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#Alphonse deserves more attention

gayuu-the-necromancer · 8 months

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SPOILERS ALERT! (Obviously!)

I haven't actually finished. Just one more chapter left. But its fine. I'm done with the major plot anyways. Let's start!

How do I feel about Elbert's route?

All in all, it was kinda....meh. I wasn't entirely bad nor it was good. It's just...I'm so dissatisfied.

How was the story?

It was half boring and half good. I chose the Madness route and let me just say, for how dark Elbert's story is, the ending is just so disappointing. Now this is just the Madness route, maybe in the Blind route is much better (I hope it is).

El's story mainly contains two stories - 1. Main story that reveals El's past and his curse and 2. Bernard&Co. I'll be honest... I don't care about Bernard and his company! Nor do I care about Gabriel and his kinky stuff nor Daisy and her blue poppies. It really has nothing to do with El's past. It's just boring side story that just keeps getting in the way of the main storyline and it cannot be avoided. I honestly didn't pay any attention to Bernard&Co story because I was bored and I'm more interested in getting to know El.

On the other hand, I was quite interested in El's past. Yes! It's one of the most tragic ones I've heard. I love how dark it is and the writers did a good job in making me actually hate EVERYONE related to El. I also loved how they showed the scene where Al tells Kate about El's past in a library where they first met and at the same time, El was having a dream where he sees his whole childhood. It's a nice transition. They keep switching between Kate's pov to El's pov from time to time. Good job! I liked that.

The writers did keep me interested in the story because to be honest, I was really looking forward on how El finally comes out from his tragic past and faces his true nemesis. But they went and ruined it in the end so much so that it WASN'T WORTH SPENDING 1500 DIAMONDS and 25 story tickets!!! Yes! I did use my diamonds, which I've been saving for Jude, on story tickets.....because I was so hooked! I couldn't wait 10 days and I couldn't sleep until I found out what's going to be Jeffery's ending.

What happens to Jeffery?

By this time, you must know that, Jeffery is the true main villain in El's route. Not Gabriel Bernard. If you don't know, Jeffery was the chief butler of the Greetia house. He and the other servants SA-ed El everyday since he was 9-year-old. Not only this, let me list out all the crimes he has committed:

SA-ed a minor everyday.

Brainwashed and manipulated that same child.

Bribed a guy to kidnapped Kate and also told him to sell her, because you know, she was preventing him from SA-ing El.

Tried to kill Kate.

And also being completely delusional in thinking that the reason why El was trying to kill him because Kate brainwashed him and not because...all of the above.

Yeah. So you'd think, a monster like that would get painful death, right? But no. El just shows up, says hi and stabs him with his sword. That's it.

I was really disappointed, because I thought, El was going to make him suffer for what he has done and killing him as painfully as possible, because he deserves it. For some reason, the writers just made it anticlimactic. If I compare this ending with William and Harrison, their ending is much more exciting. Especially William's...I'll translate that as soon as my exam is over...so please be patient, it's on Sep 8th. Okay?

But yeah, that's it. I don't how El kills him in the other ending. Someone told me that El poisons him. Poison apple I guess. I'll see that when I play the other ending, but not anytime soon.

What is El's tragic ending?

El's tragic ending according to Victor is to die while being unsatisfied. We see El trying to collect the most beautiful thing in the world, but El's tragic end is, he will die without getting that most beautiful thing.

What about Al?

I still don't understand why Al kissed Kate. It still confuses me and Yes! Kate does tell El that Al kissed her and El was like--

Kate: "Well....Mr. Alphonse.....kissed me on the lip--"

El kisses her before she could finish her sentence.

El: "Tell me Kate, who is your daddy?"

Kate: *blushes* "It's Lord Elbert...."

El: *smiling* "Good."

El: "If it's Al, I don't mind..."

Kate: "You're....n-not going to kill him, right?"

El: "If it was someone else, I would have.......I'd rather you not, but if you want to kiss someone else besides me, it should be only Al."

Kate: *jealous* "I don't want to kiss someone else. I only want to kiss you..."

Yeah, that's El's reaction. He was surprisingly calm about it. Al on the other hand is starting to grow on me. He's like the Mitsuhide of this game, so mysterious that you can't tell if he's on good side or bad side. El seems to trust Al very much. Yes, he is jealous about Kate spending time with another man, but he also trusts Al and knows that no matter what, Al will keep her safe. Al on the other hand dislikes the fact that both Kate and El trusts him so much. I don't know if Al even likes El as friend. Sometimes he acts like friend and sometimes he doesn't. It's so confusing, so I'm really looking forward for his route.

Kate and El

Honestly, these two are made for each other. Both are jealous possessive types that keeps asking each other if they were thinking about each other while they were apart. There are only some cute moments here and there, like El staring at Kate so he could get into her heart and also making sure that she only looks at him and only thinks about him and also grabs her face and makes it turn to look at him and also asking to look only at him lol. It's a funny scene I liked it. But most of his route is full of sadness and sadness and .....lots of sadness. You get my point.

Final thoughts

This post is really short but there is not much to talk about because I already spoiled you guys about El's past which is the major part of the story.

I wish the story was bit more exciting, at least the writers could have improved the ending of Jeffery after making me hate him so much. All in all it was a pretty meh experience. I still think Harry's route is the best one so far.

#ikemen series #otome #cybird ikemen #cybird otome #ikemen villain #cybird #ikemen villains #ikemen mc #ikemen villains elbert

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missewoodhouse · 2 years

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“New Women” and Stoker’s Theatre Job

Given Bram’s “New Woman” rant at the end of Mina’s 10 August diary entry, now seems like a good time to discuss two of the great actresses of the Fin de Siècle stage! First of all, we have Ellen Terry -- onstage partner to (you guessed it) our pal Henry Irving, and probably most widely recognizable in this John Singer Sargent painting of her as Lady Macbeth.

While the beetle-wing green dress deserved to be immortalized in all its stately glory, the tone of the portrait is actually very different from that of Terry’s Lady M -- she never crowned herself onstage, and the character was played with a much more “fragile” brand of late-Victorian femininity. Despite a scandalous private life (including two children born out of wedlock, gasp!) Terry’s public persona was aligned with a series of “virtuous” Shakespeare heroines (Ophelia, Cordelia, Desdemona, Portia, Beatrice, Imogen).

In 1878, when Henry Irving became manager of the Lyceum theatre (where Bram Stoker soon became business manager), he convinced Ellen Terry to join the company as his leading lady. Both actors were separated from their spouses (Terry from her second husband) at this point, so their partnership publicly mirrored that of earlier husband-wife leading pairs. At least officially, Irving dictated the company’s artistic choices, the casting, and Terry’s (record breaking) salary, and onstage, Lady M may have been evil, but she was also Macbeth’s perfectly loyal wife.

Ellen Terry’s Imogen (see the colorized edit of a publicity photograph above), opposite Henry Irving’s villainous Iachimo in 1896 is regarded by some as a key inspiration for Lucy Westenra (interesting article/abstract here and book chapter/summary here, apologies for the paywalls). Given that Iachimo creeps on Imogen while she’s asleep and then uses this encounter to threaten her life / accuse her of promiscuity, there are certainly some parallels to be had if you go looking for them.

Interestingly enough, however, when Stoker produced a staged reading of Dracula at the Lyceum in 1897 (in order to claim copyright over any future stage adaptation), Ellen Terry’s daughter, Edith Craig, played Mina. And Edith was very definitely a card-carrying, suffrage-supporting, queer and polyamorous New Woman. Fun fact: in the post-Lyceum phase of her career, Ellen Terry was actually a pretty active suffrage campaigner / fundraiser too. (And I suspect, if we were to carry Mina and Lucy forward to their hypothetical Dracula-free, untouched by Bram Stoker’s authorial misogyny futures, both of our heroines eventually would be too).

While we’re on the subject of the scandalous New Woman, however, the other late Victorian actress I cannot go without mentioning is the French sensation Sarah Bernhardt (who by the time Dracula was published had a substantial performance history in England and the US as well). A rough contemporary of Ellen Terry, Bernhardt, by contrast, cultivated her own reputation for the scandalous. Bernhardt quite intentionally broke gendered boundaries left right and center.

Visually, Bernhardt is perhaps most strongly associated with the art nouveau posters she commissioned (from artist Alphonse Mucha) for her theatre company in Paris - examples of 1899′s Hamlet and La Tosca are above. While there are also plenty of photographs of her as Hamlet (although far from the first woman to play the role, Bernhardt’s performance is one of the most famous) and in other promotional images, the photo I’d rather draw your attention to is this one:

Yes, that is a young Sarah Bernhardt lying asleep in a coffin -- a coffin which she is said to have traveled with and claimed to sleep in regularly. Quite the publicity stunt (and pre-Dracula too)! Other features of her eccentric public persona included traveling with a menagerie of wild animals -- including an alligator, at least one variety of big cat, and a number of lizards and/or chameleons.

Bernhardt was also a sculptor, and her Self-Portrait as a Chimera (circa 1880, below) notably features bat-like wings, instead of more traditionally feathered, bird-like ones.

Which is to say, I think we’ve found another vampire!

#ellen terry #sarah bernhardt #Bram Stoker #our good friend henry irving #fin de siècle #the new woman (gasp!)#dracula daily #theatre history #shakespearean / stage manager reading dracula #cymbeline #hamlet #lady macbeth

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ideasarestuckinmyhead · 8 months

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Oooooooo do you have any more headcanons for the Yandere! Listeners? That trope is so underrated😭

OH HO YES PLEASE!

Yandere Listeners HC:

Sugarboo:

At first they were obsessed with Alphonse but when Seth came in they almost killed him. But then they though of how sad Al would be and decided fuck it I'll be nice.

But then everything happened and Sugarboo got attached platonically. Can be turned Romantic if yall want bc why not?

This Sugarboo dosen't really like Jessie all that much and shows it. Like your one of the persons who hurt their romantic/platonic obsession how fucking dare you?

They also when Al gave Seth and them the talk before leaving gave them a serious stare and said "Alphonse, Seth, if it came to it I'll kill for you. I love you both and want both of you safe."

I think this tipped off Seth and Alphosne that you might be a yandere a but bc they would do the same for you.

When they did go with Derek in his car it took everything in them not to kill him right there. But once they did go back to where he took them they didn't just shoot him. They kept shooting, broke a glass and stabbed him some more since this pathetic pig caused so much hurt to their lover/s.

Casper:

They got lowkey obsessed with him in middle school but didn't realize till highschool. They tried giving lots of hints that they liked him but he didn't get it. Let's not even talk about the note.

Casper is more a lowkey yandere where they know Charlie would come to them eventually and if not they'd act.

Meeting an obsession young isn't fully helpful bc you would want to find them no matter what.

But when they had to move this fuled Casepr to make enough money to make Charlie and them live happily. That's why they know how to use a switch blade. They took on lots of different jobs, even assassination.

When Charlie said I did like you. It made Casper almost take him right there. Charlie most likely has a feeling but shrugs it off bc "My Casper? Naw." But Casper is behind him hiding a body that decided to fuck with him during his shift.

Star:

Starts of platonic bc they only just met him. They want to protect him from others to show him off bc he is a nice person. But they know he won't leave them for someone.

They also have special privileges since he considers them a friend right now. Like shopping, I feel like Star would be the one who would gift Faust many things to keep him with them. Like meaningful ones.

They don't talk about the stalker a lot bc they killed them. But the court ruled it as self defense bc the stalker had a weapon.

They have used their status as a big streamer to their advantage if someone got to ballsy with insulting Faust when he's trying to be nice to everyone...you don't even deserve his attention negative or not you fucking-

Sorry that this one dosen't have a lot the story isn't fully developed yet-

Rook:

Auron obviously knows. He likes it and is semi a yandere himself with how he told them he won't give up on them if they stayed.

Rook fell when they first saw him. So when he told them over that dinner date their obsession grew, at the first one they have they were trying to get more information without seeming obsessive since he's observant as well.

Rook has intimidated some people at the work place when they say they liked Auron or seem like getting too close.

They can be manipulative with their silver tongue, so it usually is them planting a thought that Auron would never look at them or Rook showing off how Much Auron tolerates them since he's never like that with anybody.

Trish does tell them a bit of things he likes (she definitely knows about their obsession) I feel like since Auron said something. About her intuition that she just knows they're a perfect match.

Angel:

Lucien know off the bat that Angel was a bit fucked in the had I Mena why keep a demon in your house? But he's chill with it.

Angel is a chill Yandere anyways I mean no one can know of Lucien. Sure Angel wants to brag but they won't ever let someone lay eyes on him.

I hc if Lucien ever needed to eat human flesh they would lure creeps and pesos to their apartment so that Lucien can feast. He's put up a sound barrier too so that the neighbors don't get suspicious.

Angel mostly keeps to themselves when outside of the apartment so no one thinks anything is going on with them.

And that's mostly what I think the boys would react with the listener being yandere and some hc sprinkled in.

#yuurivoice alphonse #yuurivoice auron #yuurivoice seth #yuurivoice charlie #yuurivoice faust #yuurivoice lucien #yuurivoice #red writes

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oceanlue · 1 year

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hey! if it's alright, could i get the yv boys with a s/o who's obsessed with their hands

Sure also ⚠️ lime

💗Alphonse🧁🍭

He loves that you are obsessed with his hands I mean every time when you guys chill out together basically all the time you just play with his hands whether it be in your hair on your back rubbing it up back and forth to soothe you into a nice sleep or just have your hands in his

He loves the fact that you can't get enough of his hands especially when he just boops you on the nose

But when you guys are alone in the bedroom he loves to use his hands

"Damn boo if you really loved my hands that much then could have done this a lot more sooner if you would just say you like my hands"

Whether that be slowly sliding down your sides for mainly going to town on your lower region and not stopping

He loves the fact that you love his hands so give him extra love and he'll do a little bit more than what he's doing right now

🧡Seth🏕🍂

Seth doesn't mind if you love his hands or not His Hands went through a lot of things in life like beating up people chopping up wood building campfires in the woods and a whole lot of other stuff

If you love his hands he'll just let you hold them and as you keep on feeling up his hands his palms and his fingers maybe give him a little pedicure too if you're feeling it

You also like it when you guys are doing that Devil's Tango that he likes to smack that cake of yours until it's red velvet and maybe after that he'll spread some icing on it~

"Now now sugar if you behave like this then ima take my hands away....no....you really like my hands that much~, well then I won't stop until you tell me"

Even though after a fight with someone you'll always kiss his knuckles so he knows that he's been taking care of.

💚Finn🪴🌻

He knows you love his hands and he's shy about it

He won't say it but i think he likes how you love his hands, like he get all flustered and immediately start to mumble phrases that he will probably say

Only on days where are he is feeling bold enough he will grab your rest with his hands and pin you to the table and as he reaches down to make a mess of you he'll start to swirl the batter and make sure everything is in the right place

"Orchid everything that led up to this. I knew you loved my hands but this is a bit too much for you don't worry my beloved I'll go easy on you"

But he loves to hold your face with his hands so he can look at you

He loves how you love his hands

❤Auron☕⌚

On that night when he took you out to that VIP place to escape he knew right there and then that you loved his hands especially when they were bruised and you can start loving on him because of it give him all the attention he deserves people

Every time when he has a chance between you or when you two are alone either when it's at work lunch time in his office or at home you will play with his hands whether it be just drawing circle patterns or holding his hands no matter where you two are his hands are going to be on you

And he is very smooth when it comes to his hands since his hands have done a lot of work about the Blood Sweat and Tears on all the pleasure that was on there he's going to give you a little taste of it too

"Well rookie if I didn't know any better I would say that you love the way my hands work you know if you keep on begging for me like this I might give you more but you're going to have to convince me my little pet~"

I think you're going to lose your walking privileges for a week good luck with that

_____________

Hope you like it

Peace out

💙💙💙

#yuurivoice #yuurivoice auron #oceanlue #spotify #yuurivoice finn #yuurivoice seth #yuurivoice alphonse

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pillow-anime-talk · 3 years

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mistletoe. {pt.1}

synopsis: A little joke on Giyuu, making gingerbread cookies with Edward and a date with Ryouta.

# tags: scenarios; christmas!au; current relationships; romance; fluff; sfw

includes: female reader ft. giyuu tomioka {kny} + edward elric {fma} + ryouta kise {knb}

part two {click}

author’s note: for @yvsevie, my precious smol baby. i love you.

— GIYUU

It was the first Christmas you spent as Pillar, as Giyuu’s girlfriend, and as teacher of your first and also last tsuguko. You didn’t mind spending Christmas like this; frankly, could anyone think of feasting at the moment when bloodthirsty demons and other strange creatures were running around each villages or towns? That’s why you spent your time training in your estate with a young boy who would replace your Ice Pillar position in a few next days, weeks, months or years.

“... We should take a short break, right?” You asked, seeing your successor breathing harder and harder. “I’ll go get something to drink and you can sit on the engawa.” You put your katana into its scabbard and then headed towards your home. However, when you entered the small kitchen, you chuckled at the sight of Giyuu who was sitting at the table, drinking his coffee as if he were at his own home. “Well, hello. Why didn’t you say ‘Hi’ to me earlier?” You asked, taking out two glasses.

“You were training, so I didn’t want to disturb both of you.” He replied calmly, setting the black mug on the wooden table. “Are you two finished yet?”

“We’re taking a break.” You poured cool water and then you stood in front of your dark-haired lover. “You would like to sit with us?”

“Yes, why not.” He smiled gently, then walked with you towards the entrance to the pretty, snowy garden.

When you got outside, however, your frowned as you determined that your heir wasn’t in the garden. Instead of his light blue haori and long blonde hair always pinned up in a ponytail, you noticed a little, white note. So, you picked it up quickly and read the content on the paper:

‘Sorry, sensei! I forgot that I had to help my mom bake a cake for Christmas! So see you tomorrow.

PS. Look up :D’

You frowned, and when you looked up at the wooden roof of your engawa, your cheeks automatically flushed a bit at the sight of a small sprig of mistletoe attached to a wooden beam with a thin string. Giyuu glanced at the same place, and seeing the little plant, he only smiled slightly under his breath.

“Your successor is quite funny, don’t you think?”

“Yes. It is true. He will replace me very well.” You giggled, letting your mouth taste the flavor of coffee and something sweet that you couldn’t identify at first.

Nevertheless, this little joke made you feel the magic of Christmas, despite the lack of a Christmas tree or gifts, and you were incredibly grateful to your beloved student for that.

— EDWARD

“... Edward! Stop throwing flour at me!” You looked imploringly at your fiancé, and he just giggled as he looked away at the huge, metal bowl in which he mixed hot water with powdered sugar to make frosting to decorate your cookies. You sighed softly under your breath, then returned to kneading another dough with your hands. After a while, however, you felt the white dust, commonly known as flour spread around you one more time. “E-Ed! Please!”

“Sorry, sorry!”

“Do it again and I swear you’ll sleep naked outside.” You spoke in a serious tone of voice, even though both of you knew you would never let him freeze to death, much less during the holidays, even more the first holidays that were supposed to be full of guests.

Alphonse and Mei with the smol panda were to appear! Also Roy with Rize and dear major Armstrong. Of course, Winry with her boyfriend, her grandmother and their cute dog were also invited. Gracia with Elicia cannot be forgotten. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis too and even Ling Yao with Lan Fan as well. There were supposed to be many of your loved ones, so you had to make just as many food, cakes and cookies. And Edward didn’t make it easy for you, because instead of helping you, he was throwing flour, sugar, cocoa and edible, colorful sprinkles or glitter at you.

Like for example now; once again you felt something hit your head and it turned out it was a handkerchief, rolled in a small but quite hard ball. So, your hands slowly backed away, then you wiped them on your red apron and you turned just as slowly towards your boyfriend, smiling at him as if you were telling him you were going to break his neck or crush his long legs. Edward, however, only chuckled and then walked closer to you with the same dumb smile he always had on his lips when he knew he had done something silly but funny.

“Sweetheart, don’t be upset. Christmas isn’t the time to fight! Better look up, my pretty angel.” His broad smirk made you sigh again loudly and loosen your tense arms. Nevertheless, you looked up and the first thing you saw was Edward’s hand holding a small twig of green mistletoe. You glanced at him again, laughing to yourself.

“How old are you to still play this?” You rolled your both eyes and was about to go back to your dark dough, but the blonde man grabbed your waist and pulled your body much closer to his more muscular one. He placed a tender, quite long kiss on your lips, and when the caress was over, Edward rested his forehead against yours.

“I’m old enough to still giving you stupid reasons to keep kissing me.”

— RYOUTA

“It’s... It’s so beautiful here.” You whispered under your breath as you looked around. “W-Woah. I...”

Kise took you for a ride in his car, however, two minutes ago he parked the car on the side of the road and then grabbed your smaller than his hand saying he had a little ‘surprise’ for you. Of course you went with him and it turned out to be a breathtaking view of the city, all lit up with colorful lights and sweet decorations. It was also snowing a bit so everything looked even more magical. You were incredibly surprised, of course most positively.

That’s why you turned to smile at the blonde-haired young man, and he only returned your facial expression, but then coughing delicately so that you would open the shiny eyes you closed a few seconds ago.

“You have a gorgeous smile and I love it the most in the world, but I think...” He started quietly, suddenly taking something green from his coat pocket. After a second it turned out to be mistletoe. You chuckled under your nose and your loved one looked at your flushed face again. “I think I deserve more, princess. All the more so because it’s Christmas day... You know.” He said in an amused, but still gentle and emotional voice, at which you only giggled again, standing on the tips of your toes or rather your shoes, to be able to reach his pretty face, and more precisely to his lips which tasted of coffee and chocolate-nut cake.

The kiss was slow, but very warm, and although your lips were cold due to the temperature outside, this peck gave the two of you a lot of heat on your hearts and cheeks. You even smirked during this wonderful caress, grabbing the boy by his soft, pale skin. The fabric of your wool gloves tickled Kise a little, but he didn’t pay much attention to it; instead, he kissed you once more, but this time on the nose that was red from the cold, and on the forehead, covered in the material of the cap, perfectly matching your gray gloves.

“... Thanks for showing me this, Ryouta. It’s really, really amazing.” You whispered, glancing once again at the colorful and white lights that decorated your whole city, including all the trees, buildings and houses. “I didn’t expect to see something like this in my life.”

“Then get used to it, because next year I’m going to take you to many other equally cool places.” The sincere tone of his smooth voice, and another short kiss on the cheek, made you cuddle closer to the side of his massive body.

In meantime, you still watched the magnificent sights and thought about where you both should go next time.

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fullmetalscullyy · 3 years

Note

Royai prompt: Are you flirting with me, Colonel?

thank u sm for the prompt!! it was so fun to delve into this even if i can’t flirt to save my life lmaooo hope u enjoy some royai banter and roy just trying to make riza smile uwu

rated: t | words: 1991 | tags: wedding, alcohol, romance, flirting

read on: ao3 | ffnet

The atmosphere in the room was electric as Roy made his way through it. The party was in full swing and the dancefloor was filled with people, dancing their cares away and having a good time.

Roy watched as Edward danced with Winry in the centre of the dancefloor. Alphonse and Mei were beside them, all four laughing together as they moved in time to the music. Havoc was trying to impress Catalina with his “moves” but they weren’t very impressive. He looked quite hopeless, unable to find the beat properly, but he was still having a good time and that was all that mattered. Catalina laughed with him though and the way she hung onto his arm told Roy that it didn’t really matter. She was impressed by him despite his awful timing with music. Fuery and Breda were deep in conversation with Falman and his wife, talking animatedly with red rosy cheeks, flushed from the alcohol and their amusement.

It was a wonderful scene to witness. It made Roy smile widely as he wandered over to where his companion was waiting for him, a glass in each hand.

Riza was sitting at the table they’d been allocated for the meal, opting to remain there and watch, pleased, as everyone had fun and celebrated Edward and Winry’s wedding.

The dress she was wearing was high backed and formed a collar around her throat. It was a pale pink colour and fell down to her ankles, swishing mesmerizingly every time she walked. It also revealed her shoes which matched the colour of the dress perfectly. The heel on them was small but it was still enough to give her an extra inch in height. On her wrist there was a silver bracelet she’d received as a gift “a long time ago”. Roy had bought her it for her birthday once. He’d been surprised to see her wearing it and Riza had just smiled warmly at him once he noticed and recognised the piece of jewellery, saying nothing more on the matter.

Taking a deep breath, Roy tried to collect himself as he approached her. She was the epitome of beauty and grace today and it was extremely distracting. But in the most wonderful of ways.

“Excuse me, Ma’am?” Roy grinned and dropped his voice as deep as he could, changing it completely.

The effect worked because Riza turned around at the surprised interruption. It was clear she didn’t recognise who it was who’d approached her. Once she realised though her shoulders fell, and she shook her head fondly at his antics.

“Is this seat taken?” He continued his charade, pleased to have gotten such a surprised reaction from her from his joke.

She rolled her eyes and said nothing. Roy did manage to catch the smile she tried to hide though once she looked away.

“A pretty lady like you shouldn’t be left sitting alone at a party such as this,” he added, speaking lowly as he handed her the wine glass in his left. “You should shoot the bastard who left you all alone. How rude of him.”

“Are you flirting with me, Colonel?” The Lieutenant lifted a disapproving eyebrow that strongly hinted that he better not be. “Well,” she smirked, “are you trying to?”

“You wound me, Hawkeye.” He clutched at his chest for dramatic effect. “So what if I am?” His reply was nonchalant as he settled into his chair and took a sip of his whisky. It went down smooth, settling inside his chest and spreading warmth across it.

“I would have to disapprove, of course.” Her tone gave nothing away so Roy tilted his head so he could get a better read on her out the corner of his eye.

“You would ‘have to’, huh?”

“Of course, sir,” she replied evenly. Her wine glass lifted to her perfectly painted lips and Roy was distracted for a moment as he watched her move. “It would be highly unprofessional, wouldn’t it?”

Roy hummed noncommittally, pulling himself out of his distracted thoughts.

“In response to your violent proposal,” she added, “lucky for you, my weapon is concealed, and I don’t intend to remove it at a friend’s wedding, sir.”

That interested Roy. He hadn’t seen a weapon anywhere on her person. But then, Roy thought dumbly, that was the whole point.

Damn this alcohol and your ability to be so easily distracted by her. Not that he really minded that last part though.

“Like you said, it’s a wedding. It’s where people show their love for one another,” he shrugged.

“By trying poor pickup lines on me? Now you’re begging me to shoot you,” she deadpanned, and Roy laughed to himself as he watched the rest of the room. “At least if I do it will keep you quiet.”

“Well, I can turn it on more if you’d like me too?” He flashed an excited smile at her.

Riza groaned in response. She pressed a hand to her face. “Please don’t.”

“So, do you come here often, Ma’am?” His voice dropped to the same deep one he’d used before as he joked with her. It resulted in a sideways glare from Riza.

“That’s another poor effort. Even from you.”

“So, it’s not working?”

She scoffed. Loudly. “Not one bit.”

He sighed dramatically. “Darn.”

“I would’ve expected better than that from the likes of you.”

“Well, I thought it was funny,” he snickered, thoroughly enjoying their banter.

“You would.” There was no real ire in her eyes, nor irritation. Just fondness as she shook her head at him.

“All right,” he relented, lifting his hands in surrender, “I’ll stop.”

“I think that would be best, sir.”

Looking over, he was worried she really was annoyed at him now, but her expression was neutral. However, there was a hint of a smile on her face and she shook her head minutely as she placed her glass back on the table.

“Your flirting is so terrible that I cannot bear to listen to it any longer,” Riza added after a beat. One corner of her mouth quirked up into a smirk as she laughed at his surprised expression. “I can’t believe you actually use those on your dates.” She was enjoying teasing him.

His jaw had gone slack and he huffed in mock indignation. “It wasn’t that bad,” he joked, pretending to be sullen.

“It was torture.”

“Hush, you,” he glared at her.

“Is that an order, sir?”

The mood of the conversation shifted. Roy refocussed his attention on Riza as he picked up her husky tone. She looked at him over the rim of her glass. Her smile was playful and her eyes were sparkling with amusement. However there was something else in there too. Something that wasn’t completely innocent.

Roy swallowed. “Do you want it to be?” He was dumbstruck suddenly, left reeling by the wanting look in her eyes.

Her expression broke down and she started to laugh. Roy blinked and was snapped out of the spell she’d cast upon him with just a single look and one suggestive question.

“What?” He recovered quickly then frowned at her laughter.

“That’s how you do it, sir.” She’d leaned in close to speak to him softly and Roy was caught off guard by the wonderful smell of her perfume that wafted his way.

“You played me,” he cried as loudly as he dared. No one was around but it still wouldn’t do to draw attention to them both loudly.

She giggled. Riza actually giggled. Once more, Roy was rendered mute. All he could do is stare at her as she winked at him playfully and nudged his knee with her own underneath the table.

“I’m simply better at it than you. Clearly,” she snorted.

Roy huffed and crossed his arms over his chest with a scowl.

“Don’t feel bad, sir.” Her neutral tone was back however she still looked far too pleased with herself. “We all have our strength and weaknesses.”

He muttered to himself underneath his breath.

“But,” she sighed, “I suppose we should stop. I wouldn’t want to ruin your reputation any more than I already have.”

“You are relentless today, Lieutenant,” he muttered.

“You said it yourself. Call it payback for leaving a lady alone by herself at a party.”

He uncrossed his arms and sat up straighter in his chair. “I didn’t say that.”

She narrowed her eyes at him with a smile. “Yes you did.”

“No,” he shook his head. “I said a pretty lady.”

The skin of her nose and cheeks turned a shade pinker after his compliment. Riza coughed and looked away from him but Roy could see her hiding her smile behind the rim of her glass.

“And that was the truth,” Roy added, tilting his body over towards her and dropping his voice low. “I wasn’t joking when I said that.”

“Sir,” she scolded lightly.

He lifted his hands in surrender. “Just telling the truth,” he defended.

Her mouth snapped closed and she was silent for a moment. “Hush, you,” she muttered finally, cheeks still pink.

“Are you telling me to lie, Riza?” He acted scandalised, opening his mouth in shock at her suggestion.

“Fine,” she relented, looking around their vicinity to see if anyone could overhear, but there was no one to be found. “I’ll admit, it is nice to hear.” She mumbled it so quietly that Roy had to lean forwards to hear her.

“I’ll just have to tell you at every opportunity I can then.”

A warning look was shot his way.

“And I’ll do it, too,” he grinned brightly. “You know I will.”

“Maybe I will extract my weapon.” She lifted a hand to her chin and tapped it with one finger as she pondered the thought.

The two fell silent, laughing quietly together as all joking was dropped for the moment. Her eyes lingered on his for a moment longer and Roy couldn’t look away no matter how hard he tried.

“Thank you, Roy,” she murmured.

“For what?”

“For being so good to me.”

“It’s what you deserve,” he replied simply. “If I could show you it every day then I would.”

“I know,” she reassured him with an appreciative look. “I would do the same.”

“You already know you own this,” he added quietly. He stretched above his head but as his hands lowered he tapped the left side of his chest above his heart, feigning that it was just a tic of his. “That will never change.”

Riza’s hand slowly moved underneath the tablecloth, as if she was moving to fix her dress. She tapped his knee with the back of her hand and Roy slid his own hand underneath it too. Riza latched onto it tightly, giving it a hard squeeze of gratitude. Roy smiled at her, lost in her eyes, and stroked his thumb over the skin on the back of her hand. Suddenly, everything else just fell away. The party, the noise, the music, it was all gone. It was just the two of them.

Subtly looking around one final time, Riza deemed it was safe to speak what was on her mind. Still, her glass was lifted to her lips so her mouth was hidden from the rest of the room, but Roy could still see it moving. She paused before she took a drink.

“I love you,” she breathed.

Roy squeezed her hand tightly in his. Then, he extracted it from her hold but didn’t let Riza move far. He guided her hand to rest flat atop his knee. The warmth from her palm seeped into his trousers, making him smile to himself. Maintaining eye contact, he drew a love heart on the back of her hand and placed his own atop hers, covering it completely.

“That’s a new one,” she commented softly.

He grinned at her. “I like to keep things fresh, Lieutenant. And I return your sentiment. Wholeheartedly.”

#ask #just-trying-my-best-everyday #royai #royai fic #royai oneshot #emma writes #fic request #royai banter for d a y s

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originalhybridloverfics · 3 years

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Good To You - CH 24

A/N: I'm sorry for the insanely long wait but I hope the length of the chapters makes up for it!

Updates are really slow for me, I have some family stuff that came up, if you follow me on tumblr or twitter you probably already know about it, and on top of that I got sucked into another fandom that has consumed me.

I want to thank everyone who is still reading this story despite the unbelievably slow updates.

Genevieve and Celeste stroll through the cemetery.

“Oh, I remember this cemetery. Hmm. Hasn't changed a bit.” Genevieve mused.

“I've been coming here over a century, wearing one face or another,” Celeste replied.

~*~ ~*~ ~* ~

1919

Genevieve approaches a woman kneeling in front of a tomb in the Lafayette cemetery, praying to her ancestors.

“Clara Summerlin, will you come on?” Genevieve complained. “We're gonna miss everything.”

The two walk over to where a crowd of witches is standing around a bonfire, playing conga drums and watching as a witch dance around the flames. Papa Tunde walks out with an albino python around his shoulders, which he hands to his twin sons after clapping in order to quiet the crowd.

“Told you. Every witch in the Quarter is here to see the great Papa Tunde,” said Genevieve.

“Witches of the French Quarter, thank you for your welcome.” Papa Tunde addressed the crowd of witches. “It is good to be among people of the faith. I, too, practice ancestral magic, honoring those who walked the path before us. From them, we draw strength. And you will need strength, for a great darkness is coming. The city your forefathers left you is now overrun by pirates, beasts, and vampires.”

Papa Tunde takes the python from his sons and throws it into the fire, and many of the witches gasp in surprise and fear.

“I practice other magic, as well. Sacrificial magic, channeling power from the lives of my offerings.” Papa Tunde explained. “I use this strength to vanquish my enemies, and I will punish your enemies for their greed. In return, you will accept my family into your coven, and me as your leader.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

1919

Two men enter the room and join Elijah and a police officer at a table where a meeting was taking place.

“Gentlemen, make yourselves at home.” Elijah greeted. “Mayor O'Connell appears to be running late, but there's much to discuss, so I shall begin.”

Klaus walked down the stairs to join them. “One moment, please, brother. You know how much I enjoy these illicit, little gatherings.”

“Do not be troubled. Despite my brother's reputation, I can assure you, we've invited you here to broker in peace.” Elijah assured the men. “You have my word.”

“And, lucky for you, my brother always keeps his word,” Klaus told them. “You two are from the Guerrera crime family, a brutish pack of thieves and killers. And that's nothing compared to what you become on a full moon, is it?”

“Yes, yes, yes. Of course, a bite from your kind is not lethal to an Original. Conflict between us would not end well for you at all,” Elijah cautioned. “Let's state our proposal here. My brother and I control the ports of the city, but with Prohibition soon to be the law of the land, there'll be a certain uptick in the kind of federal presence we prefer to avoid. Therefore, I'd like to suggest a system whereby, under our supervision, of course, the Guerrera family can traffic alcohol into the city of New Orleans for a profit. We would still be in charge, but our rule would remain a secret.”

Papa Tunde walks into the room with his sons following behind him.

“This all sounds very good, but tell me, how will it benefit the witches?” asked Papa Tunde.

“I am sorry.” Said Elijah. “This is a private meeting.”

“Yes, for kings of the city, but I, too, am a king, and I have rules,” replied Papa Tunde.

“I'm impressed. You're either quite ambitious or quite mad. What's your name, mate?” asked Klaus.

“I am Alphonse Bellatunde Delgado, Papa Tunde to my followers, and I come to ask that the witches be granted fair tribute for allowing your existence in our city.” Papa Tunde responded.

“Are you suggesting that you speak for the French Quarter witches?” Elijah questioned.

“I do now, and I expect our future negotiations to go very smoothly.” Papa Tunde answered. “As a guarantee, I brought a gift. I await our next gathering.”

A small leather case is placed on the table. Papa Tunde and his sons leave. Everyone else gathers around as Klaus lifts the lid on the trunk to reveal a head inside with a symbol carved into his forehead.

“Well, I suppose we'll need a new mayor,” Klaus said.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Marcel walked into the Abattoir Courtyard Davina and Josh beside him.

Marcel grabbed a table with Davina and Josh. Davina was supposed to be meeting with Sophie at Caroline’s request to start searching for a way to save Katherine.

Most of Marcel’s guys weren’t happy that Klaus was now in charge and Marcel appeared to be following his lead without question. And were shocked to see Davina alive and well having believed she was dead after learning the truth about her and Marcel’s connection with her.

Diego sees him enter and approaches. He walks over to the table Marcel had chosen.

“Hey, Marcel, maybe you know what's going on. Klaus ordered us to meet here, and now he's a no-show.” he looked at Davina. “And how are you alive?”

“Caroline,” Davina answered simply.

“Klaus has a lot on his hands to deal with. Give him time.” Marcel told him.

“Like what?” Diego challenged but before Marcel could answer. Klaus enters the room with Caroline and on his other side is Thierry.

“Dearest brethren, your attention, please.” Klaus’s voice ringed loudly through the courtyard. “No doubt, you're all surprised to see Thierry Vanchure, who's supposed to be rotting in the Garden for the crime of killing one of our own, and I personally decided to issue him with a pardon.” Klaus declared. “I hope you'll all welcome home Thierry.”

Thierry smiles and gives Diego a hug.

“Welcome home, man,” Diego told him.

“Now some of you may see the difference with Caroline.” Klaus continues, pressing his hand to her lower back and the other resting on her stomach. “It turns out the wolf Hayley who I had believed to be carrying my children was working with the witches all along and had stolen my children from their true mother. Now they are back where they belong and the witches will soon pay for what one of their own has done.”

Caroline forced a smile before moving toward Marcel’s table, ignoring the stares of disbelief she was receiving. “Davina, thanks for coming.”

“You said you needed my help,” Davina replied.

Caroline frowned, tilting her head at the younger girl. “You know you don’t have to help me just because I helped you, right?”

“Caroline, you saved my life.” Davina countered. “I owe you everything.”

“No, you don’t,” Caroline told her. “I didn’t save your life so you would feel indebted to me. I want you to live your life how you want. I do want your help but I don’t want you to feel obligated that you have to. You can say no.”

Davina smiled. “I know, that’s why I want to help you. You're not like everyone else.”

“As long as you know you have a choice.” Caroline gestured to the stairs. “Let’s go see Katherine.”

Davina smiled and linked their arms.

“You too, Josh,” Caroline called over her shoulder as she started up the stairs.

“Coming.” Josh quickly followed. “Hey, Caroline, any chance you have some blood bags lying around. I haven’t eaten all day..”

Marcel tuned out the sound of Josh's voice turning to Klaus as he took a seat across from him. “You're in a good mood,” Marcel said to Klaus. “You must really love the fact that Caroline is the mother of your children.”

“It’s definitely a gift,” Klaus responded. “But before I can truly celebrate this turn of events I have responsibilities that I need to tend to.” Klaus turns to address the crowd of vampires. “The witches have gone too far with their actions against Caroline. Actions they will pay for. However, since their Harvest failed, their magic will soon be gone forever. Now there has been a debate, on whether to kill them or keep them on their toes. I, however, want them dead, every last one. Diego, I wonder if you might lead a rousting in the cauldron. One that ends in blood and carnage.”

Diego smiles and starts to plan with the other vampires.

Marcel smiled. “As much as I would love to shed some witches' blood, especially after everything they put Davina through, I do have another girl to see so I will be taking a personal day.” Marcel stood and left. Confident that Davina would be fine in the compound with Caroline there.

Klaus' eyes narrowed, wondering where Marcel was headed and who he was going to see. Almost everyone he knew was at the compound.

Diego and the others looked up at the sound of multiple voices and a group of men, women and even a few children walked into the compound.

Klaus smiled at Zach and the other wolves and walked over to them. “Caroline has been expecting all of you. She’s currently occupied with helping someone who doesn’t deserve saving but until she has a moment free why don’t you get to know the place and divide up some of the empty rooms amongst yourselves.”

“We will be staying here?” Zach asked speaking up on the behalf of the wolves who were more than a little surprised.

“Caroline has insisted that you all stay with us and what Caroline wants she will get,” Klaus responded, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“What the hell is going on here?” Diego walked over, glaring darkly at Zach and his group of wolves.

“I’d like you to meet Zach and the rest of my pack,” Klaus smirked. “They will be staying here at the compound. Indefinitely.”

Diego's eyes darkened with hate. “You’re kidding, right? They terrorized the Quarter for centuries. It’s why Marcel ran them out of town.”

Zach stared Diego down. “Wrong pack. We don’t run from anyone. Not anymore. And we only came to New Orleans once we heard of Klaus’s children.”

Diego scoffed as more vampires gathered behind him.

“What he says is true. Zach is of my bloodline. Not the New Orlean wolves and they are welcome guests in my home and every single one of you will treat them so or face my wrath.” Klaus’s voice hardened like a steel blade.

The other vampires started yelling out their protest.

“Quiet.” Klaus thundered, eyes flashing, a growl emitting from deep in his chest.

Diego glared but was wary. “You expect vampires and werewolves to co-exist? You’re crazy.”

The other vampires' protest increased.

“Maybe so,” Klaus smirked. “But you will work together, starting today. Zach here will be joining in on the witch hunt.”

Diego glared but said nothing. Klaus was in charge and as of right now there wasn’t a thing he could do about it.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Katherine looked over at the door as it was opened, feeling Elijah squeeze her hands in reassurance.

Caroline walked in followed by a girl who couldn’t be more than sixteen and a young male not much older than Caroline.

“Caroline,” Elijah greeted.

“Sorry to interrupt but I was hoping to check on Katherine and introduce her to Davina.”

“And why do I need to be introduced to kids?” Katherine raised a perfect brow as she sat up more in the bed. She had been feeling weaker and weaker. It was only a matter of time before her body completely gave out on her. She didn’t want to think about it, refusing to think of the fear that came with knowing you were going to die.

She hated it. She was Katherine Pierce, sick, frail, weak, was not the way she was supposed to go out. For the last 500 years, she had clawed and kicked and screamed to get everything she wanted to make it this long when she had a man like Klaus Mikaelson intent on killing her.

“Because Davina here is going to save your life.” Caroline wrapped her arms around Davina’s. “So if I were you I would be a little nicer.”

“Nice isn’t in my vocabulary.” Katherine retorted.

“Expand your vocabulary because without some witchy interference you're going to die soon.” Caroline stepped further into the room.

“And you care so much about my well being, why?” Katherine asked.

“For telling me the truth. Let’s not pretend we’ve ever been friends because it would be a lie. Still, this is my way of repaying you for once doing something when you had nothing to gain from it.”

“I wonder what Elena would say about you trying to save me?” Katherine taunted, trying to push Caroline’s buttons.

“I don’t much care what Elena has to say about it.” Caroline retorted. “This has nothing to do with her.”

Katherine smirked. “I gotta say, I’m warming up to you. Getting out of Mystic Falls suits you.”

Josh cleared his throat, making Caroline realize she hadn’t introduced him. “Oh, and this is Josh.”

Katherine looked him over. “He comes across as a puppy,”

“Puppy?” Josh wasn’t sure if he should be offended or not.

“Caroline,” Elijah interjected. “Just how do you intend to save Katherine's life. She is getting worse by the day. I’m not sure how much time she has.”

“Yes,” Katherine said. “How do you and this young witch plan on keeping me alive?”

“Well, I planned on seeing if Sophie knows anything or maybe looking at The Original Witch book of spells. Generations after generations of witches walk this city. Someone has to know something.”

“Caroline, I don’t think Sophie is going to be so keen to help,” Elijah interjected. “We’ve ruined all her plans and have taken her prisoner. Let’s not forget the torture.”

Caroline’s eyes darkened at the mention of Sophie. “Who said she had a choice in the matter?”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sophie’s arms dangled above her from chains attached to the ceiling, her feet barely touching the ground, she had to stand on the tip of her toes, her shirt was soaked with blood, her neck covered in red stains.

Her skin pale and dark circles beneath her eyes, exhaustion coming off her in waves.

She looked up as a knock sounded on the door. The werewolf guarding her sent her a disdainful look and pulled the door open.

Caroline stepped in. She was alone. Davina was with Katherine, Josh had stayed with his friend.

“Did you really come here alone?” Sophie asked, eyes glaring. “How wise is that?”

Caroline moved forward. “You and I both know, you are too weak to do a thing to anyone, and secondly if you did anything and I mean anything you would be scattered in pieces across this floor.”

“What do you want?” Sophie asked through clenched teeth.

“Your help.” Caroline stepped closer, her eyes filled with hate.

“You have got to be joking!?” Sophie exclaimed in disbelief. “You’ve chained me up like an animal, tortured me, fed on me, healed me only to do it all over again. You keep me weakened and you expect me to help you?! You’re crazy!”

Caroline grabbed her by the neck, eyes blackening, her temper flaring. “You will do whatever I asked you to do. You live because I say so, because I allow it. The second I say otherwise you will be dead and forgotten. Don’t test me. The sight of you makes me see red and I want to rip you apart until there is nothing left. Even now I fight the urge to kill you. I rather delight in your screams as I slice you open and cause you excruciating pain.”

Sophie's eyes darkened and she looked at Caroline in revulsion. “You sound like Klaus. Has being with him changed you that much?”

“Being with Klaus has been the most freeing thing I’ve ever done,” Caroline said, feeling like the words were the most honest she ever was in her life. “Selfish, deplorable, disgusting individuals like Hayley and yourself have no legs to stand on moral ground.” Caroline pressed closer, her hand tightening on Sophie’s throat cutting off her air. “You can do as I ask or we can make this into another torture session. If you won’t do as I say. I will turn you into a vampire. I know from a friend that there is no worse fate than this for a witch. I’ve seen it. The disconnect a witch feels is hollow.”

Sophie glowered. She hated Caroline. She underestimated her and now she was just starting to realize who she was dealing with.

Sophie tried to pull back from Caroline’s hand. “Okay. Okay.” Caroline released her. “What do you want from me,” Sophie asked, struggling to breathe normally again.

“You’re going to help me save someone’s life.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“Klaus.”

Klaus was in the middle of giving orders to the wolves and vampires, splitting them up into two separate parties when he heard his name from someone he wasn’t expecting to hear from anytime soon.

He turned to see Stefan standing in the middle of the courtyard. “Stefan, mate, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see Caroline?” Stefan’s brow furrowed as he saw all the people lined up awaiting further instructions. “What is going on here?”

Klaus turned back to the two groups. “You know your orders. Go.”

The wolves and vampires shared a hateful look and dispersed.

Klaus focused back on Stefan. “Now is not a good time.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m not here for you, isn’t it?” Stefan replied.

Klaus tensed, a voice in his head whispering that Stefan was there to convince Caroline to leave him behind and go back to Mystic Falls.

“Look, Klaus, I’m not here to play games. I’m here to see my friend. You can tell me where she is or I can call her and tell her I’m here, either way, I’m not leaving.”

Klaus rolled his eyes heavenward. He would never hear the end of it from Caroline if he told her he sent Stefan away. She had such a soft spot for the younger Salvatore but so help him if he was there to take Caroline from him, he would find himself in Marcel’s Garden.

“Dwayne,”

Dwayne stepped forward seeming to move out of the shadows startling Stefan.

“Take Stefan here to Caroline, then if she wishes for you to leave do so,” Klaus ordered.

Dwayne’s face brightened. He wanted, needed to be near Caroline.

He started walking, not even stopping to see if Stefan was following.

Stefan shot Klaus an uncertain look before following behind Dwayne.

Dwayne led him down a corridor and down a flight of stairs, the sound of a bloodcurdling scream had him, stopping. His mind screamed that Caroline needed his help and he took off on a run past Dwayne. He burst into a room, slamming the door open with his shoulder. “Caroline!” he looked around the room frantically and froze.

A dark-haired girl was strapped to a med table, blood pouring down her skin, dripping into a large puddle on the floor, she was crying out in agony, she tried to thrash around, attempting to get away, to break free but was restrained tightly to the table with barely any movement. When she turned her head his way, shaking from the pain, Stefan recognized her.

Hayley Marshall.

His eyes shot to the blonde standing over her, pouring something over the girl. The blonde’s back was to him, he couldn’t see who it was but he knew he had to stop her. What did Hayley do to deserve to be tortured like this? Her cries were echoing off the walls, the stench of blood filled the air.

He moved forward grabbing the girl by the arm spinning her around. “Stop, what are you-” Stefan released the blonde, taking a step back in shock. “Caroline?!”

“Stefan, what are you doing here?” She pushed her hair back from her face, streaks of blood coating the blonde strands from her hands that were coated in Hayley’s blood.

“What the hell are you doing, Caroline?!” You’re torturing people now? This isn’t you?!” Stefan stepped forward again, crowding her. “First Damon, now Hayley, who’s next?!”

“She deserves it and so did Damon!” Caroline shoved him back not liking the way he was standing over her.

Suddenly Stefan found himself pinned against the wall by Dwayne.

Stefan’s eyes widened as he stared in the face of an angry hybrid. “Oh my God,” he looked past the werewolf to Caroline. “Klaus can make hybrids without Elena’s blood?”

Caroline turned and stuffed a gag into Hayley’s mouth cutting off her screams and cries of pain.

“Klaus didn’t make him. Tyler did, trying to prove he was right about why Klaus cared about his children.” Caroline said, her hand drifted down to her stomach. “Let him go, Dwayne.”

Dwayne let Stefan go reluctantly but he was eager to get closer to Caroline, coming to stand beside her.

Stefan pushed off the wall, rolling his shoulders, he followed the movements of Caroline’s hand’s, his eyes widening. “Your mother told me what was going on but I had trouble believing it.”

But how could he continue denying it when he could see the roundness of Caroline’s stomach. “I don’t understand.”

“You want to know what Hayley has done to deserve this? She stole my babies, she used magic to steal a pregnancy for her own gain. I’ve taken back what’s mine but that doesn’t mean, she gets to walk away from this after everything she has done.”

Caroline turned back to Hayley gripping the surgical tool, a rib spreader, and spread Hayley’s open wound where all the blood was coming from open wider.

Hayley whined in pain, sniffling. “Please, it hurts.”

Caroline’s eyes hardened. “Good.” She lifted a bottle of liquid and started pouring it inside Hayley, watching Hayley’s insides burn and sizzle as her bloodcurdling scream filled the air.

“Is that wolfsbane?” Stefan asked, alarmed.

“Yes, mixed with hydrofluoric acid,” Caroline answered, a dark smile pulling at her lips.

“Caroline, you have to stop.” Stefan came forward again.

Caroline put down the container of Acid and wolfsbane. And removed the rib spread from Hayley’s body. “She needs time to heal until next time.”

Caroline bit into her wrist and squeezed it over, Hayley’s mouth giving her only enough so she would heal slowly and not die from her wounds.

“Next time?” Stefan repeated.

“Dwayne take care of this for me,” Caroline ordered and walked out of the room.

Stefan followed her. “Caroline, stop, we need to talk about this.” he grabbed her arm, turning her around to face him.

“What’s there to talk about?” Caroline asked, shrugging him off. “I am causing Hayley pain for her deceit.”

“Caroline, this isn’t you. You don’t torture people.” Stefan protested. “You’re good.”

“What I am is tired. Why am I always the pawn in someone’s larger game? I will not allow my children to suffer nor will I allow them to be used. I’m done being a casualty. If I have to do things that I otherwise wouldn’t then I will without hesitation and if you can't accept this then maybe you shouldn’t have come here.”

“I came here because I realized what a bad friend I’ve been. I’m not going to turn back now. I wasn’t there for you. I can’t make up for what happened to you in Mystic Falls but I can be here for you now. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling. How you handle this is up to you but I am not going back to Mystic Falls.”

“Then follow me,” Caroline said and turned walking down the corridor, expecting Stefan to fall into line behind her.

Caroline led Stefan upstairs and into a room, he was shocked to see Katherine lying in the bed, Elijah sitting beside her and on her other side was Nadia.

Nadia had shown up, demanding to be with her mother. Caroline hadn’t much cared about keeping the mother and daughter separated.

There was a woman in the room and a younger girl, a dark hair male, and another man who was watching the dark-haired woman like a hawk.

“What’s going on here?” Stefan questioned, looking to Caroline for answers.

“We’re going to save Katherine’s life,” Caroline told him.

“I’m sorry, what?” Stefan was in disbelief.

“I’m still doubtful about it myself,” Katherine spoke up. “It’s good to see you, Stefan.”

“Klaus is okay with this?” Stefan asked, looking to Caroline.

“He’s willing to accept it for me,” Caroline said and then did a quick round of introductions to the room.

“Have you found anything yet?” Caroline asked Davina, coming forward.

“Not yet,” Davina answered, casting a curious look at Stefan.

“Stefan and I will go through the books Elijah has required and I’ll call Bonnie, see if she knows something. Maybe there’s something in the Bennet books that can help.” Caroline said, after thinking it over.

“You really think Bonnie’s going to want to help save Katherine’s life?” Stefan asked skeptically.

“No but I’m asking as her friend and I will explain why I am trying to do this.” Caroline insisted.

“I believe Katerina is in good hands.” Elijah smiled over at Caroline and walked past her and Stefan into the hallway. “I will be back shortly.”

“Alright, so this is what we’re going to do, Sophie and Davina continue searching here. Josh and Stefan will go through the books in the study. I will call Bonnie and see if I can get her to help. Dwayne.”

As if he was just waiting for Caroline to need him Dwayne appeared.

Caroline shifted away. He made her uncomfortable with how he was always ready to do whatever she asked. She didn’t like using the sire bond he had to the twins and how he was always lurking in the shadows wherever she was, creeped her out.

“Dwayne, you will make sure Sophie doesn’t try anything if she does lock her up and get Zach or one of the wolves to deal with her until I have the time to do it myself. Nadia, you can stay with Katherine.” No one moved much to Caroline’s annoyance, she clapped her hands. “Well, you got jobs to do. Go!”

Davina nodded and continued searching the book in front of her, Sophie glared but did as she was told.

Josh motioned to Stefan to follow him and led him out of the room.

“You really think this is going to work?” Katherine asked Caroline.

“Yes, because I will make sure of it,” Caroline answered.

“I don’t want to be human,” Katherine argued.

“You don’t want to be dead either, do you?” Caroline retorted.

Katherine shot her a look. “What do you think?”

“Good, we’ll save your life, and then we’ll find a way to turn you back into a vampire.”

Caroline stepped out of the room to call Bonnie in private.

Katherine watched the door close behind her. She hated the feeling of hope that was beginning to rise within her.

Damn Caroline Forbes and her unending optimism and determination.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Rebekah and Elijah walk through the streets of the Quarter as they talk about recent events.

“Now, you may doubt him, but today, I saw Niklaus demonstrate mercy towards an enemy. Tell me that's not progress,” said Elijah.

“That’s Caroline’s influence,” Rebekah stated. “He wants to be better for her. He’s not the same brother we knew the last thousand years. Honestly, she is the only reason I’m not still working with Sophie.”

Elijah turned to her abruptly. “You were working with Sophie?”

“Not anymore. Not after everything she has done.” Rebekah responded.

“Are you the reason he let Thierry out?” Elijah eyed her with suspicion.

“No, that was Caroline,” Rebekah told him. “She didn’t like that he was locked up for protecting someone he loved. Though we should keep a close eye on him. Thierry despises Klaus and for good reason. He got the witch he loved killed. However, I was thinking, he knows about French Quarter covens because he dated a witch. Maybe he can lead me to whoever stole off with the Harvest magic.”

“Rebekah, we are all devastated by the outcome of this ritual,” Elijah began.

“That's just it,” Rebekah interrupted. “There was no outcome. Davina is only alive because of the Elixir. We both know that power like that doesn't just vanish. I say someone stole it. I'd like to know who, and then I'd like to make an ally out of them and then kill them.”

“To what end, exactly?” Elijah asked. “When will killing everyone who challenges us be enough?”

“I'm tired of being threatened and controlled by our enemies, being moved on a chessboard like sacrificial ponds,” Rebekah told him. “If you want to stop bullies, you need the power to stand up to them.”

“You’re not alone in this Rebekah. You have me and you have Niklaus.” Elijah insisted. “He is finally making an effort. He's invited us back into our family home. He yearns for our family to be reunited. He’s there for Caroline and their unborn children.”

“Yes. He's in a brilliant mood now, but for how long?” Rebekah challenged. “What about when things fall apart with him and Caroline? What then? He was bad before but if anything were to ever happen to Caroline or their children, he will be inconsolable, wreaking havoc and pain wherever he goes. And who says he won’t turn that anger on us and bury a dagger in our hearts?”

“I believe that he is approaching some semblance of peace here. As long as we keep Caroline safe we have nothing to worry about,” Elijah argued. “Leadership may, in fact, be a good thing for him and as I am quickly learning Caroline may very well be the best thing to ever happen to him in his thousand years on this earth.”

“I hope it’s enough and that Stefan has not shown up here to take her back to Mystic Falls. That’s not her home anymore.” Rebekah said. She had been surprised to learn that Stefan was here but she didn’t think he would be staying long. It was only a matter of time before he found his way back to Elena and his brother in Mystic Falls.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Her phone call with Bonnie didn’t go as well as Caroline had hoped. Bonnie was hesitant to help Katherine but Caroline kept insisting that she owed Katherine. Caroline reminded Bonnie that Katherine was human and was no longer in New Orleans.

Caroline kept insisting until Bonnie finally gave in. Bonnie ended the call with the promise to look through her family journals and she would let her know immediately if she finds something.

Caroline walked to Elijah’s room and sifted through his things until she found what she was looking for.

Esther’s grimoire. Grabbing the book she left the room and found a sitting room in the compound, she settled into the end of a couch and started sifting through it.

The smell of blood filled the air and she looked up to see Klaus carrying a glass of blood and a plate of food.

“What are you doing?” Caroline asked.

Klaus set the plate and glass on the table in front of her. “Have you eaten?”

“No,” Caroline shook her head and took a drink of the blood, savoring the warm liquid sliding down her throat.

“You should,” Klaus took the seat next to her. “I know you're dead set on finding a way to save Katherine but you can’t neglect yourself or the babies.”

Caroline’s eyes widened suddenly and pulled the glass of blood away from her lips. “Do you think blood is bad for them?” her other hand dropped the book in her lap, placing her hand over her stomach.

“I think nothing that is good for you can possibly be bad for them.” Klaus reached for the book. “Are you looking through my mother’s book for a spell?”

“I was hoping it might have something to help Katherine,” Caroline admitted and reached for the place of fruit grabbing an apple slice. “I found nothing so far.”

“Where did you find it?” Klaus asked.

“Elijah’s room. I went and took it,” Caroline took another drink of the blood.

Klaus laughed. “Elijah’s is not going to like that.”

Caroline shrugged. “I don’t care.”

Klaus tossed the book on the table and turned his body more towards her. “Did you speak with Stefan?”

“I did. My mom told him about what’s going on here and he came out of concern, I guess.”

Klaus nodded, his body becoming tense. “Has he managed to convince you to go back to Mystic Falls?”

Caroline placed her glass on the table and turned toward him. “Klaus, we’ve been over this. I’m not returning to Mystic Falls. Not even for Stefan.”

Klaus swallowed, choosing his words carefully. “Things are different now. Why would you stay here after everything that was done to you?”

Caroline nodded slowly. She needed to get her point across. Klaus had insecurities and she more than anyone understood how powerful they could be, if she let the insecurities take root it could ruin what they were building. He needed her reassurance to silence the voices in his head telling him she would return to Mystic Falls.

Caroline pushed at his shoulders, shoving him back.

Klaus fell back against the cushions surprised. Caroline threw a leg over his hip, settling into his lap, and grasped his face in her hands. “I need you to listen to me and hear me, Klaus. I am not going back to Mystic Falls no matter what happens. Not for Stefan. Not even for my mom. My life is here, with you. I will go where you go. As long as you want me by your side I am going to be there. I won’t leave you.”

Klaus leaned his forehead against hers, his hands coming to rest over her stomach, over their children. “I am never going to want to let you go, love.”

“Then don’t,” Caroline whispered. “Don’t let me go. Always fight for me. Always want me.”

Klaus couldn’t take it anymore. He surged forward, burying his hands in her hair and clashing his mouth against hers.

Caroline deepened the kiss and Klaus licked into her mouth, tasting the blood she had been drinking on her tongue.

A groan tore from his throat as she circled her hips, grinding against him. He grasped at her hips urging her down on his rapidly hardening jean-covered cock.

A whimper pulled from Caroline’s mouth and she gripped his shoulders for leverage, looking for friction as she ground her hips against his, desire taking over.

“Hey, guys, we got a problem,” Diego announced entering a room in the compound, looking worried.

Klaus broke away from Caroline with a growl, his hands digging into her hips.

Caroline looked over her shoulder at Diego, perched in Klaus’s lap. “You know there’s this thing called knocking.”

Diego’s worried expression twisted into mild disgust.

“Just a little common courtesy would be nice.” Caroline reluctantly removed herself from Klaus’s lap.

“What’s wrong?” Klaus asked, readjusting his jeans as he stood. “And there better be a real problem or I might just kill you for the interruption.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Thunder rumbles overhead as Diego leads Klaus, Caroline, and Stefan to the Cauldron to show them what he found.

Stefan had insisted on tagging along last minute when he realized Caroline was going.

“We came to kill the witches, just like you said,” said Diego. “And these two, they went missing. Found them like this, not even staked. Just dead.”

Two vampires were on the ground desiccated, symbols carved into their forehead.

“Someone has to account for this!” Klaus growled.

“Are we talking about revenge?” Caroline questioned. “I’m only asking because even though I’m no expert on magic, I know that marks got to be tied to some bad mojo.”

“I don’t like this,” Stefan said, having a bad feeling. Caroline was in complete agreement.

“Revenge is only the beginning,” Klaus told Caroline before turning to Diego. “We're gonna find whoever did this, and I will show them what suffering is.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Thierry and Rebekah walk into a warehouse at the docks to investigate.

“Used to run things down here for Marcel,” Thierry explained. “Thought you'd like to see what I found before Klaus did.”

Rebekah smirks. “Not a day out of the Garden, and you're already proving yourself useful.”

“We made a deal, and if it screws things for your brother, I'm all for it,” said Thierry. “Though, to be honest, this stuff makes my skin crawl. I've never seen anything like this.”

“Except you’re a little late to the party,” Rebekah told him. “I have ceased my plans for my brother.”

“What?” Thierry glared at her. “You can’t-”

“Quiet,” Rebekah cut him off. “I have seen this before,” Rebekah said as they stop in front of another salt circle on the ground with two dead vampires inside. Both are desiccated and have the same symbol carved into their foreheads. “I have, a long time ago,” said Rebekah, recognizing the mark. “Somebody is copycatting a very dangerous witch. They draw their power from sacrifice.”

“I just don't understand why someone would leave it here for us to find,” said Thierry, distracted by the turn of events.

“Unless they wanted it to be found.” Rebekah pointed out.

Papa Tunde appears from the shadows behind them. Rebekah notices him in shock and horror.

“Mademoiselle Mikaelson.” Papa Tunde greeted.

“That's not possible,” said Rebekah, still unable to believe what she was seeing.

“Sure, it is, chére. It's magic.” Papa Tunde told her.

Rebekah speed vamps toward him to try to kill him, but Papa Tunde simply reaches out and grabs her by the throat. “Symbole du masque et de l'ombre, embrace-toi. Embrace-toi. Symbole du masque et de l'ombre, embrace-toi. Embrace-toi. Symbole du masque et de l'ombre, embrace-toi. Embrace-toi. Symbole du masque et de l'ombre, embrace-toi.”

Rebekah starts to desiccate, and thick gray veins pop up all over her face and neck. Terrified, Thierry speeds vamps and disappears out of the warehouse, leaving Rebekah on her own.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus, Caroline, Elijah, Stefan, and Diego, and many of the other vampires are congregating in the courtyard, discussing their current situation.

“Ah! Someone will die for this.” Klaus declared.

“Remarkably, I don't disagree,” said Elijah. “However, I would like to know where they learned such dark magic.”

“I had hoped never to see that symbol again,” said Klaus. “I recall it is the signature of a fool who once stood against us.”

“Isn’t someone always standing against you?” Stefan asked with an arched eyebrow.

Caroline smacked his arm. “So not the point, Stefan.”

“Clearly, some upstart witch is salvaging old tricks,” Elijah responded.

“Ugh, witches,” Caroline said. “I’m really starting to hate them.”

“Bonnie was a witch,” Stefan reminded her. “Before she became an anchor, she was a witch.”

“Bonnie’s, Bonnie.” Caroline defended. “And she’s different. She’s not morally questionable.”

Stefan couldn’t argue with her there. Plus, Caroline’s hate for the witches in New Orleans was understandable. “What about Davina?”

“Davina is innocent, nothing that has happened is her fault.” Caroline defended her new friend.

“I'll do for him as I did the other.” Klaus turns to Diego. “Diego, when night falls, I want you to gather every vampire in the Quarter. Get me the head of whoever did this and put it on a stick.”

“Yeah. That's gonna be a problem,” replied Diego. “Everyone is freaked out, man. We haven't had witches killing vampires in a long time. Marcel made sure of that.”

“Marcel is no longer in charge and is busy chasing after his human. You lot are left with me. Now, who of you will fight to defend our home?” Klaus looked around to see that no one comes forward. “Not a single one of you will stand with me, so afraid are you of this new threat? You should know better. I'll handle this myself.”

“We will stand with you,”

Klaus turned to see Zach and his pack stepping forward and he smirked. “Good.”

He turned to Caroline. “Stay here, I don’t want you near this,”

Caroline wanted to argue but she did not want witches near her unborn children again. “I’ll be fine,” She brushed a kiss against his stubble jaw.

It wasn’t nearly enough for Klaus, he grasped her chin and kissed her deeply.

Stefan cleared his throat after a moment, uncomfortable seeing Klaus and Caroline kissing each other like they’ve been doing it for years.

Klaus turned and the wolves followed, sending disgusted looks the vampires’ way.

Caroline lifted a hand to her lips watching him leave.

“Stefan a word,” Klaus called over his shoulder. Stefan rolled his eyes and followed him out onto the street.

Klaus turned to him. “Keep an eye on Caroline, will you? It’s only a matter of time before she involves herself.”

“I’m not going to keep her prisoner for you,” Stefan glared.

“I didn’t tell you to keep her in.” Klaus rolled his eyes. “I said keep an eye on her as in help her if she needs it. I promise you now if one hair is harmed on her head and you could have prevented it, your brother won’t be the only Salvatore I want to kill.”

And with those parting words, Klaus left.

Stefan sighed, he came here for Caroline but it looked like he was going to have to deal with Klaus on the regular.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Cami spoke into her phone. “Sophie, the restaurant is an epic disaster again. Do you think maybe you could come in today and…”

The voice mail interrupts: "User's mailbox is full."

“Good-bye,” Cami said annoyed, ending the call.

“Looks like I should've been here last night,” said Marcel.

Cami, startled, looks for anything she can find to use as a weapon, finally settling on an empty liquor bottle on top of the bar. “Before you try anything, I'm on vervain.”

“Yeah, Klaus mentioned you broke free of his compulsion. Good for you.” Marcel wondered.

“What are you doing here?” asked Cami.

“Wanted to see you.” Marcel sits down at the bar.

“I thought now that you have Davina back you wouldn’t be leaving her side.”

“Except now I need to keep New Orleans from falling apart,” Marcel told her.

“Is Klaus causing trouble?” Cami questioned.

“When isn’t he?” Marcel responded, “and I’m more than likely going to have to be the one to clean it up. He has his hands full with Caroline and his kids and Hayley’s betrayal.”

“What are you talking about? What did Hayley do?” Cami questioned.

“Right,” said Marcel. “You wouldn’t know.” He reached for a bottle and poured two shots. “You’re probably gonna need a drink for this.”

Cami joined him at the bar. “Tell me,”

“Caroline is the one Klaus knocked up before coming back to New Orleans,” Marcel said.

Cami’s eyes widened. “But she's a vampire and Hayley is the one who's pregnant.”

“Not anymore,” Marcel shook his head. “The twins are back with Caroline now.”

Cami’s shoulders slumped forward. “I’m so confused.”

Marcel laughed. “It’s pretty unbelievable. From my understanding before the witches brought Caroline to New Orleans, she and Klaus got busy in her hometown, and by some dark magic on Sophie’s and her sister’s behalf they made it possible for Caroline to get pregnant and-”

“But how did they even know about Caroline?” Cami questioned.

“Witches talk.” Marcel shrugged. “Plus, when Klaus Mikaelson truly cares about someone other than himself people tend to notice. It’s no surprise word traveled. Anyway, when the Deveraux witches learned their plan worked and that she was pregnant they lured her here, took her babies, and put them in Hayley’s womb. Hayley went on to pretend it was her pregnancy.”

“Why would someone do that to another woman?” Cami was disgusted.

“The witches promised to help Hayley find her family and she was desperate enough to take the deal,” Marcel said.

“Still,” Cami shook her head.

“So while he’s dealing with that I have to deal with all the other drama he’s left in his wake,” Marcel stated.

“Marcel, I'm sorry,” Cami told him sympathetically. “This all sounds so complicated.”

Marcel shrugged. “Same old, same old.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Elijah walks into Davina’s room to find her going through her old sketches.

“There you are.” Elijah greeted. “Aren’t you supposed to be helping Katerina?”

“I needed a break and something keeps bothering me,” Davina answered, continuing her perusal of her sketches.

Elijah gestures to the sketches. “And it has to do with your drawings?”

“I don’t know but I feel this pull. I know they're telling me something,” Davina insisted. “I don’t understand why I was drawing a witch who has been dead for longer than I’ve been alive. I’m killing time, now that I'm on vampire lockdown.”

“Are you sure it has nothing to do with the harvest?” Elijah asked and Davina glared at him. “Whoever did this, we will deal with them,” Elijah stated. “It won't be long.”

“I'm not worried.” Davina declared. “I can handle what’s thrown my way. I just want to be prepared. I don’t want to get caught off guard. Something’s coming and I need to know what it is so I can protect the people that I care about.”

“I do apologize if you feel all of our problems have fallen on your shoulders,” Elijah told her. “Finding a way to save Katherine, the Sophie and Hayley situation, Caroline. Stefan’s arrival. Rebekah is off trying to make things right. Niklaus grows more agitated with every new threat. You're just a child none of this should have fallen on you.”

“I’m not a child,” Davina said strongly. “I was forced to grow up sooner than I should have but I did it and I can handle this and I will. For Caroline but ultimately for myself. They have not beaten me down and I intend to show them they never will.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Marcel is still sitting at the bar with Cami when his phone rings. It's Klaus. He hits the ignore button and returns to his drink.

“El presidente?” Said Cami.

“He likes to keep track of his people,” Marcel responded.

“Why are you loyal to him, exactly?” Cami wondered.

“For someone who says she can't stand the guy, you sure ask a lot of questions about him.” Marcel pointed out.

“My interest is purely academic.” Cami defended.

“I know what you're doing,” Marcel said, knowingly. “You're mad he used you, and you want to get back at him. Maybe you're hoping I'll let slip some chink in his armor. Friendly advice--don't do that. It won't end well. Let me tell you a story about someone who went up against Klaus.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

1919

Marcel returns home in his military uniform to find a party being held at the compound. Marcel sees Rebekah sitting at a table with an unknown gentleman, and walks toward her.

“This was right after I returned from World War I. I'd been trying to get away from New Orleans for a while. Something kept drawing me back.” Marcel began.

“Why don't you get me some Martinis?” Klaus suggested. “Thank you.”

“Aren't you gonna welcome me home?” Marcel asked Rebekah.

“I wouldn't want you to think that I was happy to see you,” replied Rebekah.

“How long you gonna hate me?” Marcel asked.

“You left me in a box for fifty-two years.” Rebekah glared. “Twice that seems like a good start. Come on, boys.”

Marcel watched her walk away with a look of longing.

Klaus approaches Marcel. “There he is. Our war hero triumphantly returned. Oh, good to have you back, Marcellus. Welcome home.” They drink together. “Mm.”

“Haha! The prodigal son has finally learned to hold his liquor.” Elijah teased.

“The Army'll do that to you,” Marcel replied.

“Well, it's good to have you back,” Elijah told him. “Niklaus was beside himself in your absence.”

“Now that you are here, perhaps you could help settle an argument,” said Klaus. “You see, you've traded a war abroad for one here in the Quarter. Some rogue witch wants a piece of the city we built, and Elijah, for reasons beyond my comprehension, insists that negotiation is our best recourse.”

“Yes,” said Elijah.

“On the topic of your failed comprehension, you neglect, as a soldier, Marcel has seen not only how small the world has become and how fast news can travel, but also the very horrors of war itself.” Klaus continued. “Surely, Marcel would agree with me.”

“The best way for us to defend our home is by exercising discretion.” Elijah insisted.

“So who's the witch you want to kill?” Marcel asked.

“His name is Papa Tunde,” Klaus answered. “I think he's a charlatan. “

“Well, Marcel shall be able to decide that for himself. You invited him here.” Elijah reminded.

“Of course. We're not savages, are we?” Klaus replied.

Papa Tunde arrives at the party, and Klaus immediately approaches him.

“Thank you for accepting our invitation, and welcome.” Klaus greeted. “I hope you'll allow me to play the role of host. If there's anything you need- Anything at all…”

“Pleasure before business, then,” replied Papa Tunde. “Hahaha! Hahaha!”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“I didn't get it at first,” said Marcel. “Klaus was the one who wanted to go to war.”

“So, why was he inviting his enemy into his home?” Cami questioned. “Why be so generous to someone who he's gonna have to kill?”

“But, you see, that's the thing. It was all part of Klaus' plan.” Marcel told her. “He was sussing the guy out, learning his weaknesses, his strengths, getting him to let his guard down. That's how Klaus does it. Then he goes in for the kill.”

“Because he's a two-faced sociopath.” Cami accused. “There's nothing enviable about what Klaus does. He is a monster.”

“We're all monsters, Cami,” Marcel told her. “If you're powerful like Klaus is, you just don't have to bother hiding it.”

“Davina’s powerful,” said Cami. “She is not a monster.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Papa Tunde finishes doing his spell on Rebekah. She laid desiccated in a circle of salt, with his symbol carved into her forehead.

He stands back and admires his work. “It is done. The power of the Original sister flows through me.”

“And will that be enough to make Klaus suffer?” Asked Celeste.

“I will hurt Klaus Mikaelson as he hurt me,” said Papa Tunde. “When I am done, he will wish that he could die.”

“You’re going for Caroline?” Celeste inquired.

“His children will die before they even take their first breath.” Papa Tunde promised and celeste smirked.

Caroline had interfered with her plans when she saved Davina, she would celebrate the blonde’s untimely, tragic demise along with Klaus’s abominable spawns.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“You gonna open this place today?” Marcel asked.

“And risk you eating the clientele?” Cami asked in return.

“Oh, and here I thought you were starting to like me again,” replied Marcel.

Marcel's phone rings again and he answers it.

“Ah, you've stopped chasing after Cami long enough to pick up the phone.” Klaus’s voice came over the line.

“I figured you'd just keep calling,” Marcel replied.

“I'm in the Cauldron now,” Klaus informed him. “You could meet me here, we could start burning passersby at the stake.”

“Sorry. I'm in the middle of something here.” Marcel replied.

“Is she more important than what is happening?” Klaus asked.

“Is Caroline?” Marcel countered. He knew the answer but he wanted Klaus to understand that he could care about someone as well.

Klaus scoffed. “Please you couldn’t possibly feel so deeply for Cami so quickly. Finish up with her and come and help me end this.”

Marcel hangs up the phone not taking too kindly to Klaus’s tone.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Katherine tensed as Klaus walked into her room. Her face forming into a scowl. “Have you finally come to kill me?”

Klaus scoffed. “You have long since lost your importance to me. You live because Caroline wants you to, if you want it to continue that way, I would advise you keep in her good graces.”

Caroline walked in and swatted at him. “Be nice.”

Stefan snorted from the doorway. “I can’t believe you just said that to him.”

“You’re still here?” Katherine asked Stefan in surprise. “I would’ve thought you would have returned to be Elena and Damon’s third wheel by now.”

“Perhaps, I’m learning,” Stefan countered, shooting her an annoyed look.

“Enough,” Klaus said, impatiently. “I did not come here for you.” He turned to Sophie who was glowering at them. “I came here for you, the witch I was looking to brutalize.”

“What now?” Sophie shut the book she had open in her hands. “I am trying to do as you asked.”

Caroline stepped forward. “While I would love to torture you some more, there are some more pressing matters at hand.”

Klaus speeds vamp towards Sophie and grabs her in a chokehold. “Perhaps you could explain the attacks on my men.”

“What about helping me?” Katherine protested, the witch couldn’t help her if she was dead.

“I will handle it.” Davina stepped back into the room, picking up the book Sophie dropped when Klaus hoisted her up by the throat. “We haven’t given up on making sure you don’t die.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Elijah is in the courtyard, trying to reach Rebekah.

“Rebekah is not answering her calls,” said Elijah.

“You worried about whoever killed those daywalkers still being out there?” Josh asked.

“Yes, I'm worried. She is dead set on making things better for Caroline,” replied Elijah. “I’m not sure how far she will take this.”

“Can she really be in any real danger?” Stefan asked. He had left Klaus and Caroline to deal with Sophie not wanting to get involved with torturing the witch.

“Things here in New Orleans are a lot different than Mystic Falls. Much more dangerous. Enemies around every corner.” Elijah notices Thierry drinking alone at a table and joins him. “Thierry, is it?”

“That's right,” Thierry answered.

“My sister is rather fond of you. Strange, she's not typically drawn to unremarkable men.” Elijah commented. “Would you care to explain your sudden magnetism?”

“I don't know what you're…” Thierry started.

Elijah, annoyed, grabs him by the throat and pushes him against the wall.

“You can either tell me what you know, or I can distribute tiny pieces of you throughout the Quarter.” Elijah threatened.

Stefan crossed his arms wondering where Elijah was going with this. Usually, it was Klaus’s method to use threats and fear to reach a goal.

“She asked me to keep an eye out on witch stuff,” said Thierry reluctantly. “I found something, and when I showed her, we were jumped by some guy. He desiccated her with his touch.”

“Like a coward, you left her.” Elijah accused angrily.

Stefan dropped his arms and stepped forward. “You did what?”

“What was I supposed to do, fight some warlock that took out an Original?” Thierry asked.

“Yes, if you were friends you shouldn’t have left her,” Stefan scolded.

“Where was this, exactly?” Elijah questioned.

“The docks, warehouse 57,” Thierry answered. “I was just doing what she asked. You cannot tell Klaus about this.”

Elijah throws Thierry against the wall. He's unconscious. “I shall take that into consideration,” said Elijah.

”I'm coming with you.” Caroline appeared. “I need a break from hearing Hayley wail when all I want to do is kill her.”

“You're not going with Klaus to handle the witch thing?” Stefan asked.

“No,” the truth was she was concerned for Rebekah. She was still mad at Rebekah but she didn’t want her in any real danger.

“No. Stay here.” Elijah instructed. “The compound is safe.”

“First, Rebekah is in trouble. I'm going. Second, I don’t care what is safe” Caroline was not going to stay behind. “And third, you don’t get to tell me what to do. No one does.”

Elijah considers this and sighs. “Do not leave my sight. I don’t look forward to being daggered by my brother for the rest of time.”

“If Caroline is going, I’m going,” Stefan said. He was determined to stay by her side and be there when she needed a friend. He needed to make up for being a bad one.

Caroline nods, and the three leave for the docks.

Elijah prayed nothing was going to happen to Caroline. He would really hate to end up in a coffin even longer than Finn or watch Klaus ripped Katerina’s heart just to watch him suffer.

Niklaus was the most vengeful, vindictive person he knew.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“Me calling things off with you wasn't lack of interest. I was hoping to save you from all this.” Marcel told Cami.

“Well, thanks, Romeo, but I'm in it,” Cami replied. “So, when are you gonna get to the good part with Klaus and that Papa guy?”

“Papa Tunde said he wanted to empower the witches. Mostly, he wanted money and territory. Klaus and Elijah weren't about to give him either. He didn't like that, so he went on a rampage.” Marcel continued his story.

“No one was safe. Not the humans in the faction. Not the Guerrera werewolves. He even went after the witches who opposed him. Elijah offered a truce. He gave his word, in fact, but Klaus, being Klaus, he had another idea.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Papa Tunde is waiting in their meeting place when he hears someone enter. “You're late, Elijah. It's not like the noble brother to keep me waiting.”

“I'm sorry, mate. Elijah is the brother you meet when negotiations are to be had. I'm the one you get when negotiations are closed.” Klaus informed him, something dangerous shining in his eyes.

“You do not scare me,” said Papa Tunde. “You have no idea the power I possess.”

“Oh, in fact, I made it a point to learn all about your power,” Klaus responded. “I noticed how you're almost always near those twin sons of yours, how they bear your distinctive mark. Got me to thinking--you channel their power, don't you? Which, of course, begs the question: what would happen were that power to be taken away, if those sons whose lives you depend on were suddenly struck down? What of that power then?”

Marcel brings in a box and sets it down. Papa Tunde looks into the box and sees the severed heads of his twin sons.

“I will kill you for this.” Papa Tunde vowed enraged.

“I cannot be killed.” Klaus declared confidently. “You, however…”

Klaus zooms over to him and presses his thumbs into Papa Tunde's eyes.

“Aagh!” Papa Tunde cried out in pain, blood streaming out of his eye sockets.

Klaus pressed harder, his thumbs smashing through his eyes and into his brain, killing him.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“That's awful!” Cami was horrified.

“Oh, to Klaus, it's just business,” said Marcel.

“And don't you think there's something fundamentally wrong with that?” Cami questioned. “Don't you worry you'll end up one of his victims or, worse, just like him?”

Cami wondered how Caroline could justify being with someone like Klaus if this was the man that laid beneath all the art and charm. Let alone have children with him.

Papa Tunde suddenly appears in the bar. “Poor Marcellus. You remain always in the shadow of your father. Climb out from beneath it, will you, so you can die like a man?”

“Cami, you need to run now. Don't look back. Just go.” Marcel urged her urgently, wanting her to get to safety.

“I think she should stay,” said Papa Tunde. “I prefer an audience, and I'm about to put on quite the show.”

“Marcel?” Cami was unsure of what to do.

“I said get out of here,” Marcel ordered.

Cami, terrified, hesitates in the doorway, not wanting to leave Marcel alone.

“You cannot defeat me.” Papa Tunde declared, he strode forward like he was stalking prey, his sights set on Marcel. “I channel the power of an Original vampire. Soon, I will have all three. But first, I will take you, however not before you can tell me where I can find Caroline Forbes. I will take from Klaus what he has taken from me.”

Even after all this time the loss of his sons still left him with unbridled rage and the need to take everything from Klaus.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Sophie examines the abandoned desiccated vampires that Papa Tunde left for the vampires to find at the docks. “It's a complex spell. Old-school stuff, rooted in sacrificial magic. Whoever did this to your guys, my guess is they were an offering to gain more power. More guys they kill, more power they have.”

Klaus's phone rings, and when he sees it's Cami, he answers it, motioning for Zach beside him to not take his eyes off of Sophie. “I didn't expect a call from you.”

“You need to get to Rousseau's now. Some lunatic witch doctor looking for Caroline is killing Marcel.” Cami told him. “He refuses to give her up. I can maybe buy him some time, maybe lie about where she is-”

“Say one word about Caroline to him and I will make you regret it. There is a line that can’t be crossed. Not even by you.” Klaus hung up abruptly, meeting the worried eyes of Zach, he was gripping Sophie by the arm, ensuring she didn’t try anything as he got distracted by the mention of the only vampire he considered a part of his pack. “Stay with her.” He ordered

Zach nodded. “Caroline?”

“Don’t worry about her. I have it covered. Keep your focus where it’s needed.” Klaus looked at Sophie. “If you try anything your coven will suffer the consequences.”

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t try anything.”

Klaus turned to see a familiar face.

“You, your Katherine’s daughter, right?” Klaus' eyes narrowed on the brunette who's been in and out of the compound since they brought Katherine to New Orleans. He hadn’t really cared to question her whereabouts. She held absolutely no importance to him.

“Yes,” Nadia answered. “We don’t need her breaking free. I need her to save my mother.”

“I need her to suffer.” Klaus retorted. “Don’t make me regret this or I’ll take you from your mother just like I did the rest of her family. “

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Caroline, Stefan, and Elijah arrive at where Theirry told them about. Rebekah's body was on the ground. Caroline started to run toward her but Stefan stopped her pointing toward the magic circle beneath Rebekah’s body.

Elijah is also on the phone with Sophie.

“Rebekah!” Elijah goes to kneel next to her, but can't cross the barrier made by the salt.

“What’s going on?” Caroline questioned.

“Some kind of boundary spell.” Elijah answered..” Someone is channeling her. Typically, it's a lethal process, but, because she's an Original, she can't die. Instead, she's an endless source of power. “

“So what are we supposed to do?” Stefan asked. “I can only imagine the damage that could be done by channeling an Original.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Papa Tunde bends over Marcel and holds his knife to his forehead as he begins to carve in his mark. “As I recall, you're one of the few people Niklaus Mikaelson ever gave a damn about. You know what he did to my family.”

“Aah!” Marcel cried out.

“The sins of the father are paid for by the son. I will take pleasure in telling Klaus how you died.” Papa Tunde told him. “And how you refused to give up the woman carrying his spawns.”

“Wait!” Cami screamed, running back inside. “I can get Caroline here. Just don’t kill him.” She ignored the look of betrayal coming from Marcel. She was trying to save his life.

“No!” Marcel snapped through the pain. “She has to stay away from him.”

“Marcel, he's going to kill you.” Cami protested. “If we give him what he wants-”

“You will do no such thing!”

Cami gasped, whirling around to see Klaus, his face black with rage.

She took a step back frightened.

“I would kill anyone who puts Caroline in danger for whatever the reason.” Klaus shoved Cami back and she crashed into a table, crying out in surprise and by the force. “No one’s well being is worth more than hers.”

Papa Tunde glared. “You cannot protect Caroline or your children she carries, no more than you can protect Marcellus, here.”

Papa Tunde prepares to kill Marcel but Klaus runs forward, ripping him away from Marcel.

“I remember killing you,” said Klaus. “I rather relished it. What a joy it is to relive fond memories.”

“I can crush you before the eyes of your son.” Papa Tunde said, brushing himself off. “Then, I will consume you both and then I will kill Caroline and end your children’s lives before they take their first breath. This time, I'm stronger.”

Klaus' eyes turned amber. “Stay away from my family!”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“You're not listening. We cannot enter the circle. There's some kind of confinement spell... If I can't remove her, we can't break the link.” Elijah explained to Sophie on the phone.

“It's a convoluted spell. It's like a witch's recipe. You can spoil the balance by adding a more potent ingredient.” Sophie informed him. “A mystical binding agent. I don't know, volcanic ash, rock salt...anything up to and including eye of newt.”

“What about the blood of a witch?” Elijah inquired.

“Do you have the blood of a witch?” Sophie asked, confused.

Elijah turns to Caroline. “I need a favor.”

“Why are you looking at me? I have vampire blood.” Caroline protested.

“The babies, Caroline,” Stefan interjected. “Their Quarter witches.”

Caroline nodded slowly, she raised her wrists to her lips and bit into it gingerly, drawing blood. She walked toward the circle, holding her wrist out and letting the blood fall on the magic boundary line. It starts to fizzle and deteriorate.

Elijah is able to get through, and he quickly picks up Rebekah and takes her out of the circle.

He nodded at Caroline and Stefan to follow him before speed vamping out.

Caroline looked down at the ruined magic line. A little surprised it had work and that her vampire blood had not tainted it. She vamped away and Stefan followed in her wake.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Papa Tunde has the upper hand on Klaus, Papa Tunde’s superior strength throwing Klaus off and is about to finish him off when he suddenly becomes weak when his link to Rebekah is broken. Klaus is able to stun Papa Tunde long enough to run over to Marcel.

“Uhhh, is he dead?” Cami asked.

“Get out of here.” Klaus glared at her.

“Is Marcel dead? Did that guy kill him?” Cami questioned, ignoring his glare.

“He didn't finish him off. Marcel needs blood to heal. Go. Find me someone off the street.” Klaus ordered.

“I'll do it,” Cami told him.

“Fine. Get over here.” Klaus snapped. He didn’t have time for this.

Cami rushes over to Marcel and puts his mouth to her neck. “It's ok, Marcel. It's ok. It's ok, Marcel.”

Klaus barely spared the two of them a look, needing to find Caroline. She was being used as a target against him. Again.

He needed her beside him. He needed to know she was safe.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Rebekah ambushes Thierry in an alley. “Ah! I should rip out your coward heart.”

“What, Rebekah? We made a deal to take out your brother. You were the one to go back on that deal, and at the end of the day, it's every man for himself.” Thierry responded.

“I am so sick of self-serving narcissists. Are men simply incapable of thinking about anyone but themselves?” Rebekah demanded angrily.

Elijah speeds up to Thierry and snaps his neck.

“Oh, I asked you to cease these petty moves against our family, and yet you conspire with this fool. Is this what it's come to, making moves against your own blood?” Elijah asked, looking at Rebekah with disappointment.

“I called it off and don't you try and shame me,” Rebekah replied. “Nik grows more powerful by the day, and you do nothing but encourage him. Before the truth came out, I was set on taking him down but this isn’t about Klaus anymore, it’s about our whole family. I know we need to stick together for the sake of Caroline. She has a target on her back. If we don’t stick together her children may never see their first sunrise. I refuse to let that happen. She has inherited enemies she doesn’t deserve.”

“I offer him, my counsel because it's clear to me that he needs to make the city our home. Now, perhaps leading these derelicts will curb some of these impulses, grant him some degree of happiness. Caroline is that happiness. We will all protect her.” Elijah said. “We all will make sacrifices in the name of this family, Rebekah, but know this. I will never stand against you or Niklaus.” Elijah told her.

“What about Hayley?” Rebekah questioned. “Are we just going to let her live after everything she has done to deceive our family for her own gain? Are we just going to let her go?”

“We are going to let Caroline and Niklaus decide her fate, she wronged them more than any of us. It should be them who decide her punishment. Not us.” replies Elijah.

Rebekah glowered, she wanted to kill Hayley for her treachery. The wolf girl didn’t deserve to breathe another breath.

“I think death would be a blessing for her.”

Elijah and Rebekah turned to see Stefan standing there.

“How long have you’ve been there?” Elijah questioned with narrowed eyes.

“Long enough to know Rebekah was making plans against your brother,” Stefan answered.

“Will you tell him and Caroline?” Rebekah demanded.

“No,” Stefan answered. “I don’t see what good it will do.”

“Be sure that you don’t, Stefan,” Elijah told him. “Or your time here in New Orleans won’t end well.”

Stefan watched him and then looked at Rebekah. “Did he just threaten me?”

“What are you doing here, Stefan?” Rebekah asked on a sigh.

“I came here for Caroline. She should have a friend here.” Stefan said. “And I have a lot of making up to do in that department.”

“I know that,” Rebekah rolled her eyes. “I meant here. Why did you follow me?”

“I wanted to make sure you were okay,” Stefan admitted.

Rebekah met his eyes, she could see his honest expression but then again it wouldn’t be the first time Stefan deceived her into thinking he actually cared about her.

She looked away. “Don’t bother yourself with me. I’m fine. I always am.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Marcel walks into the Jardin Gris Voodoo shop, where Rebekah is standing and waiting for him.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Rebekah said in greeting.

“That symbol is already up and down the cauldron, more of them popping up everywhere,” Marcel said.

“I suppose Papa Tunde is marking his territory,” Rebekah replied.

“I'm told you saw him, as well,” said Marcel.

“Yeah. Brought up a lot of memories. Memories that are best left buried.” Rebekah stated.

Marcel swallowed. Memories of a secret long since buried 90 years ago that if it ever came to light would find him and Rebekah on the run for their lives.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

1919

“You're soused. Celebrating Klaus' defeat of the mad Papa Tunde?” asked Rebekah.

“Not celebrating, drowning sorrows,” Marcel told her. “I'm the one who brought Tunde to town.”

“What?” Rebekah replied.

“I made some inquiries while I was abroad, wanted the most dangerous witch anyone could find,” Marcel informed her.

“Why on earth would you do that?” Rebekah wondered.

“For you,” Marcel answered. “I figured if someone as bad as Tunde comes in, maybe Klaus gets chased off. Very least, he's occupied enough that he can't stop me from trying to get you back.”

“You mean to tell me that you would tear down everything my family built, everything you helped us build, risk your own life on the off chance that I would show you the slightest bit of affection?” Rebekah asked.

“I would,” Marcel answered. “I did. I'd do it again.”

“Klaus has killed a thousand Tunde's. All his life, there's only ever been one man he has truly feared. My father Mikael.” Rebekah told him.

“The vampire who hunts vampires,” said Marcel.

“If he came here, Klaus would flee and never turn back,” Rebekah told him. “All we need is a witch who can help us find him.”

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus commanded the attention of the whole compound as he spoke directly to the vampires of the french quarter.

“Not long ago, you all united against me. You failed. Since then, in my benevolence, I have wiped the slate clean, yet it seems clear you think that I am the one who needs to earn your respect, your loyalty. You're mistaken. It is you who must prove yourselves to me. Our community is under attack. I require soldiers. I need warriors, not cowards. Each of you has a decision to make. You either fight alongside me and my wolves or you leave now.”

“We don't owe you anything. If staying in the Quarter means living under your rule, working with wolves, I'd just as soon get the hell out.” Thierry declared.

Caroline grabbed Klaus’s hand as they watched a handful of vampires join Thierry and walk out of the compound. Thierry looks at Diego in hopes that he'll come along, but he gives him a pained look and stays behind.

Theirry couldn’t believe his friend was choosing to stay. Diego hated wolves and for good reason. His family was torn apart by them.

Afterward, Marcel, Caroline, and Klaus talk with Sophie.

“I got to admit, I thought you'd lose a lot more guys than that,” Marcel told him.

“Well, good riddance to them, I say,” Klaus replied. “We've no room for slackers or cowards in our kingdom. Now that you've regained your composure, let's move on to the next item of business, shall we, with a little help from our prisoner Sophie.”

“The last thing I want to do is help any of you!” Sophie snapped.

“Now, now, don't be difficult,” Klaus told her.

“You're lucky you’re still alive. You should be more grateful.” Caroline said, wanting nothing more than to slap the taste out of the witch's mouth but now was not the time to torture her some more. That time would come again later.

“You'll only live as long as you're of use to me, and right now, your best use is to explain why a witch I killed has come back for revenge. Come on. Resurrected witches with vast power?” Klaus insisted.

“It's the Harvest. To die and be reborn.” Sophie told him. “I don't know how, but someone jacked that power, and they used it to bring back three witches, just not the right ones.”

“Davina’s not in danger, is she?” Caroline asked, speaking the words before Marcel could.

“I don’t know,” Sophie answered.

“Well be sure.” Marcel ground out. “I will not lose her.”

“Let's concentrate on the immediate problem, shall we?” Klaus suggested. “Papa Tunde wants revenge. He'll continue to attack us, channeling power from the vampires he sacrifices. He kills, he grows more dangerous. So how do I end him? He needs sacrifices to gain power.”

Klaus needed to kill him, he wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing he was out there, wanting to take from him what Klaus himself took from Papa Tunde.

“Hmm. You keep him from killing any more nightwalkers, that's a start.” Sophie told him.

“Easier said than done in a city full of them.” Caroline snapped at her, just hearing Sophie speak made her want to rip her tongue out through her throat.

“Caroline’s right,” Klaus said. “If he finds the one place with a load of vampires ready to be sacrificed,” Klaus stated.

They all look at each other with a look of dawning realization.

Stefan who was standing back, for the most part, minding his own business stepped forward. “What’s happening now?”

“Nothing good,” Caroline said and leaned into Klaus’s side, seeking his touch. She felt more grounded when she could feel any part of him pressed against her.

Klaus’s arm wound around her waist, his hand curving around her side, unthinkingly, he leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

It was actions like these that threw everyone around him, having never seen Klaus so tactile so affectionate.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Klaus, Marcel, Stefan and Caroline, and Zach arrive at the garden only to discover that they are too late. All of the vampires are dead, sacrificed by Papa Tunde.

Not only that the wolves he had guarding the place until he got there were dead.

Caroline’s hand went to her mouth, she knew every wolf by name, she had got to know in the short period after being introduced to them and had formed an attachment.

They were good and they had welcomed her into their pack, willing to overlook that she was a vampire, they trusted her and protected her and she did the same for them.

Now, here they were. Gone. Dead at her feet.

Anger coursed through her with a viciousness that left her reeling.

“How could this happen?” Zach stumbled forward, falling to his knees in disbelief.

“This..this act of violence,” Caroline turned to Klaus, her eyes blackened with her rage. “Can not go unanswered. Their lives meant something. These were our people and they slaughtered them! We have to make everyone involved pay!”

Marcel's brow raised up to his hairline at her harsh reaction.

Klaus was enthralled by her words, the anger coming off her in waves, she vibrated with righteous anger for their wolves.

The way she had accepted his wolves as her family was something he admired. “Nothing that has happened today will go unanswered, I promise you that, love.” He cupped her face, his thumbs tracing the black veins beneath her eyes. Soothing them away.

Caroline breathed slowly, her eyes closing at his touch. A calm washing over her, pushing her anger back down just beneath the surface. She nodded and released him. She stepped forward and placed her hand on Zach’s shoulder. “We will make this right.”

Zach nodded numbly, his hand coming up to cover her own. Thankful for her support, he looked at Klaus seeing the same readiness to avenge the wolves in his eyes.

Stefan wanted to reach out and offer his support to Caroline but it seemed she had all the support she needed.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Celeste meets with Papa Tunde near a crypt in the Lafayette cemetery.

“Is it done?” asked Celeste.

“This blade now contains all the power I harvested from the vampires. It will do things worse than death, even to an Original,” said Papa Tunde.

“And are you ready for the final offering?” Celeste questioned.

“Will you avenge my sons?” Papa Tunde asked.

“Klaus will never get the chance to see his children be born,” Celeste vowed darkly

Papa Tunde nodded in acceptance. “In the name of the witches of the French Quarter, it is my honor.” Papa Tunde hands her the bone knife.

“Thank you, Papa Tunde.” Celeste stands behind him and slits his throat with the knife.

Celeste breathed deeply, her hands coated in Papa Tunde’s blood. Her plan of making Klaus suffer was closer than ever thanks to Papa Tunde’s sacrifice to her cause.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Caroline walked into Katherine’s room, Davina sat on the floor surrounded by a mountain of books. Elijah was seated on the bed next to Katherine who appeared to be asleep.

“Where’s Josh?” Caroline wondered.

“I told him to go find something to drink. He couldn’t stop talking about blood.” Davina looked up from her book to Caroline. “How did today go?”

“I don’t really want to talk about it,” Caroline said. “I rather talk about how things are going here. Have you found anything yet?”

“No,” Davina answered reluctantly. “But I will find something. I will, I just need more time.”

“I don’t know how much time she has left.” Elijah didn’t look away from Katherine. He reached his hand brushing her hair back from her face. “We need to save her before it’s too late.”

“She knows that,” Caroline cut a look at him. “Don’t pressure her. It’s not all on her.”

“I promise I will try everything I can to help her.” Davina insisted.

“Good but don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Have you eaten at all today?” Caroline asked.

“No,” Davina shook her head.

“Come on, then,” Caroline looped her arm through hers. “I haven’t either and I am starving for blood but I am craving actual food. I talked my friend Stefan into cooking for me. He’s a good cook. He makes great pasta.”

“Caroline,” Elijah protested but Caroline ignored him and walked out the door with Davina.

She would not allow Davina to neglect taking care of herself.

Nadia, Katherine’s daughter appeared in front of them in the hall. “Where are you going? You're supposed to be helping my mother.”

“And she will but right now, she is going to eat and then get a good night's sleep and rest her mind.” Caroline moved protectively in front of Davina. “And if you don’t like it, you can leave.”

Nadia took a step forward as if to challenge her and Caroline raised one pointed brow, daring her to try something.

Nadia with an angry huff pushed past them into her mother’s room.

“Do we like her?” Davina asked as they walked down the stairs.

“Not sure yet,” Caroline answered, leading Davina to the kitchen. “Don’t really know her.”

Stefan was pulling something out of the oven, Josh was seated at a table, drinking from a bag of blood while engaging Stefan in conversation.

“Something smells good,” Davina said, looking toward Stefan.

“That would be baked pasta. I hope you like Italian.” Stefan popped the platter on the counter.

Caroline leaned forward getting a better look. The melted cheese mixed with red sauce and beef looked delicious and smelled even better. “It looks great, you know, if you’re going to be sticking around I might talk you into cooking for me more often.”

“I am sticking around and shouldn’t Klaus be the one taking care of your food cravings?”

Klaus walked into the room. “I take care of all her cravings.” He tugged Caroline into his side, placing a kiss on her neck.

Davina made a disgusted face. “TMI.”

“Agreed.” Stefan put two plates on the counter and filled them with pasta putting them in front of the two girls. “I am not used to seeing the two of you together.”

“Well, you better get used to it then because it’s not about to change.” Caroline took a seat and started digging into the food. “Thanks for the food, Stefan. I’m starving.”

“I would imagine,” Klaus moved around and set a glass of blood in front of her.

“Is it your blood?” Caroline asked curiously, giving Davina a look of encouragement to eat.

“No,” Klaus pulled up a seat next to her, his hand resting on her knee.

“Pity,” Caroline said, wishing it was his blood. She loved the taste of his life-sustaining life force on her tongue.

Klaus moved his hand on her knee higher, fingers curling around her thigh. “Later.” his eyes held promise and Caroline felt heat rush through her.

“You guys are blood sharing?” Stefan asked, surprised. Wow, being together was one thing and accidental pregnancy another but blood sharing, that was like a whole other ballpark of seriousness in a vampire relationship. The only thing more serious would be if they had shared the vampire mate claim.

“Not really,” Caroline said. “He doesn’t drink from me and I don’t like being poisoned by a hybrid bite”

“You could always bite your wrist for him,” Davina suggested and Caroline looked at her. “I know this is not a discussion for me.”

“Actually, that’s a great idea. Klaus and I will have to try it.” Caroline said, her interest piqued.

“We will?” Klaus asks, his eyes darkened with want, imaging the taste of Caroline’s blood on his tongue as he was buried deep inside her.

Caroline bit her lip. “We will.”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Stefan cut in. “How about you keep the blood sharing interest in the bedroom and eat your food.”

Klaus grinned. “I could eat but it’s definitely not food.”

Davina’s eyes nearly widened and Caroline choked on air, her cheeks heating. “Klaus!”

Klaus smirked at her in response that devilish smirk that had Caroline squeezing her thighs together as desire shot through her.

“I think I am going to take my food back to my room.” Davina stood up and made a quick exit, waving a hand when Caroline called out an apology.

Stefan sent Caroline a strained smile. “I’m going to leave you to enjoy your food.”

Caroline watched him go, knowing it was just an excuse for him to leave. He might be weirded out by her relationship with Klaus but she didn’t care.

She dug into her food, moaning at the taste. Stefan sure did know how to cook.

Klaus’s hand tightened on her thigh and she looked at him to see his pupils were blown wide, eyes dark with that look she was quite familiar with and despite the hard and difficult day, her lips pulled into a smile.

“Want some?” She asked, her smile coy and flirty.

“Yes,” he answered.

Caroline extended a bite to him.

“Not of your food,” he said roughly, resisting the urge to pull her against him.

Caroline's own eyes darkened with want. She quickly ate her food and pushed the plate away and downed her glass of blood.

The second she was out of her seat and on her feet, Klaus hauled her against his body, urging her to wrap her legs around him.

Caroline did so eagerly, her arms going around his shoulders, eyes sliding shut as his mouth slanted over hers.

Klaus groaned, he could taste the blood she had been drinking on her tongue.

It was mere seconds before Caroline felt her back resting against soft sheets, Klaus’s weight a comfortable feeling settling over her.

Klaus pulled his mouth from hers tugging at her shirt.

Caroline rose up, allowing him to remove her shirt.

She fell back against the bed as he kissed a path down the valley of her breast to her rounding stomach.

His hands moved to cup her belly, the softness in his kisses had tears filling Caroline’s eyes, her chest tightening with emotion. “I’ve been avoiding my mom.”

Klaus looked up at her, waiting for her to say more. “I know she’s going to have questions about the pregnancy and I can’t talk about it with her.”

Klaus pushed down his desire and moved back up her body, he rolled off her laying on his side, and pulling her into him. “Why?”

“Sometimes it doesn’t feel real,” Caroline confessed.

“What?” Klaus looked at her taken aback. “What doesn’t feel real? Us? The babies? All of it?”

Carolien placed her hand on his heart, wanting to reassure him. “Not us. What we have is the realist thing I have ever felt in my life. I meant the pregnancy.”

Klaus's hand came to rest over her stomach. “Trust me it’s real. I can hear their small hearts. I know you can too.”

“It’s a beautiful sound,” Caroline’s eyes grew wet with unshed tears. “I love hearing it, knowing they're there.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Klaus asked, his hand absentmindedly stroking her belly, caressing his unborn children.

“What if they’re more hers than mine?” Caroline whispered, voicing her fears.

“I don’t understand,” Klaus said, her words confusing him.

“She had all this time to connect with them, to form a bond. I feel like I missed so much. I feel like they're no longer mine. It's almost like she has this claim on them that I don’t. And if I feel like this now, how can I possibly be a good mother to them?”

Klaus lifted a hand to her cheek as a lone tear slipped from Caroline’s eye and brushed it away. “Caroline, love, you are everything any good mother should be. Your kind, loving, caring, selfless, forgiving and so fiercely protective of the people you love. Being a mother is going to come naturally like everything else for you.”

Caroline's lips pulled into a smile before she put her hand on the back of his neck and leaned forward, pressing her mouth to his in a meaningful kiss.

Klaus kissed her back, his arms going around her, pulling her flush against him, his lips moved down her jaw. “Is that all that’s bothering you? Today was a hard day. How are you dealing with everything?” His every word was pressed against his skin as he spoke.

“Shh,” Caroline rolled onto her back, pulling him on top of her. “Everything else can wait. Talking can wait.” She pulled his mouth back to hers. “I just want to feel us.”

Klaus kissed her deeper, her mouth opening beneath his inviting him inside, he reached behind her unfastening her bra.

Caroline pushed her head back, her body arching as his lips traveled across her skin, leaving a burning fire in his wake.

She put everything else out of her mind and focused on the here and now.

She and Klaus, the way he made her feel, how he knew her body like one of his sketches.

She lost herself to the most real thing she ever felt.

And when he finally pushed inside her, eyes locked on hers, one hand digging into her thigh the other planted next to her head, she felt like everything would work itself out.

She would make damn sure of it because she was not giving up the life she was building or her new family.

Always and Forever.

It was the Mikaelson family motto.

And now it was hers.

She held on tightly to Klaus as he moved inside her, branding himself on her soul.

She opened herself to him, letting down all her walls and defenses, pushing the love she had into his heart, wanting him to know, to believe after all his time on this earth he wasn’t alone and he never had to feel like he was.

She will always be there.

She wasn’t going anywhere without him.

A/N: Thanks for reading!

Tags: @zinebaklaro @eloiselili @caritobear @paulinhaals @lord-luminous @bellarkehotchniss @fantasylover4evr @storm-pirate

#Klaroline #klaroline fic #klaus x caroline #klaus mikaelson #caroline forbes #fanfic #fic: good to you #the vampire diaries #the originals

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bastillewolf · 4 years

Text

Midnight In Sheffield (VII)

Pairing: Alex Turner/Reader

Summary: When a soon-to-be-wedded insomniac author heads back home to visit her parents, she comes across the likes of a mysterious musician whilst on her sleepless escapade in the AM.

Notes: I took a bit longer to write this chapter, and thank you all so much for the patience. If you didn’t know yet; I got accepted into a writing school! I can’t express the gratitude I feel right now, I owe it all to you. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy.

Let me know if you’d like to be added to the tag list!

Chapter VII - I Wanna Be Yours

Her feet dragged across the pavement, and this time they showed no hesitance because they knew exactly where they were going.

She didn’t find the building she was looking for the first corner she rounded, so she took a detour, until the lights seemed to change and the asphalt disappeared and she nearly tripped over the uneven brick road. A group of men turned their heads when they’d heard her swear loud enough she was sure she’d woken up the deaf grandma that lived in the attic at the end of the street.

As soon as she met his eyes in the pub, she wasted no time do drag him away from a very confused Matt, out to the hallway where the bathrooms were. They were occupied by couples doing, well, what you can imagine they were doing, as well as ladies trying to not-so-subtly sniff a questionable substance from its counters, but she couldn’t be bothered right now. Alex didn’t seem surprised to see her, and it irritated her how calm he was while she was practically having a mental breakdown.

“Guess who I met this morning,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

He raised a brow disdainfully, almost offended by the way she was manhandling him and throwing vague questions at him. But she didn’t waver, so he thought he’d humour her anyway. “The wedding planner? I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to be a bit more specific,” he replied.

“Oh, I’ll be a bit more specific,” she ground out, “I was just about to head down for breakfast, when I found that my mum had guests over. A couple, about her age, people I’d never even met before. But somehow, they seemed familiar to me.”

Alex hesitated. He had a feeling where this was going, yet remained silent.

“That’s when I learned their last names. Turner. And they told me all about their missing son, and how he hadn’t even left a note saying he was leaving, and how worried they were. That the only reason they hadn’t called the police yet was because you’d pulled off stunts like this before. But that now, you’ve been gone for years. Without a word.”

“I don’t think it’s any of your business, really-“

“Oh, don’t you fucking start with me, Turner. You made it my business when you started interfering with mine.”

It took her a moment to realize why her mouth was tingling. He had his lips pressed against hers, and they were warm and inviting. He tasted like what she’d expected him to this time around; expensive whiskey with a hint of smoke. His eyes were closed, and without those piercing brown orbs staring back up at her, she almost thought she was kissing someone else.

Hang on a minute.

She shoved him back, “You can’t just do that!”

He raises his eyebrows innocently. “Why not?”

“You’re trying to distract me!”

“Whether or not you get distracted by me is irrelevant, love. I was just hoping we could have a good time, and I was, until you nearly knocked me off my feet and dragged me out into some dirty hallway.”

She glared at him, “You deserved that. I’m engaged.”

Looking across the hall and around the bar, he casually shrugged. “I don’t see him anywhere. And I certainly didn’t hear you complaining last night.”

She felt it at the pit of her stomach when faced with reality; a deep, underlying sense of guilt. What had happened between her and Alex, was something she hadn’t ever felt before. And that scared her senseless. It shouldn’t happen. It couldn’t happen. And she had to make it very evident to him, that this could not go on this way. She had Mark, ad he was all she needed. He didn’t deserve this. Neither of them did.

“Alex, what happened yesterday, it was a mistake. I shouldn’t have let it get to that point, and I’m sorry I led you to believe that I felt that same interest in you that you have for me. It can’t happen again, and I hope you understand.”

He seemed indifferent, but his words were harsh as he took a step closer to her, up until the point where she could feel his hot breath fanning across her already burning cheeks. “You can blame it on wedding nerves, or insomnia, or insecurities all you want, love. But I think you and I both know that last night really meant something. I can’t blame you for lying to me, I really don’t mind. I’ve had enough lies thrown at me before. The thing is, though, I won’t let you lie to yourself. You’re better than that, smarter than that. And most importantly, you deserve better than to be in a situation where you have to lie to yourself to not give into those feelings.”

“Alex-“

“I’ll tell you all about my parents. About what’s going on. About why everything seems to be stuck in time when the moon finally hits the sky. I’ll tell you, but only if you’ll tell me how you really feel.”

“I…” She hesitated.

All she could think about was that night Mark walked away from her. She thought of how sad her mother would be to hear she wouldn’t get married after all. She thought of Rachel and James, who would be telling her they told her so, and then laugh about it all behind their back.

She thought of what might happen to her if Mark wasn’t there. How was she going to get around?

She thought of all that time wasted, trying to make something work that might not have ever been intended to work at all.

“…I don’t know what to feel right now.”

She looked up at him in search for answers, but he wasn’t willing to give her any.

“I feel… scared, confused… and most of all, fucking tired.”

She was glad to see the corner of his mouth quirk up at that at the very least, and comforted when he slung his arm around her shoulders, and said, “Let’s go get you a coffee, then.”

***

Alphonse was a trained chef from years of hard work at the cook’s school in Paris. He knew how to make any dish, in any way, shape or form, and most importantly; how to make one with love. It might sound cheesy, but everyone knows that’s the key ingredient to a successful meal.

Alphonse was very good at cooking and working with love. He was also very good with the ladies, if he was allowed to say so himself. But he had to admit, his temperament was short, and he was awfully bad at being patient with people who were subconsciously withholding affection from one another.

So, when Mr. Turner had stepped back into the restaurant with his Cherie asking for a cup of coffee and looking mighty burdened with heavy topic, he scraped back his chair, and stormed off into the kitchen to angrily grind some coffee beans.

“Is he all right?” she wondered, as she hung her coat over her chair.

Alex shrugged it off.

Furthermore, even though their cups nearly cracked from the force Alphonse smacked them onto their table with, the restaurant was as quiet as ever at this hour.

“I suppose I’ll leave you to it, then,” the chef grumbled, and strutted back into his kitchen.

She turned back to the steaming dark liquid, trying to focus her attention on the swirls her spoon were creating instead of the tense feelings she got from being alone with Alex once more.

“It’s a long story,” he finally spoke up, “But I need you to look at me while I tell it.”

She did as asked.

***

“When we were still in school, we’d already started the band. Played a few gigs here and there. Managed to catch the eye of a record company once someone had put some of our demos online. We got lucky, and managed to release a few albums with them. But fame isn’t all that fun anymore when your last record flopped and your manager is trying to sell you out.

I’d gone home for a few weeks to think things through; what I wanted to do with what was left of my career. So I went for a walk, late at night.”

She gave him a knowing look, and he nodded conformingly.

“I met Miles at Mardy’s. A pub I’d never seen before, in a street I’d never walked through. I thought I’d seen all of Sheffield when I was younger, but it turns out I was wrong. For when the clock strikes an uncertain hour, and you watch the ground shift beneath your feet when you’re not paying attention, you walk right into what appears to be a glorified version of the twenties.”

She recalled their gig on that night she’d also met Miles. “So your guitars…”

“I’d just taken them from home,” he confirmed, “No electric guitars invented yet at that time, so I had to bring them myself. Strangest thing is, the people don’t question it at all. They just think it’s another fancy new instrument that hasn’t officially hit the market yet.”

“So, what? You just decided to continue your life at night here?” she asked.

“It was simpler. I don’t have to run from the paparazzi, or do interviews where people question my sanity all the time, or get dragged for who I date or knock about with. We released an album with instruments and music that’s way ahead of its time here, and we’re seen as legends. It’s as simple as that.”

“But, Alex… I think this album could easily hit the top charts in the regular world.”

He scoffed, “They said that about our last album. And the one before that. And when they don’t do as well as you’d expect them to, people will say it’s ‘underrated’, but you know deep inside you could’ve done better.”

“Music is about more than just hitting the top charts,” she reminded him.

“I know. Yet it appears that the feeling of validation through it has left a bigger mark on me than I had expected. I expected more from my own music, and was disappointed when I couldn’t deliver. I’ve finally found a place where everyone enjoys my music again.”

“So, what? You just decide to spend the rest of your life here, a fantasy world in an attempt to hide from reality? From your family, all the people who care about you?”

“It’s not as simple as that.”

“It’s not as simple? I think you just made it very clear how simple this all really is,” she said.

“Matt thought the same thing. Until he started playing with us for the first few nights, and even he was convinced. It’s hard to explain. It’s why he didn’t want you to stay around for too long when we hung out in the pub. This place gets to you.”

“He was just convinced after a few good shows?”

“I don’t think you understand,” he said, “If you stay here too long, if you spend too many nights in this version of Sheffield, you won’t be as willing to leave. It’s like an addiction; a place where all your dreams come true, if only for a little while, a few hours maybe. But you just can’t stay away from it. Once it takes hold of you, you can’t escape.”

Her brows furrowed. “What are you trying to say? You’re stuck here like this forever?”

His eyes cast downwards. “I couldn’t say. But I’ve never had good reason to leave.”

Her heart was swelling in her chest. “And what if you did have a reason?”

“What?”

“What… What if I wanted you to leave… with me?”

It was as if a spark flashed in his eyes, but then quickly snuffed out. “Don’t do that,” he huffed, “Don’t give me hope. You should be out there, living your life without chasing after the ghost of a man and blaming it on your insomnia.”

She took hold of his hand across the table, and squeezed it tightly, too afraid he’d take off if she didn’t. “I should be out there, living my life. But so should you. You’ve made me feel things I thought I was unable to feel, and I wouldn’t have experienced any of this if it wasn’t for you. You can still escape from this, Alex. I know you can. I can’t do this without you.”

“It’s not that simple, love.”

“Why not?”

“You shouldn’t want me.”

“Don’t you want me, then?”

His brown orbs lit up passionately, as he leaned forwards and captured her lips in a kiss. “Of course. I want to be yours,” he muttered.

He deepened the kiss, gliding his tongue against her bottom lip suggestively. She opened her mouth and her tongue met his, sliding against it and drawing a quiet moan from her throat. He held her cheek in his hand and slid his thumb over her soft skin gently.

When she pulled back, she had finally made up her mind. “I need to speak with Mark.”

*** @alexbandguy86 @bettyschwallocksyee @fookingsummertime @juicebox-baby@darksydork7 @edgythought @ssadderdaze @h0twasabi @rogerseyeliner @arctic-monkcys @toolateformcrtooearlytoleaveemo @rosemallowss

#Arctic Monkeys #Arctic Monkeys Fanfic #Alex Turner Fanfic #Alex Turner #Alex Turner x reader #Alex Turner/Reader #The Last Shadow Puppets #TLSP #AM #Jamie Cook #Nick O'Malley #Matt Helders #Miles Kane #Humbug #Suck It And See #whatever people say i am that's what i'm not #favorite worst nightmare #Midnight In Sheffield

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the-lonely-tree-original · 4 years

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5 Times Ed Carried Al and 1 the Other Way Around

I.)

Alphonse was 10 and he already felt like his world was destroyed. His mother was dead, killed a second time by her children. He had lost his body to the transmutation and been forced into a metal encasing. And, most prominently, his free spirited brother was broken. Broken beyond repair, it seems.

His normally shining eyes were ringed with shadows caused by sleepless nights and the guilt at what they had done.

His loud voice, filled with excitement and wonderful personality was dulled down into meek murmurings.

His confident smile had all but disappeared.

When Edward lost his limbs it felt like they took his soul with them.

The thought on Alphonse’s mind lately was that he was to blame.

It had started when he’d heard his brother talking animatedly for what felt like the first time in forever. Alphonse felt like his heart swelled, even if he didn’t have the body to prove so. He’d rushed into the dining room to see what made his brother so happy.

Abruptly, the cheerful noises quieted down, and Edward turned his head warily to him, looking at him with a pained expression. “Hey Al,” he tried, giving him a wobbly smile, but it was obviously forced.

The sudden disquiet within the room was evidently caused by him. Alphonse spoke softly, trying to comfort his brother, but the mood of the room was permanently changed. Al watched as his brother fell asleep in tears that night.

The second time it happened was when Edward fell sick with a fever, calling out for his brother. Alphonse jumped to comfort, making it to his beside in seconds. The sick boy had reached out his hand, grasping for another to meet it. The suit of armor was quick to comply, grasping the smaller hand in his gauntlets.

Edward had pulled away, cries becoming louder, calling for his brother but shrugging off all contact made by him. It wasn’t until Winry and Pinako came into the room, placing their warm, soft, flesh hands in his own, that he calmed down.

Alphonse knew that his brother was adverse to his metal body, so he became scarce in his second home, hoping to soothe his own guilt by exploring the expansive fields of Resembool.

He’d discovered hiding places and giant pits and even a family of rabbits, but nothing compared to having his brother by his side. He wondered, had he not been trapped in this suit of armor, would he and Ed be exploring these together?

As he entered the Rockbell house, trying to tone down the clanking of his metal appendages, he took note of his brother by the window… stuck in that awful wheelchair… trapped. His gaze was pointed towards the grassy fields and blue skies. Alphonse remembered how much he loved to play - even more than he loved alchemy.

Making his decision in a split second he marched over to his brother, startling the elder out of his thoughts. “Come on brother, we’re going outside.”

Without waiting for his response, the younger grabbed ahold of the chair, steering his brother towards the door.

It only took a few minutes for them to make a game of it, racing the chair as fast as they could across the field. Alphonse looked down at his older brother, noticing the wide smile on his face and listening happily as the elder screamed in excitement.

Alphonse felt fuzzy at the thought of his idea being the cause.

It wasn’t long though, until misfortune struck. They hit a pothole and the chair bounced. It took Al less than a second to choose between the chair and his brother, reaching out and grabbing the other’s torso. The chair flew into the air and came crashing down.

There was a wheezing sound, and Al thought that he’d accidentally hurt his brother, still not being used to the strength of his new body, but the wheezing turned to chuckles, which turned to full out laughter.

He couldn’t help but laugh as well.

Glumly though, he noted that the chair was broken, a wheel was missing and the arm was snapped off. “I don’t think we’ll be able to bring you back on this, brother,” he said. “I’ll have to carry you.”

Adjusting his hold on Ed, from the strange stomach hold to a bridal carry, he leaned down and picked up the broken pieces of the wheelchair. He fumbled a bit with the wheel, not having any particular dexterity with grabbing multiple things at once.

“Here, Al, let me help,” Ed offered, holding out his remaining arm. Alphonse let out a grateful breath, trying to convey his thankfulness through the only expressive feature he had, his eyes. His brother grasped the wheel, and then tucked himself into the metal arm more securely.

“You know, Al,” he said, “Playing with you earlier was fun, but I think I like this even more.”

II.)

Edward’s loud snores filled the passenger booth of the train, steering Al in the direction of heavy thoughts. It did give Alphonse some peace of mind to see his brother relaxing for once, taking a break from the constant physical therapy and studying that had been distracting him for the past couple of weeks (months).

And he did find happiness in the thought that Edward was moving forward from their trauma, he really did, but it was still a depressing thought that, if Ed did pass the State Alchemy Exam, there would be less times like this. Instead, he’d have to watch as his brother burdened more than his fair share of worries, stressing over both Alphonse and his job. Would brother still be able to sleep on the train so contently if he knew that the lives of others were dependent on him?

And that was it, wasn’t it? Edward was already crippled with guilt when it came to Alphonse - a situation that they both put themselves into despite the others’ denials - so what would become of him if he wasn’t successful and somebody got hurt?

He knew his brother. He knew his brother better than probably himself. So he could say, without a doubt, that if Edward ever got into a situation where others were in danger, and one of them got hurt, he’d blame himself. And what would happen if someone he’d gotten close to died? Alphonse shuddered at the thought. For all of Ed’s tough love act, it was only an act. He cared so deeply about those he surrounded himself with. It just wouldn’t be fair to take another person away from their lives. Not with mom, not with the Rockbells, and even Dad now missing.

He looked down at his brother’s sleeping face, for once not pinched with stress. Deep down, Alphonse knew that if brother could reject the idea of becoming a state alchemist, he would. Edward could never put himself in a situation where he’d have to kill others. He’d fight, tooth and nail, kicking and screaming.

But orders were orders. And Alphonse knew that Ed would do anything to help him. It made his non-existant heart ache to think of the sacrifices that Edward would be making while he sat on the sidelines, watching his brother tear himself apart.

Brother won’t have to worry about that if he’s longer alive to witness it, a twisted voice sing-songed inside his head. This brought a whole new load of worry. Everyday, Edward would be putting himself in danger, making himself a target to criminals and enemies of the state. Though Al had the utmost confidence in his brother’s abilities, had even been there to witness them himself, he knew that his brother was still human, his metal flesh only making it that much more apparent. Bullet holes weren’t something that you could just walk away from.

But Alphonse also knew that this was the only way. How else were they supposed to get money for research? How else were they to get access to the books they needed? How else were they supposed to research such a coveted secret without drawing attention?

How else were they supposed to return themselves to normal?

As Alphonse looked over the sleeping face of his brother, he wondered all these things.

A jarring voice cut into his darkening thoughts, saving him from even more sadness and worry. It was the conductor, his tone crackly over the booth speaker. “We are now arriving at Central Station,” it said.

This was their stop. It was the last escape they had until their lives changed forever. A selfish part of Alphonse wanted to grab his brother and leave, at least delaying until it was too late to take the exam. The thought was almost immediately dismissed, guilt ramming into the metal armor like a freight train.

He couldn’t do that to brother. He couldn’t prolong Ed’s suffering. If becoming a state alchemist was what it truly took to get their bodies back, then he couldn’t stand in their way. Not when it was Edward who made himself sick with guilt over that night. He already couldn’t stand that he was the source of his brother’s misery. How could he think to take an active part in it?

The hulking armor bent down to softly shake his brother awake, rousing words already on the tip of his tongue, but stopped just before he could make contact.

He thought of Edward’s small form, finally lax of tension. His lips parted slightly, emitting soft snores instead of pained moans. The bags under his eyes, lightened as he got some well deserved rest.

Making his choice, Alphonse turned around and hefted his brother onto his back, miraculously not waking him up. He then reached up to grab Ed’s luggage, pausing in trepidation when he heard the smaller move on his plating. Much to his glee, however, Edward had only been searching for a more comfortable spot, snuggling into his shoulder. How this was comfortable, he didn’t know, but he felt warm like only his real body did whenever Ed relaxed in his hold.

As he made his way onto the station, he adjusted his hold on his still sleeping brother, knowing that he would need the rest for the days to come. There was no doubt in his mind that Edward would pass the test. The invigilators would have to be blind to miss talent like his. But there was still the lingering doubt about what was to come.

To be honest, he didn’t think he’d ever be free of it.

To satiate his own worries, Alphonse made a promise. A promise to always stay by his brother’s side, no matter what. They’d always bear their burdens together. If Ed didn’t want him to become a state alchemist, that’s fine, but he’d have to make do with his brother tagging along with him.

III.)

“NO! I DON’T CARE WHAT THAT JERK SAYS, I’M NOT GONNA!”

Alphonse sighed, “You can and you will, brother.”

The blonde alchemist crossed his arms and let out a huff. “I refuse.”

The suit of armor looked his brother up and down, sizing him up. Discretely inching towards him, Al started, “Look, brother, I know that this is more… ostentatious then necessary, but we can’t just run away every time Colonel Mustang gives you an order you don’t agree with.”

“I’m not running away.” Liar. He didn’t make eye contact.

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, the younger alchemist continued to prod at his brother (“oh sure you weren’t”) while he slowly closed the distance.

“I wasn’t!” Ed responded - suspiciously quick, might Alphonse add. “I was only waiting for him to finish his goddamn paper work so that I could punch the bastard without Hawkeye blowing a hole in me.”

During that particular explosion of indignation, the suit of armor had been able to move a whole foot closer. He was just out of reach of the other Alchemist. “So you were running away from the First Lieutenant then.”

“What? No! It was a tactical decis- what are you planning?”

Dang it. He hadn’t gotten a chance to move. Trying his luck, he spoke once more, his voice the perfect example of innocence, or so he’d been told. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just think that if you keep refusing direct orders from the Colonial, then he might begin to believe that we aren’t worth keeping around. Not with all the property damage and all.”

“That was one time!” Ed raised his hand in what would have been an extravagant gesture, only to stop about halfway through. “Hey, wait a sec. You can’t change the topic like that and expect to get away with it. Now tell me what you’re gonna do.”

“Honestly brother, you’re so accusative. Am I not allowed to express my opinion every once in a while?”

Ed narrowed his eyes. “See, this is what I mean. Why are you so fixated on this? I would think that’d you’d be even more against it than I am, considering it’s just a waste of time. If anything, you seem to enjoy this more than the bas-”

The blonde cut off abruptly, and Al could tell the exact moment he realized. Golden eyes widened, and the smaller body jerked to turn around, only to be stopped before he could by a pair of very strong, very big metal arms.

“No no no no!” He cried, kicking and thrashing with the only free limbs he had. A hollow clanging was heard as the metal armor made his way back to Eastern Command. “You wouldn’t do this to me Al. Come on. I’m your older brother. You wouldn’t betray me like this, right?”

His struggles increased tenfold as they entered the building, forgoing words altogether in favor of wild screeching. A few of the staff turned their heads, questioning glances trailing the brothers’ backs.”Quiet down, brother. People are beginning to stare.” Ed head-butted him for that. Though, it did more damage to the blonde than it ever did to him.

At one point, Ed had wiggled enough to break free, on the run the instant his feet touched the floor. The smaller alchemist was faster and would have undoubtedly gotten away if not for the subject of Edward’s ire.

“Why hello, Fullmetal. I didn’t think you’d be this enthusiastic to show up here.” Alphonse released an inward sigh of relief at the sight of the familiar man, supporting a rather smug grin on the face. The pause it took for Edward to process his anger was all Al needed to snag the back of his collar.

“It’s nice to see you, Colonel. Brother and I were just heading over to the western corridor.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you for chaperoning him.” Both ignored the blonde’s outraged cries. “I saw the group earlier myself, and I must say that they’re pretty excitable. I’m feeling a little guilty for assigning them to Fullmetal here, but it should be nothing for the famous ‘Hero of the People’” The man pulled out his watch. “Ahh, well I better go. Lunch break is almost over. They sure do keep us on a short leash here, don’t they Fullmetal?”

“What’s that supposed to mean!” Did Alphonse ever say that he felt relieved at the Colonel's presence? He wanted to take that back. Edward was even more riled up than before. Scooping up the other into his arms, he set off again, closing his ears off to the string of curses that would surely accompany him.

Alphonse saw the tour group before Ed did, and thus was able to catch the elder’s grumbles about turning him into a wastebasket(?) before the blonde would surely panic again.

Ed, however, did not scream or kick or run or anything of the sort. Instead, he froze for a bit before calmly tapping on the younger’s chestplate, signaling to be let down. Distrustfully, Al did so.

The younger Elric was so preoccupied with watching the other’s body language for signs of fleeing, that he did not see the shit eating grin plastered on the other’s face. Alphonse watched as his brother stepped to the side and held out his arms in a presenting manner. Alphonse watched (confusedly) as his brother looked up at him and winked.

There was a rough coughing as Edward cleared his throat. “Sorry if we kept you waiting guys. It’s just that Eastern Command was short on staff and decided to bring you something a little special today. May I present to you the Fullmetal Alchemist.”

A hoard of screaming fans descended on the unfortunate suit of armor.

IV.)

A warm light drifted across the pavement, casted by row upon row of street lamps. No figures got in the way, projecting shadows with their terrifying shapes.

In Central, there was always this ominous feeling. A warning just screaming to be heeded. To be cautious. A warning that there was something lurking around the corner.

Tonight there wasn’t.

The lack of people should have been disturbing, but the distant sound of pots clanging and children laughing within households blocked out that foreboding aura. This also left them away from prying eyes - innocent in their intentions, but deadly in their effect. Alphonse should be content.

But he’s not.

How could he be when his four foot eleven, spitfire of an older brother looked like he’d been forced to drink an entire gallon of milk?

It seemed that his brother’s mood was destined to grow darker by the minute. First, he wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning, ending up over an hour late to his meeting with Colonel Mustang. Then, he wouldn’t touch his food, saying it looked too nauseating to eat (Alphonse spent many minutes apologizing to the deli worker for Edward’s behavior). It all escalated to him snapping at an old lady and her granddaughter on the train. The little girl started crying!

So no. Alphonse was not happy.

“It’s a beautiful night, brother. We are going to spend it outside,” Alphonse said. Then, as an afterthought (but no less important), “and your attitude is going to change.”

Edward looked up at him, indignation shining bright in his eyes. He opened his mouth to refute, and Al prepared himself for the tirade, but he closed his lips before a sound got out. The elder of the two grimaced, and lowered his head in defeat. “Yeah, you're probably right. I haven’t been the best of company today… sorry, Al.”

The armor in question perked up, pleasantly surprised at the admission. “It’s okay brother!” He leaned low, pointing a finger out. “But you better make it up to me on our walk.”

Ed’s eyes moved, peeking out at him from under his bangs, before his head turned away entirely. In a low, reluctant voice, the Fullmetal Alchemist said, “It’s just that… it’s gonna rain soon.”

Alphonse was confused for a second, kind of mad at his brother for making an obvious lie - there were no clouds in the sky - before he realized what that sentence entailed.

“Have you been hurting all day?” he asked, much more understanding than before. Alphonse couldn’t see Edward’s face. He couldn’t read the obvious signs: the tight mouth, the wandering eyes, the creeping blush. The hunching of his shoulders, however, indicated that Edward obviously had, all the same.

“Brother!” he chided, in the same tone that mom would use when they did something stupid, “why didn’t you tell me!”

“It’s fine, Al,” came the embarrassed reply. “All we were gonna do was rent an apartment for the night anyways. It wasn’t like we were getting into anything dangerous.”

“That doesn’t count as an excuse!”

The older boy turned around. “What do you mean it doesn’t? It’s not like it’s important right now.”

Alphonse repressed a sigh. “I should have known. You’re always cranky, but it’s never really bad unless you’re in pain.”

“What’s that supposed to mean!”

“Here.” He lowered himself to the ground until he was in a crouch. “Get on.”

Al heard the embarrassed choke behind him. “I’m fine, Alphonse. Let’s just go on that walk.”

He shook his helmet. “If it really is about to rain, then your ports have to be aching awfully. It just wouldn’t be fair to you to make you stay out any later. Right now, we should get you home and get you taken care of. I’m not having your leg give out and you getting a concussion.”

Edward sighed and hesitated a few seconds longer before giving up and getting on his younger brother’s back. “I’m fine walking, you know.”

“Mhm,” Alphonse agreed.

“I’m serious. I just couldn’t pass up on a free ride. Didn’t wanna spend the energy.”

“Of course.”

Alphonse hefted him up, earning a rather undignified squeak. He saw more than felt the arms wrapping around his neck.

Sometimes he felt like his brother was the one made of metal, not him. It was like he wrapped himself and armor and never let anyone else in. Alphonse liked to think that he was the exception, but could he really believe that when Ed couldn’t even share his sufferings?

“Hey, what are you thinking about?” Edward had adjusted himself to sit on his shoulders, seemingly at ease for the time being. “We should probably get going. As empty as it is, standing on the streets is still gonna draw some weird glances.”

“Oh… right… sorry.” He began to walk, grabbing his brother’s leg with his gauntlet (a habit he still hadn’t gotten rid of from his human body).

When they arrived at the apartment, Alphonse set Edward down, noticing the small wince upon doing so. He couldn’t miss the slight hobble in his brother’s steps as he made his way to the waiting bed.

“Do you need help with anything?”

Ed looked up, the beginnings of a blush on his cheeks. “Uh, I wouldn’t mind a cup of water.”

Alphonse left and returned with the requested drink. After a small clap, the cup was abandoned on the floor, steam drifting up from it. “Ahhh, that feels so much better.”

Alphonse wanted to smile, glad that he could do something to help. Instead, he had to settle for looking at his brother fondly.

“So, today on the train…” he began, internally smiling as Edward took the bait.

It’s okay to admit to pain, brother.

Because, I’ll stay right by your side.

No matter what.

V.)

“Al, let me down.”

“Not now, brother.”

“Aaaaaaallllllllllllll.”

“Not now.”

“Ugh. People are staring.”

Alphonse looked up at the sentence in question. He’d never known his brother to get embarrassed over stuff like that. He said as much.

“Shut up! I’m not embarrassed. It’s just that I’m the Alchemist of the people. I have to make sure they don’t see me as a little kid who can’t even walk out in the rain.”

Alphonse laughed a little. “They won’t, Ed. They’d just respect your intelligence in choosing to avoid the wrath of a certain automail mechanic, lest she finds out that you got her automail rusty.”

Al heard his brother blow a large breath onto his helmet. “She doesn’t have to find out.”

“She will find out. And when she does find out, you’ll meet an untimely death via wrench.”

The armor listened fondly as his brother ranted about Winry’s gear-head quirks.

Ok, so maybe protecting his brother wasn’t the only reason he wasn’t letting him go. Maybe it had to do with their last mission, and how he had almost lost his brother when he let him wander out of his sight. Maybe he was too scared to let that happen again.

But…

...Ed didn’t have to know.

“Trust me brother, I’m doing this for your own good. We can’t have the famous hero of the people walking around with a hole the size of a wrench in his head.”

“It’s never a hole. It’s always a bump.”

“Well, we wouldn’t want to have that either.” Images of his brother, bloody, bruised, and beaten flashed before his head. It was probably not a good idea to continue on with this particular topic. “Hey, your report isn’t going to be soaked by the rain, isn’t it?”

“What? Oh. No, it’s fine. I slaved for hours over that thing. I wasn’t going to let that go to waste. Even if my automail was still hurting, I’d remember to laminate it.” Was he talking about the pressure buildup or was it from an injury he hadn’t caught?

“That’s good. The Colonel would probably make you redo it.”

“Probably? Of course he would. The bastard wouldn’t miss a chance to ruin my day.” Sometimes, Al felt the same way. Why did he have to send brother off on such dangerous missions? He may be a state alchemist, but he was still a kid.

When they finally arrived at HQ, Mustang greeted them with a quirked eyebrow and a not-so-discreet once over. “Alphonse. Fullmetal. What exactly brings you here today?”

“Mission report,” Ed answered stiffly, trying to hide his embarrassment at his position.

“Well, let’s see it,” the man responded tiredly. “To be honest, I thought something was wrong with the both of you. You never make sure to be on time while handing in these things. I actually have a running bet with the rest of the team on whether or not you’ll show up two days late or three.”

“Har har, very funny. So do you want to take this or not? I’ve got better things to do.” Ed handed over the paperwork to his superior, returning his hands to Alphonse’s head once more.

“Like what?” Mustang asked, “Playing a game of piggyback with your brother? I could use some help sorting files, you know.”

Alphonse cut in before Edward could yell the other man’s ear off. “The rain puts brother’s automail at the risk of rusting. I’m carrying him to at least keep him away from the puddles.”

His brother rounded on him with a betrayed face. “Alphonse, how could you?”

Ed, luckily, found a new target of his ire.

“Well, we wouldn’t want you to drown in them, now would we.”

“Okay, that’s it, you overgrown, slimy, two-faced-”

“Brother!” He had to physically tether the blonde to his shoulders to prevent a homicide. “Have a good night Colonel.” Alphonse was sure his embarrassment showed through his voice. “Edward and I will be off now.”

As soon as they were out of sight of the building, Alphonse sifted his brother’s position from his shoulders to his chestplate, hugging him close.

“Al, what’s going on?”

“I’m sorry, brother. It’s just… that you really scared me.” Ed, having noticed this desperation in affection, stopped all remaining struggles, choosing instead to melt into the metal embrace as best as he could.

And if that didn’t send a pang through Al’s heart chest. He might not ever get to hug his brother again with his human arms. To ever feel his brother’s warmth and love.

“You’re getting older, Ed. And that means that you’ll be going on more missions with more dangers. And one day, what if it’s too much? What if you don’t make it back?”

Edward frowned and, for once, the disappointment was pointed towards him. “I’m not going to die, Al.”

“You almost did, Ed! And what if I wasn’t there to protect you!”

His brother looked up, golden eyes meeting his own soulfire gaze. “Nothing would have happened.”

“You can’t say that.”

“I can, because I know that, if I did, I’d be leaving you all alone.” Alphonse had looked away, but something about his brother’s tone brought him back. “And I couldn’t do that. Not without making sure that you’re safe and happy and comforted.”

His voice trailed off.

“Right now, you aren’t. Not while you’re still stuck in that body I put you in. So i won’t just roll over anytime soon.”

Alphonse felt a fluttering of happiness at Edward’s words, but it was twisted with the bittersweet realization that they were a false security.

“That’s not your choice to make.”

Edward sighed, “Maybe not but... more than anything, I want to get your body back. I want to live to see it. I don’t want to have to look down from whatever place counts as the afterlife and watch you experience that without me.”

“If you want my happiness and my wellbeing a fraction as much as I do you, then you’d know that your own happiness is what would make me more content than anything. I can’t trust that you’ll ever fully be happy until you get your body back. Therefore, the only option is to keep trying. Trust in me and my tenacity to get back what was stolen from you.”

The ever accompanying, ‘and your body too,’ was forgotten at Edward’s words. Because this is what he had been telling himself the whole time, repeated back to his face. His brother would never be truly happy unless he was happy himself.

He squeezed his brother tightly. “Okay,” he said.

“Okay.” The reassuring clang of metal against metal rang in the streets. Edward had pounded his automail against Al’s chestplate. “We should probably stop worrying about this stuff, all it’s going to do is make us sick.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah? Okay, well could you let me back up there?”

Al started, the moment ruined. “Up… where?”

“Onto your shoulders, you idiot. If I’m going to stay alive a bit longer than I gotta prevent my automail from rusting. The rain’s already pushing it. Winry will probably have my head if we don’t get them dried soon.”

“Oh… right! We should probably get home soon!”

“Well, what are you waiting for?”

VI.)

Al spent the majority of the first few days sitting in his hospital bed with the company of his brother, teacher, and all of the wonderful people he’d come to know. Even his father was there to visit once, although he left shortly after.

He occupied himself with relaxing in the warm, fuzzy blankets, and taking in the smell of flowers and sweets his visitors left for him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t eat any real food for now as his body was not ready for it, but he was salivating at the thought.

Those first few days were just about that happiest in his life. Even the walks to the restroom weren’t that bad. With his muscles so atrophed, he wasn’t supposed to do anything that strenuous for months, but he was determined to do it. The exhaustion tugged at his limbs, making them feel like they were transmuted into giant lumps of metal, and he couldn’t be happier for it.

The best part wasn’t even the senses he’d worked so hard to experience. No. The best part was that his brother would be right alongside him. He’d smile at Al so genuinely, guiding him gently by the arm, a lingering touch of heat still burning hot even after his fingertips left the skin. The blinding smile set loose dopamine into his brain, his physical brain, allowing him to experience the bliss even more so. Whenever Edward made eye contact he felt drugged on euphoria, because everything - EVERYTHING - was finally going to be alright. So yes, those short walks were the highlights of his days.

I took two whole weeks before he could even stomach soups, and when the warm liquid touched his tongue, he almost fell off of his hospital bed in surprise. What happened after was that he dissolved into a fit of laughter, he never knew food could be this amazing. Ed was there to steady him the whole time.

Physical training was hard, Al couldn’t deny that. Sometimes it sucked all the life out of him after just bending over. There were times where he walked two feet and it felt like a marathon and his good mood was almost ruined.

But his brother was always there to steady him.

On particularly bad days he would hardly get two inches before toppling over. Before he could reach the ground, however, a firm body would be underneath him, arms already tucked around his legs to carry him piggyback style. Alphonse would tease good naturedly (to get Edward back for all the times he’d fought him), talk about how he didn’t need to be babied, but it was really nice for the situation to be reversed for once.

Now he could relax in his brother’s hold. Now he could finally feel his brother’s heartbeat when his head pressed to his chest. It almost felt like Ed hadn’t been injured at all, with how gently he cradled him.

“Brother,” he said one day, after they had gotten ice cream from the hospital cafeteria, “how long until I can carry you?”

Ed got a funny face at that, telling him that he hadn't recovered yet and how even if he was, it was still the older brother’s job to take care of the younger.

Alphonse took that as a challenge, sneakily putting his ice cream down and going for the tackle. “Al!” His brother went down with a screech, landing painfully on his butt. Taking advantage of Ed’s surprise, Alphonse was able to partially get his brother on his shoulder before his muscles gave out, panting.

“You idiot!” Edward was in front of his face now, checking him over for any sort of injuries. “You could have messed up all your hard work.”

Al felt his face heat up (and the fact that he could blush now was something his brother mercilessly teased now), and ashamedly turned his head. “It seemed fun at the time.”

“That’s not a good excuse and you know it.”

“Okay, okay. Can you just help me up now?”

Ed looked at him exasperatedly, with his hands on his hips and everything. “No,” he said.

Al looked up. “What? Why?”

“Because-” Alphonse felt his shoulder being tugged and he thought his brother was giving in, but- “We need to take you back to your room and get your arms looked at. I’ll carry you so that you don’t harm anything else.”

“Brother, I’m fine-”

He was interrupted by the sight of a pink tongue poking out of his brother’s lips.

“Real mature.” There was no heat behind it. In fact, Al didn’t even struggle as his center of gravity lifted, signaling him leaving the ground. Instead, he snuggled into his brother’s back, letting strands of golden-blonde hair tickle his nose. The steady warmth that came off of his brother’s back was relaxing, and he found his eyes closing, drifting off into a half asleep, half awake state.

“You comfortable up there?”

“Mmm.”

Edward laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

There was a slight bouncing as Ed took his steps, but Alphonse didn’t care. It only relaxed him further. He found it cozy with his face half-buried in his brother’s cotton shirt.

It feels real nice to be carried like this. By you.

There was a slight squeaking and then Al was rotated, placed on the plushy mattress bed. He turned his head a little, nestling into the cool material of his pillow.

Ed must have thought he was asleep, because a weight settled at his side and fingers began playing in his hair, smoothing it out in the way his mother always did.

When he finally spoke, Alphonse could feel the fond smile on his face, radiating off of him. “I’m so happy that you have your body back. Love you, Alphonse.”

And I you.

#fullmetal alchemsit brotherhood #fullmetal alchemist #fma #fanfic #fanfiction #edward elric #alphonse elric #5+1 things #fluff #angst

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ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes · 3 years

Text

Roguish Women Part 47

Summary: Kate is an American who fled to Paris to escape her past life. Now she's dancing and playing the part of a courtesan at the Moulin Rouge. There she meets Tommy Shelby who thinks she can be useful in expanding his empire. But has he been blinded?

Part 47: The final bullet in the vendetta.

Kate woke up to find the bed empty beside her. It was early, she’d been anxious to be on time. She knew Tommy wouldn’t wake her up in hopes that she would sleep through the planned event.

But she was up and dressed before she usually was. The flat was just as empty as the bed. Kate slipped on her coat and went down the street to the distillery. Several of the men on watch tipped their cap her way.

Finn was waiting for her at the top of the stairs. He looked conflicted when she approached. “Tommy said not to let you come.” He stood between her and the stairs.

Kate narrowed her eyes at him. “Well, that’s not his choice to make, now, is it?”

“The youngest Shelby didn’t look like he wanted to get caught up in the argument, but also didn’t want to catch flak from his brother. “It’d just be easier…”

“We’re not living in easy times.” She interrupted. “I’ve heard Tommy’s side and I’ve made up my mind.” She concluded before pushing past Finn and making her way downstairs.

Only Tommy was there, standing near a table with two chairs. He held a bottle of gin in his hand.

“You never explained the label to me,” Kate spoke up to alert him of her presence.

He turned although he didn’t seem too surprised that she had shown up. “What needs explaining?”

She walked up to him and took the bottle from his hand. “Distilled for the eradication of seemingly incurable sadness.” She read off, having noticed it earlier when they were talking to Alfie.

“Polly said that when you were in America, I nearly drank meself to death.” He answered calmly. “That and with the morphine, it was the only way I could tolerate being without you. I could sleep, I could ease myself of the guilt, and I could forget. But I’d much rather have you here.” He cradled her cheek in his hand. “So, go back home and wait for me.”

“I’ll be right here. For the rest of your life, I’ll be here.” She kissed him softly, refusing to go anywhere.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kate hadn’t seen Luca Changretta in years. His name had been haunting her for so long that she nearly forgot how long it’d been since they’d been face to face. He’d grown into a menacing figure, something she always knew he would be. The kind of fierce stature he was destined to become under the guidance of some of the most ruthless dons America had ever seen.

Luca’s eyes landed on her as he stopped in front of her, Polly, Tommy, and Finn. But he didn’t speak to her. Instead, he beckoned one of his men to bring over a handful of documents, spread across the table.

“I’ve had my lawyers draw up these. Documents for everything you own. And you’re gonna sign them all over to my family. Or you’re gonna die.” Standing in front of Tommy, Luca looked back to Kate. “I would’ve buried your whole family. Y’know, my mother knows you.” Luca said steadily. “She told me how to hurt you. How to really make you suffer. ‘Take everything from him, then make him watch Kathleen Lynch die.”

Tommy didn’t flinch. He simply maintained eye contact with the man. Kate didn’t budge either.

“Because she’s worse than you are, in some ways.” Luca continued. “She murdered two people who were loyal to me and my family. Killed them in cold blood for no reason. You and I, we kill to gain something, don’t we? But her? She just doesn’t care, does she? I’ve got the Leoni family asking me to right her wrongs. Take care of her so she doesn’t do any more harm. So, I will. And you’ll watch and live with the knowledge that you were her downfall.”

Polly shifted a bit so she was standing more in front of Kate. But neither of them said a word in response.

“Search them,” Luca commanded after finding a gun in Tommy’s coat. “The dead girl walking has a gun on her thigh.” He added, sending a glare towards Kate.

None of them said anything as they were patted down. Kate reached down and pulled the gun from her holster on her thigh, handing it over.

Luca began pushing each document onto the floor. “So, get down on your knees and sign those papers. I’ll even let you say goodbye to her if you’re quick about it.” He gestured for one of his men with a heavy-looking gun over. The executioner in place, as it were.

Tommy’s eyes flicked to Polly then Kate before he sank to the floor. “A friend once told me that big fucks small. So, I had to find someone bigger than you.”

“You’re too trusting to leave your empire behind to boys, Luca,” Kate spoke up on cue. “Who’s making sure the Spinetta’s don’t decide to take what’s yours? You may work for them but they have no loyalty to you. Your family is all but wiped out. Your allies in Boston are dead because of me. I’ve gotten word from Frank Wallace that the Gustin Gang has already seized half of the territory Santo Leoni used to own. They’re loyal to us and they could very well take all of it within the next year. And you know how much Frank just loves to hate you. You’ll never make a profit in that city again. After that you’ll lose New York too.”

“And there’s a man in Chicago who’s willing to take over your business in New York as well,” Polly added.

Kate couldn’t help the small smirk on her face. Vengeance really was sweet. “Now who do we know in Chicago that’s bigger than you’ll ever be?”

Luca seemed like he was starting to grasp the ploy that had been made in front of him. The smugness was starting to fade from his eyes.

“Alphonse Capone.” Tommy finished for her.

“You’re talking to that fat fuck?” He hissed and looked to Kate. “That man killed your fucking mother and you’re working with him?”

“The fact that you know that proves to me you were the one who told the Outfit where my mother lived. You were the final nail in her coffin.” She wasn’t as good at containing her anger like Tommy and Polly. “You used him to kill my mother and to get me out of your hair. Now I’m going to use him to kill you.”

“All your blood relatives you brought here are dead. The only ones left are the ones who will take the highest bid.” Tommy concluded

Luca turned to his men. The shock slowing down his movements.

“Loyalty is so fickle, isn’t it?” Kate said with venom in her voice.

Luca turned back to Tommy and reached for his coat.

“Tommy!” Kate shrieked.

He reacted fast, knocking the pistol out of Luca’s hand. Polly had to pull Kate away from the men brawling. She felt helpless, watching Tommy finally get the upper hand and slam Luca’s face into the gin bottles on the table.

She was so caught in the action that she didn’t see the door open until Arthur was well in her line of vision, holding up a gun.

The bullet went through Luca’s head and into the vat behind him. The final crescendo.

~~~~~~~~~~

Kate was almost bouncing out of her skin to get out of Birmingham. She was all smiles as they arrived at Arrow House. The large manor was such a sight to behold even at dusk when they pulled up the gravel drive.

“Some fresh air, aye?” Tommy smiled as he helped Kate out of the car.

“I can’t wait to see Blue tomorrow. I hope he hasn’t forgotten me.”

“Horses have very good memories.” He assured her, linking arms with her as they walked back into the home they’d missed. “I’m sure he’ll be just as glad to see you.”

“I’m going to get ready; they’ll be here soon.” On top of being back in Warwickshire and spending a nice evening with friends and family, they were finally able to tell everyone the news of Kate’s pregnancy. With the vendetta behind them, it seemed there was nothing but the open sky ahead of them. Even if it was naïve to think it would be smooth sailing from then on, Kate still wanted to believe that it would.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tommy called for everyone’s attention as they drank and laughed in the parlor later on that night. He stood with Kate sitting nearby.

“Listen up, before we go and eat, I’d like to say a few words. Last time we were all here, it ended badly. But now we’re in a happier place, something I think we all deserve. Last time, Kate wasn’t with us. But she’s here now and that’s something I’m very grateful for.”

“I think that’s something we’re all grateful for.” Arthur chimed in loudly. “Keeps you in line.”

Kate laughed. “I try my best.”

“That she does.” Tommy looked fondly at her. “Other happy news, we’ll be having a wedding as soon as we can plan it. And we’ll be expecting a new arrival, maybe two if Pol’s right. Which, we all know she is when it comes to these things. In other words, Kate is expecting twins.”

There was a murmur of surprise but Ada looked thrilled as she crossed the room to hug her. “I should’ve known. How couldn’t I have known?”

“Twins, aye?” Arthur shook his head with a grin. “And what’ll they be, Polly? Boys or girls or both?”

“Two boys,” Polly reported. “God bless us all.”

Kate smiled and stood up to kiss Tommy’s cheek. What a happy occasion.

“Then, that gives me even more of an argument for what m’about to say.” Arthur stood up with his whiskey glass in hand. “Our enemies are gone. And for the first time since we enlisted in the yeomanry. The Shelby boys, me, Tommy, and John.” He paused briefly, sadness in his eyes for their fallen brother. “For the first time, there’s peace. Since you’ve got little ones on the way, you need some free time. So, I propose, from everyone in the company, that Tommy should take a holiday. War’s over. It’s time you’ve rested.”

Kate nodded and squeezed Tommy’s hand.

“To peace.” Arthur finished his toast, giving his brother an earnest look. But Tommy’s eyes were distant. There was something that wasn’t done with.

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siedertreestudios · 4 years

Text

“Don’t Leave Me Here Alone, Like They Did”: Parental!Roy and Riza with Ed.

Prompt: Edward has a bit of an issue. And that issue come to light in a less than healthy fashion. Chaos, as usual, ensues. Parental! Roy and Riza comfort while Ed freaks out. (This has been edited.)

Enjoy!

————

"Al! Hey Al, where are you?!"

The dull gray and dark blues of the streets of Central at this hour where interrupted by the flashy red coat and golden hair that flew in the wind as a young alchemist ran through the streets. Al had gone off who knows where and Ed had been searching for a little under an hour now. Central was quieter than usual, due to it being 11:00 pm at night, and the cold wind nipped at the boy’s nose but he continued undaunted, his feirce golden gaze darting through alleyways and buildings alike. Needless to say, the large suit of armor with a boyish voice was no where to be found, and Ed was not freaking out about it.

After all, Al said he was going out for a while and he probably isn't back yet for whatever reason. But it shouldn't be that long because Ed went searching for him. It had been 3 hours since he said that. And left. And the anxiety barreled in. And he started his spiral of what if's along with it. And—

Well, point is, Al is gone and Edward needs to find him. That undisputed fact kept him running, not noticing or caring about the ache in his muscles as he had been searching for quite some time now. And this hasn't reminded him of anything in his past, no sir, no way. But that's why he needs to find Al. To fix the past, like they promised each other they would. So Ed continued onwards, frantically scanning the area as he moved.

He'd called everyone he could think of first. He even called Mustang—as much as the man annoyed him—but it was like he vanished off the face of the Earth. No one had seen or heard from him in the last 3 hours. So Ed ran on, calling out for Al and searching every place he could think of. His hands shook, but he kept moving forward, because that's all he could seem to do. It was like if he stayed still for a second, he would go crazy. The thoughts in his mind gathered like the shadows on the streets, his footsteps echoing loudly in an attempt to block out the what if's in his mind. If he stopped they would consume him, and there’s no telling what would happen then. So he kept on, unwavering until a single word cut through the dark thoughts at the edges of his mind and made its way annoyingly to the forefront.

"FullMetal."

This single syllable appeared as suddenly as the man who said it. As annoying as the speaker was, Ed couldn't help but be relieved for the distraction from his thoughts. The shadows in his mind were pushed to the edges, as Ed looked at Colonel Mustang walking out from the shadows. The Flame Alchemist narrowed his eyes at Edward, searching the blondes face. Ed, disliking being studied, shoved his hands in the pockets of his red coat, attempting to seem nonchalant as he said, "Colonel. What are you doin' here?"

"You're brother is missing Elric, and you can't cover the entirety of Central City on your own. And seeing you out of commission is not something I can afford right now. So, I figured I'd help you along with the others." Mustang said, leaning against a wall, not taking his eyes off of Edward. "Have you checked with everyone else?"

"Everyone. No one's seen him for the past 3 hours. You'd think it'd be easier to find a 7-foot suit of armor, but I've been looking everywhere. He’s just gone." Ed said, aware of the dark what-if's slowly coming back to haunt him, reaching out and tugging him back to the edge of panic. He shook off those thoughts to the best of his ability, saying bluntly, "Anyways, I've got to keep looking, so—"

"I'll come with you." Mustang said, continuing before Ed could protest, "You'll find a way to get into trouble again and cause me more paperwork, and if Alphonse has been kidnapped, I'd prefer to keep property damage to a minimum."

"You're one to talk..." Ed muttered, shrugging and saying, "Fine. But keep up, I'm not waiting for you."

The two walked, Ed walking ahead and taking in the sights around him. He would prefer to run, but the Colonel was walking, and having someone around to make sure he doesn’t lose it completely is generally a good idea. He provided a good enough distraction that Ed’s thoughts were at bay, but the thoughts were close enough to fuel him to continue onward. Occasionally, he'd yell for Alphonse, but no response would come. He kept on walking though, his footsteps clearing his mind with every loud step before he'd get too close to considering any of the possibilities circling his head.

He was so focused on his task that hadn't noticed Mustang had stopped until he said, "FullMetal, wait."

Ed stopped, turning to Mustang and impatiently replied, "What?!"

Mustang pointed towards an alley, where Hawkeye and the others emerged, walking forward. They’d been scouring the city as well, or at least that’s what Ed presumed.

"Heya, chief." Havoc said, waving with Breda.

"We haven't found him, sir." Hawkeye said, standing to attention in from of Mustang.

"We haven't found him either, sir. We checked around this area. He can't have gone that far, and we stuck to the area he could likely cover, but he isn't here." Falman said. Ed clenched his fists. He didn’t have time for this!

"I've got to find him." He said, shaking his head and turning away.

"But Ed, you can't go looking by yourself..." Fuery said, pushing up his glasses and fumbling nervously. Ed barely managed to smother a flinch, the nervous habit reminding him painfully of Al.

"You won't be looking by yourself. Alphonse will turn up, I'm sure. For now, we need to get back to HQ and get some rest. If he isn't back by morning, we'll go looking again." Mustang said, making a point to look at Ed.

"I need to find him Mustang! What if he's been kidnapped?! Or those homunculi, what if they got him?! I can't risk losing him, damn it!" Ed protested, his eyes wild. The possessive tendencies he had worked to keep at bay were resurfacing, only fueling his rage. Worst of all, the dark thoughts were beginning to swirl again, damn it, he needed to move, to take him back—

"No Edward. Alphonse is fine, he can hold his own. You need to calm down." Hawkeye said, stepping forward.

Ed turned to glare at them. Mustang’s eyes flashed a warning: Listen to us for once. Ed didn’t care though. He couldn’t bare the thought of Al dying, or worse, leaving him like that bastard he used to call his father. He didn’t need another memory of a turned back. So he acted.

"I need to find him." With that, he ran off, ignoring the calls from the others.

He ran, knowing he'd need to look for Al wherever he could. He made twists and turns down the labyrinth that was the back alleyways of Central Amestris. He vaguely heard Hawkeye call to him, but he knew he'd have to find Al, so he didn't stop. Didn't dare stop to consider the thoughts that plagued him. Ran from the darkness in his mind, lest he go mad from it.

He turned a corner, seeing Breda and Havoc try to reach for him. He was too quick for them though, he ran past them and zigzagged through the streets of Central. I need to lose them, he thought in the midst of it all, seeing Falman and Furey on his tail, with Breda and Havoc close behind. He couldn’t afford getting caught by them and being dragged back to Mustang.

He turned into an alley way, knowing that his main concerns were where Hawkeye and Mustang were. They were the only ones that really had a chance at stopping him, and he’d already established that that’s not going to happen. He kept his eyes peeled for them along with Al, keeping a mental list. He wanted to keep the transmutations to a minimum as well, as the light was far to bright in the dark streets of Central. It would attract too much attention. So he’d have to get the high ground without it. Fine, he thought, if that’s what it takes to get Al and lose the dogs, I don’t care what I have to do.

Caught up in his thoughts and distracted, Ed switched directions into yet another alley, only to see Mustang at the end of it, the light from behind casting an annoyingly long shadow. His commanding officer had an annoying tendency to be right about where people will go. Worst of all, he was blocking the exit of the alleyway. "That's enough, FullMetal. You’ll wear yourself out trying to find Alphonse this way."

Edward turned back, only to see Hawkeye there. He's trapped. Damn. He scanned the surrounding area, but this alleyway was annoyingly clean of anything he could use. "I'll die if that's what it takes to find him." He stalled, wracking his brain for a plan.

"You can't be serious, after everything you've sacrificed?! Would Alphonse want to see you this way, freaking out the moment he leaves?!" Mustang yelled, causing Ed to flinch back, effectively losing his train of thought. Lovely.

"I have to find him! Can't you see, he's all I have left! I’m not going to lose him too. " Edward said, his voice fading a little as the one thing he swore not to do, he did: consider the possibilities. First that dead-beat bastard of a father, then Mom, and now Alphonse? Is everyone going to leave him? He probably deserves it, this pain he's feeling. Another price to pay, for going against the flow of the world, in accordance with equivalent exchange. His failures weighed down heavily on his soul, taking every inch of his headspace. He tried to fight the suffocating thoughts filling his brain, but to no avail.

In desperation, Ed attempted to run past the Colonel entirely. A dumb move, on his part. The most infuriating thing, in highnsight, was that he didn’t even really have to try to stop him. He simply grabbed Ed’s wrist, stopping him effectively and held it firmly, replying to Ed’s glare with a silent No and the subtle concern growing in his eyes. Ed tried to yank his arm back, but to no avail.

Sudden understanding passed through Mustang’s eyes at that moment, causing Ed to put a guarded expression up. No way is he going to break down and have some touchy-feely chat with Mustang of all people. He still didn’t like being read either. And he still. Didn’t. have. time. For this. “What?!” Ed spat. “Let me go, I need to be there for Al.”

“Edward, you need to settle down and think for a second. Alphonse can’t have gone far, not by his will anyways. We are looking into it, but you have to stay calm or we’ll have to take you off this case.” Hawkeye said, stepping in smoothly. Mustang loosened his grip, choosing instead to stand as he was, guarding the exit.

“You can’t just take me off the case! He’s my brother damnit, I won’t just—”

“We can and we will if we have to, Fullmetal. And we have no trouble making sure that you won’t go investigating all on your own. Look at yourself, you tried to just run past me. You’re in no shape to do much of anything except worry.” Mustang said, his gaze hardening. “Besides, I’m more concerned about this reaction. Is this normal for when your brother is missing?”

“Quick nitpicking at my psyche! This doesn’t matter, don’t you get it?! He’s gone and I have to find him!”

“A point you keep arguing, and yet haven’t convinced us in the slightest you need to find him now. And the truth is, we will likely need to find some leads to follow up on, something you can’t effectively do in your state of mind.” Mustang replied, stepping towards Ed, his eyes narrowing. Ed stood his ground though, no way in hell was he going to back down without a fight. “So what you should do is come with us so we can investigate this matter further, instead of running around haphazardly around Central City in a panic. Tell me, what’s the logic you have against that?”

Ed almost groaned then and there. He was right, the intuitive bastard. He really couldn’t argue. But that didn’t stop the spread of panic slowly overtaking him, causing him to begin to shake slightly. His breath was coming shorter and shorter. He couldn’t breathe, why couldn’t he breathe?! He can’t breathe and he can’t see and his heart hurt and it was all going so fast yet so slow and he just couldn’t breathe-

Ed would recall later that he had fallen, clutching his chest as he made panicked, incomplete, breathless statements. Mustang was the first to act, ordering Hawkeye to get the others as he fell to his knees next to the boy, grasping his shoulders as he attempted to help the boy. His instincts from Ishval kicked in, reminding him of how to deal with panic attacks. He grabbed Ed’s flesh hand and placed it on his chest, instructing the boy to follow his breathing.

‘Idiot, I can’t even breathe, how am I supposed to follow yours?’ Ed thought faintly amongst the turret in his head. But he tried anyways, barely aware of the tears, the uncomfortable concrete, the awkwardly slumped position he was in. He knew he could pass out, or calm down, and he really didn’t feel like passing out, so he begrudgingly followed instructions. Mustang rattled off facts he knew, talking about simple nothings in hopes he could provide something else to focus on. Slowly but surely, the world became clearer, his heart slowing down to normal pace as he slumped down farther, panic fading into pure exhaustion. Ed could barely focus, but he managed to croak, “Mustang...” as darkness overtook him.

When the others caught up to Mustang, he was found carrying Ed out of the alleyway, not seeming to care about the weight of his auto mail. Ed was taken to Mustang’s house, where when he awoke, Alphonse was found. The suit of armor got caught up in his own little skirmish, and when Ed saw him, he visibly relaxed. Mustang watched Ed until he finally reached his limit and exclaimed, “I’m not going to fall apart if you leave me alone, you bastard.”

Mustang smirked at that. “Funny. I remember telling you something similar yesterday.”

Ed didn’t have a response to that.

“I guess we both have people to protect.” Mustang said smoothly, making a move to walk away before pausing and saying, “You don’t have to search alone, Fullmetal. Believe it or not, some of us have gone through the same thing as you have. As difficult as it might be, try to trust that Alphonse can handle himself, and don’t wear yourself down like that. Some people don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Yeah yeah, I know.” Edward brushed him off. The warmth that spread through his heart and the feeling of safety was priceless as Ed allowed himself to smile softly at a turned back, similarities suddenly seeming irrelevant.

————

Stay tuned for more stuff!

-🍎SiederTreeStudios🍎-

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meefy · 3 years

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FMAB and OPM

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

The first character I first fell in love with: Ed! But Izumi was a close second.

The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Greed probably, I really liked his development throughout the anime!

The character everyone else loves that I don’t: Hmmm maybe Kimblee? The dude just freaked me out lol

The character I love that everyone else hates: I honestly don’t see a lot of hate for any of the characters in FMAB so I’m not sure what to put here hahah

The character I used to love but don’t any longer: again not sure what to write here bc I still like all the characters I ever liked in the first place!

The character I would totally smooch: Izumi bc she deserves it!

The character I’d want to be like: Probably Alphonse. The most levelheaded of the two ahahah

The character I’d slap: twink!Father

A pairing that I love: ahhh Winry/Ed ofc :3

A pairing that I despise: shipping any of the Elrics w any of the Homonculi. They’re lowkey related and that’s just...icky territory for me.

One Punch Man

The first character I first fell in love with: Genos.

The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Hmm probably Flash. I didn’t pay much attention to him until I started reading the webcomic!

The character everyone else loves that I don’t: I don’t dislike Zombieman but I never found myself really interested in his story as much as others’.

The character I love that everyone else hates: I think I’ve seen someone who likes every single character in this series so I am not sure what to put here

The character I used to love but don’t any longer: I admittedly sort of lost interest in Genos’ story as more characters got introduced but I never really stopped liking him!

The character I would totally smooch: uhhh probably Sonic or Flashy

The character I’d want to be like: Saitama. Without the depression, lol.

The character I’d slap: Metal Knight. Dude is up to something.

A pairing that I love: FlashSonic obviously

A pairing that I despise: I wouldn’t say despise but I don’t really read a lot of pairings w Garou. I never find them terribly in character for him...but maybe that will change now that he’s been reintroduced.

#asks

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yummysweetroll · 4 years

Photo

Anna: “Butch, why is Daddy never happy with what I do?”

____

I have some headcanons about Vault 101 and how it affected their childhood. Sit down, a lot of text is coming!

With Alphonse Almodovar becoming the new Vault 101 Overseer, the rules of containment and isolation became increasingly strict and a lot of people or entire families who wanted to leave the vault to the outside world were treated unfairly and often using force to contain any claim.

The Deloria family was one of the families that visited the outside world, coming back with new ideas and proving that the outside world was livable, that it would be beneficial for the Vault to receive more foreigners and open up for trade. This ended up messing with the administrative structures and the experiments the Vault had to conduct. A small group of residents agreed with Deloria's ideas and started a pro-opening movement.

Using Butch's father as an example of how the administration would bring up this type of issue, Alphonse ordered him to be executed forcing Ellen Deloria, who was pregnant at the time, to never mention the subject again ,repressing the movements even more until reducing them to dreams of foolish young people. This tragedy affected Ellen, leaving her alone with a child to raise, developing alcoholism and later neglecting Butch's education, causing the family to reassure the reputation of "troublesome and inconvenient".

It was common for the Deloria’s to receive less food stamps, less support when a problem occurred, it was usually their fault.For Butch, who was growing up, his clothes were always bigger than his size to avoid being changed mostly well worn out, was given less attention during schooling and group games as well. Butch as a child did not always understand what was going on with his family, but as everyone in the Vault was used to saying he deserved it and his mother was never sober enough for him to ask about it, he came to accept that condition, but throughout childhood this feeling became disgust and, finally, he was angered by any authority.

Upon being accepted into the Vault as the new doctor, James Campbell, wanting to avoid as much as possible any disagreements and earn the trust of the administration, started to abide by all the rules and proved to be an exemplary resident. Over time, the good doctor won a prestigious place, both in the administrative leadership and with the local population. Some perks also came, like bigger accommodations, unlimited food and drink vouchers, the best changes of clothes and shoes, unlimited access to Vault's facilities, among other small favors. With a prominent position James always walked with clothes and aligned postures and guided his daughter Anna to follow the same steps.

Anna started to grow and her father soon showed the desire for her daughter to follow in her footsteps, because in that way she would remain safe in the Vault, he always kept her well groomed (with her red satin ribbon, a gift from her late wife and which became the most important item for Anna), the VaultSuit clean and with all the accessories. He was strict with her grades and strongly encouraged Anna to befriend the Overseer's daughter, the son of the general store named Brian and other important figures.

Even with the guidance of all adults to Anna and Amata stay away from children who caused problems ... Butch and Anna ended up starting a friendship already in kindergarten, when Butch got into a fight to defend the girl and lies saying that he started the fight, but Anna tells the teacher the truth and in the end the two end up being punished together, with one blaming the other for being in this situation. Over time the two children grew up and it was common to see them together through the vault, always arguing and laughing because of games, schoolwork and children's day-to-day problems( such as the scratch that Anna left on Butch's face because the boy wouldn't let her read his edition of Grognark.). They were good friends and neither of them seemed to care about the distinction society made of them.

Amata started to feel rejected with her friend giving so much attention to someone that she shouldn't even be friends with and started complaining to her father, Lady Palmer and anyone who asked. Just as Paul and Willy started mocking Butch by calling him Anna's puppy and spreading it to everyone in the vault that the two were dating.

The news reached James, about his beloved daughter's involvement with the Deloria's son. As she was simply ignoring her father's recommendations, James starts lying to Anna about Butch and his family, in addition to all the ways to keep them away, either forbidding to see each other, or telling Butch that Anna never wanted to play with him again or wouldn't do schoolwork anymore. With Ellen feeling once again wronged about what they said about her son, she tried to convince Butch that it was a bad idea to get involved with the Campbells, as they were management’s boot-lickers and would step on him at some point

With the two more “poisoned” each day against each other, the fights became more personal and both began to avoid each other. Until, at the age of nine, Anna got into a serious fight, breaking a friendship of years and becoming mortal enemies.

(Now some fluffy♥♥) On the ten year’s anniversary, after the party, Anna wrapped up the sweetroll that Lady Palmer gave as a gift and in that same night, left it in front of Butch's dorm. In class the other day, Butch (who sat behind Anna) pulled her hair and as soon as she looked back, ready to scold him, she was faced with a corner smile of Butch, she snorted, but smiled shyly.

#butch deloria #child butch #lone wanderer #anna campbell #vault101 #fallout #fallout 3 #fanart #redraw #There's still more about the couple's vault life #my art

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historically-acurate-headcannons · 4 years

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Hello! I was just wondering how do you think Napoleon and al would like artist s/o? Would they like having them constantly drawing or would they get frustrated when they don’t pay attention to them? Would they try to get them to draw them? I also have a feeling that if they are jealous if you drew/ drawing someone else they would probably pull you into their lap while you are drawing and be my reader and just be very protective.

Alphonse Gabriel Capone

- Al, being the romantic that he is, will pull you on his lap or just sit close to you and watch you draw, it’s very relaxing for him, and trust me, he thoroughly enjoys it because he’ll just sorta melt into you and relax every part of his body.

- He know’s that everyone deserves a break every once in a while, so if he begins to suspect that your wrist may be hurting or that you’ve been drawing for over three hours he’ll force you to take breaks more often. He tells you that he loves you and wants you healthy.

- If you draw him, he’ll low-key be your biggest fan-boy ever and will also low-key suggest you draw him for any anatomy practices you have to do, and honestly? you agree! because out of his boys, he has more sharper features and you think that it makes him look even more handsome, and it really helps when drawing male anatomy especially if you’re bad at it.

Napoleon Bonaparte

- Enjoy’s watching you draw but from afar, he understands that sometimes having someone smother you can be overwhelming so he’ll enjoy your art from across the table, while sitting with you. He’ll ask you what you’re drawing and how you go about the entire creative process! It fascinates him when he gets to hear how your mind works.

- He’ll force you to take short breaks in-between every hour, unlike Al who will let you go for an extended period and then force you to have a long break. However, if he sees your wrist cramping or maybe you're a bit sluggish with your art, you’re one for the day my friend, now it’s time to relax.

- You drew him? Omg!! He loves it!! unlike Al, he’s very high-key about it and will ask if you can doodle him every once in a while, and you happily agree and surprise him with drawings of himself when he least expects it!

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