#everyone be quiet liz is speaking | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ky-yk · 4 months

Text

mistletoe (kjw x f!reader)

genre: fluff; wc: 2.4k

a/n: guess who’s back, back again

but fr tho the liz brainrot is REAL she’s so ☹️☹️ and im in dire need of content for this cutie so someone had to take matters into their own hands

"ahh, jiwon-ah, you're so cute!"

that was the first thing jiwon heard as soon as she opened the door to the ive dorms: your usually quiet demeanor going out the window at the sight of her.

with a big, bright smile, you immediately launched yourself at the girl and threw your arms over her shoulders, bringing her in for a hug. the poor girl was flustered beyond belief, absolutely clueless about where to place her arms and as red as rudolph's nose. reluctantly, she wrapped them around your waist, which only prompted you to hug the girl even closer and tighter.

"i missed you so much, jiwonie, you don't even know," you whispered into her neck, as if you'd told her a secret. the poor girl's eyes went wide and she could feel her face heat up even more. you, though, you just thought she felt even more huggable considering the cold seoul air you walked through with your members to get to their dorm entrance.

speaking of members...

liz raised her gaze to meet 4 other pairs of eyes staring at the whole ordeal in front of them. their looks ranged from surprised at their usually reserved member being so affectionate, to a teasing smirk here and there, to a big smile from someone who's just happy to be there.

"chaewon-unnie! kkura-unnie! you guys made it!" shouted yujin from the inside of the dorm. at her shout, you drew back a little bit from jiwon to peek over her shoulder at her leader. you gave yujin a big smile that she returned with her own, her eyes disappearing into crescents.

your members let themselves into the ive dorm one by one, greeting jiwon's members with yunjin closing the door behind them. with how you've buried your face in jiwon's chest, still hugging the girl from the waist instead, you missed the looks that your members shot the girl. jiwon moved her arms up to your shoulders and finally grabbed ahold of herself and cleared her throat.

"um, let's go in, y/n-ie?"

she felt you nod against her chest.

"are you gonna let go...?"

you lifted your head to pout up at the girl. "do you want me to?" you asked. she immediately shook her head no with wide eyes.

"i--i don't! i was just asking, y/n-ie..." she pouted. you smiled up at her and gave her a peck on the cheek. "you're so cute, jiwonie..."

with your arms still around each other, you both made your way into the living room. unbeknownst to you both, conversations were brewing in the kitchen.

"100,000 won says they're getting together tonight," yunjin offhandedly mentions.

"absolutely not!" chaewon counters.

"yeah, that'd just be easy money," sakura shrugged. rei looked up from the dessert she was making to shoot sakura a smirk.

"wait, they're not together, yet?" kazuha asked. "i mean, they sure looked like they were."

"nope. have you seen jiwon? the poor girl could never make moves on y/n-ie. i mean, look!" rei directs everyone's attention towards the living room where y/n is sitting close to wonyoung while the latter was showing something on her phone. meanwhile, jiwon was sulking off to the side -- complete with a pout, crossed arms, and a giant ugly christmas sweater that makes her look so small you wouldn't think she was just as tall as yujin and wonyoung.

"i guess fearlessness carries over to shamelessness? try being more obvious, guys," gaeul sighs as she walks by the group in the kitchen, trying to get a bottle of water from the fridge. "yeah, guys, the dessert's not gonna make itself," yujin adds.

slowly, everyone starts piling out of the kitchen into the dining room. the girls all unconsciously assigned themselves roles of either setting the table or arranging the dishes. you didn't want to disturb the girls or mess with their flow, so you stood at the side by yourself as you watched the christmas feast slowly come to life with a smile on your face.

you felt someone's eyes boring into the side of your head, so you turned your head in the direction and found jiwon staring right at you. when you caught her, she immediately looked ahead at the spread in front of her, while a red was spreading across her face that she was hoping you wouldn't catch. chuckling at the girl's actions, you walked over to her and cuddled up to her side while wrapping your arms around her waist. you looked up at the girl and gave her an easy smile. when she hesitantly met your gaze, you could feel your heart race as she gave you a smile in return. you tightened your hold on her waist as you buried your face in her neck.

with how close you were holding her, you were hoping she wouldn't feel the way your heart jackhammered against your chest.

ah, what am i going to do with you, jiwonie?

with a clap, sakura called on everyone's attention. "ja, before we eat, i just wanted to say a few words." everyone listened intently at the eldest person in the room as she rambled on and on, thanking her own members as well as the ive members and congratulating them on a successful year.

while wiping away tears, yujin announced, "alright, let's dig in!"

the girls all took a seat around the table and dug in. conversation flowed effortlessly between them. half the time, though, you would just stay quiet and relish in the moment. with your it's not very often you and your members would get to have dinner with friends like normal people your age, so you wanted to savor every second of this.

as soon as the energy started going down, wonyoung went into the kitchen to grab something. you, leeseo, and eunchae were talking about the latest twice comeback when a round of cheers piqued your interest. you looked up and peeked over your shoulder to see what the ruckus was about when you saw wonyoung walking over carrying a few bottles of soju. soon enough, the energy came back up as the drinks started flowing -- maybe even more so than when you guys weren't tipsy.

throughout the night, you and jiwon had gotten pretty close, but only to hear each other over the rowdiness of everyone else (yunjin and drinks never made a good combo). in the middle of your conversation, though, a certain someone's shout caught both of your attention.

"look who got caught under the mistletoe!" yujin screamed. you excitedly looked up, trying to find the damned fruit around the ceiling, until you finally found it.

above you and jiwon.

the table immediately erupted in hollers, with the mistletoe acting like a spotlight on the both of you. "kiss! kiss! kiss!" the group chanted, lead by jiwon's own leader. you could feel the heat radiating off of jiwon. you knew the girl was shy -- she didn't like having all this kind of attention on her. you chuckled nervously as you turned to look at the girl who looked like she was about to cry, face as red as a tomato. thankfully, wonyoung and gaeul took notice and shifted the conversation towards something else.

however, the damage had already been done.

quietly, the girl got up from her seat. on instinct, you reached up for her, wanting to make sure she was okay. before you could even get a word out, jiwon was already shaking her head. "it's okay, y/n," she whispered before running off to what you assumed was her room.

all you could do was watch helplessly as she disappeared. you turned back towards the table, looking on as everyone just continued as if nothing had happened. as you assessed the scene, you noticed wonyoung staring straight at you. as soon as you made eyes with the girl, she gave you a nod as if to say, "go after her." with that, you excused yourself from the table and made your way towards the room you saw jiwon disappear into, vaguely hearing a slap, a groan, and a distant, "what the hell were you thinking?!" from wonyoung.

you stared at the white door ahead of you before hesitantly raising your fist up to knock. after three raps, you spoke up. "jiwon-ah? it's me, y/n. can i come in?"

after 5 seconds, nothing came from the other side. you knew jiwon -- she didn't like being pressured. you were about to turn around and leave, before you heard a small, "come in," from the other side of the door.

slowly, you turned the knob and pushed the door open and peeked your head in. "jiwonie? you good?" you asked in a small voice. you let yourself into the room more and noticed how small the girl looked sitting on the edge of her bed -- as if she wasn't at least 5 cm taller than you. you slowly approached the girl and took a seat beside her.

you waited for a minute, just sitting in silence with jiwon. while usually you would relish in the silence, your mind was racing a mile a minute, wondering how you were going to talk to her again.

until she made your life easier.

"i'm sorry about that earlier," jiwon said in a small voice. it broke your heart to see and hear the usually boisterous girl sound so...defeated. you quickly turned your attention toward her and were quick to reassure her.

"wait, why are you sorry?" you asked.

"i...my members must've made you feel uncomfortable. i'll talk to them about this tomorrow," the girl sighed, complete with a shake of her head.

"no no, i wasn't uncomfortable, i swear, jiwonie," you tried again, cupping her hands for comfort.

"you don't have to lie, i compl--"

the words died in her throat as she felt a pair of lips come in contact with her cheek. she immediately felt the heat rise up her neck to her face and her eyes went wide as she processed what the hell just happened.

she didn't have much time to do so, though, because she felt your hand snake up and cup her other cheek to get her to look at you. when your eyes met, your hand moved down to cup her neck instead while your eyes disappeared into crescents -- her favorite part about you.

but that might just change as soon as she felt your kiss on her forehead.

is it possible to get second-hand drunk? i didn't have a touch of alcohol, but maybe all that soju in the air got me drunk. yeah. that's probably it, because there's absolutely no way y/n is looking at me like i put the stars in the sky.

"i'm not mad at your members because i really wanted to do this, jiwon," you whispered. you felt her face heat up more under your palm. how can someone be this cute?

"really?"

"really, jiwonie."

"...is that all you wanted to do?" she whispered.

you chuckled at the girl. "if that's all you want me to do."

she leaned forward to nose at your nose like a cat. oh, jiwon, you're going to be the death of me. "what if i want you to do more?"

"then your wish is my command."

you took that as your sign to close the gap between you two and softly pressed your lips to hers. for a second, it seemed as though jiwon was frozen in place, but it seems like her brain had finally caught up to the present when she returned your kiss with a lot more passion. you couldn't help but smile into the kiss and tighten the hold you had on her waist -- it was like everything you've ever imagined.

you both finally pulled apart after a few seconds but still remained well within each other's proximity. she was about to lean in for another before you stopped her, your finger meeting her lips instead.

"uh-uh-uh, jiwonie," you chuckled. "not yet."

the girl only pouted in reply. she buried her head in your neck and rested her whole weight on you, prompting you both to lie down on the bed behind you both. your heart had never felt fuller.

"jiwon-ah."

she lifted herself off of you a little bit to get a look at you, attention on you like a cat to a laser pointer. you smiled at the girl before leaning up and giving her another peck. when you pulled away, she immediately chased after your lips for an even longer and a little more heated kiss. you kept your hands on her neck to both steady her and try to control the pace. when she pulled away for a bit, you took that as your cue. "we still need to talk, jiwonie," you said. it was as if she snapped out of her daze with how her eyes went wide and she immediately pushed herself off of you.

you could tell she was getting worried again, and you decided to stop her in her tracks. "ah-ah-ah, jiwonie. it's okay what you did back there, really. i just think we should talk first about...whatever this is," you reasoned out.

jiwon still looked very much apprehensive, but she nodded anyways.

"if you want, i can start first. i very much like you, kim jiwon, and i'd like it if you were mine only," you spoke with much conviction.

"i..." was the only thing the other girl could let out.

you, though, you just kept staring at her with an easy smile. you didn't want to pressure her into anything, and you hoped she understood that with the look you were giving her.

"i...i like you a lot too, y/n-ie. i really do. but..."

"ah-ah-ah! no buts, jiwon-ah. i know exactly what you're going to say, and I'm not having it. you're the most amazing person on the planet, and if you'll let me, i want to make you feel like you are," you tried to assure her.

all she could do was gape at you, so you did what you could do best -- you gave her one more peck.

"alright, are you ready to get back out there? we've still got gifts to open, you know?"

"only if you stay with me."

"there's no where else i'd rather be."

#🐻 — ky writes #girl group imagines #ive imagines #ive x reader #ive liz #liz x reader #kim jiwon x reader #jiwon x reader

182 notes · View notes

lilywily143 · 1 year

Text

The Jock Stereotype Reversal and The Voice of Reason

No one knows how much I love this drone. My view of him never shifted so fast either.

Look, the moment I saw this sports man, I instantly thought he would be a stereotypical jock.

And the whole thing where he complimented Uzi and she got all blushy, it made me think I would hate this drone.

Jock idiot crushes aren't a type I like.

But after his last scene in the episode, I got his personality a bit more. Revisiting his initial scene made me love him more.

One of his first things he says is actually being careful with what he says. He says, "I'd say everyone knows Khan's daughter, but then you might blow the other half of her face off."

He actually made sure to not make her mad about something he wanted to say.

He asks her about her new item and she gets excited and rambles about her plans for the day. And she does shove the gun in Thad's face, scaring him a bit, but he calms down a bit as he listens to her little speech.

He even makes a little nod as she speaks, which does indicate he is paying attention to her before he comments on what she says.

When her plan settles in Thad's mind and he realizes it sounds dangerous, he tries to let her know that it doesn't sound safe. But she doesn't take it lightly.

Also, I do like how Thad doesn't seem scared about a gun in his face a second time. He just instantly got used to Uzi's energy.

His next scene where the Murder Drones got into their safe place, he is the only drones willing to fight them in the group. Even though he is clearly hurt

And he even tries to get the "adult" drones to do their jobs and defend [well more be on the offense], but it doesn't work.

He is nearly killed by a drone before Uzi and N come back to save them and defeat the murder drones. And he's just so happy and compliments the two of them, even though he is nervous around the Murder Drone.

I feel like the stereotype of a jock would try to say he could have been fine without their help when they clearly needed it, but this guy is grateful for the duo saving him.

He's also the only one of the group here to say something nice to either of them, while everyone else is quiet; past the initial clapping. It lets you think he is more open to being nice [definitely more than Liz /lh].

In the next episode, he has an even bigger role with the main characters. He helps Uzi out by grabbing her gun from the safe spot last episode, despite being nervous to hold it.

But I do like how whenever she rambles, he just patiently waits for her to finish.

He also compliments the two of them again for saving him. Even though they are his saviors as he calls them, he talks to them like normal drones and has even given them nicknames. N is "N and M's" and Uzi is "Zi"

The big thing I noticed while watching this episode again, and it's that Thad almost acts like a voice of reason to Uzi.

Uzi self-banished herself from home to live on the outside and she even monologues about how she 'can never go back' which clearly shouldn't be what she should do.

Her being on the outside makes sure she has almost no drone interaction. And the only two are Murder Drones, one that keeps trying to scare Uzi away and the other Murder Drone that is only willing to go with whatever Uzi does and won't go against her ideas at this point.

Thad is the only worker drone that she interacts with before she 'un-banishes' herself, and he was the one to get her back.

He informs her about what is going on at home, how the drones seem to not be taking her banishment seriously. But he does go for the side of their home saying they are just "..more confused". Which is understandable, no drone ever seemed to try and banish themselves before.

The main that he says that convinces Uzi to get back home is talking about a topic she is involved with but scares him, the murder drones.

Thad talks about missing drones and the corpse of a drone 'crawling away' which encourages Uzi to come back.

Most of the following scenes have Thad following Uzi with her plan, which is interesting. He obviously is scared about things with the murder drones - besides the one that saved him -, but he comes along with her investigation around the killed murder drone.

Whether he does it so make sure she's safe, or keep her in 'check' like he has been, or because he feels like helping his saviors; he comes along.

Then he gets captured by the almost rebuilt corpse.

When the corpse tries to fool the two with a hologram of Thad, they don't fall for it for a second. So they definitely seem to know about Thad a lot like a friend.

They save him and he is instantly complimenting them, inviting them to a party of his. Seriously, he calls them his saviors and he just still treats them like friends and not superb heros.

I also thought it was fun he called them cool kids by insulting the corpse for not being invited since "Cool kids only" will come to his shin-dig.

I do hope we see him again a bit more, but he does seem stuck in the side character role these last two episodes that are out. n^n

#LilyWily Post #Murder Drones #character analysis #MD Thad #Murder Drones Episode 1 #Murder Drones Episode 2

249 notes · View notes

jessicaloons · 8 months

Text

Chapter 11:

‘Cause it’s all over, it’s not meant to be…

Masterlist - Previous - Next

"I’ll be back at the end of January, you’ll have almost 6 weeks! And I want you to keep everything in mind. Do your exercises, mediation, eat the right stuff. And really eat it, I want that blood test regularly. But above all, speak to your family, to Charles. Tell them the truth, Liz. Maybe not everything. But at least some parts. Okay?" JK said and I nodded.

"I will, I promise! And thank you, really JK! Without you I never would’ve made it this far!" I said and hugged him "Enjoy your time at home! Have a safe trip! And send some pictures!"

"I will Liz! Go now, I don’t want you to catch a cold! Oh and don’t forget to schedule your appointments with Christian!" he ushered me inside and with one last smile I walked through the door and quietly closed it behind me. It was quiet in the house. Given the early time, no wonder. I took my shoes off and rolled my suitcase to the side. I inhaled deeply, it smelled like pine wood, cinnamon, orange and ginger bread. The typical smell of Christmas at home. The house was beautifully decorated, Mum went all out, probably because the Leclercs were coming as well. I walked upstairs into my room. I missed it. They kept everything the way it was when I was leaving. Just that Mum changed the bedding. I opened my closet, grabbed one of Charles' oversized hoodies and a pair of leggins and made my way into the bathroom, trying to make as little sound as possible. I quickly washed myself a little and changed into my fresh clothes. Back in my room I decided to lay down for a bit, it was only 5:30 in the morning, until everyone was awake it would take a while. Just as I snuggled into the bed, I heard a car outside, it sounded like whoever it was, was driving really slow down the street, as to not wake anyone up, but I knew the sound of that engine all to well and as the car stopped seemingly in front of our house, I was sure. Charles.

I sat up and looked out of my window and there he was, parking in our driveway, engine off, lights out and head leaned back into the headrest. But it didn’t look like he would get out. I waited for another 5 minutes but Charles didn’t move. Was he going to sleep in the car? I quietly walked down the stairs, put on some boots, unlocked the front door and walked out into the cold. Straight to Charles' car, he didn’t see me coming, eyes closed, so I gently knocked on his window and he jumped up. I smirked at him and he unlocked the car, but before he could get out, I walked around the car and got into the passenger seat. Silence. Charles looked at me. I looked ahead.

"Ma belle, I am so sorry! Please, believe me when I say that it wasn’t easy at all, reading your messages and not answering them immediately! Please, please, please believe me! My heart almost broke every time I received a new text! JK said it’s the best for you and I would’ve done everything to help you! Please believe me!" he said and I slowly turned to him, his eyes glassy, he hesitated as he reached for my hand but I didn’t pull it away and he gently grabbed it "I’m so sorry!" his voice was hoarse and he looked at me, pleading.

"But why didn’t you text me after I told you that I knew about it? After I told you that you hurt me?" I whispered, looking at my hand in his.

"What? No… no! I did! Immediately as I got the message I answered you! Told you how hard it was to ignore you! That it broke my heart and that I’m so incredibly sorry! I sent it right before we took off!" he said hastily and I looked up at him "As soon as I was able to switch on my phone again in Bahrain, I checked it for an answer from you, but there was nothing… so I thought you were ghosting me now, not that I didn’t deserve it… but still. I thought it was your decision to answer me again whenever you feel ready!"

"I didn’t receive it…" I said and Charles looked at me confused. "I sent you the text and waited for an explanation, but you didn’t reply… I thought that it was maybe because of…" I began but Charles was frantically looking through his phone as he paled visibly, he looked up at me "What?"

"The message… it’s not sent… it didn’t get through…" he whispered and looked at me guilty "I am so sorry, ma belle! I’m just so, so sorry!" he shook his head and looked down in his lap. I sighed and leaned back, putting the seatbelt on "What are you doing?"

"You know Dad’s rules! When you come back home early in the morning on a Sunday…" I began and Charles chuckled.

"… make sure to stop at a bakery for fresh bread rolls and pretzels!" he finished the sentence and put his seatbelt on as well "But it’s not even 6? You think they’re open already?"

"Most of them open at 6, we should be good. Now come on, I’ll guide you!" I said and he started the engine "Oh damn, we should’ve taken my car!"

"I’m not driving in your Mini! Nope, way too small!" he complained and backed out of the driveway.

"Oh come on! You love him!" I chuckled and Charles sighed.

"I never understood why you and Seb had to give your cars names! They’re cars!" he mumbled as I signaled him to make a left turn.

"You asked Arthur if he hurt your girl, when he nudged me and I bumped into your car only a little!" I laughed and Charles blushed a little "Turn left here. Alright look, they're just opening up!"

20 minutes later we walked quietly into the open kitchen and were greeted with a huge Christmas tree, beautifully decorated.

"Wow, Mum really went all out!" I whispered and Charles smiled "Come on, let’s set the table and prepare as much as possible, then head to bed for a little sleep."

"Aye, aye, Captain!" he saluted mockingly and I rolled my eyes. We set the table, put the paper bags with the fresh baked goods into a basket. And quietly walked up into my room, at the door Charles stopped.

"What?" I asked him and he shrugged a little.

"You didn’t want to share a bed with me for months… I can sleep in the guest room?" he answered a little shyly. I grabbed his hand and pulled him through my door and closed it behind us.

"Your mum will get the guest room, Enzo and Arthur will get the office and you are stuck with me. But yeah, you’re right… it’s still not okay… so umm, take the sofa? Maybe?" I said and nodded to the sofa in the corner.

"Yeah, that’ll do…" he answered and I opened my closet and took out a linen sheet, a pillow and a blanket, then I spread the sheet over the sofa and placed the pillow and blanket on it.

"Alright, I still have some clothes from you here…" I nodded to the side of the closet with some of his clothes and he nodded, then picked out a gray t-shirt and black sweatpants.

"I’ll get my suitcase later. And I’ll carry yours upstairs as well…" he said and turned around and changed. No matter how many times I saw Charles’ naked back, it always made me hot. His thick neck, wide shoulders, strong back muscles and slim waist. As he turned around I blushed a little and cleared my throat.

"That would be amazing, thank you Charles!" I mumbled and climbed into my bed "Now come on! I’d say until everyone is awake, we have at least 2 or 3 hours of sleep we could get." I snuggled into my pillows and blankets and Charles did the same. After a while I chuckled.

"What?" Charles mumbled and I saw his head slightly turn into my direction.

"Why are you here so early and did you seriously plan on sleeping in the car?" I asked.

"I left Maranello kinda in a rush and well… yeah it was too early to ring the doorbell!" he chuckled, although he sounded nervous somehow.

"Oh Charlie bear, have you forgotten that you don’t need a key for the door? Only your finger print!" I laughed and Charles sighed.

"Oh damn… yeah I kinda forgot about that!" he laughed as well "But yeah, it would be kinda weird just getting in here when everyone’s asleep and I don’t know…"

"You know that that wouldn’t be a problem!" I yawned and closed my eyes.

"Yeah maybe, now sleep! You’re tired…" he whispered and before I could say anything I was fast asleep.

I woke up from Charles' phone constantly buzzing, a minute later he began to stir.

"Who would call this early on a Sunday morning?" he groaned and took his phone "What?" he answered it harshly "Oh, hi, umm yeah I arrived. You what? No, no that’s not okay! No! Camille? I told you… no! There is no space! I told you I’d be in Monaco on the 30th and then… no… ugh Camille, please it’s way too early for this now! I will call you later! Cancel that flight. I’m not discussing this with you. If you board the flight, good luck finding a way back home, I’m not picking you up… you don’t know where Lizzie lives. I’m done with this. I will call you later. No. No. Good… bye." he sounded mad and his French was almost too fast for me to understand. I looked at him and waited for him to talk, but he just pulled the blanket over his head and groaned loudly.

"You know, you could’ve just invited her? I would’ve slept at Sissy’s pull out sofa and you and Camille could’ve had my room? Mum and Dad would surely be okay…" I began but Charles pulled the blanket away.

"Absolutely not! This is Christmas! Our Christmas! And she… she’s not a part of the family! And we wanted to have a family Christmas! I didn’t invite her for a reason!" Charles looked at me and I just nodded "I want to spend time with you and not her… I haven’t seen you for more than a month…"

"Okay, Charlie bear… come on. I think the others are awake!" I nodded and got up, internally thanking him for not inviting her.

As we walked down the stairs I could hear my parents, Sissy and Liam wondering who set up the table.

"That would be us…" I said, walking through the door and they all flinched.

"Lizziiiiieeeee!" Liam shrieked and jumped off the chair and ran straight up to me, but he abruptly stopped in front of me "Hug?" he almost whispered and I bent down, hoisting him up in my arms and he giggled as he buried his face in the crook of my neck "I missed you sooooo much!" he whispered and I kissed his cheek.

"I missed you too!" I said.

"I missed you three!" Charles behind me said and Liam looked up.

"Charlie!!!" he almost jumped out of my arms, straight into Charles, who happily hugged him tight "I missed you too, Charlie!"

"When did you guys arrive?" Dad asked and hugged me. "It’s so good to see you, this healthy and strong little owl!" he whispered and then he kissed my temple.

"I don’t know? Around 4, half past 4 JK dropped me off and not even an hour later Charles arrived!" I answered and hugged Mum, who had tears in her eyes.

"Oh my beautiful girl. Look at you!" she sobbed and I laughed.

"Why are you crying? I’m good! More than good!" I laughed and she just shook her head and kissed my cheek.

"The last time we saw you, you couldn’t walk without crutches, you idiot!" Sissy laughed and hugged me. I rolled my eyes and looked at Charles, who still held Liam in his arms, hugging Mum and Dad, then Sissy.

"We thought you were coming with the rest this afternoon." Dad said to Charles.

"Yeah well, I decided to drive straight here from Maranello instead of home and then flying." Charles shrugged his shoulders and Dad nodded.

"At least you followed the rules." Sissy laughed and pointed at the paper bags from the bakery.

"We knew, we’d be in trouble if not." Charles laughed and tickled Liam a little "What’s going on, Bubba? You turned into a little monkey?"

"He, umm he’s a little sad…" Sissy whispered and I looked at her "So his nursery school had this Christmas party yesterday, but Liam wasn’t allowed to go… he had some trouble with some of the other kids…"

"What did they do?" Charles and I said at the same time and Mum and Dad chuckled, as they grabbed the rest of the food from the fridge.

"He wanted to play with one of the boys, he seemed to like him, they played and all was fine but then the boy wanted them to play with some other kids as well… and yeah he didn’t get along with them and it got a little heated." Sissy explained and Liam only hugged Charles tighter.

"They were mean and I didn’t like them and when the older boy didn’t stop saying mean things to me, I pushed him. He fell and hit his arm and then he cried." Liam whispered.

"What did he say to you?" I asked him but he just shook his head "How much older is he?"

"I’m in the mice group, he’s in the bear group…" he answered and Charles' nose scrunched up adorably.

"What does that mean?" he asked, confused .

"Kids in the mice group are the youngest, 1.5-3 years old, cheetahs are between 3 and 4.5 and bears are around 4.5 to 6 years old." Sissy explained and Charles nodded.

"So one of the older kids picks on him, he defends himself and then he’s not allowed to go to the Christmas party?" I summarised and Liam nodded "That’s unfair!"

"It is what it is…" Sissy said and we sat down, Liam not moving away from Charles.

"I’d say we throw our own bigger and even better Christmas party then!" I said and Charles tickled Liam and he giggled.

"How does that sound, little monkey?" Charles asked and Liam nodded "Then it’s settled."

"That is Chase! He’s the leader of the pups! No Ryder is the leader but Chase also! Because he’s the police dog! And that is Marshall, he’s the firefighter dog! He’s also cool but Chase is my favourite! Oh and that is Rubble, Skye oh oh and Rocky!" Liam was full of enthusiasm when he explained to Charles the different characters in his new favourite show, Paw Patrol, a Christmas edition playing on the tv. Both boys on the sofa, Liam sitting in Charles lap and both cuddled up under a blanket. I was watching them when I helped Mum and Sissy prepare some snacks for the evening, when Pascale, Lorenzo and Arthur arrived.

"He really missed you, both of you… he was talking all the time about you! And how many times did I find him hiding in your room!" my sister told me and I smiled, I missed him as well. Although I loved both of my nephews equally, Liam living here with us since he was born, seeing him almost daily, brought us so much closer than me and Benji, who I only saw every other week, due to the fact that Marcus lived in Munich. And not seeing Liam for more than 3 months was really hard and I was more than happy to be back again.

"I missed him as well, that’s why I plan on spending as much time as possible with him."

"Then go ahead and start now with it. We’re done here and I have to wrap up the last gifts!" Mum said and washed her hands, Sissy nodded and did the same.

"Alright, then I’d say I watch Paw Patrol as well!" I dried my hands off at the towel Mum handed me and walked over to the boys.

"Is there some space left for me?" I asked and Charles held up his arm and I sat next to him, snuggling into his side as Liam stretched his hand out for me to take "So Charles? Who is your favourite?"

Liam looked up at him, awaiting his answer.

"I have to say Chase! He’s a police dog! He has a gun that shoots tennis balls and a net! He is pretty cool!" he answered and Liam nodded enthusiastically "And who is your favourite character?"

"Easy! Ryder, he’s cute!" I laughed and Liam made a disgusted face.

"Eww… he’s only 10!" Charles whispered and I laughed.

"He’s not cute! He’s a fearless leader!" Liam wasn’t happy with my answer "You have to pick a dog!"

"Okay, okay! Who is that? The Husky?" I asked.

"That’s Everest!" Liam explained.

"She’s my favourite because I love Huskies!" I answered and Liam nodded.

"Good choice!" he said and Charles chuckled.

"Very good choice, ma belle!" he said and I just smiled and watched the Paw Patrol save Christmas.

I saw Charles checking his phone, for the tenth time in the last couple of minutes, he tensed up a little and sighed. It seemed like Camille didn’t stop asking him to invite her over. I was about to say something as he gently nudged Liam and sat him down next to him.

"Lizzie, we need to talk… umm alone?" he almost whispered and I looked at him curiously.

"Sure? Everything alright?" I asked and got up, walking to the stairs, but he didn’t answer, he just followed me upstairs.

In my room I sat down on my bed as he was pacing back and forth in front of me.

"Charles? What’s going on?" I asked him and he stopped, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He sat down next to me, taking my hand in his.

"I left Maranello last night in a rush, because I found something out… I was mad, no, furious, but I couldn’t do anything about it…" he began as I got the notification that I received a new email on my phone and he sighed "That email… it’s from Massimo and Mattia… it’s about your involvement in the FDA… they umm… they-"

"They kicked me out." I finished his sentence and he looked up at me.

"How did you know?" his voice was almost a whisper.

"In the first weeks after the accident, they regularly checked in on me. But it got less and less and now they haven’t checked in on me for more than a month… so yeah, I just figured they would kick me out." I answered and looked down.

"I’m so sorry, ma belle! I told them that it’s a mistake and totally unfair but they wouldn’t listen to me…" he said and pulled me in a tight embrace.

"It’s not your fault, Charlie. It’s okay. I will get along without them." I whispered and he nodded.

"And I will help you as much as I can! They will regret kicking you out!" he said and I chuckled.

"Thank you, for telling me, and not finding out through an email!" I said.

"They will post a statement as well…" he groaned and I sighed.

"Didn’t expect anything less from them."

The real party began when the rest of the Leclercs arrived in the evening. After the shock of me being sacked by the FDA, some harsh words from Dad, Lorenzo and Arthur against the FDA and Ferrari and some comforting words from Mum and Pascale we finally all sat together for a long time, playing board games, telling old and new stories, laughing and even singing together. I looked at Charles to see that he was typing away on his phone, looking annoyed.

"What’s going on, Charlie?" I asked him quietly and he sighed.

"Just some people asking me about the FDA thing." he said and put his phone back into his pocket.

"Stop thinking about it, it’s okay!" I reassured him and squeezed his arm. It was not okay, I really thought I could count on their support, but I was clearly wrong. It hurt that they seemed to lost faith in me, but it only motivates me more to show them that they made a huge mistake.

"Come on, Liam, time for bed!" Sissy got up but Liam protested.

"No! I wanna stay up longer! Pleaaaseee Mami!" he whined but she shook her head.

"Little man, you’re already way past your bedtime! Up we go!" she said, mastering her mum voice.

"That is so unfair! What a shit!" he cursed and I almost choked on my tea.

"Liam!" Sissy exclaimed shocked and I had to do my best to not burst into laughter, looking around the table I wasn’t the only one, Dad drinking hastily from his beer, Lorenzo doing the same with his wine, Arthur fake yawning covering his mouth with his hand, Charles just tried really hard to look as normal as possible.

"What? It’s a shit!" Liam said again and got up, I let out a mix between laughter, coughing and clearing my throat.

"Stop saying that!" Sissy reprimanded him but he just rolled his eyes and I lost it, bursting out laughing "You’re the worst!" Sissy looked at me disapprovingly. But as Dad and Arthur broke as well she just sighed "Great. Just great." she shook her head "Say good night to the traitors!"

"Hey! I didn’t do anything!" Charles next to me said, voice so thin from holding his breath so long, Sissy just glared at him before she chuckled herself a little. Liam made it around the table, hugging all of us good night.

"Good night, Bubba. Tomorrow I’ll teach you to say it in Italian and French, so Mami can’t reprimand you again!" I chuckled and kissed his cheek and he giggled.

"I’d say I can help you with that, your Italian isn’t the best!" Charles whispered and Liam hugged him even tighter "Good Night my little monkey!" with a last kiss on his forehead he walked off, taking his mothers outstretched hand.

The next few days we all spent together, playing more board games, cooking together, having a snowball fight as it finally began to snow heavily. It was the day before Christmas Eve, Dad, Lorenzo, Arthur and Liam playing in the garden, competing who made the better snowman. Mum, Pascale and Sissy were out for a last trip of grocery shopping for the next few days and Charles and I stood in the kitchen, baking batch after batch of plain cookies, for us all to decorate later.

"Oh come on! It’s going to be fun! Joris is there, Riccardo and Marta, Antonio is coming as well! A bunch of other people that you know!" Charles said as I rolled out the dough.

"I don’t know Charles… I’m back after such a long time, I don’t want to leave again this fast!" I said and he used the different cookie cutters.

"It’s just for 6 days and then we’re flying anyway to Thailand! So come on! Please! Not celebrating the new year with you last time felt so wrong!" he said and I scoffed.

"Yeah?" I said and he looked at me with big eyes.

"Yeah! It did! So please! Please! We’re leaving on the 30th and on the 4th we’re already off!" he took my hands in his, smiling at me.

"I’m just… I’m just afraid I am ruining it, if I get sick because of the boat bla bla you know I’m getting dizzy and lightheaded real fast since… so yeah. I don’t know…" I sighed.

"There’s a cabin, just for you, if you feel dizzy or anything just tell me and we go there for you to calm down! I promise!" he almost pleaded and I swallowed hard before I nodded "Is that a yes?"

"Yes! It’s a yes…" I mumbled and he hugged me!

"Thank you so much, ma belle!" he whispered.

"But Charlie, you seriously need to stop calling me that… don’t look at me like that! In front of Camille at least! It probably hurts her, so please stop…" I’ve seen the way she looked at me, sending me death glares, whenever he used it in front of her. I don’t need that on a boat, in the middle of the ocean.

"Ugh, fine! I’ll try my best!" he said and I nodded thankfully, one reason less for her to be nasty to me, hopefully she will be busy with her friends and will ignore me. Being on a boat with her made me more than anxious. I was deep in my thoughts as the timer reminded us of the current tray full of cookies in the oven. I walked over and looked at them, then opened the door deciding they’re done and grabbing the tray without thinking.

"Lizzie! Oven mitts!" Charles shouted, but before I could register it I already touched the tray and hissed in pain.

"Fuck!" I exclaimed and flinched. Fingertips of my index and middle finger burning like crazy, throbbing pain erupting. Charles was next to me in an instant, grabbed the tray with oven mitts and put it next to the oven on the counter, then closed the oven and turned back around to me. He gently pulled me to the sink, holding my burned fingers under the cold water stream. I let out a small whimper when the stream hit my fingers and held my breath.

"Breathing, ma belle." Charles whispered and I nodded. He walked over to the fridge and rummaged around in it, then opened the cabinet next to it and pulled out a box putting his collectibles on the countertop of the kitchen island.

"Alright, let me see." he stepped next to me and looked at my fingertips, both sporting an angry red burn mark. He switched the water off and gently patted my fingertips dry with a towel, he nudged my shoulder and I followed him to the kitchen island, where he pushed me gently against it and then grabbed my thighs and lifted me up to sit on it. He proceeded to pad dry my fingers until they were completely dry and then unscrewed the top of the burn ointment tube, gently applied a generous amount of the cooling and soothing gel on my fingers. I took a deep breath at the immediate pain relief, some stray tears were escaping my eyes. Charles searched through the box, looking for some band aids, after he found the needed sizes he took my hand in his, carefully bandaging the burnt fingers. As he was done, he looked up at me and wiped the tears off my cheeks.

"Does it feel better?" he asked quietly and I nodded.

"Yeah, thank you, Charlie!" I sniffled and he helped me down the counter, pulling me into him, he kissed my temple.

"Always, Lizzie, always!" he whispered against my head and we stood like this for a while, breathing each other in, as we heard the screen door opening, we jumped a little, bringing some space between us. I turned away from Charles, feeling my cheeks blush.

We later all sat around the table decorating our cookies with icing, different sprinkles and other toppings. Due to my bandaged fingers I couldn’t do the icing how I wanted it too, but just sitting here, surrounded by my family, laughing and joking, decorating cookies, brought me so much joy. To think how only 3 months ago I thought I’d probably never be happy again. Unbelievable.

The next day, we decided to make a trip to the old karting track, visiting Hans who was excited to see us again. The boys all geared up for some laps and Liam wanted to join in.

"You’re a little too young to drive alone, but you can ride a few laps with me!" Charles said and he was overly excited.

Dad and I stood at the side, watching the boys have fun, breezing past us, but driving very carefully due to Liam who was sitting between Charles legs. He steered the kart at some slow corners, Charles teaching him exactly when and how to turn.

"You’ll be driving one in no time, you’ll see!" Dad whispered next to me as he pulled me into his side, after seeing my eyes well up a little. I only nodded, throat too tight to speak. I didn’t expect coming here would be so emotional, but it was.

"I really hope so, Dad!" I mumbled and he only chuckled.

"Lizzie, you can walk almost perfectly again, you even could carry Liam around. Give it some more time and you’ll be back!" he said confidently and I nodded.

"You’re right. I’ll be back!" I said determined and cheered as Charles and Liam crossed the finish line first.

Back home we all prepared for dinner and in typical German tradition we were exchanging presents shortly after. As we were unpacking them, a lot of hugs and kisses and laughter and thank yous were exchanged. Later we all sat cuddled up on the sofa, watching Home Alone with a cup of hot chocolate and some of our cookies. The perfect Christmas.

As the 30th came closer and closer my anxiety of meeting Camille again began to get bigger with each minute, as it felt and I was thinking about chicken out. But I knew that Charles wouldn’t believe me when I would say that being on a yacht was my biggest concern. He would want to know the real reason and I told myself I’ll talk to him after our holiday. First I wanted to spend some good quality time with him, before I had to break to him that his girlfriend was one of the main reasons for my crippling anxiety. I just had to get over one evening with her. On a boat. I could surely avoid her, right? I could do that.

"What am I wearing on a yacht on New Year's Eve, Shima?" I asked her as I was packing and needed help with my outfit.

"What do you got?" she asked and I walked over to my closet "And do you have a dress code?"

"Charles said not to over the top… that helps totally… not! So I asked what he’s wearing and he said Jeans and button down shirt. I checked in with Marta and she said she would maybe wear a casual, but nice dress. Classy but not to over the top… Why can’t Monegasque people be a bit more precise!" I groaned and I heard Shima’s chuckling through the speaker "Not funny!"

"Okay, so dress or no dress?" Shima asked.

"No dress." I answered and she was quiet for a moment.

"Ouuuuhhh! I have an idea! The jumpsuit! The black one! It’s classy, elegant but not to over the top!" Shima said and I thought for a second.

"My sister has it, wait I gotta go to hers. I need to see if it still fits me!" I said and walked downstairs to the door into the little mud room between kitchen and garage where I took the stairs up into my sisters loft.

"Where’s the rest of the fam?" Shima asked as I walked through the loft into my sister's bedroom.

"They’re not at home, the mums are shopping, the boys are karting." I answered

"Why didn’t you go with them? Too tough?" she asked empathically.

"Yup, it wasn’t easy last week so a no for today!" I sighed "Wait, I’ll try it on and send you a selfie…"

"What’s the verdict? Good enough? Not too casual? Not too over the top?" I asked nervously

"Approved! Lizzie, giiirl! You look so damn good! What shoes? Hair and make-up?" she asked and I laughed.

"I don’t know? Probably just leave my hairs open? Little bit curled? Well make-up wise, like always? Just a little eyeliner and maybe some nude lipstick? As for shoes… you know I don’t mind heels but I don’t think that I can walk in them right now? I thought maybe some sweet, flat sandals?" I thought out loud, thinking about how everything looked together. With Camille there I didn’t want to look like I didn’t care about my looks. I just didn’t want to give her more reasons to pick on me, which I was sure she would do.

"Sounds good! No really Lizzie, you’ll look great! That’s the perfect mix!" she said and I smiled.

"The only thing that bothers me about the jumpsuit is that it has like a cut out on the back? And I’m scared that it will slip a little when I’m moving and show my… my… you know…" I said quietly.

"Lizzie! With all due respect, you should wear these scars with pride! They show how strong you are! They should only remind you that you almost died but you’re still here! Against all odds! ! You should wear them like a shield!" she said with a strong voice.

"You’re right! Thanks!" I had the best friends.

Charles POV:

Lorenzo and I took the car back to Monaco, Lizzie, Arthur and Mum were flying. The whole ride I thought about the best way to break-up with Camille. I initially planned on doing it after Portimaõ, but she started to talk about New Years Eve and how excited she was. She had the idea of renting a yacht to celebrate with our closest friends months ago, she planned it all by herself and was always so happy and excited when she showed me the newest plans. I just didn’t have the heart to break up with her before that, not after she put so much effort into it. Seeing her this happy made it hard for me to break her heart like this. After all, she didn’t deserve this. So I planned to wait until after New Year's Eve. Let her have this day, let her bask in the moment, she worked so hard for. And then I’ll break her heart. Doesn’t sound much better.

"You’re awfully quiet." Lorenzo said after a long while of silence and I swallowed hard.

"Yeah, a lot is going on in my head…" I sighed and he chuckled.

"Camille?" he asked and I looked at him "Oh come on, I’m your brother! I know what’s going on in your head. At least some of it."

"You do? Then help me sort it out…" I said and he laughed.

"I can’t tell you what to do, Charles." he looked at me "But you’re smart, you figure it out."

"I already have… it’s just… I don’t want to hurt her." I said hesitantly.

"Who? Camille?" he asked and I nodded.

"Who else?" I replied.

"Maybe you’re not that smart…" he said under his breath and I looked at him "Why do you think you will hurt Camille?"

"Because I’m going to break up with her… after New Years, I’ll have her over and explain everything to her.." I answered.

"Smart boy…" he chuckled.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes.

I just had to get New Years over with, let her have a day or two to relax afterwards and then have a conversation with her, I could do that. But I dreaded it. So much.

I felt dizzy, it probably wasn’t the best idea coming onto a yacht in my condition, but I promised it to Charles and now I couldn’t chicken out anymore. Big mistake. The constant whispers from Camille and her friends, the swaying of the yacht, it all was too much. I needed my medics and I needed them now. I got up from the lounger and walked to the stairs as I heard Camille and her friends talking downstairs, probably sitting in the lounge. I quietly walked down the stairs.

"Oh come on, why is she always hanging around him! Like she has no one else to talk to? And did you see her back? The scars? Eww! I would never ever again walk around in clothes so you could see it! Disgusting!" Camille sounded annoyed and I quietly sneaked away, almost bumping into Joris. He looked at me with sad eyes, and I knew he had heard what Camille and her friends said about me, but I just sent him my best fake smile and walked away. I quickly walked past Camille, trying to get into the cabin without being noticed.

"There you are, ma belle!" Charles almost yelled and I saw out of the corner of my eyes how Camille glared at me. He was drunk. I’ve never seen him this drunk before.

"Charles, I thought we talked about this… stop calling me that when your girlfriend is around!" I said it quietly and he only shrugged his shoulders.

"But you’re ma belle! And that’s your name! I always call you that? What am I supposed to say?" he asked and his confused look was just too adorable.

"My name, Lizzie. Remember?" I laughed and he shook his head.

"Lizzie is only for the others! But for me it’s ma belle! Because you are the most beautiful girl! And you are my girl! So you are ma belle!" he explained and I blushed. I could hear Camille scoff behind me and a glass breaking "Camille is just…" he began but I put my hand above his mouth.

"Stop talking, you’re drunk and don’t know what you’re saying!" I fake laughed and walked away, I nodded at Riccardo who understood and looked after Charles. I went back into the cabin, looking for my bag with my medics. I saw that I had a text from Arthur, but before I could check it, I dropped my meds and when I bent down to pick them up I was getting light headed, the dizziness only worsened. The throbbing pain in my temple was back again. I quickly sat down and took a deep breath. My brain began to fog up and I got up to go outside and get some fresh air. As I was holding on to the railing I heard steps coming towards me.

"Look who it is, ma belle!" Camille mocked and her three girlfriends just laughed "I mean I know that you’re not really the most stylish person, but still? Couldn’t you at least put some effort in your appearance?" their laughs were shrill and way too loud for my head and I wanted to walk away. For the first time in weeks my brain started to fog up to the point where I had to really focus on my speaking in order to get the words out correctly.

"Look Camille, I don’t know what your problem is with me, but I don’t have time for this now, sorry!" I said and Camille and her little flock started cackling.

"I’m sorry? I’m not speaking gibberish?" Camille laughed and I looked at her, heat rising in my cheeks. Focusing didn’t seem to work.

"Just leave me alone! Please! I don’t know why you always try to pick a fight with me!" again they only laughed harder.

"Oh no, poor little Lizzie's head is all mushy again! Maybe your little accident damaged your brain a little more than they thought?" Camille sneered and I walked back into the cabin, then I realised the tears streaming down my face. I grabbed my phone and sent a text to Arthur.

I packed my belongings into my bag, sat down on the couch and waited. Through the windows I could see that we were on our way back to the harbour. I closed my eyes. Only a couple of minutes and I could leave this god damn yacht and Camille and her entourage of mean girls. Every now and then a tear slipped down my cheeks. As we docked in the harbour I got up and grabbed my bag, I wanted to walk out as Charles walked in.

"Hey ma belle, I was looking for you? You looked a bit pale…" he began but then he realised the bag on my shoulder and my tear stained face and in an instant he cradled my face in his hands "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I’m just tired, Charlie. It wasn’t a good idea going on a yacht in my condition! You celebrate and have fun! Spend some time with Camille, I’ll be fine!" I said and pushed away from him, giving him a kiss on the cheek and started walking away but he grabbed my wrist.

"Ma belle, what is going on? I know you and it’s not your condition? You were doing so well the last few weeks! What happened? Where are you going?" he said, his voice stern, but I just tore my wrist out of his grasp and shook my head.

"I’m fine, Charles. It’s ok!" I whispered and left quickly. He stood there dumbfounded for a moment then he followed me.

"Ma belle? Lizzie?" he almost shouted it, his voice was laced with worry but also sounded a bit hurt and I only walked faster. Camille just grinned at me, her friends were laughing as I walked fast past them to the gangway that was set up by the deckhands. Joris looked at them furious.

"Lizzie, wait!" Charles sounded nearer this time but he was stopped by Camille, he wanted to push her away as Arthur appeared at the dock "What is Arthur doing here?"

I walked as fast as possible without falling in the water over the gangway, where Arthur grabbed my bag and held me to his side to steady me, everything started to spin and the pain in my head rose to a new high.

He opened the passenger door and helped me in, then walked around and got into the driver seat. I could see how Charles was furiously talking to Camille and Joris, hands flying through the air, always pointing in our direction.

"Are you sure you’re okay?" Arthur asked and I nodded, silent tears streaming down my face.

"Just drive home…" I whispered and Arthur started the car. For the first time in weeks I felt like this again, the throbbing pain in my temples, the impeded speech, shaky legs, problems to breathe properly, almost a full blown anxiety attack. And all because of Camille. Maybe I had to talk to Charles sooner rather than later.

Charles POV:

"What do you want to hear from me? She texted and asked if I could come pick her up and I did just that!" Arthur was furious.

"Why didn’t you call me? You could’ve told me that she was unwell and then I would take care of her!" I was even more furious.

"Charles, she wanted to leave the boat! End of the story! She didn’t want to stay there and celebrate with you!" he almost sounded annoyed.

"What’s that supposed to mean? She didn’t want to celebrate with me?" I asked him confused "She rather wanted to celebrate with you? At home? Alone?"

"Yes. Happy now?" he answered and sat back down on his sofa.

"Okay, what is going on here? Are you and Lizzie…? What about Clara?" it couldn’t be. Arthur and Lizzie?

"For fucks sake, Charles! My girlfriend isn’t the one who constantly dragged her down for the past year!" Arthur almost shouted it and glared angry at me.

"What do you mean?" I asked him as I try to stay calm and Arthur hid his face in his hands and groaned "Arthur, what the fuck do you mean?”

"I’m not supposed to tell you this! But come on, Charles? You’re telling me that you not only once realised how Camille treated Lizzie? How she glared at her, all her snarky remarks? How could you be so oblivious?" Arthur asked me and I sat down and leaned back, thinking about his words.

Camille was sometimes annoyed when I spent my down time with Lizzie instead of her, but she always said she understood? Although last year Lizzie and I didn’t spend much time together considering Covid first and then her accident. When she moved in with me to start with her recovery, Camille didn’t have a problem with it. Or did I just ignore her complaints? The more I thought about it, the more I realised that whenever I mentioned Lizzie Camille tried to change the topic immediately, tried to always keep us busy so I didn’t have much time to spend with Lizzie and not even once asked how she was after her accident. Arthur was right, how could I be so oblivious? I facepalmed myself and sighed.

"I am stupid…" I mumbled and Arthur only nodded.

"I’m not arguing with you on that, but Charles? Don’t you think it’s time that you tell Lizzie that you lo…" Arthur began but he got interrupted by a sound coming from the guest bedroom, the one Lizzie currently slept in "I think you should leave for now, you need to sort out your shit with Camille first, before you talk to Lizzie, she cried herself to sleep last night, she will pretend like she didn’t but I heard her."

"Take care of her!" I whispered and Arthur hugged me.

"Of course!" he said and I left, taking my phone out of my pocket. I texted Camille to meet me at my place in an hour, then I called Joris. He never liked Camille, I needed to know if it was because of Lizzie.

"I want to know everything." I said and Joris just groaned.

"She’ll kill me if I tell you…" Joris began but I cut him off.

"I don’t give a fuck, right now I should be your concern, because if you’re not telling me what I’ve been missing for a whole damn year, I’m the one coming for you!" I said.

"She was awful to Lizzie, always saying things to her that Lizzie’s just a friend of yours, that she is now the most important person in your life, that Lizzie should start to understand that your priorities are now on her and that Lizzie is not important anymore. She even got that far telling Lizzie to give you guys some more space and sent her away from, to quote her, "our flat"… like she would live there with you! And after Lizzies accident she and her bitchy friends always made fun of her when she needed a little longer to speak or when she couldn’t walk normally in the beginning… and the things they said about her back?! The scars? It was awful…" he said and with every word he spoke I felt sicker and sicker, I was trembling, anger surging through me.

"And why the fuck did no one tell me? Why did Lizzie tell you but never me?" I was furious.

"Because Lizzie didn’t tell us those things! I heard it! I saw it! We all did at some point! Camille never did those things when you were close by! But we all witnessed it! Do you remember your birthday? How Riccardo left in the middle of it out of nowhere? That was because of Camille! She was horrible towards Lizzie! Her friends commented on that video that someone took of her on your boat. Not nice things. And he was so fed up that he wanted to tell you, but Lizzie pleaded with him to not to so he agreed, but he was so mad that he had to leave otherwise he would’ve called her out in front of everyone! We all wanted to tell you more than once, Charles! But Lizzie… she thought that Camille made you this happy and she didn’t want to ruin your relationship!" Joris explained and I felt the bile rise up my throat.

"You still should’ve said something!" I almost shouted, I was mad and letting it out at Joris wasn’t fair but I had to let it out. I couldn’t hold it in.

"I wouldn’t have to say anything if you weren’t so fucking blind! And if she wasn’t so blind! You weren’t happy because of Camille! You were happy because of Lizzie! Not Camille! How could you even start dating her? When you clearly love Lizzie! You really thought your plan would work out? You will forget about your feelings for Lizzie because of Camille? The only thing you did with that was hurting Lizzie! You have no idea how many times Lizzie cried last year because of you! She tried everything to not ruin your birthday when you did just that back on her birthday! Not just that you came fucking late, no you ignored her for most of the night, you weren’t even singing with us and then you left earlier because of Camille but you didn’t even say goodbye to Lizzie! You fucking left her alone on her birthday! You know how much she hates celebrating it! You have no idea how many times I… no we had to see her heartbroken expression when you were faking being happy with Camille and Lizzie believed it! Just for you to not man up and confess your feelings to Lizzie! If you want to be mad at someone, then it’s you first and Camille second!" Joris got up and left.

I sat there dumbfounded. But after a while I had to admit, everything he said was right. Now it was time to finally do the right thing.

"You never gave us a real chance because of her, that wasn’t fair! I was always good to you!" she didn’t sound sad, more mad, disappointed and annoyed.

"You’re right. It wasn’t fair. And I can’t apologise enough for letting it come this far. But what you did Camille? Your friends did? What you said? The entire last year? Nothing of this was her fault! It was all me. I messed up and I know it. I’m sorry for hurting you, I really am." the only one to blame was me. I should’ve never even started this relationship in the first place.

"I didn’t mean what I was saying Charles, it was only a joke, yes I know, a bad one. But it’s always her, her, her! I guess I had to let it out at one point!" she defends and I sigh.

"Yeah, but then you should’ve let it all out on me. Not on her, after everything she’s been through! And it was more than a joke Camille! You were horrible to her the entire time! I was just too blind to see it! And that is entirely my fault! Because I was the one who was in a relationship with you even tho I’m not…" I stopped and Camille’s look changed.

"Go on, say it…" she said and I sighed.

"The time we spent together, how you always supported me although I didn’t deserve it, I can’t thank you enough for it, Camille… but I was never in love with you. I’m sorry… you deserve someone who is in love with you and not someone who’s just with you because it feels nice and content, because he can’t stay alone." I said it and she nodded.

"It was always her, right. I never had a chance, did I." it wasn’t a question.

"I wanted it not to be her, that’s why I gave us a chance in the first place, I was trying everything to bury the feelings that I had, no, that I have, for her… but you’re right, it was always her… it will always be her…" I answered and Camille smiled a little.

"Then do yourself a favour and tell her." and with that she got up and walked to the door. "Goodbye, Charles." and she was gone.

I didn’t know how long I sat there, thinking about what she said "Do yourself a favour and tell her", she was right. I had to tell Lizzie that I am in love with her, only her. But I couldn’t do it now, not after I just broke up with Camille, she couldn’t think that she was just a rebound. I needed to take my time, show her every day a bit more that I love her, because Camille was right, it was always her. And I was right as well, it always will be her. I flinched when my phone pinged, a message from Lizzie. Rather than texting back I called her.

"Ma belle."

"Hey Charlie, how are you?" she sounded nervous.

"I just broke up with Camille…" silence.

"I’m sorry." she sounded sincere.

"Don’t be. It’s better like this. There was too much baggage. Too much going the wrong way for too long."

"You still loved her…"

"No, I loved the fact of having a girlfriend, having someone by my side."

"Hmm, ok. Are you good? Do you want to be alone? Or do you want to come over? We’re ordering food and watching a movie…"

"I’ll be there in 20 minutes."

"See you then, Charlie bear."

"See you, ma belle." she hung up. I love you.

"Are you crazy? Who’s going to eat all of that?" Arthur looked at me with big eyes as I walked back from the door, 2 pizza boxes, 3 pasta dishes and 3 salad boxes already on the table, and now another big bag full of Indian and Chinese food as well.

"When you said you’d order something from everything, I didn’t think you would mean it quite literally?!" Carla chuckled and I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Charles is coming over as well…" I said and walked into the kitchen to get some cutlery, plates and glasses "Come on Arthi, the drinks won’t walk on their own!"

"So is it just him? Or is she coming as well… after yesterday? Do you really think it’s a good idea?" Arthur whispered and I sighed.

"He will probably tell you himself, so you know from nothing. He broke up with Camille, as of today…" I said quietly and Arthur’s smirk was getting bigger and bigger "Stop! He’s probably heartbro…"

"How can he be heartbroken when he never loved her!" Arthur mumbled and walked out the kitchen. Why was he saying that? Charles said the same? What do they know that I didn’t? The doorbell rang and I shook the thought out of my head and walked back into the living room and set everything down. Charles straight up walked to me and hugged me tight.

"Hey ma belle!" he whispered into my ear and I got goosebumps all over my body.

"Hey Charlie bear… are you okay?" I whispered back and he nodded.

"Very much… thank you!" he answered and took my hand in his, sat down and pulled me down right next to him.

"Is Camille coming as well?" Carla asked and I tensed up a little.

"No, she’s not coming, she’ll never come over again, to be honest. We broke up." Charles said and played with our intertwined fingers.

"Oh, thank god!" Carla let out and blushed immediately "I mean… oh god, I’m sorry! She’s a nice girl! Totally! I’m just- I’m just… umm…"

"It’s okay. I know what you mean. It’s better like this. She wasn’t the… let’s just say she wasn’t the right one." Charles said and Arthur chuckled.

"Yeah, I’m sure you’ll find the right one…" he said, voice oozing with sarcasm. I kicked his leg and he just chuckled even more "So, what are we watching?"

After a long discussion we settled for Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone and as we were all cuddled up on the sofa with plates full of food the film started and a pleasant silence fell over the room.

Charles POV:

"No, it’s alright. I’ll carry her to bed." I whispered and Carla gently tugged the blanket away. I got up carefully with Lizzie in my arms and Arthur walked in front of us, opening the door to his guest bedroom, switching on the light on the nightstand.

"You’ll stay here, right?" Arthur asked and I laid Lizzie down.

"Umm… should I?" I said quietly and he only nodded.

"Wait a minute…" he said and walked away before he came back with a t-shirt and some sweatpants "Good night, Char." he walked away but then turned around "You know that she loves you? And you love her? So whatever you’re doing, don’t hurt her again…" then he left.

I quickly changed into his spare clothes, went into the bathroom and washed myself as good as possible. Rinsed my mouth and walked back into the guest room, then I quietly closed the door and laid down next to Lizzie. I switched off the light and fell asleep almost immediately.

I stirred around, then groaned before laying on my side as I heard a little giggle.

"Hi, Charlie bear…" Lizzie’s voice was a little hoarse and she yawned.

"Hi, ma belle… I missed this…" I sighed and opened my eyes, looking into hers "Waking up from you rolling around to find a comfortable position again to sleep a little longer. And then your little giggle when you realise you woke me up…"

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, it’s just that I was cold all of a sudden and no matter how I laid, it didn’t seem to warm up again…" she chuckled and I pulled her into me. Cuddling her body close to mine.

"Better?" I mumbled and closed my eyes again.

"Better." she whispered breathlessly and we laid like this for a while, before I decided to address the elephant in the room.

"Why didn’t you tell me? All the things that Camille did?" I whispered and Lizzie tensed up, breathing in audibly.

"She seemed to make you happy. You seemed to love her. That was all that mattered to me." she answered and my heart broke.

"She made you sick Lizzie, she was making you feel so anxious that your body reacted in the worst kind of way… my happiness wasn’t as important as your health!" I groaned but she just shook her head.

"No, Charles, that’s where you’re wrong. Your happiness is the most important thing for me! After everything you’ve been through, you deserved some happiness, so when I had to suffer because of it I did it and I would do it all over again…" she said and I held her even tighter in my arms.

"Nothing is more important than you, ma belle! You hear me? God, Lizzie! You’re the most important person in my life! I’m sorry for not seeing what she was doing, how she treated you, god I will never forgive myself for being so blind and oblivious!" I whispered but she shook her head again.

"Charles, you didn’t do anything wrong! There is nothing to forgive yourself! You loved her and she made you happy. Period." she sighed but now I shook my head.

"I never loved her. Not even in the slightest, I just liked having someone around. I hate being alone. I just can’t do it. But you had your own worries, then the accident, the recovery. Camille was convenient. And she was nice and sweet when it was just us. But, I never loved her. I know I sound like the biggest asshole on earth right now. But it’s the truth…" I said and Lizzie looked up at me with her big eyes, contemplating her next words.

"With any other girl I would say yes you’re an asshole, a huge one! But because it’s her? I’d say you’re just a teeny, tiny one, like this…" she laughed and pinched her thumb and pointer finger close together, almost touching.

"I think I can live with that." I answered and laughed as well.

"So what happens now? You’re officially on the market again! Single ladies of Monaco beware!" Lizzie laughed even more but I just shook my head and she stopped and looked at me.

"Nope. I’m not jumping into the next best relationship just because I don’t want to be alone. I’m waiting for the right girl to come around. However long it takes." I said and looked her determined in the eyes. She swallowed loudly and chuckled nervously.

"Yeah… however long it takes…" she answered and I smiled at her.

I will wait however long it takes for her to realise that for me it has always been her. And that she will be the only one I will have by my side ever again.

"That sounds really cold, Charles! You should reconsider that… I don’t want people to think that you’re an asshole!" I sighed but Charles only shook his head.

"I don’t care. We didn’t make any lasting memories, the texts she sent me the last few days showed me her true colours, she’s already out there planning a vacation with some other dude, 2 days after our break-up, saying he always treats her right… in these 2 days or what? And she said, to quote her, now she can finally live her life the way she wanted again." he said and I had to stop myself from laughing.

"Okay. Do whatever you want then." I said and he rolled his eyes.

"It’s posted. Water under the bridge." Charles said and I smiled at him.

Bye Camille…

————————————————————————

Little Note:

That's it, chapter 11 is out - Ding Dong, the Bitch is dead gone 🙌

Please leave a comment/ like/ reblog/ message and tell me how you liked it! I'm dying to hear your thoughts!

If you want to be added to the taglist, drop a comment!

Last but not least, English is not my first language and although I tried my best: please excuse any mistakes I made!

Taglist:

@silkenthusiasts @eugene-emt-roe @sunny44 @itsjustkhaos @glitterquadricorn @aundercover @kakorrhaphiphobia @alittlebitofbooksandmagic @ru-kru @glitterf1

All the images I’m using are from Google, Pinterest and Instagram.

86 notes · View notes

robin-the-enby · 8 months

Note

Hiya! I would like to request Abe Sapien x my oc it would be the continuation of the first fic and it would include her going on her first mission and how the others react to Abe and my oc getting closer. Hope you have a good day/night ^^

Someone like me p.2

Pairing: Abe Sapien x fem!reader

Warnings: mentions of killing and hypothetical bloodthirst :)

A/N: To all the lovely readers besides riya: I do not write for other people's OCs! This is an exception, since I've already written part one in the past :) With that out of the way, I am happy to come back to this, Abe was the first fictional character I ever published a fanfiction about (Confusing feelings on my masterlist, feel free to check it out ;D), so I have a special place in my heart for this man <3). Also, I would like to point out that you have no idea how much research went into this fanfic XD (but some things are completely made up, so don't come at me when some things can't be fact-checked).

Time passed...as it does. Life at the BPRD was nothing like your calm, quiet and mostly uneventful life in the outside world. The facility was buzzing with life most hours of the day, every day of the week. Luckilly, you weren't completely shut off from the world, like some of your more unfortunate colleagues. You could go outside, thanks to your human appearance. It did take some paperwork and time before your trip got approved, but it was certainly better than being stuck inside. You also had access to the internet and your old social circle, because, well, it would be very strange if you suddenly disappeared.

But you quit your old job and told everyone you're moving somewhere far away, which wasn't a complete lie...And now only few people kept in contact with you. And when they did, you either texted or called. But it was still nice.

And it's not like you minded much. You had a whole new set of friends and a world of possibilities open in front of you. Training with Liz and having some girl time every now and then, because both you and her really needed it from time to time, movie nights with Hellboy- or Red, usually everyone called him red, which Liz almost always joined, and sometimes Abe as well.

Speaking of Abe...

After the accidental confession in the BPRD's exercise pool, the two of you were like two peas in a pod. With your passion for learning about all the different creatures that secretely roam this Earth and your aquatic abilities, you were a perfect partner not only during research, but also on missions that required agents to go underwater. So it's no surprise that the two of you spent a lot of time together while working.

But you never had to worry about being sick of each other. Your personalities mended so beautifully together that you rarely needed to be apart. When you weren't working, you both usually did your own thing, just...together. Of course, you loved to talk and learn about one another, but it was nice to be able to just be...close to someone, with no words needed. Not to mention Abe was a very adaptable person, sometimes you worried he has people pleasing tendencies, but when you needed time alone, he always understood and never pushed past your boundaries. That being said, it's only natural for partner's to argue sometimes. And while that was true and there were instances where you disagreed on one thing or another, you both were smart enough to give each other some time to cool down, when things really escalated, and then talk it through. With Abe's telepathic abbilities, communicating feelings that were hard to put into words was also fairly easy.

Finally, you felt content with the way your life was going. And honestly? Everybody was on board. They were all supportive in their own special ways. Liz was glad that Abe found someone who understood him and wasn't put off by his appearance or his abbilities. Knowing him basically her whole life, it warmed her heart that Abe was happy. Red was proud of Abe. Seeing him always as the more introverted and nerdy friend, he thought Abe would be alone for a much longer time, if not forever. Not that he wouldn't wish a happy romance for the guy, hell, he sure knew about Abe's desire to love and be loved, but the in their line of work, meeting new people is hard and doesn't happen often, and meeting people who stay long enough for romance, or any deeper relationship to bloom is even harder. And he knew that. That was why Red was seriously proud of Abe for shooting his shot. Although when his blue friend revealed to him how exactly the confession went down, Red laughed so hard he couldn't quite catch his breath for a while.

The other agents and staff of the BPRD were happy as well. With the special agents happilly taken, the bureau was just a tad calmer. There was still drama, but nothing serious, like when Hellboy used to escape just to see Liz in the mental hospital, who didn't even want to talk to him at that time. Even Manning seemed calmer, to everyone's relief.

As much as you enjoyed your time at the BPRD, it wasn't always easy. You could still remember the first mission you went on. From your first day at the bureau, you worked hard on yourself to be a good agent. You wanted to go out there and face whatever the world had in store for you. And a few months of intense training and working mostly as a researcher, the day finally came.

Manning had called you, Abe, Liz and Hellboy into the library, for Abe's comfort. And because it was spaceous enough that it easily provided privacy. There, you could go over the details of the mission ahead of you, construct a plan and immediately grab some books to help you learn what you were dealing with at once.

So here you were, sitting around a larger table, listening to Manning tell you about a mysterious creature who, according to secret sources, are responsible for the unsolved disappearings and drownings of multiple people at Wilson lake, Kansas. Based on the evidence and statements from witnesses, every person disappeared at night while going swimming. First outside of swimming zones, but then also right from the designated swimming beaches. First, the victims would swim out into the deep water, where they couldn't feel or see under they're feet. Once they got comfortable, they got pulled under, not to be seen until the next morning. The time the victims spent in water was always different. For some it was ten minutes, for others thirty minutes and for a few even an hour or so.

From what Manning implied, there were some sort of agents scouting the area even before this mission has been ordered, since some of the sources saw a snake like creature, covered in scales, with the head of a cat, or somthng similar. It seems to be able to breathe underwater and above water, and it seems to not have any hind legs.

"First, we need to at least have an idea hat we're dealing with." said Manning with a huff and everyone present turned to look at you and Abe. You tried with all your might, but couldn't remember any creature that would meet the description in a closer way than vaguely. With a slight shake of your head you pushed away from the table and disappeared into the rows of bookshelves in search of amphibian cryptids, monsters, demons and the like. After a few moments, Abe joined you in your search, not knowing sure what it could be either. Luckilly, the two of you knew the library like the back of your hand, so it didn't take long before you came back with what you were searching for.

Each holding a few books, you gave everyone a book or two and you started flipping through them. It couldn't be merfolk, because only a few species live alone and not in groups...it could be a mutant, but most things can be mutants when you think about it...You wondered as you flipped through the pages, sometimes stopping to read the description, most times skipping entire chapters. This went on for roughly half an hour, before Liz suddenly spoke up "And what if it's a Tatzelwurm?"

You all looked towards your raven-haired friend. "The what now?" Red grumbled. "Tatzelwurm, a creature commonly found in Alpine lakes. It's venomous and agressive towards humans. How could it end up in Kansas?" Abe tilted his head to the side. "Look, I'm not saying I'm right, I was just trying to point out that it matches the description almost perfectly." Liz shrugged with a huff and you nodded along her words.

"Well, it seems to be the best we've got so far." Manning said, clasping his hands together. "Are there any weaknesses mentioned in that book? Or something we might use?" you asked. Liz picked up the book and flipped through a few pages, before quickly scanning over the text of one. After a moment, she sighed "No, not really. It just warns to be careful, because a single bite can kill an adult human and supposedly it's able to let out poisonous fumes and has acidic blood." "Well, that's helpful." Hellboy grumbles, not mad at Liz, more annoyed that this case was going to be a tough one.

"Abe, is there a possibility it could be something else?" Manning asked. The amphibian thought for a few seconds about the answer "Well, that depends...Are there any creatures with a similar way of living? Yes, many. Are there any that would match the description given to us that closely? No. Or at least, I can't think of any." he shrugged at last. Manning clapped his hands together and stood up "Alright. We'll assume it's a Tatzelwurm for now. I will have a plan created tonight. Pack your things. Tomorrow at seven o'clock sharp" he looked at Hellboy with that instruction "we'll meet here and you will be given the details of the mission. Then, you'll be leaving for Kansas." he turned on his heel and walked out of the library, dismissing you all in the process.

The next morning, you all met in the library exactly as Manning said. Even Red came on time, although you suspected Liz was to thank for that. Along with Manning came two other agents, the ones who made an elaborate plan for you through the night. It was actually pretty simple, you and Abe would search the water and after you manage to find the creature- there is no "if" as you were told by Manning, you will try to lure it out of the water, where Hellboy and Liz will be waiting to dispose of the creature properly. You and Abe will also be equipped with weapons meant for close combat, which you are strictly advised against, but for safety measures, you'll still have them.

After that, you loaded the super secret garbage truck look-alike and then it was a roughly seven hour journey, spent mostly in silence, as everyone prepared themselves for the mission. You pondered taking a nap, but even if you wanted to sleep, you couldn't. It would be a lie to say you weren't nervous. But you had trained for so long to get to this point. You had done so much in life just to be able to do this. You couldn't, and wouldn't, give up now. But the thought of facing a monster that could kill you with a single bite was terrifying, especially when not that long ago, you were a simple civilian.

As if he could sense your nervousness, Abe softly reached for your hand, encompassing it in his own. As soon as your hands made contact, you knew he could read you like an open book, so you just relaxed and let him feel what you were feeling, hear what you were thinking. In return, Abe reassured you that you had nothing to worry about, that he would do his best not only to accomplish the mission, but to protect you as well. His soothing energy calmed you down significantly and you actually managed to catch some shut eye for the rest of the journey.

After arriving to Wilson lake, you and the rest of the agents set up camp near the lake, away from prying eyes. Since the lake was enormous, and the Tatzelwurm could be literally anywhere, a few technicians came along with underwater drones, which would be placed into the water in several places at the lake, scouting for the creature. After that, you and your friends will be transported as quickly as possible to the place the creature was captured at, where the plan you already were familiar with would be set into motion.

And so you waited. And while waiting, you got you gear set up, Hellboy had his guns loaded and checked, Liz had her gun loaded and checked, as well as her knife and her fire proof jumpsuit. Abe was finally able to get rid of his breathing apparatus and you simply had to put on a tight swimming top, since your legs would turn into a fin.

Abe and you immediately got in the water to warm up for the chase. After such long time of training, you had a better grip on your transformation, so now you were able to get through it more quickly and with less discomfort. Of course, you made sure not to venture too deep into the water, in case the Tatzelwurm was nearby.

After several hours, when the sun was already setting, one of the cameras in a more rocky area of the lake captured something big. A big creature. The technician controlling the drone made sure not to disturb it, and it seemed to have worked, but sadly, the drone caught just a slight glimpse of it, so nobody could be sure if it was realy the creature, or perhaps just a big catfish. But the drones nearby were informed to be on high alert, while the rest were instructed to slowly move towards the one who captured it first. That way, it was nearly impossible to miss it.

While this was all happening, your friends got notified of this progress and you promptly loaded a jeep and were driven to the place where the Tatzelwurm was supposed to be right now. On the way there, your driver got confirmation that another drone got a clear visual of the creature and it's heading towards onbe of the beaches slowly. Putting their foot down on the gas, the driver quickly told you about everything and you and Abe mentally prepared yourself. You needed to be fast, because there were lives in immediate danger.

After finding a good clearing, both you and your blue partner wasted no time and jumped in the water, taking off in the direction you were instructed, while Hellboy and Liz were driven to the location you were supposed to lure the creature to. The bottom of the lake was half muddy, half rocky. It almost seemed like a ghost town, with no creature in immediate sight. They were all probably hidden, but that didn't help the already spooky feeling that was creepin into your heart while looking around for the Tatzelwurm.

You kept close to Abe as you made your way through the dark water. He kept updating you from time to time from where he could sense the creature and if you're getting close. So far, everything was going well. After you made it about a kilometer into the water, where it was more than 8 meters deep, you finally spotted a sillhouette moving almost hypnotically in the water. You both swam faster and each on different side, hoping to be able to get in front of the creature and redirect it away from the beach.

As you got closer, you could clearly see that Manning's informators were right, as well as Liz. It was a Tatzelwurm. It was around two meters long, its scales a rich black colour that reflected the sunrays in small shimmers. Its head was that of a feline, except it had no fur. Its eyes were wide, yellow and wild, hungry for flesh of anything that would cross its path. Its front legs were pretty short, compared to the rest of its body, but they were adorned with long, sharp claws. After a few minutes, you managed get ahead of the creature and you started closing in on it. When you were roughly at the edge of its visual range, you quickly crossed in front of it and darted behind immediately, trying to throw it off guard. At which you succeeded, because the Tatzelwurm stopped dead in its tracks and looked around confusedly, before turning around to finally see what dared cross it.

You simply floated there, not moving for a few seconds, before you flicked your tail swiftly, as if to beckon it, challenge it. The creature's pupils slanted, turning into small slits as it opened its maw, displaying rows of sharp teeth, ready to tear meat from bone. Abe swam slightly closer towards it, seemingly not afraid of the killer cryptid in front of him, although you doubt that if you could see into his thoughts right now, you would see a myriad of emotions going through that brilliant mind of his.

This seemed to rile up he creature even more as it hunched its back threateningly and swam closer to you. You darted a few meters in one direction away from it, but as it turned to look at you, Abe moved exactly in the opposite direction. This was the final straw. The creature, frustrated and angry, let out what would've been a roar on the surface, but here it was just a stream of bubbles coming out of its maw, although that did nothing to make it less imposing. You and Abe started swimming away in the direction where Liz and Red should already be by now, the Tatzelwurm following quickly behind you.

It was a if death itself was chasing after you, the sloshing of water completely ignored by you as the only thing that you could hear was your blood pumping through your ears. The amount of adrenaline coursing through you made your skin prickle and you had to concentrate on keeping the motions of your tail as quick, but also as smooth as possible. From time to time you managed to spare a glance at Abe, who seemed just slightly faster than you, and could afford to look out for you and behind you, to see if the creature was sill following you.

And quite surprisingly, it was. Instead of getting tired of not being able to catch you, your speed, that was putting you just slightly ahead of it, was frustrating it to no end. If you saw any signs of exhaustion or that the Tatzelwurm wasn't interested in chasing you anymore, you'd have to stop and tease it again. However, if you stopped now, it would be certain death.

Slowly, you were reaching the shore. It was just a few hundred meters ahead of you. You could feel the cold water rushing against your sking as you pushed forward, caressing you as if to encourage you to keep going. You could also feel the Tatzelwurm right behind you and you imagine that if there was a way for it to snarl at you, it would, its desire to dig its sharp teeth into your tail so strong you could almost feel it.

Suddenly, you are met with the edge of the lake, the water slightly more shallow. Abe shoots up from the water and before you can stop and ponder how you are going to get out yourself, his hand is reaching for yours. You grasp onto it as if it was the last thing to keep you alive, which in this scenario might as well be true.

Abe pulled you out of the water and away from the shore, behind Hellboy and Liz, who were now dealing with the Tatzelwurm, and continued, until you were safe behind the agents who served as backup for your two friends. You were slightly dazed from the quick change of environment and from the physical strain your body and mind just went through. But feeling Abe's hands on you brought you an unexplainable feeling of safety, though later you started o suspect that was just Abe trying to keep you calm. Nonetheless, under the wave of tranquility and love you were surrounded by thanks to your wonderful partner, you allowed yourself to close your eyes and rest.

You didn't come to until you were in the car again, Abe's arms secured tightly around you with you snuggling into his chest. You closed your eyes as soon as you opened them, relishing in the weight of Abe's head on top of yours, occassionally pressing soft kisses into your hair. Back at the BPRD you learned that the mission was a succsess, the Tatzelwurm having been killed by Red and Liz and even Manning told you that for a first mission, you did a great job.

#requested #hellboy #abe sapien x reader #abe sapien x you #fem!reader #mermaid reader #abe sapien x oc #fluff #cw violence #abe sapien

40 notes · View notes

the-six-that-thrive-if · 5 months

Note

in the harem route I will try and wake early so I can make breakfast for everyone, like eggs, sausage, fresh bread, portage some fruits, juice coffee and tea and if warden is in the kitchen I will shooo him away. Whilst I’m baking I will be singing once upon a December by liz callaway or maybe something from the hunchback of notre dame. My mc will be internally screaming from the amount of food money needs to be spent every morning to spoil all of them. Side note what is the ROs preferred way of being comforted?

That's so much damn food and baking.

Dante and Angel are definitely arguing over food and who gets what, while F!Dragon is wordlessly and subtly taking Dante's food and eating it, while Armadillo who's too annoyed, and partially arguing with Dante and Angel for taking so much food, and Warden is sipping his drink while reading a book, unbothered by it all.

THE DEMON —

Dante it depends. Sometimes he simply wants verbal words, complete honesty and straightforwardness. Or hugs. To just collapse into you and possibly crush you with his weight.

THE ANGEL —

Being held and lied too. Angel can easily spiral when faced with issues regarding her behavior getting defensive and depressed. The best way is coaxing her first out of her nest and showing her that youre own her side whilst slowly and carefully being honest.

THE F!DRAGON —

Dragon prefers to be alone, but it brings her comfort that when she comes back, youll be waiting. That’s all she needs and can get slightly hotheaded when she's upset.

THE ARMADILLO —

He resorts to exercise. Doing laps, pushups, weightlifting, anything to busy himself. He's also quiet, and doesn't speak and just zones out. The best way to comfort him is to just be there with him silently and when he wants to talk, then he will. It's better to let him go through his emotions alone.

THE WARDEN —

Rejects the idea of being comforted and he doesn't want it, because he doesn't need it in a sense. There are not many things that he can't handle nor regulate by himself. So comforting him seems like something more for MC to do to feel better about themselves, then it is for him. He'll let you believe that you are comforting him.

THE KING —

Communication. He wants to be completely and utterly honest. Knowing that you're listening to him and his stresses comforts him. That's all he needs.

#t.m.basement.stories #interactive fiction #interactive fic #interactive fiction twine #twine interactive fiction #interactive fiction demos #itchio interactive fic #dating sim #horror interactive fic #dating sim characters

41 notes · View notes

randomkidstarfic · 2 months

Note

Omg I just saw the drabbles thing!

What about Kilik/Kid #5 👀

None of these are going to be drabbles, sorry everyone.

#5. “Wait a minute. Are you jealous?”

Kidd sat in the library, his head balanced on a fist as he read the book in front of him. It had been a slow day. There were no missions, Liz and Patty were at work, Maka and Soul were out, and Blackstar was who knew where. So Kidd took to the library, and had been reading all day without stopping.

“Mind if I sit?”

Kidd jumped, and looked up to find Kilik smiling down at him.

“Sorry,” he apologized. “Didn't mean to scare you.”

“Oh. No, I was just distracted.” Kidd pulled out the chair beside him. “Go right ahead.”

Kilik sat and had a book ready, but glanced at Kidd's side of the table. “Whatcha got?”

“I think this is just a short story collection.” Kidd glanced at the cover again. He had lost track of exactly what book he was reading ages ago. He just picked ones off the shelf and read.

“You don't know?”

Kidd shrugged, and Kilik chuckled at him.

“Well, I guess you are the god between us. What can I say?”

“Whatever you want, I think.”

They sat in silence beside each other for around two hours, both perfectly content to keep quiet and let the other read. Eventually Kilik closed his book and glanced at his companion. His fingertips tapped atop the cover.

“Hey Kid.”

“Hm?”

“Do you…date?”

Kidd glanced at him. “Date? What do you mean?”

“You know. Date. Like go out with people.”

“Oh.” Kid closed his own book. “I never have. But I wouldn't be against the idea.”

“So if I asked you out, what would you say?”

Kid suddenly realized the context of the previous question and at first wasn't sure how to respond. “Oh.” He shrugged. “Well. I don’t know. I suppose you'd have to ask, wouldn't you?”

He smirked, and Kilik smiled back. Kilik opened his mouth to speak when he was suddenly interrupted. Someone slammed their hands down on Kidd's shoulders, bounded over his head and landed on the table.

Kidd growled. “Blackstar,” he snapped. “You're going to wrinkle my jacket.”

“If you're so worried about it, don't wear such fancy threads, death God.”

Kidd rolled his eyes. Blackstar squatted down and picked up the book.

“Whatcha readin’?”

Kidd snatched the book back. “Short stories. Get off the table.”

“Yo, I'm looking for a bout, you down?”

“I'm busy.”

“Reading? Laaaaaame.”

“Get off the table, Blackstar, you're going to get dirt on it.”

Blackstar smirked. “Why dontcha make me?”

“I would, but I was having a very important conversation with Kilik.”

Blackstar looked at Kilik like he had only just noticed him. “Oh, hey Kilik. You been here this whole time?”

Kilik frowned at him. “Yeah.”

Blackstar looked at Kid. “Just meet me outside, I'll be there.”

Kidd rolled his eyes. “Fine. But if you lose you wash the table.”

Blackstar cackled. “Sure, death God, sure.”

He bounded back over the chair and disappeared. Kidd rolled his eyes and gathered his things. “Sorry about him.” He smiled at Kilik. “You were saying?”

“Oh. Yeah. Well, I was gonna ask you out.”

“I'd love to, Kilik.”

Kilik glanced at the library door and vaguely gestured over his shoulder. “Is he…always like that with you?”

Kidd smile dropped. “Who like what?”

“Blackstar. Like that. Ya know, flirting with you.”

Kidd chuckled, the idea so absurd he could do nothing else. “Flirting, you must be joking.” He paused “Hold on.” He furrowed his brow. “Are you jealous?”

Kilik sputtered. “No. Of Blackstar? No. No way.”

“Sure. I believe you.” He stood up. “I better get out there before he comes back.” Kidd smirked over his shoulder. “Though perhaps it shouldn't be me fighting him this time.”

Kilik jumped out of his chair and followed Kidd outside.

#fic #ask #fic prompt #kilik/kid

6 notes · View notes

olsenmyolsen · 11 months

Text

The Future

Part 22 of On The Inside With Elizabeth Olsen

Word Count: ~6.5K

masterlist

Liz POV

"Mommy! Mommy! Get up!"

I hear the quiet yells from my daughter Clementine begging for me to wake up before she does what she does every Saturday.

WHAM! She launches herself onto the bed. "Time to get up!" Every Saturday, I regret having this stinker. Just a little bit. I flutter my eyes open to see my little bed headed child staring at me. She has piercing green eyes like me but a ridged nose like her momma. Every time I look at her face, I smile.

I scrunch my nose up to my daughter. "Did you really just wake me up?" I ask as I pull her tiny body into mine. "Did you wake me up at-" I shift my eyes to my child's Avengers watch. It's her favorite thing that she owns, even though most of the characters on it never interacted with Wanda. "9:45! Are you crazy? Is my child crazy?" I ask as I begin to tickle her for waking me. "Yes, I'm crazy! I'm Crazy Clem, Mommy!" Clementine giggles at me.

"Crazy, just like your momma," I say as I relinquish the child from my grasp. Her giggle fit comes to a slow end as the frown on both of our faces returns. I sit up as Clementine brings herself closer to me.

"What do you say I get dressed, and then we can head out for breakfast. Does that sound like a good idea?" Clem nods her head as she lays down into my bed. I can see she's thinking and trying to form the words before she speaks, just like her momma.

"What is it, bug?"

"Is momma really gone?"

It's as if someone is playing a cruel joke on me as I slowly open my eyes and wake up from what started as a dream but deteriorated into a nightmare.

But that didn't feel like either of them. It felt like a vision of the future.

I don't even remember falling asleep.

As I rise from the bed and it's as if all the color from the world became a mix of dark grays again.

I look around the room, but she never came home.

Why would she after what I did?

"Liz?" Y/N asks, more concerned.

"Sorry, I'm catching up on a lot. The HBO show. Some WandaVision stuff. My team is asking me to do Hot Ones next month. Sorry. Let me do this stuff, and then I'm all yours!"

At least, that's how it started.

But now my team is reaching out with a whole bunch of shit about Y/N.

She's been doxed.

Someone put most, if not all, of her information on the internet.

Videos of her at work.

Pictures of her and I are tagged in almost everything.

"Is there anything I can help with?" I hear her ask, unaware of what I'm looking at.

"Not at the moment. But thank you." I respond in an almost robot-like fashion. I don't know what's happening, but it terrifies me.

I was going to have us go public within the coming months. I reached out to Robbie and his team last night. On Monday, we were going to announce our separation. But now stories are already running about Y/N and I. I'm being called a cheater, and Y/N is being labeled a multitude of things.

Nobody. Wannabe. Slut.

This is what is being pushed on gossip sites, and it's spreading like wildfire. I feel my body start to turn cold as thoughts of what next steps and actions to take start rushing in.

One thought comes to mind, and it breaks my heart.

Before I can even look at Y/N, my phone starts buzzing in my hand. It's Marla.

I answer the phone.

"How bad is it really?" I ask before Marla can fire off a hello.

"It's not looking good."

I let out a frustrated sigh and look out the window.

"However, we can get Robbie and his team to make a statement regarding your relationship."

"Okay. How soon?"

"Within the hour, but there is still the matter of Y/N's safety-"

The matter of her safety... she's unsafe because of me... I still listen to Marla go on to say that whoever doxxed Y/N had to be close to her. But it's clear this was a targeted attack, maybe due to her being in a relationship with a high-profile person. Me. Marla isn't blaming me, but everyone else will. I know it. Marla also mentioned that a legal team represented here in NY has reached out already. How they knew so quick, I'm not sure.

Slowly the phone call starts to become drowned out as one thing keeps running through my mind.

If Y/N and I were never together, this wouldn't be happening.

"Liz?" Y/N calls out to me.

I turn to my Coffee Girl, and I see her eyes are laced with fear. I bite my bottom lip in a last-ditch effort to stop the tears from falling. I don't even realize it, but I end my phone call.

"Lizard, please, what's going on?" I swallow and put my head into my hands. I'm trying not to cry as flashes of my Y/N fly through my mind. Y/N with Rose. Her taking her mom and I around the city. "I'm sorry," I mumble to myself. A flash of Y/N and I over FaceTime. Her making lunch at my apartment. "I'm sorry." Our first date. When I saw her at the park. "I'm sorry."

The coffee shop I should've never entered.

The day I met her.

She was annoyed with my giant apology order, but her eyes looked into me. I was stunned by her beauty. Her galaxy eyes pulling me. Her freckles that made her face glow. Her ridged nose that is imperfectly perfect.

I feel Y/N lean into me. When did she get into the middle seat?

I lift my head to her. She's on the verge of breaking. I gently place my shaky hands into hers.

"Liz?"

My phone interrupts the uneasy air, but it doesn't stop. The phone keeps ringing.

The more it rings, the more I second-guess every decision I've made with Y/N. Was it right? Should I have done more?

I look at Y/N, and the look I'm receiving back grows in worry.

I close my eyes feeling a single tear roll down my cheek.

"I- I'm... we've been outed..."

"Oka-"

"They-"

I stop myself.

I know what I must do, but I don't know if I have the strength to do it.

I didn't do it with Robbie. I ran like a fucking coward. But now? I can't. I couldn't do that to her.

I slowly open my eyes to see Y/N's fucking gorgeous eyes.

"We can't be together."

When the end of the sentence falls from my mouth, I feel my body slow down. I turn my head back towards the window while I pull my hands out from hers.

Oh, God.

No. This can't be right.

I silently let the tears fall from me, and aside from the hum of the car, there is no other noise present. It's like Y/N vanished.

With each block we pass, my anger grows.

The tears falling from my face are slowly morphing into liquid-filled hate.

Why the fuck would someone do this? What do they gain? The first person since Robbie, and this is what happens??

I whip my head around, yelling these thoughts to Y/N. Not at her but to her. I want her to hear my anger. I want her to listen to these reasons. It's not too long before my rambling goes on.

"Stop the car."

What?

I look at Y/N's face. She looks like she's in shock. I turn my head confused.

"Stop the car!" Y/N yells out at Mr. Bronson. I turn to see him gesture to the road ahead of us. Traffic.

I'm mentally kicking myself. I didn't mean to start dumping all of this onto her.

I try to calm the pissed-off nerves in my body. I close my eyes and take a deep breath before I turn myself to my Y/N. I calmly place my hands on her cheeks, but to my surprise, Y/N reacts and jumps away at the contact.

What have I done to her?

I watch her close her eyes as she leans herself back against the car door. I want to do everything in my power to hold her close and not let her go.

But I can't do that. I have to lose her...

"STOP THE FUCKING CAR!"

I cover my mouth in shock. The tone and urgency was scary. I glance to Mr. Bronson, who finds a place to pull off. The second the wheels stop, Y/N looks at me and dashes out her car door, slamming it behind her. I follow her as she walks around the car before stopping to hunch over the sidewalk.

"Oh my Goodness," I whisper as I throw myself out of the car running to my puking girlfriend(?)

"Y/N!" Oh my god, are you okay? What's wrong?" I rest my right hand on her back and pull myself closer to her. She wipes her chin and turns her eyes to meet my own.

I don't think she realizes herself becoming off-center as her body begins to fall backwards. I latch onto her and hold her body up.

"Why don't you tell me what's wrong?" I look at her red puffy eyes. They're breaking my heart even more than I already did myself. "Y/N... I-" "You what? You don't want to be with me anymore. I get it. The love was fake. This was a phase. I knew it was too good to be true. The real world came knocking at the front door, and you left out the back. Just like I was afraid of... I should've listened to my stupid thoughts when it came to us. I didn't with Naomi, and look at what happened..."

After saying that, Y/N doesn't stop.

She's wrong. She doesn't know what's she talking about.

Right?

I'm not even listening to her words. Instead, I watch her face crumble and break as the tears don't stop.

The sun has now reached high noon, and a small crowd has gathered around us.

I try multiple times to interject, but to no avail. I dart my eyes at the people around us, and it causes more pain. No one should be watching this moment.

"Y/N, stop!" I finally manage to yell out. "Y/N, I didn't mean it like that!"

"Then how did you mean in it?"

"How about you let me talk, and you'll find out?!"

Fuck.

My tone was all wrong.

I look at Y/N as she stares back at me.

I regret everything now.

I take a step forward, but she turns her body away, causing me to stop. I watch as she wipes her tears away before she runs her hand through her hair.

The crowd that gathered around appears to be bored with how our lives are toppling down that they walk away.

We're only a few feet apart, but it might as well feel like I'm across the world. I start to fidget with my hands; it's subconscious at first, but I stop once I realize, just as Y/N steps forward and pulls me into a hug.

The floodgate holding my remaining emotions collapses as I feel her body press into mine. At that point, I can't stop the tears from flying down my cheek, landing on her shoulders.

I open my mouth several times, but nothing makes sense. I feel Y/N tightly wrap herself around my body. I'm sure to hold me up and for any amount of comfort.

Her lips place gently kisses on my forehead.

Kisses I don't deserve strung along with words I should be saying. Not her.

"I'm sorry."

This causes my breakdown only to escalate.

I keep hold of Y/N, afraid that the moment she's out of my touch is the moment that she'll listen to my words. That's the moment we won't be together. So I hold her. I keep our touch. I keep it like that until I'm returned to the backseat of the car. A water bottle lands in my lap, and then she starts to pull away.

So I grab hold of her and plead for her not to leave.

"Please, I'm sorry, Y/N. Let me explain." Is being said again and again amongst other phrases of apologies. I'm not even looking into her eyes but instead at her right hand that's in my grasp. I'm memorizing all its small details.

It's only when I feel her left hand touch my chin that I look up into her eyes. Her puffy red soft eyes. Eyes that used to be filled with love and admiration.

In a blink, I felt her lips kiss my head one final time and her hand slip from my own.

"No." I weakly say to the air in the car.

My eyes find themselves on Y/N as she walks to the front of the car. Mr. Bronson rolls down the window for her and says, "She'll be safe."

Is he talking about me? I watch Y/N nod at his words before the doors lock around me.

I have to get out. I have to yell to her. Let her know how sorry I am.

As the window rolls up, the impact of this morning comes crashing onto me. This is it. This is the end of her and I.

This is for her, and it kills me.

I look up to see the color drained from her eyes. I don't think she realized it, but she gave me a slight smile, almost of reassurance. I go to call out, but the window closes on me.

In an instant, Mr. Bronson pulls the car away from the last person I loved.

Numb.

That's what I felt the whole ride back to my apartment. That's all I still feel.

I didn't look up once the whole ride. I didn't bother checking my phone anymore, either.

I'm now standing outside my apartment door. I don't know how long I've been standing here, but my legs are starting to hurt. Hell, I don't even remember bringing up all this shit with me. My water, phone, and tote.

Wait.

Fuck.

A tote. Full of Y/N's stuff...

I rest my forehead against my apartment door. I don't think I have any more tears to shed, so instead, I whimper against the cold door. The image of Y/N looking at me in the backseat not leaving my head. Each time I close my eyes, I see her hurting.

I swallow whatever I have left in my mouth and pull myself up and away from the door. I pull my phone out, looking at the million notifications to see that more time has passed than I thought.

A part of me knows I should go inside my apartment, call my team, have them go over everything with me. Get myself cleaned up and never think about Y/N again.

But that's wrong. I was wrong.

What was I thinking?

Opting for a cab instead of my driver was new. The truth is I didn't want to see Mr. Bronson after everything he witnessed this morning. I'm going to have to remind myself to give him a big bonus when the time comes.

Over the course of the ride, I've tried texting and calling Y/N multiple times to no answer. My team has tried reaching out to me as well, but deep down, Rhonda knows I will be out of commission today.

It's almost two now, and after a silent cab ride, I'm in front of Y/N's building. No, I don't expect her to be there when I build up the courage to head up, but I'm still scared.

With Y/N's keys in my hand, I slide the key into the lock and turn it slowly until I hear the door click. I take the key out and push the door open, allowing myself to enter.

I first notice how all the curtains are drawn back, allowing light in. I don't think we left it like that.

I go to call out, but another voice stops me.

"Y/N?"

It's a familiar voice coming from the bedroom. I shut the front door behind me.

"Y/N?"

I hear the voice begin to walk out from the back, and my heart stops when I see who it is.

She's dressed down in a casual fit. Black sweats and a black graphic tee to match. She'd never be caught wearing this out. So my guess is she saw the news and came straight here.

Here, huh?

"Mary-Kate, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, Lizzie? Where's Y/N?" My older sister rebuttals. I ignore the soft tone she just used.

MK takes a step forward. I try to keep my face strong, but she looks at me, and for a second, I see the disappointment on my sister's face. She's connecting the dots.

I turn away from MK and start dumping Y/N's stuff on her small dining room table. I can feel MK's eyes on me as I try to focus.

"Lizzie?"

"What?" I bite back as I feel her presence getting closer to me.

"What happened?"

I let the tote fall from my hand as I close my eyes and turn around. I open them to see MK's face. She was watching me with such intensity. It's the same look she has when I visit her and Ash at The Row. But instead of fabrics and materials to look over, it's me—her little sister.

MK moves forward and wraps her arms wound me. Like me, MK needs physical touch sometimes. It's our love language. So this tiny gesture means more. I'm led to the couch with help from MK before she sits down next to me.

I haven't broken down yet- well, since earlier but MK sees my face. She sees how exhausting it is. She knows I've cried off and on since it happened. So before I open my mouth, MK stops me.

"Are you okay?"

I shake my head no.

"Lizzie, I-"

"We're done."

MK looks at me, slightly confused, so with a clear throat, I give her more.

"It's all my fault."

"Lizzie, what do you mean?"

I turn to my sister, slightly frustrated. With her, but mainly at the guy who thought it was cool enough to do this to Y/N. Through the texts and calls I've been dodging, I saw that the legal team that reached out earlier found out who the guy was and is working with my team and the FBI.

"MK. People know more about her than ever before, and it's all because of me. All because she was dating Elizabeth Olsen. I couldn't protect her. I can't have her be with me."

I start to feel my cheeks burning up.

MK nods along but not knowing what to say. I look into her eyes, which have now become slightly glossed over. "Where is Y/N?"

"I-I don't know..."

MK lets out a frustrated sigh before turning away from me.

"You're gonna need to tell me more."

"I broke up with her-" MK looks a little pissed off at me. "You left her." I furrow my eyebrows. "I didn't leave her. She put me in the car and-" "Why?"

"Why what?" I once again can feel my annoyance working up. There's a certain kind that only siblings can get out of you.

"Why did you break up with her?" I sigh and put my head in my hands before scoffing as I face MK. "Have you not been listening to me? Hell, I'm sure you saw the news! That's why you're here, isn't it? To be here for her?!"

MK shakes her head at me. "All I hear is you making excuses, Lizzie." MK gets up and starts walking to the kitchen. I probably shouldn't, but I get up and follow her, continuing our spat.

"What's my excuse then?" MK closes the fridge she just opened and turns to me.

"Your excuse is that you think you're protecting her, but you're not! What you think breaking up with the person you love is going to make everything easier suddenly and everyone forget? You're smarter than that, Lizzie."

I go to open my mouth, but MK steps closer stopping me as she keeps going.

"So you're using those reasons as an excuse just to get out of a good relationship again."

Everything she says hurts me in ways I haven't thought about in a long time.

"What the fuck do you mean 'again'?" I watch my older sister roll her eyes. "First, Robbie. Now Y/N." She states as she walks past me thinking she's won.

"Pretty convenient you left out Boyd, huh." I spit out as I turn my body to see her stop in the middle of the apartment.

"You're not serious right now." She lifts her left hand with her index finger extended. I step out from the kitchen to get closer to her.

"No, I am. Boyd and I were doing well until Mary-Kate Olsen came along."

"You were too good for Boyd. He cheated on you. All I did was simply deliver the news. I never slept with Boyd, Lizzie. How many times do I have to convince you of that." Her voice goes wary at the end. Shit, I knew this would hit a nerve. But it's too late.

"Isn't that why you're here?"

MK lifts her eyes to meet mine.

"Jesus, Lizzie." MK scoffs. "No. I came here hoping to see a friend. Someone that I actually love and care about instead of pretending to do those things."

"I never pretended!" I yell before MK fires back, "Then where the fuck is she!" MK runs a hand through her hair before walking away towards the window.

She's right. I still have no idea where she is.

"No one's heard from her." I hear MK's broken voice. She turns her eyes to me as she leans against the wall near the window.

"Did you even think about how she feels?"

"I didn't have time." I close my eyes and sigh, hearing how tag sounds, but surprisingly, Mary-Kate doesn't stop me. I open my eyes to see her waiting for me to continue. Her stance has gotten softer, and my sister is coming back.

"I mean.. it all happened so fast. One minute we were having the morning of our lives, and the next, it was like I was being torn apart." MK brings herself off the wall as she pays close attention. "I hadn't looked at my phone all morning except for one time, so we had some time to kill as we were on the way to my place. I start checking messages and emails from my team about some upcoming interviews and projects. But in an instant, it changed. All of this shit started coming out about Y/N. Parts of her phone number, videos, and pics of her from work. Pics of us together."

I move myself to the couch as my mind relives the events of this morning.

"I got a phone call from Marla." MK has now sat down next to me.

"She told me that they could have Robbie and his team put out a statement saying how we haven't been together in over a month but that there was still the matter of Y/N's safety..." I calm my breathing before continuing. "I still listened to Marla go on to say that whoever doxxed Y/N had to be close to her. I now have a legal team working on the case. They know who did it."

MK nods at me. "At a certain point, I couldn't focus on the call. All I could think about was that none of this would have happened if Y/N and I weren't together. My mind was spiraling, but I got snapped out of it when Y/N called my name." I can feel my eyes start to water as I turn to MK, but my mind sees Y/N in the backseat of the car.

"She looked so scared." I feel my body start to give out, so thankfully, my sister is here to put her arms around me.

"I tried to explain it to her, but it happened quickly. We went from the car to the street to us crying together, and then I was in the car by myself as it was pulling away from her." I give my best summary of the situation, knowing she'll fill in the blanks. "I regret it," I mumble.

"Lizzie," MK says as she moves away from me. "I understand that what you think you did was right at the time. But since you couldn't explain it to her, she must've felt so blindsided and hurt. And I know you're hurting too.. but what now? What's your next step?"

I shrug and let my body fall into the couch.

"I knew she wasn't going to be here, but a small part of me hoped," I say without looking at MK. "Me too."

With the awkward air clouding us, MK decided to get some tea going for us while we waited for any news.

By the time MK places our teas on the coffee table, her phone goes off. I lean up on the couch as MK looks at the caller ID.

"Ash." She says as the phone still rings. "Do you want to..?" I shake my head no as MK nods and takes the phone to Y/N's bedroom to answer the call.

I hear a bit of the conversation, and I'm pretty sure I heard MK cry, reminding me that I need to apologize for the awful things I said. But that's for later. Right now, I'm texting Y/N and calling everyone I think could help.

I give the majority of them a shorthand version of today's events and just hope that they can help.

It's after 3 now, and of course, Max doesn't answer me back. No surprise. I texted Chris E hoping he could put some of that Cap charm to good use. I even have Marla try and reach out.

I'm about to scroll through to see what the world thinks of me at the moment when my phone starts ringing. I immediately hit the green button without thinking about who it is.

"Lizzie! Oh my God. Are you two okay?"

I lift my phone to see who I'm talking to: Scarlett🕷️

I open my mouth to say yes, but that's a lie. Instead, I sigh. Scarlett must've heard because before I speak, she does. "Where are you?"

"Y/N's."

"Okay, good. Yeah, going back to your place might not be a good idea. I bet the paparazzi are just waiting. If you two need a place to stay, you know you're always more than welcome-"

"Scarlett." I cut her off. "I ended it with Y/N."

For a second, it felt like Scarlett hung up. There was no noise coming from her end until I heard a very calm Scarlett. "Honey, could you watch Rose for a minute? I'll be right back."

Oh no. I knew what was coming. Scarlett's angered breaths came through the phone before I heard a door close.

"Elizabeth Olsen, what the fuck are you talking about?"

This is just the start.

"What do you mean you ended things? Before or after the news broke?!"

"After bu-"

"LIZZIE!" I pull the phone slightly away from my ear. "You are so lucky I'm pregnant right now!"

"But Scarlett-"

"Where is she?!" My eyes go wide as Scarlett just did her best Bat-Growl. "I- I don't know..."

I hear Scar let out a shaky breath like I've done all day.

"Do you think she's safe?"

"I can only hope.. she is not answering anyone's messages or returning anyone's calls."

"I can try my best, but Lizzie, why?"

"Did you not see my messages?"

"No, I just got back from my spa day. I only saw the news of Y/N's leak. One sec."

I hear Scarlett start shuffling her phone around. I don't know if Scarlett forgot I could hear her, but I hear a lot of tsks and huffs. After what feels like forever, I hear The Black Widow breathe again.

"Oh, Liz..."

"I know. I keep trying, but I get nothing."

"Does she know the real reason-" "I tried. But no."

"Maybe just give her space and-"

"I'm not leaving her, Scar."

Even though I literally did.

"I didn't say that. Just give her some space to try and process it all. It would be best if you had it too. Who knows, maybe she'll figure out your true intentions and meet you halfway. But for now, ease off and focus on the tasks that you have now. Are you seeking legal action?"

Scarlett's right. Man, I'm not too fond of it when she's right.

"Yeah, we had some firm reach the second the news broke. Marla and Rhonda are dealing with it. I also have them try and reach out to Y/N since she'll more than likely have to appear in court, but I don't know..."

Scarlett doesn't immediately pipe up, so I guess she's taking all of it in.

"Lizzie, can I ask you something?"

"Okay," I say with an unsure tone.

"If Y/N was right before you, would you fight for her or let her go?"

"If I'm being honest with you, Scar, I regret telling her we couldn't be together. But at the same time, none of this would've happened if she wasn't with me. I would want to fight for her, but I don't know who that would end up hurting the most.."

I swallow another pool of guilt.

"Damn. Okay. Way not to answer my question, but I understand. Your mind is probably spinning, thinking one thing is better than the next."

I nod to her words. She knows me so well.

I hear Scarlett turn away from the phone. I'm guessing her little spawn is missing her mom.

"Well, as I said, focus on you right now. While I am very upset with you for how it all happened, I know you meant well, Lizzie. I love you. The offer still stands if you need a place to crash."

For the first time in a long line of hours, I smile.

"Thank you, Scarlett. I love you too. Please give my Rosie a big hug for me." Scarlett chuckles at that.

"Oh, and Lizzie. Maybe work on an apology."

"My minds been reeling already thinking of the million things I'd want to say."

"Bye, Lizzie!"

"Bye, Scarlett."

I end the call and drop the phone onto my lap. I close my eyes and let out a large breath I was holding in. I run my hands over my exhausted face and try to listen to Scarlett's words about focusing on the next thing.

"Well-" I jump at the sudden words coming from my sister. "Ash ain't exactly on team Lizzie."

I shut my eyes to her words. "There's no teams."

"I know.. I just.." I open one of my eyes to her and wait.

"Never mind." MK now is standing at the entryway to the living room awkwardly, even though it's neither of our place. I watch my sister's fingers start picking at her own hands.

"Did you quit?" I raise an eyebrow.

MK stops picking now that she knows I noticed.

"Trying to." I lift my body from the couch as we're having a normal conversation for the first time today. "Since when?"

"It'll be a month tomorrow. If I don't break by then." If I was MK, I would've.

I move off of the couch and bring myself to my sister to wrap her into a hug. "I'm proud of you," I say when her ear lines up to me. MK has always struggled with addiction. Ash for a while, too, but MK was the twin that never could stop. It took a toll on her and many relationships, but the fact that she's gone this long without killing her lungs with another puff means more.

But we both know this hug between us isn't just about that.

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

We end up squeezing each other for longer, and by the time we're done, I see that both our eyes have become a little glossy.

"Lizzie, I don't want to worsen your day, but you smell. You need a shower bad."

I laugh as I wipe my eyes free from emotions.

"How about you hop into the shower, and I can order us something? We both need food in our stomachs."

MKs, right I haven't eaten since this morning, and it's now late afternoon. I wonder if Y/N's eaten- "Already, what do you want?" MK pulls me from my depressing thoughts as she holds out numerous take-out menus.

I skim over the options before I land on an Italian place. "You would," MK says as she pulls her phone out to dial them. "Usual?" She looks back at me as I nod.

While Mary-Kate orders, I head into the bedroom and start grabbing a comfortable pair of clothes to wear post-shower. I smile to myself when I find Y/N's Elizabeth Olsen collage shirt on the floor. I think about it before deciding that this will be my fit for tonight.

Before my body pulls me to the bathroom to shower, I quickly stop at Y/N's desk. On top, I see her journals. I grab the 2019 one that she let me read the day I met her mom. The first day we said 'I love you' in person. I flip through the pages before finding the same song that caught my eye previously.

All Eyes On Me

Are you feeling nervous?

It's just begun Don't overthink this Look in my eye

Come on in, the water's fine

We're goin' to go where everybody knows Everybody knows, everybody, We're goin' to go where everybody knows Everybody knows

Get your fuckin' hands up

All eyes on me, all eyes on me

Y/N mentioned how this one is still a work in progress. Years long by now. I told her it could be updated, but I doubt that's happening anytime soon.

I flip through some more. With each word I read, I get sad at the thought of Y/N writing this based on what's happening in her life, but at the same time, it's like she's telling us that it's okay. That we can laugh. Strange, I know.

After wasting who knows how long, I finally managed to move my feet to the shower.

"Thank you once again for getting dinner," I say as I swallow my last bit of pasta. "It's no worries." MK shrugs it off.

Once we're both satisfied enough, I bring our dishes to the kitchen and start to get to work while MK checks her phone, hoping to see anything new. With a simple shake of the head, I know my answer. I'm not shocked, but it sucks. I ask her to check my phone, and I haven't received anything from Y/N either. I get messages from just about everyone else on the planet telling me they reach out to Y/N but have come up empty-handed.

As I finish up the dishes, I watch MK go into Y/N's room and come back with two jackets. Wait..

"Going somewhere?" I ask, drying the final glass.

"We are." I dry my hands and join MK in the living room.

"Where?" MK slips on her coat and just looks at me. "Remember your freshman year at NYU?" I smile as I think back. "Yeah."

"Then let's go," MK says as I follow behind her as we walk out. I made sure to grab Y/N's keys and lock up.

I open the door to the roof as the nighttime early summer air breezes past me.

I make my way toward the middle of the roof and stand there looking out in all directions before finally looking up at the sky.

MK walks up next to me and comforts me. At the same time, I wrap an arm around her to comfort my older sister.

We stand there for a couple of minutes, letting the city speak for us.

"The views are definitely different," I say, earning a soft laugh from MK. "Yeah, it is. But you're not spending a shit load on getting it."

I nod. "True."

I released myself from MK and take a seat on a smaller, higher rooftop before closing my eyes and letting my back lay against the cool rooftop.

When my eyes open, I'm in awe at the small number of stars I can see. A tiny part of me is wondering if Y/N is doing the same.

I wonder how she feels. Is it regret for meeting me? Guilt? Pain? Love?

"What did Scarlett say earlier?"

Of course, she heard.

"Just that I should give her some space and work up an apology."

"Do you disagree?" I shake my head no. "But I want to let her know what I really mean and want."

"In time, Lizzie."

We sit in silence for what feels like an hour but honestly was probably fifteen minutes.

"Ready?" I tilt my head to see MK standing to my left, ready to go.

I lightly nod and join MK near the roof access door.

I'd love to say that because of how exhausted I am, my mind would be the same, but it's still replaying the day's events and making me feel worse with each hour that passes.

I'm reasonably certain MK was about to ask to stay the night, but after a movie that neither of us paid attention to, she decided against it.

MK and I told each other that the second we heard anything from Y/N, we would let the other person know; however, I have a sneaky suspicion that MK already heard back.

And that hurts.

I begin locking up Y/N's place. Windows. Check. Doors Check. Making sure the oven is off even though I didn't touch it. Check.

With my mind still not shutting off, I choose to find something to occupy my time. I debate whether to text Y/N about a dozen times but untimely choose against it. So without realizing it, I once again find myself in front of Y/N's desk. However, I don't have the 2019 journal in my hand. I found an empty one.

I have no one else on my mind except the last person I loved. So I decided to do what she's done many times over. I begin writing. Lyrics? Letter? A poem or a note, I don't know.

I hope she's safe. I hope she comes back.

I want to see her, even if it's one last time.

Part 23

A/N

So here's what was going on with Liz!

22 notes · View notes

goldenempyrean · 2 years

Note

sick elizabeth and reader on christmas using the prompts “I told you to wear a coat.” and “I dont think chicken noodle soup counts as Christmas dinner.”

Does It Count As Christmas Dinner?

Hi! Yep this is another drabble one. I actually really loved writing this one :) hopefully you enjoy it too

░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░

“Hhh..hhitshhiew!” You heard a couple of thick sniffles followed by a quiet, “Excuse me.”

You looked over to your right to see Lizzie swiping her fingers against the underside of her nose. There was a mumble of blessings from the surrounding people.

This Christmas, it was yours and Lizzies turn to host Christmas Dinner for your family, and so, they’d travelled down and everyone was making convosation as they sat round the large table. But it wasn’t the first time that Lizzie had sneezed that afternoon, infact had seemed rather sniffly all day.

The timer on your phone buzzed, indicating the main part of the meal was cooked, “Well, I better go and bring out the turkey. I’ll just be a moment.”

You stood up to leave, when Lizzies voice piped up, “Need a hand sweetheart?”

“That would be great, thanks,” You smiled, holding opening the diningroom door for her. Lizzie stepped out and you closed the door behind her, it wasn’t even a second later when you heard her breath hitch.

“Hhih’ttteeshoo! H’iishhiew! Hh..hep’tshhh!” Lizzie tried to muffle her loud sneezes against her elbow but it did nothing to hide the fatigue behind them.

“Goodness bless you.” You hummed as you both walked into the kitchen, “You’ve been awfully sneezy today Liz.”

“Its fine, I’m fine.” She said, pouring herself a small glass of water.

“Its not like yo-“

Your sentence was interrupted by Lizzie spluttering and coughing. Her drink seemed to irritate her throat as she coughed desperately into her arm, holding out her other to keep you at a safe distance away. A minute or so later she recollected herself and looked up to see your concerned eyes scanning over her.

“It just went down the wrong way.” Lizzie said frantically, before you even had to chance to speak.

“Its okay, you’re okay.” You pulled her into a hug, only to be slightly alarmed by just how warm she felt, “Jeez Lizzie. You’re on fire.”

Lizzie mumbled something incoherent as you pressed the back of your palm to her head, brows furrowing as warmth met your hand.

“I told you to wear a coat.” You sighed and looked at her with sympathy, “I should’ve realised sooner.“

“I- Hh’heptshieew! I didn’t want to ruin our dinner, especially since your family is here and we’re meant to be the hosts, but I didn’t feel good this morning and-“ You cut Lizzie off from her panicked ramblings.

“Hey. Lizzie, look at me. Its okay, everything will be okay. Now I need you to go and lay down, sofa or bed, its up to you. I’m gonna take this food out to my family and then I’ll come and make you some soup, unless you’d prefer a plate of food?” You instructed, leaving her to think about what she’d rather eat.

In all honesty, she didn’t really have much of an appetite but still couldn’t help look up at you with her glassy eyes and say, “I don’t think chicken noodle soup counts as Christmas dinner.”

“Christmas dinner is whatever you make it, now go and lay down. I’ll come out as soon as I’ve served this.” You picked up the turkey, which was slightly less warm then you would’ve preferred but it didn’t matter. All you had to do now was wait for them to finish before spending the rest of your Christmas cuddled up with your wife.

85 notes · View notes

ask-yensoccs · 2 months

Text

∫♱ Creators Ocs & A bit about them. | A bit about me. / Boundaries

Alexander : A young merchant who is the close friend of Jonathan Joestar. Also the adopted son of Jack the Ripper before he became an vampire.

Joan : The daugther of Alexander, she is forever cursed she can do nothing but just stay in one spot having a type of Prophet role.

Hazel : A girl who once’s knew Dio & loved him, hence she is blind & deaf but she does know sign language.

Cindy : She is the mother of Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli as well as the ex wife Of Mario Zeppeli, she grew up in a snobbish rich household.

Yueliang : She is a Chinese moon goddess of Rebirth & the moon. She is peaceful & quiet always appearing with the pillarmen.

Citra : She is the Blogger girlfriend of Kakyoin who absolutely adores animals & cute items. (not much since she is a minor character.)

Li-Jing : She is the wife of Daniel J D’Arby, her stand is Isis as she usually just quiet & shy much like the character flutter shy.

Suzume : She is the girlfriend of the famous Mangaka Rohan, as she is a mangaka herself but instead of shonen. She is a Shoujo artist

Asami : She is the designer girlfriend of Akira Otoshi & absolutely likes making fun of people for no reason & will not hesitate to be mean to you.

Yume : She is the depressed widowed girlfriend of Keicho as she plays a minor role in helping Josuke & his group even though she might just be depressed. (not repressed).

Yen : She is a female La squadra member the girlfriend of Prosciutto, she is a bit giddy but also she does play a somewhat minor towards major role. I don’t know.

Magnolia : The girlfriend of Bucciarati near the end, she is a member of Bucciarati gang as she is considered one of the most prettiest girls.

Ombra : Ombra is apart of Unita Speciale. She is Sapphic & sometimes really unhinged & out of pocket.

Feng : she is the narcissistic Dermatologist/Surgeon wife of Cioccolata with her son Viktor.

Em : Em is the undead assistant of Feng. WHO absolutely hates anyone affiliated with Feng. She hates Feng.

Miuccia : she is a devotee of Luna/Selene as she doesn’t play much of a role but no one really knows what she can do

Viktor : The son of Cioccolata & Feng. He is currently in green dolphin prison for commiting unexplained crimes(Nothing from anything sexual category.)

Momo : she is the secret Daughter of Jotaro he had when he accidentally got into a one night stand. She is also in Viktor group ‘Holy Grail’

Mithai : The demonic fairy girlfriend of Momo who seems to just appear out of no where when she wants to.

Amy : The old showgirl who is in green dolphin prison like Momo, Viktor & Mimi. She rather is more random.

Mimi : The ex Vkei artist who got put into jail for a assaulting multiple people just for her friends.

Ryota : The time traveling old man-child who knows how to make crazy inventions & documents everything

Mr. Russo : The Butler of Ryota who use to have affiliation with the mafia.

Ambra : The daugther of Prosciutto & Yen along with her unnamed Siblings as Ambra is a model.

Sato : The gay married man who married Jotaro after he(Jotaro) divorced his wife during a few years prior of part 6.

Hachirō : The son of Sato & his old wife.

Arabella : Viktor old childhood girlfriend who he gets reunited with after he died

Ai-Mei(Syaoran) : The princess of China as she is the kings daugther but she escaped to do the race.

Olivia : The robotic undead 505 year old Freak show performer who seems even more random then everyone else.

Chum : The metalhead girlfriend of a therapist. She is an insane feminist & insanely strong despite her height

Liz : A K pop idol who just wants to live a normal life even though she doesn’t know how to speak English well.

@ask-team-bucciarati & @ask-la-squadra TY FOR THE INSPIRATION :3

__________________________________________

A bit about Mun.

My name is Yen/Raven

My pronouns are any really but most preferred is She/Her or They/Them

I am a wiccan of 5-6 years.

I really love goth stuff & Tyoe O Negative :}

I love to Roleplay & do shit

I will not take blame if you get traumatized or trigger from my blog since I have warned you.

I do a lot of shit & I’m in multiple fandoms as I as well do match ups & headcanons on my main acc & @x0bl00dy-type .

I am about 5’7-5’9

- idk what else to add lOL.

___________________________________

Boundaries

Interact :

JJBA fan Accs & RP Accs

People who knows how to be respectful

Everything really just don’t be toxic.

OMG TYPE O FANS OR OTHER METAL BANDS OR ROCK BAND ENJOYERS

┆

⥥

Don't Interact :

Toxic people

Proshitters & Really anything along those lines as well as Lolicons. I am not dealing with their bullshit

Abelist, Sexist, Racist, Haters, & other stuff like that.:P

If I see any of these following people on my blog if their not anonymous they will get blocked. As well as sex accs.

____________________________________

P.S : I’m always free but also yet again another Warning. Their will be slurs(Reclaimable by creator)(Creator is allowed to say them.), Substance use, Sexual implications as well as other mature contents step away if your not comfortable.

#jjba #jjba oc #i’m unhinged #help.#im bored #TY FOR INSPIRATION #𖤐NSFW #★SFW

4 notes · View notes

brostateexam · 1 year

Text

Something has gone wrong with work. On this, everyone seems to agree. Less clear is the precise nature of the problem, let alone who or what is to blame. For some time we’ve been told that we’re in the midst of a Great Resignation. Workers are quitting their jobs en masse, repudiating not just their bosses but ambition itself—even the very idea of work. Last year, as resignation rates appeared to plateau, the cause célèbre shifted to “quiet quitting.” This theory holds that what truly distinguishes the present crisis is a more metaphorical sort of resignation: a withdrawal of effort, the sort of thing that is called “work-to-rule” when undertaken by a union. This supposed rebellion against extortion has served as fodder for familiar right-wing complaints about entitlement. The most optimistic commentators on the left, however, have assimilated these hypothetical phenomena into a vision of revitalized working-class self-activity. The AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler has boasted of “labor’s great resurgence.” Even the New York Times, in its own milquetoast fashion, has acknowledged the prospect that, “after decades of declining union membership, organized labor may be on the verge of a resurgence in the U.S.”

There is evidence for all and none of these accounts. Despite declining in 2022, the overall rates of resignation remain higher than at any point in the twenty-first century before the pandemic. But such numbers conceal striking differences across sectors. Statistically speaking, the Great Resignation has been confined almost entirely to the low-wage service industries. Rates of quitting among the so-called laptop class budged only slightly after the initial recession following COVID-19 and now sit at or below pre-pandemic levels. But aggregate employment in the sectors at the heart of the Great Resignation has been growing at a solid clip for years. There’s been a particular acceleration in the gig economy—self-employment increased about 20 percent in the first two years of the pandemic. The quitting phenomenon is real, in other words, but it manifests more frequently in canvassing for better deals than in a radical refusal to work altogether. As its icon we should not imagine a Charles Foster Kane type who realizes, at the summit of his professional climb, that all is vanity, but rather a taxi driver switching fleets a few times in search of better pay and conditions before deciding to drive for Uber.

The evidence for quiet quitting—a concept popularized by a viral TikTok video—is considerably more qualitative, to put it kindly. The best numbers on the subject come from the biannual Gallup study of employee engagement. The data suggests that, since 2019, engagement has indeed declined while active disengagement has risen—but very modestly, and not to historically unusual levels. Unlike resignation, however, the disengagement trend seems to be just as pronounced, perhaps even uniquely pronounced, among white-collar workers. Gallup reports that “managers, among others, experienced the greatest drop” in engagement.

#long reads

11 notes · View notes

bex-la-get · 2 years

Text

Jealousy, Jealousy (Ethan x f!MC)

Book: Open Heart

Characters: Ethan Ramsey x Natalie Cusack

Special Appearance: Elizabeth White (OC)

Word count: 1720

Summary: Nat wasn’t the type to get jealous. But when she meets her, things begin to change.

Rating: T

Category: Angst; Hurt/Comfort

Author’s Note: I’ve been trying to write this jealousy fic for months and while vacuuming of all things, I got some inspiration and was able to get this written down! Shoutout to @genevievemd for proofreading this for me! You’re a gem, dear Brain Twin! 💙

Natalie watched as Ethan schmoozed and networked with investors and stakeholders, smiling to herself. Ethan may have hated these types of events, but she had to admit: he was good. His charming smile and assertive manner made for quite the impression and nearly everyone he spoke to left dazzled by the Great Ethan Ramsey.

As he split from the latest investor he was speaking to, he walked over to her and smiled, making her heart skip a beat. He leaned down and kissed her softly. She smiled up at him when they broke apart. “I know this isn’t your cup of tea, but you’re kind of rocking it out there,” she said.

He shrugged. “Thanks. Like it or not, we need investors and stakeholders and if I have to schmooze a few to ensure the hospital continues to thrive, I’m willing to suffer through it.”

“Well, just know, your sacrifice is appreciated,” Nat said, laughing.

Ethan rolled his eyes and smiled, before looking back out over the crowd of people. Natalie noticed when he spotted someone, as his body straightened up immediately. She expected a look of grudging acceptance of his fate, but instead she saw his eyes light up and a beaming smile grace his lips. “Elizabeth!” he exclaimed.

Natalie followed his gaze to find a beautiful blonde woman, around Ethan’s age, approach them, smiling. “Well, I’ll be damned,” she said in a lilting British accent. “Ethan Ramsey, in the flesh.”

The two embraced tightly, and Natalie couldn't help but notice how at ease the two seemed with each other. When they separated, Ethan gestured to Natalie. “Nat, this is an old friend of mine, Elizabeth White. Liz, this is Dr. Natalie Cusack. She’s Co-Head of the Diagnostics Team with me and a brilliant doctor all around.”

Elizabeth smiled warmly at Natalie and shook her head. “Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Cusack.”

“Natalie’s just fine,” Nat replied, returning the woman’s smile. Is this the same Liz as his Undergrad girlfriend? She thought to herself. And why didn’t he introduce me as his girlfriend? He always introduces me as his girlfriend first.

Natalie shook her head, trying to get the thoughts that were flooding her brain to quiet down. As she tuned back into the conversation, she watched Ethan and Elizabeth converse with practiced ease. “What are you doing here?” Ethan asked.

“Same as you: working,” she replied. “I’m working with some non-profit organizations to boost their donations and public awareness. Basically, I’m doing a lot of schmoozing.”

Ethan laughed. “We have that in common, then.��

“Still hating every second of it?” she asked.

He nodded, chuckling. “Absolutely.”

“Good to know some things never change, then.”

Natalie listened to the conversation, contributing where she could, as unease settled into her stomach. What was wrong with her? Was she… jealous? Noooo. She wasn’t the jealous type. It wasn’t like her to feel this way around other women, especially Ethan’s exes. Granted, the only other ex she had ever met was Harper, but Harper was a trusted colleague and friend. And Nat had never been jealous of Harper, ever.

So, why was Elizabeth different?

“And how is dear Tobias?” she heard Elizabeth ask. “Are you two still causing trouble everywhere you go?”

“Us? Never!” Ethan replied, exaggeratedly.

God, there was so much history here. Probably more than Nat had ever realized. She looked over Elizabeth again and couldn’t help but compare the older woman to herself.

Elizabeth exuded elegance, dressed in a designer navy blue pantsuit, her blonde hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail. Meanwhile, Nat was in an old black cocktail dress she bought for her Undergrad School graduation and her hair was down, in its natural wavy state, frizzing up due to the humidity from the afternoon’s previous rainstorm. By comparison, Nat didn’t hold a torch to Elizabeth. And with every passing moment, Natalie felt more and more inadequate. And all she wanted to do was get the hell out of here.

Blessedly, someone called Elizabeth’s name from across the room and the woman smiled sheepishly. “Duty calls,” she said. She hugged Ethan again as she said her goodbyes. “It was absolutely lovely to see you, Ethan. And it was a delight meeting you, Natalie.”

“Likewise,” Nat said, forcing a smile.

She watched as Elizabeth walked away and fought the urge to hide in the nearest bathroom and scream into a hand towel.

Ethan turned his attention back to Nat and furrowed his brows, a look of concern shadowing his features. “Are you okay?”

She shook her head. “I’m not feeling very well,” she said. “Can we get out of here?”

“Of course.” Without wasting another moment, Ethan ushered the two of them out of the event and back into the car. The entire ride back home, Ethan continued to check on her, asking if she was alright; Nat merely hummed in response, staring out the window the entire time. Her thoughts were racing in her head and she couldn’t quiet them enough to think of a better response.

By the time they got home, Ethan was nearly at his wit’s end trying to figure out what was wrong. “Nat, please talk to me. You’re starting to scare me.”

She was staring out the patio door, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.

“Nat?”

A reasoning voice sounded off in her head. Tell him! You’re the one who insists on communication. Tell him what’s wrong. The tears she’d been holding back started to fall, and she sucked in a deep breath. “You didn’t introduce me as your girlfriend.”

“What?”

She sniffled, and forcibly wiped the escaping tears away. “When you introduced me to Elizabeth. You didn’t introduce me as your girlfriend. You always introduce me as ‘This is my girlfriend, Natalie, my Co-Head of Diagnostics.’ Instead, it was just ‘Dr. Cusack.’”

“I-- I’m sorry, Nat. I didn’t realize that was important to you.”

“Well, it is!” She snapped. She covered her face with her hand and fought the sob that wanted to escape. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“Nat, will you look at me, please?” Ethan said, stepping closer to her.

She sniffled and did as he asked. His eyes flashed with concern as he looked over the devastation on her face. “Nat--”

“I know it’s stupid,” she said, pulling away from him. “We’re adults, I shouldn’t be upset that you didn’t call me your girlfriend but she’s your ex and it’s the first time I met her and instead of being introduced as your girlfriend, I was just introduced as your colleague and--” she was rambling now, “and it just made me feel less than, okay?!

“She’s fucking perfect. She has the designer suits, the accomplishments, the hair, and she’s blonde and I--” she looked down at herself, “I’m not. I don’t have any of that.” She wrapped her arms around herself again, a protective position she’d had since she was a child.

“Oh, Nat,” Ethan said. He slowly stepped toward her again.

“I know, it’s stupid. I’m just being stupid.”

“Don’t you dare say that about yourself,” Ethan said, firmly. He stepped closer to her again, closing the distance between them. “Natalie, baby, listen to me.” He placed his fingers under her chin and moved her face so she was looking at him. “You are not stupid, in any way at all. Your feelings are valid, remember that.”

He cupped her cheeks with his hands and used his thumbs to gently wipe away her tears. “First of all, I want to apologize for not introducing you as my girlfriend. You’re right, I didn’t introduce you with that title first and I should have. But I’m just so damn proud of you that I wanted to showcase your accomplishments. It didn’t occur to me that my omitting ‘girlfriend’ would have hurt you. I’m sorry that it did and I’ll be sure not to make that mistake again.

“Secondly, Elizabeth might be accomplished in her career field but that doesn’t make you any less accomplished than she is. You’re the youngest fellow the Diagnostics Team has ever had, not to mention Co-Head of said team. You saved Naveen’s life as an intern and you’re paving the way to make healthcare more affordable for those without insurance. These aren’t things to sniff at, Nat. You’re making more of a difference than you realize.

“And thirdly, designer suits and nice hair don’t define a person, my love. You are a phenomenal person just the way you are, and you don’t need anything fancy to prove that. That being said, if you want the designer suits, I’m more than happy to give you my card and let you go shopping.”

A small smile appeared on Nat’s lips and she shook her head. Ethan returned her smile. “Lastly,” he continued, “Liz may be my ex, yes. But that period ended for us a long time ago. She’s happily married now and I consider her to be nothing more than a dear friend. You, on the other hand, are everything to me. You are the love of my life and nothing is going to change that, Natalie. Nothing.” She sniffled and he wiped more escaped tears away. “Baby, you are the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. You are the one that I want day and night. And it doesn’t matter to me whether you’re in a designer suit or sweat pants and an oversized t-shirt; you are fucking beautiful and perfect in my eyes, always.”

Natalie nodded and sniffled again. “I’m sorry. I feel like such a dick, now.”

Ethan shook his head and pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing the top of her head. “Don’t feel that way. You’re allowed to feel the things you feel. Just, don’t shut me out again, okay? I can’t ease your concerns if you don’t tell me about them.”

Nat nodded. “Okay, I promise.”

“I love you, Nat. Always.”

“I love you too.”

They held each other for a long moment before Ethan pulled back and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “And for the record,” he whispered against her skin, “I much prefer redheads.”

Natalie giggled and Ethan grinned before kissing her soundly on the lips, letting the last of her worries fade away.

A/N: Tagging separately.

#bexwritesstuff #ethan ramsey #natalie cusack #ethan x natalie #ethan x mc #open heart mc

46 notes · View notes

darkwizardesswrites · 5 months

Text

Destiny Quartet Season One Chapter Six

Summary: They lost their parents in an epidemic when they were only eight, their sister went missing when they were eleven, for the three Hart sisters’ life was by no means easy but they always kept looking forward. The village was peaceful and quiet, everyone was friendly and the sisters were content with what little they had. When the three of them get accepted into Gedonelune magic Royal Academy, the most prestigious magic school, they leave the village they lived in all their lives and set out to the academy. With Liz being terrible in magic and Loris being indifferent, will they be able to pass the trial? And what’s with the mysterious Dream Lillias keeps having?

Previous Chapter || Next Chapter || Masterlist

"You three tell me something," The headmaster stepped forward, a small smirk on his face, "What does magic mean to you?" He proceeded to ask. "Meaning… of magic?" Lillias mumbled as she exchanged glances with her two siblings, checking if anyone other than her had an answer yet all of them remained deadly silent, she could tell Liz and Loris were confused by the question. "Um…" Liz trailed off as she racked her brain for an answer… but she couldn't think of anything. The meaning of magic? To her…?

She couldn't quite comprehend the purpose of such a question.

"It's okay, it matters not, you still have plenty of time to find an answer," Randolph reassured them, "Search for the answer from within your hearts."

"Yes sir."

"One more thing," Conrad spoke up, turning to speak to them, "Now this is very important, you must never leave the Academy grounds after nightfall, also the tower of sorrow and the surrounding east forest must never be entered."

"The tower of sorrow? Isn't that from the fairytale of the dragon of time and the first king?!" Liz asked in bewilderment. "A fairytale you say?" Conrad narrowed his eyes and glanced at Liz while Zen covered his mouth, fighting the urge to laugh.

"Isn't it?" Liz asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Liz it… it's real," Lillias chimed in, turning to face her sister. "Did you think it was a fairytale all this time?" She looked at Liz in amazement. "… Liz, even I know…" Loris shook her head in disbelief, she didn't find this amusing… not in the slightest. "You two must be joking…right?" Liz skeptically eyed her two sisters, the story couldn't possibly be true… right?" Her eyes glanced from her sisters to the headmaster, desperate for an answer. "Like those two said, it is no fairytale, it's a true legend." Randolph nodded affirmatively before glancing back at the girls. "Wait really, that actually happened?!" Liz exclaimed, her eyes bulging out of their sockets like saucers.

"Indeed yes, though it seems some lands believe it no more than a fairytale," Randolph let out a muffled laugh. "It's embarrassing you don't even know that much," Klaus blurted out. "…." Liz remained quiet as she looked at the ground, she tightened her grip on her hand feeling slightly embarrassed by her ignorance, Klaus's remarks were not making things easier either… but really, did he have to say that?

"Headmaster Randolph is one of the three mages who has vowed to protect the tower of sorrow," Conrad informed them.

"What? He's one of the three mages?! Liz shouted in utter shock. "Indeed I am," Randolph smirked playfully before winking at Liz. "That reminds me, I heard you three were unable to meet Klaus at the station."

"Yes, we went off on our own as soon as we arrived…. Then we ended up accidentally splitting up and… stuff happened." Liz mumbled as she averted her eyes. "Hmm yes, something of the like did happen," Lillias affirmed.

"I apologize for the acceptance letter failing to tell you the proper instructions." Randolph apologized sincerely, "I should better make sure that nothing similar happens to our provisional students in the future." He mumbled to himself. "Why was Prefect Klaus sent to the station in the first place?" Liz hesitated slightly but managed to ask the question. "Because I asked him to," Randolph replied casually.

"Oh…." Liz mumbled, unable to say anything to that. "Klaus," Headmaster Randolph took a brief glance at the blond Prefect, focusing his attention on him.

"Yes?" Klaus turned his head to face the headmaster, meeting his gaze straight on without faltering for even a second. "I would like you to continue supporting the sisters," Randolph crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair as he stared down at Klaus.

"W-what?!" Liz gasped, absolutely dreading the idea. No, she couldn't possibly handle it! She wanted to stay away from Klaus as much as possible. She didn't want to be taught by him, that would be a disaster! She couldn't let her rosy hopes of academy life shatter to pieces.

"Me sir?" Klaus Inquired.

"Yes, your assistance will prove valuable to them now and in the future, plus…" The headmaster's lips curved into a smirk, "You and Liz seem to have good synergy together."

"I don't know about that…"Liz mumbled as she fiddled with her skirt, her gaze focused on the floor beneath her feet. She couldn't comprehend how the headmaster came to that conclusion, it made no sense to her. Ever since she met the blond prefect he had only made fun of her or belittled her. Her time with the emperor Klaus had been nothing but a nightmare. She didn't want to endure being with him longer than necessary.

But surely… She wasn't the only one who thought so, right? Surely Klaus felt the same. Liz glanced over at the blond prefect, hoping to see a hint of dissatisfaction or disapproval in his face but instead, all she saw was a blank expression devoid of any hint of emotion.

"Liz, you practice Veterinary medicine, yes?" Randolph asked, looking at the brunette for confirmation. "Well um…. More or less," She responded hesitantly. "If you are able to join us as an official student I would like to guide you towards becoming a tamer of magical creatures," the headmaster offered, smiling kindly at his new student. "Really?! A tamer?!" The girl exclaimed, eyes glowing with enthusiasm, "I would love that!"

"Then study hard and that path could be yours." Randolph chuckled in amusement.

"I will!"

Randolph then turned his attention to Lillias for the briefest of moments, "As for Lillias, I believe you specialize in herbs and medicine, correct?"

The girl replied with a nod, "That's right, I find it to be an interesting and useful subject, I am also quite fond of nature in general not just medicinal plants, the differences of each species can be quite fascinating and-" She trailed off but abruptly stopped herself when she saw Schuyler clear his throat and glare her way. "My Apologies," she covered her mouth and composed herself, turning her gaze towards the ground.

"I can tell you're really passionate about nature," Randolph laughed, "In the past, there was a student who shared your enthusiasm for plants and medicine, it's quite a shame he's no longer in the Academy." He smiled wistfully as he recalled one of his old students, "The two of you would've definitely gotten along."

Lillias inquisitively glanced up at him, curious as to who this former student was, she wondered what kind of person he was. Soon, the young teenager shook those thoughts aside. At the moment, it didn't matter. Her main priority was getting officially accepted into the academy, those questions of hers would come later.

"Klaus… I know you are promised a position with the Ministry of Magical Justice, however…" Randolph paused for a second to collect his thoughts, "If you see to it that Liz is accepted, what would you say about becoming a professor in the academy?"

"…. seriously?" Klaus stared at the headmaster, stunned by the unexpected suggestion. "I am completely serious," Randolph reassured him with a big smile, observing the honor student with great attentiveness.

At that moment, prefect Klaus, who had been completely unfazed before, erupted with glee."Understood I will do everything in my power to support her."

"Please do." Randolph nodded approvingly, "That is all I have to say for now… Liz, Lillias, and Loris. I hope you enjoy the Academy life."

"Thank you, sir." Liz and Lillias gave a slight bow in his direction.

Wait… That's it?

Loris blankly stared in front of her, utterly shocked, insulted even. It was absurd, it felt like she was completely ignored.

He didn't comment about me at all! Not a single comment. Nothing, zero, zilch, nada. Dude, am I invisible or something?!

The brunette grumbled as she looked away, feeling disappointed, but… why? She didn't completely understand why. After all… she didn't even want to be here. Anything that happens from now on… means nothing.

Randolph silently watched as the students left the office, a satisfied smirk on his face as he watched the door close shut. Once there was no one around, he glanced toward the two professors, "Zen, Conrad what do you make of those three young fledglings?" He asked, his voice low and calm, his eyes focused on the doorframe.

"Well… let's see," Zen contemplated the answer for a while before continuing on, "They are quite a unique bunch, I am looking forward to teaching them, they seemed eager to start their new academy life."

"That may be true," Schuyler coldly responded. "However, I personally doubt they have what it takes to be officially accepted here."

"Eager you say…" Randolph examined the papers on his desk, carefully skimming through their contents, "I wonder about that…" he quietly mumbled to himself, getting lost in his thoughts. After a few minutes, he heard a knock on the door, "Come in."

The door creaked open as a young man with shimmering white hair stepped into the office, his uniform slightly disheveled and messy, yet he still gave off an imposing Aura, "Oh? Am I perhaps late to the party?" Prefect Lyron pushed his long white locks away from his face, "Seems like I might have lost track of time a little." He smiled towards them, seemingly completely unbothered by Professor Schuyler's icy glare.

"Ah, Lyron. I am glad that you decided to finally grace us with your presence." Randolph greeted him coolly. Schuyler narrowed his eyes as he scanned his student up and down, "As Laid-back as ever, I see," he spat the words out, completely dissatisfied with his student's code of conduct, "I will never understand how someone like you became a prefect."

"Because of my charming attitude and other-worldly looks?" Lyron replied with a mischievous smile on his lips. Schuyler's eyebrows twitched, "Stop fooling around and do your job properly."

"Roger," Lyron chuckled and then glanced over at Zen. "Well, you heard them, shall we get going, Professor?"

The black-haired professor nodded in response, "Yes, let us be in our way."

Lyron turned towards the door, he slowly opened the door to peer out into the hallway. "There haven't been many changes to the Academy since you graduated, so I am sure you'll feel right at home," he eyed Zen.

"Is that so….? I would beg to differ, many things have changed since then," Zen stated looking around him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia, "You haven't changed in the slightest though, You're as carefree as ever."

"Is that so…?" Lyron hummed, many thoughts swirling in his hands, "Perhaps so, however zen…." he trailed off, focusing his attention on the Alumni, "I cannot say the same for you, you've changed, a lot."

"Oh?" Zen stopped in his tracks, his eyes looking at Lyron quizzically. "How so?"

You were reserved and quiet when you were in the academy. I'd even argue you were slightly more…" He frowned thoughtfully, "Stoic."

"You think?" Zen laughed in response, shaking his head slightly, "Well, a lot can change in three years."

"I suppose….." Lyron mumbled before shaking his head, "Anyway," he smiled back at Zen, "let us focus on our little tour now."

After leaving the headmaster's office, the three sisters walked together in silence, following Klaus through the stretched-out hallways. Lillias silently hummed, and occasionally glanced around, taking in all the scenery.

I didn't have time to check the whole place out yesterday but the main building sure is huge…

She thought, a smile gracing her features, her eyes trailing down the marble floor.

"Um… I guess we'll be working together then." Liz glanced at Klaus, still feeling reluctant about the whole situation, it was a dreadful situation to be taught by Klaus of all people. She didn't want to imagine the days to come.

But at the same time, he was still a prefect… he could very much be a decent teacher. At least, she hoped he was.

"Just great, I loathe looking after you with every ounce of my heart," Klaus dryly stated, his gaze sweeping past the three of them for a brief moment.

"Wha-" Liz looked at the blond, completely stunned by his attitude, he was the one who agreed to this arrangement in the first place.

"This is absurd," Klaus muttered under his breath.

"Then… you could've just refused!" Liz exclaimed, her frustration getting the better of her.

With a sigh, Lillias glanced at Klaus, "You can't really complain when you already agreed, now can you prefect Klaus?" She eyed the blond prefect, her eyes somewhat colder than usual, "If you find the idea of helping the three of us so detestable you are more than welcome to go back to the headmaster and decline the offer," she stopped in her tracks, motioning back to where they came from, a small taunting smile on her face. "Nothing is stopping you."

"I would have declined from the start but the reward might be worth it," Klaus admitted, his focus on the three sisters, "I am going to make you all pass no matter what it takes." His lips then curved into a sadistic smile, "From this day forth, I will give you a special lesson every day, after class, you're going to be my slave doing anything I want."

"Huh?!" Liz stopped in her tracks, bewildered by those words. Slave? Why does she have to be one? Wasn't he supposed to be helping her and not the other way around? She didn't get it, not at all.

In all honesty, she doubted she'd ever truly understand Klaus.

"You heard me. Are we clear?'" Klaus glared towards Liz, his gaze penetrating her, it sent shivers down her spine. It felt unpleasant.

"Yes sir."

"Correct answer now, get prepared for the lesson." Klaus turned around, not bothering with this conversation any longer.

"… you're quite the sadist," Lillias glanced over at Klaus, wondering how her sister would fare with all this. Unlike Liz, she knew she didn't need Klaus' help, at least not for the time being, so she didn't have to spend as much time with him.

Though… she was somewhat curious how all this would play out in the end.

Ignoring Lillias' words, Prefect Klaus kept walking in silence keeping his thoughts entirely to himself, his face betraying no emotion.

Liz took a deep breath, trying to ignore the awkward silence but it was too suffocating,

"So… you want to be a professor am I right?"

"Yes. So that I would be able to yell and knock useless students like you back into shape." Klaus casually explained, "It would be a great stress reliever."

"Stress reliever….you say?" Lillias stopped in her tracks after hearing those words.

"… I never want to have you as a teacher as long as I live," Loris muttered under her breath, she felt a sense of relief that she wasn't in Liz's shoes.

"That's not how a professor is supposed to act…" Liz mumbled without thinking but quickly covered her mouth. "Did I hear something?" Klaus glanced back at Liz.

"N-no you didn't." Liz averted her eyes, too afraid to look at him. Maybe it would be best to remain silent, that would save her the trouble of handling Klaus… or so she thought.

Just as things began to calm down, the emblem affixed to Liz's school uniform suddenly glowed with a strange light, illuminating the girl's surroundings. "huh what's this? What's going on?!" She asked, startled by the sudden light.

"No way… it can't be." As if on cue Klaus's emblem started glowing too, a sphere of light came from each of their emblems and merged together, it exploded in an intense light sprinkling tiny fragments of light upon both Liz and Klaus.

"W…what was that?" The young brunette asked, still bewildered by the sight. "You heard the explanation… apparently, you and I are buddies now," Klaus nonchalantly replied to her question.

"Buddies… WITH YOU?!" Liz practically shouted, bringing more attention to her. All the students in the vicinity stared at them in awe, they were still processing the scene they saw.

"No way… prefect Klaus lit up?" One of the Guys asked, shocked by what he just witnessed.

"You've got to be kidding, with emperor Klaus?!" Another student blurted out.

"Who's that girl? I've never seen her before."

Their mutters and whispers grew louder and louder, their attention solely focused on Liz and Klaus.

"What? This can't be, some people graduate without finding a buddy, right?!" Liz was too startled by what was happening to pay attention to everyone's whispers.

"Some do. Some don't, you don't get to decide, it happens in an instant." Klaus stated, eying his new buddy carefully.

Of all people, why did it have to be her? He just didn't get it.

"No way…" Liz's gaze fell down towards the ground.

"Great, now I've got even more reason to worry about you." Klaus closed his eyes in frustration.

"Why?" Liz tilted her head, clearly confused by all this.

"Didn't you hear the headmaster? Our fates are Shared now, you're going to drag me down with your terrible grades. Do you know how disastrous that would be for me?"

"Oh no…" Liz mumbled to herself, she gripped her skirt as the situation slowly started to sink in.

The intensity of Klaus' glare sent a chill down her back, she could feel the pressure already.

Noticing her sister's expression, Lillias let out a sigh, "Isn't that a little too soon to speak," she focused her attention on Klaus, "Neither of us have started our first lesson, yet you already decided Liz's grades would be awful, that's not really nice you know?"

"Well, we'll see soon enough, won't we?" Klaus simply brushed off her comment, he let out a chuckle and glanced at Liz, "I am sure we'll get along really nice bunnyhead."

"…yes…sir," Liz mumbled, her face drained of color.

And with this; her rosy dreams of academy life have truly crumbled into oblivion… will Liz really be able to handle all of this…?

She sure hoped so.

"… I don't want to be Liz right now…" Loris averted her eyes. Part of her felt sorry for Liz, the other part felt relieved that she didn't have to endure this instead of her sister.

Lillias tapped Liz's back and smiled at her, "Hang in there Liz."

"Augh…." In reply, Liz simply lowered her face, trying her best to hold in her tears.

Why was it always her?

"Come on, let us be on our way," Without wasting more time, Klaus started walking through the hallway, "If you don't hurry up I'll leave you three behind."

"W- wait up!" Liz ran after him.

Lillias: "Hmm...."

Elias: "Well so much for not meeting again, your sister sure is unlucky."

Lillias: "Yeah.... I am a little worried about her."

Elias: "As you should be, being buddies with Klaus won't be easy, that's for sure."

Lillias: "...Say Elias do you think we'll be in the same class?"

Elias: "Great heavens, I hope not."

Lillias: "But if we were-"

Elias: "I'd throw myself off the window."

Lillias: "Oh my, You might have to do that next chapter then."

Elias: "....please don't tell me-"

Lillias: "Next time, "First lesson."

#Lillias Hart #Loris Hart #Liz Hart #Klaus Goldstein #Lyron Hart #wizardess heart #wh #wh+#swd wh #wizardess heart oc #wizardess heart+#shall we date wizardess heart #swd wizardess heart+#swd wizardess heart #wh+ Randolph #Journal #wizardess heart fanfic #Conrad schuyler

2 notes · View notes

salmonthestoryteller · 2 years

Text

RNM s04e08 Rant

Okay, so time for Salmon says something not everyone is going to like. Always, always, always, right? This is a fandom rant - Roswell New Mexico - mostly about Episode 08 of Season 4. And mainly revolves around Michael, but not because I’m complaining about Michael. The exact opposite. As always, tags are avoided, so please respect that.

First off, I literally had to go look it up because suddenly I was doubting my own memories of the episodes but…

Isobel didn’t teach Rosa how to pick out individual sounds. Michael did! Isobel and Max were trying to help Rosa with her powers, but they totally failed - partly because Rosa was still angry at Max, but still the facts are they failed. The one who succeeded was Michael - because he was a fellow musician and could tell her in words that made sense to her. So why was Rosa talking about Isobel teaching her to pluck out the sounds? Did the writers fail to double-check their own episodes? Because that was definitely, definitely Michael.

Yeesh, like… let’s give credit where credit is due here, okay? I love Izzy, but she was the most help to Maria, not Rosa. Moving on…

I now feel like I know why Kyle couldn’t return to New Mexico yet, Dallas had to be shoved through the quicksand portal, and Isobel had to be with Tezca the entire episode. Because if any one of the three of them were present, they would never have allowed the others to lie to Michael about Alex. Liz, Max, and Maria are seriously the King and Queens of bad decisions, but this one has to take the cake. (Liz is the highest on my character list of the three but she still has a long list of very bad decisions.)

I absolutely hate that Michael’s reaction to the lies was treated as wrong. That the writing claims it was him falling back on old habits and “acting like a baby” - because, honestly? This time his anger was justified. Keeping this from him was a betrayal of trust. All season, Michael has made an effort to be open and honest with everyone. He has struggled but ultimately worked hard to not fall on old habits and succeeded. So, no, his anger wasn’t him acting like a child or being unnecessarily cruel. Everyone he has been making an effort with all season repaid that openness by lying to him.

Max definitely deserved to be punched - because this is not the first, second, or even third time of this sort of behavior from Max. The Pod Squad has kept saying - no more making decisions for each other (s1), no more making decisions unless it’s all three of us (s2); no more lying to each other (s3). Michael and Isobel have put in a shit ton of effort to keep by those words. And then there’s Max. So, no, Michael should not have to apologize for his anger or his behavior towards the man who is supposed to be his brother and have his back. Max deserved it. 1000%.

While anger can lead someone astray if it runs rampant or is used in place of other emotions - that doesn’t mean it is never justified. The idea that someone does not have the right to speak up in anger when they are mistreated is a load of crap. You don’t want someone to call you out? Don’t be an asshole. If you are an asshole, then - no - nobody owes it to you to play nice. Nobody has to keep quiet and not say you’re an asshole. They have every right to call you on your crappy behavior. You made your bed, so gd lay in it.

Which leads me to the last complaint - and oh, how I wanted to punch my screen.

So Liz gets to own up to her behavior to Michael. “The Lair is closed to liars” “I deserve that.”

Max gets to own up to his behavior to Liz. “I should have pushed back harder on keeping Michael in the dark.” and to a lesser degree to Michael. “You were upset, I reckon you still are and I didn’t do you any favors hiding the truth from you.”

But Maria, of fucking course, does not. She almost does, we get so gd close to her finally admitting to poor behavior, and the writers - of course - have Michael cut her off and apologize instead. And Maria, of course, does not bother to argue that he deserves her apology.

Do the writers want me to hate her? Seriously, is that the goal here? Cuz at this point, mission accomplished. I hate, hate, hate when they do this to female characters.

“I did 50 things wrong but never have to apologize and every character fawns over me and whoever doesn’t gets treated like they’re the bad guy.”

Amber from the Tribe, Elizabeth Lochley from Babylon 5, and Alyssa from The Order all suffered from this shitty ass writing choice. They’re all absolutely awful. They are downright cruel to people, make terrible decisions, never admit when they’re wrong - and the writing bends over backward and has characters bend over backward to claim they are gd Saints. I hate every single one of them, and Maria is written exactly the same way. So, fine, towel thrown in. She is officially chucked into the “I hate this character” bin. All I can do is grit my teeth through her scenes, and be thankful Liz didn’t get picked for this crappy Female Saint writing choice - as it usually is the main female who is.

#salmon rants #salmonrants #discourse

23 notes · View notes

asmutwriter · 2 years

Text

Welcome to the Freak Show (Part 8)

Eddie x Reader

WORD COUNT: 2847

From beginning / Previous / Next / Master List

WARNINGS: Short scene of violence (one guy gets punched), swearing, kissing, smoking, underage drinking

DISCLAIMERS

- This is fiction. Please always talk to your partner before doing anything and make sure they are ok with what you are doing beforehand

A few days had passed. You were sat at lunch with Alice. A handsome guy walks over to you and sits opposite you as he smiles. You smile back at him “Hey. I’m Jay. You’re Liz right?” you nod “I umm. I wondered if you wanted to go see a movie or something this weekend?” he shyly says. You smile softly at him

“Thank you so much for the offer but I’m not really looking for anything like that...” he nods, looking down slightly

“Cool. That’s fine”

“I’m sorry, it’s not personal I just... I’m not looking for a relationship right now” he nods and smiles at you

“No its fine. I get it. Would you want to hang out anyway some time? As friends that is” you nod

“As friends yes. Sometime next week maybe? I’m not sure when I’m working” he nods

“Well, when you know what days you can do come and tell me, yeah?” you nod and smile as he stands up. He walks past Chris who calls out to him as he stands

“Jay. What were you doing mate?”

“Excuse me?”

“You asking out my girl, huh?”

“I thought you two broke up...?” he looks confused as Chris grabs him by the collar of his shirt. You stand up, going over to the two boys

“She’s mine, got it?” he nods, his arms up in defines.

“I was just curious about what she was doing this weekend. That’s all dude. She’s not free anyway” he scoffs as you reach them. You place a hand on Chris’s shoulder

“Let him go” he looks at you “Now” he drops him, you turn to Jay “Are you ok?” he nods, adjusting his clothes. Muttering under his breath. Chris hears him talking, turning around and threatening to punch him. You grab his fist, “No!” he looks at you, sadness filling his eyes. You are aware of the whole room watching you as you talk to him “I am sorry but you can’t control who I speak to. We aren’t dating anymore. We won’t ever date again. I am sorry if that hurts you, truly. But you need to move on with your life. For both of our sanities” he looks down, fests clenching.

“I love you...”

“I used to...” You hear someone mutter something again, behind Chris this time. Before you can stop him, he turns around. Punching the poor person straight in the nose. Teachers come over, having heard the commotion beforehand. They take you 4 away from the scenario, taking the kid with the bleeding nose to the nurse as you and the other 2 boys get taken to the principal.

It’s official. Chris has been expelled in defiantly for threatening and violent behaviour. He had the rest of the day (only 2 more lessons left) before he was banned from entering school property. The councillor spoke to you, saying you could try and get a legal thing against him for your safety but you didn’t. Instead you carried on your day as normal. The next 2 lessons you had all your old friends coming up to you and speaking to you, asking to hang out, which you agreed. They all said that how Chris behaved was crossing the line. The only one who didn’t make plans with you was Jessica and her two closest friends. The rest of the group, about 5 boys and 3 girl, all made plans with you. Even asked for you to hang out with them again at lunch time on Monday.

You felt much loved whilst you were at school. Everyone who had hated you a few months ago liked you and you had your social standings once again. However, when you got home the drama from your school made your home seem quiet. Too quiet. You felt unsafe here. Worried that Chris would find you and do god knows what when he did. You hide your face into your hands before, feeling tears start to prick your eyes. You go over to the phone, dialling in Alice’s number. Needing to chat to someone. Have someone near. But no answer. You cry out in frustration, before your eyes go to the little note by your phone. A number written onto it. You wipe your nose on your sleeve, dialling the numbers. A few rings pass before it gets picked up “Hello?” you let out a small sob at the comfort of his voice

“Eddie?” You sniffle slightly “Its Liz”

“Are you ok?” you nod slightly, resting your head against the wall

“I’m ok. Just needed to talk to a friend. Are you free at the moment?”

“Yes. Of course”

“Can you come over...?” you whisper out, more tears falling down your cheeks.

“I’ll be at yours in 10 minutes, ok?” you nod

“Thank you Eddie...” you whisper, hearing him hang up. You sit impatiently inside your house. What seemed like several hours but probably only a few minutes there is a knock on the door. You go over, opening it and embracing the long haired boy. Digging your head into his shoulder as you take in the comforting smell of smoke and his leather. He wraps his arms around you and after a few minutes of silent hugging he walks in, shutting the door behind him as he goes over to the sofa. One arm stays wrapped round you the whole time. Bringing you onto his lap, your body turned towards his but your les outstretched on the sofa. His in a normal sitting positon under you as one hand goes around your back and the other rests on your thigh, gently stroking it. He cradles you like this as you hide in the crook of his neck. You sit like this for what you reckon is an hour before you hear your stomach. He chuckles slightly. The seriousness of the room dying down a little as your belly grumbles. He picks you up bridal style before gently placing you on the sofa. He kneels beside you, taking your hands in his as he talks

“I’m going to go make some food, ok? Then we can watch some movies” you nod as he stands up, going to your kitchen you hear him opening cupboards. You grab a blanket, placing it over yourself as you pull it up close to you. He walks back in. Two plates of toast and jam in hand. He places them both down on the coffee table, taking his jacket off and placing it on the floor before he goes over to your movie collection. “Any suggestions?”

“I don’t want to force you to watch something you won’t like...”

“Don’t be silly. How about... Sound of Music? That’s a jolly film right?” he grabs it out and holds it up, turning to face you as you nod. He goes over to your TV, placing the video in as he then comes and sits down next to you, letting you rest your legs over him as you both eat and watch the film. Halfway through the film, you reach your hand out and take his in yours. Holding it for the entirety of the rest of the film.

The film finishes and you realise not one of you has said a word to each other since the film started. “Do you- what time do you need to get home?”

“I don’t have a set time I need to be back” you nod, the hand that’s holding his gently tracing over his various rings.

“Can you stay the night please...? I’m scared to be alone tonight” he nods, using the hand that you were holding to pull you up to a sitting positon and hugging you.

“I can stay with you this weekend if you want?” you nod, hiding your face in his shoulder

“I’d really like that” he nods, kissing the top of your head and looking at the time

“Come on. We should get to bed” he stands up, hand outstretched to you “I will probably go back tomorrow, just to grab some fresh clothes and tell my uncle where I am but you can come with me and then we can come back here” you nod, taking his hand as he takes you into your bedroom. “I’ll be on the couch. Come and get me if you need anything” he smiles, turning away from you as you grab his wrist

“Please... please stay in here with me...” you look down shyly. He looks at you, nodding slowly.

“I’ll leave so you can get dressed. I’ll be just outside the door, ok?” you nod, letting his arm go as he goes outside, shutting the door behind him. You strip your clothes off. Placing your oversized shirt over your body as your pyjamas. You go over and open the door, walking over to your mirror as you take your makeup off. Placing your hair in a bun as he walks in. You go and get underneath the covers on your bed. Looking at him and grabbing towards him. He comes over, you lift the covers up as he gets in next to you. You face him

“Thank you for this”

“It’s what friends are for right?” you nod. Yawning and covering your mouth. You take a hold of his hand once again, it comforting you as you lie on your back and shut your eyes. You feel him link his fingers with yours. His body still facing towards you as you hear his breathing start to soften. You fall asleep to the sound of it.

When you wake up, you feel his fingers intertwined with yours still. You grunt slightly as you stretch, turning to face him. You open your eyes slightly, seeing him glancing at you as he smiles “Good morning beautiful” you smile at his words. Rubbing your face with your hand you shut your eyes again “You better not be falling asleep again” you smile, hearing him laugh slightly as he gently boops your nose “wake up, Liz. It’s the morning” you shake your head, covering his mouth. He chuckles again, feeling him move away from you, letting go of your hand. You frown slightly, opening your eyes to look at him as he stands up and stretches. “I am in desperate need of a shower. Do you mind?” you shake your head, pointing at your wardrobe

“Clean towels are in there” he nods, going over and grabbing one.

“I’ll shower, you get dressed. We go to my place so I can grab things and then we come back here and hang out” you nod

“Sounds like a good plan” he grins at you, gently patting your leg as he heads out of the room. You hear the shower start to run, taking that as a cue to stand up and go over to your drawers. Picking out fresh clothes you start to get dressed. Trousers and a tight fitted shirt. You go and look in the mirror, applying some mascara and tying your hair up into a high ponytail as you hear the shower then stop running. You go out, seeing him sitting on the sofa waiting for you. He smiles at you, standing up

“Shall we, m’lady?” he says with a smile. You nod, locking the door behind you as you both head to his van.

You drive to his place. You look at the trailer park houses. He pulls up by one “This is me” you nod as you both get out, heading to the house he enters. “I’ll be as quick as I can. Stay here” you nod, looking around at the place as he wonders into one of the back rooms. About 5 minutes pass and he walks back out. He writes something down on a piece of paper and uses a magnet to hold it up as he puts it on the fridge.

“I’m sorry to be such a pain” he shakes his head, frowning slightly

“You aren’t a pain. Don’t even think for one second you are, ok?” you nod, both heading back to his car. You get in, starting to drive back to your house. “What do you want to do today then?”

“I don’t know. I think we should go and get some snacks and watch films at my house all day. I have some more horror style films that I think you’ll prefer then the one we watched last night” he chuckles

“I did enjoy The Sound of Music. More than I thought I would”

“Perfect. I just need to get you to watch Grease” he chuckle again, flipping you the bird quickly as he drives. When you get back to your place, he goes to your kitchen, opening the fridge. He takes something out, holding up a bottle of beer

“Can I have this?”

“Of course. Alice brought them round last time she was here but I don’t drink very often” he nods, grabbing another one out as well as he comes and sits down on the sofa. You pick out Jaws. Showing it to him as he nods, opening his drink and taking a sip as you start to play the movie. You go and sit next to him, putting your legs underneath you as you then lean your head on his shoulder. You feel him hesitantly put his arm around your waist as you watch the film.

“I thought you didn’t watch horror?”

“I don’t but I can’t force you to watch all my shitty films” he laughs, running his hand up your waist slightly as a comfort thing

“You don’t have to worry about me. Honestly” you jump slightly at the film, dreading how scary it’ll be when the actual horror starts to set in. He lets out a small chuckle, taking a few sips of his beer.

The film finishes. You are hiding behind your hands as his arm around your waist has gotten tighter around you. He’s already drunk one, the other sitting unopened. He places the empty bottle on the table. Moving his arm from around you and going over to the TV, ejecting the video. “I’m going to have a smoke. Then film number two?” you nod

“Can we watch a happier film please? With maybe slightly less death” he laugh but nods, grabbing his jacket from the floor he pulls out his cigarettes and lighter. Going to the door and opening it, he stands, placing it into his mouth and lighting it. The door open so you can still see him. He faces you slightly, you’re now lying on the sofa, your shirt risen a bit from the angle you’re in. He traces his eyes over your body before looking back outside. This little detail doesn’t catch your gaze though as you lie on you back. Silence fills the room as you get the occasional waft of smoke hit your nostrils. A few minutes pass and he comes over to you, kneeling down by the head of the sofa and putting his head over the edge as he looks down on you, him appearing upside down due to the angle. His arms resting on the edge of the sofa. You smile up at him

“You stole my seat” he smiles at you as you nod, hiding your face with your hands. He laughs as you peak through your fingers.

“I’m not here”

“Oh no?”

“Nope” you shake your head “no one is here” he laughs, taking your hands in his and moving them from your face

“This human must just be a figment of my imagination then” you nod and bite your lip slightly, his eyes darting down to look at them as he smiles again. Eyes meeting yours. You stay looking at each other for a long while. Him over you, hands still holding yours. You let go of one of his hands, taking a hold of his shirt and pulling him down. Lips onto yours as you kiss him. The hand you let go off comes and goes by the side of your head as he positons himself more over you, the hand keeping him balanced. Your hand stays as a closed fist around his shirt as you slowly kiss each other, the taste of his cigarette and beer lingering on his tongue. The hand holding yours moves slightly, linking his fingers with yours. He pulls away, his eyes scan down the length of your body as he smiles before placing a kiss to your lips again “Come on” you shake your head

“No, I don’t wanna move” you whine out as he laughs

“You need to move, come on” you pout at him, making him laugh more. He lets go of your hand, going over and putting in another film. You watch him as he comes back over, lifting your head up so he can sit underneath you and allowing your head to rest on his lap. He grabs a blanket and puts it over your body, gently stroking your hair as the next film plays.