#Archie Henry Hug

[ouatsqincorrect]

How did Zelena find out about Leopold's abuse towards Regina an how did she react? Did she find out when Regina had a bad day and run into an panic attack or did she just put the pieces of the puzzle together? Did they ever talked about it in some way?

we’ve talked before about how snow used to be oblivious to everything that truly went on during regina’s past, but zelena wasn’t much better

she thought regina got everything she could have wanted when she became queen, and she never really stopped to think that maybe that wasn’t true

but unlike snow, zelena does slowly start to figure it out on her own, and that realization comes from living at mifflin

she gets to see what regina is like—not the mayor, not a hero, not the sister she’s been arguing with for years—but regina

she starts to see these things regina does at home that help her slowly begin to put the pieces together

for one, regina has a lot of difficulty sleeping—zelena figures this out after running into her in the kitchen a few times way past midnight

some days, when she’s really stressed, she’ll either stress clean or stress cook. zelena finds her one afternoon with three homemade pies, and on a different day, she finds her scrubbing every inch of the house down (henry tells her this kind of stuff just happens sometimes)

and she doesn’t really relate these things that regina does back to the king, but she does start to figure out that maybe regina is a little more traumatized by her past than she previously thought

one thing archie tells regina in therapy is that it’s ok to talk about it all. regina’s spent so much of her life keeping this secret within her

and archie reminds her that, no, she doesn’t need to tell anyone if she doesn’t want to, but it’s also ok if she needs to talk about it. if she lets herself lean just a bit on the people who love her, maybe life would be just a bit brighter

at first, regina totally ignores this advice, but a few weeks later, after one particularly bad day, she just needs someone to talk to and zelena is there

that’s when zelena finally knows the full truth—when all her speculations are proven correct and she’s livid. for a brief moment, she even considers trying to make that time travel spell work again so she could go back, kill the king, and spare regina all that pain

but that would alter the course of everything so instead, she does the only thing she can think of doing and hugs regina tight

and it turns out archie was right. being able to tell someone why she’s had a rough day makes the weight on regina’s shoulders lighten just a bit

#regina mills #zelena mills #regina/zelena #headcanons #tw abuse

[mydarllinglover]

Alone || Mine

Previous

After the funeral, Carol had approached  Natalia, when Daryl had been distracted with getting his things ready.

She had been preparing herself to settle the tension between herself and the woman, and to ask her to join them, but Natalia was already a step ahead of her, she had already chosen that she would be accompanying them to the herd, but when she was asked why, she refused to give a reason, just that she needed it to end, once and for all, and that meant any way how, she needed to do her part.

Daryl, who still refused to say a word to her, had all but dragged the woman onto the back of his bike, whilst Carol and Aaron rode two horses.

Once they got to their destination, "parking" their "vehicles", Connie, Kelly, Jerry and Magna had appeared from the foliage.

"Hi." Daryl greeted them.

"Hey, D." Jerry replied. "Nat!"

"Jerry" She grinned, jogging forward to hug the man. "How's Nabila, and the kids."

"Y'know, like normal, heard what happened to Rosita and Archie, they alright?"

"They're... they're all good, I have a lot to thank her for." She nodded, before moving on to greet Connie, as well as Kelly and Magna.

"Let's get to it. Screw these freaks." Magna sighed. "I say that in Siddiq's honour."

"That's the spirit." Natalia looked around the woods, seeing if she could spot anything.

"Thanks for helping." Daryl thanked Connie, patting her on the shoulder.

She pulled out a notebook, preparing to give a reply.

Natalia couldn't see what it said, but she couldn't deny that she craned her neck to see.

"You okay?" Aaron peered at her, as they walked.

"Fine." She smiled at him, pretending to not even notice the two conversing.

It was nightfall by the time they had reached the new border, and with a heavy sigh, they crossed it.

Daryl had been the last person, waiting after the others.

At some point, Carol had drew her bow, seeming to have spot something, though no one really took notice, except for Daryl, as per usual.

"Hey. Wait." He called to her, spotting the bear trap. "Coulda lost a foot." He commented, when she had saw it.

"They laid traps. Means we're getting closer. I saw something over there." Carol said.

"Will you stop this shit?" Daryl asked her. "Please. You want her dead so bad, you don't even care what happens to you."

"That's not true." She denied.

"You never came off that boat." He shook his head. "It's been like talking to a goddamn ghost."

"I'm doing the best I can."

"You didn't have ta drag my wife along with this, she didn't needa be out here."

"She wanted to come." Carol corrected. "I didn't make her."

"Yeah, only cause she thinks she owes you, she blames Henry's death on herself, bin beating herself up about it all morning, causea what happened to Siddiq, with Dante. I know you went and asked her, specifically when I wasn't around."

"She's useful, Daryl. You've been forgetting that, for a while. She's skilled and she knows her way in a fight, better than most of us."

"Not anymore, she's not meant for it out here, anymore, hasn't for a long time."

"You underestimate her, she's still capable."

"Well, the way you bin acting, I don wan' her getting hurt in the crossfire." He stated, before heading forward, to join the rest, temporarily stunting Carol.

The sun had risen high when they reached a clearing, the place Mary had said the horde was, and yet, it was an empty field.

"God damn it!" Daryl cursed, turning away as though it was an offensive sight.

"Wait." Aaron told him.

"For what?" He asked.

"This doesn't mean Mary lied to us, alright?" He tried to reason. "They were protecting this place. T-They put a trap in the road as a deterrent."

"Yeah, from some hunter a decade ago."

"No, that thing was rigged more recently than that, and you know it." Aaron pointed out.

"You wanna stand around and figure it out?" Daryl challenged. 

"Look, the herd could have been here last week or yesterday."

"Or not at all." Natalia interjected.

"We!" He glanced at the woman. "Had an obligation to come check this out."

"Nah. Time to find Lydia. Let's go." He walked away, Natalia shook her head at Aaron in sympathy before also turning and leaving.

"She's our main priority." She reminded.

"You didn't have to snap at him like that, not in front of everybody." Natalia told Daryl, as they walked further ahead than the rest.

"What?" He grunted, trying to look for tracks.

"He was sure on this, and he had hope, its Aaron, you know what he's like, but you didn't have to shoot him down like that."

"I don' need a lecture, alright, we're looking for Lydia so we can get the hell back home." He finalised.

"Oh, how I wonder where our daughter gets her pessimistic attitude from." She sighed to herself.

They hadn't spoke again until they reached water.

"Lydia would have taken this river downstream." Daryl told the group. "Back to our side."

They followed, until they noticed that Carol wasn't,

"Hey, Carol. Let's go." Daryl called for her.

"You go on. I'll meet you." She told him, walking the other direction.

"Nope. We all stay together." He clarified, as though he was some chaperone on a school field trip.

She didn't back down though, so they changed course, following her.

Even when she darted through the tree's.

"Hey!" Daryl shouted, sprinting after the woman. "Carol!"

"It's Alpha, she's following her." Natalia shared, spotting the woman through the leaves as she also ran.

She had managed to pass Daryl, being faster than him, but he got the chance to catch up when she ran into walkers, taking them down, throwing them into the same hole they had passed all those months ago to find Henry and Evie.

"You alright?"  He asked, when she had thrown the last one down.

"Still got it." She huffed. "Come on. Carol's still going after her." Natalia reminded, carrying on.

Daryl had waited back though, checking for more to come, as they ran, Natalia led the rest of the group into the same walkway she saw Carol going through, though she froze when she heard it, the large chorus of walker groans.

"I think we found the herd." She sighed, as the others also stopped staring down at what looked like a hundred walkers. "Well done, Carol.

"Guess they did move them." Aaron spoke lowly.

"Y'know, it's kinda reminding me of both of my pregnancy reveals." Natalia commented, raising her brows.

That's when a loud collision sounded, Daryl rolling along the ground just above them, stopping just before the edge.

"Speak of the devil..." She sighed, whilst Jerry and Aaron helped him up.

"Pregnant?" Daryl sputtered as he got to his feet.

"No, you idiot. I said, I was getting flashbacks to both reveals." She gestured to the horde.

"Yeah, we got a way bigger problem than memory lane." Magna looked around the cave, and so did the others, without the hundreds of walkers, the cave was a danger, alone, it was small, cramped, could possibly collapse at any moment and there looked to be no way out.

"Uh. Hey, guys?" Jerry called over the noise of the walkers, looking up, bringing attention to Alpha, who was stood on a high ledge, holding an torch of fire.

Carol stared at the woman with pure hatred, the realisation that she had been tricked got to her, then... she just screamed, loud, agonisingly and long, letting out all the rage she felt, and Alpha left her to it, exiting the cave.

"Give me a boost, I think I can reach it." Magna said, staring at the platform.

"Maybe Natalia can give it a go, she'll probably be lighter." Kelly suggested, sizing everyone up.

"Pipsqueak?" Magna, assessed the small woman. "Yeah, she won't reach a thing." She then gestured for the three men to help her up, and spot her.

"Ouch." Natalia muttered to herself, halting back, letting the others help up Magna, as she dealt with the walkers that were able to climb above the others, getting pushed towards them. 

"Aah!" Magna screamed, losing her grip and falling to the ground.

"Damn. You okay?" Daryl asked, helping her up.

"I almost had it." She told him.

"Nah, it's too high, no one's getting up there." He said. "You risk breaking your neck."

"We could try hopping across." Natalia suggested

"What?" Aaron asked her.

"Look." She moved Daryl's hand, the one holding the flashlight, showing off the small platforms above the walkers. "Could use those to jump across." She signed as she spoke, her and Daryl had been learning it, as well as teaching the kids, they had decided to, after they met Connie.

"Nice." Daryl nodded, looking at her proudly.

"Wait. For real?" Kelly asked.

"Uhm, yeah, Unless you got a better idea." Natalia asked her. "I'll go first, follow my lead, but don't all bunch up, leave a spot in case I need to turn back."

"Wait, Nat, are you sure?" Aaron asked.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?"

"Just that... you know, you got kids."

"Yeah, so do you, and you, and you." She pointed to the men in group, who were all fathers. "Alright, ready?"

"Let's go." Daryl slightly squeezed her hip as she got ready to jump, flashing the light over her head.

"Follow after, If I want anyone watching my back, it's always gonna be you." She looked up at Daryl, speaking to him quietly.

"'M always gonna. Don't die." He murmured lowly.

"You either." Then she jumped, reaching the small rock, and the walkers instantly swarmed around her.

"She did it!" Jerry whooped at her success.

"Hey." She grinned. "Look at that, I'm so small, they can barely reach me." She looked right at Magna, who didn't seem at all impressed, but Connie was also smiling nudging her friend.

"Alright, baby, keep going." Daryl told her, moving the flashlight to show her next spot.

She moved up, letting Daryl take her previous space, as she jumped to the next, which was a bit more crowded, having to kick walkers away from her, as she moved around the rock, before running along a small pathway, stopping in a crook, catching her breath.

Natalia lightly threw her arms around Daryl when he sat beside her, kissing his cheek, as the others moved along, towards them.

"You alright?" He asked.

"We're still alive, is it weird that I'm kinda having fun?"

"Yes." He stared at her.

"I don't know, guess I kinda missed when my life was on the line, getting from point A to point B, that kinda stuff, I don't know." She shook her head looking around the cave. "Up there." She pointed, standing up and moving towards it, as Carol came flying towards them.

"Hey! Hey! Come on! Come on!" Aaron began shouting at Kelly, who had just jumped, but fell, hitting at walkers as she scrambled to her feet.

"Come on, I gotchu!" Daryl told Carol, as she prepared to join them.

Carol jumped, but had also skidded, falling and landing on her stomach, walkers reaching at her feet whilst Daryl pulled her up.

"Nice going, like a real knight in shining armour." Natalia commented at him completely not having her.

"Shut up." He scowled, when they were sure Carol was alright.

They then helped the rest over, making sure everyone was okay.

That was until one walker had clung onto Kelly's foot, but Jerry acted quick, using his large axe to chop it off.

"Hey, hand me that thing." Daryl told him, gesturing to the arm.

"Knock yourself out, dude." Jerry said as he passed it to him.

He had ended up turning it into a torch, using it to navigate as they made their way through the mine.

"Alright, I need you to stay here, alright, keep everyone together." Daryl told Natalia, passing her his severed arm torch.

"What, where you going?" She asked.

"Gonna go look around for a way out." He told her, as though that were obvious.

"Nuh uh, Connie, take this, I'm going with you." She handed the severed arm torch to Connie, following Daryl.

Should I even ask how we're doing on food?" Aaron asked Jerry.

"Not great."

"Food?" Kelly asked. "How long do you think we gonna be here?"

"Hey, no worries. Walkers got in here somehow. We'll get out." Jerry attempted to reassure her.

"I think we know exactly how they got here.  Alpha put them here. These are theirs. We have to assume we're not alone." Aaron theorised.

Connie signed to Carol, asking if she was okay.

"I'm fine. Just a lil winded." She replied.

"She's claustrophobic." Daryl answered, as they made their way back over.

"Why didn't you think about that before you got us all trapped down here?" Magna asked.

"Hey." Aaron told her, not wanting to start anything. "It's not the time for this."

"Why not, seems like we got plenty of time for this." She shrugged. "What the hell were you thinking, huh? Running off like that by yourself?"

"Because she doesn't think, she see's and she does." Natalia said. "That's Carol, to hell with the actual important stuff that's going on."

"Hey! We ain't got time for this shit." Daryl told them. "We got in this mess together. We're gonna get out of it together. Now follow me, I think I found a way out."

They had found a large "room" to set up camp in, sorting themselves out, plotting.

"What did you mean, when you said that this place reminded you of when you found out you were pregnant." Kelly asked, filling the silence.

"Long story." Natalia answered, as she layed on her back, staring at the ceiling.

"It's either that, or we can go back to figuring out who's to blame for all of this." Magna said, her tone sounded awfully sarcastic, though.

"Fine, It was a whole bunch of us, all the leaders, basically, we took a trip to a museum in D.C and they have, had this uh, glass floor, so you could look down at all the exhibits, though, at this point, the only thing you could see was dozens of walkers, and as I was walking along it, it started to shatter, which did wonders for my self- esteem , as you can imagine, and as I fell through, like a swinging pinata, Siddiq decided to radio in and tell me that I was pregnant... with twins." She recounted that time, around seven years ago.

"Wow." Kelly raised her brows.

"Yep." Natalia had closed her eyes, her head leaning on her folded arms.

"And the other time?" Magna asked.

"Oh... I didn't actually find out then, he did." She pointed at her husband, who was sat by himself, in front of a fire he had built.

"The story of Archie? We never got to hear about this, either." Aaron, who was beside Jerry, shared.

"Yeah, I wanna hear this." The large man grinned.

"Too bad, I don't feel like sharing anymore." She decided.

"But..." Aaron began to complain.

"I don't wanna talk about it, because instead of being with my 1 year old baby, I'm stuck in a fucking cave."

"You chose to come." Carol remined.

"No one mentioned a cave." She replied. "Or that we were gonna be here... for hours, with nothing to do... just waiting... for a stroke of luck, or death... hopefully soon, I'm not picky."

"She's kidding." Aaron assured Kelly, who was looking terrified by each passing word. "Nat... Nat tends to get morbidly sarcastic when she's either bored or scared. Right now, that's both."

"Naming your son Archie, is a lil on the nose, isn't it?" Magna asked, looking at Daryl.

"I didn't name him, wasn't even there when he was born." He sniffed, examining his knife.

"What do you mean?" Jerry asked.

"Birthed and delivered him, myself, just like the twins. Not bad for a pipsqueak, huh?" She opened one eye, glancing at Magna, who rolled her own. "And I named him after two of my best friends, father and son, just combined the first letter of their names though, Archie Carl."

"Natalia, you are the most terrifying person I've ever met." Aaron complimented her.

"Thank you, Aaron, it means a lot to be taken seriously."

They had sat in more silence, until Magna stood up, walking towards Daryl, with a limp.

"Hey. Hey... can I, Can I get matches?" She asked him.

"You should try to take it easy for a minute." He told her.

"I can't." She breathed heavily. "I need to do something."

He caved, handing her the box.

"Thanks." Magna said, as she accepted them, then walked away, then Carol sat beside him.

Natalia moved to lay on her side, her back to them, so she didn't have to unwantedly over-hear their conversation, she needed to rest, for her own sanity, but she really, really didn't want to die in this cave,

It was quiet for quite a while, before Magna had shouted at them.

"Skins!" She cried, and everyone was up in the second, running towards her.

Magna was trying to fight one off as more emerged.

One, a stocky looking man, had lunged at Natalia, aiming to stab her, but she managed to duck, knocking him on his ass, before stabbing her knife into his skull, she turned around and the others were doing the same, killing without hesitation.

Daryl stood back from his, looking around, whilst another came running at him from behind, but Natalia was quicker, throwing an knife into their head.

"Let's go." Daryl decided, turning in the way they had come from, bending slightly to retrieve Natalia's knife, wiping it on his trousers, handing it back to her as though it were a relay race.

They had ran into another room/spot.

Connie began signing in frustration.

"If we don't follow each other in the dark, we're gonna get split up." Kelly translated.

"She's right. We stick together." Carol agreed.

"At least we know there's a way out now." Aaron said.

"Yeah, but where?" Magna asked.

"I think they went this way." Jerry suggested.

"You see where they went?" Daryl asked him.

"Not exactly, but... I know a road sign when I see one." He shone his flashlight on an arrow, that had been carved into the rock.

Daryl followed it, and the rest followed him.

"Hey, come on." He hollered, reaching something that had caused him suspicion.

Connie shone her light into the crack, but nothing seemed to be jumping out at them, just a path.

"I'll go through." Natalia suggested.

"Naw." Daryl shut her down, instantly.

"I can fit." She argued.

"So can I, I'm going first." instead of giving her space to make her piece, he squeezed through the rock.

Natalia huffed, folding her arms in frustration, leaning against the wall.

"He loves you." Connie signed, nudging her. "And he wants to protect you."

"I don't need protecting, I'm fine to look after myself." She signed back, though hers was a lot slower as she remembered which word meant what sign.

"He knows that, but he's scared, and the best way he can deal with that is by taking charge."

She shrugged not knowing what to say, but feeling slightly defeated.

"Are you guys doing okay?"

"You seem to know more about my husband, then I do, these days."

"This is it." Daryl called, from inside the tomb.

Natalia was the first to move, pushing off the rock to go after him, letting the others follow after her.

"Hey, Nat?" Jerry called, from the back. "I'm really jealous of you, right now."

"I would love to trade, Jerry, obviously, after we get out this cave." She replied, back. "We're almost there, anyway."

She had reached Daryl, who was stood, staring at another hole, except this one wasn't walk through-able, they would have to crawl through it.

"Mine." Natalia decided, getting ready to climb in.

"Nat, no-"

"Nuh uh, this has my name written all over it, you can join the queue." She told him.

"I don't want ya doing that."

"And you think I want you to? Look, I can easily get through that, you're gonna struggle, and so is everyone else, I don't wanna wait behind you lot, besides, if it's a dead end, it's gonna take me half the time to figure that out, then it is you, so I'm going first."

"She has a point." Magna said.

Natalia saw the confliction on his face, and as he was about to speak his mind, she kissed him, briefly, giving her enough time to startle him and sneak into the hole, crawling through.

"Hey, you alright, back there?" Aaron called to Jerry, as the rest were crawling through.

"Yeah, sure, I'm just a 6,2ft dude that had trouble fitting into airplane bathrooms. Why wouldn't I be okay?" He grunted.

"Fair enough." Aaron nodded.

"Hey, quit your whining, I can see the end." Natalia called, "It's like, a hairs away."

"Who's hair are we talking about, before the twins, or after?" Aaron called.

"Don't get her started." Daryl sighed.

"Aaron, you know I don't like to talk about that, okay? It's a real sensitive subject for me." She admitted. "Hey, I'm out! Baby, come on!"

"I'm comin'" He breathed, crawling forward.

"It's so spacious out here, oh wow, come on, keep coming, the oxygen here is great."

Daryl came struggling out, then Magna, Kelly was after.

"I'm good." She told them, as she fell to the floor, despite Daryl helping her out.

Carol's breathing had gotten out of control, by the sounds of it, she was on the verge of a full-blown panic attack, if she wasn't already in one.

"Carol! Carol!" Daryl shouted down the hole, trying to spot her in the very dim light.

"I'm here." She said, weakly.

"Hey, Carol, there's nothing to be scared about, alright, you're so, so close, just a little further." Natalia told the woman. "You've almost made it, and this is like the least scariest thing you've ever done, this is nothing compared to the thing's you've accomplished."

She was still struggling.

"Carol, I get your pain, okay, I understand, I understand it more than anyone could, okay, you know my daughter, my first one, before Evie, damn, when I lost her, I thought my life was going to end, and it did, it did feel like that, but then it didn't and I- I got to greive and I got to live a life that I could imagine her being a part of everyday, but yet, the vengeance I feel, that's never left me, to this day, I still wish I could cause harm over what happened to her, so I get your need to hurt Alpha, believe me, I do, but you're not going to get that satisfaction if you die in here, because you refused to move, but when you get out, I promise you, nothing on this earth will stop me from helping you see her bleed, I swear that on my life, but I need you to get out of that damn crawlspace, so we can drop that bitch and be done with this, with her stupid rules, and her meetings, all of it, so I need you to get the hell out, Carol."

"I can't." She whimpered. "I can't!"

"You can!" Natalia snapped. "You can, y'know why we named our daughter after you? Because you are brave, and you are strong, and one hell of a fighter, nothing stops Carol Peletier from getting to where she needs to be, nothing, because you are not scared of anything, even crawling through this, don't make us have named our child after someone who couldn't crawl through a damn tunnel, at least go down fighting, so we have a story to tell."

They heard movement, Carol was crawling through.

She felt a pat on her back, looking to her side.

"Thanks." Daryl muttered.

"I didn't do it for you, she needed a reality check, it's a long time coming." She smiled, reaching for his hand to hold.

When Carol had reached them, Natalia took the flashlight from her hands so that Daryl could help her out.

"Go ahead." She told him, as he carried her out of the cave

"I got you, I got you." He grunted, dealing with her weight.

"You did it." Natalia whispered to the woman, smiling, before turning back to the hole. "Right, three of you guys left, you got it."

"Hey, love the support, Nat, I really do, it's a nice change for you... but, just be quiet for a second." Jerry instructed, as something started whizzing.

"What is it?" Aaron asked.

"Aaron, man, be quiet." Jerry told him, as the whizzing continued.

Then was the sound of angry walker growls.

"Go, go, go! Go!" Jerry shouted, as Connie and Aaron clambered forward.

"Go, go, go!" Aaron tapped Connie, pushing her forward, faster.

Connie soon emerged, Natalia stepping back so she could climb out.

"Jerry, come on!" Aaron called back, as he also clambered out.

"Come on! Come on!" Daryl encouraged.

"Jerry, come on! You're almost there!" Aaron bellowed, when Jerry got to the tight bit.

"Guys! I'm... I'm stuck." He told them.

"Here, take my hand." Daryl said, reaching to grab for him.

Jerry groaned as he stretched himself tall, reaching for the other man.

"My feet! My feet! They got my feet! They're biting my feet! My feet!"

"Take your gear off!" Aaron suggested. "Take it off!"

He did as told, passing it forward.

"Come on, come on, give me your hand!" Daryl continued, as Jerry kicked at the walkers.

Daryl and Aaron were able to get a hold of him, pulling him out.

Natalia stabbed the walker that followed.

"You good?" Kelly asked, as they checked him for bites. "It's okay. They didn't bite through. You're good. It's all right. It's okay."

They all looked ahead, there was a small light, from up top, shining down onto the dark rock.

"Hey. Hey!" Magna called, standing up. "Look"

"Wait!" Daryl grabbed her around the waist, as she almost plummeted to her death, a large, dark void was just below.

Daryl tore off the arm of Natalia's latest kill, lighting it on fire and dropping it down, illuminating the horde just below them.

They had found another area, that had been boarded up with slabs of wood, Daryl had been the one to break through it.

The group walked through, silently, waiting for something to happen, but nothing did, and they hadn't found anything, either.

"Why are we standing around, just looking at it?" Magna asked.

"We got to be very careful." Kelly translated for Connie. "We take out the wrong piece, this whole thing's gonna collapse."

They took this in mind, as they looked for their exist.

"Alright, find something to dig with." Daryl told everyone, as they heaved and hooed.

"Hey, Aaron, can you help me with this?" Jerry asked, as they worked together.

"Yeah, yeah." He nodded.

"Kelly, what's that?" Natalia asked the young woman, seeing the box she had just uncovered.

"Look for yourself." She grinned, holding up a stick of dynamite. "Guys, look what I found!"

"Kelly! Uhm, that's great, but, that is dynamite, and unless you want to blow up into a million pieces, drop it!, like it's a new born baby!" Natalia demanded.

"What's going on?" Carol asked.

"Nothing, uhm, it's nothing, she thought she found something, but she didn't, it was just a cool looking rock." Natalia lied through her teeth, blocking Carol's view.

"But-" Kelly intervened, having dropped off her new find.

"Zup"

"No, but I-"

"Zup." Natalia repeated.

"But-"

"Kelly, go help the others, now." Natalia told her, pushing the girl around Carol.

"Nat?"

"It's fine, I don't wanna bore you with a rock, we haven't got time for that." Natalia walked away, quickly.

"Want to take a break?" Aaron asked Magna, as they lifted things around.

"I can rest when... when we get home." She replied.

"You in a hurry?" He pried.

"I just don't wanna hang out here any longer than I have to. Do you?"

"No, but... you barely rested, haven't eaten anything. You never stop."

"I didn't leave things good with Yumiko." She breathed, heavily.

"I'm sorry." He squeezed her arm in condolence.

"Me, too."

Daryl had found something, yanking at it hard, until it broke, falling to the ground with a cloud of dust.

"You okay?" Natalia asked, as he backed away, covering his mouth.

"Yeah." He nodded, "Fine, now." He pointed at the window he just opened up to the outside. "Come on, go." He gestured for Kelly to peep out."

"Just a little more." She told them.

"Where's Carol?" Daryl asked, as the others gathered around the exit.

"I have an idea," Natalia grumbled, heading towards the now rifled through, box of dynamite. "For fuck sake." She sighed, heading back to where Carol would be.

When they had found her, she was hanging of the edge of the rock, right over the horde, struggling to get up.

Natalia had been the one to go to her, she didn't trust Daryl getting over the rocks.

"Carol, come on." She held her hand out for her. "Just grab my hand, okay? I'm right here."

Carol latched on, and together, they were able to get her up.

"You okay?" Natalia asked, as they still clung to each other?

"We can take out half her horde from here." Was Carols reply.

"And that's worth risking your life for?"

"She killed my boy." Carol broke down.

"I know, Carol, and I am so sorry that she did, but this? You just can't do this, you can't live your life suicidally, he would never want that, you can't let his death be in vain, cause then, then she would win, and you can not let her win, we need to make her pay, this? She can always get more walkers, and she'll just double it next time, no, you need to do what she did to him, to them, you need to take her head, and that's when it stops, that's when this ends, and you can't do that if you're down there. Come on."

Natalia went to move back, and she thought Carol would too, but then she reaching for the stick, dropping it, and they both watched in horror as it fell into the horde.

"Hey! Come on!" Daryl called to them to come back, as the walls around them shook.

"She- She's bleeding." Natalia wheeped, as they reached Daryl, blood was dripping down Carol's face, it was all she could see.

"So are you!" He told her, grabbing hold of her, just as Connie and Magna came, helping support the two.

"Come on! Come on! Hurry!" Magna rushed them towards where Jerry was holding the support beams, by himself.

"I can't!" He grunted, struggling with the weight.

Magna helped Natalia stand, whilst Daryl squeezed her arm.

"You keep her safe, you get her out of here, Imma help from up there." He told her, squeezing the woman's hand again, before darting to the top.

"Give me her hand, I'll pull her up!" Daryl shouted down, when he was ready.

"No, no she goes first, she's bleeding." Natalia urged.

"Nat, so are you!" Magna told her.

"She's bleeding, get her out of here!" She pushed, hitting Connie to get Carol to move.

Connie helped push Carol up, as more rubble fell down.

"We've got more skins!" Magna cried, letting Natalia stand on her own, so she could fight.

Jerry screamed in agony refusing to let go.

"Get outta here!" Magna cried.

"I- I gotta help" Natalia, who was going considerably pale, stuttered, looking for her knife.

"Nat, I love you, but you need to get the hell out of here, before I drop this on you" Jerry told her.

"Hey, come on!" Daryl shouted down.

"But they're-"

"Go!" Jerry screamed at her. "Daryl, your wife, she ain't looking so great, you're gonna have to help her!"

"Nat, baby, come on, just give me your hand!" Daryl told her desperately.

She caved, staggering up, and as soon as they caught sight, Aaron and Daryl yanked her up.

"She's bleeding, real bad." Aaron looked at Daryl nervously.

"Jerry, come on man!" Daryl ignored it, wiping at the blood coming from a large gash on Nat's hairline, dripping down her face.

"We gotta help them" She almost whispered, reaching down as, they tried to pull her away, whilst Jerry climbed up.

They had three seconds to run before the mine exploded, sending a large thick cloud of dust into the air.

The group coughed as they got their barings.

Daryl looked around him, but he couldn't see her, he could've sworn she tried to pull away, but he held on to her, he did, right, he pulled her back, so why wasn't she by his side?

"Nat? Nat! Natalia!" He called, running to the rubble, turning over the rocks. "Nat? Nat, baby, where are you?"

He threw the rocks, as more dust clouded his vision.

"Natalia!"

"No!" Kelly cried, realising that her sister hadn't emerged from the mine, neither had Magna, but he couldn't focus on that right now. "No! No! No!"

"Nat, baby, where are you, please." He begged, as he searched.

Aaron had helped him, then, he found her.

"Daryl..." He said, his voice shook. "Daryl... I- I found her."

He turned in a mili-second, almost running to the man, until he froze, staring at her body, her unmoving body.

"Daryl...." Aaron whispered, as he darted to her.

"Nat?" He threw the large plate of rock that was over her arm, now, it looked out of place, her wrist was bent, he could've sworn that was her bone sticking out.

Her eyes were closed, there was a slash across her cheek, her head injury looked more and more bloody, her skin, that he could see under the dust, was ghost pale.

Daryl held her, her head fell down as his arm supported her neck.

"Nat, baby..." His voice was weak, he layed his head on her chest, listening for a heartbeat. His own fluttered when he could hear it, weak and soft, but there, her pulse was near enough the same, but she was still alive. "Help me!" He shouted to Aaron. "Help me!"

"Daryl-"

"Help me! She's alive! She's-... she's alive, just, just help me, please!"

"This blast is gonna call walkers and Whisperers from a hundred miles from here!" Kelly yelled, staring at the wreckage, from where her sister was buried in. "We don't want our backs pressed against this mountain when they come. We can't save her if we're still here, and we can't save them if we're dead."

"She's- we're, help... help- we're gonna get help, and they're gonna, they'll" Daryl could barely make out his sentence, his eyes welled up as he held Natalia tightly, lifting her off the ground.

"Go ahead, say it to me." Carol

whimpered, clinging onto his arm, but he shoved her away. "I deserve it. Just say it to me. She's going to die because of me. You were right about everything. Just say it to me."

He struggled to get past her again, but she grabbed him once more.

"No, please." She wailed. "You care about her. You've loved her for so long. And now she's going to die because of me. Please, just say it! Please say it!"

He ignored her, turning back to Aaron and Jerry.

"Take her. Go home and get her help, you... you'll get her there. Evie, Rosita, they can help her." He walked towards Jerry, who met him half way. "You... you protect her, you keep her breathing till she can get help." He told him, not giving her up yet.

"I will, Daryl, I will." Jerry looked at him sincerely. "All of us will have to have been dead before anything could happen to her."

Daryl looked down once again, even like this, she was still the most beautiful thing he had ever graced his eyes on.

His lip trembled as he took her in, leaning his forehead on hers.

"You stay alive" He whispered. "You stay alive for Evie, For Daisy and Bambi, for Archie, and for me. God damn it, you stay alive for me, Natalia Isabelle Dixon, you fucking stay alive... I love you." He kissed her forehead before letting the large man take her, gently, he made sure she was safe and comfortable, even if she was unconscious, before he turned away, passing Carol without acknowledgement, once more.

"Tell the others we found the horde." He told the group.

"Where you gonna be?" Aaron asked.

"They got out before us." His voice shook, as he fought back tears. "There's gotta be another way in." He needed to stay busy, there was nothing he could do for Natalia, and he'd lose the strength to not hurt Carol if he stayed around, he needed to stay busy, and away.

Jerry walked in the direction of home, holding onto Natalia tightly, muttering words to her every so often, to remind himself that he wasn't holding a dead body, no matter how it felt, Kelly walked in his shadow, whilst Aaron limped behind, focusing on getting home, focusing on getting one of his best friend's back so she could stay alive.

They left Carol.

Next

#daryl dixon #daryl dixon smut #the walking dead daryl #twd daryl #carl grimes #carol peletier #daryl fanfiction #glenn rhee #michonne #rick grimes #daryl dixion smut #daryl x reader #daryl x y/n #daryl dixon x reader #daryldixonalonetwd #darylxnatalia #rosita espinosa #michonne hawthorne #aaron raleigh #jerry #connieandkelly

[phoenixflames12]

Nine people you'd like to get to know better

Unofficially tagged by Mag @silvermagpies thank you, darling!

3 ships: Endeavour Morse/Monica Hicks, John Bridgens/Henry Peglar, Horatio Hornblower/Archie Kennedy

first ship: Will/Djaq from BBC Robin Hood

last song: Standing at the Sky's Edge from the Original West End Cast recording of Standing at the Sky's Edge

currently reading: on the annual re-read of Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon

last movie: Can't remember. I am Bad with films

currently craving: either my brain to shut up, our heating, hot water and gas to be restored (not knowing if there was a potential carbon monoxide leak yesterday is such fun) or a hug. A definite hug that doesn't feel forced. Haven't had one of those in ages.

Anyone who wants to, please consider yourself tagged!

#phoenixflames12 does memes

[thebirdandhersong]

OUAT season 6 mid-season thoughts in one post to prevent dash clogging!

the good, interesting, delicious, and hopeful:

The Dragon telling Regina directly that her internal battle is NOBLE!! That it is noble and praiseworthy to fight against the darkness and to keep fighting!! She really needed to hear that seen and validated and appreciated, I think!!

Killian encouraging and giving hope to Emma by telling her a story! By reminding her of who she is!!!

our recurring secondary cast RETURNSSSS (SO happy to see Archie and Leroy and August again!!!)

Archie the unwilling babysitter lollll

Only Charming and Snow could make a sleeping curse romantic :') that little montage was the sweetest

Belle and Hook's friendship!!! Deeply beloved to me!!!

Aladdin and Emma's friendship!!! Also deeply beloved!!!!

girl.... the first time we see Emma without false lashes and/or mascara is season FIVE. she looks good. why doesn't this happen more often!!!

Killian holding Charming when he cries and cries in the underground prison after he learns the truth (part 1) about his father's death

Killian asking for Charming's blessing!!!! Did I cry!!!!!

I think a part of me took flight when Killian revealed that he wanted to propose to Emma :') like..... yessss marry that girl live life together become part of the family marry her!!!! (THAT'S THE TICKET!!!!!!) (unfortunate that things went off the rails afterwards though. They DO hate to see a girlboss winning)

Regina hugging and congratulating Emma when she sees the ring :')

Henry and Hook bonding moments

HOOK AND LIAM

REGINA AND SNOW FRIENDSHIP ESTABLISHED LOVE TO SEE IT SO SO MUCH

the confusing, sad, exasperating, and frustrating:

in s5, we went to Hades in a handcart. In s6, Hades comes to us in a horse drawn carriage. Hate to see it.

I thought the show was going to do something about the sheer number of refugees entering Storybrooke (was under the impression that a number of them were villains that Hyde was bringing in, too? but I was wrong) but so far nothing much has come of it

Killian being Charming's dad's murderer. Very sad also hate to see it but also narratively a VERY interesting choice and I'm watching this subplot's career with great interest

this show is missing SO much babysitting shenanigans potential with the two babies in this show (we BARELY get to interact with Baby Neal!)

I don't know what's worse/more confusing/more exasperating: Killian killing Charming's/his future father-in-law's father, or Rumple and Belle's son/Emma's son's father's half-brother trying to kill Emma

BITING KICKING AND CLAWING AT THE HONESTY/DISHONESTY SUBPLOT REARING ITS HEAD AGAIN (Emma closing up again and not being honest with Killian despite all the nonsense that went on in s5, Killian and the whole Charming's father arc)

Rumpelstiltskin walks in with the worst haircut this side of Storybrooke has seen, and you expect me to consider it an upgrade????

I would like someone to take Regina by the shoulders, look her in the eye, and say: I love you. I'm glad you're here. You're a part of this family. I NEED THIS BADLY

Evil Queen and Rumpelstiltskin being Involved. Gross

Robin and the Evil Queen being in cahoots. Not the vibe

Rumpelstiltskin. That's it. The man makes me foam at the mouth.

#songbird watches ouat

[shewholovesall]

DAY 3: LOVE LANGUAGE; PHYSICAL TOUCH

I think this small sweet little family all of them have that physical touch need.

Sometimes with Love Languages not all the time it's what you lacked as a child is what your love language is or if that's how you've been shown love if you are more comfortable with physical touch than not.

Emma we know grew up in foster homes her first 3 years of life with parents who we don't know much about but I'm gonna go and say besides giving her up when she was 3, were pretty good parents. She was probably cuddled a lot as a child but as she got older her foster parents maybe weren't so nice. Emma is really only seen initialing physical touch with people she trusts/relies on and sometimes it takes some time.

For example, Emma does not hold Henry when he is born but you can see her holding on to the bars of the bed, in my mind, she doesn't want to hold him because she knows she would not want to let him go if she did and she was trying to do the best thing for him. Because for her that little bit of touch forged a trust. Now granted we didn't get to see all of Neal and Emma we saw a few scenes of them pre Manhattan/storybrooke but she is still the one who initiates the physical contact.

Neal if I remember correctly Rumple was very affectionate physically and it wasn't until Rumple was the dark one did Neal shied away from his touch. But with the Darliengs (Wendy) he hugged her and had that physical touch. I think on some level he knew touch meant he was loved or that he loved someone.

Herny was raised by Regina. (Don't want to get too much into Regina but it seemed that for her touch is power and was negative in the parent-child relationship which could be why she also may not prefer physical touch) We see that she holds him close as a baby and maybe she was very cuddly with him as a baby. But by the time we meet HEnry, he's 11 and he shies away from her touch but was that when he got the book or did it happen before that we don't know. But when Emma and HEnry are in Archie's office, he hugs Emma saying "I knew you were going to help me." Emma seems startled by it but lays her arms gently around him. After that, it seems he and she both intialte contact. Actually besides Neal and HEnry Emam is usually the one who initiates contact with someone. Less than a day or a week after Neal and Henry meet. Henry is already initiating contact with Neal with hugs and with Neal keeping his hand on Henry's shoulder ran dnot Henry not shying away.

I truly belive the Physcial Touch for our Modern fairy tale family is their main love language. Probably because on some level they have all been starved of it for multiple years.

#WHY DOES THE WORD PHYSCIAL LOOK SO WORNG TO ME? #MAYBE IIT'S BECAUSE I WRITE PSYCHOLOGICAL MORE #SWANFIREWEEK #I'M A BIT BEHIND #sfweek2023

[countrymusiclover]

19 - A Dangerous Dimond

Part 20

His Golden Princess

@fanficismydrug @misskitty1912-blog @alanaangie24

Watching Henry playing on a rope swing I heard a truck door closed and my parents walked up clearly heartbroken over something which couldn't be good. My sister went over immediately hugging Henry who started crying on a park bench. "Dad, mom...what's happening?" I asked stepping closer to them.

"It's about your son." My father spoke towards Rumple. "Tamara shot him."

Covering my mouth with my hands I gasped feeling tears starting to fall at hearing Henry's father was dead. "Oh god..."

"They used a bean to open a portal. Neal was hurt so badly that he fell through. He's gone." My father explained sniffling through tears of his own.

Rumple started crying when I turned his direction where I reached for his hand but he clutched his cane in both hands. "Bae wasn't supposed to die."

"Greg and Tamara—they took something from Regina—a magical trigger. A fail-safe in the curse that could destroy Storybrooke." My father broke me from my trance.

My mother sucked in a shacky breath crying alongside him. "If they activate it, it's a self-destruct. Everyone not born in this world will die." 

"The total destruction of Storybrooke..." I gasped wrapping my arms around myself in fear.

Rumple started walking away crying until my father rushed after him. "They killed your son in cold blood, and you don't wanna stop them?"

"They didn't kill my son. I did. I brought magic to this world to find Bae, and now he's dead. Magic always has a price, and this—this is it. But I'm prepared to pay it." Rumple's voice breaks as he started crying more.

My mother stood by dad begging him to fight. "But... We'll die. You'll die!"

"Well, I've made my peace with that." He walks away, shocking the three of us.

Everyone is inside Granny's waiting to use a magic bean and jump realms to safety. "Regina can hold off the self-destruct device long enough for us to escape, but...She won't survive." My sister tried explaining to Henry who started crying.

"But we can't do this! She's family! We don't leave family behind!" Henry begged his mother frantically trying to convince her. "We saved her from from being killed by the Wraith. How is this any different?"

"The Wraith!" Our mother realized another plan.

Emma and I raise our brows. "What?"

"We sent it through a portal. Why can't we do the same thing with the self-destruct?" She explained with hope in her eyes.

My sister shakes her head uneasy. "Because we don't know if it's gonna work." Glancing around the room at everyone. "It's too risky. No one will go along with it."

Archie or Jimmy Cricket stepped up believing in our parents. "Yes, we will. Because it's the right thing to do. Look, Snow White and the Prince have always led us before, and we've always won. So, who's willing to let them lead us again?"

I grinned hearing granny, red and the dwarfs all cheer in agreement to follow their lead like they did years before. Raising my hand in the air I felt Grumpy pull me into his side smiling. "Princess sister is on board too."

Mom grinned my direction then looked to my sister. "Thank you, Archie. This is what we should do." She stepped up grabbing my freehand in hers squeezing it gently. "Look, I know we haven't had a lot of chances to be parents, but give us this one. Let us do the right thing. It's not to late."

My sister embraced Henry still worried. "I just don't want him to be alone. I don't want him to grow up the way I did...the way we did." She tilts her head my direction before a huge earthquake shakes the diner. Entering the mines I winced feeling something drawing my magic and weakening me.

Raising my right hand I squinted one eye open thinking of a crazy idea. Walking slowly forward Henry followed me with my sister comforting our parents in one last hug. "I love you, Henry. I only wish I was strong enough to stop all this. I'm just not." He hugs her tightly.

Raising my hands I concentrated raising my hands over the glowing Dimond of destruction. Shutting my eyes tightly I felt the strength of its power running through my veins. "I'm sorry, Rumple..." Foosteps approached beside me feeling my sister grab my freehand tightly in hers

"You may not be strong enough, but maybe we are." She replied staring into my eyes using her other hand to contain the magic where it blasted us back. The weapon dropped onto the ground where I looked around realizing Henry was missing.

"The last bean. They've opened a portal." Regina gasped when we reached the docks seeing them throw the bean opening a portal in the water.

Emma and our father shouted. "Henry! Henry!" 

Greg and Tamara leap through the portal with Henry.

"We can't just let the, take Henry! My sister fought against dad trying to hold her back.

Running my hands through my hair I heard someone call my name where I spun around on my feet rushing to his embrace. "Astrid, are you alright. I felt you take on that power." He could see me heartbroken  mumbling Henry under my breath. "They've taken Henry?"

"Yeah. You're the Dark One. Do something." My father demanded still holding onto my sister.

Rumple moved his hand around while I grip his arm too emotionally unstable at the moment. "There's no way. I spent a lifetime trying to cross worlds to find my son. There's no way in this world without a portal."

"So that's it? He's gone forever? I refuse to believe that." Regina stomped her foot on the ground in frustration at his explanation.

Blinking tears away the Jolly Roger pulled up onto the docks where my sister demanded the pirate. "We need to get Henry. Greg and Tamara took him through a portal."

"Well, I offer my ship and my services to help follow them." Hook offers where we all got on board the ship.

Waving my left hand I smiled creating my sword in my hand. Clipping it in the holster on my belt where Rumple walked up eyeing the pirate. "So, are you done trying to kill me." 

"I believe so." He replied simply.

"Excellent. Then you can live." Rumple smirks towards his rival before

magically summons the Magic Globe, pricks his finger, and a map of a strange island appears.

Regina tilts her head at the red map. "Where is that? Where did they take Henry?"

"Neverland." Hook immediately told our group.

Whipping my hair over my shoulder my freehand on my sword handle completely baffled by his answer. "I'm sorry did you just say, Neverland. As in the land where nobody grows up. With the legendary hero Peter Pan. Like that Neverland?"

"Aye princess. But he's not a hero like in your tall tales. He's...not a hero at all." Rumple said squeezing my shoulder before we all started helping to move the ship towards the portal.

Our father held onto mom tightly asking. "So who are we up against? Who are Greg and Tamara?"

"They're merely pawns, manipulated by forces far greater than they can conceive. They have no idea who they're truly working for." Rumple explained wrapping an arm around my waist pulling me closer to his chest.

My sister stared at us as the wind blew her hair in her face. "And who's that?" 

"Someone we all should fear." Rumple called back to my sister as I clutched onto his black suit whispering against the wind. "We're coming Henry. We will find you...we will always find you."

Comments really appreciated

Here we are on our way to season 3 my readers. Yay!!

#his golden princess #robert carlyle #margot robbie #ouat rumplestilskin #ouat rumplestilskin x reader #rumplestilskin x reader #rumple x reader #rumplestiltskin #ouat rumple #the dark one #the evil queen #ouat mr. gold #mr. gold #regina mills #henry mills #emma swam x sister reader #emma swan #snow white #mary margaret blanchard #david nolan #prince charming/david #prince charming #oc : astrid swan #storybrooke #once upon a time #ouat #ouat fic #ouat fanfiction #ouat fandom #comments really appreciated

[konako]

What would be Ruby's primary love language? You know, between words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service, and receiving gifts.

Wonderful!! A few things...

Okay, if we're talking ways in which Ruby demonstrates her affection for others, the very primary one, I think, would be Acts Of Service.

It's the language that Granny best responded to; It was the safest, most direct and honest way Red could express her affection for her grandmother, without being dismissed or shut off. If she wanted to be heard or seen, she'd do the chores, just like Granny instructed. 

Granny wasn't one for hugs, comforting touches, sweet words. Granny was practical, Granny was blunt and brief. Granny loved Red with all of her heart, but couldn't express it any other way (~generational trauma~), so that's what she passed down to her granddaughter.

It's the earliest lesson in affection Red was taught: help me, and I'll know that you love me.

[TL;DR: Ruby’s primary and secondary love language, and how to best show Ruby that you love her]

The many many many sacrifices she would have made for Peter, from the bottom of her heart, just to be with him

Helping these two strange men get into the murderous evil witch's castle at the request of Snow

Meeting with Snow every month to deliver her a basket of food and news of the world, (even when Snow was shown to have grown into a very skilled, self-dependent survivor and hunter)

Helping David put the town back together, after the first Dark Curse was broken and people were confused and scared

Stepping between the town’s people and a clearly bloodthirsty Regina, standing alone to protect them

Offering Belle a home, advice, a hobby, a job, bad jokes, a listening ear — all within five seconds of meeting her!

Taking the time to explain pancakes and syrup to Belle!

Helping David, by helping Rumple, a task she was visibly uncomfortable with

Standing up to protect David from Spencer, despite the fact that she was the one being actively hurt by him

Foolishly thinking she could stop the combined forces of Regina and Rumple from killing Emma and Snow, poor puppy

Waaaay back then, even during the curse, standing up for Ashley, lending her her car and lying for her, so that Ashley could have a shot at a better life

Her entire relationship with Henry

Again, stepping between what she thought was Regina threatening Archie, someone who cannot fight back.

Stopping Whale’s suicide attempt and proceeding to almost literally talk him off the edge. 

Bringing an amnesiac Belle a basket for reminders, books and other things she likes, in the hopes of comforting her during a rough, confusing time

Tracking the scent of the new bad guys and their schemes, so they can protect the town.

Babysitting Henry, every time it was requested, despite all that was going on.

Bringing up Regina’s distress to Snow, perhaps in the hopes that Snow would comfort the Queen, when Red wasn’t comfortable to do that herself.

Helping Mulan’s friend, who she hadn’t YET MET!!

Offering Mulan help in finding her path, by inviting her along her quest to find werewolves

And many others ways for which I don’t all the gifs!! 

NOW!!

Her secondary love language, 

Once she’s close and comfortable with a person and she’s secure in approaching them without being misinterpreted (or gods forbid: scaring them),

is Physical Touch

It’s one of the things she craved in her childhood, growing up with a distant, somewhat oppressing and controlling grandmother, few to no friends and a boy~friend, a blossoming relationship within which affection couldn’t be properly demonstrated, in the fear of being reprimanded and forbidden even further by, guess who: Red’s Granny. 

She is a physically affectionate person! And she’d show it more, if she had the opportunity to get close to people in that way. (And if her inner monsters, the wolf and her insecurities, didn’t keep her from deeper relationships)

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, so she pours her physical affection in the one relationship of hers that can stand that warm, sincere and vast expression of love.

(I’m not sorry, I’m contractually obligated to talk about Red Snow at every chance I get)

And the occasional Red Beauty, a relationship that was deepening to become one like Red Snow (nothing can be like Red Snow exactly, but it can get close...), but one that ended too quickly.

At last, we’re confronted with the question. 

If this is how Ruby shows her affection, then how does she best receive the affection of others?

What’s the safest way to communicate one’s love and appreciation for her, so that it won’t be missed or overlooked? How does one get to Ruby’s heart, and pours their love in?

The fastest way to the core of her being and her greatest weakest, (it’s not silver), it’s what the one thing she needs the most, because it was the one thing she’s always needed the most, throughout all her life and hardships, the way of love that she was deprived and, in some forms, robbed of—

Words of Affirmation

You want to see Ruby almost lose her composure and strength, buckling under the weight of this feeling? You want her to blush and stumble on her words — tear up, breathe in, take a second to process this gigantic moment as the love fills her heart at last, almost too much to bare?

Well, just say it.

#RL HC #thank you for this opportunity #see you again some time lol

[believingispowerfulmagic]

We All Will Be Together

Summary:  Set in my "The Christmas Wish" verse. Santa has granted Henry and Roland's wish by making them brothers. Robin and Regina have decided to stay married. Follow them as they spend their first year as a family by seeing how they celebrate the special occasions throughout the year.

Chapter 1: FFN | AO3 | Wattpad

Chapter 7: The Wedding

FFN | AO3 | Wattpad

Excerpt: 

"Are you sure about this? I know we said that we wanted the full experience but we're also already married. I don't think we need to worry about this particular superstition," Robin said, standing outside the church with an overnight bag in his hand and looking hesitant to leave her.

She reached out, pressing her hand against his cheek as she smiled. "I know but I don't want to tempt fate. So can we just do this to put my mind at ease?"

Robin, though, didn't look convinced. "I know your morning sickness hasn't been as bad as it once was but what if you do get sick during the night? I don't want you to be sick by yourself."

"I'll be fine," she assured him, knowing he had been waking with her whenever she was sick to rub her back or hold her hair. It had been comforting to have him beside her during those moments. But they had lessened as she approached the end of her first trimester and the start of her second, so she was confident that she would not be sick that night.

"But what if you are?" he pressed, clearly reluctant to leave her side. For a moment, she wondered if maybe it would just be best to just let him stay and spend the night with her. She would love to fall asleep in his arms like she always did.

But she also wanted the full experience and that included the groom and bride spending the night before the wedding apart. So she squeezed his hands. "Tink is staying with me. If I get sick, she'll be there. And if it's really bad, she will call you. Promise."

He pressed his lips together but finally nodded. "Alright. Then I'll see you here tomorrow."

"Yes, you will," she assured him, pulling him closer as she rose up on her toes to give him a kiss.

He leaned into the kiss, deepening it for a few minutes before pulling away. "I can't wait for tomorrow night," he told her.

"I'm sure you can't," she teased him gently. She then gave him a little push. "Go on. Enjoy your night with John and the boys."

"I will," he replied, gently brushing some hair from her face. "And you enjoy some pampering before the wedding."

She smiled, nodding as John stepped out of the church. He clapped Robin on the back. "You ready to go, mate?"

"I am," he said, giving Regina's hand one more squeeze. "See you tomorrow."

John guided Robin down the stairs. They rounded up the boys and Regina watched as they climbed into Robin's truck. He gave her one last smile before getting the driver's seat and pulling away from the church. She followed the truck until it turned the corner and disappeared from her sight.

"Regina? Are you okay?" Archie asked, coming to stand next to her.

She nodded, looking up at him. "It's just…we haven't spent a night apart since we got married and I'm surprised that I'm nervous about sleeping alone."

He chuckled. "It is surprising how easily the right person can integrate into one's life, huh?"

"Yeah," she said, unable to imagine her life without Robin anymore. He now always seemed to be there and she loved it.

"Well, it's only for one night," Archie said. "You're a strong woman, Regina. I know you'll be fine."

Regina felt a bit buoyed by his words. "Thank you. So are you going to stop by tomorrow morning as we get ready for the wedding?"

Archie grinned but shook his head. "I think I would just get in the way so I'll just come a bit later. Tink's already promised to text me for when you're in your dress. I don't want to miss that."

"Good," Regina said, kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Archie. I couldn't ask for a better friend."

"Neither could I," he replied, hugging her. "Have a goodnight, Regina. And then tomorrow, we'll celebrate your much deserved happily ever after."

He headed down the stairs as Mary Margaret came out of the church, followed by Tink. They locked arms with Regina as Mary Margaret asked: "You ready to head home?"

"I am," Regina said. "I'm excited to see what you two have planned for me for the rest of the evening."

Tink grinned, guiding her down the stairs. "Well, we have an early night planned for you. Just a relaxing bath and then bed. Because everything we then start early tomorrow."

"Do I want to hear how packed my morning is going to be tomorrow?" she asked, amused and a little nervous that Tink and Mary Margaret would try to do too much.

"It'll be fine," Tink said. "Just trust me."

Regina sighed, nodding. "Alright. But if I think it's too much, I reserve the right to tell you to skip some things. Deal?"

"Deal," Mary Margaret replied. "Tomorrow is all about you. We're just there to make it perfect."

"Well, let's not worry about perfection. Let's just worry about having a good day," Regina told her.

Tink paused as they reached the car, looking her over with a soft smile. "Listen to that. It sounds more like Regina Locksley than Regina Mills."

"Robin certainly has rubbed off on me," Regina agreed, opening the door to the car. "I wonder how I rubbed off on him."

"He's definitely happier," Tink said, sliding into the car next to her.

Regina paused, frowning. "He always seemed happy to me before."

"And so were you," she countered, giving Regina a look. "Wouldn't you agree you're happier now that you and Henry are a family with Robin and Roland?"

"Of course I am," Regina replied. She then paused before realizing what her friend was getting at. "So naturally Robin is just as happy that Henry and I are now part of his family."

Tink nodded. "Exactly."

Mary Margaret started the car, glancing back at them. "And it's only been six months. I'm sure we'll all start to see more of your influence on Robin soon."

"Agreed," Tink said. She then leaned forward and tapped the driver's seat. "Now, let's go! We all need to get plenty of rest before tomorrow."

Laughing, Mary Margaret put the car in drive and pulled away from the church. Regina leaned back, watching it disappear behind her. The next time she saw it, she would be wearing her wedding gown and walking down the aisle to pledge to spend the rest of her life with Robin in front of their friends and family.

She couldn't wait.

#once upon a time #outlaw queen #hood-mills family #oq au #oq ff #the christmas wish #we all will be together

[bellatrixobsessed1]

Mind Mirror (Part 13)

She likes the sound of snow sifting beneath her feet, the cracking and crunching of ice. She likes watching her breath hang in the winter air. She likes the warmth of Emma’s hand in hers and the way that the woman occasionally stops to straighten her hat for her. Regina likes winter. 

It is cold and the blustery winter air leaves her nose red and her cheeks stinging but there is something sharply refreshing about it. 

“You’ve got snowflakes on your lashes.” Emma smiles. 

When she blinks she can feel them. 

They cling to Emma’s hair too and dust her shoulders like a glittering powdered sugar. The air smells like hot chocolate and peppermint, the trademark seasonal aromas of the coffee shop just across the street. 

“Watch your step.” Regina cautions, although a hair too late. Emma’s steps directly and carelessly onto a patch of ice. The both of them are on the ground before Regina can do anything else. 

Emma winces. “Guess that I’m lucky I fell forwards.” She rubs the back of her head with an awkward chuckle. 

“Indeed.” Regina grumbles. “But I’m not. The back of my pants are wet and you’re crushing me, Swan.” 

Another cringe tugs the corner of her mouth. “Sorry, Gina.” 

“It’s alright dear. But would you mind getting off of me?”

“Right.” Emma laughs she steals the opportunity to peck Regina’s forehead before standing up, brushing herself off, and holding out her hand. She pulls Regina up and into her arms and brushes her off too as best as she can. “By the way, I did that on purpose–I wanted to inspect the snow to make sure that it’s real snow.” 

“As opposed to what? Clumps of sparkly styrofoam?”

“Exactly. Gotta make sure that the weather is real, you never know what kind of curses are going to befall this town.”

Regina rolls her eyes. “You’re ridiculous, Swan.”

And now Emma is grinning. “And you’re smiling. Was that a smile? I think that, that was a smile!”

Regina hopes that her cheeks had already been pink from the cold. “It might have been.”

“Do it again.” Emma nudges her. And she almost does, there is that tickle, that pleasant sort. “Come on.” Emma nudges again. “One more time.” 

This time she does. That warm tickle has just enough power to coax a laugh. A small one, but it is still a laugh. She still feels some tiny twitch of happiness. Emma laughs too. She sweeps Regina into her arms and squeezes. 

This is the best that she has felt in quite some time.

It is a shame that she will be entering a draining therapy session. Perhaps one of the most serious ones that she has had in a while. 

.oOo.

It begins as it always does with the squeaking of an opening door and Archie’s cheerful greeting. “You brought Emma this time.” He observes. 

“I promised her that I would try to explain a few of the things that have been on my mind. I don’t want to repeat the story twice. Once is exhausting enough.”

‘Understandable.” Archie gestures to the sofa.

She pretends to get comfortable–although she never can, not here and under these circumstances. She hugs her coat to her chest. 

“Has this week been any easier? How were the holidays?”

She shakes her head. “It has been harder and I don’t like holidays.”

“You mentioned that a few times in past years. They haven’t gotten any better?”

She considers for a moment. “In some ways, they have. I…I’m not alone anymore.” She furrows her brows. “But that’s part of the problem?”

“Part of the problem?”

“Now there are too many people and I don’t enjoy people watching me eat while they talk about how fantastic everything is. Things are not cheerful and wonderful and…” She frowns. “I would rather it just be Emma, Henry, and I. But I already promised to host Christmas dinner.”

Archie cocks his head. “Why would you do that if Thanksgiving was not pleasant for you?”

“Because everyone kept talking about how happy I seemed and that was the only thing that I had going for me. Everyone else accomplished something amazing and I accomplished…not murdering everyone in this town.”

“In other words, you’ve gotten better at controlling your anger?” Archie replies. “That is an accomplishment, Regina. A big one. It’s not easy to manage really strong emotions.”

Regina exhales. “I suppose.” 

“Was there anything else that made Thanksgiving go poorly.”

“I…we–Henry, Emma, and I tried decorating but…”

“But I snapped at Regina.” Emma confesses. “It’s been hard and sometimes I feel like I have to do all of the work. And I was getting frustrated that Regina didn’t feel like helping us decorate. I just wanted to make her feel included so she wouldn’t miss another year of decorating but then I lost my cool and I might have made things worse. I told her that she wasn’t the only person with problems but she is the only one who ever gets attention for it. Which was…harsh.”

“Mmhmm.” Archie nods, pressing his lips into a firm line. “Would you like to have a session or a few with me, Emma? I know that being the savior can be hard. And it can be harder to watch someone you love go through so much pain.”

“Yeah, Archie.” She manages a half smile. “I think that, that would be great.”

He nods. “I’ll book you an appointment after this session.” He places his attention back on Regina. “I can’t imagine that it felt good to hear that.”

“It didn’t.”

“Can you elaborate?”

“I can.”

He lets her keep her silence for a little while before asking, “will you?”

“I was already worried that people were getting tired of me. I’ve been waiting for Emma to get angry about having to take care of me when I can’t. As the existence of this town indicates, I have a habit of making everyone miserable with me. I wasn’t surprised to hear it. And if Emma thinks that I’m a burden…sometimes I think that it would be better for Storybrooke if I just left, people would be happier…” Emma flinches. To herself, Regina does too–she shouldn’t have been so blunt. “It isn’t Emma’s fault.”

“You know that Emma doesn’t really think that you’re a burden. I don’t, I like passing you by on the way to work. Gepetto mentioned that he enjoys making small talk when you stop by Granny’s for lunch.”

She furrows her brows. “He does?”

Archie nods. “Ruby says that overhearing your sarcastic remarks makes working with…” he clears his throat. “With…um, and I quote, ‘asshole-y customers’ more bearable.”

Emma gives one of her snorting laughs. “Say it again, Archie. Say ‘asshole’ one more time, for science.” 

“Really, Swan?”

“The point is, Regina. People don’t think that you are a burden. People enjoy having you around. And Emma does too. She might be tired of seeing you struggle but she isn’t tired of you, right Emma?”

Emma nods vigorously. “It is a lot to handle sometimes but…but it’s not just you, Regina. I’m the savior, everyone seems to toss their problems at me to solve. You might have a lot of problems but you’re the only one who seems to try to work on them yourself before asking me to help. And you’re one of the only people who helps me help you. Grumpy, the rest of the dwarves, Kathryn–they all expect me to just do everything.” 

Regina raises her brows. “Oh you’re in for another fun session, Dr. Hopper.”

He snickers. “That’s what I’m here for.” He pauses. “Are you feeling any better?”

“A little.” Regina replies. Emma isn’t troubled by her. Emma isn’t harboring some secret aggravation. “A lot better. About that anyways.” And that was a huge facet of her anxiety. 

“What else is bothering you?”

She looks to Emma but ultimately decides that she has to speak for herself in spite of her discomfort. “I…have some concerns about the medication. I haven’t been taking my pills.” 

Archie inhales sharply. “That’s quite dangerous…to stop abruptly. We have a process for that to make sure that you don’t...”

“Crash and feel worse than before.” She mutters. “Yes, I figured that out for myself.” The hard way, as per usual. 

“I wish that you would have talked to me, we could have discussed other options.” 

“I didn’t want to talk about it. And I still don’t want to.” She clutches her coat tighter.

“Alright, well what’s done is done. What concerns do you have?”

“Health concerns.” She begins. “I’m tired all the time. I feel sick. I…I don’t like how I look.” And that is just scratching the surface. Those are the things she had already been able to express to Emma. “I can’t do things that I used to do. Emma can’t pick me up and carry me to the bed anymore…”

Next to her Emma shifts. God, she hopes that the woman isn’t feeling guilty over that.

“I can’t wear my favorite clothes without magical adjustments. And sometimes I look at myself and I feel…disconnected.” She grips the fabric of her coat so tightly that her nails are now digging into her palm. She hasn’t even gotten around to talking with Archie about her initial sense of detachment. “I already had difficulty with not feeling connected to myself; I lay in bed and I tell myself to move but I can’t. It’s like watching someone else. I used to be able to look in the mirror and…fix it. But now. Now I can’t do that. It’s worse now.” That is the bulk of it, the most troubling of her troubles but she confesses the others too. All of those small lifestyle changes that seem so enormous when stacked together. 

Now that it is all out there, all of her dreads and insecurities she feels…

She furrows her brows…

She had expected to feel humiliated and horrible, awkward and hopeless.

While she does feel dreadfully exposed and vulnerable she feels relieved. 

Relieved but drained. She rubs her hands over her face and leaves it buried there. She feels Emma’s hand on her back. “You alright?”

“I think so, Emma.” She exhales and lowers her hands to her lap. “It’s just a lot. It’s so much.  

“Sounds like it.” Emma’s strokes slow to a stop. She holds her hand at the middle of Regina’s back. 

“If you ever start to feel that way you can let me know. I’ll help bring you back to yourself.” 

“Emma, I don't want you to do everything for me. I want to be able to take care of myself. I need to. Because you can’t and, realistically, won’t be around every time it happens.”

“But I want to help when I am around.”

“I think that it’s a great idea to let Emma help you out while we come up with methods of doing so on your own.” Archie smiles. “And I’m going to prescribe you a new medication. Right now I believe that starting you on sertraline would be a good option.” Before she can ask he states, “sertraline can still cause nausea, and fatigue.” He pauses. “It can also cause dry mouth, headaches, and sexual dysfunction.”

“That’s a no go.” Emma says.

Regina elbows her in the ribs. “Not knowing when to keep quite can also cause sexual dysfunction.” 

Emma snorts again, she practically doubles over laughing. 

“I don’t think it was quite that funny, Swan.” 

“How can you have a sense of humor but also not have a sense of humor at the same time.” She laughs harder. “Why do I find your jokes funnier than you do.” 

She manages to crack a smile. Probably the first one that Archie has seen from her and maybe that is why he is smiling too instead of telling them to be more mature. He waits for Emma to compose herself before continuing to explain. “Most of the side effects will go away after a the first two weeks but, should you experience sexual dysfunction, that will not. So if that becomes a concern we can try a different medication. It can also cause eye problems and low sodium levels but this isn’t as common.”

Regina nods. “I’ll try it, Dr. Hopper. Thank you.” 

.oOo.

Hope. 

The prospect of hope.

Emma thinks that, just having hope and being given a new approach does wonders for Regina. 

Or maybe it is as simple as finally being freed from the weight of a bunch of secrets that she didn’t really need to keep in the first place. 

Yeah, it was probably awkward as hell to put all of that out there. To confess feeling unhappy with herself and lay out her insecurities. But she certainly seems to be in a better mood. She is talking more and the conversation is mundane and light. 

Regina has good days and bad days. Decidedly, today is one of her good days. And unexpectedly so. She had anticipated having to comfort her after a particularly grueling session. Instead, Regina asks her if she wants to go buy some things for their dinner party and get some Christmas shopping done. She asks if Emma wants to have dinner at Granny’s. 

And of course she does, she has missed being out and about with Regina. It will probably take away a lot of stress for her to get all of the shopping out of the way while she is in a good mood so that she won’t have to fret over it on a day when getting up is hard. 

“And maybe, if we have time, we can look at the Christmas lights. I used to take Henry around the neighborhood and we would look at all of the decorations. He liked to go to Mother Superior’s house the most because she had this really large snowglobe in the middle of her yard. It played Christmas carols.”

“That sounds great, Regina.” Emma agrees. “And maybe we can take Henry to see it when he gets back.”

“He would like that.”

“You warm enough?” 

“Warmer than you, probably. Zip your coat.” 

“Alright, alright, coat zipped!”

#Once Upon A Time #Regina Mills #Emma Swan #Swan Queen #Fanfiction

[astillsmallvoicewithin]

Uhh for the swan queen prompt, how about something involving Emma finding and ke building a home with Regina and struggling with her flight instincts and her abandonment issues and all that. And Regina being patient with her, understanding that Emma needs to know she can leave to be able to stay, needs some part of her to be just hers so she doesn’t have to lose everything when it “inevitably” goes wrong (it won’t, they’re gonna grow old together).

Wow that was a ramble haha!! Happy to see someone still putting Swanqueen stuff out there :)

"Is that the last one?" Emma asked as her son rushed past her, two boxes piled one atop the other in his arms, the top one propped beneath his chin.

"Yeah!" Henry called from somewhere out front of the house. He returned a few moments later, his hands jammed into the pockets of his jeans. "Ready to go, Ma?"

Emma surveyed the empty living room, turning slowly, completely unaware of Henry's departure. Her eyes reached the staircase just as Regina began a remarkably quick descent for a woman in four inch heels.

"Upstairs is clear," the brunette announced and joined her girlfriend in the living room. One look at Emma's face told her all she needed to know. "Hey," she said softly and wrapped her arms around the other woman. "Are you okay?"

Emma smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Sure. I just have a weird history with leaving houses, y'know?"

Regina hugged her more tightly. "I know. But this time you're coming home, to two people who love you very much."

This time Regina could see the blonde's eyes light up when she grinned. "That does sound pretty great," she said and planted a kiss on the crown of her love's head.

"Are we getting out of here or what? Some of us are starving!" Henry called from the driveway.

Regina rolled her eyes and took Emma's hand, walking her out of a house that had never really been home - a house that had never quite fit Emma. It had always seemed too large and empty, foreboding and strangely drafty. Not to mention grey. Emma really hated grey.

Emma didn't look back once the door had closed behind them; her gaze fixed firmly in front of her, she walked down the cobbled pathway and got into Regina's car. She did not peer up from her lap until they had rounded the corner at the end of the street.

                    * * *

She awoke at 4am, gasping for air and drenched in sweat. A quick glance to her left confirmed that Regina was still asleep. Emma pulled back the sheets and climbed out of bed, still panting and overwhelmed by a very tangible sensation of the bedroom walls closing in on her. She grabbed the balcony door handles and flung both doors open, before throwing herself out into the cold night air.

Once the icy breeze hit her face, Emma found herself able to slow her breathing gradually. she leaned her hands on the balcony railing and started running through the grounding exercises Archie had taught her. Eventually, the walls seemed to resume their usual positions and the sheriff's heart rate slowed. But when she returned to bedroom, Emma was overcome with an urge to get out of the house; she decided to go for a run and dressed quietly in the dark.

With her breath appearing in icy clouds before her and her feet hitting the pavement rhythmically, things made more sense. Emma was able to recall the dream that woke her - a nightmare, really. In it, she had messed up, badly. Regina was yelling at her, with tears on her face. Emma had never seen her look so hurt. Regina had told her to leave and just like that, her forever home had been no more.

Simply recalling the details of the dream caused saltwater to well up in Emma's eyes. She stopped running and swallowed heavily, a lone tear escaping onto her cold, red cheek. The memories hit her suddenly and without warning: every home she had been invited into and then forced to leave; every person who had ultimately rejected and abandoned her; every disappointment that had left her alone with no one to count on. She slid down onto her knees on the sidewalk, just as a plume of purple smoke appeared before her.

For a moment, Regina appeared wide eyed and terrified in her silk pyjamas, followed by a moment of heavy scowling and palpable anger, which gave way to knitted brows and confusion. "Emma? What are you doing here?" She knelt down in front of the blonde and reached for her hands. "What's going on?"

Emma gazed at her for a moment until her face crumpled and she folded into Regina's arms. "I'm sorry," she sobbed.

Regina rubbed her back in slow circles, like Emma had seen her do with Henry when he was sick. "It's okay," she whispered soothingly, for several minutes, until the blonde's sniffling calmed. "Talk to me, Emma," she said. "You haven't been yourself all day and then I wake up to find you gone in the middle of the night..."

"I'm sorry," Emma said again. "I just- I had this shitty dream and you were so upset and you asked me to leave and I woke up having a panic attack," she blurted.

Regina watched her with shining eyes, a soft look of understanding taking over her features. "I imagine that dream must have felt very real," she said quietly.

Emma nodded.

"And I'm guessing it brought up some difficult memories too?"

She nodded again.

Regina took the woman's face gently in her hands. "Are you afraid that this isn't going to last?"

The sheriff nodded and looked down, but felt warm fingers beneath her chin, lifting it back up.

"You don't have to be ashamed of your fears, Emma. Having such fears, after the life experiences you've survived, is completely valid. I understand why those fears exist and I know that when they come up, you have a tendency to get a little... flighty," Regina said, smiling softly.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Understatement of the century," she sniffled.

Regina chuckled. "Perhaps. So, what do you think it is you need, my love? How can I help you to assuage these fears?"

Emma sighed. "I'm not sure. I guess... I guess if I freak out and need to leave suddenly, just for awhile like this, knowing that I can might help a bit?"

"Okay," Regina said, nodding thoughtfully. "How about we make a compromise: if that happens, you wake me up first and tell me. I will promise not to try and talk you out of it, I will just remind you that you're very loved and ask that you send a pin with your location so I know that you're okay."

Emma nibbled on her bottom lip, considering this offer. “How did you find me this time?” She asked.

“Locator spell,” Regina explained. “I’d rather not have to deal with using magic while having a heart attack next time,” she smirked.

Emma nodded. "Okay. I think it’s a good plan. Thank you," she said and kissed Regina softly.

"Secondly," the brunette continued, "And I will keep reminding you of this: I am in this all the way, Emma. To the end. You and Henry are my everything; there is nothing you could do that would make me want to give up on us. I know there will be bad times and I'm okay with that - because it's us, together. Do you understand what I'm saying?" She swiped her thumbs beneath the Sheriff's eyes as another two tears escaped.

"Yes," Emma whispered. "How are you so amazing? I don't know how I got this damned lucky, but I love you so much, do you know that?"

Regina smiled, bright and open, in that way that made Emma's heart clench in her chest. "I do know and I love you too," she said. "Can we go home now?"

Emma nodded. "Yes please."

They disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.

                    * * *

A screeching sound pulled Emma from her slumber and she felt Regina moving to get out of bed. She reached out an arm to grab the brunette and pulled her close. "Noooo," she murmured. "Not yet."

Regina kissed the tip of her nose softly. "Some of us have to get up, Sheriff Swan."

"But..." Emma opened her eyes. "It's been three months today," she grinned.

Regina frowned. "Three months?"

"Since I moved in. And since..." Emma trailed off.

Regina's face lit up with sudden understanding. "Oh! And you haven't?"

Emma shook her head, biting her lip. "Not once."

Suddenly Regina was rolling onto her and smothering her face in kisses while Emma laughed.

"Good morning to you too," she chuckled.

"I'm not even sorry," Regina said gleefully. "Is it strange to say I feel proud of you?"

Emma felt her cheeks begin to redden. "No, not at all. I think three months without a freakout and 3am run is... unheard of for me."

Regina kissed her lips softly before settling alongside her, head propped up on her hand. "What do you think changed?" She asked.

"You," Emma smiled. "You were so understanding and patient with me. You made it okay for me to have a reaction and to act on it if needed. Being given that permission somehow calmed a lot of those fears."

Regina reached out and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind the blonde's ear. "I'm so glad for you. I'd like to show you how glad," she smirked.

Emma grinned. "What happened to having to get up for work?"

"It can wait," Regina said and pulled her love close once more.

#sq fanfic #sq fic #swan queen #swan queen fanfic #sq fanfiction #swan queen fanfiction #swen #ouat #prompts #mine #swan queen fic #emma and regina #i just love these two idiots

[mydarllinglover]

Alone || Whispered Rumours

Previous

"Henry!" Evie cheered, running towards the wagon, as the tall blond boy jumped down, embracing her in a hug.

Carol was sat atop of it, the reigns in her hands as she watched them all, her eyes scanning all their faces, before falling on little Archies, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Need a ride?" Carol asked them.

"Aunt Carol!" Daisy cheered, running to the wagon, the woman helping her up, then Bambi.

"Dog! Come on!" Daryl shouted, clapping his hands.

Dog ran towards them, the two homemade arrows in his jaws, that Daryl then took from him.

They headed back to the cabin, Evie and Henry walked ahead with their arms linked, catching each other up on the bits they had forgot to share over the radio, whilst Daisy and Bambi sniggered together behind them.

"I think I believe that I haven't had the chance to meet this lil lady yet." Carol walked in the back with Daryl and Natalia.

"About that..." Natalia started, handing over the baby. "He's not a lil lady." She put it gently.

Carol's eyes snapped to the couple, then back to the baby.

"A boy?" Carol asked.

"5th time lucky." She shrugged, though it wasn't luck, because she loved her girls, but it was nice to have a change.

"Meet Archie Carl Dixon, Nat came up with the name." Daryl told her.

"Oh, I love it." She smiled widely.

"Carl made me promise that if I ever had a boy, I had to name it after him, here we are, my lil CJ." She kissed her sons cheek. "The nerve of him to come out and look nothing like me, though." She glared with a smile.

"Was about to say, this is no Moore hair." Carol laughed, running her hands over the small patch of blond.

"Yeah, hair went darker with age." Daryl shrugged, the tips of his ears going a little red.

"Yeah, you were a little sandy when we first met, actually." Carol laughed.

"See, I never knew that, because He" She jabbed her thumb at him. "Doesn't seem to tell me things like this."

"Henry!" Carol called ahead, as they got nearer. "Watch out, okay!"

"Yeah" He looked over his shoulder, giving her a thumbs up.

"Don't worry Carol, your precious prince is fine." Evie teased, earning an nudge from the teen boy.

"You're a prince!?" Daisy howled, finding the idea of this absolutely ridiculous, her older sister used to talk about queens and kings, princesses and kingdoms a lot when they were younger, but they didn't really know about it except from her stories.

"Mommy, I wanna be a prince!" Bambi told her.

"You can, sweetie." Natalia told her. "Or, you can be even better, a princess!"

The twins gasped at this as Natalia caught up to them, to chat as they got situated back at home.

"She's come a long way." Carol commented, handing the baby to his father, as they watched the woman interact with all the kids.

"She has." Daryl agreed. "Kids make her happy."

"And you?" She peeked at him, as he held his son, walking towards the river so he could wash the girls arrows.

"I'm happy when she's happy." He answered vaguely. "That's all I need."

"She like living out here?"

Daryl focused on his job, knowing what she was getting at, and yet, he still answered truthfully.

"Nah, she misses 'er friends an' the other kids, the walls, but she won't go, don' know why."

"Because you won't, Nat knows you wanna be out here, so she'll go where you go, because she loves you."

"I know she does." He sighed, running a few drops of water over Archies head, cooling him down in the heat.

"How about we go take a walk?" She suggested. "Catch up."

Daryl stood up.

"Needa go check the traps anyway." He grunted, walking past her and towards his wife. "Girls, take yer arrows an' put 'em away." He told the twins, who accepted them with thanks, before running into the cabin. "Nat, me an' Carol goin' go for a walk, you gonna be alright?"

He was hoping she'd say no.

"Yeah, I'll be fine, go, have fun." She pecked his lips quickly, taking Archie and ignoring his growls of refusal, as he marched back the way they came, Carol following, Dog running ahead. "Look after my dog!"

"Following me, ain't he. My Dog."

"Uh huh." She falsely agreed. "Daddy's so silly, how he thinks he's in charge, isn't he?" She cooed  to Archie, who babbled nonsense, in response.

She looked ahead, to see Henry and Evie laughing about something, she wondered if she ever took her advise, last year.

Daryl had come back with a hare and a snake around his neck, by the looks on both his and Carols faces, whatever they went out to discuss, did not end okay, Natalia could also tell by the way he was aggressively skinning the poor animals.

"Alright, I'm going to go feed this guy, then put him to bed, uh, how about we cut this awkward tension by the time I get back, huh?" Natalia stood up from around the campfire.

"You got 30 minutes." Daryl told her, rubbing his son's head in goodnight.

"That's okay, baby, just like it was all those years ago, I'm still not eating snake." She patted his arm, standing up from the fire. "Man, I miss Jerry's snack inventions."

"He's still alive y'know... you could always go there." Carol told her. "He'd be willing to have a test subject again."

"Oh, y'know what... I just remembered." She snapped her fingers, walking away before finishing her sentence.

When she had come back outside, it was nightfall, and everyone was sat around the fire, silently eating.

"Archie is asleep, all hold your applause." Natalia bowed as her twins greeted her.

Daryl handed her a bowl of the rabbit stew, without looking up, as she sat beside him.

"How'd you get the scar, anyway?" Henry asked, looking at Daryl.

"Hen, shut up!" Evie hissed, jabbing the boy.

Daryl stared at him for a little bit, before picking up Dog's food bowl.

"Where's that dog? His food's getting cold." Daryl managed to go off course. "Dog!"

"Dog!" Daisy yelled, copying her father.

"Hey, don't talk with your mouth full." Natalia told her.

"But Daddy did it." She argued.

"You either." She looked at her husband.

"Imma go find 'im." He got up, whistling for the pet as he walked away with the bowl.

"Mom, Henry's going to the Hilltop, to learn how to be a blacksmith." Evie told her.

"Oh, that's nice, should be fun." She smiled at him.

"Yep, and Carol wants us to go with him." She continued.

"Evie, leave it alone." Henry told her.

Carol didn't say anything, she was hoping for Natalia to hear about it.

"And Dad said no."

"Why do you want us to go?" Natalia asked.

Carol shrugged.

"Think it'd be good for everyone."

"Mommy, what's the Hilltop?" Daisy asked.

"Uhm, it's a place that me, Daddy and Evie used to live, like, do you remember where we lived before here?"

They shook their heads, of course they wouldn't.

"It's a place, with this big house, and lots of cool paintings, and animals, and gardens, its real cool, and lots of our friends live there."

"I wanna go to the Hilltop." Bambi said. "Please, Mommy, can we go to the Hilltop"

"Lemme go help Daddy find Dog, okay? Carol do you mind-?"

"Yeah, of course." Carol mentally thanked Evie.

Natalia got up from the log, following the direction that Daryl had gone in.

She eventually found him, messing around with one of his traps, something he did when he didn't want to communicate that he was pissed off.

"Hey." Natalia greeted him, earning a look over the shoulder and a grunt in response, charming as ever. "Hey, Doggy, hi." She greeted the pet, that jumped at her, excitedly.

"Why ain't you eating?" He managed words this time.

"Uh, just 'cause I found out something pretty interesting." She watched as his hands froze for just a second. "Evie told me about the real reason why they're here."

"So?" He shrugged.

"The twins, they wanna go find out what Hilltop is, Bam just begged to go."

"Hm."

"Daryl... I've been patient with you, I really have, but... we've been out here for three years, the girls don't even remember Alexandria, today is the first time that Archie is meeting people, how much longer are we gonna be stuck here?"

"Thought you liked it out here, yer the one who wanted to stay so bad, always going off at me about getting away from everybody, away from him."

"He's not at The Hilltop." She kept her voice calm and even, compared to Daryl, who's temper was only getting worse. "Look, I am happy, I'm happy with you, I am with our kids, and our life, it's been nice, but y'know what hasn't been nice, the clusters of walkers that have been getting closer and closer every week, and bigger might I add, it's getting dangerous out here again, Daryl, and you want our kids out here, in this?"

"The girls can handle themselves, you saw 'em today."

"Can Archie, who is four months old, by the way."

"It'll only be for a little while, just until Henry's done learning, and we can return him back to his parents. I want our kids to be able to see a place as great as the Hilltop, so we can tell them what we fought so hard for, so they can meet cows, and goats, and even kids their own age, and see what it's like to live behind walls and houses, and a proper community, not tree's and traps and fields. And I want them to meet Rosita, and Tara, and Eugene and Jesus, and Enid, God, I miss them, too, I want to see my friends, and make sure they're still alive after so many years."

"That's really what you want?" He asked, looking away from his trap.

"Yes, Goddamn it, yes, I do."

"Fine." He sighed in defeat. "But you're packing up their shit, I ain't doing it."

"Don't worry, I'll handle it." She jumped in excitement, running over and hugging him from behind. "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you."

"Alright, alright, I get it." He stopped himself from toppling over as she attacked him with affection.

"You're the best, baby, wait till everyone goes to bed, I'll show you how good you are to me." She winked, walking away and back to the camp.

"You're back." Carol smiled, when she reached them.

"Girls, go pack your essentials, we'll be heading off early tomorrow so make sure you get a goodnights sleep, Hen, why don't you go help Evie." She offered.

"It worked?! Evie jumped up happily.

"How?" Henry asked, bewildered, as the twins ran off excitedly into the cabin, cheering about going to The Hilltop.

"I'm not willing to admit my trade secrets." She shrugged, as Evie tugged him away.

"Thank you, truly." Carol said.

"Hey, if it were any of mine, I'd want the same, besides, I have a funny feeling that my daughter would've gone with your son, regardless."

"I'm glad they have each other."

"Yeah, compared to when they first met, Evie hated him." Natalia laughed. "Ruined playtime because he was so serious, apparently."

The next morning, the sun was up, and everyone was busy packing away their things, ready for the journey.

"Alright, everyone be ready to go in ten" Daryl called to the kids.

"Daddy, can I ride with you?" Bambi asked, raising eyebrows, surprised that sweet Bambi was asking to go on the bike, and not curious Daisy.

"Absolutely not." Natalia turned her down, going through the girls and Archies bags, making sure they had everything they needed.

"Why not?" Daryl shrugged.

"You said we only have ten minutes, right?" She challenged.

"She'll be alright, I'll let her ride in the front."

"I see one millimetre of wheel come off the ground, she's coming straight off, you hear me?"

"Loud an' clear." He saluted.

"Seriously, your parents are so weird, but so... perfect for each other." Henry muttered to Evie.

"Yeah, I know." She rolled her eyes.

Dog was the first to enter Hilltop, sprinting ahead as he barked happily, then Daryl and Bambi, and finally the wagon.

"It's not fair" Daisy grumped. "Why'd she get to go, and not me?"

"Because she asked first, honey, but you get to be with Mommy, that's good enough, right?"

"Yeah, I guess." She folded her arms, leaning on the vehicle as she rested her chin.

"So, Enid's still here, right?" Henry asked.

"Far as I know, why?"  Carol answered.

"Wonder if she'll recognise me." He smirked. "It's been a while, and I'm taller. Like bigger, y'know?"

Evie was staring at him, unimpressed.

"And more of a dork." She scoffed.

"You're adorable." Carol teased, as everyone climbed out of the wagon, Daryl fist bumped Tara before helping Daisy and Natalia.

"No I'm not." Henry protested. "Unless Enid likes adorable."

"Why do you care what she thinks, she's not friends with you." Evie told him, hopping out.

"Woah, one, two, three. Baby." Tara pointed at the kids, doing a quick head count, before pointing at the baby in Natalia's arms. "Where'd this guy comes from?"

"Come on, Tara, I think you're a bit too old for that kind of talk." Natalia teased, hugging her friend. "Kids, meet Aunt Tara."

"Hey!" She waved at them, fist bumping their fists, even getting one off the infant. "Who have we got here?"

"Y'know Evie." Daryl pointed at the teenager.

"Shut up, this is Evie?"

The girl blushed, feeling quite shy.

"Hey, Tara." She waved.

"Sorry, didn't recognise you under all that beauty and young womanlike energy, you're also taller than I was expecting."

"Tell me about it, she shot up in the past few years. Alright, girls, introduce yourselves." Natalia patted the twins heads.

"Hi, I'm Daisy."

"I'm Bambi." Bambi was holding Daryl's hand, slightly hiding behind him, so the girl could ride motorcycle, but not meet strangers.

"Hey dudes." She got another round of fist bumps. "And who's this guy?"

"This, is Archie." Daryl spoke up. "Four months old."

"Hey, Archie." Tara smiled at him. "Wait, have I got just the thing for these two." Tara turned to the twins, pulling something out of her pocket and handing one of each to them, two green kazoos.

"Thank you, Aunt Tara." They said in unison.

"Tara, you shouldn't have, really, you should not have." Natalia smiled, but it was totally fake.

"Regretting leaving the woods already?" Daryl muttered to her.

"Hey, you see a kazoo, you give it to a kid, don't worry, they can join the band I'm putting together."

"This is a pleasant surprise." Jesus walked towards them.

"Oh, man, We just went through introductions." Natalia groaned, passing Archie to Daryl.

"Not to worry, I overheard, I'm Jesus." He introduced himself to the girls, the name didn't have much affect on them, as this is the only Jesus they've ever heard of.

"When my Mommy and Daddy's angry, I hear them shout for you a lot." Bambi told him.

"Oh, uh, think it's a different guy." He laughed. "What brings you all the way out here, anyway?"

"Henry." Carol answered. "He's taken a stubborn interest in blacksmithing."

"Oh, we might be able to help with that." Jesus nodded.

"Thought I heard a bike."

Natalia turned, seeing Aaron walking towards Daryl embracing him and the baby, who he had no idea was there, until then.

"Good to see you, man." Daryl greeted, but was pushed away by Natalia, as she wrapped her arms around her friend, hugging him tightly.

"Hi." She spoke.

"Hey, missed you guys." He patted her back, when she pulled away. "Don't tell me, Daisy," He pointed at the girl dressed in green. "Bambi." Then the girl in blue.

"Yes." They squealed excitedly.

"And who's this?" He smiled at the baby, waving.

"Archie." Daryl answered, again, letting Aaron take him.

"Oh, wow." He raised his brows, cradling the baby. "Who knew you of all people would be the ones to end up with a small army of kids" He laughed, happy for his friends.

"What'd you doing here?" Daryl asked. "Somethin' up?"

"Yeah, Michonne still got everyone on lockdown?" Natalia asked.

"We found Rosita outside the walls yesterday." Aaron answered, quietly.

"What? Where is she? Is she okay?" Natalia demanded.

"She's pretty banged up. She's in the infirmary. And, uh, Eugene's missing. We're headed out to go find him. Could use a good tracker." He looked between the pair.

"Yeah. Of course." Daryl agreed, glancing at Natalia.

"I'll go too."

"Are you sure?" Aaron asked. "We could really use your help."

"No, you stay here, kids need ya."

"The kids, will be fine, Evie and Henry can watch them, right?" Natalia looked to Carol.

"That's a great idea." Carol agreed, joining them so she could grab Archie, after receiving lots of hugs and kisses from his parents.

"But I wanna go with them." Henry protested.

"No." She shook her head.

"Mom, but-"

"No, come on, let's go get settled, girls, come on."

"Girls, be good, and listen to your sister, okay? I expect you in bed and asleep when we get back."

"We will." Bambi answered for the both of them.

"Mom, we got this, don't worry." Evie took both girls hands, nodding at her parents as they walked to their temporary home.

"Chill, dude, I'll keep my eye on them." Tara promised.

"Wow." Aaron smiled at Natalia.

"What?" She looked at him.

"Your like completely different from that woman who threated to stab me to death whilst offering me food."

"First time I met you, you had a gun pointed at my face, whilst half your bra was out your shirt." Jesus commented, joining them. "Now look, bed by the time mom and dad get home."

"Alright, I have not threatened to kill every person I've met." She defended herself.

"You did to me." Daryl raised his hand. "An' every person you've met, except for Michonne, I think."

"She is not the only one. Hey, aren't we going out to look for Eugene" She reminded, getting them to move into action, ready to leave, instead of poking at her murderous tendencies.

Jesus and Aaron had rode on horse back whilst Daryl and Natalia took the bike, until they reached a large land of grass, a herd wasn't too far as they passed.

The four watched, crouched behind a fallen tree.

"There's about 130, 140 of 'em." Daryl shared, doing a headcount to the best of his ability.

"You ever see them do this before?" Jesus asked, watching as the walkers moved in a circle.

"No. Never." Aaron answered.

"Rosita's backtrail goes right through 'em."

"Alright, then, let's get those horses, circle back, then we'll head off." Natalia declared, turning in the direction of the large animals.

"What about them?" Aaron nodded at the herd.

"What about 'em?" Daryl asked.

"They're just milling around."

"That's not normal." Jesus agreed.

"Yeah, well, their existence isn't normal." Natalia shrugged. "Let's go before they catch us, then we'll have a real problem on our hands."

"She's right. We should go, there's a storm coming." Daryl told them, as the wind picked up. "Dog!"

"So, uhm, you still in Alexandria?" Natalia asked Aaron, as they walked back.

"Yep. Gracie loves it there, she's seven now, can you believe that?" Aaron smiled widely.

"Good, good, that's great, I can't wait for her to meet the twins." She nodded. "Uhm, how's- how's everyone, Michonne... the others."

"He's still alive, Nat." He sighed.

"No, no, yeah I gathered that, you know, apparently our friendship wasn't strong enough for the life of a worthless, no good, piece of fucking hell spawn, rotten shit dumpster fire, but, uh, y'know." She shrugged. "How's she doing though?"

"She misses you, a lot, and she misses the kids, Michonne's sorry, Nat, she is, but you know how things are, it wasn't an easy decision, and she's managing, you know, RJ is the same age as the girls, and there's not much kids his age, they'd have a lot of fun together, as well."

"And Judith?"

"She's good, real good, y'know, she saved a group, a few days ago."

"Really?" Natalia raised her brows.

"Yeah, their names are, uh, Connie, Kelly, Magna, Yumiko and Luke."

"Oh, wow, all by herself?"

"She takes' after her Aunt Nat, running towards danger." He smiled.

"God, that's... that's really great to hear, she gets it from her brother, I'm gonna go tell Daryl, he'll love it." She grinned, before hugging him again. "It's been so good to see you again, and everyone."

"Then visit more often, the gates are always open for you."

"I'm working on it." She chuckled, before jogging ahead to catch up with Daryl, Jesus had slowed down, to walk with Aaron.

"You're chatty." He commented, when she joined his side, Dog was walking beside him.

"Aaron was just catching me up on the kids, Judith, she rescued a group of people the other day, five people."

"A huh?"

"Yeah! She brought them back, all by herself, that's amazing, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, that's uh, real good, hol- up." He looked around, seeming to hear something.

"What is it?"

"The herd..." He walked back towards Aaron and Jesus. "Its coming for us. The wind is carrying the sound." He grabbed an alarm clock, winding it up and throwing it far across the ground. "C'mon. Let's put some ground between us and them."

"Dog, come on." Natalia called, jogging away from the herd.

They had got to a safe distance, watching the herd as it walked ahead.

"You put that herd around 140, right?" Jesus asked, looking at it with binoculars.

"Yeah."

"Looks like more than double, now." Jesus looked at Daryl, as Natalia took the binoculars, having a look for herself.

"Could be a different herd." Aaron suggested, but his tone seemed stressed. "Or it merged with another one."

"Ain't gonna be there very long." Daryl assured, as the alarm clock went off in the distance. "Don't matter how big it is, long as it's going the other way."

"I don't like this." Natalia sighed. "We need to find Eugene, and get back, quick as possible."

The storm had got heavier as they continued on, all the way into the night, surrounded by a thick fog.

They had reached a barn, Dog waited patiently outside of it.

"Go, on boy. Go find him." Daryl told Dog.

He sniffed around the place, finding a spot on some hay as he began to whine for their attention.

"Move." Daryl told him, which he did. "Good Dog."

Daryl pointed his flashlight at the hay as Jesus used his sword to move it out of the way.

"Eugene. Are you in there?" Aaron asked.

A few seconds passed before they got an answer.

"Affirmative." His distinctive voice came.

Natalia dropped to a crouch, pushing the hay completely away to find where he was hiding.

The others helped.

They lifted the wooden slab, finding Eugene hiding in a little cubby, cowering as he held his knife up.

"Hey, you're alright, okay, we're gonna get you back to Hilltop." Natalia assured, gently, moving out of the way so the men could help lift him up, instead.

He held his knee as he dropped down beside them.

"Eugene. Eugene, you alright?" Aaron asked.

"I took a bad step and dislocated my knee." He shared. "There was a herd on our six, and Rosita was forced to stash me here."

"Well, if it's dislocated. We can just pop it back in." Daryl told him.

"No." He refused.

"But it'll feel better-"

"No, we have to get out of here." He cut Natalia off. "The herd that followed us here is on its way back."

"What?" Natalia looked at him, bewildered at his sentence.

"I saw their tracks, they're gone." Daryl told him.

"No, it's not. It's already been through here twice. It's looking for me. We have to get away before it comes back." He looked around at the small group. "This wasn't a normal herd."

"What do you mean?" Aaron asked.

"When- when they passed us by, we could hear them, they were... They were whispering to each other."

"You mean they were... talking?" Aaron asked.

"I know how it sounds. But Rosita heard it, too. She'll corroborate." He panted.

"Yeah."

"You should get him back." Daryl told him.

"Yeah."

Dog started barking out the barn window, spotting something.

"Dog!" Natalia hissed, feeling completely unnerved by Eugene's confession.

The herd had reached them.

"We- we gotta go, now!" Natalia snapped, grabbing her knife.

"There's no way that's the same herd." Daryl spoke.

"They got us cut off." Aaron looked around for an escape route.

"No, no, no, no, no, no" Eugene chanted quietly, as he got up.

"So we'll backtrack, we'll go around them." Daryl suggested.

"Old Route 28 isn't far. It's the straightest shot back to the horses." Jesus confirmed.

"Lead the way." Daryl told him, as he and Aaron helped Eugene.

They ran through the woods, Jesus and Natalia clearing the path for the three, as the herd chased behind them.

"You're gonna get me-" Eugene groaned in pain.

"Come on."

"It doesn't make any sense. They shouldn't have doubled back." Jesus sighed, helping Eugene sit on a car. "And they definitely shouldn't have followed us all the way to the barn."

"I do have a theory to posit." Eugene started. "The walkers are evolving."

"How's that even possible?" Natalia asked.

"That's bullshit." Daryl dropped the idea

"They're dead, they're not evolving." Jesus whispered.

"Being dead hasn't exactly stopped them from perambulating ad infinitum, though, has it?" Eugene mocked. "They're not dead in any sense that makes sense. It takes an impact to the cranium to stop them, which means the brains alive, degraded as it may be. And if it's alive, it can change. Maybe even start to remember things, too, like how to talk." He threw his hand up in the air in frustration.

"What?" Daryl turned to look at them.

"It's not any crazier than the dead being alive in the first place. If they can learn to talk, maybe they can learn strategy and how to hunt."

"Okay, but why are we discussing this, right now, we should be more concerned about a herd following us and getting Eugene back."

"They're right on our asses." Aaron came running out of the tree's and towards them. "We've gotta get to the horses fast."

"You have to leave me behind. I'm slowing you down and tiring you out." Eugene said.

"No, we're not doing that." Natalia snapped. "We don't do that shit."

"Every time we stop, the dead get closer."

"No! We came out here to find you we're not going home without you." Jesus agreed with Natalia.

"You don't have a choice."

"Yes we do, stop being a baby and get up, let's go. It's not your call who we leave behind." Natalia finalised.

"The numbers actually work for us, we can split up. You three get him back to the horses. I'll wait for the herd to get here, then I'll draw them in the other direction. Then I'll ditch them and meet you back at the Hilltop."

"No, no." Daryl disagreed.

"We're stronger together. "Aaron said.

"That doesn't help us. Our only way out of this is to avoid a fight."

"He's right, but I don't like the idea of you going alone, they can take Eugene, we'll go together." Natalia offered.

"No. You have kids and a baby." Jesus beat Daryl to the punch.

"And I'm not planning on dying today, and I'm not letting you go alone on a suicide mission, so are we gonna keep bitching about this or are we gonna go."

"No, if anyone stays, it's gonna be me." Daryl decided. "Go. Hell, I'll probably beat you back."

Jesus and Aaron jogged to help Eugene, whilst Natalia continued in the direction she was planning on going in.

"Nat, go with the others." Daryl told her.

"No, this was mine first, so we're doing it together." She pressed.

"Why are you so frustrating." He groaned.

"Dog! Come on." Natalia refused to give him an answer, as the dog followed them.

"Come here, boy." He caved.

They had managed to find a place, was cute, like a tiny living room.

They sat on top, waiting for the herd to reach them.

Once they caught sight, Daryl lit a set of fire crackers, throwing them not too far from the pair.

Dog's barking would also help the noise factor of steering them over.

"Dog, keep 'em coming." Daryl told him.

"Daryl, look." Natalia pointed at a small group, that was acting odd, the way they were slowly trying to steer the herd back.

"Shh, shh, shh." Daryl ceased Dogs barking as they watched.

"We gotta go, we gotta get back to them." Natalia got up slowly, moving off the structure, Daryl following as they sprinted towards their friends, ending up at a graveyard, walkers were all around, they could hear Aarons cries as a whole bunch of people crowded in, fighting the undead.

Natalia sliced one down, hearing a very human cry of pain.

"What the hell is going on?" She cried out.

When there were no more, the group collected their weapons, whilst Aaron went to Jesus, who had been stabbed to death by one of the "walkers"

"Hey, come here." Daryl called, pointing his flashlight at a body.

"These walkers-- what are they?" Michonne who had turned up, asked.

Daryl had found something on one of them, using his knife to cut around one of the heads.

He yanked at it, pulling the head right off, except it wasn't a head.

It was what looked like a walker mask.

"What the fuck." Natalia spoke for everybody.

Daryl turned the walker over, revealing a very human looking face.

"Circle around." A voice whispered.

Next

#daryl dixon #daryl dixon smut #the walking dead daryl #twd daryl #carl grimes #carol peletier #daryl fanfiction #glenn rhee #michonne #rick grimes #twd daryl x y/n #daryldixonalonetwd #daryl imagines #daryl dixion imagine #darylxnatalia

[elizabeethan]

Spaces Between Us Chapter 13: You & I

The hardships of real life separated them six years ago, and Emma has been struggling to put that fact behind her ever since. But then, only after she’s convinced herself that she’s moved on and that her new life is enough, Killian Jones comes back.

A Captain Swan Modern AU

Complete

As my grandma used to say,"theyah." (she meant "there" and she would brush her hands together, but she had a very heavy a Maine accent) 

Thank you to everyone who read this, and to everyone who commented, left kudos, liked it, reblogged it, sent flails.... you're the best!!

Thank you, as usual, to my beta and friend @the-darkdragonfly​, and to @donteattheappleshook​ and @xhookswenchx​ for listening to my ramblings and helping me figure out the plot to this <3

Read the Rest

Read on Ao3

Read my Other Stuff

~~~~

His warm fingers tickle her awake, dancing delicately over the skin of her waist and making her giggle before she hisses at the bright sunlight stinging her eyes. “It’s too early for all that.” 

 “No it isn’t,” he argues, kissing a hot trail down her neck until his lips reach her breast. She swears she was wearing a shirt when she went to bed… “We’ve got to get up soon anyway.” 

 “Then why are you initiating what you're initiating?” 

 “I can be quick.” 

 She snorts, reaching her fingers into his thick hair and letting out an appreciative sound as he flicks his tongue over her nipple. “I’m sure you can.” 

 “Let me do my work in peace, please,” he chastises playfully as he drags his mouth down her stomach, tucking his fingers into the hem of her underwear and tugging them down her thighs. 

 “If you insist,” she sighs, letting her head fall back against the pillow and grounding herself as she scratches her fingers against his scalp. 

He certainly does take his work seriously, succeeding in his promise to be quick and getting her ready for him in just a matter of minutes. She pulls on his hair a bit harder and he lifts his head, looking up at her with shiny lips and a glint in his eyes before he wipes his chin and crawls up her body slowly, peppering kisses along the way. “Already?” he asks when he reaches her ear, and she giggles. 

 “You promised to be quick, I thought you’d be pleased to know that you delivered.” 

 “Oh, I’m very pleased. If there’s one thing parenthood has taught me, it's how to get my lady love off in a jiffy.” 

 “Shut up,” she laughs, though the sound is cut off quickly when he plunges himself into her, nearly to the hilt before he pulls back out and slides in again, slowly this time. She groans in appreciation for the way he stretches her, hitting everywhere just right as he sets a steady pace. 

 “I love you,” he whispers against the shell of her ear, tracing his tongue over the sensitive skin just below. “So much.”

 “I love you, too,” she whispers back breathlessly, then with a moan, “don’t stop.” 

 “You like it like this?” he asks, biting her skin and pushing into her at just the right angle. 

 She whimpers and nods, her nails clawing at his back. She’s so close already, his mouth bringing her halfway there before they’d even started, and when he reaches his fingers between them where she needs him the most, she cries out again. 

 “There,” she begs, her legs shaking as she holds him in place. “Oh, fuck, right there.” 

 When he whispers, “come for me,” with his tone commanding and gentle, there's little she can do but obey him. 

 He’s heavy on top of her, her chest heaving beneath him, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves being here with him more than just about anything. The way he kisses her cheek over and over while they catch their breath makes her heart flutter more. 

 “You don’t actually have to go, right?” she asks jokingly as she runs her fingers up and down his back. “You’re actually just going to work? Won’t Will be mad if you miss a day, Mr. Mechanic?”

 With a laugh and another kiss to her cheek at the charming nickname she gave him when his friend hired him to work in his garage, he answers, “I bloody well better go. I promised Ruby I’d be there and I certainly don't want to be on her bad side.” She giggles, though he continues, “and I want to watch that bastard get exactly what he deserves.” 

 She nods, letting out a long, steady breath. Walsh’s trial is today, and while Killian isn’t allowed to testify because of his relationship with the victim-- her-- Ruby has a lot to say about that evening. At first, there was talk of Killian being unfit to serve and having made irresponsible choices because of his emotional connection with Emma. But after Ruby’s accounts of that night and the body camera footage, it was clear that he acted as appropriately as he ever has. Walsh shot first, and the sheriff responded using non-lethal force. And besides, Killian left the force on his own accord, anyway. 

 At first, she was almost angry that he’d lived. Part of her wanted the surgeons to let him die; another part of her wanted Killian to have taken a better shot. But he was shot himself, so the fact that he got him in the shoulder was pretty damn good. Plus, Walsh will never be able to fully use his arm again. 

 And… he’s probably going to jail for a long time. Which would be cool, considering the amount of times he’s been beaten up already.

 “There’s too much going on in there,” he murmurs, kissing her temple. “Tell me what you’re thinking?” 

 With a shrug, she says, “just thinking about what happened. It’s been a long eight months.” 

 He hums. “Aye, it has. Hasn’t been so bad, though.” 

 “No,” she agrees softly. “But I’ll be glad when this whole trial thing is over. Maybe we can finally leave this place.” 

 “Are you implying that you aren’t a fan of my apartment?” he asks through feigned offence. “I find it to be quite quaint.” 

 “Oh, it’s quaint,” she giggles. “I just feel bad making Henry sleep in a closet.” 

 “It’s not a closet! I pay extra for two bedrooms!”

 With a soft smile, she cups his cheek in her palm and says, “I’m sorry, my love, but that is a walk-in closet.” 

 He rolls his eyes, then rolls off of her and offers her his hand to hoist her off the bed. “Soon we can get him a nice big bedroom, promise. Once the trial’s over, there’s nothing holding us here.” 

 It’s true. While they haven’t fully talked about where they’ll end up when all is said and done, Walsh signed the divorce papers from his cell a few weeks ago. And with the pre-nup null and void, Emma took her half of his fortune and donated it to an organization that supports victims of domestic violence and their children. 

 “Henry’s appointment is at ten, right?” 

 “Yeah,” she nods. Starting him up with Archie has been a blessing. Emma had a lot of fears that he would handle the transitions with difficulty, but with Dr. Hopper’s help, he’s been well adjusted, and she couldn’t be prouder. 

 They struggled with how to tell him about his father, but she never wants to lie to him. They moved out of their old house with haste, grabbing everything they could as quickly as possible so that Emma wouldn’t have to be there for a second longer than she had to. And while Henry was confused, he didn’t seem overly upset. He enjoyed living with the sheriff for a few days, even creating a comfortable nook for Abby, before they sat him down and told him everything. 

 When Emma told her son that the man who’s been in his life all along isn’t actually his father, she thought he would be upset. In reality, though, he simply shrugged and asked if Killian’s house had macaroni and cheese. 

 When Emma told her son who his real father is, a few days after they moved in with him for both safety and stability, he cheered and gave Killian the biggest hug she’s ever seen him give anyone. 

 She still can’t think about that day without crying. 

 “So Sherrie is actually my dad?” 

 Emma nods. “Yes, baby. I’m sorry that this is so confusing.” 

 He ignores her sentiment and asks, “and I can call him daddy?” 

 “You can call him anything you want.” 

 Turning towards Killian, he asks again, “can I call you daddy?” 

 The look on his face is so heartbreaking that Emma’s tears flow freely. Killian looks up at his son, meeting his eyes with glassy ones, and nods. “I’d love that.” 

 “Have you got one as well?” he asks, shaking her from her memories as she wipes away a rogue tear.

 “Wednesday. You’re okay to watch Henry in the morning, right?” 

 “It’s not exactly babysitting, Swan,” he reminds her gently, and she grins at the name he uses and the fact that it’s finally her name again. 

 “I know, but…” 

 “Go and see Ingrid on Wednesday, love. I’m glad you’re still finding it beneficial to talk with her.” 

 Honestly, finding a therapist who happens to have experience working with victims of domestic violence in this small town was a surprise to Emma, but she’s found her work with Ingrid to be invaluable. While she’s known all along that what happened wasn’t her fault, and that she shouldn’t feel guilty about what she and her son went through for all those years, it’s been helpful to hear that from a professional as well. Ingrid reminded her that, while the physical abuse happened only near the end of their relationship, Emma was being emotionally abused the entire time she knew Walsh. She was trapped from the moment she met him, little by little being gaslighted until she believed that she would have nothing if she left him. As hard as it was for her to see how toxic he was at first, it was even harder to imagine leaving when she thought he had so much power over her.

 The guilt that came with finding out she put herself and her child through that for nothing was unmatched. Her feelings and thoughts about herself as a mother, about how she failed to protect her son, are something she’s been battling for months and will likely never be able to fully let go of. Finding out that Killian is Henry’s father gave her the freedom to leave, but it also gave her the most traumatic experience of her life and brought endless feelings of self-hatred, and that’s something she’s been working on coming to terms with, slowly but surely. 

 “Alright,” she agrees, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips as she walks past him towards the bathroom. 

 “I’ll go give him his nebulizer while you get ready.” 

 Stopping short in her path to the shower, she turns to him and smiles. “I love you.” 

 Returning her smile with his own, he says, “I love you, too, Swan.” 

 In eight months, he’s become more of a father than Walsh was Henry’s entire life. 

 ~~~~

 As he watches Walsh being escorted into the courtroom, donning his orange jumpsuit and shackles, Killian is reminded of the last time he saw the man who almost took everything from him. It was months ago, once he was finally transferred to the Storybrooke Sheriff’s Department’s jail cell. He was still clearly favoring his left arm, his right shoulder completely out of commission as a result of Killian’s rather good shot, and he felt a sick sense of accomplishment seeing the monster struggling to get comfortable on the firm cot with the sling wrapped around him. 

 “Need something?” he’d asked, although he wasn’t too chuffed to give the bastard anything that would take away his obvious malaise. 

 He scoffed and responded, “yeah, my pain meds would be nice. Are you always in the business of torture?”

 “Aye,” Killian responded without thinking, then he stood up and walked to Walsh’s cell, keys in hand. “I suppose I am. But I really only focus on torturing the absolute most wretched inmates. Like you.” 

 Walsh shook his head and laughed, but Killian didn’t miss the look of fear in his eyes as he inserted the key and swung the cell door open, shutting it behind him. “Talk about protect and serve.” 

 Killian hummed in response and nodded as well as he moved to stand over Walsh’s cot, staring down into his eyes with anger, the strength of which he won’t ever feel again. “The fact is, mate, I couldn’t care less about my duties as the sheriff. Not when the safety and happiness of my son and the woman I love are on the line.” Walsh laughed once more and rolled his eyes, so Killian moved quickly to thrust his open hand down upon his neck, pressing just hard enough to make the animal’s eye pop from his head. “You threatened them. You tried to kill her. You neglected the child you thought was yours for his entire life. You are garbage; a waste of oxygen. Trust me when I tell you that I will do everything in my power to ensure that you never live to see the light of day. You will never take a breath outside of a barbed wire fence. You will never eat anything but the slop they feed you. You will never experience pleasure for as long as you live. And I promise you, you will live for decades in an iron cage, right where you belong.” 

 He was quiet for a moment as his cheeks started to turn red and his eyes grew wider, before he finally gruffed, “I can’t breathe.” 

 “Perfect,” Killian responded. “Then you know exactly how she felt. Count yourself lucky that I’m not going to try and shoot you again.” 

 He released his forceful grip, shoving Walsh down onto the cot as he took in a forceful breath, before he turned and locked the cell, walking back to his desk and collecting his things. When his shift ended, Killian Jones walked out of the Storybrooke Sheriff’s Department precinct for the final time. 

 ~~~~

 Henry’s birthday is definitely cause for celebration. He’s turning six. It’s the first time Killian will be able to celebrate his son’s birthday. He’s finally with his Emma, with nothing stopping them from being happy together. There’s a lot for his family to be happy about. 

 “Daddy!” Henry calls as he sprints at full speed towards his father. “Daddy, can I have cake yet?” 

 “No, not yet. You haven’t even touched your lunch. And don’t let your mother see you running wild like that.”

 His more intensive therapies have been working as well as they can, but they know they have to be careful to avoid another serious attack-- one that might not end as well as the last had. Killian only just became a part of his son’s life. He doesn’t intend to lose him. 

 “But it’s my birthday,” he complains, rolling his eyes and giving him a look that could rival his mother’s. 

 “Your birthday isn’t until Monday.”

 “Well, it’s my tarty.” 

 “Your party.” 

 “I think I wanna ask mommy.” 

 Killian chuckles. “If mommy doesn’t tell you to wait until after lunch, I’ll give you five dollars.” 

 His eyes light up and widen immediately, cloudy gray perfectly complimenting the black pupils as he turns from him and runs straight for the door. He watches from the deck as Henry begs and pleads with his mother, giving her his best bambi eyes, before he sees her nod, the lad jumping for joy and shrinking excitedly. He runs towards the sliding door and pounds his fists against it, shouting through the glass, “you owe me five dollars!”

 With a sigh, Killian brushes past his son, ruffling his hair just a bit, before he wraps both arms around Emma’s waist, pulling her in for a hug from behind. “You really got me there, Swan.” 

 “Did I?” she asks. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

 She leans back into his chest, turning her head so that she can press a soft kiss to his jaw. “No? Are you telling me our son didn’t inform you of my poorly-made offer?” 

 With a giggle, she answers, “of course he did. That’s what you get for trying to negotiate with our six year old.” 

 He squeezes her a bit tighter, reveling in their loneliness in the kitchen. “He’s still five,” he reminds her, content to never let him grow up.

 “Yes,” she hums. “And what a big difference the two days will make.” 

 He pushes his lips against her cheek and says, “I’m afraid he’s getting too old. We’ll have to return him soon.” 

 “And what,” she laughs, “trade him in for a newer model?” 

 “Aye, that’s the price of fatherhood most men aren’t willing to pay. But I’m not like those other men.” 

 She doesn’t need to be facing him for him to know that she rolls her eyes. “You are absolutely ridiculous.” 

 “--ly in love with you,” he corrects. She does spin around now, turning to face him and burying her face in his neck as her arms hold him in her iron grip. “What is it?” he whispers into her hair more seriously. 

 “Nothing,” she responds softly. “I’m just… happy. It still surprises me sometimes. That we’re here and celebrating our son’s birthday together; that nothing’s stopping us.” 

 “Aye, love, me too,” he agrees, running his hands up and down along the contours of her spine. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” 

 “You won’t ever have to,” she reminds him with a smile as she pulls away just enough to look at him. “We won.” 

 He grins down at her, running his thumb along her cheek as he holds her jaw with his palm. With her ex-husband being found guilty on all charges, his life sentence without the possibility for parole means they’ll never be apart again. “Yes, my love,” he says, leaning down to kiss her chastely. “Let’s simply avoid the scorned husbands and attempts on both of our lives in the future, aye?”

 She agrees with a nod. “Yes, that sounds like a good plan. Fucking idiot got exactly what he deserved, though.” 

 He laughs and says, “as eloquently put as always. I couldn’t agree more.” 

 As it turns out, the prosecution lawyer was very experienced and was able to use Walsh’s statements of intent to kill his wife, as well as the loaded gun pointed directly at her and at the sheriff, to prove two counts of attempted second degree murder, plus assault with a deadly weapon, plus domestic violence, plus election fraud, plus embezzelment. Suffice it to say, Walsh won’t be seeing much daylight for quite some time. 

 Of course, the honorable man in Killian almost thought that sending his mistress’s husband to jail for life as a means to be with her was taking the cheap way out, but he got over those feelings very quickly. It’s not about Killian being with Emma, after all. Not really. 

 As their son laughs raucously on the swing set with his cousin, he sees exactly what it’s about. 

 “I suppose we should do the cake,” Emma finally sighs, lifting her head 

 “I suppose,” he concedes, squeezing her tighter in his hold and pressing a kiss to her temple. 

 ~~~~

 The afternoon rolls into evening, everyone finding a lawn chair or chaise lounge to relax in as David starts a fire and Mary Margaret prepares for an outdoor movie. Honestly, Killian’s son is spoiled with the grandeur of his sixth birthday party, with the giant white screen and the projector displaying The Good Dinosaur for all the children to enjoy. 

 Emma sighs happily as she leans back against Killian’s chest, taking his wrists in her hands and pulling his arms around her middle. She feels warm against him as the fire heats her skin and her sweatshirt, and he can’t get enough of the feeling of the weight of her body pressed to his own. 

 “I love you,” she finally whispers into the dark as the movie starts, the sounds enough to drown out her voice so that only Killian can hear.

 “I love you, too,” he agrees softly, sentimentally, squeezing her just a bit tighter. “More than just about anything.” 

 “Just about?” 

 He hums out a laugh and nods. “I’m afraid I love our son just a tiny bit more than you. That’s normal, right?” 

 “Yes,” she agrees softly, turning to face him and pressing a kiss to his neck. “I’m afraid I love our kids more than you, too.” 

 He smiles and laughs lightly against her, returning her soft kiss with one of his own as he sighs and looks on at their son happily enjoying his special day. “Wait,” he says as it finally dawns on him; the specific wording she chose and the coy smile she dons through a giggle. “Kids?” 

 She hums in agreement, nodding against his chest and pulling his arms tighter around herself until his palm is pressed to her stomach. “I found out this morning.” 

 “Emma,” he breathes, unable to comprehend her meaning. 

 “I was thinking if it’s a boy, we could name him after your brother. At least his middle name. Thoughts?” 

 “Emma,” he tries again, separating his arms and pulling away only far enough to help her turn towards him. “Are you…” 

 “Shh,” she insists, pressing her finger to his lips and grinning at him and she turns to face him head on. Then she whispers, “it’s a secret. I’m pregnant.” 

 He can’t breathe, a shocked sound coming out of his mouth as he leans towards her and captures her lips in his. She grins against him, holding onto the neck of his sweatshirt to pull him impossibly closer to herself. “You’re sure?” 

 “I’ll call the doctor on Monday to make an appointment, but I took three tests. All positive.” 

 “Fuck,” he breathes almost silently, trying hard not to alert those around them of their shift in mood but finding it near impossible. “Fuck, I love you. I thought…” 

 She shakes her head, cradling the back of his neck in her hands as she answers his silent question. “I probably never would’ve been ready,” she explains. They’ve talked about it in passing, and she’s insisted that her last pregnancy was difficult and that she’s still recovering from the trauma she’s endured and is therefore unable to consider the possibility of having another child. “If I had a say, I probably would’ve kept putting it off,” she whispers. “But… surprise.” She shrugs and grins at him.

 He kisses her, because he can think of no other way to express his feelings towards her than to show her what she means to him. There are no words to tell her exactly what she’s given him, not just now, but every second he’s known her. No words, except, “marry me.” 

 She giggles breathlessly, the air escaping her lips hitting the tip of his nose as she gasps, “what?” 

 With a grin, he responds more seriously, “marry me. Please.” He clears his throat and tries again. “Emma Swan-- love of my life, mother of my children-- will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” 

 “You’re serious?” she breathes softly, careful not to alert the other parents present of the sudden shift between them. “You know I just got divorced, like, two months ago.” 

 “Aye, but I should've asked you to marry me seven years ago. The divorce is merely semantics.” 

 She laughs breathlessly again, disbelievingly, and nods her head before pulling him close to her. “Yes,” she whispers against him before pressing a passionate, if not also chaste, kiss to his lips. He can tell that she wants to deepen it, perhaps she wants to take him inside and show him how excited she is, but they're at their son’s birthday party and they have to keep things G-Rated. PG; nothing higher. “Yes,” she says again. Then once more, “yes, I’ll marry you.” 

 Andrew Liam Jones was born seven months later. He was monitored closely throughout Emma’s pregnancy to ensure proper development of his lungs, and when he was born, he screamed like a banshee to alert his parents of his healthy arrival. He weighed seven pounds, three ounces, and was twenty-one inches long. His big brother, newly renamed Henry David Jones following an amendment to his birth certificate, refused to leave the baby’s side until he fell asleep, needing to be carried out of the maternity suite by his uncle while his parents took in the bliss and terror of having a new life to care for. 

 Emma and Killian were married two months after the arrival of their second child, the small ceremony taking place on the secluded, rocky beach in Storybrooke, Maine. At first, Killian wanted to remove his family from the hellish town that nearly stole his life away from him, but she disagreed. This was where they were reunited. This was where they found each other again. This was where she found herself again. It’s where her children were born and raised. So, when she finds a beautiful, blue victorian style home on the outskirts of town and cries at how perfect it is for their family, at how close she would be to her sister, they place an offer. And they win. 

 They won when they found each other again and they know that they will never lose at anything ever again so long as they have each other. 

~~~~

~~~~

Tagging: @courtorderedcake @kmomof4 @stahlop @klynn-stormz @laschatzi @emelizabeth88 @lfh1226-linda @kday426 @elisethewritingbeast @timeless-love-story @captain-emmajones @gingerpolyglot @ebcaver @ilovemesomekillianjones @teamhook @superchocovian @itsfabianadocarmo @tiganasummertree @gingerchangeling @jrob64 @onceratheart18 @xhookswenchx @winterbaby89 @swampmedusa @ultraluckycatnd @dancingnancyy @love-with-you-i-have-everything @shireness-says @snowbellewells​ @hollyethecurious @ouatpost @daxx04 @the-darkdragonfly @donteattheappleshook​ @therooksshiningknight @eeteeaytay​ @xsajx​ @itsfridaysomewhere​ @alexa-fangirl-forever​ @jonesfandomfanatic​ @wefoundloveunderthelight​ @qualitycoffeethings​ @rapunzelsghosts​ @spaceconveyor

#captain swan #captain swan fanfic #cs ff #cs ff au #captain swan au #spaces between us #spaces ff #cs fluff #cs smut

[hopepetal]

12 Days of Whumpmas 2021

Day 12 - Twelve Drummers Drumming

Abandoned | Mugging | Found Family

This is unfinished! I will update it as I keep writing, though!

@amonthofwhump @whump-bean @sapphirechao

Isaac, Henry, Kathy, Donovan, Stella, and Thane belong to Sapph.

Allistair, Fiona, Viranthellion, Archie, and Mylaela belong to Kalli.

word count: 7051

This was… different.

Janet woke slowly, consciousness creeping back to her bit by bit. Stretching, she rolled over onto her side, hugging the pillow and smushing her face against it. She could feel that it was cold outside, from how close her bed was to the window she may or may not have left open overnight. The bright morning light shone in, the movement of the curtains making the shadows dance as though they lived. Snuggling further under her covers, Janet tried to block out the cold all around her. With how many blankets there were, this was quite an easy task, and Janet found herself slipping into unconsciousness again.

A knock on her door chased away the sweet grasp of sleep, and Janet moaned into her pillow, squeezing her eyes shut tight. A twinge of annoyance shot through her at being forced into fully waking up this soon. Her bare right foot brushed against her left leg, and the shock from her surprisingly cold foot against her warm leg was yet another thing that helped to jerk her away from unconsciousness. Janet groaned again, blinking her eyes open. She didn’t have the energy to ask who was there, and already her sleep-addled brain was forgetting that there was ever a knock in the first place- it must’ve been her imagination.

“Jenny?” a voice called out. At first, Janet thought that she had imagined that as well, before the voice piped up again. “Jenny, are you awake?” Finally, she recognized the voice to be Henry’s, her adopted brother. What he was doing, waking her up like this, she had no clue, but any traces of annoyance disappeared. She simply loved Henry too much to be annoyed with him, and as she became more and more awake and aware, her rationale was much clearer, as were her emotions.

After swallowing slightly, Janet softly cleared her throat, trying to sound like she hadn’t just woken up. “‘m awake…” She failed that, but wasn’t too bothered. Henry wouldn’t judge her, he knew how much her insomnia had been affecting her the past few days and knew that she was going to be more tired than she usually was. Which, if Janet was being perfectly honest, she was usually unable to get out of bed over half the time from exhaustion and pain. Her worst days were often spent laying in bed, unable to sleep as pain wracked her entire body, old wounds becoming aggravated. Thankfully this wasn’t one of those days, but she was still exhausted. Henry would know this, which is why it confused her so much that he was knocking on her door.

“Can I come in?” His voice was practically bubbling over with excitement, and Janet could picture him, out in the hall, bouncing on his toes as he waited for her response, eyes shining with joy. And how could she say no to that image? “I brought you hot cocoa! And uncle Alli is coming today, with Fiona and Archie!” He was so excited about the news that laughter came from him while he told his sister.

Janet took a moment to process that, before alarm shot through her, the same kind you feel when you look over at the alarm clock and realize that you have only a few minutes before the bus to school arrives. She quickly sat up in bed, getting tangled up in the covers as she tried to get out of bed. “They’re coming? Today? Why?” There was a slight panic in her voice as she walked across her room and opened the door. “Is something wrong? Did something happen?”

Henry’s worried face peered at her, and after a moment, he broke out smiling again. “No, no!” he chirped, walking into Janet’s room holding a tray with two mugs on it. He set the tray down on the small coffee table and sat on one of the plush seats, taking his own mug of hot chocolate. “It’s Christmas, Jenny. Don’t you remember?” He took a sip of his hot chocolate, getting whipped cream on his nose, which he wiped off and ate.

Relief and embarrassment shot through Janet at the same time as she sat down across from Henry, taking the other mug from the tray. She took a sip of the cocoa, and immediately felt warmer on the inside and outside. It was good hot cocoa, of course, Henry probably spent some time making it himself. “Right… I can’t believe I forgot.” Janet laughed softly, trying to shake off her embarrassment. “Sorry, I must… really be tired, or something.” She took another sip of her hot chocolate.

Henry, seemingly unbothered, shrugged. “It’s okay. I forget about things when I’ve just woken up too. It’s like your brain is loading information really slowly. It’s kinda funny, but pretty embarrassing.” He set his mug down and stretched, yawning widely. “Father’s already zooming around the house trying to make sure it’s perfect for uncle Allistair. You know how he is.” A slight smile graced Henry’s lips. “It’s nice, seeing him so excited for something.”

“You sound so old,” Janet retorted, “I almost feel young again.” Of course, this was a lie. Being over four hundred years old, relatively young for her kind, made her feel ancient compared to her much more mortal adoptive family. “Keep talking like that and who knows, maybe you’ll end up like me.” She sipped her drink. “This is good,” she commented, smiling as a blush spread across Henry’s face as he looked away. “I mean it. You did a really good job with this.” Another sip. “Thank you for waking me up. I would’ve been sad if I had missed them. I’ve already done that enough.”

Henry looked back up at Janet, his green eyes meeting her blue ones. “We all understood when you missed them those other times, you weren’t really in control of that, y’know.” He frowned slightly, thinking back to one of those times when Janet had been running a high fever and was in too much pain to even say anything to even Fiona, something that was always concerning. Janet always got better, of course, but that didn’t make those times any less anxiety inducing. Isaac had been doing research into this to help her, but hadn’t gotten very far yet. Everyone was hopeful that they would find something that worked soon, especially Henry. He hated to see his sister suffer like that, helpless to do anything. “I bet they’ll be really glad to see you. You look like you’re feeling better.”

Janet nodded. “I do feel a lot better.” And she did. As the last tendrils of sleep fell away, Janet felt very little pain from her body. She didn’t feel like she was going to faint, or throw up, or like her very blood was made of liquid fire, which was certainly a plus. She actually felt somewhat normal today, now that she was moving about and talking. Of course, the hot cocoa helped as well. “Maybe this means you should make me hot chocolate every single morning,” Janet teased.

“I could!” Henry brightened up, much to Janet’s amusement. “I could make a bunch of hot cocoa in one batch, and then have enough to last for a long time, and it won’t go bad because I have a spell that can combat that!” He picked up his mug again and took a long sip. “I wonder if that would work or not. I hope so.”

They finished their cocoa slowly, chattering all the while about random things. Janet closed the open window and brought over blankets that she and Henry wrapped themselves in. After a while, there was another knock on Janet’s door. She looked up, and, not bothering to walk, teleported over to the door and opened it. There stood Isaac, his hair all mussed up from cleaning the castle frantically one last time before Allistair and his family would arrive.

Janet laughed softly. “Papa, have you even cleaned yourself yet?” She reached out and gently fixed his ruffled blond hair. “There we go. Perfect.” She took a step back, watching Isaac with quite a bit of amusement as the saint huffed and rolled his eyes.

“Yes, yes, good morning to you too.” He pulled Janet in close, hugging her gently. “I’m glad to see you’re awake already. Did you sleep well?” He pulled away and looked her over, seemingly searching for any signs that she might be in pain, or something like that. “Did Henry wake you too early?”

Janet shook her head. “I slept… alright. I feel good today, though.” She laughed. “Yes, Henry woke me up so early, I think that I’m going to perish. I can almost feel the fires of hell pulling me down.”

Isaac sighed. “Well, just… be careful, alright?” He let go of her, smoothing out his clothes. “Allistair said he should be coming around in about an hour, so I think I have time to go clean the castle once more before-”

“Papa,” Janet interrupted, taking his hands in her own, “I think you should go take a shower and clean yourself up, and get some breakfast. Allistair lives on a ship most of the time, I don’t think he cares about how clean the castle is.”

Isaac groaned. “You’re right, Jenny… alright, but if I have time left after that I’ll try cleaning just a bit more-”

“Yes, yes, now get going. I love you, papa!” Janet gently shooed him out of the room, before turning back to Henry. “I suppose we should get ready as well.”

“We?” Henry inquired, tilting his head. “I’m all ready.” He smirked. “I think it’s just you who needs to get ready.”

Janet rolled her eyes. “Alright, alright. Get out of my room, then. Maybe go bake some cookies or something while you wait.”

Henry laughed as he left the room, taking the tray and the empty mugs with him.

---

Janet stepped out of the shower, a soft towel wrapped around her. She walked into her bedroom, shivering slightly at the colder temperature compared to the steamy bathroom. She could use magic to start a fire in the fireplace, but she didn’t want to risk exhausting herself before the big event tonight. Walking over to her closet, she opened the doors, smiling slightly at the wide variety of clothing hanging in there. Before she met Isaac and especially before she met Fiona, her wardrobe had often remained dull and basic. But now, with her newfound family more than willing to buy and make clothing for her, Janet found herself with plenty of options.

And she knew the perfect dress for today. It had been made for her by Fiona, with a little help from Archie and Mylaela for a more magic touch, that would apparently help with the random bouts of pain that Janet often suffered through. She pulled it out of the closet carefully, looking it over. It was a deep blue that matched her eyes, though faint dark greens and purples decorated the skirt as well. The straps went around her shoulders instead of over them, looking like a ball gown more than anything. The sleeves were long, starting at where the shoulder straps went around her arm and going to her wrists, which Janet appreciated. The sleeves had a little butterfly wing look, so she could lift up her arms and the fabric would hang down, making her arms look like butterfly wings.

Taking off her towel in favor of quickly drying her hair slightly, Janet got dressed slowly, carefully, so as to not set off any unnecessary pain. Finally, once she was dressed, it was time to do her hair- one of her least favourite things. She took a brush and began to carefully run it through her hair, using her telekinesis to get the ends so she wouldn’t have to strain herself to get down that far. It was quite a handy skill, but didn’t feel too pleasant. Once her tangles were thoroughly worked out, she massaged in a leave-in conditioner. It felt nice to be clean, often she couldn’t shower well, or even at all because of the pain. Janet wondered if she should put her hair up, before shrugging slightly. They wouldn’t judge her if she didn’t have any fancy styles, it was a miracle she was even up anyways. Right?

A sudden anxiety twisted in her chest, and Janet frowned. She itched at her neck, something she tended to do when anxious, looking around her room. There was a sudden pressure on her to do her hair, to do something, to at least look like she tried to look presentable. Tears welled up in her eyes, very much unwanted but just as unstoppable. She sniffled, pressing the back of her hand against her forehead. You take so much from them, and don’t even care about your appearance? Shame rushed through her as she attempted to combat that ugly voice. “I- I care,” she mumbled aloud, her voice thick with emotion, “I do, I do care…” she trailed off, squeezing her eyes shut. “Please… I…” I don’t want to be a burden. Words left unsaid but stung all the same as Janet began to sob.

A knock on her door startled Janet out of her misery, her tears stopping abruptly as she looked up at the door. Oh god, she hadn’t meant to be heard by anyone else, she didn’t want to inconvenience the others. She was already bad enough, laboring them with the pains of taking care of her, she had absolutely no right to bother them with her self doubt and guilt. Janet squeezed her eyes shut tightly and shook her head. No. You can’t be thinking like that, she chided herself, You’re better than this. You know they love you, no matter what. After another moment taken to dry her tears completely, Janet answered the door to a concerned looking Henry.

“Jenny?” His forehead creased as he frowned, looking her up and down. “Are you okay? I thought I heard you crying, and I wanted to check on you.” He reached out and took one of Janet’s hands in his own, squeezing it gently. “I love you, you know,” he murmured gently, looking into her eyes. “You’re my only sister. I care about you a lot. You can always tell me, or father, or even Thane if something- or someone- is bothering you.” He chuckled softly, shaking his head slightly. “Although uncle Alli or Thane would probably be better suited to deal with someone bothering you, I can’t really fight.”

Janet laughed softly with him, squeezing his hand back. “No, Henry, I’m alright. Just… got a little sad for a moment.” She hugged him gently. “I know you love me, silly. I love you too. You and papa and even your strange little cat that you found on the side of the road that one time we went out. You’re the best family I could ever ask for.” She pulled away. “Thank you, though. That means a lot to me. I mean it.”

Henry’s eyes shone. “Alright, then. I really like your dress!” he chirped, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Is that the one that Fiona sent you? It looks really good on you, not that you’d look bad in anything.”

Janet pinched his cheek lightly. “Flattery will get you nowhere, young man,” she cooed light heartedly, laughing alongside Henry, letting go as he pulled away. “Now let me finish getting ready, will you? I’m sure the Sullivans will be here any moment, and you need to go find papa to make sure he’s not busy cleaning some remote corner of this castle when they arrive.”

“You joke, but-” Henry started, before running off laughing. “I think I saw him in the library last!” he called back, before disappearing around the corner.

Janet closed the door, walking back over to her closet. She picked out a pair of boots that went along well with the dress (well, at least, she hoped. She’d never been one to have an eye for fashion, but she was sure it would be fine). Finally, she stepped back and looked at herself in the mirror, smiling slightly. She liked how she looked, for once. She ran a brush through her hair one more time before she was fully satisfied. She stepped out of her room and descended the grand staircase into the main hall, looking around at all the decorations Isaac, Henry, and the others had so carefully set up. It truly was beautiful, and she took a moment to admire them before peeking into the kitchen.

There she saw Kathy and Donovan washing some dishes, and Thane lurking in a corner eating a cookie. When she stepped into the room, all three looked over at her, as if expecting to see someone else- likely Isaac or Henry. Kathy’s eyes lit up when she saw it was Janet, and the woman rushed over to give the other a hug.

“Janet!” she squealed, “you’re awake!” She pulled back, holding Janet by her shoulders, looking her over. “Are you feeling alright? You aren’t sick? Oh, this is wonderful!”

Janet couldn’t help but feel a little guilty, but she brushed the feeling away, smiling at Kathy. “Yeah, I’m doing alright.” She looked over at Thane. “Are you supposed to be eating that yet or…?”

Kathy turned to see the spectre eating the cookies. “Thane! I told you to leave those!” She went to take it from Thane, but he simply disappeared into the shadows and appeared in a different part of the room. “No fair!” Kathy exclaimed, although it was light hearted. “Fine, you can have that one. But no more, or I’ll put a spell tag on you just to slap you.”

Thane chuckled. “You’d have to catch me first, and you have a hard time doing that even when I’m not expecting it. Good luck.”

Donovan sighed. “It’s nice to see you around, Janet. Kathy, can you help please?”

“Oh! Oh, yes, sorry!” Kathy went back to the sink to continue helping her fiance wash the dishes. She looked at Janet once more. “We’ll join you after we’re finished, I may have made too many cookies and used a couple more pans than I meant to…”

“A couple isn’t what I would use to describe how many you used,” Donovan grumbled, but he was smiling. He kissed Kathy lightly on the cheek.

Janet walked out of the kitchen, going to sit down on one of the couches in the main hall. She let out a sigh of exhaustion as she sat. Even walking that little had been enough to tire her out. She leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes. She felt so tired now, surely a little rest wouldn’t hurt…

Her sensitive ears picked it up before anyone else did. Footsteps, heavy footsteps, in the snow. Voices that could only belong to a few people, people who everyone there held dear to their hearts. Janet jumped up from the couch, briefly regretting it when a sharp spike of pain shot up her right leg, but she ignored it in favor of rushing to the door. She peeked out the window and saw three figures walking through the snow, all bundled up, and opened the door for them when they got close. “Fiona! Allistair! Archie!” A smile lit up her face. “It’s so nice to see you all!”

“Jenny!” Fiona rushed into the castle and threw her arms around Janet. “You’re here!” Once again, there was surprise in her voice, but Janet was too excited to feel guilty this time. She hugged Fiona back, before pulling away and looking up at the other two.

“God, Allistair, you’re taller than I remembered,” Janet commented, letting out a soft huff. “I’m going to get dizzy looking up at you.”

“Not my fault you’re short,” Allistair shot back, before laughing. “It’s good to see you again, Janet. Where’s Isaac?”

Janet sighed, stepping out of the way to let the three further into the house. “Henry’s looking for him. He should be here any moment now, he was busy cleaning the house. Again.”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Isaac appeared in front of the group, looking somewhat disheveled, but better than he had been earlier. “Allistair! Fiona, Archie, welcome! I’m-”

Allistair scooped his Saint up into a hug. “If you say that you’re sorry for the mess, I think I might smack you,” he joked, before setting a now flustered Isaac down. “You look like you’ve been working hard, Saint.”

Isaac wrang his hands together, looking away. “Y-yes, I have. But it was nothing, really. I just wanted to make you all feel welcome.”

“Auntie Jenny!” Archie chirped, excited to see her again as well it seemed, “May I hug you please?”

Fiona gently whacked her son over the head. “Take off your jackets first, honey. You don't want Jenny to freeze to death.”

Archie playfully whined, beginning to take his many layers off. “It’s really cold out, but there were so many birds! Grandda says that birds tell stories when they sing, you just need to listen!” he prattled on, eyes shining.

“I think he says that about everything,” Allistair quipped, “Listen to the grass too, maybe it’ll tell you a story.”

Fiona smacked her husband’s shoulder- she was far too small to reach his head, and she had to reach to even smack his shoulder. “Be nice, Allistair!” she chided lightly, which earned a chuckle from the sailor.

Archie finally got out of his last coat and threw his arms around Janet, who squeaked in surprise from the sudden hug. She tensed up for a moment, before huffing softly and hugging him back. “Give me some warning before you do that, will you?” she laughed, “You could’ve knocked me over.”

Fiona and Allistair began to slowly take off all their layers, Isaac ready to help the moment either of them asked. Janet stepped away, feeling the chill begin to creep into her bones. She silently cursed her broken body as she limped over to the fire, letting herself warm up. She sat down, sighing softly. Even that slight exposure to the cold had been enough to chill her, and she was already tired from all the moving around. Walking was so much energy, she really didn’t have it in her. And she knew, she knew she was lucky to even be able to walk, to be up and moving and talking and awake. But she couldn’t help but wish for more. She wanted to be able to run around, jump about, and not have to immediately sit down after walking five feet or standing for five minutes.

Someone sat down beside her, and Janet nearly jumped out of her skin. She had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she hadn’t even picked up that someone else was there, approaching her, even with her sensitive hearing. She looked over and saw that it was Fiona, cheeks still bright red from the cold journey she had taken, eyes shining with life, hair slightly mussed up from her hat. “Fiona…?” Janet trailed off, not really knowing where she was going to go with that sentence. “Is something wrong?” she asked, not sure what to say.

Fiona laughed softly, shaking her head. “It’s so cold out, it’s nice to warm up for a bit by the fire.” She turned her gaze back to the crackling flames, casting a dim glow overshadowed by the sunlight streaming in through the windows. “You also looked like you needed somebody to talk to.”

Janet sighed. “Am I really that much of an open book?” She didn’t need an answer, she already knew what it would be anyways. “Thank you, Fiona, but-”

“Ah-ah, none of that. Jenny, babe, what’s bothering you?” Kind, concerned, beautiful green eyes looked up at her, and Janet crumbled under their gaze.

“I just… I feel so cruel,” Janet started, “I’m taunting you all. I’m up now, but I’m not… normal. I can’t be like you all. And who knows how long it’ll be before I’m back in bed, unable to get out? I sometimes feel like if I didn’t have these moments, you wouldn’t… wouldn’t wait for me, you know? Everyone’s so excited to see me around, and I’m happy to see them too, but I just feel so guilty. Everyone expects me to never be around. I feel like a burden.” Fiona sighed softly, closing her eyes briefly. “Jenny… none of us expect or want you to be ‘normal’. You aren’t even abnormal. You’re just a little different from the rest of us, but we’re all different from each other. This is just the way you’re different. And you can’t control that just as much as we can control our freckles, our noses, our eyes… you’re not a burden just because you need extra help either. You’re our friend, we care about you and love you so much. We aren’t going to stop caring about you because you’re bedridden, or you’re sick, or whatever it is that’s happening. Because we love you, not your body or what you can do. We love who you are, we love your spirit. No matter what happens to the vessel, the spirit never changes. You will always be a kind, caring, loveable girl who I care deeply for.”

Janet sat in silence for a moment, watching the fire crackle and pop. She fought back tears, drawing her knees up to her chest. “...thank you, Fiona. I needed that.” She looked over at the other woman. “I’d kiss you, but your husband is watching and I don't think he’d like that.”

“Oh, to hell with that.” Fiona pulled Janet in close and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. “There you go.” She smiled. “I should go start getting ready. I’ll see you soon, Jenny, alright?” She stood up and walked over to Allistair, who was waiting for her. Archie had already run upstairs to get ready and find Captain Albert, the squid plushie that had been given as a gift to his father a while ago.

Janet remained by the fire, the warmth seeping into her bones. Tiredness washed over her, a powerful wave that quickly pulled her under. She drifted into the sweet grasp of sleep, warmed by both the fire and Fiona’s kind words.

--

“Jenny, dear?”

“I think she fell asleep again, poor thing.”

“Can we move her to a couch? I can’t imagine she’s very comfortable on the floor…”

“I don’t want to wake her up, though.”

Janet woke to the sound of concerned voices and a slight headache. She slowly opened her eyes, gazing up at Stella and Mylaela. She blinked, confirming what she was seeing. “...Myla? Stella?” She slowly sat up, groaning softly at the pain in her back. She took another moment to regain her senses before speaking again. “I… fell asleep on the floor again.” It wasn’t a question. Shame flooded through her as the two other women nodded. “...I’m sorry.”

“Oh, no worries dear. We were just worried, is all,” Stella tried to reassure Janet. “My boy Isaac told me it’s something you might do, I was just worried seeing it happen.”

Another pang of guilt shot through Janet, who looked away. She looked back over at Stella and Mylaela after a moment, trying to change the subject. “I thought you’d arrive with your son, Myla. Did something hold you up?”

Mylaela nodded. “Yes, I had to get something. I met with Stella on the way here, and we arrived a few minutes ago.”

Janet hummed softly to herself. “It’s nice to see you two again. I missed you.”

Stella pulled Janet close into a tight hug. “Oh, we missed you as well, Jenny! It’s been so long since I last saw you up and about.” She pulled away. “Have you been eating enough? You look so thin, of course not-”

“Give her some space,” Mylaela interjected, and Stella laughed slightly before stepping away. “How are you feeling?”

Janet closed her eyes for a moment. “I… better than usual. A little worse than earlier, I have a headache,” she admitted. “I probably need to drink something.”

“I can get you something,” Stella offered, “Would you like tea? Water?”

“Water is fine,” Janet murmured, pressing the back of her hand to her head. “I can get it myself-”

“No, no, really. It’s no trouble at all,” Stella said cheerfully, before walking away to go get Janet some water.

Janet watched her go before looking up at Mylaela. “May you help me stand up please?”

“Of course, dear.” Mylaela gently helped Janet stand, steadying her when she stumbled. “Careful, now.”

Janet leaned against Myla for a moment before she was steady enough to stand on her own. “Thank you very much,” she murmured, to which Myla nodded slightly. Janet’s eyes darted up as Stella came back holding a full water bottle. Janet was relieved at seeing that- she didn’t really trust herself to not accidentally drop a glass, or at least spill it. Stella must’ve remembered her preference for water bottles.

“Here you go, Jenny dear.” Stella handed her the water bottle, smiling when Janet took it. “You look beautiful, by the way. That dress looks just stunning on you.”

Janet flushed, looking away shyly. “Thank you. You look really pretty too,” she murmured, looking at Stella’s silver dress. “I like that colour on you.” She took a sip of her water, feeling parched.

“Aw, you’re too sweet,” Stella cooed, “I really like this dress too.” She looked over to Mylaela. “I suppose you aren’t one for dresses?”

Mylaela shook her head. “I just never liked how they looked on me. Besides, if something happened, I can move more freely without one. I much prefer skirts, you’re very free in them.” She ran her hands over the fabric of her skirt, smiling. Janet laughed softly. “Well, I see where Allistair gets his tendency to overthink things.”

“It’s called being prepared, lass,” Allistair called out, startling the three women. The redhead captain had approached them with all the stealth of a rogue, Isaac following close behind.

“Our Lady, Allistair!” Stella exclaimed, “Don’t sneak up on us like that!” She clutched at her chest dramatically. “You’ll give this old woman a heart attack!”

“Mother, don’t joke about that,” Isaac pleaded, to which Stella laughed.

“It’s alright, Isaac. I’m not actually going to die of fright.” Stella quickly pulled her boy into a hug, causing him to squeak. “I’d have died a long time ago if it was going to happen.”

“Mother-” Isaac started, but she cut him off.

“Now, where’s that nice suit I gave you? You should go put that on. Unless…” Stella faked a hurt expression. “...you don’t like it?”

Isaac’s eyes widened as he paled. “No! No, I love it! I’ll- I’ll go do that right now!” He disappeared, much to Janet and Mylaela’s amusement.

“Children are so fun to tease,” Janet giggled, thinking back fondly of the times she would tease her children when they had grown up.

“Indeed they are.” Mylaela looked at Allistair, who flinched back.

“Ma, really, do you have to-” Allistair started.

“I brought baby pictures.” Mylaela pulled a book out of thin air. “Alli was such a little bean when he was younger.”

“Ma!” Allistair protested, to no avail. Mylaela had already opened the book and was showing Janet and Stella all of the adorable pictures of the younger Allistair.

“Are you sure that’s him? He’s so tiny~” Janet cooed, smirking when Allistair’s face flushed. “Such a big man now, aren’t you?”

“Janet! Lass, please,” Allistair begged, although the sparkle in his eye indicated his light heartedness. “Ma, you’re embarrassing me.”

“Well, then why don’t you come over and look at the pictures too? That way you can see there’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Mylaela invited, sighing overdramatically when Allistair shook his head. “Well, then I’ll just have to keep showing your adorable little face~”

“Ooh, are we looking at Allistair’s baby pictures?” Fiona appeared at the top of the stairs, descending quickly. She had changed out of her warm clothes and into a lovely dress. She walked over to Allistair and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek, before practically skipping over to the gathered women. “Awww, Alli! Don’t tell me this is you!” she cooed.

Allistair groaned in embarrassment, covering his face. “Hen, please! Not you too!”

“Oh yes, me too!” Fiona exclaimed, giggling. “Aww, you look like Archie did when he was little! Such a shame I didn’t bring pictures of him…”

“I think he’s the only one who’d be upset you didn’t bring his baby pictures,” Allistair grumbled, rubbing his face. “You could’ve brought his instead of mine, ma.”

“Oh, but I did!” Mylaela flipped through a few pages of the book, before humming triumphantly. “Here we are! The Archie section~”

An excited squeal came from the top of the staircase. Archie practically jumped down the stairs. “Gramma!” He threw himself at Mylaela, who staggered back from the force of the boy’s hug. “Gramma, you’re here!”

“Archie!” Fiona scolded, “be careful!”

Archie pulled back with a whine. “Sorry gramma!”

Mylaela laughed, ruffling his hair. “It’s alright, young one. Your enthusiasm is not unlike anything I’ve seen before.” She cast a glance at Allistair, who shrugged innocently. “Oh, don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about young man,” she quipped, earning a chuckle from her son.

Archie was dressed in a pretty floral dress, his bangs pinned back with a flower pin. Janet winced a little at all the flowers, but she kept herself under control. You shouldn’t ruin another thing for them, she internally chided herself, you’ve already done enough damage here. A small voice in the back of her mind, the part she always tried to suppress, piped up. Just a stupid pet. That’s all you’ll ever be.

“Jenny?”

Janet blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. “Huh? Is something wrong?” she asked, still sounding distant.

“Are you alright, lass?” Allistair’s gruff voice was concerned, soft. “You spaced out for a moment there.”

Janet forced a smile. “Yes, sorry. I’m alright. I just got thinking about something. It’s nothing, though.”

Allistair clearly wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t press further. Thank god for that. Janet looked up as Henry and Isaac appeared, both dressed up like everyone else. Isaac was wearing the suit Stella had mentioned earlier, and was fidgeting nervously, a soft blush on his face.

Stella cooed. “Oh, my little star child! You look absolutely adorable!”

Isaac covered his face, turning red. “Mother-!”

“Ah-ah, I won’t hear any complaints or protests. Come, come! We must open presents now!” Stella took Isaac by the hands and led her son over to the enormous pine tree, which had been decorated with great care by Isaac, Henry, Kathy, Donovan, Bradley, and the others. Janet had had to sit out of the decorating for the most part, but she had at least been able to use her telekinesis to lift Henry up so he could put the star on top of the tree.

Piled beneath the tree were heaps of presents of all shapes in sizes, wrapped in colourful paper. The presents had slowly been amassing under the tree over the past week or so, everyone putting in their presents when they could. Janet’s eyes drifted to where she had put her gifts, all decorated in blue wrapping paper with a silver ribbon tied carefully around each one. She hoped her gifts were good, she hadn’t gone Christmas shopping in… some odd two hundred or so years. Half of her life. She had spent over half her life in captivity.

And suddenly, she wasn’t in the grand hall anymore, surrounded by those who loved her, by lights that shone bright. She was back in that house, cowering in the basement, clothes and skin torn open by the cruel whip that her master held. Chains wrapping around her arms, legs, forcing her to remain in place as the demon raised the whip again. She was ripped back into reality as her bare feet touched the snow, and she realized she had teleported. A shriek ripped it’s way from her lips, mostly from the shock. Sinking up to her knees into the snow, Janet burst into tears, the sudden cold spreading through her body, numbing her, stiffening her bones. She knew it, she knew that she was going to do something stupid and ruin everything. She never should’ve woken up at all, should’ve stayed in bed. This is why you can’t have nice things.

Janet was shaking violently now. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t get herself to teleport. She knew they were panicking, looking for her, but she couldn’t move. She was ruining what was supposed to be a happy moment. Again.

She was lifted out of the snow by gentle hands, and a familiar voice hummed softly along with the melody of the breeze, sending a calming magic through Janet’s body. She clung to the man who had rescued her, weeping silently. She kept gasping out apologies in between sobs.

Viranthellion held the sobbing girl close, humming a soothing melody. Magic surrounded them, protecting them from the cold that had ravaged Janet’s frail body in such a short time. He let Janet pull away when she needed, smiling kindly at the teary eyed girl. “Hello, Janet,” he greeted softly.

Janet opened her mouth as though she was about the speak, but decided against it with a small shake of her head. She wiped her eyes, sniffling quietly, trembling still from the cold and shock of the whole experience. Her face was red, either from the cold or shame, possibly both. Once again, she looked up at Viranthellion, speaking this time. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, “I messed up. I made you come here-”

Viranthellion shook his head. “I felt your distress. I chose to come to you. I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t want to.” That was a little bit of a lie, but sometimes lies were necessary in life. Of course, if his madam Dai Rhen heard him say that… His hand instinctively went up to his head and rubbed at an imaginary sore spot.

Janet looked away, her expression full of shame. “I need to go back, but…” She trailed off, not wanting to finish her sentence.

“You don’t want to,” Viranthellion finished, smiling slightly when she nodded. “You’re worried they’ll hate you, hm?”

“They should,” Janet murmured, “I’d feel less guilty if they hated me than if they kept loving me like they do. It’s… it’s not fair.” Frustration grew in her voice. “I don’t deserve this, but they keep insisting I do. I don’t know what to do with all their kindness and love. What if I keep slipping up, and they start to resent me? I… I don’t think I could handle it if they started hating me.”

Viranthellion sighed softly, humming thoughtfully. “Janet, I’ve lived for almost a millennium. I’ve travelled to every corner of this earth, heard the stories of a billion men. I’ve seen people be born, watched them grow, and then finally become old and weary. I’ve watched the caskets of those whose mothers and fathers I knew be buried under the earth. I’ve seen so many things, so many different types of people. I’ve become quite skilled with reading people. And never, not in another thousand years, not for as long as they grace the earth, will any one of the people who care about you start to resent you for your trauma. They will not turn away because you believe you do not deserve their affections. They will love you, for all your flaws, because they can see the beauty in you. And that beauty is what draws them to you, what makes you the wonderful woman you are.”

Tears had begun to streak down Janet’s face as Viron spoke. His words touched her, moved something deep inside. It seemed like these were the words she hadn’t known she had needed to hear. “Viranthellion…” Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but it trembled with so much emotion.

The elf smiled, holding his hand out to her. “Let’s go join our family, shall we?” he offered, his eyes shining kindly.

Janet wiped her eyes one more time before taking his hand. “Thank you.”

—

After the initial worrying and fussing over Janet had calmed down, the family gathered around the Christmas tree once more, now with Fiona’s father joining them. Chatter and laughter grew as everyone opened their presents. Janet opened one that was very clearly from Archie, smiling as she pulled out a pair of warm, fuzzy socks.

“Thank you, Archie.” She stood up and walked over to the boy, hugging him. “I’ll make sure to wear these often.”

Archie giggled, his eyes shining. “I’m glad you like them, Auntie Jenny!” he squealed. “I really like the book you gave me, it looks really good.” He smiled broadly. “Was this yours when you were a kid?”

Janet nodded. “A Little Pretty Pocket Book was what I read before bed every night. It was fascinating to me… I’m surprised it survived this long, but magic is a wonder.”

“It really is,” Viranthellion chuckled. He peered at the old book in Archie’s hand curiously. “The magic around that book feels strange, though.”

Janet shrugged. “Maybe my magic was different back then.”

“Maybe,” Viron agreed, although he cast another worried look towards the book Archie was now excitedly flipping through.

Isaac held up a soft gray sweater that matched the colour of his eyes. “Mother!” he exclaimed, “this is lovely!”

Stella smiled, kissing her son on the head. “I know it is. I made it myself. With magic, of course,” she smirked.

Isaac leaned against his mother. He was clearly overjoyed that she was here. After all, they hadn’t been able to see each other for quite some time. Janet could see the tears in his eyes- tears he couldn’t help but let fall as he hugged his mother.

#whump #whump community #whumpmas #amow #amow twelve days of whumpmas #found family #disabled whumpee #immortal whumpee #twelve days of whump #twelve days of whumpmas #amonthofwhump #character: janet #character: viranthellion #character: fiona #character: saint isaac #character: stella #character: mylaela #character: allistair #character: archie #character: kathy #character: donovan #character: thane #character: henry

[lieutenant-cinnamon-roll]

Hornblower Survey

Favorite character? - I mean, obviously, Archie. Who else?

Favorite villain? - Simpson. I don’t *like* him obviously, which is why he’s such a good villain. 

Most sympathetic villain? - Probably Sawyer. I didn’t like him, but he clearly was just suffering from some form of Dementia.

Creepiest villain? - Simpson. He is an incredible actor because everytime Simpson comes on screen I get the heebie jeebies. 

Favorite episode? - Frogs and Lobsters

Favorite plot twist? - Is it really a plot twist kind of show??? Oh wait @cel-aerion has just reminded me that Archie being alive in Frogs and Lobsters is a very good plot twist!

Favorite minor character? - Clayton <3

Funniest moment featuring your favorite character? - “I remember when you used to be scared of heights Mr. Hornblower”

Funniest moment NOT featuring your favorite character? - When Pellew forgets how to speak Spanish and says “Oui....Si”. Or Styles’s reaction to having to climb into the toilet. 

Most touching moment featuring your favorite character? - When Archie gets back on the ship after blowing up the fort and Archie and Wellard are both excitably grinning at each other and shake hands when you know they really want to hug. OR when Archie tells Horatio about Kitty Cobham and his voice goes so soft. “No....I’m not” jsgfuwgruiwerg

Most touching moment NOT featuring your favorite character? - Similar thing but when Hornblower survives (one of the million times he does) Matthews is so excited he just squeezes his shoulder and grins. And it’s just so fucking cute. 

A moment that’s hard for you to watch? - The end of Retribution because I lose my SHIT. 

A moment you watch repeatedly? “Quite possibly but we thought you could use the company! *little wiggle*”

A (non-show) quote you associate with a character? - Not sure if I do?

A song you associate with a character? What Hurts the Most - Rascal Flatts because there was a fan vid waaay back in the day that had this song.

Character you have the most background headcanon about? - probably Archie and Horatio given that @cel-aerion and I have screamed about them. 

Your main ship? - Archie/Horatio

Any unusual ships? Jack Hammond/Orrock (probably not that unusual, there’s a fair few fanfics of it)

Do you have a whole fleet? - I am an Admiral, so probably. 

Any crossover ships? -  @cel-aerion and I came up with a crossover of Forever and Hornblower. So the big storm at the beginning of Mutiny made everyone on board immortal. So Archie doesn’t die at the end of Retribution, and eventually Horatio (who now goes by Henry) and Archie meet. 

Characters that you see as being practically family? - Archie or Wellard

Characters that never meet, but you wish they could? - Archie

Character you can’t stand? THE PERSON WHO DECIDED TO HAVE SEX WITH THE SPANISH LADY SO THEY ALL ESCAPED AND IT LEAD TO ARCHIE GETTING SHOT. Or Mariette. 

Character you think you would get along with best? - Probably Archie again. I’m sorry, I just love him. 

Sawyer: mad, sadistic, or both? I mean...I think he just thought more was going on than there actually was. So he thought his punishments were appropriate. 

Simpson: actively sexually abusive or just suggestive? - I mean, I feel like it’s heavily implied in the show....

Massaredo: manipulative or truly friendly? - I like Massaredo! I think he’s a good guy.

Pellew’s favoritism: endearing or maddening? - 50/50

Horatio attacking the French while under French colors: justified or not? - Hey, whatever keeps him alive. 

Horatio masquerading as the French crew of La Rêve: justified or not? - Again, it kept everyone alive so yolo. 

Horatio not shooting Simpson: mostly noble or mostly foolish? - Foolish, but I think it’s because he’s not good at cold-blooded killing 1 on 1. 

Sawyer’s fall: who did it? - He fell. 

Archie’s fits: what caused them? When did they start? - MY POOR BOI. I think they started as a child and then he grew out of it, and then Simpson caused the stress that made them come on again. 

Nicest hair? - Archie.

Nicest eyes? - Archie.

Nicest hands? - I don’t even care how little we see them, I’m gonna say Archie

Best-looking overall? - Do you really need me to say Archie again?

Team Athwartships or Team Fore-and-Aft? (That is, which way do you like the bicorns to go–sideways, or pointing forwards?) - Pointing forwards omg. 

I’m just copying this over to answer because I need something my brain won’t have a meltdown over after my long day at work. 

[believingispowerfulmagic]

“We All Will Be Together” Chapter 6: Happy Father’s Day

"Alright, class, please settle down," Miss French said, trying to get the attention of her second graders. It was nearing the end of the day and there was a warm breeze blowing through the nearest window, beckoning them all outside. Even Henry was having trouble focusing – all he wanted to do was go outside and play.

But school was still not yet over and he was stuck inside with everyone else.

"Class, I need your attention," Miss French repeated. "Or else we'll never make our Father's Day cards."

Henry sat up straighter, excitement filling him. This was the first year he had a father to make a card for – usually he ended up making a card for his Uncle David instead – and he looked forward to making something for Robin, his dad. He tried not to bounce in his seat as Miss French told each row to go get their art boxes. When his was called, he grabbed his and returned to his seat as quickly as possible so they could get started on the cards as soon as possible.

She placed several piles of construction paper – sorted by color – onto the bookcase under the blackboard. Turning back to the class, she smiled. "I want you to figure out which animal you want to put on your card and then when I call your row, you can come up and take the colors you need."

Biting his lip, Henry debated what he wanted to make. He considered a horse but that seemed more appropriate for his mother. And he knew that Roland would make monkeys – he loved them. Dad seemed to like all animals so that didn't help him make a choice either. As Miss French started to call up row one, Henry panicked as he tried to make his decision.

Dog? Cat? Horse? Lion? Dragon?

What was he going to pick?

"Row four," Miss French said, moving to stand in front of Henry's row. "Your turn."

Henry waited until everyone else filed past him before he headed up to the front. Miss French frowned, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Henry, is something wrong?" she asked.

"I don't know what animal to choose," he said. "Nothing I've thought of feels right."

"Okay," she replied kindly. "Well, what's your dad's favorite animal?"

Henry panicked, his eyes widening. "I don't know."

"Okay, okay," she repeated, soothing him. "Well, do you have a favorite movie to watch with him? Maybe something with animals?"

"Yes," Henry answered, relief flooding through him as he thought of the past couple weeks. "We've been watching Robin Hood together."

Miss French smiled. "I think you're getting an idea now, aren't you?"

He nodded. "Thank you, Miss French."

"You're welcome," she said. "Now go get your paper so I can call up the next row, okay?"

"Yes, Miss French." He quickly picked up some orange, white and green construction paper. Clutching them tightly, he returned to his chair as the next row went up to grab their supplies.

Once the last row – Roland's row – went and got their supplies, Miss French stood in front of the classroom again. "Alright, you're now going to draw the animals you chose – one big and one little. Does anyone need me to draw your animal on the board for you to copy? If so, please raise your hand."

Henry raised his hand along with a few others. Miss French asked the other children for their animal, smiling when she came to Henry. "And you?"

"A fox," he said proudly. She nodded, writing it down in her list before moving on. Excitement filled Henry – he was going to make the best fox dad and son ever.

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** 

"How does your card look, Henry?" Roland asked, falling into step with his brother as they left the classroom. "Can I see it?"

Henry shook his head. "Not now. I'll show it to you when we get home."

"Alright," Roland replied, shrugging. "I can show you mine too. I'm really proud of it. Do you know what I drew?"

"Monkeys," Henry said, smiling. "You love them."

Roland grinned as they exited the school building together. "I do. And I like that you chose foxes. Papa is going to love it."

Happiness surged through Henry – Roland certainly knew their father better than him so he trusted his brother's judgment. Grinning, he said: "Good. I want our first Father's Day to be perfect."

"Papa's not going to care about that," Roland replied, frowning. "All he wants is to make sure we have fun. If we do, then he's happy."

"And if we don't?" Henry asked, worried that something would go wrong and ruin the day for his father.

Roland shrugged. "I think Papa's happy just being with me. And now he'll be happy with me and you."

"I guess," Henry replied, still wanting to have an amazing Father's Day. "It's just…I've never really had a father to celebrate with before. Uncle David and Uncle Archie just aren't the same."

"Well, I can help you celebrate," Roland told him with a smile. "We'll have a great Father's Day!"

"What are you two conspiring about now?"

They looked up to find Dad standing over them, smiling. Henry blinked once before throwing himself at his father. "Dad!"

"Hello, my boy," Dad replied, hugging him tightly. He then held out his other arm. "I've got room for you too, Roland."

Roland then hugged him as well. "Hi, Papa!"

"Hello," he repeated. "Did you two have a good day at school?"

They nodded and he smiled. "Wonderful! So, why don't we head home and let you get out of those uniforms? You must be hot."

Both boys cheered and Dad led them toward the car. Roland looked up at him. "I didn't know you were coming to pick us up, Papa."

"It was a last-minute decision," he replied. "Things were slow at the store and your Uncle John assured me that he had everything under control. So I told your mother I would pick you up and spend the afternoon with you."

"I like that," Henry said, giving his father's hand a squeeze.

Dad squeezed his hand back before also squeezing Roland's hand. "So, what do you two want to do?"

"Can we go to the park?" Roland asked, bouncing as they approached Robin's familiar truck.

"I think the park sounds fun," Dad agreed, looking down at Henry. "Do you want to go to the park?"

Henry perked up at the suggestion, nodding. "Can we practice baseball?"

"Of course we can," Dad replied, helping them into the backseat of his truck. "Any other requests?"

Roland grinned. "Ice cream?"

"Please?" Henry added, also eager for the sweet treat. Especially on such a warm day.

Laughing, Dad nodded. "Okay. We'll go have a nice game in the park and then we'll get some ice cream. Hopefully your mother doesn't kill me for ruining your dinners."

They chuckled as he closed the door. Henry settled into his seat as he buckled up and Roland did the same. "We're going to have a lot of fun today," Roland said.

"I know," Henry replied, grinning. "This is going to be the best weekend ever!"

"That's the plan," Dad said, getting into the driver's seat. He buckled himself up before looking back, smiling at them. "Here we go!"

Both cheered as he turned on the car and then pulled away from the school, heading back to the house so they could change and grab their gear. And then they would climb back into the truck, head to the park and have some fun before getting ice cream.

TGIF, indeed.

Continue reading on FFN, AO3 or Wattpad

#once upon a time #outlaw queen #oq au #oq ff #the christmas wish #we all will be together

[lostonehero]

Surprise the nerd isn't a nerd

Contains swearing, minor sexual themes, redneck characters, mentions of child endangerment, threats of violence and violence. Trans character.

Archie held the black box in his hand, he was so nervous, but he was confident in what he wanted. It was just as he was a he. After the whole legend fiasco, Maxie and him grew close, and two years later Archie was head over heals for the red head. He even got input from Courtney and Tabitha for the ring, all that was left was meeting Maxie's family.

Archie knew Maxie had a large family from the limited information he had, five older siblings, parents, and his grandmother was still around. The now combined magma and aqua base had more then enough room to house everyone for the holidays. His family was also coming, and he knew Maxie would have the occasional pirate jab, but his parents did like the red head enough. Hopefully there combined families will get along.

He stuffed the black box in his pocket as he headed back to the base. Steven gave them the holidays off, and gave them extra time after Archie told his plan. Steven could be a hardass sometimes but he was weak when it came to romance. Only one more week and he will be meeting Maxie's family, and proposing. Archie couldn't be any happier.

.....

"Y'ain't coming here with no guns, I ain't gettin more legal troubles." Maxie huffs. "Ma use a cane not your Betsy."

Archie couldn't help but overhear Maxie's conversation. Sure he knew Maxie was from the country, but he just assumed a small farm town, he had a funny feeling that wasn't the case anymore.

Maxie sighs. "Yah Ma will do, love ya too." He hangs up and looks over to Archie. "Ma is bringing some food over I told her it wasn't a potluck."

"Let your mom cook Maxie it's not the end of the world."

"Grandma Archie, we just call her Ma, mom is my mother."

"Oh uh ok, that's fine let the old woman cook." Archie rubs the back of his neck.

"I do miss her Chili. Anyhow you were watching me on the phone." He gets a little red. "Sorry my accent does come out talking to family."

"Its cute Maxie don't worry about it, I like that your a bit country."

"A bit?"

"Yeah you grew up in a small town right?"

"Yes and no, I grew up on a farm Archie by a small town."

"Ah...."

"Yeah don't worry my family isn't like a stereotype with being transphobic or homophobic."

Archie frowns kind of forgetting that glaring fact about the two. "Are you sure?"

"My Ma clocked me for gay before I turned 10, and one of my sisters is trans. Ma did nearly kill one of my uncles for misgendering her though." He pauses. "I got to tell mom to keep Ma from bringing Betsy."

Archie suddenly gets a bad feeling. "Your grandma nearly killed your uncle?"

"Well not nearly she missed her shot on purpose it was a warning."

"Maxie guns are illegal."

"Oh yeah.... never stopped us before."

Archie's bad feeling becomes a bad omen in his mind.

......

Tabitha looks Archie dead in the eye digesting what he was telling them. "So let me get this straight, you invited Maxie's family out for the holidays?"

Archie nods

Matt looks down at Tabitha sitting in his lap. "Why's that such a big deal again? Isn't family a good thing, I'm sure that nerd's family is as stuffy as him."

Tabitha covers his face. "I've only met one of Maxie's brothers and well Maxie only looks like a nerd. I don't like speaking poorly of Maxie but that man is a redneck, hick, a country boy of every type."

Archie begins to chuckle. "Sure he has his temper and the accent when he lets it slip but it isn't that bad."

"A hick? Tabby what are you talking about?" Matt hums

"Let me make this clear with an example of something Maxie told us." Tabitha sighs. "Maxie didn't get his first pair of glasses till he was 16."

Archie gets that bad feeling again but shrugs it off. "Isn't he legally blind without his glasses? Why did it take so long?"

Tabitha frowns. "To quote Maxie 'I'm a better shot without the glasses."

Matt pauses. "Shot? Do you mean gun?"

Tabitha nods. "He got his first gun at 13."

Archie pales and so does Matt.

Archie loves Maxie but as he learns more information he is slowly starting to fear the man.

.....

Archie smiles seeing a old woman alone, and of course he goes over to help the scowling woman. "Are you lost ma'am?"

The woman looks up and her glare sends daggers through Archie as she slams her cane down. "I am looking for my grandson, not his boy." Her accent is thick

Archie kind of freezes and stutters. "I uh"

"Straighten your back I can walk on my own." She continues foward. "Don't keep me waiting boy."

"Y-yes ma'am." Archie nods following behind her.

Archie sighs in relief spotting Maxie.

"Ma you're early I told ya wait at the train station." Maxie smiles giving the old woman a hug.

"Nonesense my baby boy doesn't need to come on out for little old me." She smiles then frowns looking back at Archie.

"Ma that's Archie he is my partner." Macie smiles softly moving to hold his hand.

"He better be worth your effort Max." She sighs

Maxie sighs. "Yes Ma he is. Do you need help with your bags?"

"Thank you kindly for you asking but I ain't that weak." She smiles "just show me to my room darling."

Maxie nods and leaves Archie to show his grandma to her room.

.....

Archie has a newfound fear of Maxie listening to stories about Maxie growing up. He is more so shocked that the man isn't dead yet, also how many guns has he hidden in the base, and why can't Archie find a single one.

"As I was saying this little prick decided to run into the camerupt pen, eight years old he goes in and runs out with an egg biggest smile on his face screaming 'I found my partner.' " his oldest sister was holding back laughter. "The brat was covered head to toe in mud so happy with himself."

Archie just looks at Maxie wide eyes. "You weren't trampled to death?"

Maxie red faced. "What no why would I be?"

"Maxie you were eight years old surrounded by camerupt." Archie looks at him wide eyed.

"Pssh wasn't the dumbest thing I did growing up." Maxie chuckles the red leaving his face his accent in full force.

"Fucker shot fireworks off the roof git jessabell to light them. That hellhound only liked him." One of Maxie's brothers snickered.

"You're the one who got the fireworks Henry." Maxie scoffed

"Yeah and? You lit them up." Henry sticks his tongue out.

Archie just nods as the stories continued, Maxie wasn't just a nerd no that was a cover, Maxie is a full redneck. He was too in love to back out now.

......

The food was way too spicy for Archie, but desert was the beat thing he had ever eaten. Granted his nerves were getting the best of him, and Maxie's grandmother was glaring at him because he refused anymore food. He took out the black box from his pocket and turned to Maxie.

"Archie?" Maxie looked back at him.

"Maxie I love you more then anything you know that right?" Archie smiles getting down on one knee. "And we've done our worst but also our best together, and I wanted that to continue, like the land needs the sea I need you Maxie." He takes a deep breath "will you marry me?"

Maxie covers his mouth and nods. "Archie is that why you asked my family out here?" He looks around then back at Archie and pulls the man into a kiss letting Archie put on the ring. "Of course I'll marry you."

Ma gives a look Archie can't decipher. "You better teach him right Max."

"Yes Ma." Maxie smiles and whispers to Archie. "She likes you."

Archie looks back to the glaring woman not being able to comprehend that fact.

#hardenshipping #redneck maxie #hick maxie #pokemon maxie #magma boss maxie #magma leader maxie #team aqua archie #aqua leader archie #pokemon archie #magma admin tabitha #aqua admin matt