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yandere-wishes · 4 years

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A Rose By Any Other Name Would Still Be As Sweet //Twisted Wonderland Malleus Draconia//

Since the vote ended up differing by one, with at least four people voting for both I have no choice but to write both stories. But for today, it's Malleus' turn

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No matter how long you stayed in the Ramshackle dorm, there was always an aline feeling that bubbled in your gut. There was just something about your new home that made you feel out of place and very, very alone. Even with the understanding that Grim sleeping at the foot of your bed and Ace or Deuce being just a quick phone call away, you couldn't shake how foreign you felt.

It seemed like every moment you laid in your bed listing to Grim's soft murmurs about the new Unidragon he had fallen for, made the feeling grow stronger. It's cold long limbs descended from your brain, wrapping around your throat and prohibiting air to pass through. You laid there for a moment longer begging the feeling to depart. In the end, you gave up, gradually pushing over the covers and making your way outside. Maybe some fresh air was all you really needed to make the tendrils of isolation and dread leave you alone for the remainder of the night.

The inside of the "abandoned" dormitory was always a mess, no matter how much you cleaned or how much the ghost (and occasionally) Grim tried to keep things in order, the dorm just tended to fall apart again. This being said the outside was no better. The garden's where empty, the poltergeist insisted they remain that way so they would have enough room to play magical shift. The front yard was nothing more than a graveyard with a stone pathway leading off towards the school. It didn't help put your mind at ease, instead, the whole morbid scene of the tombstones simply made you cry. Tear flew like a stream from your glossy eyes. Quiet sobs pushing past your lips no matter how much you tried to remain silent.

"Are you the child of man?"

The sudden voice made you jump setting your nerves on high alert. Your wet eyes traveled upwards being met with a shadow figure looming around by the tombstones. "W-What..?" you choked, your gorge was still hoarse from the crying and mini breakdown. Your heart had sped up, something was very wrong here. For a moment you debated running back into the house but your feet just wouldn't move.

The figure stalked closer, dead leaves screaming under his heavy step. As he approached, little (y/n) took note of two large curved horns sprouting from atop his mess of raven lock. The darlings orbs locked on the odd features. They weren't mortifying or bizarre, lord knew she'd seen much worst during her stay. If anything they piked her curiosity. The tall man came to a stop in front of her, his blazing eyes seem to be the made up entirely of glowing poisons you'd seen in your potion classes. In the moonlight, you could tell that his skin was as white as the freshly fallen snow. He was mesmerizing, exquisite and...he was smiling at you?

His lips were pulled back into a glowing grin. You seemed to have piked his curiosity too. "Are you the new inhabitant of the dorm?" his voice was breathy and seemed to float on the air around you. "I um y-yeah" you'd forgotten just how broken your voice was, unlike his elegant tone yours was brittle and crumbling. You took a deep breath, welcoming the much-needed air your lips slowly parted tongue peaking out and licking along with them. You tried again hoping your voice actually worked this time, "W-who are you?"

The stranger lifted an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly to the side. "You don't know who I am?" confusion evident on his tone. "Should I?" you asked, he could be some sort of celebrity or another school perfect, either way, you were too new and inexperienced to truly know who anyone in this world was. "I guess not, no, I'm just a third at the school. Pray, tell what year are you? Can you even do magic?"

He sure was inquisitive, you give him that. From the little, you did know, third-year seniors in Night Raven were usually more comprised, collected and mature than the two younger years. Surely it would bring you no harm to entertain him with a few simple answers about yourself.

"I'm a first-year class 1-A." The horned man scrunched his brows a slight wrinkle forming on the bridge of his nose. "Isn't that the class of troublemakers?" it was like he was recalling something distant as if he was looking through you into a past life he had left behind some time ago.

"I-I wouldn't know" your graze fell to the broken asphalt. Did the headmaster really consider you a troublemaker? Even, after all, you'd done for him from the dammed moment you'd fallen through that godforsaken mirror. He just shrugged seeming to have returned from his little stroll down memory lane. "It may have changed, it been quite some time since I was a freshman" His voice was fading again eyes losing their shine once more. You figure it best to continue talking before he's too far gone "no I-I um can't perform magic".

"Then why even bother staying in school and going to classes?"

You sign and began to recount how you fell through a magic mirror and the misadventures that followed. At the end of your tale, the shine seemed to have been reignited in his eyes if anything it was brighter then before. "You from another world?!" He asks kneeling down to look at you face to face. "My that's all so fascinating! Lilia use to tell me old tales about foreign universes I never thought they were actually real! Yet here you are!" It was the first time you'd heard him raise his voice. Did your story really entertain him so much? The stranger may have been tall and talked as though he was born centuries ago but there loomed a childish nature around him. "Hey, who's Lilia?" it was your turn to ask the questions.

"Oh, he's my...father...no...nanny? I'm not...sure? His voice kept diving into uncertainty and resurfacing only to down once more. "You don't know the difference between a nanny and your own father?" not only was he childish he downright didn't seem to comprehend what a family even was. "Difficult childhood" he brushed it off as if it were merely a pesky fly bussing by his head "now miss...I apologies where are my manners I never asked for your name?" Oh right! It just dawned on you that you had nither given your own name nor asked for his, the lack of sleep and constant looming anxiety plus the constant run-ins with delinquent students who much prefer to fight than to exchange compellations, had left you forgetting your own manners.

"(y/n)...(y/n) (l/n) so-called dorm leader of the Ramshackle dorm"

He let out out a chortling laugh before turning on his heels and stalking back into the shadows "Well (y/n) of Ramshackle it was a pleasure meeting you I do hope we meet again" No sooner had the words departed from his lips that the darkness seemed to gobble him up. "Wait!" you leaped to your feet and ran over to where the man had just disappeared. "I-I didn't get your name!" you called into the nothingness that surrounded you. Your shoulder slumped as you let out a defeated breath, it was no use the moonlit stranger was no more. For a second you debated if he'd even been real or if your fatigued mind had started to play tricks on you. Regardless it was no use waiting out here, you had classes tomorrow and from what you could tell you'd only be getting a few short hours of rest. Overactive mind permitting that is.

Little did you know that the man had in fact been real. That like clockwork every night since the encounter you dreamed of the stranger again. His lips where always on your a burst of sour blackberries invading your mouth, overrunning your senses.

one night the dream seemed more lucid than ever before, the night where he was on top of you, your bodies entwined on the cold ground of the cemetery front yard. As time progressed the dreams got more vivid more detailed, the tastes and touches and bruises seemed to follow you into the land of the awoken.

You were slowly spiraling down a maniacal hole. The line between reality and dreams was so blurred it was practically invisible. You waited impatiently each morning to drift back into sleep and meet your lover once more. To feel his smooth fingers run up and down your spin. To feel his sharp teeth graze your delicate flesh.

you knew him, you walked with upon your dreams

Oh but darling, he is more than a dream, Malleus Draconia is indeed real. And he is in love, in love with you. He's visited you every single night since your first meeting all so many nights ago. He's well aware that you aren't quite aware that he exists and that he is more than a figment of your imagination. It's a benefit of having someone's name when under the control of the fae they can't quite tell what is real and what isn't. For now, this is alright, for now, he's content with your nightly rendezvous.

But one day he shall awaken you from your honey-sweet dreams and steal you into a blurry reality where the border of dream and reality has been obliterated. It may seem like a curse but it's merely a gesture of love.

In the end, it's your fault, you sealed your fate the day you gave the dark Fae your name.

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Now I'm seriously considering writing a story based on this quote from Sleeping Beauty.

"from this slumber, you shall wake when true love kisses, the spell shall break"

#twisted wonderland #yandere twisted wonderland x reader #yandere twisted wonderland x reader #yandere twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland malleus draconia #twisted wonderland malleus draconia x reader #twisted wonderland malleus draconia x you #malleus draconia #malleus draconia x reader #malleus draconia x you #yandere malleus draconia #yandere malleus draconia x you #yandere malleus draconia x reader #disney #malificent #yandere #yancore #yandere x reader #yandere x you

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johaerys-writes · 3 years

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Dorian Pavus/Trevelyan

A World With You, Chapter 37: A Trevelyan’s Word

Tristan and Dorian spend some much needed quiet time together. Some fluff, a tiiiiny bit of angst (blink and you’ll miss it), and some important conversations.

Read on AO3 | Read from the beginning

Libraries had always been one of Dorian’s favourite places to be, ever since he could remember himself.

After having lived in so many different Circles, and having worked and studied in many more, gravitating towards the nearest library wherever he happened to be was something like second nature to him. He remembered the layout of every one he’d visited in startling detail: the neat rows of bookcases of the Carastes Circle; the circular library tower of the Circle of Trevis, with its tinted glass windows that had been specifically designed to protect the priceless tomes from the scorching sun and the dust; the vast Library of Minrathous, where one could easily lose themselves in unless they had a chart, a compass, a detailed floor plan and perhaps said a prayer or two. Regardless of the size, layout or method of archiving, finding what he was looking for had always been a swift matter, each library’s secrets revealing themselves to him readily after one brief sweep of the many rooms and shelves.

Never once had he encountered a library as reticent as the one in Skyhold.

After several months there, he still could not figure out the organisational system that the books had once been stored in. He’d assumed it was because of all the different kinds of people that had once resided there, but even in the oldest and most dilapidated libraries he had visited there was some method to the madness. In Skyhold, however, there was just madness.

Books on Pyromancy, which he had personally moved to the top floor - where they belonged, alongside the treatises on Primal magic- would magically appear on the lower floor shelves, alongside the tomes on Entropy magic. The scrolls of ancient Tevinter glyphs and spells, which he had found after sorting through the multitude of Chantry books that seemed to be practically sprouting out of the soil in that place, and that he had painstakingly cleaned from dust and arranged in alphabetical order in the booth next to his own, had now disappeared into thin air. The apprentice archivists, when he’d asked them, had simply stared at him with the sparkling gazes of well-fed heifers. One of them had had the audacity to look him straight in the eye and unironically say:

“If it’s Spirit glyphs you’re interested in, why don’t you read Former Second Enchanter Muriel’s research? Those scrolls you're looking for are outdated, anyway.”

Outdated? Outdated! The very notion had had Dorian grinding his teeth. As if seeing Former Second Enchanter Muriel’s sour visage every day, and listening to her endless tirades about Tevinter and anything else that displeased her wasn’t enough. He wouldn’t touch that tiresome crone’s research with a ten foot pole— no, make it twenty feet. One could never be too safe.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance as he shoved the book on Alchemy he’d found lying forgotten by the side of the wrong bookcase back in its proper shelf. If he’d known the level of ignorance and buffoonery he would be met with in the South, he would have seriously reconsidered ever leaving Minrathous. Oh, certainly, his homeland was a nest of vipers, but at least Tevinters knew how to organise a dratted library.

Now, if only he could find who in the Maker’s dratted name had gone through his dratted scrolls—

A glance at the research table across the rotunda promptly answered his question.

“Helisma,” he grumbled through clenched teeth as he stomped towards her. Priceless scrolls and documents were gathered willy-nilly in her arms, as well as the arms of the two apprentices that trailed her. The Tranquil looked up at him calmly when he barred her way.

“May I ask what on earth you have been doing with all the scrolls? You are the one who snatched them away, and don’t you even try to deny it.”

“I moved them to the underground storage rooms.”

That she could deliver those lines without an ounce of emotion was entirely bewildering, despite the fact that she was, indeed, a Tranquil. He forced his lips into a tight, sarcastic smile. “Why would you do that, pray tell? What have the poor things done to offend you so? Surely whatever it was could have been resolved over some tea and crumpets, instead of banishment to the nearest dungeon.”

She simply blinked at him, her tone completely flat as she informed him, “The upper levels of the library are reserved for leather bound tomes and codexes. The underground storage rooms are where scrolls, manuscripts and loose documents should be kept.”

“Helisma, my dear,” Dorian uttered tightly, trying his best not to lose his composure and start yelling in the middle of the library where everybody and their aunts could hear, “we have been over this. There is no reason for the scrolls to be there. They are needed here, where they can be used. The storage rooms are as damp as it gets, certainly you must be able to see that keeping ancient and fragile scrolls there is not the wisest course of action?”

“The humidity in the storage rooms is less than forty percent. That is lower than the Circle of Amaranthine’s storage rooms by five point two degrees.”

“And you’re saying it as if it’s a good thing? If the humidity in the Minrathous library was half as high, the master archivist would be having an apoplexy!” Dorian pinched the bridge of his nose, taking in a deep breath. There clearly wasn’t any way of making sense of this, and he would sooner teach a mule to dance than talk Helisma out of her ways. “Very well. Have it your way. I’ll see what I’ll be able to salvage from this mess.” He sniffed and tossed his head back in defiance as he turned around and stomped back the way he’d come, leaving a blank-eyed Helisma behind.

The chill in the lower vaults was unmistakable, cutting through his many layers of clothing and piercing him right to the bone. Dorian resisted the urge to frown as he gathered his cloak around his shoulders. Any more of that, and he would getting wrinkles before his time, and he had enough as it was. Ever since coming to the South, he had noticed a few more around his eyes that he was sure had not been there a few months before. If this went on any longer, he would be looking like a shrivelled up prune by the time this entire Inquisition business was done.

The stray thought made him stop short, there, in the half dark and quiet of the vaults. Part of him wasn’t sure if he wished the Inquisition business to be done, he realised. Of course, he wanted Corypheus and his Venatori to be defeated, more than anyone. If this were done, the world would have a chance to recover, and with it his country’s reputation. Still… the thought of the future brought with it a certain amount of trepidation. Trevelyan would ultimately be the one to face all those dangers, and no one knew how he would be affected. His life was on the line, day after day, and Dorian more than anyone could see how it was stretching him thin. Even if everything went according to plan though, even if they both survived this ordeal, no one knew what the future held for the two of them. For the time being, they were bound by this common cause. Beyond this… only time could tell.

The worry and unease that he so often tried to brush away slithered to the surface. Dorian took a deep breath to quell it. There was no point thinking of the future, when everything about the present was so uncertain. Trevelyan was alive and well now, as much as he could be, and that was all that mattered.

Brushing the thoughts aside, Dorian turned right as soon as he’d reached the storage room he was looking for. It was the farthest down the corridor, with only a lone torch burning.

Torches. Amidst all this paper. The horror.

The sounds beyond the door of the storage room quickly revealed that there was someone else there, shifting through the many scrolls and documents in the cramped space. At least she had the sense to conjure a small ball of light, which was now hovering above her as she searched, its halo glossing her cropped black hair. She gave a small start when she heard him entering, her large blue eye widening.

“Lord Pavus,” Grand Enchanter Fiona breathed, pressing her palm to her chest. Or was it just Fiona, now? “You frightened me.”

“My apologies,” he said. He clasped his hands behind his back and glanced at the scrolls she had been shifting through. “I see I wasn’t the only one who has found the scrolls Helisma has banished down here useful.”

“Ah, yes. She does have some strong opinions about where everything should be stored. I’m not entirely certain I agree.”

She gave Dorian the barest hints of a smile. Their interactions had always been kept serious and professional, both of them taking care not to linger in each other’s presence too long, despite them practically sharing the same workspace. At first, it was because Dorian wasn’t quite sure what to make of her, and he had the suspicion that his presence made her just as uneasy. However, he had soon found out that she didn’t particularly invite any interaction beyond the typical. The former Grand Enchanter and Grey Warden had kept a low profile ever since joining the Inquisition, more so after they had taken permanent residence in Skyhold, and Dorian didn’t blame her for that. There had been enough talk about her, even without her stirring any sort of trouble or gossip.

Even so, the fact that the former leader of the mage rebellion, who had —unknowingly, allegedly— struck a deal with the Venatori and had been banished from Ferelden because of it, could go by largely unnoticed at all was an impressive feat. Still, she managed to do just that. Most days.

“Is there something in particular you’re looking for? Can I be of any help?”

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble. You’re much better versed with those scrolls than I assume I am.” A compliment? That was promising. “I’m searching for Magister Domitius’ research on reanimated undead. I do remember seeing a copy a while ago, in loose papers, but it disappeared before I had time to properly bind it. Have you perhaps seen it?”

Dorian narrowed his eyes in thought as he looked around the stacks. It didn’t take long for him to spot a few sheets of paper hastily rolled and bound with a leather cord. “That seems to be it,” he said as he dragged it out carefully and handed it to her. Fiona inclined her head in gratitude, unwrapping the document with slow, careful motions.

“Thank you. That was most helpful.”

“Anytime.” Dorian took a step back, giving the mage some time and space to inspect the discovery. Her brow furrowed ever so slightly as she read, her lips pursing in thought. She was short in stature, and could easily be overlooked if she wished it to be so. Yet there was something about her, a commanding presence and a stubborn streak that was hard to define, and to hide.

“I studied this one many years ago," he mused, crossing his arms before his chest. "It’s a rather interesting treatise, although some of the glyphs for releasing the spells that bind the undead are quite crude.”

“Crude, but effective. That is just what is needed right now. I hear the undead have claimed many lives all over Thedas, and will likely claim many more.”

“So grim, so early in the day? Grand Enchanter, I expected more from you.”

The elf glanced up at him, her lips quirked in amusement. “Former Grand Enchanter, if you please. Or you can just call me Fiona, as everyone else does these days.” The smile faded away as she looked down at the scroll once more. “One does learn to be grim after seeing as many deaths as I have. It is a hard thing to shake off.”

The silence that followed between them was somewhat awkward, with her carefully studying the writing on the yellowed and musty pages. Still, if there was something Dorian was good at, that was filling the silence. “So how come you’re studying the undead? I wasn’t aware that necromancy was your field of study.”

“It is not. The Inquisitor reported a large number of demons and undead in Crestwood, and some of the Inquisition mages were assigned with coming up with strategies to defend the villages until the Inquisitor is able to close the rift. I have experience battling the creatures, so I volunteered to investigate the matter further and to train the new recruits.”

Dorian’s stomach tightened ever so slightly. There were so many issues that demanded Trevelyan’s attention, he often wondered how the man found time to eat or sleep. He certainly seemed to be doing much less of both these days. That he found time to spend with Dorian at all when they were in Skyhold was a marvel in and of itself. Even before leaving for Crestwood, before the ordeal they’d both been through with the demon, he'd seemed so gaunt and pale, wrung out. The Inquisition was stretching him thin. Dorian wondered if ever the time would come that it would break him.

He took a deep breath, trying to swallow past the knot in his throat. He wouldn’t let it come to this, not if he could help it. He would stand by him, help him as much as he could. That was what a partner did, after all, wasn’t it?

“It is very noble of you, to offer to help with the matter,” he told her, in an effort to distract himself from his thoughts.

“Not at all. It is the least I can do to aid the Inquisition’s efforts.” She let out a soft sigh as she rolled the scroll back up carefully. “The way things ended in Redcliffe, the Inquisitor could have demanded anything he wished. Instead, he offered us a full alliance, and our dignities back. That is not something I am about to forget.”

“Ah, yes. I suppose he could have ordered you to become the Inquisition court jesters, as I hear the Orlesians seem to be doing with their mages.”

Fiona stared at him for a brief moment, until she realised he was jesting. She let out a chuckle then, shaking her head lightly. “I am glad he did not.”

Dorian joined her in laughter, the awkwardness between them dissipating somewhat. Affection and a strange sort of pride blossomed within him when he remembered Trevelyan in the hall of Redcliffe castle, only the bearer of the mark back then, with no real authority to his name, standing tall and proud before the King of Ferelden himself and declaring the mages equal partners of the Inquisition. Everyone had thought him mad, Dorian included. Looking back, perhaps it was around then that Dorian had fallen in love with him in earnest. A fool he certainly was, but a brave, beautiful, extraordinary fool at that.

“He has been known to make some interesting choices,” Dorian said, not quite able to hide the tenderness in his voice. “Some of them correct.”

“I dare hope it’s more than some.” She glanced up at him, and the pale light of her spell danced in her eyes. “The world has taken much from all of us, I suspect most of all from him. Still, I have faith that if anyone can see us through it all, it’s him. Not many would have done what he did. To declare an alliance with the mages, to shun the Chantry, to forge a new path, a new way of doing things... that takes courage. Or madness.”

“He has a fair bit of both.”

She huffed a quiet laugh. “He is… an odd character. His ideas are odder still. Quite unlike anyone I’ve ever met.” She tilted her head to the side ever so slightly, and Dorian thought he saw something in her eyes, something akin to sadness, even more akin to sympathy as she regarded him. “I suppose it’s the same for you, yes?”

Dorian straightened, preparing himself to deflect the comment, to deny it, but something stopped him. He let out a soft breath instead, gazing at her levelly. “Yes. I suppose it is.”

A brief silence stretched between them. Fiona smiled fleetingly before looking down at the scrolls in her hands once more. “Thank you for your help in finding these. It is much appreciated.”

Dorian stepped to the side to let her pass. She left, her footsteps barely making a sound.

He let out a sigh into the quiet of the small storage room. Fiona’s words about Trevelyan had been kind, almost fond, and certainly much nicer than what many others he’d heard, yet even she couldn’t hide the depth of her expectations, her hopes. Dorian didn’t envy Trevelyan the power of his position much. The world expected so much of him, sometimes it did feel like it was perched upon his shoulders.

The scrolls stared at him sullenly from their shelves. Dorian pushed his shirtsleeves up and summoned a bright ball of light above his head. There was plenty of work for him to do. If everyone was doing their part to help the Inquisition, Dorian would do twice— no, three times as much.

When he lifted his head from his desk and looked out the window of the small nook in the library he called his office, it was already dark.

Dorian frowned back down at his own notes, sprawled before him messily like a blanket of autumn leaves freshly fallen from the bough. He had been poring over them for the better part of the day, after finding the scrolls he had been looking for. He was sure the copies he had made from the Venatori ritual in the Emerald Grave were correct, but they made no sense. Surely whoever had come up with those glyphs knew what they were doing, to some extent, but Dorian just couldn’t make out what they were trying to do exactly. The ritual itself was eerily similar to the one he had remembered finding years ago in the Minrathous library, but there were some fundamental differences. The Venatori had tried to control the power of the spell by tweaking central parts of the glyphs, but those they’d used for the binding clashed with the glyph right across from them, which was a bastardised version of a well-known affliction hex to weaken the subject’s mental defences. No wonder the poor people the Venatori had used the ritual on were turned to drooling, unresponsive vegetables; their mind was turned to jelly long before the actual mind-control spell was cast.

And it would be quite fortunate if that was the only problem he’d encountered. Trying to figure out the logic behind it was giving him headaches. There was something here, something that eluded him, Dorian was sure of it. That certainty only made him more intent on finding exactly how the ritual worked, and for that he needed resources that were not available to him at present. Tilani’s answer to the letter he had sent her regarding the original scroll was yet to arrive. It probably hadn’t even reached her yet.

Dorian suppressed the urge to curse the South and their terrible postal system, and reached for one of the dusty tomes he had managed to find in a forgotten part of the library instead. There was a glyph amongst those he had managed to copy that reminded suspiciously of Disthenes’ version of a glyph of paralysis. Now this, this he could work with. He had studied the Tevinter’s work extensively while he’d been holed up in the Circle of Marothius, and his memory was still fresh. If he used Disthenes’ theorems and altered the glyphs enough to make them work, in combination with Enchanter Hallesis’ equations in order to fix those horrible spirit-manipulating spells he’d seen the Venatori using...

Dorian let out a soft sigh. He probably should leave the matter alone, he knew that. There was little chance of figuring out how the ritual worked, or rather, didn’t work, without the original scroll he had asked Tilani to find. Yet, he’d already been working on this too long to let it go like this. If he was able to make some modicum of progress on his own, or better yet, find a way to work out some of the kink and errors in the glyphs he’d copied from the ritual, then he might be able to find a way to reverse it as well. The Inquisition needed knowledge like this, if they happened to chance upon a Venatori ritual like that again. Knowing what weapons and spells the Venatori had in their arsenal was half the battle, wasn’t it?

He half jolted out of his seat when he felt warm lips brushing the shell of his ear, a hand skimming his waist. “Four hundred and twenty two.”

Dorian leaned back in his chair, smiling at the sound of Trevelyan’s voice. How that man could walk up to him without making a sound, he could never understand. “Four hundred and twenty two, what?”

“Minutes. I’ve been counting.” He leaned forward, catching Dorian’s lips in a gentle kiss. The library was empty at that hour— Dorian thanked the Maker for that. He sighed as he turned around in his chair, his hand finding its way to the back of Trevelyan’s neck to deepen their kiss. He tasted of spiced, honeyed wine, with a mild undertone of the sweet and tart dried apples he always kept on him.

“Have you, now?” he murmured teasingly.

“Yes. I told you I would, didn’t I?” Trevelyan’s smile widened. “My word is my bond.”

A flush crept up Dorian’s cheeks with the warmth in Trevelyan’s gaze. He was peering at him with so much tenderness, and with their proximity Dorian could smell the warmth of his body, the faint smell of his soap. He realised then, that although they’d only been apart since that morning, he had missed him. And the fact that Trevelyan had come straight to him after finishing with his duties, with the black ink from signing his reports still staining his fingers, made him feel warmer still. He suddenly couldn’t wait to be alone with him again, to touch and kiss him freely without worrying about who was to see, to avail himself of the body that hid beneath that snugly fitting dark blue coat.

With his heart beating with a strange sort of giddiness, Dorian turned around and gathered his papers, placed them in the drawer of his desk and locked it securely. “So,” he said, standing up, “shall we retire to your quarters? I’d rather not spend another minute here, thank you very much.”

Trevelyan took his hand, threading his fingers through his. “There’s something I want us to do first.”

Read the rest on AO3!

#dorian pavus #dorian x trevelyan #pavelyan #dorian x inquisitor #dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dorian/trevelyan #dorian/inquisitor #dorian x tristan trevelyan #dragon age fanfic #tristan trevelyan #a world with you #johaerys writes

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fruiitycas · 3 years

Note

Hello, I would love to know about the dtscu; can you please enlighten me? ❤️️

oh of course i love spreading the good word of our lord taylor swift. the dtscu refers to the “destiel taylor swift cinematic universe” and is a collection of songs that ms swift has written that I think directly apply to destiel (its okay ms swift i saw your lyrics you can come out as a destiel shipper). i also tag destiel edits that use taylor swift songs/lyrics to make a whole collection of works that ppl have made that combine t swift w destiel.

this is the link to the playlist with all the destiel songs in my dtscu. (more details under the cut)

some notable additions to the playlist:

dont blame me (Echoes, love your name inside my mind / Halo, hiding my obsession // baby, for you, I would fall from grace / Just to touch your face // Don't blame me, love made me crazy / If it doesn't, you ain't doin' it right / Lord, save me, my drug is my baby / I’d be usin' for the rest of my life)

peace (And you know that I'd swing with you for the fences / Sit with you in the trenches / Give you my wild, give you a child / Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other / Family that I chose now that I see your brother as my brother / Is it enough? / ‘Cause there's robbers to the east, clowns to the west / I’d give you my sunshine, give you my best / But the rain is always gonna come if you're standing with me / But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm / If your cascade ocean wave blues come / All these people think love's for show / But I would die for you in secret / The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me / Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?)

false god (Remember how I said I'd die for you? // They say the road gets hard and you get lost when you're led by blind faith // But we might just get away with it / Religion's in your lips / Even if it's a false god / We'd still worship / We might just get away with it / The altar is my hips / Even if it's a false god / We'd still worship this love)

sparks fly

safe and sound

ivy (How's one to know? / I’d meet you where the spirit meets the bones In a faith forgotten land / In from the snow / Your touch brought forth an incandescent glow Tarnished but so grand // Oh, goddamn / My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand / Taking mine, but it's been promised to another / Oh, I can't / Stop you putting roots in my dreamland / My house of stone, your ivy grows / And now I'm covered in you // How's one to know? / I’d live and die for moments that we stole / On begged and borrowed time // it's a war / It's the goddamn fight of my life / And you started it / You started it)

this love (In silent screams / In wildest dreams / I never dreamed of this // This love is good / This love is bad / This love is alive back from the dead / These hands had to let it go free, and This love came back to me / This love left a permanent mark / This love is glowing in the dark / These hands had to let it go free, and This love came back to me)

cowboy like me (You're a bandit like me / Eyes full of stars / Hustling for the good life / Never thought I'd meet you here / It could be love / We could be the way forward / And I know I'll pay for it / And the skeletons in both our closets / Plotted hard to mess this up // Now you hang from my lips Like the Gardens of Babylon / With your boots beneath my bed / Forever is the sweetest con / I’ve had some tricks up my sleeve / Takes one to know one / You're a cowboy like me / And I'm never gonna love again / I’m never gonna love again)

there are also notable subsections:

The Divorce Arc:

i wish you would (I wish you would come back / Wish I'd never hung up the phone like I did / I wish you knew that / I’d never forget you as long as I'd live / And I wish you were right here, right now It's all good / I wish you would / I wish we could go back / And remember what we were fighting for / Wish you knew that / I miss you too much to be mad anymore)

my tears ricochet (I didn't have it in myself to go with grace / ‘Cause when I'd fight, you used to tell me I was brave / And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake? / Cursing my name, wishing I stayed / Look at how my tears ricochet / And I can go anywhere I want / Anywhere I want, just not home / And you can aim for my heart, go for blood / But you would still miss me in your bones / And I still talk to you when I'm screaming at the sky)

i almost do (And I just wanna tell you / It takes everything in me, not to call you / And I wish I could run to you / And I hope / you know that every time I don't / I almost do)

all you had to do was stay

death by a thousand cuts

story of us (This is looking like a contest / Of who can act like they care less / But I liked it better when you were on my side // Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room / And we're not speaking / And I'm dying to know / Is it killing you like it's killing me? // And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now)

the other side of the door (tell me why you couldn't see That when I left I wanted you to chase after me? / I said leave but all I really want is you / To stand outside my window, throwing pebbles, screaming I'm in love with you / Wait there in the pourin' rain, come back for more / And don't you leave 'cause I know all I need is on The other side of the door)

come back…be here (this is when the feeling sinks in, I dont wanna miss you like this / Come back… be here)

The Widower arc/ Post 15x18:

haunted ( I know, I just know You're not gone, you can't be gone, no // Come on, come on, don't leave me like this / I thought I had you figured out / Can't breathe whenever you're gone / Can't go back, I'm haunted / You and I walk a fragile line / I have known it all this time)

marjorie (What died didn't stay dead / You're alive, you're alive in my head / What died didn't stay dead // You're alive, so alive // If I didn't know better / I’d think you were still around / I know better / But I still feel you all around / I know better / But you're still around)

Cas to Dean:

tied together with a smile (no one knows / That you cry; but you don't tell anyone / That you might not be the golden one / And you're tied together with a smile / But you're coming undone // I guess it's true that love was all you wanted / ‘Cause you're givin' it away like it's extra change / Hoping it will end up in his pocket)

innocent (Wasn't it beautiful when you believed in everything / And everybody believed in you? / It's alright, just wait and see / Your string of lights is still bright to me / Oh, who you are is not where you've been / You're still an innocent // Did some things you can't speak of / But at night you live it all again)

enchanted (This is me praying that this was the very first page / Not where the story line ends / My thoughts will echo your name, until I see you again / These are the words I held back, as I was leaving too soon/ I was enchanted to meet you)

everything has changed (all ive seen since 18 hrs ago is green eyes and freckles and your smile in the back of my mind making me feel like i just wanna know you better now)

mirrorball(Hush / I know they said the end is near / But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes / Spinning in my highest heels, love / Shining just for you // I'm still a believer but I don't know why / I've never been a natural / All I do is try, try, try / I’m still on that trapeze / I’m still trying everything / To keep you looking at me )

Dean to Cas:

untouchable (I know you're saying / That you'd be here / But you're Untouchable / burning Brighter than the sun / Now that you're close / I feel like coming undone)

mine (You learn my secrets and you figure out why I'm guarded / You say we'll never make my parents' mistakes // Do you remember, we were sittin' there, by the water? / You put your arm around me, for the first time / You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter / You are the best thing, that's ever been mine )

state of grace (So you were never a saint / And I've loved in shades of wrong / We learn to live with the pain / Mosaic broken hearts / But this love is brave and wild / And I never saw you coming / And I'll never be the same)

this is me trying (This is very specifically The Trap!Dean) (Pulled the car off the road to the lookout / Could've followed my fears all the way down / And maybe I don't quite know what to say / But I'm here in your doorway / I just wanted you to know / That this is me trying / I just wanted you to know / That this is me trying / They told me all of my cages were mental / So I got wasted like all my potential / And my words shoot to kill when I'm mad / I have a lot of regrets about that)

the archer (Combat, I'm ready for combat / I say I don't want that, but what if I do? / ‘Cause cruelty wins in the movies / I’ve got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you // And all of my heroes die all alone / Help me hold onto you / I've been the archer / I’ve been the prey / Screaming, who could ever leave me, darling? / But who could stay? // Who could stay? / You could stay)

#ask #theirprofoundbond #dtscu #destiel

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mirkwoodshewolf · 4 years

Text

Ice Queen sister; Peter Parker x twin sis reader

*Author’s note*

OKay so I’m gonna stop messing around and move some more stories that I have on my wattpad account onto here. I promised you all that I would move some more Peter Parker fanfics I had but I was either too busy or lazy to do so, but in light of the quarantine, I’m finally getting off my lazy ass to finally move them to here so that you all could see them. This was written god I wanna say 2 years ago so here are some serious warnings here:

Warnings: murder (Uncle Ben’s death), HINTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT/RAPE (NO DETAILS BUT MENTIONS OF IT. If it makes you uncomfortable, just be warned but like I said there’s no scene of it being done, just mentioned), violence, and a stab at the police system.

I hope you all enjoy this fic and I promise the next Peter Parker fic I’ve got for you guys will be fluffier than this one.

Taglist:

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@plethora-of-things

@ixchel-9275

@platawnic

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

_______________________________________________________

Spiderman was holding a girl in his arms, unfortunately the girl was bleeding immensely from her side and he refused to let her go even once. But he had an even bigger problem since the criminal before them now held a gun in his hand and aimed it right at Peter's head. How did they get into a situation like this, well that in itself is a long story.

Many of you believe that Peter Parker was an only child right? Well you're wrong, I am his twin sister, his older twin by 12 minutes. My name is (Y/n) Parker and I've always been different from the moment my life turned to darkness or should I say coldness.

I don't know when it first happened, maybe after Peter and I had learned when our parents died in a plane crash but all I remember was feeling so cold that I had to be taken to the hospital and be put in the Intensive care unit for over a week till my body temperature got back to normal before Peter and I went to live with our Aunt May and Uncle Ben.

Then that car-jacker murdered our uncle, and it was then I finally snapped. I remember going to an alleyway, letting out a piercing scream and all of a sudden an icy mist came out of my mouth and froze the entire alleyway. I also took notice that my long (n/h/c) had turned almost pale white, like snow.

Ever since that day, I had changed completely. My heart had become cold that night and I vowed vengeance against my uncle's killer.

From that day on I had called myself the "Ice Queen" and vowed to give the proper punishments for those with hearts as cold as ice. Prison wouldn't change the fact that these criminals would still be breathing while their victims were six feet under, so any cold blooded killers out there, you better pray you don't feel my cold wind at your neck.

To hide any suspicion from my Aunt and brother, I would use my magic to make my hair appear to be the usual (h/c) it's always been but when it comes time for me to "go out", the magic fades and my snow white hair comes out.

Once I became the "Ice Queen", I vowed to never involve May or Pete into it because if any of the crime lords found out I had a weakness in my ice cold heart.....I don't even want to think about what they would do to them. I refuse to lose anyone else in my family.

It was your typical after school day. Pete and I were walking home from school when he had gotten a text on his phone and he said.

"Ahh its Mr. Stark hey (y/n) can you tell May that Mr. Stark wants to see me".

"Of course Pete, just try to be home in time for dinner. I'm making my special Chinese dinner tonight".

"And miss the chance to eat your cooking I don't think so. Thanks (n/n) love you!" He pecked my cheek and he took off running.

Stark. Oh how that name made shivers run down my spine, and I don't mean in the good way. I had known of my twin brother's little secret of him being Spiderman. Oh he can fool May but he can't fool me, I'm his twin and we got a super power of our own and we can tell when the other is hiding something. That and I snooped through his room and happened to find his Spiderman suit (I have a right to do that as big sister it says so in the book).

But still it's no excuse that someone as big as Tony Stark came into our apartment asking for Peter for a "grant" that I knew he never applied for to suddenly go off to Germany and when he comes home, he has a black eye. That is unacceptable in my book, no one hurts my little brother or leads him into danger and gets away with it.

After arriving home, I went into my room and released my magic and my hair turned back into the snow white it had become nine months ago. My room was kept cold due to my powers but I didn't care, I lay on my bed and let out an icy sigh as the ceiling began to frost over.

I then turned to a picture of Tony Stark that I had taken from a newspaper and quickly made an ice shard out of my hand and threw it dead center at Stark's smug face.

"You dare bring my brother into danger, if I see another injury on him I'll make you suffer" I sneered coldly to the picture.

"(Y/n)? Peter? I'm home!" I heard Aunt May's voice ring out. I looked up at the ceiling and made the frost disappear, I also got rid of the ice shard as well as the picture and made my hair turn back to my normal hair color and cried out.

"Hey May!" I left my room and helped her put the groceries away and as I put the milk up she asked me.

"Is Peter with that Tony Stark again?"

"Oh yeah, supposedly Mr. Stark had texted him for another assignment, happened after we got done with school".

"Ahh I see, well can't say I'm a fan of him though. Always taking Peter out of his school time you know I had gotten a call from his principal about him sleeping in class again today".

"You and me both May, you and me both. But he said he'd be home in time for dinner, did you pick up what I needed?"

"Right here, when can you start?" She took out some of the ingredients that I needed.

"Well school was pretty exhausting but I can start cooking within an hour or so, just to allow me some time to rest up and recuperate after a long day".

"Understandable, come on I also have some other things to bring in since I made several errands today, mind helping me?"

"Of course". I followed her to the elevator and I helped her bring in the dry cleaning, some art supplies, and a new sewing kit. After a little rest for about an hour and a half I began preparing my delicious and famous Chinese meal.

By the time 6 o'clock struck, Aunt May and I prepared the food but Peter had yet to show up. As May and I sat down at the table and of course as a run of thumb in her house "No one eats until the whole family is here". I began to get a little antsy about Peter's wellbeing. After that Vulture incident I knew he was getting himself into more dangerous waters that only I knew about and did not want him to be involved in.

By the time it was almost 8pm, May decided that we should just pack it up and not let it go to waste so we cleared up the table and she said that she was going to get us take out while I cleaned the rest of the kitchen. All my hard work gone to waste, Peter promised me he would be here but no Stark once again kept him from being here with his family just so he could go off and put himself in more danger than he's ever had in his whole life.

I then heard the sound of a window opening, I revealed a small ice mirror into my hand and from the small bit of frost I had hidden in Peter's room to judge my suspicion on whether he was Spiderman or not, I saw him coming into his room in his Spider suit. I allowed the mirror to disappear and I tried to keep myself calm as I soon heard called out to Peter.

"Where have you been little brother?" I heard him muttering then he called out.

"I am so, so sorry (n/n) but Mr. Stark kept me in later than I had expected. I really did try to come home in time but you know how he is". I soon heard him walking into the kitchen as I now held the pot that held my Sweet and Sour pork.

"You know you could've called or at least had the decency of sending me a text before bailing out on my dinner".

"I am so sorry (y/n) you have to believe me you of all people need to believe me how hard I tried to come back home. Here why don't I cleanup since you spent hours making the meal". Now I didn't mean for it to happen but my cold, icy heart made me lift up the pot, turn to Peter and slam it right on the table spilling out everything as I growled at him.

"IS THIS ALL A GAME TO YOU!? I was frantic!"

"What are you talking about?" Peter asked with such fear in his eyes. Seeing him afraid of me I tried to calm myself out as my voice whispered and choked out.

"You Pete, alone. In the city at this time of night, I thought—thought someone had hurt you". Soullessly I turned to the table and began to gather up the pork and noodles in my fists as tears filled my eyes and I continued on with a quiver in my voice, "Like our parents.....Like—Uncle Ben".

"(Y/n) I'm fine. I promise I may not be the biggest or the strongest guy in our school, but I know how to outwit someone should they try anything, I promise you won't get a call from the police to ID my body. I refuse to do that to you and May, especially after.....well you know that night". I felt Peter hold me in his arms and I leaned my head against his chest feeling my twin's heartbeat telling me that he was alive and well until I looked up at him.

"Peter what happened to your eye?"

"What oh that umm—it was an accident. As I was getting something from the top of Mr. Stark's shelf, I accidentally slipped and the binder fell onto my eye thus creating this". Liar. I knew he was lying, someone did this to him and I'm going to find out who. Composing myself I stood up and told him.

"I'll get you an ice pack". I got out of his arms and walked towards the cabinet and took out a large bag then hiding behind the open freezer, I used my powers to fill the bag with ice then I grabbed a towel and wrapped the bag in the towel and handed it to Peter and he thanked me but I turned away from him and continued to clean up.

Outside we both heard the sound of police sirens and I stated soullessly out loud.

"This dreadful city we live in. The darker it gets, the more dangerous it becomes, someone outta do something about that don't you think?"

Aunt May had come in and we ate our Chinese takeout then we all decided to turn in for the night. Just as I was turned on my TV, there was a news update about a car chase that about had been going on for the past two hours with a suspect that police had been chasing down for six months but each time they try to catch him, he slips free and avoids capture. Well not this time.

My hair slowly turned white and my usual clothes turned into my Ice Queen armor. A chainmail like ice color dress with small ice sharps coming down from my neck to my lower abdomen. I also made my Ice Queen mask that covered my entire upper face so that no one would be able to see who I was. I levitated in the air and then took off flying with the wind towards the street the guy was last seen.

*Basically this dress but imagine it as an icy blue/white color and the mask is below. I do NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THESE PICTURES!! THEY BELONG TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNERS!!*

Police cars and sirens were lighting up the streets and their sirens piercing the Queens streets. The car they were chasing exhilarated as fast as I could until it slammed into the yard of an old abandoned warehouse and soon the driver got out as fast as he could and disappeared into the warehouse.

Inside the man held out his gun ready to fire at anything or anyone that would come out as he held his big sack of money that he had 'obtained' from the bank down on 14th street. Suddenly he heard a clank from behind him.

"Who's there!?" Frost began to form from the windows and being the completely paranoid thief he was, he fired at the window only to see nothing there. Soon he felt a cold nip at the back of his neck and he turned around so quickly he probably gave himself whiplash. "I'm not playing anymore! Come out before I pump you full of lead!"

A small trail of ice slowly crept up behind him then suddenly it shot out freezing his feet to the ground. He let out a cry and tried to fire at the ice but before he could pull the trigger, his gun became so cold he dropped the gun as he cried out in pain from the cold. He looked at his hand to see it was completely broken out and frost bitten from where the gun handle was.

"Metal and steel always attract the cold, didn't you ever watch Titanic and see what the iceberg did?" I then stepped out from the shadows and the guy already terrified. Like all my victims before him he pleaded for his life to be spared.

"You don't understand. I was framed! Just give me a chance. Just give me a chance!"

"You don't deserve that chance. Robbing a bank, suspected for over 20 murders and rapes in the last six months". I then gripped his face tightly in my hand and removed his ski mask and from the police search lights shined right on the guys face and my felt my cold exterior literally crumble to pieces.

This man was the one who killed Uncle Ben. How do I know it was him? Because I was there when it happened.

I was scheduled to meet with a couple of friends at the library for a podcast project for one of my classes, I wanted to walk there but Uncle Ben insist that he drive me there. He felt that it wasn't safe for me walking 7 blocks alone at night. I tried to reason with him that I would be fine but like the father figure he's been to me since our parents died, he didn't budge and I let him drive me to the library.

Just as I was about to get out, this man comes out of nowhere and asks for the car. As stubborn as he was, Uncle Ben refused then the man forced my Uncle out of the car and the two of them began to rumble a bit. I tried to help him but he shoved me off and then he got on top of me pinning me to the car before trying to take off my shirt.

Uncle Ben got him off me but that's when he pulled out a gun and shot Uncle Ben right in the heart. Traumatized from what almost happened and from what I just saw, I could only crawl up to Ben and the car-jacker drove off with my Uncle's car and Ben died right there in my arms. After police and ambulance came and wanted to check on me, that's when I left and went into that alleyway and my powers soon revealed themselves.

As I stared at this man with wide eyes I felt something inside of me just snap. I gripped his throat and allowed my hand to become so unbearably cold, it literally burned his skin. The man cried out in agony as I sneered at him.

"Do you remember what you did 9 months ago at the Public Library? You better remember like your life depended on it you bastard!"

"I don't....please......"

"Don't bullshit me damnit! Why don't you take a closer look at my face"? I then revealed myself under the mask and showed im who I was. I even used my magic to turn my hair brown so that way he'd remember who I was. As soon as he saw me, his face was all I needed to know. "I've been waiting a long time for this!" I sneered as my hair turned back to white and my eyes phased to soulless grey mist color.

I released his feet but kicked him in the ball then I formed an ice bow staff and began to repeatedly beat on the guy as hard as I could. With each blow, I growled louder and more animalistic until I raised the staff high in the air before bringing it down across him sending him to the wall. He coughed out blood and I stated again as I strutted towards him.

"That was just for all that you've done to the people of this city. For all the women you've raped, the people you've killed and the places you've robbed. But what I have for you killing my Uncle, will be slow. Intimately and you will know every ounce of pain you've caused me and my family that night when you pulled the trigger".

"Hate to break this lovefest up but I think the proper judges will give him what he deserves". I looked up to see my twin brother in his Spiderman outfit just chilling above the catwalk of the warehouse.

"This doesn't concern you Spiderman!" I sneered trying to get my brother out of this.

"Sorry to tell you this babe but it is my problem. Cause from where I'm standing if I was a cop and I saw this, I would arrest both of you right here and now. So let me take care of him while you go run and hide. Didn't you know the Accords has been imprisoning any stray super humans lately?"

"Then why aren't you locked up with them?" I sassed at my twin.

"That—that doesn't matter I'm just trying to protect you here!"

"Well so am I now get out of here Pete before I make you leave!" I snapped.

"And I told you—wait, wait a minute. Did you just call me Pete? Only one person calls me.....Oh God (Y/n)?" I sighed deeply and briefly revealed my hair color to show him that it was me. "Wha—how... (N/n) how did....."

"I get these powers? Funny story actually. You remember when mom and dad died and I had to stay in the ICU for over a week? Well it was around that time my powers awakened. But it wasn't until this savage killed our Uncle that my powers truly came out. He's the one who killed Ben Pete and he deserves to be punished!"

"I agree (y/n) but not like this. Let's just take him to the police together and they'll—"

"The cops!?" I let out an icy laugh then I sneered at him. "The court won't do shit brother. They'll just give him a life sentence with no parole or if they do give him the death penalty, he'll be waiting sometime between 10-50 years before then, maybe even then he'll die in his prison cell. Well not this time, not him. This time I'm calling the shots, I've called all the shots on all those other low-lives who have killed people or tried to take advantage over people in the Night". I turned back towards the brute sprawled out beneath me.

"(Y/n) please. You can still change this, you won't have to do this anymore. Look at what this man has already turned you into. This is not who you are, I know you more than anyone else in this world, and do you think I will sit here and watch you destroy yourself. Remember what Uncle Ben always told us when we were kids?"

How could I ever forget the life lessons that Uncle Ben told us? He only told them to us every day ever since Pete and I became teenagers but this one word of wisdom I will never forget. And I bet most of you probably know what that is.

With great Power, comes great Responsibility.

I soon felt Peter's gloved hand take mine and he pleaded to me one last time.

"Please sis, let go of your hatred. Don't let vengeance consume you any longer that it already has. Please, I want my twin sis back". I looked at him and he looked at me. Taking his mask off, I could see the tears forming in his eyes wanting me to let go of my vengeance and take the rightful path and go with him to turn this murderer in and have him be punished the right way.

Suddenly I felt pain in my left side. I let out a gasp as I slowly began to crumble to my knees as Pete caught me in his arms and held me close to him trying to call out to me but everything was beginning to look blurry at least to me. I felt wet on my side and numbness took over me as Peter was calling out to me but I couldn't hear anything.

*3rd POV*

As Peter held his twin who had just been shot by the crook in his arms begging her to hang on he looked up to see the crook holding his gun up aiming right at him.

"So you brats were related to that old geezer with the car huh? Well meet him in hell". Suddenly frosty mist surrounded the warehouse so thick you could barely see the end of your nose. Pete felt his sister rise up from his arms and as the mist began to clear, standing before the two boys was a haunting image of (Y/n) Parker.

Her outer appearance now looked like a haunting lake spirit. She almost glowed a dark black and grey and her eyes were now pure black instead of white. She raised her hand up and the crook was levitated in the air and as (Y/n) spoke in a deep, almost demonic voice, the crook screamed in pure agony.

"You have no power here. William B. Franco. You are meaningless! Pathetic! A morsel! Now burn in the Icy Hell FOR ALL ETERNITY!!!" As William let out one last painful scream, his whole body was now completely covered in frostbite as he had been frozen from the inside out, he then exploded into black ice before a powerful magical light exploded throughout the warehouse and (Y/n) was now back to normal with the gunshot still at her side. She stumbled backwards as she groaned in pain but her twin was there to catch her and hold her in his arms once again.

As he saw the ice bits of the man who had murdered their Uncle scattered everywhere, he was shocked at what he had seen his sister do after just being shot.

"Holy shit (y/n)" Peter mumbled.

"I'd agree with you on that kid, by the way you're welcome for hacking into the police department for taking them away from the warehouse just before your sister went all Dark Ice Queen on the guy. Is she alright?" Peter looked up to see Tony Stark in his Ironman suit.

"I don't know Mr. Stark uhhh Karen read me her vitals!"

'Your sister will live Peter. That sudden Power she just experienced somehow stopped the bleeding but her energy is draining fast, she's got about a ten minute window before the bleeding resumes'.

"Mr. Stark please can you help my sister!?"

"Alright but on one condition".

"Anything name it".

*Time skip to Avenger's Facility 1st POV*

I woke up to see bright lights everywhere and I heard machines beeping softly beside me. To my left I saw Peter out of his Spiderman uniform and back into normal clothes.

"Pete?" I rasped out.

"(Y/n) oh thank god you're alright!" He embraced me tightly which made my groan in pain making him release me and apologize profusely.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Avengers facility. I had your brother bring you here and our medical team managed to save you before your wound reopened. How you feeling Elsa?"

"Don't call me Elsa!" I sneered icily.

"(Y/n) please I know you never liked Mr. Stark but he saved your life".

"Yeah which means you owe me kid, and I know just how you can pay me back since your brother has agreed along to the terms I have for both of you".

"I swear if I'm stuck bringing you cold ice cream, I will freeze this entire facility" I growled.

"Nope. But I won't deny getting the ice cream was my first proposition but I've come up with something better for yah kid".

*FF a few weeks later*

"So you still coming to the Decathlon meeting next week right?" asked my friend Mikaela.

"Of course just as soon as I get done working at my new Internship".

"You know I had a feeling with Peter taking the Stark Internship that he would eventually come find you, took him long enough didn't it?"

"Yeah well I'll admit that Pete's more of the brains of the bunch. Well see yah Kee-kee".

"See yah (n/n)!" I then got in the limo that was here to pick me up and I was taken on the 2 and a half hr. drive Upstate to the Avengers Facility. Standing outside the facility was none other than Tony Stark and my brother Peter. I got out of the limo and hugged my brother and he said.

"Glad you agreed to this (y/n). Oh man this is gonna be awesome! Spiderman and the Ice Queen working together to become the next Avengers!"

"Don't go getting too far there kid, you're still grounded from that Vulture incident. You're lucky I gave you back the suit when I did, let's just hope your sister here will be better behaved than you". Mr. Stark said as he put his shades on and urged us to follow him inside. "Welcome Miss Parker, to the Avengers Facility".

This was the agreement Tony had for me. Once I was feeling better, instead of turning me over to the government for unleashing my powers to the public and revealing that I was the Ice Queen, he offered me a position in training alongside my brother to become an Avenger's trainee.

Reluctantly I agreed and now here I am. As I walked through the facility and saw everything they had to offer, I began to think maybe this wasn't such a bad idea I mean at least I'm not in a prison cell away from my family for doing what I believe was right for the people.

Plus I think Mr. Stark might have a soft spot for me since I may remind him of a certain soldier who's now a war criminal. But as long as I'm with my brother and I can finally keep an eye on him to make sure he stays out of immense trouble, I'm okay with this.

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amiableabomination · 5 years

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Papa Emeritus x F! Reader

3,853 words; 18+ only

Description: Papa III and the reader try to relax from their busy schedule on a short excursion in the gardens. The two, after a bit of drama, decide to spend some “quality time” together . . . ��

Light shone through the clerestory, mottled fragments of color from the stained glass dotting the dark cathedral’s nave. The muffled singing of birds could be heard from within the hollow interior, characterizing the fervent life of late spring. Even within the accursed church, life flowed through it like blood through veins. The cathedral was alive, ghouls and votaries roaming through the halls to grant the tasks of the Dark Lord.

In the boisterous hall, I sat still before the cathedral’s bema, silently voicing an extensive prayer. A grucifix rosary hung around my neck, one of my hands drifting upwards to clutch the satanic cross when my prayer reached its denouement. Some other clergy members and Sisters of Sin also resided in the nave, some praying, others filing through to finish the church’s numerous tasks.

On the pulpit stood a queer figure whom I recognized as Papa Emeritus III, face obscured with the geometric shape of a skull. Unlike his older brothers, this satanic priest held a spark of excitement except for today, it seems. The younger Emeritus was drifting through the scriptures for tonight’s gathering, his eyes drifting over the pages apathetically. Since this Papa could no longer attend the world-wide rituals, succeeded by Cardinal Copia, he could only begrudgingly lead the sermons. I’ve attended a couple, most of which his brothers guided. His two older brothers were busy doing their own menial tasks today, though, and tonight was his turn to lead the gathering.

His gaze drifted from the book as he espied me rising from the floor and preparing my exit. I sent him a furtive glance but quickened my pace as I noticed his attention was on me. Papa must have recognized me as he flashed me a smile, disregarding the tome. Standing at the edge of the pulpit, he greeted me with a short bow. He adjusted his casual suit and folded his arms, preparing to speak as I awaited his acknowledgment.

“Greetings sister, I didn’t expect to see you here this hour. Paying respects to our Infernal Master, no?”

“Of course. I have a rather busy schedule today so I’m trying to pay my dues before it’s too late,” I explained with a wave of my hand. I crossed my arms with a playful smile, mimicking the satanic pope’s actions. “It seems you’re busy as well. I’m not surprised. There’s so much that needs to be done this time of year.”

“Ah, yes, I have both my hands full today but!” Papa III raised his hand in exclamation, before gesturing to me. “I am free to spend any amount of time with you, tesoro.”

Papa III winked slyly and I scoffed in a joking manner, unfolding my arms. As I began my answer, he descended, taking graceful steps down the sculpted pulpit and onto the marble floor below. My voice almost cracked as I surveyed his grand descent.

“Charms or not, I would really appreciate it,” I admitted, peering into his bicolored eyes. I regained my posture and my voice as he halted. “However, as fun as that sounds, I must not procrastinate on my tasks. You know how Sister Imperator is with us Sisters of Sin.”

Papa’s face fell but he soon smiled persistently, a little disappointed but not too much so. I felt bad to leave him to his work, something he wasn’t quite fond of. He’s not meant for all the work the church imposes on him, but I suppose his brothers have enough tasks as is and the Cardinal is busy with his own gig. Still, he manages to do a damn good job whether he liked it or not.

“I insist, just this once. Please,” Papa begged, something I rarely hear the likes of. “I can’t concentrate on my work knowing I missed an opportunity to be with you.”

I furrowed my brows and let out a sigh, knowing that if I didn’t he’d either slack on his duties or bother me about it until I give in. I reluctantly nodded, my lips upturning into a pleasant smile. He beamed, his face ecstatic at the prospect.

“Where would you like to go? The gardens? Or, perhaps, underneath the cupola in the library? It’s perfect for dancing. They recently established an audio system in there! Oh, you’d love it and - oh!” Papa suggested, his eyes brimming with excitement. Without missing another beat, he added, “Maybe you’d prefer my bedroom?”

I chortled and shook my head, “Ugh! No, no, no thanks . . . Though, I wouldn’t mind venturing through the gardens. I haven’t seen the flowers blooming since last summer. The ghouls have tried to get me to see the blossoms but I just never really have the time.”

“Well, what are we waiting for, then? Would you care to join me, tesoro?”

He intertwined his gloved fingers with mine, much to my chagrin. However, I’d be a fool to say I didn’t enjoy it. He swung our linked hands steadily back and forth and I couldn’t help but feel amused by his childish antics. Then, he raised both of our hands to his lips, giving a gentle peck on my thumb. I paused, unsure of what just occurred.

“Just to show my appreciation for your company,” Papa informed, his gaze fixated on me. I felt uncomfortable but in a pleasant way. I flashed him a gentle smile to reciprocate his feelings.

Satisfied with my response, Papa resumed the journey. We traipsed through the cathedral, winding through various corridors. I’d have to admit that the walk was absolutely marvelous, the cathedral’s imagery so dear to my heart. We weaved through crowds of clergy members and ghouls, almost colliding multiple times as I gawked at the cathedral’s magnificent beauty. Normally I don’t notice the church’s features due to being situated in one area all the time. Rarely can I revel in its entire glory, which is hard due to its Brobdingnagian proportions. Eventually, though, my sight-seeing was cut short as Papa halted, my form inches from colliding into his back. I quickly regained my composure, noticing the sculpted doors before us.

“Here we are,” Papa announced with a flourish of his gloved hands. He beckoned me to step forward and I obliged, reluctantly walked up to the entrance. I ran my fingers along the engravings, noticing the minute detail and care that went into this very door. It depicted a garden of its own, the wooden carvings of plants seemingly thriving themself. This cathedral never ceases to amaze me. The décor is astounding.

Papa paused so I could admire it some more before continuing, “Without further ado, allow me.”

With a hefty push, Papa opened the extravagant double-wide door, the morning zephyr rustling my hair and cassock. My spirits brightened as the sun’s light and the tranquility of Mother Nature washed over me. I ambled out into the cathedral’s garden and instantly I was transfixed on what lay before me. Everything from wisteria trees, roses of many varieties, hydrangeas, zinnias, and many, many more caught my eye. It was a vast expanse of verdure and blossoms that completely engrossed me. It was even more extravagant than last year. Now I understood why the ghouls were so eager to show me.

Not many people roamed the garden at this hour besides one of the caretakers watering some of the flora. Not only that, the morning hours granted us protection from the harsh afternoon heat. It was perfect and I couldn’t ask for a more magical excursion.

Laughter erupted from the youngest Papa and I whipped around to see the commotion. However, I quickly realized the humor was on me as he peered at my wonderstruck form. He approached me, slowly, before resting a gentle hand on the small of my back.

“Come un raggio di sole hai illuminato la mia vita. Seeing your face in awe is such a sight to behold. Tesoro . . .”

The proximity between us seemed to only be the width of a hair, his hands enveloping me as I focused my attention on him and him only. I felt calm but my half-lidded eyes snapped open. I couldn’t register my feelings or why he was making me feel this way but it was all too much.

“Sorry – I mean, I – Ugh! What is this? I don’t understand,” I exclaimed, unsure of what was going on. Various emotions swarmed my once serene mind and I couldn’t register my thoughts.

Papa was shocked for a moment but attempted to console me regardless. I tried to resist but I couldn’t. Seeing his face contorted in such a hurt expression made my heart ache. I didn’t know if the few people in the gardens looked upon us like we were mad but at this point, I didn’t care.

“What . . . What are you doing to me?” I whimpered as he enveloped me in his warm embrace. Was this a trick? I was – no – am his best friend for what? A couple years? Why would he suddenly act this way if he didn’t have any ulterior motives?

“I’m sorry for being so brash, I–,” Papa apologized, rubbing my back in slow, fluid movements. “If you hate me, I understand, but please, I didn’t mean to overwhelm you. I just – please hear me out. Please look at me.”

He tried to move my head but I was too embarrassed to let him. He sighed but not in malice, no. He was clearly hurt.

“Just tell me, Papa: Why? Why do this?”

“What do you want me to say?” Papa hissed, looking elsewhere but me. However, I knew he really didn’t direct his anger at me even though his voice steadily grew louder and louder. “I love you! Why can’t I love you? Is it because of my reputation? Fuck my reputation! I love you, cara mia! Do you hear?”

By now, the birds seemed to stop tweeting and the gentle rustle of leaves was long gone. Papa narrowed his brows, tears pricking his eyes and smudging his makeup. He looked like a mess but so did I. I stepped back from him yet again, feeling the thorns of a rose bush pricking my back.

“I . . . I really want to love you, and I do, but,” I paused, glancing elsewhere before letting my vision land on Papa yet again. “I’ve felt many feelings towards you, Papa, for so fucking long. I know I shouldn’t have let it all out right here and now but I can’t help it. I love you too, you sick bastard. However, I can’t – I mean – I don’t know what to do? How am I to expect this won’t lead to heartache?”

“Tesoro, please, come here,” Papa asked, his voice hoarse and weak. I hesitantly obliged, wondering why such a simple request would lead me back to him. I realized as I walked towards him that the garden was completely vacant. It was just the two of us now and I wouldn’t doubt we scared everyone off. Still, this was my chance but it seemed he beat me to the opportunity.

Instantly, his lips were upon mine, kissing every bit and portion of my lower face until I giggled. The need I had for him disintegrated all prior negative emotions. I kissed him back, not caring about the paint that smudged both of our faces. I was finally in bliss and I would not back down.

Suddenly, I realized we were on the ground. I was straddling his waist, our lips still interlocked and our hands grasping at each other as if the other would suddenly vanish. Eventually, though, this grasping turned into tugging and I found my body bare besides my undergarments. I removed some of his own clothing and paused to look upon the image before me. He had by no means an athletic body but it had this indescribable charm I found inexplicably alluring. I immediately feasted upon his flesh, sucking and biting the tender spots of his skin. He couldn’t help but whimper as I hit sweet spot after sweet spot.

“Voglio le tue mani su tutto il corpo ¡Ho voglia di te!”

I heeded his command and tugged off the remaining clothing he had on. His body was mine for the taking. He allowed me to be in control, fighting back on occasion, and I loved it. Our hands wandered across each other’s bodies on the soft blanket of grass, heeding no possible passerby. In the moment, it was the least of our concerns.

Somehow throughout the deed, I found myself completely bare and we both paused, reveling in each other’s glory, praising each other with sweet whispers and affections.

“I have never felt as loved as I am now before you, Papa,” I murmured endearingly, stroking his side with one of my free hands, the other supporting my body above him. He grinned ear-to-ear, his makeup made his expression look hauntingly, but the tingling of fear along my spine only turned me on more. I couldn’t help but let a moan escape my lips by the sheer sight of him.

“Fuck me, please,” I whimpered, letting my hand slide down his side, resting on his cock. He recoiled and I paused. “May I?”

“Do as you please,” Papa said with a smirk and I immediately started stroking his member between my fingers. I locked our lips together and I couldn’t help but rub my thighs together in anticipation of relinquishing my arousal in ecstasy.

“Fuck, thank you. Just like that,” Papa groaned, his hips thrusting into my hand. I teased him with my mouth, sloppily kissing the tip of his dick and along the shaft. He whimpered and I relented, licking the head before inserting most of his thick girth in my mouth. I bobbed my head, minding which actions made him moan and squirm the most. Eventually, I stopped, making him shift in discomfort. Drool ran down my chin as I flashed him a lop-sided grin in which he sluggishly returned.

“Do you have a condom, Papa?” I inquired, unsure of whether to take this even further. He seemed dazed for a moment and before I could repeat my question he nodded a couple times. He was a tad reluctant but understanding of my request. He shifted, feeling his suit for what I assumed was the object of my request. Eventually, even through my playful teasing, he retrieved a condom from one of his pockets.

“Of course, here.”

I stopped for a moment to grab the condom and quickly ripped the packaging open. After I placed on the protection, I felt more confident to continue. I brushed a light kiss upon his lips in gratitude, and he squirmed underneath my touch.

“Yes, yes, Papa. Calm yourself and you shall be thoroughly rewarded,” I assured, rubbing his shoulder to ease his impatience. He groaned, giving me a pitiful look, his green and white eyes entrancing me in their hue. I took his cock in my hands again, returning to the steady motion much to his pleasure. However, this time, it was he who would gain the upper hand. Before I knew it, he was on top of me, one of my thighs still wrapped around his hip.

“Ah,” I gasped, even a bit surprised. “Please . . .”

Papa, heeding my call, opened up my legs and pressed his lips upon my fold. My entire body shivered as his tongue ran across my labia and onto my clit. He suckled, my legs involuntarily twitching from the sensation, my hand instinctively gripping his short, raven-colored hair. He didn’t seem to mind when I pulled, more so it seemed he found great pleasure in it so I persisted. His hand gripped onto my thighs, the other stroking his member. Every once-in-a-while, he’d kiss and bite the inner part, driving me to the edge. I was so wet and so very close.

Before I could register that he stopped, I felt Papa’s hot breath on my ear. I moaned and arched my back in anticipation of his words, his voice sending light shocks through my neck.

“Ready, cara mia?”

I immediately knew what was next and nodded my head profusely. My mind was a mess by now and I needed relief by his touch.

“Yes, yes! I beg of you!” I exclaimed, parting my thighs to give him more room. He positioned himself on my slick entrance, slipping in his engorged cock. I gasped, my eyes nearly rolling in the back of my head by the sensation. His girth fit me perfectly and my heart swelled. The love I felt for this man ignited my nerves on overdrive, sending sensations all over me that I’ve never felt the likes of.

Each thrust from his hips ignited butterflies in my stomach. It seemed he found great pleasure as well, his mouth agape, emitting mellifluous moans. Nothing made me happier than in this moment with him.

Papa’s pace quickened as he leaned into my body, embracing me in a vice grip. His breathing was hot and heavy, the air tickling my chest with each breath. He was like an incubus, pounding my cunt with such force and skill that I couldn’t help but let out a cry as I came. It’s as if he knew exactly how and where to please me, his hands knowing exactly where to go.

Eventually, I noticed his brows furrowed and his teeth clenched. Every motion seemed to bring him on the edge. I knew he was close.

“I can’t any longer,” Papa groaned, clutching my waist and pounding my cunt even harder. “Ah, I’m – !”

Papa thrust once more and paused, his entire body twitching, the thick muscles on his thighs relaxing and contracting repeatedly. He pumped his cock a couple more times before sliding out. His grip on me lessened and I let out a heavy sigh, my insides a big jumbled mess from the event that just transpired. My gaze landed on his face. He was clearly tired but his expression showed that he was elated and as was I. I’ve never felt so fulfilled and I couldn’t help but imagine us fucking again. Papa collapsed next to me, both of us still very naked, our hands intertwined loosely.

“Ah, my love, I hate to provoke you but we should probably move,” Papa informed as he glanced around for anybody nearby. I let out a concise laugh and rolled over to face him. After a moment, I nodded and indolently sat up, putting on my undergarments and cassock. He eased me up after he cleaned and dressed himself, steadying me on my weak legs. He offered to carry me but I politely declined as not to overexert him.

I followed him throughout the cathedral to the bedrooms, not heeding the gazes of the other residents of the church on our disheveled appearance. Eventually, though, we arrived in his room. The room was dim and dismal but oh so inviting. It was a lavish dark purple with gothic, baroque furniture strewn about artfully. It seemed he took great pleasure in decorating his room and I wondered whether it was for his own satisfaction or to impress people like me.

Papa seemed to notice the atmosphere, lighting a match and igniting the wicks of his plentiful candles. The lambent light created a soothing atmosphere, which eased me furthermore. Next to one of the candelabras, I spotted Papa’s bed, partially obscured by diaphanous, sable drapes surrounding it.

Enervated, especially after seeing the bed, I collapsed onto the plush mattress. I felt incredibly peaceful and relaxed. I crawled under the duvet and wrapped my arms around Papa, which he eagerly reciprocated. We were still for a moment but something began eating at me. Uncertain of if I should say it, I sat up which alerted a very sleepy Papa, his hair rustled and his makeup an abhorrent mess. I suppressed a laugh as I found it quite adorable.

“You don’t have to get up, Papa,” I assured, pressing lightly on his chest with the palm of my hand. “Though, I want to know something if you don’t mind me asking.”

“What is it, cara mia?” Papa responded, cocking his brow. He pulled his hand from underneath the damask duvet and rest it upon my thigh. My lips upturned in amusement of his actions and I rest against the headboard, unsure of whether to continue. I breathed in sharply, our eyes locking, my vision transfixed on his multicolored orbs. His brows creased as he awaited my response.

“I know this is silly and I probably shouldn’t ask you this,” I murmured, unsure if I sounded too rude or inquisitive. I inhaled deeply. “Do you love me? Like, truly? This isn’t some ruse . . . Is it?”

Papa only chuckled and shook his head, sitting up despite me insisting otherwise. He turned towards me, peering into my eyes for a moment before letting out a sigh. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his body. I felt content in his warmth.

“Of course I love you, even though you can be quite the she-devil at times,” Papa jested, poking me in the side. I gasped, distancing myself from him instinctively. I narrowed my eyes before playfully shoving him on his shoulder. He caught one of my arms with ease and pushed me against the mattress. He climbed on top of me, his hands pinning my arms above my head all the while. I was thoroughly shocked, all thoughts of defiance slipping from my mind, subdued by his assertive action. Even still, my grin did not waver as he pressed his lips against my ear.

“Such a little brat, tesoro. Why don’t you find out yourself? Would you like me to show you how much I love you?”

I moaned in anticipation, awaiting his ravishing. However, that didn’t quite come.

Suddenly, he retracted from my form after smothering my neck in kisses. I whined as he left me on the bed, alone.

“Well, too bad, tesoro,” Papa teased with a wink. “Naughty girls don’t get rewarded.”

I watched him from the bed as he undressed, slowly taking each article of clothing off, knowing I enjoyed the view. It also left me aching for his touch. Though, as he finished, I snapped out of my senses, remembering something.

“What about our work? It’s still morning, is it really right to slack off?” I queried as he slid into the covers next to me. He groaned as he shifted for comfort before he rested on his side, facing me. He pulled me into a firm hug, his eyes crinkling in amusement.

“Forget about it, cara mia. Just stay here with me a little longer. Please?”

My heart quivered at his sleepy, husky voice. I suppose I’m a sucker for his begging. With that, I kissed his cheek as his eyes fluttered closed, his breathing calm and rhythmic. I couldn’t be happier than here with him.

#Papa Emeritus III #x reader #the band ghost #imagine #ghost bc #reader insert #fanfic #amiable abomination #writing #lemon #This was supposed to be just a writing exercise #I think I went a bit overboard

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nicole-lynne · 4 years

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Always Come Back to You - Chapter Two

Hey there! I’m back y’all and it feels amazing. I’m sorry it took so long for this to come out, but I’ve been crazy busy this month. I will be trying to post more regularly again. This is an answer to a request by @witch-of-letters and it grew to an outrageous level. Please let me know if you’d like to be tagged in future posts! Please like, comment, and reblog as I love the feedback!

Summary: Kat and Steve get into the army and go to boot camp. They have a crazy set of adventures. Sorry there is no Bucky in this chapter (he’s gone, remember?)

Pairing: Bucky x OC (This is still in 2nd person perspective but I gave her a name to make it easier for me to write a full series)

Warnings: None so far

When the man burst into the room, you were a little astonished. He was a short-statured man with messy hair. His glasses rested askew on his nose, making it look like he’d just been woken up in a hurry and run all the way here.

“My name is Dr. Abraham Erskine. I represent the Strategic Scientific Reserve.” He held out his hand for you. You stared at it for a moment before reaching forward and shaking it.

“Hello, my name is-”

“Katherine Rogers. Yes, yes, I just came from meeting your brother, Steven.”

You swallowed thickly. Great, Steve been caught and you were about to go down as an accessory. You were somewhat wishing you’d asked Bucky to stick around. He would’ve known exactly what to do.

“You can relax, dear, we are not going to be sending him to prison any time soon.” Your shoulders slumped with relief. “Instead, we are going to give him a chance.”

“You are?” This was the last thing you’d expected to hear. He’d been rejected five times and now they were just letting him in so casually, as if it wasn’t his entire life on the line.

Dr. Erskine looked up from the folder he was holding and studied you. The tension was building in the tiny room and you couldn’t help but fidget under his eye.

“Why did you come here this evening, Ms. Rogers?”

“You said you met my brother. He can be pretty convincing when he wants to be.” You said as if that was all the explanation he would need.

He bobbed his head, chuckling. “That is very true. But what I asked is why are you here? I have a feeling it’s not just because Steven persuaded you. In fact, I believe you quite surprised him when you suggested it.”

Your brow crinkled as you tried to pinpoint what exactly made you decide to enlist. “Dr. Erskine, have you ever had someone who you were so close to that you felt like they were a part of you? Someone who shared your thoughts, your pain, your happiness.”

He shook his head thoughtfully, “I can’t say that I have.”

“I’ve lived in this world for exactly 9 minutes without Steve. And for every minute after, he’s been there. He’s always known exactly what I’ve been thinking, he’s wiped my tears in every awful situation, he’s felt every emotion I felt. I know my brother can be a bit of an idiot sometimes, so I follow him around and keep him out of trouble. But I can tell you this, living in this world without him for 9 minutes is about all I can take. So if going across seas to join the fight is what he’s determined to do, then that’s where I’m going too.”

You let out a shaky breath. It was dawning on you that you maybe should have given a better answer, something like ‘I love to support our troops’ or ‘it’s my duty to help’, but those all sounded like robotic crud.

Dr. Erskine exhaled a breathy laugh. “You two are most certainly twins. Has anyone ever told you that you’ve got too much blind loyalty?”

“I’m too stubborn to listen if they did.” You stood up a little taller and pushed your shoulders back. It was probably best to prepare yourself for him to tell you to go home.

“If you ask me, blind loyalty isn’t always a bad thing.” He winked at you before whisking out of the room. You stumbled behind him, shocked he hadn’t told you to hit the road. “Have you got any nursing experience, Katherine?”

“Uh, my mother was a nurse in the tuberculosis ward before she passed. She taught me everything she knew.” You strained to see over his shoulder what he was writing on the paperwork.

“I will be assigning you to the same camp as Steven, in the nursing division. I have a feeling we will see some great things from you, Katherine Rogers.”

He slammed the stamp onto the paper and handed it to you before heading toward the door.

“Th-thank you, sir.” You read over the paper, flabbergasted. “Oh, Dr. Erksine?”

He turned on his heel, a raised brow in acknowledgement. “You, um, you said that you were with the Scientific division? Do you work with Howard Stark?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Why do you ask?”

“I just read a journal of his discussing the new self-flying technology he’s been working on. His thinking on it is just...it’s fascinating. I bet it’s amazing getting to work alongside someone like him.”

A grin jerked at the corner of his mouth, “Howard Stark is definitely his own individual.” Dr. Erskine took a few steps before pausing, “although, he does tend to think he’s wittier than he truly is.” You hid a giggle behind your papers as you watched the man retreat.

~~~

Camp Lehigh was everything you’d expected and nothing like you’d imagined. The second you’d set foot off the bus, they’d whisked you off in another direction, away from Steve. You’d been handed a set of clothes and immediately put into training.

The days were long to you. Even when you had worked at home, you had never felt the utter exhaustion that you were feeling from going through basic training. But the girls you were training with were nice enough and you can assume this is what it might have been like to have sisters.

With every day that passed, you were gaining a variety of new skills. You were being put through a vigorous workout routine every morning and intense medical education in the afternoons. You could feel your body and your mind getting stronger and stronger.

Each workout gave you the opportunity to keep an eye on Steve and watch as he struggled to keep up with the rest of the soldiers, but you admired that he never gave up. Some things never changed. You’d even caught a glimpse of Agent Carter sucker punch a guy right in the nose and it had truly been one of the best moments of your life. She was a goddess to you. She was smart, strong, witty, and gorgeous. And you were going to do everything to prove that you were on her level.

At the end of each day, you would crawl into your little cot and write out a letter to Bucky. You wrote about every detail you could remember. The new technique you’d learned that day, how you’d seen Steve riding into camp with Agent Carter, the way the blue sky made you think of his eyes, how much you wished he could see how well you were progressing. You had let to receive anything back, but you knew deep down that he was thinking about you too. You missed him more than you could ever put into words, but there was so much to fill your time that you didn’t have time to really think of missing him.

It took you two weeks to met Peggy Carter face-to-face. You were preparing for your first gas mask training sequence. The entire time, your mind was somewhere else, imagining ways that the gas mask could be improved. Although, you’d be way too chicken to tell anyone these improvements, it was nice to dream sometimes.

You’d slipped to the back of the line, trying to buy yourself some time, when you clumsily bumped into someone.

“Oh my lord, I am so incredibly sorry.” You turned wide-eyed, to find Agent Peggy Carter vaguely disoriented. Your heart slammed in your chest at the realization of who it was.

“It’s quite alright...”

“Rogers, ma’am, Katherine Rogers.” Immediately right-ing yourself into the correct stance.

Peggy looked you up and down, pondering, “Rogers. Is there any relation to Private Steve Rogers?”

“Yes, ma’am, that’s my twin brother.”

“Ah,” Peggy bowed her head, a slight smile hidden, “and may I ask why you were moving to the back of the line?”

You unintentionally cringed, “well, ma’am, my mind had been occupied with something else and I just didn’t want to lose my idea. Sometimes they can disappear as easily as they appear.”

“And what idea would be more important than your training, may I ask?” Her face was stern now, her gaze scrutinizing. God, could you be more of a dingus in front of her?

You gulped, weighing your options of telling her, begging for forgiveness, or just shutting up all together. You wanted to clamp your mouth shut for the rest of the day, but for some reason, when you got nervous, you had what Steve would crudely call word vomit.

“Well...you see...I was just thinking of ways to improve the operation of the gas mask to increase effectiveness, protection, and comfort...” You trailed off. The feel of several other eyes on you was starting to crawl on the back of your head like beetles. It was a feeling you wanted to shake off but you stayed still a statue.

Agent Carter was motionless, considering what you had said. Your insides were cringing, waiting for the reprimand that was sure to come from your wasting valuable time. You wished the ground would open up and swallow you whole, effectively ending this conversation.

“And what improvements would those be, Rogers?”

Surely you’d misunderstood her. “Excuse me?”

“I asked you what improvements you thought there should be?”

You glanced around at the rest of the group, still praying that someone might step in and get you out of this, only to meet sympathetic faces. You knew better though, no one wanted to mess with Agent Carter when she was out to prove a point.

“Yes, Agent Carter. I thought it would be beneficial to take away the hose that holds the filter canister, rather making the canister screw in directly. This would make the entire mask more compact and more convenient for carrying.” You paused, waiting for her to say something, but she was still quiet so you continued. “And if we use a durable plastic, rather than glass, then it would cut costs on replacement material and would be more lightweight for longwear.”

It was dead silent in the room as you finished. No one even dared to move a muscle, they were all waiting for the outburst that was sure to come. You had no idea why you couldn’t just keep your mouth shut. The military was definitely the wrong place for your strong personality.

The longer Agent Carter stared at you, the more the tears threatened to spill out. You could feel your bottom lip quivering and you bit down on it hard.

“Those are some interesting observations, Rogers. I appreciate the ingenuity, however next time, please stay focused on your training.”

“Ye-yes ma’am.” You stammered.

Agent Carter gave a curt nod before striding out of the room, the click of her heels fading down the hallway. Shakily, you let out the breath you’d been holding in and marveled at the fact you hadn’t been sent to run laps for the rest of the afternoon. You smoothed down your uniform and turned back around to find everyone’s eyes on you.

“Well, you heard the lady, let’s get back to training.”

~~~

When Colonel Phillips had pulled you out of afternoon training the next day, your heart was pounding in your chest. Even though you’d had that little run in with Agent Carter, you had thought you’d been excelling.

Your jaw dropped when he directed you to a room and Steve was sitting in a chair next to Agent Carter.

“Oh no, this cannot be good.” You hissed. “What did you do to get us both in trouble?”

“I jumped on a grenade during training...”

“You what?!” You shrieked in disbelief and Agent Carter chuckled. “Look, Agent, I apologize profusely for my brother. He can be a real dummy sometimes but I promise he’ll be better-”

“Don’t apologize for me, Kat. You’re always talking about me like I’m not her-” Steve argued.

“Shut up both of you!” Colonel Phillips hollered, silencing the entire room. He turned to look at Agent Carter. “Are you really sure about this?”

Agent Carter ignored him and looked at you and Steve, her lips pursed. It almost seemed like she was trying to hide a smile but you weren’t sure. “Neither of you are in trouble. You’re actually here for something else. Please, sit down and please, call me Peggy.”

You followed suit and sat down cautiously in the seat next to Steve. His leg was shaking, a sign that he was nervous, so you placed your hand on his forearm in hopes to calm him.

“Now, let’s get to business, shall we?” Peggy’s eyes flickered between the two of you before continuing. “We have been observing you two since you’ve arrived. And we’re quite interested in what we’ve seen.”

“What, exactly, have you seen? If you don’t mind me asking?”

“Well, we’ve seen two people who are incredibly brave, determined to succeed despite...obvious obstacles, extreme intelligence, and fierce loyalty.” Colonel Phillips snorted in the corner of the room causing Peggy’s jaw to tense before continuing. “And in spite of some people’s disapproval, we have decided to ask you both to participate in a scientific program for the United States.”

Your head tilted immediately in disbelief. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I understand. Scientific program? Like work in the science division?”

Peggy cleared her throat, “well, you would both be entered into the Super-Soldier program. It is experimental but if it worked, you would both be great assets in the war and for the US.”

“Experimental, as in they would use us as test subjects?” What the hell was happening.

You glanced over at Steve, who had been silent this whole time. His gaze was focused on his hands in his lap. You wanted to reach over and shake his shoulders but Peggy started talking again.

“Yes, you would technically be test subjects. Howard Stark and Dr. Erskine have been working on this for a very long time though and we would never ask this of you unless we believed we had a good chance.”

“A good chance?” You stared at Peggy like she’d spoken in tongues. “Why are you asking us to do this? Isn’t there anyone else who could do this?”

Peggy leaned forward, “Katherine, we believe that you and Steve are the best people for this program. You both have the qualities we think are important to qualify. We just need your consent and you will have agreed to help us win this war.”

You wanted to refuse, to simply say ‘no thank you’ and go back to your regular training, but something in her voice made you hesitate. The look in her eyes told you that she believed in this program with all her heart. For a moment, you even wondered what Bucky would have to say. He’d surely be telling you to think this through before agreeing to anything.

You opened your mouth to speak when Steve interrupted you. “I’ll do it.”

“Steve-”

“Sign me up.” He disregarded you completely and looked straight at Peggy. “Just tell me what I have to do.”

You bit your lip angrily, swallowing down all the hateful comments you had ready. Instead, you sat forward slowly. “Fine, you can count me in. But on one condition,” Peggy raised a brow curiously, “I get to talk to Howard Stark for ten minutes.”

Peggy laughed heartily before nodding her head. “I think that is something I can arrange. He’s quite interested in meeting you as well. He really liked your gas mask ideas.”

You were so shocked that your eyes almost popped out of their sockets. “Howard Stark knows that I exist? And he thought my idea was good? Holy cow, I cannot believe that.” You looked over at Steve in excitement but he was still staring down at the table. He hadn’t made eye contact with you through this whole meeting. He couldn’t really be mad at you for apologizing for him, could he?

“Yes, yes he does. Now let’s get you both in with the doctors for physicals and you’ll be taken to meet Howard and Dr. Erskine tomorrow.” Peggy stood up and gestured toward the door.

Steve shot out of his chair and out the door like a rocket. You’d followed after him but he was halfway down the hall before a nurse grabbed your arm and led you in a different direction. But there was no question, you’d talk to him before the day was over.

~~~

It was quite on the camp as you snuck through the shadows to your brothers barracks. He’d avoided you all evening but he wasn’t gonna get away from you that easily and he should know it. Once you wanted something, you were like a dog with a bone.

Placing your ear against the door, it was quite so you hoped the rest of the men were out. As quiet as possible, you twisted the handle and slipped between the crack. You looked around and saw Steve sitting on his bed with his back to the door. He peered over his shoulder to see you and his eyes narrowed.

“You’re not allowed to be in here.” He said brusquely.

“You didn’t give me much of a choice. You refused to talk to me all day and I don’t know why.” In a few steps, you were standing next to his cot, staring down at your twin brother.

Steve sighed and set his book down. “Kat, you really should leave.”

You sat down next to him and grabbed his hand. “Please tell me what I did wrong, Stevie. I agreed to do the program and everything will be alright.”

“That’s just it, Kat. You’re always doing things because you think you need to watch out for me or be with me. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow but if it’s bad and you get hurt, it’ll be because of me.”

“Oh Stevie, that’s not why I chose to do it-”

A knock on the door pulled your focus away and turned to watch Dr. Erskine step in.

“Ms. Rogers, how did I somehow know that I would find you here.” He sat down on the cot across from Steve’s. “Can’t sleep?”

“Got the jitters, I guess.” Steve replied for you both.

“Ah, me too. Tomorrow is a big day.” Dr. Erskine smiled at you kindly.

Steve rubbed his hands on his thighs for a moment. “Can I ask you a question?” Dr. Erskine nodded for him to continue. “Why us?”

“I suppose that is the only question that matters...” He was fiddling with a bottle he’d brought, trying to come up with the best explanation. He tilted it in your direction to show the label clearly. “This is from Augsburg, my city. So many people forget that the first country the Nazis invaded was their own. You know, after the last war there, my people struggled. They felt weak, they felt small.” Your stomach clenched at the thought and there was an underlying urge to comfort him.

“And then Hitler comes along with the big show, and the flags... And he hears of me, and he finds me. He told me, ‘you, you will make us strong.’ but I am not interested. So he sent the head of Hydra, his research division, a brilliant scientist by the name of Johann Schmidt.” A chill ran through your body. Wherever this story was heading could not turn out good.

“Now, Schmidt is a member of the inner circle, and he is ambitious. He and Hitler share a passion for occult power and Teutonic myth.” It’s hard to see the point but you’re immersed into the story. “Hitler uses his fantasies to inspire his followers. But for Schmidt, it is not fantasy. For him, it is real. He is convinced there is a great power hidden in the earth, left here by the gods, waiting to be seized by a superior man. So when he hears about my formula and what it can do...he cannot resist. Schmidt must become that superior man.”

You nearly jump out of your skin when Steve speaks. “Did it make him stronger?” You had been so into the story, you’d forgotten that he was sitting next to you.

“Yes, but there were other...effects.” A lump formed in your throat. Dr. Erskine gave you a sympathetic look when he noticed your face had paled. “The serum was not ready. But more importantly...the man. The serum amplifies everything that is inside, so good becomes great. Bad becomes worse.”

When you hear those words, panic rises to the forefront of your mind. You’re not ready for this type of responsibility. What if something happens and you turn into a monster. What if you’re not as good as they think you are. Bucky does call you a brat an awful lot.

As if reading your thoughts, he continues, “this is why you both were chosen. Because a strong man who has known power all his life may lose respect for that power. But a weak man or women,” he winks at you, “knows the value of strength, and knows compassion. I’ve never met another pair who are more perfect for this responsibility.”

“Thanks, I think.” Steve said for you both again. His brow furrowed as he slips into his own mind.

Dr. Erskine gave you a reassuring smile before pointing to the glasses at the end of Steve’s cot. You hold them out for him to fill and hand one to Steve.

“Whatever happens tomorrow, you two must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are... Not perfect soldiers, but a good person.”

Steve finally looks at you and you know that what Dr. Erskine has said made more of an impact that anything you could have said. You lean over and kiss his baby soft cheek. He raises his glass to you both. “To the little guys.”

With a giddy clink of glasses, you lift the cup to your lips. Before it has a chance to even enter your mouth, Dr. Erskine is frantically pulling them out of yours and Steve’s grips.

“No, no, wait, wait. What I am doing? No, you have procedure tomorrow. No fluids.”

“Alright, we’ll drink it after.” You respond cheekily to him.

He gives you a look like your crazy before pouring the two cups into his. “No, I don’t have procedure tomorrow. Drink it after? Drink it now.” And he shot back the liquid. “Now, I’m sorry, Ms. Rogers, but you must be returning to your own barracks. You will see Mr. Rogers tomorrow morning.”

You nod solemnly and get up to head to the door. Softly, you place your hand on Steve’s shoulder so that he’ll look at you.

“Just so you know, Stevie. I didn’t agree to go because I want to watch out for you. I agreed because you’re my brother and I’m not gonna let you get experimented on without me to be by your side. Besides, I can’t let you have all the fun.”

The corners of Steve’s lips turned up before he nodded his head in concession to you. You squeezed his shoulder before moving to open the door.

“You better try to get some sleep tonight, little brother. It sounds like we’re going to be in for a crazy day and you’ll keep me up all night with your worrying.” You called over your shoulder before disappearing after Dr. Erskine into the dark.

#Bucky Barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky x you #bucky x oc #bucky barnes x oc #sergeant bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes #the avengers #steve rogers #captain america #the first avenger #fanfiction #nicole-lynnefics #nicole-lynnerequests #steve rogers x sister!reader #steve rogers x sister #marvel #always come back to you

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mrneighbourlove · 4 years

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Into the Darkness and Unknown: Ch 8. Connection to Humanity

Malik had a stack of notes and letters ready to give to his family at the castle and to his wife. Although he couldn't send them, he dearly missed his wife and children. Asakonigei would be worried sick for sure. If they didn't have children, Malik would be worried she'd leave him. "Dear Asa. Today marks a month since the incident with the necromancer. Starting to grow a small beard, and I feel as so much more animalistic here. There is a sense of community amongst these monsters, a special sense of power being amongst the biggest predators. Although I've enjoyed it for a time, I miss the company of Zarazu, my forces in the castle, and especially you. I love you, my coal covered diamond. I hope to see your smile soon."

Finishing his latest letter, he placed it in the mail bag he had with the rest.

Leere arrived at the hut, gathering her supplies. One look at her and Malik could tell she was exhausted in both body and voice. "We're leaving."

"What? Just like that? What about our mutual friend of Hyrule?

"Yes. Bonegrinder may be unconscious for another month, maybe a year. And I know you have family to attend to. Let's not dawdle. This might take us a couple hours."

Malik watched in silence for a few moments at Leere quickly buzzing around like a bee, until he too slowly started to gather his things.

It was almost three hours later when Mother arrived. She looked... frazzled. And annoyed. "Forgive my lateness, I was currently trying to handle---" She nearly jumped out of her exoskeleton as Bonegrinder suddenly just flopped off her back onto the ground with a loud giggle. "... the situation."

"Hehehe, piggy back... piggy back rides!"

"Leere... what did you do?" Mother looked at the princess with knowing eyes. "Did you give him some of your magic?"

"Butts. Exo-butt. Exoskeleton ass." The Anagari was poking Mother's backside with his tail. "Hard ass. Get it? HARD ASS!!!" He snickered at his own joke. "Cause of the exoskeleton."

"Modoc, would you please quit that?"

"Aw. But it's a good joke!"

"Yes. I did. He's never been like this before when I've done it though." Leere, with her tiny body, tried to nudge a giant off a titan. "Hey buddy, why don't we stop climbing on the charming chimera lady eh?"

"But... HIC, he likes piggyback rides." Bonegrinder was still partly slumped on Mother. He tried to get his bearing and slithered forward, and wobbled back and forth before slumping on the ground, on his belly. "Dirt. This is dirt. Hrm... right, right, good dirt. Good dirt for mud wrestling."

"That's because I was giving him light energy and you gave him dark energy and there obviously was not a correct balance on either side." Mother ran her hand down her face. "And now he's... well... the best way to explain it is, he's drunk. Off a magic high."

"Why are you so tall?" Bonegrinder looked up at Leere. "You're supposed to be tiny."

"Modoc, can you slither?"

"But he likes it down here."

"Can. You. Slither?"

"The dirt is moving, it's hard to slither." The Anagari pouted.

"Kaksa give me patience..."

"Cause I'm a little human?" Leere, after so much stress at seeing him hurt and possessed, couldn't stop herself from snorting in amusement at his behaviour now.

Malik, however, shook his head. "Mother. Are there any others that wish to say goodbye?"

"I had the others write in this little book for you." Mother handed Leere two small notebooks, one for Malik and one for the princess herself. "It's their accounts of you. Their impressions. Goodbyes here are meant for never to be seen again. You will return one day."

"Nooo, you're... you... wait, you are hooman. Whadaya doing here?" Bonegrinder hiccupped once more. "Omisha is for Echidnans not hoomans!"

"You're going to take her home, Bonegrinder, you and Malik here."

"Who?" Bonegrinder then looked at the Gerudo. "Oooh..."

Malik rubbed his temple, moving to pick Bonegrinder off the dirt floor. "Thank you for your hospitality Mother. I look forward to our continued business together as allied nations. I'll make sure your 'boy' gets home."

Leere too, took Mother's hand, giving her a princessly kiss. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn. Until we meet again."

"Until we meet again." Mother then started to open the portal... while Bonegrinder decided it was the perfect time to hit on the Gerudo 'lady' holding his man tit, when really it was just a supportive gesture to keep him off the ground.

"Hmm, you're a fine piece of treasure you know that?" Bonegrinder grinned widely with as his tail slapped Malik's backside. "Come here and let him kiss you for good blessings from Sand and Stone sisters, yes? Kissing a Gerudo lady is good luck." He then grabbed the sides of the lord's face and smooched him for all he was worth.

Malik's face bloomed in a flush of light pink with furious fire burning inside his soul. His armour kept him protected on the breast and most of his ass, but there was nothing that could be done about the kisses. This was another reason to always wear a helmet. His gauntlets stabbed into Bonegrinder's skin as he put all his upper strength into lifting him, and all his lower strength into getting him through the portal back to Hyrule's underground. Leere couldn't help but break out into laughter as she gathered all the bags of material. Malik was absolutely livid by this point. "Quit your chortles and hurry through the portal!"

Leere quit her laughing long enough to look back at Omisha. The hot air and jungle atmosphere blew a silent wind. Did her coming her ruin something in the land? She shook her head to silence such a thought before it could grow into something more. Hurrying through the portal, the three of them returned to Hyrule. It was time she went back home.

There journey from a colourful, yet dangerous land, a very drunk Bonegrinder, an irate Malik, and a tired Leere found themselves in the dark underground of Hyrule's caverns under castle town.

"Where you going, baby doll?" Bonegrinder flicked his tail back and forth playfully as Malik spewed every curse known to man in ancient tongue, and spitted. The Anagari was still not acquainted to his equilibrium just yet. He wobbled, snickering the entire time. "He wants to tap that fine ass, come back here! We got to 'pray' to the sand and stone sisters, heeheehee..." He looked at Leere and asked. "Doesn't she have a nice ass? You have nice tits, and she has a nice ass. Bonegrinder has... he has... well, he has a big dick. Does that count as attractive?"

"Yeah. I've seen it up close big guy. Its certainly something. That's also a Gerudo male, not a woman Bonegrinder." Leere felt the least she could do was put Malik out of his misery.

"Oh..." Bonegrinder's train of thought was still processing the information. "Well... good thing he is bi or this would be a very teachable moment. Never judge the sex by the jiggle of ass cheeks. It's misleading."

"I don't think he is Bonegrinder. Perhaps you should lie down."

Before Leere could say anything else, with the speed of a minitour, Hades charged out of the darkness, his breath burning with cinders at the smell of Bonegrinder.

"My friend! You're back!"

"KITTY!!!" Bonegrinder suddenly latched onto the Lynel and petted his mane. Then he held his face and asked, "Has he ever... ever told you HIC how fluffy you are? Just so fluffy, and soft, and so cute..."

Hades stood perfectly still, allowing the master of the Hive to pet him, simply glad that Bonegrinder was unharmed. Taking in his behaviour, he growled deeply towards Leere. "What in the hell did you cause now?"

"He's just a little drunk off some magic. Now that he's safe and sound, I'm sure you and the rest of the Hive can entertain him."

The Lynel grumbled, fire snorting out his nostrils. "Get out of here. You're lucky that entertaining Bonegrinder is what the other members of the Hive have been longing to do just a week into his trip."

"Fluffy... fluffy baby!" Bonegrinder draped his long body across Hades' back, still messing with the Lynel's mane. "He thinks... he thinks you would look like... look like so ravishing with... with big braids. Big, long, braids..."

"Oh good goddesses, what happened now?" Red appeared from the shadows and levitated, looking at the master of the Hive. "... he's drunk. Must have been some party."

"Sex machine!"

"Well, at least he recalls who I am."

"And fluffy kitty."

"And who Hades is."

"Fluffy kitty, purr for Bonegrinder."

"Okay, let's get him back into his dwelling before 'fluffy kitty' has an aneurysm." Red waved goodbye to Malik and Leere. "We'll take care of him."

Leere was courteous enough to wave back while Malik aggressively applied a handkerchief to clean off the scent of Bonegrinder’s kisses. “Tell Blue and White I said hi. Oh. They should probably send a letter to their father and sister sometime.”

Walking together out of the Hive, Leere and Malik both released a heavy shared sigh. There were so much bizarre circumstances seen and felt within the last month. A personal take away was a deeper understanding of each other. Leere looked up to the Gerudo giant, smiling coly. “You know, he ain’t that bad a lover.”

“Please no.”

“What, you never thought of using that junk inside your trunk to fit tighter holes?”

“If you don’t quit it, I’m going to shove a rag into that mouth of yours.”

“That mean tight holes are still on the table.”

“You’re so immature.”

“You’re a tad uptight.”

“And you’re unbelievable.”

Both of them snickered, their chortle soon shared into a warm, soft laugh.

The princess jotted down in her mind what would need to be done as an ambassador to Omisha, if Mother still wanted her that is. Leere knew she made an impression on the monstrous woman, both good and some bad probably.

“Malik. We just simply going to walk into the castle chambers?”

“I see why not.”

Leere thought it over. “Want to take a bet?”

“Sure.”

“Zarazu is going to want to tackle you. Zelda or Rinku will squeeze me too tightly. Ralnor will cross his arms and squint his eyes wanting details on Omisha. Best he knows the capacity of our knowledge. I will make him furious when I say I was able to stay a night in Mother’s bed. Finally, your wife is going to kick your ass to the moon.”

Malik frowned in fear at that thought. That would be an inevitable conversation. “Oh lord you’re probably right.”

The man felt her pat the back of his armour, a cheeky smile on her face, yet a serene kindness from her energy. “Pretty sure she’ll break into tears for you though. People love you enough for that.”

“And you believe they won’t for you?” Malik looked downward, his gaze resting on her small frame. “You’re a very lonely woman Leere.” Before she could respond, Malik continued, “But you need not be. Your shadow stays close to people, watching over others. And like a shadow, you disappear in true darkness. You aren’t the type to reveal in it. Stop believing that darkness owns you. As a shadow, you can master it for good.”

Leere flushed slightly, unsure what to say in reply for a moment or two. “That’s... beautiful. No one has put me into words like that.”

“You don’t need to thank me.”

“Well... you can have it anyways. Thank you.”

“Heh. Don’t get sentimental on me. Come, I think we’re about to reach the castle’s secret entrance soon.”

Zarazu was in the middle of a meeting with a few of the council members. She loathed these meetings with a passion. Since Covarog was dealing with another diplomatic issue in Danjur, she was stuck here. Sometimes, she wished the old coots would go senile and forget about these monthly meetings. The queen was just about to bring forth another issue when Malik and Leere walked in... and her mouth dropped open.

Malik had placed his helmet over his head to keep up appearances as Lord of Hyrule. Finally able to breath the air of Hyrule once more, he waved to everyone in the room. “At ease.”

Leere smiled to her sister in law, tiredly placing the stacks of research on a desk close to her. “Greetings everyone. We didn’t interrupt anything too important?”

"... gone for a just over a month and hardly any word?!" Zarazu exclaimed as she rose from her seat so fast, her chair nearly toppled backwards. "What in hell took so long?! A 'hi, I'm not dead' would have been nice! That's for the both of you! Do you have any idea how worried we all were?!"

“Apologies my friend. There was an incident that left us stranded without transportation back to Hyrule, as well as a zero communication policy put into place.” From a bag, he handed her several letters. “It did not stop me from writing to you.”

"That's... that's... ridiculous!" Zarazu was angry, more so about the fact that there could have been something horribly wrong, and she had no way to help. "No location, no backup plan, no return date!!! We were worried sick! We had no way to find you! You know Asa is going to kick your ass. I'm tempted to give you a kick to the ass myself." The queen then glanced at Leere. "And you should know better. You had your brothers and sisters all worried that you were gone off on another journey never to return for another decade."

“Zarazu. I’m sure they can tell me that themselves. I wasn’t in danger of being alone. Malik and I looked out for one another.” Leere raised her hands in light defense. “We made a great deal of progress in learning about Omisha, as well as our relationship with the Echidnan people.”

"... as an order from your queen, the next time you two wish to suddenly disappear and go off on a month-long journey, you will leave a location, you will inform me or at least one of the family, and you will send updates." Zarazu was leaving no room for argument. "Am I clear? My king has enough stress upon him already, nor do I. This is not negotiable."

“Did Ralnor not tell you?” Malik knew damn well he didn’t, but he needed to let Zarazu know that information had been available to her. “My wife knew as well, but since we no longer live at the castle, I can understand about you being left in the dark.”

"Ralnor knew not where you were either. I asked him." Zarazu told Malik with a small huff. Of course, Ralnor would keep his place in this whole situation in the dark to his queen. Not that Zarazu knew. "And Asa knew you were going on a journey, but had no clue you would be so long!”

“I said Omisha to her.” Malik sighed, waving a hand to dismiss the other nobles to move on. “Zarazu, there are more important matters to discuss then my or the princess’ safety.”

"Fine... but if you do this again, I'm putting a locator spell on you both." Zarazu warned the pair but then turning to the old coots on the council. "I apologize, this is an emergency. I will return later."

"But... but we..."

"We will continue later." Zarazu then gestured to Leere and Malik to follow her to a more private area.

“I’d suggest that you summon your husband and other members of royalty.”

"Covarog is in Danjur, Tebanam is exploring ruins with Faris, Kanisa is in Uskar, Orana is on a trip with Corsaire, and Ralnor is actually on holiday, so you're stuck with me." Zarazu then sat in the office she shared with her husband, gesturing for Leere and Malik to sit.

“Very well.” Malik took his seat, and was brutally blunt with his next statement. The Queen needed to know the storm that brewed in the future for Hyrule. “We fought against a disciple of Teufel. The Demon tried to inflict a strike against the citizens of Omisha using the Mortuus that tried to assassinate you. It spoke to us through this disciple. Teufel is active, and he is dangerous.”

"... wow... okay... well..." Zarazu was not really sure what to say. "Omisha... the country of Echidnans. I really thought it was merely a myth. So it's all real... and Teufel is back." She took a breath, trying to rational her thoughts and what was possibly the best objective to do next. "One day, Teufel will be back. We don't know when, so we need to have our guard up. It could be now or later. Next, I think we need to establish a communication link with Omisha. We need to find out if there is a leader there and see if they are interested in perhaps combining forces or sharing knowledge of this Teufel being. Then next, I believe a diplomatic visit is in order, if the leader agrees... I might have to ask Ralnor to come back from holiday early. He knows a little of the Echidnans, and perhaps Teb will."

“We met their leader and established an alliance over the last month.” Leere added to the conversation. “Their leader is very protective of her land, so I don’t know if she’ll have just anyone over.” Leere presented notes and sketches of the island and different variants of Echidnans and their land. “They have many reasons to mistrust most humans.”

"Oh..." Zarazu carefully looked over the documents. There were pieces of history here that had been missing for thousands of years. There were answers to questions about... many issues. She was shocked. "Why..." The queen cleared her throat. "Why did you not inform me?"

Both of them held their tongues. Leere looked as though she was bound to a secret oath, which she was. Malik crossed his arms tightly, feeling the need to be defensive. “Zarazu, there are things in this world that are beyond your understanding to comprehend.”

"That I know, but this is not beyond my comprehension. This is simply just keeping..." Zarazu was trailed off and then became... quiet for once. More so than usual. It was not difficult for the queen to put two and two together. Malik, Leere... the pair of them were keeping something about this trip from her. "... tell me about Malus. I'm more concerned over demon-summoning necromancers than a country full of monsters."

The air lifted, that information being acceptable to share. “Malus, from what we gather, is a land both encased in evil, and possibly having innocents trapped within for hundreds of generations. As Lord, my professional opinion is to have a covert invasion of the country. Not even the Echidnans have ventured in the land. Notes taken were from fleeing Mortuus.”

"When?" Zarazu asked, keeping her eyes glued to the information on the country of Malus. From what the Echidnans provided, it did not sound too promising. "And is there any hint on to where the innocents might be? You cannot walk into a country like this blindly without a plan."

“In underground cities, and according to the last document, since the formation of your people’s monarchy.” Leere sounded somber. “It’s a very conflicting feeling. The first Mortuus I met in my adult life, and she turned out to be as evil as the Echidnans warned. Yet, if there are innocents, my heart goes out for them.”

Leere brought up a book she borrowed on Mortuus history. The first page she pointed out held an illustration of ten-foot-tall wolves. Next were sketches of demonic golems made of flesh. “According to old documented data, Malus is filled with bizarre monsters of all varieties.”

"Demonic possessions and flesh-stitched hosts for them to use for their time on this earth." Zarazu frowned, trying to think of any magic she knew to protect the kingdom against the evil in Malus. "You've certainly done enough research."

Malik tapped a pen on the desk, writing a recommendation. “Zarazu, you should know I will be taking charge as lead negotiator to Omisha.”

"You?" Zarazu shook her head, thinking he simply had forgotten. "Malik, a member of a royal family is supposed to take lead of negotiations for new alliances. Ralnor is the one who told us of Omisha's interest. He should be the one to take charge." She then reminded him. "What we have with Al-Daida is due to Tebanam, with Danjur thanks to Orana, with Uskar kudos to Kanisa, Labrynna was cemented long ago and Covarog handles that, so Ralnor should be in charge with Omisha. He's already submitted paperwork for the job."

“No. Ralnor is a liar and a manipulator. His role is here, in Hyrule. It is he who has kept you in the dark for so long about Omisha. It is he who held Leere and I to secrecy. A secret he’d have preferred hidden had we not discovered Echidnans so close to Hyrule....” Malik kept his voice calm, steady, yet forced his hand in the matter. “As Ganondorf’s blood relative, I too have claim to royal status. Leere has proven herself most effective in forming a bond with the heart of Omisha. It’s people. Ralnor might be Mother’s choice, for that is ultimately up to her, however, her and I have already agreed to being the most concrete link in negotiations.”

Zarazu was getting irritated word by word that came out of Malik.

"Okay, I don't know what is going on between you and Ralnor, but it stops. Like, right now." The queen had nothing negative from her husband's brother about the ex-commander. If anything, Ralnor had been nothing but courteous, singing Malik's praises for doing such a wonderful job. Yet, all Malik seemed to do was bash Ralnor's name. She was getting very tired of it. "I've heard you drag his name through the mud over and over, and not once has he said one word against you. I don't know what fight you two had, or if he was keeping a secret from you and it blew over, or if it's a dick size thing, but whatever the hell it is, right now, it stops." She then added, "In the dark about Omisha? Malik, if anything you were the one keeping me in the dark. Ralnor gave what all he had."

To prove her point, Zarazu fetched the files that Ralnor had dated... years ago... and placed them in Malik's hands. Unknown to the queen, she was playing the part exactly how the second prince wanted her to do so. Ralnor was a master manipulator, and no one could accuse him of such without the accuser looking like a fool in the eyes of others. He was that good. "I understand whatever conversation you had with this 'Mother' person is important, but as far as I'm concerned, Ralnor is the one who will handle affairs." Once again, the prince had been three steps ahead of Malik, portraying him to be the quote on quote 'bad guy'. "And if you and Leere wish to aid him in his endeavors, then you may do so. Though in the future, if you do wish to share what information you have, I'd be happy to hear it."

The queen of Hyrule then took a slow breath. She was already very incensed by the fact that there was information hidden from her. Ralnor told her that he suspected Malik was up to something, but she did not believe him. After all, Ralnor was always known for his paranoia. Yet, this time, he was right.

She then asked Leere, "You mentioned Malus has innocents trapped. Before you decide to go on this expedition, might I inquire as to how you are going to avoid detection if you wish to stay incognito?"

Malik was furious, yet he hid it well behind a cold, chilling anger. In an unexpected first against Zarazu, he completely pushed back, stopping the pale princess from answering. “Zarazu... your naïveté is exactly why I did not recommend you for a position in dealing with Omisha’s people. Ralnor will not be in the future of Hyrule’s head of negotiations with the leader of the Echidnans. You lack the fortitude for it, and him the heart. You can both take care in knowing I won’t step over your heads for long. It is your eldest daughter who will have a future with Omisha. Mother has declared it so.”

"And your temper is why you will not be handling any foreign negotiations as lead." Zarazu then told him in an icy tone. "If you're going to insult me and act like this, then there's the door. I don't care what this 'Mother' said right now, I am your friend but I am also your queen. If you cannot have the respect for me or my brother-in-law, then leave. I am so sick and tired of fighting, and I'm not going to do it anymore today."

“The choice, dear friend, is simply not up to you. It is destiny. I’m sure the leader of Omisha will find purpose for the three of us. But not you. You are my friend Zarazu... but given that the fates will bring death and war upon us soon with the very gods, I must look at the bigger picture.” Malik finished his recommendation. “I will train your daughter to be the best Gerudo Queen she can be. I also recommend you ally with the Kikai Empire and Danjur to liberate Malus. After recon of course. Now, if excuse me... I have a son, daughter and wife of my own to tend to.”

With no other word, Leere watched as Malik left the office. Spewing about destiny and so coldly calculating the future of Hyrule as if Malik himself was King did indeed worry her, but it wasn’t Leere’s place to judge him. That duty would be left to her brother and Zarazu. The princess took a few breaths, looking back to the Queen. “Any questions on your mind?”

"... many questions and so few answers, Leere." Zarazu ran her hands back there her hair, appearing to look so defeated. "I am tired, Leere. So tired of blame, of fighting, and arguing. I hate myself for wishing to escape back to Lorleidi. None of this," She motioned to her surroundings. "Existed there. No hate, no fighting, no... no having to look for the better in people. I simply knew it was there. But here, now?" The queen sighed. "I spent four hours arguing with those old coots in the council room about their apparent homophobia and how my kingdom would let love be love... and not one of them gave thought to any possibility of not being able to love who they love."

Leere gently took Zarazu’s hands, suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of emotion. Despite her getting along better with Malik, they only had a professional relationship. She was also surrounded with monsters that either tolerated her, completely mistrusted her, made her feel uncomfortable, or simply needed more time to get along better with. Touching Zarazu’s hands, someone that, sure, she didn’t know the best about on a day to day basis, but still respected and come to care for, made her cry. Her experience in Omisha with retrospect now horrified her, throwing herself into the darkest of secrets, finding out she was a sacrifice for a being that’d bring tyranny and chaos, losing trust in a friend she held close... her tears swelled. “Oh god... I’m sorry. It feels like years since I talked with someone else who feels human.”

"Oh, spirits, Leere, don't cry!" Zarazu looked alarmed at the princess' sudden tears. What brought on the waterworks?! She pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry if I made you upset! Please, don't cry, I was just rambling because Malik really knows how to push my buttons, don't cry for my sake!"

“No. Please. It’s just Omisha. It was... it was so much. I feel so old Zarazu. I learned and experienced... terrible knowledge.” Leere didn’t object to a deep hug, however. “Zarazu... you’re such a sweet soul. Please... if you want to learn anything I know, ask. I don’t care if Malik, Ralnor, or anyone else wants to keep a lid on things.”

"It's okay, it's okay... maybe questions later? I think right now, you just need a breather." Zarazu patted her back gently. "Heh, according to Malik, I'm a she-devil, Ba'puu is nothing but a pest, and Ralnor is Vul'kar's right hand. I'm only sweet to those I like. I guess you got lucky today, huh?" She said in good humor, trying to make Leere laugh. "... you want a sugar cookie? I hid a few cookie baggies in my desk."

“Zarazu... my birth parents set me up to be a sacrifice to Teufel.” The words escaped her lips, nearly broken getting out. The tears still kept coming. Leere sounded broken, like something in her soul was taken and violently snapped in two. “I found this out from a friend who only told me now after keeping this knowledge from me for years because he wasn’t right in his mind... Zarazu. I can’t leave Hyrule ever again... it’s that, or I kill myself.”

"... I... I don't know about all of this Teufel business, and I certainly have no clue about this friend of yours that likes to keep secrets, but..." Zarazu tried her best to choose the proper words of comfort. "I guess... sometimes secrets are kept to protect who we love. I've kept my share over the years. If this prevents you from leaving Hyrule, then... there's nothing wrong with just staying here a while until you're ready to fight. And when you are, I'll fight with you. Two old ladies... side by side."

Leere actually chuckled at that, drying her tears. “Friends name is Bonegrinder. Same person Malik and Ralnor know, though I’m sure they’ll deny it. Boys and their secrets, playing with power... Maybe, when he feels up to it, you can meet him one day. He came to Hyrule from Omisha actually, but due to privacy, he likes his isolation from most people.” A solid weight lifted off her chest. After meeting the people of Omisha, it seemed silly for Bonegrinder and the Hive to remain hidden. Out of continued respect, however, she wouldn’t fully disclose their location. “I’m sorry I cried. Malik failed to mention we fought demons as well, only three days in. I broke my leg in the fight, and saw things that I think my nightmares will enjoy.” One more thought to express on her mind. “Zarazu, what do you know of Gods of Balance, Creation and Destruction?”

"That's... well... uh..." Zarazu tried to formulate a response. She honestly did not know what to say. What could she say to make all of this better? "You're going to have to give me a bit to process all of that. More secrets, a reason to scold both Malik and Ralnor, you fought demons, got hurt, and a monster is leaving in Hyrule. I hope I didn't miss anything." The queen then offered the princess a few tissues. "Oh... let's see here. There used to be an old story that was told around the bonfires at might about a 'Mother Goddess and the Two Brothers'. There was even an old song with it, something about a prophecy. If I remember correctly, we received it centuries ago from a traveler." It suddenly clicked in Zarazu's mind. "... a traveler from Omisha."

“Indeed. Listen, if this trip has taught me anything, I worry more about humans than the actual monsters. Despite being cold and distant, perhaps not getting human connections or emotions, you don’t see Monsters ripping one another down for the sake of a power struggle.” Leere smiled, a fond memory making her feel better. “It wasn’t all distressing though. Met some children who I think I’ve helped break the bond of fear between humans and monsters.” She carefully showed the fine details of her sketch. “Met a wonderful chick named Solani. Must admit, I felt rather... motherly towards her.”

"All of this is a lot to take in for one afternoon... I think you and I will have to dedicate another afternoon to finish the rest of my questions." Zarazu gave a dry laugh. "Well, Leere, I mean, you'd be a great mom. You're wonderful with kids. All your nieces and nephews love you. If you don't want to get married, then why don't you adopt? Or you could always find a donor."

“Perhaps...” Leere settled her mind upon looking at the picture she drew of Solani. “I think the safest places I can be are here in Hyrule... or beside Mother. I would like to see Solani again, despite the risks of Teufel...” Closing her sketchbook, Leere left documentation on the Queens desk. “Be sure to get these copied after you’ve read them over. Didn’t fight the denizens of Hell so knowledge would go to waste. And tell you what. Soon as you finish up all the laws giving more freedom to gay rights, then I’ll settle down. Would you like tea with me over the weekend to continue our conversation further Zarazu?”

"Whatever you decide, it's important that you're happy." Zarazu agreed with a soft smile. "Tea sounds wonderful."

“Then I look forward to it.” Leere made her way out of the office, sighing to herself once out of earshot. She hoped she could sleep soundly tonight. Was staying in the unknown better, just as Bonegrinder forewarned? Only time would reveal that answer and more.

________________________________________________________________

Previous Ch. https://mrneighbourlove.tumblr.com/post/190931724986/into-the-darkness-and-unknown-ch-7-the-burden-of

Next Ch. https://mrneighbourlove.tumblr.com/post/610955133909614592/into-the-darkness-and-unknown-ch-9-into-the

#crossover #ridersoftheapocalypse #Omisha #Malus #Leere #Malik #Mother #Bonegrinder #Echidnans #Monsters #Love to hear comments!

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margarethelstone · 5 years

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That Hopelessness of Mine

She was weary, she was sick, she was completely unable to focus. She, the Astrid Hofferson, the most hard-working student the University of Berk had ever taught, suddenly appeared to be perfectly indifferent to what was happening around her. Her life was an utter mess – and a ridiculously handsome, green-eyed stranger was the last person she needed to meet.” Hiccstrid modern AU.

fanfiction.net / AO3

Chapter 4

“No, no, no… No!” she cried out in desperation a moment after her discovery, rummaging through her bag, frantically searching for the item she hadn’t even thought about half a minute earlier. "It has to be here! I put it inside this morning, and I had it with me at the University, it couldn’t just disappear. It must be here, somewhere!”

But it wasn’t.

Feeling herself on the verge of tears – again – Astrid grabbed her purse in both of her hands and turned it upside down, letting her belongings fall on the soft surface of the sofa, still fooling herself that it would allow her to find the wallet that was otherwise escaping her notice. She threw the empty bag on the floor right after and focused on going through its contents once more, and every next second just made her more convinced that it was indeed just another hopeless business.

“Alright, Hofferson, calm down,” she ordered herself eventually, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply, hoping to at least get her own nerves under control. She wouldn’t resolve anything in a state of such panic anyway. “Did I really put it in my bag in the morning? Wasn’t that yesterday? I don’t use the bus and I didn’t visit the library today, so I really might have missed the fact that I didn’t have the wallet with me. Oh, and I haven’t eaten anything for the entire day, either -”

You did down that huge coffee in the afternoon, though, and it certainly wasn’t Ruff who paid for it.

“Oh, shut up,” she answered her own mind that apparently decided that she didn’t deserve that last resort of hope she was clinging to so fiercely, as she plopped down on a chair and slouched, hiding her face behind her trembling fingers.

She knew she was naive to think of it in this way, but it was just too much. Why did it have to happen to her? Now, when she had finally found some peace, when she had allowed herself to relax a little, this had to happen, shattering all of the prospects of spending at least a few idle hours without stressing over how pathetic she was. Now, however? No chance she would get any of that.

Her money, her tickets, her ID cards – they were gone, all because she couldn’t have crossed half kilometre long distance without losing her balance and falling on the ground like the miserable idiot she was.

She jerked up her head, eyes wide in astonishment.

Certainly, she must have left it there! Just a few hundreds metres away, where her bag strap had fallen off. Maybe she was being childish and naive again, but if she hadn’t noticed the wallet lying anywhere close to where she’d stood, it was more than possible that no one else had. It must have landed between the rotting scrubs that she knew grew next to the footpath in that particular place, and, apparently, neither she or her saviour was perceptive enough to have noticed it earlier.

Of course, her own silly agitation at the time didn’t help with that.

In a sudden rush of energy, Astrid jumped from the chair and hurried to the door, barely remembering to put on her shoes and coat before she left. Her hair was still wet and tangled, and she still didn’t have a hat to put on her head, but it didn’t matter. Right now all she cared for was her phone, her keys and this little bit of luck she needed so much.

Still, her wallet wasn’t there.

Not on the pavement, not in the bushes, not anywhere close to either of them. Like with her bag earlier this evening, she searched and searched, checking every inch of the ground twice, praying that she would at least find her ID cards if nothing else.

Screw the money she thought, pretending like she didn’t care, screw the tickets, the photos, the slim, flat flash drive I never used anyway.

Screw the green-eyed, handsome jerks that made her lose her common sense.

“What is wrong with me?” she groaned as the realisation dawned on her, making her despise herself more than ever before, clenching her fists and kicking the kerb, indifferent to the pain that spread over her foot in result. “He took it. Of course he took it. He played his role of a decent guy, gave me back all of the worthless notes and pens and kept the only thing worth keeping. And to think I was grateful to have met him today!”

Oh, she wasn’t pathetic. She was just plain, plain stupid.

“Did I really blush and stutter for this?”

Or maybe she simply was both.

She groaned for what felt like a millionth time that day and returned to massaging her temple, desperate to at least soften the pounding headache that was only growing with the passage of time. She no longer tried to fight her anger, knowing that it was the last thing that still kept her from giving up to the final frustration – frustration that meant nothing but tears and resignation, not to mention even worse physical condition. So she kicked, and she hissed, and she kept cursing the previous encounter that had undoubtedly lead to her current state.

It had taken good few minutes and a couple of snorts before Astrid calmed down enough to make any sort of decision. She looked around in the last impulse of hope. Nothing was there – and she painfully realised that it would remain in that way, no matter how much she wanted it to change.

Her sigh was almost theatrical this time.

“I really should stop that,” she muttered under her breath, tucking her lose hair behind her ear, brushing away her fringe that was getting in her eyes. She was surprised it hadn’t frozen by this time but then again, not much made sense on this sad winter evening.

Some December that was.

Refraining from scanning the area again, the girl turned around and, slouched under the heavy blasts of the howling wind, she took the first of the many steps towards her apartment.

Alright, she thought as she walked past a group of students who must have just finished the last of their classes. Alright. If that’s how it must end, then so be it. The best I can do is to get back inside and call the bank, the police, or whatever institution that could take any interest in me losing my documents. And then it’s bed, and it’s for real this time, and I am not letting anything else get in my way again -

Goodness gracious, she almost sounded as if she’d had anything to say about this.

“I do,” she drawled through her gritted teeth, gaining herself a startled look from a very surprised passer-by. She ignored him completely. “I might be talking to myself, but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my mind, and until that happens, I’m the one deciding what and how to do about my life. And since I can’t do more than those calls, I won’t worry about it, not for a second longer. Good Lord, I really need some sleep.”

She reached to the pocket of her jeans in search of her phone, curious to see how much time this unplanned escapade had taken her, only to feel it buzz in her hand before she’d had a chance to have a good look at the screen. She frowned at the sight of her mother’s photo.

Ingrid Hofferson never called without a good reason.

"Mum? What's wrong?" she asked in lieu of a greeting, already sensing the familiar knot in her stomach that appeared every time she got nervous. Normally, a call from her mother would result in nothing but her surprise but feeling the way she did that day...

...she had already come up with the most terrifying scenarios.

"What happened?" she repeated before the woman on the other side managed to answer.

She heard her mother sigh in response. "Really, Astrid, can't a mother call her daughter without a reason?"

"You never do," was Astrid's quiet answer. She tried to sound calm but at the same time she was almost perfectly sure Ingrid already knew she was not. "We both know we're better off texting and you're always busy at this time of day. So, what's the matter?"

"Don't you be so sure, young Lady, or I'll make sure to call you every two days just to stir that confidence of yours. I may be getting old, Astrid, but it doesn't mean I don't know how to surprise my family. You should ask Dad."

"Mum," Astrid interrupted, the corners of her lips twitching. Her mother was way too cheerful - and naturally so – to be herald of any bad news and the girl felt herself relax at last.

"Fine," her mother muttered in a mock-offended voice. "There might be a reason this time. But I could still call you if there wasn't and there would be nothing special about it."

"Of course not," Astrid mumbled with a smile. "So, mum, are you going to tell me what that reason is or are you going to keep me in the dark until I burst with curiosity and beg you for details myself?"

She almost heard her mother grin. "That would not be an unwelcome change, you know. But as much as I'd love to hear you plead for anything, I don't have as much time as I wish, so I'll get straight to the point – do you or do you not recall meeting any tall, dark-haired, ridiculously handsome young man today?"

Astrid stopped in her tracks, astonished, unable to utter a word of response. Her mind was blank, except for one thought that kept ringing in it.

You've got to be kidding me.

"I – I don't" she stammered, somehow managing not to stop in her tracks as she did; again, the teasing expression that undoubtedly appeared on her mother's countenance was almost audible. "I mean, yes. What?"

"Well, well, looks like after twenty years of trying I've finally succeeded in rendering my daughter speechless," came Ingrid's merciless comment. "Even though I suppose it's mostly the man's in question doing."

"Why would you even ask me that, mum?" Astrid tried to regain some of her lost dignity. "This question itself is ridiculous, not to mention, awfully specific. So, why?"

"Because he's sitting in the other room as we speak. He came in about five minutes ago, claiming that he'd found your wallet on the pavement."

Now was the time for Astrid to halt.

"What?" was another educated exclamation of hers. "How?"

"He would not share any details except that he there when your bag fell on the ground and that even though you managed to gather most of it, you somehow missed the wallet – and that you'd left the spot before he noticed it himself. Now, I won't pester about how it's possible you didn't check for the wallet in the first place, because I know that things like that happen sometimes. What I want to know, however, is: how the heck could you run away from a man like this?"

Against herself, Astrid burst into laugh. "Mum, I swear, you're worse than Ruff sometimes."

"I suppose she already shared her thoughts on the subject?"

"Yes, and she was very straightforward about it, too."

"I knew there was a reason why I loved that girl."

Astrid chuckled again, and sighed. "Alright, your comments apart – why is he there? It doesn't make sense."

"I suppose he followed the only clue he had, which is the address on your ID. And as it happens, it's still your home address."

"Of course. But -" Astrid hesitated, feeling the sudden pang of guilt as she remembered all the accusations she had already made towards the guy who truly had done nothing but helped her. "You want to tell me he drove all that way to the suburbs just because of this?"

"Seems like it."

"Oh, brother."

She pressed her hand to her forehead. She felt so happy, and surprised, and a little lost for words, not to mention, more and more ashamed of how easily she had judged the chivalrous young man. And she still needed to decide what to do with the fact that said man was comfortably seated in her mother's living room.

"Okay mum, listen," she said eventually. "This is all wonderful news but if we don't make some decisions now, I will collapse on the ground from exhaustion in moments and nothing good will come for it anyway. I am too tired to come home today – so would you please just ask the guy to leave it with you for now and I'll come and pick it up tomorrow after classes? I'm sure he's dying to get rid of it, too."

"See, that's the problem," her mother opposed. "He seems determined to only give it back to you, personally."

Astrid felt her good mood die again. She did not feel like spending two more hours in a bus today. "Mum, it doesn't make any sense. Even if I wasn't tired, it would still take me way too much time for him to wait. I'd have to go back to the flat, get some money – I am sure he has better things to do."

"He doesn't want you to come, but to bring the wallet back to you."

"To me? Wait, you didn't actually give him my address, did you?"

"Of course not," Ingrid as well as snorted. "But he says there is no point in your coming here, since he needs to get to the centre anyway; he's pretty stubborn, you know. So... Maybe just name a place and I'll tell him to meet you there? Although honestly, he seems like the kind of guy that you could safely meet in your own flat. I wouldn't mind you seeing him like this, anyway."

"Mum!"

She heard her mother laugh openly then and only shook her head at her wonderful parent's antics. She resumed her stroll towards her block. "Okay mum, I'll tell you what: today has been horrible, and I feel like garbage, and I'm definitely not going anywhere right now – so if you could just send the guy to my flat, that would be great. And if he turns out to be a serial rapist and killer... Well, at least you'll know exactly how to describe him to the police."

#hiccstird #fanfiction #modern au #hiccup haddock #astrid hofferson #httyd

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aion-rsa · 3 years

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Spider-Man: No Way Home Trailer Breakdown and Analysis

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

It’s finally here. We truly never thought it would arrive for awhile. But sure enough, the first Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer has arrived. And just as you might have expected from the veil of secrecy that surrounded it, it would appear that at least SOME of the crazy multiversal rumors about this movie are true.

From its MCU multiverse shattering central concept to the presence of both Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus (with hints of even more characters yet to be revealed), Spider-Man: No Way Home looks like the biggest Marvel movie since Avengers: Endgame, and seems likely to set up future MCU Phase 4 projects, most notably Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

In other words, there’s a lot to unpack here. Here’s everything we’ve found so far. Oh, and just in case you haven’t watched it yet, here’s that trailer for you:

OK, now let’s get to work…

The Fallout From Far From Home

As we all remember, the previous Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: Far From Home had a rather shocking ending, and one that didn’t exactly leave Peter in the best place. Thanks to the machinations of Mysterio, Peter found his secret identity outed by J. Jonah Jameson, and the world now knows he’s really Spider-Man.

We see glimpses of this in the opening moments, with Peter seeming to have a combination celebrity/pariah status, and it’s negatively affecting MJ and Ned Leeds as well. One classmate this seems to be going well for? Betty Brant, who we briefly glimpse on a TV screen in the high school, presumably reporting on this whole mess.

One fun detail about this? MJ is reading the real world New York Post, which on its own isn’t funny (the Post is a rag…except for the sports coverage), but in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies the Daily Bugle’s logo and layout were clearly modeled on the Post‘s. Another subtle reminder that this isn’t the world of the Raimi movies, and that The Daily Bugle of the MCU probably spent the last five years telling people to take Ivermectin to bring their “snapped” loved ones back.

That headline says “Spider-Minions” and I’d bet the puppets on the webs are MJ and Ned. Zendaya’s “Yesss, my Spider-Lord,” is legit hilarious, though. Not sure why the sports page would say “pray for New York”…UNLESS it’s about Spidey’s favorite baseball team, the New York Mets, for whom prayers are not enough.

Later on in the trailer, we see Spidey and Michelle being hounded by new helicopters, so this isn’t going well. But they take refuge on top of a bridge which…

Peter! You better Spidey your ass right the hell down off that bridge right this instant! You know what happens when you bring your girlfriends to bridges. Knock it off!

Steve Ditko

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the fact that Steve Ditko co-created both Spider-Man and Doctor Strange and here they are sharing the screen in an impossibly mega-budgeted film. Ditko absolutely would have hated this for any number of reasons, but especially because he barely ever saw a dime from all the Spidey and Strange merchandise through the years.

Why am I bringing this up (aside from the obvious)? Because Ditko’s name is literally in the first shot of the trailer, as some graffiti on the wall behind Peter and MJ. I’m sure Mr. Ditko wouldn’t have approved of street artists like this, either.

Damage Control

We see Peter being interrogated by someone in law enforcement, and it’s clear that Mysterio’s frame job is sticking pretty well. But wait…look more closely at the insignia on this guy’s jacket.

He’s not an ordinary fed, that DODC stands for Department of Damage Control. Remember them from Spider-Man: Homecoming? These are the folks who get called in to take care of the messes after big superhero/supervillain battles.

Here Comes Daredevil?

While there’s no official sign of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock in this trailer, it sure seems like Peter could use a good lawyer right about now, and it’s hard to imagine a better time to bring in Daredevil, the most beloved character from Marvel’s Netflix era. Unless, of course, the faceless individual who slams a stack of files down in front of Peter is, in fact, Murdock.

Anyway, it should come as no surprise that Peter wants his secret identity back, and he’s already fought side by side with exactly the kind of guy who could help him do exactly that. Of course, the thing that reminds him of this are these Halloween decorations that look like if someone tried to describe Doctor Strange to Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan and then Happy went and whipped up some cosplay based on the description.

It’s kind of cool that this movie seems to at least partially take place around Halloween. The MCU Spider-Man movies have always had a particular sense of time that most MCU flicks lack (although yes, Virginia, Iron Man 3 is a Christmas movie). Spider-Man: Homecoming took place at the start of the school year in September, while Spider-Man: Far From Home was a summer vacation movie. Assuming the end of that film was late summer, Peter has been dealing with his new and hellish existence for anywhere from 60-90 days by this point in the trailer.

Paging Doctor Strange…Doctor Stephen Strange

Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Doctor Strange for the first time since Avengers: Endgame, and he appears to be doing well for himself. He does, however, seem a little too eager to help Peter by casting a spell that is meant to either just erase the memory of the world that Peter is Spider-Man, or perhaps as Peter puts it, make it so Mysterio never went public with his identity.

Hell, Wong even shows up to till him what a mistake that would be. And Stephen being Stephen he, well, he ignores the hell out of him.

Also worth noting that Peter trying to wish his troubles away via magic is ALSO the basic idea of one of the most hated Spider-Man stories in all of history, the loathed “One More Day” which undid Peter’s marriage to Mary Jane in exchange for the life of Aunt May.

The Broken Spell

Of course, leave it to Peter’s anxious ass to have second thoughts at the last minute. You see, he wants Aunt May, MJ, and Ned to remember the fact that he’s Spider-Man. On the one hand, that’s nice, and reminds us that Peter is a good kid who still feels guilty about deceiving his friends. On the other hand, look at the big picture, dude! You can just…reveal your secret to them after the fact!

Also…is something wrong with Doctor Strange? For one thing, he never should have agreed to this. But for another, it’s clear that something isn’t quite right in the Sanctum Sanctorum since it’s snowing indoors. Is Strange having trouble with his magic for some reason? Will this be one of the things we have to deal with in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?

The Multiverse

Anyway, Peter’s interruption screws everything up. How? That’s not entirely clear just yet. But it seems to be the nexus event that either sends Peter into other corners of the MCU multiverse or allows variants from other Spidey realities to start filtering in to the Sacred Timeline.

The Black and Gold Spider-Man Costume

The long-rumored black and gold Spider-Man costume seems to make its first appearance here. Is this a new suit Peter has whipped up, or is he Quantum Leaping into some variant form of himself elsewhere in the multiverse?

This scene also appears to take place in the charity where Aunt May works.

Get Ready for the Sinister Six

We get the introductions (well, re-introductions) of at least three villains in this trailer, and three is halfway to six, which can only mean that Sony has finally found a way to do that supervillain team-up Sinister Six movie they’ve been threatening us with for so long.

Electro

Is this lightning bolt blowing up police cars our first confirmation that Jamie Foxx’s Electro from the film we’d all rather forget, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, is indeed making his return here? There’s another shot that also makes me think this is more than just some multiversal storm.

Green Goblin

Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin is definitely about to make an appearance! That’s a pumpkin bomb, alright, and you can just barely hear his sinister cackle.

Doctor Octopus Returns

And, of course, the biggest applause moment in the trailer comes with the return of Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus, one of the great big screen supervillains of all time. Is his “hello, Peter” directed at Tom Holland’s Peter Parker? Or is possible that he’s addressing another Peter entirely…perhaps one played by Tobey Maguire?

In any case, this scene looks like it might happen right after that pumpkin bomb explosion, which would mean that Doctor Octopus and Green Goblin have already teamed up by this point. Who else might be joining them in battle? We’ll find out soon enough…

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Spider-Man: No Way Home opens on Dec. 17. The full schedule of upcoming MCU Phase 4 and 5 movies can be found here.

Want to point out a Spider-Man or MCU Easter egg we missed? Just want to freak out about how cool this looks? Let us know in the comments!

The post Spider-Man: No Way Home Trailer Breakdown and Analysis appeared first on Den of Geek.

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#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

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kat-lockhart · 6 years

Text

A Family Reunited

“Agh! Ya drooled on my arm! Ma! Kat’s in my room again!”

Kat dreamt of Cody often, even before she knew he had gone missing. He was an integral part of her happy memories, so when her dreams were peaceful, he was there to keep things interesting. However, when he yelled, it sounded distant, and then she felt herself falling. In that place between sleep and consciousness, Kat panicked. She was falling away and thought she would lose him forever.

Instead, she landed roughly on the wooden floor. She stared up, blinking blearily at the ceiling of her family’s farmhouse. While still fighting the fog of sleep, a cherub shaped face peeked over the edge of the bed. For as angelic as he seemed, Cody always wore an impish grin best.

“Mornin’ sleepy head,” he teased as he reached down to wipe his arm off on her nightshirt.

Kat still wasn’t completely convinced it was her brother. Following her first battle, she found everything just seemed like a dream. Even the small things, like the letter from Colton and the contents of the safe, were difficult to accept.

But, Cody.

Cody was a whole other animal. He had been missing for over a year. No one said it aloud, but it was commonly assumed that he had died during the Legion invasions in Westfall. No body was ever recovered, so Jane and Kat just went on hoping he was lost.

“Ya just gonna lie there and stare or get off your ass and give me a hug?” He pressed, still grinning at her.

Without any further prompting needed, Kat rolled to her feet and practically tackled her brother. She hugged him tightly and he did the same. They had always had a close relationship, the sort of siblings who expressed their familial love for one another without shame but fought like a cat and dog locked in a crate.

“We thought you were…” Kat wept as she held him.

“So did I,” Cody replied, holding back his own tears.

“What…what happened? What’dya remember?”

“I was takin a wagon to Westfall to get hay for the season and a pair of worgen jumped me just off the bridge. They roughed me up and I passed out, but I know I did some damage. Then I woke up in some fancy house somewhere and had a chat with that fuck Colton. I was kept there a couple days and then drugged. I woke up this mornin’ and you were droolin’ on my arm. Weirdo. AH! And now you are cryin’ on me. Why’re you so weird?”

Kat hugged him harder, not letting go as he squirmed. When he realized she wasn’t letting go, he started to hug her tighter. It was a game from their childhood, when they were told to hug and make up. They would hug each other with increasing strength until one finally tapped out. It was a game of balance, because neither sibling truly wanted to hurt the other, but they both wanted to win.

“Alright! I yield,” Kat yelped.

Her body ached from the effort that had gone into Cody’s rescue. The only actual injury she sustained was from getting tossed back by the shadow entity and some minor scrapes from her underclothing burning up during her efforts to destroy the void effigy.

“So, you don’t remember anything else? Like what you talked to Colton about? Or how long you have been gone?” Kat asked as she moved back to sit on the edge of the bed.

“Well, all that ain’t really like a memory. It’s…like a dream? Maybe? Like I knew I was gone a long time. Felt like a lot longer than it probably was, though. It was like my eyes were always closed but I could kinda see light and sorta hear voices. I was scared most of the time, but never too scared to keep faith. When I would start to pray, everything would go completely black again. I thought it was the Light leavin’ me. That’s what was scary.”

Kat caught Cody in another hug, shaking her head.

“Relax, sis. I didn’t lose my faith. After all, my prayers were ultimately answered, right? I knew if anyone would come get me, it’d be you. You’d get outta jail and start fightin’ the world to find me,” he laughed as he pushed her back slightly.

Kat laughed softly and wiped away her tears. Through all their fighting over the years, there was an unspoken rule between them.

“No one messes with my brother, but me,” she replied.

“And no one messes with my sister, but me,” Cody repeated back. “Now tell me what you’ve been up to. Who was the guy carrying me out of the dark?”

“Now just hold on a minu—” Kat started to protest, until she realized he was being figurative. “Oh! That was Robar FitzWalter. One of the advisors to Lord Darsa Carrington, the Earl of Stonebrill.”

Cody blinked dumbly at her before waving his hands and shaking his head.

“Slow down, now. A what to who of who?”

Kat laughed. She had a feeling that her new relationship with nobility would shock her brother. She basked in the light of the upper hand a moment before rolling back to explain.

“So, after I got outta jail, I had a hard time findin’ a job, thanks to the fuckers who took you.”

She paused when Cody gave her a look, as if to say he would be telling their mother that Kat was using strong language in the house. She waved him off and continued on.

“Well, one day, Harris and I were just slummin’ around in Old Town and this fancy dressed guy comes stormin’ past. Harris tried to rob him and got his ass royally handed to him. I didn’t try nothin’ so he bought me a meal and a drink and we talked about what I was goin’ through. Well this guy, Lord Darsa Carrington, decided to give me a job as his smelter.”

“As time went on, he took offense to the Brothers’ actions and started a war with them. He’s had people watchin the farm and has…well basically saved my life.”

It was a hard admission to make to Cody in that moment. She didn’t want to tell him about the things that happened or the things she was considering, so she just blurted it out and pressed on.

“Last night, we put an end to all of it. Cause, the gang I was a part of turned out to be a cult. They were keepin’ you to be some sort of vessel for their god.”

Kat watched him carefully to see how he took the news. He nodded slowly as he drank in the details and was silent for several moments before smirking.

“So, your sweet on this Lord are ya? Or you plan on poppin’ him in the nose like you did Ricky when we were kids.”

Kat rolled her eyes and slugged Cody in the shoulder.

“Stop being such an ignoramus.”

“Oh ho! Big word for such a small girl.”

Kat groaned and rolled her eyes again. This was life with Cody, though, and she knew deep down that she would take life with him over life without him any day.

“Come on. Ma’s probably baking up a storm to take her mind off letting you sleep. She was so worried when we got home cause I carried…OH YEA! I carried your hefty ass up these stairs after fighting a Void god! You’d thing you woulda lost some damn weight,” Kat jeered. “You owe me sooo big.”

Cody fell back on the bed howling with laughter. When he sat back up he leaned over to lay a smacking kiss on his sister’s forehead and hopped out of bed.

“I don’t owe you nothin. It’s your job, remember?” He teased as he moved out of the room.

Kat sat on his bed and marveled at how normal it all felt. She was waiting to wake up, to realize that her worst fears about Cody’s return were all true. She expected to wake up kneeling at his bed and find him tormented by unspeakable horrors. She pictured him to be an unrecognizable husk of the man he once was. She sat there and waited for the worst.

But it never came.

“Kat. Get your ass down here or Ma’s gonna hover me to death!”

“Cody Tristan Lockhart! Swear jar,” Jane chided.

Some things would always be in a state of change, but the precious things, the things Kat’s happiness were made of, never seemed to change.

[ @darsacarrington for mentions. I swear, Mal will get her credit too!]

#story #storyline aftermath #cody lockhart

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taronfanfic · 6 years

Text

Graduate’s Escape

Chapters 1-20 are here

Chapter 21

“Taron! No. Stop! You don’t understand, there’s a branch that’s-ouch! - right between my legs!” You protested and laughed at the same time as you were squished into the corner of the lift up to Taron’s apartment by the Christmas tree.

“First time I’ve heard you complain about something hard going between your legs!” He flirted back.

“Filth!” If it were possible you’d have kicked his leg, but you had to wait to get your revenge. Once the tree was safely inside and secured in the stand you decided to put your plan into action. You raided Taron’s shelf of spirits and started to mix up enough for two pint glasses.

“Your job has some seriously good advantages! What are you making us?” Taron asked as he watched on from the kitchen doorway.

“Well it’s not exactly how it’s meant to be, but it’s close enough.” You passed a glass over to him and started to laugh to yourself “Long Island Iced Tree.”

“Terrible… just terrible.” He shook his head and groaned before taking a sip. “The drink is amazing though! Ahh this is going to be fun!” The childish excitement returned to his face as he looked back to the piles of decorations and boxes of lights which were scattered over his sofa.

“You’ve got Christmas music, right?” You asked.

“All the classics, to which I will be singing along!” He cleared his throat and grinned at you, pleased to have an opportunity to show off his talent.

“Good. Every time you get a lyric wrong you have to drink though.” You set the challenge, not fearing the quality of your own voice in comparison to his now the alcohol had started to hit home.

“Oh! Christmas drinking games, eh? How about we up the stakes and have to remove an item of clothing too?” Taron smirked at you as he backed away towards his speakers.

“You’re on!” You were feeling very confident about this one, especially when Taron was already well into his drink without even realising it. The voice of John Lennon filled Taron’s apartment as Happy Christmas started playing. Taron was watching you closely as you both started to sing the first verse word for word, waiting for the other one to mess up. “This tree isn’t going to decorate itself!” You managed to fit in over the top of the choir section.

“Not the lyrics. Drink!” Taron immediately replied as he pointed to your glass.

“Fuck!” You swore before taking a sip. “Wait, those weren’t the lyrics either! You too!” You gently poked his arm.

“Okay, okay, general conversation doesn’t count from now on then. That was a practice round!” He bent the rules to his own advantage and gave you a quick kiss before you could object. Do They Know It’s Christmas? was the next song on Taron’s playlist and you both sung along happily whilst wrapping the lights round the tree. All the popular classics were coming out first and neither of you had to worry about lyrics. Everyone knows all the words to Slade, Wizzard and Chris Rea!

“I’m impressed!” You commented as you stepped back to admire how the tree was looking so far.

“Me too, you’re still fully clothed!” He wrapped a piece of tinsel round your neck and pulled you in towards him so he could kiss you again. He was a tactile person anyway but so much flirtier once he’d had a drink. The infamous piano chords of A Fairytale of New York broke apart your kiss and caused Taron to cheer. “It was Christmas Eve, babe.” He started to sing and sway, deliberately slurring his words to match. “I’ve got a feeling, this year’s for me and you. So happy Christmas, I love you baby…” He gave you a deliberate look as he sang along and you knew you were both thinking the same thing. It doesn’t count, it’s just lyrics. It didn’t stop your heart from skipping a beat though, or your stomach from flipping. The thought of him saying it again made you blush and you turned away. You’d got caught up in the moment and totally missed your first line. “Ooooh!” Taron jeered. “Take it off!”

“Shit!” A large gulp of your drink was taken and you pulled your Christmas jumper off over your head. Time to refocus. As you belted out the chorus with your arms outstretched in the air you climbed up onto the end of Taron’s sofa ready for the insults. “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot, happy Christmas your arse, I pray God it’s our last!”

“Bloody nailed it!” Taron called out as he happily finished his drink without getting a single line wrong so far. “Another?” he asked as he held his glass out towards you.

“How have you finished that already, Mr. Fully-Clothed-Word-Perfect-…Gorgeous-Bastard!?” It was safe to say you were feeling the effects of your drink by now as you stumbled down off the end of Taron’s sofa and back towards the kitchen.

“Gorgeous Bastard?... I’ll take that! So what do you fancy?” Taron took hold of your glass and downed what was left in it.

“You.”

“Apart from me… Something a little less strong perhaps?” He reached out to the doorframe to steady himself as his drink started to catch up with him.

“But I like that you’re strong.” The filter in your mind was once again long gone. “Means we can try out all the best sex positions.”

“Oh really…” He raised his eyebrows suggestively and was just about to continue his train of thought when you jumped in first.

“I’ve got it!”

“Got what?” Instant confusion fell across his face as he followed you over towards his speakers.

“The Twelve Days of Christmas! From 12 – on you go. Sing! On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me…”

“Twelve… Lords a-leaping? Shit, I don’t know!”

“Wrong! Take it off!” You pointed to his Christmas jumper and played out the correct line whilst he pulled it up over his head.

“Eleven… Lady’s dancing?”

“Wrong again! Off!” His t-shirt was gone.

“Ten… Pipers piping?”

“That was 11, you’re not evening listening now! Off!” you pointed to his jeans.

“No! I’m panicking because I don’t fucking know what’s next!” He scrambled his way out of his jeans, hopping about on one leg as he tried to keep his balance. “Nine… Drummers drumming?” You doubled up with laughter at his poor attempt.

“Wrong!” He took his socks off and was left standing before you in just his boxers. “Come on, you must know 8!”

“Maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, six geese- do I really have to do the whole lot?”

“Mmm, no, come ‘ere.” You bit down on your bottom lip as you stepped up to him and wrapped your arms around his neck, kissing his lips messily.

“There are easier ways to get someone naked, y’know.” He teased. “Like this…” His hands lifted the hem of your t-shirt and you raised your arms as you allowed him to undress you. The clasp of your bra was no trouble for him, even whilst reaching round behind your back. He slipped the straps off your shoulders and ran his hands down to the curve of your hips, catching his fingers in your belt loops and using them to pull you in against his chest. The silence in his apartment was suddenly deafening as you gazed into each other’s eyes, both stood still pressed against one another. You traced your fingers across his collar bones and up the side of his neck to his jaw, teasing his lips forwards to yours. There was a desperation seeping through with Taron’s kiss. He was forceful and playful, moving quickly to break away from the tense atmosphere you’d created. “Let’s go.” He picked you up over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift and carried you through to his bedroom, giving your arse a slap on the way.

Taron yanked the duvet from the top of his bed and then dropped you down into the centre. He pulled his boxers down and then your jeans off and you had a flash of déjà vu to your first night together. He couldn’t take his eyes off you and couldn’t resist touching himself as you lowered your knickers in front of him.

“God, you’re so sexy.” Taron mused as he climbed up over you, planting random kisses to your body on his way.

“I need you.” You responded in a hushed voice as you dragged your fingers down his back and over his arse. As your lips connected again everything was heating up. Your bodies moved together, hands touching and caressing every part of each other whilst your tongues swirled and licked wildly. Taron was rock hard against you but he didn’t show any sign of breaking off the kiss yet. Tonight wasn’t going to be a quick one.

You were the one to pull back for breath, running your fingers through the back of Taron’s hair to make sure he stayed close. Pausing like this gave you chance to take in every tiny detail in the colouring of his eyes. You switched your focus to the warmth of his hands, one slowly drawing circles against your back and the other now resting on your upper thigh. You kissed him again, much much slower, letting your lips linger against his. It was time you took control. As you moved down his body he relaxed his arms from around you and lay flat out on his back. You wrapped your fingers around the base of his cock and licked up the underside with the tip of your tongue causing him to whimper. A quick swirl round the tip and he took a sharp intake of breath. You engulfed him and inched your way up and down putting your gag reflex to the test as you tried to take as much of him as possible.

“Oh fuck.” He swore out in pleasure as he stroked your hair away from your face so he could watch you take him. You looked up at him as you sucked his end, licking and kissing and teasing him in every way you could think of. “Y/N.” he moaned your name in encouragement. “Oh god! Y/N.” he was louder this time and it turned you on knowing he was loving every second of this. You took him deeply again and knew he wouldn’t last much longer. You could already taste him.

“Well held.” You praised him as you left him right on the edge. His head dropped back to the mattress as he sighed.

“Don’t even touch me, or I’m gone.”

“It’s tempting…” You teased, “But I was hoping you’d fuck me first?” The aroused moan that came from Taron was the only answer you needed.

#taron egerton #Taron Egerton Fanfic #taron egerton fanfiction #Taron x reader #Taron #taron imagine #taron egerton imagine

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sprnklersplashes · 6 years

Text

I Can Be Your Hero (chapter 4)

The buzz around the Swan had refused died down in the weeks after her fight with Fiona. There had been no more attacks form mutated lightening monsters for Emma to take down, so her outfit remained hanging in her wardrobe. She hadn’t even taken it out for a quick fly around the city, despite the fact she remained itching to get out there. It was making her restless, like something else inside of her was pushing to get out, her Storybrooke side. After being suppressed for so long, it was saying ‘not again, don’t push me out again’ and she wanted to listen to it.

Even though the Swan hadn’t resurfaced in the last weeks, her fanbase hadn’t. The city made the most of it; putting up a plaque at the place where she had taken down the Black Fairy and at the Wonderland apartments, selling t-shirts with her logo on it (that made her a little uncomfortable, but she could get by), mugs with her face on it (which Isaac in her office had and she nearly had a heart attack). She saw little girls posing heroically in the spot where she had defeated Fiona and she had admitted to Elsa that night, that was almost as rewarding as saving the city.

Killian had gotten more than a day off for his achievement of taking the photo. He had been in a few local news interviews, all desperate to get the story from the man who saw the Swan in the flesh and had met the Mayor. There were even rumours of him being considered for a Pulitzer.

She joked to him at the coffee machine that it was a marvel his head even fit on his shoulders any more.

“All I did was snap a lucky picture, Snow,” he pointed out. “Honestly if anyone should be meeting the Mayor it’s this Swan woman. Who seems to have disappeared into thin air.”

“Well, I’m sure she’ll appear once a new crisis emerges.” She giggled to herself as she sipped her coffee.

“Well if she can keep getting me raises and fame, she can stick around as long as she liked,” he joked. “Plus, I’d like to see her back again. She was…. Inspiring.”

“Inspiring?” Emma smiled, ignoring the sense of pride flowing through her as she and Killian made their way back to her office.

“Well who wouldn’t be inspired by her?”

“Mr. Gold,” Emma huffed. Mr Gold seemed to be the only one who was not a fan of hers. For every positive interview or article about her, he Tweeted three negatives.

“Yes, well he is so up his own arse he expects everyone to call him Mr.” Emma choked on her coffee as she laughed. She leaned against her desk, throwing her hair back, not wanting this conversation to end. “Since when did the opinion of one single misogynistic douchebag matter?”

“I’ll drink to that,” she chuckled, toasting him with her coffee. Killian blushed slightly and looked around the room, licking the corner of his mouth slightly.

“And I am in your office. Where I should not be.”

It was like a spell had been broken. The light feeling in Emma’s stomach disappeared, that sensation of being weightless and carefree that she had had since she started talking to him. She straightened up suddenly and gave him an awkward smile.

“Well, thank you for walking me up,” she offered.

“I suppose I should return to my hovel now,” he said. He gave her a nod and turned to leave but was met with Zelena walking out of her office.

“You,” she said. “You don’t go here.”

“No, Miss West, I am on my way to my studio now,” he replied, but she waved his hand to dismiss him.

“No, stay here. I have an announcement that concerns you,” she said. He nodded and stepped back towards Emma, raising an eyebrow at her.

Zelena clapped twice, sharp and quick, and her employees snapped up to her attention.

“Mr Gold has decided to host a gala on Saturday night for his company to celebrate 50 years of him lording his wealth that Daddy gave him over the rest of us and, as per usual I have been invited. Emma, as my PA I need you to attend.” Emma looked over at Graham, mouth open. Zelena had never invited her to go any fancy parties with her. This was unusual indeed, but she wasn’t objecting. “Graham, you’re coming too, I like you and you’re one of the most respectable people here.” Graham smiled, clearly content with that remark. “That’s not exactly a compliment when you think of who works here.” His shoulders drooped, and Emma mouthed an “ouch” at him. “And you, photo man, Kieran.”

“Killian,” he corrected.

“Yes, you’re coming too. You make us look good. Plus, you took photos of the Swan, so your presence will probably piss him off. You three check your emails for the details I’ve forwarded them to you. And the rest of you…. Work harder. Then maybe you can be invited places.”

She turned and marched back into her office, the door clicking behind her, leaving an air of annoyance and excitement among her employees.

“Well, now. Guess us three lucky ones better get ourselves cleaned up for this shin-dig,” Killian said, looking from Emma to Graham. “Hard work pays off.”

“Yeah, you two get that, I got ‘you have to go because you’re my PA’,” Emma reminded him.

“And that makes you the most important player in the game, Snow,” Killian said. “Well I really must be going but I will see you two in all your finery on Saturday.”

He winked at Emma and strutted out the door. Emma pressed her cool hand to her face to try to force the red to leave, telling herself that she was simply overwhelmed with the excitement of the gala. Nothing else.

*****

Emma made her way down to the water cooler with her now empty sports bottle. Elsa had been leaving not so subtle hints that she wanted her to drink more water since they were teenagers but now that Emma was an official superhero, they had become more frequent and somehow more passive aggressive, to the point of buying her a Snow White themed sports bottle from the Disney store.

“We must stop running into each other lass,” a familiar voice joked behind her as she filled up her bottle. Emma couldn’t stop herself from smiling as she turned to face Killian. “Anyone would think you’re doing this on purpose.”

“Me?” she laughed. “You’re the one who keeps running into me.”

“Aye, that I do.” The look he had in his eyes made her stomach flip. She was so sure she imagined that interested look in those blue eyes, like he was fascinated by her. She rubbed the back of her neck and stepped aside to let him use the water cooler.

“So, how goes work up here?” he asked. He was taking his time with filling his plastic cup.

“Oh, you know, I’ve been on my feet all day and Zelena has me sending e-mails faster than one could receive them,” she sighed. “Yourself?”

“Well it’s a bit slow down here,” he confessed. “But here’s to demanding work.” He tapped his plastic cup against her sports bottle.

“What do you even do when you’re not out taking pictures of superheroes?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Well,” he began, cocking his head and smiling. “Mostly adding edits to the pictures, making sure they are the top quality that our good magazine deserves. Or indeed e-mailing our lovely journalists photos they need or asking what they need photographed. Or on the phone to some company that I need to convince to let me photograph something or other.” He ran his long along his bottom lip, sending a shiver down Emma’s spine, and straightened up. “Tell you what, love. If you’re not busy and you’re really, really interested in the art of photography, maybe I could take you down there and let you see how exactly I work my magic.”

His offer completely threw Emma off-guard. There was nothing dishonest in his face-and Emma was excellent at spotting a liar. He just seemed to wish to spend some time with her.

And she’d have been lying to herself if she didn’t want to do the same.

Plus, it was an extra five minutes out of the office.

“What do I have to lose?” she chuckled. “Five minutes?” With a triumphant smile, Killian offered her his arm and led her down to his photography studio.

The studio was messier than it was the last time she was in it; candy bar wrappers and empty water bottles littered the desk, two hoodies were strewn across two different chairs and the bin was overflowing.

“Yes, pardon the mess,” he stammered, lifting one of the hoodies and wringing it in his hand nervously. “I had forgotten about the disarray it was in and hadn’t thought about it when I invited you over.”

“It’s no worse than my own apartment,” she said. His shoulders immediately dropped at her words, a sigh escaping his mouth.

“Come, let me show you what I do,” he said, sitting at his laptop and pulling a chair over for her. He brought up the image of the Swan from a few weeks back, with her fight with Fiona. Emma prayed desperately that her blush would leave, and pulled her hair into a ponytail. “This is the picture before I got my pretty little, uh…..hand on it.” And went into his folder and brought up the image Emma recognised form the cover. It was zoomed in on her, more focussed, her hair lightened, the strain and weariness on her face visible, but her posture stood out as she stood victorious. The lines around her family crest were sharper, making it stand out and drawing her eye. She felt a surge of pride in her chest knowing that people would see that on her. She blinked away her tears furiously.

“So, you make the photos look better?” she asked as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

“Not just better, cover-worthy,” he said. “Make it sharper, play with focus, amp up the colours and voila.”

“So you’re a glorified photoshopper?” she teased, thankful her eyes had dried.

“Oh I am much more than that, Miss Snow,” he replied, but he still had that easy going smile, that relaxed posture. “I am the one making these photos look engaging. I am the man who makes people stop and look at us. I am the reason this whole business is running.”

“Okay, now someone’s being cocky,” she smirked, shaking her head.

“Well, of course Zelena makes some contribution. As does her personal assistant, without whom she would be floundering.”

“And now you’re buttering me up,” she sighed, standing up. “Well I should get going.”

“Of course. Wouldn’t want to company to collapse because you weren’t there to forward on Zelena’s emails, would we?” Emma rolled her eyes as she made for the door. “I’m being serious.”

“You’re being sweet,” she called over her shoulder. “And it’s appreciated.”

“And if you ever need a refuge, you know where to find me.”

Emma couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she walked up to her floor, and she didn’t try to either.

******

Graham straightened up as he saw Emma walk through the door, blonde hair now pulled back into a ponytail. He commanded that his heart stop its incessant pounding as she took her seat across from him.

This was it. This was the moment he had been building up to for six months. The day he finally took the plunge and asked Emma out.

He had been crushing-no, not crushing. He refused to use the word “crush” to describe Emma. He wasn’t a lovestruck schoolboy staring at a girl as she passed him in the hall. He had had feelings for Emma for six months now and for the last two months, had convinced himself at every opportunity he could he’d ask her out. He’d gotten tickets to some play, some band was coming to town, a new restaurant had just opened. And yet at every point he had chickened out.

But now, Zelena had gifted him with a golden opportunity. The gala. She would be there, he would be there, a black suit and tie event. All he needed to do was officially seal the deal and ask her as his date.

“Where have you been?” he asked, noticing how she seemed lighter than she was when she had left. Happier. That water break must have done wonders for her.

“Oh you know, taking in the wonders of the water cooler.” She still had that open, dreamy smile on her face and Graham’s plans halted in his mind as another possibility took over it. “I talked to Killian for a bit.” It was as if Emma had read his mind and wanted to confirm it.

She was sitting there with a ridiculously cute and happy smile on her face, she was practically bouncing, and her cheeks were still pink.

Graham sighed inwardly and turned to his computer, disappointment crashing over him. Even if Emma hadn’t admitted it to herself, she clearly had feelings for Killian. And what kind of friend would he be if he made her turn away from them?

******

Anna lifted two more dresses off the rack, not even the sale rack, and skipped off to the dressing room, Emma rolling her eyes and following in tow. When she had agreed to a day out with Anna to go dress shopping for the gala after work, she had expected to find one cute enough dress in the first shop they went to. This was the third and Emma still hadn’t found one she liked, and Anna approved of, the latter of which was infinitely more difficult. Her feet were aching and her legs were practically jell-o at this point. She half-hoped for another burning building.

But even with her weary muscles, Emma couldn’t stop the small smile on her face as Anna flitted through the store to the dressing room, humming some kid’s song under her breath and pausing to look at some multi-coloured knitted scarf. Anna was Anna, crazy and bubbly and distracted as she was, and Emma wasn’t sure she’d want her any other way.

“Okay try this one on first.” Anna thrust a soft blue number into her arms and shoved her into the changing room before she could even protest. And to Emma’s utter dismay, she shook her head when she came out.

“Anna, we’ve been doing this for hours,” she complained.

“An hour and a half,” Anna corrected. “But I have a really good feeling about this one.” She threw a short red one at her and motioned for her to go back into the cubicle. “I’ll make it up to you!”

“You better.”

The red one really was better. The skirt reached to her knees and was loose enough to be comfortable but not so much that she worried about a Marylin Monroe incident. The dress was sleeveless with a low neckline, decorated with sequins.

“Emma, come on,” Anna called from outside. When Emma padded out to her, Anna gasped. “This is it. This is the one.”

“It is?” Emma could have danced. “We’re done?”

“Yes we are,” Anna chuckled. “Hurry up and pay, Elsa’s ready to meet us at the Starbucks up the street.”

After changing, Emma linked arms with her sister and made her way to the counter.

******

The night of the gala, Emma was adding in some red earrings and strapping up some black high-heeled sandals that she had kept in her closet since her college graduation. Anna had been around earlier to apply make-up and she had outdone herself with a smoky black and grey eye-makeup and red lipstick.

Graham’s knock at the door was perfectly timed; she had just finished strapping up her shoes. She opened the door to find Graham in a full tux, a pretty big change from his usual shirt and jeans routine.

“You clean up well, Humbert,” she teased, adjusting the hem of her skirt slightly. Graham on the other hand couldn’t seem to close his mouth.

“You look amazing, Emma,” he muttered. Emma shifted uncomfortably when she saw red spread across his face and decided to get their night moving, hoping to cut through the dense atmosphere.

“Come on,” she said, offering him her arm. “I need you to help me down these stairs in heels.”

******

Graham let out a low whistle as he followed his sat-nav’s directions and pulled up outside Gold’s mansion, where the gala was being held. A red carpet led right up to the double doors of the massive red brick house, French windows decorated with fairy lights and photographers flashing their cameras, making Emma dizzy. Briefly, she wondered if Killian was among them.

As Graham helped her out of the passenger seat, Zelena’s black car pulled up next to them. How she managed to keep it looking new despite the fact she owned it for years was a mystery to Emma. She stepped out in a tight black dress and stilettos, her hair pinned up in a bun with emerald hairpins.

“Miss West,” Emma greeted, not entirely sure what to say.

“Emma. You look nice,” Zelena said. “Come on.” Before Emma had a chance to respond, she was walking in the direction of the mansion and Emma was stumbling after her alongside Graham. “Gold’s obviously going to want to meet with me inside. We’re keeping it quick and snappy. And it would be best if you didn’t talk.”

“Got it,” Emma mumbled while being blinded by the camera flashes. She thanked God Graham was there to make sure she didn’t stumble and land in one of these photographers’ laps.

The entrance was a marble floor and high ceiling with a diamond chandelier and a spiral staircase. Emma felt like she had been sent back to some 1930s murder mystery event. Men and women in white shirts and tight black trousers walked around with trays of finger food and champagne and the sound of violins could be heard in the next room.

“Well we definitely aren’t in Kansas anymore,” she muttered, which got a chuckle from Graham.

“Oh, alert.” Emma looked in the direction Graham had gestured to and saw a thin man with long brown hair, a metallic cane and a slightly disgusted facial expression as he took in some of his guests.

“Mr Gold,” Emma sighed. “Ruthless and cruel but apparently can throw one hell of a party.”

Zelena looked in his direction and drew in a deep breath.

“All right, lets get this over with,” she muttered. Gold noticed her and immediately started moving towards her.

“Miss West,” he greeted with a pained smile on his face. “I am utterly delighted you could attend.”

“Of course,” she replied, her voice smooth but her arm tense as she shook his hand. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world, Adam.” Emma chuckled and disguised it as a cough even though Gold wasn’t paying her any attention. It was like watching two sharks circle each other and Zelena clearly had the upper hand. “Congratulations by the way on your…. Development? Forgive me Adam, so much happens these days its hard to keep track of the little things.”

Emma was sure that if they weren’t at a media covered event, Zelena would have gotten a punch to the chin. Gold took a deep breath and composed himself, baring his teeth.

“No matter Miss West. And we have an extra cause for celebration tonight.” A young woman with thick dark hair appeared and placed her hand lightly on Gold’s arm. “Miss West, I don’t suppose you know my wife, Belle?”

Behind her, Graham choked on whatever he had nabbed from a server’s tray.

“Wife?” he whispered. “She’s about half his age!” Emma huffed in agreement and looked at her, noticed the glass of lemonade in her hand while everyone around her drank champagne, noticed the slight swell in her abdomen.

“Well Belle and I are expecting our first child together, aren’t we darling?” Belle nodded demurely. Emma couldn’t help but take in her smile that didn’t reach her eyes, how she looked at the floor, the tension in her arms. It broke her heart.

“Oh, Adam that is just lovely,” she smiled. “When are you due?” Belle opened her mouth, but it was Gold who answered.

“Six months from now. So, as I said tonight is another reason for celebration.” He patted Belle’s hand. “What about you, Miss West? Your family, how are they?” Emma new that struck a nerve, Zelena never spoke about her family, but true to form she didn’t show it on her face.

“Oh, you know how it is Adam. I wish you all the best with your child. Especially after what happened with the first one.”

Neither Emma nor Graham had any idea what she was talking about, but if looks could kill, Zelena may just have dropped dead on the spot.

“Indeed,” he growled through clenched teeth. “Come my darling, why don’t we greet more of our guests. I hope you and your employees enjoy the party, Miss West.”

Zelena turned to face Emma and Graham. She had a self-righteous smile on her face, but her eyes were upset, and her hands curled into tight fists.

“You two enjoy yourself. I need a drink after that.” She walked off to the bar.

Graham and Emma made their way to the main ballroom. It was about the size of Emma’s apartment, maybe larger, with a white wall with ornate cold designs. Silver curtains hung at either side of the French windows and the set of glass doors which led out to an immaculately kept garden. At one end there was a long white table covered with finger food and more servers with glasses of champagne.

“I think I am going to take advantage of the free food,” Graham said. “You want to come?”

“I do not want to face down this crowd. But bring me back something?”

“Got it. I’ll look for anything either friend, cheesy or chocolate covered.” Emma laughed as Graham left her for the food table.

“Snow?” a familiar voice asked behind her. She smiled as she turned to face Killian, who wore a black shirt, slightly open, and black jacket with a red trim, his hook replaced by a black prosthetic hand. Emma forced herself to maintain eye contact but damn, did he look good. “You look absolutely amazing.”

“You’re looking pretty well yourself,” she replied. “Although I am fairly certain the invitation said ‘black tie’.”

“Well, it did but it also said ‘the finest champagne in New York City’ and frankly, its average at best.”

“So, in addition to being a photoshop wizard, you’re a drinks expert.”

“I may have a rather refined pallet, yes.” He smiled at her, making her hands twist into the fabric of her dress. “So this is quite the hoe-down isn’t it?” Emma laughed at how wrong the word ‘hoe-down’ sounded in his accent.

“Is that how you think Americans talk?” she asked.

“Well I spent a semester in Texas and it is exactly how they spoke,” he replied, making Emma laugh again.

The musicians changed their tune to some slow, classical piece she vaguely remembered being on the radio.

“Not exactly keeping with the times with this music, are they?” he asked.

“No, but Mr Gold is getting up in the years,” she joked. “Maybe this was the tune of his day.”

“Aye, possibly,” he said. He licked his lip slightly and his hands reached up to scratch lightly behind his ear. “Emma, I hope I’m not being too foreward, but would you do me the honour of dancing with me?”

Emma’s stomach dropped to the floor, two conflicting thoughts battling in her head. One said “say yes say yes say yes” and the other brought up painful memories of her attempts at slow dancing with her first girlfriend Lily during her high school prom.

“I would,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “As long as you don’t mind me standing on your foot.” Killian chuckled and stepped closer, offering her his hand.

“I have a feeling you’ll do grand.” Emma placed her hand in his warm one, sending warmth throughout her whole body and making the smile on her face wider. “There’s just one rule when it comes to these kinds of dances. Pick a partner who knows what he’s doing.”

Emma allowed him to place her hands on his shoulders and for him to place his hand and prosthetic on her waist. She moved her hands until they were clasped at the back of his neck, her thumb running across the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Just follow my lead.” They swayed together in a comfortable silence, small smiles passing between them as Emma’s rapid heartbeat gradually slowed down, not to its normal pace, but so she could feel comfortable but still have the buzz of adrenaline. “You know, Snow, I think you’re too hard on yourself. You are quite good.”

“Shut up,” she said, red creeping across her cheeks. “Where did you learn to dance?”

“Well, my mother taught me,” he said, sadness flickering across his eyes for a moment.

“Your mom?” Emma asked, not knowing what else to say. Her mother had danced with her, but that was just fun, not serious, slow dancing which involved holding another person close like the way she was doing with Killian.

“Aye. She was adamant that my brother and I grow up to be proper gentlemen. Which would involve being able to spin a lady-or man-across the dancefloor with grace and poise.”

“Well she taught you well.” Emma wanted to ask more about his childhood but held herself back. She barely knew this man. She was not going to pry into his childhood.

And she was not staring at his lips. And she was not inching closer to him, tilting her head and parting her lips slightly, her eyes half closed. And his warm breath smelling only slightly like champagne was not on her face.

The sound of a window crashing caused her to jump back from Killian, her hand wrapping around his of its own accord.

The window closest to them was smashed, the glass looking like diamonds on the floor, but that wasn’t even the worst part. The worst part was the black robot that had crashed through. It was taller than a human, broader. At the end of one of its arms there was a canon-like device which glowed red. On its blank face there were two glowing red eyes.

The canon fired at the wall, staining it black and burning a crater in it.

Immediately the party descending into panic, people feeling towards the exit as fast as humanly possible. Emma’s eyes scanned the crowds to try to find Graham as she and Killian squeezed through the crowds closing in on the exits.

They stumbled into the lobby, only for Emma to almost trip over the person in front of her as the crowd came to a standstill. A scream shot through the air and Emma felt a weight press on her chest as murmurs slithered through the crowd.

“There’s ones blocking the exit!” someone in front of her gasped. Killian squeezed her hand tightly, terror written all over his face.

Emma didn’t need to think about what she had to do. Killian was scanning the crowd for an exit and she took that opportunity to take her hand out of his and push backwards through the crowd. She squeezed out of the crowd, slipped down a narrow corridor and into a closet containing various light switches.

Hastily, she ripped off her glasses and unzipped her dress. This party needed a hero.

******

The Swan flew out of the mansion and back round to the ballroom. The robot was still in the window, not moving except for its head, which moved left and right every so often. She focussed hard on the back of his neck and allowed her lasers to shoot out, drilling into it until a sad metallic groan came form it and it fell to the ground.

Wasting no time, she flew over the destroyed robot and into the entrance.

“Look, the Swan!” someone called from below. Gasps rippled throughout the crowd as they craned their necks to see her. Somewhere in the crowd, Emma saw she dishevelled hair and blue eyes of Graham and smiled. He was safe, for now at least.

“They’ve blocked the exits!” someone called up to her. She was surprised when she turned and saw that the voice belonged to Belle, Mr Gold’s wife. Her husband wasn’t around. “The main entrance and side doors. We can’t get out.”

“I can take care of this,” she called back, and Belle immediately relaxed. “I need you all to remain calm.”

The Swan flew over the crowd and landed squarely in front of the robot blocking the main doorway.

“Who are you?” The robot tilted its head to the side. The blank expression sent a chill down Emma’s back. At least with Fiona she was, at least partially, human. Whatever this was, it was just a void staring back at her. “Are you from this planet?” Again, nothing. “What do you want?” The robot raised its arm in response, a red laser firing up inside it. “Okay so we’re doing this.”

Emma wasn’t sure her plan would work, but it was better than nothing. She flew to its side-it was too big and clumsy to respond-and used her laser eyes to cut through the metal, wincing as sparks and shards came close to her, but the arm fell off and the laser died down.

“Now, do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?” she smirked before lasering off its head and watching as its motionless body toppled. She didn’t stay to enjoy her victory, instead flying to the next door, only to be greeted with another robot. “Okay Robocop, let’s do this.” Same as before she lasered the head off it and let it topple to the ground.

A ripple of applause caused her to turn around and face the around. There were even people screaming their appreciation for her.

Emma didn’t take time to stop and appreciate it. She focussed, blocked out the applause and listened closely. She took off down the corridor and found herself face to face with yet another robot. The same routine applied; laser the head off. She supposed she should be happy they were predictable. She repeated the same chore at three other exits before heading back to the main ballroom.

“I think I’ve stopped all of them,” she called to the worried crowd. “But just stay here for now while I keep checking this out.”

“What are they?” Mr Gold asked. He seemed to be the only one not impressed by her, if the tight grip on his cane and gritted teeth were anything to go by.

“Honestly, I am not entirely sure, but we will find out. If you can call police and your loved ones to make sure they know you’re okay.” She didn’t wait for his response before she did another sweep of the building and to her relief she found all other exits clear. She swept back to the crowd to break the good news.

“We’re clear. There are no more robots blocking the exits. I think we’re good.”

It appeared she spoke too soon; one of the robots jerked to life almost the second she had said “good” and began firing up its weapon. The next Emma knew, she was speeding towards it, feeling the head of the blast on her face and shoving it away from the crowd, causing it to make a rather large dent in the wall. When she turned to face the crowd again, she saw Graham facing her, mouth open in shock. She felt her stomach drop at the thought of losing him.

“You said we were safe,” Gold snapped as she lasered off both its arms to be safe.

“Forgive me if I wasn’t totally sure, I’m not used to damn robots,” she replied before she could stop herself.

“Just who are you, Swan?” he asked, her name venomous on his tongue. Emma didn’t give him the satisfaction of a reply, just made another tour of the mansion and disarmed (literally, she supposed) the robots. As she did, she noticed the red and blue lights of police cars flashing outside the window. As well as the presence of a large black van. She felt certain it was the same one she had seen that night with Fiona.

Police, armed with guns, ran through the front door of the mansion, followed by hounds of reporters, no doubt hoping to catch another glimpse of the Swan.

******

Emma, now once again Emma, the Swan discarded and thrown away, slipped back into the crowd. Everyone else was too distracted by the police and reporters to even pay attention to her as she pushed her way back through the crowd searching for Killian.

“Snow,” he said behind her as he took her hand gently. Emma turned to see his relieved face. He smiled and moved towards her, arms outstretched, before pulling back. “I lost you in that crowd and I didn’t know what to think…..”

“It’s okay, I’m fine,” she sighed. “The crowd was too big, and I couldn’t hold on to you. Have you seen Graham?” She knew he was safe, thanks to her, but she still saw her terrified face in her mind.

As if someone granted her wish, Graham appeared in her line of vision. She squeezed Killian’s arm and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck.

“Hey,” she sighed as he hugged her back. “Graham I was so worried there.”

“I think I need a drink,” he muttered. “Or ten.”

“Tell me about it, that robot arm almost killed you,” she said as she pulled back. Graham’s smile faltered, his eyebrows knotted.

“How did you know about that? You weren’t with me, how did you see it?”

Oh shit Emma thought. She slipped up, probably a side effect of the adrenaline wearing off. She felt herself growing hotter as she fumbled for an explanation.

“Excuse me, I need you to evacuate this place now,” a dark haired girl in a black uniform said. Tiredly, Emma thought to herself that it wasn’t like any uniform she had seen before, she wasn’t police but clearly wasn’t the army.

She allowed Graham to lead her outside. She gave another smile to Killian Jones as she and Graham made their way to his car.

“Big universe, huh?” she asked. “Sorry about the dance.”

“Oh, it’s nothing Snow,” he said. “You can simply owe me.” Before she could ask what he meant, he nodded and opened his car door. “Safe home.”

Emma nodded and turned to Graham’s car. Graham still had questions, but he wasn’t pressing. She took one look back at Gold’s mansion. The black van near the entrance. It gave Emma an uneasy feeling, and not knowing what the van was for frustrated her a lot, to put it mildly.

But not nearly as much as the fact she was going to have to think up some way to explain to Graham how she saw him when she was nowhere near him. She slipped into Graham’s passenger seat, her weary muscles relaxing into the leather covers he had. Graham looked at her sceptically for a moment, but said nothing.

This was going to be a long night.

#captain swan #cs ff #ouat #cs au #fic: i can be your hero #i had a burst of creativity at 11 pm #studies what studies?#this went slightly different than planned but WHATEVRE

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stargleeksil-blog · 7 years

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Criminal Minds s02e10 Lessons Learned review - or more aptly named, holy shit I can’t believe they put him in harm’s way, I’m going to fucking kill those bastards, oh he’s all right, good. fuck you assholes.

Episode 10 – Lessons Learned

Okey dokey, so we’re nearly halfway through season 2, and I’ve only been working on it two days (in actual reviewing time, I’m divulging some inner secrets that can only be divulged to those privileged few who deign my words worthy of reading, so shhh!!!). Pretty intense shit is going on over here.

I just called one of my friends to get rid of cockroaches. I know, it’s pussy thing to do, especially for a lady, but come on! That’s like the one bug that really gets my goat! I can deal with spiders, ants, mosquitos, even flies. But not roaches. Ugh. So gross. That and rats are my two weaknesses.

So, back to Criminal Minds, because let’s face it, Shemar and Matthew are so much better than dealing with household pests. Let’s see what this episode has in store.

Let’s see what happens.

Whoa, that’s a SWAT car. Yikes. This is gonna be intense.

A lady team leader. I love it.

Hey! It’s Professor Short-Skirt from Community! Awesome!

Well, it’s not a meth lab, but there is an escape tunnel, and that’s a fucking bomb.

Who the fuck wakes Hotch on a morning sleep-in. Damn. Poor thing.

God, I can’t believe that he has to do this to his wife. But come on, it’s his fucking job. I love Hotch so much.

Straight to business.

Wait. Emily knows Arabic? Damn.

I love you already, Prentiss. Awesome.

I love how everyone’s like, awesome! We could use her!

And then Penelope dazzles everyone with everything. Lol.

Jin d’Allah. Meaning soldier of God. Lovely.

Oh god, he’s part of the Jihad. Yikes.

Wait. Wait. Hold the presses. Reid read the Koran? Damn.

They have to do in 48 hours what the CIA haven’t been able to do in two months? Fuck.

Wait. Gideon is heading to Guantanamo Bay? Oh my god. That’s intense.

Yup, they should assess Prentiss on the field, and she’s willing enough, what’s the harm?

Dale Turner: “Some of the best lessons are learned from past mistakes. The error of the past is the wisdom of the future.” Who is this guy and can I marry his brain?

Gideon, why are you being so harsh on Prentiss? And Prentiss, he’s right, this isn’t a treat to go with them to Guantanamo. You have to prove your worth, and you have to not interrupt[t Gideon while he’s playing chess with Reid, and you need to tone down your sassiness. Capiche?

Oh Reid’s ‘oooh snap’ face is everything to me.

So Gideon is a genius.

Haha the whole chess board just went kersplat. I love it.

There’s a mandatory 90-degree turn when you approach Gitmo? Damn.

And Reid was winning! Wait what, Gideon would have had him in three moves? Damn. Prentiss is good.

Wait, it’s a bio-chemical bomb? Damn.

Hey! Hey! Why torture the guy? You want answers, that’s not how you get them.

So Gideon’s going to swoop in as the hero who is juxtaposed to his usual tormentors? That’s awesome.

Crap. A list of chemicals. Damn.

So Jin d’Allah is so convinced he is going to suffer, he won’t even cooperate? Youch.

A list of chemicals needed to weaponized Anthrax. What’s that? Some kind of explosive that’s deadly? From your tone, Derek, it sure seems that way.

So even the smallest amount of this Anthrax is deadly to many people? Yikes.

God, I already love Prentiss. She’s like – he’s Egyptian, from Cairo, wait, no, he might be from Yemen, but most like Egypt. You do you, Emily.

So he’s slightly impressed by how much Gideon finds out about him through conversation rather than violence.

Gideon’s worst enemy is ignorance. Welcome to the club, buddy.

Aww, he’s letting him pray! That’s so amazing!

Yikes! Those details are driving me nuts! So turns out that the NSA is routing its satellites to the USA during emergencies of electronic traffic. Meaning, they can basically monitor whoever they want at any given time and just not tell anybody. Well, that’s an unsettling thought there, guys. My condolences. Of course, I don’t know how it works here in Israel, either, so it might very well be happening here, too. In which case – NO ONE IS SAFE! WE NEED AN ESCAPE PLAN TO MARS!

Wait, those CIA assholes kept those water bottles there to remind him that he couldn’t have any? Wow, talk about extreme measures to get him to crack. Yet, they were unsuccessful, so what’s the point? I’m learning a whole new mass of information about the American law enforcement system, and some of it isn’t to my liking at all.

“How can you ignore the fact that Muhammad preached passivity while he was in Mecca? ‘Do no violence.’” Wow. That is true.

“His later message from Medina was perfectly clear. ‘When violence comes upon you, you must fight back with violence.’” Seriously? Turns out he’s not even quoting the Koran, but the Hadith. “The Verse of the Sword”. Which the Muslims argue cancels out earlier teachings. Someone’s spin on the words of the prophet. Oh dear lord.

Fight and slay infidels wherever you find them and seize them in every stratagem of war. – that’s in the Koran?

Ah! Unless they repent. Establish regular prayers and practice regular charity.

So those who embrace the Jihad basically spin everything that Muhammad said and the Koran to support their violent ways to justify their killings as the will of Allah? Oh god, that is seriously messed up, brother.

“How is it that my faith would allow you to live and worship as you please, and yours would take my life and snuff it out?” Amazing. Simply amazing.

“You are simply misguided people of the book.” PAH! “But if you revert to Islam …” seriously? That’s the only way to repent for their ‘sinful ways’?

So he survived a bombing on a bazaar in Cairo? Damn. And he was only eight? Yikes.

Let’s verify it with Oracle of All Knowledge.

Half his family died in the bombing? Damn. Poor thing. But that is not the reason to go on a killing spree in the name of a god, and call it holy revenge. It isn’t.

Wait. They’re going into a site, where there might be an active bomb, an active chemical bomb no less, with no coms? Oh god. Please let my baby boy survive this. I won’t be able to cope with it at work today.

So he’s relieved by telling him that they found the sites? What’s wrong with this guy? Oh my god, he’s the one calling the shots on the bombings. Fuck. Get out of there! The bomb is there and is about to blow!!!! I know it! Morgan, get out of there, leave Professor Short-Skirt, take Hotch with you, and scram!

Oh snap. So they may have gotten the Anthrax from a foreign lab? Damn.

Oh crap, the girls can see the bombing in Annandale, oh god.

Please pick up!

Oh thank god.

“Don’t worry. Don’t think you’re gonna get rid of me that easy.” Thank the almighty lord of chocolate Adonises and chiseled abs. I wouldn’t live without Shemar XD

“Do you need anything?” “I know who to call if I do. Thanks, baby doll.” Aww, just kiss already.

So they didn’t use Anthrax in the two first bombs. But the third one will involve it.

Jind, don’t fuck with Gideon, and don’t fuck with me. You suck, you are evil, and you need to stop.

Wait. He’s changing his story now? His son is the kid who got blown up in the bazaar bombing, and he was the one who survived? Fuck you, asshole!

His real name is Jamal Abaza. Go to hell.

Hey, CIA assholes, why you so rude to my Gideon? Not nice. He’s trying to school you.

Fuck protocols. Assholes.

“How goes with the CIA?” “I don’t know what Gideon said to them, but they are feeding me information like crazy.” Ha, I love Gideon and I love his power of persuasion. I would believe anything that came out of that pretty mouth of his.

Seriously? Jamal, seriously? You and Gideon breath the same air, you are comprised of the same biological components that make you a male human being. Just because you believe in different faiths does not make you all that different. Just means you believe different things. And the fact that you believe your god would like you to eliminate anyone who doesn’t believe in him, but that’s beside the point, am I right? I’m not? Well, fuck you asshole.

Oh. So he’s less than human? You try to kill other humans. Come on.

And yet Gideon is still gracious to him.

That should count for something.

20 grams of Anthrax missing. Ruh-roh.

“No one wants the other kids peeing in their sand box.” Ew, Garcia, simply ew. I mean, true, but ew.

Soft entry. As opposed to what? Cuz you just banged open a door. That’s hard for me.

Whoa. That’s a lot of dead bodies, dude. Fuck.

So he’s bringing in Reid to talk to him? What the hell are you doing?

He’s making jokes? Seriously?

Oh god. Mandy’s horrified expression is just amazing. So touching.

Oh crap. He’s going to blow up a mall. Fuck.

Ha! They manipulated him to think it’s a different time, and they just let him show his final hand. I love you Gideon, and I am so sorry for those people. I hope they get there in time. Shit.

Please, Hayley, postpone the pictures, you need to not go to the mall.

Shit. They’re going through the air vents. Damn.

Yes! My baby boy got him. And now they’re saying it was a robbery? Come on. Let’s not pretend it was anything other than a terror attack.

Oh thank god, Hotchner’s family are okay. Thank god.

Hahahahhaa Jack is so cute!

Ralph Waldo Emerson: “In order to learn the most important lessons of life, one must each day surmount a fear.” Meh, somewhat true.

Boom. Gideon schooled Reid again.

Aww! He’s letting Prentiss play him? That’s nice. So they’re finally trusting her. Good.

Okay, so this episode hit close to home. Not because I was raised in a Jewish household, but because I was raised in Israel, and Muslim extremists and the Jihad were always a threat hovering over our heads. I really hate terrorism. Because it’s a group of sad, pathetic people brainwashing an entire group who believe in a certain faith that in order to prove their faithfulness they have to kill others and maybe die themselves. This episode was extremely powerful. It made me appreciate Prentiss, and make me like her. It had me anxious over my baby boy, Derek, on whether or not he was going to live, and thank goodness he did, and it had a bit of Penelope going nuts over him as well, which was awesome.

Amazing episode, amazing writing, and I hope this season continues to amaze me.

#criminal minds #s02e10 #lessons learned #aaron hotchner #thomas gibson #jason gideon #mandy patinkin #derek morgan #shemar moore #jennifer jareau #aj cook #spencer reid #matthew gray gubler #penelope garcia #kirsten vangsness #emily prentiss #paget brewster

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twinklefaerie12 · 7 years

Text

Azriel Fan Fiction Chapter 8

Azriel sat in his room, his wings splayed out over the bed as he looked down at his lap. The memories of the night replaying through his mind over and over again. Every little detail playing through as he smiled.

She had enjoyed it, and that made him happy. He hadn't expected her to act the way she did, as though she might also be interested. Someone might actually be interested in him and it made him so happy. He still didn't know for sure, so he did not plan on pushing it but...he had a feeling she would soon sense the bond too and it would not be rejected.

He climbed into bed, unable to sleep as he only thought of one thing. Of the mating bond and the woman on the other end that had so easily captured his heart.

Amara sat at the table, having a moments rest from her daily shift scouting through the city. Cassian had shown up and taken over to let her get some rest.

She sat with a book in hand as per usual, flipping through the pages that did not stick into her memory. No, she had been scanning over the words without really thinking about them. Her mind had been glued to Azriel for the past few days.

She had not seen him since the night of the dinner. He had to go off on a mission for a little while and she missed him. Every time she walked into a meeting with the Inner Circle, she looked for him but he never showed.

Her hands shut the book she held and sighed wondering when he would finally come back. She had asked Rhys but he didn't know. He just said a couple of days but it had already been more than that.

Footsteps sounded from the balcony, the doors opening on a phantom wind. Her head immediately turned and her heart skipped a beat at the thought it might be Azriel. She sighed in disappointment when it was just Feyre.

Feyre raised a brow, "Sorry to be such a disappointment."

"No I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else." Amara said, looking back down to the book she had shut into her lap.

Feyre walked over and sat down beside her. "Someone like Azriel?"

Her cheeks flushed pink and she looked over at her. "Why would it be Azriel?" She said trying to deny it.

"Amara, we all know you have feelings for him. You've been asking about him at every meeting." Feyre said resting her arms onto the table. "He'll be back soon, and when he does come back you should just tell him how you feel."

Amara chuckled lightly, "Oh? You're one to talk."

"Haha," She said sarcastically. "Just tell him how you feel."

"What if he doesn't feel the same? What if, I'm not good enough?" Amara said with worry in her voice.

"You're kidding right?" Feyre raised a brow and shook her head. "He's the one that asked you out remember?" She leaned over seeing her friends concern, placing a hand over Amara's. "You're a beautiful woman Amara, Azriel would be lucky to have you." Feyre gave her a reassuring smile and Amara nodded softly.

"I promise, he definitely feels something for you. Just tell him and you'll see. Or just kiss him, that always works."

Amara smiled softly and huffed out a laugh. The feeling of Azriel's lips had entered her mind many times since the dinner. The feeling of his arms around her and that warmth, she had missed it. Every night she woke up feeling those arms around her but he was never there.

Feyre's eye lit up and Amara raised a brow. She quickly gripped her hands and Amara was being dragged from her chair and she giggled. "Hey what's going on?" She laughed as Feyre ran her towards the balcony.

"Just hurry up!" Feyre said excitedly, pulling her friend out onto the balcony.

She looked prepared to winnow away until a blood curdling scream filled their ears and they froze. Her eyes immediately flew towards Velaris.

The city had gone up into flames.

Azriel sighed, winnowing back to the town house. He had finally finished his mission and even though he had to report to Rhys, all he wanted to do was find Amara. Explain to her why he had to leave so suddenly. To ask her to forgive him and possibly ask her to dinner again. Anything to just see her face.

He emerged from shadow as Rhys sat with Cassian on a couch, Cassian hunched over with Rhys feet resting on the coffee table. "You two are animals." He said flatly, walking further into the room.

Cassian's face was stuffed with food of some sort while he chuckled. "We are men Azriel."

Azriel chuckled and walked up to Rhys who's face turned serious. "How was it?"

"Not too difficult. The area still hasn't changed since we last visited. No signs of rebellion or picking up where Hybern left it. They have begun to accept out ways, slowly but they have no other choice. For now we are safe."

He reported back to Rhys who simply nodded and returned his face back to its usual smirk. "Now that's dealt with, tell us about you and Amara."

These two were such gossip girls. Azriel sighed and sat down on the couch across from the one the two men had sprawled themselves on. "What about?" He asked looking over at them, sprawling his wings and his arms along the back of the couch. It felt good to rest for once.

"How was it?" Cassian asked with a smirk, having finally swallowed his food. "Take any of my advice?"

"That's none of your business." Azriel said, knowing he didn't have an answer if he did.

"Amara has been missing you." Rhys said and Azriel's attention went straight to him. "She has?" He asked a little too eager to know.

"Very, all she does is look around and ask for you." Cassian said leaning back against the couch. "It's a surprise she didn't go searching after you herself."

She had missed him? His lips threatened to tug up into a smile. He had to go find her. He went to stand but Rhys shook his head. "She's coming to you." He said and looked out one of the windows, towards the House of Wind.

His stomach twisted in knots again. It wasn't the bond, no, but he was nervous. He was so nervous to see her again.

"Azriel, how do you feel about Amara?" Rhys asked seriously, resting his elbows on each of his knees.

"Isn't it obvious? He's in love with her." Cassian mumbled, his hands gesturing to Azriel.

"I want to hear it from him." Rhys kept that serious nature to his voice, staring the male down.

Azriel sighed and simply nodded, hoping that was enough. They usually could guess how he felt about a women and rarely were ever wrong. But it must have been plastered on his face when he learned Amara had been thinking of him, of missing him.

"I need to see her." He didn't want to wait for her to arrive. He would fly to her in a second. He just had to see her. He stood up quickly and was halfway towards the main hallway when that scream echoed through the house.

All three men glanced at each other then moved to the balcony. They watched their city burst into flames and Azriel immediately have Truth Teller in his hands. Azriel, still covered in armor turned to his High Lord and Commander. "Get your armor on. I'll deal with the fires while you hurry." He made sure they ran off to dress themselves. There was no reason for them to get hurt.

He turned to look at the city and froze. Down in a sea of monsters, all running in one direction. Towards Amara who stood with swords in hand. No armor or anything to protect herself except those swords. And Feyre, his High Lady, dousing the fires with her water from Tarquin.

But they didn't notice from down there the mass of soldiers that ran towards the city. They were coming at their backs. They were going for Amara's back.

He shrouded himself in shadow and threw himself down into the center of the soldiers. His syphons blazing as he sent the men falling to their knees. He slashed them down with his sword, hoping it was enough to keep her safe. To keep his mate safe.

Rhys finally joined with Cassian, dropping down into the crowd of soldiers. Cassian cutting them down like wheat with a sword. Rhys misting large numbers of men until he cut them down, slicing men in half.

Azriel felt his syphons blaze as he shot a shield up around Amara, to protect her whatever happened. He saw Cassian doing the same for himself and probably for Nesta and Elain somewhere in the city. He dodged and hid in the shadows as he ran through men with his blade. He shot a burst of his power at them, sending them to the ground and threw shards of his power through their chests until they stopped moving.

As he cut through the men, the only thing he could think about was Amara. How she was fighting like a skilled warrior with him. Her smiling face, that giggle he would forever cherish in his memories. He would fight for her, cut down the men to protect her. She was his mate and he would die for her.

Amara winnowed with Feyre down into the city as it burst into flames. Whatever Feyre had been dragging her off towards had been forgotten as she summoned swords for both of them. She had rarely even shown her magic, her powers, but they were similar to Azriel's. Only, she summoned anything and everything she wished into her hands. If she could carry it she could summon it.

"Deal with the fire!" She screamed as she spotted the eery looking creatures ahead. She couldn't stop the fires but at least Feyre could. She tried to argue but Amara gave her a stern glare that sent her on her way.

She stood, double swords in each hand as they spotted her and began charging for her. She prayed Azriel was no where near this mess. It was her fault his had been allowed to happen. She hadn't been on patrol when she needed to be. Cassian must have missed something that she would have noticed, and gone back to Rhys since he was no where to be found. Azriel, Azriel, Azriel.

As the creatures came for her, she readied her swords and had started slashing through a few of them once she heard a loud thud from behind her. She didn't dare turn back, knowing full well she would get jumped and killed if she did.

She summoned her armor onto her body just as one got past her defenses and raked its elongated claws where her bare skin had been along her ribs. The sound make an ear cringing clash and she shoved a sword through the monsters chest after slicing off its arm.

Amara knew how to fight, she wouldn't have been an Inner Circle member if she didn't. Cassian himself had started training with her the first week and they spared almost equally. The only downside was he had years of experience and those damn syphons.

She kept cutting down more and more and gasped when a creature lunged for her, but crashed against a blue shield covering her body. She immediately knew who had placed the shield around her to protect her. "Azriel..." She whispered and snarled at the creatures, getting back onto her two feet from where she had been crouching down onto one knee. She fought, hard and merciless as she cut down the monsters until there were none left to kill.

Blood splattered the shield and when it finally cracked she went wide eyed and turned around. Rhys and Cassian had finally joined the battlefield, and she noticed the groups of men they cut down. Where had all these people come from?

Her eyes scanned the men, looking for those familiar eyes and those blue syphons. As her eyes frantically searched she caught it, that glimmer of blue and her eyes ran back and she froze. He was standing in the middle of the men, cutting them down with Cassian just a few paces to the right of him.

He must have sensed her stare because he glanced back at her, blood splattering his face.

She ran. She ran as fast as her feet could carry her until her calves were burning and screaming at her to rest. She didn't stop, running over dead bodies and men still half alive. She had to get to him, she had to help him.

But it was that smile, that sad, soft smile that had her running faster. His arms dropped, he wasn't fighting anymore. "What are you doing!? Fight!" She screamed so loudly her throat burned. Cassian didn't seem to hear or notice them as she rushed through the people. She was so close, just a few more steps.

But it was the force that knocked her off her feet that took her off guard. The bright light that blinded her and obscured Azriel from view.

The world went silent and slowed down as her mind replayed those last few seconds over and over again. The smile on his lips that formed the words she couldn't hear. The look in his eyes that told her he had done what he could.

She fell back against the ground, mixed in with the dead bodies. Her vision blurred and her head hit the ground.

Then that tug, that feeling she had around Azriel at all times. That strong connection she had been told about between two people. She felt it. Just as her eyes began to shut and her mouth whispered out his name, and her ears rang so loudly she heard nothing else. She felt the mating bond snap into place. And then her world went black.

#azriel #shadowsinger #spymaster #fanfic #fan fiction #fan fic writing #azriel deserves better #azriel deserves love #azriel is a cinnamon roll #shadow bat #illryian #sarah j maas #sjmaas #acowar #acomaf #a court of wings and ruin #feysand #nessian

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donaldresslerfanfic · 7 years

Text

Pay it forward.

Rating: M

Warnings: Strong Language (little bit)

Word Count: 2092

Donald Ressler X OC Maggie Waters.

Chapter: One.

Chapter Index

Story on Wattpad

Maggie.

“The room is one of the toughest and most advanced out of the ones we’ve built so far” I slid into the panic room along with Senator Williams. He had managed to piss off some people by not shaking the right hands. Though that wasn’t my problem, nor my business.

The only thing I needed from him was a good review to my new employer to ensure me the job and stay in Washington. Lord knows I need some stability.

“The floor is reinforced concrete, all the way down to the foundation of the house, the walls are also reinforced to stand heat, blast explosions, and the impact of every kind of bullet there is, including an RPG.” I explained as the senator moved inside the room, it was big enough to hold his family of four with commodity, just like he had asked. “We also have some security measurements like this computer and monitors, connected to a live feed of the security cameras in the house, that way you can see the attackers. We also have a ventilation system with a filter, just in case the intruders decide to pump something in it to neutralize you”

He looked at me with a little bit of astonishment.

“You’ve thought of everything huh Waters?”

“Absolutely” I nodded as I gave him my best smile. “We also have a two lock safe, which means it has to be opened with both your code and the release program your firm of security has, in case you’re force to give up the code you can start a contingency protocol to ensure your assets are covered by giving them the wrong code, I would suggest you put some tracking device in the things you put into the safe though, just to be extra sure. If anything, all of these needs electricity, and in case the power supply gets cut down, there’s a generator embedded in the concrete floor below us, unaccessible to the attackers and it can run for five hours.”

“And if I’m stuck here for more than five hours?”

“Police and SWAT teams have an estimated ETA of 30 minutes, after that the whole room unfortunately shuts down completely, and the door is released for you to get out. It’s the biggest generator we could fit into the space without risking it being left in the open”

So, let’s pray to god the police do actually get here in that window, otherwise you’re kinda fucked my friend.

“And you did all this in 10 days” he concluded.

“I didn’t necessarily smooth down the concrete if that’s what you mean” I try to save it with a joke, to which he fortunately laughed.

“Everything is impressive, above my expectations. Especially after hearing you were new” he shot me a glance before continuing his strol around the room

“New here, but I’ve been doing this type of job for a few years now” I said, linking my hands in front of me.

Lucas, our link with the security company that tracked the cameras in the house entered the panic room, he gave me a look to let me know he would take it from here.

“Unfortunately, this is were we split” I said, catching the attention of the senator “Mr Rogers here will instruct you to the security measurements of the room and how everything works”

The senator nodded and took a step to me, giving me his hand for me to shake

“It’s been a pleasure to assist you” I said with a smile

“It’s been a pleasure to be assisted by you, Miss Waters, I’ll recommend you to my friends”

My smile only widened as I nodded thankful and left him with Lucas.

I would like to think I’ve got this in the bag.

I walked outside the house, purse in hand, looking for my phone to instantly dial Gina, one of my hopefully future coworkers.

“How did it go?” Was her greeting tone

“I think I got it?!” I said, clearly nervous, he could’ve been bullshitting me into thinking it was all great, I wouldn’t relax until the words ‘you’re hired’ came from Paul Bronton himself

“Oh my God, of course you got it! Bring me some coffee to the office and we’ll start hunting houses for you. Say goodbye to that stupid motel girl. Oh and Sam says to bring him one too, black”

“OK got it” I said fishing my car keys and opening the door “I’ll be there in 20”

Gina and I had only met for lunch for the last two weeks I had been in Washington, but everything clicked between us, and we became friend within hours of knowing each other. Maybe it was my desperate need to start growing roots somewhere that lead me to become very close with her in a matter of weeks.

I arrived at the coffee show where I have become a regular, 'Sweet Tooth’, to which I will admit I have. I parked and made a beeline to the counter, only placing second, after another cute couple, I glanced at the watch in my wrist. 11 am, I still had time to squeeze this coffee before the senator called my boss so I could be given a definitive answer.

The couple in from of me moved from the register to the counter to wait for their coffee, and I could feel the presence of a line beginning to for behind me.

“Hi Maggie!” Dana greeted me enthusiastically, I smiled at her and set my purse on the counter “the usual?”

“Yes, and add two others, one black and one latte to go please” I said looking down at my wallet. Gina could talk shit about my cheap ass motel, but right now it was saving me the big bucks.

My phone dinged, looking at the message I received I tsked my tongue

'Drop the black, Sam had to leave’

In queue Dana placed the three coffees in the counter in front of me. I paid and took them, turning on my heels to find a tall blonde guy, looking down at his phone and waiting

“Do you take it black?” I asked, he lifted his blue eyes to me

“Excuse me?” He asked frowning

“Your coffee, do you take it black?”

“Yeah- ” he wanted to continue talking, probably to question me why, but I didn’t have time. I handed one to him, he gave it a quick glance, and I could see he was getting his rejecting speech ready.

“It got canceled by one of my friends, please take it” I gave him a smile, looking behind him at the line that we were stalling “we can start a pay it forward”

He gave me a little sideways smile and took the coffee, I moved away from the line and looked at my watch. Muttering a 'shit’ I turned to Dana to give her a fast wave and made another beeline to my car.

Ressler

I moved away from the line, after I paid for the coffee of a business woman behind me, taking the one I had been gifted and walking to the side of the shop.

Being suspicious of everyone was a the first rule I always put to practice, and receiving a coffee from a woman was defenetly up there in my reasons to being suspicious of someone.

After another road trip, this time to Bolivia for a hunt on Reddington, I wouldn’t put it past him to end me with a kind gesture and a pretty face, sometimes it was the way he did things. I took the cap from the cup and smelled the content, seemed harmless.

After taking a sip and ending up convinced that it was in fact a kind gesture and a pretty face, I continued with my coffee as it sat in one of the stools near the window.

For what I could gather, the pay it forward was still playing in the line of the café.

A waitress came to clean the mess left by some inconsiderate client, and it was my chance to ask her about the girl.

“Excuse me” I said, she stopped cleaning and looked at me with a smile.

“What can I help you sir?”

“The girl, the one who started the pay it forward…” I didn’t need to begin asking info, the waiter kindly began talking

“Ah, Maggie. She’s new in the neighborhood. Very friendly and super nice, she leaves nice tips”

“Is she a usual?”

“Yes, she only takes to go, all but Friday, I take she works at a later hour so she sits down there” she motioned at one of the chairs outside. “With a coffee and her laptop, often a slice of cake”

I slid my hand on my inner pocket in my suit jacket, leaving a tip for the girl on her info and taking my ringing phone.

I took my coffee outside and answered the phone call once I was out.

“Ressler”

“Don, I have Intel on Reddington, come by when you have time”

“I’ll be there in 10”

Maggie.

“He didn’t compliment you just cause Mag, you did an outstanding job in those 10 days, you barely slept and considered every little detail, every possible scenario” Gina sipped her latte.

Still, I had already made friends in Washington, it would be a shame to have to leave.

“Besides, if the senator told you he would recommend you, that means you’ll have a ton of work, as soon as you start working, they’ll all want you to work for them. You might leave us all out of business”

I rolled my eyes and gave her a smile

“We’re a team, you and Dam hunt the materials and the interior design of the rooms, Lucas does the spiffy techy stuff….”

“And you take the glory” she interrupted.

“Someone has to” I replied playfully “otherwise Bronton gets it and by the looks of it he doesn’t do shit”

Gina winked at me as I looked at the door of Paul’s office, he should be calling me in any minute now.

“So, what do you want? A house? In the suburbs? Or an apartment downtown?”

“We’ll see how it goes, buy an apartment downtown sounds good for now”

“For now?” She asked dancing her fingers on the keyboard

“I guess I’ll go suburban when I settle down with someone”

“Settle down” she said with a little disgust in her undertone

“You’re married” I said incredulous, how could someone who I thought had a 'happy ever after’ be so bitter about having to spend her life with someone she loves?

“It was the next thing for us, Marcus and I, we’ve been together for too long and the next logical thing was to either get married and move together or split up. Don’t get me wrong I love the guy but… I wish I had traveled more”

“Take it from someone who has traveled a lot, and not necessarily for pleasure: you get tired of it, and you just want to go back home; only to find out you didn’t really have one”

She gave me sad grimace as she leaned to squeeze my hand

“Washington will be your home now Mags”

I gave her a thankful smile, she always warmed up my heart.

The door of the office opened, another man came out shaking Paul’s hand, then his eyes landed on me and beckoned me to enter the room.

I was nervous out of my mind, but still my feet carry me in confidently, well, until I was stopped before I could even get in.

“Impressive Waters, I’ll have Brenda clean you a desk and you can begin in two days” Paul said, while we were standing in the doorway of his office. I was astound, my jaw was hanging low and when I wanted to talk I just stuttered on my first words of thanks.

Paul chuckled and placed a hand on my shoulder

“Can I call you Maggie now?”

“Absolutely s-”

“Paul” he interrupted, I laughed in a mix of nervousness and happiness.

He squeezed my shoulder and led me out of the office, hearing his phone ringing he gave me an apologetic look and I understood he was a busy man after all.

I turned back to Gina, to find her with her hands in a praying manner in front of her lips, I walked to her and let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“So, about that apartment”

#the blacklist #fanfic #donald ressler #donald #ressler #special agent donald ressler #diego klatenhoff #raymond reddington #elizabeth keen

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