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bemused-writer · 4 years

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Given the most recent romantic developments, on what level do you think the feelings between VanitasxNoé are compared to VanitasxJeanne? How could the attraction Vanitas has for Jeanne be different from the one he has for Noé?

Okay, so, for this answer I’m going to be working under two assumptions that may or may not prove to be true in the future, but bear with me: 1) Vanitas’s and Jeanne’s feelings for one another are true and 2) Noé and Vanitas will be the slowburn, end-game pairing of the series.

With those two assumptions out of the way, let’s compare and contrast the two relationships!

Vanitas/Jeanne are a really interesting look at what consent is, how misogyny can impact a relationship, and what happens when you actually change as a person for the better.

When Vanitas first forced a kiss on Jeanne, it wasn’t consensual and everyone who bore witness to it was repulsed. When Vanitas offered his blood to Jeanne at the Bal Masqué and in the alleyway afterwards they were in “gray territory” regarding consent; Vanitas kind of had her backed in a corner, but she ultimately agreed to his deal.

Their date was when things really were consensual (the blood drinking was consensual and they’d both opted to be present), but the circumstances around their relationship were still deeply disturbed.

And now we have their latest interactions: Jeanne took Vanitas off guard and their consent was once again in the gray zone, but this time it was because of Jeanne, not Vanitas. She tackled him, drank his blood, and kissed him, all without a by-your-leave.

Vanitas and Jeanne keep giving and taking, but so far never as equals at the same time. The power dynamics between the two of them keep changing. At first, Vanitas had the power in the relationship. Now, I think it’s safe to say Jeanne does. Neither of them anticipated any of this and there’s been very little actual communication between them. It’s been heated, passionate, spontaneous. Frankly, they don’t really know one another that well.

But are their feelings true? I would say yes, they’re true, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to a healthy relationship. Still, Vanitas definitely cares about Jeanne and he really does want to help her; he’s made her a few very important promises after all. He’s always found her physically attractive, but now that she’s asserted herself he realizes there’s more to her as a person than he originally thought.

For Jeanne’s part, she has admitted to thinking his blood tastes good and there’s the very practical truth that he’s a convenient outlet for her blood addiction. He’s also beginning to reveal a more honest side of himself and he’s helped her when she had no one else to turn to. All of that elicits powerful emotions and no doubt went a long way towards changing her initial impression of him.

But will they be able to stabilize their relationship? It certainly wouldn’t be easy and they’d both have to really commit to it. I could see them at least trying, but more likely I think they’re going to maintain this on-again-off-again relationship where they both grow to care about each other more and more but become more and more frustrated as they realize they don’t quite fit.

So, that’s my current take on Jeanne/Vanitas. What about Noé/Vanitas?

Their relationship has developed much more normally in comparison, though the circumstances surrounding that development are definitely strange. Let’s have a (relatively) brief overview.

Noé and Vanitas had a rocky start with Vanitas essentially stalking Noé about Paris and Noé flat-out saying he doesn’t like Vanitas all that much, but they wind up working together anyway. Furthermore, they work together extremely well. The first volume features a Vanitas that is exuberant and a bit manic. It’s notable that only starts to change in volume 2 when he realizes there’s more to Noé than he anticipated. Still, he continues to chase after him and whatever misgivings he may have about Noé‘s connections and ancestry appears to be swept under the rug. While we don’t actually get to see Vanitas’s thoughts on the matter, I think it’s fair to say he saw Noé as the solution to all his problems at first and then was forced to admit Noé was a vampire and a complicated being at that. In other words, a person.

After the Bal Masqué is when we see Noé really start to change how he views Vanitas. Before that, he saw Vanitas as a nuisance. Then he saw Vanitas as a savior that would resolve his past regrets. But after the Bal Masqué, Noé sees Vanitas as a person and that is what sets the stage for how they progress in the Catacombs arc.

The amount of bonding in the Catacombs arc is so numerous I couldn’t possibly hope to summarize it all here, so I’ll just mention a few important bits. Vanitas opens up to Noé quite a bit and gives him some insight into his history with vampires and then Dr. Moreau himself. They’re forced to rely on one another, to really know one another, just to survive. Afterwards, they quite literally lean on one another.

The Gévaudan arc separated them quite a bit, but at this point in the story it only serves to emphasize how much they’ve come to rely on one another. Vanitas does little else but worry over Noé in his own disgruntled fashion for the entire arc and is surprisingly gentle with him when they finally do reunite. It’s all very subtle, but very telling of their progress together. The fact that Noé saved Vanitas in the previous arc and Vanitas saves Noé in this one shows they have an equitable relationship; they need one another as equals.

Of course, their relationship isn’t without its own hurdles. Vanitas doesn’t tell Noé what he’s thinking most of the time, Noé doesn’t really understand Vanitas, but the difference is that, weirdly, they talk things out. Vanitas will spend more time trying to explain things to Noé than we’ve seen him do with anyone else and Noé spends a great deal of time analyzing him and trying to understand his viewpoint. They’ve also been living with one another for a few months at least; that means they’ve been interacting in a day-to-day living scenario and have had no choice but to get to know each other very well.

Most of the positive changes we’ve seen in Vanitas are all because of Noé. As for Noé, Vanitas is making him open his mind to different possibilities than the ones he was already comfortable with.

But things are slow-going with these two because there wasn’t that same burst of passion that Vanitas had with Jeanne. They still haven’t even admitted, out loud, that they’re friends. The possibility of there being anything more likely hasn’t crossed either of their minds (probably; we don’t see Vanitas’s thoughts) and due to the era, in part, it would probably take a big “aha!” moment for it to seem obvious, especially for Noé. But, and this is important, we’ve been given indications that there’s something beneath the surface throughout all these arcs.

Noé has outright admitted to thinking Vanitas’s blood smells good, has asked him if he could drink it, has admitted he’s jealous Jeanne beat him to it, and has gone from trying to get rid of Vanitas to swearing to remain at his side. He even accepts Vanitas’s desire for revenge without judgment and changes his entire viewpoint on salvation because of him. It’s also because of Vanitas’s relationship with Jeanne that he’s started to even wonder what love is.

As for Vanitas, he’s more talkative with Noé, more forgiving of Noé, and more tolerant of Noé than he appears with most other people. The amount of lines Noé has crossed with Vanitas are numerous, and yet Vanitas not only keeps him at his side, he worries over him to boot. Dante has definitely noted the change in behavior and I’m sure he’s reaching his own conclusions about it.

So, if these two are going to have a relationship, it’s going to be a long ways off, but it will be built up in a slow, cohesive way that I think will be really interesting and will juxtapose the chaotic development of Vanitas/Jeanne.

However, Vanitas/Jeanne is very important for all three of these characters. Vanitas and Jeanne are going to learn a lot from each other: they’re going to learn what they’re looking for in a relationship, what to expect out of a partner, what demands to make, what consent is, and, quite possibly, what love is as well. Even if they don’t stay together, their relationship will have a lasting impact on both of them.

As for Noé, he isn’t going to piece together his feelings for Vanitas (if he has any) all on his own. He prefers to analyze things from afar before reaching any conclusions, so he needs to see other relationships to have any way of sorting out his own.

So, ultimately, the difference between Vanitas’s feelings for Jeanne and his feelings for Noé are that for the former it’s intense, passionate, and confusing, while with the latter it’s gradual, thoughtful, and unexpected.

#vanitas no carte #vnc meta #long post #Bemused's post #Anonymous

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poignantpulchritude · 4 years

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Silly Pleasures-Chapter 3

“No, no, no we are not wearing just blue jeans and lip balm to Paradise tonight, go back to your room!”

“C’mon, it’ll be dark, no one will see.”

“But I will see. It’s the principal of the thing Jeanne,” Molly responded, sounding much more like a disappointed mother than friend and flat mate.

“Then you need to help me because I think you’ll hate anything I’d come down in.”

“Fine, gimme a few,” Molly spoke as she curled the last few strands of her golden hair.

I trudged my way back to my room, there were already clothes strewn all over the floor, making it difficult to walk. I plopped down on my bed, laying in down until my body was directly in the center. Clubs were not usually my scene, I much preferred a grimy pub because I liked talking, not really dancing, when drunk. No one ever talked at clubs, words were replaced by groping and bad remixes of passable songs. The saving grace for tonight was that we were going to have a table in the VIP section, which meant less interaction with overly friendly guys that felt they were God’s gift to women’s vaginas.

Molly sauntered into my room and headed straight for my closet. I lifted my head off the bed to watch her rummage through the mess I created. It took a few minutes as more clothes were thrown onto my floor until Molly finally made a triumphant sound and pulled out a small pink dress I was sent by one of my regulars. It was a bright, neon pink mini dress with sheer pink long sleeves. The dress had never seen the light of day since it arrived in the post since, I don’t spend much of my free time strutting around in expensive party dresses.

“Hmmm, I don’t know Molls, it’s pretty bright.”

“It’s fabulous, I know someone sent it to you because everything else you own is so dull. You absolutely have to wear it!”

“I don’t even know if it fits,” I groaned, falling back into my fluffy duvet.

It fit.

In reality, it actually looked quite nice. I mostly only dressed up in expensive lingerie while online and that covered very little of my body, if any of it. I tried to be annoyed that it was a dress, but found it hard to give reasons why I should not wear it.

“Okay fine,” I conceded with a smirk. Molly squealed and did a small hop in the air.

“You look like Dua Lipa with a fatter bum, it’s amazing!”

I giggled to myself and could not hide the smile. The dress was short enough to show of my large thigh tattoo of Medusa, but not too short that I felt my thong was on show. I paired the look with white, patent leather boots, looking a bit like it was 1980 and I was coming out of Studio 54.

With my makeup and hair complete, I headed downstairs at the exact moment a knock came on our door. I headed down the hall and opened the door to see Rosie and Amber looking dashing in tight black dresses and thigh high boots. It seemed at time that they wanted to look like twins the amount of times they would dress the same. When turned my way, their jaws dropped.

“What the fuck J, you look hot!”

“-Jesus, let’s make out tonight!”

I shut up both of their ramblings with quick hugs and invited them inside. The plan was to meet up at me and Molly’s place and then meet Keith at Paradise. Paradise was in the heart of Soho and even though we were not too far away, we collectively agreed we would walk as little as possible tonight. As we walked back to the kitchen, Molly was descending the stairs in a bright blue jumpsuit that made everyone in the room drool.

“To getting fucked!” Amber exclaimed as we all held tequila shots in the air.

“Wait literally or figuratively?” Rosie asked.

“Doesn’t matter!” Molly said at the same time I yelled, “Both!”

As the shot burned down my throat, I relished the warmth that would no doubt lead to an exciting night.

“Gahhhh that’s dreadful,” Molly gagged.

The line outside of Paradise was ridiculous. It hadn’t been open very long and the crowds had yet to die down. We spotted Keith on his phone, standing right by the front door. “Oh, my god, I was so nervous I thought for a minute you would ditch me,” he said sheepishly.

“What the fuck?” I asked rhetorically, in a confused manner.

“When have we ever ditched you?” Molly questioned, amused at his anxiety.

“God, I don’t know, never mind. I just learned that Matt is supposed to be here so every second I was alone I started feeling terrible.” I gave him a soft look in response. Matt was Keith’s ex-boyfriend, a man that completely ripped his heart to shreds yet he had not been able to completely get over him.

“Don’t worry, you probably won’t see him anyway,” Rosie assured him. Keith did not look convinced, but brushed it off and led us to the doors. It only took a few seconds to check for his name on the list and we were let in, skipping at least eighty people waiting in line.

I hated to give clubs too much credit, but Paradise looked impressive inside. The walls were a jungle print wallpaper with low yellow lights along the sides. The VIP section was located along the sides of the room, surrounding the main dance floor with its own bars behind it. All of the people dancing in the center of the floor helped explain the long line outside. This place was filled to capacity and it was still early in the night. We were led to our VIP booth and greeted by an almost nude girl with sparklers next to a bottle of champagne and vodka.

“Oh yes!” Amber screamed. We all looked at the bottle girl in awe, seeing her as the female Hermes with alcohol as the only message to deliver. Behind her appeared another man carrying a large bucket of ice that contained glasses and mixers. Our entire group was in, well, paradise.

“This may end up being one of the best nights of my life,” I spoke, or more accurately- yelled, in Keith’s ear. He just smiled, appearing to finally brush off his nervousness surrounding Matt.

Eventually, with the champagne popped and the bottles flowing, we noticed the VIP section start to fill with a very particular crowd.

“Molly!” Rosie shouted, “Is that fucking Alexa Chung?” Skipping subtlety, she pointed directly at the slim brunette a few tables over.

“Oh, my god, what is happening,” I heard Molly respond. Looking around, I noticed more and more people with jarring numbers of Instagram followers enter the VIP section.

“Just think, you may be able to get expensive dick tonight!” Keith hollered and I cackled loudly in response and agreement.

Instead of focusing too much on the people entering, myself and Amber were making increasingly more vile drinks that we convinced ourselves tasted good. Amber, getting considerably more drunk as time passed, pulled me out of our booth and to the small section of floor directly in front of our booth that was still blocked off from the general public. My own tipsiness spurring on the decision to dance wildly.

“I love this song!” she screamed in my ear as a throwback 2000s song played to the crowd’s delight. We danced and jumped in circles until we couldn’t anymore. Along with our absurd dancing, we also decided to shout the lyrics, trying to be louder than the speakers. Molly quickly joined us, leaving Rosie and Keith to have an animated conversation back at our booth.

I could tell I was slowly getting to the point of drunk, right at that sweet spot when everything was pleasant and bright. I always had to pee at these points. “Come with me to pee!” I said to Molly and Amber, very excited to check out the Paradise bathroom. Before they could properly respond, I grabbed both of their hands and dragged them to toilets in the back corner. I was so excited, I was not watching where I was walking and ended up bumping into a tall guy’s shoulder. “Sorry!” I exclaimed with a giggle, ripping my hands free from Molly and Amber and instead placed one hand on his silk shirt by his shoulder and the other on his check. “Sorry!” I yelled again with a smile, looking intently into his green eyes that looked vaguely familiar. I did not have time to get a better look at his face because my bladder took control of my body and I was suddenly done with our little interaction. I heard a surprised, happy laugh behind me as we all walked away.

The line for the toilets was short enough that we were actually waiting right outside the stalls by the mirrors. I love mirrors and couldn’t help myself as I walked over and whipped out my phone to catch a good angle.

“Whoa, whoa J. Did you know who that just was?” Amber said, incredibly eager. Molly looked in shock and it was clear that I missed something very big.

“Who? The girl with the nice boots we just walked past?” I asked genuinely confused. Before Amber could respond a stall emptied and I quickly ran inside, dragging Amber and Molly with me. They were both having a quite an animated conversation above me as I peed, but the floor was spinning a bit too much for me to care. I knew I had only one drink left in me before I was done for the night, so it had to be a good one.

“I’m going to get a Moscow Mule!” I declared when I finished peeing.

“But we have free alcohol at the table,” Molly said firmly. She seemed the most put together of the bunch, but I knew I was deceived, having learned over time that the more serious she appeared the drunker she actually was. I just shrugged, smiled, and walked out of the stall without waiting for them to pee. When I was drunk and on a mission, nothing else mattered.

I made my way steadily to the bar in the back, making sure not to run into anymore moving bodies. This bar was packed considering it was in the noticeably calmer section of the club. I squeezed my way in between groups of people, maneuvering between flirting guys and annoyed girls, ending up in snuggled between the shoulders of two men. The one on the right had a crisp white button up while the one on the left had an odd silk shirt with tigers all over it. I remembered it as the shirt I bumped into moments ago. Before I could yell in his ear that I apparently knew him, someone jostled me from behind. This knocked me further forward in between the two men, alerting them to my intrusive presence.

I was met once again by green eyes, but this time I did get the chance to look at him more. He was at taller than me, with brown hair pushed in all directions over his head. As I examined his face more, I noticed the corners of his mouth turn upwards revealing a prominent dimple. It took me a moment to realize he may have been smiling because I was staring so intently at his lips.

“I know you!” he spoke happily in a deep, English accent. This brought me out of my analysis of his lips to actually pay attention to what he was saying.

“I just ran into you!” I yelled.

“I did it first,” he smiled. I was not sure what he meant by that statement, but before I could question it his friend spoke.

“Hello lovely, do we know each other?”

I turned to look at his friend and detected immediately that it was the man I listened to every morning on my way to class. “Ah!” I shouted and Nick Grimshaw grimaced at my noise, “I know you, but you don’t know me. You’re on the radio and friends with Matty Healy!”

He gave his friend an amused look and responded, “That I am, do you know who that is?” he questioned, pointing back at silk shirt boy.

“Yea, he’s the boy I bumped into on the way to pee, we’re friends now,” I affirmed proudly. I heard them both laugh at my words, but I was not paying much attention anymore as the bartender came by us and I yelled quickly, “A Moscow Mule please and thanks!”

I had my body pressed quite closely to silk shirt boy, with my hand resting on the bar, ready to take my drink when it arrived. “I like your dress,” he spoke from above. I just looked up and smiled before raising both arms over my head in an excited movement, showing off my sleeves.

“Thanks! My friend gave it to me.” I’m not sure if I would really consider the client that sent me the dress much of a friend, but I thought explaining in this state would be too much trouble.

His eyes went to my left forearm when I lifted my arms above my head. Green eyes widened at the tattoo before him, a large snake cut into eighths with the words ‘Join or Die’ etched below it. “Wow this is amazing, may I?” he asked, suggesting a closer look.

I obliged and pulled up my left sleeve so he could get a clearer view without the sheer pink material over it. “It’s obnoxiously American of me,” I informed him giggling from the alcohol. He gave me a confused look before I continued, “It’s a Benjamin Franklin cartoon about the Revolutionary War. This is probably a tough crowd to show it off in.” I’m not sure how many Englishmen wanted to be reminded of their lost colony.

“That’s sick,” he responded enthusiastically, gently tracing his finger along the edges of the snake, causing my arm to break out in goosebumps.

“Moscow Mule, twelve pounds.”

The bartender broke me from my trance as I used the hand that was being examined to rip out my credit card from my bra. I heard Nick laugh loudly at the action. “What, it’s the safest place for a girl to carry her delicates. I have everything in here.” Nick and his friend both gave me skeptical looks, urging my innate need to prove myself to come to a head. I then proceeded to whip out two Advil, forty pounds, my ID, and three condoms from my bra.

“Why do you need three of them?” Nick asked, referencing the condoms.

“Because you never know what could happen,” I shrugged, looking up at the silk shirt boy boldly. He raised his eyebrows and looked straight back into my eyes. I felt a small tap on the arm resting on the bar and saw the bartender handing me back my card. I quickly collected everything I pulled out my bra and returned it to its proper position, ready to take my Moscow Mule and head back to my group when a tattooed hand stopped me again.

“What’s your name?” Silk shirt boy asked.

“You tell me yours first.”

“Harry.” I just nodded, smiling. “Now yours?”

I smirked and went up on my tip toes in my white boots, steading myself on his chest again, and whispered in his ear, “Wouldn’t you like to know.” I heard his breath hitch when my lips grazed his ear. I pulled away, smirked one last time, and then walked back into the crowd, daring myself to not glance back. Rosie saw me giggling with my straw caught between my teeth as I returned to our group.

“You’ve been gone for a year, where were you lot?” Keith asked as Molly and Amber came up behind me, followed by two boys.

“We need to go,” Amber smirked, motioning to the boy behind her, her conquest for the night. Everyone agreed except me, refusing to accept that my night was coming to an end since I just got my favorite drink.

“Down it and we are going,” Molly giggled. I saw the boy behind her slowly rubbing the sides of her hips, eager to leave as well.

“How did you get them so quick?” I asked in her ear. “I was at the bar for maybe ten minutes.”

She shrugged, “We work fast.”

It took me a minute to down my drink. It would have been quicker if it was not so strong. I could tell that drink was a bad move the second the last drop went down my throat. I was holding hands with Keith as we made our way out of the club and back into reality. As we exited, we were faced with hordes of flashing lights. Paparazzi no doubt hoping we were people of notoriety considering the celebrities in attendance tonight. This thought prompted me to blurt out, “Oh, guess who I met tonight!” speaking to no one in particular.

“You mean the popstar?” Molly’s head ripped around quick. I gave her a puzzled look, knowing full well that Nick Grimshaw did not sing any songs I was aware of.

“Only you would not notice a former member of One Direction even though you caressed his bloody face,” Amber said behind me. I stopped moving, beginning to feel bile rise in my throat. I was unclear if I was going to get sick because of the alcohol or the new information I was slowly processing.

“What?” Keith yelled looking at me, “Who did you meet?”

I ripped myself from his arms and ran to the closest pile of trash away from the paparazzi and threw up. I heard the sympathetic voices of my friends behind me, but I could only think of one thing. I just blew off Harry fucking Styles.

#harry styles fanfiction #Harry Styles #one direction fanfiction #one direction #silly pleasures #chapter 3

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tivaholic4 · 4 years

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NCIS High School: Chapter Eight:

The next day, Tony pulled into Ziva’s driveway. Intent on driving her to school instead of her having to ride the bus or walk. He pulled up, put the car in park and got out. As he made his way to her door he remembered last night and they’re conversation. How beautiful she looked in the moonlight. He hadn’t slept the night before as she filled his mind. Something that had been consistent in the last few days. He walked up to her door and paused for a few seconds. Nervous that she would decline his offer or that she would think it was weird.

As soon as he was about to knock, the door swung open revealing Ziva on the other side. His hand was still in the knocking position as he looked at her. Today she was wearing a pair of blue jeans with a cargo jacket and a black shirt. He assumed this would be something that she normally wore in Israel. She still looked beautiful, no matter what she wore. It was about 2 minutes of him looking at her, with his hand still in the air, that he realized that he was staring. She laughed at his facial expression and his frozen posture. His face flushed red and brought his hand down to rest in his pocket. She let out a chuckle and looked at him with her head cocked to the side.

“I..uh...I was wondering... if you wanted a...ride to...school.” He cursed at himself in his head for how much of an idiot he was. He definitely sounded like one, especially around her. He heard Rivka from what he assumed was the kitchen and then a pot hitting the floor, producing a loud bang noise. Ziva turned quickly and rushed to see if her mother was alright, with Tony right behind her. Even though he didn’t know if he was allowed into her house, he wanted to see if Rivka was okay too. His mother had told him that he had a hero’s complex. That he always wanted to help people.

When they made their way to the kitchen they saw Rivka standing with her hand on her forehead. Ziva moved to her, searching for any possible injuries. She spoke in Hebrew to her mother in company as she wanted to make sure everything was good before switching to English.

“(Ima, are you alright?)” Rivka nodded. Rivka switched to English when she saw Tony standing in the doorway.

“Yes, I am alright. Just dropped the pan.” She turned to Tony and a smile made its way on her face.

“Hello, Tony. Sorry for the mess, we are still getting things put away.” She was referring to the boxes still scattered around the house.

“It’s all good. You should see my house.” He let out a chuckle. His mom and dad normally kept the house clean, but recently everybody had been busy either at work, school or other activities to really clean. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t have a messy room. His mother had always made him keep his room straight. It kind of stuck with him throughout the years. Everybody assumed that since he was a jock there was going to be clothes and things everywhere. But that was just their assumption. Something he laughed at in his head.

At his comment, Rivka smiled and picked up the pan from the ground. Ziva gave him a slight smile and looked down shyly. When Rivka looked back up, she glanced at the clock on the microwave and her eyes went wide.

“You two need to get to school. It’s almost 8:00. Go before you get late.” She practically swatted them out of the house with one of the rags from the kitchen. They made their way out and Ziva started to head towards the sidewalk. Tony stopped in his tracks. Yes, he had a great view of her backside, something that was very much appreciated, but he couldn’t let her walk herself to school when he could drive her. When they were close to being late.

“Hey. I can give you a ride. We’ll get there faster.” Ziva turned around, contemplating her options and figured why the hell not, and made her way to the passenger side of his car. Tony turned the key and the car roared to life. They pulled out of her driveway and pulled up to the school in less than three minutes. They both bolted from the seats, closed the door to the car, and practically ran to their first-period class. Thankfully, they made it with a minute to spare and took their seats. Ziva sat in the seat right next to Tony today, something she quit doing after gym yesterday. Barnes was taking attendance and when he got to Ziva’s name, he mispronounced it. Tony looked up and looked at the man.

“It’s pronounced Dahveed.” He stretched out the name, giving no room for error so the teacher wouldn’t make the mistake again. Ziva turned to look at him as he spoke. She was surprised that he sounded somewhat offended. It was her name, why was he getting bent out of square for it? The teacher nodded at the enthusiastic correction from the student that normally fell asleep in his class, and took in the information as if it was important. He continued down the list and once he was completed, he started their lesson for the day. Several people in the class were looking in their direction. Some glaring, others laughing. The new gossip around the school was that Tony Gibbs had changed. Changed for the new girl. Now they were seeing that it was true. Nobody thought that that would ever change. Some praised him for it, while others started to hate him for it. Not that he cared anyway.

The lesson was actually surprisingly easy for Tony, as he actually made attention to the work. Halfway through the class, Barnes called out that they could complete the rest of the work on their own or they could work with a partner. Ziva was surprised when Tony turned to her and asked if she would be his partner. She gave a slight smile and nodded. They got their work done within 20 minutes, with 15 minutes of class left. They smiled at each other as they looked at each other. Tony couldn’t help but smile. Would it be too early to ask her on a date? Probably as they had been fighting the day before about him being a skirt chaser. He would wait it out. Get to know her better. Let her get to know him better as well. He could ask her to come to their game tomorrow. That wasn’t weird, was it? He didn’t think so. He zoned back in to see Jeanne in the corner whispering to EJ and Zoe and glaring at Ziva. When Jeanne saw that he was looking in that direction, she sat straighter and batted her eyelashes, as if he would drop to his knees for her. No, he wouldn’t. He knew what a real woman was like and she was sitting right next to him. He completely ignored Jeanne’s attempt to get his attention. He looked back at Ziva and smiled at her face. Her nose was scrunched up as she looked at her phone. He noticed it was one of the newer ones that were just released. He knew because he had the same one. And Tim wouldn’t shut up about it.

“You having trouble?” He asked looking at the phone. She looked back up at him with a slight blush on her face.

“Yes. I have never had a phone before. So this is new to me.” Tony looked at her like she was crazy. No phone. A teenager. A teenager with no phone until now. Tony saw this look and gave him a slightly bigger smile.

“My father said that it would interfere with training and language skills. He said it would cause me to be unfocused.” Tony could understand that enough. Apparently Ziva’s dad was a real hardass. Where was he anyway? He had noticed her mother but that was it, did her parents not live together? Was her father still in Israel? Again it was like Ziva could read his mind.

“My father died about 6 months ago. Along with my older brother Ari. It was one of the things that was easier about moving here.” Tony looked at her with sympathy in his eyes. Something Ziva normally didn’t like to see. But with Tony, it made her heart flutter. Not a lot of people have shown genuine care to her in her life. Her mother always had along with her siblings, never her father. It was all about how emotions were a weakness and to never cry as it was a sign that you were the weakest link. Something she never wanted to be.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I couldn’t imagine how hard that would be for you and your mother.” Ziva nodded.

“They were never around because of work. The last needle was when my sister, Tali was killed almost two weeks ago. We wanted to get away from the violence of our country. Get away from the death.” Tony reached over and placed his hand over hers. Squeezing it gently. Giving her a little bit of comfort. Now wasn’t the right time to correct her English. He didn’t know if now was the right time to have this conversation. At the end of math class and sitting at desks. But he let her talk. Something he found himself enjoying. Her voice was soothing. Calming. Something that he could get used to hearing every day. By the time she stopped talking they had moved closer together and were now only about three feet apart. When Tony noticed this, he blushed slightly. No girl had ever made him blush. Had never made him feel butterflies in his stomach. But this was Ziva, he learned in the past few days that she was different, in a good way. He decided he wouldn’t fight the pull that she had on him. Ziva was looking at him in almost the same way. Looking deep into his beautiful green eyes. She was lost in him. Just as he was lost in her.

The bell was what caused them to look away from each other. They both let out a small smile and gathered their things, putting them into their backpacks. They made their way to the door of the classroom, shoulder to shoulder. His shoulder was tingling from hers bumping against his. Little did he know, she felt the same tingle. He didn’t want to walk away from her. He just wanted to stay close and be in their little bubble that nobody else was allowed into. But unfortunately, they had separate classes for this period.

“Do you remember where to go for your next class or do you need me to show you again?” He didn’t want her to get lost, just like he didn’t want her to get lost yesterday. He wouldn’t admit it, but he was jealous when he saw Tim showing Ziva to her last class. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. He would never hurt her again.

Ziva knew the way to her next class but she wanted to stay near to Tony. So, she shook her head no, that she needed help finding it again. Something she learned from her father was a photographic memory and a good sense of direction. It had stuck with her since she was around six years old. He nodded his head and smiled, unaware that she was lying about her ability to find her class. They walked again, shoulder to shoulder in the hallway to her Chemistry class, and gained some odd looks from others in the hallway. The walked to her next classroom and he dropped her off and told her he would come after class so they could walk to lunch together. Ziva saw him walk down to the other end of the hallway and then walked into her chemistry class.

Unfortunately, this was the class she shared with the four girls who clearly didn’t like her. She could see them in the back of the class in the corner, whispering to each other and laughing. She took the same seat from yesterday and pulled out her notebook. Chemistry was the type of class that felt like there were endless notes to be written down and remembered. She tuned into the teacher intently and watched as she wrote down things on the whiteboard and thoroughly explained what was being drawn. She liked this teacher. She seemed very kind and seemed like she really cared about the education of her students. About halfway through the class, Ziva felt a buzz in her pocket. She pulled out her new phone and placed it to where the teacher couldn’t see it and saw that it was a text. She didn’t recognize the number. She opened the message and smiled at what she saw.

202-078-1971: Hey, this is Tony. Hope it’s okay I gave you my number. I may have snuck it in when you were having trouble with it.

Ziva (202-112-1982): That is fine, Tony. No trouble at all.

202-078-1971: Oh crap! I gotta go Jacobs saw I had my phone out. Have fun in Chemistry! Lol

Ziva (202-112-1982): See you after class. :)

She didn’t get a reply back which either meant his phone got taken by the teacher or he put it away before he could take it. She noticed that she was still in the clear with her teacher and quickly saved Tony’s number into her phone before putting it back into her pocket. She then tuned back in to see Mrs. Williams handing out a worksheet which she assumed would be today's homework. She had always enjoyed homework. Not because of the work, but because of the distraction it provided from her father. It would be a getaway from her father’s activities. She politely took the piece of paper and saw that it was front and back. Now that she was in America with more freedom, she couldn’t see a reason to enjoy homework. Maybe if it involved Tony. She smiled at that thought. Maybe they could do their homework together. Gosh! Why was she being such a girl? She had never been like this before. She had always put boys last, especially the popular ones. They were always so arrogant and needy where she came from. That seemed to be similar to America. Tony, however, seemed different after he explained himself to her.

The bell rang and her pocket buzzed again. That was...fast.

Tony: I’m in the hallway against the locker. Abby is wondering if you’ll be joining us for lunch. I told her that was up to you.

Ziva smiled at the text. It was sweet but at the same time, friendly. She walked out and saw Tony leaning against the locker just like he said. As she made her way over to him, she could sense someone behind her but shrugged it off seeing as it was a busy hallway. A shoulder collided with hers, shocking her and causing the books in her arm to fall onto the floor. She looked up to see Jeanne and her lackeys laughing as they looked at her and walked away. Tony saw what happened and rushed over to help her pick them up. They both stood up together and were face to face and closer than they expected to be. Tony looked down at her, as there was a significant height difference between them. She was looking up at him and she slightly blushed. Just like Tony, nobody had ever made her blush before. They heard the laughs around them from the fall, but they couldn’t hear them. They were in their world again. Their bubble. After about another minute they both broke eye contact and Ziva stuffed her books into her bag and they headed off to the cafeteria. They were walking closer if that was even possible. She liked being around him. Now that she could see the emotion, what she felt was the real Tony, she felt like she could trust him. She was already starting too.

#NCIS #Ziva David #Tony DiNozzo #Leroy Jethro Gibbs #Tim McGee #Abby Sciuto #Jenny Shepard #Donald Mallard #Jimmy Palmer

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polarishq · 4 years

Photo

Meet DAPHNE NIKOLAIDIS. They are ONE HUNDRED and TWNETY-FOUR years old and hail from THESSALONIKI, GREECE. Daphne embodies the constellation, VULPECULA. They use she/her pronouns. Their faceclaim is MADELAINE PETSCH.

Vulpecula reminds me of freshly plucked peaches, messy ponytails, clenching your fists so hard it leaves fingernail indents on your palms, running barefoot down a dirt road, a refusal to let history repeat itself, gel manicures, restless nights and groggy mornings, and a bolt of lightning bright enough to illuminate the entire night sky.

BIOGRAPHY

(Trigger warning for attempted assault)

To know Daphne now is to know a completely different person from the girl who once spun cartwheels along the Greek shore line and ate peaches plucked straight from their trees. Her life felt picturesque from the day she was born, and while there may not be anything outstanding or particularly interesting about her early years, they formed her into someone kind and gentle. She also grew up surrounded by magic, though knowing that it had to be something of a secret within their community. Humans wouldn’t understand, and to Daphne, keeping it secret was okay. A bit annoying when she wanted to simply create a fire rather than waiting for her human friends to gather materials and build one, but for the most part, it was something Daphne understood.

Flash forward to her adulthood, and it seemed like the stars were continuing to smile down at her. She was in her early 20s when it felt like she had the world at her feet, in the form of a sweet human boy who easily captured her heart. Daphne spent her nights imaging her fairy tale happy ending, which was easy to do when she purposefully ignored the fact that her and her lover were a rare mix indeed. Eventually, she knew, she would have to tell him. Her aging would slow drastically while he grew old, and one day she would be without him. But Daphne was not yet prepared to think about that. She would start with baby steps. Three years into their relationship, when marriage seemed more of an inevitability than anything else, she took him aside and told him what she was. She showed him what she was. Daphne had been steeling herself for the worst from him, but once the initial shock wore off, he told her that it changed nothing. If anything, it explained why he always knew she was a little bit otherworldly in his eyes. The two were engaged soon after, and once again, it felt like steady seas ahead.

Until it wasn’t.

Soon after their engagement, Daphne and her fiance had been walking home late at night, returning from an evening with her future in-laws, when they were stopped. A small group of men grabbed her and her fiance, and everything that proceeded went by in a flash. Hands all over her, her fiance screaming, fear and anger building up in her as they told her to do as they said or else they would kill him. In that moment, knowing exactly what they intended, something in Daphne snapped. It all came rushing out of her in a blazing heat, the sky opening up and lightning crashing down around but never once touching her. The exact details that follow are a blur of smoke now, but when Daphne came to, it was to the smell of singed flesh. There were four charred figures, three that she presumed to be the attacks, and one that she only recognized as her fiance by his engagement ring.

What followed were years of anger, both at herself and at magic. Daphne knew that she had killed her husband, all because she had been unable to control herself. She has no remorse for the attackers, but her mourning and regret run deep. She distanced herself from everyone, unable to admit her part in his death to anyone but herself; she still wears her and his wedding rings on a chain around her neck to this day.

Daphne moved to America in the late 50s, unable to stand Greece and its dark memories any longer. She stumbled around for the next few decades, meeting people but being unwilling to grow close out of fear that she would hurt them. She also used magic as little as possible, lest she once again lost control. For over thirty years, Daphne lived her life as a human. Or as much a human as one can be when their age rate is so slowed. That changed one day in the early 90s. Daphne was working the closing shift at a diner, and had only just locked up when she found a man about to be assaulted by a another. In that moment, all Daphne could think about was her own near escape, the fear she knew that man had to be feeling, the complete lack of control — and when all of those emotions were turned on to his would-be assailant, the sky once again opened up and he was struck. The man who had been cornered, however, was untouched. Daphne broke down in tears that she hadn’t hurt someone else, and had instead saved them.

That was a turning point for her. She had spent the first few decades of her life naive and optimistic, the following years angry and scared and grieving. At the realization that she could use her abilities to help others though, Daphne became someone else entirely. She still keeps her sadness close to her chest, tucked away where very few others can see. What she projects outward is instead someone who refuses to back down, and who is unafraid to do what it takes to protect an innocent life. A few years back, she was approached by the Ursas who had followed a trail of suspicious lightning attacks and unexpected fires. The second they mentioned teaching Daphne to control and harness her powers, she was sold. If she could control them, she could save others without the risk of them being caught in the cross-fire. Daphne won’t let someone else be hurt by her again, not if she has any bit of say in the matter.

INCLINATION

When first granted magic, Vulpecula thought long and hard about how to invest it. Being the fox, the vixen if you will, it felt easy to grant its users with something akin to sex magic, or powers of a succubus. Other constellations suggested as much, relegating the powers of the fox to those of the flesh. But Vulpecula decided otherwise. Vulpecula took the rage of being boiled down to nothing but sexual prowess, and harnessed it into a force to be reckoned with. Those granted the magic of Vulpecula are lightning conjurers, and capable ones at that. It’s sponsees are typically those who have been wronged and have a strong desire to spare others a similar harm. Vulpecula also works in conjunction with two other constellations, one a water sign and the other air.

CONNECTIONS

Filling the role of Naomi Walker’s protector.

Filling the role of Micah Mitsuzawa-Hughes’ paranormal buddy.

Earth, Wind, and Fire: Vulpecula works in tandem with two other constellations (one gifted with air magic to control the winds, the other with a strong control of water to generate massive rainfall). These are typically people who have reason to be angry, or people who have experienced certain emotions to astronomical proportions. There is an unspoken rule that these three are not meant to ever have their powers interact at the same time. Doing so is liable to create a storm unlike anything modern history has seen

Penned by Jeanne ★

#vulpecula.#fire.#taken.#jeanne.#student.

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fuwafuwamedb · 5 years

Note

When will the Forelsket sequel be posted?

Right now, it’s named Kjaerlighet. I believe I mentioned that in the comments section of one of my stories that I was posting after Forelsket ended.

It’s ready to go, I just don’t want too many stories going at once. I want to let you all enjoy what’s going and see things through to the end. Some people like reading all of an author’s work or multiple works by one author and I think it’s a bit hectic when there’s a lot going at once. Posting all of a multi-chapter story at once is great for short term reading, but I like building the hype. You’ll have to forgive me for that.

At this time, this story is done, but I’m editing in little bits of Sumerian culture like I did for Forelsket and I am debating that title because sometimes readers can’t figure out how to pronounce my titles (I’m sorry).

It has been a while since we saw anything in that AU and I think some may be eager to read so…

Here’s the first chapter. Consider it like licking the cookie dough spoon before the cookies are baked and out for public consumption.

Five weeks.

No new changes: no sudden exclamation of a child on the way,no shocked expressions or shouting from the king of heroes. Hakuno didn’t notea thing about herself changing. They laughed, they indulged in baths together.The lot of them bundled themselves in bed when Hakuno was feeling a little bittired.

Gudako watched them all simply enjoy the company of oneanother and sighed.

“Are you thinking about the time in Babylonia again,” Dantesasked, pulling his shirt off as he prepared for bed.

“A little bit.”

Caster had meandered off to Uruk once more, but mostly toalter this and that in the palace. Archer had been trusted with Hakuno for acouple days, but he had successfully built a temple within the palace to go alongsidethe main temple so that he and his other selves would have a better place to takepleasure in their goddess.

Hakuno had smacked him.

Caster had berated him.

Archer had high fived his child and teenaged selves.

The nobleman nodded at her though, dragging her back toreality. “They will find out soon enough. They are very lucky that Gilgamesh’sgood friend is being so kind as to keep it quiet. I cannot imagine what the manwould decide to do if he found that he was allowing Hakuno to run around withhis heir inside of her. Last week’s mission and the wounds that Hakuno receivedwould have been received poorly.”

Gudako nodded, quietly. This was true. It probably wouldhave.

Dantes hummed, “If my Mercedes had been carrying my child, Iwould have wanted to know immediately. I would have wanted to take hersomewhere safe and not risk our child. Too many women lost their babies tohunger or a bad fall. They are fragile things, unable to protect themselves.”

“They are.”

“There is also so much to plan. I do not envy the king ofheroes. Trying to decide where and how the baby will be raised. Will the babebe handled by a servant or will the mother take responsibility for lookingafter the child? Tutoring? Chaldea has many heroes as well as tyrants. It wouldbe unfortunate for the child to be near one of the lesser servants in thisplace. Myself, for example, wonderful, but I would instill upon that child farmore importance upon the bonds that they create and the importance of going afteranyone that wrongs you. That saint, Jeanne , would preach forgiveness. Auseless concept.”

“It is… It is…” She hummed though, glancing towards the door.

Hakuno was the goddess of wine and drink. If she indulgedtoo much… God, if she had Gilgamesh have too much fun with her. Or if theothers got too rough. She had seen bruises on her friend before. All it wouldtake was just a little too much liquor one evening and one of them doingsomething stupid.

Was Enkidu always watching?

“Uh huh.”

Fingers snapped before her face. “Ici! Ici! Gudako. I wasnot saying anything.” The white haired man glared at her. “You are no longerlistening to me, ma Cherie.”

“I’m thinking.”

“I see that you are. It is good. You are going to go andinform them of the little offspring that grows in the woman?”

“Maybe if we just go check on them?”

Edmond didn’t even move, merely gesturing her towards thedoor. “I will await your return, Master. You are making the wise decision, ininforming the young woman that she is carrying the prince or princess withinher. She will be able to prepare and bring the child into this world safely,with more preparation.”

Yeah.

She pressed her lips to the man’s cheek before heading outthe door. Most of the facility had become quiet now. It was the evening. They allwished to merely rest.

Well…

Gudako saw the light pouring forth from the crack in the youngwriter’s room, her lips pursing at the implications.

“Hans! Shakespeare! I swear to god if you’re writing withone another!” She banged on the door, listening to the sounds of curses beforethe light flickered off.

They were going to wait her out.

She stomped, lightening the sound before she stopped.

The light flickered on again.

“HANS!”

A screech came, the two opening the door and peering out ather.

“Bed.”

“Now see here, you wily liver-spotted temptress,” Shakespearebegan.

“We don’t want to go to bed,” Hans informed her in that deepvoice. “We are working on a project together that will require the midnight oilin particular. It is a tale of depth and emotion. It is nothing that can adhereto your absurd sense of daylight hours.”

“I will swaddle you like a five year old,”Gudako warned.

Shakespeare snickered, earning a glare from the young writer.“…We shall adjourn for the night. But we are writing into the night tomorrow.”

“Write me a good formal letter why I should allow it and I’llhave Caster Gil read it.”

Hans groaned. “I hate that man. Shove off, William. She isgoing to be unreasonable.”

The playwright laughed, waltzing off into the hallway anddown the way she had come. No doubt, he and Edmond would find themselvestalking about French and English culture by the time she returned.

Children, the lot of them.

God, Hakuno didn’t even need to worry about whether or notshe could handle a child. Between the surly Hans and the younger versions ofthe servants roaming through this place, she already had the basics of childcarehandled.

Hakuno would be fine.

She was a professional. An absolute expert. There was nodoubt in her mind that she could probably handle whatever little divine shitcame out of that woman.

There was the sound of movement as she turned the corner.The red curtains draped thematically around the doors to Gilgamesh’s chamberswere closed, indicating that the collection of Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and theiryoung master were already enclosed within.

Or were going to be.

A green-haired being stopped just before the curtains,pausing in entering to look over at her. “Gudako? What brings you to thiscorner of the facility?”

“Are the grapes for Hakuno?” Gudako moved closer, avoidingthe question.

“She was hungry, but has been having a time of it. Everytime she wishes for something sweet, her tastebuds have been leading her to bitterthings. It is food cravings, from what my Shamhat has informed me. I thoughtperhaps grapes would not upset her. The grapes we have been getting are less sweetthan usual.”

She nodded.

“But you are here for a reason, I’m assuming?”

“Does Hakuno know that-“

“No.”

Gudako nodded at the blunt response. “Then I’m here to tellher. I think she needs to know-“

Enkidu shook their head. “Do not bother. It is not the besttime to inform her about what is going on. She merely thinks that her midnighteating is starting to cause morning sickness. Her emotions are from Archer andCaster being particularly stubborn with her new role and how often she shouldbe in Uruk.”

“She needs to know, Enkidu. If we don’t tell her-“

“I will tell her when it is time.”

“When is the time?”

The being hummed. “We have begun week six…. I believe weekthirty-nine would be appropriate.” They paused, staring at her. “…I ammonitoring the progress. The child’s soul is slowly forming right now. I knowthe gender and I know of its slowly forming preferences, although it may notrealize itself. I have been keeping Hakuno near Prototype since he is being themost appropriate and has been giving Hakuno a great deal of emotional support.”

“Enkidu!”

She needed to know.

God, she would want to know!

Those green eyes were narrowing though. The being leaned inclose. She couldn’t see anything around the hair and those strangely glowingeyes.

“Do not tell her.”

“…E-Enkidu…”

“She will fret. My friend will fret. They are happy rightnow. They partake in the now of things, leaving the future where it needs to be.If you take that away, I will become quite cross.”

Okay, that was fair, but Gudako shook her head. She gesturedat the door. “If they could just know about-“

“No.”

“Enkidu!”

The being turned her around, giving her a rather rough pushtowards her rooms. “Return to your bed, little master of Chaldea. My masterneeds my attention and needs our silence. Do not think to intrude upon Uruk’sbusiness again. It is my secret to keep and my friend’s future to watch form.”

“Fine.”

“Good night, Gudako.”

“Good night, Enkidu.”

She waited the half second for the being to turn before sheslipped around the curtains, pushing them at the being before she slammedthrough the door.

Caster glanced over from his desk.

Child Gilgamesh, Prototype, and Archer looked up from theircard game.

Hakuno glanced over from the sofa, pouring herself-

“Hakuno, you can’t have that!” Gudako avoided the clay being’sgrasp, hurrying over and taking the goblet of wine from her side.

“What are you talking about?”

“Gudako!”

Oh, but the clay being was coming for her like a freighttrain from hell. She was going to be in for it. That face and that glarepromised a revenge that would have Dantes taking meticulous notes.

“You’re pregnant!”

A silence filled the room.

The weight of fury lifted from the being’s shoulder, leavingthem standing awkwardly in the center of the room.

A snicker.

A snort.

Archer was the first one to begin laughing, shaking his headas the others joined in. The room seemed to have surround sound with the waythey were all laughing. Child Gilgamesh was the first to fall onto his side.Prototype was doing an awkward laugh, blushing at the very idea.

“Hakuno? With child?” Caster paused from his amusement. “Haveyou gone soft? We are all servants here in Chaldea. She is hardly human herself.You may have partaken in Hakuno’s sweet wines and my mother’s conversations ofchildren a bit too often.”

Child Gil nodded. “I went with that idea for two days untilI figured it was wrong. Hakuno is too precious and divine for that. She would havehad to have been blessed by Ishtar for that and that goddess hates Hakuno for messingup her temple. She’s also guilty as hell for her father interrupting thewedding ceremony. She wouldn’t bother!”

Gudako glared over at Enkidu.

“Ask them,” she demanded.

The four blonds looked at the being in matching amusement.

Meanwhile, blessedly, it seemed Hakuno had some sense inthis lot. The woman was closing her eyes, no doubt thinking carefully aboutthis and considering the truth of it. Her attention flickered to her a momentbefore she sat up.

“Oh no.”

Progress.

Thank the gods for Hakuno.

She returned her attention to Enkidu.

“Well?” She prompted. “Tell them.”

The being shook their head.

“Enkidu has known since the conception,” Gudako informedthem. “Knows gender too, from what they told me outside the room. That’s whyHakuno is having food cravings and morning sickness.”

Hakuno was paling.

The Gils were all paling.

Prototype rushed to the bathroom.

Gudako looked around before clapping her hands. “Thank god.”She smiled. “I was thinking about that for like a month. It was a long assmonth too. Like when Hakuno was slashed in the stomach by that dragon lastweek, I was like “yeah, that kid’s a goner” or like when she was knocked intounconsciousness about three weeks back by that boar while working with CuChulainn. I was also like “that kid’s dead.” But now I feel better. We shouldbe good now.”

She plucked a grape from the bowl that Enkidu was stillholding, glancing around at the silent room.

“I feel- SO- good right now. It’s amazing what happens whenthe truth is out there. No wonder Edmond fought for revenge and for the truthabout those other noblemen to be revealed. It just feels so good. I’m gonna gofind him before Shakespeare steals him for an insult contest.”

She waved at them as she headed for the door.

“Just so you know, I am a great namer. I nicknamed Arash “Ozy’sBoom Rocket” and I have been laughing for days about it. Night night!”

The door shut behind her.

And then the sound erupted from within.

#gilhaku #I'll tag this properly #fuwafuwamedb story time

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thoughtsofdarc · 6 years

Text

Wasteland - Part 4

Summary: After the mighty attack from the creatures above, the entire world is in ruins. the people left fight for their survival. Jeanne is one of them, one of the strongest survivers - but is she strong enough to fight and survive in the long run? first against the monsters, then against ordinary humans? And what about the Avengers, those who got blamed for the disaster, are they alive? can they help?

Paring: None yet Warnings: Angst. Words: 2505

Prologue - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

The sight that met us when we reached areas that should be filled with people was frightening. Many places were completely abandoned and ghostlike. Cars were left on the road, doors to houses were wide open and everything looked like ghost-towns, eerie and haunting.

Most of the smaller towns were strangely empty. We stopped at a grocery store, looking for people, information and supplies, but what we found was just another abandoned place.

We walked around the entire place, inside and out, my father with his rifle and myself with an arrow on the bow, ready to shoot. But nothing happened, no one was there and the entire place just had that creepy atmosphere everywhere.

My father threw money on the counter after we had stocked up on provisions and filled the tank and spare cans with gas, just in case the owner of the store came back and wondered where he's things had gone.

I remember that we went back to the truck, giving my Aunt some food and Dog some water and then my father stopped in his tracks, furrowing his brows as if he was thinking really hard. He looked around the empty town and then back at the store.

I asked him what was wrong, but he only mumbled an incoherent answer before he jumped out of the truck again and went back into the shop.

I remember both my Aunt and I calling out for him, but he just waved his hand for us to stay calm, and so we did... with beating hearts and my hand ready on the gun I had strapped to my thigh. Before we knew it however, he came waddling back out with 2 large boxes of Whiskey. Yes, Whiskey... somewhat 20 bottles.

I recall to jump out of the car and yell at my father "What the hell, dad?" as i frustrated motioned to the heavy boxes in his arms.He just gave me a crocket smile and chuckled

"Sweetheart... It's the end of the world, and this is the good stuff. I promise to return them of the owner of the shop comes back" before he shot me a wink. I could only roll my eyes at him and laugh along.

That was one of the last times in a very long time I laughed

---

We began to find bodies scattered in the streets, humans and non humans, the further into the big city we came. At the first dead creature we saw, my father stopped the truck so we could have a look.

Nothing my Aunt had told us could ever prepare me for what we saw. Even dead, this thing looked terrifying and my grip on the bow tightened so my knuckles turned white. My father jammed one of the largest hunting knifes he owned into the creature in different parts of its body, to find its weak spots. Its chest was covered in armor like plates, but we could pierce them with force and in the right spot. Right in the middle where it looked like 2 plates met.

Its head was also covered in hard armor-like skin, but the eyes were soft spots, and so were the neck. We also found out that if we had something with enough force and strength behind it, we could pierce the armor everywhere on the creature, but it was difficult. They weren't invincible, hard to kill maybe, but not invincible.

My Aunt was in the background, silently crying again, while we examined the strange creature from above. I didn't blame her, this entire situation was absolutely terrifying and I wanted to cry too. But I was one of the strong ones, I was one of those that were able to fight, so I couldn't let myself break down.

We found Sergeant First Class Colbert in an abandoned warehouse downtown, locked in an office. In the distance we could hear gunshots from time to time, screams, roars and all kinds of sounds from fighting going on.

He almost shot us through the door, when my father tried to open it.

Sergeant Colbert was a big man, 6 foot 6. In his mid thirties, with short trimmed hair and a physique that would intimidate most men. But when we found him, he was covering behind a desk, shaking like a leaf, mostly resembling a scared little boy. One of those bottles of Whiskey that my father "borrowed" came in handy then, while getting Colbert to relax a little, so that he could fill us in.

While he talked, the radio in the office started to make some noise and news of more creatures falling from the sky came out. This wave of creatures however brought something else.... Large, pitch black cones of some sort. 100 foot tall black cones, that no one knew what was. The military asked everybody to stay away from the things, as far as possible.

As the voice in the radio kept going my Aunt was standing by the window and shortly after the mentioning of the black things, we all heard her mumble a low "Oh my god..." We all gathered by the window and saw a massive black thing emerge from the sky in the distance. Creatures surrounded it like they were protectors. If it hadn't been so fucking scary to witness, it would have been almost beautiful.

We stayed the night in that office. It was safer than anywhere else, and we were now 3 adults with a good use of weapons, plus a dog with razor-sharp teeth. But that night we did stand guard in turns and thank god for that...

---

It was my watch, I was sitting on the ledge if the windowsill, Dog was fast asleep beneath me. My aunt was curled up under my father's arm and both of them seemed to be fast asleep too. It was somewhat peaceful outside, the moon shined down from a clear night sky and I was able to see the stars. The emergency radio had advised people not to have light in their homes at night, so they wouldn't attract the black creatures and every streetlamp, billboard and store sign was turned off too. So even though we were deep in the concrete jungle of the big city, all I saw was the beauty of the night sky that I knew from my home in the mountains.

Sergeant Colbert kept moving around, clearly not able to calm down. I remember because shortly after we talked, shit went down.

"Trouble sleeping?" I whispered into the darkness as I adjusted my feet in the window to get a better position.

Colbert's voice was nice, it was calming even if it did have a hint of distress to it whenever he talked. The man was scared to death by the things he had witnessed and it showed in his voice.

"Yeah... Don't feel like closing my eyes. I just keep seeing those damn things rip my friends apart" he said, quickly followed by a "Sorry... I shouldn't say things like that"

Even though he probably couldn't see me, I shook my head and said "It's okay. I understand... I haven't witnessed anything like that, and even I don't feel like closing my eyes"

The silence fell in the room once again, and the sergeant stopped moving for so long, that I actually thought that he had finally fallen asleep. But his voice startled me again shortly after.

"I mean no disrespect Miss... But that bow? Do you know how to use it? Wouldn't a gun be better?"

He was sincere, he really didn't mean any disrespect and I liked him a little more for that alone.

I smiled a little by his question. It must have been a strange sight, seeing a young woman sitting in a windowsill with a bow and arrows at ready, scouting for alien creatures roaming the night. "Nah, I'm practically born and raised with a bow in my hands. Sometimes I think I am better with this, than I am dressing myself in the morning"

My father's low whispering was heard as he dryly added "That's truer than she lets on... She's really bad at putting on socks"

The sergeant chuckled when my Aunt hit my father's arm and told him to behave.

I turned my head and smiled at my family and my new friend, but only for a second. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a movement outside of the window on the other side of the room and even before I was finished comprehending what I saw Dog shot up, his neck fur stood up like a brush and his teeth shined in the moonlight coming in from the window, as a growl came deep from within him.

"Look out!" I screamed as a black creature smashed through the glass, causing shards to fly everywhere.

Remember when I said I saw everything in slow-motion, when I thought that my father and Dog was gone? The same thing happened here. Even in the darkness I saw everything clear and everything in slow-motion, as fear crept up my spine and adrenaline took over my actions.

The black creature stumbled to find its footing after the crash through the window, as my Aunt screamed in terror. My father reacted quickly and showed her behind him as he raised his gun and started firing. The blasts were ear deafening, but nothing compared to the sound that came from the black creature.

It was so obvious that it locked in on my Aunt and my dad in front of it, as it raised a long muscular arm with claws I have never seen the like of, ready to strike.

But even in his terror, Sergeant First Class Colbert's military training took over and he threw himself in front of the creature, taking the blow instead of my family.

The creature turned and took the two steps towards the sergeant that was slammed up against the wall and was now scrambling to get his gun pointed at the attacker.

My father stood up, emptying the gun into the back of the black monster. Dog attacked it too, growling, barking and biting in a way I've never seen him do before. But it didn't stop the creature from making its way towards the still befuddled Sergeant on the floor.

In the seconds it took while all that happened, I jumped down from the window, raised my bow and took aim. At first I wasn't sure what to shoot at, but not more than a second later the creature turned its head, causing the moonlight to reflect in its pitch-black eyes.

And then I let go of the arrow...

-----

The silence that followed the minutes after, was almost worse than my Aunts scream and the creature's roars.

I remember I was shaking violently almost dropping my bow to the ground and then I realized that I was holding my breath. The second I let it go, my father's voice shook us all back into reality as he shouted "Come on! Up! Out! We need to get out of here!"

He helped Sergeant Colbert to his feet, grabbing my Aunt's arm and almost carrying her as he hauled her to the door. The sergeant, back on his feet, grabbed our remaining stuff and guns as he reached for me, beckoning me to run. He didn't have to do that twice, my feet automatically went for the door, closely followed by Dog and lastly him.

At the entrance of the warehouse, with the trucks in sight we all stopped up and hid in the shadows. All eyes searching the big courtyard, making sure we weren't followed or under another attack. When everything turned out quiet, my father turned to me, and I remember the feeling of my heart shatter right there.

"You have to take your Aunt home. Pack as much of her stuff as you can and then head home to the mountain Y/N. Go home. I believe you are safe there! I'll go with Colbert to the base and figure out what to do from here... "

"Dad, no! I wanna stay with you! I can fight!" My words were those of a little girl, trying to convince a parent to let her do a dangerous task but also, scared to be left alone in a world full of monsters.

He wrapped his arms around me, in an all engulfing hug, as he whispered in my ear "I need you to keep her safe, she doesn't belong down here... You and that beast you call a dog, can defend yourself and her on the mountain. Please darling, do this for me... Go home so I know that you are safe!"

His voice was shaking, and I knew he tried to keep in the tears. My father, the strongest man that I knew. The brutal military man, special agent, trained with knowledge of weapons and fighting techniques like nobody else, was trying to hold back tears. Tears of pure fear of losing his loved ones.

"I don't want to go... I don't want to leave you alone!" I cried into his jacket as he hugged me tighter and kissed my hair the way only a father can do.

"Please Y/N? Do this for me... I'll come home as soon as I can. I promise!" He held me away from him, cupping my face in his large, rough hands.

"Please?" he added with a whisper, and I knew right then, that I couldn't debate him, I had to go back and leave him here with the monsters.

When I nodded, tears falling down my cheeks, he hugged me one last time before he dug out the keys to the truck and handed them to me. He then turned to my aunt, to hug her too.

As he did, Sergeant Colbert came over to me and took my hand as he looked me deep in the eyes, all the sincerity shining from him as he said "You saved my back there, I owe you my life. And for that I promise to keep him safe, even if it will cost me my life".

Even though I had only known the man for a few hours, my heart broke by his words. What had the world come to, where a man would promise his own life in trade of keeping another one safe?

I probably surprised the sergeant, when I hugged him as tight as I had my father, but how else could I show him that I wanted them both to stay alive?

Another brief hug and kiss from my dad, before we parted with the words "I'm so proud of you!"

That was the last thing that were said between us, before I saw the taillights of the military truck driving off into unknown territory with my father and the Sergeant. My aunt and I drove in the other direction in my dad's old beat-up truck.

Part 5

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fimbulventrr · 6 years

Text

Trump Card: Strength

“You want me to do what, mate?” Loki stares blankly at Luka.

“Don’t act like that, kid,” the other man sighs, leaning back against the wall, “It’s just. You’re close to Bayonetta, right?”

“Define close.”

“Look, if you don’t want to help me, just say so,” Luka shakes his head, mumbling under his breath, “Knew better than to ask a bratty kid for help.”

Loki holds his hands up defensively, “Hey, wait,” he shifts awkwardly, “So you just want me to? What? Pretend you’re Bayonetta and…” he has to look away, feeling his ears heat up, “Flirt with you?”

Luka can hear the disbelief still in Loki’s voice and he frowns, “Don’t get me wrong, kid! I’m great with the women but… Bayonetta is a witch! You know more about all this crazy shit than me. In all your godly knowledge,” he unciates the word with finger quotes before throwing his hands up, “you gotta know, I don’t know, some secret Umbran seduction ritual that will drive her wild!”

Loki crosses his arms, face still expressionless, “One thing first, mate.”

Luka’s shoulders slump, “What?”

“I’m not a kid.” Loki growls.

Luka relaxes, “Sure, whatever, kid.”

Loki puffs out his cheeks but surrenders. He puts his arms behind his head and saunters over to take a seat at the table in the middle of the room. He kicks his feet up onto the table and pulls out a card to fidget with. There’s a slight pause where Luka watches him, still leaned up against the wall across the room. Bayonetta and Jeanne wouldn’t be home from killing angels for at least a couple more hours.

“So…” Loki starts, keeping Luka in suspense, “You got the hots for a witch? More than just the normal perverted ones?”

He rolls his eyes, “You wouldn’t understand. It’s an adult thing.”

Loki hisses and a card flies past Luka’s face and embeds itself into the wall right next to his ear. A few stands of his hair float to the ground. He flinches but is able to keep himself from cursing aloud.

“Hey, you’re gonna have to tell Jeanne why there’s a hole in her kitchen wall.”

“Who even let you in here?” Loki already has another card in his hands.

“Bayonetta gave me a spare key.”

“You’re a horrible liar, mate.” He uses his card to motion to the breeze coming from the pried open window in the room behind them.

“I thought you said you were gonna help me. Unless you’re as clueless about women as you look,” Luka sneers.

“Mate, I bet I’ve swooned Bayonetta more than you.”

Luka stares, mouth slightly agape before he quickly regains himself, “I’ve ‘swooned’ a ton of women!”

“And how many of em were witches?”

Silence.

Loki laughs, “Okay, okay. Fine. I’ll give you some pointers,” he watches Luka grab out his pen and journal and shakes his head with a smirk, “Witches are apex predators, mate. They can smell fear, so don’t show it, but never let your guard down. You should be scared of em, got it?”

Luka looks up and nods. Loki leans his elbow on the table, spinning a card on its corner.

“Don’t act like a lost pup neither but she’ll be able to read your face as plain as day, mate.” He pauses and sighs, “This is dumb. Just be yourself without being a total idiot.”

Luka frowns, “I’ve been trying that!”

Loki is shuffling his deck now, “No, mate, you haven’t.” He doesn’t look up but Luka crosses his arms. Loki falls silent, holding his breath, before he adds, “Around Bayonetta you try too hard. Act like you are now.”

He rolls his eyes, “And what is so good about me right now?”

Icy eyes glance up before shooting back to his cards, “You’re relaxed. Funny. And you aren’t wasting time staring at tits.”

“Ain’t not tits to stare at, kid.”

“Hey! I said—”

“You aren’t a kid, I know!” Luka pushes himself away from the wall and walks up the table, “But really. Do you see me? What is there for Bayonetta to like?” He motions to himself in over exaggeration.

Loki remains silent, just watching Luka.

“See. That’s what I thought. Nothing,” his shoulders fall in defeat, “I thought you could, I don’t know, do something with those powers of yours. Shit, I’m so stupid sometimes...”

Loki slides a card across the table. Luka raises an eyebrow and flips it over. It shows what looks like a witch using her hair to summon a demon.

“Strength,” Loki says, “When upright it means...well strength but also courage and compassion. Something you have an abundance of, mate,” Luka opens his mouth to object but Loki keeps talking, “When reversed, the same card means weakness or specifically: self-doubt.”

Luka furrows his brows while analyzing the card. “You said it meant courage?” He laughs and it sounds bitter. Loki flinches.

“You carried me all the way to the top of Fimbulventr. That’s courageous, mate.”

“Sure, whatever you say, your holiness…”

“What I’m saying, mate, is turn yourself upright. It’s two sides of the same card. Stop trying to change yourself, or whatever,” Loki’s voice trails off.

Luka is silent for a long time before he hands the card back to Loki. “Didn’t take you for the philosophical type.”

“Fuck off, mate. I’m trying to help.”

Luka laughs and it’s slightly more wholehearted than the previous mood. “So I’m strength, am I?”

Loki’s face burns, “Maybe practice the ‘control’ part of the card.”

#luka redgrave #loki #bayonetta loki #bayonetta #solo writing #ᛞ — the HERMIT ‹ headcanons ›#ᛞ — the LOVERS ‹ luka ›#if you squint

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stories-by-rie · 4 years

Text

#2 Pink Ice

Ahn and Jeanne hadn’t spoken about the incident at the front door, and since Ahn had her room on the first floor, Jeanne walked the rest by herself. It was the first time that she was alone since the welcome ceremony and finally, she too, dared a look at her phone. The clock counted a few minutes past ten am, the weather app announced light storms in the afternoon and she had gotten another spam email.

A sigh escaped her lips as she walked up the cold stairs. In contrast to the main building, those dormitories had been renovated in the seventies. The railing was yellow, the walls were in some sort of mint green. In what appeared to a be a hopeless attempt, they had put old documents, photos and paintings on the walls that told of the school’s history; but that made it just more colourful and pressured Jeanne to leave the corridors quickly.

She had her room on the fourth floor, far on the back. Nervousness crept up her back as she wondered who might be on the other side of the door. Finally, she gave herself a push and entered.

Inside sat a girl on a bad, a little startled, her black curls half heartedly tied up to a bun. Golden glasses sat on her flat nose, but it really suited her.

“Hi”, she whispered.

“Hi”, said Jeanne.

For a moment they stared at each other until Jeanne closed the door behind her and threw her bag on her new bed. Her luggage stood in one corner. The other girl was already unpacking, rolls of posters lying next to her on the bed, some books already stashed in her bookshelf, and a few personal items scrambled on her table.

“My name is Jeanne Everley”, she finally spoke as the silence got close to unbearable.

“I know”, the girl just answered. She didn’t say anything else, but simultaneously she stopped at what she was doing and stared at the wall instead.

Jeanne decided to ignore it and went for her own luggage instead. The three suit cases looked like much, but as she opened them she just pulled out her jeans, shirts and blouses. Some books her mother had insisted she would have to read, an alarm clock and her laptop. Only a few minutes later she had finished.

During that time, her room mate just had binned three things on the wall. One very pink flag, and two posters picturing what looked like bands. They looked very Asian.

“What’s you name?”, Jeanne asked finally. The girl flinched a little but as she turned around to her she put on a smile.

“Mira.”

“So… You’re into Chinese music?”

For a second it looked like Mira was going to strangle Jeanne. Her face froze and her jaw dropped, a deeply hurt look haunted her eyes. She looked to her posters, she just had put another one at the wall, and back to Jeanne. With a thin voice she finally replied “It’s K-Pop. It’s Korean.”

“Hm. Sorry.”

Jeanne sighed once more and let herself drop onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. Mira was quiet as she worked on her part of the room, hanging up seven posters in total, putting three plants on the window-sill and as she finished, she moved on to organizing her desk.

Other than that, there was utter silence in their room. Only some voices and laughter from the other rooms seeped through the walls. Yet, the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Mira was deeply concentrated on her tasks and Jeanne was used to it, so she didn’t mind.

Finally, Mira finished unpacking and crossed her arms in front of her chest as she looked at the finished work. The two parts of the room couldn’t be more different. Mira’s half couldn’t be more colourful and decorative, whereas no one would’ve guessed that Jeanna even moved in.

A knock broke through the silence. With a pirouette, Mira turned to the door and opened it.

The girl had bright eyes, eyes that froze as she looked inside and spotted Jeanna who lied on her bed like a vampire inside a casket.

“Oh, I didn’t notice that this was, well-”, she got stuck, coughed and without the spark in her eyes she continued, “I just wanted to know if you wanted to come over to our room, we’re having a little first day party… Some other folks are coming as well. Only if you want to of course.” “Parties aren’t really my thing. I mean! That’s nothing against you but I just rather have my calm I don’t mean to offend or anything.”

The other girl laughed and shook her head. “Don’t worry, it’s only two hours until lunch anyway, so it’s no problem. See you around!”

“Yeah, see ya!”

As Mira closed the door again, she let out a deep sigh and suddenly much more tired, she turned back to Jeanne, only to flinch. “I mean, if you want to go, you can of course! I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to answer for both of us.”

“It’s fine. I highly doubt that they actually want me there anyway.” Jeanne had answered without shifting her head, her eyes still fixated on the ceiling. But in connection with those words it didn’t appear so indifferent any more, but much more like an effort to keep her face from showing emotions.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. You should stop saying sorry so much. It’s not like you would have anything to do with it, and the more you say it the more it loses its meaning.”

Mira didn’t say anything, instead she sat down comfortably on her bed and put headphones in.

Just in time, because right at that moment sharp pain rushed through Jeanna’s head, making her crunch into fetal position, a harsh movement that made it much worse.

It was a sharp hot pain that took a way her breath and even if it wasn’t unknown, it came unexpected.

Instantly she started to sweat as she bit in her blanket.

All the time Mira was staring at her phone, music blasting her ears, so she didn’t notice any if it.

Until it knocked again.

Jeanne hastily sat up and leaned against the wall, trying to flatten her hair again. Mira had noticed the loud banging against the door and finally looked up, just then she looked again to Jeanne.

Without an invitation the door went open and Ahn walked in. “Hi, I just wanted to know what it looks like up here – oh shit, Jeanne, are you okay?”

“Yeah, yes. It’s nothing to worry about.”

“You really don’t look well, Jeanne. Maybe you should go visit the infirmary?”, said Mira.

“No, it’s nothing. Really.”

“Nonsense. We will take you”, insisted Ahn.

Jeanne just stared at her as if she was out of this world, but finally complied. She pushed her blouse tidily back into her trousers and the loose hair behind her ears and walked with as much posture as she could muster. But all that couldn’t hide the pain she was suffering through.

Music and laughter came from the end of their corridor but they just walked back to the stairs, ignoring the little party.

“It’s fine again already, no need to take me all the way there”, mumbled Jeanne but just as she said it, her legs gave in and she got caught right on time by Ahn and Mira before she could fall down the stairs.

“Yeah, sure girl. Could’ve fooled me”, replied Mira.

There was nothing Jeanne could’ve said or done to make them believe them, so they all ended in front of the infirmary’s door together.

~ masterlist ~

#1300 words #me: wow this is a short chapter #also me: this is NOT A WIP it's a SHORT STORY it doesn't have CHAPTERS only PARTS and they can be short.#so apparently jeanne has got mysterious headaches now. cause that trope has never been done before #invincible #2 pink ice #writeblr #story by rie #when the magic and the monsters are coming?#idk #i don't know anything anymore

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poignantpulchritude · 4 years

Text

Silly Pleasures-Chapter 4

“Hey! I thought we agreed, switch off each song? You’re taking advantage of the aux,” Dallas grumbled down by my side.

“Just one more, I need to hear High Horse again to lift my spirits,” I responded, snarling at the dull pain on my hip. I heard Dallas’s mumbled complaints, but he allowed me to play the Kacey Musgraves song to completion. When he heard the beginnings of a Jimi Hendrix guitar riff, I could practically feel his shoulders relax. “You’re so annoying,” I griped.

“If you’re not careful this tiger will end up looking like the outline of Brazil.” I rolled my eyes and gritted my teeth at his words. Though the pain was subtler than the burning I felt when getting my foot tattooed, the tiger (Cecelia) that was getting inked on my skin was quadruple its size. I could only take the constant pain for so long before I started getting snippy.

“The outline is done, so I’ll head out for a smoke, and then we’ll finish this baby,” Dallas told me fifteen minutes later, finishing the last few lines as he spoke. To signal break time, he slapped me hard on my thigh, near my burning hip.

“I fucking hate you,” I shuddered, looking straight into his eyes. Dallas laughed and made his way around the bed to his cigarettes resting on the counter.

“You still not smoking?” he asked, his Texan drawl coming through.

“Nope, not letting these Europeans have their way with me yet.”

“Be back here in fifteen,” he replied, ignoring my last statement to walk out the back door of the tattoo parlor. I shimmied off the bed, moving slow, making sure not aggravate my hip. The t-shirt dress I was wearing was long enough to leave the shop in and not look like I was only half dressed. I slipped on my yellow checkered vans, looking suspiciously like a girl from a Metro Station music video, and hobbled my way out the front of the shop. Union Jack was a small parlor, nestled between a barber shop and a conveyor belt sushi restaurant in the middle of Shoreditch. Beyond the incredible curry found in the area, the neighborhood also had my favorite assortment of sex shops whenever I needed to pick up some new accessories for work.

I made my way inside the little sushi house, ordered my simple spicy tuna roll, devoured it in minutes, and trekked a whole 10 meters to get back inside Union Jack. It was a new personal record. Despite how short the journey was to me, it seemed that, in my absence, the entire atmosphere of the shop had changed. Dallas’s co-worker, Angie, was speaking excitedly to two young men facing away from me as I walked in. I identified one of them instantly.

The shorter of the duo turned around to see who entered, giving me a polite smile before turning around to Angie again. While I attempted to maneuver around to Dallas’s alcove without alerting Harry, the back door slammed forcefully. The slam was followed by a typical Dallas yell. “Jeanne baby get your ass back in here, let’s demolish this tiger!”

I felt my neck heat up and chest flush red. As soon as Dallas rounded the corner to the main room, he paused, looking both alarmed and confused. “Oh, hey,” he started. “Mates,” I closed my eyes in irritation. “Sorry about the noise,” he chuckled awkwardly, considerably quieter than moments before. To make things even worse, he attempted to motion to me, covertly, to return to his side. Being subtle, however, was never Dallas’s strong suit.

“No worries, good to know the place is so lively,” Harry’s friend spoke, looking strangely like the lovechild of Ed Sheeran and Chris from series three of Love Island. It was at this point that Harry decided to turn around to look and see who Dallas was motioning to. He found me. I could see the usual, polite smile start to form on his face and then the shift happened. Once he grasped who he was looking at, his smile went from that of a man sitting in a press conference to a straight line-not from anger, but from confusion. And then again, another second passed and it changed, his eyebrows rose and a genuine smile appeared on his face. I scurried towards Dallas before I could see anymore.

“Hey!” Harry exclaimed, halting me right before I could fully get to Dallas’s room. I did not mean to be rude, but considering my overly flirtatious last meeting with him, I felt incredibly awkward.

“Hi,” I turned around, pretending that I did not notice it was him before I tried to run away. “It’s nice to see you again,” I said, clenching my teeth tightly to form an uncomfortable smile. I silently cursed myself at my assumption, as well, not sure if he wanted to pretend like we had not met previously.

“Fantastic to see you,” he smiled. I just stood in front of Dallas as silence started to creep over the room. “Are you getting a tattoo?” Harry asked to break the stillness, though I got the feeling that I was the only one who found the silence difficult.

“In the process, would you like to see the style?” Dallas quickly asked, taking over the conversation. He turned me to the side and lifted the bottom of my shirt to reveal the giant tiger on the side of my left hip. Basically, my butt. Out. In front of Harry Styles.

A startled yelp left my throat along with a, “What the fuck,” I whisper sharply to Dallas. I hesitated, deciding not to shove down my shirt again in case that made the entire situation even more uncomfortable.

“You see, I usually do traditional style, but she’s one of my favorite clients to test out new stuff on so I went a bit into east Asia for line inspiration,” Dallas spouted out. I could see instantly what he was doing, using this time to try to sell his tattoo skills to Harry. Hoping, no doubt, for a famous client to bring in more money and visitors.

“Amazing,” Harry responded, not really looking at my tattoo and instead attempting to make eye contact with me. My brown eyes were looking in every direction except his. “So, how are you? I haven’t seen you around much.” I wanted to respond sarcastically, asking in what universe would he just ‘casually’ see me around, but I held it in. Dallas also took this time to let go of my shirt, catching on that Harry was not really interested in his technical skills.

“Well, London is a big town.”

“Really? I find it rather small,” Harry retorted sweetly. I gave him a tight-lipped smile, not really sure what else to do. It had been two weeks since the incident at Paradise and with the aid of my friends, I was unable to shake the embarrassment. Though, I still could not figure out if I was more mortified at my drunken behavior or upset that I did not end up hanging around him for longer. That could have been my chance to hook up with a pop star. In my current state, I’m sure he found that possibility quite far-fetched.

“I’m Eliot,” Harry’s friend spoke after another moment of silence.

“Oh ha, sorry, I’m Jeanne. Nice to meet you.” My words were rushed and I decided to put my right hand forward to shake his. Eliot gave me an odd look before agreeing to the gesture. To ensure my follow through, I then decided to shake Harry’s hand. I saw his amused expression behind the words, “Hello Jeanne.” A strange feeling coursed through me when he spoke my name for the first time, his lips forming around the word delicately. It was only after I pulled away from his grasp that I realized how wet and sweaty my hands felt. I discretely whipped my hand on my shirt and I cleared my throat, finally saying, “Well lads, lovely to make your acquaintance, but we must return to the work at hand.” I gave a mini salute before I turned towards Dallas and pushed him into the room, crawling back on the bed and lifting my shirt.

After a few moments of silence as Dallas set up his equipment, he asked, “Did you realize that you just put on an English accent for those departing, lovely words?” He giggled like a prepubescent boy. Embarrassment washed over me yet again.

“Oh, fuck me dude!” I exclaimed and slapped my hand to my forehead.

“I’m sure he thought that was super cool. You’re not like other girls, ya know?” Dallas responded sarcastically. I rolled my eyes and instead of responding, I reached for my phone and put on Kacey Musgraves once more. “Okay, not cool,” Dallas complained, starting up the needle and continuing my ink.

An hour and fifteen plays of High Horse later, my tiger was complete. I was always drawn to aggression in art and that displayed perfectly on my hip. A Bengal tiger prowled down my side as if it were a large branch in the jungle.

“Thanks man,” I breathed out, glad for the constant burn to be absent.

“I always take care of my girl,” Dallas smiled, showing off his big gap between his two front teeth. I ruffled his blond, shaggy hair and moved to stand up to be wrapped. “You know the aftercare drill obviously, but I do want to remind you that this is not the time to try out a new whip on your thigh for your daddies.”

“Um okay, you are never calling them that in front of me ever again,” I recoiled. He finished the wrapping and headed towards the main room so he could process my credit card.

“Whatever, you know what I mean,” he said, now behind the main counter, “Leave the whips and chains alone for a bit.”

“Whips and chains?” I heard an amused voice ask from across the room. I felt like I was going into cardiac arrest. For some reason, I assumed that whatever brought Harry and Eliot into the shop would have ended long before I left, leaving me free to exit without their presence. I was wrong.

“She works with horses,” Dallas told him quickly. I shot him an angry look.

“Oh really, that’s exciting. Do you play polo or…?” I was shocked again that Harry attempted to make actual conversation with me, especially after my accent blunder earlier.

“Oh, no I don’t work with horses, he’s just being an asshole.” Harry looked confused so I felt compelled to answer him myself. “I’m a…model…of the sort.”

Harry looked attempted to look impressed, but I could really see that my answer only muddled him further. Though I didn’t know his entire life story, I knew enough about Harry to know that his previous girlfriends were almost all thin models above 5’9. My short stature and thick thighs did not really fit into that stereotype.

As I gave my card to Dallas, Harry stood by silently, almost begging through his body language for me to initiate conversation. I conceded. “So, come here often?” Not the smoothest, but it was passable.

“No actually, my mate is getting his sleeve worked on. I usually go to a spot up in North London.” I just nodded, examining the smattering of tattoos visible on his arms.

“Cool mermaid,” gesturing to the ink on near his elbow, “I thought about getting one, but was not really sure if I wanted her to be coy or murderous so I gave up.” I wasn’t really thinking as I spoke. I found it easier to have my routine, weird conversations when I was not looking directly into his eyes. I chose, instead, to focus extensively on the topless sea creature on his arm.

“Huh, interesting. I think this one does both. She kills with her beauty,” he replied, looking down at his tattoo. I nodded silently, not realizing until it was too late that I was tracing the line work with my black fingernail. Harry didn’t seem to mind that I was touching him relatively intimately, but I decided to pull away anyways. I turned back to Dallas who had a puzzled expression on his face, looking at me like I was an alien from another galaxy. He slowly handed me my card back as I widened my eyes at him in an effort to stop his behavior.

“Thanks Dally boy,” I said sharply to him, roughly placing my tip for him in his hands before turning back to Harry again. I was not too sure how to end the conversation and leave unscathed. “Well, nice seeing you again.”

“Yea! How’s the tat?” Of course, he wanted to continue on.

“Oh, Cecelia is doing swell.”

“Who?”

“My tiger.”

I heard Dallas snort behind the counter. I struggled, forcing myself to not glare at him, before continuing. “I named her,” I said finally.

He smiled back. “Sick. I hope I can see Cecelia some time.” My eyebrows immediately rose at the statement, shock overtaking my entire being. “Oh no, no, not like that. Ha, I don’t know what I meant really, ignore that!” Harry followed up quickly, turning beet red. It was slightly comical to listen to his thick accent stutter over his words.

In an effort to make him feel less uncomfortable and dig myself into a deeper hole, I replied to his statement with, “That’ll be 50 pounds!”

For a moment, I thought it was funny.

It slipped out so fast, I did not even comprehend that I not only passed myself off as a prostitute, but that I priced myself way to cheaply. I shook my hair into my face, to hide my mortified expression. Of course, my statement definitely made him feel better about his own declaration, his quiet laughter coming through. “I’ll be going now. Bye Harry,” I rushed out, speaking mostly to the floor as I turned to leave, jacket in hand.

“Wait!” Harry followed quickly behind me. I turned to see his excited face and phone in hand. Large hands. I gulped. “Could I get your number? Maybe we could get a drink or something, you were a good laugh a few weeks ago.” I wanted to remind him that we met for a total of five minutes two weeks ago, but I was in too much shock to respond. Instead, and shockingly I might add, I grabbed his phone and entered my number, leaving a tiger emoji next to my name. When I looked up again, he was smiling brightly, putting his big dimple on display. It was truly hard not to smile back.

“See you later Harry,” I breathed out. As I turned to head out of the door, pulling on my black jacket, I realized that my statement invited him to reach out to me. I wasn’t mad about it. I was terrified though.

#harry styles fanfiction #harry styles #one direction #one direction fanfiction #silly pleasures #chapter 4 #fanfic #fan fiction

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thoughtsofdarc · 6 years

Text

Wasteland - Part 8

Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes appears in this. Warnings: Angst, fighting, and frustrations! Words: 2379

A/N: A new chapter for you guys, just because i feel like im in a good and giving mood today ;) Enjoy.

Prologue - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7

In our tent after the meeting, my father sat down on the cot and rested his elbows on his knees, as he ran his hands frustrated through this hair. Dog went over and nudged him with a whimper, making my father sigh in defeat and mindlessly scratch behind the big furry ears.

"You aren't a beast, are you?" he said to Dog, who in return cocked his head to the side and looked at my father as if he said "No! And that General is a jerk!"

I couldn't help but to smile a little. In the midst of disaster, my hardboiled father still talked to Dog as if he understood every word... Which I sometimes think he did.

I was about to say something, when the front of the tent rustled and without warning three men stepped in. It was the Captain, Bucky and Sergeant Major Colbert.

"Agent Y/L/N. Miss Y/N" Steve nodded in greeting and my father stood up to meet the men eye to eye.

Colbert went over to my side, paler as ever, and swung his arm around my shoulder. He was tired, I could see it in his eyes, but he still greeted me with a smile. Ever since I saved his life, twice, we had gotten somewhat of a brother/sister relationship. I worried about him and he protected me for all he could.

"Are you okay?!" I whispered to the tall broad man, that didn't seem so big and strong anymore. He smiled down at me and nodded, but the smile didn't reach his eyes for real. And a knot formed in my stomach. What was wrong with my friend? Dog patted over to Bucky, and looked up at him, waiting for the soldier to scratch his head and he did. On so many levels, Bucky seemed angry and withdrawn, I knew by now that he wasn't really, it was just a facade to protect himself. But with Dog, the former assassin was soft as butter and it was nice to witness.

"You have to pack up your things and get out of here Y/F/N. Take Y/N and Dog and get to safety, please!" Steve started, but my father started to interrupt him. "The General has issued an arrest warrant on you Y/F/N. He sees you as a problem because you work against his orders!" the Captain looked my father directly in the eyes as he talked and my father shut up with a stunned expression painted in his eyes.

"That son of a bitch!" my father mumbled as he turned around to look away from the rest of us, as he furiously and frustrated ran his hands down his face. He turned around to look at Steve again and said "You know I can't let him do this, right? I can't let him kill all those innocent people?!"

I stepped forward and reached for my father, grabbing his arm to get his attention. "Dad, we can't stay here if he is gonna arrest you. We need to go!" I begged him and even Dog came over to us and whimpered, as he nudged my father's hand.

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to kiss the top of my head and said "I just can't let him do it, Darling. Its innocent people, they deserve a chance to live... even in this hell of a world"

"That's where we come in" Colbert's voice broke our little moment and I turned to follow my father's gaze over to the Sergeant Major.

"Mr. Stark has already left to warn the population in the areas that will be hit first. Cap and Sergeant Barnes take two other directions and warn them and I will take the last one" Colbert smiled to the two other men, as if he silently asked if they wanted to add anything to the explanation. Bucky cleared his throat and looked at my father that still had his arm draped over my shoulder "There's focus on you and Y/N, Agent Y/L/N. The General don't suspect anyone but you to do anything reckless, which gives the four of us the perfect opportunity to get this done" he pointed to himself, Steve and Colbert and made a gesture with the hand, indicating he meant Tony too.

"Colbert and Bucky leaves tonight, one early this evening and one during the night, I'll go tomorrow... They won't notice 2 men missing, with hours between them, but if we all disappear at once, it will raise suspicion" Steve said "And we need you and Y/N to go home... Or at least pretend you do and travel that way. We need to have the Generals focus on you guys"

I looked up at my father and I could read the desperation in his eyes. He wasn't one to back out of anything, but he could see the point of their plan and slowly he nodded and looked down and said to me "What do you say, sweetheart? Should we be the decoy for this operation and hopefully save a lot of people?"

I smiled at him, my father, my hero, and nodded in agreement "Yeah, let's fuck the general's plan up and give him more lives to tend to after the bombings"

My father chuckled and kissed my forehead "That's my girl! Alright guys, you have your decoy... We will leave tomorrow morning. You just make sure to save as many as possible and that is an order"

The three men looked at each other, exchanging silent words before Colbert spoke up again "There's just one more thing... One thing we need you to do"

-------

The plan was set in motion, including the little favor they needed from my father. Our few belongings were all packed up and ready in our tent, a radio amongst them graciously stole from the army and smuggled in to our tent by none other than Bucky a few minutes before he had left the camp, to go warn the civilians of what were to come.

I had my bow in hand, my gun by my side and Dog walking next to me.

My father looked at me from the corner of his eye and mumbled "Are you ready for this?" and I nodded, tightening my grip on the bow.

We marched up to the tent where the General and his men were sitting, studying maps and talking with loud voiced and big hand gestures.

"General!" My father's voice boomed, catching the focus of all the men at the tent and a few soldiers roaming around camp.

Steve needed us to get into a fight with the General, one that made him so mad at us, that his entire focus would be on getting us the hell out of there, but preferably not getting us locked up.

My father walked over to the table and started a discussion with the high ranked soldiers, demanding them to stop the bombing plans, or at least wait a few days, so the safe zones could be cleared out. Just as expected, the General didn't listen to a word my father said, he only saw a man huffing and puffing in front of him and like any other animal on this planet, he saw a threat to his position on the power, making him want to protect his leadership.

It was easy to provoke him... A little too easy almost. Because suddenly he stood up and yelled "Agent Y/L/N, stand down or I will have you arrested for hindering military business!"

I don't think my father really heard the Generals words, because he kept arguing his case to help the innocent, but in such a manner that he seemed threatening.

Suddenly the general nodded to a couple of his men, and I knew... I knew my father was about to be put in cuffs and thrown into the darkest pit the General could find.

"Dad!" I shouted, making him shut up and realize what was happening. He took a few steps back, as I took a few steps forward, not thinking much, just reaching into my quiver and fishing out an arrow and put it on the string. I aimed it right at the Generals head with a scowl daring him to move.

"Y/N, don't do anything stupid" The general said in a calm voice, but his eyes showed anything else. He held up his hands, both to stop his men from grabbing my father and to show me that he wasn't doing anything else.

"I think our time here is over, General. My dad, my dog and myself are gonna go grab our things and go home now... That's what you wanted, right? You leave us alone, and I promise we will all go away. We won't bother you anymore... Right dad?"

This was all part of our plan, it had just gone a little too well and I wasn't actually supposed to threaten the General. But life happens, and there we were.

My father agreed and I raised an eyebrow at the General "So...? Are we free to go, or are you going to be a jackass?"

The anger burning in the Generals eyes said more than words, but he slowly nodded and told his men to stand down "You are free to go. But if you aren't gone within 30 minutes...." He let the threat hang in the air.

"Trust me... We'll be gone by then" I said and lowered my bow, but didn't remove the arrow. I backed away, led by my father and quickly we made our way to the tent.

Inside we grabbed our things and jogged towards the exit of the camp, only to be stopped by Steve right before we got there.

"Everything gone as planned?" he asked, looking around making sure nobody was listening.

"Better than planned... My little firecracker over here threatened to put an arrow in his head... I promise you, all eyes are on us for the next couple of hours" he pointed to me and Steve's brows shot up in surprise. I just shrugged and gave him a sly smile.

That made him chuckle and shake his head "I sure did get you wrong from the start, didn't I Y/N?"

He grabbed my father's hand and shook it, as he said "Be careful, stay safe... That is an order!" and patted his shoulder. Then he turned to me and reached out his hand to me too "See you guys when this is all over, okay?"

"You too Cap. Get your group and meet us at the mountain" I smiled at him before I added "That's an order" making the two men laugh.

----

I was in shock over the amount of destruction that had happened in the city in the weeks I'd been in the camp. The streets where I had walked with Dog, after we left the truck were completely trashed. Store windows were broken, glass scattered all over the street. Bodies were left to rotten in the baking sun. Personal items were thrown all over and everything just reeked of chaos and destruction.

We were followed by soldiers all the way to where the truck was hidden. My heart was hammering in my chest and my father kept telling me to stay calm. He could practically feel my nerves.

But how could I stay calm? We were followed by soldiers that surely were ordered to arrest us, or worse, if we deterred from the plan. We had to be on constant watch, not to be ambushed by black creatures and a part of me was sure that our truck was gone, or destroyed like the rest of the city.

When we got to the warehouse, the soldiers had fallen back. They were still following us, but not in the same pace as before and that told me that they would soon go back to camp.

The warehouse looked even more rampaged than when I was there the first time, so much so, that my hopes of finding our truck in one piece almost equaled zero.

But by some crazy wonderful miracle it was still there. Hidden away under the tarp. All our belongings and canned goods were still safely stored in the back, and nothing was changed except for a layer of dust covering everything.

My father smiled big and ruffled my hair, before he tore the tarp all the way off the truck and threw it away. "Let's go home, shall we?" he asked and I smiled genuinely for the first time in weeks. Home... We were finally going home.

The roar of the engine was strangely calming, and even before we had left the darkness of the warehouse, I was sat back with my head against the side of the car, next to an open window.

When we drove out on the street, the soldiers had finally caught up and had to jump back to not get hit by the truck. My father couldn't help but to smirk and I might have waved goodbye to them with my hand out of the open window and my middle finger stretched out.

-------------

We drove for ours, making several stops along the way. By every single store that might have something we could use, we made a hold and took what we needed. My father no longer cared for putting money on the counter "Being polite is no longer needed Y/N, our survival is"

Canned food, dried food, long lasting food items and clothes to last a lifetime. We cleared out a store for hunters, fishing enthusiasts and outdoor people in general. We found seeds and things that we could bring to the mountain to plant and later harvest.

"If we do this right, we will be able to supply ourselves with more food than we can eat till the day we die" my father said, and his words had a strangely calming effect on me. It was nice to know, that he truly believed that we could survive without the rest of the world.

With the truck filled to the brim, we finally made our way towards the mountain for what was supposed to be the last time.

But things never go as planned, do they?

Part 9

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