#i hate to say it but it must be said: anna should be played by a m*lf okay bye i didn't say anything | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thepaperclip · 2 years

Text

FAQish but not really lol

More like “I feel like I should answer some questions no one’s really asking right now but I am concerned abt answering anyways” lmao

Why didn’t the D’arbys use their Stands on the Joestars and just stick to their vampire powers?

The original D’arby battles were challenges rather than outright fights, and all were to do with a wager of some sort. Both were meant to keep the SDC crew away from something (the truth of The World, getting to Dio himself). However, in the Anna Timeline they were both victims of Straizo and their goal was to escape and capitalize on their new powers. Since the SDC crew also didn’t know the way out, the D’arbys couldn’t gain anything from them aside from help getting out, and thus there was nothing of more value for Osiris or Atum to wager for. Too bad the SDC crew were also vampire hunters on top of being Stand Users.

Who was it that Dio was thinking of in chapter one when his inner monologue mentions of Anna, “He hates her, really, she’s too idiotically kind, just like—never mind.”

His mother. Dio at 12 years old doesn’t strike me as someone who would have a lot of women associates aside from his mother, and his mother would probably be the most comparatively kindest and highest in his good books. Thus Dio compares his new stepsister to the only other woman he knew best at that point, and in just as much contempt.

Is Strohiem dead?

Yes. He didn’t even get to turn cyborg, either. Even if he did, it never made a big difference to the end of the Second World War anyway. It probably has something to do with a human sized cyborg being difficult to upkeep in terms of energy, protection from overheating itself from using the various guns in its arsenal as well as must moving in general, protection from extreme weather conditions like in Siberia, the very specifically designed components and parts not having a very established mass production line established, you know, the works. Actually, Franz from Archives lost the blueprints somewhere and it burned down in some firebomb before it could even get to Strohiem in the first place so no getting cyborg technology from the Germans. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure should’ve punched more N*zis.

Did Straizo actually love Anna back?

The short answer is yes, but the long answer is “It’s complicated.” The perfect time and scenario for them to have started a romantic relationship that actually would last would’ve been around when Lisa Lisa was well into her marriage and Joseph may or may not have been on the way; the scenario that would need to happen is that Anna opened up about her true origins to Straizo and have been clear about being willing to Turn Straizo but only with certain requirements and caveats in place. Where things fell apart was Straizo waiting for so long, and Anna keeping important secrets from him. Though, that’s not to say that Anna didn’t have her own reasons for wanting to not mention her reincarnation. That life becomes further and further from her as she continues living, and her concern about future knowledge spreading uncontrollably also play into her habitual silence. Let it be very clearly said that Straizo’s betrayal was very much a betrayal, and had he stayed and let her talk and heard her out things would have also ended better.

Holly can beat people up now???

Holly learned to fight because Caesar, Anna, and Lisa Lisa were around to teach her a thing or two. Joseph was less averse to teaching his daughter such things because Joseph was actively raised by Lisa Lisa who taught him combat and was an example of “girls can definitely kick ass and still be elegant and ladylike”; and Anna, who instilled in him the ethos of a well-rounded and holistic education as well as proper precautionary measures. Ergo, letting Holly live her life as freely and happily as possible also included making sure she was strong enough to save herself if need be. As for her being in a gang, yes. In New York she joined a Greaser gang more because they liked motors and she did too, thanks to Grandpa Georgie showing her airplanes since she was a toddler. Unfortunately fights and gang wars were part of the experience but it did let her put some of her lessons to practical use. Like her grandfather before her, she cannot channel Hamon but that doesn’t make much of a difference if you’ve got a better swing with a wrench. How Holly and Sadao met was that he was in New York for music school and his bike broke while she was on her way out from hanging out with her crew, so she helped him out. He treated her to lunch as repayment and they hit it off very well. But yes, Joseph still pettily dislikes Sadao for taking his daughter away to a foreign land. He’s just better at expressing and focusing his annoyance. And no, if canon Joseph won’t actually kill Sadao for doing all of this then Starsverse Joseph won’t actually kill Sadao for the same reasons. He actually does respect the dude, he just wishes his son-in-law could spend more time with his daughter and son. The ultimate thing about Holly is that she chooses to be a pacifist, and that’s not something someone without a strong will would stick to.

If Jonathan lived longer, as well as Lisa Lisa and Georgie, wouldn’t they have a chance to have more kids? Why don’t we see them and those changes?

The Doylist answer is I don’t wanna make more OCs to juggle and factor in, that’s for a different timeline, thanks. The Watsonian answer is that contraceptives exist, pregnancy doesn’t always happen to some couples even if they’re going at it like rabbits, maybe Hamon is a factor that actually makes this harder, who knows! Although, in regards to Erina and Jonathan, in some ways this question also plays into the question of:

Giorno managed to exist in this universe even though his parentage is different. Are Donatello, Rykiel, and Ungalo in this universe too?

Originally, I thought that the mention of the “other fruits” of the tree thing that birthed Giorno would suffice as reference to Donatello, Rykiel, and Ungalo. Thus they were fruits of the same homunculus-method that made this Giorno, “born” to Anna as their mother, however unlike Giorno they didn’t survive beyond infancy for whatever reason. Another idea was that they would be Erina and Jonathan’s children but then see the previous answer about juggling characters so then nixing them would mean Erina miscarriages multiple times while she and Jonathan try having more children than just Georgie, and that was a pretty depressing thought. Plus I don’t see Erina marrying again after Jonathan and she would’ve been too old to have children by then anyway. The third idea was that they would be born to their original mothers, albeit with different fathers given that Dio is long dead, and since neither Jonathan nor Anna would’ve been involved then Donatello, Rykiel, and Ungalo could live perfectly mundane lives unburdened by the Joestar legacy. Their lives would be better in some ways and lack in other ways. In the end, the “other fruits” stuff made it in, but I can also see the version where their original mothers had them through different fathers and they just grew up normally also existing in the Anna timeline. Both are true, then.

Does Anna still remember the future? The time she came from? Or even canon?

Lmao that’s like 3 in one question lol. Short answer? Yes and no. The memory of Margot and being Margot is around but the information is buried under many, many more years of experience as Anna. I’ve answered in a direct comment before that Anna has the unique experience of time traveling but then returning to her original time the long way around. So in the 1880s, she’d remember iPhones, Jojo canon she’d read, and big world events and even wrote them down to remember. But she wouldn’t have written down certain memes and thus wouldn’t remember unless the meme was very big in her life (“What is love?” And she is tempted to reply with “baby don’t hurt me” vs. seeing a shiba inu and dogecoin not even passing her mind even once). Human memory is only as good as what it prioritizes to preserve, so Anna would slowly forget memes and even 2010s technology and re-learn them while they become released for the first time into the world. As stated at the beginning, the memory is around but there’s too much recent information to prioritize and new memories being made that it’s almost impossible to recall anything she didn’t preserve in books or destroyed. The memory would be overwritten and too corrupted. It’s like searching through a vast archive but the old stuff hasn’t been updated to the new system yet so the information is practically lost. In short, memories of Margot, Jojo canon, and the future is information that Anna can’t access anymore.

8 notes · View notes

memento-morri-writes · 1 year

Text

15 tags, 15 mutuals tag

I was tagged by @cherrybombfangirlwrites Thank you, Anna!

Rules: Answer these questions either with yourself or an OC.

I will be answering these as myself and for Fallon.

Are you named after anyone?

Not that I can remember. I know I asked my parents once like 9 years ago, but I can't remember what their answer was.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Uhhh, I'm not sure. I don't cry very often, so it's definitely been a while.

3. Do you have kids?

Nope, and I don't ever want them. Not my thing, and I also know I would be an awful parent.

4. Do you use sarcasm?

Me? Never. ;)

5. What's the first thing you notice about people?

Probably their hair? Or maybe their clothing.

6. What's your eye color?

Blue.

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings. Scary movies either don't scare me, or I hate them. And I personally write all my stories with happy endings, for the most part.

8. Any special talents?

Figuring out plot twists way before they happen / figuring out "surprise" endings. It's almost uncanny, to be honest.

9. Where were you born?

Somewhere in Michigan.

10. What are your hobbies?

Writing, reading, playing video games, playing D&D, watching Critical Role, and spending time with my cats.

11. Do you have any pets?

Yes! I have two cats. They are bonded brothers named Loki and Charlie. They're 4 years old. Loki is completely black nose-to-tail, and Charlie is completely grey nose-to-tail.

12. What sports do you play/have you played?

I don't play any currently, but I played soccer as as a little kid, against my will, and not really a sport (at least, I didn't compete), but I took riding lessons for several years on-and-off.

13. How tall are you?

5'10" :)

14. Favorite subject in school?

Graphic design. I took a lot of classes of it as electives in high school, and it was by far my favorite class.

15. Dream job?

Other than spending my days just having fun, then perhaps Enrichment Coordinator at a zoo.

I'll put my answers for Fallon under the cut!

Are you named after anyone?

No. No one else in my family has born the name Fallon.

2. When was the last time you cried?

I'm not certain. The most memorable time was at my mother's funeral, but it's likely I've shed a tear or two since then.

3. Do you have kids?

Not at the moment, but should I find a partner, I would love to have children with them. I'm expected to have an heir one way or another, and I genuinely do want children someday.

4. Do you use sarcasm?

Not often. Sarcasm is not often expected from the Queen.

5. What's the first thing you notice about people?

Their eyes. Not only do a person's eyes say a lot about them, but eyes are beautiful. After that, it's their demeanor.

6. What's your eye color?

Dark grey.

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings. I don't enjoy being frightened for "fun", though if others enjoy it, that is their choice.

8. Any special talents?

Not particularly. My mother always said I was a good dancer, but I believe I owe that to my dance teachers rather than talent.

9. Where were you born?

The royal palace of Anvia, a few miles outside of Carisfell.

10. What are your hobbies?

I don't have much free time to engage in hobbies, but in my rare free time, I enjoy reading, walking in the gardens, or riding through the countryside.

11. Do you have any pets?

Unless you consider my mare, Alena, to be a pet, then no. I've never truly had a pet.

12. What sports do you play/have you played?

I've never played any sports. It's not typical for nobles or their children to play sports in Anvia.

13. How tall are you?

5'6". A respectable height, if I must say so myself.

14. Favorite subject in school?

I enjoyed the more "artistic" parts of my education. Literature, dance, and so forth.

15. Dream job?

To be a Queen my mother could be proud of.

#morrigan.text #morri does tag games #15 tags 15 mutuals #about me #atqh: Fallon #I'm not sure who hasn't done this so anyone who wants to go ahead and consider this an open tag.

1 note · View note

maraczeks · 4 years

Text

anna karenina 2012 thread pt 3

#sept 27 2020 #bye i'm only half an hour in #HSJDJD WHY DID THE STROKING FEEL WEIRDLY PERSONAL AM I THAT DEPRIVED OF TOUCH HSJDJDJK HELP #idk keira's too girlish to be anna for me she lacks the worldly weariness #WHAT I WANNA BE PISHED AROUND IN AN ICE SLED #i need like. a caption to go with a new character entering lmao #also they should great comet this.#not that i've listened to tgc but i think it's work #this is such a gorgeous movie i'm not even really criticising the acting #also obsessed with keira's posture and jawline lol #destroy vronsky #i hate to say it but it must be said: anna should be played by a m*lf okay bye i didn't say anything #why is betsy annoying she shouldn't be #omg tbt when we sang a russian folk song in show choir #these close ups are so uncomfortable but also now i feel Alone #ewwww really didn't wanna see anna and vronskt Like That #🤢🤢🤢#this is so unnecessary ewww #SO PRETTY OPRAH GIF #have i mentioned how much i love works of art about love #pls. no #it's so artsy tho i love it #tolstoy you magnificent b-#i could drink in this set for days #i understand anna but why vronsky 🤢🤢🤢#girl get it together smh you're having an AFFAIR #also i thought the races were later but i also could not tell you what they're skipping LOL #HOLY CRAP I FORGOT SHE TOLD HIM AFTER THE RACES THAT SHOOK ME #also karenins not as milky as i expected #CORSET

1 note · View note

hailhydra920 · 2 years

Text

Mister Hockey Ch. 4

Pairing: College!Hockey!Bucky x reader

Chapter 4 Series Masterlist

Summary: Bucky Barnes is the biggest playboy on campus. He’s got the looks, charm, and high hockey player status. He can have any girl he wants, except you. And for some reason, you’re the only one he wants. Hockey AU!

Warnings: None

“So, how has tutoring been?” Steve asked as he wrapped his hockey stick in fresh tape.

Bucky started lacing his skates. “I’ve got my math grade up, so that’s good.”

“That is good. How’s your new commitment going for you?”

A loud sigh burst out of Bucky. “Harder than I thought, but I’m sticking to it. And I’m getting no closer with Y/n if that’s what you mean. She ignores every complement I give her.”

“Maybe you should try not flirting for a change.” Steve suggested.

“That might just be the play.” Bucky said as he clicked his helmet on. “I’ll see if I get better results.”

Steve shook his head. “You talk about her like you would a hockey game. Maybe that’s your problem. You’re treating this situation as if it were a game that you need to win. She’s a person, not just another one of your conquests.”

“I know, sorry. We can talk about this later. Coach needs us out on the ice.”

~~~~~

A soft knock echoed through your dorm, and you paused the movie before walking toward the door. You were met with two blue eyes and a nervous smile.

“Bucky? Tutoring is not till tomorrow.” You said as he shifted his weight.

“I know, but I have a quiz tomorrow and I was hoping you could review a little bit with me today.” Bucky explained as he bit the inside of his cheek. “I, uh, I have some money, if you want—”

“Get in here.”

He stepped inside and lifted his hand to give you some money, but you pushed his hand away.

“Keep your money. I won’t be at your game on Friday, so this kind of makes up for it.”

Bucky shoved his money back in his pocket. “W-why won’t you be at the game?”

Bucky tried to make his voice not waver, but he was really counting on dedicating a few goals to you and maybe asking you out, even if you would probably say no.

“My brother is in town, and I haven’t seen him in a while. We were going to catch up a little.”

“Just invite him to the game.” Bucky suggested as he dropped his bag beside his seat.

“I was going to, but he got tickets to some magic show, and he really wants to go.” You said as you opened your dry erase marker.

Bucky held in his disappointment. “Okay. Well, have fun with that. Family’s important.”

Bucky handed you his quiz review and you wrote down a question similar to it.

“You going to Jack’s party tonight?” You asked not looking up from the white board.

“I don’t think so.”

Your head shot up and you eyed him suspiciously. “Who are you and what have you done with Bucky?”

He chuckled. “Wow, do you really think I go to those parties all the time?”

You continued writing the problem on the whiteboard. “Well, given your reputation, it wouldn’t be that far-fetched. Also, I know Anna wanted to see you tonight.”

“Really? Anna, huh? Is she the one on the cheer leading squad? Or the one on the e-sports team?”

“She does both. But yeah, she’s almost certain you’re going to sleep with her.”

Bucky scrunched his nose. “Okay…Besides, I’ve sworn off one-night stands. I’m trying to win some girl’s heart, so yeah.”

“Must be some girl. And how’s that going for you?” You asked sliding the whiteboard toward him.

He ran a hand through his hair. “Not as well as I hoped.”

“Well, good luck. I’m sure she’ll come around.”

“You think?”

You nodded. “Yeah, I think you’re a somewhat decent guy.”

Bucky dramatically slapped his hand over his heart and gasped. “Did you just give me a complement? Am I dreaming?”

You narrowed your eyes and handed the marker to him. “Don’t push your luck, Barnes. Now walk me through this problem.”

“Okay, okay. I will solve this problem, promise, but can you please still call me Bucky because Barnes makes me feel like you hate me or something.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, but right now you need to focus on this math problem.”

He smiled. “Yes ma’am.”

~~~~~

“Dude, she’s not here.” Sam said tapping his hockey stick against Bucky’s.

Bucky nodded. “Yeah, sorry, I was just hoping she’d surprise me or somethin’.”

“You better not let coach see you like this. If he thinks you don’t have your head in the game, he’s probably not going to put you in much.”

“Right, okay. Thanks Sam.” Bucky said as they finished their warmup and stated toward the rest of the team.

Coach Fury was giving a game plan and Bucky’s eyes wandered toward the stands again hoping to catch a glimpse of you, but he didn’t. His attention was pulled back to the game plan as his name was called.

“Barnes, you get Rumlow. He’s still a bit angry from last game, so watch out.” Fury instructed as Bucky nodded.

They did a little chant before skating onto the rink. Bucky tightened his helmet strap a bit before nodding at Steve and Sam. He needed to focus on the game, and maybe toss around Rumlow a bit. A few fans cheered Bucky’s name as he slid into the middle, and he smiled. This was gonna be a great game.

~~~~~

“Looks like we’ve got Rumlow with a bottle rocket! Lang’s water bottle is no more! Lang better watch out, they don’t call him Crossbones for nothing!” The announcer cheered.

The puck was passed around a bit more and Rumlow got possession of it again, but Bucky was quick to act and smashed him against the boards, causing the crowd to erupt in noise and the puck to fall into Steve’s possession and make a shot. Rumlow’s stick and gloves fell onto the ice, and he growled as Bucky skated away.

“Looks like there’s a yard sale going on! Rumlow’s equipment was knocked right off him! The Winter Soldier has struck again!”

As the next play started Rumlow stared Bucky down with a murderous glare. Once he got close enough to Bucky, he slammed the end of his stick right into the back of Bucky’s knee. The crowd gasped as Bucky tumbled onto the ice. Coach Fury yelled out some curse words as Bucky laid still on the ice. A medic slid toward Bucky as the announcers talked.

“Barnes is being checked out by the medic, Bruce. Barnes doesn’t look so good. Looks like Rumlow is going to spend a lot of time in the sin-bin for foul play.”

“Well, Jim, you mess with the bull you get the horns.” The other announcer, John, commented.

“True, John, but that was one heck of a hit. Barnes definitely did not see that coming.”

Bucky was taken into the locker room as the game continued. His leg had been pretty damaged, and he held back cries of pain as Bruce tried to assess the damage and bandage him. He laid back, forearm over his eyes, as he tried to think of anything but the pain in his leg.

After the game, Fury entered into the back room where Bucky was and looked at him.

“What did Bruce say?”

Bucky sighed. “It’s gonna take some time to heal. I’m not gonna be able to play in quite a few games, but he said I should be good to go for championships.”

Fury cursed again. “Well, alright. You focus on getting better, but by the time championships rolls around, you better give 110% you hear me?”

“Yes sir.”

“I’ll have Steve help you and get some crutches. We won though, so that’s one thing going for us.”

Steve walked in a few minutes after Fury left and he lifted the crutches enthusiastically.

“I picked up your sweet ride. I’m sure all the ladies are gonna love you even more now.”

“Shut up, punk.” Bucky groaned. “If I dramatically drop my crutches and fall to the floor in front of Y/n and ask her to go on a date with me, do you think she’d say yes?”

Steve chuckled. “I think she’d just laugh for a solid two minutes and maybe help you up. Seeing you fall is usually pretty funny.”

Bucky frowned. “Be nice to me. I’m crippled now.”

“You’re still the same idiotic jerk to me.” Steve replied with a shrug.

“I hate you.”

“No, you don’t. Come on, let’s get you back to the dorm and order some victory pizza.”

MH Tags: @ajeff855 @lostyx @ahahafudge @chloe-skywalker @tanyaspartak @bakugouswh0r3

Perm Tags: @sleep-i-ness @thefridgeismybestie

A/N: If you want to be added to the taglist let me know.

#Bucky Barnes #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #james buchanan barnes #james buchanan barnes x reader #Hockey AU #hockey #college au #college #mister hockey #hailhydra920

167 notes · View notes

purpleshaded15 · 2 years

Text

AU: If Percy’s re-captured instead of Cass...

A/N: I've always thought what it would be like... if instead of Cass, Percy was re-captured. Of course it wouldn't play into our C1 narrative & Taliesin playing Percy. But the alternative story playing in my head is that I think Percy’s hate is so strong the compulsion just won’t work all the time. He’d rather die than submit. I think he’ll be too hard-headed and too smart to believe any lies like his sister left him to die, etc. Stockholm Syndrome won’t happen to him. Instead, they will have to use their last resort: vampirism.

--------

Percy has awoken in a familiar dungeon. A dungeon he wished to never see again. He remembered several arrows on his back, and him yelling to Cassandra, "Go! Don't look back!" With the piercing pain in his chest and blood spilt from his mouth, he thought he'd already die. But at least, he died knowing his sister escaped. Remembering her running away was a relief to him, even when he was brought back into this nightmare.

He coughed up blood. He was back in his cell in the dungeon of Whitestone Castle, his own castle. The only relief was that Cassandra wasn't here.

I'm sorry, Cass... was all he could think of. Feeling so much hopelessness and weakness that he couldn't escape with her.

He was allowed to rest for the days to recover. But it was soon that the torture was restarted again to him by Dr. Anna Ripley. He already told her and the Briarwoods everything he knew and that the knowledge of any Ziggurat was not passed onto their generation. But the doctor insisted to continue his torture.

The doctor kept talking to him. She read of his notes, his research, his design for a clock, even his grades and knowledge from his tutor. To say she was fascinated was an understatement. One of the days she said, "Percival, you know, we are not very different."

Percy stifled a laugh while in pain. "You mean we're the same? You and I?"

Anna Ripley looked at him crazy. "Yes!"

Percy scoffed, though he had little energy to show it. "You must be joking. I'll never be you."

Anna laughed in response, "You think that now. But you will see it, the way I see it. I can take you away from here."

"Who hurt you, Anna?"

The question was a surprise to Anna Ripley that it sparked quite a rage and she backed away from him.

"I pity you. Poor Anna Ripley," he whispered in mockery. He purposely was riling her up so she would, by the grace of God, finally kill him.

Anna Ripley was quite enraged that she tortured Percy more on that day. He should know not to provoke a person who has power over him. But she also remembered her past, and everything that she was doing to him, was done more or less to her in the past. And that she was ultimately trying to make him become 'her'.

-------

"Anna, this needs to stop," Delilah's words entered Percy's head while he was on the brink of unconsciousness.

"Give him to me. I will make sure -" Anna Ripley said before getting cut off by Sylas.

"The rebellion has been stoked, and only a de Rolo can quell it."

"We need him." Delilah looked at Sylas and gestured. "Would you please, my dear?"

Percy was out of sorts. He was tortured in pain that he didn't really care anymore about his future until a set of fangs bit through his neck. He couldn't even croak or say anything because Sylas has held his neck in lockdown until he died of blood loss.

But he thought that moment he was freed. At least, he thought he died. And he welcomed it. Freedom at last...

So when he opened his eyes, he couldn't quite comprehend why... how...

He's still alive? How come?

But it doesn't matter now... He’s suddenly overcome by an insatiable thirst that it’s all he could feel and think about.

So hungry...

A resistance spy who was tasked to find the last de Rolo stumbled onto his cell. Being a rogue, she was able to open the lock and tried to wake him up while seeing all the blood and gore on his neck... She thought he was dead when she felt no heart beat.

“My lord... I’m too late.”

She gasped in shock when he opened his eyes and looked at her. His eyes glowing blood red, as he pushed her on the wall with his mouth open and sharp fangs protruding.

“I’m so hungry...”

He bit her on the neck with no remorse. Not realizing that he crushed her windpipe so she wouldn’t scream. He couldn’t remember the last time he wanted something so much. So delicious and addicting. So lost in the taste of blood, he didn’t realize he’d already killed her. He drained her dry and all the wounds also healed up by then...

He whimpered at the sight of what he’d done and the realization of what he had become.

This time, the door opened and in came Sylas and Delilah Briarwood.

He was so angry that they took death and freedom away from him. He growled and with his bloody fangs and hands, lunged to attack Delilah.

Sylas told him, "Stop!" His body stopped like a puppet, and he attentively looked at him. Sylas was smirking back at him, "I am your lord and master. You will do as I say."

He didn't want to, but his body. It felt like he had complete control and power over him, he couldn’t disobey. He felt himself kneel in front of Sylas and say, "Yes, my lord and master..."

He couldn't believe himself. He was so sickened by himself inside. How he could lose his family, his friends, himself and be in servitude to his family's killer. Sylas and Delilah used him to quell the rebellion of Whitestone. He became the figure head to show that the de Rolo’s are still there and put complete control of the militia and castle into the Briarwood’s hands.

Standing atop the throne room and Percy now cleaned and given freedom to roam around so long as he comes at Sylas’ beck and call.

Sylas grabbed his face and smiled right at him. "You are the rightful heir.”

They knew that Percival would rather die than betray his family.

“But you know what you are now. Leave your human past behind. Embrace your new reality.”

Sylas knew that the only way to make him pledge undying loyalty was to make him his own.

“You are my son."

#percy de rolo #percival de rolo #alternate universe #au fic #critical role #anna ripley #briarwoods #cr campaign one #vampire #vampire percy #vampire spawn

62 notes · View notes

helloalycia · 3 years

Text

my patient’s neighbour [five] // wanda maximoff

summary: Wanda decides to ruin your chance at moving on, which doesn't go down well with you.

warning/s: none

author's note: jealous!wanda is one of my favourite wanda’s 👀 also your comments/feedback always make my day so thank you so much! ♥️

Meeting Anna's granddaughter wasn't something I'd ever imagined, since Anna rarely mentioned her unless it was to recall a memory that eventually made her quiet for the rest of the day or to make a snide remark out of annoyance. So, to have her here in front of us was definitely... new.

"What are you doing here?" Anna asked with disbelief.

Sasha blinked awkwardly. "I, er, got a call from the nurse. She said you'd hurt your back, so I thought I'd check in." Her gaze fell to Wanda and I. "I see you've got company."

"Sorry, we'll give you a moment," Wanda blurted, before looking to Anna reassuringly.

I did the same before eyeing Sasha suspiciously then following after Wanda into the hall. When the door closed behind us, I wondered what exactly would happen in there. To say I was overprotective of Anna was an understatement.

Taking a seat on the chairs outside her room, I became acutely aware of how stupid I looked in my trainers, Mickey Mouse pyjamas and raincoat. Especially when Wanda sat beside me, knee brushing mine.

"Do you want a drink or anything?" she asked suddenly, earning my attention.

I shook my head, crossing my arms and leaning back into my seat. "No, thank you, I'm good."

She hummed in acknowledgement but said nothing else. The awkwardness that lingered between us was overpowering, but nowhere near as overpowering as the scent of Wanda's shampoo that was drifting up my nose from how close she was sat to me. I tightened my crossed arms, trying to think of something else. Then I remembered what had happened in Anna's room before Sasha interrupted.

"What were you and Anna arguing about?" I asked, glancing at the witch.

She winced, but didn't look my way. "Nothing. Just neighbour stuff."

I smiled bitterly. So, she didn't want to share. Fine. No big deal. Who was I but her neighbour's carer anyway?

After ten minutes of waiting, we decided to head back inside to make sure Anna was okay. What we saw was Anna and Sasha crying happy tears as the latter sat at her bedside, clutching her hand.

"Damn, sorry," I apologised for Wanda and I, realising we'd interrupted a special moment. "We can–"

"No, we're done," Sasha said, wiping away her tears with embarrassment. "Sorry about that."

"Devushki (girls), this is my granddaughter, Sasha," Anna introduced, and I'd never seen her look happier.

As Sasha stood up and rounded the bed to approach us, I realised she seemed familiar because of the photographs I'd seen around Anna's apartment.

"It's nice to finally meet the two people who have been taking care of my grandmother," Sasha said, before putting out her hand.

I bit back from retorting with something along the lines of 'we wouldn't have to if you had cared for her yourself', and instead shook her hand. Wanda glanced at me, probably sensing the negative thoughts in my mind with her powers, but she said nothing as she smiled politely at Sasha and shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, too," Wanda spoke, realising I wouldn't. "Anna talks a lot about you. I was hoping we would eventually meet."

Sasha sighed regretfully, smile fading. "Yes... well, I haven't been around as much as I should have been. I know that now."

"Took you long enough," I muttered under my breath, it slipping out without me realising.

Wanda shoved me in the arm in response and I frowned, rubbing the sore spot.

"You're right," Sasha said, looking to me apologetically. "But I'm here now. And getting that call earlier... it made me realise that I've treated Anna horribly. That's why I've invited her to live with me. To make up for lost time."

Certainly not expecting that, my jaw dropped with surprise. "What?"

Sasha sat back down beside Anna's beside and I exchanged startled looks with Wanda before looking to the older woman in question.

"No offence," I started, glancing at Sasha, before focusing on Anna again, "but are you sure this is the right move? It's not too sudden?"

Anna shook her head and grabbed Sasha's hand. "She wants me to be around her family. And I want it too, Y/N. I miss them."

I nodded, but chewed on the inside of my mouth anxiously. It's not that I didn't trust Sasha (okay, maybe it was a little), but I was scared for Anna. I didn't want her to get heartbroken all over again.

Be supportive, Wanda's voice filled my mind, and I looked to her to see her eyes fading from red to green.

I clenched my jaw. Stay out of my head.

With a bright smile, she ignored me and looked between the grandmother and granddaughter duo.

"I think that's wonderful, Anna," she said kindly. "I mean, of course I'm going to miss having you as a neighbour, but this is all you've wanted. I'm thrilled for you. And so is Y/N."

When she looked to me for confirmation, I felt a familiar anger in the pit of my stomach, only reserved for Wanda Maximoff. But this wasn't about us, this was about Anna.

"I am," I agreed, eyes flickering to Anna. "It sounds great."

"You can both visit whenever you want," Sasha said, nodding enthusiastically. "Anna loves you both so dearly."

"You can't get rid of us even if you tried," Wanda joked, flashing Anna a teasing smile.

Anna chuckled. "I knew you would both understand."

I smiled halfheartedly, glad that everything was working out for Anna but knowing I would miss caring for her greatly.

"We should leave you to rest," I said with finality.

"Thank you," Anna replied, and by the way she looked at me, I knew she was thanking me for a lot more.

"Get well soon," I told her in my 'nurse' voice that she hated, a playful smile on my lips. "I'll check on you tomorrow."

Anna nodded. "Tomorrow."

After saying an awkward goodbye to Sasha, I left the room and headed for the lift down the hall, not bothering to wait for Wanda. Thankfully, she must have known I didn't want to speak to her, as she didn't speed after me.

—

Since Anna moved in with her granddaughter, the last time I saw Wanda was at the hospital. Two more months passed and I had no need to bump into her at Anna's apartment since Anna didn't live there anymore. And the one time I visited Anna since she moved in to Sasha's house, Wanda wasn't present.

I guess it made it a lot easier to attempt to get over her. Six months since she broke up with me was long enough to move on, I think. I'd been on a few dates, none really going anywhere until Natasha decided to set me up with someone a few weeks ago.

It was a family friend of her Avenger's teammate, Clint Barton, and though it was a blind date, it actually worked out well. The woman was called Elise and she was very sweet and charming on our first date, having a similar sense of humour to mine and a killer smile. It was actually the first time since Wanda left that things felt like they were falling into place. We went on a few more dates, deciding not to rush things, and I found myself looking forward to going out with her.

It was a few weeks into our dating relationship when Natasha gave me a call, inviting me as her plus-one to Clint and his wife's vow renewal. They were having a whole celebration at their homestead in Missouri and Natasha figured I'd enjoy it, able to take a weekend break and join her at the lavish hotel she'd be staying in. And also because Elise would be there.

"Oh?" I said with surprise. "Elise didn't mention anything."

"She wanted to," Natasha said with amusement, "but she didn't want to bring it up in case you didn't want to go."

I quirked a brow, despite her being unable to see me. "And why wouldn't I want to go?"

Natasha hesitated. "'Cause Wanda will be there...?"

A sigh escaped my lips as I massaged my forehead. Elise knew about Wanda because it came up when she asked how Natasha and I became friends. She was actually really chill about the whole thing, which I appreciated, but I could only imagine how she must have felt knowing that Wanda would be at the vow renewal.

"You should still come," Natasha encouraged when I didn't say anything. "I already spoke to Wanda and she said she won't cause a scene or anything."

"I doubt that she would," I mumbled.

"She just wants you to be happy," Natasha finished. "So, be happy as my plus-one and get a cute date in with your girlfriend whilst you're there."

I tried to stifle the smile on my lips. "Elise isn't my girlfriend."

"Yet," Natasha added knowingly.

Rolling my eyes, I said, "Look, send me the details and I'll be happy to be your plus-one."

"Yes!" she exclaimed, and I could just imagine her fist-pumping like an idiot. "I'll see you then, Y/N."

"Goodbye," I told her, though a smile of amusement was playing on my lips.

After that call with Natasha, I didn't hesitate to give Elise a call, hoping I wasn't bothering her whilst she was at work.

"Hello?"

"Hey," I greeted, smiling to myself. "Is this a bad time?"

"Well, luckily for you, I'm actually just starting my lunch break," she said in a joking manner. "What's up?"

I scratched my head uncertainly. "Well, Natasha just called and invited me as her plus-one to Clint's vow renewal. She said you would be there, too, obviously, but I just wanted to check in and see if it was okay that I went."

I left out the part about her not telling me about it, but she seemed to pick up on it anyway as she breathed out slowly.

"I just don't want to step on your toes," I quickly added, before chewing on my lip.

"You could never," she said reassuringly. "I actually wanted to ask you to be my date, but I thought it may be too soon. Y'know, a vow renewal when it's only what, the sixth date in?"

"It's not too soon," I said, before adding, "I can just come as Natasha's friend and we don't have to make it a date."

"There's also the fact that your ex will be there," Elise added, and I frowned at the mention of Wanda. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

"It's been six months," I told her with certainty. "I'm as comfortable as can be."

She paused. "If you think you'll be okay, then I'd love to see you there, Y/N."

"I know I'll be okay," I said promisingly. "And I'd like to go and maybe see you, too."

She laughed quietly and it made me smile. "In that case, I guess I'll see you there."

"It'll be fun," I said knowingly.

"It will," she agreed. "And now I can't wait."

It was my turn laugh. "Me either."

And fun it was... along with many other words.

The day of the vow renewal came by quickly enough and as promised, I went with Natasha as her plus-one. She made it as enjoyable as she could for me which I appreciated, with the two of us getting first-class tickets which Natasha was happy to pay for, and checking in to a beautiful hotel for the weekend. And that was just the accommodation.

The actual vow renewal was a stunning affair, as Clint and his wife, Laura, had gone all out with decorating the homestead and it's fields in a traditional, romantic way. A flower arch stood front and centre, with rows of seats set out for guests. Bouquets lined the outside and lights were strung above and all around the trees which I could only imagine would look stunning once the sun set.

"They really went all out," Natasha said, impressed as she took in the scene before us.

I hummed in agreement. "It's beautiful." I glanced at her adding, "Bet you wish you brought an actual date now."

Natasha smirked knowingly. "What's to say this isn't one? This could all be a plan to steal you away from Elise."

"Because that makes sense," I played along with amusement. "The woman who set me up with her best friend's family friend is trying to steal me away from said family friend. Makes complete sense."

"True," she said with a shrug, walking forward. I followed her as she continued, "If I was trying to make a move, you wouldn't see it coming."

I tried not to laugh. "Sure, Natasha."

"Trained assassin, expert in espionage, master of lying and hiding in plain sight," she listed off her skills one by one on her fingers. Shooting me a knowing smile, she repeated, "You wouldn't see it coming."

I rolled my eyes playfully and the two of us made the rounds, myself reacquainting with the other Avengers whom I hadn't seen since, well, since Wanda and I were together. It was a little awkward, since I was never really close with them and vice versa, but they were polite and kind and made me feel comfortable (probably because of Natasha, which gave me yet another reason to be grateful to the redhead).

Eventually, it got to a point where Wanda was the next person to say hello to and I truly thought six months would be enough to get over her; oh, how sorely mistaken I was.

She was talking to Sam Wilson, the two talking about something or the other that was clearly entertaining enough to warrant a laugh from Wanda. As we approached them, the sound of her laugh taunted me, melodic and dancing around my ears like a terrible reminder of what I couldn't have.

They spotted Natasha and I soon enough, their conversation ceasing and Wanda's laughter silencing as her eyes met mine. I tried not to let her effect me, but it became increasingly different when I noticed how beautiful she looked today, wearing a maroon-coloured dress and wearing her brown-red hair down in curls. Of course, all of that didn't compliment the giant scar on her forehead.

"Y/N, it's so good to see you!" Sam exclaimed, trying to prevent an awkwardness from occurring. "How have you been?"

I smiled his way. "I'm good, Sam. You?"

We talked for a little while, catching up, before Natasha decided to drag Sam away for a stupid, fake reason that was clearly said on purpose. Knowing I couldn't exactly stop her, I let her get away with it, figuring I'd have to face Wanda at some point.

"You look good," she spoke first, making me push a stand of my hair behind my ear to give my hands something to do.

"Thanks," I mumbled, before clearing my throat and meeting her gaze. "So do you. That's, er, that's always been your colour."

She smiled in response and I cursed inwardly, wondering why the hell I said that.

"You sound like you've been doing well," she said, referring to the conversation I had with Sam.

I nodded. "Yeah, I have."

A silence filled the air that none of us knew how to fill. I stared at my shoes so hard that I'm surprised a hole didn't form. Wanda hugged herself, unsure whether to speak or not.

"What happened to your head?" I finally thought of something, nodding to the scar.

She subconsciously reached up to touch it, though she didn't seem affected by it. "Oh, nothing. Just happened in a recent mission."

I nodded uncomfortably, never responding well to when she got injured. But she knew that.

"So, Nat said you've got a date," Wanda said, and the way she said it made me think that maybe she'd been wanting to mention it for a while. "Elise, right?"

I swallowed. "Yeah. She's just helping the Bartons out with some stuff then I'll be seeing her after."

Wanda nodded, eyes flickering between me and the floor. "That's nice. So, is it new?"

God, this was awkward.

"Kind of, yeah," I answered, not even sure why. "It's not, like, exclusive, but it's nice to move on, y'know?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Oh, so you're moving on?"

I pressed my lips together firmly. She was watching me curiously, green eyes bright with intrigue.

"I'd hope so," I answered, cocking my head to the side and watching her. "It's been six months."

She nodded, looking down. "Yeah, okay... so you're not in love with her?"

I clenched my jaw. "Is that really any of your business, Wanda?" She didn't answer, so I straightened up and avoided her eyes. "I should go. Ceremony is going to start soon."

Walking away, I left with tense shoulders and more nerves than when I headed in. She had no right to be jealous. She left me.

I found Elise just before everybody was told to take their seats for the ceremony. She apologised for missing me before, mentioning how she was helping Laura with getting ready, then proceeded to shower me in compliments which sent me into a blushing mess. After catching up, we took our seats for the ceremony and waited for it to begin.

Feeling someone's eyes on me, I glanced to my left and saw Wanda sat on the other set of rows, but she was staring right at me, lips pressed together thoughtfully. I rolled my eyes and looked ahead, ignoring her stares. As if sensing my mood, Elise grabbed ahold of my hand gently, glancing at me with a small smile as if to check that was okay. I squeezed her hand in response, letting her know it was.

Are her hands sweaty? Because they look sweaty.

I clenched my jaw and shot Wanda a glare, seeing the amused smile on her lips as she watched me.

Stay out of my head, I told her mentally, knowing she was listening, before rolling my eyes. And her hands are soft, thank you very much. Yours are the sweaty ones.

Though it was a terrible comeback, Wanda lost her smile and rolled her eyes before looking away. I tried not to let her annoying self bother me as Elise and I sat together, watching the ceremony.

It was short and sweet and though I didn't know Clint and Laura too well, it was easy to see they loved each other very much. Their vows were beautiful and it was adorable when their kids ran up to them at the end to give them a giant hug. I didn't know much, but I knew that I'd love to have a love like theirs some day.

After the ceremony came the reception, and there were loads of tables and chairs set up for guests, including a stage and dance floor next to it, perfect for a nice celebration after the vow renewal. It was all wonderful and I was excited, until I learnt that I was sat on the same table as Wanda.

Me, Elise, Natasha, Sam, Wanda and Bucky Barnes were all sat at the same table, which definitely didn't help with the awkwardness as Wanda eyed me from across the food. I tried to ignore her presence and focus on having a great time with Elise. Natasha promised that Wanda wouldn't make a scene, so I just had to believe her.

"So, what can I get you all to drink?" a waiter said, stopping by our table.

Everybody told him what they wanted and when he looked to me, I shrugged.

"Literally anything is fine with me," I said, before quickly adding, "Well, anything except gin. Not a fan of gin at all."

The waiter nodded and smiled politely. "I'm sure I can get you something good without gin."

I returned his smile as he nodded to us all once more before walking away to get our drinks.

"So, what did you think of the ceremony?" Elise asked, giving me her attention.

The two of us erupted into conversation, as did everyone else, and I was genuinely having a good time with her. The food was good, too, as were the drinks when they arrived. But the one problem was Wanda bloody Maximoff who couldn't keep her eyes away from me and was agitating me with her mere presence. I tried so hard to ignore her, but God forbid my eyes flickered over to her and she was already looking my way.

After a delicious meal and lovely conversation with the others, everybody began to get up and mingle with the other guests. I took this as my chance to steer away from Wanda and instead catch up with Natasha and hang out with Elise, who got on with everyone wonderfully. Sadly though, she had to keep nipping away to help the Bartons with some stuff for the party, but I didn't mind. I figured that was also part of the reason why she didn't invite me as her plus-one, so I didn't take it personally.

About an hour into the celebrations, I was mid-conversation with Natasha when we were interrupted by Wanda. I rolled my eyes as she looked to the redhead questioningly.

"Have you seen Clint around?" she asked. "Laura wants me to take everything from the gifts table inside and I need the key."

Natasha pursed her lips, shaking her head. As her eyes looked around for him, she said, "I'm not sure where he is..."

Before either of them could come to a conclusion, Elise appeared by my side with an apologetic smile and a drink in her hand.

"Hey," she greeted, squeezing my hand gently. "Sorry for ditching you before. I had to make sure the bar didn't run out of alcohol."

"It's all good," I told her with a small smile.

"I got you this gin cocktail to make up for it," she said sweetly, making me eye the drink like it was a bomb.

Wanda snorted suddenly, making me look to her with a glare. She tried to hide her laughter behind a smile as she looked the other way, though that didn't stop her from commenting in my mind with her obnoxious, intrusive powers.

Real good listener this one. Didn't you say you didn't like gin earlier?

I refrained from smacking her. Go away, Wanda.

"Thank you," I said to Elise gratefully, accepting the drink. "It looks great."

"Oh, I think I see Clint," Wanda said, before shooting us all a smile I'd love to punch. "Catch you later."

"See ya," Natasha said, as Elise waved and I rolled my eyes.

—

Dancing was fun and I liked to think I was good for an average person. So, when the DJ put on some fun music and encouraged guests to have a little dance, I immediately asked Elise to join me. Unfortunately, she wasn't exactly the most confident of dancers. She was adorably apologising as she held my hands, letting me take the lead.

"It's okay," I reassured her with a laugh. "You're doing fine."

But as she stepped on my foot for the millionth time, I could tell she thought she was doing anything but. I didn't mind though since it was amusing and cute all at the same time.

Be careful over there, Y/N. You may have been better off wearing some steel-toed shoes.

At the sound of Wanda's voice infiltrating my mind, I searched around me until I caught sight of the familiar green eyes over Elise's shoulder. She was stood to the side, entertained smile adorning her lips, as she watched Elise and I dance.

Why don't you piss off and mind your own business before I buy a pair of steel-toed shoes just to kick you with!

She didn't respond, so I focused my attention back on Elise and paused as something a little slower and more romantic played in the background. Offering an encouraging smile to Elise, I held out my hand which she accepted happily.

"Luckily, this one is pretty easy, so you might avoid bruising my feet," I joked to lighten the mood.

She flushed with embarrassment but let me pull her close as I took the lead. Subconsciously, my eyes wandered back to Wanda, who was now crossing her arms with annoyance and watching me with glowing red eyes. She had absolutely no right to be jealous. But I didn't care. It wasn't my business.

After sharing a lovely dance with Elise, the two of us took a seat at our empty table to have some water and talk. Of course, as we were chatting, our conversation was interrupted by none other than–

"Wanda," I got out through gritted teeth.

She grinned as she took a seat next to us, crossing her legs and resting her intertwined hands on her knees comfortably.

"I figured I'd introduce myself properly since we haven't really met before," Wanda explained, eyes dancing with mischief before she looked to Elise. "I'm Wanda Maximoff."

Elise smiled politely. "I'm Elise Fey. And I know who you are. A really impressive Avenger at that."

I narrowed my eyes as Wanda waved her hand dismissively. What was she playing at exactly?

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," she said bashfully. "But I guess, since you know who I am, it's only fair I return the favour. After all, you're here as Y/N's date, and as Y/N's friend, I thought it would be nice to get to know you."

"Friend," I repeated the word bitterly. "So, that's what we are now?"

Wanda chuckled, brushing off my words, before focusing on Elise. "So, what do you do, Elise?"

"I'm a veterinarian," she quipped proudly.

"How cute," Wanda said, tilting her head to the side and smiling. "How long have you been doing that?"

"Only a few years," Elise said, glancing at me with mild confusion. "It's a really rewarding job."

"I can imagine," Wanda said, before pulling a puzzled expression. "But wait, how does that work with you both? Since Y/N is allergic to pets an' all?"

Locking my jaw with agitation, I stared at Wanda's doe-eyed face. Elise looked to me with surprise.

"You are?" she asked. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I shook my head, smiling at her. "No, not really... I mean, well, rabbits. I'm allergic to rabbits. I didn't think it was a big deal."

"It kind of is," she said playfully. "What if I had treated a rabbit at work and then went on a date with you?"

I chuckled awkwardly. "Hmm, yeah, okay, maybe it's a little bit of a big deal."

She hummed disapprovingly before looking back to Wanda, who watched us both curiously.

"So, you work as a vet in New York?" she asked Elise, and I couldn't tell if she was actually interested or just trying to piss me off. When Elise nodded, she continued, "Are you from New York?"

"I'm originally from here actually," Elise said, motioning around us. "My family knew Laura's family before she married Clint. That's how I know the Bartons."

"Oh, so your parents still live here?" Wanda asked, leaning her head in the palm of her hand as she continued to question her.

"Yeah, not far from here actually," Elise answered with a smile.

Wanda nodded. "Cool... so how would that work, the whole visiting them thing? I mean, Y/N works a lot, right? And I assume you're close with your family. So, how does taking the time off to visit your parents work with you both when it's, like, 16 hours away?"

I squeezed my hands together to contain my frustration towards Wanda. Elise opened her mouth to respond, then closed it when she realised she didn't know how to answer. Her eyes darted to mine, asking for help, and I knew she was too polite to call Wanda out for her bullshit.

"We're still newly dating, Wanda," I answered through a fake smile. "We haven't even talked about meeting each other's parents, so it's not an issue right now."

"Right now," Wanda echoed my words, as if adding a double meaning. "But it will be in the future?"

I tried not to react harshly as I said, "That's not what I said."

Wanda nodded slowly, smirk tugging at her lips. Saying nothing more on the subject, she looked to Elise with dark eyes.

"It was lovely meeting you," she finished. "I'll see you around, I guess."

Elise nodded uncomfortably. "You, too, Wanda."

Shooting me a smile, she got up and left Elise and I sat there in mixed emotions. I was peeved at the Sokovian woman, not understanding why she had to try and ruin my one chance at moving on.

"I'm sorry about that," I said to Elise, a frown on my lips. "I don't know what the hell happened, but I definitely didn't expect it."

Elise chewed on her lower lip with thought. I waited patiently, wishing I knew what she was thinking. Finally, her blue eyes met mine apologetically.

"I don't think Wanda is quite over you," she said quietly. "And maybe you're not over her either, Y/N. At least not as much as you think you are."

I raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Elise, she's just being a dick to piss me off. It's not like that."

Elise winced. "I think it is. And honestly, you're a lovely person, but I just don't want to get involved in something like that right now."

I knitted my brows together with confusion. "What do you mean?"

She rested her hand on mine atop the table. "It's probably better we stay friends. Easier."

"Elise... c'mon. We just– we only just got to know each other." I frowned, feeling bad that she didn't want to see where this would go.

"For what it's worth, today was really fun," she said with a smile, trying to make light of the situation. "And every date we've shared has been fun, too. But I can't compete with the history you share with Wanda. And I don't want to."

I didn't know what to say, speechless, unable to understand why she was doing this. Taking that as her chance to leave, she leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek before standing up and letting go of my hand.

"I'm gonna leave early," she explained. "I hope you work stuff out for yourself."

I looked up to her, watching as she smiled once more before leaving me be. We'd only been dating a few weeks, I knew that, but I still felt saddened to know she didn't want to keep things going. And with the realisation that it was because of Wanda, my sadness was quickly replaced with anger. It always came back to her.

Scowl on my face, I stood up and knew one thing: Wanda Maximoff was dead meat.

#wanda maximoff x you #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff imagine #elizabeth olsen #scarlet witch #marvel imagine #marvel #mcu #mcu imagine

412 notes · View notes

theshelbyclan · 4 years

Text

Brotherly Discomfort

Summary: After ‘the talk’, your brothers are adamant to protect you, but you throw yet another curveball their way. Part 2 to Growing Pains

(Gif by @nofckingfighting) A/N: This is part 2 to my most popular fic Growing Pains and I used anon’s request: Could you do a Shelby sis story where she’s a lesbian and in love with a woman and her family doesn’t know. The family is trying to get her into an arranged marriage with a man and she can’t figure out how to tell them she’s a lesbian cause she feels they won’t except her? Sorry if that’s too much. Love your writing so much btw!! Thanks for this request babes, hope I did it justice :) Words: 2387

*** “Right, Y/N, sit down,” Tommy sighed deeply and pointed at a single chair by the kitchen table, “We need to talk.” As you sat down, three brothers loomed over you. Tommy lit a cigarette like his life depended on it, Arthur couldn’t stand still if his life depended on it and John seemed to have forgotten what his life actually depended on, so he just stood there, unsure of everything. “We’re having another talk,” you stated. The last one, only a few days ago, was still fresh in your mind.

“We are,” you brother confirmed. Arthur took off his cap like he was attending a funeral and stumbled, “We, uhm… We’ve had an idea.” “Christ,” Polly mumbled from behind her newspaper and you couldn’t agree more. “The thing is,” John finally spoke, “We’ve been worried after we… talked.” “Right,” you nodded, “Because of he subject of our conversation?” “It’s not just that!” your brother continued, with a slight frantic edge to his voice, “You’re growing up, but you’re still running around with the dogs at all hours. You won’t listen to anyone, do whatever you please…” Tommy continued where John faltered, “The truth is, Y/N, you’re getting to be too wild.” “Oh, fuck off, Tom,” and you got up with every intention to leave the room. “Sit down,” he said sternly, “We can’t have another Ada situation.” “Situation?” your eyebrows shot up, “What do you fucking mean by a fucking situation?” “The baby, Y/N,” Arthur explained. “I’m sorry,” you were boiling inside now, “but please explain: was the baby the problem or the man she had the baby with the problem? Or possibly, maybe, the fact that you three had no say in the matter?!” “That’s not the point,” John could feel this conversation wasn’t going as planned, “The thing is we couldn’t stop it!” Polly scoffed behind you, so at least you felt like someone was on your side. After a few moments of silence, your anger got the better of you and you slammed a hand down on the table in a very Tommy manner, “So what did you three fucking geniuses come up with?” Tommy pointed at you menacingly, “You fucking watch your mouth. You may be sixteen but I will still wash your mouth out with soap if you don’t mind that tongue…” “Minding my tongue…” you repeated, rolling your eyes, “Fine. So, what’s the plan? Arthur? John? Are we going back to the old ways and am I being married off to some good gypsy boy?” You turned around at Polly and laughed at your own joke, but when the room fell silent once again, you realised you’d hit the jackpot. Arthur had known you since the day you were born. He’d been twelve at the time and he could recognise every little expression on your face. Like when you were little, you used to scrunch up your nose just before you were about to cry for hunger. Or when you were sad, a small wobble in your chin just before the tears. Or when you were angry, a wrinkle in your forehead gave away the tantrum that was about to follow. This was happening right now. So he held up both hands and said, “Y/N, he’s from a good family…” “Nope,” you said, adamantly. “He is,” John confirmed gently, “and he has horses.” “Fucking no,” you shook your head. Tommy sighed, “We already made the deal.” “You promised your sister, just like that. That’s low, even coming from you, Thomas,” Polly’s cold voice sounded. If there was one person who could break his tough exterior, it was his aunt, “Well, what the fuck should we have done, Pol? Let her run wild, like you, eh?” But you stood up and walked over to Tommy. This was the man who had raised you, cared for you and disciplined you most of all, but right now, none of it mattered. So you slapped him hard, once. “Undo it Tommy,” you hissed, “Undo it or I’ll fucking cut you.” In the background you could hear Arthur mumble at once, “Okay, we’ll undo it…” “Give me one good reason,” your brother’s face, now only inches away, remained emotionless. You sighed and decided to throw all caution to the wind. “Anna,” you said, calmly. “What?” John asked immediately. So you repeated, voice raised, “Anna!” Three frowning brother stared at you, not understanding at all. “Remember when you asked me what hisname was, last week?” you called out exasperated. “’John’, wasn’t it?” Arthur looked at you. “No, it wasn’t fucking ‘John’, Arthur, she just said so,” John explained to his oldest brother. Tommy lit another cigarette, “What’s your point, Y/N?” You pointed at your neck where the nearly faded hickey could still be seen if you knew, “The name of the girl who gave me this is Anna.” “That would be bloody fantastic actually, because we wouldn’t have to worry anymore about a baby situation…” John squinted, “I think she’s serious…” “Oooooh fuck…” Arthur sighed, suddenly connecting the dots; “We’ve been keeping an eye on the wrong fucking people, John.” But John burst out laughing, “Didn’t see that one coming, did you, Tommy?” Slowly, your brother sat down and started smoking his second cigarette, “Pol, contact Madame Ross, tell her the wedding is off.” But Aunt Polly was having none of it, “You got us into this mess, you can fix it.” And then fear settled suddenly into the pit of your stomach. You looked at Tommy and asked softly, “Are you mad?” “Nope,” he said, head dropped down into his hands. “Disappointed?” “No, I’m not disappointed. But you should’ve told us, eh?” You shrugged, “Didn’t think you’d… approve.” “Why?” John asked, “We don’t care that you like women.” And all the love you had in you went out to your brother in that very moment. “Y/N,” Arthur started and he looked so angry that uncertainty took over again, “Why the fuck did you not tell us before we… explained?” “Because it was hilarious,” Polly commented unhelpfully. John started giggling again, “Fucking unnecessary is what it was.” “Arthur?” you asked, fear seeping into your voice. He sighed deeply, fidgeting with his hat, “It’s not the women, Y/N, I don’t care about that. It’s you and… anyone really. I don’t like the idea of you with anyone. Remember when she used to play with the coals, remember John?” “Yeah, I remember,” John smiled. “Black like the night she’d be!” Arthur remembered out loud, “Sweet and innocent.” “Well, she’s not anymore,” Polly sipped her tea. “I fucking see that and I don’t like it,” you eldest brother’s smile faded quickly. “Right,” Tommy raised his head again, “Guess we need to change our approach.” “There really no need…” you started. But he continued, ignoring you, “So you like girls, eh?” “Yep,” you confirmed meekly. “Only girls?” You nodded, “Well, one in particular.” Arthur looked at Tommy like he would have all the answers, “Now what, Tom?” You could now start to see the humour in all of it. Your brothers’ faces were an absolute picture! John could hardly contain his laughter, Tommy looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and Arthur was filled with the absolute dread at another conversation like the one you had last week. “Oh, come on!” John called out, “I’m sure we could offer some advice!” He winked at you and a smile spread across your face. “Yeah!” you said, “I mean you all like women, right? This should be even easier!” “It’s not,” Arthur muttered. “I like women,” John said to no one in particular. “What about you, Tommy?” you asked your brother sweetly. But he just rolled his eyes and continued smoking. A part of you wanted to joke about him and Alfie, but you decided against it at the last second. “Horses?” you ventured, “Tommy, any advice on this with the famous analogy of horses? “Horses don’t really…” he waved a hand, coughed and stopped talking all together. “Well, at least you don’t have to be afraid of her getting pregnant,” John said to Arthur, who was as white as a sheet now. “That’s right,” he replied in a low voice, “but that’s my entire speech out the window, because there’s no waiting ‘till bloody marriage either…” “Well,” you tried to comfort your older brother, “You did offer me some good advice the last time, Arthur. You said there was no hurry and to not do it unless I wanted to?” “Right! I did say that. That, yes, it still stands!” Arthur looked around the kitchen triumphantly. “And John,” you continued, “you said to not put anything in my mouth unless I wanted to. Sound advice that was, now more than ever!” “Fucking hell,” Arthur crumbled again, “I can’t do this again. Tom, say something.” “Women….” Tommy started off vaguely waving his cigarette around, “they want love.” “We do.” “And they always want to take things slow.” “Can you imagine?” John interrupted, “Two women together? Must take ages…” “You’d be surprised…” you started, but when you saw your other brothers’ faces, you shut your mouth quickly. Tommy glared daggers at his brother and then turned to you, “How did you become an expert all of a sudden, eh?” “Talked to Ada,” you shrugged. “You talked to Ada…” he repeated lowly and threw his head back. “Wait,” John said suddenly, “Is this why you hate wearing dresses?” “Or why you drink whiskey like a man?” Arthur added, carefully. “That’s just because she’s a Shelby,” Polly explained matter-of-factly. “Or why you never sit on chairs?” John continued, “Or hang out at the factory all the time! Or why you always talk about votes for women…” You held up a hand to stop your brother, “None of that has anything to do with me liking women, John. That’s just… me.” “So what does have to do with you liking women?” your other brother asked in his typical low voice. “Me liking women…?” “So how does it work exactly?” John furrowed his brows, “Like, without… a man there?” “John,” Arthur warned him with a grumble. “Well, both people are enjoying themselves, for starters…” you replied in earnest. “Fucking hell,” the eldest interrupted, “She’s turning into Ada, she bloody is.” “Have you never seen two women together, Arthur?” you asked innocently, “Not even in London?” “They’re all mad bastards down in London, Y/N, the things I’ve seen there…” “Well, imagine me now.” Tommy had just taken a sip of his whiskey and practically choked on the spot, “That’s fucking it. You’re not to go near the BSA again!” “Why?” you called out, “It’s not like all the women in the world are gathered at the BSA!” “I will not have you behaving,” he struggled to find the words but finally spit, “like those fucking women in London!” “Don’t worry, Tommy,” you tried to comfort him, “I’m still… we haven’t actually…” “Oh, thank God,” Arthur sank down in his chair. “Well, when you do, just be gentle, alright?” John offered some advice, “And light a candle! Women love candles.” “Candles, check,” you noted. Tommy downed his whiskey, recomposed himself and added, “And make sure they’re in the mood first…” “To get ‘happy’,” you said, “like Arthur said last time,” “Yes,” he sighed deeply.

“Cut your nails,” John said out of the blue, “Esme told me.”

Arthur turned to his brother, “What the bloody hell do nails have to do with anything?”

“Well, it’s for when you…”

But Tommy silenced you with a gesture, “Please, Y/N, don’t.”

“Right,” and the quiet returned in the small kitchen. Well, at least now they knew, so that terrifying bit was out of the way. Apart from that, you weren’t quite sure if this was going great, because your brothers seemed absolutely petrified and slightly annoyed at your sudden revelation. Maybe it would’ve been better if you hadn’t told them. Then again, marrying a ‘good gypsy boy’ was the last thing you wanted in life. So maybe you could lighten the mood just a little.

“I have a better idea,” a sudden glint came into your eyes, “How about I offer all of you some advice!” The tables had turned already and this couldn’t possibly get any more awkward.

“Nope,” Arthur stood up and promptly marched out of the kitchen, talking to himself, “I can’t. That’s my baby sister and I just fucking can’t...”

“Arthur, where are you going?” Polly called after him, mirth clearly audible in her voice. And he replied, “I’m going to find this Anna, make sure she’s from a good family…” And then he was gone.

Tommy looked from you to Polly for a few seconds before he cleared his throat and mumbled something about business. Polly smirked at you and his face was full of annoyance at it all, “I need to get back to Dangerous. The horse. Tell me some other time, eh?”

“Tommy,” you asked carefully, “Are you sure you’re not mad about me liking women?”

“Princess, I honestly don’t give a fuck who you like,” he said, while putting on his coat and hat, “I just want to meet this Anna and if she hurts you, I’ll still kill her. None of that has changed, eh?”

This was strangely comforting to you.

And just as you were about to offer some unwanted advice, he left the kitchen in a hurry and called over his shoulder, “If you have any questions, Ada apparently has all the fucking answers!”

So you turned to your aunt, “That went well, didn’t it?”

“At least the wedding’s off.”

“Thank fuck,” you smirked and Polly smiled at you encouragingly, “You don’t mind, Aunt Pol, do you?”

“I’m with Tommy,” she said returning to her stern voice, “The fact that it’s a woman won’t make me hesitate.”

“Right,” you nodded, “She makes me happy, though.”

“Good,” Aunt Polly continued to read the newspaper, “Bring her over for tea. Let’s make the boys really uncomfortable, shall we?”

Still laughing, you stood up with the intention of getting on with your homework, when you suddenly noticed John was still sitting on the chair in the back of the kitchen.

“What do you want?” you asked him bluntly.

“I’m waiting,” he said, hands upturned, “You promised me some advice, remember?”

***

Masterlist

2K notes · View notes

asexualone · 3 years

Text

(pls take the time to read)

Signs I should have known I was aro: Disney edition

I think this topic has been stressed a lot already. But here is my take, anyway.

Of course, romantic love had been, is and will always be one of the main themes in kids' movies. Why, I can never fully understand. I'll explain below how I like other themes more.

Some time ago, I did a post on the kiss/hug scenes in Rapunzel which depicts how much more I value acts of showing love that don't include kissing.

Not only those two. I have a history of hating Disney on-screen smooches. As a kid, I thought, "Well, maybe, I don't like seeing these characters kiss because it's a grownup thing."

Could you blame me? When my parents were in the room and a kissing scene appeared on the screen, they changed the channel. So my toddler brain concluded that the reason I didn't like watching kisses was because I wasn't of age to like it. Or something.

At the time, I had no idea that I was hand-picking my favorite movies by the level of romance they had in. Or lack thereof. And I was a very judgemental kid. Let's go through my original thoughts on some Disney classics.

Snow White — No. Just no. She's a child, fourteen. Marrying an older guy she doesn't even know. After he kisses her corpse. NO.

Cinderella — The age difference is a little better, I guess. So is the age of consent. But they only talked one (1) night and he relied on that slipper to find her instead of asking to meet all women and see for himself. Fairytale logic I guess. I didn't like how she called it love immediately and kissed the prince at least once that same night. Or how they got married immediately.

The Sleeping Beauty — Must I even explain? Aurora didn't even know Philip that much, had only met him once (if you exclude the "dreams"). And yet, he's her true love, the only one who can revive her corpse. Ridiculous. And yes, kissing a comatose body, ew. Also, the arranged marriage trope pisses me off, royalty or not. Aurora was engaged as a newborn baby, come on.

Mulan — Cinematic gold. I didn't know it back then, but the fact that romantic love is such a pushed-aside aspect in this movie gives me life. The songs give me life. Especially when the trio dresses as concubines and "Be a Man" plays in the background. An absolute gem, lmao. The sequel however ruined the story somewhat for me, too much lovey-dovey stuff. I like Mulan more when she's fighting than when she's acting all sappy towards Shang, sorry not sorry.

Peter Pan — Loved it, still do. But I did dislike the mermaids, the image of fangirls who are petty towards other girls. And Pan's brief "relationship" with Tiger Lily was nauseating to me. I couldn't explain it but when Pan blushed at her nose-nuzzling thing, I always pulled a face.

The Princess and the Frog — In my opinion, (remember, always my opinion): Tiana, this hard-working girl who doesn't belong to anyone, was lost to love. Well, not lost. But falling for Naveen in the course of three days? Unrealistic and kinda unnecessary. Sweet, but still. I adored the "relationship" between Ray and Evangeline more. Either way, it's a movie that I enjoyed when love wasn't that prominent on screen.

Aladdin — I love this movie because of the Genie. The relationship between Jasmine and Aladdin is meh. She forgot his face and didn't recognize him until later. Their coming together is a lot like that trope "first guy who treats her right sets the expectations and wins her heart". Usually that's a thing, not only in Disney movies but media in general. The female lead settles for the first guy that treats her right because the bar is that low. A good movie, all in all. Love how Jasmine stands up for herself at least. Not a lot of princesses fight against the objectification of women.

Pocahontas — I used to hate this movie. I didn't sit right with me: the racism in it, the manipulation, the murders. And the romance, yes. Pocahontas fell for the strange man who tickled her curiosity in the span of two days. I also hated how her father just sold her to marry Kocoum like that. I know it's tradition. Heck, that's a tradition that still goes on in my country. Maybe that's why I didn't like seeing it on screen. And Pocahontas doesn't even end up with John Smith. The second movie definitely ruined the story. So yes, she's the first princess who fell for a man in three days, TWICE. Needless to say, only the songs kept me from blacklisting the movie entirely.

The Little Mermaid — I actually loved this movie for some reason. I can't explain why, maybe it was my obsession with mermaids. Yeah, that was probably it. But I was pissed when Ariel exchanged her tail for legs. Not to mention human periods and overall, all the bad in the world, for a man she'd only seen once. As I grew up I realized just how f*cked up that story was: Ariel giving her entire lifestyle, family and identity up for a guy she hadn't even spoken to. I don't know why I loved that movie, alright? Hell I still do a little. The sequel too. Say what you want.

Brave — (I know this is technically Pixar, shut up) Much like the paradox with Ariel, I didn't like this movie. I can't explain it. Maybe because Merida wasn't the typical Disney princess I had been used to seeing. Now though, I ADORE that story. No, it's not because Merida knows archery... Okay, yes maybe a little. I love the aro-arrow word play, alright? Anyway, the way Merida fights against being shipped to a husband like the "tradition" I aforementioned asks her to, has always had my heart, even when I didn't like the movie. The focus on the mother-daughter relationship is special, I love it. Stellar movie.

Tangled — One of my favorite Disney movies, my favorite princess. But her relationship with Eugene.... Well. Again, three days. That's all it takes to fall in love. Classic of Disney. Not only that, but Eugene is literally the first man person Raps has ever since, besides Gothel. The bar is nonexistent for her, she would have fallen for anyone. He lied to her and she still... Well, I won't stress that any longer. Their relationship in the end is sweet, one of the few cases where we are actually shown that they would risk their lives to save each other. Respect that. Mostly, I love her magical hair and Pascal. And the guys of Snuggly Duckling.

Moana — EPIC MOVIE. The story, the culture, the character growth, the plot twist, everything! Loved it at first sight, at second and forever. Even more when I became aware that there's no romance in it. I don't think I need to say more.

Frozen — My opinions on this movie have always been changing, accompanied by mixed feelings. So the relationship between sisters was cute, but Lilo and Stitch made that more realistic. Anna's relationship with Hans, ugh. I think that for a long time I used the fact that he was the antagonist to justify my absolute hate for the way Anna "fell" for him in one evening. Again, Anna sweetheart. This is the first man you've met. The bar is nonexistent for you too. God bless Elsa for forbidding her to marry Hans. And while it's cute to think Elsa as a lesbian, she has aromantic vibes. Sorry not sorry, but she's also a God by the end of Frozen 2. Gods are beyond attraction, I said what I said.

Raya and the Last Dragon — Loved it, still do. Say what you will about "dragon Elsa". Sisu is her own character, and I adore her. And yes, I love the lack of romance in the movie. Make no mistake, I shipped Raya and Namaari from the first moment they smiled at each other. I swear on my name that I paused the movie and screamed, GAYYYY, at the top of my lungs. Luckily, I was home alone. If only Disney directors would do the right fcking thing and give me a queer main couple!! I swear I wouldn't mind the lovey-dovey romance one bit.

Of course, I've left dozens of movies out. This post is already way longer than I wanted it to be. But I think that was enough to make a point.

While I'm not romance-repulsed, seeing animated kisses (and unnecessary relationships) on screen makes me uncomfortable. As a child and as a grownup. It just doesn't sit right with me. Not to mention all these princesses who identify with their princes and specifically their relationships with said princes when they're perfect on their. Wreck it Ralph 2 made them a favor, I think, by making them work together and showing their strengths. Another movie I love.

Friendship just makes an overall better theme to apply to kids shows, my opinion. Family, work, self-discovery, mental health, happiness. These are all better themes to portray in media dedicated for children. Which is, again, my opinion.

And yes, Disney has been getting better. They've fixed the age difference and the age of consent. The female characters no longer depend on the male ones, at least not as often. They understand the assignment, alright. There are still many questionable things about Disney's reputation though, things we all choose to overlook for the sake of the good movies. But who knows? They might change. Hopefully soon we'll also have an obviously queer couple in a movie. Hope dies last.

62 notes · View notes

imherongraystairstrash · 3 years

Note

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, do you think Charles,Barbara, Eugenia and Anna were close? Anna maybe less because she’s closer in age to the merry thieves set and she probably ghosted Charles after the Ariadne engagement. Would you consider a fic of them all growing up, starting with them 4 as little kids and then slowly becoming teens and adults and then dealing with Barbara’s death. I think it would be a fun idea since nobody ever considers them to be a older merry thieves.

You can thank my social anxiety for this one bc I stress wrote it in school 🙃

TW: panic attacks, death

Title: When we were young

Characters: Barbara Lightwood, Anna Lightwood, Eugenia Lightwood, Cecily Lightwood, Gabriel Lightwood, Alexander Lightwood, Sophie Lightwood, Gideon Lightwood

Anna was sitting by the fire when Charles came into the room. She hated him. She truly did. But, somehow, at that moment, she felt strange. He looked at her and it took her many years back, to when they weren’t exactly friends, but they were far from what they are now to each other.

…

“And that was how Consul Wentworth fixed the crisis of 1687.” Charles said with a satisfied smile to himself.

The Lightwood girls were his audience. Well, sort of. Eugenia’s cheek was resting on her fist, squishing the right side of her face as her lidded eyes approached shutting completely. Anna was slumped against Eugenia, her lips pressed together tightly and her eyes opened wide, staring at a fixed spot on the floor. Their luminous dark blue glittered in the witchlight, looking exquisitely uncanny. Barbara was mid-yawn, leaning on the leg of a sofa.

“Wow, Charles. Thanks for the history lesson.” Eugenia said, monotonously. It was evident that she’d inherited her mother’s sass from the day she was born, when Barbara had woken her up by exclaiming at the sight of her newborn sister, and Genie responded by pulling her sister’s hair.

“Oh, and in 1690-“

“NO!” All three Lightwood daughters shrieked.

“I’m still not done, though.” Said Charles.

“Yes, you are.” Eugenia said, standing up and settling the matter. “We are positively bored. There is absolutely nothing to do except listen to Charles talk about politics, and if those are the only two options, frankly, I’d rather be bored.”

Charles crossed his arms. “Being an intellect is not boring.”

Little two year old Anna looked at him with one eyebrow raised.

“I swear, Thomas is having a better time than we are,” Eugenia said glaring at to where their parents were, with the tiny, almost invisible baby nestled in Gideon’s arms, his fingers wrapped around Sophie's thumb. The parents were all laughing about something, which made Eugenia scowl even more.

“To be an adult.” Barbara said, with a martyred sigh.

“We needn’t be adults to have fun.” Charles said.

“I suppose you’re going to torture us with more political trivia.”

“No,” Charles said. “I was going to suggest we go through the attic.”

The girls looked up at this and Charles smirked, clearly proud of himself at having come up with a good idea. For once.

“What is in the attic?”

Charles shrugged. “I don’t know, but there’s probably strange and obscure things. There’s a lot of that kind of stuff in our house.”

Barbara and Eugenia exchanged a look before the eldest Lightwood sister turned to him.

“We shall go and discover this mysterious attic you speak of.”

…

“What could this even be?” Barbara said, holding up a loose gear-like contraption.

“Papa sometimes builds things out of clockwork.” Charles said, sitting cross legged. “Or, he used to at least.”

“That’s…”

Genie and Charles looked at Barbara as she trailed off.

“Nevermind, I have no comment.”

Charles nodded as though that was a common reaction people had in terms of his father’s experiments.

They rummaged through boxes upon boxes, finding momentos they didn’t understand such as papers upon papers of things that said many difficult words. They could distinguish a couple of words such as “infernal” and “devices”, however there were many that made no sense to them.

“What is a Mortmain?” Asked Genie.

“I think it’s an undead horse or something along those lines,” said Charles.

“Oh,” said Eugenia. “That’s disgusting.”

“Quite,” agreed Barbara.

Anna was toddling around the room, giggling. She almost tripped over a loose floorboard, and would have, had Charles not reached out and grabbed a hold of the back of her dress.

“This is too dangerous for a small child like Anna,” Barbara said, ever the mother-goose. “I shall take her downstairs before she hurts herself.”

Anna protested at first, but acquiesced once Barbara bribed her with the promise of dessert.

…

“What are you doing here?” Anna asked.

He looked up, his green eyes meeting her blue ones.

…

Charles remembered that day like it was just yesterday.

He and Eugenia had stayed behind rifling through boxes, which wasn’t unwelcome, as Eugenia and Charles had an easy, lighthearted and, at times, profound, friendship. Despite their age gap, they enjoyed each other’s company, though neither could say why. Perhaps, it was simply because they mocked each other. Or perhaps, it was sometimes they would occasionally talk about things such as philosophy, and whether what they were seeing was true, or the world was just a figment of their imaginations. Or a mixture of the two; they’d never really discussed it.

Eugenia surprised him when she said, “do you ever feel… different from your parents?”

Charles furrowed his brows, “in what aspect?”

“Love.”

“Have you a suitor?” Charles inquired, intrigued.

“No. Actually, that was my question. I find that, sometimes, I don’t only enjoy the idea of a male suitor, but perhaps, I also enjoy the company of a woman. Perhaps.” She pressed her lips together tightly, as if forcing herself to stop speaking.

Charles looked at her, his bright green eyes wide. “I-um-…”

“But I’m not sure, of course.” Eugenia blurted out. “It’s not as if shadowhunters are precisely fond of that particular preference or-“

“Do you really think they wouldn’t like it?” Charles asked, softly. “Do you believe they will reject those who are like that?”

Eugenia looked down. “I’m afraid I’m most sure of it.”

Charles had then realized that he couldn’t have both. There was no way around it.

He knew his parents were happy and that love made them complete. However, they didn’t have to choose. They could be married and the idea wouldn’t affect their respective occupations. Charles, on the other hand, couldn’t be Consul and have the kind of love he wanted. He almost resented them because of it. They were able to do what they loved and nobody forced them to pick between one or the other.

It was unfair. So incredibly unfair.

“I guess you better get rid of your feelings towards women than.” He said simply, “unless you’re willing to let something as simple as love get in the way of your dreams.”

“Dreams?” Eugenia asked, looking confused and a tiny bit hurt.

But Charles got up to go back downstairs to his parents, aunts and uncles.

…

Charles slumped down in a chair and dug his fingers into his hair.

“She was just here.” He said quietly. “Babs, was just here.”

Anna felt sudden rage. “You are not allowed to mourn her.”

Charles looked up. “Just because you don’t like me doesn’t mean I can’t be sad. She was my cousin too. Perhaps not by blood, but she was still a cousin.” He pressed his lips together angrily and stared fixedly at the witchlight stone that was illuminating the room.

Anna, however, couldn’t find it in her to be diplomatic; she got up and left the room.

…

Anna had never seen Eugenia look this way. She was always put together, posh. But now, she looked hollow. Like a shell of who she used to be. Anna wanted to go up to her, to say something, but she felt lost for words. What did you tell someone who lost a dear sister? If Anna felt sorrow, she couldn’t imagine what Eugenia was feeling.

Her head was tilted upwards, looking up at the pyre where the corpse of her sister lay. Tears were streaming down her face, rolling down her cheeks, throat and chest, leaving streaks on her face that looked like the roots of a tree.

Sophie had her arm around her daughter. The sight of the four of them was very strange. There was a gap missing where Barbara should have been. She suddenly felt a hand take hold of her own. She looked to her right and saw her mother looking straight ahead, squeezing her daughter’s hand. Her father was looking down, holding Alex. Her baby brother was one of the few who looked up at the cousin who’d taught him to play simple songs on the piano, and had always let him sleep in her arms on New Year's eve.

She didn’t know what he must have been thinking now, staring up at the pyre.

Though, to be fair, she didn’t quite know what to think herself, as she looked up at the cousin who’s life was cut far too short.

…

Eugenia’s body didn’t feel like her own. She hadn’t felt this body was her own for a while. Even since Augustus and the secret she’d kept to herself.

This was somehow worse. To be torn away from your best friend, whom you’d shared a room with almost your entire life. Eugenia didn’t know how to live in a world without Barbara. Sometimes, in the rare moments when she forgot about her sadness, she’d call her sister’s name, ready to tell her about what had happened in her novel. Or find herself walking to Barbara’s room without thinking and then staring blankly at the door that has remained shut ever since the day she passed away.

A couple of weeks ago, she’d found a letter Barbara had sent her when she’d been in Idris. It was in between her copy of Jane Eyre. She couldn’t bring herself to read it in its entirety, but she stared at the signature blankly.

Suddenly, she got the urge to run. So she ran. That’s how, an hour later, she’d gotten a small tattoo under her ankle that said “Sincerely, your favorite sister Babs.”

It felt right to have Bab’s signature there, we’re only she could see. It made her feel accompanied everywhere she went, even though nobody else could see.

Now, looking up at the pyre, her face tight from tears she’d left to dry, her mother weeping silently, she could almost imagine that her sister was there, simply caught in a slumber and that she’d wake up at any moment and come tumbling down, throwing herself in Eugenia’s arms.

Any moment now, she thought when the pyre burst into flames.

“Ave atque vale, Barbara Lightwood.” The crowd said at once.

Eugenia shook her head and swayed on her feet. Her breathing became heavy and her fingers began prickling. Suddenly, she couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t move. No nononono.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, vaguely that it was her father’s.

Not Barbara.

Not Babs.

“Calm down, Genie.”

Not her sister. Her sister couldn’t possibly be up there.

“Breathe Eugenia.”

She wanted to scream that she couldn’t, that she’d never breathe again, as long as her sister wasn’t breathing with her. Why did she have to live? She would have much preferred that Barbara live in her stead.

The world was numb and fractured, never to be fixed again.

…

(Don’t worry, Gideon was able to help Genie after the fic ends bc he’s the best dad)

Tagging: @tsccreatorsnet @atla-lok143 @rinadragomir @youngreckless @autumnangel20 @julemmaes @cupcakesandkittens @no-scones-allowed @ninacarstairss @stxr-thxif @writeforjordelia @icouldnotask @jordeliasupremacy @cordelia-cardale @will-effing-herondale @axoloteca @heronstairs2014 @ilovemanicures @ti-bae-rius @alastair-esfandiyar-carstairs1 @readersconfessions812 @nightshade3465 @livvyheronstairs @zemiraa @proudtobealuthor @neurogliadudette @theenchanteddreamer @cheeseandmacarons

If you want to be on my tag list, or if you changed your url recently and your not in the tag list anymore, let me know! Also, if you want to be removed, send me a dm! I won’t be offended in the slightest :) Oh, and if you asked to be on the tag list and you’re not on it, please tell me (I’m very absentminded lol).

#tsc #tlh #eugenia lightwood #barbara lightwood #charles buford fairchild #gabriel lightwood #anna lightwood #cecily lightwood #cecily herondale #tlh fanfic #tlh fanfiction #the last hours #tid #sophie lightwood #gideon lightwood

58 notes · View notes

so-writing · 3 years

Text

Sugar, Honey, Ice and Tea - Matthew Tkachuk (17)

all parts here

“Please take these as a gift, from a Flames player, to a very appreciated, supported and loved Flames staffer, my fucking ass,” you said to yourself but brought the bottles into your apartment anyway.

If Matthew didn’t want to drink the wine and was going to gift it to you with some cheesy note, you were definitely going to help yourself, without thanking him though, because fuck him.

It was almost noon and you were starving but entirely unwilling to cook yourself something at home so you got dressed and headed out for your favorite little diner. The place was called ‘The Crispy Biscuit’ and you’d been frequenting it since you moved to Calgary. Thirty people in the dining room was pushing capacity but the food was excellent and you never minded waiting to be seated.

“Good afternoon, dear, haven’t seen you in a little bit,” one of your favorite servers, an older woman with a kind smile named Anna, greeted you warmly, “that hockey team must be keeping you busy!”

“Hey Anna, they’re doing their best but I’ll always find time to get here.”

The two of you exchanged pleasant small talk as she lead you to your table. Lucky for you, it wasn’t busy and you were able to be seated immediately.

“Unsweet tea with two lemons?”

“I can’t tell if it’s a good or bad thing that I come here so often you know my drink order.”

“Maybe a little of both,” she gave you a quick wink and smile, “be right back with that.”

You knew what you were going to order, the grilled cheese sandwich and fry combo, but you looked over the menu anyway. It distracted you enough that you didn’t hear the door open and see the red mass of curls enter the restaurant.

“Hey, kiddo, how many for you today?”

“Just me.”

“First time here?”

“Yep, how’d you know?”

“I’d remember a head of hair as good as yours.”

Matthew had never been to ‘The Crispy Biscuit’ but he’d just completed an eight mile run and he was fucking hungry. The place seemed innocent enough, and he planned to treat himself to something outside his meal plan after that run, so he headed inside.

“Hey kiddo,” a kind older woman greeted him with a big smile, “how many for you today?”

“Just me.”

“First time here?”

How could she have known that? Matthew was skeptical but she was incredibly nice and he needed to eat as soon as he could.

“Yep, how’d you know?”

“I’d remember a head of hair as good as yours.”

He blushed at her comment and followed her to a booth against the wall. The restaurant wasn’t very busy and as soon as he was seated, his eyes were glued to the menu.

“Here, honey, water with lemon. Do you need a minute with the menu?”

He looked up for the first time and he froze when he saw her sitting in the next booth.

“Yes, if you don’t mind?”

“Not at all, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Thank you.”

What the fuck was she doing there? Of all places in Calgary, why was she there? He couldn’t catch a fucking break.

Anna set your iced tea in front of you and took your order.

“Ol’ reliable, yeah? I’ll put it in now dear."

Anna took your order to the kitchen and you passed the time by allowing yourself to swim in your thoughts until a voice you knew all too well pulled you to the surface.

“Thank you.”

Matthew fucking Tkachuk was sitting in the booth next to yours. Of course he fucking was, but what had you done to deserve it? As far as you knew, this was your place and your place alone. Matthew didn’t get to just come in and take over, especially after everything that had gone down between the two of you.

You kept your eyes down but felt his gaze on you and you knew he had seen you, just as you had seen him.

“Ready to order, dear?”

You heard Anna asking Matthew if he was ready but you couldn’t look up at either of them.

“I actually need another minute, but my friend is sitting at that booth, do you mind if I join her?”

“Are you one of those hockey players keeping her busy?”

“Yeah,” you didn’t see his soft smile, “guilty as charged.”

“Go on over and join her, this is her day off though, so be gentle.”

Your heart swelled at Anna’s words. She knew nothing about you other than the information you had divulged while sitting at one of her tables, information she didn’t have to remember or even care about but she did anyway.

The happiness you felt dissipated as soon as you heard Matthew slide into the booth across from you and set his water glass on the table.

“Hey.”

It was a risk and he knew it, but there she was.

The stars had aligned and he had to fucking go for it, because when would be a better time than now?

“My friend is sitting at that booth, do you mind if I join her?”

“Are you one of those hockey players keeping her busy?”

“Yeah,” shit, she talked about the team to this woman, “guilty as charged.”

“Go on over and join her, this is her day off though, so be gentle.”

Matthew quietly slid into the booth across from her and kept his eyes on her while she kept her own on her fingernails that she was picking at.

“She told me to be gentle, which I intend to be, but we’ve gotta talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about, Matthew. I was clear in my email.”

She still wasn’t willing to meet his eyes but at least she was responding, he was going to take that as a small victory.

“I know, I understand. You just want to be coworkers, and I want us to be together, so why don’t we compromise on something between? Friends?”

Another big risk, and a conclusion that he wasn’t entirely sure he had completely accepted, but it was all or nothing in that moment. She didn’t respond, but Anna saved them from the awkwardness by bringing two plates full of fries and grilled cheese sandwiches with ranch on the side.

“I figured I’d just double her order, since it’s your first time here and she’s a veteran, she knows what’s good. Is that okay?”

“That’s perfect, thank you.”

Fuck Matthew and his manners and his kindness and his shitty hockey play and his stupid feelings.

Fuck, did he really just say that?

“You want us to be together?”

You spat the question at him as you dipped a fry in the ranch and popped it into your mouth, “you really want that?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t fucking believe you, Tkachuk. Now, after that, I’m never going to believe a single thing you say.”

“Why not?”

This had to be an elaborate joke that the entire team, hell, maybe the entire Flames organization was in on.

“Why not?! Matthew, I don’t think you’re as stupid as I wish you were, so you can probably figure it out.”

The two of you sat in silence, eating together in the same booth while being a thousand miles apart mentally.

“This is why I’m offering to be friends. You’re pissed at me, I’ve been shitty to you for a long time and I know it and I’m sorry.”

“I don’t accept any of it. Not your apology and definitely not your feelings.”

He expected it, he was going to have to work for her and he was willing to, but that didn’t mean her initial rejection of him didn’t hurt.

“How is your grilled cheese? Hal uses garlic butter, garlic makes everything taste better.”

“It’s good, and I agree, garlic is the shit.”

“That’s one thing we can agree on, Matthew. Garlic is, indeed, the shit.”

She finished her food, excused herself from the table and left the restaurant twenty minutes before Matthew finished eating. He was aware of her departure this time, because he wasn’t going to make that mistake again, and he let her go without saying a word.

As soon as Matthew cleaned his plate, he took a photo and sent it.

It was reminiscent of your ‘date’ and you were so pissed off you had a hard time thinking straight.

It was a song you’d sang in the past, fuck him, fuck him, fuck. him. Matthew didn’t deserve you or anything to do with you.

You were perched on your couch as Onyx purred on your shoulder when he sent the message. It was a photo of his empty plate from the diner.

“Did they pump these sandwiches full of drugs? They’re fucking incredible! I hope you don’t mind me becoming a regular.”

Of course you minded, but you didn’t want anything to do with Matthew fucking Tkachuk.

You didn’t respond to his message, because as much as you hated him and wanted nothing to do with him, you just couldn’t commit to letting him go.

Study questions at the end the chapter (lol school): (1) Is she better off with Matt? (2) Is she better off alone? (3) Should she end up with Brady? (4) How do you want this to end? -- send all answers to ask

#Matthew Tkachuk #Matthew Tkachuk imagine #matt tkachuk #nhl imagine #hockey imagine

134 notes · View notes

rj-s · 3 years

Text

Two Less Lonely Girls

Reader x Chaeyoung

Requested

Genre: Best Friends to Lovers

Words: 960

Everyone has a guilty pleasure, it can be anything, and yours is liking Justin Bieber.

Yet, you found her, your company, your fellow Believer, Son Chaeyoung. She just does not give a fuck about what others think about her. She's just her, and no one else.

She may seem like a bad girl with her tattoos and styles of clothing, but to you, she's just this sweet best friend of yours. Sure, She seemed so cool when you first met, she is just so chill, so laid back. You were taken aback when she first talked to you asking you if you liked Justin Bieber.

You were listening to his songs on your phone and when you were about to deny it, she was like "Hey, I like him too!"

You two soon became close friends. You like how you two jam to Bieber, how you two stayed together at school, after school, at JYPE. Yes, you were a trainee as well. Even though you didn't debut together and went to another company, you two still keep in touch. You two were like Bonnie and Clyde, but like no Clyde, just Bonnie and Bonnie.

It is always fun to think about the old days. Like that time when you sneaked ramen in the company. You two were hiding in the bathroom, but soon your manager caught you two. You two got scolded a lot but those were some great memories to look back at.

And there is this one time, you were sick but still had to go on sixteen, you guys were at camp and you did your best to pretend you were fine. You were having a serious fever that you passed out when you got on the bed. You hate how you get sick so easily, you don't want others to worry which is why you always say that you are fine and take care of others. But back to that day, your fever was so high that you weren't even able to move.

Chaeyoung got very worried and immediately asked the older girls for help. She got Jihyo and some staff to help you wind down a little. She cared about you so much that she would take a bullet for you.

Before debuting, every trainee worked their asses off just to be in the debut team, you two were no different. After a long day of working, everyone would just go to sleep and rest. Yet, you two chose to watch movies together. Maybe not every night, but movie nights happened at least once a week.

Whenever you two are watching Twilight, the two of you wouldn't stop arguing about who's better. She would say, Kristen Stewart and you would say, Anna Kendrick. (I'm a big Pitch Perfect fan, who's surprised)

You always loved movie nights even they make you look dead the day after. Spending time with Chaeyoung and doing what you love is just what you need. The two of you still meet up sometimes and support each others' comebacks. The fans ship you two a lot. The both of you secretly ship yourselves as well. Sometimes you wonder what would it be like. You've never dated because of the contract. Sure, you've got some admirers. But when things get out of control, Chaeyoung was always there to help you. You wonder what it would be like, to date your best friend. Will playing with her hair means something else? And the way you draw patterns on her skin with your fingers. Will everything change?

You hate to admit it but every time you see her, your stomach aches. The butterflies she gave you, grew more and more.

"You should tell her." Your members advised.

Should you? She's your best friend after all, even if she doesn't feel the same.

She won't leave you... Right?

You've been avoiding her for a while now, saying you're busy and tired with the schedule. Did those ever stop you from meeting up?

Your members agreed that you stayed at the dorm for way too long and it is starting to be unhealthy. They somehow got Chaeyoung showing up at your door with your favourite flowers because she misses you.

"Y/N-ah."

"Hm?"

Your eyes not leaving your phone when she walked in.

"Did I do something wrong?"

You heard the crack in her voice, she was hurt, by you. No, what have you done? Chaeyoung is not the usual person to cry, and if she is showing this side, it must be a lot for her...

You slowly looked up at her, seeing her standing next to your bed.

"I..."

You need to get your shits together. Like, now. Seeing her being so confused and vulnerable makes you feel like the worst.

"Chae-ah... I'm sorry I've been ignoring you... It's just... I have this new thought... Of us."

Her eyes lit up when you said "us", part of her is frightened that you found out her having the biggest crush on you and feel disgusted, part of her is very excited that you might be returning her love for you. Whatever it is, she's not sure how to react.

"I think... I want us to be more than just best friends."

You waited for her reaction, you have finally told her how you feel.

"Me too, pabo-yah."

She showed her biggest smile while leaning in to hug you. The two of you just simply enjoying each others' company. After it felt like a couple of good minutes, the both of you pull out.

She looks at you and smile, one hand holding yours, the other on your cheek.

"There's gonna be two less lonely girls."

The both of you laughed as you pull her in another hug.

#chaeyoung #son chaeyoung #twice chaeyoung #twice son chaeyoung #twice fluff #twice imagine #twice scenarios #chaeyoung scenarios #chaeyoung fluff #chaeyoung imagines #twice #once #kpop girl groups #kpop #Kpop girl group #kpop gg

88 notes · View notes

liron-ao3 · 3 years

Text

It's not that Dean doesn't like Castiel. It is more of an I-swear-on-my-mother's-grave-I'll-kill-him kinda relationship. Because the thing is, Castiel set up Dean's little brother Sam and his stepsister Rowena and it isn't that Dean could say it out loud, but he is worried. To say the least.

Rowena has a power over Sam that makes Dean's stomach flip. She conjures sappy smiles on Sam's face and makes him follow her like a love-drunk puppy. She's a witch, Dean is convinced, but he tries hard not to mention that in Sammy's orbit. He heard the whole that's-a-misogynistic-term speech when Sam was dating that Ruby chick and Dean knows that his brother would only cling closer to the Scot if he knew that Dean thinks that his fiancée is straight from hell.

So Dean grits his teeth, swallows his tongue, and plays nice around her, even going as far as agreeing to be his brother's best man. He will still be there when Sam comes running with his heart broken and with his tail between his legs.

Castiel, on the other hand? That man he can hate in abundance. Not that he has ever met him, but honestly, he has to be Lucifer himself if he thinks their siblings to be a good match.

Dean can picture him vividly—a leer on his face, sweet-talking people into feeling safe and then smiting them with the snap of his fingers. That man has to be evil incarnate and Dean won't pussyfoot around him. No way!

***

"Play nice," Bobby grumbles when they enter the venue for the rehearsal dinner.

"I am nice," Dean hisses back.

"Sure you are," his surrogate father says and makes a beeline for Ellen and Jo on the other side of the room.

Dean shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans and scans the room for the man he is sure he will recognise immediately. But no one really sticks out from the crowd that is well-dressed and mostly speaking in different kinds of British accents. Family of the bride, obviously.

Dean feels a little underdressed until he spots a man in an ill-fitting suit, draped into a trenchcoat. He is standing next to a redheaded, slim woman, who Dean would probably try to get on the backseat of his Impala if he wasn't set on finding that Castiel guy, sweet talk him today and wreck him tomorrow. Unless Sam does the wise thing and cancels the wedding, which seems less and less likely by the minute. Rowena's spell seems to become stronger day by day. Dean hardly recognises his ever-worrying, self-loathing brother anymore, with all the grinning that goes on on his face.

Maybe Dean is an asshole, but he has pulled Sam from the edge too many times to count. This is too good to be true. Happiness doesn't find a Winchester. Not in his experience.

Dean walks to the other side from where the redhead smiled over to him. Maybe she can point him to the object of his hate. She tilts her head to the side when he comes closer.

"You must be Dean," she says, stretching out her hand. Dean is taken aback by her knowledge.

"How did you…?"

She shrugs. "I know nearly everyone in this room. And the only two men Sam ever mentioned were his brother and Bobby who I assume is the fella over there."

Dean looks in the direction she is nodding to. "Yeah. Sam always had more female friends."

"I think that's what Rowena likes about him. He's sensible."

Dean huffs. "Yeah, I bet she likes that he's soft for her."

"He makes her very happy," the man says and his voice does things to Dean's insides he doesn't want to nurse right now. He needs to focus on his anger. Arousal isn't helpful.

"If you say so," Dean grunts.

Anna furrows her brow. "Are you okay, Dean?" she asks concerned.

"Yeah, just not really convinced about this whole wedding business. Don't you think it's too fast?"

The man tilts his head to the side and Dean starts seeing the family resemblance. "I think that they complement each other very well. I would have expected Sam's best man to see that, too."

Dean can't really argue with that. "I don't know her well enough to judge. I just know that my brother is a different person now."

"And you don't like that?" the woman asks. Hell, Dean doesn't even know their names and spills all the beans, probably making an ass of himself.

"He's my brother. I know him better than anyone and this—" He gestures in the engaged couple's direction. "This isn't the man I raised."

Two pairs of eyes move to the tall men and back to Dean.

"You mean a happy man?" the woman asks.

"No. I mean…" Dean should have kept his mouth shut. They don't know Sam, his dark thoughts, the forced smiles, the brave face. Dean knows it all or at least well enough to know that the chuckling man on the other side of the room is a stranger to him. Okay, maybe Dean is a bit overdramatic. He knows Sam laughing, pulling pranks. But life had been shitty to both of them and the only people they could always rely on were the two of them.

Yes, their circles have widened over time, with Jody and the girls, Charlie and Dorothy. Still, happiness isn't really part of their lives. They might get glimpses of it, but…

"You mean what? That our sister isn't good enough for your big shot lawyer brother?" the man asks.

Dean freezes. He sometimes forgets that Sam isn't little Sammy anymore. That he's one step away from leaving his old life behind, and with it his big brother, probably.

Dean scans the people in the room, mainly the bride's family and he swallows hard. Yes, he's the odd one out. He only owns a single suit, so he couldn't wear it tonight. Is it that? Is he jealous? Or anxious to lose Sam?

He looks back at the bride and groom. Sam presses a kiss into Rowena's hair. From afar, they are a cute couple with the difference in height and the unconventional age gap.

Dean bites the inside of his cheek and tries to unclench his fists. It isn't working.

"She's way out of his league," he hears himself say, not knowing where this is even coming from.

"That's what you said, Anna, the first time you met Sam," the man chuckles.

Anna? Oh, that's the future sister-in-law Sam raved about and Dean thinks he wants to set him up with. Well, that probably flew out of the window a minute ago.

"I didn't, Castiel. I said I was surprised that she went for someone younger. That's all."

Dean's eyes shoot up. That's the man? The man, who he built up as the bogeyman who would get familiar with his fist? A fucking baby in a trenchcoat?

The whole house of cards that Dean has built up over weeks is threatening to collapse. Dean's throat tightens and he pops a button on his polo shirt, but to no avail. He meets Castiel's eyes for a moment, the other man squinting at him as if he could look deep into his soul.

"Are you okay, Dean?" he asks and sounds concerned.

"Yeah. Just need some air," Dean all but spits and heads for the door.

He props himself up on the roof terrace's balustrade and tries to sort through all his contradicting feelings. He hates it. It's all him. His fear to be left behind, for the only constant in his life to leave, like everybody else who has ever meant something to him. He's jealous and the realisation hits him hard.

Yes, he doesn't know Rowena, but Sam does. Well enough to want to marry her. Sam, who thought he was too toxic for a real relationship. Dean always told him that this was bullshit. And now that his little brother is finally listening, Dean acts like a jaundiced ex? Fuck!

"There you are," a too-familiar voice comes from behind. "I thought you left me hanging, man."

Dean chuckles. "I have to lead the bride to the altar, right?" He ruffles Sam's hair. His brother glares at him, but without heat.

"Wanna come in? I'd like to introduce you to Rowena's best man."

"Who's that?"

"Castiel."

Dean's eyes sink to the floor. Of course, he is. "Already met him."

Sam raises an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you already snubbed him."

"Nah. I wouldn't embarrass you in front of your new family." It's enough that Dean embarrassed himself.

"Most of them are kind people," Sam says carefully. "And after tomorrow, Rowena is your family, too."

Dean works his jaw. It's a bit difficult to look at Sam, now that he realised that he's never given his fiancée a real chance.

"You'll be here in California, and I'll be back in Kansas. We'll be lucky if we see each other on Christmas."

Sam squeezes his shoulder. "You could move here, Dean."

The older brother shakes his head. "I don't belong here, Sammy." Another squeeze. "And I can't afford to take off so much to drive over." And soon you'll be too busy to fly back to where everything feels small and like past, he adds in his head. He puts on a smile nonetheless.

"Samuel?" Rowena calls from the entrance. "Dinner starts in five."

Sam smiles over to his future bride. "I just need a minute, mo ghràdh."

"Mo what?"

"It's Scottish Gaelic for 'my love'."

Dean raises an eyebrow and chuckles. "You really got it bad, huh?"

"I wouldn't marry her if I didn't."

Dean pats his back. "I'm happy for you man." He's surprised that he means it.

***

Dinner goes fine and Dean has a nice conversation with Anna, who is seated next to him. Luckily, she's not of the resentful kind. Still, Dean is feeling out of place. Their found family is so much smaller than Rowena's real one with all the siblings and cousins from both sides of the pond. And this is only the rehearsal.

As soon as dinner is done, Dean excuses himself and flees to the hotel. A real one that Sam was kind enough to pay. It makes Dean feel only smaller and not good enough.

He takes a shower and walks out on the balcony, just a towel slung around his waist. He can hear the waves hitting the beach nearby and seabirds screeching. He gets why Sam moved here, why he won't come back. It still stings.

Dean did everything in his power to get him so far and he can't bring himself to regret it. But he's still angry. Maybe he is anger, plain and simple. He's been angry since his mother died and his father gave a shit about giving his sons a home. This anger will probably never go away. It's good that Sam found happiness, Dean muses. At least one of them should.

There's movement on the balcony next door and despite the separation wall, Dean can see the trenchcoat clad arms propped up on the railing. What are the odds?

"Castiel?"

There is a long pause and then comes, "Dean?" This gravelly voice doesn't fail to move him. If Dean didn't decide to scratch the term 'witch' for his future sister-in-law, he would wonder if her stepbrother might be a witcher, too.

"Yeah. Not into parties?"

There is another pause, probably filled with a head shake Dean can't see. "I don't like crowds of people. And my family is, well, my family. I love them, but it's complicated."

"I get it," Dean says, although he probably doesn't.

"You seem to have cooled down a little," Castiel states matter-of-factly.

"Was it so obvious?"

Castiel laughs and the sound vibrates into Dean's heart, churning it in delicious ways. "You looked as if you were out to kill someone."

Dean chuckles. "I kinda was."

"Why? And who?"

Dean swallows hard. What he would give for a beer right now, but he had way too much of that red wine already. Maybe that's why he answers, "You." There is a long moment of surprise that Castiel doesn't seem inclined to break, so Dean adds, "I built up this story in my head that Rowena bewitched Sam and you were at fault because you brought them together."

"And now?"

Dean shrugs his shoulders. "I only want Sammy to be happy."

Castiel hums on the other side of the separation. "Why are you sounding so sad then?"

A flare of anger rises in Dean's chest. The man doesn't know him. What gives him the right to state something like this?

"Blow me, Cass!" he grinds out. That guy is getting under his skin. Why, he doesn't know. Maybe because he's right.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

The retort comes quick like a shot and Dean is struck speechless for a way too long moment. Castiel starts chuckling.

"You're an asshole!" Dean grumbles.

"An asshole who gives good head, though," Castiel says smugly.

Dean groans. No, he won't think of these sinful lips wrapped around his cock. No way, José.

"Is that an offer?" his mouth asks without his consent.

"I'm not a one-off kind of guy, Dean."

Dean wishes he wouldn't have to lie if he said he wasn't either. Is there an expiration date for that stamp if you haven't got laid for more than a year? Probably not.

The silence stretches into an eternity until Castiel quietly says, "Good night," leaving Dean alone in the pale moonlight.

***

Rowena looks beautiful and Sam smart. Dean manages to get through the whole wedding ceremony and his best man speech without a single glimmer of jealousy. Bobby looks at him approvingly and Ellen whispers into his ear that his mum would have been so proud of him.

Still, Dean finds himself on the balcony once again. His thoughts need space to swirl around him. There's a lot to process on this fine day—his brotherly/parent-like love, his own loneliness in a room full of people, the strange stares that Castiel and he have been sharing the whole day…

He presses the palms of his hands against his eyes, hoping to force back the sting of tears building up in them. A warm hand lands on his shoulder, startling him. "You've done well."

Dean chuckles without mirth. "Can't remember when anyone said something like this about me." He bites his lip, hard. Why did he say that? To a complete stranger nonetheless. Castiel doesn't comment on it, though, and Dean sighs in relief.

The music coming from the party changes to something slow and Castiel asks, "May I have the next dance?"

Dean turns his head and stares at the outstretched hand for a very long moment. He has never danced with a man before. Not without a beer bottle in his hand and for sure not a slow dance. But he feels a pull to this man, who he hated with all his guts just a day ago. A man with kind eyes, a shy smile, and a patience Dean isn't used to.

He takes the offered hand and Castiel's smile grows wider, just like Dean's heart. Castiel pulls him slowly into his arms, lets him settle against him, and rewards Dean's head leant against his own with a gentle brush over his back.

Dean shivers at the tender touch and bites the inside of his cheek in a last attempt to keep back the tears welling up in his eyes.

"It's okay," Castiel says. "Let go. No one will see it."

And Dean does. In the arms of a stranger under the Californian moon. He doesn't shake off the tender hand carding through his hair, or the strong arms holding him upwards. He lets out the sobs he's been holding and allows Castiel to brush away his tears before their lips meet in a gentle kiss. He smiles at Castiel bashfully afterwards.

"It's okay," Castiel repeats.

Dean chuckles. "Is it? Crying like a baby in a stranger's arms?"

"Crying like the big brother, who raised a wonderful man and has to let him go to live his own life. Crying like a lonely man, who hasn't been touched intimately for ages."

Dean furrows his brow. "How?"

Castiel smiles at him with so much warmth that Dean feels like welling up again.

"Sam loves you. He talks about you all the time. It felt like I knew you before we even met. And the rest? Let's say, kindred souls recognise each other."

Dean huffs a laugh. "You're good, man."

Castiel smirks at him. "And you're a good man, Dean Winchester," he says and leans in for another kiss.

Maybe, Dean muses, Castiel is magical after all.

#dean winchester #castiel #human au #deancas #destiel #fanfiction #destiel fandom #destiel fic #destiel fanfic #destiel fanfiction #deancas fandom #deancas fic #deancas fanfic #deancas fanfiction #emotional hurt and comfort #jealous dean #sad dean #understanding castiel #first kiss

29 notes · View notes