#she had to put herself in dru's shoes

[hedgehog-moss]

Various ways in which I have underestimated my chickens (callout post to myself):

cognitive abilities (memory): I dropped some pasta while making a salad earlier and Louise was nearby so I opened the door and invited her into the kitchen to come clean up. At first she just meandered round the room glaring suspiciously at furniture because she's unfamiliar with the inside of my house, then I helped her locate the pasta and she pounced, but before she could eat all of them Morille came zooming across the room with Pandolf zooming behind her, which freaked out the hen who noisily flew-ran out of the room. She stayed away long enough that when I called her inside again I expected her to have forgotten all about the pasta, and that I would have to show it to her again, but instead she went straight for it, resolutely, having clearly kept this important goal in a corner of her teeny tiny mind this whole time.

hunting abilities: before getting chickens I didn't realise they actually hunted? (sometimes.) I pictured their search for food as quiet foraging, busily scratching the dirt for worms, but a) hens are never quiet they're always chattering to each other so already that part was wrong; b) when they find a worthy prey they hunt it with the fierce determination of a mountain lion. I once saw Dru chasing a grasshopper across half the pasture, running at full chicken speed and sometimes boosting herself with her wings Mario kart-style while the grasshopper desperately hopped for its life, until eventually she pounced with her beak wide open and managed to catch it mid-jump. With an action movie soundtrack this scene would have been every bit as intense and gripping as a cheetah hunting a gazelle in a wildlife documentary.

social abilities (empathy): one time Cordélia had a little bit of grass stuck in her eye and she kept rubbing her head with her claw to try and dislodge it unsuccessfully, and then she seemingly asked Dru for help, placing her face very close to the other hen's face like "see that stupid twig?" and Dru removed it with her beak. Again that's not something I would have expected from a hen... they're very disloyal creatures, so it was fascinating to see. They would stab their grandma for a dusty rigatoni but leaving a friend with something stuck in her eye is apparently a level of antisocial even chickens won't cross.

social abilities pt.2 (romantic sensibility): sometimes when the night sky is clear and you can see the Milky Way, instead of tucking themselves in at sundown like they usually do, they'll fly to the roof of their coop and sit there for a little while to watch the stars together. Okay this one may be a tiny bit less scientific an observation than the others but I don't have an explanation for this behaviour; I've never noticed anything wrong with their coop on these particular nights, the door is open, they can go in—and the girls don't seem stressed at all, if anything they look like they're having a nice peaceful moment and I feel bad for bothering them.

#crawling along #they are not stargazing in this pic because they are now watching pandolf who is circling the coop. but they were just before! #also re: pt 3 it's very possible that rather than wanting to help #dru thought the blade of grass was a delicious food item she decided to steal #which would still make it a good example of chicken empathy but on cordy's part #she had to put herself in dru's shoes #what would i do if i were her? immediately steal the thing from my friend without remorse #therefore she will rid me of the annoying thing

[jensen-ackles-girl]

Author’s Note: This is the first story I've posted on here, bare with me guys I've been trying to work on my writing it's not that good so please don't hate on my grammar or spelling errors I'm trying! I hope you like

(I've decided to make this a series so hope you guys like it)

Pairing: Jared x SisterReader! , Genevieve x Reader (mentioned), jensen x reader (mentioned) , jensen x reader

Summary: Y/N is the younger sister of Jared padalecki they both grew up in San Antonio, Texas they both have good acting jobs both live in Austin, Texas so when the opportunity of a lifetime comes to Y/N to fly to Vancouver to be apart of supernatural

Warnings: Fluff,Some cussing,Family

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Chapter 7

Y/N was tired all she wanted to do was crawl into her bed and go to sleep of course though that wasn't going to happen till later they where still working on a couple of scenes she was finding herself getting sleeper and sleeper on brakes she found herself getting coffee to stay awake they had finally finished filming the last scene it was getting hard to function so to her relief she heard the director call it a day she jumped internally because if she physically did it she would probably have fallen over she pushed herself through to walk to her trailer to grab her things.

Y/N rubbed her eyes and let out a yawn and grabbed her stuff walking out of her trailer she bumped into someone on the way out she mumbles a sorry to the person as she yawned again. The person chuckled she knew that chuckle from anywhere she looked up and saw jensen standing there. She let out a bashful smile "I'm so sorry Jen" he chuckled again "it's okay" he paused taking in y/n sleeply state "come on I'll walk you to the car. She had no time to process as she felt his hand resting on her lower back and started walking to the parking lot. She didn't protest she just walked with him as they got to the car she gave him a sleepy smile. He returned it as he helped her into the car. He made sure she was buckled up before shutting the door.

She let out a sleepy thank you as he closed the door he smiled and nodded minutes later the door opened again and someone climbed in she had no idea who it was because she had already fallen asleep the car ride home was smooth she hadn't woken up the only time she woke up was someone nudging her arm she rubbed her eyes and looked over to see who it was and it was her brother Jared "hey sleepy head" he chuckled "we're home" he helped her out of the car and into the house. When she couldn't make it up the stairs he picks her up and takes her to her bedroom where he lays her down on the bed gently and take off her shoes. He gently pulls her jacket off of her and covers her up. He kisses the top of her head and flipped her light off and shut the door on the way out.

Y/N slept the whole night long only getting up a few times to go to the bathroom her alarm went off and she shut it off and got up making her way to the bathroom and showered then got dressed in jeans and a tee shirt throwing on her jacket then put her shoes on making her way down the stairs to the kitchen starting a pop of coffee and started making breakfast for everyone she had decided to make pancakes the second one up was Genevieve she walked into the kitchen "Y/N you didn't have to make breakfast for everyone" she turned around and smiled at her "oh please it's not a problem and besides it gives you a break" she smiled and nodded "well thank you". She smiled "and nodded you bet" she fixed her a plate as the kids came down next she fixed them a plate making sure they ate as she made jared a cup of coffee hearing his loud footsteps coming down the stairs.

She smiled at jared as she handed him the cup. He smiled at her "thank you" she nodded "your welcome" she fixed him a plate of pancakes as she fixed herself one and a cup of coffee they both sat down and ate chatting with the kids and Genevieve once they got done jared started clearing the plates. Y/N drunk the rest of her coffee as she grabbed her purse getting ready to leave they had work in a few minutes she kissed the top of Shep's head then Tom's as she told gen bye. Her and jared walked out the door cliff waiting on them they both climbed into the car and cliff started his way driving them to set.

Tags

@supraveng

#family #supernatural #jared paladecki #jensen ackles #x reader

[bookishjules]

Theories regarding Emma, the Diary, and the Ghostie

A. EMMA AND THE DIARY

Here are the facts:

the last entry we read from Tatiana's diary was about the night she met Rupert*

before that, Emma was able to talk about the diary (she brought it up in her letter to dru)

since then, we have heard nothing of the contents of the diary, nor has she been able to talk about it even still

Emma only started acting weird after that entry. (the extent of the weirdness I went into detail about here regarding this post)

Add to all of this:

Emma seemed to have returned to herself in this entry

by the time the ghost mentions the diary, Emma seems to have already finished it

Julian himself noted that Emma was acting "un-Emma" but only when it came down to discussing the diary

There is plenty of evidence that somehow, in some way, Tatiana is controlling Emma, influencing her not only to keep the contents and existence of the diary to herself, but also to act in certain ways that feel more like Tatiana herself. But the question is WHY. Why would Tatiana hide the things in her diary? Why did she feel the need to specifically hide the pages after the day she met Rupert (as the evidence suggests)?

B. THE GHOSTIE

Theories about the ghost's identity have been nothing less than rampant, but for me, all of the clues can only point toward Rupert Blackthorn (*This could stand by itself on the fact that we stopped being privy to the contents of Tatiana's diary entries the MOMENT he was introduced, but I will go further):

Ghostie reacted violently to the Blackthorn name

the ouija board shattered into 16 pieces which just happens to be the number of letters in the name "Rupert Blackthorn"

Ghostie was shuffling through old files Emma called the "Blackthorn archives"

the ghost would not be a character who's identity would spoil Chain of Thorns in any way

Rupert died at Blackthorn Hall

But what does Rupert have to do with the Devil Tavern? Why would a silver band be important to him? Why does he want Emma and Jules to read Tatiana's diary?

C. RUPERT AND TATIANA

Everyone was confused about why Rupert fell in love with Tatiana--I remember people joking about him losing a bet--but I think the answer is simple: magic. Maybe Rupert was attracted to her at first, maybe once he started seeing how obsessive Tatiana can be, he started to back off a little. Whatever happened or didn't happen, I think Tatiana would easily feel threatened by the possibility of Rupert leaving her. She was desperate for a husband to escape from her father's house where she was treated like something stuck to the bottom of Benedick's shoe, and I'm sure she was asking the same questions about how Rupert could possibly love her.

Knowing the lengths Tatiana is willing to go to, knowing that there were demons lurking around her house on the regular, I would not be surprised if she found herself conniving a way to ensure Rupert's eternal loyalty.

We know Tatiana has used a silver bracelet to enact her wishes before and that it worked the way she needed it to. Without having the power to control men with her own will (a power she later has Belial bestow upon Grace, which shows that this is clearly something she has been thinking about for a long time), she has to find another way to do so. Enter: the silver band.

When Grace came to Tatiana confused about why James wasn't able to be controlled, Tatiana had a solution. I am willing to bet that this is because the Gracelet was originally Tatiana's, before she ever had it engraved with the little Cartright touches. I am willing to bet that Tatiana pulled this out of her jewelry box in a desperate search for something to tie loyalty magic to once she learned that it was possible.

I see it like this:

Tatiana gave the charmed bracelet to Rupert

Rupert was killed, still wearing the bracelet

Rupert was therefore still tied to Tatiana after death, and therefore tied to what soon became Blackthorn Hall

Tatiana had a spell put on him so that he could never share his identity or his predicament with anyone

Tatiana had a spell put on her diary so no one could find out what she had done to get what she wanted, which is now affecting Emma

D. CONCLUSION

I find it very likely that once James took off the Gracelet, he wanted to get it away from him, but its also something I have no doubt the Merry Thieves would want to study first. In this theory, they brought it to the room above the tavern, where it was left behind once the room was abandoned (which I have another theory about regarding the end of Chain of Thorns). THIS is why Ghostie (aka Rupert) wanted Jules and Emma to go to Devil Tavern.

I'm sure there are some things missing from this, but I assure you I have answers that comply with this theory for most of them. I'm curious about what other people think, if this is something that has been washing around in your head too?

(also would love for @cassandraclare to see how insane she has made me lol)

#sobh #secrets of blackthorn hall #ghostie #sobh theories #tsc #cassandra clare #long post

[the-bee-graveyard]

Congrats on 100 followers!!! How about kitty?

Thank you Fae ❤️

I’m sorry this took so long, I’m lazy

Requests are still open, go here for more details

Alright I call this one Windows, it’s inspired by the scene in Riverdale where Kevin and Betty are talking about Archie because it’s the one thing I remember about that show and it fits:

Twin sisters can be a lot of things. They can be best friends, forever companions. They can also be clingy, and nosy, and they can scare the shit out of you when they sneak into your room unannounced and you look up from looking out your window to see her standing next to you smiling like she was about to commit a murder.

“Shit Livvy!” Ty exclaimed, jumping back. His cat, Irene, hissed and leaped off his bed, coming to rub herself up against Livvy.

“What are we looking at?” Livvy asked, punching Ty on the arm playfully. It didn’t hurt but he flinched, and she moved herself to make sure she wasn’t touching him.

“Nothing,” Ty said quickly, trying to think of a way to close the blinds on his window without Livvy noticing. As if she could read his mind Livvy looked out the window and let out a loud gasp.

“Oh my god,” she exclaimed. “Kit got hot.”

Kit Herondale had been their neighbor since the fifth grade when the nice couple next door Tessa and Jem adopted him. He’d been friends with the Blackthorn’s since the sixth. Ty had a huge crush on him since the seventh, Livvy found out about it in the eighth, Kit went to visit family in England at the end of the ninth for the summer, and now they were all back here at the beginning of tenth grade, Kit looking like a whole Greek god.

Ty peeled out the window again. Kit had his window open (he always did) and he sat on his bed shirtless, looking down at his phone. He looked up for a second and Livvy waved. Kit smiles and waved back before looking down at his phone again.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Ty hissed. “Now he’s going to know we were watching him, and he’s going to think we’re creeps, and he’s going to tell everyone we’re creeps, and we’ll forever be known as the creepy stalker twins next door.”

“Can’t be worse than Mark being known as ‘strawberry boy’,” Livvy shrugged, referring to when their older brother went to a restaurant and ordered a plate of strawberries.

“It’s a lot worse than strawberry boy.”

“None of that is going to happen, I was just waving hello. We’ve all waved below a hundred times from this window. You need to calm down.” Ty fought the urge to throw a shoe at his sister. Calm down? How the hell was he supposed to calm down? Why don’t they all just start freaking meditating, because apparently, he was the one who needed to calm down. “He stares at you to you know, which means two things. One, the two of you need to start closing your blinds. Two, he totally likes you back.” Ty blushed.

“No he doesn’t,” Ty said. “Now promise me you won’t get involved.” Livvy stayed silent. “Livia Blackthorn, promise me.”

“Fine, fine,” Livvy sighed. “I promise.” 

“Good,” Ty said cheerily, off to go find his bee plushie before bed, he’d let Tavvy borrow it, and Tavvy had a horrible habit of not returning things to their rightful spot.

*Time jump to the morning*

“Ty, please get the door!” His mother, Eleanor called (Author’s Note: Eleanor’s alive because I said so) Ty opened their from door to reveal Kit standing there, a grin that should look ridiculous plastered on his face, but Ty found it cute.

“How’s my favorite Blackthorn doing?” Kit asked.

“I’m doing great, thanks for asking Christopher,” Ty’s little sister, Dru said as she walked by them. 

“I see you still have an attitude problem,” Kit said.

“How was England?” Dru asked. “Are you as big an asshole to the British as you are to the Americans?”

“Drusilla Blackthorn, we don’t fucking swear in my damn house.” Kit gave a dramatic gasp. Ty was pretty sure he was being sarcastic, Kit was good at that. “Shit! And yes, Christopher Jonathan Herondale doesn't discriminate, he’s an asshole to all.”

“I don’t think you’re an asshole,” Ty frowned, making Kit’s smile widened. He lost the frown, it was hard to frown when Kit smiled like that. Ty cursed his heart slamming in his chest, he swore everyone else could hear it. 

“Is Livvy walking with us?” Kit asked. They’d agreed before Kit left that summer to walk together for the first day of school, and Ty was touched Kit didn’t forget. He certainly hadn’t, he’d been waiting every day since Kit left to see him again.

“Livvy will not be walking to school with you,” Livvy said from the stairs. “Livvy’s getting a ride with Julian and Emma, it’s too hot to walk. Livvy will also stop talking it the third person, it’s fucking annoying.” Bullshit, Ty thought. Livvy’d rather walk through the desert than ride with Julian and Emma, she always complained about their obnoxious amount of PDA. And if Livvy went with Julian and Emma then he’d be stuck all alone with Kit and things would get awkward and Kit would find out about Ty’s crush and he’d hate Ty and Ty would have to flee the country to avoid seeing him every day.

Ty was about to tell his sister to suck it up and grab her backpack when his mother walked into the room. “Kit! Hello!” Eleanor said, waving enthusiastically with one hand, the other hand fiddling with a pipe cleaner. 

“Hi Mrs. Bla- Eleanor,” Kit said. Eleanor insisted no one called her Mrs. Blackthorn, she said it sounded too formal and it made her feel old.

“I just came to tell you to have a good first day Ty,” Eleanor said. She came over a kissed her son on the forehead, slipping his fidget toy in his pocket quickly before heading back to the kitchen. “I love you!” She called.

“Should we get going then?” Kit asked. Ty nodded and wrapped his backpack, putting his hands in his pockets so they wouldn’t flap so much. Kit said it many times before he liked it when Ty flapped his hands, but Ty was just used to hiding it. 

“I thought of you all summer,” Kit said as soon as they walked far from the Blackthorn house. “I missed you so much. You’re so much better than Tessa’s Aunt Harriet.”

“At least you got to go abroad,” Ty sighed. “All I got was listening to Livvy complain about the heat and Dru ranting about the new season of some horror show she watches.”

“Mark and Helen came home though, didn’t he?” Mark went to college in New York with his boyfriend Kieran and girlfriend Cristina, and Helen and her wife Aline both had high paying jobs as lawyers in New York too,

“Yeah, Helen and Aline came for a week and then Mark came for two,” Ty explained. “Helen brought me a keychain for my bag, and she brought me a copy of A Study In Scarlet. Of course, I already own it, but this one was a different edition.” Ty paused. “Am I boring you?”

“Never,” Kit replied. Ty looked at the other boy and saw the other boy staring at him. Kit then whispered something, so quietly Ty almost didn’t here him, “I love you Ty, I love you.” Ty stood still, his body refusing to move. Plenty of people said I love you, but those were just words. And even if Kit did mean them, that didn’t mean he meant them in a romantic way. 

By the time Ty came out of his frozen state Kit had already turned and begun to run in the other direction. Kit was fast, but Ty was faster. He caught up to Kit in no time even though the other boy had a head start and grabbed his wrist. Kit spun around, his eyes filled with tears that hadn’t fell yet.

“Can I-” Ty asked. “Can I kiss you?”

“Of course,” Kit asked. Ty pressed his lips to Kit’s, and the kiss was everything Ty could have imagined. When they finally pulled apart Kit had the same ridiculous grin from earlier on his face.

“We’re going to be late to school,” Ty said.

“That’s all you have to say?”

“Well it’s the truth.”

“Won’t be the first time.” 

“For me it will be.”

“I forgot what a goody two-shoes you are.”

“Fuck you.” Ty took Kit’s hand and smiled as they finished their walk to school.

Maybe twin sisters weren’t so bad.

Ty’s phone buzzed.

Livvy: Get your mans bitch

He took it back, twin sisters were definitely that bad.

#ty blackthorn #kit herondale #kit x ty #kitty #the dark artifices #the 🧚fae🧚 tag #asks #Rory celebrates 100 followers #tsc

[we-pay-for-everything]

sorry if you've already addressed this but I couldn't find anything about it, Im just wondering do you believe Spuffy is mutually abusive? personally I think people really overplay Buffy's side, she does do bad things but I dont think they could be considered abusive and she never comes close to victimizing Spike the way he victimized her. Sorry if you feel differently, Im just curious.

It’s okay to ask me about something I’ve already addressed, but I hope you guys don’t mind if I direct you to an old post when that happens. 

I’m not sure how to answer this. Mutually abusive relationships exist, I guess, but it’s not that common, is it? It depends on how you define a “mutually abusive” relationship, but I think no abusive relationship is balanced.

If you start being abused, over time the relationship becomes toxic and influences you in a negative way. You respond with abuse, maybe because that’s the pattern that was established in the relationship. You may not be trying to pay your partner back but abusive people don’t respond well to assertiveness and politeness. Sometimes you end up yelling and insulting the other person too, because you want to be understood and heard. So you, the “victim” become abusive in a sense. But I’m not sure it’s fair to say that the victim is an abuser too. Abusive people are comfortable with abuse and may respond well to it to an extent. Yelling and slapping make sense to them, so if their partner reacts that way to their abuse they may see it as a sign of love, closeness, and mutual dependence. We see it clearly with Spike. He taunts Buffy, and when she responds in kind he thinks it’s a win. But the “victim” who also becomes abusive in response or in retaliation to the abuse probably hates themself and recognizes their wrongdoings. 

If you’re abused how are you supposed to react? You either retreat into yourself or you may become passive-aggressive and sometimes even aggressive. Responding “maturely” to abuse is pretty hard, and you need to be in a position where you can fight back and get help. Usually, if you’re in a relationship then you’re already in a vulnerable position because you expect your loved one to be trustworthy. When you’re abused that changes you. If you, the “victim” starts to harm your partner then that’s wrong, and if that becomes a real pattern, ie, you do it unprompted, then I guess that’s when it may be “mutually abusive”? These are really complicated things and fandoms like to overuse the terms “abusive”, “toxic” etc. I’m guilty of doing it too.

Imo, in Buffy’s case there are two things to consider: 

First of all, Spike is a soulless vampire, and the chip didn’t change his morals or his limitations. Spike was always written as a more emotional vampire (he even experienced heartbreak over Dru), but his ability to experience, show, understand, and respond properly to emotions was always limited. He doesn’t relate to his victims or understand their pain. He can’t put himself in their shoes. Spike did not understand Buffy’s depression or her hatred towards him and herself. He didn’t understand the pain he was causing her, or care. How was Buffy supposed to protect herself from someone like that, especially when she was in such a vulnerable position? She had two choices to deal with Spike: death or punishment. He wouldn’t understand anything else, and walking away or getting a restraining order wouldn’t work.  

Saying that Buffy abused Spike is a bit like saying slayers are killers. Buffy tortures demons sometimes for information and stuff, but what else is she supposed to do? They’re not human and proper studies haven’t been conducted on the morality of torturing demons. It was ridiculous in seasons 4 and 5 with Spike since Buffy refused to kill him, yet he was dangerous and she just ended up torturing him sometimes... Blame the writers and not Buffy here.

But in season 6, Spike was humanized a lot to look like a normal asshole who is capable of telling right from wrong and who can be hurt too. This complicated things. Because he’s not a normal asshole, he’s a fucking vampire.

I think the writers wanted Buffy to be victimized (like the attempted rape scene in Seeing Red) and to use it as a chance to make Spike more human. I really feel like the writers wanted to make Spike a victim too. They wanted to show that he hurt Buffy but got hurt too, and that it was a mutual thing to a point. Like, the defender becomes a victim and the victim becomes an abuser. It was obvious that everything Buffy did was in response to Spike’s abuse, and apart from punching him, she didn’t do anything much. Did she talk crap to him sometimes? Why wouldn’t she? Did that hurt the feelings of the soulless vampire? What kind of question is that? Who cares? Even when Buffy beat up Spike, which was clearly supposed to highlight how “broken” she was, she was still human unlike him, in a vulnerable position, responding to his constant attacks. Did it hurt seeing Buffy like that? Yes. Did I feel bad for Spike? A bit, because he was being written like a normal guy. But he isn’t. He’s still a vampire. He probably thought that Buffy was finally reciprocating his affection, or was impressed with her punches. 

Honestly, season 6 is a mess. From the magic = drugs metaphor to Spike and Buffy, everything was meant to blur the line between “reality” and the supernatural. We were supposed to judge the characters like they were normal people, which was impossible to do because nothing about their situations was normal. In the end, there was no realism, just sensational drama and the show betrayed its own characters. It’s almost impossible to make sense of Spike in season 6. The gap between what we know about him and vampires and how he acted is too huge. We can’t judge him or his relationship with Buffy properly because of that, and we go around in circles. 

I will say though, that even if Spike had been a normal guy, his relationship with Buffy wasn’t “mutually” abusive. He intentionally taunted her, manipulated her, isolated her. He wanted her to be with him at all costs, and her violence towards him was expected and desired. He knew that was the only way she would want him. She had to be just like him. Buffy herself never manipulated Spike in such a manner. Her actions were unplanned and instinctual, and mainly a result of Spike’s coaxing. So Buffy is not an abuser to me, even if she acted wrong too sometimes. 

Thanks for the ask! I hope I did this sensitive topic some justice. 

#ask #btvs #anti spike #buffy summers #anti spuffy #thanks #Anonymous

[my-lady-of-roses]

“I’m going to stay,” Helen said fiercely. “I’m not leaving you ever again.” She reached for Dru — and Dru nodded, just the smallest nod. Helen put her arms around her and held her tightly.

Dru rested her forehead against her sister and finally allowed herself to remember Helen picking her up when she was small, swinging her around while she laughed, tying ribbons in her hair and finding her lost shoes, inevitably discarded on the beach. They fit together differently now than they had then, Dru thought, as she put her own arms around Helen. They were different heights and shapes, different people than they had been once.

But even if they fit differently now, they still fit like sisters.

#tsc #dru blackthorn #helen blackthorn #cassandra clare #sisters #qoaad #the dark artifices #tda #queen of air and darkness

[tsc-living]

At just past midnight Kit, bleary eyed and drawn looking, padded downstairs in his socks and flannel pyjamas. Tessa and Jem looked up at him from their late night activity of reading; Tessa a novel and Jem the manual of the car they had bought the week earlier to try and understand it. Tessa’s heart ached as she looked at the teenager. She could see the sadness in his eyes, the longing and the hurt that he hadn’t yet spoken about even though he had lived with the Carstairs for a few months. “Happy birthday!” Jem said and Kit smiled thinly. He was missing his family, whether that was his father or the Blackthorns… Tessa wasn’t sure. She knew the look on his face though, the shadow, the Herondale grief that came with losing something and losing a part of themselves with it. She could imagine and understand that his sixteenth birthday in a new family was not what he had pictured when he was younger, his father dead and his whole life flipped upside down.

“Happy birthday Kit,” Tessa said kindly, realising then that the boy had only come downstairs because it had ticked over to his birthday and he hadn’t wanted to be alone for it. She wondered if it was because he didn’t want to cry. He sat down on the arm of the couch that Jem was sitting on, more like perched and ready to fly away if he felt the need to.

“Thanks guys,” He said, “To be real with you I wasn’t sure if you even knew it was my birthday.” He admitted. Drusilla and Tiberius Blackthorn had sent Tessa and Jem a fire letter the week prior telling them in case they hadn’t known which they hadn’t. Dru’s portion of the letter contained a list of horror movies that had a birthday scene to it and asking them to tell Kit that she missed him. Ty’s portion of the letter was asking Tessa and Jem not to tell Kit he had messaged, but said he hoped that Kit was happy.

“Dru told us.” Jem said, closing the manual and setting it down on the coffee table. Kit’s smile was real and rueful at that and he crossed his legs in front of him on the arm of the chair.

“I thought you were asleep darling, is everything okay?” Tessa asked and made eye contact with her.

“Yes I just didn’t want to be alone for my sixteenth. Aren’t I meant to get a car or like some major party?” He asked, but his heart wasn’t in the teasing. Jem put his hand on Kit’s knee in a naturally paternal way that made Tessa’s heart warm.

“Tessa can teach us both to drive in our new car before we give you one of your own.” He said and Kit mulled this over for a moment.

“Okay I can live with that. What about a party?” He asked, this time the teasing was clearer.

“How about we invited Jace, Clary and the Blackthorns over for dinner?” Tess suggested, thinking that having Jace and his fiancé over might be nice for Kit as Jace is his only living relative. The Blackthorns, she thought, would perhaps be a familiar comfort to him and help make it a party. However, Kit hesitated and then shook his head.

“No, that’s okay. Jace said he’ll come see me next week anyway.” He said and then his expression turned bashful as he looked between them, “Can we go out for dinner?” He asked. Tessa glanced at Jem, but they were both thinking the same thing. They agreed with him, going out to a mundane restaurant for dinner would be a nice idea. A family outing so to speak. Kit had gone with Tessa and Jem on outings before, but this was the first one he had suggested himself and Tessa smiled up at the boy.

“That sounds like a really nice idea.” She agreed and Kit’s smile was surprised and excited, further assuring Tessa that going out for Kit’s sixteenth was a good idea.

“Doesn’t mean you don’t have training in the morning, so go to bed kid, and I’ll wake you up for breakfast.” Jem said and when Kit sighed heavily, but didn’t get up Jem stood. Kit looked up at his adopted father with a suspicious glance and to Tessa’s amusement, there was challenge there.

“You won’t carry me to bed.” He said and without even a second of hesitation, Jem reached down and scooped the smaller, thinner boy off the arm of the chair and over his shoulder. Kit yelled out in surprise and then burst out laughing. He waved at Tessa as he was bounced by Jem’s walk, swinging slightly with his blonde hair flopping down. Kit looked so much smaller than normal, thrown over Jem’s shoulder like he was, and his smile and laughter echoed that of a child’s.

“Goodnight Kit!” She yelled as he was taken up the stairs.

“Night Tess!” He called back as he disappeared, his laughter lingering in the room. Tessa pulled herself up out of the seat, her hand flat on the subtle bulge of her swelling belly and she went into the kitchen.

When Jem came back downstairs he found her bending down at the oven and when she stood up he was peering down into the chocolate cake mixture. “This is a good idea.” He said which Tessa hadn’t been expecting. She had expected him to say it was too late to be cooking.

“I think so.” She agreed and after a moment Jem sat down at the island on a bar stool. Tessa realised he had tears in his eyes and she put her hand on his shoulder gently, “What’s wrong?”

“Do you remember, a little while ago when I said that I don’t think Rook ever loved his son like a son. That perhaps he was more of a hindrance, someone he loved as a link to his wife? That he protected Kit out of loyalty more than a paternal kind of love?” Jem asked and Tessa nodded. She did remember, because she had agreed as much as it had pained her to think it. “Well… I think Kit feels the same. That his father never really loved him.” Jem continued and his voice was thick with emotion. Tessa felt the words like a slap; no young boy should ever feel that way. Still, she had to ask.

“What makes you say that?”

“When I put him down on his bed, he was giggling and I kept covering his face with his blanket when he tried to talk. It was funny and he kept laughing and eventually I stopped and sat down on the bed next to him. I knew I was treating him like a little boy, but he was laughing so hard… so I pushed his hair off his forehead and he closed his eyes. Then I went to stand and he grabbed my arm, the look on his face Tessa… I thought my heart was going to break. He looked so vulnerable.” He said and took a long deep breath, “He said ‘thank you’ and when I asked what for, he mumbled something about thanking me for caring. For caring enough to make him laugh, to take him to bed, and for caring about him when I don’t have to. He said it was strange that I cared more about him and his happiness than his own father did.” Jem closed his eyes then and put his head in his hands. Tessa rubbed his arms and sighed. She had known Kit was damaged, but the poor boy had never known the true meaning of a family until he thrown in the middle of the Blackthorn family. He must have felt so alone, on the fringe of a real family and not knowing how to be a part of it. Tessa moved to stand at her husband’s shoulder and with her finger drew his chin towards her until their eyes met.

“We are his family. It may have taken some time for him to find us, and for us to find him, but he is our family and we love him. It may take him some time, but it’s going to be okay. Every small thing we do, like carrying him to bed or baking him a birthday cake, taking him to dinner… all of them counts for something.” She said and Jem nodded, eyes wide and earnest.

“Do you want a hand with the cake?” He asked and she shook her head.

“No I have this covered. Besides don’t you also have to be up early for training?” She responded and he nodded, standing slowly and drawing her in for a kiss.

“Goodnight my love,” He said and then touched her belly lightly, “Be good little one.” He added and she kissed him again, mumbling goodnight as he left the kitchen.

***

The next morning Tessa slept in late, waking up when the shower in the bathroom attached to their room turned on. She rolled out of the bed and wrapped herself in her gown, poking her head into the bathroom. Jem was silhouetted behind the frosted glass and he called out a muffled good morning to her which she returned before closing the door.

Downstairs, Kit was lying on the couch with his legs hooked over the edge of the arm and his wet hair gold and curly. “Good morning birthday boy! How was training?” She asked and he weakly held up a thumb to say it had been good. He was dressed in jeans and a grey sweater so he must have already showered after the training session, and judging by the exhaustion written all over him, it had been a hard session.

“You’d think,” He said, propping himself on his elbows so Tessa could sit down and then resting his head back on her lap, “That I would get a reprieve for my sixteenth but no. Jem has decided I am supposed to die before my next birthday.” He grumbled and she smiled down at him. He closed his eyes and she started untangling his wet locks gently.

“I don’t think you get a reprieve Kit, but you get to relax until we go out. Have you decided where you want to go?” She asked him and he stretched like a cat, his back cracking and his elbows clicking. The look of contentment on his face made her smile.

“I want pizza and that is all I know.” He said and Tessa nodded even though his eyes were still closed.

“We can get pizza.” She agreed, thinking of the restaurants in the town.

***

Kit sat at the head of the table in the small Italian restaurant, dressed in a new shirt and shoes, and his old black jeans with holes in the knees. Jem had booked the small table at the window for them when Tessa had said Kit wanted pizza. While Kit had fallen asleep on the couch to Tessa playing with his hair, Jem had gone to the restaurant with the cake and asked if they would bring it out after their meal, and he had returned shortly before Kit woke up.

“This place is so cute.” Kit said, looking around at the authentic and traditional décor of an old style Italian restaurant. Tessa agreed, it really was cute, and their food had been absolutely incredible. Nothing beat the calm that had overcome Kit. He was so excited just to be out with them in the mundane world, and he didn’t seem to care that it was his birthday. He had looked absolutely shocked and embarrassed by the cake, but it was clear to see that he was touched by the gesture. He didn’t seem to care either, that the waitress had called Jem and Tessa his brother and sister although it had made Tessa uncomfortable. If anything she thought of Kit as a son.

“Do you want your presents?” Jem asked and Kit’s eyes widened.

“You bought me presents?” He asked and Tessa nodded at him. In the bag she had bought was three wrapped presents, although he couldn’t have known that. “Is that why you brought your big bag with you?” He asked and Tessa nodded, leaning behind her to the bag and pulling it onto her lap. She slid the thin rectangular one out, it was the heaviest one and Kit looked absolutely beside himself as he guessed what it was.

“Is this a…?” He stopped himself from asking and tore the layers of tissue paper off to reveal the laptop in its box inside. “No freaking way!” He yelped, staring at it like he couldn’t believe his eyes. Jem smiled and handed him a card. Happy Birthday Kit! We are having internet installed at home don’t panic. Love Jem.

“This one is from me.” Tessa said and handed him the much smaller, squarer box wrapped in red tissue paper. He tore it off and frowned at the controller’s box.

“You do know that… you need a PlayStation for this to work…?” He asked carefully and Tessa laughed.

“Of course I do. It is waiting in the living room for you to set up when we get home.” She said and he blinked a few times before launching himself out of his chair and hugging her tightly, and then running to the other side and hugging Jem.

“Thank you both, so much.” He said as he sat back down, “Honestly, this is better than a car.” He added and they both laughed.

“Last one,” Tessa said, pulling out the soft package in pale pink tissue paper.

“There’s more?” He croaked, taking it gently. He opened it and Tessa wasn’t surprised to see his eyes well with tears and he choked out a laugh as he opened the tee shirt to see what it said on the front.

I have the cutest little sister ever (yes our mom bought me this shirt).

“It’s a girl?” He asked, glancing at Tessa’s stomach and then up at her face. She nodded and reached out to take his hand.

“She is going to be a little girl. She’s your little sister, if you want her to be.” She said and he wiped his eyes on his shoulder as Jem took his other hand.

“You’re family Kit. You mean the world to us, just like little Sophie will too. We love you.” He whispered and Kit’s breathing was ragged as he tried to keep his emotions under control. They waited patiently and after what felt like an eternity he looked up at them and swallowed visibly.

“Can we go home?” He asked and they nodded, Tessa worrying they had overstepped the boundaries. Jem went to pay and Kit looked at Tessa for a long moment.

“Thank you, for everything. It means… more than I can really say.” He said gently and Tessa smiled, kissing his cheek and standing up from the table to drive her family home.

***

That night, after Jem had dragged Kit away from setting up his new game console and ushered him off to bed, Jem came downstairs with a bewildered look on his face.

“What happened?” Tessa asked as he sat down next to her.

“He… Kit called me dad.” He whispered and turned to her with a smile spreading across his features and Tessa’s heart melted inside her.

“What happened?” She asked, taking his hand.

“He said ‘thank you for tonight’ and then before I closed the door he said, ‘goodnight dad.’” Jem explained and Tessa squeezed his hand gently. Kit finally understood that family didn’t always mean blood, it just meant love.

Christ this took me a while to write I am so sorry! I hope you love it as much as I do @claralightwood-gray <3

#i didnt proof read this #tdi #tmi #tsc #tda #tessa gray #baby carstairs #jem carstairs #kit herondale #carstairs family #requested #one shot #fanfic #headcanon

[searchforthescars]

Congrats on 2k followers you so deserve it!! Can I request a Livvy Lives fic with all the Blackthorns? Angst or happy, or whatever you feel like..:)

Oof this took me SO LONG and I do apologize. Life and work happened, you know how it be... Anyway, thank you for the request! I hope this made up for the wait. :) 

(beginning excerpt is from Lord of Shadows, showing the moment I diverted from canon lol)

Julian made a noise. It was a noise Emma couldn’t have described, not as human a sound as a howl or a scream. It sounded like it was ripped out of the inside of him, like something brutal was tearing through his chest. He dropped the longsword Livvy had risked so much to bring him, fell to his knees, and crawled to her, pulling her into his lap.

“Livvy, Livvy, my Livvy,” he whispered, cradling her, feverishly stroking her blood-wet hair away from her face. There was so much blood. He was covered in it in seconds; it had soaked through Livvy’s clothes, even her shoes were drenched in it. “Livia.” His hands shook; he fumbled out his stele, put it to her arm.

The healing rune vanished as quickly as he drew it.

Emma waited for the healing rune to vanish. She could feel the ache in her gut grow and deaden, her arms go numb, her knees weaken until she was forced to sink down to kneel beside Julian, her pants soaking up the blood. She’s gone, Emma almost said. She’s gone, Jules, she-”

The iratze didn’t vanish.

“Julian,” she gasped. “Julian, she’s still alive! Another, draw another rune!”

Frozen in grief and disbelief, Julian didn’t move. Emma swore exasperatedly and snatched the stele from his hand, sketching rune after sloppy rune. “Livvy, Livvy, come on, come on,” she muttered while Julian held onto her, still stroking her hair, seemingly suspended, unsure of what to do. “Alec!” Emma cried. “Mark! Someone help!”

A flurry of noise and motion surrounded them. Alec and Isabelle flanked Mark, standing watch over Ty, lying so still - too still, too much like Livvy, Emma thought, the fear strangling her heart - while the Silent Brothers somehow got Livvy away from Julian’s desperate arms.

“I’m going with her,” he told one of the Brothers, hoarse, hands trembling. Blood dripped from his fingers like red paint. “You can’t stop me. I’m going with her.”

A moment of silence. Emma thought for sure they would turn from Julian, was prepared to struggle to her feet and demand that Julian go with his sister, his baby girl. But the Brothers must have relented because Julian followed them without another word.

“Watch Ty?” he asked, a question he didn’t need to voice. Emma nodded and Julian vanished, leaving her on her knees, blood from the dais dripping down the steps.

Cortana lay beside her, covered in blood. A thousand questions flitted through her brain. How did Cortana break a Mortal Instrument? How could Livvy be so careless? And how could she, Julian’s parabatai, sworn protector of the Blackthorn family, be so stupid, so inept, to let Annabel anywhere near her family?

She doesn’t realize she’s crying until Cristina’s arms are around her, holding her tight and hauling her up.

“Emma, Emma, you shouldn’t-” A gasp. She must have seen the blood. “Ay Dios mio, Emma, whose blood is-”

“Livvy,” Emma gasped. There wasn’t enough air in this room. Such tall ceilings and no air. It was all sucked away by grief, by Maryse and Alec crying over Robert’s body, by Simon and Mark leaning over Ty drawing runes that couldn’t heal a broken heart. “Tina, Livvy, she’s-”

A gasp. Mark reared back and Ty sat up, shouting Livvy’s name, her full name, in a plaintive cry.

“Where is she?” he asked, panicking, hands fluttering. Somewhere, a door banged open and Kit ran in, hair askew, eyes wide and fearful.

“I heard someone was hurt, a Blackthorn,” he gasped, eyes landing on Ty, scanning his body. Emma doesn’t have the heart to tell him.

“Where is she?” Ty asked again, looking up at Kit, over at Mark.

“Julian went with her to the Silent City,” Emma found the presence of mind to say.

One of Ty’s hands flies to his chest, pressing down, down, down. “She’s not dead.”

Emma thought it would be a question, but it wasn’t. It was a statement. “Ty…”

“She’s not dead,” he said again, eyes blazing with certainty. “I want to go to her. Julian did. I want to go too.”

“Ty,” Mark started. Ty ignored him and struggled to his feet. “Ty, you shouldn’t-”

Ty locked eyes with Emma. “Take me to Julian,” he said, loud and clear.

Cristina let go of her. Emma tried not to think about the blood caking her knees, her hands, the ends of her hair. “Okay.” She looked at Ty and saw nothing but determination and desperation in her eyes. Kit moved to stand beside him, ever his shadow. Livvy’s two protectors. Emma smiled at the thought that she has boys now, just like Tina. Just like Emma herself. “Okay.”

Ty led the way. Emma didn’t remember how or why he knew where to go, but she remembered the screaming.

Julian would want her to shield him, she thought, reaching for the back of Ty’s shirt. Kit grabbed her arm and shook his head.

“Livvy!” Ty shouted, pushing against the iron door, stumbling slightly when it gave way. She was on a table, back arched up in pain, faint cries leaving her lips as the Brothers worked at pulling the shattered sword from her chest.

Emma was going to throw up, she decided, and clamped a hand over her nose and mouth to stave it off. From where Julian stood, gripping his sister’s hand tight enough to bruise, he looked at her.

Why did you bring them here? his eyes asked. She hoped hers answered that she didn’t really have a choice. Ty is like a freight train sometimes - he barrels forward whether you’re with him or not.

Livvy cried out again. A fresh wave of nausea punched Emma in the gut. Ty moved around the table until he was standing next to Julian.

“Livvy,” he murmured, moving to touch the place where the sword pierced her body. He whispered more things, words she didn’t understand. Their secret language, the one they made up when they were kids.

Emma saw them, suddenly. Saw them as toddlers, pulling on everything hanging within their grasp. Studiously paging through books, sounding out one word at a time. Sleeping in the same bed, studying the same things, thinking the same thoughts. Always together. Always, always, always.

It was her failure that might pull them apart, she realized. Bile rose in her throat. Mea culpa, she thought as hard as she could, as if there was some kind of atonement or apology in those words. Mea maxima culpa. My fault, my own, most grievous fault.

Ty kept whispering, touching her chest, her cheeks, the blade itself. The Brothers eased it out, inch by agonizing inch. Each time, she cried out, never waking, tears leaking from her closed eyes. Each time, Julian let out an agonized moan and Ty flinched forward, pressing the heel of his hand to his chest.

“What do we do?” Kit asked, voice anguished. “How do we help them?”

Emma shook her head. “We can’t,” she whispered, a tear falling over the hand still clapped over her mouth.

The broken Mortal Sword lay discarded on the ground, covered in Livvy’s blood, and beside it, sat Ty and Kit, leaning against the bed where Livvy rested.

The Brothers told Julian there were still no guarantees whether or not Livvy would survive. Kit wondered if a mundane hospital would give her a better chance. Probably not. Those iratzes do their job well. He just didn’t know if they would be good enough.

Ty’s hands moved restlessly, picking at his shirt, his pants, pulling on his fingers. His eyes were shut tight. Kit fought the urge to take his hands in his, rub them briskly like Livvy always did.

His heart ached. He hated seeing her like that, cold and pale and nearly lifeless. It terrified him. She was - is - the most alive person he knew.

Please don’t let her die, he prayed, in case the Angel was listening. Please don’t separate them. It will kill him.

Ty’s eyes flew open. A second after, Livvy started to move. Just a little bit - her fingers started twitching - but it was enough for both boys to rise to their knees and peer down at her.

“Livvy?” Ty whispered, touching the tips of his fingers to her forehead. “Livia. Open your eyes.”

She made a soft sound of pain, her cracked lips parting. “Ty,” she gasped, head tossing side to side, brow furrowing. When her eyed opened, they were glassy and full of pain.

Ty looked at her like she was the best thing he had ever seen. “Livvy,” he breathed. “You’re okay. You’re going to be fine.”

“Ty,” she said again, one shaking hand reaching for him. Her eyes skated over his face to land on Kit’s. “Kit.”

Unexpected emotion welled in him. “We’re here, Livvy,” he said, voice shaking. Ty shifted so he was kneeling with his arms resting on the edge of her bed, his head on her arm. He could probably feel her pulse against his forehead, Kit thought. “We’re here.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, contorting her wrist to pet Ty’s hair. “I’m sorry, Ty-Ty.”

Ty lifted his head. The twins locked eyes. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” he said.

That was final. Livvy’s eyes drifted closed. The pained furrow in her brow faded when Kit drew a clumsy dreamless sleep rune on her leg.

“Thank you,” Ty murmured, not lifting his head.

“Did I do the right one?” Kit wondered.

“Not- not for that,” Ty said, irritated. “For coming. For staying.”

Kit looked at him. Looked at Livvy, still too cold and pale. When he touched his hand to the wound on her chest, too gaping and open for iratzes to fully heal, he could feel the steady thump of her heart. He didn’t have to touch Ty to know that his beat in synch.

“Always,” he said without thinking. It was a promise to both of them, he thought. “Always.”

The second Livvy returned home, Dru hugged her for all they both were worth.

“Watch her wound!” Julian scolded, but neither sister cared as they clung to one another for dear life. Dru was vaguely aware that she was crying, shaking in Livvy’s arms, clinging to her shirt and the ends of her hair, but Livvy was also crying, so it didn’t matter.

“Are you okay?” Dru kept asking despite Livvy’s repeated nods against her head. “Livvy, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said. “I’m fine, Dru, I’m okay.”

Dru pulled back to pet the top of Livvy’s hair and brush away her tears. “Don’t ever, EVER do that again!” she shouted, shaking Livvy gently by the shoulders. “You could have DIED!”

“But I didn’t,” Livvy said, a smirk quirking up the corner of her mouth. 

Dru rolled her eyes and pulled her into another hug. Over Livvy’s shoulder, Dru saw Julian smiling, every inch the proud parent.

She held out her arm to Julian, who stepped into the embrace. Emma followed, then Kit, and Dru could barely believe it when Ty rested a careful hand on her back and tangled the other one in Livvy’s hair.

Blackthorns, all together, she thought, kissing Livvy’s cheek and sinking into the warmth of her family. For once, they didn’t lose someone. For once, someone came back.

#tda #lord of shadows #lord of shadows spoilers #livvy blackthorn #emma carstairs #kit herondale #dru blackthorn #amanda writes fanfiction #livvy lives au #this was so fun thank you so much #Anonymous

[cassandraclare]

deleted scene: cameron

blackthornxw said: Hi Cassie! I don't know if you had talked about this before but I would like to know more about Cameron Ashdown. He will appear in Qoaad? How did he and Emma meet each other? I know Emma loves Julian but she didn't had feel anything for Cam?

She didn’t feel nothing for him, but she didn’t love him. Not at all like she’s in love with Julian. I think she was fond of Cameron, and she'd known him for a long time, their families had interacted over many years. I think she may well even have crushed on him for a while. But not every relationship is an epic love story. :) Cameron, however, has some hidden depths you’ll see on display in Queen, and an unexpected part to play.

In the meantime, I turned up a deleted scene from Lady Midnight with Cameron in it. The characters don’t feel quite like their eventual selves to me, and I’m glad I took it out — it flatly spelled out things that worked much better revealed more carefully — but it’s kind of interesting! 

Emma turned to head down the beach to the shoreline. That was when she saw him. Silhouetted against the water. She wondered how long he’d been standing there, hands in the pockets of his jeans.

“Cam?” she said.

Cameron Ashdown walked toward her, the wind off the ocean tousling his dark auburn hair. He’d always looked like a picture-perfect California surfer boy, even though the Ashdown family were Scottish, as far as she remembered. His shoulders were broad, his eyes were blue, and there was a spray of freckles across his nose.

“I texted you,” he said. “Last night. And this morning.”

“I know.” She put her hands on her hips. She felt slightly undressed, not so much because she was only wearing a sports bra and running pants, but more because when she was training, she felt vulnerable. She didn’t mind training with Cristina, Julian, or any of the Blackthorns, but anyone else from the Conclave, even Cam, was — different. “But we broke up, so —“

He laughed shortly. “Classic, Emma,” he said. “You broke up with me, so you don’t ever have to talk to me again?”

“I think that is how it works. Technically,” Emma said. “If we did still have to talk with each other, what would be the point of breaking up?”

He shook his head. “The thing is, you actually mean that.”

She rubbed her hands up and down her arms. The wind off the ocean chilled the sweat on her body, and all she wanted was to get away. “Cam, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

He looked up toward the sky, as if hoping for celestial support. “I am so stupid,” he said. “This is what, the third time? And I thought it would be different. I figured, why would you keep coming back if you didn’t actually like me?”

“I do like you. I always have liked you.” It was true; she’d always liked Cam — a lot of the members of the Conclave, like Cam’s awful sister Paige, could be viciously nasty about the Blackthorns and their connections to Fae. But Cam had never been. “So why break up with me?”

Emma tucked a damp curl of hair back behind her ear. “I don’t know,” she said. “I guess I thought it had run its course.”

“Run its course?” he echoed. “And that means what?”

She felt herself flush. “That it was never supposed to be serious. Right?”

Cam moved toward her. The sun was truly up now, casting his shadow lightly against the sand. He reached out, and she let him take her forearms, his tanned, freckled fingers spanning their width. “Emma,” he said. “You only have one serious relationship, and that’s with Julian Blackthorn.”

“He’s my parabatai,” she said. “Of course it’s a serious relationship.” She looked up into his blue eyes, squinted against the rising sun. “Why are you here?” she said. “I don’t know what I can tell you to make it different, besides that I’m sorry. Does that help?”

“Not really,” he said. “As for why I’m here — every other time you’ve dumped me on my ass, I have come by, just for the record. I think if you’re going to end a relationship, you should do it in person.”

“You’ve never come by —“

“I have,” he repeated. “I’ve just always run into Julian first.” He let go of her forearms. “You know, it’s weird,” he said. “He’s not bigger than me, and I don’t even think he’s a better fighter.”

Emma wanted to protest, wanted to say Julian could slay Cameron Ashdown with a crossbow, wanted to say that not everyone had to go around sporting huge muscles and a giant neck to prove they were strong. She’d seen Jules bend steel girders; he was as strong as any Shadowhunter needed to be. But she held herself back because she wanted to know what Cam was going to say next.

“But he’s damn convincing,” Cameron said. “I’d show up at the Institute and he’d get to me before I ever got to you. And somehow I’d find myself leaving without talking to you. So I’d wait around, until you wanted me again for some fun or company or whatever. You think I haven’t noticed that you called me and asked if I wanted to go out the day after Julian left for England, and you dumped me the day before he got back?”

“I didn’t know you were so intimately familiar with Jules’ travel schedule,” Emma snapped. “Maybe you should be dating him, if you care so much where he is.”

“I care because you care,” said Cam. “You know I’m right.”

“I know you’re jealous,” Emma said, and immediately regretted it.

“Yeah, I am,” said Cam. “Jealous of your parabatai. That’s a little weird, isn’t it? I mean, he’s supposed to be like a brother to you. Protective, maybe, but what you have between you — it’s different. I’ve been alone with you, and I’ve been with you when he’s around, and it’s like you’re a totally different person. Like he turns on a light inside you. I thought maybe I could make you like me enough that I could turn that light on for you, but —“ He broke off, shaking his head. “I don’t think anyone can.”

“You’re crazy,” she said. “It’s not like that.”

“Anyway, I came because I wanted to see you before Julian got back and stopped me,” he said. “That’s it. I didn’t really think I could change your mind.”

The tide had started to come in; it was lapping at their shoes. “I really would like to be friends,” Emma said. “With you.”

The expression that crossed his handsome face was unreadable. “We’ll see.” He turned away, and she watched him go, his shoes crunching on the sand. A few steps away he spun around to face her again. “About Julian,” he said.

She looked at him.

“There’s something cold in him,” he said. “Something scary. I don’t think you see it, but everyone else does.”

She thought of Julian, flecks of paint in his dark hair; Julian picking up Tavvy and swinging him around, Julian bandaging Dru’s scraped knees and smiling at Ty when Ty was clever and cheering Livvy on when she learned to use a sabre. Julian, grinning at her like sunrise.

“Julian isn’t cold,” she said, biting off each word. “Don’t you ever say that again.”

His face had gone stiff. “I guess you two deserve each other,” he said, and turned around. She refused to watch him walk away.

#cameron ashdown #blackstairs #tda

[somegirl333]

When Pranks Lead to Heartbreak

Haven’t written anything in a while, this is an old one I never posted. I’m going to try and post something happier tomorrow or I might do a follow up of this one.

I was not in a good mood when I thought of this idea lol.

Enjoy.

(Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. And all mistakes are mine.)

Chloe was smirking to herself as she looked around the house her and Beca have been living in for the past 6 months.

She was going to get Beca so good today. Her girlfriend was going to be pissed at her but she could live with that, plus the fans were practically begging for another prank video.

Ever since Beca and Chloe had created their YouTube channel 3 years ago, they had done a constant amount of pranks on each others. And as much as Chloe hated to admit it, Beca’s prank were almost always better than hers and she somehow seemed to always figure out when Chloe was pranking her.

To celebrate getting to 10 million followers, she was going to pull the cheating prank on Beca, something she knew would get a reaction out of her girlfriend of 2 years. Their channel had been more vlog focused recently seeing as Beca was being forced to travel more and more as her music career was starting to rise. She was up for a few Grammys soon and Chloe couldn’t be prouder, no matter how much she missed her tiny DJ when she was gone. Beca credited a lot of her fans to their channel because her PR team said it made her more relatable and accessible to her fans.

Chloe had been planning this prank for a few weeks now and Beca was set to get back from a 2 week long trip today and, as planned, Chloe had started to be more distant during the last week, even though it was killing the red head. Beca had pressed the red head, asking what’s wrong but Chloe kept brushing it aside and kept their conversations short so she wouldn’t ruin the prank. It worked out perfectly since Beca was extra busy in the studio the last week and didn’t have as much free time anyway.

Chloe was just finishing setting up the cameras and hiding them when she got the text from Beca that she had just got her luggage and was heading for the car that was bringing her home. Chloe’s heart hurt for a second as she thought about how she could be hugging the younger girl right now if she had picked her up, but she had to sit this one out for the sake of the prank.

She took a deep breath and smiled to herself as she looked around the living room, she had set it up to make it look like she was an emotional wreck that barely left the couch the last few days. She was wearing her baggy sweats and Beca’s old hockey sweatshirt, her comfort clothes, which she knew would set off warnings in Beca’s head.

This was going to be epic.

Estimating that she had about 15 minutes till Beca was home, she got in her place in the middle of the couch and turned on the camera that was blending in with the other electronics on the TV stand.

“Hey guys, Chloe here. As you can see I’m without my adorable other half at the moment but not for too much longer. Beca finally gets back from her 2 week trip today and she should be home in about 15 minutes. If you can’t tell I’m extremely excited”, Chloe giggled as she was practically jumping up and down in her seat, “I’m sure many of you have already noticed my look for the day and I promise I’m not actually the hot mess I look like right now. Today, by popular demand, I will be doing the cheating prank on Beca. Once Beca gets home, I’m going to bring her to the living room and say we need to talk and then I’m going to say that I went out on Saturday night with Stacie, which I actually did and Beca knows this, and while I was out I drank too much and slept with someone else. I’ve been getting more and more distant on phone over the last week so she knows that at least something is happening and I truly believe that she’s going to fall for this if my acting skills are as good as they were before. I’m going to set up a few more cameras around the bathroom and kitchen area because I know Beca and she’s likely to pace from one room to another. So wish me luck guys and I hope this turns out great. Oh, and one more thing: Beca when you watch this later on, just know I love you more than anything and I would never even be able to think about cheating on you. Love you baby.”

With that Chloe grabbed a few extra cameras and did what she said she was going to, hiding a few camera’s in the kitchen cabinets and she had to put one in the plant in the corner by the bathroom since there wasn’t any better spots for it.

With all the camera in place and running, Chloe couldn’t help the little giggle she let out, this was going to be so good and she was glad she is able to cry on demand because that’s going to come in handy right now.

Chloe made her way to the bathroom for one last touch up of her makeup to make it seem like she had been crying for days before she quickly made her way to the couch as she heard a car pulling up outside.

Hearing the car door slam she couldn’t stop the smile that took over her face for a second because God, Beca was finally home and she just missed her so much and this last week of minimal contact was literally hurting her heart.

The smile was quickly wiped off her face as she heard keys in the door and the sound of Beca opening it and struggling to get her stuff in, even without seeing her Chloe knew the mini struggle was adorable, “Honey, I’m home.”

Chloe heart leap in her chest as she saw Beca for the first time in forever as she rounded the corner, taking off her jacket and putting it up on the coat hanger while toeing off her shoes.

Okay showtime Chloe.

“Hey babe not exactly the reaction- Chlo what’s wrong? Have you been crying baby?” Beca was half way through her sarcastic comment before she looked up and saw Chloe.

Thinking about the saddest things she could, Chloe was able to speak with a voice that sounded over taken by emotions, “Hey Becs, come sit down. I need to talk to you.”

Beca immediately dropped everything she had in her and made her way to the couch, sitting close to Chloe, cupping the red head’s cheek with her hand and wiping away the fake tears that Chloe was able to produce, “Hey, hey what’s wrong my love? Is everyone in your family okay? The Bellas? Work?-”

Chloe cut off Beca because seeing her so concerned and being so loving was making it hard for Chloe not to crack, “Beca, I need to tell you something you aren’t going to like. I made a mistake.”

Beca’s eyebrows drew together and Chloe longed to smooth it out with her thumb like she normally does. The DJ at this point was very confused and sat back down with one leg hanging off the couch and the other one curled in front of her, once she was comfortable sitting she reached out and grabbed Chloe’s hand, running her thumb across the knuckle, “Hey whatever it is I’m sure we can fix it. Remember I’m sitting on a lot of money now and money has power.”

Chloe knew she had Beca right where she wants her as Beca did her typical ‘I’m uncomfortable with all my emotions right now so I’ll make a joke’, the redhead had to bite her lip and drop her chin down to her chest so that her hair covered her face. With the saddest thoughts she could think of she was able to make her voice crack emotionally, “On Saturday I went out with Stacie because I was missing you so much and I...I had felt like we were going to be driven apart by distance since you have to travel so much. And then Stacie saw how sad I was and we were doing lots of shots and these two guys came over and order us more. And- And then Stacie took one of them home. And I- I” Chloe paused to bury her head in her hands with a fake sob, “I-I cheated on you. And I’m so sorry and it will never happen again, I was just so dru-”

Beca had gone completely still at the first words that came out of Chloe’s mouth, her whole body seizing up but she cut Chloe off by harshly pulling her hand away from the redhead and jumping off the couch, tears were already gathering in her eyes, “I must of heard you wrong because it sounded like you just said that you fucking cheated on me. What the fuck Chloe?”

The tears that came to Chloe’s eye in that moment were real and were from the pain that she could hear in Beca’s voice, she reached out her hand to try and caught Beca’s hand, tears running down both of their faces by now.

Beca jumped away from the hand that was reaching for her, like it was physically trying to hurt her, “I-I can’t believe you! I trusted you! I loved you! What the fuck dude? Is that why you have been so distant recently, barely fucking talking to me? Fuck I thought I did something wrong”, at that Beca let out a very sharp laugh, “But instead it was because you were too ashamed to talk to me wasn’t it? Or was it cause you were to busy fucking someone else this whole time?!”

The older girl was stunned into silence, she had expected an emotionally reaction but she had not anticipated her girlfriend to get this mad, “Of course not! It was one time, and I was just so drunk and I missed you so much… and I can promise you it will never happen again, Beca I’m just so sorry.”

At that Chloe buried her head into her hands and start faking sobbing but was more her trying to conceal her laugh that she couldn’t hold in, Beca was going to be so mad after all of this.

“Fuck that Chloe and fuck you, that’s no reason to cheat on me, someone you claim to love. And you’re right this won’t ever happen again, cause I won’t let you even have a chance to. Fuck whoever you want I don’t care. Fuck you”, with that Beca stomped her way out of the room, heading to the kitchen, as Chloe predicted.

The red head bite her lip and gave the camera a thumbs up as she heard Beca cursing up a storm in the kitchen, she thought about getting up to go talk to Beca but then she heard the fridge slam shut and Beca storm off towards the bathroom area and seem to start pacing around.

Knowing that Beca was well outside of ear range, Chloe leaned forward towards the camera to talk, “Okay guys I think this is going great, she seems to really believe. Honestly I’m surprised that anger is her main emotion right now, she isn’t usually a super angry person. Anyway I’m going to wait for her to come back to me so we can talk in here with more cameras.”

Chloe leaned back on the couch and quickly schooled her features as she heard Beca’s footsteps coming closer, “Beca I really am so sorry and I love you more than anything in the world. Please just lets talk this out.”

Beca had visibly calmed down, Chloe could tell but now she saw a different Beca then she would expect to see right now. Beca was fiddling with her thumbs like she did when she was nervous and looked guilty, maybe she figured it out and felt bad for cursing out Chloe. Dammit she thought that she got her this time. Chloe stood up so take they were standing in front of each other and her breath caught as Beca started talking and crying again.

“Chloe I’m sorry for my reaction right now but it was just so unexpected, I’m super jetlagged and tired and, well, it really tugged at something inside of me. I haven’t been honest with you and I’m so sorry as well. I have no right to be mad because then I would just be a hypocrite”. 

At Beca’s words Chloe’s heart started pounding and she was lucky the couch was right next to her because her knees gave out. She would feel panic rising within herself, it sounded a lot like Beca was implying something here.

“I cheated on you too, about 6 months ago in LA.” 

With that Chloe couldn’t let the sob that exploded out of her mouth and she started sobbing as she felt her heart break. How did this turn from a prank video to this?

#bechloe fanfiction #bechole #beca mitchell #chloe beale #AU fanfiction #angst? #Pitch Perfect

[darkjanet2]

Drusilla’s Soul Ch. 15 Part 1

Drusilla was tossing and turning in her bed, she was whimpering and moaning in her sleep that she was having a nightmare.

Monstrous Angelus killed her family right in front of her. He tore her Uncle’s intestines and coiled up around his neck and hung it. He was suffocated until he died. He tore her older sister’s dress so that her back was bare. He slit her back with the machete and her spine was revealed and pulled it out. She plopped down the floor dead. Angelus smiled wickedly at her younger sister as she was terrified and tears rolled out of her eyes.

Angelus picked up the bolt cutter from the table and he began to cut her fingers as she was screaming and wailing in agony. Angelus laughed even harder and continued what he was doing. He plunged his hand into her chest and tore her heart out. She died from her last breath.

Lastly, Angelus raped Drusilla’s mother over and over again. She screamed in agony, but he kept going. When he finished, he slit her throat, forcing Drusilla to watch. Drusilla turned her back and refused to watch anymore. She just cried harder and harder. Angelus laughed harder and harder.

At The Convent

Angelus murdered all the nuns, he snapped Mother Teresa’s neck in half and she died instantly. He killed Sister Mary Thomas by breaking her back and neck. She was dead.

And then the beautiful woman, his sire, Darla came in and kissed him. Angelus kissed her back until they heard her whimpering and mumbling. They looked at her, and Angelus decided to sire her. Angelus and Darla were making out on the floor, Dru laughed insanely, and then she cried.

Angelus bit Dru’s neck and fell into darkness.

Drusilla bolted up from her nightmare and she was covered in sweat from her sleep.

‘Oh. It was just a dream.’ thought Drusilla. She wiped her sweat and tears.

Drusilla opened her iPhone X, the screen said it was 4:34 AM. She sighed dreadfully and plopped her head onto the pillow. She couldn’t sleep. She missed her family very much. She needed to get some fresh air.

Drusilla went outside the cruise, the wind blowing breezily and the sound of the ocean waving through the ship. She looked up at the night sky, the night was so young and serene. The full moon shone brighter in the night and the stars were dazzling.

‘Angelus is long gone after I avenged my family’s death.’ thought Drusilla.

“I miss you, Mother, Uncle, Hannah, and Stephaine. Since your death had avenged, you may well rest in peace,” said Drusilla as she walked back to her room.

7:35 AM at Odaiba, Japan

A burgundy-haired boy was snoring loudly. His room was a bit messy, the blind shut as the sun shone dimly through the blind. There were wallpaper soccer players on it.

A small blue creature hopped on a boy’s belly as he was waking him up.

“Davish! Davish! Wake up!” said the creature called DemiVeemon.

A boy named Davis Motomiya groaned as he awoke from his slumber. DeeiVeemon smiled at him.

“Good morning, Davish.”

“Ugh, good morning, DemiVeemon.” groaned Davis glanced at the digital clock. His eyes widened so he was going to be late for school!

“Aah! It’s morning already?! Crap, I’m going to be late for school!” Davis dashed out of his room and went to take a shower. He washed and brushed his teeth. He put on a blue shirt with white and yellow stripes, a pair of brown shorts, blue socks, a navy blue vest, and goggles that Tai had given to him.

A toaster popped up a PopTart, he took the Pop-Tart to his mouth, grabbed a backpack, and finally put on orange boots before he headed out to school.

“Bye, Mom!” he called out to his mother as he ran out to school.

He was running late for school, he had to hurry or he wouldn’t make it. He didn’t want to get tardy.

Davis could see the school building up ahead and he glanced at his watch which was 7:55 AM. He cursed under his breath, he had five minutes left before school started. He stopped by the street traffic and pressed the button, the traffic light would change for a moment.

“C’mon! Change!” said Davis, impatiently pressing the button. The traffic sign changed into a walking sign. Then he quickly ran across the street. And he finally made it! He put his hands on his knees, panting. He glanced at his watch again which was 7:58 AM.

‘Better get to class.’ thought Davis, quickly went inside the school.

Davis made it to class and spotted TK was talking to Kari. He was pretty ticked, but he took a seat.

When a teacher came in, he greeted his students and began to lecture on algebra.

At Basketball Practice

A coach blew a whistle and the boys gathered around.

“Come huddle up, guys,” he called out to his students to gather around him.

“What’s up, coach?” asked Davis.

“We have a game this Friday against a team from out of state,” said Mr. Ueta.

“A team from out of state? Who?” asked TK.

“Someplace called Sunnyville or something,” said Mr. Ueta.

“You mean Sunnydale, coach?” asked TK. and

“Yeah, that’s the place. You heard of it?” he asked.

“I heard it’s a place that had lots of weird occurrences. When will they arrive?” he asked.

"Friday and they will have a tournament with us for the remainder of the weekend to show no hard feelings, win or lose." Mr. Ueta said.

"Ooh, when is the game?" Davis asked, he was interested.

"7:00 pm, they mentioned preparing their hotel reservations and something about a couple of school players having a medical issue with Ultra-Violet Raises." Coach said.

"Okay, Coach,” TK said.

“Now, let’s practice. ‘Cause we’ll start a tournament Friday night,” said Mr. Ueta.

“Sounds fun.” smiled Davis.

“No way! A tournament?” asked the boy.

“We haven’t played a tournament for a while.” said the other boy.

‘A tournament, huh? Well, I can’t wait to meet them.’ thought TK.

At the end of the school, all the kids walked their way home from school. TK wouldn’t forget the gig, he would be there tonight.

“See you at the gig.” TK bid farewell to his friends and walked in the opposite direction.

4:34 PM in Princess Cruise

The Cruise had arrived in Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan at the port. All the passengers were decamping to Tokyo. Drusilla stayed in the shadows to avoid the sunlight, so she ordered an Uber ride so that she had to find a hotel.

Five minutes later, an Uber driver arrived at the port. She got in the car and rode to the hotel. Ten minutes later, an Uber drove to the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. It was a quiet tall building. She thanked an Uber driver and gave him a tip.

She walked inside the hotel and greeted the receptionist and asked him if she needed a room. He nodded in affirmative and gave her the keys.

She found room 601 and unlocked the door and she peeked inside. There was a well-made queen bed, nice furniture, a blackout drape, and a Smart TV. She found a way to the bathroom, partially open bathroom, shower/tub combination, slippers, and free toiletries.

‘It’s been 20 days since I rode on that cruise. I need to relax for a while.’ thought Drusilla.

Drusilla made herself comfortable and turned on a TV. She watched a Japanese romantic drama. She called room service to order some wine.

5:52 PM

Drusilla had already showered, she was dressed in a red stretch lace sheath dress, black pantyhose, and black combat boots. She also wore a velvet red choker, lavender eyeshadow, and red lipstick. She brushed her brunette hair. She was ready to go out and explore. She grabbed a velvet red jacket and locked the door.

She strolled down the city which people were strolling along, laughing, and joking. And the couples were holding hands while they were walking. Drusilla frowned; she wished Leon was there, but she still had a mission trip.

Just when a girl appeared in front of her and asked, “Excuse me, miss. Would you like to come to the gig?”

“A gig?” Drusilla asked.

A young girl had pink pigtails, blue eyes, fair skin, she wore a pink and white school uniform, white knee socks, and a black Mary Jane shoe.

“Yeah. A band called Teenage Wolves. Yamato-Kun is awesome! So, I give you this poster.” said a girl who gave this to Drusilla.

Drusilla took a poster, a boy in the middle was a guitarist and a vocal leader had blonde hair. This boy was so young, she could tell.

“The gig will start soon, you won’t be delayed.” said the pink-haired girl.

“Um, okay. Where’s that at?” asked Drusilla.

“It’s across the bay shore. You should take transportation.” she smiled.

“Alright, I’ll go. Thank you,” said Drusilla, waving at the young girl goodbye.

She entered Oimachi station and paid the fare for a ticket. It took 32 minutes to ride the train, and she walked up the stairway. This city was called Odaiba.

‘I wonder where the concert is? This girl told me she invited me to the concert.’ thought Drusilla.

She looked at the address on the poster, she didn’t need to ask them for directions. So she fished out her phone and opened the Apple Maps app and named the address. And then she proceeded walking in the direction.

Dru saw a lot of people lining up to the ticket booth. It was very crowded. She decided to stay in line. She wanted to see Teenage Wolves. A few moments later, she paid for one ticket and entered the arena. She took a seat in the 14th row.

The band grabbed their instruments, loaded them up in the amplifiers, and set up for a soundcheck. Matt peeked out from the curtains, the audience was crowded, he could see TK and their friends. However, his crazy fangirl, Jun, was there. He shuddered, but he shook it off.

“You ok, Matt?” asked the keyboard player.

“Yeah, Jun is here,” said Matt, he was a bit uncomfortable.

"True, but remember unless we work together we can't reach our end goal, Matt." The keyboard player said.

“He’s right. You have to stay focused on the gig. Think about the practice.” said the drummer.

Matt sighed, “Yeah, you’re right. Let the gig begin.”

The lights went out. Red, blue, and purple flashes pulsated through the darkness, following the rhythm of an ominous beat. The curtains parted, thick fog, colored like the rainbow by the light show, streamed over the stage. The LED screens flicker until the illuminated silhouettes of the Teenage Wolves appear.

Matt stood in the spotlight in the middle of the stage with a microphone stand.

"Are you ready to ROCK!" Matt yelled.

The crowd yells "YEAH!"

"We're sorry, we think you can be a little louder than that," Matt said.

"Are you ready to ROCK!" Matt shouted.

The crowd screamed again "YEAHH!"

As Matt smiled the band began to play, the crowd going wild as Matt began to sing......

You've got a boy, you've got a girl,

Sitting underneath a tree

They sit there every day

And even though, you may think

this is the way the things should be,

It may not always be that way

You can't take nothing for granted,

You've gotta live life today

I turn around

and I can see what's behind me,

I turn back around

and I can see what's ahead

And if you don't believe

I'll be here all along,

Just turn around

Just turn around

You wanna get you gotta give

There is no other way to be

So give it a try

If what I say is really so

you gotta let somebody see

You can't just keep it inside

You can't take nothing for granted,

You've gotta live life today

I turn around

and I can see what's behind me,

I turn back around

and I can see what's ahead

And if you don't believe

I'll be here all along,

Just turn around

Just turn around

*instrumental*

The concert started to rumble above the sky, they could feel the ground shaking underneath.

“Aah! What’s going on?!” the guy cried out.

“Was that an earthquake?!” the girl cried.

Drusilla didn’t know what was going on, she tried to figure out where the earthquake came from. A black foot of the dinosaur was stamped on a stage and the band fled. The audience was screaming and running out of the concert. Drusilla had to run without tripping over. There are no locks on the doors or windows and only one route of egress in the case of an emergency.

Drusilla got outside of the concert, she then looked at the giant creature roaring and blasting fire out of its mouth and destroying the buildings.

‘What the hell is that thing?! And how do dinosaurs exist? It doesn’t make sense!” thought Drusilla.

More creatures were flying above the sky, they were dragon-like demons clad in black, with four red eyes, several wings on their back and head, they had long tails, they had buckles on their arms, and tips of red fingers.

“Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding me,” said Drusilla.

#buffythevampireslayer #crossover #tktakaishi #mattishida #digimon adventure #drusilla #vampires

[thomastair]

Alone 3/?

Summary: Helen has lived her entire life lonely (despite her six siblings). The entire world seems to be rigged against her, or maybe she’s rigged against the world. Aline is the first person in years who simply exists and doesn’t demand anything of her. The first person who makes her feel less alone.

(Alternatively the angsty haline fic no one asked for)

Chapter 3/?

Note: This chapter contains violence, child abuse, a parents funeral and a drunk parent, so if you get triggered by any of those things and don’t have the tags blacklisted just a heads up. (Read at your own risk) 

Chapter Three:

Three Months Later-

It was raining. Raining into the gutters and washing the oil slicked roads. The rustle of the rain on the cemetery’s grass sounded like a restless ghost.

Livvy was crying. The sound filled Helen’s chest, bubbling into every crevice in an empty wail. Helen wondered if her mother could hear it in her coffin.

The coffin that was currently being covered with dark dirt that was quickly becoming mud. Inside Eleanor Blackthorn was lying frail and broken in a pale white dress. Helen could picture her hands, knobbly knuckles folded over each other like a skeletons.

The black fabric of her dress clung to her in the rain. Helen blinked water out of her eyes and stared at the siblings surrounding her in a huddle of black clothes and tears.

Julian was clutching a bouquet of lilies in one hand. The other hand was tearing off the white petals, dropping them onto the slippery grass. To his left was Livvy, sobbing, the tears on her face mixing with the rain. Helen wished they had an umbrella, but the funeral was already expensive enough to put them behind bills for a month at least.

Ty was standing with his expression closed off and guarded. He wasn’t crying, but his hands were in the constant motion of agitation, twisting his wrists, tugging his cuffs, and flapping repeatedly at his sides. Helen wanted to ground him, hold him tight and never let go, Ty looked like he was going to blow away in the gusts of wind that came swirling through the graveyard.

Dru was clasping Helen’s hand in a cold and clammy death grip. Her round face was streaked with silent tears, chin wobbling with the effort of not making any noise. Mark was standing to Helen’s left, he had Tavvy wrapped in his coat and was trying to shield him from the rain. Or maybe he was trying to shield him from the grief that was clogging the air.

The poltergeist father was missing in action. Holed up in his poltergeist brain with only a bottle of booze and the dark wave of sadness that spilled from his mouth threatening to drown them all. But who would be the first to be pulled under? On days like this Helen thought it might be her.

“Put the twins to bed will you?” Helen asked Mark as they kicked off their shoes in the cramped entryway. He nodded his acknowledgement and tugged Livvy towards her bedroom, motioning for Ty to follow.

Tavvy was asleep on Helen’s shoulder. She could feel his chest rising and falling with the beat of her heart. Dru was leaning heavily against the wall, eyes half lidded and red.

“I’ve got to do homework.” Julian murmured, stepping into the kitchen where his textbooks were spread over the table in a mess of bolded text and highlighted notes.

“Come on Dru.” Helen said, wrapping Dru’s hand in her own. The little girl gave a soft groan and let herself be led to the room that she shared with Helen, Mark, and Tavvy.

“Do you want me to get you a hot water bottle?” Helen asked as Dru pulled her pajamas on.

“Mmm.” Dru made a noise of agreement climbing into her bed.

“Okay I’ll be right back.” Helen fished the hot water bottle from the cabinet under the stained sink in the bathroom and made her way to the kitchen.

Julian was sitting at the table worrying a pen between his teeth. The page in front of him was covered with crossed out lines and scribbled words, probably a book report. But Julian and his essays weren’t the main concern of Helen’s mind at the moment. The biggest concern had manifested itself in the form of Mark and their poltergeist father who was waving his arm around in a drunken stupor while shouting.

“I should never have taken you in! Two more useless mouths to feed!” Andrew Blackthorn slammed his hand down on the wood of the table to emphasize his point. Julian and Mark flinched in synchronicity.

Mark had his eyes trained on the ground, his hands clenched in fists at his sides.

“Dad stop.” Helen whispered. Her voice sounded tiny and far away, buried in fear.

“Don’t Dad me!” The poltergeist roared. “You shouldn’t exist! You should have died with your whore-” he paused, searching his addled brain for the word. “-mother!”

Mark swung first. The moment stretched to infinity. Helen watched Mark’s fist connect with Andrew Blackthorn’s chest, heard the outraged cry of a man hit, and saw Andrew raise the half full beer bottle she hadn’t noticed before.

Mark was crumpled on the tile like a swatted fly. Andrew staggered, shaking his head as if to clear cobwebs. Helen let out a silent scream as she watched him raise the bottle again. Beer sloshed out of the brown glass, staining Andrew’s shirt. The bottle connected with the counter. In Andrew’s drunkenness he had completely missed Mark. The broken glass clattered to the floor in awful music.

Mark was blinking and trying to raise himself off of the cold floor. He curled into himself and stared up at their poltergeist father. Helen saw that blood was trickling down from above his right eye. A ball of hot fury roared in Helen’s ears. She stepped in between Mark and Andrew Blackthorn. Each step felt like a mile, she was shaking she knew, and her father had his eyes locked on her with blind hatred. Helen didn’t know if her father saw her, or if he just saw someone who looked like Mark, who looked like someone he would have rather forgotten long ago.

She almost didn’t feel her father wrap his meaty, clammy, beer stained hands around her neck.

There’s something about trying to breath when someone is choking you that makes you feel disconnected. You can breathe in tiny gasps of air, but not nearly enough to keep you alive. The result is black spots flickering at the corners of your vision and the sound of your heartbeat in your ears. A drum beat that you know will end eventually, whether that be death or the mercy of the person choking you.

Andrew shook her, banging her head against the icy floor. Helen was making a horrible rasping gagging sound. She could vaguely hear Julian screaming. It sounded so so far away.

Andrew shook her violently again, then suddenly let go. Helen coughed, the oxygen mercifully flooding her lungs. Blood was staining her hands and chest. Dizzy she rolled and leaned against the far wall, her brain not comprehending what her eyes were seeing.

Julian stood with his hands still holding the bloody kitchen knife he had used to stab their father. Blood was leaking over the tiles, pouring from the two ragged holes in Andrew Blackthorns chest. Red like red velvet cake, red like rose petals. Metallic and sharp smelling.

Helen pushed her hair back shakily, not caring that there was blood on her cheeks, not caring that Mark was running out the front door, not caring that Julian was vomiting in the sink while hyperventilating. Every breath of oxygen was a gift. Every heartbeat without hands around her neck was a blessing.

Helen stood shakily and made her way over to Julian. She rubbed his back and murmured, “Thank you.”

“I killed him.” Julian gasped. “I killed him, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.”

“Hey it’s okay.” Helen allowed Julian to pull her in for a hug. His heartbeat patterned frantically against her ribcage. “It’s okay.”

She raised her head towards the door and saw Ty and Livvy standing like quivering pajama clothed sentries.

“You killed him?” Ty asked, his voice wavered and dropped at the question.

Julian jerked away from Helen and turned to stare in horror at Ty. Ty who always made sure their father had a pillow when he passed out drunk. Ty, who always made birthday cards for Andrew even after their father had yelled at him to “just be normal” and trapped his hands at his sides while Ty screamed that everything was too much.

Julian’s nod felt like a death sentence.

Ty flinched backwards as if he’d been shocked. “I hate you!” He cried, turning and running towards his room with Livvy on his heels. Leaving Helen and Julian staring after him in misery.

IhateyouIhateyouIhateyouIhateyouIhateyou.

Wow okay so I finally got around to writing chapter three! (yay) I promise Helen and Aline will meet soon I just kind of need to establish the story. 

#based loosely on the events of cohf #check in later whenever i next update #if i ever update #emma and cristina will probably make an appearance later #tw: violence #tw: abuse #tw: alcohol #tw: parents #tw: parents death #haline #heline #helen blackthorn #aline penhallow #the dark artifices #lady midnight #lord of shadows #queen of air and darkness #the shadowhunter chronicles #the mortal instruments #city of heavenly fire #julian blackthorn #mark blackthorn #dru blackthorn #ty blackthorn #livvy blackthorn #tavvy blackthorn #alonefic #hetty writes #chapter 3

[insidethesewallz-blog]

SHORTSTOP: PLAYING THE FIELD 

Her name was first base. I was excited by the thought of her. Tonight would be  our first date. Dinner was pleasant so we ventured home since it was getting late. As we approached the sensual darkness of my place, we locked eyes, face to face.

I took her into my arms and we embraced. I was given the privilege of her sweet tongue as a sample of her taste. But it was simply unsatisfying.... So a few days later, I met second base. Now she was impressive to the eyes. Long shapely legs and immaculate thighs. Killer curves. But she was so materialistic. Every time we went out, she expected me to splurge. She talked only of herself. And oh man could she talk. She talked and talked and talked... and honestly she was getting on my damn nerves.

 I chilled out on the dating scene for a couple of weeks. The dating scene to me was beginning to be kind of bleak. I decided to go out for a bite to eat. And I just so happened to run into her. Green eyes, freckles, mocha skin and all dimples. Her name was, Catcher. It was just my dag on luck that as cute as she was, she was a cold weirdo. A cluck. She had this weird and unhealthy obsession with doing things with ketchup. She'd literally put ketchup on everything. But I had all I could take when she tried to ketchup on my ding-a-ling. (Talkin' bout foreplay) SMH.

Discouraged, I tried to date outside of my race. I found this foreign hottie by the name of third base. But I came to realize that everything about her was just fake. I like a natural woman. That was all I need. Name it, she had it: Fake hair, nails, eye lashes, butt, nose, and boobs. I went to hang up my jacket and she had a closet full of fake purses, coats, and shoes.

(Dru- butons) The girls even had fake knees, (where they do that at?) She wore way too many wigs, even her pet poodle had weave.

That was when I made up my mind. No more random hook-ups. I explored the option of dating online. I downloaded the new and fresh dating APP. Did up my profile and began to chat. I ran across these triplets who like to swing. I thought, "What the hell," and swiped left. We hit it off and a day latter we a met. The doorbell rung and I took off in flight. Had to make sure all my dirty clothes were put up. Candles: check Wine: check Rubbers: check "Clap, Clap" I dimmed the lights. In they sauntered At first glance of their sky high heels and micro mini skirts, I thought, "This was going to be one long adventurous night."  

"I'm Center, and this is Left and Right!" That's how they introduced themselves. When they spoke and I seen them teeth, I was like, "Whoa" and then my eyes stung from their breath. I was polite and still cooked. We ate. Then I'm shame to say I faked a stomach ache. I yawned, "Huuuuuh, well, it's getting late. Let me clean up your plates." I got them their shoes on and had al of their asses up out of there by eight! I'd had of every form of dating, so I decided to stop. And that was when I met her, my walking dream. My gift from heaven. Her name was Shortstop.

Shortstop is: Beautiful and intelligent. Her smile lights up the morning sky. She is my horizon and rainbow; a natural beauty.

She makes me smile when I'm down. She makes me laugh when I feel sad. She makes my heart beat like a Samoan tribal drum when I hear her voice. Her eyes are like ink black pools of ecstasy, I drown in them without care. She is special in everyway and nothing gets past her. She is the most important person to me, and I feel blessed to feel her passion and love. And I stopped looking, and she appeared and I knew that she was a gift from above. Shortstop is the one destined for my love.

No more playing the field....

I was watching the Women's College World Series and this idea came to me. I decided to combine that concept with the woes of dating and finding the right woman, so i hope you all like it. Take care...Marcelle!

[the-bee-graveyard]

The Perfect One For You Is Me

I promise the next fic I publish will be the next chapter of The Fine Line but I got a moment of inspiration and had to write this.

Summary: Livvy has great taste in music and women but her family doesn’t seem to appreciate it (Or Livvy’s singing music at three in the morning while having an inner monologue and the rest of the Blackthorn’s do not appreciate it.) Stan supportive sibling Ty.

3am was Livia Blackthorn’s second favorite time of the day. Her first favorite was 11:45, because she was born at 11:45 and Ty was born at 11:50, and Livvy quite enjoyed being alive and she enjoyed even more that her brother was alive. She would’ve done this whole thing at her favorite time, but it wasn't exactly something she planned for, so 3am would have to do. What Livvy was doing at 3am was something she usually didn’t do: thinking about something other than equations, her family, or her sabers.

She was thinking of Eleanora Bellefleur. Of the way Elle’s dark brown hair bounced when she skipped (and she skipped quite a lot). Of the way Elle’s face would light up when they climbed up onto the roof of the institute to watch the sunset. Of the way Elle smelled like oranges, her favorite fruit. Of the way Elle’s dark eyes seemed to sparkle when they looked at Cameron Ashdown.

Livvy had no right to be jealous, she had no claim to Elle. She should be happy for Elle, she’s found a lovely boyfriend who made her happy. Livvy had suspected there was something between Elle and Cameron for a little while now, but they only told her three days ago. Ever since then her brain kept making mistakes and thinking of Elle as Elle Ashdown instead of Elle Bellefleur, which was a real shame since Elle Bellefleur sounded much better.

She had no right to be jealous, but she couldn’t help it. Not when she was the one who knew that Elle hated the color orange but loved how it looked surrounded by pinks and yellows. Not when she knew how to braid Elle’s curls just right so they didn’t knot. Not when she’d drive around Los Angeles in Diana’s truck and sing to all Elle’s favorite songs with her. Not when she had been the one to befriend Elle when she first moved to LA when they were sixteen, two years ago. 

Livvy unplugged her phone and plugged her headphones in. She pressed play on You Stupid Bitch by Girl in Red and turned it up until her ears hurt, laying on her bed and listening to the song.

You let the wrong people love you

But you don't see that, do you?

When you cry and need my comfort

I drop everything to come over

Livvy got up off her bed and started dancing, sliding on the wood floors with her mix-matched knee socks. 

“Don't bite your lip or grit your teeth. Just count to ten and try to breathe,” Livvy  sung along to the words. “YOU STUPID BITCH CAN’T YOU SEE? THE PERFECT ONE FOR YOU IS ME. THE PERFECT ONE FOR YOU IS ME. THE PERFECT ONE FOR YOU IS ME. YOU STUPID BITCH CAN’T YOU SEE? THE PERFECT ONE FOR YOU IS ME.”

Livvy heard the sound of a shoe hit the wall she shared with Dru. She knew it was the sound of a shoe because she’d thrown many shoes at that very wall. Dru and Livvy might as well communicate in throwing shoes at that wall.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Dru yelled. Not wanting to wake up the others (which Livvy had probably already done) she took out her phone and texted Dru.

Livvy: Say please you rude bitch

Dru: Shut the fuck up it’s too late for this bullshit

Livvvy: Love you too asshole

Livvy threw her phone and headphones down on her desk and laid on her bed. She almost fell asleep when she started wondering whether or not Elle was with Cameron right now. She got her phone back, put her headphones back in, and unpaused the song.

You don't know what you deserve (Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh) That's why you end up hurt (Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh) But you never listen Take my advice as criticism Then make the worst decisions Ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh, ooh-oh Don't bite your lip or grit your teeth Just count to ten and try to breathe You stupid bitch, can't you see? The perfect one for you is me The perfect one for you is me The perfect one for you is me You stupid bitch, can't you see? The perfect one for you is me

“You have a nice singing voice,” Ty said the next morning at breakfast as he cut up his pancakes. “You should sing more often.”

“Thanks Ty,” Livvy said, focussing on drowning her pancakes in syrup. Dru had gotten up early to go somewhere with Thaís so Livvy didn’t have to put up with her snarky remarks. 

“What were you even doing?” Emma asked. “No one sings Girl in Red at three am unless they’re depressed or in love with their best friend.”

“What were you doing close enough to my room to hear it?” Livvy shot back, quite proud of her insult if she did say so herself. Emma shrugged and continued eating her pancakes. Livvy finished up at the same time as Ty and they headed back towards their rooms together.

“Whatcha planning on doing Ty-Ty?” Livvy asked.

“Going to the beach to look at the tide pools while you can still see them,” Ty replied.

“With Kit?” Livvy asked in a teasing manner. Ty put his headphones over his ears to hide how red they were getting.

“Was Emma right?” Ty asked, trying to change the subject. “Are you in love with your best friend?” “No Ty, I’m not in love with you. You’re my brother.”

“We both know I meant Elle, don’t give me that shit. She is, isn’t she?” Livvy nodded slowly, looking away from Ty. “You should tell her.”

“Ty, she has a fucking boyfriend,” Livvy sighed.

“Yeah,” Ty said. “Look, I’m not supposed to tell you this but Kit told me that Elle told him that she’s got a deal with Cameron, like the one Emma and Mark had. She uses Cameron to make you jealous and she tries to smooth things out between our families and his so he can be a more productive member of the clave.”

“Really?” Livvy said, her heart fluttering in her chest. 

“Really,” Ty said. “And besides, if you tell her what’s the worst thing that could happen?”

“She could reject me and then I’ll have to go live with Aunt Marjorie to spend the rest of my living days in shame?” Livvy suggested. “You know what, I’m going to do it. I’m going to tell her.”

“Good for you,” Ty smiled. “Remember this moment the next time I want your help hiding a squirrel in my room.” Ty disappeared into his room and Livvy went into her own, grabbing her phone and starting to type out a message.

Send To: Elle <3

https://youtu.be/LQiZUGuEFE <3

(A/N: Maybe I’ll write a part two to this eventually, but Elle’s probably going to be a reoccurring character in my fics now, because even though we never even actually see her in this fic I’m attached to my girl)

#the dark artifices #the wicked powers #livvy blackthorn #livvy blackthorn x original character #ty blackthorn #dru blackthorn

[jennycalendar]

Imperfections (32/?)

ao3

i. really like this chapter

Giles was humming happily as he washed the dishes for dinner, and it was very clearly because of the retreat thing. It was weirdly sweet, Faith thought, if a little annoying, and she watched him for a while before going back to the stupid history worksheet. “My history teacher put fuckin’ cartoon animals on this thing,” she said with some annoyance. “What, are we in kindergarten?”

“Hmm. Language,” said Giles a little distantly, then, “I’ve always wanted to go camping with Jenny.”

This made Faith smile in that reluctant way she was starting to feel more and more accustomed to. There was still that small voice in the back of her head saying that this wasn’t permanent, but fuck it, she’d be happy with it while it was. “She back yet?” she inquired.

Giles shrugged. “At times, her lessons with Willow take a while,” he replied easily. “And we can afford to be a bit late to the retreat.”

Faith pushed down her nervous feeling. Jen could take care of herself.

“A spell,” Spike was saying to Ms. Calendar. “For me. You’re gonna do a spell for me.” He cast a glance at a shaking Willow. “Her too, if she can handle it.”

Willow wasn’t afraid. She wasn’t afraid. She wasn’t afraid. She reached out, grabbing at Ms. Calendar’s hand for some semblance of comfort. “Um, what kind of a spell?” she said in a small voice.

“A love spell!” shouted Spike. Willow flinched. Ms. Calendar squeezed her hand, hard, almost a promise. “Are you brain dead?” He walked towards the dresser, grabbing a bottle. “I’m gonna get what’s mine,” he muttered. “What’s mine. Teach her to walk out on me.”

Gripping Ms. Calendar’s hand, Willow’s eyes flitted involuntarily to Spike.

“What are you looking at?” Spike demanded.

Willow looked hastily away. “Nothing,” she said, voice trembling.

“You can do it, right?” Spike persisted, his eyes only on her. “You can make Dru love me again? Make her crawl?”

“I-I can try,” Willow stammered.

A terrifying expression of fury crossed over Spike’s face. He moved forward, pulling Willow up and away from Ms. Calendar to slam her hard against the bedpost. His hands were on her neck. “What are you talking about, trying?” he shouted. “You’ll do it!”

“Get the fuck away from her!” shouted Ms. Calendar in a tone of voice that was way scarier than Spike.

“Yes, I’ll do it,” half-sobbed Willow.

Spike let go of Willow, smashing his bottle against the opposite bedpost. Ms. Calendar all but ran forward, trying to reach Willow first. But then Spike was grabbing Willow again, thrusting the jagged end of the bottle up to her face and roaring, “You lie to me, and I’ll shove this through your face! You want that?”

“No,” Willow whimpered.

“Don’t you dare, don’t you touch her,” Ms. Calendar was shouting, hitting at Spike. He barely seemed to notice.

“Right through to your brain!” Spike yelled, shaking her.

“No, please, no,” Willow begged, and was horrified to realize that she was crying in front of Ms. Calendar.

Spike let go of her again, and this time Ms. Calendar pulled Willow in, holding her very tightly and murmuring incomprehensible words in a soft, soothing tone. Willow really wished that this kind of closeness was under different circumstances; sure, she’d missed Ms. Calendar lots, but she definitely didn’t want to die in this broken-down old factory.

“…but she didn’t—are you listening to me?” Spike shouted.

“Blah blah girlfriend troubles blah blah fragile masculinity blah,” said Ms. Calendar acidly. “Touch Willow again and you’re going to wish Angelus had killed you when you were stuck in that wheelchair.”

“Don’t make him angry!” Willow hissed, trying to stop shaking.

Spike stepped forward, eyes glinting. Then, unexpectedly, he burst into tears. “I’m so unhappy,” he sobbed.

“Oh my god, you are not serious,” muttered Ms. Calendar. Gently, she let go of Willow, pushing on her shoulders until Willow sat down on the bed. Walking over to Spike, she said carefully, “I really don’t think a love spell is the way to go here, Spike.”

“Yeah?” Spike gave her a reproachful, teary glare. “No one asked you, though, did they? You’ll do that spell for me or I kill your little witch over there.”

For the first time since they’d been taken to the factory, Willow saw Ms. Calendar falter. “Okay,” she said, her voice softer, more careful. “Then I’ll do that spell for you.”

Spike nodded slowly. “Damn right you will,” he said with drunken conviction, stepping forward and lifting a lock of hair off Ms. Calendar’s shoulder. Ms. Calendar flinched, but didn’t move, her expression careful and calculating.

Lifting his head, game face on, Spike said, “I haven’t had a woman in weeks.”

“And you won’t be having one now if you want that spell of yours done,” Ms. Calendar replied coolly, side-stepping Spike and moving towards the box of supplies to rifle through it.

“Get started, then,” Spike growled.

Ms. Calendar looked up and gave Willow an amused little smile, glancing over at Spike as though he was some kind of sad puppy trying to get out of a chair. “He’s not going to hurt us,” she said very quietly. “I’ve seen evil. This is just sad-post-breakup-guy, only with a little bit more fang and bloodthirst.”

“Are you sure?” Willow murmured.

Ms. Calendar’s smile stayed on her face, but it seemed a little strained. “Would I lie to you?” She looked up at Spike. “This isn’t going to be enough,” she said, this time loud enough for him to hear.

“What?” Spike stepped forward, moving to stand next to Ms. Calendar.

“Well, generally I can’t do a love spell without all the ingredients,” replied Ms. Calendar calmly. “Not to mention that Willow’s spellbook is still in the library.”

Spike nodded slowly. “Write me a list of ingredients,” he said finally, rummaging in his pocket and shoving a pen and paper at Ms. Calendar. “I’ll get the things, but if you’re lying—” He turned, coat flaring out, and strode over to the other side of the room, glaring at them both from a corner.

Ms. Calendar knelt down on the bed, scooting forward until she was next to Willow. “You okay?” she said softly.

Willow shook her head.

“We’ll be okay,” said Ms. Calendar, picking up the pen and beginning to write. “We’ve got a pretty kickass team on our side.”

Willow settled herself into the bed, lying down next to Ms. Calendar, and she felt Ms. Calendar’s hand absently card through her hair. She closed her eyes, trying to pretend there wasn’t a drunk, angry vampire in the corner. “Should I help with the love spell?” she asked tentatively.

Ms. Calendar shook her head. “I’ll be okay on my own, Willow,” she said. “You just—relax.” At Willow’s doubtful look, she laughed ruefully. “Yeah. Okay. I see the irony in that.”

Spike stormed over, wordlessly holding out his hand. Ms. Calendar neatly folded the list, handing it to him. “Don’t try to escape,” he informed them both. “Even if I don’t get you, chances are something else will.” He didn’t look too displeased by this concept.

“We’ll hang here,” Ms. Calendar replied, lying back in the bed.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” said Spike darkly. “Still haven’t decided what to do with the littler witch when you’re done with the spell.”

Willow felt a rush of cold fear at this, because it wasn’t like Giles or Buffy or anyone would think to look in whatever this place was. Not for a while, at least, and who knew how much time they had?

“Gotcha,” said Ms. Calendar, outwardly unfazed, but Willow noticed that her hands were trembling very slightly.

Giles had stopped the happy humming and started pacing. Behind him, he heard the sound of Faith snapping her pencil in half. “When are we going to look for Jen?” she asked him loudly.

“I don’t—” Giles exhaled, glancing up at the clock. It had been two hours since Jenny left, and there hadn’t been a single call. It was making him anxious and panicky, but he knew that he didn’t want Faith to worry. “Perhaps she and Willow are, are making up for lost time—”

Faith gave Giles a pointed look. “It’s Jen,” she said. “She knows you worry. She’d call.”

Giles leaned heavily against the counter, looking down at his shoes, and didn’t say anything. He couldn’t.

“We gotta go,” Faith persisted. “Check the school, at least—”

And that was when the phone rang, loud and shrill. Giles made a dive for it, grabbing the receiver and nearly toppling to the floor. “Jenny?” he demanded breathlessly.

“No,” said Buffy heavily.

For one terrible, awful moment, Giles thought—

“Spike’s got Willow and Ms. Calendar locked up somewhere,” said Buffy.

Giles felt a confusing mixture of feelings. Not dead, then, he thought, but the Watcher in him reminded him not definitively dead, and certainly not unhurt. “Do you know where that is?” he managed.

“What’s going on?” Faith demanded, coming up behind Giles in an effort to listen in. Giles waved her off as best he could.

“We’re on it,” Buffy replied, and Giles knew her well enough to hear the thread of genuine worry in her voice, buried under authority and determination. “Spike wants them to perform a love spell for him, and he’s looking for the tools to get that done.”

“So Jenny’s alive, still,” said Giles. This didn’t comfort him at all. The last time Jenny had been taken by a vampire—

“I think so,” said Buffy, her voice softening. “Listen— Angel and I are going to help Spike find his ingredients. We’ll try and keep him away from wherever the place is for as long as possible, so you and Faith can go looking for her. Cordelia, Xander, and Oz are all on it too.” She hesitated, then, “I’m sorry you and Ms. Calendar can’t go camping.”

The excitement of vacationing with Jenny seemed distant, now. “Yes,” said Giles vaguely, and hung up.

“Tell me what happened,” Faith snapped, but Giles thought he saw fear in her eyes.

“Jenny and Willow were just kidnapped by Spike,” he informed her weakly. “Not exactly what one would call a formidable vampire, but—”

Faith looked at Giles, grabbed her jacket from where it was hanging on a kitchen chair, and shoved past him.

Giles reeled. He hadn’t expected this immediate of a response; he hadn’t actually realized how deep Faith’s affection for Jenny ran. Quietly, he followed Faith to where the door of her room stood ajar, moving to stand hesitantly by the doorway.

Faith was throwing weapons helter-skelter into a beat-up old bag, tucking a stake into the sleeve of her leather jacket as she muttered. Giles could hear the suppressed sob in her voice. “Fucking vampires always taking my Watchers, swear to god I’m gonna fucking kill this one before he can so much as—”

“Faith,” said Giles. His voice broke.

Faith looked up, and stopped. She blinked hard. “Don’t you tell me to stop,” she said, her voice wobbling.

Giles shook his head, stepping into the room. Strangely, seeing Faith so distressed centered him in his desire to calm her down. “We can’t afford to be reckless,” he said as steadily as he could. It didn’t come out all that steady. “Not when Jenny or Willow might be seriously injured.” He sniffled, and felt a bit ridiculous for it, but Faith didn’t comment. If anything, her expression softened a bit. “Currently, Spike is with Buffy and Angel,” he said.

Faith pressed her lips together at Buffy and Angel. It reminded Giles ever so slightly of Ethan’s face when he’d seen Jenny for the first time, but now certainly wasn’t the time to press Faith about that. “But Jen’s not with Spike, then,” she said. “So he can’t hurt her.”

“That’s the idea,” Giles agreed. “You and I will take my car—I have some ideas as to where they might be.”

Faith nodded, tucking an extra stake into her jacket pocket. Then, to Giles’s surprise, she faltered, looking briefly away. “She’s gonna be okay,” she said awkwardly. “Really. Jen’s tough.”

Giles managed a flicker of a grin. “She is incredibly resilient,” he said with a soft kind of pride. Then, “You’re ready to go?”

“Sure am.” Faith tossed her bag over one shoulder, breezing by Giles—but she looked back, giving him an encouraging little smile.

#fic #imperfections #this might be the first time i wrap an episode up so tidily...yay me

[emms-jules]

Catch Fire - Chapter 3

Chapter 2: https://emms-jules.tumblr.com/post/618793286894796800/catch-fire-chapter-2

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24269344

If Emma was asked that question five years ago, she would have easily said numerous reasons.

"I want to be with Julian. I want to officially be his. I want to spend my travel year with him. I want to answer his calls. I want to reply to his messages. I want to say I’m sorry. I want to take care of the kids with him. I want us to damn our lives as long as we got to live it."

But this was a different time now. She may still want the same things, but the person she wants to be with might not want it anymore.

Chapter 3

After fixing her luggage and putting the photos of her parents from the envelope back on her wall, Emma changed into a green nightgown and was instantly asleep. She woke up early, around 7 a.m. Mexico City is two hours ahead of Los Angeles, so Emma doesn’t feel groggy. She decides to start doing her usual morning routine during her time here; running laps around the beach.

She changed from her nightgown to a pink sports bra, topped with a loose white crop top, black athletic shorts, and her running shoes. She braided her hair and took her phone and earphones before heading out. Like yesterday, she was instantly engulfed by the smell of salt and the sound of the waves crashing. How I missed this. Smiling to herself, she started her music and began running.

-----

She was already heading back to the Institute when she noticed someone exiting its doors. A shock of red hair was going down the porch. It was an unmistakable face, especially since she dated the girl’s brother before. It was Paige Ashdown: Cameron’s younger sister, an ex-Cohort member, and the one who called Ty “stupid” once and insulted Dru’s figure when they were little.

She seemed to be fixing her hair and noticed Emma when she looked up. She looked surprised, then she smirked. “Emma Carstairs, as I live and breathe. I did hear you’re coming back.”

“What are you doing here, Paige? Is there some demon activity needed to be reported?” She asked, confused and a bit irritated with her presence. Despite the redhead’s choice of joining the new Clave, she was still wary of her presence, memories of the Cohort still fresh for her.

Paige laughed. “Demonic? No. But activity?” She laughed. “I guess so. You should go ask Julian.” She replied, suggestively glancing up his room.

Emma froze upon realization why Paige was at the Institute. And why she was leaving in the morning. And why she was fixing herself. She wanted to vomit. Seeing Emma’s reaction, Paige laughed.

“Say hi to the Blackthorns for me.” She said, before leaving.

Emma stared at her retreating figure for a few moments, unable to grasp what she learned. After a while, she shook her head as if to remove her thoughts and headed inside. She can already hear the chatter inside the kitchen, so she decided to go there. She needed water and was debating if she needed food. The morning conversation left a bile on her stomach.

Everyone was present except for Helen, Aline and Olly. Dru was busy preparing the table, while Ty and Tavvy were talking about a new game that they wanted to purchase, and Julian was cooking bacon and eggs. Mark and Cristina came in a few minutes later, with Tina going straight to the coffee machine.

“Dru, where’s Helen and Aline?” Emma asked as she opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, chugging it quickly.

“They have a meeting with Alec and Magnus today. They brought Olly along per Clary’s orders.” Dru stated, sitting down.

At the mention of Clary, she mentally reminded herself to talk with the girl soon. Cristina approached her and bumped her hip with hers.

“You went for a jog?” The girl asked, drinking her coffee. Emma nodded and regarded the coffee with disgust. She hated it.

Tina mocked her then leaned to a whisper. “I saw somebody leaving his room earlier.”

Instinctively, they both glimpsed at Julian, who was busy cooking.

“Good for you. I, on the other hand, actually came face to face with her as she left the Institute. And for a walk of shame, she giggles a lot.” Emma replied, unintentionally closing the fridge door aggressively.

Cristina snickered, though she wasn’t heard. Emma was busy looking at Julian with steam coming out of her ears. Cristina took this as a signal and left Emma’s side to sit with Mark. Emma sauntered to Julian’s side, regarding the bacon and taking one, munching it.

“You know you should wait until everything is cooked right? Tavvy will stab you.” Julian spoke. Emma wanted to say something witty, which was her normal answer. Unfortunately, she was not in the mood to joke around.

“So… Paige Ashdown.” She stated, toying with the plate of eggs. She felt Julian tense, making her glance at him. He already went back to his cooking.

“I didn’t know you had interest in anything about me.” He uttered casually, not taking his eyes off the frying pan. That reply was supposed to punch in the gut like last night. It didn’t affect her though.

“Listen, I know that it’s not my business, but of all the girls out there, you decided to choose an ex-Cohort member?” Emma hissed. She was trying to lower her voice so that no one else could hear them.

Julian finally focused her way, leaving the frying behind him and shrugged. “It’s not like she’s my girlfriend or anything.”

Emma gaped at him. She didn’t know if she was supposed to be relieved that the two weren’t official, or upset that Julian, as it turns out, was only up for the physical part of a relationship. She vaguely remembered the time when Magnus removed his feelings, and Julian suggested that being together without feelings was the best solution for them.

“Are you hearing yourself? In case you forgot, she was the one who called Ty stupid back before she was sent to the Scholomance. And do you remember what she called Dru? Speaking of, do they even know about her?!”

Julian shrugged. Again. “Emma, it’s been years. Also, they don’t seem to mind in the rare occurrences when they see each other around the house.” Julian leaned closer to Emma, his breath fanning over her face. It sent shivers down her spine despite her temper. “So you see, I don’t bring her to the Institute when unnecessary. I prefer to have my personal endeavors all to myself. And our relationship, whatever it is, is clear between the two of us. I wouldn’t go around dragging her along like you did her brother.”

Emma gasped in shock. Now that was low. Even though she didn’t have strong romantic feelings involving Cameron when they dated, she knows that she liked him enough to date him. She wasn’t ashamed that Cameron was her first kiss and more. He was a good guy. Julian knows that too.

The frying pan gave off a loud sizzling sound, sending some oil from the pan jumping, hitting Julian in his forearm. The boy hissed, diverting his attention from Emma to his arm. He opened the tap and extended his hand to it. Emma was too angry to care.

“Screw you, Julian Blackthorn.” She cursed, and was heard by everyone at the table. She found them staring at her wide-eyed.

Emma turned and walked away from the kitchen and went to her room, remembering uttering the same words once to Julian back in the London institute. She could hear Mark asking Julian if he was okay, and somebody turning off the gas.

-----

Once Emma decided that her furious scrubbing was enough, she rinsed and dressed before heading out of her bathroom. She found Cristina waiting for her at the foot of her bed.

“Okay. It’s story time, come here.” The girl said, gesturing to the spot beside her.

Emma followed in a huff. As she sat, Cristina took Emma’s brush from her night stand and combed her freshly-cleaned hair. Emma began explaining her encounter with Paige and the conversation with Julian. When she finished, her hair was already dry and fixed by Cristina in a full braid. She thanked the girl.

“I never thought Julian would say that kind of thing to you.” Cristina began, settling herself against the headboard of Emma’s bed.

Emma scooted next to her. “I get that he’s mad at me still, or whatever weird reaction he has upon my arrival back here. But that’s not the point, Tina. It’s like he’s really changed.” Her voice dropped into a whisper. “It’s like I don’t even know him anymore.”

Cristina placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s not like you can expect him to not change at all. I don’t want to blame you, but I want to be honest with you. Aside from his siblings, you were the only constant thing he had left. And you left.”

Emma feels incoming tears prick her eyes. She blinks furiously to stop them. Cristina hugs her sad friend. “My advice for you: let your relationship be for now. Why don’t you start making it up to the kids? They’ve missed you, and maybe along the way you’ll mend your friendship, at least, with Julian.”

-----

Thump. Thump. Thump.

“That’s great, Emma! Now let me try.” Tavvy excitedly took three throwing knives from one of the tables and positioned himself behind the throwing line. He was contorting his face as if to concentrate, which Emma found cute and wanted to squish him in a hug like she always did. Tavvy will always be a little boy to him.

After the conversation with Cristina, the two girls decided to eat a late breakfast. Tina cooked her Mexican scrambled eggs, consist of all types of bell peppers and onions. After that, Emma decided to go and invite Tavvy to the training room, much to the youngest Blackthorn's delight.

Tavvy released knife after knife, hitting the bull’s eye two out of three times. Okay, maybe he wasn’t a little boy anymore.

“Well done! You only missed one, because you released the knife with an awkward throw. Lean back a little more before releasing.” Emma angled Tavvy’s body before giving him more throwing knives. This time, he got them all correctly. They both squealed in excitement.

“I don’t know what I’m even doing here, Tavs. I think you’re already good at this.” Emma commented, walking to the targets and retrieving the used weapons.

Tavvy hummed, his face smug and looked indirectly at Emma. “I guess Julian is a good teacher after all.”

Emma narrowed her eyes before realizing. “You didn’t really need my help, did you?” She asked. Tavvy was trying hard not to smirk.

Emma laughed, dropping the weapons and running to the boy, tickling him. “You’re such a show off, Octavian!” She teased, as Tavvy landed on the floor, laughing and trying to breath in between. He was trying to take Emma’s hands off him.

“Emma! Emma s-stop!” Tavvy struggled speaking, laughing his head off.

Emma continued laughing, finding herself really glad to be back in Los Angeles for the first time. She missed these moments, and was happy to have more of them back. Despite her joy, she can’t help but feel a little bit of sadness and shame for leaving all of them behind so sudden five years ago. I’ll make it up to them, she thought. I’m back, and I’m never leaving them again.

“Emma! Corazoncita!” The door of the training room opened, revealing Christina clad in Shadowhunter gear. She stopped short upon seeing Emma wrestling Tavvy to the floor, and giggled at the sight. “Okay enough tickling. The poor boy’s red all over!”

Emma sat up, holding out a hand to Tavvy. He took her hand, still laughing. His red face was slowly coming back to its normal color. Emma ruffled his hair before turning to Cristina. “What’s up?”

“There’s reports of illegal activity over Santa Monica Pier. Since Helen and Aline aren’t here, Julian and Mark  got the message and we’re planning to go tonight. Are you up for it?”

Adrenaline shot through Emma like lightning. Apart from her bond with the Blackthorns, this is another thing she missed most. She smirked.

“Is that even a question?”

#tsc #tsc fic #tda #tda fic #jemma blackstairs #emma carstairs #julian blackthorn #Shadowhunter Chronicles #the shadowhunter chronicles #the dark artifices #Lord Of Shadows #queen of air and darkness