage were all a richer green, the dead leaves on the ground had even returned to life. “I think had I not been in this ring of protection that would have made me shed my skin. I can still feel my blood surging.”

“Well it be o’er now,” Pepper said and Xavier shook his head.

“I think it has only just started. There will be more.”

“Ye sure everyun else will be alright?” Bailey asked.

“I can go have a looky loo,” Rork said as he stood and left before anyone could stop him.

“Will he be safe?” Pepper asked.

“His spirit be small enough it baint be swept away by the aether,” Bailey answered. “He be grounded in Miread like most other things.”

“I would think things of weak spirit would be more vulnerable not less,” Zaire said.

“He only be weak in the Elder Magic it baint mean his spirit be weak,” Bailey answered. “Mortal souls n life o Miread be o this world, very strongly. Us strong in the Elder Magic be less o this world, more o the aether where we draw power from. Sos when the aether be disturbed we be more likely ta return ta it.”

“What o the High Magic?” Pepper asked.

“I don’t think it would play a part,” Zaire said. “I’m actually not sure how a mage’s spirit would be affected. I’d have to do some experiments…”

“No,” Xavier said firmly. “No experiments.”

Zaire frowned at him a moment before she sighed and nodded.

“I suppose not,” Zaire answered. “I’m not really sure what the point would even be anyways.”

Rork walked back then, a mild grin on his face.

“Not one o those fancy pants even noticed any what ja,” Rork said as he sat down.

“No one noticed?” Pepper asked surprised.

“Well I didn’t stay ta chat ja,” Rork answered. “Might be the Queeny noticed but I be too lowsome ta be scraping elbows with her.”

“Maybe I should go…”

“Nowt Pepper,” Bailey said worried. “Ye’ll break the ward.”

“Fine,” Pepper grumbled but she was getting tired of being around so many people. She would have minded less had she been able to leave but having no choice in the matter was making it worse. Instead she went to the edge of the wards and stood apart as everyone returned to conversations. Kalyani joined her sitting down so they were closer to eye level.

“You are going to battle the Orcs in the south correct?” Kalyani said and Pepper looked to her but she could not read her expression on her non-human face.

“Yes, I baint sit idle nowt more,” Pepper answered and Kalyani nodded.

“Good, neither can I,” Kalyani said, her beak opening and eyes narrowing in what Pepper hoped was a Griffin grin. “I think you and I could get along well.”

“Aye,” Pepper said pleased. “Some time ye n I should spar ta see who be greater.”

“You will use Melanthios?” Kalyani asked.

“Nowt, it should be just me n ye,” Pepper said. “I’ll try daggers though er ye’ll be at an advantage what with yer talons.”

“Xavier wrestled Griffins barehanded,” Kalyani said and Pepper glanced back at Xavier surprised. “He is a great warrior, he earned the respect of many Griffins.”

“He baint seem it,” Pepper said.

“Really?” Kalyani said tipping her head to the side. “How so?”

“He seems too kind,” Pepper answered and Kalyani nodded.

“One can be kind and a great warrior,” Kalyani answered. “The Griffins pride themselves on being able to fight without killing. Only an opponent that can hold their own against us is worthy to be called a fellow warrior. If they die they are prey.”

“So ye can fight n kill the Orcs?” Pepper asked and Kalyani nodded. “I baint recommend eattin em though.” Kalyani laughed, cackling like a bird.

“I am a Bone Eater, I can eat anything,” Kalyani answered.

“Darin told me their blood be black like tar,” Pepper said. “N they light on fire easily.”

“Really? Then those munitions would be very effective against them. Probably why the Dwarfs invented them, they did not have them when I was around.”

“What were the Dwarves like then?” Pepper asked. “I ken they be warriors but back then the Orcs weren’t around so who did they fight. Nowt the Daunish, they raided us mostly we hardly fought back as I read.”

“Well there were a few good battles in that conflict but you are right as I remember they only raided and stole sheep, mostly young bloods thinking they were doing battle when they were robing helpless farmers. No, the Dwarves were mostly craftsmen rather than warriors, if they could say to have fought anything then it was the Giants.”

“Giants,” Pepper said interested.

“The Giants fight anything that moves, sometimes they wandered into the Dwarven mountains. They were more pests than opponents, but they made the Dwarves at least have to learn how to fight. They fought with each other too of course.”

Pepper knew Bailey would have felt sad that the Dwarves were forced to become a martial race just because of the Orcs, but she felt proud for them. They rose to the challenge and she knew they would surpass it.

“Do ye have any plans fer the war?” Pepper asked.

“Strategy was never a strong point of the Griffins,” Kalyani answered sourly. “I was hoping you or the Aldan had greater plans. We were just planning to fight.”

“I baint be much o a strategist either,” Pepper said. “Darin er Donar would be better. eR maybe Xavier.”

“None of who are going to this war,” Kalyani answered. “You are, and I expect you will become a general other will flock to.”

“Why?” Pepper asked surprised.

“You need to ask that?” Kalyani said with another Griffin grin. “You have a very powerful personality.”

“It take more en that,” Pepper answered.

“Very well, you have a strong will and desire to fight,” Kalyani answered. “There is a fire in you that will draw others, especially the young for battle. You are also a witch, people will have more faith in you and your powers. You are also noble born so I hear, and beautiful. Face it, you are the stuff of stories.”

Pepper made a sour face, but she had to admit Kalyani was right. She also realized the value in a war she would provide, a heralding point and valuable moral boost in a war. It was also a great duty as she would be responsible for all those who flocked to her. Pepper wasn’t sure what to make of it, but she would be willing to take on any task in order to win this war. They had no choice, either win or die.

“Maybe we should ask Xavier for strategies before he leaves,” Kalyani said.

“What good will that be?” Pepper asked. “He baint ken the lay o the land n battles change quick ye have ta think on yer feet.”

“Right,” Kalyani said eyeing her sideways. “Are you sure you don’t have a head for strategy?”

Again Pepper made a sour face, she didn’t like the idea of her having a conniving mind.

“I baint ken cause I baint been ta war,” Pepper answered. “Ifn I do have talent fine, but I baint have experience which I ken be more important en talent.”

“Well I will give you that,” Kalyani said. “In which case Xavier would be no good either, only Donar and Darin.”

“They have ta search fer the song,” Pepper said. “But I be sure Alora already has generals out fightin.”

“And how are they doing?” Kalyani asked mildly.

“Well considerin Alora be orderin em ta retreat,” Pepper answered.

“We can’t hope to regain what was lost Pepper,” Kalyani said. “We should focus on holding ground, we are the hunted in this case and when cornered the prey must never yield.”

“Aye I ken,” Pepper said feeling helpless. “What I baint ken is what we’ll do ifn we baint gaint aid from the other Kingdoms.”

Kalyani was grimly silent at that so Pepper said nothing, staring out into the garden thinking over the coming war.

#Fantasy #series #writing #please read #fairies #dragons

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sarah-bae-maas · 7 years

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Hi😘omg i loveyour blog so so much and i am so grateful that i found your bolg and your fics you can't even imagine. I was just reading every story in your mastelist and if you don't mind or when you have time can u make a fic where eleana is realy pregnant? Not where she lost another baby or where kaden bought clothes for orphan chids❤️❤️❤️pls and thank you

Since so many people have asked and I keep avoiding it, I guess I can give you a lil something.

Or a 2k word something. All in the name of fun.

Psst. For some more you can look at my masterlist here if you want.

***

Eleana watched as Drakon, the almighty andpowerful, fluffed the cushions at her feet so she was more comfortable. She waslaying on a couch, her long hair tangled around a myriad of pillows and herarms happily twisted in a white velvet blanket.

“Now how is that?” The bronze male asked. Hiseyebrows had knitted together and his hands were now steadily stationed on hiships. He ran an eye over her, evaluating whether he thought she had sufficientcomfort or not.

“Perfect. Thank you.” Eleana offered him asweet but tired smile.

He grinned at her, and pulled up a chair to sitat her head. Drakon was keeping her company while Kaden was off gallivantingwith Miryam, and Eleana was thankful for it. Otherwise, she would be a nervouswreck. Her mate certainly was, no matter how hard he tried to disguise it, andDrakon and Miryam were not only very good distractions, but also wonderfulhosts and people.

Eleana ran a hand down her bulging stomach.Only two weeks to go and she would finally be a mother. The pregnancy had beena hard one, she was sick every day and was often too weak to leave the house.Kaden was in ruins over her state, and constantly tried to siphon her pain tohim through the bond. She kept reminding him that it’s not how the bond worked– you’d think he’d have it down after so long – but he insisted on tryinganyway. She loved him for it, but also worried about how he might fare if… howhe might fare if this pregnancy ended the way all their others had.

“There is something I need to tell you.” Drakonplaced one hand on her forehead, and the other on her hands now settled on herbelly.

“Yes?” Eleana rapidly became nervous, her mindthinking of the worst-case scenarios. It wasn’t Kaden, he was still sendingmessages of love through the bond every five bloody minutes, and it wasn’tPrythian. She had spies set up so she would know if anything major happened ather homeland while she was gone. So what made Drakon speak with such severityin his voice?

“Rhys and Feyre are coming.” Drakon said, andit was much worse than anything Eleana could’ve predicted.

“What? Why?” Her eyes widened and she tried tosit up. Drakon gently pushed her back down, but that didn’t stop her breathingfrom becoming stunted and irregular.

He shushed her gently and grabbed her handsharder. “This can’t be a surprise. Of course they’d come to celebrate yourtwo-hundredth birthday!”

“My birthday isn’t for weeks though.”

Eleana turned away from him, and was alreadythinking of places to flee to. She had done everything in her power to makesure no one residing in Prythian knew of her pregnancy, especially her parents.One might think her to be selfish with her actions, but she just couldn’t handle the hope in their eyesif they knew she was pregnant again, and the utter devastation if she lostanother child. Her and Kaden had feigned wanting to train in Cretea, atEleana’s request, so they could hide the baby in case something went wrong.Because when it came to Eleana, something alwayswent wrong.

“Eleana, the healers say there is nothing awry.The baby is strong, and so are you my dear.”

Eleana looked back at him with tears lining hereyes, and the ancient male cooed at the sight.

“My baby is strong.” She told him, voice thickwith emotion.

“I know.”

“See?” She removed the thick blanket coveringher so she could press his hand directly to her stomach. His eyes widened andmouth opened fractionally at the feel of the baby fluttering inside Eleana,kicking and squirming to its heart’s desire.

“That’s amazing, Laya. You have nothing toworry about. If I thought that anything would go wrong, I wouldn’t let Rhys andFeyre in. My first priority is to keep you safe, and not only that but to makesure you feel safe. Just like I promisedyou all those months ago.” He wrapped his arms around her, and she returned it,pressing her face into his chest.

“Thank you.” She whispered.

“That’s alright. By the way, did I mention Rhysand Feyre are in the dining hall? They came very quickly.”

____

There was no time for Eleana to change, but shedid wait the few minutes for Kaden to come back to her so they could gotogether. When he burst into the doors, Miryam at his back, he went straight toher and enveloped her as best her could. He pressed a quick kiss to her lipsand rested their foreheads against each other. “This will be great.” Hemurmured against her lips.

“I’m scared.” She confessed. Her body wasquivering from nerves, and she held on tightly to his shirt to steady herhands.

“Don’t be. Just think of the looks on theirfaces when they find out they’ll have a grandchild.” He grinned at her thenkissed her again.

His confidence calmed her beating heart, andshe sighed loudly. She nodded, and together they walked hand in hand to theformal dining room they had been using for the past seven months.

Drakon and Miryam were at their heels andhearing them talk about their day further composed Eleana. People were millingaround the palace, and two maids quickly opened the shiny timber doors so thegroup of four could enter.

The dining room was large and circular, it’sincredibly high ceiling giving it the illusion of being infinite. Chandelierswith elaborate displays of candles were hung around the orange room, and threelong mahogany tables ran vertically down its centre. The place was designed asa room for the hired staff and nobles to mingle, and was a favourite ofEleana’s. There was no hierarchy in Cretea, not like the unconscious ones thatstill ran in Prythian, and Eleana loved meeting new people nearly every day andhearing their stories.

Standing in the middle was High Lord Rhysandand High Lady Feyre, both picking at a tray of snack foods next to them.

They were laughing and smiling at each other,and turned to her as the doors opened. Rhys stepped forward to go to herwithout hesitation, but stopped as he took in her appearance. His mouth openedand closed, eyes darting from her face to her stomach. Feyre just stood therewith her mouth gaping, her hands unconsciously touching her own stomach.

“Eleana!” Rhys gasped. He snapped out of hisstupor and within three long strides was in front of her. He waved his handsover her belly, like he thought to touch the obvious bump but was too much in astate of awe to do so.

“Papa.” She leaned forward and kissed hischeek.

“Eleana.”He choked.

“Would you like some lunch?”

“Butterfly!” He squeaked.

Kaden came to her rescue, and put his hands onher father’s shoulders. “It’s nice to see you, Rhys. I must say, I’ve missedyour witty comments and good banter.” Kaden leaned in closer to whisper to theHigh Lord. “I suggest you start saying actual words before Eleana freaks out.Okay?” Kaden patted the shocked Rhys on the shoulder before moving onto Feyre.Rather than words, he just bowed and then opened his arms. “Feyre, what adelight! Please, let’s all sit. Eleana and I can explain.”

Kaden pulled out a chair for Feyre to sit, theHigh Lady collapsing into it. Kaden sat next to her, the woman turning to himand clutching his face in her hands. “Did you get my daughter pregnant?” Shehissed. Very lovingly, but a hiss all the same. She was just in a state ofshock.

Eleana went to join the seat next to hermother, but her father was in the way. He looked lost, and stuck to where hewas.

“Papa?” She murmured. She tenderly held one ofhis hands, and tugged slightly. He didn’t move though, and he had lost all thecolour in his face. “Father?”

“You’re having a baby. You’re pregnant. Heavilypregnant. With a child.” He said monotonously.

“I am. I might.” She didn’t want to get hishopes up. Eleana loved her baby fiercely, and she would be destroyed ifanything were to happen to it, but her and Kaden had plans in case anythingwent wrong. They would induce labour as soon as it was safe to do so, and asshe was giving birth he would summon as much magic as he could so that he couldkeep their baby alive if it was stillborn.

“You didn’t tell me. I thought you were here totrain.” Rhys’ lips trembled, and without any further warning he burst intotears. Horrible sobs that made a person’s whole body convulse.

“Oh, Rhys.” Feyre said from her position at thetable.

Eleana waved her hands in panic, and startedfretting over him. She wiped away his tears, stuttering her apologies as shedid so. She didn’t really start stressing though until Rhys sank to his kneesin front of her, his hands raised to her stomach.

“Why?” He asked.

Feyre came to kneel beside him, though her facewasn’t any less devastated and confused. Her mother had tears in her own eyesas well, but she had always been better at hiding her emotions, and now was notthe exception.

“I didn’t want to tell you just so – just forme to lose the child again. I couldn’t face it.” Her hands were shaking, buther voice was clear and strong.

“We would’ve supported you every step of theway.” Feyre told her.

“We know.” Kaden said as he sat down next toher parents, placing a hand on their shoulders.

Eleana heard a slight cough and then the doorsopening and closing. Miryam and Drakon had left to give them some privacy.Eleana wished she could join her parents and mate on the ground, but herpregnancy made it impossible to do so.

“I love you both so much, and I know this is ashock for you.” She said tentatively. “Itwas a surprise for me too. Would you like to feel the bub kick?”

Rhys raised an eyebrow, not as sassy as it usuallyis due to the tears still running down his face. He lifted a single hand andEleana placed it on the exact spot her baby was now kicking her. If the way itkicked was any indication, it would be a stronger warrior than her and Kadencombined.

She thought the feel of her baby would make herfather relent his crying, but it only made it worse. Except now he seemed to bewhimpering with joy.

“When is the baby due?” Feyre asked, pushingaside Rhys’ hands so she could feel their grandchild for herself.

“Fourteen days, give or take a few.”

Now that Feyre and Rhys were better, Kaden gotup off the floor and stood behind Eleana so he could wrap his arms around her.It was the only way he could still press them together, and he peppered a quickkiss to her neck.

“I love you.” Kaden said in a hush. “And thischild is coming into the most loving family in Prythian and beyond, and I can’twait to raise a baby with you.”

____

Eleana’s birth was a long and painful one.Feyre was at her side throughout the whole ordeal, and Rhys tried but faintedwithin the first minute. Eleana appreciated his effort to stay, but then askedhim to go wait in the House of Wind with the rest of the family. She’d returnedto Velaris with her parents after they convinced her to have the child at home,and to thank Drakon and Miryam for their help she sent them rare treasures ofbooks and jewels and art, as well as a promise to visit with the little one.Miryam and Drakon were sad to see them go, but knew it to be for the best.

In the end, her and Kaden didn’t raise a childtogether.

They raised children.Twins with matching dark red wings and the eyes of their grandfather.

Kaden wouldn’t let them go, tattooing twocrossed swords over his heart to represent his babies. Feyre painted them,starting an album of art so she could look back and remember them fondly.

And Rhys, oh Rhys, he cried every time he laideyes on them. For a month.

#ACOHAD extra #acohad #fanfic #acowar

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sarah-bae-maas · 7 years

Text

A Court of Hearts and Darkness Chapter Seventeen

It’s been over a century since the epic and bloody war against Hybern, but a new, unprecedented horror lies in wait to threaten everything the Inner Circle holds dear.

With the help of her cousin and warrior Felix, the son of the famed Nesta and Cassian, they will try to save everything they hold dear, hopefully before the darkness takes them all.

Link on Ao3 Masterlist

One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen

***

-Chapter 17-

Kaden awoke to his best friend nudging him in the shoulder – an incessant finger prodding at him. Kaden waved him away and wiped at his eyes. It was still dark out, and Eleana was still asleep in his arms. Felix looked at him pointedly, and then cocked his head and left. Kaden didn’t know what he wanted, but he supposed he should find out.

Felix was sitting in the railing surrounding his balcony, absentmindedly swinging his legs back and forth, hunched over and thumbs twiddling. Kaden kicked his legs up over as well, and sat down next to him. He was cold now that he didn’t have Eleana to hold him, and he would be lying if he said he didn’t want to just crawl back to her now and never leave.

“What is it?” He asked.

“You never got to tell me what happened at the wedding. From the reaction of my family, I’m taking it wasn’t the grandest of times. But, you and Eleana also seem to be rather chummy – and here I was thinking you might kill each other.” Felix was nursing a beer in one hand and took a deep swig.

“The whole thing was a ruse so that they could get me alone and kill me. Honestly? I’m disappointed in their ingenuity. They didn’t stand a chance.”

“Good to hear. And Eleana?” Felix reached down and picked up another drink from beside him – this one full. He handed it to Kaden, who sloshed it around a little bit before taking a drink himself.

“We had sex. A lot of sex. We’re not together and we aren’t going to be, but for one night it was nice. Fantastic. Everything.”

Felix coughed and chocked on his drink. “Well,” He snorted, “I appreciate your candidacy. May I ask why?”

“Because she told me she loved me.” Kaden bowed his head.

“Is that the reason you two were finally… intimate? Yeah, I’ll say intimate. Or the reason you can’t be together?”

“Felix… nothing has changed. If anything, it’s gotten worse. Right now, you’re both too mad at Azriel to really consider what this means-”

“Don’t say th-”

“Don’t interrupt me, Felix. Azriel wants nothing to do with me, and he means the world to you and Eleana. I could never get between that. If I was with her, there would always be that undertone. Not to mention all the other complications that already existed.” Kaden sighed heavily. “And… there’s something else.”

“Something else? What other bullshit could you possibly tell me?” Felix smiled sarcastically at him.

“When we were together, there was this moment, and I don’t know what it means, but it was like – it was like our souls joined into one, and I could feel me through her and,” Kaden shook his head. “It sounds so stupid when I say it aloud. She had been in my head all day, and I think my own magic clung to hers. Is that possible?”

Felix tsked beside him. “Maybe you should ask her. I’m no daemati, after all.”

“Yes, but you are meant to be helpful.” Kaden shoved him slightly, making Felix laugh and fling his now empty bottle into his front yard. He had been drinking long before he summoned Kaden, as the empty bottle joined at least five others among his plants. “It doesn’t matter anyway. As much as I want to be near her, I need to push her away.”

“Now who sounds like the stupid one.” Felix rolled his eyes. “If you keep pushing her away, there’s going to be a day when she doesn’t come back. I’ve told you this before, but you need to stop playing with her. When she told you that she loved you, did you say it back?”

“Of course I didn’t.”

“But you still fucked her anyway, and let her think that she had a chance.”

“It wasn’t like that,” Kaden defended. “She knew it was only for the night, and that’s what she wanted. Do you really think I don’t want to be with her? It’s the only bloody thing I want. But I also want what is best for her, and that sure as hell isn’t me – it never will be. So, get off your over-inflated ego. I hate feeling this way about her. I hate it.”

Felix took a deep breath and rested his hand on Kaden’s head. It was a testament to how much Felix meant to him that he didn’t shake it off. “You’re right. Not about up not being enough for her, but how I have no right to comment when I don’t know the facts. Just do me one favour, okay? And we’ll never have this conversation again.”

“What favour is that?” Kaden calmed down, and rested a hand of his own on Felix’s black hair.

“Never say that you hate how you feel about her. Don’t even think it. If she heard she would be devastated.”

______

Eleana woke up only minutes after Kaden did – feeling the absence of his body next to hers instantly. She didn’t bother him and Felix though, rather started getting ready for the tedious day ahead of them. The wedding was officially over, and Eleana had popped the happy bubble she’d been in for the past two days. She had work to do, and she had been selfish for long enough.

She retrieved all the knowledge they’d gathered about the creatures from Felix’s study, and lied it all out on his oak desk. Usually, she would have taken it out to the longue and spread it over the table in there, but then she would have disturbed Felix and Kaden, and she quite liked the sounds of them laughing at each other and drinking.

The study was nice enough. The carpet was achingly soft beneath her sore feet, not nearly as worn as the rest of the house. Felix had let Quathryn finger paint the walls, but because of her tiny stature the sporadic dots of colour only went as high as Eleana’s thighs. That didn’t stop there being paint on the roof as well though – clearly from Felix holding his sister up so she could spread the dots there too. Eleana knew Felix purposefully painted the walls of the bedrooms and study white when the rest of his home was an explosion of colour so that whoever stayed in them could leave their own personal mark.

She reread all the information they had, and tried to organise it in a way her parents would appreciate. She knew she had one hell of a punishment waiting for her when she got home, and she would at least explain everything to them before she was banished to solitude. That might be an exaggeration, but her sneaking off after she saw Az and Mor would not help any defence she could muster.

By the time she was done, light had started to pour through the windows, and she could still hear Kaden and Felix chattering away on the veranda. She couldn’t hear anything but indistinguishable voices and snickering, which strangely disappeared for an hour or so, and she knew the exact moment they decided to retire back into the house from Kaden’s sudden shout of her name.

“I’m in here!” She called to him.

She was standing, observing the work she had put together. It was good, and hopefully convincing. It can’t be like last time – when Felix was attacked and no one believed them. Eleana shook her head. It was hard to comprehend how long ago that had been.

The two males came into the room, Felix peering over her shoulder to observe what she had done. “How long have you been awake?”

“As long as you have. I suggest we go to Velaris within the hour, but first you need to wash the smell of beer off you and sober up a little bit. If all goes to plan, by the afternoon there will be an open investigation into this, and it won’t just be us anymore.” She stretched her taut body and rolled her shoulders. She had been hunching over the desk for a while now, and she was in desperate need of a nap. “I’m going to lie down, come get me when you’re ready to go.”

Felix nodded, and left presumably to go wash. That left Kaden and Eleana alone, two people who hadn’t talked much since she’d admitted to him that she loved him.

“Want to join me?” She raised an eyebrow and smirked, but it wasn’t returned.

“You set the rules yourself, Eleana. If I kiss you, it means I want to be with you. If I go to bed with you again, I’ll do it anyway.” He looked at the ground, scuffing his foot along the carpet in unease. His body swayed back and forth, and Eleana wondered how much he and Felix had drunk.

Eleana reached out a hand to him, but he moved back ever so slightly. Mother, she thought they were over this. She brought her hand back, and tried not to be disappointed. The news about Az had been a real blow to him, and she had to try to sympathise with how he might be feeling right now. If he had feelings of inadequacy before, they would be running rife now.

“In that case, I think I’ll go home for now and meet you and Felix later.”

She went to move past him, but as her arm brushed his he grabbed her forearm and pulled her to him. His right arm went around her waist, and one of hers straight to his neck. He had their other hands between them, and held it to the point where she had nearly touched. These were her favourite type of hugs from him, the ones where she was completely enveloped. She was also met with the pungent smell of whiskey and beer, and that might explain his peculiar behaviour more than his emotions did.

“The last two days with you have meant everything to me, Eleana. And maybe one day things will be different, but for now they aren’t.” He slurred. “I’ll see you later.” He let her go abruptly and left the room, and she could hear Felix’s front door closing as Kaden fled from the house.

_____

Eleana didn’t even need to try to sneak into her room. Her father was sitting on the front steps, basking in the morning light with a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. She was expecting a throttling, but he just gave her a gentle smile and put down what he was holding. He tapped the spot next to him, silently asking her to sit with him. His easy-going air made Eleana nervous.

“How goes, Laya?”

“Splendidly.” She said cautiously.

“Az feels better then? I was worried when Mor told me you had decided to stay the night, and that she thought it best.”

His anger, or lack thereof, made much more sense now. But why would Mor tell him that’s where she had been all night? Eleana was fully prepared to accept her fate, and was much more confounded by this.

“Azriel is fine.” She said slowly. She went and took the spot on the stairs he offered to her.

“Excellent to hear. Now.” He turned to face her directly. “There is much to discuss today, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your mother is still livid. I have calmed down a bit, but I have agreed with the decision she’s made about how we’re to deal with the situation that’s arisen. But before that, I need to know what’s going on, Laya. What’s really going on? Your behaviour of late… has me concerned, to say the least.” He touched a hand to her shoulder, and looked at her like she was destroying him. “I won’t tell anyone what you tell me, I just want you to trust me again.”

She flopped her head down onto his shoulder and yawned. He would know soon enough about the creatures plaguing Prythian, and as for Kaden…that was not for now. He waited patiently, and she let him smooth the hair back from her face, but she remained quiet. She would not lie, so she would also not speak.

Her father sighed heavily, and gently pushed her away from him. “Come, Laya, I’ll make you breakfast.” He stood and held out his hand for her to take, and helped her stand. They needn’t open the door, because when they turned it was being opened by her mother.

“A letter of summons had arrived from Felix. We need to be at the House of Wind in an hour. Eleana, you’re to join us.” Feyre was still wearing her pyjamas, or more accurately the High Lord’s pyjamas, and her hair was messy and unkempt. Her face was pale, making her freckles stand stark, and Eleana could tell it was because of how badly she had been worrying her.

“Hurry on in, Laya, and start breakfast for me while I talk to your mother. I’ll only be a minute.” She nodded and skirted around her mother, only hearing her father whisper her mother’s name before the door shut behind her.

____

The flight to the House of Wind was glorious. Velaris was becoming considerably warmer as summer approached, and the feel of the sun blazing on Eleana’s wings made her singe with delight. She went with her parents, who she had shared a breakfast of sausages and eggs with, and had yet to be dolled a punishment.

Eleana landed on her toes and she flew through a window, and was met with the sight of all her family members. Azriel was chasing Quathryn around the room, Mor watching and laughing along - how happy they seemed, when Kaden was in unbearable pain. Cassian was snuggling into Nesta, who was swatting him away with a scowl on her face because she was trying to talk to her sister in peace.

“Elain!” Her mother instantly brightened at the sight of her older sister, and went to give her a hug. It wasn’t until you looked at all three sisters together that you really noticed their similarities. The burnt gold hair, the freckles, even their stance was the same.

Lucien was standing next to Cassian, and the two were chatting away even if Cassian was clinging onto his mate. Felix wasn’t in sight, and Eleana wondered away from her father to go find him. Rhys tapped on her mind with his magic – wondering where she was going – as she left, but she waved him off. She needed to go find her cousin. After all, this was her meeting as much as it was his.

She eventually found him setting up in the war room. He had pinned the evidence they’d found to the walls in chronological order, his own notes under each. He had also pinned the appropriate sections from the book, the story that matched the slayings. Eleana was surprised to see more there then she had previously, even more than what she had that same morning.

“You did more research without me?”

He looked at her and huffed slightly. “I have been since you discovered everything. I think sometimes you forget how busy I am, Little Laya.”

“Little Laya? You haven’t called me that since I was fourteen.” She snorted.

“I personally find it a good fit. Can you round up the old ones? I think we’re about ready to go.” Felix turned his back to her, and skimmed his hands over the assortment of documents, checking one last time that they were coherent.

“We can’t start yet.” Eleana joined him at his side, and read over the things she hadn’t been aware of. They had already decided that the bulk of the explanation would be given by Felix, but she also didn’t want any surprises. Felix would be giving the presentation for simple reasons. Firstly, he had done this many times before, even before he had constructed the Elite under Cassian’s orders. More importantly, they would take the claims with more validity if Felix was the one to give them. He was older, he was more experienced, he had been to war before. She would believe anything he said.

“Why can’t we start yet?” He finally faced her, and she was a little shocked to see the deep bags under his eyes. It was hard to feel sympathetic when she knew he stayed up all night drinking with Kaden through his own volition.

She spread her arms in the empty air like it was obvious. “Kaden isn’t here.”

Felix sucked in a breath. “Uh, yes, that. No need to worry, Kaden can’t make it.”

“Can’t make it?” She questioned. “I saw him only an hour ago. He had plenty of time to sober up a bit, you did, so why isn’t he here?”

Felix closed his eyes and sighed. “There are many reasons why he didn’t come, Eleana. Foremost, he didn’t want to face Azriel and Mor knowing what he does. I can’t blame him, I don’t want to either. Then there’s the fact that he would be facing our whole family while he reeks of you and alcohol and despair, and he wants no part of the politics of High Fae, or feels he can’t. And lastly, and funnily, males do stupid things when they drink, and he had to see a healer.”

“A healer?” Eleana disregarded everything else Felix said, that what nothing new to her, although she was disappointed.

“Last night, Kaden and I left the house for a while and he did something…” Felix’s face contorted, “and it got infected, and I was laughing too hard to heal it for him.”

“What did he do?” That must have been when she heard them leave during the night.

“I’ll let him tell you that. You’ll think it’s hilarious though, so no need to worry.”

She nodded her head, conceding to the fact that there was nothing she could do to get him to tell her more, or to get Kaden here. “I’ll round up the parentals.”

_____

Felix had yet to speak, for the words pinned to the walls did it for him. He sat back, patiently watching as his family members assessed his words and pictures. There was so much more than just what Laya had found, and as his family read in bewilderment, he could see that sometimes she did too. There were things he hadn’t meant to keep from her, just things he knew would be a detriment to her health. He had found many more stories about the Colloden, ones he knew would terrify her, that went back over fifty years. It was a wonder it took until her capture for someone to find it, or at least know of its existence. He understood that only a veilsinger like Kaden would’ve been able to physically see it unless it chose to reveal itself, and that may have played a part in its elusion.

Felix waited for his family to approach him, and it wasn’t long until they formed a half-circle around where he was standing, expectant looks on their faces. Eleana joined him at his side, standing with her back straight and shoulders back.

“How long have you been investigating this?” Rhys queried.

“Approaching seven months. We first noticed with the Impeath at the start of winter, and summer will mark it that long since Eleana was taken.”

“Seven months…” Elain tugged on the sleeve of Lucien and whispered something into his ear, not audible to anyone else.

“Why hold onto this for so long? If this is as serious as you claim you should’ve told us straight away. To get Amren involved and yet not tell Feyre or I?” Rhys was composed, but Felix saw straight through his uncle.

“I believe we did.” Eleana answered before Felix had a chance to. “I told you about the Impeath the night of, and if I’m remembering correctly you didn’t believe me.”

Felix didn’t like where this was going. Eleana was emotional in general, getting three hours of sleep a night does that to a person, and Rhys doesn’t get emotional about anything more than his daughter. Especially when he feels she’s being threatened. Felix didn’t feel like being in the middle of that, or letting it cloud the bigger picture.

“That’s why we decided to gather as much as we could before we came to you, just like anyone else would if they were approaching the High Lord and Lady with a problem.” Felix added, trying to calm the situation.

“This includes testimonies from other High Lords,” interjected Lucien. “Tarquin and Glaslane.”

Elain looked stricken at the mention of the High Lord of the Spring Court. “Glaslane would have told us if there was a problem as big as this one.”

“Why? He’s the High Lord, it is his problem to solve.” Felix rebutted. He needed them to not get distracted by their children’s secrets.

“And yet you didn’t come to Lucien or me, and as you said it is ‘our problem.’” Rhys pointed out.

“That’s what I’m doing right now.” Felix answered.

Eleana was staying mercifully silent, thank the cauldron. He loved her dearly, but sometimes she let her feelings get ahead of her.

Rhys and Feyre shared a look, and then Rhys stared at Az, Lucien and Felix’s father, and Feyre her sisters, in the way he knew they were communicating silently so that he and Eleana couldn’t hear.

They think we’re delinquents. Or, more accurately, I am. They appreciate your work. Eleana sent to him. He realised, without surprise, this was Eleana after all, that no shield could keep her from reading their thoughts if she wanted to.

That’s ridiculous. He shot at her, hoping she was still in his mind so she could hear.

Is it? You lead the Elite, and I run around and cry all the time. Nesta thinks I should stay in Velaris, Lucien, Elain and Mor agree. Cas is unsure, but Az and my parents think the decision should be mine. Az thinks we’ll wage a war if we’re separated.

Eleana was casually looking around, pretending she had no idea their family was ‘talking’ about them while they were right there, and that she wasn’t relaying their conversation straight to him.

I’m surprised about Mor. He thought.

She was the one who checked the wards that very first time at the Mountain, remember? She thinks someone is controlling us. Ha! I’d like to see someone try to enter my mind. As Eleana laughed in his head, her shoulders shook in real life.

And they wonder why we didn’t tell them until we had evidence. Felix rolled his eyes.

Rhys hummed loudly and the adults, well, much older people, turned back to face Felix and Eleana after they had inadvertently put their backs to them as they conversed.

“This is good work,” Rhys told them. “We’ll take it from here, and you can resume as you did before this all started.”

“I can come to Velaris daily to help. The Elite can also be an asset when we need to go anywhere other than the Night Court. What time do you want the meetings to be?” Felix asked. He had been in these situations countless times – he had been working for them for years. He had even fought in a mortal war by the decision of Rhys, and had been a Night Court diplomat at councils.

Rhys response to his asking to do something would be no different to usual, so why was his answer taking so long?

“There’s no need for you to be there.” His father answered instead. “Go home and focus on the Elite. We’ll summon you if we need to.”

What the fuck? Eleana burst into his thoughts.

“Seems you didn’t hear everything, Laya.” He said aloud. His family looked at him in confusion, and Felix gritted his teeth. “Eleana and I have done all this work,” he said to his father. “We deserve to see this through.”

“This is the decision that has been made.” Azriel said. He took a step towards them, his hands raised in surrender. “You need not worry, Felix. The problem is with us now.”

Felix scoffed and stared his uncle down. “What wonderful reasoning.”

“You two aren’t experienced enough to deal with something on this scale.” Nesta said, her hands cradling her belly.

“But how can we get experience if you don’t give us the opportunity?” Eleana asked, pleading with them. “We can do this right, let us show you. At least, Felix can do it, and he could teach a water wraith to walk, so imagine the wonders he could do with me.” She smiled.

“I’m sorry, butterfly, but this isn’t up for discussion.” Rhys returned her smile, though his was shielding the worry in his eyes when he looked at his daughter.

“Why?” Eleana walked to her father, her hands clasped in front of her. “I – I think you’re lying.” She admitted to him quietly. “Please don’t lie to me.” Her voice as quiet as the breeze.

Rhys let out a shaky breath. “You’re too close to this, and I don’t want you near something so dangerous when your magic is this unstable.” He revealed.

Eleana stepped back and nodded. Felix wished he could be like her and just see into people’s thoughts. He wanted to know why her eyes downcast, and why her lips trembled. He wondered what it must be like to be so very powerful, and yet feel like you can’t do anything. To have a male that is your equal, and a perfect other half, only for him to reject you. It is often said that Eleana is delicate, that Eleana is unwell, Eleana is emotional, but as Felix looked at his cousin backing away from her beloved father, he realised that it must be very hard indeed to be her.

“Keep us informed, Feyre.” Elain said as farewell, it was clear that this meeting was over. “I need to talk to my son.”

They all pottered away, even Feyre and Rhys, until it was just Felix and Eleana left in the room.

“I hate when Elain calls Glaslane her son.” He said to break the tension.

“Why?” She snorted. “She raised Glaslane from the age of seven. Seems logical to me.”

“Because I’ve slept with Glaslane.”

She started laughing, so hard her body shook and silver lined her eyes. “Felix! How did I not already know this?”

“I’ve been with so many they tend to be a blur. Besides, you’ve had sex with Kaden.”

Her laughter slowly died down, but the smile on her face never left. “I have indeed.”

“And?”

“And I have a story to tell you. A tale about a boy and a girl and a room.”

“Please tell me it’s not what I think. It’s one thing to know it happened, but I really don’t need details.”

Eleana linked her arms with him and started to walk in the direction of the stairs that graced the mountain below them. “It’s not what you think.”

#acotar #acomaf #acowar #acohad #fanfic #feysand #nessian #elucien #a court of hearts and darkness

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