#i had an old oc named dahlia

[livingdreams97]

Eloise Bridgerton - "The Prince" (Part 3)

Eloise Bridgerton x Male reader/oc

Summary: Two people who have never seen each other before, with the same need and desire to be free in different ways. What could come of that when both people meet each other?

Words: 4.181

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POV You

Just as I had discussed with Eloise that night in the maze. I have been showing my interest towards her in a more noticeable way and she towards me too.

Four days have passed since that night and on each of the days I have gone to the Bridgerton house, had tea and thus could spend more time with Eloise in front of her mother. Of course, I have never appeared empty-handed, because if anything it is etiquette and manners regarding situations like these.

The first day I showed up with a lemon cake, along with a bouquet of Eloise's favorite flowers which were daisies, blue roses and blue dahlias. Also along with a bouquet of violets for her mother. It goes without saying that the matriarch was impressed and Eloise gave me a subtle wink as a sign of success.

The second day I turned up with some cakes and Lady Bridgerton 's favorite sweets. Since having a detail with the mother is always well seen and adds points at all times.

On the third day I was a little more daring, bringing a carrot cake made by myself; with the help of the cook and Eloise 's favorite chocolates.

And today I had decided on a book on the natural sciences and their use in medicine, since my studies had come to light in one of my conversations with Eloise and she had shown an interest. So I thought it was a good idea to give her a basic book on the subject, because she likes to read and I'm sure she'll appreciate it more than the desserts.

While for her mother, I brought her favorite sandwiches so that she can accompany the tea with them.

I knock on the door of the Bridgerton house , making sure my black tailcoat is tied securely, my khaki slacks are wrinkle-free and my tie is tied just right.

I put my hat back on and take a deep breath. The door opens, letting me see the housekeeper of the place and she, recognizing me, allows me to pass.

Before entering the house, I receive the gifts from my coachman and I thank him by entering the site. I follow the woman into the living room, where I immediately see Lady Bridgerton sewing something, Eloise reading a book sitting on the sofa in a tomboyish manner, and the younger members of the family playing chess.

XX: My lady, Prince Y/n of Hanover is here. - she informs her of my arrival and I see how the matriarch gets up from the couch immediately.

Violet: What a pleasure to have you back here.- she walks towards me excitedly, passing by her daughter and giving her a light blow to make her sit good; causing a small amused smile from me.

Y/n: The pleasure is all mine Lady Bridgerton .- I assure her, greeting her with a kiss on her hand. -I hope I was right when i choose them.- I commented, extending the box with the sandwiches .

Violet: It wasn't necessary my lord.- she denies with a small smile receiving the box.

Y/n: Don't tell me my lord Lady Bridgerton, we are not in public and honestly I feel a bit old when it comes to it.- I say with a certain humor. -As long as you calls me by my name, we will be more than fine.- I assure her with a smile.

Violet: Okey Y/n, are you coming to have tea with us? - she asks with some emotion and illusion.

Y/n: If you are so kind as to accept me, then I would like to have tea with you. - I respond politely and without imposing myself.

Violet: I'm going to tell them to prepare it outside, since it's a wonderful day and the garden is beautiful. - she warns and leaves the room with a huge smile.

Gregory: When my sister marries you, will I be a prince too? - he asks running towards me, as soon as his mother disappears and with his sister by his side.

Hyacinth: And can I be a princess? - questions excited. - Because if Gregory can be a prince, I want to be a princess too.- she says confidently, receiving a push from her brother and she returns it.

Gregory: You're a copycat.- he reproaches her and I can't help but think about my absurd and childish fights with my brother when we were just kids.

I watch as they playfully push each other, poking each other and can only look longingly at them. I long for when life was as simple as copying your brother or playing a prank on him to annoy him.

Eloise: Stop fighting and making a fool of yourselfs.- she tells them, separating them by the heads. -Second, like "when my sister marries you"? - she asks his little brother.

Gregory: Mom says you're getting married, because Y/n comes every day for you and because he likes you.- he answers as if it were obvious and that causes me to laugh without being able to avoid it.

Eloise: Mom said that? - asks with a surprised expression.

Hyacinth: She and Lady Danbury have commented on it, they compare you with the work they did with Daphne and the Duke.- the youngest of all responds this time and I can't help but look at the oldest with a raised eyebrow.

Eloise: And what makes you think that I will marry him? - she points at me and I pretend to be offended; causing the children to laugh.

Hyacinth: Because you talk to him for more than a minute and you don't complain about him like you do with the rest of the suitors.- she answers as if it were the most obvious.

Y/n: So you don't complain about me? - I ask with amusement . -It's interesting to know.- I assure her, seeing how she kills me with her eyes.

Violet: We can go outside, they are already organizing the tea.- she warns us happily, entering the room and seeing the four of us standing together. -What are you talking about? - interested question.

Gregory: About how Y/n and Eloise are going to get married and I 'll be a prince.- he answers with total sincerity, causing the matriarch to open her eyes surprised and somewhat curious.

Eloise: Don't pay any attention to them, mother, the dwarves are just saying nonsense and commenting on some unimportant things they've heard.- She brushes the matter off with her hand.

Violet: Okay.- she nods not very convinced. -Let's go out.- she points out and placing her hands on her children's shoulders pushes them out.

I laugh at the attitude of the youngest and the conspiracies of Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton about my possible relationship with Eloise .

Eloise: Are you okay? - she asks me after a few seconds.

Y/n: Yes of course, why wouldn't I be? - I ask somewhat confused, starting to walk out with her.

Eloise: When my brothers have started to fight, you made a sad and somewhat thoughtful face.- she answers me with a small grimace. -And I wanted to know if you were alright.- she comments and I nod with a slight smile.

Y/n: I just remembered what it was like to be his age and fight with my older brother for any trifle.- I answer with a slightly sad face. -But I'm fine.- I assure her with a small smile.

Violet: Y/n and Eloise sit together on that side.- she points to the two free seats at the round table outside.

I take Eloise 's chair out for her to sit in, tucking her in nicely, then I sit to her right and across from the Bridgerton matriarch .

As soon as we sit down, tea and sandwiches along with other sweets are served on the table. And it is at that moment that I remember the book in my hand.

Y/n: Before I forget.- I speak turning to Eloise and stretching her the book. - The other day we talked about my studies and since you showed some interest regarding natural science and its uses in medicine, I have brought you this book for you to read.- I informed her seeing the smile appear on her face.

Eloise: Thank you.- she thanks me by receiving the book and opening it immediately. -There are things written.- she comments confused.

Y/n: It's my book; well it was, now it's yours. - I pointed out a bit nervous. -I asked my father to send it to me, since it is quite interesting and something basic so that you can understand it better.- I comment with a small smile. -What is written are my notes, which I wrote at the time to better understand the concepts and I have believed that this way it would be easier for you to understand everything too. It took me a while to understand everything, but to be honest; You're smarter than me and I'm sure you won't need the notes. But I wanted to make sure and that's why I'm giving you my old book and not a new one. - I explain to her, pointing to the small paragraphs written by hand on some pages.

Eloise: Thank you very much Y/n, it means a lot that you give me this book.- she assures me with a smile, looking into my eyes and I can see how her beautiful blue eyes water slightly.

Y/n: It's nothing, I know how much you appreciate books; I thought you would like and appreciate a book more than another dessert. - I explain somewhat embarrassed, scratching the back of my neck and feeling observed.

I couldn't tear my gaze from Eloise 's, feeling that if I look away from her I'll miss the happiness and excitement that sparkles in her eyes at the gift. And that's something I don't want to miss for the world.

POV Narrator

What he wasn't aware of, and neither was Eloise , was the look that Violet Bridgerton was giving into the interaction between his daughter and the prince. As she watched with a smile full of happiness, her daughter's face lit up at the detail and the prince's own detail towards her daughter.

Her daughter could deny it all she wanted, but she was falling in love with the Prince of Hannover and her eyes or the way she looked at him couldn't hide it. And for the first time, the former viscountess felt calm about the future of her rebellious daughter. Because she had someone who cared and would take proper care of her.

And Violet Bridgerton didn't just see that look on his daughter, She could also look at the look the prince was giving her daughter and the slightly reddish color of his cheeks. She just hopes that she and Lady Danbury are right and that the proposal is close.

Because her daughter had never looked at anyone like she was doing at that moment with Prince Y/n and she didn't want anything or anyone to get in the way of her happiness.

Eloise's POV

I was determined, I was going to accept the proposal and marry Prince Y/n. Sure, if the offer still stood.

After weighing it carefully for almost four days, I have realized that I win much more than I can lose. And not only will I end up winning, but my family and Y/n will also win; so it's the best I can do.

Also, that Y/n is not so bad and every day I am enjoying his presence and company more. The truth is that I never imagined that I would get married, but it was because it went against my ideals and my growth as a human being.

But I know that with Y/n my growth as a human being and as a woman will not be crushed or reduced in any way. The freedom that I would have is also something that has pushed me to accept, since that is something that has made it clear to me and I can do what I want as long as it is not something that puts my "marriage" at risk.

And lastly, Y/n was a nice company and I can have an intellectual discussion with him . Without feeling insulted by my sex and my "few" studies or level of knowledge.

He had been really great to me. My mother, like every day, has not stopped asking the prince questions and talking to him in an animated way. Like my little brothers, who have not stopped asking questions about the crown and royalty like every day.

Leaving little time for me to talk to him and tell him in a hidden way that I accept the proposal.

Just before he leaves, I stop him and look around making sure no one sees us. Once I make sure that my mother is busy with my brothers and they with my mother; I have the green light.

Eloise: I accept.- I tell him directly.

Y/n: Accept what?- he asks a bit confused.

Eloise: You are supposed to have studied and gone to the university.- I reproached him amused, giving him a light blow to the back of the head.

Y/n: That's not a reason to hit me.- he claims, rubbing the affected area.

Eloise: Exaggerated.- I say because of her reaction to the light blow. -But I accept your proposal.- I clarify and after a few seconds he opens his eyes in surprise.

Y/n: Are you serious? - he asks excited and with a certain illusion shining in his precious emerald eyes.

Eloise: I'm not kidding, you don't see how I laugh.- I say sarcastically causing him to laugh.

Y/n: I don't care about your horrible humor.- he downplays it with a smile. -I have to think about how to ask your mother for your hand, in the ring and in the house.- he enumerates and opens his eyes. -Where do you want the house? - he asks me with interest.

Eloise: Near Aubrey Hall, it's my family's country house and I don't want to be far from them, but I don't want to be in the center.- I answer. -In addition to the fact that my family is only here during the social season, then they live at Aubrey Hall for the rest of the year.- I explain and he nods in agreement.

Y/n: Perfect, well I guess I'll be back tomorrow for the I 'll ask your mother for your hand.- He nods according to his own plan.

Eloise: I'm afraid we won't be here tomorrow.- I comment with a grimace and I see how the smile disappears from his face.

Y/n: And why is that? - he asks confused.

Eloise: We're going to Aubrey Hall for the weekend, to bond with the family and spend time together; and blah blah blah.- I downplay any kind of importance.

Violet: What are you two talking about? - she asks appearing out of nowhere and scaring us completely.

Eloise: For God's sake mother, don't appear like that.- I ask with a hand on my chest and feeling the accelerated beating of my heart.

Violet: Sorry dear, I didn't know you were so engrossed in your conversation and that you hadn't seen me.- she apologized with an amused smile for my reaction.

Y/n: It's okay, the scares help keep the heart beating.- he says with an amused smile.

Violet: So? What were you talking about? - she returns to question too interested from my point of view.

Eloise: About the fact that tomorrow we're going to Aubrey Hall and that we'll spend the weekend there, so we won't be here for the prince Y/n to come for tea.- I answer my mother and see how the gears of her head begin to move.

Violet: Maybe Y/n can join us and be our guest this weekend.- she offers and it doesn't seem like a bad idea to me.

Y/n: I don't want to impose myself on your family weekend.- he denies with a small smile.

Violet: Don't say nonsense, you don't impose yourself and I'm also inviting you.- she assures him happily. -In addition, the Sharmas and Lady Danbury will also accompany us for another year. In fact, I'm surprised that Lady Danbury hasn't told you anything.- she says a little confused and thoughtful.

Y/n: It will be because of Edwina and her possible relationship with my cousin Friederich .- he comments a bit insecure. -From what I know, they spend a lot of time together and since my aunt can't be supervising all the time, it's Lady Danbury's turn to be watching.- he shrugged at the information.

Violet: Then we'll see each other tomorrow at Aubrey Hall.- she assures Y/n. -Let's go out, so I tell one of my drivers to give directions on how to get to your coachman.- she says threading her arm through the prince's and pulling him towards the entrance of the house.

I just laugh, when he looks at me over his shoulder with a face between surprise and amusement at my mother's attitude.

I shake my head and sigh calmly, knowing that many of my problems will be solved as soon as Y/n asks my mother for my hand. And the rest of my problems will be solved when the prince and I give each other the "yes, I want".

Because something is clear to me, if my mother believes that Y/n is going to ask me to marry him and that we are in love; the rest of the world will believe it too. Because if there is something that my mother is in this life: she is insightful.

None of my brothers have been able to deceive our mother, since she always knew when something did not quite fit and we hid something. So if Lady Danbury is being talked to about my possible marriage to the prince; it means that she believed it.

POV You

As soon as I get to the palace after being at the Bridgerton house , I head towards the tea room and where I'm sure my aunt is.

Now that Eloise has accepted the proposal to marry me, I have to start organizing the proposal and I need my aunt for it. I know that Eloise is not her favorite person after the last season, since at first she was sure it was Lady Whistledown and then she dismissed it; when her political position came to light.

Y/n: Aunt.- I greeted entering the room and making a reference. -I have to talk to you in private.- I ask and I see how she nods giving her servants a look.

Charlotte: Sit down dear.- she asks me pointing to the hole next to her on the sofa . -Tell me what do you want to talk about ? - she asks me interested when I sit next to her.

Y/n: You know that I have come to London with one intention, which is to fall in love and marry a woman from high society, right? - I ask a little nervous, because my aunt is the key to making everything believable and if she doesn't accept my engagement; neither will my father.

Charlotte: I am aware of this and that is why I put Lady Danbury as your supervisor, so that you could be successful in this first season. - she nods with a serious face.

Y/n: Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, aunt.- I point out the interest in her eyes. -I have found the person I want to marry and I want to have your blessing to ask for her mother's hand.- I comment with all the confidence in the world.

Charlotte: So soon? - clearly surprised question. -We've barely been in the season for three weeks.- she says, somewhat impressed.

Y/n: I know, but I can't explain what I feel when I see her or when I'm with her aunt.- I start to say to make it sound credible. -Besides that you have always told me that love does not have a predestined time.- I remind her with a small smile.

Charlotte: Are you sure dear? - she asks me and I just nod. -Do you love her? - she asks staring into my eyes and I stay for a few seconds thinking.

Y/n: Yes.- I answer without taking my eyes off his, trying to look sincere and credible.

Charlotte: Then I give you my permission.- she nods with a huge smile. -And can you tell who is the lucky one? - she questions interested.

Y/n: Eloise  Bridgerton, aunt.- I answer confidently and I see the surprise and a hint of annoyance appear on her face.

Charlotte: No.- she denies immediately.

Y/n: Aunt please, I love her and I want to marry her.- I ask, grabbing one of her hands and looking at her with pity.

Charlotte: Can't you choose someone else? Someone who doesn't hang out with political radicals? - she asks in the form of a complaint.

Y/n: She's not a radical girl, she's intelligent and has something on her mind besides the pianoforte.- I defend her without thinking. -The hours fly by when I talk to her, I feel comfortable and I feel that she really wants to be with me because of who I am; and not for being the prince aunt.- I say honestly.

Charlotte: And I'm glad you feel that way about someone dear nephew. But couldn't it be anyone else? - she asks in surrender and I smiled knowing what it means.

Y/n: I'm sorry aunt, but she's the right one for me and I'm sure that if you meet her you'll like her too.- I assure her smiling and seeing how a slight smile appears on her face.

Charlotte: I'll accept her because for me you're like a son and if she makes you happy I can't oppose it.- she finally accepts and I jump on her to hug her.

Y/n: Thanks aunt, you don't know how much this means to me.- I tell her when we parted from the hug.

Charlotte: And how do you plan to ask for her hand? - question interested and excited by the event.

Y/n: Lady Bridgerton has invited me to spend the weekend with them and Lady Danbury at Aubrey Hall; and tomorrow when I arrives I'll ask for her daughter's hand and if she accepts I'll ask her after dinner. - I reply a bit nervous, due to the possibility that she refuses and the plan is spoiled.

Charlotte: And you already have the ring? - she ask and I deny. -Well, come with me dear.- she asks me getting up and I walk next to her.

We walk towards her dressing room, where there is a table full of precious stones on a table in the center and as soon as we stop in front of her she opens a box in the center.

When she opens the box, I widen my eyes to see what's inside and look at her in astonishment.

Charlotte: This was one of the first rings that King George gave me as a gift.- she comments showing me the ring. -The king discovered that emeralds were my favorite stone and he thought it would be a good gift for me; and he was right.- she tells me looking at the ring with a certain sadness and affection.

Y/n: It's beautiful aunt.- I compliment seeing the brilliant stones of the ring.

Charlotte: It has a lot of meaning to me and that's why I want you to have it.- she tells me, offering me the box.

Y/n: No, aunt, as you think, I can't accept something so important and with so much emotional value.- I deny immediately.

Charlotte: I insist.- she says pushing the box in my hands. -I want you to ask that girl to marry me with my ring, for me you are my son and I want this ring to pass into your hands.- she explains and I nod, looking at the ring more carefully .

Y/n: It really is precious. - I whisper, looking hypnotized at the great emerald in the ring.

Charlotte: And valuable, that's why I want you to ask her to marry you with that ring and pass it on from generation to generation.- she assures me and I nod safely.

Y/n: Thank you very much aunt.- I thank her again and hug her again; immediately being wrapped in her arms in an almost maternal way.

Charlotte: I am very proud of you my little one and of how much you have matured; your mother would be proud too. - she whispered safely against my ear and I can't help but tighten the hug feeling the itch in my eyes.

I'm sure you wouldn't be so proud if you knew the truth and the reason for my marriage. She always defended love and from the first day she told me to marry for love. That I would never marry for any other reason than love and here I am, marrying by agreement with my father.

Y/n: Thank you.- I whisper feeling the guilt invade me.

Charlotte: Also, I understand that that girl also likes emeralds.- she assures me amused when we part from the embrace.

Y/n: Let's hope for the best.- I comment amused and looking again at the ring in my hands.

Now all I have to do is pack for this weekend and have Lady Bridgerton accept my marriage proposal to Eloise. I just hope everything goes well.

NEXT

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[allisluv]

COMING CLEAN

Chapter one: Thumper

WC: 5.5k

Finnick O’Dair x OC

Dahlia Holloway sat quietly on her porch as morning dawn approached over the horizon. The events of the 67th Hunger Games had followed her back to district nine and almost a decade later, it continued hanging over her head like a black cloud.

Over the years, she had tried every trick in the book to stop the constant buzz of thoughts; writing down what she felt, walking aimlessly through the fields of wheat, having the shower turned up so hot that skin peeled off of her bones. Out of all the things she had tried, knitting was the only hobby that worked.

Every morning, when she had grown tired of staring at her ceiling when it was so apparent that sleep was not coming, she would creep downstairs and slip out onto the patio. It was peaceful and the one place that she could knit without the fear of someone intruding.

It was a neat little way to make money too; while her district was more commonly known for grain, cotton had become another popular crop over the years. Her brother often came home with baskets full of it and she would use it to make clothes.

It failed in comparison to the clothes that the Capitol citizens wore daily but the residents of district nine had more important things to worry about than attaching gems to their cloaks. So long as they had something warm for the winter, they weren't fussy.

Sunlight was beginning to creep up through fields of wheat and grain. Mockingjays had begun to wake up and whistled melodies back and forth while squirrels scurried up tree branches.

"You're determined, huh?"

Dahlia involuntarily flinched before casting a glance over her shoulder, fingers picking up their pace with the needle again. "One of us has got to bring money into the house," she teased lightly, the tension in her shoulders dissolving.

Her eldest brother, River, had always been light on his feet and he shot her a lopsided apologetic smile. A part of him forgot that she would never completely recover from her time in the games. Nowadays, they had to announce their presence rather than sneaking up on her. He had learnt that the hard way and had a broken nose to show for it. "Couldn't sleep?" he leant against the wooden bannister of the porch. She pursed her lips and shook her head. "Me either."

Dahlia silently continued working on her patchwork, refusing to meet his gaze. She felt as though it would burn a hole through her soon enough. Ever since she could remember, River had always been the one who wriggled answers out of her.

It wasn't intentional but he had these intense, prying eyes and sometimes, it felt like he could look straight through her soul. He would undoubtedly be met with the darkness in her chest and thirteen names carved into her heart but she tried not to think about that too often.

Most mornings started like this. Dahlia rocked back and forth in her chair, basking in the sunlight until River eventually graced her with his presence. Those were the mornings where everything felt quiet and she didn't feel so alone anymore.

Dahlia huffed out a sigh and ran a hand through her chocolate curls, flexing out the muscles in her legs. "I better check on the others. I swear to gods, if any one of them has kicked the bucket, I'll lose it," she failed to hide the bluntness in her tone but her brother had become more than accustomed to it.

Pushing through the back door, she slipped inside the house and busied herself with getting everything ready. Grabbing two wicker baskets from under the sink, she began stuffing day-old loaves of bread into them. River had to duck to fit through the doorframe and he grumbled under his breath, disappearing into his bedroom.

For once, she was grateful she had stopped growing before hitting the six-foot mark.

Dahlia crammed strawberries and blackberries into two jars, making sure there was enough to keep her fellow victors going for a little while. Just as she was wrapping up the goat's cheese and containers of fresh water, River shuffled out of his room.

"Here," he held out a packet of frosted cookies and slowly inched them closer to her. She blinked up at him, waiting for an explanation. "I got them from the bakery. Cost me five squirrels. Just leave one for Ivy and split the rest," he explained, running his tongue over his bottom lip impatiently. "I'm trying to be nice so... take it or leave it."

The corners of her lips quirked upwards and she dug her bony elbow into his stomach. "Aw, don't worry, I can take the credit. We wouldn't want you losing that reputation you worked so hard for," she stood on her tip-toes to lightly smack the side of his face, cackling like a mad woman.

He scowled down at her but she could see the hint of a smile trying to break through. Shoving his sister off of him, he narrowed his eyes jokingly. "I thought you were meant to be making sure our neighbours are still with us?" he arched a brow and shooed her out of the house, shoving another loaf of bread into her already overflowing arms.

The door slammed in her face before she had time to spew back a witty comment. He underestimated how soundproof the door was because she could still hear him laughing on the other side. "Bastard," she hissed.

It took some manoeuvring and wobbling on one foot but Dahlia somehow managed to loop the handles of the wicker baskets through her wrists. With a loaf of bread under one arm and a piece of (shoddy) needlework under the other, she trekked towards the other victors in their village.

She passed Juniper Sinclair's house, deciding that it would be easier to bypass it for the moment. Juniper was more than capable of taking care of herself for an hour or so.

Wyatt Riley on the other hand... well, he hadn't been doing too well lately—— and by lately, she meant the last ten years.

Despite her desperate attempts to return some of the light and joy to his house, it never stayed around for very long. His patio was littered with rotten, maggot-infested apples and Dahlia swore that the damn tree had some personal vendetta against her. They'd have to be dealt with later.

Rapping her knuckles against the front door, she didn't bother waiting for an answer. No one else ever visited and this had become a daily routine, so Wyatt wouldn't be caught off guard. Pushing her way inside of the run-down house, the floorboards creaked in a form of protest. "It's just me!"

Another broken mirror lay at the bottom of the staircase and splinters of glass crunched underneath her leather boots as she ventured further inside. It was safe to say he would not be receiving any more mirror-shaped presents from her at this rate; that one had only lasted a week.

She waded her way through rubbish and glass before forcing her way into the kitchen. It was almost pitch-black but there was nothing new there. Fumbling her way around furniture, she easily found the table and set her wicker baskets down. Now was the hard part; finding Wyatt.

Sometimes, the twenty-seven-year-old would be spread out on the floor and other times, he would be tucked behind the fridge. She supposed that he found relief in knowing that no one would find him in his hiding spaces. It was strange but acting oddly came hand in hand with surviving the games. She knew that better than anyone.

Dahlia wasn't in the mood to hunt for him and she let out a sigh of relief when she found him buried in blankets on the sofa. Flicking on the light switch and arming herself with a fire poker, she stood a short distance from the sofa. "Wyatt," she gently prodded him with the poker and waited for an answer. "Wyatt." He snored obnoxiously. "Wyatt!" she groaned, jabbing his ribcage with the poker.

Wyatt jumped out of the sofa with a gasp, wielding a kitchen knife in his hands and blindly flinging it into the air. Dahlia ducked and the knife lodged itself in a cupboard behind her head (and this was why the fire poker was part of their morning routine).

She clutched the fire poker in both hands and held it out in front of her, waiting for the adrenaline high to wear off. After a second, he seemed to get a grip on his surroundings. "It's just me. Are we good?" she arched a brow and brushed stray strands of hair out of her eyes, slowly lowering the weapon.

Wyatt nodded sheepishly, his adam's apple bobbing as he took deep breaths. Running his shaking hands down his face, he quietly muttered reassuring words to himself. Purple bruises were beginning to blossom on the olive skin of his knuckles. Dahlia guessed that was where the broken glass in the hallway had come from. Her heart constricted in her chest and she had to bite down hard on her cheek.

Sometimes, she wondered why she burdened all this extra responsibility on herself. Hell, sometimes she'd much rather let Wyatt rot in his house than deal with him. But then, there were moments like this, when he would mutter into his hands and she knew giving up on him wasn't an option.

Wyatt Riley was the victor of the 66th Hunger Games at eighteen years old. Dahlia remembered the day of his reaping—— she had stood with a crowd of other fifteen-year-old girls, each of them waiting with their hearts stuck in their throats, hoping and praying that they'd make it through another year.

Jasper Riley had been called and suddenly, someone from the crowd was screaming that they volunteered as tribute. The utter desperation in Wyatt's voice had been enough for people to allow him to pass through and then, he was stumbling onto the stage, clutching his chest as though it was going to give out on him.

He had volunteered for his younger brother who had been fourteen when his name was called. Jasper and Wyatt Riley were strangers to Dahlia at the time but she did know that they were kind people— until the games, that was. Wyatt smiled for the cameras when he returned home but there was something different. Something missing.

He used to radiate sunlight. His smile used to reach his eyes and laughter had come as easy as breathing to that boy. But that boy had died in the games. Hollow eyes and frown lines were all he was left with.

She had seen his light return once. Only once; after the games, when he got to reunite with his family. It was a fleeting moment but it was there. Dahlia saw it in his eyes——he had spun his wife, Violet, around in a circle, laughing and giggling as he captured her lips in a kiss. When the newlyweds finally parted, Wyatt had scanned the crowd and practically bolted toward his daughter. Every camera panned in on ten-month-old Isla and her father as he held her close and cried into his wife's shoulder.

She had never seen the light in his eyes again.

When Dahlia was reaped the following year, she was sure she would die in that arena, just like he had. The only living mentor for district nine was a man three years older than her. A half-dead man.

But even with her doubt and her scepticism, he had pulled through. He gave her pointers on appealing to the crowd and an angle to work with. He convinced the sponsors to root for the underdog. He gave her hope. No matter how difficult she made his job, he refused to give up on her.

And she wouldn't give up on him. Not now, not ever.

"I brought you some stuff," she cleared her throat and dug through the first wicker basket she laid eyes on. Kicking her foot at one of the wooden chairs, he obediently sat, a tired look in his honey-brown eyes. Berries, loaves of bread, goat's cheese, water, fresh eggs and cookies were unpacked from the basket. "I'll find some meat later. Swing by if you run out of food."

Wyatt nodded quietly, eyes surveying the mountain of food on his kitchen table. "Thank you," he tugged on his dark curls anxiously, keeping his eyes trained on a broken floorboard beneath his feet. To say that he was grateful for Dahlia Holloway would be a huge understatement. On mornings when exhaustion left him tied to the bed and grief seeped from deep in his bones, she never let him go hungry. And how did he repay her? By aiming a knife at her head.

Dahlia didn't seem to mind, though. She hummed a tune under her breath as she buzzed about his kitchen. Small talk had never been their strong suit and they opted to sit in silence instead. The knife hit the chopping board as she carved the bread into thin slices. Finding a jar of gooseberry jam in the fridge, she slathered it on two of the slices and slid it across the table to him.

"Eat," she ordered, tongue quickly running over the excess jam from the knife. She was sure he would happily starve if she didn't force-feed him.

Wyatt gingerly took the bread, muttering a soft word of thanks. In the time it took for Dahlia to sweep and restore a bit of order to his house, he had finished off another two slices of bread. He got to his feet to help but Dahlia glared over her shoulder and he sunk into the chair again. He was older but he also knew better than to argue with her— talking to a brick wall would be easier.

Pushing herself onto a countertop, she leant forward and cracked open a window to let fresh air in. Dahlia hopped down and wiped her palms in her dark jeans, spinning around to look for Wyatt. He had reclaimed his place on the sofa, curling into the far corner with a baby blanket clutched in his grasp.

She softly padded her way towards him and perched on the edge of the sofa, gently ruffling his dark curls. "It's okay," she whispered, the pad of her thumb running over his bruised knuckles. "It's all okay," she soothed.

They sat like that for the better half of an hour until Wyatt's breathing evened out and he fell asleep. She draped a fluffy blanket over the exposed skin that his baggy sweatshirts didn't manage to cover and started gathering up her belongings.

Balancing the lighter load in her arms, she managed to slip out of the front door without much noise. She kicked the rotten apples off the porch and hoped that the birds would take them off her plate.

Dahlia retraced her steps, trekking towards her final destination of the morning. Pale pink tulips bloomed in the flowerbeds outside of Juniper Sinclair's house, brightening up the young girls' front lawn. Before she could even knock, the door swung wide open and she was almost flattened as Juniper tightly hugged her.

"You're late today," Juniper pointed out, rocking on the balls of her feet as she grabbed Dahlia's hand and pulled her inside the house. A fond smile tugged at Dahlia's lips as she kicked the door closed behind her and followed the bubbly blonde into the kitchen. "Do you want me to take Ivy scavenging today—"

"What the hell is that?" Dahlia cut in, dark eyebrows almost disappearing into her hairline as she stopped in her tracks. Hastily throwing the basket down, she chewed on a fingernail and watched with reproachful eyes.

Juniper squealed excitedly as she bundled the rabbit into her arms, stroking its black and white fur with a gentleness that resembled a mother holding her newborn baby for the first time. "It's a rabbit! My rabbit. His name is Thumper," she explained proudly, wisps of sleek blonde hair framing her face.

Dahlia resisted the urge to roll her eyes—— the last thing she wanted to do was upset the seventeen-year-old. If she had learnt one thing about Juniper, it was that the victor was easily upset. At the start, it got on her nerves but she grew more sympathetic when she realized that it wasn't an act—— it was simply part of who Juniper Sinclair was.

Instead, she folded her arms across her chest, eyeing the rabbit suspiciously as if it would launch itself out of Juniper's arms and start attacking. "Alright, cliché name aside, whats it doing in here?" she asked flatly, waving a dismissive hand about. "Please don't tell me you wanna keep it, June," she groaned, digging her fingers into her temples.

Juniper wrinkled her nose in confusion and the freckles dotted across her cheeks dipped. "Well... I've named him now," she frowned, taking her bottom lip between her teeth. "I'm keeping him," she paused as if she was hesitating on speaking. "I get lonely in this house. It just reminds me that I'm alone, I guess," she admitted, ducking her head to hide her flaming cheeks.

Dahlia's stomach was doing flips and bile burned the back of her throat. Memories raced through her head at the speed of light; kneeling on the grass outside of Victors Village as Juniper buried her face in Dahlia's jacket, sobbing and screaming.

Now, a year and a half later, she felt crescent moons forming in the skin of her palms as she tried to stay tied to the present. She couldn't dwell on it. Falling apart wasn't an option at this point.

Regardless of whether they kept it together or not, it wouldn't bring back their loved ones. Wyatt wouldn't get back his wife or his daughter. While Juniper may have managed to escape the clutches of the repulsive Capitol men, she was still an orphan.

Dahlia, on the other hand, had refused to sell herself to snobby Capitol citizens and in turn, traumatized her younger sister when she watched their parents be slaughtered. The final nail in the coffin, really, was that Snow had still managed to keep her under his thumb.

All he had to do was flaunt the threat of harming Ivy or River and before she knew it, she was being pulled back to her hotel room by a man who left bills on the dresser instead of saying goodbye.

Rolling her shoulders back, she clenched her toes in her boots and cleared her throat. "Alright. So long as you look after it, I don't mind, June," she shrugged a shoulder and turned her back but not before Juniper pumped her fist in the air excitedly. "What's a rabbit meant to eat anyway?" she mused, rummaging about inside of the wicker baskets.

Juniper placed the newest member of her admittedly non-existent family into a cardboard box and slid up onto the countertop beside the baskets. "Haven't got a clue," Juniper yanked her cream-coloured cardigan up over her slender shoulders. She rested her chin in the palm of her hand and Dahlia shot a pointed look her way. "I'll figure it out! He might like ice cream or bread or something!"

Dahlia's mouth fell agape and she had to fight back a laugh—— Juniper may have been cunning and a fighter, but god she lacked common sense at times. "June, if you want that rabbit to stick around, you don't feed it ice cream," she started searching the cupboards and checking expiry dates. "I think they eat grass and lettuce."

"Are you sure you're not trying to kill him?" June raised an eyebrow and tapped her fingers against her kneecaps as Dahlia chucked a gone-off banana out of the window for the birds. "Five minutes ago, you told me to get rid of him and now you're telling me about his dietary restrictions."

Dahlia snorted at the comment and playfully swatted her in the face with a tea towel. "I'm not trying to kill him, you idiot."

There was never a dull moment in Juniper's presence and today was no exception. As Dahlia restocked the pantry, she rambled on about every thought entering that little head of hers. Every so often, she would ask if she should stop talking and every time, the woman insisted that it was fine. She couldn't begin to imagine how isolated June felt at times.

Despite her bubbly personality, Juniper lacked in the friend department. She was the victor of the 73rd Hunger Games but, unfortunately, it didn't win her any brownie points with teenagers her age. Most of them claimed she was too much, too exhausting to be around, and her friendships usually fizzled out after six months.

Ivy was the only exception——Dahlia's younger sister and Juniper were like two peas in a pod. Both Dahlia and River had been slightly worried that it might end in tears but so far, they had been best friends for two and a half years (despite the two being polar opposites).

Once the cupboards were stuffed full of juicy berries, gooey pastries and tins of ripe tomatoes, Dahlia eyed up the rabbit once more, trying to make up her mind on it. So long as she didn't have to take care of it, she supposed it didn't matter. She didnt have a say in the matter, technically speaking, yet June nearly always ran things by her anyway.

Maybe it was because Dahlia had been her mentor in the games. In the last two years, she had grown fond of the younger girl, to tell the truth. Or maybe it was because Dahlia was the closest thing to a mother that she had left. Either way, she wouldn't tell her what to do unless it was something irrevocably stupid—- and a rabbit didn't exactly fall into that category.

She dragged her attention away from the rabbit and back to the girl, who was too quiet for Dahlia's liking. "What's wrong with you?" she interrogated, hands on her hips. "Come on June, spit it out," she impatiently dug her fingers into her hipbone.

June hesitated, slowly starting to rock back and forth on the counter. "Do you think our tributes will stand a chance this year?" she murmured, green eyes staring blankly ahead. There was no answer and she cracked her knuckles to fill the silence. "I mean, it's a quarter quell, isn't it? What do you think the catch is gonna be?" she shuffled back on the countertop until her spine hit the wall.

"I don't know," she muttered truthfully. Her answer did little to soothe the blonde's nerves. She didn't have all the answers but she backtracked all the same. "Well, it's four months away. I haven't thought about it, really."

She leaned against the oven, close enough to feel the lumpy dials digging into her pelvis. "Hey, at least it's not us," she teased, draping an arm around the girl's shoulders. "We're gonna do what we do best—- we'll teach them how to fight and we'll work our pretty little asses off to win them sponsors. That's all we can do. Got it?"

She chastely kissed the crown of Juniper's head and squeezed her shoulders before struggling to her feet. "Now, are you walking me out or do I have to do that on my own and all?" she raised a dark brow jokingly.

If Juniper was still upset, it didn't show. She hopped her way to the front door, dragging her feet along the tiles and grabbing hold of Dahlia's bicep when she remembered something she so desperately forgot to tell her.

Dahlia knew what she was doing—— it was obvious that she didn't want to be left on her own for the rest of the day (and, let's be honest, subtle was not in that girl's vocabulary). Nevertheless, she hummed when it fit the context and nodded without missing a beat.

If the years she had spent socializing with the people in the Capitol had taught her anything, it was how to fake a conversation she had absolutely no interest in. After an agonizing ten minutes, she stepped onto the porch and into the warm stream of sunlight before a shadow got in her way.

"Hello, hello, hello my darlings!"

District nines escort, Malaki, traipsed his way down the driveway, flashing the girls a dazzling smile as he approached. Once he was close enough, he grabbed a hold of Juniper's hands, squeezing them gently. "My god. You need to stop growing, Juney," he tutted. There was no malice in his voice—— there never was, not when it came to Malaki.

He turned on Dahlia next, picking up a few limp and loose strands of hair. "Bloom's gonna kill you, y'know that right?" he frowned, letting his hands drop to his hips once more.

As if on cue, a blood-curdling scream came from the woman behind him, followed by the frenzied clack of eight-inch heels.

Bloom clutched at her chest and Malaki had to slip a hand around her waist to keep her steady. "Oh my god, I need a drink already," she murmured between heavy breaths.

Within a split second, she was manhandling Dahlia, angling her head and prodding her cheekbones. "You need to give me something to work with, darling. It's the same every month," she complained, rubbing the crease between her brows.

Bloom began ordering about her gaggle of assistants, hysterically screeching that they were at least twelve hours behind schedule now. Dahlia chanced a glance at Malaki and it took every ounce of self-control that she possessed to not burst into laughter. That would certainly send her stylist into a breakdown.

Bloom's entourage of assistants were drenched with sweat from hauling bulky suitcases from the train. Admittedly, the train couldn't be any closer to Victors Village, but Bloom couldn't fathom the concept of packing light and it showed.

With aching arms and forceful pants of exasperation, the assistants began carrying the supplies up the hill leading to the Holloway house. Dahlia's house wasn't far— less than a minute away from June's, to be exact— and it was more a slope than a hill but with the amount of equipment her stylist had packed, she wasn't surprised by their lack of enthusiasm.

"Don't tell me you forgot about today," Malaki raised an accusing brow in her direction but she brushed him off with a roll of her eyes. "You're lucky Bloom hasn't caught on yet," he continued, checking his golden watch to double-check how long they had to pack. "You may be able to fool our little redheaded friend, but not me, my darling. I know everything."

Dahlia suppressed a smile by clamping her lips shut. He was right. He nearly always was. She had forgotten and Bloom would lose it if she found out.

Malaki always knew people better than they knew themselves.

If Bloom was fretting over a new outfit, he knew how to put her mind at rest. When Dahlia was searching for an escape route out of a particularly painful and uncomfortable conversation, he would glide onto the scene and sweep her away without anyone batting an eyelid.

Malaki wasn't scared of calling people out when they were in the wrong. He knew what to say and when to say it.

"How long does the Capitol need me to stay for?" she couldn't hide the bitterness in her tone as she kicked a pebble into the air. She narrowly missed hitting the back of Bloom's shins and made a mental note to keep her anger at bay before her stylist tripped in her ridiculous heels and broke an ankle— or worse, a nail.

"A week," Malaki replied, choosing to bite the bullet rather than sugar-coating the truth. He didn't scold her for her tone, not when her anger was directed in exactly the right place. "Since our star-crossed lovers won the games, there's been parties in the Capitol all night, every night."

He paused, fingers moving to toy with his lip ring. If he wanted to approach the subject, he needed to take precautions. What she was forced to do on her visits to the Capitol was a sour and sensitive topic and one that she didn't talk about. "I know it's not gonna be a lot of comfort, my darling, but at least you somehow managed to escape some of the parties until now."

She didn't answer for fear of what would come out of her mouth. She knew that he was trying to make her feel better but the reality was that nothing was going to ever make this better.

She sucked in a steadying breath and tried to remain focused as her house grew closer with each step that she took. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks," she choked out the words, offering him a tight-lipped smile.

Malaki gave her a curt nod. He didn't push her for a further answer and chose to walk in silence while the pair caught up with Bloom and her assistants.

Dahlia worked her way through the miniature sea of people gathering at her front door, each one of them slightly skittish. She couldn't blame them— Ivy and River had a history of being... hostile when it came to her prep team.

She debated asking them to wait outside but decided against it. Hopefully, she could gather her things and leave as quickly as possible. Ushering the group into the warmth of her hallway, she racked her brain for a plausible excuse that would satisfy her brother.

"What the hell are they doing here?"

Looked like she was out of time to think. Closing the door behind her, she let out a sigh and turned to face her brother's temper. "Dial it down, for gods sake," she huffed under her breath, returning his glare with just as much discontentment. Shoving her brother out of the back door and onto the patio, she left her team to their own devices in the living room.

River's eyes were blazing with anger but she knew it wasn't directed at her. No, it was aimed at the people who were associated with the Capitol, a group of rich and selfish people who had stolen his parents from him. His jaw was clenched so tightly that it ached. "How long are they here for this time?" he snapped, knuckles white from holding onto his bicep.

"Not long. I have to go to the Capitol for a week," she folded her arms over her chest shamefully. "I can tell Ivy that I have to do planning for the quarter quell or something," she pinched the bridge of her nose, head throbbing with pain.

While River knew about her... arrangement with the president, Ivy was unaware of why she was called back to the Capitol every month.

Ivy was seventeen and her older siblings had agreed that there was no need for her to know. She was still so young. She had a couple of childhood years left—and Dahlia was damn certain that the Capitol didn't get to take those, not when they had robbed her family of so much already.

River's eyes softened ever so slightly and he sighed through parted lips. "I'll come up with an excuse for Ivy. I'll look after Wyatt and Juniper, too, there's no need to worry about them," he said softly, rubbing at the crease between his brows.

"Just—— be careful, yeah?" he dragged a hand down the length of his face. He moved a bit too quickly for Dahlia's liking and she flinched without thinking. He muttered an apology under his breath, taking a step out of her space. "You better bring me back those scones I like, alright?" he teased, trying to break cut up the tension in the air. He lay a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

His touch began to burn and she wriggled out of his grasp, grinding her teeth. He didn't take it personally; between the Hunger Games and the men in the Capitol, she couldn't stand being touched.

Dahlia endured the physical contact whenever it was asked of her but if she could avoid it, she did. Ivy and River had witnessed one too many of her episodes to bother being offended at this point.

She wrung her hands together anxiously and craned her neck to peer through the glass panel in the back door.

Malaki ran his fingers over a painting that hung on the wall while Bloom hastily dashed about, scolding her assistants for messing with precious valuables.

Dahlia pulled her sleeves over her hands and turned her attention away from her prep team. "I should get going before Bloom pops a blood vessel." She made a start for the door but paused. "River?"

"Yeah?"

"Please don't let June feed that rabbit ice cream."

#grace talks🐚🌷 #the hunger games #wlw #thg #finnick odair x reader #finnick odair x oc #finnick odair fluff #finnick odair smut #catching fire #mockingjay #coming clean #dahlia holloway

[adri-2022]

Whatever it takes

Fandom: Chicago PD

Characters: Jay Halstead x FemReader / OC Dahlia "Lia" Halstead / CPD

Warnings: angst/ swearing/ violence/ kidnapping

Word count: 3054

Jay Halstead Materlist

A/N: Hello my beautiful readers. I worked really hard on this one and I'm really excited for you all to read. Portraying Dahlia "Lia" Halstead is Abigail Cowen. Here is a request from @hngbrooks

[You can listen to "Are You With Me" by nilu]

Don't be afraid to leave your comment!

Part II

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It was the call you never expected or wished to have, your daughter screaming at the top of her lungs. Nothing was supposed to happen she was at her friend’s house for a sleepover, it was supposed to be a calm and quiet night. Now a couple of hours after the horrible call, the team had reunited at the district to take on the case. You and your husband both replayed in your heads her words and the desperation that came with them.

You and Jay laughed as you sat in the living room both appreciating the night alone and off work. Your 16-year-old daughter Dahlia -Lia as she likes to be called- was currently at her friend’s house. Her parents had planned it for Lia and Lucy -Lia’s friend- and since you had interacted with them before, you both agreed to let her go. It was approximately 11pm when Jay’s phone rang Lia’s face popping on the screen, he answered putting it on speaker.

“Hi honey. Everything alright” Jay asked between chuckles as he laughed at something you said

“Dad…” the tone of her voice made both of you freeze and sit up straight on the couch

“Baby what’s going on? Everything okay?” you asked leaning slightly towards the phone on Jay’s hand. Shallow breathing could be heard from the other line, along with silence.

“There is someone in the house” she whispered. At this your eye widen as your hand on reflex grabbed your husbands forearm, his hand falling into the grasp

“Lia. Listen where are Lucy’s parents?” Jay asked trying to maintain calm during the situation but inside he was as panicked as you were

“I don’t know. I think they left without me. There is no one here, not even Lucy… Dad I’m scared, I don’t know what to do” her voice broke as she still whispered into the phone. You shared a look with Jay before you both jumped into action, grabbing your keys and rushing to climb into the truck.

“Lia babe. Where are you?” Jay asked as he pulled out of the driveway

“I’m in Lucy’s room” she said as you heard her shuffle around the room silently

“Jay-” you started to talk before getting quiet as you heard noise from the phone. There was a banging on the other side of the line that made you jump, a small cry followed by hurried footsteps.

“Dad- they’re here. I locked myself in the bathroom. But I think they saw me” Lia sobbed as she panted panic invading her senses

“Baby, listen to me alright. We’re on our way. I promise. Stay where you are. We’re coming to get you” Jay said sternly at the thought of something bad happening to his daughter

“Mom” Lia cried into the phone as screaming was being heard, a banging noise after making your heart drop.

“I’m coming Lia. I swear” you exclaimed, making Jay go faster as you both heard struggle from the other side

“MOM! No. Let me go. Dad. DAD!” Lia screamed before there was a thud on the other side. You thought they had done something to make her quiet, but Lia exclaimed one last time.

“Three guys. Dragon tattoo on their necks!” before you heard a slap over the line and silence after that.

Jay started cursing, his hand hitting the steering wheel as your eyes stayed on the screen of the truck her name still there. Hearing shuffling which you could only imagine was her being dragged away. As you arrived at Lucy’s house you both entered guns pointed in case they were still in there. But luck wasn’t on your side, clearing every room you both arrived at the bathroom. The door was ripped from the hinges and there were clear signs of struggle.

“Shit” you barely heard Jay’s curse, as you shook your head. The denial.

“No” you whispered as you frantically moved to look around the bedroom again, almost hoping she was hiding somewhere. Your husband noticed your panicked state so he went towards you.

“Hey Y/N. Listen we’re gonna find her” Jay said cupping your cheeks as your breathing picked up

“You don’t know that Jay” you cried, as he brought you into his arms whispering reassuring words. But nothing made it easy for either of you.

An hour later you were sat at your desk your head in your arms as you silently cried. Jay stood next to you a hand on your shoulder for support as the team was silent, none knew what to say to their friends. Being woken at almost 1am by the news the team didn’t hesitate to spend extra hours trying to find Lia. By now everyone had changed into tactical uniforms prepared for anything that could come up.

“Anything on camera?” Jay asked Kim, the brunette shook her head painstakingly

“She said they had a dragon tattoo on their necks” you said, as you straightened yourself sniffing

“I’ll look into it” Kevin answered as rushing to his desk.

Hank called both of you to his office after he finished his call, neither taking a sit arms crossed with a mixed of concerned and pissed looks on both your faces. 

“Patrol found Lucy’s father, Jason. But. Before we take on this. Are we doing this my way or yours?” Hank asked looking between you and Jay. Nor you neither Jay said a word looking straight at the sergeant, he nodded.

“I don’t give a flying fuck how we do this. Just bring my daughter back. You bring her back” you said jaw tensed as tears burned your eyes.

“Whatever it takes” Jay nodded beside you agreeing with you while he gently squeezed your shoulder.

The older man nodded gesturing to both of you to follow him down to the garage. As you three entered you saw him sitting inside the cage. As he made eye contact with you, you fasten your steps grabbing a bat and opening the door with a swing. Jay wasn’t going to stop you, and neither would your sergeant.

“Where were you? Where is she?” you asked inching yourself closer to him, he shook his head in response

“I SWEAR I’M GOING TO SWING THIS BAT INTO YOUR SKULL!” you screamed, before you raised the bat, he recoiled raising his cuffed hands -you weren’t gonna hit him, not yet at least-

“Where is my daughter, Jason? Talk you coward piece of shit” Jay said next, standing in front at the door of the cage

“You know who has her” you said pointing at him threateningly

“I don’t know what you mean” he said looking directly at you, trying to hide a smile. When you saw this you felt helpless, he was supposed to look after Lia while she was in his house and here he was nonchalantly like he didn’t care.

“You were supposed to look after her, why didn’t you?” Hank asked inching closer, Jason shrugged his shoulders, turning his head avoiding all eye contact 

“Why did you leave her alone at your house!?” you continued grabbing his jaw harshly and turning his head back to look into your eyes. You were met with Jason’s stoic unbothered face.

“I swear to god! I don’t even care if I go to jail” in a swift motion Jay pushed himself of the door and grabbed Jason by the collar of his shirt pulling him to his feet and into the wall behind.

“Talk. Or I’ll let her swing. You wanna play tough, huh, how about now” your husband said grabbing his gun and pointing it at Jason’s throat

“Okay. Okay, I’m sorry I owe them money” Jason said trying to wiggle out of Jay’s hold,

“And you left my daughter at your house! You knew they were coming after you. You ran like the coward you are, taking your family. What about mine?! You left her there! You should be grateful I don’t put a bullet to your fucking head” Jay exclaimed before smacking Jason with the gun.

“You’re going to regret doing that” your husband said putting his gun away grabbing Jason’s arm pulling him off the ground fixing the latter’s shirt. Standing toe to toe with him, face inches away.

“You can’t. You’re a cop” Jason said eye wide as he looked between the three

“Who’s going to stop me” Jay said in a tone so cold it made shivers run doing your spine, he turned to looked towards you taking the bat from your hands.

“Go upstairs” Jay said as you looked up at him with a confused expression on your face. Before you gazed at Hank,

“Go Y/N” the older man said nodding to the stairs

“Jay-” you whispered shaking your head, you were both in this together

“If things go south, one of us has to be out of the loop” Jay gazed into your eyes, making you shake your head in protest

He wanted to make sure that if this got out, somehow, that you would be clear and Lia wouldn’t be alone. Before you could object, you shared a look with your sergeant who nodded encouraging. Hank Voight wouldn’t let anything get out; he would have both of your backs.

“Trust me. He’s gonna talk” Jay said tightening the grip on the bat. You looked towards Jason’s frozen form; he didn’t know how much and with whom he had messed up.

“Do it” you said looking back at Jay and nodding once, before rushing upstairs.

At the same time in some place in the city of Chicago a 16-year-old girl was sitting in the dark, knees pulled to her chest as she laid her head in them. She was tired, confused and scared.

-Who are this people? Are they after my parents?- these were one of her many questions. She was pulled out of her thoughts as she saw the doorknob shake slightly before a man walked in.

The way he held himself made Lia understand he was important, his face was still in the shadows so Lia couldn’t see who it was, the only visible thing was his blonde hair. The three men that had dragged her out of Lucy’s house -thing 1,2 & 3- still wore their ski masks as they stood behind him. Lia recoiled to the corner of the room, silent tears ran down her face as she waited for the man to move or say something.

“YOU HAD ONE JOB” the new voice screamed.

He had an accent that Lia recognized -Russian-. She sobbed silently daring to raise her eyes slightly, confused as she saw that the man wasn’t looking at her instead she was staring at his back as he raised a finger towards the other man.

“Sir?” thing 1 said but was interrupted,

“Who is this kid?” blonde man asked looking over his shoulder at Lia who immediately snap her eyes down, before he turned back to the three.

“That’s-. That’s Jason’s kid. I thought you wanted us to bring her here”

-So, he’s the boss- Lia thought as the kidnapper laughed slightly thinking his boss was joking -oh but he wasn’t-. As she gazed at them again the blonde started laughing making the thing 3 laugh nervously. He turned to Lia,

“Little lady cover your eyes” he said, Lia confused followed what he said putting her head back on her knees. Jumping and covering her ears as she heard a loud popping sound -gunshot- she thought

“You DUMB FUCK” he screamed at the bleeding body.

“God damnit! I gave you a picture. She’s a redhead! Jason’s kid is a brunette, you dumb assholes” he screamed rubbing his forehead, biting his lip as he raised his fist like he was about to punch the other two guys.

“You both are gonna fix this. Now. I’m not happy” the blonde man said as he turned around at the teenager who’s arms covered her head, before he shook his head. The sound of gunshots were heard between the silence.

Back at the district you sat at the edge of your desk. It felt like it had been hours since you left the cage but in reality it had been 20 minutes. Being pulled out of your thoughts when you saw Hank walking into the bullpen, Jay trailing behind

“We’ve got a location. Let’s go!” not a second was waisted after hearing those words as everyone ran to the cars. Jay drove both of you, you took a shaky breath that broke into a sob. You felt your husbands hand on the back of your neck thumb caressing it as you cried.

“Please let her be okay” you kept repeating between sobs bending forward slightly.

Still rubbing his hand on your back Jay was no longer trying to hide his tears. You were both emotionally exhausted and the uncertainty of Lia not making it was destroying you from the inside out. As you arrived at the abandoned building the team dispersed, you followed Hailey as Jay went with Hank.

The place was cold, wet and dark it made you tear at the thought of your daughter being in this place, alone. Room by room, you felt your hope disappear at the emptiness of each of them. The team had cleared the rooms on their side and were coming towards you and Hailey for backup.

“It’s the last one” you whispered voice breaking, Hailey took a deep breath before turning the doorknob and pushing the door open. Both gasping at the sight in front of you.

“Lia. Let her go!” “Drop it!” both Hailey and you exclaimed as you saw a blonde man pointing a gun at your daughters head while she sat tide to a chair tape on her mouth. You could hear her muffled screams and the tears running down her cheeks at the sight of you -her mom- but you were unable to understand anything.

“No, I think I won’t” the man said, as you barely heard Hailey

“There’s bodies” she whispered to you as you flickered your gaze to the floor looking back at your daughter as she closed her eyes

“Lia. Baby open your eyes” you said taking your eyes off the man threatening the life of your only daughter and looking directly at her.

Lia followed what you said making eye contact with you as you gave her a reassuring smile. She knew you were going to save her because, if there was anyone in this world that could do it. That would be you and her dad.

“How cute. You must be mom” the man laughed nudging the tip of his gun into Lia’s head

“You wanna know what your biggest mistake was?” you clenched your jaw as you spoke to the man

“Sending this dumbasses to do a job I could’ve done” he asked humorously

“Yeah- and taking my daughter you asshole” you said before firing your gun.

You breathed out as you ran into the room to your daughters sitting figure. Her eyes closed tightly afraid to open them. As you slowly took it off the tape on her mouth and arms, she started crying in relief

“Mom” “Hey sweetie. You’re okay” you said pulling her to her feet and hugging her tight, hearing heavy footsteps from the hallway.

“Jay! She’s in here” Hailey screamed at the latter who had come into her view.

The rest of the team following closely behind guns raised since they had heard the gunshot echo through the building. Your husband ran like hell towards where Hailey was pointing. He thought of all the possibilities, all of the outcomes and prayed.

As he came into the room he sighed in relief before running towards you engulfing both into his chest as he kissed Lia’s forehead. After a minute you pulled away letting Jay wrapped Lia into a bone crashing hug. His hand protectively tucking her head into his neck your daughter sobbed as she buried herself deeper into her dad’s arms while you caressed her hair.

“You guys came for me” she cried in Jay’s chest, making tears escape your eyes

“Of course, we did” you whispered

“Hey sweetheart. Did they hurt you?” Jay said in her ear desperately, as he silently prayed they hadn’t laid a finger on her hair.

“No. I’m okay” when you heard Lia’s confirmation, both you and Jay breath in relieve as the team closed their eyes relishing in the same feeling.

“Halstead let’s get her to Med” Hank said as he made eye contact with you

“Just give me a minute to hold her, alright” Jay said voice breaking as he locked eyes with the older man who nodded, signaling the team to give you some privacy.

Hours later of rushing Lia to the ED and dealing with a panicked Will Halstead as he saw his niece in a stretcher with the whole team behind it. He had been informed of the whole situation briefly by Hailey, he had mixed emotions about it. He felt hurt Jay hadn’t contacted him as fast as it happened -maybe he could’ve helped- but Will understood the priorities, he knew he would’ve only been in the way.

Now you and Jay sat beside your daughters sleeping form. While she laid on her left side, one hand in yours and the other on Jay’s. Jay brushed the fallen hairs off her face with his free hand as you rested your head on his shoulder. Both looking at your most prized possession, a gift that could’ve easily been snatched from existence.

“I thought we were going to lose her” you whispered trying not to wake your daughter up. At your voice Jay turned his head slightly pecking your forehead before sighing.

“I know, me too. But she’s right here and nothing will ever happen to her. I swear on my life” Jay said as he continued looking at his daughter and brushing her hair.

Before she had fallen asleep Doctor Charles had visited. Lia told the three of you what had happened, what she heard and what the man said to her. You listened carefully; still on edge as parents hearing what she endured. The fear in her voice hunted you both even after hours of looking at her because after this, life would never be the same again.

#jay halstead x reader #chicago pd imagines #jay halstead #jay halstead fluff #jay halstead x y/n #jay halstead x you #fan fiction #one chicago fic #jay halstead angst #jay halstead x daughter

[thornofthelily]

@pinksparkl tagged me in this, what, like a week ago? But I wasn't able to sit down to organize my thoughts because I've been busy with life lol

So here it goes! My 5 + 1 headcanons! 5 Redactedverse headcanons I hold and 1 I'm still working on!

(Sorry if these are supposed to be like, fics, because I don't really have many posted fics or wips right now lmao)

1. Will is basically our silly old grandpa vampire now, but he carefully cultivated that reputation after centuries of brutality. There's a reason the gentle-voiced, teasing, Bob Ross-loving vampire survived to become an old blood king, and it wasn't always through kindness. There's a reason he wants to be a good maker, and also, why he's reluctant to turn people (and no, it's not Alexis's fault for being a "hellion")

2. Lovely was in college when they met Vincent. They had moved to Dahlia for regular human school, and it was the first time they'd been away from home. They were trying to balance school and work and maintain their friendships from back home, but it wasn't going well. They were feeling pretty lonely and not adjusting to life in Dahlia well, and that's why they went to Wonderworld for the first time. They thought it would be a good story for their friends at home, or impress someone from their classes there. They felt like they had something to prove. (When their core was awoken and they switched to DAMN, they finally started making friends and fitting in in a way they never felt like they had among humans. They still had some human friends but DAMN was the first place they felt like they belonged.)

3. Not an original but a goodie I think, but I am ten thousand percent in camp "Angel and Guy are siblings." And honestly, I've come to accept "Angel" as being their actual name. Like, their real names from birth are Guy, and Angel. Their parents liked those oddly specific, literal names. Their boy child is a Guy, their sweet (as a baby) child is an Angel.

4. "Dear" (Lasko's listener) first really fell for him during the Inversion. They were stuck outside with everyone else, and though they didn't have anyone they were especially close to inside, they were still scared sick for their coworkers and students. They had always been passively aware of and attracted to Lasko, and normally they'd never risk the discomfort of flirting with or asking out a coworker, but after Inversion, they had so much respect and admiration for him for how he stood up and got people organized and inspired them and everyone else to rush in to take down shades and find survivors, they finally decided to be brave and ask him out, long after the dust finally settled.

5. Asher is actually incredible well-read and loves literature. Before becoming the goofy gamer loud mouth can't cook beta we all know and love, his mom being a writer meant he grew up surrounded by books all the time. He gained most of his emotional intelligence through reading, and if things ever got tense in the pack, he tended to retreat to a book, read the whole thing in one night, and come back rejuvenated and refreshed and ready to help resolve whatever issues people had the day before.

And for the one I'm still working on...

With all the discussion going around, it made me want to revamp my race/ethnicity headcanons. Full disclosure, I know I'm not the best at writing diversely, it's an issue I'm aware of and I am trying to work on. It requires a few drafts of my ocs to get past the same pale template I default to. So, in examining my hcs for the various speaker and listener characters, while I already had a few, I was looking for other characters I could spice up past the same template, and I am working on the idea of having a Philippino Guy (and by extension, Angel). I haven't done much to expand this idea or flesh it out with any greater detail, but it fits pretty well in my head so far!

#redacted asmr #redacted audio #redacted headcanons #five + 1 game #redacted william #redacted lasko #redacted asher #redacted lovely #redacted guy #redacted angel

[rohirric-hunter]

Oh yeah and this is the shortlist of my OCs/stolen canon characters that are going to Umbar:

Leonys. Leonys is getting to Umbar in an unconventional manner and will not be involved with most of the Epic.

Hathellang. I know the devs aren't reading my fanfic because that's illegal*, but I honestly do find it hard to believe, after they wrote the perfect foil for Hathellang in Nakasi. And it's a delightful challenge because while there's a fair chance I couldn't do so well myself, there's a 100% chance I wouldn't have. Like this is not something I would have thought to write, regardless of how perfect it is. And that's always fun to play with!

Indarant. I mentioned at some point the idea of multiclassing her "back" into Loremaster, but wasn't really sure what I would do with that. A really good setup is a sorcerer antagonist who makes a big deal out of drawing his power from nature. Make her face head-on what scared her so much about the power way back when. Also Kholtekh is going to come up to her like, "I think maybe Thorongil might have possibly become a king. What do you think of that?" and she's gonna fully look him in the eyes and say, "He did. What about it?" Like in public. Woman has No Tact. I am still figuring out her in-universe reasons for going, though.

Dahlia and Ferelin. I may or may not have mentioned on here that their big motivation for leaving the Shire was to track down their missing father, who, being a Took, had gone off on an Adventure, as Tooks do, and then never came back before they were born. So they've actually never met him. And spoilers technically but I don't really care -- they do eventually find him, one of the oar-slaves aboard a Corsair ship in Pelargir. Pretty quickly after the Black Gate he goes back to the Shire to see their mother. The twins, dealing with mixed feelings about All That, stay behind and go adventuring with Leonys and Hathellang some more. They need to see some of the things their father saw, and also have some conversations with a certain old friend going by a really stupid name and playing at being a bounty hunter assassin. For character development.

Helegdil. Helegdil is my mariner alt and is specifically being developed to stop this from happening again. Leonys and Hathellang weren't even supposed to go to Gundabad, let alone Umbar. They need to go home before I have to rewrite major parts of Blood of the Covenant on account of it happening years in the future. So the next time the Urge strikes me to throw them at a new questline I am going to do my level best to throw Helegdil at it instead. He's a new character and hasn't told me much about himself yet, but I've got a strong base with some wibbly themes that I can work into whatever stories he ends up in, probably. Heavily inspired by many indulgent fanfics set in post-war Gondor that I read as a kid.

I am putting Candaith in this situation. Candaith has an arc in Blood of the Covenant that I think will benefit from this sort of adventure.

I would really like to put Boromir in this situation too. I don't know how feasible it is from a logistical standpoint, since Imrahil's very good reasons for not going would also apply to him I think. But I have this vague fuzzy idea for what to Do With Boromir post-war and I think this would lead into it very well. That's the trouble with writing an AU that saves characters that die in canon. You have to Do Something with them, especially if, as in this case, parts of the shape of the story after their death are defined by their absence. It can be a lot of heavy lifting.

*It's not illegal actually I don't think but their lawyers will tell them not to do it. For this specific reason. If I was of a less agreeable sort and could produce evidence that they were reading my fanfic then they run the risk of getting sued. I wouldn't win this particular case, I don't think, but getting sued is expensive. And this has happened in the past I think with some TV shows. So unfortunately no fanfic for writers while they're actively writing for a property.

#(also when i say 'less agreeable' i mean i wouldnt do anything for like. broad ideas. concepts) #(if they were to say lift one of my ocs wholesale then i would not be agreeable about it at all) #(but i do not think they would do that. if only because it would be very stupid. from a legal standpoint) #lotro #spoilers of umbar #the wind will set me racing #i was going to throw belharen into the mix but there wasnt anything there #well there was one thing but it was heavy handed and ridiculous and sort of uncomfortable

[hyolks]

hi im the one who drew an oc in the wastelands au!!

had funny thing to share i thought of- because clara (tavern owner) and luanne work at a tavern i thought it would be funny and ironic if its named "snake eye's" and clara is going around saying "haha funny because theres one eye between two of us" (she is blind and lulu has one functioning eye)

i need to design clara and dahlia old woman yuri in wastelands au,,,,,,,,,,,

ill tag you if i doodle anything 🫶

I LOVE COWBOY YURI OMG AND THESE TWO WOULD BE SO FUNNY..... the blind joke is so good its almost like ed being titled fullmetal LMAO

👀

#askbox #SORRY I FORGOT TO RESPOND #OLD WOMAN YURI!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO YIPPPEEEE EPLS PLSPLS

[zozo-01]

Where I'm from, Rehna means to stay.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all y'all glorious bastards and bitches!!! Is this a Christmas fic? No, it ain't even a winter themed fic. Butttt, it's a fic I promise to write for @sri-rachaa that I finallyyy decided to finish! So, Rae Rae!!! Here's your surprise (even for me) Christmas fic, featuring your favourite headcanon (that's basically canon), your Lovely OC and my Darlin' OC.

[Thank you soooo much to @daveyistheloml for being my beta reader, and tagging @gingerbreadmonsters and @haradasaya to prove that yes, this is fluff. ;-; I am capable of fluff. ;-;]

CW: Fem! Darlin' and Lovely, both characters have names and use she/her pronous, canon divergent (this takes place in Rae's 'Southern Sibling' AU), Sam is still a freelancer, mentions of Quinn and what he did to Darlin' + Momma Collins talking about asshole Papa Collins, my Darlin' OC is a Toronto girl and for once, I am not ashamed of that

--

The lack of… anything in the countryside always left her unnerved.

Where are the buildings? The people? The random squirrel trying to cross the street? All there was for the eye to see was farmland, farmland and the occasional horse.

Maybe part of the reason she was uncomfortable was that there wasn’t anything to distract her from her thoughts. Back home in Toronto (despite living in Dahlia for a decade, she still thinks of Toronto as home), there were a million things to pay attention to. 

The crowded streets and equally crowded sidewalks. The cars honking at each other. The trains running beneath her feet. The occasional crackhead that was spewing some wisdom to the people walking by. The guy hiding in the alleyway with something… whether it was a knife or gun, she wasn’t gonna stick around and watch.

Ah, the good old days.

The country didn’t have any of that. Unlike the dangerous city, there was nothing of note to focus on. And the fact she couldn’t focus on anything made her brain go haywire.

In her mind, there was nothing in this world that could make her give up her city ways and live in the middle of nowhere.

“You doing alright, darlin’?”

Or maybe there was someone who could.

Zohniyya looked over to the freelancer driving. She shook her head and said, “nah, I’m good, handsome.” Her gaze returned to the vast nothingness outside. She strained her ears to find signs of life, but all she could hear was the heartbeat of the man next to her.

That ain’t a bad thing to listen to.

Just for tonight, she’ll keep quiet about how much silence bothered her. Sam finds the cornfields and the flat lands comforting, the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves was the sound of home.

But that wasn’t the only reason she was unnerved. She was meeting Sam’s mother for the first time. She is going to have to introduce herself, make a good impression and not fuck up everything like she usually does. It wasn’t like parents didn’t like her, aunties of her childhood adored the girl she was. Always perfectly in control of everything, whether it be of the children or of herself.

But that had been when she was the obedient, depleted girl. Now she was a little wiser, a little colder and knew that the opinions of others didn’t define who she was. 

…But holy fucking shit, Zohniyya will drown in her own tears if Sam’s mother showed any kind of disapproval towards her.

She reached into her bag and fiddled with her concealer. Occasionally, she’d look up into her mirror and eye the scars on her face and neck with disgust. The ones he left behind. 

‘Maybe I should hide the scars… maybe just the bites…?’

“Put the damn makeup away, Zohniyya.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m just saying Sam, the bite marks? I don’t want your momma to think I’m some sorta chew toy.” That comment caused her a sharp pinch on her thigh.

“You’re not a chew toy, let alone that leech’s,” he snarled. It was his default tone of voice whenever her last relationship was brought up. His knuckles were turning white from how tightly he was gripping the steering wheel.

She grabbed one of his hands, and placed a gentle kiss on it. It wasn’t much, but the simple kiss was enough to relax him, slightly. “I know, meri Chandh Raath. It’s just,” her voice trailed off and she turned back to look out the window. “I want your mom to like me, and the scars… ya know.” 

Sam took the concealer from Zohniyya’s hand and chucked it to the back seat, ignoring the complaint from the wolf to be careful with the bottle. “Darlin’, my momma’s gonna love ya. You’re her perfect woman, and she’d kill me if I broke your heart.”

“Ok, but like, wouldn’t you be concerned if our kid brought home a partner with a shit tonna scars?”

“I’d be concerned about our child’s partner rather than judge them.”

Neither of them noticed that they’d said ‘our’ and not ‘your’.

She let out a soft laugh. “You’re such a stubborn piece of shit. Let me loathe in peace you southern bastard.”

“No can do, my darlin’ princess. I made a promise to make you happy, safe and loved. And that’s exactly what I plan on doing, so get that pretty head back onto earth.”

She groaned, “I am not a princess, Sam. We’ve talked about this.”

“Well sure as hell gorgeous like one, Zo.” He barked out a laugh when his darlin’ tried to hit him from her seated position. “There’s that smile of yours.”

“Shut the fuck up!” Despite the harsh words, she was smiling and blushing and feeling light and airy and giddy and she just wants to kiss him and oh God Sam is the best and-

“REHNA!!! She’d be terrified of the scars!!”

Sam scoffed. “Please, Missy likes the weirdest shit, and you are far from weird.” He pulls up to the quaint but beautiful house in the middle of farmland. He stopped them from opening her door, and quickly came to her side of the car, opening it for her.

“Thank you, gentleman.” 

He held her hand and helped her out of the car, but before she could walk to the front door, he pulled her close to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “I know you’re nervous, and I get that.” He rubs her back in a soothing manner. “But I promise you nothing bad is gonna happen in there, I won’t let it.” He kissed her hairline to seal the promise.

She smiled at the reassuring words and let out a deep breath. “Ok, handsome.” She pecked his lips and dragged him to the front door. Was her heart pounding so loudly that a human like Sam can hear? Were they three seconds away from shifting and running back to Dahlia? 

‘Get your head in the fucking game! You’ve fought people way worse and you were a hockey player and figure skater. You so got this.’

Sam rang the doorbell and she heard someone rushing to the door.

‘Oh I so don’t got this, ami help!!!’

Sam placed both his hands on her shoulder to ground her. He didn’t have to be Avior or Gavin to feel the anxiety roll off her. “You are the Zohniyya Qadir. Toughest wolf from the north. And the only person crazy enough to call me your boyfriend.”

“Hey! If anything, you’re the crazy one for accepting me as your girlfriend!”

She tries to ignore the wolf within her, the one screaming at her to call Sam her mate.

Before Sam could rebuttal, the door opened and a golden blur bolted out the house towards Sam’s legs. “SAMMY’S HOME!” A young girl latched onto him with a death grip and nearly knocked over the healer. 

Sam chuckled and patted the little lightning bolt on her back. “Hey there ducklin', happy to see me again?” He didn’t get a verbal response, only a sniffle and a nod. He gave a small smile and lifted her up to carry the little girl. “I know I am, ducklin'. Missed you so much and it’s good to hold you again.” 

Little Rehna rested her head on his shoulder and clung onto his neck. “I don’t want you to leave again Sammy… Please don’t leave again…” She started tearing up and Zohniyya had to steel herself to stop herself from crying. She knew the pain of losing a sibling, and she would never wish that pain on anyone.

“Rennie, I’m never gonna leave ya. Sure, I’ll be leaving you once in a while, but I’ll always come back to you and momma, I promise.” He held out his pinky, waiting for Rehna to wrap her own smaller pinky around his. She does, sealing the promise and love between the two siblings. 

‘Awww, this is kind of cute… Oh fuck, bitch, do not get baby fever now-’ 

“Now, I want you to meet someone. Darlin’, this here is my baby sister Rehna, but you’re free to call her Rennie.”

‘Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck, do not fuck this up Zo! Or you can start running, whichever works.’

Rehna turned her head to see the brunette and brown eyed shifter standing to the side. She watched as Rehna went wide eyed and her mouth fell open. The worst thoughts filled her brain. That his little sister didn’t approve of her. That she was right, the scars scared her and that the concealer was necessary.

That despite everything she tries to do, she’ll never be enough for Sam and his love.

“Are you a princess? You’re so pretty!”

Oh, so that wasn’t what she expected.

Zohniyya’s shocked expression dissipated when she saw the cocky smirk on her cowboy’s face. She opened her mouth to tell him to ‘fuck off’, but his eyes gestured to the child in the room. It wouldn’t be the worst thing if she swore, it wasn’t like the people around her when she was a child kept it PG.

Right, she had to make a good impression.

“Aww, I’m no princess, kid. I’m just Zohniyya.” She smiled at Rehna, hoping to appear less scary. Her scared and expressionless face tends to terrify people, and little Rehna was the last person she was trying to push away.

The young girl let out a loud and exaggerated gasp. “You’re Sam’s lady! He talks about you all the time! Is it true that you can turn into a wolf? Can you do it now? Please, please, I wanna see!” Sam barely held onto her with all the thrashing and moving she was doing in his arms.

“Alright missy, no need to blindside her like that. She can show you her wolf form if she chooses to, ok?” Despite the pout and puppy dog eyes on Rehna’s face, she nodded in understanding. He put her down onto the ground and continued. “Run along ducklin’. Why don’t you head inside and tell ma we’re here.” Rehna yelled out an “okay” and ran into the house, leaving the wolf and her freelancer outside.

Sam pulled Zohniyya in by her shoulders and rested her head on his chest. “See? Now was that so bad? I told you everything will be ok.” He kissed her forehead and smiled reassuringly. 

She let out a shaky breath and whispered, “yea, it wasn’t bad.” She did what she always did when she was overwhelmed and buried herself in his chest. The warmth in her chest brought forth by his heartbeat and scent was enough to bring her down from her spiral. “I’m still worried about your mom.”

He chuckled, “don’t you be worried about ma. She’s been waitin’ to meet you since I told her about us.” Sam gently moved Zohniyya’s head from his chest, needing to look into her eyes. It was his way of telling her that everything will be ok. He kissed her on her lips, wanting to see and adoring the smile that came soon after. “Let’s get inside before the heat knocks ya out, you winter wolf.”

She gasped in offence and punched his shoulder, resting her hand there. “I ain’t ever gonna tell you my southern adventures ever again if you keep teasin’ me about that shit.” Her hand slowly trails down the length of his arms, holding his elbow. “Shall we head inside?”

The southern freelancer pulled her close and straightened his back. “We shall head inside,” he said, and the two walked inside Sam’s childhood home.

The first thing they noticed was the plethora of photos on the wall. Some were as recent as a few months ago. Others were as old as the ranch house. She assumed that every picture was of the Collins family. Sam had mentioned that the Oklahoma ranch and land had belonged to his family for generations, it only makes sense for so many memories to be captured in this space.

It also felt like the old generations of the Collins family were judging her.

“City Scum.”

“Whore.”

“Vampire fuckthing.”

‘No no, do not let those thoughts mess with you now. You’re about to fucking rock this shit and Sam’s mom is gonna love you… Just… don’t fuck it up.’

“See, I knew I was right callin’ you princess.” His smug smile brought her back to reality, if only to want to smack the cocky grin off his face.

“Meri pyaari, meri dunya aur meri akhirah. I love you deeply. But I swear if you don’t knock this shit off, I will smack the shit out of you.” The threat didn’t have its usual heat because of her beaming smile. He didn’t need to know that he’d be the only one who can call her princess. 

The couple stepped foot into the living room, where an old woman was fussing over the throw pillows on the couch. She turned to the sound of footsteps and cried out, “dear Lord, you made it!” She launched herself at Sam and pulled him into a tight hug. “Are you ok? How was the drive in? Are ya hungry? Thirsty?” Her lips couldn’t hold back the flood of questions that poured out of her.

The only thing that stopped her borderline interrogation was Zohniyya shyly standing behind Sam. The Collins’ mother shoved her son out of her way to approach the wolf. “Oh where are my manners, my name’s Delilah, Sam’s mother. And yours darlin’?”

“My name’s Zohniyya, ma’am and it’s an honour to meet you. Sam has told me incredible things about you.” She tried to keep her city accent from dripping on her words, something she knew Sam noticed, judging by his quirked eyebrow aimed at her.

Delilah laughed and wrapped her arm around Zohniyya’s shoulders. “No need to be so formal with sugar! Call me DeDe, that’s what all my friends call me.” 

Her bright smile made the white wolf relax. “Well in that case, you can call me Zozo, it’s been my nickname for a long a- long time.” 

‘Ok, ok this is good! We’re exchanging nicknames, so that means she must somewhat like me.’

Delilah pinched the wolf’s cheeks. “Aww, aren’t you a beautiful precious thing. Sam’s told me a ton about you as well but I wanna hear it from you! Where ya from?” Delilah turned her back to the couple and went back to organizing her living room.

Before Zohniyya could open her mouth and give an answer that bends the truth of her city status, Sam shot her a look that screamed one thing. 

“Don’t you dare hide anything about yourself darlin’. All of you is wonderful and I want my mom to understand that.”

She sighed. “I was born in Toronto, but I moved to Dahlia when I was 16. It’s where I live now and I’m in law school to be a lawyer.”

“Ohohoho, my son managed to snag a city slicker like you? And a pretty one at that!” Delilah chuckled at the embarrassed expression on Sam and Zohniyya’s faces. “I hope our humble home is to your liking. I know it ain’t compared to city houses.”

“No, no, your home is wonderful! It’s cozy and I like it!” She was honest when she said that. The Collins’ family home was warm and bright, unlike the harsh grays she’s used to. Every room and crevice had proof that there was love in this house. It was a foreign concept, but not an unwelcome one. “Besides, it reminds me of my uncle's ranch. He had one and we went there all the time as kids.”

Delilah’s eyes widened as her curiosity piqued. She asked, “you have family in the south?” 

Zohniyya’s eyes sparkled at that question. “Yea! My mom’s sister and my grandparents lives in Texas and my dad’s brother lives in Louisiana! We used to go down every summer to see’em! The only shit thing was the damn heat. I swear the amount of times I passed out was fucking insane!”

Sam smiled at the sight of his mom and girlfriend conversing as if they were old friends. The more and more Zo spoke, the stronger her accent, one that he loves very much, became. It made him feel giddy to see his wolf laughing with no care in the world, a stark contrast to when he first met her. And sure, part of her laughter was from the stories his mother was spilling, but he’d become a court jester if it means his princess will smile.

Especially if it means she saves that smile for him.

Delilah smacked her thighs and got up. “Gotta get the food ready for us to eat. Sam, come with me and we can let Zo relax for a bit,” she said while walking to the kitchen. 

Zohniyya let out a quick “wait” that made the two southerners stop and look back. She shifted her weight between her legs and stuttered, “it’s just- Sam’s been driving the whole way here, the least I could do is help out with dinner?” She said the last phrase hesitantly. She was acutely aware of how seriously ‘southern hospitality’ is taken (it’s no different than ‘Canadian niceness), but truly, she wanted to give the stubborn healer this one break. 

“Darlin’, it’s ok. I can set up a table-”

“Sam, why don’t you take Rennie and unpack your truck?” He tried to argue, but his momma gave him the look, the one where you don’t dare defy her orders. 

He sighed in defeat. “I swear, y’all are two of the most stubborn women ever.” Sam kissed Zohniyya’s forehead, mumbling, “I’ll see you later.” He called out to his baby sister and left the living room.

Delilah stared at the stubborn yet determined shifter and chuckled. “You remind me of when I was younger.” ‘Is that a good thing? That better be a good thing!’ The old woman started to walk to the kitchen, beckoning the winter wolf to follow her. 

The two women started to set up the table before Delilah spoke up.

“There is… Something I wanted to ask… Only if you want to answer.”

Zohniyya quirked her eyebrow and tilted her head. “Of course, ask away.”

“The scars… what happened?”

Her heart dropped to her chest and for a moment, she wanted to shift and run as far as she could. Away from her past that kept her from moving on. Instead, she used her words to try and make things right.

“I’m so sorry, I know the scars are intimidating, but I promise that I’d never let anything like that happen to him. God, I love him so much to ever hurt him like that. I’d burned myself from the inside out than let Sam go through any kind of pain. But if you want me to never speak with him again I totally understand and I’m sorry and-”

Her panicked blabbers were cut off by warm and loving arms wrapped around her. “Darlin’- No, I didn’t mean it like that. You’re perfect for my son, and if I’m being honest, even if I tried to keep him away from you, he’d rip heaven and earth apart to see you again.” She cupped Zohniyya’s face and wiped her tears, like a mother would do for her child. “I wanted to ask because I was worried. Wanted to make sure you were ok.”

Zohniyya choked back a sob that was rising from her throat at the tender words that Delilah was saying. How long has it been since the shifter felt the kindness of a mother? She’d argue that she’s never received that warmth. 

Holding the shifter steady, Delilah said, “and if Sam ever lays a hand on you, you come to me and I’ll set that boy straight.”

A pained but quiet laugh came from Zohniyya. “He would never do that, but I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good, it means I raised that boy right.” Delilah went somber. “Sam and Rennie’s father, he… he was a bad man. And I couldn’t bear thinking about if my boy was like him too.” She scoffed, “I know it’s stupid, but there’s a part of me wondering if I left earlier… then maybe it be better for them.”

“Hey.” She held Delilah by her shoulders. “If there is anyone who gets not leaving earlier it’s me.” Zohniyya took a deep breath, preparing her to talk about that asshole. “It took my last boyfriend nearly killing my best friend for me to come to my senses, and the shit I let him do to me…”

Delilah grounded Zohniyya. “We didn’t let anything happen to us, it was their fault, not ours. We didn’t want to get hurt, just to be loved.” Delilah played with Zohniyya’s dark, curly hair. “And I’m glad you got out and that you’re happy.” 

“I am, Sam’s to thank for that. I just… You must be such an incredible woman to raise a man like him and I am forever thankful for that.” Her eyes may have been watery, but her smile shone as bright as ever.

Delilah rolled her eyes at the praise. “That’s all him, I didn’t do anything.”

“Sam would call bullshit on that. He always goes on about how you’re responsible for the man he is today, I can see why.” 

It was more than the eyes and facial shape the mother and son shared. She could see where Sam got his compassion, his kindness, his stubborn nature and his capability to love from.

Despite his fears that he shared with her, Sam was nothing like his father and now she has the proof to back it up.

Delilah wiped her own tears from her eyes and sniffled, “we should set up the table before Samuel and Rehna get back.”

Zohniyya nodded and picked up where she left off, and for the first time since she got to the house, the weight on her chest was lifted and she could finally breathe again.

“Also another question, I heard that wolves had a thing… mates was it? So am I getting grandkids anytime soon?”

Zohniyya’s stuttered and embarrassed answer was all Delilah needed to let out a good laugh.

-- 

It was pitch dark and silent that night.

Way too silent than the shifter was used to. 

Once she untangled herself from Sam’s arms (she had to put a pillow in her place to make sure he didn't wake up), Zohniyya walked down to the kitchen for some water.

As she drank, she heard another set of footsteps coming up behind her, kicking her senses into overdrive. She damn near shifted at that moment, anything to make sure her man and his family is ok.

But she calmed down when her dark eyes met the watery eyes of Rennie.

She dropped to her knees and opened her arms for the little girl. Rehna ran into her arms and held onto her like Zohniyya was her lifeline. “Hey, hey, you’re alright meri jaan. Wanna tell me what happened?”

Rehna’s voice was muffled from her burying her face in Zohniyya’s chest, but she was able to make out that she said, “scary nightmare.” And that was all she needed to act.

Carefully, she tightened her arms around Rehna and stood up. She ran her hand through the young girl’s blonde hair. “Want me to take you back to bed?” She felt Rennie shake her buried head, a no. Zohniyya stopped for a bit and said, “what if I stay with you tonight?”

That made Rennie pause before nodding her head, prompting the wolf to carry her back to Rennie’s room. Once she got there, Zohniyya tried to put her down, but the blonde had a death grip on her. 

When Rennie said she wants Zohniyya to stay, she meant she wants her to hold her while she falls back asleep. She racked her brain for ideas on how to get Rennie to sleep again, until the perfect idea struck her.

“You know what my pack Alpha used to do whenever I couldn’t sleep?” She asked the question quietly, but it was enough to grab Rennie’s full attention. 

Her eyes sparkled. “What did he do?” Her voice dripped with childish curiosity, a sort of innocence that Zohniyya will die defending.

“He’d shift for us and let us cuddle his wolf form.” Her eyes went misty from remembering her old Alpha. “Gabe’s wolf form was huge, so even as teens, he’d cuddle us. Something about having wolf fur surrounding you made the nightmares… go away. Or maybe it’s a wolf thing.”

Rehna fiddled with her blanket and shyly asked, “can you give me wolf cuddles too?”

She smiled. “Pyaari, it be my honour. First I need you to close your eyes and no peeking, or else you’re gonna get it.” As with all of her threats from today, it was empty as hell.

Rehna giggled and covered eyes. 

Zohniyya got off the bed and removed her clothes. The tension left her body when she shifted, always a welcome feeling. Thankfully, Rehna’s bed was big enough to fit herself and the wolf. 

Gently, she climbed onto her bed and nudged the little girl with her snout. It was her cue to finally open her eyes and see the beautiful white wolf in front of her.

“You’re so pretty! You look like snow on a mountain top!” Rennie curled up beside the wolf and buried her face in her fur, her littles gripping the wolf for dear life. She rested her head against Zohniyya's fluffy stomach. “Thank you… for this… I’m gonna go to sleep now…” Rehna’s breathing went quiet and soft snores filled the room.

‘Sonay jao, chunni se munni. Khal, ap tumhari daraona khawab yaad nah rehna.’ 

-- 

“Samuel, go get the damn camera now!”

“I’m grabbing it ma, I can only move so fast! I ain’t a damn vamp.”

“Are you giving me attitude Samuel?”

“No ma’am.”

“Good.”

...

“You did well loving her and making her feel loved.”

“Momma, I think it’s my life's greatest achievement having the honour to call her mine.”

“Good, I want her in our lives for as long as possible. Besides, I need grandbabies Samuel!”

“Momma!!!”

#redacted asmr #redacted sam #redacted darlin #redacted lovely #yall this is self indulgent as helllllll #but!!!! i love it!!!! #PLEASE MIND THE WARNINGS!!!! #THESE ARE NOT THE CANON REDACTED LISTENERS #anywho southern siblings my beloved <3333 #fem! darlin #fem! lovely #also also #this isnt a part of any secret santa even #just something i wroteee #zo writes tingz #this is zo speaking

[grackleithy]

so that poll I did? about my ocs? Abyss had the most votes so I drew him!

I mixed him and phenomenon up a little bit, Phenomenon is the sad wet cat not Abyss my bad yes i know the goblet looks weird i got lazy by the end, but its tiny because its a very old pre-scorching cup from the ruins of a scavenger kingdom a little bit about him under the cut

he has had the most changes out of all my ocs (minus crow, my sona) he used to be very bland looking, if I ever find his old reference ill make sure to make fun of it later

he is one of the 32 seawing princes! (come on there's 32 half are unnamed and you expect me not to make my oc one of them?)

he likes history, especially the scorching he finds it very interesting and wants to document as much as he can about it since almost none of it is written down. FLAMES OF HOPE SPOILERS FOR THE PARENENDS (He would totally make a few trips to Pantala after the events of flames of hope to learn more about the true history of the scorching)

because of the war, it wasn't very safe for him to travel and study history of other tribes and learn more about the scorching he taught himself to make jewelry and now refuses to wear almost anything he hasn't made (unless his partners bought or made it for him)

his favorite jewelry are earrings, he has a small box full of them.

He is in a poly relationship! his partners are Dahlia (rainwing) and Phenomenon (nightwing). he loves his partners very much and often makes jewelry for them, though Phenomenon refuses earrings to Abyss' dismay "you have four ears, you wear twice as much as i can and you don't want to wear any?"

I forgot to add it to the drawing but he has a necklace with a seashell, a black pearl and a piece of pink seaglass. its to represent himself(seashell), Phenomenon (black pearl), and Dahlia (pink seaglass). its a simple necklace but he loves it and wears it near daily.

he's shy until you get to know him, then you cant get him to shut up about his interests.

his colors aren't exactly accurate to how he really is, he's supposed to be melanistic but my tablet is terrible at making colors appear right and I have to strain my eyes too much if I want to draw him any darker. once I am able to get a drawing tablet

his royal markings are very hard to see unless he makes them glow, because of this it took Phenomenon a whole week to realize he was a prince when meeting him.

he has a son named Delta, ill probally post about him later.

#wings of fire #wings of fire oc #seawing wof #ocs #homebrew blorbos #crowithy oc - Abyss #crowithy doodles

[renegade-skywalker]

just felt like posting some pics and head canons for my OC bard, Merit 🥰

~~~

(this is mostly backstory but I'll probably add to this later and pin it somewhere idk)

Merit has seven sisters. She’s technically the second-oldest but has undoubted Eldest Daughter energy. The actual eldest sister is Fable. Her younger sisters are Morning Glory, Daffodil, Dahlia, Harmony, Festival, and Jovial (Jo for short). 

Part of the sisterly dynamic is inspired by the Bennet family of Pride and Prejudice though it’s definitely not a one-to-one comparison. Like Jane and Elizabeth, Fable and Merit are the eldest and are very close, having shared a room for most if not all of their lives. Like Jane, Fable is unendingly kind and soft spoken. Unlike Jane though, Fable isn’t interested in romance or a partner at all and is instead intent on opening her own business or taking over the family bakery. Like Elizabeth, Merit is known to be brash but eloquent about it (Vicious Mockery lol) but unlike Elizabeth, she’s the hopeless romantic. Also like Elizabeth, Merit loves to complain but does so in a jovial manner. Like Mary, Morning Glory is a bit off-putting but nice and straight-laced. Like Kitty and Lydia, Daffodil and Dahlia are vapid and boy crazy but are also hilarious and tons of fun to be around. The youngest sisters are a bit like the triplets from Brave in that they are simply a menace.

Her father is a wood elf of indeterminate age (I headcanon that he rarely speaks about himself and only very occasionally drops mind-blowing lore about his past in passing before leaving the room without any further elaboration lol) and is a (no longer practicing) druid though he still pays homage to Silvanus and will occasionally take his troupe of daughters out of the city and into nature to pay his respects. He left his old life behind to wander for a while before stumbling upon the wonders of simply baking bread when in Baldur’s Gate working an odd job and he’s been there ever since. He finds kneading dough to be meditative and soothing, and now runs a bakery with his human wife Alys, who is Way Too Hot For Him. Not that he’s an awful or hideous person, he’s just very, very old and very, very quiet where Alys is quite gregarious and social. No one understands their relationship but it’s something Merit has always admired growing up even if it’s often confused her.

Not sure why but they were somewhat inspired by Holling and Shelly from Northern Exposure which I’ve been watching all winter. Idk just I think they’re hilarious. Also running a store/restaurant together is a fun dynamic idk. 

Merit is closest to her oldest sister, Fable, who she is also the closest in age with. Fable was born sick and her mother had a difficult time with the pregnancy to the point that she thought neither she nor the baby would make it. Fable is named Fable because the idea of her making it into the world was like a dream. After her birth, their parents feared another child wasn’t in the cards and might spell death for Alys, so when Merit was born she was actually named Marvel. She hated that name so when she was six she dubbed herself Merit, because anything ‘worthy of merit’ that she did had to feel earned, whereas Marvel just made her feel like a fraud. Her parents and Fable still affectionately call her “Marv” though.

Merit picked up a love of storytelling from working the bakery with her parents, hearing the customers talk about their various backgrounds, their day-to-day routines, their travels, etc. 

She fell in love with music at 12 when a famous bard came to the city and performed for a while, a half-high elf named Laurel, who took a shine to her interest and taught her how to play. They remained pen pals for years even after he left Baldur’s Gate exchanging verse and ideas for songs, however their relationship was… complicated, and quite frankly inappropriate. Merit did not see it for what it was until she was much older.

Merit has a bit too many interests and has dabbled in fencing, languages, history, the arcane, and even what little druidic magic her father has taught her (she’s mostly familiar with animal speaking and plant growth) though her main love is poetry, song, the written, sung and spoken word. Her greatest ambition is to write an epic poem that can be performed in parts, essentially acting as a dramatic tome as well as what essentially is a concept album in our reality

Part of the reason Merit cannot see any of her ambitions through is a mix of her changing attentions which change with the wind’s direction but also her family… she’s often had to return to Baldur’s Gate to help the bakery, and her younger sisters are known for getting in trouble...

Merit has worked her way into the merchant’s guild on her parent’s behalf and has also done some work for the Guild in order to keep her family safe and unbothered, which is a secret she’s kept from them but had done for their safety

Her work pays for the family property’s “protection” so to speak. This would also mean she’s already acquainted with Nine-Fingers Keene before the events of the game.

She’s actually sacrificed a lot for the family business and is happy to do so but it is also to her own detriment. Fable has been able to man the kitchens but not much beyond that due to chronic pain and flare ups. The next eldest sister, Morning Glory, has a head for numbers and will work the books and run the orders but is such a downer that it makes working with her a chore and a nightmare, she’s incredibly controlling and neurotic. The next sisters capable of doing anything, Stella and Selene, are in their early 20’s and would prefer to socialize, party, and snog their way through Baldur’s Gate rather than do anything else. The very youngest sisters, Verity, Amity and Jo, are all too young to do much other than clean maybe but Merit would prefer they have a childhood than work the family business. Plus they are known for playing tricks on people so it’s best they stay out of the way.

Merit feels like she’s already raised a village of children given how much she’s helped raise her sisters practically since she was able to walk so she had zero interest in bearing children of her own. Not to mention how much she’s sacrificed to help the family business, she hopes to one day be able to see all of her dreams and artistic ambitions to fruition.

Merit has a few songs that have gained some popularity but only within Baldur’s Gate seeing as she can never seem to leave for very long. She is most known, however, for her serial called Sea and Shield. It’s a crime serial about a disgraced Flaming Fist who enlists the help of the last person he’s imprisoned, a notorious pirate, who he sets free on the terms that she help him discover who committed the murder he was framed for. It’s relatively popular but the series is unfinished, plus due to being kidnapped and tadpoled she is very very behind her usual publishing schedule. She has no idea how to continue (or possibly even end) the story though so she was already in a pickle before the game events occurred.

#bg3 tav #tav: merit #bg3 #blah blah blah

[lorenfinch]

OC Name Meaning Tag

Tagged by @writernopal; thank you so much! Gonna leave an open tag for this one. My elven names are pretty much all made up, so I won't be including any of them in this!

RENWICK: Old English name meaning "raven village". I picked it while looking at a list of goth-sounding names and I found myself coming back to that one and usually, if a name lingers in my mind, it's a good sign to try using it. Funnily enough, I picked his surname Crawford (meaning "crow ford") without considering the meaning of his first name, and accidentally ended up with a character named Corvid McCorvidson. Did I mention he's goth??? Anyway by the time I figured it out I already grew attached to the full name and anyone who thinks it's stupid can fight me /lighthearted. Also it's worth mentioning that he named himself after a character from an in-universe vampire novel. He is, in a way, literally one of those goths who named himself Raven.

STYX: From the River Styx in Greek mythology. I named her that deliberately because it sort of represents a barrier between the living and the dead. Without giving away too much, they're a person who can help you cross that barrier. In universe, Greek myth doesn't exist, but I imagine the name could derive from a Celestial deity--perhaps the deity of death, to keep the theme going.

VERIDA: A Spanish name meaning truth and bravery. At first I was considering calling her Dolores, which is a name meaning sorrow and perfectly on theme with the goth vibes of our main cast, but Encanto had just come out at the time and that was what I primarily associated the name with. Besides, Verida is anything but sorrowful!

AINSLEY: Directly translates to "one hermitage or meadow". Unintentional.

VINCE: Short for Vincent, derived from Latin word vincere meaning "to conquer". Unintentional; I picked the name because it sounded goth. Ironically, Vince ended up being one of my preppiest vampires, in terms of style.

BELLADONNA: Means "beautiful/fair lady" in Italian. I named her after the poisonous flower, and in universe she picked out the name for the same reason (Belladonna is not her birth name). The women of the Night Terrors are all named after flowers, and I imagine they picked them out together to form a sort of small vampire coven before meeting the rest and forming the Night Terrors. In Victorian flower language, the belladonna may mean a warning, or a symbol of death, which fits her quite well!

TANSY: Honestly this flower just popped into my head for a blonde vampire lady, but later I looked up the symbolism and it turns out tansy can symbolize immortality, as well as a declaration of war. Both of these fit quite well!

AMARYLLIS: Means strength, pride, and determination. Fits nicely! Also, apparently amaryllis flowers contain healing properties, which is a fun detail since Amaryllis herself is a witch and makes makeshift potions using her own venom (vampire venom is a valuable and powerful alchemical ingredient!) Also, apparently the name itself is a Greek name meaning "to sparkle"? Insert sparkling vampires joke (though truly I think she'd enjoy wearing glitter).

DAHLIA: One possible meaning is that of fresh starts and new beginnings. Perfect since, as a random tidbit, Dahlia was the one to start the flower name thing! She's also canon trans so <3333. The flower also symbolizes kindness, grace, elegance, inner strength, and change.

VLASTIMIR: Slavic name derived from elements meaning "rule, sovereignty" and "peace, world". Unintentional.

EIRIK: Norwegian form of Eric, meaning "ever ruler" and derived from Old Norse. Unintentional. I find it super ironic that both him and Vlastimir ended up with names meaning "ruler" when neither of them are rulers and one of the running themes of the Night Terrors is that they helped shape a major historical event but their involvement was largely forgotten by all accounts of it. Sure, some of them are known for other things, but mostly just short tales of them terrorizing a random village or something similar. Out of all of them, Aramour the summer elf is the only one mentioned in the historical accounts of the war itself, but only as a palace performer in the background. No mention of his vampirism or participation in the rebellion.

MIRKO: Diminutive of Miroslav, meaning "peace, world." Unintentional.

EMMERICK: A (sort of purposeful) misspelling of the German name Emmerich, derived from elements meaning "ruler, king" and possibly either "whole, great" or "unceasing, vigorous". Also unintentional, but...

#tag games #everdarkwip

[the-al-chemist]

Lineage Challenge Day 6 - Ask Game!

Thank you @kathrynalicemc for creating this challenge, it’s been so interesting and great for development! Long answers and pretty pictures ahead, so I’ve put in a cut.

1) Canon or Fiction? What drew you to that specific family? Did you make any changes to Canon, and if so, why?

This isn’t a canon family, I created the name Hexley for Artemis after writing a list of surnames and giving them a magical twist. The lore has gone back from Artemis through to my HPHL OCs. I have strict rules about not altering established canon in my writing (which is why Sara Kowalski was born after the events of the Fantastic Beasts films finish) but working around it to create stories that can exist in the magical world adjacent to canon.

I have, however, changed my own canon. Mavis Morland was originally supposed to be a Muggle, not a Squib with a secret history, and the Hexley family were not going to be distantly related to some of the other families I mention below. I also intended the line to end with Artemis, however I have grown to cherish this family lineage to the point that I couldn’t do that. So, Cleo came into being, and now the Hexleys have a future as well as a history.

2) Family Ties - What other families are related/connected to this one? Are they Canon families or creator-made families? (Tag them!)

The Hexleys are connected through marriage to several other wizarding families.

To the Anders and Cleary families, due to the marriage of Theodore Hexley to Florence Mudge. Florence’s nieces gave the Hexley family a distant connection to the McNully and Hopper families. @kc-and-co @thatravenpuffwitch

To the french Fortinbras dynasty, thanks to the marriage of Jim Hexley and Héloïse Perrault.

To the Mercury family, after Ethel’s marriage to Lysander Mercury and the birth of their three daughters: Beatrice, Flora, and Ottilie. Eventually, this branch of the family leads to Flora’s granddaughter Iris and her son Zephyr, and to Ottilie’s grandson Orlando Taylor, and his daughters, Phoebe and Zadie Taylor-Allen. @slytherindisaster

To the Nott and Burke families through Marius Hexley’s marriage to Mavis Morland, who was born Marguerite Nott. This connects them through the marriage of Marguerite’s sister Dahlia to the Pendleton lineage, however this is not a fact that is known by anyone but Mavis Marius themselves and Mavis’ mother Eliza, who was born Ophelia Burke. @kc-and-co @lifeofkaze

To the Goldstein/Kowalski family, through Leander’s marriage to Sara Kowalski. Sally’s maternal aunt Tina Goldstein married Magizoologist Newt Scamander, thus linking another family to the tree.

To the Cole family, thanks to the birth of Jacob Hexley and Angelica Cole’s daughter Cleo. However, as the couple never married and were separated whilst Cleo was still young, the connection between the two lineages is not strong.

3) Foundations: What year and which OC was the founder of the family line?

I have traced the Hexley lineage back as far as Humphrey, Jim and Ethel’s paternal grandfather, however the name Hexley has existed in Wizarding records since the late medieval era. The name sprung up as if from nowhere, and it is unknown whether this is because the family originally was an offshoot of the Yaxley family who cut ties with their less liberal-minded clansmen, or was descended from Muggle stock. Either way, the Hexley family is old enough to have garnered some respect for itself over the years, but not fanatic enough about maintaining the purity of its bloodline to have kept its prestige high.

4) Fun Facts: Do you have any misc lore that you haven’t had a chance to post about? Talk about anything you like!

I’m going to talk about property and homes. There are several old properties that have been owned by the Hexley family over the generations, some of which are still in the possession of their descendents.

Cathedral Close, Exeter, Devon

Muggles are not able to see the door with the hedgehog-shaped knocker among the buildings of the ancient part of Exeter which marks the entrance to the ancestral home of the Hexley family. Humphrey Hexley and his wife Jemima took over this home from Humphrey’s parents in the 19th century, and this is where they raised their son Theodore. Next door, there is a house whose door bears an uncanny resemblance to that of Hogwarts castle’s Room of Requirement. It is unknown if this is a coincidence or not. The property was inherited by Ethel Hexley-Mercury and her family.

Dunsworthy-in-the-Moor, Devon

Florence Mudge’s Muggle parents were not extremely wealthy, but they had enough money to purchase a set of three terraced cottages in Dartmoor, one to be given to each of their three daughters upon marriage. Theodore and Florence raised their children Jim and Ethel in the cottage, with the property later passing to Jim. Both Jim’s children were also raised here, as was his grandson Leander, but the property was sold after the death of Marius Hexley during the first Wizarding War.

Château de Miel, Sarlac, Dordogne

Jim Hexley’s marriage to Héloïse Perrault greatly raised the family’s status financially. Héloïse grew up in the Château de Sarlac, the property bestowed upon her parents after their marriage by her maternal grandparents, but only returned to live there as an adult after her own children had grown. The château was then renamed and went on to have an interesting life of its own, housing both cryptanalysts during the Global Wizarding War and refugees during the Second British Wizarding War, and running a working honey farm throughout the latter two thirds of the 20th Century. Currently it is in the possession of Lucienne Hexley.

Lovelace Terrace, Camden, London

After graduating from Hogwarts and getting a job at the British Ministry of Magic, Héloïse’s grandmother ‘gifted’ her a London townhouse. Unfortunately, Héloïse despised London wholeheartedly, so the building was instead used by other members of the family until passing onto her grandson Leander, who used the money from the sale of the Dunsworthy cottage to purchase the Camden house from his grandparents and use it as a home in which to raise his own family. After Leander’s death, the property was inherited by his two surviving offspring, Jacob and Artemis. After years of attempts, Artemis managed to successfully sell her share of the property in the early 2000s to a surprising buyer, but that is definitely a story for another day.

5) Free Space: Feel free to ask any creator a question not listed here, and maybe you will get one in return!

Y’all know that I’m always open to asks!

#lineage challenge #the hexley family #the hexley legacy #the hexley saga

[hopefulstarfire]

Have some quick profiles for the yugioh ocs!!

Katherine "Kat" Grace Mercer

She/her, 15-18, pan.

Stage name is Kat Pegasus.

Younger sister of Cecelia Pegasus.

Lost her sister and parents within a few months of each other at the age of 8. She has since lived with her godparents, Vance and Chelsea Griffin, and also tends to crash with her brother-in-law and godbrother often. She still goes back to her family ranch every so often to visit her Uncle Wes.

Duels with a plant based Deck. Her ace cards are Fallen Angel of Roses and Queen Angel of Roses.

Got to beta test Duel Monsters and it's one of her favorite things.

Seto was the only person to beat her and she has had an intense rivalry with him ever since they were 13. Then he loses to Yugi and her immediate thought is "Well, great, I gotta beat short stack here too."

Loves gaming, the color pink, fashion, baking, steak, Funny Bunny, her queen Dolly Parton and doing anything for the Aesthetic. Hates paparazzi, crowds, mushrooms, Weevil Underwood and having to cook anything that's not ramen.

Has a service dog (a German Shepherd) named Lola.

Wants to stream and play Duel Monsters for the rest of her life; has some worries about one day running Industrial Illusions herself.

Iris Ophelia McGinnis

She/her (also will respond to they/them, may be more she/they actually), 19-22, demi bi.

Bastard child of Steven Nezbitt.

Lives with her Mom, Meredith, and her younger brother, River.

Tries to look after her Mom a lot, who deals with MS. She's also her beta reader since her Mom wants to try and become a writer and move away a bit more from the law world.

Met Seto and Mokuba when she was just shy of 14 when Nezbitt tried to arrange a marriage between her and Seto. This has since been called off since Seto took over the company and she views the boys as her brothers.

Doesn't really Duel, but does carry around a deck that's a mashup of cards so she can play with Mokuba and River. Seto is pissed she won't Duel him.

Is in school to become a nurse and is going to school off of scholarships and has some AP credits under her belt. She also works two part time jobs, one at a cafe/bakery and one at a bookstore.

Has one best friend she hangs out with during any free time she actually has and that's Alister...who is secretly not who she thinks he is.

Loves reading, thrift shopping, astronomy, gardening, baked potato soup, sitting in the park, comfy hoodies, quiet quality time and spamming her friends with tiktoks to let them know she's alive even if she's not feeling sociable. She hates porkchops, crowds, her job at the cafe, her deadbeat dad, weapons of destruction, bowling (bc she always loses and Seto makes fun of her for granny bowling) and sand.

Wants to become an APRN and later decides she's going to work in pediatrics!

Maddox Ryder Griffin

He/him, 24-27 years old, bi.

Kat and Cecelia's godbrother and Maximillion's best friend. His parents are Chelsea and Vance.

Lives with his twin daughters, Dahlia and Dinah (5-8 years old), and Max, having moved in with him shortly after his ex-girlfriend, Paige, abandoned him and their daughters. Considers Kat more like his sister and Max like his brother than anything else.

Uses a Spellcaster Deck; his ace is Magician of Black Chaos.

Currently works for his family company, Griffin Security, and is the one in charge of I2s security, just directly above Croquet. He's also acted as tournament comissioner several times before, to help keep the very loose rules of the game instilled before it finally got real rules (which was the biggest relief for him ever).

Protective of Kat and Max both, but he's never afraid to call them on their shit when he needs to.

Also has a German Shepherd for a pet that's a few years older than Lola named Diesel.

Loves punk rock and heavy metal, Nickelback, sitcoms, cooking, crab legs, camping, swimming, getting tattoos, his pickup truck and singing. Hates when there's no structure/rules to games, even mild cheating, overly controlling people, artichokes, and any reason to have to wake up early on a Saturday morning.

#ocs #my ocs #yugioh #ygo #yugioh ocs #ygo ocs #yugioh oc #ygo oc #maddox griffin #kat mercer #iris mcginnis

[hazel2468]

I feel like I need to know everything about Avery now.

Oh boy... Okay! You asked. You also said "everything".... Lucky for you I don't want to sprain my wrist again typing for seven hours. SO.

Quick rundown. Avery Erin Tallstag (she/they)- they also go by Avery Erinyes in our DnD campaign. She is my PC in said campaign, and also for sure the best thing I've ever made. My wife and I are in the process of maybe-kind-of-sorta hashing out a concrete story for her and her love interest, Kris (my other blorbo who you may see me mention here on this blog) that I would frankly LOVE to actually write someday, but I'm not sure if I have the time, energy, or willpower to actually write a book.

Avery is a teifling, about 27 years old. Her class in DnD is a rouge assassin, and she more than lives up to that as the Red Dahlia, lead assassin in her gang, Alun (also known as the Wall Skeletons). Alun is one of several gangs in Fairgold, largest city on the continent of Ikaria and shining jewel of the nation of Avalon (and Zarrashkah, the city is so big it stretches across two nations), and Avery sits on the Gang Council along with her Don and two other top dogs in her gang. In our campaign, she took a short stint of work for neighboring kingdom Aretea, which is what landed her with the party and into the whole mess we've been playing out over the last... Year? Two years? In addition to her gang work, Avery is a dancer and sex worker at renowned club Ace and Spades.

Personality-wise, I recently described Aves in a chat as "an alcoholic stuffed to the brim with rum, cum, and maladaptive coping mechanisms", and I think that is just about the perfect descriptor. While she's changed a lot over the course of the campaign, and the version I've developing for our hypothetical book is a bit more tempered and even (and knows what a loving family is supposed to look like, wow, imagine that!), the original Avery that our party met was loud, crass, outgoing, and just open enough about most things that people didn't bother to wonder what she wasn't walking about. I won't go into detail about her backstory, but know that in involves a vengeance quest against her mother that has since been completed in-campaign... And THAT will have lasting consequences going forward.

I also want to talk a little bit about how Aves came to be, because she didn't start as a DnD character or my #1. She started as a side-character in a JJBA fanfic that will never see the light of day, and then fell prey to my need to have an OC to ship with every tall goth in Part 5. Of course, the more I wrote her and got to know her, the more I loved her, and when I had the chance to take her off the page and onto a character sheet, I jumped at it.

So, yeah! That's Aves. I have about 7 bajillion AUs for her that my wife and I have come up with for her and Kris. Their ship name is KrAve or KrAvery and I'm fucking OBSESSED WITH THEM.

#ask answered #thanks for opening those floodgates! #I will ALWAYS talk about my blorbos #and btw I always wanna hear about y'alls blorbos and OCs #like #any fucking time PLEASE tell me about them

[jeongyunhoed]

Past-Present-Future Black Dahlia RED: Rogue, Extremely Dangerous

The fourth and final installment to the (ever-expanding) superpowers AU. San’s past comes catching up to him as he is targeted by an old colleague turned foe. With everyone else caught in the crossfire, San is forced to reveal what happened to him in the years before going on the search for his sister.

group: ATEEZ member: San pairing: yunho/oc, san/oc (in flashbacks) t/w (in this chapter): violence, use of weapons, possible gore, blood, character death (but not major, more like very minor deaths), some cussing, some implied smut (like it’s on the verge but doesn’t go too far), kissing

things to note: Surfer!San in the flashback too, hehe. 

Another A/N: So, yes, this is the final installment of my entire superpowers au. After some time of constant burnouts from work, and after a while of thinking about it, I feel that it is finally time to say goodbye to Mirae and the gang. This entire au has been around for years so I hope to say goodbye with a bang, kind of.

Anyway, tag list is open for people and I hope this chapter makes a good one.

Listen to: Live Wire - Motley Crue

tag list:

Masterlist

Chapter 4

San sat by the window of his bedroom that night. Junhong was still busy looking through Jisung’s laptop for any other information that could be useful while the rest of them either trained, slept, or in the case of Yunho, helped Mirae out at the store while they waited for anything new. 

He closed his eyes, trying to shut everything out for a moment. San’s thoughts wandered to the rest of his old colleagues. They were like the first group of friends he had where he felt like he truly belonged. He thought of Miryo, wondering what would’ve happened if she survived. They would’ve been together today. 

He sat up when his door opened, and Mirae peeked inside. “Hey,” She said. 

San gestured for her to come inside and she did, approaching him. “Any news?” He asked. 

Mirae shook her head. “Your friend’s laptop has a lot of encrypted information, it might take a while for Junhong to access those things. He gets weirdly competitive about it,” She chuckled. “You okay?” 

San shook his head. “I admit I’m not. I’m trying to think about what else to do but Jungwoo seems to be one step ahead of us.” 

Mirae sat down on the edge of his bed. “He might be, but aren’t you trying to find him anyway? It doesn’t matter if he’s a step ahead or not. He’s not like us,” She assured him. 

“That’s the thing. Jungwoo isn’t like us. He does his trademark move, yes, but if you knew him like I do…” San looked down. “He’s relentless, and with his own gang of people, he’s probably figured out a way to…do what the Kang family did to you, but to me.” 

She stared at him. “San…You heal. I’m sure he knows that,” She said. 

“He does know that, but it’s not going to stop him from trying to figure out how to make an even worse version of what happened to you over these last few years,” He said. 

Mirae patted his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. She understood where San was coming from. “Bold of him to assume I’ll allow him to do it, and especially bold of him to assume I’ll allow him to do it to you,” She said. She squeezed his shoulder again. “Whatever happens, I’m here. Yunho’s here. Everyone’s here. I bet that woman you loved, what was her name?” 

“Miryo,” He replied. 

“Right, her,” She said. “I bet she would’ve told you to keep going, keep finding Jungwoo and kick his ass once and for all,” She explained knowingly. “She’d probably tell you to do it for her, for the guys you were working with, and most importantly? She’d probably tell you to do it for yourself. You know you did the right thing by trying to keep Jungwoo from going rogue, or something like it. He’s just someone who couldn’t let go of the reasons why he’s jealous of every single one of you, especially you.” 

San felt assured by her words. “You know, the day Miryo was killed… It was also a day where I felt my powers go out of control. I kind of blew things up,” He said, recalling that time. “That’s when I saw this, white thing appear in my hair,” He held up the lock of his hair that was already white. 

Mirae nodded. “If you go any further, you’ll end up with blonde highlights like me,” She laughed. “I know what we can do for now while Junhong’s running through the laptop you guys brought in. We can check out the Caterpillar Casino and the Papillon Hotel, see what the place is like before we make any move. What do you think?”

San nodded. “Now?” 

“We can go there now, sure. I think we’ll need the van though, because our car can’t fit all of us,” Mirae said. 

“Alright, we can take a look at the places now,” He said.

He wanted to get everything over with. San stood up, loading his harpoon gun with an extra blade while Mirae gave him another assuring pat on the shoulder before leaving the room. He opened his closet, seeing his own arsenal of weapons displayed on the storage shelf behind the door. 

San had several containers full of blades he often used to load into his harpoon guns, including a nine millimeter automatic that he hardly used at all, including the silencer attachment. He left behind all of those firearms when he ran away with Miryo. If there was anyone he wanted to be with him the most at this time, it would be her.

Once he was done, he stepped out of his room, already seeing Mirae dressed and ready. San heard a whoosh from the dim hallway where Yunho and Seonghwa emerged, also dressed and ready. “They were already ahead of me on the idea, I swear,” Mirae pointed out as she got up from the couch. 

They heard something click from the hall along with a door opening. A dark shadow slithered into view, turning into Wooyoung, who was followed by Hongjoong. “Junhong’s got the van ready and waiting for us downstairs. Jongho and Mingi are already there too,” He said. 

San stared at them. “...Am I the last to come to that decision?” He asked. 

“Pretty much,” Hongjoong replied. “We were just waiting for you to say it.” 

San wasn’t sure whether to be annoyed or to be relieved at the fact that they already knew what to do ahead of him even saying it. “...Does everyone really have to come along?” He asked, turning to his sister. 

“I’m like a package deal with these guys,” Mirae gave him a look before chuckling. “You want me to come along, these guys are coming too. I used to lead them, remember?” 

“You still kind of do,” Hongjoong pointed out. 

“Not really, you all just follow me,” Mirae countered teasingly. “Come on, Mingi and Jongho are already waiting and I’m sure Junhong is wondering what’s taking us so long. We’ve got the whole night.” 

San sighed, knowing she was right. “Alright then, let’s go to the hotel.” 

~ 

To San’s surprise, Junhong decided to tag along with them to check out the hotel. Junhong insisted that he needed to be there to see what they’re seeing, only for Wooyoung to point out how he was a little wary that Jungwoo might try and shoot their apartments again. Yunho was at the wheel, driving in the direction that they were shown on the navigation. 

“While we’re on our way to the Papillon Hotel, we should probably figure out where Jungwoo would’ve killed your other colleagues too?” Jongho suggested. “Didn’t you say Jungwoo would get to Jaehyun next after getting that Jisung guy, where do you think he would be?”

San shrugged. “I could only think of a hotel room or something, or a penthouse, but there’s hundreds of them here. It would take us forever to figure out where Jaehyun would be, much less the others,” He said. 

“You got a picture?” Wooyoung asked him. San shook his head. 

“You can probably take a look at this then, maybe you can pick up something from that,” Junhong handed him the poker chip. 

Wooyoung looked at the chip, images, scenes, suddenly flashing in his mind as his senses seemed to be heightened when he held the object. “The guy, Jisung, he used this, right? He was probably paid by Jungwoo. He must have mentioned something about a hotel, a suite, and it’s not the one we’re going to,” He said. 

“So? Where is it?” Mingi asked, pocketing his lighter. 

“Hang on,” Wooyoung muttered, feeling every inch of the object as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing and sensing. “Jungwoo probably told Jisung he was coming from a hotel, a suite, not the Papillon Hotel but…the Four Seasons? There’s a dent on the chip, and I’ve been sensing it was from that hotel…” He said. 

“Jungwoo might have gotten to Jaehyun first,” San turned to his sister, who looked over at them from the passenger seat. “Then can we go to the Four Seasons?” He said. 

“After this we could, unless we take a detour?” Mirae said. 

“We should just split up again then,” Hongjoong suggested. 

“It’s a little late to split up, I’m driving,” Yunho pointed out. 

“How do you know that Jaehyun guy is the one he went to before Jisung anyway?” Jongho asked. 

“Our code names. Jisung was the Dormouse, and Jaehyun was the Mad Hatter. We found Jisung, I could only wonder what Jungwoo did to Jaehyun,” San replied. “After Jaehyun, Jungwoo was bound to get to Jaemin too, he’s the March Hare.” 

“Then the Tweedle twins, right? Where could they be?” Mirae looked over at them. 

“I guess we’ll have to find out when we get to Jaehyun,” San shrugged. He had an idea. “Yunho, pull over, we should really split up. Half of us go to the Papillon Hotel, the other half can check out the Four Seasons.” 

Yunho nodded, pulling over in front of a building. “Who’s going with who?” He asked. “I’m the only teleporter in here, by the way.” 

“Junhong will have to stay here too so he can finish looking through the laptop,” Mirae added. “I’ll check out the Papillon Hotel. Mingi and Jongho can go with me. Seonghwa, Hongjoong, go with San. Wooyoung too. We’ll all meet back at Junhong’s place when we’re done,” She said. She turned to Yunho. “You should go with San too.”

Yunho nodded. Junhong sat up as the three of them were poised to get down from the van. “How are you three going to go to that hotel?” He asked. 

“We’ll take a cab, or go back to get my car,” Mirae replied. “We’ve got your communicators, don’t worry,” She eyed the two males, who looked surprised when they felt their pockets. 

They turned to the taller male in the labcoat. “You’re either a mutant or a very good pickpocket, hyung,” Hongjoong said, and Junhong grinned. 

“People tend to miss what’s in front of them, as Mirae has learned the hard way,” Junhong eyed her. 

Mirae, Mingi, and Jongho got down from the van, San quickly going to the front seat and fastened his seatbelt. Yunho gave them a nod and drove away, glancing at them through the side mirror. 

~ 

There were certain missions that San did alone. This was one of them. Sungchan was back at headquarters telling him what he needed to do through his earpiece. He pulled up in front of the beach, seeing crowds of people either sitting, lying down, swimming, or playing beach volleyball. 

San took the surfboard out of the trunk of his car, removing his shirt to further blend in with the crowd as he carried the board to the beach. “See Alice yet?” Sungchan asked. 

“No, not yet,” San muttered, walking towards the water, mounting the board as he watched for signs of waves coming in. “Bikini, right? Mole on her thigh?” 

“White bikini, and yeah, a mole on her thigh. Brown hair,” Sungchan replied. 

San paddled toward an oncoming wave, glancing around every now and then for a sign of the woman. The closer the wave was, he saw the woman herself, also trying to catch the wave coming toward them. San spotted the mole on her thigh, further confirming the visual. “Found Alice,” He muttered. 

A moment later, San was already on his feet, riding the wave while observing the woman struggle before finding her balance on the board she was mounted on. He looked her up and down, partly trying to see her form, but he couldn’t deny the visual was just as good as they returned to the shore. 

“Cheshire Cat, she’s all yours,” He could hear Sungchan grin. 

San approached her. “Hello there,” He said, seeing her plant her board into the sand while she tied her hair up. 

“Hey! That was some wave, right?” She said. “You were really good out there.” 

“Thanks, I haven’t been surfing long,” San smiled. He could tell she seemed interested in him. “I can teach you if you want.” 

Alice smirked. “You can?” She looked him up and down. “You know, you’re kinda hot. I’m pretty sure you’ve heard this all before, haven’t you?” 

San nodded. “Yeah, I have and I can, I’m sure you’ve heard that too, and I don’t just mean out here,” He winked. 

“Well…” Alice went up to him. “Why don’t you teach me in there?” She gestured to the tent she set up. 

“You got it,” San said coolly, following her as she took her board out of the sand and went into the tent. “Sungchan, don’t tell Miryo how I’m going to do this?” 

“Secret’s safe with me,” Sungchan replied in his earpiece. 

San followed the woman into her tent, planting their boards nearby before she zipped the tent closed behind them. He reminded himself that this was all for the mission as he crashed his lips onto hers, catching a glance of her phone in between hot and heavy kisses. San backed her towards the air mattress she set up, inhaling sharply when her hand was already on his crotch. 

“You start fast,” He muttered, as she bit his lower lip, pulling him in for more hot and heavy kisses, rolling them over so he was on the side of the mattress where her phone was. 

“I couldn’t stop staring at you,” She grinned, wrapping a leg around his hip. “Looks like you’re very happy to have me too.” 

San smirked as he kept kissing her, distracting her as he slipped his hand into the pocket of his shorts for the device Sungchan invented, that not only unlocked her phone, but also took information from her device magnetically. 

“Got it. Good luck Cheshire Cat, don’t have too much of a good time,” Sungchan laughed, making San take the device back and pocket it. 

He suddenly pulled away. “I’m not sure if I’ve got a condom with me,” He whispered. 

“Don’t worry about it,” Alice said, her hands traveling back up to his body. “I’m on the pill. I’ve got a packet too.”  

“Oh good,” San sighed in relief, having his way with her a moment later. 

He left the tent while she was asleep, taking the board he brought with him back to his car. San drove away, partly wondering what would happen once she was awake. It was just another mission, and the sex was all part of it, even if he did enjoy it. 

San arrived back at headquarters, seeing everyone but Sungchan already in their rooms. “Oh, look who’s back,” He said, looking up from his computer. 

“I had to make sure she was asleep when I left,” San approached him. “So, did we get the money yet?” 

“Almost there, I’ve had to do some convincing myself,” Sungchan grinned, typing furiously into his laptop. “If they don’t agree to our amount, we’re turning it in.” 

“How much are we talking about?” San asked. 

“Two billion won at the very minimum. Alice is going to talk to the authorities if they don’t agree, she doesn’t know we got the information, and our client won’t be able to back down,” Sungchan explained. “Ah, looks like they caved.” 

San looked over at the monitor. Several zeroes were coming in, revealing the amount Sungchan asked. “10 billion, excellent,” And they hit high-fives. “Wire my cut?” 

“I already am. I knew Youngdae’s going to ask for five, we’ve got enough to split amongst ourselves,” Sungchan said. 

San heard a beep on his phone. He saw the amount that was transferred to him, and a big smile played across his features.  

~ 

Yunho pulled up in front of the Four Seasons and they all got down, casually blending in with the crowds going to the elevators. San could feel his heart pound the closer they seemed to get as he wondered if they were in the right place. 

In the midst of the crowds, Wooyoung stood by in the corner under the surveillance camera, turning into his shadow form as Junhong pressed the button of the floor where the suites were. “What do you think we’ll find in there?” Seonghwa mused. 

“If we’re lucky, Jaehyun would be in the middle of an orgy or something,” San muttered, making them stare at him. “I’m just saying, we might have to walk in on people having sex again,” He said, glancing at the shadow and at Yunho. Junhong cringed in his place. 

“Just when we thought walking in on our old boss was the only time we ended up doing that,” Hongjoong frowned. 

“So was that Yang Tan guy we visited,” Yunho added, shaking his head at the memory. 

The doors opened and they stepped out, finding bodies upon bodies of people scattered all over the floor, leading up to a suite where the doors were open. Wooyoung’s shadow form slithered towards the suite that was open as the rest of them tried to follow. “This is a familiar sight,” Hongjoong said, stepping over the bodies of several women who were scantily clad, as if they were in a rush to get dressed but were killed halfway. 

“Yeah, a little too familiar, given our own body counts,” Seonghwa replied. 

They stepped inside the suite, that was just as littered as they expected. “Blood’s fresh. Jungwoo must’ve gotten to them not long before we came here,” Junhong noticed some of the splatter on the walls, immediately seeing that the housekeeping was also part of those who were caught. 

“We should hurry then,” San replied, immediately seeing a broken window. “Wait a minute,” He approached the window, seeing how it was broken from the inside. San stepped back when he looked down, seeing a familiar figure on top of a large dumpster, wearing nothing but a leopard print robe. It was Jaehyun. 

“No one familiar around here-” Yunho stopped when he saw what San was looking at. “That must be him, then?” He said. 

San nodded. “If Jungwoo got to him just now, he must’ve gotten to the others before him. Jaehyun was also pretty good at fighting back.” 

Wooyoung transformed back to normal. “So much shooting happened here. The guy you’re after? He came from the Papillon Hotel, probably killed the rest of your colleagues there or something. Lured them in,” He said, blinking back the visions he was seeing. 

San looked back at Jaehyun, staring for a sign of movement. Jaehyun slowly blinked. “Hey, we need to get back down there. Before Jaehyun dies,” He said. 

“Alright then,” Yunho pulled all of them into the dimmer corner of the apartment, quickly teleporting down to the back of the hotel where the dumpster was. 

They ran up to the body, San climbing up. “Jaehyun hyung?” He said. 

Jaehyun coughed up more blood as San saw several bullet wounds on him. “San…” He sputtered. 

“Hyung, did Jungwoo do this?” 

“Y-yeah. He killed the rest of us, didn’t you know?” He said. “Do something f-for me, will you? Get that bastard…” 

Jaehyun went limp and San looked down, closing the older male’s eyes. “We need to get to Jungwoo and blow his brains out…” He grumbled. 

“He seems to be a step ahead of us every time,” Hongjoong said. “Not that it matters, but it does seem like he is,” He peered over at the dead body. 

San pursed his lips. He turned to them, trying to think of what Mirae would’ve done if she was in his place. “So it seems Jungwoo killed everyone…” He muttered. “I’m going to blow Jungwoo’s fucking brains out.” 

“How are you going to do that?” Yunho asked. “Mirae, Mingi, and Jongho are on their way to the Papillon Hotel right now. They’re probably already there.” 

“Then we go there,” San said. “All roads seem to go back to that place.” 

San looked over at the lifeless body of his old colleague. One of the first hyungs he’s ever had. He noticed something in Jaehyun’s hand, a shiny, glittering object. San pried it out, seeing that it was a gold turret. 

“A roulette turret? He was holding that?” Junhong asked. He looked over at the body. “He must’ve put up a fight before Jungwoo shot him out of the window. Judging by the scratches and the bruises.” 

“He would’ve,” San replied. “Jaehyun and Jungwoo were always evenly matched. It was always like that when we sparred, but Jaehyun was much stronger than Jungwoo was.”

Wooyoung blinked a few times, seeing what Junhong and San were talking about. He turned around, seeing several figures in black appear at the end of the alley. “We’re not alone.” 

“Oh no, it’s a trap,” Junhong panicked, seeing several other figures come out from the piles of containers on the other side. 

“Silly rabbit,” They heard someone clapping from behind them. “You’ve found yourself a new group, didn’t you? That’s cute.” 

San turned around. It was Jungwoo himself, only he didn’t look quite like the same person he remembered. Part of his face was disfigured, burned from the last time they saw each other. “You.” 

“Yes, me. Did you miss me? Because I missed you,” Jungwoo said coldly, using the cane he was holding to point to his scars. “I kept thinking about you, about the rest of you, all day for the past several years…it hasn’t been that long anyway.” 

San glared at him and threw a punch, only for Jungwoo to catch his fist. “You fucking killed everyone.” 

“Yes, I did, and now I’m going to enjoy killing you-” Jungwoo hit him with the top of his cane, sending him flying towards a container. “As well as the rest of you-” with a wave of his hand, Yunho, Junhong, Seonghwa, Wooyoung, and Hongjoong were lifted off their feet. 

San got up to his feet, only to be lifted off the ground as well. He couldn’t believe it. “Powers.” 

“A lot has changed since we last saw each other, hasn’t it?” Jungwoo grinned, his fingers spreading. “You know, my offer still stands for you. I recruited you, so I have a soft spot for you. Join me.” 

“Why should I? You killed the woman I loved, you killed the only friends I had,” San groaned. 

“You make it sound like I have certain targets,” Jungwoo chuckled. He turned to the men that surrounded them, and with a wave of his free hand, he sent a fireball in their directions, the men exploding. “They did a lousy job anyway.”

Hongjoong struggled, almost becoming a blur in Jungwoo’s grip only to fail, the green glow in Seonghwa’s eyes flickered the more they were in his hold. “Your problem is with me, let them go,” San could feel his eyes welling with tears at the pain of his arms and legs getting stretched. 

“Tsk tsk, why should I?” Jungwoo asked, noticing the fluctuating forms of Wooyoung, Hongjoong, and Seonghwa. “Mutants too, this will be very, very promising. I will enjoy taking those powers away from them.” 

“No, you won’t,” Yunho growled, taking his sai out, almost slicing Jungwoo’s arm, all of them falling back to the ground. As he was about to throw his other sai at Jungwoo again, he vanished. 

“Well that complicates things,” Hongjoong said, helping San get up on his feet. “He doesn’t just want to kill you, he wants our powers too.” 

“He was given those powers,” Wooyoung spoke. “He never had those before.” 

San nodded. “It’s not going to stop me from trying to kill him. If he wants a fight, he’ll get one.”

#ateez #ateez angst #ateez scenarios #seonghwa #park seonghwa #ateez seonghwa #hongjoong #kim hongjoong #ateez hongjoong #yunho #jeong yunho #ateez yunho #yeosang #kang yeosang #ateez yeosang #san #choi san #ateez san #mingi #song mingi #ateez mingi #wooyoung #jung wooyoung #ateez wooyoung #jongho #choi jongho #ateez jongho

[opalleaf-art]

What ARE your ocs?

So I have quite a few ocs. My own designed/crafted ocs are basically old and retired ( but I think about redesigning them and drawing them! especially since I improved).

I have two ocs that have been my main brainrot which I'd like to work into a future comic series or something sequential.

My current ocs are designed by other artists. They're my comfort characters and I typically buy art from my favorite artists to marvel at their glamour and support my community. My current two obsessions are Willow and Dahlia, but you can see my OCs all at my TH. https://toyhou.se/Lanternlovers

Willow: My favorite oc, to which I had for a few years was designed by the user @johdaa . Her name is Willow, you can view her TH here: https://toyhou.se/5856045.willow

She's my art baby, I enjoy buying a lot of art of her and would like to even draw a comic of her/write a more condensed story.

Dahlia: She's designed by r0hioarts on deviantart. I absolutely am enthralled by her design. It reminds me of sauve and mysterious magicians. I'm trying to get art from my favorite artists to show case how beautiful she is.

I imagine her as a mixture of Lisa from Genshin Impact and Howl's Moving Castle. She probably has a luxury hand bag that has infinity space.

Here is her toyhouse: https://toyhou.se/16398898.dahlia

#anon ask #ask #art on tumblr #oc

[isagrimorie]

do you think klaus could have successfully raised hope without hayley and elijah (and freya/rebekah since they have their own lives now) there to monitor him? would she have less trauma with him than alaric even though klaus, in general is a very toxic and borderline abusive person?

There are actually 2 versions of Klaus raising Hope alone. The wishverse version of Hope with Mikaelson’s own school feels like a world where Klaus and Hayley never reconciled and got cured from the curse Dahlia put on the Crescent Pack.

And so Hope was raised very aware of her wealth. A Hope with that fly rich cat, strutting like that? Yeah, that wouldn’t happen with Hayley around.

It would happen with Klaus and Elijah as Hope’s main parental figures. They’re snobby about things like that.

In canon season 5 of the Originals, Hope learned to drive in Hayley’s beat up pick-up truck. Hayley has the money in her adult life but Hayley also grew up without money. And I always felt like she had a Ryan from the OC sensibility about money and wealth.

Canon!AU!Hope was spoiled and very aware that as her father’s heir, she is wealthy.

Also Hope is the apple of Klaus’s eye— let’s not forget how Klaus bought out compelled an entire bakery just because Little Hope wanted some beignets. Can you imagine how spoiled that Hope was growing up.

Now, in an alternate season 5 of the Originals where Elijah somehow convinced Klaus he would take the Hollow and end himself…

I do think Klaus would have been a good father to Hope. Klaus grew in between seasons 3 and 4 and continued on to season 5, barring the massacres Klaus did to “protect Elijah” while he had amnesia.

As opposed to what Elijah claimed, it wasn’t Hope alone who changed Klaus. Hope was the catalyst, but Klaus changed through his relationships and interactions with: Hayley, Marcel, Cami, Davina and Vincent.

Klaus was a much calmer man in seasons 4 & 5 as compared to his TVD and season 1 Originals version.

And with all this said, how would Klaus be as a father post season 5?

He would indulge Hope a little more to assuage his own guilt and basically, floundering around with how to parent. But Hayley took care of Hope for the first 15 years of her life, and barring the Henry incident, Hope has a good head on her shoulders. Hope would be the one to tell Klaus he doesn’t need to buy her everything.

It was enough for Hope to have Klaus around.

Now, the one who would have the most problem with a living Klaus would be Alaric.

Since Hope is studying and living in Mystic Falls… guess who’s moving back in the old abandoned Mikaelson mansion at the outskirts of Mystic Falls? Much to poor Elena’s PTSD and Matt’s annoyance.

Guess who would annoyingly be at every PTA meeting? And insist he would be part of the Salvatore School Board? And who would insist ob upgrades to the school?

Klaus Mikaelson.

Also, the vampire curriculum would change a lot. For one, Klaus will bring Josh (yes in this AU Josh lives) to Salvatore school as the head of vampire curriculum.

Since Hope is a witch, Klaus would try to broker a deal with Vincent to have some witches from the Nine coves drop by to be guest lecturers. Only the best teachers for his baby girl.

This will result in an embarrassed Hope.

Best believe when Hope reclaims her Mikaelson name in school, Klaus will make it known to EVERYONE in the most dramatic way possible.

In other words, Klaus would be Hope’s embarrassing dad, who will over involve himself in Salvatore operations. Because guess who is the silent investor, and has money as long as the day is long?

Alaric is gonna want to shoot Klaus with arrows constantly and complain to Caroline.

LOL, funnily enough I think having Klaus around would actually fix the Alaric problem because Klaus would constantly push back on Alaric’s stupid plans.

And Alaric would serve as the morality anchor. Basically Hope would have Two Dads and I find that hilarious.

It would also actually mean, Alaric would have more time for Josie and Lizzie.

Also, the whole Hope saves the day thing? Yeah, Hope would constantly want to save the school and Klaus would almost always forbid her.

This would be their biggest tension, next to Hope dating.

These are the areas where Klaus has to fight against his instincts.

Eventually Hope manages to convince Klaus, so Klaus decides to train Hope. Alaric tries to step with that and Klaus laughs.

No. If anyone is to teach his daughter to fight, it would be him.

Beyond teaching Hope to do hand to hand combat Klaus will require Hope to learn the fine art of strategy. Something Hope is lacking canonically, and Alaric never bothered to teach him.

Salvatore Boarding School will become a fortress in its defenses.

The whole Triad incursion happened while he was away. Best believe he hunted down every single person involved in that and killed them.

He and Alaric would have it out, and the only reason why he isn’t dead is because Klaus knows Hope is fond of him and so is Caroline.

Alaric lives because Klaus showed him Mercy. “Know the only reason you’re still breathing is because Hope and Caroline are fond of you. You live on my mercy alone, Alaric.”

tldr, I do think Hope would be a lot more okay if Klaus had lived. They would still have issues and clashed and there are instances when he backslides but not to the degree he was before.

(Sorry, Landon. Your life will be miserable with Klaus around, forget having sex— this means Hope would want to have sex more in defiance. Klaus will be worse than President Bartlet as a helicopter parent).

Also best believe Klaus would always mention Hayley Marshall. Hayley would never be forgotten and also Klaus would insist the werewolf curriculum would include the history of the Crescents, and Hayley as Queen of the largest pack in North America.

Plus the first year of Klaus trying to dad would always go: “Your mother would want this.”

Or Hope going: “Mom wouldn’t want this!”

#tv: legacies #hope mikaelson #klaus mikaelson #hayley marshall #asked and answered