#i was supposed to go on a sunset walk but the organizer for the event was a no show ??? fuckin asshole

[todayisafridaynight]

you never realize how hard it is to find a specific shade of blue for a suit until you go to find a specific shade of blue for a suit

#snap chats #i was supposed to go on a sunset walk but the organizer for the event was a no show ??? fuckin asshole #so i went home and decided to wear my mine cosplay for once #it was a cute result but how round my face is just kept bothering me. admittedly i didnt bother with makeup this time #just wanted to wear the shit for shits and giggles yk LMAO but then i remembered that anon bein like #'mate i woulda thunk ya'd do an aoki cosplay first' and so. i got curious and attempted to go looking #and my brothers in christ when i say. its so hard finding a suit EVEN CLOSE to his shade of blue. its nigh impossible #obviously i dont have plans to ACTUALLY purchase anything anytime soon. if i even fuckin found anythin but yk. Curious #his suit isn't perfectly cobalt or navy but its not explicitly teal- its in some. Dare I Say grey zone #of a SLIGHTLY TEAL prussian blue #ive checked both mens and womens and im just looking for the color im not even hunting for suit style #thats not even mentioning his tie's relatively unique too- HELL WHILE I WAS LOOKING I FOUND TIES SIMILAR TO SAWASHIROS #BEFORE I FOUND ONE ACCEPTABLE AS AOKI'S #at least i found one or two but my god... his outfit is so simple on paper but then you get int it and im gonna throw up #mine's easy-to-assemble outfit but incredibly unique face and hairline/cut vs aoki's simple face vs deceptively-difficult outfit #if my hair was longer and i bothered letting my facial hair grow out masato'd be easy as hell. already got that shit under lock and key lol #hate this house #ok im done being weird bout dressing up as middle aged men bye

[pbandjesse]

Me and James are in the car on our way home from watching some professional wrestling and it was so fun! Today has been such a good day.

I didn't sleep great. Sweetp stepped on my face last night and I pushed him off me and so he was upset with me this morning. And James slept on the couch when they woke up at 3 am and couldn't sleep. And the blanket being there this morning startled me because it was very lumpy. I thought there was a person under it. But no. I was safe.

I got dressed and felt good. I had the rest of our cereal. Tried to make it up to Sweetp. Did a few last minute things for the workshop. And at 915 I headed to the armory.

The security guard seemed confused if she was allowed to let me in. But everything was fine and soon Jessica was there. We had to work around a birthday party that was set up in the space for an event later in the day. But that was fine.

We got our tables set up with some help from the security guard. And then we waited.

We ended up with 4 kids and a few parents participating. And honestly it was a blast. They were all so creative. I was particularly impressed by the dad who made a helicopter! He would also make a guitar but I didn't get a picture of that. They all did a wonderful job and we're really into the project and that was just so nice to see. I made a little little tiles. And I spent some time with our teen volunteer organizing all the shapes of Legos into the different boxes I have.

We were all having so much fun that the two hours flew by. And soon everyone was helping clean up. I brought a bag to collect all the dirty stuff. And soon we were saying goodbye.

I walked down with Jessica and the other women in her department. And then we figured out that the person who was supposed to pay was expecting me to call so she could pay with a credit card. I was not prepared for this. Because square takes a percent and at that large of a payment it would be significantly more then I was comfortable with.

So I went home and would solve it there. They are going to pay the difference when I come back in April on that invoice. So even though it caused me a lot of stress to talk on the phone and negotiate for myself I did it and I got paid and everything is good.

When I got home our post lady was there and I asked her where she though ups might have ment by rear door. She said that usually means they put it over the fence but it wouldn't make sense for our building because we only have a side yard. She said it was good I opened a claim and she also said she would keep and eye out at the other buildings in case it was left somewhere else. Thank you nice post lady.

I had a little sandwich and got cozy in bed to do my knitting. I had 7 rows to do. And that would take a while. But it was nice to have something to work on. I thought about sleeping after but instead I had a piece of cake and watched videos until James came home.

They cuddled with me for a little. I slept for like a half hour. But then we had to go!

I got up and fixed my makeup and put earrings in. And then we were on the road.

We went out to Bel Air Maryland and went to a diner before we went to see their friend Jamie wrestle. I used to love wrestling so I was looking forward to it.

And the drive out was nice. The sunset was pretty and the nature we drove through was pretty. And when we got to the diner it was a good old one where the wait staff wears white shirts and tiny black bow ties. Chrome everywhere. We got sandwiches and I worked on my crochet while James told me about the WNBA.

The wrestling wasn't far from where we ate. We got parking and walked over. Some of the other end guys and their girlfriends/partners were there to support Jamie too. He was a heel/bad guy named Jagger Bomb. And it was fun to yell a lot. The wrestling got better. Throughout the night. The tag team ones were my favorite. I also liked when we didn't know the other guys name in the tag team but we did know one. And so we were all cheering for "Cory's friends" and "Jesse's friend". Like literally the whole crowd was cheering. It was really funny.

And while all of this was happening I was crocheting. My circle became a basket again. I don't know why this consistently happens but whatever. I tried to lean in. And I am almost done my whole scrap yarn ball!

I got the best move of the night on video. It was all cage matches but the cage was questionable. So when Jesse O'Brien climbed to the top to jump we were all very nervous but it was great. And once the last belt match happened we all headed out.

We walked back to the parking garage with one of the guys, he is the friend that also has a prosthetic leg and spoke to my dad after the surgery. I hope him and my dad can connect again. He is a very nice guy. And we wished him safety on his drive home.

And we are almost home now. I am glad I have off tomorrow. But man do we have a busy weekend. Tomorrow is James's Godbrotjer Julien's debut concert in Baltimore. So we have that at ottobar. And so I'm going to try to just really enjoy my Sunday and Monday. Because I am working Tuesday the 31st to the 9th with no days off. Why do I do this to myself. But it will be okay. I have faith I will hold it together.

Sleep well everyone. Be safe and take care! Goodnight!

[eclectickss]

PGATW Part 3

Wanda Maximoff x Natasha Romanoff x OC (fem!reader)

Summary: The avengers take a vacation to a private island rental off of the Georgia coast! You now have an opportunity to spend time with your new family, especially Wanda and Natasha.

Word Count: 2.5K

Check out my main post for links to the rest of the parts. Two parts in one day cause why not.

Fifteen minutes past the hour mark, everyone was finally in the common area. You had your large, musty green duffle bag and your dinosaur backpack ready to go at your feet, as well as your apple juice and chocolate croissant in hand. Natasha and Wanda rolled their eyes at you when they walked in and saw your breakfast choices, but you just laughed.

They both shared one big black duffle bag, as well as their own backpacks. Nat had black jean shorts and a tight red top, while Wanda had on black sweats and a white sweatshirt. You had on black cargo pants with a black spaghetti strap top so that your dino pack didn't clash with your outfit. That was very important to you.

While you were focused on your croissant, Wanda leans down over you behind the couch. "You were looking really hot until I noticed that kids pack you have there, Talia."

You turned to her, offended that she criticized your friend. "His name is Pablo, Wanda."

"No, don't worry," she smiled and returned to whisper next to your ear. "It's just cute now." You grumbled in response, even though you liked the endearment. You turn to offer a bad comeback to the Sokovian, but Tony beats you to any talking.

"Alright, Avengers. I guess you might like to know where this island is, but seeing as we're 15 minutes late, I don't care. There's a bus in the garage to take us to the upstate campus to get our flight out of here. Get there." Everyone was slightly surprised to see how organized Tony was, but nonetheless they all headed to the elevator. "Suitcases under the bus unless they're carry ons! And no teleporting, Talia!"

Without a second thought, you turned immediately to Peter.

"BUS BUDDIES!" The two of you ran to hug before a voice stopped you.

"Actually, I was hoping I could sit with Peter," Natasha said as the large group waited for the even larger elevator, most people not really paying attention to the conversation. You looked at Natasha and Wanda who both acted like everything was normal, and then at Peter who clearly had no idea what was going on.

"Uh... ok?" You were confused, but Nat looked rather confident in herself, so you didn't fight it.

"Just for the bus ride, Talia." She added, everyone now stepping into the elevator. "You can have him back after. I just wanna get to know him a bit since we didn't spend too much time together during the SRP." She smiled.

"No- yeah that's totally cool. "I guess that leaves me with Wanda, then?" You looked at the Sokovian.

"I would love to sit with you, Talia." Your cheeks tinged at the accent again as you returned a warm look to the Avenger.

—

Finally, after enough struggle, the bus was pulling out of the tower garage and onto the open streets of the city. You requested a window seat, which Wanda happily gave, but Peter and Natasha were too far in the back for you two to converse with.

"Why did Nat want to sit with Peter so bad?" You begin.

"To be honest with you Talia, I actually suggested that Natasha sit with Peter. I think it would be better for the details to be re-told through him, though. Sorry if you don't like secrets, and I can tell you now, I just think there is a better way to approach the topic, and that is through him." She sighed, and you tried your best to understand.

"Alright I guess. I mean I trust you... so I will leave it at that. The drive isn't that bad anyways."

"I admire the way you think, Talia." The accent makes your toes curl again, and the Sokovian pauses. "You like it when I say your name, don't you?" You turn to meet eyes, face red. "Talia?" Your stomach turns and all you can do is hum in response. "Admit that you like it."

"Shut up."

"Ok." Wanda closes her mouth and faces the front of the bus.

"Wait- no- i didn't mean stop talking..."

She raises an eyebrow.

"I just- i meant stop teasing me."

Wanda laughed. "There's nothing wrong with liking my accent, Talia. It's cute." You smile.

"Thanks... I think." You blush.

"Alright so..." She starts a new conversation. "Tell me about yourself." This catches you off guard.

"Huh?" You scrunch up your face and Wanda laughs.

"C'mon, Talia! Tell me about yourself! I already know that you love dinosaurs and that you think black coffee drinkers are alien... and I know that you are bold, yet shy when it comes to those you care about. I can't confidently say anything else, so tell me about yourself." She makes eye contact with you and you both blush.

The prompt makes you think.

"Well, I'll start by touching up on a few of those. I do love dinosaurs, but I don't think that black coffee drinkers are alien. I know that they are alien." Wanda rolls her eyes. "And I'm shy because feelings aren't my forte. Im scared to lose people, but once I open up to them and I know they're gonna stick around... all hell breaks loose." The Sokovian laughs, and you begin to treasure that sound.

"Alright, so what else." She gave all of her attention to you.

You short-circuited, so you started listing random things.

"Well my favorite color is black, but secretly it's pink. I love a good sunset, but I like sun rises more cause not as many people see them, and it feels more intimate. Besides sunrises, I normally don't wake up too early, but more when my body wakes up. I hate sleeping in past 10:00 though, cause by then, you've already wasted a half of a day, unless you're spending that morning with someone else. I really like-"

"Are you saying you would want to sleep in with Nat and me?" She smirked.

All you can respond with is a grin before slowly returning to the conversation.

"I love big hugs and back scratches, and I like it when people play with my hair. I do value my personal space, though, so my alone time is important." Wanda nodded, happy to be learning so much about you. You slowed down your thoughts even more. "I-" You paused. "And the most important values that I seek in people, including myself, are honesty and empathy." You locked eyes with Wanda. "Above everything." She slowly reached to tuck a lose piece of hair behind your ear.

"Is that all you want to share?" She nearly whispered, stealing a glance or two at your lips.

"For now..." you replied at the same volume before glancing around the bus to see if anyone was paying attention to you. When you decided that you were in the clear, you sat back down in your seat and pulled Wanda over to you to give her a slow, soft kiss. The two of you felt like kids again, hiding from the adults as you made out in the seats of the bus.

Meanwhile, in the back of the vehicle, Natasha finally started talking to Peter.

"So Peter," She started, a small smirk on her face. Everyone who was someone could tell how nervous he was to have Natasha Romanoff happily sitting next to him. He gulped as he awkwardly closed the laptop and turned to face the assassin.

"Yeah, Nat? What-What's up?" He tried to sneak a glance at you, but since both of you had window seats, he couldn't see.

"I wanted to talk to you about Talia."

"Uhm, ok... yeah what about?"

"Well, I'm sure she told you already about Wanda and me." He nodded, so Nat continued. "I know you two are very close, and I am genuinely happy for you... both Wanda and I. I'm happy that you have a friend on this team finally." She paused and he nodded. "But we were hoping that we could steal Talia for the vacation. Or at least spend some time with her. It's just hard since i'm on missions so often and Wanda is constantly training and busy running the SRP, so these next two weeks are a rare opportunity for the two of us, and we both really want to spend that time getting to know Talia before our lives get crazy again." She finished, honestly a little nervous to be asking Peter for permission. There wasn't much of a break in the conversation, though.

"Actually... yeah. That's..... kind of what I hoped would happen."

Natasha tilted her head in question.

"Mr. Stark already talked to me about it."

The assassin's eyes widened.

"No! Not- not about the relationship. About the two weeks. Uhh... he actually told me that he wanted to spend the time with me to teach me some stuff." He thinned his lips.

"Oh... ok. What about Pepper?"

"She's excited for some alone time, supposedly."

"Ok, then... that works out perfectly." Nat, a little surprised that the conversation went so well, sat back in her seat to face the front. Only a few minutes went by before Peter spoke again, though.

"I didn't know Wanda ran the SRP."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, happy to be getting closer to Peter. She wanted to be a part of your life and accepted into it as much as possible. "Yeah. She and Pietro started it after Ultron. They felt it was their duty to help whoever they put in harm's way. They're a non-profit that get donations from global organizations including SHIELD to aid in the re-stabilization of Sokovia and many other places that we fucked up." Her voice nearly cut off at the end as her throat thickened a little, but she held it together.

"That's awesome, Natasha."

"Yeah, it is, right? Wanda is incredibly selfless and caring, and she amazes me every day."

"She's lucky to have you and Talia."

That caught Nat completely off guard. "Thank you, Peter. I mean it." He smiled, but took a deep breath before asking another question.

"Hey, Nat,"

"Yeah Peter?"

"Do you think Wanda would mind if I interviewed her for a school project? My leadership class at the university is going to have a big non-profit study when we return to school in the fall and we're supposed to find a non-profit to create a fundraising event for, and I think it would be really cool if I could do it for the SRP. The goal is to build leadership skills through organizing and meeting people to talk to, and I think I would like to work with her."

Nat thought it over for a moment.

"Peter,"

"Yeah Nat?"

"I think she would love that."

"Really! Awesome." He smiled, wanting to hug the redhead, but not knowing if they were that close yet.

"In fact, I think you should go ask her right now."

"Oh... now?"

"No time like the present, Peter."

"Uh... ok. You're right." He hopped over Natasha and into the isle of the motor coach. "Could you hand me my computer?" Natasha smiled as she reached into his bag.

"Tell Talia to get her cute ass back here."

He blushed with slight embarrassment. "...right." Natasha watched as he walked towards the front of the bus with ease, stopping at one of the seats near the end of the isle.

"Hey, Talia," You had your head rested on Wanda's shoulder when you heard Peter behind you. Sitting up, you see he has his computer with him, leaving you confused.

"What's up, Web Kid?" You rubbed your eyes, the Sokovian looking just as confused as you were.

"I was wondering if you could switch with me for a bit. I actually wanted to talk to Wanda about something." Now you we're definitely confused.

"I don't know anything about this, I promise." Wanda turned to you.

"Uhh... sure..." You hopped over her legs. "Have at it, I guess." With many questions remaining, you grabbed your dino pack and headed to the back.

"Hey Natasha." You smiled as you swung over into Peter's old seat. "So why did Peter kick me out? Not that I'm unhappy to be here, I'm just confused. It's not about that thing that Wanda wouldn't tell me about, right?" Natasha giggled.

"No, Peter actually wanted to ask Wanda if he could work with her for his leadership class at the university."

"Oh, his big project! He was so worried about finding a non-profit, and I totally forgot that Wanda co-headed the operation! I think they're actually going to get along really well, Nat. I'm excited to hear about it later. And you should come to the fundraising event whenever it happens! I know he would love to see you there."

"Ok..." Natasha stares at you sweetly.

"What?" You jokingly punch her arm. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing... it's just... you care a lot. Seeing other people happy makes you happy, and you're passionate for the ones you love. You have a good heart, Talia."

You stare at her, not knowing how to respond to her words.

"So," Natasha fills the silence again. "What did you and Wanda talk about over there?"

Without even coming up with an answer to her question, you pulled her into a rough kiss before the conversation could change. Natasha seem surprised at first, but eased up shortly after. You softened up too, kissing her slowly once before pulling away.

"What was that for?" She blushed, looking down into her lap.

"What you said... it was kind. Thank you."

"Yeah well don't get used to it. I'm not normally that mushy."

"No, I bet you are." You giggled and poked her side. "No, I bet you like it, too. I bet you like being called cute and I bet the pet name 'baby' makes you weak." Natasha glares at you, cheeks red. She hasn't told you to stop yet though, so you decide to take it up a notch, leaning over to whisper in her ear. "I bet you like being topped and willingly giving the lead over to someone else for a change... that you like not being the one in charge for once." She shivered, and you smirked. Slowly, though, Natasha turned her own head to put her lips up to your own ear.

"Well I bet you like it when i'm in charge, Talia. I bet you like being called 'good girl' and I bet you dream about taking orders from me and Wanda. Kiss me, Talia. Touch me. Run your fingers through my cunt, Talia. Fuck me, Talia." Your entire soul shut down, not knowing how to respond to that. Your eyes somehow meet, and your face burns. She was right... I did like that.

"It seems I've forgotten already," she continues, returning to a normal volume, "but what was it you said you talked about with Wanda?"

Thank the gods the drive was almost over.

#natasha romanoff #wanda maximoff #wanda x oc #wanda x reader #natasha x oc #natasha x reader #wanda x natasha x reader #natasha x wanda x reader #gxgxg smut #marvel gxgxg #gxgxg

[cucumbers-and-olives]

Coffee shops and cliches

Or, this idiot writer is on hiatus but felt obligated to write something.

Summary: “slow burn” coffee shop au

Category: coffee shop au! ☕️

Fandom: JATP

Paring: Julie x Flynn

Word Count: 1.4k

Warnings/Includes: tad bit of cursing, luke’s an ass

A/N: this is for the @jatpsecretvalentine event! shoutout to @screwunsaidemily for organizing this! i and so much fun!

@flynnsmolinas this is for you! happy valentine’s day! 💛

Mandatory Thanking of the Betas: ha ha! i did this on my own! no betas but me

AO3 link here (it’ll be up after my hiatus)

Please don’t repost my work without my permission, in part or whole. My work can also be found on AO3 under the same username. Thank you!

“Hi, what can I get for you?” Julie said, looking at the person who had just walked up to her register. Her coffee shop, Good Times, brought in all kinds of customers. It was the perfect mix of all the good things a coffee shop should be.

“Uh, just a large coffee please.” The girl said as she dug through her small backpack.

“Of course! That’ll be 5 dollars,” As the girl looked up at her, Julie blushed. She didn’t think she had ever seen anyone prettier in her life.

“You okay?” She said, placing $5 in Julie’s outstretched hand. If you asked Julie, she would have sworn that at that moment, she had felt sparks.

Snap out of it, Molina! Julie told herself. “Uh, yeah, could I get a name?” She grabbed her sharpie and a cup as the girl spoke.

“Flynn.”

Flynn.

~

Flynn came into the shop at the same time after that. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. As Julie worked her shift, she would come in at exactly 3 in the afternoon. The small table in the corner of the shop was her favorite. Julie had watched her the first week she came in, as she tried different tables.

She tried the table in the far corner of the shop once, and Julie made up an excuse about how the shop needed to be swept so she could look at the stunning girl.

But now, it was 3. And then 4 came, and 5. Flynn still wasn’t here.

“Do you think she’s okay? She always comes in at exactly this time, she has to be okay. Right?” Julie said, looking at Reggie. Reggie was one of the many aspiring musicians in LA, and sometimes, his band would play at the cafe. They would bring in a huge crowd of girls, and Julie didn’t mind the band.

“I’m sure she’s okay,” Reggie promised his boss. “She could be caught in traffic, or she doesn’t want coffee today.”

“Yeah…” Julie said, turning to the register as Reggie’s bandmate walked up. “Luke, what can I get you?”

“Two things,” the flirtatious boy said. “Your number, and Mr.Reginald.”

“Magic word?” Julie said, her focus pulling away as the bell at the front of the shop.

Flynn was huffing and puffing, her hair was wild and all over the place, but her one constant. Her backpack.

“Please,” Luke said, drawing Julie’s attention back.

“Reg! Luke’s asking for you!” She turned to the boy, her smirk matching his. “And as for my number Luke, you’ll have to order something to get it.” Julie turned to Reggie, who was emerging from the back of the shop.

“Okay, you need to get your boy out of the shop, he knows he’s not supposed to be here. Especially after your last concert.” Reggie rolled his eyes as you spoke, but when he saw Flynn, his eyes lit up.

“I’m always here if Julie fails you,” He hollered as he dragged Luke out by his ear.

Julie sighed. “I- I am so sorry about, well, that,” She said, but nothing could hide that she was now a stuttering, flustered mess after seeing Flynn.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, boys suck,” She fiddled with her fingers a bit. “So if I order something, I can get your number?” Julie was surprised at her words.

“Uh,” She froze for a second as she processed. “Well, I- I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”

“Oh, well, can I get whatever your largest size is, and your most caffeinated drink with two extra shots of espresso?” Flynn asked.

“Are you okay?” Julie said, looking at the girl with the most caring look in the world.

“Yeah, I’ve got an essay due at 11:59, an essay I haven’t started, and- and it’s worth 60% of my final grade.”

“Alright then, our largest size is an X-L, and it’s like about this big,” Julie held her hands up to show something that was 2 times bigger than the large. “And as for most caffeine, if you add two shots to a macchiato, that gives me the boost I need to get through doing taxes,” Julie let out a small laugh.

“That would be great, actually,” She smiled. “Uh, how much?” Flynn said, pulling out her wallet.

“Oh, this is on the house! Don’t worry about it,” Julie said. “You got any music selections you’d like us to play? Music helps me get through anything, so if you want-”

“Everybody talks.” Flynn blurted out.

“I love that song! Okay, I will have your drink and the song playing, in about 5 minutes!”

Flynn gave an appreciative smile and walked over to her table. The one in the corner.

~

“Alrighty, one caramel macchiato with two extra shots, a blueberry muffin, and Everybody Talks. Can I get you anything else?”

Flynn took a sip of the coffee. “This is perfect, thank you.”

“Of course!” A smile rested on Julie’s face as she walked back to her station. She anxiously pulled out her phone and checked it for any texts.

“Julie!” Luke shouted, bursting through the door. Reggie was close behind him, trying to stop the boy.

“If you are going to be this loud, I’ll ban Sunset Curve from playing here, got it?” She stared the boy down.

“Okay but, Reggie told me about the coffee girl. Ya know, the one who orders a large black coffee every other day at 3?”

“Where are you going with this?” Julie sighed, annoyed, and desperately trying to stop him from saying anything more.

“Well,” He stumbled towards her. “You like her!” Julie started to protest to his statement, but her flustered face betrayed her. “Ha! I was right!” He shouted in victory.

“Luke,” Reggie said, in a warning tone.

“What? Is coffee girl here?” He gazed around the shop. “Reggie said she always sits at table 2B. I don’t know what that means, but he also said that she came in late today.” He spun around, his eyes landing on the table where Flynn was working on her essay.

Her eyes and face said it all. She had heard everything.

“Luke, get the hell out of my shop,” Julie said quietly.

He raised his hands and nodded to Flynn. “She never would have told you anyway.”

The shop was quiet for a moment after Luke left. Julie walked over to the music tablet and clicked on everybody talks.

At least music could fill the silence.

~

Flynn didn’t come to the shop for two weeks after that.

Julie didn’t receive any new texts.

~

She wanted someone by her side that day. Opening up the shop, it felt like an opportunity had passed by. I should have written my number on that cup, fuck. Julie didn’t curse, and she tried to stay away from people who did, but she felt so dumb.

Hanging up the last heart, she stepped back to her station, fiddling with everything as she prepared for the morning’s rush.

“Can you believe it’s already Valentine’s day?” Someone said, clearly in a call as they entered the shop. “It’s like the year has gone by so fast already.”

“What can I get for you?” Julie asked. They held up a finger as they wrapped up their conversion.

“Oh, I’m just the messenger. Are you Julie?” She nodded. “Okay great! This,” They pulled a letter out of their pocket and placed it on the counter. “Is for you. Good luck!”

“Uh, thanks?” Julie said as they left.

~

It was a busy Saturday, so it wasn’t until 4 hours later that Julie was able to open the letter.

“Dear Julie. Want to see where this leads? Follow the hearts,” Julie read. “Okay then. Reggie! You are in charge! I’ll be back! Okay?” She said, stepping outside after he confirmed. “Follow the hearts… What does that mean?” She looked around, trying to find some hearts.

And there, on the little bridge next to the shop, was a heart. It had a little note that said, “follow me!”

And so she did. Down the bridge, past the library, and finally, landing outside the garden.

There was a final heart, one with a rose and a note this time. It simply read, “Picnic?” That was all Julie needed as she looked out to the garden.

And there, amongst the field of grass, was the only person she’d ever need.

~

Send me an ask if you’d like to leave/join my tag list(s)!

JATP: @n0wornever @calamitykaty @screwunsaidemily @crybabyddl @badwolf00593 @dream-a-little-bigger-x

All: @funsizearsonist

#hi yeah i’m lazy so i’ll add these in an rb when my hiatus is over or something #cucumber writes #julie x flynn #julie molina #jatp julie #flynn nolastname #jatp flynn #double trouble #coffee shop au #jatp #jatp fanfic

[missmorosis]

Hii my birthday 🎂 was yesterday (the 7th) and I just saw your valentines event post and I thought “why not?” This is my first ever match up request so I’m excited~~💕

(I spent over an hour on this because I wanted to make sure I had everything right 👀)

• The fandom I want is ATLA

• my pronouns are she/her and the gender I’d like to be shipped with is male (he/him)

• My mtbi is INFP

• My love languages are: 🎁gift giving/receiving, physical touch🤝, and words of affirmation👄

• What I look for in a partner: my ultimate favorite trope is Person A who “hates” everyone but has a soft spot for only one person (person B). I looove duality, like they can be super badass at times but then also be super soft and sweet at other times. I like when they always want to be around you and will find any excuse to hold/touch you, kinda someone who needs some extra loving because I have a lot of love to give 🥰

• My personality: I’m kind of the same in the duality department (I can be your devil 😈 or I can be your angle 📐 lol). I am possessive (which explains my fave trope lmao, I like to be the center of my partners attention). Aside from my partner, I don’t really like attention, I’m very introverted and have a lot of social anxiety which makes it hard to be in public, but if I’m with someone I’m comfortable with then it makes it easier. I’m pretty chill most of the time, I love the idea of spending the day just cuddling and chilling with my partner, but if they wanted to spoil me in some way I could be down with a nice dinner in the city in a private balcony where we can see the sunset. Anything in between is great too.

• idk of these are considered hobbies lol but I like to watch anime, read ff and enjoy nature (I like colder weather bc then you get to cuddle with your partner to stay warm, so chilly Valentine’s Day would be perfect). It can be going on a hike or sitting in a secluded field or by a river/pond, a walk through a garden, etc. (I don’t have the means to do this often, but if I did then you could definitely find me there, lost in my thoughts and daydreaming) Also, I like the night time so doing any of these at night is always~~~~ 😗🤌❤️

I just want to let you know that I just found your blog and I plan on going down a rabbit hole of your works lol (thank you for organizing them so well, it gets hard to stalk peoples blogs sometimes when they’re scattered or not properly updated). Also, you seem really sweet 🥺 and I wish I was better at communicating/keeping in touch with people.

• Thanks for doing this 💖 and if it isn’t too much to ask, could you tag my atla blog @/amberr-dragon, I don’t want to miss when/if you post~! And if you see any likes/rblgs from that account, that’s how I show affection 😉😂by lurking in the distance

@amberr-dragon OMG BAE YOU’RE SO SWEET <33 HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! YOU DID THIS ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY~ THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MAKE SURE 🥺🥺

i ship you with...

SOKKA!!

you got ALL of sokka’s attention babe, he loves you sm!! definitely wants to be around you, and UGH HE’S SO CUTE N SOFT FOR YOU 😭💕

how he asked you out

-> You were reading a book under a tree on a hill, the shade produced by the branches covering the bright sunlight from your face. The grass was cold under you, but the heat from the sun contrasted it nicely. You turned the page and froze when you heard someone running up the hill in front of you.

However, you instantly relaxed when you discovered that it was just Sokka.

“Hey, what’s up?” you said, trying to hold in your laugh as you watched Sokka plop down onto the grass next to you. It looked like he had been running for a while, and he was breathing quite heavily.

“Just... just wait a second.” You giggled at how out of breath he sounded. 

“What are you doing here anywa-” Your voiced trailed off as you saw the rest of your friends running up the same hill. “Oh- hey guys?” They were all holding signs in their hands, but you couldn’t read it because they were all panting and plopping down next to Sokka. 

“Guys- you were supposed to wait for the signal!” Sokka said, exasperated. “Whatever, just.. hold up the signs.”

The signs read “be” “my” and “valentine?”

You laughed and nodded at the failed, but cute nonetheless, attempt.

how you spent the day together

-> You shivered as you walked down the small trail in a garden that Sokka had brought you to. The boy in question was skipping ahead of you, unfazed by the breeze floating around.

“Hey!” he yelled with a huge grin on his face. He looked over his shoulder to see you shivering, and he instantly ran back over to you. “You’re cold?” He practically ripped off his jacket and threw it over you. You gave a small laugh at how immediate his response was.

“T-thanks,” you said. You stuttered from both how flustered you were and from the cold. He grinned and grabbed your hand, pulling you with him. Laughing, you skipping along with him, and the two of you headed down the designated trail.

“Anything for m’lady,” Sokka joked with you, speaking with a posh accent as he picked a flower from the field and twirled it into your hair. You rolled your eyes but kissed his cheek anyways.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” you whispered into his ear.

IM SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG 😭😭😭

#morosis's valentine's day event 💖 #morosis matchups #sokka x reader #sokka #atla #sokka x you #atla x reader #atla fluff #sokka fluff

[magicalforcesau]

Dancing With Ghosts in Your Garden~ Chapter 18 - Year 2: February

(ao3 link)

In lieu of the incident with the sleeping draught, all prefects were mandated to enroll in Professor Palpatine’s brand new weekly Potions seminars. As the misstep with the Vitamix potion along with Maul’s nearing presence showed, it was ideal that all prefects be properly trained in the event that professors were once again subdued. This, they felt, combined with Professor Fisto’s ongoing dueling club, would prepare them.

Obi-Wan’s doubts of how prepared they could possibly be for something so unpredictable grew stronger with each day. Although he was already enrolled in the advanced potions class, he would never deny the opportunity to learn more. If anything, it would at least offer more practice.

“Given that it’s February, I figured it best we start with a common favorite amongst the masses of troublemakers,” Palpatine’s shoes clicked on the ground as he paced at the front of the room.

From what Obi-Wan understood, Palpatine didn’t receive any punishment for the accidental sleeping potion brew. Yoda had, of course, received a rather scathing howler from the Ministry at his supposed flightiness, of which he took the blame for. It seemed Anakin had stepped up and claimed it was he who accidentally knocked the draught in the already brewing potion.

That all certainly added up and did not help Anakin’s reputation amongst his peers.

“Any guesses to what that would be?” Palpatine asked, eagerly taking in the small crowd of Hogwarts’ best with expectant eyes.

Because this was a class full of prefects, each were considerably decent students and wanted to learn. There were exceptions, Obi-Wan realized as he looked over to a nearly snoozing Zeb, but they were outliers.

“Love potions?” Breha Organa said rather dreamily. Obi-Wan didn’t need to turn around to know she’d been looking at Bail as she said it.

“Right you are, Breha!” Palpatine smiled, “Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in the world, at that. Many of you and your students are for the first time diving into the wondrous and mysterious landscape that is romance. Some of you aren’t even aware that you are.”

Did he look at Obi-Wan on purpose? No, that would be silly. Palpatine always took care to rove eye contact throughout the classroom. It was a sufficient method of maintaining focus and Obi-Wan knew this, but he still shifted his gaze immediately elsewhere like he’d been caught copying homework.

“Love and potions aren’t all that different, really.” He continued, “The right and organic combination makes a fruitful and prosperous brew. The wrong and inauthentic combination is bitter and not made to last.”

“And if you’re not careful, you could end up with a wrinkly, scrawny little creature.” Zeb added knowingly, earning a few chuckles throughout the group.

“As if you’ve got anything to worry about there.” Caleb muttered, and much to Zeb’s dismay, acquired a more popular response.

“Boys, please.” Palpatine chastised, “I don’t want word to travel that Gryffindor’s prefects lost them points.”

“Cody would have an aneurysm,” Satine whispered and Obi-Wan only nodded in response. It was no secret to either of them that their friend was less than pleased with how bleak Gryffindor’s odds of obtaining either the House or Quidditch cup were becoming. If he heard that Caleb and Zeb worsened those odds, neither would be awaiting a very pretty conversation.

The troublesome two seemed to recognize this and justly shut their traps.

The class turned back to Palpatine, who seemed rather satisfied with the change in their mood and circled around the cauldron at the center of his desk. From it, emerged a pink fog that resembled a cloud at sunset and judging by the smile its scent drew from Palpatine, it smelled as pleasant as it looked.

“A love potion manufactures the deepest desires from the person who ingests it, manifesting them all at once in an intoxicating fashion that causes them to see the intended target in a different light.” He said almost reverently, “Ironically, it’s called a love potion, when it should really be called an infatuation potion.”

“That’s because you can’t build love from a substance.” Satine muttered from beside him. “Try as some might.”

Obi-Wan stared at the cauldron. He’d heard of amortentia. Evidently, a cheap ineffective version was sold at Zonko’s in Hogsmeade, though he never took much care to notice. He didn’t know much about love, save for the fact that it seemed highly unlikely for anything to recreate something as complicated as attraction.

She raised her hand, “Professor? Aren’t love potions banned at Hogwarts?”

“That they are,” Palpatine said with crossed hands, “Though that’s not to say they haven’t been smuggled in before.”

“Why would they do that?” A familiar high pitched voice from the back called.

Despite his interest in the subject, Obi-Wan couldn’t resist snapping his neck in turning to see none other than Anakin Skywalker sitting at the back desk, looking incredibly small in stature next to Onaconda Farr. Farr, in his defense, looked just as confused by Anakin’s presence as Obi-Wan felt.

“What are you doing here?” Obi-Wan asked him, “This is supposed to be for prefects only.”

“Not to worry, Mr. Kenobi, I did grant Anakin permission to attend.” Palpatine answered before Anakin could muster up a smart response, “Anakin shows a real knack for potions and given the circumstances, I would say it’s best that he be included whenever he could be protected.”

Obi-Wan slumped back in his chair, feeling properly admonished. It wasn’t that he didn’t think Anakin was capable. It was quite the opposite, actually, but there was an order to these things and learning advanced spells before one was ready did not seem indicative of a sound idea. Anakin needed to learn the building blocks still, whether he believed it or not. Despite his talent, he knew there was an absence of maturity to handle heavy source material. Dueling was one thing, as there was an obvious precedence for it right now and it was typically taught to some degree during second year anyway. Teaching Anakin about love potions felt more like giving a dog a steak and telling him not to eat it. He could try to convince everyone that he was over his crush on Padmé all he wanted, but it simply wasn’t true.

“To answer your question, Anakin,” Palpatine continued, “When someone is too blind with desperation to see reason, they will do just about anything to acquire what they want. A love potion, while sounding frilly and fun, occludes all rational thinking from the person it's given to.”

“And typically, it’s not ingested voluntarily.” Satine added.

Obi-Wan frowned, thinking of the potentially dastardly effects such a tool could provide for a desperately lovesick person. It was no different than being under a curse, in a sense, because the poor sap trapped in such a state had no agency whatsoever.

“How does one tell if someone is suffering from the effects of a love potion?” Fenn Rau asked.

“Why, you see them every day in young and happy couples as you walk through these halls. They’re starry-eyed, flushed, unspeakably happy, practically in a trance.”

“How are we to tell the difference then?” Obi-Wan asked.

“These features tend to be a good deal more exemplified and elongated.” Palpatine said, “For instance, while the honeymoon phase is technically normal, it’s really not meant to last. There’s also known to be loss of memory in the person as the potion begins to fade. We advise that you all keep an eye and see if you notice any excessively clingy and almost controlling couples.”

Obi-Wan thought about his parents, finding it very hard to believe they ever had any semblance of a honeymoon phase. They were so professional all the time that he’d rarely seen them even smile in the other’s presence. Of course, he was always splitting up sneaky couples that tried to sneak off to snog, so he supposed he did have some experience witnessing what Palpatine was referring to. Part of him was having a difficult time reconciling with the fact that it was their ancient potions professor who was explaining to them the complexities of romance.

“Because of the dangers that this possesses,” He waved a little pink vial around for all to show, allowing the light to catch it in a way that made it sparkle, “I believe it’s important that you understand these properties quite well and that you take care not to share this information outside of this room.”

There was a warning tone to his voice that was rarely used and Obi-Wan swore everyone sat up even straighter, though he doubted that was possible for Satine, who already appeared quite alert.

“It’s okay to take notes, of course, right?” Hondo asked from the other back corner of the room opposite to Anakin.

“Yes, but-” The older man did a double take as he whipped back around, “Hondo, what are you doing here?”

Obi-Wan thought it was fairly obvious what Hondo was doing and why he was suddenly so apt to take notes. He hadn’t thought to say anything when he originally saw him, seeing as if Anakin was invited, maybe he’d thought to include another unexpected guest. Hondo was possessed for a significant amount of time, after all.”

“Just trying to perfect my recipe is all.” Hondo had the gall to shrug, “What’s so wrong about that?”

“You mean besides intruding upon a meeting where you are not welcome and admitting in advance that you intend to sell an illegal substance throughout the school?” Palpatine asked, “I suppose we could discuss your time management skills, seeing as you have plenty of potion’s homework that you could be catching up on.”

Reading the room for a change, Hondo sighed like a great disservice had just been done to him, “You can’t fault a guy for trying.”

“Actually, I can. 15 points from Slytherin.” Palpatine crossed his arms, “And I expect your essay on Felix Felicis on my desk tomorrow morning.”

“My tutor isn’t going to like that.” Hondo grumbled as he walked by Obi-Wan, “He’s not even finished my Charms presentation.”

“Why would you say that to us?” Satine hissed, knowing full well that they were now going to have to look up the legitimacy of Hondo’s new “tutor” in their dwindling free time.  

“I’m honest to a fault!” He shrugged as he fully exited the room and was promptly locked out by Palpatine. He even took the effort of using two padlocks to secure the job. To be fair, Hondo was quite slippery.

“Now,” He said as he clapped his hands together once, “Why don’t we get to the important part? Brewing!”

***

This was a colossal waste of his time, skills, and resources.

While Sidious normally enjoyed when the school devolved into chaos, he did not appreciate when it stood in the way of his plans. Right now, his former apprentice was the obstacle that could feasibly destroy everything he’d worked tirelessly to achieve, all before it could truly start.

He knew he should have killed him when he had the chance, but Azkaban just seemed all the more fitting for the murder machine to waste his days away at the hand of his own failure. He would not make that mistake ever again.

So, it seemed Sidious’ own interests aligned with the rest of his colleagues: get rid of Maul. It felt peculiar- to be on the same side as the enemy, but if he wanted to defeat them, he needed this loose cannon of a pawn to be decimated before it was too late.

And through it all, the putrid “open-minded” community only served to remind him why they needed to be brought to an end. In what world would enlisting the Potions professor to teach love potions be useful? How he managed to seem convincing, he was unsure, because there was no greater waste of time than the frivolous pursuit of love. Well, unless it was being manipulated as a fulcrum for change.

Even with as little soul as he had remaining, if any, he still found the smell of amortentia to be utterly arousing. They certainly wouldn’t enjoy to know what he smelled when he breathed in amortentia: fire, ash, rubble, stained blood.

They should be barricading, sending students out in troves to hunt the demon down, and utilize the muggle-borns as bait in a trap to be sprung. Maul couldn’t resist the hunt. He knew such instincts never changed, not even from the waning sense of purpose that Azkaban reduced men to.

Instead, here he was, giving a pointless lecture on the dangers of love potions. After which, they’ll have another practice dueling session with snowballs. It was pitiful. At the very least, they should be using stones. Children needed to learn pain at an early age. They needed to become so familiar with the sensation that they found home in it. In the hearth of that home, is the power that exists from within. Only then, can they prevail.

He glanced to the back corner of the room and felt his lips twitch. Between this year and the last, Skywalker was becoming quite acquainted with pain. He grimaced as he took in the rest of the lot, noting how soft they all were as they nervously discovered what attracted them when they leaned over their brewing cauldrons. At least he’d been able to kick that waste of blood Ohnaka out. He was spared of that particular headache, especially when just looking at the boy angered him to no end when he considered how deeply that botched experiment failed. Truly, that family couldn’t do anything right- not even when under hypnosis.

He had no doubts that Maul was scoping out the land, realizing just how weak these wizards had gotten since he was in school- that his lessons from Sidious had always reigned supreme and that no one stood in his way, save for Yoda and Sidious, himself. That would be disastrous if anyone witnessed a reunion between the two. They would know instantly.

Then again, if Sidious were to capture and kill Maul, he would only further his popularity amongst the simpletons that allegedly “ran” their community. Perhaps, there could be salvaging of this wreck. Tyranus need not be the only one to pull strings in the wake of Maul’s drama. It was only fitting, since Sidious was the marionettist and this was to be his show.

Not only that, but such a feat would certainly impress the boy, who clearly had a sound reason for disliking Maul. While Sidious loathed the concept of needing to work towards the trust and approval of a child, understood that in due time, it would be worth it.

Even if such a boy nearly killed them all with his own klutziness.

Sidious breathed a steadying breath, just barely turned away from any possible lingering gazes.

He moved over to his desk and opened the top drawer. He needed a drink.

***

Satine, like many of the curious girls in her year, had done fair research on the subject of amortentia. Apparently, it had ruined its fair share of marriages as well as mental health states, making it completely illegal to produce for private or public subsidization. It seemed, curiously, only the aurors could do so with Ministry approval. That, much to Satine’s confusion, was the case for many subjects.

“Because I would hate to have a bunch of little zombies in my class, we’ll just be smelling the potions today.” Palpatine announced.

Despite her knowledge that amortentia affected everyone differently, she still wasn’t quite expecting the drunk-like sensation that filled her up from head to toe as she took a deep breath in from the fumes that emanated off the surface. Everything around her seemed to move in slow motion and her chest rose and fell with the relaxed notion of falling asleep, except she simultaneously never felt more stimulated in her life.

She’d never known that you could smell so many wonderful things at once yet still differentiate them for what they were and more importantly, how it got her flushed in a way that made her shift in her seat.

New books, homemade apple pie, crisp fall air, the lingering remnants of a minty aftershave wrapping around her like a scarf…

She started out of her reverie, blushing too mad to even consider looking to her left no matter how curious she suddenly was. Her heart was beating out of her chest and if she wasn’t absolutely certain of the potency of amortentia, she’d have the decency to be more embarrassed. Instead, she willed herself to calm down and refused to breathe through her nose any further, no matter how warm she felt when she had.

While none of what she witnessed was news to her per say, it wasn’t like she made a habit of lollygagging and daydreaming in the middle of a classroom setting. It was quite disarming to be so vulnerable yet also so close to what (or who, for that matter) was driving her crazy to begin with.

“Problem, Mr. Kenobi?” Palpatine was suddenly standing in front of them, which was at least a little bit of a distraction.

A ringing in her brain wanted desperately to ask him what he smelled, but she felt herself frown deeply when she noticed Obi-Wan was leaning with his entire face in his little cauldron, trying desperately to catch a whiff. Surely, if he got any closer, he was going to accidentally inhale the potion through his nose.

“I might have brewed it incorrectly.” He muttered, echoing a bit from still having his head in the cauldron.

“Let me see,” Palpatine urged him to lift his head and under normal circumstances, Satine might tease him for the little creases that the rim brought to his face.

The professor raised his nose to the fumes that still wafted through the air and smiled dreamily. She wondered if they would ever know what he was seeing when he inhaled the scent. It was none of their business to ask, but she really couldn’t picture Palpatine being in love with anyone.

“No, no, it’s perfectly correct,” He said with the airs of residual glee, “Why?”

Instead of giving him a straight answer, Obi-Wan turned to Satine, “I think I need you to move.”

Any previous concern, as per usual with Obi-Wan, was replaced with a scalding sort of annoyance only reserved for him, “What? Why?”

As she held her own special adverse reaction to him, he had one for her that matched. His eyebrows furrowed as he gestured to his cauldron. Sometimes, he was far too serious for his own good, “As lovely as your perfume is, you don’t need to go so heavy-handed with it! I can’t smell the potion.”

Satine, who initially believed they were going to get into an argument, found that she had no points to be made, because all that came out of her mouth was a little puff of air. Palpatine, if she had the eyes to spare him a look, was equally as surprised, even if not nearly as emotionally invested in such a rebuff.

“What?” Obi-Wan finally asked, growing more annoyed at not being in on the punchline.

Everyone else was suspiciously quiet too, much to Satine’s growing unease, but she could hardly spare a thought other than to say, “I’m out of perfume, actually. I sent Copikla home yesterday so my mum could send me a new bottle.”

Instead of being annoyed, the clouds seemed to clear, if only a little bit, and he flickered back to the potion, “But how-”

“-It smells different to everyone.” Palpatine, who looked between the two of them with his face stretched in discomfort and eyebrows raised beyond physics, clarified with a tone that was clearly meant for only them, “Based on what the individual finds attractive.”

All of the color seemed to wash out of Obi-Wan’s charmingly embarrassed face as his mind worked rapidly to wrap his head around that answer. Even though she hadn’t breathed in her potion again, Satine still swore she was suddenly feeling the effects of it.

“I- Well,” He tried to formulate a response, but to his credit, he had just admitted that he was at the very least attracted to her perfume (which she made the mental note to stock up on more frequently), in front of the entire class of prefects and Anakin.

“Oooooooh Obi-Wan likes perfume.” Anakin, while completely missing the point and a big teasing opportunity, shattered the tension that previously froze the entire room and everyone burst out into a fit of needed laughter. Even Obi-Wan laughed, though nervously, as he flashed Satine the occasional glance here and there through lowered lashes, as if trying to gage her reaction to this accidental admission.

She smiled. Clearly, it was to her benefit to read ahead of him.

“For what it’s worth,” She said in the midst of the uncontrollable chatter that erupted thanks to Anakin’s offhand comment, “You smell nice too.”

He blushed, which she found she quite liked the shade of pink on his face, “Thanks.”

It didn’t address the underlying implications, just as neither of them seized the moment to do so on Christmas Eve. She found it was just as frustrating trying to guess what was going on inside of his head as it was waiting for him to do something about the things she did know.

As much as she wanted the cat to be fully out of the bag, she knew the middle of Palpatine’s potions class wasn’t the time or place.

***

“I believe it’s a mistake to have any more Hogsmeade trips this year,” Qui-Gon said to his other heads of house and to Yoda, who was staring quite pensively out the window, “Not when we know what we know. It’s quite possible that Maul has an entrance to the school if he truly is behind what happened to Bultar Swan.”

“We have no real proof that he is, though.” Shaak Ti said, “It certainly doesn’t seem like his style.”

“While I know the usual term “innocent until proven guilty” is our mantra, I think we should consider being more hesitant with Maul.” Qui-Gon said.

“I agree,” Windu nodded, standing firmly next to him, “Though having more students out of the school would allow us a proper amount of time to sweep the school and see if he had any secret entrances.”

“We have that same opportunity at night.” Qui-Gon said.

“You know this school shifts and changes between night and day,” Palpatine said warily, “It is ever-moving and Bultar Swan was attacked in broad daylight in a common room.”

“Why are we not interviewing more Ravenclaws then?” Windu asked, “We’ve got to do something! Skywalker’s mother is missing and we all know that boy isn’t going to lay down and allow for speculation to simply rise without doing something foolish.”

“I don’t appreciate your assumptions of Anakin.” Qui-Gon said, “He’s a bright, even if impulsive boy, who is going through an unspeakable grief.”

“No one twice his age should have to endure what he’s going through,” Shaak Ti said kindly, “Let alone as young as he.”

“I’m not saying he has no reason to act out.” Windu raised his hands, “I’m merely stating that it is only a matter of time before he takes matters into his own hands.”

“That would make it easier for Maul, unfortunately,” Palpatine agreed, “Perhaps we should motion to shut off the Floo network?”

“Done that, I have.” Yoda spoke up, “Because used it, he did.”

“For what?” Qui-Gon asked eagerly.

“Unknown location, he accessed.” Yoda mused, “Unregistered through the network, it is. Talk to Dooku, I suspect.”

Palpatine frowned, “That can’t be good.”

“No, it can’t.” Windu agreed, “Can you extend your protective charms to Hogsmeade, Yoda?”

“Do that, I did, after we woke up from the sleeping incident.”

“Oh, so it’s safe then.” Shaak Ti shrugged, “The dementors haven’t detected Maul on the inside and he was last seen on Diagon Alley.”

“I’m sure this is quite exhausting for you, Headmaster.” Windu acknowledged.

It was true. Extending his powers over an entire settlement as well as the castle at all times would have drained any normal wizard to death. Yoda, as it were, was not a normal wizard. Even still, it was visible on his worn features that he was exhausted.

“Safe, the students should be,” He said instead, “But careful we will still be. Search the school we will for secret entrances while they are gone, we will.”

***

“Are they gone yet?” Anakin asked, ducking up from where he’d been digging furiously through his trunk. Rex who was sitting on the window sill keeping watch over the massive gates of Hogwarts nodded slowly.

“Yeah I think so,” He confirmed, stretching his arms above his head and yawning, “I dunno mate, don’t you think a nice Saturday in might be nicer than trying this again. Don’t you remember what happened last time?”

“Psh!” Anakin waved a hand, “Well we’re certainly not trying anything like that again. Although I would like to get another look at that sword.”

“I figured you’d seen enough swords in your short life,” Rex rolled his eyes, “Didn’t Dooku intend to sacrifice you with one?”

“It was still cool, but I’m not really trying to go to Hogsmeade, just give off a good impression.” Anakin shrugged before he pulled out his nicest T-Shirt, swiftly pulling the one he had been wearing off and switching them out, “Well how do I look?”

“The same but in green,” Rex deadpanned leaning his head on his hand, “If all we’re doing up here is playing dress up then I’d much rather get this show on the road.”

“Oh come on,” Anakin checked himself out in the dingy mirror on the back of the door. He was really hoping he’d run into Padmé; he thought she’d like it. He’d already seen her leave, but overheard her talking to her friends about Rabé meeting them later and taking the tunnels. His mum had bought it for him over the summer and he tried to push past the rising feeling of sadness, “We had to wait until all the prefects left anyways, I’m not really looking to be caught and dragged back here by any of them and especially not Zeb, who was eyeing us up pretty hard at breakfast.”

Rex shuddered, “Definitely don’t need him tossing us through the portrait hole again. It’s not our fault that the rest of the second years left without us!”

“I’d hate to see what happens if we’re caught alone of our own accord,” Anakin grinned, despite the true statement, such a thing wouldn’t stop them, “Well, let’s go before Windu gets here to babysit.”

“Right,” Rex grimaced, standing up and grabbing his wand. Anakin grabbed his as well, throwing it into his robe, it was much too cold to go around without it, and they headed down and out of the common room. He really hoped no one would snitch on them.

The two traversed the halls carefully. Keeping quiet for once to listen for approaching footsteps and ducking into a few empty classrooms to avoid the ghosts lurking around the otherwise empty halls. It took much longer than they’d have liked to make it down to where the tunnel’s entrance would begin. Luckily, the map showed Rabé’s little figure moving in that direction too, marking a bit of a clear path. She would lead them straight to Padmé.

Anakin’s heart rate increased for more reasons than being caught.

He thought better of it. Obi-Wan would probably kill him on the spot if he slithered out of the tunnel and into Hogsmeade. Not to mention, Maul was lurking around in the area looking for him. Maybe, if they caught up with Rabé in the tunnel, he could simply give her the necklace to give to Padmé.

It didn’t sound incredibly indicative of his house in terms of bravery, but he knew at least Obi-Wan would approve of his method.  

“Almost there!” Anakin grinned at Rex, but almost had his head knocked clean from his body when Rex grabbed his robe and yanked him hard into an empty classroom, “Wha-?”

“Shh!!” Rex was very much alert and his eyes narrowed as they both heard footsteps echoing off the walls. The footsteps paused just outside of the door and Rex cursed under his breath as a shadow moved towards the entrance. Rex glared at Anakin for a few minutes before mouthing, ‘You owe me!’ and straightening.

“Mr. Fett?” Palpatine’s confused voice echoed off the stone walls, “What are you doing here? And all alone?”

“Sorry Professor,” Rex gave Palpatine a rather over the top concerned look, “It’s just, I haven’t seen Anakin since breakfast and he did mention he was thinking about coming to see you.”

“To see me?” The professor sounded a little more surprised than Anakin thought he should, but perhaps he was trying to avoid looking like he picked favorites, “Well I certainly haven’t seen him. I’ll keep an eye out, but I’m going to need to escort you outside with the other second years.”

Anakin winced, of course even Palpatine wouldn’t be willing to overlook a student wandering the halls without an escort. He’d have to bring Rex back something good from Hogsmeade.

“Alright, thank you Professor,” Rex nodded, although he didn’t look very thankful in Anakin’s opinion.

Their footsteps faded away, but still Anakin waited a minute longer before darting from the classroom himself.

He wandered the empty halls, being extra careful to listen and flicker his eyes to the map. Rex was a little more perceptive than he tended to be. Anakin certainly didn’t want to get caught, but at least he knew what story to go with if he did.

Finally, he reached the entrance of the tunnel, looking around carefully, he quickly slipped inside and hurried to close the entrance, plunging him into complete darkness.

Anakin pulled his wand out, lighting it with a, “Lumos Maxima,” They’d been working to improve their maximizing skills in charms recently and Anakin felt it was paying off. The tunnels were rather boring and unremarkable. He remembered them being pretty long, though he’d never made it all the way to the end the last time.

He took his time, kicking away rocks and humming softly. He still didn’t want to give his position away if there was someone scouting the tunnel for mischievous students, but boredom without Rex crept in fast.

He paused a moment at an odd noise and listened hard. It was a soft shuffling noise and despite the echo, it sounded like it was coming from behind him. Could it be another student trying the same thing he was? Unlikely, most of the houses were pretty locked down outside. He wasn’t sure why the professors had been so insistent on a supervised snow day, but most students went for it.

That left the possibility that he was about to be caught.

Letting the fear of boring evenings in detention spur him on, he picked up the pace until he was running rather swiftly. With the way his wand was swinging, the light bounced around enough to make him motion sick so he gave it a quiet, “Nox,” not letting up on the speed of which his shoes pounded the ground.

He slowed when he nearly tripped over something lying on the ground, but wasn’t quick enough to avoid running right into someone.

Anakin fell backwards with an, “oof,” He tried to catch his breath for a moment, “Sorry, Rabé,” He said softly standing up, “While I’ve got you, I’ve got a question for you. Lumos.”

His wand tip glowed again, revealing him face to face with a student’s face frozen in a scream. This was not Rabé. Anakin stumbled back, tripping on what felt like the fabric of a scarf, before he saw the glint of eyes reflecting the light off his wand.

Yellow. Bright yellow eyes narrowing as they realized they’d been caught. Anakin felt his heart leap in his chest. Fear filling his lungs, causing him to nearly choke on a scream. He heard the eyes take a step forward and he scrambled to his feet and fell into a sprint. His wand light faded as his concentration waned and he shoved it into his robes.

He shouldn’t be running from Maul, because that’s who it was, of course. He’d vowed revenge even if Qui-Gon always gave him that sad sort of look when he said it. He should be back there giving that kidnapper a piece of his mind. He was the Chosen One, it was his job to save everyone and take down the bad guys.

Even as these thoughts played in his mind, he continued to sprint, fear pushing him into overdrive. He nearly screeched again when he ran full tilt into something human knocking them both to the ground.

“Bloody hell!”

“Rex!” Anakin was relieved to find someone he knew, but it wasn’t enough to stop the adrenaline that had him back on his feet and pulling desperately on Rex’s arm to get him to move, “We have to go now!”

“Great, I just escape Palpatine only to get caught again. Who is it? Windu?” Anakin nearly growled at the slow pace Rex was moving at.

“It’s Maul! We have to go!” That was enough to get him moving.

They didn’t stop to even breathe again until they burst from the wall and right into Professors Palpatine and Qui-Gon who nearly got bowled over.

“What-” Qui-Gon looked ready to start a lecture and Palpatine even looked like he was ready to dole out a few point reductions, but Rex cut them off quickly.

“Anakin saw him!” Rex was pointing his wand at the entrance to the tunnel like Maul was about to come out right then and there for a fight.

“Saw who?” Palpatine asked head tilting to the side in curiosity and Anakin nearly spat the name out as he joined Rex in his battle stance.

“Maul.”

***

The deafening screech that stretched from Hogwarts through Hogsmeade with painful clarity was one that very few students attributed meaning to. It wasn’t unreasonable that students, particularly younger ones, immediately leapt into disorder, running hither and yon, terrified they were about to be dive-bombed. It was a horrible sight to see, even if it didn’t make his job all the more difficult.

Designed with the vocal cords of mandrakes, the emergency siren was only used in times of utter duress and was a means of warning students and faculty to return to Hogwarts at once. Historically, it hadn’t been officially sounded since the early twentieth century. Even still, prefects were always trained on what to do in the event of hearing the siren.

All the training in the world still didn’t fully prepare Obi-Wan for the very real visceral reaction that the ear-splitting sound brought. Of course, he could not spare a single moment to think, a tough reality for a Ravenclaw, and immediately moved forward with what he’d been taught: gather his house, ensure they were all in company, and get them back to the school.

While not given a direct message with it, everyone seemed to share the same thought as he did. There was only one true reason that the archaic alarm would be used right now accompanied by the dementors that jetted across the sky: Maul was close.

Not only close, but likely in their midst.

Shop owners wasted little time in evacuating their premises and battening down the hatches, effectively snuffing the warm glow of Hogsmeade in a singular swoop. His brain was busy scanning the hysterical crowd that was amid constant motion, searching for every and any blue-robed student that he might come across. It occurred to him now that there was perhaps more meaning to the explicitly placed Hogsmeade dress code than the professors led on to. It certainly made rounding up students a lot easier when they were color-coded.

Moving around on the ice-laden stone walkways? Less easy. He’d not only had to catch his own balance in his haste, but many other wobbly students. Even Satine’s elbow was caught by him a time or two, of which she spared no time to thank him, though he knew otherwise she would. She was just as stern as him in their mission, practically grabbing students and sliding them across the way to the huddle of other students, hardly blinking in the process.

It was with this goal in mind that he was able to develop a razor focus that practically tuned out the alarm. That, or the pounding in his ears did a decent job of it. Silently, he found the space to be relieved that Anakin was safe back at the castle with the other younger students.

It couldn’t have taken more than a couple of minutes to successfully corral all of the students that lingered about. It wasn’t as though any of them truly wanted to sneak off, after all. The horror on everyone’s faces spoke volumes of their concern.

Each of the prefects did their headcounts rapidly, trying not to dawdle for a moment longer than necessary, all praying they reached the same number they started with. He felt capable of breathing again when Ravenclaw reached that quota. Gryffindor prefects, it seemed, had forgotten to include themselves for a moment, which briefly induced a panic that was quickly assuaged by an irritated Mace Windu.

Perhaps it was a bit presumptuous to be relieved that Mace Windu and Kit Fisto were the supervising professors that day, but it certainly helped their odds to have experienced fighters of dark magic alongside them. The sky grew dark above them, not from the descending sun, but from the mere presence of the dementors swarming together like an ominous storm cloud.

No one looked back as they were ushered down through the storm cellar beneath Honeydukes, which remained open only at Windu’s order.

“Move quickly, don’t linger, don’t stop, don’t pause!” He ordered in a booming voice that didn’t even need to be amplified with a charm.

While Gryffindor’s prefects had nobly volunteered to lead the charge of students down and through the tunnel, the others remained on the side, performing last-minute counts to ensure all made it safely while urging them to hurry it up. No one seemed to have a problem with performing the latter, but some were getting a little rowdy in the process.

“Hey, hey, this is not an excuse to push or shove!” Satine chastised a few overeager Slytherins, “The only way this works is if you work together!”

She was right, of course, but Obi-Wan believed it was falling on deaf ears. They were terrified and rightfully so. Perhaps they shouldn’t have allowed the Hogsmeade trip to occur in the first place with everything going on. It was almost like they were trying to lure Maul in. If that was the case, it was a very sadistic choice.

Padmé Amidala as well as her friends had been some of the last people to filter in, surprisingly, and tears stained their cheeks.

“Keep it moving, ladies!” Kit Fisto ordered.

“We can’t find Rabé!” Sabé, the girl who looked most like Padmé, cried.

“I’m sure she’s here somewhere.” Windu said, “Slytherin house reported no missing students based on their earlier count. Now GO!”  

“She came later!” Padmé insisted, pushing back against the hands of Fenn Rau, who was trying to make them descend down the ladder. “We never saw her!”

“Then maybe she never came at all?” Satine tried.

“She came.” Padmé looked between both of them, “I know she did! She wouldn’t flake out on us like that. What if something horrible happened to her? What if-”

“-We can explore these possibilities back at Hogwarts.” Windu said, “If she is indeed missing, I will waste no time in coming back for her. I promise you.”

“That is already a waste of time!” Sabé protested, “What if she’s hurt?”

“I cannot risk all of you, including these prefects, for one possibly lingering student. I need to get you back to safety. The tunnels will be locked behind us.” Windu said and waved his wand to provide a gust of air, sending all of the girls down the tunnel against their own will. Satine looked horrified at the choice and frankly, so did Windu for a moment, before he began insisting the prefects follow.

For Obi-Wan, time began to slow down as his brain methodically and almost mechanically traced back through that day, desperately trying to recall if he’d seen Rabé. She stood out among Padmé’s friends in that she was the only Slytherin and yet it was still odd to see them apart. Before the alarm had turned the world on its head, it had been a rather mundane and peaceful day at Hogsmeade. The weather had been nice, if not quite nippy. He’d popped into Tomes & Scrolls with Satine while Cody lingered around Spintwitches, but none of them bought anything. If they had, surely, it would have been lost in the chaos with many other student’s purchases.

He’d debated getting a box of every flavor beans, since Hondo said he had a game of Russian Roulette, but with the beans, brewing. Cody seemed interested and it sounded like less of a consequential gaming experience than Hondo’s usual ventures. He wasn’t afforded the opportunity to go into Honeydukes, but…

Obi-Wan felt his heart stop altogether in his chest. He hadn’t gone into Honeydukes, but he almost did. And who was lingering by the butterbeer stand when he was busy deliberating with Cody?

Rabé.

He’d only caught a glimpse of her for a fraction of a second before he turned around. Clear as daylight and standing at the far end of Hogsmeade. There were other Slytherins around her, but like Padmé, her hair was always intricately woven and this made her stand out.

Where did she go so that none of her friends saw her?

“She was here today,” Obi-Wan lurched forward, grabbing Satine by the arm on instinct.

“How do you know?” She began to ask, eyes searching his own with growing concern.

“I saw her.” He said and then shoved against the stream of students that were still pouring down the tunnel.

“Ben,” It was her turn to grab him, “Wait!”

He didn’t wait, though. Instead, he slipped out of her grasp, which had been firm enough to take his robe with it, and pushed through the crowd. Windu, never the slouch, noticed him instantly and his eyes widened as he realized what Obi-Wan was trying to do. Unlike Padmé and the girls, he didn’t give him the opportunity to stop him, instead lunging forward and falling into an immediate sprint out the door- the cold wind whipping his face so hard that it caused tears to freeze in their wake.

He vaguely heard his name shouted from behind him, but he could only think of finding Rabé before it was too late. It might have been impulsive and it was definitely foolish, but he wouldn’t be able to leave with a clear conscience unless he did everything in his power to bring every student back safely. He understood that the professors needed to do their duty, but Obi-Wan was to be an auror someday. Running into the line of fire was surely a requirement of such a field.

All he could think of was how he knew what it was like to be forgotten. If there was even a small chance of preventing someone else from befalling that fate, he had to try.

Running across the slick stone walkway proved itself to be even more difficult than walking had, but Obi-Wan was utilizing the forward motion that the ice provided him for acceleration. The sky above him was almost completely black- as though Hogsmeade was at risk for being sucked into outer space. Suddenly, the cold that Obi-Wan felt no longer seemed to be as a result from the climate.

He’d studied dementors a good deal over the years and objectively understood how they drained a person from their hopes and dreams, removing the parts of them that basically made them human, but he realized then that he never really knew. He wasn’t even the target for these dementors and just being in their presence made him feel like all color was depleting from the landscape.

He forced himself through it, focusing on the task at hand and what purpose that gave him. He decided to slide by the (now closed) butterbeer stand at the end, where he’d last seen Rabé. After all, it was entirely possible that he was the last person to see her alive. That certainly didn’t give him much comfort.

He turned his head from side to side, trying with a last stitch effort to see if she’d taken refuge in one of the closed shops. The keepers were kind and would more than likely house a lost student during a crisis such as this.

As dread pooled deeper in the pit of his stomach and his body struggled to fight off the shaky chill that climbed its way up his spine, he dared to look up, noticing that the dementors were no longer searching, but swarming. The snowfall only seemed to thicken, which was rather unfortunate as Obi-Wan had to swipe his arm over his eyes several times to continue seeing.

They congregated at the Three Broomsticks- in front of which, Obi-Wan did not stop, but in his haste, did meet the bloodshot amber eyes of none other than the Dathomirian known as Maul. In their midst, Obi-Wan found he would rather embark on a lengthy stay with a dementor than look another second into the killer’s eyes. He was leaning back in his seat with casual aplomb and raised his stein of butterbeer as though in cheers or celebration, selling the chilling lack of regard for life with a cruel smile curling his black and red lips.

It was if he was saying, “I’ve won.”

Obi-Wan swallowed thickly and averted his gaze immediately, understanding that this might be his final moment. If that were so, he would use it wisely.

“No, you won’t.”

Maul’s smile broadened, resembling the actual devil as he did so.

Yes, Obi-Wan was definitely about to die.

However, the moment ended as quick as it started, for once the dementors dive bombed past Obi-Wan and straight for Maul, he flipped a galleon into the air and caught it, allowing himself to disappear to whatever rock he dragged himself from before.

Obi-Wan only thundered forward until he arrived at the end of the limits of the town, sighing deeply and wincing at the wreath of frost that circled his head as he caught his breath. He was immensely cold and with nothing to do about it and worse, began to feel quite defeated. Part of him wanted to rationalize that Rabé did likely go back to the castle. However, whether it was intuition or simply an unknown magic in the air, he could practically feel the presence of another.

Then, from the corner of his eyes, he noticed something poking out of the snow- just next to an old townhome, and drew closer. His steps were heavy and without hopeful anticipation as he regarded the gray fingers breaking through the massive snowdrift.

He knelt down slowly, and raised his wand to blow away the piles of snow and ice and used his hands to remove the last remnants on his own. Attached to the outstretched hand, which served as much as a warning as it did a signal of distress, was the petrified gray face of Rabé.

***

“You have to go back for him!” Satine demanded as she was practically carried by Fisto all the way back to Hogwarts. It had been the only way they were able to prevent her from slipping after Obi-Wan in a panic-induced gut-reaction. She believed he was an idiot for running off the way he did, but that wasn’t to say she didn’t understand the feeling.

“The dementors are mobilizing, Satine!” Windu turned on her with fire in his eyes, “Had Mr. Kenobi not been so uncharacteristically impetuous, we wouldn’t be here.”

“And there would still be a lost child out there!” She growled, not usually one to ever speak to a professor so brazenly, but this was Obi-Wan they were talking about, and she would always be a bit irrational when it came to him. “It doesn’t seem like anyone really cares about that though!”

“Not care? I would lay down my life for every single one of you. Do you think it pleases me to know that not one, but two students could be suffering at the hands of that animal on my watch?” Windu said hotly, “But I cannot jeopardize the dementors potentially catching a murderous sociopath. Obi-Wan would not want me to do that!”

She knew deep in her bones that he was right, but she didn’t take to it any better, instead feeling bile rise up her throat- only subdued by the way it seemed to constrict at the wretched thought of losing her best friend. The cold weight of pure dread settled on her chest, evaporating her fury and nearly suffocating all logical thought.

Nearly.

She turned on her heels back to Ravenclaw house, who were staring at her with a mixture of sympathy and shock. Satine knew she had the capacity to lose her patience, but she tried to always do so with some semblance of professionalism.

“We’ll go find him ourselves then!” Cody, equally as heated as she had been, raged alongside Echo and Fives. All were still dressed for the winter and had their wands at the ready.

“You will do no such thing.” Professor Fisto pulled Cody back by the arm, “Headmaster Yoda is the only one who can save your friend now.”

“What was the point of teaching us all that stuff if we aren’t going to use it?” Cody fired.

“In the event that there is an inescapable situation, Cody.” Fisto said, “I commend your bravery, but there is a line between courage and stupidity.”

“So, that’s it?” Echo chimed in, “We’re just going to run and hide every time a bad guy comes knocking on our door?”

“Yeah, you’re supposed to teach us defense against the dark arts!” Fives added, “I’d say Maul qualifies.”

“Maul is much more than any of you can understand or handle.” Windu’s voice no longer spoke with anger, but from a deep place that teetered on remorse and pity. There was a defeated look in his eyes that Satine would never forget, as though Maul had already won.

“Glad you’ve all been effectively wasting our time then.” Cody snarled, “Propping us up and making us feel as though we’re really doing something all year. What has all of this been? Some show for the Ministry?”

A few other Gryffindors pooled around him and it occurred to Satine just then that if Cody hadn’t been so set on pursuing Quidditch as a career, that he’d make a mighty fine commanding officer. People rallied behind him. They believed in him.

She just wished that call to order wasn’t coming from a place of wishing to fight a dark lord.

“Cody, I highly recommend that you stand down.” Fisto said, “I get that you’re upset, but we need to remain calm. Take your brothers back to the Great Hall and wait for further instructions.”

Cody was teeming with anger- she could tell just looking at him and for a moment, she feared he was going to act brashly. Windu seemed to think the same thing judging by the appraising look he gave him.

He didn’t move, but he did send Echo and Fives back with the Gryffindor prefects and the rest of the house. The other houses and their respective prefects trickled afterwards, each going to the Great Hall for what was surely to be another lockdown.

“Great, another sleepover.” Fives huffed as he went.

“Yeah, telling ghost stories by candlelight altogether will surely keep us safe.” Echo complained under his breath.

“I thought I said-” Fisto began.

“-I’m not leaving until Kenobi is found.” Cody said, “Dead or alive.”

“Don’t you dare talk like that.” She seethed, grabbing his attention instantly and Cody, to his credit, did appear riddled with guilt at her reaction.

“Sorry.” He muttered.

“I expect this level of irrationality from Cody.” Windu said and eyed Satine, “But not you.”

“I’m not leaving either.” She said, clutching Obi-Wan’s robe tightly between clenched fists, “Consequences be damned.”

Where she thought there would be retribution or even more yelling, there was not. Fisto, of the two of them, actually appeared more upset. Windu, instead, nodded slightly. It seemed he understood that this was a battle he would not be winning today.

Satine scanned the area, remembering someone very curious to be missing from the pack. As if it were possible, more horror gnawed at her nerves, “Where’s Anakin?”

That was Maul’s whole purpose for scouting out the school, right?

Windu grimaced, “He did try to sneak out to Hogsmeade earlier.”

Her eyes widened, “But he’s alright?”

“It is to my understanding that young Skywalker is with Professor Jinn.” Palpatine swerved around the corner, dark cloaks flowing behind him dramatically as he reconvened with the professors, “Any update on Maul?”

“No,” Windu said tartly, “But seeing as our students have been debating on staging a coup, it might have been useful to have your presence, Professor.”

The tension, as it was, seemed unbreakable.

“My apologies, Professor Windu, but I will say these students have the right to be upset. All of our efforts to protect the school have thus far failed.” Palpatine said.

Satine also couldn’t blame everyone for being upset. In their effort to make everyone feel safe, they only propped them up with delusions of grandeur. There was a fine line to walk between keeping the student body informed and propagating debilitating fear- at least in this predicament.

“You’re here now.” Fisto said, “That’s what counts.”

Satine wasn’t so sure, but then again, Maul hadn’t broken in yet.

“Surely, it’s not wise to have students so close to the entrance.” Palpatine said.

“Yes, well, it also wasn’t wise to allow Anakin so close to your Vitamix potion.” Windu countered, “I guess we’re all doing things a bit differently right now.”

Palpatine seemed properly slapped by that, because there was little argument that could be brought up to counter the comment. That was, indeed, what happened and it left the school wide open for possible attack.

“Yoda should be back any minute.” Fisto paced the floor, his wet boots making a squeaking noise as he did so, “And hopefully, he has good news.”

“If not?” Cody asked.

“If not, we might have to help him and if that’s the case, you two will stay back.” Windu ordered.

Even Cody didn’t argue with that logic.

Not but a moment later, erratic banging came from the metal door, growing more desperate as the seconds went on. Palpatine leaned forward as if to open it and Fisto grabbed his wrist before he could perform the charm.

“There’s a password.” Fisto said.

“And why would Maul just come knocking on the front door?” Palpatine scoffed.

“Maul is anything but conventional.” Windu reasoned.

Cody and Satine looked between each other as the three professors deliberated. They were beginning to understand why it sometimes felt like it took forever for anything to get done. No one could agree on the simplest things.

“What if it’s Ben?” Satine stepped forward, “You’ve said it yourself that the tunnels are blocked off now.”

“Yoda would have found him and brought him back by apparition.” Fisto said.

“And if he didn’t?”

Windu opened his mouth to respond, but then from a familiar voice, “HELLO THERE? IS ANYONE THERE?”

She glared between the three professors, who were all a bit dumbstruck as they hastily moved to open the door. As it swung open unceremoniously, her heart resumed beating as Obi-Wan Kenobi, pale, drenched and speckled with snowflakes, practically fell through the entryway.

She moved on instinct rather than thought and caught him in a tight hug, combatting the sharp chill that traveled up her spine at his frigid body with the warm relief that he was alive. She only removed herself enough to tightly wrap his robe around his shoulders before pulling him closer.

“Get him some blankets!” Windu ordered while Palpatine was simultaneously brewing a warm beverage from thin air. Satine, for her part, could not let go.

“N-nice t-to see you t-too.” He shivered and did not reject the warm contact.

“You’re an idiot, Obi-Wan Kenobi.” She muttered into his shoulder, but it really didn’t have as much fire as she would have liked it to- not when he looked so pitiful with wet hair in his face, teeth chattering, and a nose and cheeks red from the cold.

“I’m aware.” He said.

“You could have been killed!”

“I know.”

“And you really couldn’t have at least brought your robe with you if you were going to go running off on a deadly mission?”

“You’re right.”

“Stop agreeing with me!” She leaned back and glared at him.

“My apologies,” He smiled ruefully, but it faded almost instantly, “All the trouble I’ve caused, I’m afraid it was for nothing.”

“What do you mean?” Fisto cut in.

“I saw him.” Obi-Wan’s voice was hollow when he said it. His eyes became downcast as he reminisced, “And Rabé. I couldn’t move her on my own… She was frozen in carbonite.”

Windu cursed, scrubbing a hand over his bald head, “And Maul?”

“Gone.” Obi-Wan said, “He used a portkey before the dementors could get to him.”

***

The dementors separated like parting clouds, allowing for remnants of dwindling sunlight to cast a yellow beam onto Hogsmeade. Even with the sunset behind it, the usually buzzing and quaint town looked barren without the lively folk that inhabited it. It was to their best interest to hide, of course, and he knew that once this awful storm passed, they would return again. Yoda moved slowly through the snow, feet unbothered by the crunch of the ice beneath him.

He had no doubt that Maul was here, but held equal assurance that he no longer was. His protective charms were supposed to stop people from getting in, not out.

He grimaced as he knelt to the Slytherin girl’s motionless body- frozen in time with a horrific expression painting her features. She would need to join the growing group that took up beds in Madame Nema’s hospital wing. He just hoped with everything in him that they could make this right.

It tugged at his heart that children always seemed to be the ones to suffer for the choices of adults. This one was not excluded as Yoda and the other professors deemed that it would be safe.

It should have been safe.

He cursed as he thought back to the extensive lengths he’d gone to in protecting the school. He was exhausted, constantly firing off on all cylinders to keep this place safe. Even Hogsmeade hadn’t been exempt from his reach.

Well it had, but it seemed the small window of Maul’s murder in Diagon Alley to Yoda waking up from the botched Vitamix potion was the hole he’d crawled through. The dementors hadn’t detected him, which was a whole other concern that he would need to investigate at a later time.

There were so many ways that they failed.

Yes, well, this girl’s parents will not enjoy a meager response like that, so he ought to think of something better. Either way, he would not be sleeping well for his hubris. Maul might not storm the castle with his being there, but he was not above dancing around it. He was boxed out for now, but there was only so much that could be done. He had managed to convince them to disallow apparition for the time being without Ministry approval. This combined with the monitorization of the Floo network, limited Maul significantly.

However, there were always portkeys, which was the most secure way for a person in hiding to quickly transport. You didn’t need a license for it and you didn’t even leave a trace on your wand in the process.

It seemed Maul was getting significant joy from toying with them by instilling fear. It was just like a dark wizard to play on people’s emotions as such.

And yet…

He looked back down at the girl with a different sort of befuddlement. Not that he was complaining, but why hadn’t he killed her? Was it because it would have drawn too much attention for his liking? That didn’t seem right, though, because he had no problem murdering the guards at Azkaban or that store owner on Diagon Alley. Why utilize this mysterious alternative method now?

It hadn’t been the first time, obviously. There was the first official occurrence in December, not to mention the carbon remnants found in Shmi Skywalker’s flat, and Obi-Wan and Satine’s discovery at the Shrieking Shack.

Maul had certainly developed a predilection for the long con in his time locked away in Azkaban. Yoda would say it was out of character if he didn’t understand how much a man could change from trauma. He’d seen it in his own face and he’d seen it in many other’s. Maul didn’t want to mess up this time. He wanted his target and he wanted it done right.

But why Anakin Skywalker? Surely, Maul didn’t buy into the Chosen One prophecy. And if he did, why the sudden malevolence towards the boy? Nothing from the ancient texts seemed to make any reference to Maul in the slightest. It wouldn’t have affected him in Azkaban.

Would it?

As Yoda waved his wand once to lift the casket of carbon from the ground to float aimlessly behind him, he turned back towards the castle, realizing not for the first time that the more he learned, the more he had to ask.

***

“We were worried you became a popsicle out there,” Cody said as he took off his own robe and coat to also wrap around Obi-Wan. They all sat in the Great Hall with the rest of the student body, each positioned on their own sleeping bag as they faced each other. Despite having been inside for over an hour, Obi-Wan still clutched the blankets that were given to him tightly and didn’t reject Cody’s addition to the pile.

“I’m sure he was more concerned about seeing Maul.” Satine said.

“I’m sure he was.” Ventress sauntered by with her trademark smirk painted on her black-stained lips.

“Come off it, Ventress,” Cody scowled, “Kenobi wouldn’t lie about such a thing. Dementors were there too.”

“They’ve been here the entire time, Fett.” Ventress said, “How many false scares have there been? I’m beginning to believe it’s all conspiracy, myself.”

“It’s that level of thinking that’s going to get someone seriously injured.” Satine said, “Or worse.”

“Maybe then someone will start to take legitimate action,” She sighed almost dreamily, like she was fantasizing about the possibility.

“And I suppose Rabé basically turning to stone was just nothing.” Cody barked.

“A pity, truly.” She inspected her fingernails, which were actually quite noticeably jagged and cracked with chipped black polish, “Have we not noticed that every victim has been pureblood? You don’t hear the Ministry talking about that, of course.”

“What are you getting at?” Satine growled.

“I’m just saying, Duchess,” Ventress displayed her best pout, which coming from her, still had all the appearances of a cat ready to pounce, “I would hate to see a group marginalized by their blood type.”

“Listen here, Ventress-” She clutched his sleeping bag tightly and was surely ready to fire off on a meaningful tangent of her own, but was interrupted by the sound of barreling footsteps coming their way.

Anakin and Rex came sprinting down the aisle and slid onto their knees towards where they sat. Anakin, for his part, skidded right into Obi-Wan and nearly knocked him over by the velocity at which he traveled.

“Where have you two been?” Cody asked.

“We were with Qui-Gon!” Anakin said and looked around to Obi-Wan, “Fives just told us about what happened at Hogsmeade and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Obi-Wan’s heart melted at the thought of Anakin’s concern and ruffled his hair, “Not a scratch on me.”

Anakin nodded in relief, “That’s good. It’s crazy that we both saw Maul today and he didn’t even do anything to either of us!”

Obi-Wan, Satine, Cody, and the briefly forgotten Ventress all snapped their attention towards Anakin in surprise.

“I’m sorry, what?” Satine was the first to speak.

“When and where did you see Maul?” Cody followed shortly behind.

“And you lived?” It was unclear whether Ventress was surprised or disappointed.

Obi-Wan, in all fairness, was still processing the small twelve year old boy, who presumably alone, faced the bloodthirsty killer that had it out for him. He knew he must have looked horrified, because Anakin’s own worry seemed to grow by just looking at Obi-Wan.

“I’m okay!” He said first, knowing that this was the most important thing, “And for the record, it wasn’t my fault.”

“It was a little your fault.” Rex winced.

“Rex! You’re supposed to be on my side!” Anakin whined.

“What did you do?” Obi-Wan pinched his brow.

“I already told Qui-Gon and he promised me immunity and while I don’t know for sure what that means, I’m pretty sure it means you’re not allowed to get mad.”

“That’s not what it means.” He said.

“Well, then, who’s got a decent ghost story to share?” He tried, looking around to each of them, “Ventress? I’m sure you’ve got some just by looking in a mirror every day.”

“Anakin…”

“Fine…” He sighed, “I… Might have sort of tried to go give Padmé her Valentine.”

“Of all the foolish and impulsive things to do!” Obi-Wan roared instantly.

“You said you wouldn’t get mad!”

“No I did not!” He snapped, “Do you not realize how incredibly dangerous that was? And the kind of risk you were putting yourself at? What would have happened if he had gotten you? I swear, I know you’re young but you need to think in terms of the long-”

“-Mate, not sure you are in the best position to be giving that lecture today.” Cody said, “Seeing as you also ran right into Maul’s clutches.”

“Yeah, really!” Anakin defended, “I heard all about what you did!”

“To save someone!” Obi-Wan rounded on his friend, “Not to retrieve a pretty trinket for a girl I fancy!”

“Based on your taste that’s a good thing.” Ventress scoffed.

Satine, who was admittedly calmer than Obi-Wan, frowned and looked at Anakin, “What happened?”

“If I’m allowed to continue.” He said pointedly before going on, “I wasn’t actually going to go to Hogsmeade. Believe it or not, I’m not completely stupid.”

“You just said-” Obi-Wan’s voice cracked.

“-Ben, let him finish.” Satine admonished.

“Thank you,” Anakin nodded and the kid really had the nerve to look smug, “I wasn’t going to Hogsmeade, but Rabé was and believe it or not, I get nervous too sometimes. I wasn’t sure I would have the nerve to give it to her in person, so I was going to ask Rabé if she could give it to Padmé for me. So, I used the map to follow her, obviously, and was never going to leave the tunnel system. But then about halfway through, I saw him.”

“Maul?” Cody asked in awe.

“No, the boogeyman. Yes, Maul.” Rex rolled his eyes.

“Seems like the same thing to me,” Ventress yawned, clearly unimpressed, “Seeing as Maul can’t be in two places at once, I would say one of you is lying.”

“I’m not lying!” Anakin asserted and looked to Obi-Wan, “And he’s not either.”

“Rabé didn’t just turn to carbonite on her own.” Obi-Wan said.

Anakin’s eyes widened, “He got Rabé too?”

“What do you mean too?” Satine asked.

“I mean, Tiplee was also frozen in carbonite down in the tunnels. I only managed to get away because I must have caught him off guard. I ran as fast as I could.” He patted his pockets, “Dang! I think I dropped the map in the process. Again.”

“Seriously, no more of those for you.” Satine said.

“Not like it’ll be of much use now that Yoda is closing the tunnels again.” Cody said.

“That’s horrible.” Obi-Wan frowned and stroked his chin thoughtfully, “But I wonder why he wouldn’t have come into the school.”

“He’s afraid of Yoda.” Ventress scowled, “Everyone knows that, but clearly, he’s a fool to be leaving all of these little clues around.”

“There’s got to be a bigger plan at play here.” Satine said.

“Like what? Two Maul’s?” Ventress rolled her eyes, “I could see the creep going after Skywalker as that is clearly his primary intent, but Kenobi? Who would bother to go after someone who cowered at his own shadow at one point?”

The particular incident that Ventress was alluding to happened when they were only five years old, he might add, but even in his head it didn’t pack the same impact that she wanted it to. Instead, Obi-Wan flashed her a disapproving look.

“Rabé is a member of your house.” He pointed out, “I didn’t see you running back to save her.”

“Actually, I didn’t see you at all.” Satine added.

Ventress, nonplussed, rolled her eyes dramatically, “Good to know the two of you are still conjuring nonsense that would rival The Quibbler, but if you must know, I was tutoring in the library.”

“Wait a second,” Obi-Wan allowed some of the blanket to slide off of him when he sat up straighter, trying his best to suppress a shiver that immediately followed. He was grateful that Satine set it back into place, “Don’t tell me you’re Hondo’s tutor.”

Ventress furrowed her brow, “Be wary of the tone, Kenobi. My marks often rival your own.”

She wasn’t wrong. Horrible personality aside, Ventress was an exemplary student. Like him, she sort of had to be, given the reputation their respective families upheld.

“I wasn’t underestimating your intelligence,” He said, because he wasn’t a total fool, “But I never took you for a good samaritan.”

“Surely, he’s paying her.” Satine groaned as she leaned back on her hands.

“I don’t need the money, muggle-born.” She hissed.

“Since when has galleons been his only form of currency?” Satine shrugged, “Everyone has a price, is all I’m saying.”

“Fools,” Ventress shook her head as she walked away, “All of you.”

“Yeah, well, when you turn to stone, it’ll match your heart.” Anakin said and stood up, “I’m going to go apologize to Padmé.”

Obi-Wan watched him sadly as he walked over to where the crestfallen group of usually chipper girls huddled together. At least they were able to comfort each other in this trying time. Obi-Wan looked to Cody and Satine, who were both wearing a considerable amount of concern on their features.

He knew their responsibilities as older students and prefects, alike, were only going to rise as the fear and sense of danger increased. Anakin had nearly come to his end if he hadn’t been so quick on his feet. He supposed those dueling classes did have their uses if implemented properly. As it were, Maul would likely not make the same mistake twice.

***

The atmosphere was much more subdued than most Quidditch mornings. Even Cody found himself sitting quietly across from where Obi-Wan was falling asleep over a plate of pancakes. Ventress was the only one not subdued, she was glaring around at her team, snarling at anyone not paying attention to her. He didn’t think she’d get very far with an attitude like that. As captain, sometimes the best thing you could do was read the mood of your teammates.

Obi-Wan’s head dropped forwards almost landing in the syrup before Satine managed to pull him back without even a glance over. He blinked, looking around like he hadn’t even been aware they were in the Great Hall in the first place.

“Might want to eat something, mate,” Cody suggested, gesturing to his plate that he seemed surprised was loaded even if he had done it himself.

“Right,” He did so without another word. Satine looked fairly volatile this morning, having woken up extremely early for a morning patrol so there wasn’t much conversation for them to be had. He was tired too, having been picking up a few patrols of his own. Palpatine’s accidental sleeping potion may have been an unfortunate idea, but a few extra hands that could take on prefect duties were still welcomed. It’s not like Cody could say no after watching his friends be run ragged.

“You sure you’re going to be awake enough to stay on a broom?” Cody asked as they both watched a piece of pancake fall slowly off his fork. Obi-Wan just nodded looking up with a sigh.

“We’re all tired,” He nodded towards where Koth had passed out at the breakfast table. Aayla and Cin were awake enough to doodle on his face so it maybe wasn’t the entire team, “Hopefully this will make for a short game.”

“Hopefully,” He nodded, but he wasn’t sure he was honest in his statement. Ventress was looking especially poisonous this morning and wouldn’t take anything sitting down, “Maybe we shouldn’t be playing anyways.”

Obi-Wan and Satine both looked at him like he’d just grown a second head and he met their looks with a glare.

“Who are you and what have you done with Cody?” Kenobi squinted at him as if checking to make sure he hadn’t been cursed.

“I think hell must have frozen over,” Satine added with a nod, “I never thought I’d hear Cody Fett, not want anything to do with Quidditch.”

“Hey! Woah!” He shook his head quickly, “I never said that.”

They both raised an eyebrow at him and he rolled his eyes.

“Even I am not enough of a sports fan to look past the elephant in the room,” He jabbed his fork at them, “Maul’s close and we’re just going to take the whole school outside? Again? Plus, morale is down,” Instead of gesturing to the two obvious examples in front of him, he pointed to Koth, who had just woken up and hadn’t figured out why everyone was laughing at him yet.

“When you put it that way...” Obi-Wan flicked his eyes to the professors, who were desperately trying to keep warm inviting facades. He took a sip of pumpkin juice.

“Why go through all this trouble for such a barbaric game anyways,” Satine glowered, “We need a break from potential violence not more.”

Cody knew explaining the dynamics of Quidditch would not change her mind any so he kept his own thoughts to himself on the matter. He thought of Quidditch as a much needed break most of the time. But it was hard to deny the fact that only a few people would be having a good time today and that wasn’t how he felt a healthy Quidditch environment should be.

The screech of an owl alerted everyone to the arrival of the morning mail. It was always a little hectic, but it didn’t stop them from being able to spot one of their three owls if it chose to show up. The only owl Cody could recognize was a large tawny one. Well manicured and, if memory served, sharp talons. Obi-Wan barely avoided getting his letter dropped on his head, his hand flicked up to catch the falling parchment with deft precision. As most letters from his parents, he was careful to shield it so Satine couldn’t see, something that always had her frustrated despite knowing that it was fair given the nature of these letters.

Obi-Wan read the whole thing in lightning speed, eyebrows furrowing the further he got, although he nodded before swiftly depositing it on the table next to his plate. His owl swooped down again landing on his head causing him to wince.

“Alright message received,” He tried to pick up the pesky owl, but it looked rather indignant to be manhandled. Still because he was gentle and fed him a bit of breakfast, the owl allowed itself to be set on his arm, “Tell them they’re early,” He tried saying it quietly enough so neither of them would hear, unfortunately they were both rather intune to his voice. If an owl could show emotions, which Cody had, up until this moment thought untrue, Obi-Wan’s owl would look almost melancholic for a moment. A hard thing to do for a bird that had permanent angry eyebrows colored into its feathers.

It took off in a hurry, nearly taking off a few heads as it went and disappeared back into the flock it had arrived with.

“What did they say?” Satine asked, as she usually did, but he just shrugged.

“Nothing out of the ordinary,” He gave her a smile, but she frowned.

“That never makes me feel better,” She told him sternly. He just shrugged.

There was a loud pop and they all looked up to see Palpatine and Qui-Gon standing at the head of the Great Hall, the two of them would be escorting both teams outside and to the pitch. It was best to have an experienced teacher at the helm and who better than those who had earned their titles as Heads of House.

Obi-Wan stood swiftly, accepting their well wishes and good lucks, before falling into line behind Eeth. Satine was watching them leave with narrowed eyes and Cody wasn’t sure what was going on, but she certainly looked much more focused than earlier. She slid her hand across the table, snatching the note from where he’d left it, clearly for the trash pile, and spread it open.

“Should you do that?” He asked even if he was curious himself, he wasn’t about to get accused of reading other people’s mail.

“It’s a suspicious piece of parchment I found unattended,” She lied as she peered down at it. Her nose scrunched up in disgust as she read it just loud enough for him to hear.

“Obi-Wan Kenobi,

As you are about to turn 17, we remind you once again of your duties and expectations. In one year you will turn 18 and we’ll discuss then your future. Despite your best attempts to undermine our plans we will do what we can to work around your failure.

Don’t expect a gift this year, you received one last year and we’ll be happy to give you one when you turn 20. Consider continuing to go to school despite your constant disappointments gift enough.

-Mother”

Cody felt the grip on his fork tighten as he stared a hole through the paper. A correspondence with Obi-Wan’s family really was never pleasant, but did they have to be so outwardly despicable? What surprised him most was the excitement lighting up Satine’s eyes as she read the letter over again.

“Brilliant!” She grinned and he practically snapped his fork in half.

“What’s so brilliant about those two bastards continuing to tighten the noose around his neck?” Cody growled and Satine looked up, having the decency to look aghast.

“Oh heavens no,” She looked sick at the thought, “That’s not what I was referring to at all. How could you think-?”

“-How could I not? Maybe hell is freezing over,” He ran a hand down his face as she rummaged around in her bag before shoving plates and goblets out of the way, nearly toppling a few over. She set down a massive book-like object with a white exterior and silver rings. It was full to the brim with pages and she opened it up excitedly.

“It’s a binder,” She told him at his look before moving on to what must have been the important thing at hand, “You know how Ben’s rather dodgy about his birthday?” Cody nodded, “Well I’ve been tracking him ever since 2nd year,” She flipped around in the binder and Cody could see so many color-coded graphs it made his head spin.

“You did this? For what?”

“If he won’t tell us, I’ll find out on my own,” She glared sternly at a picture of Ben that blinked up at her from the page, “That’s what I told him,” She flipped through it, pointing at various sections, “I was able to surmise that his parents tend to have a letter pattern. They only send him mail on major holidays or if he’s done something they disapprove of.”

“When is that not the case,” He muttered.

“I was able to narrow it down after a few years to February or March,” She was in the back of the book now where a calendar full of crossed out dates sat, “It was confusing, sometimes they sent him a letter end of February like this one,” She waved the letter at him, “Sometimes it was in March. This is the first time I’ve been able to read one,” She grinned proudly tucking the letter into the back pocket for evidence purposes.

“What good does that do? They didn’t say what day it was,” Cody studied the calendar in interest.

“It does a lot of good!” She pulled a fancy highlighter from her bag, “He said they were early, meaning it can’t be any of these dates,” She ran her finger through most of the month. They only had a few days left until March though, maybe she’d figured out the month, “Most importantly!” She looked at him face as serious as it was when she was taking her OWLs, “They said they got him a gift last year-”

“Yeah a ruddy gift,” Cody frowned, “What good is an antique quill if it doesn’t even work?”

“I agree,” She said impatiently, “That’s not the point. They said they’d get him another one when he turned 20. He turned 16 last year-”

“Your point?” Cody was beginning to get lost and would rather she hurry up her point than leave him thinking.

“He doesn’t have a birthday this year at all!” She announced and Cody straightened, staring at her in shock.

“Well that’s not possible!” He declared, “Everyone has a birthday once a year! Even those who don’t care much like Kenobi.”

“It is possible!” She grinned proudly drawing a line on her calendar right between the 28th of February and the 1st of March, “He was born on February 29th! A leap year!”

Cody blinked. That actually made a lot of sense. Kenobi wasn’t a liar and he was sure he’d asked about specific days and been told he was wrong. He’d only seen Kenobi get a birthday present their first year (a pack of gobstones) and their fifth year (the aforementioned broken antique quill). Cody had just figured they wouldn’t ever figure it out unless he told them himself, so he usually just tried to get him a good Christmas present every year. He had noticed Satine had started to give him a present around this time of year, but now they had the exact day.

“Does this mean his parents use that as an excuse to never get him anything?” He frowned and Satine angered instantly.

“I’m almost shocked they haven’t forgotten the date themselves.”

“So,” Cody looked at the little highlighted line indicating the fruition of 5 years of work, “What are we doing about it?”

***

“I still say we should have gone with March 1st,” Cody said from where he was balanced rather precariously on a ladder taping the end of a streamer, “Then we’d be celebrating him having turned 17.”

Satine, who was holding onto the ladder to make sure she didn’t have to take anyone to the hospital wing today, glared up at him, “Absolutely not! He has a February birthday, we’re celebrating it in February. Otherwise he’s going to assume we’ve forgotten it!”

“He doesn’t even know we know it,” Cody rationalized, but came down from the ladder anyways to admire his work with her.

“Alright,” She looked down reading her list. She’d had years to plan this event, he’d never had a party before that she knew of and she wanted it to be perfect, “We’ve got the streamers and the balloons. The guests have been told what time to arrive...” She checked off the boxes as she went, “Can I trust you to go and get the cake without dropping it?” She looked up at her friend and he grinned giving her a thumbs up.

“Oh yeah definitely,” It didn’t instill in her a lot of hope, but he was at least eager to do it.

“Alright go, but hurry!” She checked the time off the clock in the corner. “They’ll be here soon.”

“On it!” He saluted her and raced out the door.

Satine observed her surroundings once more. They’d chosen an empty classroom rather than something elaborate like the Great Hall or too intimate like Qui-Gon’s office. She’d gotten approval, Qui-Gon was to arrive any minute now to supervise. He’d been the only professor she could think of that would understand how important this was to do. She was sure if she’d talked to Windu or even Headmaster Yoda, she’d have gotten shot down before she even began. Qui-Gon knew about Ben’s family though and like her, seemed to want to give him the best experience he could.

There was a spot for the cake on the teacher’s desk as well as plates, utensils, and napkins. The ceiling was practically drowning in streamers of all different colors and balloons were floating around aimlessly. Her and Cody’s presents to him were sitting in a neat pile on a couple of tables pushed together. She hoped he’d get a few more, but hadn’t explicitly said anything on the invitations. It was rather short notice after all.

“You’ve done a wonderful job,” She turned to see Qui-Gon in the doorway. He was holding a colorfully wrapped package which she gratefully took from him placing it on the table next to the other.

“Do you think it’s too much?” The last thing she wanted to do was overwhelm him, but she’d learned over the years it was hard to figure out what would.

“I’m sure we could all do with a little cheeriness,” He said in lieu of answering. Maybe he didn’t know any better than she did.

It didn’t take much more time before the students she’d invited began to arrive. The entirety of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team poured in along with Stass. They’d been a little downtrodden at being beat so terribly by Slytherin, but seemed happy enough to be there. The clones were the next to arrive with Anakin in tow. Anakin proudly added his gift to the stack before going back over to Rex.

Cody arrived again, loudly kicking in the door gingerly holding the cake. It hadn’t gotten squashed which she was thankful for. Behind him was Breha and Bail, both levitating trays of food and a bowl of punch, letting them settle into place on a row of desks.

More prefects appeared as well as a few other students. Hondo had seemed rather pleased to have been invited, but Satine was a little worried about what he had possibly brought as a present. Soon the room was pretty full and Satine shushed everyone as well as she could without shouting.

“Alright I’m going to get Ben,” She announced, “Be ready.”

“Yes ma’am!” The Fett’s all saluted her and the others in the room nodded keeping their chatter to a minimum.

***

Obi-Wan was growing a little concerned. Satine had been the one to ask him to meet her in the library, but she had yet to appear. He’d kept himself occupied with his textbooks, but he was tempted to go out and look for her. It was no sooner than he closed his textbook and stood that she rounded the corner looking rather flustered.

“Sorry I’m late,” She panted as she flipped her hair back and out of her face. It was down today, which was becoming a bit of a rarity and he smiled.

“It’s no trouble,” He said sitting back down, “Was there something in particular you wanted to work on? I’ve already finished my essays, but I can help you with yours.”

“Actually,” She was fidgeting nervously and he gazed up at her in concern, “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if we went on a walk first.”

“A walk?” That was an unusual request.

“Yes I- I just think it would be nice, don’t you?” Well, he was hard pressed to deny her anything. Especially something as simple as a walk around the castle.

“Alright,” He agreed, sliding his text book back into his bag. She was scrutinizing him and he looked down to make sure his clothes were straightened, because the last time he’d gotten that look his fly had been undone. Rather embarrassing.

He looked up again, starting in surprise, when he felt a hand in his hair. She gave him an apologetic look as she stepped back.

“Sorry, your hair was messed up,” She told him and he felt his face warm slightly, but she just coughed awkwardly and started walking. He ran to catch up.

He couldn’t help, but to run his own hands through his hair, just to ensure that it wasn’t still a mess, “It’s fine Ben,” She told him as she walked just far enough ahead to force him to follow her path.

“I didn’t think you minded much if it was messy,” He said instead of removing his hands.

“I don’t, I just-” Satine cut herself off with a shake of her head. Obi-Wan was confused, but let his hands finally drop to his sides.

“Well alright?” He wasn’t sure what else to say. She was acting off and he couldn’t pinpoint it. Maybe she was upset? But she didn’t look it. Even if she was, the library was perfectly quiet that evening. His heart beat a little faster in his chest as he remembered another time the two of them had been alone, the Christmas party. Did she- were they going to talk about it? He wasn’t sure he knew what to say about such things.

“Ben?” He looked up at his name and she was frowning at him, “Are you alright? You look pale.”

“I’m completely fine,” He confirmed, “Are you?”

“Yes?” Maybe they were both acting a little off this evening.

“Good,” He smiled at her and she returned it easily.

She turned then and walked towards the door of an empty classroom, disappearing inside. What on earth could she want with him in an empty classroom?

He refused to lose her though and quickened his pace until he was pulling the door open only to be assaulted by many loud cheers. It took him a moment to register what they were saying in the first place.

“Happy Birthday!”

His birthday? He blinked, taking in the scene. Many of his close friends were there, his Quidditch team, Anakin, Qui-Gon. All of them were standing there watching him which made him more than a little nervous. The ceiling was decorated in nearly every color of the rainbow and it was complete with balloons. He gripped the strap of his bag, unsure what was expected of him. He certainly had never had a party for himself before.

“Happy Birthday, mate!” Cody appeared in front of him practically dragging him into the room and pushing him towards the professor’s desk. It broke the tension in the room and chatter resumed much to his relief. There were less eyes on him.

“Uhm, thank you,” He managed a smile.

“Look at your cake! We had it made special.”

He looked down in surprise at a white cake decorated with 17 silver candles. Written in delicate blue icing was, “Happy Birthday Obi-Wan!” He’d never had his own birthday cake before, but he’d seen them when Satine or Cody had celebrated theirs. It was kind of them to think of him, he just wished he knew the proper way to respond. The parties he attended usually had scripts to follow and he had never been instructed for one like this.

“It’s chocolate,” Satine’s hand landed right next to his on the desk and he looked up catching her eyes, “I know it’s your favorite.”

“It is,” he agreed almost solemnly.

“Do you like it?” She asked and he nodded quickly, his face heating up, how rude that he hadn’t immediately offered them a thank you.

“Yes of course! I- Thank you,” He told them both seriously, “I’m sorry, I’m just not at all sure how I’m supposed to react.” Satine’s eyes flashed sadly at him for a moment before it was gone and she smiled at him softly, bumping her fingers into his.

“You can react however you’d like,” She assured him, “Yell at me that you hate it for all I care,” He took a step back and nearly tripped over Cody at the insinuation.

“Absolutely not, I’ll treasure it!” He vowed with a stern expression and she laughed a little, it was a sound he quite liked.

“Don’t treasure it too long,” Cody warned him, “Because after we sing to you we’re all going to eat it.”

“Sing?”

Neither of them answered, but he found himself pushed into the professor’s chair and everyone seemed to gather all around him. He felt his face get warm and he hoped it wasn’t too noticeable. Both Cody and Satine were lighting the candles on the cake and right when they were done a rather off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday” was sung and shouted at him. There wasn’t much for him to do except sit there and try to look less uncomfortable. When Fives and Echo finally finished drawing out the last “you” Satine told him to make a wish and gestured for him to blow out the candles. It took him two attempts and he wondered if he looked as foolish as he felt.

Soon, however, everyone was preoccupied with their slices of cake and mingling with one another. Obi-Wan had to admit despite his embarrassment of having so many eyes on him, the cake was rather good. It was certainly his favorite kind from the Great Hall and he was quietly delighted when Satine offered him another piece.

“You know today’s not my birthday,” He told Satine as she sat down next to him cutting into her own slice.

“I know,” She smirked, “I know that your birthday isn’t today or tomorrow, but is actually February 29th. Despite what anyone else may say about this though, is that it’s still worth celebrating even if the day won’t appear again for a few more years.”

He blinked at her, shocked. He knew she’d been interested in figuring out his birthday, but he had assumed she’d dropped it by now, “How did you find out?”

“Years of observation,” It wasn’t a helpful answer, but he had to admire her intelligence in getting this far, “So am I right?” She leaned in close to him, her eyes searching his for the answer.

“Yes,” He answered quietly.

“Kenobi!” Hondo nearly knocked him into his cake when he slapped him on the back, “Why have you not shared your birthday with me before! Hondo gives fabulous presents that one would not wish for in their wildest dreams!”

“Ah thank you Hondo,” He peeled Hondo’s arm off his shoulders. He was fairly sure Hondo was correct in his assumption that he definitely wouldn’t have wished for whatever lurked in Hondo’s present in any of his dreams.

“You’re welcome, my friend! Only the best for one of my closest associates,” He winked at him before waltzing away back into the crowd. Obi-Wan watched him go as Satine stifled her laughter.

“I assumed you’d want to open your presents later?” She asked.

“I have presents?” He looked around the room until he spotted them and blanched. There had to be at least 10 sitting there in a pile just for him, “I can’t accept that,” He looked at her with wide eyes and she narrowed her eyes.

“It would be ruder for you to reject them,” He looked between her and the presents. A catch 22.

“I’m not opening Hondo’s in front of anyone,” He decided and she laughed again.

Suddenly there was a loud crash and they both looked up to see Anakin sprawled out on the floor. Obi-Wan’s heart flew into his throat thinking of a similar event at the last party he’d gone to at this school. Before he could run over there though, Anakin was sitting up with a dopey smile on his face. He giggled.

Obi-Wan let out a sigh of relief, but something still didn’t seem right. Anakin had Qui-Gon’s help to stand up, but he wobbled. He looked a little bit like he was drunk, but he doubted Satine or Cody would spike the punch at his birthday party. Cody seemed to have a similar guess because he took a sip of his own punch and frowned.

“Don’t you think,” Anakin giggled so hard he almost fell down again, “Don’t you think that Miraj Scintel is the most beautiful girl you’ve ever met?”

The room went silent.

“She’s really beautiful,” He said again giggling wildly. He tripped and Qui-Gon just barely managed to catch him.

Half the room broke out into laughter, it was a ridiculous sight, but Obi-Wan was more worried about what the cause of this was. Qui-Gon was too and immediately slapped a cookie out of Hondo’s hand.

“Someone’s snuck a love potion in,” Satine said standing up, looking particularly mad.

“Miraj Scintel by the sound of it,” Cin Drallig raised an eyebrow as they all quietly set their food down.

“Must have been after you Kenobi,” Fives pointed out, “After all this is technically your party.”

“Me?” He barely talked to the girl and found her quite detestable, they were as different as they came.

“It’s possible any of you were the target,” Qui-Gon frowned as he picked up Anakin to keep him from getting anywhere.

“Hey put me down! I need to go tell Miraj Scintel that I love her!” Anakin cried, “Rex, do you think she’ll like me back.”

Rex was looking at Anakin as if he were contagious, but he just gave him an awkward nod and a, “Sure mate.”

“I’ll take him to Madam Nema,” He told everyone and gave a steady gaze at Obi-Wan, “He’ll be fine. In the meantime I’m sorry, but it looks like we’ll have to cut this party short.”

Before long the room had thinned out leaving just Obi-Wan, Satine, Cody, and a mess to clean up.

“You don’t have to help, Ben,” Satine said with a sigh as she pulled out her wand, “It’s your birthday after all.”

“And leave you to do all the work? I don’t think so,” He stood beside her as they both pulled the streamers off the ceiling with their wands. Cody made short work of sending all their food back down to the kitchens. The three of them moved the desks back to where they were meant to before collapsing together at a section of desks in the center of the room.

“Who knew a party would be so much work?” Cody complained as he picked a bit of streamer out of his hair.

“I did,” Obi-Wan answered quietly, “I really appreciate the thought, but I’m not sure I like having all the attention on me.”

“The point of a birthday party is just to be around those that love you,” She told him, “Yeah it’s a little embarrassing being sung too or opening presents, but there are some things in life you just have to accept.”

“I’m not sure,” He would really rather not make such a big fuss about something as mundane as the day he was born. Satine gave him a rather scathing look for a moment before sighing deeply and reaching into her bag.

“Do you remember when I was late coming back to school?” She asked them.

“Only every day,” He complained and Cody just nodded. She sized them both up before pulling out her wallet and, as if it was physically painful for her she pulled out a thin white card.

“I was late because I was getting my driver’s license,” She set the card down in front of them, revealing Satine in rather bad lighting. On the right was a list of identifying information and quite interested, Obi-Wan picked it up to look at it.

Cody immediately had broken into a fit of laughter, catching the end of Satine’s fiery glare, “It looks like a mug shot!”

“That’s why I wasn’t too interested in telling anyone!” She snatched the card out of his hands and Obi-Wan just blinked looking over at her.

“What’s wrong with it? You look lovely,” That comment just made Cody laugh harder and earned him Satine’s glare as well.

“It’s a bloody terrible photo!” She shouted shoving the thing far back in her wallet and stashing it back where it belonged, “The point is,” She emphasized, “Sometimes you have to suffer through some embarrassment in life, I doubt having a birthday party is as terrible as having that as an identifying picture.”

“I don’t see what’s so bad about it,” He looked between Cody and Satine. It showcased her hair and although she wasn’t smiling, in it he could see the softness in her eyes.

“You are unbelievable, Obi-Wan Kenobi!” Satine’s face had gone red, “I show you the worst picture of me forced to exist and you still think being sung too is worse?”

“Let’s open presents!” Cody changed the subject quickly, shoving a shoddily wrapped gift into his hands and trying to whisper, “Come on mate, open it! She already has a mugshot, what’s going to stop her from murdering us.”

“Cody!”

#anakin skywalker #obi-wan kenobi #obitine #anidala #the clone wars #star wars #hpau #magical forces au

[mamichigo]

Title: glass bottles

Pairing: Kokichi/Shuichi

Rating: G

Word count: 2,1k

Tags: Fantasy, Fairytale Elements, Phantom Thief Thief Kokichi (with a twist), First kiss

Summary: Shuichi has something of his stolen in the quiet of night, by a boy with mischief in his eyes.

Notes: Gift for participant #29 in the @kokichigiftexchange

*

Shuichi had seen them only briefly. One glimpse of a large smile with sharp teeth and purple eyes that seemed to glow. They were light on their feet, quiet as the night as they made it inside Shuichi's room on their tiptoes, like a particularly graceful ballerina. Shuichi didn't have a chance to speak up before the person raised a hand and blew glittering powder into his face. He had collapsed on the spot, but not before the mysterious person supported his swaying body by keeping a hand on his back and another to the back of his head.

The next morning, Shuichi woke up with glitter in his hair and on his fingers, along with a sense that something had gone wrong. Or, like something had gone missing.

He didn't realize the source of that impression until his friend, noticing Shuichi failed to react at all to upsetting events, joked that maybe his emotions had been snatched while he wasn't looking. Kaede had also been startled when he pinned her with an intense gaze and agreed with a terse nod.

"Is it really possible to steal someone's emotions?" Shuichi asked.

Kaede, never one to ignore even his silliest remarks when he was serious about it, put a hand to her chin. "It's not impossible around these parts. I might have heard something like that before, but it's more of a story to scare children than an existing fact."

"But we can't say for sure it doesn't exist?"

"That's right."

Satisfied, Shuichi relented and allowed the topic to change. As soon as he was done, Shuichi set out to research if there was any chance that he had been robbed of his emotions after all. After days of talking to more people than he was comfortable with, Shuichi found somewhat of a specialist (or so that was what he claimed to be). He had an oppressing, almost scary aura to him, but the man spoke of tails that made Shuichi go a little bit starry-eyed.

"Spirits are quite the trick loving bunch," Korekiyo explained over a cup of tea, "perhaps to compensate for what they didn't have the chance to do in life."

"So they're dead…?"

Though Shuichi couldn't see Korekiyo's mouth, he was sure he was smiling somewhat mockingly. "Yes, that would be the logical conclusion."

Shuichi hummed and looked down at his hands. Maybe he'd feel a little sad for this person, if they hadn't stolen his ability to do so.

"Is there any chance for me to find them?"

"Luckily for you, I have many reasons to believe you've encountered a spirit I'm already familiar with."

From the subsequent long monologue that he listened to, Shuichi extracted two important pieces of information: go north, find the closed orphanage that stands at the top of the hill; and, his little robber was apparently a boy who called himself a phantom thief. Or rather, the Phantom Thief, capitalized. Shuichi was doubtful that was his true name.

Nonetheless, Shuichi set out just as instructed. On the sunset of the next day, Shuichi had found himself facing the building that looked a bit like an abandoned church rather than an orphanage, if only because all the windows were stained glass colored vibrant red and pink, for the most part. Shuichi squinted at the building as he struggled to catch his breath.

Though Korekiyo had believed the opposite, Shuichi didn't feel safe, after all. Even a village kid as him knew the stories about people who encountered spirits and never came back afterwards, and knew even more of the ones who returned but not as themselves. Shuichi clutched the sleeves of his shirt.

While he pondered if he should go in or not, the doors slammed open on their own. A giggling voice could be heard, distant; a whistle of the wind. Shuichi tensed up, but shrugged to himself. That was as much of a friendly invitation as he would get, he decided.

The atmosphere inside the orphanage was strange, but perhaps only because he passed rows and more rows of open bedrooms, with beds as small as the ones he used to have in his room when he was nothing but a child. The place was covered in dust and debris, as well as wildlife, like it had been standing so long it was now splitting at the seams.

Though Shuichi was sure he had been wandering without aim, his feet took him to the only room that seemed lived in, to a sense. The dining hall had a table in the middle that went on for miles, and it was the first object Shuichi saw in here that was not dirty. It was also lined with candles in fancy candelabra, making the room just a bit too warm.

The room changed once he stepped properly into it. The bare, rotting walls were now covered in an intricate, elegant wallpaper; the table was surrounded by too tall chairs with plushy looking cushions; the table itself was now full of plates of all kinds of sweets that Shuichi had never seen before. At the center of it all, a carefully balanced tower of beautiful glass vials, adorned with flowers or stars or wings.

Finally, at the head of the table, swimming in his chair, sat a boy who watched him predatorily. Shuichi recognized his teeth first, bared in a childish smile. His face was framed by swirls of red paint, but the rest of his attire was perfectly pure white.

"Phantom Thief," Shuichi greeted.

"So you already know who I am," the Phantom Thief drawled his words, pleased with this outcome. "I'm so glad you went through the trouble of finding me!"

Guessing it was alright to do so, Shuichi sat on the opposite side of the table. The glass tower in the middle obstructed their vision, and they both inclined their heads at the same time to look at each other.

"Of course I did, you have something of mine," Shuichi said, straight to the point.

The Phantom Thief pouted. "We could've made a game out of it, you didn't need to say that right away." He heaved a forlorn sigh. "The rudeness of it all."

"Game?"

"Of course, I love games. Don't you?"

"Occasionally."

The Phantom Thief nodded twice, then dipped his finger into the nearest platter of food. He stuck his finger into his mouth, and promptly spat out whatever it was he just ate.

"Let's talk business, then," the Phantom announced magnanimously. "You're here for what I've stolen from you, is that right?"

"Yes."

"And what are you willing to do to have it back?"

Shuichi blinked. "I don't have to do anything since it's rightfully mine."

There was a stunned silence, followed by loud laughter. The Phantom Thief clutched his sides and his head dipped out of sight for several moments, but Shuichi could imagine the amused expression that was currently on his face.

"That's not how it works here, sorry." He didn't sound apologetic at all. "You have to try harder than that if you want your flask back."

Immediately, Shuichi's eyes were drawn to the glass standing between them. The Phantom Thief applauded him.

"That's right, that's where it is!"

The Phantom Thief stood up and turned to face his chair, then he put one foot up on it, followed by the other. He climbed onto the cushion, then the table with the nimble movements Shuichi just vaguely remembered from their first encounter.

"You see, this wasn't my first heist," the Phantom spoke while he kicked food, delicate china and expensive cutlery aside with the tip of his shoes. He walked to the middle of the table until he could reach for the vials shining in the candlelight. "Yours wasn't all that difficult to catch, either. But it's very special to me, so I can't give it back so easily."

The vial at the very top, placed in the spot of honor, was removed from the overall tower by the Phantom's hands, then held to his chest as if cradling a child.

"So, what is your proposition?"

Shuichi frowned as he watched the navy blue liquid inside slosh. He wondered what would happen if it fell, then broke. Shuichi clutched his hands to his knees.

"What could you possibly see in my sadness?" Shuichi inquired, and if he sounded miffed, well. He was. "Wouldn't it be more rewarding to steal someone's happiness?"

The Phantom contorted his face into a grimace. It made the paint on his cheek distort disturbingly.

"For the record, we don't steal anyone's happiness. That's against the rules." He tilted his head. "Right?"

The question wasn't directed at him. He saw nine heads, nine people all dressed similar to the Phantom Thief, nod in agreement then disappear before Shuichi could process that he wasn't hallucinating. He shuddered as he realized he was being watched by whoever those people were.

"I suppose that's fair," Shuichi conceded. He added, mildly, "But that doesn't explain why you did it, and why you won't return it to me."

The Phantom Thief rolled the flask in his hands and spun a circle himself as he went over the question.

"You wouldn't remember anyway," the Phantom decided.

"Enlighten me."

The Phantom was slightly taken aback by the response, a small stumble to his steps a proof of it.

"...Huh." The Phantom thought and thought, and finally said, "You felt sadness for me."

Shuichi furrowed his head. He was sure he wouldn't have forgotten about an encounter like that.

"When?"

"In a dream."

The Phantom decided to continue his track, this time towards Shuichi. There was more clatter as everything in his path was damaged beyond use. He came to stand above Shuichi, chin tilted up as he looked down on Shuichi.

"Or maybe I'm lying,?" The Phantom Thief challenged. "You'll have to find out yourself, all you have to do is remember. Now, I'll be taking this--"

Shuichi grabbed his ankle before the Phantom could turn on his heels. The Phantom tested the strength of his grip, but didn't try to break free.

"What do you want?" Shuichi asked.

"Oh?"

"We could strike a bargain."

The Phantom smiled in clear self-satisfaction, and from this angle it looked especially cat-like.

"Aren't you the courageous type," the Phantom complimented.

"It can't be anything too bad," Shuichi defied, but the words weren't convincing even to himself.

"You're so lucky I have just the thing in mind today, and it should cause you little to no pain, as long as you don't struggle too much." The Phantom Thief bent down, and suddenly he was crouching and leaning close to Shuichi. "How about it?"

"I'd like to hear what it is, first."

The Phantom Thief giggled. "Alright." He tilted the vial this and that way, showing it up to Shuichi. He inched himself a tad bit closer. "I'll give you your precious emotions, the one I've been treasuring… I'll give it to you, as long as you kiss me in return."

Shuichi couldn't help but gape. He was back to clutching his knees, for an entirely different reason. 

"...Is that all?" Shuichi choked.

"You're blushing," The Phantom pointed out without mercy. He watched Shuichi as his face went through the full spectrum of the color red. "So, what will it be? Take it or leave it, I won't take any other bargains, and I won't wait forever. Tick tock, Shuichi."

Shuichi swallowed dryly, and, with his head blessedly blank, pushed himself up by the chair's armrest, and his head met the Phantom's halfway. Shuichi expected him to be cold, to be a corpse covered by a porcelain face, but the Phantom was warm and pliant above him. The Phantom's hands trembled and Shuichi had to grab for the vial before it fell. The sudden touch of skin on skin broke Shuichi's thread of reason, and his other hand found the Phantom's hair and stroked the back of his head.

The Phantom's lips tasted of nothing. Shuichi exhaled softly and found some echo of a distant memory, not his own. Shuichi pulled back, vial in hand.

"Was that enough?" Shuichi asked, voice hoarse.

The Phantom was unresponsive for a beat. Then, he leaped forward, kissed the corner of Shuichi's mouth and demanded, "Call me Kokichi."

"I can do that."

Without a moment's delay, Shuichi downed the contents of the glass vials. It went down like a block of ice. Shuichi watched Kokichi from the corner of his eyes, and the boy did the same.

"This won't be the last you'll see of me, you know," Kokichi commented.

"I'm not afraid."

Kokichi smiled, sharp teeth in his mouth and glitter at the corner of his eyes, with a mess of a hair that framed his innocent looking face.

"Good, I won't stop until I have your heart."

Shuichi chose not to reply. As he left Kokichi standing alone atop the table, too small among the too big furniture, Shuichi could finally feel the stab of sadness that came from the sight. 

#kokichi ouma #shuichi saihara #saiouma #oumasai #danganronpa #ndrv3 #my writing

[jae-writes-fanfiction]

Caviar and Cigarettes

Ashton x Reader  -  Collab Masterlist - 3763 Words - Part 1 of 1

Notes: this was written as part of a collab event as a gift for @mermaidcashton using a mix of their different suggested tropes but specifically ‘waking up in vegas.’ I hope you enjoy it ❤️ also I’ve never been to a casino I’m sorry this is 100% based off of what I know from TV

Warnings: mentions of alcohol/alcohol consumption, people are on a plane which could be scary, light nsfw content, some swearing.

- - -

The overhead compartments creaked as the plane rushed down the runway headed for liftoff. The sensation always sent a shiver down your spine and caused knots to grow in your stomach.

You hated flying and had everyone been back in LA instead of visiting the UK on a press tour, you would’ve opted to drive to Las Vegas from home and meet the boys there. Unfortunately for you, being their one-person PR/Social Media Management team placed you behind the scenes for the entire junket. And now, it placed you in the window seat of a plane preparing to hurtle dangerously through the sky- although your friendship with the bride-to-be was partly at fault.

Next to you, Ashton rolled his eyes as you gripped the armrest tightly. Across the aisle he watched Michael and Crystal giggle at something, and just ahead of them he could see Callum and Luke watching a movie on one of their phones.

He loved his friends and was beyond happy for Michael and Crystal but each of their small smiles and soft looks felt stifling and Ashton found himself wishing things could just be like when they were younger. Everything felt easier then, it was much more fun going on trips, there was less pressure to do or say the right thing or post the right statuses. They were just four friends making music. Now, everything was different including you.

You silenced your phone and offered Ashton a consolatory smile. “I know you’d rather be across the aisle,” you said glancing over at the others, “but let’s try to be friendly it’s a long flight.” There was a slight edge to your tone and it didn’t go unnoticed.

“You’re right dollface,” Ashton bit back, “I’d much rather be seated with my friends. Not our social media manager.”

You felt a warmth spread across your face as you tried to think of a smart response. Ashton has always been the most aloof of the four when you joined the behind the scenes team yet every conversation with him turned sour.

When you didn’t respond Ashton decided to keep going. “I mean I offense but how the hell are any of us supposed to relax when you’re here hovering around? This is supposed to be a party! A vacation! But you make it look like work.”

“That’s right Ash,” you said icily, “because I am working. I have to make sure none of you do anything stupid while you’re ‘having fun and letting loose’.”

And there you go, Ashton thought, like always making everything else difficult. Why couldn’t you just be agreeable?

“Besides,” you said interrupting his thoughts, “the last thing the group needs is more dating drama. Your last stint did enough damage.”

There. You said it, after weeks of thinking it you actually said it. You didn’t blame him for how the breakup went and for a while you were proud at how little attention Ashton gave to the fan speculation. But then he deleted all their pictures together and made a few (now long deleted) vague tweets that sent the fan base into a deadly spiral that spewed death threats at his ex and caused you more than enough sleepless nights.

You felt a little guilty when he didn’t respond with another jape- but who did he think he was anyway? Sure he was attractive but he couldn’t get away with everything. Not this time. Not after you had to stage and arrange posts for him every time he swapped partners.

You huffed and slipped your headphones in. There was no hope for pleasant conversation, and you had no desire to fill the time with mobile games. The audiobook claimed to calm and soothe the overworked professional with meditation and organization tips. Compared to the $350 plane fare the $25 download seemed like a reasonable and informative way to fill the ten-hour flight.

By the halfway mark you’d been proven wrong on both accounts. The narrator’s lilting accent was distracting in all the wrong ways, and the information sounded like every motivational speaker ever; all hype and no substance. Twice you felt your eyes drifting closed and twice you managed to snap yourself out of it. The third time however you didn’t snap back awake as your head lolled to the side.

The brush of your hair against his shoulder alerted Ashton to the situation. He chuckled lightly under his breath, for a moment you were at peace. For a moment you were someone he didn’t know, someone he might’ve liked to know better.

But moments don’t last forever, Ashton knew this to be true and before long the light jostling of the plane woke you up. You blinked slowly trying to adjust to the lights and grimaced as Ashton came into focus. The intensity of his gaze puzzled you. Was there something on your face? The expression was unconscious, but Ashton saw it flicker across your face and that stung. Not even away more than a minute and you were already getting to him.

Uninterested in having another quiet row like a soon-to-be-divorced couple, he quickly looked away leaving you once again to choose between silence and the droning audiobook as the plane crossed the Atlantic and then the entirety of the North American continent.

The sun had already set when the descent started. Outside you could see the world swathed in swatches of brilliant color and dazzling shapes against the horizon. It felt like your heart skipped a beat. The Vegas strip was everything you’d expected. The hotel itself looked like a work of abstract art, it’s glass elevators sparkling under the desert sunset.

Late dinner reservations had been made for the five of them, and you took the opportunity to settle into your room, eat an entire room service pizza, and take a nap. They would be out on the hotel’s casino floor for the rest of the night and you were more than happy to join them.

By the time you put yourself together and got there, the house was in full swing. The music was loud, the people louder. You noticed Ashton first at a roulette table surrounded by other beautiful people. You turned to walk away and look for Crystal when he noticed you.

You smiled thinly and made your way over to him, you had to. Anything else would’ve been seen as rude and that was a problem you didn’t want to deal with.

You lightly touched his shoulder to let him know you were there and glanced over the table. He hasn’t lost anything but wasn’t winning either. Ashton froze at your touch, the innocuous gesture sent a shock through his body, and at that moment something changed.

The dealer called for bets to be placed for the new round as you settled in next to Ashton. The dark jacket paired well with the retro red shirt he wore and you had trouble looking away.

“You look-“ Ashton started but couldn’t finish the sentence, his wide eyes glanced over your body for one of the first times seeing it outside of business wear. The metallic accents caught in the low light and cast an ethereal glow over you that kept drawing his focus.

You flushed, “thanks...you do too.” The sentiment felt heavy despite the normalcy of the exchange and you quickly accepted a glass of something from a roaming waiter to loosen your tongue.

You glanced back over the table and turned to Ashton with a conspiratorial grin. You leaned in to whisper and Ashton felt your hot breath on his neck.

“Always bet on black,” you offered while biting your lip as he laughed lightly. Everyone said that everyone knew that was a rookie move. But for the moment it seemed like the best advice and you were shocked when he did it.

Not as shocked as you were when he won.

Ashton turned and looked at you, amazed.

“Ash that was so lucky!” You gushed openly and your genuine smile pulled at his heart.

“Maybe it’s just you,” he said softly, the honest edge to his voice surprising you. You laughed awkwardly trying to play off the sentimentality of the words but they kept playing over in your mind.

“I think the happy couple ran away for a little bit,” he offered quickly moving on, “but I think we ought to go celebrate.”

You nodded, “well since I did help you win, I suppose you could buy me a drink.”

Ashton grinned back and quickly gathered his winnings before wrapping an arm around your waist and leading you towards the lounge. You could smell his cologne as you walked and you weren’t sure if it was that or his hand on your hip that kept distracting you from whatever he was saying.

The hazy lounge atmosphere was almost as intoxicating as the cocktails that Ashton kept ordering for the two of you. The liquor burned in all the best ways and a soft sweet taste lingered on your lips. You felt warm and giddy, and surprisingly happy to have been spending this time with Ashton.

At some point, his arm wrapped around your shoulders and you laughed at one of his jokes. Had he been sober the sound might’ve broken his heart, like most secret things do if they’ve been dreamed about before.

You turned to say something but stopped with the words dead on arrival. Ashton was closer than you had realized while talking, your faces just inches apart. The red hue of the lights flashed across his features and seemed to show how truly beautiful he was.

For a moment the closeness lingered, and you could feel a tense stiffness in the arm around you, and electricity where his hand curled around your bare shoulder. Unconsciously you felt your face tilt up towards his, and Ashton felt the same desire to close the gap.

What am I doing, you thought trying to blink out of it, I technically work for him I can’t kiss him! Besides he doesn’t even tolerate me normally.

Ashton froze, unable to tear himself away from you, the soft tint of the lights exaggerated the shadows on your face and kept drawing his eyes back to your lips. His hand on your shoulder itched to run up to tangle in the hair at the back of your neck and pull you against him.

She doesn’t even want to be here, he thought suddenly, why the hell would she want to kiss me on top of that?

But somewhere in the back of his mind Ashton knew you were struggling over something similar. He knew you were at least tempted, otherwise you would’ve moved.

A scantily clad cocktail waitress interrupted the moment and sent you both back to looking away. Your stomach felt uneasy from the tension and you drank quietly for a while contemplating your next move. You needed to say something funny, something light to keep this good energy going.

“Look at the bartender,” you said, “can you imagine him working anywhere else?” Your joke was directed at a thin sort of person who without a doubt had the Vegas aesthetic down to a T.

Ashton felt his heart drop, couldn’t you say something nice? Did you always have to be so critical of everyone?

“That’s typical,” he mumbled into his drunk.

“What do you mean it’s typical?”

“You, princess. Always having some shallow thing to say,” he took a long drink draining the glass before turning back to your shocked face.

This had been a bad idea, you knew he had some problem with you but it had been enough.

Refusing to cause a scene on the crowded floor you swiftly stood. “It was just a joke,” you hissed through a clenched jaw before walking towards the lobby and elevators that would whisk you back to the safety of your room.

“Hey come back!” Ashton tossed money into the table and quickly darted after you, slipping into the elevator at the last second.

“We were having a good time,” he said defensively, “stop being such a spoilsport.”

“A good time? Sure, it’s all fun and games for you. Didn’t you ever stop to think that maybe something is majorly wrong when you can’t go twenty minutes without insulting me?”

“It wasn’t an insult it was a comment.”

You laughed openly, “oh that’s rich Ash. A comment.”

The doors slid open on your floor and you quickly turned heel and left. You heard his footfalls behind you and it took everything in you to resist slamming your door before he could enter the room. You angrily kicked your shoes off sending them in varying directions that you didn’t care to fix.

Ashton felt his palms get sweaty and his mouth dry. He didn’t want to keep watching you walk away anymore. “Can’t we just talk about this like friends?”

“Friends?” You felt your heart get all twisty at the words, “we’ve never been friends Ashton.”

When he didn’t respond you continued, crossing your arms in front of your chest as if the pressure would keep you still and safe.

“I used to think we could’ve been. When we first met I thought: now there’s the one- attractive and smart and mature. But all you’ve ever done is play games, spew pretensions, and hate me.”

“I don’t hate you,” he said lamely taking a step closer to you.

“You don’t hate me? Oh that’s right you just hate the way I dress, and joke, and talk...” You met his gaze with a challenge and in another first of the night, he accepted.

Ashton looked at you with a fondness he had never expressed out loud and a gentleness that’s translated in how he took your hand in his and pulled you against him.

“I don’t hate you at all,” he said softly cupping your cheek with his other hand, “I hate that when you’re here you’re always working, I hate that you can’t ever just be with us, I hate that I miss you when you don’t answer a text, and I absolutely loathe that when you do it’s because you have to talk to me.” Because I want to talk to you, he thought unable to form the words in the mouth.

You suddenly felt very small pressed against him and you knew he could see the heat rising in your face.

“Professional was just easier,” you whispered unable to look him in the eyes, “because I don’t hate you either. For a long time I hated having to orchestrate and present people with you-“ because they weren’t me, you thought unable to say the words out loud.

His thumb softly traced the slant of your cheekbones as you hesitantly looked back into his eyes, and unlike in the lounge you did resist the urge to close the space between you, and neither did he.

The kiss was soft and filled with the emotion of everything not said, like all first kisses should be.

“I don’t hate you at all,” he whispered whilst placing kisses to the sides of your face, “not even a little bit, not even at all.” As your lips let a second time you both felt how surely the sentiment was quite the opposite and had been for quite some time.

Ashton was the only thought in your mind, and the only word on your lips as the kisses grew sloppier and needy. He tasted like cherry syrup from the cocktails and you wanted more.

A little disoriented from the alcohol you haphazardly walked backward pulling Ashton with you until you felt the edge of the mattress press against your calves. In a fit of giggles, you both tumbled back onto the bed.

You had never seen him smile like this before, his whole face seemed brighter and you knew instantly he was thinking the same things too. You moved in a flurry of hands and touches that struggled through the haze to remove clothes.

You straddled him to slide the jacket from his shoulders and fumbled with the buttons on his shirt until that too was discarded. Your hands trembled as they skated across his chest, and you felt him shiver as they were replaced with your lips. You slid down his body leading trails of kisses that stopped just above his belt buckle. The way it caught the light sent a delicious shiver down your spine and you tucked that thought away for another time.

Deftly you slipped the belt off before working on the slacks. You slowed and groaned softly upon revealing a dark red pair of lace pants under his trousers.

“Sweetheart,” you cooed teasingly as you repositioned yourself between his legs, “you should’ve led with this.” His hoarse laugh stifled into moans as you traced the lace with your tongue. Your eye wandered to the glittering bottle of champagne on the nightstand and between it and the heady look on Ashton’s face, you knew it was going to be a good night.

The next morning which really ended up being the next afternoon- you were pleased to wake up curled and tangled around a very naked Ashton. The pounding headache and dry mouth were a direct contrast.

You were thankful the curtains were still closed as the moderate darkness seemed to help the monster out hangover you were now feeling. You shifted slightly and were surprised to notice you weren’t entirely naked. You were wearing a t-shirt you didn’t remember owning. The words looked like gibberish but you gathered it was from the hotel’s gift shop.

The discovery prompted you to look around the room and you noticed something. Ashton’s fancy clothes and delightful red panties were joined by a pair of his jeans, another shirt, and an extra pair of your bottoms as well.

There were papers strewn on the nightstand and a shopping bag near the door that you didn’t remember buying. The cool air stung your bare legs and prompted you to curl back into Ashton who lazily smiled and kissed your temple as you rejoined him.

“G’morning darlin’,” he said through a yawn making you giggle.

“Do you remember going back out last night?”

Ashton shook his head but before he could say anything his ringtone cut through the silence and roused a chorus of pained groans from both of you.

He scrambled to answer it and you noticed the empty bottle of champagne on the other side of the bed, and what looked like a sacked minibar’s worth of trash with it.

I am never drinking again, you thought as the ringing subsided and your head began to throb.

“Michael wants us for brunch,” Ashton said tossing his phone back to the cluttered nightstand. You groaned at the thought of food and hoped it would be greasy enough to cut through the drunk brain fog.

You had to swing by Ashton’s room for him to get dressed making it a little later than anticipated when you finally got to the lobby. Crystal and Michael were sharing a love seat and as you both exited the elevator they erupted into raucous laughter and cheers that reverberated pain through your head.

“Aw fuck,” you hissed rubbing a hand on your temple. Ashton had an arm around your waist which kept yours from stumbling.

“Oh come on I expected a little more life after last night,” Michael called with a grin.

“I didn’t think Mikey was serious,” Crystal said, “do you have the papers on you?”

On top of them, Luke chimed in, “I got the whole crying jag on video it’ll make a hell of an update when we get back.”

You and Ashton shared a confused look and silently looked to Callum for help. He was drinking a delightful looking mimosa and sighed putting it down.

“I don’t think they remember,” he started before getting cut off.

“Awe no way! Look at them, they’re the picture of romantic bliss,” Michael taunted with a laugh.

You sighed, “come on now guys I know it’s a little odd for us to hook up but enough with the jokes.”

“Hook up?” Luke laughed, “that’s not what Elvis would have to say about it.”

You were trying not to get frustrated but it was hard. “Luke, what in the hell does Elvis have to do with anything?”

Callum cut in before the others could keep hounding you.

“Promise me you won’t freak out?”

You nodded and felt Ashton do the same.

“Alright,” Callum started slowly leaving time to gauge reactions as he spoke, “Luke and I got a call last night around 4:30, one of you were crying about how you ruined mike’s moment when you were too out of it to explain we came down here to meet you...”

As he spoke flashes of memories seemed to play in your mind. You almost remembered dialing the phone inside who to talk to, but certain you didn’t want to upset anyone.

“Apparently you’d just come in from one of those 24-hour chapels and we’re worried Mike and Crystal would be upset you stole the show.”

“Why would we go to a church?” Ashton asked slowly. Neither you nor Ashton were specifically interested in that sort of thing. Yet as he asked it you remembered stumbling through the lobby looking for something new to wear.

Your mind reeled trying to fit together pieces that you weren’t sure went to the same puzzle. You ran a hand through your hair a small ring on your hand catching in the light. You recognized it immediately as Ashton’s. Something borrowed, you thought unsure of why that mattered.

Callum shook his head as Michael dissolved into a fit of laughter.

“You dumbasses, you got married!”

You and Ashton quickly looked at each other and then back at the others and then back at each other trying to process this whirlwind of information.

The moment lingered longer than Michael found funny and without much else said you were whisked by the other happy couple off for brunch and out into a world where nothing would ever be the same.

#rpf #5sos writers collab #ashton x reader #5sos #oneshot #mermaidcashton #tw: alcohol

[sinafay-the-defiant]

Nearer to Death

((Story co-written with @grakkar-gorefang / @thefugitivemango . @argonas​ and @avehi-the-adamant for character mention))

~*~*~

So small, so precious… 

Grakkar was always in amazement when he held little Neelah in his arms. She’d grown quite a bit, but the orc could still hold her (mostly) in one hand. He cradled the sleeping little one close, palming the back of her head while her body rested along his forearm. She slept so peacefully… blissfully unaware of anything that had happened these past few weeks. --Well… not entirely. She got fussy around Sinafay, seeming to sense her tension. That didn’t make things any easier, Grakkar knew. A part of him was sure that it was his mate’s need for help that helped him heal as fast as he did… which still took time, of course. He’d died, after all. And he wasn’t the young, sturdy orc he was on Draenor…

Still, now that he could, he helped as much as he was able. Tending to Neelah wasn’t much of a chore for him anyway, but a reprieve from the constant attention she demanded was a boon to Sinafay. Grakkar didn’t mind. She was a gift, in every sense of the word. He never thought he’d have a child of his own; less so with a Draenei! He thought he was infertile, and knew Draenei pregnancies were a rarity. And yet here she was, a beautiful mix of her mother and him-- fortunately, a bit more of her mother-- sleeping soundly in his arms. Even coming back from the dead was only the third-luckiest event in his life. The second, meeting Sinafay. The first, Neelah. 

“... Grakkar…”

Grakkar winced, and grunted. Another nameless whisper echoed from the back of his mind. A voice he didn’t recognize, calling out his name. He heard them clearly more often his dreams, but… sometimes, throughout the waking day, he’d hear them. It wasn’t always the same voice, and they didn’t always call out his name. All of this starting after he came back from that place… from the Maw. In truth, a part of him didn’t believe Sinafay when she’d told him what her Ebon Knight friend had said. It had seemed so outlandish a claim. But seeing it for himself… it was now undeniable. Countless souls trapped in such a terrible, desolate place! He wondered… were they the voices he was hearing? According to clan shamans, near-death experiences often awoke a spiritual connection between a person and the afterlife.

And Grakkar had come as close to death as anyone could get.

For now, he pushed the concerns from his mind. He wasn’t going to let these strange voices dampen his appreciation for lasting to another sunset with his daughter. Gently, he put Neelah down in her bassinet, and swaddled her in a warm blanket. 

“Sleep in peace, my little one.” he smiled, leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on her hardening forehead. “Know that I love you, now and always.”

Sinafay smiled from the doorway as she watched her mate put their daughter to bed. She’d never imagined herself as a mother, but having a child with Grakkar was by far the best thing that had ever happened to her. She hadn’t been able to cherish these moments as of late, too tired and stressed to appreciate them after Argonas’ sudden attack. She’d been far too on edge, suspicious of every odd noise and movement on the farm. 

Avehi’s arrival was a relief in more than one way. Not only did it bring her precious information on what was going on after that horrible event, but it gave her a much needed rest from her exhausting vigil. With the Ebon Knight and her drake guarding the farm, Sinafay was able to get a bath and some much needed sleep. She wasn’t certain how many hours she’d been out for, but she’d woken up on time to see the touching display between her mate and their daughter.

“You’re going to spoil her, aren’t you?” She teased, with only a light Draenei accent in her Orcish now. She kept her voice low, as to not wake the sleeping infant.

Tail swaying, she walked over and wrapped her arms around Grakkar’s torso from behind, pressing her naked chest to his back as she hugged him tightly.

“Fatherhood suits you well,” she purred.

“Only paired with your motherhood.” Grakkar replied, hands closing over his mate’s.

He exhaled a sigh; gazing down at his daughter, feeling his wife’s warm embrace… this was perfect. A paradise he never knew he wanted. A dream from which he never wanted to wake.

“... help us…”

The moment passed, spoiled by yet another voice calling from the back of his mind. The messages were usually similar. “Help up, save us…” most disconcerting. He wished he knew where they were coming from. Rather… knew for sure. He parted Sinafay’s hands from around his waist to turn in her embrace.

“Come, speak with me.” he bid her, before passing her by on his way out of the room.

Sinafay tilted her head curiously. Speaking hadn’t exactly been what she’d been looking for, but at this point, any alone time with Grakkar was a good time. It certainly beat her standing guard over the farm alone. She -did- often wonder what was on his mind since his return to the living. He didn’t enjoy speaking of what he saw, the memories disturbing, so she didn’t like to push. Perhaps he was ready to speak on it now?

She followed him out of Neelah’s room and into their own. The bed was simple, but large and sturdy, covered in pelts from the various creatures Grakkar had managed to hunt down and bring home. The Draenei sat on the bed, tail curling around her form as she took Grakkar’s hands in hers.

“What’s on your mind, My Love?”

Grakkar was silent for a moment, simply holding Sinafay’s hands as he stood before her. Thumbs traced over the backs, then along the sides of her thumbs. He stared off at her chest-- not so much ‘at’ as ‘through’, contemplatively. Slowly, he organized his thoughts, piece by piece, before his gaze met his Mate’s. A natural smile formed over his lips; a reflex, feeling the warmth of her golden globes shining into his. He couldn’t help it, even in spite of the heavy topic weighing on his mind.

“I, uh…” he began, already seeming to lose his focus in her shimmering gaze. “I… think often about our village’s shaman, back on Draenor. Otrok.”

He cleared his throat, before sitting down beside Sinafay on their bed. It creaked, as it always seemed to when they both occupied it. He’d have to reinforce it again, for the second time this season. But that could wait. One hand kept hold of hers, the other resting in his lap as he continued.

“Otrok was a pup, when the Ancestors called on him. We used to tease him for it-- the youngest shaman we ever knew.” the Orc let out a jovial huff at the memory. “His mentor and predecessor, Meshi, she’d whack us on the knuckles or zap us with lightning when we did. Defensive of little pup Otrok, that one. She’d tell us that it was nothing we should tease him for. That ‘the Ancestor’s call can come at any time. At any age.’ And we’d, of course, nod along as we took the lecture.”

Gently, he gave Sinafay’s hand a squeeze.

“... I think they call to me, now.”

“Calling -how-?” Sinafay couldn’t help but ask, tilting her head in confusion.

She didn’t understand at all how shamanism worked, had never bothered to look into it. She’d been averse to the very idea of it due to her alternate self being so immersed. Even now, the thought of Grakkar showing interest in it irked her. Leftover jealousy…

At least -she- wasn’t alive anymore.

For now, she pushed those negative feelings back. Even if her mate became interested in that path, she had nothing but support for him. Especially this late in his lifetime, she wanted whatever would be soothing to his soul. On that note, there was a more pressing question.

“What are you supposed to do when they call on you?”

"Answer."

A logical enough answer, predictable as it was. Grakkar nodded slowly, searching Sinafay's face for… anything. A reaction. A showing of how she felt about the revelation. She understood, right?

She somehow managed not to twitch...

"The Ancestors, they… they mean much to my kind. You know this, I know, but…" he sighed, brow furrowing. "It is an honor, but also a responsibility. They call with a purpose, and to ignore them is to dishonor them. Sina… I need to answer. I need to learn how. And for that, I need to seek out a shaman." 

Sinafay frowned heavily, baring her fangs in displeasure as she turned her head to the side, avoiding eye contact. There was no question. She hated the thought, no matter how supportive she was trying to be.

“We fought so hard to finally be together,” she couldn’t help but voice, “After everything that happened a few weeks ago, you cannot be serious about leaving. There must be some other way…”

She took his hand and brought it to her face, pressing her lips to his finger tips.

“How about you ask a shaman to come teach you here. Neelah needs you,” she took a moment to suckle on his index finger a bit more before adding in a sensual tone, “-I- need you.”

Grakkar’s hand moved to cup Sinafay’s face, fingertips idly massaging the back of her head as his thumb brushed along her cheek. He smiled, unable to help but chuckle at his mate’s… forwardness. It was endearing-- and she had a point. They’d worked so hard to be together. Suffered through all manner of pain and anguish. He didn’t want to leave. But he didn’t want to ignore the call, either. He exhaled a sigh.’

“I have to find one, first. One who would travel out here… and wouldn’t get upset at seeing how we live.” he explained, brow furrowing a bit. “That will be a challenge. And either way, I’d still have to leave.”

The Draenei’s frown deepened. She’d never been good at hiding her emotions. Her tail had gone from swaying to twitching, arms crossing over her chest as she worried her bottom lip. She was upset. Angry. Not with her mate, specifically, but at the situation, as a whole. She closed her eyes and pressed her cheek deeper into his palm.

She hated this. But she knew better than to try and stop him. Orcs were stubborn creatures.

“Not right away. I need a bit of time, my Love. Time with you, before you go on your journey,” she still couldn’t bring herself to look at him as her eyes fluttered open once more, “And you visit weekly when you -do- go.”

“Hopefully more, if I can manage it.” he replied. “I don’t want to be too far from you and Neelah. Whatever the Ancestors have in store for me… it will include us all. I only need to leave to find out what that is, first.”

He tilted Sinafay’s head up, leveling his gaze with hers. Stern as his expression was, his eyes conveyed a deep affection for his mate, and a genuine concern for her well-being. He’d given this a lot of thought already.

“You and Neelah are everything to me. You know that, right?” he smiled, weakly. “The Ancestors must know it, too. This calling… whatever it is, it’s as much for you and her as it is for me.”

She gave a nod, meeting his gaze now, but couldn’t quite shake her anxiety over the situation. They’d barely begun to recover from Argonas’ attack, and now this… Leaning forward, she gently pressed her crest against his forehead.

“I love you, Grakkar. And I trust you.”

#Character Story #Grakkar Gorefang #Neelah Gorefang #Argonas the Ironclad #Avehi the Adamant #co-writing #thefugitivemango

[thenewlarislynn]

Full Moon Madness

Pairing: Bucky x Reader (Prompt List #26)

Word Count: Approx. 2k

Warnings: Mild Language

Requests Open! See Prompt List for more details!

~~~

Looking at the lunar calendar on your phone did nothing to improve your already tense mood. You’d always managed to find a way to sneak away from the tower during a full moon, be it an independant mission or a trip home. But this month, there was nothing that could take you away, and Tony was insisting you stay for the Stark Gala. 

Three days was all you had to prepare, and you weren’t sure what to do. You had been part of the Avengers Initiative for almost three years now, and were close with most of the team. It wasn’t your fault that your condition never came up, but at this point it almost felt like you were lying to them. What were you supposed to do? Walk into breakfast one day and say “Oh by the way, I’m a werewolf, just thought I’d let you all know.” 

 Well, compared to some of your other options, it may not be the worst. Hearing a knock at the door, you quickly closed the app on your phone and tried to put on a happy facade. 

“Hey doll,” Bucky said, “mind if I come in?” 

Sliding off the bed, you answered the door with a smile. “Sure Buck, what’s up?”

“Well, Pepper wanted me to check in on you and make sure you were going to be at the gala this Saturday. She said that you couldn’t miss another, apparently it’s been driving the PR team crazy.” You had to suppress your grimace. It didn’t feel like you had missed that many, but if the public relations department was getting involved things weren’t looking good. Pepper did a great job organizing these things, and you hated to disappoint her, but there was no way you could go this weekend. If only there was a way to explain why. 

“Oh, well, I can try my best. I’m not certain though,” you trailed off. Silently whispering a prayer he wouldn’t ask why, you made your way over to the bedside table to grab your phone. 

 He followed you farther into the room and you silently sighed. Well, so much for the power of prayer. “Is everything alright? Why can’t you go?”

“Well, I’m going to try my best to go, but I can’t say for sure. What if an emergency comes up?” 

He looked at you questioningly, “It’s only two nights away. What could possibly happen in two days?” “A lot could happen, okay? Look, just please tell Pepper I’ll try to be there. I’m just a bit tired right now.” Bucky nodded, looking a bit hurt at your sudden mood shift. As soon as he left, you collapsed onto the bed and sighed heavily. The full moon wasn’t until Sunday. So, in theory, you could go to the gala, but it would be a bit risky. You felt bad for snapping at Bucky, but it wasn’t like you could tell him what was really going on. 

As long as you were able to go to the facility upstate on Sunday you should be fine. The key word there being “should”. Even though the whole werewolf thing had been a side-effect of your powers, they weren’t always consistent. That being said, there was a possibility of you “turning” at the gala, which would be messy to say the least. 

Well, you should at least have an outfit selected, just in case. Walking into the common room, you plopped down on the couch next to Natasha. 

“Hey, you planning to go to the gala this time?” 

So apparently everyone seemed to notice your absences. “I think I am, but I have no idea what I’ll be wearing.” “Well, it’s supposed to be somewhat formal, so you may want to consider dressing up a bit more than you usually do.” 

“Haha, very funny.” Apparently everyone was a critic. “But I’ll see what I can do, thanks.” “Oh, you’re actually planning to go to Stark’s party?” Steve questioned from the kitchen. 

Wow, Pepper must be getting everyone to try and convince you to go. “Yes, Steve, I am. But if everyone keeps pestering me about it, I may just spend the night in my room.” Sam, who was sitting at the kitchen counter, held his hands up in mock surrender. “I never said anything about it,” he chuckled. 

You laughed, “Thank you for that, Sam. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out what to wear. If anyone needs me I’ll be out shopping.” 

So apparently finding proper gala attire was much harder than you expected. You were on your fifth store, and none of the outfits you found really held up to your expectation of “billionaire’s fancy party”. 

Silently berating yourself for not asking Pepper outfit specifics, you pulled out your phone. Bucky seemed to know a lot about formal wear. Part of you argued that calling Pepper would be fine, but something about asking Bucky just felt right. 

Ever since you had joined the team, the two of you had been great friends. Sometimes you wished you could be more, but the secret you kept from the rest of the team prevented that, let alone your own inability to coherently express how you felt. 

As the phone rang you began to feel foolish. What if he was busy doing something? Or what if he was annoyed by you calling just to ask for clothing advice? Before you could change your mind and hang up, he answered.

“Hey Y/N, what’s up?” 

“Hey, sorry to bother you. I’m out shopping for Stark’s party and have no clue what the dress code is,” you chuckled, “you know how Tony is, it practically changes every year.” 

He laughed, “It’s no problem. But this year is supposed to be a semi-formal, which as we all know, means formal but not quite black tie. Also, the color scheme is red and gold, so maybe try to find something in a different color, that way you won’t be matching with the table cloths.”

Rolling your eyes, you laughed, “Thanks Buck, I’ll see what I can find.” 

Bucky didn’t want to admit it, but he was glad you were coming to the gala. No matter how many times he tried to tell himself not too, he couldn’t help but be captivated by you. He wanted to tell you that you could show up wearing a potato sack and still look stunning, but something told him that now wasn’t the right time for a confession. 

An hour after you got off the phone with him, you arrived back at the tower, several shopping bags in tow. Wanda quirked an eyebrow at you as you entered the common room, and you couldn’t help but chuckle. “I just spent the past three hours out shopping, if you think I would spend that amount of time looking at clothes just to only buy one outfit, you’re dead wrong.” 

“Well I hope you left some clothes at the store, Y/N,” she said good-naturedly. 

“Something tells me you took my advice,” Bucky commented as he entered the room. 

“Well, on a few things. The rest were more or less impulse buys, but what can I say, sometimes you just need a new wardrobe.” 

“And where will you be wearing these new outfits, the last I remembered, this is your first party with the team in a few months,” Wanda countered.

Your smile faltered briefly, but you forced a laugh, “What, we aren’t counting pizza nights?” Before anyone could answer you hurried off, calling out behind you, “I’d better hang these up before they get wrinkled.” 

As the gala drew nearer, you could feel yourself growing antsy. When you tried to shave for the event, it hardly made a difference. You knew something could go wrong, and there was only one person you could safely talk to about all this. If something went sideways, you only trusted Bucky to get you out of there without anyone getting hurt. 

Once you finished getting ready, you walked over to Bucky’s room and knocked on the door. He answered quickly, and smiled as soon as he saw you. “Doll, you look great. What’s up?” You felt yourself blush at the compliment, but couldn’t get distracted from the matter at hand. “Do you mind if I come in? I need to talk to you about something.” 

His brow furrowed with worry as he replied, “Sure, come on in.” “Thank you,” you took a deep breath and tried to steady yourself as you entered the room. You noticed how neat it was, the sunset shining through the window giving the whole room an orange hue. “I need to tell you something, and it’s something I’ve been keeping from you, and the rest of the team for a while.” 

You perched on the edge of his bed, not allowing yourself to get comfortable. “When I got my powers, they came with, well, I guess you could call it a side-effect. Every full moon I essentially turn into a werewolf. That’s why I’ve been missing team events, and why I go away during every time there’s a full moon. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, I hope you don’t think any differently of me.”

“Why would I think any differently of you? There are people on this team that have some crazy powers, and yours isn’t any different. It’s just a part of who you are, and that doesn’t change anything. I just wish you’d told me sooner.” It was like a weight had been lifted off your chest, and you felt instantly relieved. “Thank you for understanding. There is one more thing, though. It doesn’t always happen on the full moon, sometimes it will happen right before or right after. I think I might turn tonight. If something seems off at the party, I need you to take me to the closest wooded area, I’ll find my way back when it’s safe.” 

Bucky nodded solemnly, “I’ll do everything I can to help. And don’t worry, I won’t tell the others.” You thanked him quickly before heading out to the gala. 

It was close to midnight and the party showed no signs of slowing at all. Bucky had been right about the red and gold theme, and you were grateful for your black ensemble. Unfortunately, you felt your vision starting to get fuzzy around the edges, and you knew you had to leave right away. Bucky was standing against the wall, talking with Sam and Tony. “Hey Buck,” you interrupted, “I’m not really feeling well, do you mind helping me get back home?”

“Sure, no problem doll,” he said casually. 

“Wait, wait, you can’t just skip out when the party’s getting started,” Tony said jokingly.

“I really need to get to the woods, I mean I need to get to my room.” Shit.

“Hold on. You’re telling me that you want to go out to the creepy woods in the middle of the night on a full moon? Really? Really?” 

You glanced at Bucky and then back at Tony and Sam. “I’m actually a werewolf and I need to get to the woods before I hurt someone.” “Alright, fine, don’t tell me why you’re leaving,” Tony said with false apathy.

“I am being serious. You know what, nevermind, I’ll explain it to you later.” 

Before you knew it, you were safely in the most wooded area of Central Park. “Are you sure you’ll be fine?” 

“I’ll be alright, Bucky. Just hurry up and get out of here, I don’t want you getting hurt. Plus I’m pretty stupid when I’m a werewolf, and I’d rather you not see me howl at my own shadow,” you said with a laugh. 

“Alright, but I’ll wait up for you at the tower.” You nodded in acceptance, before walking away. It wasn’t long after when you blacked out. 

You woke up a few hours later in a bed, but not your bed. Taking in the sight around you, you saw the neat room and knew exactly where you were. Bucky was laying on the floor next to the bed, and shot up as soon as he saw you were awake. “You’re up, thank God. You stumbled in at like five in the morning, but didn’t seem to respond to anything I said.” 

“I probably hadn’t fully turned back yet. Thank you for making sure I got back safely. And, thank you for accepting me.” He sat next to you, and gently took your hand in his. “You are perfect, no matter what. And I do have a bit of a confession of my own,” he paused, looking into your eyes, “I think I’m in love with you.”

“Can I confess something too? I feel the same way.” 

As you leaned in, your lips barely ghosted over each other before the door flew open. “Wait, Barnes was I drunk or did Y/N say she was a werewolf last night?” 

You barely contained your laugh, “Yes, Tony, I am. Now please get out!” 

 ~~~

General Taglist: 

@sydneyisnotawriter

@dark-night-sky-99

Requested by: Anon

Hey y’all, this was another request from the prompt list! The list is posted here. My inbox is open to requests, just give me a number and ship! (More details in post!) As always, kudos and comments are appreciated! Love you all <3

#bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes #james bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes and reader #bucky x reader #james barnes x reader #bucky x y/n #bucky imagine #sam wilson #natasha romanov #wanda maximoff #steve rogers #tony stark #pepper potts #oneshot #werewolf reader #marvel fic #my writing #requests open #fluff and feels

[rxsie-the-demon]

Brooklyn Baby | JJ Maybank

SERIES MASTERLIST | chapter one 

chapter summary: Nikki goes out of her comfort zone and bonds with Kie, while still remaining curious about what happened last summer. At a party, Topper gets a little too touchy, and Nikki (surprisingly) befriends Rafe and Wheezie.

warnings: drinking, smoking, HARD DRUGS, swearing (oops), HARRASSMENT (topper gets VERY touchy) so if that makes u uncomfy just skim over that, and a conversation about addiction/rehab and therapy

word count: 5029

Chapter 2: Cinnamon Girl

If I had to choose, B Days would be my least favorite. On B days, I have no classes with anyone I know, except English with Kelce at the end of the day.

And no one to sit with at lunch.

On my second day of school, when I realized I had no one to sit with, I ate in the library. You’re allowed to, so long as you clean up after yourself and stuff.

Walking into the huge cafeteria, with clean white titles and those long foldable school tables, I decided to do the same thing today; just sit in the library by myself, and maybe read or shop online, The tall walls of the cafeteria were decorated with motivational quotes and the school’s athletic accomplishments.

But when I was walking towards the lunch line, I saw Kiara sitting by herself out of the corner of my eye, head down on the table. Which made me feel really, really sad for her.

I stood in line quietly, AirPods in my ears, scrolling through Instagram when I found Kiara’s page. I didn’t want to seem like a stalker, but my curiosity got the best of me and I clicked on it.

Her page reminded me of this social activist that I follow that of a social activist I follow, the difference being that Kiara’s page was mostly environment-focused, with the occasional selfie and pics of her friends.

Clicking on one of her them, a selfie with her and her four friends on a boat during sunset, I saw a slightly sunburned brunet with his arm wrapped around one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen. She’s probably a TikToker, I thought. Sunburn had a dark blue bandana wrapped around his neck and had his shirt unbuttoned. Major surfer boy vibes. 

Next to Tiktok, was Kiara, with bright eyes and a bright smile. Completely different from the girl who sits behind me in APUSH. The boy next to Kiara had dark skin and curly hair. He was wearing a hat, like Sunburn and the other boy next to him. And judging from the way his arm was around her waist, Hat totally had a thing for Kiara.

But the last boy, holy shit, if I thought Sunburn was cute, Hot Blonde Boy was another level. He was the one taking the picture, with one arm stretched out to hold the phone and the other one, covered shiny rings, was posing with, like, the rock hand sign? I think that’s what it’s called: with his index and pink fingers up, and the rest like they’d be balled in a fist. His messy blonde hair was being held together by a red snapback, and he was shirtless except for his shark tooth necklace. His tan went well with his bright, energetic eyes and big smile but...oh my gosh. His hands. They were big, with long fingers, and his arms were a little veiny and-

I put my phone away. Nuh-uh, I’m not going to be thirsting over a random guy’s hands, especially when that guy could literally be dead, or worse, the crazy dude who tried to shoot Topper.

Not that I don’t understand why someone would want to shoot Topper.

I grabbed my tray, putting a Chicken Caesar salad bowl (yum), a bowl of grapes (double yum), and a water bottle onto my tray. Remembering that Kiara didn’t have any food with her, I grabbed a hamburger, too.

I paid for my food and walked towards the utensil holder, debating whether or not I should just go to the library or sit with Kiara. I mean, I should sit with her, she’s by herself and is going through a hard time, but then again, I hardly know her. Besides exchanging numbers with her yesterday and not even texting her, I never interacted with the girl. She’ll probably think I’m just talking to her to get tea for Topper and Scarlet.

But then again, I already bought her a hamburger.

I walked over to her table. She was wearing a similar outfit as she was yesterday, the only difference being she was wearing light blue jeans. So, yay? A bit of color?

I sat down across from her and put my tray down quietly, not wanting to scare her. “Hey.”

Her head shot up immediately. Her soft brown eyes looked so tired, her light brown skin looking ashy and dull. Her dark brown hair, with it’s nice, defined beach wave curls, was tied back in a bun in her hood. When she saw who it was, her face softened. “Oh, hi.”

“I hope it’s ok I’m sitting with you, I don’t know anyone else in this lunch and I thought it’d be good to discuss our project.” I waved my hands around a bit before opening the plastic lid of my salad.

She nodded, eyeing my food for a second.

My heart hurt. Of course, she has the money to buy food, that’s not the issue. She probably hasn’t been eating out of grief.

“So I’m Indian, duh,” I waved my hand in front of my face and she smiled softly, “and I thought this was a chicken burger, but it’s beef. And I can’t eat beef, because, ya know, Hindus don’t eat beef. So, like, could you do me a solid and eat this for me? I hate wasting food and I’d feel awful if I threw it out.” I slid the burger towards her.

She nodded, pulling it towards her and taking a small bite.

I poured my croutons into my salad and started quietly eating when I heard Kiara mumble, “Thank you.”

I glanced up at her for a second, only to look back down. “Don’t thank me. I bought that on accident.”

“I saw you staring at me in line. And...I haven’t eaten in the past two days.”

I looked back at Kiara, who was looking everywhere but me. I decided to just ask.

“It’s because of what happened to your friends, right? You’re mourning?”

She nodded, still not looking at me.

“I understand. Grief isn’t something that has, like, a definitive answer. You just gotta let it run its course,” I said, putting my hand in front of my mouth because I was chewing.

Kiara nodded again and took another bite, a bigger one this time. I mentally high-fived myself for getting her to eat. I didn’t think it’d work.

“So, what do you want to do for the project?” I asked.

Kiara shrugged. “We could do current events. Maybe something environment related?”

“Like, an advertisement? We make a video talking about pollution or something?”

“Yeah! Or maybe we could organize something and get a bunch of people to come together and, like, clean up the beach?”

“Or we could go out on boats and find trash in the ocean?”

“That too!” Kiara’s eyes were shining now, and she was smiling. Wide. Much like the girl whose Instagram I was stalking.

“Sweet. Ok, so, the environment is one thing, do we have any other ideas? Like, isn’t the Outer Banks also famous for shipwrecks or something? I heard The Royal Merchant sank here. Maybe we could do a project on that?”

Kiara stiffened up when I mentioned shipwrecks. Did I say something wrong? 

Shit. Her friends died at sea, how could I be so stupid?

“That’s...not a bad idea, actually. I happen to know a lot about The Royal Merchant. More than I want to know, actually,” She chuckled. She looked down at her hands, and then looked back up. “John B, my friend who died at sea over the summer, he and his dad were obsessed with finding it. We actually-,” she leaned closer to me. “We actually found it. But, uh, the gold isn’t there.”

My eyes went wide. I leaned forward, too. “Well, where is the gold then? Do you know?”

Kiara nodded. “In the Bahamas.”

“How the f- How did it get there, if the shipwreck happened here and no one knew where it was until you and your Pogue friends found it?”

She sighed. “Long story. I’ll tell you another day.”

“Wait-”

The lunch bell rang. I sighed as we stood up and grabbed our bags, walking towards the doors to leave for class. I really want to know how the gold ended up in the Bahamas.

“Well, thanks for lunch, Nikki!”

“Of course, Kiara, that’s what friends are for,” I smiled.

Kiara beamed. “Call me Kie.”

I was overjoyed. A friend. A real, actual friend. “Kie. Fantastic. Hey, Kie, do you know anyone named Rafe by any chance?”

Kie narrowed her eyes. “Yea, why?”

“Oh, nothing, I was just invited to his birthday party this Saturday.”

Kie rolled her eyes. “Be careful around him, ok? Talk to you later!”

“Uh, bye!”

************************************************

Yellow, or blue?

I held both dresses up to myself, looking in the mirror.

Saturday came, and it was time for Rafe’s party.

The party starts at 9 and was gonna last all night, but Topper wanted to take me out to eat, so at 7:30, I’m still deciding which dress to wear.

Both dresses are sundresses, short, flowy with shirred backs and knotted straps. They are literally the same dress, down to the little polka dots, just in different colors. I could wear either one, because I kept my makeup simple: concealer, nude eye shadow, mascara, and clear lip gloss.

I texted Kiara, asking her to choose a color, to which she responded yellow. We managed to get really close in just three days, which made me happy, because I felt that she was my only real friend at school, and, well, I was her only friend there.

I slipped the dress on and matched it with my white Birkenstocks. I went over to my dresser table (yes I have two mirrors in my room, sue me) and put on my white tassel fringe earrings. I kept my ‘Om’ necklace on.

I admired myself. My light brown skin looks good with the yellow and white, and my jet black hair, which I decided to not straighten, had slight waves, and reached my shoulders. I look like a rich, beach girl. A Kook, I suppose.

I grabbed my phone, taking a quick mirror selfie and snapping it to Topper, captioned ‘i’m readyyy’. He opened it immediately.

‘Damnn u look hot,’ he typed out. Ew.

‘aw ty,’ I typed back. ‘where r u?’

‘I’m omw. U have ur bag? The party’s on a yacht and there’ll be a pool.’

‘swim suit’s packed’

‘Fantastic. I’ll be there soon.’

I locked my phone, putting it into my purple and black NYU drawstring bag that also held my black bikini and a towel. I grabbed the bag hopped down the stairs.

Mallory and Krish, my sister-in-law and brother, were sitting on the couch, watching TV. 

“Hey losers. My friend’s gonna be here any minute to pick me up.”

Mallory turned to face me, smiling. “Aw, you look cute! Have fun, and be safe, ok?”

“If you’re gonna be coming in, like, super late,” Krish added, not taking his eyes off the TV, “try to be as quiet as possible. Diya is a really light sleeper.”

Diya, my 5-month-old niece, made baby sounds. I took a couple steps forward and saw she was spread out on the floor, in her fluffy pink blanket, chewing on her gloved hands. I waved at her.

“Don’t worry, if I wake her up, I’ll take care of her. I don’t plan on drinking or smoking or anything tonight. Well, maybe drinking, but that’s it.”

They laughed. “Ok, ok, just have fun,” Mal said.

I sat on the floor, playing with Diya, until 7:50, when the doorbell rang, revealing Topper, wearing a black button-down shirt that was rolled up to his elbows (bless), Air Force 1s, ripped jeans, and a Gucci belt.

He smiled. “Ready to go?”

I smiled back. “Yep.” I turned to face Krish and Mal. “Bye Mom, bye Dad!”

“Bye, hun!” Mallory called out. They smiled and Top, too, and waved.

I closed the door and left, and Topper grabbed my hand to lead me to the car. “Sorry, I’d have introduced you to my parents, but they were too busy, like, ogling at my baby sister,” I half lied.

Topper laughed, “No worries. I’ll have plenty of chances to meet them, I hope?”

I smiled. “Yep, I hope so too.”

A complete lie.

******************************************

Dinner with Topper was...interesting. Instead of taking me to some fancy restaurant or whatever, he took me to this cute little diner closer to the beach, but not close to The Cut, according to him. “There are a bunch of restaurants here in the Banks,” he had said. “But not a lot of people know about this one. That’s why it’s my favorite.” He winked, and I nearly vomited in my mouth.

The place was real old-timey, with the little booths and a jukebox. We had burgers and shared a plate of fries and a milkshake. And honestly? It would’ve been really romantic if I actually liked Topper like that.

Don’t get me wrong, Topper is hot. He’s sweet to me, like cotton candy sweet, and really affectionate. I love touchy boys (consensual, of course, or they get their shit rocked), but he’s always grabbing my hand and playing with my hair. Which would be fine, but I barely know him.

And ever since he admitted to drowning that John B kid, whatever potential feelings I had just...disappeared. That paired with his Holier-than-thou attitude and his blatant classism makes him everything I would hate in a person, let alone a potential boyfriend.

Besides, I know the real reason he’s flirting with me. The Kook King of High School needs a Queen, and with his ex gone, everyone wants me to step into that role. Any other time, I’d be happy to be That Girl. But something just feels wrong about this.

Lots of people have told me I remind them of Sarah, apparently because she, too, was a bit of a social activist and an environmental freak (no wonder her and Kie were friends) which just confirms the fact that I’m just a replacement.

But, besides Kie, I have no other friends at OBX High. I have no choice but to go with it.

Driving close to the dock, I could hear loud music playing from somewhere. Leaning forward, I saw the yachts, one of them in particular already pretty full of people and neon lights.

“Yeah, Rafe tends to go all out on parties,” Topper remarked, gesturing towards the boats as he parked. “But they’re always fun.”

I nodded, plastering on a smile. I grabbed his hand. “Fantastic. Lead the way.”

**********************************************

Ok, I have to hand it to OBX kids. They know how to get turnt.

At 9:30, the yacht left the dock and headed towards the sea. By 10, the party was in full form, with kids dancing, singing, swimming, smoking, drinking, everything!

It was a glorious mess.

Right now it’s 10:30, and I’d been dancing with Top when we decided to go get something to drink.

We went to the bar and I told Topper to just one of whatever he was drinking for me, so he got two Mai Tais. The bartender looked really worried, because, you know, more than half the kids at this party are underaged, so I slipped him a 50 for his troubles.

Top and I walked away, laughing at the bartender’s confused face. The familiar feeling of alcohol started to wash

We walked around and talked about life and the universe, and when we finished our drinks, we went to the deck.

I leaned onto the railing, staring into the ocean.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I asked softly. Growing up in Brooklyn Heights, I was never one for the ocean. I mean, sure, there were beaches an hour or two away from my old home that I visited often, but I was always a city girl. But this, this was something else entirely. The way the pale, white moonlight shined on the dark blue ocean, it was comforting, almost.

“Yeah,” Topper whispered back, wrapping his arm around my cold body, “really is beautiful.” I turned and saw him staring at me, smiling just a tiny bit. I shoved him lightly.

“You’re so corny,” I laughed.

“Maybe, but I made you smile, didn’t I?”

“...Shut up.”

We laughed, and he wrapped both arms around me and pulled me close to him. I stiffened a bit. Calm down, Nikki. It’s not that big a deal. But it is. I hate leading people on and I hated that he was always touching me.

I snuck my arms around his waist and rested my head on his chest. I’m short, I’ll admit it, standing at a towering five foot four with my two-inch platforms. Topper, on the other hand, is six feet tall, so my head tucked in just underneath his.

We stayed like that for a bit, swaying softly to some pop song. I felt myself relaxing, but I knew it wouldn’t last long.

“Hey, Nikki?”

“Yeah?”

“I, uh, I really like you.”

I pulled back and looked at Topper, who was fidgeting with my hair, and I narrowed my eyes “Wait, actually?”.

I hope he’s joking. He’s known me for less than a week! I mean, sure, you can have an instinct attraction to someone, yadda yadda, and maybe he wants to get to know me better, or whatever. Fine. 

Maybe it’s because I don’t like him that, but I find his declaration of feelings a little ridiculous.

“Yea, I do. I know we just met, but I really want to get to know you more. No, I’m not asking you out...unless you want to date, that is, but I feel insanely attracted to you.” He brushed his hair back nervously.

I could reject Topper, and risk my popularity and social standing. It could end up well, it could end up terribly. But if I say I like him back, which is a lie, I guarantee my place as the most popular girl in the Outer Banks.

I place my right hand on his shoulder and my left hand on his cheek. Standing on my toes, I gently guide his face to mine.

As I close my eyes, I imagine that I’m not about to kiss Topper, but Hot Blonde Boy from Kie’s Instagram.

His lips are soft, really soft, and Top’s hands drop to my waist to pull me closer to him.

After we pull away, he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear and gently kisses my forehead.

“I like you too, Top,” I lied, “but I don’t want to rush into anything. We just met, and I’ve rushed into things before, and they never ended well, and-”

“Hey, hey, I get it,” he takes his hand to my chin and lifts it up so that I’m looking at him instead of the floor. “We can go as slow as you like, all right?”

I smile and nod. Top cups my face in his hands, and right before he can kiss me, I pull away and say, “Let’s go swimming! I’m going to go change, ok?”

He nods, ruffling his hair. I turn, pulling my phone out from my duffel bag and sending a text to Kie.

‘sos i just kissed topper.’

I walk into one of the changing rooms and change into my bikini. As I’m stuffing my dress into my bag, I see I get a text back.

‘dumbass!!’

**********************************************

Apparently, when I said I wanted to go swimming, it translated to yeeting me into the pool and then jumping in after, and then us splashing each other, non-stop. I mean, I guess that is what you do at a pool party, but I have no idea. Usually, I just stand around and eat food and, you know, don’t actually go into the water.

It was fun and all, yea, but I was uncomfortable the entire time because he couldn’t- no, wouldn’t- keep his hands off of me.

After it became too much, I jumped out of the pool and sat down on one of the chairs, wrapped my towel around myself and feeling really uncomfortable. Topper climbed out after me and sat down at my feet. “Did I, uh, do something?”

Yeah, you won’t stop touching me, bro.

“No, no, it’s fine, I just got a bit claustrophobic, that’s all.” I checked the time on my phone. I had an idea. “Hey, I’m going to go find Kelce and Scarlet, ok?”

“Uh, sure, do you want me to come with you?”

Not really, no. “Uh, if you want, but I was just gonna have, like, a girl’s talk with Scarlet?”

Topper nodded and smiled. I stood up, shoved my towel into my bag, slipped my shoes on, and ran off.

I felt a little weird just walking around in a bikini, especially since I don’t know anyone here, but remembering that everyone else was just as scantily clad as I was made me feel a little better.

I went to the highest deck, where the eldest kids (and by kids I mean like seniors and 20-year-olds), hoping to find Kelce or Scarlet there because I hadn’t seen them anywhere else. But I couldn’t see them on the deck.

I walked around a bit and then decided to text Scarlet.

‘where are you?’

I got a text back immediately. ‘Top deck, near the front. I’m with the little kid.’

Little kid? I walked towards the front side of the ship and indeed saw Scarlet, wearing a dark red colored bikini, sitting in a lounging chair with a girl who looks like she’s in middle school. The kid was pale, with freckles, dark hair, and glasses. She was the only one at this point not wearing a bathing suit.

Why is there a kid here?

I sat down in the seat next to Scarlet and gave her a hug. “Hey!” I slipped my bag off my shoulders and leaned forward to face the young girl. “Hi. What’s your name?”

She smiled. “I’m Wheezie. My brother’s the birthday boy.”

“Wheezie?”

“It’s a nickname, my real name is- Oh, hey, Topper!”

I spun around. Topper was standing in front of me, arms angrily crossed over his bare chest. “Hey, Wheezie. Nikki, can I talk to you?”

“I’m enjoying the company of my new friend.” I gestured over to Wheezie.

“Yeah, well, I want to talk.” He roughly grabbed my wrist and yanked me up.

“Ok, jeez, lemme grab my bag.” I pulled myself from his grasp and turned around to grab my bag. Scarlet mouthed the words be careful, to me. I nodded.

“Bye, Nikki, it was nice to meet you!” Wheezie called out. I shouted pleasantries back. Topper grabbed my wrist again.

After dragging me halfway across the deck, he let go of me and turned around. “What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with me?! What’s wrong with you?! You’re the one who, one, won’t stop touching even though we’re not dating and we barely know each other, and two, literally dragged me away from my friends when I was having a conversation with them! Are you like this with all the girls you like? Huh? Maybe that’s why your girlfriend left you for some Pogue, not because Pogues steal things, but because you-” I stepped forward and shoved Topper, “-don’t know how to treat a girl, no, a person, with respect!”

I stopped talking and realized that a lot of people had gone quiet. My face flushed with embarrassment until I heard someone shout.

“WOO! You tell him, Nikki!”

I turned and saw Scarlet and Wheezie jumping up and down and clapping. Soon, all the girls (and some of the boys) around me were clapping and cheering for me, congratulating me and telling Topper that he’s a dick.

I stepped towards Topper. “You and me, whatever thing you think we had going on, it’s done.”

I turned around and beckoned Wheezie and Scarlet to sit back down with me on the deck. The partying resumed, and I went off chatting with the two girls, but I saw out of the corner of my eye that Topper was getting all huffy and puffy.

I pointed that out to the girls. “Should I be worried?”

Wheezie wheezed laughed. “He’s probably just going to call Rafe and get him to tell you off.”

“...He’s gonna get the host of the party, who I don’t know and never met, to yell at me? Fantastic. Good thing he’s your brother.”

“Technically half brother, but yes, a good thing. Oh look, there he is right now!”

I turned around and saw Topper marching towards me with another equally tall, equally blonde boy right behind him. The difference is, this boy didn’t have as much of a hostile aura as Topper has right now.

“So, which one of you embarrassed my boy Top?”

************************************************

The boy, who introduced himself as Rafe, the host, beckoned Scarlet, Topper, and I inside of his suite. He closed the door on Wheezie, though. Bummer. I liked her.

Inside his suite were a bunch of twenty-year-olds, drinking hard liquor, dancing, and sitting around this big table. Rafe took his seat in the middle, told everyone else around him to fuck off, and had us, except Topper, sit across from him. Topper took the seat to his right.

He offered us a bag of white powder, to which Scarlet and I declined. Topper took it, though, and started setting it up to use.

“You use coke?” I asked Topper in disgust. I have nothing against most drugs, like weed or psychedelics, which can be fun to use sparingly at parties or whatever, but not hard drugs like opioids.

Topper shrugged at my question. “It’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal. What the fuck is wrong with y-?!”

“Ok, no fighting at my party, please?” Rafe sighed, rubbing his temples. “I brought you guys inside so that everyone else can enjoy the party while you guys have your little marital dispute-”

“WE’RE NOT DATING!” I shouted.

“Whatever,” Rafe sighed.

I stood up. “I’m gonna go hang with Wheezie. Scarlet, you coming?”

She was about to respond when Rafe stood up and said, “I’ll join you.”

I shot a confused look at Scarlet, who just shrugged.

I slipped my bag over my shoulder and walked towards the door, which Rafe held open for me, and we stepped outside, the air making me shiver.

Rafe pulled a pack of Dunhill cigarettes out of his pocket, put one to his mouth, and lights it. He gestured the box towards me and I take one, leaning forward a bit so that he could light it for me.

I rest my arms on the railing and close my eyes, breathing in the burning smoke and exhaling it slowly, being submerged in the light-headed haze of nicotine.

“How old are you?” Rafe’s voice interrupts my zen. I open my eyes and look at the boy, who’s very obviously checking out my bikini covered body.

I laughed and took another drag. “Sixteen,” I exhaled the smoke from my mouth.

Rafe’s eyes went wide, and he turned back to the sea. “Oh shit. My bad. Uh...how’re you liking the party?”

“It’s pretty good. Besides, you know, Topper being Topper, and you forcing me to talk to him.”

Rafe laughed. “Yea, I didn’t mean anything by it. I have a reputation of being a prick, and I’m trying to be better but, you know, not a lot of people respect you when you go from being a douche to a nice guy.”

I nodded, understanding what he meant by that. “Reputation with friends?”

He laughed. “Just,” he waved his hand free hand around, “Everyone. I wasn’t a good person. I’m trying to be better, but it’s hard when everyone already expects me to act a certain way and don’t give me a chance to change.”

I noticed the rings on his hands, like that boy from Kie’s Instagram. But unlike Hot Blondie, Rafe’s too old for me.

Which leads me to wonder…

“Did you know Sarah Cameron, by any chance?” I asked.

Rafe’s eyes went wide, and then he started coughing up smoke.

“W-Why do you ask?” He stammers, still coughing.

I gave him a weird look and just shrugged. “Curious, I guess.” I looked back at the ocean. “I’m the new girl, and everyone keeps telling me about all this stuff, but won’t tell me what actually happened, and I dunno, I’m just so confused.”

I turned to face Rafe, who was looking away, and I think I saw tears forming in his eyes. “Yea, Sarah’s my sister.”

Now it was my turn to cough up smoke. “W-”-cough cough- “Wait”-cough cough- “a minute.” I gasp for air and continue coughing. And after I finally manage to get some oxygen into my lungs, I say, “Sarah Cameron’s your sister? Shit, I’m so sorry, Topper never told me.”

Rafe shrugged, fiddling around with his rings. “It’s alright, I was just...surprised. No one asks me about Sarah or the Pogues anymore. After I came back from rehab-” He stopped, probably because he didn’t mean to say that, but he continued, “After I came back from rehab, I just...stopped beefing with the Pogues, especially JJ, Kie, and Pope. You know them?”

I nodded. “I know Kie, we’re friends. But not JJ and Pope. Never met ‘em, don’t even know what they look like, yet I’ve heard so many things about them.”

Rafe nodded. “They’re not bad kids, really. My time away made me realize how much of a prick I’ve been to them. Like, I caused them a lot of pain, and for what? For nothing. Literally just because I thought that, because they were poorer than us, they weren’t as good as us.”

I nodded. Then I turned and smiled, and stretched out my hand. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Rafe Cameron.”

He smiled and shook back.

_______________________________

chapter three

#obx fic #obx #obx fanfic #outerbanks #jj maybank #jj fluff #jj angst #jj x reader #john b #john b x sarah #obx kiara #obx pope #rafe cameron #topper obx

[skadventuretime]

Shadow Crowns

Welcome to Chibi!Reverb 2020! This is my piece with the incredibly skilled @drowsystar, who not only came up with this bomb-ass idea but drew incredible things for it, too. I only wish I could have written you the proper 70k fic this idea deserves.

Rating: T

Warnings: Cursing

Read: AO3

Art: Link

“Another glorious day for his majesty the shut in.” Star yanks the curtains just a bit so that a sliver of late afternoon sunlight shines directly onto Kid’s closed eyes.

The bedroom is cavernous. Stone walls and floors hold a damp chill in the air that no number of thick carpets or tapestries can really dispel, and wrought iron bookshelves line all of the room’s circular walls. They’re filled to the brim with well-cared for leather tomes of all shapes and sizes, but mostly their slightly acidic scent makes Star want to sneeze.

“Ah yes, my faithful knight, ever at my beck and call,” comes the prince’s muffled voice.

The curtains snap close and return the room to its former pitch darkness. Star feels the slippery tendrils of the prince’s shadow magic slide over his wrists, his back, his throat, a not-so-subtle reminder that his life could just as easily be snuffed out.

It was kind of hot, not gonna lie. Too bad business and pleasure don’t mix. 

“I will remind you not to disturb my slumber again,” the prince says. Star assumes he rolls over because that’s the sort of arch thing he’d say as a way to end the conversation, but he hears the muted sounds of feet hitting carpet instead. There are still no candles lit nor magelight summoned, but that’s because the crown prince is a master of shadow magic and likes to flaunt his perfect dark vision whenever he gets the chance.

“You shouldn’t be slumbering so late in the day anyway, your elevatedness.” Star inches back towards the curtains because if the prince thinks he gives up that easily, he’s got another thing coming. The sliver of daylight at the edge of the thick fabric cuts off abruptly, like the shadows were thick and solid. Whatever; his princeliness is probably just standing there to be stubborn. A little light will clear things up—

Sunlight stabs him in the eyes as the blinds fly back open. “How unusually perceptive of you,” says the prince, now across the room on an overstuffed low couch, a book cocked at an obnoxiously relaxed angle in one hand. He’s fully dressed and there’s not a trace of his night clothes; maybe that’s what all the dark was for. “What brings you here at this unusual hour? Isn’t it time for you to pester the palace guard about sparring matches again?”

Star waves his hand. “I got bored when nobody could disarm me. Hey, let’s go to the market today — there are supposed to be fireworks in the plaza after sunset.”

The prince looks up from his book with an eyebrow already bent at precisely ‘are you an idiot’ degrees. “The main plaza? In the center of the city?”

“Yup.”

“The one with traders from all over the world?”

“That’s the one.” 

“With huge crowds and unlimited rooftops for an assassin to spy from?”

“For the crown prince, you sure are pretty stupid about your own kingdom, huh?”

The book closes with a crisp smack. “For a bodyguard, you sure are an idiot. Do you really think you could keep me safe from the literal hundreds of possible angles a potential assailant could reach us from? I know father hired you on your merits as a swordsman, but he clearly didn’t give your head close enough scrutiny.”

“Come onnnn, it’ll be fine. You haven’t left this room since I was assigned to you three months ago. You need a little sun, get some fresh air.”

The prince exhales and recrosses his legs, a tell Star has learned means his patience is running thin, but in all honesty he doesn’t seem to have much to start with. “Ah yes, the shadow mage needs sunlight. Truly your minutes of education trump the years I’ve spent honing my craft.” To punctuate his words, the room fluctuates between grey scale and daylight, but each flash of the former has contorted figures that get closer in Star’s peripheral vision. 

“Yeah, yeah, you’re a prodigy or whatever,” Star says, blinking away the grotesque afterimages. “But seriously, you really stay in here all day?”

“It’s for my safety,” the prince replies, his voice heavy with something Star can’t quite place. “I’ve told you this before. It’s why you’re here.”

Star walks over to the window and looks down at the city below. Neat stone buildings unfold like nesting dolls from the castle’s fortified walls, on lower ground than the castle proper. Another wall encircles the central part of the city on even lower ground, and in the distance straw covered roofs make up the final, outer ring. It’s on that level that the festival is taking place this evening, far from the imposing iron and tomb-like stone of the castle. 

It’s also where, if everything goes to plan, the prince will die. 

“Exactly, it’s why I’m here. You’ve been safe so far, no one’s tried to kill you at all since I’ve been around!” 

“I never leave this wing of the castle.”

“Which is why you need this. Come on, they’re going to have all kinds of great food and entertainment and—“ Star lowers his voice, “I heard that the work of that brainiac scholar you’re always crying about will be sold there.” 

The prince stands up abruptly. “Eibon’s work will be there?”

“Yeah, that guy. Heard it from some of the organizers themselves at the pub last night.”

He hadn’t, really. Star just knows that the prince will do anything to get his hands on work by the contemporary scholar Eibon, something to do with shadow and light magic protection. It’s all above his attention span and pay grade. 

Pain seizes his chest and a snarled HURRY UP BRAT rings in his ears for a split second. Though he knows it’s invisible, Star can feel the rune etched into his soul. The only reason he’s free at all, alive even, is because his loving father saw fit to give him one last chance to redeem himself in his family’s eyes. But like any dog, Star has to be kept on a leash, and over the last few weeks these intermittent pain reminders have gotten more common. Papa dear must be getting impatient despite the regular correspondence. 

Star tunes back into the prince giving him a critical look. “Sorry, indigestion. You know me and those firecracker skewers.”

The prince curls his lip. “Naturally. All right, if there’s a chance to procure more of Eibon’s writings, then there’s nothing else to be said. Meet me here in one hour with everything you need to be stealthy but effective in a fight. I’ll weave a shadow disguise of course, but the ones I’m worried about will be able to see through it. Am I clear?”

“As a mountain spring,” Star says. He leaves before the prince can add any other fussy demands to the list and walks along the stark stone hallway towards his chambers on the other side of the prince’s. 

Well, he finally did it. It’s taken months to get to this point, but tonight’s his first real shot at completing the mission and being freed from his father’s grip. It took him weeks of painstaking deception to lie his way into the right circles to get a pulse of the city’s underground, but it was worth it to become part of the whisper network of assassins. There will be a group of shadow mage trained assassins at and around the market tonight, and he already has an ironclad alibi lined up. 

It should be a happy occasion, but instead he feels antsy, like he didn’t do enough pushups before his morning run. Whatever, it’s probably excitement, even though excitement doesn’t usually leave him with a sense of dread. 

Star splashes some water on his face from the shallow bowl next to the bath for just that use, and spends the next hour sharpening and cleaning his sword. And daggers. And throwing stars. Sharp edges are a man’s best friend, after all. 

The sun is just dipping below the horizon when the two of them set out. Because the prince is technically not allowed to leave the castle, Star has to play lookout while the prince weaves a very complicated piece of shadow magic that allows them to pass the various entry guards without detection. 

The magic feels cool and slippery on him, like he’s veiled in silk. It’s strangely intimate, too, with echoes of the prince’s soul woven through. Magic is like a sixth sense, an extra way of knowing, and Star quite frankly doesn’t want to know anything else about the man whose assassination he’s recently planned. That his magic tastes like packed snow, for example, or makes Star’s own shadow magic crackle at his fingertips eager to be unleashed.

“Stop thinking so much, it’s unbecoming,” the prince whispers from a pace behind Star. Star makes a rude gesture over his shoulder and walks a little faster; whatever else this magic does, it’s a little too close for comfort.

They have passed the most heavily staffed guard towers and just slipped past the mid-tier gate into the lower circle. The crowds are heavier here and the buildings more tightly packed, leaving plenty of narrow alleys for them to slip into should they decide they’re ready to become visible again.

“Hey, do you know where you’re going?” whispers the prince. 

Something in his tone makes Star turn around. The prince’s eyes are wide and glittering with the reflected light from the many torches lining the street. He’s looking with such rapt attention that it’s almost like-- 

“Wait, you’ve been here before, right? Like before there was a bounty on your head?”

The prince blinks and it’s like a door closes. “No, of course not. I wasn’t allowed out of the castle proper. I was just making sure you knew because you have the attention span of a small rodent and I didn’t want us straying far from the event. Remember, we’re going in, getting some scrolls, and coming out.” 

“Yes, your supreme nitpickyness.” 

Star leads them down an alley a few blocks further in so the prince can undo his magic. They’re both dressed modestly in simple cotton cloaks so they don’t attract attention, and the prince has modified his features enough to look like a bad caricature of himself. Anyone without the ability to detect shadow magic will be none the wiser. 

Most of the crowd is gathered near a huge bonfire a few streets down at one of the openings to the market square, where scores of merchants and stalls are lined up. Star can hear faint music of at least three different varieties playing, and the smell of frying fat and savory spices hangs heavy in the air. A quick scan of the buildings around the square doesn’t reveal much, but his night vision is already ruined by the bonfire and a trained assassin wouldn’t be so easy to spot, anyway.

Not that it matters, he reminds himself. The whole point is for the prince to bite it.

“So where is the scholar with Eibon’s writings?” The prince has his cowl up despite the illusions he wove and looks distinctly out of place.

“Beats me, these sorts of things are never very organized. We’ll just have to find it!” 

The prince wrinkles his nose. “Fine. But let’s be efficient. We should start from the west and comb east, with the bonfire being the center point.”

“Ugh, do you ever relax? This is a festival, lighten up, go with the flow, have some fried food.”

“I have never once in my life ‘gone with the flow.’”

“And it shows.” 

The prince throws his hands up. “Fine. We’ll do it your way. Lead on, I cannot wait to see what unnecessary trials we must endure and how much ground we recross with your barbaric method.” 

Star grins. “Now we’re talkin’!” 

He leads the prince past the bonfire and into the market proper. The music is louder here, and the merchants manning the closest stalls begin to call out to them about the superiority of their wares. 

“Now we begin looking for your fancy ink on paper.”

Star knows the exact writings aren’t here, of course, but it’s strangely fun to lead the prince around like this. He’s like a baby goat, all leg and headbutts, but also kinda cute.

“Come with me this way,” the prince says imperiously. A booth with a giant mallet and a man asking to see who is strong enough to ring the bell has caught Star’s eye though, so he says, “One sec, let me just do this real quick.” He tosses a coin to the man, rolls his shoulders, and grabs the mallet.

The bell makes a satisfying ding when the slider hits it. “That’s right, I’m amazing. Hey pri--er, hey Kid, did you see that?” Star looks around for the person he’s ostensibly body-guarding to no avail. “Hey, where are you?”

He heads back down the closest stall walkway and scans the crowd -- nothing again. He does the same for the other two closest walkways and feels something like panic burning in his chest. Did the assassins get him already? Is his job over? Why does he hate the thought of that?

“There you are, you oaf,” calls a familiar voice from behind him. Relief floods his system; the prince is safe.

“Where did you go?” Star says, rounding on him. “You’re supposed to stay by me for protection, remember?”

“You’re not doing a very good job if you can’t even keep track of your charge,” the prince replies archly. “Here.” He extends a skewer of steaming, dripping meat that smells faintly of chilies.

“Uh.” Star accepts it and looks from it to the prince and back again. “You went and got…?”

“Firecracker skewers. Didn’t you say you like them? Unlike you, I remember what people tell me.”

Oh. Oh no. The baby goat brought him meat on a stick. This wasn’t in the assassination manual. “Yeah, I uh, I do. Very tasty.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” the prince replies and holds up a skewer of his own. 

“Wait, that might be a bit--”

The prince removes the top chunk of meat with a neat bite. He chews for a moment, swallows, and then starts coughing. “Pain--water--why do you like this?”

Star dashes over to the nearest food stall and gets a huge pocket of fried dough. “Here, take a bite of this, it might help.”

The prince pulls Star’s hand closer and takes a bite without grabbing the dough for himself. “Why would you subject yourself to this?” he gasps after a few more bites of fried dough. “I mean, I suppose the after burn is somewhat pleasant, and the flavor is acceptable once you can taste again, but really, there are more elegant ways to season meat.”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s not up to your impeccable palette. Come on, we got scrolls to find.”

Star leads them around the western half of the market, laughing at the prince’s obvious fascination with it all. They try a few more food items and look at a few more booths before the hairs on the back of Star’s neck begin to stand up. He might not have done the kinds of hardcore training he was subjected to growing up recently, but his instincts are still on par. They’re definitely being tracked; looks like the fun is over.

“Hey, let’s look at the east side of the market,” Star says, his chest getting tighter. The east side has a few more quiet alleys the prince could be grabbed in. Better to get this over with quickly.

“Okay,” the prince says, and that simple word almost stops Star dead in his tracks. They’re having a civil conversation! The prince listened to him! The doubt in his gut twists his insides up.

They lightly browse a few stalls on the other side while Star becomes more and more conflicted. The more he thinks about it, the more he doesn’t want to kill the prince after all, consequences be damned. But what about his father? What about this thrice-damned soul window his father inflicted on him? If he can’t deal with that, he won’t be able to hide his treachery for very long anyway.

Any further deliberation is cut off by a cry of, “Scrolls! Scrolls! Get your scrolls here!”

The prince perks up and heads over immediately, making Star have to almost jog to keep up. The merchant is at the edge of the square, half wreathed in shadow, and -- oh shit, they’re walking right into an ambush aren’t they.

“You said you had some scrolls?” the prince says.

The merchant gives him an oily smile and says, “Yes, right this way, sir.” He gestures to a chest at the opening of an alley.

“I don’t think we should--” A hand comes around Star’s mouth and cuts him off. He reflexively bites down and slams his elbow back, freeing himself while his would-be captor grunts in pain. “Kid, look out!”

The prince jerks around just in time to see another man emerging from the alley behind him. With a flick of his wrist, he binds the man in coils of shadow and tries to jump away from the merchant, who has now revealed a wicked dagger.

“Don’t worry, this will all be over soon,” he croons before lunging at the prince.

Another coil of shadow stops the attack and it looks like the prince is in the process of doing something more complicated when his entire body goes rigid and the merchant snaps free.

“Another shadow mage,” gasps the prince. Star knows he could leave right now, escape himself and leave the prince to be murdered, but his heart isn’t in it anymore. It was the damn meat, he tells himself.

“I’m on it,” Star says, reaching in and down into his own shadow magic. Dark flames wreathe his blade from hilt to tip, blowing in a wind not from this plane. He focuses and sees the thin threads holding the prince in place. But before he can act on it, a third mage appears and begins preparing something nasty.

“Do something,” wheezes the prince, and if that isn’t a challenge, Star doesn’t know what is. He dives into a roll to dodge a thrown dagger and cut the first thread imprisoning the prince. This puts him in range to kick the merchant in the chest and send him flying.

“Chill out princess, I got this,” Star says with the cockiest grin he can muster. He dials up the intensity of his shadow flames and sends them in an arc to push back the two mages in the alley, and on the end of that stroke cuts the remaining threads binding the prince. “You good now, or do you still need me to do literally everything for you?”

There’s that glare that can boil ice. “I’ll take it from here, thank you.” The prince’s eyes seem to get blacker and the alleyway flickers in and out of grey scale. 

“No way, you’re not getting all the glory for this one.” Star leaps back in to punch one of the mages across the chin before the prince’s terror magic makes the others run screaming away from them.

“Well, that could have gone better,” the prince says. He sounds shaken, even though he doesn’t look like he has any big injuries.

“Yeah, I think it’s time we got back to the castle. Had enough fun for a week or so.”

“Remind me never to listen to your idea of fun ever again.”

“You say that now, your royal meat-on-a-stick-ness.”

The prince rolls his eyes and begins to reweave the invisibility illusion. “Shut up and lead us home.” 

“See now you’re talking sense, because I won’t lead us into an obvious trap.”

As they bicker on the way back to the castle, mostly in whispers and unconscious shadow magic pulses, Star’s worries about what will happen to him fade. He’s never been one for thinking too far into the future; for now, he’s got a grumpy prince and a belly full of meat, and there will be plenty of time for the rest. Later. Much, much later.

#soul eater #deathstar #reverb 2020 #madi tries words #they're idiots and i love them

[arknights-imagines]

Mostima's reaction to seeing that Bison is also contracted to Rhodes Island. While Doctor deals with Bison who's first day isn't exactly easy either ?

Tysm for the request anon! ✨ I liked the ideo of Bison's first day at Rhodes Island going bad and him being able to relate to the Doctor who didn't exactly have the smoothest start either loll 💞 anyways, let the event imagines begin! I hope I did both Bison and Mostima justice 🌸🥺

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Another Hectic Start

Imagine format; From the perspective of Bison for the most part

Contains: Bison, gender neutral Doctor, Mostima, Bison and Mostima briefly interacting, and Bison and the Doctor meeting eachother for the first time ✨

Word count: just over 2.4k!

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How many rough starts could one person have? There was no possible way it could've been really happening; Bison was dreaming, he was sure. But, losing packages, bumping into people, tripping and falling on air, and getting completely lost didn't seem like things that would be in something as pleasant as a dream. Maybe it would be better described as a nightmare, but unfortunately, Bison was quite conscious.

The Forte had arrived at Rhodes Island early in the morning, bright and ready to put his best foot toward. He had contact with them before, but today was to be the day he began his work under Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical Inc. as per his contract. The opportunity to visit new places always excited him, but he was there for business purposes, so he had to stay focused.

Well, unfortunately, it seemed like the whole world was against him that day. He hadn't even met the person who he had to talk with about his contract yet, but he had already lost the packages he was meant to deliver whilst at Rhodes Island, bumped into multiple workers and staff; including a lab worker who left an uncomfortable stain on his shirt thanks to the beaker they split on him, tripped over his own feet in the middle of the hallway too many times, and gotten completely lost. It really was reminding him all too much of the night he first met Penguin Logistics, and it was too tiring to even think about.

Nevertheless, the Forte pushed on - he still had to find this 'Doctor' so he could discuss his contract. Bison turned another corner, looking this way and that. Looking around for a moment, he stopped before blinking, 'Have I…passed through here already?' There were so many intertwining halls that he wasn't sure where he was anymore. He had read the map of the Infrastructure complex that was near the main entrance, but now the location of the Doctor's office wasn't coming back to him.

'This day can't possibly get more eventful.' Bison had hoped he'd be able to complete his task smoothly, but it always seemed like otherworldly forces were out to mess his plans up.

The Forte wasn't sure what had gotten into him - he was typically good at keeping organized. Was it that the Rhodes Island complex was so big? He was usually decent at navigating around, so that couldn't possibly be it. Or, maybe; was it that all his surroundings were new? In any case, his head felt so fuzzy that he was having trouble thinking.

Bison sighed, tugging at his shirt while trying to ignore how it stuck to his skin thanks to the odd coloured liquid he had gotten split on him. He looked up and down the hall, his eyes stopping on a nearby vending machine. Maybe something to eat would help? Now that he thought about it, the last time he had eaten anything had been hours ago - something to eat wouldn't hurt.

Thankfully he had some change in his pocket, since it looked like the machine only took coins. Deciding on a colourfully wrapped granola bar, the Forte punched the corresponding number into the keypad before slipping his coin through the slot. Bison watched as the machine pushed this snack forward, and he waited for it to fall. Or, well, he was waiting for it to fall, when the machine stopped pushing the snack further, leaving it stuck behind the glass.

"....Huh?" Blinking at the machine, the Forte mumbled to himself out loud. The machine had taken his money, but his snack wasn't falling from its spot. Was the machine just malfunctioning for a second? It wasn't making any noise - his snack was definitely stuck. Bison huffed, hesitantly lifting his arms to shake the machine a little, careful not to break it. Even when he did that, the granola bar didn't budge. In an attempt to free his snack, the Forte then kicked the machine lightly and tried reaching through the little door at the bottom of the machine to grab his snack from inside.

"This…." Just as he was about to resort to punching the glass, a light voice cut through, grabbing his attention. "Ahaha, hey you. Is the machine giving you trouble?"

Bison blinked, turning around to see a familiar horned Sankta; "Ms. Mostima?" It was definitely her, the smile she always wore was easy to recognize. Still, he hadn't been expecting to see her, and by the looks of it, she seemed surprised to see him too.

She smiled at him, stepping toward the machine, "It jams sometimes, so you have to give it a little beating to get your snack." Mostima pulled a coin from one of her pockets, selecting the number for a small bag of colourful candies before feeding the machine her change.

"A little beating?" The Forte piped up, blinking when the machine failed to push her snack over the edge of its shelf too, leaving it stuck just like his still was. Just as he was about to speak up about how someone should definitely fix the machine, Mostima delivered a harsh kick to its side with a small grunt, causing Bison to jump a little.

Mostima smiled at him, looking a little amused at his baffled expression, "That should do it!" Just as she said, the two snacks fell from their shelves thanks to her 'little beating'. She bent over to retrieve their well earned snacks before turning back to Bison, still grinning, "I believe this belongs to you."

The Forte stared at her hand that was offering him his snack before nodding, "...Thank you." Accepting it, he looked back to Mostima, tilting his head to the wide a little, "Ms. Mostima, I wasn't expecting to run into you here."

Mostima chimed with a light laugh, "I'm surprised to see you too! I didn't think we'd see eachother again so soon." She grinned, placing one of her candies in her mouth, "I've got some work to do here, so I come by every now and then. What about you?" Bison paused, taking a second to finish biting his granola bar, "Me? I start my contract today. I'm still looking for the Doctor."

"Contract, huh?" Mostima blinked at him a little, looking him up and down, "Hah, you look a little rough! Did you run into trouble on your way here?" The Forte sighed, for a second he had almost forgotten about how much of a mess his day had become, "You could say that. I'm having some trouble…finding the Doctor."

Mostima hummed, "Did you check their office? Hm, well, come to think of it, they might be in one of the labs or meeting rooms right now." She looked back to Bison, smiling lightly, "They're a busy person, but compared to me, they're not too hard to find."

The Forte nodded, watching as Mostima finished her last candy, "I'm guessing this is where you take your leave?" She blinked at him, before chuckling lightly, "Ehehe, look at that! You're really getting the hang of me, huh?" Mostima stuffed the empty candy bag in her pocket before nodding, turning to look out of one of the large spanning windows nearby, "You're right, though. I've got some business to take care of here, but then I'm off to go elsewhere." Taking a moment, she looked back to Bison with a grin, patting his shoulder in a friendly manner. "I'll be going, then. Maybe now that we're both working here, we'll be seeing each other more often. Good luck on your search for the Doctor! Surely you'll find them soon." With a quick wave, Mostima was already off, disappearing down the hall and around the corner quickly. Quietly bidding her goodbye, the Forte sighed. Eating the last of his snack, he began making his way in the opposite direction.

'Hah, what a day.' It wasn't even sunset yet and he had already been sent on a rollercoaster, it really was odd to run into Mostima; now that he was supposed to begin working at Rhodes Island as well, they'd most definitely be seeing each other more often. That did remind him, however, that he still needed to find the Doctor. What a day, and he hadn't even gotten to his primary task yet.

The Doctor; where did one find the Doctor? Well, their name obviously suggested they'd be found in medical rooms, but their title wasn't exactly the most fitting - Bison knew that much. Still, where would someone like them be? Mostima mentioned an Office and meeting rooms, but he wasn't sure which of the many offices and meeting rooms she was referring to. Even after having his snack, Bison still felt like his energy was drained.

He looked around, there were stairs nearby, they seemed to lead to some higher deck. Maybe some air would help? It was a little stuffy. If anything, some fresh air couldn't possibly make his day any crazier. Once he had his thoughts organized, he would go searching for the Doctor again.

The stairs were a little lengthy, but once he climbed them and pushed open the door that laid at the top of the staircase, Bison was met with a pleasant breeze through his hair. The relief was definitely welcomed, considering how his day had been going for him. The deck was surprisingly wide, and the view was quite nice too. It was a good idea to take a small stop to get some air, to sum it up.

The Forte was about to walk toward the railing when he noticed a piece of paper blowing past him. Lifting a brow, he quickly rushed forward and grabbed it, making sure to hold it tightly so it wouldn't blow away again. Before he could figure out where it came from, quick footsteps and a small gasp followed by a hurried word of thanks cut in. Bison blinked, looking up to see someone rushing toward him, still thanking him.

"Did you lose this?" He asked, allowing them to catch their breath for a second. They nodded, "Yes, thanks for catching it, I was worried I'd have to get another copy." They looked at him with a smile, taking the paper back in their hand and returning it to its spot between other sheets of paper among the stack that was in their arms.

Bison looked them over for a minute; their jacket and voice sounded a little familiar, where had he seen him before? Before he could think about it, however, the person before him spoke up.

"I don't think I've seen you before. Are you a new Operator?" They asked, finished with organizing their papers. It was after they said that when the Forte realized who he was talking to - "Excuse me, are you the Doctor?" He asked, standing a little straighter.

At this question, they nodded with a small smile, "Yes, that's me. So, you are a new Operator, then?" Hiding his relief and thankfulness, Bison nodded, lifting his hand for them to shake - at least one thing has gone according to plan that day, "Yes, pleased to meet you, Doctor. My name is Bison." The Doctor shook his hand, grinning still, "Nice to meet you, Bison; you have a contract with Rhodes Island, right?"

"Yes, I look forward to working with you." The Forte replied, noticing how they looked him up and down, just like how Mostima had. "Sorry for asking, but what happened to your shirt?" The Doctor asked a little slowly. Bison blinked, before sighing lightly. Was it really that obvious that his day had gone rough? When he got back home, he needed a nice warm bath as soon as possible.

"Hah, yes. My day has been a little more eventful than I expected, and unfortunately my shirt got caught in the crossfire." He smiled lightly at them, "I'm hanging on, though."

The Doctor chimed with a small laugh, "You're having a rough start? I'm sorry, I can definitely understand that. My first day here was a little awful too, but that's a long story." Bison blinked, "Was it?" They replied with a small nod, taking a second before turning back to him, "I know you're here for a contract, but how would you like to see if we can make your day any better? I'd hate it if a new Operator had a bad first day here when I could've helped turn it around."

The Forte lifted a brow; what were they up to? Like Mostima had said, they were most definitely a busy person. Did they have time to spare for him just to help turn his day around?

"I wouldn't mind it, but I'm sure you have important things to attend to, Doctor." Bison replied, "Just tell me where you need my help and I'll get out of your way." To his surprise, the Doctor shook their head dismissively, "At least let me tour you around Rhodes Island? I know I got lost many times on my first day."

The Forte stared at them for a moment, looking out at the sky, "If you insist, I guess I could learn a lot from a tour of the place." He tugged at his shirt again, a little hesitant, "But, it's already sunset. Will there be time?"

The Doctor grinned at him, sparking a sudden warmth in his chest for a second, "If I've learned anything from my time here, is that it's never too late to turn anything around." They tucked their stack of papers beneath their arm, "Now, follow me, there's a lot of things I think you'll find are interesting around Rhodes Island, Bison."

Moving past him, they pushed the door to the stairs open, motioning for him to follow. Bison stared at their hurrying form for a second; he had only just met them, but they already felt like someone he had been working with for a long time. It was the warm feeling in his chest - this would definitely be the start of a beautiful relationship.

Maybe his day really could start going uphill; his shirt was still sticking to his chest, his packages were still missing, and he felt drained from bumping into so many people, but out of all of the things he had run into, the Doctor was the most pleasant surprise of the day.

Yes, he definitely looked forward to working with them. Bison let a light smile tug at his lips, "Thank you so much Doctor," following them, he got ready to put his best foot toward once again - this time for a more smoother start, "I'm right behind you, please lead the way."

#shjsjsjs hope I wrote Mostima and Bison okay!! 🥺 #arknights #arknights imagines #arknights writing #arknights fanfics #arknights mostima #arknights bison #arknights doctor #arknights code of brawl #imagine #arknights imagine #imagines #fanfic #writing

[kaleidescope-writes]

Heart of Audrilluria- Chapter VI; Fixation

Modern Fairytale AU

Prince!Tom Hiddleston x Thief!Reader

Before this chapter begins, I’d like to apologize for how many times I unknowingly misspelled the word Thief. I noticed just last night and it was bugging me that I took six chapters to figure it out. Anyway, Here we go!

    There was a loud, disturbing knock at the door. It was so sudden, Augustus nearly fell out of bed in surprise. Regaining his composure, he sat up, leaning against the bed frame. “Come in,” his groggy voice called out to the person responsible for the rude awakening. A footman opened the door, entering the room quickly and turning his attention to Augustus. “Good Morning. Sorry to bother you sir, but it appears there’s been a change of plans for today.” Augustus looked at him in confusion, rubbing his head before asking, “Implemented by whom?” 

“Implemented by the prince himself,” he responded, "It seems the prince wants to spend time with the nobles individually. The day will be spent speaking with the nobles of each foreign ally in order to form a personal relationship with them." Augustus looked at him in bewilderment, planning to get dressed to confront Thomas about this sudden decision himself. "Did the king and queen approve of this?"he asked, still not understanding his motives. "They encouraged it," the footmen explained, "You are free to do as you'd like today. Now if you’ll excuse me, I will take my leave.” Augustus nodded at him, signaling he was free to go. Once he left, he began to change out of his nightwear and into something more appropriate. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

Augustus rushed down the long hallway, looking through every door in case Thomas was in one of the rooms. His search was cut short when he heard Thomas’s voice coming from the last room at the end of the hall. He sped up his steps, preparing everything he was going to say to his, at times, questionable friend. 

Upon opening the slightly open door, he realized he’d made the mistake of not knocking. Inside his study, Thomas sat at his desk, speaking to the Earl of the Algar Republic. Both men turned to him the instant he made his presence known. Awkwardly, he fixed his posture and cleared his throat. “Good morning gentlemen,” he began, “I’m sorry to disturb, but I was hoping to speak to Thomas privately. I can return when you are finished if you’d prefer.” Thomas smiled, internally laughing at the situation, “That won’t be necessary, we were just finishing up.” He stood from his chair, inviting the earl to do the same. “It was very pleasant to speak without the pressure of others interrupting us.” the earl thanked, already heading to the door to allow them to speak privately. “I agree,” Thomas admitted, “Thank you for meeting with me this early. I understand it was very unexpected for you.” The earl chuckled, “Don’t worry, I enjoyed the meeting too much to be annoyed at the time. I’ll see you at tomorrow’s celebration.” 

“I’ll see you then.” With that, the earl left, allowing Augustus to step closer to Thomas. After he was sure the earl was no longer close enough to hear them, Augustus began, “Can you explain to me why you changed today’s events?” Thomas sat down again, gesturing for Augustus to do the same. “I know it’s unexpected, but I figured this would allow me to have a closer relationship with our foreign allies.” Augustus stood his ground, not allowing himself to relax before his point was made, “Really? There’s no other reason for this change? The day before the celebration?” Thomas looked up at him confused about his sudden objection. Usually, Augustus was the voice of reason. He would never argue against something that would strengthen their alliance.

“I’m not sure I understand,” Thomas muttered. Augustus sighed, letting his weight drop on the chair. “Is there any other reason--any subconscious reason-- for you wanting to meet all of the nobles?” he asked, still not believing that was the sole reason. Thomas looked directly in his eyes, trying to find the words to confess his real intentions. 

“Gus, you are my dearest friend,” Thomas emphasized, “You’ve understood me when no one else has.” Augustus internally cheered, “I was right!” 

“You know it’s not my intention to do anything that will harm Audrillore or tarnish the throne’s reputation,” he continued, “With that said, I organized the meetings individually to strengthen our alliances. But also to get to know the oldest daughter of the Spanish Marquess.” He rushed out the last part. Augustus looked at him in disbelief. He’d heard Charles talk about how smitten he was, but to actually see it. It was as if he was talking to a Thomas he’d never known. It seemed juvenile, but in a twisted way. “Are you mad? Wait, no. You’re madly in love. With a woman you have yet to meet!” Augustus exploded. Thomas smiled fondly at the mention of the word ‘love.’ Possibly. 

“I won’t try to force anything,” Thomas asserted, “I just want to know if what I think I feel is justified.” Augustus couldn’t hold back his smile, “Just know that I want no part in this. At least not as an accomplice.” Thomas stood, encouraging Augustus to do the same. He walked around the desk and towards the door. “I’m glad you understand, Gus.” he admired. Augustus followed close behind him. “Understand, no. Agree, not so much. Wish you the best,” he smiled, stopping just outside the door and putting his hand on Thomas’s shoulder, “Absolutely.”

It was perfect. This is how he would get to know her. After today, the insistent voice in the back of his head would finally quiet down. After today, he would finally know if what he felt for her was real. His fixation would finally be justified. All he had to do was wait. He waited six days to finally get this chance. He could wait a few more hours. Besides, he needed to prepare what he was going to say to her. This is going to work, it had to. His heart depended on it.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Y/N!,” Amelie called from her room in their shared suite, “Can you get the door?” Y/N stood from her place on the couch. She was going over the information files, polishing her knowledge and getting ready for the unexpected meeting with the prince himself. Strange, she thought to herself. 

Approaching the door, she decided to look through the door viewer. On the other side of the door stood a casually dressed Augustus. Y/N felt her stomach drop to her feet as she hurried back to get the file and hide it under the pillow in her room. “Just a minute!” she called out, hoping he wouldn’t let himself in. After she made sure everything was hidden and looked in order. When she was satisfied, she went back to the door and opened it, allowing Augustus to enter. “Augustus!” She said loud enough for Amelie to hear, “What brings you here?” 

He walked into the main room and greeted her with a hug. “I just wanted to see if you lovely ladies would accompany me on a stroll in the castle gardens.” he offered. Amelie walked out, joining them in their conversation, “We’d love to! Just give us a few minutes to get ourselves together.” Augustus nodded, deciding to wait in the hallway. 

“What the hell are we going to do?” she whisper-yelled almost as soon as he’d left, “We have to get our shit together before our meeting with the prince!” “Relax,” Y/N soothed, “We know the stuff. We’ll be fine! A little relaxation won’t hurt.” Amelie grabbed her forearm, “This is a job. Not a vacation.” Y/N pulled away, walking towards her room, “Part of it is acting like it is.” 

~~~~~~~~~~

The gardens were beautiful! The entrance consisted of multiple archways consumed by the nearby plant life. Beyond the entrance were eight fields of every flower known to man in every color. At the center of the garden stood a maze of roses. The sisters stood in awe, admiring the scenery. 

“Enjoying the view?” Augustus asked. Amelie let out a silent gasp. “I’ve never seen a rose maze,” she said, still unable to believe how beautiful it was. Augustus looked at her in confusion as she walked to it, fully intending to get lost in it. “We live in a city like area. There’s not much space for things like uh, rose mazes.” Y/N explained. Augustus nodded in acknowledgement. “Well, she’s welcome to get lost in it, I suppose.” 

They walked around the garden, discussing small things; how the last few days have been, whether or not they were looking forward to other activities, their lives before all this, and tomorrow’s celebration. The sun was beginning to set, and it was almost time for the sisters to meet up with the prince. “You have to go soon,” Augustus mentioned. Y/N looked at the sunset, “Ya, I guess so. I’d be lying if I said I’m not nervous.”

“You shouldn’t be,” he assured, “Looking past the royal title, he is a good man. He’s friendly--” This is exactly what he said he wouldn’t do. Y/N turned to him, looking at him expectantly. To hell with it. “I think you’ll like him.” he finished, “I know you will.”

~~~~~~~~~~

The sisters were guided deeper through the garden by one of the royal footmen. Amelie, who was already captivated by the maze created by several tall rose bushes, was even more captivated by the seemingly endless garden. They reached a clearing with a tall gazebo illuminated by a few candles located in the center. Inside it, a table with three chairs was set, one of them occupied by the prince himself. As they approached, he stood up and welcomed both sisters with a smile. 

Amelie was the first to extend her hand to greet him. He shook it softly. “It’s nice to finally make your acquaintance, Prince Thomas,” Y/N greeted. He turned to her, taking in everything about her presence. “Please,” he looked directly into her eyes, “Call me Tom.” He took her extended hand and brought it up to his lips, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles all the while never looking away from her gorgeous eyes. 

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Y/N.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Another one done!! It’s a little shorter than other chapters because I really wanted to get to the point and set it up for the next chapter. I’m sorry not really for the cliffhanger, but I’ll make it up to you tomorrow. I added another fictional place to make the nobles have a more active role in the story. What did you think? Feel free to message me with feedback, if you want to be tagged, or just to talk. I love you guys!! Thank you for all the support! Stay safe and I’ll see you tomorrow with a special surprise in chapter 7!

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[bellemorte180]

The Curse of the Sun and the Moon

Once upon a time, there was a girl who was cursed because of the foolishness of others. She quickly befriends a wolf that roams the gardens outside her prison. Soon she comes to learn that she is not the only one with a curse placed upon her.

Written for Klaroline week 2020-Day 2-Scify/Fantasy

Thank you @klaroline-events, for organizing this! 

Once upon a time, there were two brothers. One brother, the younger the two, was noble and true while the elder was reckless and impulsive. While there were many things the brothers disagreed on, one thing that neither fought was the safety of the girl they loved. They would do anything to protect her even it meant locking her away in a tall tower so their enemies could not reach her.

However, our story is not about the two brothers and the fair maiden who was pulled between them. The two brothers and their girl were just the beginning to a far greater love story.

Like most tales, it begins with a witch.

The two brothers followed the path through the deep woods as their directions they had been given. Each held a torch in their hands to guide them through the dark. Ahead, they could see a small circular breach within the trees. They could see the flicker of fire surrounded by a placement of stones. The flame caused their torches to be unnecessary. In the clearing stood a woman who was basked in light. She stood in a circle of salt and when either brother tried to cross it, they unable to. The witch was intelligent for she knew they would try to kill her and thus she would need protection. Her dealings with the brothers thus far have been far less than pleasant.

“Did you bring the girl?” The witch asked. She was not what one would expect from a witch. The assumption was that witches were ugly, had warts and crooked noses. This witch however, was beautiful. She was tall, pale and had sandy blonde hair that was piled high on her head. Despite her beauty, there was something hard and cold about her, something that the brothers both found worrisome.

“No.”

There was loud growl that echoed through the trees. Both brothers turned away from the witch and gazed through the darkness of the trees. There they could see a pair eyes watching them. They were blue and had gold speaks with dark irises. The beast shifted slightly and they could the sharp teeth that would tear them apart if they as simply moved the wrong way.

“Do you think it wise to anger me, Damon?” The witch asked, her eyes darting between the two young men. Her head looked over to where the beast stood, cloaked in darkness. “Or you, Stefan? I need the blood of the doppelganger and one way or another, I will get it. It would be best for you not to stand in my way.”

“You’re not getting her.” Stefan replied. They received this warning before, bring the girl to this location on the night of the new moon or face the consequences. Neither brother was willing to turn over the girl they loved and there were no consequences that could out way her supposed death. “She is under our protection.”

“Very well.” The witch’s eyes shot upward and looked at the sky. Only the stars hung that night for the moon was nowhere to found. It was as though the witch was searching the stars for something; some kind of mystical guidance that could only be solved by what was written in the sky. “You have until the next full moon to bring the girl to me. If you do, I will return to you what I have taken. If you fail, it will be lost to you forever.”

“Taken what?” Damon replied, his eyes narrowed at the witch. While Stefan was more than capable at diplomatic negotiations, Damon was not. He liked strike first, ask questions later. However, the witch was protected, not just by the boundary spell keeping them out but the beast in the woods.

“You’ll discover what is missing soon enough.” With a blink, the witch was gone, leaving the brothers standing in the middle of the forest with nothing but their torches for light. The fire that the witch lit was extinguished instantly, as though it had been dormant for hours. Their eyes darted through the trees, searching for the beast but it was also missing. The brothers made their way back to their family’s manor. While Damon felt that the night had been successful, Stefan could not help but worry for the threat the witch provided. Once they entered their manor, they noticed that it had been completely ransacked. In the middle of the foyer, a body laid beaten and bruised.

“Bonnie!” Stefan exclaimed and ran to kneel down beside the lady’s maid. Damon followed, standing over his brother’s shoulder. Bonnie’s eyes fluttered open and her hand went to her head. “Are you well?”

“Stefan? They took her.”

“Who? Elena?” It was impossible. Elena was not at the manor. They would not be foolish enough to leave her there. She had to be protected at all cost. “How did-“ “Not Elena. Caroline.” Bonnie whispered. “They took your sister.”

                                                           *

Lady Caroline Salvatore awoke with a start. She was in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. It was luxurious with paintings, tapestries and curtains that kept the sunlight out. Caroline slid from the silk sheets and stood from the bed. Her white nightdress fell around her ankles. She made her way across the room towards the window covered by thick purple curtains. Caroline reached to open the drapes.

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you.” Caroline jumped back and turned towards the door. A tall woman stood there with a dress in her hand. She walked towards a small armchair that was placed in front of the large fireplace. “Dawn as come and pasted. The sun hangs high in the sky. Open those curtains and you’ll burn.”

“What?”

“I put a curse on you. If sunlight touches your skin, it’ll burn.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. Go ahead. Open the curtains.” Caroline turned and slowly drew the curtains across the rod at the top. The second the sun hit her pale skin Caroline felt a burning sensation that she never experienced before. She hissed and jumped back from the window into the corner where the shadows could cover her. The witch cocked her head and walked over to Caroline. She took her arm gently into her hands. She waved her fingers over the burn and magically the wound was gone. “See, I told you.”

“You’re a witch.”

“I’m so much more than that. You can call me Freya.” Freya turned turn away from Caroline and walked back towards the dress she just laid out. “I brought you some clothes to change into. I apologize for the way you were collected. My brother Kol is not known for being gentle.”

“You cursed me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I need something from your brothers that they are refusing to give me. Once I have it in my procession, you will be free to go home.” Freya moved toward the window and peeked through the curtains without letting the sunlight hit Caroline. “I will break the curse on you then.”

“Why the sunlight?” Caroline asked, her eyes narrowing at the woman. “Why keep me inside all day and make me a human torch? If you want something from my brothers, just ask Stefan. He will most likely hand it over. Damon won’t just spite you. No reason to bring me into whatever power struggle you are having.”

“I did ask. Both of your brothers refused.” Freya smiled. “What I need is not something they are not willing to give. As far as the curse it is just to prevent you from running. A guard of sorts.”

“And who says that I just won’t run the moment the sun sets?”

“Because my family’s home is surrounded by mile and miles of land. The nearest town is days away. Your family’s estate is hours away. Leave at sunset, it will take you all night to reach it; just in time to burn on your brother’s front steps.”

“What do you need so badly?” Freya turned away from her and headed towards the door, refusing to answer her. She paused that the big oak door and looked back at her hostage. “The manor is free for you to roam. I’ve instructed the guards to keep the curtains closed at all times during the day. The gardens are lovely at night. A few of the flowers bloom then. I’m sure you would enjoy it.” She opened the door but before she was left, she added one last clause. “I’d be wary of the woods. It’s a wolf’s territory.”

Resigned to her fate, Caroline changed into the light blue dress and pulled her blond hair back into a simple bun. She paced her luxurious prison. She knew that her brothers would come for her even though Caroline had always been one to handle situations herself. She was never one to be considered the damsel in distress. She left that mantel to Elena. However, she found herself a prisoner of the night and she found no way around it. Caroline was never one who could sit still for long periods of time nor was she a coward who would hide in a tower.

So, she didn’t. She roamed where she could without getting burned. The manor was massive and allowed her time to think and plot her escape. However, she found that it would be difficult because where ever she turned, there was always someone watching her.

“I do hope that my sister has been cordial.” A voice came to her when she was in a dark corner of the massive library. She turned to find a man with brown hair and impeccable dress staring at her. “Freya can be harsh but she means well.”

“She cursed me. That does not sound ‘meaning well’ at all.”

“Nothing that can be removed with time.” The man approached and held out his hand. “My name is Elijah. Once Freya has what she needs, she will remove the curse from you and you will be free to go home. I assure you, that you will not be harmed here. You are a guest. Although, I would steer clear of Rebekah. She is put out about the curtains being closed at all times.” Caroline shot him a confused look. She had no idea who Rebekah was. “My other sister.”

“How many of you are there? Are you all witches?” Caroline was unsure if she wanted to know the answer but her father once told her that it was best to know your enemies. He died at the hands of one he never expected so she could only assume he never followed his own advice.

“No. Only Freya and my brother Kol have the gift of magic.” Elijah paused to look at her. “And then there is, of course, Niklaus.”

“Niklaus?”

“My half-brother.” He turned to leave the library. “I do hope you get to meet him soon Caroline. If your brothers bring Freya what she needs, I’m sure you will”

With that, Elijah left her alone. She pondered on his words and the meaning behind them. Caroline always prided herself on her intelligence and her ability to read between the lines. Whatever her brothers had that Freya needed, had something to do with this missing half-brother Niklaus. Whatever it was, she would be used as a pawn until Freya got what she wanted.

She was sick of being stuck in the middle of some power struggle.

Days passed and Caroline roamed the manor. She stayed away from the windows and anything that involved the outdoors during the daytime. Eventually she worked all the way through the library, explored what she could of the manor and found that boredom was her constant companion. She rarely saw Freya or Elijah and had yet to meet this other sister Rebekah but she was followed constantly by guards. Food was given to her everyday as were fresh clothing. She once requested a bath from one of the servants and it was happily provided. Overall, she was treated well, despite the constant fear of being burned alive.

Eventually, Caroline grew sick of the indoors and the moment the sun set, she bolted from the manor. She wouldn’t go far, knowing that she wouldn’t make it to safety before the sun came up again. Instead so remembered Freya’s comments about the garden and roamed the never-ending maze of flowers, vines and stone walls. Within the first week of her imprisonment, Caroline learned that this was her favorite place in the manor. It became her routine that at night, Caroline would roam the garden. It did not take long for her to realize that she was not alone in those moments.

A pair of eyes followed her wherever she went. The first time she saw the glowing eyes peering at her through the trees terrified her. There was something menacing about them but they never moved to attack her. Caroline did not know what infuriated her more, that it left her alive or the lack of action.

“If you want to kill me, just do so. If not, leave me in peace.” Caroline hissed to the blank void. As though following her command and disobeying it all in one motion, she heard the rustle of leaves. Suddenly, a massive black wolf emerged from the trees. He was huge, terrifying but had the saddest blue and gold eyes that she had ever seen. He did not bare his teeth at her or move to attack. Instead it was as though he was curious about her; daring itself to know her better. Caroline could not help but be curious.

Being brave, Caroline stepped forward with her hand out stretched. Her movements were slow and deliberate, hoping to not scare the massive beast causing him to either running away or attacking her. However, the animal seemed intelligent, as though he knew what she was going to do. She reached for him and ran her fingers through the thick black fur. “You are beautiful.” Caroline whispered. She had always been one to see the good in people and in this, she was no different. The wolf admired her bravery and the light that she seemed to have. He became rather found of her.

Night after night Caroline would come to the gardens and the wolf would be there to greet her. He would follow her along the paths. He listened to her rant and rave about everything from being captive to the curse, to her brothers. The wolf huffed in indignation on her behalf as though he understood every word she was saying. And Caroline believed he did.

“I always wanted to be important to someone.” Caroline whispered one night. She was sitting on a bench made of marble while her back rested against the stone wall. The wolf was beside her, his head resting in her lap while she ran her fingers scratched at his head. “My father was disappointed that I wasn’t another son. His first wife gave him two and when she died, he married my mother thinking that he would at least have a third. His disappointment in a girl was vast.” The wolf licked her hands at that, as though to show her sympathy.

“My mother threw herself into charities and everything being a fine lady required. She loved me certainly, but still saw me as her failure. They both died when I was a child. My father was murdered and my mother fell ill.” Caroline rested her head back against the stone. “To Damon, I was nothing more than an annoying little sister who mattered little. Stefan and I were close though. I thought he might have come for me but apparently, I was wrong. Which by the way infuriates me! Why should I have to be the damsel in distress? If it wasn’t for this pesky curse, I would have saved myself by now. But if I even tried, I probably would burn in the sun.”

The wolf huffed at her as though he was laughing at her. She could see the amusement in his eyes and he seemed to be enjoying her anger. Caroline narrowed her eyes in mock fury and the wolf bowed his head, as though he was ashamed at his actions. She just shook her head and continued petting him.

“Well is this not cozy.” A voice came and Caroline jumped. Before her stood a young woman who she had not seen before. By the manor of her dress, posture and tone of voice told Caroline that she was wealthy…and spoiled. She was carrying a basket that was covered by a red cloth. She did not spare Caroline a glance but instead focused on the wolf. “It appears that you’ve made a friend. How nice. I brought you a treat but it appears it was not necessary.”

The wolf moved from the bench and padded over to the other woman. He nudged at the basket and the annoyed look on the woman’s face broke. She gave the wolf a sweet smile and pulled a piece of meat from the basket. The wolf happily took it and began tearing it to shreds.

“You’re Rebekah.”

“And you’re Caroline.” It was clear that Rebekah had no time for Caroline and was irritated by her presence. Elijah had mentioned she was put out by the change in the home but in truth, Caroline wanted nothing more than the curse to be broken. If it was, Rebekah could open all the curtains she liked. Rebekah continued to ignore Caroline in favor of petting the wolf. Once the wolf was done eating everything in the basket, he turned away from Rebekah and padded back to Caroline. Rebekah never looked more insulted. “I see how it is! I’m the one who brings you food! Not Elijah, Freya or Kol. Especially not her! Me!” Rebekah scowled and crossed her arms before turning away. “Fine.”

“Wait!” Caroline called after the other woman and Rebekah paused. “What his name? The wolf?” Rebekah considered for a moment on whether or not she should tell her. The wolf went back over to her and nudged her hand as though he was telling her something. “You really like this one, don’t you?” Rebekah asked the wolf and it huffed in reply; as though her question was foolish. “Don’t take your temper out of me Nik. You know I’ve always been your favorite.” She looked towards Caroline and sighed. “His name is Niklaus.”

                                                           * Within three weeks, Caroline was rarely out of Niklaus’s presence. He was with her constantly when she roamed the gardens. There were times when she would look up at the manor and see the eyes of her captors peering at her. There was something in the way they looked at her while in company of Niklaus. She did not understand why the siblings would be curious about her relationship with the wolf that roamed their grounds. It was clear that the wolf meant something to them but it was something deeper than that of a family pet. What Caroline did not understand was why the wolf was named after the mysterious half-brother that had yet to make his appearance.

It was mid-morning on the day of the full moon when she was contemplating such questions while lying on her bed. Her brothers were to bring whatever Freya needed that night and if they did, she would be able to go home. Caroline was saddened to leave the wolf behind but missed her home. She knew that the siblings were not going to allow her to bring him with her but she wanted to. She had grown attached to him and the thought of leaving him behind tore at her soul. Caroline was pulled from her thoughts as someone knocked on her chamber door. She called for entry and Freya pushed the door open.

“You have a visitor.” With that Niklaus pushed his way into the chamber and hopped onto the bed. Caroline smiled widely and opened her arms. She buried her face in his fur and inhaled. “He was rather persistent. Whimpering and crying on the back patio. Once Elijah let him inside, he sniffed you out. He seems to be extremely fond of you. I think he wishes to remain with you while I am out.”

“Thank you.” Caroline whispered as she hugged the wolf, feeling his black fur against her pale skin. Freya just gave her a rare smile and looked upon her with the wolf. “You’re leaving?”

“It is the full moon; I have to meet your brothers in hopes that they give me what I need. If that is the case, I will return you home first thing in the morning.” Freya paused and just looked at the wolf, who seemed sad all of a sudden. “If this ends tonight and you are free to go, you’re always welcome here Caroline. I’m sure Niklaus will miss you and be a right beast if he is forced to let you go. I’m sure he will seek you out regardless but if would be a kindness to us all if you come from time to time.” “I don’t think I can let him go either.”

Caroline could see that there was something on the tip of Freya’s tongue but she refrained from saying anything. Instead she bowed ever so slightly and left the chamber, shutting the door behind her. Caroline curled up into the chair by the fireplace and pulled out a book. She read aloud to Niklaus as he sprawled out on the rug below her feet. The hours passed quickly and before Caroline realized the time, the sun had set. It wasn’t until Niklaus began to whimper that Caroline noticed how late it had gotten. However, she soon began to care less about the sun setting when she heard the sound of breaking bones.

It was Niklaus. He was whimpering and crying as every single bone in his body began to readjust themselves. She quickly tossed her book aside and kneeled beside him. Tears were streaming down her face, not understanding what she was seeing or why Niklaus was hurting so. She thought he was someone how dying and that she would have to hold the wolf she had grown to love in her arms for his final moments. She quickly gathered him into arms and rocked him as the bones continued to break.

“I’m here. I won’t leave you.” She kissed the top of his head and just held him the best she could. The sound of his cries echoed deep inside of her to the point that she just did not know what to do. She thought of calling for the siblings but she refused to leave him. “I love you. Please don’t leave me.”

“Caroline, you will need to back away from him now.” Caroline turned to see Elijah and Rebekah, as well as a third gentleman standing in her chamber. She did not hear them enter of the sounds of Niklaus’s cries. She refused to let go but Elijah walked over to her and pulled her from the wolf.

“What is wrong with him?!”

“He is changing.” The stranger said and Caroline snapped her eyes to him. It took a moment but she suddenly remembered where she had seen him before.

“You’re the one that kidnapped me!”

“Kol at your service.” He reached for her hand in order to kiss the back of it but Caroline snatched it away quickly. “You’re a feisty one. I see why Nik likes you. I do apologize for the less than ideal circumstances that we met under but I’m sure you understand the reason behind it.”

“What?” Caroline was baffled but stopped when Niklaus let out another howl. She turned away from Kol and tried to rush to him but Elijah stopped her. She just watched as the wolf whimpered and whined. Soon it stopped and something that Caroline was not expecting happened. It was as though the black fur she had grown to adore and his claws began resend into him. The wolf was gone and before her laid a man.

A very naked man.

While Caroline stood there flabbergasted, Rebekah moved quickly and grabbed the blanket that was draped across Caroline’s bed. She pulled it from the bed and wrapped the man with it. He stood slowly with Rebekah’s help. He tied the blanket around his waist and gave Rebekah a fond smile, dimples etched on his cheeks. He was tall with sandy blonde hair- the same as Rebekah’s and Freya’s.

“Nik!” Rebekah wrapped her arms around his middle tightly. “I laid out fresh clothing for you and drew a bath. I know how much you love to scrub the earth from your skin when you turn back.”

“Hello little sister.” He kissed the stop of her head. Caroline’s eyes went wide. The missing half-brother. A wolf with the same name, one that the entire family seemed oddly attached to. A mysterious ingredient that a witch need that was tied to the brother who Elijah hoped for her to meet.

“Sister.” Caroline whispered and Niklaus’s eyes met hers. They were the same blue with flecks of gold that she had grown to recognize. This was the wolf who she spilled her deepest secrets to. Who kept her company and laid with her while she cried? “You’re a man.”

Niklaus pulled away from Rebekah and walked across the room to stand before her. He placed one hand on her cheek and stroked her cheekbone. Despite the change in his form, Caroline could still read the emotion in his eyes, just like she could when he was a wolf. She raised her hand to grip the one on her cheek. Niklaus pulled it to his lips and kissed it.

“Let me bathe, and I will explain it all to you. I promise.” Caroline nodded, still shocked at what had transpired before her. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. It was strange but she felt the same comfort as she did when he laid beside her in wolf form. Niklaus left the room with Elijah and Kol trailing behind. Rebekah stayed behind and just looked at her.

“It is a shock, I know.” Her voice was kind and that was not something Caroline had grown to associate with her.

“Why did none of you tell me?”

“Because…” Rebekah’s shoulder’s sagged. “I guess it just wasn’t our story to tell.” She turned from Caroline and went to the wardrobe. She pulled out a light blue dress. “Here, your dress is all wrinkled and Niklaus will be a moment. It matches your eyes.”

“Thank you.” Rebekah just smiled and left the chamber. Caroline changed quickly and met Rebekah on the landing outside her door. The two walked quietly down the stone staircase and into towards a living area that Caroline typically avoided, because that was where the siblings spent the majority of their time together. The entire time Niklaus was bathing, Caroline paced. She could not sit still and luckily, Rebekah remained silent.

When Niklaus finally made his appearance, Caroline could not help but recognize how handsome he really was. She had always thought that the wolf seemed far to human to be real and having this man stand before her, she finally could see why. Niklaus held out his hand for her.

“Come, my dear. Walk with me.” As though she was compelled, Caroline placed her hand into his and let him lead her away. They linked their arms together and Niklaus lead her outside towards the gardens, the one place they seemed to always spend their time.

“You’re cursed.”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“I angered a witch.”

“Freya?”

“No.” He laughed at that. He looked down at her and just sighed. “My mother.”

“What?! Why would a mother curse her own child?”

“Magic runs in our family but not all of us are gifted with it. Only Kol and Freya possess the ability.” He stared off into the distance for a moment and Caroline did not press him.

“You spoke to me once of your father and how he was disappointed that you were not another son for him. My father was also a hard man. Never pleased with any of us. Always seeking to find fault when there was none. He stuck us more than once out of anger.”

“And your mother?”

“My mother always seemed so loving. She worked with Freya when it was clear that she had magic. Elijah studied with our father the most since he was the heir to the family fortune. Kol and Rebekah were just young children at the time.” He paused and Caroline could see the distress in his eyes. Caroline squeeze his hand. “The first full moon after my sixteenth birthday, I started feeling this pain radiate through my body. It was the first time I changed.”

“Wait? I thought your mother cursed you to be a wolf?”

“She did. In a way.” He gave a dark chuckled and shook his head. “My mother had been unfaithful to my father. I was the product of that affair. No one had known, not even my father. My true father apparently belonged to a very old bloodline, one that upon each full moon, they turn into a beast.”

“But tonight, is the full moon. Why are you beast every other night of the month?”

“My father, ordered my mother banish me. Calling me nothing more than a bastard son.” With that, Caroline wrapped her arms around him tightly. He held her close and buried his nose in her hair, inhaling her scent. “In order to keep me close my mother cursed me into wolf form permanently, except for one night a month where I can walk as man.”

“Your parents. What happened to them?”

“When I realized that I would remain a beast. I was angry.”

“You killed them.”

“Yes.” Niklaus was waiting for her to pull from him; to hate him for the evil he committed. She couldn’t hate him for it. It was tragic and heartbreaking but Caroline could see the good in him. He mourned his loss, both of his parents but the time he lost. “I thought that my siblings would turn from me, but they didn’t. Freya threw herself into magic. Obsessed with breaking my curse. When Kol started showing signs of magic, she tutored him. Elijah held this family together and Rebekah…she was my constant companion for all these years.”

“How long?”

“Ten years.”

“I’m so sorry.” Tears were trailing down her cheeks. Niklaus kissed her cheek, tasting the salt of her tears on his lips. She could see why Freya had Kol kidnap her and bring her to this place. Why she would curse her and keep her locked away. She wanted to free her brother and Caroline could not help but forgive her. “How the break the curse? What do my brothers have that could help you? Why would they refuse you?”

“Because it takes the blood of the doppelganger to break my mother’s curse.” Caroline was confused and Niklaus could see it written on her face. “The magic my mother practiced was dark. In order to curse me in this form, she needed the blood of a doppelganger. So, she found her. A young girl from the neighboring village with blood that had magical properties.”

“Elena.” Caroline whispered. “She was taken as a child. Found wondering days later in the woods.”

“Yes.”

“She would give it. If you need some of her blood, she would willfully give it.” Caroline stated, not fully understanding what the term doppelganger meant but she knew Elena’s family was old and had magic in their blood. “Elena is kind and gentle. If she knew what was happening to you, she would help you.”

“It is not Elena who is refusing us, but those who are protecting her.”

“My brothers.” Caroline laughed humorlessly. “Their pride and mutual love for her is why Freya felt the need to take me.” She shook her head. “It is not like you’re asking for a human sacrifice. Just some blood. Right?”

“The blood we need is significant but it would not kill her. Freya would be able to heal her.” They continued to walk through the gardens. “Freya tried to make contact with her but your brothers assumed that she meant to do her harm. Granted my sister is not the warmest of people but she told your brothers that she would protect Elena, they refused.”

Silence fell between them. Neither knowing what to say. They continued to make their way through the garden and Caroline irritation at her brother’s grew. They always jumped to the wrong conclusion and Niklaus was the one who would suffer the consequences. Granted, she would also like to be able to walk in the sunlight again and while that was Freya’s fault, she could not help but lay the blame at Damon and Stefan’s feet.

“Did you mean it?” Niklaus asked and Caroline looked at him confused. “You said you loved me. Did you mean it?”

Caroline paused. She did say it when he was withering in pain. She remembered begging him not to die on her and that she loved him; she had not realized she had said it. But how did one fall in love with a wolf? She felt this connection to him that she could not explain and did not want to let go of. She did not understand how, but she did.

“Yes. I meant it.” He smiled widely and the dimples that Caroline quickly began to adore them. Niklaus leaned down and kissed her lips gently. It was her first kiss and Caroline couldn’t help but relish in it. When he pulled away, she could not help but gaze up at him. She smiled wide and giggled. She was happy and for the first time, she understood all those stories her grandmother told her about falling in love.

“You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Niklaus whispered gently and kissed her hands. Daydreams of a possible future between the two of them. Marriage, children and life in this big manner. She thought of feasts and dances were even her brothers got a happy ending. “So brave and full of light.”

“Nik!” They both turned to see Rebekah calling for him. Niklaus walked towards her, pulling Caroline along with him. When they got closer, there were tears streaming down Rebekah’s cheeks and Caroline could tell that they were not happy tears. “They didn’t come Nik.”

Niklaus froze, his shoulders tensing. Freya came into view and peered over her sister’s shoulder. While there were not tears streaming down her face, there were creases etched into her face. There was so much hope for this night for them and even though Caroline just learned of why they needed Elena. It was crushing to see the disappointment on their faces. Kol looked murderous while Elijah just seemed resigned.

However, it was Niklaus who seemed the most enraged. He dropped Caroline’s and walked over to a planter that had bright purple flowers growing out of it. Niklaus grabbed ahold of it and slammed it to the ground with a howl. No Elena meant another month of being a wolf. He was angry and Caroline couldn’t blame him. Slowly, she walked to him and placed her hand on his back. The tension in his back lessened. Caroline wrapped her arms around his middle and kissed the spot in-between his shoulder blades.

“We’ll find a way.” Caroline replied. “I promise.”

“I can’t let you leave Caroline. I hope you understand why.” Freya replied and Caroline just nodded. The siblings filed away, leaving Niklaus and Caroline alone together. They walked along the gardens, Niklaus knowing that Caroline didn’t want to be left indoors longer than she had to be. They spoke about everything that came to mind but there was an underlining sadness to it. She could sense that Niklaus was hoping that he would no longer have to transform into a human once a month and that he would finally break his curse. He was hoping that he could finally begin his life.

And since Caroline entered his life, he wanted that life to be with her.

“The sun is rising.” Niklaus whispered hours later. They were still in the garden, resting on one of their favorite benches. Caroline was in his arms, her head resting on his chest. She listened to his heart and she could hear the steady beat but noticed how it slowly began to change once dawn approached. “You need to go inside.”

“Come with me. I’ll stay with you.”

“No.” Caroline began to protest but Niklaus silenced her. “The change is violent. I know you witnessed me becoming human and the reverse is very similar. Painful and horrible.” Caroline began to tear up at the thought. “I’m hazy when I first become a wolf. Sometimes I can’t control it.” He kissed her gently again. “I would not be able to live with myself if I hurt you. Please. Go inside before the sun hits you.”

Caroline kissed him one last time before running away from him and it wasn’t long before she could hear the howling of pain behind her; but Caroline just pushed forward faster. They were farther into the garden than she expected. She ran as fast as her feet would take her. She could feel the sun rising and when the manor was in sight. She could feel the rays hit her skin. She could feel herself begin to burn and knew that she just wasn’t fast enough.

Out of nowhere, a thick black cloak was thrown over her shoulders and Caroline could feel herself being lifted from the ground. Once she was safely inside the manor, she was laid down upon the marble floor and the cloak removed. She hissed at feeling of the skin being peeled from her skin. There were burns all down her back and the dress was in tartars.

“We really need to stop meeting like this darling.” Kol’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. He looked at her burns and waved his hand over the wounds. Suddenly, Caroline could feel them begin to heal and the pain began to go away. “Next time you and my wolfish brother decide to take a midnight stroll, make sure you’re back before dawn. What would society think? The scandal.”

Caroline just glared at his nonchalant manner. She rolled her eyes at him and that caused him to laugh. Kol stood and held out his hand. Caroline accepted the assistance and took. She brushed some of the ash from her dress and mentally chided herself for not being fast enough.

“Thank you.” Kol just nodded and began to walk away but stopped when Caroline called after him. “Wait. I’m not going to run. I’m staying until Niklaus breaks his curse. You don’t need to keep prisoner of the sun anymore. You can take it away. I won’t leave. I give my word.” Kol just looked at her with sad eyes. There was sympathy there that she just didn’t understand.

“All in good time little one.” With that Kol turned and walked away from her. Caroline made her way to her chamber and changed into a night dress. There was no point in staying awake, she couldn’t enjoy the day anyway. As she laid in bed, something she didn’t realize before came to her. Among the chaos of Niklaus changing from wolf to human and then back to wolf; Caroline forgot to think of herself.

Her brothers never came for her.

                                                          *

Two more months went by without word from either Salvatore brother. Two more full moons that Caroline spent with Niklaus. She grew to know him more and more. Her feelings for her grew deeper and she knew that he loved him in return. When he was in wolf form, he padded behind her; an ever-loyal companion. His siblings even commented on how much more pleasant Niklaus seemed to be; even in wolf form. His temper seemed calmer and he lashed out at them far less. Each took turns telling tales of Niklaus and his adventures over the years; something he did not like.

He only growled at his siblings and would go off to pout in a corner at their teasing.

Caroline eventually formed something of an odd friendship with both Rebekah and Kol. Rebekah was very spoiled and threw several temper tantrums that were fit for a small child. Niklaus would huff and whimper when she did so. But Caroline was patient with her and was able to calm her down to the amazement of the rest of their siblings.

With Kol, he just made her laugh. He showed her magic tricks that both delighted and terrified her. While Niklaus enjoyed Caroline’s friendship with Rebekah, he seemed rather jealous of Kol. Even in wolf form, he made his jealousy easily known; which only made Kol happier for he enjoyed vexing all of his siblings.

Caroline’s relationship with Elijah and Freya was different. They were kind to her but the eldest siblings were far harder to get to know. Elijah was busy most of the time, running the manor and doing whatever it was that he needed to do as lord of his estate. Freya was just far too powerful and focused on her magic to get close too. She could tell that Freya was obsessed with breaking the curse and would not let anything get in her way.

Even if that meant taking down both of her brothers in the process.

It was a typical day, nothing special about it when Caroline heard commotion outside her chamber door. Elijah was due in town for business and promised to take Rebekah with him. He promised her a new dress and Rebekah literally spoke of nothing else. It was three days travel to and from so they were not expected back for a few more days. Freya was gone, meeting with a coven of witches with claims of needing to find a very special ring. No one seemed to question her on it.

That just left Kol in the manor with Caroline and Niklaus. Niklaus, who was still in wolf form, were having a lazy day and had not left her chambers. She read on the fur rug by the fireplace while scratching Niklaus’s ears. The wolf snored and purred in his sleep; something Caroline could not help but chuckle at. It wasn’t until her chamber door burst open that Niklaus was on all fours, growling and baring his teeth.

“Damon?” Caroline stood quickly and looked towards her eldest brother. He was dressed in plain clothes, which was not common for him. He liked to dress like a man of his status, wealthy and noble. Caroline stood and pushed her book aside. “What-?”

“Come on. We don’t have much time.” Damon stepped towards her but Niklaus got in-between them. Damon halted as though seeing the giant wolf for the first time. Damon pulled a sword from his belt as though he was expecting the beast before him. Caroline held up one hand towards her brother and ran the other through Klaus’s fur and whispered to him, calming him. Niklaus backed down but did not move from between the two.

“I’m not going with you.”

“Caroline-“

“Listen to me-“

“No. You listen to me. We’ve spent weeks watching this manor. Learning their comings and goings. This is our only chance of getting you out of here. At night you’re guarded by this wolf and constantly followed by one of those blasted siblings. Today is the only day you’ve been alone.” Klaus growled and bared his teeth again. She knew that he would protect her and his temper might cause to attack Damon if he meant her harm. She could only run her fingers through his thick fur, in hopes of calming him down.

“That is where your wrong mate, she is not alone.” Damon turned and saw Kol standing in her doorway, looking calm and collected. “The lady indicated that she does not want to leave and seeing that she has an open-ended invitation to reside with us, she will be staying.”

“I’m her brother and I say she is coming with me.”

“This is where you always ruin everything Damon. You come barging in with a half-made plan with only half the information.” She gave a bitter laugh and shook her head. “Even if I wanted to come with you, I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t? Because him?” Damon stated, pointing at Kol.

“No. Because of him.” Caroline looked down at Niklaus and rubbed behind his ears. “And because of this.” Caroline turned from her brother and moved towards the curtains. She paused and took a deep breath before opening the curtains. The sun came streaming in for the first time since she occupied the chambers and she allowed it to hit her skin. The pain was unbearable. She screamed in pain and could smell the stench of her own flesh burning. It only lasted a few seconds before Kol magically had the curtains close behind her. Caroline dropped to the floor in pain and Niklaus crawled over to her; licking at her wounds. Kol strolled across the room and just like he had done months prior, he healed the burns that blemished her skin.

“They cursed you.” Damon hissed out and narrowed his eyes at Kol. “Fix her. Now.”

“Not my curse. Couldn’t if I tried.” Caroline knew Kol was lying. Freya was seeking to undo another witches curse and if Kol really wanted to free Caroline of this burden, he would have.

Or so she thought.

“Just go Damon.”

“You heard the lady. You need leave.” Kol stated and sat down upon on of her armchairs, looking at Damon with expectations. “You know the terms of the deal. Bring us Elena and Caroline is free to walk out of here. In the sunlight. Preferably without burning.”

“I won’t bring the girl I love to her death.”

“Elena wouldn’t be dying. You know nothing of what you speak. They are not going to kill her. Niklaus promised me. I trust him and he loves me.”

“Stop being naive Caroline. Whoever this Niklaus is, he is lying to you. They are playing with you to try and get you one their side.” He looked at her. “You think he loves you. You think that he is some knight in shining armor come to save you. Wake up Caroline, this isn’t some fairytale. He is using you.” Niklaus began to growl, clearly feeling insulted at what Damon was insinuating.

“There are no sides Damon. I love him.” Caroline knew her brother and knew that there was no use in fighting with him. “Go home. Don’t come back unless you have Elena with you. Then maybe I’ll decide to come home for a time.” Caroline moved to stand behind the wolf. “Kol, can you see him out please?”

“My pleasure.”

                                                          * It was the night of the next full moon that everything changed. Everyone was gathered inside, for it was storming and there was not much to be done. Although, it was the first time since Caroline’s stay that the curtains could be open without fear of the sun streaming through the windows and burning her. However, she was sad that her and Niklaus would not be able to take their walk as they had during every other full moon.

Freya was still making her plans to meet with her brothers, as she had ever other full moon, even though none of them believed that either of them would show. Caroline vowed that if neither Stefan or Damon came with Elena, she would tell Kol exactly how to get into her family’s manor and into Damon’s study. He would be able to find where they were hiding Elena there. Damon was foolish when it came to hiding personal documents and anything he wanted to keep hidden. Caroline knew each and every one of his hiding spots since she was a child.

However, Caroline’s planning became unnecessary.

An hour before the sun was due to set, there was a pounding on the front door and Caroline swore she heard a familiar voice. She quickly ran through the archway and saw her old friend yelling at the butler, demanding to let in.

“Elena?”

Elena turned and her shoulder’s sagged in relief. She ran to Caroline and wrapped her arms around her. Elena was drenched from head to toe from the storm raging outside. Her long brown hair was soaked but she did not seem to care.

“I’ve been so worried Care. Bonnie and I have been going out of our minds with worry. Are you okay?” Elena took Caroline’s hands into her and she could see in Elena’s deep brown eyes that she was indeed worried. Niklaus brushed up against Caroline’s side and Elena’s eyes shot down to him, but she was unsurprised. Damon must have told her all about the wolf.

“I’m fine. Why are you here?”

“Damon told me that you refused come home because they cursed you.” Elena stated. “I could not sit by and let you live that type of life when I had a way to fix it.” “Damon and Stefan just let you come here.”

“No.” Elena laughed. “Bonnie helped me get out. She didn’t want to but I was insistent. It is not fun being held against ones will. I suspect that they will be here any moment for it would not take long for them to realize I am missing.”

Caroline smiled at her friend. She knew that Elena was angry at being locked away in some tower with only Damon, Stefan and Bonnie for company. Her brothers would not even allow Caroline to visit because they knew that Caroline was the one most likely to help Elena escape. Apparently, they underestimated Bonnie.

“Caroline? Is everything alright?” Caroline turned to see Elijah making his way down the grand staircase and into the foyer. Freya was just behind him, wearing a very pleased smile. “Everything is perfect. Elijah, meet Elena. Elena, Elijah.”

“I’ve every much aware of who she is.” Elijah replied.

“I’m here to offer myself in exchange for Caroline.” Elena looked directly at Elijah and then over his shoulder at Freya. Elijah stepped forward and took Elena’s hand, kissing the back of it. Caroline looked between the two in amazement. Niklaus snorted beside her, as though he seemed amused. Caroline scratched behind his ears with a small smile. “Freya, can we do this here?” Caroline asked.

“Here is as good as any.” She replied, making her way down the stairs. “But I suggest we do into the ballroom at the very least. The sun will be setting very soon and once the moon is full, we can begin.” Freya turned and made her way deeper into the house and the rest followed.

The ballroom was one room Caroline rarely went into. It was massive and because of the large glass window and ceiling that appeared as though they opened up to the heavens, it made it difficult for her to admire its beauty in the daylight. Freya sent for Rebekah to join them and for Kol to go and retrieve a few items from her chambers. Freya then closed her eyes and the tables began to move themselves. Each and every table and chair slid to the side, leaving the center of the ballroom empty. It wasn’t long before Kol returned, but he was not alone.

“Look sister, what I found lurking about.” Kol had both Damon and Stefan by the arms. He dropped them to the ground and Caroline couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Of course, both of them would come charging after Elena mere moments after she vanished. Yet, it took them months to come to her rescue. Caroline could not help but feel a bit bitter at the fact.

“What are you doing here?” Elena hissed at them.

“Stopping you from being the sacrificial lamb.” Damon snapped right back. Elena shook her head and looked past him. She gazed directly at Stefan. There was something there that Caroline could not understand. The connection between Stefan and Elena had always been far deeper than the one Elena shared with Damon. That did not mean that Damon did not love Elena, it only meant that he was willing to be the villain of her story to ensure her safety.

“This is my choice Stefan. Let me do this.” Stefan just looked at her and closed his eyes before nodding.

“Oh, you cannot be serious.” Damon replied, fury echoing in his eyes. Before anyone could say much more, Niklaus began to whimper and howl. Caroline quickly dropped to her knees in order to pull the wolf to her. Having done this three times already, Caroline knew that rocking him while whispering that she loved him made the transition easier. She blocked out the rest of the room. She blocked out Elena’s cries and her brother’s curses. She ignored Niklaus siblings and anything else that went on around her. She just focused on the wolf in her arms until he transformed into the man she loved. When the transformation was complete, Caroline looked into Niklaus’s eyes and smiled.

“You love him.” Caroline turned to Elena, who had a look of understanding upon her face. Before Caroline could answer, Rebekah came over with a pair of trousers for Niklaus. He took them happily and stood; not caring in the slightest that he was completely naked. Elena adverted her eyes and blushed.

“Let us begin.” Freya stated and magicked a small table to be before her. Kol placed a box on the table and Freya pulled out a very old looking goblet, a knife and small vial filled with a clear liquid. “Elena-“

“Wait.” Niklaus stated. “Caroline first.”

“Nik- “

“Caroline. Do her first.” The look he gave Freya was menacing. It was as though he was ready to rip out her throat if she did not curse Caroline of the curse she placed upon her.

“Very well.” Freya turned to Kol and nodded. Kol strolled over to Caroline who was still sitting on the ground. He held out hand and she accepted it. He helped her to his feet before reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small black box. “The spell I placed upon you cannot be broken, Caroline.”

“Freya.” Niklaus hissed. They all could feel the rage pulsing through his body. He stalked slowly to his sister as though he was a predator and she was his prey. “Fix her. Now.”

“I can’t Niklaus. It cannot be removed but there is a work around.” Freya looked away from Niklaus and towards Caroline. “Open the box.” Caroline obeyed and in the small black box was nestled a small ring. The band was silver and in the center was a blue gem that she had never seen before. “It is a daylight ring. It will protect you from the sun’s rays. As long as you wear that ring, you can walk in the sun again. Take off, and you will burn.”

Caroline nodded and pulled the ring from the box. She slid it onto her finger. She felt no different but she supposed that only time would tell. Freya gave her a weak smile and moved to look at Elena. She held out her hand, motioning for Elena to step forward. Damon grabbed Elena’s arm, stopping her from moving forward.

“Let me go Damon.” Elena demanded of him before pulling her arm from his grasp. She advanced forward and stood before Freya. The witch handed her the small vial filled with the clear liquid.

“Drink this. You will fall asleep and you will feel no pain. When you wake up, it will be like nothing happened.” Elena pulled the cork from the vial and brought it to her lips. She hesitated for a moment but then brought the vial to her lips and drank. Her eyes fluttered shut, the vial slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor; shattering as it hit the ground. Elena’s legs gave out and Kol caught her. He held her upright while Freya brought the knife to her neck and slit her throat. Caroline cried out in fright but Niklaus grabbed her hand, pulling her into his arms. He wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“I promised that she would not die. Trust me.”

Both Damon and Stefan screamed at the sight but Elijah stopped them from advancing. Freya tilted Elena over the goblet to allow the blood to flow inside of it. Once it was filled, Kol gently set Elena on the ground. Elijah let the two men go and they both advanced to where Elena was laying on the ground. When the shook her, she did not move but Caroline could see the wound on her neck was already healing. Neither Damon nor Stefan seemed to be able to process that information. All they could see was the dead corpse of the woman they loved.

“Kol.” Freya held out her hands and her brother grasped them. They began to chant over the goblet in a language that Caroline did not understand. Niklaus kissed the top of Caroline’s head before letting her go. He walked over to his siblings and once they were done chanting, Freya handed him the goblet. Niklaus brought it to his lips and began to drink. Drops of Elena’s blood began to flow down his chin and onto his naked chest.

Once complete, he sat the goblet down and for a moment Caroline thought it was over. In an instant, Niklaus began to scream and clutch his head. He eyes glowed yellow and he was panting. He had trouble standing upright and both Freya and Kol caught him, slowly lowering him to the floor. Rebekah ran to them, kneeling behind her brother and Elijah was not far behind. Caroline began to walk towards him but Stefan caught her around the middle. She had not noticed he had moved.

“We need to go.”

“What?! No, I can’t. I can’t leave him.”

“Caroline. Listen to me. We need to go. Now.”

“Stefan. Don’t. Please. Damon! Let go!” Stefan, ignoring his sister, reached down and tossed her over his shoulder. She screamed at him to put her down. She beat and clawed at his back but Stefan did not stop. Damon, who was still kneeling by Elena, stood and walked towards them. The two brothers left the ballroom; taking Caroline by force.

“Niklaus!” No matter how hard she tried to fight, Stefan would not put her down. All she could see as she left the ballroom was Niklaus’s body withering on the floor.

*

“Are you certain she is alive?” Bonnie asked her days later as they walked the halls. The Salvatore manor had been draped in black. Ever mirror covered by a black cloth and the curtains changed to black. Everyone was dressed in mourning, the loss of Elena in the forefront of all their minds. Damon locked himself in his study, refusing to speak to anyone. Stefan just sat in the library, with a brandy in hand. Neither brother was willing to listen to their sister, nor would they allow her to go back to Niklaus’s manor.

“I’m certain of it. Niklaus promised she would survive and I have to trust that.” Caroline looked down to the ring on her finger. While the curtains remained closed, the ring Freya had given Caroline worked. Caroline had been able to walk in the sunlight for days, however while she was gifted with the sun back, she felt as though she lost the moon.

“Then why the dress?” Bonnie motioned towards the long black dress that Caroline wore.

“Because it is not for Elena.” While she was sure her old friend was alive and would be returned to them shortly, she was not certain that Niklaus survived. Seeing him in such pain after drinking Elena’s blood caused him an enormous amount of pain and Caroline could not be sure he was alive. He would have come for her if he was.

“The magic they performed, that you described, was black magic. If both Elena and Niklaus survived, it would take time for them to gather their strength.” Bonnie pulled Caroline into a hug. “Do not lose hope. There is still time.”

“I hope you’re right.” Caroline pulled away and Bonnie gave her a gentle smile; but then her smile changed and her eyes widened. Bonnie moved toward the window and looked out into the bright and sunny day. Caroline turned around and saw a coach pull in her family’s gravel driveway. The driver stopped the horses, halting the carriage. He hopped down and opened the door. He held out his hand, helping someone down from inside.

Elena.

And she wasn’t alone.

Caroline turned and ran. She ran faster than she ever had before. She ran through the corridors she played in as a child, down the stairs her mother used to scold her for going too fast down and towards the front door. She burst through the already open door with tears streaming down her face and marched directly into the sunlight. She did not see Stefan kneeling on the ground in front of Elena, dirtying his pants or Damon who was pale and looked as though he had seen a ghost.

The only thing she could focus on was Niklaus, who was standing in the sun; enjoying the rays against his very human skin. He came for her. He stood before her in the sunlight and Caroline thought that she had never seen something so perfect. She had only seen him in the moonlight but seeing him as the sunlight beat down upon him made her heart burst. He was whole again.

“I always knew you would be beautiful in the sun.” Niklaus whispered to her. Without another word, Caroline launched herself into his arms. Niklaus held her close and lowered his lips to hers. They kissed slowly not caring about the scene around them. It was chaos, Damon and Stefan were yelling in anger at the sight of their sister kissing a man while Elena and Bonnie just laughed; hugging as they went. Neither Caroline nor Klaus cared because all that was left in that moment was the two of them.

One could say that Niklaus and Caroline lived happily ever after but that would be misleading. In the end they were happy, certainly. They married, had children and grew old together but they had their trials. Niklaus still transformed at every full moon and Caroline could never remove the daylight ring from her finger for fear of burning in the sun. He had a temper and she was stubborn. Damon and Stefan hated him and the feeling was mutual on Niklaus’s part. It did not help matters that Elena chose to marry neither of the brothers, instead running off to marry Elijah; a move no one expected.

In the end Niklaus and Caroline lived long life filled love, magic and curses.

#kcauweek2020 #klaroline fanfiction #klaroline fandom event #klaroline #klaroline-events

[mor-beck-more-problems]

Onion Tears || Morgan, Ariana, Deirdre, Lydia

TIMING: The recent past, not long after Morgan took care of the murderous alchemist Jo, before Lydia’s attack.

LOCATION: The woods

PARTIES: @deathduty @inspirationdivine @letsbenditlikebennett @mor-beck-more-problems

SUMMARY: Morgan and her friends mourn the dead.

CONTAINS: Mild gore, ritualized self-harm

The moon smiled down from the pink sunset sky, pale and slight as a white shadow. Morgan hoped that if there really was such a thing as a caring universe, it approved of the proceedings. The much decayed remains of Coraline Adams had been wrapped in a cotton shroud and bundled onto the wood pyre, the rest of the remains recovered from the storage unit were strewn around her. In another world where supernaturals could bury their dead properly without raising brows or suspicions, there might have been separate ceremonies and rites for each of them. But the alchemist hadn’t cared enough to label her specimens by the person she gathered them from, only by material. Banshee nails in one jar. Nix scales in another. Vampire teeth, Mara eyes, wolf pelts, and fused bones, all ordered except in a way that would help Morgan make them into people again. Morgan circled the clearing again for unwanted mushrooms and teenagers daring each other to go deeper into the trees. Gulls squealed, squirrels foraged, life went on. But there had been enough of humans bumping and breaking their way through life for one stretch. Morgan wanted to give them a reprieve from watching their backs all the time, and for the dead to have a moment with their own.

She spread out a tiered tray of refreshments, kindling, and the nice big matches she had once used for her own sacred rituals, scented to help guide what was left of the dead’s souls to wherever they needed to go. It felt wrong, somehow, to slip into a hospitality mindset, but if Ariana and Lydia were going to help witness the rites and pay their respects as much as anyone could, they might as well be comfortable.

One of their guests approached the clearing. “Hey, we’re almost ready,” she said.”But you should come in and have some water or wine if you want any.”

Hearing of another dead werewolf only made her heart feel heavier. After Ariana had discovered werewolves were being killed for their organs, it only furthered her sense of unease to know someone else was doing weird magic experiments. What the actual fuck was wrong with people? It wasn’t something she could wrap her head around, but she hoped paying them respects would help them find peace in their afterlife. The setting sun painted the sky in colors she couldn’t quite distinguish, but the moon was rising. Perfect for the wolf of the bunch, All the fellow supernatural beings who had been killed for whatever this witch was doing deserved better. Maybe they couldn’t change the past, but they could try to keep their memory alive. Help them find peace. She walked to their meeting spot and saw Morgan was the first one there. Not at all surprising. There were even refreshments set up though she found she wasn’t entirely hungry at the moment. She gave a small wave as she approached, “Hey, Morgan. I’ll pour some water for myself. Save the wine for Deirdre. She really loves wine.” The words felt awkward and it was hard to navigate through what she was feeling.

Lydia almost paused when she saw Ariana, the wannabe thief that had been snooping through her property that one time. Mutual friend or not, Lydia did not like the girl in the slightest, even at a funeral. As such, she immediately decided to ignore her for the whole evening, walking over to Morgan with a small smile. “Wine would be lovely. I’m grateful you put in all the effort.”

Morgan opened her arm out to the young wolf when she arrived and wrapped her up in a hug. “That she does,” she agreed. “But, tiny exceptions can be made for you if you change your mind after. Thanks for coming.” She didn’t know what else to say, if wolves had a kind of kinship between each other that made condolences appropriate, or if it was just the chill of seeing the remains of someone who could have been her.

At the sound of Lydia’s approach, she released Ariana to hydrate herself and turned to her fae friend. “I’m glad you came,” she said, pouring a glass and carrying it over. “This is the least I could do. If things were different, maybe there’d be more. But if things were different, maybe there wouldn’t be a need for this kind of service in the first place.” Her eyes flitted to the pyre, gauging the arrangement of the remains. Should she space them out more? Or arrange them more artfully? The nails should probably be laid out, instead of clustered, maybe… Morgan stopped herself with a tight smile. It did not matter. It absolutely did not matter. She knew better than anyone how much it didn’t matter, knew that it was just the last moment, terrible or not, and then sleep. This was just for their own guilt and sorrow, their own intentions in the universe. “Deirdre’s just getting ready to perform the rites. And I’ll spread the ashes myself later. Oh, and you should meet our friend Ari! She’s here in honor of the wolves we’re laying to rest today as well.”

Somehow, despite her cool skin, Morgan always had a certain warmth to her. It brought a small smile to her face and Ariana welcomed the hug from her. Once she stepped back, she laughed weakly and answered, “I think I’ll be okay without the wine. But I am sorry you had to find all of this. It’s really… Upsetting.” She looked down at her feet and heard someone else approaching. Sniffing the air she realized it wasn’t Deirdre, but it was familiar. Her eyes widened when she realized it was Lydia. Her heart sank. The actual last person she wanted to see. Especially at a funeral. Especially when she was slowly killing someone she’d grown to care for. It took a conscious effort to keep from balling her fists, from glaring. Today wasn’t about Lydia. Hell, it wasn’t even about Ace. It was their duty to honor the fallen members of their community in hopes of them being able to find some sort of peace after their violent deaths. “Maybe one day there won’t be a need for services like this,” she said quietly. Part of her wanted to slink away as Morgan introduced her to Lydia. It was hard to pretend she didn’t hate her with every fiber of her being. It was doubtful that her feeding had to include keeping humans for prolonged periods of time until they finally died. Through gritted teeth, she responded, “We know each other already.” She tried to soften her features, but it came across a bit awkward. “But thank you, Morgan. I really appreciate you and Deirdre for doing all of this.”

Deirdre knew better than most what a fae funeral should have looked like. There should have been more in attendance, the sound of instruments trilling through the air under the sound of sombre lilting. She had whispered her apologies to Coraline’s body on the way to the clearing, and she whispered it by her again. This observance would have to be stripped, for the sake of safety--the fae could not be made privy to the horrors committed, their penchant for vengeance would prove too reckless. And the other supernatural reduced to their parts had practices and rites that Deirdre wasn’t the faintest bit familiar with. She pulled at her funeral dress---once white, now stained with the soot of every funeral she’d attended---was a muddy grey, patterned in blotches. The delicate lace detailing was a stark black, and the only thing about the dress she liked. Deirdre tugged at it again, then pulled her dark robe tighter around her, trying not to drop the rod of iron she held wrapped up in cloth in one hand, and the knife she had in the other. She slipped the rod back into the pocket of her robe, and approached the rest of the group silently. “There will always be a need for services like this,” she hissed, irritable under the stress of autumn. Irritable given the event they were all in attendance for. She would apologize to Ariana for her shortness later, but for now, she didn’t bother. “No matter what this world is. There will always be death, and where there is death, there is suffering.” She nodded towards Lydia, and noted Ariana’s tenseness. “You’re supposed to drink at these things. Like Lydia.” She spoke almost with an air of resentment, an air that reared itself now, and had neglected to show on the way over. The forest held the faint drift of mushrooms, she would explain to Morgan later in apology, but for now, she didn’t bother. For now, she wasn’t happy. “You’re supposed to do a lot of things…” Deirdre sighed, “are we good to start?”

“We met through one of her pack members, as it happens,” Lydia replied airily, much better at faking politeness that Ariana did, the little minx. She was practically showing the whole world how much she disliked Lydia, when Lydia was the one who had been trespassed on! She hadn’t been the most enthusiastic at Ariana’s soccer game, but then who would have been? She hadn’t earned this animosity in the slightest. Noting Morgan’s tight smile as the way her gaze flitted around the pyre, Lydia tilted her head in genuine concern. “How are you holding up, Morgan?” The person Lydia was really interested in, though, was Deirdre, in her murky grey dress and her dark robe. She looked irritable in the same way that Lydia’s chest ached every time she glanced at the pyre. Her comment to Ariana was strange, certainly, even more so with that tone, and Lydia couldn’t help but gravitate closer to her. “I think so, my dear,” she said softly, standing at Deirdre’s side.

Morgan gave Deirdre a look as she chastised their young friend. You’re doing it again. Bring it down. She had been warned about what the forest might do to her banshee this time of year, and on some of their walks she had grown peevish, but Ariana was special to both of them and-- Morgan put the thought aside. Fucking mushrooms. She gave Ariana’s shoulder a squeeze. “You’re doing everything just fine,” she said softly. “Don’t mind her today,” she added in a whisper. She smiled with relief and gratitude at Lydia, who was handling the pull of the mushrooms much better. Two grumpy fae were more than she wanted to contend with. “Well as can be expected. My condolences to you and your people.” She did not know if all fae believed as banshees did, that there was nothing after except the comfort of darkness and nothing, or if it would make anything better for Lydia to know that’s just what she’d experienced before she came back. Smiling again--she didn’t know what else to do--Morgan sidled up to Deirdre’s other side. She touched her arm gently for a moment and nodded. “We’re good, babe,” she said.

In the past, Deirdre had always discouraged her drinking as she was underaged and it left Ariana very confused. At least being left perplexed by Deirdre made it easier to ignore the fact she’d very much like to rip Lydia apart. She turned to Deirdre, eyebrows knit together in confusion, and answered, “Sorry? You usually don’t like me having alcohol since I’m underaged.” Then it was very apparent her words were entirely misinterpreted. Death would always be part of life and Ariana knew that, but against all reason, she had hope that maybe one day the supernatural and humans could coexist. “That’s not what I-- nevermind,” she began and decided against trying to explain herself. Today wasn’t about her. Today wasn’t about any of them. Today was for those who fell before their time in a manner that was far too cruel. It was a little easier to relax and let Deirdre’s odd behavior go with Morgan’s always comforting words. Somehow, she always knew just what to say. Even putting this whole thing together was something that seemed so incredibly… Morgan. She hugged her leather jacket around herself more tightly trying not to look to Lydia again. Trying to ignore her presence for Morgan’s sake more than anything else because surely she couldn’t interact with her and pretend like everything was fine. Not when she had Ace locked away in her home like that was just a totally okay thing for people to do. She wondered if Morgan and Deirdre even knew. She took a few steps towards the pyres and asked Morgan, “So how are we doing this?”

Deirdre grew angrier every time her eyes fell to Coraline’s wrapped body on the pyre, then as she glanced around at their empty funeral. Coraline died wrong, would she be honored that way too? Those people in jars; would their memory be the four people who dared to remember them? She boiled as Lydia moved to her side, reminded of what injustice she was committing to their community, and then how badly she wanted to ask how she’d met Ariana, exactly, and why the younger girl seemed so tense with her. I think Ariana is jealous of your beauty, she would offhandedly remark to Lydia later, finding it the only logical explanation. But if Lydia served as a reminder of all that she was doing wrong, Morgan was the opposite. Deirdre relaxed reflexively near her, anger dissipated. She took Morgan’s hand and squeezed it, then she took a step forward, glanced at Coraline’s body, and thought of everything that was wrong again. Her mind continued to plague itself with questions even as she pulled a large purple onion from her robe. “Normally, there’s a human sacrifice. Or--punching bag, if you will. So the fae can exact their anger, right the wrongs, have fun, harvest an arm to use at their next poker game---that sort of thing.” She shook the onion, the pupils of its misplaced googly eyes bobbled. The lips Deirdre had painted on were beginning to flake off. She hated this just as much as she thought it was stupid; which was very. “Considering humans and onions have about the same mental capacity, and taking into account our present company, I thought I’d forgo the human and just use this instead.” She held the onion out, “before I begin the ceremony, would anyone like to partake in hurting the sacrificial onion? And if you will please, just imagine it’s begging for its life and for you to stop. Which, coincidentally, is exactly how Coraline died.” She shook the onion again. “Any takers?”

In the mirrored district, for that poor, nameless Lampade, they had done this with the human. Lydia hadn’t taken a shot then - that kind of violence didn’t bring her any pleasure, it never had, and she’d been to more such funerals with the sacrificial onion in its place. Unfortunately, she had been to many funerals that required such a sacrifice in the first place. She looked to Deirdre, trying to read all the facets of her face right now, all that pain and anger, and the tension in her hand as she squeezed Morgan’s. Lydia wondered how often, exactly, Deirdre had had to do these rites. How much she’d seen while handling the body and these jars. “I’ll start,” Lydia said solemnly, taking the purple onion in her hands. She looked at the googly eyes and lips, the corner of her lips twitching. As far as she knew, the googly eyes were not tradition, but they did add a certain something to the proceedings. She shook the onion once, until the eyes were roughly pointed to her. Raising one hand, Lydia stabbed one googly eye with her golden acrylic nail. The eye popped off, lost into the woods. The onion skin crackled and crunched as she sank her nail deeper into the flesh of the onion, and then dragged it down, leaving a long slit in her nail’s wake. Lydia twisted her nail, and pulled up at the seam, tearing up the onion. She ate the onion parts she’d torn off the onion, as was tradition, and handed it back to Deirdre. “May Coraline find peace in this onion’s suffering.”

Morgan couldn’t name what it was about how Deirdre handled the sacrifice that filled her with pride and affection. Maybe it was the earnestness of the googly eyes and the painted lips, trying to fill this need for adequacy, for giving enough to the dead. Maybe it was the way she squeezed her hand, emerging from the haze of her grief and the mushrooms hiding deeper in the forest to be herself, to feel and to try when she felt some of these losses as if she’d known them herself. Whatever the reason, it was almost enough to make Morgan feel like this was going to be okay and everything had been fixed fair. She took the battered onion gently from Deirdre, fingers brushing hers, and cradled it against her chest a moment, the juice dripping down the front of her white cotton dress. Her thoughts were with the dead supernaturals, the comfort they could not have and the hours of pain they could not be saved from and the days of recovery that they could not get. She had to turn down towards her shadows to remember Jo. Remember how she’d thrashed in Miriam’s grip. How she had called them pigs. How close she had been to taking another supernatural who’d trusted her. And as she thought, she dug her hands deeper into the onion flesh. Deeper, as she tried to imagine what exactly Miriam had done to the woman, exactly how long she had lasted in the two days she was kept, and whether any of it was close to enough when there weren’t even enough remains left for separate pyres.

Half the onion exploded in her grip, spraying skin and juice and soft clumps of fresh into the air. They landed in her hair and dress, sprinkled down on the earth like rain. At any other time, Morgan would have been embarrassed, but it wasn’t that sort of occasion. She took a piece from the clumpy wreck in her hand and chewed it thoughtfully, wiping her face and hair from the mess. She held out the remnants for Ariana or Deirdre to have a turn with, murmuring, “May Coraline find peace in this onion’s suffering,” And in the suffering of her killer.

While Ariana wasn’t sure what to make of the customs Deirdre spoke of, she could definitely get behind murking an onion right now. Especially if it meant honoring the fallen fae, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures they had pieces of in the pyre. Now wasn’t the time to pay Lydia any mind at all. She didn’t deserve any of the focus that was intended for the deceased. Twigs cracked underneath her combat boots as she reached to take the mostly exploded onion from Morgan. The half that was still intact was now in her hands now. The googly eyes were long gone now, but the painted on lips were still half there. To honor the wolf here today, she’d have to embrace the wolf in herself. Not that this differed from any other day, but there was no pressure to live up to human norms around Deirdre and Morgan. A low growl echoed around their clearing and Ariana gave the onion a stern look before sinking her teeth ferociously into it. While she kept her human form, she mimicked the way she tore into a deer’s throat every full moon. She ripped away at the rest of the layers of the onion with her teeth, living bits and pieces on the floor. There was little care for the fact her black dress now smelled like onion. Onion juice dripped down her chin and she let it. A deer would be more appropriate, but she’d treat the onion with all the ferocity she had in her. Only small, jagged pieces of onion remained in her hands. Her gaze remained stony as she solemnly said, “May their memory and fierceness live on in all of us.”

Ariana looked to Deirdre momentarily before adding, “I’d like to add a bit of werewolf tradition in.” While she didn’t know the full ins and outs, Ulfric had explained his moon shrine to her as well as some of the aspects of the religion his pack back in Norway had followed. She looked up to the moon, softly glowing in the sky with sunset hues she couldn’t perfectly make out all around it. She raised her onion soaked hands and recited, “O Great Diana, goddess of the moon, night, and hunt-- please guide those who have fallen to peace. May they find enlightenment under the soft glow of moonlight from here on out.” It wasn’t perfect and she wasn’t sure she got the words right. Actually, she was positive she hadn’t. She made her own prayer loosely based on ones Ulfric had shared with her previously, but she hoped it helped their souls find peace in death.

What Deirdre hadn’t expected was the seriousness with which her admittedly idiotic sacrifical onion was taken with. She expected some resistance to which she could explain her train of thought: they couldn’t use an animal, because animals were inherently innocent and that would defeat the point. But she watched instead, humbled, by Lydia, Morgan and Ariana all harming an onion in Coraline’s name--she did imagine that an animal would have been tastier than a raw onion though. She reached out to pick bits of onion out of her girlfriend’s hair and off her nice dress. “Beautiful words, Ariana,” she smiled, having forgotten her earlier animosity. Funerals were not merited by their turn out, she remembered, but the compassion of those who did observe them. Odd as the onion was, Deirdre could only hope that Coraline would see three people who were angered for her, and desired to bring her peace. With her thoughts at peace again, she remembered why exactly she was here to begin with and her anger with herself disappeared. She had an onion to thank for that. The banshee shook her head, drawing her hand back from Morgan and pulling a small rod of iron wrapped up in thick wool out of her robe. “I think I can start now.” She stepped back and moved to the pyre. “Coraline Adams died at the hands of someone she trusted, her skin transmuted to iron,” she began, then tapped the jar with the banshee nails. “The two in here were tortured by a warden for forty-four days before they succumbed to their injuries.” Deirdre went on, listing the ways each part and piece had died, filling in names where she could and omitting gorier details out of respect. “Some of these people had died by Jo’s hand, others were simply her property by trade---bought or bartered otherwise. They will rest easier knowing Jo suffered as she should, and that no more harm can come from her. We remember their deaths.”

Deirdre turned back towards the other, rolling up her sleeve  with one hand as the other unwrapped the iron rod carefully. She gripped the iron with her hand safely behind the wool, searching her forearm for the scar that seemed to grow every couple of years. She pressed the iron to it. “As the living, we will know their pain. And may they rest knowing that we carry it with us, and the pain of every injustice like this we cannot stop.” Her skin seared, blistering and peeling under the iron. Deirdre didn’t flinch and her face remained impassive. She would hold the iron there for as long as Coraline burned. “The house of winter is dark, and you may rest in its shadows. But your blood was spilled by the undeserving,” her voice dripped out steadily in Gaelic. “So I hold your pain in my heart, I hold it with my life. It is with each who watches me, each who knows. You can rest now, free from it. You can rest, by the decree of fate’s faithful, you can rest. The house of winter cherishes you now; to your home your body returns.” She pulled the iron away, bits of her skin were still stuck to it as she dropped the rod to the floor. Blood ran down her arm, dripping carelessly to the earth. She turned to Coraline’s body, dropping to her knees and pulling the cloth away from her face. “Take my blood for all that was taken from you.” She carefully lifted her head, delicately wrapping the wool around it before finally pulling her ceremonial knife out. There, she cut across her palm and dripped the blood on to the white cloth holding her body. Deirdre’s voice surrendered to a low hum, softly singing her family’s lament as she moved through each piece of the ceremony---from the wool wrappings to the cut palm. Eventually her singing trailed away, and she stepped back. “You can light it,” she told Morgan, “with any luck, her skull will be preserved enough to keep with the ashes. They can rest now.”

Deirdre had explained to Morgan what happened at a fae funeral and how it was her duty, as the officiant, to carry the pain of those who had died. She had known what the rod was for and how long it had to be held against Deirdre’s skin. But solemn discussions in the night didn’t come near to preparing her to see Deirdre’s skin melt off in red, gummy layers, steam rising from beneath. Nor was she prepared for the monstrousness of Deirdre’s silence. Her face looked like stone for all it moved, some hollow, unreal nightmare.

The burnt spot on Deirdre’s arm popped with heat and blood simmered and ran in thin sticky lines around the wound. Morgan had to cover her mouth to keep from screaming and running over to her. A muffled whimper escaped her lips and she clamped down harder, reaching for Ariana’s shoulder to keep herself still. This was part of a banshee’s role when a community was lucky enough to have one. This was what fae did for each other. Morgan knew this. She knew this. But she trembled with the urge to intervene as Deirdre cut her arm open, spilling more blood for the dead.

When she was called to light the fire, Morgan shuffled forward, fumbling for the long matches in her pocket. She had lit enough fires in her day, even without magic, to handle this with the kind of grace the situation asked for, but her arms were stiff and trembling. It took her three tries to get the end lit right. She held her gaze over the flame as it ate the wood one inch at a time and laid the flame over each bundle of kindling she’d laid on the pyre. She circled the structure til she came back to Coraline’s head. When it was done she flung the match into the blaze and stepped back, reaching for Deirdre. She slipped her arms around her waist and pressed them close together, her head resting on Deirdre’s chest. “I hope that was okay,” she whispered.

Ariana had never been to a fae funeral before and she had a bit of a hard time keeping a close eye on Deirdre. She couldn’t understand the parts that were in Gaelic, but she imagined there was some sort of explanation for why Deirdre had to put herself through physical pain for the ritual. Instead, she watched the pyres burned and wished that their souls would find peace. The circumstances surrounding their deaths had been bleak. More so than anything probably should have been, but more and more she was learning that’s just how the world worked. The smoke began swirling above them into the sky that was becoming darker now. The flames glowed around them and the smoke began to overtake the smell of the onion though she still tasted it on her lips. She remained silent as Deirdre continued on with the ceremony and refrained from wincing at Deirdre’s pain.

Lydia had last been to a funeral with a banshee officiant when she’d been a young child. While the human sacrifice (or onion sacrifice) was a common one, somehow, other species of fae were not as keen to take on pain in honouring the death. Lydia had only ever seen instead the damages transferred to a chicken. Deirdre was not a chicken, and she didn’t remember that childhood funeral right until the second Deirdre pulled out the iron bar. She steeled herself, staring at Coraline’sbody as Deirdre’s skin began to burn. If Deirdre wouldn’t flinch, nor would Lydia. It was an honour to suffer for the dead, as much so for the chicken as the Banshee. It wasn’t until Deirdre spoke, in a beautiful clear form of Gaelic that was so different to Lydia’s own tone, that a single tear rolled down her cheek. The witch’s death did not undo any suffering. It still lingered in the air, in their hearts, and in the skin on Deirdre’s arm that would take time to heal. When Deirdre’s voice dropped to a hum, Lydia found the rhythm and joined it too. The heat of the flame licked Lydia’s skin, uncomfortable without burning. She set in the fire five pieces of canvas, each made with ecstatic inspiration. So much that no image on them was legible, but for a funeral that was what was desired. Art in its purest, least dilute form. They burned, and in each carried the hope that the people cremated would find joy in the life hereafter. “Let nothing hold you to this earth. Your word has been kept, and you have been relinquished of what holds you here.”

It was a battle of wits and long limbs as Deirdre tried to navigate wrapping her arms around Morgan without getting blood on her. She was bleeding far too much for this to be accomplished, and so she remembered that white dresses were worn specifically to be sullied and she wrapped her arms around Morgan, staining her back with blood. "I think it was," she replied gently, "I think it really was." She bent down to kiss Morgan; first on her cheek, forehead, nose, before she eventually settled on her lips, capturing them for as long as she could. "Thank you," she mumbled as she lingered close. "For doing this. You really have brought them all peace, Morgan. I know it." There were no ghosts that lingered, and so it must have been true. "You did good, my vigilante zombie." She kissed her once more before she retreated, approaching Lydia and Ariana. "Your words were beautiful, and your voice is too. You should sing more," she smiled at Lydia, pulling her close—this time she took great care not to get blood anywhere, knowing Lydia didn't seem as strong-willed at the sight usually. She pressed a kiss to her temple and thanked her for giving that canvas, then for coming. The funeral was over, more or less, but Deirdre would stay until the flames died and help Morgan collect the ashes. She turned to Ariana next, forgetting whatever strangeness plagued her and Lydia earlier, or even her own actions. She wrapped her arms around the young girl, careful again with her bleeding arms. "And you, young wolf, have greatly honored us today. Thank you for sending that wolf to peace, and for observing the rest with us." She pressed a kiss to her temple too before releasing her. The funeral pyre grew steadily, the sound of cracking wood painting the air. The flowers laid atop did what they could for the smell, but to a wolf like Ariana it might not have mattered what they put. The funeral was over, technically, and all guests were free to leave—though this portion was usually colored with drinking and merriment. But watching the embers pop and disappear, the flames consuming all within with, she didn't think that they would. Not yet.

It wasn’t until Deirdre pulled her into her arms that Morgan released whatever she’d been holding onto of the dead girl she’d first found in a pile of garbage with Kaden, of everything she’d seen in that awful storage unit. For a moment, she could even release the unfairness of being supernatural in a world where your history and identity had to stay some stupid, deadly secret. For a moment, as the flames surged in the twilight evening, everything felt like it was enough. Morgan sagged into her banshee’s grip and hugged her back just as tight, kissed her just as long. The forest was quiet except for them. The birds, sensing something amiss, stayed away or else hid in their roosts. The deer watched from a safe distance and closed ranks around each other, grateful for another day to come. Morgan released her hold and watched Deirdre give her parting kisses to their friends, then followed behind to slip her arms over both of them at once. They came together easily, with only a few inches of height difference between them. Morgan held them tight in their group hug, murmuring, “Thank you, for doing this with us. And thank you for being my friends.” She pressed a kiss to each head and held them a moment longer. The moment was fading, the weight of the world beyond them pressing in as surely as the night. “You can sit with us and watch awhile? But I understand if you want to get back. I know someone still has a coaching gig in the morning.”

It was a relief to see that Deirdre no longer seemed annoyed with her though she didn’t love the sight of her bloodied. Ariana welcomed the hug and told her, “Thank you to both you and Morgan for putting this together. I like to think it helped all of them find peace.” Her voice was wistful as she continued to try and put her hopes for those lost out into the universe. When Morgan came over to her, she still kept her features gentle. There was no use to acknowledge Lydia at this point. The moon was higher in the sky now and the stars twinkling above the smoke that was still present in the air. “Of course,” Ariana started before she realized what Morgan was doing. Her stomach flipped and her entire body tensed up despite their now serene surroundings. Morgan was pulling her and Lydia into a group hug and she wanted to rip herself away, but Morgan didn’t deserve that. She was actually pretty sure Morgan had no idea just who Lydia really was. Being fae was one totally cool thing. Keeping people you fed from hostage in your home-- totally different ball game. Lydia was nothing but a glorified serial killer in high heels that had someone very dear to Ariana trapped in her home. It left her feeling disgusted as she awkwardly let herself be enveloped in the hug. She did her best to keep close to Morgan, but she could still feel Lydia’s body against her own. Ugh. It was hard to ignore the discomfort and urge to fight, but she did. This wasn’t the time or place. Still, it left her skin crawling even as she pulled away. Even though she hadn’t been sleeping well, Lydia being out of the house meant maybe she could see Ace tonight. “If I didn’t have such an early day with the kids tomorrow, I’d definitely hang around, but I’ll come by soon. I do believe I owe Deirdre a strawberry rhubarb pie,” she said with a grin before offering a final wave and getting the hell away from Lydia.

“I’ll sing more with you,” Lydia replied softly, taking Deirdre’s healthy hand for a quick moment, a gesture meant just for the two fae women, only for Deirdre to pull her into a hug a moment later, and Lydia squeezed her back tightly, for as long as she was allowed before Deirdre moved on to Ariana. She turned to the flames and didn’t look away from them until Morgan’s arms slipped around her. “Oh!” She gasped, suddenly pulled tight against two of her favourite people and an annoying brat. She hugged Morgan back at the very least, and smiled as they were let go. “I’ll stay-“ she was cut off by Ariana’s quick reply and equally quick disappearance. She eyed the young girl until she was out of sight and sighed. Shaking her head, she looked back at the others. “I’ll stay and sit for a while.”

Morgan gave Ariana one last squeeze as she departed. She floated slowly to the ground by the wine service with the two fae, pressed in close to Deirdre. Around them, smoke fine as mist rolled through the air, carrying the smell of char and death with it. The smell was so rich it penetrated the haze around Morgan’s senses. As she breathed it in, she imagined that the dead were with her and knew her in a way most of the living could not. Morgan looked into the fire with its blinding yellow core, with its desperate hunger. Was their rest in the pop of flesh going up in smoke or the cooling of the bones? Was it when the smoke kissed the tops of the trees, or when the embers died? If the dead had the answers, they couldn’t give it to her. Morgan huddled closer to Deirdre, stretching a hand out for Lydia as well, squeezing her hand. If peace was something the universe granted to zombies, it would be something she had to make for herself.

#onion tears #wr chatzy #wr deirdre chatzy #wr ariana chatzy #wr deirdre #wr ariana #wr lydia #wr lydia chatzy #self harm tw #self-harm tw #wickedswriting