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allbeendonebefore · 4 years

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I was kind of under the impression that this is just a widespread thing in Alberta, especially because of the Angus Reid fractured federation survey (I cant include the link here, but you can Google it, its from January 24th 2019). When got back into Hetalia, I imagined the dynamics kinda changed to this, which would be pretty bad tbh. I hope its not that aggressive in Alberta, I will never be able to go check tho, too expensive :( I loved the bad french btw

i see you guys sending these asks super late at night and i wonder whether any of you sleep - idk where you’re writing from and i may be on the west coast but are you guys ok wherever you are? I just woke up but I have my tea and if I’m not caffeinated now I surely will be as I answer this.

I’m sure I’ve seen the survey you’re speaking of before and before I address it in any specific detail I just want to back up and re frame Why I’m Being Like This in regards to recent events and my orientation towards answering these questions in terms of Hetalia the way I do, because I think it’s the heart of how I answer.

the tldr of it is:

1. I have an opportunity to make interpretations of reality in unexpected and challenging ways, therefore widespread opinions don’t govern anything but my stupid gag comics in the simple sense that if everyone was represented by widespread opinion alone all the time, nothing would change and

2. if i can answer dozens of asks about ralph and oliver hanging out there’s absolutely no reason I can’t answer asks about ralph and jean hanging out, lol.

3. If you’d like a shorter, more concise “vision statement”, I have one on @battle-of-alberta here. (although now I notice the links don’t work on mobile so you’ll have to be on desktop for that one)

I’m assuming this will be long so cut time

(and yes, alas, the bad french is my legacy and I’m afraid it has not improved much although i swear i was an A student when i was actually taking it) (and no please don’t visit now, purely for pandemic reasons, it would be really expensive And you’d have a bad time) (and talking to me is free lmao) (I do not mean to say that you need to have feet on the ground to understand a place at all, i mean, at the moment I don’t lol)

headings because I say a lot

what even is hetalia

At the most basic level, Hetalia is a tool that can be used in a variety of ways. It can be for memorization, current politics at a glance or historical relationships in different settings. I use it for all of these things, of course, I certainly use it a lot in comics that take place in the much more distant past in @athensandspartaadventures. When I was writing that, I was in undergrad and AaSA was a tool to help me pass my exams, I didn’t think of how it might be read or interpreted by people who have lived in or experienced those places these days, or what kind of political and cultural tensions it might reveal. (Not to say that it has gotten me into sticky situations, exactly, but I am more aware of where things like that would arise now).

These days I look back on a lot of my experiences - both in IAMP/Hetalia and just as a person, and I think that if Hetalia is a tool it should be used with some awareness of intention and responsibility. Things in the fandom have changed as it became more mainstream and more well known and I think there’s a definite worry about screwing up or not representing Everything or not pleasing Everybody or not doing it Right. I have a simple, insufferably academic principle.

(That said, yes, you can still do it very wrong if you write a methodology.)

Still, it’s a comfort to me that I’m just doing the things the way I say I’m going to do them, and that is the underpinning of Inspired But Not Constrained By Hetalia. I don’t do things Himaruya’s way, I can’t do things the way IAMP would do them if it were running today because it’s not and things have changed, all I can do is do them how I would do them.

I have hurt people in the past because they sometimes couldn’t tell whether I was writing From an Albertan Perspective or not, and I’ve evoked some preeetty spicy comments over the last decade, and I realized that tone and perspective are something that really shapes how people understand and interact with my work and I’m trying to use that understanding in a conscientious way)

what even is alberta

So when you’re me and you’ve grown up in a province that is the Angriest in the country and the most Misunderstood in the country and the most Entitled in the country and nobody outside of maybe Saskatchewan has a good thing to say about you half the time and maybe you’re tired of that... you get kind of depressed thinking about how every year some kiddo comes on the internet ready to be excited about making or celebrating characters that represent themselves and No Matter Where They Go running into everyone else’s negative impressions first and foremost.

We joke about how everyone hates Toronto, though I’ve always understood it in a teasing way because I’ve never ACTUALLY met someone (outside of our current legislative assembly) who REALLY hates Toronto, but it does feel like I’ve encountered (directly or indirectly) people who do Genuinely hate Alberta and hoo boy is That a strange feeling. I mean, there’s an understanding that BC also ‘hates’ Alberta but half the people in BC are originally from Alberta so it’s a, uh, different feeling.

The story of Alberta from everywhere else is always the story of that Angus Reid article and the memes and comments and listicles that spin out around mainstream media. Alberta is giving too much. Alberta is getting too little. Alberta is too stupid to understand that equalization payments are a good thing actually, and Alberta is too dumb to understand you don’t really need EI if you make enough money in six months to own a house and multiple vehicles Just Because you own a house and multiple vehicles. Alberta is destroying the environment for everybody. Alberta has a huge concentration of white supremacists. Alberta is the Texas of Canada* and has the conservative streak and bible belt to match. Alberta should get annexed by the US. Oh, but Banff! We like Banff, though.

And like I said, politicians use these widespread feelings to stir up the sentiments of people who can’t afford to travel, people who are naturally suspicious of mainstream news, people who have barely even left their hometowns let alone the province and have no other means of validating what they hear, but people who’s emotions are genuinely tied to real feelings of alienation that really exist and HAVE existed for generations. And when the so-called “laurentian elites” in ontario and quebec make fun of them for being uneducated red necks, well, you hit a wasps nest and expected what, exactly?

what even am i doing

And like I’m faced with this question every day I decide to pick up my stylus and badger you all with unsolicited comics: do I want this to continue? Do I want to wear the mask that fits? Do I want to stand aside and say #notallalbertans #notlikeotheralbertans and stand over here on the island** patting myself on the back for not? being? there? Do I say yes, you’re right, and stand aside and watch loud mouth white supremacists co-opt wexiters and let them lead the perception of the province I grew up in just because that is what’s currently happening? Do I acknowledge the widespread sentiment and then pick apart every other province to say Well Actually You’re Equally Problematic Hypocrites, So There?

Obviously I’ve been saying no for a while. I’m perfectly happy to acknowledge the reality and when I draw stupid gag comics like this or this you can tell (hopefully) from my style that it’s tongue and cheek. When I draw less stupid not-gag comics like this or this I am trying to explore the Real Sentiments in a way that doesn’t completely polarize the issue and spin it out of control. I’m more of the opinion that even though Current Sentiments do get in the way that as personifications they 1. have some perspective and as people they 2. have some interest in not throwing out a friendship that was a struggle to build up every time the polls change or some new radical party seizes power. I do a lot of research and I want that to be reflected in my understanding of each characters deep seated beliefs and motivations, but I don’t want to let either the history or the current realities dictate the future if I am going to try to do that myself.

why even am i doing it for

So like really the heart of the matter is: I am writing what I write for my thirteen year old self. She was the me who moved back to Canada from the United States, who’s first introduction to living there was a hellish surge of nationalism after September 11th. Who’s defense against that was to hide behind a shield of Canada is Better, Actually and who returned to Alberta during the boom years to realize that, oh wait, the rest of the country thinks we’re assholes just like they think the United States is. Who spent her teenage years learning that, boom or bust, the widespread sentiment in and out of the province is just as narrow, shortsighted, self interested, and stubborn as her own fiction of What Canada Was Supposed to be Like. Who learned that propping up that image at the expense of her friendships was not worth it, that propping up that image at the expense of people who are suffering and dying under that image is not worth it. Who found herself rehashing the same sort of gut reaction defensiveness online because the Guilt and Apologizing on behalf of her province compared to others felt Really Heavy for a kid who didn’t have any clue what to do about it and was just there to have fun and learn some stuff.

So I’m writing for anyone else who finds themselves exhausted and saddened by coming online and seeing that the only way that people can imagine Alberta is as an antagonist. I’d like to challenge everyone to start to imagine it better. It’s my little “escape” from reality, and for me it’s much easier to talk to people here where the stakes aren’t as high and the grievances a little less personal.

I’m also writing (in a more secondary way) for everyone who’s ever looked at alberta from afar and wondered What is going On inside your Head and is it always This

(no comment at this time)

as always, I’m here to explain At The Very Least what goes on in My head because at the end of the day, that’s all I can do. And though there are some things that make me angry and emotional, I’m happy to explain why. Happy to answer asks or chat on discord or whatever, any time I have the time. :)

footnotes

*This is just a footnote to say something I didn’t want to interrupt the flow of my comments, but this is an annoyance that me and my Texas Tomodachi share lol

**You’ll notice angry Albertans online have a favourite tactic, and that’s pointing out hypocrisy. They can justify A N y T h I n G by calling another province a hypocrite “so there” (i.e. BC can’t claim to be environmentally conscious because of Victoria’s sewage problem or Site C) - and while I am interested in shattering the image of Alberta vs. the Perfect Rest of Canada a little bit, I feel like it’s a very lazy argument that is used to deflect and not to help. I think it is more useful to unpack the sentiment of Why Alberta Still Feels Taken Advantage of rather than mudslinging, and when the mud starts flying no one seems interested in addressing problems anymore.

#hapo rambles #hapo replies #hapo rants #yeah y yeah alberta #projectcanada #iammatthewian #pc: alberta #iamp: alberta #Anonymous #will i actually directly address the survey #maybe later but i have other stuff to do #you can remind me

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inkribbon796 · 4 years

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Heart Club: You Belong

Summary: Virgil’s not ready for a lot of things now that he’s working for the good guys. One of those things is admitting how he feels about some of his new co-workers. Good thing Patton’s the emotions, and Logan is the brains.

<= Back to Main

Virgil didn’t prefer to be alone with all three of the Light Sides at once. He always felt outnumbered. And it didn’t help that they had a habit of “us time” as Patton liked to put it.

Today turned out to be one of those days. Virgil was caught off guard, he was in a good mood. After King had come into the room to brag about helping get Host and Iplier together, Virgil had net himself an extra fifteen bucks.

Roman was busy sulking on the couch, glaring at the T.V screen and snidely commenting about the movie as Henrik growled at him.

Then Patton walked in, out of costume, “Ro, Virge, come on, let’s get out of here.”

“Why?” Virgil growled, dumping out the chocolate and pretzel dust from the Pocky box he was eating, his fifth that night. “Someone’s gonna take my seat.”

“You’re on the counter,” Patton reminded him. “We make food there.”

“Should’a put spikes on it if yah didn’t intend for me to be on it,” Virgil was opening up another Pocky box. He was going to get horribly sick tomorrow, but he didn’t care.

“Well it’s the day we go to the apartment and just hang out there, and Logan called to tell me that he was coming back son figured there was still time today.” Patton had that huge, excited smile on his face, but Virgil’s stomach churned with discomfort.

“Nah, uh,” Virgil told him, Roman was already standing up, looking more than a bit uncomfortable. “I know where this is going.”

“Hey, he’s just trying to include you,” Roman bit back.

“Now Roman,” Patton tried to calm him down. “Let Virgil talk, he needs to be able to explain how he feels.”

Roman started grumbling under his breath, rolling his eyes.

Virgil was now sitting and had begun to curl his feet up to his chest, a subconscious effort to protect himself.

“He’s harmless.” Patton turned to Virgil, “Come on, we watch Netflix and ogle guys on the screen the whole time. Even Logan enjoys it.”

The anxious Side was a bit intrigued, but he wasn’t sure how he felt about being really alone with anyone who wasn’t Iplier, Eric, or Marvin. “Uh, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Virgil tried to tell him.

“We have top ramen and pixie sticks,” Patton bribed.

Virgil groaned. “Fine, but I better get a panic room when this goes belly up.”

Roman was tapping his foot, clearly anxious and glancing at Patton over and over again. Virgil followed behind them as they walked out, a bit uneasy even though he was 100% positive that they weren’t actually going to hurt him. Roman was overdramatic and loud, but he was about as harmless as he was good—

Virgil was able to stop himself as that thought entered his brain. He was glad that he was behind them because he was pretty sure he was blushing. He’d been working so hard to clamp down any unwanted thoughts buzzing through his head. Yeah he was gay because Thomas had been about as gay as the month of June, but he knew that muscling his way into what was at best a working relationship, and at most uncomfortable an already established relationship. His brain racing as it began dredging up worst case scenarios of them getting upset about him and getting him thrown out of the Coalition, and have to go back to Deceit.

“Virgil?” Roman asked, looking at him suspiciously. “Pat asked you a question.”

“Huh, what?” Virgil asked lamely.

“I was asking if you wanted any popcorn or soda or something, Logan likes to have water, but I realized I do know what you like,” Patton explained.

“I’m not hungry,” Virgil blurted out.

“Okay,” Patton smiled. “If you change your mind we can always run out to grab something.”

“Sure thanks,” Virgil answered uneasily. After that Virgil tried to keep his muttering to himself. They got to a two floor apartment the Light Sides all shared, Virgil knew they stayed here even when he was with the League. Virgil felt weird actually walking in.

Logan was in the living room, on his phone, something in his eyes set Virgil on edge. Although that was probably just his nerves.

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind for the meeting, goodnight,” Logan concluded, looking at everyone. Then after a second or two, he hung up.

“Salutations, everyone,” Logan greeted, adjusting his glasses.

“Lo,” Patton jumped towards him. “There you are.”

Logan startled as Patton wrapped his arms around him, “What have you been up to?”

“Yeah,” Roman walked over. “I haven’t seen you in days.”

“Nonsense, Roman,” Logan clearly looked like he wanted to adjust his glasses, but his arms were trapped by Patton’s hug. “I saw you at breakfast.”

“I’m not awake until my third coffee,” Roman complained.

“You both are insufferable,” Logan rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth quirked up a bit.

By now, Virgil was feeling really uncomfortable, more like an unwanted observer, and he began to take a step back.

“Ah, Virgil, come in,” Logan was finally looking at him. “Roman, you should have closed the door.”

“I missed you,” Roman complained, hugging Logan as well, who took a deep, uncomfortable breath.

Shit! Virgil swore in his head and closed the door a little harder in his head than he intended. Shit!

“This was a bad idea,” Virgil said before he could stop himself. He should just make a run for it, but he’d already closed the door and all three of them were looking at him.

“I don’t understand, what a bad idea?” Logan asked, looking confused as he glanced between Patton and Roman.”

“I’m being a fourth wheel,” Virgil already put his hand on the doorknob behind him. “I should have stayed back at the base. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day, I’m just going back to the base.”

Logan pried himself from Patton and Roman’s arms, “Pardon, is this a date night?”

Patton looked away, a little sheepish, “Maybe.”

“Then why wasn’t I told, was led to believe it was not,” Logan glared at Patton. “There are steps and procedures to occasions such as these that I have not adequately prepared for.”

“Ahh,” Roman smiled. “Don’t sweat it Lo, I got us covered.”

Logan looked even more frustrated. “No, I—”

The more logical Side looked away, as if trying to ground himself, “I am an equal member in this relationship and I have committed to participate.”

“Gosh, sorry, Lo, we just didn’t want to overwhelm you,” Patton apologized. “I’m so sorry.”

“No,” Logan decided. “I have spent very little time with you all for a while now, it makes sense that you would doubt my commitment to the relationship.”

Patton looked completely heartbroken, “No, we would never.” He looked at Roman.

“I believe that you’re not trying to avoid us,” Roman evaded and got the stink eye from Patton.

“Come on,” Virgil interrupted. “I’ve only been around for a couple months and even I know you three are sickeningly lovey-dovey. I mean.”

Logan blinked a couple times, “My mission will be concluded soon, I should not be undertaking another for some time.”

Patton smiled Virgil, “Virge, we kinda wanted to invite you to join us, we were talking about it for a while.”

“Hey, hey, just because we all want to be Thomas doesn’t mean I want to start a fusion party, or a sex party for that matter. Dee and Remus were already hell enough.” Virgil felt like a butterfly trapped in place.

“We know you’re not ready for a lot of things,” Patton told him. “That’s okay. There’s no competition, or there’s not supposed to be.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready,” Virgil warned.

“That’s okay,” Patton told him, taking a couple cautious steps closer. “We just want to spend time with you, you’re one of us and I for one don’t want you to feel awkward around us.”

“Sides,” Roman grinned. “You were totally ogling my ass on the way over.”

Virgil knew he went beet red, “N-No I didn’t.”

“Last week you were drawing Patton and you made him look very pretty,” Roman teased.

Patton gasped in joy, “You drew a picture of little old me? How adorable.”

“Logan, I’m going to kill your boyfriends,” Virgil decided.

Logan chuckled at that, “You should draw Roman, he’d ever pose for you.”

“Damn right,” Roman agreed.

“Language,” Patton folded his arms, looking at the creative Side. “Guys, don’t tease him.”

“Sure,” Roman winked at Virgil, walking over to the T.V. “We doing another poll? I know what I’m voting for.”

Virgil was slowly moved to the couch with the others. He was given the cup of noodles and pixie sticks he was promised, and no one complained when he climbed on top of the couch to sit against the wall. Logan and Patton on the couch with Roman curled up in a nest of blankets and pillows on the floor. All of them just enjoying Umbrella Academy again. He felt warm, and for the first time in a long time . . . actually welcome. Like he was supposed to be here.

. . . It was a feeling that was exciting and scary, and Virgil was overwhelmed by it all. But he knew they meant well and he was excited to try and test the waters a little bit. He felt good around them and as crazy as his life was, he liked it.

#Superhero AU #Masks and Maladies #Thomas Sanders #Virgil Sanders #Patton Sanders #Roman Sanders #Logan Sanders #LAMP #established relationship #pining

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fandomsphere · 5 years

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Thanks for visiting the FANDOM-sphere for #fanfictionfriday! Check out chapter 4 of our fic below. We'll see you tomorrow for our Say It Saturday Poll.

Until then, thanks for visiting the FANDOM-sphere!

Carried Away Part 4 - a FANDOM-sphere fanfic written by Luci

One Week Later

There was a whirring sound of string leaving her yo-yo as Ladybug swung across Paris to meet for patrol. She had stayed in for the last week, no patrols, and luckily no akumas. She had only been allowed to go to school because she had promised to use the crutches her dad had pulled out of storage. But after a week of resting her ankle, she was feeling much better with only minimal pain.

She was glad to be out again. She’d missed the wind blowing through her hair as she flew across her city.

She landed gracefully beside Chat on the top of the Arc De Triomphe. “Good evening, Chaton,” she greeted with a cheerful smile.

He beamed at her, “Hey, Bugaboo! Good to see you.” He pulled her into a hug and she patted his back with a laugh.

She pulled back as they broke the hug. “You act like you haven’t seen me in forever.”

He rubbed at the back of his neck, his cheeks tinged pink. “It feels like it.” His voice was soft, the more gentle side of her partner slipping out.

She reached out and tapped the bell against his neck. “Silly kitty, well, I’m here now. Are you ready to start patrol?”

He nodded eagerly. “Lead the way, milady.”

She nodded and they began to make a circuit through the roofs nearby. It was quiet for several minutes before Chat jumped in with a question.

“So, where were you during your week vacation?” He asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

She rolled her eyes with a smile. “I wasn’t on vacation, Chat. If an akuma had attacked, I would’ve shown up.”

The pair stopped on a roof with a clear view of the busy streets below. Even though it was dark, the streets were still lined with people out enjoying the warm weather.

“Did you have somebody better to spend your evenings with then?” There was a teasing lilt to his voice but uncertainty lingered beneath.

“Chat,” she warned.

He held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. I get it. You’re right.”

She muttered a thank you and turned to resume their patrol.

“I shouldn’t be prying into your private life. If you want to spend patrol time with your boyfriend rather than me…” he let his words drop off. She could feel him watching her and knew he was smirking. He had missed her and was determined to egg her on.

She spun on her heel and marched back to him. A finger jabbed against his chest. “If you must know, I hurt my ankle and wasn’t allowed to be on it. That’s why I was missing patrols, although now I’m thinking maybe I should've missed this one too.”

Chat stared down at her with wide eyes. Her words echoed back at her in her mind. She took several steps back and turned away from him, hoping against all hope that she hadn’t just revealed her identity to him. After all, Chat Noir had just been to visit Marinette a week before and had seen how she was injured. What if he put two and two together? It wouldn’t be that difficult.

She suppressed the urge to smack herself in the forehead.

“I’m sorry, Ladybug.” His voice was back to being gentle and he sounded a bit, abashed? “I didn’t realize… well,” he sighed, “I’m glad your ankle is feeling better.”

She glanced back at him. He didn’t seem to be working out her identity. She figured he wouldn’t be able to hide it if he had. He’d probably be too excited, she thought with a smirk.

“Thanks.” Ladybug nodded her head towards the next building. “Let’s keep going before it gets too late. I’d like to get a decent amount of sleep tonight.”

As they continued, jumping between the buildings and running along the roof tops, Chat continued their conversation. The one Ladybug had hoped was over.

“It's funny, you know.”

She quirked an eyebrow, “What is?”

He laughed, “Just the fact that both you and Marinette hurt your ankles last week. That’s some kind of coincidence don’t you think?”

Her foot slipped.

She paused, her yo-yo ready to be thrown freezing mid-motion. “Um, yeah,” she muttered.

“I mean, Marinette said she hurt herself when she slipped at the pool. How did you injure yourself, LB? Wouldn’t it be crazy if something similar happened to you?”

Ladybug could feel her face heating up. Was he suspicious? Had he figured things out based off of one twisted ankle? Her heart rate increased and she struggled to keep her breathing calm. “Why do you ask?” She hoped her tone had remained even, nonchalant. Stay cool.

Chat shrugged. “I just think it’s very interesting that you and Marinette both had incidents at the pool last week and both injured your ankles.”

Oh, goodness. He does know. She wasn’t sure why he was dragging this out. Maybe it was his way of teasing her? He was always one to act that way, especially if he was upset for her keeping it a secret when they had talked without her mask.

She sighed, running a hand over her face. “Fine. Yes, Chat. You figured it out. It is interesting that we both had the same things happen to us in the last week. And yes, you’re right. You figured out my identity.”

There was silence. Silence for far longer than she expected. Hadn’t he been teasing her? Shouldn’t he be gloating right now?

Ladybug lifted her head and looked up to see Chat Noir staring at her with eyes wide and a very red face. Oh no. She bit down hard on the inside of her cheek in frustration. “I am an idiot,” she muttered. “You didn’t figure it out, did you?” her voice was quiet now, she had just blown her own identity because he had been astounded by similarities.

“You- I mean, we- I just-” Chat ran a hand through his hair, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Marinette,” he finally blurted out and she winced. “How did I never see it? Even with the ankle thing. And the pool.” He dropped onto the roof sitting cross-legged. “I even knew Ladybug had been at the pool and that she had left when Marinette did. And still…”

Marinette stared at him as he kept talking. Her mind replayed his words multiple times as she tried to make sense of them. Ladybug had never talked to Chat about the pool. So, how would he know that Ladybug had been there that day?

“I just think it’s very interesting that you and Marinette both had incidents at the pool last week-”

But the only person who would know about Ladybug's incident at the pool would be…

“Adrien?”

He froze then looked up at her with an awkward smile. He gave a little wave. “Hey, Marinette.”

She felt like she was going to be sick. “Okay, now I need to sit down.” She tried to lower herself onto the ground beside him but didn’t see his baton lying on the floor. Her foot stepped on top of it and she was tumbling. Her eyes flew shut in anticipation of the crash that was soon to follow. But instead of landing on the hard tiles of the roof, she found herself on her partner’s lap, his arms circled around her, holding her.

He looked down at her with a shy smile, cheeks and ears still tinged pink. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

She felt her face heat up. No doubt it was now as red as her suit. She could feel her brain turning to mush as she looked into his eyes. Adrien was under that mask. Adrien was flirting with her.

“Go have to,” she all but shouted at him. She pushed herself up from his lap and unhooked her yo-yo. “I go to have. Ugh! I have to go. Good night!” She turned prepared to leap off the building and head straight towards home. If she was quick enough, she could lock her skylight and pretend that tonight was not happening.

“Ladybug, wait!” Chat's voice called, making her hesitate. Then she heard the crash behind her. She turned around to see Chat Noir laying on his back on the roof. His baton rolling away from his feet.

“Oh my god!” She cried out running over to him. “Are you okay, Chat?”

He blinked up at her and she held out a hand to help him up. Once he was on his feet, he nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fi-” his words were cut off as a look of realization crossed his face. “Ow?” the exclamation came out as more of a question, causing Ladybug to raise an eyebrow.

He moved his foot and winced dramatically when it touched the ground. “Ow! Yeah, I think my ankle is messed up.” He moved it gently as if his whole leg were suddenly effected.

“Really now?” She asked, skeptically. She knew from many, many akuma battles, that they were virtually indestructible while wearing the suits. So she severely doubted he had actually managed to injure himself.

He nodded. “I don’t think I’ll be able to get home on my own.” He met her eyes and she saw a sparkle of mischievousness in them. “You’ll just have to carry me home, Bugaboo.”

She deadpanned. “I’m leaving you here.” She turned to go, lifting her yo-yo.

“Fine, but I don’t remember ditching you when you’re ankle was hurt.” His voice was full of just enough teasing for her to confirm that he was actually fine.

She rolled her eyes before turning back around. You are Ladybug and he is Chat Noir. Your partner. Nothing to be nervous about. She set her jaw and marched back over to him. “You are insufferable. You know that?”

He opened his mouth to reply but was cut off when she scooped him into her arms bridal-style. He didn’t even try to keep the smirk off his face when he answered her.

“I think you mean, insuffurable.”

She nearly threw him off the roof.

#fandomsphere #marauderluverz #miraculous ladybug #miraculousladybug #podcast #ao3 #fanfiction #fanfiction friday #carried away #ladynoir

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whatzaoverwatch · 6 years

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Forever in My Sights (PART 1)

Welcome to the third installment of the Overwatch AU saga. This one will be played fairly different than the last two from before. First of all, the character choice was selected by you guys in a previous poll. I was surprised by the result because I had no idea for this character when I made the poll. But, I have come up with a story that will be fairly interesting. How it will turn out, that is my secret. Second the reader will be gender neutral for this installment. Not like the female pronouns from before just to change things up a bit. Hope you enjoy.

Be sure to also check out the other installments of the saga:

Anything Can Happen in the Woods Here

The Demon’s Bride Here

The music carried through the entire home, lingering in the nighttime atmosphere. Entering the home filled the senses with a home cooked meal and the scent of ones perfume. The type of scent was unknown, but everything about it felt pleasant. The tune seemed fairly classic, as if you walked into a classic black and white painting from the 20s. Slow and charming to ones ear as it would draw in any who needed the rest and relaxation. The home was fairly clean and proper as if someone was always keeping it in order for anyone arrival. Over by the door leading to the backyard porch, was a figure looking out to the night sky. Keeping their focus to the array of stars filling the country night sky. They seem to feel a presence behind them as they turned over. From the inside of the house, their silhouette was a mere shadow. Only a tender smile that glowed from the moonlight was seen in the darkness. The vision of the surroundings became a blur as the figure began to speak.

“I was waiting for you…”

A sharp pain from his head was felt. Resting his head into his palm. The ringing in his ear coming nonstop after the array of pulse ammunition lingered in the air. Rubbing his temple with a growl to soothe the noise into numbing silence. Towering over the corpses of the undead by his feet, he kept to steady breaths to ease the ache. The heat of the night summer air becoming insufferable after the mass murdering he displayed upon the victims. But this was just another night for him.

He had no memory to a life before this hunt. One day he woke up, blood red eyes and paled skin. His hair white as snow that illuminated the darkened sockets around his eyes. Scars marked his pale skin leaving him aged and rugged to another’s presence. He didn’t remember how it all began, just that he knew that he had to do this. The dead, mostly known to the living as Los Muertos, were a gang of zombies that conquered the land. He didn’t know why, but he had to stop them. He had to destroy every single last one of them. They had infested these streets for far too long. But what was one man to an entire army?

The people of the streets feared him as much as they feared Los Muertos. But he didn’t even care. He was protecting them. Protecting them from the real monsters. He didn’t feel like a vigilante like they labeled him, he felt like a soldier. A soldier sworn to protect the ones that needed it. So he was certain to keep that going until the day he fell in battle. He would roam these streets all night shooting down the undead in his sights.

Every day was like this. Days blended into weeks. Weeks into months and years and so on. In all honesty, he didn’t even know if he could stop. This was all he had ever done. Dressed in red that coated the dead. Blending into the mass murder and destruction of everything around him. Red, all he could see was red. It was all that he had ever known.

Looking down to his weapon, he rested it against his shoulder before walking into the night. Into the shadows, into the darkness leaving the actions that he had done behind. He roamed the streets for hours. Away from the public and further into hidden parts of the town. Until he had reach a certain place. A house in the dark with the lights on inside, smoke coming out of the chimney. Feeling the exhaustion starting to build, he approached the door. Many would’ve ran if he had arrived to their step, but something about this place always drew him in.

Knocking on the door, heavy and firm to announce his presence. Hearing the sound of a dog barking further down the alleyway. Counting in his mind slowly, steady to his slow heartbeat. By the time he had reached twenty, the door clicked as a crack of light peaked from the inside. Giving one look over to see a set of eyes on him. There was silence, from the small figure on the other side. Then the door shut before him, leaving him in the dark once more. Nearly missing the warmth of the inside that coaxed him. He counted again. By the time he had reached ten, he could hear chains from the other side of the wooden door. Several locks coming undone until the door was opened wider to present the one on the other side.

You stood there looking up to him. What would normally be a look of fear from others when he faced someone was only a face of concern on yours. Staring at him until you stepped to the side to let him inside. Entering inside slowly, he eased the rifle off of his shoulder as the door closed behind him.

“I didn’t expect you to come so soon.” Your voice spoke up as he entered the home. He placed his rifle onto the table of the small home and began to undo his jacket.

“They all ganged up by the east side,” he spoke in a tone rough and rugged as his appearance. Walking further into the home until he reached the living room, “Managed to take them all out before they headed to the northern district. They should ease up until tomorrow.”

You followed suit, managing to grab a medical kit from the kitchen. He rested on the sofa just before the fireplace, discarding of his jacket and the shirt beneath it. Presenting a littering array of battle scars, bruises and fresh wounds from the previous fights. He could hear you curse from his side as you sat yourself next to him. Placing the kit by the coffee table as you inspected the injuries.

“Fucking hell you smell like death.” He grunted from that comment glancing over at you while you looked over the pale muscled skin.

“Don’t I always?” Trying to lighten the moment, he only received a huff from you.

“Last thing I need is for my home to smell like the bastards that we have to lock ourselves in from.” Reaching for a cloth that you grabbed from the kitchen, you lightly dabbed the blood causing him to growl in pain. You slowed down until he relaxed against your touch.

“Only keeps them further away. It’s more protection than having those locks on the door.” He felt you stop at the truth in his words.

“I should’ve not let you in. Maybe then you will finally go to the hospital to get real treatment instead of relying on me.” He frowned at those words and shook his head.

“I told you before: no hospitals. I don’t need them calling the morgue when all I have is a few cuts and bruises.” You scoffed as you returned to tending to his injuries.

“It’s more than just a few bumps and bruises 76,” He looked away as you prepared to stitch up a few of the cuts, “you’ve come to me with broken bones, internal bleeding and even collapsing at my doorstep.”

Recalling each one of those moments, he lowered his gaze at the memories. Remembering the time the two of you had met. He was wandering aimlessly from the first few attacks, almost on the verge of passing out. Suddenly he found yourself in his home, while his wounds were tended to. Since then he had always come to you. Everytime he entered your home, he was ready to take on the world in no time. Even if you assisted on the minor injuries, his body would be good as new the next day. He was unsure what the cause of the miraculous recovery was. Not seeing you as any sort of witch or doctor. You had asked him if he was just lucky, he slowly began to agree with that. To think at one point he wouldn’t have asked for anyone’s help. But now he was here any chance he could. Leaning back against the sofa looking into the flame of the fire, he let out a sigh.

“Yet I’m still moving,” He could see the disappointment in your face as you cleaned up the last of the marks, “don’t look at me like that, you know I have to do this.”

“No you don’t, you decided to do this yourself,” You told him with a tone that made him feel like he hurt you, “You say you have to stop Los Muertos but the undead is endless.”

“Someone has to do it.”

“Well it doesn’t have to be you!” You snapped pulling away. He looked at you surprised at the sudden rise of your voice. Noticing the grip you had on the bloodied cloth, “You say you want to stop them all, but what happens when you do? What are you going to do when it ends? If it ends?”

He had never asked himself that before. What would he do once he completed his mission? Taking a second as the crackling of the fire roamed in his head, he found his answer.

“It will end, once it does, I go into the next town,” he could already feel you being upset from his response as he continued, “the war goes on, bad guys pop up everywhere and someone has to put an end t-“

“So you’re never going to stop? You’re just going to keep going until you die aren’t you?” Looking over, he watched as you looked away from him. Resting your elbow on the back of the couch, covering your mouth as he could see the night glistened the sadness in your eyes. He felt a sting in his heart, something he hadn’t really felt before. As if what he was doing was suddenly wrong. But this was all he knew what to do. He tightened his hands into a fist and tried to speak up.

“I-“He felt his tongue swell. Unable to come up with the proper response. The silence not helping the tension as you shook your head and got up.

“Foods in the microwave if you’re hungry. You know where the shower and sheet spread is. If you need me just knock as usual.” you got up and grabbed the kit to take with you. He watched as you moved away, having some odd feeling that he should reach up and keep you close. But why would he want that from someone he hardly knew?

“Wait.” He called for you as you stopped before your bedroom door. The one you kept yourself in when he needed to rest up for the day. You hesitated to look back as you opened your door. Turning to him with a gaze he had never seen from you before.

“Goodnight 76…lock up when you leave.” Your words cut through him as you closed the door behind you. Leaving him there in his new patched up bandages.

He sat there in silence for a long time. Looking into the fire with his crimson eyes. Normally he would make himself acquainted to the hospitality. But his heart wasn’t in the right place. This was to feel like home to him, but this night it felt different. It didn’t help that he could hear your faint sobs the rest of the time. Leaving him restless as he was unsure whether or not to disturb your rest. What was a soldier where there is no war to fight? What was he? More importantly…who was he?

To be continued

#overwatch #overwatch scenarios #overwatch imagines #soldier:76 #soldier76 #soldier:76 x reader #jack morrison #jack morrison x reader #overwatch au #immortal!Soldier:76

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theunrealinsomniac · 6 years

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General: 10, Romantic: 5, Family/Parenthood: 6 & 7. Keep up the amazing stuff :D

Yay! First one, and four to go through. Ooo and some big oneslol.

So let’s get started!

General - 10 - Who out of their friends was smuggest about themgetting together?

Heh. It depends on how you regard Tsunade really. Because she’dset up a poll on when the two would admit it. And she WON. She never let thatgo.

But I think it’s kind of a given that when we say friends wemean the ones around the same age lol. At least in this context.

So, say it with me kids.

INO!

Come on lol, she was the one trying to push them together foryears, so much so that she did a massive ‘I told you so!’ dance in thefaces of everyone who had doubted her betting the two would get together.

She was downright insufferable about it guys. Like she was anightmare about it. It went on for months. Hell she was still mentioning itoccasionally when they’d been married for a few years.

Ino is that friend who is sat at your ten year anniversarytaking credit for the whole relationship starting in the first place becauseshe’d masterminded it. She’s that woman.

And she’s not entirely wrong because:

Romantic - 5 - Did they try to keep their relationship a secret atall?

Yes. Yes, they did.

Which is why, as far as Sakura is concerned at least. There weretwo amounts of time they’d been together. The official version she tells peoplewho don’t need to know the messy details.

And then there’s the actual version. How they were hooking upand basically a couple for almost half a year before they were ‘caught’ and hadto come clean.

Ino was the one who caught them. Meaning the one who’s resolve broke first. Because she was sharing a apartment with Sakura and also … well truth be told, they’re not subtle.

ANYONE who knew them even a little could tell that they were both miles happier than usual, and the ones who weren’t living in denial or were painfully naive, knew why. Anyone unfortunate enough to go on a mission with them would get to have it proven that the two were having sex. Energetically and enthusiastically so.

Sasuke brought earplugs. He spent the first couple years of his time in Konoha having to go on all missions outside of the village with an escort. The mission mentioned in the bit of writing I did for yesterday’s NaruSaku week event, please find here, was the first one when Sasuke used his earplugs.

Because he couldn’t listen to two people he’d known since before puberty fuck like catholic rabbits in springtime. He just couldn’t. Not again.

It doesn’t help that they both had terrible poker faces about it and, now she was letting him, Naruto was determined to be as romantic whenever he could.

Naruto sent Sakura flowers on her birthday, to the ward she works in at the hospital no less, that had all the people Sakura worked with quizzing her about Naruto dropping them off and asking if he was her boyfriend.

And Sakura was too flustered and smitten with the gesture to deny that he was in fact her boyfriend. And Naruto didn’t stop doing things like that, and still hasn’t now they’re married and in their forties.

Sakura’s screw ups were a little less sweet. Because as I have established, my Sakura is the queen of perverts lol. The stupid girl needed to talk about all the good sex she was getting. And she was not very good at covering up the details on WHO she was sleeping with.

Out of the girls in their social circle, which grew with the inter-village politics improving, only Hinata was actively trying to ignore Sakura’s mention of whiskers and a seal that only ‘define the sexy muscles of his six pack!’

Plus she kept blowing off girly nights to hang out with Naruto, and when asked as to why she was spending so much time with Naruto … she would blush and get a dirty little look on her face.

So simply put? They tried. And were allowed to believe they were successful. Until Ino couldn’t take it anymore.

But hey, they tried lol.

Family/Parenthood - 6 - How did Naruto react when Sakura told himshe was pregnant?

Depends which time you mean. They’ve got four kids lol.

But let’s go with the first one this time. Cus it’s the funniest.

Naruto was ecstatic. Then he was terrified. Then he was paranoid and then he was nervous. And he would cycle through those reactions for months.

Because I don’t know if it’s been mentioned but … they were not expecting Sachi. At all. I’ve touched on why in my previous headcanon list, read this to see a little about it, but suffice to say, two very horny muppets in their early twenties decided to risk no protection and so along came Sachi.

Thankfully, Naruto and Sakura were well into their relationship at this point. Good few years at this point and so, it wasn’t as big of a problem as it could have been.

It just escalated a couple of things. They were already living together but now they needed a house. Naruto had been considering the best way to ask her to marry him for a couple months the moment Sakura passed him the positive pregnancy test. There was a ring on her finger within a month. The wedding being planned for after the baby was born.

So yeah, Naruto’s reaction to his girlfriend telling him she was pregnant first time … was probably about what you’d expect from a bloke already planning his future with said woman.

Ecstatic terror lol.

Family/Parenthood - 7 - How did Sakura react when she found outshe was pregnant?

We’ll go first time again, because if I get asked this one again I can do it three times lol.

Sakura, yeah Sakura freaked out.

Like she wasn’t worried Naruto would leave her or be anything other than the perfect man about it.

Because again, they’d been together for years, weddings and babies had been mentioned and even a little planned for. But always as something to be done when they were older.

She had some seriously deep conversations with a few people. She went to Ino first.

She couldn’t tell her parents and she knew Ino would keep it between them.

It was Ino who floated the idea of maybe getting an abortion. And Sakura would be lying if she said the idea hadn’t appealed to her. Something she said through tears when she admitted it to Naruto a couple of months into her pregnancy. Naruto was perfect about it of course and Sakura’s hormones made her want to hit him for it, kiss him for it and shake him for it for good measure.

But they were still so young and a child would be a life altering thing. An earth-shattering big thing to happen to both of them and what if they weren’t ready?But the thought of aborting Naruto and her’s child … Sakura couldn’t stomach it.

So with a lot of soul searching and talking it through with Naruto … they decided to keep the baby who would become Sachi Uzumaki.

And at any time when Sakura would question the logic of her decision … she would only need to look in Sachi’s eyes, or watch Naruto feed their daughter and she’d know.

She’d made the right decision.

#ask theunrealinsomniac #narusaku headcanons #narusaku #naruto uzumaki #sakura haruno #thanks for asking!#thebigyangtheory #it feels good to be doing these again lol #i hope you guys keep asking!#q and a

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backtothestart02 · 6 years

Text

Reluctantly Attracted - 1/1 | snowells fanfiction

A/N: First snowells fic! Still can’t believe these two were the most voted for on my poll. Unreal. Enjoy if you decide to read!

*Many thanks to @valeriemperez for beta’ing.

Synopsis: AU - Harry and Caitlin have been without love for too long. Jesse and Cisco have decided to help them find it again - with each other.

Jesse stood in front of her father’s wide-open closet and hummed as she eyed each shirt inside it. Harry sighed aloud when she resorted to clicking her tongue against the top of her mouth.

“This really isn’t necessary, Jesse.”

She stopped, hummed once, then pulled out a shirt and showcased it against her form as she smiled at him.

“Yes, Dad, I really think it is.”

He stared at the garment, then at her, then back at the garment.

“It was in your closet, Dad. You can’t complain that you don’t like it.”

“Well, I don’t.”

“You’re just saying that because you don’t want to go. You’d say that about anything I picked out.”

He stood up, crossed the room to her, snatched the hanger out of her hands and fit the shirt back from where she’d pulled it.

“You’re right,” he said, looking back at her. “I would.”

“Dad.” She pulled the shirt out again. “You have to go on this date.”

He sighed and adjusted his glasses.

“Look, Jesse, I went to the speed-dating thing like you asked. It was terrible. How about we just chalk it up to an experience and move on with our lives, okay?”

He tried to take the shirt from her, but she refused to budge.

“Fine. Keep the shirt,” he muttered under his breath as he turned away from her, giving up the battle.

“It’s been ten years, Dad,” Jesse said softly as she watched her dad sit back down on the corner of his bed. “Mom’s… She’s gone.”

“I know.”

“She wouldn’t want you to be stuck like this.”

“I’m not stuck.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Then what are you?” she pushed.

“I’m… I’m fine,” he said, exasperated again. “My life is fine. I’m content. I’ve got you and my research. I’ve got the lab and the museum. I’ve got colleagues.”

“None that like you,” she pointed out, sitting beside him on the bed, hanger still clutched in her hand.

“That’s-that’s not…true.”

“It is true,” she assured. “I’m the only person on the face of this planet who actually likes you.”

Harry turned to face his daughter and scoffed.

“And sometimes I don’t even like you.”

He frowned, his face scrunching together, and she laughed.

“But this girl seemed to like you, right?” She nudged his shoulder.

He sighed. “Jesse…” He looked away.

“I believe you described her as ‘anatomically attractive and surprisingly intelligent for her age’,” she repeatedly mockingly.

“Far too young for me,” he muttered in response.

She rolled her eyes. “Do you even know how old she is?”

He said nothing.

“How old did she look?”

“Not old enough,” he grumbled, then got to his feet and turned to face her. “Look, Jesse, I appreciate what you’re trying to do here, I do. But I’ve already had the great love of my life. I don’t need another one; and, as you said, I’m not compatible with anyone.”

She got to her feet and gripped his shoulders.

“She said yes, didn’t she?”

His eyebrows narrowed. “I wasn’t the one who set up the date.”

“But she said yes!” She smacked him lightly. “She knows you have a daughter who’s almost twenty and that you’re practically insufferable, and she said yes.”

He studied her for a while, then looked away, contemplating. There is that.

“What are you doing tonight?” he asked off-handedly, only half-interested in what her answer would be.

Jesse didn’t take it that way.

“Oh, no, no, no, you don’t. You’re not turning this around on me. This is about you and ending your singlehood for good.”

A red flag was thrown before his eyes, the tone in her voice sending out blaring sounds in his mind. He turned to face her, eyes narrowed.

“You’re going to do something I don’t like?”

He expected her jaw to drop, a gasp to escape, and her to insist nothing suspicious was going on. Perhaps she would beg for his forgiveness and immediately change her plans to include them just relaxing with a chess game and some whiskey – for him.

He should’ve known better though. She was his daughter, after all.

Eyes faintly narrowed, she calmly responded – though not without a hint of fire in her tone.

“Wally’s coming over.”

“Wally.”

The non-question told her everything she needed to know, but she swore she wouldn’t give in to the urge to defend her relationship again.

“Yeah. We’re going to study.”

He scoffed. “Study what? Anatomy?”

“Physics.”

He took a step towards her.

“If you think I’m going to let you push me out of the house just so you and your community college boyfriend-”

“Mechanical engineering, Dad,” she reminded him, barely keeping her irritation under control. “And what the hell is wrong with community college? He’s transferring to the University next year, and he’s extremely smart. Put the two of us together, and we could rival you.”

He snorted. “I doubt that.”

She folded her arms and waited, one eyebrow arched.

He sighed and snatched the shirt from her arms.

“Just give me the damn thing.” He trudged towards the bathroom. “I’m taking a shower.” The door slammed.

Jesse smiled to herself and plopped down on the bed, then took the liberty of skipping downstairs and awaiting the presence of her boyfriend Wally West.

She was an inch away from dropping herself onto the couch when she heard a timid knock at the door. Already falling backward, she used the momentum to push herself back up and went to see who was at the door. Her jaw dropped when she looked through the peephole – first because of the visitor’s dressy attire and second because she had a very unnerving feeling this wasn’t just any woman.

She mentally prepared herself, clearing her mind of all negativity as she twisted the doorknob and pulled the heavy wood slate inward.

“Hi.”

“Jesse, right?”

She told herself to remain strong. If she knew her name, that meant she wasn’t the jealous type, even as young as she looked.

“Caitlin?”

“Yeah.” She forced a polite smile.

Uh-oh.

“You look…really nice,” Jesse said, admiring the sparkly black dress that went to her knees.

“T-Thanks.” She appeared briefly flustered but quickly recovered. “Look, Jesse, the reason I’m here-”

“You weren’t supposed to pick up my dad, were you? I thought he was going to pick you up – or as a last resort you’d meet at the place, but I’d definitely scold him for that.”

“I need to cancel.”

Jesse’s eyes went wide as saucers. “What?”

“Yeah, I just…” She looked nervously down at her fidgeting fingers. “It’s been a long time since I’ve dated someone.”

“Uh-huh.” Jesse’s eyebrows narrowed.

“And I just…” She licked her lips, then looked up at the younger girl before her whose face immediately smoothed out. “I don’t know if I’m ready.” She paused, then added quickly. “Besides, I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“Oh, I think he will,” Jesse said, even though she suspected she would mind more.

“Yeah…” she trailed off distractedly, then, “Wait. He will?”

Jesse’s heart rate sped up. “Mhmm. Definitely. He was really looking forward to this date.”

Her jaw dropped. “He was?”

“Is that so hard to believe?” Jesse was genuinely shocked, even if she was kind of toeing the line with the truth she was telling.

“Well, I mean…yeah. His daughter set us up – no offense.”

“None taken.”

“How interested could he really be if he couldn’t ask me out himself?”

Jesse debated how many of her father’s secrets to spill, then decided to take the plunge. He’d thank her later.

“Someone who’s equally nervous about dating again,” she said gently.

“What do you mean?” Her brows furrowed.

Jesse hesitated again. “I think that’s for him to tell…” she said carefully.

“Right.” She waved that off. “Of course. Sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”

“But,” she inserted gently, making sure to capture her attention before continuing. “You should know that while I did badger him into going to that speed-dating thing the other night… You were the only one that caught his attention the whole evening.”

Caitlin blushed slightly, and Jesse smiled to herself.

“Really?”

“Mhmmm.”

“How…how do you know that?” She was fidgeting again.

Jesse bit her bottom lip, hardly able to contain her excitement.

“I believe his exact words were ‘there was one person that wasn’t completely intolerable.’”

Caitlin frowned. “That doesn’t sound like the best compliment.”

“I pressed him for more,” she continued, tempted to jump up onto her toes with how Caitlin was hanging onto every word. “He told me you were, and I quote, ‘anatomically attractive and surprisingly intelligent for her age’.”

She blinked. “That…that’s uh…” She licked her lips again.

“He thinks you’re too young for him.”

Her eyes widened. “Am I?”

“No.” She snorted.

“You don’t even know how old I am.”

“How old are you?”

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s none of your business now, is it?”

Jesse laughed. “My point exactly.”

Her defensiveness morphed into confusion. “I don’t…”

“I have a suggestion.” She stepped out into the cool night air to turn Caitlin around and direct her back to her car. “How about you head on over to the restaurant, and I’ll have my dad meet you there.”

“But-”

“If neither of you feel inclined to picking each other up, that gets rid of have your nerves.”

“I don’t think-”

“Also, tell Cisco he’s dead meat.”

She stopped in her tracks and stared at her wide-eyed.

“You…You know Cisco?”

She smiled serenely. “He’s been the guest teacher for the last two months in my boyfriend’s mechanical engineering class.”

It took her a while to close her mouth.

“But…but how do you know him?”

“We share a love of science.”

…

The restaurant was only half-full, and it was very nice, complete with fine dining and live music that could be heard in throughout the entire restaurant without being too overbearing. If only she could calm her nerves enough to stop dwelling on the fact that Harrison Wells was not late, but she was incredibly early.

She lifted her fingers to her ear and pressed the button on the device inside.

“Cisco Ramon, I am going to kill you.”

From the other end came a sigh.

“You’re not the only one, apparently.”

“How could you set me up like this?” she seethed, keeping her voice as low as possible. “He’s totally going to stand me up. And making a match with a college student? With her dad? That’s low even for you.”

He scoffed. “Because you were doing so well finding yourself a date.”

She bit her tongue.

“Cait, it’s been over two years since Ronnie died.”

She held in the tears that always started to surface at the mention of her late husband’s name.

“I know you’re lonely.”

“Cisco…”

“I’m your best friend, but friendship can only get you so far. Especially when you only have one friend.”

She scoffed. “That’s hardly-”

“You don’t have a great bedside manner. You haven’t since the accident, and anyone who gives a truthful answer will tell me that.”

She pouted. “I’m just particular. I have standards. When people fall short, I call them out on it. That’s called being a good co-worker.”

“It’s what would make you a good supervisor if you’d actually let yourself rise in the ranks. But you won’t.”

She frowned slightly, looking down at her plate and running her finger along the silverware.

“From what Jesse has told me about her dad…you two may be more alike than you think.”

That got her attention. “What do you mean?”

Cisco smiled to himself. “If I told you that, you’d have nothing to talk about.”

“Cisco-” She gasped.

“What? What is it?”

“Oh, my God…”

“Caitlin, what is it?” He felt sweat droplets form on his forehead.

She swallowed hard. “He’s here.”

He relaxed. “I told you he wouldn’t-”

Click.

Cisco frowned as only silence greeted him.

“Well, that’s rude.”

…

Harry scanned the room for the pretty brunette he’d met last week. He told himself he wouldn’t remember what she looked like. If she didn’t see him before he decided he hadn’t seen her, he could easily claim to his daughter that he’d been stood up, and maybe she’d drop this whole dating nonsense.

But of course, that cleverly crafted plan went straight out the window when he saw the vision that had haunted him for the past week sitting at a corner table, directly in his line of sight.

“Dammit,” he muttered under his breath.

She was even more spectacular than the last time he’d seen her. Then she’d been as annoyed as he was at having to partake in that stupid speed-dating venture. She’d hardly met his eyes, and she was still in her work clothes, eager to have the night over with. Still, after she’d left the event that night he couldn’t help but think about her. Now – tonight – she looked even more stunning. Her shoulder-length hair was perfectly curled, her make-up perfection, and the sparkling black dress she wore quite literally made it unable to look away.

When her eyes met his from across the room, he knew he wouldn’t be leaving any time soon.

Caitlin Snow was stunning.

“Ms. Snow,” he greeted curtly when he arrived at the table.

“Harrison.” She smiled politely in return.

He remembered his daughter’s advice to keep things casual and not put up a million walls between him and his date.

“Please, it’s Harry.”

She blinked, then flushed slightly, reminding him of her younger age.

“Harry.”

“Just how young are you, Ms. Snow?” he asked, taking a seat and eyeing her cryptically.

He glanced over at the white wine sitting in a slanted case on the table. I prefer red. Already a bad sign.

“Caitlin,” she corrected, a little unnerved.

“I prefer Ms. Snow,” he said in return, unbothered.

Her eyebrows narrowed.

“You had no problem calling me Caitlin at the speed-dating event last week.”

“Where we chatted for all of thirty seconds, and you couldn’t even look me in the eye?”

Stop ruining it. You’re ruining it!

But he couldn’t seem to stop.

“You’re the one who couldn’t ask me out yourself,” she spat back, suddenly extremely courageous and blindsiding him because of it. “Tell me, does your daughter do everything for you or is she simply a maid in your household who also handles your personal acquaintances?”

“Leave my daughter out of this,” he nearly growled.

“I’m thirty-two,” she snapped. “Happy?”

Thirty-two.

He pondered that, briefly unconcerned by the anger fuming in her eyes.

At least she wasn’t in her twenties. She wasn’t anywhere near the forty-something he was, but he supposed he could do worse.

“You look young for your age,” he finally said.

“Too young, I’m guessing?”

“I didn’t say that, Caitlin.”

She was about to retaliate again, but his mention of her name calmed her nerve ends firing off rapidly. She told herself to calm down and relaxed in her seat.

She should leave. She should just get up and go.

But his inquisitive eyes, sharp attire, and sudden decency stopped her.

Lord, help me.

“We should probably order,” she muttered under her breath.

“Good idea,” he said, swiftly picking up a menu. “What were you thinking? Steak?”

She blinked, rendered speechless.

“What?” he asked, looking at her over his menu.

“Nothing, I just…” The How did you know? was left unspoken.

He smiled, and that devilish charm she’d seen in him a week prior made her heart flutter in her chest.

“You seemed like a-”

“Steak kind of girl?” she suggested, scolding herself immediately after for the corny line.

“A woman who enjoys the finer things in life,” he corrected.

She relaxed.

When the waiter came to take their orders, Caitlin gave hers, and when it was Harry’s turn he rattled off a most pleasant request.

“I’ll have the same.”

…

She was trembling a little when he asked her to dance. After the rocky start to their date, Caitlin hardly expected it. In fact, despite the very minor small talk, neither had spoken all that much since their food arrived. It had been a little exciting when he started to talk about the research he’d been doing in his lab for the past several years. As a bio-engineer, everything about science fascinated her. It was nice to find a kindred spirit in that. Cisco certainly enjoyed the explanation behind how everything worked, in both scientific and mechanical areas, but this was the first man she could honestly say she knew that was on her level or perhaps even a little above it. That should have intimidated her a little, but she found it more alluring than ever.

Unfortunately, once the food arrived all conversation on that stopped. The only thing Harry did aside from eat was comment on both the negative and positive aspects of their dining experience. Caitlin could only nod along half-heartedly as she chewed her food, eager not to open her mouth while doing so.

She wanted to know so much more about him and what he loved. She’d hardly been paying attention to their service, because she’d been so focused on their date and if it would warrant another. The neglected bottle of white wine on the table worried her. She preferred red, but she could’ve sworn she read somewhere that men usually preferred white. That never sounded quite right to her, and now she wondered if she’d imagined it or remembered it wrong. Regardless, it was clear Harry didn’t like it; and with no real conversation transpiring between them, she dwelled on that failing much more than she should have.

But that was until – “Would you like to dance?”

“Sure,” came tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop it, and then he was taking her hand and leading her onto the dance floor, and her heart was pounding in her chest.

The song was slow and jazz, and when Harry put his hand on her waist and pulled her slightly closer, she thought she might stop breathing.

“You know what you’re doing,” she said a while later as he spun her around, looking so handsome while doing so.

“I’ve done it before,” he said, amused as he gathered her back into his arms.

She caught her breath. “Recently?”

He seemed to somber suddenly, and she wondered how she could’ve been the one to ruin things this time.

“Not in over ten years,” he admitted.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, a concerned frown on her face.

He shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

Hurt started to seep through her. There was something he wasn’t telling her. Something important. She knew it was their first date, and she had a significant secret she was withholding from him too. Still, she wanted to know him. She wanted to know who Harry Wells was beneath his arrogant, cynical demeanor. She knew there was a heart in there somewhere. She refused to believe she’d be so drawn to him otherwise.

“Tell me about Jesse,” she said softly.

He blinked, surprised by the change in topic.

“You want to know about my daughter?”

She shrugged. “She’s the one who set us up, isn’t she?”

“I suppose so.”

“Tell me about her.”

“Well…” He continued to sway with her. “She definitely got her smarts and her stubborn streak from me.”

Caitlin laughed, then asked the question she’d been afraid to since the moment his daughter had asked her on a date on her father’s behalf.

“And from her mother?”

He met her eyes and slowed his feet, but he didn’t stop, which she took as a good sign.

“Her beauty.”

She forced a smile, then glanced at his hand, spotting a wedding band on his ring finger. Her eyes widened, and she halted entirely.

“You-you’re not-are you…” she stuttered. She would’ve backed out of his embrace entirely if he hadn’t held onto her.

“I’m not,” he told her before she could run away with any assumptions. “She’s been gone for ten years.”

“Oh.”

He took a breath, apparently summoning all the courage he had in him.

“You want to end the date now?”

“Only if you do.”

His brows furrowed.

“I lost my husband two years ago.”

“I’m…I’m so sorry.”

“On our anniversary.”

“Oh, my God, Caitlin, I-”

“I guess Cisco was right.” She chuckled to herself.

“Cisco?” he asked, confused.

She made no attempt to inform him.

“You and I are more alike than I thought.”

…

Despite her protests, Harry insisted he would not be leaving her to go home alone. When she pointed out they’d taken separate cars, he said they’d both drive to her place and then he’d drive home. She thought that made absolutely no sense whatsoever, but then few things during this date had been the norm. She supposed there was nothing wrong with him following her home just so he could say goodnight on her doorstep.

She smiled awkwardly at him when she stepped out of her car. He only nodded and came to join her, surprising her again when they met at the cement steps leading to her house and he took her hands in his, intertwining their fingers.

“You’re always surprising me, Harry,” she said by explanation of the gasp that had slipped out of her.

“Hopefully in a good way,” he said, turning to face her when they reached her door.

“That is yet to be decided,” she said, but her tone was playful.

“And a second date?” he asked hopefully.

“That too,” she said, but she was on cloud nine. After the off-balance night they’d had, she was surprised he wanted to try another.

He nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly, obviously taking that as a rejection.

“Well, goodnight then, Ms-”

“I mean, yes!” she said quickly as he turned to walk away. She laughed when he turned to face her again, wide-eyed. “I don’t need time to think, just time to decide a date.” She bubbled over with laughter.

Despite himself, he smiled. “I’ll check my schedule.”

“And I’ll check mine,” she declared, smiling wide.

It had to be the biggest smile he’d seen in a while.

God, she’s beautiful.

Before he could second-guess himself, he leaned in quickly and kissed the corner of her mouth, eliciting another gasp from her.

“Did you miss on purpose?” she asked when he pulled away.

He smiled genuinely. “I have to save some things for our second date.”

She bit her bottom lip.

“Good night, Caitlin,” he said releasing her fingers he’d still held lightly in his hands.

“Good night, Harry.”

She watched him as he left and then slipped inside her doorway, watching him from her window until his car turned the corner at the end of the street.

…

He was so confused and yet so very happy from his experience with Caitlin Snow that he hardly registered the moans coming from the living room until he stepped in the front door and was halfway to the kitchen.

“Jesse.”

Instantly, she broke away from her boyfriend who looked smitten and content and horny – and then terrified at seeing his girlfriend’s father staring at them from the other side of the room.

“Dad! We were just-”

“Studying?” he asked flatly.

Jesse had the grace to blush.

“Well, we were.”

He snorted, then directed his gaze to the boy beside her.

“Wallace. Leave. My daughter needs to study.”

“Dad!”

He looked at her pointedly, and she relented.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Wally,” she muttered, her heart sinking.

Wally remedied that by pressing a quick kiss to her cheek and then making as smooth of an exit as he could manage, accidentally slamming the front door behind him as he bolted.

Harry didn’t turn to look, and neither did Jesse.

“How did your date go?” she asked, bouncing to her feet and crossing the room towards him.

“Oh, no, no, no, you do not get to change the subject on me like that. What I saw just now-”

“Is nothing you haven’t seen before,” she reminded him, coming to a stop. “Tell me about your date.”

He sighed, not a mood for any further arguments tonight. He knew she would win them.

“It was a disaster, Jesse.”

Her heart sank. “It was?”

“Completely.”

“So you’re not going out again?”

He could not keep up the façade with that dejected look on her face. She was and forever would be his weakness.

“I didn’t say that.”

Her eyes lit up, and she straightened. He was surprised she didn’t jump up and down in her clear hopefulness.

“So you are. It wasn’t a complete disaster.” She held her breath, waiting for his response.

“Goodnight, Jesse,” he said, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. Then he started for the staircase.

Her brows furrowed. “Wait. What. Dad!”

“Goodnight, Jesse,” he repeated, climbing the stairs.

“Dad!” No response. “Well, did you kiss her, at least?”

“Goodnight,” he said calmly, now at the top.

“Dad!”

He turned the corner to his room, closing the door to his daughter’s imploring questions and calling out to him. He kicked off his shoes, shrugged out of his jacket, unbuttoned his shirt, and lay back at his bed. He stared up at the ceiling for a while and then let his thoughts travel back to the pleasant aspects of the evening. Caitlin in that dress. Caitlin not leaving at any point during the date. That sweet end to their date on her doorstep. The promise of another date in the future.

He closed his eyes and remembered the feeling – the very specific, sensual, heartwarming feeling – of Caitlin Snow’s body in his arms.

“I mean, yes!”

He smiled to himself, a contented whisper on his lips.

“Absolutely stunning.”

*Also posted on AO3 and FFnet.

#snowells #snowells fanfiction #backtothestart02 fanfiction #harry x caitlin #au #harry wells #caitlin snow #jesse quick #cisco ramon #quickwest #wally x jesse

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whatliesabove-blog1 · 6 years

Text

small, quiet room

Chapter eleven | ao3

It's Saturday night when Joyce finally musters up the courage to give Hopper a call.

The boys have migrated to their bedrooms, and after checking to make sure Will's tucked in nice and snug and Jonathan's situated with his headphones in, as per usual, she strides back into the kitchen and stands in front of the phone. It's simple, really. Pick up the phone, dial the number, wait for him to answer.

Simple, perhaps, if the state of her and her son's lives didn't ride on the outcome of the phone call in question.

Simple, she scoffs at herself.

Nothing about this is simple. There are a number of adjectives she'd use to describe this situation and simple doesn't even breach the list. It's not even on the radar.

It's just after 10:00 and she knows he's off of work by now, knows he wouldn't already be asleep. There's really no reason at all for her not to call, other than her own fears, her own selfish pride.

Sucking it up she grabs at the phone, if not a little aggressively, and dials Hop's number. It rings once, twice, before he picks it up. A part of her was wishing he would be asleep, or out of the house, or something else that resulted in there being no answer.

"Hop, hi."

Keep it normal, Joyce. Anything else would be suspicious.

"Joyce? Is everything okay? Is it Will?"

She really should call him more, that way he doesn’t assume the worst when she does, doesn't assume the world is ending or her son has been taken again. The concern in his voice warms her skin, though. The slight edge tells her he's ready to run out the door if he needs to.

It’s sweet.

"Everything's fine," she assures him. She even manages a laugh, as if that's a ridiculous assumption. "What, a friend can't call her friend?"

"They can," he says slowly, and she wonders by the gravely tone of his voice if he was lying down. "It's just that you usually don't."

"I should."

"You should," Hop agrees. "So what's the occasion then?"

Taking a steeling breath, Joyce turns so her back is resting against the wall just beside the phone. The cord gets twisted around her arm but she doesn't mind, instead takes hold of it and twirls it around her fingers to calm her nerves.

"What's your blood type?"

There, it's out.

There's a brief silence. "I'm sorry?"

"Blood type, Hop. Do you know yours?" she asks, voice purposely light.

"You're not planning to murder me in my sleep, are you? Because I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be the one helping you hide the body and, well, I can't do that if I'm the body."

That pulls a genuine laugh from her throat, and she gives a little roll of her eyes. "I wasn't, but now that you mention it I did have a problem with the way you shoveled your truck out the other day. Very poor form."

"And that's obviously grounds for murder."

"Of course."

Hopper snorts. "I'm sorry you don't approve of my snow-removing technique."

"Apology accepted. I suppose the murder can be pushed back to a later date."

"Thanks," he grunts, but there's amusement on his end. She can tell. "Really, what's with the question?"

Karen's excuses in mind, she pulls her lips into a thin line.

"I saw something in one of Jonathan's school books about the rarest blood types," she says, aiming for nonchalance, "and I realized mine's super rare. Karen's is really common, so I was curious about yours."

"So you're... polling your friends' blood types?"

"I'm bored, okay, Hop? Not much goes on around here after 6:00."

He laughs, the sound soothing her to the core. "Okay, okay." He pauses, makes a low, thoughtful noise. "I'm... AB+, I think? So, how rare's that?"

She doesn't register the question as he asks it, just gets tunnel vision as soon as he says he's AB+. Lonnie's A- and she's B- so... they're all AB, B, or A, which means Jonathan's blood type should show to be compatible. Oh, thank god. Heaving out a sigh of relief, Joyce nearly slides down the wall before she gets caught in the phone cord and realizes what she's doing.

"Joyce?"

Blinking, she clears her throat. "Hmm?"

"How rare is that?"

"Oh—pretty rare, I think." She doesn't actually know, didn't really look at any of Jonathan's biology books, but she figures it's a 50/50 shot. It's either rare or it's not, and she's never known anyone else to have that blood type, so odds are it's gotta be rare, right? "Always got to live to the beat of your own drum, don't you."

Now that she's content Jonathan won't encounter any odd results, she can breathe again.

He grumbles. "You know it."

When he lets out a long yawn, she tells him to go to sleep and get some rest. He objects, insists he's not tired, but at the second yawn she's having none of it and threatens to hang up on him if he doesn't just go already.

"Night, Hop."

He murmurs a goodnight into her ear and then she's hanging the phone back into place and clutching at her chest. Blowing out a breath, she leans back against the wall and allows her eyes to flutter closed.

That was close; too close for comfort.

But for the time being she can breathe easy, and so with a flick of a switch she basks the kitchen in darkness and patters down the hallway into her own bedroom for what will likely be the first restful night of sleep she's had in a while.

On Monday morning she wakes not with a feeling of absolute dread but one of contentment. Wandering into the kitchen she finds Jonathan working on eggs and bacon, and she walks up behind him, presses a kiss to his hair.

"Morning, Mom," he says, keeping his eyes on the pan in front of him.

"Did you wake Will?"

Jonathan turns for a second. "I heard noise in his room when I got up so I figured he was already awake."

She pushes back the instinctive panic that latches onto her throat and gives Jonathan a look. "I'll go check on him," she says a little hastily, sprinting down the hallway and to her son's bedroom. Broaching the door, she gives a little knock before easing it open. "Will?"

Her chest loosens at the sight of him, standing at the foot of his bed with his school bag propped up. "Morning, Mom," he smiles, shoving the final contents into the bag. "I forgot to pack it last night."

Joyce chuckles as he joins her in the doorway, tugs him into her side and ruffles his hair. "It's okay, baby," she says, squeezing his shoulder. "Give me your bag; I'll put it by the door while you eat your breakfast."

Will hands her his backpack with a grateful grin and skips into the kitchen, sliding into one of the chairs. He starts talking to his brother, something about a game she doesn't understand, and then Jonathan puts some scrambled eggs and bacon onto a plate for him.

"Mom?"

"Oh I'm okay, sweetheart."

"You have to eat something," he counters, fixing her with a look that's so very Hop it's almost startling. She's taken aback by it because she's not used to it; or maybe she's just never made the connection before, not when she was too busy relegating it to the back burner. "You have work all day, and we all know you won't make yourself lunch to bring in."

With a small laugh she acquiesces, bows her head in surrender as she joins her boys at the table.

"Thank you, Jonathan," she says when he puts a plate in front of her. He's filled it rather generously, as if she doesn't eat at all and this will be her only meal for the entire week. “Jeez, I'm eating for two here."

The two of them look at her oddly, and she pauses, fork halfway to her mouth. "What?"

"Mom?"

"What?" Putting the eggs down, she just stares back at them for a second before it dawns on them. "Oh. Boys, relax," she laughs. "I just meant that you put a lot of food on my plate, Jonathan."

Both of their faces tinge a light shade of pink, but she watches Will's shoulders relax and Jonathan shoots her a sheepish smile.

"Sorry."

Rolling her eyes, she lifts her fork back up and continues to eat her breakfast. She really has no idea where Jonathan got his cooking skills because it certainly isn't from her, and neither Lonnie nor Hopper, to the best of her knowledge, are any better than she is.

She picks at a piece of bacon. "Really, you two."

"Sorry, Mom," Will echoes his brother. "It'd just be... weird."

Her eldest nods along. "Really weird."

"Okay, well I'm not pregnant so this conversation can end right here," she says, pushing her seat back and standing. "Now let's go, you two are going to be late."

Her boys grin at each other but do as they're told, both of them getting up to put their empty dishes into the sink. Joyce hands Will his bookbag when he passes and pulls him into a hug.

"Have a good day, honey."

Jonathan follows not too far behind, and when she gives him a hug he says teasingly into her ear, "I'm glad you're not pregnant, Mom."

Shoving him out the door, she shakes her head. "Go learn something, please," she says, grinning at the sound of Jonathan's laughter that trails behind him.

She stands in the doorway until the car is out of sight, waving to her boys.

Glancing at the clock on the wall she realizes she still has about twenty minutes before she has to leave for work, and so she opts to, for once, actually finish the breakfast Jonathan made for her. She sits back down at the table and chews on some bacon, finishes off the eggs.

She'll be full for the rest of the day, that's for sure.

By the time she gets out of work she's dragging her feet, rubbing at her temples and dying to collapse into bed. Customers were insufferable today, she had the same woman complaining about 15 different things, and she had to re-stock some of the shelves, which means her back is on fire and her feet feel like they're ready to fall off.

Tonight might be the night to test out the heating pad she got for Christmas. Just the mere thought of lying down with it relaxes her the tiniest bit, has her closing her eyes and envisioning it.

The boys are out of school by now, but she's surprised to find Jonathan's car in front of the house. Usually he'll drop his stuff off and then he'll go over to the Wheeler's for a few hours to hang out with Nancy. Sometimes Will goes with him, but other times he'll stay home—it took a long time for her to be okay with Will at home by himself for more than an hour or so, but he’d pleaded and everything has been okay so far.

Walking through the door, she dries her shoes on the floor mat. When she looks up she notices Jonathan's sitting alone at the table.

"Jonathan?" she questions. He's staring at nothing in particular, and it's... a little concerning. "Is everything okay? Where's Will?"

He looks up, shakes his head. "Will's in his room."

"Okay," she says slowly. "What's wrong? Is something going on?"

Her son doesn't say anything for a few minutes and she almost wonders if he heard her at all, if he's not in his own little world right now. Putting her stuff down onto one of the chairs she waits him out, leans her hand on the table and places the other on his arm.

The contact seems to spur something and he lifts his head, looks into her eyes.

"Am I yours?"

Her forehead wrinkles. "What?"

"Your kid. Am I your kid?"

Oh. Her heart speeds up but she keeps her composure, squeezes at his shoulder. "Of course, baby."

He gives a slow nod, wringing his hands together on the surface of the table. "Okay. Then I'm not dad's, am I?"

Eyes wide, her mouth turns to cotton and she feels the sudden urge to throw up. Keeping her hand on his shoulder she slowly lowers herself into the chair; she needs to be sitting for this, right here, no matter now badly her flight response tells her to flee.

"Jonathan," she gives a small laugh, tries to keep calm. "You're—what would make you think that?"

Reaching in front of him, he slides a thick piece of paper stock from the other side of the table; she hadn't even noticed it, but it has four circles at the top and... oh. It's the blood typing test. Pulling it towards her, she stares at it. Two of the circles are more solidly filled in, the other two are a little spotty, but she doesn't...

"I'm sorry, baby, I don't—what does this mean?"

"It means my blood type is A+," Jonathan says, a slight edge to his voice. "I called dad to ask him his blood type when you said you didn't know it. He's A-."

She's a little surprised Jonathan called Lonnie to find out what his blood type is, but it shouldn't be a problem. This doesn't make sense. She's B-, Lonnie's A- and Hopper's apparently AB+. She knew Jonathan was A+, but that shouldn't raise any alarms.

"Okay," she says, trying to understand even as her heart hammers against her ribs. "An A+ baby is normal for parents with A and B blood types, Jonathan."

"Yeah, but you're both Rh-, Mom," Jonathan says, and she can tell he's getting worked up. Exasperated and frustrated and oh, this is exactly what she didn't want to happen. "Two Rh- parents can't have an Rh+ kid."

Joyce's face pales, every ounce of color training from her skin. Her hands feel clammy and she resists the urge to pull them away from her boy and wipe them on the fabric of her jeans.

It's been a long time since she took Biology and while she was never under the impression she was a star student, she did pretty well. Apparently, though, it would seem that everything relating to Rh in the blood slipped away with time. Shit.

She didn't even think about that, doesn’t even remember learning it at all.

All she can do is stare just past Jonathan, avoiding his questioning eyes, his stoic face, and focus on regulating her breathing. It quickens with each passing second, and she has to swallow it back, force herself to glance at him.

"Jonathan..."

"Am I Lonnie's?" is all he says, his voice hard.

That he's already switched to Lonnie and not 'dad' tells her he's pretty much figured it out, just wants her to confirm it. It doesn't hurt as much as it should, probably, that her son is distancing himself from the only father he's ever known. Though truthfully, blood or not, Lonnie's never been parent of the year.

Science doesn't lie, she thinks mournfully, and there's nothing she can do to talk her way out of this one or come up with an explanation.

Gathering every ounce of courage she has, she looks Jonathan in the eyes and gives him a sympathetic, soft expression. She grabs hold of his hand, flinching slightly when his fingers twitch, as if he wants to pull back.

"No."

#jopper #joyce byers #jim hopper #joyce x hopper #dun dun

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at1stsoo · 6 years

Text

Recap of last year’s fics

It’s time to reflect on last year, which was my second calendar year for writing but my first full year, so here’s a fic meme rundown on my stories from 2017. (Fic links here will be for AFF, but I’ll link my ao3 account at the end for anyone who prefers that platform.)

Total stories published: *This depends on whether you’re looking on AFF or ao3. It’s 9 on AFF (where Orbiting Bodies is all together), 14 on ao3. And then I did 5 drabbles that were just on Twitter/Tumblr if those count?

Total Word Count: ~125k

Looking back, did you write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you’d predicted? Definitely more. I had embraced the idea of continuing to write for 2017, but I thought it’d be here and there, not so continuously?

What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January? All Kaisoo still, but I did write Xiuchen almost as equally in Sometimes, Legends Lie. I actually almost listed them as the primary pairing, haha, just to throw people off my trail in the Mythology fest, but the heart of the story is more Kaisoo (even if Xiuchen got equal ‘screen’ time). I’ve written Chanbaek as a side pairing, but that’s not new.

New genre: I’m out here writing mythology with world building requirements? Soulmate au? Action/Adventure? Basically anything that’s not slice of life, I’m still surprised I did it. What’s your own favorite story of the year? I think… I have to give the nod to Signal Lost (& Found). But I’m really proud of how I ventured out with Campaigning for Your Heart at the start of 2017, so I’ll mention that one, too. Did you take any writing risks this year? Lots? I hadn’t written much humor (a little near the end of Waxing & Waning), so Campaigning was a risk. Uhhhh also all the smut. Which I hadn’t tried wholeheartedly until Campaigning.

Runner up: Of Keepsakes and Kisses, but it got a lot of love during the Best Days of Our Lives fest on LJ. The most fun story to write: What the Nightingale Spies. It ended up being longer in the middle chapters than I’d planned bc I was having fun writing the flirting and the missions. And the reception has been great - I love laughing with you guys in the comments. The story with the single sexiest moment: Ch 12 of Orbiting Bodies (Jongin’s New Favorite Song) - the bathroom scene OR Campaigning for Your Heart - Soo using his fancy tie on Nini The most “holy crap, that’s wrong, even for you” story: Uh… the epilogue of For Me, You’ll Always Be 18 was written right after New Year’s last year, so… yeah, that. The story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters: Signal Lost (& Found). I didn’t know Kyungsoo’s character super well when I first outlined the story, since I was focused on Jongin’s POV and his journey. I kinda kept Nini’s mindset a lot in the beginning of writing that story, to try and capture his fears and doubts faithfully before letting myself 'learn/see’ Kyungsoo more clearly once they were ready to meet. The hardest story to write: What the Nightingale Spies. It was supposed to be my easy going, no stress writing project amid the fests. Ha. HA. But I’m very proud of what I’ve managed to do with it. The biggest disappointment: I don’t know that I have one? Maybe not spending as much time on my Orbiting Bodies chs as I 'should’ sometimes. I prioritize speed to churn those out in the moment when something Kaisoo happens, so I know the quality often isn’t there in the same way as much of my other writing. (But it’s really fun to fangirl with you all right as stuff happens!) The biggest surprise: That I’m even closer with my squad (that I met here on AFF thru reading/writing) than I was last year. That Indi is my fic wife and I get to beta just about everything of hers and she’s there for me, too, whenever I need her? How did I get so LUCKY?!? The most unintentionally telling story: Uh… What the Nightingale Spies is a pretty big ode to Kyungsoo’s voice, which I love. Favorite Opening Line(s): “Ayyyy, who left a sock in the fridge?” Chen whines.

“LEFT a sock in the fridge? Don’t you mean who put a sock in the fridge? Don’t normalize it. Since when is the office refrigerator an appropriate place to store hosiery?” Wendy asks between bites of her muffin. - What the Nightingale Spies

Favorite Closing Line(s): I’m gonna be insufferable here and say I love just about all my closing lines. It’s something I actually spend a fair amount of time on.

Top favorites: Signal Lost (& Found), Sometimes Legends Lie, and Ch 8 of Orb Bodies (The Space Between Right & Wrong). The first two are major spoilers to the fics, so here’s the ending of the OB chapter (Soo’s sad poem in the shape of a broken heart)-

Unhealthy, maybe But I can’t help believe.

In another place, In another time, You’d still Be Mine.

Favorite 5 Lines from Anywhere:

I can’t do this properly bc I hate potentially spoiling anything; here’s a half-assed attempt:

““Why on earth would I miss having my eyes assaulted by routinely bad dye jobs and socialist propaganda?” Kyungsoo retorts while calmly packing up all his things into his Fendi bag, taking longer than normal to gather up his myriad of note-taking materials. Is he lingering? He’s not lingering. Why would he linger.” - Campaigning for Your Heart

“Long ago they might have tried brushing off each other’s compliments with a self-effacing, ‘No I’m not,’ but they’ve grown comfortable over the years in accepting those sincere endearments. The beauty of a love fully bloomed, where fear of seeming immodest or worrying the other is only pandering has long since faded away.” - Of Keepsakes and Kisses

““Settle down, drama llama. Maybe you’re just taking my advice to calm your tits too seriously, and while you would’ve bent over for any dick yesterday, you’re limp for even Gong Yoo today.” - Signal Lost (& Found) [my real fave lines from this fic are in the final scene]

"A thrill runs through Kai’s body. “Oh. Well that’s, um, that’s good,” he says tentatively, not wanting the eagerness to burst out like a fucking Bat-Signal in the night sky.” - What the Nightingale Spies

“I’ve choked guys out with my thighs before.” Great, that’s an image Jongin will never get out of his head. Might as well chisel it on his bedroom ceiling - it’s all he’s going to see when he tries to sleep tonight, he just knows it. - What the Nightingale Spies

Top 5 Scenes from Anywhere You Would Choose to Have Illustrated: 1. Jongin standing in the art gallery in Signal Lost (& Found)

2. The moment Kaisoo meet in What the Nightingale Spies

3. Kyungsoo and Jongdae’s conversation in Tartarus in Sometimes, Legends Lie

4. The pamphlets falling around Kaisoo when they kiss in Campaigning for Your Heart

5. Kaisoo standing together, holding hands and watching the sunset on the back of Soo’s yacht in Sail Away With Me Fic-writing goals for 2018:

Hmmm, trying a new genre like either fantasy/mama AU or wolf AU. Finishing the epilogues I promised for my fest fics.

Thank yous:

To everyone who’s become a friend, a reader, or a commenter. You guys are awesome and a MAJOR reason why I’m still writing and writing a lot. my ao3 account with works sorted by popularity in case you want to check out any of the ones I mentioned in this recap.

#kaisoo #kadi #kaisoo fanfic #writing #fanfic

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cypher-ds · 7 years

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HuniePop New Story Updates

It’s a good day for trilogies, because I’ve got a pair of part threes for you today:

Friday Night Longings Single mother Kyanna is ready to start dating again. Feeling bold, she approaches Beli with a question that will change their relationship forever. Can the gentle yoga teacher navigate her feelings in time to save the friendship she's built with Kyanna? [Chapter III of the Yoga Girls story] [BelixKyanna]

The Kitty Cat’s New Master Audrey's dealt with plenty of monsters in her lifetime, but having an insufferably cute cat-girl follow her around is more than even she can handle. Now the foul-mouthed party girl can see a whole invisible world of magical beings, and not all of them have kind intentions for her friends. Can Momo give her the edge she needs to bitch-slap this threat? [Part III of the TrioPop Series]

There’s also a poll on my fanfiction profile page where you can vote for which story you’d like me to continue.

A Woman’s Woman, Chapter Five As a bonus, Typhoon Boom and I have released another chapter of our collaboration story! Tala’s new teaching gig brings her closer to Nikki and Audrey (and all the hell that entails), while a date with Kyanna promises to bring the two especially close:

She and Kyanna were alone inside the women's change room, and while Tala had done her date the courtesy of picking a locker at the far end of the aisle, she couldn't help but steal glances as Kyanna unlaced her heels and tucked away her jewelry. "I'm surprised the girls wouldn't join us. I did offer to pay."

"Well, Tiffany is your student, after all," the Latina reminded. "She likes to get out and have fun, but it's probably a little awkward hanging around her prof wearing nothing but a towel."

"I thought the towels were optional." Kyanna turned and startled, finding Tala standing right behind her in nothing but a tight shirt and panties. The redhead put on her sexiest grin as her hands slid to the hem of Kyanna's top. "Here, let me."

Be sure to read and review! Thanks!

#huniepop #huniecam studio #audrey belrose #kyanna delrio #beli lapran #momo (huniepop)#cat girl #fanfiction

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deathberryhime · 7 years

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Tipping the Scales

((the unecessary AU nobody asked but still going to get)) ((I’m uploading this here as well; someone said they wanted updates here so--)) ((also in ffnet // ao3 ))

Chapter 01; starting point

She was particularly careful when she went out that morning. Barely dawn with only a few people out and about their usual business. But she didn’t worry about them. Oh no, she didn’t. She managed to flatten herself on a wall just in time for the two guards to pass.

Security had tightened significantly. Last night had been one of the worse raids they’ve had. The dragons had come with such flurry they barely made it. Between dragons one week and pirates the next, she didn’t know how they managed to stay standing. Because it wasn’t just sheep and fish they’ve kept losing; two children had been taken by the pirates last week and four people had burned in last night’s fire. It drove panic all over the island, so the Chief had taken precautions. Thus the guards. Carefully she tiptoed her way through the limited shadows, pausing only when guards came her way.

It was annoying really. Not even when the twins had burned down the storage units did they have that many guards patrolling around. The Chief had said “unknown hooligans” but everyone knew it was the Heirs’ fault. The yak-dung bomb had been Tuffnut’s signature move. She had been present in through all experimentation. Unfortunately. All the lye soap in the Archipelago couldn’t wash away the smell. Even now, three years later, she caught herself smelling of yak. And seeing as her house was near the fishing huts, it was really suspicious.

She was two steps away from the wall separating village and forest, when a hand fell on her shoulder. She screamed, turning and swinging her axe to the culprit. Two screams echoed with hers.

“What the Thor are you guys doing?!” she yelled as two matching grins appeared, “I could have killed you!”

“Hey, you’d do Dad a great favor!”

She raised a brow at them, “Why? Did you throw fish-guts in his bath again?”

Tuffnut Thorston gave her a devious smirk, “Maybe. But really, he’s overreacting. Like, really. It’s been twenty years; he should be used to us by now.” By his side, Ruffnut Thorston matched his look.

“Where’re you off? It’s way too early to walk around the village.” She blinked and her grin grew, “Or are you just coming back? Why, Astrid Hofferson, I never knew you had it in you!"

Astrid rolled her eyes as Tuffnut shot a confused look at his sister, “I’m doing training, not that, Ruff.” She huffed and shouldered her axe, “Besides, if I was, you’d be the first to know. I need my cover story to be legit.”

Tuffnut shot the two another confused look, “Dunno what you two are smirking about, but I’m loving this side of you, Astrid. Ever since you came to our side it’s been awesome.”

“Well, Ruff did promise she wouldn’t let you blow up the fishing huts anymore, so really I had no choice but to sacrifice myself.”

“Ah, so that’s why she never lets me go there unattended.”

“That and the last time you did the village had to go a winter with only yak jerky.” Ruffnut told him with a shudder, “Dad was a sourpuss all winter. Don’t wanna have that again.”

“Wasn’t my favorite winter as well, Tuff.”

Tuffnut gave a dramatic sigh, “Okay, alright. No more blowing up food units! Sheesh, you people are boring.” His twin sister chuckled as Astrid shook her head, “So, where you off to?”

“Told you, training.”

“Cool. Mind if we tag along?”

Astrid groaned, “Yes, I do. Last time you came with me I did everything but train. And Finn doesn’t want me to be rusty.”

“Ya know, your uncle could take that stick out of his ass every once in a while.”

“I think that’s really impossible. It comes with the job description.”

“Huh. Didn’t know being a general meant you have a poll in your ass.” Tuffnut said leaning at the wall.

“Yeah well, apparently being responsible for the safety of the leading family takes a lot out of fun time.”

Tuffnut gave a dramatic gasp, “That’s terrible! We’d never do that to you!”

She gave the male heir a wry grin, “I know that, Tuff. Perks of being your bodyguard!”

“Of course! But we consider you family as well.” He said with a shrug, “I mean, who else can put up with Ruff’s table manners than you?”

“Not to mention, Tuff’s sleepwalking!”

“Our yak-tipping!”

“Or our boar pit extremes.” Ruff cringed under Astrid’s glare, “Yeah, those hadn’t been our greatest moments.”

“In our defense, the mud wasn’t wet enough.”

“I almost died getting your asses out of that pit.”

Ruffnut winked and shot her a grin, “Like you said. The perks of being the Thorston Bodyguard.”

Astrid groaned and rubbed the bridge of her nose. True, ever since she became the twins’ official bodyguard at fifteen, there had never been a quiet moment in her life. Either wild boars chased her to trample her to the ground, or an angry Viking mob that had enough of yak-dunk in their baths, or a wild dragon that wanted to kill the two devils –in association her as well– for interrupting his nap. The Chief spent those days puss green, and her uncle chewing her ear off to keep the heirs in line.

Astrid sighed and turned around. They were insufferable, always fooling around and messing everything up, annoying everyone to the point coups were organized to send them off to exile, not to mention they were always the ones behind every little disaster in their monotone life. But… She threw them a look above her shoulder; I wouldn’t change them for the world.

“You should go home, and get ready. You have your own training as well.” She grinned at their groans, “I’ll come find you after training. It’s yak-tipping day, isn’t it?”

That seemed to perk them up, “Yeah, it is, isn’t it? Well let’s go, sister! The sooner we finish heir duty, the more we’ll have tipping those suckers!”

“Then lead the way, dear brother of mine!” Ruffnut said taking her brother’s elbow, “Have fun destroying trees, Hoff!” and with that the twins were off.

It took her a minute to finally move. She had to be sure they were actually gone before she jumped over the wall. As she pushed her way through the dense forest, she felt her insides twist. Guilt had been her best friend all these years. She told herself that secrecy was necessary, that lives would stay the same, and that people wouldn’t be in unnecessary danger because she couldn’t keep her mouth shut. Still, it never seemed to go away. Rather it wrapped around her and gnawed like a rabid dragon on her mind. She reached the rock formation and took a sharp left turn to a hole concealed by thick moss. You’d miss it unless you knew it was there. It was the perfect hiding spot.

It was as if walking into another world; a small cavern that led to an open space, rocks and moss creating the pretence of curved walls. The roof was open as water rained from above, creating a small waterfall and then to a lake with crystal clear waters. As if alive, the water flowed around the small space falling through a rock path creating a small river that led to the open waters. Ice stuck at the smalls of the opening, some falling through and over to the rock formations that surrounded the small lake. Ice and snow glittered from the stray sunrays that fell through the opening, but also from the sparkling amber that stuck on the walls.

The first time she had encountered this hidden cove, she had been thrilled, and soon had adopted it as her own secret space of relaxation, somewhere she could –besides her own special spot between cut up trees north of the island– get lost in her own world away from the village’s prying eyes. Ever since she graduated dragon training, it was as if she was under scrutiny; her uncle proudly pushing her for more, the Chief putting her in charge of the twins’ safety, and the village holding her up for greatness, having more and more expectations for her. That might have been her fault as well, seeing as she had scared and amazed everyone with the fact that she had fought off the dragon that had swooped her off during a raid, and then returned safe and unharmed a week later. Everyone had thought she was a ghost, or a draugr coming to kill everyone; it also didn’t help that the twins had spread rumors about her either truly being a draugr that had sneaked in to kill them all, or that she had single handedly killed every dragon that there was. Seeing as the raids had stopped for a significant amount of time then, the village had believed it.

That had been five years ago. Five years since she was taken to her death, and four years since the raids had started again with far more fervor.

It had also been five years since she had learned the truth.

Heavy steps echoed behind her and she turned with a smile, “Sorry I’m late! The twins caught me sneaking. I had to shake them off.” Astrid crouched by a boulder and pulled her pouch and axe off. Slowly, she rolled the pouch and carefully laid out the few pieces of chicken she had managed to sneak out from last night’s meal, “I brought your favorite, but it’s not much.” There was a huff and she rolled her eyes, “Well, I can always take it back.” There was a low growl as she tried to close the pouch and she grinned, “Thought so.” Another huff made her laugh. She grabbed a piece and threw it in the air. Her companion caught it easily, “I know you’ve been cooped up here, but the weather was awful and I couldn’t sneak out. It’s been so hectic lately, I can barely breathe.”

Her companion gave a low whine and came to curl around her. Smiling, Astrid passed another chicken piece, “The village is getting ready for winter –not that it’s any different than everyday seeing as it’s either snowing or raining or both. We are way up north, even for normal Viking standards.” Her companion gave her arm a nuzzle and Astrid happily nuzzled back, “There’s also this Thing happening, a Chieftain meeting, and I’ll have to attend as well.” There was a grumble and she huffed, “Well, I don’t like it either. But since Ruff and Tuff have to go, I have to go as well. It’s part of the whole Thorston Bodyguard experience!” she said rolling her eyes. Her companion cooed and pushed her arm, in return Astrid gave a scratch, “I know, I know. I have to keep the safe. Thor knows I am the single person qualified to do that. It’s just…” Then she sighed, “It’s gonna be a whole week away from here, and I don’t like leaving you all alone. The Thing is further south and the waters are full of crazy, Viking eating dragons and the people aren’t that nice either.”

Her companion blinked at her and shuffled closer, curling their body closer. Absentminded, Astrid pulled another piece of chicken, “Everyone is going to be there, it’s going to be intense.” Astrid could almost feel the raised brow –was that even possible?– her companion threw her way, “Oh, don’t look at me like that! I’m not itching to see him, either!” Astrid huffed, “He has changed you know. I’ve heard a whole lot of rumors from trader Johann. He got through his dragon training and finished with honors! Dragons run when he’s around. The Dragon Conqueror. The Pride of Berk! That’s the name he goes by now!” she growled as her companion watched her crush the tender chicken between her fingers, “Last I saw him, he was a fishbone, barely able to carry a sword! Did you know once I had to tie his axe on his hands and wrists because he was afraid to disappoint his dad? And then he goes from that to Dragon Conqueror?! How is that even possible?” She threw the crushed chicken to the pouch, “I-I heard what he did at his final test. He… He brought down a Monstrous Nightmare under a minute. A-And Johann told me he… he brought down a Night Fury right before he started dragon training.” At that her companion blinked in surprise, “It’s true. Johann might be a complete fable, but he never lies. How…” Her fingers curled on her wrist as she tried to swallow the bile in her throat.

“He was so gentle. He was kind and selfless and caring, and the only thing he wanted was to make his dad proud of him.” Her companion cooed and Astrid gave a snort, “I imagine his Daddy now is proud of his dragon murdering son.” There was a grumble and Astrid threw her hands in the air, “I literally learned a day after! And I didn’t even finish it either; you wouldn’t be here if I had!” There was a huff and Astrid rolled her eyes, “It’s been five years, you can’t still be holding it against me!” There was a low growl, “I gave you a small scratch before you took off. You literally almost took my whole arm off! I still can’t raise my left arm over my shoulder.” There was a whine and Astrid sighed, her hand closing around her friend’s face, “Don’t do that. It wasn’t your fault. I was an idiot, I tried to kill you. You were protecting yourself. I don’t hold it against you.”

And she really didn’t. It might ache during winter, and the scars over her shoulder and chest ache when it was either humid or raining –which was everyday– but she’d never hold it against her friend. It had been dark times then. Dark and far in the past, and Astrid wanted to keep them there. There was no point thinking them over. If she did, she’d missed all that is to pass, as another friend had told her once.

“But he… He has no excuse.” She didn’t really expect him to stay gentle and naïve all his life, that was a bit too good and optimistic, but she hadn’t expected this. Truth to be told, she thought she would have been the one that had the fame and reputation of the best killer of the Archipelago. She wasn’t jealous, far from it. After that raid her life had took such a turn she couldn’t see herself as a dragon killer. She took a look at her companion –her best friend, and smiled. Beautiful blue scales glittered and shone over her large body; a crown of pale horns gave her a regal look and spines over her back and down her colorful spiked tail, sprinkled with lighter blues and golds. A soft underbelly and two muscled legs she stood proud on with hawk like claws. Her friend shook her body –her neck straining up giving her a peak of the pale scar on her neck– and ruffled her wings sprinkled with rings of blue and red. She was a beauty; even by Deadly Nadder standards, she was beautiful. And she knew it.

Astrid laughed and leaned back at the warm body, raising the last pieces of chicken for her friend to eat. Stormfly was vain, proud, regal, took no shit from anyone –dragon or Viking– and loyal to a fault. Whenever she looked at the dragon it was as if looking at her reflection. She smirked when the dragon started preening; well, she wasn’t that vain… She started laughing when Stormfly picked up her braid, loosening some locks and tightening others. She had a lot of practice over the years, and now she knew how Astrid liked her braids. Sometimes she’d tie her braid a bit too tight –usually during training– only to have the dragon stop her to fix her braid. It had always fascinated Astrid how Stormfly could use her beak and not chop her braid in half or tear her hair out. Gracefulness was something else the two shared.

“Are you done?” Stormfly gave her a huff, “Well, you wanted to go for a flight, but if you just wanna hang out here–” she was up and trilling before she could finish. Astrid chuckled and reached over the boulder, pulling furs and belts that gently she weaved around Stormfly’s back. She tied the belts tightly around her friend, and moved to tie her pouch and axe on the back. Then with a leap she was on Stormfly and out of the cove in seconds.

Stormfly was enthusiastic. The thrill of being out from the cove and up into the fresh air taking over, making her shake and fly with great speed. Astrid clutched at the belts as Stormfly did a loop and barrel rolled higher. Astrid laughed and Stormfly clicked and trilled. They weaved through the clouds, droplets catching on her fingers as the air froze her face. She loved this feeling; freedom. She always felt as if nothing could stop her up in the clouds, flying with Stormfly as high and as fast as they could; she felt as if she was born to be up there. She had become addicted now. She was sure she couldn’t live without this in her life. Astrid looked at her friend’s bobbing head; she was more than sure she couldn’t live without Stormfly. They were one the same. Stormfly completed Astrid, and Astrid completed Stormfly. She felt as if she’d found her own soulmate when she had stared into her gleaming gold eyes five years ago.

Stormfly keened and everything flipped. She folded her wings and Astrid took it as a cue to tighten her grip on the belts holding her secure. They started to drop, ripping through the air and clouds. The ocean came towards them in astonishing speed and Astrid screamed and laughed when her eyes squinted from the air, right before Stormfly opened her wings bringing them to a glide right above the freezing waters. Stormfly trilled and croaked in excitement and Astrid laughed and straightened in her seat, spreading her arms and breathing in. Clicking her tongue, Astrid tighten her thighs around Stormfly’s back, as her friend spread her wings and rushed into the skies again.

Oh yeah, she was born for this.

It was well into noon when she came back to the village. A few people greeted her with a wave, while others threw her looks of pride. The small ones looked at her as if seeing a hero of an Edda. She forced a smile on her face, greeting the villagers back, and hoping it didn’t feel as awkward as she felt. As fast as she could she made a beeline for the docks.

“There ya are! I was afraid a dragon swooped ya up again!” Her aunt smiled just as she stepped on the docks.

Astrid forced another smile, “Well, that would have been unfortunate.”

Her aunt whipped her hands on her apron and laughed, “Unfortunate dragon! It would have ta carry ya all over to its nest!” she gave Astrid’s stomach a poke, “With the way ya been eating lately, I pity it already!”

Her aunt must be the single most observant person in the whole Archipelago. Then again, she managed once to sniff out her uncle’s pipe even before he started smocking again, Astrid shouldn’t be too surprised she would notice about the food. She was the one cooking it after all.

“Shouldn’t you be at the Hall? What are you still doing here?”

Ingrid frowned at her niece, “The fish hadn’t been enough for the stew today.” Then she raised a brow, “Something that ya promised doing yesterday, if I recall correctly.”

Astrid barely stopped her cringe, “Training took a little more than I expected.”

Her aunt stepped forward and took her hands to inspect them. Rough fingers, blisters and welts created by gripping the leather belts a little too tight had made her hands raw and red. With any luck, her aunt would think she’d been arms deep with axe throwing training.

“I’ll have ta talk ta Finn. This is going ta destroy your hands if ya continue like this.” She reached into her apron and pulled out a closed cup, unscrewed it and gently rubbed the ointment on the welts of her palm.

“He’s not going to budge. And he’s right. With winter coming I’ll rarely have time to train or practice, and with the Thing a week away, I’ll doubt I’ll even sleep.”

The frown on Ingrid’s face pulled the wrinkles around her eyes, “He could cut back the hours. It cuts into your other duties, sweetie.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be alright. I’m a Hofferson after all!”

She saw right through her smile, “I’ll still talk ta him. Now! Help me with this basket! Have ya eaten yet? It’s lunch time, so let’s go ta the Hall and I’ll give ya a hefty bowl! Perks of having the official cook as your aunt!”

The rest of the day had been a blur after that.

A nice broth had been served and she had eaten at the company of the twins that had sauntered in groaning and moaning about boring lessons and logistics. Then, they promptly dragged her over the village, mischievously pranking everyone –with the exception of their own mother of course, that woman was lethal when angered– and then she had followed the Heirs all over the Cliffside where the yak-tipping commenced. Twenty yaks and many curses and screams from the herder later, they had gone back to the Hall for dinner. After a small food fight she had to break before the glaring elders came over and teared them a new one, the conversation slipped towards the preparation for the Thing.

“Dad said we’ll take four ships. Two for us and two for what we’ll drag along.”

Astrid frowned at that, “Two ships for provisions? That seems a bit extreme.”

“A nah, it’s not provisions for us. More like gifts for the Meatheads.” Ruffnut said sucking on her spoon, “Dad said that some barrels are for the treaty, while the rest are for the rest of the chieftains.”

“Have they told you what the Thing is going to be?”

“Nope. Dad doesn’t really tell us until before we reach land. Must be because of that one time, I suppose.”

“You literally jumped into the waters and swam back home, Tuff.”

“It was logistics, Hofferson. I hate logistics, I hate numbers. Why did we even invent them in the first place?”

“There, there.” Ruffnut said rubbing her brother’s back. Astrid raised a brow while Ruffnut grinned, “Easy bro. Here, have a small break to ease the tension.” Then she promptly slammed his head in the table. Several people looked over and Astrid rolled her eyes when Tuffnut stood back up grinning and asking for more, “But back to the point. Dad will tell us when we reach Meathead Isles. But if I had to guess, it’ll probably be about that.”

“Oh, yeah. That.”

“That?” Astrid asked.

“Yeah, that.”

“And what’s that?” she asked folding her arms.

“Can’t tell ya, sorry.” Tuffnut said before Ruffnut cuffed his head.

“But because it’s you, we’ll tell you.” She said leaning closer to Astrid, “It had been a slight matter that had caused an uproar during the Thing last winter. The Bogs brought it up and there was a fist fight right after and it was so awesome.”

Astrid rolled her eyes at her giddy friend, “Ruff, to the point.”

“Right. So you know how the Bogs are like these wild pirate Valkyries or something, and have sailed all over the Archipelago. Well, last time they did, they saw a flock of dragons.”

“A flock of dragons flying over the Barbaric Archipelago, which is known for being nose deep infested with Viking eating dragons for three-hundred years? Wow, who would have known.” Astrid deadpanned.

“Yeah, that’s what everyone said at first. But then it wasn’t just the usual flock that ups and raids and leaves. The dragons were flying in formation.” At that Astrid frowned in her seat; she didn’t like where this was going, “But that wasn’t what created the brawl. The Bogs said that there were people riding them.”

Oh yes, Astrid didn’t like this at all.

“That’s yakshit.” Astrid said and prayed to Odin they wouldn’t notice her trembling hands, “That’s impossible. No one can tame a dragon, more so ride one.”

“And that’s what everyone started saying and then the brawl begun.”

Astrid frowned, her mind racing as she thought it over, “Have there been any other reports like that?”

“Yeah.” Tuffnut said, “Dad had a few scrolls sent over that we stole. Said there were dragons flying in formation all over south. Bogs, Meathead, Uglythugs, even Berk had sent a scroll. Their fishermen had seen four dragons flying west of Berk.”

“Did they identify the species?” she knew she was asking many questions and by the way Ruffnut’s eyes narrowed slightly Astrid knew she was cutting it short. The twins might be idiotic at times, but they weren’t by all means stupid, “If we identify the species, we can calculate and set a perimeter on where the dragons will go to feed, the habitat, and which island they might frequent.”

“Doubt that would work though. They have riders. They could go anywhere.”

“Not quite.” She said to Ruffnut, “Dragon lovers put their dragon’s needs first. It is possible I’m wrong, but there are islands that are native to dragon species, so they could go there.”

“How do you know that?” Tuffnut said impressed and Astrid rolled her eyes.

“It’s literally the first chapter of the Dragon Manual.”

“Never read the first chapter. Went right into the dragons that can do the most damage.”

Ignoring her brother, Ruffnut answered, “It didn’t say. But there could have been more scrolls. Dad caught us and we had to scram.” Then she scratched her chin, “If that’s what they’ll talk again, I’ll mention it.”

“Just don’t say I was the one that thought of it. Not only you will get into trouble, but you’ll discredit the Chief’s confidence. Plus, it’s time you started showing off those big brains of yours.” Both twins lurched at that.

“How dare you say we are smart! I thought you were our friend!”

“Tuff, I will punch your teeth out.” Astrid said rolling her eyes, “You guys plan your pranks with such details it’s literally terrifying when it works. That takes brains, and I know you both just don’t want to show it because that would mean more duties and meetings.” At their glares she raised a brow, “And I know for a fact that you already have fixed up a trap, Tuff, and probably which route the dragon riders are mostly taking, Ruff.”

There was a moment of silence, before they both groaned and slumped on the table.

“Last report said they were seen on Meathead waters. But they’ve been using the Bog-Burglars’ routes a lot, so my next best guess would be…” Ruffnut paused only for a second, “Breakneck Bog.” she said into the wood.

“Wouldn’t it be cool if we caught and had them help us catch and tame the dragons? Can you imagine what we could do on the back of dragons?” Tuffnut whispered at them as he continued crying and mumbling about epic explosions and extreme dragon riding.

Astrid smiled at the twins before bidding them good night and leaving them at their own thoughts. She had her own to focus about. She reached her house and went straight to bed. It helped that no one was home yet; she couldn’t deal with her uncle asking about her training routine when she had more pressing matters to worry about.

Dragon Riders.

Not even one, but four if what Tuffnut had said was true. Four dragon riders; Astrid shuddered. How was it possible? How had they managed to do it? Did someone help them? Very doubtful seeing as she only knew one other person capable of riding a dragon yet avoided Vikings like Odin’s scourge. But the Archipelago wasn’t alone in the world. Further south there were lands where people fought, captured and locked dragons in castles and dungeons, and eastern lands held tales of dragons living in peace among people who held them in high and well respected positions. Maybe, they were people from the east. Maybe people that learned of their recent dragon raiding problem and wanted to help.

A flash of black hair, dark pelts and a mad grin came in her mind. Astrid shivered. There had been rumors. Her friend up north had told her of ships with black sails and vast armies knee deep in blood. Of a cruel man that led people and dragons to war. An old tale came in her mind as well, one her uncle Finn had told her when she first became the twins’ bodyguard. They had been sitting by the fire, drinking mead, and her uncle had spoken of the man that still haunted both his and their Chief’s dreams.

“He had come from the shadows and demanded they bend the knee. When refused, fire rained from above, taking form of steel clad dragons.”

He said he didn’t remember much from that night. He had gotten badly hurt rescuing their Chief along with another one; a flaming pole falling on his back melting armor and searing clothes and flesh. Uncle Finn had shown her the nasty scar that took his entire back. A reminder, he had told her, to never underestimate your opponents and always be ready for everything, even the impossible. The story had been carved in her mind giving nightmares she was too proud to confess. The Hoffersons were a proud and fearless clan; that’s what her uncle had always told her. But everyone had monsters. Her uncle’s had been that man. Hers had been that tale and its reality; and now, those Dragon Riders.

Astrid bit her lip. She had so many questions, but it would be too cruel to ask her uncle to revisit his past scars; she knew he still had terrors and that his scar still ached when something reminded him of that night. No, she’d stir clear of her uncle. He didn’t have to know. And he shouldn’t. Not ever.

Drago Bludvist.

She’d ride north bright and early tomorrow. She had questions, and only one person could answer. So she’d go to her friend to talk about the Riders and if she should approach them. They would have to also talk about the fact that maybe they weren’t all that friendly. That maybe that man was finally on the move, making his promise real to take the Archipelago for his own.

And just maybe that they should prepare for war.

#this is long #so damn long #tipping the scales #fanfiction #ffnet #ao3 #httyd #astrid #stormfly #slowburn hiccstrid #berry writes #berry writes fanfiction #httyd2 #au #alternate universe #dragon riders!au

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