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#I told a friend he reminded me of a disney prince in this moment when he introduces himself
echantedtoon · 6 months
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True Enough
Joe discovers that his love just might be true enough to save her naive soul.
(I don't own anything, everything belongs to Disney, coverart not mine, etc. Found art on Pinterest. If the original artist is found I will credit them here)
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(I don't own anything. There's a reference to Steven universe and The Swan Princess in here.)
He was there when it happened. 
In the cave. In the darkened waters as they brought her into the witch's home. Oh he knew her plan. He made no objections to her plan nor did he physically do anything to stop it. So why did it feel so surreal and shocking to see her swim into this miserable place. This is what she wanted all along. Isn't it what he wanted all along as well as her assistant? What they both wanted? He was the girl's friend to relay information and to help in everything that lead up to this moment! But..her shocked face seeing him there...
It hit him harder than it should've.
However she wasn't there to see him. She was there for HER. The sea witch. He was there when she asked to be turned human. And all for what? To pursue a Prince that she only met once?! He knew she a bit naive but not to these levels! But he should be happy that it made her fall into the witch's hands..Right? Then why did it make his chest tighten up so? It was so easy for her to be tricked.
"The only way to get what you want is to become a human yourself."
"Can you do that?"
He saw the EXACT moments of (excuse the pun) hook, line, and sinker. And his stomach sure sunk when seeing the witch's face.
"My dear, sweet child. It's what I do."
Despicable. Absolutely despicable.
"Now here's the deal. I'll make you a potion that'll turn you into a human for three days." She looked at him. Not at the witch. A look of concern that made him twist inside. But the witch made sure to pull her attention back to her. After all Ariel should pay attention. Ursula was always VERY specific with the effects of her spells and the rules she laid down. "Got that? Three. Days. Now listen. This is very important. Before the sun sets on the third day, you've got to get dear old princey to fall in love with you."
Three days? That's not enough time to properly fall in love. He should know. Ariel was dead set to fail. The sea witch definitely planned this thoroughly.
"That is he's got to kiss you. Not just any kiss. The kiss of true love." 
And there it is. The loophole. He was always able to spot them in her deals.
"If he does kiss you before the sun sets on the third day you'll remain human forever. But if not you'll turn back into a mermaid and you'll belong...to me."
He hoped if she had any smarts left she'd use them now.
"Have we got a deal?"
"If I turn human.. I'll never see my father or sisters again." She looked at him again with that pleading look of desperation like she was asking him for his input. For help.
He hoped to send back a mental message. Yes! Please!Think of your family instead of the prince you just met one night!!
"That's right. But you'll have your man. Life is full of tough choices isn't it? Oh! That reminds me. We haven't discussed the process of payment. You can't get something for nothing you know." What? What price? He wasn't told about this! "I'm not asking much. It's just a token. A trifle really. You'll never even miss it. What I want from you is...Your. Voice."
What?! What was she thinking? It would put her at an awful disadvantage more than what she already was at this point!! But...she agreed. Of course she did. And then this entire mess started. He could've done something but..Well at least he had the comfort of knowing that there was no way the prince would succeed. And he'd be lying if he said he was pleased with their intervention of that kiss. He took whatever time the witch wasn't looking to read EXACTLY what was written on that contract.
'I hereby grant unto Ursula the Witch of the Sea one voice in exchange for humanity. If true love's kiss is not met in three days time by sundown I forfeit to her my servitude for all eternity. Signed-'
And then her name was written there. Ah. Oh yes. He believed he knew exactly what was to be done about this. He just wondered what exactly would happen afterwards.
"You kissed me."
"So I did didn't I?"
The water was warm today. Very nice as they sat on the rocks. Of course..she didn't have any legs this time around again and had her voice back obviously or she wouldn't be able to talk to him. The rocks surface was smooth obviously smoothed out by the sea water waves rolling over them for so long. It made for a perfect spot for him to just lay there and stare at the blue sky. Well that was before a pouting face leaned over him to stare down at him.
"You know what I mean."
"So I do. ..Nice day isn't it?"
"Joe, don't change the subject. Why?"
"Because it was one way to ensure you'd have more chance of success. " His eyes looked to hers. "The written contract stated that in order for you to not become in her endless servitude you needed a kiss of true love didn't you? The written contract never said that it had to be from the prince specifically."
The salty fresh air smelt nice and it made her hair wave just right as her brows furrowed. He had the idea she looked quite nice with her hair flowing like that.
"But my voice..My legs." Her eyes glanced down to the shimmering emerald tail. "You didn't change anything."
"On the contrary. You got the voice back yourself all on your own." A hand reached up to flick her nose. She did look so adorable when her delicate hand grabbed at it in a pout. "The written agreement stated that a kiss of true love would keep you out of her servitude, and it had. However your verbal agreement made it so it had to be the prince to remain human. I wasn't the prince...So as a result of not keeping up the second bargain, you resumed your natural form." His form sat up shrugging his shoulders. "As for your voice...that was something you did on your own. Saving the prince and defeating Ursula was also your doing. Not mine."
"That wasn't funny." Her face remained scrunched in a pout as she rubbed at her nose making him huff a chuckle. "And even if what you say is true, nothing happened. I'm not human..Not.. anymore." Her beautiful blue eyes turned back out to the water. Still confused on such an idea. 
Such a thing was always a fun little expression for him to see on her.
"Silly girl. You don't have to be human to have the concept of humanity within you." The little head turned to him blinking. "That was why you saved him in the first place wasn't it? Because you had more humanity in you than anyone I've ever met. Including myself. Besides...Even if you had kissed Prince Eric, I doubt that it would've been enough."
"Why wouldn't it have been?!" He rose a brow at her sudden defense and frown. "Love is a strong concept that can break even the harshest evils."
"You really are a silly girl aren't you?" She was taken aback as she fully sat up, and suddenly finding the calmness of the waves hitting the edge of the rocks at his feet very interesting. "...Love at first sight doesn't exist. Love takes time and love takes work. At the very least you have to know the other person." An eye glanced her direction briefly. "And you literally know nothing about him."
Blue eyes widened at him. "But...I do know him."
He chuckled. "Yes. But how much? You know he's a prince. His name is Eric." A head tilted to distant land. A beautiful scenery of green and pearly white castle. "And he lives in a castle by the sea with a kingdom he rules over kindly. Oh yes. He is a very nice prince isn't he? But what else is there?" His head turn around to meet the wife eyed silly girl sitting beside him. "Being a kind and caring person is a very good thing, but what ELSE?"
"I-...what else?"
He slowly nodded. "Yes. What else? What else do you know about him? What else is there to him?" His hand was quick to tap her nose before she even noticed. "Does he make you laugh in joy? Is the way he carries himself something you like? What if you hate the way he does something? What if you two have too many different views on things? What if you find no attraction at all? It takes more than three days to get to know a real person."
Blue eyes went cross to look at the nose before back to him. "He saved my life-"
"And you saved his." A hand pointed at her. "And your father saved yours. ... Allow me to give you a truth. You need more than three days to love someone. Love at first sight does NOT exist. You can certainly have attraction at first sight, but love is like a flower. Anyone can be attracted to it's petals but it's not beautiful instantly. It takes time to be planted. It needs time to be nurtured and grown into a strong stem before anything beautiful can blossom from it. Attraction is only a factor. Not a whole."
The waves were his solace away from the staring of eyes as he turned towards the water's. So comforting with it's gentle feel and waved lulling you asleep like a lullaby.
"Then..You mean you-?"
"Would I have helped you the way I did if I didn't?"
There was a bit more of that calm silence.
"..How long have you- ..I mean when did you start-" She trailed off unsure of how to say it before gesturing to herself. "For me?"
...He shrugged. "I'm unsure of the exact amount of time, but I would say a few years. Certainly longer than three days." Eyes curiously side glanced at her. "... You're not with HIM right now. Curious. Isn't that what You've wanted from the start?"
"I-.." Blue eyes looked away. "I'm...not sure anymore." His head turned further to her. "Maybe I will but now.. Maybe I won't after all. I need more time to think about everything. And you."
"What about Eric?"
"If he loves me then he'll understand. ..If he loves me. I'm sure he at least cares."
He nodded. "He is a kind prince. I won't speak ill about someone when there's nothing to speak ill about. And...your family?" Her father?
She smiled brightly at him. "He's much better. I think he finally understands me now. They're glad to have me again."
He hoped that would last a long time too.
"Hm. And...Me?"
Her face went thoughtful for a moment humming before the same smile greeted him. "I believe if you love me, then you'll understand what entails too."
A blink of his eyes. And a turn of his reddened face greeted her giggles. 
"Silly girl. You'll never change."
And deep down he hoped she never truly did.
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hazbinextgeneration · 8 months
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True Enough
Joe discovers that his love just might be true enough to save her naive soul.
(I don't own anything, everything belongs to Disney, etc.)
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(I don't own anything. There's a reference to Steven universe and The Swan Princess in here.)
He was there when it happened. 
In the cave. In the darkened waters as they brought her into the witch's home. Oh he knew her plan. He made no objections to her plan nor did he physically do anything to stop it. So why did it feel so surreal and shocking to see her swim into this miserable place. This is what she wanted all along. Isn't it what he wanted all along as well as her assistant? What they both wanted? He was the girl's friend to relay information and to help in everything that lead up to this moment! But..her shocked face seeing him there...
It hit him harder than it should've.
However she wasn't there to see him. She was there for HER. The sea witch. He was there when she asked to be turned human. And all for what? To pursue a Prince that she only met once?! He knew she a bit naive but not to these levels! But he should be happy that it made her fall into the witch's hands..Right? Then why did it make his chest tighten up so? It was so easy for her to be tricked.
"The only way to get what you want is to become a human yourself."
"Can you do that?"
He saw the EXACT moments of (excuse the pun) hook, line, and sinker. And his stomach sure sunk when seeing the witch's face.
"My dear, sweet child. It's what I do."
Despicable. Absolutely despicable.
"Now here's the deal. I'll make you a potion that'll turn you into a human for three days." She looked at him. Not at the witch. A look of concern that made him twist inside. But the witch made sure to pull her attention back to her. After all Ariel should pay attention. Ursula was always VERY specific with the effects of her spells and the rules she laid down. "Got that? Three. Days. Now listen. This is very important. Before the sun sets on the third day, you've got to get dear old princey to fall in love with you."
Three days? That's not enough time to properly fall in love. He should know. Ariel was dead set to fail. The sea witch definitely planned this thoroughly.
"That is he's got to kiss you. Not just any kiss. The kiss of true love." 
And there it is. The loophole. He was always able to spot them in her deals.
"If he does kiss you before the sun sets on the third day you'll remain human forever. But if not you'll turn back into a mermaid and you'll belong...to me."
He hoped if she had any smarts left she'd use them now.
"Have we got a deal?"
"If I turn human.. I'll never see my father or sisters again." She looked at him again with that pleading look of desperation like she was asking him for his input. For help.
He hoped to send back a mental message. Yes! Please!Think of your family instead of the prince you just met one night!!
"That's right. But you'll have your man. Life is full of tough choices isn't it? Oh! That reminds me. We haven't discussed the process of payment. You can't get something for nothing you know." What? What price? He wasn't told about this! "I'm not asking much. It's just a token. A trifle really. You'll never even miss it. What I want from you is...Your. Voice."
What?! What was she thinking? It would put her at an awful disadvantage more than what she already was at this point!! But...she agreed. Of course she did. And then this entire mess started. He could've done something but..Well at least he had the comfort of knowing that there was no way the prince would succeed. And he'd be lying if he said he was pleased with their intervention of that kiss. He took whatever time the witch wasn't looking to read EXACTLY what was written on that contract.
'I hereby grant unto Ursula the Witch of the Sea one voice in exchange for humanity. If true love's kiss is not met in three days time by sundown I forfeit to her my servitude for all eternity. Signed-'
And then her name was written there. Ah. Oh yes. He believed he knew exactly what was to be done about this. He just wondered what exactly would happen afterwards.
"You kissed me."
"So I did didn't I?"
The water was warm today. Very nice as they sat on the rocks. Of course..she didn't have any legs this time around again and had her voice back obviously or she wouldn't be able to talk to him. The rocks surface was smooth obviously smoothed out by the sea water waves rolling over them for so long. It made for a perfect spot for him to just lay there and stare at the blue sky. Well that was before a pouting face leaned over him to stare down at him.
"You know what I mean."
"So I do. ..Nice day isn't it?"
"Joe, don't change the subject. Why?"
"Because it was one way to ensure you'd have more chance of success. " His eyes looked to hers. "The written contract stated that in order for you to not become in her endless servitude you needed a kiss of true love didn't you? The written contract never said that it had to be from the prince specifically."
The salty fresh air smelt nice and it made her hair wave just right as her brows furrowed. He had the idea she looked quite nice with her hair flowing like that.
"But my voice..My legs." Her eyes glanced down to the shimmering emerald tail. "You didn't change anything."
"On the contrary. You got the voice back yourself all on your own." A hand reached up to flick her nose. She did look so adorable when her delicate hand grabbed at it in a pout. "The written agreement stated that a kiss of true love would keep you out of her servitude, and it had. However your verbal agreement made it so it had to be the prince to remain human. I wasn't the prince...So as a result of not keeping up the second bargain, you resumed your natural form." His form sat up shrugging his shoulders. "As for your voice...that was something you did on your own. Saving the prince and defeating Ursula was also your doing. Not mine."
"That wasn't funny." Her face remained scrunched in a pout as she rubbed at her nose making him huff a chuckle. "And even if what you say is true, nothing happened. I'm not human..Not.. anymore." Her beautiful blue eyes turned back out to the water. Still confused on such an idea. 
Such a thing was always a fun little expression for him to see on her.
"Silly girl. You don't have to be human to have the concept of humanity within you." The little head turned to him blinking. "That was why you saved him in the first place wasn't it? Because you had more humanity in you than anyone I've ever met. Including myself. Besides...Even if you had kissed Prince Eric, I doubt that it would've been enough."
"Why wouldn't it have been?!" He rose a brow at her sudden defense and frown. "Love is a strong concept that can break even the harshest evils."
"You really are a silly girl aren't you?" She was taken aback as she fully sat up, and suddenly finding the calmness of the waves hitting the edge of the rocks at his feet very interesting. "...Love at first sight doesn't exist. Love takes time and love takes work. At the very least you have to know the other person." An eye glanced her direction briefly. "And you literally know nothing about him."
Blue eyes widened at him. "But...I do know him."
He chuckled. "Yes. But how much? You know he's a prince. His name is Eric." A head tilted to distant land. A beautiful scenery of green and pearly white castle. "And he lives in a castle by the sea with a kingdom he rules over kindly. Oh yes. He is a very nice prince isn't he? But what else is there?" His head turn around to meet the wife eyed silly girl sitting beside him. "Being a kind and caring person is a very good thing, but what ELSE?"
"I-...what else?"
He slowly nodded. "Yes. What else? What else do you know about him? What else is there to him?" His hand was quick to tap her nose before she even noticed. "Does he make you laugh in joy? Is the way he carries himself something you like? What if you hate the way he does something? What if you two have too many different views on things? What if you find no attraction at all? It takes more than three days to get to know a real person."
Blue eyes went cross to look at the nose before back to him. "He saved my life-"
"And you saved his." A hand pointed at her. "And your father saved yours. ... Allow me to give you a truth. You need more than three days to love someone. Love at first sight does NOT exist. You can certainly have attraction at first sight, but love is like a flower. Anyone can be attracted to it's petals but it's not beautiful instantly. It takes time to be planted. It needs time to be nurtured and grown into a strong stem before anything beautiful can blossom from it. Attraction is only a factor. Not a whole."
The waves were his solace away from the staring of eyes as he turned towards the water's. So comforting with it's gentle feel and waved lulling you asleep like a lullaby.
"Then..You mean you-?"
"Would I have helped you the way I did if I didn't?"
There was a bit more of that calm silence.
"..How long have you- ..I mean when did you start-" She trailed off unsure of how to say it before gesturing to herself. "For me?"
...He shrugged. "I'm unsure of the exact amount of time, but I would say a few years. Certainly longer than three days." Eyes curiously side glanced at her. "... You're not with HIM right now. Curious. Isn't that what You've wanted from the start?"
"I-.." Blue eyes looked away. "I'm...not sure anymore." His head turned further to her. "Maybe I will but now.. Maybe I won't after all. I need more time to think about everything. And you."
"What about Eric?"
"If he loves me then he'll understand. ..If he loves me. I'm sure he at least cares."
He nodded. "He is a kind prince. I won't speak ill about someone when there's nothing to speak ill about. And...your family?" Her father?
She smiled brightly at him. "He's much better. I think he finally understands me now. They're glad to have me again."
He hoped that would last a long time too.
"Hm. And...Me?"
Her face went thoughtful for a moment humming before the same smile greeted him. "I believe if you love me, then you'll understand what entails too."
A blink of his eyes. And a turn of his reddened face greeted her giggles. 
"Silly girl. You'll never change."
And deep down he hoped she never truly did.
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stagemanagerssaygo · 4 years
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Heaven and Hell: or my experience being a person of color in Disney’s Hyperion Theater
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by Cooper Howell
Heaven and Hell: or my experience being a person of color in Disney's Hyperion Theater. #holdingtheateraccountable Im just gonna go ahead and be straight up. This is pretty scary to share. HEAVEN: Once upon a time Liesl Tommy cast me as Prince Hans in Frozen: Live at the Hyperion. And I was gooped. GOOPED. There was nothing in my prior history that gave any indication this was possible. Up until then every role I played had to do with my race. Every. Single. One. And even ones where it didn’t (Shakespeare or classical pieces mostly) I was always made aware that the novelty of me being a poc in that role that gave me the part. So much did I not expect to get this part that when I got the callback I rolled my eyes and didn’t take the actual callback seriously. I mean, there was a zero percent chance that Disney would ever let me play a Prince, especially when the dude in the movie is a ginger. But then I got it. And immediately everything I thought was possible about my career changed. My whole life I’ve never inwardly felt black. I’ve never inwardly felt white. I’ve always felt like I was Cooper, you know, on the inside. But whether it was every single white human in Utah reminding me that I was “the whitest person they ever knew/saw” (which DIDNT mean how white my skin was. It was how white I ACTED) or Mr. Johnson, my 7th grade drama teacher, telling me that he “wanted to put Velcro on the ceiling to see if I’d stick” or Mr. Smith, my high school drama teacher, saying “finally we can do black shows” as soon as I entered high school and then not casting me in roles because of the "optics" of it, or even my best friend in high school Tanner Harmon who called me "blackie", I was always reminded that I was an other. So imagine getting paid good money to put on that $10,000 costume and waltzing out to 4000 people a day to play a really amazing part. A fantastic, evil, complicated, person who sings a killer duet and then grabs the show by the throat with a vicious about-face monologue... and not once was my race ever mentioned cuz it didnt matter. What was being prized was Cooper, my talent, not my skin color that I never asked for. Heaven. Liesl MADE SURE, almost overly sure, that the poc’s in the cast felt equal. The kingdom of Arendelle, after all, is a make believe place. It can be whatever. From having Disney executives come and tell us that they were happy to have us there, to side conversations with John Lasseter, we were made to feel overly welcome playing the parts we were playing. She encouraged us to dive deeper into the script of a cartoon that I didnt really think much of until I was in it. We were encouraged to ask why. We felt seen as talent and not commodities. There were, of course, detractors. Gosh, I remember people at a party of cast members from "Mickey and the Magical Map" another show at Disneyland which features a princess and the frog number and many of those casts mates angrily claiming that “if that black girl Tiana Okoye can play Elsa than I should be able to play Princess Tiana” and then looking at me to confirm that was okay to say, not realizing that a) she’s one of my best friends, b) that I’m in the show with her also playing a role that wasn't created to be a poc, c) how racist that sounded, and d) why there's a difference there and why that wouldn't make sense. On Liesls final night I came up to her and said “I don’t know why you did it but thank you so much for casting ME in this part” to which she replied “you mean why would I cast a handsome, talented person in this role?” And I stuttered something like “well, I mean, I’m black. You know...” to which she tilted her head to her side and said “no. I don’t know why. Tell me why that matters.” And I had no answer. Seeing that I had no answer she smiled. That was the answer. There was no reason. On the spot my outlook about myself changed. Windows into what I thought was possible for me opened. -------------------------------------- HELL: And then Liesl went back to NYC and she was replaced by a man named Roger Castellano as show director. Rogers task, he told us on the first day, was to "change the show". We were not told what needed to be changed or even why, but that changes were on the horizon. You've got to understand: to a full cast of actors who had just spent more than three months dissecting a 60 page Disney script with a Tony nominated director like it was Shakespeare, we were initially emotionally/mentally/spiritually resistant to changes. But then it became clear that the spirit of collaboration was over, and the show changes were to be given without the same care, consideration, and thematic explanation of why they were being made. Everyones initial reaction was to push back, but when people who questioned their notes or their changes started getting days removed their schedule or being replaced entirely by a new actor, the Hyperion theater became a place where no one was allowed to speak out. Injustices were happening left and right and no one felt they could do anything for fear of losing their livelihood. And that's when the Frozen: Live at the Hyperion became a living hell. In my first note session with Roger he pulled me into a room with Domonique Paton, my best friend and incredible costar who played princess Anna in the show I was in. She just so happens to also be black. Almost all of Prince Hans’s scenes in the show are with her character and so most of my notes would be primarily based on those interactions with her. Earlier in the day I performed with a different (white) actress but it was the show with Domonique that I had a note session about. Imagine my surprise and dismay when, with how Liesl set up the show experience, we were told this: “WHEN THE TWO OF YOU PERFORM THE SHOW TOGETHER ITS TOO… URBAN.” Urban. What else could that have meant, do you think? He could have said maybe “too contemporary” emphasizing that we were maybe too modern in our speech patterns or movements. We weren’t. He could have said “too lax” or “too loose” meaning that maybe we were being unprofessional and goofy up there because we’re really good friends. We were not. The best me and Ms. Paton could think of was a 8 count moment of improv dance that me and Domonique decided to use as a synchronized moment of unity. It happened to fall on the line “our mental synchronization can have but one explanation” and thought, with the freedom that Christopher (the original choreographer) had given us, was appropriate, especially considering everyone behind us was doing the robot. As in the 80s robot. But he didnt clarify. He just said “WHEN THE TWO OF YOU PERFORM THE SHOW TOGETHER IT’S TOO… URBAN” And when asked what he meant he smiled with a little shrug and said "you can figure that out. You're smart." And thats how I became Black Hans and Domonique became Black Anna. My every moment onstage afterwards became about the optics of being a poc in that show. It was if I was suddenly made aware that I was LUCKY enough to be there and under any normal circumstances, or this new directors circumstances, me getting this part would have never happened. But the message was clear. It was especially clear when me and Domonique Paton shows together durastically decreased and made even more clear when the vast majority of the new hires were not people of color. But no one said anything. And made even MORE clear when, over the next few weeks, both Domonique and I got COPIOUS notes, ten times that of our coworkers that played the same parts. It was almost a game. In fact we did turn it into a game, seeing who would get the least amount of notes from him in a day. Our costars would even joke about it onstage with us, during the ballroom scene, and jokingly whisper "The shows been up 15 minutes. How many do you think you got today?" But no one said anything. And the notes were about all kinds of things. How we held our hand. If our inflections went up or down on a word. Which side of a couch we leaned on… which was fine! When you're an actor, thats the gig... until we started comparing our notes with the actors that played our same parts and none of them, NONE, would get the same notes. Our notes would be outrageously longer, the note sessions sometimes lasting 10/15 minutes. Others would get the “Oh hey, try doing this or that next time, okay bye” walk-by notes. Sometimes I would sneak into the audience and watch as some of the other Han's, some of whom changed lines, changed entire intentions of scenes, some of whom adding in all types of vocalizations and cackles and dance moves and what have you, and would receive ZERO notes. But I was watching them to see what was wrong with me. What was my performance missing? What am I actually doing to feel this singled out. And then I realized that the thing that was wrong with me was that I was a different color than the 5 other white Hans's they cast. And then I started getting notes about my penis. Most of the time these “penis sessions”, as I called them, were given in private rooms without another stage manager present. It was incredibly unpleasant and unprofessional. In fairness, those Prince Hans pants are TIGHT! And yes, Mr. Howell is indeed a party in the front and a party in the back, but so were a lot of those fellas. And thats where I put my foot down. If Disney was going to provide me with a costume it is not my responsibility to fix their problem, especially when other of my (white) costars had been given a dance belt for the same thing. But they never got penis notes. Private session notes about what their penis looked like in that show. Over and over again I was told to fix it, to not make it (my dick) so apparent, and that “if my daughter were younger I wouldn’t want her to come to a show you were performing at" all the more insulting considering his daughter, a cast member in the show, was a friend of mine and the loveliest person. He started demanding that I buy a dance belt. It was “my fault”, “my responsibility” …and thats where I took my stand. And then it really became hell. Penis sessions were now done out in the open. Once, he screamed at me, in the green room in front of all of my costars during lunch, about how incredible unprofessional I was, about how he was tired of seeing my dick, and that if I didnt go buy myself one I didnt deserve to be there anymore. Followed by a huge litany of notes. That doesnt compare to some of what Domonique went through and I invite her to share them if she’s willing. During this time I went to every stage manager in the building and told them about being singling out and about my penis. They all told me to write a complaint report and it would go to some place called "HR". Which I did. Numerously. More months passed. Nothing from "HR". Multiple cast members who witnessed my note sessions encouraged me to go to the HR themselves. I didnt honestly know what an HR was. As soon as it was explained to me by my allies even what an HR was I went to the head of HR at Disneyland herself and waited outside of her door. I asked her if she got any of my HR reports and she told me that she had received no HR reports from the Hyperion. Ever. And then asked me to fill out a HR form. As we went over it, she asked me some questions, and then set up a second meeting. On the second meeting she said that in order for my report to be given credence I would need witnesses to give their testimony. The witnesses, in fact the very people that told me to go to HR in the first place, said no. They didnt want to lose their jobs. In retrospect that might be the thing that hurt the most but, whatever... anyway, I was told "“well… without testimonies we’ll do an investigation and we’ll call you when we’ve completed it.” I never received a phone call. With absolutely zero protection from the stage managers from both the sexual harassment or my obvious racial targeting I (and others) were experiencing, not to mention that HR reports were doing nothing, aka not being forwarded, I thought about quitting. And when a white stage manager made a show mistake and laughed it off to the cast by saying an entirely offensive lynching joke, I quit. I didnt matter to Disney. How I felt and what I was being put through didnt matter. I was a commodity. My departure was unceremonious. Bizarre. 100% un-magical. I hung up my costume one last time and it was given to a new Hans, one who looked very much like me oddly, and stepped out of the theater. The park was playing “every wish your heart desires will come to you” and I remember laughing at how dead that song felt. The director has since moved on but still works as a musical theater director in Southern California. This one time 4 years ago I got to feel something other than my color for the first and only time in my professional career. It lasted from about March 2016 to July 2016 and never again since. I will never forget in those early days looking at all the beautiful princesses I got to woo and thinking “wow. I’m a prince right now.” Im sure that sounds stupid. But it didn't feel stupid. And a Disney prince! Yeah, a shitty prince kinda... I mean, he's a sociopath... BUT still a Prince! Especially special was being able to look in Dominique’s eyes and I could see the same glimmer of “can you believe we get to do this right now” reflected back. We never knew it was in the cards for us. My race always has and will always be part of my career equation and a determining factor of its projection. It will always be a determining factor in how im treated, by creatives, by people, by the those in authority over me, including the government and the police. #wasitmyskin
Copied in its entirety here from Cooper Howell’s public Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10163696376095054&set=a.10151302685610054&type=3&theater
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spaceorphan18 · 2 years
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99 Perspectives on a Single Love Story #98
A/N: The Story of Kurt and Blaine told through the eyes of everyone else but them. Each chapter is a different perspective in the ongoing tale of their love story.
I started something like this a while back - and now I’m taking the idea and really running with it. Each chapter is a ficlet of a different character at a different point in Kurt and Blaine’s life - documenting their love story. This starts in Audition, and each chapter will be paired with a different episode until reaching Dreams Come True.
[Ao3]
***
Burt Hummel (2009)
Burt Hummel finishes cooking his grilled cheese and slides it on the plate. He adds some chips, and grabs a light beer from the fridge, pointedly ignoring the can of Campbell’s Vegetable Soup that Kurt has left out for him. The kid is always trying to get him to eat his veggies. It’s weird how the things have swapped and it’s the child who is trying to get the parent to eat better.
But Kurt isn’t the one making dinner tonight - as he usually does - because he’s too busy having a friend over. A girl friend. Kurt had asked if he could splurge on a pizza and Burt had been so grateful to see a smile on his kid's eager face that he fished over a twenty with no question. Burt can’t remember the last time Kurt had a friend over - let alone a girl. Let alone a really nice girl, with polite manners. Makes Burt feel like he’s doing something in his parenting right for once.
Burt gathers his dinner, but before he heads up the stairs, he pauses a moment at the edge of the living room, taking a moment to watch Kurt engage with his new friend. Kurt’s happily chattering away over the show they’re watching - some design show that Kurt’s always talking about.
“I just don’t think that orange wool and brown polyester are a match,” Kurt is telling her, with an impressive air of knowledge behind his words. “And the scoop neck just does not work for someone with that long of a neck. Her body frame just is not made for it.” Kurt continues on, not letting his friend get a word in edgewise, and it makes Burt smile. It reminds him of when Kurt had been a young child, talking his parents’ ears off over whatever thing was holding his interest. A nice contrast to the stony silence Kurt usually surrounds himself in these days.
“Yeah, I guess I can see that,” the girl - Mercedes - says. But Burt can tell she’s just as lost as he is when Kurt discusses this clothing stuff. On screen the model turns revealing that she’s wearing, well, Burt can’t really tell, other than it doesn’t seem to be covering the correct parts. Mercedes, however, seems to be placating him rather well. She brushes his arm as she laughs at one of his jokes. She’s a bit taken with him.
Burt might see it, but Kurt doesn’t notice. And as much as he’d love his kid to reciprocate with a nice young lady like this Mercedes, he knows, deep down, that he won’t.
“He’s going to come out as gay to us one of these days,” he hears the voice of his wife tell him - a conversation from long ago. “You’re going to have to make your peace with that.”
“He’s still young,” Burt had tried to reason then. “We don’t know if we’ll grow out of it.”
Liz had laughed at that, deeply amused. “Pretty sure it’s not something you grow out of.”
“I just don’t want him getting hurt. You know the gays are--”
“Are what?” She had challenged, her eyebrow raised high, like she always did when she thought he was dead wrong. It’s not like he knew what he was really talking about anyway. “I know you don’t get it - but remember Kurt’s like me. An old, romantic soul. He just might happen to bring home a Disney Prince instead of a Princess. And we’ll love him just the same.”
Burt lets out a sigh as the memory fades. She had always been right. He may not get his own kid, but damn if he doesn’t love him. He just wishes Liz were here to help him make sense of it all. His heart aches just then. She’d be so happy to see Kurt with a new friend.
“Miss ya, Liz,” he utters under his breath.
Kurt turns just then, and for a moment, he sees Liz in him. “Dad?” he asks, uncertain. “Did you need something?”
“Nope,” he grunts as he takes a swig of his beer. “Just keep it down tonight. I have to be up early tomorrow.”
“We will,” Kurt smiles and nods, and turns his attention back to Mercedes and the TV.
Burt lingers just a little longer, allowing a smile himself before heading up the stairs.
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genshin-scenarios · 3 years
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Glass Feathers (Kaeya x Reader)
A/N: A bit of angst/comfort for Kaeya! It's also a bit Cinderella-themed in a sense, though I don't think that fairytale exists in genshin 😅 (I was listening to Disney music...)
This was intended to be inspired from a few requests I'd gotten for him, but um... I kinda went off-track, so those will be written separately for the most part!
@dumplings0ups
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Love was a foreign, alluring thing. Like the shatter of a glass slipper against marble floor, Kaeya was coward enough to be satisfied with only one night of it. One night of donning the mask of his best self and experiencing a fairytale love from legends, then letting that memory melt into nothing more than a night amongst months and years of many others.
...Well, he wasn’t reckless enough to simply fall for someone he met on sight. Admittedly, you and Kaeya had been friends for a while. Friendly enough that you could go to him for help, and he might invite you for drinks when he needed it. Friendly enough for him to accompany you as you went outside of the city to gather materials, and introduce a detour to a spot with quite a spectacular view.
Yet not close enough; not as he would’ve liked it. He was not brave enough to cross that bridge and risk your friendship - not until he decided he’d try being Cinderella for a day.
Yes. He’d be his own fairy-godmother and cast a spell upon himself. Have one night, one dance, and one meaningful conversation.
Just one memory that he could treasure, like a man gathering stardust so that he might cast his wish to the sky. Except he did not intend to do something so bold, no - Kaeya was going to leave behind a glass slipper as a goodbye, and part ways with you for good.
That was the plan, at least. He longed so much for your smiles, and understanding, and kindness, so much that he felt the only thing he could do was run from it; for what right did he have to burden you with such things and taint you with his story? If he started to imagine a life with you, how far would those hopes take him before they abandoned him and took his wings away?
How much longer would he glide amongst the clouds, in this sea of pinks and blues on a lilac sky, before his feet touched the cold, hard ground? 
He was afraid - afraid that no one would be there to greet him when he landed. It had taken him a lot of work to return to that sky in the first place, after all that’s happened in the past. 
Though it seems that unlike the bundle of doubts in his mind, reality was much kinder. You, who Kaeya already saw as a beacon of light, took his expectations and flung them in his face and proved that no, not everything would end in abandon. 
In his anxieties, Kaeya forgot something that was blatantly obvious; your say in this, your fiery determination, your gentle understanding.
When Kaeya retreated last night, he did not make it obvious that it would be your last before he shut his doors. He took a walk with no destination in mind, only wanting to shake off the heavy feeling in his chest. 
Then, like prince charming, you appeared; hair messy from running, clothes askew, and eyes brighter than anything as they pinned him to the spot.
At that moment, Kaeya thought you were the most beautiful thing in the world.
You stared at him for some moments before regaining your voice. “You left.”
His heart dropped at how you clenched your hands into a fist, keeping your voice steady. “I did.” Kaeya nodded. He finally looked you in the eyes, starting to assure you. “It was me, not--”
“You’re not allowed to do that.” You cut him off. Pausing, as if to let the words settle. “Or say, or think anything like that.”
Kaeya did not answer. Instead he watched your movements like a hawk as you came closer. Every step, he overanalyzed. His mind was running on ideas to evade you, distractions he could use--
“Kaeya.” Your voice from right before him made his vision refocus. It hit him with a pang how gentle your approach was. How your hand was raised as if to touch his face, but lingered as if to wait for something. “Kaeya, I’m here.”
He knew what you were waiting for the moment those words left your lips. He drew in a deep breath and said nothing, but wrapped his hands around your wrists and guided them to his cheek.
You stayed like that for a while. Unspoken things wavered in the air like his emotions did. Afraid, desperate, yet so very relieved. At the end of it, he took a shaky breath and stepped away, though a hand clung onto yours. Not interlaced, but almost in a way a child might wrap their fingers around another’s.
Kaeya continued to walk, and you followed. You did not utter a question nor a suggestion to go back to the city, though he provided you with an answer regardless.
He hoped you didn’t notice how his free hand trembled slightly. You probably did, but like many of the kind favors you did for him today, you spared Kaeya the weight of putting it into words.
That night the both of you fell asleep under the stars, at a campsite frequented by adventurers that it wasn’t much work to set things up. Kaeya could tell that you were waiting for an explanation of some sort, but took to starting a fire and cooking you supper first.
He’d used a recipe from the early days of his childhood, and told you of how he’d watch the adults prepare it. He then told you about nights that he spent like this with his father, at other campsites that weren’t too different from this one.
Kaeya spoke of memories that twinkled; more delicate things compared to the stories he’d weave in taverns or born from his silver tongue. He told you of what the night meant to him, as did the morning and afternoons, and the people that made up the city he now called home.
Finally, he told a story about a person he’d wronged dearly, and was too cowardly to face in all his sincerity. A person that moved him and rendered him speechless, so good that he fears he would only ruin them if he got too close.
You'd returned his vulnerability with your own; anecdotes that a scarce others knew, admitting your doubts and insecurities when it came to this relationship, and the questions that lingered yet.
Not all topics were pleasant, yet that only enriched your conversation more. You'd not only saved his glass feathers from shattering, but cast a spell that hoped to turn them softer, vibrant, and more... alive. 
Blooming into colour, juvenile at best, but he liked how it reminded him of simpler wishes.
You expressed your hope that he would find them to be a source of pride one day, rather than a mask.
When Kaeya covered you with his coat as a blanket as you drifted off to sleep, he settled on a conclusion: for you, who gifted him with so much, he would try to do just that. However… 
The thing he's proudest about would be to have met you. His own feathers could some second, and Kaeya was happy with that.
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Hey hey! here’s a little something I wrote for Eli a few months ago. They convinced me i should post it, so here i am lol
———
Tw: Descriptions of a Cold, sickness (non graphic), feelings unwanted, coughing, headaches, misunderstandings, hurt/comfort. Let me know if I need to add more!
Words: 5.2k
Pairing: Prinxiety (Written as Romantic but could be read as platonic i guess)
“Virgil is miserable. Its the middle of the night, and Virgil is stuck in bed, unable to sleep, with a horrible cold. The actual cold isn’t why he’s miserable, though.
Is it selfish to want to be cared for?”
Through Sickness and Health
Virgil could hear the clock on the opposite wall ticking just a tad too fast, and didn’t need to even look over at it to know it was way too late to be awake. Sure, he didn’t have the best sleep schedule, but at least he was usually enjoying himself when he stayed up, and it was rarely this late. It wasn’t even his fault this time.
But here Virgil was, laying in bed curled under all the blankets he owned, wishing he was dead. On paper, that sounds a lot worse than it really was, but who could blame him? The sweet release of death sounded like heaven compared to suffering here any longer. His throat was sandpaper dry, nose clogged with snot, and what felt like a small bomb went off in his skull with every movement.
That, though, wasn’t the main reason he was suffering.
He’d been sick before, he knew it would be over soon, but no physical pain could compare to the hurt he felt, knowing that the others knew of his illness, and didn’t give a single damn.
There was no way they didn’t know what was happening - even if he’d tried to hide it, which he hadn’t, it’s not like acting was ever his specialty - but not a single one of them had batted an eye since he came down with this stress induced cold.
Well, that wasn’t completely true. Patton had asked if he was feeling alright on day two, when Virgil had shuffled downstairs around three in the afternoon to grab a snack, hoodie flipped up as he dug around, his hands clearly shaky from fever yet he’d been too tired to try and hide it. He’d told Patton, in the least shaky voice he could muster, that he just wasn’t feeling very well.
In hindsight, it had probably been incredibly selfish of him to expect Patton to come to his aid and comfort him, maybe offer to tuck him in on the couch and make him something healthy to eat. He’d seen Patton do just that plus more when Logan or Roman were feeling under the weather after all. But despite knowing it was selfish, he couldn’t help the disappointment and sinking feeling he’d felt when Patton had simply responded with a gentle, almost pitying, “I’m sorry kiddo, thank you for telling me.” before walking away rather hurriedly, leaving it there.
The conversation rolled around in his head, as it had been for the past 5 days. Nobody had come to check on him, not even the resident fatherly side to see if he was feeling any better. He’d been downstairs one other time since that little exchange with Patton, but when he’d walked in on Roman and Logan talking casually in the living room, they’d both given him short, obviously forced smiles, and sunk out. That’d been on day three, and Virgil hadn’t gone back down there since. He wasn’t that hungry anyway.
Maybe they didn’t want to get sick? Or maybe they thought he was gross, and didn’t want to be near him. Did they think he would be rude to them?
All this thinking was making Virgil’s head hurt more. And it really didn’t matter the reason. They didn’t care, they clearly wanted to avoid him.
It hurt, worse than his actual sickness, having to stay away from everyone for days on end. It reminded him of the old days before he was accepted, when he wasn’t welcome anywhere else but the confinement of his room. He missed Patton’s warm greeting each time he walked into a room, or the rants Logan would get lost in that were strangely so calming. Most notably, though, he missed Roman.
He missed their stupid banter that always left him feeling more confident, and the never ending singing that Virgil pretended not to adore. Hell, he missed just talking to the creative side. He’d give anything just to have a conversation with him, just to lift his spirits a little. He longed for one of the warm, solid hugs that only Roman could give.
He would probably even give up his Disney posters, his entire MCR song library, or get banned from every Hot Topic in the country, just to be held and cuddled right at this moment. To be held in warm, secure arms, wrapped in the scent of cinnamon and roses, and drift to sleep knowing he wouldn’t be alone in the morning.
That last one had about a zero percent chance of happening, even if he wasn’t sick and contagious, but Virgil’s sleep deprived, fever ridden brain had decided to be sentimental, and Virgil couldn’t even stop it. At least he wasn’t gone enough to consider asking for any of that comfort he craved. it’d be easier for everyone to just wait in his room until he was better. Then maybe things would be normal again.
And that was his plan, until someone knocked on his door.
The anxious side’s gaze shot over to the clock, grimacing when the quick movement made his eyeballs throb. Who the Hell was knocking on his door at nearly 3:45 in the morning?
“Who-“ Virgil cringed at how his gravely voice broke, cleared his throat, then tried again. “Who is it?”
“I knew you were awake!” Romans voice, surprisingly enough, came from the other side of the door. He was clearly trying to stay quiet, but for some reason, he sounded really… relieved, and chipper. A second later, the Prince added a bit more bashfully, “Uh, unless i just woke you up by knocking, and if that’s the case I sincerely apologize, I didn’t mea-“
“No, I w’s already awake…” Virgil interrupted with a slight slur, groggy brain trying to keep up with what was happening. Being the embodiment of Anxiety, though, meant he didn’t get to stop being anxious just because he was sick. Why was he here? Was he angry? Virgil couldn’t recall doing anything that could offend anyone since he’d been self-quarantined, but then again, he couldn’t really remember his last name at the moment either. He mumbled to himself as he untangled his legs from the covers, cursing the universe under his breath because his head felt two times it’s normal size. Then he took a deep breath and sat up. He didn’t want to make Roman uncomfortable or grossed out seeing him all sick in bed, cause holy shit would that be embarrassing. He still didn’t look great, but it was a small step. “Come in Pr’ncey.”
The door swung open, revealing a timid, bed headed Roman, who seemed to relax a little when noticing Virgil sitting up in bed. “Hey there.. sorry to barge in, I hope i’m not bothering you.” he said, voice still lowered and really quite gentle as he shut the door behind him.
Virgil went to shake his head, but stopped himself before he could cause himself fucking brain damage and just shrugged instead. “ y’re not both’ring me. ‘sup?” yikes, all this sitting up and trying to look presentable business was making him realize how exhausted he was. His eyelids felt heavy already.
Roman took a few steps forward, keeping his eyes steadily on Virgil like he was waiting for him to keel over and die, or cough on him. It seemed pretty damn dramatic, even for Roman. “I… just wanted to check on you. I’ve uh, been a little worried about you, and i couldn’t sleep.” The Prince said, hesitant as he lowered himself on the foot of the bed.
Virgil blinked a few times, curling his legs up so his knees were to his chest to make sure Roman wouldn’t touch his feet under the 5 layers of blankets he had over him. Or maybe it was the sudden, treacherous hope that was rising in him, a hope he was trying to stifle. Roman was… worried about him? Roman of all sides? I mean, he wasn’t surprised that he cared, he and Roman were friends now after all. Virgil was just surprised he cared about this. He thought they were all in agreement to avoid him or something.
Virgil was about to open his mouth and say… something - he didn’t really know what he was going to say. It felt like his train of thought was chugging along through molasses - but he was interrupted before he could get any words out.
“Dude… no offense, but you look like actual death. And why in the name of Hades are you buried under so many blankets?” The Prince asked with what sounded like genuine confusion, at least for the second part.
Virgil huffed and pulled the blankets tighter around him, the movement causing him to shiver. He couldn’t decide what to focus on; The cold air on his back, the rising sensation of relief knowing Roman cared, or how weird that question had been. Quite honestly, Virgil wasn’t offended because he knew he looked like shit. he was just a little confused. He thought Roman would have known he’d look like shit. “What do you mean why do I have so many blankets. I literally feel like ’m freezing to death. ’s part of the package, shouldn’t you know this?” He practically deadpanned, not even for the snarkiness like usual. His speech was just dull.
But that only left Roman looking more confused, and probably a good deal more concerned if his expression was anything to go by. “I-... I didn’t know that, no.. I’m sorry. Do you want another blanket or something…?” he asked carefully, still awfully and almost painfully cautious.
And Virgil… was at a loss for how this could possibly be new information to Roman. it was pretty common knowledge even if you’ve never had a fever before. But instead of dwelling, Virgil once again stopped himself from shaking his head, sighing instead. “No, it won’ help.” he said shortly. The effort would be futile, but it was endearing that Roman at least asked. “Thanks though. That’s.. really nice of you t’ offer.” The anxious side offered a bit more quietly.
There was an awkward silence that followed, Roman shuffling his feet against the carpet slightly as he looked around the room. Virgil saw the other’s eyes catch on the pile of used tissues in the floor, another bout of confusion flashing in his bright green eyes, but he didn’t mention it this time. Maybe it was a lack of sleep making the Prince act so clueless at the moment. “I… I guess i’ve just.. i don’t know, everything is more boring without you around. Nobody to insult without actually offending them.” Roman spoke again after a moment, sending a half smile in Virgil’s direction.
A little smirk matched with a snort is what the Prince was rewarded with, Virgil's spirits lifted regardless of his misery. It felt nice knowing he was missed, and it made his chest warm knowing it was coming from Roman. For some reason, knowing he could make things more bearable for his counterpart was.. rewarding, in a way. And Roman looked proud of himself, before he continued a bit more solemnly. “You’ve been cooped up in here for so long, like what, 5 says now?”
That got Virgil to sigh, and maybe there was some defensiveness laying beneath the surface, made worse thanks to being miserable, but all he managed was a mildly annoyed side eye to Roman as he responded in a mumble, still doing his best not to run Roman off. “‘t’s not my fault.”
Roman was quick to shake his head, slight guilt in his expression. “I know! I-I’m not trying to make you feel bad, i guess i just- i don’t know, i’m just talking out loud… sorry.” Roman’s voice had quieted, eyes trained on the floor somewhat shamefully as he seemed to search for his words. “I just.. I just wish…” but once again, he trailed off, shaking his head and seeming to give up. “I’m sorry.”
“‘s fine, Princey.” Virgil mumbled back, eyes dropping to his lap where he picked at a loose string on his bedspread. Another silence followed, Virgil trying to sniffle as silently as he could. Despite how weird this interaction had been so far, and how slightly awkward it’s gotten, Virgil was honestly just trying to soak in the mere presence of another side while it lasted. He’d never liked being alone for so long. His stomach was starting to hurt for a reason aside from sickness. This sure was a good way to get Roman to leave early, the others were probably right for leaving him alone so far.
Suddenly, Virgil squeezed the blankets in his fist to try and stop a sudden tickle in his throat, the sensation coming out of nowhere. Unfortunately though, his instincts won out just seconds later as he was forced to cough, the sound gargled and gross even when he covered the whole bottom half of his face with his covers. Dammit, dammit, stupid fucking cough. And Roman just got there too. He wasn’t ready for the creative side to leave again yet.
“S- Sorry, sorry ‘bout that. Shit.” He mumbled rather quickly, hoping to by just a few minutes longer of the creative side’s company before it was taken away again for who knows how long. His head felt like it was being split open, no thanks to the effort it took to cough. Who the Hell’s idea was sickness? They should be fired.
Much to his surprise though, when Virgil hesitantly looked up to gauge how put off Roman was by his display, he only saw an overwhelming about of worry, but even more importantly, alarm.
“Apologies, but is this like- normal??” Roman asked with eyes noticeably wider, studying Virgil's pained expression, hunched over posture, the mess of dirty tissues around, and the way the bright numbers of his digital clock on his nightstand was covered carefully, with a washcloth no doubt.
Virgil drew in a deep, slow breath through his nose as he rubbed on his temples to try and alleviate some pain, eyes closed and head tilted down. Roman’s ridiculous questions were just making his headache worse, and honestly he didn’t even understand how the Hell he was so confused. Was this his plan? To come in here and confuse Virgil and his already incapacitated brain? ‘Cause if so, he was doing a brilliant job. “Roman, what the hell are you talking about.”
It came out less like a question, more like a very tired statement, but he was answered with confused stammering, Roman gesturing almost desperately to Virgil and his state. “What do you mean what am I talking about?? Dude, you’re clearly not doing well. I mean, I wasn’t gonna bring it up, but you’re sweating like a sinner in church, you’re covered in a thousand blankets, you were just hacking up a lung and you’re barely able to speak right from, what i’m assuming, is a nose full of mucus!”
“Yeah, okay, I get it. I look like shit, Pr’ncey, enough said.” Virgil snapped, glaring up at Roman and accidentally moving his head up to look at him too fast, sending a flare of agony through his skull. He cursed under his breath and winced, but powered through it even as Roman lifted a hand to- to what, help? It didn’t matter, Virgil moved away from the effort. “No, don’t touch me, alright? I don’t wan’ your pity.”
Virgil knew all of this was coming out more aggressive than he ever would allow if he was feeling himself. Hell, even now he was begging himself to just shut up and stay calm. But after almost 2 full days with no sleep, and 5 days of nonstop pain, coughing, being unable to breath properly, the feeling of fire in his throat every time he tried to eat, and then on top of that, being shunned by the 3 people he wanted- needed, more than anything. Well, he really couldn’t stop his composure from cracking and shattering.
Roman looked ready to respond, seemingly struck with more pity than before, but Virgil’s hand shot up to stop him. “I don’t want to hear it, Princey. Why the Hell are you even here anyway? If you’ve missed me so much, why did you wait 5 f’cking days to come see me? T’ come ‘check on me’? And, by th’ way, so far you’ve really only been fucking with me and making me feel worse, so in reality it probably would ‘ve been better had you just kept up your streak of avoiding me like ev’ryone else!”
Virgil was breathing heavily, head pounding and lungs burning after raising his voice just a bit too much at the end of his rant. He replayed the words back in his mind, heart sinking when he realized how aggressive he’d gotten. He couldn’t slow down his breathing, why couldn’t he slow his breathing?? Jesus christ, he wasn’t about to break down on top of all that other shit he just unleashed. Perfect, he was just proving the other side’s point for them.
With his body now starting to shake, jaw clenched to hold back tears because this week has been bullshit, and he felt like curling up and disappearing, if not to escape his aching body then to at least escape the anger he knew would result from that whole verbal meltdown he just had. Obviously Roman would be leaving, but would he yell first? Tell him how annoying and selfish he was, and how he didn’t get to be a huge asshole just because he was feeling a little under the weather? Or would he leave in silence, just exit the room with that silent, cold anger that Roman only showed when he was really upset.
Maybe he’d tell everyone else what happened, how he’d tried to extend an olive branch, test it out just to see if maybe his illness hadn’t made him into a pathetic prick, but Virgil lashed out as expected and ran him off. Would Logan and Patton get mad at him too? Come in and tell him off for being so horrible to his own family, that he couldn’t even be a decent person for 5 minutes.
Maybe things wouldn’t go back to normal even after he’s recovered, all because he couldn’t just control himself.
“Virgil, what are you talking about?” Roman asked exasperated, and Virgil dragged his hands down his face. He meant to make more of a growl in frustration, but it came out closer to a pained whine. His eyes stung for a new reason now. He just wanted this to stop. Why wouldn’t Roman just stop?
“What. What am I talking about what. I can’t do this- this whole vague shit righ’now, jus’ spit it out.” He hated how short tempered he was sounding, but Roman didn’t seem to be fazed. Virgil could see the Prince waving his hands around in his peripheral, looking tongue tied.
“The- The part where you think i’m fucking with you?? Why you think we’re avoiding you?? Why you’re so-... so….” Roman trailed off, a look of realization crossing his face, which quickly turned to horror and guilt. “Wait a… w-wait a second, Virgil, are you- are you sick??”
To say Roman sounded appalled would be an understatement, his eyes wide in shock, brows drawn, mouth slightly agape. Virgil’s head spun, suddenly dizzy as his brain tried to figure out why Roman sounded so horrified- why he sounded so surprised. He couldn’t stand it, he couldn’t understand what was going on. He felt nauseous and he just wanted to sleep. Before he knew it, tears were trekking down his face, thick tears springing from his eyes making the pressure behind them even more unbearable. A sob tore painfully from his throat, instantly catching the Prince’s full attention.
“Oh my… Virgil-“
Virgil shrunk away from the Prince’s voice, curling up once more into a ball, trying to hide from everything. His lip wobbled, he could feel it, but he was too tired to be embarrassed or feel pathetic. He pulled the covers closer around him. “R-Roman, please jus’-“ He hiccuped on a sob, hissed through his teeth as the action sent a sharp pain through his lungs. “I don’ know i-if you’re tryin’ to joke ‘r somethin’, but— but ’s n- not funny, o-okay?”
Instead of speaking clearly at a normal volume, Virgil was nearly mumbling the entire time he was speaking, slurring through words even worse than when the conversation started. Was it just him, or was the room spinning? “Please, i… i need you t’...” Virgil huffed for breath, exhaustion wearing on him like a switch was just suddenly flipped. It nearly took all his energy to try and get a deep breath.
“Ro…”
Virgil was met with a warm, broad chest, and strong arms wrapping around him before he even knew he was slumping forward. His ears were ringing, drowning out what sounded like a familiar voice speaking to him. They sounded distressed, he hoped they were okay. What was combing through his hair? He couldn’t quite remember what was going on before then, but all he knew was, he was safe now.
Then, the world went dark.
———
Virgil came into consciousness a little while later, his brain the kind of blissfully empty that only comes after passing out, apparently. He couldn’t grasp where he was before, existing in a reality where there is no past for a few moments. His head was vaguely aching, like a dull throb faded into the background, and his lungs stung only a little when he breathed in deeply. In his sleepy state though, Virgil didn’t concern himself with those feelings.
Virgil couldn’t see anything, he noticed not long after, but he could hear murmuring and the distant sound of water running.
Next, he realized he knew he wasn’t in his own room anymore, both because this wasn’t his mattress, and the room didn’t smell like his own.
He could smell.. cinnamon… and peaches… and ink. Somewhere in his groggy brain, Virgil recognized the smell, but at the moment it was just out of his reach. It didn’t bother him, though, not when he was so relaxed and calm. He felt like he was one with the bed, and the soft, fluffy sheets encasing him.
A few more seconds of coming to, and Virgil realized his eyes were covered with something damp, and cool… soft too. It felt amazing against his warm skin. oh right, i’m sick, a thought entered his mind gently.
Then, a lot less gently, the events from before he passed out rushed to the forefront of his mind, practically smacking him in the face. Because yes, he’d passed out, right in front of Roman like an idiot, oh shit, why isn’t he in his room, where is he-
“Virgil? Hey woah, calm down buddy- here,” Virgil heard someone quickly cross the room, and tended his body for all of two seconds before the washcloth over his eyes was being lifted.
Virgil blinked blearily, squinting his eyes even though the room was almost completely shrouded in darkness, save for a thin line of light coming from the cracked bathroom door. Someone was sat beside him on the side of the bed, but he was too blurry for Virgil to make out details.
“There you are. Hey Hot Topic, how are you feeling?” the person asked, speaking more gently than anyone had spoken to Virgil in a long time. Strangely though, Virgil wasn’t upset by it. It was.. nice…
Wait a minute, he knew that voice.
“R- Roman..? I.. Where…?” Distantly, Virgil knew he sounded like shit, which meant he probably looked like shit, and directly after asking that half assed question, he realized he had to be in the Princes room. “Oh.. fuckin’- I passed out on you..” he groaned, moving his hands up to scrub the blurriness from his eyes.
It worked, surprisingly, and now that Virgil could see, he realized that yes, Roman was the one sitting next to him, and yes he was in Roman’s room, in Roman’s bed. He also noticed how tossed Roman’s hair was, and the bright red with little snowmen pajamas the Prince wore. They were really adorable.
“Yes, I’m afraid you did.. and I’m also afraid that I am partly to blame for it.” Roman sighed, casting his eyes down as he pressed his lips in a line.
Virgil’s brows drew together, and, because he was so delirious, he reached out to grab gently at Romans sleeve. “How is it your fault that I passed out?” he asked incredulously. At least he could speak properly now. Now? Now since when? Oh geez, “Wait how long have I been out? A few hours? Days? Years?! Did I fall into a coma?!”
The corner of Roman’s lip lifted in amusement, and he gently lay a hand over Virgil’s, on his sleeve. “No, no nothing like that, Dark Knight. It’s only been an hour or so. I.. hope you don’t mind, but I had to bring you in here. Your fever was… really high.” The Prince of Creativity said, solemn by the end.
“I think i’ve managed to get it down, so it’s not so dangerous anymore, but Logan will definitely have to keep an eye on it today.”
That got Virgil's attention. “Wait- Logan? Uh.. yeah, not to burst your bubble Princey, but I doubt that’ll be happening.” There was a slight bitterness to his tone as he wrapped his free arm around his midsection, and though there wasn’t as much bitterness as there usually would be, Roman still picked up on it loud and clear.
He inclined his head, as if in agreement, and Virgil stomach only sunk a little bit before Roman was speaking again.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Virgil. You see, there seems to have been a grave misunderstanding. This is how I’m partially responsible for your passing out, same as Logan and Patton are also partly to blame.”
Virgil’s eyes widened, breath hitching at the sheer ridiculousness of that suggestion. No!! How could it be their fault? He’s the one that got so sick and couldn’t keep himself healthy enough not to fucking pass out. He opened his mouth to say as much, but Roman held up a finger before he could get out a single word, silencing him.
“A few days ago, 5 to be exact, it came to Patton’s attention that you weren’t feeling yourself. He told me and Logan that you told him you weren’t feeling very well, and that we should all give you some space the next few days.” Roman said carefully. Ah yes, that conversation. The one that’s haunted Virgil for nearly a week. Virgil remembered it well.
With a hesitant, still very lost nod from Virgil, Roman continued. “It seems that Patton, and in turn, Logan and I, assumed that your strange behavior was linked to.. well, anxiety.” He gave Virgil’s hand a light squeeze, any sign of a smile gone and replaced with pained regret. The Prince swallowed, just as Virgil pieced it together.
“Because of these more stressful times Thomas is experiencing, we wrongly thought that you were having a rough week, leading to worse anxiety. So… we’ve been leaving you on your own, thinking we were helping you..”
Virgil.. didn’t know what to say. He looked up and found Roman’s red, sorrowful eyes. When he focused, he could see they were just a little bit bloodshot, even in the dark. Proof that he had previously cried, no doubt about this. When Virgil didn’t speak, still too shocked as his slowed brain processes this, Roman continued, quietly choking back a sob just after he averted his gaze to the floor.
“V-Virgil-“ he voice cracked. Virgil’s heart was sinking in his chest. Roman had never looked so heartbroken. “Virgil I’m so sorry, I had no idea you were sick, none of us did! I-I swear I didn’t know, I would have never left you alone if I had, Virgil, Star, i’m so so s-sorry,”
Roman was practically full on crying by that point, though he clearly tried to keep it to himself and stay quiet. Virgil was grateful for the effort, but there were much more important things to focus on at the moment. He may not be completely himself, but he still couldn’t let Roman be so sad.
It was because he wasn’t completely himself that Virgil automatically sat up (taking his time to do so, trying not to upset his head), and leaned himself right against Roman, chest to chest, looping his arms around to loosely hold Princey in a hug.
It all made sense now, why he’d been ignored all week, and why nobody came to check on him or try to help. He felt a little (read: a lot) stupid for thinking that anyone in his famILY would do anything but show him the upmost care and attention when he needed it. They thought they were helping, and honestly, had he in fact been having a bad week of heightened anxiety, giving him space would have been the right thing for them to do.
Roman was quick to return Virgil’s hug, though to his credit, his hug was a lot stronger and more secure than Virgil’s. He buried his face in Virgil’s hair, a steady stream of teary apologies spilling from him. A steady stream that Virgil hastily tried to end.
“Roman, it’s okay… i’m not upset, I promise it’s okay. I know you were doing what you thought would help me. Please don’t cry, Princey.” He said softly.
It might have been a few more minutes, or a few hours, that the two sides sat together in each other’s arms. Roman’s cries and apologies slowly quieted to a stop, though the gentle combing of fingers through Virgil’s hair only continued as they sat.
“Hey… Roman?” Virgil whispered after a few more moments, the whole mindscape quiet, save for the quiet sniffles from both Virgil and Roman every once in a while.
“Yes, sweet Midnight?” came an equally gentle response. Neither side moved, Virgil too content with his face snuggly buried against his counterpart’s shoulder, and Roman too content with having Anxiety safe in his arms.
“Would… well, you can say no, but would you mind.. if I stay in here..? I don’t… really want to be alone…” a hint of Virgil’s usual anxious tendencies showed itself despite the tiredness that was starting to cover the darker side. Instead of head-swimming exhaustion though, this time Virgil felt pleasantly heavy and relaxed.
Without uttering another word, Roman pulled them both down to lay their heads on the pillows, lifting one hand to gently flick his wrist and manipulate the covers around them. The light in the bathroom turned off with a soft click of Roman’s fingers, one that Virgil hardly registered as he shuffled somehow closer to the Prince, still tucked safely in his arms.
As he fell softly and smoothly into the first restful sleep he’s had in days, Virgil noticed that he wasn’t freezing cold anymore. The dull throb in his head had gone away almost entirely, and it felt that much easier to breathe. But most importantly, Virgil felt less alone than he had in a long, long time.
Needless to say, Virgil was feeling better already.
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lambourngb · 3 years
Text
Day 2: AU get me out of here - places to go when canon is complicated
It’s Day 2 for @roswellnewmexicocreate, time to celebrate those stories that I turn to when I can’t deal with canon, or when I don’t have the emotional energy to untangle all the emotions I have for what’s going on in canon. Alternative universes, the safe harbor for us. Below are a mix of rewrites of canon, remixes of canon, or out right not even set in Roswell- to fill every type distance you want from canon- from near to far.
and the howl of the desert carries me home by @christchex​/ @michaels-blackhat​ (4,334) Alex runs into the desert to escape from his father with his guitar clutched to his chest. He plans to spend one last night playing before his father destroys it. Instead, he meets a cute boy with flowers in his curly hair and a lizard on his shoulder. He exchanges a song for a smile.
why i like it: I love everything about this story. Michael is totally a disney princess, and what a lovely way to save him from foster homes, but have him run away to the desert and use his alien powers to build his own little protective world. Looping in Nora’s plant powers like that, giving Michael a little animal friend, I love it all, but the show stealer is Alex Manes, playing music to coax the mystery boy out. It’s just incredibly soft.
***
Heartbeat series by @adiwriting ​ (133,000 - in progress) During the lost decade, Alex gets Michael pregnant and Michael doesn't see or hear from him again for the next four and a half years. When Alex comes back to town, he discovers he has a daughter with Michael and they all have to figure out how to be a family.
why i like it: it has it all, installments with angst, installments with fluff, I can find whatever mood I am in by just pouring over this incredible series. I really don’t even like mpreg, but in RNM, with aliens it seems a little more probable to me and bless Britt, she goes light on the details but heavy on the kid aspect of it. I absolutely love Alex in this story, he’s richly characterized as a man who is trying hard while wandering unfamiliar territory like aliens, like being a dad, like being Michael’s boyfriend, and he doesn’t always get it right, but he’s loved regardless.
***
tonight we are young @skinsharpenedteeth (8,137) Alex and Michael ditch the Evans' New Years Eve party to find their own fun and Alex gets his New Years kiss...(the underage tag is because they're both 17 in this.)
why i like it: I’m a sucker for teen!Malex, especially stories that take place before the shed. I love this little AU where Alex is thinking about making a move, but hasn’t yet. They are both adorable nervous babies, this feels very much how a softer teen!Malex first time would go. Perfectly characterized here, you can just feel the hopeful vibes they have at 17. I like to believe nothing bad ever happens to them again.
***
you shift on a gear (it’s been a long year) by @backinmybodymp3 (28, 362) “Good morning,” Michael says. “What the hell did you do?” Alex asks, exasperated. (or: There were times, in some of the lower moments of the past however-many-days it’s been, where Michael had thought about what it might’ve been like to share this time loop with someone. He never imagined— well, he never imagined it’d be Alex.)
why i like it: I love time-loop stories! And this is just superb. The friendship dynamics of everyone involved, the Liz/Max wedding, Michael being a good brother, Michael trying so hard to keep this bullshit from dragging Alex in and then Alex being his usual reckless self when it comes to Michael, I absolutely dig this canon-divergent au. you can feel how much the author cares about everyone on the show in this story, and they really nail the Malex dynamic. This story came along just as season 3 did and it’s a true antidote to the malex drought on screen.
***
the library by @arielana (9,657)  Alex had stopped too far away to hear exactly what they were saying, but their voices did carry over to where he was standing. The guy’s drawl had a melody to it that was vaguely familiar, but much deeper than the voice it reminded Alex of. God, that and the hair really brought some memories back.  Just as Alex told himself to stop secretly staring like a creep and walk over there, he turned slightly so that Alex got a glimpse of the side of his face.  Fuck!  Fuck, fuck, fuck! Twelve years ago Alex left Roswell to join the Air Force, nursing a broken heart and promising to never return. When work brings him back to New Mexico he runs into someone he’d been sure he’d never see again.
why i like it: the first kiss in the UFO emporium was groundbreaking, but I have to admit, I love stories that explore the almost-happened, where Malex reconnect as adults without the shadow of Jesse’s attack. I love how sharp Alex is in this story, he has all these walls as an adult built from that first rejection, but then he’s so completely unprepared to reconnect with Michael again. The clownery in this story by both of them is perfect! I also totally love Forrest as a gay best friend for Alex, trying to wingman Alex, that cracked me up.
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stellar light based life by @jocarthage (30,651) It’s not a memory if it’s something you see every day. It’s a trigger and it’s not one Alex wants to ever let go of.Alex saw Michael disappear into a blinding blue light, soft 17-year-old body pulled back into some kind of impossible vortex -- one hand, outstretched.
why i like it: another submission from 2020 RNM Big Bang, this story just wrecked me. I can’t even really put into words about how it hooked me and basically lives in my head now to the point I often mumble the first line to myself. Anyway, this AU takes a right turn at the shed attack, and goes full force scifi and tragic separation, I love it. In so many ways it reshapes Alex’s life but the core of who he is never changes, there’s so many great science geekery details about Michael’s planet and the astronaut journey that Alex takes, plus SANDERS... anyway, this is a fandom classic for me.
***
Crossed Wires by @beautifulcheat, @ladynox (15,351) Michael's been kicked off more than one Starfleet posting. So when he learned he was reassigned to the USS Roswell, he decided that he would keep his head down and behave. This decision is immediately thwarted when he meets her hot Vulcan captain.This might be the first time Michael got kicked off a posting for flirting with a captain.
why i like it: Star Trek AU? I’m pretty easy. Seeing elements of Kirk and Spock’s tragic backstory blended into genius mechanic Michael Guerin and ice prince Alex Manes was amazing. I love how it’s serving with his family that brings Michael to the Enterprise, his bond with Max and Isobel was chef’s kiss good. The blend of Michael’s powers and Alex’s biology - I loved the balance even if it came with its own misunderstandings, but hey, this time it was cultural! lol
***
I’m still here by @vague-shadows @pippsmcgee  (35,928) Treasure Planet AU in which Michael is the gifted young delinquent who found a treasure map, and Alex is a space pirate pawn in his Father's obsession with riches and legacy.
why i like it: I’ve never seen Treasure Planet, but I didn’t need to thoroughly enjoy this AU. This was the perfect mix of angst and sci-fi adventure, where the authors managed to make the shed even more horrifying. Jesse Manes is the absolute worst in this story, the levels of obsession he goes to find a treasure, and then Michael on his own collision course - the ability to write tense action is a gift, and it’s on display in this story. Cyborg!Alex took up a place in my heart and still lives there, where he only gets the nicest things.
If you like any of these recs, please leave a comment on the story or a kudo- a  ‘this was awesome’ is enough to propel an author into the stratosphere with happiness, so don’t worry about coming up with a unique, never before shared insight- sometimes a keyboard smash and emoji makes all  the difference!
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janetbrown711 · 3 years
Note
"its fine, really! I'm used to it...” “what you meant you’re used to it??” but yax
After careful and long hours of research, Yakko came to the conclusion that he at least admired Max.
He had only seen Max in person once, but there was just something magnetic about the far-away prince that intrigued and fascinated Yakko. So much so, that for the next month or so, Yakko dove headfirst into studying all he could about Max and his country. He tried to share the fascinating history and details with his younger siblings, but they clearly weren't as into it as he was. That didn't deter him though, he was determined to learn absolutely everything he possibly could- even going into Angelina's old private study for books.
It was weird not having her around to stop any of it. Was this what pure joy and excitement with no downsides was like? If so, Yakko really liked it.
Either way, he was ecstatic when his mother told him she was officially making plans to take him to Disneyland to see Max (and diplomatic stuff, but they both knew that wasn't the main reason). Upon hearing the news, he then hurried and changed his studies entirely into conversations and how to have them.
Upon his and Max's first encounter, Yakko realized he was terrible at conversations, but now Yakko swore he'd be better than good- he'd be a conversation master. He studied examples both fictional and non about advice and how royals interact with each other and conversations one was supposed to hold and he complied his notes into a handy notebook that could fit into his pocket in case he got into a tough spot mid conversation. After all- he'd probably be there for hours and hours- that's a long time to be entertaining.
So he poured himself into his studies for a week or so (time was really alluding his grasp as of late) and before he knew it, it was time for him to go. However, not before a weird reaction from Wakko he wasn't expecting... seriously, if anything, Yakko expected Wakko to be happy for him because that meant he wouldn't have to hear about Disneyland for awhile, but instead he got really accusatory. But his parents assured him that it was nothing and his mother went to comfort him while he prepared for his journey.
"That's a big notebook," Dot said, lurking by his door as he flipped through his notes for what must've been the millionth time this week.
"I have a lot to remember," Yakko said, putting it in his pocket.
"Why do you care so much?" Dot asked. Yakko blinked.
"I just... do? He's the first friend I've had... ever," He said, making her move so he could head out the room.
"But I thought me and Wakko-..." Dot didn't finish her sentence. Yakko stopped.
"Max is just... different. I can't explain it- I'm trying to understand, but he's really just... different. A good different," He tried his best to explain, but he knew it fell short.
"Oh... you must really like him?" Dot asked.
"I guess, yeah," Yakko blushed. "He's just- the coolest person I've ever met, and now that Grandma's gone and I'm free to just- hang out with people, yeah," He scratched the back of his neck, aware of the fact he needed to get going. When Dot didn't respond to that, he pursed his lips.
"Welp- I gotta get going," He gave a quick wave, not waiting for her to return it before getting going- he wanted to spend as much time as possible in Disneyland.
Hurriedly, he rushed down the halls all the way down the grand stairs and out the main doors to the carriage, where his mother was waiting for him.
"Getting something?" Lena teased, as the coachman opened the door for them.
"Just a few notes," Yakko said, following his mother as she entered. She chuckled.
"You don't need to be so nervous, dear. From what I've seen, Max already likes you very much," Lena said soothingly as the carriage started to move.
"I just... I want this to be perfect," Yakko sighed, and leaned against the window of the carriage.
Lena snorted. "You and I have a lot in common," She said, fiddling with the fingers of her gloves.
"The last time I was out of this castle before the incident was- well... the wedding... but before that? I don't think I've ever been out..." The queen looked back as her home grew further and further away. "Outside of parties and suitors I've never really dealt in diplomatic situations. God knows my mother never prepared me for half of the things- I just..." She took a deep breath.
"I want this to go perfectly too... but Scratchnsniff says perfection is an impossible goal and we should aim for something more obtainable," She reminded herself. Yakko glanced at her briefly, before returning to the window.
He wasn't sure what he thought of Scratchnsniff. Dot and his parents all seemed to like him, but he still hadn't opened up to him, even though it had been over a month now. They'd be doing... okay sometimes, but the moment the doctor tried talking about Angelina, Yakko refused to give him the satisfaction. He knew he was there to help but- yeah... That wasn't going to happen any time soon.
"We got a long ride, huh?" Lena chuckled, more nervously this time.
"Yeah..." was all he said. He had a lot on his mind, and he could tell his mother did too. Hopefully, by the time they actually arrived, they'd be able to make sense of everything and enjoy their time in Disneyland- though they'd have to wait and see.
.o0o.
The ride wasn't terrible, but it was rather long and tiresome, so it was easy to say that when they finally arrived they were both relieved.
Both Yakko and Lena were surprised at just how different Disneyland was from Warnerstock just from the windows. Everything was brighter, orderly to the point of confusion (to them anyway), and boy oh boy was it big. The castle itself was the biggest example of this, as it seemed to have countless towers and was impossible to take in all at once. Then again, the royal family was quite large and Disney was known for it's welcoming nature and having guests often, so it didn't really surprise them. It was just a lot to take in at once.
However, they didn't have to take that all in for long, as they were guided inside by a few guards and were taken to the throne room, where the three kings were sitting- a duck on the left, a mouse in the middle, and a very tall dog on the right.
"Angelina? Wow, it really is you! How have ya been?" The Mouse immediately stood upon seeing them enter.
"Mickey! Oh it's been years hasn't it?" Lena chuckled and went and hugged him, which the mouse gladly returned, leaving Yakko and the others very confused.
"Do... you... know him?" Yakko raised an eyebrow.
Lena cleared her throat and stepped back. "Right- yes, I forgot to tell you, Michael here was a suitor of mine back in the day," She explained. "Obviously, it didn't work out, as both of our hearts belonged to another, but it wasn't a completely terrible three days."
"Oh please, I'm Mickey to friends," Mickey said. Lena nodded.
"Right, yes, Mickey," Lena corrected.
"Oh," Yakko nodded slowly.
"You must be Yakko then. It's a pleasure to have you as a guest," Mickey smiled and shook Yakko's hand. The dog king's head perked up.
"It's a pleasure to be here," Yakko replied, hoping his nervousness wasn't showing.
"Prince Yakko?" The dog king stood and walked over. "It's a pleasure to meet you, h'yuk," He laughed as he shook Yakko's hand. "Max has told me about you."
"Oh, you must be Goofy, pleasure to meet you," His nervousness increased tenfold. He couldn't believe he didn't put that together upon seeing him immediately.
"Daaaaaaaaad," Max entered the room, looking at the ground with his face red as a tomato.
"Hiya Max! I was just introducing myself to your friend here," Goofy grinned, still shaking Yakko's hand.
"This is why I don't tell you things," Max muttered to himself. "Can we go?" He asked, grabbing Yakko's arm, freeing him from the handshake.
Mickey nodded. "Of course, we got our own business to deal with, you two have fun," He said, and with that, Max practically dragged Yakko out of the room.
"I am so sorry you had to deal with that," He sighed as the guards closed the door behind them and Max let go of his arm.
"Deal with what?" Yakko tilted his head slightly.
"My Dad- he just- he doesn't know when to stop no matter how many times I talk to him," Max shook his head. "C'mon, I know a good spot to hang out. Watch out for running triplets."
"Running triplets?" Yakko raised an eyebrow.
"Huey, Dewey and Louie like running around without warning- as do Morty and Ferdie and if Daisy's over then so do April, May and June- just keep an ear out for them," Max explained, checking both ways before crossing a hallway.
"Right, right," Yakko nodded, not really understanding how they'd ever be allowed to do that. Then again, not having a tyrannical grandmother around probably let them have a lot more freedom and fun.
The pair went down a few halls, always checking both ways as they went, before they reached a room that Max let him into to reveal that it led to a fairly small room with a few chairs, but outside of that was a large balcony it was clear the dog prince frequented.
"Nice place," Yakko admired the room as Max opened the glass doors for him.
"I come here a lot to clear my head," Max said, closing the door behind him. "And to get away from my family."
Max must've really not liked them, huh...
"Yeah... I could really use a place like this," Yakko admired the craftsmanship of the columns holding up the railing.
"Watch this," Max winked, picking up a stone from a pile of rocks, and throwing it down into the giant pond in the garden bellow, causing a massive splash and ripple.
"Cool," Yakko said.
"It's nothing really," Max blushed again and went to where the rail met the wall and sat on it. "Wanna sit?" He patted the spot next to him.
"Oh- I uh-..." Yakko peered over the edge cautiously. It wasn't too far a fall, but still. It was easy to say it was far enough down to make even the most un-acrophobic person a little nervous.
"Oh, are you afraid of heights? I'm sorry, I-"
"No no no, I can handle it," Yakko swallowed his fear and sat next to him, glad that it was wide enough for him to feel supported. Still, he wrapped his tail around the edge loosely as a precaution.
"So... what do you think?" Max asked. "Of Disneyland, I mean."
"I think it's really... different. Very organized, very..." Yakko thought to himself. "Very homogeneous and large, yeah."
Max snorted. "Homogeneous?"
"It means similar or 'the same'," Yakko cursed himself internally. Max laughed with a little 'hyuk' in there that made Yakko relax, though a familiar fluttering in his stomach returned.
"You're really smart, aren't you?" Max asked.
"Yeah... my grandmother's pride alright," Yakko looked at the garden.
Great, barely five minutes into the conversation and he already broke his number one rule he wrote to himself: Don't bring up Grandma.
"I don't think it's your grandma's fault you're smart. If that was true, then I'd be a lot more wacky like Dad," Max did his best to reassure, which despite all odds did kinda work.
"You keep bringing up how much you don't like your family," Yakko commented. "Why?"
"Why? You've barely even met them- they are just beyond crazy and drive me up the wall with how embarrassing and tiresome they can be," Max crossed his arms.
"I mean- my sibs can be a little crazy at times but I still like them," Yakko said.
"You don't know them," Max sighed, looking out to the garden too. Yakko decided it was probably best he drop the subject for now.
However, after that was a long stretch of silence, and Yakko started to panic as it got longer and longer and he couldn't think of a thing to say. Thankfully though, he remembered the notebook sitting in his pocket and he slowly and carefully took it out and looked for a good conversation starter.
"What is your favorite type of weather?" He asked, quickly slipping it back into his pocket. Max immediately burst into laughter.
"Where'd you think of a question like that?" He asked.
"If you don't like it I can ask a different one," Yakko turned bright red as he flusteredly turned over, pulling out the notebook and flipping through it.
"Do you have a notebook of conversation starters?" Max caught a glimpse.
"Whaaaat? Me??? Pssshhhh," Yakko adamantly denied, but he sighed, knowing he had been caught.
"Yeah... I figured since I majorly screwed up talking like a normal person last time I'd take some notes so the conversation would be far less depressing and not so... trauma centered," He admitted, showing him the notebook.
"Wait- you think you're screwing up?" Max seemed baffled, which confused the Warnerstockian Prince.
"I mean- yeah..? No matter what I do I always end up thinking about the same stupid topic and I dunno... you seem so much more normal than me," Yakko admitted, looking away.
"I feel like I've just been a bumbling dork this whole time," Max admitted too. "You've been really smart and interesting this whole time, with your fancy words and observations about stuff and... yeah," He scratched his neck.
"You think I'm interesting?" Yakko looked at him.
"Yeah man," Max looked at him, though only briefly. "You're... cool."
That made the fluttering increase tenfold.
"You're really cool too," Yakko smiled. Max nodded his head in acknowledgement, looking out to the garden once more.
"You know... I promised I'd give you some sporting pointers when you came by. Perhaps I should 'make good' on that promise," Max said, gesturing to the pile of rocks and other such objects clearly designated for throwing into the pond.
"Okay," Yakko agreed to it, putting the notes back in his pocket, following Max as he went over to the pile.
"The trick is that it's all in the wrist, and if you keep your eyes focused on where you wanna throw it, it does a lot to help it actually go there," Max said, as he picked up a rock and threw it with all his might, and it crashed far into the pond.
"In the wrist, huh?" Yakko nodded and acted like that made sense. He then picked up a rock, and threw it with all his might. However, his might was rather pathetic, and all he managed to do was to crack the tiling around the pond and it shattered into pieces, as Yakko felt the blood drain from his face.
"Max, I-i'm so so so so so so sorry, I-i-" Yakko sputtered out apologies but Max just started laughing and laughing.
"It's okay Yakko. We're royalty, remember? My dad'll just have someone fix it, it's totally cool," He placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "But hey, other than that, that wasn't half bad."
"She'd totally kill me if I did that at home though," Yakko cursed himself.
"She? Who, your mom? Cuz from what I've heard she's a big sap," Max said, confused.
"Not mom, my grandma," Yakko sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
"Your grandma's dead, Yakko. She can't punish you for that. You can break all the tiles you want here, it's cool," Max said, now deeply concerned for his new friend.
"Right- you're absolutely right. I'm sorry," Yakko took a deep breath.
"It's cool... I get that it must be hard moving on from that," Max's hand lingered on Yakko's shoulder a minute before he put it down.
"Yeah..." Yakko sighed as he realized he broke the rule yet again.
"I know you probably don't want to, but if you ever need or want to talk about it, I'm more than happy to listen," Max offered. Yakko smiled a little.
"Thanks... that means a lot more than you probably know," He said. Max smiled too.
"You're a lot cooler than you give yourself credit for, you know?" Max said. "You may not be the best at sports, but you are really good at talking, which is more than I can say."
"You sell yourself short," Yakko disagreed.
"Maybe we both do," Max shrugged, returning to the ledge.
"Yeah... maybe," Yakko said, sitting next to him once more.
As they began to chat more about much lighter and happier topics, a warm spring breeze began to rush by and Yakko began to just... notice things about Max. The way his fluffy and wild hair flowed in the wind, the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about one of his passions, his cute laugh that he always seemed to try and suppress, the way he stuck his hands in his pockets, his smile, the compassion and comradery in his eyes...
Yakko could gaze into those eyes for an eternity.
"It's getting pretty late... isn't it?" Max began to notice the sky beginning to turn a rosey shade of pink as the sun began to set.
"Yeah... I guess that means we have to get going soon, huh?" Yakko tried to play it casually, but he knew he'd miss Max dearly. Max's side glances told him he felt the same.
"Maybe you can write to me? A-and maybe... Maybe I'll convince dad or Uncle Mickey to take me to Warnerstock?" Max scratched the back of his neck, clearly trying to play it cool.
"I'd love that," Yakko smiled, before pondering if using the word "love" was inappropriate. It wasn't like he- well... liked him, or anything... right..?
"Okay," Max smiled back.
They stayed smiling at each other much longer than was normal, though neither really minded.
"Maxy? Yakko?" The voice of Goofy called for them outside the room outside the balcony.
"I need to go," Yakko said. "But... I will write, I promise."
"I believe you," Max nodded. "Though... don't be surprised if my letters are short and my handwriting attrocious- I'm not the best when it comes to any of that stuff," He said, getting down from the rail, offering his hand to "help" Yakko down.
Yakko took it.
"I'm sure it won't be any worse than Wakko's," He said.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Max chuckled as Yakko got off, still holding his hand.
However, they instantly let go when Goofy entered the room.
"There ya are- you're mom's looking for you. It's gettin' late," Goofy said, opening the glass door.
"Right, yes.. thanks, dad," Max pursed his lips and looked away.
"I'll write, I promise," Yakko said.
"Y-yeah, okay," Max nodded and smiled. "I'll... see you soon."
"See you soon," Yakko nodded, before forcing himself to walk away (a task that was a lot harder than he expected it to be). Goofy then guided him back to the throne room, where his mother was talking with Mickey and Donald (Yakko figured that was who he was), but she stopped when he entered.
"There you are," She smiled as he returned to her side. "Have fun?"
"Yep," He nodded briefly, hoping she didn't expect him to get into detail here and now.
"It's been great catching up, Angelina," Mickey told her.
"I couldn't agree more. And it's been a pleasure meeting you two, Goofy, Donald," She nodded at both of them. "I'm afraid I must get going, but I'd love to meet up again sometime- or possibly take Max off your hands for an afternoon," Lena teased Yakko, causing him to turn red.
"I'm sure he'd love that," Goofy smiled.
"Have a safe trip," Donald said in the scratchiest, most garbled voice Yakko ever heard in his life. It was so incomprehensible he had to actively bury his shock and confusion as to not offend him.
"Thank you," Lena nodded at the three of them. "It's been a pleasure, truly."
"Yeah.. see you," Yakko felt like he had to say goodbye too, but having not just spent the past several hours with them, it felt awkward. Mickey chuckled.
"See you," He said.
With that, Lena and Yakko made their way out of the castle and back into their carriage and began on their way back home.
"So... how was your day?" Lena asked once the carriage began to move.
"It was nice. Max is... cool," Despite his research, cool was still the best word to describe him.
"That's good, he seems like a very nice kid," She nodded in approval. "I wouldn't mind having him over sometime in the future."
"That'd be great," Yakko agreed with enthusiasm that made her laugh.
"Okay, I'll arrange a date," She chuckled.
"What about your day? How was all those meetings?" Yakko asked, not just out of politeness but a genuine curiosity.
"I half expected Mickey not to remember me, so it was a pleasant surprise. And Goofy and Donald are quite the lovely characters too, very strong personalities. I can see why their kingdom works so well," She said with a nod.
"But I know you really don't want to hear about all that. Please, tell me more about Max," Lena said.
Yakko told her all that happened, not glossing over a single detail. She listened with intent, and couldn't help but laugh here and there.
"It sounds like you're rather fond of Max, no?" She said.
"What do you mean?" Yakko blinked. His mother chuckled to herself.
"Oh nothing, I'm sure you'll figure it out on your own in due time," She said.
"Okay..?" Yakko raised an eyebrow, not sure where she was getting at. However, it was clear she wasn't going to be giving any more hints so Yakko dropped it.
Whatever it was, she clearly had perfect faith he'd figure it out sooner or later, so perhaps it was best he focus on other things- like what he was going to write in his letter to Max. There would be so many topics to choose from, and this time he'd have all the time in the world to think of a perfect response. Honestly, he should've started writing letters sooner. It just made so much sense- Yakko could think of the perfect response before sending it away and he could read over Max's responses over and over again. Maybe he could even find a box to store them in. That sounded really nice...
Yakko thought back to his mother's words, and decided it was true.
Yakko was rather fond of his dear friend, Max.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 The End
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writer-akihiko · 4 years
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TWST Dorm Leaders + Singer!MC
So MC sings and what else to sing than Disney songs? Enjoy a romantic endeavor with your beloved dorm leaders! Covers are linked to the song name! Thank you to my child @cursedtwst for helping me with song choices. 
Rest of the dorm leaders under the cut. 
Malleus Draconia - Once Upon A Dream (Belle)
When he found out that you used to sing in your world, he wanted to hear you sing. He was quiet about it, not wanting to pressure you and especially not to remind you that you have somewhere to go back. Oh no, he had to keep his precious child of man here.
He brought you to his favourite hiding spot, surrounded by flowers in an empty field for a picnic. His close friends also came, bringing the foods and entertainment.
You actually had suggested the picnic to cheer up your Tsunotarou since he was quite sad. He was again not invited to a party at the Mostro Lounge.
You had your own selfish reasons for making a picnic… You planned to confess through singing. Lilia quickly caught on, making an agreement to handle the other two as you get together with Malleus.
You pretended to wander off, tossing away your slippers. Knowing the overprotective little dark fae, he'd follow you anyway.
You twirled around, humming to the tune. "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream…"
Malleus, who had been watching you intently, was thrown off by your singing. So this is how his precious human sounded…
"I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam,"  You clutched your hands to your heart, pouring your soul into your tune. "Yet I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem…"
Malleus reddened at the selfish thought that the song was meant for him. The lyrics only made him adore you more than ever.
"But if I know you, I know what you'll do," You turned to the Prince himself, pulling him out of his hiding place. "You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream…"
As you hummed the bridge, you took his hand in yours and swayed together, laughing in song seeing how much he towered you.
Malleus was too stunned for words. His angel here was singing to him. What more could he ask for?
"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream…"
He grasped your hand, feeling how small your hand was against his.
"I know you, that gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam,"  You brought your hand to his cheek moving away the hairs that shielded his beautiful coloured eyes from you. "Yet I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem…"
"But if I know you, I know what you'll do… You'll love me at once, the way you did…
Once upon a dream."
You hugged the larger fae, nuzzling your head into his chest. "I like you Malleus."
He couldn't restrain himself, picking you up and staring into your eyes as you did to his. You could see the blush that ran rampant on his cheeks, as his eyes panicked on what to do.
You kissed his cheek, him understanding it as a kiss of acceptance.
"Oh how romantic! Maybe I should take this to Cater to edit! It'll be viral!" Lilia's voice brought the attention of the loving couple.
Well, the picnic ended peacefully, save for the embarrassed screams of the Prince as he yells at his caretaker.
Riddle Rosehearts - Alice (Bruna Wesch)
Ace and Deuce found out you were singing to yourself with your precious guitar in the Ramshackle dorm alone. These two insisted that the next unbirthday they throw, you should definitely sing.
You seriously thought they were joking.
Ace stole your guitar from your room and here you were, about to sing in front of Riddle. It wasn't that you were scared no… It was just that your daft friends couldn’t understand the goosebumps you get at the thought of singing in front of your crush!
Ace and Deuce looked at you eagerly, presenting you your guitar. Cater already has his phone out, preparing to take a video.
You snatched your guitar out, deciding to just go with it. It's not like you have to confess or anything…
Riddle's stare at you made you tense up. Has he been looking at you this whole time? He kinda looks pissed… You decided to get on with it.
You start strumming, letting yourself relax, "Trippin' out, spinnin' around… I'm underground, I fell down… Yeah, I fell down…"
Your tone of voice surprised Rosehearts' audience. Starting to feel more comfortable, you raise your voice a little.
"I'm freakin' out; So where am I now? Upside down, and I can't stop it now…"  You stopped strumming. "It can't stop me now.. Oh~"
Riddle this whole time was impressed. Impressed was an understatement. He felt himself become more and more enchanted with every emotion as you sing it out loud.
"I~ I'll get by,"
"I~ I'll survive…"
Your strumming quickened, "When the world's crashin' down, when I fall and hit the ground, I will turn myself around; Don't you try to stop it! I~ I won't cry…"
You completely immersed yourself in the music, enjoying your guitar and the atmosphere, letting your head nod to the tunes.
"I found myself… in Wonderland…"
"Get back on… my feet again…"
"Is this real? Is it pretend?"
"I'll take a stand… until the end!"
Riddle felt the words flow through him…
As the final strums of the song vibrated through your fingertips, you finished your song.
They got up, applauding you. Riddle got up from his high throne, taking your hand in his.
"…Come and sing for me again please."
Well, here goes nothing.
You nodded, pecking the Queen of Hearts on the cheek before running off with your guitar.
"H-HOW RUDE! COME HERE SO I CAN RETURN THE FAVOUR!"
Oh silly Riddle… That's why YN fell for you in the first place.
Kalim Al-Asim - A Whole New World (Emma Heesters + Dan Berk)
Kalim just knew it! You were a singer! His princess was unfortunately too shy to sing a tune. He couldn't settle for this! If you can't sing alone, then he'll sing with you!
Kalim had arranged a sort of music night at the Mostro Lounge. He convinced you that it was a simple date night but you didn’t expect Jade Leech to announce you two as the next performers.
He gripped your hand, smiling at you. Your nervous self calmed down,  repeatedly telling yourself that Kalim was next to you.
The soft melody started and so did Kalim, "I can show you the world… shining, shimmering, splendid~"  He smiled at you, extending a hand. "Now tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?"
He pulled you close, "I can open your eyes… Take you wonder by wonder~ Over, sideways and under on a magic carpet ride~"
Kalim held your hand, twirling you around. His melodious voice made you blush, wondering how on earth did you ever date someone like him.
"A whole new world~ A new fantastic point of view…" He sung out, always looking at you. "No one to tell us, "no" or where to go, or say we're only dreaming~"
Gathering your courage, you took the microphone and joined Kalim in the chorus.
"A whole new world…. A dazzling place I never knew,"  You continued.  "But when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear that now I'm in a whole new world with you…"
"Now I'm in a whole new world with you…" Kalim sung after. His face turned red hearing his princess sing. Oh lovely you looked right now…
"Unbelievable sights… Indescribable feeling,"  You held Kalim's hand. "Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling through an endless diamond sky~"
As you two sung through another chorus, you felt as if it was only the two of you there. Together…
"I'll chase them anywhere,"
"There's time to spare!"
"Let me share this whole new world with you…"
As the final notes of the song fell through, you and Kalim stared into each other's eyes, enjoying the magical bond that kept you glued to each other.
"For you and… me…"
The romantic moment was interrupted by the applause that the Lounge attendees thought that was well deserved. Kalim laughed, holding you up by your waist. "That was lovely my princess!"
Azul Ashengrotto - Part of Your World (Halsey)
[Lyrics were altered to suit the scenario]
After many days of insisting Azul to take you to the ocean, he gave in. Your puppy eyes made him give in. He did bring you to swim with him and the twins. He however, never transformed in front of you. You were as curious as ever, a little saddened that he didn't feel beautiful in front of you.
Jade told you that Azul wanted some time to swim in his octopus form for a bit. You watched as Jade and Floyd swum in the deeper water; too deep for your human self.
Instead you climbed on an overhanging rock, watching the twins swim. You decided to sing… after all Azul won't hear you…
"I wanna be where his people are…"  You hummed out, "I wanna see, wanna see 'em swimmin'… Flippin' around in the waters~"
Floyd heard you from afar, smirking to himself. Oh, Azul you made Shrimpy a little sad siren~
"Movin' your feet you don't get too far! Fins are required for swimmin', flippin',"  You joked to yourself. "Swimmin' along down a — what's that word again? – stream~"
You sighed, singing your thoughts out, "Down where they swim, down where they play, own where they stay all day undersea~"
"Wanderin' free…"
"Wish I could be…"
"Part of his world…"
"YN?!"
There Azul Ashengrotto was, red in the face, staring you up on that rock in an adorable octopus form…
"Azul?..."
You blushed, thinking about how long Azul had been there and probably how much he heard. From behind you, the twins grinned sinisterly as they lifted you up and tossed you into the ocean.
You screamed, but weren't covered in water as you assumed. Azul's soft but firm tentacles had caught you on instinct as he brought you down to face him properly.
"Um… I… liked you singing," He said, unsure how to approach the situation of the Leech twins literally throwing his crush into his arms.
"A-Azul… your… tentacle," You stammered, squirming in his tentacles.
He let go of you, settling you in the shallow waters.
The twins frowned, seeing how their plan didn't work too well. Oh well, there's always next time.
Idia Shroud - I Won't Say I'm in Love (Brittany J Smith)
When shy Idia, your crush, asked you to help you with his experiment, you could not say yes any faster.
Ace, Grim and Deuce kept teasing you on how quickly you agreed, not letting it down and even dragging Ortho with them too. This left you to be quite the tsundere.
You huffed at your friends, "If there's a prize for rotten judgement, I guess I've already won that…"  You sauntered away, crossing your arms. "No man is worth the aggravation… That's ancient history, been there, done that!"
The four joined in chorus, smiling at your denial, "Who'd'ya think you're kiddin'? He's the Earth and heaven to you~
"Try to keep it hidden? Honey, we can see right through you~"
"Girl, ya can't conceal it! We know how ya feel and who you're thinking of~"
"No chance, no way! I won't say it, no, no!"  You shook your head.
"You swoon, you sigh, why deny it, uh-oh!"  The quartet made love hearts with their fingers, surrounding you.
"It's too cliché!"  You retorted. "I won't say I'm in love!"
You walked through the gardens, unaware that Idia had settled in one of the bushes, keeping an eye out for his brother who had been hanging around a weird gang.
"I thought my heart had learned its lesson… It feels so good when you start out,"  You sung out as you walked around, catching Idia's attention. "My head is screaming get a grip, girl! Unless you're dying to cry your heart out~ Oh no!"
Idia turned to the three idiots who were dancing around you with his brother.
"You keep on denying who you are and how you're feeling-"
"Baby, we're not buying! Hon, we saw ya hit the ceiling!"
"Face it like a grown-up. When ya gonna own up that ya got, got, got it bad?!"
"Give up, give in! Check the grin you're in love~"
Idia peaked out at you shaking your head and throwing your arms into X's. Your singing somehow calmed him despite you were retorting the idiot trio's claims.
"No chance, no way! I won't say it, no, no,"  You sung again. 
"This scene won't play, I won't say I'm in love!"  You said again.
"You're doin flips! Read our lips. You're in love!"  Grim sat on your shoulder, dancing and chuckling at your denial.
"You're way off base,"  You said to Grim. "I won't say it!"
"Get off my case!"  You yelled at Ace and Deuce. "I won't say it!"
It didn't deter the quartet.
"Now, don't be proud. It's okay you're in love~"
"Oh, at least out loud,"  You slump down to a pillar. "I won't say I'm in love…"
Ortho spots his big brother from a distance away and mouths to him: 'She's talking about you.'
This left his pale blue complexion burning a scarlet red, as he repeated the whole song in his head that was about him.
Oh, maybe it'd take more than a song and a dance to let the true confession come.
Leona Kingscholar - Can You Feel The Love Tonight? (Landry Cantrell + Brianne Brieno)
Of course, Leona brought you back to his hometown with Jack and Ruggie in suit. As you and Leona took your evening stroll, Ruggie pulls Jack to the side, spying on you two lovebirds.
"I can see what's happening," Ruggie said.
"I can't, what?" Jack asked, bewildered.
"And they don't have a clue," Ruggie continued.
"Who's they?" Jack asked again.
"They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line," Ruggie slung his arm over Jack's shoulder. "Our trio's down to two."
"Oh, I get it."
"The sweet caress of twilight," Ruggie exaggerated.
"Yep-"
There's magic everywhere," He sighed.
"It's everywhere," Jack commented.
"And with all this romantic atmosphere," Ruggie continued. "Disaster's in the air~"
"Can you feel the love tonight? The peace the evening brings,"  The lovely couple harmonised together.
You had been teaching Leona how to sing every time he'd take a nap on you.
"The world, for once, in perfect harmony with all its living things~"
"So many things to tell her…"  Leona sings to himself, pulling out a ring from his pocket. "But how to make her see… the truth about my past? Impossible! She'd turn away from me…"
You took a look at Leona who walked ahead, "He's holding back, he's hiding… But what? I can't decide… Why won't he be the king I know he is?"  You thought about Farena's talk. "The king I see inside?"
"Can you feel the love tonight? The peace the evening brings?"
Leona slowed down, taking you near him to twirl you across the gardens.
"The world, for once, in perfect harmony with all its living things…"
You brought the lion's forehead to touch yours, comforting him in a way he'd never felt.
"Can you feel the love tonight? You needn't look too far…"  The couple basked in each other's warmth, finding comfort in each other.
"Stealing through the night's uncertainties… Love is where they are~"
"And if he falls in love tonight…" Ruggie sniffled. "It can be assumed…"
"His carefree days with us are history," Jack added on.
"In short, our pal is… doomed!"
Later that night, before you rested in your sheets, Leona took the ring out, getting down on a knee.
The rest is history as they say.
Vil Schoenheit - I'm Wishing (Sierra Nelson)
You had stayed over at the Pomefiore dorm to… in simple words… observe your beautiful crush, Vil Schoenheit.
The little fluffy bunny Epel and you rescued from Rook's clutches cuddle into your arms as you sigh forlornly, near Vil's newly installed fountain.
"Want to hear a secret?" You mischievously told the fluffy bunny.  "Promise to never tell?"
You swayed your head, singing in your soft tunes, "We are standing by a wishing well…"
"Make a wish into the well… That's all you have to do,"  You recited, practicing your voice almost. "And when you hear it echoing~ You're wish will soon come true…"
The commotion of your voice called to Vil. He was wondering what was that melodious… BEAUTIFUL… voice that interrupted his skin care routine. There he saw you, sitting so elegantly with Rook's bunny in your arms as you sung like an angel from above.
He leaned against his window, lending his ear to your song.
"I'm wishing…"  The deep fountain echoed back.
"For the one I love,"  You professed. "To find me today…"
The one you love?! Why that must be no one but him!
"I'm hoping… and I'm dreaming of,"  You sighed dreamily. "The nice things he'll say…"
"Ah~"
As the sweet sound of your voice rung out through his courtyard, he let your melody help him continue his beauty care.
The moment you finished singing, he made his way down, hugging his little songbird.
"I heard you singing for me," He whispered into your ear, kissing your ear so tenderly.
You almost dropped the poor bunny as you blushed, being kissed by the one you love. Vil brought your face closed to his, staring deeply into your eyes.
"Only a sweet voice such as yours deserves to be worshipped by a queen like me~"
842 notes · View notes
cacoetheswriting · 3 years
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champagne problems, ch.3
Spencer is in love with you, but you’re engaged to someone else.
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Chapter Three: When I’m Over You: Spencer’s desperate attempt to move on from you doesn't quite go as planned. A/N: chapter titled after this song if you want to listen while reading. Word Count: 1.7k Warnings: mild cursing, heartbreak, unrequited / unreciprocated love, very angsty, jealousy, this series is a real slow burn babyyy
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A/N: omg thank you for the kind kind feedback to the last chapter! i’d love to reply to you all under each chapter but unfortunately this is not my main account.. but i am so glad you like the series so far, it genuinely it means a lot to me!! 
-
A large window exposed the handsome brunette gentleman not only the restaurant goers, but also the world outside. Any average passerby could detect that he was nervous. Leg shaking underneath the table. Fingers tapping the surface. Quick glances between the watch on his wrist, and the entrance of the restaurant. 
Table for two yet he currently sat alone, most likely waiting for someone. A date. 
Yes, Spencer decided it was time to put himself out there once again. To really try and get over you. Unfortunately, he couldn’t ask his friends for advise on how to go about moving on because they would instantly figure out it had something to do with you. So instead he was forced to turn to a source he usually tried to stray from - the internet.
After hours of browsing Spencer decided majority of the tips were, for lack of a better word, shitty and didn't really apply to his situation. Don't torture yourself. Purge your pictures. No contact rule. Allow some fantasising. Visualise your future. 
He was about to give up when one word caught his eye. Rebound. Although the concept seemed cruel at first, it was quite frankly the only viable option. Plus from conversations he overheard at work between his colleagues there was nothing wrong with a little causal dating.
Fast forward a couple of days and here he was, patiently waiting for his date to arrive. 
Spencer was feeling anxious. He hadn't been out to dinner with a stranger like this in some time. He also couldn't help but wonder whether this would actually work.  
Back when you and Ethan first got together, the brunette doctor did go out a few times. Dinners, drinks, coffee meet-ups, museum outings etc., nothing worked as effectively as he had hoped it would. Honestly, it didn't work at all.
Although, to be fair, Spencer didn't try as hard as he could have. He deliberately picked people he knew he wouldn't hit it off with. Self-sabotage. Majority of the dates he went on were cut short by him, and the ones that made it to the end... Well, there was rarely a second and never a third.
The brunette agent looked in the direction of the door once again. For a brief moment he considered walking out, texting his date to cancel - ‘Something came up. Can we reschedule?’. No harm, no foul. 
He should have done that. He should have, but he didn't. Instead the person he was supposed to meet did. And as his phone buzzed on the table, an apology message illuminating the screen, Spencer’s eyes found themselves focusing instead on the last person he wanted to see right now. 
You.
The air caught in his throat. His instincts told him to duck his head down yet he found himself unable to move. Eyes fixated on you. Wondering why you were here. Wondering whether you were alone. Wondering whether perhaps he should try and get your attention. 
You noticed him just as you were about to leave. A kindhearted smile spread on your face the second your gaze landed on him, and Spencer waved awkwardly from his seat. Without hesitation, you made your way toward him. 
“Fancy seeing you here doctor.” You said warmly. 
Spencer cleared his throat. “You too.” He responded, nervously smiling back at you. “What are you doing here Y/N?”
You directed his focus to a rather large paper gift bag you were holding. “Just collecting some things that were left behind after our engagement party.” 
The brunette agent facepalmed himself mentally. Of course. How could he be so stupid to overlook that this was the same restaurant as your party. 
“How about you? Are you waiting on someone?” You asked, glancing briefly at the empty seat across from him. Spencer nodded slowly. “I was yes, but they just cancelled.” “Oh, I’m sorry.” An apologetic look graced your features but the brunette doctor shook his head. “Don’t be.”
You glanced at the seat once again before lifting your hand over your shoulder and pointing back to the exit. “Well, I should go. I have a bottle of wine at home with my name on it but I will see you bright and early on Monday doctor.” 
Shooting him one last warm smile, you turned around and were about to walk away when he grabbed your attention one more time. 
“Would you like to join me?” Spencer asked causing you to spin back on your heel to look at him again. “I’ve been sitting here for the last twenty minutes, holding up the table, so I kind of feel bad leaving without ordering anything.” He explained. 
“Only if you promise we split the bill evenly in half.” You grinned as Spencer chuckled. “Fine, I promise.” He responded. Satisfied with his answer, you placed the paper bag next to table before taking off your jacket. The brunette doctor sprung to his feet and took the garment from you. He walked up to the nearest coat hanger as you made yourself comfortable in the empty seat.
“Where is Ethan tonight?” Spencer asked sitting back down. He signalled the waiter to bring over the menus. “I don't want to be keeping you if he’s waiting at home.” He said, even though it was a lie. 
“Ethan is working.” You replied, a sad tone to your voice that Spencer detected instantly. “Which is why I’m glad you asked me to stay because otherwise my dinner would consist of frozen pizza.” You added. “Don’t forget the bottle of wine that has your name on it.” Spencer jokingly reminded and you couldn't help but let out a soft giggle.
The waiter appeared shortly after. They handed you each a menu and asked whether you would like something to drink in the meantime. Since you had to drive home later, you only asked for water. Not wanting to drink alone, mainly in fear he would blab the reason he was really here in the first place, Spencer did the same. 
Soon enough the two of you were lost in a naturally flowing conversation. Each of you took turns filling every breath with more interesting topics. It wasn’t strange since Spencer and you never particularly had any difficulties in that area. 
You placed your orders briskly, eager to return to whatever it was that you were talking about. Even when the food arrived, if one of you paused to take a bite the other would jump in and start rambling off. It was nice to say the least. 
“Can I ask you something Spencer?” You enquired while finishing your meal and placing the cutlery on top of your empty plate. “Anything.” Spencer replied before taking a sip of his water.
“Do you think I'm making a mistake?”
Spencer wanted to lie and say that you weren't but no matter what way he looked at it, as an ex or as a friend, it just didn't seem fair. Therefore the silence that enveloped around you was answer enough. Slowly, you nodded your head in understanding.
You looked out the large window next to you and let out a quiet sigh. It didn't come as a surprise that Spencer felt this way. It hurt just a little however, mainly because you couldn't bring yourself to admit that sometimes you felt the same way. That there were nights you lay awake thinking that you should have said no. 
You loved Ethan, and he loved you. He made you laugh, he cared for you. If one day you’d have kids you knew that he would make a great father and that your children would get everything they could ever dream of; they wouldn't even have to ask. All of that should be enough to want to spend the rest of your life with him. But there were days, moments, where you couldn't help but feel like something important was missing. 
“Y/N...” Spencer’s voice brought you back to reality. You looked back at him. Meeting his inviting gaze, you pursed your lips into a gentle smile. 
The brunette doctor leaned forward. “Do you remember that case we worked in Missoula a few years back?” He asked, changing the subject. 
Before he got a chance to elaborate you cut in politely, knowing exactly which case he was talking about. “Of course I remember doctor. It was my first case with the team.” You said, fondly remembering the memory.
“Hotch asked you to play Prince Charming to the unsub, which looking back at it now makes a lot of sense to me. You do have a lot of Prince Charming qualities.” Spencer smirked softly at your comment. “I have Prince Charming qualities?” He raised a curious brow.
“Are you kidding me? Charisma, smarts, kind heart. The perfect hair, warm smile, and just overall good looks.” You chimed. The small smile on your face grew a little bigger. “You tick all the boxes my friend. Disney could use you as a blueprint.”
Spencer laughed. “Good to know.” 
The two of you sat there for a second just smiling at one another. 
“Why do you ask though?” You asked reaching for your water; breaking the comfortable silence.
Spencer licked his lips before taking in a quick breath. “You said something to me on the plane back home that I think applies now; ‘Meant to be isn't real. It’s a concept. You can’t know if something is meant to be unless you live through it, therefore you can’t know if something is a mistake unless you give it a go. Fairy tales and happy endings are made only by people that live them.’.” 
Your eyes began to gloss over with tears. Trying to fight back the floods, you chewed down on your bottom lip and swallowed your breath. You couldn't believe he remembered. Yes, he has an eidetic memory but you couldn't believe he remembered.
“You will get your happy ending Y/N.” Spencer stated confidently. “I know you will.” 
“Thank you.” You whispered loud enough for him to hear. 
Slowly, you wiped your cheeks for any tears that escaped your eyes and smiled kindly. “How is it that you always know exactly what to say doctor?”
“Years of practice as a profiler.” He answered. “Plus having an eidetic memory helps.” He joked, shrugging his shoulders.
You giggled, your eyes once again locking with his. This time however there was a sort of shyness surrounding it. When your heart skipped a beat, when the palms of your hands began to sweat, when you couldn't bring yourself to look away, well, that should have been an indication that you were in trouble.
And while you played off the warning signs as nothing more than a friendship bond, Spencer realised that any efforts to ‘find a rebound’ would be wasteful. 
There was no-one on this planet that would come remotely close to you. 
Someday, someday Some way, some way When I'm over you
-
A/N: hello friends! i hope you liked the third chapter!! i’d love to hear your feedback and what you think will happen next! if you would like to be added to a taglist, please let me know. thank you for your continuous support. with love, mal. x
story taglist: @girloncorneliastreet, @haylaansmi, @rexorangecouny, @l0ve-0f-my-life, @obsssedwithjustaboutanything, @aperrywilliams, @sassy-hades, @rainsong01​, @reverdevivre​, @dracomikaelson, @softieekayy​, @lunaofcrows
spencer reid taglist: @no-honey-no​, @calm-and-doctor​
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thatshithurted8 · 4 years
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Sticky Notes
Summary: JJ falls in love with the introverted Kook Pope tutors.  (Part two to Introverted. However, you don’t need to read part one.) Requested by @teamnick
Word Count: 1.6k 
A/N: This is the long awaited part two to my original fic Introverted. I’m sorry it took me so long to write, but I hope you all love it nonetheless. I also want to thank you all for 650 followers, I adore you all! 
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You look in your rear view mirror one last time before getting out of your car. You just arrived to the chateau since JJ asked you to come over. However, you had no idea what he was planning. He told you to wear whatever you want, not specifying anything in specific. Even though you had no clue as to what the mischievous boy was planning you wanted to look your best. Little did you know you could wear a garbage bag and JJ would still be smitten for you. 
After changing your mind on countless outfits you finally decided to wear a white dress with brown buttons running down the middle, it was cottage core inspired. Along with your dress you wore a pair of white converse and a gold necklace that your parents got you for your birthday. The reflection and colour of the necklace accentuated the golden aura that seemed to follow you everywhere. That same aura was something JJ loved. It was comforting and reminded him of how soft and reserved you were.
As you close your car door you see Kie, Pope, Sarah and John B all scurry inside of the chateau, which you thought was weird. Yes, you didn’t talk much, but you always greeted them, they were your friends after all. However, your confused thoughts instantly go away when JJ walks around the side of John B’s van, greeting you with a smile and hug.
Everything you wore took JJ’s breath away, but something about seeing you wear white made JJ feel a certain type of way. Not a sexual way, but a loving and content type of way. Seeing you wear white basically thrusted JJ into you guys’ future where he can imagine you walking down an aisle wearing another white dress. 
“You look beautiful.” JJ says after hugging you and fixing his backwards cap. 
You blush at the boys compliment while fiddling with your fingers. “Thank you.” 
Despite being extremely close to JJ now you couldn’t stop yourself from shying away whenever he complimented you. And despite loving you for so long JJ knew he would never get tired of how you reacted to his compliments. 
“My lady?” JJ asks, sticking his hand out for you to take which you do. 
The two of you walk around the side of the van where JJ previously was and you’re taken away when you see how John B’s yard was set up. You were greeted by string lights hanging from tree branch to tree branch and a white sheet being hung up between two trees, Kiara’s projector sitting a few feet away from it. The only thing seemingly out of place was the van, it wasn’t parked in it’s normal spot.
“JJ.” You softly say, awestruck. It was like a scene coming out of a movie. 
“That’s not all.” The blonde says confidently before letting go of your hand, which makes you realize how much you loved the feeling of his hand against yours. You watch as he walks over to the vans sliding door, he smiles at you and opens it. 
Your mouth falls open as your eyes scan over the vans contents and walk closer. Inside were a ton of blankets and pillows, on top of the soft blankets sat a small basket full of your favourite snacks and drinks and all over the van were sticky notes in every colour with JJ’s messy writing on them. JJ admires you as you step closer to read what each sticky note had written on it. 
You’re beautiful.
I love how down to earth you are. 
You can light up the whole universe with just your smile. 
Colours seem brighter when you’re around. 
You bring out the best in me. 
I feel the most like me when you’re around. 
Jokes are funnier when you tell them. 
You make me want to be a better person. 
I love your perspective on everything. 
You turn towards JJ as you finish reading all of the sticky notes that were scattered around the van. Your eyes were welling with happy tears while your heart beat only increased. 
JJ lets out a shaky breath before speaking, “You know Y/N the first time I ever saw you, you took my breath away.” He says fiddling with his ring clad fingers before looking up to meet your gaze. 
The Maybank boy wasn’t the type of person to be intimidated or nervous when talking to girls, but when it came to you it was a whole different story, especially since he also was planning on asking you an important question. 
“I’m so happy that we have gotten to know each other.” JJ says grabbing a hold of your hand, which he grazes softly with his thumb. 
You nod in agreement at JJ’s statement, but you let him continue talking. 
“You are single handedly the most amazing person I have ever met. And you make me so fucking happy Y/N, you have no idea. So I was wondering.” He says trailing off while taking another sticky note out of his cargo shorts and handing it over to you with his free hand. You softly take it from him and read the words that were written in JJ’s legible, but messy writing. 
The note read, ‘Will you be my girlfriend?’ 
You look up at JJ, meeting his blue orbs, both of your guys’ hearts were beating a mile a minute. You continue to stare into his eyes, making sure he was being serious, after all he liked to joke around with everyone especially you.However, you could tell he wasn’t joking and what you dreamed and hoped for was finally happening. 
“Yes.” You softly, but genuinely say while smiling from ear to ear. 
JJ’s nerves instantly go away when you reveal your simple answer. Seeing you smile and be so happy because of him made JJ even more happy in that moment. Much like you, he couldn’t believe everything he planned and hoped for was finally happening.
“Yes!” He exclaims throwing his hands up into the air. 
“You’re my girlfriend!” He exclaims again, while throwing his arms around you and pulling you into an embrace causing you to giggle. You could feel yourself relax into his touch. 
In one swift movement JJ picks you up bridal style, making sure your dress was covering you fully before spinning around in circles. You start to laugh hysterically at your now boyfriends antics.
“She said yes! Let’s go!” He yells once again, excitement and happiness radiating off of the Maybank boy. 
The Pogues come outside after hearing JJ and they start to cheer and congratulate you two as JJ continues to spin you two around. 
You and JJ sat in the back of John B’s van, cuddled up together and underneath the countless blankets the blonde brought outside. 
“I love this part.” You say, your eyes trained to the white sheet that was currently being used as make shift projector screen. JJ made sure to play your favourite disney movie for tonight which was Cinderella. 
As Prince Charming starts to dance with Cinderella, making every other girl at the ball envious of the blonde beauty in the blue dress, an idea crosses JJ’s mind making him kick off the blankets and stand up. You glance between the movie and then back to JJ confused. 
“My lady?” JJ asks again like he did earlier, but this time he bows while putting one hand behind his back and one out stretched to you. 
Without hesitating you throw the blankets off of you and grab a hold of JJ’s calloused hand. You giggle and blush as JJ copies what Prince Charming does in the animated film and guides you to a pretend dance floor in the middle of John B’s yard. 
JJ’s large hand falls on your waist while his other intertwines his fingers with yours and holds them in the air. You blush as you two start to waltz around the open yard. Your heart was beating a mile a minute and you couldn’t help, but look down at your feet, making sure you didn’t step on JJ’s as you two twirled around. 
“Look at me beautiful.” JJ says as the movie continues to play in the background. 
You look up from your feet and meet JJ’s gaze, causing his breath to hitch at how beautiful you looked under the moon and fairy lights. Your cheeks were flushed and you felt like you were on cloud nine. Never in your life has anyone made you feel the way you do when you’re with JJ. In that moment you finally acknowledged the fact that you were in love with him. It felt refreshing to finally admit that to yourself after trying your best to push your feelings for the blonde away. You were too worried and in your head about him not liking you back. You genuinely thought he could never like the shy and introverted girl, seeing how outgoing he was. 
But how wrong you were.
JJ stops dancing, his left hand remaining on your waist while his right hand comes down to caress your cheek, your hand finding his bicep. You hoped he couldn’t feel the heat that was most likely radiating off of your skin because of him. 
His blue eyes glance down to your lips before looking back up at your eyes that he adored so much. Without even realizing you both start to slowly move in. Just before the distance between you two is eliminated JJ glances back up to your eyes, as if he was asking if he could kiss you. 
“Kiss me.” You softly say, causing more heat to rush to your face. It was out of character for you to be so straight forward and demanding, but you wanted nothing more than for him to kiss you. 
And so he did.
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sepedarodatiga · 3 years
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The Snow Queen fairytale as a motif used in GoT/ASOIAF
First of all, how many fairytales and myths can GRRM fit into this story, seriously?? I know many have written well thought and well informed meta of various fairytale motives fit with ASOIAF/GoT, and I am just here adding into an already huge pile, but it bothers me, okay. I have to get it out there into the tumblr void. And this is not really a well thought and well informed meta (I’m not a folklore/literature expert, not to mention European folklore/literature), I’m just pointing my fingers into the patterns I saw fit. Also, I can’t count myself as ASOIAF book reader, I just watch the show. What I know about the books, I read it here in tumblr. 
But anyway, you might be surprised as to which character I saw fit as The Snow Queen in GoT
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It’s Daenerys Targaryen.
I know I know... whaat? The Mother of Dragons, Bride of Fire as The Snow Queen? Get out of here, right...
But it’s a pun. It’s not The Snow Queen, it’s Jon Snow’s Queen, get it? Remember how Jon repeatedly saying “you’re my queen” to Dany during season 8? Yeah. Oh and Jon is Kay, while Sansa is Gerda. 
What made me realize that Dany is The Snow Queen is when I was reading my son the fairytale. In the version retold by Kate Friend, it describes The Snow Queen as beautiful and terrible. And I was like, huh, just like Dany, especially with the white hair and the all white costume in season 8. 
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Daenerys Targaryen, beautiful and terrible.
And then of course the story went on describing how Kay becomes her prisoner and then I was like, well that’s like Jon Snow during season 8 too.... And then in Disney’s adaptation Frozen, Elsa has white hair with purple eyeshadow, while Anna (Gerda) has....red hair....which is like... Sansa Stark. Then I also remember the illustration on my son’s book which is by John Patience, that reminded me of the Iron Throne.
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The Snow Queen illustration by John Patience. See how much alike this setting is with the Red Keep? Especially in Dany’s vision in HoTU when snow was falling.
So I went investigating, and shit... I mean obviously the sequencing was moved around, GRRM likes to subvert things, but my God!
Before we get into Jon Snow and his queen, I have to start with the other characters first. And I will be taking excerpt of the story from The Hans Christian Andersen Center website which I assume would be the most original one.
Gerda = Sansa Stark
Here is a description of Gerda’s power:  “No power that I could give could be as great as that which she already has. Don't you see how men and beasts are compelled to serve her, and how far she has come in the wide world since she started out in her naked feet? We mustn't tell her about this power. Strength lies in her heart, because she is such a sweet, innocent child.”
Furthermore, her connection with Kay are through roses (they have a window box full of roses) and a song that goes like this:  "Where roses bloom so sweetly in the vale, There shall you find the Christ Child, without fail." Another variation of the song is: “The rose in the valley has flowers so sweet, and angels come down there the children to greet.” She saved Kay with her prayers, hugs, kisses, tears and her song and their reunion literally ended winter and brings spring. If that’s not Sansa Stark (and the jonsa reunion), then I don’t know what is.
Gerda made a journey to the North to find Kay and bring him back together with her to their home. Sansa did not meant to make a journey North to find Jon and bring him back home, but this is what happened anyway. The story even stressed on the fact that when they came back to their homes, they were no longer children but grown ups. On her quest Gerda offered her red shoes to the river to get information about Kay’s whereabouts but the red shoes were given back to her the first time. But she did it once again and the river set her on the path to find Kay. I’m not really sure but for Sansa it could be her betrothal to Joffrey that was then canceled but then she got married to Tyrion Lannister. Her red shoes is her name and her claim to the North.
Gerda then met an old woman who wanted to keep her and made her forget about Kay by keeping all the roses underground. The old woman’s place was beautiful. Here is an excerpt:  “Then Gerda was led into the flower garden. How fragrant and lovely it was! Every known flower of every season was there in full bloom. No picture book was ever so pretty and gay. Gerda jumped for joy, and played in the garden until the sun went down behind the tall cherry trees. Then she was tucked into a beautiful bed, under a red silk coverlet quilted with blue violets. There she slept, and there she dreamed as gloriously as any queen on her wedding day.” But then she saw a rose on the old woman’s hat and finally remembers her purpose of finding Kay. I would say that the old woman is Cersei Lannister who tried to make Sansa forget about her home and her innocence. Sansa was also saved from her clutch by roses (The Tyrells).
Then Gerda with information from a crow, met a Princess and Prince. She thought that the Prince might be Kay, but it turns out he was not. This might be Sansa’s vale arc and the Prince is either Petyr Baelish or Harry Hardyng. The Prince and Princess also gave provisions for Gerda’s journey to the North, so this may be that the KoTV helps Sansa getting Winterfell back. The crow, has a ladylove, another crow and they finally get married and live in the Princess’s castle though unfortunately the crow then died. The crow was a wild forest crow while his ladylove is a tame crow. These two crows could be genderbent into Sam Tarly and Gilly. Remember that Sam is mock as Jon’s ladylove by Alliser Thorne?
Next Gerda met a robber girl who sleeps with a knife and have plenty of pigeons. Yep, of course that is very much like Arya Stark (who sometimes is being referred to as “a girl”)
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The pigeons told Gerda about Kay and The Snow Queen. The robber girl finally gave Gerda her reindeer called Bae for her journey to the North. The girl likes to tickle the reindeer’s neck with her knife. At the end of the story it is told that the robber girl then decided to leave her place and find adventure in the world. Very much like Arya’s ending.
Now about that reindeer Bae who helped Gerda to reach to Kay in The Snow Queen’s palace in the far North. In ASOIAF/GoT, we can connect Bae to Baelish. Make sense. Petyr Baelish helps Sansa get to North and Arya’s knife did end up in his neck. But also we can connect it to two foreshadowing of Sansa bearing Jon’s child. The first is more well-known: Bael the Bard. The second one I think is more hidden and I made a post about it quite long ago: Baelor. Is this far fetched? Maybe, but I’ll take it.
Kay = Jon (+ The Night King)
Kay and Gerda are neighbours and they share a garden (particularly a flower box full of roses). Their relationship, in the words of Hans Christian Andersen himself are: “These children were not brother and sister, but they loved each other just as much as if they had been.” So they are NOT brother and sister but love each other as such. While Jon and Sansa are also NOT brother and sister but was raised as such.
Then Kay got splinters of magic mirror stuck to his eyes and his heart. The mirror “made everything great and good that was reflected in it appear small and ugly, but which magnified all evil things until each blemish loomed large”. It made Kay hated all the roses, they look ugly now to his eyes and also made Kay loved the snow and the cold. Jon Snow at the beginning of the story was a cynical little boy because he was raised as a bastard. He wanted to leave Winterfell and sneered at the idea of having a family of his own because he felt that he can’t have them. So he went to the coldest place there is.
In the story, Kay plays with his sled, and then The Snow Queen came with her sled and Kay hooked his sled to hers. The Snow Queen first, covers Kay in a bearskin rug and gave Kay kisses. The first kiss “was colder than ice. He felt it right down to his heart, half of which was already an icy lump. He felt as if he were dying, but only for a moment. Then he felt quite comfortable, and no longer noticed the cold”. The second kiss makes Kay forgets about Gerda and their homes. The third kiss, The Snow Queen does not give him because it would be the kiss of death.
I argue that GRRM subvert this story. I think Jon Snow was already saved by Sansa before he met Dany. The splinters in his eyes and heart was already gone when he faced The Snow Queen. The reunion happened before he met Dany. The first two kisses also already happened: Jon Snow had died and came alive again, and he also forced to forget about his home and family while he was at the Night’s Watch. The bearskin rug which The Snow Queen used to cover Kay can allude to Jeor Mormont and/or Longclaw. 
Then Jon Snow met his queen finally, but instead of a hooking sleds.... it’s dragons. Jon Snow’s sled was his dragon Rhaegal which are hooked to Dany’s sled Drogon. But his eyes wasn’t blinded by the splinter and his heart were already warm. He knowingly and willingly follow the dragon to save his family.
And the third kiss of death that wasn’t given by The Snow Queen? Jon Snow will give it to his queen instead.
Now let’s go back a little bit. Kay was also given a puzzle from ice by The Snow Queen, and if he can solve it then he is free. He was supposed to spell the word “eternity” but he couldn’t figure it out with the shard in his eyes and heart. In GoT we know exactly who has got an shard in his heart.
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The Night King. And so that is why he plays with puzzle in ice. He is struggling to form the one symbol that would set him free.
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Bonuses
Other than those patterns, there are several interesting tidbits from the story that fits with ASOIAF. There is this one blog said that The Snow Queen story was inspired by another story called “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” which if you read it, it is essentially “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” (the bear is a white bear, by the way)
More bonuses here. When Gerda finally remembers to find Kay during her time in the old woman’s home because of the rose, different flowers gave her different stories even though none tells her about Kay.
This is the story from tiger lily:
"Do you hear the drum? Boom, boom! It was only two notes, always boom, boom! Hear the women wail. Hear the priests chant. The Hindoo woman in her long red robe stands on the funeral pyre. The flames rise around her and her dead husband, but the Hindoo woman is thinking of that living man in the crowd around them. She is thinking of him whose eyes are burning hotter than the flames-of him whose fiery glances have pierced her heart more deeply than these flames that soon will burn her body to ashes. Can the flame of the heart die in the flame of the funeral pyre?"
So GRRM didn’t take the sati ritual for Dany’s rites of passage as mother of dragons from just anywhere, but it is from this story.
Also, hear this story from hyacinth
"There were three sisters, quite transparent and very fair. One wore a red dress, the second wore a blue one, and the third went all in white. Hand in hand they danced in the clear moonlight, beside a calm lake. They were not elfin folk. They were human beings. The air was sweet, and the sisters disappeared into the forest. The fragrance of the air grew sweeter. Three coffins, in which lie the three sisters, glide out of the forest and across the lake. The fireflies hover about them like little flickering lights. Are the dancing sisters sleeping or are they dead? The fragrance of the flowers says they are dead, and the evening bell tolls for their funeral."
Of course this immediately bring to memory the quote of Jon Snow with Val: “The light of the half-moon turned Val’s honey-blond hair a pale silver and left her cheeks as white as snow. She took a deep breath. “The air tastes sweet.”” Well then, according to Hans Christian Andersen, that means death. There are three sisters here which could allude to the three queens at the almost end of GoT: Cersei Lannister (red), Sansa Stark (blue) and Daenerys Targaryen (white).
So those are my stab at it. I would be interested to hear if anyone’s take on it.
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kiki-shortsnout · 3 years
Note
For the intimacy prompts: #51 slow dancing for Frostiron! 💚❤️ Thank you!
Thanks for the prompt! Did you know that is my very first solo Frostiron piece? I mean, I have ideas for longer pieces, but this is my FIRST FrostIron! What I'm trying to say, is thank you!
~~~
‘Have I ever told you how much I hate weddings?’ Tony told Pepper after he’d gently twirled her away from him, her dress floating around her knees as she went. He brought her back in towards him with a smile, knowing too late that he’d pulled her too hard.
Her hands splayed on his chest as she crashed into him, her eyes glaring daggers at him as she stared up through her sleek auburn bangs. ‘How many times have I given you dance lessons, Tony? Gentle with your partner,’ Pepper hissed up at him, kicking the side of his foot.
‘Countless times, honey, and that’s not including all the ones Jarvis and my mom tried to shove down my throat when I was younger.’ He laughed at her pouting, slick red lip, sliding his hand down to her waist, taking a moment to appreciate what she was wearing.
He was reminded of the first dance they’d had back years ago at a charity function, before Thanos, before the creation of the Avengers, back when Iron Man was still a half-formed idea in his head. The dress was a similar cut to the one she wore back then, backless and clinging to her curves, a mellow mint green that suited her beautifully.
‘I wore deodorant this time,’ Pepper told him, her mind treading the same path as his.
‘You know what, that was the very next thing I was going to say, how lovely you smell,’ Tony told her, flinching when she smacked him on the shoulder.
‘We’ve come a long way since then,’ Pepper told him, resting her head on his shoulder, trusting him to keep them moving among the other couples on the dance floor. He swayed them back and forth to the gentle tempo of the music, their stance more of a hug than any recognizable dance position. Tony couldn’t suppress his memories, the specters of their past selves gliding along beside them, caressing them with their shared past.
‘I don’t think I ever said it enough, Pepper, but you know I love you, have always loved you.’ Tony came to a halt, both his hands circling her waist as he looked into her eyes, hoping she could see his sincerity, his earnest feelings.
‘I knew how you felt, Tony,’ Pepper reassured, bringing a hand to rest against his cheek.
‘Not just because of the us we used to be, but for all of it. Standing beside me at the company, not giving up on me when everyone else did. You’re my rock, my best friend, you always were.’
‘What is it about you and weddings? You always become so emotional,’ Pepper teased, removing her hand and replacing it with a kiss, her lipstick lingering even as she moved away.
‘I hate weddings,’ Tony scoffed, drawing away and tilting his head back as if that would somehow make the tears recede. The light above him became blocked as a head loomed over his, black strands of hair tickling his face.
‘Mind if I cut in?’ Loki asked Pepper politely.
‘He’s all yours. I promised Rhodey I would join him in a toast. After all, it’s not every day we manage to palm our needy child off onto someone else.’ She stepped away from Tony, swiping away her own tears as she looked at them both.
‘I take it all back! I was having a weak moment! I abhor sentiment!’
‘You abhor sentiment? My, my Anthony, is my vernacular rubbing off on you?’ Loki asked as he came around to stand in front of Tony, offering his hand with a bow, every inch the prince.
‘Shut up,’ Tony growled, crossing his arms over his chest.
‘Come now, beloved, you have not danced with me yet and you promised me at least one.’
‘Did not, you’re becoming senile in your old age, Lokes,’ Tony spat, but he took the offered hand, allowing Loki to take the dominant dance partner position. There was an elegance to Loki’s movements that Tony could never hope to replicate, the innate poise instilled into him after centuries of being royalty.
Even now, after all of these years, even on today of all days, Tony still found himself faltering.
‘It is I who is lucky, beloved, not you,’ Loki reassured, giving his trademark smirk.
‘Says the guy who looks like…well that.’ Tony gestured to the ivory suit Loki wore, tailored in a Midgardian style, only a few Asgardian tweaks indicating his heritage. Tony reached up to place his hands on the forest green lapels of Loki��s suit jacket, smoothing both his thumbs over the gold embroidery lacing through it.
Loki’s hands stroked down Tony’s arms down to his waist, holding him close as he walked them both around in a circle, his footsteps steady and confident, his touch cool through Tony’s matching suit jacket. There was nothing about their dance that was suggestive, Tony had made Loki promise that everything would be kept to a teen rating for today.
The world around them melted away as he looked up into Loki’s eyes, the sounds of the band, the strings of fairy lights nestled in swathes of gossamer fabric, the twirling, vivid shads of the couples around them, they all faded into a romantic haze that only happened in Disney movies. They’d danced together of course, but nothing like this, not with Loki holding Tony delicately and looking down at him in wonder.
‘I told you I didn’t need this,’ Tony murmured, scared to break the spell woven around them.
‘I know,’ Loki answered, his voice just as soft, still keeping them moving even as he reached down to brush his lips across Tony’s. ‘But I meant it when I said I wanted to be joined with you… in all ways. Your customs are important to me, and I wish to honor them.’
‘I hate weddings,’ Tony told him, laughing as Loki suddenly spun him outwards, never letting go of his hand. He knew, without question that Loki wouldn’t let him fall. Tony’s footsteps faltered when Loki brought him back in, ensnared by the tender expression on Loki’s face, the way his eyes twinkled with both the light of the decorations around them and his unshed tears.
‘Yes, I heard you say that to Miss Potts,’ Loki told him, reaching down to ask him a question. ‘Even when it’s our own?’ The words breathed across his ear made him stop and look around. All of their friends and family had gathered to help them celebrate, all of them proud and happy they had managed to find each other despite the pain in their lives.
‘No, I guess ours is the exception. Husband.’
‘I’m glad to hear that… husband mine.’
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HSMTMTS 2x11: Let us pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents... the reason for my next mental breakdown
I can't believe myself, honestly. Oversleeping on the one day of the week that I've got something exciting to wake up for? Oh well, I'm up now and I'd better go ahead and do this before my dashboard has showered me with spoilers. I mean, I have never really minded spoilers, but when it comes to this, somehow I do. Though I do wish something had forewarned me about last week's snap ending (get it, 'snap'... I'll see myself out). I'd better dive in already.
Yes, Mr Mazzara, that's what I've been saying for a while! Ok, maybe I haven't been very vocal about it, but it was in the foreground of my mind that they should have asked for Mr Mazzara's help re: transformation! I'm just glad he pointed it out. Not that he could have done much while he was busy playing therapist for his beloved Miss Jenn. Oh well.
Were those Ash and Ricky doing actual paired-up warmups? That is what they should have been doing for weeks now. That and having actual off-stage interactions, too. But I still subscribe to the theory that the gang had some good rehearsals off-screen — otherwise there's no way they could have been this good on stage as we saw in the previews. I said it last time and I'll say it again — not everything is for us to see.
Wow. The one time our leads are in unison, and it is about both being injured. The East High drama club must be cursed — they can't have one production run smoothly and without what can only be described as pure unbridled chaos.
They don't have any understudies? That explains some things... but also how? But also, I'm so happy Ashlyn is going on. No way she would have missed her first (first of many, right?) chance of being the lead because of some 'minor' injury.
Ricky and Nini still can't talk to each other properly. Oh well. Take your time. It's not like I care about this pairing anymore.
Did EJ just use the word 'dig'? Boy, the boy's got it baaaaaad. Also, what is it going to take for these two to realise they're in love? For all we know, they might have that big kiss we're all dreaming of and still be like 'nah, it's nothing, we're buddies'... give me a break! But I mean, at this point they might just be turning into Redlyn 2.0, where even a kiss doesn't define things. But hey, if they do follow in Redlyn's footsteps, that only means good things in their future, right?
What did that fake French git do to my boy Carlos? He's not supposed to look this inanimate until right before the climax of the play! Well, I mean, at least Seb serving as his interpreter means that Seb gets more lines for a bit. Too bad he can't go on for someone with more lines in the play.
Miss Jenn's 'words of inspiration' were less than inspired... yeah, this show's going down. Or it would, if it depended solely on her. Let's hope the kids do better. I mean, I know for a fact they will... at least for about 5 minutes of the thing. There is still room for things to go wrong and I'm scared.
Oh, my sweet boy... I wish I could jump in there and do something to help him feel less nervous. Thing is, if I were there, I'd probably be the most nervous of them all, even if I were playing Townsfolk #3 or something, and everyone's nervousness would rub off on me, and I would be making things worse instead of helping. So yeah, I'm kind of glad I'm not there.
Ahhhh who called it? @redlyncentral was it you? Ash got flowers for her Biggie! And there's a card whose contents we've yet to see. But that doesn't seem to be helping either. My sweet, sweet Reddy... I hope and pray he'll be alright.
Well this is awkward! Who told Mike to show up and shake everything up right now? Miss Jenn is literally on the brink of exploding, and now she's stuck in this completely unnecessary love triangle. She needs some space. And a quiet place to breathe, thanks Mr M for suggesting it.
'Did we forget to build a mote around the school or...' Yeah, you tell her, Rick! That girl whose name I never want to pronounce (because it makes me think of much nicer people and she's making me hate it) has no business being there. She's not... being given a redemption arc, is she now? Some people just don't deserve it. And if hating her is an unpopular opinion now, well, I never did care much about having popular opinions. I can live with that.
'Lily, scram!' Yes, thank you, Natalie! I've always wanted someone who would voice my thoughts in a way that the characters can hear them. Make this girl a main next season, won't you? (Just so we're crystal clear, I mean Natalie, not the other one.)
OMG Mr M is in the play! In a way... I love that!
I love, love, love the way they did the prologue. 'Repulsed [the prince makes an over-the-top gesture of repulsion] by her haggard appearance [the witch shows off her face to the audience]...' I love this. I would pay a lot for a chance to see their entire play, you know?
Oh dear, somebody give my boy Reddy some sort of... medical aid against all the throwing up! I've got a nice pill that helps me with my bad cases of motion sickness. Hey, so maybe I could have helped if I were there after all. Great, now I feel bad. But also, is all the throwing up an excuse on the writers' part to keep my boy off-screen for the majority of this episode? Because it's a really lame excuse.
Gina's 'Many questions' continues to be a mood. What exactly is Miss Jenn expecting from the kids? Last-minute adjustments? No way. This spells disaster.
Was Carlos on vocal rest or something? Because he shines like the star he is... despite all the very obvious nervousness backstage. I mean, I wouldn't have it any other way, but... oh well, I wouldn't say it's unrealistic. In my personal performing experience, the most nervous ones perform the best. (So... what is that saying for my boy Reddy? Good things only.)
I've already had the opportunity to geek out about Be Our Guest yesterday, but... I mean, just look at them! Carlos doesn't need actual candles to be on fire, Ashlyn is stealing the scene without any lines in it, Gina is absolutely gorgeous, and don't even get me started on EJ and Big Red looking at their girls in absolute awe! This is everything!
Aww, look at them! Gina and Ashlyn dancing together, I mean. They're sisters and it really shows. And I love them both so much.
Kourtney is an absolute show-stealer! I'm still upset about some casting choices (one of them is in this scene, doing his absolute best with the crumbs he has been given), but she is absolutely perfect. I think I'll rewind and watch this entire scene again before moving on with the rest of the episode.
I'd just like to point out that Frankie's voice in his lower register is everything!
'You absolutely dusted that stage'... Not EJ making a pun so punny even I could not have thought of it... boy is absolutely smitten!
Not me tearing up when Jordan Fisher appeared as Gina's brother... like, I knew it was happening — I knew it even before it was announced. And I still teared up because, well, it's emotional in-universe and out.
Awww, my boy Reddy is so in love with Ashlyn... I mean, who wouldn't be... but — not Ricky saying Lily might not be as mean as they thought. Especially not to Big Red of all people. To him, she was just as mean as they thought.
'Side hustle project in the south hallway'? Ooh, what is it, I want to know now!
Why do I feel like things are a bit too awkward between Kourtney and Howie? Not that I'm too invested in their relationship, but if it bothered me, imagine how it must feel for the stans.
No, Ash, you absolutely do not need to add any fancy riffs to the song! Especially not just because L... well, that girl did it. You're unique and lovely and a literal Disney princess inside and out. That girl? She's just a wolf in a sparkling golden dress.
Awww... Big Red literally lowers Ash's blood pressure! Those two are such an amazing couple! (Full disclosure, though, he kind of does the same for me too; the other night I had this horrible nightmare, and I woke up in cold sweat in the middle of the night, and then... ok, getting too personal there.) The point is, if even the fantasy of a Big Red hug makes me feel better, imagine what his actual presence would do for Ash at that moment. Where is my boy? Everyone seems to be looking for him.
Oh... guess they took my advice to give the poor boy something for his vomiting issue. Good for whoever thought of it.
And we're back to the Porter siblings... forgive me if I still can't wrap my head around calling Gina's brother Jamie. I don't know about you guys, but thanks to my lovely new friend Paz he will always be Theodore to me. I guess we can headcanon that as his middle name. Anyway, I love it that they made a joke about the hilarious height difference between him and Gina because, well, it's the only thing I can think about when I look at the two of them. It reminds me of me and my little cousin who has been taller than me since she was 10, and is still growing taller now at 13. But, I mean, it's not very hard to be taller than me, since I'm so, so short... ok, this is not about me. Moving on.
Was I the only one who actually laughed out loud at Ricky drinking from the bowl as the Beast? I mean, that part has always made me laugh in the original movie, but something about Ricky's take on it makes it even funnier.
Meanwhile, my girl Ash is absolutely killing it as Belle. Not me having the very same expression as Big Red while watching her... gosh, I love both of them so much! Also, no offence to the rest of the cast, but Julia really is the best vocalist out there. Out of all of them. I said what I said.
My apologies to Ricky, but his voice is just not it when it comes to playing the Beast. Still, with the other option being him putting on that fake deep voice from the audition, I'm glad he didn't.
Ahhhh Portwell nation you ok guys? Since we didn't get them singing Something There, this is very much the next best thing... and boy, is it good!
Those glances between Kourtney and Howie, on the other hand... what on Earth is happening there?
Ok, so you all know just how strongly I feel about Seb's casting as Chip, and yet... boy had one line and absolutely ate it up! Give him an actual singing role next time, Miss Jenn!
EJ being starstruck by Jamie not because he's a big music producer, but because he's Gina's brother... excuse me while I sob!
Excuse me, what!!!! 'A big brother figure'? Boy, this didn't turn out the way I thought it would... now I'm scared.
Way to ruin things, Jamie! And I don't even mean the fact that his name is not Theodore. It doesn't matter what his name is anymore. He might just have put a spanner in the works of Portwell, and they were just doing so well! Ugh, I'm so frustrated. I wish I'd never boarded — what did I call it — 'the majestic S.S. Portwell'. What if it doesn't set sail now?
And there goes another disappointment... Carlos' 'the orchestra hasn't vamped this much since Bop to the Top' line had nothing to do with Seblos, and everything to do with what might still be the downfall of this show. I am not ready.
No. Miss Jenn did not just say that. She did not just tell Ricky — who, may I remind you, not that anyone's forgotten, just fell off of a high place last episode — to 'jump off of something high'. I realise she's under all the pressure, but that is not an excuse. Well, at least she heard herself.
Oh my gods... Nini — well, Nina, actually — did not just call him 'Richard', did she? That's it, that's the point of no return. And well, I kind of wanted them to reach it.
Told you, didn't I? I told you that-girl-who-must-not-be-named was evil! I always follow my intuition and it has not once deceived me. Redeem that, if you can! Guess what? You can't. We've just reached another point of no return.
Wait, a bloody cliffhanger? I cannot handle this. I physically cannot handle this. If you need me, I'll be sitting on my bed in shock, trying to process everything that happened. I'll need a while to get a grip on myself.
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pastelwitchling · 3 years
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Cinderella (1/?)
“The death of Alex's mother changes his father for the worst. Jesse no longer sees his little prince, but a reminder of all that he has lost.
Cast away to the attic, Alex grows up under the harsh reign of the wicked man his father has become. He begins to lose hope that he will ever have the love of a family again . . . then he meets Prince Michael, and everything changes.
When Michael announces a ball, and Alex is forbidden to go, it takes the magic of a fairy godmother to make his dream come true.”
read on ao3
I have no idea how many chapters this will be, I just know that I want to do this story justice, as Cinderella is one of my favorite Disney princesses. If you enjoyed reading this even a little bit, please comment and share, as it always makes the world of a difference ❤
tags: malex, malex cinderella au, malex fluff, malex angst, malex happily ever after, so much magic, and kindness, and courage
***
               “Mother!” nine-year-old Alex called as he ran through the halls of his home. “Mother!”
               He followed the lovely sound of humming, like a river in the midst of sparkling spring, and found his mother in the kitchen, standing before the stove, her dark hair pulled back with a blue ribbon and her even darker eyes shining with the sunlight pouring in through the open windows.
               She smiled. “Calm yourself, darling, before you wake your brothers.”
               “But, mother!” Alex whined, tugging at her apron. “I’ve just had the most wonderful dream!”
               His mother laughed, her voice like honey as she picked him up and placed him on the counter next to her. “Have you? And what was it about?”
               “The mice!” he said eagerly. “In the gardens! They were talking to me!”
               “My, that sounds exciting!”
               “It was! Jacques and Gus and Marie – all of them spoke to me! We were having a tea party, and the birds poured the tea for us –”
               “How very helpful of them,” his mother said with an approving nod.
               “The mice thought so, too! And then they said so! And then they gave me a gift for being their friend!”
               “Goodness, what did they give you?”
               “A new coat!” Alex said happily. “Wasn’t that nice of them?”
               “So very kind,” she agreed, and laughed, folding Alex into her chest. “Oh my darling, I’m so happy you enjoyed your tea party.”
               Alex melted against her, breathing in her scent of lilacs and the leftover meat she was cooking for breakfast. She was warmer than usual, but it comforted Alex in the cold of morning. He giggled. “Mother, it wasn’t a real tea party. It was only just a dream.”
               “Well,” his mother pulled back, placing her hands on her hips. “You know what they say about dreams, don’t you?”
               Alex blinked, and shook his head.
               His mother smiled knowingly. “A dream is a wish your heart makes.”
               “But what does that mean, mother?” he asked.
               “It means, my dear, that if you are good and kind and wish with all of your heart,” she winked, and poked his nose, making him laugh, “then that dream that you wish will certainly come true.”
               A door opened somewhere down the hall, and Alex nearly fell off the counter in his excitement. “Father!” he called. “Father, good morning!”
               Jesse Manes’ low chuckle sounded in the hallway before he stepped into the kitchen. There were spots of mud on his trousers where the boots had not reached, and he was barefoot.
               “Good morning, my beautiful son!” Jesse exclaimed, raising Alex up above his head.
               “Honestly, you two,” Alex’s mother laughed. “You will wake the boys!”
               “Good!” Jesse said promptly, keeping Alex on his hip. “They ought to be up early, like Alex! What’re they sleeping in for?”
               She shook her head, her eyes fond. “Oh, Jesse . . .”
               “No, father!” Alex said. “We must be kind to them! Isn’t that right, mother?”
               “My prince,” Alex’s mother cooed, taking him from a laughing Jesse’s arms. “Aren’t you wonderful?”
               “It’s because he’s so much like you,” Jesse said, and kissed his wife’s cheek before kissing Alex’s as well. “My queen, and my little prince. How I treasure you.”
               Alex rested his head on his mother’s shoulder, listening to his parents’ recounting of their mornings, the loveliness of the weather, the absurdity of the chickens.
               If I can have one wish, Alex thought happily, then I wish for this moment to last forever. Alex closed his eyes, eager for the dream that would follow.
               The following morning, however, was a less cheerful one as Alex ran to the kitchen to find his mother was not there. None of the chefs or servants had seen her. He searched outside where his father was tending to the horses himself, laughing with the stable hands. Alex looked around, but there was no sign of his mother.
               Jesse spotted him, and called, “Alex! What’re you doing out in the cold, my son?”
               “I’m looking for mother!” Alex said. “I can’t find her!”
               He tilted his head, smiling. “Has she not awoken yet? Very odd indeed. Best go tell her the sun is up, sweetheart!”
               “Yes, father!” Alex said, and off he scurried to the grand bedroom on the second floor. The pale-blue carpet lining the long hall was soft under his feet, the walls covered in framed paintings of flowers, green hills, waterfalls �� all which Alex’s mother had painted herself in the garden.
               Alex’s father would always ask him for his help pinning them up. “I could never do it without my little helper,” Jesse would say warmly.
               When Alex reached the double doors, he knocked. “Mother!” She did not answer. Alex pulled on the door handle with both hands and went inside. The curtains were pulled back, the morning sun pouring in.
               Alex almost leapt onto the bed, remembered it would be rude to wake his mother so suddenly, and stood at her bedside. Her face was red.
               “Mother,” Alex whispered as softly as he could. “Mother, father says it’s time to wake up now.”
               If his mother could hear him, she was pretending not to. Alex jumped a little bit on his toes. “Mother? Are you all right?”
               He poked her nose, hoping to make her laugh as she always made him laugh. He faltered. It’s too warm, he thought. Alex touched her cheek, and snatched his hand back with a gasp.
               Without another word, Alex ran out. He didn’t dare start calling for his father until he was back outside, afraid his mother would hear him and he would break her rest.
               “Father!” he called, his voice cracking as his eyes burned. “Father, please, come quick!”
               Jesse caught his son’s expression and his smile faltered. “Alex?” he hurried to him. “What’s wrong?”
               “It’s mother,” Alex cried before he could help himself. “Father, her skin is like fire!”
               Jesse’s face fell, and he muttered, “What?” before he ran off without waiting for Alex’s response.
               Alex hurried after him, but stopped at the doorway to his parents’ room this time. He watched, his small hand gripping the doorway tightly, as Jesse murmured something incoherent to his wife, holding her up and pushing her hair back from her face.
               “Darling?” Alex caught. “Darling, can you hear me? That’s right, look at me, there you are. You’ll be fine, sweetheart. Just fine.”
               Alex swallowed. He was fairly certain he was carving into the wood with his nails, but he hardly felt it as he stared at the scene before him. Something that he could not describe with his young mind came over him in that moment, something paralyzing that kept him frozen at the doorway, tears falling silently, even as his father ran to get a physician. Later on, Alex would recognize that dark cloud as dread, for he had known then, though he could not say how, that his mother would not wake again.
                 Alex did not remember much of the funeral. Only that he and his brothers and father had worn black, that several people took their hands and wished them well, that he was hugged by friends of his mother who were always so kind and good to him. He had not cried, for he felt his body had no tears left to give. He stood there, however, long after his father and brothers left.
               The weeks that followed were spent in silence. The windows were always curtained, Alex’s father did not react well to being woken in the mornings.
               “Leave me,” was all he would say whenever Alex came into his room with a tray of tea and butter and bread that he had fixed himself. His eyes were so numb and dark that Alex left his chamber with tears burning, threatening to spill, every time.
               “We have to help him,” Alex urged his brothers who gathered in Clay’s bedroom. Clay and Flint sat side by side, Clay staring listlessly at a page of his book, Flint shredding a daisy between his fingers.
               “Leave it alone, Alex,” Flint always answered.
               “He’s an adult,” Gregory always tried more softly. “He doesn’t need our help.”
               “Everyone needs help,” Alex pleaded. “Perhaps if you came with me, and we all told him our favorite stories of mother –”
               “Stop talking,” Clay murmured. Clay, who was always so kind to him, looked at him now as though resentful. “You don’t understand how any of us feel, you’re just a stupid child. Mother hasn’t just gone to the market, she won’t be back any moment now.”
               “Clay –” Gregory started.
               “—is right,” Flint finished, settling on Alex with the same glare. “Mother’s gone. You’re too young to know what that means.”
               Alex clenched his fists at his sides, and he started to storm out . . . then he stopped at the door. He whipped around, his tears falling freely now.
               “I know what it means,” he said fiercely. “I know that I miss her, too. I know that she wouldn’t want this. I’m not going to abandon him,” he wiped the tears roughly with his sleeve, “or any of you.”
               Alex left without a word from any of them.
               He tried and tried to see his father, to speak to him, even from outside his door, but Jesse did not see anyone. Slowly, more and more of the maids and servants left as Jesse failed to pay them, not that he seemed to mind. Only a few remained, and Alex was glad for the company, for his brothers seemed to rarely stomach the sight of him anymore either, though he could not tell why.
               Then one day, as Alex wandered his room, stripping the dirty sheets and linens for washing – he didn’t mind helping to clean the house and feed the animals, for he felt he was helping his father best in this, the only way he could – he sang a familiar song, the first time he’d found himself able to sing it; a song his mother often sang when she cooked.
               Alex waved to the birds as he passed the windows, and laughed as they flew in circles around each other. He was still singing when the door to his room suddenly swung open with a –
               BANG!
               Alex jumped, whipping around. His father stood there on the threshold, his robe hanging off his shoulders as he panted. His eyes were wide and red-rimmed. It was the first time he’d been out of bed. He looked around the room, frantically searching for something, then his eyes settled on Alex.
               When he didn’t speak, Alex tried softly, “Father . . . are you all right?”
               “I – I thought –” Jesse stammered, his brows pinched. “That song . . .”
               “It was mother’s,” Alex supplied helpfully, his grip on his bedsheets tight.
               His father, to his relief, didn’t seem angered or burst into tears by his words. Instead, he nodded slowly, his eyes on Alex, as though just realizing something. “Yes.” He knelt in front of Alex. “You’re so much like her, aren’t you?”
               Alex’s eyes burned and his words cracked as he whispered, “I am?”
               “She was lovely, too,” he said miserably, and Alex hesitated.
               “Father,” he tried, “a-are you hungry? Would you like me to make you something?”
               “No,” he said, wringing his hands together as he took in Alex’s room, as though it was the first time he was seeing it. “No, my son, no. I do, however, have another small request.”
               Alex stood attentive at once, alert. “Yes?”
               “I was hoping to move your mother’s things,” he said, “but I want them somewhere tidied and proper to her memory.”
               “Oh,” Alex said at once, “I can tidy whichever room you’d like!”
               “I – I know you can,” Jesse said, shutting his eyes as though Alex’s voice was worsening the headaches he’d complained of. Alex pressed his lips together, waiting. “I thought, however, it would be far more meaningful if we could put her belongings . . . here. In your room.”
               “My room?” Alex blinked, and grinned widely. “Yes, of course! I’ll be happy to look after mother’s –”
               “And of course,” Jesse went on, “I wouldn’t ask you to share your comfort with her old things. That’s why I’ve been thinking it may be easier for you to move into a quieter room, one that wouldn’t need so much looking after. One where you may . . .” his eye twitched, “sing to your heart’s content, and not worry about disrupting anyone’s peace.”
               Alex faltered. Disrupting?
               “I think the attic ought to do nicely, don’t you?”
               “The attic?”
               “A wonderful idea, son,” Jesse nodded, no longer looking at Alex as he stood and backed away from him. “Why don’t you gather all of this bric-a-brac and take it upstairs, eh?”
               “Er – all right, father. If you really think this will help you feel better.”
               “There’s my good prince,” Jesse murmured, and, his eyes still unable to meet Alex’s, he turned and left the room.
               Alex clutched his sheets tightly, his heart hammering painfully in his chest. It’s all right, he thought. This is for the best. It’s for father, for my brothers. It’s for the best.
               Alex kept reminding himself of that as he gathered his few things – a flower he’d picked from the garden and placed in a small wooden vase, his favorite book, and his favorite blue blanket. The attic door creaked as it swung open, and Alex heard the faint scattering of tiny paws across wooden floors.
               The window was long, letting in the faint remnants of twilight and giving everything a blue and violet glow. Alex swallowed and stepped inside, setting his things on the floor before climbing onto the narrow bed. The mattress was soft, so he supposed that was good. He looked down and saw a few mice peeking their heads at him before scuttling back into the shadows.
               “Don’t be afraid,” Alex said with a soft smile, though for some reason, he could not let go of the mattress. “I’m a friend. I’m terribly sorry for bothering you. At any rate, I won’t be up here long. It’s only until father feels better, you see.”
               Even as he said the words, Alex’s nails dug deeper into the mattress. Even as he said them, his heart still ached and something like grief filled his chest. Why he felt such sorrow, he could not say, for he could not have known in that moment that his father would never truly ever feel better again.
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pikapikabishes · 3 years
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It's Okay Now(Kirishima x gn!Reader)
Disclaimer: all characters rightfully belong to their original creators, only thing that is mine is the plot. Also do not copy my writing. Thank you
Summary: Class 3A's Y/n was having a jolly day hanging out with the BakuSquad, including her amazing bf of over 6 months, Eijirou Kirishima, even with all the stress piling up, like a shaken soda bottle ready to burst, until said explosion finally happened. Triggered by the littlest, probably stupidest event
Warnings: anxiety (?), panic attacks, not eating for days, mentions death, suggestive themes, a bit of swearing
Mentions: mental breakdown, overworking oneself, starvation, hyperventilating, ugly crying, kiri being absolutely biggest sweetheart, daddy!Kiri breifly
A/n: this is my first fic on Tumblr so please be nice, and if you enjoyed it, like and comment
Everything hurt. My head, my eyes, my chest, my mind. I don't even know what happened. One minute I'm perfectly fine, having a good time with my friends, the next I'm in this situation.
Im sitting in the middle of my dorm on the floor, crying and sobbing over the smallest thing. I admit being stressed with everything going on in my life; with upcoming school exams , training every single day to improve my ultimate moves, and the biggest clicher... my dad's passing a couple months prior.
This whole time I've just been bottling it all up, trying my hardest to put up a brave front as to not worry my mom, who already has a lot on her plate, my friends and boyfriend, Kirishima. To be frank, I haven't even told my class or Kiri, keeping a bright smile as to not hint them in on my life crashing down around me. Some days are easy to keep up my smile, to let my mind focus on something else, and then there are harder days when everything reminds me of my dad.
I was real close to him, we did a lot of fun stuff together; going to amusement parks, going out to see movies we both were really excited to watch, going out to eat at our favorite restaurants.
It still doesnt feel real after all this time. It felt just like yesterday he was perfectly fine, we were celebrating my grandma's birthday, and literally the next day, I find him stiff and eerily still in his bed. And then everything crashing down on me as the paramedics regretfully tell me that my dad was no longer of this world, when I sob into the phone to my mom that my dad was gone, when I listened to my grandma's wails as my mom told her of her son's passing.
It all felt so surreal, like if I go over to see my grandma at her house, I'll see my dad sitting there in the living room, greeting me with his smile and warm hugs and kisses.
I sob harder as I remember all the times we watched Disney movies and me crying at some scenes as my dad happily comforts me. Buying me a toy from one of the movies I adored at the time. Him gifting me a puppy when he moved into a new neighborhood and I didnt have anyone to play with.
My head's pounding, a deep pressure in my brain, as I clutch tightly to the same doll he bought me all those years ago. My screams silent as I try to keep my classmates from finding me in such a pathetic state and worrying about me, my brain not processing that everyone was still at school. I fought to take control of my emotions again, wanting to be strong for my mom, grandma, and my friends. Unknowning of the pace of my breathing as I desperately tried to grasp my emotions.
My stress and anxiety climbing higher with each panicked breath. All those late nights I stayed up studying as much as I can for the midterm exams, catching up to me. I even forsaken eating as to study so I can at least get a passing grade. And the times I didnt spend studying was spent training to try and get my mind to focus on anything rather than fully face the reality that I no longer live in a world with my dad in it.
When was the last time I had a fulfilling meal? Three days?? And the time before that?? I dont even remember, the pounding in my head preventing me from thinking too much. All I can think about is what caused this stupid meltdown in the first place, my frustrations climbing higher with my stress and anxiety.
~~~
Today was one of those days where it was hard to keep up my smile for people. In an attempt to cheer myself up, I made myself the same lunch my dad and I used to make together for later, excited to eat as this was my first actual meal in days.
As I stroll down the hallways to meet up with Kiri and the rest of the BakuSquad, someone in a rush, bumps into me full force, causing me to fall and drop my lunch on the floor. I only had a moment to grieve as I see my precious lunch splattered all over the floor before the person that bumped into me uttered a measly, rushed "sorry" before hurrying on their way, stepping my lunch in the process.
I stayed there in my position on the floor, looking at my lunch with grief. I know it was stupid to start crying over something that can be replaced with something else that Lunch Rush made, but there the crocodile tears were. My heart and mind had wanted that lunch.
Without thinking I got up and ran out of school and towards the dormitories, deaf to the calls of my fellow 3A classmates and the incoming call on my phone.
~~~
I was brought back to the present by the sound of pounding coming from my dorm door. I was still fighting for control, not able to send a reply without my sobs mixing in with my voice.
"Y/n? Are you okay?" A familiar voice sounded through the door. Of course it would be Kiri to be checking up on me. "I tried calling you to see where you were, but you didn't answer. Tsuyu told me she saw you running off upset when I went to go looking for you."
For some reason I sobbed harder, barely able to keep quiet.
"Princess/Prince, please tell me what's wrong, I'm getting really worried."
He stayed quiet for a moment, anxiously waiting for my response. And of course my body betrays me when an ugly sob wracks through my very being, unable to quiet it down.
"Princess/Prince, are you crying?!" Kiri's voice carried his panic and worry. "I'm coming in!" He warned before slamming the door open.
I barely raised my head to meet his worried crimson eyes as his giant frame took up most of the doorway, frozen. His expression falls at the sight of the giant crocodile tears running down my face, distress written all over my expression.
Without saying anything, he rushed over to my side, his big, warm hand landing on my back, immediately rubbing gentle circles as to comfort me.
"Baby, what's wrong? Tell me," he asked, voice trying to soothe me. I shook my head, unable to say or utter a word and I dropped my head again, breathing erratic. "You're hyperventilating, baby. You need to try and calm down a bit."
More sobs was the only thing I responded with. Hearing some shuffling, a moment passed before a soft calming melody sounded through the storm in my mind, along with the sound of gentle falling rain. It was the same several hour music track that I would usually listen to when something was bothering me.
I've always loved the sound of falling rain and ocean waves.
Kiri dropped his phone to the floor, letting the music wrap us in its soothing melody. He brought his hand to my cheek to gently bring my face up and face him. His expression sad as he gets a better look at my distraught, of the crocodile tears streaming down my face, of the deep sadness in my eyes.
Letting his other hand to join my face, he gently wiped away my tears as I tried to control my breathing. "Baby, you have to calm down. It's okay now, I'm here," he said in a gentle voice, bringing me up onto his lap, and wrapping his strong arms around me.
I clutch onto his uniform jacket, burying my face into his chest as I sobbed away, ruining his uniform with my tears and snot.
He gently rocked the both of us, bringing one of his hands up to my head as he softly brushed his fingers through my hair. "Shhh, baby. It's okay. It's okay," he whispered in my ear.
I don't know how long we sat there, listening to falling rain, Kiri rocking us, whispering calming words into my ear before my breathing was back to normal and my sobs turning into sniffles. Even long after I've calmed down, Kiri still held onto me tightly, grounding me from the storm whirling in my mind.
Only when I lifted up my head from his chest to look up at him did he give me a soft smile, reaching up to brush away strands of hair from my face and eyes. Then, Kiri reached over to his phone, pausing the music before turning back to me.
"Feeling better?"
I slowly nodded my head, my voice hoarse as I finally managed to give a reply, "Yeah, a little bit."
"What happened back there?" Kiri asked, his brow furrowed in worry.
Tears were already welling up in my (e/c) eyes, my bottom trembling as I fought to hold back the tears. Kiri reached up one hand to hold my chin, his thumb softly brushing my bottom lip.
"Please baby, I hate seeing you so distraught," he told me, eyes full of concern as he continued to stroke my bottom lip, as if trying to coax the words to come out, to explain what was paining me so much so he can fix it.
"I-" I stuttered, sniffling back the tears. "I miss him."
"Miss who, baby?" Kiri asked, confused.
"M-my dad," I said, voice now shaky as the tears started falling again. "I m-miss him so much."
Kiri seemed to come to the conclusion that I might have only been extremely homesick. "Why dont you go visit him today then? It's Friday, so you can just stay with him for the weekend."
I violently shook my head. "I-I can't."
"Why not, baby?" He started stroking my back again to try and comfort me.
"H-he died! Two months ago!" I sobbed, pressing my face to his chest again.
"Oh fuck. Shit, I am soo sorry baby. Why didn't you tell me?" Kiri asked, hugging me tightly to him. "I would've been there for you."
"I-I didn't w-want to w-worry y-you," I cried.
Kirishima started rocking us both again, his grip on me tighter as if trying to hold me together. "Of course I'm going to be worried baby. I have been worried about you. I noticed you've been distancing yourself for a while now, but I didn't want to make you talk when you weren't ready. God, I'm so unmanly, not realizing that you were in so much pain all this time." He placed his hand on top of my head. "I am sooo sorry, baby."
I sniffled, shaking my head. "D-Don't be. I w-was the one who d-decided not to t-tell any of you g-guys. I-it's not your f-fault."
"But why didn't you tell us baby? You know we all would've been here for you."
I shrugged. "I-I just wanted to be s-strong for y-you guys. I d-didn't want to w-worry any of you."
"Oh, babe." He pulled back enough to look at me. "You are strong. But it's okay to lean on us, on mee. Just because you're crying, doesn't make you weak. You're mourning, and its okay to cry when you're mourning. It just shows how close you are with your dad and how much you're missing him."
"But... But it feels like my fault though," I cried.
"What do you mean?" His brows furrowed again in confusion.
"I... I was there that night. The night he passed." I wiped at the tears even though it was fruitless with how the tears continued to fall. "We were all happily celebrating my grandma's birthday. We were all laughing. And I went to sleep a bit late that night. I noticed how his was position in his bed when I got up to use the bathroom, but I didnt think any of it. My dad sits in that position sometimes, and I know that he goes to sleep way later than me. And when I woke up at 11 the next morning because of my grandma calling for me, I got up to see what she needed. You remember, that my grandma cant really move around that well anymore?" I asked him.
Kiri nodded his head, remembering that I helped my grandma when the two of us had dinner with my dad and grandma. "So when I got up and headed towards her room, I saw my dad in the same position. But figured he must've just fallen asleep... Then I went to use the bathroom after helping my grandma, and when I looked closer, I noticed how swollen his feet were. I... I knew my dad was always sick and his legs getting swollen all the time, but... I-I just didnt think I'd find him like that." I cried, covering my mouth as another sob wracked threw me. "Vomit... All over the blankets and his bierd... A blood clot hanging from his nose-"
"Shhh, its okay, baby" Kiri hushed me, rubbing my back, "If it's too much for you, you don't have to explain anymore."
After waiting for my breathing to stabilize again, I continued, "I... I just feel like if I had checked up on him before I went to bed... Maybe... Maybe the paramedics would've been able to save him..."
Kiri grabbed onto my shoulders to pull me away so as to look me dead in the eyes with a stern look. "Y/n, listen to me. It is not your fault," he said firmly. "Okay? It is not your fault. Sometimes these things happen."
"But-" I started, but he cut me off.
"No but's. Okay? I know I havent known him as long as you, but I could tell from the first time I met him that he was soo proud of you. And probably still is." His words made me cry harder, my bottom lip trembling again as I tried to pull myself together in front of this amazing man in front of me. "There's no need to beat yourself up over this," Kiri said, pressing a kiss to my forehead as I started bawling my eyes out again. Kiri started rocking us again, holding me tight as I let out all my sadness and anguish.
"Shhhh... It's okay... Everything's will be okay..." He mumbled in my ear. "Let it all out."
We stayed like that for the next hour as I let out all my suffering, the scent of his cologne, the comforting words, and the sound of the music track all lulling me to sleep, my mind and body too heavy to fight it off.
~~~
I woke up to a dark room, the sun long gone over the horizon. I blearily blinked my eyes open, feeling my tears dried over the skin of my cheeks. All of a sudden, a warm hand slides under my shirt, rubbing a thumb on my stomach. A face was then buried into the back of my neck, a soft pair of lips kissing at the skin.
"Morning beautiful/handsome," came Kiri's sleep filled voice
"Mmnn what time is it?" I mumbled.
Kiri pulled away for a moment, turning to reach behind him for presumably his phone on my nightstand. Squinting at the glare of the phone, Kiri gave me an answer, "7 o'clock at night, so its just about dinner time." Dropping his phone back onto the nightstand, he resumed his position of spooning me, completely dwarfing my body with his giant frame. "You haven't ate lunch right?"
I shook my head. "Or breakfast. Or dinner last night. Or any meals for the past few days."
"What?" Kiri shot up, glaring down at me. "And the time before that?"
I shrugged, my brain too drained to think of a solid answer. "Couple days."
"Y/n!"
"I know, I know. I shouldn't be skipping my meals everyday. I should eat at least once a day."
"Is that why you look thinner? Cause you've been skipping your meals??!"
I shrug at him. "I was busy studying for the midterms. Besides I never went 3 days without eating something."
"That's not the point!" Kiri rubbed his hand down his face before looking at me with worry. "You shouldn't be skipping any meals or overworking yourself like this." He reached over to brush a lock of hair away. "Babe, my heart hurts at the thought of you not taking care of yourself."
I place my hand on top of his, leaning into his touch. "I know... I'm sorry. I didnt mean to worry you like this. I just... couldn't come to terms with reality so I busied myself to make me forget the pain. On the bright side I came up with this new, awesome ultimate move I've been dying to show you," I said with some excitement, trying to cheer him up.
He scowled sternly at me for a moment before sighing, shaking his head, any trace of worry and frustration gone from his face as a small smile took over his lips. "Alright fine." But then the stern look came back as he firmly told me, "But I'm not letting you skip any meals anymore, even if I have to force you to eat. And you're not doing no studying or training this weekend."
"Wait, but-" I tried to counter, stopped when the stern look in his eyes intensified.
"No if's, and's or but's. Unless its yours up in the air as I fuck you so hard you wont be able to do anything this weekend but relax."
I blushed and swallowed loudly. "Good, now wait here while I go get you a plate. Bakugou's supposed to be cooking tonight." He leaned down to plant a kiss on my lips. Then another. Then another and another before pulling away only slightly to look into my eyes with that familiar dark look in his eyes, a smirk forming on his handsome face. "Maybe I should grab you two plates. You're going to need it for fuel for tonight."
My faced burned as I realized what he meant. He chuckled darkly before standing up and walking towards the door. "I'll be back in a few. And you better be stripped down to nothing by the time I get back." Turning back towards me with a seductive look. "Don't you worry about a thing, baby girl/boy. Daddy's going to take real good care of you this weekend." Then he opened the door and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
I gulped loudly, already feeling that familiar heat down below.
It was going to a long weekend.
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