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#figuring out the reason why venti ran away from his home;
xiaowhore · 3 years
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genshin boys in a fantasy otome game
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diluc: the stuck-up duke you're engaged to. incredibly rich and you're basically sold to be his wife by your parents who claim “they only want the best for you.” which, apparently, equals to this seemingly perfect man with handsome features and an endless amount of mora. however, as flawless he may be on the surface, you find out he's just a very negligent fiance who thinks buying you all the dresses and jewels in the kingdom is enough to make you happy. he's stiff and cold, shutting you out of his life; telling you his problems didn't concern you. but maybe... maybe he did that because he didn't want to trouble you. maybe he cares about you to an extent. he makes an effort to join you for dinner, no matter how busy he is, and his gifts are sometimes thoughtful, not just expensive. he's clumsy at flattery, but you appreciate the sentiment. (and maybe — just maybe — you could find happiness with him.)
kaeya: the step-brother of your fiance. you've always thought he was strange. his gaze on you lingered, and he stares at you far too often to be considered appropriate for a mere (soon to be) brother-in-law. his smiles are suggestive, and quite unsettling. but you find out he's kind, just a bit mysterious. he keeps you company when diluc can't make it into dinner, and he accompanies you around town in his brother's stead if he was too busy to come with you himself. he's nothing but a gentleman, friendly and approachable, but you both know there's a distance he can't cross. (and yet he longs to.)
childe: a smug thief you caught stealing one of diluc's treasures. before you can scream or call for help, he shushes you, and he slips away from the manor without managing to steal anything. it's a victory on your part, but he's a sneaky rat — he begins to visit you occasionally, just to rile you up for fun. you don't know how he does it, but he climbs through the balcony in your room, hiding in the shadows of the night to not let any of the servants see him. you're unamused by the blatant trespassing, but you can't deny he's entertaining to talk to. for a scummy thief, he sure does seem to love his family a lot. you can tell that much, from the voice he uses when he speaks of his siblings. (he sounds like that when he talks about you too, you know. you just never notice.) he gives you a ring one day — something he didn't steal for once. it's from his mother, he says. she told him to give it to the person he wanted to marry. he confesses he doesn't care about any of the treasure lurking within diluc's home anymore. because out of everything, he only wants to steal you away.
zhongli: your first love. he's an unassuming baron with not a lot of influence, but there's something powerful residing in his eyes, glowing amber even in the dimmest of light. he's kingly, his elegant nature befitting of an emperor sitting on a golden throne, and yet he's as humble as a commoner, with no regards to his overflowing wealth. there's something special about the way he snakes his hand around your waist when you take the chance to dance with him at a ball, supposedly for obligatory purposes, but you lose yourself in his gaze, the color of honey staring deeply into you lighting your cheeks red. when he takes your hand in his, you feel his warmth through his glove (and idly, you wonder what it would be like if his gloves weren't in the way). he led you to the floor, twirling and spinning, and he's the perfect partner; he's as gentle as a passing wind, but his searing touch lingers, when the song comes to a close and he releases you. then your eyes travel to his left hand, an engagement ring adorning his finger, and your heart crumbles into a million pieces.
albedo: a renowned mage known for his genius in the entire continent. magical powers aren't very common, thus mages are normally held in high regard, but he's even idolized by fellow mages. he was adept with his powers from a young age, but he doesn't see himself as anyone special. you meet him as a child when you both attended a boring ball, and since you were both children seeking some entertainment in this formal arrangement mainly utilized by adults, you both ditched the ballroom and went off somewhere quiet so albedo could show you some “party tricks”. he became your usual playmate from there on, and he's essentially your childhood friend. he does the meanest pranks (since he's a mage, he can easily turn your hair color into a bright green or temporarily turn you into a frog), but he's very nice when it counts. he gives you healing potions when you fall ill, and he casts a protection charm in every accessory he gifts you on your birthday. he's particularly interested in the study of dragons, despite dragons basically being a myth in your continent's fairy tales, and everyone thinks he's delusional for believing in them but you support him in his studies. you're naturally curious in what he does as a mage, and he's happy about that, however he is unamused when you jokingly ask him to make you a love potion to give to zhongli. (in retaliation, the very next day, he shows up in your room as a frog, claiming he had an “accident” while he was making a potion, thus turning himself into an amphibian. apparently, the only cure for it was... a kiss? what? didn't he make you an actual remedy when you were the one turned into a frog five years ago?)
venti: a whimsical bard you happened to come across with when you snuck out of your home as a rebellious teenager. you were immature then, and a bit adventurous, and you wanted to see how commoners lived their life. you went out with simple clothes, with a cloak covering your facial features to hide your true identity, but some brute thieves noticed your expensive-looking wallet despite your efforts and immediately took the chance to rob you. then suddenly, a lithe boy jumps from a roof, distracts the men, and grabs your hand to lead you away from the chaos. he's light on his feet, full of bubbly energy, and although you were ready to compensate him for his help with whatever amount of money he could possibly ask for, he only requested for a single drink in a nearby tavern. he is... rather odd. he successfully identified your real title, but he didn't hand you off to palace guards right away to have you escorted back to your estate. no doubt having done so would earn him a great sum, because your parents had put a bounty over your head. instead, he offers to show you around town, plays you a song with his lyre, and introduces you to his friends. yes, he's certainly a strange fellow... but it's not just his behavior that's weird. his way of speaking is too eloquent for a commonner, and he knows too much about the officials governing the kingdom. his songs are always cryptic, insinuating a deeper meaning to his lyrics, and his eyes, though holding a childish twinkle, had a knowing gleam. and to top it all off, he introduced you to his “best friend” — the mythical dragon dvalin himself?! (it's somewhat underwhelming to find out he's the long lost prince of the kingdom right after you saw such a large creature hiding among the mountains.)
xiao: your ever so loyal knight. as a child, he lived in the slums; a part of the kingdom everyone tended to avoid from fear. your father took pity on xiao when he found him struggling to survive and brought him back home to take care of him, planning to assign him as your personal knight once he was given proper training. xiao was surely worth pitying when you first laid your eyes on him — downcast eyes, sooty face, torn clothing with muddy shoes, and lacking any personal belongings. however, after he'd taken a nice bath, you learned he was quite pretty, with youthful features certain to turn handsome as he grew up. his eyes were an enchanting gold, skin as soft as velvet, and his hair was shiny and silky, though it was unfortunate he shied away whenever you tried to take a closer look. he was surprisingly meek, but you knew better than that. (after all, if he survived in the slums all by himself, you didn't doubt his capability to murder a man with his bare hands.) he was incredibly distant with you, but you didn't give up your attempts to befriend him. you invite him to go to the library to read storybooks together, just to see a twinkle of innocence light up his lifeless eyes. you dismiss his panicked refusal when you set up garden picnics especially for him, because he may pretend like he doesn't want to eat anything, but you can clearly see him eyeing that plate of almond tofu. soon enough, he grows fond of you, and he protects you not only because of his job, but also because you're someone precious to him.
as your knight, and by extension, your dearest friend, he is tasked to watch over you.
so he watches from the sidelines as you befriend another young boy — a mage known as albedo — and gazes in envy as albedo converses with you casually, able to stand on even ground with you. how he wished he could do the same.
he watches as you sneak out from your window to wander around the kingdom without permission, panic settling his nerves when you nearly injured yourself in doing so, but he doesn't stop you from escaping home, because he wanted you to have a taste of freedom. he regrets his decision when you come back home telling about your newest friend, venti.
he watches the exact moment when you fall in love with zhongli, putty in the older man's hands as he twirls you around the ballroom, and xiao could only look at you from a distance, sourness rising from the back of his throat. your heart wasn't the only one that shattered that day.
he watches as you sit across from diluc in the dinner table every night, eyeing the engagement ring on your finger illuminated by the chandelier hanging overhead, and remains silent even when your chatter starts to fill the air. he longs to take it off of you.
he watches, with a sense of empathy, when kaeya glances at you with a gaze too fond, in times you can't notice. you overlook it, as always, because that's how you've always been, unaware of the effect you have on other people. he's glad you were oblivious, sometimes.
he watches as you interact with that good-for-nothing thief every late evening, standing guard by the door in case childe tried to do anything. if he ever did, xiao wouldn't hesitate to slit his throat, because anyone who'd ever dare to hurt you will die by his hand. but childe doesn't do anything, so he stays put, with gritted teeth while that rascal is shamelessly flirting with you again.
xiao watches. he only watches. because he has no right to interfere. he's only a lowly knight, at most, your friend, but it's okay. it's okay because you can smile, even if it's not because of him. that's all that matters.
right?
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part ii / part iii / secret route 01
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eirikaanemo · 3 years
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Venti falls in love with an Inazuman rebel. The rebel has no vision, but what they do have is a belief that everyone has an inherent right to live freely. How does Venti know about this rebel in the first place? I honestly have no idea...
Visionless Visionary
Venti x GN!Reader
1.8k Words
Warning: Minor character death mentioned, prayer (if that bothers you)
Disclaimer: I knew next to nothing about Baal when I wrote this, so it may not be an accurate representation of her character.
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Inazuma is a mess. That is just a fact now. Baal has suddenly become violent and a danger to her people. So many had done nothing but hold a vision she had bestowed upon them in the first place. And because of that, she struck your cousin down. You can still remember the thump of his lifeless body hitting the ground and the steady tap, tap, tap of Baal’s shoes as she walked away.
She seemed completely unaffected by her actions. You were anything but. The scene played over and over in your nightmares for weeks, and continues to haunt you. So when the rebellion reached out to you for support you were happy to assist. You found out he had just joined their ranks and that’s why he had been targeted.
However, you don’t have a vision so there’s only so much you can do. Of course they always welcome financial support and you gave it to the best of your ability. But you knew there had to be more you could do. So you spoke to some people and it was agreed that you would go to Mondstadt and position Barbatos for his support for your cause.
He hadn’t been seen in centuries, but he was the god of freedom, right? If anyone could help them, it would be him. So with the rebellion’s blessing you took your savings and made the long journey to Mondstadt.
Finding lodging was fairly easy. The people of Mondstadt were more than willing to help you. Especially once they found out what you were there to do. ‘Such a great and admirable cause,’ they said. ‘May Barbatos bless you!’ And all you could do was hope he did.
You prayed every morning and every night for help for your people. The heavens seemed quiet, but you didn’t let that dissuade you. Surely your sheer persistence would make a difference, you reasoned. And so you kept on.
One night, rather early on, you ran into a bard not long after your evening prayer. He had been not too far from the statue and you were captivated by the beauty of the song he played. It was ancient Inazuman and for just a moment you were able to forget and be caught up in the memories of better days.
When the song ended you were disappointed and tried not to pout. Judging from the laugh the bard let out when he saw you, it must have still shown on your face. “Did you like the song?” He asks. “I know I didn’t play for long. Would you like to hear another?”
“I would love to,” you admit. He smiles and simply starts on another song, this one also of Inazuma origin. From there he transitions into a more Mondstadtian style, singing The Ballad of Freedom. You know it well, as it’s a favorite of many of the rebels. As the last note fades he turns back to you.
“What brings you here, I wonder. Has it to do with your country being torn asunder?” He inquires.
“Yes,” you reply. “I’ve come to ask Lord Barbatos for his assistance in our cause. We fight for freedom from Baal, who has become nothing but a tyrant. As for me personally, well, she killed my cousin right in front of me. Her only reasons being the vision she bestowed upon him herself not many years ago and his belief that what she was doing was wrong. No one should have to suffer that.”
“Indeed, it seems you have a need. Your cause is just and swords you thrust. But the archons don’t just help everyone, so prove to him you’re worthy of some.”
“But how do I do that?” You question the cryptic bard.
“You’ll see in time, dear friend of mine!” He winks and you find your face warming. “Though I have a question if you don’t mind. Is the assistance you’re seeking a vision like mine?” He taps the glowing turquoise vision sitting on his belt by his hip.
“No,” you shake your head. “After what happened to my cousin, I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with a vision. For me they’ve been nothing but trouble.” He nods in understanding.
“I see how that would be. I must take my leave for now, we’ll see each other later anyhow.” And he’s off into the night.
He’s right that this is far from the last time you see him. And he’s right that you start noticing the tests that Barbatos has set before you. More and more people seek your help in one thing or another, especially since the one they call “honorary knight” left to Liyue. There’s much to do, but you’re happy to help them.
Eventually you stop helping them because it’s a test and start helping them because you want to; because it’s the right thing to do. You help Lisa organize the library. You help Barbara clean the cathedral. You help Amber keep watch. You help Venti with his performances from time to time. You stand in for Diluc’s barkeep while he recovers from an illness.
Days and days have passed and your relationship with Venti grows and grows. You notice more and more things about him that you rather like. His laugh. His eyes. His hands. His music. His sense of humor. His optimism.
Really, everything about him is amazing. You try to deny it at first. But you know deep down that you’re falling in love. And you’re seeing some hints that he might be too. Lots of them, because he’s started flirting with you almost constantly.
However, as your relationship grows, your hope dwindles. It’s been weeks! You’ve helped so many people and have prayed so many times. And yet you have not received an answer. Not even an acknowledgement that he has heard.
When you express your concern and discouragement to Venti, he is very concerned. “I’m just not sure how much longer I can stay,” you explain. “While I would hate to return empty handed, I can’t stay here forever.”
“Try just one more time, for me?” he asked you, looking a little guilty despite not having reason to be. It’s not like he was keeping Barbatos from speaking with you. As if he could sense your hesitance he sweetened the deal. “If you do, I’ll give you a kiss!” He wiggled his eyebrows at you and flashed you a mischievous smile and you felt a warm blush bloom on your face.
“Alright,” you grumble good-naturedly. “I’ll try one more time.” His resulting cheer and more cheery smile were nearly enough to have made you do it by themselves.
That night you approached his statue, feeling unreasonably nervous compared to the nights before. “Lord Barbatos,” you prayed. “I seek thy assistance for my people’s cause. We seek the freedom thou dost represent. Someday may we all be free to live our lives reasonably, but as we please. This is my vision, my hope. Please, if it be thy will, let thy winds be not still. Guide us to better days, for this is what I pray.”
You stay there for a long moment, waiting. Then, the wind picks up and you hear a voice from it. It seems vaguely familiar but you can’t quite figure out why.
“Your diligence and passion for your cause has secured my blessing,” the winds whispered. “My winds will be at your back and support your cause. However, if you accept a vision despite your fears, you will be able to do far more. The wind will whisper secrets to your ears. All plans spoken will be carried to your ears.
“You need not fight with it. Trust in me, that I will not strike you down for accepting this gift. In your time here in my home I have found you to be a friend to us so I will be a friend to you.”
You feel tears come to your eyes. “I accept,” you whisper. This will be incredibly valuable.There’s no way you could turn it down. And this is the kind of god you can trust and accept a vision from. He is as kind, generous, and benevolent as his people.
After a moment of silence, the winds calm and a gleaming turquoise vision lies before you, dangling from a necklace like a pendant. It’s smaller than some others you’ve seen and is hidden easily when you slide it over your head and under your shirt. That will be invaluable when you return to Inazuma. It would be most suspicious for you to return with one after everything that’s happened.
You take another moment to catch your breath and wipe the tears from your eyes. Then you take a particularly deep breath to steady yourself and make your way back to Venti. “How did it go?” He asks, and you smile in response.
“It went very well,” you said, pulling the pendant out to show him your new vision. “Now we match! Now… I believe I was promised a kiss?”
The smile on his face at your teasing words could have lit up a room, if you were in one. He took your hands in his and tugged you closer gently before leaning in and pressing his lips to yours. It was a pleasant kiss, chaste but lingering and sweet.
He giggled at the face you made when he pulled away. You joined it, adding your laughter to his. Between the blessing and his kiss you felt like you were on top of the world. Then you remembered something that brought you down from your high.
“Venti, you know this means I have to leave now, right?” You inquire.
His face fell to a serious and thoughtful expression before it softened and he sent you a small smile. “Yeah, I know. You know I love you, right?”
“I know,” you respond softly. “I love you too.”
He nods. “Then I’ll wait for you. So don’t take too long, okay?”
“Of course, I’ll do what I can,” you reply.
Your parting is sad, but hopeful as he waves you goodbye until you’re so far away that he can’t see you. He sings nearly nothing but sappy love songs for the next week. He misses you, but knows you’ll be back. His winds won’t let anything happen to you after all.
When you return to Inazuma you find that all the rebels with anemo visions had their power boosted, the ships sailed swifter with the wind behind them, and the information the wind brought you gave you many victories. The struggle was still difficult, but the help you had obtained made a serious difference and soon enough you were headed back to Mondstadt.
You are headed home. After all, home is where the heart is.
tag list: @clouds-rambles
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favoniuscodex · 3 years
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voice lines!!!
ok !!! here are nell’s voice lines (a lot are utc bc this got long)
▶ Hello - Pleasure to meet you! I’m Nell and I’m a reporter for the Teyvat Times. I heard you have a story for me? Are you willing to share? C’mon, please?
▶ Chat: Sidekick - Want to join me? I’ve always wanted a little sidekick on my adventures! All the cool heroes and stuff always have one! Granted, I don’t really have a secret identity that requires one...
▶ Chat: Truth - The world will reveal its secrets to those who are willing to find them. As for everyone else, well… they’ll just read the newest expose I post in the Teyvat Times!
▶ Chat: Leads - We can’t sniff out a new lead and answers if we’re just standing around. Just… give me a second to fix my Kamera.
▶ When It Rains - Rain or shine, the news must carry on! Just… Can you hold the umbrella while I take pictures? If the lens gets wet, it blurs the photographs.
▶ When Thunder Strikes - Haha, spooky! Hopefully we don’t get electrocuted… that would be rather inconvenient.
▶ When It Snows - It doesn’t often snow back in Fontaine, but I always enjoyed when the rivers would freeze over as a kid. I just wonder what happens to the fish. Do they freeze too?
▶ When the Sun Is Out - Beautiful weather makes the job easier! I’m usually stuck inside interviewing people all day, so I’ll gladly take this moment to soak up some sun… maybe even close my eyes for a few minutes… sit under a tree… sleep… *yawn* Oh? Was I dozing off? I can’t doze off now! There’s a festival today downtown. I should report on that instead!
▶ Good Morning - Rise and shine, darling! Evil lurks in the night and while you and I might not vanquish it, we can at least report on the aftermath! Oh..? I’m a bit too eager to find out what atrocities happened in the night..? Hm. Maybe...
▶ Good Night - Night time already? If you really insist, I suppose I can wind down. But, uh, wake me up if you hear any weird noises! If it’s any bugs though, you’re on your own.
▶ About Nell: Persistence - Growing up, my mother always told me that persistence is key to achieving your dreams! Therefore, if someone says “no” to an interview, you can ask them approximately 11.852 more times on average before they start threatening you with a restraining order! Never give up… except when the law requires it!
▶ About Nell: Reporting - Some say reporters are opportunistic fiends who only seek to further their own careers and line their pockets with Mora. Me? Do I lie? Well… my name isn’t actually Nell, it’s Eleonora… so I guess I lie sometimes, but I promise to only tell the truth and help others in my reporting! I swear!
▶ About Us: Interview - Wow, you can fight really well! Wait… you’re the Outlander? The one who defeated Tartaglia? The one who stopped Stormterror? The one who helped the Qixing fight against Osial? Oh my archons, Nell, contain your excitement! Sorry, sorry, I was getting carried away… could I interview you? Pretty please?
▶ About Us: Compatibility - Ah, you’re so cool, Traveler! With you, drama always seems to follow. I think that makes us a great pair! So, what do you want me to report on next..? Your missing sibling..? Oh. Of course! Who doesn’t love a good reunion story? I’ll gladly help!
▶ About the Vision - I bet you probably weren’t expecting me to have a Vision! Well… neither was I. A lot of people tend to have powerful reasons as to why they have their Visions and why they use them but I kinda just found mine in the way I find any other new story… by accident. Nonetheless, a great reporter uses every tool at their disposal and if a Vision was granted to me, then I’ll be sure to wield it with pride!
▶ Something to Share: Lineage - My family name is not one of great prestige, nor are my family members anything worth writing home about. I believe that the life of someone should not be dictated by who they are related to, but rather how they choose to make a name for themselves. People who hide behind the prestige of their names are often cowards and yet they often have the best sources for my news. You win some, you lose some, I guess.
▶ Something to Share: Fontaine - Want to know a secret? Don’t tell anyone this, okay? I’m not a very strong swimmer. I’m kind of scared of water, despite my Vision!
▶ Interesting Things - I break my Kamera a lot, but mechanics are expensive. If you ever break yours, I can probably fix it for you! You won’t have to pay me for anything. Just... please don’t charge me if I accidentally break it even further, haha.
▶ About Albedo - Albedo? Haha… He’s rather cute. Plus, he always listens when I talk to him! ... I think. I can never tell if I’m actually holding his attention or not… But, he thinks reporters are dumb, therefore he is dumb. I don’t care how many alchemic achievements he finds. Someone who cannot understand how important news is is someone that I cannot respect.
▶ About Amber - Outrider Amber is lovely! She’s one of the few people in the town who actually listens to all I have to say. It’s amazing, really. Everyone loves her, even standoffish Eula! If you ever need help from the Knights, Amber is probably your best bet!
▶ About Rosaria - Y’know, at first, I wasn’t quite sure if Sister Rosaria liked me. Now? … Well, I’m still not very certain. I’m nervous to talk about her. She seems like the type to have a weird sixth sense for this type of thing. She does save me when I get into trouble, though! For a while I thought she was the Darknight Hero, but I realized that Rosaria is… Ah, forget it! Let’s just say I owe her one.
▶ About Diluc: Darknight Hero - The Darknight Hero is one of the most interesting stories I’ve covered in a long time! It’s taken me down a long path of getting to know people, especially Master Diluc of Dawn Winery. Kaeya was helpful enough to point him out as a potential source on the topic. No, Diluc isn’t the Darknight Hero, silly. He just knows a guy who knows a guy, that’s all.
▶ About Diluc: Comradery -At first, I could have sworn Diluc hated me! But apparently, he’s just like that with everyone. Now, I’d say we’re pretty good friends… I think? I’m never quite sure where I stand with him. He’s both open yet awkward around me at the same time… But, he ultimately has been helpful with some of my reporting. If it was up to me, I’d say we’re the best of friends! Please don’t tell him I said that though, he’d probably say I’ve had too much to drink and cut me off for the night.
▶ About Diluc: Love - Love? Why are you asking me about Diluc and love? Gods, both you and Kaeya are insufferable about this. Wait, what? You think Diluc has a crush on me? There’s no possible way a guy like him would give me a second glance! You and Kaeya are awful about this… stop teasing me. Diluc is the type to have whole newspapers dedicated to him and me..? Well, I’m just a reporter, that’s all. Oh? You’re asking if I like him? Well, um… that’s classified information!
▶ About Lisa - Lisa makes me wish I ran a gossip column instead! Conversation with her is never dull and somehow she knows everything about everyone. Afternoon tea consists of tea in more ways than one!
▶ About Jean - The Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt is far more gracious to me than most political figures are. However, I can’t help but feel as if I’m intruding whenever I speak to her. She’s sweet, but she just seems like she has a lot on her plate and even I don’t want to add any more to that.
▶ About Keqing - The Yuheng is a very respectable figure, but if she’s at any Qixing press conference, you’re almost guaranteed to get no exciting news. She brushes off any pressing questions by saying they’re “off topic” and “irrelevant”. It’s frustrating, especially when she uses it to evade the things that really matter!
▶ About Xiao - Hey! That’s that dude that lives in Wangshu Inn! Well, I suppose he’s not a dude but rather an immortal adeptus. He’s hellbent on avoiding me. He hates my guts. I just want to interview him about his thousands of years of life! It’ll only take a few days! Why does he keep teleporting away from me? Ugh. Immortals are so haughty.
▶ About Kaeya: Trust - Oh? Captain Kaeya? He’s rather funny and is my closest drinking buddy in Mondstadt. However, don’t try to get any info out of him. He’s full of shi- haha, pardon me, I mean… Um… Kaeya likes to lie. He won’t even tell me the truth in truth or dare! You picked truth, buddy, now fess up! Sorry… I like him, I swear I do! But I guess I shouldn’t expect the truth when I ask him why he has an eyepatch. After all, even I don’t have a wild enough imagination to truly believe he was raised by pirates… although I could cross-reference this with Beidou and see if she has any information...
▶ About Venti - The bard that’s always in Dil- Master Diluc’s tavern? He’s a bit strange and, while his songs are informative, music of that style is a bit noisy and overwhelming to me. However, I do find it incredibly interesting that he looks exactly like the Barbatos statue in front of the cathedral, yet nobody discusses it. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?
▶ About Nell: I - I’m a reporter first and human second! Or… am I a human first and reporter second? I can’t remember what the boss said sounded less creepy… Well, at least I know I’m a reporter and a human!
▶ About Nell: II - Freedom of the press ensures that people always have a voice. Being a reporter can be dangerous, especially if you’re assigned to tempestuous regions like Inazuma, but it’s a job I take pride in. Information must be spread to all so the public can make informed decisions.
▶ About Nell: III - Home? Home is wherever my job takes me! Sometimes its Mondstadt, sometimes its Liyue, sometimes its Snezhnaya… oh. Fontaine? Even though that’s where the Teyvat Times headquarters are and it’s where I grew up, I wouldn’t necessarily call it home. At one point, I would have, but… things change. If I have to settle down anywhere, I would choose the wintry tundra of Snezhnaya before I even think about living in Fontaine again.
▶ About Nell: IV - Growing up, everyone always said I was a free spirit. I’m kind of like the seelies you see around Mondstadt… Yes, I wander, but ultimately I always return to the same path. Am I guarding a treasure? Haha, maybe… if you consider knowledge to be a treasure, that is. Ah, this doesn’t make very much sense, does it? I’ve never been the type to be good at poetry. I’m better off sticking to just facts.
▶ About Nell: V - My end goal..? I’m not quite sure what it is yet. I prefer to live in the moment and inspire others to achieve their dreams. News stories might not always be happy, but interconnectedness with the world allows people to discover what their true calling is. The feeling of the Kamera and notepad in my hands are comfortable enough. If I can help others understand this hectic world, then that’s good enough for me! I’m having a blast doing it, too.
▶ Nell’s Hobbies - Oh, would you like to look at my favorite articles? I have a book filled with articles and photographs of my own creation, including my very first headline article! Isn’t that exciting? It wasn’t too long ago, yet somehow it feels like it's been decades since then.
▶ Nell’s Troubles - I ran out of film again. You wouldn’t happen to have any on you, would you? Otherwise, I’ll have to go see if the gift shop has any in stock...
▶ Favorite Food - I really like spinach salads! It makes me feel like I’m a wild animal foraging for a nice summery meal. What? That’s weird? Sometimes it’s fun to imagine things, no matter how absurd they are.
▶ Least Favorite Food - Soup! I want to eat my food, not drink my food. If I wanted to drink my calories, I would just chug beer all the time like those drunkards who live in the taverns!
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zelistair · 3 years
Text
lover's oath, xiao pov.
Inspired by: Lover's Oath - HOYO-MiX
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This song played when we first met each other's gazes. As for someone who has lived long enough to see almost all things that there is to see, I never thought that there would be a sight that would make me surprised again. A sight that would make my arrogance and coldness falter.
All there is to Liyue, I have seen them all. Well, I thought.
Back then, even before you visited the Land of Contracts, I became aware of your existence. You were the mighty outlander hailed from Mondstadt who saved the Nation of the Wind from Dvalin. You're great in the eyes of all people, whatever nation they may come from.
All was awed and made aware of your bravery, achievement, and mightiness. I was no exception.
As the last Yaksha alive, all burdens lies on my shoulder. The responsibilities that my comrades and I are all supposed to share, they all fell on my shoulders the moment my comrades vanished. All my life, I lived only to help and protect Liyue and its people. For thousands of years, I did it all alone.
You were not the first one to offer help, but you were the first one who extended your arms and hands voluntarily with a sweet smile. You were the first one who's willing. You were the first one who's genuine.
When I lost my comrades, I almost forgot how it felt to have someone by your side through thick and thin. When you came, you made me remember that feeling again. And you made that feeling better. Not only through thick and thin but you're there even when I don't need you to, even when I don't tell you to.
Slowly, I started to see you in a different light.
When you turn around and smile at me after "protecting" me from monsters, I would evade your gaze, your smile. I did not know how to respond for your smile was the brightest. That one time when we released lanterns on the sky, I didn't have the chance to make a wish because I was busy staring at you who's wishing with your eyes closed. With all the lights coming from the lanterns floating in the air lighting your calm face, I strangely felt comforted. That moment felt like it was meant to last forever.
I would like every moment actually to last forever.
You would stay home with me frome time to time and cook my favorite foods. Sometimes, I'd catch you waiting for me inside the house while cooking. I never thought that the thought of someone waiting for me to come home would make me smile.
I thought my smile had disappeared long time ago. My happiness which didn't come back even when I want it to, it surfaced again because of you.
Right then and there, I knew I don't want to let you go. I knew I had to keep you. Because if I don't, I'd go crazy for another time and for that time, I don't think I'd survive.
But, I also know that I can't.
You're the bravest, smartest, and mightiest adventurer and outlander that there is. Traveling nations is what you do. It is your job, your happiness. To take that away from you is not something that I can do. I know that your smile would falter and turn lifeless if I did.
Besides, protecting and helping Liyue is what I do, too. Not Mondstadt, not Inazuma, not Sumeru, Snezhnaya or any other nation but Liyue. Even if I would love to keep on living this current life I have with you forever, I know that it's impossible.
So, I let you go. I let you travel the vast seas to get to Inazuma. I know that you have to find your brother, your remaining family. I wouldn't stop you. Your freedom and bravery is what makes you shine brightly. My love for you is never shallow to take that light away from you, to take those feelings away from you.
So I let you be. I let you fly higher, farther.
Our memories are engraved deep in the rhythm and melody of Lover's Oath, so I'll be fine. Whenever this song plays, I would be reminded of you and you're well-being, I'd never be able to forget you.
I was fine, until news came back to Liyue.
In a letter, it was said that in the hands of the Fatui, the adventurer who saved Mondstadt, defeated Osial, and saved Inazuma, died. In an all out battle where the adventurer was caught up and was merely shielded with few soldiers, the second and third Fatui Harbingers all focused on the traveler.
At that moment, I feel like my head was about to burst. My eyes stings and are hot, my nerves are about to pop and my blood boiled. You.. killed. Died. In the hands of the enemy.
All of a sudden, our memories together flashbacks to me. Your smile, your laughter and your silly jokes. Our picnic on Qingce Village during sunset. Your photograph while lying on the flowerbed in Qingce. All of them came back to me. Why?
"Why didn't I follow you?" I whispered to myself.
I slammed the table making people around me shriek in surprise. The table was broken. All of a sudden, both of the archons appeared in front of me. Breathless, in shock, and livid.
"I could've done so much if I was there with her. I could've saved her. Take her to safety. Take care of her. I should've come with her. I should've been there," it was all I can whisper to myself. If the two gods in front of me are livid and full of sorrow and anger, I was probably worse.
"I know from the start that it wasn't safe, why did I let her leave?" Venti is now crying in frustration. His eyes, bloodshot and full of regrets.
"I should've just told her the truth and break that damn contract. The consequences, I can endure. But this? I can't, I will never be able to," Zhongli spoke.
My tears fell. My only light and happiness was taken away from me. I was once again deprived of the chance to be happy. This time, with her. I could've done so much if I only chose to come with her. And even if we both die, at least she's there with me. I'm there with her. Not like this.
"Zhongli! Xiao!"
A breathless Ningguang and Ganyu suddenly ran towards us. They were both surprised to see someone from Mondstadt but quickly tended their attention towards me. I was hanging my head low and crying, the letter still crumpled on my fist.
"I will avenge her. I will never stop until I kill those who took her away from me. I will not stop until her death's given justice," I whispered, full of anger, contempt, and nothing but blind grudge.
"Xiao.." Ganyu whispered. She then cried when she realizes that the news is true.
"T-traveler.." Ningguang stuttered.
I closed my eyes and let my thoughts flow. Right now, I'm fully ready to avenge you. I'm more than ready to give your death justice. Suddenly, our oath came to mind.
"I swear to never, ever, ever blame myself again for losing my sibling. I swear to never tire myself out again and to never overwork myself so Xiao won't have to get worried!"
Your smile and silly laugh was followed by your remark. My eyes shot open suddenly, but my tears never stopped. I looked at the sky above and saw that it's tinted with yellow-orange now. The sun is setting. For some reason, I don't want it to. It feels like it's you, saying goodbye to all of us.
I almost forgot the oath I made to you. Thank you, for making me remember. Thank you for still saving me even when you're not here anymore.
"I promise to not let myself hold a grudge again and let myself experience happiness.. even in its' tiniest form," I whispered. That was my oath to you. That promise helped a lot with dealing with myself. Now, even when you're gone, you still saved me. I almost went insane. I know that you won't like it if I do. I know you'd be stomping your feet up there, screaming, if I do go insane because of this.
And it hurts more because of that. Because the oath we made are still up and valid, but the person I did it with aren't anymore. How am I supposed to move forward now that you're gone?
I closed my eyes and screamed. I cried so much. I don't care if I'm in the presence of other people. I will let them know that there is someone who grieves for your death so much. That there is someone like me who's left alone because of the stupid ways of the Fatui. I will let everyone know that even when it's not immediately, I will avenge you. And make everyone who's responsible pay.
"I want to hear you again, please let me hear your voice again. Please let me see your smile one more time, I beg of you," I knelt down on the ground and cried.
Just one more time, please, talk to me. Let me know how you're doing. Let me know if you're fine, angry, calm..
"Talk to her, Xiao. She's listening through the wind," Venti suddenly spoke. I couldn't care to ask how did he know, all I want is to talk to her again. To hear her one last time.
"I will always love you, even when you're gone. I will never forget your smile, your words, the happiness you gave to me, the memories we shared. I will keep them all in my heart. I will love you for as long as I live. So please, let me hear your voice, my love. One more time," I desperately whispered.
I closed my eyes and felt a strong wind blowing. With the winds, a voice came.
"I know, Xiao. I love you too. I wouldn't have done those things with you if I didn't. Don't ruin yourself for me. I am contented with what happened. So, don't taint your hands for my sake. Just take care of Aether when you see or find him, alright? It's time for me to go now. And, say thank you to Venti. And say to everyone for me that I valued the time I had with them. I have to go now."
Then, the wind was gone.
Venti dropped to the ground and is panting. But at the same time, he had this weak and genuine smile on. As if he knows what she said. Figuring it all out, I looked at Venti.
"Thank you for letting me hear her one last time."
My gaze went back to the sky that's now turning gray and black. Soon, it'll grow dark. My wounds from today will never heal. My love for you from yesterday will never fade. My oath to you from before will always be valid. This oath has more power to it than what the others think. For it is my oath to you, my very last promise.
I wish I could've heard the song with you again for the last time. It is the song that played when I first met you. How ironic that it's also the song playing for the last time that I'm with you. If I could, I'd die in your place. I would've taken the pain you had on your dying moments if I could, if I was there.
For the love of my life who brought me back to my feet and taught me so much, thank you. So now, I oath to you. Here in your funeral, I oath to you that you will be the first and last person I would come to love for as long as I live. I promise to not let anyone replace you. This oath will be in power and valid, until we meet again in the arms of the gods and goddesses.
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caducus-frigus · 3 years
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so i’ve seen multiple of those “my main party interaction” posts around and decided to make my own
my party consists of:
kaeya, diluc, razor, and aether (though i’m replacing him with sucrose soon, i don’t know enough about her so i’m keeping aether for this one)
ft diluc and kaeya finally making up because my heart cannot take their angst rn
everything here is platonic. i dont ship any of these characters
razor:
he’s a little secluded at first when he’s introduced to the others. he doesn’t know them very much (he knows kaeya from klee and the traveler from their encounters before though) so he sort of stays quiet at first
probably the most comfortable around kaeya, their visions go well together when fighting an opponent — even if pyro is better — and kaeyas outgoing personality helps him come out of his shell a little bit more
once he feels comfortable, he shares his herbal knowledge for the others to know as well. who knows, maybe some day they’ll need to know what herbs have healing properties in case they run out of food? (check my razor headcanons, the post just before this one for more information on this)
he and diluc probably won’t become the closest of friends, but they’d be alright around each other
with aether though, they form a rather strong bond. they’re not as affective whilest fighting, but razor finds aether funny (and its even canon that he feels safe around aether!). aether probably reminds him of someone back home in wolvendom
considering they’re both claymore users, diluc and razor exchange different tactics. they might spar too, if boredom ensues and neither of them can sleep. despite not being the closest friends, they fight really well together and take advantage of their visions’ reactions
razor does not like paimon. she’s too loud and high-pitched and it hurts his ears. although he says nothing but a simple “she’s loud” when he’s asked why he doesn’t respond as well to paimon, because he doesn’t want to start something with aether.
sometimes he deliberately brings them back to wolvendom so he can visit his family. there’s multiple hilichurl camps in his territory and he wants to make sure the wolves are okay
being someone who really likes warmth, he has a tendency to curl up in aethers or kaeyas (i headcanon that kaeyas really warm and he feels safe around aether) lap or lean into their sides. kaeya started petting him as a joke but turn to find out, he does like it, so when he lays on kaeya, he gets the head scratched. aether didn’t know what to do the first time razor did this, but he eventually accepted it
following kaeyas lead, he ran his fingers through razors hair and eventually decided it was soothing enough to not feel weird about it. they do this a lot when theyre about to head to sleep (razor prefers kaeya for naps, but he sleeps on or around aether a lot)
kaeya:
kaeya was more than happy to join the party, and he’s been there the longest. before razor was part of the group, diona or barbara would be asked to join for their support — and he definitely prefers razor over them
though, who can blame him? he genuinely loves spending time around aether, diluc is fun to mess with, and razor is curious (and kaeya loves figuring people out)
surprisingly enough, despite diluc being the more responsible brother, he’s always the one cleaning up after fights. diluc’s phoenix makes such a big mess and kaeya doesn’t want to risk spreading fire so he’s fast to rush over and spread his ice over it
he’s the fastest speed-wise of the group, so often he’s asked to fetch supplies if they need to separate for some reason
though, he can definitely be reckless, and although he never runs into battles without at least planning with the others first, he has gotten his fair share of injuries
he was genuinely surprised when razor was quick to treat him, acting as gentle as he was. aether was worried sick about him and coped by going after and fighting things for materials (he provided multiple crystals so kaeya could enhance his own as well)
diluc was a little. different. when kaeya got injured. he didn’t approach nor stay away, more so hovering in the background to keep an eye on him and razor. when kaeya was alone with him finally, he asked why diluc was acting the way he did
apparently this was one of kaeyas more serious injuries (to be fair his entire arm and upper chest had been scorched by a pyro abyss mage) and it brought diluc back to unpleasant times. he realized how he’d feel if he lost kaeya, his only family, too and then
the next morning, the two of them were different. not as tense. kaeya was still being a teasing little shit, but diluc wasn’t uptight about it
diluc:
he came after kaeya, when aether showed up at the winery and asked to go on an adventure. at first he wasn’t sure, but eventually agreed to come along
he is really fond of the group after all, even if he’s mad at kaeya in the beginning
as for razor, he definitely wasn’t the one to strike conversation first. razor went up to him while he was ascending his weapon and questioned if he could help razor with his. he did so, and thats how their whole sparring thing started
at the very beginning, though, diluc hardly spoke to any of them. kaeya drove him mad, he wasn’t sure what to say to barbara or diona, and it was far more entertaining to watch aether converse with the others than try to himself
considering he listens to a lot of crap when he visits his tavern in mondstadt, mostly to make sure no one’s starting a fight or being inappropriate, he’s a much better listener so he vibes in the background until eventually kaeya gets him to interact
being the only one with pyro, he’s often asked to light fires for the others when they pass camps. sometimes they stop to cook briefly before they head out, and sometimes they stop at those camps for overnight
he knows his vision makes a mess when he fights, but he does like watching kaeya struggle to put out every fire
terrified of the others getting injured. doesn’t care so much about himself but he refuses to let this group that grew on him die
aether:
he was unofficially appointed as the party leader, and the others look to him for a lot of decisions. he doesn’t take advantage of this, though, and always makes sure they’re going somewhere everyone is okay with going
he definitely prefers this to when it was just him and paimon, though she was alright company he’d rather be with her and the other three than just her
though barbara and diona accompanied a lot of their missions before, he never really grew as close to them. barbara could be.. a lot, and diona intimidated and confused him a little bit
was definitely hesitant about bringing both kaeya and diluc with him, but he was aware of how skilled both were and how he was close to both of them
honestly the parent friend of the group. he’s always making sure everyone got enough food, water and rest — and if they couldn’t sleep, he’d lay by them and converse until they fell asleep. he has to do this with both kaeya and diluc often
his interactions with diluc are a lot less lighthearted and fun than they are with kaeya — though, that’s to be expected, as both aether and diluc can be very serious people
he misses a lot of the people he met along the way and often considers inviting them, but they just don’t have the resources. as much as he’d love to introduce razor and venti, or bring jean along (he does want to spend more time with her, with how often they’re both working he hardly knows her), he just can’t
razor was actually suggested by kaeya when both barbara and diona lost interest. aether was a little unsure at first but with encouragement (and a little pleading) from paimon and kaeya, he finally agreed
though that agreement proved to be a great decision, because not only is razor a friend, he’s a great fighter. aether enjoys his presence in the group
when aether gets replaced by sucrose:
aether finally gets information of how to get into inazuma, and decides he’d rather go alone. he’s often not there while the other three are out (they’ve gotten diona to join them again), and he figures he’d rather have them meet more friends
he doesn’t really know sucrose, but they met while gathering supplies. he figures out she’s from mondstadt (like the rest of them), and asks her to join, telling her what’s going on
aether doesn’t plan to leave forever, just enough to get done what he needs to. as soon as he can, he’ll come back and rejoin them (and visit as much as possible, but he doubts that’ll be frequent)
razor was unhappy that aether was going but he didn’t try to protest, knowing that this is something he’s allowed to do, especially after what happened with his sister and the abyss order. he doesn’t trust sucrose yet but hopefully he comes to trust her as much as he does the others
both kaeya and diluc have heard of her, and both of them are naturally a little wary (kaeya with his knight instincts and diluc with his habit of listening a little too closely into things)
though she is spending some time with them, she has yet to fully reach their level — which is when aether will decide he can safely leave and go on his own
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fanfics-only-for-me · 4 years
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Call of the Void (Part 1)
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Word Count: 1704
This is gonna be hella boring chapter cause I really just wanted to set the scene  I’m half done the next chapter so expect that soon.  This is my first time actually writing anything so some advice will be great ngl <3 
How are the Titans going to handle the reluctant new stray Dick picked up and what exactly is she running from?  Rose doesn't exist and Jeremiah is dead. Everything in the show is the same up to when they find Rose on the telly. Imma just swap her with y/n cause I'm a narcissist. Y/N is 18 nearly 19.  Don't @ me cause i know this is hella shite. Readers bi but I’m not certain if she’s gonna be romantically involved with anyone yet.
Coffee Drops
Dick's been trying to get Rachel to come out of her shell for the past few months.  Knowing about Rachel's struggle fitting in with her peers at school and the recent events surrounding her family, both biological and adopted, Dick deemed a routine would be best.  It would be a way for Rachel to feel at ease, and comfortable.  When Dick was initially adopted by Bruce back when he was young and struggling with his own family stress so to speak, he found that once he fell into an established pattern of behaviour, his mind would settle too.  Thus a routine was swiftly established.
The day would begin with light training as a group and then a small rest, a bit more training and finally breakfast.  During this early morning rest period, Garfield would head off to his room and play whatever game he was currently obsessed with.  Lately, it was some platform based game, Dick even gave it a go once but never got invested, perhaps he was a bit too old for this sort of stuff, either way, gaming definitely wasn't for him.  It wasn't for Rachel either.  She tried playing with Garfield one morning but as soon as her character died; she left leaving Garfield and the console alone.  Dick didn't like having Rachel alone for too long but he didn't want it to seem obvious and push her away. 
God knows what Jason does during his downtime, and judging by what was found on the batcomputer, Dick doesn't want to know. 
Thus birthed their new routine: every morning they'd head off to get coffee together, changing shops every couple days due to Dick's paranoia-fueled habits, Rachel is still a missing person after all.  Dick began to enjoy these coffee trips with Rachel.  He doubted he would ever have kids of his own, especially after Dawn and himself ended.  He did enjoy this feeling though; being Rachel's confidant and support, her father-figure so to speak.  He felt the same towards Garfield but not as intense as with Rachel.  
It was on one of these coffee trips that he noticed something strange.  They were at a new coffee shop, the place had a retro yet Cool Kidz vibe to it, filled with guitars, records, and exclusively old looking wooden furniture abundant with those circle stains you only get if your coffee cup leaks a bit.  
"Got a triple venti mocha for Rochelle and a small coffee for Dirk" 
"Dick"
"Excuse me?"  
"Oh, uh... never mind."  Dick grabbed the two drinks from the counter feeling a fair bit uncomfortable with the barrister's annoyed gaze directed at him. 
"Here", Dick said handing the mocha to Rachel.
"Nice." laughed Rachel before heading towards the sugars with Dick following close behind.
"So have you put any thought into our name?" asked Rachel taking a sip of her drink
"What do you mean?"
"Ugh," Rachel grunted placing her drink on the small counter. 
"Well, you, Hawk, Dawn, and Donna were the Titans," she reasoned reaching for the sugar jar and tilting the sweet crystals into her drink, "So, what are we? The New Titans? Titans 2.0?"
"Titans: The Next Generation?" Dick jokingly offered.
"You're not helping" dismissed Rachel as she finally placed the sugar back down.
"Look, Rach, it doesn't matter what you're called.  It matter's what you do.  We're training for whatever's next." he reassured her.
"There's never a shortage of people out there who wanna screw things up for the rest of us." he continued, "You know what they say, 'All it takes for evil to succeed-"
"-is good men and women to do nothing." Rachel interrupted after licking the stir and throwing it in the bin.  She's heard the same speech from Dick countless times by now.  It seemed as though this little motivational speech of his was more so for himself than anyone else.  To convince himself that this wasn't for nothing; he wasn't chasing the shadow of his own past glory, but instead carving a new, brighter path for his current family.
"That's right."  said Dick turning to leave, "Good men and women not doing nothing."
"You could put that on a t-shirt, Dick," Rachel muttered following after him.
"Maybe I should," Dick scoffed, reaching the door and holding it open for her.
Dick got caught for a minute in the doorway as a few others took the opportunity to slip through the generously opened door.  After a few of those awkward smile things and some "you're welcomes" later, Dick finally got away from the door and headed towards Rachel.  The car was a few meters away from the shop's entrance, parked beside a ‘50′ speed limit sign.  Once Dick clicked the doors open Rachel immediately plonked herself down in the passenger's side spilling a bit of her mocha on the concrete below.  Dick's eyes glanced at the drops splattering on the ground before taking a step towards the driver's side door. 
It took a second for his mind to process what his eye's caught, but when it did, Dick looked back down towards the coffee drops.  Working as a detective for a number of years, Dick could easily pick out the small puddle of blood on the concrete.  Dick ran over last nights news in his head, no shoot-outs or other violence that could explain how it got here.  It definitely wasn't old, less than 12 hours judging by the still red pigment yet it wasn't fresh seeing as it wasn't disturbed by the early morning foot traffic meaning it had to of dried before rush hour.  It happened last night.  Looking around the area for anything that might help explain things, Dick noticed the blood on the signpost next to him.  It was quite low down, a few smudges of blood on the pole resting near his knee.  Bending down to have a closer look, Dick noticed the small groves; definitely a hand print.
"Dick?" called Rachel, leaning out of the now rolled down window.
"One minute, I'm just checking something."
Dick quickly gave a once over on the ground surrounding him, checking to see if there was some sort of trail hinting towards the injured person's route.  9 am on a weekday: the street was crowded.  He could barely see the ground but even so, Dick thought he should at least see something, the start of a trail at least.  They probably got into a car Dick concluded straightening up. 
'This is a busy enough street with a lot of businesses,' Dick reasoned with himself looking up towards the buildings CCTV cameras, 'a lot of them would have caught something.'
"Dick?" Rachel queried again.
"Coming," Dick said hopping into the car before pulling out onto the street.
"What were you looking at?" Rachel asked.
"I don't know yet, maybe nothing," Dick replied, "Maybe something, I'll double check when we get home."
Rachel rolled her eye's a bit at the "home" part but seemed satisfied nonetheless.
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Once they got back to the Tower, Dick and Rachel walked together towards the training room.  Rachel was supposed to continue training with the others and Dick needed to pass by the training room to get to the computers.
"Fuck man!" shouted Jason. 
They're fighting again.
"You said don't hold back." defended Garfield.
"What were you fucking doing?  I was fucking blindfolded" continued Jason.
"You said, 'Don't hold back.'" Garfield quoted rather annoyed as Rachel and Dick came round the corner.  
"Should I get the hose?" joked Rachel prancing over towards Gar.
"What's going on?" Dick asked the two.
"We did what you said, the blindfold thing, and then he went nuts on me." complained Jason.  
"He said 'Don't hold back.'" Gar quoted for the third time that minute.
"Then why do we even learn to fight like this, man?" Jason complained again.
Dick knew that Jason wasn't settling into the tower like the other two but unlike Garfield and Rachel, Jason was here to train.  
Jason didn't like the Titans tower, he thought it would be more intense like with Rachel's father but this assumption was quickly cut down.  Training in some way or another every day and never actually going out and using what he learnt only caused his anger to boil with no escape for the steam except through his words.  Verbally fighting and arguing at the slightest irritation was his only outlet so he did it every chance he got.
"Hey, it's idiotic." continued Jason heading closer to Dick, "We have eyes."
"In battle, anything can be taken from you." Dick addressed the group stepping forward. 
"You're hands," Dick accentuated this by twisting the fake sword from Jason's hand.
"You're feet..," Dick stabbed the training mat between Gar's feet.
"And you're eyes." Dick was now looking down the dull edge of the wooden sword towards Rachel's face. 
"No matter what is taken, you must be able to keep fighting." Dick lowered the sword and turned towards the other two, "And win. All right get changed, I'll be busy for a few hours so no attack scenarios this morning.  Go have breakfast."
"Yo, look, it's been three months man," Jason said to Dick, "When do I get to go back to Gotham City?"
"Bruce doesn't think you're ready, and neither do I" Dick explained, "Look, man, you blew your privileges."
"What?"
"The Batmobile joyrides, the motorcycle on the staircase." Dick continued.
"I was practising my tactical manoeuvres." Jason tried to reason.
"And those websites you bookmarked?  You know that's not what the batcomputer's used for."
The two argued back and forth before Dick tried a different approach.
"Okay, look, here's the thing," Dick began, "I could actually use some help with the others.  They don't have the experience you have."
"Yeah. Yeah, for sure."
"Have you notice how they sort of look up to you?  Follow your lead?" Dick asked,"When you're on point, they're on point.  When you're not?"
"It's true" Jason smirked.
"They need your leadership, Jason... I'm not Robin anymore.  You are." Dick patted Jason Shoulder as he began heading off towards the tech room. 
"Hey wait," called Jason, "If I'm Robin...Who are you?"
"That's a good question."
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savysavannah · 3 years
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Practice Challenge one: Part One
Beginnings: 
“Fuck!” I yelled and slammed my hands against the steering wheel. This wasn’t the first time I’d had a total mental breakdown in the dim lighting of the courthouse parking lot, and it sure wasn’t gonna be the last. This case was rigged from the get-go, Mr. Dean esquire was always there against me, swaying the jury with his charismatic personality and his masculine gender. Not to mention it was a jury which he decided to leave fully as white men, his fellow groupies against my defendant, a woman of color who defended herself against her abuser who came at her with a gun. 
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Opening them I saw Dean sashaying to his car. I considered putting my own in reverse and waiting until he just walked by, then bye bye Dean. Deciding that it wouldn’t be worth the cost of defending myself I waited until after he’d passed to pull out and start to drive to Illean Private University. I was an attorney coach for a Mock Trial team and of course, had to encourage these kiddos that law was the best career and it would really be fulfilling to help people. Driving past the Greek life houses I couldn’t help but smile thinking of happier times. Chugging shitty beer, dressed like a total slut and not giving one single fuck. 
After an hour or two of bullshitting some kids and reminding them to object when someone playing a witness says “well I heard the defendant say he was mad at the victim so he must have killed her.” I drove on my way home. 
“Incoming call from Uncle Dipshit'' said my car, continuing the never ending day that is my life. 
“What?” 
“Hey little Savy-Hannah, I’m in a bit of a bind and need some help.” 
“What was it? Cocaine? Meth? Or did you finally snap and get caught with heroin.” 
“Come on, Savannah, why would you just assume that, can’t I call my one and only niece because I wanna talk to her?” 
“At 11pm? Friday night? Bullshit.” 
“.......fine Sav-” 
“Fuck you, I’m not doing probono work for you anymore. Get your shit together or get the fuck out of our lives.” 
Taking a turn away from my apartment I started to head for Lux, my old usual club. I hadn’t gone in awhile but right now I needed to get absolutely shitfaced. 8 shots and 2 waters later I was grinding up against some strangers to Kesha’s “Die Young”, a classic. Suddenly I heard an all too familiar voice, “Savannah!” 
My brother. Specifically, my oldest brother, Dan. He danced his way over to me of course being in this scene and grabbed my wrist. “Wha-u wan dan?” I slurred and kept jumping to the song. 
“I was worried about you, Ricky called and said you were acting weird.”
“Weird!" I laughed throwing my head back "Because I wouldn’t clean up his shit for once!” I screamed over the music before he pulled me out of the club by the wrist. As soon as the cool air hit my cheeks I leaned my head back and looked up at the sky. 
“I wish I was a star." I mumbled seeing the shimmering lights above us before suddenly leaning forward and hurling all over the cement. Probably a usual occurrence for Lux but I still felt bad. Dan rolled down the windows of my car as he drove me home, I stuck my head out of it for the breeze to feel the air in my lungs. 
“How’d you find me?” I mumbled, still not fully back to myself. 
“We all have eachothers phone locations, remember? You insisted on it like a year ago after you interned on that kidnapping case.” He sighed as we drove up the familiar road home. 
“You’re really a mess you know that?” He asked. It's not like he was much better….well, he was but it's not like I'm our brother Danny. At least I made something of myself. Didn't get handed my career and a wife on a silver platter. Or like Daniel who was still so far back into the closet that we really aren't sure if he'll ever come out, even though our family would be more than accepting of him. 
I was tempted to defend myself but stopped, “I know, I just need a win."
The next morning Dan was sleeping on my couch and I was on the living room floor. “You couldn’t have carried me to bed?” I mumbled through a yawn. 
“You’re the dumbass who got white girl wasted and said you were too tired to walk to your room.” 
“What time is it?” I mumbled and went to find my phone despite the world swaying as I crawled to my purse.
He lifted his arm up to look at his watch, “Like 8:00am chill out.” He groaned. 
“HOLY FUCK 8?” I flinched at the loudness of my own voice. I was normally up at six, two hours slept in, what’s today it’s a wednesday. ‘What was I supposed to do today? No clients in court today, so that’s good. Okay so I suppose I have to? Paperwork?’
I sighed, “You’re fucking lucky I didn’t have court today.” Stumbling up I ran to my room to change out of yesterday's clothes, splash some water on my face and get on the move.  
"Lucky? I'm the one who got your ass home at all!" He yelled back from the living room as I slipped into a different skirt. Shirt could stay the same, just a plain white shell no one would notice. But skirt absolutely not. I grabbed a pair of earrings and a bag of makeup wipes and rushed past Dan. 
"Fine sorry love ya. Family dinner on saturday right?" I hurried as I slung a purse over my shoulder. 
"You got it." He replied. 
"Uh, stay awhile have breakfast if you want. I've got bagels and eggs. Just lock up when you leave." I remembered finally to be polite as he stretched getting up from the sofa.
The office was busy and loud as usual. I tried to smile and act like I wasn't hungover as holy hell while I walked to my desk. 
There was someone new taking a desk near me too. Lanky guy probably straight out of law school too. I sized him up for a moment before nearly catching his eye but going back to my work. 
It wasn't till lunch that I had to actually deal with another human when I ran into Mr. Asshole-dean. 
"Ms. Mars?" He said as he tapped my shoulder in line at the starbucks near the courthouse. 
I turned but knew his voice right away, "Mr. Dean?" I replied wondering why he was bothering me. He seemed to catch my cold tone. 
"What, rough night? Does suck the night you lose the case but don't worry. You'll get better at losing, can't win em all." 
I would like to get an extra extra hot- you know what make it just a cup of fucking lava to poor on this jackass. I smiled, "Thanks! I'm sure it didn't take you long to get used to it." I gave a passive aggressive smile and looked down to my watch. 
"Listen, Mars, I know we're opposing counsel but I don't mean any harm by it. I think we could be great friends if you'd give it a shot. I mean I'm sure we both hate our jo-"
"Hi I'd like a venti mocha!" I ordered cutting him off the scurried back to my car. 
I had a few hours before I actually had a meeting. It was just to speak with a judge over a custody case between a homophobic mother and two "really good friends" one of who was the father of the child in question. There was a chance it could turn into a serious case, the mom was wealthy and if she got too displeased she could probably turn it into a civil suit on the grounds of the father being gay. But it wasn't likely she'd take the time. She was only really fighting for custody to use their kid as a weapon in the divorce. 
I drove home with my coffee deciding I wanted to Pad Thai leftovers I had as comfort/hangover/please-god-dont-make-me-live-another-day food. 
Daniel was sitting on my couch when I walked in. "Can you not just walk into my house? Dan may have forgotten to lock it but that's no reason for you to just waltz in here!" I yelled as I dropped my purse and walked up to him. 
"Is that my mail?" I huffed and snatched my letters from him. It was just junk mail but he still had no right to be so intrusive. 
He looked up at me with a slight glare, "I know what you did and I'm gonna get you back for it." And as quickly as he came he scurried out. 
Ringing up Dan I tapped my foot on the ground, "You forgot to lock the door!" I yelled into the phone. 
"Oh shit my bad. You okay?" He asked. 
"Yes, but Daniel was just here. All pissed over something." I grumbled and walked to the fridge to get out my leftovers. 
"Any idea of what?" He asked. 
"No clue." I answered. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“No, don’t call anyone. Listen, they record everything but our conversations for confidentiality, if you call someone it’s possible that they might somehow be involved and we don’t want prosecution to get that- understand?” I hated explaining the basics to my clients, but those dumbassses would sign their own sentences if they didn’t know any better.
I walked up to the courthouse, in one hand I had my phone, the other a black coffee from the starbucks across the street, my work back slung over my shoulder and threatened to slide lower onto my arm. As I turned the corner I was suddenly burning with hot coffee against my chest and a stranger staring down at me as I had run right into him, 
“FUCK!” I yelled as I stepped back. My heel slipped in a crack on the sidewalk, the top of it snapping it too causing me to fall back, my head hitting the hard concrete.   
When I opened my eyes again he was standing over me. It was the new guy who sat across from me. "Don't worry I called an ambulance." He assured. I was going to sit up but as I pieced the situation together I realized I was no longer wearing a shirt. Instead I had his blazer placed over my top. I assume because of the burning coffee which would have been sitting on my torso had he not. 
He rode in the ambulance to the hospital. We sat in awkward silence as I tried to figure out his angle. Was he afraid I'd sue. I was the one who bumped into him. Did he wanna ask me questions about our workplace. It'd been a month or so since he'd arrived though so that wouldn't make sense. 
He sat next to me at the hospital and was still there when the doctor told me it was a light concussion and a small burn. He sighed, finally not seeming like a stiff board for a moment. Maybe he was scared I'd sue. I turned to him in the hospital bed when we had a moment alone. 
"Why are you here?" I asked. 
He blushed and looked down mumbling a bit as he said "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I wouldn't be able to work anyways till I knew." My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 
"Why? I'm the one that bumped into you?" I asked. 
He was about to respond when the brigade of brothers came in. He seemed startled at all the sudden male energy in the room. "Ah, these are my brothers Dan, Danny, and Daniel. Daniel is a family name." I added the common addition when introducing them to anyone. 
He stood up and shook Dan's hand firmly "Nicholas Lamia." He said. I realized then that I also didn't know his name. Danny started to get suspicious as he looked at him with antagonizing eyes. 
"How do you know our sister?" He asked. Nicholas flushed again and tried to find words for a moment. 
"We work together. He's the one who called the ambulance." Daniel set a balloon down next to me that he'd gotten at the gift shop. 
We hadn't really spoken since his home break in. I still don't know what that was about. But he's been suspicious since. Once they released me Nicholas went on his way and the Mars siblings stood on the sidewalk and considered where to go. 
"Should we get sushi? It's been a moment since we hung out without mom and dad." Dan suggested leading the conversation. 
"Hmm, works for me. Samantha's out of town for work." Danny chimed in. 
I sighed thinking about all the work I still had to do. But it had been a minute since we hung out for fun, and cucumber rolls wouldn't be too bad right about now. "Sure I'm in." I replied. 
"You?" Danny asked Daniel.
He mumbled for a moment with the same guilty look, "no, I don't th-" 
Suddenly Danny got him in a headlock, "come on even Savy agreed and she'd rather eat shit than waste time." He joked. I rolled my eyes and we all piled into Dan's car. 
The waitress led us up to a small booth towards the back. At first I was going to sit next to Daniel but the blaring TV would send me down a spiral. There was a government program on and as soon as that shit for an heir came on I'd be fuming about how we're leaving the lives of multiple disadvantaged people to a boy who did body shots off a Delta Nu on a thursday night. I wasn’t exactly sure if that story was true, but it wouldn’t surprise me based off of what I’d seen from more credible sources than Lucy in the room down that hall at the sorority house who was gushing about how she wished it could be her. Prince Eaton went to the University of Labrador with us and she was hopeful that he would do it but sadly, no. 
Dan saw my eyes lingering on the TV and switched sides of the booth with me. We were just about finished and considering desert when I began to notice the glances and smirks. I wiped with a napkin thinking maybe I had some rice on my face, but they continued nonetheless. It wasn’t like creepy guys smirking either, it was everyone. The air felt different and Daniel looked like he was going to be sick. “What?” I asked as he opened his mouth. 
It looked like he was about to say something but couldn’t find the words. Dan opened to speak too, “Savannah, we didn’t think you’d ge-” 
“Oh my gosh congratulations on being selected! Would you like a desert? Everything is on the house of course!” The waitress smiled. 
I looked up at her as if she were speaking German. “Congratulations on what?” I asked. 
“On being selected! They were just announced, are you so excited? Could I also get a photo by any chance! The next queen of Illea could be sitting at my booth!” She cheered.
The world slowed as my mind raced selected? Like The selection selected? I didn’t apply? I didn’t want to apply? How did I even get entered? What did Daniel want to tell me? Did Daniel do this? Was this his revenge for what? 
I snapped out of it as Dan called my name. “I’m sorry. I have to step out for a moment.” I said and grabbed my purse running out of the restaurant, feeling everyone watching me. I walked to the side of the building and pressed my back against the cold brick panting. I crumbled inwards as my brothers ran over to me. I took a deep breath in, 
“I don’t” 
another breath
“understand.” 
Suddenly a man with a long lens camera appeared. How did that happen so fast? How did he know what she looked like? Stupid your Savannah Mars it’s not like you’re a nobody your grandpa runs the largest candy company in the world. 
“Can you back off?” I heard Dan ask him. 
He kept ignoring Dan entirely, that is till Dan pushed his camera out of focus. “What the fuck man? Chill.” The creep said and went to shove Dan. Level headed Dan of course responded by punching him in the face. 
We all piled into his car and drove to my house. I sat in the car ride silent and waited for someone to speak. No one did but Daniel still looked like he was going to throw up. We all sat on the sofa in continued silence. Only Dan spoke to offer everyone water. 
No one said yes to it but a cup appeared in front of each of us anyways, always the responsible older brother. 
I inhaled then finally said, “I’m not mad. I just want to know why?” and looked at Daniel. It was clear by now that he was the culprit. 
He sat there in silence, his lip whimpering like he wanted to cry. Like he wanted to cry? If anyone’s going to cry it should be me. Suddenly I lunged at him to get in a hit. Only Danny’s arm stopped mine from smashing into his face. 
“Why?” I yelled. 
“I thought you made a gay dating profile for me.” He whimpered. 
“What?” I asked, even more confused than before. 
Dan spoke up, “Danny made a gay dating profile for him to try and give him a little push. When he got mad he said it was you who did it.” 
“I just saw the letter sitting there and it seemed like the perfect way to get back at you for meddling in my love life. I was just gonna taunt you with submitting it, then Dan told me it was Danny but he said you wouldn’t get in and you’d just never know.” Daniel explained. 
“Well, statistically speaking you shouldn’t have.” He defended. My anger shifted to the brother holding me back. If Danny had teased Daniel about his sexuality none of this would have happened. But I couldn’t do anything with him still holding my wrist. 
I stood from the sofa and the brothers stood as well. “I’m going to go get changed.” The second they relaxed I turned and charged at Danny. “You fucking bitch!” I yelled and started to pull at his hair. He didn’t fight back but Daniel panicked and Dan rushed over. I was yanked off of him before I could make any real damage but he did look hurt enough. 
“How could you! Just minding your own fucking business could have avoided this whole thing! And Daniel!” I yelled and turned. “Don’t fucking get vengeance especially not without communicating!” 
The phone started to ring. It was probably about the selection. I huffed over ready to say, “Hi, yes this is Savannah Mars. No, I would not like to participate, please pull someone else.” But as I picked up the phone I realized something. Daniel would have had to forge my signature. In order to apply for me he had to sign a contract. If I say I want out I would have to prove I didn’t agree to begin with. That would mean proving the false signature. Which is by the way, illegal. 
I sighed, held the phone to my ear. “Yes this is she. I’m so excited to be selected and am more than happy to discuss a time for you to send your people over.”
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nickelkeep · 5 years
Text
Nothing You Confess
Pairing: Destiel! (Minor Samwitch if you squint) Rating: Explicit. Really, come on. It’s one of My Story Time fics. Word Count: 5204 Warnings: Canonverse, So Canon-Typical Stuff. Cursed!Cas. On Ao3!
"Routine hunt my ass." Dean turned and looked at Sam. "You're losing your edge. Start giving the research to one of the younger hunters."
"I'm not wrong on what we're hunting, Dean. It's a witch. They're cursing people. You have the bullets, I have bullets. Cas can smite them. It'll be fine." Sam rolled his eyes as he followed closely behind his brother.
"What I don't get is why they went from small little things up to killing people. Just stick with the small shit, and it's fine." Dean edged to an open hallway and whipped around it, pointing his gun down it, finding it empty. "And why do they always come to warehouses? I mean, what happened to the days of using churches for irony, or just out of their own homes?"
"Can you two, please be quiet? Or do you want the witch to know where here?" Cas brought up the rear, guarding the brother as he had done for years.
"Cas, we're here because they know we're after them. A little noise ain't going to hurt anything."
Sam rolled his eyes. "You know, if you two want me to get my own motel room, I have no problem doing that when we're done here."
"What? Why?" Dean sputtered, "That's not necessary."
"If we don't chase them off ‘cause of our volume, we'll chase them off ‘cause of the tension between you two," Sam replied, giving his brother a knowing look. Dean shut his mouth and continued moving down the hall.
After checking a few more rooms, the trio came to another hallway, one blocked by several turned over tables, chairs, and bookcases.
"I believe we've found where the witch has hidden." Cas moved in front of Sam and Dean and shoved the doors open as hard as he could. They flung open wide, and the scream of a woman tied up on the floor caught their attention.
"It's a trap!"
A different voice started chanting in Latin behind them. "Ventis veni in Caspium mare profundens araxem separate de viribus suis amantes libera me." A cerulean light enveloped her hands before shooting towards Dean.
Unable to move, Dean stood in shock as Cas wrapped his arms around him, stepping between him and the bolt of power. He cried out as Cas crumpled to the ground, falling to his knees next to the angel while Sam took the shot downing the witch with one bullet.
"Cas? Cas!" Dean pulled Cas into his arms and gently slapped his face. "Buddy, come on. Talk to me. Open your eyes." Sam ran over to check on the pair but was waved to go check on the woman who was tied up. "Cas, please don't leave me hanging. Come on."
Slowly, Cas opened his eyes and looked at Dean. "Dammit, Cas. I told you to not go dying me on again. Don't scare me like that." Dean hugged Cas tightly before helping him sit up. "Are you ok?"
Cas nodded and attempted to speak. When no sound came out, he squinted and looked at Dean. He pointed at his lips and then his ears while trying to speak.
"Cas, are you saying something?" Dean leaned in close, getting his ear closer to Cas' mouth. "There's nothing come out." Surprise and fear flashed across Dean's face. "Cas, did that spell do something to your voice?"
Cas' lips moved some more without sound before he resigned himself to the fact that he couldn't speak. He nodded at Dean.
"Holy shit." Dean looked over to Sam's direction. "Sam! We got an issue. Like, we need to get home and fix this A.S.A.P. issue."
Sam finished freeing the other woman and checking on her to make sure that she was ok before heading over to Dean and Cas. "What's going on?" He looked at Cas. "You ok?"
"He's NOT ok! He can't talk! That damned witch took his voice!" Dean's voice betrayed his panic. "You shot her, shouldn't that break the damn curse? No witch, no curse?"
"Cas, you can't talk?" Sam tilted his head. "Say something."
Cas glared.
"Really, Sam?" Dean stood up and held his hand down to Cas. "Not funny. You two get to the Impala. We need to get back to this witch's place, grab their books, and get to work to figure out how to fix Cas."
"And what are you going to do?" Sam shot a bitchface at Dean.
"I'm going to do the dirty work in case we need her hair, fingernails or bones. I'll be there in a minute. Go." Dean ran his hand down his face before pointing to the exit.
After a few minutes, Dean came out and threw a bundle of unmentionable items into Baby's trunk. He hopped into the driver's seat and headed back towards the witch's house. "We run in, we grab anything remotely witch-like, and we run, got it?"
"Uh, yeah, Dean. This isn't our first time cleaning up after a hunt."
Cas tilted his head and looked back and forth between Sam and Dean. He tried to speak again, but let his head fall forward when sounds refused to come out again.
"Cas," Dean called for his attention and met his eyes in the rearview mirror. "We're gonna fix this. Ok?"
Cas gave his own version of a bitchface.
"You don't believe me?" Dean frowned, clearly offended.
Sam spoke up. "Wait. Cas, did you try healing yourself?"
Cas ran his hand down his face. As if it were that obvious. He ran his hand over his throat and chest before trying to speak. He shook his head. No such luck.
Dean pulled in front of the witch's house. "Time for a little B and E boys. Let's try and keep this under 10?"
Cas rolled his eyes and nodded.
"If I beat you out here, you have to eat a salad for dinner." Sam looked at Dean and smiled.
"Hell no." Dean bolted out of the car and started into the house.
Sam took the opportunity to walk with Cas. "Other than the no voice thing, are you feeling alright, Cas?"
Cas nodded.
"No weird feelings?"
Cas shook his head.
"You can text or write down things if you need to say something more than yes or no answers."
Cas shrugged and pointed to the door. Dean had left it wide open, and he could be heard rummaging through one thing or another.
"Yeah, we're not going to have ten minutes if he keeps that up."
Cas attempted to chuckle, but there was still no sound coming out. His brief moment of mirth disappeared.
The guys had grabbed all the books and magical items they could find, clearing out the witch's house in less than 15 minutes. Dean had barely beat Sam back to the car, allowing himself a small victory dance, before getting back in and driving them back to the motel to grab their gear.
On the way out of town, they chose to stop at a diner. They all piled into a booth and looked at their menus, Sam throwing his down first. "So, I was thinking. We should probably call in an expert."
Cas looked up from his menu and looked at Sam then looked to Dean.
"You just want a reason to call up Rowena." Dean didn't bother looking up from his menu.
"She's a witch. Cas was cursed by a witch. I think having a witch in our corner would help with the process."
"Just say you want a reason to have Rowena at the Bunker." Dean's eyes flicked up for a moment before looking back down at the food offerings.
"You think you can solve this without her, Dean?"
"I don't think we need her."
Cas' head shot back and forth between the two, before looking at Sam, his eyes pleading with the younger Winchester.
"Fine." Sam sighed. "It would be nice to see her again."
"Sure. Call her up." Dean folded the menu and winked at Cas. "You eatin', Cas?"
Cas stared at Dean, exasperated.
The rest of their meal was uneventful, and before long the trio was back on the road. Sam had grabbed one of the spell books and was reading it by penlight. Dean was singing along to Zepplin, belting out the words to Ramble On.
Cas sat peacefully in the back. He closed his eyes and meditated. He listened to Dean's voice, smiling as warmth filled his chest. These moments, while sounding and appearing chaotic to an outsider, brought the most calm and joy to Cas. His family was safe and mostly together. They would be back at the bunker soon, and per a quick phone call Sam had made, joined by Rowena.
"Hey, Buddy," Dean gently nudged him. "Sorry to break into your namaste, but we're back."
Cas nodded and slid out of the backseat.
They all quickly unpacked the Impala and moved the books to the library. After putting their own items away, they settled down in the library and started researching until Rowena could join them.
Sam picked one of the tables to set up at, a notepad and his laptop in front of him with several books. Cas sat across from Sam with his own notebook and spellbook to go through. Dean chose to sit next to Cas but dragged over a bigger chair that he could curl up in and stuck to strictly reading his book.
During a quiet spell of reading, Sam's hands fell to the table. "I can't do this. I need coffee. I'll be back." He turned to Dean. "Want me to bring the pot?"
Dean looked up briefly from the spellbook he was reading and nodded before diving back in.
"Ok, I'll be right back. One pot of coffee, three mugs." Sam nodded at Cas and exited the library.
Cas took the opportunity to lean back in his chair and stretch. He looked over at Dean, who was completely engrossed in his book. The view in front of him stopped him and captivated him.
"I love you," Cas said for the first time, staring at Dean's profile. "I always have. I always will." Dean turned a page. "I love you, Dean."
Cas closed his eyes; Dean couldn't hear him.
Before Sam could return, Cas quietly stood up and exited the library. If Dean noticed him leave, he didn't make any commotion about it.
He walked silently through the halls, stopping by Jack's room to check on the sleeping Nephilim.
Cas continued to the Garage and got into one of the spare cars. He needed to leave. He said the words that laid unspoken between him and Dean for years, but he didn't speak them. His cowardice was no better than Dean's.
He rested his head against the steering wheel. Cas wondered if he would have attempted saying those three words if he weren't cursed. He sat back up straight and took in a deep breath before starting the car and slowly driving it out of the garage. He needed to leave before he did anything else stupid, as Dean would call it.
"Dean, where'd Cas go?" Sam entered the library with the mugs and a coffee carafe.
Dean sat up and looked over to where Cas had been sitting. "Shit, I keep joking about getting him a bell. One of these days, I really am." He rolled his neck and shoulders. "Is there a note?"
"Let me check?" Sam picked up the notepad and then the spellbook. "Nope. Nothing. Did you say something stupid?"
"I didn't say anything! We were both sitting here reading!" Dean held his book up. "He didn't even make any noise to get my attention." He shrugged. "I can go check his room."
"I would. I got a text from Ro. She's inbound in like 30 minutes. If she needs him here to figure out how to fix him."
"What did you do to bribe her?" Dean stood up and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Nothing?"
"Right, And I'm Mother Theresa." Dean scratched his forehead. "Let me go see if I can find Cas. I'll be back around in a couple."
Dean headed to Cas' room and found it empty before heading to Jack's room. It was also missing a Seraph by the name of Castiel. "He wouldn't've." Dean walked to the garage and did a headcount of all the cars. There were three missing when only two should be checked out. "Well shit." Dean ran back to Library, catching Sam up with his findings.
"Cas is gone. He left the Bunker."
Sam picked up the book that Cas was looking at. "Maybe he found a solution?" He skimmed over the open page and the previous pages before it. "This is just a spell for tracking. This isn't an answer."
"Where'd he go?" Dean sat in the chair Cas had been using. "I know he's not helpless, but he can't talk. What if someone throws a million questions at him? What if someone tries to manipulate him? What if he needs to get a hold of us?"
"Lost your Angel, dearie?" Rowena stood in the walkway between the War Room and the Library. "He'll be easy enough to find once we figured out what happened." She crossed over to Dean and gently patted his shoulder before hugging Sam. "'Ello, Samuel. I'm glad ye called me."
Dean rolled his eyes before folding his arms on the table and resting his head. He silently prayed, hoping that Cas could hear him. Cas, buddy. If you can hear me, I'm praying to you. I need you to come home. We don't know what happened, but please come back? He looked up, looking around the LIbrary, holding his breath so he could hear the sound of rushing wings.
When Cas didn't appear, Dean refocused his attention on Sam and Rowena. Sam had recapped what happened on the witch hunt, earning over the top praise from the petite witch in front of him.
"So, jus' to confirm." Rowena sat in Sam's chair. "The witch you defeated, she chanted in Latin, her hands were encased in blue, and it was a bolt at Dean that Castiel stepped in front of?"
"It looked very fluid, water-like, actually," Dean added. "I don't remember a lick of the words though, I was too focused on making sure Cas would wake up."
"It knocked him unconscious?" Rowena looked up at Sam. "Ye didnae say that."
"I wasn't sure, actually. Dean had me take care of the hostage." Sam shrugged. "I do remember a bit of the Latin though: 'suis amantes libera mea.' I think, if I translated it correctly, it's 'deliver their strength to me.'"
Rowena tapped her finger to her lips before standing up and heading over a shelf of spellbooks in the library.
"What are you looking for Ro?" Dean turned in the chair. "Sam can't decide on an organization system. He changes it once a week, I swear."
"I do not." Sam paused as though he were calculating. "Maybe like once every other month."
Dean shrugged. "Point still stands."
"Boys," Rowena warned, looking over her shoulder before turning back to the shelf. She grabbed a book and flipping to a page "What if, the spell she cast wasn't a traditional, known spell. What if she was trying to combine several spells at once."
"Isn't that what all magic is anyway? Piecing together what you have to make the spell that you need?" Sam reached up to grab a book Rowena pointed to.
"Aye, you have been listening." Rowena headed back to the table. "Say that this witch has been dabbling in making their own. You need to be confident in what you're doin'. It's not just this word plus this word equals results."
"So, because this spell wasn't fine-tuned, it would have done one thing to me, but something completely different to Cas, because he's an angel?" Dean asked.
"That's thinkin' with yer noggin." Rowena smiled. "Since we don't know the full spell, we don't know what was intended, except to take away yer strength. She could've meant to kill ye, or to sap you of yer physical strength, or to take away whatever yer actual greatest strength is."
"Cas is strong. Why would it take away his voice?" Sam asked.
"Because he was the Commander of a freaking Garrison, Sammy," Dean stated, as though it were obvious. "He's a leader. Words are his strength."
"Dean's got a point, Samuel. Castiel would rather talk his way out of things before resorting to violence."
Sam rolled his eyes. "How did the guy who's strength is words, end up with the guy who has it as his weakness?"
"Excuse me!?" Dean's head whipped to face Sam. "What was that?"
"Don't even pretend, Dean. Who freaked out when Cas lost his voice? Who field dressed a witch so we would have hair and nails in case it was needed to cure Cas? Who is the one who was praying to Cas just a few minutes ago?" Sam shot Dean a smug grin. "Oh yeah, I saw that. Dammit, Dean, we all have eyes! I've had them for the past 10 years."
Rowena covered her mouth as she coughed to hide a chuckle. "That may actually be our solution." Both Dean and Sam paused in their argument to look at her. "As cliché as it sounds, curses are often broken with love. What's the best way to show love?"
Sam's grin exploded into a full-blown smile. "True love's kiss? Please say it's true love's kiss." He bit his lip to keep from bursting into laughter.
"I'm so glad you find this amusing, Sam." Dean crossed his arms over his chest.
"Oh, I do." Sam sat on the edge of the table next to the one they were working at. "Because, if you want Cas to speak again, you're going to try it."
Dean hung his head. "If it doesn't work?"
Rowena threw a pen at Sam. At that moment, Sam realized that Dean was scared. "What do you mean 'If it doesn't work?'"
"Don't both parties have to love each other for it to work?" Dean pushed himself out of Cas' chair. "I'm Cas' charge. That's it. That's all I'll ever be."
"Dearie, ye cannae be serious?" Rowena spoke up, leaning forward on the table. "You are so much more to Castiel than just a job."
Dean shrugged, closing himself off further "I don't even know where he is. He won't respond to my prayers."
"We could have Jack pray for him?" Sam suggested. "Or maybe I could?"
"That won't work." Dean shook his head.. "He's too smart for that."
"Witch." Rowena pointed to herself. "I can track you three, you know that, right? Your Enochian blocks you from Angels and Demons. I am a natural-born witch." Rowena stood up and walked to the War Room. "It works best if you have a hair, or a feather, or anything of his really?"
Dean jogged out of the War Room and came back a few minutes later. "This looks like they belong to him." He placed a few strands of hair into Rowena's hand.
"Should I ask?" Sam questioned.
"His pillow, Bitch."
"Sorry, Jerk."
"Boys!" Rowena huffed. She shook herself loose before placing the hairs on the table and reciting "Ostende mihi illum quem quaero." Rowena's eyes glowed bright violet as the map on the War Table started to swirl. The image was cloudy, but Dean instantly recognized it.
"I know where he is." Dean headed towards the Garage. "You two stay here. Call me if he comes back. Don't let him leave."
Dean made quick work of the drive to the Platte River. What usually should have been an hour and a half drive, he miraculously cut almost in half.
He and Cas had driven out here one day when he was under the influence of the Mark, trying to find ways to keep him calm and collected. It was beautiful and peaceful, and probably the last place Cas expected to be found.
Dean drove until he saw Cas' car and parked next to it, stepping out to follow the natural path down to the river's edge. The angel was sitting on the shore, his knees tucked up to his chest. Dean walked down as quietly as he could, careful to not disturb Cas.
Cas had heard the moment Dean pulled up with the Impala. It amused him that the human hunter thought he could sneak up on an angel. He allowed Dean his illusion, however and waited until Dean was standing next to him before looking up and acknowledging his presence.
"Why'd you run, Cas?" Dean sat down next to him, extending his feet out towards the water. "You left no note, nothing."
Cas shot a look, reminding Dean that he couldn't answer accurately.
"So, Twenty Questions with yes or no only questions?" Dean huffed out a laugh as he ran his hand down his face. "Are you mad?"
Cas looked at the water and thought for a moment. He shook his head no and looked back at Dean.
"Ok, not mad. I'm actually really happy to hear that one."
Cas cocked his head in confusion.
"I thought you might be mad at me, or that you might hold me responsible for this."
Cas shook his head quickly, moving to his knees and crossing his hands to indicate no.
"I hear you crystal clear, Cas. You don't blame me." Dean took hold of Cas' hands to stop them from moving. "Did you leave because you thought we wouldn't find a solution?"
Cas hung his head guiltily and nodded.
Dean hooked his finger under Cas' chin, lifting it up so they would be forced to make eye contact. "Is that the only reason you left?"
Cas closed his eyes and swallowed before shaking his head no.
Dean turned to face Cas and crossed his legs. "Cas, did something happen in the library, and I wasn't paying attention?"
Cas so desperately wanted to speak. His head bobbed in a figure-eight movement as he tried to determine if the correct answer was yes or no. He sat back on his feet and looked at Dean, before slowly nodding yes, settling on the affirmative for his response.
"You don't seem so certain of that yes." Dean turned Cas' hands over in his own, realizing he was still holding them. He ran his thumbs across Cas' knuckles. "I guess this counts. Is this ok?"
Cas watched as Dean softly caressed his hands, his heart beating faster. He looked up at the question and nodded enthusiastically.
"That's good to know," Dean smirked. "Cas, were you trying to say something to me?"
An indiscernible look crossed Cas' face before he sharply nodded twice, then shook his head.
"You know that makes no sense, Cas." Dean thought for a second. "Wait. Were you saying something out loud that you want me to know, but are afraid to tell me? You used this whole 'Little Mermaid Curse' to test it out?"
Cas paled, causing the proverbial light bulb to glow brighter over Dean's head.
"Cas, if I correctly guess what you were trying to say, will you tell me the truth and tell me that I'm right?"
The angel looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but there at that given moment.
"Fine. One last question." Dean paused, taking several deep breaths to build up his confidence. "Cas, can I kiss you?"
Cas tilted his head in confusion but nodded.
Dean didn't wait another moment. He gently cupped Cas' face, pulling him for a tender kiss that he poured all of the love he had for his angel into. He ran his fingers through Cas' soft locks, entangling them and holding them together. When they finally separated for air, their foreheads resting together, Dean whispered slowly. "I don't know if that'll work, Cas. But I swear, I hope it does. I love you. I always have, and I always will. I love you."
Cas' breath hitched as he heard the words he had tried to speak earlier almost verbatim from Dean's mouth. He opened his mouth to speak, afraid that no words would come out. "And I love you, Dean. I always have, and I always will." He looked up, surprised as he heard the sound escape from his lips.
"She was right." Dean leaned in and stole another kiss. "Holy shit, Rowena was right." He pounced on Cas and deeply kissed him again.
Cas chuckled, the sound music to Dean's ears. "Rowena figured it out?"
"She said that love would break the curse. " Dean sat up and pulled Cas with him. He found that he was straddling Cas' lap but really didn't care. "Technically Sam said it would be 'True Love's Kiss.'"
"Who would have thought that the Winchesters and Rowena were a bunch of romantics at heart?"
"Didn't know it would feel this good." Dean wrapped his arms around Cas' neck and kissed him again, their tongues exploring the other's mouth.
Cas' hands traveled down Dean's back and along his sides before resting on his hips, gently squeezing them. He slowly rocked Dean against himself before pulling out of the kiss. "I'm sorry, I didn't ask, and we're out here in the open."
"It's ok, Cas." Dean rested his head in the crook of Cas' neck. "Let's get back to the bunker. I'm sure they're worried, and if we're going to do this? I want to do it properly." Cas helped gently push Dean up to a standing position. In return, Dean held his hand down and help Cas up to his feet.
Their drives back to the bunker had been entirely uneventful, if not quick. Cas and Dean checked in with Sam and Rowena - who were awfully close together on the sofa looking at a tome - to show that her idea had worked.
"Am I free?" Sam asked. "Does this mean no more..." He gestured vaguely with his hand. "Whatever that was?"
Dean flipped Sam off and took Cas by the hand back to his room.
The moment after the door closed behind him and he locked it, Dean crossed over to Cas and kissed him again. His arms rested on Cas' shoulders, while his thumb gently played and rubbed at the nape of Cas' neck. "I'm sorry. Now that I know that I can have you, that I can touch you? I don't want to let go."
Cas smiled and dropped his gaze to the floor. "Do I need to apologize, since I want the same thing, and more?"
"Know what you're doing Cas?"
"I've seen videos. And I was human for a while." Cas blushed. "But I would prefer your guidance to make sure you enjoy it."
"Hey, it's not just what I enjoy." Dean ran his hands under Cas trenchcoat, pushing it off his shoulders. "I need you to enjoy it also."
Cas shook off the coat the rest of the way and tossed it onto a nearby chair. "What did you have in mind?"
"First, you lose the holy tax accountant gear." Cas snapped his fingers, and both he and Dean were naked. Dean laughed before continuing. "Not what I had in mind unless you're getting impatient?"
"I have waited ten years for this. I don't want to wait longer" Cas pressed his lips against Dean's before pulling away. He kissed down Dean's jawline before moving down Dean's neck and onto his chest.
"Where do you think you're going, Cas?"
Cas didn't respond verbally, but instead licked and kissed his way down Dean's chest and stomach, pulling moans and whimpers from hunter's throat.
"Castiel, I thought you said you would need my guidance?"
"Perhaps." Cas moved to his knees and looked up at Dean. "If I'm doing something you don't enjoy." He licked his lips before licking a stripe from the base of Dean's cock to the tip before wrapping his mouth around the head, causing Dean to shudder and grab on to Cas for balance.
"That's not fair."
Cas hummed in response, looking up at Dean. He kept one hand wrapped around Dean's cock, stroking it, as he focused on the rest with his tongue and lips.
Dean rested a hand on Cas' shoulder, the other tangled up in the dark brown locks, gently tugging and encouraging the movements of his lover.
Cas kept moving, kept teasing, kept Dean on the edge of bliss. Before it became too much, Dean pulled away. Cas looked up in confusion, licking his lips to keep them moist.
"Cas, Angel, I want more than just your mouth, as amazing that was." Dean pulled Cas to his feet and lead him to the bed. He pulled a bottle of lube out of the nightstand and set it on top before laying back on the bed. "Crawl up between my legs?"
Cas obliged and his hand was taken by Dean who had grabbed the bottle of lube from the table. He helped Cas wrap his hand around himself and start to stroke himself. "That's it." Dean lost the ability to breathe as he watched Cas jerk off over top of him. "Damn, you're beautiful, Cas."
"You're beautiful too, Dean." He leaned down and kissed Dean, his breath catching as their cocks brushed against each other.
"You like that?" Dean pressed their two cocks together and wrapped his hand around them. "You like how they feel when they rub up together?"
Cas closed his eyes, his head falling back as he started to thrust into Dean's hand.
"Look at you, Cas. such a fast learner." Dean raised his hips to match Cas' thrusts, his hand stroking their cocks in tandem. "Does this feel good for you, Angel?"
Cas nodded, before remembering he should use the words that he had taken for granted not that long ago. "It feels so good, Dean. This feels so good being with you."
Dean reached up with his free hand to take Cas' hand into his, They continued to move in rhythm together, their thrusts pushing each other closer to release. Dean's hit first, the pleasurable assault from Cas' tongue having already put him at the edge. Cas, seeing and feeling Dean's release, came just a couple thrusts later, barely able to stay up with Dean's support. He slowly laid down on top of his human, a quick snap to whisk away all the sweat and sticky mess.
After taking a moment to catch their breaths, Cas climbed up next to Dean and laid next to him on the bed. Dean rolled over, resting his head under Cas' chin. "You know, we're never going to hear the end of this, Angel."
"The end of what?" Cas kissed the top of Dean's head. "That we slept together?"
"No, that we figured out our feelings for each other because of a curse." Dean yawned before continuing, "I'm sure Sam's already texting everyone and their brother."
"Are you ashamed?" Cas looked down. "Would you rather be quiet about us?
"Nope." Dean pushed himself up and stole another kiss from Cas. "I've finally found happiness, and I don't want to let it go.
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authorgirl1111 · 5 years
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Demigod’s Grief Ch. 4
Thalia
Thalia had begged Artemis, to at least let her see her brother’s funeral. Artemis had been hesitant, but Thalia had refused to back down. Insisted that she would leave anyway, with or without Artemis’s permission.
She had fully expected Artemis to take away her gifts. To tell her that if she left, Artemis would no longer consider her a huntress.
At that moment Thalia no longer cared.
But Artemis allowed her to leave the hunt. Allowed her to go see her brother’s funeral. Artemis had given her a few provisions, including a couple of beads that would allow her to be transported back to the hunt when she was ready to rejoin them.
Artemis had insisted that she take one of the hunters with her. That she would need someone there. Thalia hadn’t cared, so Artemis sent Iphigenia with her, one of the more levelheaded hunters.
Artemis smiled at her sadly before waving her hand, and Thalia and Iphigenia were transported to Camp Jupiter.
---        
Thalia blinked as she appeared just outside Camp Jupiter. Iphigenia looked at her, waiting for Thalia to make the first move.
For a moment Thalia couldn’t move. Afraid of what she would find, when she asked to see her brother.
She looked at Iphigenia, dead dad, killed by her mom, then her brother killed her mother. Who was then hunted by furies for killing his mother?
Iphigenia’s brother had been told to kill his mother by Apollo as well.
Was there anything Apollo did, that didn’t make anyone’s life worse?
That hardened her resolved and she took a step, she had been Told that Apollo was escorting her brother, she needed to see him, to… talk to him.
Thalia stalked forward, Iphigenia following her.
Guards rushed her, Thalia’s hands sparked with electricity, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Calm Down” Iphigenia insisted. “This is how we get locked away, not how we get them to let you see your brother.”
Thalia took a deep breath, and the electricity on her hands went away. “I am Thalia grace, sister Jason Grace former Preator of the twelfth legion”
Some of the guards lowered their weapons, others kept the raised. “We shall take you to the Praetor”
Thalia nodded when some of the male guards tried to grab her, she hissed. “I am a hunter of Diana, don’t touch me.” Iphigenia nodded beside her. The guards immediately let her go, but she kept walking beside her.
“Praetor,” The Guards said when the entered the room. Reyna was sitting on her throne, two dogs made of gold and silver were sitting alert at her heals, and in front of her was Apollo and Meg.
“You!” Thalia cried. “What do you think you're doing here? Do you think you have the right, to handle my brother’s body after you got him killed?”
“Thalia-” Apollo tried. But Thalia’s fingers were already starting to spark.
“You should have left him alone,” Thalia said. “He was happy. He was finally away from all this danger, and you just tossed him, back in. Do you even care? Of course, you don’t, you gods never change.”
Meg stalked forward, but Apollo placed a hand on her and shook his head Apollo didn’t say anything. He turned to Reyna, “Should I leave you to speak with Jason’s sister?”
Reyna’s eyes flicked to her, before turning back to Apollo, “We’ll talk later.” Apollo nodded once before he and his little master walked out leaving Thalia, Iphigenia and Reyna alone.
Thalia turned to Reyna. “I would like to see my brother.” She said.
Reyna paused for a moment before she nodded. “Of course.”
She stood and walked away. “He mentioned you on occasion,” Reyna said. “He never really forgot you.”
Thalia smiled a little. It was the first smile she had given in days.
Reyna walked down to the funeral home, where Jason’s body was kept, lying in wait. She stepped forward and opened the door.
Thalia entered the building and found a man flipping through a magazine at a desk. He looked up and saw Reyna.
“She wishes to see Jason,” Reyna said her head jerking in Thalia’s direction.
Thalia took a deep breath, Iphigenia put a hand on her shoulder.
The man nodded and stood, he took out his keys and lead them to another room. This room was kept colder. There was a figure lying down ahead and Thalia almost felt her throat close.
She ran ahead and stared down.
He was resting in a coffin a dark toga was wrapped around him. His hair was brushed back, glasses framed his face. Thalia looked at him and clasped his hand. “I miss you, little brother,” Thalia said tears rolling down her cheeks.
Thalia looked back at Reyna, and back at her younger brother. She could still see the scar on his lip from when he bit the stapler.
He had always been braver than her. He was the one who could fly. Not her, who was too scared of heights to try.
She broke down crying. “I’m sorry. I should have been there. I’m so sorry.” Thalia clasped his hand tightly. “Maybe if I had been there, I could have prevented this stopped Apollo from making you go,” Thalia said. “I’m so sorry.”
Neither Iphigenia nor Reyna said anything. Thalia wasn’t entirely sure if they were even still there.
She kissed her brother’s cheek. “I’m so sorry” She whispered.
---            
She met Apollo again as she was leaving the building. He was avoiding her gaze; she clutched his arm. “No,” She told him. “You don’t get to see him.”
Reyna stepped in. “Thalia, maybe you should- “
Thalia shook her head. “You said I had a say. I don’t want him anywhere near Jason.”
Iphigenia coughed. “maybe you should- “
Apollo nodded once. “if that is your wish,” He said before he turned and walked away.
---            
Thalia stayed, looking over the plans for the funeral, while Apollo was off with Reyna doing whatever he had roped her into. Iphigenia occasionally gave some advice but for the funeral but all in all, she stayed quiet.
The next she heard; Apollo was in the infirmary. Reyna was fine as far as she knew. Maybe scarred.
Thalia hadn’t honestly cared, the only reason she left her plans was out of idle curiosity.
Apollo was lying down, his eyes were closed, bandages covered every inch of his body. The only part of him that wasn’t covered was his chest, where a giant scar rested just beside his heart. Meg was sitting up in a bed next to his, she glared at Thalia as she walked in.
Thalia looked at it confused. “Where did he get that?”
“He doesn’t want you to know,” Meg said. “Leave him alone!”
Thalia backed away. “Kind master aren’t you.”
Meg threw one of her rings at her. It transformed mid throw into a sword, Thalia ducked just before it hit her face. “What is-”
“Leave!” Meg cried.
Thalia hesitated for a minute, but Meg threw another ring at her Thalia ducked away and left before meg could toss something else.
---
“I don’t understand why she’s so protective.”
Iphigenia shrugged. “Same reason we’re so protective of Artemis?”
“Artemis didn’t send people to their deaths.” Iphigenia turned to stare at Thalia,  her dark eyes calculating.
She remembered Iphigenia’s family. Father dead, killed by the mother, mother killed by my brother on the orders of Apollo.
She clenched her fist. “You must hate Apollo too.”
Iphigenia shook her head. “No, I’d have to hate Artemis too.”
Thalia turned to Iphigenia.
Iphigenia smiled a little. “Artemis asked for my father to sacrifice me, so she would allow them to go to war. In the last moment she saved my life, but the damage was done, my mother refused to believe that I was alive, and she plotted my father’s death, killed him, and yes, Apollo sent Orestes to kill my mother, but he also protected Orestes from the Furies when they attacked him for that act. And it all started with Artemis asking my father to sacrifice me.”
Thalia hadn’t remembered that part of the myth.  
“How can you forgive her?”
Iphigenia shook her head.  “I chose too, I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life angry. And she did save my life, she did regret her actions, she told me herself.”
Thalia sighed. “I just can’t.”
Iphigenia nodded. “I understand. Just maybe hear what he has to say before you decide you hate him forever”
---            
Meg refused to leave, but something told Thalia that she needed to talk to Apollo, ask him about the scar.
“I need to talk to Apollo,” Thalia said.
Meg shook her head. “leave him alone” Meg said.
“I just want to ask him about his scar.”
“He stabbed himself in the chest to help Jason and me, what’s there to ask?” Meg said. “Are you going to mock him, because his plan failed, it already hurts him, leave him alone.”
Thalia’s looked at Meg. “What?”
“Caligula needed his essence to become the new sun god, in an attempt to bargain, Apollo threatened to kill himself so Caligula couldn’t get what he wanted. Caligula refused, he stabbed himself, Medea ran to fix him, her concentration broke and Jason broke free of the venti controlling him.”
Thalia's eyes went to the infirmary. “What?”
Meg turned away. “So please. Leave him alone. He’s been through enough.”
Thalia paused. “tell, tell Apollo he can come to the funeral, and that, that I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
Meg didn’t say anything.
---        
The Funeral went by quickly. Lots of crying, lots of music. Thalia had been asked if she wanted his body cremated or buried. Thalia had asked for a cremation, ashes could be moved more easily if they were in an urn, and Thalia was unsure if she wanted his remains to stay in Camp Jupiter.”
They burned his body and collected his body in an urn. The presented it to Thalia who held it tightly.  
Apollo hovered in the back. When the funeral ended, he turned and left.
Thalia wanted to go after him, talk to him but what do you say after realizing you were wrong?
---        
She held the urn in her hands and stared up at the sky.
So, Apollo was braver than she thought. She couldn’t’; t believe she had had him so wrong before. Apollo? Artemis’s annoying younger brother, was about as selfless as they come? Her brother would have been so disgusted with her if she found out how she treated Apollo.
That was assuming Meg wasn’t lying of course. But something told her that Meg was being honest.
She saw Apollo ahead, apparently, the next prophecy had a stipulation of being around June, so Apollo had a bit of time off before needing to leave. He spent most of that time in the training grounds, practicing his sword fighting, and archery.
Thalia hesitated, then walked forward.
“Hey”
Apollo paused and turned glancing at her warily. “Yes?” He asked.
She paused and thought about it. She wanted to confront him about what he had done on Caligula’s ship, but she found herself incapable.
She licked her lips. “Can you fly?”
Apollo looked at her shock. “What?”
“Can, could you fly… back when you were immortal, without transforming into a bird, or a fly, or something.”
Apollo scrunched his face as though trying to remember. “I think so?”
“Think?”
Apollo looked away. “My memory hasn’t quite been the best since I was turned human.”
Thalia nodded. Apollo stared at her for a moment.
“Why?”
Thalia shrugged. “I’ve never tried it, never thought I could, then my brother revealed to me he could fly, and… I- well I- “
“It’s a mixture of faith, belief, and trust in yourself and letting yourself fall,” Apollo said. “You have to control the winds around you, and concentrate or else you’ll fall, and since your mortal, probably die”
Thalia nodded. “Thank you.”
---        
Thalia had given Iphigenia one of the beads and told her to go back to Artemis. When Iphigenia argued Thalia had said that she was better, and but had still wanted to spend some time away from the hunt. Iphigenia had nodded, had promised to explain everything to Artemis before breaking the beads.
Thalia practiced and practiced and practiced. Before it had just been a way to speak to Apollo, but now… now it felt like something she should try. A way to keep her closer to Jason.
Apollo helped, or tried, he couldn’t remember much, but what he did was helpful.
After a couple of weeks, Thalia became impatient, so she climbed a hill and looked over the city, it was high up. She could feel her heart beating so fast. She hated heights, she tried hard to avoid them, hadn’t been up so high since the quest to find Artemis years ago.
She closed her eyes and felt the wind whip around her. Stepped back and jumped.
Later she would say it was the greatest feeling in her life. 
A/N So... yeah, hope you all like it. I did take a little from roman funerary practices. The crying women, the music, Jason wearing a dark toga. That kind of stuff. I hope I remembered it all. 
Thalia kissing him is something I got from wikipedia. The closest living relative gave the deceased a kiss and closed his eyes, but Jason’s eyes were already closed. So... (Also got the ‘dark toga’ from their too.)
Everything else i got from here
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Holiday Series - Luke
Tumblr media
[Michael] [Calum] [Ashton]
Pairing: Luke Hemmings/ Female OC
Requested By: N/A
Word Count: 3,974
Summary: Coffee shop AU in which barista Luke get stuck working on Christmas. 
Luke sighed as he checked the time on his watch. 8:42 am. Less than an hour into his shift and he was seriously contemplating closing up and telling his boss where to shove it. But he couldn’t do that, and he knew it. As much as this job sucked, it was the only one he could find in the city that allowed him enough time off to travel back home a few times a year, so he needed to keep it.
He picked up an old blue rag and began to wipe down an espresso machine when the bell above the door chimed. The cheerful sound signaled to Luke the first customer of the day. He looked up to the door and saw a girl walking through it, a few stray snowflakes following her inside before she was able to close the door behind her.
Her shoulder length brown hair was contained beneath a grey beanie that matched the scarf that she held tightly around her neck. Luke watched her shiver slightly as she stood in front of the closed door, the heat of the coffee shop warming her from the Christmas snow storm that had been raging outside since the night before. Her eyes closed for a moment as she took a deep breath before slowly unwrapping the scarf around her neck and removing it.
She opened her eyes and directed her attention to Luke behind the counter. He felt his breath catch in his throat as she smiled at him from across the room. She pulled off her black mittens, shoving them into the pocket of her coat as she made her way to the counter. Luke suddenly became very aware of the coffee stain on his blue apron and the fact that he’d barely put any effort into getting ready this morning. He ran a hand through his long, blond curls in an attempt to tame them, even though he knew that they always had a mind of their own.
“Morning.” Luke offered with a smile as she got closer to him. Her own smile grew as she greeted him in kind.
“Good morning!” Her voice was soft and sweet, almost like a song in a way that Luke couldn’t quite put his finger on. “You have no idea how glad I am that you’re open today.” She sighed, pulling her wallet from the bag slung over her shoulder.  
“Yeah, I guess someone needs to keep the people caffeinated, even on Christmas.” Luke laughed. She giggled along with him, the corners of her lips pulling up just slightly more than they already were. He couldn’t help but to notice that her giggle was somehow even prettier than her speaking voice. The way it fell so easily from her lips made him want to hear it over and over again. “So, uh, what can I get ya?” He asked, his hands gripping the sides of the register a little too tight.
“Uh, just a venti latte, please.” She answered, looking away from him to the wallet in her hand. He rang in her order and read out her total. He pulled his hand away from hers quickly, nearly dropped her money when she handed it to him. She smiled at him again as he handed her change back to her.
“And a name?” Luke asked her, picking up a cup and pulling a marker from the pocket of his apron.
She looked over her shoulder to the empty coffee shop with another giggle. “Are you afraid you’re gonna give it to the wrong person?” She asked, raising her eyebrows as she faced him again.
He felt his cheeks go warm at her question. A small chuckle fell from his lips as he dropped his chin to his chest. “Sorry,” He said. “It’s a habit.”
“It’s fine.” She told him, waving her hand. “It’s Ariel.”
Fuck, even her name is pretty. Luke smiled to himself as he jotted her name on the side of the paper cup. She removed her beanie, running a hand through her hair as she walked to the other end of the counter.
“So, how’d you get stuck working Christmas?” She asked him, leaning over the counter and resting on her elbows as she watched him prepare her drink.
Luke shrugged his broad shoulders, not looking up from his task as he answered. “I usually end up working holidays because I don’t have any family here in the states to spend them with.”
Ariel put a hand over her heart as she pouted her lips. “Oh my, that is so sad.” She sighed. “I mean, my family is far away, too. But I can usually get back to visit them for holidays.”
“Are you from out of town?”
“Oh, yeah.” She laughed. “A tiny little town near Boston.”
Luke hadn’t been expecting that. He finished her drink, capping it before sliding it across the counter to her waiting hands. “So why aren't you there for Christmas?”
This time, it was her turn to shrug. “I'm, like, extra poor this year.” Luke raised his eyebrows as he nodded, that was definitely a struggle that he understood. “Plus, I'm Jewish.”
“Mazel tov!” Luke exclaimed, throwing his hands up next to his face.
Ariel dropped her face, looking down at the paper cup in her hands as she laughed out loud. “Do you even know what that means?” She questioned when she looked back up at him.
“I, uhh…” Luke stammered for a moment, fiddling with the edge of his apron before answering with a giggle. “No, I don't.”
She laughed again at his answer. Her lips pulling up high on her cheeks, showing off her teeth as she smiled up at him. The sound filled Lukes ears and he felt his chest swell with pride that he was able to pull such a beautiful sound from her.
“So how’d you end up in Chicago?” Luke asked once her laugh had subsided.
“School, originally. Ended up dropping out, though.” She answered with a smile. “How about you?”
“Oh, I wanted to be in a band. It wasn’t working out back home, so I packed up and moved here a few years ago. I was completely convinced I’d go back a home a rockstar.” He finished, laughing at himself and his own naivety.
“I take it the band thing didn’t work out?”
“Kind of did for a while, actually.”
“So what happened? Why aren’t you a rockstar?” She asked him as she stood up straight.
“Egos.” He answered simply. “Mine and theirs. They’re still great guys, we just didn’t get on well.”
Ariel nodded, bringing her cup to her lips. Luke watched as she cautiously sipped the hot drink. Her eyes fell closed again and Luke took a moment to appreciate the way the lights in the shop caught the slight shimmer in her nude eyeshadow.
“Well, at least you’re still young.” She told him as she pulled the cup away from her lips, taking a step back from the counter. “There’s still time, rockstar.” She winked at him before turning away. Luke felt his stomach tie itself into about fifteen different knots at the sight.
She took a few steps away from him, stopping at the nearest table and setting her drink down. She began to shrug her coat from her shoulders, revealing an emerald green sweater that hugged her frame beautifully. “Mind if I hang out here for a bit?” She asked. “It’s like the end of the world out there.”
“Fine by me.” Luke answered with a smile. She hung her coat on the rack by the door and sat down at her table, pulling a book from her bag and opening it. The pair were silent for a while. Nothing but the sounds of people outside, snow crunching beneath boots, and the playlist of Christmas songs playing on the speakers around the coffee shop.
The silence was somehow comfortable and unbearably awkward all at once. At least, that was how it felt from Luke’s point of view. Ariel sat at her table, her legs crossed beneath it as she read her book and sipped at her coffee. Since he was on the clock, Luke was trying to find something to fill his time on the off chance that his boss made an appearance. He picked up a broom from the back room and walked into the shop.
“Is this your way of telling me to beat it?” Ariel asked with a smile when he started to sweep up.
“What? No, of course not.” Luke stammered. Why was he so eager for her to stay? He didn’t know her. Hell, they’d barely even spoken since she walked in half an hour ago. “Just, uh, trying to keep busy.”
“Ya know, if you wanted to take a break, I promise I won’t tell on you.”
Once again, Luke felt his cheeks heat up as she spoke to him. He smiled as he leaned the broom against a wall and walked over to where she sat. He put his hand on the back of the chair across from her. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” She answered. She placed her bookmark into the spine of her book before closing it and setting it down on the table between them. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask. Where is home for you? I’ve been trying to place your accent and I just can’t figure it out.”
“Australia.” He answered with a chuckle. “West Sydney, specifically.”
“Really? You don’t sound very much like Steve Irwin.”
“Ouch.” Luke whined, putting his hand over his heart and furrowing his brows.
“Sorry!” Ariel said, reaching across the table and placing her hand on his arm.
Luke’s smile quickly grew to a toothy grin as he looked down to where her hand rested delicately on his wrist. “It’s fine. Every time I go home all I hear from my family is that I need to move back because I’m getting an American accent.” Ariel laughed at him. She removed her hand from his wrist and he instantly felt less whole at the loss of her soft touch.
“I don’t know if I’d say it’s quite an American accent.” She said, picking up her cup and bringing it to her lips again. She took a long drink, licking her lips as she set the cup back on the table between them. “But then again, I never got to hear your accent before so who am I to say?”
“If you’ve ever been to Sydney, especially West Sydney, you’ll know that they definitely don’t sound like this.”
“I haven’t been. But I’d love to visit someday, when money isn’t so tight.” She sighed. “I want to see the world. All of it. Every nook and cranny of the every beautiful city the world has to offer.”
“You sound like me.” He said with a grin. “That was one reason I wanted to be in a band, actually. See the world, meet new people, experience new cultures.”
“Well, if the band thing works out, I volunteer to be your merch girl. You don’t even have to pay me.” She said with a laugh as she pushed some hair from her face. “Just take me around the world.”
“Deal.” He answered. “And hey, even if the band doesn’t work out, I’d still happily be your tour guide around Sydney when you go.”
“Well, how can I say no to being shown around a foreign country by a native?”
“I guess you can't.” He told her with a beaming grin.
Just as Ariel was about to speak again, the bell above the door chimed for a second time. Both Luke and Ariel jumped at the sudden interruption. A middle aged man in a long tan coat walked in, shutting the door quickly.
“Storm of the century out there.” The older man said as he walked to the counter. Luke stood from his seat and walked to the back of the counter to help the man. He placed his order, paid, and turned back to Ariel. “Have you been out there?” He asked her.
“Yeah, a little bit earlier. Been here about 45 minutes, though.”
Luke finished pouring his coffee, capping it and sliding it across the counter in same fashion he'd done for Ariel. The man thanked Luke and started towards the door. “If you'll take a nickel's worth of free advice, I'd stay in here as long as he will let you.” He told her, nodding his head to Luke who still stood behind the counter. “It's getting worse out there by the minute.” Ariel smiled at him and offered a silent nod as he opened the door and walked back into the storm.
“Looks like you might be stuck with me for a while, rockstar.” Ariel said as the door closed.
“Could be worse.” Luke shrugged. “At least I've got some company. Hey, you want a refill while I'm back here? On the house.”
“I will never say no to free coffee.” Ariel answered, smiling as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear once again.
Luke returned her smile quickly before turning his attention to making her a fresh drink. He found himself being extra careful while he made it. For some reason, he was sure that if this drink wasn't exactly perfect, she'd leave before he wanted her to. And he just couldn't have that.
He finished the drink and set it in front of her, picking up her cold drink and throwing it away for her. He decided that he needed to find ways to stay busy again. He began wiping down already sparkling machinery and filling cream dispensers. The pair continued talking while Luke cleaned the entire shop.
They discussed their childhoods, laughing together at notable differences between growing up in America versus Australia. “Wait,” Ariel said, leaning forward, her eyes closing as she shook her head in an attempt to make sense of something Luke had just said. “They really feed that to children?”
“What?” Luke laughed. “It's just buttered bread with sprinkles.”
“I'm sorry, but that sounds disgusting.” She told him, laughing with him as she sat back in her seat. “I can't believe kids would even eat that.”
“Don't knock it till ya try it.”
“Fair enough. Maybe I'll pick up some sprinkles on my next shopping trip.”
A few hours passed when suddenly, Luke's stomach growled loudly from where he was on a step ladder cleaning windows. He checked his watch, it was after 1 p.m. It was definitely much later than he normally ate, but he hadn't even noticed that he was hungry. He was too preoccupied with Ariel and their conversations. Had she really been here for nearly four hours already?
“Hungry, rockstar?” Ariel laughed from her table as she looked up at him.
“Starving, apparently.”
“Good, because I am, too.” She smiled. “Are any restaurants even open today?”
“The chinese place down the street definitely is.” Luke answered. He stepped down from the step ladder and pulled his phone from the pocket of his apron. The part of his brain that never quite left high school wanted to ask Ariel for her number. He pushed the thought away and instead, opened his messages and began to text his order to Eric, the delivery boy from the restaurant. “Wait, you like Chinese, right?”
“Love it.”
Luke’s smile grew as he continued to type out his usual order. “What do you want?” He asked, finally looking up at her.
“Sesame chicken.”
“Rice?”
“Fried, please.”
Luke added her order to the end of his text before tacking on a few emojis and hitting send. “Should be 10 minutes, give or take.” He told her as he replaced his phone in his apron pocket and took his seat across the table from her.
“So,” Ariel started as he sat down. “Am I supposed to keep calling you ‘rockstar’ forever, or are you gonna tell me your name?”
“Luke.” He answered, his teeth showing as he laughed at her. “But if you want to keep calling me rockstar, I’m not going to stop you.”
“No,” She said, her smile growing. “I think I like Luke.” He would conservitavely guess that he’d heard his name approximately 800 billion times in his twenty-two years of life, but hearing Ariel say it for the first time? Easily one of the top five greatest sounds he had ever heard. Even if he’d tried, Luke wouldn’t have been able to contain the joyful grin that quickly covered his entire face.
A few minutes later the door to the coffee shop opened, bringing a huge gust of wind and a man carrying two plastic take out bags with it. Luke stood from his seat and walked towards the man, taking the bags from him and setting them in front of Ariel. He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and started to pull a few bills from it.
“Man, you know mom won’t let you pay.” The guy laughed, shoving Lukes hand away.
“It’s been like three years, she’s gotta let me pay eventually.”
“No, she likes you better than any of us. You’re good for life.” He said, laughing. His eyes swept over the shop before landing on Ariel. “I take it you’re the sesame chicken?” He asked with a smile.
“How’d ya know?”
“I’ve never known this one to get anything other than sweet and sour pork.”
“Interesting.” Ariel said, nodding her head. “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”
“Okay, okay. If we’re done discussing my diet, I’d like to eat now.” Luke commented as he pulled out his chair. “You hanging out?” He asked Eric, turning to look at him as he began to pull take out boxes from the bags.
“Can’t. Mom needs me back to run more deliveries. See ya.” He answered, taking a few steps towards the door.
“Later.”  Luke nodded, still unbagging your food as Eric stepped through the door.  “Hope you like egg rolls. Looks like Mama Kim hooked us up.” He laughed as he opened a box containing at least a dozen eggs rolls.
“Mama Kim, huh?” Ariel asked as she reached across the table to pluck an egg roll from the box.
“Yeah,” Luke laughed. “I met Eric like my second day in the states and his parents more or less adopted me. Good thing, too. I'd have starved to death if she didn't insist on sending me home with a months worth of food every other day.”
“She sounds sweet.” Ariel said with a smile.
“Yeah, she's the best.” Luke told her as he took a bite of his egg roll.
As they were finishing their lunch, Lukes phone began ringing from his apron pocket. He pushed his chair away from the table as he pulled his phone from his pocket. “It’s my boss.” He said to her, taking a few steps away from the table as he answered the call.
Ariel tried not to listen, sure that whatever the call was about was none of her business anyway. Instead, she focused her attention on cleaning up the takeout boxes that were scattered across the table. She dumped the boxes into a trash can next to the door just as Luke was hanging up his call.
“Did you get in trouble for sitting down at work all day?” She asked as she walked back over to him.
“No,” Luke laughed as he replaced his phone into his apron pocket. “He just wanted to know if we’d had any customers today. Told me to close up shop.”
Was he seeing things or did her smile actually drop a little?
“So you’re finally kicking me out, huh?”
“Well, technically my boss is making me kick both of us out.” He answered.
Ariel returned to her seat and started to pack up her bag. “It’s been really nice hanging out with you today, Luke.” She told him, smiling up at him from where she was stuffing her book into her bag.
“Yeah,” He returned her smile. “Today definitely turned out to be more fun than I thought it would be. I’m glad you came in.” He was searching every corner of his mind to find ways to make her stay just a little longer as he walked to the window to turn off the neon ‘OPEN’ sign. As he flipped the switch, the opening notes to Baby, It’s Cold Outside began to play over the shops sound system.
Ariel gasped from her seat and put her hand over her chest. Luke spun around quickly to look at her, caught off guard by the sudden sound. “I love this song.” She sighed, her eyes falling closed as she began to sway in her seat.
This is it. This was his chance and he knew he had to take it, or risk kicking himself in the ass for the rest of his life for letting it slip away. He took a few slow steps towards her, praying she would respond well to his plan. He listened to the song and grinned to himself as he watched her mouth along with the words.
I really can't stay.
This is it. This is his moment. He took a deep breath as the woman singing finished her line.
“But, baby, it’s cold outside.” He sang. His voice was quiet, too afraid of her reaction to sing much louder than a whisper. Ariel’s eyes shot open, her smile wider than it had been all day as she looked at him. He swore that her brown eyes actually glowed as she chimed in.
“I've got to go away.”
“But, baby, it’s cold outside.” He sang again, slightly louder this time as he put his hand out to her.
“This evening has been so very nice.” She sang back to him as she took his hand and stood in front of him.
“I’ll hold your hands, they’re just like ice.”
“My mother will start to worry.”
“Beautiful, what's your hurry?” Luke placed a cautious hand behind her back, just below her waist.
“My father will be pacing the floor.”
“Listen to the fireplace roar.” Her smile grew along with his as he started to move with her.
The pair spun in slow circles as they continued to sing the classic holiday tune to each other. At some point, Ariels free hand found its way to Lukes shoulder. This was working. He moved his hand to the middle of her back, pulling her into him just slightly.
Before he knew it, the song was coming to an abrupt end. He’d never realized how short of a song it actually is. The last lines of the song played, both of them singing the words to each other, and before he could stop himself, Luke was leaning in. His eyes closed as his face inched closer to hers. He hoped he looked cool, but every single alarm in his body was going off in that moment. The instant his lips met hers, though, all of them silenced.
It was a quick kiss, quicker than he would have liked. But it was beautiful. It was perfect. It was everything that Luke always thought a first kiss should have been. Luke felt her smiling as his lips landed on hers.
Luke broke the kiss, pulling away first. He opened his eyes to see her grinning up at him. A lock of her brown hair had fallen into her eyes. He moved his hand from her back to tuck the fallen piece behind her ear, earning an even wider grin from her as he rested his hand on her neck just below her ear.
“Smooth move, rockstar.” She whispered to him as she leaned forward, her lips pursing as she kissed him again.
~~~
As you can see, this is the first part of a Holiday Series! I’m really excited about all of these and I cannot wait to post all of them! Can’t wait to hear what you all think of this and the rest of the series. 
Happy Holidays! 
Tag List: @crownedbyluke @thecashtonexpress @blue-skies-are-alright @lmao5sosimagines @therainydays4 @rosecth @thesoundsyoumake @kinglyhemmings @a-little-international @harryandthelesbians @lukescherrypie @ashotofblues @youngblood199456 @rexorangecouny @cashton-queen @tothemoonwithclifford @babylon-uncrowned @asht0ns-world @abitloudforanaccousticset
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itsyourgirljewls · 3 years
Text
Painted in Blue
Chapter 13:
March 6, 2022
Jake Gosling nearly attacked one of the paparazzies today before he left his house. Adam Gosling was furious and threatened to call the police. Must be some family drama happening in the Gosling house hold.
***
There was a knock at the door and I groaned and pulled the blankets over my head. I just wanted to get some fucking sleep. I swear I was never able to sleep till my alarm. To my surprise, it wasn’t my mom’s annoying and demanding voice. But rather… Mr. Harrison.
“Sawyer. I’m taking you to school today because I am driving you to work tonight,” Mr. Harrison said.
I groaned and said, “Thanks but I can drive myself.”
“Sure, you can but I want to get to know my girlfriend’s son more so I am driving you.”
I released a breath of annoyance and got out of bed. My feet landed on the ground and I ran my hands through my hair. Fucking hell. I needed coffee. I walked over to my closet and pulled out a blue shirt, denim pants and shoes and once I got dressed, I exited my room.
I hated being around Mr. Harrison. Why didn’t he realize that? I didn’t want to get to know him. I didn’t want him dating my mom. I didn’t want him replacing my dad. No one could replace my dad.
I couldn’t believe that my mom was trying to replace him. When she should have been searching for him and tried to get the relationship back, she had to start dating other people. My mom lasted five years with my dad and made him leave us when I was three. I never had many memories with him and I wanted that. But she stole that from me.
Once I was finished getting ready for the school day, I walked into the kitchen and when I looked at the coffee pot, I realized there was only enough for one cup. I knew I needed to leave that for my mom because otherwise she’d yell at me. I shook my hair in between my fingers and then jumped a little when Mr. Harrison entered the kitchen and said, “I figured we could get some Starbucks?”
I raised my eyebrows in annoyance and said, “Fine.”
My mom walked up to Mr. Harrison and pecked him on the cheek. Mr. Harrison smiled, turned to my mom, placed his hand on her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. I rolled my eyes and said, “Really?”
Mom giggled and it wasn’t her normal obnoxious laugh, which I hadn’t heard in years. It was her flirtatious giggle. One that everyone had when they saw someone they were attracted. Not going to lie… it was strange hearing it for the first time in years.
“Well, I hope you boys have fun. Good luck,” mom said. She kissed Mr. Harrison once and walked out of the house to start her job.
I clenched my jaw and when the front door shut, Mr. Harrison turned to me and said, “Ready?”
I shoved my hands in my pockets and shrugged. He then walked me outside and took me to his BMW. I honestly wanted to scratch the thing. I could never afford this car even if I tried. People with cars like him thought that they could get away with everything because they were rich. They never once had to work for anything in their lives. They were born rich. Placed into a rich family by chance.
I was placed into a middle-class family and being raised by a single mother. Mr. Harrison would never understand the struggle that we had to face. All he’d do was throw money at us as though we were a wishing well and he’d think that fix everything.
“Do you have any music suggestions?” Mr. Harrison asked as we entered the car.
I shook my head and he said, “Good. Then I hope you like Beyoncé.”
***
As we drove to Starbucks, Mr. Harrison said, “Have you applied to any Universities yet?”
I shook my head. I didn’t know why people kept asking me that question. I didn’t want to college. Why was that so hard to understand? You don’t necessarily need a degree for most jobs. Besides, most people lie about their education anyway.
“Why is that? You’re seventeen Sawyer. You should be excited that you get to move onto the next phase in life.”
People treated life like a video game it seemed like. The minute you graduated from Kindergarten, people congratulated you on making it to the next phase. When you graduated from elementary school, they’d congratulate you again. Middle school and high school was when your life choices became more risky and effect what would happen in the years to come. Life was a video game.
“I don’t want to go to college. It’s a scam and besides, most people can get jobs anyway by working their way up. Unless they want to be doctors, lawyers or politicians, they don’t really need a degree.”
Mr. Harrison nodded and pulled up to a drive through Starbucks. It took us a good ten minutes before we made it to the speaker to order our drinks. “Hi there welcome to Starbucks. What can I get for you?” a man on the other side of the speaker said.
“Can I get a venti latte and…” Mr. Harrison turned me and said, “What would you like?”
I tapped my chin, tilted my head and said, “Tall iced matcha drink.”
He nodded and said my order to the man on the side of the speaker. “That’ll be $10.50 at the window,” he said.
“Thank you,” Mr. Harrison said.
We drove up the window slowly but surely and paid for our drinks. Once we paid, the man gave us our drinks and Mr. Harrison drove me to school.
***
At last we arrived at school. Mr. Harrison pulled up to the curb and said, “I’ll see you after school. Also, Friday is your day off. Unless you want to work but a lot of people request at least two days off.”
I sighed and thought about it for a minute. I really didn’t want to go to work but… if I wanted to move out then I needed the money. I was determined to move out when I turned eighteen and I meant it too.
I sighed and said, “As much as I want to have the day off… I’ll work tomorrow.”
Mr. Harrison sighed and said, “Alright. Have a good at school.”
I gave him a small smile and mumbled, “Thanks.”
I exited the car and entered the school building. There were so many paparazzies today and I wished they’d just go the fuck away. I already had to deal with so much shit at home, I did not want cameras everywhere just because there was a fucking celebrity at my school. Need I remind everyone that he didn’t do anything to make him fucking famous! It was his parents!
I ran my hands through my hair and entered the school building. Mike was speaking with Phineas and I decided to go over to him. Mike immediately turned his body towards me and smiled, revealing his teeth. “Hey Sawyer.”
Phineas flicked his eyes between us and said, “Sorry. Should I go?”
I glanced over at him and said, “No. It’s fine. You can stay.”
Phineas sighed and folded his arms over his chest. I cleared my throat and said, “H-how are you?” I realized I had no idea what I was going to say to him. I hadn’t really texted him since we hung out at the Diner but even then… I kind of missed him.
“I’m good… you?” he scratched the back of his head and swayed side to side on his feet.
“I’m good.”
There were a few moments of silence and then there was a bunch of noise coming from the school entrance. They were the paparazzies following Jake into the school. Principal Waters hurried out of his office and ushered them out of the building. He even threatened to call the police if he had to.
Jake smirked, rolled his eyes and walked over to his locker where Lucy was standing next to. He smiled and when he stood in front of her, he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and began speaking with her.
Mike coughed and then said, “Well anyway… Jake is having a party on Saturday night. Perhaps you’d be willing to come?”
I raised my eyebrows, giving him a teasing look. He then shook his head and said, “I know Jake isn’t the most likeable guy in the world but, he does know people and believe it or not… connections matter to businesses.”
I sighed, knowing he was right but not wanting to admit it. “Fine. I’ll go,” I said rolling my eyes.
Mike smiled and the final school bell rang. We hurried to our first class and Mr. Hall glared at us and said, “Mr. Ross and Mr. Brown, can you explain to the class why you two are late?”
The class snickered and when I looked over at Lucy, she gave me an apologetic smile. I smiled back and Mike said, “Um… no reason sir… We just missed the bell.”
Mr. Hall looked unimpressed by his response. He turned to the class and said, “Thanks to Sawyer and Mike, you all will be having a pop quiz.”
Mr. Hall seemed rather sad today. He was not in the mood to teach and sometimes I wondered why he even had the job in the first place. He wore jeans, a black buttoned up shirt and a blue tie. His hair seemed to be just brushed back and it appeared as though he didn’t have any coffee this morning. I wondered why he was upset.
The class groaned and glared at Mike and I. Mike gave me an annoyed look, shook his head and sat in the back of the classroom. I of course, had to sit in the middle because no other seats were empty.
***
After class, I walked out with Mike and then as I exited the classroom, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Lucy standing in front of me. She was in a white skirt with a yellow shirt and brown sandals. Her hair was up in a messy bun with two strands of hair in front of her ears. She was honestly adorable.
“Hey Sawyer. Could you sit with me and Jake at lunch today?” Lucy asked.
I blinked at her request. I did not expect her to ask me that question. Why the hell did Lucy want me to sit next to her and Jake at lunch? She must not have realized I didn’t like the guy very much.
I sighed and said, “You sure Jake wouldn’t get mad?”
Lucy shrugged and said, “You’re my friend are you not?”
I nodded. “Well then he can suck it up and deal with it. I can sit who I want to sit by.”
I laughed and said, “Alright, alright. I’ll sit by you.”
She pumped her fist in the air and said, “Hell yeah!”
I laughed and as Lucy stepped forward, Jake yelled from behind her, “Lucy!”
Lucy rolled her eyes, looked over her shoulder and said, “Coming!”
I leaned forward and said, “You know you are not his puppy dog, right?”
She nodded, shrugged and skipped over happily to Jake. The thing with celebrities was… no matter what they did to you, you’d let them. Even if they hurt you.
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