#if her fiancé is dead I'm available

[normcore-tertiary-character]

Abby has a fiancé and Buck is Ghost of Christmas Future levels of single. I'm gonna be honest, that's very hot of her. Break his heart more, girl. Get yours. He's got a boy best friend he'll figure out he's in mutual love with eventually.

#i don't hate buck and I don't want him hurt but I am VERY into Abby #and she looks so fucking good in this episode #if her fiancé is dead I'm available #911 abc liveblog #s3e18 #I do appreciate that this show is taking Buck's heartbreak two years after she left seriously #I have very little patience for shows that are like #“yeah your marriage very suddenly ended 6 weeks ago shortly after a miscarriage but you NEED to go fuck some rando or youre dead inside :/” #like Buck freaked out when Abby first told him she hadnt gotten laid in nearly a year #but he was very specifically slut!era Buck who mostly processed life in time since he last got a thrill

[stesierra]

WIP INTRO: THE BONE QUEEN

Title: the Bone Queen

Genre: NA fantasy

Setting: The kingdom of Sweelough

Tropes: forced marriage, undead ruler, undead fiancé, ghosts and skeletons, pattern magic, unwise affairs, pregnancy (no, it's not Aubrey's), poisonings, depression, anorexia, damn all nobles, big hair and big dresses, and illiterate peasant MC

Story:

Two years ago, Elise accidentally freed an army of the undead. She paid for it. The Bone Queen snatched Elise from her family and locked her away in Bandrum Palace. Elise hates everything about it: the dead maids who wait on her, the queen who tortures her when she forgets to play the perfect noblewoman, and her undead fiancé, Aubrey, who expects Elise to carry his heirs. Elise's magic, which lets her see the dead as if they're still alive, makes being a brood mare to a skeleton all too possible. She has to escape, but the Bone Queen has bound her to the palace with a spell that lights her nerves on fire when she tries to leave. Worse, if Elise refuses to marry Aubrey, the queen will lock her family up for life.

If Elise knew how to use her magic, maybe she'd have a chance, but the queen has made studying magic illegal. When Elise discovers a visiting ambassador is a spy and a secret magician, she blackmails him into giving her magic lessons. Maybe she should feel bad about that, especially when the ambassador falls in love with her. An affair with him risks everything, but Elise is desperate for comfort in the land of the dead. But his love and his help aren't what they seem. He never meant to free her. If Elise is going to escape and save her family, she'll have to do it alone. And she'll destroy Aubrey and the Bone Queen on her way out, or die trying.

The Characters:

Elise Cropper- our main character and POV. 18 years old. She was born a serf, bound to the land of Lord Moorthleigh, near the shores of Lake Langlyn.

Aubrey Sommer, Duke of Winworth- undead fiancé and true asshole. He tricked Elise into loving and freeing him. He deserved neither thing.

Mausart Tola, Earl of Ardaris- the ambassador from Ahheleisa. Late twenties. Hot as far as my ace ass can tell. But he has his secrets.

Queen Idony Allard of Scarlett- the bone queen, the new ruler of Sweelough. This is her second time ruling, but death took the crown from her last time. Never again.

Lord Moorthleigh- Elise's former landlord, who still owns her parents and little brothers.

Lady Moorthleigh- a friend? An enemy? Elise doesn't know.

Worst Comment from a Beta: Why doesn't Elise want to marry Aubrey? He's rich and she should be thrilled with her luxurious prison. Also, she's too mean to the undead maids who are spying on her. What a bitch. (Paraphrased)

Status Check: In rewrites, after about five drafts and a paid developmental editor. 109k words before revisions. I will try to query it when the rewrite is done. Not currently available for beta reading.

It has two complete standalone sequels (The Spellbound King (106k) and The Matriarch's Daughter (96k)) I must also rewrite. This series is going to kill me but I love it. My mom, who loves everything I write, complained that it was weird. I'm very proud.

First chapter here.

Fic snippet here.

Map here.

Please ask if you want to be added to my taglist and specify if it's just for this book or all books.

Credit for (modified) WIP intro format @sleepyowlwrites

Art commissioned from KozzDraws.

Taglist

@janec23

@gracewritesbooks

@anonymousfoz

@moremysteriesthantragedies

@elizababie

@sm-writes-chaos

@bellascarousel

@palebdot

@hyba

@da-na-hae

@macabremoons

@the-dragon-chronicler

@teacupsandstarlight

#The Bone Queen #wip intro #writeblr #writing #writing community #creative writing #fantasy

[icedteaandoldlace]

Here’s an interpretation of s1 Caitlin that I haven’t seen discussed before:

Even though it wasn’t initially planned in s1 for Caitlin to have a dead father and an emotionally distant mother (“my dead fiancé can fly. I haven’t broken that to my parents yet”), that retcon actually adds a lot of depth to Caitlin’s grief response in s1. After Ronnie is presumed dead, she becomes emotionally distant, just like Carla after Thomas’s (also presumed iirc) death 😭

Tbh I think Caitlin mirrors her mother in a lot of interesting ways…which is made all the more tragic by the fact that it was more of a “You become what you fear to be” thing, rather than a conscious “I want to be more like you” thing.

Ooooooooh, that's a very interesting takeaway! It fits, too, because s1 Caitlin is presented as such an uptight and emotionally repressed person ("icy" as the original script described her), but we saw in a flashback that she was very warm and welcoming to Cisco when he started at S.T.A.R. Labs, and she was sassy with Hartley, a side we didn't really see too much of until a bit later in the series, when she'd started to recover from her grief for Ronnie. There are several moments in other seasons where she starts to try to close herself off, too, but gets pulled back by one of her friends.

And there's the whole thing about Carla telling her that she's the one who left first. Which never sat well with me, because it essentially puts the blame on Caitlin for the distance in their relationship, when it's Carla's job as the parent to be emotionally available for her daughter and make an effort to reach out when she pulls away. But it does contribute to the idea that Caitlin has a bit more of her mother in her than she would like to acknowledge, which is always a fun and frustrating dynamic to explore.

I'm like reframing my whole view of Caitlin now, because I've never thought of this before, but it makes so much sense. She responds to difficulties in her life with coldness (literally and figuratively) because that was all she knew for a while, and it just took having the right people in her life to show her that it's better to lean on the people who care about you than to shut them out—which is something that she points out to Barry on more than one occasion.

#this is such a good response thank you!! #ask #shrinkthisviolet #The Flash #Caitlin Snow

[berrypockets]

Something About the Night

Chapter 3: A Kiss Goodnight

Nobody knows her. Name, address, anything. People only saw her that night at the party, and never saw her again. I expanded my search, asked about the description you gave me, but to no avail. I'm sorry, Miss Burgess, but it seems that this person doesn't even existed till that night. If it wasn't for the witnesses that night, I'm afraid that she's just a fiction.

Grace stared at herself in the mirror, she kept replaying the words in her head. After the engagement party, after meeting that woman, things were never the same. It wasn't that obvious; but it was. She even went as far as to make a silly excuse to visit a cousin in London, masking the private investor she hired.

She wanted to know who was that woman. That woman, who made every heads turn, eyes following, who made even her soon-to-be husband looked at her with eyes that never looked at her the same.

It was late that night and Tommy still hasn't retired to bed. She left their shared room and made her way to Tommy’s office.

She didn't bother to knock and invited herself in.

Tommy was busy reading, signing documents, he didn't even looked up, nor acknowledged her presence. Grace made her way behind him, places both her hands in his shoulder and gently runs them in his arms, "Tommy, it's late. Why don't we go to bed?"

"You go first. Just have to finish these papers,"

She was hurt, she had counted the times that Tommy made the same excuse, "That was your excuse last night, and yesterday's, and the day after that. Same as last week." She barely whispers.

"Then what do you want me to do, eh, Grace?!"

Grace quickly takes a step back, she wasn't expecting Tommy to snap.

"Nothing, Tommy. I'll just wait for you." She says, making her way out of the office.

"Don't wait up," that's all she heard as she closes the office doors.

She waited, until she couldn't, but he never came.

It started as Tommy coming to bed late, then Tommy leaving the bed before she wake up, and now Tommy never comes to bed. She was getting worried, but she didn’t want to get worried over nothing. So she convinces herself that Tommy was just busy. Yes, he was just busy.

They didn't talked about what happened that night, but it was more like they pretended it never happened.

"Aren't you gonna have dinner, Tom?" Grace asks, she was standing in front of Tommy's desk. He didn't came to dinner, and she wanted to patch things up so she asks him even though it was obvious he didn't want dinner.

Tommy takes a sip on his glass, "Not hungry," then continues to lighta cigarette.

"Whiskey isn't food, nor is a cigarette" she wants to make a point.

Tommy looks at the woman in front of him, he smiles as he was amused by the sudden boldness in her voice. "Now you want to decide over what I eat or drink?"

He huffed, "What’s next, you gonna tell me what to wear? Give me orders? To sit, stand, talk? Tell me when to breathe? When to die?!"

"Tommy, no I-"

"I have given you fucking everything, Grace! Fucking everything! I have draped you with expensive and extravagant fabrics and jewels. You have control over this bloody house. You can throw any fucking party at any fucking time. I. Don't. Care. You want more? Just give me a list and I'll give it fucking all to you." He looks her dead in the eye, "So, Fucking. Leave. Me. Alone!"

Grace immediately left the office, putting a brave face but her tears says otherwise.

On the other hand, Tommy jusr sat there. Hand covering his mouth as he leaned against his chair. He was pissed at himself, not for yelling at his fiancée. Grace knew what was coming, she had been annoying him for the past couple of days; work was piling left and right, sleep wasn't an option because of the nightmares, and every time he looks out the window, he swears he could see her - standing there, looking at him like that night.

Arrow House was silent. Not a sound was heard, nor a word was said.

Tommy Shelby never had a good night's sleep since his dreams became nightmares, but since their second encounter he knew he angered her. Still the same dream in the woods, but now as he'll turn around to the hall - she'll be there, but they won't dance. She won't come near him nor touch him, she'll just stand in front of him and both of them stare at eachother in forever.

"Please tell Grace I won't be coming home tonight. Got some business to take care of."

"Was that Tommy?"

Frances already sensed her mistress's presence the moment she answered the phone, she calmly told her, "Mr. Shelby wants me to inform you that he won't be coming home tonight. He said he had to take care of some business."

"Thank you, Frances," that's all she says.

"Goodnight, Ms. Burgess."

Frances has been working for the infamous Thomas Shelby for some time now. Stories are words, rumors are rumors with a hint of truth, but despite all, he was a good employer. If there is something that needs to be followed in that house is that - one who works for the Shelby household, should never meddle with family affairs.

Tommy Shelby looks outside the window, London was busy even at night. Busy but still beautiful. Lights dancing, music and laughter everywhere. Some were awake, some getting ready to bed, some already asleep. And like some of those people, he would give anything to have a good night's sleep.

There was obviously no business involved, he just wanted a way out. His life was his life, everything that had happened was because of the decisions he made. Everything he had done was for his family. His family was everything. Family comes first. Every step, every plan, every bullet, every drop of blood was carefully planned, sacrifices were inevitable, but everything that had happened was all according to his plan.

Except for her.

His life suddenly came to a halt the moment she walked in, as if time stopped working. His running mind calmed as he started into her eyes, but just like the East Wind - she brought a terrifyingly force with her that lays waste on its path. He was certain she brought misfortune into his life.

A certain knock on the door stopped his train of thoughts. He approaches the door with the thoughts of: Who? He chose a random hotel to stay the night and told no one; so who?

He shouldn't open he door, but a voice inside tells him to. He didn't even reach for his gun, nor asks on who's on the other side. He just have to open the door.

"How?" That's all that came out of Tommy Shelby as he startes at the person in front of him.

It was her.

Wearing all her beauty with her, she gives him a loving playful smile as she walks in the room. "You have called, and I have come." She says back to him after taking a quick look around the room.

Both of them stood there in the silence. One looking with all curiosity while the other looking for hope.

"What spell did you cast on me?"

"I never casted any spell," she chuckles as she took a spet towards him.

"Are you a witch?" He asks, eyes never leaving hers.

She chuckles as she answers, "Spells are for witches, and witches get burned."

Her hands now found on his chest, tracing his collar down to his tie.

"What are you?" He asks.

Her head tilts to the side as mischief twinkling in her eyes. The question of "Who" every time they would meet now changed.

"What am I?" She whispers through the silence as tension was building, "That depends on what you believe."

"Do I know you?"

He was now asking the right questions. She thought.

"You are the only one who does."

The gap between them closes as their lips met. Their body pressed together, one shaped to fit the other perfectly. Her hands to his cheeks, his hands to her waist. He kissed her once again as he says, "I want you." And again, "I have always wanted you."

"Is that so wrong?" His dips his head and presses a kiss into her collarbone.

She hummed as he pressed another kiss, his hands tracing the line along her back as he inhales scent. She smelled like sweet wood and wild flowers.

[ Masterlist ] [ Previous Chapter ] [ Next Chapter ]

Taglist:

@heidimoreton @owishiiimeeeowww97 @askiibae @bowerbiersack001 @iamsassys-blog @woofgocows @nanamin-pointo @rockerchick05

#tommy shelby #tommy shelby x reader #peaky blinders #thomas shelby #tommy shelby imagine #peaky blinders imagine #thomas shelby imagines #thomas shelby imagine #tommy shelby imagines #peaky blinders imagines #peaky blinders fanfiction #jyessaminereads #jyessaminewrites

[secretxxpaladaiseu]

@vienrose

Apple was on her way to the kitchen when she saw a file folder sitting open on Damian's desk. Although she never touched his files, she absolutely took a look whenever one was sitting open. After all, they were just sitting there...Available for the world to see if they happened to be in the apartment. At first, she didn't find anything that stood out until she got to the description of the man's murder, laughing to herself before joining her fiancé in the kitchen.

"You should just give up on solving that case. The guy was a piece of shit. Everyone in the underworld knew about him, and no one wanted to work with him. Even I was warned about him by a leader I'm cool with. It's better he's dead." Her voice was rather nonchalant, unlike her mind. Her mind was absolutely racing as soon as she realized the file on his desk.

#apple starter; #sweet&sour apple;

[brother-genitivi]

hi!! these are a bunch of them but I'm curious

What sort of general actions raise or lower their approval?

Do they have their own personal quest that spans the course of the game?  Can it take different branching paths depending on the choices the Player Character makes?

Are there any unique NPCs associated with your Tav that can show up during the course of the game?

Do they have comments on who the Player Character chooses to spend the night with? 

How do they react if the PC licks the dead spider in the Gauntlet of Shar?

Is your Tav a romanceable character?  Are there any specific requirements to romancing them?

What sort of general actions raise or lower their approval?

Being selfless, everyday acts of kindness and love are an easy way to get on Safaa's good side. She likes pragmatism without apathy. Senseless killing and cruelty will lower her approval. Though, she approves greatly of revenge.

Do they have their own personal quest that spans the course of the game?  Can it take different branching paths depending on the choices the Player Character makes?

Her personal quest revolves around her reuniting with her family, as well as meeting the group of performers her former fiancé was a part of. The family reunion would span act 1, as they live in a small village in the Underdark, near the mycnoids. Simply reuniting her with her aunts would give approval, but this part of the quest cannot be influenced. If this opportunity is missed, she will not open up about her fiancé.

What can be influenced is her meeting the performers in Act 3. Safaa would approach them, but they would be on the verge of turning hostile as they believe she is the reason why her fiancé, their closest friend, has died. The Player can influence her to either defend herself, resulting in their deaths and fuelling the misunderstanding, or to convince them she wasn't at fault. If they die, Safaa will have a hardened personality, and try to justify crueller actions. If the performers are convinced, she reconciles with them, and they grieve her to-be husband's death together.

Are there any unique NPCs associated with your Tav that can show up during the course of the game?

Yes! Those who work at the Circus of the Last Days in Act 3. Klaus, the NPC required to let you into the circus, will recognise her immediately. He and a few other performers (including Safaa's former fiancé) took refuge in her village once, when their cart was waylaid in the Underdark.

Do they have comments on who the Player Character chooses to spend the night with?

Safaa will say nothing about her companions spending the night together (frankly she believes it's not her business), but after the PC locks in a romance with someone, she'll have something to say. "I'm glad to see Gale has found one who will appreciate him for the man he is, not the God he wishes to be." or "Astarion deserves a gentle hand after all this time. Thank you for being his soft place to land."

How do they react if the PC licks the dead spider in the Gauntlet of Shar?

"That is absolutely foul. Though, I am curious... how does it taste?"

If they lick it again - "Do I need to get on my knees and beg you to stop?"

Is your Tav a romanceable character?  Are there any specific requirements to romancing them?

Safaa is! The only requirement would be to do her Act 1 quest which would have her open up about her deceased fiancé in Act 2. Flirting is available in Act 1, but the romance is locked in much later.

#safaa salhani #asks #bg3 spoilers #ty for the ask Sienna I am smooching your forehead

[troutfur]

Part 2 of the FireBark Patrician au:

Sandstorm is absolutely livid at Cloudkit’s arrival, almost ready to let the kits freeze. She’s no fool, she knows the clan talks about her and Fireheart’s marriage but this just seals it.

It is a grace from the stars that Cloudkit is allowed to stay. Fireheart definitely isn’t doing too hot but he knew the risks and He’s just rolling with the punches. Barkface is given the side eye at the next gathering, Ashfoot especially staring at him like “That’s your son”

He does get close with Brindleface and her kits (Sandstorm refuses to speak to him without Yellowfang or Bluestar present). Ashpaw and Fernpaw are thought pretty highly due to this. Though there might be the sour rumors of Fireheart being the sire of Brindleface’s litter which definitely doesn’t help the situation.

Cloudpaw is definitely on thin-ice at all times and Fireheart is trying to keep his atheism as far away from Sandstorm as possible.

I also have this added thought of Cloud + his littermates joining and Sandstorm being like “You are keeping one and the rest are going”. No matter that no one really available aside from Littlecloud is around at the moment, she’s definitely pulling some strings to get them sent off, with various degrees of resentment.

Fireheart and Sandstorm work on their issues, especially after Yellowfang’s death and Bluestar’s condition gets worse. They need to at least communicate with each other to keep the clan going.

Honestly Fireheart becoming deputy then leader would be absolutely hilarious, he’s the talk of gatherings for ages. Thunderclan breathes a sigh of relief when Squirrel and Leaf are born.

I love this, I love this a lot. Thank you for sending it to me, I've been staring at it like all day long thinking how to reply.

Like, damn, Sandstorm REALLY would be justified in kicking his ass. But I like the thought they eventually work it out in a "we need to keep the Clan running somehow now that Yellowfang's dead and Bluestar is not suited to fulfill her duties".

I don't see the earlier infidelity giving them grounds for a completely stable relationship but like. At least as business partners and later co-parents to Squirrel and Leaf it's nice?

(This one hits on a very core appeal to augur AU to me, the idea of making the best out of the situation with the arranged marriage, to balance one's position as pawn of the system with one's personal life when it's so intertwined, to work together to find happiness in a situation that could otherwise have been very shitty. It's nice, is what I'm trying to say!)

Also, it's honestly hilarious how Ashfoot keeps scolding her dad about bringing about the infidelity.

And the idea of Fireheart trying to educate his son into the whole of the priestly caste they're a part of and him going: "Hmmm... Sounds stupid, why do we do this?" is priceless.

AND FERN/ASH/CLOUD AS BIO SIBLINGS AND PATRICIANS TOGETHER!

Man, man, man, that sounds juicy. I don't know who I'd want to send away most and to where. I'm certain Sandstorm can pull a favor of two out of someone to send away the kit who doesn't get Littlecloud as fiancé.

#augur au

[interlagosed]

How did Lando’s siblings react to George’s text. Like I’m imagining that because of time zones Cisca gets the text at dinner and there’s just pandemonium

OH MY GOD HAHAHAHAHA. Paired with this.

Flo had just jumped out of the shower, and not a moment too soon; dinner was about to be served, and mum had never set a dinner table that didn't require immediate attendance. She threw on shorts, threw on a jumper, and practically threw herself down the stairs before mum could have a chance to yell for them.

What Flo Norris had not expected was for her mother to scream, followed shortly by the sound of something shattering. Flo nearly fell down the last couple of stairs.

"Mum?!"

Dad's office door flew open, and little Cisca emerged from somewhere behind the couch, apparently shocked awake out of a nap. Flo was the first person on the scene: mum, standing in the kitchen, surrounded by shattered porcelain, staring aghast at her phone.

"Cisca?! What happened?" dad said, slowly kicking away shards of the broken plates so that he could get to his wife.

"Lando!"

Flo's heart nearly stopped. "Jesus, is he okay?"

Then little Cisca chimed in, yelping, "Isn't there a revolution or something happening there?"

"It ended I thought!"

"I thought I saw someone who looked like Lando's hot boyfriend on the telly-"

"What?!"

"Hush!" dad said loudly, and Flo and Cisca stopped talking. Mum just slowly gave dad her phone, and then dad's eyes bugged out all weird too. Then, carefully, "Georgie is drunk. Look, he says so right here-"

"Then he says 'can't wait to be your best man tonight, Mr. Norris-Sainz,'" mum screamed, and Flo covered her mouth with her hands.

Dad tilted his head at the phone. "How'd you manage to decipher that, love?"

"Adam! Not the point!" mum shrieked, and he looked properly abashed. She snatched the phone back from Adam and tried to call Lando, but no avail - dead.

They spent the rest of the night theorizing. Cisca had managed to track down one of the news channels airing the Hiberian revolution and - sure enough, Carlos Sainz (two of them apparently?) kept coming up.

"And that's for sure Lando's boyfriend?" Adam asked, and all three women in the room - well, one woman and two girls - glared at him. He stopped contributing as much after that.

Eventually, eventually, while mum was on the phone with George's mum, she got called back by Lando. She had him on speaker as she yelled into the phone, "Explain yourself!"

"He-ey, mum! I'm alright!"

"What is George talking about?!"

"What? George? Ha-ha, we weren't going to get married tonight-tonight!"

Flo groaned. Bad move, Lando.

"Oh, so you were going to get married at some point soon?" Cisca demanded, and Lando's gulp was almost audible over the phone. "Tell me everything. Now."

In fairness, it was a good story. Even mum had stopped screaming as much after it, especially when it turned out that his boyfriend- well, fiancé now, had pretty much headed a whole bloody revolution, and that his dad - the other Carlos - might end up becoming the next president of Hiberia. At some point at the end of that call, Lando's b- fiancé had apparently come back, and he personally, quite nicely too, invited them over to Hiberia to meet his family and stay with them. Dad looked delighted, and even mum managed to muster some excitement. Cisca was beside herself with excitement.

And why not? Vacation in Hiberia.

Good move, Lando.

#hibi answers #¡revolución!

[fruitcoops]

Remus gets injured in a game. I have literally read everything you have written but i'm not sure if you have wrote one like this. If you have, ANOTHER PLZZ

Hello anon! I wove this together with a couple different prompts, listed below:

1. Coops argument

2. Prompt 21: “You need to eat something”

3. Remus gets in a fight with Snape

4. Protective Sirius

5. Coops going home grumpy after losing a game (see link)

Sweater Weather credit goes to @lumosinlove! TW for fights, blood, bruises, arguments, and someone getting called a wh*re

Snape’s cheek gave easily beneath Remus’ fist, which was a tad bit surprising. He wrapped his other hand in the neckline of his jersey, yanking him back in to land another punch to the side of his head—that would leave a nasty bruise in the morning. Stars sparkled in his vision as Snape got a lucky shot in and he doubled down, ignoring the thin line of pain that trickled down his chin.

“Break it up, boys, that’s enough!” The referee’s whistle blew as he and another pried Remus’ hands off Snape’s jersey; someone took him by the shoulders and pushed him away from the fight. Pots.

“Say it again!” Remus shouted at Snape as the refs and their teammates continued pulling them apart. “Say it again and I’ll knock your fucking teeth in!”

James’ hold on him faltered for a second as another person skated over and tried to join the melee. “Cap, no!”

“Move, Pots.”

“Loops won the fight, it’s done. Let’s just keep playing.” James shoved both their chests hard enough to send them back a few inches, but Remus’ blood boiled as he ground his mouthguard between his teeth. He glanced up at the clock—3:16 left in the third, Snakes up by two. Their win was almost guaranteed and Snape was still pulling this bullshit.

He skated quickly over to the bench and mumbled his thanks to Hestia as she pressed some gauze to his lip and ice to his cheek. “Lupin, you’re in for the rest of the game,” Coach Weasley said, tapping him on the arm with his playboard. “Anything broken?”

“No, Coach.”

“Then get your ass back out on the ice and score some points. We need some speed.”

He could feel the fury rolling off Sirius as they wove through the Snakes’ defense, shooting again and again to no avail. Frustration built up in every nerve—he was worried about the win, of course, but mostly he was pissed. Pissed at Snape, pissed at James for pushing him, and pissed at Sirius for butting into the fight.

Remus scored a final goal just as the buzzer sounded. Hissing filled the stadium, even though it was a home game. Snape smirked at him as he skated past and the only thing keeping him from dragging him right back in by his greasy hair was the possible suspension.

The shower was cold, because of course the fucking shower was cold. Remus shoved his stuff in his duffel and waited outside the locker room, silently fist bumping the guys as they left. God, he hated losing games. It was inevitable, but it always felt shitty.

“How’s the lip?” Sirius asked when he finally came out, bag slung over his shoulder.

“Fine. What the fuck was that?”

“What was what?”

“You butted into my fight. Nobody asked you to.”

Sirius’ eyebrows rose. “Re, he called you—”

“Yeah, I know what he called me,” Remus snapped, practically slamming the door to the parking lot closed. “I was there.”

The only reason you’re on this team is because you’re the captain’s whore, Snape had sneered. He bit the inside of his cheek as his anger flared at the memory. “I was just trying to help,” Sirius grumbled.

“Well, you didn’t. You proved his fucking point.”

“I didn’t prove shit!” Sirius scoffed as they got in the car. Immediately, Remus felt claustrophobic.

“I had it handled, Sirius!”

“You’re still bleeding!”

Remus ran his tongue along his lip—sure enough, the salty tang of blood filled his mouth. He swore under his breath and held his sleeve to his lip; his cheekbone throbbed and he knew it would be swollen in mere hours.

“Here.”

“I don’t need that.”

“You’d rather stain your sleeve than accept a tissue from me?”

“It’s a black sweatshirt, it’s fine.” Sirius muttered something. “Care to share with the class?”

Sirius sighed as he turned off the freeway. “I said it was your idea to keep these here in the first place. I don’t know why you’re being all pissy with me. We’ve lost games before.”

“I’m pissed because you don’t think I can handle myself in a fight.”

Sirius took his eyes off the road for a half second in shock. “Excuse me? Why do you think that?”

“I just told you!” Remus said, exasperated. “Snape was being a dick, so I punched him. I didn’t need your hero complex to swoop in and save the day.”

“Re, I didn’t even get a hand on him. Pots—”

“Oh, I’m pissed at him as well,” Remus snorted, staring out the passenger window at the blurry lights against the dark. “If someone calls me a whore, I’d rather get the message across that they can’t do it again.”

“Would you rather have gotten a penalty?”

“Yes.”

“That is unbelievably selfish.”

Remus laughed without humor. “Y’know, it’s really funny that you’ve never had this conversation with Logan, the king of the penalty box. Is it because he’s not a delicate flower like me?”

“Wh—” Sirius clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, Remus. I have never seen you as a—a delicate flower. For your information, I have chewed Logan out on multiple occasions.”

Remus gritted his teeth and trained his gaze firmly out the window. He heard Sirius sigh next to him and it took every ounce of willpower to keep his composure. The next ten minutes were dead silent and deeply uncomfortable, which was a rarity with them; even after losses, they would talk through the errors or try to lighten the mood.

Both of them closed their doors a little harder than necessary when they got to the house and Hattie trotted over hesitantly when they came inside. “Hey, Hatters,” Remus murmured, crouching down to her level and holding a hand out. She licked his cheek and let him bury his face in her thick fur—Sirius scratched her ears as he walked past. “Did you have a good time while we were out? Huh, baby girl?” He looked up and saw the tail end of Sirius’ eye roll. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Sirius, it doesn’t work. I’m giving the dog a hug because I’m still pissed at you.”

“There is literally no good reason for you to be pissed at me!” Sirius finally said, tossing his keys into the bowl by the door. “Holy shit, Re, I don’t even think you’re mad at me!”

“Oh, yeah? Then who am I mad at, oh great and wise captain?” Remus practically spat, shouldering past him into the kitchen and wrenching a cabinet open. “Please enlighten me.”

“I wish I knew!”

Remus slammed the bread down on the counter and glared at him. “Then maybe you should shut the fuck up if you don’t have anything to support your claim.”

“Acting like this is a goddamn debate club isn’t helping. Your lip is bleeding again.”

“Fuck.” Remus ripped a paper towel off the roll and dampened it, holding it to his lip with a wince. Sirius opened the freezer and dug around for a moment with another paper towel. “I don’t remember you getting hit.”

“This is for you, you stubborn fucker,” Sirius said as he walked over and pressed it gently to the side of Remus’ face. “Better?”

“…a bit.”

The tension on Sirius’ face began to fade; he just looked concerned as he pulled the ice away and checked the bruise. “Your eye might swell.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you actually want to talk now, or should we yell a little more?”

Remus sighed and felt his anger abate. He was beyond exhausted, and still upset, but having Sirius nearby was like balm on a burn. “I don’t know.”

“I’m going to make some sandwiches. Hold this.” Sirius tapped the ice towel and moved to the abandoned loaf, grabbing some peanut butter and jelly as he went.

“I’m not hungry.”

“You need to eat something.”

“I’m fine.”

Sirius glanced over his shoulder and gave him a look. “I know you, Re. You’re not going to feel better unless you get some food, and neither will I.”

“I hate it when you’re reasonable.”

“No, you don’t.”

Remus’ lack of response was enough of an answer. The pain stretched to his forehead and he grimaced, prodding his lip cautiously. Sirius whistled for Hattie and spread the leftover peanut butter from the knife onto a clean spoon, holding it down for her to lick. A smile tugged the corner of Remus’ mouth. “Cute.”

“I can be cute on occasion.”

“You’re always cute.” There was a beat of quiet. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re forgiven. I’m sorry for yelling.”

“Not for interrupting the fight?”

“Nope.”

“That’s fair.” Something tickled at the back of Remus’ throat. “I fucking hate Snape.”

“Me, too.”

“Surprisingly enough, it feels pretty shitty to be called a whore. Who would’ve thought?”

Sirius turned and faced him, sleeves rolled to his elbows. His eyes were soft. “You know that’s not true, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Remus. What he said wasn’t true. You have nothing to prove to anyone on the team, least of all to me. You earned that spot on the roster fair and square, and Snape’s just freaked out because there’s another player who could grind him into the dust without breaking a sweat.” He stepped closer and leaned on the counter next to Remus, leaving a few inches between them. “I don’t think you’re a whore, if that means anything.”

Remus laughed softly. “Of all the people out there, I think you’re the only one who could reliably make that assumption.”

Sirius didn’t smile. “You’re my best friend and also my fiancé. The sex is a great bonus, but my favorite part of being with you is just being with you.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Remus muttered, though the sharp edges began to smooth in his gut. He closed the distance between them and laid his head on Sirius’ shoulder. “Love you.”

“I love you, too. Can I take a look at your lip?”

“Sure.” Remus peeled the towel away and Sirius bent slightly, poking the area around it. “Ouch.”

“That’ll probably take a week or so to heal. He got you good.”

Remus pouted. “No kisses for a week?”

Sirius did laugh that time, bright and sunny enough that Remus nearly made his lip bleed again with the answering smile. “I said nothing about no kisses.” Warm lips trailed from his unbruised cheekbone to the edge of his mouth, leaving tiny tingles in their wake.

“I really am sorry about what I said. You were right, I wasn’t angry with you, and I had no right to go off like that.”

Sirius shrugged. “It happens.”

“It shouldn’t.”

“Then let’s agree to talk first, bite heads off later, okay?” He held his pinky out and Remus linked it with his own, kissing it quickly.

“Deal. Are the sandwiches done? I’m starving.”

Wordlessly, Sirius handed him a sandwich and hopped up to sit on the counter, scooting over to make room for Remus to join him. They ate quietly, swinging their legs as the calmness of the kitchen crept back in once more.

[youbloodymadgenius]

Unexpected (Modern!Ivar x reader x OC)

A/N: This is my contribution to @waiting4inspiration‘s Stay Safe, Stay Home Writing Challenge. Hope you’ll like it, hun 💖

Please, stay safe, it’s far from over. Last night, at 10:30pm, my eldest daughter's teacher called me. Two teachers positive. School (about 1000 kids) closed until further notice.

Prompt in bold.

@inforapound 💋

Let me know if you want to be tagged 😊

The gif (🤤) belongs to @therealcalicali 🌷

Summary: You're about to spend a quiet evening with your friend Vero when the doorbell rings. Ivar...

Warnings: Implied FxF sex ; implied threesome.

Words: 2229

You pull back from Veronica's embrace just as the doorbell rings and your friend gives you a questioning look. "Did you invite somebody?" 

 Shaking your head, you frown slightly, getting up off the couch. Handing her the remote, you sigh. "Might as well go see who it is."

 Squinting through the peephole, you let out a gasp of surprise before opening the door. "Ivar," you greet your unexpected visitor, "everything okay? What are you doing here?"

A sly smirk on his lips, Ivar shrugs. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thought I'd come to see you. This isn't a bad time, is it?" Raising an eyebrow, he points behind him with his thumb. "I can leave if you want me to. It's no big deal." He then tilts his head to one side as his eyes wander over your body. "Though it would be a shame…" He says cockily, glancing down again to your tiny shorts. 

 "Ivar!" Suddenly hyper aware you are basically standing in the hallway of your apartment building, half-naked, you turn beet red, fumbling with the bottom of your shirt and pulling it down in a fruitless attempt to hide your upper thighs. "You know I'm not alone, right?"

 As he just nods, you furrow your brows, an idea popping into your mind. "Did you get my letter?"

 §§§

 Ivar (Dear Ivar, My dear Ivar, I don't really know how to begin… You know what? I'll stick to 'Ivar', everything else sounds too weird!),

 I bet you're wondering why I'm writing to you. And if I know you, you're probably thinking it's so twenty-century-ish. You are right but guess what? I don't care.

 §§§

 Looking down at you with a wry smile on his face, he shrugs and takes out of his jacket pocket a sheet of paper, on which you can clearly see your neat handwriting. "It would seem so, don't you think?" 

 His amused tone does nothing to calm your nerves and you wince, your heart speeding up until you feel it pounding in your throat. "And?" Biting your lower lip, you hold your breath, waiting for his answer.

 "Well..,” he chuckles, "I'd say it's so twenty-century-ish."

 Rolling your eyes, you heave an exasperated sigh. "You know that's not what I meant." Ivar keeps quiet as he locks his sparkling eyes on yours and you can't help but insist. "Please, Ivar, tell me what you think. Seriously!" You cringe at your begging tone, a dead giveaway that his opinion matters more than you'd like.

 "You're no fun, Y/N!” Ivar pouts for one second, then seems to realize how tense you are. "I don't understand why you didn't tell me earlier,"he frowns, "but I'm glad you eventually did."

 "You're not mad?" That's really a load off your mind and you're immediately breathing better. 

 §§§

 I have something to tell you. Actually, I tried several times, but to no avail. Hope it'll be easier in writing…

 You know about my friend Veronica, right? She was my roommate during my Erasmus semester in Spain, five years ago. I told you she was coming to visit me this week. That part is true, but I wasn't completely honest with you. There's more to it…

 §§§

 Ivar's face softens as his hand grazes yours, your fingers intertwining for just one moment. "Why would I be?" Giving you a sweet smile, he cocks his head questioningly.

 "I… I thought that…" Sputtering, you inhale deeply. "I didn't tell you the whole truth, did I? I… thought you'd be upset…" Running nervously a hand through your hair, you look down, shy and uncomfortable. 

 §§§

 I know we're not in an exclusive relationship, yet I know what we promised each other. That's why I feel awful about that… Because of course, the longer I wait, the harder it gets…

 §§§

 For two years, Ivar had been your lover's younger brother. Hvitserk and Ivar got along well, but even though they were family, they didn't run in the same circles. Different friends, different interests. Actually, during those two years, Ivar was always with his fiancée, a very blond, very pretty and very venal fucking bitch you couldn't stand. Freydis. Even her name rubs you up the wrong way. 

 Anyway… So, for two years, you had only occasionally met Ivar, mostly at family gatherings. And then, ten months ago, both of your love lives had been shattered, almost simultaneously. As you randomly found out Hvitserk had never stopped sleeping with Margrethe – Ivar's and Hvitserk's older brother's wife – Ivar caught Freydis fucking the gardener of the Lothbrok's estate. It had brought you closer together, as you spent nights drinking, cursing your former lovers and crying over your broken dreams, each of you drowning in each other's sorrow. You ended up finding comfort in each other's presence, and one thing led to another, you began sleeping together, rarely at first, more regularly for a month or two. 

 From the beginning, things had been clear between the two of you. No exclusivity, no commitment, as you were both emotionally scarred and totally not ready. However, an important rule had been established from the start: no lies, no secrets, no dirty tricks. A complete transparence at all times, in order to preserve your friendship – yes, you had become friends – at all costs. 

 Ivar giggles. He fucking giggles. "Love, that's a tiny white lie, an omission, you know? I can live with that. What I don't get is, why were you so afraid of telling me?" No mischief in his eyes. Ivar seems genuinely curious, prepared to hear your answer, whatever it is. 

 Relieved yet a bit embarrassed, you bow your head, feeling suddenly childish. Why didn't you tell him? It's nothing to be ashamed of. Plus you didn't do – and are not doing – anything wrong. So yeah, why? "I'm… I'm not sure, Ivar. I suppose… I thought… Maybe…" Chewing on your cheek, you suck in a ragged breath while collecting your thoughts.  "I didn't know how you'd react. We never talked about… this kind of things, you know…"

 §§§

 Okay, here goes. When I met Veronica, I was single and so was she. We were young and carefree, always up for anything. Vero was bubbly, self-confident, straightforward and quite fascinating. And so, so beautiful. 

 I don't remember how it happened the first time.What I do remember, however, is the softness of her skin and the smooth roudness of her breasts. (How wonderful a woman’s breast is! Right, guess you know that.)

 After that first time, there were others. Many others. In the end, my Erasmus semester had been peppered with a lot of kissing, touching, caressing… And so much tenderness… That was fantastic. 

 From then on, whenever we see each other again, and as long as we're both single, we don't resist. Not a chance. Why should we?

 Well, here we are! Now you know my "big secret.” I didn't have the guts to say it in person, that's why I chose to write. Because even though you and I aren't really in a relationship – or not in that kind of relationship, and you know what I mean – we promised to be fully honest with each other, and I didn’t feel like I had been. 

 Because I never told you about Vero, or the fact that I'm bisexual. It's obviously what I am. Quite frankly, I don't know. Maybe. Possibly. Truthfully, I don't care. Labels shouldn't matter, don't you agree? To me at least, they don't.

 Anyway, now you know. Please, try to be understanding and non-judgemental. And forgive me for not saying anything earlier. I'll be glad to still be your friend, you know?

 Talk soon,

Y/N.

  §§§

 "We never talked about this kind of thing?” Ivar mumbles, repeating your words. "It would have been pointless. There was just nothing to talk about!" His nostrils flare and he clearly struggles to restrain a growing anger. "Fuck Y/N! I can't believe you think so little of me. It is well known that Sigurd fucks more men than women, isn't it? And I'm pretty sure my father was once in love with a man. A fucking Christian priest! You really thought I was that closed-minded that you playing stink fingers with a girl would shock me?"

 Quirking your brows, you shrug, wincing slightly. "I… Sorry Ivar… I thought… I don't know what… I… huh… I was… scared… or maybe… I… Shit!" Stopping your rambling, you pull yourself together, inhaling deeply while rubbing your sweaty palms up and down your bare thighs. "Guess I don't know you so well. After all, we sleep together and sling mud at our unfaithful exes, but that's it. There are a lot of things we've never talked about and yes, I was scared. Yet, I should have known better, you're probably right. I've been silly, haven't I?" 

 A half-smile tugs at his lips, and he nods. "Yes, you might say that." 

 You can see his face is still tense, but his tone, much to your relief, is playful, which gives you the courage to ask another question. "Still friends, then?"

 "Of course. I wouldn't be here otherwise." Reaching out, his right hand cups your face, his thumb stroking lightly your cheek. Ivar is sometimes so soft, it's disarming. 

 "I'm glad." You're not lying. Ivar is important to you, has a special place in your life. You would have been disappointed if he was less accepting. 

 Wrapping your fingers around his, you stand on your tippy toes, giving him a quick peck right under his cheekbone. "Thank you. And now…,” you clap your hands, your face breaking into a wide grin, "are you finally going to tell me what you're doing here?"

 "I will," Ivar begins before shifting his weight from one foot to the other still leaning heavily on his crutch, "but won't you let me in?" Gesturing to his legs, he groans, tilting his head. "Or are you going to leave the poor cripple on your doorstep? How rude!"

 You burst out laughing, rolling your eyes. "You know using your disability that way is a shame?" Still, you can't help but feel guilty when you see him stifling a wince, trying not to show his pain. "Okay Ivar, come in." Stepping aside to let him in, you scratch your head, confused. You still don't know what he's doing here. 

 ***

 The awkward small talk is unsettling. Frowning, you take your seat on the couch next to Veronica after getting Ivar a beer, who is now comfortably seated in an armchair. 

 "So, what is it you really want, Ivar?" You ask growing annoyed at this point. As much as you like him, you'd rather spend your night in Vero's arms than chitchatting with her and your current "bedfellow.”

 Ivar doesn't open his mouth for a long time, an impish smile lingers on his lips. Tilting his chin up, he finally clears his throat. "Kiss her." His hoarse, bossy voice – his sex voice – catches you off guard, sending shivers through your spine. "Excuse me?" You murmur, your hand gripping Vero's. 

 "That's what I want. That's why I came. Kiss her." As he suggestively licks his lips, your eyes widen, a familiar warmth spreading in your lower belly. Knowing that Vero is anything but bashful, you give her a meaningful look, pleased as you can see desire in her dark, dilated eyes. Immediately leaning forward, you brush your lips against hers, your tongue parting them almost instantaneously, invading and claiming her mouth. Soft moans escape your lips as Vero deepens the kiss and you close your eyes, allowing yourself to get lost in the moment.

 "We can do better than that," Vero mutters, her teeth nibbling on your earlobe, "if he wants a show, we'll give him a show. It would be rude to deny him, don't you think?" Without waiting for your answer, she slips a hand under your shirt, gently pushing it up, running her fingertips over your breasts as you wrap your arm around her waist, bringing her closer. 

 Catching your attention, Ivar lets out a low, appreciative growl, his expression unreadable. He's aroused, the bulge in his pants is obvious, but does he want more? Remembering that time when you sent Vero a pic of him, and how she was screaming over the phone about how hot he was, you know she wouldn't mind. She wouldn't mind at all. 

 "Care to join us?" You blink at him, making sure he can see your fingers sliding under her panties. When he doesn't answer and looks unsure, a faint frown creasing his forehead, you slowly get off the couch, kissing Vero one last time and then cross the room. Kneeling down in front of him, you reach out, putting your hand on his groin and squeezing his hard cock. You can hear Vero stand up, "Yes Ivar, join us please.” You make sure you whisper so that only he can hear you. "I promise, you won't have to take your pants off if you don't want to."

 His nod brings a beaming smile to your face and you grab his hand as Veronica joins the two of you. Brimming with excitement, you lead them up to your bedroom, wordlessly, your heart hammering in your chest.

 This is unexpected and definitely not how you planned to spend the night. But you won't complain. It's a thousand times better.

 🛡⚔️🛡

@honestsycrets @lisinfleur @waiting4inspiration @saldelys @gearhead66 @readsalot73 @a-mess-of-fandoms @hecohansen31 @lonewolf471 @milkkygirls @ivarthebloodyking @fuckindiva @tgrrose @shannygoatgruff @zuxiezendler @didiintheblog @xbellaxcarolinax​

#ivar #ivars heathen army #ivar ragnarsson #ivar lothbrok #modern ivar #modern ivar x reader #modern!ivar #modern!ivar x reader #modern-ivar #ivar imagine #ivar the boneless #vikings fic #vikings #vikings ivar #ivar vikings #ivar fic #ivar fanfic #ivar fanfiction #waiting4inspiration #stay safe stay home

[mama-ghostie-61542]

A Thousand Lifetimes

Rated M++ for language and themes

If you recognize it--IT AIN'T MINE

Sorry for the OOC-ness

Chapter 7

Kihyun

The next day, after two fittings with costumes, two phone interviews, a shoot for an ad, and a tv spot; I finally got back to the dorms, and back to that story.

Bryn PoV--

As if today wasn't bad enough, I walked into the house to find it completely empty. The kids wandered around and I tried to field a million questions about where they were gonna sleep and what we were gonna eat. That and the meltdowns every five minutes led me to try to call my little brother. I really just needed to talk to another grown-up. As soon as I had supper figured out, I called Joey.

"Hello," said a voice on the other end of the phone.

"Ummm. Hi?"

"Oh. Hello," The voice was familiar, but it wasn't Joey.

"Is Joey close?"

"Sorry. Who?"

"Sorry. Jooheon. Kids call him 'Uncle Joey'. Guess it stuck."

"Hmm. No. You just missed him."

"Dern. Can you pass on a message?"

"Sure."

"Can you tell him to call Bryn when he gets back?"

"Oh! I didn't recognize your voice, Bryn. How are you? It's Kihyun. Joey is in the shower. Can I help you with whatever you need," I asked, biting my lip and praying she would say yes. Just the sound of her voice was both soothing and somehow able to tie me up in knots.

"Actually, I was calling to vent. I've had a particularly terrible day today. Joey is my sobriety sponsor."

"He is? Wow," I said before Honey came charging at me, his hair still wet. "I would still LOVE to talk to YOU," I shouted.

"Gimmie my phone, Kihyun."

I handed him back the phone and heard him say

"What's up, Sis?"

Though I couldn't hear exactly what was said, I could tell by the look on his face, it wasn't good.

"Really?"

Then, Honey sighed. "Lemme see what I can do from here."

"Please, let me help."

If it were possible for him to get any more pissed off, he did. "HE WHAT," he yelled. Then, he pulled the phone from his ear and said, "I need a one way ticket to Peoria International!! I'm gonna kill him. I am gonna fuckin' kill him." Next, he put the phone back to his ear, "Lemme see what I can do here, Sis," he growled as he demanded numbers and wrote them down, and then hung up.

As he started digging on the internet to find the cheapest fare, HyunWoo said, "Hold it, Hot Shot. What happened?"

"That douchbag finally left. He took everything! Even the kids stuff. He left them with NOTHING! That is why Sis was calling. He cleaned out their account and took everything. Damn lucky he couldn't touch the shop accounts or he would have cleaned them out too. Literally everything. She needs a little cash to feed the kids til Friday."

"Thank God it is Wednesday," said CK. from the far side of the room. If anyone had bothered to look, the reflection on his glasses was an Amazon cart with 37 things in it. The only time ANYONE has that many things in an Amazon cart is when they are buying groceries. However, most of those were chips or snack cakes.

Honey, Min, and HyungWon all sat down to iron out how much and what they were gonna contribute.

Silently, I picked up my bank book and palmed the slip of paper with her info on it. Only HyunWoo saw me slip out the door. He stopped me as I waited for the elevator and handed me a few bills from his own wallet before turning back towards the room.

"What," was all I could get out before he interrupted, cutting me off mid-question.

"We look out for our own," He answered before he opened the door to the dorm.

After heading to the nearest Western Union, I called the number on the slip from Honey. When she picked up, I smiled.

"Hey, Bryn, it's Kihyun. I wired you some money. Should be about $100, if everything gets exchanged right."

"Kihyun, you guys didn't have to do that. My dad was already gonna feed the kids. I just needed to talk to someone. This has got me so shaken up, I want a drink really bad. Guess I wasn't too clear with Joey."

"Really? Then why was he," I stopped as a shadow fell over me. "Well, shit. Guess who is now standing right behind me."

"Tell him to calm down."

"Bryn says to calm down. She told me to sit on you if I have to."

"Kihyun! I did not."

"I paraphrased," I laughed. "Besides, Sweets, if looks could kill, I'd be dead right about now."

"Really," she chuckled.

"Oh yeah. He is probably gonna follow me all the way to the dorm. I guess I am not allowed out on my own," I laughed.

"Why," She asked.

"I tend to do dumb things, according to others. Though they may be a little impulsive, they always work out in the end. So don't look the horse in the mouth."

"I won't."

"Good girl," I laughed, "So why did you call him, anyway?"

"I needed someone I could yell at that would not take it personal."

"I am always here. Though, I may occasionally yell back."

She laughed. "Thank you."

"For?"

"Making me laugh. I needed that. "

"Damn. I was looking forward to the screaming match. C'mon, get it started, Angelface," I said as I stopped at the stoplight and waited for the crosswalk. "Do you want me to start," I asked, then pulled the phone away and yelled.

Bringing the phone back to my face, I asked as the crosswalk lit up and I crossed the street, "How was that," I grinned.

"A 10. A fuckin' 10. Have you thought of being a Rockstar," she laughed.

I could almost hear the smile on her face, which made me laugh. Even if my throat killed me in the morning it was worth it.

"Hey, hang on a second. I want to send you something," I said as I put my phone on speaker and started the camera.

"Oh dear God, what now," she asked.

I took a short video of me sending her a kiss and sent it off. "Nothing bad."

"Ok, if you say so. Just not cool with unsolicited dick pics from strange men."

"I would not send you unsolicited dick pics, nor am I a stranger. Now, if you asked for them...Like a good girl," I started and looked over at Honey, who was looking at me with the 'better never do that' face. "Uh-oh."

"What?"

"I'm getting side eye."

She laughed and said, "I know just the look. It screams, 'You'd better not be sending photos of ANY part of your anatomy to my sister'."

"Yes," I laughed. "So how are you feeling? Better?"

"Much. Thank you."

"No problem. I'm here all week. Try the veal," I laughed. "Still want a drink," I asked.

"No. The laughs did it for me. Thank you."

"You are very welcome, Darling. So did you get the video I sent?"

"I did. That was very sweet. Thanks."

"You are very welcome, Pretty Lady. Well, we are back at the dorms."

"I should probably go then," she sighed.

"Just remember I am also available for Mitzvahs," I chuckled, which made her laugh. "Seriously, Sweetie, anytime you need a sounding board or a laugh fest, a screaming match or some naughty-Ow, Mother fucker!-I got smacked on my arm for that last bit. I am always here,"

"Thanks again. Until next time."

I paused and came VERY close to telling her how I felt but said, instead, "Again, you are welcome."

"Bye, Kihyun."

"Bye, Bryn," I breathed, then hung up.

Honey looked at me as he crossed his arms over his chest, "It took everything you had to not tell her 'I love you' didn't it?"

All I could do was nod and hope that my dreams tonight would be better than they had been.

As we got into the elevator, He said, "It was good hearing that you made her laugh."

"I love the sound of her laughter. Once I got her started, I didn't want her to stop. I think that she is just as funny as she is sweet."

"You do know that she will do one of two things, right?"

"What two things?"

"Either immediately send the money right back, or hang on to it and physically give you back every bit. She hates asking for help...of any kind," he said as he opened the door to our dorm.

"Yeah? Wonder why."

He just laughed, "Her ex-fiancée, ex-husband, and her father."

"What happened," I asked as I made us a pot of coffee.

"They all held every penny over her head. Her dad decided he wanted her out the minute she turned 18 and to do it, he threw her out the boat, so to speak. Said if she floated, she never needed help anyway; and if she sank, well, it was her own fault."

"That's abuse. Financial abuse."

"Yep. He was the kind to tell her everything she had was his, that she owned nothing; not even the clothes on her back. He comes from the 'I Own You' school of parenting. Her ex-fiancée would demand she work, then make her late, so she would lose any job she got. Then, he'd take any money she got paid and use it for crap he wanted rather than the bills she had it ear-marked for."

"Oh, tell me he didn't."

"Oh he did. Spent it on girls at the local under 21."

"Shit. He screwed around on her, didn't he?"

"Yep. Which is why if you ever think about cheating, I will castrate you myself," he growled.

Somehow I knew he would do it, and I would let him. "Don't have to worry about that. Can you tell me about her ex-husband?"

"That asshole was a piece of work. Emotionally, Mentally, and Fiscally abusive. The entire time they were together, he would pinch a penny until it died if it was something she needed, but she was expected to turn over her things and cash to him. She worked second shift in a factory; out of the house from half 1 to almost 1 am. He was in semi driver school at the time, racked up a HUGE amount of debt; I'm talking almost 40K. Constantly accused her of cheating when he had a different lot lizard every night. It's a miracle he never gave her anything."

I was disgusted by this guys behavior. To have a woman like her waiting at home and trying his best to break her.

"And that isn't even the worst of his offenses. He screamed at her one night while he was over the road, on training. She was at work, and he called her on her lunch break. The entire time, he screamed at her for having a cold sore and yelled about her cheating loud enough for her co-workers to hear. Her boss to tell her to turn off her phone; that he was tired of hearing that jerk yell at her. The guy he was learning with, told him that 'If I were her, I would be calling the lawyer first thing in the morning, after that shit.' He 'apologized' pretty quickly after that."

"Icky. I hope she ended it there."

"No. That girl has a ton of stay and No show. He ended up deployed to Egypt and told his brother about the girls there. Never thought his brother would run and tell her. She still didn't leave. You left a blister on her cheek one night and he threw her out in the snow."

"Stay and no show? I'm not sure I understand."

"Horse terms," came a voice from the doorway. I had forgotten Hoseok was staying with us while his apartment was getting the pipes fixed. "When a filly is learning to ride, it's said she is full of Show and no Stay. Meaning she looks good, but is too skittish to stand still. Sis--Well Sis may not look like much, but she has tons of loyalty to those who show her the same. She has the patience to play a 30 year long game, and the courage to weather ANY storm. But she has a problem knowing when to leave, and so she gets hurt."

"Hold up! He threw her out in the snow?!"

As Hoseok filled his own mug, he answered, "Yeah, he threw her out of the apartment in the middle of a snowstorm. Lucky her parents were in town. So if you start this with her, and you ever want out; you are gonna have to straight up tell her to go. She won't understand otherwise. She doesn't play games and has a tough time with subtly. So always be direct and honest with her."

I nodded taking it in. There was something I thought I wanted, so I asked, "How is her aegyo"

"If you are looking for overt aegyo, don't. Hers is subtle but she has got it in spades, and she doesn't even know it. It's in the way she plays, either with her guy or her kids," he said as he leaned against the counter, "It's in the subtle blush when you say or do something for her without her asking. It's in a compliment and the smiling eyes that comes with it. She has never had some of the things other girls take for granted, like a stolen kiss or flowers on her birthday. Other things, like those romantic gestures, she has only had once or twice. If I remember right, the last guy to 'play' was an FWB years and years ago, and that guy only stole one kiss, once," Honey replied.

"Don't expect her to run with girls. Most girls find her too harsh, too rough. She doesn't appreciate girls and their whiney, gossipy ways. She never wears makeup, and I have never once seen her with her nails painted. She is a guys-girl, a tom-boy through and through; wasn't made delicate. She is stronger than most people will ever know. However, her heart is extremely delicate, it's been broken and bruised so bad, even I wonder how she is still alive. So, let me tell you, right now," Hoseok said as he sat down his mug and leaned over the counter in my direction, "She may not be blood, but she is my sister."

"Hmm," I nodded. "You really don't have to worry about that," I replied. "How are you related to her again," I asked.

"Distant cousin. Her auntie married my mothers little brother, for all of five minutes. I am only gonna tell you this once, if you hurt that filly in ANY way; you wont walk again."

"Got it," I replied, cringing.

"You know that she won't ask for what she wants or needs. You are gonna need to be damned good at reading between the lines, cause she is so afraid that if she tells you what she needs, what she wants, you will do the same thing every one else has done," Honey said after a minute.

"Run," I answered nodding.

"Yep. Most men can't handle her intensity so they either run or try to turn her down to levels that they can handle without realizing that her fire isn't meant to be dimmed, but fed. She is gonna need you to be just as emotional as her, to show her that it is ok to feel again. She is very touch oriented, very tactile. So a lot of her feelings are touch related."

"I understand, Joey."

"You had better. The only reason I didn't beat the shit out of the other assholes, is that I wasn't there. If I had been, I would have had no problems with a few months in the county lock-up. And if Clark had tried that shit while I was there..."

"Really?"

"Yeah. See, the shit of it is, she fades into the background. She doesn't want all those things that other girls want. She isn't the kind to run or chase. She doesn't play games. She is also emotional. Ease into it. Don't try to love bomb her, she went through that shit with Clark and won't put up with it from you," Hoseok said, then turned to Joey, "Speaking of, did you hear what Lone Elm called him?"

Joey shook his head.

Hoseok grinned. "Elm called him a fuckin fishstick."

Joey started laughing, "Elm called him 'Fishstick'."

I looked back and forth between the two men who were holding themselves up on the counter while they laughed. "I don't get it. What-What's a fishstick?"

A hand landed on my shoulder from behind. I turned to see Changkhyun standing there, an amused look on his face.

"Fishsticks are only available in the States. They are mashed-up fish paste, about an inch wide by around six inches long, which is then breaded. Then, they are to be baked in an oven. Either they turn out soggy or they are hard as a rock; inedible either way. Which is good, because they are fuckin' gross. Nasty little things."

"Are they like the fish at Mickey's?"

"No," CK stated. "The fish there is actually decent. Fishsticks are generally served in school hot lunches on Fridays due either to religious reasons, or because they are cheap and can be purchased by the gross. At any rate, they are still inedible."

"Icky. How in the hell can people do that to their kids?"

"Not a clue. That was why I always took my lunch on Friday. Every Friday, the hot lunch was always the same thing; rock hard fishsticks, soggy tater tots, dehydrated-rehydrated mixed vegetables, and golden glow salad with mayonnaise on the top. It was the grossest meal I have ever seen in my entire life."

I shuddered to think of those poor kids. Forced to eat that nasty stuff.

After reading that, I was glad her kids never had to eat that. She fixed boxes for them. School lunches in the States sounded gross.

'Some things were ok.'

'I thought you took your lunch, Mami?'

'I did. My dad said cold lunch was cheaper. But, there was one day, once or twice a month, that I would get school lunch. They called it pork pattie day, but it was a breaded pork tenderloin on a bun. It was pretty decent. It was pretty gross the rest of the time, but that day wasn't too bad.'

'Have I watched you fix those before?'

'Not sure.'

'Are those the sandwiches where you beat the pork chops to nothing and then bread and fry them?'

'Yes.'

'Those do look pretty tasty,' I said as I dug around for what to fix the next day, so I could write it on the board. 'Hmm. Help, please. Can't figure out supper.'

'Whatcha got?'

'Hmmm. Some sausages, some tiny shrimp, and a package of chicken,' I said as I dug around in the freezer.

"You can use the shrimp and chicken in Gumbo.'

'It has been quite a while since I've had Gumbo. I've never made it before though.'

'Look it up. There are a million Gumbo recipes out there.'

'I think I will do that. Thanks, Baby. Have I told you, today, how awesome you are??'

'Yes, but I can always stand to hear it again,' she laughed.

A/N)--The above abuses......actually happened. First hand experience.

#original writing #my writing #original story #twin flames #twin souls #soulmates #soul mates #soulmate #soul mate #past life #astral travel #spirit projection #fanfic #fan fiction #monsta x fic #kihyun fic

[fardell24b]

Daria’s Voyager - Ep 1. Part 2

Part 2

D 74656 – Bajor Sector

Tom Sloane emerged from the Ferengi establishment on Deep Space Nine’s Promenade. “Didn’t they warn you about Ferengi at the Academy?” he asked. The young Ensign, DeWit-Clinton was his name, had been rather out his depth…

 “As a matter of fact, they did,” DeWit-Clinton said with a slight self-effacing laugh.

 “Let’s get to Voyager,” Sloane said.

  Ten minutes later they entered Voyager’s sickbay. “Run a level three diagnostic, just to be sure. Can I help you?”

 “Tom Sloane, reporting on board.”

 “Oh, yes. The observer,” the doctor said with condescension.

 Tom picked up on it. “That’s me. As a matter of fact, I’m observing some kind of problem right now, Doctor,” he said placing scorn on the title.

 “I was a surgeon at the hospital on Caldic Prime at the same time you were stationed there. We never actually met. Your medical records have arrived from your last posting, Mister Sloane. Everything seems to be in order. The Captain asked if you were on board. You should check in with her.”

 “I haven’t reported to the Captain either,” De Wit-Clinton admitted.

 “Well, Mr. DeWit-Clinton, that would be something a new Operations Officer should do.”

  “What was that all about?” DeWit-Clinton asked as he and Sloane emerged from the Sickbay.

 “It’s a long story, Ted. I’m tired of telling it. I’m sure someone around here will tell you before long.”

In her Ready Room, Captain Morgendorffer was talking to her fiancé over subspace.

“The doctor called.”

 “And?”

 “I was right.”

 Daria let herself feel some joy, “She’s pregnant?”

 “The kittens are due in seven weeks.”

 “Oh, Marcello, you have to take her home with you!”

 “With me? I just got the rugs cleaned.”

 “She's with child. I can't leave her in a kennel while I'm…”

 Marcello interrupted. “Is this another 'love me, love my cat' demand?”

 “Yes.”

 “How could I ever refuse you.”

 “Thanks, Sweetie.”

 “So, when are you leaving?”

 “As soon as these system status reports are approved.”

 “All right. Then I won't bother you anymore.”

 Daria looked at Marcello with a stern, yet playful, expression. “Hey. You don’t bother me. Except the way I love to be bothered. You understand?”

 “I’ll remember that.”

 “See you a few weeks.” She remembered something. “Oh, Marcello, go by my house and pick up the cat bed, she’ll be more comfortable.”

 “I already did. An hour ago.”

 The transmission ended. The door chine rang. “Enter,” she said in an all-business monotone.

 “Gentlemen, welcome aboard Voyager.”

 “Thank you, sir,” DeWit-Clinton said.

 “Mr. DeWit-Clinton. At ease before something’s strained. Ensign, despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like being addressed as Sir.”

 “I'm sorry, ma'am.”

 “Ma’am is acceptable in a crunch, but I prefer Captain. We're getting ready to leave. Follow me to the Bridge.”

  The three emerged from the ready room onto Voyager’s Bridge. “Did you have any problems getting here, Mr. Sloane?”

 “None at all, Captain.”

 “My First Officer, Lt. Commander Stevens. Ensign DeWit Clinton. Mr. Sloane.

 “Welcome aboard Voyager!”

 Captain Morgendorffer showed DeWit-Clinton his station and then got Voyager underway.

   Enroute to the Badlands

Sloane entered the forward lounge and went to a replicator. “Tomato soup,” he ordered.

 “There are fourteen varieties of tomato soup available from this replicator. With rice, with vegetables, Bolian style, with pasta, with...”

 Sloane interrupted the computer. “Plain.”

 “Specify hot or chilled.”

 “Hot! Hot, plain, tomato soup.”

 The meal appeared in the replicator. Tom took it and sat at a nearby table. Ted joined him. “Is it true?” he asked.

 “Was the accident my fault? Yes. Pilot error. But it took me a while to admit it.”

 “They said that you falsified reports.”

 “That's right.”

 “Why?” Ted asked.

 “What's the difference? I lied!”

 “But then you came forward and you admitted that it was your fault?”

 “I'll tell you the truth, Ted. All I had to do was keep my mouth shut and I was home free. But I didn’t. I couldn't. The ghosts of those three dead officers came to me in the middle of the night and taught me the true meaning of Christmas. So, I confessed. Worst mistake I ever made but it wasn’t my last. After they cashiered me out of Starfleet, I went looking for a fight and found the Maquis. And on my first assignment, I was caught.”

 “It must have been especially tough for you, being the son of an admiral.”

 “Frankly, I think it was tougher on my father than it was on me, Look. I know those guys told you to stay away from me...” Tom was about to say more but was interrupted.

 “Morgendorffer to Sloane.”

 “Go ahead.”

 “Report to the Bridge. We’re approaching the Badlands.”

#caretaker #daria #daria morgendorffer #fan fiction #star trek #ted dewit-clinton #tom sloane #voyager

[etlunainmorte]

***

V left.

No, he didn't leave you like that, no.

It's just that, he and the other Devil Hunters had business to attend to. An old score to settle, just like what Nero said. Something that was related to someone named Mundus. Well, you didn't know the person ( or if he's a person, at all ) but, V said he’s dangerous. Of course, you wanted to beg him to let you come but, you knew he would never allow it. Heck, the Devil Hunters didn't even allow Nico to come. Lady was one thing but, you being powerless as of that moment? V simply refused.

So, with a promise that he'll keep you posted with everything that will happen to them, he went away with Dante, Nero, Trish, Lady, Griffon and Shadow. He also left Andromeda with you so you could have a source of power should things get awry on your side. Also to keep you vitalized while he's gone.

And just like that, V left.

And that was six years ago.

For at least a year and a half, V never failed to send you letters and postcards, telling you of those wonderful places he visited with the rest of the group in search of this Mundus. Places that he would visit again but, with you by his side. He told you, in these letters and postcards, how much he missed you, how much he longed to be by your side, to hold you in his arms and kiss you and make you his over and over again. He told you how much he loved you and you alone, above all else. You cherished these hand - written notes from the man you loved and kept them close. You prayed for the safety of their group, and for their safe return.

But, just like that, he stopped sending letters and postcards nearly five years ago, which has made all of you, including Nico ( who lost contact with them about the same time V stopped writing ), and Kyrie ( who has to take care of her and Nero's precious five year - old daughter and manage the orphanage all by herself ) awfully worried.

You tried sending Andromeda over and over again to see if they were doing fine but, the entity refused, telling you that it is her sworn duty to protect you and never leave your side. Nico tried many times to contact the team but, every single time she managed to hit a stable connection, something strange and unexplainable would interrupt, leaving her listening to just static. Kyrie helped you send letters to the addresses where V sent his, hoping that he would, by any chance, receive them.

But, to no avail.

Still, you didn't lose hope. You distracted yourself during the day, and you fervently prayed each night. You kept the smile on your face, and kept the hope alive in your heart.

Hoping that someday, he, and the rest of the group, would return, safe and sound.

Maybe it was that hope and inspiration that made you do simple but, life - changing things, which, somehow, made an impact and directly influenced your closest friends.

You may have lost the ability to dance but, still, it didn't stop you from establishing your very own little ballet school for beginners next to a church in Fortuna where you lived. Even the kind and gentle Sister Christina flew all the way from Germany to lend her support as an overseeing headmistress while you do the ballet instructing, yourself. You even have Nero and Kyrie's girl, Eva, as one of your little protégés ( who were mostly from poor families of Fortuna whose homes were destroyed by the Dreadnought six years ago ). You even got the surprise of your life, when, one day, the man who made Galatea showed up in the school's doorstep and revealed that he was, in fact, your parents' grandson. Through him, you found out that your precious parents didn't die, after all, after the Pale Ones abducted you and your sister. They were powerless against the cult, and they weren't able to do anything when the news of the Fortuna Castle's fire reached them. They thought you were dead, and has since moved on and had another child. He also revealed that they never forgot about you and your sister until death, and the old photograph they have of you was the thing that inspired him to make Galatea.

Cagliostro, who was, surprisingly, engaged to none other than Alicia, who has fully grown into a beautiful and mature woman, helped with the interior decorating. He has finally moved on from his heartbreak and found a new purpose in life - to be a much better artist and build a family of his own with his Hispanic fiancée.

Alicia, on the other hand, has figured out that her mother's strange behavior before her death was due to an unknown mental illness caused by a past trauma, and has since then dedicated the early years of her life as a licensed doctor to help people with the same case and helped a larger, more prominent medical team to develop a cure for this. 

Petya ( who was balding and happy ) and Natasha ( who still preferred being called Solagne ) never failed to drop by almost every month, bringing both French and Russian beverages with them, just to have little parties with you and the rest of your little group of loving friends. You even saw the haughty woman teaching music to your students during your break ( you only kept this to yourself but, you knew that the poor woman, who, according to Petya, was unfortunately unable to conceive, was longing for a cute little girl of her own ).

Nico, who still kept her lines open just in case one of the Devil Hunters called, improved a lot as an Artisan during those six years of her friend and partner, Nero's absence. Of course, just like you and Kyrie, she never lost hope that they would return someday, and since then, she has developed more powerful and much more revolutionary weapons for Nero to use. Guns, Devil Breakers, and even other, weird - looking gadgets that she called works of art. You even told her that she has surpassed her grandmother, Nell Goldstein, and more but, the woman wouldn't admit this. Said that she must first let Nero test all of her creations and let him admit that to her straight in the face.

Kyrie, just like you, remained ever vigilant. In fact, now that her daughter's growing up, she wanted nothing more than to have Nero finally meet his little girl. She helped you with the ballet school whenever she has time off the orphanage she and her husband built. She even cooked sumptuous meals for you and your little prima ballerina wannabes. And when the busy days were finally over, she, who you built a strong, friendly relationship with over those six years, would always go with you to the nearby church to pray for the return of your beloved ones.

A lot has happened during those years, things that helped you grow as a person.

And on the sixth year during the anniversary of the day you and V got together after so many trials and hardships, you decided to leave Fortuna for a bit to visit Red Grave, where Dante and V's house once stood.

After the Qliphoth incident that almost took the lives of hundreds of Red Grave's innocent citizens, the ruins of Sparda's residence has turned into a secret garden of some sort. For some reason, briars climbed on the broken walls and pillars, filling the whole place with vines, thorns, and roses. Yes. Roses of all kinds and colors. The mansion has turned into the largest rose garden you have ever seen.

You marveled at the sight and settled down, placing your bag on an old bench and sitting next to it. And as soon as your eyes landed on the beautiful sunset, you couldn't help but feel miserable. You and V loved watching the sunset from this very bench, and he has even told you that this has become his most favorite place in the world, now that this old house has turned into a massive garden of wild and fragrant roses.

And the moment you thought of V, you couldn't help but cry silent tears of longing.

Yes, you refused to let them see your weak side but, it didn't stop you from crying each night, from having dreams of him and you being together,...

... of you finally being lovingly held in his arms,...

"Where are you, V?" You miserably wept as your arms automatically went up to wipe your tears with the sleeves of your pink hoodie. "I missed you, so, so, so much,..."

You stayed there for what seemed like hours until you felt you could no longer cry, and when the moon has risen high above the starry sky, just like that one evening when you danced your first ever waltz with him, you decided to stand and retire for the day. Just then, some nagging thoughts plagued your mind,...

Did they fail in their mission to bring down Mundus? What if they, he, never return? What would happen now? What - ?

All of a sudden, you felt the temperature drop. Your hands went up to rub your arms due to the sudden cold that sent shivers up and down your back.

The wind blew, making the clouds roll by, concealing the moon and plunging the whole place in darkness.

That was when you saw,... something,... from a distance. At first, you thought your eyes were deceiving you but, alas, you were wrong.

If anything, they even widened at the sight that greeted you.

An unearthly slash in mid air, the blue and purple light radiating from it as if the atmosphere, itself, was ripped, and some people emerging from it.

"Why did you bring us here?" A familiar voice, which made you emotional all over again, questioned, his voice ringing in the air and disturbing everything within his immediate vicinity.

"Because V told me so!" Another answered.

"Whatever! I'll just go back to the shop and order pizza. Wanna come with me, ladies?"

"You're inviting us, Dante? Are you serious?!"

"Hey, what's wrong with that, huh, Lady?"

"Nothing. Except that your shop probably has six years worth of dust now. No, thanks!"

"How about you, Trish?"

"No, thanks. I want to go back to my own house and have a long bath."

"Eh, whatever. I'm not sharing!"

"Hey, look!"

Your eyesight almost became blurry with tears as the group finally noticed you standing from a distance. From there, you saw Dante ( who, easy to say, has become scruffier than ever before ), Nero ( who now looked a bit more like Dante due to his beard and shoulder - length hair ), Lady ( whose looks somehow stayed the same ), Trish ( who, just like the former, seemed to not have changed, at all ), Griffon ( still bald, and still lanky ), and Shadow ( now the same height as Lady and Trish and no longer a little girl but, a gorgeous young woman ).

But, what made you truly emotional was the figure standing behind them, slightly concealed.

Shoulder length snow white hair now long and waist length, emerald eyes that looked more gentle than ever before with little creases below them, that all - too familiar posture as he leaned on his metal cane, and that smile you missed so much,...

"Hey, uh, send my regards to Kyrie and Nico, will ya?" Dante told Nero as he nudged his nephew with an elbow. He, then, waved and winked at you as he gestured towards the silent man behind him.

"Let's go home." Lady said as she smiled at you.

"I'm with you." Trish replied as she waved at you, finally leaving the place together with Lady and Dante.

"Let's go back to Fortuna, you two." Nero told Griffon and Shadow. "I could sense Kyrie making apple pie right now."

"Talk to ya later, sweet pea!" Griffon yelled and waved at you as he went with Nero and Shadow back to the portal the Yamato has just made.

Which left only the two of you.

You had no idea what went on between the two of you during those awkward and agonizing moments or how long it took for you to finally go to him. You didn't even notice the clouds as they rolled away to let the moon shine down once more. And when he finally wrapped you in an embrace you longed so much for so long, you couldn't help but soak his white shirt with tears.

"Ssh, it's alright." He whispered to your ear as his hands rubbed your back to warm you. "I'm here now. I'm here."

"W - welcome back, V!" You greeted through your sobs, making the poet chuckle in amusement. "I have waited for so long! I never lost hope that you would return, but just now, I thought that - "

"It's alright, my love. Everything would be fine now. Our hunt for Mundus has brought us all to the Underworld. And he is gone. Finally gone. At last, we can finally live in peace."

You looked up at him and let him wipe your tears away with his thumbs. "Is that why we can't reach you? You went to the Underworld?"

"Yes. And I'm afraid to say that,... time works differently there from here. We've only been there for six days but,... when we resurfaced, it seems that,... six years,... has already passed."

"Are you okay? Were you hurt? Tell me, please! I will take care of you,..."

"There's no need. I will be the one who will take care of you. And I'm sorry,... for disappearing for too long,..."

"You don't have to say sorry. You fought bravely for us. Oh, dear God, I missed you so much! I missed you, so, so much!"

"And I missed you too, my love." V told you as he pulled you even closer to him if that's still possible. "You see, I even rushed here to meet you."

And you? You couldn't explain the happiness that was flooding your chest and making it burst.

"But, how did you know I will go here?"

"Cassandra told me."

"Oh, I see."

"Hmm,..."

You gave him a look of utter confusion as he let you go, chuckling as he noticed the pout on your lips.

"I have,... something for you." He said as he grabbed something from his bag. You eagerly waited as he searched, and when he finally handed you a pack of popcorn, you couldn't help but smile.

"You bought this, V?" You asked him as the smell of butter reached your nostrils.

"Yes. We haven't finished Endgame, have we?"

"Come to think of it, no, we haven't." You admitted.

V smiled as he reached for his bag once more, producing a stuffed tiger from it and giving it to you, reminding you of,...

"Is this,... did you win this at the carnival?"

V proudly hummed. "I have,... quite a skill with,... should we say,... sniping?"

Oh, God, he remembered! You happily thought. He remembered I have a really bad aim and couldn't win the stuffed tiger at the carnival.

"And that's not all." V said.

"Hmm?"

"I went fishing."

"Oh, you did?! What happened?"

"I caught a boot."

"YOU DIDN'T!"

V laughed, the sound of his low voice sending warmth all throughout your whole body. In fact, you have never felt so warm in your entire life. And when he handed you a single boot from his bag just for laughs, you fell in love with him all over again.

"I - I never thought this is possible, oh my!" You confessed through fits of laughter, however, at this point, the smile on V's face vanished. You noticed this and went silent as he took the boot from your hands and upended it, making a small velvet box the color of your eyes fall from it. Then, he went down on one knee and opened the box, revealing the most beautiful ring with an emerald attached to it.

Why,... did you not see this coming?

But, whatever the reason was, V was right there, right in front of you, offering you something more than just an emerald ring inside a boot he claimed he has fished.

And when he looked into your eyes, you saw something.

Truth.

Loyalty.

Love.

Passion.

And most importantly,...

I see,... you thought as your heart filled up with love and gladness. My future,... before me,...

"(Y/N) (L/N)," V declared. " ... will you marry me?"

***

🖤 I See My Future Before Me 🖤

***

XXXV

***

🖤 @la-vita , @micaelagua , @vergils-daughter , @beyond-the-mirror , @clevermentalitybeliever , @lessy86 , @ceruleanworld , @diabeticsugarush , @yepps , @shadowrosess , @gothghoulfrend , @heaven-on-a-landslide , and @krazy06 . 🖤

***

#devil may cry 5 #vitale sparda #i see my future before me #v x reader #v x you #chapter 35 #i will #gladly! #finale #but wait #there's more!

[detemmienation-my-way]

Not as strong as I seem

A recent talk with one I care for resurfaced memories from an event that I try often to not reflect on.

The day my father was killed.

That day, I was working in Missouri and had just hopped into my truck when I got a call from a detective looking for my step mom. I informed him who I was and he told me my father was in an accident and I need to get to the hospital right away.

Seeing how I was not in Texas, where my father lived, I informed him I would send someone quickly but is my father ok?

He didnt answer. Just repeated that we needed to come.

I called every number I had. Couldnt get a hold of step mom but I did catch my biological mom and told her the problem. She called the hospital to ask about dad's condition and they told her he had checked out.

I felt pure RELIEF hearing that because that said to me that he was ok.

Still worried, I kept trying to reach step mon and ended up reaching out to my step family on Facebook to get a hold of her and asked her about dad. She didnt know but she said she would go.

I kept trying to reach dad to no avail but figured it must have broken in the accident or something.

An hour later I get a call. After step mom got the full run around from the hospital, someone finally got her to the right area and told her the news.

He was dead.

Apparently, when someone 'checks out' that means they have died.

I remember sitting in my truck at the fuel island at my work. I had just fueled and was about to make my deliveries. I asked her about the 'Checked out' bullshit and got the story of how she found out but no one was telling her HOW it happened. Just that it happened. I remember hanging up, sitting there a moment, then letting out the loudest vocal cord ripping scream of 'NO' I have ever done. I screamed many times, hidden alone in my truck, and cried, completely crumpled into my steering wheel.

Afterwards, I went completely numb and drove. I called my work and told them what happened and that I would be leaving for Texas as soon as possible. They offered to have me drop the trailer and go home but I refused because I needed to work. If I was doing something, I didn't have to think about it. I could keep going.

I don't remember that night. I don't rember much about how I got to Texas either. I think my brother drove me. But the whole time, I kept myself together.

Since step mom was understandably devastated, it fell to me to get everything done. I helped get things set for his funeral, I called as many people as I could, I alerted his church, his work, his band, picked put his clothes for the wake (we put him in casual clothes since he had always hated tuxes and suits) and I talked with the detective who wouldn't tell me much except he was in a car accident. Apparently he was on his motorcycle when he was hit.

During this time, my now ex fiancé was not much help as she was not only left behind in Missouri, she wasn't sure what to really say beyond 'I'm sorry' which I understood but there were times I called and she just wasn't in the mood to be comforting. So I stopped calling. I stopped sharing. Just focused on the tasks at hand.

I went with my step brothers to get his motorcycle that didn't have much damage to it. There we were told to come back later because it still was being investigated for a hit and run case.

A million questions hit my mind: Hit and run case??? No one has said anything about that! You mean to tell me some hell spawn bastard hit my father and left him to die?? And no one has SAID ANYTHING? Has he been found? Are there suspects? What is being done???

After a LONG argument with detectives we FINALLY learned what had happened:

It was NOT a hit and run. A woman was trying to do a U turn and didn't see my father on his motorcycle. She instantly called 911 and stayed with him. He was alive when the ambulance came. Be was not when he arrived at the hospital. He was not left to die and didn't die alone so there was a sliver of comfort. Still demanded to know why things were handled so poorly but nothing came of that.

The next day, we went back to get the motorcycle. They released it to me and gave me a packet with the key. I opened it up, slid it out into my hand, and discovered not only was it covered in blood, my hand was now stained with it as well. My father's blood.

I excused myself to the bathroom, made it to the sink, checked I was alone, and started shaking hard. I scrubbed both my hands and the key till every speck was gone. I couldn't breathe. I remember gripping the sink and steadying myself before calmly coming back out and getting the vehicle put, on the trailer, and home. I kept repeating to myself that I can't focus on this now. Get things done. Finish it first. Don't fall now.

I hadn't stopped since I arrived in Texas. Couldn't stop. I didnt hug anyone. Didn't try to comfort or reach out to anyone. I knew if I did, I would fall and not be able to finish what had to get done so finally, after working with my blood half brothers on his funeral arrangements (cremation), setting his affairs in order, and such, finally was the time for his wake.

Open Casket.

I drove my step mom and her mom to it. We set it as an all day affair so people could come at their leisure. We were first, of course. Wanted to make sure he was done right.

They went in first while I took my time.

I remember standing alone staring at the door handle to the room my father was in. I remember reaching my hand out and freezing. My whole body starting to shake as my brain felt ice cold. If I go there, it's real. If I see him, I can't pretend it is someone else and just continue on.

I don't know how long I stood, locked in my own internal struggle but I finally went in.

I didn't look. I listened to my step mom sobbing and just stared at the wall opposite him until they left.

I slowly wrapped my arms around myself and rocked in place a bit. I didn't want to see him but I knew I had to. My insides were shaking again, I felt tears and heard myself softly saying 'Oh' over and over, just trying to get myself to turn. I didn't want to be alone. I didn't want to bother anyone either. Everyone was suffering already.

With a deep breath, I turned. He looked strange. Stiff. A light bruising on one arm but didn't look like he had been in a crash. I carefully touched him. Tried to hug him but knew it couldn't be a full one so I held his hands. Softly I whispered to him my regrets. Things I never told him out of fear of his reaction. How I wish I had been home more. How I had prepared a room at my house for him since he was supposed to visit that weekend to see my home and ride in my truck like he had always wanted to. I cried. Begged. Felt anger for the situation. Then slowly slid back to numb.

On my phone, I have a message he left me that I still have saved to this day. I played it and listened to it a couple times before turning it off and leaving. I washed my face, got to the car, and drove us home. Through it all I was apart from everyone. I didn't seek the comfort I desperately needed. I needed a hug. I needed to cry against someone. I needed care. But I denied myself it. The one person I had sought it from, my ex, had already rebuffed me and made it clear it was a bother to her. I don't think I could have handled that feeling again.

Later on, I got thanked for being so together and strong during the whole thing. I took it as the compliment it was and have carried on in my own way since.

However...even to this day, I cannot handle thinking and reflecting about it without crying. Every time I do, I feel the same emotions I felt then ripping through me. I feel them now. I really wish I had someone to talk about this kind of stuff with but I suppose this blog will have to do.

I miss my father more than anything in this world. Were I given the choice, I would have traded the years I spent with my ex for him back. I remember his hugs, how they felt. His laugh and humor. His warmth. His love. I can hear him clearly and hope I always will be able to.

Again I am alone. Again I wish I wasn't. Again, I'm sort of glad I am.